Articles in the April 2012 issue of the Front Porch

Download current issue Apr12_FrontPorch.pdf

Salamander Becomes State Amphibian
















NE Denver student-led initiative results in the western tiger salamander becoming the Colorado state amphibian, a model of student, politician, teacher, parent and neighbor collaboration. Story on p. 1.




A Look at the Zoo’s New Elephant Exhibit


Denver Zoo’s Toyota

Elephant Passage

will open June 1,

immersing visitors

in 10 acres of

Asian wildlife

and culture.

State-of-the art

habitats will be

home to Bodhi

and Groucho,

charming bull

elephants, and

other occupants

new to the zoo.

Story starts on p. 1.





People Who Make a Difference: The King of Park Hill
















A profile of longtime Park Hill resident, John Owens, traces his life from his parents’ Depression-era covered wagon journey to serving as King of Park Hill every 4th of July. See p. 9.




Making History Relevant
















Stapleton resident David Fulton talks about how “Facing History and Ourselves” makes history relevant in students’ lives through new teacher strategies and engaging materials. Story on p. 10.




Denver Dept. of Environmental Health: Linkhart Sets Priorities
















Former City Councilman Doug Linkhart talks about his goals as new director of the Dept. of Environmental Health. See p. 12.




CPB Bridge Opens Soon: Will you miss the Quebec intersection?
















The long-awaited connection from Central Park Boulevard to I-70 and Northfield is about the open with one lane in each direction (and the capacity for two more to be built in the future). See p. 13.




Take a Hike: Ancient Tiger Salamander Fossils Come to Light

















Park Hill’s Dr. Stucky, DMNS paleontology/evolution curator, says comparing 10,000 Ice Age tiger salamander fossils from the Snowmass dig to today’s tiger salamanders is extraordinary. Column on p. 17





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Supplements to April 2012 articles:


  1. 1.A Guide to the Film Bully for Educators and Parents

  2. 2.Stapleton Map showing the boundary with Aurora and future street connections with Aurora.

  3. 3.Denver’s Structural Financial Task Force Presentation of Findings

Preview: History Colorado Center









Learn about all that the new History Colorado Center, opening April 28, has to offer in its interactive environment that brings state history to life for all ages. See p. 1.


How have Denver and Colorado changed since 2010? And what lies ahead?

Charts and text from the State Demography office on migration, jobs, aging, and diversity and household types show dynamic shifts in Denver’s demographics. Pp. 4 to 7.


What Does a State Demographer Do?









Learn about Stapleton resident Elizabeth Garner, the state demographer, who enjoys generating and mining data the Demography Office produces as a community resource. Story on p. 4.


Good News for Do-It-Yourselfers









Read about the brand-new Ace Hardware store at 7100 E. Colfax, the people who made it possible, and the experts there to help customers with home repair and gardening needs. Story on p. 14.


Mobile Doctor Treats iPhones









Ailing iPhones now have Stapleton resident and former airline pilot Benjamin Head to make them work again. See p. 15.


Rotary Youth Leadership Scholarships

Learn how to apply for a
scholarship to attend the
Rotary Youth Leadership
2012 summer camp and
what it meant to past
recipient Joshua Wilson,
now an Air Force
Academy cadet.
Story on p. 22.


Monarch Montessori Now a DPS Charter School

How the school became a charter, upcoming deadline for fall applications, and open house schedule. See p. 24.


Construction Updates...

on opening of the Stapleton Sam Gary Library, connection of Stapleton and Aurora streets, and the I-70 bridge replacement over Sand Creek on pp. 24 and 25.


How Would You Reduce Denver’s Structural Deficit?

Express your opinions on budget challenges and where to view structural task force recommendations. See p. 25.


Development of Buckley Annex in Lowry Moves Forward








Net-zero power usage is a goal for new 800-dwelling units and commercial space in Lowry development. Story on p. 26.


Restore Integrity to Foreclosure Filings

State Rep. Beth McCann advocates for transparency in foreclosure proceedings. See p. 26.


Giving Small Businesses the Tools They Need

Congresswoman Diana DeGette reports on needs expressed by small-business owners on page 27.


Premium Fishwrap

“Colorado Is Now a Hotbed for Lacrosse,” offers a commentary by Jon Meredith on the growth of the sport of lacrosse. Page 23.


And more…


Events:

Pages 2 and 18-22 offer lots of ideas for places to go and things to do.


SUN:

Upcoming SUN Board elections (candidates wanted) and Earth Day events throughout the community.


Letters to the Editor:

Subjects include prairie dogs and safety at school bus stops. Page 29.