by Diana Helper

June is bursting out all over, popping her bud-tons, and making quite a scene with her long stems in petal-pushers, packin’ her pistols, gaudy colors, and heady perfume.

Ask her for a date, and she’ll probably say look at the events in the Profile. So here are some –

If you’ve picked up this fine publication hot off the press you have time to do some shopping at the UP Garage Sale taking place in front yards around UPark. Look for signs pointing to the nearest sale site. The sale goes on Fri. & Sat., June 1 & 2, 7a.m-2p.m.

June 5 the UP Community Council board meets with newly elected Pres. Dana Strand-O’Connor and VP Jennifer Schmidt, re-elected Secy. Traci Samaras and co-Treasurers June Morgan and Ryan Zorn, and the rest of the board, incl. new Transportation chair Kurt Brandau. If you have items for board agenda, contact Dana at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or 303-920-0193.

Sunday, June 10, a gathering for UPark folks, from 4-7p.m. in Observatory Park. Bring a picnic to this free outing, and the kids of course if you have some, or just come solo and see your neighbors there. The Humbuckers, a band starring one of UP’s own will play, and you can listen or get up and dance. Bring something to sit on, when you aren’t waltzing or watusiing or whatever.

Star-Gazing at Chamberlin Observatory welcomes you at the monthly open house June 23, 8p.m., and by reservation Tues. or Thur. night (info: denverastro.org). Not only is the big telescope pointed skyward, members of the Denver Astronomical Society set up their own telescopes on the lawn for open house nights, and you can peer through them all and chat with their owners.

[Let us remind you that Observatory Park is only the name of that Park. It is not the name of the neighborhood around it, which is all named University Park, founded right there in 1876.]  

The SUNDIAL is back, in Buchtel Centennial Park, thanks to wonderful neighbor Bill Berg, who made this beautiful replacement and installed it last month. Now you can look at the stars in one park, get the sundial time in another. Thanks also to Jennifer Engleby for helping update the UPCC Bulletin Board. McWilliams Park bridge was falling down, but is being replaced. Prairie Park is growing Up. Harvard Gulch Park East is lookin’ good. Buchtel Trail is busier than ever. Police are on alert for noise/disturbance calls at Observatory and any Park, or that loud party on your street – call 720-913-2000 to let District 3 know.

Thanks to all who pick up after their doggies and help fill the dog-bag stations in parks. The Parks Dept. has added more rangers and volunteers to enforce the leash law, so keep Fido on a leash when you’re out and about. It’s the Law, and Fido thus will not be accused of running off and knocking down a toddler or anyone, or purloining a picnic. And you will save a hefty $80/first violation; $150/second violation;$300/third and subsequent violations.

Longtime UP resident Moras Shubert celebrated his 100th Birthday on May 21 at the Botanic Gardens. Join us in The Moras Chorus (tune Twinkle, Twinkle): “Let’s all sing our Moras Chorus! King of grasses, trees, and floras! You have done great wonders for us! We are sure you’ll never bore us! Younger than a Brontosaurus! Happy 100th Birthday, Moras!” [Google “Moras Shubert” and read about Moras on line in the Nov. ’11 Profile.]

July 4th is the annual UP Parade for kids, bikes, trikes, strollers, wagons, scooters, dogs, so get started with your decorations! The VFW Band will play, and unless there’s a big fire (We Hope Not, let us spray!) the pumper truck will come with a cool shower for those who want one. Parade’s at 10a.m. in the block of E. Warren Ave. that divides Observatory Park. This free event is provided by UPCC, with Councilman Charlie Brown as city sponsor.

Lest we forget, Happy Father’s Day is June 17. Hope you have/had terrific dads like ours, who was wise, loving, genial, into architecture, U.S. history, geology, a VP of Illinois Bell (so we always had lots of phones!) and wrote restaurant reviews for Duncan Hines’ guidebooks.

If you have news or views of UP, please contact Diana Helper at 303-733-4902 or This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it