Distributed to the Stapleton, Park Hill, Lowry, Montclair, Mayfair and East Colfax neighborhoods DENVER, COLORADO FEBRUARY 2017 1/21/17 — Women’s March, Civic Center Park 1/20/17 — Presidential Inaugural Event, Pete’s Greek Town Cafe Only Blocks from Each Other but Miles Apart By Carol Roberts The largest by far, of course, was the coming from other events. A rally to pro- events addressed criminal justice reform—one igns that this presidential inauguration Women’s March with its unprecedented tect immigrants and refugees called for specifically about Denver’s policy on use of had energized Denver were strikingly numbers and signs reflecting a wide range passage of legislation to make Colorado force by the police. Sevident downtown and in our NE of issues and concerns. And at the MLK a sanctuary state. Two events specifically On pages 5 to 11 we offer our readers a quadrant. Within a four-and-a-half mile Marade, which occurs annually in this addressed the concerns of people who closer look at these events and the causes and radius of city park, seven public events drew time period, the content of speeches and will lose their health care if/when the messages they are bringing to the attention of over 122,000 people in a 12-day period. crowd responses reflected the messages also Affordable Care Act is repealed. And two our community. (continued on page 5) NE Denver Sends New Legislators to the Capitol Photo courtesy of Neighborhood Music Front Porch Annual Camp Guide Over a hundred camps are listed in The Colorado House and Senate gather in the house chamber to hear Governor Hickenlooper’s state of the state speech. our five-page directory starting on page 29. Camps for all ages and By John Fernandez there’s an unmistakable air of optimism. Some represents an opportunity: “I am very optimis- interests are all here. Choose from: he list of problems facing the Colorado of it results, ironically, from the transition to a tic that conditions have evolved from two years art, music, dance, sports, technology, Legislature has a familiar ring: school new federal administration and the promised ago. Now, there’s no stalling until the next Tfinance, roadway gridlock, and a state changes to the Affordable Care Act (ACA). election.” media, nature, outdoor adventures, budget contorted and constrained by conflict- Threats to cherished programs galvanize Hansen believes a long season of rhetoric cooking, climbing, writing a college ing amendments to the state constitution. But and energize the opposition. For legislative has passed, and the time has come for legis- essay and more. under the golden dome of our state Capitol, newcomers like Rep. Chris Hansen, the threat lators nationally and (continued on page 38) Printed with soy-based ink. Paper contains 30% postconsumer waste. Black Historic Mike Johnston Police Use of A Line Like us at Front Porch History: Force Policy Designation Horns Runs for Newspaper for updates Jim Ward 3 11 for Park Hill? 14 16 Guv in ‘18 17 on local news and events. February 2017 1 Stapleton Front Porch sta130324 MCA_Header_L5.pdf 1 3/22/13 2:24 PM ! Construction continues on the old Stapleton control tower, where Punch Bowl Social hopes to open in June. Events & Announcements at Stapleton Saturday Night Live…For Kids Only! Cabernet Sauvignons from different world The Stapleton MCA and Central Park Rec- regions. Resident tickets are $15, nonresi- reation Center are partnering to host a night dents $20. All tickets $20 day of the event. of fun for children ages 7–12 from 6–9pm. Tickets can be purchased at The first SNL will be held on Saturday, Feb. stapletoncommunity.com. 4 at the Central Park Rec Center. Early regis- Swim & Dive Team Registration tration will be open until end of business Wednesday, March 8, 12pm Wednesday (4pm) prior to each SNL event Stapleton residents can register for Stingray date. Registrations will be accepted at the Swim and Dive teams via your online door, $20 (cash only) per participant. Join us ActiveNet account or in person at the for a night of fun with games, dinner, snacks MCA office or The Cube. Registration and more! begins at 12pm. Nonresidents can register Active Minds Seminar for the Stingray Swim and Dive teams on This is a free, no-reservation-needed public Wed., April 5 at noon. For more about the program brought to you by the Stapleton Stingray program, visit MCA. Location: Sam Gary Library, 2961 www.stapletoncommunity.com. Roslyn St. Swim Lesson Registration Most of the events listed below are FREE or support nonprofits. Thursday, Feb. 9, 6:45–7:45pm Wednesday March 15, 12pm Additional events are listed on pages 26-27. Australia Stapleton residents can register for all swim Also visit FrontPorchStapleton.com to view additional events and to submit events. Australia, or The Land Down Under, as it is programs beginning at noon on March 15. affectionately known, is a country, an island Registration can be completed via your and a continent. It is a land of diverse physi- online ActiveNet account or in person at FEBRUARY FEBRUARY cal beauty, unique wildlife and many histor- the MCA office or The Cube. We can no ical similarities to the United States. Join us longer accept registrations over the phone. as we explore the history and landscape of Nonresidents can register for all swim pro- Through March 10 Thursday, February 16 this key U.S. ally. We will review Australia’s 10am–5pm M–F or by appt. DAVA (Downtown Aurora Live Town Hall on the Central 70 Expansion Project, grams on Wed., April 5 at noon. Visual Arts) 1405 Florence St. Aurora, CO 80010 5 – 7:30pm at the Swansea Recreation Center, 2650 E. beginning as a prisoner settlement, its role Get the latest on www.davarts.org 49th Ave. in numerous global conflicts and its modern Snow Removal Policy sta130324challenges MCA_Header_L5.pdf to protect its unique 1 3/22/13features. 2:24 PM During Major Snow Events as defined by Thursday, February 9 Friday, February 17 Thursday, Feb. 23, 6:45–7:45pm current Denver City & County stan- Active Minds Seminar “Australia” Friday Night Films – Cinema series at The Cube,* Venezuela dards, the Stapleton MCA will initiate its 6:45-7:45pm, Sam Gary Library* activeminds.org 6–9pm. Visit stapletoncommunity.com for film details. Venezuela is in crisis. There is not enough emergency snow removal plan for the alleys food,Master let alone other Community goods. Hospitals are Associationalong with the city’s plan for neighborhood Fri., Feb. 10 & Sat., Feb. 11 Thursday, February 23 crumbling and the health care system is streets. In the event of a major snow event, Valentine’s Soiree, Friday, 4–9pm VIP/Sneak Peak Night Active Minds Seminar “Venezuela” completely broken. Electricity blackouts the snow removal plan will include the Shopping Extravaganza, Saturday, Noon–8pm. 6:45-7:45pm, Sam Gary Library* activeminds.org continuous use of heavy equipment, light Come check out new businesses at Stanley Marketplace haveEvents become routine and crime& is rampant. and discover featured artisans in The Hangar at Stanley. Join Active Minds as we explore how this equipment and hand work to remove the www.facebook.com/thehangaratstanley once promising economy and evolving de- snow from alleys, intersections and major Announcementspedestrian paths. Alley work will be limited mocracyat Stapleton has wound up in shambles. We will Wednesday, February 15 Locations look at how the price of oil, the policies of to the removal of enough snow from the Virtual Town Hall Meeting on the Central 70 Expansion the late President Hugo Chavez, and other alleys so residents can access their garages. Project, 7 – 8pm. Call 1-877-229-8493, enter pin *More info. on these events at www.stapletoncommunity.com This emergency-only procedure involves 112034. Sam Gary Library: 2961 Roslyn St. factors converged to create this perfect storm attempting to open up a single drive lane The Cube: 8371 E. Northfield Blvd. and explore what the future holds for this important South American country. through each alley in the community. The drive lanes will not be scraped down to Friday Night Films pavement, to eliminate the need to truck Friday, Feb. 17, 6–9pm any snow off-site. Join the MCA for our Cinema series at The ® This procedure does not negate individual Honest, Attentive, Results-Oriented Realtor Cube to explore thought-provoking inter- property owners from participating in the pretations in the world of film. Dr. Vincent snow removal during these types of storms. Piturro, the “Indie Prof,” will lead a discus- Call for your FREE Home Seller’s Guide Although we are unable to address the com- sion before and after the film’s showing. The plete removal of snow on the roads, it is our plus receive a Complimentary Stager’s Plan* event will start at 6pm and feature the Sun- goal during major snow events to remove *With the listing of your house, limited-time offer dance prize-winning documentary 3½ Min- enough material to allow for some level of utes, 10 Bullets. The film examines the 2012 travel in and out of the alleys. Paths and Ming-Ming Griffin (Stapleton Resident) shooting of Jordan Russell Davis as well as 303-888-6535 * [email protected] parks are done to open up some level of pe- the media coverage and protest that resulted destrian travel. We will continue to address from the shooting. This event will be held all the pocket parks and pathways to ensure at The Cube (8371 Northfield Blvd.). Films VALENTINE'S DAY IS TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 14TH that they are as snow free as possible to are $5 for residents, $10 for nonresidents.