Grand-Valley-Echo-October-2010

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

Volume #3 Number 1

INSIDE

Mid-October / Mid-November 2010

Oil and Gas… What are the impacts?

Graffiti be gone page 6

Shommy’s Oxygen Bar page 11

A 157-page document is available for public review and comment. The report objectively assesses the health impacts of the gas industry on Battlement Mesa’s neighborhoods.

Photo by Ron Bailey

Quilt winner, Mary Galterio page 12

Bowling tips page 17

Our Schools pages 24-27

A thorough study: Battlement Mesa’s Health Impact Assessment (HIA)

By Carrie Click, Echo editor In May 2009, when Antero Resources announced plans to potentially drill 10 well pads and 200 natural gas wells in Battlement Mesa’s planned unit development (PUD), a ground of residents may have been shocked and concerned, but they didn’t stop there. They got busy.

The group quickly created Battlement Concerned Citizens (BCC), and began asking lots of questions. They researched natural gas industry operations, and potential hazards and health risks in the drilling process. They attended Garfield County Commissioner meetings, and began talking with the Garfield County Public Health Department.

They made phone calls and wrote letters, organized meetings, and got informed about what they could do and not do about the gas industry operating within their neighborhoods.

A year ago, the BCC presented the Garfield County Commissioners with a petition signed by approximately 400 Battlement Mesa residents. The petition requested that the commissioners “defer any permitting decision related to natural gas exploration and/or production within the PUD of Battlement Mesa until a through study of public health, safety and welfare concerns associated with urban natural gas development has been completed.”

The result, a year later, is the draft report, “Health Impact Assessment for Battlement Mesa,” a 157-page document prepared by more than half a dozen physicians, faculty and staff at the Colorado School of Public Health at the University of Denver in Aurora.

Continued on page 7

The HIA: Read and comment Time is running short on submitting comments on the draft HIA, released Sept. 20. Only written comments are accepted. The deadline is 5 p.m. on Oct. 20 by e-mail or mail.

To read the draft HIA online, go to garfieldcounty.com, click on “County Departments,” click on “Public Health,” and click on “Health Impact Assessment Report.”

For information about hard-copy versions of the HIA, contact Jim Rada, Garfield County environmental health manager, at 625-5200.

To submit comments (written only) on the draft HIA, do so by 5 p.m. on Oct. 20 to: maperc@ucdenver.edu or The Battlement Mesa HIA c/o Roxana Witter Colorado School of Public Health University of Denver 13001 E. 17th Pl. B119 Aurora, CO 80045

Page 2, GRAND VALLEY ECHO • Mid-October / Mid-November 2010

FROM THE ECHO

Have a story idea?

Contact the Echo gve@crystalvalleyecho.com

ARROWOOD PLUMBING Glass Vessel Sinks starting at $99!

The Grand Valley Echo is two years old

Services Include: * New Construction/Remodels * Water Heaters/Boilers * Swamp Coolers/Sprinklers * Drain Cleaning * Service Work

COME VISIT OUR NEW SHOWROOM FEATURING:

The Echo is celebrating its two-year anniversary of serving the Parachute and Battlement Mesa communities.

Faucets, Fixtures, Cabinets, Countertops, Flooring, Tile, Plumbing Supplies, and More!

243 E. 1st Street - Downtown Parachute -970-270-8869

Since 2008, we’ve been bringing you community news every month. Gas and oil issues, organization and club activities, people stories, school news, calendar items – we hope the Echo has been a positive contribution to the Grand Valley.

We want to thank all of our advertisers who support the paper, and all our contributors who provide information for our copy. Without you, we couldn’t put the Echo together every month.

Alyssa Ohnmacht Publisher

Carrie Click Editor

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.

Charlie Hornick, Heidi Rice, Sarah Tahvonen, Parachute Branch Library, Barbara Barker, Lori Sweers, Jean Edmonds, Joline Gnatek, Jory

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.

Sorensen, Ryan Frink, Rebecca Ruland Vina Klahn, Kathy Germano, Jeanne Miles, PUBLISHER/DESIGNER ALYSSA OHNMACHT EDITOR CARRIE CLICK ADVERTISING SALES BARBARA PAVLIN

285-7634 The Grand Valley Echo is published monthly, and is distributed throughout Battlement Mesa and Parachute.

Subscriptions are available for a $25 annual fee.

DISTRIBUTION/CIRCULATION STEVE PAVLIN Dawn Distribution • 963-0874

Brian Berg, Betsy Leonard, M.E. Denomy, Battlement Mesa PEO Chapter IW, Barbara Pavlin, Michelle Duran, Mary Anderson, Mitzi Burkhart, Emily Hisel, Julie Lana, Bill Cornelius, Sharon Temple, Martin Mortuary, Veronica Duran, Lizbet Gonzalez, Stefanie Horton, Eryn Paskett, Sidney Drinkhouse, Matt Donello, Liz Favier, Mary Lee Mohrlang, Bob Knight, Dick Ciprich, Cary Parmenter, Rob Furguson

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

GRAND VALLEY ECHO • Mid-October / Mid-November 2010, Page 3

G R A N D

VA L L E Y

A new way of searching and rescuing Garfield County Search and Rescue and Garfield County Sheriff’s Office sign agreement

By Carrie Click, Echo editor Garfield County Search and Rescue (GSAR) the allvolunteer nonprofit group responsible for locating and caring for people injured, lost and otherwise incapacitated in the backcountry, has a new way of operating.

And it couldn’t happen soon enough. Because of a popular fall hunting season, autumn is one of the busiest times in western Colorado for search and rescue teams.

This past summer, GSAR signed an agreement with the Garfield County Sheriff’s Office that, according to GSAR President Mike Alsdorf, is similar to one between the search and rescue group and sheriff’s office in Laramer County, Colo.

GSAR started looking at a new way of coordinating efforts in 2010 after Garfield County Sheriff Lou Vallario stated he would require all search and rescue volunteers to complete a 38-page application in order to serve with the agency.

Mike says that GSAR has always required that volunteers submit to background checks and driver’s license checks, But some members were concerned that the additional lengthy application asked questions beyond what was necessary to ask a volunteer on search and rescue.

“It’s appropriate for a deputy,” Mike says, “but some of the members had a lot of concern.”

As several members began resigning from Garfield County’s 30-plus search and rescue team, staff from both the sheriff’s office and search and rescue started looking into how other search and rescue teams coordinate efforts with their local law enforcement agencies.

After Larimer County’s sheriff contacted Lou and

H A L L O W E E N

If you’re big, mid-size or small, this Halloween as it all Some Halloween safety tips Several choices for Grand Valleyites

By Parachute Police Chief Cary Parmenter

• Grand Valley Pub & Grille’s Halloween Celebration and Fifth Anniversary The Grand Valley Pub & Grille instilled a Parachute tradition when they opened five years ago with a Halloween party.

They continue their Halloween fun this year. Celebrate a day early, on Saturday night, Oct. 30. The party starts at 8 p.m., with a live band, prizes for best costumes, and more. Call 285-9616 for more information.

Fall is in the air, and with it brings the start of the holidays.

We will start seeing houses on the block decorated with spider webs, jack-o-lanterns, and yard ornaments.

One of the best parts of Halloween is trick or treating for those all-too-yummy treats, but it is also important that everyone stays safe on Halloween. Here are some safety tips to remember while your little ones are out trick or treating.

1. Have children wear a costume that fits so they don't trip over it.

2. Make sure their costume lets them see and hear well; if possible, paint their face instead of wearing a mask.

3. Choose a costume that is light in color or put glowin-the- dark patches on it so they are easily seen.

4. Give trick or treaters a flashlight or glow sticks to help them see – and be seen – in the dark.

5. Remind kids to cross the street at corners and never cross between parked cars.

6. Have kids go trick or treating with a trusted grown-up.

7. Have children visit the people you know, such as friends, family, and neighbors.

8. Check all your children’s treats before they eat them.

Thank you, and have a fun and safe Halloween.

• Harvest Festival and Masquerade Party Lifetime Grand Valley resident Tina Metcalf is helping organize a community-wide Harvest Festival and Masquerade Party on Halloween, Oct. 31.

She’s planning two events at different times at the Grand Valley Middle School. A festival during the afternoon is for kids and their families; the evening Halloween party is for big kids, i.e. adults.

“The Harvest Festival is a family-oriented event for people of all ages, and designed for the younger crowd with games, prizes, candy and food,” Tina says. “The idea behind this is to give kids a safe, healthy option to being out on the streets on Halloween night.”

There will be Bump-N-Jumps, photo booths, a blacklight course, bobbing for apples, face-painting and Vic Murphy, a professional BMX biker.

The Harvest Festival runs from 2-6 p.m. and is free.

“The Masquerade Party is a fantastic option for the older crowd to participate in something elegant, fun and exciting,” says Tina.

The party features live music with Everfound, Chamberlynn, and Christina Metcalf, food and fun, and a $100 cash prize for best mask.

And again appearing is Vic Murphy, a professional BMX rider and speaker, who will entertain and educate the crowd.

The Masquerade Party is from 6-10 p.m. at the Grand Valley Middle School.

The events are sponsored by Metcalf Excavation, David Furr, and Williams Production, and are put on by Crown Baptist Church with help from Grace Bible Church. Call 618-7342 for more information.

• Shommy’s Restaurant and Bar Shommy's Restaurant and Bar, at 28 Cardinal Way behind the Phillips 66 in Parachute, is holding its second annual Halloween Party on Halloween night, Oct. 31.

Shommy’s is having two costume contests. A costume for kids will be judged at 6 p.m. and one for adults will be judged at 10 p.m. Call 285-9711 for more information.

– Carrie Click, Echo editor

the two talked about streamlining efforts, GSAR and the Garfield County Sheriff’s Office began negotiating a new contract and a new way of operating. The agreement, which verifies that GSAR is its own 501(C)3 nonprofit agency, confirms that GSAR operates separately from the sheriff’s office, yet will continue to work closely with the office, as the sheriff has ultimate responsibility of search and rescue in the county.

What the new agreement will do is allow search and rescue team members to continue to do what they do best. GSAR does and will provide the actual search and rescue services and wilderness safety education to the county’s residents and visitors. And while background checks and driver’s license checks will continue to be conducted, the 38-page application will not be required to be filled out.

Each GSAR specialist completes a 60-plus hour technical course plus additional training in land search operations, navigation, basic life support, cardio pulmonary resuscitation, high/low angle rope rescue, swift water rescue, boat/raft operations, all terrain vehicle and snowmobile operations, avalanche rescue and safety, ice rescue, cave rescue, and helicopter rescue and safety.

Last year, GSAR volunteers spent more than 2,700 hours in search and rescue operations, often working directly with other SAR teams, local fire and emergency medical services departments, law enforcement, the U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, Colorado Division of Wildlife and Colorado State Parks personnel. GSAR also conducted more than 240 hours of public information and training seminars with hunters, hikers, rafters, skiers and others to ensure all were equipped with the latest safety information prior to venturing into the great, and sometimes unforgiving, Colorado outdoors.

Echo Brief Hunting season dates It’s time for rifle season, and that means lots of hunters will be in and around the backcountry, from now through November.

According to Dale Lashnits of the Colorado Division of Wildlife (CDOW), hunters can expect lots of animals and good big-game seasons this fall.

Stephanie Duckett, a wildlife biologist with CDOW, says deer and elk are in very good shape.

“This summer has had good moisture so the forage is plentiful and of good quality, and animals should be in excellent condition,” she said.

According to the CDOW, biologists put Colorado’s elk population currently at 280,000plus, making Colorado’s elk herd the largest in North America. And Colorado’s deer herds are estimated at more than 466,000.

When hunting, be safe and prepared. Even if you’re not hunting but in hunting areas, be sure to wear colors.

Oct. 16-20: First season separate limited elk Oct. 23-31: Second season combined deer/elk Nov. 6-14: Third season combined deer/elk Go to wildlife.state.co.us/hunting for more information.

– Carrie Click, Echo editor

Page 4, GRAND VALLEY ECHO • Mid-October / Mid-November 2010

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.

• Oct. 16-20: Hunting season – First season separate limited elk, wildlife.state.co.us/hunting.

• Oct. 16: 2-4 p.m. Battlement Mesa’s Philanthropic Educational Organization (PEO) Chapter IW Fall Fashion Show and Wine Pairing is at the Battlement Mesa Activity Center. $21/in advance; $25/at the door. Light refreshments. 948-1912.

• Oct. 19: 6:30 p.m. Learn how to prepare your garden for fall and winter from Patrick McCarty, a certified master gardener and CSU Extension agent, at the Parachute Branch Library. Free and open to beginners and experienced gardeners. 285-9870.

• Oct. 20: 5 p.m. Deadline to submit comments on the Mesa Health Impact draft Battlement Assessment. See cover story. Send comments to maperc@ucdenver.edu.

• Oct. 21: 12 p.m. Parachute/Battlement Chamber of Commerce board meeting at Alpine Bank-Battlement Mesa. 285-0388.

• Oct. 22: 7-8 p.m. Personal Home and Physical Safety, presented by the Garfield County Sheriff’s Office and KSUN, at the Battlement Mesa Firehouse. Sponsored

by Encana Oil & Gas (USA). Tanny, 945-0453.

• Nov. 2: Vote. See page 5 for details.

Nov. 6-14: Hunting season – Third season combined deer/elk, wildlife.state.co.us/hunting.

• Every Wednesday at 11 a.m. is Toddler Time, and every Friday at 11 a.m. is Storytime at the Parachute Library. Both open to young children. Call Michelle at 285-9870.

• Nov. 10: 7-8 p.m. Community Gang Prevention and Education, presented by the Garfield County Sheriff’s Office and KSUN, at the Battlement Mesa Activity Center. Tanny, 945-0453.

• Every Wednesday at 11:30 a.m., the 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.

Nov. 11: 12 p.m. Parachute/Battlement Chamber of Commerce membership meeting is at the Parachute Branch Library. Guest speaker is Chris Reddin from the Business Incubation Center in Grand Junction.

• Every Wednesday at 6 p.m., "Through the Bible in One Year" Bible Study is at the Grand Valley Christian Church, 116 W. Second. Contact Pastor Lois Smith, 285-7957.

ONGOING

• 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.

• The Village Artists art show remains up at the Battlement Mesa Activity Center through Oct. 29.

Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-7 p.m., Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Elaine, 285-7197.

• The Battlement Mesa Activity Center has lots of classes and activities: swimming, dancing, personal training, water aerobics, yoga, kung fu, basketball, and more. Call 285-9480.

• 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 Ron, 285-3085.

Oct. 23-31: Hunting season – Second season combined deer/elk, wildlife.state.co.us/hunting.

• KSUN Community Radio’s annual membership drive is underway. Support local radio by becoming a member. $25/person. 285-2246.

• 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.

• Oct. 22: 5-6:30 p.m. Grand Valley United Methodist Church serves its annual Chicken and Biscuit Dinner with a variety of homemade pies for dessert with ice cream. 132 N. Parachute, Parachute, 285-9892.

• 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.

• Every Friday from 9-9:30 a.m. “Community Connections” interviews with community members on KSUN 103.9 FM.

• Every Monday from 12:45-4 p.m., Party Bridge is held at the Battlement Mesa Activity Center. All levels welcome.

UPCOMING

• Oct. 23-24: Kiwanians distribute empty food bags to Parachute and Battlement Mesa homes, to be filled and picked up on Oct. 30.

• Oct. 26: 1 p.m. Village Artists feature Laurel Astor providing a watercolor demonstration at the Parachute Branch Library. Joline, 285-7642.

• Oct. 30: Kiwanians pick up bags of non-perishable food from Parachute and Battlement Mesa homes for the annual food drive for LIFT UP. Have your bags curbside or on porches by 10 a.m.; pick-ups take place all day.

• Oct. 30: 8 p.m. Get started early with your Halloween celebrations at the Grand Valley Pub & Grille’s fifth anniversary party. Live band, costume contest, prizes and more. 101 Cardinal Way, Parachute. 285-9616.

Oct. 31: It’s Halloween. As always, look out for trick or treaters out and about in the neighborhoods in the evening. The Harvest Festival runs from 2-6 p.m. at Grand Valley Middle School for the younger set. A Masquerade Party, also at the Grand Valley Middle School is from 6-10 p.m. with prizes for costumes and more. 618-7342. Shommy’s restaurant is throwing a Halloween party, with a kids’ costume contest at 6 p.m. and an adults’ costume contest at 10 p.m. 285-9711.

Nov. 1: Deadline for local nonprofits to submit grant applications to the Mt. Callahan Community Fund. Requests should not exceed $500. See brief in this issue of the Echo, or call Barbara at 285-7634.

• The first Tuesday of every month, at 7 p.m. the West Garfield Democrats meet at Mesa Vista Assisted Living, 285-7206.

• Every Tuesday at 7 a.m., the Kiwanis Club of Grand Valley/Parachute meets at the Parachute Senior Center, 540 N. Parachute, in Parachute.

Coffee is at 7 a.m., program begins at 7:30 a.m.

• The second Tuesday of every month at 6:30 p.m., the Grand Valley Citizens Alliance meets at the Mesa Vista Assisted Living Residence. Call Paul, 285-7791.

• Neighborhood Watch meets the second Tuesday of the month at 7 p.m. at Parachute Town Hall, 222 Grand Valley Way, Parachute. 285-7630.

• HEARTBEAT, for those who have lost a friend or loved one through suicide, 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 located at 824 Cooper Street.

• 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.

• Nov. 11: Veterans Day • Nov. 11: 6 p.m. Veterans Day Dinner at the Battlement Mesa Activity Center. Please call 285-9480 for more info.

• Nov. 18: 12 p.m. Parachute/Battlement Chamber of Commerce board meeting at Alpine Bank-Battlement Mesa. 285-0388.

• Nov. 20: 9 a.m.-4 p.m. 28th annual Craft Fair at Grand Valley High School. 285-0388.

• Nov. 23: 1 p.m. Village Artists art teacher Jane Seglem from New Castle, discusses art therapy, at the Parachute Library. Joline, 285-7642.

• Dec. 4: 1-4 p.m. Holiday Home Tour benefits the PEO Chapter IP scholarship fund. $10/ticket, available now from any PEO Chapter IP member or call Lee at 285-5628.

• Dec. 4, KSUN Community Radio Christmas Gala at the Battlement Mesa Activity Center. Tickets: $22/ KSUN members, $25/pre-event, $30/at the door.

Questions call 285-0388.

• Dec. 7: 7-8 p.m. Internet Safety and Education, presented by the Garfield County Sheriff’s Office and KSUN, at the Parachute Branch Library. Tanny, 945-0453.

• Dec. 14: Village Artists Christmas party. Joline, 285-7642.

GRAND VALLEY ECHO • Mid-October / Mid-November 2010, Page 5

G O V E R N M E N T

Election time is here again Decisions to be made on Nov. 2

By Carrie Click, Echo editor The Colorado Heritage Group BRAND NEW– WAITING FOR YOU! Master bedroom on the main level-finished lower level, kitchen/dining with breakfast bar, fine finishes, 2,600 plus sq. ftg.

Battlement Mesa - $379,900 BEAUTIFUL RANCH STYLE HOME! Located on quiet cul-de-sac, maintenance-free vinyl siding, large fenced yard, 18” ceramic tile flooring, heated garage.

Battlement Mesa - $229,900 ENERGY EFFICIENT FEATURES Radiant floor heat – upgraded insulation, master with gigantic closet, oversized garage and vinyl fenced yard.

Battlement Mesa - $329,900 READY TO MOVE-IN and ENJOY! Walk to Battlement activity center, townhome with finished lower level, flex room and master on main level.

Battlement Mesa - $230,000 EVERYONE LOVES A FACELIFT! New paint, light fixtures, appliances and water heater.

MF home with lattice covered patio and corner garden tub.

Battlement Mesa - $129,000 LIVING THE LIFE! Spectacular stucco ranch-style home with high-end finishes, metal fencing and miles wide views from the back patio.

Battlement Mesa - $349,900 THERE is a LOT to LOVE! Exceptional, upscale townhome.

Ranch with finished walk-out lower level, two fireplaces, two living areas.

Battlement Mesa - $279,900 BUYER AND BUDGET FRIENDLY! Well kept MF home with great views, open living, dining, kitchen areas. Fenced yard, care-free vinyl siding, beautiful!!!

Battlement Mesa - $164,900

GREAT AMENITIES MF home, automatic awning over deck, spacious dining, kitchen, living areas, shed, fenced yard, pellet stove.

Battlement Mesa - $149,900 ENJOY LIFE – LOVELY HOME! Patio home borders open space, window filled living/dining area, plush carpet, tiled kitchen counters, transom windows.

Battlement Mesa - $195,000 GREAT PRICE – GREAT VALUE! MF home close to elementary school, compact plan with all the basics, beautiful bushes, trees & flower beds, 2-car garage.

Battlement Mesa - $105,000 CIRCLE DRIVE – EXTRA PARKING Unique and creative floor plan, master suite adjoins screened porch, beautiful wood floors and tongue & groove ceilings.

Battlement Mesa - $396,000 WELL BUILT – GREAT CONDITION Oak hardwood floors, trim, cabinets, wall of windows in living room, lighted deco accents & skylights make this wonderful!

Battlement Mesa - $289,000 SCENIC VIEWS OF FALL COLORS Fenced RV parking and storage area, large covered deck with great views, hardwood interior doors.

Battlement Mesa - $189,900 EXQUISITE TOWNHOME Lower level media room and wet bar, lavish master bath, jetted tub, tiled floors, two fireplaces - wonderful home!

Battlement Mesa - $279,900 DESIGN & DECORATOR ELEGANCE Granite counters, tile flooring, amazing townhome in immaculate condition extended deck with great views.

Battlement Mesa - $199,900 VACANT LAND Picturesque buildable lots in Battlement Mesa and surrounding areas.

Prices starting at $69,000.00.

mohrlang • jones The NAMES that mean EXCELLENCE in Real Estate…

Karen Jones, 970-379-1353 Mary Lee Mohrlang, CRS, GRI 970-216-5058 73 Sipprelle Drive, Suite J-1, Batlement Mesa, CO 81635

Virtual Tours www.MohrlangJones.com

It’s voting time again, and in Battlement Mesa and Parachute, voters have three ways to cast their ballots, according to Garfield County Clerk Jean Alberico: early voting in Rifle; mail-in voting; or election day voting at the Battlement Mesa Activity Center.

Early voting begins Oct. 18 and runs through Oct. 29. Voters need to go to the Garfield County Human Services building Election dates: across the street from City Market in Rifle for Oct. 12-26: Last day mail-in ballots sent early voting. to registered voters.

Voters can vote by mail-in ballot, or on Oct. 18-29: Early voting.

Nov. 2, Grand Valley voters can show up at the Oct. 26: Last day to request a mail-in balBattlement Mesa Activity Center to vote in lot if mailed. person. If you do opt to vote in person, bring Oct. 29: Last day to request a mail-in balyour ID to the polls. Voting hours are 7 a.m.-7 lot if picked up at the county clerk’s office. p.m.

Nov. 2: Polls open 7 a.m.-7 p.m. All balGarfield County’s ballot will have federal, lots must be received at the proper Garfield state and county voting decisions.

County facility by 7 p.m.

Proposition 101 and Amendments 60 and 61, which seek to severely alter funding for tax-supported services, such as roads, fire protection services, schools and town and city services, are getting a lot of attention.

And with the governorship up for grabs, the race is narrowing to Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper, Evergreen businessman Dan Maes, and former Congressman Tom Tancredo.

Voters in the three of four precincts in the Parachute/Battlement area will need to decide whether Steve King, Claudette Konola or Gilbert Fuller will become the next State Senate District 7 representative. For Precinct 24, the choice comes down to Steve Ivancle, Randy Baumgardner or Mike Klein for the State Representative District 57.

Below are Garfield County’s questions on this year’s ballot: Parachute/Battlement Mesa Precincts 24 – East of Parachute/Battlement Mesa 25 – Parachute proper 26 – Battlement Mesa 27 – West Battlement Mesa The polling place for Parachute and Battlement Mesa is at the Battlement Mesa Activity Center.

Garfield County Assessor (Vote for one) John Gorman Jim Yellico Garfield County Commissioner – District 1 (Vote for one) Tresi Houpt Tom Jankovsky Garfield County Sheriff (Vote for one) Tom Delessandri Lou Vallario

The County Clerk and Recorder, County Treasurer and County Coroner are running unopposed. The County Surveyor’s position is unopposed but includes a write-in option Garfield County is voting on Proposition 102, which would permit first-time offenders of a nonviolent misdemeanor the option to be released, or released to a community services program in lieu of a cash or property bond.

Three other ballot questions also Grand Valley Fire District ballot question appear on the Garfield County balThe Grand Valley Fire Protection District has a ballot and concern the cultivation, sale lot question for this year’s election, but don’t look for and possession of medical marijuait on your General Election ballot; the fire district is na in unincorporated Garfield handling its election separately through a mail-in balCounty. lot. Ballots were scheduled to be in the mail starting For more information on the Oct. 13.

General Election, call 384-3700, Essentially, the question asks voters to allow the option 2; or go to garfielddistrict to continue to collect, retain and spend funds county.com; under “Departments,” as it has in the past, without asking the voters for a click on “Clerk and Recorder.” mill levy tax increase.

Information is also available at Call 285-9119 with questions about the fire disParachute Town Hall and the trict’s election.

Parachute Branch Library.

Page 6, GRAND VALLEY ECHO • Mid-October / Mid-November 2010

G O V E R N M E N T Town of Parachute News

Parachute's getting a Comfort Inn, and check out the WassonMcKay House From Parachute Town Administrator Robert Knight

Summer traffic has slowed but progress continues to be made in Parachute.

• The Comfort Inn has broken ground and may be in operation in about eight months.

• Blac Frac is refurbishing their lot off County Road 215 with the addition of one new building and another in the plan review stage. They are also constructing a much-needed commercial water dispensing fill station. This may be in operation in as early as 45 days.

• Town staff are working diligently toward the completion of the 2011 budget with a proposed budget being presented to the Parachute Town Trustees for their October meeting. Revenues are expected to remain tight so this budget has little room for capital projects of any magnitude.

• The Wasson-McKay Park property on Cardinal Way has come a long ways this year. The foliage was trimmed, a sprinkler system installed, two lots next door purchased, and buildings on them torn down. Now the house has been recently painted. It looks like a gingerbread house so you should take the time to stop by and see the improvements. We are expecting the stones around the windows to be repaired in the next couple of weeks and missing grout in the stone foundation bricks repaired and replaced.

• The variable message boards in town continue to be a great way to get the word out about community events, and many groups have taken the opportunity to display their events on them.

There is no charge for this service so please contact Parachute Town Hall if you have an event that needs to be posted. The boards are not used for any commercial advertising.

• Parachute’s solar project is winding down with the final two installations on town hall and the water treatment plant expected to be operational before publication of this column. Garfield New Energy Communities is researching information kiosks for the various communities involved in this county-wide effort, and we hope to have one installed at town hall in the near future.

From the Chief Graffiti be gone

By Parachute Chief of Police Cary Parmenter Parachute police officers and members of the Parachute Police Explorer Post #250 spent Oct. 2 painting the Parachute pedestrian bridge.

In recent years, the bridge has accumulated a lot of gang-type graffiti on the landings and stairs and was an eyesore for the town.

Top and right, Parachute Officer John Mulligan, Sgt. Kevin Wayman, Chief Cary Parmenter, along with cadets Sierra Berger, Eamon Giboo, Sean Giboo, Lorraine Williams, and advisor Rae M. DeVan volunteered and covered up the graffiti with paint provided by the Colorado Department of Transportation.

Photo courtesy of Parachute Police

Government Brief KSUN presents Garfield County Sheriff Office’s community education programs Instructors from Garfield County Sheriff’s Community Relations Department are presenting three educational programs during the next few months.

The programs are being presented by Tanny McGinnis, community relations deputy and administrative supervisor, and Phil Strouse, community relations assistant. Both are with the Garfield County Sheriff’s Office

Program information: • Oct. 22 at the Battlement Mesa Firehouse from 7-8 p.m.

Program: Personal Home and Physical Safety Sponsor: Encana Oil & Gas (USA) • Nov. 10 at the Battlement Mesa Activity Center from 78 p.m.

Program: Community Gang Prevention and Education Sponsor: Grand River Hospital District • Dec. 7 at the Parachute Branch Library from 7-8 p.m.

Program: Internet Safety and Education Sponsor: Williams Production The purpose of these programs is to educate the community to current threats in our neighborhoods, schools and communities from Internet scams, home invasions, personal safety and gang-related activities.

The programs include helping citizens better understand how to protect themselves, how to avoid threatening situations and how to increase citizen’s awareness of these potential threats to their safety and well being.

The sessions are open to the public at no charge, and will be followed with a question and answer period.

Refreshments will be served by the sponsoring company.

– Mary Lee Mohrlang

GRAND VALLEY ECHO • Mid-October / Mid-November 2010, Page 7

Government

O I L

&

G A S

THE BATTLEMENT MESA SERVICE ASSOCIATION

Vote no on Proposition 101, Amendments 60 and 61

By Keith Lammey, president, Battlement Mesa Service Association At this point in the political season, we’ve all seen the political advertisement regarding measures 60, 61 and 101. In fact you may be to the point that you don’t want to hear the same old message “one more time” about why you should or shouldn’t vote for the three issues.

Rest assured, it isn’t my intent to ask you to suffer through the same message again, but perhaps you’ve wondered what the Battlement Mesa Service Association thinks about these issues and, if enacted, what impact it would have on the BMSA and its ability to provide services to our community.

This is sort of a good news, bad news story. I’ll start with the good news.

Even if Colorado’s voters pass all three of these measures – Amendments 60 and 61 and Proposition 101 – the Battlement Mesa Service Association will continue to conduct our business exactly as we have in the past. No doubt you’ve heard all of the horror stories about how other entities including school districts, special districts, cities and towns, etc. will be severely impacted.

So why is the BMSA immune? The BMSA does not receive any form of tax revenues and we don’t borrow money. Except for some industry contributions, our sole revenue source is the assessments paid by our members.

The bad news is that, if these measures pass, Battlement Mesa and the BMSA will feel the impact. I’ll explain.

The assessments paid by our members pay for the basic services that the BMSA provides. These services include things like landscaping, irrigation, fence maintenance and replacement, maintenance of the trail system, etc. and the BMSA will still be able to provide these services.

The problem is that several services that are critical to our community are not funded nor provided by the BMSA and the funding for those services will be severely impacted if 60, 61 and 101 pass.

Two prime examples are our road system and the Battlement Mesa Activity Center. Battlement Parkway, Stone Quarry Road, Spencer, Sipprelle and all of the streets in Battlement Creek, The Reserve, Willow Creek, Stone Ridge, Monument Creek, Tamarisk Village and Tamarisk Meadows are county roads. The county pays for all of the maintenance, including snowplowing, for these streets. If Garfield County’s revenues are cut, it is almost certain that the county will reduce the level of services that they provide, including the maintenance and plowing of our streets.

And then there is the Battlement Mesa Activity Center. The activity center is owned and operated by the Battlement Mesa Metropolitan District. The metro district is a special district and these measures, if passed, will substantially reduce their funding.

Sure, reduced funding will make it more difficult for the metro district to provide our water and sewer needs, but not to the point where no water or sewer services can be provided.

In contrast, based upon my understanding of these issues, and of the metro district’s funding sources, I believe that the Battlement Mesa Activity Center WOULD CLOSE! Within the last year, the hours and some services had to be reduced in order to balance the activity center’s budget and it has had a noticeable impact on our community. Just imagine what it would be like to not have our activity center!

So, even though the BMSA’s funding would not be directly impacted by the passage of these three measures, on Sept. 28, the BMSA board of directors voted to adopt a resolution against the three measures.

Please, don’t hurt our community! Please don’t hurt Colorado!

Please vote against Amendments 60 and 61 and Proposition 101!

The opinions expressed by Battlement Mesa Service Association President Keith Lammey are his, and not necessarily those of all Battlement Mesa governing entities or this newspaper.

The HIA reports on the impacts drilling has on human health, such as air and soil quality, and noise and light pollution.

Photo courtesy of Jim Rada

Health Impact Assessment

from page 1

The Garfield County Health Department initiated the assessment on behalf of the BCC. Diverse groups such as the Battlement Mesa Service Association, Battlement Mesa Company, Antero Resources, Grand Valley Citizens Alliance, and the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission participated in the process.

Released on Sept. 20, the draft Health Impact Assessment (HIA) is available to the public for review. Comments in writing are being accepted regarding the HIA until 5 p.m. on Oct. 20 (see breakout box on the cover regarding accessing the HIA, and email and mailing addresses to submit comments).

The draft report is divided into multiple sections, which outline the Parachute and the Battlement Mesa communities, Antero’s drilling plans, and the community’s concerns.

Objective assessments on air and soil quality, transportation and traffic, noise and light pollution, community wellness, and health impacts due to gas industry exposure are all detailed in the report.

According to the Garfield County Public Health Department, when the public comment period has closed on Oct. 20, the researchers who produced the HIA will collect the formal public comments. They’ll develop responses to each comment and include the responses in the HIA’s final version, which will be submitted to the Garfield County commissioners and released on Nov. 15.

Although there is no guarantee that public comments will warrant change to the HIA document, the final version will include an appendix with each formal comment, the name of the person who submitted the comment, any organizational affiliations and a response from the public health researchers at the Colorado School of Public Health.

Following the final release of the HIA on Nov. 15, the public health research team will hold another public meeting, according to the Garfield County Public Health Department.

The HIA is being funded

by Garfield County, and grants from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the Pew Charitable Trust.

Page 8, GRAND VALLEY ECHO • Mid-October / Mid-November 2010

GRAND VALLEY ECHO • Mid-October / Mid-November 2010, Page 9

O I L

&

G A S

GRAND VALLEY ENERGY Across from Family Dollar on Cardinal Way in Parachute.

Celebrate Halloween & our 5th Anniversary Sat, Oct 30th 8 pm Costume contest, prizes & LIVE band

285-9616

PRIME RIB every 3rd Friday Prepared by Chef John Cox Homemade daily specials & soup Best Food in Town • FREE shuttle Fri. & Sat. LIVE music on weekends NOW OFFERING A 10% SENIOR DISCOUNT. Delivering Food to Go Fri. & Sat. 5-10 pm

Hours: Breakfast & Lunch 8 am - 2 pm Daily Dinner 5-10 pm Daily

WANT MORE NEWS? We have more news and contributions that we’d like to share each month, but not enough room in the paper...

Please help by advertising your business!

(The number of pages we can run is based on the amount of paid advertising we have.)

Ad deadline is the first of each month.

Contact Barbara Pavlin for advertising information luckybarb711@msn.com

A monthly column by M.E. Denomy, CPA

Down the tubes

Ever wonder how the natural gas gets from our wells in Parachute to heat homes across the nation? This is done by sending the gas through many, many pipelines that have been placed underground from our backyard to many parts of the nation. These underground pipelines can be spotted by locating the cleared areas in our landscape.

The first set of pipelines that the gas travels through starts at the well site and are called gathering lines.

Normally, these gathering lines are small in diameter and do not carry more than the gas that is produced at one well site. These gathering lines are connected to another transmission pipeline that takes gas from multiple well locations to a sight “upstream” from the well sites, normally to a location that processes the gas to be put into a bigger pipeline to take the gas “over the mountain.” The gas from our area can pass through multiple transportation pipelines before the gas finally gets sold to customers for use.

Some of our gas travels north and west to California or the Pacific Northwest. Other amounts of our gas can go south to Southern California or Nevada. Another bunch of our gas goes east as far as Chicago and even beyond.

At each of these connections to another pipeline, it is necessary for the gas to be at a pressure that is higher than the pressure of the line to which it is being transferred. If the pressure is not raised, the gas will not be able to “force” its way into the next pipeline. To raise the pressure of the traveling gas, the gas needs to be compressed. If you have ever seen the large fans located on the north side of I-70 between Parachute and Rifle, you have witnessed the process of compression.

Lately, the safety of underground pipelines has come to the forefront. There have been broken pipelines in Michigan, Illinois and an explosion in California. There are a number of safety precautions that are necessary to prevent accidents from happening. There are valves that can be turned off, insulation to protect corrosion and standards about pipeline placement that are some of the precautions that are in place to protect pipelines.

Well, as they used to say in the ‘60s, “Tubular, man.”

Mary Ellen Denomy, CPA, is a Battlement Mesa resident and an Accredited Petroleum Accountant She has been nationally recognized as an expert in oil and gas issues. Mary Ellen is the immediate past president of the Rocky Mountain Chapter of the National Association of Royalty Owners. If you have questions, contact her at the naro-us.org website or through The Grand Valley Echo.

Page 10, GRAND VALLEY ECHO • Mid-October / Mid-November 2010

L E T T E R S

T O

T H E

E C H O

Send us a letter. Got something on your mind? We’re expanding 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.

Two votes for Trési and Claudette Dear Editor:

I would like to recommend two candidates who are up for election on Nov. 2.

Battlement Mesa and Garfield County need to reelect Trési Houpt. She stood up for us when our air and water quality was threatened. If we don't support Trési, we deserve what we get.

Without Trési as a commissioner, all of the county commissioners will be Republican and pro-gas/oil. If she is not re-elected, Antero will be given free rein by the county in their permits to drill in Battlement Mesa. As the only Democratic county commissioner, her presence has kept the oil companies from running roughshod over us. Even if you support gas drilling, you should want commissioners from mixed political backgrounds to prevent excesses.

And Claudette Kanola is the clear choice for the Colorado Senate District 7 race. She is an outsider to state government. Claudette held a management job in private industry for more than 30 years. This gave her real-world experience in producing results and getting the job done. We need real world experience in solving Colorado’s tough economic problems.

Her concern for the community is shown by her

second career: managing nonprofit lenders. These community lenders include the Mesa County Revolving Loan Fund, and the Community Reinvestment Fund. The Community Reinvestment Fund is responsible for producing and saving more than 40,000 jobs since 1988. In this tough economy, we clearly need someone who can produce jobs.

Claudette is also a nationally recognized expert on New Market Tax Credits, having lectured on that topic at the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas. She is listed in “Who’s Who in Finance and Business” and “Who’s Who in America.”

Clearly, Claudette is the best choice for representing District 7 in the Colorado State Senate.

Thomas Hall Battlement Mesa

Vote for Trési Houpt Dear Editor: I am writing to urge all my neighbors to vote for Trési Houpt for Garfield County Commissioner.

There are good reasons to vote for Trési, no matter what your party affiliation happens to be.

Trési has done a great job over the last eight years representing everybody who lives here. Whether you’re a retiree like me, a family with children in the local schools, or an employee working for one of the energy companies, Trési has worked to see your interests are considered by the county commissioners.

For instance, Trési has voted to approve around 95 percent of all the energy development applications that have come before her. But at the same time, she has taken concrete steps to protect our health and safety. The Health Impact Assessment for Antero’s plan to drill in Battlement Mesa would not have been possible without Trési's leadership. We are better off because of her willingness to advocate for our health and the community’s overall interests, even if it means slowing down a drilling project for a few months.

Trési is great at balancing all the various interests and needs of our community because she listens to all sides before she makes a decision. She gives voice to a lot of people who live here. We can’t afford to lose that. It’s what makes her a great county commissioner and is why she deserves your vote.

Lori Sweers Battlement Mesa

• Walk-in tubs installed in Battlement Mesa available to view.

$

00

1000

Factory rebate on all Best Bath walk-in tubs with air or water jets.

Expires November 30, 2010. With this coupon only.

GRAND VALLEY ECHO • Mid-October / Mid-November 2010, Page 11

B U S I N E S S Left, Shawna Nolan owns and operates Shommy's Restaurant and Bar in Parachute with the help of her husband, Lou. Lower left, Eva Rodriguez of Grand Junction is one of 10 employees at Shommy's and has been with the restaurant since it opened in July 2009.

Lower right, Shawna "Shommy" Nolan, offers an Airhead Oxygen Bar with several different "flavors" of oxygen that run from eucalyptus to lavender.

Bring this coupon in and get

10% off a brake job!

Photos by Heidi Rice

Full Throttle Tire & Auto We do brakes, exhaust, struts, shocks, front end & rear end work.

We offer fleet management.

– Owners, Bonnie & Bobby Hancock

Hours: Mon. - Fri., 8 am to 6 pm Sat. by appointment

“We will treat your vehicle like it’s our own – with your safety in mind.”

970-285-2420

250 West 1st St. • Parachute • 5 blocks down from Napa Auto Parts

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

Shommy’s: Enjoy a meal, a beverage – and some oxygen, too Parachute’s first-ever oxygen bar is here

By Heidi Rice Special to The Grand Valley Echo

Shommy’s Restaurant and Bar, tucked right off Interstate 70 in Parachute, has an extensive menu and a full bar, but it also has something entirely unique to the Grand Valley: an oxygen bar.

Both children and adults can enjoy Shommy’s Airhead Oxygen Bar that sits in a corner of the restaurant.

Oxygen bars have become popular and have been around in the U.S. since the late 1990s.

"Some people say it gives them a boost of energy," says Shawna Nolan, Shommy’s owner. "And kids can even enjoy this. It's very safe."

A customer puts on a disposable cannula tube, which fits into the nostrils and wraps around the ears. The cannula is then inserted into an aromatherapy bottle in the flavor of his or her choice and the scent is added to the oxygen.

At Shommy's, aromatherapy flavors include eucalyptus (energizer), lemongrass (therapeutic), spearmint (focus), tangerine (cheering), lavender (stress relief), and wintergreen (revitalizing).

Customers can use the oxygen bar for a minimum of five minutes and up to 20 minutes. Cost of the cannula is $5, which can be kept for another time. The oxygen bar costs $1 per minute.

Named after Shawna Shommy's is named after its owner, Shawna Nolan.

"My mom called me 'Shommy' since I was little," Shawna said with a smile. "My kids call me 'Shomma-Mama.'"

Shawna, a Colorado native who has lived on the Western Slope all her life, has lived in DeBeque for the past 16 years. She opened Shommy’s in July 2009 after constructing the building with the help of her husband, Lou, and her family.

Shawna has worked in the restaurant industry since she was 12 years old, but this is the first restaurant she has owned.

"For the most part, I love it, although it can have its ups and downs like anything else," she said.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 29

Page 12, GRAND VALLEY ECHO • Mid-October / Mid-November 2010

G R A N D VA L L E Y G R AT I T U D E

Are you thankful – and you want everybody to know about it? Please try to keep your gratefulness under 500 words and send to Grand Valley Gratitude, 274 Redstone Blvd., Redstone, CO 81623, or e-mail gve@crystalvalleyecho.com.

Thanks from the library

Dear Echo: The staff of the Parachute Branch Library wishes to thank the Garfield County taxpayers and our faithful patrons for supporting us through all the challenges we faced in creating our “new library.”

As with any building/moving project, we have many people to thank. The first on the list are our patrons. Reading for many of us is an addiction and we certainly understand frustration when the latest materials were not readily available. We thank you for being so patient.

A special thanks to Garfield County School District No. 16 for their cooperation in giving us a temporary home at the Grand Valley Center for Family Learning as we consumed, at times, their parking spaces. Key volunteers who helped us reassemble all our parts and pieces were Michelle Foster, Margaret Wierenga and Julie Lana.

While a library appears to be books, magazines and movies it really is all about people. We are thrilled to serve you in our new facility!

Karol Sacca and the staff of the Parachute Branch Library Parachute

Thanks to soccer coaches from park and rec Dear Echo: Youth Fall Soccer ended on Sept. 30. Thank you to coaches Leah Frink, David Pennington, Bruce Hoggan and Amelia, Mindy Whiting, Penny Magana, and Lori Metcalf.

Older soccer teams are still playing. Thank you to coaches Burk Wynkoop and Mindy Preble; Eric and Nicole Chenoweth; and Bill Cornelius and Adam Lambrecht.

Mary Anderson Executive director Parachute/Battlement Mesa Park and Recreation

GVHS students thank staff and community Dear Echo: Grand Valley High School (GVHS) students would like to thank the GVHS staff and community members for helping to make our homecoming week so successful.

It is because of them and our awesome student body that our school is so grand!

Liz Favier GVHS student Parachute

The big news from the chamber is a thankyou for Oktoberfest

Dear Echo: The big news from the Parachute Battlement Mesa Chamber of Commerce this month is a simple thank-you to all the individuals and businesses that helped make the Oktoberfest celebration a great community event again this year. The weather was wonderful and the fun was contagious.

The chamber’s board of directors wants to especially thank the following people for their support of the chamber and the community at the Oktoberfest: BNS Services, Encana, Williams, Stallion Oilfield Services, Clark’s Market, Wells Fargo, Alpine Bank, Antero, Town of Parachute, The Guzzler, Dependable Waste, Radio Shack, and Parachute Auto Parts.

Bill Cornelius Parachute Battlement Chamber of Commerce

Thanks to Metcalf Excavation for Block Party

From left, Mike Metcalf, Jason Metcalf, and Nancy Hunter of Metcalf Excavation; Rebecca Ruland, principal of Grand Valley Center for Family Learning; Brian Berg, principal of Bea Underwood Elementary and St John Elementary; Jory Sorensen, principal of Grand Valley Middle School; and Ken Haptonstall, superintendent of Garfield District No. 16 schools.

Photo courtesy of Garfield School District No. 16

Dear Echo: Garfield County School District No. 16 would like to thank Metcalf Excavation for their great generosity and coordination of the annual community Block Party last month.

Through Metcalf Excavation ’s efforts, the Block Party raised more than $2,700, which Metcalf Excavation matched, for a grand total of more than $5,500 donated to go toward library books for Bea Underwood Elementary, St John Elementary, and Grand Valley Middle School.

Garfield School District No. 16 Administration } Parachute

Thank you for the bleachers

Dear Echo: Grand Valley Middle School and Garfield County School District No. 16 schools would like to thank the WSDC Foundation, Steve and Sherry Keinath, and Tara Olson for generously donating the portable bleacher set.

Already these bleachers have been used for football games and the high school’s homecoming bonfire. The bleachers are sure to provide our community with years and years of quality athletic/event watching.

Jory Sorensen Principal Grand Valley Middle School

Grand Valley Quilt Show: Thanks, and who won?

Dear Echo: We would like to thank all the people who attended the Grand Valley Quilt Show and the merchants who provided prizes.

The Best of Show (first place) went to Mary Galterio with her Mariners Compass. The Quilters Corner of Grand Junction provided the prize.

Second place went to Marge Sheppelman with Split Squares. Hi Fashion Fabric of Grand Junction provided the prize.

Third place went to Jean Proud with Elm Creek Christmas. Headlines Salon West of Battlement Mesa provided the prize.

Fourth place went to Ann Arrington with Chocolate for Dessert. The Flower Shop provided the prize.

Mary Galterio won first place at the Grand Valley Quild Show.

Photo courtesy of Ann Arrington

Ann Arrington Secretary Battlement Mesa Sew & Sews Battlement Mesa

GRAND VALLEY ECHO • Mid-October / Mid-November 2010, Page 13

O B I T U A R I E S Hildred Landrum

Echo Briefs Kiwanis’ 22nd annual food drive is Oct. 30 Members of the Kiwanis Club of Grand Valley/Parachute and friends of LIFT UP are holding the 22nd annual food drive in Battlement Mesa and Parachute on Oct. 30.

Food collected is used to stock the LIFT UP food bank in Parachute, which serves local families in need. Last year, the drive collected nearly four tons of food. Utilization of the food bank has recently increased more than 100 percent.

Food bags will be distributed to residents’ homes in Battlement Mesa and Parachute on Oct. 23-24. Residents are asked to fill the sacks with non-perishable food. Beginning promptly 10 a.m. on Oct. 30, volunteers will collect the food items in nearly every neighborhood.

Organizers of the event are asking that filled bags be on the curb for collection by 10 a.m. on Oct. 30, when volunteers will begin fanning out to collect filled grocery sacks. Apartment dwellers can leave donations on their front porches.

Residents who miss the morning pick-up on Oct. 30 can take their contributions to Clark’s Market in Battlement Mesa later in the day and through Nov. 1.

– Sarah Tahvonen

Mt. Callahan Community Fund extends deadline The deadline has been extended until Nov. 1 for local nonprofit organizations to submit grant applications to the Mt. Callahan Community Fund (MCCF) for projects and activities benefitting Parachute and Battlement Mesa.

In an effort to provide funding to as many projects as possible,MTCCF suggests that the proposal amount not exceed $500.

In addition to the name, address, contact information, and verification of the organization's 501(C)3 status, proposals must include a description of the project and how it will benefit the community, the total budget for the project, and how the Mt. Callahan Community Fund can make a difference.

MTCCF suggests that applicants use the Colorado Common Grant application, available online at coloradocommongrantforms.org/nonprofits in preparing proposals.

Proposals should be mailed to: The Mt. Callahan Community Fund, P.O. Box 104, Parachute 81635. Grant requests must be received

by Nov. 1.

For additional information, contact Barbara Pavlin at 285-7634.

– Barbara Pavlin, Mt. Callahan Community Fund

Parachute Senior Center plans fundraising dinner on Oct. 20 The Parachute Senior Center is hosting a spaghetti dinner fundraiser on Oct. 20 from 5-7 p.m.

Tickets for the dinner of spaghetti, salad, pie and beverage are $6 for adults and $2 for children 12 and under.

The center, at 540 N. Parachute Ave., will use proceeds from the dinner for its operating expens-

es. This community event will be a time to enjoy a delicious meal, meet friends and learn about activities at the Parachute Senior Center.

– Mitzi Burkhart

PEO Chapter IW hosts fashion show and wine tasting Battlement Mesa’s Philanthropic Educational Organization (PEO) Chapter IW Fall Fashion Show and Wine Pairing is being held Oct. 16 from 2-4 p.m.

The fundraiser is at the Battlement Mesa Activity Center. Ticket prices are $21 in advance and $25 at the door.

Light refreshments and wine tastings are being featured along with the latest fall fashions. Call 948-1912 for more information.

– Battlement Mesa PEO Chapter IW

Tickets available for PEO Chapter IP’s holiday home tour Four Battlement Mesa homes decorated for the holidays will be featured on Dec. 4 for the Philanthropic Educational Organization (PEO) Chapter IP’s annual scholarship fundraising project.

Homes are located in four different areas – Battlement Creek Village, Stone Ridge, Monument Creek Village and Tamarisk Meadows.

The tour is from 1-4 p.m. Tickets are $10/person and may be purchased from any PEO Chapter IP member or by calling Lee Allen at 285-5628.

– Sharon Temple, Battlement Mesa PEO Chapter IP

Village Artists art show continues through Oct. 29 The Village Artists of Parachute and Battlement Mesa are continuing their art show at the Battlement Mesa Activity Center until Oct. 29.

The show is open Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-7 p.m., and Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. There is no admission to view the show.

Many types of art are being displayed and are for sale at reasonable prices.

Fliers are currently circulating featuring a painting by Village Artists’ Helen Brezina in many store windows and sandwich boards reminding everyone to stop and enjoy the work of local artists.

Village Artists’ next meeting is Oct. 26 at 1 p.m. at the Parachute Branch Library. Laurel Astor is providing a watercolor demonstration at this meeting.

The program for our Nov. 23 meeting features Jane Seglem discussing art therapy. Members and the public are always invited to Village Artists’ meetings.

The Village Artists’ Christmas party is on Dec.14 and features an art exchange and an election for new officers. For more information, call Elaine Warehime at 285-7197.

– Jean Edmonds and Joline Gnatek

Oct. 27, 1914–June 26, 2010

Hildred (Cutright) Landrum died June 26 at Mesa Vista Assisted Living Residence in Battlement Mesa.

She was 95.

Hildred was predeceased exactly two years to the day by her husband of 72 years, Lewis Landrum.

She was born in Birch River, W.V. to Blanche and Dick Cutright.

Hildred graduated from Southeastern High School in Richmond Dale, Ohio in 1932 and Chillicothe Business School in 1933.

She was the claims supervisor for what is now the Ohio Department of Job & Family Services where she worked for 27 years. Hildred was an active member of the Richmond Dale United Methodist Church.

Survivors include son Jim Landrum of Parachute, and daughters Kay Wells of Summerville, S.C., and Charlene Forbes of Steamboat Springs. Hildred had six grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Richmond Dale United Methodist Church, 238 Market St., Richmond Dale, OH 45673.

Frank R. Gnatek March 9, 1933 – Sept. 26, 2010

Frank R. Gnatek died Sept. 26 at St. Mary’s Hospital from complications associated with his battle against lymphoma.

His beloved wife Joline was by his side.

He was 77.

Frank is a native of Hadley, Mass. and studied at the Maryland Institute of Art. Locally, he was a member of the Village Artists of Parachute and the Glenwood Springs Art Guild.

Noted for his drawings, Frank’s media included watercolors, dry point etchings and some oils. His lifetime passion of illustrating art while travelling the United States with wife Joline, resulted in his receiving numerous awards. His art can be found in private collections in the U.S. as well as Europe, Canada and Japan.

Frank served his country proudly in the armed forces. He loved the outdoors and was devoted to his family and grandchildren. He enjoyed entertaining family and friends whenever possible.

Frank is survived by his wife Joline, sons Mark and Dirk, and siblings Kathy, Mary Ann, Leonard, John and William as well as grandchildren, great grandchildren, nephews, nieces and cousins.

A celebration of Frank’s life with family and friends is at the Grand Valley United Methodist Church on Oct. 15 at 11 a.m. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to The American Cancer Society in the name of Frank Gnatek or in the name of someone you love who has lost their life to cancer.

Cremation arrangements are under the care and direction of Martin Mortuary. Condolences to the family may be left at martinmortuary.com.

Page 14, GRAND VALLEY ECHO • Mid-October / Mid-November 2010

GRAND VALLEY ECHO • Mid-October / Mid-November 2010, Page 15

Arts & Entertainment Brief CMC’s arts outreach has new name Colorado Mountain College’s (CMC) Center for Excellence in the Arts is now Colorado Mountain College ArtShare.

Alice Beauchamp, former director of the CMC Center for Excellence in the Arts and now director of ArtShare, says the new name better expresses CMC’s growing partnerships with arts organizations and artists.

“ArtShare says, ‘We want to join with you to make the arts vibrant and thriving where we live,’ ” says Alice.

Grand Valley residents can continue to enjoy the Jim Calaway Honors Series, a touring concert series to honor philanthropists, at the college’s West Garfield Campus in Rifle.

ArtShare will continue to develop and display visual art exhibits at the college’s campuses and at the CMC Gallery in downtown Glenwood Springs.

For more information about CMC ArtShare, contact Alice in Glenwood Springs at 9478367 or abeauchamp@coloradomtn.edu.

Grand Valley Fire Protection District October is Fire Prevention Month

SAVE $1,000’s

LEAVING YOUR HOME AND ESTATE TO YOUR FAMILY!!

Colorado Expedited Estate Distribution Costs Only $49.95 And Your Home And Other Assets Can Go Directly To Your Family In One Day With No Probate, Legal Fees, Costly Will Or Living Trust.

A FREE 30 minute class will be held at the Battle Mesa Activity Center at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, October 23rd to show you how Expedited Estate Distribution works. If Expedited Estate Distribution can’t save you at least $2,000 over leaving your home and estate in a Will, the $49.95 packet to use Colorado Expedited Estate Distribution is FREE. Please Visit NoHomeProbate.com for more details on using Expedited Estate Distribution in Colorado.

TRY OUR DAILY SPECIALS under $10!

FOOTBALL SEASON IS HERE See Every Game Every Sunday!

EARLY PLANNING – Make reservations now for your company’s Christmas party!

We are open 5:30 am daily, 6 am Sundays until 9 pm daily 315 E First Street • Parachute, Co. 81635 970-285-1917 • catering 970-285-7091

By Grand Valley Deputy Fire Chief Rob Ferguson 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.

October is Fire Prevention Month. Remember to test your smoke detectors. Make sure you have a meeting point for you and your family in case of any fires in the home. Please watch out for children as they are out trick or treating as well. Children should have a flashlight or glow stick so they can be better seen in the dark while they are out trick or treating.

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 September 2010, the fire district responded to 58 calls for service: 11 fire incidents 2 structure fires 3 fire alarms 5 brush fires 1 vehicle fires 30 emergency medical calls 6 vehicle crashes 7 public assists 4 gas leaks/HAZMAT assignments In addition, five commercial quick reference/company safety inspections were conducted.

Training hours per crew: Green Crew: 7 hrs Black crew: 88 hrs Red Crew: 81.25 hrs In-house training was conducted this month for the three new emergency medical stair chairs that help with removing patients from their homes when the stretcher cannot get close enough to the patient or when they are located upstairs. This chair makes it safer for firefightermedics, as well as the patient.

New thermal imagining cameras training was conducted, which will aid firefighters in finding victims in structure fires, HAZMAT incidents and medical calls.

Two fire extinguisher trainings were completed.

Fire district staff attended two public education/events: Grand Valley High School’s homecoming bonfire, as well as their varsity football games for EMS standby.

If you should have an emergency please call 911 as soon as possible!

Page 16, GRAND VALLEY ECHO • Mid-October / Mid-November 2010

Nature at Home and Afield

by Betsy Leonard

We have big footprints It is likely that human life first appeared on earth some three million years ago. Since that time, humans have interacted with their natural environment.

It is the unique power of humankind to manipulate things and transform nature by overcoming barriers such as temperature, aridity, space, seas, and mountains – factors that otherwise isolate wildlife populations and plants.

In Battlement Mesa, we have had many stressors on the environment that have resulted in significant changes. These include oil and gas exploration, ranching, farming, and residential and community development.

Our primary air pollutants, such as sulphur dioxide, most oxides of nitrogen, and carbon monoxide, for example, are emitted into the air from industrial sources. Other particulate pollutants of very small solid, or liquid suspended droplets, such as dust and smoke, can be harmful to human lung tissue. Air pollutants can have a damaging effect on plants, such as deforestation, over-grazing, fire, and all types of pollution.

In addition, most agricultural improvements have resulted in disappearing habitat that directly affects plant and animal species. When humans colonize an area, both plants and animals are affected, resulting in a change of habitats. The pumping of saline waters back into rivers and irrigation canals from tube wells and other sources, leads to an accumulation of dissolved salts. This has caused an increase in the salinity of the Colorado River. When plants come into contact with water carrying these salts, the plant eventually dies.

Humans can also change soils’ stability and ability to erode by being compacted with agricultural and ranching machinery, or by recreational vehicles. Soil compaction tends to increase resistance of soil to penetration by roots and seedlings, and limits oxygen and carbon dioxide exchange. Often, the soil moisture status is altered and surface runoff and soil erosion is accelerated as in a parking lot or home construction. An added risk of fire is a concern with stepped- up industrial activities in Battlement Mesa.

Human beings will continue to change their environment, whether from smoke and haze, changes in ground water conditions, accelerated sedimentation, and in the increase of carbon dioxide and other gases such as methane. All of this can result from industrial and residential processes.

It is difficult to quantify all the ways humans impact their environment. However, as populations increase, and the need for natural resources grows, humankind must make a decision about how much change they are willing to accept.

Betsy Leonard is an environmental education specialist who lives in Parachute.

GRAND VALLEY ECHO • Mid-October / Mid-November 2010, Page 17

S P O R T S

A N D

R E C R E AT I O N

Battlement Mesa Activity Center Tennis Association News

The tennis association wants you

By Vina Klahn, Battlement Mesa Activity Center Tennis Association Participants in the tennis association's Oktoberfest round robin tournament enjoyed Indian summer weather the afternoon of Oct. 2.

Once again, Joy Kemper was in charge of scheduling and coordinating the event. Since local association sign-up was low, Sue deWinter enlisted the help of friends and teammates from Grand Junction and Glenwood. Thanks to Sherry Beattie, Pam Groves, Carrie Thornton, Sharon Reiner, and Barb Price for coming on short notice.

Pete and Hope Perrine hosted an evening social with meat and beverages supplied by the club. Members furnished potluck dishes.

The meal was served on the Perrine's deck, which affords a great view of the valley. It was also premium seating to enjoy the spectacular community fireworks display.

As long as the weather cooperates, ladies play will continue on Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings. The alternate days are reserved for the gentlemen, leaving Sunday open for anyone wishing to organize mixed doubles play.

No tournaments are scheduled for the remainder of the year, but we will have our annual Christmas party. Members will be notified when plans are finalized.

The tennis association would love to increase its membership.

Players of all levels are welcome. Annual dues are $18/couples and $10/singles and cover social events as well as tennis events.

Contact Joy Kemper at 462-3608 or Vina Klahn at 285-6718 for information.

SPORTS & RECREATION Parachute/Battlement Mesa Park and Recreation District – “Where The Fun Begins”

Do you have your adult co-ed volleyball team organized yet?

By Mary Anderson, Parachute/Battlement Mesa Park and Recreation District executive director Fall Soccer: Youth Fall Soccer ended on Sept. 30.

Games are being held in Parachute at the Callahan Ball Field for the older soccer teams on Oct. 16, Oct. 23 and Oct. 30. The older teams also travel out of town.

Adult Coed Volleyball: The first games are scheduled for Oct. 19 at the Battlement Mesa Activity Center. Games are on Tuesday and Thursday from 6:30 p.m.–7:30 p.m. If you are interested in playing or have a team sponsor, please call the park and rec office at 285-0388 and register.

Tiny Tot Basketball: Boys and girls ages kindergarten through second grade learn the basics of childhood at the Bea Underwood Elementary School gym beginning in mid-November through mid-December. Cost is $40/child. Coaches needed.

Boys Basketball: Third through sixth graders start the first of January. A developmental league is for third through sixth graders and a more competitive recreation league is for fourth through sixth graders. Pre-register by Dec. 1. Cost is $55 /boy with a $35 refundable uniform deposit. Games are in Rifle but practices are in Parachute at the St John Elementary School gym. Coaches needed.

Park and Rec’s 28th Annual Craft Fair is on Nov. 20, 2010 at Grand Valley High School from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. For more information, call 285-0388.

The Parachute/Battlement Park and Recreation Board of Directors: Jason Fletcher, Adam Lambrecht, Denise Gallegos, Ronald Palmer, Michael Richards Parachute/Battlement Mesa Park and Recreation is at 259 Cardinal Way, Parachute, 285-0388, parachutebattlementparkandrecreation.org.

Office hours are 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m., Monday-Friday.

Let’s Go Bowling

By Dick Ciprich

Your equipment is chapter one, page one

Welcome to a new season of columns on bowling. In the coming months, we will take a good look at all the fundamentals of the game. I’ll answer many of your questions and each issue will include TODAY’S TIP. I hope you will enjoy them.

This is my favorite time of the year. As a fresh new bowling season nears, many bowlers' thoughts turn to getting in some practice games. Fine tuning our basic game is a necessity…even for the top pros.

In this month’s column, we will go over equipment. Bowling should NOT hurt. Most pro shops will analyze your grip and span for free. Should you need changes, the ball can be plugged and redrilled very inexpensively. If you have gained or lost weight, surprisingly one of the first places it shows up is in the fingers. Have the holes sanded open or re-drilled if they are too tight or just plug and re-drill if the hole is too big Attention to these details is especially important to senior bowlers. Holes that are too large cause a bowler to squeeze the ball to hold on to it. This makes the muscles in the upper arm and shoulder tense up. When this happens, your ability to have a long smooth swing is impaired and will force you to pull the ball.

In the case of junior bowlers, the growth factor comes into play. Balls need to be refitted every year!

The weight of the ball also needs to be changed. A basic rule for juniors is one pound for each year. For example, a 10 year old probably should use a 10pound ball. Their hands are changing and causing the span (the distance between the thumb and fingers) to become too short. This could be painful and will eliminate any chance for improvement and fun.

Ball weight is also important for seniors. The old rule states that the heavier the ball, the more pins you knock down. This is 2010. Let's get with it! The balls made today deliver more hitting power than those relic rubber balls. Probably 75 percent of my pals on the PBA Senior Tour are using 15 pounds or less. PBA champion Dave Davis of Florida won two Senior Masters titles using a 14-1/2 pound ball. If a ball is too heavy, you have to work to bowl. Check with your local bowling center. Burning Mountain Bowl in New Castle is the closest to our area. All of them have balls of various weights. Test them and see which weight feels comfortable to you. Bowling then will be more fun.

The proper shoes are the next item to address. Shoes are different for right and left handers. A right hander will have a leather sole on the left shoe. Left handers will have the leather on the right sole. The leather allows you to slide. Having the wrong shoes can be dangerous. Rubber soles do not slide. Rental shoes at all centers have leather soles and can be used by either type of bowlers.

In this month’s column, we will go over equipment.

Bowling should NOT hurt.

TODAY'S TIP: Equipment probably is chapter one, page one for all bowlers. It is the easiest thing to acquire and maintain. Have yours checked out today and LET’S GO BOWLING! Next Issue: The Approach

Battlement Mesa resident Dick Ciprich is a longtime professional bowler and has won numerous titles on local, state, national and international levels. He has 29 – 300 games and 12 – 800 series and is a member of the Buffalo Bowling Association’s Hall of Fame, and The Greater Buffalo Sports Hall of Fame. He is a freelance consultant to the bowling industry and a private instructor. He can be reached at rjc300@aol.com.

THIS COLUMN SPONSORED BY:

A Great Place to Bowl!

BURNING MOUNTAIN BOWL 880 Castle Valley Blvd. New Castle CO.

970-984-2739

Page 18, GRAND VALLEY ECHO • Mid-October / Mid-November 2010

H E A LT H

Early detection is key in the fight against breast cancer

By Sarah Tahvonen, Grand River Hospital District

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, promoting awareness and education about breast cancer.

According to the American Cancer Society, breast cancer is the second leading cancer in women, and women have a one in eight chance of developing the disease at some point in their lives.

An estimated 261,000 new cases of breast cancer will be diagnosed in American women during 2010. The chance of death among those women is one in 35.

Although the statistics are scary, there is hope. At this time, there are 2.5 million breast cancer survivors in the United States. Prevention and early detection is key in the fight against breast cancer.

Women over the age of 20 should be doing a monthly breast self exam, women between the ages of 20-39 should be getting clinical breast exams every three years by their physicians, and women over 40 should have, in addition to a clinical breast exam, a mammogram every year. This simple test can find breast cancers early, when they are smaller, easier to treat, and chances of survival are higher.

If you are over 40 and have not had a breast exam in the past year, don’t hesitate to schedule one today. A mammogram takes only about 15 minutes and can potentially save your life.

Grand River Hospital and Medical Center takes pride in honoring National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Women who come in for their mammograms during the month of October receive a gift in celebration of taking control of their health.

Mammography coordinator, Lindsay Jacox, sets up a booth at local grocers to further educate women about the importance of taking care of their breast health.

“I believe that I can make a difference in someone's life with mammography,” says Lindsay. “A mammogram is a simple way to protect a woman’s health and potentially save her life against breast cancer. I think we all have been affected by this disease in some way or another and know how far a little bit of compassion can go and how every minute makes a difference to the people involved.”

Grand River offers state-of-the-art equipment, including a digital mammography machine. They also provide breast ultrasound, breast MRI, breast biopsies, sentinel node mapping, and molecular breast imaging, depending on the needs of the patient.

If patients are uninsured or underinsured, Grand River offers options to help with the cost of these life-saving procedures and screenings.

Women who are eligible may be able to enroll in Women’s Wellness Connection through Grand River Hospital District.

This program, funded by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, provides uninsured and underinsured women with breast and cervical screenings and diagnostic exams, as well as Medicaid treatment coverage for diagnosed cancer patients under the program if qualifications are met.

Grand River also participates in the Aspen Affiliated Komen Foundation, which provides screening and diagnostic breast exams to uninsured or underserved women over the age of 40.

This October, take control of your health. Make an appointment for your yearly mammogram and remind the women in your life to do the same.

To make an appointment with Grand River Radiology for a mammogram or to learn more about the Komen program, call 625-6442. For more information about Women’s Wellness Connection at Grand River, call Leticia at 625-6205.

Health Brief Grand River offers two local flu vaccine clinics in Battlement Grand River Hospital District is offering two local flu shot clinics. During these times, Grand River patients can come in without an appointment and get the seasonal flu vaccination. Cost is only $25.

Oct. 15 • 9 a.m.-1 p.m.

Oct. 20 • 1-5 p.m.

Both clinics are at the Grand River Medical Clinic in Battlement Mesa.

Anyone who wants to reduce his or her chances of getting the flu should be vaccinated.

Flu vaccines are updated every year to protect against new strains and this year’s vaccine includes protection against H1N1.

An estimated 25 to 50 million cases of the flu are reported every year and the single best way to protect against the flu is to get vaccinated each year. It’s also important to remember to wash your hands frequently, avoid close contact with those who are sick, cough and sneeze into a tissue or your elbow, and take good care of yourself by eating healthy and exercising.

For more information about the flu vaccine clinics, call 285-7046.

– Sarah Tahvonen Grand River Hospital District

S E N I O R S

Mesa Vista News “Living Life” at Mesa Vista with outings, canning, and the library

By Kathy Germano, Mesa Vista Assisted Living Residence activity director

It has been a very active summer and we are now planning our fall activities. The residents enjoyed a wonderful outing and picnic at Rifle Falls with the weather being “picture perfect.”

We had a wonderful outing to Mesa Lake Resort on the Grand Mesa for lunch and were able to view the spectacular color change Colorado has to offer. The residents will be planting flower bulbs in the garden for our springtime pleasure.

We enjoyed the new library’s grand opening celebration and look forward to making a library visit at least once a month. It is certainly a beautiful addition to our community.

We celebrated National Assisted Living Week, Sept. 12–18. The theme this year is “Living Life.” We certainly do that at Mesa Vista! We went to the quilt show this month and many thanks to the ladies for allowing us to attend before the opening.

We will be having entertainment again, thanks to the generous musicians who donate their time and talents. Thanks to So Many Tunes and So Little Time and Andy Russell, the ukulele player and singer. The residents really enjoy the shows. Now that school is in full swing, we hope to get some of our local choirs to perform.

We canned salsa last month and canned plum jelly with Charlotte White. Our volunteers are so essential and appreciated. We couldn’t do all we do without them.

We look forward to a beautiful and busy fall and of course a very spooky Halloween.

Mesa Vista Assisted Living Residence in Parachute/Battlement Mesa is home to 45 residents, and is part of the Senior Housing Options network of residences and apartments providing housing for older adults in Colorado.

GRAND VALLEY ECHO • Mid-October / Mid-November 2010, Page 19

H E A LT H

H-Dentistry opens full-time, full-care dental office in Parachute Dr. Bruce Hoggan ready to provide dental services

Helping kids be healthy A great way to keep school-aged children eating healthy is to pack their lunches. Although schools are making great strides making lunches healthy, you cannot always choose what your kids decide to put in their mouths when you aren’t around.

Packing a lunch is an easy, inexpensive, healthy way to keep their stomachs from growling.

Grand River Hospital District’s dietician, Mickie Hosack, RD, CDE, has several pack lunch ideas: • Try to pack foods from each food group for a well-rounded lunch. For breads, include bread, mini-bagels, tortillas, whole grain crackers, dinner rolls, or plain tortilla chips. For protein, pack low fat lunchmeat and cheese sticks, hardcooked eggs, peanut butter, or nuts. To include fruit, try 100 percent fruit juice, water or juice-packed canned fruit, or fresh fruit. Great veggies to include are salads, baby carrots, celery sticks, snap peas, and salsa. To pack calcium, try low fat flavored milk, yogurt, cheese, or sugar-free pudding made with low fat milk.

• Make sure the packed lunch stays safe until noontime. Use ice packs and an insulated lunch box. Use frozen bread for sandwiches so the meat stays colder. Fill a pint plastic freezer jar with water, freeze, and then top off with water in the morning so your child has something to drink at lunch; the ice keeps the lunch box cold. In the winter, use insulated containers for soup and casseroles.

Below are some sample lunches for you and your child to try.

All of them include the five food groups: • Personal pizza: English muffin (grain), low fat pepperoni or Canadian bacon (protein), 100 percent juice (fruit), pizza sauce/snap pea pods (vegetable), mozzarella cheese (calcium) • Wrap: tortilla (grain), chicken breast strips (protein), apple slices (fruit), leaf lettuce and sliced tomatoes (vegetable), sliced cheese (calcium) • Sandwich: bread (grain), low fat turkey (protein), fresh peach (fruit), celery/peanut butter (vegetable), low fat milk (calcium) • Chef salad: whole grain crackers (grain), ham and turkey (protein), 100 percent juice (fruit), salad mix (vegetable), diced cheese (calcium) • Taco salad: tortilla chips (grain), refried beans (protein), grapes (fruit), shredded lettuce and salsa (vegetable), shredded cheese (calcium)

Sarah Tahvonen writes about health issues for the Echo from Rifle. If you have any comments or suggestions for a health-related topic you’d like to see covered, e-mail toyourhealth35@yahoo.com.

Carrie Click Writer + Proofer + Editor Help for any writing project 970-930-0056 clickintoplace@yahoo.com

By Heidi Rice Special to the Echo

He was told he shouldn't paint the walls of his business red. So he did. And while most everyone else in his profession wears a shirt and tie to work, he insists on jeans and a T-shirt.

But that's just the philosophy of Bruce W. Hoggan, D.D.S., who owns the new full-service dental office at 225 Callahan Ave. in Parachute.

H-Dentistry had a grand opening on Oct. 5 at the new clinic. The dentist had the building constructed, on a Parachute lot he purchased sight unseen, while he was stationed in Germany serving in the U.S. Army.

Bruce, 33, who grew up in Arvada, hadn't always planned on being a dentist. In fact, he admits he doesn't really like going to the dentist himself – but it was a calling for him to help other people.

"When I was young, I knew I wanted to help other people," Bruce says. "At one time, I wanted to be a gymnastics coach because I love teachDr. Bruce W. Hoggan examines a patient at his new ing." full-service dental clinic, H-Dentistry is now open for But his sister suggested that perhaps he get business and accepting patients. into dentistry because it was a lucrative field.

Photo by Heidi Rice So Bruce went back to college for another four years and graduated from dental school in general family dentistry from the University of Colorado in 2006 with a degree in health science.

He then served four years in the military as an Army dentist – one year in residency and three years in Germany.

Having grown up as one of 13 children and a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Bruce says he was presented with several options after serving in the Army: buying a business in Delta, taking a corporate job with a dental company in Pueblo, or purchasing land from a friend in Parachute.

"I talked and prayed about it with my wife," Bruce says. "I had learned from earlier choices in life that it is not worth making decisions based on money. The next day, I called my friend from Littleton – Dr. Brian Secrist – who owned the [Parachute] lot and told him we were a 100 percent go.”

And Parachute it was.

During construction of the building, he went with the unconventional use of red on the interior walls – something that's not typically used in the medical profession.

"I have had several tell me to avoid the color red because it will supposedly cause potential patients to think of blood and they will be scared away," Bruce says.

"Well, anyone who gets to know me will soon discover I love a good challenge! I'm a stubborn guy and hate

"The people here are fabulous.

The countryside is beautiful…”

H-Dentistry, a new full-service dental clinic, had a grand opening party on Oct. 5, at Photo by Heidi Rice continued on page 21 their new location at 225 Callahan Ave. in Parachute.

Page 20, GRAND VALLEY ECHO • Mid-October / Mid-November 2010

L I B R A RY

N E W S

“Zak the Yak” helps celebrate Room to Read’s 10-year anniversary International education nonprofit has local ties to former Battlement residents

By Mitzi Burkhart, Echo contributor

In 1998, John Wood, the son of former Battlement Mesa residents Carolyn and Woody Wood, went on a trek in Nepal. While there, John met the headmaster of a school who showed him an empty library and 400 students eager to learn to read.

Inspired to improve educational opportunities in Nepal, John quit his senior executive position at Microsoft, and one year later, returned with thousands of donated books and a plan to establish Room to Read, an international nonprofit organization that builds libraries and schools, and supports education, literacy and gender equality in developing countries.

To celebrate the 10-year anniversary of the Room to Read program that he founded, John wrote and published “Zak the Yak,” a book in rhyme with colorful cartoon illustrations. The book tells the story of a talking yak who brings books to remote towns in the Himalayas.

Accompanied by a Nepali brother and sister as his special assistants, Zak’s story helps children in the developed world learn about the challenges faced by students in resourcedeprived countries like Nepal. Readers learn not only to value their own education, but also the importance of taking action.

When John’s parents, Carolyn and Woody Wood, lived in Battlement Mesa, they stored local donations of books at their home here. John and Woody later delivered those first books and many more in Nepal by yak.

Carolyn and Woody traveled to Nepal this year for Room to Read’s 10-year anniversary celebration and visited the organization’s first school, which John dedicated to them.

The Room to Read program has distributed more than seven million books, built 10,000 libraries and more than 1,000 schools, and has brought education to more than four million children in nine countries in Africa and Asia.

“Zak the Yak” is on display and is available for checkout at the Parachute Branch Library. It may be purchased for $10 plus shipping from Carolyn Wood, 574 Radiant Dr., Loveland, CO 80538, or by e-mailing zak@roomtoread.org. All proceeds from book sales go to the Room to Read Foundation. Additional information on Room to Read is at roomtoread.org.

Library Briefs The good, the bad and the gross Warning: This event is downright disgusting!

In fact, if it’s mushy, squishy or just plain revolting, you’ll find it at the Parachute Branch Library on Oct. 28.

Come create deliciously deceptive snacks that will fool your friends and family. Be sure to bring your library card to grab our good gross books where you can learn how to make fake puke, snot, scabs and even scars!

Everyone in the fourth, fifth and sixth grades is welcome. Just call 285-9870 or stop by the library to make a required reservation. The gross-fest begins at 4 p.m. and ends at 5 p.m.

– Parachute Branch Library

Putting your garden to bed for winter Certified Master Gardener and CSU Extension Agent Patrick McCarty is going to be at the Parachute Branch Library on Oct. 19 at 6:30 p.m.

Patrick is going to discuss how to prepare your garden for the impending freezing temperatures of fall and what to do during the winter months to keep your garden healthy for the next growing season.

The program is free and open to both beginners and experienced gardeners. For more information, call 285-9870.

Parachute Library Storytimes help parents grow readers I am the youth services librarian at Parachute Branch Library, and I’d like Parachute parents of young children to know about a second opportunity for your children to enjoy songs, stories, friends, and finger plays.

Starting Oct. 6, Wednesday mornings at the library are Toddler Time. This second story time is geared toward toddlers and held at 10 a.m. on Wednesdays in the Parachute Library Community Room. Toddler Time is in addition to the Friday Storytime at 11 a.m., which is geared for the preschool set. Both times are open to any and all ages, but each will be structured just a bit differently to specially accommodate the skills and needs of the different groups.

All Storytimes in Parachute are designed to enhance early literacy, using guidelines set by the Colorado Department of Education. Early Literacy Storytimes show parents and caregivers ways they can help a child develop the Six Early Literacy Skills. Key elements that you will find in those story Times are: • The Storytime leader incorporates activities that build early literacy skills.

• Books and activities selected promote the use of early literacy skills.

• Parents and caregivers attend the Storytimes with their children.

• Information is given to parents and caregivers either verbally, through a handout, or both about ways they can build early literacy skills with their child or children at home.

• At least one of the Six Early Literacy Skills is highlighted during each Storytime.

The Six Early Literacy Skills include vocabulary, letter knowledge, print awareness, print motivation, phonological awareness, and narrative skills. Experts tell us that children need to hear a thousand stories read aloud before they begin to read for themselves.

Let us help you get started or continue to expose your young ones to all the books they need to succeed. Come join us for fun and reading on Wednesdays at 10 and Fridays at 11.

– Michelle Duran, Parachute Branch Library

Friends of the Parachute Library active again

Have a story idea?

Contact the Echo

gve@crystalvalleyecho.com

In the past year, the library has undergone some major changes. The Friends of the Parachute Library (FOPL) is excited to be a part of these changes.

The FOPL is a nonprofit organization committed to creating public support and awareness of the library and its programs. In the past, FOPL has held annual book sales and most recently donated money to buy the blue bear that appeared at the library’s summer reading program.

A general meeting for all FOPL members and interested community members was held on Oct. 9 in the library’s new community room. Please check the library bulletin board for upcoming events.

The library is in need of volunteers. FOPL and community members are encouraged to donate their time at the library. There are a variety of activities volunteers can do to help.

Volunteer hours and schedules are flexible. If you are interested in volunteering your time, no matter how long or short, stop by or call the library at 285-9870 for details.

Yearly Friends of the Parachute Library memberships are available and are $10 for individuals and $25 for businesses. Call 210-7119 for more information.

– Julie Lana, Friends of the Parachute Library

GRAND VALLEY ECHO • Mid-October / Mid-November 2010, Page 21

H-Dentistry Parachute/Battlement Mesa chamber members help celebrate HDentistry’s opening with Dr. Bruce Hoggan (in black T-shirt), wife, Amelia (far right) and the couple’s three children, front.

Photo courtesy of Mary Anderson

HEADLINES SALON WELCOME FALL!!! Do the changing colors of nature inspire you to change your colors too? Call Headlines Salon West and let us give you a new look! Come in and shop all our beautiful fall jewelry and handbags to revive your fall wardrobe, or maybe you know someone who needs a GREAT GIFT! Headlines Salon West also carries a great variety of professional hair care products, always at great prices! You deserve professional, quality hair care 83 TAMARISK TRAIL so call Headlines Salon West today!!!!!

BATTLEMENT MESA, CO 81635 In salon special: $10.00 off of any perm or color service, offer good 10-15-10 to 11-15-10

970.285.9279 970.285.0395

from page 19

when people say I can't do something. So I went with lots of red simply because the dental world around me said I shouldn't."

And the result?

"Everyone I've spoken with so far absolutely loves it," Bruce says. "They feel as I do, that it looks 'classy.'”

That individual philosophy also transcends to Bruce's choice of casual work apparel underneath the traditional white coat.

"I own several suits and ties, but I am most comfortable in jeans and a T-shirt," Bruce confesses. "I believe people perform better and enjoy life more when they are comfortable. One of the benefits of being my own boss now is that I can choose what I wear to work. I absolutely love it.”

And his longish hair mirrors that philosophy, he says.

"I think it's looking a little sloppy, but I'm doing my best to keep it looking decent,” Bruce says. “Although, I would likely receive a verbal and written reprimand for my long hair if I were still in active duty in the Army.”

When Bruce’s hair gets to be a foot long, the dentist says he intends to donate it to the Locks of Love program, which makes wigs for people with hair loss.

For now, Bruce, along with his wife, Amelia and the couple’s three boys, are happy to be in Parachute.

"I honestly say that I couldn't be happier than I am right now," Bruce says. "The people here are fabulous. The countryside is beautiful, the sunrises and sunsets are often breathtaking.

It's quiet and the stars are visible. To add to that list, the staff I selected is supreme and the clinic Dr. Secrist helped design is gorgeous...for a dental facility, anyway!"

H-Dentistry offers a wide range of dental procedures including cleaning, exams, children’s dentistry, cancer screenings, head and neck pain treatment, root canals, extractions, fillings, crowns, preventative care, dentures and more. The clinic is open from 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday through Friday. To make an appointment, call 285-7748.

Page 22, GRAND VALLEY ECHO • Mid-October / Mid-November 2010

C H A M B E R

N E W S

Stallion Oilfield Services and Park and Rec are Businesses of the Month

By Bill Cornelius, Parachute/Battlement Mesa Chamber of Commerce THANK-YOU! Please turn to Grand Valley Gratitude on page 12 to see the Parachute/Battlement Mesa Chamber of Commerce’s letter of thanks to the many people and businesses that participated in this year’s Oktoberfest. Thank you all for helping to make Oktoberfest a great community event this year.

Upcoming chamber events (see calendar on page 4 as well) Oct. 21- Board Meeting, Alpine Bank Nov. 11 - Membership Meeting, at Parachute Branch Library, with Chris Reddin of the Business Incubation Center Nov. 18 - Board Meeting, Alpine Bank All meetings are at 12 p.m.

Businesses of the Month Stallion Oilfield Services Ltd. provides well site support services, and production and logistics services to the oilfield with more than 1,700 employees in 65 locations. As the largest provider of quality auxiliary rentals and services for oil and gas operations in the domestic United States, Stallion has been providing reliable housing, water and sewer systems, waste management, satellite systems, solids control,

well site construction and oilfield heavy hauling to the oil patch for many years. Stallion is committed to providing the services essential to this fast-paced industry. All product offerings provide value to Stallion’s customers through greater productivity at the well site.

Stallion’s equipment and housing are manufactured for the oilfield environment. From solids control technology to auxiliary surface rental equipment to site construction, Stallion offers detailed services that provide our customers a "one-stop" source for their cross-section of needs.

Whether before, during or after drilling and throughout the production life cycle of the well site, Stallion is the one to call for "Everything but the Rig"™. For information on Stallion Oil Filed Service, contact Manager Stephen Cyphers, P.O. Box 471, Rifle, CO, 625-4016.

Parachute/Battlement Mesa Park and Recreation District is a Colorado Revised Statute, Title 32 Special District that was formed in 1984 by a vote of the people. The people elect a five-person board of directors on a bi-annual basis. With the motto of “Where the Fun Begins,” the district's main focus is to provide recreation opportunities for the citizens of Parachute and Battlement Mesa and the surrounding areas.

Amenities include the Callahan Ball Field Complex, 27 acres on Battlement, Mesa, and the Skateboard Complex. For more information on the many different programs available for you and your family, contact Director Mary Anderson at 285-0388, P.O. Box 299, 259 Cardinal Way (stone house) Parachute, CO 81635.

103.9 FM

TUNE IN! BROADCASTING 24/7!

Syndicated Radio Programs • Local Programming

YOUR SOURCE FOR EMERGENCY WEATHER AND AMBER ALERTS KSUN Radio - The Voice of the Grand Valley High School Cardinals, Broadcasting Games LIVE! Accepting public service announcements for local organizations Live Programming each weekday morning 7-8 a.m. with weather, announcements, music and more.

JOIN US! We are a member supported non-profit organization. Donations are tax deductible.

KSUN COMMUNITY RADIO 398 Arroyo Drive, Battlement Mesa • 285-2246

www.ksunradio.org

NEWS FROM COMMUNITY COUNTS INDUSTRY MEMBERS… Please note the Community Counts website is temporarily offline for upgrades so that we can better serve you and the communities where we operate. To reach operators in your area immediately, please call the hotline. Garfield County and Mesa County dispatch offices are also available by dialing this number. (Contact: Sher Long, 970.618.8443)

1.866.442.9034 The Community Counts Hotline

www.communitycountscolorado.com

BILL BARRETT CORPORATION continues to operate 2 drilling rigs south of Silt. Construction continues on a 3.9-mile gas pipeline from BBC's Bailey Compressor Station (east of Dry Hollow Road) to BBC's Mamm Creek Compressor Station (west of Mamm Creek Road) and should be completed in November.

ENCANA is walking the talk with the upcoming addition of several more natural gas vehicles to our Piceance Basin operations. Assuming no delays are incurred with conversion kits, we will have a total of 12 nat gas fleet vehicles by Thanksgiving. Also just added to our drilling program is our new natural gas drilling rig, the Ensign 119. This brings our total rig count to 8: 4 north of Parachute that are accessed via CR 215 (Parachute Creek); 3 south and west of Parachute (south of I70); and 1 rig in our Mamm Creek field south of Silt.

MARATHON OIL currently has no drilling rigs running. We are nearing the end of our 2010 completion program, adding roughly 35 producing wells. Marathon recently contributed $50,000 to the CDOW for area research projects per our commitment within the Wildlife Mitigation Plan.

NOBLE ENERGY has contributed $30,000 to the Colorado Mule Deer Association as part of its commitment to CDOW for its Wildlife Mitigation Plan. It will help support habitat restoration efforts on the western slope. Noble still has 1 rig running and is finishing a small pipeline and pad construction project.

WILLIAMS currently has 12 rigs operating in the Piceance Basin-ten in Garfield County and two in Rio Blanco County. The Garfield County rigs include one west of Parachute, two north of Parachute, three east of Parachute, two in the Porcupine Creek area, and one on our Kokopelli lease south of New Castle. At this time, Williams operates 3,250 wells producing 840 million cubic feet of gas per day.

GRAND VALLEY ECHO • Mid-October / Mid-November 2010, Page 23

Take a Hint Household How-to Hints by Barbara Barker Wrap small gifts in toilet paper tubes

• Never put your fingers down the garbage disposal. In case it jams, use a wooden spoon handle to turn the blades counterclockwise until the clog works itself free.

• Paper towels and paper plates may be used in the microwave, but not if they are made from recycled materials, which may contain pieces of metal.

• Garbage disposals aren’t for everything. Onion skins, celery stalks, and flower stems and leaves should not go in the disposal as they can cause the blades to jam.

• Place a knife or other rusty utensil inside an onion and leave for a little while. Then move it around inside the onion and you will remove a rust-free utensil.

• Leftover pieces of vinyl flooring make sturdy liners for kitchen shelves and drawers. It is easy to cut to fit, can be removed quickly to clean, and lasts longer than paper.

• If you have a display cabinet for your glassware, try lining the bottom and backs of the shelves with mirrors. The reflected light will make your stemware sparkle.

• If your plastic-coated playing cards are bent out of shape, a quick microwave zap should straighten them out

• Put small gifts inside toilet paper tubes and stuff in some tissue paper to keep the gift from sliding around. Then wrap it, twisting the ends and tying with ribbon to look like a piece of candy.

This is great for disguising small gifts like jewelry.

• Tired of fighting with your roll of plastic wrap? Freeze it and it will unroll and tear more easily, and it won’t stick to itself until it thaws out. If you have trouble getting it to stick to your bowl, try moistening the outer edge of the dish before you wrap it.

• Hull strawberries after you wash them. If you hull them first, they will absorb too much water and become mushy.

• If you store yogurt, cottage cheese, and sour cream upside down in the refrigerator, they will stay fresh longer. Make sure the lids are on tight. Transfer these diary foods to smaller containers when the supply gets low and they won’t go bad as quickly.

• Do you keep hitting your fingers when trying to hammer a nail? Try slipping the nail between the teeth of a comb. It will hold the nail in place while you hit it; no more smashed thumbs.

• Keep a magnet on your workbench. It will be handy for a quick pickup if you spill a jar of small items like nails, tacks, or washers.

• Amaryllis bulbs can be forced into bloom anytime; start now for Christmas blooms.

• Take a bit of quince preserves to restore health, ease sore throats, or cool hot flashes.

• Divide rhubarb now, including a bud with each section. Plant in good rich soil with a generous dressing of manure.

• Store candles in the refrigerator; they will burn longer, drip less, and smoke less.

• With scraps cut from an old satin pillowcase and the needles from your Christmas tree, you can make small, aromatic pillows. Put them in drawers, closets, or trunks to spread that sweet evergreen smell to clothes and musty places.

• Those stiff branches and sharp needles from your Christmas tree can be helpful to your garden.

A few well-placed branches can help defend your shrubs against winter freezes. And come springtime, those prickly needles make a great mulch that slugs will refuse to crawl over.

Anyone can give advice – the trouble comes in finding someone interested in using it.

Barbara Barker of Battlement Mesa has lots more of these hints, which she’ll reveal in upcoming issues of the Echo.

Page 24, GRAND VALLEY ECHO • Mid-October / Mid-November 2010

O U R

S C H O O L S

Introducing Grand Valley Givers

By Jory Sorensen, Grand Valley Middle School principal, and Ryan Frink, Grand Valley High School principal What is Grand Valley Givers? Grand Valley Givers is a newly formed charitable organization meant for the support and well-being of Garfield 16 students and families.

What does Grand Valley Givers do? It provides financial assistance for dental/medical, clothing, basic needs, school supplies, and school activity expenses for those students who need it. The Givers also will provide needy families with food with the Weekend Backpack Program, as well as coordinate the Angel Tree, now called the Grand Valley Giving Tree during the holidays. Part of the Givers mission is to involve and teach the youth of Garfield 16 the idea of servant

leadership and helping others simply for the benefit of our community.

How can I get involved or give to the Grand Valley Givers? You can make monetary donations to the Givers by contacting the Grand Valley Middle School office. If you would like to get involved in any other capacity, contact one of the school administrators.

There will also be Grand Valley Givers donation jars located around the community. This is a chance for you to help those students and families in our own community. Become a Giver today!

What is the Grand Valley Giving Tree? The Grand Valley Giving Tree is replacing what was once called the Angel Tree in our community. Our local LIFT-UP is turning their focus to providing food for the community, therefore Grand Valley Givers will be taking

over this program. This is a program to provide children of struggling families with Christmas gifts during the holidays. You will soon see Giving Trees up around the community and in our schools. If you know of a child/family that needs to be part of the Giving Tree program, contact one of the school head secretaries for sign-up, not LIFT-UP. We look forward to bringing this organization to our community. We feel it will serve multiple purposes: providing much needed services and items for our needy students while promoting servant leadership and giving among our youth. Please join us in promoting the Grand Valley Givers and make a difference for a child.

Bea Underwood /St John

Grand Valley Center for Family Learning

From the Principal

The 30 million word gap by age 3

Lunch with the Principal starts in October

By Rebecca Ruland, principal, Grand Valley Center for Family Learning

By Brian Berg The month of October is one of my favorite times at school. The students are in the routine of learning, parent teacher conferences take place, and Lunch with the Principal starts.

Each Friday, for the rest of the school year, I have lunch with 12 students at Bea Underwood and they share with me the learning they are most proud of from their class. Some students bring writer’s notebooks, others bring math sheets, and some bring their favorite book. Each student gets to pick out a free book for participating and they get to keep this for their home library.

I am hoping that by the end of the year, more than 250 students participate.

We appreciate your support of student learning by reading at home every night for 20 minutes or more. Way to go!

Flu season is here and we will be providing hand sanitizer to all students in the cafeteria and in classrooms. If you do not want your child to use hand sanitizer, please call the school and notify your child’s teacher or call Jeanne in the front office. The school’s number is 285-5703. By keeping our hands cleaner, we can keep students and staff much healthier as we move into the fall season.

Thanks again for raising such wonderful children and keep reading.

Involving Parents and Children

During the 1960s, Betty Hart and Todd Risley were among many researchers who looked at the effects of poverty on the academic growth of young children, and possible interventions during the early childhood years.

One of the most significant variables they found among children living in poverty and those who were not was the size of their vocabulary, i.e. the sheer number of words they possessed when entering school. Here is a summary of what they found:

For some young children, an achievement gap exists before they enter the schoolhouse door. In particular, the language and cognition skills of young children living in poverty are often significantly lower than their peers from higher-income families.

What is most thought provoking about this information to me is that changing these facts does not require a high level of income. Instead, it requires information and the will to use it.

Preschool teachers at our school dedicate much of their classroom day to developing language and pre-literacy skills with children.

And Raising a Reader, a program of the Early Learning Fund, sponsors book bags for each preschool-aged child to take home each week to read with their parents. This is another wonderful way to build receptive and expressive language skills each and every day.

Kindergarten teachers typically know on the first day of school which of their new students has been spoken with and read to on a regular basis. They know this because those children possess a rich vocabulary full of interesting words that allow them to express their many interesting thoughts.

The number of words they possess is absolutely linked to the ease of their ability to read and write. Their ability to read and write is absolutely related to their success and enjoyment of school. Their success and enjoyment of school can be absolutely related to their success in life….. and so on and so on.

You can assure that your child begins their first school experience on a level footing with their peers by talking and reading with your child each day. Having a rich, diverse and expansive vocabulary is like having a bouquet of fragrant flowers that allows your child to express his or her thoughts in beautiful colors.

THIS PAGE SPONSORED BY:

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

GRAND VALLEY ECHO • Mid-October / Mid-November 2010, Page 25

O U R

S C H O O L S

Terrific Kids Schools Brief Garfield No. 16 principals take on new schools This past summer, a few school leadership roles changed at three area schools.

Scott Pankow, the former principal at Grand Valley Middle School, accepted a principal position in Ouray, leaving the middle school principal position vacant.

Principal Jory Sorensen moved from St John Elementary School to become the principal at Grand Valley Middle School.

Brian Berg, the principal at Bea Underwood, also became the principal at St John, heading both schools.

Terrific Kids for September 2010

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.

– Carrie Click, Echo editor

Grand Valley Middle School From the Principal Get ready for parent-teacher conferences Oct. 21-22

By Jory Sorensen

Bea Underwood Elementary School

September’s Terrific Kids from Bea Underwood are, from left, first row, Opal Morgenthaler (Kiwanis representative), Brianna Baeza, Tyler Miller, Brian Berg (principal); second row, Angela Espinoza, Fiona Craine, Emma Jewel, Natalia Chavez, Carlos Ortiz; third row, Sebastian Willms, Logan Wingfield, Tabitha Call, Rodrigo Vargas, Chloe Preble.

With the first quarter over, everything at Grand Valley Middle School is going great! Our staff and teachers are working hard to provide an educational experience that meets the needs of all our kids while preparing them for their next step. Our students are also working hard and most are becoming active participants in their education.

We’d like to thank all our parents for communicating with our school and instilling the belief in our students that education is important.

The staff and I talk daily and at Fun Friday Assemblies about the importance of students bringing a great attitude and giving a great effort while at school. We tell students that everything they do and accomplish is related to the attitude they choose and the effort they choose to put into what they are doing. Please use these same phrases as you talk with your child about the choices they are making and their future.

Parent-teacher conferences are Oct. 21-22. Parents, please plan to attend our drop-in conference time on Oct. 21 from 4-8 p.m. or call our main office to set up an appointment on Oct. 22. The conferences are a great opportunity for you to sit with your child’s teacher and work together toward the best education possible.

Support the Our Schools section of The Grand Valley Echo… become a sponsor of one of the pages.

For more information: gve@cr ystalvalleyecho.com

St John Elementary School

September’s Terrific Kids from St John are, from left, first row, Montane Whiteley, Dakota Bond, Kendra Hock, Anthony Serna, Jacob Shaver; second row, Brian Berg (principal), Opal Morgenthaler (Kiwanis representative), Estrella Reza, Tye Wedhorn, Morgan Grice, Kathy Keeling (assistant principal).

Congratulations to all of September’s Terrific Kids!

Page 26, GRAND VALLEY ECHO • Mid-October / Mid-November 2010

O U R

S C H O O L S

Grand Valley High School A spotlight on ‘unspotlight kids’

By Eryn Paskett, GVHS

The softball team gathers to cheer on their team in hopes of another victory.

Photo courtesy of Sidney Drinkhouse

The start of something new

By Sidney Drinkhouse, GVHS

This new season for the Grand Valley High School (GVHS) softball girls is slightly different from last year. The returning team is now varsity, and it’s only their second year at GVHS. In that time, these girls have shown great achievement. They have played games in Denver and they have returning players and new players.

A few of their returning senior players are Shawnee Young, Taylor Conrad, Kendra Hill, Sidney Drinkhouse, Brooke Ward, and Ashley Williford.

New players include freshman Ashlynn Speakman and junior Emily Marbas. This team is growing exponentially and hopefully will continue to grow and be better with the coming years.

“I love my team,” says teammate Shawnee Young. “We play great together. I hope we can pull it together and go to state. If we can make it, this is the year to do it.”

These girls will have to work hard because going to state is not going to be easy as they have seen with the past games they have played. When Grand Valley faced off against Gunnison, the second seed in the league, the girls never looked better. With a grand slam from Brooke Ward, great catches from Ashlynn Speakman and Alexa Chenoweth, this was a spark that kept the team on top.

“If we can play that way every game we will be unstoppable,” says head coach Brooke Whitman.

“In order for us to advance to the next level, it’s imperative that we play like that for the remainder of our season.”

The Cards have faced a lot of tough losses, and are hoping to go into districts and come out on top. If so, they will be headed to the state tournament. Good luck girls and we hope you meet your goals.

Grand Valley High School (GVHS) is back in session. Many students are recognized for their amazing abilities, such as the varsity quarterback, the lead role in the play, or the math whiz.

But what about everyone else?

We want everyone to have their moment to shine, so we decided to interview some kids who may not get recognized as often.

Shawn Knox, a junior at GVHS, thinks of his junior year just as every other year, but likes the title of upperclassman. His favorite thing about GVHS is the small size of the student body, but his not-so-favorite thing about it is some of the teachers… enough said about that.

Knox’s favorite class is weight training, and his favorite breakfast entrée is biscuits and gravy, but he also loves white gravy with sausage.

Shawn Knox is an outstanding individual, and Shawn Knox enjoys his delicious chicken salad while he waits for his we thank him for letting us get to know him. friends to accompany him for lunch. Photo courtesy of Eryn Paskett Another outstanding individual is Bryanna Emmons, a senior at GVHS who enjoys cheerleading, and “April 25th, because it’s not too hot and not too cold. All you need is a light jacket!” (Movie title? Ten points!) Just kidding, but she is enjoying her senior year so far, and is sure it will only get better.

Bryanna’s favorite thing about GVHS is the “awesome people here.” On the other hand, her not-so-favorite thing is the Standards Based Grading System, which has been put into action for the 2010-11 school year.

Bryanna’s favorite class is drama, and she plans on going to the University of Northern Colorado to major in performing arts. Bryanna Emmons is a fun-loving girl. Bryanna, we are so glad you are you. Good luck with the drama and we can’t wait to see you hit the red carpet. Kiss Bieber for us!

GVHS Boys Soccer soaring through new obstacles

By Lizbet Gonzalez, GVHS

For the first time at Grand Valley High School (GVHS), there’s a boys varsity soccer team. In the 200910 school year, it was their first year as a JV team. They are coached by Spanish teacher Juan Rivera (head coach), technology teacher Rob Martin (assistant coach), Mr. Z (training coach) who works at Metcalf Excavation, and Mrs. Hilgenbrink, who works with the goalie and is also head coach for the girls soccer team.

The boys work hard at every single one of their Soccer teammates sophomore Luis Mancinas (#2), junior Sergio Franco (#16) junior Pancho Caraveo (#11), and junior Miguel games, but unfortunately, they’ve only won one game Mancinas (#17) on their way to lunch. since they started the soccer team. They went to the Photo courtesy of Lizbet Gonzalez Lake County Invite in Leadville, and won a game 5-2.

The boys ended up in second place at the tournament, a huge improvement for the team.

Even though these dedicated boys have not won many games, they keep their heads held up high waiting for that sweet victory.

“Soccer is going good because I am a starter and play every game for the full time,” said junior Miguel Mancinas.

“I have also been in the paper a few times, so that’s always nice.”

For their Homecoming game, the boys played Vail Mountain. After a hard battle for a win, the boys lost 5-1.

Senior Carlos Franco made the goal for the team.

Overall the GVHS boys soccer team is a team full of hardworking players who want to have fun and get as many victories as possible. They are also players with a lot of heart and passion for the game. With determination, they will conquer their biggest goals.

THIS PAGE SPONSORED BY:

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

GRAND VALLEY ECHO • Mid-October / Mid-November 2010, Page 27

O U R

S C H O O L S

Just Dance!

By Matt Donello, GVHS

What makes homecoming so exciting? For some, it could be playing under the Friday night lights. To others, it could be the excitement of the volleyball girls giving it their all in The Nest.

But for the select few, it’s the feeling of dressing up and taking that special one on the dance floor to show your dance moves off. For some underclassmen, it is definitely a huge piece of the puzzle.

Grand Valley High School (GVHS) freshman Kelsie Mcguirk, recently new to the area, tells me she was extremely excited for the occasion.

“Getting to dress up and experience what goes on in high school is what I liked the most,” Kelsie said.

Even though she went without a date, she enjoyed herself and made the best of it, and unlike most freshman, she danced the whole night away!

Wesley Wood, a GVHS sophomore, is happy that this year’s homecoming was better than last.

“There were different people and a new committee so it made it better,” Wood said.

When asked why he went, he said, “there is nothing better to do.”

Like Kelsie, Wesley danced the whole night away with his date! So as you may see, the sporting event and other events involved with homecoming week may be important, but the dance is Grand Valley High School students got their groove on at 2010’s homecoming dance.

Photo courtesy of Matt Donello where it’s at!

Dress-Up Week at GVHS

By Stefanie Horton, GVHS

Grand Valley High School (GVHS) has continued many traditions throughout the years. One of those traditions is dressing up for the week of homecoming.

During Dress-Up Week, leadership students mark down each kid who dresses up as they walk out of the lunchroom. At the end of the week, the students calculate the percentages of kids who dressed up for each class: seniors, juniors, sophomores, and freshmen. The Dress-up Days fill students with school spirit into Saturday night’s homecoming dance.

Every year, to determine what the Dress-up Days will be, the leadership students vote on a theme for the homecoming dance. This year, the overall theme was the Survivors. After they decide the themes, they choose what the days will be.

Monday was “Fake an Injury Day.” Students showed up to school in injury braces, wheelchairs, and on crutches and were excited to be "hurt" for a day.

Tuesday was “Camouflage Day.” Students were allowed to come to school decked out in any and everything camo if they chose to, and they did.

Wednesday was “Tropical Day.” Some students dressed up in hula skirts and coconut bras, while others wore bright colors and leis.

Thursday was “Class Color Day.” The seniors were to wear anything lime green, the juniors wore blue, the sophomores wore yellow, and the freshman wore orange.

Friday was “School Spirit Day.” Almost everyone was full of school pride, wearing the red, black, and white.

I asked two students at GVHS to give me their opinions on the long-lasting Dress-Up Days’ tradition.

“Dress-up Days are a blast!,” said senior Sonora Hornick. “They make homecoming week more enjoyable, and give us all something to look forward to.”

Sonora Hornick.

“I really enjoy the Dress-up Days because they make my week incredible!” said sophomore Kaeli Spanicek.

Both Sonora and Kaeli, as well as many students at GVHS, agree that DressUp Days are amazing and a good way to get all students involved. After all, “We Are Survivors!”

No competing with GVHS's homecoming traditions

By Liz Favier, GVHS

When you think of homecoming what do you think of? Football, volleyball, dances and maybe even a bonfire and car smash? Well here at Grand Valley, we honor all of those traditions. The first thing that happened was the volleyball team fought for a win in the gym against the Aspen Skiers. Then after volleyball, everyone headed out to the field to watch the football players. As everyone knows, football plays under the Friday night lights. With the cardinals wearing their all black uniforms, they went and put up a great fight against the Aspen Skiers.

Other than the games as a tradition, there are extracurricular activities that go on during the week before the games. One of the traditions that most schools have is the bonfire and car smash. During the bonfire all the fall sports teams were introduced to get them fired up for their upcoming home games. The football, volleyball, softball, cheer leaders, boy’s golf, boy’s soccer and cross country teams got up and pumped up the crowd and got everyone excited for the games. During the football introduction senior Chris Chartier gave a speech about how he was a one man wolf pack and his pack grew by 54 when he joined the football team. The rally was just one of the many memorable nights that the week had to offer.

Another well known activity that happens during homecoming is the powderpuff and stud man. Powder-puff is where girls go on the football field and play flag football and the teams are freshman and seniors against the sophomores and juniors. Then there is stud man which is where the boy’s play the game of volleyball.

Each of the classes competed to try to claim a victory, but in the end the seniors dominated the floor, even beating out the staff team for GVHS! The crowd was going and everyone was screaming for their class. Both events were incredible and helped students at GVHS work on their team building and leadership skills.

Another tradition that only Grand Valley can have is Mrs. GV. A pair of boys from each class got to walk on their feminine side, by dressing up and trying to win pageant competition. The winner for this year was senior Brody Hayes. Every year he came in second place and finally he won and got to wear his crown. This tradition proved to be a blast with the roar of the crowds approval for the their winner Brody Hayes.

Although many schools have similar Homecoming traditions, none can compete with the memories that are continuously made here at GVHS.

Page 28, GRAND VALLEY ECHO • Mid-October / Mid-November 2010

• 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 to help offset the cost of producing this page.

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

Grace Bible Church

Shepherd of the Mesa

755 Spencer Parkway P.O. Box 6248 Battlement Mesa 285-9862

Lutheran Church (WELS) Bill Cornelius, Pastor 987-3093 Adam Lambrecht, Staff Minister 987-1992 Sarah Lambrecht, Music Coordinator, 285-7255

Charlie Hornick, Pastor Lance Easterling, Youth Pastor Josh Elliott, Pastoral Intern Penni Nichols, GBC Child Care Director

Worship: Sunday at 10:00 a.m.

Monday at 7:00 p.m.

Sunday Blessing Up for Church Broadcast 103.9 FM Sunday School: 9:30-10:15 a.m.

Morning Worship: 10:30 a.m.

Evening Service: 5:30 p.m.

Youth / Children’s Activities Grace Bible Church Child Care: Mon – Fri. Awana: Tuesdays 7:00pm (Sept. – April) High School Youth: Sundays 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: 384-7999

101 W. Battlement Parkway Parachute 285-7946 crownpeakbaptist.com

Family Bible Study: Wednesday at 7:00 p.m.

Location: Historical Society School House on County Rd 300 Women’s Bible Study Group: Monday at 9:30 a.m.

Location: 12 Rosewood Way Babysitting available In Home Bible Study throughout the week.

Call for times and locations in your area.

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28

Wellspring of Life Church at Grand Valley High School Cafeteria

Rick Van Vleet, Senior Pastor Dan LaRue, Associate Pastor Matt Loftin, Youth Pastor Brian Jarrett, Minister of Music

Grand Valley Christian Church

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)

Richard Counts, Pastor 285-7597, 260-1080 e-mail: keeperoffaith@aol.com Church Office 285-7597

Second Street & Parachute Avenue Parachute

800 Cardinal Way Parachute Pastor David Bartlett

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

Sunday worship 10:00 a.m.

Sunday Service Time: 10 a.m.

Youth and Children’s Sunday School 210-5795 210-5849

Daily Prayer Tuesday thru Friday 9:30 a.m.

Grand Valley United Methodist Church 132 N. Parachute Ave. Parachute Dr. Bob Toll, Pastor

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.

Sunday Worship Service: 10 a.m.

Contact Us P.O. Box 125, Parachute, CO 81635 285-9892 grandvalleyumc@qwestoffice.net

GRAND VALLEY SPELLBINDERS is looking for volunteers.

Call 285-7175 for more information.

GRAND VALLEY ECHO • Mid-October / Mid-November 2010, Page 29

FA I T H

Faith Brief

As I See It

Chicken and biscuits on Oct. 22 The Grand Valley United Methodist Church is serving their famous annual chicken and biscuit dinner on Oct. 22 from 5-6:30 p.m. for a modest price at the church.

As always, dessert includes a variety of fresh homemade pies to choose from and ice cream to top it off.

So put the date, Oct. 22 on your calendar and come by for good food and good fellowship. The church is at 132 N. Parachute, Parachute. Call 285-9892 for more information.

– Lori Sweers

Shommy’s

from page 11

Open seven days a week Shawna puts at least 40 hours a week into the business, which is open from 6 a.m.-11 p.m., seven days a week The menu features breakfast, lunch and dinner that includes everything from steak and eggs for $7.99 to sandwiches and burgers and steak, pork, chicken and seafood dinners from $11.99 to $16.99.

There is also Far East fare, along with appetizers and homemade desserts, and soft-serve ice cream that includes butterscotch, and Kahlua and raspberry, along with the traditional vanilla, chocolate and strawberry.

The entire menu is available all day long.

"And if someone is on a special diet or there is something they want that is not on the menu, if we have the ingredients, we'll make it," Shawna said.

Menu specials include a free pie slice on Mondays with the purchase of any entree; Southwest Night on Tuesdays; Italian Night on Wednesdays; Chef's Choice on Thursdays; and Prime Rib for two for $25.99 on Fridays. A cheeseburger combo with endless hand-cut fries for $7.99 is offered every day and seniors can buy one entree and get the second one half price from 2 p.m. to close.

There is also a call-ahead drive-up service for those who don't want to get out of their cars.

Kids are welcome Most of Shommy's customers are regulars and kids are more than welcome.

"We have all kinds of board games and they can draw with markers on the menus. We try to make it so people have fun when they're here," Shawna said.

Shommy's will be holding its second annual Halloween Party on Oct. 31, with two costume contests – one for kids that will be judged at 6 p.m. and one for adults, judged at 10 p.m. Other events are also posted on Shommy's Facebook page.

Shommy's is at 28 Cardinal Way, behind the Phillip's 66 station. Call 285-9711 for more information.

IF YOU ENJOY READING THIS PAPER, PLEASE SUBSCRIBE! The Echo is available at many valley locations for free pick up (see box on classified ad page)…

AND IS DELIVERED TO THE HOMES IN THE BATTLEMENT MESA AND PARACHUTE AREA FREE OF CHARGE You can help support the paper by becoming a paid subscriber.

Mailed paid subscriptions are available for readers outside our area.

Name: ________________________________________________________________________ Address: ______________________________________________________________________ City: ___________________________________________ State: ________ Zip: ___________ Please complete this form & submit $35 per year to:

THE GRAND VALLEY ECHO 274 Redstone Blvd., Redstone, CO 81623 We appreciate your support!

Progress at “breakneck speeds”

By Pastor Charlie Hornick, Grace Bible Church Recently I came across an interesting letter supposedly dated Jan. 31, 1829, and supposedly written by then governor of New York and later our eighth president, the extinguished Martin Van Buren.

To President Jackson: The canal system of this country is being threatened by the spread of a new form of transportation known as “railroads.” The federal government must preserve the canals for the following reasons: 1) If canal boats are supplanted by “railroads,” serious unemployment will result. Captains, cooks, drivers, hostlers, repairmen and lock tenders will be left without means of livelihood, not to mention the numerous farmers now employed in growing hay for the horses.

2) Boat builders would suffer and towline, whip and harness makers would be left destitute.

3) Canal boats are absolutely essential to the defense of the United States. In the event of the expected trouble with England, the Erie Canal would be the only means by which we could ever move the supplies so vital to waging modern war.

As you may well know, Mr. President, “railroad” carriages are pulled at the enormous speed of 15 miles per hour by “engines” which, in addition to endangering life and limb of passengers, roar and snort their way through the countryside, setting fire to crops, scaring the livestock and frightening our women and children. The Almighty certainly never intended that people should travel at such breakneck speed.

- Martin Van Buren Governor of New York I hope this letter gave you a chuckle. But I must tell you that it is a forgery. There is no proof of its authenticity and it is historically inaccurate. For instance, Jackson did not become president until March of that year and the date was a little too early for a threat by the railroad. According to snopes.com, a research and factchecking website, the letter appeared in an ad in The Washington Post on Sept. 27,1983 by the Martin Agency, Inc. to influence members of the House of Representatives to vote for a particular piece of legislation. Many have through the years believed it to be true regardless of its fabrication.

Had this letter been authentic, it would have packed more of a punch for my purpose in using it. However, I would say we have all met people who could have written such a letter. That may be why many, including politicians, fell for it. There truly are people who are fearful of progress, though the world would never move forward if left up to them.

While some resist progress, others seem clueless that it is happening. I want to be among those, however, who applaud it and are appreciative of those who are making a difference for the better. The Scriptures tell us to give honor where honor is due.

We are witnessing some exciting advances in technology in our area. On Aug. 27, I attended the grand opening celebration of Parachute’s new solar electric arrays, which provide efficient energy and save us taxpayers money. It was exciting to see the role of our small town in paving the way for others to follow in what may well become a wave of the future.

If you want to see progress at work, check out what is happening in our own community at the Parachute Town Hall, the rest stop, the new fire station, the remodeled library, our schools, and the Grand River Medical Center. While you’re there, be sure to thank those who are present-day pioneers who are seeking to make a difference – that is, if you really do think the Almighty intended us to exceed the “breakneck speed” of 15 miles per hour.

Page 30, GRAND VALLEY ECHO • Mid-October / Mid-November 2010

Where’s Redstone?

PUBLISHER’S NOTE: Where’s Redstone – and why should you care? The Grand Valley Echo’s sixyear 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.

Leaves may be falling, but there are still Haunted Hayrides

Redstone’s leaves may be past their prime, but there’s plenty in store for those who dare to go on the Haunted Hayrides. Photo by Carrie Click

By Carrie Click, Echo editor The fall foliage in the Crystal River Valley may have peaked by the time you read this paper, but there are still plenty of good reasons to take a trip up to Redstone.

One of those reasons is what’s becoming a Halloween tradition in Redstone: horse-drawn Haunted Hayrides.

Redstonians seem to enjoy Halloween, and for good reason. The little village is filled with century-old cottages, and the big historic Redstone Inn…well, if walls could talk, the inn would have plenty to say, if you catch my drift.

Get ready for you and your family to get spooked. From Oct. 28-31, hayrides set off from the Redstone Inn in the heart of Redstone at 6 and 7 p.m. and clip-clop off to – who knows where?

And though this is a family event, the rides are not recommended for children 5 and under.

Haunted Hayrides are $20/adults and $5/children 6-10 years old, and come complete with warm beverages at ride’s end. Call the inn for tickets at 963-2526…if you dare.

Just getting to Redstone is a pleasant experience as you leave busy highways and cruise along the West Elk Scenic Byway starting in Carbondale. This two-lane road winds along the Crystal River and is soon surrounded by towering cliffs of red sandstone that give the town its name.

Redstone is located on Highway 133, just 18 miles south of Carbondale. Take I-70 to Glenwood Springs and Highway 82 to the junction of Highway 133 at Carbondale. Or, take the scenic byway across the Grand Mesa on Highway 65 to the junction of Highway 92 near Hotchkiss and continue past Paonia on Highway 133 over McClure Pass into the beautiful Crystal River Valley. Hope to see you in Redstone!

The Redstone General Store WE HAVE SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE! Open Daily

963-3126 292 Redstone Blvd.

Redstone Across from the park

Avalanche Ranch Cabins & Antiques • 12863 Hwy 133 • Redstone, CO 81623 info@avalancheranch.com • www.avalancheranch.com • 1-877-963-9339

i|á|à exwáàÉÇxVtáàÄx‹

THE HEART OF REDSTONE WITH A UNIQUE SELECTION OF CENTERPIECES FOR YOUR HOME! REDSTONE CASTLE TOURS

REDSTONE CASTLE TOUR TICKETS AVAILABLE HERE! OPEN YEAR ROUND • OPEN DAILY

Fri., Sat., Sun., & Mon. 1:30 p.m.

Tickets: $15 adults, $10 seniors, children 5-18 Children under 5: FREE (FOR GROUP TOURS CALL 970-963-9656)

970-963-1769

Tickets savailable at Tiffany of Redstone, the Redstone General Store and Crystal Club Cafe.

225 Redstone Blvd. • Redstone

redstonecolorado.com

CASH OR CHECK ONLY SUMMER MUSIC ON THE PATIO EVERY SUNDAY 3-5PM STARTING IN JUNE

www.redstonecastle.us

GRAND VALLEY ECHO • Mid-October / Mid-November 2010, Page 31

THE ECHO CLASSIFIEDS FOR RENT: FOR RENT: PARACHUTE - Newer Townhome, opposite park. 3 BD/2.5 BA, 1-car garage, fenced patio, W/D plus all appliances. N/S. $800/month. 970618-4930 ROR RENT: BATTLEMENT MESA – 3 BD/2 BA condominium with deck, mountain view, 1-car garage.

Extra storage areas. W/D plus all appliances. N/S. $800/month. 970-618-4930

ONLY $10: The Echo Classified Ads - an inexpensive way to advertise... Do you have something for sale, a home for rent or services you offer... let your neighbors know with a classified ad in the Echo. Only $10 for up to 40 words - a bargain that can’t be beat! gve@crystalvalleyecho.com

HELP WANTED: Marketing rep wanted for fast growing health & wellness co. Commissions + bonuses + profit sharing. Full or part time. Contact Barbara 309-1354 or 285-7634.

Even your classified ad helps the Echo have more pages to share the news!

Place your ad today!

THE GRAND VALLEY ECHO CLASSIFIED ADS PHOTO CLASSIFIED AD–Run an photo and 25 words for $15/month* LISTING CLASSIFIED AD–Run up to 40 words for $10/month* *25¢ per word extra. These ads must be prepaid.

Name:__ _______________ Phone Number:___________ Ad:

gve@crystalvalleyecho.com

THE GRAND VALLEY ECHO IS AVAILABLE FOR FREE PICK UP AT THE FOLLOWING LOCATIONS RACKS OUTSIDE: Outlaw Ribbs • Wendy’s • Clark’s Market • Southgate Plaza/Grand Valley Pub INSIDE AT: Kum & Go Stations • The Battlement Mesa Activity Center and at MANY local businesses!

• Septic Tank Pumping • Experienced Operators • Senior Discounts!

Locally Owned & Operated.

• Specials!

DeBeque to Aspen to Vail & Beyond • Best Prices!

970-216-7576 • Guaranteed! www.peakseptic.com

Submit this form and payment by the 1st of the month to: The Grand Valley Echo 274 Redstone Blvd., Redstone, CO 81623 IF YOU ARE RUNNING A PHOTO CLASSIFIED, SEND PHOTO TO gve@crystalvalleyecho.com

SERVICE DIRECTORY NOW SERVICING PARACHUTE AND BATTLEMENT MESA • Commercial dumpsters, full time service • Commercial roll-offs 10, 20, 30, & 40 cubic yards available

#1 IN A #2 BUSINESS

ROCKY MOUNTAIN DISPOSAL

24 HOUR EMERGENCY SERVICE! DEBEQUE TO ASPEN

947-0990

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

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

NEW TO THE PARACHUTE / BATTLEMENT MESA AREA LOCATED IN PARACHUTE

Travel Trailers, RV's, Boats, Trucks, etc.

970-930-0124

285-9217

P.O. BOX 1349 • RIFLE, CO 81650

120 S. Columbine Ct. • Parachute

CALL JOHN - 970-986-1820 OR SHERRY - 970-640-3115

TO RUN YOUR AD IN THE GRAND VALLEY ECHO SERVICE DIRECTORY CALL 963-2373 TODAY!

Page 32, GRAND VALLEY ECHO • Mid-October / Mid-November 2010