Colorado Country Life K.C. November 2011

[November 2011]] [March 2011

THE

Year’s Best Books

[contents]

November 2011

14

[features] 14 Stop Meth’s Advance

Co-ops join effort to stop drug

16 The Year’s Best Books

ead our reviews and find a great R Colorado book

[columns] 21 Conversation Starter

Share fun with friends around a

fondue table

16

22 Zoned In

elp for gardening in diverse H western elevations

25 Outdoors

Dogs show smarts at Meeker

[departments]

CREA’s Energy Innovations Summit brings together industry experts

Seal your windows and

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5 6 7 12 29 30

Classic Sheepdog Trials

25 Energy Tips

Viewpoint

Letters Calendar Co-op News NewsClips Funny Stories Discoveries

[cover]

your wallet

29 30

21

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Cover design by Donna Norris COMMUNICATIONS STAFF: M ona Neeley, CCC, Publisher/Editor@303-455-4111; Donna Norris, Associate Editor • Amy Higgins, Administrative Assistant/Writer ADVERTISING: Kris Wendtland@303-902-7276; NCM@800-626-1181

The official publication of the Colorado Rural Electric Association Volume 42, Number 11

OFFICERS: Chris Morgan [Gunnison] President; Bob Bledsoe [Tri-State] Vice President; Bill Midcap [Fort Morgan] Secretary; Don Kaufman [Sangre de Cristo] Treasurer; Kent Singer [CREA] Executive Director BOARD OF DIRECTORS: John Porter [Empire]; Don McClaskey [Grand Valley]; Jim Lueck [Highline]; Michael Glass [Holy Cross]; Dan Mills [K.C.]; Tom Compton [La Plata]; Stan Cazier [Mountain Parks]; B.D. Paddock [Mountain View]; Jack Schneider [Poudre Valley]; Joseph Costa, Reg Rudolph [San Isabel]; Mike Rierson, John Villyard [San Luis Valley]; Marcus Wilson [San Miguel]; Paul Erickson [Sangre de Cristo]; Mark Grasmick [Southeast]; Jim Jaeger [United Power]; Bill Jordan [White River]; Stuart Travis [Y-W]; Charles Perry [Yampa Valley]; Basin Electric, CoBank, Moon Lake Electric, Wheatland Electric [Associate Members]

EDITORIAL: Denver Corporate Office, 5400 N. Washington Street, Denver, CO 80216; Phone: 303-455-4111 • Email: MNeeley@coloradocountrylife.org • Website: coloradocountrylife.coop • Facebook: Colorado Country Life • Twitter: @COCountryLife Colorado Country Life (USPS 469-400/ISSN 1090-2503) is published monthly for $9/$15 per year by Colorado Rural Electric Association, 5400 N. Washington Street, Denver, CO 80216. Periodical postage paid at Denver, Colorado.

POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Colorado Country Life, 5400 N. Washington Street, Denver, CO 80216 Publication of an advertisement in Colorado Country Life does not imply endorsement by any Colorado rural electric cooperative or the Colorado Rural Electric Association. Editorial opinions published in Colorado Country Life magazine shall pertain to issues affecting rural electric cooperatives, rural communities and citizens. The opinion of CREA is not necessarily that of any particular cooperative or individual.

[viewpoint]

Showcasing the Future CREA’s Energy Innovations Summit brings together industry experts

BY KENT SINGER CREA EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR KENT@EMAIL.COOP

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The Denver Marriott City Center was energized in October when CREA presented its second annual Energy Innovations Summit. The Summit featured experts from Colorado and around the country talking about energy policy, new technology and creative solutions to our energy challenges.

Here are some of the highlights: The day opened with the “View From Washington” panel, which included representatives of the three utility sectors: electric cooperatives, municipal utilities and investor-owned utilities. The panelists all recognized that with the current gridlock in the U.S. Congress, energy policy is being developed by state legislatures and administrative agencies, such as the Environmental Protection Agency.

Glenn English, CEO of the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association, indicated that in all his years in Congress and as the head of NRECA, he has never witnessed the kind of partisan divide that exists in Congress today. This will make it extremely difficult to devise an energy policy that will give utilities certainty as to what type of generation fuels they can use in the future.

Dr. Bryan Willson, head of the Colorado State University Engines and Energy Conversion Laboratory and director of the CSU Clean Energy Supercluster, gave the luncheon presentation. Dr. Willson described the impressive work of both of these organizations and the spin-off companies that are developing new battery and renewable energy generation technologies.

The final general session of the day featured Carol and Eddie Sturman, the founders of Sturman Industries.

The Sturmans are technology innovators based in Woodland Park who develop digital devices that improve

ColoradoCountryLife.coop 4 November 2011

The opening panel at the Summit discusses gridlock in Congress.

the efficiency of engines for transportation and stationary power.

Technology invented by Sturman Industries may revolutionize the efficiency of the internal combustion engine to the point that electric cars will not have the market penetration that some expect in the future.

The Sturmans are true Colorado innovators, seeking to develop technology that will improve the efficiency of power delivery and lead to more distributed power generation sources.

In between these sessions, the conference also featured several breakout sessions with panels of experts who addressed the latest projects and technologies in specific areas. These sessions discussed micro hydropower generation, storage of electricity from intermittent (renewable) sources, the possibilities for carbon capture and utilization or sequestration, the use of natural gas for power generation, the difficulties associated with siting transmission facilities and how electric cars will affect the grid.

All in all, 31 energy experts spoke at the Summit.

In addition to hosting panelists and speakers, the Summit featured displays from 20 groups, including wind and solar power developers, broadband communication companies and Touchstone Energy.

You may be asking, why does CREA sponsor an energy conference?

CREA sponsors the Summit so that

members will be in the know when it comes to the latest developments in the energy industry.

As owners and operators of rural electric utilities, co-op directors, managers and staff need to be aware of all possible sources of power generation and the opportunities and challenges associated with these sources.

The Summit is another CREA service provided to your local co-op.

The Summit is also open to all interested parties and provides a forum for interaction between those affiliated with the co-op program and those from the other utility sectors.

It also brings together environmental advocates, regulators and others connected to Colorado’s energy industry for a discussion of issues that affect all parties, which is invaluable as we all consider the future of electricity generation for Colorado.

I am proud that Colorado’s member-owned electric co-ops are leading the way in innovation in the electric utility industry. We will continue to lead in ways that always keep the reliability and price of our product at the forefront.

CREA EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

[letters] Lightbulbs of the Future

It is a fact that the 100-watt Edison style incandescent lightbulbs are going away at the end of this year. I was aware that older Easy-Bake toy ovens used this bulb but only recently found out that some chick incubators used the 100-watt lamps as well. There are probably a few other non-lighting uses for these bulbs.

Readers who have equipment that needs the 100-watt incandescent lightbulb should stock up now. While specialty versions will not be affected by the prohibition, the alternatives to the common 100-watt lightbulb will certainly be more expensive.

The 100-watt bulb is just the beginning. The 75-, 60- and 40-watt bulbs will also be going away by December of 2014. Incandescent reflector lamps, like the PAR 30 used in recessed “can” lighting, are also affected. At the moment, 150-watt bulbs, including the 150-watt three-way bulbs, are not.

We can be comforted in the fact that we aren’t alone in letting go of this over 100-year-old technology. Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, the European Union, New Zealand, Russia and Venezuela have already gone through this transition, and many other countries have started down the same road.

And just when you thought it was safe to turn on your light switch, there’s another change coming. Almost all 4- and 8-foot-long T12 fluorescent lamps (the old 1 ½-inch diameter kind) along with the 2-foot “U tube” version of these lights will stop being manufactured in July of 2012.

A number of the less expensive T8 (1-inch diameter) lamps will also be phased out. This will have a large effect on commercial and industrial buildings.

If you run a business, take a look at your lighting system. If you have T12s, plan on either a lighting retrofit in 2012 or stocking up to delay the inevitable until 2013.

Keith Emerson, PE, CEM Westminster

Send your letter to the editor by mail or email. You must include your name and address to be published. Letters may be edited.

ColoradoCountryLife.coop November 2011 5

[calendar]

[November] November 11 All National Parks Fee Free Day nps.gov/romo/planyourvisit/ feesandreservations.htm November 11 Elizabeth Community Open Stage Casey Jones Pavillion 7-10 pm • fivestara.com November 11-13 Pueblo West Christmas House Boutique Fundraiser S Nichols Rd & W McCulloch Blvd • 719-547-7477 November 12 Buena Vista Arkansas River Creations Holiday Sale Routon Mountain Quilting 10 am-2 pm • 719-539-2075

November 19 Between Buena Vista & Salida High Country Artisans Holiday Sale 12600 Coyote Valley Rd 9 am-4 pm mallama50@aol.com November 19 Buena Vista Christmas Bazaar Buena Vista High School 9 am-3 pm • 719-395-6612 November 19 Farmington, NM Concert Henderson Hall San Juan College • 7:30 pm durangochoralsociety.org November 19 La Junta Holiday Harvest Craft Show Columbian School 8 am-3 pm • 719-384-7960

[December] December 2 Fraser Christmas Festival of Trees Fraser Valley Recreation Center 4-8 pm • fraservalleylions.org December 2-3 Durango Old Fashioned Christmas Bazaar Animas Museum animasmuseum.org December 2-January 1 Littleton Trail of Lights Denver Botanic Gardens at Chatfield 5:30-9:30 pm botanicgardens.org December 2-31 Fort Collins Garden of Lights The Gardens on Spring Creek 5-8 pm • fcgov.com/gardens

November 19-20 Black Forest November 12 Alpaca Holiday Extravaganza Buena Vista Black Forest Community Club Gingerbread House Bazaar pikespeakalpacas.com December 3 First Lutheran Church Denver 9 am-2 pm • 719-395-2039 November 20 Parade of Lights Durango Downtown Denver November 12 Concert 6 pm Loveland Fort Lewis College denverparadeoflights.com Holiday Gift Show Benefitting Community Concert Hall Avon Walk for Breast Cancer 3 pm December 3 Embassy Suites durangochoralsociety.org Durango 10 am-5 pm • festivalnet.com “Ringing in Christmas” November 25-26 Handbell Concert November 12-13 Grand Lake St. Columba Church Lone Tree Open House 7 pm • 970-247-5527 SIDESHOW! Opera Cabaret Kauffman House Museum Lone Tree Arts Center 1-4 pm December 3 lonetreeartscenter.org glhistory@rkymtnhi.com Elizabeth Olde Country Christmas November 16-19 November 26-27 Main Street in Elizabeth Grand Junction Loveland 3:30-5 pm • elizabeth Shakespeare’s: Antique Show chamber.org “The Comedy of Errors” Larimer County Event Center Moss Performing Arts Center 719-596-8839 December 3 7:30 pm • 970-248-1604 Salida November 27 Annual Holiday Sampler November 18-20 Salida Chaffee County Fairgrounds Wiggins Concert 9 am-4 pm Craft Show SteamPlant Theater salidachamber.org 717 E 3rd Ave 2 pm 970-483-7732 waldenchambermusic.org November 18-27 Fort Collins Silent Auction of Holiday Trees Lincoln Center 970-221-6733 ColoradoCountryLife.coop 6 November 2011

SEND CALENDAR ITEMS TWO MONTHS IN ADVANCE TO:

Calendar, Colorado Country Life, 5400 N. Washington St., Denver, CO 80216; fax to 303-455-2807; or email calendar@coloradocountrylife.org.

December 3-4 Colorado Springs Antique Show Colorado Springs City Auditorium • 719-596-8839 December 4 Durango Concert, Holiday Extravaganza Fort Lewis College Community Concert Hall 3 pm durangochoralsociety.org December 5 Holyoke Country Christmas and Parade of Lights Downtown Holyoke 4-8 pm • holyokechamber.org December 9 Pueblo “A Christmas Story” Central High School 7:30-10 pm • 719-994-8298 December 9-10 Pueblo Santa at the City Park Kiddie Rides City Park Rides 5:30-8:30 pm · 719-553-2790 December 10 Bayfield Craft Fair Bayfield Parks and Recreation Gym • 10 am-4 pm 970-884-3259 December 10 Tabernash Tommelfest Devil’s Thumb Ranch 8 am-6 pm devilsthumbranch.com December 10-11 Golden Santa Claus Special Colorado Railroad Museum 9 am-5 pm • 303-279-4591 December 10-11 Longmont Mineral and Train Show Boulder County Fairgrounds 303-591-2830 December 10-24 Denver Living Lights Butterfly Pavilion 5:30-9 pm • butterflies.org

K.C. ELECTRIC ASSOCIATION

[Country News] [what’s inside] n Yes, He Really Can Play Anything n New After-Hours Call Service n Check Your Extension Cords n The Country Kitchen n Safety Comes With Three Prongs n Irrigation Meter Reading HUGO OFFICE P.O. Box 8 Hugo, CO 80821-0008 STRATTON OFFICE P.O. Box 285 Stratton, CO 80836-0285 HUGO ADDRESS 422 Third Avenue Hugo, CO 80821 STRATTON ADDRESS 281 Main Street Stratton, CO 80836 719-743-2431 [Hugo] 719-348-5318 [Stratton] www.kcelectric.coop [web] BOARD OF DIRECTORS Kevin Penny [president] Robert Bledsoe [vice president] Terry Tagtmeyer [secretary/treasurer] Danny Mills [asst. secretary/treasurer] James Lewis [director] Jim Michal [director] Luanna Naugle [director] Dave Ritchey [director] Marvin Thaller [director] STAFF Tim Power [general manager] Chance Briscoe [office manager] Ben Orrell [member services specialist] Larry Shutte [operations manager] Paul Norris [line superintendent]

NEW RATES SET

BY TIMOTHY J. POWER GENERAL MANAGER AND CEO KCHUGO@KCELECTRIC.COOP

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This past year I have written the October board meeting, the various times telling you board approved rates for 2012. to prepare for higher rates Many of you may have in 2012. Now I can finally already received your Novemsay that the new rates have ber bill and noticed the new arrived. rate sheet included with your As mentioned in my bill. These rates will take effect August Colorado Country with your February 2012 bill, Life article, we are facing a which covers your January Timothy J. Power wholesale power increase 2012 (and in some cases, parts from Tri-State Generation and Transmisof December 2011) usage. Please read the sion, beginning in January 2012. This letter on the back side of the rate sheet for increase amounts to a little less than 5 an explanation of why and how the rates percent. At the September and October were set. board meetings, the KC Electric Board of If you have any questions on the rates, Directors carefully reviewed our finances call the co-op at 719-743-2431. and projections for 2012 and beyond. At

Don’t Overuse Extension Cords

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Although extension cords are handy and often necessary during the holiday season, they can cause fire and injury. It is important to use them correctly. (Anna Gunderson, #705400001) Each year, about 3,300 residential fires and 4,000 injuries requiring emergency room treatment are associated with extension cords. To reduce the likelihood of electrocution or fire, use extension cords only on a temporary basis.

When using them outdoors for holiday lighting, only use cords labeled specifically for outdoor use.

Always make sure to insert plugs fully so no parts of the prongs are exposed when the extension cord is in use.

And always replace cracked or worn extension cords with new 16-gauge cords that show the listing of a nationally recognized testing laboratory and have safety closures and other safety features.

Be safe throughout the holiday season.

ColoradoCountryLife.coop November 2011 7

[Country News] Yes, He Really Can Play Anything

BY BEN ORRELL MEMBER SERVICES SPECIALIST

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As I travel through K.C. Electric territory I am absolutely amazed at the number of truly talented musicians we have out here on the plains.

Since I can’t do articles about them all, I singled out one group and will introduce the members to you. The leader of this group is Larry Kitzel of Arriba. You might remember an earlier article about Larry. He is a miniature railroad modeler of the first order. He is a man of so many talents that I was reminded of the biblical verse from Matthew: “For to everyone who has, more shall be given.” When it comes to talent, he has been given a lot and he has multiplied it tenfold.

Larry and his wife, Sandee, retired in 2004, did volunteer work for a couple of years and moved to Arriba in 2006. He was the music education teacher at McPherson College in McPherson, Kansas, from 1970 to 2004. Basically, he taught teachers how to go out and teach music. To get the interview started I asked “What instruments do you play?” He said he can play them all. Oh sure, he is better at some than others but he has, in fact, been schooled in all of them. Down near the end of the interview he proved the point.

More on that later. (Mary Erker, #409300000) Shortly after moving to Arriba, Larry wanted to get a musical group together so he began to ask folks at his church if they knew people who could play. A few names finally surfaced, and those led to other names and after many, many phone calls he had enough people to organize a practice. They practice once a month and if they are going to have a gig, they may practice a bit more. There is no audition; the only prerequisite is a desire to play. If someone hasn’t played for years and wants to play, Larry will even give them free lessons until he or she is comfortable that he or she can play with the group. Most people who have played in the past will regain their skill quickly and improve quickly because of maturity and drive. Muscle memory must be regained, but even that comes back quickly.

Larry prefers not to perform with less than a quartet but strives to have at least eight instruments so he can have two similiar instruments for each part. He has been fortunate to attract a good volume of talent and is able to have a trombone choir and a baritone saxophone choir.

ColoradoCountryLife.coop 8 November 2011

The trombones are called the Eastern Colorado Trombones and the baritones are called the High Plains Brass. When they put everyone together to form a brass choir they have trumpets, baritones, French horns, tubas and trombones. The list of players is impressive and I daresay you will know at least a few of these: Larry Kitzel, Scott Kimble, Stan Kimble, Tad Hollenbaugh, Jim Elmshauser, Liz Elmshauser, Jon Smithburg, Joe Frasier, Carol Barb, Deidra Barb, Troy McCue, Mike McCallum, Justin Fisher, Ken Frantz, Sarah Vogel, Tim Kossman, Ted Schieffelin, Creighton Osborne, Mark Otteman, Bill Rusher, James Emmerling and Roy Pfaltzgraff, and sometimes Westen Purdy, John Elmshauser and Kelsy McCallum.

Larry said his group just did a tour of five nursing homes in Limon, Hugo and Flagler. The response was overwhelming, so much so that the group plans to do it again soon.

At the beginning of this article I said Larry could play anything. Here is the proof. He told me he had a teaching method for beginners that incorporates the use of a garden hose. I said I would need to see a demonstration of that. He raced to the basement and was back in a few seconds with a 14-foot piece of garden hose, a mouthpiece and a funnel. Larry informed me that he kept cutting the hose off until he reached the key of D. He said that with this device he could teach the basics to anyone who wants to play a brass instrument. First, he said he would play the hose to sound like the trumpet or “clarino” (which means natural trumpet). Oh, he didn’t play something simply — no he played a classical piece from the Middle Ages. Next, he made it sound like a French horn. He held the funnel behind him, and sure enough it sounded just like a French horn. Following that he made it sound like a marching tuba or sousaphone. To do that, he had the hose wrapped around his body. To finish it off he played it and whirled the hose around over his head creating a cacophony of sounds.

I laughed but was impressed. He said his students love it and take it home and practice.

Actually, they love to drive their roommates nuts.

Once they have mastered the hose, they are ready for an instrument. The hard part is over.

Learning is much easier if it is fun.

Larry Kitzel of Arriba demonstrates how he uses a device constructed of a garden hose, mouth piece and funnel to teach the basics of playing a brass instrument to his students.

Larry has the same approach to his brass choir.

Basically, he wants people to join who enjoy playing and he does his best to keep it low pressure and fun. They are, after all, volunteers. The participants all have lives (busy ones) and they can’t make every practice or every gig. The ones who come are able to fill in and produce a quality piece every time. The range of music produced by group members is exceptional. They can play orchestra, church, folk, jazz, pop and even catchy commercials. Some of the members can even arrange music.

Their gigs are free, and if they get donations they use the money to buy more music. Whether they play five songs or play for an hour it is time well-spent. Good, live music is way better than recorded music and when you know most of the people playing it makes it even better. They are most assuredly fun to watch and even to someone with a keen ear, they are wonderful. My advice is simple. If you get a chance to hear these folks play don’t miss it.

[Country News]

NEW AFTER HOURS CALL SERVICE

BY LARRY SHUTTE OPERATIONS MANAGER

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Inside, a family discusses homework assignments over a pan of lasagna. Outside, cold temperatures and heavy clouds promise a significant snowfall. In one bitter bite through a weakened power line, the wind zaps the power — and the house goes dark.

The fridge stops humming. The heat shuts off. The television goes silent. It’s going to be a long night.

No matter what time of day or night the power goes out, K.C. Electric has a 24-hour dispatch service to answer members’ calls. During the cooperative’s normal weekday business hours of 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. (Monday through Thursday), an employee at K.C. Electric will answer the phone.

We ask our members to call the same phone numbers after hours to report an outage. However, instead of speaking to a K.C. Electric employee, you will reach an employee of Security and Response Services (SRS) in Bismarck, North Dakota.

SRS has provided a dispatch service since 1992 to cooperatives throughout the Midwest. K.C. Electric started using the service a couple months ago. The system was designed to respond quickly to outage reports, repair reports, emergencies or vandalism. When you place a call after hours, it will be answered immediately by the dispatch service. You will hear the message, “Thank you for calling K.C. Electric. Your call may be recorded or monitored for quality assurance.”

You will then hear the following menu: • If you’re calling to report an electrical outage, press 1.

• If you have a billing question, press 2.

• If you’re calling to report a meter reading, press 3.

• For all other calls, press 0.

If you pressed 1 to report an electrical outage: A dispatcher will answer if available. If all the customer service representatives are busy assisting other callers, an automated outage system will assist you. You will be asked to press 1 to report an outage by using a phone number — you will be asked to leave the 10-digit telephone number associated with the account without power or you will be asked to press 2 to report the outage by meter number. To report downed lines or poles or if you have critical information regarding the cause of an outage, press 3. You may be asked if you are completely out of power and if your neighbors have power. You may also be asked if you have checked your outside breakers. Once you have completely answered the questions, you will receive a message confirming that your outage has been reported and that line crews have or will be dispatched.

If you pressed 2 for a billing question: A recorded message will give you K.C. Electric

office hours and ask that you please call back during normal business hours.

If you pressed 3 to report a meter reading:

K.C. Electric has a 24-hour dispatch service

A recorded message will ask you to leave your name, account number, return telephone number, meter reading and date the meter was read.

If you pressed 0 for all other calls: The next available dispatch person will answer the call. To answer questions in any menu, callers will be asked to press 1 for yes, 2 for no and 3 for do not know. When the call is complete, the dispatcher or recording will thank the member for calling K.C. Electric. (Rana Epperly, #1161200011) To report power problems day or night, please call one of our offices. If all dispatch personnel are busy, please use the automated system to record your outage. If you experience difficulties, please let us know during regular business hours.

We want to hear from you.

K.C. Electric is committed to serving our members. If the house does go dark, be assured that K.C. Electric line workers are just a phone call away.

Check Your Extension Cords Before Use

BY PAUL NORRIS LINE SUPERINTENDENT

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How safe is your home? Statistics indicate that most accidents and injuries occur at home. With this in mind, let’s take a look at electrical safety at home and extension cords in particular.

The most common problem with extension cords is the physical condition of the cords. They need to be in good shape to be used safely. There is a difference between indoor and outdoor extension cords, so let’s concentrate on the outdoor type since they are often worn down by extensive use and prone to creating hazardous situations.

Outdoor extension cords are round.

Flat extension cords are not approved for

outdoor use. The round outdoor cord will have an outer cover containing the insulated conductors inside. Make sure there are no cracks in the outer jacket; it is the first line of defense. If cracks exist, 1throw the cord away. Do not try to repair the cord. The most common home remedy is to try to repair it with electrical tape. This is not a safe practice because the jacket is one molded piece, making it impossible to bring the cord back to an acceptable safe condition with tape.

The plug end is another common place of failure. The cord was designed to be one continuous conductor with sealed ends. Most repaired plugs are not resealed

well enough to meet the standard for outdoor use. These repairs usually invite moisture into the cord, which increases the chance of shock to the user.

Another common problem is the overloading of the cord, which can cause fires.

Telltale signs of this are discolored prongs on the plug end and possible melting of the end around the prongs. Always size the cord according to the load placed on it.

The bottom line is this: To eliminate the possibility of shock or electrocution, remove all damaged extension cords from service. It may seem like a waste, but the cost of an injury or a fatality far outweigh the cost of a new extension cord.

ColoradoCountryLife.coop November 2011 9

[Country News] THE COUNTRY KITCHEN GRILLED TURKEY SANDWICH FOR TWO 4 teaspoons cream cheese, softened 4 slices wheat or white bread 2 slices cheese 4 thin slices cooked turkey 6-12 fresh spinach leaves 1 tablespoon butter or margarine, softened

Spread cream cheese on two slices of bread. Layer cheese, turkey and spinach over cream cheese; top with other slice of bread. Spread butter on top and bottom of sandwich. Cook on both sides on a hot grill or in a skillet until bread is browned and cheese is melted. Serve immediately.

Lila Taylor, Stratton

CRAN-RASPBERRY GELATIN SALAD 2 packages (3 ounces each) raspberry gelatin 1 cup boiling water 1 can (14 ounces) whole-berry cranberry sauce 1 can (8 ounces) crushed pineapple (undrained) 1 cup orange juice

In large bowl, dissolve gelatin in boiling water. Stir in cranberry sauce, pineapple and orange juice.

Pour into bowl coated with cooking spray. Cover and refrigerate for 4 hours or until set. Unmold onto serving platter. Arrange fresh strawberries on top of salad if desired. The salad has full berry flavor without being tart. Perfect for Thanksgiving.

Serves 10.

Ethel Ferris, Haswell

CLAIM YOUR CREDIT ON YOUR BILL Each month, K.C. Electric offers consumers a chance to earn a $10 credit on their next electric bill. If you recognize your 10-digit account number in this magazine, call 719-743-2431 and ask for your credit. It couldn’t be easier.

In September Rose Downey of Stratton, Balyn Brent of Arriba and Wendy Simmons of Hugo called to claim their savings, and Gary Fagerlund of Flagler called to win a prize.

Get acquainted with your account number, read your Colorado Country Life magazine and pick up the phone. That’s all the energy you’ll need to claim your energy bucks.

You must claim your credit during the month in which your name appears in the magazine (check the date on the front cover).

ColoradoCountryLife.coop 10 November 2011

SAFETY COMES WITH THREE PRONGS

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Most new appliances and electronics come with three-prong plugs. (*WIN, Jim May, #1112500000) If your older house is equipped with two-prong receptacles, you’re probably using adapters with three-prong holes and two-prong plugs.

That will let you fit your plug into the outlet, but it’s not necessarily safe.

A better solution is to replace your two-prong receptacles with threeprong models.

When you buy the replacement receptacles, choose models that include a ground fault circuit interrupter.

This will serve as a sort of “imitation” ground and can greatly eliminate the chance of an electric shock. (Daniel Grinnan, #1103400013) It’s a good idea to use GFCI receptacles wherever you replace two-prong outlets in your house, but it’s especially important in the kitchen, bathroom, laundry room and garage, where you use water and electricity in the same room.

ENERGY EFFICIENCY TIP:

Use motion sensors on your lights to save on your electric bill.

IRRIGATION METER READING Irrigation meters will be read on the following dates: November 1, November 29-30 and December 28-29.

ColoradoCountryLife.coop October 2011 11

[newsclips]

CREA Summit Explores New Ideas, Technologies

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Are electric cars the best way to gain our energy independence as a country or would it be better to improve the gas combustion engine so it burns other fuel while improving its miles per gallon?

Our future transportation was just one of several topics discussed by experts in front of an audience of nearly 200 at the Colorado Rural Electric Association Energy Innovations Summit Friday, October 14 in downtown Denver. Panels shared new ideas on micro hydropower facilities, talked about the role of natural gas in meeting our future electric needs and projected how we can meet our transmission needs.

Colorado is in the center of much that is happening in the electric industry, both with traditional fossil fuels and with renewable fuels, such as wind and solar.

CREA’s Energy Innovations Summit offered attendees access to those who are working on new technologies, those who are drafting policy and those in the industry who must keep energy reliable and affordable as the industry moves forward.

Materials from the Summit are available at www.crea.coop.

Summit attendees talk with vendors.

Dr. Bryan Willson, CSU

CO-OP MANAGER EXPLAINS WHY MORE REGULATIONS MEAN ADDITIONAL COSTS “EVERY LEGISLATOR SHOULD BE CHALLENGED TO ENSURE that each vote for further regulation is necessary, based on common sense, (and) allows for industry innovation and excellence without punishing the end consumer and the economy.”

That was White River Electric General Manager Dick Welle’s summary as he testified on behalf of the state’s electric cooperatives during a recent round of field hearings by the U.S. House Small Business Subcommittee on Agriculture, Energy and Trade.

Welle, whose co-op is headquartered in Meeker, addressed the subcommittee at its stop in Grand Junction, explaining exactly how excessive energy regulation and policies are limiting energy independence for our country, killing jobs and pushing up prices for electric consumers.

Welle testified that currently 15 percent of his co-op’s retail residential rate is used to cover the cost of regulatory compliance. More regulations being proposed by the Environmental Protection Agency would increase the regulatory costs on White River Electric’s member-owners even more.

“I am here today to give a voice to our membership and our mission in hopes that Congress hears our plea for balanced, reasonable regulation that improves and ‘incentivizes’ the overall electric utility industry,” Welle said during his testimony. “Regulation that kills jobs and the economy and jeopardizes the societal and economic prosperity that is at the historical heart of this ColoradoCountryLife.coop 12 November 2011

industry is unacceptable.

“Overreaching regulation that abandons scientific and common sense will be a direct threat to the economic stability in northwest ColoDick Welle rado,” he said.

Specifically, the hearing examined the coal combustion residuals proposed rule (75 Federal Register 35127-35264), the proposed rule to limit mercury and other air toxins from coal-burning electricity generators (76 Federal Register 24976-25147), the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) regulation of greenhouse gas emissions and potential regulation of hydraulic fracturing in the natural gas industry. The hearing also focused on the permitting and leasing process of the U.S. Department of the Interior.

Welle concluded his testimony by stressing the importance of the “common sense philosophy of ‘think before you vote’” and urged the committee members to consider the costs before passing any further regulation.

“This balancing act is not easy, but our forefathers believed that electricity was essential for economic and societal stability and prosperity — we have an obligation to carry that lightbulb into the future,” Welle concluded.

Electric Co-ops Join Efforts to STOP Meth’s Aggressive Advance

BY AMY HIGGINS AHIGGINS@COLORADOCOUNTRYLIFE.ORG

B

oils, corroded teeth and a skeletal frame mixed with feelings of rage, despair and desperation. It’s ideal vocabulary for a Hollywood horror flick, not for everyday life. There are more than 1 million methamphetamine users in the United States who are in need of rehabilitation for meth addiction, all of whom these terms could apply to and all of whom face death on a daily basis.

Methamphetamine addicts not only harm themselves, but everyone surrounding them. Their addiction destroys families and wreaks havoc on society. According to the Colorado Meth Project, a statewide prevention program, meth use in Colorado has led to increased crime, lost productivity and larger jail and prison populations, and is directly correlated to domestic violence and child abuse, adversely impacting families and children.

According to the Colorado Meth Project, 32 percent of all drug-related offenses in Colorado in 2007 were meth-related, 56 ColoradoCountryLife.coop 14 November 2011

percent higher than the national average.

In addition, Colorado is ranked number six in the United States for per capita identity theft, two-thirds of which law enforcement sources believe are related to meth addiction.

The Colorado Rural Electric Association, Tri-State Generation and Transmission and CoBank are adding their support to the Colorado Meth Project’s efforts to provide information and education about meth in rural areas.

Meth in Rural Colorado

Methamphetamine is not just an urban city dilemma; rural areas feel the effects.

According to the Rural Center for AIDS/ STD Prevention, meth was considered the leading drug problem for rural counties (populations under 50,000) in geographic areas outside the northeast in 2005.

In a qualitative study of 41 current and former meth users in rural Colorado, RCAP found that meth use is particularly

“Law enforcement officials, drug counselors and state legislators agree — there has never been a drug as powerful, addictive and quick to destroy lives and communities as methamphetamine.”

prevalent among workers in construction, agriculture, oil production, fast food restaurants, trucking, ranching and other occupations that demand long hours, tedious tasks or both.

The RCAP found that many rural Colorado meth users believe that HIV is not present in rural areas, a false assumption that increases their risk of HIV/STD transmission. Meth users face a high risk of HIV/STD transmission because of the drug’s ability to increase sexual arousal, which may increase their sexual risk factors, such as multiple partners and decreased use of condoms. Injecting meth increases risk of HIV as well.

Why meth addiction has become a prevalent problem in rural areas is complex. Research compiled for a 2004 publication titled “Methamphetamine Use in Rural Colorado: Health Risks and Community Challenges” deduced that rural areas faced unique challenges in eradicating methamphetamine. For instance, the likelihood of getting arrested during a drug sale or while cooking meth is decreased in remote settings where

there is limited law enforcement. Also, users are more difficult to track and treat in rural areas where they likely travel between communities and counties to conduct drug-related affairs.

Colorado Meth Project

The Meth Project is a nationwide organization created to reduce the use of methamphetamines in the United States using public service messaging, public policy and community outreach. It oversees individual state programs including the Colorado Meth Project.

The Meth Project initially launched in Montana in 2005 when the state ranked number five in the country for meth use.

After two years it ranked number 39 in the country.

Colorado ranks number seven in the country for total meth users age 12 and older, according to the Colorado Meth Project. Forty-one percent of Colorado meth addicts in treatment began using at age 17 or younger, the organization reports.

Clearly, lowering the number of meth

users in Colorado is imperative, and the Colorado Meth Project is working fervently to do so. “Law enforcement officials, drug counselors, and state legislators agree — there has never been a drug as powerful, addictive and quick to destroy lives and communities as methamphetamine,” the organization asserts.

“Meth is the top drug of choice and the number one drug problem in Colorado.

The financial and social consequences of meth abuse are devastating. Meth is increasingly gaining popularity among Colorado’s most vulnerable — teens and young adults,” the organization notes.

The Colorado Meth Project is working to turn those numbers around. And, the project is looking for partners in Colorado’s rural communities.

If you or your organization is interested in getting involved in this program, email info@coloradomethproject.org. More information is available at colorado.methproject.org.

Join the Colorado Meth Project and our partners to raise awareness about Meth in rural Colorado.

TAKE ACTION NOW! • To get involved, e-mail us at info@coloradomethproject.org • To donate, visit our website at www.coloradomethproject.org

Colorado Rural Electric Association

ColoradoCountryLife.coop November 2011 15

The Year’s Best Books

BY JULIE SIMPSON

T

The temperatures are dropping. The long evenings are dark.

It’s the perfect time of year to curl up in a favorite spot, open the pages of a good book and read.

You’re sure to find one you like among the books we’re reviewing here and on our website. They are the result of a whole year of reading through hundreds of books and then selecting the year’s best books, the ones that are sure to sat-

isfy the tastes of any bibliophile. From adventure to romance, history to kids’ books, we’ve looked high and low for the best that Colorado authors and publishing houses have to offer, as well as interesting subjects sure to intrigue Colorado readers.

The summer may be over, but the fun is just beginning with the list below. Take a look and stock up on some great reads.

EAT READS • BOOKS • GREAT READS • BOOKS • GREAT READS • BOOKS • GREAT READS • BOOKS The Weird Sisters

By Eleanor Brown (Amy Einhorn Books, $24.95) Each of the Andreas sisters says she has come home to be by her mother’s side as she struggles with cancer. But Rose, Bean and Cordy all know they are also running from personal pains they can’t bear to face alone.

Christened by their Shakespearean scholar father, the Andreas girls have always been as different as the famous characters for which they were named. Rose, the cautious, intelligent sister, remained attached to the small college town where they grew up. Bean escaped as fast as she could to the big city, reveling in the power her money and her beauty provided.

Cordy never stayed in one place for too long, her gypsy living a result of her constant restlessness.

As they care for their mother, the sisters must learn how to let down their guard and, in the process, realize they have more in common than they knew.

Colorado resident and author Eleanor Brown has written a bright, funny and moving read, especially for anyone with an eccentric family. The Weird Sisters can be found at most local and online bookstores.

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Catfish Alley

By Lynne Bryant (NAL Accents, $14) Historical home tour committee chairwoman Roxanne Reeves has been too busy hiding her own story to see the story of the South through anyone’s eyes other than the rich, white women she wants to emulate. Everything changes, however, when she is volunteered to research a new tour featuring her town’s African-American history.

In Clarksville, Mississippi, it is easy for the isolated white residents to ignore the stories of suffering and struggles told by the black members of the community.

Roxanne begins her exploration of this history dubiously, unsure that anyone would want to hear it and, if she is honest with herself, afraid of what she will find.

Elderly Grace Clark reluctantly becomes her guide, leading Roxanne back through her memories of places significant to the African-American residents of Clarksville.

Author Lynne Bryant grew up in Columbus, Mississippi, but now lives in Colorado Springs. Ask for her first novel, Catfish Alley, at your local bookstore or online.

Cheap Cabernet

By Cathie Beck (Voice, $14.99) A single mother, Cathie Beck suddenly found herself with an empty nest, so she decided to put an ad in the paper for a

women’s group and see who showed up.

While the group eventually flopped, Cathie and Denise began a friendship that would be stronger than either of them expected.

The wild, crazy, loud Denise opened the door to the freedom Cathie had been looking for, and envying, her whole life. But what she didn’t know, or didn’t want to see, was that Denise might have been living carefree because she knew she wouldn’t live very long.

Boulderite Cathie Beck’s memoir, Cheap Cabernet, is funny, witty, and ironic while also demonstrating a moving depth of thought and emotion. Anyone with a friend will find herself alternating between laughing out loud and weeping onto the pages while reading the story of Cathie and Denise’s journey. For a heartfelt read, find this book at your local bookstore or online at cathiebeck.com.

The Bride’s House

By Sandra Dallas (St. Martin’s Press, $24.99) Seventeen-year-old Nealy Bent named the newly-built Bride’s House in the hope that she would be the first bride to glide down the majestic staircase. She becomes that bride … but

GREAT READS • BOOKS • GREAT READS • BOOKS • GREAT READS • BOOKS • GREAT READS • BOO pregnant, and with a different husband than she had anticipated.

Unlike her mother, Nealy’s daughter Pearl, only wishes she could escape the old mansion. Eventually she must make the decision between her father and the handsome Frank Curry, either choice requiring her to sacrifice a piece of her heart.

Enter the next generation: Susan. She loves spending summers in Colorado with her mother, Pearl. But as she also begins to realize how complicated love and life can be. Only the legacy of secrets she uncovers about the women of the Bride’s House can help her decide her path.

Colorado author Sandra Dallas has crafted yet another captivating novel in The Bride’s House. Riveting throughout, the story offers very human and relatable characters. The book also features a delightfully surprising conclusion that has come to be Dallas’s signature.

For an enthralling read with a tearwrenching ending, find The Bride’s House at local bookstores or online.

Deadly Currents

By Beth Groundwater (Midnight Ink, $14.95) The treacherous Arkansas River has claimed the lives of many white-water rafters in the years Mandy Tanner has lived and worked as a tour guide and river ranger in Salida, Colorado. But after she is unable to revive a man she rescues from the rapids, it turns out that murder, and not the river, is responsible for his death.

Tom King had many enemies: a spurned wife, business rivals, angry environmentalists and a bitter son. According to all of them, he got what was coming to him. But when a death in Mandy’s own family is connected to the murder, Mandy makes it her personal mission to find Tom King’s killer and bring him or her to justice.

An entertaining read, Deadly Currents reflects this Colorado author’s extensive knowledge about white-water rafting, the

town of Salida and the state of Colorado.

A classic and well-written murder mystery, you won’t be able to put it down. Find Deadly Currents at most major retailers and online at midnightinkbooks.com.

Seek Me With All Your Heart

By Beth Wiseman (Thomas Nelson, $14.99) The Amish community of Canaan, Colorado, harbors many who are looking for something different from the life they knew in the Midwest.

More land and new possibilities have drawn people from all over. For Emily Detweiler and David Stolztfus, however, a fresh start seems next to impossible.

Emily and her family have moved to Canaan from their community in Ohio to escape the echoes of the violent attack that left Emily scarred and broken. David wants to leave Canaan before he makes any more connections than are necessary, living out the rest of his life in peace … which might not be long. Hiding their secrets from one another, and fighting against the forces that seem to be pulling them closer together, Emily and David know they cannot be together. Or so they think.

A touching tale of the healing power of love, Seek Me With All Your Heart also provides a fascinating glimpse into the culture of the Amish and the challenges they face as they start communities in Colorado. For a story that is sure to warm your heart, look for this book at thomasnelson.com or at your local bookstore.

Within My Heart

By Tamera Alexander (Bethany House, $14.99) Rachel Boyd of Timber Ridge, Colorado, is determined to make it on her own after her beloved husband’s tragic death. To

love anyone again would mean opening herself to the pain she had to suffer the first time around. And besides, with a failing ranch and two young boys to manage, who has time for romance?

This historical romance is book three of the Timber Ridge Reflections series

by Tamera Alexander. Within My Heart provides a touching, if predictable, love story with positive moral undercurrents.

To find this novel and others by Alexander, visit bethanyhouse.com or call 800-877-2665.

Ladies of the Brown

By Debra B. Faulkner (The History Press, $19.99) Singers and writers, millionaires and politicians, athletes and beauty queens. What do they all have in common? They are all women connected to the famous Colorado landmark The Brown Palace Hotel.

While the Brown Palace has seen much since the day it was built in the hardly-more-than-a-cow-town capital city of the frontier state of Colorado, the famous and influential women who have passed through its doors carried with them some of the best stories. From the unsinkable Mrs. J.J. Brown, who was never in her lifetime called Molly, to the infamous Isabel “Sassy” Springer, whose beauty led to the first murder in the hotel, each of these women shook up the town when they booked their stay.

Crafted by Brown Palace historian and archivist Debra Faulkner, this wellwritten, well-researched and thoroughly entertaining book presents amazing stories one can hardly believe are true.

Complete with details about previous hotel layouts and renovations, this book would be a great read before taking a tour of the beautiful downtown landmark. To learn more about all the famous women who have crossed the threshold of the Brown, find this book at most Colorado bookstores and online at historypress.net.

ColoradoCountryLife.coop November 2011 17

GREAT READS • BOOKS • GREAT READS • BOOKS • GREAT READS • BOOKS • GREAT READS • BOO The Ticket

By Karen Schutte (Langdon Street Press, $16.95) Immigration to America was a distant and unattainable dream for German-born Karl Kessel and his family. But when fate drops one ticket into his hands, everything changes … for good and for ill.

America is the land of opportunity, and Karl is a hard worker, but this new land can also be harsh for new immigrants struggling with the language, prejudices and an entirely new landscape. When Karl’s wife, Katja, joins her husband on a ranch in Wyoming with their two young sons, she is not as sure as her husband that they have made the right decision. Far away from family, friends and everything they knew before, can the Kessels scratch a life for themselves out of the hard ground of the untamed American West?

The Ticket is an emotional and detailed story that captures something of what life looked like for many families immigrating to the United States around the turn of the century. While the author struggles occasionally to keep the voice and perspective of the story consistent, this glimpse into the past is worth the lengthy read. Find The Ticket by Colorado author Karen Schutte at langdonstreetpress.com.

Sand Creek

By Kevin Cahill (Author House, $22.99) The white settlers of Kansas and Colorado have their guns at the ready. Everybody has heard the stories or been victims themselves: supply trains and stagecoaches attacked and looted, farmers and ranchers butchered and scalped, women and children taken as slaves or brutally murdered.

Now the Indians are amassing for war.

What the settlers don’t hear are the voices of those within the tribes who want

ColoradoCountryLife.coop 18 November 2011

peace. True, there have been warriors killing out of anger for wrongs committed and promises broken, but their actions are not condoned by all the Indian nations or their chiefs. Black Kettle, the leader of the Cheyenne nation, tries again and again to convince the leaders of the white army that his people do not want war. But tribal political structures mean nothing to most white men.

Misunderstandings on both sides escalate tensions and bloodshed until history is tragically determined by their fatal encounter on the banks of Sand Creek.

Brilliantly written and thoroughly researched historical detail comes to life with novelistic flair in Kevin Cahill’s Sand Creek. Informative without being boring or dry, this novel is remarkably unbiased in presenting the story of the Sand Creek Massacre, revealing in detail how fear, misunderstanding and a few violent men on both sides led to so many lives being lost. Find this selfpublished book at authorhouse.com.

Colorado Icons: 50 Classic Views of the Centennial State

By Stephen Grace (Globe Pequot Press, $16.95) Everyone knows about Colorado’s mountains, ski resorts and national parks.

But did you know that Crocs and the cheeseburger were invented in the Centennial State? Or that Colorado is famous for its peaches, corn and sugar beets?

Whether you are a born-and-raised local or a new resident, Colorado Icons will open your eyes to things you never knew about this beautiful corner of the country. From the story behind the choosing of the state flower to the store selling western wear that is displayed in the Smithsonian, fun facts and neat history abound in this interesting book.

Perfect as a coffee-table book, Colorado Icons: 50 Classic Views of the Centennial State can be found in local and online bookstores.

Colorado Country Life ALSO RECOMMENDS: Mercury’s Rise

By Ann Parker (Poisoned Pen Press, $14.95) Exciting historical adventure based in Manitou Springs

Somethin’ Warm for Christmas

By Sharon Crites (Bookstand Publishing, $9.95) Heartwarming holiday brightener

Raptors of the West: Captured in Photographs

By Kate Davis, Rob Palmer & Nick Dunlop (Mountain Press Publishing Co., $30) Softbound book chocked full of beautiful images No Safe Haven

By Kimberley & Kayla R. Woodhouse (B&H Books, $14.99) Adventure in Alaska; great for adults or teens

Ned Wynkoop and the Lonely Road From Sand Creek

By Louise Kraft (University of Oklahoma Press, $34.95) Biography of one of the good guys at Sand Creek

GREAT READS • BOOKS • GREAT READS • BOOKS • GREAT READS

Landscapes on Glass: Lantern Slides for the Rainbow BridgeMonument Valley Expedition

By Jack Turner (Durango Herald Small Press, $19.95) In the middle of the Great Depression, Ansel Hall set out on a mission to show the people of a nation the wonders and beauties of the American Southwest, beauties in need of preservation.

Battling the elements, the economy, Native American tribes, ranchers and bureaucrats, Hall managed, along with his team of scientists, naturalists and photographers, to convince the world that this land needed to be preserved for the enjoyment of future generations.

Written by Ansel Hall’s grandson, Jack Turner of Durango, the highlight of Landscapes on Glass is the reproductions of the unbelievably intricate, hand-painted lantern slides that were used in Hall’s presentations. Originally taken as black-and-white photographs, the transparent pictures were handtinted using tiny brushes and magnifying glasses before being encased between two pieces of glass. The vibrant pieces give readers a new eye for the beauty of the Southwest, much like they did during Hall’s campaigns.

Find this wonderfully informative and captivating book at local bookstores and at thedurangoheraldsmallpress.com.

Uncle Josh

By Eugene C. Vories (Vories Family Publishers, $20) Prolific La Veta author Eugene Vories, 88, takes the reader back to the early days in and around Limon in this realistic western novel.

Using a simple theme, the story follows

cowboy Josh Garrett after he receives a letter from his dying sister. She wants him to raise her young daughter and son.

Josh heads his horse north from La Veta, where he been working for a local cowman and saving his earnings.

Arriving in Limon after his sister has died, Josh is faced with all kinds of new decisions. Should he take his niece and nephew and raise them or leave them with their father, a man his sister no longer trusted? Should he buy into a ranch close to Limon and stay in the area? And what about that pretty school teacher with such an interest in the kids?

Vories brings the story along with lots of details of what life was like on Colorado’s eastern plains in the late 1800s.

You can order the book at ecvories@ centurytel.net or call 719-742-5426.

The Ledge

By Jim Davidson and Kevin Vaughan (Ballatine Books, $26) It was a triumphant June day when avid climbers Jim Davidson and Mike Price made the summit of Washington’s Mount Rainier. And it was only a short time later when the two made their way down the mountain and Davidson fell through an unstable snow bridge. Price, connected to Davidson by the requisite rope, followed him down. Price did not survive the fall and Davidson found himself trapped on a ledge, 80 feet down inside a crevasse.

This book, co-written by Davidson and Denver Post reporter Kevin Vaughan, tells the story of that day. The book recalls the kind of man Davidson’s longtime friend, Mike Price, was. The story also follows Davidson’s journey after he survived the mountain and what it took for him to get back to climbing.

You can find this heartfelt adventure story at most local and online bookstores.

Echo of Love

By Mary Hagen (Avalon Books, $23.95) Colorado author writes western romance

The Fleece & Fiber Sourcebook

By Deborah Robson & Carol Ekarius (Storey Publishing, $35) Encyclopedic book for those who love fiber arts

Ugly Christmas Sweater Party Book

By Brian Miller, Adam Paulson & Kevin Wool (Abrams, $16.95) Hilarious collection of sweater photos makes a great gift

WIN A PARTY STARTER Enter to win a Nuwave Party Mixer and the Ugly Christmas Sweater Party Book.

Simply send your name, address, and phone number to contests@colorado countrylife.org or 5400 N. Washington St., Denver, CO 80216.

The winner will be drawn November 14. *Visit Contests at coloradocountrylife. coop for a chance at an additional prize.

ColoradoCountryLife.coop November 2011 19

GREAT READS • BOOKS • GREAT READS • BOOKS • GREAT READS • BOOKS • GREAT READS • BOOK

Kids Book Reviews Around the World in 100 Days

By Gary Blackwood (Dutton Children’s Books, $16.99) The year is 1891.

While considered a curious contraption fit to entertain the rich and impress the ladies, is not believed be reliable enough to replace the trustworthy horse-drawn carriage. Or so everyone thinks — everyone, except for Harry Fogg.

The daredevil son of Phileas Fogg, the man who traveled around the world in 80 days, Harry has not inherited his father’s reputation as a gentleman. It is no surprise to anyone, then, when he takes a foolhardy bet that his motorcar, a highly modified machine he has named The Flash, can make it around the world in 100 days.

Harry embarks with his brilliant mechanic friend Johnny, stick-in-the-mud rules enforcer Charles and the plucky journalist Elizabeth on a harrowing race to make the deadline and win the bet.

While written for children and teens, Around the World in 100 Days is an exciting adventure story that can be enjoyed by both the young and the young at heart.

The book also includes interesting tidbits of history and geography, especially concerning the American West where Harry and his friends spend a large part of their journey. Find this entertaining novel by a former Colorado resident at local and online bookstores.

The Mountain Pine Beetle: Tiny But Mighty

By Kay Turnbaugh, Illustrated by David Brooks (Pruett Publishing, $14.95) Lots of facts and more can be found in the brightly illustrated and very informative The Mountain Pine Beetle: Tiny But Mighty.

While pine beetles usually help recycle old trees so that new trees can grow, cur-

ColoradoCountryLife.coop 20 November 2011

rent drought and climate conditions have caused an epidemic of pine beetles that threatens the stability of mountain forest ecosystems. The first step to figuring out how to keep our forests healthy is learning more about the pine beetle, and reading this book is a great place for kids to start learning about what they can do to help.

To help your kids learn more about the mountain pine beetle, and maybe even to learn a few things yourself, find The Mountain Pine Beetle: Tiny But Mighty at mountain-press.com.

Tía’s Tamales

By Ana Baca, Translated and Illustrated by Noel Chilton (University of New Mexico Press, $16.95) It’s a snowy day, and Luz doesn’t have school. As if that wasn’t good enough, her grandmother comes over to make tamales with her. While they are cooking, Abuelita tells Luz about when her father, Diego, learned to make tamales from his aunt. With her funny hat, Diego’s tia brought laughter, fun and good food to a situation that looked grim.

A wonderful story, this book not only teaches a lesson about how you don’t need a lot to make happiness, but it also includes a from-scratch recipe for homemade tamales. Written in both Spanish and English, this book is also a great way for kids to be introduced to a new language or for bilingual families.

Find this yummy read at most major retailers or online at unmpress.com.

Go to colorado countrylife.coop and read more reviews.

Animalogy: Animal Analogies

By Marianne Berkes, Illustrated by Cathy Morrison (Sylvan Dell Publishing, $8.95) Young children gravitate toward animal books, so using creatures to teach analogies to young minds is a clever concept.

Author Marianne Berkes compares animals’ habits and characteristics in simple sentences to help children recognize sameness and difference, while Colorado illustrator Cathy Morrison uses detailed artwork for visual influence. Included in Animalogy is a special section where children can learn a little more about animals.

Animalogy is available at www.sylvan dellpublishing.com and online bookstores.

Harry Hornacre: First Day of School

By Jennifer Dizmang, Illustrated by Mark Ludy (3rd Eye Publishing, $14.95) Harry Hornacre is excited about his first day of school.

But when he gets on the bus, he realizes he is covered in dog drool! Harry feels like his first day is ruined and that nobody likes him, but then his new friend Billy reminds him of what is important: Harry has a really cool dog that loves him no matter what.

A cute read about a boy and his dog, the book includes bright and unique illustrations by Windsor artist Mark Ludy. Find this book at local bookstores or at markludy.com/books.

ColoradoCountryLife.coop November 2011 23

[recipes]

Conversation Starter

Share fun with friends around a fondue table

BY AMY HIGGINS AHIGGINS@COLORADOCOUNTRYLIFE.ORG Fondue Facts Create a fullfledged fondue meal with a cheesy appetizer, a meaty main course and a decadent dessert. Give guests options when furnishing fondue meals by offering several dipping choices and sauces.

F

Fondue is fun fare for get-togethers, such as book club gatherings. In between talking about who did what to whom in the book being discussed, guests can satisfy their hunger with maybe a cheese fondue or a more decadent dessert fondue.

Here are some delectable ideas to get you started.

Classic Swiss Fondue 1 clove garlic 3 tablespoons cornstarch 1 cup dry white wine 3 tablespoons kirsch 1 po und natural Swiss cheese, cut into 1-inch cubes Dash white pepper Dash nutmeg

RAISE INTEREST

All fondue food should be served in one- or twobite pieces to allow for easy skewing or hand-dipping.

Strawberries, large marshmallows, small cookies, medium shrimp, large scallops and other small foods are perfect as they are. Thick bread and cake should be cut into 1-inch cubes. Cut meats into 1/2- to 1-inch cubes.

1 14- ounce can sweetened condensed milk 2 cups semisweet chocolate chips 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 16- ounce package frozen pound cake, thawed and sliced Assorted fruits (optional) 1 package big marshmallows (optional) Place sweetened condensed milk and chocolate chips in a large microwaveable bowl. Microwave on high for 2 minutes, stirring after 1 minute.

Put all ingredients into blender container. Cover and process until smooth.

Pour into a fondue pot and cook on high, stirring constantly until mixture is heated and bubbly. Reduce heat to medium-low to serve.

Suggested foods to dip include crusty cubes of French or Italian bread, cooked bite-sized cubes of chicken or ham, roasted baby potatoes and slices of green apples.

Yields 4 to 6 servings as a main course, 10 to 12 as an appetizer.

Serve BiteSized Food

FUN-TO-DO FONDUE

— Oster

PEACH FONDUE WITH MERINGUE COOKIES

Stir with wire whisk until chocolate is completely melted and mixture is wellblended. Stir in whipping cream and vanilla, mixing until well blended.

Pour into fondue pot to keep warm. Dip pound cake pieces, fruits and marshmallows into warm sauce and enjoy. —familyfeatures.com

3/4 cup heavy cream 12 ounces premiere white morsels 1 can peaches, drained and pureed 1/4 cup white chocolate liqueur 1 package meringue cookies Heat cream in a medium heavy saucepan over medium heat until bubbles appear around the edges; remove from heat. Add white morsels and whisk until melted and smooth. Stir in peach puree and then white chocolate liqueur.

Transfer mixture to a fondue pot to keep warm.

Dip in meringue cookies, pound cake cubes, strawberries, marshmallows or dried fruit.

For more fun fondue recipes, visit www.coloradocountrylife. coop. Click on Recipes.

Win an Oster 3-quart electric fondue pot and gather your friends for a fondue party. Enter

by November 18 to win.

Go to www.coloradocountrylife.coop and click on Contests. Then follow the instructions to enter.

ColoradoCountryLife.coop November 2011 21

[gardening]

Zoned In

Help for gardening in diverse western elevations

BY EVE GILMORE MONTANE WW.XERISCAPEGARDENS.COM

W

When you purchase plants, the catalog, tag or nursery clerk helping you will likely make reference to zones. Knowing your zone will help determine whether a perennial flower, shrub or tree is suited for your area.

Reading the map Check the U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zone map before ordering. Zones are specified by color and are sub-divided with lighter and darker hues of the same general color. Lighter colors indicate the coldest areas in a zone while the darker hues are hotter.

According to the USDA plant hardiness zone map, Colorado’s average annual minimum temperatures range from minus 30 to 30 degrees. Find your precise zone by visiting usna.usda.gov/Hardzone /ushzmap.html.

Another help, especially when it comes to the mountainous central part of our state, is Zone 4. This magazine is worth knowing if you are a gardener living in the arid West near the USDA’s hardiness zone 4. The magazine is ideal for veggie and landscape gardeners, outdoor lovers, foodies and “locavores” (those committed to supporting local suppliers).

The USDA’s plant hardiness zone map delineates North America as 11 different zones. These zones are determined by average low temperatures, with each zone differing by at least 10 degrees from its neighboring zone. It is helpful to know that in altitudinal-diverse states, the lower numbered zones are higher in elevation and lower in winter temperatures.

Map uses averages The hardiness zone map can be a useful guide as a general starting point, but it does not offer absolute certainty.

It does a fine job at taking into account average low temperatures, but what it won’t tell you is that there will be carnage during especially cold winters.

It is a good guide for the eastern United States where there is more consistency in

ColoradoCountryLife.coop 22 November 2011

climate throughout a region. It does, however, fall short in dealing with dramatic elevation changes and humidity differences in the West. For instance, Seattle and Tucson are in zone 8, but both grow very different plants.

Another reason the USDA hardiness zone map leaves something to be

Don’t confuse the 11 hardiness zones created by the USDA with the 24-zone climate system created by Sunset magazine. It is important to use the USDA zones when ordering from outside the western United States.

desired is that it doesn’t take into account the diverse microclimates where plants of different zones — sometimes different — cohabitate quite happily all on the same piece of land.

I’ve seen the ice plant labeled pretty consistently in zone 5 yet thriving in zone 3-rated Calgary. I also know a number of local gardeners who have zone 5-rated Russian sage growing abundantly in their zone 3-rated gardens.

A good read I had subscriptions to Fine Gardening, Horticulture, Garden Gate and Garden Design magazines in the past but yearned for gardening information that is more particular to conditions in Colorado.

Zone 4 magazine strives to meet that need.

It offers a cohesive blend of stories by real people and offers scientifically-

based information.

Appropriately named Zone 4 can be found at local nurseries and garden stores scattered throughout Colorado as well as in Utah, Wyoming, Idaho and Montana, all of which are covered in this publication. I recently had the pleasure of visiting each of these states and found it fascinating how similar much of the floras were, both in the garden and in the wild. The often subtle differences in climate, landforms and local culture made it an interesting exploration.

Zone 4 provides an interesting perspective on these kindred places.

Check it out at zone4magazine.com.

Eve Gilmore Montane is a garden coach, consultant and designer with Gardens by Eve, LLC in Durango. Follow her blog at www. xeriscapegardens.com.

Love gardening?

Read previous gardening columns at www.colordocountrylife.coop.

Click on Gardening.

ColoradoCountryLife.coop 24 November 2011

[outdoors]

Uncanny Canines

Dogs show smarts at Meeker trials

BY DENNIS SMITH OUTDOORS@COLORADOCOUNTRYLIFE.ORG

B

By some mysteriously serendipitous twist of fate, the first hunting dog my boys and I ever owned turned out to be one of those uniquely talented, once-in-a-lifetime retrievers every duck hunter dreams about. A remarkably gifted black Lab we named “Moses,” his eagerness and innate ability to find and retrieve downed waterfowl under the most extremely challenging conditions bordered on the supernatural.

We bought him as a pup from an old farmer on the west side of Loveland who told us straight up, “This here pup ain’t gonna be no cutesy-pie show dog; he’ll be a feisty, big-boned rascal with webbed feet, lungs like a racehorse and a heart to match.

“He’s got a lot of Newfie in his blood and he was bred to hunt. Period,” he said.

“He’s only 8 weeks old, but intuitively, he already knows more about duck huntin’ than the three of you put together. You can teach him to sit, stay and come if you like, but when it comes to fetchin’ ducks just stay the hell out of his way. Learn to trust his instincts; he’ll know exactly what to do and when to do it.”

The old farmer’s words proved to be astoundingly prophetic. In time, Moses taught us he could tell when ducks were on the horizon long before we could see them; that he would brave blinding snowstorms, howling winds and icy whitecaps to make a retrieve and love every minute of it; that he could swim underwater in pursuit of diving ducks if that’s what it took to bring home the prize.

Moses is long gone, but I was reminded again just how extraordinarily intuitive and intelligent some canines can be when I attended the championship sheepdog trials in Meeker with my wife two months ago. The Meeker Classic, as it’s known, is billed as the most prestigious border collie field triA Border collie reacts to a rogue ewe’s attempt to al in the world — and for good reason. break from the flock and herds it back toward the pen.

Border collie teams from across the country and as far away as Scotland, Ireland, New Zealand and South Africa converge on the little mountain town each year to compete under what they unanimously consider the most difficult conditions in the history of the game. A handler must send his or her dog across a quarter of a mile of rugged, high-altitude mountain pasture at top speed to gather and drive a flock of spooky range ewes back to the handler, herding them through the first of three slalom-like gates on the way.

The dog must then circle the flock around the handler, back to the center of the pasture and through two more gates set 100 yards apart at opposite sides of the field, and from there into a “shedding ring” where the dog must “shed” or separate two sheep from the flock. Once the cut is made, the dog must then herd the sheep into a pen. All of this must be accomplished without missing a gate, running off course, going out-of-bounds, stampeding or otherwise losing control of the flock.

That the collies manage to do any of this at all is bewildering enough. That the majority of them are able to do it in less than 15 minutes borders on the supernatural. They reminded me of old Moses.

Miss an issue? Catch up at www.coloradocountrylife.coop. Click on Outdoors.

[energy tips]

SEAL YOUR HOME (AND WALLET)

BY BRIAN SLOBODA

W

Will fixing air leaks in a house really lower the heating and cooling bill?

Staying comfortable at home often means turning up the heat or air-conditioning.

But comfort can be costly if your home is not properly sealed from the elements.

Roughly half of the energy used by a home powers heating and cooling. In a poorly insulated home, conditioned air slips outside.

A quick walk around the outside of your home can reveal prime candidates for quick and easy repairs.

Anytime a hole is drilled into a home, it creates potential for energy loss. Check pipe and wire penetrations — they should be sealed on both exterior and interior walls.

The ductwork of a forced air furnace, central AC unit, or heat pump is another source of energy loss. According to Energy Star, sealing and insulting ducts improves system efficiency by as much as 20 percent.

First, focus on ducts running through unconditioned crawl spaces, garages and attics. Seal ducts using a special duct sealant or metal tape that can be found at most home improvement stores. Despite the name, don’t use duct tape — it doesn’t last as long as sealant or metal tape.

Once ducts are sealed, check connections at bends and air registers to make sure everything is tight. Once finished, wrap ducts with insulation. Since this may be a dirty and time-consuming job, many home owners ask a HVAC company to perform this work.

For more information on auditing your home, visit coloradocountrylife. coop. Click on Energy Tips.

ColoradoCountryLife.coop November 2011 25

Planning to Run for Office?

Are you a candidate for state office? For a county position?

For mayor or city council? Are you a fundraiser? A campaign manager?

A volunteer coordinator? A party leader?

Learn what you need to know at the COLORADO RURAL ELECTRIC ASSOCIATION’S

CAMPAIGN ACADEMY Saturday, December 10 • 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

DeVry University • 1870 W. 122nd Ave. Westminster • 80234 Contact Jeani Frickey at 303-981-8176 or email: candidate.school@coloradorea.org

You will receive information on: • Campaign finance laws • Working with volunteers • Writing a campaign plan • Fundraising • Election day activities

• Waging an effective campaign

Register now

Information available at www.crea.org [marketplace]

H A P P Y T H A NK S GI V ING

Price cut: $20 includes shipping.

Order your Colorado’s Rodeo Roots to Modern-Day Cowboys.

Call 303-455-4111.

Don’t miss this great deal.

ColoradoCountryLife.coop 26 November 2011

Advertise in the December Gift Guide.

Call Kris at 303-902-7276. book your ad today.

[marketplace]

Join us at Colorado Country Life, share your thoughts and win prizes.

ColoradoCountryLife.coop November 2011 27

[classifieds] TO PLACE A CLASSIFIED AD Please type or print your ad on a separate paper.

Indicate how many months you would like your ad to run and which month to start. There is a minimum of 12 words at $1.63 per word/month.

Be sure to include your full name and address for our records. Check MUST accompany this order or call to pay by credit card. Send your ad to: mail: Colorado Country Life

5400 N. Washington St., Denver, CO 80216 phone: 303-902-7276 fax: 303-455-2807 email: classifieds@coloradocountrylife.org

ANTIQUES

BOOKS

ANTIQUE SHOWS AND SALES: November 26-27 at the Ranch, Larimer County Event Center Exit 259 off I-25 AND also December 3-4 Colorado Springs City Auditorium 221 E Kiowa Exit 142 off I-25 proceed ½ mile east. Both events Saturday 9-5 Sunday 10-4. Info: Jo Peterson 719-596-8839 (510-11-11)

LET US PUBLISH your book! We can take your manuscript, design a cover, edit and format it, and print it.

Check us out. Personalized service is our specialty. 719-749-2126. www. peakvistapress.com (933-03-12)

CHAIR CANING, hand caning, machine caning, fiber rush caning. Pueblo West, 719-547-0723. chaanita@q.com (858-04-13) FURNITURE RESTORATION. Quality craftsmanship since 1974. Bayfield, CO, www.antiqueresdurango. com 970-884-1937. Prompt service, guaranteed repairs. (988-12-11)

ANTLERS ANTLER CHANDELIERS made only from REAL antlers. We are the manufacturer and we sell all of our products at wholesale prices; save as much as 60% from store prices.

Many other antler products and mounts, including 5’ Moose Mount, 56” Elk Mount and giant Moose Paddles. Showroom open May 15 through October 15 in Granby, CO. 15 years at this location, over 900 satisfied customers! (970) 627-3053.

(105-12-11)

BOOKS CHILD’S PICTURE BOOK: Delight grade 2-3 readers and younger listeners with the adventures of Nana’s Silly Goats. True stories of raising goats with a sprinkle of imagination. $16 +S/H. www. indiangappress.com (998-11-11) FREE SAMPLE CHAPTER from “Teaching New Testament” without Latin words. Dr. Edwin Vrell, 606 Pratt St., #602, Longmont, CO 80501 (995-11-11) ColoradoCountryLife.coop 28 November 2011

BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES (These opportunities have not been investigated by Colorado Country Life.)

AVON sells – you earn big. Build sales via internet or local. Flexible hours. $10 start up. ISR. 719-5500242. (133-01-12) LEGITIMATE WORK AT HOME opportunity. No sales, investment, risk. Training/website provided.

Weekly/monthly income plus bonuses, benefits. Call Carrie 303579-4207, www.workathomeunited. com/ourabundance (932-01-12) PIANO TUNING PAYS. Learn with American School home-study course. Tools included. Call for info.

800-497-9793. (158-01-12) RadioShack RETAIL OPPORTUNITY. Established turnkey business.

Electronics, cellphones, satellite & more. Monument, CO. Along busy I-25. 719-963-0761. (983-11-11) START YOUR OWN BUSINESS – home/internet. Simply the highest quality candles/gifts/beauty. Enter free drawing. www.naturesbest. scent-team.com (831-11-11)

CARS/TRUCKS/BOATS 50 SUBARUS! (1995-2010) Outbacks, Foresters, Imprezas, Tribecas & more! Great prices! One-year warranty! Dealer: www.Monument Motors.com 719-481-9900 (57408-12)

CLOCK REPAIR & RESTORATION DURANGO AREA. CLOCKS of all kinds repaired. Antique and modern. Call Robert 970-247-7729, Bob. Scott@usa.net (109-11-11)

FARM & RANCH SUPPLIES MEET NOVEMBER EPA rural fuel containment deadline. Call Western States Buildings & Ranch Supplies, 888-530-0597, www.western statesprotec.com (999-11-11)

FINANCIAL SERVICES MODULAR/MOBILE HOME insurance. Very reasonable rates. Auto, motorcycle, TT, home. Insure-All Colorado, 719-646-3358. (905-02-12)

HOBBIES & CRAFTS

REAL ESTATE

AWARD WINNING LONG-ARM QUILTING — reasonable rates, quick turnaround. Karen Niemi, 303-470-9309, http://creative. stitching.home.comcast.net, creative.stitching@comcast.net (846-08-12)

40 ACRES IN HUERFANO COUNTY with 16x80 trailer, 3/2, completely set up. Private. Trees. Super view.

Great well. Jerry Shaw 719-250-8458 or 719-738-6338. (987-11-11)

BOOKS, PATTERNS, CLASSES, knitting, dyeing, felting, crocheting, weaving, spinning. www.table rockllamas.com Colorado Springs, 866-495-7747 (791-11-11)

NEED A LOAN? Members Federal Credit Union can help with your Auto, Home, Credit Card, and more!

Visit www.mbrcu.com or call 303-755-2572. (965-11-11)

RESERVE ARTS/CRAFTS SPACE at December 3rd Greenhorn Valley Players 11th Annual Holiday Bazaar held at Valley Community Church Recreation Center. Spaces $35, firstcome, first-serve basis. Deadline November 19. For details or reservations, 719-251-3396, 719-489-3349.

Send to GVP, Box 424, Rye, CO 81069 (930-11-11)

FOR SALE

HOUSEHOLD HELP

FIREWOOD FOR SALE. ~17” cut, not split. Seasoned Ponderosa. You pick up. West Loveland. $66.00 for 8’ pick-up bed. 303-665-5749.

(939-12-11)

LOOKING TO REPLACE AMWAY products? Lose your distributor? I can ship to your home, no hassle, no salesman. Monika Cary 970-7242912. (982-11-11)

HEAVY DUTY CATTLEPENS. Portable or permanent; 32x45 working pen w/16’ crowding tub, $3,015.

Call Kenneth 580-876-3699, www. cccattleequipment.com (882-12-11)

IMPROVEMENTS & REPAIRS

FREE

JEWELRY

FREE BOOKS/DVDS. Soon the “Mark of the Beast” will be enforced as Church and State unite!

Let the Bible reveal. The Bible Says, POB 99, Lenoir City, TN 37771. thebiblesaystruth@yahoo.com 888-211-1715. (814-12-11)

MELT YOUR GOLD into new jewelry, repair, we buy gold. Black Forest Jeweler 719-495-8816.

(992-01-12)

GUTTER & DOWNSPOUT. Reasonable rates. Travel possible. 15 years experience. Colorado Springs area.

Dennis, 719-641-6713 (905-02-12)

MACHINERY & PARTS

AVON – Shop 24/7. Secure online shopping! Nationwide direct delivery. ISR-eRepresentative www.youravon.com/aaronweaver (001-12-11)

SAWMILL EXCHANGE: North America’s largest source of used portable sawmills and commercial equipment for woodlot owners and sawmill operations. Over 800 listings. THE place to sell equipment.

800-459-2148 www.sawmill exchange.com . (267-03-12)

HELP WANTED

MISCELLANEOUS

GIFTS

$400 WEEKLY ASSEMBLING PRODUCTS FROM HOME. For free information, send SASE: Home Assembly – CC, Box 450, New Britain, CT 06050-0450.

Call Kris to advertise in Classifieds: 303-902-7276

RODEO ROOTS to Modern-Day Cowboys is a fine, fun book about rodeo. Great gift! $20. Call 303-4554111 to order one today. (106-12-11)

MUSIC LEARN TO PLAY GUITAR from the convenience of your own home.

Fast, fun, and guaranteed. www.

LearnGuitarCentral.com. (106-12-11)

BUENA VISTA, $399,000, 2450 SF, 4/3, 7.4 acres (zoned horse, backs to BLM), artesian well, Continental Divide views, 719-395-5769, danlin4@ msn.com (997-11-11) GRAND JUNCTION HORSE FARM, 3130 A 1/2 Rd, 3550+ sq. ft. home on 14 acres. Newly remodeled, new central air, new boiler, new water heater, new roof, half brick ranch w/new vinyl siding. 5 bdrm, 3 1/2 bath, living room, dining room, large kitchen, large family room.

New carpet/tile/wood floors.

Full horse barn w/indoor stalls & outside runs. All steel fencing, arenas, loafing sheds on large pastures. Additional fencing around home & inground heated pool. RV building (50x28’), two large ponds, etc. Ginny 970-260-9629, Terry 970-261-3001, Gin.5@NetZero.net (946-11-11)

RELIGION BECOME AN ORDAINED Minister by correspondence study. Founded in 1988. Free info. Ministers for Christ Outreach, PMB 207, 7549 W Cactus, #104, Peoria, AZ 85381. http://www. ordination.org (441-06-12)

SPECIAL SERVICES LAKE OR POND? Aeration is your 1st step toward improved water quality. Complete systems $199 to $369!! Waterfall? 7,000 gph super hi-efficiency waterfall pump, just 3 amps! $399.99! www.fishpond aerator.com, 608-254-2735. (87912-11)

TICKETS NFR & PBR RODEO TICKETS – Las Vegas. All seating levels available.

Call 1-888-NFR-rodeo (1-888-6377633) or www.NFR-Rodeo.com. *BBB Member; Since 1990. (912-11-11)

VACATION RENTAL 3 BEDROOM BEACH HOUSE. Join other winter Texans on South Padre Island. Available Dec. 2011 and Jan. 2012. $2300/mo. Call Sharon 832275-2515. (884-11-11) ENJOY A SPRUCE FOREST holiday on the Grand Mesa. 3 bedroom lodge/loft. VRBO.com #353715 970242-2697 (993-11-11)

[funny stories] VACATION RENTAL

WANTED TO BUY

WANTED TO BUY

KAUAI VACATION RENTAL, 2bdr, full kitchen. Minutes from beaches. $600/wk. 808-245-6500; makana crest.com; kauaiweddings.com.

(756-05-12)

OLD COLORADO LIVESTOCK brand books prior to 1975. Call Wes 303757-8553. (889-02-12)

OLD POCKET WATCHES – working or non-working and old repair material. Bob 719-859-4209 watch doctor@hotmail.com. (870-06-12)

WANTED TO BUY I WILL BUY YOUR German daggers, helmets and other military items.

Don Simmons, PO Box 4734, Springfield, MO 65808, 417-881-5645.

DSimmons@corpranet.net (470-12-11) NAVAJO RUGS, old and recent, native baskets, pottery. Tribal Rugs, Salida. 719-539-5363, b_inaz@ hotmail.com (817-02-12)

OLD COWBOY STUFF–hats, boots, spurs, chaps, Indian rugs, baskets, etc. ANYTHING OLD! Mining & railroad memorabilia, ore carts! We buy whole estates. We’ll come to you! Call 970-759-3455 or 970-5651256. (871-01-12) OLD GAS AND OIL items: Gas pumps, advertising signs, globes, etc. Pieces, parts, etc. considered.

Also 1932-34 Ford cars and trucks, parts and pieces too. Any condition.

Brandon, 719-250-5721. (519-11-11)

VINTAGE FISHING TACKLE. I buy rods, reels, lures, creels, etc. Call Gary at 970-222-2181 (960-11-11) WANT TO PURCHASE minerals and other oil/gas interests. Send details to: PO Box 13557, Denver, CO 80201.

(402-02-12)

THIS LITTLE BIRD REALIZED IT WAS GETTING CLOSE TO THE HOLIDAY SEASON AND PLACED AN AD IN THE COLORADO COUNTRY LIFE CLASSIFIEDS. SHE WAS ABLE TO SELL FEATHERS THAT SHE HAD LAYING AROUND AND MADE ENOUGH TO GET HER LITTLE CHICKS A TRAIN SET FOR CHRISTMAS. TRASH TO CASH CAMPAIGN — CALL KRIS 303-902-7276 AND PLACE AN AD.

When my daughter was 4, she asked for some Hot Tamales candies from a vending machine. The office receptionist where we were gave her a plastic bag to put them in. After about half an hour, I noticed that she hadn’t eaten any of them and asked her why. With a serious face she said, “I’m waiting for them to cool off.”

Carolyn Pond, Fort Collins

My wife was at our daughter’s house getting our grandson ready for kindergarten. When Grandma walked into his room, he had a strange look on his face. She asked what was wrong.

He told her, “I have oil, Mimi.”

Not quite sure what he was talking about, she asked what he meant. “I have oil, Mimi. I keep farting.”

She explained that he had “gas,” not oil, and that it was perfectly normal.

John Callahan, Berthoud

A little boy goes up to a security guard and asks him to help him find his grandpa. The security guard asks, “What’s your grandpa like?” The boy, without missing a beat, replies, “Whiskey, Coors and pretty ladies.”

Moral: Never lose your grandson.

Tracy Kelley, Kersey

On our daily walk to the bus stop, my 7-year-old daughter told me that her nose felt funny. I asked, “What exactly feels funny about your nose?”

She said, “I think one of my snorts is plugged up!”

Dusti Wolfe, Grand Junction

After many years of attendance, a 102-year-old man suddenly stopped going to church. Alarmed by his absence, the pastor decided to pay him a visit.

Finding the old gentleman in good health, the pastor asked, “Why is it after all these years of devotion we don’t see you in church anymore?”

“Well, pastor,” explained the centenarian, “When I got to be 102 years old, I figured the Lord has forgotten all about me and I don’t want to remind him that I’m still around.”

Lila Taylor, Stratton

When my small niece saw city maintenance workers pouring salt on the ice-covered sidewalks, she asked why they were doing that. I told her that salt makes the ice melt.

She replied, “Why don’t they use pepper? It’s hotter.”

Marion C. Mantz, Boulder

We pay $15 to each person who submits a funny story that’s printed in the magazine. At the end of the year, we draw one name from those submitting jokes and that person will receive $150. Send your 2011 stories to Colorado Country Life, 5400 N. Washington St., Denver, CO 80216 or email funnystories@coloradocountrylife.org.

ColoradoCountryLife.coop November 2011 29

[discoveries]

Designed by Nature

Phil Lewis Art pieces are a combination of funky and fascinating. The Boulder-based artist gets his inspiration from nature and often incorporates Colorado scenery into his art. His most recent artwork combines pen drawings and digital design.

Lewis’ artwork is available online or by appointment at his new gallery in downtown Boulder. For information or to buy prints, visit phillewisart.com.

ART IN MOTION Dale Montagne’s latest art technique is moving … literally. These unique kinetic designs are created using art and high-tech glass, leaving parts or all of the sculpture spinning and twisting before your eyes He creates bronze, glass and decorative still sculptures as well as jewelry in his Silverthorne studio overlooking the Blue River valley.

Get a glimpse of Montagne’s artwork by visiting montagnestudio.com.

[Give Me Moore] From barns to wildlife, landscapes and fly-fishing, Barbara Moore captures moments in time and makes them tangible. She uses watercolors to paint lifelike creations of outdoor sceneries as well as several paintings of Old Town Fort Collins, where her business is based.

Featuring samples of her artwork, Moore’s book Historic Old Town Fort Collins and Scenes of Northern Colorado was recently published and is available at online bookstores

[Metal Makeover] Keith Chew uses chemical recipes and a treatment process to create his masterpieces: metal art. From fine arts to furniture and doors, the Peyton-based artist will help you see metal in a new light. Each Chew art piece is derived from inspiration from his clients, giving a unique flavor to each piece through that artistic interpretation.

Chew has lived in Colorado for 36 years and has worked with metal nearly as long. Check out Chew’s metal art and find out where his next art show will be by visiting larsmetalarts.com.

ColoradoCountryLife.coop 30 November 2011

or in stores in Fort Collins and the surrounding areas.

To get a closer look at Moore’s work and to find out about her art show schedule, visit moorewater colors.com.