Hosokawa And Peña To Receive Awards Feb. 6
William “Bill” K. Hosokawa and the Honorable Federico F. Peña will receive the Anti-Defamation League’s 2007 Civil Rights Awards. They will be recognized for their leadership and achievements in the areas of civil and human rights at a luncheon on Tuesday Feb. 6 from 11:45 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Adams Mark Hotel in Denver. Hosokawa is an award-winning journalist who worked as a reporter and editor for the Denver Post and columnist for the Rocky Mountain News. He has written extensively about the experience of the Japanese Americans in the 20th century fighting against discrimination and bigotry. Peña was mayor of Denver from 1983 to 1991 who went on to serve as both United States Secretary of Transportation and Secretary of Energy. A consensus builder throughout his career, Peña has consistently worked to build a society that respects diversity and rejects prejudice and divisiveness, most recently in the debate over immigration reform. Tickets are $36 per person.
For more information or to place reservations, contact Judy at 303-830-7177 ext. 214 or jbohlender@ADL.org, or visit www.adl.org.

College Workshops At Blair-Caldwell Library
The Blair-Caldwell African American Research Library will host monthly college preparation workshops through 2007. This free service will offer advice and information for potential students about researching colleges, applying at colleges, essay writing for applications, and searching for college scholarships. Workshops are held one Saturday per month, from 9:30 a.m. to 12 p.m., in the Archive Room on the second floor. This month’s workshop will be held Feb. 10, and the next workshop will be held March 17. The Blair-Caldwell Library is located at 2401 Welton Street in Denver.
For more information, call Ada L. Groff at 720-941-7710.

Christian Poets Guild Holds Contest
A $1,000 grand prize is being offered in a special poetry contest sponsored by the Christian Poet’s Guild, free to everyone. There are 50 prizes in all, totaling $5,000. Poems may be written on any subject, using any style. Include name and address on the page of poem. To receive a copy of the winner’s list, enclose a return envelope with submissions. Participants may send one poem of 21 lines or less to 1638 Dogwood Ln., Ackworth, GA 30102, or submit entries online at www.freecontest.com by Feb. 14.
For more information, visit www.freecontest.com.

Aurora VAC Holds Forum
The Aurora Veteran’s Affairs Commission (VAC) invites those interested in the issues of veterans who live in Aurora to attend its first forum for information and questions. The forum will be held March 8 at 6 p.m. at the Aurora City Chambers (15151 E. Alameda Pkwy). Invited to speak are leaders from the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), American Legion, State Board of Veteran’s Affairs, Fitzsimons State and Veterans Nursing Home, and the Veteran’s Administration (VA). There will be a short period for general questions following the presentations and light refreshments afterward.
For more information, call 303-739-7000 or visit www.auroragov.org.

Sweetheart Gala Fundraiser On Feb. 10
The Denver East Lions Club presents its Sweetheart Gala Fundraiser and Dance on Friday Feb. 10 from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. The event will be held at the Paradise Club, 15500 E. Centre Tech Pkwy., just east of Chambers Road at 6th Ave. There will be live entertainment with Ron Ivory and the Miles Apart Band. Tickets are $27 in advance and $30 at the door.
For more information, call Reuben Conner at 720-480-1501 or Audrey Taylor at 303-574-0664.

NAJA Seeks Young Native American Writers
The Native American Journalists Association (NAJA) is looking for students to write six to eight stories during its convention week. Each year, Native American journalism majors are given the opportunity to get hands-on experience in producing a daily newspaper, radio or television newscasts, or a news Web site. Participants learn basic and advanced journalism and reporting skills from Native and non-Native media professionals employed at newspaper, radio and television organizations across the U.S. The application deadline is Feb. 23.
For information, call 605-677-5282 or e-mail info@naja.com.

Free Health Screenings For Women
The Tri-County Health Department is offering free mammograms, breast exams, Pap tests, pelvic exams, blood pressure readings, and blood sugar tests to qualifying women. Clinics are held weekly in Aurora, Englewood and Northglenn. Qualifying women must live somewhere in Colorado, be legal U.S. residents, and meet income guidelines. Women must be 40 to 64 years old, have no health insurance coverage for mammograms or Pap tests, and have not had a mammogram or Pap test within the last 12 months. Appointments are required.
For more information or to schedule an appointment, call 303-363-3018.

Free Health And Wellness Fair In Wheat Ridge
The Wheat Ridge Recreation Center Health and Wellness Fair will be held Friday Feb. 16 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Wheat Ridge Recreation Center (4005 Kipling St., Wheat Ridge) The event is free and open to the public, and will feature a variety of diversified health and wellness services for all ages, including blood pressure, hearing, lung function, and balance screenings. Posture and stress assessments will also be offered in addition to free chair massages.
For more information, call 303-231-1300.

Free Dental Screenings For Seniors
The Volunteers of America (VOA) Colorado Branch and Oral Health Awareness Colorado! (OHAC!) will kick off a three-month campaign to provide free dental screenings to seniors 60 years and older in the metropolitan area. Beginning Feb. 1 and running Tuesdays and Thursdays through February, dental hygiene students and faculty from the Community College of Denver and the University of Colorado School of Dentistry will conduct the dental screenings and preventive education programs at nine VOA senior dining centers during the three-month program. VOA will provide a free lunch following the dental screening program at each of the sites. The Feb. 1 screening will be at 10 a.m. at the Mulroy Senior Center, 3550 W. 13th Ave. in Denver.
For screening dates and locations, or more information, call 303-297-0408.

DCCV Offers Young Victim Support Groups
The Denver Center for Crime Victims (DCCV) offers support groups for children and young adults who have witnessed or experienced violence. For over 19 years, DCCV has been providing services to victims of crime and crime prevention education. The groups offer a safe, supportive atmosphere to cope with fear, anger and sadness; an opportunity to recover from the effects of trauma, learn healthy ways of expressing feelings and the importance of family and community; and the opportunity to become a stronger, more positive person. These free groups begin each month on the second Tuesday or Thursday, and last eight weeks.
For more information, call 303-860-0660 (English), 303-718-8289 (Spanish), or e-mail admin@denvervictims.org.

Exempla Offers Cancer Classes, Headache Lectures
Exempla Healthcare is offering a series of classes and lectures at two Exempla facilities. The first series is a group of classes, offered at Exempla Lutheran Medical Center (8300 W. 38th Ave. in Wheat Ridge) for women dealing with cancer. These include: “Moving Forward - Life After a Cancer Diagnosis” on the fourth Monday of every month through May; "I've Survived Cancer Treatment, Now Why Can't I Sleep?" on Feb. 26; and "Pathology Report 101: Basic Information Regarding Pathology Results" on March 26. The second series is a lecture at St. Joseph Hospital (1835 Franklin St. in Denver) entitled “Migraines and Other Headaches,” to be hosted by neurologist Dr. Gary Cohen. These lectures will be on Mondays Feb. 5 and 26 and March 12 from 6 to 8 p.m.
For more information, call St. Joseph’s at 303-837-7111 or Exempla Lutheran at 303-425-4500.

DOCA Presents 2nd Annual Expo
On Saturday March 3, the Denver Office of Cultural Affairs (DOCA) will present its Second Annual Building Creative Businesses Expo. The program will be held at the Wellington E. Webb Municipal Building, 201 W. Colfax Ave., from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. This free expo offers Denver’s creative community (e.g., artists, filmmakers, dancers, graphic designers, musicians, etc.) a “one-stop” opportunity to learn about the various city, non-profit and for-profit resources available to help grow and stabilize creative businesses. Exhibitors will be located in the Atrium of the Webb Building and workshops will take place on the fourth floor. Room capacity for workshops is limited; interested participants may sign-up for workshops in the Atrium on the day of the event.
For the complete workshop schedule or more information, visit www.denvergov.org/createdenver.

AI Hosts Best Teen Chef Competition
High schools seniors and budding chefs from across North America are eligible to enter the Art Institute’s (AI’s) Best Teen Chef 2007 competition and vie for more than $200,000 in scholarships. The top prize winning student receives a full-tuition scholarship valued at more than $35,000 to study culinary arts at the Art Institutes and the title ‘Best Teen Chef’. The competition takes place in two stages. The first is a local competition on Saturday March 17 at The Art Institute of Colorado’s School of Culinary Arts (675 S. Broadway in Denver). On Saturday May 5, 20 finalists from throughout North America will attend the national Best Teen Chef 2007 Cook-Off at the Art Institute of Dallas. The deadline to enter the competition at The Art Institute of Colorado is Friday Feb. 9.
For more information, call 303-837-0825 or visit www.artinstitutes.edu/btc.

Africa-Related Events At Africa Centre
The Africa Centre will host several new Africa-related events during February. The first event is a West African music performance by Bola Abimbola on Feb. 9 at Dolcina's (717 E. Colfax Ave. in Denver) at 10 p.m. The second event is the African Extravaganza, a celebration of African culture with dance, drumming, food and fashion on Feb. 23 at the Driscoll Ballroom on the University of Denver campus from 6 to 9 p.m. The third event is a session of African drumming with Bataki Cambrelen.
For more information, call Dolcina’s at 303-832-3601, e-mail jpilcher@du.edu, or call 303-331-4063 for each event, respectively.

Denver Digs Trees Deadline Extended
The deadline for requesting low-cost or free street trees through The Park People’s Denver Digs Trees program has been extended to March 9. All available tree varieties have been selected for their adaptability to Denver’s climate. Trees will be distributed at six convenient sites to Denver residents on Saturday April 21, Earth Day, for planting along the public right-of-way. Street trees for Denver residents are $20 each – or free for those unable to pay. Residents who live in any of 19 specially targeted neighborhoods automatically receive fee waivers. Volunteer opportunities are also available.
For more information or tree request forms, call 303-722-6262 or visit www.theparkpeople.org.

Valentine Rendezvous: Love or Lust?
Come join The Repairer of the Breach Ministries Inc. Pastor Ronnie & Jackie Calloway for a semi-formal banquet and seminar featuring Andrea G. Mosby. The banquet will be held Saturday Feb. 17 at 6 p.m. at the Embassy Suites Hotel at I-70 and Havana in Denver. Tickets are $38 per person.
For more information, call 303-307-0707.

First Friday Is Now Third Friday
The Denver's Art District on Santa Fe Collectors Preview Nights have changed from every first Friday of each month to every third Friday of each month. Art galleries between Fifth and 10th Avenues on Santa Fe Drive will be open until 8 p.m. every third Friday. The galleries’ best works will be on display for collectors and art lovers Friday, Feb. 16.
For more information, call Judy Hagler at 303-629-0713 or John Passaro at 303-733-4847.

Southern Style Valentine Romance Event
The Alliance of Black Telecommunications Professionals presents Valentine Romance, Southern Style on Saturday Feb. 3 from 7 p.m. to 12 a.m. at the Parkside Mansion (1859 York St., Denver), with live entertainment by Latitude Experience.
For more information, call Stacey at 303-896-2993, Sohndra at 303-896-1199, or Michelle at 720-578-3038.

Darfur Refugee Speaks In Denver
Suad Mansour, a Darfur refugee and current program director of the national advocacy group called Darfur Peace and Development, will speak at two events in Denver. The public is invited to hear her speak on Feb. 5 at the BMH/BJ Synagogue (560 S. Monaco Pkwy. in Denver) at 7 p.m. Teens are also invited to hear her on Feb. 6 at the Jewish Teen Center (9550 E. Belleview Ave., Greenwood Village, in the King Soopers shopping center at Yosemite and Belleview) from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. All events are free to the public. Refreshments will be provided.
For more information, e-mail skornfeld@dcje.org.

Regis High Hosts Diversity Conference
Since 1998, the Diversity Department at Regis Jesuit High School has sponsored the Cultural Heritage Festival to celebrate and recognize different cultures. This year’s conference will be held Tuesday Feb. 27 at Regis Jesuit High School (Parker and Arapahoe roads, Aurora). This co-institutional school day conference will begin with an opening performance followed by three workshop sessions for the students to attend in the morning. The workshops will focus on many aspects of diversity in the world, the community and the school.
For more information, call 303-269-8065 or e-mail cvela@regisjesuit.com.

Knights Hold Mardi Gras Dinner Dance
On Friday Feb. 16, come out to the Summit Event Center at 411 Sable Blvd. in Aurora for a Mardi Gras Dinner and Dance from 8 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. Doors open at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $20 per person.
For tickets or more information, call 303-422- 8131.

LFMNOINA Awards Dinner On Feb. 10
The Lost and Found Members of the Nation of Islam in North America (LFMNOINA), Inc. will be having their Doing For Self Awards Dinner on Feb. 10 from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Montview Boulevard Presbyterian Church, located at 1980 Dahlia St. in Denver. The keynote address will be given by Minister Sabir Muhammad. LFMNOINA will recognize people from the community who are active in projects. This year’s recipients are Minster Gerald Muhammad, Rosalind “Bee” Harris, Laquita Taylor, and Pastor Lenard Emerson (posthumous). Tickets are $25 for couples, $15 for singles, and $10 for children.
For more information, call 303-375-0287

Free Public Library Events In February
The Blair-Caldwell African-American Research Library (2401 Welton St., Denver, 720-865-2401), the Ford Branch Library (2825 High Street, Denver, 303-294-0907), and the Montbello Branch Library (12955 Albrook Drive, Denver, 303-373-0767) host a variety of free public events in February and every other month of the year. These events include children’s story times, English classes, GED study hours, citizenship test study hours, and children’s activities that run concurrent to adult programs. A special event this month is Parenting with Love and Logic with Ana Garcia-Gustafson. Garcia will speak at the Montbello Library on Feb. 13, at the Ford Library on Feb. 20, and at the Blair-Caldwell Library on Feb. 26.
For more information, call the above libraries.

Emily Griffith Celebrates 90 Years In Denver
The Emily Griffith Opportunity School will celebrate 90 years of service to Denver with a community and alumni open house featuring free classes and demonstrations on Feb. 6. The event will kick off at 11 a.m., with the first bowl of soup in the tradition of Emily Griffith who personally served soup to her students. The day will include free demonstrations and seminars on computers, cooking, car maintenance and more. Visitors can also take advantage of low cost hair cuts, manicures and facials. School tours, historic displays and videos are also planned for the day. The Opportunity School offers transferable college credit with the most affordable tuition in the region. In addition, it boasts the largest English as a Second Language (ESL) program in the state.
For more information, call 720-423-4755.

Denver City Council Explores Colfax Zoning
The Denver City Council invites residents to attend a series of public presentations and open houses. There will be two forums to discuss proposed MS zoning on West Colfax on Feb. 7 and 10 at St Anthony’s Hospital (West Colfax Ave. and Raleigh St.), and two forums to discuss proposed MS zoning on East Colfax on Feb. 14 and 24 at National Jewish Hospital (East Colfax Ave. and Colorado Blvd.). Planning and development staff and city council representatives will be in attendance at all meetings to provide information and answer questions.
For more information, call 720-865-2938 or visit www.DenverGov.Org/MainStreet.

Daniels College Hosts Multicultural Fair
The Daniels College of Business at the University of Denver announces the inaugural Colorado Multicultural Career and Internship Fair, to be held Thursday Feb. 22 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Sheraton Four Points Hotel (600 S Colorado Blvd. in Denver). A VIP reception will be held Wednesday Feb. 21 providing business leaders the opportunity to network and honor event sponsors. The event hopes to unite regional companies with students of diverse backgrounds seeking employment.
For more information, visit www.daniels.du.edu.

DPL Hosts Rare And Not-So-Rare Book Event
On Friday Feb. 23, the Denver Public Library (DPL) and Denver Public Library Friends Foundation will present the 24th Annual Rare and Not-So-Rare Book and Art Auction. This year’s auction offers supporters an expanded variety of purchasing opportunities from live and silent auctions to a select “Better Books” store. The event will take place on Level Five of the Denver Central Library (10 West 14th Ave. Pkwy., Denver) from 6 to 9 p.m. Tickets are $55 per person. Proceeds from the event will benefit the Denver Public Library.
For tickets or more information, call 720-865-2051 or visit www.denverlibrary.org.

Princeton Offering Free Journalism Internship
In August, Princeton University is offering a 10-day all-expenses-paid summer journalism program for students from under-resourced financial backgrounds. This is Princeton’s sixth year of the program. The program is designed to give students a taste of what life is like at one of the best colleges in the country. The program is staffed by Princeton alumni, current Princeton students, and students who attended the program in past summers. All application materials and qualifications can be found on Princeton’s web site www.princeton.edu/~sjp. Applications must be postmarked no later than Feb. 15.
For application materials or more information, visit www.princeton.edu/~sjp.

AALI Seeks Volunteers
The African American Leadership Institute (AALI) is seeking volunteers to participate in the planning of the 2007 Youth and Family Empowerment Conference. The all-day conference is scheduled for Saturday March 17 at the Event Center on the Auraria Campus in downtown Denver. The conference is designed especially to address issues facing African American males and females in grades 5 to 12. Though specifically designed for African American youth, it is not exclusive. This year’s theme is “Legacy: The Power and Gift of Leadership.” AALI is seeking volunteers and workshop presenters. The planning meetings are every Tuesday from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at the AALI offices (700 E. 24th Ave., Suite 8, Denver).
For more information, call the AALI office at 303-299-9035.

Metro Professor Seeks 1920s Denver Newspaper
Dr. Ronald J. Stephens, Professor and Chair of the Department of African and African American Studies at Metropolitan State College of Denver, is looking to contact anyone who owns copies of The Denver Star newspaper of the 1920s. Dr. Stephens is working on an essay about African American culture, history, and life in the Five Points area during that period. For more information of if you can help, call Dr. Stephens at 303-556-8470 or e-mail him at rsteph12@mscd.edu.

Metro Volunteers Is Seeking Community Board Members

Metro Volunteers is seeking people of color in the metro area who are inspired to transform their community through board service. Board membership is an excellent way to connect your goals and aspirations with organizations making an impact in society.  Metro Volunteers BoardConnect is designed to link people of color with nonprofit agencies seeking to weave unique perspectives, expertise and experiences into the fabric of nonprofit board governance.
Comprehensive training is provided.  Prior board experience is not necessary.
For more information visit www.metrovolunteers.org or call Angela Davis at 303-282-1234 ext.303.