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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 March 2012
FREE
Volume 9 Number 3
Is this it?
Inside
“American Greed” page 3
George Newman runs again page 8
Final Echo Logic page 14
Snowpack is about 70% of average... will we make it up? Stellar Wood page 17
MCS reverse commute page 23
See story page 9
Where's the snow? On Feb. 21, just south of the Redstone campground on Mickey Way, exposed ground and patchy snow lined the Crystal River instead of snowdrifts. With the Crystal Valley's snowpack below normal, water levels in the Crystal River are bound to follow suit unless March blankets the valley with significant snowstorms. Photo by Nancy Chromy
Page 2, Crystal Valley Echo & Marble Times
C RY S TA L
VA L L E Y I T E S
Birth Announcement 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
Rebecca, Taj (baby), Tyler, Asher, Lexi and Bella Moebius.
The latest addition to the Crystal Valley was born on Feb. 2, 2012. Taj Orion Bier Moebius was born in the front seat of a Ford F250 pickup truck in the parking lot of Bella Mia in El Jebel at 11:25 p.m. Tyler Moebius (Dad) handled the delivery with an assist from 911 on speakerphone and help from Mom, Rebecca Moebius. After this brief interruption, they continued their trip to Aspen Valley Hospital where mother, son and dad were all pronounced in great health. The Moebiuses live south of Carbondale off of Highway 133. Rebecca was born and raised in the Crystal Valley. Rebecca's dad, Jeff Bier and his wife Janette live in Redstone.
New this year…
Back by popular demand…
Winter Trail Rides
Winter Sliegh Rides
Contributors to this issue of The Crystal Valley Echo: Nancy Chromy, Jeff Bier, Molly Jacober, Dee Malone, Betty Lou Gilbert, Gunnison County, George Newman, Roaring Fork Conservancy, Marble Charter School students and staff, Ellie Kershow, Bruce Gledhill, Darrell Sage, CCAH, Pat Bingham, Pitkin County Open Space and Trails, Debra Crawford, CMC, Gathering Center, YouthChefs, Redstone Community Association, Connie Hendrix, the YaYas, Alicia Benesh The Crystal Valley Echo is published monthly, and is distributed throughout the entire Crystal Valley. Home delivery is available for many locations throughout the valley.
CALL NOW FOR YOUR WINTER ADVENTURE!
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
Book your winter adventure by calling 963-1144 or 963-2526
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.
MARCH 2012
Page 3
G R E E D
“American Greed” comes to Redstone by Sue McEvoy, Echo staff writer It could be said that Redstone’s most famous landmark, the Redstone Castle, is also its most infamous. The castle, originally known as Cleveholm Manor, was built by the town’s founder, John Cleveland Osgood, as a private home and a showpiece for his model company town. However, since Osgood’s death in 1926, the castle has endured a dozen different owners, multiple foreclosures, three auctions and a seizure by the IRS. It is a Ponzi scheme leading up to an IRS seizure that is the focus of an upcoming episode of “American Greed,” a series in its sixth season on CNBC, and the network’s highest-rated primetime series. Each episode profiles cases of financial deceit, corporate crime, insurance fraud, identity theft or murder. On Nov. 21, 2011, “American Greed” producer John Pappas, accompanied by a small film crew, came to Redstone to interview former castle manager Cynthia (Cyd) Lange. Cyd managed the castle for 14 years during its heyday as a site for weddings, special events and a bed & breakfast. With permission from current owner Ralli Dimitrius, the several-hour interview took place inside the castle. Cyd explained her role as the castle’s longtime manager and how she fell victim to the Ponzi scheme perpetrated by then-owner Leon Harte. Harte purchased the castle at auction in 2000 for $6 million cash. Following a two-year investigation by the IRS, the castle was seized in 2003. Harte, named in an indictment in a $56 million fraud case, died in 2004. According to Pappas of Kurtis Productions, the CNBC’s series producers learned of the scheme involving the castle from a cellmate of another con man they profiled earlier this season. “When I heard about the castle and how much money was involved, it practically wrote itself,” he said.
Last November, producer John Pappas, left, interviewed former Redstone Castle manager Cynthia (Cyd) Lange inside the historic estate for the upcoming CNBC program “American Greed.” The episode details the 2003 Ponzi scheme and Photo coutesy of American Greed IRS seizure of the castle; it airs on March 21.
A Colorado native, Pappas was not familiar with the Crystal Valley until the interview brought him to Redstone. “Overall I was blown away by the grandeur and exquisite attention to detail at the castle,” he said. “After a hundred years, it looks as though it hasn’t
aged a day.” The episode detailing the fraud scheme involving the Redstone Castle airs on March 21 at 9 p.m. (MST) on CNBC. For more information about the show, go to americangreed.cnbc.com.
W H O Molly Jacober
W E
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.
of Avalanche Ranch
Age: 35 Occupation: Manager of Avalanche Ranch
Which living person do you most admire? My world is so insular... but deservingly, it would be my dad. He is a can-do, kind, energetic, gentle man.
Birthplace: Denver When did you move to the Crystal Valley and why? Full time in 1991 to go to Colorado Rocky Mountain School and to love at the Hell Roaring Ranch. What three things would you like people to know about you? I am pretty introverted so that's a tough question! But I have a great family, two beautiful kids and a wonderful husband, Tai, who introduced me to a ranching way of life that nurtures our sense of place in this valley.
What's the best piece of advice you've ever been given? Be present.
What is your favorite thing to do in the Crystal Valley? Wake up to views of Sopris, Elk Ridge and Elephant Mountain. I look out my kitchen window and look for elk on the small plateau above the Crystal. I also love all the wonderful backcountry access.
Molly Jacober, far left, and family
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
planned for Filoha Meadows and Avalanche Creek.
• March 1: 1-3 p.m. Time to recycle in Redstone. In front of the Church at Redstone, Redstone Boulevard
• March 14: 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Free tax assistance all day at Seniors Matter in Carbondale; service provided by RSVP volunteers. Third Street Center, 520 S. Third St., Room 33, seniorsmatter.org
• March 1: 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. This is the last day for those interested and eligible in serving on the Carbondale & Rural Fire Protection District’s board of directors to obtain a self nomination and acceptance form from Jenny Cutright at the Carbondale Fire Station, 301 Meadowood Dr., Carbondale. Directors serve four-year terms. Election is May 8. 963-2491. • March 1: 7 p.m. The Marble Board of Trustees meeting is at Fellowship Hall at the Marble Community Church, 384-0761. • March 2: 5 p.m. Signed petitions from all who are interested in running for political office in Marble are due back to Marble Town Clerk Karen Mulhall. 384-0761. • March 2: 6-8 p.m. At First Fridays, Carbondale’s celebration of the arts, shopping, dining and music, Majid Kahhak of Kahhak Fine Arts & School paints live, at 411 Main St. The painting will be of Whitney Houston. Beverages and hors d'oeuvres will be served. 704-0622. In addition, Carbondale Clay Center, 135 Main St., presents John Cohorst’s opening exhibition mixing nature with mixed media sculptures. Other downtown activities and openings take place. 963-1890. • March 2: 6-8 p.m. “Art & Fashion for a Sustainable Future” opens at the R2 Gallery at the CCAH Center for the Arts in the Third Street Center; part of First Fridays. 963-1680, carbondalearts.com. • March 2-4 and 8-10: 7:30 p.m. (Sunday matinee on March 4 at 2 p.m.) Thunder River Theatre Company presents Anton Chekhov’s “The Cherry Orchard” at the Thunder River Theatre, 67 Promenade, Carbondale. 963-8200, thunderrivertheatre.com.
• March 9-10: Green is the New Black Fashion Extravaganza is at the Carbondale Rec Center. 9631680, carbondalearts.com.
• March 15: 1-3 p.m. Time to recycle in Redstone. In front of the Church at Redstone, Redstone Boulevard. • March 15: 1 p.m. and March 16 at 6 p.m. “Earth Tales: The Musical” presented by Marble Charter School is at Thunder River Theatre in Carbondale. 963-9550. • March 16: 7:30 p.m. The final concert of the Jim Calaway Honors Series features Argentine’s Santa Fe Guitar Quartet at the New Space Theatre at Colorado Mountain College – Spring Valley. Concert honors Glenwood resident and CMC supporter Hal Sundin. (Dessert reception at 6:30 p.m.) $20/adults, $15/students and 17 and under. 947-8367. • March 17: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Roaring Fork Conservancy’s McClure Pass Snow Science Field Day meets at the Redstone Inn. Find out how the snowpack is used to forecast upcoming stream flows during this snowshoe field trip. $70, or $50 for members. Registration required by contacting roaringfork.org/events, 927-1290. • March 17: 12 p.m. on. Happy St. Patrick’s Day. Redstone celebrates with its St. Patrick’s Day “Paint the Boulevard Green” Parade starting at noon at the Redstone Inn. From 4-7 p.m. is a beer and wine tasting at the inn, followed by bingo at the inn at 7 p.m. 963-2526. • March 17: 7:30 p.m. The final concert of the Jim Calaway Honors Series features Argentine’s Santa Fe Guitar Quartet in the gallery at Colorado Mountain College’s Aspen campus. Concert honors the late philanthropists/humanitarians Jessica and Henry Catto, and their family. (Dessert reception at 6:30 p.m.) $20/adults, $15/students and 17 and under. 947-8367.
• March 3-4: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Carbondale Council on Arts and Humanities (CCAH) presents a Natural Wood Assemblage Sculpture class. Students will learn methods to combine natural, found wood into an assemblage sculpture; class if for adults and is held at the Third Street Center, 520 S. Third St., Carbondale. Call to register and for more information. 963-1680, carbondalearts.com.
• Spring springs.
• March 6: 10 a.m. Redstone Community Association meets at the Redstone Inn. Learn about upcoming Redstone events, and help plan for them. redstonecolorado.com.
• 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.
• March 8: 7 p.m. Crystal River Caucus’ membership meeting is at the Church at Redstone, on Redstone Boulevard. With the topic, “The Climate is Warming and Fire Risk is Increasing - Are you Prepared?” the agenda includes emergency preparedness in the Crystal Valley with Bob Ludtke discussing ham radios; Tom Grady from Pitkin County Emergency Services; Jodi Smith, Pitkin County translator representative; and Jim Genung, the US Forest Service prescribed fire and fuels specialist discussing fire mitigation projects
• March 21: 9 p.m. The Redstone Castle is featured on CNBC’s “American Greed” program, focusing on a Ponzi scheme and subsequent IRS seizure of the property in 2003. Go to americangreed.cnbc.com.
ONGOING
• 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.
• 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. • A drop-in, uninstructed figure drawing session is held every Monday from 7-9 p.m. at the Third Street Center, 520 S. Third, Suite 9, Carbondale. No fee but there is a model’s fee and attendees need to bring supplies and easels. 963-1680. • 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, 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. • Zingers, a group of seniors who sing all over the Roaring Fork Valley, meet at 2 p.m. every Thursday with Betsy Schenck for practice at Seniors Matter, at the Third Street Center, 520 S. Third St., Room 33, Carbondale; seniorsmatter.org. • AA in Redstone is every Thursday at 7 p.m. This is a closed step discussion meeting at the Church at Redstone on the Boulevard. Men and women welcome. • 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 • April 7: 10 a.m. Redstone Easter Egg Hunt. Only children 12 and under. At Redstone Park. 963-2365.
MARCH 2012
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E N T E R TA I N M E N T
“The Cherry Orchard” is Thunder River’s next pick By Carrie Click, Echo editor
Thunder River Theatre Company presents Anton Chekhov’s “The Cherry Orchard” featuring Jeff Carlson, Valerie Haugen, Richard Lyon, Alta Millard, Kait Mushet, Patrick Bondy, Gerald DeLisser, Kristin Carlson, Nyle Kenning, Owen O’Farrell, Courtney Thompson, Bob Willey, and Tim Rafelson. 7:30 p.m. March 2-3 and March 8-10; and 2 p.m. matinee, March 4 $20/adult, $10/student Thunder River Theatre, 67 Promenade, Carbondale Contact 963-8200, thunderrivertheatre.com for tickets.
How is it possible to compare the Crystal River Valley today to early 20th century Russia? For Lon Winston, executive artistic director of Carbondale’s Thunder River Theatre Company (TRTC), the comparison is an easy one to imagine. “The Cherry Orchard” by Anton Chekhov focuses on the Ranyevskayas, a wealthy family who own an estate in the country. The family has hit hard times since the patriarch’s death and his wife’s oblivious spending, and now their beloved home and cherry orchard are threatened. “It’s like if a family owned the Redstone Castle and all the land around it for miles,” Winston said, who directed and designed the TRTC-produced play. “They are in foreclosure and they get an offer to sell portions of their cherry orchard to build vacation homes. The play deals with foreclosure, the inability to pay one's mortgage, incredible loss, inevitable change, and watching a new world emerge. All the characters are recognizable today.” The castle has certainly had its share of ups and downs (see our story on page 3 about CNBC shooting an interview about the IRS’s seizure of the manor in 2003). So whether in Russia or the States, or whether it’s 1904 or 2012, the angst, irony and interplay that occurs on stage is something everyone can relate to in some respect. “Any great play should cross cultural lines,” said Lon. “Arthur Miller directed his play, ‘Death of a Salesman’ in China a few years back. There was a lot discussed around the notion of how this play could ever make it in China. Not only did it make it, it was a phenomenally successful. Ultimately, ‘Salesman’ is about the tension, desires and dreams of a father and his sons – anyone can identify with that.” In the case of “The Cherry Orchard,” Lon said selecting the play was an easy choice. “’The Cherry Orchard,’ Chekhov's greatest play, was selected for many reasons,” Lon said, “especially its relevancy for today. It could have been written yesterday as opposed to 110 years ago. That amazes me – the cycles we go through. It has been in the repertoire of the famous Russian Moscow Art Theatre (MAT) since it was written, and one of the most popular of the MAT's productions. And [it’s] the most produced Chekhov play in the world. There is a reason that is true.”
Green is the New Black Fashion Show goes “Back to the Future” Carbondale’s recycled designer extravaganza set for March 9-10 By Carrie Click, Echo editor
Paris, Milan, New York…Carbondale? For the fourth year, Carbondale is the epicenter for innovative fashion with a twist – a two-night fashion extravaganza is again featuring recycled and sustainable materials. On March 9-10, Green is the New Black will hit town with two evenings of not only runway walking, but films, music, dancing and the latest creations from local and American West designers – all with an environmental focus. “Think Jetsons meets Avatar peppered with cutting-edge fashion and design,” said Amy Kimberly, Carbondale Council on Arts and Humanities (CCAH) executive director who is heading up the show’s planning. “High fashion, as well as wearable art, [will] grace the runway with multimedia backgrounds, music and theatrics.” Produced by CCAH, the event is divided into two evenings. Called the Gala Night, on March 9, CCAH will host a dessert reception, a cash martini bar, and the fashion show, which will be followed by a dance party featuring DJ Harry from Boulder. The next night, March 10, models will once again take the runway at the Bonedale Bash. Both events begin at 7 p.m. and are held at the Carbondale Recreation Center, 511 Colorado Ave. in Carbondale. The first night, Gala Night, March 9, is more elaborate, and is therefore more expensive: $50 for general admission and $100 for runway seating. Tickets are $25 for the March 10 show. “We wanted to make sure everyone can experience this,” said Amy of the different ticket prices. With the theme this year of “Back to the Future,” designers are looking at fashion from as far back as the 1920s to today and beyond. “[We’re exploring themes] of what we thought our world would be like based on films and books and where we really are today,” said Amy. For information and tickets, contact 963-1680, ccah@sopris.net, carbondalearts.com
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
Fire mitigation topic of March 8 membership meeting By Dee Malone, Crystal River Caucus According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, and the U.S. Global Change Research Program, global climate change is resulting in extreme warming and drying in the western United States. Observations show that our climate is warming and that continued warming during this century is projected to be considerably greater than during the last century. The Crystal River Valley has not dodged the climate change bullet and, like the rest of the West, is experiencing the impacts of global climate change. In the West, and in the Crystal Valley , climate-related changes include increased temperatures and decreased precipitation. The combination of drought and high temperatures is resulting in numerous ecosystem changes that impact humans, one of which is an increased length of the fire season. At our upcoming March 8 caucus meeting, we will
discuss with some local fire mitigation experts ways to mitigate the impacts of the global climate change relating to fire, such as making buildings less vulnerable to damage from fires and other extreme events. The caucus board has invited several experts in the field of fire mitigation and response to discuss how we can protect our homes from wildfire, now and as our ecosystems continue to change. Invitees include members of the Carbondale Fire Department; Tom Grady from Pitkin County Emergency Services; Jodi Smith, Pitkin County translator representative; and Jim Genung, the US Forest Service prescribed fire and fuels specialist. Jim will also discuss the wildlife and fire mitigation projects planned for Filoha Meadows and Avalanche Creek. At the May 10 caucus meeting, we'll discuss “next steps toward a sustainable trail system.” Topics for consideration by you (the membership) with regard to the trail include: • West Elk Byway trail feasibility study – is it still
Marble Board of Trustees A goal: All Marble adults to be CPR certified By Bettie Lou Gilbert, Echo contributor At its regular meeting on Feb. 2, the Marble Board of Trustees approved the minutes and financials with some discussion. Mayor Tony Petrocco presented his list of goals for 2012, including one that 100 percent of Marble adults be CPR certified. (Carbondale Fire Chief and Marble resident Ron Leach started a first aid class on Feb. 11 and plans to hold another class this summer.) The board approved a request from The Marble Hub that the town continue to pay for the utilities and cleaning at the Marble City State Bank building as its in-kind contribution to the grant that established The Hub. The board decided that this April’s election will be held by mail. Feb. 13 was the first day to circulate petitions. Signed petitions are due back to Marble Town Clerk Karen Mulhall by 5 p.m. on March 2. Karen said anyone interested in running for the five open board of trustee seats needs to contact her at 384-0761 for the necessary paperwork. The meeting concluded with an executive session concerning legal issues. The next meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. in the Marble Community Church’s Fellowship Hall on March 1.
Government Brief Mail-in election coming to Marble Petitions are due March 2 for the Town of Marble’s mail-in election. All five trustee positions are up for election on the Marble Board of Trustees. Ballots will begin being mailed out the week of March 12, and all ballots must be received at Carbondale Town Hall by April 3 between 7 a.m.-7 p.m. Contact Marble Town Clerk Karen Mulhall at 384-0761 with questions. – Carrie Click
relevant? • Trail alignment on Federal lands in the Crystal Valley including Janeway and Placita; • Involvement of the Caucus with the proposed Trail Steering Committee • The character of the Trail Steering Committee – who would you like to see involved? Our caucus is you. We’ve made great strides in the past few years in bringing together a diverse constituency to make important decisions about how we want our valley to look and feel – this is only possible with your participation. Please join us for this crucial discussion on how to mitigate the impacts of drought and protect this spectacular landscape that we call home. We look forward to seeing you at our next caucus meeting on March 8 at 7 p.m. at the Church at Redstone. Regularly scheduled caucus meetings are held on the second Thursday of every odd-numbered month.
Gunnison County reminds vehicle owners to keep them registered Gunnison County wants Marble and Gunnison County residents not to let motor vehicles, trailers, and motorcyles registrations expire. There is a late fee applied after a one-month grace period. This applies even if your vehicle is not running temporarily or just parked. This not only applies to Gunnison County residents but for all Colorado vehicles. Gunnison Office is open Monday-Friday from 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Call 970-641-1602, option 1. You can pay your registration online and go to colorado.gov for more information. – Gunnison County
Welcome to the church in the midst of a cathedral created by God
Marble Community Church Traditional worship, Sundays 10:00 a.m. 970-963-1464 • Pastor Jon Stovall www.marblecommunitychurch.org
MARCH 2012
REDSTONE This exceptional property in Crystal River Park offers a luxurious interior with superior craftsmanship and custom finishes throughout. The designer kitchen, great room, oversize garage and wraparound decks combine for a stunning mountain home in a picture perfect location. $645,000 MARBLE High above Marble, this year round log home offers a comfortable lifestyle in a mountain environment. Wood floors, vaulted ceilings, a south facing deck, detached garage and absolutely phenomenal views. Bordering National Forest, the off grid lifestyle is extremely comfortable and efficient. Reduced to $237,500! Avalanche Creek Area This short sale property located in Swiss Village will make a great home for an outdoor oriented family. With 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, large living and family rooms there is plenty of space for everyone. A two car garage, tree shaded decks and just across the valley from Avalanche Creek and wilderness. $265,000
Jeff Bier 970-963-1061 jeffbier@masonmorse.com www.mountainproperties.com www.masonmorse.com 385 Redstone Blvd. Redstone
The Church at Redstone
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.
Page 7
What’s up with Pitkin County? Commissioners’ retreat focuses on the ‘new norm” By George Newman, Pitkin County District 5 Commissioner
At the Pitkin County Board of Commissioners’ (BOCC) recent annual board retreat, we discussed what the “new norm” looks like in regards to our economy and how we as an organization can respond using the resources we have for the programs and services we provide. We began with a presentation by the Headwaters Institute providing socio–economic indicators for our county compared with several other resort communities as well as national statistics. This reaffirmed what we already knew but also offered some surprises. While our travel and tourism industry is very strong, there has been a net loss in jobs in this sector over the last decade. Our construction industry was hard hit by the impact of the national housing crisis and recession; however, due to our slow growth policies, we have weathered it better than other resort communities and the nation as a whole. From health care needs to environmental concerns, we are affected by state and national policies, ultimately affecting our tourist-based economy. Meanwhile, our demographics appear to be changing more rapidly than other resorts in terms of the aging of our population. With our newly approved 2012 budget and strategic plan in place, we have reallocated resources from areas of less demand to those of greater need, and have made a commitment to investing in capital projects such as roads and facilities as well as to social capital through staff training and development. We recognize there will be an increased demand to meet the needs of our aging population while we continue to face challenges in attracting a new, younger work force to maintain a resilient economy. The question is how we grow our tourist industry without negatively impacting our quality of life and natural environment which play such a critical role in our economy. To further address these issues, we have identified the following specific areas of focus for this coming year: • diversification and resilience of our economy • affordable housing • health care • broadband service • community outreach • proactive lobbying These goals intertwine with each other with the overall net effect of building a resilient economy. Everyone agrees we must maintain our strong environmental standards to support tourism as our base industry. We will also push for proposed federal regulatory changes that will allow the voter approved Energy Smart loan/PACE program to go forward and help spur construction remodeling jobs for energy efficient improvements. From those currently living in affordable housing but approaching retirement to the need to bring in a new workforce, affordable housing remains both a challenge and an opportunity. We will explore methods to participate and partner with others from the public to the private sector to address this. We envision local data sharing with Aspen Valley Hospital, the Aspen Skiing Company and other organizations that self-insure, as well as participation in a national program to pool data and determine what’s driving heath care costs. The goal is to lower overall costs and improve not only affordability to employees but also savings to employers. Limited access to broadband Internet in the county remains a barrier for economic and educational opportunities. We will assess our current capacity, discuss with providers, and approach our state and federal legislators for funding opportunities. We must continue to develop strategies to realign our organization and resources to deal with internal (housing, health care) and external (environmental legislation, public land policy) threats that may impair our quality of life and economy. To better understand and meet the needs of our citizens we will enhance our outreach program through a community survey, and through presentations to community, civic organizations and neighborhood caucuses. We will develop more effective ways to work regionally with neighboring counties and municipalities on issues of mutual concern, to build coalitions and partnerships and to identify issues that require effective lobbying to our legislatures. As we move ahead with our regular endeavors, I believe focusing on these issues will provide the foundation for our continued success as a governmental organization meeting our responsibility of providing for the health, safety and welfare of our citizens.
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. Agendas are posted in Aspen and Glenwood newspapers 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 george.newman@co.pitkin.co.us.
Page 8, Crystal Valley Echo & Marble Times
G O V E R N M E N T
Pitkin County Commissioner George Newman running for re-election
CABIN ON THE RIVER 4 bedrooms, 2 baths with Crystal River frontage and mountain views. Perfect for part time or full time use. $549,000
Echo staff report George Newman, Pitkin County Commissioner for District 5, intends to run for re-election in November. District 5 includes the portion of the Crystal Valley that is located in Pitkin County. “The theme I ran on successfully four years ago – ‘Preserve, Conserve, Collaborate’ – is as relevant today as it was then,” said Newman, “and I plan to ‘stay the course.’ ” Newman said he believes public land, water, environmental and resort/community issues are all critical for the county’s long term health and sustainability. George Newman “I have been successful in building consensus amongst my fellow board members in addressing county issues,” he said. “We have worked hard in these core areas, and our continued success is tied to working collaboratively with citizens and other elected officials.” Newman recently recounted some of his accomplishments in office. “Acting as chair during my second year, I presided over several difficult and controversial issues,” he said. “These included the Hidden Gems Wilderness Proposal, the airport runway extension plan, the Droste open space purchase, and the hiring of our new county manager.” In addition, Newman serves on several community boards including RFTA, CORE and the Nordic council. He also acts as the board’s liaison with the BLM, West Elk Loop Scenic Byway Committee and CDOT’s Intermountain Transportation Regional Planning Committee. Newman said he is most proud of his work striving not only to maintain but enhance Pitkin County’s quality of life; continuing to preserve the rural character of Pitkin County; protecting our wildlife and natural resources; supporting our tourist-based economy; and aiding those in need with increased funding for health and human service programs. “Leadership, dedication, fiscal responsibility, a belief in collaborative problem-solving and building consensus is what I have brought to the table and will continue to bring on behalf of the citizens of Pitkin County,” said Newman. “I have built strong relationships with our U.S. senators and house representatives and their staffs, discussing our concerns with them locally and in Washington DC, and have garnered their support on several important local issues.” George Newman is married to Liz Newman, a certified and designated real estate appraiser with an office in Basalt. They have one daughter, Cassie, living in New York. Cassie was born and raised here, educated through the Basalt school system. Newman holds a bachelor’s degree in economics and a master’s degree in public administration. He enjoys all that Pitkin County has to offer recreationally as well as culturally. His past community involvement includes membership director for the Aspen Chamber Resort Association, founding member and director of Leadership Aspen (Roaring Fork Leadership), and founding member/chair of the Emma Caucus. According to Pat Bingham of Pitkin County community relations, besides Newman, two other seats are up for election in November. Michael Owsley in District 3 will likely run again, though Jack Hatfield is term limited so his District 4 seat will be open.
Happy St. Patrick’s Day
Call Bob or Betsy (970) 963-2987 info@wedemeyerrealestate.com
MARCH 2012
S N O W
Crystal Valley, crystal ball It’s anyone’s guess what this spring’s runoff will be, but one thing’s sure: right now, our snowpack is well below average By Carrie Click, Echo editor We’ve all noticed it, whether it’s up in the backcountry or down along the Crystal River. Bare ground is peeking through where snow is usually piled high, and long breaks between snow squalls seem to be the norm. So what does all of this lack of snow mean? And what can we expect during this spring’s runoff as a result? According to the Roaring Fork Conservancy Snowpack Report as of Feb. 21, the Crystal River watershed has below average snowpack. The Crystal’s three Snow Telemetry (SNOTEL) sites are reporting the following: Place
% of average
Current snow water equivalent (SWE)
Avg. SWE
Schofield Pass
69%
17.4 in
25.2 in
McClure Pass
76%
10.2 in
13.5 in
North Lost Trail
78%
10.5 in
13.5 in
And where snow and subsequent water levels will go is unknown. “As far as Crystal Valley’s specific projections, it’s a crystal ball,” said Sarah Johnson of the Roaring Fork Conservancy, who will be co-leading a snow science workshop up McClure Pass on March 17 (see box). Sarah, who is RFC’s education coordinator, recommends the Colorado Basin River Forecast Center’s forecast links (cbrfc.noaa.gov) for hydrology reports on the Crystal River. There, you can find a rather bleak outlook, at least for 2012. We seem to be trending to a less than spectacular precipitation season – during a year when Denver is recording record-breaking snowfall. Jim Pokrandt is the communications and education specialist at the Colorado River District in Glenwood Springs. He has a bit more optimistic view of this winter’s snowpack.
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PA C K
McClure Pass Snow Science Field Day If you want to go farther with understanding snowpack and what it means in forecasting summer stream flows, an ideal opportunity is on its way. Roaring Fork Conservancy (RFC) is planning a snow science field day on McClure Pass on March 17.
Saturday, March 17, 2012 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Meet at Redstone Inn, Redstone Cost: Roaring Fork Conservancy non-members: $70/members: $50 During the day-long workshop, Dennis Davidson of the Mt. Sopris Conservation District and RFC’s Sarah Johnson will start off at the inn, providing information about snow telemetry (SNOTEL) sites and dust on snow. Later in the day, everyone will travel up to McClure Pass slip on snowshoes to visit the SNOTEL site there. Participants will also learn how snow surveys are conducted by the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). Snowshoes are required (please note if you need to borrow a pair). Morning coffee and tea and instruction is included; bring your own lunch or eat lunch at the Redstone Inn on your own. Please be prepared to carpool to McClure Pass from the Redstone Inn. The workshop is appropriate for ages 12 years and older. Since the event will happen snow or shine, dress for the weather. Registration is required and is available at roaringfork.org/events. Call 9271290 with questions or contact roaringfork.org.
“It’s getting late for a big turnaround,” said Jim, “but things could still improve. Certainly we won’t see the above average snowpack of last year, which was very unusual. March is supposed to be a good snow month. The potential is always there.” And if this winter ends up being below average for precipitation throughout Colorado’s West Slope, we can expect to see – oddly enough – more water in the Crystal. “The less there is, the lower the peak,” said Jim. “This could have an effect on irrigation diversions as calls come on the river sooner and for longer. In the extreme, if the entire West Slope is dry, it could mean the Cameo call comes on the river for the Grand Valley irrigators and most everybody on the Crystal and Fork could be called out. Ironically, that would mean more water in the river but everybody has to watch it go by.”
Page 10, Crystal Valley Echo & Marble Times
MARCH 2012
Page 11
SPECIAL PULL-OUT SECTION - MARCH 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
Earth Tales: The Musical The students at the Marble Charter School are proud to announce that they have chosen six stories from, “The Barefoot Book of Earth Tales”. These folktales are a foundation for writing scripts and choreographing dances to perform in this years’ MCS musical. Each story is told from a different country from around the world. The “Grumpy Gecko” from Bali, teaches us the connections found in nature. Meet “Sun Mother” from Australia who created the morning star and moon. “The Magic Garden” is a heartfelt story about sharing and other indigenous tales to light your heart and make you world. smile. The stories are filled with different cultures that focus on living in synchronization with the natural world. They each promote respecting nature which so many of us need to remember in today’s world. The MCS students invite you to join us for a performance that will tell us stories of exploring other cultures and how we can all make friends with the Earth and the people around us.
Earth Tales: The Musical will be held at: The Thunder River Theatre in Carbondale March 15th, at 1:00 PM Friday, March 16th, at 6:00 PM Admission is Free Donations are welcome Seats are limited… Please call 963-9550 to reserve a seat! Based on the book: The Barefoot Book of Earth Tales retold by Dawn Casey illustrated by Anne Wilson
Many Thanks
IMPORTANT DATES TO NOTE: TO THE SPONSORS OF THE MARBLE TIMES!
DAVID PARKS & LAURIE FARBER & FAMILY Become a Sponsor of The Marble Times!
March 8: MCS board meeting, 4:30 p.m. March 15-16: MCS Musical at Thunder River Theater Company in Carbondale
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
March 26-30: Spring Break
Page 12, Crystal Valley Echo & Marble Times
San Francisco Here We Come!
Teacher Spotlight:
This year the seventh and eighth grade students at the Marble Charter School are raising money to go on a trip to San Francisco. They will be leaving on April 22nd and returning on April 27th. The purpose of the trip is to provide students with experiences to build life skills, gain independence, and learn to work as a team. The students are planning and budgeting for all of the trip’s expenses, transportation, lodging, activities, and meals. So far they have raised $1,778.55 out of the $3,000 needed to fund this trip. They will be traveling by train, and will visit places in San Francisco such as Alcatraz, China Town, and the Golden Gate Bridge. They have been working together to make this trip a reality, and we hope you can support them in their efforts. Please stay tuned to the Echo for more upcoming fund raising events. Thank you!
All about Carin Long by Nyah B. As I talked to Carin about her life, she tells me everything from when she was born to the day she became a citizen, in January 2012. 51 year old Carin is an assistant at Marble Charter School. When asked who has influenced her the most, she said her supportive parents. One of the many good things about Carin is that she admires everyone who works hard and is honest. Carin is an active person and enjoys hiking and skiing with her husband and two sons. She is learning to become a special education teacher because she loves to work with kids and wants to make a difference in kids lives. Carin's biggest pet peeve is when people give up on their goals. Her happiest moment was when she was traveling around the world. And her saddest was when she left her family in Holland, which is where she grew up. Carin would like to be remembered as a nice person who achieved what she wanted in life. When she became an American citizen she was relieved because it took her over 10 years and a lot of effort. She chose to become a citizen because she wanted to right to vote. When asked what it was like growing up in Holland, she said there was a lot of wind and water in Holland, so she and her family went sailing all of the time.
A brief look into the classrooms… Dino-Mites K-2 • Gina Cousino The Dino-Mites are revisiting some life science standards that we touched on at the beginning of the year. We are talking again about organisms and how they depend on non-living and living parts of their habitat to survive. We are taking that a step farther to investigate what happens when a part of their habitat is destroyed or new elements are added. Going along with the Musical Earth Tales, we will see what we can do to help come up with solutions to many of the problems that humans create on our earth. We are also reviewing the seven continents and where on earth they are. Thanks to all the parents who came to the Student Parent Teacher Conferences. Although we spend most of the day with your children, you can make such a difference at home by reading to and with your child. Look forward to seeing everyone at the Musical if not before.
Student Interview An interview with Jake by Patrick Who has influenced you the most? My dad Who is your favorite teacher? Debby Who would you most like to meet? Eminem, because he is cool. What is your favorite movie? District 9 What is your favorite book? Warriors What is your favorite TV show? Adventure Time What is your favorite subject in school? Language Arts When is your birthday? June 5 How old are you? 13 Where did you grow up? Michigan Where would you like to visit? Everywhere Where did you spend your best vacation ever? Florida What is your favorite football team? Patriots What is your favorite video game? Hallow Ranch
Box Tops for Education Update: Totals for the boxtop competition.... there is a close race for 2nd place right now... Wildcats have 156 and the Dinomites have 157. The ETeam has a whopping 274. Total turned in so far... 587 which equals $58.70. This competition ends March 15th - an Ice Cream Social is the prize! We have earned $244 towards our $500 goal for the year. Keep clipping! Please remember you can take your box tops to The Redstone General Store, The Marble Charter School or send in with your favorite MCS student. Please help us reach our goal!
E-Team 6-8 • Debby Macek March will be one of those months when hard work really pays off in our classroom! The scripts we’ve written and hard work we’ve put into our musical will be onstage mid-month, and each week I am impressed all over again with our students’ professionalism, eye for aesthetics, and dedication to a group goal. Our first language arts standard is collaboration and group work, and this musical will display amazing skills in this area. Students have also been busy writing historical mysteries and learning or reviewing all kinds of literary devices that authors use in their writing. We’ve practiced how to use metaphors, similes, hyperbole, irony, alliteration, and many more! Do you remember all those terms? Test yourself, test your friends! (If you test my students, let me know how they do!) In mathematics, we’ve all been learning or reviewing what a unit rate is (miles per hour, etc.) and how to use it in everyday life. The 6th grade group is mastering operations with fractions, and then we’ll be moving on to geometry. 7th graders are learning the equation for a line and how that looks in a table and graph, and next they’ll study inequalities and proportions. 8th graders are solidifying their knowledge of linear equations and creating advanced inequality problems to solve, and then they’ll move into geometry. In Social Studies, students are experimenting with technology while they research; students will be creating “glogs,” which are online posters on a subject, and they’ve learned about Boolean operators while searching the worldwide web. 3rd – 5th graders are researching a famous inventor or scientist, and will be able to present online how their work affected the world. 6th – 8th graders are wrapping up their Africa Unit and learning about disease and natural disasters on the continent, then presenting online. We’re avidly working on 21st century skills! All of this student work must eventually be evaluated by the state, and in early April, students will take their TCAP exams (formerly CSAP, now Transitional Colorado Assessment Program). While we don’t teach to the test here at MCS, we are excited about how prepared our students will be, and we take some time to review concepts and cement confidence before exams. With our Musical and upcoming TCAPs, students will be able to pat themselves on the back for hard work, strong effort, and high quality well-done.
Science…Science…Science • Amy Rusby The 3rd thru 8th grade students kicked off the Physical Science unit by taking a field trip to McClure Pass. They snow shoed to reach snow pack that was not exposed to the sun and then shoveled walls of snow to observe the different layers of snow. They then did the same experiment with snow that does get sun exposure and made comparisons between the two observations. This was a great way to introduce the students to the properties of matter. To fulfill the curriculum requirements for Physical Science this year, the students will be learning about specific components that will focus on: • Atoms and how they are building blocks to all substances. • The different states of matter (solid, liquid, gas) and how they can change from one state to another by heating and cooling. • Mixtures of matter and how they can be separated regardless of how they were created. • All weight and mass of the mixtures of matter are the same as the sum of weight and mass of its parts. • Energy and the many forms that it comes in, such as light, heat, sound, magnetic, chemical, and electrical. • The transformation and conservation of energy. The school environment at MCS lets the 3rd thru 8th grade students have opportunities to participate in various hands-on experiments and observations to explore the properties of matter and energy. The intent of these experiments is to foster the great scientific mind of each and every student. Please don’t be shy…you are always welcome to join us to share in our science learning experiences! Wildcats • Dan Poll This month has been a jam-packed month with learning, growing and exploring! We have been spending a lot of time on our musical and it is really turning into something to be proud of! The students have continued to create and adapt our script, so they can really bring The Sun Mother folk tale to life! We have been working on getting into our character and using expression in the way we read and say our lines. In the reading streets programs we continue to have facilitated discussion on: author's purpose, identifying multiple meaning words and using the correct meaning, looking at how to use cause and effect in writings, determining if it is a fact or an opinion, determining a words meaning by looking at the root word with a prefix or suffix and writing with complete thought sentences. In Math, we will be continuing to build on the student’s knowledge of addition, subtraction, multiplication and division of numbers. In third grade, we have been expanding on what we have learned about multiplication and will be using it to explore division. In fourth grade, our main focus has been on division and we are beginning to explore algebraic reasoning, and we will be moving on to geometry concepts. Fifth grade will be expanding their division concepts and learning about units of measure and number theory. They will also be starting to explore geometry concepts. With building props for the musical, the students have also had to investigate some measurement and scale concepts. There are teachable moments everywhere you turn!
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MARCH 2012
Page 13
Director’s Corner March 2012 The Marble Charter School is humming along, busy with preparations for our musical, sharing our work with others, and striving individually to excel. We had a delightful day of sharing our school with several new families and friends on Feb. 20. We had parent-student-teacher portfolio presentations, which offered a gallery of our stained glass creations, and shared our snow sculptures. Shannon Muse and Leo Johnson have been offering stained glass apprenticeships for the last six weeks and their creations are marvelous. We’ve included some pictures of the students’ work, left. We used “The Barefoot Book of Earth Tales” retold by Dawn Casey and illustrated by Anne Wilson as the basis for our musical. Our 7th and 8th graders will be selling copies of this book to help raise money for their spring trip to San Francisco. The students will offer a few other titles from the Barefoot Books collection, and half of every sale will help the students raise money for San Francisco. 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. What are those skills? The ability to assimilate, collaborate and solve difficult problems together; skills that they need for the 21st century. For for information about the musical or the school call 963-9550.
ATTENTION: New MCS Board Members needed Stained glass apprenticeships at Marble Charter School MCS students have been enjoying a six week stained glass apprenticeship, were they have contributed to making stained glass windows, boxes, snow sculptures, a mosaic totem pole (which will be kept at the school), and sand blasted snowflakes. Shannon and Leo were the teachers for these enjoyable apprenticeships. They taught us how to cut, grind, saughter, and grought, the glass.
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The Marble Charter School Board consists of 7 dedicated volunteers who share a deep respect for education and wish to see students happy and prosperous within that environment. The Board provides support for the Director and Staff to meet these goals. Board requirements are attendance at each monthly meeting as well as some involvement in school activities within the school and the community. As acting ambassadors for the Marble Charter School the Board speaks with one voice. This year, 2012, the Marble Charter School Board needs to fill four of these seats. We know there is an abundance of talented people in our community that would enrich this board and would love to hear from all of you. If you have an interest in becoming a part of the Marble Charter School Board please send a letter of intent to; marblecharter@gmail.com. We would also like to invite you to our next board meeting, Thursday, April 12th @ 4:30pm at the Marble Charter School, or visit with any present board members at your convenience.
Marble Charter School phone numbers: 970-963-9550 970-963-1009
STUDENTGALLERY
Page 14, Crystal Valley Echo & Marble Times
Color of the Rainbow by Shania I have a rainbow nice dragon she is a smooth dragon. Her name is Color of the Rainbow. She is small
My Dragon by Nina I have a shy dragon. She eats fish. She is nice.
Patrick’s St. Patrick’s Day Word Find St. Patrick Shamrock Green Monastery Gold Rainbow
Leprechaun Snakes Ireland Harp Jig
Would Marble Charter School Be A Good Fit For YOUR Child?
Students in 6th - 8th grade studied data collection, distribution and graphing. They created different graphs of what kinds of M & M's you are most likely to get in a package. Then they ate the candy - yum!
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• 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
MARCH 2012
Echo-Logic Gentle giant: The yellow pine This is the final column in the series on evergreens in the Crystal Valley, as well as the final Echo Logic. Ellie is working on a book on plants and trees of the Crystal Valley due out in the near future.
In the Crystal Valley, a native tree is special in its own right, not because it is rare or endangered, but quite the contrary. Ponderosa pine trees can be seen scattered among the piñon pine and juniper, towering over the sagebrush and wetlands, shining bright with their orange and yellow bark in the low light evening. In Marble, ponderosa pine can be seen amongst the fir and aspen trees, sometimes growing up to 100 feet tall. Down lower in the valley around mile marker 57 alongside Highway 133 by Avalanche Ranch, these pines grow in larger, younger populations. There is an abundance of ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa) in the American West. In Colorado, it grows primarily on the Eastern Slope. If you head out to the Front Range, the tree growing in the foothills is ponderosa pine. In northern Arizona, it’s the dominant tree species. Arizona actually has one of the largest contiguous ponderosa pine forests in the world (there may be one bigger in Russia). From the North Rim of the Grand Canyon to the White Mountains to New Mexico, mostly ponderosa grows. In the Crystal Valley, unique specimens of ponderosa can be seen near Marble that will take your breath away (see photo).
By Ellie Kershow
One common name of this tree is yellow pine. Its bark generally turns an orange-yellow color as it gets older. It is fairly obvious to identify this pine in the Crystal Valley because of the way its branches turn upward and its bark is furrowed. The pine tree branches hold fascicles with needles of three or five. The cones are large and have sharp bracts. On an ecological note, ponderosa pine forests have a frequent fire regime. It means these pines are accustomed to fire and actually thrive in the presence of it. In parts of Colorado and the west where ponderosa pines are dominant, if allowed to burn, fire thins out the understory and younger trees, allowing sunlight to penetrate the forest floor. This allows grass and forbs to flourish, but also weeds. Pre-European settlement, fires typically came through these forests as often as every two to five years. When ponderosa grows in a mixed conifer forest, it is a bit different, but still has a strong resistance to low frequency fires because of its tough bark and tall crown base. The mountain pine beetle has decimated ponderosa forests in many parts of the western US just like its effect on lodgepole pine populations in many parts of Colorado. Having gone to Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff, I was surrounded by these trees whether hiking, biking, or just being. I remain constantly in awe of this species and especially in the Crystal Valley where its presence is dramatic. Stop and smell the ponderosa – they smell like vanilla.
From the writer: Thanks to all my readers, I have enjoyed writing this column for the past five years. I have learned so much and am excited for new challenges ahead. Hope you all have a fantastic spring and see you around!
Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with us! Saturday, March 17th Noon: Annual painting of the boulevard parade, starting at the Inn 4pm-7pm: Wine & beer tasting, $10 cover, some appetizers also included
Thank you, Ellie, for five years of informative and interesting Echo Logic columns.... (and we look forward to reading your book!) ~ Alyssa Ohnmacht, publisher, and Carrie Click, editor, The Crystal Valley Echo
7pm: Bingo in the grill 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
970-963-2526 your journey begins at www.redstoneinn.com
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As I See It A MONTHLY COLUMN BY BRUCE GLEDHILL
March: Making A Real Change Of Heart In this column I want us to think about the month of March, including the meaning of that name. To get us started on the topic of words, I have a trivia question: What is the longest common word you can type using only the top row of keys on a typewriter (or a computer keyboard)? Here’s a hint: The word I’m looking for contains 10 letters – the same as the number of keys in that row! If you look carefully, there’s also another clue hidden in this paragraph. The origin of the name “March” goes back to ancient Rome. In the Mediterranean, as in our North American climate, March is the beginning of spring. Springtime, when trees are turning green and flowers are blooming (in places other than Redstone!) seems like a good time to mark the beginning of a new year. Prior to 500 BC, March was the first month of the Roman calendar. In more recent times, Russia continued to use March 1 as New Year’s Day up until about 1500. Spring was also the time for military campaigns to began, so the Romans named this month after Mars, the Greek god of war. Here in the US, we think of Dec. 7 as the beginning of World War II. However, Europeans know Germany’s first act of aggression was invading Czechoslovakia, and in keeping with military tradition, that happened in March. Despite March’s long association with war, some official body has designated March as Spiritual Wellness Month. Various writers point out that the beginning of spring is an ideal time to evaluate your own spiritual health and to set some goals for growth. From time to time we need a reminder that we are spiritual beings currently involved in a bodily experience rather than physical beings having occasional spiritual experiences. What are you doing, or what will you start doing to cultivate your connection with God, and your development of peace, hope, and love? Make March a time not to start a conflict, but to start a new step of growth in your spiritual wellness. Finally, here’s the answer to the trivia question. The longest common word you can make on the top row of a typewriter is TYPEWRITER. Sometimes the answer is right there in front of you! Maybe now that you know March is spiritual wellness month, you’ll start seeing something new in those letters. MARCH, the time for Making A Real Change of Heart. Bruce Gledhill is the pastor at the Church at Redstone.
Echo Briefs Howard Berkman Music Scholarships established for local music students The family and friends of West Slope-based musician, the late Howard Berkman, have joined with Paonia’s nonprofit Mountain Harvest Festival to offer music scholarships to deserving West Slope student musicians who wish to pursue their musical education at a further level. The scholarship’s demographic emphasis will be on the North Fork, Crystal and Roaring Fork valleys. In helping preserve Howard’s memory – including Howard’s music and role he played in the community as a result – the scholarship is offering financial aid, friendship, love and inspiration to aspiring and continuing student musicians in pursuit of their musical passions. Awards ranging from $50 to $300 will be granted to selected applicants based on need, circumstance, honors earned or other recognitions to help the student cover financial needs in the following areas of music, but not limited to; Instrument purchases or rentals, instrument repairs, music and voice lessons, music camps, tuition, texts, etc. Other awards may include the Howard Berkman guitar lessons package, the Howard Berkman Songbook or CDs of his recorded music. Recipients may not receive more than one award yearly. Applications will be reviewed as they are received and awards presented quarterly or as deemed necessary. For more information go to howardberkman.com/newhoward/scholarships. – Darrell Sage, Howard Berkman Music Scholarships
Pitkin County Airport Director Jim Elwood receives award Aspen/Pitkin County Director of Aviation Jim Elwood is the recipient of the 2012 recipient of the Jay Hollingsworth Speas Airport Award. The award is given by the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) and the American Association of Airport Executives and the Airport Consultants Council (ACC). Elwood is being honored for his leadership in developing a cooperative relationship with the community surrounding the Aspen/Pitkin County Airport by designing and implementing aggressive environmental protection programs while achieving airport expansion. “Since he began in his role as Airport Director here more than a decade ago, Jim has been able to define important community concerns, namely noise, conservation, and sustainability,” said Pitkin County Board of Commissioners Chairman Michael Owsley.” “[He] has worked tirelessly in developing specific programs to address these issues through cooperative efforts.” A few of the airport’s sustainability include: • the 2005 greenhouse gas inventory and 2006 update • exploring hydroelectric and solar power initiatives • developing an Energy Action Plan, Construction Management Plan, and a fly quiet/fly clean/fly green series of community meetings The award includes a $10,000 honorarium that Elwood intends to donate to a local nonprofit. Elwood accepted the award on March 1 at an AAAE/ACC symposium Denver. – Pat Bingham, Pitkin County
“Art and Fashion for a Sustainable Future” opens on March 2 Everything old is new again seen with new eyes. Carbondale Council on Arts and Humanities (CCAH) is featuring two- and threedimensional art using recycled materials to coincide with this year’s “Green is the New Black” fashion extravaganza on March 9-10. This is a juried show so expect some innovative work. The exhibit will stay up through March 24 at the R2 Gallery at the CCAH Center for the Arts in the Third Street Center, 520 S. Third St., Carbondale. 963-1680, carbondalearts.com. – CCAH
Plans for Elk Park moving forward According to Lindsey Utter, recreation planner for Pitkin County Open Space and Trails (OST), OST is applying for Great Outdoors Colorado’s (GOCO) Spring 2012 Local Parks and Outdoor Recreation Grant to help with construction costs in Elk Park. Lindsey said that the OST board has approved funding for design consultants without using grant money from Colorado Scenic Byways, which was initially granted to the Elk Park improvement project. The OST is now seeking approved from the Pitkin County Board of Commissioners. If the commissioners approve this additional funding, the final design process can move forward. Under that scenario, construction on Elk Park could be completed in 2013. – Pitkin County Open Space and Trails
Renowned Argentine guitar quartet performs two concerts The 12th season of the Jim Calaway Honors Series at Colorado Mountain College concludes with the Santa Fe Guitar Quartet from Santa Fe, Argentina. This innovative guitar ensemble, which combines the talents of two Argentines and two North Americans, focuses on performing Latin American music. Since 1989, the quartet has performed sold-out concerts throughout North and South America, including at New York’s Lincoln Center and the Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall. The quartet will perform March 16 at CMC’s New Space Theatre at the Spring Valley campus, and March 17 in the gallery at CMC’s Aspen campus. Both concerts start at 7:30 p.m. and are preceded by a dessert reception at 6:30 p.m. The March 16 concert honors Glenwood Springs resident, newspaper columnist and CMC supporter Hal Sundin. The March 17 concert honors Jessica and Henry Catto, the late influential political and philanthropic couple, who owned a ranch in Woody Creek, and their family, and is underwritten by Liz Armstrong. Tickets are $20 for adults and $15 for full-time Colorado Mountain College students and children up to 17 years. To reserve tickets, call 947-8367. – Debra Crawford, CMC
MARCH 2012
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B U S I N E S S
Stellar Wood: Living the dream in Marble – with no commute By Sue McEvoy, Echo staff writer Inside a small house on the road to Marble is the wood shop where Lee Bowers creates, crafts and fabricates custom furniture for clients all over the U.S. Along with his wife Melissa and his 4-year-son Zeeland, the Bowers are living their dream of owning a cottage industry in the mountains, making a living without having to commute, and being able to take advantage of incredible ski terrain. Lee came to the Aspen area as a skier, working first as a lift operator, then a ski patroller on Buttermilk before joining the patrol on Aspen Mountain. In the summers he worked as an instructor for Outward Bound. But it was his desire to build a home and be able to live and work in Marble that led to his informal apprenticeship with Aspen furniture maker Paul Stover. “We did some trades for time and instruction,” said Lee. “Paul said to tool up, get really good machines, and if you can process wood on the level that I am, then I’ll start feeding you work.” Now, the Bowers’ company, Stellar Wood, produces beautiful handcrafted pieces custom ordered by clients. And Lee has managed to stay busy through a downturn in the economy with mostly word-of-mouth references built on relationships he made while working on Aspen Mountain. Lee credits much of his success to the several workshops he has attended at Anderson Ranch during the past 12 years. Located in Snowmass Village, the ranch’s mission is to provide transformative experiences that celebrate artists, art-making, creative dialogue, community, experimentation and growth in a supportive and inspiring environment. “I’m trying to learn new skills that I can then apply and try to do it in a way where I can make some money and also make my work more interesting,” said Lee about how he is incorporating his experiences at Anderson Ranch into his work. “I usually try to pick something small, something that I can finish.” As opposed to his custom ordered pieces, at the workshops he has been able to learn and create more artistic pieces like the wooden dice seen on his website. “The dice are 16” x 16” x 16”,” said Lee. “They were more of a crossover piece because they are sculptural and functional. They have that ‘art thing’ to them.” While many custom wood furnishings are made of exotic woods, Lee wants to be sure the material he uses is harvested in an environmentally conscious manner. He uses Horizon Wood
Products, a world renowned, familyrun Pennsylvania company, as his main supplier. They featured his skills in their winter 2012 newsletter. (Go to horizonevolution.com and click on “Newsletter Archive”). While recommending to clients that they choose North American hardwoods like black cherry, walnut, ash, maple or oak, Lee also prefers to receive his wood less processed. “The wood I get comes in the raw, rough sawn,” he said. “All the material still has a live edge. When I start milling the material myself to the dimensions I need it to be, I get to see how it’s responding to being worked, what kind of tension is in it, elements of it you wouldn’t really get to know if it came into the shop ready to roll.” As a true backcountry ski enthusiast, Lee’s company gets its name from snow. “Stellar is a perfect snow crystal and being a lover of the snow I got hooked on that and the idea of nature and nature’s perfection and trying to achieve that with what I do as well,” he said. While this winter’s backcountry skiing has not been prolific for the Bowers, Lee has enjoyed being busy in the shop. He received a commission to build eight chairs to match “The McDude” table featured on Horizon’s website, two credenzas, desks and a bench. Plus, Zeeland is mastering his ski turns right in the driveway. Not only is Lee a believer in the environment but also in giving back to the community that supports it. Stellar Wood is a member of 1% for the Planet, a growing global movement of more than 1,460 companies that donate at least one percent of their sales to a network of 2,784 environmental organizations worldwide. This year their one percent donation went to the Center for Snow and Avalanche Studies, Bicycles for Humanity and SurfRider Foundation. “We like to share what we can,” said Lee. “I firmly believe that everything is energy and you want energy to flow, and when your money comes to you, it’s energy and on its way out, it’s energy as well.” To learn more about Stellar Wood, go to stellarwood.com.k
Top, the McDude table which was featured in the supplier’s newsletter; middle, the Ivy Lane Credenza. Photos by Alex Irvin Photography
Bottom, Lee, Melissa and Zeeland Bowers at home in the Stellar Wood workshop in Marble. Photo by Sue McEvoy
Page 18, Crystal Valley Echo & Marble Times
Echo Briefs St. Paddy’s comes to Redstone On March 17, the Crystal River Valley will turn green if just for a day when St. Patrick’s Day causes everyone to put an “O” in front of their name and speak with an Irish brogue. Well, not really, but there are a few events planned for the day. Redstone Boulevard will host a St. Patrick’s Day Parade starting at noon. Be sure to be at the Redstone Inn parking lot and be prepared to paint the Boulevard green for the big day. Young and old are invited to join in the fun. Costumes are optional, but be prepared to be wearing green – i.e. green paint will be slung – by the end of the parade. Later, from 4-7 p.m., adults are invited to the Redstone Inn for a beer and wine tasting featuring local and national libations. A number of Colorado winemakers will be sharing their vintages – among them, representatives from Alfred Eames Cellars and 5680 Vineyards from Paonia, along with Redstone Inn distributors. Tastings are $10 a person and special room rates are available at the inn if you’d like to make a night of it. As if all that’s not enough, a rousing game of bingo will take place at 7 p.m. in the inn’s grill following the tasting. Call the inn at 963-2526 for more info – and Happy St. Patrick’s Day! – Carrie Click, Echo editor
The Gathering Center named Business of the Year The Gathering Center has been named the Carbondale Chamber of Commerce’s 2011 Business of the Year. The Gathering Center was selected amongst a pool of 485 chamber businesses. The Gathering Center, located within The Orchard, a church, at 110 Snowmass Dr., Carbondale, has been open for three years serving individuals, businesses, and the nonprofit community as a venue to host events, meetings, weddings and numerous other social and corporate functions. It is also home to Common Grounds Coffee Shop, which is open Tuesday through Friday and offers free Wi-Fi and space to work, meet and study.
“It’s humbling to be thought of in this way,” said Gathering Center Director Scott Robinson. “We are not a conventional business. Our staff is mostly volunteer-based and comes from within our church family. We enjoy hosting our neighbors and it’s cool to see everyone in the midst of their own special gathering.” In addition to The Gathering Center, The Orchard has multiple classrooms, an auditorium, a boardroom, a library and even an outside amphitheatre that are available for events. The Orchard also has a state-of-the-art sound system and a large commercial-quality kitchen to assist in the ease of facilitating any event. Dates are available for weddings, meetings and events in 2012. Contact Gathering Center Director Scott Robinson at 963-8773 ext. 105 for more information or visit thegatheringcenter.org. – The Gathering Center
YouthEntity's YouthChefs celebrate graduation YouthEntity, a nonprofit organization in Carbondale that helps prepare youth for future success, held a graduation ceremony in January for its YouthChefs program. The seven graduates culminated their training by preparing a buffet of French pastries and chocolates for their families and guests of the event. The three-month program, offered to local high school students, provides hands-on immersive courses in baking and pastry arts taught by master pastry chef Christine Bergstrom. The YouthChefs program began in 2010 in the Glenwood High School cafeteria kitchen. It is now housed in a new commercial kitchen at the Bridges Center in Carbondale, also home to YouthEntity. YouthEntity provides real-world learning experiences for youth that cultivate business experience, develop financial knowledge and build technological skills. For more information contact YouthEntity at 963-4055, info@youthentity.org or visit youthentity.org. – YouthChefs
MARCH 2012
THE ECHO CLASSIFIED ADS FOR RENT: FOR RENT: Share home - three miles from Marble. Non-smoker. Greenhouse, garage, shared common area. $700/mo plus utilities. First/last/deposit. Pets considered. References and background check ($25 fee) required. Can be month to month. 704-0225. FOR SALE: FOR SALE: Beautiful Midwest oak double sleigh bed and wash stand, $1,400, mattress included. Oak sewing rocker, $200. Call 963-9811. SERVICES: SERVICES: Notary Public: Closing documents, Wills and Sales, Contracts and more. Call Lisa Wagner 963-8240.
Page 19
Sell your stuff… Get a tenant… Find a job or an employee… or a place to live! Echo Classifieds are a cost-effective way to advertise. ONLY $10 for 40 words and out for a whole month!
THE CRYSTAL VALLEY ECHO CLASSIFIED ADS
PHOTO CLASSIFIED AD* Run a photo and 25 words for $15/month LISTING CLASSIFIED AD* Run up to 40 words for $10/month *These ads must be prepaid. No billing is available for classifieds. AD COPY: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________
Please send name, address, phone, ad copy and payment to: The Crystal Valley Echo 274 Redstone Blvd., Redstone, CO 81623 IF YOU ARE RUNNING A PHOTO CLASSIFIED, SEND PHOTO TO echo@crystalvalleyecho.com
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Page 20, Crystal Valley Echo & Marble Times
MARCH 2012
REDSTONE COMMUNITY BULLETIN www.redstonecolorado.com
REDSTONE COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION
Snowshoe Race 2012 Thank You
•••
REDSTONE COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS ————
Steve Pavlin: President Cathy Montgomery: Vice President Harry Remmers: Treasurer Jacob Robbins Secretary
Barbara Albin Billy Amicon Cary Hightower Debbie McCormick Ann Martin
Alternate Members:
We would like to thank Sue McEvoy, race director, for making this event a huge success. Not only did she make applications and obtain permits, Sue also laid out the racecourse and secured most of the raffle prizes. Job well done! A big thank-you to the Redstone Inn, Redstone Castle, The Church at Redstone, McCormick & Harris families, Carbondale Rural Fire Department- Vern, Monk & Ray, Dorothy Howard and Basalt Recreation, Carbondale Recreation, Deb Strom and all of these raffle donors: Russett's, Crystal Club Cafe, Hightower Cafe, Redstone Inn, Cliffs Lodge, Redstone Castle, Ajax Bike, Redstone Art Center, Redstone General Store, Tiffany of Redstone, Redstone Company Store, Crystal Dreams, RCA, Crystal Valley Echo, Sue, RHS, Crystal River Jeep tours, Beaver Lake Lodge, Avalanche Ranch, Independence Run & Hike, Aloha Mountain Cyclery, Peppinos, Dos Gringos, Red Rock Diner, Pour House Restaurant, Carbondale Chamber, RJ Paddywacks, COOP, Crystal Valley Vet Care, Bristlecone Sports, KDNK, Ragged Mt Sports, Carbondale Recreation Dept., Sunburst Car Care, Catherine Store, Transformation Yoga, True Nature Healing Arts, Roaring Fork Liquors, Mary Dorais, Summit Canyon, Gear Exchange, Michael Boyles, The Pullman Restaurant, Orrison’s Distributing, Road ID gift certificates, and Cathy Montgomery. We appreciate all of the participants, volunteers and raffle donors because you made it possible for RCA to contribute half of the race proceeds ($500) to Hospice of the Valley.
Come and celebrate St. Patrick's Day with your neighbors.
The annual St. Pat's Day parade will start at noon in the Redstone Inn parking lot. Get ready to paint the Boulevard! Children will especially enjoy this event. Costumes are encouraged but not necessary. Adults can continue to celebrate in the afternoon. RCA and Redstone Inn are hosting the rescheduled Wine and Beer Tasting for March 17th from 4PM to 7PM at the Redstone Inn. There will be a $10 cover for sampling an array of local and national wines as well as beer. This is just one more way to celebrate St. Patrick's Day. Following the tasting, the Inn will host "Redstone Bingo" in the grill.
Redstone Annual Easter Egg Hunt: When: Saturday April 7th 10 am Sharp Where: Redstone Park Who: Only children 12 and under Also: Volunteers 16 yrs & older are needed
We would like to welcome the following new and renewing RCA members: Robert and Lisa Dupre, Michael and Barbara Hurst, Nick and Cam Tilotta, and Bear Cave House
This event can only happen with your donations of Easter Baskets or cash. Contact Jen Stanazek at 963-2365 if you have questions. Please drop off baskets/donations in the office of the Crystal Valley Manor on Rdstone Blvd.
The next RCA Board Meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, March 6th 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
MARCH 2012
S P O R T S
&
Page 21
R E C R E AT I O N
Redstone Snowshoe Race and Fun Walk The Redstone Community Association hosted the third annual Redstone Snowshoe Race and Fun Walk on Feb. 4. The 5K, or approximately three-mile course circled the Redstone Castle and grounds. Sanctioned by the United States Snowshoe Association, the race and fun walk benefitted Hospice of the Valley.
RACE RESULTS 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57
Charlie Wertheim 13 1st male over 45 Brian Passenti 34 1st Male under 45 Heidi Vosbeck 38 1st woman over 45 Erin Dorr 42 1st woman under 45 Ryan Smith 33 2nd male under 45 Joel Scot 40 2nd male over 45 Helen McQueeney 41 2nd female over 45 Veronica Whitney 14 3rd woman over 45 Meghan Palmer 57 2nd woman under 45 Beth Broome 4 3rd woman under 45 Kathy McGowan 39 Melody De Los Santos 11 Lesa Russo 33 Hugh Parrish 12 3rd male under 45 Evan Vergin 36 3rd male over 45 Lacy Smith 23 Susan Vergin 35 Jessi Rochel 2 Karen Kean Hines 8 Walter Krom 52 Don Weller 31 Mary Ann Meyer 7 Rokyn Hehn 5 Ed Dubord 6 Wes Engstrom 63 1st youth Michael Boyles 30 Shirley Boyles 29 John Emerick 43 Ray Meyer 26 Valerie Toledo 46 Connie Hendershot 54 Joel Hendershot 53 Robert Reineberg 3 Mark Lacy 25 Becky Trembley 45 Sharon Clarke 24 Sam Wofford 51 2nd youth Janette Bier 32 Edie Engstrom 62 Wendy Steckler 1 Jennifer Bouchet 48 Ruth Trowbridge 61 Steve Vanderleest 16 Cathy Montgomery 17 Mary Dorais 37 Peigi Droyson 50 Susan Jackson 49 Noelle Tripp 47 Alden Hunt 60 Lisa Dupre 27 Bob Dupre 28 Bernadette Hunt 58 Marcie Wilson 59 Rachele Mettauer 3rd youth Nick Mettaue 4th youth Emily Mettauer Jeff Marlotte
17:57:00 19:47:00 22:44:00 24:55:00 25:57:00 26:52:00 27:08:00 27:09:00 28:50:00 30:02:00 31:19:00 32:41:00 33:09:00 33:10:00 34:24:00 36:44:00 37:23:00 39:08:00 39:16:00 39:51:00 39:53:00 43:27:00 43:41:00 43:43:00 36:09:00 46:59:00 47:04:00 47:09:00 47:14:00 47:41:00 47:43:00 47:51:00 48:45:00 49:15:00 49:16:00 50:21:00 50:21:00 50:21:00 40:21:00 52:09:00 53:03:00 53:03:00 57:04:00 58:49:00 58:49:00 1:04:00 1:02:36 1:02:38 1:02:00 1:03:17 1:03:20 1:04:02 1:04:02
Scenes from the 2012 Redstone Snowshoe Race and Fun Walk.
Photos courtesy of Redstone Community Association
Wii Bowling League in full swing in Marble Who says you need a bowling alley to bowl? Marble’s Wii Bowling League completed its first night of competition on Feb. 24 at Slow Groovin’ BBQ. The three inaugural teams recorded their top scores – and now the league is looking for more competition from other Crystal Valley contenders. Feb. 24 bowling league scores: 1) The Strikers - 366 2) The Musketeers - 454 3) The Merry Marmots of Marble – 557 If you’d like to be part of Wii bowling on Friday nights in Marble, play begins at 7 p.m. Contact Connie Hendrix at chendrixstudio@aol.com.
Page 22, 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.
Pilates
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Redstone
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 Karla Miller, Ginny Myers, Molly Garland, and Teresa Jennings – the Ya-Yas – share an Echo sunset in Nosara, Costa Rica.
704-1843
IN REDSTONE AND MARBLE
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
PITKIN COUNTY GOVERNMENT Now streaming Board of County Commissioner meetings on the internet! Go to www.aspenpitkin.com
Also on the Pitkin County website: County Commissioner Agendas Vehicle and Title Registration 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
MARCH 2012
Page 23
P E O P L E
A Crystal Valley reverse commute A few kids commute long distances to attend school in Marble By Carrie Click, Echo editor Spencer and Caroline Tuggle spend a lot of time on the school bus, but they don’t mind. They’ve never known anything different. Brother and sister – Spencer is in third grade, and Caroline’s in kindergarten – are driven roughly 25 miles to Redstone each school day morning from their home in the Four Mile area between Sunlight and Glenwood Springs. In Redstone, they catch the Marble Charter School (MCS) bus for the final 10 or so miles to school. In a way, Spencer and Caroline are like the Connecticut commuters who ride the train into New York City every day, or the L.A. drivers who spend hours on the freeway getting to and from work. Fortunately, these kids have much more spectacular scenery to look at as they travel up and down the Crystal Valley. A local school for local kids – and a great fit for others, too One of the challenges for Crystal Valley schoolchildren used to be access to public education. During the valley’s mining heydays of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, both Marble and Redstone had active schools. But with decreasing enrollment, by the mid-20th century, valley kids had to make the long trek down to Carbondale to attend school. That all changed in 1995, when a group of local parents, not wanting to send their kids on an up to 54-mile roundtrip bus ride to Carbondale every school day opened the Marble Charter School, part of the Gunnison Watershed School District. The school, in an ironic twist, is housed in Marble’s original school building, circa 1912. It was remodeled in 1995 when classes first were held there.
Recently, an additional building was added on the school grounds; the addition houses additional classrooms, a kitchen, and more. The original building is also still in use for music and art classes, and for other activities. Together the school’s buildings can accommodate up to 76 students; 36 are currently attending. Today, the Tuggle children are one of a few families who do a reverse commute to the Marble Charter For School. and Spencer Caroline’s mom, Jennifer Dockery Tuggle, the decision was immediate the first time she drove up to the school five years ago. “We were looking for a place for Spencer to go to kindergarten,” Jennifer said. “He was in the lottery for the Carbondale Community School and Aspen Community School, and was so far down on the wait list for other schools that it scared me. We got to May 1 and he was 18th on one list and I thought, ‘There’s no way this is going to happen.’” That’s when Jennifer made an appointment at Marble Charter School. “I drove up with my son and infant [Caroline was just a baby], and when I pulled up I immediately got a warm, fuzzy feeling,” she said. “There is such a family atmosphere, and such attention to each child. And there’s none of the cliquey stuff that can happen at bigger schools. I’ve never once questioned our choice.” Jennifer may not have questioned sending her children to a school 45 minutes away on a curvy mountain road, but plenty of friends and family did. “My uncle thought I was crazy,” she said. “Others told me I was out of my mind. But this is the best school for my kids.”
Returning to MCS Another family, the Moraveks, had lived in Marble where their oldest child Carley had started school at MCS. Coincidentally, when the Moraveks moved virtually next door to the Dockery/Tuggle family in Dry Park a few years later, they too made the decision to keep Carley and her younger brother Patrick at Marble Charter School. That was after trying out school in Glenwood, but opting to return to MCS. “Sopris Elementary is two minutes down the road,” said mom Kay Moravek. “But with about 900 students, [attending school there] was totally overwhelming, especially for Patrick.” Now, because of a serious interest in gymnastics, Carley has opted to attend Carbondale Middle School so she can attend gymnastics practice in Aspen, though son Patrick still attends school in Marble. “We’re really glad with our choice,” said Kay of MCS. Making it easier, Kay and Jennifer share carpooling duties up and down Highway 133. “That is such a big help,” Jennifer said. “Kay and I trade off days. It’s a huge relief, and saves us both time.” For Jennifer, she understands it’s a long daily journey for her kids to attend school in Marble, but it’s worth every mile. “They are receiving such a high quality, individualized education,” she said. “They’re so well taken care of.”
From left, Spencer getting help from MCS staff member, Carin Long; Patrick visits with other MCS students; Caroline hard at work. Photos by Alicia Benesh
Page 24, Crystal Valley Echo & Marble Times
The Echo’s Parting Shot…
i|á|à exwáàÉÇxVtáàÄx‹ REDSTONE CASTLE TOURS Saturday & Sunday • 1:30 p.m.
Tickets: $15 adults, $10 seniors, $10 children 5-18, Children under 5: FREE (FOR GROUP TOURS CALL 970-963-9656) Tickets available at Tiffany of Redstone, and the Redstone General Store. CASH OR CHECK ONLY
See you next month!
www.redstonecastle.us