January 2012 • www.upcc.us

Mastodon Dig At SnowmassLearn More At UPCC’s Next

General MeetingWednesday, February 8, 2012

University Park neighbor Peggy Montano, from a local law firm, will besharing her experiences of the Mastodon dig at Snowmass at our next wintergeneral meeting. This dig will be featured in an upcoming edition of NationalGeographic and has had archeologists from across the world coming toColorado to participate. Don’t miss this amazing opportunity to ask questionsand learn more about this fascinating archeological phenomenon. The meetingwill be at the University Park Elementary School auditorium, with a half hourof socializing starting at 6:30 p.m., and the meeting starting at 7 p.m.

Looking For Sponsors To Serve RefreshmentsAt The UPCC General Meetings

We are looking for refreshment sponsors at the general UPCC meetings.You can be a family, business or organization, and we will recognize yourcontribution at the meeting and in other UPCC communications. If you areinterested, please call Dana O’Connor at 303-920-0193.

An Afternoon With Moras Shubertby Cynthia Auer

I recently spent an afternoon withlongtime resident and near centurionMoras Shubert. Moras is one ofUniversity Park’s oldest living residents,having lived in the same house onsouth Columbine for over 65 years.When we visited, he reflected upon thechanges he and his wife Erne havewitnessed over the years since they firstmoved to the neighborhood. Theypurchased their home in 1946 after heaccepted a position as a professor ofBotany at the University of Denver.

At that time, most of the houses inUniversity Park were much smaller incontrast to the many large homes of

today. He recalls the wonderful estatethat extended from Monroe to ColoradoBlvd. and Warren to Evans wherepheasants and other wildlife roamedfreely. Moras also remembers the spurof the Colorado and Southern Railroad,which ran along the stretch of land nowcalled the Buchtel Trail, extending fromUniversity to Colorado Blvd.

Moras was instrumental in foundingthe Botanical Gardens where he servedas one of the original trustees and wassecretary of the board until 1998. TheDenver Botanical Gardens benefitedfrom Moras’ vast knowledge of allthings botanical. When Erne passedaway this past April, family and friends celebrated her life with music and

stories at the Denver Botanic Gardens.Moras also helped develop the

Buchtel Trail, and designed theplantings up and down the trail. He stillconsults with University Park’sCommunity Council on mattersaffecting the trail.

Moras’ and Erne’s home was always a“beehive” of activity during his years asa DU professor, where students receiveda warm welcome and engaged in livelydiscussions. The Shuberts also openedtheir home to students who were inneed of temporary housing. Moras stillmaintains this “open door” policy, andinvites former students and friends tostop over at his home.

Mark your calendars for May 21,2012, the day when Moras willcelebrate his 100th birthday. He wouldenjoy cards from his University Parkneighbors. In the meantime, if you havetime some afternoon, stop in for a visitto share memories of ourneighborhood. If you would like to visitMoras, please call his caregivers at

Continued on page 2

Moras Shubert

UPCC Board Of DirectorsPresident:

Tom Gonnella, 303-658-3777,president@upcc.us

Vice President:Dana O’Connor, 303-920-0193,vp@upcc.us

Secretary:Traci Samaras, 303-282-7281,secretary@upcc.us

Co-treasurers:June Morgan, 303-757-2563,treasurer@upcc.usRyan Zorn, 303-957-8177,ryan.e.zorn@gmail.com

Advisory Committee Chair:Bill Winn, 303-691-8703,advisory@upcc.us

Historic Preservation Chair and Legacy Chair:

Rosemary Stoffel, 303-692-9197,hist@upcc.us

Open Space and Parks Chair:Diana Helper, 303-733-4902,parks@upcc.us

Sidewalk Committee Chair:Mary Myers, 303-733-1786,sidewalks@upcc.us

Transportation and Traffic Chair:Nikki Jackson,nikki@sustainablestorytelling.com

Zoning Chair:Pat Cashen, 303-759-0650, 303-759-5969, zone@upcc.us

Communications Chair: Paula Smith, 303-587-3410,paula.smith@coloradohomes.com

Membership Chair: Dana Strand O’Connor,303-920-0193, membership@upcc.us

Safety Chair: Steve Hick, 303-584-0210,safety@upcc.com

Events Chair: Open

______________________________

UPWORDS is published four times ayear, prior to the fall, winter and springgeneral meetings, and the specialHoliday issue for the Sing and Sleigh.

Newsletter Editor:Paula Smith, 303-587-3410,paula.smith@coloradohomes.com

Newsletter Distribution:Cynthia Auer, 303-756-2943Kathi Jensen, 303-777-4905block captain coordinators,areacoord@upcc.us

UPCC E-mailNotification List

To stay connected with UPCC, sign up for monthly e-mails atwww.upcc.us/email.

A Letter From Our President OfThe UPCC Tom Gonnella

University Park continues to be ahighly desirable place to live in Denver.With our mature trees, parks and openspaces, and convenient access toalternative transportation, the desire tolive in our great neighborhood will onlycontinue. While growth is exciting formany of us, it brings with it its ownchallenges.

As stewards of our neighborhood,UPCC acts as the voice for the

neighbors when it comes todevelopment in the area to ensure newgrowth is compatible with ourneighborhood vision and complies withzoning ordinances, considers trafficimpact, alternative transportationsolutions including sidewalks, preservesour historic legacy while conservingour parks and open spaces.

We also try to bring a sense ofcommunity to our neighborhood. Wehave two annual events (July 4th andthe Holiday Sing and Sleigh), a monthlye-mail communication, and we arecontinually trying to represent you. Ourboard’s commitment is to maintain thedesirability of our great neighborhoodwhile being open to thoughtful change.

The UPCC is a committed group ofcommunity volunteers and we arealways in need of help. If you areinterested in taking an active role inpreserving the legacy of thisneighborhood, please contact me atpresident@upcc.us.

Tom GonnellaUPCC President

Moras ShubertContinued from page 1303-744-2174 to arrange a visit at hishome at 2131 South Columbine Street.

Note from the Editor: Many of youmay have had an opportunity to chat withMoras at our recent 125th UniversityPark Celebration last September 25,2011. Many thanks to Cynthia Auer whooffered to share more about thisfascinating person in this personal profileof one of our most beloved and esteemedresidents, Mr. Moras Shubert.

An ActiveNeighborhood Needs

Active Neighbors!Your participation is welcome and

needed to keep University Park agreat place to live. All UniversityPark Community Councilcommittees are open to you. A new“Volunteer Page” is now dedicated toanyone interested in learning moreabout new opportunities tocontribute to the community. Visithttp://upcc.us/volunteer for moreinformation.

UPCC Hosts INC Saturday, February 11UPCC will host neighborhood delegates from all over town on Saturday,

February 11 from 8:45 a.m. until noon. All neighbors are invited to thismeeting of the Inter-Neighborhood Cooperation (INC), which will be held atthe Heritage Club, 2020 S. Monroe. Guest speakers will update us on many citymatters of interest to neighborhoods, and answer questions. Please come meetand welcome the INC delegates.

Highlights FromThe Observatory

Public viewings of the night skythrough the ChamberlinObservatory’s 20-inch aperture classicrefractor telescope are available byreservation only on Tuesdays andThursday nights. To makereservations, visit: www.thedas.org, or www.du.edu/physastron, or call 303-871-5172. The centerpiece of ourneighborhood, the historicChamberlin Observatory was built in1890, and is listed on the NationalRegister of Historic Places and aDenver city landmark. ChamberlinObservatory is also on Twitter at:www.twitter.com/ Chamberin_Obs.

as these: King Sooper’s gift cards $5,$10, $25 or whatever, Tylenol/Advil;paper towels; hand soap; Lysol wipes;disinfectant spray; sponges; cleaningsupplies; dishwasher soap; cleanser;light bulbs; laundry supplies; diapers(especially larger sizes); diaper wipes;deodorant; shampoo and conditioner;feminine hygiene products; babyshampoo; baby lotion; toothpaste andtoothbrushes (adult/child).

You can leave any of your donationson the Engleby family front porch(3401 E. Asbury Ave, NE corner ofCook and Asbury) or call Jennifer at(303-550-3907) and we will come andget it.

PARKS NEWSSafer Intersection

— Larger ParkThe Better Denver Bond project at

Buchtel and South Columbine hascreated a four-way intersection, muchsafer than the former five-wayintersection. The bond project enlargedthe park by merging the closed area ofEast Jewell Avenue to BuchtelCentennial Park. The project also addeda new sidewalk, along with plantings ofnative grasses throughout the park. Thesoutheast corner of Buchtel and SouthColumbine was also realigned to matchthe angle of Buchtel Parkway, and anew sidewalk, streetlight, and firehydrant were added. We were told thatthe decision to use concrete (ratherthan the plantings we requested) alongBuchtel Parkway was made to save onwater and maintenance costs.

Join the University Park Mothersclub (www.uparkmoms.org) and help“fill the trailer” with basic home andhealth supplies for Hope House ofColorado (www.hopehouseofcolorado.org/).

Hope House is a non-profitorganization committed to transformingthe lives of teen mothers throughresidential, mentoring and GED

See For Yourself!School Tours At University Park Elementary

The University Park ElementarySchool PTA will be giving personalizedtours of the school every Thursday at10 a.m. and Friday at 9:15 a.m. throughJanuary 27. The tours coincide with theenrollment schedule deadline, which isthe end of January.

University Park is finishing its bestyear ever. It is one of only nine DPSschools awarded a “Distinguished”rating, and it was the only school inColorado to win a “National Wellness”award from the Alliance for a HealthierGeneration.

If you are considering UniversityPark Elementary for your child’seducation, do not miss this opportunityto tour the school, visit classrooms, andspeak with our principal, DanaWilliams. University Park Elementaryparents will lead the tours and answerquestions, provide enrollmentinformation, and share with you theirexperiences at University ParkElementary. Don’t miss this chance tosee for yourself the great things that arehappening at University ParkElementary!

Donations Needed For Hope House Of Colorado

programs. Everything donated will helpreduce stress in the lives of these youngmothers, which directly benefits theirrelationships and their children. Theseare fragile families and any help makesa huge difference!

The next time you are at the grocerystore, Target, Costco, Sam’s Club, etc,please buy something extra or buy a giftcard to “fill the trailer” with items such

2011 Sing And Sleigh . . . A Night To RememberThe 2011 Sing and Sleigh was a night to remember in Observatory Park . . . it was

a bitter cold night, and as the snow started to fly, the great telescope closed its eyeagainst the cloudy night sky. Yet in the still of the storm, we all heard the bells ofthe mighty Clydesdales, ringing across the park, as they circled time and time again.People hovered around hot cider and cookies, singing carols, as Santa captured thehopes and dreams of the children for the coming holiday. It was a night toremember for all who came . . . ~ Paula Smith, UPWords Editor

So Thank You!!Recent Dues Payers!

The following residents paid UPCC dues in October and November of 2011.

George “Skip” & NoranneSiemers

Francie & Dave RugenGinny & Matt DepetroChris & Staci BoucLyman & Susan SpauldingBetty BruceRobert & Lisa MintzBill & Noriyo KaluzaJim & Kathy MacDonnellNancy & Jack StanescoLyn & David HillsJane Queen, Accelerated

SchoolsRon & Barb Pahl

Christopher DolsonMarc & Vicki CarpenterJoe & Jennifer GuthrieJoan & Ray LuchtDon & Carolyn EtterKaren Coffey & Peter

RockwoodBetty ShawDavid & Molly RudnickMatthew & Stacy KenneyPaul & Laura LhevineMark & Becky RischKathy PoppenHerbert L. HomanJoe & Karen Chin

Lynn & Bo DexterElli & Doug Westfall BeckJohn & Arlene MylesPhillip Caplan & Zoe

SchneiderJan & Charles MacLeodDavid & Karen LausaWilliam & Sara “Sally”

HarveyHongfei Lin & John LuoBev LongSabine SpieringJim & Jodi TompkinsMike & Jane Herbert

UPCC Voluntary Dues 2012Please fill out the following form and send it with your check for UPCC dues ($20, $15 seniors) to UPCC co-treasurers June Morgan and Ryan Zorn, 2100 S. Monroe St., Denver, CO 80210. Another payment option: Use PayPal to pay your dues online by visiting www.upcc.us/support. To sign up for the UPCC e-mail list, go to:www.upcc.us/email. During the current economic downturn, the UPCC has received fewer contributions.We encourage those who are able to increase their donations to help us compensate for this shortfall.Thank you!

Date ____________________________________________________________________________________________

Name ___________________________________________________________________________________________

Phone # _________________________________________________________________________________________

E-mail Address ___________________________________________________________________________________

Street Address ____________________________________________________________________________________

Amount enclosed _________________________________________________________________________________

Neighborhood interests or concerns __________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________________

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Mark Your Calendars For The 2012Schedule Of UPCC Events And Meetings

Mark your calendars for 2012’s UPCC general meetings and eventsschedule. General meetings are always Wednesdays starting at 6:30 p.m.(February 8, May 2, October 3). The July 4th Parade is Wednesday, July 4,and the Holiday Sing and Sleigh is Sunday, December 2.

Pork, White BeanAnd Kale Stew Recipe

For Cold Winter NightsCourtesy of Michelle Morris

Serves 6-8

3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil2 pounds pork, cubed2 teaspoons paprika1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper, or

more if needed2 large onions, diced8 cloves garlic, minced1/2 cup white wine, optional4 cups beef stock4 cups diced tomatoes, with juice10 cups kale, leaves only, chopped2 cans cannellini beans, drained and

rinsedsalt and pepper, to tasteParmesan cheese, optional, for

topping

Heat oil in a large heavy pot overmedium high heat. Add pork andcook until lightly browned. Addpaprika and cayenne and continue tocook, stirring, for about twominutes. Add onions and garlic andcook until slightly soft. Add wine todeglaze pan, the stock, tomatoes andkale, stirring until kale begins tosoften enough so that it can besubmerged in the cooking liquid.Cover, reduce heat, and simmer for15 minutes. Add beans and simmerfor a couple more minutes to heatthrough. Salt and pepper to taste.Serve topped with a little Parmesancheese if desired.

SometimeIt Will Snow!

. . . And when it does, you will have toshovel your front walks. It’s a good ideato plan ahead, especially if you may needhelp with shoveling. Block Captains areasked to think about people on theirblocks who might be able to help aneighbor needing help with snowremoval. If you can help out a neighbor,or may need help, contact your BlockCaptain. Refer to your Purple Pages foryour Block Captain’s phone number, ore-mail areacoord@upcc.us. We are alsoreaching out to DU to get student help.For more info, call DU’s Allan Wilson at303-871-2039.

. . . Speaking of Block Captains . . . We NeedVolunteers To Help Deliver UpWords NewslettersDid you know that an all

volunteer network delivers yourUpWords? We do it block-by-blockthroughout the entireneighborhood. Right now, we arein need of a couple delivery peoplefor blocks at:

• 2300 S. Josephine

• 2600 S. Josephine• 2000 S. Madison• 2000 S. Monroe• 2600 S. Cook

If you are available to help as a blockcaptain, please e-mailareacoord@upcc.us, or contact KathiJensen at knaffah@aol.com or CynthiaAuer at CAuer56662@aol.com.