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Cultivating community
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Sun
¡Aqui! ¡Adentro! Sol del el
Valle
una nueva publicación semanal con noticias Volume 13, Number 48| Jan. 6-12, 2022 locales en español.
James Steindler begins to understand why people would willingly crawl around underground — to enjoy the solitude and beauty of hard-to-get-to places like the Glenwood Caverns' Black Grotto. Photo by Will Grandbois
Digging the dark By James Steindler Sopris Sun Staff
Sometimes it takes friends to get you out of your comfort zone. It takes even better ones to get you to cross that proverbial boundary while at your side every step of the way. So, with a little help from my friends, for 2022 I tried something new: caving. Jan. 2, was an especially brisk morning after nearly a week straight of snowfall in the Rockies. My boyfriend and I awoke and began preparing for an underground expedition. None other than Will Grandbois, The Sopris Sun’s former editor and current graphic designer, was to guide us on our maiden voyage into the depths of the earth.
We met Grandbois at the base of the Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park’s gondola and we boarded promptly with no others in line. We set off for the top of the mountain and the mouth of the cave, dubbed the Borehole Entrance. For someone who hasn’t been to Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park since it first opened (and before there was a gondola), the attraction appears to have transformed into a quasi-North Pole. Tourists bustled to and fro with hot chocolate in hand. We meandered around the jolly sightseers, but nevertheless stood out in our caving gear. We entered industrial double doors and walked down the Borehole Entrance hallway (like astronauts about to board a rocketship) and ended up in the largest room of the underground maze, known as “The Barn.” There, a tour group ahead of us used the designated stairwell with sconces lighting the way; we did our best not to disturb them. We weren’t taking the same path as these plain-clothed, helmetless visitors. Instead, we crossed a rope and descended a steep shoot where there were no wired lighting fixtures. The passages took us deeper and deeper into the mountain. At a certain point it was difficult to discern which way was up and which was down. We crawled, slithered and wriggled through tight spaces formed by rock that had fallen within the cave ages ago.
At one point, our fearless leader got onto his stomach and went headfirst into an opening, which seemed to lead downwards… I hesitated, but then followed suit. The other side opened into a large room with stalagmites and stalactites reaching for one another from floor to ceiling. It took my breath away. We’d reached the Black Grotto. After settling into the awe-striking magic of the place, we had a seat to behold its magnificence. The speleothems — formations from “cave bacon” and “popcorn” to the stalagmites and stalactites — dazzled the grotto. The temperature was ideal at about 50 degrees (the average annual temperature of the exterior region) which the cave maintains throughout the year. There are not many living organisms in these particular caves, other than pseudoscorpions (which are less than a quarter inch long), according to our guide. However, we did come across a packrat’s remains that were marked and not to be disturbed. “Going dark!” Grandbois warned. Then, in an instant, not a speck of light or even a shadow was visible. Down in the bowels of the earth it is pitch black. Continued on page 14
It's how you play the game
Happy new year! Oh boy, these days it seems like each year is better than the next… just kidding — sort of. We went through the ringer last year: pestilence, poverty, politicians who were ready to burn it all down and hang the vice president on the front steps of the capitol. This was the first holiday season in 20 years that America wasn’t at war. Well, except for within itself. But then, this country hasn’t really enjoyed a peaceful existence since the Niña, the Pinta, and the Santa Maria hit the shore. Just imagine if those guys had been welcomed in the same way we treat immigrants today. Maybe there was a contingent
of Native Americans pushing for them to be put in cages until they could ship them back across the pond, but the majority thought that was barbaric, remaining openminded and cooperative. Throughout human history the issue of our differences keeps bubbling up to the surface, causing ongoing pain and suffering. Race, religion, gender, sexual preference… none of these have been proven to exist after this life (neither have we, my husband would remind me). So why do we spend so much time discussing, analyzing, criticizing and killing each other over whether or not we neatly fit into these arbitrary boxes? I’m over it. As long as it’s consensual, I say give it a go! I do have one request, however. We need a singular pronoun for people who don’t wish to use he or she. “They” is already overused and causes unnecessary confusion, so I propose we use “Ye.” As in, “Ye went to the store because yiers fridge was empty.” Transgender members of Native American tribes were often revered.* And similar to the way the science behind breathing through one’s nose surfaces throughout time —
only to be buried again and again (also passed down through the generations by Native Americans) — exposing ourselves to different kinds of people broadens our E.Q. (Emotional Quotient.) But, then a novice gets into power and war begins anew… Myriad health/dental issues could be solved by simply teaching our children to breathe through their noses and peace could be achieved by teaching them to seek out/accept diversity. Though, I suppose until we figure out how to calm our fear of the unknown, and instead embrace it, we’ll keep forgetting and relearning the secrets to thrive in this life. Speaking of the collective unknown, I want to talk about the one thing we all have in common but don’t speak of. Death. I have a few theories I’d like to run by everyone, and I can’t do it if he/ she/ye keeps leaving the room every time I bring it up. I would also like to propose we start celebrating our loved one’s deathdays in much the same way we celebrate their birthdays. I would like to be able to sit around eating cake and reliving the good times we shared, without accusations of being
“morbid” or “stuck in one of the five stages of death.” I know death is an end, but I also believe it to be a chance at rebirth, an opportunity to experience another perspective. I love meeting people who look at life completely differently than I do. I often think I should get to know more old sailors and bikers, both to shift my consciousness and to ensure even representation at my funeral. If I died right now, there would be plenty of preppy cowpokes and tattooed old punks, but maybe no more than one or two Harley Davidsons in the parking lot. Can any of us really know what it’s like to be each other? I have a cousin who sees life in math equations, and another one who sees colors attached to people. Perhaps the point of life is to consider it from as many angles as possible, using the one body we each get, and if we live long enough, maybe even end up with the ability to walk in the shoes of our so-called enemy. Seems like the Native Americans may have already known this when the Anglos showed up thinking life was just a game to win or lose. *www.bit.ly/Gaurdiantwospirits
LETTERS Thanks Gary! The "retirement" of Dr. Gary Knaus, preceded by Dr. Rick Harrington, are great reminders of our debt to people who built the social infrastructure in Carbondale. Rick and Gary were health care in town and built a strong practice that is now part of the Valley View health system. With the support of community members they set a standard of excellence that served two generations. So many of the people that gave to help create a healthy and interesting place to live and play are retiring and ultimately passing on. Each one of us needs to look to their model of giving, creating, serving as we face the future. Bob Schultz Carbondale
April elections I couldn’t agree more with Frosty Merriott’s letter in last week’s Sun. Carbondale should be investing in housing our workforce and reducing our carbon emissions, not in a fancy new swimming pool. Please vote accordingly in the April 22 elections. Ron Kokish Carbondale
Emergency ordinance An article in the Dec. 29 Post Independent stated that Glenwood Springs has instituted an indoor mask mandate. The article also mentioned that Carbondale was the only other Garfield County town to require masks indoors at the height of the pandemic. However, it quoted Mayor Dan as saying that there had not been any current discussions about a new mask ordinance, although it may come up at the Jan. 11 trustees meeting. Given the contagiousness of Omicron and the precipitous rise of cases in the valley, the Carbondale Age-
Executive Director
Todd Chamberlin 970-510-0246 • adsales@soprissun.com
Editor
Raleigh Burleigh 970-510-3003 • news@soprissun.com
Contributing Editor James Steindler
Interim Graphic Designers
Will Grandbois & Alyssa Ohnmacht
Delivery
Frederic Kischbaum
Proofreader Lee Beck
Current Board Members board@soprissun.com
Klaus Kocher • Kay Clarke Lee Beck • Megan Tackett Gayle Wells • Donna Dayton Terri Ritchie • Vanessa Porras Eric Smith • Larry Day The Sopris Sun Board meets at 6:30 p.m. on first Thursdays on Zoom.
Sincerest thanks to our Honorary Publishers for their annual commitment of $1,000+
Friendly Community Initiative (CAFCI) steering committee has urged the Board of Trustees to enact an emergency ordinance at a special meeting. According to the town charter, an emergency ordinance shall take effect immediately upon passage. Judie Blanchard and Niki Delson CAFCI
A new year It’s a new year and with it comes an avalanche of resolutions and good intentions. Making plans to improve your health, lose weight, or quit a harmful behavior is a great idea. However, if you’ve tried this before, you might notice that in time we almost always go back to the same old habits and resume or increase the problematic outcomes. This ultimately creates an enormous amount of self-loathing and shame. So, what’s the answer? We all have something to improve. Why not try some self-compassion first. It’s hard to do something nice for someone you don’t like. First try finding the things you like about yourself. I promise there are plenty of likable qualities about you. Once you like yourself it’s much easier to take good care of yourself. Anne Lamott, the incredible author, talks about feeding ourselves as we would a beloved friend. Something as simple as sitting down to eat nutritious and delicious food that will nourish our bodies on an actual plate is taking care of ourselves. Going on a fad diet or starving yourself, or starting an impossible exercise regimen that could be designed for Michael Phelps, is punishment. It’s not sustainable and you will retaliate. This year, how about making it a year of selfcompassion? Treat yourself as you would someone you truly love. Take yourself out skiing or for a walk. Learn a new skill or delve into something you’ve always been curious about.
Go out and help someone else. It is always rewarding to reach out and help another person. There are countless non-profits in our community. Find one that you feel passionate about. It will make you feel great about yourself. Most importantly, get help if you need it. There are many skilled therapists in our community. AA, Alanon, and other support groups are available to you if you need them. I promise you, you are not alone. Make this the year you fall in love with yourself. You’d be surprised what a little self-love can do. Erika Anderson Basalt
Angry orange sky Rampaging wildfires Savage and insatiable Leave only heartbreak JM Jesse Glenwood Springs
Legacy Givers
for including us in their final wishes.
Mary Lilly
Dear Jimmy Crown With perhaps the exception of the controversial Congresswoman Lauren Boebert, our current politicians are just boring blowhards; whereas, our revolutionary forefathers deeply respected a good fight. Vice President Aaron Burr fatally wounded former Secretary of Treasury Alexander Hamilton in a High Noon shootout. Taking inspiration from the Roger Marolt (Aspen Times) and Lo Semple (Aspen Daily News) annual ski challenge: Why not a Mulcahy/ Crown ski-off at the base of Aspen? We could set up bleachers and invite the whole town. The Little Nell could be cordoned off for a VIP section for the elites! Cheerleaders? Would your wife Paula (Crown) bring pom-poms and go all Dallas Cowboys? Continued on page 15
The views expressed in opinion pieces do not necessarily reflect those of The Sopris Sun. The community is invited to submit letters up to 500 words to news@soprissun.com. Longer columns are considered on a case-by-case basis. The deadline for submission is noon on Monday.
2 • THE SOPRIS SUN • soprissun.com • Jan. 6-12, 2022
Lee Beck & John Stickney Kay Brunnier Michelle & Ed Buchman Toni Cerise CoVenture Sue Edelstein & Bill Spence Deborah & Shane Evans Greg & Kathy Feinsinger Peter & Mike Gilbert Gary & Jill Knaus Carly & Frosty Merriott Mama Sandy & Lee Mulcahy James Noyes Ken & Donna Riley Patti & George Stranahan Anne Sullivan & John Colson Megan Tackett True Nature Healing Arts Elizabeth Wysong Alpine Bank
Donate by mail or online. P.O. Box 399 Carbondale, CO 81623 520 S. Third Street #26-B 970-510-3003
soprissun.com The Sopris Sun, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation with a mission to inform, inspire and build community by fostering diverse and independent journliasm. Donations are fully tax deductible. The Sopris Sun, Inc. is a proud member of the Carbondale Creative District
By Dyana Z. Furmansky Sopris Sun Correspondent
I don’t ski, so answering The Sopris Sun’s year-end dare to its reporters, to “do something you’ve never done before,” with my first descent down a double black diamond run, was one possibility. Except, for me, ski resorts are like factory farms for winter sports. I resolved instead to do something equally as bold: throwing a dinner plate. Not at someone, though that too is something I’ve never done. I mean throw a plate on the potter’s wheel. Using five pounds of fresh, snow-white porcelain. For pottery novices like me, throwing a 12-inch plate in porcelain — and not one that is 12.5 inches — is the equivalent of a skier’s first double black, opines Anne Goldberg, expert pottery and ski instructor. “Groomed,” she specifies after a second, referring to the snow. “Plates larger than 12 inches don’t fit on the standard kitchen shelves,” she cautions. Goldberg is as exacting on the wheel as she is on the slope. She agrees to coax and coach me through my throw. The day of the challenge, I head to the Carbondale Clay Center. It’s a seven-mile round trip between home and the studio via my usual route on the Rio Grande Trail, which in winter requires cross-country skis, snowshoes or microspikes stretched over snow boots. The Rio Grande has been unevenly snow-packed and glazed in
My first run in porcelain
Cartoon by Larry Day ice all week, making microspikes my safest mode of travel. I don’t want to get injured before the main event. No one else is on the trail. Snow falls ambivalently as I drift into my usual meditation on the furry pokea-dots of black cows and brown ones lounging in yellowed pastures marbled in old snow. At the Clay Center I have time to warm up on the bunny slope before Goldberg comes. For potters this means pulling up cylinders, in this case from a pound and a half of raw, white porcelain clay that I have never made anything from. Before centering
small portions on the wheel, I smack them around and wedge them, which is any clay body’s introduction to who is boss. I then wedge three fivepound portions of porcelain for my plate attempts. This takes more core strength and coordination. Ungroomed, I’m thinking. Goldberg, just off the slopes, arrives. She leads the way by sitting down at the wheel and telling me to watch her. She effortlessly centers her five-pound wedge of porcelain that is as soft as whipped cream cheese, or maybe whipped cream. The consistency is what makes porcelain
temperamental to work with. If handled too much “it loses its tooth,” and can’t hold a form, says Goldberg as she persuades the clay with her left hand dug in at the base into a tall column and guides it back down into a low disc, mostly with the cushy part of her thumbs. This gets all the clay’s powder-fine particles going in the right direction. If porcelain survives the making, these particles fuse into a product more durable than rougher, or groggier clay bodies do, after firing at 2,400 degrees. The high heat of the kiln turns porcelain into what my mother called “the bone
china,” the five-piece place settings for service of 12 that she kept in the dining room breakfront and used only for fancy parties. I gather from Goldberg that my mother need not have been so protective. Goldberg’s rimmed dinner plate is trackless perfection. It’s my turn. I don’t go alone. Goldberg presses my hands where more force is needed. I push clay out from the center well with a small sponge folded between my fingers, which keep getting in the way. “Just one finger at a time,” she counsels, untangling digits and insisting that I compress the bottom as I go. The white disc inches to the edge of the bat, leaving a trail of lumps and air bubbles. I gasp. “It’s your wedging,” she says. I stab the white swells with my pin tool so that my plate, if it makes it into the kiln, won’t explode there, killing itself and inflicting collateral damage. There are still bumps. “Use your tools,” says Goldberg, who compares sponges, fingers and plastic ribs to skis and poles negotiating moguls. Technique, said the potter Paulus Berensohn, “is the ability to breathe the spirit of our lives into what we make.” After we make our first plate together Goldberg takes me back to the wedging table for a lesson on her “roll, move, push” method. And it does require more core and coordination. My second plate is better. Goldberg graciously insists I made it myself. It is what she tells all her students at the bottom of a double black.
WE WANT YOU!
One-Day Job Fair Sopris Lodge at Carbondale, a beautiful new retirement community, is growing its team. We’re looking for caring individuals who want to make a difference – and have fun doing it.
You Have Skills, We Have Work
Tuesday, January 11 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Bring your resume, great skills, and friendly face.
Apply online: WellAge Managed Community
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970-440-2628 | SoprisLodge.com | 295 Rio Grande Ave., Carbondale THE SOPRIS SUN • Your weekly community connector • Jan. 6-12, 2022 • 3
SCUTTLEBUTT Omicron
Mental health funding
The COVID-19 Omicron variant has made its presence known in the state of Colorado and accounted for 91% of positive cases over a three-week period. Prior to Christmas, Garfield County was seeing 25 confirmed positive cases of COVID each day on average. On Dec. 29, the county reported 136 positive cases in a single day. The week leading up to Dec. 30 saw an average of 62 cases per day. According to a press release, the majority of people infected with omicron experience less severe symptoms than with other variants, especially if they are vaccinated.
The Colorado Department of Human Services’ Office of Behavioral Health announced that $9 million in funding would go to counties throughout the state for various projects addressing mental health. Garfield County was awarded $700,356 to build a “social withdrawal management facility” with case management and ongoing treatment in Glenwood Springs.
Isolation update Garfield and Eagle counties adopted the Center for Disease Control’s updated isolation protocol, adjusted in response to the Omicron variant. This reduces a positive testing individual's required quarantine time. Whereas previously they would have to spend 10 days in isolation, that number has now been cut in half. If a person is asymptomatic on day five, they may exit quarantine but are asked to wear a mask for five more days while around other people.
Little Women auditions MANA Foods is moving! Carbondale’s locally-focused health foods store, managed by the nonprofit Adi Shakti Ashram, is temporarily closed while volunteers relocate merchandise to the former location of Wine Time, next to Tortilleria La Roca. This expands MANA Foods’ square footage more than threefold, even providing space for yoga and meditation. Kiko and Graciela Peña, owners of Sopris Liquor & Wine, purchased Wine Time from Sigrid and Rudy Pieper, who decided to return to Europe. “Kiko has been very generous with us,” said Adi Shakti Ashram board member Richard Vottero, explaining that they were given the two months remaining on Peña’s lease, plus shelving and refrigerators. Vottero is pictured here, flanked by store manager Sotantar Anderson (left) and board member Crystal Colantino (right). Photo by Raleigh Burleigh
Young people between the ages of eight and 18 are invited to audition for Sol Theatre’s production of the classic “Little Women” by Louisa May Alcott. Auditions will be held on Wednesday, Jan. 12 and Thursday, Jan. 13 from 3:30 to 6 p.m. There is also an option to submit pre-recorded audition entries. Contact jennifer@soltheatrecompany.org for more information.
Puzzle swap Ready to snuggle up with a good puzzle this winter? You’re in luck! During the month of January, Carbondale Library invites folks to drop off an already-completed jigsaw puzzle in exchange for a new-to-you one. The library asks that puzzle swappers be considerate and make sure their donated puzzle has no missing pieces. For more info, call 970-963-2889.
History of Carbondale Sue Gray with the Carbondale Historical Society will present on the history of this small town from the year 1930 to present. This virtual presentation begins at 5 p.m. on Jan. 20. For more info visit: www.gcpld.org/senior-matters
Naturalist Nights Wilderness Workshop, in collaboration with Aspen Center for Environmental Studies (ACES) and the Roaring Fork Audubon Society, kicks off this winter’s Naturalist Nights speakers series with Scott Rashid, director of the Colorado Avian Research and Rehabilitation Institute. Rashid will speak about small mountain owls on Wednesday, Jan. 12. Presentations will be held in-person every other Wednesday at the Third Street Center and also streamed live and archived by Grassroots TV on YouTube. For the full line-up of Naturalist Night speakers, visit: www. wildernessworkshop.org
They say it’s your birthday Folks celebrating another trip around the sun this week include: Taylor Faczak, Peter Lamort and Tsama Parpin ( Jan. 6); Corby Anderson ( Jan. 7); Ananda Banc and Stephen Paul ( Jan. 8); Anne Hillmuth, Rick Holt, Kay Jacobson and Jim Mitton ( Jan. 9); Lorraine Escue, Mary Finley, Will Masters, Ron Razzore, Erica Sparhawk, Jake Strack-Loertscher and Nancy Vories ( Jan. 10); Kim Anne, Emily Goldfield, Crystal Holley and Nick Penzel ( Jan. 11); Betsy Bingam-Johns ( Jan. 12).
I'm just waiting until you say the magic word…
Tre a t s !
El Jebel, Colorado 970-963-1700 RJPaddywacks.com 4 • THE SOPRIS SUN • soprissun.com • Jan. 6-12, 2022
Pet adoptions surge trailed by surrenders
By Myki Jones Sopris Sun Correspondent
As people were told to stay home in 2020, due to the initial spread of COVID-19, pet adoptions from animal shelters skyrocketed. However, in 2021, animal shelters across the country have reported a record amount of those same animals being returned, or surrendered, to shelters. Colorado Animal Rescue, better known as C.A.R.E, has an adoptable shelter population that consists of stray, local homeless animals, as well as animals that have been surrendered or relocated from other organizations, such as Mesa County Animal Services of Grand Junction, Denver Dumb Friends League, La Plata Humane Society in Durango and two shelters in Utah. In 2020, at the height of the stay-at-home orders, the nonprofit shelter also saw fewer animals arriving locally to their location, either as strays or surrenders, than they did in 2019. According to Wes Boyd, executive director of the organization, this was due to fewer pets escaping their homes during the workday as folks turned to working from home or being unable to go to their jobs. This became an opportunity, with the
increased demand for adoptions. “We were able to transfer in more animals from partner organizations and saw shorter lengths of stay for those animals. With limited staffing and our own limitations due to COVID, this balance of low intake and higher adoption rates worked well and we celebrated the number of animals quickly finding their new homes,” he stated. In 2021, C.A.R.E has seen a shift back to “pre-pandemic intake rates,” meaning that, while their stray animal intake has remained lower, they have seen surrenders that have matched their 2019 numbers at 256 animals. “Adoption interest remains steady at an average of 625 animals being adopted each year. But with increased owner relinquishments, we see animals that need a more specific type of home, increasing the overall average length of stay for those pets. Overall, we live in a community that very much cares for their pets, but the challenges of a busy lifestyle, high cost of living and limited housing are more evident once again as we enter a new normal,” Boyd stated. The reasons why someone may surrender an animal are varied. While there are cases of neglect and even downright abuse, more often the situation is beyond the
control of the pet owner. “The reasons for an owner to surrender their pet to the shelter often involve major life changes, such as major health problems, financial strain, change of employment, or loss of housing. In other instances, the animal may have developed a health or behavior problem that the owner is unable to accommodate. In almost all of these scenarios, the owner is trying to do what is best for the animal and these owners are usually quite heartbroken. In our area, the two prevailing reasons for an owner to surrender their pet are housing restrictions — or lack of available pet-friendly housing for rent — and animal behavior problems,” stated Boyd. This does not mean that animals are surrendered due to a lack of love. Even qualified pet owners may find themselves in situations that leave them no other choice but to part ways with an animal. When adopting a pet, there are several things to consider before making the final decision to add another member to the family. For example, whether the animal is a good fit for the home or lifestyle; whether the owner can provide the pet with adequate exercise, attention and training; and whether the owner
AFTER-HOURS MEDICAL CARE
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can properly care for the animal’s medical and basic needs. “At C.A.R.E., we feel the most important factors for owners to consider before adoption are related to the individual pet. Very rarely do we discourage someone from adopting a pet, instead we hope to guide an owner to their best match in a companion pet and offer the resources to make that adoption successful,” Boyd stated. For more information about adopting a pet, pet care, volunteering, or to make a donation to C.A.R.E., visit: www. coloradoanimalrescue.org According to surveys conducted by C.A.R.E., the top reasons for an owner surrender or animal return in 2021 were: Behavior/Too active/Too much to handle/Animal aggression/ Not housetrained: 74 or 38.7% Housing/Moving into no-pet housing/Current landlord says no: 49 or 25.7% Litter/Pregnancy/ Accidental: 25 or 13.1% Owner/Not enough time: 18 or 6.8% Animal Health/Can't handle or afford: 17 or 6.4%
Working Togethe r For Pets And The ir People 2801 CR 11 Glenwoo d Springs 4 , C.A.R.E. h (970)947- CO 9173 as 6 dog
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WHEN YOU NEED IT
Oscar is a one-year-old cattle dog looking for a new home after his family was unable to secure housing. Courtesy photo
Honey Cat is 12 years old and arrived at the shelter after her owner passed away. Courtesy photo
.R.E. ers a “C.A f f o s k c a w e RJ Paddy w adoptiv e n r o f ” e ws for packag ding a Pa lu c in , s 15% ie famil first time a d n a n Points pla your new pet. for discount
Happy New Ye for 2022 is toar! I’m Leia and my wish soft bed, peop find a home with a big snuggle in. I wo le to lean into, and laps to older children uld do well in a home with when it comesand no cats. I can be choosy need to meet mto dog friends so I would being adopted. y potential siblings before survey to find ouPlease fill out an adoption t more about m e!
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THE SOPRIS SUN • Your weekly community connector • Jan. 6-12, 2022 • 5
CROSS-COUNTRY SKI LESSONS
Classic and Skate style Lessons at Spring Gulch throughout January.
HAND-STITCHING, MENDING, AND SLOW FASHION
Learn the basics of hand repairs, basic patchwork, decorative stitching, and quilt-work to repair and upcycle your favorite clothes. Tuesday evenings 1/25-3/1
FIND YOUR CREATIVE SPARK
Therapeutic art technique to grow and expand your awareness and creativity. No prior art experience necessary. Monday evenings 1/31-3/7
PILATES MATWORK LIVESTREAM
Gentle at 11am, and Advanced at 12pm. Classes are livestream, and recorded so students can watch any time. Tue/Thur 1/11-3/10
PHOTO EDITING ON A MAC LIVESTREAM
Learn to edit photos using the program that comes with your Apple Computer. Learn to enhance and/or stylize your photos to make works of art. Mon/Wed/Fri evenings 2/7-2/18
BEGINNER WATERCOLOR PAINTING
Learn the basics of watercolor painting in a fun, step-by-step, class. Tuesday mornings 2/8-3/15
MICROSOFT EXCEL SERIES
Three levels of classes to help you master the basics of worksheet operations and/or move on to intermediate fundamentals. Tuesday afternoons 2/8-3/8
BEGINNER PHOTO ENCAUSTIC
Learn the basics of encaustic to combine your photo images with warm bees wax to create a paneled photograph with a velvety, luminous quality. Friday mornings 3/11-4/1
SEWING
Learn to sew starting with a simple project and/or continue with your own project of choice. Tuesday evenings 3/15-5/3
MONOTYPE PRINTING
Create “Painterly” prints while exploring the creative, experimental, spontaneous forms of Monotype Printing. Monday evenings 3/21-5/2
REGISTER TODAY! BEGINNING SCULPTURE
Learn how to think, design, and create in 3-D or “in the round” to produce 3 small sculptures. Thursday mornings 3/24-4/28
FAMILY AND STREET PHOTOGRAPHY
Learn to photograph friends and family, and strangers on the street to capture them in images like never before. Mon/Wed/Fri/Mon evenings and Saturday 5/2-9
EXPLORATIONS IN MIXED WATER MEDIA
A workshop in water-based mixed media with an emphasis on the “Elements of Design,” and how different mediums work together. Friday-Monday 5/6-9
* ZEN AND THE ART OF DYING
Radically transform the way we live our lives. Meet the inevitability of change, embrace the tender work of loss, and find balance with life “as it is.” Tuesday mornings 1/18-3/8
* CREATIVE WRITING Hone your writing skills and expand self-expression with creative writing and/or poetry. Wednesday evenings 1/19-2/16
* MULTI-CULTURAL LITERATURE
Highlights African/African American, Asian, Native American, Latin, and European short stories and film shorts to further understand our cultural differences and commonalities. Monday evenings 1/24-2/28
* POETRY EXPLORATION
Read, listen, write and enjoy different forms and styles of poetry. Find the power, beauty and even courage in the words you create. Wednesday evenings 3/2-2/23
* LOCAL GEOLOGY
Learn about our local geology, geologic landmarks, and how geologic forces continue to affect the area. Wednesday afternoons 3/2-3/23
* THE ROOTS OF MINDFULNESS
Unpack the mindfulness movement and explore the science of mindfulness through the story of the historical Buddha. Tuesday mornings 3/29-5/3 * Students may choose to attend these classes in-person, or remotely via livestream. All in-person classes are held at the Carbondale Campus.
FOR MORE INFO AND TO REGISTER...
coloradomtn.edu/community-education Carbondale Lappala Center • 690 Colorado Ave • 963-2172 6 • THE SOPRIS SUN • soprissun.com • Jan. 6-12, 2022
COMMUNITY CALENDAR
Visit soprissun.com to submit events.
FRIDAY, JANUARY 7 CLIMATE ACTION
350 Roaring Fork protests fossil fuels at the intersection of highways 133 and 82 every Friday at 8 a.m. Meet up outside La Fogata Restaurant (995 Cowen Drive) ready to rally. SKIER APPRECIATION
Sunlight Mountain Resort’s Skier Appreciation Day, benefiting United Way Battlement to the Bells, kicks off at 9 a.m. Lift tickets cost $25, there will be an online auction, live music and costume contest with the theme “heroes and villains.” COMIC BOOK BASH
Award-winning hip hop artist Neil McIntyre uses beatbox and rhymes to convey his love of comic books at the Glenwood Springs Library on Friday at 4:30 p.m. On Saturday, “Mr. Kneel” will be at the Carbondale Library at 4 p.m. CRYSTAL THEATRE
“Nightmare Alley” opens at the Crystal Theatre at 7:30 p.m. and continues through Monday, except on Sunday at 5 p.m. STREAMIN’ STEVE’S
The Highway 82 Band performs at Steve’s Guitars at 8 p.m. Stream it live on the GrassRoots YouTube channel.
SATURDAY, JANUARY 8 STORYTIME
Families are invited to outdoor storytime at Basalt Library, weather permitting, at 10:30 a.m. When indoors, masks will be required. HIGH SCHOOL ART
The Aspen Chapel Gallery (0077 Meadowood Drive) presents works of 85 students from five local high schools. A reception, following COVID protocols, will be from 3 to 5 p.m. The exhibition then runs through Feb. 12, daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The work is not for sale but can be “adopted” for a $25 donation to support high school art programs. LIVE MUSIC
Feeding Giants performs at Heather’s in Basalt at 6:30 p.m. For other musical acts at Heather’s, visit www.heatherssavorypies.com WHIFFENPOOFS
The Arts Campus at Willits presents the Whiffenpoofs, 14 senior Yale students selected to perform in the world’s oldest collegiate a cappella group, at 7:30 p.m. For tickets, see TACAW.org
SUNDAY, JANUARY 9
SNOWSHOE EXPEDITION
Wilderness Workshop and Defiende Nuestra Tierra invite you to take a stroll along the Crystal River from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. To register, email www.wildernessworkshop.org WORD
Basalt Library hosts a lesson on effectively using Microsoft Word. To register, email agiertz@basaltlibrary. org or call 970-927-4311*1005.
MONDAY, JANUARY 10 MAC MONDAY
Basalt Library teaches proficiency with Pages, the Mac software, at 1:30 p.m.
TUESDAY, JANUARY 11 TUTOR ORIENTATION
Learn what it takes to volunteer with English In Action from 9:30 a.m. to noon, online. To register, call 970-963-9200 or email info@englishinaction.org JOB FAIR
Sopris Lodge (295 Rio Grande Ave.) hosts a job fair to fill various full and part-time positions from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Positions are available for caregivers, dining service, activities, resident assistants, concierge, maintenance, housekeeping and more. See job descriptions and apply online, visit www.soprislodge.com
The Ann Korologos Gallery displays paintings by Peter Campbell from Jan. 8 to Feb. 13. TAKE & CREATE
Basalt Library offers a free take-home kit to practice cross stitching. Kits are available while supplies last beginning at 10 a.m.
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 12 EXPLORERS CLUB
School-aged children are invited to the Glenwood Springs Library every Wednesday for learning activities with the Aspen Science Center at 2:30 p.m. NATURALIST NIGHTS
Wilderness Workshop, in partnership with the Aspen Center for Environmental Studies and Roaring Fork Audubon, co-hosts Scott Rashid with a presentation about small mountain owls at the Third Street Center at 6 p.m. The talk will also be streamed via the GrassRoots YouTube channel. TIME TO TALK
Aspen Strong hosts a mental health support group online on the second Wednesday of each month at 6 p.m. To register, visit www.tinyurl.com/7u36ndly
THURSDAY, JANUARY 13 STORYTIME
Children and their parents are invited to storytime at the Carbondale Library on Thursdays at 10:30 a.m. More information is at www.gcpld.org LEGAL CLINIC
Volunteer attorneys provide free legal consultation at Basalt Library from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. THINGS IN MOTION
Basalt Library hosts the Aspen Science Center for a workshop with marbles for students in kindergarten through fourth grade at 3:45 p.m. Questions? Contact kscimpff@basaltlibrary.org SALMON JAM
In collaboration with a performance at The Contemporary, Basalt Library welcomes Andy Thorn and Dr. Greg Garrison of Leftover Salmon for a workshop at 4:30 p.m. and a jam session at 6 p.m. To register for either or both opportunities, visit www.basaltlibrary.org ASK A LAWYER
Alpine Legal Services offers a hotline clinic on Wednesdays from 5 to 7 p.m. Call 970368-2246 and visit www.alpinelegalservices. org for the schedule of dates by legal topic.
FRIDAY, JANUARY 14
COLORADO WORKFORCE
Basalt Library hosts Colorado Workforce to assist job seekers from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. To register, call 970-927-4311. LIL SMOKIES
The Ute Theater in Rifle presents The Lil Smokies performing at 7:30 p.m. LEFTOVER SALMON
The Arts Campus at Willits presents Leftover Salmon performing at 8 p.m. Tickets and info at www.tacaw.org
Sol del
Valle
el
Conectando comunidades
A este su agrpadec nu e o y o e m o vo p par s ro y a ecto .
Volumen 1, Número 45 |6-12 de enero de 2022
Las pruebas gratuitas de COVID-19, administradas por la doctora Brooke Allen, pronto podrán obtener resultados al mismo día gracias a la llegada de un laboratorio en Carbondale. Foto de Sue Rollyson
Por Raleigh Burleigh Sol del Valle Editor Omicron, ya la variante de COVID más prevalente, fue identificada en Sudáfrica a finales de noviembre. Semanas después, se detectó en Colorado y el 15 de diciembre ya había llegado al condado de Garfield. Días después, el 20 de diciembre, el condado de Pitkin reportó su primer caso de Omicron, con un individuo vacunado dando positivo. El aumento extremo de casos positivos ha renovado precauciones de salud pública por todo el mundo, resultando en mandatos de cubrebocas, restricciones de movimiento y la cancelación de eventos. En una sola semana, justo antes de Navidad, proveedores médicos fueron enfrentados con un rápido incremento de casos, cuadruplicando en el condado de Pitkin. El 30 de diciembre, Omicron fue identificado como 91% de todos los casos en el estado. En respuesta, el condado de Eagle implementó un mandato de cubrebocas dentro de espacios públicos el 22 de diciembre, siguiendo al condado de Pitkin
Omicron surge en el Valle
que ha requerido mascarillas desde el 16 de septiembre. La ciudad de Glenwood Springs también hizo un orden de salud pública el 29 de diciembre requiriendo su uso. Con la noticia pesada de un cuarto aumento de casos, hay optimismo con las vacunas resultando en síntomas menos severas, nuevos tratamientos para la gente enferma con COVID y porque Omicron aparece ser un variante menos letal, aunque más contagioso, en comparación con otros variantes que está reemplazado. De acuerdo con lo que se vio en Sudáfrica y otros países, oficiales han observado que el aumento por Omicron tiende a alcanzar su cima dentro de cuatro semanas. Según Pitkin County Public Health, nuestra comunidad puede esperar que empiece a bajar el aumento esta semana o la próxima”. Sigue siendo importante hacer pruebas, manteniendo en mente que “la gente es más infecciosa dos días antes de experimentar síntomas," según Garfield County Public Health. Además de las pruebas gratis por
todo el valle, el estado de Colorado provee pruebas rápidas y gratuitas para hacer en casa. Son disponible atreves del sitio: covid19.colorado. gov/espanol/prueba-casera-decovid-19Para oportunidades de vacunarse en el condado Garfield: www.garfield-county.com/publichealth/covid-19-vaccine
Resultados de COVID-19 del mismo día llegan a Carbondale Comunicado de prensa Traducción por Dolores Duarte El servicio de pruebas gratuitas de COVID-19 Roaring Fork Valley, que opera en 10 localidades, pronto ofrecerá resultados el mismo día en todas las pruebas. El servicio, en colaboración con MicroGenDx, una empresa especializada en diagnósticos
microbianos qPCR + NGS de alta precisión, bajo costo y autorizados por la FDA, ha establecido en Carbondale un centro con laboratorio local de procesamiento que se abrirá a finales de enero de 2022. En las últimas dos semanas, el servicio local del valle ha quintuplicado el número de clientes que se someten a las pruebas, a medida que aumenta la variante Omicron y la tasa de positividad local. La directora médica local del servicio de pruebas gratuitas, doctora Brooke Allen, colaboró con MicroGenDx para traer el centro de procesamiento PCR a una ubicación en el centro del valle, de modo que se puedan ver resultados más confiables de PCR en cuestión de horas. "Es importante para nosotros que nuestros servicios sigan siendo gratuitos y estén disponibles para todos. Y es extraordinario que la dirección de MicroGenDx haya accedido a traer un centro local en el que todas las pruebas realizadas en las carpas de pruebas puedan realizarse en grandes volúmenes el mismo
día sin costo adicional. Realmente no hay nada parecido fuera de las grandes ciudades". Los clientes pronto podrán dar una muestra de esputo/saliva en una de las 10 carpas de pruebas existentes y recibir el resultado PCR de COVID-19 esa misma tarde. En la actualidad, el centro envía todas las muestras de los clientes para su procesamiento, obteniendo los resultados en 36-48 horas. "Ser capaces de identificar cuanto antes el COVID-19 a mayor escala, supondrá una reducción significativa de la propagación del virus en nuestra comunidad". El servicio de pruebas gratuitas de COVID es en colaboración con socios estatales y locales de la comunidad dedicados a proporcionar un mayor acceso a las pruebas sin necesidad de una visita al médico. Todas las pruebas son gratuitas al público a través de un acuerdo con el estado de Colorado. MicroGenDx ha acordado proporcionar un gran volumen de procesamiento localmente, sin costo adicional para el estado de Colorado. Más información en www.rfvcovidtest.com
De hábito a estilo de vida
¡Bienvenido 2022! El Valle entero terminó el 2021 a duras penas, y para muchos darle vuelta a la página y comenzar un nuevo capítulo con 365 hojas en blanco para seguir en búsqueda de eso llamado felicidad, era ya una necesidad tremenda. Soy yo o ¿hasta el café tiene mejor sabor al comenzar el año? Es como si todo lo malo quedará atrás y frente a nosotros nos quedara solo buenos ánimos. Peró, ¿por cuánto tiempo nos durará ese buen ánimo? Según mi búsqueda en Google, el 19 de enero es cuando menos del 10% de personas que planearon resoluciones continúan su compromiso, es decir que más del 90% de las personas después del 19 de enero ya no regresamos al
gimnasio, paramos de comer sano y regresamos a las cosas que queríamos cambiar. De las resoluciones más populares que las personas ponen como metas están: perder peso, crear una mejor vida espiritual, dejar el cigarro y hacer ejercicio, ya sea inscribiéndose al gimnasio o solo con caminatas. Si estas resoluciones parecen ser muy buenas para la salud de un individuo, entonces... ¿Por qué no son exitosas? ¿Te has visto en esta situación? Como siempre termino contando mis experiencias como ejemplo, así que aquí va otra, hasta hace dos años, yo era de las que compraba ropa apropiada para ir al gym, hacía planes alimenticios y ponía alarmas, pero por cientos de razones terminaba por darme por vencida. Escuchando un audiolibro mi mente se iluminó ¡con luces de bengala! Encontre una muy posible solución, así que toma notas y guarda este periodico o link para futura referencia, lo explicare lo mas claro posible, según lo entendí del escritor del libro. 1. Enfócate más en quién quieres convertirte en lugar de en lo que necesitas hacer. Utilicemos el ejemplo de salud física. ¿Es para algún campeonato de fisicocultura?
¿Vestirás el vestido de bodas tan soñado? Quizás tienes alguna condición médica y necesitas algo constante? Sea lo que sea establece metas claras y reales, ponlas a la vista como recordatorio y claro; informate bien. 2. Centrarse más en las rutinas que en las resoluciones. Según los entrenadores ¡no te debes pesar todos los días! Metafóricamente aplica para todo, enfócate en el hoy y en el momento. Es fácil decir por hoy si no hago tal cosa no importa, ya que mañana lo haré doble y ¡no! Total error, asi solo te consumiras la energia más rapido. Ya lo dice el refrán; más vale paso que dure y no trote que canse. ¡No puedes correr un maratón sin tener preparación alguna, sin nunca antes haber corrido! Tan claro como eso. 3. Para formar un nuevo hábito se necesitan 21 días; un estilo de vida lleva 90 días. Momento de que seamos claros con nuestra mente, ¿estamos buscando (según el primero punto) algo temporal o un cambio de vida? Este ejemplo lo entenderán mejor los que se cambian el color de cabello, es como ir al salón de belleza y pedir que nos pinten el cabello, para mantener el color hay un procedimiento que se tiene que
8 • el Sol del Valle • soprissun.com/espanol/ • 6-12 de enero de 2022
seguir, tienes que ir a los retoques cada cierto tiempo. Es lo mismo con nuestras resoluciones. Así que, haz un plan que consista en 21 días, y si eso implica ir al gimnasio, recuerda que después del 19 de enero las personas dejan de ir, así que suscríbete después de ese día y así podrás hasta ahorrar unos dólares. Siguiendo los tres puntos, enfócate en esos 21 días, un día a la vez. No seas cruel contigo, se trata de estar mejor no de martirizarnos más. Elige el “sufrimiento” que quieras vivir, ¿prefieres dormir una hora más que irte a caminar? Que tal si mejor te vas a la cama una hora más temprano para poder descansar, eso significa dejar una hora de estar solo en las redes sociales… O en cualquier otra cosa que no te esté dando el estilo de vida que quieres. Como decía al principio, “la búsqueda de la felicidad” quizás esta después de 21 días, y si podemos 21 días… ¡Claro que llegaremos a los 90 días! Sean cuales sean tus resoluciones te deseo ¡éxito! Y como siempre digo; ¡la muralla china no se hizo en un día! Salud, bienestar, paz y bendiciones que abunden en sus vidas, son mis deseos para ustedes en este 2022.
Donaciones por correo o en línea P.O. Box 399 Carbondale, CO 81623 970-510-3003 www.soprissun.com Executive Director Todd Chamberlin • 970-510-0246 adsales@soprissun.com Editor Raleigh Burleigh • 970-510-3003 news@soprissun.com Directores Artísticos Will Grandbois y Alyssa Ohnmacht Traductoras Jacquelinne Castro y Dolores Duarte Distribucion Frederic Kischbaum Miembros de la Mesa Directiva Klaus Kocher • Kay Clarke Lee Beck • Megan Tackett Gayle Wells • Donna Dayton Terri Ritchie • Vanessa Porras Eric Smith • Larry Day The Sopris Sun, Inc. Es un miembro orgulloso del Distrito Creativo de Carbondale The Sopris Sun, Inc. es una 501(c) (3) organización benéfica sin fines de lucro. Contribuciones financieras son deducibles de impuestos. ¡ESCRÍBENOS! Para contribuir ideas y contenido al Sol del Valle, escribiéndonos a: sol@soprissun.com Para comprar espacio publicitario en español, inglés, o ambos, mándanos un correo electrónico a:
adsales@soprissun.com
También se puede contactarnos llamando a 970-510-3003.
CHISME DEL PUEBLO MANA Foods
Financiación de salud mental
La tienda de alimentos saludables locales de Carbondale está temporalmente cerrada mientras los voluntarios reubican la mercancía a la antigua ubicación de Wine Time, justo al lado de la Tortillería La Roca. Esto expande los pies cuadrados más del triple para MANA Foods, inclusive proporcionando espacio para yoga y meditación. Los dueños de Sopris Liquor & Wine compraron el Wine Time cuando los antiguos dueños, Sigrid y Rudy Pieper, regresaron a Europa. “Kiko ha sido muy generoso con nosotros'', dijo Richard Vottero de MANA Foods, explicando que fueron dados los últimos dos meses del alquiler además de estanterías y refrigeradores.
La oficina de conducta de salud del Departamento de Servicios Humanos de Colorado anunció que $9 millones en financiamiento serán dirigidos a condados a través del estado para varios proyectos de salud mental. El condado de Garfield recibió $700,356 para el manejo de tratamiento continuó en Glenwood Springs.
Intercambio de rompecabezas
Fotógrafo Tommy Sands vio a un ciclista bravo travesando el hielo temprano el primer día del año.
Audiciones Jóvenes entre las edades de 8 y 18 años están invitados a audicionar para la producción de teatro de Sol Theatre de la clásica “Little Women” por Louise May Alcott. Las audiciones serán dadas a cabo el miércoles 12 de enero y jueves 13 de enero de 3:30 a 6 p.m. También hay una opción para entregar audiciones pregrabadas. Contacte a jennifer@ soltheatrecompany.org para más información.
Raquetas de Nieve ¡Únase a Wilderness Workshop y Defiende Nuestra Tierra en un paseo por un paraíso invernal! No se pierda esta oportunidad de caminar a lo largo del Río Crystal en el corazón de las montañas, rodeadas de blanca nieve brillante y vistas increíbles. Este es un evento totalmente gratuito, guiado y bilingüe el día domingo, 9 de enero, a las 9:30 a.m. Se enviará información adicional a su correo electrónico de confirmación
Omicron La variante Omicron de COVID-19 ha hecho su presencia conocida en el estado de Colorado y es responsable por 91% de casos positivos durante un periodo de tres semanas. Antes de Navidad, el condado de Garfield vio 25 casos confirmados de COVID cada día en promedio. El 29 de diciembre, el condado reportó 136 casos positivos cada día. La semana después del 30 de diciembre se vio un promedio de 62 casos por día. De acuerdo con el comunicado de prensa, la mayoría de las personas infectadas con Omicron experimentan menos síntomas severos comparados con otras variantes, especialmente si están vacunados.
Actualización de aislamiento Los condados de Garfield y Eagle adoptaron el protocolo de aislamiento actualizado del Centro de Control de Enfermedades, en respuesta a la variante Omicron. Esto reduce el tiempo de cuarentena de algún individuo que
da positivo. Considerando que previamente tuvieron que pasar 10 días en aislamiento, el número ha sido reducido a la mitad. Si una persona es asintomática para el quinto día, pueden salir de la cuarentena pero se les pide que usen cubre bocas por los siguientes cinco días mientras estén alrededor de otras personas.
350 en marcha 350 Roaring Fork invita a los activistas a marchar cada viernes por la mañana por la justicia climática, en acuerdo con las huelgas climáticas “Fridays for the Future” de la activista climática sueca Greta Thunberg. El grupo se reúne cada viernes en el estacionamiento del Goat Restaurant, en la intersección de Cowen Drive y la carretera 133, a las 8 a.m. La plataforma de 350 Roaring Fork es: desinvertir fondos públicos de combustibles fusibles, detener perforaciones nuevas, capturar el metano de carbón, cerrar centrales eléctricas de carbón.
SPEAKERS
Looking to have fun and give back? Join us at Rotary every Wednesday at 7a.m. at the Carbondale Fire Station! Visit rotarycarbondale.org for details.
All are welcome!
¿Listos para acomodarse con un buen rompecabezas este invierno? ¡Hoy es tu día de suerte! Durante el mes de enero, la biblioteca de Carbondale invita a la gente a dejar sus rompecabezas completos y cambiarlos por uno nuevo. La biblioteca le pide a las personas que sean consideradas y se aseguren de traer solamente rompecabezas con todas las piezas. Para más información, llame al 970-963-2889.
Historia de Carbondale Sue Gray con Carbondale Historical Society presentará la historia de un pequeño pueblo desde el año 1930 hasta la actualidad. Este evento virtual incluirá una opción de traducción en español simultánea. La presentación comenzará a las 5 p.m. el 20 de enero. Para más información visite www.gcpld.org/senior-matters
Reciclaje de pintura The Paint Store en Carbondale (2401 Dolores Way) está aceptando pintura no deseada para ser reciclada a través de PaintCare, una organización nacional sin fines de lucro que también trabaja con Ace Hardware en Carbondale. Para una lista más detallada de los productos que se aceptan para reciclaje, visite www.paintcare.org/products
El Pueblo de Carbondale
INFORMACIÓN
Remueve la Nieve de las Aceras
January 12, 2022 Guest Speaker Missy Moore Thunder River Theatre Co.
¡Mantenga nuestras aceras seguras durante el invierno! RETIRE EL HIELO Y LA NIEVE
January 19, 2022 Guest Speaker TBD
RSVP to Rick Carlson (970) 948-9650 • riccarlson@gmail.com
VISITE UNO DE LOS SPAS MAS ANTIGUOS Y RESPETADOS EN AMERICA y las Cuevas históricas de Vapor
Baños naturales minerals termales “Más privado que una piscina” No WALKINS Por favor. Llame para citas Para información y reservaciones llame a 970-945-0667 • yampahspa.com El Spa esta abierto de 9 a.m. a 9 p.m. y el Salón de 9 a.m. a 7 p.m.
Conozca sus responsabilidades de Remover la Nieve: Es responsabilidad de los dueños u ocupantes de cualquier propiedad en el pueblo de remover la nieve y el hielo en las aceras que rodean su propiedad (incluyendo las aceras de los terrenos ubicados en esquinas). Límite de tiempo: Los negocios deben tener las aceras limpias entre las primeras 4 horas despues de que la precipitación haya parado. Los residentes deben tener sus aceras limpias en las primeras 24 horas despues de que la precipitación haya paraado. ¡Limpie su acera! ¡Mantenga en Carbondale ! to n movimie
Visite la página web de la Municipalidad de Carbondale o su perfil en Facebook para obtener actualizaciones.
Para mass información, contacte al Departamento de Policias de Carbondale: 970-963-22662
el Sol del Valle • Conector de comunidad • 6-12 de enero de 2022 • 9
10 • el Sol del Valle • soprissun.com/espanol/ • 6-12 de enero de 2022
A wild impulse, landscape painter Peter Campbell By Geneviève Villamizar Sopris Sun Correspondent
“I have a triad, like a pie. In that pie, there’s what you see. There’s what you know. And there’s what you feel. The feel part is huge — it’s why you do what you do.” Plein air painter Peter Campbell will be celebrating winter works at Korologos Gallery in Basalt this Saturday, Jan. 8. “So, sometimes,” he continues, “if I’m plein air painting, I might accentuate what I see more than what I know or what I feel, because I’m trying to learn about what I see.” It’s a Sunday morning in September; I’m taking him on what I imagine to be a jaunt “into” one of his own landscape paintings. The same muted hues that traverse his foregrounds run alongside us. “Sometimes, it’s more about what I feel. I emphasize less what I know and what I see.” Indian summer pulls us to the shadier side of the road, and a magpie berates us. “So, it can be a combination of all three.” We crest, pausing to breathe. Reshouldering his portable easel and tripod, Campbell takes in a 360 degree view: the Flat Tops, Missouri Heights, Sunlight and Sopris, layers on layers. Sheaves of light and shadowy folds hold a bowl of sky so alive and full; it beckons. “So, if you’ve got the Wheaties,” I say, shading my eyes, pointing east across alfalfa, “that’s where we’re going — to the cemetery.” “I got the Wheaties!” he grins. Charlottesville roots pull at his vowels and syllables. With a great teacher in a nationally accomplished high school photography program, Campbell excelled in black and white
"Depths of Winter" is one of many paintings by Peter Campbell that will be on display at the Ann Korologos Gallery beginning Jan. 8. Courtesy image photography. His agility with tone and value are strong elements in his paintings today. “I went [to the Savannah College of Art and Design] to study photography but fell in love with painting.” He engaged historical techniques with palladium, platinum and gum Arabic prints. “And the more I did that, the more I liked
having my hands in the process. So eventually, I started learning to draw, and I’d think, man, I’d rather draw and paint! Then I’m not limited!” he says. “The college hired me to photograph the Johnny Mercer house from “Midnight in the Garden of Evil,” and I did some photographs of visiting dignitaries. They paid me like $500!
For me, this was like a windfall. I could finally buy enough painting supplies to start. And that’s when I first started painting. I knew nothing about it,” he chuckles. Russel Chatham’s book, “100 Paintings,” was pivotal for Campbell. “It shows his early work examples, which aren’t necessarily great paintings, you know? Which means he did the same thing everyone else did. Which is, you struggle through the fact that you want to do this thing so badly that you just keep doing it. And the people who are successful are the ones that continue to paint, regardless of knowing they’re bad, and still going, ‘I can do better.’ They’re learning from their mistakes,” says Campbell, “and that’s critical. Great painters are able to really analyze what they’ve done.” We head towards a decomposing bench by an aged boxelder tree. Flapping in its limbs draw our eyes to a pair of hawks, which we savor as auspicious. Here Campbell sits, absorbing. At last, he unpacks his mystery gear, demonstrating a portable easel he designed, engineered and just brought to market. As he delights in its ease, I roam a bit. From afar, I watch a content, humble and breathtakingly talented artist whose landscapes evoke the sublime, ephemeral moments lodged in our own bones and memories. “For a painter to look at their painting from the eye of a viewer, and not be in love with their work? The best way to be a good artist,” Campbell has found, “is to not think you’re doing anything special.”
THE SOPRIS SUN • Your weekly community connector • Jan. 6-12, 2022 • 11
Omicron variant surges through the Valley By Raleigh Burleigh Sopris Sun Editor
were slapped with a sharp increase in cases (quadrupling in Pitkin County). By Dec. 30, Omicron was identified as 91% of all COVID cases statewide. In response, Eagle County implemented an indoor mask mandate on Dec. 22, joining Pitkin County which has had an ongoing indoor masking requirement since Sept. 16. The city of Glenwood Springs followed suit with a public health order on Dec. 29 requiring masks for all individuals two years of age or older within public spaces. Within the unhappy news of a fourth surge, there is optimism with vaccines and boosters reportedly lessening symptoms, approved treatments for COVID patients and Omicron appearing to be a less
Omicron, the prevailing COVID-19 variant of concern, was first identified in South Africa in late November. Within weeks, it was detected in Colorado and by Dec. 15 had arrived in Garfield County. Days later, on Dec. 20, Pitkin County reported its first case of Omicron, with a vaccinated individual testing positive. The precipitous spread of Omicron led to a renewal of public health precautions globally, including indoor mask mandates, travel restrictions and the cancellation of gatherings. Within a week, just before Christmas, local medical providers
deadly, though more contagious, strain than its predecessors. These factors led the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to halve the number of recommended isolation days for a COVIDpositive individual, so long as their symptoms have ceased and they continue to wear a mask around others for an additional five days. By assessing the trends in South Africa and other countries, officials have delineated that the Omicron wave tends to peak around three to four weeks after the initial surge. Accordingly, “our community is looking at this week or next before we are at the peak of the surge,” explains a recent Pitkin County Health press release. Further, the press release states that “Omicron
cases are less severe with minimal hospitalizations. The current hospitalization rate in Pitkin County for Omicron is .22%.” Nonetheless, the recommendations remain the same and testing will make a difference for slowing the spread to avoid overwhelming hospitals. According to Garfield County Public Health, “People are most infectious two days before experiencing symptoms.” In addition to the Free COVID-19 Testing Roaring Fork Valley service, free Rapid AtHome testing is available through the state at covid19.colorado.gov, while a list of upcoming vaccine clinics is available at garfieldcounty.com/public-health/covid19-vaccine/
Same day COVID results coming to Carbondale Staff Report
The Free COVID-19 Testing Roaring Fork Valley service that operates 10 locations in the Roaring Fork Valley and surrounding cities will soon offer same day results on all testing. The service, in collaboration with MicroGenDx, a company specializing in lowcost, FDA authorized, highly accurate qPCR + NGS microbial diagnostics, has set up a local lab processing center in Carbondale that will open in By late January, COVID test samples will be late January. In the past two weeks, the local Valley processed at a laboratory in the freshly-painted service has seen a fivefold increase in the number building at 695 Buggy Circle. Courtesy photo of clients testing, as the area's positivity rate surges.
Make time for your HEART
Dr. Brooke Allen, local medical director for the free testing service, collaborated with MicroGenDx to bring the PCR processing center to the mid-Valley location. "It's important to us that our services continue to be free and available to everyone. And it's extraordinary that the leadership at MicroGenDx has agreed to bring in a local center where all testing conducted at the testing tents can be run in large volumes the same day at no extra cost. There is really nothing like it outside of big cities." Clients will soon be able to give a sputum/ saliva sample at one of the existing 10 testing tents and receive their COVID-19 PCR result by later
Althea Brooke ( foreground) and Alison Smith have been exceptionally busy as of late administering COVID PCR tests behind Carbodale Town Hall. Photo by James Steindler
that afternoon. "We will have the capacity to run several hundreds of tests per day with same day results by late January," according to Dr. Allen. Currently, the site ships all client samples for processing, yielding results for clients in 36-48 hours. "Being able to identify COVID-19 sooner on a larger scale will result in significant reduction of viral spread in our community." The Free COVID Testing service is a collaboration with state and local community partners dedicated to providing increased access to testing without a doctor's visit. All tests are free to the public through an agreement with the state of Colorado. MicroGenDx has agreed to provide large volume processing locally at no extra cost. Learn more at www.rfvcovidtest.com
Town of Carbondale
INFORMATION
Sidewalk Snow Removal This winter keep our sidewalks safe!
CleAR SNOw & ICe Joseph L. Schuller, MD, FHRS
Gordon Gerson, MD, FACC
Board Certified in Cardiology and Cardiac Electrophysiology
Board Certified in Cardiology
Owners or occupants of any property in town are responsible for clearing the snow and ice from sidewalks along their property (including sidewalks on both sides of corner lots.)
With clinics in Aspen and Basalt, you can see Dr. Schuller or Dr. Gerson at the location that fits around your schedule. And, as part of Aspen Valley Hospital’s Network of Care, visits are just the cost of a copay with most insurers. Services include: • Echocardiograms • Bubble studies • Loop implants
TIMINg:
• Stress tests • Cardioversions • Device clinic
Businesses need to have the sidewalks cleared within 4 hours after the precipitation stops. Residents need to have the sidewalks cleared within 24 hours after precipitation stops.
Virtual visits available.
Schedule your visit today, call 970.544.7388.
Learn more about our services. aspenhospital.org |
AspenValleyHospital
12 • THE SOPRIS SUN • soprissun.com • Jan. 6-12, 2022
KNOw yOuR SNOw ReMOvAl ReSpONSIbIlITIeS:
Shovel your Sidewalk! Keep Carbonda!le Moving
visit the Town of Carbondale’s website or Facebook page for any updates.
For more information, contact the Carbondale police Department: 970-963-2662
GUEST
OPINION By Dan Richardson Mayor of Carbondale For as long as I can remember, my goal in life has been to change the world — for the better. I started off my career focused on clean energy and sustainability in the built environment because it was the most interesting way for me to change the world. After a couple of decades, I realized that the obstacle to a sustainable future was no longer technology or money, it was people. That’s when I decided that the more impactful and interesting lever for change for me was people, not projects. So, I switched careers, re-entered politics and here I am in 2022. As I reflect on 2021, it's ever more evident to me that people — you, me, our friends, our foes — must remain a focus if we are to change the world for the better. It’s one reason I like politics: it’s all about people. For the Board of Trustees, our
Year-end reflections from Mayor Dan focus in 2021 started off being our response to COVID, redefining community policing, launching Chart Carbondale, exploring a new aquatics facility and improving communication. Our COVID response morphed from the Task Force to prudently investing relief funding, and now responding to the post-traumatic stress COVID continues to cause. 2022 is bringing new curveballs, so COVID will remain a focus for as long as necessary. The upside is that heading into 2022 we are far more informed on how to stay safe if we choose to and we now have easy access to vaccines that are working extremely well. While redefining community policing had been a focus since we hired Chief Wilson, it became a much more immediate focus after the incident involving Michael Francisco. As I have written before, the incident highlighted my personal shortcomings with respect to communication and it reinforced the trustees’ focus on communication, as well as assessing what’s working and what’s not with Carbondale’s approach to community policing. I am encouraged and very grateful for the thought and effort Chief Wilson and his outstanding crew put into this effort this year, despite COVID and being very understaffed at times. I look forward to us rolling out our new approach to
monitoring continuous improvement in 2022. We launched Chart Carbondale in 2021 because we knew development pressure was mounting and I applaud our staff for managing such a comprehensive process while the daily grind of responding to development projects was so intense. We also tried some new communication approaches and we soon learned that some have room for improvement, while others have knocked it out of the park. I think our Spanish-speaking forum was wildly successful — again, thanks to a dedicated staff and community. While we have taken a few baby steps in addressing workforce housing in recent years, the extreme influx of affluent, and in some cases investment-only homebuyers, knocked us back a few giant steps. Thanks to Community First Carbondale, a group of concerned, informed and motivated community members, the board is pursuing some strategies to address short-term rentals which is a small, but rapidly growing part of the housing crisis. The next public meeting on this will be Jan. 18. I am also excited about a significant housing opportunity that is emerging for the town, but more on that as it evolves.
u, o y — e Peopl , our s d n e i r f me, our st remain mu foes — we are to if a focus orld w e h t change etter. b for the
"
We wanted to keep the ball rolling on the aquatics facility dream and in the upcoming April election you the voters will get a chance to decide if we should continue to pursue it, by choosing to authorize or not the town’s ability to borrow money for the project using existing sales tax. I personally think it’s exciting that we could replace/enhance a beloved town facility without raising taxes. Of course, that depends on construction prices remaining somewhat stable, so time will tell. In addition to focusing on the issues above, the town, like all businesses, needed to quickly respond to rapid inflation and its devastating impact on living wages. Fortunately, we were able to allocate increasing sales tax revenue to our
most valued resource — our staff. We implemented a mid-year tiered wage increase and budgeted for another in 2022. Another somewhat expected but nonetheless impactful curveball was the resignation of Jay Harrington, our former town manager. We knew the new hire would be the most important decision that this board would make, but we didn’t expect it to be quite so difficult. Fortunately, with phenomenal community and staff support, we hired Lauren Gister who will start on Jan. 17. I can already tell that her presence will be one of 2022’s greatest highlights. As for me, my current stint in politics will end in April. In my last few months, I will continue to focus on people — including helping Lauren settle into her new role, and helping identify, elect and orient new trustees and a new mayor. Especially given the PTSD we all are experiencing from the past two years, I personally will look for people dedicated to people, as opposed to issues, those with an open mind who are committed to finding the common ground on all issues, and perhaps most importantly, those who speak and act with integrity and respect. I see electing people like this as the best chance we have to change the world for the better.
"
Warm up this winter at Garfield County Libraries! Open Hours are expanding at all Garfield County Libraries: *All branches now open at 10 am, Mon-Sat. *Extended evening hours starting in January. *Sunday open hours will begin in Spring 2022.
Best way to warmup after playing in the cold Historic Underground Vapor Caves
No Walkins Please Call for Appointments Caves Included
Enjoy our holiday events: *The Holiday Concert Series features an array of artist all winter long including a guitar soloist, celtic duo, pianist, and local choir. *Reindeer at Your Libraries gives you the chance to have an up close encounter with reindeer at your local library in December. Laptops and Wifi to Go! hotspots are now available for adults to borrow and take home! Check us out at:
www.gcpld.org
Hot Springs Mineral Baths
“A Lot More Private than a Pool”
For Information & Reservations call 970-945-0667 • yampahspa.com Spa Open 9-9 Salon Open 9-7 • One Block East of the Hot Springs Pool
THE SOPRIS SUN • Your weekly community connector • Jan. 6-12, 2022 • 13
Tristan Mead contemplates a column from within the flagged boundaries where cavers can safely tread. Photo by Will Grandbois
Caving from cover
“Have you tried waving a hand in front of your face?” Grandbois asked. His inquiry prompted me to do so and, sure enough, not a trace of my hand — waving three inches in front of my face — was seen. We sat in silence and listened to the cave. The epitome of darkness accentuated every drip of moisture that fell in the natural chamber. The noise and worries of the outer world were foreign to this place. My own anxieties were left outside the cavern awaiting my return from the undersurface. But at that moment, in the sheer darkness, my mind was at peace. For myriad logical reasons we’d have to ascend to the surface. Once we were outside and the bright sun struck our sensitive eyes, we left with a longing to return to the tranquil soul of the earth.
Unfortunately, as with many things, humans can have a negative effect on natural caves. Wild caves in White River National Forest have strict guidelines to prevent the spread of White Nose Syndrome to bats — and some have been gated to further limit human impacts. Not to mention, caving can be very dangerous, so it’s important to go with someone who is experienced. In this case, our guide led the expedition completely by the book. We had the right gear, let folks on the surface know where we were going, followed a marked path, and were careful not to disturb the natural beauty of the caverns. Glenwood Caverns offers a wild tour for folks to try caving. Your local grotto (caving club) is also an excellent resource for learning more and getting involved. Grandbois is a member of the Colorado Western Slope Grotto — visit www. coloradowesternslopegrotto.org for information.
14 • THE SOPRIS SUN • soprissun.com • Jan. 6-12, 2022
PARTING SHOT
The north ridge leading to the summit of Mount Sopris was draped in a pink hue and robed in a fresh mantle of snow following last week's impressive storm. Photo by Sue Rollyson
SERVICE DIRECTORY
LETTERS
Continued from page 2
It’ll be hilarious: • billionaire owner of General Dynamics vs. peon; • war profiteer vs. artist; • big money vs. white trash; • Chicago North Shore vs. Fort Worth, Texas; • Gulfstream G700 Master of the SkiCo Universe vs. pick-up driving SkiCo whistleblower; • Aspen Institute green “limousine liberal” chairman vs. evicted “don’t tread on me” NRA/Tea Party occupier; • Stanford lawyer v. union organizing Sorbonne-attending PhD; • Ski vs. snowboard; • … and .01% vs. 99%. Or, what of a moguls contest on the Aspen Highlands Scarlett’s trail, instead of all this legal stuff we’ll go through next over your hiking ban? Man to man. Practicing minimal contact check-in. The Old Guard of Aspen would love it and it's so in-line with our local history. But if I win, SkiCo has to stop using leased public lands to silence criticism and dissent. Full disclosure: I was freestyle aerial certified. These global protests all have the same message: Hey, 1%! Be fair. Treat us with dignity. And that’s the paradox of the public space. Everyone may kind of know something unpleasant, but once someone says it, it changes everything. Therefore, I cannot resist. What's the title of that Dan Sheridan song banned from all of WINDSHIELD your SkiCo properties, including National Forest? REPAIR & 289 MAIN STREET | (970) 963-2826 | CARBONDALEAH@GMAIL.COM Lee Mulcahy AUTO GLASS Basalt
REPLACEMENT
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970-963-3891 970-963-3891
Mobile Service Available
What is happening? It feels overwhelming right now and you might think, “Where do I even start?” or “Why even bother trying to make a difference?” when so many things feel completely bonkers. There aren’t enough meditation apps in the world to help us all take a collective breath. So, here’s another idea: Do something for someone else. Anything. You won’t BELIEVE how good it makes you feel. Our brains release endorphins when we help others. It’s called a “Helper’s High.” It could be something small. I have a friend who always brings a coffee to her stylist when she gets a haircut. Hold the door open for someone. Smile at someone on the bus. Bag your own groceries. Anything… just to start. Then, think bigger. Offer to walk your neighbor’s dog. Or work a shift at the local food bank. And then, think about how just a little of your time each week could truly make a lasting impact. I get that happiness kick every week when I spend time with my Little Buddy. She and I meet for a walk, a slice, or an adventure. No big deal. We talk about life. And I have the support of my case manager at the Buddy Program, no matter what. I’ll leave you with this thought: there are more than 30 kids waiting for a Big Buddy in this valley. Take a hint from Muhammed Ali himself: service to others is the rent you pay for your room here on earth. Laura Seay The Buddy Program
HELP WANTED
bAspen ile Science Center ServiPart-time (Science, Technology, ce STEM and Math) Educator, AvailaEngineering, ble for developing and facilitating responsible
fun, hands-on STEM programs for preschool to 12th grade youth, their caregivers and families. Email Locally owned byby Jake Zamansky Locally Owned David Zamansky dhenderson@aspensciencecenter.org or 500 Buggy Circle, Carbondale, CO 500 Buggy Circle, Carbondale, CO call 970-236-2360.
Locally Owned by David Zamansky
Buddy up!
The Sopris Sun
Sopris Lodge
Graphic Designer, to help bring each week’s issue to fruition. 24-32 hours per week; wage based on experience. Please respond to board@ soprissun.com
Hiring caregivers, kitchen helpers and cooks. Pay ranges from $18 to $22 per hour with benefits. For an interview call 970-340-4460 or email ssims-stelle@ wellage.com
Help Wanted Ads are FREE. To place a short ad for two weeks, visit: www.soprissun.com/free-help-wanted-ads/
THE SOPRIS SUN • Your weekly community connector • Jan. 6-12, 2022 • 15
FROM OU R FAMI LY TO YOU R S , WE WI S H YOU A
We're proud to call Carbondale home. Since 1973, we've been giving back to this awesome community, and we're here to stay.
We are Alpine Bank!
ALPINEBANK.COM • MEMBER FDIC
CONVENIENT LOCATIONS ACROSS COLORADO
INDEPENDENCE • COMMUNITY • COMPASSION • INTEGRITY • LOYALTY
FOR TEEN MENTAL WELLNESS LEADERS: The Mount Sopris Nordic Council depends on annual memberships to keep Spring Gulch nordic ski trails groomed and open to the public. Become a member for the 2021/2022 season!
Support Spring Gulch You could score a new Spring Gulch Headband! The first 175 people to contribute at $125 or more will receive a custom made in Colorado headband by Kind Design, Inc.
www.springgulch.org
WORKSHOPPING A CULTURAL MOVEMENT TO SUPPORT YOUTH MENTAL WELLBEING APPLICATION FOR 8TH-12TH GRADERS DUE BY: JANUARY 14TH Are you concerned about the mental wellbeing of the youth community? Are you interested in making a contribution by leading an entrepreneurial venture that impacts social change? Are you interested in helping to create sustainable mental health solutions for the youth of our valley? Click here to apply:
DURING THIS ALL-DAY WORKSHOP ON FEBRUARY 10TH, STUDENTS WILL WORK TOGETHER TO CREATE A CAMPAIGN (WITH A REAL SPENDING BUDGET) TO RAISE AWARENESS AND EMPATHY FOR THE YOUTH COMMUNITY. STUDENTS WILL DESIGN AND IMPLEMENT AN ONGOING CAMPAIGN AND ROADMAP TO HELP THEIR COMMUNITY THRIVE. Who: Students from Aspen to Carbondale When: Applications Due by January 14th, 2022
Promotion item only valid for 2021-2022 members. While supplies last. Visit our website for details.
www.springgulch.org
Topics: mental wellbeing and support solutions, dissect the current issues contributing to unrest, human brain, conflict resolution strategies, tools for creating a trauma responsive community, empathy, marketing and brand strategy, as well as implementation.