In October, city council adopted the East Central Area Plan (ECAP), a land use policy document authored by Community Planning and Development (CPD) that is meant to guide growth in the Capitol Hill, North Capitol Hill, Cheesman Park, Congress Park, City Park, and City Park West neighborhoods over the next 20 years.
ECAP: The East Central Area Plan is meant to guide growth in the Capitol Hill, North Capitol Hill, Cheesman Park, Congress Park, City Park, and City Park West neighborhoods over the next 20 years.
The area is comprised of more than 32,000 housing units, most of which are occupied by young renters, and runs between Broadway and Colorado Ave., from 7th Ave. up north to 23rd Ave.
And while the plan is supported by several neighborhood organizations, many residents feel left out, saying the plan doesn’t represent the needs their communities.
“We have serious concerns this plan was put together with a predetermined outcome in mind,” Jesse Morreale, president of the 7th Ave. Neighborhood Association (7ANA), told city council. “To us, this plan represents the city directing its agencies in ways that will harm our neighborhood.”
The plan makes six priority recommendations: strengthen the local economy through job training, increase affordable housing, improve services for people experiencing homelessness, make streets safer, expand historic preservation, and reduce carbon pollution.
District 9 representative Candi CdeBaca questioned the ability of the plan to accomplish the goals it sets out to accomplish.
Questioning: District 9 representative Candi CdeBaca questioned the ability of the plan to accomplish the goals it sets out to accomplish.
“We have multiple plans across the city that try to address the inequities in Denver’s zoning code, but when it comes to rezoning, our plans don’t come with any guarantee to achieve our goals, and they’re not yielding any results,” she said.
Left Out
Morreale and volunteer 7ANA board member Mark Spear both claimed CPD left their neighborhood in the dark about ECAP, even though the plan recommends several consequential changes for the area.
The 7th Ave. corridor is one of many streets classified as a transformative opportunity, a designation representing a need for increased multi-modal transportation in the area. Some ideas mentioned in the plan include building buffered bike lanes and other traffic calming designs that increase safety for pedestrians.
Morreale says these changes will increase density and property values in the area and thereby push out a lot of cost-burdened residents.
Concerned: Jesse Morreale, president of the 7th Ave. Neighborhood Association, has concerns the East Central Area Plan was put together with a predetermined outcome in mind.
“It’s amazing to me that city council would try to pass a plan of this magnitude without consulting all the people it affects,” Spear said.
Curt Upton, the principal city planner overseeing of ECAP, said CPD determined its outreach efforts by analyzing demographic trends in the comments residents submitted during community meetings.
Upton said CPD’s outreach meetings were primarily attended by property owners even though there are far more renters in the area. This fact alone made it necessary for CPD to focus its efforts on young renters, Upton said.
Other residents were concerned with the way CPD decided to define the neighborhoods ECAP will affect.
Instead of defining the plan area by the boundaries of neighborhood organizations, CPD used Statistical Neighborhood boundaries, which the agency created in the 1970s as a part of the Community Redevelopment Program.
Upton said CPD decided to use Statistical Neighborhood boundaries because they align with census tracts, thereby giving the agency access to data on the area’s demographic change.
“This plan is looking 20 years into the future, and hopefully by then we aren’t still in a housing crisis,” he added.
Historical Displacement
Many other residents believe ECAP will increase displacement because the plan’s transportation plans will increase investment and historic preservation in neighborhoods vulnerable to displacement like North Capitol Hill and City Park West.
“I remember a time when nobody cared about this neighborhood,” Julie Untiedt, volunteer president of the City Park West Neighborhood Association, told city council. “Now that the land is worth something, everyone wants to go changing the neighborhood.”
ECAP will focus on helping North Capitol Hill and City Park West meet Denver’s equity goals of providing multimodal transportation for residents and access to healthy food options. The plan also envisions high-comfort bike lanes running east-to-west through City Park West and North Capitol Hill along 16th Ave., and north-to-south along Franklin St. and Pennsylvania St., respectively.
As for the Colfax corridor, ECAP recommends rezoning the area to increase building height sizes up to eight stories. However, ECAP requires developers to provide a “community benefit” before they can build up. The plan does not specifically define what a community benefit is, but provides affordable business spaces, grocery stores, and daycare as examples. City council will have the authority to determine what benefit a developer must provide before approving a rezoning request.
The plan will also transform Colfax into a bus rapid transit system corridor, with stops at nearly every intersection between Broadway and Colorado Blvd. When combined with the historic preservation measures, some residents are concerned the cost of living will negatively impact the neighborhood’s small businesses.
“The thing that worries me the most is that small business owners will sell out, smart developers will scoop up their property, taxes will increase, and residents will face displacement for no reason whatsoever,” Dr. Giles Rafsnider told the Glendale Cherry Creek Chronicle in an interview.
Upton verified these fears when he told city council that Denver doesn’t have the policy tools to address displacement of minority groups or small businesses. And, even though CPD discussed ECAP alongside concurrent efforts like the Missing Middle Housing Initiative and the Affordable Housing Zoning Incentive, the agency doesn’t fully understand how ECAP will impact other plans or legislative efforts.
During the 2020 session, Democrats in the General Assembly introduced legislation to overturn the Telluride Decision, a state Supreme Court ruling that struck down rent control policies.
However, Upton says, CPD believes its plans are flexible and capable of being molded to fit modern needs.
“As additional tools like state laws change, it’s only going to accelerate our efforts to provide affordable housing,” Upton said.
The year 2020 has brought a lot of misfortune to people all around the world, but John Larchick (JL) and his record label Time Stamp Records (TSR) have made good use of the time of solitude due to social distancing. Announcing the official start of the label on January 1, JL and his team have been busy in the lab making 2020 their year to emerge on the music scene with the release of their brand new music video and song Battle Royale.
“Battle Royale was an absolute gem to produce. I hate to say it, but my overgrown mustache may have taken the spotlight from even me on this one occasion. But honestly, from the beginning of the song’s inception, everything just started falling into place. From the creation of the beat and the vocal writing, down to the video concept and execution. It all just felt right. Those are the types of workflow that we as artists are searching for when we create,” stated JL, Owner and Producer of Time Stamp Records.
TSR, a childhood dream of JL’s, is a new indie record label out of Aurora/Metro Denver, Colorado. Time Stamp Records produces music and film. They also distribute and cultivate quality art, merchandise and music for film, radio, live events and television. And they have big plans for the future.
“Owning my own label has been a lifelong dream,” stated JL.
JL has been involved in the music industry from a very young age. At 17, he and his high school band, Reverend Orange Peel, sold out the Bluebird Theatre and earned the opportunity to play at the Ogden Theatre for New Year’s eve that same year. Both venues are icons in Denver. Ever since then he knew he had the knack for it and wanted a career in music.
“It wasn’t always glorious venues and big gigs though,” stated JL.
After high school, the band naturally dispersed to various colleges resulting in the dismantling of Reverend Orange Peel. “But I was still set on my musical quest. I was writing the music, learning to play instruments, and honing my craft virtually every waking moment. I started learning how to navigate all the facets of the ever-changing music industry. Everything from working with band members, writing songs, recording, booking, marketing to tours, videos, press releases, radio interviews and so much more.”
JL is no stranger to touring and has diligently booked gigs at countless venues across Colorado and surrounding states. “I’m super grateful for all of my past, present and future experiences, from the coffee shop gigs with no sound system to Boulder’s famous Fox Theatre. It’s my experiences as a musician and recording engineer that set me and this record label apart from others”.
JL has gone on numerous tours, occasionally accompanying some very notable artists. He has performed with acts such as Guru from Jazzmatazz, Fat Joe, Wu-Tang Clan, Ol Dirty Bastard, Pepper, the Pharcyde, Devin the Dude and others.
In addition, JL is the owner of a professional recording studio (Green Room Studios), the lead vocalist for JL Universe, a songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and a record producer. JL has released four albums and has helped a few fellow artists release albums of their own. His drive and motivation come from his love for music and the desire to create amazing art. He wants to encompass everything in the industry and assist other aspiring artists to reach their goals. Cultivating Time Stamp Records into a renowned success for all the artists signed under the label is where his sights are now set.
“Running this label, to me, it’s a really big responsibility and it’s a big honor. To be able to provide a service and to be able to put out people’s truths,” said JL. “Music and art are so personal and there are so many really dope artists that don’t get a chance to have a sounding board, to have somebody there to ricochet ideas and concepts, and grow a plan. That is what I am focused on when we sign artists. We are helping the artists generate their vision and then really feed that vision so it can grow and blossom into something bigger.”
JL is drawn to music that resonates with him, as opposed to claiming loyalty to a specific genre of music. He listens to and supports everything from electronic to funk to hip-hop to country. He has a hard time fitting Time Stamp Records into a specific category because he works with artists from across the board. When considering an artist for the label, JL really focuses on the quality of character and integrity presented in their work. He values artists with great work ethic, clarity, and dedication to their craft. He values artists with ambition and a drive to create something amazing for the world. Because of his familiarity with the industry, JL has a keen eye for the foundation required to establish a successful musical career.
“My goal is to become the record label that I always needed as an artist. To create a space and platform for artists and projects to fully develop. I have built, and I am still building, the frameworks and no one style or artist’s journey will be the same, but the process to get to our goals are similar,” said JL. “TSR is here to assist in that self-discovery and execution of plans. My dream is to make art that transforms time and space and that stamps the moment we are living in through expression and human connection. The end goal is to make creations that resonate, fulfill dreams and win Grammys.”
Sometimes all an artist needs is someone to give them a little nudge or to point them in the right direction for success. They can be filled with talent and musical genius, while struggling with the skill of getting noticed and releasing their art. They need a mentor or a leader. And that is precisely what JL and Time Stamp Records is. TSR is paving the way for musicians. He guides them on the path toward achievement. That way, everyone wins. In November, TSR plans to announce a statewide contest which is calling on artists to submit their work for the chance to win a single produced and released by TSR along with other great prizes.
Time Stamp Record’s song and video, Battle Royale was quickly followed by JL’s second single release of 2020, The Other Side. The single is paired with a creative and thought-provoking video and the song is seeing great success in just the first few days of release. In addition, JL Universe has several queued singles ready for release later this year and into 2021.
To listen to JL’s work and to follow JL Universe, Time Stamp Records or Green Room Studios (Colorado), search and find them on Facebook and Instagram. You can also find JL Universe’s video and single — Battle Royale on all digital streaming platforms like Spotify, Apple Music and Youtube.
Time Stamp Records’ long anticipated website has been revamped and reintroduced in an easy to use and enlightening format. Plus, the brand-new winter line of TSR merchandise will be available in November and contains fabulous new clothing styles.
For more news and exclusive music, art and culture, follow TSR on all social media platforms and sign up on the mailing list at www.timestamprecords.com. New artists, new songs, new videos, new merch, new inspirations and new beginnings are all happening, right now, at Time Stamp Records.
The frenzy of fall has subsided. Pull out your cozy sweaters and take a deep breath of crisp air before pulling on your mask and settling into November. It’s a holiday month and there’s always something to be thankful for. Hopefully, for starters, November morns will no longer hide in the smoke and haze we had through summer and fall.
With the pandemic still affecting how we gather, the celebrated Thanksgiving holiday will bring a more intimate experience that’s, well, a little forced upon us.
Here are our Covid-style Thanksgiving choices for shopping, dining and entertainment as we sit socially distanced, careful not to do anything coronavirusy:
3 Enjoy city’s vibrant cultural scene during Denver Arts Week(end), Nov. 6-8. You’ll enjoy hundreds of in-person and virtual events from visual arts to music, museums and drama. Information: Denver.org-arts-week.
3 Don’t miss Veterans Day speaker Lisette Celmons at the Lowry Speaker Series in Eisenhower Chapel Nov. 11, 7 p.m. Information: 303-344-9471.
3 Catch National Bohemians playing in remodeled Benchmark Theatre with social distance seating, Nov. 13-15 & 20-22. Information: 303-275-3430.
3 Support DCPA by viewing singer-actress Laura Benanti in a virtual concert transmitted live Nov. 13, 6 p.m. Information: denvercenter.org.
3 Embrace the season by enjoying the warmth and abundance of Autumn Chai Teas from Ku Cha House of Tea on E. 3rd Ave. in Cherry Creek North. Open from noon to 5 p.m. daily. Information: 303-322-0183.
3 As the holidays approach shop for vintage and modern timepieces as gifts for family and friends from Cherry Creek Watch Co. nestled in the heart of Cherry Creek North at 231 Milwaukee St. Information: 720-770-2223.
3 Get in the holiday spirit as Denver lights up the City & County Bldg. and downtown light displays on Thanksgiving weekend, Nov. 27-Jan. 1.
3 View art by Tony Ortega on display in the Freyer-Newman Center at the Denver Botanic Gardens, Nov. 21-Feb. 28. Information: 720-865-2500.
3 Shop for holiday gifts during Junior League of Denver’s annual Mile High Holiday Mart with strict attendee limits in the venue, Nov. 13-15. Event is at the Denver Marriott South Fri. 3-8 p.m., Sat. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. and Sun. to 4 p.m. Ticket holders can sign up for an entry time. Entry time reservations are not required, but attendees may need to wait in line during peak hours. Parking is free at the venue. Information: 303-692-0270,
For many, kitchens, living rooms and hallways that are usually flooded with family members and friends will be a bit quieter. We get it: It will seem a bit somber to go from having large crowds gather at home or at a restaurant to hosting intimate gathering of three or four, even if the turkey is plump and your tummy’s full.
But you can flip this fall’s script: As you downscale plans for the upcoming holidays, it is the perfect time to create new memories and long-lasting traditions.
Most of us can be thankful that our family and friends haven’t contracted the coronavirus and we’ve managed to stay healthy. In a year bombarded by the pandemic, Thanksgiving can be a day to remember all of the things, big and small, we have to be thankful for. Have an enjoyable Thanksgiving as you gobble ’til you wobble.
— Glen Richardson
The Valley Gadfly can be reached at newspaper@glendalecherrycreek.com.
by Jessica Giffin, Lifestyle Coach & Community Liaison, YMCA of Metro Denver
November marks the observance of National Diabetes Awareness Month. Did you know that a staggering one in three Americans have prediabetes? That’s roughly 89-million Americans. And nine out of 10 people don’t even know they have it.
The good news? Prediabetes is reversible. But before we get to prevention, it’s important to understand exactly what the condition is and if you are at risk.
Prediabetes indicates that a person’s blood glucose, or sugar level, is higher than normal but not yet high enough to be diagnosed as having type 2 diabetes. People with prediabetes are predisposed to a later diagnosis of type 2 diabetes and are also at a much higher risk of other serious health problems, including stroke and heart disease.
The most common risk factors for those with prediabetes include the following:
• Over the age of 45
• Are overweight
• Have a family history of diabetes
• Are physically active fewer than three times a week
• Have had Gestational diabetes for gave birth to a baby weighing more than 9lbs.
So how can you reverse prediabetes?
The YMCA of Metro Denver offers a nationally recognized Diabetes Prevention Program to help those diagnosed with prediabetes empower themselves to take ownership of their health by teaching them about nutrition, physical activity, overcoming stress and how to stay motivated. The program is part of the Centers for Disease Control-led National Diabetes Prevention Program, which has proven that through healthier eating, increased physical activity and a small amount of weight loss, it’s possible to prevent or delay the onset of type 2 diabetes by 58-71%.
The Y’s year-long program consists of one-hour classes in a small group setting. Each class is led by a trained lifestyle coach and is designed to teach participants strategies to not only reduce their risk of type-2 diabetes but to also live a healthier, happier life. Key tactics include healthy eating, increased physical activity and losing weight.
As Jessica Giffin, lifestyle coach and community liaison from the Y says, it’s really a lifestyle balance program.
“This is an opportunity to make small changes that can make a positive impact on your health and reduce your risk for developing diabetes,” says Jessica. “And it’s not a diet! We empower people to make lifestyle decisions that can be sustained over time. We know change is hard and we are here to help!”
The program takes place in a group setting, allowing participants to share, brainstorm and find support among each other.
“The diabetes prevention program has changed my life,” said Adrn’e Steel, program participant. “It’s a support system so we brainstorm a lot together, you’re not doing it by yourself.”
Jane and Jim Lipscomb, a Denver-area couple, participated in the program last year and had phenomenal results. In fact, they shared that even during the pandemic, they’ve been able to keep up with their newfound healthy lifestyles.
“Together, we have lost a combined 67 pounds and significantly lowered our risk for type 2 diabetes through the Y’s Diabetes Prevention Program,” Jane Lipscomb, program participant. “And best of all, we feel great and are back to doing activities we love! Jim, who is 72, recently hiked Rollins Pass after years of thinking he never could again — that’s over 14 miles and 2,562 feet of elevation gain!”
The YMCA’s Diabetes Prevention Program is offered year-round in seven counties in Metro Denver, including its five YMCA Wellness Centers and more than 20 community sites and, right now, the program is taking place virtually to allow for greater flexibility among participants during the pandemic.
To learn more about the Y’s diabetes prevention program or health and fitness programs at the YMCA of Metro Denver, visit https://www.denverymca.org/.
