This letter was sent to Yellow Scene Magazine. As with all Letters to the Editor, the views expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of the publication. We value providing space for community voices

I attended the Erie Town Council meeting on 8/26, and I just watched the video replay of last night—and wow, do I have some observations to share.

I watched Andrew Moore and Brandon Bell and their tag team of disrespect towards Councilwoman Baer. Their words and actions were shameful, reprehensible, and—to use a buzzword that will hopefully get your knickers twisted—deplorable. It is quite clear that neither one of them has any respect for her, not because of her positions, but purely because of her gender. The two of them should be ashamed. I understand that in order to feel shame, one must have the capacity to think of someone other than themselves, and it is abundantly clear that the two of them need a lot of help in that arena.

Now, I’m sure that both of them (and likely others) think that I’m overreacting and will vigorously defend themselves and exclaim, “What do you mean, I treat women equally and fairly!” My gut tells me that if we were to ask the women in their lives, they would have different thoughts. If this is how they treat an elected councilwoman in public while being recorded, I can only imagine how they treat women when nobody is watching. We also saw how the Mayor’s wife attempted to bully two Erie residents after the meeting in June, so I have a pretty good idea of what passes for respect in the Moore household.

I could go on at length about the double talk and double standards regarding the flag policy, but it is evident that neither of them sees this as an issue of inclusion. They see it as an opportunity to disguise their prejudices as policy. Between Bell’s grandstanding and Andrew’s condescension toward Councilwoman Baer, Councilman Pesaramelli, and even the town clerk—whom he chastised for not calling on members in the order that he prefers—I don’t know which of them deserves more scorn. We absolutely don’t see eye to eye on what defines inclusion and equality, but here’s what I heard last night in summary: by offering inclusion and equality to protected classes, we are somehow making things unequal for the classes that require no protection. In other words, showing support to anything other than straight, white males somehow chips away at the bedrock of toxic male fragility—and that’s bad, somehow.

Brian O’Connor thinks the military deserves more recognition, and he made some weird argument about people with disabilities not feeling included. Brandon brought up anti-Semitism and flying the Israeli flag, shedding crocodile tears for the poor Israelis who are murdering Palestinians and how traumatizing it must be for that group of people carrying out and supporting genocide in Gaza. Talk about picking the wrong example. I guess somewhere between attending a MAGA rally last year and today, Tantrum Bell must have forgotten that there’s a thin line between today’s MAGA Republican and the actual Nazis who have been marching and chanting “Jews will not replace us” with increasing frequency all across our country—and that thin line is often seen under a red hat.

I shared in comment that Erie is not a MAGA stronghold and made mention of Project 2025. I am proud that my comments really got Andrew and Brandon worked up and vehemently denying their association or support of that movement. It reminded me of that saying, “The lady doth protest too much, methinks.” Brandon attended a MAGA rally last year and bragged about it on social media. Andrew stated last night that he left the Republican Party in 2017, yet he sent out a robotext during the campaign saying Erie didn’t have conservative representation in the mayoral election. He said he leans left on many issues but that he agrees with “fiscal conservative” ideals, while somehow ignoring that he spent seventy thousand dollars of town money to fulfill some selfish need for the community to affirm his biases in the comprehensive survey. That is not fiscally conservative at all.

This is where a good letter to the editor would add a call to action, a request for decency, a path toward a solution. Well, that only works when you’re dealing with individuals who actually seek a solution. The two of them don’t seek solutions; they instead choose to live in the problem—both real and imagined—and for that I truly feel bad for them, and for Erie as a whole.

Sincerely,
Skylar Weitzel
20-year Erie resident

Erie Town Councilperson Brandon Bell replies to resident Skylar Weitzel as well as all council members.

The post Letter to the Editor: Erie Town Council 8/26/25: Erie Deserves Better Than Toxic Male Fragility appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

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LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTER OF BOULDER COUNTY TO HOST EVENT ON MISINFORMATION IN LONGMONT 

The League of Women Voters of Boulder County (LWVBC) is hosting a presentation on Making Democracy Work in an Age of Misinformation with keynote speaker Dr. Ian Shapiro. Dr. Shapiro will highlight the spread of political lies, why people fall for misinformation, and how to defend democracy in this highly contested election year. 

Ian Shapiro specializes in American political attitudes and behavior. His work focuses on susceptibility and belief in political misinformation, how racial attitudes shape these beliefs, and broader beliefs towards democracy. 

After receiving his doctorate from CU Boulder, Dr. Shapiro completed a two year post-doctoral fellowship at the Brennan Center for Justice at NYU. He is currently working on projects related to voter access in Texas and political deliberation, as well as co-authoring a book on how racial attitudes and political identities shaped perceived integrity of the 2020 Presidential election. 

The presentation will take place on Sunday, April 14, 2024, from 3-4:30pm at the Longmont Museum, 400 Quail Road, Longmont. Tickets are $20 and can be purchased at http://lwvbc.org>events. 

The League of Women Voters is a non-profit, non-partisan organization with a mission to empower voters and defend democracy.

See more of League of Women Voters with Yellow Scene Magazine HERE.

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The League of Women Voters of Boulder County is sponsoring an Art Design
Challenge and we invite all Boulder County high school students to
participate. The challenge is open now through January 15, 2024.

We challenge you to design stickers, posters, or bumper stickers with
variations on the general theme of “GET OUT THE VOTE” which will
encourage people to participate in our democracy, both local and national,
during the 2024 election season.

The artwork will be exhibited at various locations throughout the county.
Finalists and semi-finalists will be featured in local media and will receive
prizes. The stickers, posters, and bumper stickers will be shared with voters.

For more information, please visit the League of Women Voters Boulder
County website at lwvbc.org where you can find more information including
rules and design requirements for the art challenge.

The post League of Women Voters Boulder County Media Advisory appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

Louisville is lucky to have a reproductive right’s champion on City Council, Maxine Most. She’s not attempting to make medical decisions or play doctor. Instead, Maxine is applying two bedrock principles—equity and inclusiveness—to medical care. Simply put Maxine believes that equity and inclusiveness demand that pregnant persons have access to all evidence-based medical care.

Recent articles in the Daily Camera and other newspapers share horrifying stories about women who need abortions to save their lives being sent home to become sicker and their lives more endangered. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists unequivocally states that “Induced abortion is an essential component of women’s health care” because “Pregnancy complications, including placental abruption, bleeding from placenta previa, preeclampsia or eclampsia, and cardiac or renal conditions, may be so severe that abortion is the only measure to preserve a woman’s health or save her life.”  https://www.acog.org/advocacy/facts-are-important/abortion-is-healthcare

And, yet not all hospitals, including AdventHealth Avista (Avista) in Louisville, provide abortions when necessary to preserve the health or life of a pregnant person. Avista describes its care as “Rooted in Faith.”  AdventHealth, to which Avista belongs, is a major player in the health care marketplace; It is “one of the largest health care providers in the United States, with thousands of compassionate professionals working to Extend the Healing Ministry of Christ around the country.”  https://www.adventhealth.com/hospital/adventhealth-avista/mission-and-history

Even though Avista is a non-profit hospital—and as such does not contribute any tax revenue to the City— and in spite of its failure to provide evidence-based medicine, Maxine has done nothing to drive Avista from Louisville. Insinuations to the contrary are misleading. She is right to provide our community with accurate information, enabling pregnant persons and their families to choose whether to drive into Boulder.

To keep Maxine, vote no on the Ward 2 Recall.

Cathern Smith
Louisville, CO 80027

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Boulder, Colorado – The Boulder Chamber is thrilled to announce the honorees for its 28th Annual Women Who Light the Community Awards.

This event honors five local women and one young community leader, all of whom have worked to address meaningful business, nonprofit, education, arts, and community needs. Each honoree was nominated by people within the community who admire their skill and dedication to change, and who have witnessed their hard work and passionate leadership. In the Emerging Youth category, the honoree will receive a $1,500 grant from Alpine Bank.

The 2023 Women Who Light the Community honorees are:
Amy Long | Nothing Bundt Cakes
Wendy Lea | Energize Colorado
Madelyn Woodley | Executive Committee for African American Cultural Events
Susan Rona | Boulder JCC
Marie Gambon | Gambon Enterprises
Sophia Bandi | Emerging Youth Award, Silver Creek High School

Together, we will celebrate these honorees who are changing the world on September 6, from 4:30 P.M. – 7:30 P.M., at the Embassy Suites in Boulder. This event features networking, appetizers, dinner, desserts, and drinks as part of this memorable evening of inspiration. To confirm your spot, please visit the event registration page.

Women Who Light the Community is Co-Presented by Premier Members Credit Union and Corden Pharma. Honoree sponsors are Alpine Bank and Berg Hill Greenleaf Ruscitti, LLC. Our Community Sponsors include Elevations Credit Union and Front Range Community College, and Contributing Sponsors are Avista Adventist Hospital and Bok Financial.

About Boulder Chamber
The nonprofit Boulder Chamber is the region’s flagship business advocacy and support organization. With more than 110 years of dedicated service to its members and the Boulder community, the Boulder Chamber’s innovative programs help local businesses succeed while sustaining an economy that preserves Boulder’s high quality of life, including its environmental and cultural assets. Together with its member businesses, the Boulder Chamber is building a smarter, more vibrant economy – sustaining Boulder’s position as a global capital of innovation and a thriving center of economic vitality. For more information, visit http://www.boulderchamber.com.

The post Boulder Chamber Announces 2023 Women Who Light the Community Honorees appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

On a beautiful spring Sunday Catherine Staley admits visitors to Saint Vrain State Park, answering any questions they have. During a typical day she checks out people camping at the park, checks fishing licenses, and ensures that visitors are following the rules and being safe. This is her second season working at the park.

Statistically Staley represents a small demographic of the park ranger workforce. About 66% of park rangers are men and about 91% are white. Diverse representation is lacking within the field, but she hopes that she can represent the diversity the field can embody to those visiting the park, Staley said.

What got you into this field of work?
I went to school for wildlife biology at CSU and primarily was in research and was actually out in Reno and just wanted to come home and was applying for state jobs because I’m from Longmont. This state park was close to home. I was applying around and happened to stumble upon this place and got accepted here. This is my second season.

Catherine Staley admits visitors to Saint Vrain State Park and answers questions as they pass through the checkpoint. Photo by Zoe Jennings.

Do you work all year?
It’s just seasonal. The temporaries are only contracted out for nine months, and we have a three-month break. We are working full time throughout those nine months.

Do you take additional jobs during your off time?
This past winter I was working a little bit. I was substitute teaching. We don’t get paid a whole lot, so you kind of have to do winter work. I think having to do the winter work in order to do this job is totally worth it.

What are your favorite aspects of the job?
I think getting to interact with the public. It can be very rewarding. Obviously we have people who are frustrating at times, but being able to talk to the public and be their point of contact, especially in the field, and educate and make sure that they are being safe and following the rules and having a good time out here is kind of my favorite part.

Do you find that you can use your wildlife biology background in this job?
Not as much as I would like. Being at an entry-level point, obviously I don’t have a lot of the administrative authority to make projects for myself. I do feel like when people ask me questions about the ecosystem here, I’m able to talk about what I learned in school. Having an interest in herpetology throughout my undergrad, it’s cool to be able to see and actually identify the animals that we’re seeing and let everyone else in the park know a species catalog. That way they know and can let others know.

Courtesy of Facebook

Do you feel like you face any barriers in the field?
I don’t feel like within this job I have a lot of obstacles. I feel like if I do ever come across them, our senior ranger and our park manager are always willing to listen and have conversations how, for me being a woman of color, I can come out into the park and be able to do my job well, especially with the other staff here, just making sure that everything is very cohesive for everyone, and no one is feeling uncomfortable or restricted in any way.

Do you feel like it was harder for you as a woman of color to be in this field?
I was very fortunate in my undergrad. I had a mentor who actually reached out to me and pushed me along to get to this point. I don’t feel like it was very hard, but had I not had that mentor, I would not be in this spot at all. I’m very grateful to have had those opportunities with that mentor. Before that I had no idea what I was doing. It was an opportunity when he would take specifically women in ecology and take them on research trips, and we would publish papers based on those excursions. Just having that experience and that opportunity almost placed into my lap, I feel like I was very fortunate to be in that position. All of the other rangers I work with are white men. The only other woman I work with, who is full-time staff, is a gate attendant and then our admin, but we don’t get to see them all the time, so at least as far as the rangers are concerned, I kind of have to hold my own a lot of the time with them, but I’m very grateful that they do listen and they understand the woes of being a woman.

Courtesy of Facebook

Do you have any favorite memories of working at the park?
One actually just happened. We had a little gosling that had fishing line stuck around his leg, and he was not able to walk, so I was able to net him and get the line cut and reunite him with his family the other day. It felt really good to be able to do that. That’s definitely one that I’ll hold on to. I think that will motivate me for the rest of the season for sure.

What does a typical day on the job look like for you?
It’s usually different. In the morning we’re doing camping stuff, just with checkouts. Every day can look different, even if we’re doing the same thing like checking fishing licenses or making sure people have life jackets. Every conversation is different because every person is different. That’s why I like being out here. I like having time to walk around and talk to every single person who comes out to the park because you just never know what kinds of conversations you’re going to have with people, and I think even just being out here asking people how their days are going when they’re out here, it can brighten their day just a little bit.

Courtesy of Facebook

Do you see yourself working in this field long term?
Yeah. The fall applications for full-time employees are going to open up in September. I wholeheartedly am going to apply. I really want to get in as a wildlife officer. I like working at the park, but we don’t get a lot of hands on with the wildlife, so that’s something that I’m really passionate about. I want to make sure that I can continuously work with wildlife throughout the rest of my career. I do want to keep at this. I’ve really fallen in love with the job and want to go on full time with Colorado Parks and Wildlife.

Is the field sustainable for those entering into it?
I think so. I feel like especially with Colorado Parks and Wildlife, there are a lot of different steps you can take to stay within the agency, whether you’re working with admin, you’re working as a gate attendant, or you’re a maintenance worker or a park ranger. There’s always a next step you can take. A lot of people will start out in the entrance and then maybe next season they apply to be a park ranger. That’s absolutely doable. Even just being in the park in any aspect can help you transfer really well into other departments. There’s a lot of different avenues where people can stay with the agency, and they usually end up doing it.

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Desert Rider: Dreaming in Motion explores lowrider and skateboard culture in the Southwestern U.S.

Challenging stereotypes and embodying both joy and hope, artworks featured in this exhibition express artist identity, pride and a sense of community

The Denver Art Museum (DAM) proudly welcomes Desert Rider: Dreaming in Motion, a new exhibition that will feature artworks exploring lowrider and skateboard culture in Denver and across the American Southwest.

Organized by Phoenix Art Museum, Desert Rider at the DAM will center and examine the diverse ways that artists who self-identify as Indigenous and Latinx express identity, pride and sense of community by transforming vehicles associated with the American West. These transformations challenge stereotypes and embody joy and hope. By exploring the imaginative interpretations of both automotive and skateboarding subcultures, Desert Rider centers Latinx and Indigenous artists’ perspectives that have defined the identity of the Southwest.

Desert Rider will kick off on Sunday, July 9, with an all-day free-admission event, featuring arts celebration at the museum; more information about this event will be shared at a later date. On view through Sept. 24, 2023, in the Hamilton Building’s Anschutz Gallery, Desert Rider will be included with general admission, which is free for members and all visitors 18 and under.

“We are grateful for this fruitful collaboration with our colleagues at Phoenix Art Museum, highlighting the inventive and energetic Southwest.” said Christoph Heinrich, Frederick and Jan Mayer Director of the DAM. “We hope visitors will feel joy and inspiration as they experience this powerful presentation, which has been expanded to engage Colorado artists and showcase their work.”

Created and curated by Gilbert Vicario, former curator of contemporary art at Phoenix Art Museum, Desert Rider features works presented against the backdrop of civil unrest at the time and tie together ideas of history, place, resistance and empowerment. Images of customized vehicles racing through the wide-open landscapes of the U.S. Southwest became symbols not only of freedom and power, but also rebellion and nonconformity. Curated at the DAM by Victoria I. Lyall, Jan and Frederick Mayer Curator of Arts of the Ancient Americas, the Denver presentation of Desert Rider adds works by Colorado artists representing their communities in Colorado and the American Southwest.

“The themes and ideas explored in Desert Rider are universal, but uniquely presented through the viewpoints and experiences of Latinx and Indigenous artists, communities deeply connected to and impacted by the region’s complicated past and their experiences,” said Victoria I. Lyall.

“Counterculture, customization, queerness, community, survival, pride and reclamation are concepts that create powerful connections for artists and visitors alike. We are thrilled to present diverse works including several by Colorado artists including Carlos Frésquez, Juan Fuentes, Tony Ortega and Daniel Salazar.”

Desert Rider showcases large-scale installations, prints, sculptures and more by artists including Margarita Cabrera, Nanibah Chacon, Liz Cohen, Justin Favela, Douglas Miles and Cara Romero. Cruising just a few inches above the pavement, a lowrider’s candy paint, chrome rims and tuck and roll upholstery reflect its owner’s style and identity.

“These vehicles also evoke a history of community empowerment and have become symbolic of these artists’ identities. It’s about pride in the ride,” said Lyall.

Desert Rider begins by centering the “Lowrider” section on Denver artists, including a commission by photographer Juan Fuentes that celebrates the city’s four-decade history of cruising low and slow. Like other lowrider makers, Justin Favela’s large-scale car sculpture celebrates its owner’s identity as a queer Chicanx artist. Using materials associated with Mexican piñata—tissue paper and cardboard—Favela’s lowrider celebrates queer icons and pays homage to the recent shooting in Colorado Springs’ Club Q victims.

A section highlighting women and cars features women artists whose work challenges the perception that customized automobiles are a male-dominated pastime. With Stories Better Told by Others (Cindy Corrales) [Historias mejor contadas por otras (Cindy Corrales), a series of color inkjet prints with hand-painted lettering and lithographs, Liz Cohen celebrates the Lowrider Magazine cover models whose labor, personas and contributions to popularizing lowriding globally have been ignored.

In “Skating on Native Land,” artists Dustin Craig, Gregg Deal and Douglas Miles use skateboards as moving canvases to reassert control over their own histories and landscapes. “Horsepower” plays on the idea of the horse in the American west. Artists Laurie Steelink and José Villalobos consider the horse from a personal perspective. Villalobos’ customized saddles evoke the gleam of lowriders while reframing the flash and flamboyance as a celebration of queerness. Steelink’s car hood altar connects her to her Indigenous identity in a patriarchal society.

Artists featured in “La Frontera” (the borderlands), use automobile imagery and irreverent humor to highlight issues of migration and femicide. Margarita Cabrera’s Agua que no has de beber dejala correr (Water That You Should Not Drink, Let It Run) calls out the devastating impact of U.S. automotive “maquiladoras,” factories based on the Mexican side of the border, where mostly female employees perform low-wage assembly work and are exposed to harmful chemicals and hazardous work conditions.

In addition to engaging with such important issues, visitors of all ages will have a chance to have fun with hands-on activities including “skating” with miniature finger
skateboards in a scaled-down skatepark, modeled after the Downtown Denver Skatepark; making customizable miniature paper lowriders that can be posed and “driven” around a model of significant lowrider spots in Denver; and exploring an interactive map of the Denver metro area highlighting points of significance specific to skateboarding and lowriders, to which visitors can add their own reactions and stories.

The intention of this interpretive space is to inspire intergenerational creativity and sharing. Furthermore, the map will aid guests in making connections between personal and community histories and experiences in Denver.

Desert Rider: Dreaming in Motion is organized by Phoenix Art Museum. It is presented with generous support from the Adolph Coors Exhibition Endowment Fund, U.S. Bank, the donors to the Annual Fund Leadership Campaign and the residents who support the Scientific and Cultural Facilities District (SCFD). Promotional support is provided by 5280 Magazine and CBS Colorado.

Planning Your Visit
The most up-to-date information on planning a visit to the Denver Art Museum can be found online under the Plan Your Visit tab. Use this page to find details on ticket pricing, public transit options, and access information. General admission for museum members is free every day. Youth aged 18 and under, regardless of residency, receive free general admission everyday thanks to the museum’s Free for Kids program. Free for Kids also underwrites free admission for school and youth group visits.

COVID-19 Protocols
The safety of visitors and staff remains a top priority, and the museum is continually updating its COVID-19 safety and security protocols based on advice from the CDC and federal and local guidelines. Current protocols can be found in the “Visit” section of the museum’s website: denverartmuseum.org/visit

About the Denver Art Museum
The Denver Art Museum is an educational, nonprofit resource that sparks creative thinking and expression through transformative experiences with art. Its mission is to
enrich lives by sparking creative thinking and expression. Its holdings reflect the city and region—and provide invaluable ways for the community to learn about cultures from around the world. Metro residents support the Scientific and Cultural Facilities District (SCFD), a unique funding source serving hundreds of metro Denver arts, culture and scientific organizations.

For museum information, visit www.denverartmuseum.org or call 720-865-5000.

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Moving to End Sexual Assault (MESA), a program of Mental Health Partners, has served the Boulder County community for over 50 years as a cornerstone of support for sexual assault survivors. To help accomplish this vital work, we are grateful to our passionate volunteers who are committed to helping survivors.

Currently, MESA is seeking community members to volunteer as a Hotline Advocate. Advocates provide critical emotional support to survivors via our hotline and text line and may accompany survivors to hospitals and police departments.

If you or someone you know have a passion for supporting survivors of sexual violence and are willing and able to attend our 40-hour training, then we invite you to apply to be a Hotline Volunteer Advocate at: https://movingtoendsexualassault.org/volunteer/#hotline

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You are not alone in your healing journey.

Join our support group to connect with understanding hearts and empowering resources.

[INQUIRE VIA EMAIL]

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March 22, 2023

By Jennifer Kocher
Special to the Wyoming Truth (AP Storyshare)

This is the first of three stories. Given the graphic subject matter, which involves violence and references sex acts, reader discretion is advised.

The first time Breahannah Leary met Penny (Gallegos) King in her Denver office in May 2015, she asked her father to wait in the car with the engine running. Leary didn’t foresee the conversation going well, if at all, and wanted a quick getaway. At the time, Leary was out on bond for solicitation charges and failing to appear for a traffic violation. She had zero faith that law enforcement was on her side.

King, a Colorado State Highway Trooper and member of the FBI’s Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force, was persistent. She’d reached out to Leary’s father, Darrell Hodges, and asked him to convince his daughter to meet her. Hodges had a long rap sheet himself. But he knew Leary was in trouble and put his own distrust of law enforcement aside to try to get her help.

Much to Leary’s surprise, the meeting went well.

“[King] immediately told me she didn’t care about any of the charges,” Leary told the Wyoming Truth in an exclusive interview. “I wasn’t expecting her kindness. She was just this strong, powerful woman who cared about her job.”

King’s job was to rescue sex trafficking victims, both children and adults. She’d monitored Leary’s trafficker for months and had already built up a strong case. Now, King needed victims to help put him behind bars.

What followed was the beginning of an unlikely alliance and friendship that also would result in the take-down of one of the most prolific sex trafficking rings in Colorado history. In 2017, Brock Franklin, 31, received a 472-year sentence for 30 counts related to the prostitution of three girls and five women, including Leary.

At the sentencing, the judge asked Leary how much money she thought Franklin had made from her exploitation. She responded that it was probably enough to buy everyone in court a new house.

It’s the longest sentence to date for a human trafficker in the United States, according to a statement from the Arapahoe County District Court in Centennial, Colo. Franklin and his five associates – Michelle Payne, Brandon Garrison, Isis Debreaux, David Fullenwiley Jones and Johnson Doyne – also were indicted on charges related to human trafficking, contributing to the delinquency of a minor, the distribution of a controlled substance, sex assault and kidnapping, among other charges.

Misdiagnosed problem

Sex trafficking is a growing and largely underreported problem in Wyoming and beyond—and  Franklin’s case sets a high bar for arrests. It’s hard to get convictions because victims fear testifying against their traffickers; they are often misidentified as willful participants and arrested for prostitution.

Only one human trafficking case was prosecuted federally in 2021 in Wyoming, compared to zero in 2020, according to a 2021 Federal Human Trafficking Report by the Human Trafficking Institute.

King said the key to putting more traffickers behind bars is training law enforcement and the legal community to recognize the difference between sex trafficking and sex between two consenting adults.

During her career, King led several trainings for law enforcement agencies across Wyoming. She said there’s a growing awareness of how to identify and help victims access resources to escape and testify against their traffickers in court.

Leary credits King’s support in helping her stand up to Franklin, who had threatened her life if she testified against him.

“It was terrifying for her,” King said of Leary. “These traffickers break their victims down, emotionally and physically.”

Eight years later, Leary is finally ready to share her story to shed light on the nefarious nature of trafficking and inspire other survivors to come forward. The following account comes from interviews with Leary and King, as well as court documents.

Trafficked

Leary grew up in the Denver suburbs and moved around a lot as a child. Her family was poor, but she doesn’t consider her life to have been harder than anyone else’s. After graduating from high school, Leary became a certified nursing assistant and worked in an assisted care facility.

When Leary met Franklin, she was 27 and a single mom of three children, who lived with their biological father and his family. She had made some bad choices that put Franklin in her orbit, Leary admitted. One of them was supplementing her income by placing ads for “dates” on Backpage, a classified advertising website founded in 2004 as an alternative to Craigslist; it was shut down by the FBI and other federal agencies in 2018.

At the time, Leary lived in Thornton, Colo., with her then-boyfriend, but struggled to make ends meet. A friend told her about Backpage, and she’d only been on a few “dates”—the term used online to advertise sex services—when she met Franklin at a local hotel. Immediately, he asked Leary to come work for him and promised to help take care of her children. She declined the offer, and Franklin left. (When pressed for details about some aspects of her experience, Leary declined comment due the trauma she endured.)

Leary worked just a few weekends as an escort, earning about $3,000 to $4,000 from white professional men—mostly lonely guys seeking companionship.

“I always tell people it’s the ones you wouldn’t expect,” she said about men who buy sex. “They’re the guys you see at your child’s soccer game.”

Franklin was Leary’s last client before she quit. She found sex work degrading and decided it was not worth the extra money she’d earned. Not long after, Leary fought with her boyfriend and moved out. (He had no idea she’d moonlighted as a sex worker.) Leary had all of her belongings stuffed in the back of her car when she stopped at Walmart on an errand. But her car wouldn’t start. Leary called everyone in her contact list, and when nobody answered, out of desperation she dialed Franklin’s number. He immediately came to her rescue, giving her car a jump so it would start.

“He noticed I was in a vulnerable position, and he took full advantage of that,” Leary said by phone from her home in Colorado.

When Franklin saw her packed car and heard she’d left her boyfriend, he invited Leary to come to his house for a good night’s sleep. She could chill out, he told her, and then look for a place in the morning.

“And, of course, I took the offer,” she said.

Beating herself up for her rash decision would have to wait. At that point, it was sheer survival. Franklin’s house was located in downtown Denver near the zoo, sandwiched between two churches on either corner. He opened the door and then quickly locked it behind her. Leary counted eight locks.

She looked around the dimly lit room and saw people curled up on the carpet and sleeping on couches with empty beer bottles, marijuana and other drugs strewn across the coffee table. Later, Leary learned it was one of several rentals Franklin used to house his victims.

Franklin turned to Leary and ordered her to strip down: she belonged to him now. He confiscated her driver’s license, Social Security card and birth certificate from her car and placed them in a plastic lanyard around his neck. There were at least five other women in the house—none of whom was excited to see a new female enter the mix.

Leary assessed the situation as she slipped into survival mode. There was no fighting her way out of it: At 5-foot-2, Leary was no match for this 6-foot-6 man.

She did as she was told.

On Saturday, March 25, Leary will speak about her experience at an event for Hope Cos , a Colorado Springs-based volunteer nonprofit focused on street outreach and addiction recovery. The event will take place from noon to 3 p.m.

Check back tomorrow for part two.

The post Survivor Helps Put Sex Trafficker Behind Bars in One of the Region’s Biggest Trafficking Busts (Part 1) appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

Editor’s Note: Press Releases are provided to Yellow Scene. In an effort to keep our community informed, we publish some press releases in whole.

One-day symposium offered in conjunction with exhibition Her Brush: Japanese Women Artists from the Fong-Johnstone Collection

Various artists, Turtles on New Year’s Morn, about 1894. Hanging scroll; ink and color on silk. Denver Art Museum: Gift of Drs. John Fong and Colin Johnstone, 2018.202. Photo © Denver Art Museum.

Denver — The Denver Art Museum (DAM) will host a one-day symposium, Gender and Voice in Japanese Art. The symposium will be offered in hybrid format, both virtually and in-person at the DAM Feb. 25, 2023, in conjunction with the exhibition, Her Brush: Japanese Women Artists from the Fong-Johnstone Collection, open through May 13, 2023. Attendance is free and registration is required through the museum’s website.

This international symposium brings together foremost scholars and specialists from various disciplines to reflect on the state of the field—past, present and future—reconsidering the historical cannon through the lenses of gender and agency. In this scholarly event, we aim to advance the discourse on approaches and methodologies in the study, connoisseurship and exhibition of artwork by this group of artists.

Her Brush takes a nuanced approach to questions of artistic voice, gender and agency through more than 100 works of painting, calligraphy, and ceramics from 1600s to 1900s Japan. Tracing the pathways women artists forged for themselves in their pursuit of art, Her Brush explores the universal human drive of artistic expression as self-realization, while navigating cultural barriers during times marked by strict gender roles and societal regulations.

Media are invited to attend and cover this symposium. For all requests, inquiries, registration and other needs, please contact pressoffice@denverartmuseum.org.

This event is fully supported by the generous gift of The William Sharpless Jackson, Jr. Endowment for the Advancement of Asian Art and Culture.

SPEAKERS

• Paul Berry – Independent scholar and former professor at Kansai Gaidai University and University of Washington (Kyoto, Japan)
• Patricia Fister – Professor Emeritus, International Research Center for Japanese Studies; Director of Research, Medieval Japanese Studies Institute/Center for the Study of Women, Buddhism, and Cultural History (Tokyo, Japan)
• Melissa McCormick – Andrew W. Mellon Professor of Japanese Art and Culture, Harvard University (Cambridge, Mass.)
• Alison J. Miller – Associate Professor of Art History and Director of Asian Studies, The University of the South (Sewanee, Tenn.)
• Amy Beth Stanley – Wayne V. Jones II Research Professor in History at Northwestern University
• Marcia A. Yonemoto – Professor of History, University of Colorado, Boulder

SCHEDULE

Planning Your Visit

The most up-to-date information on planning a visit to the Denver Art Museum can be found online under the Plan Your Visit tab. Use this page to find details on ticket pricing, public transit options and access information. General admission for museum members is free every day. Youth aged 18 and under, regardless of residency, receive free general admission everyday thanks to the museum’s Free for Kids program. Free for Kids also underwrites free admission for school and youth group visits.

COVID-19 Protocols

The safety of visitors and staff remains a top priority, and the museum is continually updating its COVID-19 safety and security protocols based on advice from the CDC and federal and local guidelines. Current protocols can be found in the “Visit” section of the museum’s website: denverartmuseum.org/visit.

About the Denver Art Museum

The Denver Art Museum is an educational, nonprofit resource that sparks creative thinking and expression through transformative experiences with art. Its mission is to enrich lives by sparking creative thinking and expression. Its holdings reflect the city and region—and provide invaluable ways for the community to learn about cultures from around the world. Metro residents support the Scientific and Cultural Facilities District (SCFD), a unique funding source serving hundreds of metro Denver arts, culture and scientific organizations. For museum information, visit www.denverartmuseum.org or call 720-865-5000.

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Editor’s Note: Press Releases are provided to Yellow Scene. In an effort to keep our community informed, we publish some press releases in whole.

Self-Love Showcase

A Valentine’s Burlesque Show

Weaving consent culture, body positivity, and authentic sexual expression, Boulder Burlesque is back for our biggest show of the year, the annual Valentine’s Showcase performance.

10% of all ticket profits will be donated to Safehouse Progressive Alliance for Nonviolence

Title:
Self-Love Showcase

Show dates:
February 10, 11, 12
Doors: 7:30pm | Show: 8pm

Location:
The Spark Theater
4847 Pearl Street, B4
Boulder, CO

Tickets:
$25 General Admission / $30 at the door
$5 discount for BIPOC/Trans/Non-Binary/Student/Veteran
selfloveshowcase23.eventbrite.com

Contact:
www.boulderburlesque.com
burlesqueboulder@gmail.com

Info:
Self-love, defined as “love of self” or “regard for one’s own happiness or advantage”, has been conceptualized both as a basic human necessity and as a moral flaw. Boulder Burlesque is here to bring full appreciation to the bodies we were given, and celebrate just how fundamentally good and necessary self-love is.

In the words of Sonya Renee Taylor, “How we value and honor our own bodies impacts how we value and honor the bodies of others.” Self-love is mutually healing.  Self-love is medicine for everyone.  Self-love is a connective force that carries us through connection and isolation. In this moment when we are asked to come back together more bravely, boldly and vulnerably than ever before to care for each other, self-love is essential.

This showcase will include the debut of our Beginner Troupe, select treats from our Advanced Troupe performers, and opportunities for audience engagement, all in the theme of radical-self love.

Enjoy classic burlesque, neo-burlesque, theatrics, heartache, love, follies, and plenty of surprises, all sealed with a kiss and delivered for your enjoyment.

Proof of vaccination (at least one month passed second vaccine dose) – OR – medical exemption note and negative PCR test within 72 hours of event required to enter.*

Tickets: selfloveshowcase23.eventbrite.com

Photo credit: Sway Photography, www.swayphotography.com

The post Local Burlesque Troupe Shows Some Self-Love for Valentine’s appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

Editor’s Note: Press Releases are provided to Yellow Scene. In an effort to keep our community informed, we publish some press releases in whole.

Moxie Moms is excited to move forward in a post-pandemic world with renewed energy and opportunities for social connection, local savings and community engagement.

Moxie Moms is proud to announce new partnerships with Ozo Coffee, Conscious Cleanse, Zeal, Yoga Pod, Chautauqua, Motherlove, Finkel and Garf, The Spot and many more.

Moxie Moms Memberships are half off through the end of January 2023.

After more than two years of paused events due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Moxie Moms is moving forward with renewed energy and excitement. As a social and savings network for women in Boulder County, Moxie Mom’s Mission is to create opportunities for connection, community building, to help support the local economy, and to make a difference in the community by supporting non-profits.

Moxie Moms was created by Susan Lavelle and has been serving the Boulder County community for over 20 years. Moxie Moms currently has over 60 business partners
(moxiemoms.com/partners) and over 25 nonprofit partners (moxiemoms.com/nonprofits) who all offer exclusive discounts to Moxie Moms Members.

Since the fall of 2022, Moxie Moms has added many exciting new partners, including Ozo Coffee, Conscious Cleanse, Zeal, Yoga Pod, Chautauqua, Motherlove, Ride Colorado, Finkel and Garf, Avec la Vie, The Hearth, The Body Bar, Massage Like Butterfly, Amy Brophy Coaching, and The Spot.

The cost of membership is only $65 per year, about the cost of one latté per month! After the first year, annual renewals are $45 per year. Moxie Moms Memberships are 50% off now through the end of January 2023. Memberships can be purchased here: moxiemoms.com/product/moxie-moms-annual-membership. To receive 50% off, use code 50OFF.

In addition to the Membership Discounts, Moxie Moms Members are invited to Moxie Mom events that are designed to create opportunities for Boulder County Moms to socialize and network. These events are also geared towards supporting local Boulder County businesses and non-profits. This past fall, Moxie Moms hosted several events for members and non-members, including group hikes, group paddleboarding, and happy hours benefiting local non-profits, and offering raffle prizes form Moxie Moms Parters to attendees. Events for the first quarter of 2023 will be announced on Moxie Moms social channels and at www.moxiemoms.com.

Moxie Moms has over 80 business and non-profit partners where members can save on goods and services. Long-time partners include Colorado Athletic Club, Pharmaca/Medley, Lucky Pie, Jeff and Paige, j Lounge, Bliss Gifts and Decor, Pedestrian Shops, Rocky Mountain Paddleboard, Gateway Park Fun Center, Luke’s Circle, Sister Carmen Community Center, Thorne Nature Experience, School Food Project, Boulder Opera, Downtown Partnership and many more. A full list of partners can be found at www.moxiemoms.com.

There is no cost to Boulder County Businesses or non-profits to become part of the Moxie Moms network. Contact Susan at susan@moxiemoms.com to become a business or non-profit partner.

For questions about events or marketing, contact Amy at amy@moxiemoms.com.

The post Moxie Moms – We’re Back! appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

Editor’s Note: Press Releases are provided to Yellow Scene. In an effort to keep our community informed, we publish some press releases in whole.

Vision Statement

The Vision of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People is to ensure a society in which all individuals have equal rights and there is no racial hatred or racial discrimination.

Congratulations!

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Tribute Concert and Humanitarian Awards

Humanitarian recipients have come from all walks of life, but each has been driven, as Dr. King was, by the desire to help and make the world a better place.

Our very own Minister Glenda Strong Robinson has been selected by the 2023 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Colorado Holiday Commission to receive The Honorable Menola Upshaw Lifetime Achievement Award for 2023 for living out the purposes of the Commission and dedicating her life’s work to keeping Dr. King’s Dream Alive.  This Award is presented to those who actively desire to help and make the world a better place.  She believes that we do this by “using our differences to make a difference!”

This honor and celebration will take place on Tuesday, January 10, 2023, at Boettcher Concert Hall at the Denver Center for the Performing Arts Complex in downtown Denver. There will be a concert by the Denver Symphony and a meal beginning around 5:30 p.m. that is free and open to the public on a first come first served basis.  Check for definite by visiting the website at drmartinlkingjrchc.org.

Since the early 90s, Minister Robinson has been providing Dr. MLK, Jr. programs throughout the Boulder Valley to educate the communities on the price that has been paid for the freedoms we enjoy and what folks can do to become that “beloved community” that Dr. King fervently described. He said, “Our lives begin to end the moment we become silent about things that matter.”

The purpose of the Statewide Dr. MLK, Jr. Colorado Holiday Commission is to unify and educate communities within the State of Colorado and encourage appropriate observations, ceremonies, and activities in commemoration of the federal holiday and state legal holiday honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. throughout all the towns, cities, school districts, counties, and local governments within Colorado.  Please tune in to all the Festivities of the Week Sponsored by the 2023 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Colorado Holiday Commission.

Announcements

Towards Health Equity:  Saving Lives of Black Mothers & Infants

Maternal morbidity and mortality rates are rising in the United States (“U.S.”), and the U.S. has one of the largest. Sister-to-Sister:  International Network of Professional African American Women, Inc. (“Sister-to-Sister, Inc.“), a Colorado incorporated, tax-exempt public charity, strives to raise Coloradoans’ consciousness concerning morbidity and mortality among Black women, as they experience the highest disproportionality of deaths, chronic complications post-pregnancy, and early death. Reliable data conclusively evidence that, across all income spectrums, education levels, and employment levels, pregnant Black women are three times more likely than their non-Hispanic white counterparts to die in childbirth. They further reflect that Black newborns are twice as likely as white newborns, to die during their first year.

On January 21, 2023, Sister-to-Sister, Inc. is hosting a private screening of Aftershock, an award-winning documentary that highlights the public health crisis presented by toll on African American women’s lives based on inequitable healthcare. This event is free and open to the public. Register at Eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/aftershock-free-screening-of-the-documentary-tickets-494011009227.

On February 25, 2023, Sister-to-Sister, Inc.“, will host the “Towards Health Equity:  Saving Lives of Black Mothers and Infants” Inaugural Educational Fundraising Gala. Ms. Dayna Bowen Matthew, J.D., Ph.D., the first African American and female dean of The George Washington School of Law, a Senior Fellow at the Brooking Institute, a recognized scholar in the field of racial and ethnic disparities in health and healthcare, and the author of two authoritative treatises, “Just Medicine:  A Cure for Racial Inequality in American Health Care,” “Just Health: Treating Structural Racism to Heal America”, will deliver the keynote address.

Did You Know?

January 2023

Pele, by name of Edson Arantes do Nascimento, born October 23, 1940—died December 29, 2022 in Brazil. The Brazilian-born soccer legend and National Treasure became a worldwide phenomenon. Pele passed away on 12/29/2022. The combination of Pele’s incomparable soccer skills and his radiant, gentle smile made him an international star and champion for peace. Pele is defined today as the greatest soccer player in the history of the game. Pele played soccer in the US for the New York Cosmos during the 1975 NASL Season. He was acknowledged as one of the biggest sports figures of this past century.

Glenda S. Robinson
Branch Historian
NAACP Boulder County Branch

Civic Engagement Committee

The Civic Engagement Committee is in need of a chair person.

For question and how to become more involved, contact Cherry-Rose Anderson: cherry.boulder.naacp@gmail.com

Coloradans for the Common Good  (CCG)

CCG Delegates’ Assembly

When: Thu Jan 26, 2023 6:30pm – 8pm (MST)
Where: TBD

Please hold this date and time for CCG”s first delegates’ assembly of 2023. The Delegates’ Assembly is a gathering of the leadership of the organization (members from your institution that are engaged in CCG’s work) to reflect on the status of the organization, make commitments to one another regarding membership dues and other activities for the year, and approve the organization’s budget. It is important to have representative delegation from all member institutions at this gathering. I will be attending this assembly and will be driving down.  Anyone interested in attending this assembly, too, can ride with me.  It is requested that we have at least 2 representatives attending.  Please contact me at: louisamatthias@gmail.com if you would like to attend.

Communications Committee

It’s a new year and Black Talk is taking up a long-standing crisis: racialized healthcare. Our guest, Dayna Bowen Matthew, JD, Ph.D., will talk to us about the racial, ethnic, economic, and social determinants and disparities in America’s healthcare system. Dean Matthew is currently the Dean and Harold H. Greene Professor of Law at the George Washington University Law School in the nation’s capital. Dean Matthew was a CU law school professor and vice dean, a member of the Center for Bioethics Humanities on the Anschutz Medical Center campus, and held a joint appointment at the Colorado School of Public Health and co-founded the Colorado Health Equity Project. We will learn how Dean Matthew’s intersectional approach to tackling racial inequalities in health, housing, and education, conspire and inspired the content of her two books, Just Medicine: A Cure for Racial Inequality in American Healthcare (2018 and Just Health: Treating Structural Racism to Heal America (2022). Dean Matthew will be in Colorado on 21 January 2023, as the featured guest of Sister-to-Sister, an international network of professional African American women.

Please be sure to tune into the next edition of Black Talk on KGNU 88.5 FM, Thursday, 12 January 2023 at 8:32 am.

If you’ve missed any shows, look for them at, Black Talk on KGNU.  Remember: Black Talk airs on KGNU 88.5FM the second Thursday of every month at 8:32am – 9:30 am.

Join the Communications Committee! We need people who are interested in flexing their creativity muscles to create videos and podcasts, photography, writing, and graphics. Contact me if you are interested in joining this great team.

Sandra B. Daniel
media.naacpbouldercounty@gmail.com

Criminal Justice Committee

Anyone interested in joining the criminal justice committee should reach out to Darren O’Connor, the chair, at constanciodarren@gmail.com. The committee meets the third Wednesday of the month at 5:30 PM via Zoom.

Economic Opportunity Committee

This quarter brings Sonoma Pharma, City of Boulder Department of Economic Vitality and Parlando School of Music as new corporate members of NAACP Boulder County. Welcome!

NAACP Boulder County’s Economic Opportunity Committee will be starting off 2023 by conducting an in-depth survey of Black owned businesses/professionals in the area.  Please contact Jude at econopps.naacpbouldercounty@gmail.com about Black owned businesses and/or professionals in the area that would like to participate. Our goal is to gather a comprehensive and in-depth directory of the county’s Black owned businesses and professionals.  The NAACP BC survey is looking to determine what the most pressing needs of local Black owned businesses and professionals are to accurately access priorities and determine the most effective outcomes.  We want to be of practical service to ensure success of Black owned businesses and support of Black professionals in our local communities.

Economic Opportunity is asking for an interested NAACP Boulder County member to be our representative for Boulder Chamber events and opportunities.  It’s a job for someone interested in business and well-able to represent the needs and values of our organization to Boulder Chamber members.

We are working on the first quarter Black Talk:  Race in the Workplace networking event.  These events are geared for the business community and highlight common race in the workplace issues. Topics focus on workplace culture, hiring and retention for businesses and non-profit organizations.  NAACP is able to tackle these issues forthrightly, with candor as well as providing practical tools for increasing success with DEI goals.  We are intent on building our community with diversity and increasing the cultural competency of our community.

Economic Opportunity is soliciting sponsorships from the business community for our annual Freedom Fund event at Macky Auditorium, on February 19^th, presenting the Nashville African American Wind Symphony.  Sponsorship provides an opportunity for businesses to be recognized for their support of our Branch and our mission.

Economic Opportunity meets on the 2^nd Wednesday of the month at 12:30 pm via zoom.  NAACP members are welcome to attend any of our meetings.  Contact Jude at econopps.naacpbouldercounty@gmail.com for a zoom link.

Education Committee

Due to the holidays, there is no December meeting of the Education Committee. The next meeting will be Monday, January 16, 2023 at 6:30 p.m. We encourage you to join us even if you are not a member of the committee. Please contact the Education Committee, for the Zoom link or for information about upcoming events: boco.naacp.ed@gmail.com.

Environmental & Climate Justice Committee

All NAACP Boulder branch members with an interest in environmental justice are invited to participate in a free webinar series on environmental justice hosted by the Black Parents United Foundation of Aurora. Please reach out to Sheila Davis (vp.naacpbouldercounty@gmail.com) for details.

The Environmental Justice Committee will participate in activities hosted by the RMNAACP State Environmental Justice Chair. Details will be shared soon.

Freedom Fund Committee

2023 Freedom Fund and Black History Planning:

• Theme: Celebrating Black History- Uplifting the Community Through Artistic Expression
• The 2023 Freedom Fund will feature the Nashville African American Wind Symphony. The concert will occur on February 19, 2023, at 3:00 pm in the Macky Auditorium. Reception immediately follows.
• Additional events to celebrate Black History Month 2023 will feature a celebration of six spectacular African American artists who will showcase their art in various locations throughout Boulder, Longmont, Lafayette, and Lyons.

Please contact the chair,  Madelyn Woodley at woodleymadelyn@gmail.com for any questions.

Post-Secondary Education Task Force

The Center for African & African American Studies (CAAAS)

We are on target with our chapter fundraising commitment.  Following the close of the CU Fall 2022 semester the Task Force and CU Advancement will review our chapter’s strategy to raise and hopefully exceed our $500,000 five-year goal.

Please click on the following  link for the latest CAAAS Newsletter.

Save the date:  February 1, 2023.  The CAAAS’ grand opening is scheduled for February 1, 2023, 4-6pm in the Macky Auditorium Gallery.

For additional CAAAS upcoming events please consult your CAAAS Newsletter.

Religious Affairs Committee

The post Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Tribute Concert and Humanitarian Awards appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

As the New Year kicks into gear, one of our resolutions is to continue making as much an impact in our communities as possible, and we hope you’re of the same mind. Here are three vetted organizations we think you should consider as you plan out your donations for 2023.

Courtesy of the National Indigenous Women’s Resource Center

National Indigenous Women’s Resource Center 

Women from Indigenous peoples on this continent make up the most vulnerable population, bar none. They are two to three times more likely than women of any other race to experience violence, stalking, or sexual assault, according to the Justice Department. It’s not even close.

• A recent study by the National Institute of Justice (NIJ) found that more than four in five American Indian and Alaska Native women (84.3%) have experienced violence in their lifetime, including 56.1% who have experienced sexual violence.
• In JUST the year leading up to the study, 39.8% of American Indian and Alaska Native women had experienced violence, including 14.4% who had experienced sexual violence.
• Overall, more than 1.5 million American Indian and Alaska Native women have experienced violence in their lifetime.
• According to the Center for Disease Control, the murder rate is 10 times higher than the national average for women living on reservations, and murder is the third leading cause of death for Native women. Additionally, this group was significantly more likely to experience a rape in their lifetimes compared to other women.

The National Indigenous Women’s Resource Center provides “…national leadership to end violence against American Indian, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian women by supporting culturally grounded, grassroots advocacy.” Donate here: niwrc.org/donate 

Courtesy of Foster Source

Foster Source

Today, there are nearly 4,000 children living in the foster care system in Colorado. One of the biggest challenges is finding foster homes to support them — nearly 70% of foster parents quit fostering in the first year.

Foster Source, based in Thornton, is working to change that. Foster Source is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization offering trauma education, relief services and therapeutic services to foster and kinship families throughout Colorado. Donate here: FosterSource.org/donate

Courtesy of the American Indian Academy of Denver

American Indian Academy of Denver 

Starting in 1869 and continuing into the 1960s, hundreds of thousands of children of First Nations tribes in the United States and Canada were taken from their families and placed in church- and government-run boarding schools. This destroyed families and stripped entire generations of their culture, not to mention the unconscionable number of deaths of children — into the thousands —  that occurred under the so-called “care” of these “boarding schools,” according to reports released this year by the Department of the Interior.

The American Indian Academy of Denver is a Denver Public Schools charter school that’s on the edge of being shut down by the DPS due to funding cuts. It’s a STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and math) school that provides rigorous learning opportunities for students in the sixth through tenth grades. AIAD is a community of families and educators where all students are supported holistically, secure in their cultural identity, empowered to become community leaders, and prepared to excel in life. Donate here: aiadschool.org

The post 2023 Is the Year to Make an Impact | Duly Noted appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

Editor’s Note: Press Releases are provided to Yellow Scene. In an effort to keep our community informed, we publish some press releases in whole.

Jessie, a survivor, bravely calling the MESA hotline

Jessie (name changed for privacy) just experienced the most devastating moment of her life:

She was sexually assaulted by someone she trusted.

Jessie was in shock and it was hard to make decisions. She didn’t have a support network. Due to a lifetime of rape culture messaging, Jessie questioned if the assault was her fault.

She felt completely alone.

Luckily, she called the MESA hotline and received validation and support from a trained advocate.

The MESA advocate helped Jessie understand the assault wasn’t her fault.

Jessie’s experience was validated which shifted something inside her. She felt a wave of relief, clarity, and empowerment.

Supported by MESA, she was ready to take the next steps in healing.

Our goal at MESA is to provide survivors with the emotional support they need to feel empowered to move forward.

Only through your support can we continue our critical work.

This holiday season, please consider making an end-of-year gift to MESA so we can help survivors like Jessie.

[DONATE BEFORE 2022 ENDS]

The post Help Survivors like Jessie appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

Rome, Italy, 9th June 2022: FELIX Allyson (USA) during the Golden Gala “Pietro Mennea”, Wanda Diamond League at the Olimpico stadium. Photo credit: Raffaele Conti 88, Shutterstock

By Angelia D. McGowan
Denver Urban Spectrum (via AP Storyshare)

Allyson Felix, five-time U.S. Olympian in track and field, is soaring on a different track these days working to advance women’s rights for maternal protection. She shared her journey to this new life of advocacy most recently as the keynote speaker at the annual luncheon for the Women’s Foundation of Colorado at the Colorado Convention Center.

In front of a crowd of more than 1,800 people, and later in that paragraph: She trained six days a week, five hours a day. She was on top of her nutrition. She indeed found success in the 100-meter, 200-meter, 400-meter and 4×400-meter relay—becoming the most decorated American track and field athlete in Olympic history.

When she desired to have a family, she hit a wall.

She recalled not seeing a mother in her sport that was celebrated. She saw them losing sponsorships. She thought she had gotten to a safe place with Nike, her sponsor for almost a decade. When she was told she would get 70 percent less pay while building her family, she was prepared to deal with that.

But she also wanted time to get back to top form. That time and salary protection was not allotted for in her Nike contract. It hit her that she didn’t want this for her daughter’s generation.

Her brother recommended she write an op-ed for the New York Times, use her voice “even if it shakes.” On May 22, 2019, the publication ran her piece entitled, “Allyson Felix: My Own Nike Pregnancy Story.” Her op-ed followed an earlier piece they ran on May 12, 2019, by fellow Olympian Alysia Montaño entitled, “Nike Told Me to Dream Crazy, Until I Wanted a Baby.”

The fight for maternal protection had the national stage. Following the public controversy, Nike adjusted their maternal policy in August 2019, promising to not apply any performance-related salary reductions for 18 consecutive months, starting eight months before the due date.

Felix said it was incredible and heartbreaking how much work needed to be done. She told the crowd how proud she was of the Women’s Foundation of Colorado for their work and investment in women. The foundation’s mission is to catalyze the community to advance and accelerate economic opportunities for Colorado women and their families.

During her one-on-one interview on the stage with Craig Hospital President and CEO Jandel Allen-Davis, M.D., Felix shared more of her journey as a mom, business owner and advocate for women’s rights.

She explained that after leaving Nike in 2019, she faced her next Olympics with no running shoes. She explained how her brother —a male ally— encouraged her to create her own shoes. Saysh, co-founded by Felix and her brother, Wes, was soon a reality and she would eventually wear her own shoes in her fifth Olympics.

Soon after leaving Nike, she would also sign a clothing sponsorship deal with the Gap Inc.–owned apparel company Athleta in July 2019, becoming their first sponsored athlete.

Applauding Felix’s advocacy work, WFCO President and CEO Lauren Y. Casteel said, “We will not stay in our lane.”

Romi Bean, CBS4 sports anchor, who emceed the luncheon, referred to the Olympian as being at another level, making a difference for women..

Editor’s note: For more information about The Women’s Foundation of Colorado, visit www.wfco.org.

The post Olympian Allyson Felix Steps up to Fight for Maternal Protection appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

Editor’s Note: Press Releases are provided to Yellow Scene. In an effort to keep our community informed, we publish some press releases in whole.

Lakewood, CO — Today 14 Iranian-American elected officials and candidates have released a letter of solidarity with the women and people of Iran as they risk their lives for freedom. Lakewood City Councilor, Jeslin Shahrezaei is one of the signers. Born in Orlando, Shahrezaei is the daughter of an Iranian immigrant who came to the United States in search of the American Dream.

The letter can be found here and outlines three main requests of the Biden Administration and global community. The signers first ask that all discussions on the JCPOA should be paused, and instead the U.S. government should provide assistance in maintaining internet access so that the people of Iran may continue to expose the injustices of their daily lives. The signers also urge citizens to call their federal representatives to push for a U.N. Investigative Mechanism for crimes against humanity committed by the Islamic Republic and that the Islamic Republic be immediately removed from the U.N. Women’s Commission.

The signers also vehemently oppose all efforts and remarks (past and present) by anyone downplaying the brutality of the Islamic Republic and call for unity among the Iranian-American diaspora.

“As an elected official and Iranian-American, I advocate for freedom and equality every day, and that is what drives me to serve our communities and sign on to this letter today,” said Jeslin Shahrezaei. “It’s incredibly important to me that the people of Iran know that they are not alone, that we hear their cries for Women, Life, Freedom and regime change. We will continue to be their voice.”

Elected officials who are not members of the Iranian-American diaspora are also invited to sign on to this letter in support. Here is a sign up form.

This letter of solidarity comes at a time when 27 powerful women from around the world released a full page ad in the New York Times requesting that the Islamic Republic also be removed from the U.N. Women’s Commission. You may sign on to that community wide letter here: www.womanlifefreedom.today

The post Iranian American Women Electeds & Candidates Release Letter of Solidarity, Ask Non-Iranian Elected Officials to Join appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

Editor’s Note: Press Releases are provided to Yellow Scene. In an effort to keep our community informed, we publish some press releases in whole.

DENVER GAY MEN’S AND DENVER WOMEN’S CHORUS SET, 2022-23 SEASON CONCERT

Through a slate of dynamic, empowering, and entertaining concerts, region’s premier LGBTQIA choruses to continue ‘Building Community Through Music’

DENVER (August 17, 2022) – Disney PRIDE in Concert, a musical celebration of LGBTQ life, love, family, and perseverance, is among the lineup of Denver Choruses 2022-23 season, the Rocky Mountain Arts Association announced today. The Denver Gay Men’s Chorus (DGMC) and the Denver Women’s Chorus (DWC) will each present three concert series, continuing its tradition of educating about LGBTQ history and the challenges that remain as they strive for equality and full inclusion in society.

Colorado’s oldest and largest LGBTQ arts organization, the Rocky Mountain Arts Association is the umbrella organization of the two choruses.

In a Colorado premiere, DGMC will be among the first choruses to present Disney PRIDE in Concert, scheduled for late March 2023. The concert draws inspiration from Disney’s beloved catalog of songs from iconic films including The Little Mermaid, The Lion King, and Mary Poppins to modern classics Coco, Zootopia, and Wreck-It Ralph and the magical music of Disney Parks. The concert event will feature a 25-piece orchestra, accompanied by choreography and visuals using assets from Disney’s films and archives.

“Disney movies and musicals have long resonated deeply in the LGBTQ community because they often mirror experiences in a society that hasn’t always been welcoming,” said James Knapp, Artistic Director and Managing Director, Denver Gay Men’s Chorus. “The concert will showcase the individual meanings and connections from Disney’s timeless and universal music. This collaboration with Disney Concerts, Inc. marks a Colorado premiere, and DGMC is among the only choruses to perform.”

My Body, My Voice
DWC will kick off the season in November, raising their voices in support of bodily autonomy and reproductive rights with My Body, My Voice. The concert will feature songs of protest, bravery, and resilience from Brandi Carlisle, Alicia Keys, Beyonce, and composers Andrea Ramsey and Melissa Dunphy. Saphonia, conducted by former DWC artistic director Marla Wasson, will take the stage with DWC as guest artists in this dynamic performance.

Haul Out the Jolly
A kaleidoscope of classics, traditional, and pop favorites await audiences in DGMC’s annual holiday show in December. Haul Out the Jolly will include JS Bach’s Jauchzet Frohlocket, “Peace on Earth/The Little Drummer Boy,” “The Chanukah Song (We Are Lights), “Rudolf the Red-nosed Reindeer,” “Go Tell It on the Mountain,” “Raise Your Glass,” and a selection of Christmas camp audiences have come to treasure. Accompanied by a three-piece band and grand organ.

P.S. I Love You
In February 2023, DWC presents P.S. I Love You, celebrating the lives and legacy of jazz greats Cole Porter and Billy Strayhorn. The intimate concert will feature classic standards like “Let’s Fall in Love,” “Lush Life,” and “I Get a Kick Out of You,” sung by DWC and backed by Denver’s top jazz players.

Holding Out for a Hero
In their first ever solo concert, DGMC’s a cappella ensemble Off Kilter! will pay homage to their musical heroes, celebrating the iconic musicians of our time with new arrangements, choreographed numbers, and performances that will leave audiences stunned! In addition to the house band, each Off Kilter! member will perform a jaw-dropping solo by one of their musical heroes.

Earth Songs
In May, DWC will heighten awareness of climate change, leaving audiences loving the earth and ready to recycle in Earth Songs. Skip the “Big Yellow Taxi” and hop on public transportation to sing along with Joni Mitchell, Melissa Etheridge, and more.

Divas: Icons and Justice Warriors
DGMC celebrates Pride month with Divas: Icons and Justice Warriors, a tribute to the music and performers of legendary women. From Billie Holiday to Lady Gaga, Barbara Streisand to J.Lo, and Judy Garland to Adele, these artists helped teach the gay community how to find their true selves and community.

Tickets for all concerts are available now. The complete schedule is below. Concerts begin at 7:30 pm nightly unless noted; Saturday dates include a matinee featuring ASL interpreters. Visit https://denverchoruses.org for more information and to purchase tickets.

Additionally, Saturday evening shows from Denver will be presented via live stream.*

Denver Women’s Chorus presents My Body, My Voice
November 4-5, 2022 — Central Presbyterian Church, Denver
November 6, 2022 — Broomfield Auditorium, Broomfield

Denver Gay Men’s Chorus presents Haul Out the Jolly
December 1-3, 2022 —Central Presbyterian Church, Denver
December 9, 2022 — First United Methodist, Boulder
December 11, 2022 — St. Andrew United Methodist, Highlands Ranch

Denver Women’s Chorus presents P.S. I Love You
February 10-11, 2023 — Wellshire Presbyterian, Denver
February 12, 2023 — Broomfield Auditorium, Broomfield

Denver Gay Men’s Chorus presents Disney PRIDE in Concert
March 31 – April 1, 2023 — Ellie Caulkins Opera House, Denver

Holding Out For A Hero with Off Kilter!
May 5, 2023 – TBC a
May 6, 2023 — Englewood Arts Center, Englewood

Denver Women’s Chorus presents Earth Songs
May 13, 2023 — TBC
May 19-20, 2023 — King Center, Denver

Denver Gay Men’s Chorus presents Divas: Icons and Justice Warriors
June 3, 2023 — Arvada Center
June 9, 10, 2023 — King Center, Denver

*Holding Out for A Hero with Off Kilter! will not be presented via live stream.

The post Disney PRIDE, My Body My Voice among Denver Choruses 2022-23 Concert Season appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

Courtesy of co.emergeamerica.org

You’re a candidate running for local office. You’re going door to door in your neighborhood talking to voters about the issues that matter to you both. After a congenial conversation with an older gentleman, he leans in for a hug. Not wanting to duck the interaction or seem cold or aloof, you acquiesce. After all, it’s just a hug. Instead, he grips your flesh tightly, caressing your buttocks, reaching around to squeeze your breasts. You’re shocked and pull away.

He laughs.

The above actually happened to a female candidate in Arapahoe County in September 2022. That’s right, this year.

What made this “neighbor” feel entitled to sexually assault her? There’s not enough space in all the publications in the world to answer this question.

This interaction, albeit a shocking one, is an example of undesired attention female candidates may face. Beyond egregious  situations like this one, there are closely held beliefs and situational realities about women running for political office.

So, in this election guide feature of Yellow Scene, we wanted to explore which organizations are poised to help Colorado women who run for office, why they’re necessary to bridge the dreadfully named “ambition gap,” and why women still hesitate to throw their hat in the ring, even in Colorado, a state that is 2nd in the country in terms of female representation in state government.

Courtesy of co.emergeamerica.org

Emerge Colorado Exists to Support Democratic Womxn Running for Political Office.

Emerge America, a 527 political organization, was created in 2002. Emerge Colorado is our state’s Emerge America affiliate. Emerge exists to prepare Democratic female and female-identifying candidates to run for political office. It offers training and support from former and current office holders, political strategists and partners with groups like Cobalt Advocates, Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains, and local labor unions.

Emerge’s Signature Program, which runs January to June is 100 hours of in-depth candidate training every weekend so participants are fully ready to run upon graduation.

Candidates in active political campaigns can attend a weekend-long intensive Boot Camp Training. Prior to this August, the Boot Camp was held in metro Denver. But in an effort to be truly statewide and cognizant of the associated travel expenses, Emerge Colorado held the weekend intensive in Pueblo, Colorado. 

Emerge’s executive director, Dr. Lisa Calderón, has made a commitment to ensure Democratic womxn outside of the metro Denver also have the option of in-person training while also offering the option to participate virtually. Speaking of Pueblo, Emerge recently hired Sol Sandoval, Pueblo native and former U.S. congressional candidate for District 3 as their new American majority rural program manager.

Emerge class sizes range between 20-25, determined by an application and interview process. For womxn still contemplating a run for office, there’s an online, hour-long Step Forwards training program to help answer, “Should I run for office?” and “What does it take to run a successful campaign?”

Emerge curriculum covers public speaking and communication, fundraising, media and messaging, networking, campaign strategy, field operations, labor and endorsements, technology and new media, cultural competency, and ethical leadership.

We spoke with former participants about their experience with Emerge. Brianna Titone, state house representative for District 27, is a 2018 Emerge graduate who is running for a third term. She told us, “For anyone who is contemplating a run, I’d encourage them to reach out to people who have been through Emerge. Running for office can be extremely intimidating, and there are so many unknowns. I really had no idea about running for office or what I was getting myself into. Having done the program, I now have a whole network of other Emerge graduates, and we can turn to each other for help.”

We also spoke with Erin Kenworthy, a 2020 Emerge alumnus, the director of religious exploration at First Unitarian Society of Denver and married mother of two. She told us, “I’ve heard folks say that Emerge gives its grads a formula for running a winning campaign. And while the information, supportive network, and access to tailored resources are absolutely valuable, each Emerge candidate is empowered to do their own research and run their own campaign.  Campaigning and serving as an elected official require different skills, but both require work, dedication, and a willingness to invest yourself fully in the process. I think Emerge gives a boost to women and non-binary folks who are already hard-working, community-invested, service-minded, qualified leaders.”

Quick Emerge facts: 

• 45% of Emerge Colorado’s alumnae are women of color and over 30% are LGBTQ.
• More than 5,000 womxn have graduated from Emerge programs nationwide (27 states have an affiliate with Colorado Emerge boasting 321 alumnae.
• Tuition for Boot Camp Training is $350 and $1,000 for the Signature Program but scholarships are available. (Emerge enrollees are encouraged to fundraise their tuition to prepare them for campaign fundraising.)
• Thirty Emerge Colorado graduates are running in the 2022 election cycle. 
• Deb Haaland, secretary of the interior and the first Native American to hold a cabinet position, is an Emerge alumnae
• Jena Griswold, Colorado’s secretary of state, is an Emerge Colorado alumnae. 

Courtesy of co.emergeamerica.org

When it comes to female office holders, how does Colorado stack up compared to other states?

It’s a mixed bag. Colorado ranks high when compared to other states if you only look at the state capitol. But when you factor in female representation in our cities, counties, and Congress, grab your umbrella because it’s raining men.

First, the good news. Colorado is ranked #2 in the nation based on the number of women in the state legislature. Currently, 45 of the 100 total seats are held by women with a 38/7 Democratic/Republican split. Twelve women serve in the State Senate (11/1 Democratic/Republican), and 33 women serve in the State House with (27/6 split) Nevada ranking #1 with female members making up 58.7% of seats held (37 of 63 total seats).

State-by-state info: https://cawp.rutgers.edu/facts/state-state-information

Currently, four women hold statewide elected office in Colorado: Secretary of State Jena Griswold (D), Lt. Gov. Dianne Primavera (D), Heidi Ganahl (R), and Lesley Smith (D) both on the CU Board of Regents. 

Note: Ganahl and Smith are at-large members whereas the other seven regents are elected from each congressional district. 

Before any celebratory champagne is poured, remember Colorado is one of 19 states that has never elected a female governor or U.S. senator.

Notably, Denver has never had a female mayor. But a recent Emerge and Colorado Working Parties survey of 400 registered voters in Denver showed that it’s about damn time. Fifty-two percent responded they are motivated to vote for a female mayor and 25% are very motivated. 

In 2021, the most recent year for which there are statistics, six women held mayoral offices in Colorado (Englewood, Centennial, Lafayette, Loveland, Northglenn, and Thornton). In that same year, the Center for American Women in Politics revealed female mayors in 25.1% of cities with populations greater than 30K. Since Colorado has 33 towns with populations of 30K or more, those six female mayors make up 18% of the total.

In the U.S. Congress, two of seven total Colorado congressional districts are represented by women: District 1 – Dianna DeGette (D) and District 3 – Lauren Boebert (R) for 28% female representation.

Note: Newly created Congressional District 8 will elect a Congressperson in the upcoming November election featuring Democrat Yadira Caraveo running against Republican Barbara Kirkmeyer.

Courtesy of co.emergeamerica.org

Why are groups like Emerge needed in the first place? 

Research has shown women in government tend to work in more collaborative and bipartisan ways and employ a more democratic leadership style versus a more domineering style from men.

Women are also more effective at building coalitions and reaching consensus. Research related to bipartisanship was derived from looking at female representatives in the minority party being more successful at keeping their sponsored bills alive through later stages of the legislative process than are minority party men, across the 93rd–110th Congresses (1973–2008).

Female heads of state in Denmark, Ethiopia, Finland, Germany, Iceland, New Zealand, and Slovakia have been internationally recognized for their responses to the COVID-19 pandemic. All were proactive in responding to the threat of the virus, implementing social distancing restrictions early, seeking expert advice, and unifying their respective countries around a comprehensive response with open and honest communication.

Of course, there’s the laundry list of issues like paid family leave, childcare costs, reproductive health, equal pay for equal work, and sexual assault, born most heavily by those of the female persuasion whose voices are not heard within our legislatures which skew toward older, white, and male. Since white males make up 31% of the U.S. population but 65% of officeholders in the U.S., it’s anything but representative. 

But What Do Womxn Think About Running?

Every 10 years, the Brookings Institute conducts an in-depth Citizen Political Ambition Study surveying 4,000 “potential candidates” with professional backgrounds common among elected officials including lawyers, businesspeople, educators, and political activists. Even controlling for factors like political affiliation, age, race, geographic area, and parental and marital status, with a sample of equally matched women and men, women were dramatically less likely than men to have thought about running for office.

The survey was first conducted in 2001, again in 2011, and most recently in 2021. Surprisingly, or not depending on your viewpoint, the gap between men and women widened in the most recent study with 60% of men considering a run for political office while 60% of women had never entertained the idea.

External and Internal Triggers About Running in the First Place

Beyond being self-motivated, men are two-thirds more likely than women to have been encouraged to run by an elected official, party leader, or political activist. Closer to home, men are 40% more likely to receive the suggestion to run from a colleague, spouse, or family member.

Women?

Women and men were equally likely to report receiving encouragement to run for student government from their parents, teachers, and friends but the story changes dramatically post college. Then, only 35% of women, compared to 49% of men, received encouragement to run for public office.

The big rub? When they actually are old enough to run, women need — but don’t get — the same encouragement. Add to this that, if they do get encouragement, it’s from dramatically fewer sources than earlier in life.

One powerful source of recruitment are party chairs. Scott Merrifield, Jefferson County’s Democratic party chair, shares what he looks for in a potential candidate: “It’s a vague concept, but for me it’s charisma. Is this someone who likes to talk to people, and who people like to talk to? Are they a clear communicator? Are they passionate about the ‘right’ things? Are they driven? Are they willing to listen and learn? No one is an expert on everything they’ll need to know and want to do while in office. But they need to be willing to listen to people who know more about policy and procedure.”

Courtesy of co.emergeamerica.org

Believing in Yourself Is Half the Battle 

Looking at gender differences internally, 2,100 college students were surveyed, and results showed a huge chasm between men and women believing they’d be ready and able to run in the future. 

Only 49% of women believed they would be ready as opposed to 69% of men.

Other Factors Stopping Women from Running for Office

The Brookings Institute’s Citizen Political Ambition Panel Study found that women are less likely than men to be willing to endure the rigors of a political campaign. “Rigors,” which is undefined, is just another word for unnecessary bullshit where campaigns can devolve into “opposition research” or “digging up dirt.”

However, one of the study’s reasons we can wrap our heads around is that women are less able to reconcile work and family obligations with a political career. Who wouldn’t want to hold a job, manage an entire household, throw some childrearing in the mix, AND run for office? What a sad commentary on gender roles in 2022.

Another reason given is that women are less likely than men to “perceive a fair political environment.” It’s unclear how the Brookings Institute defines “fair,” so we’ll assume women opt out of all things potentially unfair.

One of the more interesting reasons given for the lack of female participation in politics, from American University’s School of Public Affairs, is that sports prepare young men for the win-or-lose nature of a campaign.

This is absolutely ridiculous. The “win-or-lose nature” is a poor attempt at a legitimate reason to link elected office to competitive sports. The only way in which they are alike is that both are hostile to women.

After all, one of the worst insults, beginning in childhood and continuing into adulthood is when men degrade each other by saying, “He runs/throws like a girl/bitch/pussy.

Another reason for women opting not to run, barely mentioned in the studies, is the unwillingness to devote time to campaigning and serving when the majority of elected positions are unpaid or paid a paltry salary. Just as it’s easier for an upper-middle class college student to opt for a prestigious internship because they’re not relying on being paid, trading time without being adequately compensated is not a bargain many women are willing to make.

In Colorado, the average salary for a state legislator is 40-41K. 

Given all of these reasons, structural realities and self-talk — there is no one culprit to explain why women don’t run for office in the same numbers as men.

But they should.

At the most recent Emerge Trailblazers event, Board Member Summer Nettles said, “Running for office isn’t a privilege, it’s your right.”

Author Susan Gale once wrote, “All good things are worth waiting for and worth fighting for.”

The wait is over. Let the fight begin.

The post Bridging the “Ambition Gap”: Emerge Colorado tackles inner voices and external critics of womxn running for office appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

Nury Martinez

• On Oct. 18th, President Joe Biden made a pledge to Congress promising that, if Democrats can hold on to their majority, the first bills he will sign into law in 2023 will protect abortion rights. 
• On October 6th, President Biden pardoned all people federally convicted on marijuana charges. He also announced an investigation into the drug’s federal classification. 
• On October 13th, it was reported that the January 6th panel plans to subpoena former President Trump in regards to his actions during the Capitol riot. 
• Angela Lansbury, star of the beloved mystery show Murder, She Wrote, passed away on October 11th at the age of 96.
• Nury Martinez, the Los Angeles city council president, was called on by President Biden to resign after audio of her making racist remarks was leaked. 
• Uvalde, Texas suspended its entire police force on October 7th amid protest of its response to the May 24th mass shooting. 
• The approved $1 million from Denver’s American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) has begun to be distributed. The ARPA will distribute the money in 3 stages to around 4,000 individuals experiencing food insecurity as a result of inflation and the COVID pandemic. 
• FEMA has awarded $3.4 million dollars to the state of Colorado to support Marshall Fire Recovery efforts. 
• CU Boulder has expanded its parental leave policy with benefits to employees kicking in immediately.
• A Longmont man named Sammy Valdez that has been suspected in connection with a Lafayette fentanyl overdose has begun his trial. 
• On Thursday October 6th, Yellow Scene was the first publication to report on the disappearance of Chloe Campbell. Previously listed by police as a runaway, Boulder Police Department was flooded by calls the following day which ultimately caused them to escalate the case on Saturday, October 8th, and formally investigate it. This resulted in Campbell being found and returned to her family on October 10th. 
• On October 18th, an amber alert was put out for A’myah Gordon, a 10-month old from Aurora. She was last seen in the 14900 block of East Alameda Parkway in Aurora.
• Denver’s So Many Roads, a Grateful Dead-themed bar, has been ordered to close for the month of November in response to reports of employees dealing cocaine and other substances.

Small Talk

“Yeah, we’re back. That was checking off boxes. That was me two years ago, which is obviously I’m still me, but that was the mentality I was in. I’m back. Everybody knows I’m going to go get this bucket, and everybody has the belief that I’m going to go get this bucket.”

– Jamal Murray on his return to the Nuggets after receiving knee surgery.

“It’s moved from spur of the moment, ad hoc, to an organized, well-funded, premeditated effort to make charges of election fraud.”

– Larry Jacobs, a professor of political history, elections and voting behavior at the University of Minnesota, in regards to election deniers reportedly increasing efforts to sabotage upcoming elections. 

“We know that the last few years have been challenging. Some of the toughest years in our history. But we’ve never kept our eye off of keeping Colorado moving forward.”

– Governor Jared Polis during his contentious debate with opponent Heidi Ganahl. 

“About eight or nine years ago, KeHE said that we want to be more closely connected to the natural foods community and the epicenter of the natural foods industry.”

– Organic food company KeHE Distributions, LLC executive director of brands Ben Friedland in regards to doubling down on making Boulder its home with the opening of a new innovation center on 14th and Canyon.

“It can give exposure to the beauty and unique characteristics of Boulder to a broad audience. We want to continue to attract attention from the movie business.”

– President and CEO of Boulder Chamber of Commerce John Tayer in regards to a film titled “Elevation” starring Anthony Mackie and Morena Baccarin filming scenes in Boulder

By The Numbers

The post Month in Review | October 2022 appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

Editor’s Note: Press Releases are provided to Yellow Scene. In an effort to keep our community informed, we publish some press releases in whole.

Join Motus Theater for a special JustUs performance, Stories from Boundless Truth: Women’s Stories of Freedom and Incarceration – Saturday, October 22nd, at 7:00 pm at The Arts HUB in Lafayette. Click here for tickets.

In today’s newsletter, we feature the three Black women leaders who will present their stories about their experiences of racism and injustice perpetrated by the criminal legal system.

Brenda Cisse is the Founder and Executive Director of Mary Magdalene Refuge Center for Women. She uses her own experiences of re-entry, childhood sex trauma, human trafficking/sex industry, and drug addiction of 25+ years to support women with these experiences. In her Boundless Truth monologue, Brenda asks important questions about accountability: Whose crimes count and whose do not? Whose lives count as being important and whose do not? What kind of costs and expenses are counted as legitimate? And when will the Department of Corrections take accountability for its own crimes?

Terri House has dedicated her life and career to helping others overcome barriers and expand their access through education, advocacy, and engagement. With an MA in Nonprofit Management, she currently serves as the Wrap Around Service Director with Launch Network. In her Boundless Truth monologue, Terri recounts the experience of going through a job interview knowing that the background check would reveal her criminal record. How far back should she go to help HR understand her personal history? The 13th Amendment, or earlier?

Cynthia Randall is an extraordinary family advocate, a champion for social justice, and a community connector with over 19 years of experience in restorative justice facilitation, human services, and program development. Cynthia’s Boundless Truth monologue, about being denied making a phone call from jail to protect a child, is a call for greater humanity in the criminal legal system, and a reflection on the mental health challenges facing not only inmates but also officers of the law.

Stay tuned for next week, when we will feature Spirit of Grace, the a cappella duo who will lend their powerful voices to this performance with healing musical responses.

See you soon!
The Motus Theater Team

[REGISTER FOR THIS EVENT]

The post “Stories from Boundless Truth”: Meet the monologists! appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

Editor’s Note: Press Releases are provided to Yellow Scene. In an effort to keep our community informed, we publish some press releases in whole.

Erie, CO: The Fowler Group at Coldwell Banker Realty is proud to share the news that they will be the Presenting Sponsor of Erie’s first Mom HoCo, on October 13th, 2022.

About MomProm & Mom HoCo:
Erie’s “Mom Prom” is an annual fundraising event that brings women together to give back to the local community. The idea formed in 2018 when co-planners Jenna Bullard and Megan Humbrecht gathered friends to bowl in their wedding dresses.

As active members in the Erie Elementary PTCO, they wanted to advance the “C” portion, which stands for community. Mom Prom launched as a community-wide event with the support of Brie Fowler and Kim Clancy as sponsors and a great team of volunteers.

88 women attended the first Mom Prom, which exceeded all expectations and raised over $3,300! 100% of the proceeds went to three local non-profit organizations that benefit our schools and community: Optimist Club of Erie, Erie Uplink, and the Erie Community Food Bank.

Tickets for the second event in 2022 sold out in 12 hours. 125 women attended wearing sequins and fringe to fit the Roaring Twenties theme. The event raised over $5,500 for beloved Erie Elementary School teacher Ami Larson.

Jenna and Megan have since established a non-profit called Erie Gives Back, which hosts and promotes fundraising events in Erie. The goal remains the same: To bring the community together and give back at the same time.

The duo decided to expand the annual event to include other fundraising opportunities. Erie Gives Back will host the first annual Mom Homecoming event on October 13, 2022. The theme is Grease Ligntning! Women (not just moms!) will enjoy great music, drinks, and small bites while dressed for the 1950s. All proceeds from this event will benefit the local non-profit, Erie Uplink.

Order your tickets at https://www.mompromerie.com/tickets. Tickets are limited, so order today. We hope to see you at Mom HoCo and eagerly look forward to Mom Prom 2023!

The post 1st Annual Mom HoCo (Homecoming) in Erie: Erie Gives Back appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

By Alison Berg, Rocky Mountain PBS (via AP Storyshare)

Photo credit: Alexander Grey via Unsplash

DENVER — Sev Armstrong felt lost when he received a positive pregnancy test and desperately needed help.

The post Not just a women’s issue: transgender men speak out about abortion and health care experiences appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

Editor’s Note: Press Releases are provided to Yellow Scene. In an effort to keep our community informed, we publish some press releases in whole.

Boulder’s only sexual violence resource center celebrates its 50-year anniversary during annual fundraising event.

BOULDER, Colo. (August 10, 2022) — Moving to End Sexual Assault (MESA) presents the fundraiser Brave Bold & Beautiful on Thursday, October 20th at 5:30 pm. The 14th annual Brave Bold & Beautiful is MESA’s premier fundraising event to celebrate and honor the journey of survivors and the efforts to end sexual violence. The event will take place at Nissi’s entertainment and event center in Lafayette, Colorado.

This year, MESA is also commemorating its 50th anniversary as the only sexual violence resource center serving Boulder County, Colorado.

“We have accomplished so much in 50 years and there is still more good we can do as the need for community support is greater than ever,” said MESA’s Director, Dr. Janine D’Anniballe. “Brave Bold & Beautiful is an opportunity to support MESA and ensure that we continue serving survivors and teaching the community about consent and healthy relationships.”

The evening’s activities will feature award-winning poet, author, screenwriter and performer Dominique Christina, a silent auction that includes fine art by Jordan Wolfson, Scott Lancashire, Laurent Tschumy and Karen Smith, as well as passes for local venues, gift cards from community retailers, tickets to performances, and more. There is also a can’t-miss wine pull that includes mystery bottles of many wine varieties.

In addition, performances by local actors will embody what it means to be brave, bold, and beautiful, followed by the reading of love letters survivors have written to themselves. Music for the evening will feature inspired harpist Alex Bernat and a Colorado favorite, Rebecca Folsom Band.

To purchase tickets for this in-person event, visit: bit.ly/MESABBB

About MESA

MESA is a not-for-profit program of Mental Health Partners violence resource center for Boulder County since 1972. and has served as the sexual MESA provides support and services to all survivors of sexual violence through a 24 and specialized support groups. All-hour hotline, in-person support, victim advocacy, of MESA’s client services are offered in Spanish and English.

The post Moving to End Sexual Assault Presents an Evening to Honor Survivors of Sexual Violence appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

September ceremony will honor awardees’ contributions to the community

BOULDER, Colo. – The Boulder Chamber is pleased to announce the honorees for its 27th Annual Women Who Light the Community Awards. This event honors five extraordinary women and a young community leader who have made significant and innovative contributions to our community by addressing meaningful business, nonprofit, education, arts, and community needs. Each honoree was nominated by people within the community who admire their skills and have witnessed their dedication and hard work. In the Emerging Youth category, the honoree will receive a $1,500 grant from Alpine Bank.

The 2022 Women Who Light the Community honorees are:

Allison Billings, Executive Director, Impact on Education

• Allison has evolved the work of IOE, building their reputation as an agile and resourceful organization making significant and lasting contributions to equity in
Boulder Valley schools.
• She worked tirelessly during the pandemic with her team to ensure students and their families had internet access, healthy meals on the table, emergency childcare, and later, focused on funding supplemental instruction to help students catch up.
• She has helped meet the critical needs of more than 1,000 students displaced by the Marshall Fire and raised more than $1.6 million through the Critical Needs Fund.

Bhavna Chhabra, Senior Director of Software Engineering, Google

• Bhavna has become an executive sponsor for Women@Google Boulder, a network committed to empowering all women at Google by connecting, developing, and
retaining female talent, and through the YWCA Boulder County’s STEM E3 program, which creates opportunities for girls of color to explore science and technology.
• Bhava is also invested in community through the Google.org Fellowship helping underserved Boulder neighborhoods and residents gain easier access to city services and programs online, including recreation center discounts, scholarships, affordable housing, and other assistance.
• She also is dedicated to healthy and inclusive workspaces by enacting a Friday all-hands meeting every week at Google, expanding pedestrian and bike-friendly commuting, and initiating powerful conversations about the future of technology.

Diana Garcia, Emerging Youth award winner, Skyline High School

• Diana has been featured as the student of the month this past Spring and was the speaker for the FRCC Graduation as a high school student who received her Associates in CIS.
• Diana organized and led the Latino Family Night at the Innovation Center in February and was the Business Operations Lead for the IC Studio Team and Entrepreneurial Team.
• She was the lead for a Cafecito at the Innovation Center and Diana is and has been a mentor to younger girls within Skyline high school and the P-TECH program.
• She has helped and lead a team to evaluate the Latino Chamber website, worked the Latino Chamber booth at the Cinco De Mayo festival, has coordinated translations to help parents for her school, and works outside in the community creating solutions for others.

Deborah Malden, Co-Founder, Create Boulder

• Deborah has been involved in the Boulder community for more than 20 years and has helped uplift the culture of the area through activism, volunteering and founding Create Boulder to advocate for funding of local arts initiatives.
• Deborah served as Boulder’s representative on the funding committee for the Denver Foundation and Bonfils-Stanton Covid-19 Arts & Culture Relief Fund, resulting in over $288,000 in Covid-19 relief funding to Boulder-based non-profits. In total, her efforts with Create Boulder resulted in over $500,000 of funding to Boulder’s arts and cultural non-profits, in their time of greatest need.
• She is an advocate for accessible dance education through the 3rd Law dance studio where she has created programs for people living with chronic illnesses who want to enjoy movement and the benefits of the arts. This includes the creation of online programs, bilingual courses, and sustainable methodologies.

Adriana Paola Palacios, Founder, Luna Cultura

• Anna’s bilingual/bicultural company, Luna Cultura: Art, Science and Culture for Thriving Communities, LLC is dedicated to reducing the gaps in art, science and
maker education caused by gender, class, race, age or sexuality.
• She is a trusted facilitator and teacher for the City of Boulder where she reduces gaps and advances equity in many important ways as a Community-Connector-in-
Residence for local government and its staff.
• She was instrumental in creating BLDG 61, a free community workshop housed at the Boulder Public Library dedicated to hands-on learning and the cultivation of purposeful experiences through making that provides support and connection in English and Spanish.

Nancy Whiteman, CEO & Co-Founder, Wana Brands

• Nancy has been the guiding force in the development of Wana Brands’ Corporate Social Responsibility program, with the mission to “Enhance Your World.” The mission guides its corporate culture and practices for employees, customers, and partners.
• Nancy has spearheaded the development of Wana Brands’ CannabisForJustice.com, designed as a resource for cannabis businesses seeking ways to address bias and develop more inclusive practices.
• Nancy spearheaded the company’s annual #4ward20 campaign to give more than $140,000 to critical organizations around the United States that bring healthy, nourishing food to those in need.

This year’s awards ceremony, co-presented by Premier Members Credit Union and Corden Pharma will be presented on September 29 at Lionsgate Event Center in Lafayette. This event features a pre-networking reception, followed by the presentation of awards and a celebration of the accomplishments of our honorees during dinner. Tickets are available at https://bit.ly/WWLTC2022.

About the Boulder Chamber

The nonprofit Boulder Chamber is the region’s flagship business advocacy and support organization. With more than 110 years of dedicated service to our members and the Boulder community, the Boulder Chamber’s innovative programs help local businesses succeed while sustaining an economy that preserves Boulder’s high quality of life, including its environmental and cultural assets. Together with its member businesses, the Boulder Chamber is building a smarter, more vibrant economy – sustaining Boulder’s position as a global capital of innovation and a thriving center of economic vitality. For more information, visit www.boulderchamber.com.

The post Boulder Chamber Announces 2022 Women Who Light the Community Honorees appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

This month: Five vetted abortion access funds you can donate to:

Cobalt Abortion Fund: www.cobaltadvocates.org

Boulder Valley Women’s Health Fund: www.boulderwomenshealth.org

Indigenous Women Rising: www.iwrising.org

The Brigid Alliance: www.brigidalliance.org

Women’s Reproductive Rights Assistance Project: www.wrrap.org

The post French’s 5 | July 2022 appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

Fievel, MESA’s Facility Dog, all dressed up for the 50th Anniversary

Fievel the Facility Dog is leading the celebration for Moving to End Sexual Assault’s (MESA) 50th year serving Boulder County as the sexual violence resource center.

For half a century, MESA’s volunteers and staff have worked with community partners to support survivors by providing information about the criminal justice process and medical care. We provide prevention education, counseling referrals, a 24-hour hotline, a text line, trauma-informed yoga, and support groups.

We have accomplished so much together in 50 years and there is still more good we can do. Read on for two ways you can connect with us and support MESA’s mission.

Calling all Former Volunteers and Staff

If you have worked or volunteered for MESA anytime in the last 50 years, we want to connect with you. No matter how long you were on our team, your efforts made a difference and we want to recognize your contributions.

We hope you will join us on August 24th on Zoom as we reconnect virtually and hear about MESA’s vision for the next 50 years.

SAVE THE DATE: Brave Bold & Beautiful (Live Event)

Brave, Bold & Beautiful is MESA’s premier annual fundraising event to celebrate and honor the journey of survivors and the efforts to end sexual violence. This special evening will celebrate our 50th anniversary and continuing legacy of MESA.

Join us on October 20th at Nissi’s in Lafayette for an inspired program of performances, hors d’oeuvres, silent auction, wine wall, and the Rebecca Folsom band. Bring your friends and family to show your support.

“Brave, Bold & Beautiful is an opportunity to support MESA and ensure that we continue serving survivors and teaching the community about consent and healthy relationships. Plus, Fievel would love to meet you.” – Dr. Janine D’Anniballe; MESA Director

Not able to attend? Please consider making a donation today instead.

The post Happy 50th Anniversary to MESA! appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

“Raise your hand if you have ever wanted to play soccer during recess but didn’t feel welcome to join?” I ask the third grade Brownie troop who I am working with on their Fair Play badge.

Out of the 10 girls, eight raise their hands.

“Is it because girls can’t play soccer very well?”

“NO!” they all shout in unison.

A little girl next to me half whispers, “But some of the boys make us feel that way. Or tell us that we don’t play as well, or they don’t want us.” I repeat what she said to the group, and they all nod solemnly.

“Is that fair?” I inquire.

“No!” they shout again. Many don’t look up. Some pick at the grass.

This is, unfortunately, a common discussion I have with the girls I work with through my program, Game On! Sports 4 Girls – Boulder and why programs like Game On! continue to be crucial, even as we see sports participation grow among girls. These eight- and nine-year-olds recognize on the playground that something is not quite right, and it’s nothing to shrug off. Research shows that by 14, girls are dropping out of sports at twice the rate of boys, which is an alarming statistic. Why does this matter in the grand scheme of things?

Laughing girls playing flag rugby. Photo: Game On! Sports 4 Girls Boulder

We know that what kids learn from sports goes beyond just how to dribble a basketball or throw a ball. Sports teach resilience, accountability, teamwork, how to take risks, sportsmanship, how to learn from mistakes, and leadership.

The Korn Ferry Institute found that 95% of CEOs from Fortune 500 companies played sports. Out of the 6% of those CEOs who were women, 90% played sports, 54% at the collegiate level. Leadership skills are a huge benefit of playing sports, even at a recreational level. If we are looking to our daughters to become future leaders, sports can play a big part in setting that stage for them.

So what is happening to our girls? Why are they dropping out of sports at twice the rate as boys? According to research from the Women’s Sports Foundation, key factors include income, transportation, parent attitudes around women’s sports, gender stereotypes, body image, and lack of access.

I’m going to focus on a few of those in detail based on my work with young girls in sports and how we as a community can work to change that statistic.

Girls playing lacrosse. Photo: Game On! Sports 4 Girls Boulder

The Introduction Gap

I’ll start here because this runs deep and, regardless of how far we seem to come in terms of sports equity, stubbornly remains in our society (yes, even here in progressive Boulder County). An ongoing perception that girls who like sports are “tomboys” and that interest in creative pursuits, fairies, tutus, and sparkles exclude interest in sports remains. This results sometimes in a delayed introduction to sports — or no introduction at all. Let’s look at a couple of scenarios:

Baby A, female, is welcomed into the world with much anticipation. She’s outfitted in shades of pink, purple…or maybe more gender-neutral yellow and green. Baby A is given many toys, including balls to kick around the yard. As she nears her preschool years, her parents glance at the local recreation center’s offerings for sports and decide to put her in soccer. She hates soccer. After a difficult season of forcing her to participate, her parents decide she does not like team sports and do not sign her up to try anything else. Her parents take her to a football or baseball game on occasion, but she’s uninterested. She gets curious about sports by fourth or fifth grade but feels behind in her skills and by middle school, it doesn’t seem worth it. She drops team sports to pursue other interests.

Baby B, male, is welcomed into the world with much anticipation. He’s outfitted in shades of blue and green. Baby B is dressed in an adorable baby jersey and posed with a football for his 6-month pictures. He is given many toys, most of them focusing on being active. As he nears preschool, his parents enroll him in little kid soccer. He doesn’t care for soccer, so his parents try t-ball and tiny tykes basketball. His parents take him to football and baseball games, where he finds role models that he wants to be like. By elementary school, he is playing flag football, baseball, and basketball. By middle school, he is excelling at sports and is prepared to carry on through high school.

While this seems like an extreme comparison, it really isn’t. The average age that boys start sports is a full year before girls, but the messaging around sports starts much, much younger. There is still a prevalent belief that boys are just better at sports than girls, so some families don’t choose to introduce sports at all, rather they wait until their daughters show interest. Whereas with boys, they are more likely to try many different sports to see what “sticks.” Without continued exposure or knowledge of games or gendered stereotypes of what kind of girl can be an athlete, how can girls feel confident to pursue sports?

It’s not just the introduction of sports through their own play. When Baby A is taken to football and baseball games, she does not see herself represented. The idea of “if they see it, they can be it” is an important factor in girls’ sports participation. We know that women’s sports are not held in the same regard as men’s sports, even with the incredible strides over the decades. I hear all the time that “women’s sports are just not as much fun to watch.” Well, with just 5% of media coverage devoted to women’s sports, it’s hard to create interest and hype around it. Without showing girls and boys women’s collegiate and professional sports, how can we expect girls to see the value in sports and boys to value girls in sports as they grow?

Girl playing field hockey. Photo: Game On! Sports 4 Girls Boulder

The “P” Words

According to Katty Kay and Claire Shipman, authors of The Confidence Code for Girls, girls’ confidence plummets 30% between the ages of eight and 14. Puberty is clearly a large part of this equation. Their bodies are growing in different ways, often becoming less flexible and heavier as their bones grow denser, which can make fitness and athletics feel more challenging. Some shoot up, with long legs that feel strange and awkward. Some put on weight, some lose weight. They grow breasts. Their bodies can feel completely foreign to them.

For boys, getting bigger, taller, and heavier is considered a good thing. However, since we create value around being thin, light, and small for girls at a super young age, it can feel like something is wrong with them when their bodies change from that “ideal.” An athletic or larger build is considered bad, not something to be proud of.

Also — periods. Yep, we’re going to go there. Periods are normal, and our daughters will have them. In terms of athletics, the embarrassment of periods and fear of accidents are too much for some girls. On top of that is the fact that sports play and fitness are different on our bodies in the days leading up to our periods. We are more prone to injury and for many, are saddled with uncomfortable (and sometimes very painful) cramps, migraines, fatigue, etc. If we aren’t addressing periods in our girls’ athletics, how do we expect them to want to continue participating?

The Problems with Elite Youth Athletics

This one can be said for youth sports in general, but it most certainly contributes to the dropout rate of girls.

Over the past few decades, we have seen a trickle-down effect in terms of intensity in sports. What we see at a collegiate level of play is what we used to expect in professional sports. This means that middle school athletics are now far more competitive as well. That competitiveness creates the idea that kids need to specialize in a single sport year-round at increasingly younger ages in order to become elite athletes, which leads to overuse injuries and burnout.

In a 2021 UCLA Health article, Injuries among youth athletes are on the rise – but why? by Cheryl Champion, Kristofer Jones, MD, explores this topic, stating, “Now, we have the studies to show that the chance of serious musculoskeletal injury from repetitive microtrauma is increased at a time when, due to normal adolescent growth, the body may be particularly vulnerable (due to sports specialization). The literature shows a clear correlation between training volume and intensity and injury risk.”

For all youth, participation in multiple sports is healthier for growing bodies. For girls, participation in two or more sports has many additional benefits beyond the physical. According to the Women’s Sports Foundation’s Teen Sport in America, Part II: Her Participation Matters Report, published in 2021:

Across all areas of teen girls’ health, academic achievement, and psychological well-being, we found that girls who participated in more than one sport benefited more from their participation than those who focused on a single sport. In some instances, including consumption of soft drinks, marijuana use, self-perception of intelligence, cutting class, self-efficacy, and fatalism, sports participation was linked to more positive outcomes only among girls who participate in at least two sports. Participation in multiple sports is believed to expose youth to a fuller range of experiences, reinforce important skills for positive development and to offer youth greater opportunities to contribute and build supportive relationships with a variety of positive adults and peers.

The focus on elite youth athletics also takes away the ability for kids to play sports just for fun. While recreational sports opportunities are still widely available for K-5th grade, those opportunities become far fewer as kids get into middle school and are practically non-existent by high school. Girls who were introduced to sports at a later age can often feel intimidated by starting sports in middle school and have a more difficult time connecting to sports. Gone are the days of being able to participate in any sport throughout high school, even if you were just so-so.

Girl with rugby ball. Photo: Game On! Sports 4 Girls Boulder

Keeping Girls in the Game

So what can we, as a community, do to support keeping girls in sports?

Introduce sports to your girls early and often. Take them out back to throw a ball around, teach them how to dribble a basketball. There are so many sports out there — don’t give up if there are some they don’t connect with.

Support girls and women’s sports. Take your kids (your daughters and sons) to women’s games. While we have few opportunities to see professional women’s sports in the Denver Metro area, we have some fantastic women’s high school and collegiate teams. Find their schedules, go to their games. Turn the TV on to watch women’s professional basketball or soccer.

Normalize the changes girls experience with their bodies during puberty. Create safe spaces for them that remove the stigma of periods and support them in continuing their athletics while navigating the changes in their bodies. Celebrate their strong bodies and what they can do.

Push back against the idea of year-round, single-sport athletics for our youth. Give them opportunities to take a break and try multiple sports.

Create more affordable and accessible recreational sports opportunities through high school for all kids. Allow them to play sports for the fun of playing sports, even if they aren’t the best or don’t show promise to become elite.

It’s a big ask. These changes require major shifts to many people’s beliefs surrounding girls and women in sports, and youth sports, in general. It requires us to take a long look at our communities, opportunities, and privilege.

The payoff is nurturing girls (and really, all kids) who are more confident, strong, and ready to lead, as well as sports that are more equitable and accessible for all.

The post Where My Girls At? Exploring Why Girls Drop Out of Sports and What We Can Do to Keep Them in the Game appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

Walking into the Malt Room at Left Hand Brewery feels like a rite of passage into the beer connoisseur world. A secret clubhouse for ale aficionados where wooden walls (featuring mounted barrel ends) and dimmed lighting enclose the cozy hideout. On the night of Ales 4 Females, add to this image long bar-height tables with white linens, and a collection of boisterous beer lovers who just happen to be women.

Twice a month since 2008, Left Hand’s female beer club has assembled to learn from industry guest speakers and collectively develop their palates and beer IQ.

The night of my visit, Bubba Love is said guest speaker, the brewery’s Boulder ambassador who bursts into the room boasting an English schoolboy costume and an accent to match. (This will make more sense later.) At his side is the sombrero-wearing Joe Schiraldi (I should mention it’s Cinco de Mayo), the vice president of brewing operations for the company. Right away the energy changes and it’s clear this will be an interactive night. Together, Bubba and Joe lead a presentation about the differences between cask, draft and Nitro beers.

To start off the night, Bubba gives a toast (his accent has quickly faded into a blend of Cockney and Southern American) in the form of a poem. Amusing and surprisingly consistent in rhyme scheme, he ends with the declaration that everyone “is here to relish, enjoy and learn the historical significance of the Sawtooth Ale,” cuing a lesson to follow that is packed with far more information and insight than I’d expected.

In front of us all sit three testers full of the Sawtooth cask, draft (CO2) and Nitro, to be paired with plates of Arancini (mozzarella stuffed rice balls) and walnut carrot cake. The catch with these included treats, is that they’re meant to be enjoyed slowly, deliberately, allowing each of the beers to accent different qualities of the various flavors and layers in everything.

This sounds impressive in theory, but as someone who doesn’t generally think much about which beer I have with what food, I’m wary of how successful it will be in practice. I’m proven wrong, of course. One bite and sip at a time, I come to find that I actually prefer certain combinations to others. The draft and cask both go really well with the Arancini, but don’t do much for the cake. On the other hand, the Nitro doesn’t taste too great on its own or with the rice balls, but does complement the dessert. Others at my table find the opposite to be true, or even that none of the beers taste well with any of the food; all opinions going to show that as Bubba tells us: “no one tells you what your palate enjoys but you.”

What helps us all realize the differences and our own preferences is the simultaneous lesson we’re being given on each of the beers. With drinks in hand, Bubba and Joe explain the origin of Nitro beers (Guinness was first to use nitrogen and carbon dioxide), how casks differ between the U.S. and the U.K. (the Brits keep them warmer at 55 degrees Fahrenheit), and finally, how Left Hand derives their Sawtooth variations.

Without question, the highlight of the meeting is the slide show that winds down the night. Having recently returned from a brewery trip to England (now the schoolboy outfit makes sense), Bubba and Joe take us through photos of the highlights—lots of sheep and country pubs—sharing anecdotes along the way. Keeping with theme, the two men serenade us out to the Irish drinking song “No Nay Never,” with each verse growing exponentially rowdier; a fitting way to end a night that has no interest in being very serious.

Aside from a few women trying to conjure up a feminist vibe (so no ladies chose to go on the England trip, big deal), it is definitely not what Ales 4 Females is about. Though a great excuse for a girls’ night, anyone is welcome to the event which focuses on educating people about the various facets of beer, and building community along the way—aims that aren’t gender exclusive by any means.

Ales 4 Females meets the first and third Monday of every month at 6:30 pm at Left Hand’s tasting room, 1265 Boston Ave., Longmont, 303.772.0258, lefthandbrewing.

The post Ales 4 Females appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

Brunch at Lucille’s, a family bike ride by Waneka Lake, or a bottle of Chanel No. 5 from the mall; these standard Mother’s Day gifts may work for most women, but the Yellow Scene Mama needs more. Start thinking outside the pink, beribboned box with these modern Mother’s Day gifts and activities.

THE SPEAKEASY, LONGMONT

Trade in Brunch for Burlesque this year and take the mother of your children out for a night of vaudeville fun at a secretive lounge like The Speakeasy. Never heard of The Speakeasy? Just whisper the word at the front door and treat Mom to a risque night out at this downstairs lounge in Longmont. It looks non-descript from the outside all tidy brick and mortar, without even a sign on the front door, but it’s all that jazz on the inside. With three rooms to choose from, Mom can decide if she wants to dance at little, shoot a bit of pool, or snuggle up to her favorite date in the corner. Rawr!

Mother’s Day weekend’s extra naughty with Vaudeville 3000 on Friday, May 9th. It’s a night of cocktails, comedy, and classic burlesque starring Colorado’s own Lucy Britches. She’s gorgeous. Tickets are only $10 for the 7 p.m. and 10 p.m. shows so you’d better grab your tickets fast before everyone finds out. Call or stop by (720-684-4728). The best way to find out about what’s what is to check out their Facebook page under The-Speakeasy.

Friday night is Vinyl Vixens Burlesque Tribute to the Heroines of Rock ‘n’ Roll ($25 general admission, $35 for VIP tix which includes a tiara or fedora and preferred seating) followed by Midnite Martini’s Sexy Circus Sideshow. Every Saturday night in May features Pure Piaf, highlighting the life and songs by one of the most romantic chanteuses of all time – Edith Piaf ($30).

JAX MERCANTILE, LAFAYETTE

Take a step away from the breakfast tray and supermarket flowers. Now another. Now head on down to Jax and get the outdoorsy Mom something she really wants like a teensy, weensy Lodge Manufacturing Seasoned Skillet ($8.95), a floppy summer hat, a Russian military hat, a gas mask (price varies), or even a semi-automatic pellet gun ($89.95).

“We have something for every Mom no matter what your interests,” says Manager and mother of two Ronda Cooper.

Take that Osprey backpack for example ($99-300) or Keen hiking boots ($135). Not only will the folks at Jax show your mom all the latest camping gear and athletic shoes, they will custom fit all of it so she’ll be ready to run or climb right away. No more shoulders rubbed raw from straps not fitting or blisters from those weird five toed running shoes ($55-90).

“We pride ourselves on customer service and our experts,” says assistant store manager and mom of five Melanie Wilson. “Jax’s slogan is grown up and still having fun.” And by “fun” Melanie means running a race on Mother’s Day.

($30 – 100). Leave that fancy Le Creuset at home.

The post Mother’s Day Alternative Gift Guide appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

Silverton resident Helen “Cokie” Berenyi had the benefit of her brothers’ wisdom to guide her as she grew into adulthood in the American South. From taking her on hunting trips to keeping questionable suitors at bay, they taught her to be a strong, independent woman. As she got older, she embarked on her own trips into the world, most significantly, into the mountains where her passion for climbing solidified her confidence and self-reliance.

Later, as she faced the challenge of bringing up daughters of her own, she felt daunted by safe-guarding them against the dangers of growing up in today’s society. She thought about how climbing had helped instill her own confidence and how she wanted her girls to learn that same ability. From this, the concept of She CLIMBS (Center for Leadership in Mind, Body, and Spirit) was born.

On January 10, 2014 the dream of empowering young women became a reality for Berenyi as her daughter, Helen Simons “H.S.” Berenyi became the youngest female American to summit Mount Kilimanjaro, just days before her tenth birthday.

Cokie, what is it about climbing that instills such confidence in you personally?
It’s an all or nothing sense of accomplishment. When everything is stripped away, down to the most basic of needs, it becomes just a mental and physical challenge. And there is also the idea that no matter how bad the day before has gone, by six a.m. the next morning, it’s a new day. It’s a whole new beautiful opportunity. It’s a chance to experience reaching your limits, and then the next time you face them, you know you can meet the challenge. People need that.

Helen, what did you think when your mom told you that you would be going to Africa to climb Kili for your birthday?
It was like a dream. I had always heard stories about my sisters going to Africa with my dad, and I’ve always wanted to go.

Were you afraid?
I was about fifty percent scared and fifty percent confident. And my mom had already climbed Kilimanjaro before, so she knew it was safe.

Is that why you chose that climb, Cokie?
Yes. I had people asking me, “What are you doing?” when they heard we were going. But I knew it was required to have porters when climbing that mountain, so we wouldn’t have to worry about carrying packs. I knew it was a safe mountain, and we took time for the girls to acclimate before we went for the summit. We’d climb part way, then go back down to camp. We did that for two days before a summit bid. I always had it in mind that even if we summited, the girls needed to be strong enough to descend.

The post Kilimanjaro Kid appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

The holidays often inspire generosity. It’s part of the spirit of season…and all that junk. We feel like it’s a good time to do what you can to make the festivities wonderful for even the least fortunate. Here are a handful of ways to help those in need this season.

Sister Carmen

The Louisville and Lafayette chambers have once again challenged each other to a donations duel: The organization that collects the most food for Sister Carmen Community Center Food Bank wins. Though, the real winners are the low income locals who rely on Sister Carmen. Take donations to the chambers or drop them off at Sister Carmen (655 Aspen Ridge Dr., Lafayette…green door to the right of the loading docks), and let the staffer know which chamber you are donating on behalf of.

OUR Center

Volunteers are a vital resource for Longmont’s OUR Center, and some of its more than 1,000 volunteers have worked at the organization for more than 25 years. The OUR Center offers basic needs services including daily hot meals, a food pantry, clothing bank, homelessness prevention services, emergency services such as rent and utility vouchers, a homeless day center and more. Anyone interested in volunteering can contact, Maggie Shearon at 303.772.5529 ext. 235 or
maggie@ourcenter.org.

A Woman’s Work

More than 80 percent of the funds that support Boulder County’s A Woman’s Work come from individuals. That means the organization—which provides local women who are in need of financial support with child care, housing, transportation, medical needs and more—heavily relies on the generosity of donors. awomanswork.org

World AIDS Day

World AIDS Day is one day a year to remember those we’ve lost to the virus and to raise awareness about preventing the spread of HIV/AIDS. Boulder County AIDS Project will once again host a World AIDS Day concert with the Denver Gay Men’s Chorus Dec. 1.

Holiday Bike Giveaway

On Dec. 18, Community Cycles hosts its annual Kid’s Holiday Bike Giveaway, which gives donated bikes to local needy families. And there are multiple ways your can help: You can donate money to pay for repairs on the bikes, you can sponsor the helmets, you can volunteer to help make repairs to the bikes. Or, there’s still time now to donate a bike! CommunityCycles.org

The post Gifts that Keep Giving appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

Comfort and steeze are what riding a bike should be about. The idea that riding a bicycle requires being hunched over at the waist so you have to crane your neck to see where you’re going and placing much of your weight on your hands and shoulders is crazy.

For the small minority who are competitive racers (either on mountain or road bikes), the tuck position may be just fine. But for most of the rest of us, getting on a bicycle shouldn’t mean being uncomfortable.

Also, we aren’t going to warn you about buying bikes from discount department stores: Just don’t do it. Having your bike assembled by someone who just builds bikes and knows all about them is invaluable. Your local, independent bike store will have many to choose from and can help you trick it out with cool accessories.

What follows are our Yellow Scene bicycle picks, from cheap to pricey. These are bikes you’ll actually enjoy and look good riding and they’re also functional. You don’t need a full suspension rig or have to balance your butt on a black leather potato chip. Grab a helmet and let’s go!

Under $100

Yes, they do exist (at Walmart, mostly), but you’ll spend at least twice that much fixing the cheap parts that break. Better to find something used on Craigslist for a hundred bucks.

Under $350

Now we’re talkin’! The Trek Cruiser Classic (for men and women) is just that: a basic one-speed with fat tires, comfy seat, coaster brake, sweeping handlebars and beefy steel frame. It comes in matte black, red and green/cream. These babies are just begging to be accessorized with baskets, bells, lights and mirrors. They’re comfortable to ride, virtually maintenance free and durable. But best of all, you get to ride upright so you can easily see traffic and avoid the pain in the neck. Check them out at Bicycle Village in Westminster.

Under $500

Moving up just a couple hundred bucks adds all sorts of goodies to the classic cruiser. The Electra Townie sports a suspension fork, hand brakes, posh seat, Shimano trigger shifters and a slightly recumbent riding position that lets you keep full leg extension and easily put your feet down when you’re at a stop. If hills are an issue, or you just can’t get enough top-end speed with a single speed cruiser, this is the ride for you. And women, they even have a dandy step-through model. Available at Derby Bicycles in Thornton.

Commuter (under $1,000)

If you’re serious about riding to work and are putting in more than 10 miles each way, the Novara Fusion is the bomb. It’s lightweight aluminum frame cuts the weight, hand brakes have a built-in bell, the front Alfine Dynamo hub powers the headlight (which is always on while moving) and can be switched to stare-at-the-sun bright for nighttime riding. Puncture resistant tires, disk brakes, kickstand and a rear rack ready for panniers or bags for carrying groceries or clothes. Check it out at REI.

Road (Sky’s the limit)

If you put serious miles on a bike and do laps on the Peak to Peak highway from your home in Broomfield to train for next year’s Iron Horse Bicycle Classic, you want a Specialized Roubaix Expert. The composit frame is feather light but responsive. The stock components are top of the line and the seat is a gel number to which you’ll never give a second thought. The forgiving 72-degree head angle and long chainstays help smooth out that rough chip-sealed road chatter. See this work of art at Louisville Cyclery.

The post Keep on Ridin’ appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.