🚫 Rights Org Calls to ‘Make Slack Safe’

If you’re in the Union Station area today, you might notice some hubbub. Rights organization Fight for the Future announced plans to protest with mobile billboards and digital signs outside Slack’s Denver office from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. The group is demanding that Slack, the tech company that specializes in digital communication, do a better job of protecting the data and privacy of its users. [FightForTheFuture.org]

🛬 Skip the Security Line at DIA

Beginning tomorrow, travelers headed to DIA can reserve their spot in the security line through a new program that aims to speed up the TSA process. Using the program is free, with no account or membership required. You can make your reservation up to three days in advance. [9News]

• ✈️ Related: Still have time to kill at DIA? Here are some of our hacks for surviving the airport. [City Cast Denver 🎧]

🏭 What’s Going to Happen to That Old Xcel Plant?

Residents of Sun Valley and La Alma Lincoln Park are circulating a petition to save a 120-year-old, defunct Xcel power plant in the middle of the neighborhood so it can be repurposed as a community hub. Residents began conversations with the city and the utility company about the future of the plant back in 2021. It’s been almost two years and residents say there has been no significant progress made. [Westword]

• 🔎 Dive deeper: As development continues to boom in Sun Valley, residents are grappling with what exactly they want for the future of the neighborhood. [City Cast Denver 🎧]

There’s waaay more on offer through the Denver Public Library system than just books. From DIY tools and tech support to migrant resources and fresh groceries for families facing food insecurity, you can find it all at your local DPL branch.

🛠️ Library of Things: More like the library of everything  — with a DPL card, you can check out Chromebooks, wifi hotspots, bicycle repair kits, state park passes, museum passes, cameras, sewing machines, and tools!

☎️ Phone-a-Story: Running out of bed time story ideas? Dial 720-865-8500 for a vast collection of stories, songs, and rhymes available 24/7 in English, Spanish, Vietnamese, and Amharic.

💼 Resources for Ex-Offenders: DPL provides services — like reemployment assistance and housing / transportation resources  — to help formerly incarcerated people make the transition back into the community.

🧶 Older Adult Services: DPL offers events, classes, and curated resources geared toward the community’s senior citizens.

🏛️ Museum and Cultural Passes: Borrow a pass to visit some of Denver’s most popular cultural institutions, like the Butterfly Pavilion, the Botanic Gardens, the Denver Trolley, the Denver Zoo, Dinosaur Ridge, a number of local art museums, and much more!

🥕 Snacks and Food Boxes: In partnership with Denver’s Department of Public Health & Environment, DPL distributes healthy snacks and grocery items to Denver households with youth 18 and younger.

🌎 Cultural Inclusivity Resources: Practice a different language, prepare for citizenship, or research immigration legal services through DPL events, classes, and programs.

But that’s not all — that’s just the tip of the resource iceberg at Denver’s public libraries. Check out DPL’s other services including home delivery, meeting spaces for use, services for people with disabilities, resources for students and educators, tech help, and more 👇

Hey loyal reader, what’s been on your mind lately? 🤔

💕 After featuring Lakewood in the neighborhood guide recently (twice, actually!), reader Karen P. wrote in to share a little more Lakewood love:

• Karen wanted to add Addenbrooke Park, Gourmet Meat and Sausage Shop, Garramone’s Italian Restaurant, Szechuan Chinese Restaurant, Full Moon Books, and Jensen’s Flower and Garden to the must-visit list.
  
  Karen says: “I love my little town of Lakewood. Quiet enough to relax but convenient enough to [get] everything you need from Denver, Wheat Ridge, Arvada, Golden, and quick access to the mountains.”

🦬 In response to my callout for Rocky Mountain oyster opinions, reader Randal C. says:

• “I get my Rocky Mountain oysters in Parker, Colorado, at Tailgate Tavern & Grill on Mainstreet. The best to be had.”

🌮 On this recent episode of the City Cast Denver podcast, we wondered just how much Casa Bonita coverage is too much. Listener Tim B. wrote in to ease our worries (plus, share a recommendation!):

• “There is no such thing as too much Casa Bonita. You could talk about nothing else, and I’d be happy! On that note, have you been to the Next Gallery in the Casa Bonita parking lot? It has a Casa Bonita exhibit by local artists that is epic.”

🎶 Great Hall Live Music | Wednesday | 5-7 p.m.

Support Denver’s young musical artists at weekly live music performances hosted inside the Great Hall at Union Station. Plus, enjoy extended happy hour at Terminal Bar. [Union Station; Free]

🎊 Backyard Bazaar | Wednesday | 5-8 p.m.

This community night market on South Pearl Street will celebrate local food vendors, artisans, and entertainers while helping welcome and support migrants and refugees to the neighborhood. [Platt Park; Free]

🤣 Bilingual Comedy | Wednesday | 8-9:30 p.m.

Raíces Brewery invites you to one of Denver’s only bilingual comedy rooms for open mic night. [Lincoln Park; Free]

🛍️ Summer Sidewalk Sale | Wednesday-Sunday | 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m.

Shop boutique women and children’s clothing at a discounted price at Aspen Lane’s annual sidewalk sale. [Central Park; Free]

Today on the City Cast Denver podcast, we celebrate the last day of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month! I join host Bree Davies and Westword food editor Molly Martin for a visit to Noodles Express — one of Molly’s favorite mom-and-pop noodle shops in the city — where we dish on our favorite Asian restaurants in metro Denver.

That’s all for today! I hope you’re feeling refreshed after the long weekend. Let’s do this again tomorrow.

— Peyton Garcia