• Serving the Crystal Valley since 2002 •
THE CRYSTAL VALLEYandE CHO Marble Times Providing a voice for community-based organizations and individuals that enrich the life of the Crystal Valley January 2012
Inside
FREE
Volume 9 Number 1
Welcome 2012
RCA and Hospice page 3
Crytsal Valley vet page 5
Snowshoe Race page 8
Marble Times pages 9-12
Getting to know you: Six-year-old Zaida Laine Leslie of Marble got up close and personal with Blondie, left, and Kitty, right. Randy Melton of Avalanche Outfitters drove the team as they pulled many Marble Charter School kids and staff on a sleigh ride through Redstone on the last day of school, Dec. 16. Photo by Alyssa Ohnmacht
Do you like FREE Tequila?
Join us EVERY Friday in January anytime from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. for a
FREE Tequila Tasting Tournament
Echoes of a Life page 15
Page 2, Crystal Valley Echo & Marble Times
YouthEntity to bring ProStart to the Roaring Fork School District National culinary program provides kids with real life experience Echo staff report YouthEntity will be implementing the ProStart program during the 2012-2013 school year for students in the Roaring Fork School District, which includes Carbondale. Colorado ProStart is a high school hospitality education program of the Colorado Restaurant Association and the Colorado Hotel & Lodging Association. It’s a two-year foodservice/hospitality management and business entrepreneurship curriculum offered primarily to high school juniors and seniors. "We are excited to partner with the YouthEntity organization to offer the Colorado ProStart Program, college credit and scholarship opportunities to high school students in the Roaring Fork School District," said Mary Mino, president of the Colorado Restaurant Association Education Foundation. "No other national program so effectively brings the restaurant and hospitality community and the classroom together to provide students and teachers with access to relevant, realworld educational opportunities and life-changing experiences." Foodservice is one of the nation’s fastest-growing industries, currently employing 12.8 million workers. The industry is expected to add two million jobs over the next decade, with 47,000 of those positions in management. “There is a wealth of diverse opportunities for young people in the restaurant and foodservice industry,” said Kirsten Petre McDaniel, executive director of YouthEntity. “The ProStart program will help us prepare students for those opportunities and establish a foundation for further learning whether the students immediately pursue foodservice careers or go on to hospitality management or culinary programs at the college level. “ProStart also builds on our already successful YouthChefs baking and pastry arts program coached by volunteer Master Chef Christine Bergstrom,” Kirsten continued. “This summer, YouthChefs graduates interned at Restaurant Six89 in Carbondale and Pullman in Glenwood Springs thanks to Chef/Owner Mark Fischer and other graduates are now studying at Johnson & Wales As part of the ProStart program, YouthEntity will combine knowledge building with the opportunity for students to participate in mentored work experiences at local restaurants. They work directly with industry professionals who serve as mentors to make sure the students are getting as much as possible out of the work experience and have the chance to practice what they learn at YouthEntity. When students meet academic standards, complete a checklist of competencies, and participate in at least 400 hours of a mentored work experience, they are awarded the ProStart National Certificate of Achievement that signifies they are well qualified to enter the industry workforce. Students who achieve the National Certificate of Achievement have access to scholarships and articulation agreements with colleges and universities.
IN REDSTONE AND MARBLE
MISSION STATEMENT: To provide a voice for Crystal Valleyites; to bring attention to the individuals and local businesses that are the fabric of the Crystal Valley region; to contribute to the vitality of our small town life. Publisher Alyssa Ohnmacht Editor Carrie Click Staff Writer Sue McEvoy Advertising Sales Alyssa Ohnmacht • 963-2373 echo@crystalvalleyecho.com Distribution Dawn Distribution • 963-0874
Contributors to this issue of The Crystal Valley Echo: Colorado Mountain College, Mary Sundblom, Roaring Fork Outdoor Volunteers, Colorado Mountain Club Aspen Group (Roaring Fork Valley), Dallas Savard, Bruce Gledhill, Ellie Kershow, MCS students and staff, Karen Mulhall, Nancy Chromy, George Newman, John Emerick, Susan Weber, Doris Downey, Sean Jeung, Hospice of the Valley, Andrea Schwaighofer, Michael Ohnmacht, Darrell Sage, John Ohnmacht The Crystal Valley Echo is published monthly, and is distributed throughout the entire Crystal Valley.
In Marble… A salon experience in a natural setting. In Redstone… a convenient location for all your beauty needs. Lower Level of the Redstone Inn • 970-963-2526 170 Crystalline Drive • Marble CO 81623 • 970-963-0998 • 970-319-5716
Home delivery is available for many locations throughout the valley. Newspaper box locations: Carbondale City Market (inside) • Village Smithy Carbondale Post Office • Dos Gringos • Red Rock Diner Redstone General Store • Marble Charter School The Echo is also available at businesses from El Jebel to Glenwood Springs and throughout the Crystal Valley. For subscriptions Please send $35 and address information to: The Crystal Valley Echo 274 Redstone Blvd., Redstone, CO 81623 For information Please contact us: 963-2373 echo@crystalvalleyecho.com All copy submitted to The Crystal Valley Echo will be edited and reviewed by our staff for style, grammar and content. The Crystal Valley Echo reserves the right to refuse publication of any submitted material that does not meet the our standards for a positive, informative, educational community newspaper.
JANUARY 2012
G O O D
Page 3
D E E D S
RCA extends a hand to hospice By Sue McEvoy, Echo staff writer
Hospice volunteers and clients. Photos courtesy of Sean Jeung
The Redstone Community Association (RCA) serves as this small community’s chamber of commerce, events committee, forum for local issues and marketing organization. Without any tax-based funding, the RCA operates on membership dues, donations, and a few fundraising events. Annual costs for the RCA include memberships in the Glenwood Springs and Carbondale chambers, maintaining Redstone’s website at redstonecolorado.com, and hosting events such as the Fourth of July parade, Grand Illumination, the Easter egg hunt, and Summer Concerts in the Park. The RCA is also responsible for partial maintenance of the public bathrooms at Redstone Park. But RCA is also a community-based organization with a giving-back-to-the-whole-community focus. This winter, RCA has selected Hospice of the Valley as its beneficiary charity. Redstone resident Nancy Chromy recommended that RCA select Hospice of the Valley this year as a recipient for donations at the organization’s November board meeting. “I thought Hospice of the Valley would be such a great charity because practically everyone is touched by hospice in one way or another, and RCA unanimously agreed,” she said. Officially known as Home Care & Hospice of the Valley, this 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation was formed in 2008 and serves terminally ill patients and their families in the Roaring Fork, Colorado, Crystal and Eagle River Valleys. Their services include nursing care, social work, bereavement counseling and volunteer support. According to hospice’s volunteer coordinator Wendy Steckler, several Hospice of the Valley volunteers live in the Crystal Valley and many local families have been served. “Volunteers do a wide range of activities and tasks which include, but are certainly not limited to, offering companionship, offering respite breaks for the primary caregiver, offering to just be present in the home to give the family peace of mind, assistance with creating a legacy journal,
Left, Hospice of the Valley volunteer, Doris Downey of Redstone. Right, Nancy Chromy and RCA president Steve Pavlin, with one of the many donation boxes for Hospice of the Valley you can find throughout Redstone.
light meal preparation or light housekeeping,” she says. Doris Downey of Redstone is in her third year as a volunteer. When she has a patient, she generally sees them once a week. “The goal is to just give care and comfort,” says Doris. “Sometimes that means reading to a person, taking them for a walk, listening to their stories or helping them assemble their life story to give to their children. I always come away with admiration for the dignity and courage with which people die.” As part of their fundraising for Hospice of the Valley, RCA members have placed gift-wrapped boxes for donations that are being collected all winter in several locations on Redstone Boulevard. In addition, hospice will be the beneficiary of part of the funds raised at the third annual Redstone Snowshoe Race and Fun Walk to be held Feb. 4 (see story, page 8). The donation boxes are located at the Redstone Inn, Redstone Company Store, Redstone Art Center, Church at Redstone, Redstone General Store and Hightower Café. Or, come out and walk around the Redstone Castle on Feb. 4 at the race/walk and help out that way! For information on donating, volunteering or obtaining services provided by Hospice of the Valley, call 927-6650 or go to hchotv.org.
W H O
A R E
“Who We Are” is a Q&A about Crystal Valleyites and/or those who work in the Crystal Valley area. Our objective is to give community members better connections and familiarity with each other.
Andrea Schwaighofer of Marble and Innsbruck, Austria
W E
Birthplace: Berlin, Germany Age: 68 When did you move to the Crystal Valley and why? In 1993. I followed a dream I had to buy property in Marble. What three things would you like people to know about you? 1) I am a free spirit. 2) I love to ski and sail the high seas. 3) Sometimes I even yodel.
Which living person do you most admire? My friend, Ane Altemus of Carbondale, because of her great philosophy of life. What's the best piece of advice you've ever been given? To be honest and never lose your sense of humor. What is your favorite thing to do in the Crystal Valley? Ride my horse, snowshoe and paint the beautiful scenery of the Crystal Valley.
Who are you? Would you like others to know who you are and what you’re about? Or do you know someone who lives and/or works in the Crystal Valley who would make an interesting Who We Are subject? Let us know by contacting the Echo at cve@crystalvalleyecho.com, or call 963-2373.
Page 4, Crystal Valley Echo & Marble Times
C RY S TA L
C A L E N D A R Your calendar for goings on in and around the Crystal River Valley
Help the Echo’s calendar grow; let us know. Send event items to echo@crystalvalleyecho.com by the 15th of the preceding month. Be sure to include the five Ws (who, what, when, why and where); contact info, cost and anything else you think readers need to know. • Jan. 1: Happy New Year! • Jan. 5: 1-3 p.m. Time to recycle in Redstone. In front of the Church at Redstone, Redstone Boulevard. • Jan. 5: 7 p.m. The Marble Board of Trustees meeting is at Fellowship Hall at the Marble Community Church, 384-0761. • Jan. 5: 6-8 p.m. A cold weather camping and survival workshop is at the Carbondale Firehouse, 300 Meadowood Dr., Carbondale. Presented by the Roaring Fork/Aspen chapter of the Colorado Mountain Club. Free. RSVP at aspencomtclub@gmail.com or 925-6648. • Jan. 6: 6-8 p.m. First Fridays, Carbondale’s celebration of the arts, shopping, dining and music, rings in the new year with a fire pit downtown, horse drawn carriage rides, food, shopping and other merchant sponsor specials. Along Main Street, Harmony Scott Jewelry will be serving “Spice It Up” appetizers from caterer Susie Jimenez, Food Network Stars finalist, on behalf of the Shining Stars Foundation for children with life-threatening diseases. Fifteen percent of all sales this night benefit the foundation. Carbondale Chamber of Commerce, 963-1890.
• Jan. 6: 6-8 p.m. Majid Kahhak paints the theme “New Beginnings” on First Friday at Kahhak Fine Arts & School, 411 Main St., Carbondale. Beverages and hors d’oeuvres served. 704-0622, mkahhak.com.
• Jan. 6: 8:30 p.m. Justin Roth is at Steve’s Guitars, 19 N. Fourth St., Carbondale. Call for ticket prices, info. 963-3304, sguitars@sopris.net, stevesguitars.net.
• Jan. 10: 10 a.m. Redstone Community Association meets at the Redstone Inn. Learn about upcoming Redstone events, and help plan for them. redstonecolorado.com.
• Jan. 11: Naturalist Nights: “Beaver: Nuisance or Opportunity” from 5:30-7 p.m. at the Third Street Center in Carbondale, 520 S. Third St., 927-1290, roaringfork.org. • Jan. 12: 4-8 p.m. Open house community input meeting for Carbondale’s new library is at the Calaway Room at the Third Street Center 520 S. Third St. Carbondale. Come when you can. Light refreshments served. Contact Andrea Korber of Land+Shelter at 963-0201, andi@landandshelter.com.
• Jan 12: 7 p.m. Crystal River Caucus regular meeting at the Church at Redstone, on Redstone Boulevard. Agenda includes an update by the US Forest Service on Coal Creek restoration, and work at Avalanche and Redstone campgrounds; and discussion on establishing a stakeholder group for planning and design of the Crystal River Trail.
• Jan. 12-15: The 62nd annual Winterskol winter festival in Aspen features on- and off-mountain activities, live music, canine fashion show, fireworks, and more; aspenchamber.org. • Jan. 13: 7-11 p.m. Band of Heathens plays at PAC3 at the Third Street Center in Carbondale. Presented by Carbondale Council on Arts and Humanities. The Mile Markers open. $30/tickets, all ages. 520 E. Third St., Carbondale. Tickets available at carbondalearts.com. • Jan. 14: 8:30 p.m. Cassie Taylor at Steve’s Guitars, 19 N. Fourth St., Carbondale. 963-3304, stevesguitars.net. • Jan. 18: 8:30 p.m. Peter Mulvey at Steve’s Guitars, 19 N. Fourth St., Carbondale. 963-3304, stevesguitars.net. • Jan. 19: 1-3 p.m. Time to recycle in Redstone. In front of the Church at Redstone, Redstone Boulevard. • Jan. 20: 8:30 p.m. Ashleigh Flynn at Steve’s Guitars, 19 N. Fourth St., Carbondale. 963-3304, stevesguitars.net. • Jan. 21: The Town to Town Tour is a cross-country/snowshoe event from Aspen to Basalt – and points in between. Fundraiser for Roaring Fork Outdoor Volunteers, 927-8241, rfov@sopris.net, rfov.org. • Jan. 26-29: Winter X Games 15 at Buttermilk in Aspen features ski and snowboard slopestyle, superpipe, big air, snowmobile freestyle, and lots more; espn.com.
ONGOING • Guided tours of the historic Redstone Castle during the winter are on the weekends. Tickets are available at Tiffany of Redstone and the Redstone General Store. $15/adults, $10/seniors/children, free for kids under 5 years. 963-9656 or redstonecastle.us. • Take a horse-drawn carriage ride around Redstone. $25/person. Winter horseback rides available, too. 963-2526, redstoneinn.com. • The Marble Hub’s winter hours are Friday, Saturday and Sunday, 9:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. 105 W. Main St., Marble, 704.9482. • AA in Redstone is every Thursday at 7 p.m. Closed step discussion meeting at the Church at Redstone on the Boulevard. Men and women welcome. • Pilates in Redstone is on Monday and Thursday mornings; 8-9 a.m. is advanced; 9:30-10:30 a.m. is beginner; and Thursdays at 5:30 p.m. – all levels, everyone welcome, at the Redstone Inn. $10 fee, punch passes available. Dress comfortably and bring a mat. 704-1843.
• Roaring Fork Combat Veterans Support Group, a safe place for veterans who have served in combat operations to share, meets every Monday at 8 p.m. at the Circle Club, 123 Main St., Carbondale. Contact Adam McCabe, 309-613-6-91, bigmac309@gmail.com. • Total Body Fitness schedule in Redstone is Tuesday and Thursday, 8:30-10:30 a.m., at the Church at Redstone on the Boulevard. Have a two-hour body experience: Sculpt your figure with low impact to burn body fat, weight-bearing exercises to strengthen and breathing and mindful stretching for flexibility and body/mind awareness. Free to the community. All abilities welcome. Since 1995. Personal training available. Instructor: Lisa Wagner, 963-8240. • HEARTBEAT – support for survivors after suicide – meets the second Tuesday of the month at 6:30 p.m. at the United Methodist Church, 824 Cooper St. (the Bethel Chapel entrance), Glenwood. Call Pam Szedelyi, 945-1398, or pamsz@sopris.net. • Want to be "In Stitches"? Every first, third and sometimes fifth Wednesday, bring the stitches (knit, crochet, needlepoint etc.) of your choice to the Redstone Inn Library Room from 4-6 p.m. Beginner to advanced. Call Kay Bell, 963-9811, or Mary Dorais, 963-3862. • Recycling in Redstone is on the first and third Thursday of each month from 1-3 p.m. Bring your cardboard, glass, plastic, newspapers, magazines, aluminum, steel cans and office paper to the Pitkin County bin parked adjacent to the Church at Redstone, Redstone Boulevard. • Carbondale Recreation offers classes and programs for a range of activities for kids and adults. 7044190, carbondalerec.com. • Get help: Crystal Valley residents living in Pitkin County (that’s you, Redstonians), are encouraged by the Aspen Counseling Center to pick up the phone if you are in an emotional crisis and need to talk to a trained professional. Don’t wait. Call 920-5555.
UPCOMING • Feb. 3: 7 p.m. The Marble Board of Trustees meeting is at Fellowship Hall at the Marble Community Church, 384-0761. • Feb. 4: 8 a.m. registration, 10 a.m. start. The third annual United States Snowshoe Association-sanctioned Redstone Snowshoe Race/Fun Walk 5K is at the Redstone Castle; redstonecolorado.com. • Feb. 4: Colorado High School Athletic Association high school Nordic race in Carbondale. Eliott Norquist, 704-0498. • Feb. 5: Mount Sopris Nordic Council’s Ski for Sisu ski-a-thon at Spring Gulch outside of Carbondale. Greg Fitzpatrick, 319-8531. • Feb. 5: Super Bowl Sunday.
JANUARY 2012
C RY S TA L
VA L L E Y
Page 5
P E T S
Crystal Valley Veterinary Care brings vet service to your home By Sue McEvoy, Echo staff writer
One Marble resident is not only succeeding in her own new business but is realizing the fruition of her dream to live and work right in the Crystal River Valley. Susan Weber, DVM, launched Crystal Valley Veterinary Care one year ago, making house calls to nearly 70 patients and providing small animal medicine, surgery to dogs, cats and the occasional guinea pig. Working from her truck loaded with supplies, Susan comes to your door to provide a host of veterinary services including wound care, health exams, vaccinations, screenings, arthritis management, acupuncture and dental checkups. With the goal of eventually becoming a completely self-contained mobile hospital, Susan performs procedures such as teeth cleaning at All Dogs & Cats Veterinary Hospital in Glenwood Springs since general anesthesia is needed. Susan also works with All Dogs & Cats, using their facility for running blood work, taking x-rays, and other surgeries. For regular vet visits, not only is there the convenience of arranging a veterinary appointment on your time and at your home but Susan finds most pets and their owners are more comfortable during the visit and there’s more time available for consultation. “Some people are so relaxed they greet me in their pajamas and hand me a cup of coffee,” Susan says. “There’s no rush. I like to think that it’s Crystal Valley casual yet professional.” Cat owners in particular enjoy not having to transport their pets to vet clinics. And the owners of one 110-pound dog described how difficult it used to be to get their dog in the door of a veterinary hospital before Susan began offering at-home care. In addition to the annual exams and wound care, Susan uses a multi-modal approach to slow down the onset of arthritis and promote joint health. “I start my patients on a new joint supplement called Dasuquin,” Susan says. “I also administer Adequan, a cartilage protectant. These products are used in combination with acupuncture, which helps stimulate the body’s own anti-inflammatories and pain relievers.” Susan is a huge advocate of prophylactic dental care and teaches willing clients how to brush their dog’s teeth, although she finds most cats don’t tolerate brushing well. “A lot of people forget that their pet’s teeth are exactly like theirs and without care they’re going to become diseased, get infected and be painful,” she said. “Much of that can be minimized or prevented.” Willing clients get a demonstration and receive a dental care kit, which includes either chicken or beef-flavored doggie toothpaste. Susan first lived in the Crystal Valley in the early 1980s and graduated from the veterinary technician program at Colorado Mountain College. She moved on to graduate with honors from the professional veterinary medicine program at Colorado State University and has completed the international veterinary acupuncture course for small animals. She lives with her husband Kevin and dogs Ripple, Stella Blue and Shamu as well as Mushy, the cat she has had for 21 years. She enjoys getting out in the mountains every day with her dogs and on Sundays can watch up to nine hours of football. Susan stresses that her house call practice allows people the time to get the best care possible for their pets, and to talk about concerns. People are welcome to call Susan at home with questions. “I would really like to take the opportunity to thank everybody that has invited me into their home,” Susan says. “It’s been the best experience of my veterinary career. It’s so much nicer getting to know people over their kitchen table versus a stainless steel table.” Dr. Susan Weber is available weekdays, evenings and on weekends by appointment at 963-1027.
Dr. Susan Weber and her beloved dog Cassidy.
Page 6, Crystal Valley Echo & Marble Times
C R Y S T A L
R I V E R
C A U C U S
M A T T E R S
Caucus revisiting the Crystal River Trail By John Emerick, Crystal River Caucus
The Crystal River Caucus will once again have the Crystal River Trail on its agenda for the Jan. 12 regular meeting. Now before some of you begin rolling your eyes, let me tell you why I think this is a good idea. There is no question that the first completed segment of the trail, from Carbondale to the BRB Resort, has been immensely popular. The county probably will not have sufficient funds to develop another section of the trail for a few years. I think now is a great time for a serious planning effort that would involve not only Pitkin County staff and other officials, but participation by valley residents, the Forest Service, and other concerned groups. I know from speaking to many caucus members that some have stopped coming to caucus meetings because of the contentiousness of some of the issues in the past, including the master plan, wilderness designation, and the Crystal River Trail. So why should the caucus subject itself to something akin to having a root canal and risk further erosion of member support? There are two reasons. The first is that the construction of a recreational trail up the valley to McClure Pass will be the largest single development activity in the valley since Highway 133 was built, and this project will affect in some way almost every valley resident. The second reason is that trail planning discussions don’t need to take place during the caucus meetings because an alternative forum is possible.
A new Crystal River Trail Planning Committee? Last year, Pitkin County Open Space and Trails convened the Redstone Parks Planning Committee. In a little over a year, the committee discussed various relevant issues, listened to concerns from the public, and came up with recommendations that led to the management plan for Elk Park, Redstone Park, and Redstone Boulders Open Space. Anyone who wanted to comment at a planning committee meeting was permitted to do so, whether they were on the committee or not. I think it was an effective forum and it was well received by both the Redstone community and the caucus. While some may take issue with the results, I liked the process because it was relatively transparent and everyone in the community was invited to become involved. In my opinion, that is important because it gave the community some ownership in the resulting plan. The caucus board agreed that a similar process could be used to plan the design and alignment of the Crystal Trail. There is no question that the issues involving the trail are much more complex than those associated with the three Redstone parks. However, the Redstone Parks planning process was a very successful “experiment” by the county, and that success can lead to a greater willingness on the part of county staff, the Open Space and Trails Board, and the commissioners to conduct a similar effort for the trail.
Regularly scheduled caucus meetings are held on the second Thursday of every odd-numbered month, which includes March 10, May 12, July 14, Sept. 8, and Nov.10.
Back by popular demand…
Winter Trail Rides
Winter Sliegh Rides
Christmas Tree Rides
Happy 40th Birthday! Book your winter adventure by calling 963-1144 or 963-2526
Tish, Hayden and Hayley
Jan. 12 meeting agenda The agenda is focusing on two topics. The first will be an update by the US Forest Service on the Coal Basin Restoration Project, changes to the Avalanche Creek Campground, and putting in an emergency access to the Redstone Campground. The second will be a discussion on the direction of the Crystal River Trail planning process. The meeting will run from 7-9 p.m. and will be held at the Church at Redstone, on the Boulevard. For more information, contact the Crystal River Caucus at crcaucus@gmail.com or call 963-2143.
New this year…
Call for reservations…
We love you!
This could be a win-win situation for both the county and the citizens of the valley. The county stands to receive better trust and support from a broader segment of the people who live here, and we in turn get a trail that conforms to a better balance of environmental, aesthetic, and recreational values. Moreover, we would have a trail plan in place sooner rather than later. Having a ready plan has already benefitted the Redstone parks: $156,000 was made available for the Elk Park renovation through a grant from Colorado Scenic Byways (plus matching funds), which might not have been possible without the plan.
JANUARY 2012
The Church at Redstone
Page 7
What’s up with Pitkin County? 2011 year in review By George Newman, Pitkin County District 5 commissioner
We invite you to come and worship God with us in a peaceful and beautiful setting next to the Crystal River in Redstone
Worship 10:00 a.m. ªªª
Nursery provided
Bruce A. Gledhill, Pastor • 970-963-0326 www.churchatredstone.com
A community church serving Redstone and the Crystal Valley.
The year 2011 was a challenging and productive time for the Pitkin County Board of Commissioners (BOCC). It began with a new commissioner, Rob Ittner, a new sheriff, Joe DiSalvo, and a new county manager, Jon Peacock. Some exciting accomplishments this year included: • The recently completed 1,000-foot runway extension at the Pitkin County Airport that allows airlines to utilize more seats and improve passenger safety. In addition, we are in the midst of developing a new master plan for both the airport and terminal. (Public meetings will continue into 2012 for further input.) This year we also prioritized a future transportation access plan for Highway 82 and the Aspen Airport Business Center, including ongoing work for a grade-separated pedestrian crossing. The airport master plan will look at how to integrate its traffic flows into this busy intersection. • Based on considerable citizen and community development input, we finalized new land use code amendments for agricultural structures and new standards for solar installations. We are now interviewing interested citizens to serve on the new Agriculture Advisory Committee. Also based on community meetings, county staff’s and attorney’s input, the BOCC took a pass on the permitting and licensing of marijuana dispensaries and grow sites in Pitkin County. • In November, we sought and were successful in gaining voters’ approval for the continuation of the Healthy Community Fund enabling us to continue to support human service organizations in the valley who do so much to meet the needs of our citizens struggling in these tough economic conditions. Thank you to all who voted! • In 2011, our Open Space and Trails department was awarded a Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) Scenic Byway grant to begin work on Elk Park as part of the related Redstone Master Plan. We also completed the restoration of the Redstone Coke Ovens; a remarkable project in and of itself. • I traveled to Washington DC twice in 2011 on behalf of Pitkin County. Last spring, as a RFTA board member as well as a Commissioner, I joined a small contingency to lobby our senators and the Department of Transportation for funding of the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) program. The success of that effort secured a $24 million grant that had been on hold due to the congressional budgeting process (or lack thereof). I returned in the fall to meet our congressional delegates and top administrators in the departments of agriculture and interior to lobby for the protection of the Thompson Divide area. Two weeks later, Senators Michael Bennett and Mark Udall wrote to Secretary Ken Salazar supporting our request to delay the unitization of oil and gas leases in the Lake Ridge area until issues such as the gap leases can be addressed and to encourage further talks between the industry and the Thompson Divide Coalition. • This past year we also provided comments to the US Forest Service on the environmental assessment of the White Banks Mine plan for operations and we will continue to monitor it. We argued against year-round mining, 24-hour mining, and onsite housing. Concerns include the impacts to wildlife and neighbors, and safety issues with truck traffic on and off Highway 133. • We weighed in on the proposed US Air Force low altitude flight training, requesting a full environmental impact statement to determine the effects these flights would have on the county and wilderness areas. Most recently, we sent a letter to the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission regarding their rule on fracking fluid disclosure, stating that anything less than full disclosure is unacceptable for health and safety reasons. • Water issues also took center stage for the BOCC. These involved filing an opposition in Water Court to the West Divide Project up the Crystal, pursuing a recreational in-stream flow application on the Roaring Fork River in Basalt with the Colorado Water Conservation Board, and requisitioning an independent study on the proposed Castle Creek hydro-electric project in Aspen, to name a few. All of these public land and water issues remain unresolved and will stay in the forefront as we look to our 2012 agenda. I hope this column has kept you well informed of county business this past year. Your comments are always welcomed. Wishing you a healthy and prosperous New Year!
The Pitkin County Commissioners hold weekly work sessions on Tuesdays and bi-monthly public hearings on Wednesdays in the Plaza One building (next to the Pitkin County Courthouse) in Aspen. Both meetings are televised live and repeated on locater CG12 TV. They are also streamed live and available on the county website, aspenpitkin.com. Agendas are published in newspapers throughout the Roaring Fork Valley, and online at aspenpitkin.com. In this column, your District 5 Commissioner George Newman offers his take on current matters. You can reach him at georgenewman@co.pitkin.co.us.
Page 8, Crystal Valley Echo & Marble Times
G O V E R N M E N T Marble Board of Trustees
After December break, Marble trustees meet on Jan. 5 By Karen Mulhall, Town of Marble The Marble Board of Trustees did not meet in December. Marble’s trustees meet next at 7 p.m. on Jan. 5 in the Fellowship Hall at Marble Community Church. As of press time, the draft agenda was as follows: Marble Board of Trustees Regular Meeting 7 p.m., Jan. 5 Marble Community Church Fellowship Hall The trustees may take action on any of the following agenda items as presented or modified prior to or during the meeting, and items necessary or convenient to effectuate the agenda items. Call to order, roll call, determination of quorum Review and approve minutes from Nov. 3, 2011 meeting Approve accounts payable and financials for Jan. 5, 2012 Application for a business license – Craig Blevins Comments from the floor • Parks and Recreation Department • Mill Site Park Committee Report • Roads and Bridges Administrative • Timeline for 2012 Municipal election • Appoint clerk as election official Correspondence • Letter from Max and Jody Taylor regarding snowplowing • Letter from Colorado Stone Quarries regarding proposed septic system Executive session pursuant to C.R.S. § 24-6-402(e) to determine and develop strategy concerning enforcement alternatives available to the Town of Marble related to the activities and property of Vince Savage Adjourn February’s meeting is at 7 p.m. on Feb. 3 in Fellowship Hall at the Marble Community Church. For questions, ADA accommodations, or to place an item on a future agenda contact, Karen Mulhall at 384-0761.
Photo by Nancy Chromy
Run or walk at Redstone's snowshoe benefit event Feb. 4 By Sue McEvoy, Echo staff writer
Be ready to run or walk, but be on snowshoes on the morning of Saturday, Feb. 4 for the third annual Redstone Snowshoe Race and Fun Walk. The snowshoe race is one of this year’s Redstone Community Association (RCA) fundraisers benefitting Hospice of the Valley. The race starts at 10 a.m. in the west parking lot of the Redstone Inn. Registration is available on the morning of the race at the Church at Redstone on Redstone Boulevad starting at 8 a.m. Pre-registration can be completed at Independence Run and Hike at 586 Highway 133 in the La Fontana Plaza in Carbondale. The 5K (approximately three-mile) course takes place on the private road accessing the Redstone Castle and circles the castle’s grounds including crossing under the 1960’s-era T-bar lift of the Redstone Ski Area. Relatively flat, runners can expect to finish in 30 minutes and walkers should allow and hour and a half. Sanctioned by the United States Snowshoe Association, registration is $20 and includes a raffle ticket for one of many donated prizes. For more information go to redstonecolorado.com.
JANUARY 2012
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SPECIAL PULL-OUT SECTION - JANUARY 2012
T HE M ARBLE T IMES A L O O K AT L I F E AT T H E M A R B L E C H A R T E R S C H O O L
Marble Charter School – Recipient of The John Irwin Award for 2011 BOX TOP UPDATE
The Hub
Interview of Alicia Benesch by Erica
By Justin Why the Hub started: The Hub was started because Charlotte Graham wanted to make use of the historic bank building for a community center for people to go there and hang out. How the Hub was started: Charlotte sent out letters to non profits. She wrote a grant so the Hub could be here in Marble today and hopefully for a long time. The biggest success: “The biggest success was seeing all the people from the community making new friends.” Says Charlotte The winter hours: Friday-Sunday 9:30-2:30. Kept open by adult and kid volunteers. Where: The Hub is located at the Marble City State Bank building in the heart of Marble. The most interesting thing: The most interesting thing to me (Justin) is the thrift store.
Holiday Dinner raises $400+ dollars for trip By Colton On Friday, Dec. 9th the 7th and 8th grade MCS students hosted a traditional holiday dinner to raise money for their trip to San Francisco. The food that was served was stuffing, turkey, vegetable casserole, mashed potatoes, pumpkin and apple pie. The servers were Julia, Jose, Justice, Sam, Jake and the busboy was Colton. The dinner raised about $400 for the 7-8th grade trip to San Francisco.
Many Thanks
How much money have we raised with the Box Top program? For the past 2 months(Nov/Dec) we raised $36.70.We have raised, including this last batch that I will submit, $205.70!! Our goal is $500, so we are close to being half way there! Do you know how much we've raised on the online shopping site? Online shoppers have raised about $16.90. How many box tops are in all the classes? 326 box tops, and 41 Bonus box tops for a grand total of 367 box tops. Who won the December contest? Dan’s class, The Wild Cats won again with 171 boxtops, Gina’s class came in second with 109 and Debby’s class had 87. What is the next contest for? And when is the deadline? The next contest will again be between all three classes. It will start on January 3rd and end on the Ides of March (March 15th). The prize will be an Ice Cream Social for the winning class. The final contest will be from March 16th thru the next to last week of school. If the entire school can collect enough to reach our goal of $500, we will have an all school celebration! Do you know how many people are participating on the online box top market place site? It appears that we have 12 online shoppers. Is there anything else you'd like to share with the Echo/Marble Times readers? Keep clipping!! Help MCS reach their Box Tops goal by clipping out and saving the Box Tops that come on the products you buy. You can take your Box Tops to the Marble Charter School or the Redstone General Store, or give them to your favorite MCS student. Thank you!
Director’s Corner By Debra Winston
“But, Does it Make Us Smarter?”
Schools are busy places and we often get caught in a whirlwind of activities, testing and holidays. We simply need to stop and be sure that we are using our time wisely. We often ask ourselves if the activities we plan are furthering our academic agenda, or if they are “nice to do.” We also ask when the right time is for activities. Spring often gets crowded with end of the year activities, so we’ve moved our musical up to March. We had traditionally presented a talent show in March and we presented it in December this year. Our 7th and 8th graders are organizing a Community Italian Dinner for Jan. 27 to raise money for their San Francisco trip. The students are learning a lot about planning and organization, with the prospect of an adventure for their efforts. All of these endeavors help the students to gain skills that will better prepare them for high school and beyond.
A strong school is continually reviewing practices and presentations, offering our students opportunities to present their learning. Please join us on Feb. 20 when we host an open house all day, with a Snow Sculpture tour in the early evening. We will share what we’ve learned about snow (which is a bit like marble!) and share our portfolios with visitors. On March 15 and 16 we will present our home-grown musical using folk tales from around the world at the Thunder River Theatre in Carbondale. We assure you all of these activities will be well worth your time. Please join us
IMPORTANT DATES TO NOTE: TO THE SPONSORS OF THE MARBLE TIMES!
DAVID PARKS & LAURIE FARBER & FAMILY Become a Sponsor of The Marble Times! Sponsorships help off-set the cost of producing this school paper thus allowing it to remain ad-free, so the students’ work can be the focus. If you would like to sponsor The Marble Times, please contact Alyssa - echo@crystalvalleyecho.com or 963-2373
Jan. 3: School resumes Jan. 16: MLK Day - No school Jan. 27: Community Italian Dinner Feb. 20: MCS Open House Mar. 15-16: MCS Musical at Thunder River Theater Company
Page 10, Crystal Valley Echo & Marble Times
Teacher Spotlight:
Student Interview
Dan Poll, 3-5 grade teacher
Julia By Ralph
By Erica What is your favorite color? Blue. Why did you choose to be a teacher? Because I had younger cousins that I tutored. What is your favorite subject? Math and science. What did it feel like to be a bull rider? It was a rush feeling. What kind of music do you like? Country and rock. What is your favorite move? Lonesome Dove. What do you like about M.C.S.? I like how we are more of a family. Where would you go on vacation? Mexico Why are you interested in horses? The relationships When did you get interested in horses? When I was working at a kids camp. What is your favorite food? Potatoes and meat What is the biggest difference between Colorado and Michigan? The land features in Michigan are flat.
Who would you most like to meet? My Grandma Mary What is your favorite movie? Hidalgo What is your favorite book? Warriors What is your favorite subject in school? Art and Science What is your favorite sport? Swimming and soccer What is your career choice? Cake artist, chef, or decorator What is your pet peeve? People moving their mouths a lot Where would you like to visit most? The Ice Hotel in Iceland How would you spend your ideal day? Swimming in a warm lake and then afterwards eating coconut lime ice cream
Talent Show On Dec. 2 at 6 p.m. the community and MCS students and teachers gathered for the annual talent show. Students, teachers, and community members did acts about many things. Another thing that happened that night was that the E-Team (6-8 grade class) displayed their Lego Biomes that they had worked on for weeks. We hope to do this annual event again next year.
Scenes from our talent show. Left to right, top to bottom: Doek scarf dance, pirate mutiny, singing snow flakes, hand skit, Marble Charter School song, the dancing dinosaur dective, the chicken dance.
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THE MOBILE MECHANIC, LLC 963-3845
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REDSTONE GENERAL STORE 963-3126
JANUARY 2012
Page 11
6th - 8th graders created Holiday Fantasy storybooks this past December. Each student wrote a fantasy story with a bit of holiday or winter magic involved. They then edited, illustrated and published their work. Many shared their stories with younger students at our holiday party!
STUDENT GALLERY
Students in the 6th - 8th grade class have continued to look indepth at the concept of conflict. Students studied documents and photos from Myanmar, showing the large number of children who are recruited to serve in armies there. Small groups of students then wrote letters of protest to the government of Myanmar, the United Nations, and First Lady Michelle Obama in order to ask for help stopping the recruitment of children into combat situations. To the left is one of our letters.
6th graders learned all about the special qualities of certain numbers, studying such concepts as primes, composites, greatest common factors, least common multiples, and square numbers. These students chose a number and identified all of its special features.
In science the 3rd - 5th grade students finished up the Life Science unit by making posters of an animal cell and a plant cell. They labeled the organelles within each cell and included a written description of their function within the cells.
Kindergarten - 2nd graders made Native American Indian diaramas, wrote winter poems and drew snowmen.
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NELLY CONSTRUCTION & SNOWPLOWING 963-6359
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MICHAEL OHNMACHT 963-2373
Marble Charter School phone numbers: 970-963-9550 970-963-1009
Page 12, Crystal Valley Echo & Marble Times
1.
Colton’s Johnny Depp Crossword Puzzle
2.
Across: 3. Pirates of the _____________. 5. Something Jack Sparrow loves to drink. 7. Something the Headless Horseman cuts off. 9. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory’s Willy _______. 10. Edward ___________ Hands.
3.
4.
5. 6.
7.
Down 1. Captain Jack’s last name 2. Alice in Wonderland’s crazy main character. 4. Captain Jack’s worst enemy and friend. 6. The movie Tourist is about these. 8. Jack loves to sail it.
8. 9.
Answers on page 19 10.
A brief look into the classrooms… CLASS NAME • K-2 • GINA MILE
E-TEAM • 6-8 • DEBBY MACEK
Happy New Year! I hope that everyone had a wonderful holiday and that the students are as excited as I am to get back into the wonderful and rigorous rhythm of school. In the next few weeks, we will be finishing our dioramas and reports on five different Native American tribes. Our studies about the Native Americans will all come together during our opportunity to perform a skit for the school musical. The K-2 will perform a skit about a brave Comanche girl with the least to give who sacrifices the most. If anyone would like to help with costumes and or set design, please let me know. The students and I would to thank Alyssa and Erica, and Alexa’s Closet in Carbondale for donating dress up clothes. Thanks also to Baylee for the great dollhouse and Legos. Due to all these great donations the kindergarten space is really becoming a magical place where the imagination can run wild. I would also like to remind everyone that a great way to get to know the school better is attend one of our All School Meetings on Friday Mornings at 10:40. The last meeting we had made my heart proud of our school and what the students are doing. The E- Team (E for Effort/Debby’s class) shared letters they wrote to Michelle Obama, the UN and the government of Myanmar about the use of child soldiers in Myanmar. For the science program, the older students presented the sustainable Lego villages, complete with solar, wind, hydropower, composting facilities, etc. , that they just finished building. We also get to sing together as the whole school, with Dan accompanying us on guitar, and we have never sounded so lovely. Hope to see you there sometime.
The E-Team will enter the New Year boldly and bravely; we've got a lot of work to do! Students will be busy creating acts for our musical based upon folk tales about the Earth. The E-Team is studying Africa and learning about slavery, colonialism, independence, civil wars, apartheid, and the rich cultures and traditions as we take apart a folk tale from Nigeria and put it together again for the stage, MCS-style! In mathematics, the 8th graders are entering the world of exponential growth, the 7th graders will be mastering multiplication and division of positive and negative integers, and the 6th graders will understand fractions inside and out, up and down (or should we say, numerator and denominator?). In Language Arts, we are becoming experts in expository (non-fiction informational) readings and increasing our understanding and use of literary devices that authors use to make their writing rich and varied. Come visit us; we'd love to show you how we work in teams to create a deep understanding of our curriculum and our world. Happy New Year!
WILDCATS • 3-5 • DAN POLL Where did December go? Here in the Wildcats classroom we have been exploring potential sites for our greenhouse. Dr. Will Evens came in on Tuesday, December 6, 2011 and talked to the students about the sun’s positioning at different times of the year. We went to one of the potential sites and used a tool that showed the students the percentage of sunlight that our greenhouse would receive throughout the year. What a great experience for our students and we are really getting excited about our own greenhouse. As well as our curriculum, we will be working hard on creating background knowledge for our spring musical, creating stained glass, and working on snow sculptures. The Wildcats classroom is really looking forward to starting the new year off right!
SCIENCE UPDATE • AMY RUSBY The great things we are doing in Science at MCS!!! To start the New Year…the 3rd thru 8th grade students will be starting the Physical Science Unit which includes: Properties of waves; sound and light; and the conservation of matter and energy. We will be breaking down the properties of waves into a more detailed look at plate tectonics, volcanoes, and earthquakes. We will then tie in how sound and light have an impact on waves and how the energy from waves effects the environment. Lastly, we will be exploring and learning about the various forms of energy and how it is transferred or conserved. We plan to do some very exciting experiments online that involve simulations and interactive activities that allow the students to learn from a different perspective. It will give them a more “hands-on” approach to learning. We at the Marble Charter School are very proud of what we are doing to educate our students and involve them within the community. If you are curious to see some of the great Science things in action... Just give Amy Rusby a call at 963-1009, to find out what the class times are.
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By Colton
Would Marble Charter School Be A Good Fit For YOUR Child? • Small Class Size, High Staff : Student Ratio (typically 5:1) • Kindergarten through 10th grade • Transportation to & from Redstone • Outstanding individualized educational opportunities • Warm, friendly, nurturing and supportive learning environment • We help children to reach their full potential. • Our combination of individualized instruction in core academics with project-based learning allows students to apply their skills in a real-world setting. • 9 & 10th grade selective enrollment, mentorships, individual learning plan, project based learning opportunities, contracted schedule. • New playground • Beautiful new classroom space
MARBLE CHARTER SCHOOL 412 West Main Street, Marble, Colorado 81623 970-963-9550 • Fax 970-963-8435 marblecharter@hughes.net www.gunnisonschools.net
JANUARY 2012
Page 13
Echo-Logic By Ellie Kershow
The evergreen of the season By Ellie Kershow
PITKIN COUNTY GOVERNMENT Now streaming Board of County Commissioner meetings on the internet!
Also on the Pitkin County website: County Commissioner Agendas Vehicle and Title Registration
Go to www.aspenpitkin.com
Property Tax Information Maps
On the left hand side of the Home Page look for the blue box that says: Watch Live & Recorded City Meetings County Meetings
Library online services Open Space and Trails Senior Services
Click on the Agenda on only the topic of the meeting you wish to watch.
And More!
Physical Mailing Address: Pitkin County Administration 530 East Main Street, Aspen, CO 81611
QUESTIONS? Call 970-920-5200
Pilates
in
Redstone
Given the recent holiday season, the logical evergreen to acknowledge this month is the fir tree. One of the most popular trees people choose to bring into their homes and businesses around the holidays is the fir tree. It is a perfect Christmas tree because it has soft or “friendly” needles and a beautiful crown. One species of fir that grows in the Crystal Valley is Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii). It is a popular Christmas tree. Doug-fir grows in montane areas with spruce, pine, and aspen trees at elevations typically above 7,000 feet. This tree can grow to 200 feet tall and five feet in diameter. Sometimes you may hear Doug-fir is not a “true” fir because its cones are different than other fir species. Doug-fir has two distinct subspecies, the coastal variety Doug-fir (var. menziesii) that grows in regions of the northwestern coast from British Columbia to central California. The Rocky Mountain Doug-fir variety (var. glauca) range extends throughout the Rocky Mountains of Colorado, including the Crystal Valley. Another fir tree that grows at higher elevations of the Crystal Valley is the Subalpine fir, (Abies lasiocarpa). Corkbark fir (var. arizonica) is a southern variation of Subalpine fir that is actually one of my favorite trees. It is different than subalpine firs that grow around here in that it has white, spongy bark resembling cork. If any of you still have your Christmas trees up, you will know that the needles of fir trees last well after Christmas, if you keep them regularly watered throughout the holidays. Noble fir (Abies procera) is another popular fir tree used as a Christmas tree, growing native in the northwestern United States. Grand fir, California red fir, and white fir are some other common species used for Christmas trees also from the northwest. I saw some of those for sale right there at the Carbondale City Market. Amazing! They came all the way from Washington or Oregon most likely. The more sparse branches of fir trees are sometimes not quite as strong as pine or spruce trees. This is one of the drawbacks of using a fir tree for a Christmas tree because they aren’t quite as good at holding really heavy ornaments. A common pine tree used is the Virginia pine for the holidays. A complete list of the most commonly used species of evergreens used for cut trees came be found at about.com,; search “popular Christmas trees” and it will give you in order the 10 most common Christmas tree species. From the Sonoran Desert to the Rocky Mountains and beyond, people have cut down trees and put ornaments on them for years. Whichever one you picked this year, hope you enjoyed it. Ellie Kershow lives in the Crystal River Valley where she writes about botany and environmental science. She has a master's degree in environmental science and policy.
echonewspapers.com Peak Pilates Certified Instructor SUE MCEVOY Mat Classes at The Historic Redstone Inn Mondays & Thursdays
8:00 a.m. - Advanced 9:30 a.m. - Beginner Thursdays • Yogalates!
5:30 p.m. - Everyone welcome
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Page 14, Crystal Valley Echo & Marble Times
Obituary Amelia “Mal” Savard Dec. 25, 1923 – Dec. 12, 2011
Amelia “Mal” Savard passed away peacefully on Dec. 12, at home in Weatogue, Conn. in her sleep, after an active life well-lived, just 13 days short of her 88th birthday. She was born and grew up in Springfield, Mass., the daughter of the late Giuseppe and Adelina Martinelli. Mal attended Commerce High School and worked at American Bosch during the war years. In 1946 she married her high school sweetheart, Robert D. Savard, with whom she raised three boys during their 49 years of marriage until his passing in 1994. She was employed for more than 20 years at Connecticut General and later Cigna Corp. Mal had a very cheerful disposition and enjoyed hearing a good joke or sharing an amusing anecdote. Her interests included time spent with family and friends, travel, volunteer work in her children’s schools and with her church, gardening, decorating her home, browsing her favorite retail stores and clipping newspaper and magazine articles for her friends and family. In addition to her parents and her husband, she was predeceased by her siblings, Angelina Puglia-Leone, Joseph Martinelli, and her granddaughter, Samantha Savard. She leaves behind to cherish her memory, her sons and their spouses Don and Debbie Savard, Steve and Dallas Savard, and David Savard of Marble; grandchildren, Jason Savard, Steven Savard, Chris and Scott Dalene, Olivia and Erica Savard of Redstone; five great-grandchildren; sister-in-law Patricia Savard; her special friend and companion Jack Bannan; nieces Maryann PugliaJordan, Dyanne Puglia, and Thea Tomaino; daughters-in-law Sue Doff, Liz Hayes, and Alyssa Ohnmacht of Redstone, as well as her extended family, friends and neighbors. A memorial mass was held on Dec. 28 at St. Mary’s in Simsbury, Conn. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in Mal’s memory be made to The Marble Charter School, 418 West Main St., Marble, CO 81623.
As I See It A MONTHLY COLUMN BY BRUCE GLEDHILL
Wealthy, and you don’t know it By Bruce Gledhill What would you do if you had a half a million dollars to spend in 2012? Maybe you dismiss that question as silly because you think it will never happen to you. Surprisingly, most of us will have far more than that to spend in the course of our lives. You don’t consider yourself a millionaire because only a little of it is available to you at one time. Your bank account seems insignificant because it comes and goes a little at a time. You receive some money each month and you spend about the same amount. It’s important to take the long-range view and ask yourself how you will spend million dollars or more that will pass through your hands in the course of your life. There’s an even more important question that relates to time, which also passes through our hands a little at a time, the same as money. You probably feel like each day is packed full without an extra minute to spare. But how many minutes will you have in 2012? The answer is about a half a million! The New Year is like a bank account that holds more than a half a million minutes in your name. How are you going to spend that small fortune of time? Taking a longer view, let’s suppose you will live another 20 years. That span of life holds more than 10 million minutes. You have no shortage of time. The question is how you are spending the wealth of time you are given. You would get pretty excited if you learned you had won $10 million. That probably won’t happen, but almost all of us will be granted the gift of 10 million minutes. And in the end, the way you spend your time will be much more important than the way you spend your money. How will you spend your “half a million” in 2012? The Bible urges, “Be very careful, then, how you live…making the most of every opportunity.” During 2012 how much time will you devote to the people who are most important to you? How much time will you invest to nurture your heart, mind, and soul? How much time will you give serving God and others? These are good questions to ask yourself as you start a new year. Bruce Gledhill is the pastor at the Church at Redstone.
• Happy New Year •
Todd L. Fugate, Agent 590 Hwy 133 Carbondale, CO 81623-1884 Bus: 970-963-5610 todd.fugate.g0ku@statefarm.com Jeff Leonard Insurance Agency, Inc. Jeff Leonard CLU CPCU, Agent Glenwood Springs, CO 81601 Bus: 970-945-2345
Buying - Selling Personal and Caring Service Call Bob or Betsy (970) 963-2987 info@wedemeyerrealestate.com
JANUARY 2012
Page 15
C O M M U N I T Y
Echoes of a Life: Howard Berkman By Carrie Click, Echo editor Whether you knew former Carbondale resident Howard Berkman or not, one look at a photograph of his exuberant face tells it all. The world according to Howard was a good world indeed – and thanks to his music added into the sheer power of his positive energy, it continues to be. Howard, by all accounts a fit man who took good care of himself, died unexpectedly at age 64 on Oct. 29 in Paonia. His smile, intellect – and his life as a musician, singer, songwriter and entertainer – is now his ongoing legacy. Professional musician John Ohnmacht grew up in the Roaring Fork Valley and started taking guitar lessons from Howard when John was in his teens. Those lessons soon covered more than chord changes. “We got to be friends, and we’d end up drinking tea and I’d listen to Howard talk for an hour or two,” said John. “Here I was, this sheltered kid, listening to all these stories from a Chicago blues guy who was well traveled and well read.” Through the years, John said Howard went beyond being a musical mentor and friend. “I didn’t have a brother,” John said, “So he was like a big brother to me. He’s the one who named my band the Johnny O. Band. He’s the one who told me I could be a musician. He’s the one who told me stuff about growing up. It’s pretty profound the effect he had on me.” Celebrations of life Howard didn’t have a funeral. Instead, impromptu gatherings sprang up around
Paonia soon after news of the beloved musician’s death moved through town. Less than a week after Howard died, friends gathered at Louie’s Pizza My Heart, a Paonia bar and restaurant where Howard regularly performed. They paid tribute in song, poetry and story, according to Tami Meck, a reporter for the Delta County Independent. “It was one of the most heartfelt evenings I’ve ever spent,” Paonia Mayor Neal Schwieterman told Tami of the evening. A celebration of Howard’s life followed in Paonia in November, where he lived. And one celebration just wasn’t enough. On Dec. 21, the Howard Berkman Tribute Concert in Paonia was held, once again to celebrate Howard and his music. The concert was a benefit, and donations are going to scholarships for young musicians.
Chicago to Carbondale – and places in between A resident of Paonia since 2001, Howard had plenty of history here on the “other” side of McClure Pass. Soon after moving to Colorado in 1976, Howard settled in Carbondale in 1977, his home base until he moved to Paonia because he once said it reminded him of how Carbondale used to be. And although it was clear Howard loved Colorado, he called Paris home for about five years, as well as Providincia between Costa Rica and Jamaica – always keeping his musical roots in his native Chicago. Bands he was a part of reflected his eclectic tastes and quirky sense of humor, from Jazz Hot to the Motivators, the Crystal Bullets, The Knaves, Yama and the Karma Dusters, the Close Enough Band, Bubba’s Badass Blues Band and Howard Berkman and Big Bottom. The latter, according to drummer and friend Harry Knipe who has known Howard for 30 years, had a typically humorous origin. “Howard had an English girlfriend,” Harry said. “And she’d constantly ask him ‘that’ question – ‘Do these pants make my bottom look big?’ So he named the band in honor of her.” Continued on page 18
From top: Howard Berkman; The Knaves Howard, center with glasses, early 1960’s; Howard with Frank Martin in the background, 1990ish; Howard singing with Yama and the Karma Dusters in the early 1970’s; Poster for Big Bottom, 2007; from Howard’s Country Moon video, 2011; The Knaves, 1967; The Crystal Bullets, mid 1980’s; Johnny O. and Howard at the KDNK Blues and Brews Festival, 2009. Photos courtesy of Darrell Sage and John Ohnmacht
Page 16, Crystal Valley Echo & Marble Times
JANUARY 2012
REDSTONE COMMUNITY BULLETIN www.redstonecolorado.com
REDSTONE COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION
Happy New Year
Thank you to all who helped decorate town and all residents who put up holiday decorations on their homes.
•••
REDSTONE COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS ————
from your RCA Board of Directors
We are looking forward to a Great 2012!
RCA Board of Directors is continuing to sponsor the Winter Charity – HOSPICE OF THE VALLEY. There are donation boxes at the following locations: The Redstone Art Center Redstone Church Redstone Company Store Redstone Inn Redstone General Store Hightower Trading Post Tiffany of Redstone
Steve Pavlin: President Cathy Montgomery: Vice President
We continue to feel everyone in the community has been touched by Hospice at one time or another. Please contribute to make this endeavor a success. We will continue this drive throughout the winter months.
Harry Remmers: Treasurer Jacob Robbins Secretary
Barbara Albin Billy Amicon Cary Hightower Debbie McCormick
3RD ANNUAL REDSTONE SNOWSHOE RACE/FUN WALK The snow is looking perfect for this year’s race/fun walk – Mark Saturday, February 4, 2012 on your calendars for this 5K event. It is sanctioned by USSSA. The beautiful Redstone Castle will be the course location. Come join as a race/walk participant or spectator, good fun. Check website redstonecolorado.com for more information or Sue Mcocoy’s article in this Echo.
There will be a BEER AND WINE tasting event Saturday, February 18, 2012 – Mark your calendars – more information will be on February’s RCA Echo page.
Ann Martin
Alternate Members:
The next RCA Board Meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, January 10th at 10 AM at the Redstone Inn, Osgood Room Come join us -- we need your support and your input! Your membership dues directly fund RCA projects and events. Thank You for your support!
Kim Amicon
MEMBERSHIP DUES
Linda Cerf-Graham
Name ______________________________________________________________________________________ Bob McCormick Address Marlene Remmers
____________________________________________________________________________________
Phone #__________________________________________ E-Mail ____________________________________
•••
______ Individual/Family $35.00 ______ Business $135.00 ______ Multi-Business $210.00 “Citizen empowerment and sense of community make people happier.” – Dan Buettner
Make Check Payable to: Redstone Community Association Mail to RCA: 303 Redstone Blvd. Redstone, CO 81623 Paid Advertisement
NOVEMBER JANUARY 2012 2011 Page 17
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THE CRYSTAL VALLEY ECHO & MARBLE TIMES 274 Redstone Blvd., Redstone, CO 81623 We appreciate your support!
THE ECHO CLASSIFIED ADS FOR SALE: FOR SALE: 14K WG Chocolate diamond solitaire ring. 1.15 chocolate diamond and .15 white diamonds. Size 5. Recently serviced by jeweler. Beautiful! 312-399ninafultz@yahoo.com 0782. $2000 or best offer. pd1x FOR SALE: Amana 30" gas range. Excellent condition. $150. Please call 963-8607. pd1x FOR RENT: FOR RENT: 3 bedroom, 2 bath home on Redstone Boulevard. Great location across from Redstone Park. Fenced yard, radiant floor heat, W/D. $1,400/mo. plus utilities. First/Last/Damage. Pets considered with additional deposit. Long-term lease. References required. alyohn963@gmail.com, 970-963-2373. SERVICES: SERVICES: Notary Public: Closing documents, Wills and Sales, Contracts and more. Call Lisa Wagner 963-8240.
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Page 18, Crystal Valley Echo & Marble Times
Echo-Travels… Thanks to all who share their travels! Take The Crystal Valley Echo along on your next travel adventure. Send your photo and info to echo@crystalvalleyecho.com.
Michael Ohnmacht of Redstone catches up on local news during a recent visit to Meran in the Italian Alps.
Echoes of a Life: Howard Berkman continued from page 15
A student of the big picture Thousands of people have seen Howard play and heard his music. But Harry said although music was a huge part of Howard’s life, it wasn’t the only part. Harry remembers seeing Howard riding around Carbondale on his bicycle before they started playing together and thinking, ‘Who’s that goofball?’ “Early on, somebody told me that he was a musician and I thought, ‘Well, that explains it,’” said Harry, since Harry is a musician, too. But that wasn’t all Howard was. “He was a student of history and the arts,” Harry said. “He could discuss a lot of stuff with a lot of different people. He could walk in anywhere and pick up on a conversation. He was an artist. And he was multi-lingual. He knew at least four languages. He was always on the lookout for books in French so he could keep up his French chops.” On stage, Harry said all of Howard’s interest in living, history, languages and the arts came through in his performances. “He was a fine musician, but on top of that, he was an entertainer,” Harry said, “He could tell where the crowd was going, and he’d get to wherever they were. He’d tell stories to bring them in. That was a gift he had – another gift.” Howard’s guitars Howard’s friends know that as magnetic and charismatic as Howard was, he could also sometimes turn some people off with his strong presence and personality. But mostly, he filled the world with a dynamic, engaging energy. “He was a talker,” said John. “He could run his mouth. He had a wealth of knowledge that he could rattle off. But he was also one standup dude. You could call him on his s**t and he’d own it. He taught me what integrity was.” John said he now has several of Howard’s guitars – one of which belonged to Howard’s father Martin, who was also a professional musician, and another, “a beautiful instrument” called a Harwood that belonged to Howard’s grandfather. Another, named Rosie, was a guitar that hung on the wall. It’s an acoustic guitar. “The sounds that come out of that guitar…” said John. For Harry, John, those who knew Howard, and even those who didn’t, his passing proves that death may be the end of a life, but it’s just the beginning of a legacy. “I played with Howard for years,” said Harry, who now lives in Grand Junction. “But what I think what I miss most is that we became really good friends near the end of his life. When Howard started feeling puny, he’d come to Junction to see the doctor and stay at the house. We were able to spend more time together then, which was different than playing music. I’ll miss him as a friend.”
Echo Briefs CMC offers personal care attendant training To help meet training needs in one of the fastest-growing career fields in the country, Colorado Mountain College (CMC) in Rifle, Glenwood Springs and Edwards offering Personal Care Attendant Training classes starting this month. The class provides hands-on training for those wanting to become a home care aide, patient care provider, family caregiver or volunteer for elderly, chronically ill or disabled individuals. The class also can provide a starting point for anyone interested in a health care career. The minimum age for enrollment in this continuing education class is 16. No GED or high school diploma is necessary to take this course. The class at CMC in Glenwood Springs runs Tuesdays, Jan. 31 through May 1, from 6-9 p.m. To register, call 945-7486. – Colorado Mountain College
Town to Town Tour set for Jan. 21 Celebrate the snow and one of the greatest assets in the Roaring Fork Valley – the Rio Grande Trail – by participating in the Town to Town Tour on Jan. 21. The Town to Town Tour is a long-distance, non-competitive nordic event, and is a benefit for Roaring Fork Outdoor Volunteers (RFOV), which conducts trail-building and conservation projects on the valley’s public lands throughout the spring, summer and fall. The tour starts at the Rio Grande Plaza in Aspen at 10 a.m. and finishes in downtown Basalt, with an end-of-tour party hosted by RFOV and local Basalt restaurants. Participants can either: • cross-country ski or snowshoe the 19-mile Rio Grande Trail • start in Woody Creek (11.5 mile course) • start in Old Snowmass (3.5 mile course) especially for families with young children so kids can participate with their parents Refreshments will be available along the way as well as free shuttles. Crossing guards will also be along the course to assist skiers and snowshoers RFOV’s first-ever family-friendly start in Old Snowmass gives families the option to participate with their young kids on the final 3.5 miles of the course. “With RFOV launching the Young Stewards Initiative in 2012, it makes sense to include as many youth as possible to raise awareness of RFOV and our new aim to promote life-long stewardship for our public lands in today’s youth,” said David Hamilton, RFOV’s executive director. Registration entrance fees are $30 for individuals and $50 for families/partners, $40 for individuals and $65 for families/partners, and $20 for the party only on the day of the event. Volunteers are still needed. To register or volunteer, go to rfov.org, e-mail rfov@sopris.net , or call 9278241. – Mary Sundblom, Roaring Fork Outdoor Volunteers
Cold weather camping and survival workshop set for Jan. 5 Winter is here! Thousands of people will trek into the backcountry for recreational activities. Are you prepared to stay the night due to an unexpected emergency? Are you planning an overnight trip during unpredictable weather patterns? Don’t get caught unprepared. On Jan. 5 from 6-8 p.m. at the Carbondale Firehouse, come learn about clothing, gear, and safety considerations when traveling in the backcountry during cold weather. This will be an interactive question and answer presentation conducted by Eli Tester. Eli is a volunteer instructor for the Colorado Mountain Club’s Backpacking School and has completed the club’s Winter Camping School. Please RSVP by sending an e-mail to aspencomtclub@gmail.com or calling 925-6648. The workshop is free and the firehouse is located at 300 Meadowood Dr., Carbondale. – Colorado Mountain Club - Aspen Group (Roaring Fork Valley)
JANUARY 2012
Page 19
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The Echo’s Parting Shot…
i|á|à exwáàÉÇxVtáàÄx‹ REDSTONE CASTLE TOURS Saturday & Sunday • 1:30 p.m.
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