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DISTRICT 7 UPDATE
from the office of Councilman Chris Nevitt

1437 Bannock St., #451, Denver, CO 80202, 720-337-7777

 

AUGUST 2012 HEADLINES
Changes in City Council Leadership and Committees
Save the Date! West Washington Park's Famous Home Tour is September 15
Denver Extends Pool Season by Two Extra Weeks
Order Your Fall Shade Trees Today!
Extra Food From Your Garden or Fruit Trees?
Rock'n'Roll Denver Marathon & Half Marathon
3nd Annual Antique Row Summer Festival: August 11th
Denver County Fair - August 10-12
"Denver Energy Challenge" Offers Low-Interest Energy Loans
New Training Subsidy Funds Available for Denver Businesses
29th Annual National Night Out
Back to School Backpack Drive
Rosedale Harvard Gulch Neighborhood Association Summer Picnic
Athmar Park 21st Annual Neighborhood Picnic
University Neighbors Annual Summer Social
Presidential Debate at DU - Learn More at University Neighbors Annual Meeting
August Calendar Link

 

Changes in City Council Leadership and Committees 

After two years of service to his colleagues and the institution of the Denver City Council, Councilman Nevitt handed over the presidential gavel to Councilwoman Mary Beth Susman. Councilman Herndon was elected President Pro-Tem.  Together they will serve as the Council's leadership for the July 2012 - July 2013 term. 

 

Council President Susman has elected to continue to use the successful committee structure Councilman Nevitt implemented with his first term as president:  There are four standing committees -- "Government & Finance," "Land Use, Transportation, & Infrastructure," "Business, Workforce, & Sustainability," and "Health, Safety, Education, & Services," each meeting every week. The committees, their meeting times, leadership and members, are as follows: 

 

Government & Finance - Wednesdays, 10:30 a.m.

Chair: Jeanne Faatz; Vice-Chair: Chris Nevitt; Charlie Brown, Chris Herndon, Robin Kneich, Deborah Ortega

  • City budget, bonding, purchasing, and other financial polices and decisions 
  • State and federal legislation and lobbying
  • Denver elections and ballot measures
  • City personnel polices
  • City internal organization and operations
  • Relations with other local governments
     

Land Use, Transportation, & Infrastructure - Tuesdays at 10:30 a.m.

Chair: Jeannie Robb; Vice-Chair: Judy Montero; Charlie Brown, Peggy Lehmann, Paul Lopez, Susan Shepherd

  • Zoning and other land-use decisions and planning
  • Public buildings, parks, and transportation planning, programs, and policy
  • Streets, utilities, and other physical infrastructure
     

Business, Workforce & Sustainability - Wednesdays, 1:30 p.m.

Chair: Debra Ortega; Vice-Chair: Chris Herndon, Albus Brooks, Jeanne Faatz, Peggy Lehmann, Judy Montero, Chris Nevitt

  • Business development, promotion, and retention
  • Workforce training and development
  • City contracting and concessions polices and programs
  • Housing affordability policies and programs
  • Energy waste, water, and other sustainability policies and programs
  • Tourism, conventions, cultural, and sports attractions
  • Climate action planning and program
     

Health, Safety, Education, & Services - Tuesdays, 1:30pm

Chair: Albus Brooks; Vice-Chair: Susan Shepherd; Robin Kneich, Paul Lopez, Jeanne Robb

  • Public Health
  • Public safety and security
  • Education and youth programs and policies
  • Senior services and programs
  • Libraries and recreational programs and policies
  • Municipal justice system
  • Public housing, human services, and social assistance programs

Additionally, the National Western Stockshow "special issue" committee will continue to meet at the discretion of the chair but have a reserved time slot of 2nd and 4th Mondays from 3:00 to 5:00 pm. 

 

National Western Stockshow

Chair: Judy Montero; Vice-Chair: Charlie Brown; Jeanne Faatz, Robin Kneich, Jeanne Robb


You can watch these committees live on Channel 8
.  Additionally, City Council has a great websiteto help you stay on top of things.  If you haven't checked it out already be sure to visit next time you need more information on an agenda, a bill, or the municipal code. 

Save the Date! West Washington Park's Famous Home Tour is September 15

This year's tour "West Side Stories - Stepping Through Time" packs a double punch: great homes and a rare look inside Byers Jr. High, future home of the Denver School of Science and Technology.   All the action will be centered at Byers Jr. High, located at 150 S. Pearl St., with ample parking, a silent auction, and representatives from DPS and DSST to answer your questions. This is your chance not only to see a beloved historic neighborhood asset and some of the nicest homes in Denver, but also to help raise money for important neighborhood anchors like the Washington Street Community Center, The Washington Park Neighborhood Association, and Lincoln Elementary.   Plan on making a day of it.  

 

Additionally, if you are a local business, artisan, or other local organization, participating in the tour is a great way to gain exposure to hundreds of neighborhood residents. Want to know more? Want to be a sponsor? Want to volunteer? Find us on facebook at

http://www.Facebook.com/WestWashParkHomeTour2012 or contact Karen and Tony Hinkel at Info@TKHRealty.com. We need you!

Denver Extends Pool Season by Two Extra Weeks

This summer is a scorcher and it doesn't look like it's going to cool off anytime soon. Fortunately, you have two extra weeks to beat the heat at one of Denver's fine outdoor pools. Congress, Mesitzo, Barnum, Berkeley, and Eisenhower pools will be open until August 26. Remember, weekend admission for kids under 17 is FREE. Adults pay just $1. Click here for pool locations and more information.

Order Your Fall Shade Trees Today!

Sadly, the pools can't stay open forever. To secure some shade, purchase a tree through the Denver Digs Trees Fall Shade Tree Program, sponsored by Encana Oil & Gas, and Denver's Office of Economic Development.  Trees are a bargain at $25 for most families and free for those who qualify.  1,200 trees will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis.  They'll go fast, so sign up now.  Applications are due September 1 and trees are available for pickup on October 6.  Visit www.TheParkPeople.org for a list of available tree varieties, application materials, and free tree target areas, or call 303-722-6262.

Extra Food From Your Garden or Fruit Trees?

"Produce for Pantries" brings together youth growing produce in school gardens, neighbors growing produce in community gardens, and residents growing produce in home gardens to help nourish their neighbors in need. Do you have an abundance of veggies? Email ProduceForPantries@gmail.com. Or an abundance of fruit? Register your fruit trees and vines at www.YardHarvest.org.Connect with your nearest food pantry and help strengthen Denver's diverse neighborhoods.

Rock'n'Roll Denver Marathon & Half Marathon - Saturday, September 22

Denver is, once again, ready to rock and run with the third Annual Rock'n'Roll Marathon & Half Marathon. The race is expected to draw over 17,000 runners and will feature live entertainment along every mile of the scenic course. Runners will start at Civic Center Park and run past many of Denver's major landmarks and parks including: the Denver Public Library, Denver Art Museum, Larimer Square, the Pepsi Center, Union Station, Coors Field, as well as City, Cheesman, and Washington Parks. For a complete course map and list of road closures click here.

3nd Annual Antique Row Summer Festival: August 11th

With over 100 merchants, Denver's famous "Antique Row," on South Broadway from Arizona Ave. to Iowa Ave., offers tons of good stuff -- quality antiques, garden supplies, wines, antique rugs, handcrafted picture frames, tiles, vintage lighting, fine food, and a tea room. PLUS the recently improved sidewalks, intersections, and streets make strolling and shopping a dream. Come check it all out at Antique Row's 3nd Annual "Summer Festival" on August 11th. For up-to-date information on the day's events, including live bands, great giveaways & special sales, visit www.Antique-Row.com.

Denver County Fair - August 10-12

Looking for more summer fun? Come check out the Denver County Fair. Eat strange fried food, enter a competition, watch a band, learn more about backyard farming, or your favorite craft. The fair offers loads of cool stuff to explore. Bonus: Click here for two-for-one tickets.

"Denver Energy Challenge" Offers Low-Interest Energy Loans

The "Denver Energy Challenge" is a free energy program provided by the City to help residents and businesses cut energy waste, while saving money and increasing indoor comfort and air quality. Free energy advisors, exclusive rebates, and financing help are provided when you sign up. A new low-interest energy loan will be available starting August 8th. Call today and see what energy-saving measures are available for your property. Loans are available to help finance over 40 different energy saving measures -- including solar! Act now while these free resources are available! 720-865-5520. Learn more.

New Training Subsidy Funds Available for Denver Businesses

If you own a company and need help with staff recruitment, retention, and training, the City has a program to help you. Denver's "Training Subsidy" program offers money to qualified businesses to support new hires and current staff training.  Click here to find out more. 

29th Annual National Night Out
You can also do your part to fight crime by participating in the 29th Annual "National Night Out." Denver Police are partnering with community members on Tuesday, August 7, 2012 on events
scheduled throughout the city.  Events like block parties, cookouts, parades, exhibits, flashlight walks, etc. involve law enforcement officers, citizens, business groups, and neighborhood organizations working together to:

·         Heighten crime and drug prevention awareness;

·         Generate support for, and participation in, local anticrime programs;

·         Strengthen neighborhood spirit and police-community partnerships;
·         Send a message that neighborhoods are organized to fight and prevent crime

Show your neighborhood spirit and help fight crime buy participating in a "National Night Out" event near you.

Back to School Backpack Drive

Here's another great community activity to check out. Denver City Council, the Department of Safety's "Safe City" Office, Denver Parks & Recreation, and Denver Public Library will host a "Back to School Backpack Drive" to benefit youth living in some of our most vulnerable communities. Help them out. Drop off a new backpack. City Council Offices, 17 Denver Public Library locations, and 12 Recreation Centers throughout Denver will be accepting donations from July 30 - August 17. Click here for a list of locations and more information.

Rosedale Harvard Gulch Neighborhood Association Summer Picnic

Bring your coolers, frisbees, and folding chairs and come meet new people in your neighborhood at the Rosedale summer picnic at Harvard Gulch Park, (corner of Logan & Iliff -- near the playground & pool), Sunday August 12th, from 2pm to 4:30pm. Everyone is welcome! 

Athmar Park 21st Annual Neighborhood Picnic
Pack a picnic and/or bring a dish to share and head down to Huston Lake Park (W. Ohio Ave & S. Zuni, south east corner of the park) at noon on Sunday, August 19 for an day of fun with your neighbors. 

University Neighbors Annual Summer Social
Come enjoy pie and ice cream with your neighbors at DeBoer Park (S. Vine St. at Harvard) on Sunday, September 9, from 3:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Presidential Debate at DU - Learn More at University Neighbors Annual Meeting on 9/20
The University of Denver is hosting the first of three 2012 presidential debates on Wednesday, Oct. 3, in Magness Arena. Quite apart from its national significance, this event will have a significant impact on the neighborhood. Come to the University Neighbors annual meeting on September 20th at Christ Lutheran Church (Yale and Franklin) to find out more. 

August Calendar Link

 

 

 

Click here to visit the District 7 website

 

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