Hey Bucket Listers! Summers go way too fast in Colorado. Can you believe kids are already heading back to school? With fall rapidly approaching, that means the 2024 election season is in full swing. Bucket List was excited to meet some of you at the Above the Noise event last week at the Buell Public Media Center, home of Rocky Mountain PBS. We watched the film “Undivide Us” then had a chance to talk about how we can listen to each other with respect as we countdown to November.
This coming week all eyes turn to the Democratic National Convention, which is being held August 19-22 in Chicago. The recent change at the top of the ticket has many excited, including Black women who never thought they’d see this day. As part of Bucket List’s Voter Voices initiative, our Shaundrea Roberts spoke to Denver Black voters and learned that even though there is excitement about Kamala Harris and Tim Walz, there is some trepidation.
Speaking of Shaundrea, we want to congratulate her for being the latest recipient of the Darrell Ewalt Scholarship for BIPOC journalists. Shaundrea attends DU and has grown tremendously as a journalist during her time with us.
In her application, Shaundra said, As an African-American female, my intersectional identities have always allowed me to be aware of the underrepresentation and misrepresentation of minorities (specifically minority women) within the news. This has been a contributing factor to my pursuit of a career in journalism, as the voice of the unheard is important and I want to promote change in the way minorities are viewed and presented within the media.
Thanks to Tom Walsh, Phil Garvin and Robert Thoele, all good friends and colleagues of the late Darrell Ewalt, who made it possible for us to give Shaundrea this prize so she can prioritize her journalism.
Accessible Furniture for the Newly Housed
The annual point in time survey, which counts our unhoused population, came back with a mixed bag this year. The number of unhoused people in Denver County is up 12% but the number of unsheltered people is down 10.5%. As more unhoused people are moved into housing around Denver, how do they find furniture without breaking the bank? Our Jack Ramsey spoke with EmilyJane Zahreddine, the founder of On the House, about her company that aims to make that process easier.
Puerto Rican Poet Play
Jon Marcantoni’s world premiere play “Empire of Solitude” is based on the life of revolutionary poet Julia de Burgos. Instead of following traditional biopic conventions when writing the play, Marcantoni depicts the writer’s final days through four characters who represent different aspects of her personality. To learn more about the creative process, our Daianee Galindo attended the performance and spoke with the artists.
Get Saucey with Chef Ali Schlichter
Denver creator of Chin Dribblin’ Asian Sauce and the runner-up of “Gordon Ramsay’s Food Stars,” Ali Schlichter, was interviewed by our Kay Altshuler at the Firefly Handmade Summer Market. Their wide-ranging conversation touches on the realities of being on reality television, the loss of her mother and what her best-selling sauce is (spoiler: it’s spicy ponzu sauce!)
Bucket List enjoys participating in street fairs and farmers markets because it gives us a chance to meet you! This afternoon from 2 to 5 p.m. we’ll be at a pay what you can Huerta Urbana Farmers Market at Focus Points Family Resource Center in Globeville Elyria-Swansea. Then, on Saturday 8/17, we’ll be at the Park Hill Arts Festival at the Masonic Lodge/4819 Montview Boulevard from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Come say hello and let’s chat about what matters to you.
Stuff We Noticed
Governor Jared Polis is calling Colorado lawmakers back to Denver for a special session on August 26 to address property tax relief. The special session is anticapted to last three days as state legislators work to pass tax cuts before September 6, the last day to withdraw two ballot initiatives that seek to reduce property taxes statewide. Critics argue that the measure would reduce critical public funding for services such as schools and fire departments. In other tax news, the city council votes on Monday about whether to allow voters to cast their ballot on Mayor Mike Johnston’s proposal for a 0.5 percent sales tax that will help fund affordable housing.
The Mercury Cafe, a cultural landmark at 2199 California St., is back on the market. Marilyn Megenity, the original owner, sold her company to Danny Newman for $2.07 million in 2021. He promised to invest heavily in this project, as he had done with his other business, My Brother’s Bar. However, the lingering effects of COVID, homeless encampments near the venue, the birth of Newman’s child, allegations of suppressing unionization efforts, and a recent family emergency all became too much to justify operations. The asking price is reportedly $2.5 million, or a serious offer to ensure the Mercury Cafe’s future.
On a lighter note, the Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance‘s new sloth pup, born on April 19, has been named! The zoo asked the public on social media in late July if they preferred Harper, Sloan, or Isabel, and on August 6, the zoo announced her name is Sloan as in Sloan’s Lake. “Her name reflects the serene beauty and calm grace of this beloved local landmark,” said the Denver Zoo in an X post. Go see Sloan’s adorableness as soon as possible because Tropical Discovery, the zoo’s sloth habitat, will be closed from August 18 to October for improvements.
That’s it for this week, Bucket Listers. If you have ideas for us, please reach out to Vicky Collins or Toni Tresca. We’d be very grateful if you’d tell your friends and neighbors about us and ask them to subscribe to our free weekly newsletter and if you like the stories you are reading, please make a contribution to keep us going. We do this in partnership with the community and are inspired and supported by you.
Warmest Regards,
Toni Tresca
Editor/Bucket List Community News
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