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Serving the Crystal Valley since 2002 •
THE CRYSTAL VALLEYandE CHO Marble Times Providing a voice for community-based organizations and individuals that enrich the life of the Crystal Valley FREE
January 2013
A Wild and Scenic Crystal River:
Inside
Redstone Art Center page 3
National and local advocates pull for designation
A Wild and Scenic status on the entire Crystal River will keep dams and reservoirs from being built in the Crystal Valley. Currently, the Cache La Poudre River near Fort Collins is the only river in Colorado that has Wild and Scenic proPhoto by Sue McEvoy tection.
Snowshoe race page 5 By Brent Gardner-Smith, Aspen Journalism Editor’s note: The Crystal Valley Echo thanks Brent Gardner-Smith and Aspen Journalism for permission to reprint this story about the Crystal River’s potential designation as a Wild and Scenic River.
Vintage Valley page 6
Coal Days 2012 page 7
Marble Times pages 16-17
Volume 10 Number 1
Most but not all of the Crystal River is suitable for Wild and Scenic river designation. That means the Crystal Valley’s namesake free-flowing river would be protected from damming or being transformed into a reservoir. However, the goal of keeping the Crystal running wild and scenic is far from over. Thirty-nine miles of the Crystal River are already “eligible” for designation under the federal Wild and Scenic Rivers Act. Now four organizations are building local support to determine if much of the river is also “suitable” for protection under the act. Passed in 1968, the act allows local and regional communities to develop a federally backed management plan designed to preserve and protect a free-flowing river such
as the Crystal River, which runs from the back of the Maroon Bells to the lower Roaring Fork River through Crystal, Marble, Redstone and Carbondale. Wild and Scenic status, which ultimately requires an act of Congress to obtain, prevents a federal agency from approving, or funding, a new dam or reservoir on a Wild and Scenic-designated river. And that’s one big reason why Pitkin County, the Roaring Fork Conservancy, the Crystal Valley Environmental Protection Association (CVEPA) and American Rivers are exploring Wild and Scenic status for the Crystal — because it would likely block a potential dam and reservoir from being built at Placita, an old coal town between Marble and Redstone. Fighting over a potential dam The West Divide Water Conservancy District and the Colorado River District are fighting to retain conditional water rights that could allow for a dam across the Crystal and a 4,000-acre-foot reservoir. The river district says such a reservoir
could put more water in the often parched lower Crystal River in the fall and could also provide hydropower. But the county, CVEPA and American Rivers are actively opposing the renewal of the conditional water rights tied to the dam and a 21-day trial in district water court is scheduled for August. In the meantime those groups, plus the Conservancy, are testing local sentiment about seeking Wild and Scenic designation. “We want to disseminate as much information as possible to the public about the Wild and Scenic program, and then ask the folks in the Crystal River Valley if they think it is a good idea to pursue,” said Pitkin County Attorney John Ely, who leads most of the county’s water-related initiatives. To that end, the groups held two public meetings in mid-November, one in Redstone attended by 57 people and one in Carbondale with 35 people there. Four panelists, one from the Forest Service, one from American Rivers, and two from other organizations with experience in
continued on page 14
The staff at The Crystal Valley Echo would like to wish everyone a wonderful, peaceful, prosperous 2013! Happy New Year.
Page 2, Crystal Valley Echo & Marble Times
MISSION STATEMENT: To provide a voice for Crystal Valleyites; to bring attention to the individuals and local businesses that are the fabric of the Crystal Valley region; to contribute to the vitality of our small town life. Publisher Alyssa Ohnmacht Editor Carrie Click Staff Writer Sue McEvoy Assistant Copy Editor Jae Julgran Advertising Sales Alyssa Ohnmacht • 963-2373 echo@crystalvalleyecho.com Distribution Dawn Distribution • 963-0874
Contributors to this issue of The Crystal Valley Echo: Brent Gardner-Smith, Aspen Journalism, Monica Miller, Bettie Lou Gilbert, John Emerick, George Newman, Renelle Lott, Kelsey Been, Roaring Fork Conservancy, Barbara Rynearson, Cindy Marks, Jackie Dearborn, YouthEntity, Bruce Gledhill, Gracie Carbondale Marble Charter School students and staff
The Crystal Valley Echo is published monthly, and is distributed throughout the entire Crystal Valley. Home delivery is available for many locations throughout the valley. Newspaper box locations: Carbondale City Market (inside) • Village Smithy Carbondale Post Office • Dos Gringos • Red Rock Diner Redstone General Store • Marble Charter School The Echo is also available at businesses from El Jebel to Glenwood Springs and throughout the Crystal Valley. For subscriptions Please send $35 and address information to: The Crystal Valley Echo 274 Redstone Blvd., Redstone, CO 81623 For information Please contact us: 963-2373 echo@crystalvalleyecho.com
All copy submitted to The Crystal Valley Echo will be edited and reviewed by our staff for style, grammar and content. The Crystal Valley Echo reserves the right to refuse publication of any submitted material that does not meet the our standards for a positive, informative, educational community newspaper.
JANUARY 2013
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Askews are new owners of the Redstone Art Center By Sue McEvoy, Echo staff writer The Redstone Art Center, right in the heart of Redstone, has new artist owners. Stephanie and Michael Askew purchased the gallery and studio located at 173 Redstone Blvd. recently from longtime owner Bev Goss. The Askews are currently in the process of renovating the 115-year-old building, relocating to Redstone from their home in Plano, Texas and running the gallery, all while adding new ideas and artists to the well-loved business. They have three daughters: Micaela, 23, Jessi, 22, and Natalie, 18. In addition to the necessary repairs, Stephanie and Michael plan to renovate the center portion of the building, formerly used for sculpting marble, into a working studio for Michael’s wood turning, Stephanie’s pottery-making and a space for visiting artists to conduct workshops. “By opening the studio doors in nice weather, visitors strolling down the Boulevard can have a front-row seat watching glass blowing, pottery throwing or wood turning,” said Stephanie. “We will also continue the gallery sculpture gardens and add walking paths and more sculled gardens to enhance all of the future artists’ works.” On a camping trip in the Crystal Valley with their daughters in 2005, the Askews visited Redstone, eating ice cream at the Redstone General Store, going to the Redstone Company Store and meeting Bev Goss at the Redstone Art Center. “We were so impressed that there was so much to see and do in this charming little town with its own castle,” said Stephanie. While searching for places to retire in Colorado in 2007, they stayed at Casa Montana in Redstone Ranch Acres and became friends with owners Michael and Betty Daniels. While housesitting for the Daniels in 2010, Stephanie met many local residents and merchants, all the while making mental notes about the many obvious reasons Redstone could be the place that she and Michael could live out their dreams of retiring in a magical mountain oasis. In 2011, they received a call from Bev Goss that she was planning to retire and sell the gallery and studio. The purchase was completed in 2012 and they now have a place to display their own art as well as almost 20 of the renowned artists already featured. Michael is a photographer who specializes in large format (4 x 5) both in black and white and color. He travels widely, shooting unusual designs in nature and architecture and has won multiple awards and has been featured in shows. His goal is to communicate the mystery and majesty of these many designs and forms through his traditional and handcrafted platinum/palladium prints, according to the art center’s website redstoneart.com. Stephanie is an avid outdoors person and totes her paints, brushes, easel and chair to remote locations in order to paint on site. She paints in watercolors and oils with her favorite subjects being botanicals, mountain landscapes and beaches. She is also a singer of classical and big band jazz and has taught piano, voice and guitar for many years.
Michael and Stephanie Askew, new owners of The Redstone Art Center.
Photo by Alyssa Ohnmacht
As the creative director of the gallery, Stephanie is very enthusiastic about continuing workshops and events and has many ideas for new happenings. In addition to hosting the 25th MARBLE/marble Symposium open house in July, she plans to have jazz music evenings, demonstrations, new artists’ workshops, film nights and maybe ballroom dancing. While Stephanie and Michael will be working on the gallery and studio throughout the winter, plans are to be in Redstone full-time by summer. To see more of their art and gallery offerings go to redstoneart.com or stop by the Redstone Art Center.
W H O
W E
A R E
With “Who We Are," our objective is to give community members better connections and familiarity with each other.
Bob and Lisa Dupré
Where do you live? Crystal River Park south of Redstone Age: Mature Occupation: Business management Birthplace: Bob – New Jersey Lisa – Illinois When did you move to the Crystal Valley and why? 2003. We wanted to move here since first visiting in 1988.
What three things would you like people to know about you? 1. We love animals. 2. We like to give back whenever possible. 3. We want to fly fish. Which living person do you most admire? The Superintendent of Schools for Sandy Hook’s school district. What’s the best piece of advice you've ever been given? The smarter you are, the longer it takes. What is your favorite thing to do in the Crystal Valley? Music in the Park with Kraig Kenning and Friends.
Who are you? Would you like others to know who you are and what you’re about? Or do you know someone who lives and/or works in the Crystal Valley who would make an interesting Who We Are subject? Let us know by contacting the Echo at cve@crystalvalleyecho.com, or call 963-2373.
Page 4, Crystal Valley Echo & Marble Times
C RY S TA L
C A L E N D A R
YOUR CALENDAR FOR GOINGS ON IN AND AROUND THE CRYSTAL RIVER VALLEY Help the Echo’s calendar grow; let us know. Send event items to echo@crystalvalleyecho.com by the 15th of the preceding month. Be sure to include the five Ws (who, what, when, why and where); contact info, cost and anything else you think readers need to know. • Jan. 1: Garfield County public libraries (including Carbondale) are closed today. Normal library hours resume on Jan. 2, opening at 10 a.m.
available at Tiffany of Redstone and the Redstone General Store. $15/adults, $10/seniors/children, free for kids under 5 years. 9639656 or redstonecastle.us.
• Jan. 3: 1-3 p.m. Time to recycle in Redstone. In front of the Church at Redstone, Redstone Boulevard.
• Take a horse-drawn carriage (or sleigh, depending on snow) ride around Redstone. $25/person. 963-2526, redstoneinn.com.
• Jan. 3: 7 p.m. Town of Marble Board of Trustees meets at the Marble Community Church’s Fellowship Hall.
• Yoga classes are being offered at the Avalanche Ranch barn, three times a week on Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday. Stretch and soak combinations. Contact for information at mobileyogi.com, 963-2846.
• Jan. 1: New Year’s Day. Hello 2013!
• Jan. 4: 5-8 p.m. At First Fridays – Carbondale’s celebration of the arts, shopping, dining and music – galleries and shops stay open late and restaurants run specials. For more info go to carbondalecolorado.com, 963-1890. • Jan. 8: 10 a.m. Garfield County Commissioners John Martin and Mike Samson take oaths of office as county commissioners at the Garfield County Administration Building, 108 Eighth St., Glenwood Springs. The ceremony will be recorded and streamed live through the Garfield County website at garfieldcounty.com. And Ninth Judicial District Attorney-elect Sherry Caloia will take the oath of office the same day at 11:30 a.m., in Courtroom A on the fourth floor of the Garfield County Courthouse. • Jan. 10: Food Bank of the Rockies’ Mobile Food Pantry is handing out food to anyone in need on the second Thursday of every month: Jan. 10, Feb. 14, March 14. For more info call 920-5235. • Jan. 10: 7 p.m. Crystal River Caucus annual meeting continuation at the Church at Redstone, Redstone Blvd. Agenda includes board elections and a discussion of the Crystal River Recreational Trail. 963-2143. • Jan. 15: 10 a.m. Redstone Community Association meets at the Redstone Inn. • Jan. 17: 1-3 p.m. Time to recycle in Redstone. In front of the Church at Redstone, Redstone Boulevard. • Jan. 17: 6:30 p.m. reception, 7:30 p.m. concert. Native American Leon Joseph Littlebird plays at the New Space Theatre at Colorado Mountain College at Spring Valley. $20/adults, $15/children and students. A Jim Calaway Honors Series concert honoring George and Patti Stranahan. 947-8367.
• Colorado Mountain College is accepting registrations for spring classes. Many classes start Jan. 14. Go to coloradomtn.edu/register. • The Gordon Cooper Library in Carbondale has Story Time sessions for all ages of children, art classes, and more. 76. S. Fourth St., Carbondale. Call 963-2889 for more info. • The Carbondale Council on Arts and Humanities (CCAH) has a full line-up of classes and workshops for kids. Most classes are at the CCAH Center for the Arts at the Third Street Center. For more information or to register for a CCAH fall class, contact carbondalearts.com, 963-1680. • Pilates is held in Redstone on Monday and Thursday mornings; 8-9 a.m. is advanced; 9:3010:30 a.m. is beginner; and Thursdays at 5:30 p.m. is for all levels. Everyone welcome, at the Redstone Inn. $10 fee, punch passes available. Dress comfortably and bring a mat. Sue, 7041843. • A drop-in, uninstructed figure drawing session is held every Monday from 7-9 p.m. at the Third Street Center, 520 S. Third, Suite 9, Carbondale. No cost but there is a model’s fee and attendees need to bring supplies and easels. 963-1680. • Total Body Fitness schedule in Redstone is Tuesday and Thursday, 8:30-10:30 a.m., at the Church at Redstone on the Boulevard. Have a two-hour body experience: Sculpt your figure with low impact to burn body fat, weight-bearing exercises to strengthen and breathing and mindful stretching for flexibility and body/mind awareness. Free to the community. All abilities welcome. Since 1995. Personal training available. Instructor: Lisa Wagner, 963-8240.
• Jan. 17: Special meeting with the Marble Town Trustees regarding a supplemental budget at the Marble Community Church’s Fellowship Hall.
• Every Tuesday is bilingual storytime at 10:30 a.m. at Gordon Cooper Library, 76 S. Fourth St., Carbondale. Bilingual books, stories and songs with Alejandra for children from one to five years old. Call 963-2889 for more info.
ONGOING
• The second Tuesday of the month at 4 p.m. is Paws to Read @ the Library. Kids in grades K-5 are invited to the Gordon Cooper Branch Library to read to a dog from Heeling Partners of the Roaring Fork Valley. 963-2889 or
• Guided tours of the historic Redstone Castle are at 1:30 p.m. on weekends through the winter. Visit the baronial home of Redstone’s founder, John Cleveland Osgood. Tickets are
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gcpld.org/calendar for info or e-mail Sue at sschnitzer@gcpld.org to register for a 15minute slot. • The third Tuesday of the month at 4 p.m. is Music and Games @ the Library. Kids in grades K-5 are invited to the Gordon Cooper Branch Library to play games and listen to music. Card games, Dominoes, checkers, chess, Uno, plus music – CDs and rhythm instruments – to jam and dance to. • On the fourth Tuesday of the month at 4 p.m. is Movie Day @ the Library. Kids in grades K-5 are invited to the Gordon Cooper Branch Library for popcorn and a movie. • Zumba Gold, dancing lessons for seniors, with professional Latin dance instructor Paula Valenti meets on Tuesdays at 2 p.m. seniorsmatter.org at the Third Street Center. • HEARTBEAT – support for survivors after suicide – meets the second Tuesday of the month at 6:30 p.m. at the United Methodist Church, 824 Cooper St. (the Bethel Chapel entrance), Glenwood. Call Pam Szedelyi, 945-1398, or pamsz@sopris.net. • On Wednesdays from 4-5:30 p.m. on, the Gordon Cooper Library in Carbondale has Teen Zone where teens can study, surf the net, read, write, draw or hang out. Bring a laptop or borrow one of ours. 76 S. Fourth St., Carbondale. Free. Call 963-2889 or visit gcpld.org for more info. • Volunteer in the kitchen at the Pitkin County Senior Center and they’ll feed you a delicious lunch. Wednesdays and Fridays. Call the Senior Center at 920-5432 for details. • Want to be "In Stitches"? Every first, third and sometimes fifth Wednesday, bring the stitches (knit, crochet, needlepoint etc.) of your choice to the Redstone Inn Library Room from 4-6 p.m. Beginner to advanced. Call Kay Bell, 9639811, or Mary Dorais, 963-3862. • Hospice of the Valley grief and support groups meet the second and fourth Wednesday of each month from 12:30-1:30 p.m. at the hospice’s offices in Basalt. All who have experienced loss are welcome. Contact Sean Jeung, 927-6650, hchotv.org. • The Aspen Art Museum is partnering with the Gordon Cooper Branch Library, 76 S. Fourth St. in Carbondale, to offer Story Art, a free children’s program that combines learning to read with making art. Story Art is held on the first Thursday of every month from 3:45-4:45 p.m. Registration recommended. 963-2889. • Recycling in Redstone is on the first and third Thursday of each month from 1-3 p.m. Bring your cardboard, glass, plastic, newspapers, magazines, aluminum, steel cans and office paper to the Pitkin County bin parked adjacent to the Church at Redstone, Redstone Boulevard.
• Zingers, a group of seniors who sing all over the Roaring Fork Valley, meet at 2 p.m. every Thursday with Betsy Schenck for practice at Seniors Matter, in Room 33 at the Third Street Center, 520 S. Third St., Carbondale; seniorsmatter.org. • AA in Redstone is every Thursday at 7 p.m. This is a closed step discussion meeting at the Church at Redstone on the Boulevard. Men and women welcome. • Get assistance with resume writing and developing employment connections on the first Thursday of every month between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m from a Colorado Workforce representative at the Pitkin County Library. 429-1900 • One Moment, a local support group for bereaved parents who have experienced pregnancy loss, stillbirth, or early infant loss meets on the second Thursday of every month from 6:308:30 p.m. Marcia Viallarreal and Amanda Emerson-Burger lead the group, and bring their experience in pregnancy, pregnancy loss, and motherhood. Meetings are held at the Glenwood Insurance Agency, 1605 Grand Ave., Glenwood. Free. 963-7110, 379-5387, one-moment.org. • Carbondale Recreation offers classes and programs for a range of activities for kids and adults. 704-4190, carbondalerec.com. • Get help: Crystal Valley residents living in Pitkin County (that’s you, Redstonians), are encouraged by the Aspen Counseling Center to pick up the phone if you are in an emotional crisis and need to talk to a trained professional. Don’t wait. Call 920-5555. UPCOMING • Feb. 1: 5:30 p.m. spaghetti dinner, 7 p.m. presentation. Join the Marble Charter School for a special evening featuring a presentation from the Adaptation Education Organization and guest athletes Marc Romero of the US Adaptive Ski Team and Ben Mortensen, basketball wheelchair athlete. $20/ticket ($10 dinner, $10 presentation) and may be purchased at the Marble Charter School, 412 W. Main St. or at the door. 963-9550 • Feb. 2: 10 a.m. The fourth annual Redstone snowshoe race/walk starts and finishes in the west parking lot of the Redstone Inn. Registration is $20 for adults and $10 kids. The 5K course follows a snow-packed single lane road alongside the Crystal River. The race benefits the Redstone Community Association and HomeCare & Hospice of the Valley. For more info visit redstonecolorado.com or 704-1843. • March 5: 7-9 p.m. Thunder River Theatre Company begins “From Page to Stage” followed by the first Tuesdays in April, May and June to discuss playwrighting. $100/person. Contact Lana Karp, slkarp@sopris.net or 963-8200.
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THE CRYSTAL VALLEY ECHO & MARBLE TIMES 274 Redstone Blvd., Redstone, CO 81623 We appreciate your support!
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E N T E R TA I N M E N T
“The Frozen” is released on DVD By Sue McEvoy, Echo staff writer Now that winter has officially arrived with one to two feet of snow dumping on Redstone and Marble at a time and temperatures plummeting to 17 below zero in December, it’s time to hunker in by the woodstove, fireplace or big screen TV to watch movies. One you surely won’t want to miss, if you are into suspenseful, scary thrillers is “The Frozen,” filmed entirely on location at the Redstone Castle, the Redstone General Store, the Pour House in Carbondale and the Child Ranch in Old Snowmass last winter. “The Frozen” is the story of a young couple stranded in the wilderness following a harrowing snowmobile accident. Events take a turn for the worse as the couple gets separated and a mysterious hunter stalks the young Above, the cast and crew of “The Frozen” in front of the woman. Redstone General Store last winter during filming; right, Look for “The Frozen” at your local movie rental scenes from filming at the Redstone Castle. Echo file photos store or see the trailer on You Tube at youtube.com/watch?v=C0XPFWPsSvs.
O U T D O O R S
Fourth annual Redstone Snowshoe Race/Walk planned for Feb. 2 By Sue McEvoy, Echo staff writer The snowflakes have started to fall and the date is approaching for the fourth annual Redstone Snowshoe Race/Walk. Taking place on Feb. 2 at 10 a.m., the event benefits the Redstone Community Association (RCA) and HomeCare & Hospice of the Valley. The race and walk starts and finishes in the west parking lot of the Redstone Inn. Participants may register on the day of the race at the Church at Redstone or may pre-register at Independence Run and Hike at 586 Highway 133 in the La Fontana Plaza in Carbondale. Registration is $20 for adults and $10 for kids and includes a raffle ticket for one of many donated prizes. Prizes are also awarded to the winning male, female and canine competitors. The 5K course follows a snow-packed single lane road alongside the Crystal River, under the maroon sandstone cliffs that give Redstone its name. The course crosses the wide-open grounds of the historic Redstone Castle, providing a stellar view with many photo opportunities. Competitors then loop into the forest for two short uphills before circling back around onto the former Redstone Ski Area. The event’s beneficiary, the RCA has again chosen the charity, HomeCare & Hospice of the Valley. The RCA organizes community events including the Fourth of July Parade, Easter Egg Hunt, Grand Illumination, Summer of Music Series and the snowshoe race. A volunteer organization, RCA also maintains Redstone’s website and promotes tourism, business and a sense of community. HomeCare & Hospice of the Valley provides hospice services to individuals who are diagnosed with a life-limiting illness. Hospice provides support to pro-
The starting line at last year’s snowshoe race.
Echo file photo
mote comfort and dignity to patients and their families and friends. HomeCare offers private duty nursing by certified nursing aides and personal care assistants. Leashed dogs are welcome in the walker’s delayed start. A limited number of snowshoes are available to borrow for the event. For more information, visit redstonecolorado.com or call 704-1843.
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Page 6, Crystal Valley Echo & Marble Times
V I N TA G E
VA L L E Y
The month Osgood died By Sue McEvoy Since Redstone founder and industrialist John Cleveland Osgood died during the month of January 1904, this issue of the Echo seemed like a good one to reprint excerpts from The Rocky Mountain News and The Denver Post eulogizing and acknowledging his passing. All punctuation is reprinted exactly as it appeared in the 1926 editions of The Rocky Mountain News and The Denver Post.
Life of Devotion to Colorado Mining Ends at Redstone The following article is an excerpt from The Rocky Mountain News dated Jan. 5, 1926.
John Cleveland Osgood, founder and former president of the Colorado Fuel and Iron company, founder of the Victor-American Fuel company, and for years a powerful figure in the financial and industrial life of Colorado, died of cancer at his country estate at Redstone, Colo., early last night. Mr. Osgood had been suffering from the affliction for some time and his condition had been considered critical for several days. His wife was at his side when the end came. Mr. Osgood was born in Brooklyn, N.Y. on March 6, 1851. He was the son of Samuel Warburton Osgood and Mary Hill Osgood. He received his early education in the public schools of Davenport, Iowa and Brooklyn, and later attended the Friends Boarding School at Providence, R.I. When he finished the boarding school course in 1864 he entered the office of a Providence cotton manufacturer’s as an office boy. From 1874 to 1877 he was cashier of the First National bank of Burlington, and in 1877 he became interested in the coal mining industry. In 1877 he organized the Colorado Fuel company, which he later consolidated with the Colorado Coal and Iron company. He formed the Colorado Fuel and Iron company in 1892 and became president and chairman of its board of directors. On June 24, 1903, Mr. Osgood tendered his resignation as chairman of the board of directors of C.F. & I. The resignation meant the gaining of control of the company by the Rockefeller-Gould faction and the end of a long fight by Osgood to retain his office. The company’s property at that time was estimated to be worth between $40,000,000 and $50,000,000. He at once organized the Victor-American Fuel company, which he headed as president and chairman of the board of directors… With his marriage in 1920 in New York, he spent a greater part of his time in that city, and with the building of his home at Redstone he frequently visited here. He was a member of the Players and Automobile club of America of New York city and was a patron of the American Museum of Natural history. The body will be sent here from Glenwood Springs, and will arrive here Wednesday morning. Funeral services probably will be held at 3:30 o’clock tomorrow afternoon at the Olinger mortuary, according to arrangements now being made.
Pilates
in
Redstone
Friends and Employes Gather at Funeral of John C. Osgood Grieving Throng Listens While Pastor Tells of the Immortal Qualities of Dead Captain of Industry in Glowing Eulogy This article is taken from The Denver Post dated Jan. 7, 1926.
In respect and loyalty to John C. Osgood, founder of the Colorado Fuel & Iron company, hundreds of the dead state builder’s friends and employes gathered to hear him eulogized, Wednesday afternoon. At the funeral services in Olinger’s funeral parlors, a grieving throng listened while the Rev. B. D. Dagwell spoke of the immortal qualities of the sleeping captain of industry – his vision, generosity, courage, ethics. John Cleveland Osgood. Photos Vision was the first characteristic the speaker pointed out. It courtesy of Denver Public Library was this vision that had brought him from errand boy to the realm of high finance during his seventy-five years of life. To him the deadly sins were hunger, poverty, sickness, dirt and sordidness which undermined society. His idealism, amounting to a religion, forbade the existence of poverty and ugliness where they could be replaced by him with a fair wage, provision for the widow of a deceased employe, a garden spot with a vine-covered cottage. That, to him, was virtue. “Benefactor to the underling,” summed up his character. Among the mourners were students he had aided thru college, a former Negro janitor for whom he provided in his old age, his housekeeper, who tended his castle home, and many others who alone knew of his kindnesses. Six of Osgood’s closest friends and associates were pallbearers. In a bank of flowers the body was conveyed to Fairmount cemetery for cremation.
Peak Pilates Certified Instructor SUE MCEVOY Mat Classes at The Historic Redstone Inn Mondays & Thursdays 8:00 a.m. - Advanced 9:30 a.m. - Beginner & Intermediate Thursdays • Yoga 5:30 p.m. - Everyone welcome
704-1843
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H I S T O RY
History Night at the Redstone Inn: Coal Days 2012
Local residents and history buffs celebrated the third annual Redstone Coal Days at the Redstone Inn on Dec. 20. Becky Trembley organized and hosted the event attended by more than 20 participants. This year, in addition to a team trivia contest, most of the attendees shared a personal story relating to Redstone’s past. Lots of interesting historical accounts dating back into the 1950s, ‘60s, ‘70s and ‘80s were shared. On display were items recently donated to the Redstone Museum by members of the Osgood family. While John Osgood never had any children, there are many grandnieces and grandnephews still alive and living in Colorado. The Redstone Historical Society is fundraising and looking forward to displaying these items that include clothing belonging to Mrs. Osgood, engraved crystal glassware, silver from the Bighorn Lodge and J.C. Osgood’s personal toiletry suitcase made by the Tiffany Company. – Sue McEvoy, Echo staff writer
Left top, longtime Redstone resident Jeff Bier tells a story about the 1950's Redstone developer and castle owner Frank Kistler at Coal Days 2012 celebrated at the Redstone Inn on Dec. 20. Bottom left, from left, Deb Strom and Monica Miller enjoy a painting by former Redstone resident artist Ben Turner at Coal Days 2012. Monica's husband, Gary Miller, is the son of another famous Redstone artist named Jack Roberts. Photos by Sue McEvoy
Last September, Charlotte Blackmer and Peter Osgood, descendants of John Cleveland Osgood, donated many items to the Redstone Historical Society. Included were several monogrammed pieces of crystal, pictured, that belonged to Osgood’s wife Alma Regina Osgood. Most of the items were on display at Coal Days on Dec. 20 at the Redstone Inn.
Photo courtesy of Monica Miller
Page 8, Crystal Valley Echo & Marble Times
The Crystal Valley’s Great Outdoors (GO)
Avalanche Ranch’s Hot Springs, Part II By Sue McEvoy
Avalanche Ranch Hot Springs
All I needed for this GO outdoor adventure was a Day use reservations for the hot bathing suit, a towel and a reservation. On the chilly springs can be made by calling morning of Nov. 9, I arrived at Avalanche Ranch Hot Avalanche Ranch at 963-2846. The Springs just after 9 a.m. and was soon soaking in one pools’ hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. for of their three geothermal pools. the public, though cabin guests have The two upper pools average between 100 and 104 access to pools 24 hours a day. The degrees and the larger pool connected by a waterfall pools are closed on Wednesdays for ranges between 96 and 98 degrees. All three are about cleaning until 3 p.m. For more inforfour feet deep, are surrounded by red sandstone and mation about Avalanche Ranch, go to flagstone and have pebble bottoms. avalancheranch.com. There’s something special about the feel of the water in these hot springs. No chemicals or chlorination are needed as the pools are designed to completely replenish within the state mandated twohour turnover time with only raw geothermal water. And the pools are closed every Wednesday morning for a complete draining and cleaning. In 2010, the Ogilby family of Avalanche Ranch extended a super insulated pipeline 3,020 feet from the well to Avalanche Ranch and began construction of the pools and the mechanical infrastructure to heat all the buildings. The pools opened to the public in May 2011. “We’re completely heating the barn, the changing rooms, bathroom, yoga studio and the mechanical room with geothermal,” said Chuck Ogilby. “We heat all the deck around the pools and we don’t bump that up. It’s just the ambient geothermal water.” Plans are underway to heat the ranch house and several cabins with geothermal by next summer. There are state guidelines for the testing of the water in the pools and federal Environmental Protection Agency guidelines for the return of 85 gallons a minute into the Crystal River, including evaporation loss. There are specific tests three times a week, monthly and quarterly for everything from dissolved solids, minerals to pH and bacteria. All the results have been “beautifully in compliance,” said Chuck. “It’s a big science project dealing with the geothermal water, all the minerals, the mineral buildups and what that does to your pipes and the pumps, systems and filters,” said Chuck. “We never dreamed that it would be so extensive and I don’t think our experts did either. We have certainly come to realize that we’re on the cutting edge of something new here and we’re going to in the end, probably know more than the experts do now...in the end that is.” After a year and a half of operation, the Ogilbys have found the pools a successful addition to the family business. Day use visitors are required to make reservations in order to The largest of Avalanche Ranch’s three hot pools includes a waterfall. the control Photo courtesy of Sue McEvoy number of people in the pools. Cabin guests are able to use the pools 24 hours a day and cabin reservations have soared. “We definitely projected a certain occupancy that the pools would bring and it has exceeded that,” said Molly Jacober, the Ogilbys’ daughter. “I think there’s a huge draw we didn’t anticipate. We thought it would help but it’s been pretty exciting to see how much people really love hot springs and really love cabins.”
PITKIN COUNTY GOVERNMENT Now streaming Board of County Commissioner meetings on the internet! Go to www.aspenpitkin.com
Also on the Pitkin County website: County Commissioner Agendas Vehicle and Title Registration Property Tax Information Maps
On the left hand side of the Home Page look for the blue box that says: Watch Live & Recorded City Meetings County Meetings
Library online services Open Space and Trails Senior Services
Click on the Agenda on only the topic of the meeting you wish to watch.
And More!
Physical Mailing Address: Pitkin County Administration 530 East Main Street, Aspen, CO 81611
QUESTIONS? Call 970-920-5200
JANUARY 2013
G O V E R N M E N T
Marble Board of Trustees Thanks to Colorado Stone Quarry for Mill Site restroom project help By Bettie Lou Gilbert, Echo contributor At the Marble Board of Trustees meeting on Dec.6: • The Marble Board of Trustees met in the Marble Firehouse in executive session followed by its regular meeting. This was also a public hearing to approve a budget for 2013. • There was a presentation made about the Wild and Scenic River designation for the Crystal River. More information will be provided as the process continues. • The trustees adopted a 2013 budget and certified the mill levy to be the same as last year. There will be a special meeting on Jan. 17 at the Marble Community Church’s Fellowship Hall to approve a supplemental budget. By then, the status of the town’s finances should be more clear. The trustees thanked Alpine Bank for its help in recognizing irregularities in its bank account and helping to resolve financial issues. The town is making a claim against the estate of Karen Mulhall for the money lost to the town. The Marble Water Company’s financial records are also in dispute as to money collected and paid to the Marble Water Board. • A snowplowing contract should be approved at the next meeting. Until then, the town will hire snowplowing as needed. • The Mill Site Committee reported that the bathroom in the Mill Site Park is coming along rapidly. Tremendous thanks should go to Colorado Stone Quarry for their participation and financial support of this project. The next regular meeting will be held on Jan. 3 at 7 pm in the Marble Community Church’s Fellowship Hall.
The Church at Redstone
We invite you to come and worship God with us in a peaceful and beautiful setting next to the Crystal River in Redstone
Worship 10:00 a.m. ªªª
Nursery provided Bruce A. Gledhill, Pastor • 970-963-0326 www.churchatredstone.com
A community church serving Redstone and the Crystal Valley.
Page 9
C R Y S T A L R I V E R C A U C U S M A T T E R S November 2012 annual meeting to be continued at January meeting By John Emerick, Crystal River Caucus
In spite of meeting quorum at the November annual Crystal River Caucus meeting, no nominations were brought forth to fill board positions for members whose terms are ending. Therefore, to prevent a situation where the caucus is without officers (including Chair, Vice Chair, Secretary and Treasurer), the meeting was recessed until January. Besides board elections, the January continuation agenda will also include a discussion of the Crystal River recreational trail planning process. The Pitkin County Open Space and Trails department has agreed to begin a community-based trail planning process in 2014 similar to the recent one used for the Redstone parks. For the discussion in January, the caucus board felt it appropriate to consider the role of the caucus in the planning process.
Caucus responds to the White River National Forest Oil and Gas Leasing Draft Environmental Impact Statement As a result of a lengthy discussion during the November meeting, the caucus voted to submit comments regarding the White River National Forest Oil and Gas Leasing Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS). Many caucus members were concerned that the Forest Service identified the Thompson Divide area as well as Coal Basin and Placita as “Land Administratively Eligible for Leasing.” In 2010, the caucus overwhelmingly voted to support the Thompson Divide Coalition in their effort to seek permanent federal withdrawal of oil and gas leasing in the Thompson Divide area. The caucus continues to oppose energy development, including gas exploration and fracking, in the Thompson Divide because of the associated degradation of the natural values that define our watershed. The caucus response on the DEIS to the Forest Service includes the following points: 1) Exclude the Thompson Divide area from oil and gas leasing. Opening this area to oil and gas production would degrade the agricultural, wildlife and recreational resources and have a major adverse impact on the tourism industries of neighboring communities. 2) Maintain and protect roadless areas. Energy-related infrastructure development will result in ecosystem fragmentation. Maintenance of large, intact, unfragmented landscapes is essential to conserving and maintaining water quality and sustainable wildlife habitat. 3) Protect air and water quality from energy development-related contamination and conserve water quantity from depletion. The Forest Service’s preferred alternative does not include any provisions for emission controls to prevent air pollution nor does it include provisions to protect water quality or quantity. 4) No leasing in Placita. Placita is an important riverine wetland in the Crystal River Valley. This wetland provides critical winter and calving habitat for elk, and important breeding habitat for a large diversity of migratory bird species. 5) Prohibit leasing near residential areas. Several areas in the Forest Service’s preferred alternative are adjacent to existing subdivisions, personal residences and residential properties. The caucus recommends a buffer area of at least a half mile between personal residences, subdivisions and cities, and any Forest Service lands that are eligible for leasing. 6) Prohibit leasing in Coal Creek drainage. Historic coal mining-related activity destabilized slopes and resulted in severe water contamination related to excessive sedimentation that pollutes the Crystal River. Opening this basin to oil and gas exploration will exacerbate current watershed degradation and undermine extensive restoration efforts 7) Reclaim damaged and disturbed lands. The DEIS does not address the issue of reclaiming lands that have been disturbed by oil and gas development and production. It must be the responsibility of the lease holder to reclaim all disturbed lands such as roads, well heads, buried pipe lines, power lines, and equipment storage areas. 8) Reduce the allowed leasing area. In addition to currently leased Forest Service lands, the Forest Service preferred alternative designates 260,308 acres as eligible for oil and gas exploration. To limit loss or degradation of wildlife habitat integrity, the caucus asks that the total acreage eligible for oil and gas exploration in the final EIS be reduced to less than 100,000 acres. 9) Limit leasing to previously energy industry-disturbed areas. Oil and gas exploration and leasing should only be allowed in areas which have already disturbed by energy development and for which access is already available. Additionally, any drilling operations should occur only in areas that would have minimal and remediable impacts on plant and animal life, water quality and scenic resources. The next meeting of the Crystal River Caucus is being held on Jan. 10 from 7-9 p.m. at the Church at Redstone on the Boulevard. For more information, call 963-2143.
Regularly scheduled caucus meetings are held on the second Thursday of every odd-numbered month.
Page 10, Crystal Valley Echo & Marble Times
JANUARY 2013
REDSTONE COMMUNITY BULLETIN
www.redstonecolorado.com Don’t forget to Stay in Touch REDSTONE COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION
•••
REDSTONE COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS ————
Steve Pavlin: President Cathy Montgomery: Vice President Harry Remmers: Treasurer Jacob Robbins: Secretary Billy Amicon Linda Cerf-Graham Karen Kashnig Sara Lewis Deb McCormick
THE 4TH ANNUAL 5K SNOWSHOE RACE/WALK Feb. 2, 2013 at 10:00 am The Redstone Community Association is proud to support Hospice of the Valley once again this year with proceeds from our 4th Annual Redstone Snowshoe Race / Fun Walk. This 5K run / walk (approximately 3 miles) is scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 2, 2013 at 10:00 am. It will start at the lower parking lot of the Redstone Inn. It takes most people 1 1/2 hours to complete the loop (walking) which goes along the Crystal River and then circles the Historic Redstone Castle.
UPCOMING EVENTS: RCA will host a
BEER AND WINE TASTING EVENT Saturday, March 9, 2013 – There will be a cover charge.
RCA’s Annual Easter Egg Hunt will be held
The registration is $20 adults, $10 kids under 18 and leashed dogs are permitted. Last year there were raffle prizes for all participants.
in Redstone Park at 10 a.m. on Saturday, March 30, 2013 Please consider contributing a basket for the kids!
Registration takes place on the day of the race at the Church of Redstone at 9:00 am or prior to the event at Independence Run & Hike in Carbondale on Hwy. 133.
Earth Day Cleanup
For more information contact: Sue McEvoy at 970-704-1843. Or look for the link at www.redstonecolorado.com.
will be held April 20, 2013 Meet at noon at the Museum at Redstone Park for supplies.
Please spread the word, bring your friends, and come out to support your community!
•••
Alternate Members: Kim Amicon
The next RCA Board Meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, Jan. 15 at 10 AM at the Redstone Inn, Library - Come join us -- we need your support and your input! Your membership dues directly fund RCA projects and events. Thank You for your support!
Bob McCormick Marlene Remmers •••
MEMBERSHIP DUES Name ______________________________________________________________________________________ Address
____________________________________________________________________________________
Phone #__________________________________________ E-Mail ____________________________________ “Citizen empowerment and sense of community make people happier.” – Dan Buettner
______ Individual/Family $35.00 ______ Business $135.00 ______ Multi-Business $210.00 Make Check Payable to: Redstone Community Association Mail to RCA: 303 Redstone Blvd. Redstone, CO 81623 Paid Advertisement
JANUARY 2013
NEW FULL SERVICE MOBILE CLINIC
What’s up with Pitkin County?
Page 11
Pitkin County’s year 2012 in review By Pitkin County District 5 Commissioner George Newman
Offering small animal medicine, surgery and dentistry.
Jeff Chapman • The “OTHER” Jeff Serving The Crystal River Valley Full time Resident of Redstone Specializing in Fine Mountain Properties Over 30 years of experience working with buyers and sellers like you! When you close your real estate transaction with me, 5% of my earned commission will be donated to a local charity of your choice in your name! Don’t delay! The market is hot and getting hotter by the day. Call today for a free “Market Consultation” Jeff Chapman Broker Associate Fleisher Land and Homes www.the fleishercompany.com Office: (970) 704-1515 ext. 118 Cell: (970) 355-0184 jeffc@thefleishercompany.com
This past year has been a very busy and productive one for Pitkin County and the Pitkin Board of County Commissioners (BOCC). We are making headway in addressing the stated goals from our board retreat last winter, which include affordable housing, our health care initiative, expanding broadband service, enhancing community outreach and devoting resources to be proactive against outside interests on issues affecting our community. To these goals, we recently purchased two properties in Basalt as affordable workforce housing. We took a lead role in forming the Aspen Valley Healthcare Alliance. Working with providers and consumers, this group will develop strategies for lowering healthcare costs and addressing accessibility for our employees and creating a model for other businesses to follow. We engaged the Aspen Strategy Center and created a valleywide broadband alliance with the SkiCo, US Forest Service (USFS) and the Town of Snowmass Village to help spread far-reaching cell and broadband coverage to all areas of the county. We provided comments to the USFS on their draft oil and gas environmental impact statement (EIS) and I was directly involved with the Bueau of Land Management’s (BLM) draft resource management plan. I traveled twice to Washington, DC on behalf of Thompson Divide, lobbying for its protection from oil and gas exploration, allowing current leases to expire per contracts and in support of Sen. Mike Bennet’s draft legislation. Our community outreach programs included daily reporting, e-mail and newspaper postings, public meetings and special programs on CGTV12. Other department highlights include: • Our Open Space and Trails program saw the successful completion of the Redstone Coke Oven restoration and adoption of a final design plan for the Elk Park Master Plan along with new acquisitions and habitat improvement projects in both the Smuggler and Redstone areas. Our management plan for Skyline Park was recognized with the prestigious Land Stewardship Award by the Colorado Chapter of the Wildlife Society. • Our Healthy River and Streams program partnered with Roaring Fork Conservancy and the USFS for the restoration project of Coal Creek, and with Friends of Rivers and Renewables to help fund a gauging station on the Roaring Fork River. We worked with American Rivers to designate the Crystal River as one of the 10 most endangered rivers in the country and we formally opposed the Western Divide and Colorado River Districts’ proposed dams and diversion projects in the Crystal River Valley. • Our community development department has been active in long range initiatives such as updating our climate change ordinance and providing input to the BLM resource management plan, to the USFS on the alabaster mine up the Crystal, and to both federal agencies in regards to oil and gas exploration in Thompson Divide. We passed code amendments to encourage and enhance agricultural buildings, and amended the solar code to encourage energy efficiency while addressing neighbor concerns. We cooperated with Eagle and Gunnison counties to establish a revolving loan fund as part of the Energy Smart Program. • Our health and human service department established a series of intergovernmental agreements with neighboring counties, including one with Eagle County to address child and adult protection issues and one with Garfield County for child support enforcement. Other initiatives included the Senior Mobile Dental program, the Senior Health Fair, emergency food supplies and our Medicare assistance program. • Our public works department paved and upgraded more than 20 miles of county roads as well as replacing the Coal Creek Culvert. We continued to support free RFTA bus service between Aspen and Snowmass Village. Following more than two years of public meetings, airport tours and presentations, we approved the airpor’s master plan. This plan reserves space for future terminal expansion and parking needs but any potential future projects will require additional approvals and be based on need, and will need to address financial capacity, environmental concerns and design. All future projects will include continued public input and participation. These are just some highlights of the work we accomplished this past year. I hope this column has kept you well informed of county business. Your comments are always welcome. Wishing you a healthy and prosperous New Year!
The Pitkin County Commissioners hold weekly work sessions on Tuesdays and bi-monthly public hearings on Wednesdays in the Plaza One building (next to the Pitkin County Courthouse) in Aspen. Both meetings are televised live and repeated on locater CG12 TV. They are also streamed live and available on the county website. Agendas are posted in the Aspen/Glenwood newspapers and online at aspenpitkin.com. In this column, your District 5 Commissioner, George Newman offers his take on current matters. You can reach him at george.newman@co.pitkin.co.us.
Page 12, Crystal Valley Echo & Marble Times
Echo Briefs Marble Charter School hosts a Elected officials oath of office special evening featuring the ceremonies Jan. 8 Adaptation Education Organization The Marble Charter School hosts a spaghetti dinner on Feb. 1 at 5:30 p.m., followed by a special presentation from the Adaptation Education Organization. Special guests include Marc Romero of the US Adaptive Ski Team and Ben Mortensen, a basketball wheelchair athlete. Tickets are $20 and may be purchased at the Marble Charter School, or at the door, with all proceeds going to the Adaptation Education Organization and the seventh and eighth grade student fund. Call 963-9550 for more information. Seating is limited. – Marble Charter School
Nurturing Parenting Program being offered in Garfield County Promoting Safe and Stable Families, a federallyfunded grant program, brings the nationally recognized Nurturing Parenting Program (NPP) to families in Garfield County. NPP enhances empathy, self worth, empowerment, and discipline, while parents and children have fun and grow closer as a family. The NPP integrates parents with their children in some of the class sessions in the curriculum. Parents are invited to register their families for the 15-week class, which begins in January. Space is limited. The program is offered at no cost to participants. Registration will occur during the first session, and dates and times for the class will be based on responses from local interested families. “This curriculum is funded to support families,” said Joyce Christensen, manager of Child Welfare Special Projects for Garfield County and head of the work group implementing the NPP class. “We welcome families to join us. This curriculum is evidencebased and has been a proven success in the United States and other countries.” Evidence-based behavioral practice promotes healthful behaviors by integrating evidence with practitioner expertise, along with the characteristics, needs, values and preferences of those who will be affected. For more information or to join the class, please contact Joyce Christensen at 625-5282, ext. 3261 or jchristensen@garfield-county.com. – Renelle Lott, Garfield County
Garfield County Commissioners John Martin and Mike Samson will take oaths of office as county commissioners Jan. 8 at 10 a.m. The ceremony will be held in the Garfield County Administration Building, 108 Eighth St., Glenwood Springs. A NInth Judicial District court judge will administer the oaths of office. The public is invited to attend the ceremony and a reception immediately afterward. This ceremony will be recorded and streamed live through the Garfield County website at garfield-county.com. Ninth Judicial District Attorney-elect Sherry Caloia will take the oath of office Jan. 8 at 11:30 a.m., in Courtroom A on the fourth floor of the Garfield County Courthouse. A Ninth Judicial District court judge will administer this ceremony. A reception will follow, across the hall, in Suite 402 of the courthouse. The public is welcome. – Renelle Lott, Garfield County
New Jiu Jitsu training center teaches self defense techniques Owner/instructor Adam Nickamin has opened Gracie Carbondale, a Jiu Jitsu self defense training center for women, children and those interested in physical defense. “It is my goal to offer these programs so people here feel safe in the least amount of time possible,” said Adam. “Without exaggeration, Gracie Jiu Jitsu saves lives. This uniquely effective style of martial arts was developed to be practical and effective for literally everyone, with any skill level, body type and physical ability.“ Designed with the assumption that a would-be attacker is stronger and more athletic, Gracie Jiu-Jitsu is equally effective for men, women and children. Most programs take six to 12 months to complete and instruction starts at $120 a month. For more information, contact Adam Nickamin at Gracie Carbondale, 500 Buggy Circle, Carbondale by calling 319-1766, e-mailing adam@graciecarbondale.com or visiting graciecarbondale.com. – Gracie Carbondale
Artists’ work selected for Carbondale’s new library Garfield County Libraries has selected four artists through a call for artists process to complete artisan
pieces in the new Carbondale Branch Library. Travis Fulton will create a sculptural light form for the service desk. Mark Cesark will craft collage panels for the service desk cladding. John Hoffman will build an after-hours gate and bike racks. Finally, Shannon Muse is leading a community art project, "Pillars of Light/Pillares de Luz," that will culminate in seven front porch mosaic columns. Contact Shannon at paradiseartglass@sopris.net for information on how to participate in glass lessons or internship opportunities, or to learn how to contribute input into the mosaic itself. The Carbondale Branch Library project is currently under construction and is slated for completion in the summer of 2013. Contact Executive Director Amelia Shelley if you have questions about this project or about the available donor opportunities. – Kelsey Been, Garfield County Libraries
Crystal River Valley watershed leads the way in most snowpack regionally As of Dec. 4, the current snowpack for the Crystal River watershed was storing the most snow for the Roaring Fork watershed as a whole, even though each station was 32 to 65 percent less than the snowpack last year on the same date. The Crystal River sub-watershed contains 25 percent of the land area of the Roaring Fork watershed yet it is the largest natural water bank in the watershed representing 45 percent of the average flow and about 50 percent of the peak flow of the Roaring Fork River. As of Dec. 13, the snowpack for the entire Roaring Fork watershed was 48 percent of average. Snowstorms during the weekend of Dec. 8-9 brought an average of 10 percent more snowpack than Dec. 6’s 38 percent. All seven SNOTEL sites within the entire watershed were reporting less snow on Dec. 13 than the same day in 2001, which was the last year for a significant drought. As of Dec. 20, the snowpack for the entire Roaring Fork watershed was 56 percent of average. Recent snows moved the average up, with the Crystal subwatershed seeing the largest gains with increases from 41 to 71 percent on McClure Pass, and 51 to 69 percent on Schofield Pass. However, throughout the entire Roaring Fork watershed, six of seven SNOTEL sites reported less snow on Dec. 20 than the same day in 2001. – Roaring Fork Conservancy
Welcome to the church in the midst of a cathedral created by God Todd L. Fugate, Agent 590 Hwy 133 Carbondale, CO 81623-1884 Bus: 970-963-5610 todd.fugate.g0ku@statefarm.com Jeff Leonard Insurance Agency, Inc. Jeff Leonard CLU CPCU, Agent Glenwood Springs, CO 81601 Bus: 970-945-2345
Marble Community Church Traditional worship • Sundays 10:00 a.m. 970-963-1464 • Pastor Jon Stovall www.marblecommunitychurch.org
JANUARY 2013
A R O U N D
T H E
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VA L L E Y
Wedding Announcement
Making our traveling safer. Rock scaling on Highway 133, south of Redstone. Photo courtesy of Jackie Dearborn
After 17 years together, Doug Whitney and Charlotte Graham Whitney decided to make it legal with an outdoor wedding ceremony in San Antonio, Texas on Nov. 24 with all Charlotte's family in attendance. Colorado being a self-affirming state, they made their Colorado marriage license legal on 12/12/12 at 12:12 p.m. Their dearest friend in the world, Shirley Thomson of Redstone, signed the license as their witness with a celebration lunch afterwards by Shirley at Juicy Lucy's Restaurant in Glenwood Springs. Photo by Barbara Rynearson
Students from YouthEntity’s YouthChefs baking and pastry arts program presented a 1,000-piece pastry and chocolate buffet for 100 guests as their graduation presentation to friends, family, volunteers and donors of YouthEntity. Pictured from left, Delaney Passmore of Glenwood Springs High School, Jonathan Aranda and Omar Gonzalez both of Roaring Fork High School, chef instructor Christine Bergstrom, Flora Fischbacher of Glenwood Springs High School, Stephanie Fernandez of Basalt High School and Jocelyn Cortez of Roaring Fork High School.
Photo courtesy of Cindy Marks
YouthEntity YouthChefs celebrate graduation
YouthEntity, a nonprofit organization in Carbondale that helps prepare youth for future success, held a graduation ceremony in December for its YouthChefs program. The three-month program, offered to local high school students, provides hands-on immersive courses in baking and pastry arts, taught by master pastry chef Christine Bergstrom. The graduates concluded their training by preparing a delectable buffet of French pastries and chocolates for their families and guests of the event. The YouthChefs program takes place in the teaching kitchen at YouthEntity, located in the Bridges Center. This fall, YouthEntity added the ProStart program to its offerings. This nationwide, two-year high school program of the National Restaurant Association unites the classroom and industry to develop the best and brightest talent into tomorrow’s restaurant and foodservice leaders. YouthEntity provides real-world learning experiences for youth that cultivate business experience, develop financial knowledge and build technological skills. For more information call YouthEntity at 963-4055, e-mail info@youthentity.org or visit the website at youthentity.org. YouthEntity, WebEntity and the YouthEntity logo are registered trademarks of Computers for Kids Foundation d.b.a. YouthEntity. – YouthEntity
Page 14, Crystal Valley Echo & Marble Times
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River continued from page 1 designating rivers as Wild and Scenic, made presentations and took questions from the crowd. The meetings were dominated by questions about what the Wild and Scenic Act does, and maybe more importantly, what it doesn’t do.
Intent of the act The act does not require, although it does allow, the Forest Service to buy land or water rights. It does not necessarily change water rights, but it could potentially lead to the government acquiring a new instream-flow water right. It does not change the underlying zoning on private land nor does it grant public access across private land. Mike Moody of the Native Fish Society in Oregon, said at the meetings that his experience pursuing Wild and Scenic designation on the Molalla River showed him that the biggest hurdle is people’s misunderstanding of what the law means for private land interests. The federal government is not going to come in and rezone or take private property under Wild and Scenic Act, Moody said in an interview. He said landowners should be more concerned about changes in local zoning and land-use regulations than restrictions coming from the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act. Still, the law does give the federal government the right to buy or condemn property in the river corridor, and it recommends that local zoning along the river should comply with the intent of the act. What the Wild and Scenic Act does do is let the river run — by preventing federal agencies from permitting or funding “any dam, water conduit, reser-
voir, powerhouse, transmission line or other project,” according to its language. It would prevent, for example, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission from issuing a permit for a hydropower project on the river or along its banks. “Some rivers need to be left alone,” said David Moryc, senior director of river protection at American Rivers, describing the underlying intent of the law, according to a summary of the meeting prepared by the Roaring Fork Conservancy. However, the act does allow for projects on a nondesignated stretch of a river otherwise protected. That could mean, perhaps, that a dam could be allowed on the lower Crystal, a stretch the Forest Service did not find to be eligible under the Wild and Scenic Act (but still could). No such dam has ever been seriously proposed. The law also protects the “outstanding values” in a river corridor, such as scenery, historical structures and recreational opportunities. Designation under the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act can also bring federal funding for river restoration projects and attract more visitors to an area. “The intent of the act is to get people to come together to recognize the values of, and to preserve, our last free-flowing rivers,” said Kay Hopkins, a planner with the Forest Service in Glenwood Springs who offered a handout regarding the suitability process at the meetings. “And sometimes designation is the answer, and sometimes there is another tool that emerges.” When a federal agency such as the Forest Service screens a river for “suitability” under the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act, it brings together local
and regional stakeholders in an extensive review process that requires an environmental impact statement be prepared under the National Environmental Policy Act. This means there is typically a range of management alternatives developed. That’s happening today as the BLM finalizes a suitability study for the Colorado River from Gore Canyon to No Name, on the western end of Glenwood Canyon. One of the alternatives in that study is to manage the river as if it was protected by Wild and Scenic, but not seek formal designation. “The end result is to protect the river,” Hopkins said. However it ends, the “suitability” process takes lots of time and money. One Wild and Scenic river in Colorado Chuck Wanner, a former Fort Collins city council member, said at the meetings that it took 10 years to get sections of the Cache La Poudre River on the Eastern Slope designated under Wild and Scenic. Today, that’s the only river in the state that carries the designation and no river in the vast Colorado River basin is officially Wild and Scenic. When asked about that via e-mail, Ely of Pitkin County said he thought Colorado had only one designated river because of the “lack of information as to the benefits and restrictions of the designation, and the time and dedication it takes to get it through Congress.” Another reason may be that once a river is designated Wild and Scenic, the federal government becomes a stakeholder on the river and has a chance to review potential changes to it, such as any new water rights. Some may feel that Colorado water law continued on next page
Freeze! Freeze your radio dial to KDNK Community Radio at 88.5 in Redstone and Marble and 88.1 FM throughout the Roaring Fork Valley and streaming online and via smartphone app at kdnk.org. Volunteer DJs, Local News, NPR, Youth Radio and Local Public Affairs
Photo: SilksSaloon.com
JANUARY 2013
C O V E R
River continued from page 14 is complicated enough already. And then there is the fact that designation eliminates the possibility of federal funding for future water projects, which can dampen the enthusiasm of most cities, counties and water districts. Whatever the reasons for scarcity in Colorado, Pitkin County is ready to lead a Wild and Scenic process for the Crystal River. “I think the Crystal has the potential to be a nice clean straightforward effort because there are no out-of-basin uses yet,” Ely wrote. “If there is interest in going forward, we’re happy to be the laboring oar and do that work.” The county has a property tax in place that generates about $1 million per year for river protection and restoration and is managed by the county’s Healthy Rivers and Streams Board. Without such encouragement and support from the county, the Forest Service is not slated to review the Crystal River for suitability until it updates the forest plan for the White River National Forest, which is at least five years away. There is also a more direct route, which is to go straight to Congress. But it is nearly impossible to pass a designating bill there if there is local organized opposition to Wild and Scenic. So gauging local public sentiment is important, and so far, so good, at least from the point of view of Sharon Clarke, a conservation specialist at the Roaring Fork Conservancy. “I thought they were great meetings,” Clarke said, noting that the comments made at the Redstone meeting were “almost 100 percent positive.” Matt Rice, the director of conservation in Colorado for American Rivers, was also upbeat about the meeting in Redstone. “We had a good dialogue,” Rice said. “But certainly there is work to be done by the groups that are exploring the possibility.” Clarke did note, however, that there were a few questions in Carbondale about the potential value of a dam and reservoir at Placita, as it could put more late-season water into the lower Crystal which suffers today from low flows due to large irrigation diversions that start below Avalanche Creek. Martha Moore, a public affairs specialist with the Colorado River District, attended the Wild and Scenic meeting in Redstone on Nov. 14, but she did not comment. Jim Pokrandt, a spokesman for River District, acknowledged that the district would typically be an active stakeholder in a Wild and Scenic process within its jurisdiction. But he said the ongoing lawsuit over the conditional water rights for the potential Placita dam currently prevents that. Classification, then values The Forest Service studied the Crystal River for eligibility as part of the 2002 forest plan for the White River National Forest. A river needs to be “free-flowing” to be eligible, “without impoundment, diversion, straightening, riprapping, or other modifications” of the waterway, according to the act. But the existence of low dams or diversion structures does not automatically disqualify a river from designation. The Crystal is one of the last rivers in Colorado without a dam across it, so it qualified in that regard. Another task for the Forest Service was to classify sections of the river based on how much land use and
development has occurred within a quarter mile of its banks. Since most of the North Fork of the Crystal runs
through the pristine Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness, beginning in the lush Fravert Basin, that seven-mile section was appropriate to be classified as “wild.” According to the law, such a river is “free of impoundments,” “generally inaccessible except by trail,” and “represents vestiges of primitive America.” One benefit a Wild and Scenic designation could bring to this stretch is a greater level of protection of the water in the river than the current wilderness rules, Hopkins said. “When it comes to water, it could benefit,” she said. The land along the South Fork of the Crystal, which begins near Schofield Pass and joins the North Fork at the old town of Crystal, is largely undeveloped with only a few dirt roads. That 10 miles of river was classified as “scenic,” although the classification is not about the area’s mind-blowing scenery, but about a higher level of development than a “wild” section. Such a river has a watershed that is still “largely primitive” but “accessible in places by roads.” And finally, the 20-mile stretch of the river from above Marble to about 5 miles below Redstone, was classified as “recreational.” Again, the classification is not because there are quality recreational opportunities along that stretch — although there are — but to signify that the river corridor is more highly developed than a “scenic” area. Rivers classified as “recreational” can be “readily accessible by road or railroad,” and “may have some development along their shorelines.” Highway 133 runs right along the Crystal River throughout most of this section, which also includes a number of riverside homes. After classifying the various sections of the
Page 15
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Crystal, the Forest Service then identified the “outstanding resource values” in the overall river basin, with an emphasis on the values also recognized by other entities. For example, the Redstone Castle is on the National Register of Historic Places and the marble quarries in Marble are of historical importance, so it was determined there are outstanding historical values in the area. Highway 133 is a state Scenic Byway, and the scenic values in most of the beautiful area are obvious. And there is a long list of recreational options along the river, including some of the most intense whitewater boating in Colorado. Today, the Forest Service is required to manage its land along the Crystal in a manner that does not detract from any of these “resource values.” But without formal designation under the Wild and Scenic Act, at some point that administrative posture could change. That’s why Pitkin County and the three other groups are exploring designation today. Clarke, of the Roaring Fork Conservancy, said a conference call with other organizers would be held soon to determine the next steps in the local process. “We will keep beating the bushes to find out what people’s concerns may be, but until there is some reason not to go forward, we will keep going,” she said.
Not first try at Wild and Scenic for the Crystal This is not the first time an effort has been made to obtain Wild and Scenic status for the Crystal River. The Bureau of Land Management prepared a feasibility study in 1982 and in 1986 members of the Crystal Valley Environmental Protection Association (CVEPA) held meetings to advance the idea. However, there was fierce opposition from local ranchers in the Crystal River Valley. Gregory Durrett of Redstone, a member of CVEPA, remembers some “brutal” meetings on the topic at the Carbondale library where local ranchers spoke out in fierce opposition to the idea, saying it would amount to a taking of private land. “The effort collapsed under that barrage,” Durrett said. He said that the late rancher Bill Perry was perhaps the most opposed, but that there was also opposition from ranchers in Gunnison County, where Marble is located. Bill Jochems, another member of CVEPA, said that if you take the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act at face value, it “authorizes all sorts of federal controls over land use, and so it looked pretty darn scary” to some people. “But we never had anyone come here and tell us about the various ways it can be enacted or applied,” Jochems said. Today, he said people have a better understanding that the designation can be tailored to meet the desires of local communities. “They were just worn out by determined opposition, but this was without the benefit of what we know today,” Jochems said about the earlier effort. Durrett said today people in the Crystal might well look differently at the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act. “Most people in the Crystal River took for granted tourism in the past, and now they are scratching for something that will help,” he said.
Is Colorado getting more Wild and Scenic? While today only the Cache la Poudre River has stretches that are designated under the Wild and
continued on page 19
Page 16, Crystal Valley Echo & Marble Times
Marble Charter School – Recipient of The John Irwin Award for 2011
T HE M ARBLE T IMES A L O O K AT L I F E AT T H E M A R B L E C H A R T E R S C H O O L
Marble Charter School Hosts a Special Evening with Marc Romero of the US Adaptive Ski Team & Ben Mortensen, Basketball Wheelchair Athlete:
Adaptation Education An Interactive Projection & Presentation on our Abilities to Adapt FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 1ST 5:30 pm – Spaghetti Dinner! 7:00 pm – Adaptation Education Presentation Tickets $20 – Available at MCS or at the Door $10 – Spaghetti Dinner, $10 – Adaptation Education Presentation All proceeds go directly to Adaptation Education Organization and the 7th & 8th Grade Student Fund Call MCS at 963-9550 to reserve your seat!*
Thank you so much to Collin Stewart of Carbondale for teaching us about Bolivia and his travels south of the border. We loved learning the traditional dances, and Collin was a fabulous teacher!
A Lesson For All of Us: Inspire Yourself & Your Children Inspiration, Persistence, Determination, Courage, Acceptance, & Diversity "These guys have both done and produced everything there is to do in adaptive sports and tech . . . either in reality or if just in their adaptive minds"
Thank you to Marco & Troyanne Diaz for providing an ice cream party for the winning class in our BoxTops competition, and for bringing enough to share with the other classes too! Yum!
Using powerful short stories on screen, the program entertains, educates and inspires students on adaptation and on today’s top adaptive sports, characters & technologies. The interactive presentation includes the stories behind the stories along with discussions and Q&A’s with students. Ad Ed initially began using just stories on adaptive snow-skiing from the PBS program “Heroes of the Slopes” and today has evolved into featuring stories on all the top action sports for the disabled/adaptive including many forms of water sliding, cycling and paralympic sports such as wheelchair basketball. All presentations to kids conclude with an important safety message to please always wear a helmet when skiing or biking. *Limited seating!
Many Thanks
TO THE SPONSORS OF THE MARBLE TIMES!
DAVID PARKS & LAURIE FARBER & FAMILY • ALYSSA OHNMACHT Become a Sponsor of The Marble Times!
Sponsorships help off-set the cost of producing this school paper - thus allowing it to remain ad-free, so the students’ work can be the focus. If you would like to sponsor The Marble Times, please contact Alyssa - echo@crystalvalleyecho.com or 963-2373
THIS PAGE SPONSORED IN PART BY
THIS PAGE SPONSORED IN PART BY
THE MOBILE MECHANIC, LLC 963-3845
YOU!
mobilemechanicllc@gmail.com
PLEASE CALL 963-2373 TO BECOME A SPONSOR!
THIS PAGE SPONSORED IN PART BY
BEAVER LAKE LODGE 963-2504 beaverlakelodge.com
JANUARY 2013
Page 17
6th - 8th graders submitted poems and art to the River of Words Poetry and Art Contest. Their poems and art are inspired by our Crystal River watershed.
MCS Annual Winter Holiday Bazaar
All the 3rd – 8th graders at MCS studied different winter holidays around the world. Students learned why people celebrate these events and festivals, who celebrates them, and where. The learned about traditions and customs, including what people do, eat, and what they wear. At our Winter Holiday Bazaar, students helped each other create crafts from these different traditions. We also enjoyed some foods from different traditions as we listened to traditional music. Here are some of the posters from their research, and pictures from our craft day.
Calling all Pre-school aged children and parents in the Crystal River Valley. Come join the K-2 class at the Marble Charter School for a story time and art project. Every Thursdays 9:45-11:15am. Starting Thursday January 24th. Please call Gina Mile with any questions and more details 963-9550.
THIS PAGE SPONSORED IN PART BY
THIS PAGE SPONSORED IN PART BY
NELLY CONSTRUCTION 963-6355
MICHAEL OHNMACHT 963-2373
Please save your Box Tops for Marble Charter School! Send in with your favorite MCS student, or drop off at MCS or the Redstone General Store. Thank You!
Page 18, Crystal Valley Echo & Marble Times
As I See It
Sleigh Rides Winter Trail Rides
A MONTHLY COLUMN BY BRUCE GLEDHILL
Book your winter adventure by calling 963-1144 or (229) 221-4590
The speed of a year We just celebrated the beginning of another year. How many times have you heard “I can’t believe last year went by so quickly?” The older we get, the shorter the years seem to be. Here is one explanation for that apparent shrinking of time. To a child of five, each year is 20 percent of his life experience, which is quite a large chunk. At age 10, each year is only 10 percent of our life. By the time we are 50, a year is only two percent of our life, so it seems very small. In reality each year is a set unit of time determined by how long it takes the earth to complete one orbit around the sun. You may not realize how fast the earth has to go to get around the sun in just 365 days. The fastest airplanes can go just over a 1,000 miles an hour, so you might think the earth is going that fast. Well, that’s the speed of the earth as it spins on its axis. However, the earth’s orbital speed is far greater. It’s 66,641 miles per hour. Just think; you’ve already gone several thousand miles just since you started reading this. Now add to that one more kind of motion. Along with our sun, the earth is circling around the center of our Milky Way galaxy. Scientists calculate that speed at a dizzying 500,000 miles per hour. As the earth races along in several kinds of rapid motion, we humans also race along in various kinds of motion, and before we know it, another year has passed, faster than the one before.
For the western adventure of a lifetime… • Hourly or full day trail rides • Carriage or wagon rides • Pack trips to scenic Avalanche Lake • First-class, fully guided or drop camp hunts for elk, bear, mule deer, mountain goat or bighorn sheep
UNDER SPECIAL USE PERMIT FROM USFS OUTFITTER # 2463
Bolling Jones, Owner Randy Melton, Outfitter
970-963-1144
www.redstonestables.com • avalancheoutfitters@gmail.com
Before any more of this new year races by, resolve to: Make time to think, it is the source of power. Make time to play, it is the key to relaxation. Make time to read, it is the gateway to knowledge. Make time to worship, it washes the dust of earth from your eyes. Make time to help and enjoy friends, no other happiness is greater. Make time to love, it is the richest treasure of earth. Make time to laugh and pray—these two lighten life’s load Make time to be alone with God, he is the source of everything.
W
inter in the Crystal Valley…
• Pick up more business this year with an ad in The Crystal Valley Echo. • The Echo is a great way to reach winter visitors and locals alike with your message and specials. • With affordable prices, a variety of sizes, and access to long-time local readers; placing an ad in the Echo is a good move overall. • Call me with any questions and I can help tailor an ad for your specific needs. Thanks! Ellie Kershow The Crystal Valley Echo • Advertising Sales Representative eskershow@hotmail.com • (970) 963-3903
JANUARY 2013
THE ECHO CLASSIFIEDS SERVICES: SERVICES: Notary Public: Closing documents, Wills and Sales, Contracts and more. Call Lisa Wagner 963-8240. FOR SALE: FOR SALE: 10’ Garage Door. White w/small decorative windows. In Redstone. You pick up. $200. OBO 970-963-2373
Sell your stuff… Get a tenant… Find a job or an employee… or a place to live! Echo Classifieds are a cost-effective way to advertise. ONLY $10 for 40 words and out for a whole month!
C O V E R
Page 19
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River continued from page 15 Scenic Rivers Act, the BLM is preparing a suitability study on a number of area river stretches. A final EIS is expected to be released in early 2013 by the BLM’s Colorado River Valley Field Office followed by a record of decision in 2014 for the following rivers and river sections: • Abrams Creek • Battlement Creek • Colorado River — State Bridge to Dotsero • Colorado River — Glenwood Canyon to approximately 1-mile east of No Name Creek • Deep Creek — From the BLM/Forest Service land boundary to the Deep Creek ditch diversion • Deep Creek — From the Deep Creek ditch diversion to the BLM/private land boundary • Eagle River • Egeria Creek • Hack Creek • Mitchell Creek • No Name Creek
• Rock Creek • Thompson Creek • East Middle Fork Parachute Creek Complex • East Fork Parachute Creek Complex There is more information regarding Wild and Scenic suitability on these rivers in the “Colorado River Valley Draft Resource Management Plan” from the BLM. The BLM is also reviewing a number of stretches on major rivers in Colorado, either for eligibility or suitability, including: • Animas River • Dolores River • San Miguel River • Gunnison River • Colorado River • Blue River In all, according to Deanna Masteron, a public affairs specialist with the BLM in Lakewood, the BLM is currently analyzing more than 100 segments in Colorado through various land-use plans. The Forest Service also has the ability to analyze rivers for Wild and Scenic designation.
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24 HOUR EMERGENCY SERVICE! R E S I D E N T I A L • C O M M E R C I A L • M U N I C I PA L
Snow Removal • Road Grading Utilities • Foundations Shane Edmonds • 963-7468 • SERVING MARBLE AND THE UPPER CRYSTAL
Logos • Brochures Advertising Book layout & design Alyssa Ohnmacht
• 963-2373
HAPPY
2013!
TO RUN YOUR AD IN THE CRYSTAL VALLEY ECHO SERVICE DIRECTORY - CALL 963-2373 TODAY!
Page 20, Crystal Valley Echo & Marble Times
The Echo’s Parting Shot…
i|á|à exwáàÉÇxVtáàÄx‹ REDSTONE CASTLE TOURS Tours Saturdays & Sundays • 1:30 p.m. Tickets: $15 adults, $10 seniors, $10 children 5-18, Children under 5: FREE (FOR GROUP TOURS CALL 970-963-9656)
Tickets available at Tiffany of Redstone, and the Redstone General Store. CASH OR CHECK ONLY
See you next month!
JANUARY AT THE REDSTONE INN BINGO @ 6pm January 31st LIVE MUSIC on select Thursdays Call 963-2526 for more information SLEIGH RIDES call for reservations
www.redstonecastle.us
Watch for information about our VALENTINE’S DAY CELEBRATION
(The Inn will not be serving breakfast during the month of January)
970-963-2526 your journey begins at www.redstoneinn.com