Denver Urban Christmas Count - Cherry Creek, Dam to University Blvd.

A holiday tradition—everyone welcome: beginners, intermediate, and advanced. The more eyes we have, the more birds we see. And we like to encourage people to get involved. Start the New Year with a half day or whole day effort—a good way to start 2020! The count covers a circle with a 15-mile diameter that includes the Platte River from the north city limits to Mississippi Ave., west to Buckley Air Force Base and the Rocky Mountain Arsenal.

After the count, at 5 p.m. celebrate with a Potluck at Washington Park United Church of Christ, 400 S. Williams St., Denver CO, 80209. The parking lot for the church is to the north, and the accessible entrance is off the alley. Call Urling Kingery at 303-814-2723 to RSVP and to enjoy the chili potluck, Urling's brownies, and your salad, dessert, veggie, or finger foods. Feel free to come even if you don’t RSVP.

Count Leader, Hugh Kingery: 303-814-2723 or 720-626-9566.

Meeting Place: At 8:00 a.m., meet at the Target Store at 4301 E Virginia Avenue—toward the south end of the very big parking lot. Please call Area Leader John Sakulich on his cell phone at 720-732-8100 if you can't locate the group. From here we will carpool to the beginning of the walk.

Alternate Meeting Place: 8:30 a.m., the Kenton Street trailhead near the J.F. Kennedy Municipal Golf Course.  Go south on Parker Road to Dartmouth, then 3 blocks west on Dartmouth. Kenton Street is south on the left; it's only one block long.

Count Area: We'll walk about 8 miles along Cherry Creek, stopping for lunch at a warm Vietnamese restaurant on Iliff Street.  We will be back at the Target store by 3 or 4 p.m.  Then some of us will need to retrieve the cars from Kenton Street. You will need to carry water, snacks and extra warm clothes  With a little sunshine, the main thing you will need your day pack for is the extra warm clothes.

Mode of Travel: 8.1 mile trek.

To Sign Up: Contact Area Leader John Sakulich, jsakulich@regis.edu, 720-732-8100. Please RSVP with John by email or phone if you want to attend the count, and RSVP with Urling Kingery at 303-814-2723 or 720-626-9566 if you want to go to the potluck.

Paul highly recommends the 5 p.m. chili potluck compilation meeting, noting that the food is great, you'll see a lot of friends, and it is fun to hear what birds have been seen. Let Paul know if you will attend the potluck.