Each year, Jane Watkins, of Watkins Stained Glass, 3821 S. Broadway, Englewood (on Littleton’s Main Street for many years), creates a special Main Street ornament to hang on the tree or set on a shelf. This year’s “Main Street Mini” is available at the shop. Probably some from previous years are available as well. 303-798-1515, watkinsstainedglass.com. Nice gift for friend or self!
Holiday lights … daytime garden visits
While Hudson Gardens in Littleton decided not to produce a light show this season, (open for walkers during the day and free), Denver Botanic Gardens and the Denver Zoo are lit up, if that’s part of your holiday celebration. Advance tickets required — spaced out for timing. No tickets sold onsite. Denver Botanic Gardens is open for walking from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. 720-865-3500, botanicgardens.org. “Blossoms of Light” at DBG: December is sold out, but readers can check for dates in early January. Chatfield’s “Blossoms of Light” is sold out. Chatfield open days, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., again — reserve in advance. 720-865-3500, botanicgardens.org. Denver Zoo Lights 5 to 10 p.m.: must reserve in advance: 720-337-1400 (call 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.) or check denverzoo.org. These gardens are great places to work out the wiggles when kids and parents have been in the house for long stretches. Daytime walks are fun. And, there’s always a family drive to look at home lighting. Englewood residential areas were great when my kids were young. Bow Mar in Littleton was fun and there’s Littleton’s dazzling Main Street, where a stop for coffee or hot chocolate might be nice. Nixon’s Coffee House at Hudson Gardens is open until 3 and also offers hot chocolate and such … (Unless we get a “Stay at Home” order from the governor.)
Gift thoughts
Possible gifts for grownups — classes at one of these garden spots: Hudson Gardens offers classes on beekeeping January to April; or “Start Your Garden From Seed” (online) Jan. 27, which is about when the resident gardener starts to get really antsy … Or a gift card for O’Toole’s or Tagawa, or a specialized catalogue … or a bookstore gift certificate … or dinner at a favorite restaurant when they can open … And then, there are museum memberships, gym memberships, garden memberships that last all year long and will grow new interests and perhaps new skills. In another direction: art classes and a gift card at Guiry’s or Michaels or Arapahoe Community College? Adopting a shelter animal is a gift all around — to the family and that furry friend. (I recently found a lovely little black cat at the Dumb Friends League, thanks to a friend who volunteers there.)
Parker Arts
“Shoshana Bean — Sing Your Hallelujah,” is an online streaming performance by the Broadway and television star in a show that sold out at Harlem’s famous Apollo Theatre in 2018/2019. Contact Parker box office: PACEtickets@parkeronline.org. Must watch within 24 hours of purchase. 303-805-6800, parkerarts.org.
Denver Art Museum
Frida Kahlo tickets are selling in blocks 10 days in advance of the date you want to visit. Reserve a specific time and date in advance. Masks required. 720-865-5000, denverartmuseum.org.
Colorado Book Awards
Reminder to authors, publishers: Submissions to Colorado Humanities for the Colorado Book Awards are due by Jan. 8. At least 10 categories: anthology/collection; biography; children’s literature; fiction, creative non-fiction; history; and more … Information at coloradohumanities.org. Also, volunteers are needed to select and judge books.
Mark your calendars
Virtual Littleton Public Schools Student Art Show will be online, running from Jan. 19 to May 31, in conjunction with Arapahoe Community College. (Will run prize winning images in January.) Look for more information later.
Own an Original
Littleton’s annual Own an Original art exhibit is installed at the Littleton Museum, which had to close about 15 minutes after the exhibit opened. It’s available online. Keep an eye on the news for any changes in availability. 303-795-3950. Go online to www.littletongov.org/city-services/city-departments/museum and click on “Liberating Humor” and then on “Digital Exhibit.”