Buy honey from the Garden’s beehive, vegetables, home-baked goods, canned items and apple cider. Info: 720-941-8960.
Gaze on the grooviest in green living on the Colorado Renewable Energy Society’s Denver Tour of Solar Homes, Sat., Oct. 3, starting locally, 9a.m., at First Universalist Church, 4101 E. Hampden Ave. Pick up self-guided tour map ($20/carload, carpools encouraged) or take a guided bus tour ($45, lunch included). Or stroll through the products & services exhibit hall and Green Jobs & Career Resources Fair through noon, at no charge. Info: www.cres-energy.org/tour, 303-806-5317.
Fish for fabric finds at TACtile Textile Arts Center’s Bizarre Textile Bazaar benefit sale, Sat., Oct. 3, at 7777 E. Hampden Ave. Starting at 9a.m., shop for fabric arts and craft paraphernalia and unfinished projects at bargain prices. From 3-4p.m., buy a bag of remainders for $5. Benefits TACtile’s programs. Info: Misi Ballard, 303-773-6765, misiballard@comcast.net or visit www.tactilearts.org.
Clear the garage or basement of dead electronics and appliances and bring them to an e-recycling event, Sat., Oct. 3, 10a.m.-4p.m., at American Legion Post 1, 5400 E. Yale Ave., sponsored by Leyden Chiles Wickersham American Legion Auxiliary Unit 1. Any size TV taken for $20; hard drives “cleaned” for $5. Suggested donation of $20 for everything else. Also: old-fashioned cakewalk fundraiser, 2-6p.m. Info: Lou Anne Robbins, 303-795-2056.
Pets of any (or no) religious affiliation are invited to the Dumb Friends League’s Blessing of the Animals, Sat., Oct. 3, 10:30a.m., at the 2080 S. Quebec St. shelter’s Malo Pet Memorial Garden. Free, but RSVP to Justin, 303-751-5772, ext. 7243. Info: www.ddfl.org.
Hike through Denver’s haunting history on an inexpensive walking tour with author and historian Phil Goodstein. Two-hour Fairmount Cemetery tour meets Sun., Oct. 4, 11a.m., at Little Ivy Chapel, 430 S. Quebec St. $10. Subject to weather. Call 303-333-1095 for details, other tours.
The Scientific & Cultural Facilities District celebrates its 20th birthday withPolarpalooza at the Denver Zoo, 2300 Steele St., Wed., Oct. 7, with free admission and more than 60 SCFD-funded organizations offering crafts, face painting, performances and more – visit www.scfd.org and click on “Polarpalooza” for complete schedule. Voters created the District in 1988 to fund scientific and cultural organizations with a retail sales and use tax of 1¢ on $10 in seven metro area counties. Other SCFD free days this month: Denver Art Museum, 100 W. 14th Ave. Pkwy., offers free, ticketed admission to Colorado residents on first Saturdays (Oct. 3, Nov. 7). Info: Call 720-865-5000 or visit www.denverartmuseum.org. Denver Botanic Gardens, 1005 York St., offers free admission, Fri., Oct. 23. Info: www.botanicgardens.org or 720-865-3500. Denver Museum of Nature & Science, 2001 Colorado Blvd., offers free admission, Sun., Oct. 4, and Mon., Nov. 2. Info: 303-322-7009 or www.dmns.org. Denver Zoo, 2300 Steele St., offers free admission, Sun., Oct. 25, too. Info: 303-376-4800 or www.denverzoo.org.
Don’t feel optimistic or hopeful? Take advantage of National Depression Screening Day, Thur., Oct. 8, at MDS Counseling Center, 1355 S. Colorado Blvd., 9a.m.-6p.m. Participants complete a brief, written questionnaire, and learn about the symptoms of depression and how to help at-risk friends or family members. Health care professionals available to talk about concerns. Info: 303-756-9052, www.mdscounseling.org.
Perform or ponder a poem in Poetry y Mas, second Saturdays (Oct. 10) at Chicano Humanities & Arts Council, 772 Santa Fe Dr., 2-4p.m. Visit www.ChacWeb.org or call 303-571-0440 for info on this and other diverse cultural events.
Affirm inclusive family values at Standing on the Side of Love, a public worship service for all families – including gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender – Sun., Oct. 11, 10a.m., on the west steps of the Capitol, 200 E. Colfax Ave. Officiated by First Unitarian Denver’s Rev. Mike Morran, the event supports marriage equality and coincides with National Coming Out Week. For details visit www.standingonthesideoflove.org.
Skies over Stapleton’s Central Park once again become a flight zone for the One Sky One World kite festival, Sun., Oct. 11, 10a.m.-4p.m., with guests Earth Day founder John McConnell and biographer Robert Weir, selling and signing copies of their book. Activities for all ages include a Children and Pet Parade for Peace, Giant Kite Competition, kite-crafting in the Kite Village and fighter kite demonstration, plus environmental info. Live, continuous music will be headlined by the Sammy Mayfield Band and the E-Project Band. Info: www.oneskyoneworld.org, 720-334-4508.
Last chance for last dance with Schukr “Sugar” Basanow! International Folk Dancing in Washington Park concludes its 39th summer in front of the Washington Park Boathouse Pavilion on Oct. 14. Dances are Thur., 7-10p.m., (weather permitting), ‘til then. Open to all levels and ages of dancers; beginners are welcome 7-8p.m. for instruction, with dancing continuing for all from 8-10p.m. Dancing is free; donations are definitely accepted. Info: Darlene at Washington Park Rec Center, 303-698-4962.
Ready to release excess treasures? Drop off donations (and mark your calendars) for Sat., Nov. 7, 9a.m.-4p.m., for the annual Attic-to-Basement Last Chance Sale! at Washington Street Community Center, 809 S. Washington St. Home-cooked weekly breakfasts for all are served 1st, 2nd & 3rd Fridays, 8:30-10a.m., for $5 ($4 members). Senior/community lunches at very reasonable prices served each Tues. & Wed. at noon; community lunches also served 1st & 2nd Fridays. Stop by! Eat in or take-out at I Don’t Wanna Cook Night, featuring Caty’s Homemade Pizza, including vegetarian, Thur., Oct. 15, 4:30-6:30p.m., for $5/person ($3/kids 5-12). Beverages, salad, dessert included. Info: 303-733-4643 or www.wscc-denver.org.
Wicked writings of long-dead authors come to life in Victorian Horrors, two weekends at the Molly Brown House, 1340 Pennsylvania St., Fri. & Sat., Oct. 16, 17, 23 & 24. Performances every 15 minutes from 6-9p.m.; tickets $13-$16. Examine traditional decorations, enjoy tea treats and show off your costume at Halloween Full Tea, Sat., Oct. 31, 11a.m. or 1p.m. $20. Reservations required: 303-832-4092, ext. 16, or www.mollybrown.org.
Handweavers and fiber artists show their stuff at the Rocky Mountain Weavers Guild Annual Fiber Art Sale, Thur.-Sat., Oct. 22-24, at the Englewood Civic Center, 1000 Englewood Pkwy. Hours: Thur., 4-8p.m., Fri., 10a.m.-8p.m. and Sat., 10a.m.-5p.m. Free. Info: 303-759-9505, www.rmweaversguild.org.
Sixty of the nation’s leading music schools gather to present information on college music programs to aspiring young musicians at the first Denver College Music Fair, Fri., Oct. 23, sponsored by the Denver Young Artists Orchestra and Lamont School of Music, at the Newman Center for the Performing Arts, at DU, 2344 E. Iliff Ave. Free concerts for prospective students, parents and exhibitors include Flo’s Underground in Hamilton Hall (5p.m.) and the Lamont Symphony Orchestra (7:30p.m.) Space-available, general public concert tickets available at 6p.m. Info: 303-871-6973, www.du.edu/lamont.
Abraham Lincoln: Self-Made in America comes to Four Mile Historic Park, 715 S. Forest St., Oct. 24-Nov. 11, featuring accurate reproductions of presidential paraphernalia – stovepipe hat, axe, children’s toys, house nameplates and more – from the presidential library and museum in Springfield, Ill. Exhibit admission free; fees for lectures (see Classes, pg. 32.) Visitwww.fourmilehistoricpark.org or call 720-865-0800 for information.
Celebrate Family History Month by Looking to the Future While Remem-bering the Past, the Black Genealogy Search Group’s 8th annual Heritage Festival, Sat., Oct. 24, 10a.m.-4p.m., in the Lower Level Conference Center of the Central Denver Public Library, 10 W. 14th Ave. Pkwy. Features exhibits by genealogy organizations, door prizes and keynote speaker Reginald Washington, archivist with the National Archives and Records Administration. Free.
Help Denver Parks & Rec in Putting the Beds to Bed: 300+ volunteers are needed to remove annual flowers, drag tarps, load flowers into trucks and overturn and dig dirt in both Washington and Civic Center parks, Sat., Oct. 24. Tasks for all skill levels; sign up at 720-913-0330, dprvolunteers@denvergov.org or www.denvergov.org/dprvolunteers. Info: Tina Romero, 303-806-9083.
Celebrate Colorado Astronomy Day with the Denver Astronomical Society, offering stargazing & presentations, Sat., Oct. 24, starting at 5p.m., at historic Chamberlin Observatory (in Observatory Park, E. Warren Ave. & S. Fillmore St.) Also, DAS hosts Public Nights each Tues. & Thur., now starting 7p.m., at the Observatory, with lecture and viewing. Reservations required; $3, $2 kids. Info/reservations: call 303-871-5172 or visit www.thedas.org.
Wear a cool costume for a spooky time at the Arthritis Isn’t Scary Halloween Party, Sun., Oct. 25, 1-3p.m., hosted by the Rocky Mountain Chapter of the Arthritis Foundation, 2280 S. Albion St. The family fete features a costume contest, games, prizes, haunted house, trick-or-treating and information on the disease, which afflicts over 6,000 Colorado children. Free, but registration required: 303-756-8622, ext. 235. Arthritis info at www.RockyMountainArthritis.org.
Denver Croquet Club and Washington Park Bowling Club continue to offer classes, club play and tournaments near the Martha Washington Garden in Washington Park, near S. Franklin St. and E. Arizona Ave. Participate by joining the Club, which meets every Mon., 6p.m., through October on the Lawn. For details, call Ron Eccles, 720-937-2056, or email denvercroquet@yahoo.com.
Earth-friendly donations of goods and services are sought for the 2nd annual Green Harvest Silent Auction, benefiting youth service projects at Ellis Elementary, Thur., Nov. 12, 5-8p.m., at Temple Emanuel, 51 Grape St. Needed are used and recycled items, as well as environmentally sound or socially conscious goods and services. Co-sponsored by FrontRange EarthForce. Questions? Liz Henry, liz.henry@ef-den.org or 303-819-3478, or visit http://ellis.dpsk12.org.
Denver Rescue Mission urgently needs gently used clothing and new socks and underwear for children. When school begins, many homeless and low-income families cannot afford new clothing and come to DRM for help. Donations accepted at the Lawrence Street Shelter, 23rd & Lawrence St., any day or time. Info: 303-297-1815.
All About Alternative Health, 1777 S. Bellaire St., suite 341, hosts monthly free clinic days for veterans. Participating practitioners include a nutritionist, life coach, marriage & family therapist, chiropractor and alternative medicine specialists. Dates, details: Jane, 303-619-0002.
Visit the historic Byers-Evans House Museum, 1310 Bannock St., with expanded hours: Mon.-Sat., 10a.m.-4p.m., with guided tours offered on the half hour, 10:30a.m.-2:30p.m. The restored 19th century dwelling was home to prominent pioneering Colorado families through the mid-20th century. Info, 303-620-4933 or visit www.coloradohistory.org/hist_sites/Byers_Evans/byers_evans.htm.
Like to sing? Enjoy sharing the gift with others? Then join the HarMOMics, a women’s singing group, practicing Wednesdays, 9:30-11a.m., at Kirk of Bonnie Brae, 1201 S. Steele St., and singing for nursing homes, church groups and group meetings. Info: 303-333-4931.
Broach bookish beliefs with like-minded literati at a nearby Denver Public Library branch book group. Scheduled meetings, open to all: Central, W. 14th Ave. Pkwy. & Broadway, 720-865-1111: Downtown Bookies, 2nd Tues., 7p.m.; Thursday Afternoon Book Group, 2nd Thur., 1p.m. Decker, 1501 S. Logan St., 720-865-0220: One Book, One Denver discussion of Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird, Sat., Oct. 3, 3p.m., with light refreshments. Watch for book signing in November. Ross-Cherry Creek, 301 Milwaukee St., 720-865-0120: Closed for Better Denver bond-funded upgrades. Ross-University Hills, 4310 E. Amherst Ave., 720-865-0955: Evening Book Club, 4th Mon., 6:45-8p.m.; Books ‘n Brown Bag Book Club, 1st Fri., 12:30-2p.m. Schlessman, 100 Poplar St., 720-865-0000: Booktalkers Book Club, 2nd Thur., 10:15a.m. Virginia Village, 1500 S. Dahlia St., 720-865-0940: Daytime Book Club, 2nd & 4th Tues., 1:30-2:30p.m.; We Love A Mystery Book Club, 3rd Wed., 6:30p.m.
Denver Kids, Inc., needs mentors, particularly men, to help at-risk students in Denver Public Schools. Denver Kids has 19 educational counselors working caseloads of students and their families; the program tries to pair as many students as possible with volunteers. The program boasts an 88-91 percent graduation rate, with 75 percent of students bound for college. Info: www.denverkidsinc.org, or call Volunteer Program director Penny Stanley at 720-423-8264.
Don’t flush old drugs down the toilet – Denver’s Household Hazardous Waste Program will take expired meds for proper disposal. Call 800-HHW-PKUP (800-449-7587) to request a collection kit, which includes a small baggie for pills or capsules (but no bottled or controlled substances). Once collected, the medications will be destroyed in a federally regulated furnace. Residents not participating in the HHW Program are advised to mix expired meds with kitty litter or dirt in a bag or container before placing them with garbage, which helps prevent prescription drug abuse and protects watersheds from chemical contamination.
