Summer of Reading at the Barnum Branch Library

Every summer, our Barnum Branch Library (1st and Lowell) offers a pretty amazing summer program for kids. Not only can kids get awesome prizes for reading, they can also stop in to the library for an impressive lineup of free performances, crafts, and activities all summer long. Prizes are available for children from birth through 12th grade. Ask one of our local librarians or visit the Summer of Reading website for more details.

You can pick up reading logs for your kiddos beginning June 2nd. Here's a sneak peek at what is coming this summer to our Barnum Branch Library. Printed calendars are available at the branch:

TUESDAY, JUNE 3

1 p.m.

Hand Painted Ceramic Dunk Mug

This is such a popular mug! It holds your milk AND your cookies! It’s so fun to paint too since you can paint it like Cookie Monster, Minions, and more. (Project will be fired at Ceramics in the City and returned to library in 1 weeks time.) Registration is required. Please call to reserve your space.

TUESDAY, JUNE 10

1 p.m.

Connie Elstun’s Super Science Magic Show

Spend an hour with Connie and some members of her hilarious cast as she teaches you how they found out Science is Magic and Magic is Science. This popular program includes incredible magic and hands-on learning. All supplies are provided and the laughter is free. Good for all ages. No registration is required.

TUESDAY, JUNE 17

1 p.m.

Mark Strivings - Crazy Inventions

Master Magician Mark Strivings is at it again! He's been tinkering in his lab and will be showing you some of his crazy contrivances, daffy devices, wacky widgets, goofy gadgets and all kinds of fabulous flummery! It's magic like you've never seen before and so much fun it shouldn't be legal! Be there! No registration is required.

TUESDAY, JUNE 24

2 p.m.

Ann Lincoln -Space Alien’s Big Bang Magic and Juggling Show

She came from Outer Space and crash landed at your library! Now Ann Lincoln will have to “Fizz, Boom, Read” in order to blast off back to her home planet. Perfect for ages 3-10. No registration is required.

TUESDAY, JULY 1

1 p.m

Wild Wings Environmental Education - Raptors of the Rockies

In this interactive program, we explore the tools and adaptations that different raptors use to be successful in the wild. The program features live birds - a hawk, an owl, and a falcon - all species that are found here in Colorado. This program concludes with a discussion on the important roles of these raptors in the environment. No registration is required.

SATURDAY, JULY 12

1 p.m.

Harmony Yoga- Yoga for Kids

Let's take time out for yoga and ourselves. Yoga helps to reduce stress and create calm minds and bodies. We will move our bodies, breathe deeply and relax in a safe, non-judgmental environment. Flexibility not required, and no experience necessary. A limited number of mats will be provided; students are encouraged to bring one if they have one. No registration is required.

SATURDAY, JULY 19

1 p.m.

Safari Sallly - Fizz, Boom, Hiss and Kerplop

Did you hear that? What makes that sound? Get a chance to get up close and personal with some amazing animals with Safari Sally. From invertebrates, reptiles to mammals have a great time while you learn some amazing facts about these animals. From preschool to adults, there’s nothing more fun than learning about animals and even getting a chance to touch them and hear what sound they really do make! No registration is required.

TUESDAY, JULY 22

1 p.m.

Bleach Pen T-Shirt

Join us as we transform an ordinary T-shirt into something you’ll want to wear every day! For grades 2 to 12. Registration is required. Please call to reserve your space.

SATURDAY, JULY 26

1 p.m.

Stardust Vase

Come make a beautiful stardust vase to light up your room! For grades 2 to 12. Registration is required. Please call to reserve your space.

TUESDAY, JULY 29

1 p.m.

Denver Dumb Friends League - How to Meet a Dog

“Is it always safe to pet a dog? This course teaches children how to meet a dog by practicing some basic steps. They discover what an animal’s body posture may be communicating about how he or she is feeling and how respecting an animal’s feelings will keep everyone safe.” This program is for kids K – 5th grade. No registration is required.

TUESDAY, AUGUST 5

1 p.m.

Face Painting with Nancy Avalon

Have your face painted by artist Nancy Avalon. Due to the popularity of this program, please arrive on time to be sure you get a turn! All ages. No registration is required.


"The Children’s Library began a “Vacation Reading Program” during the summer of 1921 as a way to interest kids in reading over the summer. That tradition continues every summer with Denver Public Library’s annual Summer Reading Program. Now the program consists of three separate programs--Read With Me for babies and preschoolers, a kids' program for children in Kindergarten through grade 5, and a teen program for grades 6 through 12. Each of these programs offers rewards for reading independently or with an adult, as well as special events at locations all over the city during the summer." (Denver Public Library website)

Early Morning in Barnum Park

Barnum Park is wearing our stormy weather well. Here are some pretty shots from an early morning jog through the green belt to the park today.

How lovely!

Barnum Garden Tours

Charlie's cottage garden

There was an article in Westword a few years ago about all of the lawn ornaments in Barnum. Yup. We have a newsworthy number of lawn ornaments in this neighborhood. High-five, neighbors! 

However, for those of us who aren't into herds of plastic deer grazing upon fields of dandelions, it's the most wonderful time of the year. It's gardening time. Now that the very late final frost date has come and gone, shit is about to get real.

And, if the anticipation of all those peonies and tomatoes wasn't enough, this summer, Welcome To Barnum is going to host and post some neighborhood garden tours.

If you're a resident of Barnum or Barnum West and want to show off your green thumb, snap a few photos of your garden and submit them to the blog's email address (welcometobarnum (at) gmail.com). 

Sage and Yarrow and Cotoneasters, oh my!

Selected gardens will be featured periodically on the blog starting in June and continuing through October. Flower gardens, vegetable gardens, and/or generally delightful landscaping are all allowed. If you have potted an artificial Christmas tree in your front yard or planted faded silk flowers in a whiskey barrel (really?! ಠ_ಠ), you are automatically disqualified. That shit is not okay. But, otherwise, please feel free to send in your awesome yard! No last names or exact addresses will be published.

Don't Know Much About Barnum?

When we first moved in, several of our neighbors were super excited to tell us how our backyard was once-upon-a-time a hotel for circus elephants. So charming, but sadly not quite true. Since PT Barnum was somewhat famous for his hoaxes, entertaining as they might have been, I think it's rather fitting that his namesake neighborhood carries the same sort of not-quite-true-but-it-makes-for-a-good-story sort of mythology.

Here's some fun facts for your next Barnum barbeque: Yes, this land was purchased by PT Barnum in 1878. No, it was not ever going to be a winter home for his circus. It was, in fact, a real estate investment. How mundane. After selling the rest in bits, he did sell part of it to his daughter, Helen, who was married to William Buchtel. If that name sounds familiar to Denverites, it should: William Buchtel became Mayor of Barnum, but his big brother, Henry Buchtel was Governor of Colorado, Chancellor of the University of Denver, and namesake of Buchtel Blvd.

One more cool fact: Barnum has a slogan. "If you stick with Barnum, Barnum will stick with you." What an unfortunate slogan.

For more info on ol' PT and the history of the Barnum neighborhood, check out this link to Denver Public Library's Western History and Genealogy Department: The Story of Barnum.

Do you have a cool Barnum neighborhood history to share? Leave a comment! Interested in becoming a contributor to the Barnum/Barnum West website? Send us an email! 

welcometobarnum (at) gmail.com 

Bridges and Creeks

This is not the bridge being demolished. This is the bridge falling apart. Denver Post.

KNOX CT. BRIDGE: April Crumley of Concerned Citizens for Barnum announced that CDOT plans to re-open our brand new Knox Court bridge on May 9th! Huzzah!

The bridge, which was pretty sketch and rapidly deteriorating in recent years, was razed and rebuilt as part of CDOT's larger 6th Ave. Bridge Project. The project spans from Knox Ct. to the Burlington Northern Santa Fe rails just East of 25.

Our new bridge will include a bike lane, which is crazy awesome for our bicycle commuters headed downtown, as well as for everyone heading over to the Barnum North Bike Park.

Cheers, CDOT. Thanks for our shiny new bridge!

Residents have begun planning a re-opening party with a children's bike parade. Ask April of CCB for more details. Here's a link to their Facebook page.

Check out the full 6th Ave. project update page here. And, watch a video of the bridge construction here.

Oh yeah. You lookin' good girl. Work that creek. Yeah.

BARNUM/BARNUM WEST GREENBELT: Our greenbelt is looking pretty sexy this time of year. Mmmhmm. We're a thoroughly urban neighborhood though and have a few kids with too much spray paint and poor penmanship skills at their disposal. And, come June when school gets out, they'll also have too much time on their hands. Let's keep our greenbelt looking hot by reporting any shitty tagging immediately!

The City and County of Denver has a pretty dependable graffiti removal program. Snap a quick pic on your phone and send in the location for speedy removal using their online form. Click on "Report a Problem." Reporting tagging doesn't just get rid of tagging, it prevents future tagging. No one wants to waste their spray paint and time tagging a spot that's going to be erased the next day.

Have a happy Thursday, Barnum!