Swansea

I-70 viaduct built below ground could bury a north Denver feud

Don Hunt may be the hardest-working man at the State Capitol -- and that's saying a lot as the legislature heads into its final week. The head of the Department of Transportation helped pull the plug on a Beltway Authority proposal -- and now he could bury a feud that divided north Denver fifty year ... More >>

DJ Cavem is spreading the love -- and the word on food justice -- in Uganda

Ietef Cavem Vita, aka DJ Cavem Moetivation, worked the crowd at Artopia, he says, for at least the last four years. But he won't be there tomorrow because he has more important work to do: Today he flies out of Denver on a trip that will eventually land him in Uganda, where he's traveling as a Bold ... More >>

Lowry Leeks are prized for their lighter Denver flavor: Kenny Be's Hip Tip

​ Lowry leeks are closely related to Denver Onions but have a sweeter, creamier, more delicate urban flavor. Prized by residents who seek urban flavor without all the dicing and tears, Lowry leeks are extremely hardy and many will grow in a compact space...

University Park turban squash improves observing conditions: Kenny Be's Hip Tip

​ The University Park turban squash is a colorful heirloom that inspired the design of University of Denver's Chamberlin Observatory back in 1889. Just as the observatory helps students look deep into the night sky, the buttercup-type squash is better for gazing than grazing...

Skyland mushroom spawn contains the fungi needed for better futures: Kenny Be's Hip Tip

​ Much like the residents of the Skyland neighborhood, fungal mats are the most prolific biological entities on the planet and respond with inherent intelligence to stressed environments by recycling plant and animal debris into a nutritious food source...

GrowHaus unveils its hydroponic growing system -- that's a lot of lettuce!

​In June, GrowHaus won Maxwell House's Drops of Good contest and $50,000, which it's using to build a state-of-the-art hydroponic farm and create a market space. Yesterday, that space was celebrated with a group of volunteers, GrowHaus board members, Maxwell House and Rebuilding Together re ... More >>

GrowHaus's new hydroponic lettuce farm combines sustainability and technology

​GrowHaus, the community farm in Elyria-Swansea, just unveiled its state-of-the-art hydroponics farm. Once it's fully installed, the organic (though not-yet-certified) greenhouse facility will grow a thousand heads of lettuce a month. It will be the largest lettuce growing facility of its kind ... More >>

Using Their Heads

​GrowHaus, the community farm in Elyria-Swansea, just unveiled its state-of-the-art hydroponics farm. Once it's fully installed, the organic (though not-yet-certified) greenhouse facility will grow a thousand heads of lettuce a month. It will be the largest lettuce growing facility of its kind ... More >>

Overland potatoes grow deep in rich, soiled history: Kenny Be's Hip Tip

​ Montana City, the area's first platted township, was founded in September 1858 on the east banks of the South Platte river near West Evans Avenue. The following spring, the cabins were dismantled and floated downriver to be rebuilt at the confluence of Cherry Creek. Rufus "Potato" Clark then ... More >>

South Platte light industry yellow onion adds aromatic flavor to Denver: Kenny Be's Hip Tip

​ Long before light industry's varnish and diesel fumes flavored the air of the South Platte neighborhood, truck farms utilized the area's fertile river bottom soil to grow the aromatic vegetable used to flavor the dishes of Denver dinner tables...

Free Chipotle and rattails: Sustainable food film series at Denver Botanic Gardens

J. WohletzChipotle provided free refreshments at the Denver Botanic Gardens.​ Chipotle Mexican Grill, Feed Denver and the Denver Botanic Gardens came together last night to host a screening of Locavore, the first movie in a sustainable food film series aimed at raising awareness of growing lo ... More >>

Seedy cartoonist to bedazzle urban farmers at Denver County Fair: Kenny Be's Hip Tip

​ The illustration above appeared as the third panel of my "Predictions 2011" Worst-Case Scenario comic in the December 30, 2010 issue of Westword. I was predicting that the success of the Denver County Fair would turn all loft and apartment residents into rooftop and balcony farmers. But, in ... More >>

Globeville eggplant is a healthy and habit-forming meat substitute: Kenny Be's Hip Tip

​ Throughout its history, Globeville has been separated from Denver by the South Platte River, the railyards and two interstate highways. Consequently, the isolated residents have created a kingdom with a unique urban-farming culture. Globeville eggplant, a member of the tobacco family, is the ... More >>

Athmar Park fennel plants help clear eyesight and the air: Kenny Be's Hip Tip

​In Greek mythology, Prometheus stole fire from Zeus and stored it in the hollow stalks of Athmar Park fennel to free mankind from the brutish ignorance of the gods. Today, the plant grows wild in the yards of neighborhood bungalows and is eaten raw as a natural treatment for glaucoma and to c ... More >>

Congress Park cauliflower grows best in a cool neighborhood: Kenny Be's Hip Tip

​Built in 1887, 1906 and 1955 respectively, Capitol Hill Basins Numbers one, two and three were built in Congress Park to hold a three-day supply of water for the 105,000 Denver residents who lived downtown. Consequently, Congress Park Cauliflower has always thrived in the cooler, moister atmo ... More >>

16th Street Mall bright lights Swiss chard mix is a big-city favorite: Kenny Be's Hip Tip

​ To know 16th Street Mall Swiss chard is to love its tender and delicious, if somewhat meaty, flavor. Originating in large, mallside Downtown Denver planters, this big-city bright lights strain of chard is a celebration of all that is colorful in the capital city of Colorado...

Bear Valley watercress is the water weed that turns back time: Kenny Be's Hip Tip

​ Originally found along the banks of Bear Creek, the vitamin-rich medicinal qualities of Bear Valley watercress attracted seniors in search of better health to settle the neighborhood in the mid-1960s. Now grown in water gardens across the city, Bear Valley watercress is highly prized for it' ... More >>

Valverde tomatillo is the tart Westsider that gets sweet in the heat: Kenny Be's Hip Tip

​ Valverde is a historic west side neighborhood that is a complex blend of light industry and single-family housing. It is the perfect place to grow Valverde tomatillo. A member of the tomato family, the Valverde tomatillo plant bears bright green fruits with a taste that is a complex blend of ... More >>

Elyria-Swansea heirloom tomato performs well in gardens and coliseums: Kenny Be's Hip Tip

​ Dating back to the 1911, the Elyria-Swansea heirloom tomato was developed by stockyard workers who wanted to create the perfect beefsteak tomato. It has since become a Mile High favorite that is undoubtedly destined to be the first blue ribbon winner at the Denver County Fair...

Seeds of change: A circle of sustainability thrives at the GrowHaus

​Update: Progress is being made at the GrowHaus, as evidenced by this time-lapse of renovations in the facility's HydroFarm. But in the urban greenhouse's race to win a $50,000 grant, the road's been a bit bumpier: After rising to third place and even grazing second, GrowHaus has dropped to si ... More >>

Help the GrowHaus win $50,000

theGrowHaus.com​The GrowHaus is a community garden, market and education center in Elyria-Swansea that's encouraging healthy eating and creating local jobs in the process, too. It is also one of ten nonprofits contending for Maxwell House's Drops of Good contest that will award five organizati ... More >>

Michael Hancock campaign sprinting toward the finish line in mayor's race vs. Chris Romer

Michael Hancock.​Update: A short time ago, we published a look at the Chris Romer campaign's election day strategy in the Denver mayor's race that pits him against Michael Hancock. The Hancock crew's take? Amber Miller, spokeswoman for the perceived frontrunner, offered the following takes on ... More >>

Parks and Rec membership fees (and revenues) could increase under tiered structure proposal

​Denver Parks and Recreation membership fees could increase if the city council approves a task force's recommendation to create a tiered fee structure for the city's 27 rec centers. The centers would be divided into three categories: neighborhood (small), local (medium-sized) and regional (fu ... More >>

Culinary calendar for the week ahead: Soup for the Soul, booze dinners and more

​Denver Restaurant Week kicks off on Saturday, which is also when the 2011 Beerdrinker of the Year will be crowned -- but in the meantime, there are plenty of culinary events to fill your belly. Here's what's on the menu:

Joe Thunder on Lazy Sundays and the idea of local hip acts grinding until they can't be denied

Anya Strauss​Joe Thunder is not a DJ. Nor is he an MC. Just the same, he's a widely recognizable figure in the local hip-hop scene, and he's equally as well regarded as those who are making the music. A tireless champion of Colorado hip-hop, Joe has been doing everything he can to help culti ... More >>

Holly Square, up from the ashes: More memories of trials & triumphs in Park Hill

Anthony CameraTerrance Roberts.​In this week's feature, "Crips Burned Down the Holly in Bloods Territory, But Can Peace Emerge from the Ashes in Northeast Park Hill?," we recount the story of the Holly Square shopping center, burned to the ground in a 2008 gang attack and now poised for rehabi ... More >>

Virgin twins are two of a kind (song lyrics): Kenny Be's Yard Arteology

Full-sized photo below.​The study of neighbors through yard decoration. Meet Mary who's blessed most everywhere, From Vietnam to Vatican Square. But Guadalupe is hard to know, she's just a local saint from Mexico. What a crazy pair! But they're virgins, identical virgins all the way. One pai ... More >>

Dirt Don’t Hurt

Full-sized photo below.​The study of neighbors through yard decoration. Meet Mary who's blessed most everywhere, From Vietnam to Vatican Square. But Guadalupe is hard to know, she's just a local saint from Mexico. What a crazy pair! But they're virgins, identical virgins all the way. One pai ... More >>

EarthFirst! enviro-radicals emerge from the trees to protest I-70 overhaul

Anti I-70 expansion poster by EarthFirst! Activists with the radical environmentalist outfit EarthFirst! have apparently taken a hiatus from monkeywrenching logging trucks and boiling pine cones for sustenance during three-month tree-sits to run a campaign in urban Denver against the various propo ... More >>

Kenny Be's Yard Arteology: Housepaint Saint's mural moral

The study of neighbors through their lawn ornaments... click image to enlarge Figure 23. Elyria-Swansea: Virgin of Guadalupe takes a bow The house-paint mural is the most unforgiving of the yard arts, and that is why it is so rare. Most yard artists avoid it because nothing broadcasts an individ ... More >>

Celtic Connection

The study of neighbors through their lawn ornaments... click image to enlarge Figure 23. Elyria-Swansea: Virgin of Guadalupe takes a bow The house-paint mural is the most unforgiving of the yard arts, and that is why it is so rare. Most yard artists avoid it because nothing broadcasts an individ ... More >>

Delegating Denver #54 of #56: West Virginia

The study of neighbors through their lawn ornaments... click image to enlarge Figure 23. Elyria-Swansea: Virgin of Guadalupe takes a bow The house-paint mural is the most unforgiving of the yard arts, and that is why it is so rare. Most yard artists avoid it because nothing broadcasts an individ ... More >>

Delegating Denver #44 of 56: Rhode Island

The study of neighbors through their lawn ornaments... click image to enlarge Figure 23. Elyria-Swansea: Virgin of Guadalupe takes a bow The house-paint mural is the most unforgiving of the yard arts, and that is why it is so rare. Most yard artists avoid it because nothing broadcasts an individ ... More >>

The Matrix

Can a white woman with ties to Dune, Keanu Reeves and Burning Man effectively represent Denver’s historically black city council district?

Maneline

This crew delivers a straight shot of hip-hop.

Murder Most Fowl

Cockfighting is banned in Colorado. But the feathers still fly.

Westword Music Showcase 2006

Be there or be square!

My Way for the Highway

North Denver neighbors get a crash course in I-70's future.

Best Highway Beautification Project

"Currents and Eddies"

Martha Daniels

Building for the Future

Peter Park is in the urban-planning game for good.

Street Wise

Robert Duran got jacked up. Then he grew up.

Funky Town

Even though the EPA says Denver's air is getting cleaner, the odor lingers on.

This Is a Job for Superfund!

Colorado's legacy of contamination spreads far and wide.

It's a Jungle Out There

Denver created its own forest out of nothing. Now it has to keep it alive.

Penned In

Tired of trying to get around the Stock Show, Globeville residents want the Stock Show to get around them.

Letters

Tired of trying to get around the Stock Show, Globeville residents want the Stock Show to get around them.

Toxic Shock

Tired of trying to get around the Stock Show, Globeville residents want the Stock Show to get around them.

The Underbelly of Wales

Tired of trying to get around the Stock Show, Globeville residents want the Stock Show to get around them.

Zoned Out

A cluster of neighborhoods in north Denver try--and fail--to obtain a zoning inspector.

GETTING A READ ON NEWT

SOON KIDS WON'T BE THE ONLY ONES EARNING IN DENVER'S EARNING BY LEARNING PROGRAM.