Healthy Living Mural and Theatrical Peformance to Debut Dec. 8

Helping Denver residents live better, longer and healthier lives is what drives the Denver Department of Public Health and Environment (DDPHE). Now, Lincoln Park neighborhood residents are sharing what healthy living means to their community with a new mural project at La Alma Recreation Center developed with the support of DDPHE, Denver Public Health, Mirror Image Arts, MyDenver and Denver Parks and Recreation.

Working with local artists Tommy Nahulu and Zierra Lyons, more than 100 Lincoln Park residents of all ages each painted a 9-inch by 11-inch canvas based on the theme of healthy living. Some participants created images of farming, fruits and vegetables, nature, and animals, while others contributed images of dancing, music, sports and advocacy. Now, Nahulu and Lyons will arrange the individual canvases and add connective elements combining them into one cohesive mural, symbolizing community connection and unity while also highlighting each participant’s diverse perspective.

​Interestingly, the mural will not adorn a wall, but instead will be spread across a series of mobile panels, allowing it to be shared and appreciated more broadly. La Alma Recreation Center will serve as the mural’s home base. However, it will also be periodically transported for educational purposes, First Friday events and other community gatherings to encourage and motivate other communities to explore similar projects.
 
In addition to supporting the mural project, Denver Public Health and DDPHE also helped connect participants to public health resources such as the Healthy Beverage Partnership, the Let’s Talk mental health campaign, the WIC program, the Community Active Living Coalition (CALC) and the Public Health Denver Youth Team.
 
MiArts also teamed up with Denver Parks and Recreation to create a unique theatrical experience to complement the mural’s debut. Community members can attend the mural unveiling during the premiere of "The Heart, The Soul" — which is based on more than 45 community interviews with Lincoln Park residents — on December 8. This unique, community-inspired production will run December 7-10 at La Alma Recreation Center, located at 1325 W 11th Ave. Tickets are free and available here or by visiting the La Alma Recreation Center front desk.
 
Learn more and get involved at www.denverCALC.org.

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Protecting Pets and People from the Threat of Rabies

Do you recognize the signs of rabies in animals? Do you know what to do if bitten by a potentially rabid animal? If not, there's no better time to brush up on rabies safety tips for both pets and people.

Denver Animal Protection is reminding residents to ensure their pets are vaccinated as a rabid raccoon was recently found in Denver at the 4600 block of Sherman St. After an altercation with two dogs at a residence in the area, the raccoon died and was later tested and found to be positive for rabies. The dogs involved were reported to have been scratched and bitten. However, their vaccination status is unknown as they have not been located since the altercation.  

Rabies is a viral infection that affects the nervous system of humans and other mammals. It is almost always fatal. Most Colorado rabies cases are found in skunks and bats, but rabies can also affect other wildlife (such as raccoons) as well as pets and livestock. Humans and domestic animals can become infected through contact with wild animals.  
Animals that have rabies may show the following signs:

• Displaying confusion, uncharacteristic aggression, or a lack of fear around people
• Staggering, trembling, or weakness
• Nocturnal animals like raccoons, skunks, foxes and bats may be out during the day
• Bats may be found on the ground, unable to fly

How to protect you and your family:

• Do not feed, touch or adopt wild animals, and be cautious of stray dogs and cats
• Teach children to leave wildlife alone
• Keep pet vaccinations up to date
• Tightly close garbage cans and feed bins
• Feed pets indoors
• Avoid all contact with skunks and bats

To help protect pets, Denver Animal Shelter offers weekly low-cost rabies vaccinations clinics on Saturdays and Sundays from 9–11 a.m. The cost for a rabies vaccination is $15 per pet. To learn more, visit www.DenverAnimalShelter.org.

If you believe you or your pet have been exposed to rabies, call your physician or veterinarian immediately, and report the incident to 311. If you believe a rabid animal is in your neighborhood, call 311 to report it.

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Resilient Denver Event Examines Community Effects of Climate Change

The Denver Department of Public Health and Environment invites climate and health professionals, public health practitioners, leaders of environmental and community health organizations, policymakers and Denver residents to an evening forum on community resilience in the face of climate change.

The event will feature five key influencers on climate change in Denver who are working to mitigate the effects of climate change as well as time for facilitated small group discussions and networking. Light appetizers will be served. The event will also be available via live stream broadcasting. Those planning to attend in person are encouraged to RSVP.

DATE: Monday, Dec. 11
TIME: 4 - 6:30 p.m. 
LOCATION: Posner Center, 1031 33rd St., Denver 

According to the Public Health Institute's Center for Climate Change and Health, within the U.S., inequities in living conditions, power, and health place low-income communities and some communities of color at greater risk of the health impacts of climate change.
 
"We can reduce these inequities through careful attention to the design of climate mitigation and adaptation strategies, and efforts to build healthy, equitable, climate resilient communities," the Public Health Institute's Center for Climate Change and Health noted in a 2016 statement.