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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 May 2012
Inside
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Volume 9 Number 5
Springtime in the Crystal Valley...…
New gallery in Marble page 3
Snowpack page 5
Marble Times pages 11-14
Great Outdoors page 15
Photos by Nancy Chromy
New column: Young at Heart page 17
Page 2, Crystal Valley Echo & Marble Times
L E T T E R S A new bench to enjoy the views Dear Echo: Notice should be taken of the beautiful bench at the hairpin turn above Redstone’s water tanks. This is a gift to our community from Bob Leone. Gary Engstrom helped Bob install it. The bench provides a place for hikers to recover their wind and enjoy spectacular views of Chair Mountain and Huntsman's Ridge as well as Redstone. Bob says the polished dark green stone is Black Canyon schist. Bill Jochems Redstone
Thanks for Wii Bowling Dear Echo: A big thanks goes out to all those who participated in Marble's Wii Bowling League, 29 people in all! It was great fun, loads of laughs, and fabulous for the community to have a winter gathering place. The added bonus was Slow Groovin's family-style winter buffet. Ryan, you are a star for opening up your restaurant and bar, and putting up with all of us! Shirley and Graden Walter graciously loaned us their Wii. It was heartfelt to have Graden's Mii up on the screen each week, and it was a great reminder of his unending generosity and kindness. Thanks! Let's do it again next winter! Connie Hendrix and Karen Good Marble
Earth Day and TDC
Dear Echo: Earth Day means something different to each of us. For some, it means planting a tree, or taking that favorite hike to that special place, or helping your child with a special school project. For those of us who appreciate the many attributes of the area identified by the Thompson Divide Coalition (TDC) for protection from industrial exploration and development in order to protect the natural and recreational attributes of the area, Earth Day has special meaning. Our watersheds (five major watersheds provide for both municipal and agricultural needs); our wildlife (habitat, calving areas, migration routes for elk and deer; cutthroat trout; mid-elevation species); our ski areas (Sunlight Mountain Resort and Spring Gulch); our hiking and biking trails; rock climbing opportunities; summer grazing necessities for the valley’s ranchers; our sanctuary; our wildlands… these attributes make this the unique place for which we must be appropriate and active stewards of the land. Protection of our air and water quality and of the quality of life we all enjoy requires dedication, commitment and work. The TDC works to inform, educate, and represent all those who have extended their support for this cause. Representatives of the oil and gas industry with leases in the area of concern have been contacted, and the coalition is working with industry, affected agencies, and elected officials to resolve our issues and protect this special place for all to appreciate and enjoy. Thanks for your continued support. Dorothea Farris Thompson Divide Coalition member savethompsondivide.org Carbondale
Marble Hub a success story
Dear Echo: We all know how Marble has a lot of "stories." Well, the greatest success story up here this past winter has been the year-round residents and local nonprofits’ support for The Marble Hub! The Hub doors are open only by volunteer hosts. The Hub had a 96 percent success rate of this winter's threeday a week operations, even during darkest days. How awesome a record is that?! Congratulations to all! The Hub was open every weekend from October through April by Marble folks coming together to be Hub hosts and help out in the consignment shop, have some fun and giggles...for the common good of all. Plus they donated their time to Marble Community Church, Crystal River Heritage Association, Crystal River Civic Commission, Marble Charter School, Crystal Valley Preschool and Marble Crystal River Chamber. By being open this winter and serving primarily as a
visitor information and community gathering place, The Marble Hub now has an AED (automatic external defibrillation) machine, thanks to Fire Chief Ron Leach and Pitkin County. Ron Leach and Lise' Hornbach organized First Aid/CPR classes this winter through The Hub and Church with great success and will have another class this summer. Watch for dates to be announced. Ron's goal is to have everyone in Marble know how to do CPR. We've a good start. Because of that personal dedication by so many, The Hub is happy to report that $10,500 overall has been distributed to the participating nonprofits, local businesses and Marble artists/crafters/consignors in its first 10 months! Immeasurable are the social/educational/emergency services benefits of a public gathering place such as The Hub when doors are open. Speaking of... The Marble Hub will be closed April 30 thru May 24 for remodel and refreshing. Join us for our Grand RE-Opening on Friday, May 25, 8:30 a.m.-4:00 p.m. Beginning May 25, The Marble Hub will be open seven days a week, 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. See our June Echo ad for more details. The Hub will have its annual meeting on June 12, 7 p.m. at the Fellowship Hall of the Marble Church. Public is invited. The Marble Hub is going to be the most exciting gathering place in Marble this summer! If you would like to join in and be a part of this great community co-op endeavor, go to themarblehub.org or contact Charlotte for details. Calling all local artisans/crafters: The Hub is accepting limited inventory between May 1-15 for retail sales this summer. Call 704-0567 for details. Thank you, Charlotte Graham Executive Director Crystal River Civic Commission, d.b.a. The Marble Hub Marble
Thank you for Spellebrating Dear Echo: Many volunteers work together to make Spellebration, the major fundraiser benefiting Literacy Outreach and Colorado Mountain College (CMC) Learning Labs, a success. As coordinator of the event this year, I was blessed to work with an astounding group of good Samaritans. Spellebration would not be possible without the help of creative and dedicated individuals (too numerous to mention all here). I would, however, like to offer special thanks to Enchanted Forest Creator Mindi Cabe, Team Coordinator Mary Lou Haflinger, Silent Auction Expert Penny Farquhar and all the lovely CMC ladies, Malevolent Millicent Cynthia Cyr, Red Riding Hood Emcee Adrian Rippy-Sheehy, and Fairy Godmother Steve Shute. Without the participation of teams and their sponsors we’d have no spelling bee. Twenty three-person teams came out that evening and spelled a variety of words, some as simple as “spinster” and “maiden” and others as difficult as “ctenoid” and “ordchidaceous”! I appreciated everyone’s enthusiasm, not only to spell, but to embrace this year’s theme of Fairy Tales, coming donned in very imaginative and clever costumes. Lots of ingenuity was obvious. I’d like to say thank you to all the spellers and their team sponsors. You all played a big part in making the evening enchanting. While the spellers spelled, spectators perused the silent auction items. There was a wide variety of wonderful items to bid on, all graciously donated by local businesses. Thank you to all the businesses from Carbondale to Rifle who donated. I wish I could list everyone individually. Last, but certainly not least, I appreciate the support of all our corporate sponsors: Alpine Bank, Aspen Community Foundation, Bank of Colorado, Copy Copy, Garfield County Libraries, Glenwood Springs Post Independent, Gould Construction, KMTS, and MPA Consulting Engineers. Your support really makes all the difference. Spellebration is the culmination of many individuals who work together, raising awareness and making illiteracy a fairy tale. I am looking forward to another successful Spellebration next year and I hope to see you all there! Sincerely and with much appreciation, Angie Wiederhold Literacy Outreach Advocate Glenwood Springs
MISSION STATEMENT: To provide a voice for Crystal Valleyites; to bring attention to the individuals and local businesses that are the fabric of the Crystal Valley region; to contribute to the vitality of our small town life. Publisher Alyssa Ohnmacht Editor Carrie Click Staff Writer Sue McEvoy Advertising Sales Alyssa Ohnmacht • 963-2373 echo@crystalvalleyecho.com Distribution Dawn Distribution • 963-0874 Contributors to this issue of The Crystal Valley Echo: Nancy Chromy, Marilyn Murphy, Rob Hunker, John Emerick, George Newman, Dwight K. Shellman III, Alyssa Reindel, Aspen Camp School for the Deaf, Mary Sundblom, Sarah Johnson, Wii Bowlers, Literacy Outreach, Sandy Kaplan, Mary J. Wheeler, Bruce Gledhill, Denise Wright, Blair Weyer, CMC, Pat Bingham, Renelle Lott, Ernie & Betty Bradley, Carolyn Burdick, Carbondale & Rural Fire Protection District, Sean Jeung, Amy Filiss, Marble Charter School students and staff 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. Newspaper box locations: Carbondale City Market (inside) • Village Smithy Carbondale Post Office • Dos Gringos • Red Rock Diner Redstone General Store • Marble Charter School The Echo is also available at businesses from El Jebel to Glenwood Springs and throughout the Crystal Valley. For subscriptions Please send $35 and address information to: The Crystal Valley Echo 274 Redstone Blvd., Redstone, CO 81623 For information Please contact us: 963-2373 echo@crystalvalleyecho.com All copy submitted to The Crystal Valley Echo will be edited and reviewed by our staff for style, grammar and content. The Crystal Valley Echo reserves the right to refuse publication of any submitted material that does not meet the our standards for a positive, informative, educational community newspaper.
MAY 2012
Page 3
B U S I N E S S
A new addition to Marble’s arts community By Sue McEvoy, Echo staff writer This summer, visitors to Marble will find another reason to journey through the winding streets of town in search of hidden treasure. Husband and wife team of artists, Charlie Manus and Connie Hendrix, are opening The Connie Hendrix Studio and Gallery at 640 W. Main St., just west of the Marble Charter School. For Connie and Charlie, the location is ideal as it is directly across the road from their home of 10 years. The one-acre lot even came with the perfect building for a gallery and sculptor’s workshop. The log building is a former Aspen church that was built in the early 1960s and moved to Marble by Tom Stom in the mid-‘80s to someday become his retirement cabin. On its way to Marble, the building even spent a fall and winter behind the coke ovens in Redstone serving as a church to residents before the Church at Redstone was built. At Charlie Manus and Connie Hendrix inside their new gallery. 20’ by 40’, the building was never used in Marble but had a full basement foundation. people who come to Marble, and it will provide her With some minor alterations – adding doors, win- and Charlie with a place to display their unique talents. dows, a cement floor to the lower level, and stairs to “I’m also creating myself employment,” Charlie connect the two levels, and removing the pulpit and added. orange shag carpeting, Connie and Charlie are “We have one-of-a-kind art and we are striving to (almost) ready to have the business open seven days be different from what the others are offering here in a week from Memorial Day weekend to the end of Marble,” said Connie. “All of us are really working October. together here and we are trying to make a trip to our While having their own studio has been a part of community be worthwhile.” the couple’s plans since Connie first came to Marble Just some of Connie’s contributions to the gallery in 1990 to participate in the second Marble/marble include marble sculpture, metal sculpture, watercolor Symposium, they first had to build their own home. paintings and a new line of jewelry. Charlie, an archiAnd, it wasn’t until last year that the lot across the tectural illustrator, does house portraits from plans or street became available. photographs. He is focusing on fly- fishing and According to Connie, the purpose of the studio is wildlife paintings in mixed media and oil. His style is two-fold. The gallery will be an additional draw for high realism offering intricate sketches of historical
buildings like the Crystal Mill, Marble City State Bank, Marble Community Church and the Marble Bell Tower. He also offers investment-quality duck decoys. Several other Colorado artists not already on display in Marble will also be featured in the gallery. “We’re going to have just about every medium represented, from wood to metal, marble sculpture, metal sculpture, bronzes, three jewelers and a boutique corner for fabrics and baskets,” said Connie. When not helping Charlie mind the gallery, Connie plans to continue carving marble outside in a tent or downstairs in Photo by Sue McEvoy the workshop. Visitors will be able to observe her carving, or sit outside and enjoy the sculpture garden and amazing views of Treasure Mountain. Summer and fall hours are scheduled to be 10 a.m.5 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays and 1-5 p.m. on Sundays. Connie is already excited about joining The Marble Gallery and The Marble Hub for two weekends in December to host their annual holiday fair. She also plans to use the gallery space during winter to continue teaching watercolor to students. Look for The Connie Hendrix Studio and Gallery and its distinctive offerings to have a soft opening Memorial Day weekend and a grand opening in midJune. Current contact information for Connie Hendrix and Charlie Manus is 963-6417 and chendrixstudio@aol.com.
W H O
A R E
With “Who We Are," our objective is to give community members better connections and familiarity with each other.
Marilyn Murphy Carbondale
W E
Occupation: Branch Manager, Gordon Cooper Library in Carbondale Where do you live? Carbondale Birthplace: New York City Age: 62 When did you move to the Crystal Valley and why? I moved to Carbondale in 1985 but I have been living in the Roaring Fork Valley since 1976. We moved to Carbondale to buy a house to raise my three young sons. They were born and raised here and I am grateful that we all are lucky enough to live in this beautiful valley.
What three things would you like people to know about you? 1) I embrace my inner bimbo. She has led me to pursue distractions that blossom into my most fun and creative insights. 2) I love my age now and sometimes I wonder if the best is still ahead of me. 3) I have the perfect job. Which living person do you most admire? Barack Obama What's the best piece of advice you've ever been given? You create your own luck. What is your favorite thing to do in the Crystal Valley? I just love living here.
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.
• May 1: Registration opens for Roaring Fork Conservancy’s annual River Float on June 2. Experience our valley from the Roaring Fork River’s perspective while learning about wildlife, water issues, conservation efforts, and having tons of fun! Intended for people of all abilities. After the float, everyone will enjoy a barbeque on the banks of the Roaring Fork River in Glenwood Springs. This event is open to the public (kids 60 pounds or more), but space is limited. You must register online at roaringfork.org/riverfloat. $20/members; $30/non-members. Call Roaring Fork Conservancy at 927-1290.
• May 1: Apply now through June 1 for Colorado Mountain College’s First Ascent program for current ninth and 10th graders, held June 14-29 in Leadville. Outdoor education, rock climbing, mountain climbing and river running. Apply to coloradomtn.edu/firstascent. Contact Paul, 9478329, pedwards@coloradomtn.edu.
• May 3: 1-3 p.m. Time to recycle in Redstone. In front of the Church at Redstone, Redstone Boulevard.
• May 4: 4-8 p.m. Community Block Party to benefit CARE, Carbondale Rec and the Children’s Rocky Mountain School is at The Village Smithy, Third and Main, Carbondale. Fun for the kids and everybody else too. 948-1334.
• May 4: 6-8 p.m. At First Fridays, Carbondale’s celebration of the arts, shopping, dining and music, galleries and shops stay open late and restaurants run specials. Go to carbondalecolorado.com, 9631890.
• May 4: 6-8 p.m. Majid Kahhak paints live on First Friday at Kahhak Fine Arts & School, 411 Main St., Carbondale. The painting will be in inspired by motherhood and Mother’s Day. 704-0622.
• May 5: 10 a.m.-12 p.m. Roaring Fork Conservancy’s Thompson Creek Family Exploration will search for animals, and learn why animals like to live near rivers. Bring a picnic. Appropriate for all ages. Free. Registration required. 927-1290, roaringfork.org.
• May 8: 10 a.m. Redstone Community Association meets at the Redstone Inn. Learn about upcoming Redstone events, and help plan for them. redstonecolorado.com.
• May 8: 5:30-7:30 p.m. Heron, Eagle Osprey Watching at Cattle Creek and the Roaring Fork. Registration required. 927-1290, roaringfork.org.
• May 9: 6:30 p.m. Kickoff meeting for the Redstone Labor Day Art Show at the Redstone Inn. Contact Chuck Logan at cdlogan1011@comcast.net for more info.
• May 10: 7-9 p.m. Crystal River Caucus’ regular meeting is at the Church at Redstone on the Boulevard. Agenda includes a presentation on the proposed Aspen Airport expansion; a presentation on the Roaring Fork Watershed Plan; and an election to fill a vacant caucus board position. 963-2143 for more information.
• May 11: Computer class and smart phone class for seniors are in Room 33 at Senior Matters, at the Third Street Center, 520 S. Third St., Carbondale. The computer class runs from 9:30-11 a.m., and the smart phone class follows from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Call Bill at 379-6599 to reserve a spot. • May 12: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Dandelion/Arbor Day kicks off with the Parade of Species down Carbondale’s Main Street leading to festivities at Sopris Park. Local music, artists, gardeners, beer and free eco-themed workshops all come together celebrating spring, sustainability and community. A project of the Carbondale Environmental and Tree boards. Contact 987-3140, facebook.com/carbondaledandelionday. • May 12: 8:30-11 a.m. As part of Dandelion Day, take part in the Crystal River Clean-up. Meet at Sopris Park on Main Street in downtown Carbondale. Participants will help beautify sections of the Crystal. Contact Roaring Fork Conservancy at 927-1290, roaringfork.org for more info. • May 16: Screening of “Miss Representation” at Dos Gringos in Carbondale. The film looks at how women are perceived in the media and examines how women can move into positions of leadership. • May 16: 6-8 p.m. Shakespeare Festival and Art Fair at Roaring Fork High School. Renaissance dinner, games, and an abbreviated version of “Hamlet,” with an art fair too. $ 10/dinner and play, $5/students, $20/families. Contact Denise, dwright@rfsd.k12.co.us. • May 17: 1-3 p.m. Time to recycle in Redstone. In front of the Church at Redstone, Redstone Boulevard. • May 17: 7 p.m. Clean Energy Economy for the Region (CLEER) presents Amory Lovins of Rocky Mountain Institute at the Thunder River Theatre, 67 Promenade, Carbondale, speaking about his work, “Reinventing Fire: Creating a Future Beyond Fossil Fuels.” $15/adults, free/students (but must get a ticket in advance). Scholarships available for nonstudents. Seating limited; advance purchase recommended at cleanenergyeconomy.net. • May 19: Senior Matters Rummage Sale at the Third Street Center’s Calaway Room, 520 S. Third St., Carbondale. Donate goods and/or shop. Call Diane, 963-2536, seniormatters2@sopris.net. • May 25: 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m. The Marble Hub Grand RE-Opening. 105 W. Main St., Marble. 704-9482.
ONGOING • Guided tours of the historic Redstone Castle 1:30 p.m. Sat. and Sun through May 13th, daily tours start May 14th. Tickets are available at Tiffany of Redstone and the Redstone General Store. $15/adults, $10/seniors/children, free for kids under 5 years. 963-9656 or redstonecastle.us. • Take a horse-drawn carriage ride around Redstone. $25/person. 963-2526, redstoneinn.com. • The Marble Hub is closed April 30-May 24 and reopens seven days a week from 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. 105 W. Main St., Marble. • 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. • 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, 9638240. • Zumba Gold, dancing lessons for seniors, with professional Latin dance instructor Paula Valenti meets on Tuesdays at 2 p.m. seniorsmatter.org. • 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, in Room 33 at the Third Street Center, 520 S. Third St., 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. • Painting with Expression and Creativity, an art class for seniors, meets on Fridays from 10-11:30 a.m. at the Third Street Center in Carbondale with instructor Gerry Michel. Inquire at 963-2536 or 948-7033. • 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 • June 12: 7 p.m. The Marble Hub annual meeting is at Fellowship Hall at the Marble Community Church. Public invited. 704-9482. • June 28-July 1: Redstone Rally. Poker Run, Ride in Bike Show, Redstone Castle tours, live music, vendors, lots more; all of which benefits Project Sanctuary for military families. Redstonerally.com.
MAY 2012
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S N O W PA C K
Forecasting water supplies through snowpack Recent Crystal Valley SNOTEL workshop demonstrates process By Sue McEvoy, Echo staff writer Did you know that 80 percent of Colorado’s water comes from snow? Factors such as wind, air temperature, storm frequency, and the amount of moisture in the atmosphere determine the accumulation of snowpack. On March 21-23, Dennis Davidson of the Mount Sopris Conservation District instructed a group of Colorado Mountain College students about snow surveys and water supply forecasting. The workshop included a visit to a snowpack telemetry (SNOTEL) site on McClure Pass. SNOTEL is a system that was developed in 1977 to provide accurate snow survey data to the National Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). The purpose of the program is to provide 12 western states and Alaska with information on future water supplies. In the west, snow surveys date back to the early
1900s and were instituted to help agricultural leaders forecast water supplies for the ensuing cropgrowing season. Manual surveys take place once a month in the winter at more than 1,500 remote sites, generally in high elevation areas. They provide snow depth and snow water equivalent (SWE) data. Besides informing those concerned with crop production, the information is used by a variety of organizations, state and federal agencies for decisions relating to drought and flood monitoring, avalanche forecasting, fire risk, reservoir operations, fish and wildlife management, and runoff prediction. According to Dennis, SNOTEL works when billions of sand-sized meteors enter the atmosphere daily. As they heat and burn up, their disintegration
Crystal River snowpack at near record low By Rob Hunker, CAIC Avalanche Forecaster 4-23-12 McClure Pass, Colorado Today at the McClure Pass SNOTEL site at 9000’ the snowpack melted out to zero, bare ground. Last year on this date there was 50” on the ground and it was increasing due to a wet and cool spring weather pattern. It did snow this winter although the amounts were below average, with a reading of 80% of normal on March 3rd. Then March and April were very warm and very dry and on April 23rd the seasonal precipitation (measured from October 1st) totaled only 69% of average. Total new snow this year measured at 185”, equal to the dry year of 1999. Do you remember those 5 dry years around the turn of the century? Year 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2012
New snow from Nov. 1st – April 22nd 185” 210” 218” 199” 196” 185” McClure Pass SNOTEL site and the Crystal River at
The average seasonal new snow total on Redstone, 523cfs, taken on April 26. Photos by Rob Hunker McClure Pass is 257” a year. Ah, you remember over the years it was a big snow year, below average or dry… But what really counts is the amount of water in the snowpack on April 30th; for that will determine the water runoff for the summer. In recent history (the last 18 years) 2012 most compares to 2002. 2002 had a little more new snow than 2012, but it melted out on the same date as 2012: April 23rd. So, it might be a good idea to recall what happened during the summer of 2002… the Coal Seam Fire outside of Glenwood Springs as just one recollection of mine… what are yours? This year, as of April 26th, is more extreme than 2002. Today the Crystal River at the Avalanche Creek Stream Gage Station was reading a flow of 523 cfs; this is a higher runoff than I can find in the records for April 26th. In 2002 it was 260 cfs and peaked on June 1st at 873 cfs. Going back 42 years of personal experience measuring snow I only remember 1977 as the “year of un (none)”, the driest and lowest river flow volume that any of us have experienced. On this date in 1977 the Crystal River was flowing at 191 cfs, and peaked at 736 cfs on June 4th. The SNOTEL gage to watch now for the upper elevation snowpack is the Schofield Pass site. Today, April 26th 2012 it reads a snowpack depth of 20” with a water content of 11.2” which is 29% of average. Sometimes after a dry winter or spring… a wet and cool summer follows… will 2012 be in the record books for the Crystal River Valley?
creates a trail of ionized gases. Radio signals are aimed skyward where the trails of meteorites reflect the signals back to Earth. The SNOTEL site, like the one on McClure Pass, then sends its data to a master station in Ogden, Utah, all in a fraction Top, Far left, Dennis of seconds. Davidson instructs the class A typical SNOTEL on how to do a manual site consists of measur- snow survey. Bottom, The ing devices and sensors, snow measured 36.5 inches at the McClure Pass SNOTEL a shelter house for the site on March 23. radio telemetry equipPhotos by Sue McEvoy ment and an antenna that also supports the solar panels used to keep the batteries charged. Other sensors measure soil moisture and temperature, relative humidity, solar radiation, wind speed and direction and barometric pressure. Three of the 114 SNOTEL sites in Colorado are located in the Crystal Valley: one on top of McClure Pass, another on North Lost Trail, and one in Schofield Pass. Their data is used to predict streamflow in both the Gunnison and Colorado River drainages. On our visit to the SNOTEL site at the top of McClure Pass, Dennis described the measuring devices and sensors. The class participants then took turns doing a manual survey. Snow is collected by driving a strong, graduated aluminum tube down through the snowpack to the ground surface and extracting a core. Weighing the tube with its snow core and subtracting the weight of the empty tube determines the amount of water in the snowpack. The snow density is then determined by dividing the water content of the core sample by the depth of the snow. Water content/Depth = Density (%) 12 inches of fresh fallen snow = 1 inch water or 8-10% Settled snow in colder months = 20 – 25% Spring snow conditions = 28-40% Ice layer = 45% Liquid water = 100%
In our sample, the snow depth was 32 inches and the water content was determined to be 10 inches, a density of 32 percent and we could stand on top of the snow. To learn more about SNOTEL and see data from our local sites go to nrcs.usda.gov.
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 and identified many concerns. at the confluence of Coal Creek with the Crystal River The watershed plan watershed The new Roaring Fork Watershed Plan goes one step to reduce the flood risk in the village of Redstone; and farther and provides the recommendations that local 3) to develop a water conservation campaign to governments, state and federal agencies, and other improve flows in the lower Crystal River. is done! groups (including private landowners) can implement to Perhaps the most important aspect of the plan is not By John Emerick, Crystal River Caucus
The Roaring Fork Watershed Plan, which includes the Crystal River, has been released in its final form. As you may have read in the brief from Sarah Johnson of Roaring Fork Conservancy in this issue of the Echo, the plan was developed through a series of public meetings and workshops, some here in the Crystal Valley. It is the fruition of efforts of hundreds of local citizens and government and agency representatives, and is the culmination of a five-year process. The plan was sponsored by the Ruedi Power and Water Authority, made up of eight local governmental jurisdictions including Pitkin, Garfield, and Eagle counties, and the towns of Aspen, Snowmass Village, Basalt, Carbondale, and Glenwood Springs. Roaring Fork Conservancy was the lead consultant; and Rose Ann Sullivan, Kootenay Resources, LLC assisted with work on all aspects of the plan. The plan contains over 200 recommendations for managing the watershed in the future The plan is all about water and water management, and touches on groundwater as well as surface water, water quality, water conservation, and in-stream and riparian habitats. The plan is actually the second major publication of the five-year effort. The first was the State of the Watershed Report released in 2008, which described the conditions of the Roaring Fork watershed, including the Crystal River “sub-watershed.” That report essentially provided a snapshot of the
improve the health of our streams and rivers. There is nothing legally binding in the plan, but it does present a blueprint for the protection and improvement of water resources in our valley. Both of these publications, as well as several other supplementary documents, can be found at the Roaring Fork Conservancy website at roaringfork.org/watershedplan. So, is a watershed plan Important to the Crystal Valley? Well, yes, if you care about the health of the Crystal River. The State of the Watershed Report identified numerous concerns regarding the Crystal River, including drastically reduced summer flows in the lower Crystal River due to agricultural and municipal diversions; poor water quality in some areas at certain times; and extensive channelization due to road, agricultural, and residential development, resulting in degraded instream and riparian habitat. Impending drought this summer, and effects of potential climate change in the longer term are liable to worsen stresses that have already been documented to the river system. Recommendations in the watershed plan identify actions that can be taken now (or as soon as funding can be obtained) to improve the health of our river. In fact, based on some of these recommendations, Roaring Fork Conservancy is seeking funding for three projects: 1) to conduct a pilot project for reclamation in Coal Creek to reduce erosion and improve water quality; 2) to restore at least part of the historic alluvial fan
in its recommendations, but in the symbolic nature of the plan itself: the need to develop a new “ethic” about how we treat our rivers, and think more carefully about how we can keep our rivers flowing and healthy. No prescribed burns by Forest Service in the Crystal Valley this year The US Forest Service has abandoned plans for conducting prescribed burns for wildlife mitigation this year due to the extremely dry conditions. Plans were to conduct burns near Filoha Meadows and in the lower Avalanche Creek Valley. Mechanical thinning using chainsaws and other equipment might still take place in those areas. Next caucus meeting on May 10 The meeting will run from 7-9 p.m. and will be held at the Church at Redstone on the Boulevard. The meeting agenda includes a presentation by Jim Elwood on the proposed Aspen Airport expansion; a presentation by Sharon Clarke from Roaring Fork Conservancy on the Crystal River and the Roaring Fork Watershed Plan; and an election to fill a vacant position on the caucus board. For more information, contact the Crystal River Caucus at crcaucus@gmail.com or call 963-2143. Regularly scheduled caucus meetings are held on the second Thursday of every odd-numbered month.
Welcome to the church in the midst of a cathedral created by God
Marble Community Church Traditional worship, Sundays 10:00 a.m. Located at the Marble Gallery • 970-963-1991
Check out our Website:
Open Memorial Day weekend through Nov. 30th!
http://www.smithfamilycolorado.com/CRJT/
970-963-1464 • Pastor Jon Stovall www.marblecommunitychurch.org
IN REDSTONE AND MARBLE
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
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
MAY 2012
Page 7
What’s up with Pitkin County? BOCC adopts Climate Change Policy and Action Plan
WE’RE BACK! Open 7 Days A Week Starting May 4th 101 W. 1st Street • Marble
963-4090 www.slowgroovinbbq.com
N E W S
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MARBLE COMMUNITY CHURCH PUBLISHES COOKBOOK #2 MORE HEAVENLY DELIGHTS This cookbook is a collection of the best recipes from members, families and friends that has been compiled into an attractive keepsake cookbook. It contains 200 well-loved recipes, including appetizers, soups and salads, main dishes, vegetable and side dishes, desserts and many others. The recipes include the contributor’s name, enabling you to find the recipes of family and friends. These one-of-a-kind cookbooks will be available for purchase on May 1, 2012 for $15 per book. They may be purchased from any member of the Marble Community Church or at local stores in Redstone. Cookbooks may also be purchased through the mail by returning an order form and your check or money order, made payable to the Marble Community Church, to the following address: Joyce Preston 280 Meadow Lane, Marble, CO 81623 (970-704-0580) ---- ORDER FORM ---Please send me _______ copies of MORE HEAVENLY DELIGHTS at $15 per copy and $3 for shipping and handling per book. Enclosed is my check or money order for $_________. Mail books to: Name________________________________________________ Address_______________________________________________ City_______________________________ State____ Zip______
By George Newman, Pitkin County District 5 Commissioner Last summer I attended a presentation sponsored by Aspen Center for Environmental Studies (ACES) and Community Office for Resource Efficiency (CORE), given by my old Outward Bound colleague, Maggie Fox. Maggie is the president and CEO of The Climate Protection Action Fund, an organization founded by Vice President Al Gore. She challenged us as individuals and as a community to take meaningful steps to bring about change through a grassroots effort of education and action that would press our federal legislators to adopt a meaningful policy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in order to address economic problems, national security and the impending climate crisis for our nation. I followed up by asking the Pitkin Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) to adopt a resolution stating a climate change policy for Pitkin County, which was formally adopted in March. Back in 2008, we had put together an action plan outlining specific goals for improving energy efficiency and reducing resource consumption. Our formal resolution incorporates our newly adopted strategic plan, which elaborates on our earlier effort and addresses the conservation of our natural resources and environment. Our policy acknowledges the economic and environmental consequences of inaction with respect to climate change and promises that Pitkin County will be a leader in local and nationwide efforts to address global climate change. Pitkin County’s climate change policy recognizes the importance our natural environment holds for our tourist-based economy, our recreational opportunities, the health of our forests and watershed, and our wildlife habitat. Even now, we are starting to see changes in our snowpack (later fall snow, warmer winters and larger, wetter spring snow); changes in our forest health (pine beetle epidemics and sudden aspen decline); changes to summer storms and precipitation (prolonged droughts and heavier downpours – events that are more extreme in both directions); changes to our run-off and stream flows; changes to our flora and fauna. As the temperature warms, high mountain ecosystems will be especially threatened as tree lines move up, leaving the tundra no place higher to go. As a community, we recognize the severity of impacts resulting from global warming and pollution, and are lucky to have many individuals and organizations working on ways to mitigate the effects of climate change: ACES, CORE, Clean Energy Economy for the Region (CLEER), Aspen Global Change Institute, the City of Aspen’s Canary Initiative, the Aspen Skiing Company, Roaring Fork Conservancy, Roaring Fork Transportation Authority (RFTA), Wilderness Workshop, and Thompson Divide Coalition to name a few. As a county, our action plan includes working with these organizations and others to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions. We will adopt and enforce land-use policies that reduce sprawl and preserve open space. We will promote and support transportation options from public mass transit to local bike programs. We will make energy efficiency a priority through building code improvements and retrofitting county facilities. We will work with our local utilities to provide clean energy, support local food production and communicate our opinions to our state and federal representatives regarding actions needed to reduce and mitigate the effects of climate change. As Maggie Fox challenged me, I extend that challenge to you. Let’s work together to address climate change and become a model for other communities to follow suit. Through a strong grassroots effort, we can effect change. As always, I welcome your questions and comments on any of these issues.
The Pitkin County Commissioners hold weekly work sessions on Tuesdays and bi-monthly public hearings on Wednesdays in the Plaza One building (next to the Pitkin County Courthouse) in Aspen. Both meetings are televised live and repeated on locater CG12 TV. They are also streamed live and available on the county website, aspenpitkin.com. Agendas are published in newspapers throughout the Roaring Fork Valley, and online at aspenpitkin.com. In this column, your Pitkin County District 5 Commissioner George Newman offers his take on current matters. You can reach him at georgenewman@co.pitkin.co.us.
Page 8, Crystal Valley Echo & Marble Times
G O V E R N M E N T
Robert Pettijohn is Marble’s new mayor By Carrie Click, Echo editor Marble’s April 3 mail-in election determined who is on the Town of Marble’s five-member board, which is composed of four trustees who run at large, and a town mayor. All five seats were up for election. Running uncontested, Robert Pettijohn was elected mayor. Jim Aarts received the most votes for trustee and will serve a four-year term. The other three trustees are Tony Petrocco, Vince Savage, and Lance Allee.
Fourth candidate for Pitco commissioner files papers
John B. Young of Snowmass filed papers today with the Pitkin County Elections Department to become the fourth prospective candidate for County Commissioner District 4. Copies of his initial filings have been posted in the 2012 campaign finance reports section of pitkinvotes.org. The following is a link directly to John Young’s campaign finance filings folder: https://docs.google.com/leaf?id=0B0fdDWQSJaPfWWloYUc2SmtL VHc&sort=name&layout=list&pid=0B0fdDWQSJaPfb3A4S3lEZy1Uc0 tuNWtwTnpZRU1mZw&cindex=4 In addition, following review and verification of their nomination petitions and other filings, the Pitkin County Elections Department today certified Michael M. Owsley and George Newman to appear as Democratic Party designees and candidates for County Commissioner, Districts 3 and 5, respectively, on the 2012 Primary Election ballot. These ballot certifications have also been posted to pitkinvotes.org. The direct links to these documents are: Certification for Ballot – Michael M. Owsley – BOCC 3: https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B0fdDWQSJaPfT0dudzA0bS1jdTQ/ed it?pli=1 Certification for Ballot – George Newman – BOCC 5: https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B0fdDWQSJaPfNjE1cjczRzAwRDg/edi t?pli=1 The Crystal Valley portion of Pitkin County is located in District 5. The county elective offices up for election in 2012 are County Commissioner, Districts 3, 4 and 5. The deadline to file nomination petitions with signatures of at least 100 eligible Pitkin County voters was April 20. – Dwight K. Shellman III, Pitkin County
Government Briefs Garco waiting on a new manager Garfield County commissioners decided in March they are taking a several-month break before searching for a county manager. Former Garfield County Manager Ed Green was let go last winter, and Garfield County Attorney Andrew Gorgey is acting as interim county manager until the position is filled. Five finalists were selected for consideration for the job, but commissioners decided that none was the right fit. “I think we need a respite time,” said Garfield County Commissioner Mike Samson, “and three months down the road, we start the process again.” – Carrie Click
Candidate filing deadline has passed The deadline for filing candidate petitions under the Pitkin County Home Rule Charter has now expired. Michael Owsley and George Newman have been certified as candidates for Commissioner Districts 3 and 5, respectively. (The Crystal Valley is partially in District 5.) Pursuant to the Home Rule Charter, neither these offices nor these candidates will be printed on the ballot for the June 26 primary election. The offices, the names of both certified candidates and their party designation (Democratic) instead will appear on the November 6 general election ballot. – Dwight K. Shellman III, Pitkin County
Join us for Mother’s Day Brunch! A complimentary glass of champagne for all mothers! Grand buffet to include: appetizers/salads/breakfast entrees/ lunch entrees/carving station/dessert buffet. $37.50 (1/2 price for children 10 & under) Taking reservations from 9:30am-2:30pm
970-963-2526 your journey begins at www.redstoneinn.com
MAY 2012
F I R E
Page 9
D A N G E R
Fire danger hints from Carbondale Fire Chief Ron Leach Fire danger tips: By Carrie Click, Echo editor
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• In the event of a fire in the area, it is wise to shut off your propane at the outside tank. Check with your fuel supplier if you do not know how to do that. • Each house and each subdivision should have a fire plan. How will you handle evacuation? Do you know emergency evacuation routes? • Each home should have multiple fire extinguishers and make sure they are not out of date. • The fire department cannot keep track of those in the community who may be disabled or need special assistance. Know your neighbors and have a plan for how your community will check on those who may need special help. • It's a good idea to keep a small fire extinguisher in your car.
On April 25, Ron Leach, fire chief of the Carbondale & Rural Fire Protection District, spoke at a meeting primarily for residents of Swiss Village. Ron emphasized that all indicators point to a potentially highrisk summer for fires throughout western Colorado, including the Crystal Valley. Although we do have some things in our favor (including a terrific fire department with locations in Marble, Redstone, and Carbondale) we also have some negative factors. One problem is challenging access into some of the subdivisions. Additionally, the valley overall has only one access road. Ron wanted people to know that if we are evacuated to the north, people should go to Roaring Fork High School. Even if you do not plan to stay overnight there, please go to the school and check in. That way the fire department will know you are accounted for, and how to reach you where you are staying. If the lower valley is evacuated to the south, the Church at Redstone building is a designated Red Cross emergency facility. If the upper portion of the valley is evacuated to the south, the place to go is Paonia High School. Again, you should check in there even if you don't plan to stay there. Much information was given about steps that should be taken to evaluate whether you have a good "defensible space" around your house and other property. The Colorado State Forest Service offers grants (the homeowner pays 50 percent and state forest service pays 50 percent) to help you to create that defensible space. Those grants can be up to about $2,000. There are also grants available through the U.S. Forest Service. Generally those are for a larger area (like a whole subdivision working together) and take much longer to apply for and obtain. You can also find some information at firewise.net. Ron strongly recommended that everyone go to pitkinalert.org and enter information about how to best contact you in case of an emergency. A follow-up fire preparedness meeting for Crystal Valley residents is being investigated and will be announced when a time and place is confirmed.
Page 10, Crystal Valley Echo & Marble Times
Echo Briefs Dandelion Day is May 12 in Carbondale Although Arbor Day was officially April 27, Dandelion Day in Carbondale on May 12 is celebrating both environmental holidays. The day, which is being coordinated by the Carbondale Environmental and Tree boards, kicks off with the Parade of Species down Main Street leading to festivities at Sopris Park. Local music, artists, gardeners, beer, and free eco-themed workshops all come together celebrating spring, sustainability and community. Call 987-3140 or visit facebook.com/carbondaledandelionday for more info. Project of the Carbondale Environmental and Tree Boards. – Alyssa Reindel, EverGreen Events
Carbondale & Rural Fire Protection District will be holding a mail ballot election on May 8, 2012 to elect two (2) members to the Board of Directors for four (4) year terms. Ballots will be mailed to eligible electors between April 16 and April 20. Mail ballots can be returned through the mail or dropped off at Carbondale Fire District Headquarters, 301 Meadowood Drive, Carbondale, CO Monday – Friday, 8 am – 4:30 pm Replacement ballots can be obtained at the same address. The Elections Office is open Monday through Friday, between the hours of 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., and from 7:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m. on Election Day, May 8th. For more information contact Jenny Cutright, Designated Election Official • 970-963-2491 • cutright@carbondalefire.org
Aspen Camp summer adventure sweepstakes is online The Aspen Camp of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (Aspen Camp) is holding a Summer Adventure Sweepstakes with weekly prizes of $100 towards summer camp. Drawings for the weekly prizes are every Monday. By entering the contest, potential winners are automatically entered into all weekly drawings. All winners will be notified by e-mail or phone. Youth and guardians are welcome to sign up for the chance to win one of the weekly prizes. Community members are also welcome to enter for the chance to win a prize to pass on to a deaf or hard of hearing camper between the ages of 8 to 18. The mission of the Aspen Camp is to provide enriching experiential educational and recreational experiences for Deaf and Hard of Hearing individuals. To enter the sweepstakes go to aspencamp.org/sweepstake (note; singular “sweepstake”). For more information about the Aspen Camp or its programs, contact aspencamp.org, e-mail info@aspencamp.org, voice phone 923-2511 or video phone 970-315-0513. – Aspen Camp School for the Deaf
Roaring Fork Outdoor Volunteers set to hit new trails, new projects Roaring Fork Outdoor Volunteers (RFOV) are launching another full summer season of trail maintenance, restoration and expansion projects from Aspen to Glenwood Springs hundreds of volunteers will pick up shovels and pulaskis to improve, restore and even reroute many of the valley’s favorite trails. “By the time the summer is over, hundreds of individual volunteers as well as many organization and company employees will have spent thousands of hours helping to make many of our favorite trails more enjoyable for hiking, biking, and walking,” said David Hamilton, executive director of RFOV. Projects include: • Thursday evenings in May on the Wulfsohn Trail • Trail building at Sky Mountain Park between Aspen and Snowmass Village • Upkeep at the old Basalt Bridge in June • Trail work at Capitol Lake route and Arbaney-Kittle in Basalt in July • Trail work on Smuggler Mountain and Anderson Lake in August • No Name trail work and tamarisk and Russian olive removal along the Colorado River in the fall To sign up for projects, learn about becoming a crew leader and for more info, contact rvof.org, 927-8241. – Mary Sundblom, Roaring Fork Outdoor Volunteers
May 16th • 6 - 8 p.m.
MAY 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
Was TCAP Different Kids Write Scary Stories . . . For Fun! By Colton and Tomas From CSAP? By Julia and Bella Once again we have survived CSAP/TCAPs! Are you wondering if there is a difference between the two? Well, I think we all hoped there would be, but it turns out there isn’t much difference we can see. CSAP stands for “Colorado State Assessment Program” and TCAP stands for “Transitional Colorado Assessment Program.” Transitional because CSAPs are being replaced by the Colorado Department of Education to meet the new standards, put in place by the law passed in 2008 called CAP4K: Colorado Achievement Plan 4 Kids. We took TCAP for the first time this past April, and will again next year. In 2014, the new test will be revealed. As for a change between CSAP and TCAP, there doesn’t seem to be one; they are still the same old tedious tests with a fancy name.
Spring . . . & Baseball! By Ralph Spring is here and the snow is long gone. At MCS it is so warm that we didn’t get to put up the ice rink this year and at recess we barely ever had to put our snow gear on this past winter. We used to make tunnels in the snow, but didn’t get much of a chance this year. The spring is making everyone excited, especially 5 MCS students who are playing baseball this spring and summer. These players include Colton Maguran and Patrick Moravek playing on the Carbondale Minors team, David Good and Mason Macek playing summer coachpitch, and Ralph Good playing on the Carbondale Major Rockies. Spring is here; get off the couch! There might still be time to sign up for summer baseball!
Many Thanks
Four Wildcat students have begun to write scary stories. They got the idea from Goosebumps, a series of creepy stories with kids as the main characters, written by R. L. Stine. The Wildcats’ series of scary stories is called The Books of Yikes, and five stories have been written so far. Colton wrote a scary story called, “Don’t Think About It.” Here’s a teaser: Jonathan and Isabell loved monsters. They loved thinking about them too. They just wish it could come true. Until one day, something happened. But it was so long ago that they’ve probably forgotten. Unless they dare to remember . . . Tomas wrote a story called, “The Creaking Stair.” People move into a house that is said to be haunted by a creaking stair that eats people who step on it. Is Jack, the kid who just moved in, going to be next? Read to find out . . . Gabe’s story is called, “The Demon’s Scare,” and Erica’s story is called “The Strange Cat.” Tomas is now writing a new story called, “Beware the Blue Magic.” The students plan on typing their stories and then selling them to other students. The students are working on how much their stories will cost. We have enjoyed writing these stories because they are based on Goosebumps, which we love.
Imaginations Run Wild at MCS By Ralph
As Spring blossoms here in Marble, MCS students are bringing their creativity out of the classroom and onto the playground. At MCS, recess is spent making new and imaginative games, and building stores. These stores sell goods in exchange for small quartz crystals that you can find in certain places on our playground. The shops this spring are: The Potion Shop, Piñon Pines General Store, and another perfume shop. The Piñon Pines General Store just moved its location to a sturdier place across the playground; moving day was fun! The stores sell things like pine needle or rose hips tea, pieces of rope or other manmade or natural objects found by the store “owners” and “employees.” Some kids have imagined a new pet to “sell” – something called a “dragon duck.” Kids pretend to be this creature, and others try to corral them and sell them to new owners. Kids line up to purchase things, and some kids are even buying from one store to sell in another! It’s great fun. Kids are also playing kickball and capture the flag in between store visits. There is never a dull or uncreative moment on the MCS Playground! The school year is almost over, and summer is right around the corner, but creativity at MCS is still one of its many strengths – both in and out of the classrooms!
IMPORTANT DATES TO NOTE: TO THE SPONSORS OF THE MARBLE TIMES!
DAVID PARKS & LAURIE FARBER & FAMILY Become a Sponsor of The Marble Times! Sponsorships help off-set the cost of producing this school paper thus allowing it to remain ad-free, so the students’ work can be the focus. If you would like to sponsor The Marble Times, please contact Alyssa - echo@crystalvalleyecho.com or 963-2373
May 4: Professional Development Day no school May 14-18: Arches camping trip 3-8th graders May 24: 8th Grade Graduation
May 28: No school May 29: End of the Year celebration May 31: Field Day, Last day of school June 1: Final P/T/S conferences for the year
Page 12, Crystal Valley Echo & Marble Times
Dinomites’ Endangered Species Project By the E-Team
The K-2 class, the Dinomites, studied different Endangered Species in April. Some older kids interviewed them about their research. Each student drew a life-sized drawing of their animal, and wrote a report about it. The students measured their drawing to make sure it was the right size. They used rulers and yardsticks to practice measuring. They also made posters to ask for help saving their animal, and they wrote poems about their animal. All the students agreed that creating their life-sized pictures was the most fun part of their project. One student, Grace, was inspired to start this project when another student brought in a clouded leopard toy for Show & Tell, and the students found out that it was endangered. They learned that endangered animals are “when a species’ population is going down.” Some reasons the students gave for population decreases were global warming, poaching, and habitat destruction. The animals they studied include: the Mexican Spotted Owl, the lynx, the snow leopard, the zebra, polar bear, tiger, Gray Wolf, cheetah, and Clouded Leopard. The students chose their animals for different reasons. Some were that “it is cute, ”it looks pretty” or “cool” or “funny,” or because it was their favorite animal. Here are some interesting facts students learned about their animals. The Mexican Spotted Owl is the smallest owl in the world. The zebra has stripes to blend in and hide from its enemies. Polar bears can smell things up to 30 miles away. The snow leopard eats wild sheep. The Gray Wolf has very sharp teeth. Students were asked how to save their animals. Grace said, “To save tigers, we need to not cut down trees and not kill them for meat, fur, or paws.” Mason said, “To save endangered species, we should ride bikes, don’t cut down trees and pick up trash.” Kosara said, “To help polar bears, we should not have global warming and not pollute.” Good advice from our youngest students! Students really enjoyed this project. They said it was “fascinating” and “exciting” to learn more about these special and rare animals. Please check out the pictures and examples of their projects!
Above, Zaida created a life-size cheetah by measuring and drawing. Right, from top: The girls drew a life-size zebra. “We had to measure the zebra in feet to make it life-size. We colored the zebra, but Gina helped us draw it.” Mason holds up his life-size drawing of a snow leopard. David drew a life-size drawing of a Clouded Leopard.
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MAY 2012
Learning About Geology
Math Measurement Mania!
By Julia On Tuesday, April 10th, a group of 3 Park Rangers from the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park and Curecanti National Recreation Area came to talk to the MCS students about geology. The 6th – 8th grade students learned about the different types of rock, which are sedimentary, igneous, and metamorphic, and how different forces shape the land. In the end, we did an experiment on how geologic processes make the land different over time. The experiment included filling a pan with warm milk and dropping food coloring in it: different colors representing different things like mountains, fossils, animals and rivers. Then we dropped a drop of dish soap in and waited as the soap ate away at the fat in the milk. As it did so, it stirred up the liquid, changing the landscape. The 3rd – 5th graders learned what happens to make the land look the way it does. They also learned how fossils are made by taking three different colors of bread and pressing gummy worms and fish in between slices of bread to create fossil imprints and fossils. The K-2nd students learned how animals are adapted to the land and how they use their senses to survive. They played a number of games testing their senses, such as tasting Skittles with their eyes closed to see if they could guess the flavor, guessing what animal they are feeling when they couldn’t see it, and guessing what they were looking at in a picture. All of the students learned a lot from the Rangers and we want to give them a special thanks for coming. Thank you to Ellen Petrick, Jayme Pittmar, and Becca Heyman!
Page 13
By Megan
celebrated Math MCS Measurement Mania Day this spring – and all day, it was math, math, math. And it was fun! We had an all-school meeting in which all the classes did a presentation. The K-2 class sang different songs about measurement and showed the school some of the tools they have been using to measure – scales, rulers, yardsticks, and measuring cups. They really knew their stuff – they all could explain the difference between length, capacity, and mass. When the 3rd – 5th grade class came up, they taught us about angles, area, and perimeter. Then, they showed us the solar oven they created in order to experiment with solar power and measure by temperature. They constructed the oven to bake powered by the sun – and they baked cookies and pancakes! It was voted a big success after the class ate the cookies. The 6th – 8th graders came up and talked about volume, area of rectangles, triangles, and circles, and the formulas you use to measure. They also discussed the measurement of time. Almost all of this had to do with pi, so they sang a couple of songs about pi and circles. To celebrate the day, we measured and found the area of the pizzas we ate for lunch and the capacity of the cups of milk we drank. We measured the tables and benches we sat on for lunch too! We earned our pizza with measurement activities. Later in the day, students shared some snacks they made at home using measurement of recipes. Math sure can be fun and tasty!
A Visit from a Storyteller
Dr. Richard Lyon, a wonderful storyteller, came to visit us after our production of Earth Tales: The Musical. He was so impressed with our re-telling of the multi-national folk tales that he wanted to return the favor. So Richard came bedecked in Siberian boots, bright clothes and carrying a trickster’s bag of feathers, rattles and beads. He entranced us all with his spellbinding storytelling. Of course, Richard is a member of Spell Binders, a group of marvelous storytellers who travel the Roaring Fork Valley bringing wonderful stories to life in our schools. Richard is an Associate Artist of Thunder River Theatre Company. Most recently in was in The Cherry Orchard and Bernice/Butterfly and he’s been in over a dozen other productions at TRTC. He’s worked with the Aspen Community Theatre, the Germinal Stage, Colorado Shakespeare Festival, Aspen Stage and Aspen Theatre in the Park. Richard has a doctorate in Divinity and Spirituality and received his MA in Theatre from Western Washington University. We were all enthralled by his storytelling and we hope that he comes to visit us again.
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Marble Charter School phone numbers: 970-963-9550 970-963-1009
Page 14, Crystal Valley Echo & Marble Times
A brief look into the classrooms… Science…Science…Science…Science…Science…Science… • Amy Rusby
The 3rd thru 8th grade MCS students have been learning about electricity, magnetism, and electromagnetic energy waves, along with the transformation and conservation of energy. The students have built electrical circuits by being given wire, batteries, potatoes, pennies, flashlight bulbs, etc. They were asked to conduct an experiment to create an electrical charge and then test it using a charge detector to see the Amps vs. Volts. The students have also experimented with various types of magnets and materials to identify the North and South Pole fields of magnets, as well as, explore everyday things in our lives that incorporate magnets in order to work properly. They were amazed at how many things function by using magnets! The unit on electromagnetic energy waves surprised most of the students. Their initial reaction when asked, “What do they think of when they hear the word waves?” was waves in the ocean. They quickly learned that we were talking about water waves, as well as, light waves, infrared and ultraviolet waves, and the ends of the spectrum waves (i.e. gamma, xray, microwaves, and radio waves). This fostered a smooth transition into learning about Plate Tectonics, Earthquakes, and Volcanoes, Formation of the Earth, Earth Processes, and the Rock Cycle. These concepts and topics have prepared the students for our Spring Outdoor Education trip to Arches National Park in Moab, Utah. The intent of the trip is to allow the students to observe and identify the various rock and earth formations in that part of the world. At the Marble Charter School, we are all about teaching through hands-on and real life experiences! Come join the fun anytime…
Dinomites • K-2 Update • Gina Miles
We only have one month of school remaining. I am always amazed at how quickly May rolls back around. We will continue to watch and record the weather this month. The first and second graders are creating a line graph with temperatures in the morning and afternoon and the Kindergarteners are making a bar graph of what the sky looks like. We are also working on a unit about Dinosaurs. The students in the Dinomite classroom have been looking forward to this all year long. We are measuring, classifying, creating, counting, and studying the life cycles of dinosaurs. Has your child told you about our new music teacher? Laurel Sheehan with Mountain Laurel Music is going to be with us for the rest of the year. She is teaching the students how to read music. Music is on Friday at 2:10 for the Dinomites. As always you are welcome to sit in on one of her amazing sessions. The K-2 will be having some excursions the week that the older students are going to Arches National Park for the Spring Trip. We are planning on having some science adventures in the Marble area along with a trip or two farther away. More details to come…
The Wildcats • 3-5 Update • Dan Poll Spring has officially arrived in Marble. The trees are growing buds, flowers are blooming and grass is growing while the wildcats are progressing and moving forward in our exploration of learning. The students started of by constructing mousetrap cars that could go at least twenty feet, propelled only by a single mousetrap. Friction, mass, length of control arms and many other concepts have been the focus of the building of the cars. The students then had to do a prediction writing of how well they were predicting their car to perform. The students tested the cars and measured the time it took the cars to travel ten and twenty feet. Once the data was collected, the student converted the fraction into how many miles per hour the vehicle was traveling. We explored ways to increase the speed of their vehicles and tested out their hypothesis. We watched a video about NASA scientist who built the mars rovers and the difficulties they had faced. Students had to relate their building experiences with those of the NASA scientist. The culmination of this activity was an exploration of ways to test the miles per hour of other objects in motion. Some things we explored were running, throwing, and dropping certain objects. The students have started a new musical experience with Laurel Sheehan and the students came back motivated and ready to learn how to read music. This certainly is a wonderful time to be a part of the Marble Charter School!
E-Team Update • 5-8 Update • Debby Macek
The end of the year always seems to sneak up so quickly; I believe Einstein’s theory of relativity applies to how fast each day passes in May! The reason for the speed is excitement for all the end-of-year activities and culminating events. Students complete projects, head out on adventures, take final exams, and even write speeches for their graduation. In May, students complete our Language Arts curriculum with poetry, reflection essays, and graduation speeches or multi-media presentations for 8th graders. Students also complete their portfolios as they reflect on their learning. Students will also be writing and creating pieces that will become our annual yearbook. In Math, we’ll wrap up the year with more fractions, probability, linear and other types of equations, and more geometry. In Social Studies, we’re studying the Age of Exploration and the beginning of the American colonies through Independence and the writing of the U.S. Constitution. We have been working on framing debates, so we’ll continue to debate some of the issues our Founding Fathers confronted when creating our nation. Both in the Wildcats’ and in the ETeam classrooms, we’ll also be preparing for our “Living Museum.” Each student has chosen a famous historical figure and researched his or her life and what positive impact they have had on the world. On May 29th, students will bring these people to life. They will dress up as their person, and they are working on making many creative props as well. They are writing and practicing a speech about their person. We hope that everyone will be able to come and experience our Living Museum at the end of the month! This date will coincide with an end-of-year potluck and celebration for all students at MCS. Older students will be traveling to Arches National Park in mid-May for our Spring Trip. We’ll be participating in a Canyonlands Field Institute river trip and hiking and experiencing the beauty of Utah’s canyonlands and geological formations. Events continue to pepper our month! Our graduation ceremony will be on the 24th of May, and this night will focus on our 8th graders as they prepare to move on to high school and celebrate their years at MCS. Then of course we will all celebrate the end of the year with a field day and picnic! May always proves to sail by on a wave of fun-filled celebrations of learning and work well done. Join us to watch these events unfold!
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Would Marble Charter School Be A Good Fit For YOUR Child? • Small Class Size, High Staff : Student Ratio (typically 5:1) • Kindergarten through 10th grade • Transportation to & from Redstone • Outstanding individualized educational opportunities • Warm, friendly, nurturing and supportive learning environment • We help children to reach their full potential. • Our combination of individualized instruction in core academics with project-based learning allows students to apply their skills in a real-world setting. • 9 & 10th grade selective enrollment, mentorships, individual learning plan, project based learning opportunities, contracted schedule. • New playground • Beautiful new classroom space
MARBLE CHARTER SCHOOL 412 West Main Street, Marble, Colorado 81623 970-963-9550 • Fax 970-963-8435 marblecharter@hughes.net www.gunnisonschools.net
MAY 2012
NEW LISTING
Charming Cabin on the Crystal 4 BD, 2 BA lovingly remodeled and and smartly decorated cabin on the river and with a huge backyard with a wired playhouse. Totally new kitchen and roof, skylights throughout and a wonderful enclosed sun porch perfect for family dining. This is the cabin you have been looking for! Comes furnished for $549,000.
Crystal River Beauty With immaculate attention to every detail, this 4 BD, 2.5 BA custom designed home on the Crystal River is extremely energy efficient and includes the finest upgraded appliances. Included in the price is a fully equipped and furnished media room and a high end pool table. Several areas for outdoor living including a special picnic spot right on the riverbank. This beautiful mountain style home is perfect for family gatherings and may come fully furnished for a small additional price. A bargain at $635,000.
Redstone Log Home Newly Remodeled 3 BD, 2.5 BA picturesque cabin nestled in pines overlooking Crystal River. Gleaming hickory floors, modern hickory and granite kitchen, custom tile in MBa, new carpet, new windows and doors. Very warm and cozy in winter and glorious in summer. Perfect retreat near historic Redstone. Must sell! Bring all offers! Priced at $295,000.
Call Bob or Betsy (970) 963-2987 • info@wedemeyerrealestate.com
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
Page 15
The Crystal Valley’s Great Outdoors (GO)
Hiking Perham Creek Trail By Sue McEvoy
While many local hiking trails are still blocked with snow others, like Perham Creek Trail, are already free from winter’s grasp. On April 4, Becky Trembley, and Chuck and Doris Downey accompanied me on a three-hour afternoon hike on this trail. Perham Creek Trail, USFS #1949, is best accessed from Highway 133; it is on the west side of the road, 6.4 miles north of Redstone and 10 miles south of Carbondale. Two metal gates that remain open during the hiking season mark the parking lot and trailhead. The trail immediately crosses a small creek and rises steeply for about a half mile; it then becomes more moderate with another easy creek crossing. The trail follows large stands of pinyon and juniper with lots of oak brush, and climbs to a highpoint of 8,608’ in a meadow of sagebrush. Most people turn around here. From the meadow we followed the trail downhill towards Middle Thompson Creek. Here the trail ends on a dirt road about 200 feet from the junction of roads 305 and 306. While we saw lots of sign of deer and elk, we did not see any animals. While we turned around before the end of the trail, it is 4.2 miles one-way and considered moderate in difficulty. It is mostly a narrow, single-track smooth dirt trail that winds up and down through the forest above the creek. This trail is located in the Assignation Ridge Roadless Area, a proposed wilderness area. It offers a spectacular view of Mount Sopris from the west, a completely different angle than you are used to seeing. Check it out! Best time to go: Anytime spring or fall, or early morning in the heat of summer. Best map: National Geographic Trails Illustrated #143, Carbondale and Basalt For information on trails in and around the Crystal Valley, contact the Aspen-Sopris Ranger District at 963-2266 or fs.fed.us/r2/whiteriver.
Page 16, Crystal Valley Echo & Marble Times
Roaring Fork Watershed Collaborative releases watershed and conservation plans
Two important reports were released at the April 12 meeting of the Roaring Fork Watershed Collaborative: the Roaring Fork Watershed Plan and Opportunities for Water Conservation. The Ruedi Water and Power Authority is the sponsor of the plan and the Roaring Fork Conservancy is the lead consultant. The plan is the culmination of a five-year process that began with the compilation of the Roaring Fork State of the Watershed Report in 2008. The plan is the product of dozens of meetings and the efforts of hundreds of local citizens and government and agency representatives who worked together to develop it. “Opportunities for Water Conservation: Realizing the Streamflow Benefits from Local Water Conservation Efforts” was prepared for Roaring Fork Conservancy by G. Moss Driscoll of Elk Mountain Consulting. The report investigates the potential strategies for employing water conservation to benefit streamflows and offers 10 recommendations for a water conservation campaign in the Roaring Fork watershed. For more information call 927-1290 or visit roaringfork.org. – Sarah Johnson, Roaring Fork Conservancy
Sports Brief Wii Bowling season wrap-up Crystal Valley residents wrapped up their winter Wii Bowling season with a tournament and a final tally on top-scoring teams. Starting in February, Wii bowling teams got together every Friday night to compete at Slow Groovin’ BBQ in Marble. By the end of the season there were six teams and 29 bowlers, which represents a pretty good percentage of the entire population of Marble. The season wrap-up: First place 2,722 Second place 2,672 Third place 2,595 Fourth place 2,462 Fifth place 2,196 Sixth place 941
The The The The The The
Marble Marmots Marble Mashers Bowling Stones Mountaineers Strikers Musketeers – Wii Bowlers
Echo Briefs Literacy Outreach receives funding from Aspen Community Foundation The Aspen Community Foundation recently awarded the nonprofit education organization Literacy Outreach a $17,000 grant. The grant will be used to fund a part-time volunteer coordinator, which benefits all residents of Garfield County and the surrounding areas. “Many of the students in our programs fill the construction and service industry jobs, which are essential to our communities. “A better-educated work force leads to increased productivity, lower crime rates and a lower school dropout rate,” said Martha Fredendall, Literacy Outreach’s executive director. Literacy Outreach is the only accredited adult literacy program in Colorado. In a recent accreditation site review, the organization was commended for the mutually beneficial partnership with Garfield County Public Library District, their comprehensive strategic plan, and the organization’s established connections with agencies, businesses, and individuals within the communities it serves. 413 9th Street, Glenwood Springs, CO 81601 Literacy Outreach is a grassroots nonprofit organization that helps functionally illiterate adults in Garfield County through individualized instruction. A group of concerned citizens started Literacy Outreach in 1986 to meet the needs of people who need one-on-one literacy education and trained tutors to teach them. During the past 25 years, volunteers have provided weekly tutoring to more than 1,400 clients. Professionally trained volunteers provide weekly tutoring to adults with reading skills below the fourth-grade level. Services are provided to traditional literacy students, who lack basic reading, writing and math skills and to English Language Learners (ELL). For more information about Literacy Outreach, go to literacyoutreach.org. – Literacy Outreach
MAY 2012
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Expert Property Caretaking ••• Year Round Services Excellent References ••• Call Nancy at: 970-963-8916
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
Page 17
How can I help you? By Sandy Kaplan
Welcome to my new column written for everyone – not just seniors. It’s written with seniors in mind but also to bring an understanding to everyone about senior matters. First, allow me to introduce myself. I’m Sandy Kaplan, and I’ve lived in Redstone for 18 years. I wear many hats in the valley, but my newest is that I have been appointed by the Pitkin Board of County Commissioners to the Pitkin County Senior Services Council Citizen Board. In simple language, I’m the liaison from The Senior Center in Aspen. We want Crystal Valley Echo senior readers to know that you are an integral part of the senior community upvalley. I’m new at this so please bear with me. I’ll do the best job I can, but could use your help, readers, for sure. Hopefully, this is going to be a column that will change and grow. It will be a work in progress, and a lot of that will depend upon you. I welcome – heck – I encourage your input. It’s going to start out in three sections, but as I said, that can change at anytime, depending upon your interests, needs and input. The three sections are news and information for upcoming events and activities, general news on healthy living from various sources, and finally, a section for questions and answers. That’s where I need your input. Please feel free to ask anything, offer suggestions – whatever you can think of. I’ll do my best to answer them myself or find an expert in the field to help out. Most of the seniors in Pitkin County receive “The Voice of Experience,” which is the Pitkin County senior newsletter. It’s always packed full of information, but from what I’ve noticed, not a lot of the seniors in our valley take advantage of activities offered. Yes, most of those activities happen up in Aspen but some of them are valleywide. If you do not now receive “The Voice of Experience”, please let me know and I’ll be sure to put your name on the mailing list. Most importantly, I want to know if there is something I can do for you to move things down here for you. For instance, would any of you be interested in simple beginning computer lessons for free? Would any of you be interested in a photo day, that is, a day out with your point-and-shoot or even your camera phones? If I could arrange it, would you be interested in senior discounts at any of the local restaurants? You tell me what you want and I will do my best to answer your needs. You can always contact me at 963-4633 or by e-mail at kaplan3@q.com.
Senior Briefs Rummage sale on May 19 to benefit Senior Matters Senior Matters is preparing for their spring fundraiser, "A Grand Rummage Sale of Collectibles and Rejectibles" to be held on May 19 at Third Street Center in the Calaway Room and they would like your support. If you are considering a move, spring cleaning, downsizing, or you are ready to recycle your goods, please consider donating your unwanted items to the sale. Your contributions are tax deductible and will benefit the operation of Senior Matters. You may contact Diane Johnson with any questions at 963-2536, seniormatters2@sopris.net
Free computer and smart phone classes offered Senior Matters in Carbondale is offering free computer classes and free smart phone classes. Get your questions answers about basic computer operations, e-mail and Google. The phone class features instruction on the basics of smart phones and their operating platforms, iPhones, and a look at apps. Both classes take place on May 11 at Senior Matters, Room 33, at the Third Street Center, 520 S. Third St., Carbondale. The computer class runs from 9:30-11 a.m., and the smart phone class follows from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. A $5 donation is suggested. Call Bill at 379-6599 to reserve a spot so that Senior Matters can customize the learning experience for you. – Mary J. Wheeler, Senior Matters
Worship 10:00 a.m. Worship changes to 9:00 a.m. on May 27
••• Nursery provided Bruce A. Gledhill, Pastor • 970-963-0326 www.churchatredstone.com
A community church serving Redstone and the Crystal Valley.
Page 18, Crystal Valley Echo & Marble Times
As I See It A MONTHLY COLUMN BY BRUCE GLEDHILL
Falls in the spring One of the great joys of springtime in the Crystal Valley is that the intermittent waterfalls come to life. The one that cascades down high above the trailhead of East Creek at the north end of Redstone started very early this year. (If you know the name of that falls, please let me know.) I saw water flowing over the red cliff of that falls on April 3. Billy Amicon said he saw it running two days earlier, and I’m sure he wasn’t April foolin’ me. We’re blessed to have some beautiful year-round falls that provide scenic delight in our valley. In the springtime, that number increases dramatically. I’ve often thought that if all of those occasional falls ran throughout the year, our valley would be a tourist destination just for the waterfalls! When the Three Sisters just north of Redstone are running, they alone are well worth a trip from the Front Range! I took time to look with wonder at the falls beside Highway 133 on my way back home from the Easter sunrise service. As I reflected on the unnecessary beauty of springtime, words started to flow… The days of Spring Stand up and sing Of God’s creative power. In each cascade Art’s on parade No matter what the hour. The plant life grows; God’s goodness shows In each new leaf and flower. This time of year God’s love’s as clear As signs high on a tower. God’s richness shows; God’s blessing flows Just like a springtime shower.
If you enjoy reading this paper, and want to have it delivered to your home, please subscribe! IF YOU’D LIKE THE ECHO TO COME TO YOU, SIGN UP FOR HOME DELIVERY FOR LOCAL READERS OR MAILED SUBSCRIPTIONS FOR READERS OUTSIDE OUR AREA.
REMINDER: DO NOT LET YOUR MOTOR VEHICLES; TRAILERS; MOTORCYCLES; BUSES & SMM’S REGISTRATIONS EXPIRE! There is a LATE FEE applied after the one month grace period. IMPORTANT: This applies even if your vehicle is NOT RUNNING temporarily or just parked. Gunnison Office is open Mon. - Fri. 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Crested Butte Branch is open Tues. & Thurs. 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. in Old Town Hall. You can reach us at 970-641-1602 option 1 You can now pay your registration on line! Go to www.colorado.gov
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THE CRYSTAL VALLEY ECHO & MARBLE TIMES 274 Redstone Blvd., Redstone, CO 81623 We appreciate your support!
MAY 2012
THE ECHO CLASSIFIED ADS HELP WANTED: HELP WANTED: Executive director for Carbondale nonprofit. Part time. Are you creative, energetic? Be part of our exciting museums, programs, tourism and events. Apply at mtsoprishistoricalsociety.org. 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
MAY 2012
REDSTONE COMMUNITY BULLETIN
www.redstonecolorado.com Don’t forget to Stay in Touch REDSTONE COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION
The Redstone Annual Easter Egg Hunt •••
REDSTONE COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS
St. Patrick’s Day ————
Steve Pavlin: President Cathy Montgomery: Vice President Harry Remmers: Treasurer Jacob Robbins Secretary
Barbara Albin
in Redstone was celebrated with zeal and gusto. It started with the traditional, very green parade down the boulevard at high noon which progressed to the wine-tasting at the Redstone Inn from four to seven – and a little after that – with fun and frolic and all claiming ancestors from Dublin. The wine “tasting” – seems like the word is a little understated – was hosted by our Inn and sponsored by the Redstone Comunity Association. The many volunteers deserve kudos for the time and effort they contributed to a fine success. And, we send our special thanks to the vintners whose names we shall remember all the rest of the year, namely Rob Kimball of 5680 Vineyards, Alfred Eams of Eames Cellers, and Bill Cotton of National Beverage.
Billy Amicon Cary Hightower Debbie McCormick Ann Martin
Alternate Members:
was a grand success. Seventy beautiful baskets were donated and nearly that many children arrived at Redstone Park on a sunny Saturday April 7th to find those hidden eggs and to receive their basket. Thanks for all the donations and volunteers who make this event such fun for our children. A special thanks goes out to Jen Stanazek for heading up this annual community activity.
Earth Day Clean Up April 22-May 20th
Hospice of the Valley
In honor of Earth Day 2012, RCA is sponsoring clean-up of Hwy 133, Redstone, and both sides of the river bank. Beginning on Sunday April 22 you may sign up for your area, and pick up the CDOT orange bags and vests (if needed) from the front porch of Crystal Dreams B & B on Redstone Blvd. Bring your friends and help keep our corner of the world clean and litter free. When your bag is full, tie it closed and leave it along the side of Hwy 133 for CDOT to pick up.
Last December, the RCA chose Hospice of the Valley as our beneficiary charity and the fundraising campaign spanned four months. Giving boxes were set out in our local businesses, letters were sent out requesting donations, and half the proceeds of the annual Snowshoe race were donated. The grand total raised for Hospice of the Valley was $ 733.29. Thanks to all of you who so generously contributed to this worthy cause.
The next RCA Board Meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, May 8th 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
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Phone #__________________________________________ E-Mail ____________________________________
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Make Check Payable to: Redstone Community Association Mail to RCA: 303 Redstone Blvd. Redstone, CO 81623 Paid Advertisement
MAY 2012
Page 21
H E A LT H
Echo Briefs Shakespeare Festival at Roaring Fork High School May 16 Join Roaring Fork High School (RFHS) for the first annual Shakespeare Festival on May 16 from 6-8 p.m. The school will be serving an authentic Renaissance dinner, playing games from the era and performing an abbreviated version of “Hamlet.” The cost for dinner and the play is $10 for adults, $5 for students and $20 for families. In addition to the dinner and play, the RFHS art classes will be hosting their annual Art Fair featuring pottery, paintings and mixed media art that the students have been working on throughout the year. The following players will be featured in the play “Hamlet:” Cynthia Ayala - Polonius Mario Alverde - Horatio Jacob Besser - Hamlet Briana Boland - Laertes Kayla Derby - Gravedigger Brody Erickson - Claudius (the King) Emily Fisher - Ghost Esmy Lopez - Servant Jesslie Lopez - Actor (Queen) Maria Morales - Actor (King) Laura Needham - Marcellus Maite Nieblas - Narrator Brianda Perea - Bernardo Andrew Ptacek - Guard/Fight Scene Coordinator Victoria Schlueter - Ophelia Olivia Savard - Gertrude (the Queen) – Denise Wright, Roaring Fork High School drama teacher
Burn ban in effect Pitkin County Sheriff Joe DiSalvo, with support from the fire chiefs of Aspen, Snowmass, Basalt, and Carbondale, imposed an open fire burn ban that went info effect on April 5. Unseasonably warm temperatures, lack of moisture, and a red flag warning from the National Weather Service indicate of the potential for wildfires in and around Pitkin County. The health, safety, and welfare of the citizens of Pitkin County are the driving force behind this ban. The burn ban applies to the entire geographic area of Pitkin County, at all altitudes, and restricts the burning of vegetation, campfires, charcoal grills, and smoking. The ban also restricts the use of chainsaws, welding equipment, and fireworks. All previously issued open burn permits have been suspended until restrictions are lifted. Go to pitkinsheriff.com, aspenpolice.com, or cofireban.info for the exact details of this and other burn bans throughout Colorado. – Blair Weyer, Pitkin County
CMC bachelor’s degree info sessions being scheduled Colorado Mountain College (CMC) is scheduling individual appointments to explain the curriculum and application process for the college’s bachelor’s degrees in business administration and sustainability studies. Courses for both degrees will be offered in the summer semester. Classes start the week of May 14, and registration started April 23. Applications and information are available online at coloradomtn.edu/4year or at any CMC location. In Carbondale, prospective students may call 963-2172 to schedule an individual appointment to discuss the degree programs at the Lappala Center, 690 Colorado Ave., Carbondale. For more information, contact your local campus, call 1800-621-8559 or go online to coloradomtn.edu/4year. – Colorado Mountain College
Town of Marble gets AED in public building By Pat Bingham, Echo contributor
If you suffer cardiac arrest in the Town of Marble, you’ll have a better chance of survival now that Marble has received its first Automatic External Defibrillator (AED) in a public building. Marble’s new AED is located in the historic Marble City State Bank building that houses The Marble Hub. The Pitkin County Emergency Medical and Trauma Advisory Committee (EMTAC) contributed the AED to Marble with the help of a grant from the Aspen Community Foundation as part of the “Save a Life Pitkin County” effort. Carbondale & Rural Fire Protection District Chief Ron Leach floated the idea of getting an AED in Marble when he heard about the effort to place AEDs in as many public places as possible. Coincidentally, Leach had been teaching an American Heart Association CPR and first aid class in Marble when the opportunity to acquire the AED presented itself. “Pitkin County and Carbondale Fire in Garfield County keep an eye on things in Marble under a mutual aid agreement with Gunnison County. My hope is we can train as many Marble residents as possible in CPR and how to use our new AED,” Ron said. As locals know, The Hub in Marble where the AED is now located also houses a coffee shop, WiFi, a consignment store, and artworks by local artists. “The Hub is probably the most public building in Marble,” said Charlotte Graham, the nonprofit’s executive director, “It’s open part time in the winter and will be open seven days a week in summer. It’s the perfect place for the AED.” More information about the “Save a Life Pitkin County” effort is available online atsavealifepitkincounty.com.
Deadline approaching for Medicaid program By Renelle Lott, Garfield County
Two new Medicaid programs are available to Garfield County residents through the county’s Department of Human Services, but mild early interest indicates word may not have reached those who need to access the programs. The Adults without Dependent Children (AwDC) expansion presents the chance for a limited number of previously unqualified individuals to benefit from Medicaid. The other new program, Medicaid Buy-in Program for Working Adults with Disabilities, offers assistance for disabled wage earners to buy into Medicaid. Only a very small number of people have applied for the new Medicaid coverage locally since the programs were announced by the State of Colorado this spring. “We have three on the waiting list for the AwDC program, and we have received six applications for the Medicaid Buy-in,” said Tricia Murray, eligibility manager for Garfield County Department of Human Services. “I think as more people become aware, we will see more applications coming in. Those are really small numbers when you look at our family Medicaid caseload of 2,447 cases.” The Adults without Dependent Children program is limited to only 1,700 people in western Colorado (one of seven regions statewide) due to budgetary constraints. Timing is critical for people to apply for this program, because applications made before May 15 will be placed into an upcoming lottery for the 1,700 positions. Then, any AwDC eligible client cases that are processed after May 15 will be on the wait list with the non-selected AwDC eligible client cases processed as of April 1 through May 15. The AwDC program is designed for adults aged 19-64 who are not eligible for other Medicaid programs or Medicare. The program is capped at 10,000 clients statewide, whose income is approximately 10 percent of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL), which is about $90 per month for a single adult. That means people cannot make more than approximately $180 a month, but assets are not a factor; the limit is purely income-related. A Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing press release states that the Medicaid Buy-in allows eligible adults with disabilities to work, or increase their hours, and still access Medicaid benefits by paying a monthly premium based on their incomes. The Adult BuyIn is a federally authorized program that has been adopted in 44 other states. The program is funded by a hospital provider fee and federal matching funds and uses no Colorado general funds. The Medicaid Buy-in program is purely based on income levels, not assets. “The income level for this program is higher than other Medicaid programs,” said Murray. “It allows 450 percent of the FPL. In the past in our area, earnings were higher than other areas of the state, so people here didn’t qualify for Medicaid programs. But this program may be a real benefit to some of our residents.” Garfield County’s website features information on these programs with links to the State of Colorado website and state press releases: garfield-county.com/human-services/adultmedicaid.aspx.
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.
Carolyn Burdick of Redstone helped her youngest daughter and family welcome Carolyn's 13th grandchild to the world. Rio Saffron Rodgers was born on April 11 in Cortez, Colo.
Betty and Ernie Bradley of Marble managed to get some Echo reading in at Arenal Volcano, one of the many sites the two visited during their month-long stay in Costa Rica this past winter.
MAY 2012
Page 23
Echo Briefs Fire season is upon us
Pilates
in
Redstone
Because of dry and drought conditions this year, individuals need to be extra vigilant about reporting fire and extra careful about preventing fire. On April 6, Carbondale & Rural Fire Protection District was paged for a report of a brush fire at the Ranch at Roaring Fork where 12 cottonwood trees were on fire. There were no firefighter or civilian injuries and no structures were threatened. The fire was brought under control. The cause of the fire is under investigation, but is believed to be started by a downed power line and grew quickly due to high winds On April 7, the fire district was paged for a report of a wildland fire at mile marker 8 on Thompson Creek Road. Carbondale Fire personnel responded to the scene and found approximately a halfacre burning on private land in Pitkin County. The fire was burning in scrub oak and conifer. The fire grew to three acres and was laid down and did not spread any further. There were no firefighter or civilian injuries and no structures were threatened. There were no evacuations needed due to the location of the fire. Unified Commander, Pitkin County Sheriff’s Department Patrol Director, Jeff Lumsden said, “All fire agencies and the Pitkin County Sheriff’s Department are working aggressively to provide a unified approach to suppress this wildland fire. Pitkin County fire restrictions remain in place due to unusually dry conditions, low humidity and warm temperatures, combined with periodic wind events.” The cause of the second fire is undetermined and under investigation. – Carbondale & Rural Fire Protection District
Join Roaring Fork Conservancy’s Thompson Creek Family Exploration
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 • Yoga & Pilates Fusion!
5:30 p.m. - Everyone welcome
704-1843
Join staff from Roaring Fork Conservancy on a family-friendly hike to the confluence of Thompson Creek and the Crystal River from 10 a.m.-12 p.m. on May 5. Search for signs of animals large and small and learn why animals like to live near the river. Bring a picnic lunch and enjoy springtime along the river. Appropriate for kids of all ages and their parents. Please dress appropriately; the hike will happen rain or shine. This free event is underwritten by Pitkin County Open Space & Trails. Registration is required at roaringfork.org/events. Please call 927-1290 with questions. – Sarah Johnson, Roaring Fork Conservancy
“Miss Representation” screening just in time for Mother’s Day Mothers, daughters and all combinations thereof are invited to a showing of the film “Miss Representation” in Carbondale on May 16 at Dos Gringos restaurant. The film exposes how American youth are being sold on the concept that women’s and girls’ value lies in their youth, beauty and sexuality.
Written and directed by Jennifer Siebel Newsom, the film exposes how mainstream media contribute to the under-representation of women in positions of power and influence in America. The film challenges the media’s limited and often disparaging portrayals of women and girls, which make it difficult for women to achieve leadership positions and for the average woman to feel powerful herself. While women have made great strides in leadership over the past few decades, the United States is still 90th in the world for women in national legislatures, women hold only 3 percent of clout positions in mainstream media, and 65 percent of women and girls have disordered eating behaviors. Stories from teenage girls and provocative interviews with politicians, journalists, entertainers, activists and academics, like Condoleezza Rice, Nancy Pelosi, Katie Couric, Rachel Maddow, Margaret Cho, Rosario Dawson, and Gloria Steinem will provide the audience with a new perspective. Those who would like to donate to help with the costs of bringing the film to Carbondale can contact Paula Stepp, 805 Crestwood Dr., Glenwood Springs, CO 81601. – Sean Jeung
Community Block Party to benefit CARE, rec center, and early childhood education A Community Block Party is being held at The Village Smithy and Third Street on May 4 from 4-8 p.m. Everyone is welcome and admission is free. There will be great food and drink, live music by The Mile Markers, prize drawings and a KidZone featuring a bounce house; games such as soccer kick, ring toss and mini-hoops; arts and crafts and face-painting. Carnival-style tickets will be sold ($1 per ticket) for food, drink and activities. Sponsors include the Town of Carbondale, Village Smithy, Rainy Day Designs, Premier Party Rental, Alpine Bank, Pediatric Partners, BabyGearLab.com, Six89, The Pullman, Phat Thai Carbondale, Carbondale Moms for Moms, RiverRestoration.org, David Johnston Architects, R. Andrew Girardot, DDS, Carbondale Insurance Service, Inc., Lauren DeAre Translations, Arlene and Ben Roth, Ron and Wendy Spencer, Shelia and Larry Ditusa, Carbondale Community Food Co-op, Crystal Valley Jewelry, Divide Creek Builders, Drs. Covello and Verheul, DDS, Leann and Richard Katchuk, Mountain Shelter Construction, Red Rock Diner, Achieve Health & Performance, Aspen Glen Club, Aspen Parks & Recreation, Aspen Skiing Company, Betsy's Barefoot Books, Crews & Curls at Shear Happenings, Denver Zoo, Dr. Hillary Back, LLC, Grana Bread Co., Nicole Cavarra, Pure Barre Denver Cherry Creek, Sopris Chiropractic, Syzygy Restaurant, and Transformation Yoga & Fitness For more information on the event please call 948-1334. Proceeds benefit our community’s animal shelter (Colorado Animal Rescue), valley youth recreation (Carbondale Recreation Center) and early childhood education (Children’s Rocky Mountain School). – Amy Filiss
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.
DAILY TOURS BEGIN MONDAY, MAY 14TH
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 One hour to full day
Trail Rides
CALL NOW FOR YOUR SUMMER ADVENTURE! Enjoy a
Carriage Ride or a
Wagon Ride
Book your summer adventure by calling 963-1144 or 963-2526
We offer fully guided or drop camp hunts for elk, bear, mule deer, mountain goat or bighorn sheep