Raptors have some of the most dangerous attributes in the animal kingdom.

Falcons can see a mouse’s whiskers across a football field.

Owls can fly without making a sound.

Golden eagles only weigh about 15 pounds, but they can hunt animals as large as deer, thanks to their immensely powerful and sharp talons.

On July 15, four types of raptors and their human caretakers revealed these attributes during the Golden Library’s Talon Talk.

Nature’s Educators hosted Talon Talk at multiple library branches throughout the week, as part of the Jeffco Public Library’s summer reading challenge.

Because a large crowd was expected, Golden Library staff moved the event to the courtyard behind City Hall. About 65 people attended, including some passersby who saw the raptors from the Clear Creek Trail and wanted to learn more about them.

Nature’s Educators, a nonprofit based in Florence, Colorado, is an educational wildlife program licensed by county, state, and federal agencies to care for non-releasable birds of prey, mammals, and herptiles for educational programs.

For instance, the four raptors at the July 15 Talon Talk had sustained major injuries or had been raised in captivity, Nature’s Educators program specialist Alex Olow explained.

Olow recommended that people do what they can to protect and promote raptors and other birds in their neighborhoods. He suggested building birdboxes that songbirds and even small raptors like kestrels can make a home in.

He also advised against letting housecats outside unsupervised, as they kill millions of birds every year, and against throwing food on the side of the road, as it attracts critters and subsequently attracts birds of prey.

Four feathery friends

Raptors are birds of prey characterized by their powerful eyesight and strong talons, he continued. Each species of raptor has its own unique characteristics, which Olow shared as volunteer Kade Rodenbeck presented a different raptor to the crowd.

The first one was a barn owl named Comet.

Barn owls can be found on every continent except Antarctica, Olow said. They have asymmetrical ears, giving them the best hearing of any animal. They can turn their heads 270 degrees, and their aerodynamic feathers allow for completely silent flight.

Barn owls are excellent pest control, as they can eat four mice a day. However, because of that, they’re at risk of consuming rodenticide, Olow said.

Barn owls are among the 13 owl species native to Colorado, but they’re typically not seen much in urban areas.

The second raptor to make its Golden debut was Salvador the crested caracara.

The crested caracara is sometimes called the Mexican eagle, Olow said, despite not being an eagle. It shares some attributes with hawks and vultures, but the crested caracara is actually a type of falcon.

Salvador was hit by a car and had to have his wing amputated, Olow explained. Because of that, he has balance issues.

Crested caracaras are opportunistic hunters and often hunt on foot. They will eat carcasses and food in other birds’ nests, as well as live prey like insects, fish, small birds, rodents and more.

Next up was Sashimi, the turkey vulture.

Sashimi was found abandoned in a box. Olow said Nature’s Educators believe someone tried to keep Sashimi as a pet, found out that was illegal, and so abandoned him.

Turkey vultures are so called because of their turkey-like feet and red faces, but unlike actual turkeys. They are migratory, Olow said, and frequent Colorado between April and October.

Finally, Nature’s Educators saved the biggest raptor for last, as Gaia the golden eagle made her Golden debut.

Golden eagles are actually bigger than bald eagles, Olow explained. Gaia weighs 10 pounds with a 7-foot wingspan.

Like Salvador, Gaia was hit by a car, detaching a retina in her left eye. While she might be able to survive in the wild with such an injury, her caretakers tested her by releasing prey for her to catch. Gaia saw the prey well enough to attack it, but not well enough to kill it. So, she remains under human care.

Olow was unsure of Gaia’s age, saying she’s was an adult when she was found and has been in human care for eight years. Thus, she could be as old as 12. In the wild, golden eagles can live up to 30 years, but they can live longer in captivity.

Golden eagles are apex predators. They’ve been known to attack wolves, bighorn sheep and other large animals, with Olow saying of eagles like Gaia, “She will eat anything she can catch.”

Golden eagles are sometimes called serpentine eagles because they frequently hunt snakes. In fact, the Mexican flag depicts a golden eagle eating a snake, and the golden eagle is the national bird of Mexico and four other countries.

Color your world

Nature’s Educators has done other programs for the Jeffco Public Library branches before, as well as other library systems, cities and other entities along the Front Range.

For more information about natureseducators.org.

The Jeffco Public Library branches will be hosting other events as part of its Color Your World summer reading challenge, which runs through July 31.

For more information, visit jeffcolibrary.org.

Click through additional photos from the July 15 Talon Talk:

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The restored mural titled “Oh My Gawd Road” was unveiled at its temporary home in Citizens Park in Idaho Springs in time for July 4th festivities.

For decades the mural depicting downtown Idaho Springs and the infamous ‘Oh My Gawd’ Road” hung on the outside of the “brown barn” adjacent to the former Citywide bank and future headquarters of Idaho Springs Police at 1744 Miner St.

The wooden mural is painted as an amalgamation of the city of Idaho Springs with people, cars, trucks and wooden structures.

The original design was painted by a local artist Wendall Pugh in the early ‘90s, according to Director of the Historical Society of Idaho Springs Jan Boland.

However, years of weather, wind and sun took a toll on the mural’s paint as it faded into the past.

Hearing about the idea to restore the mural, the Clear Creek School Board offered the gymnasium at the old Carlson Elementary School building as a workshop. Since the mural is approximately 10 feet tall and at least 24 feet across, the gym provided plenty of room to spread out.

When the original reconstruction artist Shawn Cox was forced to step away from the project due to health issues, new Clear Creek County resident Keith Prossick was asked to step in and finish the project.

Prossick, who recently moved to the county from New York, owns and operates the Anomaly Art Gallery in Georgetown, said he was honored at the request and relished the challenge of restoring the iconic mural for Idaho Springs, especially since he is new to the county.

Community support

“I’ve always thought volunteering is the best way to get to know people and introduce yourself to the community,” Prossick said.

At least a half-dozen public services in Idaho Springs and local businesses donated time, space and money to complete the mural restoration project.

The Colorado Mountain Bike Association provided a $500 donation to the project and is starting a tax-deductible donation option for anyone else interested in supporting the restoration efforts, according to COMBA Director Gary Moore.

The Clear Creek Fire Authority helped to break down the plywood panels inside the former Carlson gym and transport them to Citizens Park on July 3 where hundreds of people would gather for 4th of July celebrations.

Prossick watched the mural reassembled with pride, he said, returning a symbol to the town.

“I get a joy out of saving things, a lot of things in my gallery are things that I have saved or restored. The ability to bring it back to life, it’s just something I like to do,” Prossick said.

“Oh My Gawd Road” in Idaho Springs earned its name by reputation, according to many locals.

Officially, it’s Virginia Canyon Scenic Drive in Clear Creek County. The gravel road in Idaho Springs is described by many residents as a narrow, curving, dirt and rock lane that will have you shouting, “Oh My Gawd!” over and over.

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Historians know that Daniel F. Carmichael filed the first official plat for what would become known as Brighton, Colorado on Feb. 16, 1881. Most agree that he was responsible for picking that name.

History Detective Robin Kring said the big question is why he picked that name.

“One of the tales you’ll hear is that his wife, Alice Evans Carmichael, named the city Brighton after the town where she grew up, but there are different accounts of this,” Kring said. “One story takes place in her hometown of Brighton Beach, New York, and another is set in Brighton, Massachusetts.”

Historians are not even sure that his wife was responsible for the name. Kring notes that his wife, Alice Evans Carmichael is often confused with his sister, Alice Carmichael Skeel.

“Meanwhile, I was sleuthing—going through all this, double-checking my facts, and doing research. It turns out that sometimes a clerical error occurs in a historical document, resulting from a misplaced comma,” Kring said.

Digging in

It’s the kind of historical question that Kring really enjoys.

Kring moved to Brighton in 2001, where she met Pat Reither, the city historian. Kring said Reither told her she lived on the property of Daniel Carmichael, and that the same property was home to a large house called the Carmichael mansion. 

“That particular mansion was used as the first county courthouse for Adams County, and in the basement was the first county jail, which then burned down,” Kring said. 

Kring said Reither persuaded her to join the Brighton Historic Preservation Commission. 

“I was in the position and served two separate terms. I like everything historical, and it’s what attracted me to the field of history. Of course, I don’t want to see history disappear, especially with buildings — we’ve lost some good ones,” Kring said. 

“Later, I joined the Cultural Arts Commission, which was my connection. I also wrote the background histories for the mural of Historic Brighton, painted by Hans Joseph Geist at Founder Plaza, and the mural “Brighton’s Women of Inspiration,” painted by Frank Garza on the H&R Block building on Main Street. I also volunteered for Adams County, the City of Brighton, and the Fort Lupton Museums

Kring’s 35-year-plus career includes authoring more than 10 books and over 100 magazine articles on various subjects. Her latest book, “A Stroll Through Elwood: Brighton’s Stories Told in Stone,” demonstrates her diverse writing skills. 

Brighton’s roots 

Kring said Carmichael was a railroad worker and turned developer who would buy property and then resell it to developers. He operated out of Denver and purchased the first land here in Brighton in 1879. 

He had quite a life, even before he came to Colorado.

“Carmichael was at Gettysburg during the Civil War; he served twice because he was young,” she said. “He contracted typhoid fever and nearly died. They sent him home to his mother, but when he returned, he fought again at Gettysburg and later at Elmira, where he guarded Confederate prisoners. His last rank was Major, and he was always called Major.”

Kring said Carmichael built an opera house, and it was the largest in the north at the time, until it burned down.

“He also had a business building on the Bridge Street called the Carmichael Building.  They had his name up, but they took (the building) down when they opened South Main Street so people could go straight through to South Main.”

Today, Carmichael Park, located near Brighton’s City Hall, is named after Daniel. 

Naming names

Kring said the most common tale told about naming the city claims that his wife, Alice, named the city Brighton after the town where she grew up, something she has been unable to confirm. 

“I’ve reviewed the old Brighton Blade newspapers and then researched Adams County records,” Kring said. “They had some records from before Brighton had its newspapers. However, Alice’s obituary is missing, a sometimes referenced source, I’m unsure if it ever existed.

If his wife was responsible, it’s unlikely the name came from her birthplace since it’s likely she was born in Lancaster, Pa.

It’s also possible that it was a marketing ploy by Daniel Carmichael. When Carmichael was developing the region, he wanted people to escape the dust and grime of the city in Denver and come to a beautiful prairie and resort in Brighton, Colorado. Historian named Dr. Gene E. Hamaker has suggested that his wife Alice might have told her husband the name based on a trip she took to Brighton Beach, New York, Kring said. 

It’s also possible that his sister, named Brighton, not his wife, and historians mixed the two up.

“To date, there is no single record of who and why Carmichael named Brighton,” Kring said. “On the maps, the name began to change to Brighton two years before the first plat filing by Carmichael in 1881, because the town name had to be recorded in the plat filing. But the post office was called Brighton, the Fulton Ditch.”

If it was named for another city, she doesn’t know which one, but she’s continuing to research.

“The mystery remains unsolved because it could also be a common name,” Kring said. “There are 26 cities in the U.S. named Brighton and 43 places worldwide called Brighton, but I’m going to find out,” Kring said. 

For more information, email Kring at brightonhistorydetective@gmail.com or visit her page at www.facebook.com/BrightonHistoryDetective

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The creative process is ever-changing and often requires taking a look back to locate the way forward. The Arvada Center’s three summer exhibitions celebrate this fact by using the past as a guide to finding a way to and through modern times.

“I hope people come away from the galleries with a new understanding of what they can perceive,” said Olive Witwer-Jarvis, exhibitions manager and associate curator at the Center. “The personal stories and struggles on display provide a new look at what’s important.”

Melissa Furness — Embedded: A Mid-Career Survey, Haley Hasler — Origin Stories and Past is Present is Past is Present are all on display at the Center, 6901 Wadsworth Blvd., through Aug. 24.

Set up in the Main Gallery, Embedded is an engrossing look at the career of an artist who is constantly finding new ways to explore themselves and the world around them. Broken up into subsections like In Ruins and Gathering Moss, Furness’ shows that she’s a conceptual artist of the highest order. Guests will see work that was created in places as disparate as Ireland and China, each with unique subjects and mediums worked into beautiful paintings.

History and its impact on our current times is a subject Furness — a professor at the University of Colorado Denver — returns to in fascinating ways, from making surreal recreations of well-known works to displaying discarded bricks from China.

“My work explores human nature and struggle as it manifests itself in relation to contemporary society and the remains of the past,” Furness said in a provided statement. “I am interested in what one culture upholds as significant — objects and ideals that we revere versus those that we discard or discount as unimportant. What does what we throw away say about us as a people versus what we place on a pedestal or seek to preserve?”

The Upper Gallery is home to Origin Stories, where Fort Collins artist Haley Hasler paints portraits that take her friends and family and put them in elaborately staged settings. The end results are transporting, at once familiar and slightly foreign.

“This show includes work from the past as well as my newest body of work,” Hasler said in a provided statement. “The beloved, everyday people around me are transformed in my paintings into gods and goddesses of the everyday realm.”

In Past is Present is Past is Present, located in the Theatre Gallery, visitors can see how Colorado artists use their ancestry, religious and cultural iconography, and mythology to shed a light on contemporary concerns, like our tumultuous political climate and missing Native women and children. The works are fascinating examinations of the artists’ relationship with the past and provide a window into the things that matter most.

“These exhibitions question what’s important and why,” Witwer-Jarvis said. “What makes something like the Mona Lisa so important, when there is so much happening in people’s day-to-day life?”

For more information, visit https://arvadacenter.org/galleries/current-exhibitions.

Go for a Moonlit Ride in Castle Rock

Castle Rock’s Pedal the Moon bike ride goes from 6:30 to 10 p.m. on Saturday, July 12 and departs from Castle View High School, 5254 N. Meadows Drive, at 7 p.m. As dusk starts, riders will follow the East Plum Creek Trail for about 6 miles to Festival Park.
According to provided information, the terrain is suitable for all riders and participants are encouraged to decorate their bikes with lights and other items. There will be a decorating station for those who want some glow-in-the-dark decorations. At Festival Park, riders can relax and enjoy some music while participating in some giveaways.
Full details and registration information is available at https://www.crgov.com/3184/Pedal-the-Moon.

Feel the Artistic Power of ‘Mutual Terrain’

RedLine Contemporary Art Center is celebrating Denver Month of Video with Mutual Terrain, curated by Adán De La Garza and Jenna Maurice. The show is on display at the Center, 2350 Arapahoe St. in Denver, from Friday, July 11 through Sunday, Aug. 3.

According to a provided statement from the curators, “Mutual Terrain’ brings together six artists whose works reveal the land as a living presence — one that remembers, resists, and responds. This exhibition invites viewers to reconsider their relationship to the natural world, not as separate from it, but as deeply entangled within it.”

The show encourages and rewards patience, so be ready to take your time. Find more information at https://www.redlineart.org/mutual-terrain-denver-month-of-video-mov.

Clarke’s Concert of the Week — Car Seat Headrest at Mission Ballroom

Virginia’s Car Seat Headrest are one of the most ambitious bands in the indie rock world. Over the course of their career, they’ve experimented with all kinds of stylistic approaches, from kind-of rock operas to just straight up ripping rock albums. You never quite know what you’re going to get, but the lyrics are always extremely literate and the music is top-notch.

In support this their latest release, The Scholars, the band is coming to the Mission Ballroom, 4242 Wynkoop St. at 8 p.m. on Saturday, July 12. They’ll be joined by openers Slow Fiction for what’s sure to be an evening of great, adventurous live music. Get tickets at www.axs.com.

Clarke Reader’s column on culture appears on a weekly basis. He can be reached at Clarke.Reader@hotmail.com.

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Castle Rock’s annual Summer Concert Series is back in full swing, drawing crowds to Philip S. Miller Park with a lineup that covers everything from chart-toppers to local favorites.

This year’s series features national acts like Sugar Ray and Gavin DeGraw, alongside local openers and themed tribute nights — including a collaboration between the Denver Pops Orchestra and yacht-rock cover band Yachty Got Back on Labor Day weekend. The first concert of the season, headlined by Sugar Ray, kicked off the series in June.

“We started curating this lineup last fall,” said Erika Alsobrook, special events supervisor for the Town of Castle Rock. “Each of the five concerts has its own heartbeat and rhythm. That’s one of my favorite things about this series — each show stands alone, but they all come together to make something really special.”

Alsobrook said community input plays a big role in shaping the series. At the end of each season, the town sends out surveys asking residents what genres and artists they’d like to see next year.

“That feedback helps us learn what the community wants,” she said. “Sometimes someone mentions a local band they saw at a bar, and even if we don’t book that exact artist, it sparks ideas and conversations. It really is a community-driven lineup.”

The concerts typically draw between 1,500 and 1,800 people each, with a venue capacity of 2,200.

“We always see a spike in ticket sales when the lineup drops,” Alsobrook said. “And then it builds again the week of the show as people start making plans.”

Tickets are sold in tiers — general admission on the elevated lawn, mid-level orchestra seats and front-row patio box seating with tables and bar service.

“No matter where you’re sitting, you’re close to the stage,” Alsobrook said. “The lawn’s one of my favorite GA setups in the state — great sound, a full view of the lights and backdrop, and that signature Castle Rock skyline behind it.”

The event is designed to be family-friendly, and has ADA seating available and golf cart transport from parking to the venue. 

“We absolutely love when families come out together,” Alsobrook said. “One of my favorite moments was seeing a little boy yell ‘I know that guy!’ when Sugar Ray’s opener, Dylan Cotrone, walked by.”

Organizers also prioritize a wide mix of genres each year.

“Country plays really well here,” said Castle Rock program specialist Lisa Sorbo. “But we try to always include a top-40 artist … that really helps make the whole series a really fun experience for people, because you’ve just got this broad array of music.”

This year, the town partnered with iHeartMedia and uses social media, local promotions and even a massive LED screen at the outlet mall to get the word out. The event draws people from Denver and all over the Front Range, including Fort Collins, Boulder and Colorado Springs.

“It’s a more intimate venue, and I think that draws folks in,” Alsobrook said. 

The concert series is part of Castle Rock’s broader strategy to invest in community-driven events that support local businesses and showcase what the town has to offer.

“It’s about more than just a show,” Alsobrook said. “People grab dinner downtown, they explore the area — and for some, it’s their first visit to Castle Rock.”

This year marks the ninth season of the series and the 10th year since Philip S. Miller Park opened.

“There’s a lot of optimism about where the series can grow from here,” Alsobrook said.

For more information or to purchase tickets, go online to crgov.com/Summer-Concert-Series.

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A frequent Arvada Center collaborator and acclaimed director, writer and vocalist is going to be working with the regional theatre company on a more consistent basis, as Kenny Moten has joined the Arvada Center team as its associate artistic director. 

The position will see Moten, who has directed Arvada Center productions including “Cinderella,” “Once Upon a Mattress,” and “Clybourne Park,” working alongside Artistic Director Lynne Collins with casting, producing and planning for the 2026-2027 theatre season and beyond. 

Moten will direct ‘Frozen’ and ‘Come from Away’ during the upcoming 2025-2026 season. 

“We feel incredibly lucky that Kenny will be sharing his energy and talents with us,” Collins said. “Along with being a gifted director and theatre-maker, Kenny’s skills and background will provide a fresh perspective for our work onstage and enhance our connections and engagement with our audience and community.”

Moten said he wanted to take a full-time role at the Arvada Center because of the “strength of the collaboration” present at the facility. 

“‘Cinderella’ was imaginative and full of fresh perspective,” Moten said. “‘Clybourne Park’ featured a unique intermission transition that blended scenic and sound design in a compelling way. Even ‘Once Upon a Mattress’ brought thoughtful new ideas to a classic. Those experiences made me realize this is the kind of environment I want to be part of every day.

“What really sets the Arvada Center apart is the creative exchange that happens during the production process,” Moten continued. “It is a place where artists feel free to bring ideas forward and take risks, and that freedom leads to stronger and more thoughtful work. While my focus is in theater, you can feel that same energy throughout the organization. That kind of environment is rare, and it elevates the work in every corner of the building.” 

Tickets for the upcoming Arvada Center theatre season, which is set to open in September, are on sale now at arvadacenter.org. 

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There are some musicals that are just made for the summer, and “Rock of Ages” certainly falls into that category. The show not only captures some of that wild freedom of the best summer days, but also is full of quintessential 80s songs.

“The show is all about bigger and better. It embraces the big hair of the time and has all the great music,” said Leslie Bonnell, marketing coordinator at the Parker Arts, Culture & Events (PACE) Center, which is staging the show to close its season. “It brings out all the elements of the 80s that people find so nostalgic and fun.”

Produced with Veritas Productions, “Rock of Ages” runs at the PACE Center, 20000 Pikes Peak Ave. in Parker, through Sunday, July 20. Performances are at 7:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.

Directed by Kelly Van Oosbree (who also does the choreography), the show takes place at one of the Sunset Strip’s last venues and features a group of music fans coming together to chase their dreams and save the soul of the strip.

“I love a good, smart comedy, and that’s what this is,” Nancy Evans Begley, co-founder and producing artistic director with Veritas Productions. She is the executive producer, assistant director and production manager for “Rock of Ages.” “My producing work started with putting together a team and we have an incredible one for this show.”

In addition to a top-notch crew, the show also features performers guaranteed to blow audiences away with their musical skills. Most of the cast is new to the PACE Center, which adds an extra level of excitement for both performers and audiences.

Many theaters end their season during the spring, so having the opportunity to see a show during the summer makes for a special treat. And the PACE Center leans into this fact.

“The season is a little off-set from everybody else’s, which gives patrons the opportunity to experience shows at different venues and then come here during the summer,” Begley said. “This is the kind of show that is perfect for people who don’t like musicals, because they can still sing-along and laugh at the dialogue.”

The show is recommended for those 14-years-old and older, but Begley sees this as an opportunity for parents to have a night out where they’re able to just enjoy themselves.

“We say leave the HOA, leave the board, leave the student council stuff behind and come relive your favorite decade and favorite music,” she said. “In a time when our day-to-day is filled with tension and negativity… you can escape that for two-and-a-half hours. We hope you walk out of the theatre saying, ‘That was really fun. Let’s do more of that.’”

Information and tickets are available at https://parkerarts.org/event/rock-of-ages/#event-description.

FAN EXPO Denver Brings the Pop Culture World to Fans

It’s time for the Mile High City to get its fandom on with the annual FAN EXPO Denver, held at the Colorado Convention Center, 700 14th St., from Thursday, July 3 through Sunday, July 6.

This year’s event will play host to some top-tier guests, ranging from Star Trek’s William Shatner and Mae Whitman to a slew of Superman performers (a role very close to my heart) like Brandon Routh, Tyler Hoechlin and Tom Welling. In addition, there will be plenty of cosplaying, collector’s items to buy and panels to watch.

Go celebrate the best of pop culture by visiting https://fanexpohq.com/fanexpodenver/.

Independence Day Goes Big at Northglenn

If you don’t want to head to downtown Denver for your July 4th festivities, the City of Northglenn has you covered with events that last for most of the day and provide attendees of all ages with something to do. Held at EB Rains Jr. Memorial Park, 11800 Community Center Drive in Northglenn, activities begin at noon with a car show.

Throughout the day, attendees can take part in a duck derby, listen to music from performers like Skool Daze, Chicano Heat and Jacob Larson, and pick up food from vendors (if they don’t bring their own picnics). Fireworks will close out the evening at about 9:15 p.m.

For full details, visit www.northglenn.org.

Clarke’s Concert of the Week — Wu-Tang Clan at Fiddler’s Green Amphitheatre

I can think of no better group to listen to on the day we celebrate our independence than the Wu-Tang Clan, Staten Island’s legendary rap group. They are, after all, for the children. And they represent the collective power of a range of voices when they come together while maintaining their individual perspectives. They’re responsible for some of the genre’s most important music and are the best kind of American success story.

Their final tour is coming to Fiddler’s Green Amphitheatre, 6350 Greenwood Plaza Blvd. in Greenwood Village, at 7 p.m. on Friday, July 4. For the opener, the Wu-Tang will have Run the Jewels, the best modern rap duo. This has all the makings of a legendary concert, so get tickets at www.axs.com.

Clarke Reader’s column on culture appears on a weekly basis. He can be reached at Clarke.Reader@hotmail.com.

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As a giant Pacific Northwest octopus climbs a tree stump in a forest, a western bluebird perches on its head while monarch butterflies fly around the octopus, which is also drinking a cup of coffee. 

It’s a scene that’s unlikely to be found in nature — maybe in an internet literacy test circa 2007 — but is now displayed, in mural form, on the north side of Rheinlander Bakery in Olde Town Arvada. 

For muralist Patrick Maxcy, who earned the mural commission by winning last year’s Olde Town Shindig Mural Contest, putting octopuses in unexpected places is a vital part of placemaking. 

“The octopus is a character I paint often in my work,” Maxcy said. “I love painting them where they are least expected because visitors remember them, take photos with them, and my work is full of fun, whimsical storytelling.” 

Maxcy is an accomplished muralist who has painted 18 murals throughout Colorado and beyond, with other murals completed in Nicaragua and Uganda, to name a couple. He was one of the first supporters of public mural art in Arvada’s historic district, long before Olde Town became replete with sprawling installations. 

“I actually started pitching murals to Olde Town Arvada before there were murals even here,” Maxcy said. “ I lived in Arvada for a few years, and lived very close to Olde Town, and I remember meeting (Olde Town BID Director) Joe (Hengstler) at a mural festival in Fraser, Colorado. 

“And even back then, I was trying to pitch ideas to him for murals in Arvada,” Maxcy continued. “And I don’t think there were any. The first project we did was (painting) the electrical boxes to kind of get people used to the idea. I was part of getting that project going and working on that mural, and then it slowly grew from there into more murals.” 

Hengstler said he was thrilled to have Maxcy’s mural work find a home in Olde Town, especially on a historic shop like Rheinlander’s, which turned 61 years old this year. 

“It’s been great working with Patrick on this latest mural,” Hengstler said. “Patrick did one of our first public art installations when we painted the electric boxes in Olde Town five years ago, and I’ve personally always loved his work. 

“I think it is especially meaningful to have this latest mural installed on Rheinlander Bakery,” Hengstler continued. “Having been in Olde Town for three generations, the community has a lot of memories of coming here as children and now bringing their kids or grandkids. It’s our hope that this piece can now be part of that memory-making process.”

Maxcy said that as a former Arvada resident, he hopes his mural will conjure a sense of wonder for the visitors of Olde Town, especially families with young children.  

“I love that Arvada has been so open to creativity and letting artists do a little more of their concepts and ideas,” Maxcy said. “My stuff was a lot more imaginative and whimsical, and I wanted something a lot more playful, because I lived in Arvada, and there are a lot of families here, so I wanted something fun that kids and lots of families could enjoy as they walk through Olde Town.” 

To celebrate the occasion, Rheinlander’s has released a limited edition batch of cookies commemorating Maxcy’s work. The cookies — which will be available until July 12 — depict paint brushes, a paint palette and spray paint cans (Maxcy’s preferred medium), respectively.

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That’s what makes the Evergreen Mountain Art Celebration such a great event, and it’s even bigger and better in its 8th year. The event is from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, June 28 and Sunday, June 29 at the Evergreen North Shopping Complex, 3719 Evergreen Parkway.

The juried fine art and fine craft show highlights 75 professional artists from Colorado and beyond. All of them use a range of mediums, including painting, jewelry, ceramics and more, to create works that honor mountain living and Western, Southwestern and rustic themes.

In addition to the art, visitors can enjoy live music. Colorado Roots Rock Unplugged, a duo that specializes in acoustic versions of classic rock, will be performing on Saturday and Link&Chain, a band of brothers performing reggae, will be on hand on Sunday. There will also be a drawing for a $1,000 Art Festival Shopping Spree at noon on Sunday.  

We interviewed Amber Calanni with Colorado Art Weekend about the event and what visitors should know.

Interview edited for brevity and clarity.

What were you looking for in artists this year?

We want to feature art that fits into the “Mountain Modern” flavor. “Mountain Modern” is a style that blends contemporary aesthetics with rustic, nature-inspired elements, but feels personal and connected to nature and elevated in presentation.

If someone has never attended the Celebration, what should they know?

They should know this festival is more than an art show, it’s a true celebration of Colorado mountain culture and “Mountain Modern” art. It’s free to attend, easy to access and full of authentic charm. Whether you’re an art lover or just looking to explore something new. Evergreen is a relaxed setting where you can enjoy art, meet the artists and connect with a creative community.

Why is it important to celebrate the arts at a time like this?

In a time when so much feels uncertain, the arts remind us of what grounds us; hope, beauty, self-expression and connection. Art gives us a chance to slow down, reflect and engage with something meaningful. This festival also gives families and individuals a reason to get outdoors, support artists and feel part of something positive and inspiring.

What do you hope people come away with?

We want visitors to leave feeling uplifted, like they’ve spent their weekend immersed in something special. Whether it’s a new piece of art, a meaningful conversation with an artist, hearing a great musical performance or simply the peaceful experience of walking the festival grounds, we want guests to take away memories that last well beyond the weekend.

For more information, visit www.EvergreenArtShow.com.

Learn About the Life of a Colorado Hat Maker

The Littleton Museum, 6028 S. Gallup St., is looking at the history of a renowned hat maker in its new exhibit, Kate Ferretti: The Life of a Colorado Hat Maker.

The exhibit opens on Friday, June 27, and focuses on Ferretti, a nationally-recognized hat maker. She entered the workforce at 13 and went on to build a family business that spanned nearly five decades. According to provided information, “this exhibition explores sources from Ferretti’s family, as well as oral histories from the collections of the Littleton Museum and History Colorado, to help tell the full story of this fascinating local maker’s life.”

For more information, visit https://visitlittleton.org/event/kate-ferretti-exhibit/.

Big Belmar Bash Brings Party to Lakewood

The City of Lakewood is celebrating Independence Day a little early, but with no less pomp and circumstance, with its Big Belmar Bash from 5 to 10 p.m. on Thursday, July 3, at Downtown Belmar, 7337 W. Alaska Drive.

The evening will feature something for all ages, including live music and children’s activities. There will also be a range of local vendors selling unique items and plenty of food and drink options.

Of course, the highlight of the night is a drone light show, which will begin at around 9:15 p.m. It will feature a fleet “of 250 cutting-edge drones with state-of-the-art LED lights” illuminating the night and “MIX 100 will provide a curated soundtrack for the drone light show,” according to provided information.

More information is available at www.Lakewood.org/BBB.

Clarke’s Concert of the Week — Elvis Costello & The Imposters at Bellco Theatre  

Elvis Costello is one of the greatest living songwriters we have and has been proving that repeatedly since his classic debut album was released in 1977. In the ensuing decades, he’s released several bulletproof records and worked with some absolutely amazing songwriters. In celebration of his stellar career, he’s bringing his band, The Imposters, andguitarist Charlie Sexton on the Radio Soul!: The Early Songs of Elvis Costello tour.

The tour is coming to Denver’s Bellco Theatre, 1100 Stout St., at 8 p.m. on Sunday, June 29. The music of Costello’s early career is some of his best, so this will be performance not to be missed. Get tickets at www.axs.com.

Clarke Reader’s column on culture appears on a weekly basis. He can be reached at Clarke.Reader@hotmail.com.

The post Clarke Reader: Head to Evergreen for an Arts Celebration appeared first on Colorado Community Media.

After their COVID-inspired nightmare film “Sparrow Street” made a splash around the country and the world, Brighton-based filmmakers Sparrow Street Films are back with their second horror-themed feature film.

Sparrow Street Films hosted a private screening with family and friends of their second film, “The Silicant,” on June 17 at Denver’s Bug Theater. 

Justice Cole, executive producer and general manager, said it was good to be back at the Bug Theater, the spot where their first film made its debut.

“This has been a four-year journey; we had our first private screening here, which provided valuable feedback, and we made numerous changes,” Cole said. “Now we have a finished film, and we’re ready to get it into the market.”

He had nothing but praise for the people who made the film happen.

“What a great, talented cast and crew! It’s a film that holds so much meaning and depth, and we have all poured our hearts into it,” Cole said. “Being a part of it means a lot to me, and I’m excited to see where the film will go and how these truly talented individuals will advance in their careers. It’s wonderful to be part of that creation.”

The team’s first film, “Sparrow Street” was filmed in a Brighton neighborhood during the COVID-19 shutdowns and was partially a response to those claustrophobic times. The small-budget independent horror film told the tale of a typical suburban neighborhood plunged into a nightmare as an invisible, monstrous force picks off the neighbors one by one.

This second feature was initially titled “What We Don’t See,” but they changed the name after getting some feedback after an early screening, Cole said. “The Silicant” tells the story of a man, Tristan, isolated in his house in the wake of a domestic assault charge.

Cole said the name “Silicant” originates from Tristan’s need to give a name to the mysterious, unseen monster.

“His self-isolating recovery is interrupted by an otherworldly force that tries to creep into his mind… and his house,” Cole said.

Cole said they are actively seeking a distributor now, both domestically and internationally.

“We have several companies from the Cannes Film Festival and the American film market interested in this film,” he said. “In the coming months, we aim to negotiate a distribution deal that will enable people worldwide to view this film.  

“Last night was a private screening.  The film won’t be ‘premiered’ until we get a distribution deal and work that out with our distributor, of course,” Cole said. 

Billy Jack, director, executive producer, and general manager, said, “I am so excited. It was a lot of fun to make.”

They are hoping their latest work follows the same path as their first one. Their movie “Sparrow Street” won several awards across three continents. It also won the Hollywood Indie Film Award for Best Indie. It was also a semi-finalist at the Art Giraffe Film Festival in Nice, France; awarded Best Feature Film at the Tuesday of Horror in Unna, Germany; and recognized as Best Feature Film at the Horror Underground Film and Screenplay Festival in Montreal, Quebec.

The film also received an exceptional merit award and a best actress award at the Nature Without Borders International Festival in Lewes, Delaware, and earned six awards at the Depth of Field International Festival in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware.

The film was screened at the Budapest Movie Award Festival in Hungary and the Kosice International Film Festival in Kosice, Slovakia.

For information about Sparrow Street Films, visit: https://sparrowstreetfilms.com

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