2012 Grand Valley Echo April by Alyssa Onmach

• Serving the Grand Valley since 2008 •

Providing a voice for community-based organizations and individuals that enrich the life of the Grand Valley FREE

Volume 4 Number 7

INSIDE

Mid-April / Mid-May 2012

What’s ahead? Snowpack levels are down and drought conditions are up in the Grand Valley – and all over western Colorado

The Funny Bike Guy page 3

Spring Double Header page 5

Local photographer Howie Orona took this early morning image of low clouds below Mt. Callahan and blue sky above Parachute and Battlement Mesa. Clouds and precipitation have been at a minimum, and clear skies have been the norm during this past winter and early spring. Howie is the winner of our Echo Shots photo contest for this photograph. Photo by Howie Orona

Chamber News page 8

Kiwanis winter ecology page 13

New column: Beret’s Book Bag page 17

By Carrie Click, Echo editor Colorado’s last significant drought year was 2002, and we’re heading there again. Snowpack levels are down and it’s dry in Colorado, and particularly the Upper Colorado River basin. In fact, out of all of Colorado’s river basins, the Upper Colorado is recording the lowest levels in the state, according to the Colorado Climate Center (CCC), which is monitored through Colorado State University in Fort Collins. The numbers are looking pretty skimpy. As of press time on April 11, the Upper Colorado River basin, of which Parachute and Battlement are a part, had a snow water equivalent of 35 percent of the average. And precipitation levels were just 66 percent of average. According to the CCC, in western Colorado, the greatest monthly precipitation occurs in the winter months. June is typically the driest month. Late summer and early fall can be the wettest time of year. In other words, we don’t know what’s ahead – at least as far as drought and the weather goes. What we do know is that it’s abnormally dry and water is at a premium, so extra care should be taken in the months ahead. Conserve water, prevent fire Some water conservation tips: According to the Water Conservation Board, you can cut your water use by integrating these tips into your garden and lawn care: • Water your lawn and garden in the morning or evening when temperatures are cooler to minimize evaporation. • Adjust your lawn mower to a higher setting. A taller lawn

shades roots and holds soil moisture better than if it is closely clipped. • Use sprinklers for large areas of grass. Water small patches by hand to avoid waste. • Use a broom instead of a hose to clean your driveway and sidewalk and save water every time. • Adjust sprinklers so only your lawn is watered and not the house, sidewalk, or street. • Choose shrubs and groundcovers instead of grass for hard-towater areas such as steep slopes and isolated strips.

Some fire-prevention tips: According to Smokey Bear – seriously; he has a website at smokeybear.com – the following tips can help prevent wildland fire: • As Rob Ferguson points out in his Grand Valley Fire Protection District column on page 16, the district is issuing burn permits until Memorial Day on May 28. Be extra careful if you plan to burn. No burning is allowed after dark, and all burning must be extinguished by 12 p.m. if conditions are windy. • Never toss a cigarette – burning or otherwise – out of a vehicle or onto the ground. Extinguish and discard butts of all kinds in proper, fireproof containers. • Don’t park your vehicle on dry grass. • All off-road vehicles need to be equipped with spark arresters. • Don’t set off fireworks on public lands, and be extremely careful on private property if you decide to use them. This year, it’s probably a better idea to celebrate another way than lighting a flammable object you can’t control.

Page 2, GRAND VALLEY ECHO • Mid-April/Mid-May 2012

LETTERS TO THE ECHO

Send us a letter. Got something on your mind? We’ve expanded our word-count limit to 500 words or less for Letters to the Echo to give you plenty of space to express yourselves. The Echo welcomes your input, opinions, thanks and whatever else you’d like to share with our readers, provided it’s written in a respectful, civil way. (Please, no unsubstantiated attacks, etc.) The Echo reserves the right to edit and proofread letters. Send your words to The Grand Valley Echo, gve@crystalvalleyecho.com, or 274 Redstone Blvd., Redstone, CO 81623. Please be sure to include your name, title if necessary, and where you live. Thanks.

Thanks for the movies Dear Echo: The Common Ground members would like to thank all of the movie goers who attended the “Night Out at the Movies” on March 23 at the Battlement Mesa Activity Center. Everyone in attendance had a great time enjoying the appetizers, which were donated by Encana Oil & Gas, Williams Production, and WPX Energy and the movie “It’s Complicated,” sponsored by Antero Resources. We appreciated the community support and hope to see you this summer at the outdoor “Movies Under the Stars.” Please watch The Grand Valley Echo for upcoming details. Mary Lee Mohrlang Common Ground Member Battlement Mesa Thank you for barrel horse prizes

Dear Echo: I would like to thank the many, many businesses and individuals from Parachute/Battlement Mesa area that contributed to National Barrel Horse Association District 10’s 2011 awards program. Included are Alpine Bank, Battlement Mesa; Colorado Veterinary Services, Dr. Morgan McCarty; Sherry Keinath; Old Mountain Gifts and Jewelry; Bayou Well Services; Latham Cattle Company; Racing In the Rockies; Williams Production; Parachute Veterinary Clinic, Dr. Lee and Monica Smith; Headlines Salon, Holly Binnian; Terry's Critter PetRol, Terry Mahaney; Your Timeless Memories, K.C. Binger; Western Slope Trailer Sales; Boot Barn; Pictures by Teresa Stevens; Antler Arena, Alicia Fraser; and the Grand Valley Park Association.

With the help of our members and our sponsors we were able to give championship saddles, championship buckles, and over 275 prizes down through fifth place to our 2011 high point winners in each division in the open, youth and senior. So 40 award winners received prizes! Thank you for being such a wonderful community! Mary Anderson District Director National Barrel Horse Association District 10 Parachute Local 13-year-old dancer needs sponsorship support Dear Echo: My family and I live on Battlement Mesa, and my 13-year-old daughter Randi attends Grand Valley Middle School. After a lengthy process and a three-hour live audition, Randi has been accepted to Brockus Conservatory of Dance and Musical Theater in Southern California. It is a boarding school for high school students. She also received a partial scholarship. Randi is in need of sponsorship to attend this conservatory, which is a nonprofit 501-c-3 qualified organization. We are trying to help her quickly get this sponsorship information to individuals and businesses that might be interested in this tax-deductible support. Randi and I are available to speak with any individuals and organizations that are interested in helping her financially. You may reach us at 319-5342 and timlenard@msn.com. Thank you, Debbie Lenard Battlement Mesa

Have you heard about

The Insider’s Guide TO BATTEMENT MESA & PARACHUTE Everything you need to know about living, visiting, working and playing in the Grand Valley area. The Battlement Mesa Service Association (BMSA) and The Grand Valley Echo newspaper are teaming up this spring to publish a 2012 summer/fall guidebook. Packed full of information you won’t find anywhere else, The Insider’s Guide will be a valuable guide to locals and visitors alike.

Space reservations are due April 20th. Final art is due April 27th. Don’t miss out! SPACE IS LIMITED. Call or e-mail now! TO RESERVE YOUR ADVERTISING SPACE CONTACT: Barbara Pavlin 285-7364 or 970-309-1354 luckybarb711@msn.com For more information contact: Keith Lammey • 970-285-7482 bmsa@battlementmesacolorado.com

Thank you to this month’s contributors: All copy submitted to The Grand Valley Echo will be edited and reviewed by our staff for style, grammar and content. The Grand Valley Echo reserves the right to refuse publication of any submitted material that does not meet the publisher’s standard for a positive, informative, educational community newspaper.

MISSION STATEMENT To provide a voice for local schools, nonprofit groups and civic organizations; to bring attention to the individuals and local businesses that are the fabric of the Grand Valley region; to contribute to the vitality of our small town life. The Grand Valley Echo is published monthly, and is distributed throughout Battlement Mesa and Parachute. Subscriptions are available for a $35 annual fee.

PUBLISHER/DESIGNER ALYSSA OHNMACHT EDITOR CARRIE CLICK ADVERTISING SALES BARBARA PAVLIN

285-7634 DISTRIBUTION/CIRCULATION STEVE PAVLIN Dawn Distribution • 963-0874

274 REDSTONE BLVD., REDSTONE, COLORADO 81623 970-963-2373 • gve@crystalvalleyecho.com

Howie Orona, Charles E. Lear, MD, Mary Anderson, Steve Rippy, Roy G. Brubacher, Elaine and Paul Bussone, Geoff Renstrom, Encana Oil & Gas, Garfield County, David Boyd, Jeanne Miles, Keith Lammey, Anne Huber, Dan Temple, Barbara Barker, Charlie Hornick, Veronica Duran, Joline Gnatek, Literacy Outreach, Kathy Germano, Mitzi Burkhart, Karen Klink, Annick Pruett, Carrie Godes, Jimmy Keif, Rob Ferguson, Beret Brenckman, J. Steven Randol, Laurel Koning, Karol Sacca, Mark Gregory, Tarianna Lawrence, Artemio Baltazar, Betsy Leonard, Donate Life Colorado, Lynn Shore, Nancy Chromy, Rebecca Ruland

GRAND VALLEY ECHO • Mid-April/Mid-May 2012, Page 3

G R A N D

VA L L E Y I T E S

Who is that guy and why is he riding that funny bike?

By Charles E. Lear, M.D. Editor’s note: We received this submission from Dr. Lear, who’s lived in Battlement Mesa for 10 years. With this story, we are happy to finally end this mystery. Exercise after 60 is the only way to keep your age under control. I have exercised regularly since I was 30 – not a masochistic “no-pain, no gain” ordeal but a pleasant “I want to do that again” kind of exercise. Because I do not like losing, I am not into competitive sports. I walk, I jog, I ski and I cycle. When I am introduced to people around Battlement Mesa, I identify myself by saying, “I am the guy on the recumbent trike with the flag and flashing lights.” They invariably respond with a variation of, “Oh! You’re that guy.” Riding a recumbent cycle is like walking with a puppy. It makes friends for you wherever you go. Let me define recumbent cycling. On two or three wheels the rider sits on a broad seat with a back support. Pedals are out in front. By definition, one cannot stand on the pedals of a recumbent cycle. Recumbent cycles are arguably the best design for longer pleasure rides on pavement. The rider has his head up to take in the view. There is virtually no strain on neck, shoulders, wrists or backside. At the end of a ride, an upright cyclist often gets off the bike with a biker’s waddle. A recumbenteer more often

leans back on his vehicle for a while as if it were a lawn chair on wheels. There is some downside to recumbency. With a stretched out and therefore heavier frame, going up hills is slower. On the other hand, with the improved aerodynamics of a recumbent position plus the extra weight, going downhill is faster. When I ride in rolling country with standard upright cyclists, I tend to yoyo – falling behind on the uphill and catching up on the downhill. I have put many miles on recumbent bicycles but have lately favored the tricycle, especially in the hills around Battlement Mesa. A two-wheeled cycle requires maintaining at least a minimum forward speed to remain upright. If a hill is too steep, one either gets off and walks or falls over and then walks. On the tricycle, I can slow my forward momentum down to zero miles an hour if need be. As a result, I fear no hills. I patiently spin the crank uphill at a sedate 1.5 miles an hour while I lean back and enjoy the scenery. I suspect that some people think that recumbent riders (also known as ‘bent riders) ride their funny bikes out of a need to express their individual eccentricity. One might suppose that ‘bent riders also do things like collecting tropical grubs or sleeping under a pyramid. True, the recumbent cycle makes it difficult to go unnoticed and that is a good thing when riding on a road. But, I assure you, I ride mine because it is just a pure pleasure.

Page 4, GRAND VALLEY ECHO • Mid-April/Mid-May 2012

GO GRAND VALLEY

Your calendar for goings on in and around Parachute and Battlement Mesa Help our calendar grow; let us know. Send public event items to gve@crystalvalleyecho.com. Be sure to include the five Ws (who, what, when, why and where), contact info, cost and anything else readers need to know.

• April 16: 2-3:30 p.m. “Trees, Gardens, Lawns & Noxious Weeds,” a discussion with Pat McCarty, Colorado State University Extension and Steve Anthony, Garfield County Vegetation Management, is at the Parachute Library. Pat and Steve are available to answer any questions about these topics you may have. Contact CSU Extension at 625-3969.

• April 17: 10 a.m. Tips and Talks on Tuesdays features relaxing chair massages by Claudia Santa Cruz and Carla Delgado along with simple exercises to music. The group paints colorful sun catchers, too. Light refreshments. Parachute Valley Senior Center, 540 N. Parachute Ave. 285-7934.

• April 17: 12-2 p.m. Ladies Who Do Lunch talk about Anne River Siddons’ “Off Season” at the Parachute Branch Library. 285-9870.

• April 17: 7-9 p.m. The Rocky Mountain Chapter of the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of America presents “Understanding Inflammatory Bowel Disease,” at Valley View Hospital in Glenwood. To register go to http://online.ccfa.org/glenwoodspringsibdInfo. Mary Lee Mohrlang, 216-5058 or Mary Moore, 309-8589.

• April 18: 2:30 p.m. Anime Club meets at the Parachute Branch Library. 285-9870.

• April 19-21: 7 p.m. “The Music Man” with a Grand Valley High School, Grand Valley Middle School, and Bea Underwood Elementary School cast plays at the Grand Valley High School. Dinner theater package offered with tickets starting at $30; performance-only tickets start at $5. Call Tracy at 285-5705 for tickets and information.

• April 19-21: Free children’s immunizations are at Garfield County Public Health offices in Rifle (across from Rifle City Market) and Glenwood Springs (across from Valley View Hospital), from 8:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m. on April 19-20, and from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. on April 21. Call 625-5200 for more info.

• April 19: Last day to apply for Grand Valley Educational Foundation scholarships. Contact Grand Valley High School counseling office at 285-5705, ext. 4105, or go to garcoschools.org and click on “Grand Valley Educational Foundation.” • April 20: The Parachute Branch Library is closed today for staff training. 285-9870. • April 20: 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. The 2012 Regional Trails, Biking, Walking Summit is at the Glenwood Springs Community Center, 100 Wulfsohn Rd., Glenwood Springs. Participants can attend all or part of the event. $15/includes lunch. 704-9200, garfieldcleanenergy.org. • April 23-27: Scholastic Book Fair at St John Elementary School. Call for hours, special events, and special guests. 460 Stone Quarry Rd., Battlement. Contact Beret, 285-5704 bbrenckman@garfield16.org • April 24: 1 p.m. Village Artists meet at the Parachute Library. Nancy Stranger will discuss copyrighting for visual artists. 285-9870.

• April 24: 7-9 p.m. The Rocky Mountain Chapter of the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of America presents “Nutrition & IBD: Choices for Adults and Kids,” at Grand River Hospital in Rifle. To register go to http://online.ccfa.org/riflenutrition. Mary Lee Mohrlang, 216-5058 or Mary Moore, 3098589.

• April 28: 7 p.m. Celtic guitarist Jerry Barlow performs in concert at the Parachute Branch Library, 244 Grand Valley Way, Parachute. $5/person. 285-9870.

• May 1 and May 8: 9-10 a.m. “The Power to Click” computer training is at the Parachute Branch Library. Reservations required. Call the library at 285-9870. • May 3: 4:30 p.m. Battlement Mesa Couples Golf League season starts today at the Battlement Mesa Golf Course, followed by an after-golf get-together at the Fairway Grill. Golf entry fee is $4. Sign up at the Pro Shop by May 2. Play is every Thursday, May 3-Sept. 27. Contact John Constine, jscons@msn.com. • May 3: 5:30-8:30 p.m. Garfield County Energy Advisory Board meets at the Rifle Branch Library at 207 East Ave., in Rifle. The topic will be a review of hydraulic fracturing techniques used in Garfield County’s oil and gas wells. RSVP to Denice Brown, 625-5915, debrown@garfield-county.com, as dinner will be served at 5:30 p.m. • May 5: 9 a.m.-3 p.m. The 10th annual Encana Energy Expo is at the Garfield County Fairgrounds in Rifle features more than 90 organizations and companies. Talk with representatives from the energy industry, colleges and universities, and the state and federal government about hydraulic fracturing, drilling, oil shale, alternative energy, natural gas powered vehicles, and more. 1001 Railroad Ave., Rifle. 625-6601. • May 8: Tackle It Tuesday is at the Parachute Branch Library. Bring your own lunch. 2859870. • May 8: Battlement Mesa Metro District election. Vote on the two seats up for election. Contact Steve Rippy at 285-9050. • May 9: Patricia Martin slide show, the author of “A Meadowlark Calling” at the Parachute Branch Library.285-9870. • May 10: 12 p.m. The Parachute/Battlement Mesa Chamber of Commerce’s next general membership meeting is at the Battlement Mesa Firehouse. The website is currently being updated at parachutechamber.org. • May 10: 2-3:30 p.m. A free eight-week Matter of Balance class starts at the Parachute Valley Senior Center. The goal is to learn how to manage falls and increase activity levels for older adults. Advance registration is not required. 540 N. Parachute Ave., Parachute. 285-7934. • May 10: 6-7:30 p.m. Basic Computer level 3 (ESL) is at the Parachute Branch Library. 285-9870. • May 11: 6 p.m. Reel Readers feature “Sarah’s Key” by Tatiana de Rosnay and starring Kristin Scott Thomas in the movie version at the Parachute Branch Library. 285-9870. • May 12: 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Successful Transitions workshop for high school students is at the Parachute Branch Library. Reservations required at 285-9870. • May 13: Mother’s Day

ONGOING • The Parachute Branch Library hosts Story Times, including Toddler Story Time, Ready to Read Story Time and Bilingual Story Time on a regular basis each week. Call the library at 2859870 for info on the story time that is the best fit for your child. • Raising a Reader blue bag ceremonies are being held throughout April at the Parachute Branch Library. Call 285-9870 for more information.

• The Battlement Mesa Activity Center has a variety of exercise classes for preschoolers to seniors. Call Anne, 285-9480. • Every Monday from 12:45-4 p.m., Party Bridge is held at the Battlement Mesa Activity Center. All levels welcome. • Every Monday from 12-1 p.m. the Grand Valley United Methodist Church serves a free soup lunch at the church at 132 Parachute Ave. • The fourth Monday of every month, the Grand Valley Sew and Sew Quilters meet at 9:30 a.m. at the Battlement Mesa Schoolhouse. Call Roxie Jones at 285-9791 and Patsy Noel at 285-2472 for more info. • The last Monday of the month, an Alzheimer’s caregiver support group meets from 10-11 a.m. at the Grand Valley United Methodist Church, 132 N. Parachute Ave., 800-272-3900, 9873184. • The first Tuesday of every month at 6:30 p.m., the Grand Valley Citizens Alliance meets at the Rifle Branch Library community room. Leslie, 618-0890. • Every Tuesday at 7 a.m., the Kiwanis Club of Grand Valley/Parachute meets at the Community Room of the Parachute Branch Library, 244 Grand Valley Way, in Parachute. Coffee is at 7 a.m., program begins at 7:30 a.m. • Every Tuesday, a group plays pinochle at 1:30 p.m. at the Parachute Valley Senior Center. Call Cheryl at 285-9755 for information or to arrange a needed ride. The senior center is located at 540 N. Parachute Ave., Parachute. • The second Tuesday of every month at 3:30 p.m. the Battlement Mesa Service Association’s Oil and Gas Committee meets at the Battlement Mesa Activity Center. • The third Tuesday of each month from 10 a.m.-12 p.m., Tips and Talks on Tuesday is at the Parachute Valley Senior Center; men and women of all ages welcome. The last meeting before the summer is on May 15. 540 N. Parachute, Parachute, 285-7934. • Grand Mesa Chorus rehearses every Tuesday from 6:30-9:30 p.m., at the Redlands United Methodist Church, 527 Village Way, Grand Junction. All women age 16 and older are welcome to audition. Call Shirley at 255-9419, grandmesachorus.org. • Neighborhood Watch meets the second Tuesday of the month at 7 p.m. at Parachute Town Hall, 222 Grand Valley Way, Parachute. 285-7630. • The Glenwood Springs Chapter of HEARTBEAT – Support for Survivors After Suicide – is open to anyone who has suffered the loss of a loved one through suicide – no matter how long ago. This peer group meets the second Tuesday of each month at 6:30 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church in Glenwood Springs. Use the Bethel Chapel entrance of the church, 824 Cooper Street. Call Pam Szedelyi, 945-1398, email pamsz@sopris.net. • The second Tuesday or Wednesday of every month at 6:30 p.m., the Parachute/Battlement Mesa Park and Recreation District Board of Directors meets at the recreation district office, 259 Cardinal Way, Parachute, 285-0388, parachutebattlementparkandrecreation.org. • The third Tuesday of every month at 9 a.m., the Battlement Mesa Service Association meets at the Battlement Mesa Activity Center.

• Every Wednesday at 11:30 a.m., the Parachute Valley Senior Center hosts a luncheon prepared by the Rifle Senior Center. $2.50 for those over 60. Reservations taken Mondays from 9 a.m.-12 p.m.; call 285-7216. • The first and third Wednesday of every month at 3 p.m., the Battlement Mesa Architectural Committee meets at the Battlement Mesa Activity Center. Open to the public. 285-9432. • Every last Wednesday of the month from 5-6 p.m., an Alzheimer’s caregiver support group meets at Alpine Hospice, 1517 Blake Ave., Suite 100B in Glenwood. Andrea, 303-704-6377. • Battlement Concerned Citizens meet the second and fourth Wednesdays of every month at 1:30 p.m. at the Battlement Mesa Activity Center to discuss issues of concern to the Battlement Mesa community. Open to the public. Dave, 285-2263 or Paul, 285-7791. • Common Ground meets the fourth Wednesday of the month at 3:30 p.m. at the Battlement Mesa Activity Center. The group is comprised of citizens from Parachute and Battlement Mesa who are committed to working together for a better community. All residents interested in contributing their time and energy for the betterment of Battlement and Parachute are encouraged to attend. • Every Thursday at 10 a.m. (except the first Thursday of the month), the Prayer Shawl Ministry meets at the Grand Valley United Methodist Church, 132 N. Parachute, Parachute. Call Sharon, 285-2318, or the church, 285-9892, to join in. • The first Thursday of every month from 5:308:30 p.m., the Energy Advisory Board meets to encourage positive communication and responsible energy development at the Rifle Branch Library, 207 East Ave., Rifle. For topics, more, go to garfield-county.com/oil-gas/energy-advisoryboard.aspx, or contact Denice Brown at 6255915. • Seniors age 60 and older and disabled of any age may ride The Traveler, a wheelchair-accessible van with door-to-door service from Parachute to Glenwood Springs and to various towns and locations in between in Garfield County. Suggested donation is $8 round trip. The Traveler also travels from Parachute to Grand Junction the second Thursday of the month. Donation is $20 round trip. Call 48 hours in advance for reservations and information at 625-1366. • Every Friday from 9-9:30 a.m. “Community Connections” hosts interviews with community members on KSUN 103.9 FM. • Saturdays at 7 p.m., the Parachute Valley Senior Center hosts Bingo Night with cash prizes. Players bring a snack to share; come and bring a friend. The senior center is at 540 N. Parachute Ave., at the intersection of County Road 215 and North Parachute Avenue, 285-6492.

UPCOMING • May 15: 10 a.m. Tips and Talks on Tuesday at the senior center has its last meeting before the group disbands for the summer, which will include making greeting cards and a potluck lunch. Bring scissors and tape. Parachute Valley Senior Center, 540 N. Parachute Ave., Parachute, 285-7934. • June 3: The Take Steps Walk Steps Walk for Crohn’s & Colitis is at Centennial Park in Rifle from 4-6 p.m. Sponsored by Alpine Bank. Mary Lee Mohrlang, 216-5058 or Mary Moore, 309-8589.

GRAND VALLEY ECHO • Mid-April/Mid-May 2012, Page 5

E L E C T I O N

Vote in the Battlement Mesa Metro District election

FUEL Up Your FLEET! AUTOMATED PROPRIETARY CHARGE CARD SYSTEM Available 24 hours daily Car Wash Fleet Card Program

Battlement Mesa Metro District’s (BMMD) election is May 8. It is a mail ballot election; voters can return their ballots in the mail or they can drop them off to the BMMD office at 401 Arroyo Dr. All ballots must be received at the office by May 8. The BMMD has a five-person board: Michelle Foster, Sara McCurdy, Lynn Shore, Fred Inman, and Bruce Richards. Lynn Shore and Fred Inman’s terms expire in May. Lynn is running for another term; Fred is not. There are six people running for two seats. Here is a brief rundown of the candidates: Bill Wilde: Bill’s experience began with his 1981 construction management of the utility distribution systems and treatment facilities in Battlement Mesa. Later he supervised operations, permitting, regulatory compliance and water rights prior to creation of the BMMD. He served on numerous elected boards in Battlement Mesa and Garfield County from 1984-2008, including being a director and past president of BMMD for several terms. Bob Arrington: Bob is a registered professional engineer, has served on the architectural committee, was elected a delegate for Willow Creek, and serves on the Battlement Mesa Service Association board. He is currently on the finance committee and was elected vice-president this year. Bob is this year's Kiwanis president, and serves on the Garfield County Energy Advisory Board. He has worked with the Colorado Public Utilities Commission, Union Carbide, and MartinMarietta, among others. Jason Fletcher: A Battlement Mesa resident for eight years, Jason is married and has a 16-yearold stepdaughter and a 5-year-old son. He has worked for Alpine Bank for 12 years. He has sat on many local boards and committees. Bill Nelson: Born and educated in Great Britain, Bill is an accountant and certified internal auditor. A resident of Battlement Mesa for more than 14 years, Bill has served on committees and boards with the Battlement Mesa Service Association, the BMMD, and the Grand Valley Fire Protection District. He served as four years as president of the Battlement Mesa Service Association, and two years as president of the Battlement Mesa Metropolitan District. LeeRay J. Smith: Owner and operator of Timber Line Electric & Control Corporation, Lee and his wife Susan moved to Battlement Mesa in 2009. He served in the US Navy and was educated in accounting, electronics. His company specializes in municipal water and wastewater design, maintenance, remodel and construction. He is a member of the Roaring Fork Outdoor Volunteers, the Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado, and volunteers with Special Olympics Colorado. Lee has acquired the management skills and practical field experience needed to assist the Battlement Mesa Metropolitan District. Lynn Shore: Born in Sterling, Colo., and raised in the farmlands of Nebraska, Lynn served honorably in the Air Force from 1962-66. He managed Battlement Mesa apartments for Exxon, then all residential and commercial properties in Battlement Mesa for Battlement Mesa Partners. Lynn became vice president of the Battlement Mesa Company in 1993 and retired in 2008. He Is a certified property manager and a professional community association manager. Lynn is active as a volunteer, and Is currently the vice-president of Battlement Mesa Metropolitan District and president of the Grand Valley Fire Protection District. For questions about the election, contact Steve Rippy at BMMD at 285-9050. – Carrie Click

Available at the following Phillips 66 Stations

PARACHUTE GRUB N SCRUB 28 Cardinal Way • Parachute

Car Wash / Dominos / Shommy’s Restaurant Shommy’s Restaurant Now Open – Asian/American Cuisine

RED RIVER QUICK MART 1-70 at South Rifle • 702 Taghenbaugh Blvd.

Dominos Pizza - 625-0505

THE CORNER STORE & LASER CAR WASH 9th & Railroad • Rifle

Touch Free Carwash / Convenience Store

BOOKCLIFF CAR WASH 1st & West Ave • Rifle

Touch Free Carwash / Convenience Store

SWALLOW OIL COMPANY • 945-8823 WHOLESALE GAS & OIL

Rifle - 970-625-1467 • Eagle - 970-328-7788

Mary Anderson of Parachute sent in this photo of a set of twin calves born on April 3 owned by Ted Anderson of Parachute. "They are their mom's first babies," writes Mary. "Notice how much their faces look alike!"

Page 6, GRAND VALLEY ECHO • Mid-April/Mid-May 2012

S P O R T S

R E C

Colorado River Scramble Golf Tournament set for May 19 By Roy G. Brubacher, Kiwanis Club of Grand Valley/Parachute golf committee chairman For the 19th year, the Kiwanis Club of Grand Valley/Parachute is hosting the Colorado River Scramble Golf Tournament. The tournament is being held May 19 at the Battlement Mesa Golf Course. Grand Valley Kiwanis President Bob Arrington says the tournament will feature a scramble format and a maximum of 36 teams of four, or 144 players, and will begin play with a shotgun start at 8 a.m. A featured prize will be a new Ford Focus for the first player to score a hole-in-one on No. 3. The players will also compete for many other prizes, such as the longest drive, closest to the pin, etc. All proceeds from the tournament will be used to support scholarships for Grand Valley High School graduates and other programs for the Parachute and Battlement Mesa youth. President Arrington hastened to point out that during the past 12 years, the local Kiwanis Foundation has awarded 109 scholarships valued at $154,000. Parachute Mayor Judy Beasley will serve as honorary chairperson for the tournament . Mayor Beasley urges you to mark your calendars. For tournament information, call Roy G. Brubacher, golf committee chairman, at 285-9678 or 216-3945.

Sports Brief Battlement Mesa Couples Golf League season starts May 3 The 2012 Battlement Mesa Couples Golf League season will start on May 3 beginning at 4:30 p.m. Please sign up at the Pro Shop by Wednesday afternoon on May 2, and indicate if you will be attending the after-golf get-together at the Fairway Grill, to be hosted by Elaine and Paul Bussone. The entry fee for golf is $4 per couple. As in the past a variety of games will be played with either four-person or twoperson teams, made up of coupes or mixed couples. Following golf we will have the opening night dinner at the Fairway Grill followed by a short meeting to discuss the upcoming year and provide everybody the opportunity to sign up to host one of the after-golf potluck get togethers at their home. The couples league will play every Thursday from May 3-Sept. 27. Talk it up with your friends and neighbors. We welcome any and all new players, and it is a great way to get to know new people. Come out and join us for a good time and great fellowship. – Elaine & Paul Bussone, Battlement Mesa Couples Golf League

Logos • Brochures

WEED OF THE MONTH Myrtle spurge (Euphorbia myrsinites) PURGE THE SPURGE! This is the first in a series of informational display ads on noxious weeds that will appear periodically throughout the growing season in the Grand Valley Echo.

Above: Produces milky latex that burns the skin. Top right: Keep young children away from this plant. Lower right: Spreading from gardens into wildlife habitat.

ABOUT MYRTLE SPURGE • Exudes toxic, milky latex that can cause burns and irritation to the skin. • Keep young children away from this plant. • Also known as Donkey Tail and Creeping Spurge. • Low growing perennial reaching a height of 4”-6” and spread of 18”. • Fleshy, trailing blue-green leaves. • Yellowish green flower-like bracts appear in early spring. • Reproduces by seeds that are capable of projecting up to 15’ away from the plant. • All plant parts of the plant are considered poisonous. • Highly invasive escaped ornamental common in many xeriscapes and rock gardens. • Myrtle Spurge is expanding rapidly, displacing native vegetation and reducing forage for wildlife. • It is found locally in Battlement Mesa, Glenwood Springs, New Castle, and in Peach Valley. MANAGEMENT Small infestations can be hand dug or pulled, however be sure to wear appropriate clothing and gloves since the sap secreted from Myrtle Spurge is capable of burning the skin. Eliminating the seed bank of this plant is necessary given that it is a prolific seed producer. For that reason remove the flower and seed head promptly. Also, eliminating new seedlings when the plant is young will aid in control. For larger infestations of Myrtle Spurge a herbicide is recommended. Please contact the Garfield County Vegetation Management for recommendations on an appropriate herbicide. As always a good ground cover will prevent noxious weeds from becoming a problem, so seeding bare ground after any ground disturbance is essential. This plant is on the State of Colorado’s A List of noxious weeds, meaning that the state wants it completely eradicated. Landowners, both public and private, are obligated by state law to manage noxious weeds on their property.

Advertising Book layout & design Alyssa Ohnmacht

• 963-2373

For more information about this plant or any of the other weeds in Garfield County, contact the Vegetation Management Department at 625-8601 x 4305, or by email: santhony@garfield-county.com

GRAND VALLEY ECHO • Mid-April/Mid-May 2012, Page 7

S P O R T S

R E C

National Barrel Horse Association District 10 winners The National Barrel Horse Association (NBHA) local District 10 competitions winners recently received t heir awards for 2011. Headlines Salon and Alpine Bank sponsored the District 10 NBHA.

Parachute/Battlement Mesa Park and Recreation District - “Where The Fun Begins”

Wrestling, soccer, softball, baseball, and tee ball, too Plus British Soccer Camp starts May 28 By Parachute/Battlement Mesa Park and Recreation District Executive Director Mary Anderson

Top left, Holly Binnian, left, of Headlines Salon presents youth 3D runner up Allie Beasley of Parachute with her first belt buckle.

Programs Youth Wrestling: Practices are at the small gym at Grand Valley High School on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 6-7:30 p.m. Wrestling for K-6 graders is held March through May and is open to both boys and girls. Tony Serna is the head coach. There will be a youth tournament on May 5 at Grand Valley High School in the main gymnasium from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Please feel free to stop by the school and watch the action. Youth Soccer: Weekly practices are on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5:30-7 p.m. League games began on April 7. Upcoming home games are on April 21, April 28 and 29, and May 12 at the Callahan Ballfield Complex in Parachute. Coaches are Bruce Hoggan for U10 Boys, Bonnie Brown for U10 Girls and Mandy Rice for the U12 Girls. We want thank to coach Bonnie Brown for soliciting a new shirt sponsor for the youth soccer teams. And, we want to thank Mac’s Trucking out of Fruita. They provided 45 new soccer jerseys for the three teams. We certainly do appreciate their generosity. British Soccer Camp: The camp is being held in Parachute from May 28-June l. Pamphlets for the camp are available at the park and recreation office. Each participant receives a soccer ball and T-shirt to keep, plus professional instruction. British Soccer Camp fundraisers: A parent group that is fundraising for the British Soccer Camp. They have raised more than $1,800.00 (by press time) and hosted a chili cook off, bake sales, silent auctions and more during the first part of April. All proceeds go to send several youngsters to the British Soccer Camp. Thank you to Alpine Bank for their contribution of $500 to help with this cause. Youth Softball and Baseball: Sign up soon or call for team availability. The fee to play is $55 with a $35 refundable uniform deposit. Age divisions are 8-10 years old; 11-12 years old, and 13-15 years old. Games are held in and out of town. Practices are held at the Callahan Ballfield Complex and begin the week of May 21. Teams must be turned into the league scheduler by April 18. Tee Ball: Tee ball is for 5-7 year olds and is held at the Callahan Ballfield Complex in Parachute. Call for team availability. Program fees are $40 and your child will get a T-shirt to keep.

Right, Jason Fletcher, center, and the Alpine Bank "girls" hold Mary Anderson's new saddle.

Parachute/Battlement Mesa Parks and Recreation is at 259 Cardinal Way, Parachute, 285-0388, parachutebattlementparkandrecreation.org. Check out the website; it’s updated frequently

Left, Amy Beasley, Parachute 4D open buckle winner, Mary Anderson, 4D open saddle winner, and Karol Heflin, Eagle, 4D open buckle winner.

Sponsored by: Jennifer Richardson

Mary Lee Mohrlang, CRS, GRI 970-216-5058 Brandy Swanson, 970-319-3574 73 Sipprelle Drive, Suite J-1, Batlement Mesa, CO 81635

Virtual Tours www.MohrlangJones.com

GRAND VALLEY ECHO • Mid-April/Mid-May 2012, Page 13

O U T D O O R S

Kiwanis Club of Grand Valley/Parachute’s winter ecology 2012 Editor’s note: Why is a wintertime snow trip being featured in this month’s Echo? Because I mistakenly didn’t get these great photos and story into a previous edition. We knew you’d like to see what the Kiwanis Club treated some lucky kids to this past winter.

Photos courtesy of Lynn Shore

By Dan Temple, Kiwanis Club of Grand Valley/Parachute The Kiwanis Club took local fourth graders on their annual snowshoeing trip at Mesa Lakes Lodge up on the Grand Mesa: Jan. 23: Teacher Addie Meek and 22 students Jan. 30: Teacher Sherri Nickelson and 22 students Jan 31: Teacher Tim Smyser and 22 students Feb 6: Teacher Pamela Lowther and 20 students We again had two activities for the kids to participate in: 1) Sunnyside South: The students learned about our environment and how it is shaped by the climate, topography and other factors. Through a hands-on investigation of north versus south-facing slopes, the students compared several very basic differences. 2) Busy Beaver: We taught the students about beavers building dams to create a

lake. Beavers often build lodges and store food under the water near the lodge. They spend the winter under the ice, and the female beaver gives birth to two to six kits. On the winter ecology trip, boy and girl students representing beavers built dams, shelter and collected food before winter. Then the rest of the kids – the family – did the same activity again.

KSUN

continued from previous page

Floyd McDaniel, retired businessman, dedicates many hours each week to keep programs organized. The board meets monthly on the fourth Tuesday at 3 p.m. at BMAC to discuss programming, memberships, fundraising, underwriting and community outreach. These meetings are open to the public. There are opportunities for community members to help with station operations and KSUN needs more volunteers to solicit new underwriters, produce new shows, help with fundraising and serve as committee members on special projects. KSUN broadcasts Grand Valley football and basketball. It streams its signal on the Internet so it can be heard all over the world. Expenses include music fees paid to several organizations, liability insurance, hardware and software updates, rent, telephone and Internet. Tune in to 103.9 on your FM dial. If you can’t pick up the signal, call the station at 285-2246 for assistance. The station’s range is about 15 miles east and west: DeBeque to Rifle along the I-70 corridor. Listeners can acquire a program schedule from the studio or view the schedule online at ksunradio.org. The next board meeting is April 24 at 3 PM at BMAC. KSUN is a 501c3, taxexempt organization and donations to KSUN are tax deductible.

Have you heard the exciting news? Mary Jane Wahlman & Jane Chapman Owners of Bodacious Bites Bistro & Catering Will soon be opening their doors at 71 Tamarisk Trail in Battlement Mesa Watch for further information as we get closer to our opening date.

Page 14, GRAND VALLEY ECHO • Mid-April/Mid-May 2012

Echo Briefs

Take a Hint Household How-to Hints by Barbara Barker Put marbles in the bottom of your double boiler • If you are one egg short for the cake, just add two tablespoons of mayonnaise; you’ll be the only one who’ll know. • A few drops of wintergreen oil on a cotton ball will make the house smell fresh and clean for months.

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.”

• Use LifeSavers candies as birthday candleholders; they are colorful and inexpensive. • For kids’ fun, supply them with fresh lemon juice, which they may use as ink. They can write secret messages with toothpicks dipped in the lemon juice. To read the messages after the juice has dried, place the paper in the sun or hold it near a light bulb (not too close). The juice turns brown and words magically appear. • Do not place houseplants near a radiator. Dry, hot rooms are not good for growing plants. Remove plants to a cool part of the house at night. • After making soups in quantity, pour into bread pans or ice trays and freeze. Turn out soup and wrap in plastic; in this form, the soup takes less space in the freezer. • Put marbles in the bottom of the double boiler; when water boils down the marbles will warn you.

– Carrie Click

National Day of Prayer is May 3 The Kiwanis Club of Grand Valley/Parachute is sponsoring an interdenominational prayer service at the flag pole in front of Parachute Town Hall on May 3 from 12-1 p.m. “One Nation Under God” is this year’s theme for the 61st annual National Day of Prayer. Light refreshments will be served afterward in the community room of the Parachute Branch Library. For more information call 309-0363. – Charlie Hornick

• Drop a thimble over the center tube of the percolator before adding coffee grounds. • To prevent a crust from forming inside the lid and around the rim of jars of mustard, chili sauce, honey, etc., cover the top of the jar with plastic wrap before screwing on the lid. • Before opening a package of bacon, roll it in a tube. This loosens slices and keeps them from sticking together. Roll with bacon facing out and put a rubber band around before storing. • For extra ice cubes for parties, make in muffin tins; they’re larger and last longer. • Remove bottom screws from towel rack brackets and replace with cup hooks to hang washcloths, small towels, etc. • When traveling, always pack a candle to rub on zippers that refuse to budge; also can be useful in the event of a power failure. • Put those old computer mouse pads under the washing machine to keep it from “walking” across the floor. • Use air freshener to clean mirrors. • Try eating pumpkin seeds. They contain zinc, magnesium, iron, phosphorus, calcium, plus vitamin A and B vitamins. These elements, particularly the zinc, can lead to more sex hormones being produced, thus boosting one’s sex drive. • Pressing frozen spinach dry inevitably leaves a mess. Try puncturing the bag a few times and set it aside in a bowl to defrost. Once the spinach has thawed, just squeeze the bag and the water will drain out of the holes without the mess. • Convert an old grill – plant herbs in it; you have an herb garden. • When planting peas, place a few tomato cages along the rows on their sides. As the peas come up, they vine onto the cages, which makes for good support and easy picking later in the season. • Baby wipes prevent carpet stains. They work well on everything from tomato sauce splatters to coffee spills, and are great for cleaning up after a little dog. • Keep bananas from turning dark in fruit salad by dunking the unpeeled banana into boiling water until the skin starts to turn black. Barbara Barker of Battlement Mesa has lots more of these hints, which she’ll reveal in future issues of the Echo.

Village Artists is on April 24 The Village Artists meet next on April 24 with Nancy Stranger, who will talk about copyrights for visual artists. We will be meeting at the library 1 p.m. as usual. Everyone is welcome. Refreshments will be served. On March 27, Village Artists and a few friends met at the library for a very interesting meeting. We were shown a gradual painting using frost-colored chalk by Maggie Cook. who had moved to Grand Junction from Battlement Mesa about 4 years ago. Maggie answered questions and discussed reasons for some of the movements she made in her sketch. As Maggie continued to use the chalk in different ways, a peaceful scene appeared of a grassy bank along a river and trees. – Joline Gnatek, Village Artists

Literacy Outreach receives grant Literacy Outreach has been awarded a grant of $17,000 by Aspen Community Foundation. According to Literacy Outreach Executive Director Martha Fredendall, the grant will be used to fund a part-time volunteer coordinator, which benefits all residents of Garfield County and the surrounding areas. Literacy Outreach was started in 1986 by a group of concerned citizens to meet the needs of people who need one-onone literacy education and trained tutors to teach them. During the past 25 years, volunteers have provided weekly tutoring to more than 1,400 clients. Individualized instruction provides a flexible alternative to the traditional classroom and allows the students to continue their education in spite of demanding work schedules, long commutes and lack of transportation or childcare. For more information about Literacy Outreach, go to literacyoutreach.org – Literacy Outreach

GRAND VALLEY ECHO • Mid-April/Mid-May 2012, Page 15

H E A LT H

Mesa Vista News A happy birthday for Yvonne Erickson

Living with Crohn’s disease? You are not alone

By Mesa Vista Assisted Living Residence Activity Director Kathy Germano

By Karen Klink, Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of America, Rocky Mountain Division public relations

We certainly have enjoyed our lunch outings at the senior centers in Rifle and Parachute. We are planning more in the month to come. Everyone is so gracious and welcoming. We are the happy recipients of a brand new large flat screen TV thanks to Brad, Dustin and Jason of A-1 Heating. The residents enjoyed Saturday “movie time” on the big screen and also enjoy Wii bowling up close and life-like. The garden club had their first meeting and is preparing the garden plots for the tiller and starting plants in the sunroom for future gardening. We have two performances this month. Bob Thon entertained us on April 10 and Doug Britten is playing ragtime tunes on April 17. We are celebrating one birthday this month for Yvonne Erickson on April 28. Yvonne’s entire family, grandparents, parents, aunt and uncles were born and raised in Dotsero, Colo. Her grandfather helped build the original road through Glenwood Canyon. Yvonne was born in Glenwood Springs in 1921 and was also raised in Dotsero. She moved to Eagle at the age of 12 to attend high school and graduated when she was 16 years old. She raised her family – two daughters and a son – in Glenwood Springs where they all graduated from Glenwood Springs High School. Yvonne has eight grandchildren, multiple great grandchildren and two great great grandchildren. Happy birthday, Yvonne! Mesa Vista Assisted Living Residence in Parachute/Battlement Mesa is part of the Senior Housing Options network of residences and apartments providing housing for older adults in Colorado.

Senior Center News Chair massages, sun catchers, and a balancing class By Mitzi Burkhart On April 17 at 10 a.m., Tips and Talks on Tuesdays is offering relaxing chair massages by Claudia Santa Cruz and Carla Delgado along with simple exercises to music. And creative juices will flow as the group paints colorful sun catchers. Light refreshments will be served, so come to the senior center to take part. In May, a free eight-week Matter of Balance class will start May 10 at 2 p.m., at the Senior Center. The sessions will continue every Thursday from 2-3:30 pm for eight weeks. The goal is to learn how to manage falls and increase activity levels for older adults. Advance registration is not required. And at 10 a.m. on May 15, the senior center hosts crafts and a potluck lunch before the Tips and Talks on Tuesday group disbands for the summer. Everyone should bring scissors and scotch tape for the craft. The group will create two different kinds of greeting cards with all materials provided. Mabel Yeatts will explain and help in making beautiful iris paper folding cards, and Kearston Cameron will assist in making traditional cards with stamps, stickers and glitter. A potluck lunch will top off this last meeting till September, so bring a dish to share for lunch. Everyone is invited, even if this is your first visit. These activities are taking place at the Parachute Valley Senior Center, 540 N. Parachute Ave., Parachute, 285-7934.

Do you live with Crohn’s, ulcerative colitis or any other form of irritable bowel disorder (IBD)? Do you know someone who does? You are not alone. This is the “silent disease” because most people who live with IBD don’t want to talk about it. However, getting educated and educating others about IBD is your first step in making your or your loved one’s life easier. The Rocky Mountain Chapter of the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of America (CCFA) will be hosting two upcoming educational programs locally in April. Both programs will feature a panel of experts – doctors as well as local residents who are living with IBD – and they are free to everyone in the community. The first program, titled “Understanding Inflammatory Bowel Disease,” will feature Dr. Jason M Collins from Glenwood Medical Associates and takes place on April 17 from 7-9 p.m. at Valley View Hospital in Glenwood Springs. Attendees will be able to speak to Dr. Collins after the program to learn more about treatments and disease management. The second program, “Nutrition & IBD: Choices for Adults and Kids,” features Mickie Hosack, clinical dietician for Grand River Hospital and Medical Center and will be held on April 24 from 79 p.m. at Grand River Hospital. There will be light refreshments and information on the upcoming Take Steps Walk for Crohn’s & Colitis scheduled for June 3 at Centennial Park in Rifle from 4-6 p.m. This annual walk, picnic and festival is sponsored by Alpine Bank and promises to be a fun afternoon of music, festivities and companionship. Bring the kids! To register, go to http://online.ccfa.org/glenwoodspringsibdInfo for the first program and http://online.ccfa.org/riflenutrition for the second. For more information on either program or on the Take Steps Walk in June, please contact Mary Lee Mohrlang at 216-5058 or Mary Moore at 3098589.

Health Briefs Grand River Hospital nurses chosen as regional Nightingale Award recipients Two nurses from Grand River Hospital in Rifle have been chosen as regional Nightingale Award recipients. Each region of Colorado conducts a nomination process culminating in the state Nightingale Awards for Excellence in Human Caring sponsored by the Colorado Nurses Foundation. “This is the first time that Grand River Hospital RNs have been finalists for this award and we couldn’t be more proud of them,” says Mary DesOrmeau, Grand River Hospital’s chief nursing officer. Both Maria and Stacy are attending the state Nightingale Awards on May 19 to represent the Western Slope. – Annick Pruett, Grand River Hospital District

Free children’s immunizations offered April 19-21 Garfield County Public Health is offering free children’s immunizations on April 19 from 8:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m., April 20 from 8:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m., and April 21 from 10 a.m.- 2 p.m. at the public health office in Rifle (across from City Market). There is no charge for children ages newborn through 18. Please bring your immunizations records and call 625-5200 for more information. Immunizations will also be available at the Glenwood Springs public health office (next to Valley View Hospital) during the same times and dates. – Carrie Godes, Garfield County Public Health

Have a story idea? Contact the Echo gve@crystalvalleyecho.com

Page 16, GRAND VALLEY ECHO • Mid-April/Mid-May 2012

Grand Valley Fire Protection District

Beret's Book Bag

By Grand Valley Deputy Fire Chief Rob Ferguson

Spring into a great book

Ramping up for wildland fire season

Let's spring into some great books.

Grand Valley Fire Protection District covers a wide area of residential, commercial and some very remote areas with fire suppression, emergency medical services, fire prevention, public education and training in cardiac pulmonary resuscitation (CPR). The district covers roughly 321 square miles. This is I-70 from mile marker 66.4 to mile marker 82.5, then all the way north to Rio Blanco County and south to Mesa County, including three-quarters of a square mile of Mesa County. If you should have any questions, comments or concerns, please feel free to contact Deputy Fire Chief Rob Ferguson at 285-9119 or by e-mail at gvfpdops@sopris.net. For the month of March 2012, the fire district responded to 52 calls for service: 18 fire incidents 2 structure fires 5 fire alarms If you should 9 brush fires/fire outside/trash/rubbish have an 17 emergency medical calls emergency, 5 vehicle crashes please call 3 public assists 911 as soon 1 gas leaks/hazmat assignments 2 smoke/odor removal as possible! 2 dispatched and cancelled en route In addition, six commercial quick reference/company safety inspections were conducted. Training hours per crew: 19.5 Green crew 14.5 Black crew 27 Red crew The fire district is ramping up for wildland fire season. We will be testing our pumps, inspecting hand tools, and testing our fire hoses. Staff will be conducting their annual wildland pack test, which is a three-mile hike with a 45-pound backpack on. They must complete the hike in 45 minutes and 45 seconds. We will also be doing our annual refresher classes for wildland firefighting. Remember we are still issuing burn permits up until Memorial Day. No burning is allowed after dark. Once the winds start kicking up like each year, all open burns will need to be extinguished by noon each day. Please remember to have enough clear space between you home and any brush to minimize your homes risk to wildland fires. This area could be 30 feet or more depending on vegetation and how steep the slope is of your property. If you should have an emergency, please call 911 as soon as possible!

“Poison Flower” by Thomas Perry “Poison Flower” is book seven in the Jane Whitefield series about a woman who helps people disappear. They might be running from crime bosses or wives of abusive men. Jane, the main character, uses her heritage and her guts and brains to help people escape from bad circumstances and live. Jane is gritty, sympathetic, caring, brilliant and trustworthy. Trickles of her Seneca Native American wisdom add to her character without being overwhelming. Jane is taken hostage, and returns to her "real" life with a very satisfying ending. I recommend it absolutely.

“The Survivor's Club” by Ben Sherwood It's 2012. Some believe there will be a worldwide economic collapse, a sunspot could act as a bomb and knock out every electronic and machine in the world, or there could be a huge tidal tsunami similar to what hit Japan. In “The Survivors Club: The Secrets and Science that Could Save Your Life,” Ben Sherwood looks at what you need to know to be a survivor of a global catastrophe. In the book he answers questions such as which is the safest seat on an airplane? Where is the best place to have a heart attack? How can birthdays be hazardous to your health? His writing is very engaging and accessible. It's interesting to hear what he thinks about who will survive and why. I recommend it. Beret Brenckman, is an avid reader, book owner and bibliophile. If it has to do with books or reading she's on it! She's the librarian for Bea Underwood Elementary and St John Elementary schools and a former assistant branch manager at the Parachute Branch Library. Beret's been reading and recommending books for years...even if she has to sneak up next to you at the bookstore and gush. Go to Beret at https://sites.google.com/site/beretsbooks/ for more recommendations!

GRAND VALLEY ECHO • Mid-April/Mid-May 2012, Page 17

A R T S

“Stars of Tomorrow” highlights stars of today By J. Steven Randol, Kiwanis Club of Grand Valley/Parachute Grand Valley Middle School (GVMS) student “Stars of Tomorrow” Jonathan Smith won this winners year’s “Stars of Jonathan Smith – Tomorrow” talent show GVMS – piano - $500 on March 7 for his piano Gabrielle Coleman – performance. (See box for GVMS – piano - $300 a rundown of winners.) Katilynn Keeling – Jonathan is eligible to GVHS – voice and piano - $200 advance to the Kiwanis Jason Carrassco, Mickey district show held in April Carpenter, Emil France, Alyssa in Ft. Collins. His fees Grajalez, Kylee Tucker and will be paid for by the Tye Wedhorn – Kiwanis Club. GVMS – skit - $100 Contestants came from DeBeque and Grand Valley high schools and Grand Valley Middle School. The acts were instrumental, vocal, gymnastic, dance, and a poetry reading. There was good attendance at the show. Now in its second year locally, the show is put on by the Kiwanis Club of Grand Valley/Parachute, and was held at Grand Valley High School (GVHS) in Parachute. The show’s chairperson was Opal Morganthaler with Bill Coelho assisting her, and Ryan Frink, Jory Sorensen, and David Walck served as co-chairs. Master of ceremonies was Linda Prendergast who did an excellent job and added great humor. Dr. Bob Toll, Laurel Koning, and Mary Jane Wahlman were judges, and stage hands were The Key Club, a Kiwanis-sponsored youth organization at GVHS. In charge of the spotlight was Tristan Lamon; the sound coordinator was Bailey Ann Merry, and Mara Mayfield handled the lights. The Kiwanis Club meets every Tuesday at 7 a.m. at the Parachute Branch Library’s Community Room. Come by if you are interested in being a part of serving our children and community by being a Kiwanian.

E N T E R TA I N M E N T

“The Music Man” is on his way to the Grand Valley By Mark Gregory, Grand Valley High School Language Arts and Theatre Arts educator GVHS TheatreCo producer/ director

Loyal theatre aficionados have several opportunities to enjoy the Grand Valley High School (GVHS) TheatreCo’s production of “The Music Man.” This show features students from GVHS, Grand Valley Middle School, and Bea Underwood Elementary School. “The Music Man” is the wellloved story of “Professor” Harold Hill, a fast talking traveling salesman and his idea of starting a boys band in a small town. The musical has romance, Americana and lots of memorable songs, such as “Seventy-Six Trombones,” “Ya Got Trouble,” and “Til There Was You.” Performances are April 19-21 at 7 p.m. at Cardinal Hall at the high school, 800 Cardinal Way, in Parachute. A four-course dinner theater package is offered for $30 for students and seniors with proper identification, and $35 for general admission. Tickets are available for just the performance for $5 for students and seniors, and $8 for general admission. Discounts are available pre-sale for performance-only tickets. For tickets and more information, contact Tracy Chartier at 285-5705.

Movies Under the Stars ramping up for the summer

Celtic guitarist Jerry Barlow gives concert at Parachute Branch Library

By Laurel Koning, Echo contributor

By Parachute Branch Library Manager Karol Sacca

We are hard at work to offer Movies Under the Stars on the lawn at the Battlement Mesa Activity Center again this summer. We hope to show four movies over the course of the summer in an absolute perfect setting – and these movie offerings will be free to all. But in order to have this project move forward, we need some additional hands now! Assistance is needed in the planning stages for the movie selections, recruitment of snack vendors, advertising and onsite support. If you can step up and help, please give me, Laurel, a call at 285-1258. In order to have these movies offered to the community, we are also looking for additional sponsors to help defer the licensing fees. If your organization can help, again please let me know. This year, we’re allowing four groups to manage the popcorn and pop stand – and keep the proceeds for their group! If you know of a group that might be interested (school, church, social, etc.) we need to know now. You will be assigned one night that your group will have the opportunity to sell and earn money toward your group’s efforts. And the popcorn machine will be supplied for each group’s use. This event was great fun for all of last year’s attendees. We hope that you can join us on the grass to enjoy our great summer movie schedule. See you Under the Stars!

Celtic fingerstyle guitarist Jerry Barlow is giving a concert at the Parachute Branch Library at 7 p.m. on April 28. Jerry’s unique and skillfully delivered repertoire incorporates favorite traditional pieces as well as his own Celtic-inspired compositions. In concert, Jerry brings traditional Celtic tunes alive by sharing the history, humor, and legends behind the music. “Jerry Barlow [is] a performer who is skilled, funny and riveting,” said bagpiper Scott Beach, the director of Colorado Celtic Entertainment that represents Jerry. Jerry’s newest CD, “Fields and Fences,” was released in late October 2011 to excellent reviews. It has been nominated for Instrumental Album of the Year by the Independent Music Association. The Indie Acoustic Project, an international award that celebrates the best independent acoustic music, selected the title song from Jerry’s CD, “Bring Down the Storm,” as “one of the best songs of 2006.” Songs from his first CD, “Keepsake,” were included in a PBS documentary “Song of our Children.” Music from “Bring Down the Storm” is featured in the new University of Colorado documentary, “Learn about Climate.” Jerry’s music can be heard regularly on many National Public Radio stations. He has been featured in Fingerstyle Guitar magazine, and was profiled in the February 2011 issue of Celtic Connection. He has performed in the Gates Auditorium for the University of Denver’s Lamont School of Music, the Arvada Center for the Performing Arts, and is a favorite of High Plains Public Radio’s Living Room Concert Series in Amarillo, Texas. Tickets for Jerry Barlow’s concert on April 28 at the library are $5 at the door or in advance. For more information and to purchase tickets, contact the library at 285-9870.

Page 18, GRAND VALLEY ECHO • Mid-April/Mid-May 2012

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S C H O O L S

Striver of the Month: Luis Vicencio By Tarianna Lawrence, GVHS

Luis Vicencio is a very caring person, who is determined to go far in life.

Luis Vicencio strived to become Striver of the Month. He stays on top of his sports and his academics while being a great role model for the rest of the students at Grand Valley High School. How did you become Striver of the month? Vicencio says, “I did my job; which involves doing homework, trying my best in class, and having a good attitude towards school.” What are some future goals you have? Vicencio says, “I plan to go towards a medical field and become a doctor to prove to myself that nothing is impossible.” How is the school year going for you as a sophomore this year? Vicencio says, “It’s going great, I’m finding new skills in me that I never knew I had, and I’m also trying out a new sport for the first time, which is baseball.” Who is your role model that you look up to and why? Vicencio says, “This may sound funny but my dad Angel is my role model. He has taught me that life is always going to be against your goals and it is our choice if we want to stand up for them.” What are some hobbies that you are interested in? Vicencio says, “I play the guitar and piano, sketch, and play soccer every weekend.” What are some accomplishments that you are proud of? Vicencio says, “This year like mentioned before I found new skills in me. I learned how to play piano and guitar.”

Student of the Month: Sierra Berger

Sierra smiles with the excitement of being Student of the Month.

By Artemio Baltazar, GVHS Sierra Berger is the student of the month. She was chosen by Grand Valley High School staff for her intelligences, dedication as a student, and positive attitude. She is a sophomore at Grand Valley High School. She is a great student that works really hard to accomplish what she sets her mind to. She was involved in softball and basketball, also is a member of key club. She is a well minded student who was chosen for her great abilities. How did you become Student of the Month? “I became Student of the Month by doing my work, paying attention, working hard, studying hard, and keeping up with basketball.” What are some future goals you have? “A few future goals that I have are to keep up with softball and basketball to give it my all, and to become the best; also after graduating high school my main goal is to go off to college.” What are some hobbies you are interested in? “One of my main hobbies is sports, and I like to be involved in activities. Another hobby that I often do is reading. This is one of my favorite hobbies that I have.” Who is your role model that you look up to and why? “My mother is one of the biggest role models in my life because she has been through various things and she is still strong and I hope I can be that strong when I grow older.” She is a great student and will keep working hard to accomplish her goals in life, and keep her mind work-oriented instead of result-oriented. She will continue to do her best, and she has faith that whatever result she gets, is the best of her. Keep working hard so you can accomplish anything you want to. Great job Sierra Berger for being chosen as Student of the Month!

St John Elementary hosts Scholastic Book Fair April 23-27 By Beret Brenckman, St John and Bea Underwood librarian St John Elementary is hosting a Scholastic Book Fair from April 23-27. The Book Fair will be open daily from 7:30-8:30 a.m. and 3-4 p.m. The book fair will also be open during the St John Elementary Talent Show on April 27. The fair follows a similar event earlier in the month at Bea Underwood Elementary. The fair offers specially priced books and educational products, including popular series, award-winning titles, new releases, adult bestsellers, and other great reads from more than 100 publishers. Book fair customers may help the school build classroom libraries by purchasing books through the Classroom Wish List program. In addition, the fair is featuring the One for Books program, where kids can share the thrill of reading by donating loose change to purchase books from the fair for the school library. Scholastic matches monetary donations with a donation of up to one million books, which go to national nonprofit organizations dedicated to helping families in need, such as the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation, Kids in Distressed Situations, Inc., and Kids In Need Foundation. Funds raised will help purchase books for the St John Elementary Library. Families, faculty, and the community are invited to attend this fun reading event that helps inspire children to become lifelong readers. A special guest will pose for pictures and read from “Pig-Boy: A Trickster Tale From Hawai’i” by Gerald McDermott. St John Elementary is located at 0460 Stone Quarry Road, in Parachute. For more information, contact Beret Brenckman, librarian, St John Elementary and Bea Underwood elementary schools, 285-5704, bbrenckman@garfield16.org.

THIS PAGE SPONSORED BY:

GARFIELD COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 16 www.garcoschools.org

GRAND VALLEY ECHO • Mid-April/Mid-May 2012, Page 19

O U R

S C H O O L S

Grand Valley Center for Family Learning

Involving Parents and Children

Terrific Kids for March 2012

Preschool and kindergarten rounding up on April 26

The Parachute/Battlement Mesa Kiwanis Club sponsors Bea Underwood and St John elementary schools’ Terrific Kids. The program promotes character development and self-esteem. “TERRIFIC” is an acronym meaning Thoughtful, Enthusiastic, Respectful, Inclusive, Friendly, Inquisitive and Capable.

By Grand Valley Center for Family Learning Principal Rebecca Ruland As we look at children beginning their formal education experience in kindergarten, Garfield No. 16 School District has chosen a cutoff date – Aug. 15 – for children enrolling in kindergarten. Children must be 5 by that date to register. Some may consider that an arbitrary date and may wish to enroll a child in kindergarten who turns 5 after that date. It is important to keep in mind that veteran kindergarten teachers selected that timeline because their deepest desire is for children to succeed in kindergarten. This date has been defended several times in recent years to the board of education. Here is why. Teachers cannot expedite maturity. The expectations of today’s kindergarten classroom are much like the first grade classroom that you or I may have attended. The emphasis is on early literacy and math skills and the pace is relatively fast. Kids are expected to transition from the concrete and rich experiences of their earlier years into more of an abstract world noted by the symbols necessary to learn to read and write. They are expected to sit and listen for longer periods of time and navigate within a structure they may not have had before, alongside a network of peers entirely new. For this milestone, we want kids to be as ready as possible. Many people think that whatever disadvantage a younger child faces in kindergarten eventually goes away. It may not. Small early advantages or disadvantages can lock children into patterns of achievement or underachievement that continue. Test scores often speak to the gains older children make relative to their younger peers. A study by Kelly Bedard and Elizabeth Dhuey looked at the relationship between scores on the Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) and the month and birth of children who took it. Among fourth graders, the oldest children scored somewhere between four and 12 percentile points better that the youngest children. This means that if you take two intellectually equivalent fourth graders with birthdays at opposite ends of the cutoff date, the older student could score in the 18th percentile, while the younger one could score in the 68th percentile. Students who are socially and emotionally ready for school do not need to spend their time and energy trying to catch up to their peers, and are more likely to leave kindergarten as confident learners. This advantage, confidence, could propel their success for the grades to come. Preschool programs The Center for Learning (CFL) has nearly 125 preschool aged children enrolled. Eighty-five percent of those children attend preschool through state or federal funding. A small percentage of families pay tuition at a low cost of $125 a month. We have 70 Colorado Preschool Program (CPP) slots that provide free preschool for children who qualify. Head Start, a federally funded program, also provides preschool at CFL. The goals and requirements of both these programs are similar, but not identical. Both programs run Monday through Thursday, and both programs use Teaching Strategies Gold as their planning and progress-monitoring tool. Most of the programs are half day; however, we presently offer one full day preschool program that is a collaboration between Head Start and CPP. It is managed by Head Start. The minimum age requirement for entering preschool is 3. For CPP children, the child must be 3 by Aug. 15. Children should be potty trained before entering. For CPP slots, preference will be given to 4 year olds to receive state funding although we do have 3 year olds in the program. Children who qualify for special education also receive free preschool. Preschool and kindergarten rounds up this month} For more information about these programs and to register your child for the next school year, please plan to attend the Preschool/Kindergarten Round Up scheduled this month on April 26 from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Teachers will be available to speak to you and help you through the application process. Translation will also be available. We will also have a parent session at the Grand Valley Center for Family Learning on April 23 from 11 a.m.-12 p.m. to discuss readiness for kindergarten. Come join us!

Bea Underwood Elementary School March’s Terrific Kids from Bea Underwood are, from left, first row, Opal Morganthaler (Kiwanis representative), Leticia Corral Baeza, Carter Galloway, Mallory Goodman, Matt Piquette (BUE counselor); second row, Taylor Drinkhouse, Braiden Burnette, Kaylie Stark; third row, Kenlei Edgar, Kallie Gutierrez, Isaac Tigert, and Trenton Smith

St John Elementary School March’s Terrific Kids from St John are, from left, first row, Collin Johnson, Lizbeth Vicencio, Brianna Baeza, and Lyndsey Wells; second row, Bill Coelho, Opal Morgenthaler (Kiwanis representatives), Kellen Jansen, Katie Parmenter, Luis Castro, Evelyn Lane, Brooke Shope, Dylan Sprague, and Kathy Keeling (principal).

Congratulations to all of March’s Terrific Kids!

THIS PAGE SPONSORED BY:

GARFIELD COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 16 www.garcoschools.org

Page 20, GRAND VALLEY ECHO • Mid-April/Mid-May 2012

Nature at Home and Afield

April is National Donate Life Month

By Betsy Leonard

Ecological land-use planning can help determine Battlement Mesa’s future

Just because we do not live in a city does not mean that we do not have to consider how we use our land. As our community expands, it becomes ever more critical to use comprehensive, regional ecological land-use planning. Okay, hold on a minute. In the past, much land-use planning has been based on the assumption that substantial future population growth and economic development should be encouraged, regardless of environmental and other consequences. Battlement Mesa was spared that philosophy because, through the Exxon Corporation, it had a master plan. But, now conditions have changed and it is important to think about how we will develop Battlement Mesa in the future. Ecological land-use planning is a complex process that takes into account geological, ecological, health, economic, and social factors. Admittedly, this type of planning sounds good on paper, but it is not widely used for several reasons: • Authorities tend to focus on short-term rather than long-term problems. • People are reluctant to pay for the extra expense of ecological land-use planning and its implementation even though a well-designed plan can prevent or ease many problems and save money in the long run. • It is often difficult to get communities to cooperate, so the sound planning of one area may be undermined by the unsound planning in another. • Some areas do not have up-to-date maps and lack descriptions of large areas. Once a land-use plan has been developed, governments control the uses of various parcels of land by legal and economic methods. The most widely used approach is zoning, which designates areas for certain use. Despite its usefulness, zoning does have some drawbacks. It can be influenced or modified by developers in ways that can cause environmental harm, such as the destruction of wetlands and open space. Zoning often favors high-priced housing and factories, hotels and other businesses over protecting environmentally sensitive areas because local governments depend on property taxes for revenue. Additionally, overly strict zoning can discourage creative problem solving. For example, a common practice in the United States is to prohibit businesses in residential areas, which increases urban sprawl. Mixed-use zoning helps to reduce urban sprawl, but the current zoning laws often prohibit this. Six basic steps are involved in ecological land-use planning:

1. Make an environmental and social inventory. Professionals survey (a) geological factors (soil types, flood plains, and water availability), (b) ecological factors (wildlife habitats, stream quality, and pollution), (c) economic factors (housing, transportation, and industrial development), and (d) health and social factors (disease, crime rates, and poverty). Typically, a high priority is given to protecting areas critical for preserving water quality, supplying drinking water, and reducing erosion. 2. Develop and prioritize goals. For example, goals may encourage or discourage further economic development; or protect cropland, forests, and wetlands; or reduce erosion. 3. Develop individual and composite maps. Each factor surveyed in the environmental and social inventory is plotted on transparent plastic maps, sometimes using geographic information system (GIS) techniques. Composites are combined making three distinct maps: geological, ecological, and socioeconomic. 4. Develop a master composite. The three maps are combined to form a master composite, which shows how the variables interact and indicates the suitability of various areas for different types of land use. 5. Develop a master plan. A final master plan is drawn up and approved. 6. Implement the master plan. The plan is set in motion, monitored, updated, and revised as needed by the appropriate government, legal, environmental, and social agencies.

We can work toward ecological land-use planning, and a good start is to employ good ecological design. According to David Orr, professor of environmental studies at Oberlin College, it incorporates understanding about how nature works into ways we design, build, and live in just about anything that directly or indirectly uses energy or materials, or governs their use. It will require a new way of thinking about planning. We can do what we set our minds to doing. Betsy Leonard is an environmental education specialist who lives in Parachute.

Losing a loved one can be one of the most difficult experiences a family will go through; yet in the midst of tragedy, many families find comfort and hope by choosing the gift of organ and tissue donation. At the same time families are at the height of their grief, there are more than 112,000 people nationwide who are currently hoping that someone, somewhere, will say yes to donation. In doing so, those who await a transplant are given the precious gift of life and are forever changed.

Colorado’s Donate Life specialty license plate Donate Life Colorado, the state’s organ and tissue donor registry, has created Colorado’s Donate Life license plate. The law requires that a minimum of 3,000 Donate Life plates be in circulation by July 1, 2013. In order to meet this requirement, we are encouraging Colorado’s transplant-related organizations, community, volunteers and those who have been impacted by organ and tissue donation to assist in promoting the plate by purchasing one for your vehicle. The plate can be purchased for a one-time $50 fee at any time of year and does not need to coincide with registration renewal. Funds generated from plate sales will go back to the State of Colorado.

Some organ donation facts: • More than 2,100 Colorado and Wyoming residents are currently on waiting lists to receive lifesaving organ transplants. • Just one donor can save up to eight lives through organ donation and can save and heal more than 100 lives through tissue donation. • Organs that can be donated include the heart, liver, lungs, kidneys, pancreas and small bowel. • Tissue is needed to replace bone, tendons and ligaments lost to severe trauma, cancer, and other diseases. Corneas restore sight, heart valves repair cardiac defects and damage, and skin grafts help burn patients heal. • Anyone interested in giving the gift of life should register their decision regardless of age or health concerns. Don’t rule yourself out. • Virtually all religions support organ and tissue donation as an unselfish act of charity.

Transplantation can only happen with the generosity of organ and tissue donors. Unfortunately, the need for donors is much greater than the number of people who donate. You have the power to change someone’s world by being an organ, eye and tissue donor. Contact 888-256-4386, donatelifecolorado.org for more information.

– Donate Life Colorado

GRAND VALLEY ECHO • Mid-April/Mid-May 2012, Page 21

FA I T H

As I See It

• The Echo Worship Directory • To be listed in The Echo Worship Directory, please contact gve@crystalvalleyecho.com to set up an account, there is a small monthly fee of $10.

The world’s meanest mother

Grace Bible Church

By Pastor Charlie Hornick, Grace Bible Church I was sure when I was growing up that I had the meanest mother in the whole world. Now that I have been away from home for quite a while and have gained some bits of wisdom along the way, I think it is time I vented. My mother started putting pressure on me as an infant, even before I knew what was happening. At the earliest age one could be taken to church she presented me to the pastor and congregation in an act of child dedication. If I did protest I was too young to remember. She said she gave me back to God who then gave me back to her to raise his way. Older family members of mine were at that ceremony and would throw it up to me years later. My mother would even keep reminding God of the pact they had with each other. It would become obvious that there were times she even had God assisting her with raising me. I was not alone in my predicament. I had two other siblings and she and dad would even adopt another. I had three sisters, which is way too many for one boy. At times they shared in my misery while at other times they added to it. Would you believe that my mother made me sit on her lap as she read to me? To make matters worse, as soon as she thought I was ready, she made me learn to read and then read those same books back to her. I would even have to keep repeating words until I got them right. Today, I am an avid reader and somehow can’t stop the obsession of reading books. She was insistent that I learn the multiplication tables, and she would not accept my getting most of them right. She would not stop until I got them all right again and again. To this day I can still recite those same multiplication tables She made me tell her the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help me God. But remember she had God on her side. Growing up I was more afraid of her than I was my principal, my teacher, the CIA, my older sister, and the Russians combined. She would even force me to open my mouth from time to time and shine a flashlight to look at my teeth. At the first sign of a cavity, she dragged me to the dentist. Would you believe she was more interested in my “fillings” than she was my “feelings?” To this day I can grit all my teeth just thinking about her compulsion. Well, I am just getting started concerning her barbarity. She even made me work and work for nothing at times, paying no attention to child labor laws. While struggling to find my manliness she made me take my turn doing the dishes, the laundry, feeding the dog, cleaning up the you know what, and on and on. When I went to college I was the only freshman with white T-shirts. My friends all eventually had pink and gray shirts. None of the rest knew how to use bleach with white clothes. None of them had a mother as mean as mine. She also made me say, “Yes sir,” and “No m’am,” “Please,” and “Thank you,” even when I didn’t feel like it. I felt like such a hypocrite, but she insisted that I practice being polite, because the day would come when I would mean it. She also said it would pay off some day. On those special days of mine – graduation from high school and college and my ordination and my wedding – my mother was there. And you probably already guessed, while everybody else was laughing, she cried. So, when Mother’s Day rolls around, I send her flowers and a card, and call to wish her well. I tell her I am so proud to have her as my mother and thank her for being so mean to me while I was growing up.

755 Spencer Parkway P.O. Box 6248 Battlement Mesa 285-9862 Charlie Hornick, Pastor Jed Johnston, Family Life Pastor Chastity McGillivray, GBC Child Care Missionary Intern, Amy Hamilton Sunday Blessing Up for Church Broadcast 8 a.m. - 103.9 FM Sunday School: 9:30-10:15 a.m. Morning Worship: 10:30 a.m. Evening Service: 5:30 p.m.

All Saints' Episcopal Church 150 Sipprelle Dr. Battlement Mesa 285-7908 Pastor's mobile: 985-5797 The Reverend Edmond-Joseph Rivet, Priest-in-charge Website: allsaintsepiscopal.info Church e-mail: office@allsaintsepiscopal.info Pastor e-mail: frej@allsaintsepiscopal.info Sunday Sunday Eucharist: 10:30 a.m. Choir: 9:30 a.m. Children's Godly Play: 10 a.m. WOW: Worship On Wednesday Contemplative Eucharist: 6 p.m. Soup Social: 6:30 p.m. Episcopal Theology: 7 p.m. •••

Crown Peak Baptist Church 101 W. Battlement Parkway Parachute 285-7946 crownpeakbaptist.com Rick Van Vleet, Senior Pastor Dan LaRue, Associate Pastor Matt Loftin, Youth Pastor Brian Jarrett, Minister of Music Sunday Morning Worship – 8:30 a.m. & 11 a.m. Sunday Morning Bible Study for all ages – 9:45 a.m. (Children's Church offered during 11 a.m. service) Wed. Night Dinner 5:30 p.m. Wed. Night Programs 6:30 p.m. (Adult, Children & Youth Groups) Small groups meet throughout the week ... Visit our website for more information. Come -- Experience God's Power for life & living Know -- Christ through a loving family for fellowship Grow -- In Christ through a foundation of discipleship Go -- With Christ in a ministry of service with a focus for evangelism

•••

Faith Baptist Church 235 N. Railroad Ave. Parachute John Yadloski, Pastor 285-7424 Sunday Sunday School: 9:45 a.m. Morning Worship: 11 a.m. Children’s Church: 11:15 a.m. Wednesday Bible Study: 7 p.m.

Youth / Children’s Activities Grace Bible Church Child Care: Mon – Fri. Boy Scouts – Call for days/times Awana: Tuesdays 6:30pm (Sept. – April) High School Youth: Sun. 5:00-7:00 p.m. Middle School Youth: Wed. 7:00-8:30 p.m. *Bible Studies, Special Activities (Call for times and places) Website: grace-bible-church.com 24-Hour Prayer Line: 256-4693 •••

Grand Valley Christian Church Second Street & Parachute Avenue Parachute Richard Counts, Pastor 285-7597, 260-1080 e-mail: office@mygvcc.info Church Office 285-7597 Sunday worship 10:00 a.m. •••

The Lighthouse (Assembly of God) 1833 S. Battlement Parkway Battlement Mesa 285-7236 or 379-5947 (Pastor's cell) Pastor: Dr. Robert C. McNew Services Sunday school: Sunday, 9:30 a.m. Worship service: Sunday, 10:30 a.m. (Children's Church & Nursery) Ladies’ Bible study and luncheon: Tuesday, 12-2 p.m.

•••

Shepherd of the Mesa (WELS)

Website: shepherdofthemesa.org Bill Cornelius, Pastor 987-3093 Youth Directors: Kristy and Rory Roder, Brandon Downing

Worship: Sunday at 10 a.m. Bible Information Class: Monday at 7 p.m. Family Bible Study: Wednesday at 7 p.m. Location: Historic Battlement Mesa Schoolhouse on County Road 300 Lutheran Catechism: Wednesday at 3 p.m. Women’s Bible Study Group: Monday at 9:30 a.m. Location: 12 Rosewood Way In Home Bible Study throughout the week. Call for times and locations in your area.

Grand Valley United Methodist Church 132 N. Parachute Ave. Parachute, Co. 81635 970-285-9892 grandvalleyumc.qwestnet.com We are a Christ-centered congregation committed to biblical and theological openness and inclusiveness. SUNDAY MORNING SCHEDULE Adult Sunday School: 8:30 a.m. Children’s Sunday School: 9:00 a.m. Worship Service at 10:00 a.m. Fellowship Time with refreshments at 11:00 a.m. We have a Communion Service on the First Sunday of every month Our “Awakening Chorus” Choir practices on Wednesdays at 7:00 p.m.

•••

Wellspring of Life Church at Grand Valley Middle School 0364 Sipprelle Drive Parachute Pastor David Bartlett Sunday Service Time: 10 a.m. Youth and Children’s Sunday School 210-5795 210-5849 •••

We Invite you to Attend our Special Services on Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Ash Wednesday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday Tenebrae Service, Easter Sunrise Service and Breakfast. We offer many volunteer opportunities to support community agencies. We host a free luncheon every Monday open to all. We offer a community garden that is free to all. Meditation and Spiritual Growth Group twice a month at 7:00 p.m. Our church has been active in serving the area for 122 years! Come Join Us This Sunday!

Page 22, GRAND VALLEY ECHO • Mid-April/Mid-May 2012

Where’s Redstone?

PUBLISHER’S NOTE: Where’s Redstone – and why should you care? The Grand Valley Echo’s nine-year old sister, The Crystal Valley Echo, is based in Redstone and is the monthly newspaper for the Crystal Valley. Besides, Redstone is a perfect, quick getaway for Grand Valleyites. Get to know your sister: Come visit.

By Carrie Click, Echo editor The Crystal Valley is sharing the same kind of low snowpack conditions as the Grand Valley is this year. Still spring marches on. Even though the Crystal River isn’t exactly raging, trees are still managing to bud out, and deer, elk and bighorn sheep all give birth after the fall mating season. Redstone and Marble too show signs of coming back to life. Several shops

One hour to full day

and restaurants reopen or extend their hours. And sure signs of spring are the

Trail Rides

bicyclists peddling up and down Highway 133 and families peddling along Redstone Boulevard. Further downvalley, the Crystal River Trail offers cyclists and pedestrians a vehicle-free path. Redstone is located on Highway 133, 18 miles south of Carbondale. Take I-

70 to Glenwood Springs and Highway 82 to the junction of Highway 133 at

Carbondale. Hope to see you in Redstone!

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

redstonecolorado.com

We offer fully guided or drop camp hunts for elk, bear, mule deer, mountain goat or bighorn sheep

i|á|à exwáàÉÇxVtáàÄx‹

THE HEART OF REDSTONE WITH A UNIQUE SELECTION OF CENTERPIECES FOR YOUR HOME! REDSTONE CASTLE TOUR TICKETS AVAILABLE HERE! OPEN YEAR ROUND • OPEN DAILY

970-963-1769 225 Redstone Blvd. • Redstone

REDSTONE CASTLE TOURS Saturday, Sunday • 1:30 p.m. (Daily tours start May 14th) Tickets: $15 adults, $10 seniors, 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

www.redstonecastle.us

GRAND VALLEY ECHO • Mid-April/Mid-May 2012, Page 23

THE ECHO CLASSIFIEDS

THE GRAND VALLEY ECHO CLASSIFIED ADS

FOR RENT: FOR RENT: BATTLEMENT MESA – 3 BD/2 BA condo, washer/dryer, AC, 1 car garage, lots of storage; activity center dues included. First month rent ($1,200) and security ($1,200) due upon signing. NS, pets considered. Call 704-0373. FOR RENT: Cottonwood View Apartment Homes in Parachute: 2 bdrm $450, 3 bdrm $550 with 1 year lease. Small pet welcome. W/D, pool, AC, full playground, courtyard with amenities. 970-285-9434, cottonwoodview.com. SERVICES: SERVICES: Mike's Home Maintenance Service - Providing home service for the Battlement area. Lawns mowed from $15-35. Leaf removal/gutters cleaned. General home maintenance. Minor plumbing. House painting. Tree trimming and clean-up, $45-70/tree. (Note: Globe willows shed multiple limbs and excess leaves - this can be controlled with correct trimming.) Call Mike 285-9330.

Only $10 for up to 40 words! (25¢/word after that).

Classified ads MUST be prepaid. Mail your check to: 274 Redstone Blvd., Redstone, CO 81623 and E-MAIL YOUR AD COPY TO: gve@crystalvalleyecho.com

SERVICE DIRECTORY For all your professional plumbing needs Service Work • Boilers • Water Heaters Furnaces • Coolers • Remodels • Leaks Gas • Controls • Radiant Heat

• Basic and Full Service Oil Changes • Automatic Transmission Flushes • Tire Sales • ASE Certified Mechanic on duty full-time

285-9217 Parachute, Rifle and Silt

120 S. Columbine Ct. • Parachute

Steve’s Painting & Decorating Inc. New Construction, Commercial & Mold Prevention

#1 IN A #2 BUSINESS 24 HOUR EMERGENCY SERVICE! DEBEQUE TO ASPEN RESIDENTIAL • COMMERCIAL • MUNICIPAL • Electronic locate • Rooter work • Unclog lines and drains • RootX Treatments • Hydro-jet of lines/grease traps • Septic tank inspections • Camera/Video inspection of lines 2” to 36” CALL RICK or SCOTT

970-930-0124 P.O. BOX 1349 • RIFLE, CO 81650

TO RUN YOUR AD IN THE GRAND VALLEY ECHO SERVICE DIRECTORY CALL 285-7634 TODAY!

Page 24, GRAND VALLEY ECHO • Mid-April/Mid-May 2012