Talk about loose ends coming together. Or maybe it's just a matter of being surprised that there's progress during a month better known for hot weather. But it's time for updates on stories that date to 2005.

Dearfield

* What: An abandoned African-American settlement in Weld County nears its centennial, with the Black American West Museum in Denver shepherding work to save the few remaining structures. The museum owns numerous parcels in Dearfield.

* When and where: The museum and Dearfield supporters plan a cleanup there starting at 10 a.m. Aug. 16. Museum director La Wanna Larson estimates the effort will last into the afternoon.

* What's new: Mead resident Chuck White, who recently purchased a parcel that includes the old lunchroom in Dearfield, has offered to swap his land with the museum so the institution will then own the three major structures remaining there. White also contributed $1,000 toward stabilizing the building, now in disrepair.

* Information: 303-482-2242; blackamericanwestmuseum.com.

The Jennifer Project

* What: A campaign to raise $1 million to purchase a Joel Shapiro sculpture for installation in the garden proposed between the Denver Art Museum's Hamilton Building and the Clyfford Still Museum, in honor of Jennifer Moulton, the late Denver planning director.

* When and where: The effort was announced in fall 2005, when organizers had amassed about $340,000 in pledges and gifts.

* What's new: Organizers have about $292,000 in hand for Shapiro's 32-foot-tall sculpture, with the promise of support from the Denver Art Museum's Sept. 20 Collectors' Choice event and the hope of wrapping things up by the end of 2008. Moulton helped make the museum's new Hamilton Building happen, and the DAM is returning the favor. No word on how much the event might raise, but tickets begin at $1,200 per person.

* Information: 720-913-0033

McNichols Building

* What: New York architect Albert Ross designed this Greek Revival-style library, which opened in 1910 thanks to support from industrialist/philanthropist Andrew Carnegie.

* Where and when: The McNichols (or old Carnegie Library) faces West Colfax Avenue near Bannock Street. A city office building now, over the years it's been the victim of terrible "improvements" - from closing up its south wall to burying its front entry.

* What's new: The city didn't include this building in the recent bond package, and that's a real tragedy. Instead, officials have issued a request for information seeking a developer to tackle the job. Responses to the request are due by Oct. 31. Tours of the building begin this week.

One sentence in particular leaps out: "The City does not have funding now nor in the foreseeable future to rehabilitate the Building." So, developers, you're on your own. Let's hope someone bird-dogs this project. But what a great place this could be: Think museum of Denver history, restaurant, terrace bar . . .

* Information: denvergov.org/ purchasing

Denver Justice Center

* What: The city recently chose two artists for the second phase of Percent for Art projects at the complex. New York-based Dennis Oppenheim won the 2006 commission for a major $1.2 million work on the center's plaza.

* Where and when: The courthouse and jail are bordered by Delaware and Fox streets, West Colfax and West 14th avenues.

* What's new: The city's cultural affairs commission and the mayor have approved commissions for Massachusetts-based Ralph Helmick ($260,000 for a work in the courthouse atrium) and University of Colorado professor Garrison Roots ($300,000 to address the public space/lobby of the jail).

Images are not available because the concepts are being refined. Helmick's proposal involves a suspended sculptural piece, and Roots is planning a design for the floor. Other artists still are being considered for a project in the jury assembly room.

* Information: 720-865-4320.

Chandlerm@RockyMountainNews.com or 303-954-2677