Odor Investigation

Go Behind The Scenes With Local Government

From the Town of Estes Park and the Estes Valley Library Ever wondered what goes on during a typical day at Town Hall? How does our local government operate? What facilities does the Town of Estes Park own? All of these questions and many more will be answered during the 2023 Community Information Academy. The Town of Estes Park’s recurring Community Information Academy (CIA) – formerly the Citizens Information Academy – is a seven-week series designed to familiarize participants with Estes Park’s town government and encourage active participation from community members. During CIA, participants meet with Town Trustees and staff, expand their knowledge of overall Town operations, and learn about other government taxing districts in the Estes Valley. The course also reviews the responsibilities of Town departments including public works, utilities, community development, finance, administration, administrative services, police, the municipal court, and community services. CIA consists of six weekly three-hour classroom sessions, as well as a Town facilities tour, and is free of charge. Classes will take place every Wednesday afternoon from 1-4 p.m. at the Estes Valley Library, beginning February 15 and continuing through March 29. Five sessions will cover the Town departments listed above, and a sixth will focus on the local Special Districts in Estes Park. Participants apply to attend, and if accepted, commit to attending all sessions. Priority for admission to the program is given to Town residents, but individuals who live outside Town boundaries are welcome to attend if space is available. Minimum class size is 15; the maximum is 25. Attending CIA is not a prerequisite for election or appointment to a board or commission. However, CIA participants who subsequently served on Town boards and commissions have found it very helpful. Additional details and application information will be available soon. For more information about CIA, visit estes.org/communityinformationacademy or call 970-577-3700. Applications are accepted through January 23, 2023. The Estes Valley Library is proud to partner with the Town of Estes Park on this civic engagement opportunity.

EVFPD firefighters generally respond to medical calls in their personal vehicles, allowing for a faster response. On other incidents, firefighters respond to a fire station to respond in department apparatus with specialized equipment. During the week of December 18, the Estes Valley Fire Protection District (EVFPD) responded to 13 calls for service. This included: • Emergency medical (assist EPH): 1 • Motor Vehicle Crash: 2 • Alarm Activation: 5 • Odor Investigation: 3 • Gas Leak: 1 • Assist: 1

Photo by Jim Ward

IT’S INVENTORY TIME AT THE MAD MOOSE

The Mad Moose will be closed January 1 through January 5 for Inventory. We will be back open Friday, January 6!

900 Moraine Avenue, Estes Park 970.577.9775 * info@madmoose.com

New Year, New “One Book One Valley”

By now, you’ve likely heard about One Book One Valley, a weeks-long celebration of the shared experience of reading a community-chosen book. Last fall, participating voters selected 2023’s title: Finders Keepers by Craig Childs. Finders Keepers surrounds themes of archaeology, artifacts, and how humans can (and have) influenced history. Throughout November and December, Adult Services Librarian Eric White has been hard at work planning a calendar full of programs, each meant to showcase a different perspective about how we preserve and protect stories from the past. Now, it’s time to register for one (or several!) of these great presentations. On Friday, January 6, CSU Professor Jason LaBelle will host a discussion about complex issues such as integrity and ethics as related to the relationship between archaeologists and artifact collectors. Archaeologists have painstakingly reconstructed the ancient Native American history of northern Colorado over the past 100 years, using artifacts including broken hide scrapers, Folsom spear points, and soapstone pots. LaBelle will explore paths forward in advancing our understanding of the ancient human history of northern Colorado. On Tuesday, January 10, the Library is honored to welcome Southern Arapaho tribal historian and elder Fred Mosqueda for a virtual discussion about protecting culture through ancient items. Mr. Mosqueda will present about the way his community sees objects we call “artifacts,” how archaeologists, museums, and other organizations can work productively with Indigenous communities, and the repatriation and cultural protection work he’s pursued on behalf of the Southern Arapaho. Most recently, Mr. Mosqueda was a co-creator and designated tribal representative for the newly opened Sand Creek Massacre exhibit at History Colorado in Denver. If you’d like to read along with the community, copies of Finders Keepers are now available to borrow. Reserve yours on estesvalleylibrary.org or stop by the Library to pick one up. Discussion groups will take place in January, and One Book One Valley will culminate in an evening with author Craig Childs on Monday, February 6. You won’t want to miss this live and in-person conversation (which will include plenty of audience Q&A). Looking for a more hands-on way to celebrate human history? Make sure to check out one of the great themed programs in the Makerspace this month. On January 3 (and repeated on January 4, 11, and 14), patrons are invited to practice heritage scrapbooking. Bring family photos and memorabilia to fill in the pages of your personal history. Scrapbook, paper, accessories, and access to Ancestry.com will all be available. We welcome you to take part in this opportunity to celebrate literacy, storytelling, and civic dialogue through the shared reading of a single title. To learn more about Finders Keepers and One Book One Valley events, and to sign up for these programs, visit estesvalleylibrary.org/1b1v.

Tweens & Teens: Advise Your Local Library

Are you between the ages of 11-18? Do you visit the Estes Valley Library? If not, why? If so, do you have ideas about how the Library can better fulfill your needs and benefit other young adults? Introducing: The Tween/Teen Advisory Council. This group will meet monthly to discuss and advise Youth Services Librarian Breanna Vegas about the best future for teens at the Estes Valley Library. The next meeting is scheduled for Thursday, January 5 from 6 - 7 p.m. in the Hondius Room. We start each meeting with introductions and a description of a book each participant is currently reading. Next, attendees brainstorm teen services to run, plan the associated implementation, discuss the design of a new tween/teen space in the library, and explore outreach opportunities. Tweens and teens are valued and welcome! It’s important that you are included in planning and given advising roles in the development of your space and services. We hope that your participation will ensure that teen needs and interests are being met. And, we hope it creates an opportunity for more of your friends to visit the Library. PS - These Teen Advisory Council meetings count as student volunteer service hours! Stretch your creative muscles and activate those leadership skills, all while contributing to making the Estes Valley Library a better place for young adults. With your help, the Library can better welcome more young people to our programs, services, and collections. To sign up for January’s meeting and to learn more about young adult services, visit estesvalleylibrary.org.