$20. Info: 303-832-5206,www.csldenver.org.
The best things in life are free (again) to Coloradans in 2010, thanks to the Scientific & Cultural Facilities District. Upcoming free days: Denver Art Museum, 100 W. 14th Ave. Pkwy., welcomes Colorado residents for free the first Saturday of each month (Jan. 2, Feb. 6). Info: 720-865-5000 or www.denverartmuseum.org. Denver Botanic Gardens, 1005 York St., next free day: Mon., Jan. 18. Info: 720-865-3500 or www.botanicgardens.org. Denver Museum of Nature and Science in City Park has free admission, Mon., Jan. 11. Info: 303-322-7009 or www.dmns.org. Denver Zoo, 2300 Steele St., in City Park, will admit residents for free, Sat., Jan. 9, and Mon., 18. Info: 303-376-4800 or www.denverzoo.org.
Tote your tired tannenbaum out to the curb for Treecycle, Jan. 4-15, and recycle it into something useful (mulch, not next year’s gift wrap!) Set out your tinsel- and decor-free tree by 7a.m. on normal trash pick-up day, at least four feet from other containers, bags, dumpsters or debris, and Denver Recycles will take it away to the mulching mill. DO NOT place trees in dumpsters. The Christmas trees will be ground up and the resulting mulch made available free to Denver residents at the annual Treecycle Mulch Giveaway & LeafDrop Compost Sale. Residents may call 720-865-6810 after April 1 to find out when the 2010 Treecycle Mulch Giveaway & LeafDrop Compost Sale will be held. For more information about Treecycle and other Denver Recycles programs call 3-1-1 or visit www.DenverGov.org/DenverRecycles.
Ring in el anyo nuevo con carino with Suzanne Vega and other poetic participants for Poetry y Mas, this second Saturday (Jan. 9) at Chicano Humanities & Arts Council, 772 Santa Fe Dr., 2-4p.m. Call Vega at 720-524-7913 or visit www.ChacWeb.org for info on this and other diverse cultural events.
Take a tour, try a class and test your fitness in JCC Sports & Fitness Center’s Sports & Fitness/Pilates Open House, Sun., Jan. 10, noon-4p.m., at the Jewish Community Center, 350 S. Dahlia St. Join in January and receive 50 percent off membership the first three months as part of a pre-renovation special. Info: 303-316-6308, www.jccdenver.org.
Health Care for All Colorado stages The Whistle Blower, a contemporary morality play, at the Kirk of Bonnie Brae, 1201 S. Steele St., Sun., Jan. 10, 2p.m. It’s based on Bill Moyers Journal’s interview of Wendell Potter, a former insurance executive who testified before the House Oversight and Government Subcommittee last fall on the insurance industry. Free. Info: 303-618-3855, 303-756-4159 or www.healthcareforallcolorado.org.
Now’s your chance to weigh in on the Dog Park Master Plan and policy recommendations for Denver Parks: public input on the draft recommendations of both will be taken by Parks & Rec, Sat., Jan. 16, 9:30-11:30a.m., at Scheitler Recreation Center, 5031 W. 46th Ave.; and Sat., Jan. 30, 1:30-3:30p.m., at Cook Park Recreation Center, 7100 Cherry Creek Dr. South. Public feedback will be taken into consideration in creating the final recommendations. Materials will be available (and comments accepted) after Jan. 16 at www.denvergov.org/parksandrec. For info, call 3-1-1.
Walk Wash Park while sharing health care opinions with Senate hopeful Andrew Romanoff, Sun., Jan. 17, 2-3p.m., in Washington Park (meet in front of the Boathouse Pavilion on Smith Lake, E. Exposition Ave. and S. Downing St.) After, meet for a Q&A session on health care with Dr. Irene Aguilar, a primary care physician with Denver Health, and Romanoff at Washington Park Whole Foods’ community room, 1111 S. Washington St., 3:15-4p.m. (In case of bad weather, entire event starts 2p.m. in the community room.) RSVP online: www.meetup.com/topic-talk-walks-Denver-metro/calendar/ 11958481/. Info: 720-771-7400.
Denver Botanic Gardens, 1005 York St., has answers to your winter gardening questions! Colorado Master Gardeners are available to answer questions, every other Tuesday (Jan. 12 & 26), noon-4 p.m., in-person at the Gardens’ Helen Fowler Library, by phone, 720-865-3575, or via e-mail at gardeninghelp@botanicgardens.org. It’s a joint program of Colorado State University Cooperative Extension Master Gardeners and Denver Botanic Gardens. Info: www.botanicgardens.org.
Dust off those drums and start practicing for the Celebration Drumming Circle at Emmanuel United Methodist Church, 2700 S. Downing St., Tues., Jan. 12, 6:30-8:30p.m. The community-wide drumming circle invitational is sponsored by Fourth Dimension of Emmanuel. Instruments provided, but you may bring your own. Love offering. Park across the street. Info: Greg Young, 303-756-1549.
All West and East Washington Park folks interested in helping plan the July 4th Neighborhood Picnic are invited to attend an initial meeting, Thur., Jan. 14, 6:30p.m., at 875 S. Williams St. The annual shindig hosted by the West Washington Park and Washington Park East neighborhood associations takes place at the Washington Park Boat House.Info: Joan Deming, 303-733-0406.
Consider An Affair of the Heart: FDR, Eleanor, and Lucy, Fri., Jan. 15, 7-9p.m. at Four Mile Historic Park, 715 S. Forest St. This historically accurate program about Franklin D. Roosevelt looks at the way in which these public citizens dealt with their intimate relationships. Seating is limited; reservations encouraged. Tickets: $18/adults; $15/students & seniors. Call 720-865-0800 or visit www.fourmilepark.org.
The Denver Gay Men’s Chorus will hold auditions for new members the week of Jan. 17, testing note-matching ability and vocal range with familiar songs. Rehearsals are Sunday evenings at Christ Church United Methodist, 690 Colorado Blvd., 6:30-9:30p.m. Contact DGMC prior to Jan. 17 via e-mail at info@rmarts.org, with “DGMC Audition” on the subject line, and also provide an evening phone number. Support members are also needed – no audition necessary – and can email with “DGMC Support” on the subject line. Auditionees can view selections from DGMC’s concerts at Rocky Mountain Arts Association’s YouTube channel, www.you tube.com/user/RockyMtnArtsAssn. Info: Rocky Mountain Arts Association, 303-325-3959, www.rmarts.org.
Pastor J. Alfred Smith, Sr., will deliver a Martin Luther King, Jr., Day sermon at Augustana Lutheran Church, 5000 E. Alameda Ave., Sun., Jan. 17, at 8a.m. & 10:30a.m. services, as part of Augustana’s MLK Day weekend celebration. Smith is pastor emeritus of Allen Temple Baptist Church in Oakland, Calif., and professor of Preaching & Church Ministries at American Baptist Seminary of the West. Additionally, as part of their MLK celebrations, the Augustana Lutheran Church Chancel Choir and the Spirituals Project present I’m Gonna Sing, an evening of spiritual songs, Sat., Jan. 16, 7p.m. A free-will offering will be taken. Info:www.augustanadenver.org, 303-388-4678.
Join with hundreds of people of all ages for the 25th annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Marade on Mon., Jan. 18, starting at City Park’s MLK statue on the west side of Ferril Lake, York St. & E. 17th Ave., 9a.m., and march west on Colfax to Civic Center Park. The mission of the annual marade is to celebrate and honor the legacy of Dr. King, Jr., by unifying people around his principles and to reflect on the sacrifices and ongoing struggle for civil and human rights. Volunteer info: Vern L. Howard 720-971-1329, vern.howard@ci.denver.co.us. Another way to honor King’s legacy: on Mon., Jan. 18: make the Martin Luther King, Jr., holiday a day on, not a day off, by serving what King called the “beloved community.” Visitwww.colorado.gov/gccs for volunteer opportunities and information on planning an event.
Denver’s Old House Society will honor exceptional educators and neighborhood protectors at a dinner, reception and silent auction, Thur., Jan. 21, at the Denver Consistory, 1370 Grant St. This year’s awardees include Nancy L. Widmann (Grand Old-House Lover), William West (Exceptional Old-House Educator), and Chris Murata and Everett Shigeta (Astonishing Neighborhood Protectors); owner of Favorite Old House will be announced at event. Info/tickets ($70): 303-916-4359, www.denversoldhousesociety.org.
The Denver Astronomical Society welcomes all to peer into the cosmological past through its 20-inch telescope for just a buck at an Open House, Sat., Jan. 23, starting at 5:30p.m., at historic Chamberlin Observatory (in Observatory Park, E. Warren Ave. & S. Fillmore St.) Also, DAS hosts Public Nights each Tues. & Thur., now starting at 7p.m., in the Observatory, with lecture and viewing. Reservations required; $3, $2 kids. Info/reservations: call 303-871-5172 or visit www.thedas.org.
Celebrate Welsh culture at Dwynwen’s Welsh Fest, Sat., Jan. 23, at the Kirk of Bonnie Brae, 1201 S. Steele St. Be regaled by a wassailing horse’s head, folk dancers, storytelling, mummers, harp and folk music, a pub quiz, a silent auction, and a potluck, all in honor of a Welsh nun who is a patron saint of lovers. Doors open at 5:30p.m., potluck at 6. Donations accepted, but not required. For more information visit www.ColoradoWelshSociety.org, email sam.kuntz@comcast.net or call 303-886-0632.
Polar Bear 5K is 2010’s lead-off run in Assurant Health’s RunDenver Series, Sun., Jan. 24, in Washington Park, 1700 E. Louisiana Ave., starting 10a.m. Includes kids half-mile fun run, awards & drawings. Series benefits the Prostate Conditions Education Council. Super Bowl 5K, Sun., Feb. 7, also in Wash Park, is next in the series. Info/registration: www.bkbltd.com/RUNDENVER.htm, 303-694-2202.
Celebrate Tu B’Shevat Seder – Jewish Earth Day! – Sun., Jan. 31, at the Grant Avenue Community Center, 216 S. Grant St., 3-5p.m. Enjoy fruits from the Garden of Eden, lively music, children’s activities and parsley planting; $10 adults/$5 kids under 12. RSVP: www.judaismyourway.org, 303-320-6185.
Apply now for Denver Urban Gardens’ Free Seeds and Transplants Program, providing great garden starters for income-eligible Denver residents. Applications due early February, available at Denver-area recreation and community centers. Seeds delivered in March, plants in May. Info: 303-292-9900, www.dug.org.
Best-selling author and America’s funniest activist Jim Hightower gives the lowdown on how to put up – not shut up – in the fight for the future at the Mercury Café, 2199 California St., Thur., Feb. 4, 7p.m. Admission to the fundraising lecture ($15 day of show) benefits KGNU community radio (1390AM, 88.5FM and www.KGNU.org). Hightower will sign books afterward, including his current Swim Against the Current: Even A Dead Fish Can Go With the Flow! Call 303-449-4885 or 800-737-3030 to reserve.
Resolve to read more this year with like-minded literati in a Denver Public Library branch readers’ group. Scheduled meetings, open to all: Central, W. 14th Ave. Pkwy. & Broadway, 720-865-1111: Downtown Bookies, 2nd Tues., 7p.m.; Thursday Afternoon Book Group, 2nd Thur., 1p.m. Eugene Field, 810 S. University Blvd., 720-865-0240: Pageturners Book Club, 3rd Sat., noon. Ross-Cherry Creek, 301 Milwaukee St., 720-865-0120: Closed for Better Denver bond-funded upgrades. Ross-University Hills, 4310 E. Amherst Ave., 720-865-0955: Evening Book Club, 4th Mon., 6:45-8p.m.; Books ‘n Brown Bag Book Club, 1st Fri., 12:30-2p.m. Schlessman, 100 Poplar St., 720-865-0000: Booktalkers Book Club, 2nd Thur., 10:15a.m. Virginia Village, 1500 S. Dahlia St., 720-865-0940: Daytime Book Club, 2nd & 4th Tues., 1:30-2:30p.m.; We Love A Mystery Book Club, 3rd Wed., 6:30p.m. Note: all branch libraries will be closed Mon., Jan. 18, for the Martin Luther King, Jr., holiday.
Washington Street Community Center, 809 S. Washington St., serves up home-cooked weekly meals for all: Breakfasts served 1st, 2nd & 3rd Fridays, 8:30-10a.m., for $5 ($4 members). Senior/community lunches at very reasonable prices served each Tues. & Wed. at noon. Enjoy a variety of soups and posole in Soup’s On, this month’s I Don’t Wanna Cook Night, Thur., Jan. 21, 4:30-6:30p.m., for $5/person ($3/kids 5-12). Beverages, salad, dessert included. Eat in or take out. Info: 303-733-4643, www.wscc-denver.org.
Denver Public Library’s New Year’s resolution is to encourage patrons to return their library books on time, and starting Jan. 1 will block borrowing privileges when overdue accounts reach a balance of $5 (currently $10). For information about DPL’s Customer Borrowing Agreement, fine accruals, or to check your customer account, call 720-865-1111 or log on to www.denverlibrary.org.
The Adventurer’s Guidebook to Denver Mountain Parks is now available, packed with info on key parks and recreational opportunities – road biking, backcountry hiking, scenic viewing and fishing — plus a brief history of the 14,000-acre, 23-site Denver Mountain Park system. Part of the on-going implementation of the Denver Mountain Parks Master Plan, completed in 2008, the new, free guidebooks are available at the Parks & Rec office, 201 W. Colfax Ave., 6th floor, and any Denver area recreation center. Info: www.denvergov.org/parksandrec or call 3-1-1.
Free tax help for low-income and elderly people is available at the Washington Park Community Center, 809 S. Washington St., Thursdays, 9a.m.-1p.m., Feb. 4-April 15. E-file is available.Call 303-733-4643 to make an appointment or for more information.
Dreaming of spring landscaping? Apply now for the Park People’s Spring Street Tree Distribution program, part of Denver Digs Trees, helping residents add trees to the public right-of-way, typically the space between the sidewalk and the street. Trees are $25 or free to residents of select neighborhoods with low tree coverage. Early applicants get the first choice of tree variety, includng Harvest Gold Linden, Musashino Zelkova, Prospector Elm, State Street Maple, Turkish Filbert, White Oak, Autumn Brilliance Serviceberry and Indian Magic Crabapple. For an application (due Feb. 15), visit www.theparkpeople.org, or call 303-722-6262. Tree pick-up is April 17.
Interested in exhibiting or sponsoring an event at Denver Old House Society’s Old House Fair? Contact the Society now, as exhibitor space sells out early. The annual information extravaganza for owners of houses that are at least 50 years old is scheduled for Sat., March 27, at the historic Highland Masonic Temple Center, 3550 Federal Blvd. Info: 303-916-4359 or www.denversoldhousesociety.org.
Denver’s first indoor Farmers Market peddles produce every Saturday, at 200 Santa Fe Dr., 9a.m.-2p.m. Denver Urban Homesteading (DUH) and local farmers and fooders using organic and sustainable practices offer cow & goat cheese and milk, beef, mutton, poultry, product shares, cider, juice, preserved fruits & vegetables, baked goods, artwork and urban farming wares. DUH is a central Denver food and agricultural center providing education to the public on homesteading (how to raise backyard chickens, goats, bees and fish), offering lectures and seminars on agricultural and food topics, and helping make the route from farmers to consumers transparent while distributing farm products to the public at its market. Info: www.denverurbanhomesteading.com, 303-572-3122.
Explore the stories behind the city’s historic landscapes and landmarks on Denver Story Trek, an interactive, self-guided tour of the city. It’s simple to use and free! Choose from dozens of story sites and featured treks or create your own trek, then bike, walk or drive there. Dial 303-562-2407 on your phone or download audio files to listen to a free story about each site. Visit www.denverstorytrek.org for details.
Like to sing? Enjoy sharing the gift with others? Then join the HarMOMics, a women’s singing group, practicing Wednesdays, 9:30-11a.m., at Kirk of Bonnie Brae, 1201 S. Steele St., and singing for nursing homes, church groups and group meetings. Info: 303-333-4931.
Visit the historic Byers-Evans House Museum, 1310 Bannock St., with expanded hours: Mon.-Sat., 10a.m.-4p.m., with guided tours offered on the half hour, 10:30a.m.-2:30p.m. The restored 19th century dwelling was home to prominent pioneering Colorado families through the mid-20th century. Info, 303-620-4933 or visit www.coloradohistory.org/hist_sites/Byers_Evans/byers_evans.htm.
Find people, ideas, projects and more to build a more sustainable community from your own neighborhood & beyond at www.denvergreenteams.ning.com, Denver area Green Teams’ new social networking site, to further its efforts to organize neighborhood sustainability projects that also contribute to larger environmental goals.