october 2012
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5 POINTS NEWS October 2012TRANSCRIPT
Happenings in and around Historic 5 Points and Northeast DenverOctober 2012
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145 Points newsonLine nowat www.5Pointsnews.com
Police Chief White Shares Keys to Success
Holly Shopping Center Comes Back to Life
Like the legendary Phoenix, the Holly square shopping Center has risen from the ashes with a new purpose and life. no longer is it the remnant of a burned down strip mall. it has been transformed into a beautifully painted mosaic of color and energy. The Holly now sports two snap basketball courts, a playground, and a soccer field. Terrance Roberts, Executive Director of the Prodigal Son Initiative, was the visionary for this project to revitalize an area many people had given up on.
In celebration his organization in conjunction with various sponsors held a day of food, fun and music. The day consisted of a 3-on-3 basketball tournament with several Denver Nuggets players on hand, a soccer camp, and more. A great time was had for all ages.
What makes this project unique is that Roberts did not wait for a handout, or someone else to come in and transform the area. He enlisted the aid of regular community citizens who worked together to make the project a success. It was the heart of the people that ensured the Holly was transformed and ultimately will be a safe place for young people to play, and the community to enjoy.
–Terrance Hughes
Community members and leaders of all ages celebrate the Holly Square Shopping Center rededication.
Police Chief Robert White spent an evening at brother jeff’s Cultural Center speaking with the NAACP Youth Council moderated by Raven Johnson-Bailey. White stressed the importance of goals, being prepared, and other keys to success. “Guess where I spent seven long hours yesterday?” White asked, referring to an incident where two young Black men allegedly attempted to rob a Colfax Radio Shack, fired a weapon, and held a hostage. “Their lives are never going to be the same. As young people, you have to believe in yourself and make good choices. We adults believe in you, and yesterday’s events reminded me of that.” See additional photos and read White interview on page 15
REGISTER and VOTE
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Registration Deadline October 9, 2012
Early Voting BeginsOctober 22, 2012
2 8 5 Points news
WE’RE 100%WITh PRESIdEnT ObamaPaId fOR by ThE 47%Of nORThEaST dEnVER
Say it Loud | brotherjeff.com
october 2012 8 3
5 Points news Monthly Publication - October 2012
Publisher
brother jeff
editor
brother jeff
layout & design
Cynthia R. Martin
PhotograPhy
Lens of Ansarbrother jeff
A-Team Photography
Writers & researchers
Terrance “Big T” HughesKenneth Drew
brother jeffCynthia Martin Aminah FardAliyah FardMisti Aas
5 Points News is a publication of brotherjeff.com
2836 Welton StreetDenver, CO 80205
when i turned eighteen there were two things expected of me—register for se-lective service and register to vote. Selective service is manditory and means if a war breaks out and the country needs additional men, the government could “select” me. Registering to vote is voluntary and means I have a choice in “selecting” the representatives who would potentially require me to fight, and possibly give my life.
In my experience, voting in Colorado has always been a simple process, that is, until the 2010 election of Colorado Secretary of State Scott Gessler. As many work tirelessly to make sure everyone who can vote, does; Gessler, a one man voter sup-pression machine is working equally as hard to make sure they don’t. Need proof? If you think you are registered to vote in the upcoming election, check the Secretary of State’s website at www.sos.state.co.us. Don’t be surprised if your name isn’t there.
–brother jeff
Think You’re Registered to Vote; Think Again!
Talkn’ With Dr. DaddioSaturdays 3:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Community Reminded That Every Vote Counts
Allegra “Happy” Haynes was among several community members and lead-ers who participated in the I G0T YOUR BACK voter registration drive.
As the Tuesday October 9, voter reg-istration deadline rapidly approaches, par-ticipants were encouraged to register, and registered voters were encouraged to dou-ble-check their voter registration status.
“And when the ballots come out on September 15, we have to do all that we can to make sure people get out to vote.
we need to knock on doors, and we need to make phone calls,” said Haynes, as she presented a winning grass-roots strategy. “If you get 10 people, and those people get 10 people, and everyone volunteers weekly to do a one, two-hour shift until the election, we will get the votes that President obama needs to win Colorado.”
in this tightly contested presidential election, Colorado will play a vital role in determining who will govern this nation. Every vote counts.
I guess at least 800 people will be able to vote by provisional ballot and Gessler and the County Clerks will just have to certify their vote as valid! Information family, if you didn’t get a confirmation card within two weeks of your registration, you’re probably not on the books and need to do it again. If you can’t get to the SOS, any motor vehicle or public assistance agency can hook you up and give you a receipt.
– Karon Majeel
Provisional Ballots will be the “hanging chads” of 2012 nationwide due to issues like this.
– Chelese Ransom
Scott Gessler should be ashamed of the way he’s misused and manipulated the Sec. of State’s office, and we should be ashamed if he’s ever re-elected, for anything!
– Lee Kathryn Gash-Maxey
Letters to the Editor
Chad Moved to Colorado and Changes Name to Inactive Voter Status
Remember Chad? He became famous when he helped George W. Bush win a tight victory over Al Gore in the 2000 presidential election.
Chad went by many names–Hanging Chad, Dimpled Chad, and
Secretary of State Scott Gessler
even Pregnant Chad. Chad was also a “glitch in the system” who lived in Florida, along with Governor Jed Bush–George’s brother.
Well, in 2012 Chad moved to Colorado and changed his name to In-active Voter Status. He’s also the new “glitch in the system” working for Secretary of State Scott Gessler who recently lost nearly 800 voters who registered on the states website.
“We’re not going to be able to figure out who those 779 people are,” said Gessler according to Westword.
with Colorado being a crucial battleground state in the presidential race, those “lost” votes may become a deciding factor. Pay attention, and don’t let Chad steal another election.
4 8 5 Points news
Pastor King Harris, speaking on behalf of DURA’s plan was among nearly 40 speakers at City Council
City Council Approves DURA Plan for Five Points
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Council Chamber’s pews were full, September 10, as the City Council voted 12-1 in favor the controversial Welton Street Urban Redevelopment Plan pre-pared by Denver Urban Renewal Author-ity (DURA). Councilwomen Faatz from District 2 was the only no vote, due to property owner rights.
nearly 40 community members spoke at the over three hour-long hearing, including business owners, residents, and others who were concerned or invested in the process.
“This model reminds me so much of slavery. It allows white developers to come in and steal, claim, and use eminent domain as hammer, a whip, and chain, to scare us to sell our property and move out,” said seku nkrumah, who was born and raised in Five Points, and one of the speakers clearly opposed to the plan. “Ev-ery building has historical definition to it, and you want to tear it all down!”
Many speakers voiced their support for DURA’s plan. “The plan will allow for public improvement projects and private sector developments, modeled after the Downtown Denver 52-block Urban Re-newal Area,” wrote Five Points Business District, Executive Director, Tracy Win-chester “The Five Points community can now move forward with their vision of re-vitalization to attract new businesses and residents to the welton street sidewalks and provide for a more environmentally sustainable area for our community.”
one of the primary concerns about the Redevelopment Plan surrounds a clause about eminent domain, which would allow DURA, with approval of City Council, to seize private property for the public good if they provide compensa-tion to the owner.
–Misty Aas
Mayor Michael Hancock appointed Gary M. Jackson Denver County Court Judge effective January 2013.
Jackson is a currently partner in the
Incoming Denver County Judge, Gary M. Jackson
Gary Jackson Named New County Court Judgelaw firm of DiManna & Jackson LLP, where he focuses on attorney regulation, judicial discipline, attorney reinstatement and readmission, Board of Law Examiner cases and judicial performance issues.
A former member of the Denver District Attorney’s Office and U.S. Attor-ney’s Office for the District of Colorado, Jackson previously served as vice presi-dent of both the Denver Bar Association and Colorado Bar Association.
He is an active member of the Ameri-can Board of Trial Advocates, American College of trial Lawyers, Colorado trial Lawyers Association and the Colorado Criminal Defense Bar.
Jackson has been practicing law in Denver for 42 years. A Denver native and graduate of George Washington High School, he received both his bachelor’s degree and Juris Doctorate from the Uni-versity of Colorado.
Veterans Lou Ware and Don Dorsey share a joyful moment at the monthly Retired Veterans Breakast Club.
Retired Veterans Meet Monthly for Breakfast
Every fourth Saturday of the month at 9 a.m., nearly 100 military retirees from all branches of service meet at The Re-tired Enlisted Association, 1599 Dayton Street, in Aurora.
the group has been in existence since 1995, and started when Chuck Moss and three others began meeting regularly for breakfast.
As the group continued to grow, they finally decided to put a strictly informal
structure to the group and became The Breakfast Bunch.
in addition to good food, the group comes together to socialize, tells stories about military days, and exchanges infor-mation pertinent to retired veterans.
Many members are Colorado natives or have lived in the state for many years.
The Breakfast Bunch also features monthly guest speakers on a wide range ot topics.
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Faith leaders and health care providers came together in support of African American health
Shorter Celebrate Health Fair
Shorter Community African Ameri-can episcopal Church held their 1st An-nual Celebrate Health Fair focusing on African American health issues.
the fair included a town hall meeting
panel discussion and a variety of health in-formation booths including: Alzheimer’s, arthritis, breast cancer, HIV/AIDS, nutri-tion, stroke prevention, mental health, and much more.
Plan for Healthy Meetings
Food at meetings...is it necessary or is it an expectation? the answer could go either way. Healthy eating does not mean that everything served has to be low-fat, low-sodium and sugarless. it does mean that the choices and options offered are balanced. When planning for events, meetings or conferenes, consider provid-ing healthy and physical activity breaks.
Most food-service professionals are familiar with healthier food preparation options and are willing to accomodate requests for changes to their usual fare. Therefore, it is good to review menus in advance and if necessary request healthier options within the same price range. Here are some suggestions:
Breakfast–Freash fruit, breakfast bur-ritos, low or nonfat yogury, hard-cooked eggs, whole-grain or mullti-grain bread or bagels, muffins (bran, oatmeal or multi grain), English muffins, fruit quick bread,
Registered Dietitian Stella Nash
low-fat cheese, granola bars, low-fat gra-nola, 100-percent fruit or vegetable juice, water, coffee, tea, and nonfat or one-per-cent milk.
Lunch/Dinner–Salad with dress-ing on the side, broth-based soup, pasta salad, sandwiches made with whole-grain breads, wraps with lean meat and low-fat cheese, two to three ounces lean meat, poultry, fish or tofu, whole-grain rolls, freash fruit, fresh or cooked vegetables without sause, angel food cake with fresh-fruit topping, low-fat ice cream or frozen yogurt, and water, tea, and coffee.
Breaks–Popcorn, whole-grain crack-ers, dried fruit or trail mix, fresh fruit, raw vegatables, 100-percent fruit or vegetable juice, string cheese, low-fat cheese, gra-nola bars, roasted nuts, water, tea, and coffee.
Receptions–Sliced lean beef or poultry, miniature meatballs, miniature pizzas (made with English muffins, to-mato sauce, mozzarella cheese and mush-rooms), roasted nuts, low-fat cheese, fresh fruit, raw vegetables, whole-grain crackers and bread or rolls.
To ensure that you are providing at-tendees with healthier meeting choices, use a checklist for planning your next meeting, workshop or conference.
some good ways to integrate physi-cal activity into your meeting include choosing a location where attendees can easily and safely walk to dinner or other events, selecting a lodging facility with exercise quiipment or a fitness center and offering line dancing, chair exercises or early morning or evening walks.
–Stella Nash, Registered Dietitian
Michael Simmons takes advantage of the Center for African American health annual free prostate screening
Have You Had Your PSA Level Check?
on saturday, september 23rd nearly 130 African American men were screened for prostate cancer at a special event offered by the Center for African American Health.
education and early detection is criti-cal said Grant Jones, the Center’s founder and executive director. “Over the past 6 or 7 years we’ve seen consistent increas-es in the number of men participating in screening events and more and more men and women are encouraging their friends, family members and loved ones to pay at-tention to the known prostate cancer risk factors—age, family history and race. We’re really pleased with this trend.”
The Urology section of the NMA, an association dedicated to advancing the art and science of medicine for people of African descent, notes that a community based approach to early detection of pros-tate cancer can make a big difference.
“This can be somewhat scary for men, but is a great opportunity for us to stay healthy, and for us to live longer,”
said Michael Simmon, who took advan-tage of screening. “I’m sixty-two years old, and believe that I have a long life to live, and the only way I can do that well is by doing preventative things. I think a lot of Black men should be doing this, and the bottom line is, it’s free.”
The Center’s annual screening event is made possible by a host of dedicated partners, including the inner City Health Center, the Urology Center of Colorado and a host of other community partners and volunteers.
What is the prostate?The prostate gland is part of the male reprductive system; it pro-duces fluid for semen. The prostate is about the same size ans shape as a walnut, and sits in front of the rectum and below the bladder, where it surrounds the uretha that carries urine out from the bladder.
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6 8 5 Points news
Businesses & Services Along the StripAdvertising And MArketingPure Brand Communications2745 Welton, Denver, CO 80205(303) 297-0170
Commerce Kitchen515 30th Street, Denver, CO 80205(877) 299-9101
Architecture And interior designStudiotrope2942 Welton, Denver, CO 80205(303) 308-1144
Arts And cultureBlack American West Museum3091 California Street, Denver, CO 80205(720) 242-7428
Blair-Caldwell African American Library 2401 Welton, Denver, CO 80205(720) 865-2401
brother jeff’s Cultural Center 2836 Welton, Denver, CO 80205(303) 297-0823
Cleo Parker Robinson Dance 119 Park Avenue West, Denver, CO 80205(303) 295-1759
Frederick Douglas Community Building 2745 Welton, Denver, CO 80205(213) 923-2981
Stiles African American Heritage Center, Inc.2607 Glenarm Place, Denver, CO 80205(303) 294-0597
AutoMotiveCourtesy Auto728 East 26th Avenue, Denver, CO 80205(303) 861-4417
BAnkingUS Bank 2701 Welton, Denver, CO 80205(303) 296-4742
Wells Fargo2559 Welton, Denver, CO 80205(303) 297-7786
BArBers & BeAuty shopsDunbar Barber Shop 2844 Welton, Denver, CO 80205(303) 295-9131
Five Points Beauty and Barber2757 Welton, Denver, CO 80205(303) 298-1078
Franklin Stigers Afro Styling2755 Welton, Denver, CO 80205(303) 295-9055
Hope for a Change Beauty and Barber Shop2737 Welton, Denver, CO 80205(720) 434-9092
McGill’s2843 Welton, Denver, CO 80205(303) 295-1977
Mr. Puff2754 Welton, Denver, CO 80205(720) 404-8154
New Look Barbers2825 Welton, Denver, CO 80205(303) 295-9192
BArsClimax Lounge2217 Welton, Denver, CO 80205(303) 292-5483
cleAnersC & B Cleaners & Hatters2748 Welton, Denver CO 80205(303) 297-9544
coMMunicAtionsWireless Express610 26th St., Denver, CO 80205(303) 295-1788
coMMunity developMentCivil Technology Inc.2413 Washington, Denver, CO 80205(303) 292-0348
Five Points Business District2444 Washington, Denver, CO 80205(303) 832-5000
dispensAriesAlternative Medical Foods2752 Welton, Denver, CO 80205(303) 295-2425
Denver Kush Club2615 Welton, Denver, CO 80205(303) 736-6550
engineeringTriunity Engineering2444 Washington St., 3rd Flr, Denver, CO 80205(303) 953-0320
FAith BAsedAgape Christian Church2501 California, Denver, CO 80205(303) 296-2454
A Word from God Ministries2845 Welton, Denver, CO 80205(720) 297-6305
Central Baptist Church2400 California, Denver, CO 80205(303) 292-6618
Kingdom of God Christian Center2485 Welton, Denver, CO 80205(303) 293-2233
governMent oFFicesDenver Motor VehicleFive Points Plaza2736 Welton, Denver, CO 80205(720) 865-4600
heAlth & huMAn resourcesbrother jeff’s Community Health Initiative 608 26th St., 2nd Floor, Denver, CO 80205(303) 293-0024
Denver Options2736 Welton, Denver, CO 80205(720) 587-2800
Healing Life’s Pains2515 California St., Denver, CO 80205(720) 275-3383
Hope Communities2543 California, Denver, CO 80205(303) 860-7747
legAl servicesBenford Bail Bonds 728 E. 26th Ave., Denver, CO 80205(720) 275-0619
Cooper & Dorancy, LLC3025 Welton, Denver, CO 80205(303) 831-1021
Kiovsky and Duwaldt2820 Welton, Denver, CO 80205(303) 293-2300
MediAChannel 122900 Welton, Denver, CO 80205(303) 296-1212
Denver Weekly News2937 Welton, Denver, 80205(303) 292-5158
5 Points News2836 Welton, Denver, CO 80205(303) 297-0823
Free Speech TV2900 Welton, Denver CO 80205(303) 442- 8445KUVO2900 Welton, Denver, CO 80205(303) 480-9272
Urban Spectrum2727 Welton, Denver CO 80205(303) 292 6446
reAl estAte & housing Public Realty2608 Welton, Denver, CO 80205(303) 295-2128
Wise-Harris Arms Apartment Complex605 26th Avenue, Denver, CO 80205(303) 296-7530
BArsM&M Bar2621 Welton, Denver, CO 80205(303) 295-0424
retAil & servicesA Piece of Mine - Ladies Boutique2937 Welton, Denver, CO 80205(303) 539-6919
Lil Tattoo2736 Welton, Denver, CO 80205(303) 319-1814
Neat Stuff at the Black Market2547 Welton, Denver, CO 80205(303) 382-1337Thrifty Treasures 2846 Welton, Denver, CO 80205(303) 993-7701
Uptown Market 2721 Welton, Denver, CO 80205(303) 993-7701
schoolsTubman-Hilliard Global Academy2741 Welton, Denver, CO 80205(720) 542 8238
venuesCervantes Masterpiece Ballroom2637 Welton, Denver, CO 80205(303) 297-1772
youth servicesHeart and Hand2758 Welton, Denver, CO 80205(303) 757-2368
Support the many businesses and services in and around Five Points.
Collectables * Vintage * Useful Items * Lamps, Dishes, Etc. * New Items Weekly$1 Clearance Table * Up to 50% Off Selected Items
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5 POINTS Says Goodbye to Melva Selectman
Cleo Parker Robinson along with her granddaughter were among many who stopped by a special corner luncheon to say goodbye Melva Selectman.
selectman grew up in the neighbor-hood and has served as Store Manager for Wells Fargo Bank located on the corner of 26th and Welton for the past 11 years.
“I was a student at Manual High school and we took a trip to a bank down-
town,” Selectman recalled, when reflec-tion on how her banking career began. “We were told that banks always have en-try level positions, so in 1973 I was hired with First National Bank of Denver (now Wells Fargo).”
selectman is being relocated to an Aurora Wells Fargo store, and will be a Personal Banker responsible for generat-ing loans and credit products.
october 2012 8 7
Tom’s Cafe800 E. 26th St., Denver, CO 80205
(303) 388-8035
Coleman’s Diner2622 Welton St., Denver, CO 80205
(303) 296-3389
The Creamary908 30th St., Denver, CO 80205
(303) 295-2404
Carries Place1426 E. 22nd Ave, Denver, CO 80205
(303) 993-8982(See ad on page 10)
Bogey’s on the Park2500 York St., Denver, CO 80205
(303) 291-1354
A&A Fish2896 Fairfax St., Denver, CO 80207
(303) 399-3730
Welton Street Cafe2736 Welton St., Denver, CO 80205
(303) 308-0860
Frank’s Kitchen2600 High St.
Denver, CO 80205(303) 296-3838
Cora Fayes2861 Colorado Blvd. Denver, CO 80207
(303) 333-5551
WT Snack Shop5560 East 33rd Street
Denver, Co 80207(303) 329-0335
Five Points & Northeast Denver Restaurants
Five Points Media
Happenings in and around Historic 5 Points
Neat Stuff at the Black MarketFeaturing Unique Items for Every Occasion
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The Power of Community Media of Color
six community newspaper publishers of color met in Historic Five Points to net-work and discuss current events.
Few passing by realized this low-key unassuming group reaches well over 200,000 readers monthly across the state.
This small, but influential group of business owners and employers inform and share unique political, social, enter-tainment, religious, and economic per-spectives not found in other publications.
Some mistakenly often overlook the
impact community media of color pro-vides. However, those who understand and support these publications, continue to benefit greatly by reaching a vast mar-ket, while simultaneously helping grow the local small business economy.
when readers do business with the advertisers in community publications of color, you show you are paying attention, to those who are paying attention to you. That’s power!
L-R brother jeff-5 POINTS NEWS, Lenora Alexander-Denver Weekly News, Rosland Harris-Urban SpectrumJames Tucker-African American Voice, Randy McCowin-Body of Christ News, Chris Fresquez-El Seminario
Stop by and try our healthy authentic Nigerian cuisine!Pounded Yam | Eba | Amala | Jollof | Ayamashe
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8 8 5 Points news
We must work together to register every African American and Latino who is eligible to vote in Colorado. Let My People VOTE is a statewide, mulit-cultural, multi-faith, collaborative movement. Join the following congregations and organizations that are leading the movement:
Together Colorado • Shorter AME Church • Agape Christian Church • St. Therese Catholic Church • Campbell Chapel AME Church Masjid Taqwa (Northeast Denver Islamic Center) • NAACP – Colorado • St. Pius X Catholic Church • The House Worship Center
Our Lady Mother of the Church • Epworth United Methodist Church • 9to5 National Association of Women • Cure d’Ars Catholic ChurchIglesia del Nazareno • First AME Church Pueblo • American Friends Service Committee • United Church of Montbello
Queen of Peace Catholic Church • Colorado Progressive Coalition • Cleaves Memorial CME Church • St. Cajetan Catholic ChurchAlpha and Omega Ministries• Church of the Ascension Catholic Church • Masjid Al Nur • New Jerusalem Baptist Church
Faith Community Baptist Church • St. Luke C.M.E. Church • St. Dominic Catholic Church Colorado SpringsSt. Mary’s Cathedral Catholic Church Colorado Springs • brotherJeff.com
october 2012 8 9
NAACP Still a Shining Star for Civil Rights
Denver Clerk and Recorder challenges Secretary of State election rules on mail ballotsClerk says the rules infringe on Denver’s home rule authority
The last three summers the NAACP has revealed a strong and courageous de-sire to address harm where harm exists, specifically in relation to the drug war. In July of 2010, the California NAACP broke ground by endorsing Prop 19—California’s attempt to legalize marijua-na. In July of 2011, the national NAACP adopted a resolution to end the drug war. Most recently here in Colorado, and the Five Points to be exact, the Colorado/wyoming/Montana are conference of the NAACP endorsed Amendment 64—Col-orado’s attempt to tax and regulate mari-juana for adult use.
Social justice advocates often speak of root causes. These conversations often center on education, employment, hous-ing and obstacles to escaping poverty. The NAACP endorsements and resolutions for drug policy reform states loud and clear that the implementation, enforcement and adjudication of the drug war is a root cause that needlessly hampers opportu-nity for many African Americans.
This view of the drug war as a root cause preventing advancement of people of color and poor people in general is an ideology not yet accepted by the broader social justice community. Many within this community, like the politicians they often rally against, are slow to speak out against the harms of the drug war. stigma concerning drug users and standard con-servative politics dominate the advocacy efforts of many so called progressive or-ganizations. This is true concerning even the most sensible reform of the most com-monly used illicit substance, one that by all accounts is less harmful that many le-
gal and culturally accepted substances—Marijuana.
The NAACP is a champion in this effort and hopefully a trailblazer among similarly situated social justice organiza-tions. For the organization to get to this point took some soul searching that other groups may need to engage in as well. At one point the NAACP endorsed many of the punitive drug war policies that they now realize has simply done more dam-age than good.
the simple and most profound way to get involved to lessen the impact that drug policy has is to join the efforts to re-form marijuana laws. This is an ongoing reform taken place across the country. A recent congressional election in texas and the Oregon Attorney General Election show that people are ready for change in this area and standard drug war rhetoric is outdated. The broader social justice community should not follow politicians but rather join the NAACP in reversing course and fight to educate and lead poli-ticians towards sensible reform of drug laws that will positively benefit so many issues of concern.
Alice Hoffman, the pioneer of the NAACP’s involvement in marijuana re-form, put it best “Given the current eco-nomic crisis and high level of unemploy-ment, particularly for Black men, do we really want to permanently handicap a person’s ability to get an education, make a decent living and have a productive life because they used marijuana?”
–Art Way, Drug Policy Alliance
Voting this election is more than voting for a PresidentThis year’s election is more than
about voting for our next President of the United States. It’s about our local issues that affect our communities: our schools, libraries, public safety, senior citizens, parks and open space, your property tax, and our quality of life.
“Voting on local issues is critical as they affect our everyday lives. On this ballot we will have several measures that will address various issues such as educa-tion, libraries and public safety. All of the issues are important and we want to make sure that we have a say,” said Reverend Steven Dewberry, the President & CEO of the HIV/AIDs Urban Challenge and the Associate Minister at True Light.
it is important to be informed about the issues however, it may feel over-whelming when you receive your light blue election guide with all of Colorado’s state issues, measures, initiatives, and amendments and may feel as though you would need a law degree to understand it.
“It does take time. But it’s time well spent for us to educate ourselves and to vote according to our values,”
Let My People VOTE is a move-ment led by African American and Latino congregations and together Colorado. together Colorado is a non-partisan, faith-based organization that empowers people to strengthen and form communi-ties through congregation-based commu-nity organizing. Together Colorado sup-ports the following issues:
• 3A/3B Together Colorado supports this measure because it would invest in initiatives proven to improve learning potential. http://togetherfordenverss-chools.org
• Amendment 65 - Together Colorado sees that this is the first step toward amending the U.s. Constitution to limit the influence of money in politics. www.coloradoamendmend2012.org
• 2A. Together Colorado believes it will improve the quality of life in Denver and will make the city’s overall tax structure that is less repressive for low-income residents. www.yesondenver.com.
Community members and clergy are trained specifically in these areas as poll monitors: Answer voter questions and direct them to the bilingual hotline; pro-vide bilingual Know Your Voting Rights materials; observe and document poll site set-up, accessibility, voter activity outside the polls and problems/issues faced by voters; identify problems affecting voters and report problems to the legal call cen-ter; record experiences of voters to use as a basis for improving election practices in the future. Let’s get informed of the issues and vote!
For more information contact William Dickerson, Community Organizer at Together Colorado,
303.330.8311 or [email protected].
Denver Clerk and Recorder Debra Johnson is challenging election rules recently enacted by the Colorado secre-tary of State. The complaint, filed by the City Attorney’s Office in Denver District Court, seeks to overturn election rules that impose new restrictions on mail bal-lots in nonpartisan and coordinated elec-tions. However, the challenged rules do not affect the mailing of ballots for the November 6, 2012 General Election.
“The election rules adopted in Au-gust by the Colorado secretary of state prohibiting the mailing of ballots to inac-tive-failed-to-vote voters in nonpartisan and coordinated elections infringes on Denver’s status as a home rule city and county,” said Clerk Johnson. “We believe that the Secretary of State is overstepping his authority by trying to control who gets ballots in local municipal elections. the Colorado Constitution and Denver City Charter make it clear that municipal elec-tions in the City and County of Denver are regulated at the local level and that the
Is Your VotIng status actIVe?
Efforts to suppress
the minority vote is occurring
right here in Colorado!
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Clerk and Recorder has exclusive author-ity to conduct municipal elections.”
Colorado secretary of state election rules adopted on August 15, 2012 in-cluded two provisions that restrict county clerks from including inactive-failed-to-vote electors when mailing ballots in a coordinated or nonpartisan mail ballot election. Clerk Johnson’s complaint as-serts that the Secretary’s new rules ad-versely impact home rule authority con-tained in the state constitution, and that they also, in effect, constitute a rewrite of portions of state law by creating restric-tions that are not addressed in the statutes themselves. City Attorney Douglas J. Friednash states “The goal of the suit is to have those provisions declared unlaw-ful and void and permanently enjoined so this type of action is not repeated in the future. state election laws must be in-terpreted and administered in a manner that provides fair opportunities for voter participation.” the timing of this court challenge was dictated by a 35-day le-gal deadline for challenging secretary of state rulemaking.
Denver Youth Jam: Helps Identify Unregistered Voters
Rocsi Diaz is an advocate for under-standing and being active in the political process. On Saturday, September 29th, the former host of BET’s popular video countdown show, 106 & Park, inspired the over 200 youth and adults who at-tended the Students for Obama: Denver Youth Jam at Hiawatha Davis Recreation Center.
Diaz was campaigning for President Bill Clinton several years before she was able to vote. “I became an American citi-zen just two months before the deadline to register in the 2008 election,” she said. “President Obama was the first president I
was able to vote for.”The event was presented by Organiz-
ing for America, a community organizing project of the Democratic National Com-mittee that seeks to mobilize supporters in favor of Obama’s legislative priorities.
“We identified 116 non-registered voters at the event that we will be follow-ing up with before next week’s registra-tion deadline,” shared Jabari Smith, Field Organizer for Organizing for America. “Furthermore, several students signed up to join our Five Points Presidential Intern-ship Program.”
–Misti Aas
Black Entertainment Television’s Rocsi Diaz at the Hiawatha Davis Recreation Center
Denver Clerk and Recorder Debra Johnson
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10 8 5 Points news
~the spirituals project presents 10th Aniversary gala~The Spirituals Project Community
Choir is in preparation for its 10th Anni-versary Gala entitled Changed My Name: A Spirituals Cantata. We cordially invite your students, youth group or your youth-focused organization to attend a special Youth education night Performance, intended to help educate young people about the music and history of the African American spirituals tradition.
Changed My Name: A Spirituals Cantata will feature the dynamic voices of the 75-voice, multi- ethnic, multi-gen-erational Spirituals Project Community Choir, as well as guest soloists recruited from across the country.
Don’t miss this wonderful opportu-nity for our youth! Tickets are $5.00 per student/chaperone, with one complimen-tary chaperone ticket offered for each group of 10 students. this opportunity
tends to sell out quickly so, please act now to reserve your seats by contacting Spirituals Project Program Administrator, Dee Galloway, at [email protected] or 303.871.7993 right away.
You can learn more about the spiritu-als and the work of The Spirituals Project by visiting our website at www.spiritual-sproject.org.
The Spirituals Project is a secular, nonprofit organization located on the Uni-versity of Denver campus. The mission of The Spirituals Project is to preserve and revitalize the music and the social justice teachings of the sacred songs called “spir-ituals,” which were created and first sung by enslaved Africans in America during the 18th and 19th centuries. One of our expressed goals is to ensure that this mu-sic and this knowledge is passed on to fu-ture generations.
On Friday, November 16, 2012, we invite you and a group of your middle and/or high school-aged students to attend a special Youth education night Perfor-mance of our 10th Anniversary Gala concert at the Newman Center for the Per-forming Arts on the campus of the University of Denver. Changed My Name: A Spirituals Cantata The performance will begin promptly at 7:30 pm and should end at approximately 9:15 pm.
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Blair-Caldwell African American Research Library presents
Monday | October 15 | 6:00 pmGlory (1989)An American drama war film directed by Edward Zwick and starring Matthew Broderick, Denzel Washington, Cary Elwes and Morgan Freeman. The story is based on the 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, the first formal unit of the US Army to be made up of African American men, as told from the point of view of Colonel Robert Gould Shaw, its commanding officer during the American Civil War.122 mins, Rated: R
Monday | October 22 | 6:00 pmThe Piano Lesson (1995)August Wilson’s Pulitzer Prize -winning tale of a family caught between their heritage and a dream for the future. The Charles family clashes over the fate of a magnificent, carved piano that carries their family’s story from their days as slaves. To resolve the conflict they must first deal with the past.95 mins, Rated: PG
Monday | November 5 | 6:00 pmCabin in the Sky (1943)An all-star screen adaptation of the successful Broadway play tells the story of the gambler Little Joe who is seriously wounded in a barroom fight. His pious wife, Petunia, prays for him to have a second chance so he can get to heaven. Joe survives, but God’s General and Lucifer begin the battle for his soul.98 mins, Rated: Not Rated
What will become of Crossroads Theater?
The City and County of Denver is no longer at Crossroads Theater, 2590 Wash-ington Street. Though the city’s lease does not end until March 2013, a source from the city said “The City will be leav-ing Crossroads theater at the beginning of October”. When the Five Points News contacted Hope Communities, who owns the building, they did not wish “to discuss any contracts or transactions that were not final”. Though a Hope Community spokesperson was able to say that several community organizations have reached out to keep the presence of the theater in the community and they were listening.
the transition of the 100-seat theater has followed the ebb and flow of econom-ic times within the Historic Five Points Neighborhood. At its high point, the the-ater won an award for being one of the best new spaces for art in Denver, while being a beacon for live performance. For many, the theater shed a light on the his-tory of the Five Points while culturally connecting to the now defunct eulipions Theater, owned by Jo Bunton Keel which had been prominent in the neighborhood for many years.
Crossroads theater itself was the
dream and vision of Denver attorney, Kurt Lewis. Lewis owned the theater un-til financial and health challenges forced him into negotiations to have the City and County of Denver Arts and Venues take over the space in January 2010. Lewis is currently in discussions on ways to make the theater more sustainable.
Arts and Venues which has tradition-ally managed larger spaces owned by the city, such as the Red Rocks Amphitheater, Colorado Convention Center and the Den-ver Center for Performing Arts at times found it challenging to book so small of a space. Many also feel the city also found itself subsidizing a community theater, and did not want to set a precedent.
As the Historic Five Points neighbor-hood begins the process of reemerging as a cultural and entertainment district, from the nationally renowned Cleo Park-er Dance Theater, Cervantes, The Roxy and the continuous development of The Rossonian Hotel with bars and restaurant surrounding them, the loss of Crossroads Theater would not be evolution that right direction.
–Kenneth Drew
october 2012 8 11
5 POINTS NEWS Journalist Aliyah Fard (12)
DID YOU KNOW SODA CAN DISSOLVE A NAIL?
Think of your favorite soft drink. It’s probably cold, refreshing, and 32oz or more, not in New York!
Mayor Michael Bloomberg banned 32oz soft drinks. Bloomberg decided that soft drinks are unhealthy, and new York-ers shouldn’t be drinking so much of it. Restaurants are not even allowed to give the people more than 16oz, and in fast food restaurants, the costumers are only given 16oz sized cups!
I do think that it is people’s decision on what they want to put in their bodies, but soda is so unhealthy for you! I found out that an active ingredient in Coke is phosphoric acid. It will dissolve a nail in about four days. Can you imagine what
happens when you drink a lot of soda? Your body is not a bunch of nails, so i don’t think your body could handle it if you drink so much. when i heard that Coke will dissolve a nail, I stopped drink-ing it–still in progress.
Therefore, I think that Bloomberg’s decision is helping people in new York live longer! I really like the idea of only having 16oz drinks. It’s not like he is ban-ning soda altogether; he’s just giving it to the people in smaller sizes. By doing this, i think that people will get healthier and will live longer. It might be a possibil-ity that the new law travels and comes to Denver, but we will know when it does.
–Aliyah Fard
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Oh Thank Heaven for 7-Eleven
inside a fenced corner at 34th and York sits a bulldozer signaling renewed economic interest in the area.
A sign reads “7-Eleven Coming soon, Franchise information...”
These convenience stores seems to be growing throughout the Denver area. With 7-Elevens going up everywhere, it’s refreshing to see northeast Denver is not forgotten.
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Local optometrist, Dr. Janice Jarrett of the Mayfair Vision Clinic, is joining the World Sight Day Challenge during the month of October to help give the gift of vision to people in developing countries and underserved communities.
On World Sight Day (October 11) Dr. Jarrett will donate a portion of her eye exam fees to help the more than 600 mil-lion people in the world who are blind or vision impaired simply because they do not have access to an eye exam or glasses.
This will be the second year that Dr. Jarrett has supported Optometry Giving sight and she looks forward to continuing to support such a worthwhile cause. “The World Sight Day Challenge is a great way to help support the millions of people who don’t have access to the basic eye care that we can take for granted.”
Dr. Jarrett was inspired by stories like that of Loid Semente (right), who is one of the students training to become an op-tometrist with the Mozambique Eyecare Project, supported by Optometry Giving Sight. Loid will be one of the first optom-etrists in her country. she is passionate about optometry because of the signifi-cant impact it can have for the people of
Mozambique. “Sight is empowering. For some, access to eye care is the first step towards getting an education, or provid-ing for your family,” she said.
Children are especially vulnerable. Providing vision correction to a school-age child can literally transform their en-tire life. Just $5 can provide an eye exami-nation and a pair of glasses for someone in a developing country. Dr. Jarrett is also inviting her patients and the community to make a donation at her practice through-out october.
Optometry Giving Sight guarantees that 85 percent of all funds raised by op-tometrists and their patients go directly to supporting programs that give sight to those most in need. Funds raised from World Sight Day Challenge will be di-rected to projects in 35 projects across 23 countries around the world.
MAYFAIR VISION CLINIC GIVES GIFT OF VISION TO PEOPLE IN NEED
Mayfair Vision Clinic1336 Leyden St, Denver, CO 80220
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For more information about Optometry Giving Sight and the World Sight Day Challenge, visit www.givingsight.org.
12 8 5 Points news
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5 Points News Photo GalleryRobinson and Belafonte Recreate Southland Fired Up - Ready to Go - Obama Rally
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Theo Jamison, Cleo Parker Robinson and Julie Belafonte - Southland opening night
Southern Trees Bear Strange Fruit
How does an artist tell the tragic twentieth-century saga of lynching? Many have heard Billie Holiday’s Strange Fruit, however, few were given the opportunity to see the 1951 dance-drama Southland, choreographed by the legendary Kather-ine Dunham.
Based on the lynching of an inno-cent Black man, Southland premiered in Chile, went on to Paris, and was never performed in the United states.
Deemed a story best left untold and literally punished for telling, Dunham fell from favor. Her highly acclaimed inter-national dance troupe nearly met its de-mise, and southland was relegated to the sidelines of artistic history. that is until Cleo Parker Robinson and Julie Belafonte resurrected the performance in september of this year.
Belafonte portrayed a White woman who falsely accuses a Black man of rape, which led to his brutal murder. As a lead dancer in the original production, she re-calls the difficulty she experienced as a White dancer in an entirely Black dance troupe that required her use of the n word.
The emotional toll was overwhelm-ing. “It was unbearable and I was going to quit,” she said. “Then I was told as an art-ist, i had a responsibility do this. i shared this same message of responsibility with Cleo’s dancers as they struggled with this difficult performance.”
Done in two acts, Robinson and Bela-fonte marvelously recreated and honored Dunham’s dream of bringing Southland back to life. Musical director Michael williams masterfully transposed an entire orchestra score into a three-piece ensem-ble that featured four outstanding vocal-ists. needless to say, the choreography was brilliant. it was incredible to witness a new generation of dancers far removed from the legacy of lynching, bring the story and emotion to a modern audience.
“Mrs. Dunham would be 103, and I know she would have loved this piece,” Robinson said. “I hope this is just the be-ginning of showing this piece because it is just as relevant today,” said Belafonte, who also celebrated her 84th birthday opening night.
–brother jeff
14 8 5 Points news
The Links Room at the Blair Caldwell African American Research Library drew a capacity crowd as Charleszine “Terry” D. Nelson and Wilma J. Webb emceed The Links, Incorporated celebration of 60 years of friendship, love, and service to the community.
The Denver Chapter of The Links, Incorporated, has served the local Denver and international communities by deliv-ering and sustaining community relevant programs and activities that have a posi-
tive and long term impact.In the Spring of 1952, through the
efforts of Fairfax B. Holmes, assisted by Edythe Hawkins and Geraldine Lightner, plans for the establishment of a Denver chapter were formulated.
the Links, incorporated member-ship consists of over 12,000 professional women of color in 276 chapters located in 42 states, the District of Columbia and the Commonwealth of the Bahamas.
The Links, Incorporated Celebrate 60 Years
Charter Members of the Denver Chapter of The Links, Inc. (Photo: Blair-Caldwell Library archives)
Ask an Attorney: A little primer on Foreclosures
I haven’t paid my mort-gage in 2 months, how much time do I have be-fore someone comes to my house and puts my stuff on the lawn?
Ok, I’m going to go around the block a bit for this one but hang in there, i prom-ise there will be a pay off at the end!
First, lets talk about Foreclosure. Generally, foreclosure is a process by which a holder of the note or lender at-tempts to recover what is owed on the property by forcing a sale of that property because the borrower has stopped making agreed upon payments.
Now just because you have stopped making payments does not mean that the foreclosure process has started, but you can bet that it will.
Most mortgages in Colorado go through a Non-Judicial process, which starts when the holder of the note files a Notice of Election and Demand (NED) with the Public trustee who will then re-cord it with the Clerk and Recorder. Once this happens the clock starts ticking and you are officially in the foreclosure pro-cess. By the way, the home is still your home even after this procedure starts. You can sell the home until the auction date, which is four months or more after the NED is filed, so if you think you may be able to sell your home, give it a shot!
However, things are a bit different if you are a member of a Home Owners As-sociation (HOA). This is the Judicial fore-
closure situation. Let’s say you fall behind on your HOA fees, but you are still paying your mortgage on time. Guess what, the HOA can still foreclose on your home. The difference is that they first have to sue you in District Court, get a judgment and then the foreclosure process will be-gin through the sheriff’s office if you lose in court or don’t answer the complaint. (PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE, answer the complaint. Don’t make it easy for them!)
now after that long winded explana-tion, the answer to the question is….you guessed it, it depends!
Generally it takes a few months of you not making payments before the foreclosure process begins in the non-Judicial foreclosure situation, and after it starts it can take up to four months or more before your home is sold. with a Judicial foreclosure, after you are served with a complaint, you answer the com-plaint, get a trial date and have a trial, it could also take several months. However, if you don’t answer the complaint a judg-ment of default will be entered against you quickly and it may just be a couple of months before you are out on your, as my father used to say, “hind quarters”.
one more thing before i go, and this is very important, please always remember and never forget, this advise is worth about as much as you paid for it, so please con-sult an attorney who can look at your spe-cific situation and give you tailored advice!
–Jessica Jackson-BarrowsAttorney at Law
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Police Chief Robert WhiteA Role Model for Community Youth
Denver Preschool Program 25,000th Enrollee
NAACP Youth Council Panel Discussion
5 POINTS Journalist Aminah Fard (9) interviews Denver Police Chief Robert White
4 year old, Victorica Romero and Mayor Hancock
Robert White did not become a po-lice chief overnight. His journey to the top took vision, determinatin and hard work. As a role model he continues to spend time engaging the community. Aminah Fard interviewed White, during his Trail-blazer Youth Group visit.
Aminah Fard: what made you be-come a police?
Chief White: That’s a great question. i was six years old and i was downtown with my mother and i saw this little girl and a police officer and I asked my moth-er, “What’s wrong with that little girl?” My mother answered, “The little girl is lost and the police officer is going to help her find her parents.” And at the age of six I decided that’s what I wanted to do when i grew up. i wanted to help people.
AF: Can your job be scary sometimes?CW: Yes it can. I’ve been lucky. I’ve
been shot at three times as a police officer. I’ve never shot anyone, thank goodness. And I’ve been in some scary situations, but good training and having a faith in God has always pulled me through.
AF: Do you get called twenty-four hours a day?
CW: Yes. Not all police officers, but i am on call twenty-four hours a day.
AF: How long have you been a po-lice?
CW: I have been a police officer for forty years. At the age of 18, right out of high school, i became a police cadet. in DC, you had to be 20 to be a sworn of-ficer, but you can be a cadet, which means you work for the police department but you are not old enough to be an officer. And at 20, I became a police officer.
AF: what is the hardest part of your job?
CW: when i see people that are hurt. when someone commits a crime and hurts someone, or when a young person com-mits a crime and i know that young per-sons life will be changed forever. Remem-ber when i was saying, when you make bad decisions, we all make mistakes, but some decisions that you make you have to pay the price for them. And when young people go out and start committing crimes it changes their entire life. that upsets me more than anything.
–Aminah Fard
Mayor Michael B. Hancock kicked off the fifth anniversary of the Denver Preschool Program by welcoming its 25,000th enrollee, four-year-old Victoria Romero, a student at the Early Excellence Program of Denver.
“I am honored and delighted to cel-ebrate Denver’s commitment to early childhood education by welcoming Victo-ria and her family to the early excellence Program of Denver,” Mayor Hancock said. “Early childhood education sets the stage for future success in school and life, which is why the Denver Preschool Pro-gram plays a vital role in not only giving our children a smart start, but delivering a world-class city where everyone matters.”
The Denver Preschool Program is funded through sales tax revenue provid-ing tuition credits for families and qual-ity improvements for preschool provid-ers. The program is open to all Denver families with a 4-year-old child who is in their last year of preschool before kinder-garten. the amount of monthly support each family receives depends on level of attendance, family size and income, and the quality of the preschool chosen.
“It’s only because of the Denver Pre-school Program that i am able to afford
to send my daughter Victoria to such a quality preschool where i know she will get a great start to learning,” said emily Romero, Victoria Romero’s mother.
The Denver Preschool Program pro-vided more than $7 million in tuition sup-port to nearly 5,000 children during the 2011-2012 school year. the program also drives quality by offering coaching and quality improvement grants to participat-ing preschools. Preschools are indepen-dently rated for quality so Denver fami-lies can choose the best option for their children.
“We are thrilled to see so many par-ents like Emily take advantage of all the opportunities the Denver Preschool Pro-gram offers,” said eileen Piper, Ceo of the Denver Preschool Program. “Accord-ing to our most recent independent evalu-ation, the vast majority of children leave the Denver Preschool Program socially, emotionally and academically ready for kindergarten.“
The Denver Preschool Program works with more than 250 participating preschools with a searchable database that provides information about each pro-vider and calculates tuition credits for in-terested families on their website.
“In 2006, Denver residents voted for Denver’s kids when they created the Denver Preschool Program. Today, nearly 70 percent of Denver’s four-year-olds are benefitting from that decision. In five short years the Denver Preschool Program has quickly become one of the highest enrolled early childhood educa-tion programs in the country,” said John Plotkin, Chair of the Denver Preschool Program Board of Directors.
“The Denver Preschool Program is an important partner in helping Denver’s youngest learners access a high-quality education,” said Jennifer Luke, Executive Director of Early Excellence Program of Denver, a Denver Preschool Program provider. For more information visit: www.dpp.org.
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