Redstone June/July 2024

B R I E F S

North St. Vrain Creek and St. Vrain River closed to tubing and some floatation devices

LYONS – North St. Vrain Creek and St. Vrain River from Apple Valley Road to North Foothills Highway through Lyons are closed to tubing and single-chamber flotation devices for public safety reasons, according to the Boulder County Sheriff’s Office.

The closure comes after officials measured the St. Vrain River flowing at approximately 768 cubic feet per second. The office expects the flow to rise due to spring run-off. Kayakers and people with white-water canoes can still use the water, but they should wear life jackets, wet or dry suits and helmets, the sheriff’s office said in a press release. It was closed because of high River flow in excess of 700 cubic feet of water per second or CFS. And that it won’t be lifted until the flow has dipped below that consistently for a period of time.

People should be aware that water conditions also may not be safe anywhere in the county outside the closure area, the sheriff’s office said.

Sheriff’s Office spokeswoman Carrie Haverfield wrote in an email that the office does not have a set end date for the restrictions, and that the office will continually monitor the conditions and re-open the waterway when the conditions are safer. For more information, look up the Boulder County Sheriff’s Department website.

Resource Fair on aging to be held at Lyons Library

LYONS – Join the Lyons Regional Library, 451 4th Ave. and the Boulder County Area Agency on Aging (BCAAA) for a Resource Fair focused on supporting adults 60+ and their caregivers. BCAAA and community partners will connect and share resources. Agencies offering volunteer, employment opportunities, and services for job seekers will also be in attendance. Light refreshments will be available and there will be giveaways during the event.

Please join us for lunch before the resource fair from 12 noon to1 p.m. at the Redstone Cafe, 335 Railroad Avenue. Call 303441-1415 to listen to the menu options and to reserve a meal.

Continue Briefs on Page 6

Lyons Town Board approves some major changes requested by Lyons Properties

By Susan de Castro Redstone Review Editor

LYONS – After a very lengthy public hearing, the Lyons Town Board passed Ordinance 1163 to approve the overlay zoning designation of the Planned Unit Development (PUD) to the 501 West Main St. property, also known as River Bend. Chris and Sarah Legh are the new owners applying for the changes to the property.

After several hours of public comments and Town Clerk Delores Vasquez reading letters into the record, the board passed, on second reading, the ordinance by a six to one vote with Trustee David Hamrick dissenting.

The ordinance would allow for: an extended camping timeframe; the construction of a 6,000 square foot structure for weddings instead of the previously approved 4,000 square foot structure; the addition of ten additional tiny homes; and it would allow for music to be amplified. (Staff proposed: The details of this request would be formalized by an Operational Plan, which would be submitted and approved/denied with the Development Agreement.)

The sticking point, for many of the residents living in the River Bend vicinity as well as for some of the trustees, was the issue of allowing amplified music. Many residents objected to the request for amplified music and outdoor speakers, but others said that allowing the changes would create a venue to attract more people to the business and would keep people in town longer which would help many other businesses.

The number of people who spoke for and against the amplified music issue was just

LLC

about evenly divided. Amplified music has been a problematic issue for several former businesses in town. However, several others at the town board meeting pointed out that there is already amplified music in town on Main Street, with outdoor speakers at A Lodge at 338 W. Main St., Main Stage at 450 Main St., and also at Planet Bluegrass on Hwy. 36 northwest of town, saying it would be unfair to allow some businesses to have amplified music and deny others.

The board passed the ordinance upon the condition that there is a development agreement with the ordinance to include several things such as a noise agreement, utilities resolutions, items included with the 6,000 square foot building, and several other things addressed in the development agreement.

After the ordinance was passed, it was already 10 p.m. Town Administrator Victoria Simonsen and Mayor Hollie Rogin both proposed that the property owners, Chris and Sarah Legh, meet with town staff to work on the amplified music issue to see if they can find a compromise to satisfy both groups. As it stands now the owners have agreed to shut down the music by 8:30 p.m. If there is a more extensive compromise, it will be written into the development agreement. When that agreement is completed, it will go before the town board for approval.

“That will be the next step,” said Trustee Greg Lowell. No time frame was discussed for the next steps.

Town planner Andrew Bowen pointed out to the board that the town doesn’t have a development agreement process to work with, so this is a new format that they are working with

and this property is a new PUD. The Tiny Homes located on the property are within the flood zone, and provisions must be met for evacuation in case of an emergency.

In other news, the town board approved a resolution to accept an annexation application for two properties, and to set a public hearing for the properties, one on Ute Highway and one on Highland Drive, known as the TEBO annexation.

Switching gears, Town Administrator Simonsen reported that the Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) Task Force has met twice to date. Doug Matthews was selected as Chair, Martin Soosloff as Vice Chair and Julie Jacobs as recorder. They are planning a tour of the properties being discussed in the IGA next week. They are meeting once a week. This task force was created to discuss the annexation process for the lands surrounding and bordering Lyons. The IGA is an agreement between Boulder County and Lyons as to what lands, owned by Boulder County, Lyons is allowed to annex. Annexation would allow Lyons to expand and grow. Virtually all municipalities in Colorado have IGAs with the counties they are located in.

The purpose of the task force is to assure that there is citizen input in the decision-making process when the town decides to annex land and to make sure that the community has access to all the information.

Administrator Simonsen reported that sales tax revenues were nearly 13 percent higher than at this same time in June of 2023, and year-to-date receipts are up almost 10 percent higher than 2023. “So that is a good trend to see,” she said. April sales tax revenues showed that 51 percent of revenues collected were from non-local businesses such as internet sales, etc. and 49 percent of sales tax collected for April were from local businesses.

The Goat Mowers fire and weed mitigation goats are back! Owner Karl Jones (co-owner wife, Kimberly, not pictured) is talking with neighbors in the Stone Canyon open space. PHOTO BY CATHY RIVERS

A productive six months for Rep. Joe Neguse and constituent advocates

Neguse

By Joe Neguse U.S. House of Representatives Redstone Review

BOULDER – It’s hard to believe that we are already halfway through 2024. Over the past six months, we’ve been hard at work delivering for the people of Lyons and for folks in communities across our great state.

So far this year, we are proud to have assisted more than 800 constituents across the 12 counties in the Second District through formal casework – saving Coloradans over $1.3 million. Our dedicated constituent advocates continue to work tirelessly to help Coloradans navigate federal agencies.

We have also been proud to host more than ten mobile office hours, six town halls, and several roundtable conversations, and have responded to nearly 69,000 constituent inquiries.

Meanwhile in Washington, we’ve introduced 16 standalone bills that tackle issues of importance to families and communities across Colorado, more than half of which have bipartisan and bicameral support. From drought preparedness to disaster recovery, we are working to advance these solutions-based proposals through the House of Representatives.

Alignment Act, into law. From floods to fires, folks across Colorado have experienced the impacts of such disasters, and this now enacted legislation will help cut through red tape to ensure families can more easily access critical disaster assistance programming.

Additionally, in my new capacity as House Assistant Minority Leader, I am committed to continuing to work with folks at the leadership table to ensure voices from across Colorado and the Rocky Mountain West are elevated, included, and heard.

As some of you may have seen, recently President Biden signed one of our bills, the Disaster Assistance Deadlines

With six months down, and six more to go, we are determined to approach the latter half of this year with the same dedication and tenacity, ensuring we are representing the best interests of our state by leading locally and listening first. Our office will continue to cut through the chaos, extend a hand of partnership to folks of all political stripes, and remain focused on taking action on the issues of real importance to the people of Colorado.

Congressman Joe Neguse represents Colorado’s Second District in the U.S. House of Representatives. He was elected to his first term in November 2018, becoming the first African-American member of Congress in Colorado history. He serves as a member of the House Judiciary Committee, the House Natural Resources Committee and the House Select Committee on the Climate Crisis, and as the Assistant Minority Leader of the House of Representatives.

Town Ordinance mandates a six-inch height limit on weeds

By Cassidy Davenport Redstone Review

LYONS – Did you know that weeds, grasses and brush on properties must be maintained by the property owner or another responsible party if they are to adhere to local municipal code? Spring weather combined with higher temperatures has caused grass and weeds to sprout like, well, weeds.

Town code requires property owners to keep grass and weeds cut to less than six inches in height. Vegetation on your property, which includes the area between your property line and the curb such as alleys and roadways, must not exceed six inches in height. It can be easy to overlook some of these areas but given the season, now is the perfect time to double check that your property is complying!

It’s not just about aesthetics. Maintaining this standard is important for several reasons. Long grass provides shelter for rodents and pests as well as breeding grounds for mosquitoes, ticks and other insects. Snakes will shelter in tall vegetation and will be harder to see for those walking on or near the property. Long (and especially dry) vegetation can provide fuel for wildfires, breaks in the vegetation will help protect properties and allow firefighters to reach areas that may otherwise be impeded like alleys and narrow streets. Allowing weeds to grow until they seed helps unwanted or noxious weeds spread.

Unkempt lawns can trap trash, create poor aesthetics, as well as create unhappy neighbors. Please note that there is not a height limit for well maintained gardens, flowers, and xeriscaping assuming they follow code and do not create the problems mentioned above. The applicable code is Lyons Municipal Code Sec. 7-2-150.

Cassidy Davenport is Town of Lyons, Planning and Community Development Director.

A correction for an error in the Redstone May, 2042 story on the Redstone Museum

In the May 15, 2024 issue, in “Upcycling radiators: a win-win opportunity for the Redstone Museum,” the Redstone Review published an incomplete list of participants in the Radiator Removal Crew; the crew was essential to the Lyons Redstone Museum’s mission to transform its antique radiators into works of art. The participants were Jerry Johnson, Emily Walker, Rolf Hertenstein, Dave Brininstool, Monique Sawyer-Lang, and Steve Lang. The Redstone regrets the error.

The first Lyons Fire life-support ambulance is now in service

By Chief Rob Stumpf, Lyons Fire District Chief Redstone Review

LYONS – Lyons Fire is now able to provide a monumental change in our level of service in Lyons: Lyons Fire Protection District (LFPD) unit 4021 received an Advanced Life Support transport ambulance, which was officially placed into service on May 13, with Boulder County Sheriffs Office (BCSO) Communications (911 dispatch), Boulder County/Larimer County/ State of Colorado.

We ran our first transport that morning for an injured party at Hall Ranch. We are staffing a paramedic and Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) on the ambulance 24/7/365 in an effort to reduce response times to reach critical patients and provide a higher level of service than we had been able to provide in years past. I am extremely proud of the exceptional people who have helped make this happen. Our Board of Directors, former Fire Chiefs Pete Zick and JJ Hoffman, Thompson Valley Emergency Medical Services, American Medical Response (AMR), Boulder County Sheriff’s Office Communications, Boulder Rural Fire, and especially all of the current and former Continue Ambulance on Page 12

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MAYOR’S CORNER

All things IGA and some goats

Rogin

By Hollie Rogin, Mayor of Lyons Redstone Review

LYONS – Happy summer, Lyons. Now that the new Lyons Board of Trustees is up and running, I thought it would be a good time to provide an update on the Land Use Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) with Boulder County. As you may remember, last March the previous board agreed to slow the IGA process down and have the incoming board appoint a citizen task force.

The purpose of this task force is to provide input on which (if any) surrounding properties would be desirable to include in our Primary Planning Area as we look toward the next few decades, as well as what potential uses may be appropriate.

The task force is composed of seven voting members and one alternate, as well as our Town Administrator, Town planner, a Boulder County planner, a representative from the Lyons Planning and Community Development Commission, and a Board of Trustees liaison. The Board received 17 citizen applications and made appointments on May 30 during a special meeting. This meeting was open to the public and streamed on Zoom and YouTube. If you’re

interested in watching the recording, you can do so via the Lyons YouTube channel, which is: https://www.youtube.com/@ lyonscolorado6722.

The board will consider the input of the IGA task force when resuming IGA negotiations with our County partners, hopefully later this summer. No negotiations or board discussions about the IGA have taken place since early last spring.

passionate residents. It was difficult to choose between them, and I think we did a good job of appointing people with a wide variety of professional and personal backgrounds and life experiences to represent the entire community.

Thank you to all who applied, and I hope that those who were not selected for this task force will consider volunteering for a board or commission in the future. And a giant thank you as well to those who were selected; it’s an intense commitment of time and energy in a short timeframe.

All IGA task force meetings are open to the public. Meeting notices, agendas, and minutes are posted on the Town of Lyons website. It’s a testament to our community that we received so many applications from intelligent, knowledgeable, thoughtful and

You may have noticed some new temporary residents chomping away at potential fire fuel. The Goat Mowers fire mitigation goats are back. This year, they’ll be working hard grazing in Lyons Valley Park between homes on McConnell Drive and the South Ledge Ditch and Stone Canyon outlots.

Fun fire mitigation goat fact: One of the reasons goats are so effective at fuel reduction is that any seeds they digest will not sprout once eliminated.

Additional near-term fire mitigation efforts this summer may include reduction of fuel-loading and ladders fuel in the same

Expect new website for the Lyons Chamber this summer

By Kristin Frances Redstone Review

LYONS – The Lyons Chamber of Commerce is introducing a new website this summer. Barring anything wildly unanticipated, the new website will be up and running by mid-July. Our plan for the website is for a majority focus on tourism, with the site’s design and content reflecting that. The lyonschamber.org site will become more of a reference source for existing and incoming chamber members.

The chamber has a new logo as well. It made sense to revitalize something that symbolizes the Lyons Chamber’s own fresh, new start. The website branding will also reflect these changes.

As this will be a chamber-owned and managed website, we will be able to track visitor details and click data and share this with members, and also we will have the ability to create marketing and advertising campaigns, etc. This website will also host a Lyons-area business database, with an emphasis on capturing service and other businesses that don’t have storefronts. It is our vision that both Lyons locals and visitors will be able to use this tool as a way to find more of what Lyons business owners have to offer. By the beginning of next year, the chamber anticipates connecting membership levels to website presence, advertising and marketing.

all of the time regarding Lyons tourism. The first is the statement that Lyons just doesn’t have many people drive through and/or stop during the winter months. In February, I reached out to our friends at “Visit Estes” and asked if they had any visitor data for those slow months. Indeed, they had invested in some very detailed market research. I was most interested to learn that during these slow months, Estes receives 47,000 visitors per month. This number isn’t a count of cars driving through the city limits. In order to determine this number, researchers analyzed credit card usage, hotel room bookings, etc. What might happen if those driving to Estes (via one of the two scenic routes accessed through Lyons) were to stop here? What if we were able to capture even 5,000 to 8,000 visitors per month?

In addition, a small group of individuals and business owners is collaborating on a vision for a once-a-month unique Lyons event. The plan is to create an experience (a collection of activities) that not only engages locals but also brings in visitors from the greater Denver-metro area. We also anticipate hosting this 11 or 12 months of the year. In doing so, our hope is to capture more visitors during the months that have historically been slow. Please reach out to me, Kristin Frances, at admin@lyonschamber.org if you would like to join us.

Our new website will help to elevate and generate buzz for these events. Mark your calendars: we have penciled in Sunday afternoon, September 1 as our first event date. If you are interested in collaborating on the ideas and details and/or volunteering your time for the events themselves, you can contact admin@lyonschamber.org, or call/text 720-310-8724.

I’d also like to address a couple of things that I hear

Flipping over the coin to look at the other side leads me to another statement that I hear way too often. The sentiment is, “Ah, people aren’t going to stop in Lyons; they just want to get to Estes.” First of all, that mentality sets us up for failure. Let’s give people reasons to stop. Let’s have people choose to make Lyons their destination by staying for the afternoon, entire day and even spending the night. One of the reasons for creating the once-a-month event is so we can begin to show off our sweet little town. Instead of expecting that we will fail during the slower months, let’s reframe and ask ourselves how we can collaborate on creative solutions.

Finally, accomplishing this takes collaborative and optimistic solution-oriented brainpower, time and money.

Everyone is invited to join us at our monthly meetings, held on the first Friday of the month 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. in the Lyons Library community room. If you can’t make those I’d love to hear from you individually. We have a couple of Chamber Board positions open too.

And for now, our Basic Business Membership is only $150/year. We also offer a $350/year Supporting Member option and a $1,500/year Cornerstone membership. Many, many thanks to the Town of Lyons and Cemex for choosing Cornerstone memberships. For more info, click lyonschamber.org, select “membership” from the top-right menu then “join now.”

Kristin Frances is the Executive Director of the Lyons Chamber of Commerce. She can be reached at admin@lyonschamber.org or at 720-310-8724.

Lyons Valley Park parcel; all dead standing trees and dead and downed wood would be removed prior to the July 4 holiday. Curbside limb pickup is currently scheduled for the week of July 15 for properties less than one acre in size. Be on the lookout for more details, including what will and will not be picked up, stacking guidance, and maximum pile size.

Finally, a big thanks to Mayor Pro Tem Paula Williams for kicking off the Sandstone Summer Concert Series in my absence. New this year, the Board of Trustees will have a table at each concert so you can talk to a Trustee about whatever is on your mind. And you can always stop by Moxie on Mondays from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. if you’d like to chat with me (except Monday, June 24). If that day and time is not convenient for you, please send me an email and we’ll find a day and time that works: hrogin@townoflyons.com.

Stay cool, stay safe, and stay well, Lyons.

Hollie Rogin was sworn in as Mayor of Lyons on April 18, 2022. Before that she was elected to serve on the Board of Trustees for the term of 2020 to 2022. She was re-elected mayor in the April 2024 election. In 2015, she created the foundation for what is now the City of Boulder’s Commercial Affordability program on a pro bono basis. While serving as a Trustee, she was the Board liaison to the Economic Vitality Commission and the Historic Preservation Commission.

Carlo is a sweet 6-yearold dog who loves to play. He is also a great companion for walks or just lounging around. Carlo enjoys playing fetch and basking in the sun. Stop in today and visit with Carlo at the shelter, 9595 Nelson Road. To see all our adoptable animals or get more details visit longmonthumane.org

OPTIONS

History detectives at work at the Redstone Museum

By Monique Sawyer-Lang and Dr. Kelly Wacker Redstone Review

LYONS – It’s June and it’s officially summer and that means the Lyons Redstone Museum is open daily through September 29. It also means we have lots of great stuff happening this summer.

Dr. Kelly Wacker, University of Montevallo art historian and descendant of Lyons pioneer family E.P. and Clara Sweeney, reports that she has been making progress on her public art history project to illuminate the life and artwork of enigmatic local artist Newt Thomas, whose artwork is in the collection of the Lyons Redstone Museum.

Over the past few months, using digitized historical newspaper archives, Dr. Wacker has discovered 48 mentions of Newt Thomas in Colorado and Nebraska newspapers, from 1890 until his death in 1940. Research revealed that he was traveling regularly to Palmer, Nebraska, a small farming community where he seems to have once lived. After reading that he painted a backdrop for the Palmer Opera House (demolished around 1980), more research into local histories turned up a photograph of the artist and the backdrop. Using social media, she was able to find the descendants of the opera house’s founder who have the backdrop painting. She is currently following a lead on another Nebraska painting. She has also been deep in genealogical research which has helped to identify places and people in the paintings in the Redstone

Museum’s Newt Thomas Collection that were donated from a resident of Portland, Oregon. There is still much work to be done.

Dr. Wacker will be in Lyons from June 17 to 22 working on this project and would welcome the opportunity to talk with anyone who has stories about Newt Thomas or thinks they might have one of his paintings.

work being done by the museum and by the Town of Lyons to honor Lyons’ past, to celebrate its present, and to look toward its future. Events start at 1 p.m. on the front lawn of the museum.

In addition to remarks from Dr. Wacker about her project, this year’s events include the 55th reunion of the Class of ‘69 and

Do you recognize the location of this Newt Thomas painting? Help us identify the location of this Newt Thomas painting!

More information about the project can be found at www.newtthomas.org. Contact Dr. Wacker directly at: wackerka@montevallo.edu, or through the Lyons Redstone Museum.

On June 22, Dr. Wacker will be speaking about her Newt Thomas Project at our annual Lyons History Day at the Museum. This event is a great time to drop by the museum to hear about all the exciting

Colorado Hairstreak

By Deborah Huth Price Redstone Review

the official unveiling of the Mickey Hawkins exhibit. Hawkins was killed in action in Vietnam on January 6, 1970. In 2023, his classmates dedicated a bench, which sits in front of the museum, in his honor.

The Lyons Historical Society will also be recognizing Lyons Senior High School graduates Jeremiah Hammans and Abraham Vasquez with the presentation of Lyons

Pioneer Family certificates. This is a tradition started many years ago by Mrs. LaVern Johnson as a way to connect Lyons’ past generations with its future generations. Jeremiah Hammans is the great grandson of Earl and Cloy Hammans who came to Lyons from Ashton, Iowa in 1942. Max and Ada Lou Hammans, grandparents of Jeremiah, who published the Lyons Recorder newspaper from 1969 to 1979, were also graduates of Lyons High School.

Abe Vasquez is the great-grandson of Isabelle and Manual Vasquez who worked in the Lyons quarries in the early 1950s. In 1985, Manual and his son Raul, Abe’s grandfather, started Blue Mountain Stone, Inc., one of the largest active quarries in the Lyons’ area.

In addition to refreshments, there will be a selection of Pioneer Games to play. Come try your hand at marbles, jacks, and pick-up sticks or hopscotch. Test your knowledge with the Elements game or your catching ability with Hoops and Graces. We hope you will join us on June 22.

Finally, did you know that the Lyons Historical Society relies entirely on donations and grants to fund its operations? It is now easier than ever to donate with several options available, from stopping in at the museum where we can accept cash, check, or credit card to donating on-line at https://www.coloradogives.org/organization/Lyons-Historical-Society. We are open to the public through September, Sundays 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. and Monday through Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.. Come explore your Lyons history.

Monique Sawyer Lang is the Collections Manager of the Lyons Redstone Museum. She is also a volunteer with the Lyons Food Pantry and a former member/chair of the Lyons Community Foundation Board. She lives in Spring Gulch.

Butterfly soars as the state insect

PINEWOOD SPRINGS – The spring brings the birth of many new things, including the sightings of all types of butterflies. Our state insect, the Colorado hairstreak butterfly (Hypaurotis crysalus) is, however, one you won’t have a chance to see until later this summer.

This small, beautiful flyer was designated as the state insect on April 17, 1996 through the efforts of Aurora fourth graders, who spread the campaign to include fourth graders from across the state. According to information compiled by Whitney Cranshaw, retired entomologist from Colorado State University, the students used a bill in the Colorado State Legislature to nominate the butterfly as the state insect as a civics lesson, and successfully lobbied for it. They beat out another popular insect, the honeybee (which by the way is not native to North America, much less Colorado).

This little butterfly is less than two inches wide and has black and purple wings with a wide dark border and orange spots. These butterflies are very geographically specific and can only be found in gambel oak shrublands, typically between 6,500 and 9,000 feet in elevation. The best time to see them in flight is late summer to early fall. Unlike many other butterflies, this species does not feed on flowers, but prefers tree sap and aphid honeydew – a sugar-rich liquid secreted by aphids.

Local butterfly expert and author Janet Chu said she’s seen hairstreaks in New Mexico (they can be found across the southwest part of the country), but in Colorado she’s only seen them at Roxborough State Park in a gambel oak ecosystem. “You usually only see the adults in late August to early September,” says Chu, adding that they are fun to watch in their mating rituals: “They jump off a leaf, twirl around each other, and land back on the leaf.”

In an article on the Butterfly Pavilion website, lepidopterist Kathryn Hokamp mentions that Colorado hairstreaks tend to live within a few yards of their hatching place for their entire lives, unlike some species that travel long distances in their migratory paths. While monarch butterflies take long journeys spanning several generations, Colorado hairstreaks are homebodies.

Hokamp says that “adults lay their eggs on oak twigs, and the eggs remain there throughout the winter until they hatch in late spring. The caterpillars will then eat the young leaves of the oak until they pupate.”

While the hairstreak may be difficult to find, there are lots of butterflies to observe. Shiran Herschcovich, Lepidopterist Manager at the Butterfly Pavilion, says we have about 250 butterfly species in the state of Colorado, adding that “this number continues to flex as our understanding of butterflies evolves.”

The beauty and delicate nature of butterflies attracts many people, and there are certainly many opportunities to observe these lovely flyers. A local reference book that can help you learn more about butterflies is Butterflies of the Colorado Front Range: A Photographic Guide to 100 Species by Janet R. Chu and Stephen R. Jones.

Deborah Huth Price is an environmental educator living in Pinewood Springs. You can read her blog at www.walk-the-wild-side.blog or contact her at debhprice@gmail.com.

Sawyer-Lang

How not to kill a hummingbird

By Greg Lowell Redstone Review

LYONS – Your hummingbird feeder’s liquid is cloudy, and the weather’s been warm for a few days, but you figure you’ll get around to cleaning the feeder the next time it’s empty. What you don’t know is that in the time you’re waiting you may be sickening and even killing the very birds you love to watch.

That solution of sugar and water, sitting in the hot sun, is a perfect breeding ground for potentially lethal mold and fungus.

If mold and fungus grow in the feeder, the fungus can infect the hummingbird’s tongue and make it swell up causing the condition known as Hummers Candidiasis. Once swollen, the hummingbird can’t eat, painfully starving it to death as it coats the tongue and covers the trachea, according to the Audubon Society of California.

More troubling is that a mother hummingbird can infect her babies after visiting a dirty hummingbird feeder. If you set up a hummingbird feeder, keeping it clean helps protect the birds that are trustingly visiting your home.

“A dirty feeder with contaminated nectar can be toxic to hummingbirds,” said Melissa Mayntz, Wild Bird Expert. “Cloudy, milky nectar or nectar that shows visible dark specks is dangerous and should be promptly discarded. Feeders should be cleaned and sterilized regularly so they are safe for hummingbirds to use.”

Clean feeders regularly

Hummingbird feeders should be cleaned and, if neces -

sary, decontaminated thoroughly at least once a week in moderate temperatures. If a hummingbird feeder sits in the sun most of the day then the feeder may need to be cleaned every day or every other day, according to the California Audubon Society.

At daytime temperature of 71 to 75 degrees, change nectar and clean the feeder every six days; for temperatures above 93 degrees, the feeder should be changed and cleaned daily. If the feeder is moldy, the whole feeder should be soaked in a bleach and water solution. Mix a 10-percent bleachand-water solution and soak the entire feeder for an hour.

More importantly, don’t refill the feeder when it is empty

without first cleaning it. A small amount left in a feeder, even for only a couple of hours, will ferment much more quickly.

Here in Colorado, attracting hummingbirds to your home and garden provides hours of enjoyment, but the bottom line is that unless you’re willing to commit to regular cleaning of the feeders, you may be inadvertently killing the source of your pleasure.

Valerie Gardner of Blue Mountain Road, who feeds hummers, recently found a dead hummingbird killed by a fungus infection.

“I used to have hundreds of hummingbirds. Not anymore,” said Gardner. “I wish people would use some common sense; a dirty feeder is like food poisoning for hummingbirds.”

The most beneficial and cheapest way to feed hummingbirds is to make your own nectar that has a 4:1 water-to-sugar ratio. The 4:1 mixture approximates the water-to-sugar ratio present in the nectar of the flowers hummingbirds feed on. Too much sugar is hard on their livers and kidneys, and too little sugar will not provide the needed calories and may cause them to lose interest in your feeder.

Use one part white sugar (but don’t boil the sugar) and four parts boiled water. Cool the mixture to room temperature and then fill the feeder.

Do not use red dye in the nectar. Most feeders are designed with red parts to attract the notice of hummingbirds. Never add red food color to sugar water. Nectar in flowers is clear, and red food coloring may be harmful for hummingbirds. Commercial hummingbird food is more expensive than the do-it-yourself nectar and is more vulnerable to bacterial and fungal growths

Never use honey to make hummingbird food. When honey is diluted with water, bacteria and fungus thrive in it.

Lyons resident Greg Lowell is a Lyons Town Board Trustee and serves as the liaison of the Ecology Advisory Board.

Building excellence: St. Vrain Valley Schools Proposed 2024 Bond

By Don Haddad Redstone Review

LYONS – St. Vrain Valley Schools continues to advance student opportunity and excellence for current and future generations. In collaboration with multiple communities, the St. Vrain Valley Schools Board of Education is considering the placement of a bond measure on the 2024 ballot. This initiative is designed to ensure our continued commitment to academic excellence, accountability, safety, and providing the education that today’s students will need for tomorrow’s jobs and careers. Voter-approved bond measures are longterm loans that are used by school districts to fund brick-and-mortar-type projects. This financial strategy allows us to swiftly address critical needs such as building renovations, school additions, new schools, and other essential capital improvements. The proposed 2024 bond investment priorities include: Education for tomorrow’s jobs and careers: Our students must be prepared for an ever-evolving job market. This includes training in skilled trades like plumbing, electrical, and construction, as well as in-demand fields such as computer systems, cybersecurity, and healthcare.

Safety and security enhancements: Improving safety and security within our school buildings is paramount. Our plans include modernizing security systems and infrastructure to provide a safe learning environment for all students and staff.

Critical maintenance and upgrades: Many of our buildings require significant maintenance to replace outdated electrical, plumbing, and HVAC components. These upgrades are necessary to protect our community’s assets, and maintain safe and efficient operations across our schools.

Addressing overcrowding and future enrollment: With our growing community, it is crucial to provide classroom addi-

tions and construct new school buildings to accommodate increasing student populations and prevent overcrowding. Commitment to excellence and stewardship: Our district is dedicated to maintaining high standards of academic excellence, safety, and financial stewardship. Importantly, the 2024 bond initiative will not increase property taxes for our residents. This significant investment in our community’s future is made possible by several factors, including existing community investments, population growth, and strong financial management. The St. Vrain com-

ers more than $82 million, including $36.8 million just this past December through budget outperformance, debt restructuring, and early debt payoff. For property taxes collected in 2024, the district also lowered the mill levy rate and will potentially be able to lower it again next year.

Our Lyons community, specifically, stands to benefit significantly from this bond measure. The two schools in Lyons will receive vital investments in safety and security, critical infrastructure upgrades, HVAC and air quality improvements, new innovation and Career and Technical Education (CTE)

munity has experienced robust growth in both population and economic strength. This growth has increased the number of households and corporations that contribute to our public schools. As our population has grown, we have strategically paid down previous bond debt ahead of schedule. This combination of growth and early debt restructuring creates a unique opportunity for us to issue $739.8 million in bonds without raising taxes. Further, over the past two decades, our district has saved taxpay -

spaces, repurposed and updated areas, technology and efficiency upgrades, as well as roofing and paving projects.

These improvements build upon the substantial advancements made possible by the 2016 bond, which included a $14.5 million construction project at Lyons Middle Senior School. This project added a 16,052 square foot space featuring a new lobby, auditorium with stage and 400+ seats, modern audio and visual elements, dressing rooms, and facilities for constructing stage back-

grounds. Earlier this year, it was an honor to celebrate the renaming of the Lyons Middle Senior Auditorium to the LaVern M. Johnson Auditorium, in recognition of the deep history and impact LaVern has had on St. Vrain and the greater Lyons community. Through the investment, support, and partnership of our outstanding community, we have advanced student achievement and success – demonstrating a strong return on investment in our schools and programs. Not only is St. Vrain Valley Schools nationally and internationally recognized for innovation and technology, we also have the highest graduation rate in the Denver Metro Area at 93.3 percent, with the lowest dropout rate at 0.6 percent.

I want to extend my sincere appreciation and gratitude to our community for their continued support, and I reaffirm our district’s commitment to continuing to advance academic excellence for Lyons students for decades to come. As we look to the future, the proposed 2024 bond measure represents a critical investment in the long-term success and vitality of our schools and community. By ensuring our students have access to top-tier educational facilities and resources, we are not only preparing them for future careers but also fostering a community that values education and progress. I encourage all members of the Lyons community to engage in this important discussion and visit our website at http://stvra.in/2024bond to learn more about the proposed 2024 bond measure and share your feedback.

Don Haddad, Ed.D, has been Superintendent of the St. Vrain Valley School District since July 2009. During his tenure, SVVSD received the highest score on the i3 (Invest in Innovation) Grant for $3.6 million, and one of 16 districts nationwide and the only district in Colorado to be awarded the 2012 Race to the Top Grant for $16.8 million. $16.8 million.

Photo of a hummingbird sick with fungal growth.

Lowell

The Lyons Midle Senior High School class of 2024 celebrates graduation with the traditional cap toss on May 25, 2024 PHOTO BY LIZ ALLEN

Ansel Adams – an American original

Butler

By Peter Butler Redstone Review

LYONS – On May 15, the United States Postal Service issued a new panel of FOREVER stamps celebrating the work of Ansel Adams. Not a moment too soon in my estimation. You can get a set of 16 of the great photographer’s images for only $10.88. Believe me that’s a bargain. Only a few days later the Ansel Adams Gallery in Yosemite, California sent me an email offering a rare and precious opportunity: they had available a framed print of his most famous image Monolith, the Face of Half Dome from 1927, printed and signed by the artist for only $24,900. I stared at the email for quite a long time in a mixture of lust and bewilderment. Then I mentioned it to Household Sanity Control sitting at her desk across the office from me and was presented with many reasons to let the opportunity pass.

Ansel Adams has been one of my special heroes since I was in my early 20s, when I was employed at the Equine Research Station in England as a biochemist measuring hormones in million-dollar mares that the owners wanted to birth million-dollar foals as soon as possible.

My heart wasn’t really in it.

In fact, I think my contract stated something like, “You should strive to be the worst biochemist in the world.” Most of my achievements around this time were lackluster but I excelled in that contractual obligation. But the ERS gave me two wonderful things: the day my future wife of 40 years turned up as an intern, and my discovery that there was a darkroom I could use. This facility had been all but abandoned for many years and thus was all mine, as soon as I got the key. It had a big professional enlarger, sinks, trays and safe lights – everything you need to make prints.

I started reading to learn more, and soon discovered that, not only was Ansel Adams the world’s greatest photographer, but he was also a natural teacher who promoted photography on TV programs and authored books, many of which I acquired, absorbed and still treasure.

He was born in San Francisco and was six years old at the time of the great earthquake. He was apparently standing on a wall in his parent’s garden when a tremor knocked him down such that he fell and broke his nose so that he always had that slightly asymmetrical face.

As the West opened up, government agencies and corporations commissioned him to roam the wild areas and make photographs to inspire potential visitors. He had a big old station wagon, which he fitted with a wooden platform on the roof, and when he

Health care now available at Lyons Health and Wellness

By Kay Sparks Redstone Review

LYONS – Megan Foreman, a Board-Certified Family Nurse Practitioner, has opened her office, Lyons Health and Wellness, at 435 High St. Lyons, (in the Lyons Physical Therapy building). She is joined part-time by Joshua Tueting, a Board-Certified Adult Nurse Practitioner.

Lyons Health and Wellness offers a wide range of health care services: minor illness and injury care for children two years and older and for adults, bioidentical hormone replacement/optimization for men and women, men and women’s health, prescriptions for mental health medication (anxiety, depression and ADHD), skin care, sports performance and weight management/ weight loss.

In-clinic offerings include: blood draws (Friday 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.), antibiotic and common prescription medications, point of care illness testing (strep, mono, flu, Covid, pregnancy), splints/braces/ walking boots, wound care, bandaging and small laceration repair.

Office hours are in-person and telehealth on Tuesday: 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.; Thursday 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.; and Friday 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Telehealth only is available on Wednesday 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Additional hours can be available upon request.

They accept Medicare and are in the process of credentialing with Medicaid, Blue Cross, Cigna and United. At present clients can submit to their insurance using a superbill they will provide which has the codes needed for potential reimbursement.

To make an appointment, call 303498-5941 or go online to www.lyonshealthandwellness.com (choose “Book Appointment” tab). Visit their website at www.lyonshealthandwellness.com.

Foreman’s 18 years of healthcare experience includes Neonatal Intensive Care, Family Practice, Urgent Care and Student Health Care. In addition, she has specialty education and certifications in Gender Affirming Care, Eating Disorders, Weight Management, Mental Health, Bio-identical Hormones, Functional Nutrition and Lifestyle Medicine. Welcome, Lyons Health and Wellness.

Kay Sparks is the chair of the Lyons Housing and Human Services Commission.

found an attractive scene he would drag his heavy tripod and camera up to this higher vantage point. His cameras were huge field cameras, each about the size of a very large shoe box with

exotic names like Goertz Dagor. They were very complicated: the film plane was at the rear with a viewing screen, then a long pleated bellows gave flexible attachment to the lens board at the front. Just to take one image took maybe 20 steps. This was not point and shoot, it was point, focus, calculate exposure, set the aperture ring, cock

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Meals are donation only for adults over 60 and $12 for a guest under 60. The July 16 menu is quinoa enchilada casserole, pico de gallo, spinach salad with lemon vinaigrette, and grapes.

If you have any questions, call BCAAA at 303- 441-1617. Corrin Godar is the Client Services Supervisor at 303-441-1554.

Senior Watercolor Class

LYONS – Join Pinewood Springs local and self-taught watercolorist Suzanne Davis as she guides you through this FREE class.

the shutter, slip out the dark slide, pop the shutter and so on.

He took so many photos that he developed, not only a preternatural sense for composition, but also a way of creating the best arrangement of gray tones in a black and white photograph. All his contemporaries, Steiglitz, Man Ray, Cartier Bresson et al, would take one middle value of luminance from a scene and allocate that to the middle shade of gray in the picture. But Adams developed a protocol he called the Zone System, which is still used today. He would place, maybe, a pale cloud in Zone 8 and a tree shadow in Zone 2. Then he did some brilliant trickery in his head to determine the shutter speed and lens aperture. It sounds geeky but it almost guaranteed that every morsel of the image glowed with meaning and lustrous texture. And his mental gymnastics in setting these values became so automatic that he could still flex his artistic genius to frame a vista in a way that would cast a magic spell over the eye of the viewer. It was rare and special in those days and almost unknown these days where your phone is smarter than a Tesla and all you have to do is press the button. So head to the Post Office and pay your respects to the greatest photographer ever.

Peter Butler was born in India and lived in a house facing a giant kapok tree. Growing up in England there were trees but never quite enough. After qualifying as biochemist there was a gradual evolution into being a graphic designer. He and his wife Deirdre moved to the States in 1997 and to Lyons in 2000. Finally there are enough trees.

Explore the color wheel and learn techniques such as glazing, layering, how to create texture, apply paint and more. Suzanne is excited to provide space for seniors to explore the passion and movement of this sometimes difficult medium. Come to one session or all three. Class is held in the basement at Walt Self. Parking available at Sandstone Park. This class is funded with a grant from the Lyons Community Foundation. The class is for seniors age 55 and up. Classes are held on the first Mondays of the month, June – August, 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. at Walter Self Senior Housing building, 335 Railroad Ave, use basement entrance on

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Monolith, the Face of Half Dome, April 10, 1927, by Ansel Adams.

Giving advice carries a responsibility

By John Gierach Redstone Review

LYONS – I’ve noticed lately that some of my friends my own age are beginning to act old. (For the record, I’m in my 70s.) For instance, they’ve begun to groan theatrically when they get out of any chair they’ve sat in for more than half and hour – something I’ve come to think of as a kind of geriatric karate yell. They fondly reminisce about the days when you could buy a gallon of gas for 25 cents, conveniently omitting the fact that at the time a halfway decent job only paid $2.50 an hour and full-sized cars got eight miles to the gallon. They complain among themselves about their myriad aches and pains, although it’s a matter of personal style whether they keep quiet about that around the youngsters or dial it up a few notches for effect.

I do all the same things, of course, which is how I know it’s mostly performative: a way of overplaying the role of geezer as hopeful irony. If you’re not there yet, I can tell you that when you’re in your 70s you’ll still feel like a teenager, only with wrinkles, a touch of arthritis, at least of few of the maladies that are inevitable when you’re past your evolutionary expiration date and a somewhat longer view of things.

This is all mostly half joking, but now and then reality reveals the half that’s not. Once I went to a podiatrist because my feet hurt and he said, “What do you expect?

You’ve been walking on them for 70 years.” The guy was 25 years younger than me and this is obviously his stock line with older folks, but it was all I could do to keep from slapping his face. The problem was eventually solved by a nice lady at a shoe store who explained that as you get older, you need wider shoes.

I’m talking about men here. Women are said to fear aging more – and for all I know that’s true – but they typically handle it with more grace and less buffoonery than we men do. They also live longer, which could have something to do with it.

I’m not sure what the socially acceptable stance on aging

is now. On one hand, we Baby Boomers are supposed to go kicking and screaming into old age with the aid of Viagra, plastic surgery, health food, Silver Sneakers gym memberships and sports cars, while on the other, the idea of growing old gracefully and becoming venerable hasn’t entirely gone out of fashion.

But either way, we find ourselves in an odd social paradox. With the exception of a few boy and girl geniuses, people our age pretty much rule the world – for better or worse. At the same time, many businesses have dumped us for a younger demographic; inexplicably walking away from an older, smarter market with more money in favor of a younger, dumber and poorer one. Many of the smartest and most successful people are in their 70s, but if you enter the workforce at that age, the best you can expect is to be a greeter at Walmart or work the night shift at 7-Eleven. Your opinions may or may not be more informed by the perspective of age, but you come to believe they are. For instance, it was easier to oppose the war in Iraq when you can remember 39,940 dead in Korea, only to arrive at the stalemate that still exists today, or the 58,193 who died in Vietnam before we finally shrugged and walked away as the French had done before us. And you might be angrier at the military/industrial complex that still has a stranglehold on our government and economy if you remember President Eisenhower warning us about it way back in 1961. Eventually you develop a healthy skepticism which you try to keep from tipping over into total dark cynicism. This is a losing battle for some of us, but still worth the effort, if only because younger people do occasionally ask for your

Lyons Library Lit Fest builds networks amongst authors, participants

By Kara Bauman Redstone Review

LYONS – The Lyons Library sincerely thanks everyone who came out for its first-ever Lyons Lit Fest. Adults and children alike joined in for a special storytime, complete with a puppet show by author Kaz Windness and illustrator Heather Brockman Lee.

The new Author Fair, also a big success, showcased over 20 local and regional authors who shared their stories with the community. Teens and tweens learned the art of graphic novel illustration with Stan Yan and wrote fairy tales with Leslie Vedder. Meanwhile, the Quiet Reading Room

transformed into a cozy coffee house and adults gathered for chats with Junior Burke and Laura Pritchett and enjoyed casual discussions about their writing.

The day wrapped up with two keynote speakers, literary agent Sara Megibow and local author and Mayor Pro Tem Paula Stone Williams. Megibow spoke with an engaged audience about the process of publishing and finding an agent, answered questions, and gave professional advice. Trustee Willams showed us all why she is a coveted speaker for corporations and conventions of all kinds. She shared powerful stories complete with eye-opening statistics and moving words about the power of storytelling.

Thanks again to everyone who joined us. If you missed out, stop by the library to check out books by all the amazing authors,

and we hope to see you next year.

Looking ahead, the Summer Reading program, Adventure Begins at Your Library, has a fantastic lineup of activities to keep those of all ages engaged and entertained all season long.

School-age kiddos in grades 2 through 7 are encouraged to register for a special Minecraft afternoon with our friends from Play-Well TEK on June 26 at 4 p.m. In a Minecraft world powered by LEGOs, we will build shelters to keep out Creepers, craft mystical items only true masters can wield, and perfect our crossbow skills to stop the Wither from taking over.

On July 9 at 4 p.m., join us for Kids’ Bilingual Yoga Adventure where we’ll practice kid-friendly yoga, mindfulness, breathing and share stories and songs. Bring your own mat or borrow one of ours. This yoga adventure is recommended for kids ages four through ten, and families are welcome.

Tweens and teens – those in grades 6 through 12 – have a slate of Thursday

afternoon programs headed their way, starting on June 20 at 4 p.m. with a Renaissance-themed escape room adventure. On June 27 at 4 p.m., we’re hosting an afternoon of retro summer camp crafts like tiedye, friendship bracelet making, pet rock painting, and more. Dress for a mess and meet by the stage in Sandstone Park. On July 11 at 4 p.m. teens are encouraged to try to outsmart their friends on questions about Marvel, Disney, and other movies new and old. Top teams will earn gift cards to local businesses and other fun prizes. Adults are invited to register with our friends at Vitalant to donate blood on June 27 between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Blood donations are always needed, but the summer months often bring a critical shortage; please consider donating.

Adults are also invited to an Eco Chic Fashion Showcase on July 13. Join us in spotlighting sustainable garments – upcycled wonders, second-hand treasures, and fashionably restyled pieces. We will have clothes, conversations, and everything to help you transform from a fast fashion trend follower to an eco-chic trendsetter. Doors open for preshow entertainment at 6:30 p.m. with the runway show starting at 7 p.m. If you would like to add “eco-chic model” to your resume, please reach out to the library staff to put you in touch with the show coordinators.

Adventure Begins at Your Library reading and activity logging continues through August 5 with opportunities for those of all ages to earn fun prizes.

Lyons Community Library opens at 10 a.m. Monday through Saturday and closes at 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 5 p.m. on Fridays, and 2 p.m. on Saturdays. Online catalog is available 24/7 at lyons. colibraries.org and we’re always open for digital downloads on the Libby, CloudLibrary, and Kanopy apps. Give us a call at 303-823-5165 or email info@lyonslibrary. com with any questions. Please see the calendar of events on our website for additional programs, program information, and registration instructions.

Author, illustrator, graphic novelist, caricature artist, and instructor, Stan Yan.

PHOTO BY ERILYN PATTERSON

Bauman

Gierach

CONSENSUS

LCF kicks off grant season and anticipates annual Hootenanny

By Rachel Pickarski, Gil Sparks, Cory Pierce and Ella Levy Redstone Review

LYONS – The Lyons Community Foundation (LCF) is excited to announce the 17th Annual Community support granting season. Applications for community support grants are available to all local non-profit organizations. Apply online starting August 1, with submissions due on September 6, 2024.

has awarded more than half a million dollars in grant awards. This year, $75,000 will be made available to deserving recipients.

LCF’s community support granting program focuses on our mission to improve the quality of life, build a culture of giving, and encourage positive change for the greater Lyons area. We connect people who care with the causes that matter.

To be eligible for our grants, you must be a non-profit organization in the greater Lyons area with 501(c)3 status or a sponsoring organization with 501(c)3 status, a government agency or local school.

These grants are available only once per year and must be applied for at this time. Electronic submissions are required; granting information and applications are available at lyonscf.org. Over the lifetime of the Community Support Grants program, LCF

In 2023, Community Support Grants totaled $50,000 and were awarded to 24 projects, including Lyons Emergency & Assistance Fund (LEAF) and the Lyons Food Pantry, the Town of Lyons Parks and Recreation: Sandstone Concert Series, Parade of Lights, Lyons Arts and Humanities Commission, Lyons Fire Fund, Lyons Elementary School, Lyons Booster Club, Lyons Backer Football Club Ltd, Greenwood Wildlife Rehabilitation Center, and Lyons Community Theater, to name a few. None of this work would continue without the dedication, inspiration and financial support of Lyons area citizens.

The Lyons Community Foundation would also like to introduce and welcome

Have you visited LEAF’s front porch?

By Lory Barton Redstone Review

LYONS – Happy summer time greetings from LEAF, Lyons Emergency & Assistance Fund.

While it’s true that we’ll have delightful outdoor spaces to share when we move to LEAF’s new location on Second Avenue this fall, I’m writing today about our Front Porch Summer Sampler of Free Wellness Offerings.

To us at LEAF, the Front Porch is the comfortable place where we start or end our day. It’s the welcoming place to gather with

friends or neighbors over a glass of lemonade. It’s our approach to coming together to foster connection, health, and compassion in our community this summer.

Based upon a wealth of feedback and requests, we have learned that local people are looking for comfortable, “safe,” and accessible ways to engage in healthy and fun wellness-related activities together. And as we typically endeavor to do, you asked, and we delivered.

Our team has developed relationships with a wide variety of local wellness leaders to bring a huge array of no-cost wellness offerings this season. We believe there’s something for everyone on LEAF’s Front

Rachel Pickarski to the LCF team. She is our new part-time Administrative and Outreach Consultant.

In 2018, she moved from the East Coast

she also holds a full-time position at the Colorado Press Association as the Colorado Media Partnerships Manager, focusing on creating and sustaining meaningful collaborations between media, local leaders, the education sector, and local communities to support and improve Colorado journalism for the communities it serves.

We are looking forward to having Rachel Pickarski work with LCF and its many donors and partners. She wants to begin engaging with the Lyons community and meeting as many residents as soon as possible, and is always available for a coffee and chat. Please reach out to her any time at rachel@lyonscf.org.

to Boulder and then decided to make the move to Lyons in August 2023. She was drawn to Lyons because of its strong, supportive, and close-knit community, along with access to the beautiful landscapes around Lyons and the surrounding area.

Quite naturally, she has a vision of making Lyons her permanent home. She has a strong desire to be proactively involved in the community and has a skill set that will allow her to thrive in Lyons with LCF and positively impact our community.

In addition to her part-time role for LCF,

Porch. Check out these free opportunities, then head to our website at leaflyons.org to learn more and easily sign up.

Spend time with horses: Hour long equine mindfulness and stress reduction with Jackie Hibbard, Equine Learning Coaching at Dancing Spirit, for ages 14+.

Forest bathing with Kim Hinzy, LCSW. Forest Bathing is a slow, progressive series of sensory invitations demonstrated to deepen one’s relationship with nature, decrease stress, and improve feelings of overall wellness. This immersive experience will allow you to connect with nature and each other. Participants will learn how to integrate the practice into their daily lives to foster an ongoing connection to increased wellness and self-care.

Grief work with Cherie Maureaux,

Lastly, get ready for the joint LCF and LEAF’s Fourth Annual Hootenanny at River Bend on August 25.

Both groups are excited to invite you to join their amazing sponsors in making this event a success. Your support is essential in keeping our community vibrant and thriving. With live music, dance performances, the rubber ducky race, local vendors, and trucks with tasty food, this is an event you won’t want to miss. Please reach out to Rachel Pickarski, rachel@lyonscf.org or Gil Sparks, gsparks@nwi.net to find out how to become a corporate sponsor or donate to our silent auction.

LPC, LAC. This oft-requested eight-week group is focused on supporting anyone through the grief process.

Art For Adults, with experienced Peer Recovery Leader and artist Kristin Frances. Create a community space where vulnerability and meaningful connection is celebrated. Practice mindfulness, positive self-talk, and self-reflection while creating and having fun. Prior art experience is absolutely not required. Our wish is that you can relax and have fun, while sharing and connecting in a safe and sober environment. Kid + Caregiver Art Pop Ups with Art Therapist Jennifer Jarrett, MAET, ATR Activities are designed around a theme for children in the age range of grades 1 to 6, including Emotional Identification and Regulation; Creativity and Critical Think-

Lyons Pride 2024 was held in Sandstone Park on June 15

By Jackie Hibbard Redstone Review

LYONS – Sandstone Park and Rock Garden at A-Lodge were filled with celebration, smiles, laughter and lots of love on Saturday, June 15 as Lyons celebrated its 4th Pridefest! This event is planned entirely by volunteers in our community with 4 adults and 5 teens working for months to produce the event. We celebrate that this is youth driven and an event that celebrates that you are perfect as you are and that love is love.

Mayor Hollie Rogin and Mayor Pro-Tem Paula Stone Williams both spoke and highlighted the importance of this event in our small town as we celebrate our diversity and the inclusion of all. Mayor Pro Tem Williams urged everyone who calls themselves an ally and those who identify as LGB to use their privilege in positive ways to support Transgender people who are increasingly facing discrimination, violence and hate filled bills in the political arena.

Two local youth also spoke with one thanking LGBTQ+ military service members, and another reading emotion-filled poetry that they wrote leaving many in the crowd with tears, goose bumps and lots of cheers. Several organizations serving youth in the community had information booths – LEAF, Lyons Community Library, Rocky Mountain Equality, Boulder County AIDS Project, OASOS, St Vrain Valley Safe Schools Coalition, RISE Against Suicide and Boulder Valley Health Center. Games, crafts, ice cream, cupcakes and rainbow themed giveaways were everywhere.

Music filled the park as well and was provided by Violet Wild (https://violetwildcollective.com/original-music) and Heart Tribe (https://hearttribemusic.com) and people danced and sang along.

And if this isn’t fun enough, the event moved over to the Rock Garden at A-Lodge for music by Marc Hut and then our featured All Ages Drag Show. Khloe Katz, Hunnie Bun and Wanda Prize entertained a screaming and appreciative crowd, many of whom stayed and danced with the entertainers after the show.

Thank you Lyons for showing up and celebrating and letting the youth of our community who identify as LGBTQ+ know they are seen and welcome. One adult told me that they grew up in Lyons and never felt seen or that they had a place here. The person was almost in tears as they expressed gratitude that this event exists.

Last year’s Pride event hosted about 350-400 people and was filled with people of all ages decked out in all their rainbow gear. It was heartwarming to see families, youth, and adults all celebrating and having fun together. This year

we hope to saw more people and soak in the love, support, and community that Lyons offers. This is why those of us who put this event on do this. We all belong here. Thank you for celebrating with us.

Special thanks to thanks Pinewood Fire Department for their presence to provide first aid and Deputy Schemel who provided security throughout the event.

Thank you to our sponsors: Rocky Mountain Equality, St Vrain Valley Safe Schools Coalition, Ashley Ahrens and Ellen Keene, Bryn Long, Town of Lyons. We are also grateful to Main Stage Brewing for hosting a Pride Kick-off Party and Rock Garden at A Lodge for hosting the Drag Show. Thank you to Marigold and the Harker Family for donating items for a silent auction fundraiser. This event would not happen without our dedicated volunteers who work with me for months – Grace Farrell, Jane Harker, Julia, Hutt Giulia Lorenz, Toby Liese, Bryn Long, Ellen Keane & Kim Mitchell. Want to help plan future events? Email lyonscopride@gmail.com.

Jackie Hibbard is a member of the local Pride Coilition, and worked on planning the Lyons Pride 2024 celebration.

Lyons Community Foundation and Lyons Emergency & Assistance Fund’s 2023 Hootenanny event. Shown here: LCF volunteers Sue Painter and Mystie Brackett at the LCF booth. PHOTO BY JOHN GOODELL, AUGUST 28, 2023

2023 Grant recipient, SimplyBee Conservations, Save the Bee program, creates a network of pollinator gardens that will provide food, shelter, and breeding grounds for bees and other pollinators. PHOTO BY ELLA LEVY, OCTOBER 11, 2023

Barton

ART & ENTERTAINMENT

LAHC has created a colorful world of art in Lyons

By Claudia Paterno Redstone Review

LYONS – Throughout the years, the Lyons Arts and Humanities Commission (LAHC) has curated a wonderful public art program. If you take the time to look around you will notice that the heARTS of LYONS an outdoor art collection – all over town, is in full swing.

Since the beginning of the year, we have placed these new pieces along Main Street and in other spots downtown. The heARTS of LYONS sculptures are on loan to the town for approximately two years before they are returned to the artist or sometimes sold.

We are pleased to have Arabesco in front of the Mayama movement studio.

Owners Jasmine Lok and Alli Kishiyama are sponsoring this sculpture for the next two years. It’s a perfect complement to their building and business.

Brian McCann has also stepped forward to sponsor Yin Yang by Colorado sculptor Sean Yarbrough. This spherical sculpture looks amazing lit up at night.

Local kinetic sculptor John King has his colorful Lollipop tree in front of the St. Vrain Market. Also, Days Catch by Shohini Gosh graces the southside of Main Street. This bronze sculpture depicts her son beaming with pride after a successful day fishing. Lastly, the two metal chairs, by Charlotte and Ben Zink, named Poisson and Mermaid, have been moved from the Lyons Library front porch back to their original spot at Main Street and Third Avenue. They were relocated after the fire happened. They have become a popular photo spot for travelers walking down Main Street. The heARTS of LYONS program will continue to bring new sculptures to town so keep your eyes peeled.

The LAHC is also working on a permanent sculpture of Lavern Johnson that will stand in the plot of land shared by the Historic Depot at Railroad Avenue and Colo. Hwy. 7. The Lavern Johnson Commemorative Sculpture Project is nearing completion and we are still happily accepting donations of any size. Please make checks payable to the LAHC with a special note of the LJ Sculpture donation. This beautiful life-sized bronze sculpture of our beloved town matriarch was created by artist Christine Knapp. We are grateful for Blue Mountain Stone who will be building out this sandstone plaza surrounding the sculpture. We will be hosting an unveiling on the evening of Wednesday, July 24 from 4:30 to 6 p.m. at the corner of Railroad Avenue

How to create an oasis for wildlife

By Cindy Leikam Redstone Review

LONGMONT – With all the bad news out there about endangered species, climate change, and other threats to biological diversity, it’s hard to imagine that there is anything that can be done to stop it.

However, small changes in outdoor spaces have significant impacts on the animals that share it. And one doesn’t have to own property to enact these wildlife gardening hacks. All of these ideas can be scaled back to fit a balcony, courtyard, or common outdoor space. Chat with your neighbors and convince the landlord or management company to implement some of these inexpensive strategies. Join the HOA board of directors to advocate for pollinator gardens and xeriscaping instead of grass in common areas. Not only will it benefit the urban wildlife and residents, but may also improve property value and save money. Who doesn’t love that?

and Hwy. 7, adjacent to Town Hall. Come down and join us before the Sandstone Concert.

Many of you might have noticed the Trail of Treaties sculpture of a native Ute that is resting atop of a moss rock plinth in Lavern Johnson Park. This is another LAHC permanent project in the works. This plinth marks the approximate location of one of the Ute Trails that started here as the natives were pushed east to the plains of Colorado and elsewhere. The LAHC believes it is important that we acknowledge that the town of Lyons is on the ancestral homelands and unceded territory of Indigenous Peoples who have lived in the Boulder Valley since time immemorial. We give thanks and believe that it is important to recognize this history. This Trail of Treaties sculpture will soon be accompanied by a bronze plaque and an interpretive sign in the coming year. Stay tuned for an unveiling and ceremonial celebration this spring.

The LAHC Tandem Art Show will be taking place on Wednesday, July 17 from 4:30 to 6 p.m. at both the Lyons Library and Town Hall. Kahlie Sue Pinello and Amanda Anderson will present their show, Living Dolls: Portraits of Paper Power and Play

We will have music by D’Lovelies plus food and beverages to enjoy. The Town Hall art show theme is Wild Things. Area artists of all ages and stages can deliver their ready-to-hang artwork on Friday, July 12 from 5 to 7 p.m. to be included in this show.

Our Creative Outlets program has selected a winner for 2024. We had over 20 submissions for the painting of an electrical box in Bohn Park. Keep a lookout for colorful trout making their way to an otherwise ordinary green electrical box.

The mission of the Lyons Arts and Humanities Commission (LAHC) is to nurture and celebrate the arts and culture of Lyons. Our commission of seven members is determined to support the arts in all forms whether it be sculptures, murals, music, theater or painted electrical boxes. We believe that public art makes Lyons better and more beautiful. This increases the economic liveliness of our community.

The LAHC has a lot of wonderful artistic expressions taking place all over Lyons. We thank the Town of Lyons and the LCF for its ongoing support.

Claudia Paterno is the chair of the Lyons Arts and Humanities Commission (LAHC). She lives in Lyons.

Find a natural alternative to chemical herbicides and avoid pesticides whenever possible. Simply switching to an eco-friendly herbicide prevents harmful run-off from entering the soil and water, and indirect effects on the wildlife that come in contact with it. There are many eco-friendly products out there, but not all are created equal, so read the label carefully. Homemade weed killer is a natural alternative that is inexpensive and safe in the environment. Just mix one gallon of white vinegar with one tablespoon of Dawn dish soap, and one cup of salt. Use a spray bottle to coat the leaves of unwanted plants. Repeat as needed. Check for nests dens before mowing or trimming trees. Rabbits aren’t the only critters that raise their young on the ground. Killdeer and Horned Larks also choose the tall grass to build a nest, expertly hidden from the untrained eye, often resulting in disturbed or destroyed nests. Mow slowly and keep eyes on the ground to avoid nesting birds. High above the ground in the safety of the limbs and trunks of mature trees, squirrels, raccoons, and many bird species raise their babies. Thoroughly checking before starting tree work or postponing until the late fall or winter can avoid unintentional accidents.

Continue Oasis on Page 14

LYONS – The Lyons Lions Club awarded scholarships to three outstanding seniors from Lyons High School at Awards Night on May 8. While many deserving candidates applied, the scholarship essays revealed special qualities of these three which set them apart.

Gabe Kelty wrote about a serious physical injury that he had suffered, and the shock of realization that came with it. He showed great courage in facing that injury and possibly greater courage in sharing his experience with the accompanying emotional issues and his embrace of art therapy in his recovery. Through it all, he admirably kept up with school work and participated in school sports and other activities.

Emma Johnson showed a great deal of empathy and maturity in her essay. She looked at the scholarship from the perspective of the Lions Club. She realized that the Lions Club members wanted to find awardees that they could trust to put the scholarship money to good use, and she indeed earned the trust of the scholarship committee.

Camden Paznokas showed a remarkable amount of forethought and planning in his description of how he wanted his college career to progress. He showed a lot of passion for what he wants to study and a good understanding of what his chosen schools have to offer. The Lions Club members were honored to provide some help to these wonderful young people and wish them all the best.

Historic Win

By Sally King Redstone Review

Mexico just elected their first woman president in their 200 year history, Claudia Sheinbaum is President.

She has a PhD in energy engineering and won the Nobel Peace Prize.

In the happy photo of her winning the election Her arms are reaching toward us - inclusively. There is real joy in this victory and potential. We might just get to see Mexico blossoming Showing us all how it’s done.

So much of our shared future relies on our energy choices

Clean energy, decarbonization, boosting renewables, combined with knowledgeable leadership.

Inclusion

Convergence

Transpersonal (getting out of yourself)

Lyons had a gathering of women themed, The Convergence.

A naturally occurring flowing into.

An energy- untapped and infinite.

Congratulations President Sheinbaum, It turns out, Mexican girls can grow up to be President.

Sally King is a local artist who believes it’s imperative that each of us pop our head up out of the collective trace, to bring through our creative gifts. You can find her on her blog and website, hersoupot.net and sallywhiteking.com or email sallywhiteking@live.com.

Photo left to right: Emma Johnson, Camden Paznokas, and Gabe Kelty.

Advice for a safe summer from Lyons Fire Protection District

Pischke

By Steve Pischke Redstone Review

LYONS – Lyons Fire held its third chipping event Memorial Day weekend, and it was again well received by the community. Thanks to a grant from Boulder County, Lyons Fire has been able to hold a total of four events that allow residents of the fire district the opportunity to drop off slash up to six inches in size, which gets chipped on site and hauled away.

The Memorial Day weekend event saw 73 vehicles of all sizes come through to drop off slash from their homes. Lyons Fire hopes this type of an event will encourage people to work on their properties to eliminate vegetation products, an effort that can help stop the further spread of fire should one enter or occur on the property.

Lyons Fire will hold one more event later this fall, and encourages everyone to work through the summer to either begin or complete additional mitigation. For additional information and tips on creating a fire safe property, please contact Lyons Fire at wildlandmitigation@lyonsfire.org.

It’s that time of the year when we get out in force and cook our food on a grill. Lyons Fire reminds our citizens of a few safety tips for this grilling season:

1. Use grills outdoors only. Propane and charcoal barbecue grills should only be used outdoors. This helps prevent fire hazards and carbon monoxide poisoning.

2. Keep children and pets safe. Keep children and pets at least three feet away from any grilling operations. This minimizes the risk of accidental burns or injuries.

3. Keep your grill clean. Clean it at the beginning of summer and halfway through the summer. Make sure that all grease is kept free from the barbecue and surfaces. Regular cleaning prevents grease fires and ensures your grill operates efficiently.

4. Refill your propane tank safely. Refilling your own propane tanks can be hazardous. Don’t try to refill your own propane tanks. Instead, trade them in for new ones. This reduces the risk of improper handling and potential explosions.

5. Dispose used charcoal safely. If you’re using charcoal briquettes, make sure they cool completely and dispose of them in a metal container far away from combustible surfaces, buildings, and decks.

Researchers discover underground secret to Castle Rock’s longevity

By Chase McCleary, Rocky Mountain PBS Redstone Review

CASTLE ROCK – High atop one of Castle Rock’s many green hills stands the town’s eponymous Castle Rock. The rock formation looms over the Outlets, open spaces, and the growing residential community of the city.

The stone stronghold, which is comprised of a number of different types of rocks and minerals, has fended off erosion for centuries, leading scientists to ask: how has Castle Rock held its shape?

The answer, recently uncovered by research associates from the Denver Museum of Nature and Science, makes the storybook castle sound even more like something from a fairytale. Researchers attribute the castle’s exceptional durability to the presence of microscopic amounts of opal, the precious gemstone often used in jewelry, which was discovered throughout the Castle Rock conglomerate in 2023.

“They’ve got a beautiful color to them . . . when light hits it, you get that sheen, a rainbow of colors,” said Dr. James Hagadorn. “That’s the type of stuff that’s gluing together our own Castle Rock.”

Deep in the bowels of the Denver Museum of Nature and Science – 55 feet, to be more exact – Hagadorn held a palm-sized sample of Australian opal, gleaming like a crystalline rainbow in the museum’s fluorescent storage room.

An array of rock samples fills the room from floor to ceiling, most of which are organized into a large, white shelves. The low hum of an enormous humidistat, a humidity-controlling device needed to preserve the rock samples, spreads throughout the room. Each shelf weighs several tons.

Dr. Hagadorn, a geologist from the Denver Museum of Nature and Science, is one of a team of researchers who dug into Castle Rock’s make-up. The project began, according to Hagadorn, when Dr. Mark Longman, a research associate at the museum, was hiking through Castlewood Canyon State Park and grew curious about the geological make-

up of the surrounding bluffs.

Dr. Longman knew that the bluffs were constructed of conglomerate rock, a type of sedimentary rock formed through the combination of various other rock fragments. These fragments are held together by what geologists call the matrix, or cement: binding agents commonly made up of some combination of silica, calcite or iron oxides. Conglomerate rocks make up many of the cliffs across areas south of Denver, explained Hagadorn, though those found in Castle Rock are specifically named “Castle Rock Conglomerates,” for which the town is named.

Dr. Longman knew that these conglomerate rocks tend to be particularly erosive, leading him to question how some – such as the bluffs or structures like Castle Rock – were so durable in the face of tough Colorado elements.

“Typically, that kind of rock gets broken down by wind, by rain . . . ” said Hagadorn, “but in this case, those rocks are so hard, you can actually use them as building stone.”

That’s when Longman tapped Hagadorn and museum research associate Joan Burleson to begin taking samples of Castle Rock Conglomerates for closer inspection.

They conducted petrographic examinations (the precise examination and classification of rocks), using a specialized light microscope with magnifications as high as 400x to study wafer-thin sections of the rock. Some were as thin as a few human hairs, according to Hagadorn.

The team’s microscopic discoveries were as surprising as they were exciting.

“Turns out that the reason this rock is as hard as most concrete is because it’s glued together with a very special cement,” said Dr. Hagadorn. “That cement is a mineral you probably call opal. Geologists might call that chalcedony (pronounced KAL-sə-dohnee, a cryptocrystalline quartz).”

Opals come in many forms, and are most renowned for their intricate, swirling color patterns. They are most commonly found in Australia (and are Australia’s national gemstone). They’re featured in jewelry pieces

6. Check for propane leaks. Before using a new propane tank inspect the hose for leaks. Take some soapy water, clean off the hose, and see if there are any leaks. If you have a newer grill, it’s probably a non-issue, but if it’s been a few years, it’s a good precaution.

7. Respond to leaks. If you smell any leaks or hear any hissing noises, immediately shut off your propane container, disconnect it from the barbecue, and get it away from any homes, structures, or anything that’s combustible like decks.

8. For those living in buildings that house more than one or two families, Lyons Fire recommends checking with landlords and lease agreements regarding barbecue use. If your facility is not equipped with fire sprinklers, ensure that you do not operate barbecues near any combustible surfaces or decks.

Steve Pischke is the Assistant Fire Chief at Lyons Fire Protection District.

across the world.

This opal and chalcedony (also known as agate) act as a sort of rind, encasing the various grains and pebbles in the conglomerate. They are harder than most concrete, ensuring that the butte and mesa structures like Castle Rock remain despite abrasive Colorado weather conditions. Some might ask, “How did this opal originally form, and are all of Colorado’s mountains filled with opal?”

The unfortunate answer is no: only some of Colorado’s buttes, mesas, and other geological structures consist of opal and chalcedony conglomerates. These formations came to be thanks to very specific conditions. About 36 million years ago, dramatic volcanic activity sprayed volcanic ash and debris across the state, including present-day Castle Rock.

“That volcanic rock is rich the element silica. And that silica, when rain percolates down through the rocks, gets dissolved, and then it migrates with the groundwater into adjacent spaces,” said Hagadorn, “and particularly (in) rocks with lots of holes in them, like conglomerates.”

These silica-rich rocks are known as the “Wall Mountain Tuff.” As water continued to seep through small pockets of the Wall Mountain Tuff, it gradually dissolved some of the silica-rich materials. These were transported into the conglomerates, which then precipitated as opal.

Precipitation in this context refers to the process of dissolved materials coming out of water. Everyday examples include the grime on the rings of a bathtub left behind by dirty water, or the salt left on the shores of the Great Salt Lake or the Dead Sea, said Hagadorn. Over millions of years as surrounding land gradually eroded due to rivers and streams, these incredibly solid, cemented chunks of conglomerate rock stood strong, eventually forming the standalone islands evident in the buttes and mesas today. The question for the researchers remains, “Why aren’t these opal and chalcedony conglomerates everywhere today?”

It turns out that the conditions needed to form such conglomerates are quite rare.

“That is sort of like Goldilocks and the Three Continue Castle Rock on Page 12

Dark skies show the wonders of the Milky Way Galaxy

By Staff Reports Redstone Review

CRESTONE – “It’s a dark place,” said Mike Pach, owner of 3 Peaks Photography. “It’s very rewarding for me to show someone the Milky Way for the first time while they’re participating in one of my workshops. One of the things I like most about photographing the night sky is witnessing the transitions from sunset to complete darkness through sunrise.

“The term ‘nyctophilia’ means that you enjoy the night and feel at peace in the dark. I certainly would describe myself as a nyctophile since I feel a sense of calmness under a starry sky as I connect with the energy around me. I encourage my workshop students to take time away from their cameras so they can fully appreciate the beauty of the night sky.”

As the population of Colorado grows, the light emitting from streetlights, office buildings and other human-built structures have caused darkness at night to be depleted at a rate of 9.6 percent each year.

“As starry night skies are becoming increasingly rare with population growth and exponential use of artificial

light at night, DarkSky Colorado is working harder than ever with communities and places around the state to encourage responsible use of outdoor lighting to protect our natural environment and improve public health and safety,” said Dani Robben, Chair of the DarkSky Colorado Board of Directors.

A 2016 study published in the open access journal Science Advances reported that 80 percent of the world’s population lives under light-polluted skies. In the U.S., that number increases to 99 percent, and 80 percent of Americans cannot see the Milky Way.

Coloradans are lucky; most residents can see the Milky Way or are within an hour’s drive of witnessing the swirling, colorful core of Earth’s galaxy. That can only happen, however, by protecting the darkness of the night.

“It can be a lot of fun to explore at night,” said Dawn Wilson, owner of Dawn Wilson Photography. “With the growing number of people on Colorado’s trails during the day, discovering the outdoors at night in search of eye-catching scenes under a sky full of stars, meteors and the Milky Way has given me a new way to witness the beauty of Colorado. The unexpected moments with wildlife in the dark have

been quite exceptional too.”

DarkSky International has certified 15 locations in Colorado as International Dark Sky Places (IDSPs), including ten parks and five communities. From Jackson Lake State Park in northeast Colorado — and the only Dark Sky Park east of U.S. Interstate 25 — to Ridgway in southwest Colorado, there are a wide variety of destinations to explore the night sky.

DarkSky Colorado continues to help dark sky places across the state advance strategies to become dark-sky certified and enhance visitor experiences through the Colorado Dark Sky Certification Mentor Program in collaboration with the Colorado Tourism Office. For more information about dark skies in Colorado, visit https://darkskycolorado.org.

DarkSky Colorado is the only statewide nonprofit in Colorado dedicated solely to restoring the natural nighttime environment and protecting communities and wildlife from the harmful effects of light pollution.

Mike Pach, owner of 3 Peaks Photography and Design, is an internationally known, award-winning photographer, speaker and author with more than 40 years of experience in photography.

Dawn Wilson is the outdoor reporter for the Estes Park Trail-Gazette and has produced content for more than 800 articles in regional and national publications. She guides in Rocky Mountain National Park.

The Milky Way stretches over Crestone Peak and the Sangre de Cristo Range in southern Colorado where the town of Crestone is a certified Dark Sky Community.

PHOTO BY DAWN WILSON PHOTOGRAPHY

Ambulance Continued from Page 2

staff of LFPD who worked so diligently to bring this project to fruition. Everyone is super excited for this new service. Well done all.

Lyons Fire’s annual Pancake Breakfast is coming up, June 29 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Please come support your local firefighters and paramedics, and have breakfast with us at the Firehouse No. 1 at 251 Broadway St. in Lyons. Our friends the Poudre Valley Playboys will be providing music as well. The Lyons Fire Fund will be sponsoring a silent auction and the kids can check out all the big red trucks.

It’s that time of year again, our staff is recertifying in swiftwater rescue and keeping an eye on the cfs/flow of the St. Vrain. If you do play in the water, please do so safely. And we’ve renewed our wildland firefighters’ qualifications for another season, with fingers crossed that it stays as green as it is today.

Our Wildland team headed up by Chief Pischke, and Lyons locals Nicole and Rich Palestro are working on updating the wildfire protection plan, hiring seasonal staff for potential resource deployment, and providing training to Lyons and neighboring agencies. Our nine newest volunteers are training and orienting to their new roles quite nicely, and we are grateful to have them with us.

We’re also taking on a new role as an EMS educational center, thanks to the work of Richard O’Neil, one of our medics and newly appointed EMS Officer. We will be hosting our first offering, a class for first responders who want to be qualified to administer IV/IO therapies.

I think that’s all for now, But I do want to give a shout out to local resident Johanna Zeh, who volunteers in the admin office for the Lyons Fire District. She has been doing some pretty mundane work, digitizing old records and helping reorganize things. And she’s been just fantastic. She also spearheads most of the Lyons Fire Fund activities. She is such an asset.

Rob Stumpf, EFO, CFO, is the Fire Chief for the Lyons Fire Protection District. His office is at 251 Broadway in Lyons. He can be reached at chief@lyonsfire.org.

Lit Fest Continued from Page 7

On July 9 at 4 p.m., join us for Kids’ Bilingual Yoga Adventure where we’ll practice kid-friendly yoga, mindfulness, breathing and share stories and songs. Bring your own mat or borrow one of ours. This yoga adventure is recommended for kids ages four through ten, and families are welcome. Tweens and teens – those in grades 6 through 12 – have a slate of Thursday afternoon programs headed their way, starting on June 20 at 4 p.m. with a Renaissance-themed escape room adventure. On June 27 at 4 p.m., we’re hosting an afternoon of retro summer camp crafts like tie-dye, friendship bracelet making, pet rock painting, and more. Dress for a mess and meet by the stage in Sandstone Park. On July 11 at 4 p.m. teens are encouraged to try to outsmart their friends on questions about Marvel, Disney, and other movies new and old. Top teams will earn gift cards to local businesses and other fun prizes.

Adults are invited to register with our friends at Vitalant to donate blood on June 27 between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Blood donations are always needed, but the summer months often bring a critical shortage; please consider donating.

Adults are also invited to an Eco Chic Fashion Showcase on July 13. Join us in spotlighting sustainable garments –upcycled wonders, second-hand treasures, and fashionably restyled pieces. We will have clothes, conversations, and everything to help you transform from a fast fashion trend follower to an eco-chic trendsetter. Doors open for preshow entertainment at 6:30 p.m. with the runway show starting at 7 p.m. If you would like to add “eco-chic model” to your resume, please reach out to the library staff to put you in touch with the show coordinators.

Adventure Begins at Your Library reading and activity logging continues through August 5 with opportunities for those of all ages to earn fun prizes.

Lyons Community Library opens at 10 a.m. Monday through Saturday and closes at 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 5 p.m. on Fridays, and 2 p.m. on Saturdays. Online catalog is available 24/7 at lyons.colibraries.org and we’re always open for digital downloads on the Libby, CloudLibrary, and Kanopy apps. Give us a call at 303-823-5165 or email info@ lyonslibrary.com with any questions. Please see the calendar of events on our website for additional programs, program information, and registration instructions.

Kara Bauman is the Director of the Lyons Community Library and holds an MLIS from the University of Kentucky. She’s an avid fly angler, enjoys craft beer, and travels extensively to see her favorite band, Widespread Panic.

Advice Continued from Page 7

advice, and bitterness is rarely helpful. These folks are usually in their 20s or 30s: the age when you begin to see the long haul stretching out of sight in front of you and when the first blushes of adulthood (being of legal drinking age with your own job and car) have begun to seem a little mundane, if not an actual dead end.

I don’t remember when I first went to an older person for advice or even who it was, but I remember the epiphany that made it possible. Jerry Rubin, the radical 1960s activist who famously said, “Never trust anyone over 30,” had himself turned 30, and at the end of the CBS Evening News that night, then-anchor Walter Cronkite wished him a happy birthday with a nearly straight face.

I felt a sympathetic sting for Rubin at the time and still do. Writers are all too familiar with having something they once said, and meant, coming back to haunt them years later. “It seemed true at the time” is the only valid defense. When I’m asked for advice now it’s almost always about

Bears. It’s just the right situation where you have huge sources of silica sitting right underneath a very porous rock in a place that at the time these rocks were deposited, was basically a tropical rainforest and raining like crazy all the time,” said Hagadorn.

The team’s findings were featured in The Mountain Geologist and can be referenced on archive sites like ResearchGate. Looking ahead, Hagadorn hopes their work will inspire geologists to continue marveling at the incredible geology of Colorado.

However, he notes that the trace amounts of opal present in these conglomerates are so microscopic that anyone thinking about opal-hunting should use their time more wisely.

Dr. Hagadorn also stressed that in many protected areas, collecting rocks is prohibited. Anyone interested in learning more or studying rocks is welcome to reach out to organiza-

B R I E F S

back side of building. Classes are free. To reserve a space contact Lisa Ramsey: lramsey@townoflyons.com or 303823-6622 x30.

Special book club: Kristen Iversen discusses her book Full Body Burden

LYONS – A special Lyons Book Club meeting is scheduled for Thursday June 20th at 7 p.m. at the Lyons Library, 451 4th Ave. in Lyons.

The book (one of five she’s written) she will discuss that night is Full Body Burden: Growing Up In the Shadow of a Secret Nuclear Facility.

The evening’s host, Cheryl Appell, has arranged for the author to tell her “true story” about growing up near Rocky Flats Nuclear Weapons Plant just south of Boulder. Be sure to watch for a documentary of this book, being released this summer.

This book group, formed 35 years ago, is holding an open meeting in the Lyons library in hopes of welcoming people who have read the book, were involved in the work done there, participated in protests and/or wish to become informed about the history of and the current state of the Rocky Flats facilities and property.

The Department of Energy is currently investing billions of dollars to restart plutonium “trigger” production, formerly done at Rocky Flats, in New Mexico and South Carolina. Now is the time to learn about this, so we are knowledgeable and ready to engage in our nuclear future. For more information contact Cheryl Appell 303-949-0764.

Program to allow people to age in place offered to local residents

Travels with Redstone

Beau Chilson at the UC Santa Cruz student encampment, advocating for peace between Gaza and Israel. Leading this movement reflects his commitment to good causes. Beau is not only organizing the UCSC camp but also negotiating with Cabrillo College and local businesses for support. Take the Redstone with you on your next trip and send us your photos showing where the Redstone has traveled. Send your photos to redstarnews5@gmail.com.

writing because that’s what I’ve done for most of my adult life. I want to believe it’s because they think I’m good, although in most cases it’s just because I’m the only writer they know. If the truth were known, they’d probably rather ask Tom McGuane.

Most questions are surprisingly mundane, tending toward the nuts and bolts. I once spoke to the graduate level seminar on essay writing and was prepared with all sorts of lofty ideas about theory, but all any of them wanted to know was, “How do you sell a story?”

Still, being asked for advice about anything is a rare compliment and a huge responsibility. It’s no time for joking or preening and it’s definitely time to drop the geezer act. The cards are on the table and whatever specific question someone asks, what they really want to know is, Did you sleepwalk through the last 70 years, or did you actually learn something?

tions such as the Denver Museum of Nature and Science.

As he pulled the curtain on the shelves loaded with muti-colored samples, Dr. Hagadorn said that many rocks in Colorado have yet to be scrutinized under a microscopic lens. He looks forward to a future of more geological discoveries such as this, and he is optimistic that Colorado is an ideal place to start.

“Colorado is one of the coolest places to be a scientist, especially a geologist,” he said, “and that’s because we’ve got the Rocky Mountains lifting up the tiramisu of Earth history right up next to us here. So there’s a lot of opportunities for discoveries. Maybe they’ll be made by us, maybe they’ll be made by you or someone else in our community.”

Chase McCleary is a multimedia journalist at Rocky Mountain PBS. Contact him at Chasemccleary@rmpbs.org.

LYONS – CAPABLE (Community Aging in Place-Advancing Better Living for Elders) is a program of the Colorado Visiting Nurses Association. Which is now available locally. Its Goal is to increase mobility, function and empower individuals to age in place. Services includes home visits from an Occupational Therapist (OT), Registered Nurse and handy worker (minor home modifications coordination with the OT to address safety needs). Qualifications include being 18 years old and older (Health First/Colorado Medicaid member), 60 years and older for other funding, have difficulty performing at least one activity of daily living such as dressing, bathing, hygiene or difficulty with 2 or more instrumental activities of daily living such as housework, medication management, meal preparation, financial management, ability to problem solve. The contact for information or to see if you qualify, go to CAPABLE@vnacolorado.org or call 303-698-6302. Kay Sparks is the chair of Housing and Human Services, HHS. Cemex awards 4 scholarships

LYONS – Earlier this month, the Cemex Lyons cement plant, through the St. Vrain Valley Schools Education Foundation, provided scholarships to four students from St. Vrain Valley Schools.

Cemex provided four scholarships through the St. Vrain Valley Schools Education Foundation to students planning to pursue trade or vocational fields. As part of building a better future for the communities it serves, Cemex is committed to education and employability programs such the opportunities offered through these scholarships.

Cemex Trade Scholarships with the St. Vrain Valley Schools Education Foundation ($1,000 each). The scholarships were given out to the following students:

Joshua Fischer, Erie High, Construction Manager Major at Colorado State University or Grand Canyon University.

Continue Briefs on Page 14

Castle Rock Continued from Page 10

WHAT’S COOKIN’

Fennel makes a great summer dish hot or cold

By Barbara Shark Redstone Review

LYONS – Time to try something new with fennel, an often overlooked vegetable. I’ve been a fan for a long time and use it in salads, tomato sauces and on its own, baked with olive oil and parmesan. Many folks think they won’t like the anise flavor but when prepared in these recipes, that taste is mellowed and the fennel becomes tender and delicious or crisp and refreshing.

This classic Italian baked dish is a succulent preparation and we always wish I had made more. It makes a nice accompaniment to a roasted chicken or grilled fish, or as a main dish with a farro or brown rice pilaf.

Baked Fennel

Prepare a large fennel bulb by cutting off the top stalks and a thin slice off the bottom.

Trim any brown spots. Cut from the top down into quarter-inch slices, to make a lyre shape. No need to remove the core.

Save the feathery bits of frond for a garnish. Arrange the slices, like shingles slightly overlapping, in an oiled baking dish.

Sprinkle with a tablespoon of olive oil, a little salt and pepper, and four tablespoons of grated parmesan. Cover with foil and bake at 375 degrees for 30 minutes or until tender. Uncover for the last ten minutes to brown a little. Garnish with the chopped fennel fronds. Enough for two.

Fennel Salad

Slice a head of fennel very thinly with a mandolin, the slicing blade of a Cuisinart or using your knife skills. Put it in a sieve or colander and lightly salt. Let it drain for half an hour, then dry in a kitchen towel. Combine in the salad bowl three cups of arugula, radicchio or sturdy salad greens, the fennel and a half cup of shaved or grated parmesan. Dress with two tablespoons olive oil and a couple teaspoons of lemon juice. Toss and season to taste with salt and pepper. Serves three or four.

Barbara Shark is an artist and author of How I Learned to Cook, an Artist’s Life. She lives near Lyons, Colorado. For more recipes, read her blog - www.howilearnedtocookanartistslife.blog

Yeung Man’s Vegan vegetable rolls – simple and fresh flavor fusion

By Catherine Metzger Redstone Review

LYONS – Searching across YouTube food videos can turn up some unexpected finds. In the spirit of recipe adventuring, I came across Wil, of Yeung Man Cooking (@ yeungmancooking). Wil isn’t a chef or a food expert, but he so happens to have a dynamite recipe for vegan spring rolls that I tried, found delicious and which I’d like to share with you. Last time I dove into spring rolls they included shrimp. But, these rolls are vegan, entirely plant based, and made with julienned vegetables, hemp hearts, garbanzo beans, basil and mint dipped into a tangy tahini sauce. This is a great cold dish to jazz up your summer plantings.

Ingredients:

One package of 22cm rice paper wraps: Pour cold water onto plate and soak the rice paper pieces individually for approximately ten seconds. You want it to be soft but not too soft.

Prepare the filling:

In a large mixing bowl mix together:

90 g water cress, roughly chopped

25g fresh basil, remove stems, chop

25g fresh mint, remove stems, chop

1/4 cucumber, cut into matchsticks

1/2 carrot, sliced into thin matchsticks

1/2 red bell pepper, thinly sliced

1/4 red onion, thinly sliced (or I used sweet onion)

30 g purple cabbage, thinly sliced (I used green cabbage)

1 green chili, thinly sliced (remove seeds before slicing)

200g cherry tomatoes, roughly chopped

1/2 can garbanzo beans, drained and rinsed

25g alfalfa sprouts

¼ cup hemp hearts

1 avocado, cubed `

For the sauce:

In a small bowl, mix together: 1/2 c tahini

1 tbs Dijon mustard

1/4 c lemon juice

1 1/2 tbsp soy sauce

1 tbsp maple syrup

1 tbsp Chili paste

Whisk together to combine. Thin with a bit of hot water if it’s too thick.

Lay a single piece of rice

on

cutting board, fill, roll and close. Make sure that the rolls do not touch each other on the serving platter as they will stick together. Serve immediately or store for a day or two in the refrigerator.

Catherine Ripley Metzger has been cooking professionally and privately since 1979. She was a French cuisine journeyman at the celebrated Henri d’Afrique restaurant in Old Town Alexandria, Virginia. Today she is the proprietor of the food blog www.foodfortheages.com and cooks with curiosity from the ground up in her log cabin home on the Western Slope of Colorado.

Yeung Man’s Vegan Vegetable Rolls Serves eight, preparation time is 40 minutes.

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Bird baths are a fun way to help birds and squirrels through the lean months, or all year long, and can be scaled to accommodate a small outdoor space. Add some potted native flowers to attract hummingbirds and pollinators, and a small, colorful pollinator house for native bees and insects to transform a boring balcony into an oasis for wildlife. UV-reflecting decals on windows can prevent birds from flying into the reflections in the glass.

Plant native trees, grasses, flowers, and shrubs in pots in small spaces, or incorporate into the natural landscape. Native plants provide food and shelter for wildlife, and they need less water in our arid climate, which equals savings on water bills. Trees provide shade that cools the ground, and when planted strategically around dwellings can reduce

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ing; Empathy and Friendship Skills; and Problem Solving and Decision Making.

Nature-Based Wellness with nature-specialized therapist Roslynn Regnery, LPC. Themes of stress reduction, strengthening confidence and self-esteem, building emotional intelligence, and reinforcing meaningful relationship skills are interwoven through each group. For ages 20+. The group will meet in local natural and wild areas.

Lyons Second Line. Therapeutic drumming with local musician Ian Brighton. The goals of this group are to have fun together, experience the therapeutic power of drumming, and to march in this year’s Spooktacular Parade and the Parade of Lights.

Coping With Chronic Pain with Linda Scott, LPCC. This ten-week series is for anyone living with chronic pain, facilitated by Linda Scott, LPCC.

Recovery Support with James Hart, CAS III. This ongoing group is for anyone who wants to get or stay sober from alcohol or other substances. It meets on Mondays at beautiful River Bend.

Summer Art Camp #2 with Jennifer Jarrett, MAET, ATR. Our first art camp for kids was such a success, we’ve scheduled another one for August, for kids grades 1 through 6.

In addition to all of these community offerings, local individual support with

Whimsical Art

By Sally King Redstone Review

LYONS – Ann Hall is a local artist whose whimsical creations are seen every year at the Bluegrass Festival at the Planet. These two, bobble headed creatures, the elephant and the donkey representing the political parties in this election year, are making their debut this year and we would be wise to emulate their comradery. As Ann said,” There used to be conversation and space for differing views about government before it turned into this bickering, poking fingers at each other. So, when a coworker asked Ann to work with the idea of, “taking seats not sides” a charming elephant wearing love pants and his friend the kind donkey came into being. “Taking seats not sides”.

Sally King is a local artist who believes it’s imperative that each of us pop our head up out of the collective trace, to bring through our creative gifts. You can find her on her blog and website, hersoupot.net and sallywhiteking.com or email sallywhiteking@live.com.

energy bills in all seasons. Rows of evergreens planted on the north side buffer the cold winter winds, while leafy deciduous trees on the south and west side provide shade from the sweltering and intense heat of the hot Colorado summer sun.

Cover window wells, exterior vents, and chimneys to prevent unwanted dens and nests. Many critters are attracted to the small, dark, protected openings because of the warmth and safety offered to their offspring. Most nesting birds are protected under state law and the Federal Migratory Bird Act. Once the eggs are laid, it is illegal to move a nest. It’s much easier to prevent nest building by covering entry with mesh covers, and sealing off cracks and gaps along the exterior of the dwelling. Window wells are a common hazard for young critters like bunnies, fledgling birds, raccoons, and foxes, out exploring the world for the first time. Unaware

licensed, trauma-informed therapists is available for youth or adults. We can offer male or female therapists who live locally or outside of Lyons. Free consultation for individual services and assessments for services.

We accept Medicaid, Medicare, and most private insurance. A generous sliding scale is available for people who do not carry insurance coverage.

And coming this fall, Strengthening Families . This offering is in response to requests for family and parenting support. Strengthening families is a therapist-led, evidence-based family skills training program. Parents and youth attend weekly classes together, learning both parenting and youth life skills. They’ll meet separately for the first hour, followed by family practice together in the second hour. The group will eat dinner together each week, and child care will be provided for younger kids whose older siblings and parents are involved in the group. This opportunity will be offered free of charge, too. Be on the lookout for more information.

Regarding suicide education and prevention support that we promised to deliver,

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Jack Johann, Lyons Middle Senior High, Construction Manager Major at Colorado State University. Piper Morison, Longmont High, Engineering Major at CU Boulder or Colorado School of Mines. Gage Oyler, Erie High, Engineering Major at Colorado School of Mines.

Cemex receives a Safety Performance Award

LYONS – Last week Cemex’s Lyons cement plant received the Portland Cement Association (PCA) 2024 Chairman’s Safety Performance Award, which is awarded to the top 10 percent of cement plants nationwide for those that demonstrate exceptional safety performance. Recipients are selected based on quantitative data recorded by the Mine Safety and Health Administration.

Since Cemex opened its Lyons plant in 1969, accident prevention, safeguarding employee health and environmental protection has and continues to be an integral part of Cemex’s business philosophy. By prioritizing safety, Cemex paves the way for a world where innovation and wellbeing go hand in hand, ensuring that its strides forward do not come at the cost of the team.

“We’re honored to receive this award from PCA, which recognizes our commitment to safety,” says Nelson Anderson, Cemex Health & Safety Manager – Lyons Cement Plant. “Safety is not just a priority, it’s our core value.”

Help eradicate Myrtle Spurge a noxious weed

LYONS – It appears the Myrtle Spurge is having a very good spring and property owners are going to have some extra yard work to do. The town will be focused on its elimination this spring and will be giving notice to properties that contain this Class A Noxious Weed that the state requires be removed. Property owners will be given 15 days to remove the Spurge or the first fine will be $75. Let’s all do our part to eradicate myrtle spurge.

of the danger, they fall in and are too small to find their way out. There are many types of window well and vent covers to fit any opening and can be purchased at any local hardware store or online.

Creating a wildlife oasis can be easy and inexpensive, and can make a significant impact on increasing local biodiversity. Any space, large or small, can be converted into beautiful areas that benefit humans and wildlife. Reduced water use, increased pollinator and bird populations, money saved on heating and cooling, added property value, and improved mental health are just a few of the benefits of creating natural spaces in urban environments.

Cindy Leikam is an intern for Greenwood Wildlife Rehabilitation Center, on Colorado Hwy. 66 east of Lyons.

nearly 50 individuals attended the two QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer) trainings that we offered in partnership with Mental Health Partners. This is an incredible outcome, to have so many caring and committed individuals who now know what to look for and how to help when someone is in mental health crisis.

We’ll offer a more in-depth training soon for those who are interested, and we have asked our newly trained allies to help us determine next steps as we continue, together, to provide valuable support for the community. I send many thanks to our core team, Ellen Keane, Kim Hinzy, and Cherie Maureaux, for all of their efforts to bring these resources to Lyons. If you or someone you know is struggling with a mental health crisis, you can find a list of resources right at

the top of our website at leaflyons.org. Finally, if you’ve been watching our new property at 304 Second Avenue take shape, you know that we’re making terrific progress. Our plan is to move in this fall. These are exciting times at LEAF for Lyons, and this new location will create healthy new opportunities for everyone. We are closing in on our financial goal for project completion and expect to approach the community for the final financial push later this summer. We can do this together.

Help preserve LaVern Johnson’s legacy Fundraising efforts are underway to install Christina Knapp’s sculpture of LaVern near the corner of Railroad Avenue and Hwy. 7 on the historic Lyons Depot property.

The public unveiling celebration will be on Wednesday July 24, from 4:30 to 6 p.m. before the Sandstone Summer Concert, the day after what would have been LaVern’s 97th birthday.

Thanks to: The Johnson/McConnell Family; Local sculptor Christina Knapp; Blue Mountain Stone Quarry; and The Town of Lyons.

All donations in any amount are appreciated and are tax deductible. Contributors at the $250 level will be listed onsite. Donations can be dropped off at Lyons Town Hall.

Transforming imagination into watercolor and collage art.