Go outside at 8 p.m. anywhere in Colorado and you’re guaranteed to hear hundreds, if not thousands, of members from a Colorado-based Facebook group howling to support anyone and everything during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Founders: Shelsea Ochoa and Brice Maiurro founded the howling at the moon movement in support of healthcare workers and first responders in late March. The group has become a way for people to connect during a time when quarantines and shelter-in-place orders have greatly disrupted our way of life.
Founded by partners Shelsea Ochoa and Brice Maiurro in late March, the group has become a way for people to connect during a time when quarantines and shelter-in-place orders have greatly disrupted our way of life.
“It really shows that we can still interact within our communities and have fun while obeying the shelter at home orders, and also release some pent up feelings in a healthy and cathartic way,” Anna Beazer, one of the group’s organizers, told Glendale Cherry Creek Chronicle in an email statement.
Ochoa, a performer at Denver’s Museum of Nature and Science, and Maiurro, a poet and activist, got the inspiration to howl from a friend of theirs in Topanga, California, who told the duo that they howl at the sunset together. So, Ochoa and Maiurro decided to give it a try, too. They had no idea that what they considered a “fun social distancing activity” would resonate with people around the country — and the world.
The duo initially intended the group to include about a hundred of the couple’s friends and family. However, once word got out about the group, its membership swelled to over 8,000 members in the first day.
Now, members live in all 50 U.S. states and 46 countries around the world, including Tuvalu, Columbia, and Togo.
“There’s no wrong way to do it,” Ochoa told the Chronicle. “People can subscribe any kind of meaning they want to it.”
Many howl to support the medical professionals working late into the night. Others do it to support the homeless, or in remembrance of a lost loved one. No matter the reason, the group embraces any reason for howling as long as it’s healthy and positive, according to Beazer.
Like Clockwork: Colorado residents have been howling at the moon every night at 8 p.m. as a way to support healthcare workers and first responders.
“The group purposefully is open to interpretations and reasons for howling,” she said. “We didn’t expect the amount of posts and comments dedicating their howling to lost loved ones but we embrace members sharing their stories about them.”
And there is no shortage of stories shared about grief and joy in the group’s discussion. Others purposefully ask seemingly innocuous questions like “What is your favorite quarantine snack?” but receive a wealth of positivity from members in return and connect with others who want to share their similarities.
“I had an accident last year and eventually chose to amputate my leg after several failed surgeries and being basically bedridden for the past year,” Cori Kolhagen, a Colorado resident, posted in one of the discussions.
“I finally accepted my ankle was never going to get better and that this would be the best option for me to return to my active lifestyle. My surgery was on March 3 and I have started to learn how to walk again using a prosthetic. I howl because we can get through this together, as a family.”
Every night, rain or shine, howlers from California to North Carolina, and up to Maine participate. Some howls have been capped off by fireworks or singing similar to the songs Spaniards and Italians sang from their balconies in a show of appreciation for their country’s healthcare workers.
Governor Polis has encouraged Coloradans to participate, calling it a necessary way for people to socialize and connect during this time of isolation.
For Beazer, the group’s message is more primal. It’s about letting go of all the anxieties people have been holding onto since the quarantines began. .
“We get lots of comments from first-time howlers that tell us they didn’t know that simply howling would help them release some emotions from being quarantined and help them feel connected to others when they hear howls back,” she said.
Dan Himelspach is running for a seat in Colorado House District 6, and he could have never predicted the circumstances he would be facing when he was one of the first to launch his campaign for the primary set for June 30, 2020. COVID-19 has impacted the plan to reach voters but that is not stopping Himelspach. “What we’ve tried not to do is whine and cry in our beer,” said Himelspach. “How can we still accomplish our goal? Those that do the best can adjust to it and live in the new world we are in.”
Creative Campaigning: Dan Himelspach is running for State House District 6 in Denver and has had to alter the way he gets his message out to voters. He hosted a Zoom Town Hall with officials from Rose Medical Center on April 1, 2020.
One of the things Himelspach did was organize a Town Hall via Zoom with Denver City Councilwoman Amanda Sawyer that invited the community to learn more about Rose Hospital during this pandemic. Joining Himelspach and Sawyer was Ryan Tobin, President & CEO at Rose Medical Center and Andrew Weinfeld, MD, Chief Medical Officer.
“Rose [Hospital] is such an important part of this community and I wanted them to toot their horn,” said Himelspach. “I want them [Rose Hospital] to succeed but I also want everyone in the district and neighborhood to know what they truly have to offer. They’re a phenomenal organization that’s been here for a long time. The community, to a large extent, grew up around them. They are one of the major anchors in this community.”
Himelspach is one of those community members who has been around a long time. He is a Denver-based Colorado business leader and practicing attorney with over 30 years of experience specializing in mediation and negotiation. Living in House District 6 for over 40 years, Himelspach has formed several successful businesses including a family-owned business that sells high tech products to brain researchers all over the world. Not a professional politician hoping to climb the political ladder, Himelspach is running for office in the spirit of servant leadership with a hope to bring his unique mixture of negotiation and business skills to Colorado’s legislature.
Himelspach hopes to be one of the elected leaders to help Denver get through the pandemic. “Leadership is going to make a difference,” said Himelspach. “Strong leadership will go a long way.” Dan also has respect for people and this country. “People really by and large want to do the right thing,” said Himelspach. “This country is a strong country and we have a lot of resources compared to other countries around the world. We’re going to be fine and the individual spirit is strong here but it’s going to be a struggle for two or three years I think.”
“We are kept keen on the grindstone of pain and necessity.” — H.G. Wells, The Time Machine
by Luke Schmaltz
The recent government-mandated closure of non-essential businesses derailed the economy like an F-5 tornado blindsiding a freight train, a manmade construct forced to bend to the unflinching will of nature.
The current fiscal catastrophe is — as some economists are predicting — the harbinger of an impending recession or perhaps even worse. Regardless, some Denver businesses owners and entrepreneurs are determined to adapt to these incredible circumstances and find a way to survive.
Wings To Go: Amidst the Covid-19 pandemic, the takeout-only model has proven to be viable for businesses such as Fire on the Mountain in Wash Park and Sloans Lake.
Many national brands across various industries are thriving like never before. Some include Zoom (video conferencing platform), Tushy (portable bidet maker), Drizly (delivery of adult beverages), Cleancult (organic cleaning products), GrubHub (restaurant delivery) and many more. Similarly, many local businesses are shifting direction to keep their sails unfurled amid chaotic tradewinds. While some have reconfigured operations, others have simply been in the right place at the right time.
It’s no secret that businesses such as grocery stores, liquor stores, marijuana dispensaries and gun vendors have multiplied their sales exponentially over the past month. Less surprising, however, are dine-in restaurants doing takeout only, custom clothiers, local breweries and bicycle repair shops who have found new revenue streams.
Ramping Up Takeout
The dine-in aspect of food service is widely employed because table service facilitates higher ticket averages than to-go orders. Yet, the takeout-only model has proven to be viable for fast food brands and independent restaurateurs alike. While most establishments without a takeout dimension to their business model are shuttered, a few holdouts have managed to pare down operations, shift focus and continue serving a populace that shows no sign of losing its taste for professionally-prepared cuisine.
While the upheaval is nothing short of devastating for most, Fire on the Mountain has managed to harness the inertia of a disaster for life-saving revenues. Manager Craig “Cheech” Oberlink explains how FOTM’s current solvency is based on a deep-rooted connection to the community, “The neighborhoods we are in are super-supportive and family-centric.” Both FOTM Denver establishments are leveraging their “ready to go-centric” offerings for takeout-only service. Rather than dilute their revenues by accessing GrubHub or UberEats, they have opted to keep the revenue stream in-house. Staff members are the delivery drivers, bringing hot wings and brand favorite Vegan Mac-and-Cheese-Balls to loyal customers. As Highlands employee Aaron Howell puts it, “I feel that I am doing important work by feeding people and they [FOTM] create a culture that facilitates that.”
Fire on the Mountain treats people well and fosters loyal employees and patrons.
Although FOTM has had to pare down, those left with jobs such as Howell are grateful. “They have done so much for me that I am willing to lean into this crisis, help out
however I can. I feel the same way about them as I feel about my own family. Everyone has to pick up an oar and row the boat.” Meanwhile Oberlink — an industry veteran — remains cautiously optimistic, “It feels good to keep people employed and to see the neighborhood support the restaurant. A lot of places can’t stay open so we feel super lucky.” Sales are not what they were a month ago, yet FOTM seems to have struck an affable nerve within the community. Oberlink recounts a recent morning, “I showed up to work and there was a big heart cut out of cardboard taped to our door that said ‘Stay Strong.’”
Good Neighbors
Esters Pub is grateful to serve a reciprocal community.
The notion of appreciative patrons is apparent, as Esters Neighborhood Pubs are feeling the crunch but not the cold shoulder. Owner Paul Sullivan explains, “The community and our neighborhood have been absolutely amazing in supporting us and continuing to call in orders. There’ve been so many touching moments from customers including dropping off face masks for our coworkers, randomly buying lunch for front line workers, multiple tips of over 100%, buying large gift cards just to support the restaurant and the list goes on. It has made me realize that Esters and this community is so much more than the dollars and cents of the situation. Even though this pandemic has been terrible for a lot of people, I am humbled and grateful for the amount of kindness I have been witnessing.”
Mask Production
Equilibrium Clothing has shifted focus to serve local heroes.
Heroes in the trenches of the fight against COVID-19 work in essential capacities — most importantly in hospitals. By March 19, signs were pointing to the grim reality that the pandemic had the potential to catch the frontline off guard. On March 19, Deb Henriksen — owner/operator of Equillibrium Clothing — contacted an associate working as an ER nurse at St. Joseph’s Hospital to gain an informed perspective. She quickly discovered that essential personal protective equipment (PPE) supplies were running dangerously low. Henriksen jumped into action and began making multiple-use masks from hemp and bamboo textiles she had on hand. The impetus was to deliver immediate support in a “sew-it-forward” gesture of community service bolstered by long-earned brand integrity. She furthered her efforts to support the Athena Mask Project — informed by her role as an online teacher at Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design (RMCAD). Online sales of Equillibrium Face Masks have since spiked, and she pledges to continue giving away one mask to those in need for each sold and to donate 10% of revenue to sustainable initiatives. Henriksen attests, “The sales keep my work essential and going, I am very grateful for that. I know there are many people out of work, and I cannot say the same thing.” She also adds, “ I have been deeply touched by the appreciation of what I am doing from those who receive masks. It brings great joy in a time of sadness to help out others.”
Mockery Brewing offers craft beer convenience with curbside pickup.
Closing The Gap
Just as a beer can opens and the drinker pulls it to their lips, so too do libations at large have to make their way to the intended recipients. Yet, bars are shut down —interrupting the supply chain from producer to consumer by cutting out the all-important, confluence of social drinking. Local breweries are facing plummeting sales to the tune of 80%, yet stalwarts like Mockery Brewing forge forth — offering curbside pickup of crowlers and bottles of their 14 selections of beers. This is a trying time that has brought out the best in some people. Owner/Brewer Zach Rabun explains, “We have seen some truly generous tipping from a handful of customers. This is a great boon to both our bartenders and
overall morale. We have also had a lot of our suppliers reach out to see how they can reorganize to best support our needs.” As the social dynamics shift, Rabun and his staff remain flexible in order to accommodate their customers. “We set up an online portal to allow people to make pre-orders before stopping by the brewery, as well as request deliveries. This has kept everything running very smoothly and prevented lines from forming, thereby avoiding any social distancing issues. Since the majority of our sales are coming in the form of crowler orders, we have been able to offer our full selection of beers.”
Upcycle
All bicycle repair shops such as Totem Cyclery and Base Camp Cyclery are operating on an appointment-only basis. Yet, the stay-at-home decree has prompted desktop dynamos and cubicle curmudgeons alike to turn themselves into overnight athletes. Local bike shops are reporting record numbers of requests for repairs and upgrades. In the midst of mass death — lazy people are, alas, trying to get healthy. Specialized boutique tune-up shops are becoming Hipster Jiffy lubes and Yuppie Grease monkeys. This shift reveals the urge within many who make that New Year’s resolution to get in shape and lose that unnecessary weight to actually do it.
Base Camp Cyclery helps people get rolling again.
Perhaps in the pursuit of treating ourselves better, we can learn how to treat one another with the same respect, dignity and grace. A major shift is at work. The pandemic is local. To live through it as a community, we must eat well, be kind, breathe pure, drink locally and ride with purpose.
Healthcare Workers?: The pictures of two persons blocking the “Operation Gridlock” protestors became international news. They identified themselves as Covid-19 nurses at a local Denver hospital. Others have claimed they were allegedly workers at a strip club in Adams County.
Balancing Act: Governor Polis has a difficult job trying to balance safety from the Covid-19 virus with the economic well-being of the state. He has been giving regular press conferences on the Covid-19 pandemic in Colorado, from the Governor’s Mansion.
Commercial and social life is slowly opening up in the Cherry Creek Valley from downtown Denver to the dam. Governor Polis issued his stay at home order on March 26, 2020, which was largely obeyed, but on Sunday, April 19, 2020, a large rally attended by over 1,000 people protested the restriction at a rally at the State Capitol titled “Operation Gridlock.”
The next day Governor Polis declared that stay at home order would not continue past its revised ending date of April 26. Curbside delivery for retail could also open that day and other retail on May 1. Large businesses would be allowed to open May 4 at 50 percent capacity while restaurant, bars and clubs are anticipated to open mid-May with various restrictions.
Restaurants in the Cherry Creek Valley worry that the restrictions may be so onerous that they cannot make a profit, thus making it unwise to hire back workers until they understand what the regulations entail. David Peterson, owner of the Bull & Bush Brewery on Cherry Creek Drive South, stated that he does not expect restaurants to return to pre-pandemic revenue levels for at least a year, if then.
Normal Or Bygone Era?: It is not clear whether what was once a normal scene prior to the Covid-19 pandemic will ever return totally.
Jeff Allen, COO of the Greater Glendale Chamber of Commerce noted: “The problem is that the restrictions/regulations will be made by those who do not own and operate the businesses. Alternatively, those businesses with political connections will influence the decisions to benefit themselves and hinder their competitors.” Others fear once the most draconian restrictions are lifted, businesses will play fast and loose with the remaining constrictions and risk the re-spreading of the COVID-19 virus.
Nurse Or Stripper?
In a presidential election year, virtually any controversy quickly becomes political, and the COVID -19 Pandemic is no exception. At the aforementioned Operation Gridlock protest held on April 19, a man and a woman dressed in nurses’ scrubs blocked a crosswalk at 12th and Grant Street where protestors were trying to drive through. A freelance photographer took pictures that some people claimed were staged. The photographer, Alyson McCaren, denied the allegation by controversial Channel 9 anchor Kyle Clark whose reporting is generally viewed by some with great suspicion. The pictures went around the world and the two nurses/physician assistants were lionized in much of the world press.
Another Clark Hoax?: Controversial 9News Anchor Kyle Clark has been accused by some of possibly being part of a hoax to portray the counter protestors at the Capitol as healthcare workers.
The counter-protestors told a Westword representative that the two of them worked at a Denver hospital with COVID-19 patients. They indicated that they wanted the Operation Gridlock protestors to know that they were the ones on the front line fighting the pandemic. The man has been identified allegedly as a disc jockey at a strip club in Adams County, Colorado, and the female purportedly is his girlfriend and a stripper at that club as well as in Denver. The pair has also been purportedly involved in harassing recall Polis petitioners.
Regardless of who people were or were not, the political parties have lined up on either side of the debate. Democrats have stressed public safety and minimizing the spread of the virus with less regard to the immediate economic impact. Republicans have noted that severe economic impacts also have their health risks including increase in drug and alcohol abuse as well as spikes in suicide rates. It is unlikely either side will convince the other to see it their way.
Rally At Capitol: Over 1,000 protestors showed up at the Capitol on Sunday, April 19, 2020, to protest the strict economic lockdown by Governor Polis. The following day, the Governor announced a gradual lifting of the economic lockdown.
Long Term
The long-term questions are whether COVID-19 will return stronger than ever this fall without a vaccine being developed and what are the permanent economic consequences of suddenly shutting down a once booming economy. No one has an answer to those questions on which the lives and livelihoods of so many will depend.
