20240307

This Week:

5 ~ Bee Friendly

10 ~ School fights

11-13 ~ Español

18 ~ Jalisco

20 ~ USFS

Not so fast fashion

In interviewing several designers with outfits in the 13th Annual Green Is The New Black Fashion Extravaganza, The Sopris Sun determined that it takes an abundance of time and dedication to prepare for the runway. The past several weeks, Ruthie (left) and Ayana Brown’s Carbondale home has turned into a makeshift studio to pull it off. Turn to pages 6-7 for a peek inside of the design process for four of this year’s fashion lines. Photo by Will Sardinsky

The story of place OPINION

Ps & Qs

By Jeannie Perry

Here is one version of how the story goes …

Kate Lindvig was a mail-order bride from Denmark who got off of the train in Nebraska to meet her new husband, took one look around and got right back on the train — headed west. She made her way to Aspen, where she ran a boarding house. When one of her tenants couldn’t pay his bill, he gave her a title to some land in Old Snowmass.

Kate moved out to the property and lived there year-round, unmarried, for most of her life. Over time, she homesteaded over 600 acres. She rented little one-room cabins to hunters and trappers, while raising cattle and farming the few vegetables that would grow at such an elevation. She had electricity powered by the falls (hence the name: Snowmass Falls Ranch) and once in a while she drove her cattle to town the oldfashioned way to make ends meet.

In the 1940s my grandparents, Bob and Ditty Perry, wanted to buy Snowmass Falls Ranch for a cow camp

LETTERS

Peace be with you

Shalom

As-salaam 'alaikum

Peace be with you.

to graze their cattle in the summers. They had the Mount Sopris Hereford ranch in Carbondale, which Ditty’s father, DRC Brown, purchased from Mr. Grubb. The ranch was now theirs, with a piece on the hill carved out for Ditty’s oldest brother, DRC Jr., whom we called Darce. (Ever-the-“small world,” my maternal grandfather, Tom Moore, was an architect and he designed the house in Carbondale for Darce and his second wife, Ruthie.)

So, Bob and Darce went to the land sale with the verbal agreement that Darce would spend Ditty’s money for half of the total price and Bob and Ditty would be the sole owners of Snowmass Falls Ranch. Ditty’s father died when they were young, and her brother controlled her money until she was 35. (A different era! I would like to point out that 2024 marks 50 years since a woman could get a credit card in her own name. And, in the name of equality, mine are all maxed out.)

Anyway, Bob and Darce went to the sale together, but they were late and a couple of brothers had already bought the land for $5,000. So they tracked the brothers down and offered the full amount, plus a couple of good horses. The brothers agreed to the deal and that was that, or so Bob thought.

In the 1950s, the guy charged with selling Kate’s place, as it was called, had the mining rights, and a woman of his acquaintance ended up owning them. She brought this to Bob’s attention, probably hoping he would give her $5,000 and a couple of good horses but, as some

In Judaism, Islam and Christianity the common blessing is "Peace". This refers to inner-peace as well as to the safety that political peace brings to communities. All people wish to raise their children in peace; the most basic of human requisites for healthy lives, economies and political states.

When one country attacks another there is no peace for any on either side of a border. The reality is there are no real borders between us anymore.

We can cross any river, mountain range or political line in this modern era. We are one world, one people. We harm our descendants if we harm those across the border from us because harm spreads harm, not healing.When I was a Girl Scout long ago we sang a song around the campfire:

"Peace I ask of thee oh river, Peace, peace, peace.

When I learn to live serenely, Cares will cease.

From the hills I gather courage, Wisdom of the way to be.

Strength to lead and faith to follow All are given unto me.

Peace I ask of thee oh river, Peace, peace, peace.”

Illene Pevec Carbondale

Correction:

Last week's Carbondale Report omitted the rather important detail that the proposed stipend increase would apply only to newlyelected board members.

of you may already know, there’s a bit of a stubborn streak in the Perry bloodline. Bob and Ditty took it all the way to the Colorado Supreme Court, where they lost the case. However, the woman could not afford to pay her lawyer, so she gave him the mining rights as payment. Then, Bob went and bought them from the lawyer.

At one point, Darce, the loveable rascal that he was, claimed he owned half the ranch. After all, he had accompanied Bob to the sale and, as it turned out, maybe he had not used Ditty’s money. Perhaps he used his own, or even his wife’s money that day. So, my grandfather paid his brother-in-law half again the sale price of the land and finally owned the cow camp outright.

Bob and Ditty had seven children and the next eight decades were chock full of cattle drives, picnics, campouts, hunting trips, packing trips, family reunions, weddings, christenings, memorials — although we never did have a true Viking service by sending a loved one’s body (on fire!) over the falls. And, if I outlive him, I’ll have to come up with a new plan for my husband’s funeral, as his wishes might be frowned upon by Pitkin County Open Space.

For the last eighty years our family has called this land many things: Kate’s, Cow Camp, Snowmass … My whole life it has just been there, at the end of the road, a silent yet stunning sanctuary. A place to hideout and daydream. A place to explore. A place with a remarkable story.

Robison for town trustee

Carbondale is voting for Town trustees on April 2. There is a strong list of candidates.

One who would contribute new and valuable energy and intelligence is Jess Robison.

Here are just three reasons to vote for Jess:

Jess comes from a multi-generational family who have lived in the Roaring Fork Valley for decades. Members from each generation continue to live in Carbondale. They all like what Carbondale offers, especially the strong sense of community. Jess knows our values, the way of life we want to preserve, what needs to change and our priorities.

Jess owns a construction consulting business. She understands business and finances, labor needs, how to work well on a team and holds vast insights into managing business and community growth — along with a commitment to sustaining community flavor. She understands how town government can meet our needs today and in the challenging years ahead.

Jess is committed to Carbondale in a way we have not seen matched in our 28 years in the Valley. She has excellent communication skills, is willing to do the hard work, listen to different interests and do the next right thing that we can all understand and agree to.

A vote for Jess Robison is a vote for an understanding of our way of life, for business, community growth (still committed to community interests) and a new Trustee who will work every day for what is best for Carbondale.

We encourage you to vote for Jess!

Shelley and Jerry Evans

Carbondale

continued on page 22

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Legacy Givers for including us in their final wishes. Mary Lilly

Donate by mail or online: P.O. Box 399

Carbondale, CO 81623

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Interested in becoming an Underwriter or Nonprofit Partner in 2024? Email Todd@ soprissun.com or call 970-987-9866

Basalt candidate forum

Basalt Town Council candidates, as well as the Mayoral candidate, participated in a public forum on Monday, March 4 at the Basalt Library. The forum was organized by the Basalt Chamber of Commerce, and while some questions were written up by the chamber, others were sourced from the community ahead of time. To watch the forum in its entirety, visit tinyurl.com/ BasaltForum

Fair design contest

The 53rd Annual Carbondale Mountain Fair t-shirt (and poster) design contest is now open! This year’s Talking Headsinspired theme is “This Must Be The Place: Feet on the Ground, Head in the Sky!” Submit a well-developed vertical or square concept and at least three work samples to brian@carbondalearts.com by April 1.

Trump card

The United States Supreme Court has officially ruled that Donald J. Trump is eligible to appear on the Colorado ballot in Donald J. Trump v. Norma Anderson, et. al. In anticipation of his appeal, the Colorado Supreme Court opted to stay its Dec. 19, 2023 ruling against his eligibility under provisions of Section 3 of the 14th Amendment to the United States Constitution. As such, his name already appeared on primary ballots prior to the Supreme Court’s March 4 decision.

Go fish

The 2024-2025 fishing season is officially here, with licenses available for now through March 31 of next year. Get yours at Alpine Angling or the Roaring Fork Co-Op, online at cpw.state.co.us or by calling 800-244-5613. Fishing license sales support all statewide hatchery and fish-stocking operations.

Park your boat

The annual lottery for boaters looking to store their trailered boat at the Ruedi Reservoir Marina parking area is open for entries through March 31. The marina has 65 seasonal storage spaces available from May 13 through Sept. 30. With demand higher than spaces available, the marina has been using a lottery system to determine who can use the seasonal spaces. Visit americanll. com/ruediboatstoragedrawing for more inforomation.

Post haste

The United States Postal Service is accepting public comments through March 8 on a proposal that would see the Grand Junction regional processing and distribution facility move to a local processing center. That means mail from across the Western Slope would have to travel to Denver and back for sorting. Visit surveymonkey.com/r/mpfr-grandjunction-co to weigh in.

Fight fire

At approximately 9:46pm on Saturday, March 1, the Glenwood Springs Fire Department was alerted and responded to a structure fire on Soccer Field Road. Firefighters were able to successfully knock down the fire before midnight with no injuries reported. The cause of the fire is currently under investigation. Speaking of firefighting, the USDA Forest Service is hiring 50 entry-level, permanent seasonal wildland firefighters to work on engine, hotshot, helitack and hand crews across the Rocky Mountain Region. Visit tinyurl. com/USFSr2WFH for more information or USAJobs.gov to apply through March 15.

Save your energy

Households earning 80-150% of the area median income can qualify for $2,000-$4,000 in financial aid toward recommended home energy measures, depending on income. For a family of four in Garfield County, the 150% cap equates to an annual income of $148,800. Families that earn 80% of AMI ($79,360 for a family of four) or less will be referred to state or federal programs, where they can qualify for even better benefits. Visit garfield cleanenergy.org/reenergize to apply.

Bitten by a loose dog?

Carbondale Police responded to multiple reports of a pair of dogs chasing and biting pedestrians the afternoon of Feb. 27. After citizen attempts to capture the canines ended in another bite, officers cornered the pair near Village Road. One deployed his taser, but a catch pole was ultimately used to capture the pair. Both dogs are now in quarantine, and at least one victim was treated at the emergency room. The Carbondale Police Department is asking for assistance identifying other possible victims/witnesses to this incident; call 970-625-8095 to make a report.

Front Brunner

Aspen journalist and award-winning photographer Kelsey Brunner will take over as news director at Aspen Public Radio starting this week. Brunner has lived in Aspen since 2019 and most recently served as a freelance photographer after three years as the chief photographer of The Aspen Times. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Journalism from the University of Colorado at Boulder and a Master of Arts in Photography from Ohio University.

They say it’s your birthday!

Folks celebrating another trip around the sun this week include: Carol Fabian and Diane Johnson (March 7); Greg Meredith, Gracie Oliphant, Karen Tafejian, Sidney Thomas and Jordan Tribble (March 8); Laura Kuhl (March 9); Vicky Browne and Pat Curry (March 11); Laura Bartels, Dean Bowlby, Hilary Burgess, Rose Rossello, Laura Segura and Lee Swidler (March 12); Alex Alvarado, Denise Barkhurst, Mike Cuseo, Jared Kennedy, Justin McBride, Mark Nieslanik, Grant Stevens, Nancy Thal and Caitlin Walker (March 13).

On Feb. 29, 2024, Ayani Aliana Alvarez became the first Leap Year baby, or “leapling,” born at Valley View Hospital in Glenwood Springs. According to the Social Security Administration, approximately 362,900 Americans have a Feb. 29 birthday, compared to around 1.6 million on March 1. Ayani’s parents plan to celebrate her birthday on both Feb. 28 and March 1. Courtesy photo

March

Local latina doctor continually promotes healthy living in the Valley

By Jackie Ramirez Sopris Sun Intern

Maria Judith Alvarez, the founder and executive director of La Clinica del Pueblo, is a licensed doctor in Mexico but is not able to practice in the U.S. Regardless, she uses her expertise to push initiatives that address healthy living, particularly among community members with a lack of access to resources.

“Since I was a little girl, I was very interested in becoming a doctor,” Alvarez told The Sopris Sun. “I tell this story a lot, but I had a kitten who had gotten up on the roof, and it seemed like he had gotten into a fight. The kitten came home in the night bleeding from his foot … I put a bandage on him and then went to bed. When I woke up, the kitten had died overnight. I’m not sure if it was because he bled out, but from there my passion was born to want to help people.”

She also shared that she suffers from poliomyelitis, where one of her feet is shorter than the other. This causes her to limp when she walks.

Alvarez draws inspiration from both experiences to continue helping people obtain a healthier lifestyle, either through medical care or nutrition. For Alvarez, the decision to move from Mexico to the U.S. wasn’t an easy one, knowing she’d be

going to a country where she didn’t know the language and having had an established career in Mexico.

“There are many in the [immigrant] community who have their professions but can’t work in the field they studied,” Alvarez said, noting that it’s not always feasible to repeat studies — especially when someone has a family to support.

“You can’t give yourself the luxury of studying again.”

Alvarez founded La Clínica del Pueblo in 2016, after she saw through her work with Valley Settlement that immigrant women were not receiving adequate medical attention. After surveying patients she was working with (checking blood sugar, blood pressure and taking weights), it was clear that all of their levels were high. Because these patients had gone many years without seeing a doctor, Alvarez and her supervisor made it their mission to remedy that. They met a doctor from Nicaragua who was able to help provide those patients with medical care.

“The truth is, it was like a miracle,” stated Alvarez.

In 2020, Alvarez met Dr. Greg Feinsinger, who continues to help with Alvarez’s mission to bring equitable health care and access to the Valley. Dr. Feinsinger had his own organization, which later encompassed

La Clínica del Pueblo. As his colleague, Alvarez helps interpret during medical visits with Dr. Feinsinger.

Alvarez considered how Mexico and the U.S. differ in terms of health care, and how that can impact many people’s perspectives.

“I believe that here [in the U.S.] we take a much more preventative focus,” Alvarez said. “Latinos go to the doctor because they are already in a lot of pain and have already tried all of the home remedies — or the ones from grandma — and they didn’t work, so they want something that will help.”

Often when “we go see the doctor and they don’t give us anything … [we ask], ‘Why did I go to the consultation?’” Alvarez pointed out. “I used to think that the preventative measure meant that the U.S. was too cautious in wanting to do analysis for everything in order to give you treatment, but the base is prevention.”

Alvarez went on to shed some light on a cultural aspect of the Latino community. Oftentimes, many in the Latino community prefer to either wait the pain out or take preventative measures into their own hands, due to high costs. While she understands the reasons for doing so, she argued that home remedies can also end up being costly and that the longer someone postpones a doctor visit, the more it will cost to address the ailment.

La Clinica del Pueblo offers free consultations, and additional fees are based on one’s ability to pay. Alvarez emphasized the importance of not only medicine, but diet and nutrition as essential to a healthier lifestyle. Aside from her work at La Clinica del Pueblo, Alvarez advocates healthy living through her cooking classes and her work with Safe and Abundant Nutrition Alliance (SANA), despite the barriers that hold her back from not being able to carry out her own medical practice in the U.S..

For more information on La Clinica del Pueblo, please visit tinyurl.com/LaClinicadelPueblo

Dr. Greg Feinsinger and Maria Judith Alvarez of La Clinica del Pueblo.

Courtesy photo

Carbondale residents who have grown to loathe their high-maintenance, uniform lawns are in luck. Bee Friendly Carbondale — an offshoot of the Environmental Board — is partnering with the Town to tap into state funding for turf replacement.

As reported by Water Education Colorado, “40% of Colorado’s municipal and industrial water use goes toward outdoor irrigation.”

According to Scott Wenning, Carbondale’s assistant public works director, “In winter, approximately 600,000 gallons of water per day are used in Town, while summer consumption jumps up to more than double at approximately 1,300,000 gallons of water consumed per day, meaning that most of the extra 700,000 gallons per day of water consumption is likely used for irrigation. That consumption only includes treated water and not any ditch water used for irrigation.”

A rough estimate based on flow measurements suggests more than 5 million gallons per day are consumed for irrigation during peak summer, Wenning told The Sopris Sun, with more than half of that consumption coming from River Valley Ranch.

Colorado House Bill 1151, passed in 2022, made $2 million available for implementing a program “for the voluntary replacement of irrigated turf with water-wise landscaping” — consistent with a growing movement of incentive-based programs cropping up in the arid West to cut down on existing water demand.

The buzz with turf replacement

By Raleigh Burleigh Sopris Sun Editor

Colorado’s approach allows local-level jurisdictions to decide how they want to approach this by relying on local governments, special districts, tribal nations and nonprofits to make the funds available to individual homeowners.

Carbondale’s goals, for example, go beyond reducing water consumption and include enhancing biodiversity and support for pollinator insects. Rather than gravel or astroturf, Bee Friendly wants to see gardens growing native plants that support the overall health of our ecosystems.

Conventional lawns offer little nutrition for diverse species, especially when doused with killer chemicals to deter weeds. Conversely, planting

Planting a garden with native pollinators in mind

is an excellent way to bridge your home with the wild beauty that surrounds it. Watercolor by

Larry Day

native flora supports local pollinators adapted to thrive in harmony with specific plants. Seen from this perspective, water savings is an added bonus for bucking the bluegrass.

Carbondale’s pilot program will begin accepting applications on March 15, with a total of $16,000 available to invest toward the initiative. Half of the money came from the state’s turf replacement pot and the other half was matched by the Town. Residents who currently irrigate with potable water may submit a plan for how they would rework their green space to welcome more color.

Bee Friendly and the Town will then review the applications and select projects. Those chosen will be reimbursed for up to 1,000

square feet of turf replaced at $2 per square foot. This pilot program is intended for new projects and will not retroactively fund lawns that were converted previous to 2024.

Although folks who irrigate with ditch water or live outside of Town limits are not eligible for funding, everyone is welcome to attend a design workshop hosted by Bee Friendly on March 23 at the Carbondale Library. Design professionals will help people to reimagine their gardens and even help complete an application with their plan.

A second event on April 3 at White River Books will offer more resources for pollinator protectors to “get into the weeds,” so to speak. In addition to plant lists, bookstore owner Izzy Stringham will make available books on landscaping and local ecosystems.

Projects must comply with the Town’s Integrated Weed Management Plan and consent to be monitored for the next five years as required by the state funding. Recipients will be notified by the end of April and projects must be completed and ready for review by Oct. 15. In the months between, Bee Friendly will check in and offer assistance. If the program is successful in its first year, the Town will explore continuing it again next year, rolling over any funding not spent during this pilot phase.

To connect with Bee Friendly on this and other initiatives, including demonstration gardens in public spaces, visit beefriendlycarbondale.com or email beefriendlycarbondale@gmail.com

Fashion…

By Will Sardinsky and James Steindler The Sopris Sun

The 13th Annual Green Is The New Black Fashion Extravaganza opens tonight! Thursday, March 7, that is, at the Carbondale Rec Center. “This year’s theme is ‘Fabulation: A Wild Romp Through the Future,’ a concept inspired by the examination of our future with advanced technology, artificial intelligence and the impact of that on the human experience,” reads a press release from Carbondale Arts.

The Sopris Sun had the opportunity to catch up with a few of the designers ahead of the show.

Koimoyoo

Keep it weird!

Below: Gillespie described her pieces this year as sculptural, with more "frill" and "texture" compared to her designs in past shows.

Ayana and Ruthie Brown are a mother-daughter fashion design duo. Ruthie initiated some of her designs at school, and her mom added some final touches before submitting them.

Having to come up with a name for the line, Ruthie drew inspiration from their first shirt design — a button down white shirt with red kisses they already had dubbed “Office Romance.” They played off of other various “love tropes” for titles for the other designs and settled on “Koimoyoo” as a brand for the line. The Japanese word translates to “love affair,” and Ayana suggested that, since her daughter is studying Japanese, it would be a good fit.

Ruthie said that the looks are inspired by the latter three decades of the 20th century.

“I thought I was going to be better at sewing than I am,” Ruthie laughed. “I think it just looks so much easier than it actually is.” Luckily, mom was there to help with some of the more technical stitches. “I feel like we’re a good balance,” said Ruthie.

Both were surprised by how time-consuming it was. Ruthie works at a gym, and its patrons have become accustomed to seeing her beading or sewing at the front desk.

“It’s a lot of problem solving,” said Ayana. “You have what you want to make and you kind of know how to get there; then along the way you come upon all of these problems that you weren’t expecting and you just have to solve all of them. It’s an ongoing process.”

Ruthie feels fortunate to be able to experiment with fashion design in her hometown.

Ayana commended her daughter’s knack for design, noting that it was easy to discern from her drawings how it would all be put together. “I’m excited to make more,” Ruthie concluded.

Peaches & Sea Foam

Rachael Gillespie has been modeling in the fashion show for more than a decade and has had her designs in the show almost as long. She is self taught and bases her designs off of the theme each year.

“This year I’m going a lot bigger,” she told The Sopris Sun, from a designer’s perspective, of course. “I’m doing a lot more bulky, kind of sculptural … more frill, more texture,” with a “space cowboy feel.”

For a long time, Gillespie has had a vested interest in fashion. “I really enjoy having this creative outlet to do this all of the time. Once a year I get to sew and create for this show.”

She appreciates having such a wild and whimsical event in Carbondale and recognizes how it might push people’s comfort. “I think [that can] be healthy and good for the state-of-mind,” she stated.

Gillespie recalled when the fashion show was hosted at the Community Room (formerly Pac Three) at the Third Street Center. “It’s been fun to see the show evolve” and grow, she shared.

There is an element of feminism that permeates from the stage, which Gillespie is proud to be a part of. “That female empowerment side — not that I don’t practice that in the day-to-day, but it’s nice to express that in this really outward way,” she shared. Typically, Gillespie can be an introvert, she claimed.

She encourages audiences, and people in general, to “embrace more of the weird and unusual.”

Top: AnaSophia Brown, Ruthie’s younger sister and a model in her line, shows off one of her sister’s sketches. Right: Luckily, Ayana loves to sew.

Photos by Will Sardinsky

Above: Stitch, stitch, stitching away ... Right: Can a designer ever have too much fun donning their own pieces? Absolutely not!

Photos by Will Sardinsky

to the future

Neo-Perennial

“The core of what I do is botanical,” designer Yoli Laguerre told The Sopris Sun. She has worked as a professional floral designer, with some pretty outstanding and massive installations around the world under her belt.

“In my career, I’m used to doing fleeting art,” she said. “My art never lasts. It’s an arrangement or an installation that’s made to enjoy for the night … you enjoy it for the moment and then take it with you.”

Still, “All of the looks are strong and perennial,” she shared.

She welcomes that aspect of her work. “You won’t see these dresses anywhere on the planet. They’ve never been done. I’ve never done them, and I never will do them again. I kind of think that’s romantic.”

“I like to deal with different botanical elements that are unexpected,” she continued. Many of the natural materials for her line are foraged from here in the Valley. “There’s a lot of surprises there and mystery. I think that the community that is familiar with my work will look at it a bit more acutely and look for all of those surprises.”

She also pointed out the amount of time it takes to bring a vision to fruition and said she has A,B and C plans for each of her looks, “depending on how long it was going to take.”

A couple of years ago, Laguerre started We Are Perennials, a local organization that works with victims of domestic violence and people suffering from addiction to create beauty from the natural world as a type of therapy. Learn more about that at weareperennials.org

She is blown away by the dedication and work that goes into Green Is The New Black every year. “I don’t think that people would expect something so fashionable and so cool coming from a small mountain town … and to be a part of it, I feel so lucky.”

History of the Future by the Progressives

For the third iteration of Carbondale Arts’ Creative Apprenticeship Program, local high school students with a flare and interest for fashion got to create a sixpiece line to be featured in the 13th Annual Green Is The New Black Fashion Extravaganza.

Walking into the Project Shop on a recent Wednesday evening, The Sopris Sun came across a group of young people working in unison to make unique repurposed outfits.

Gigi Rascon, a sophomore at Glenwood Springs High School, explained that they all worked on each outfit as a team. “We all throw something into the mix,” she shared.

While working on a hoop skirt, looped with an old TV cable cord and glimmering with reclaimed vinyl, Enzo Katzenberger, a sophomore at Roaring Fork High, shared that he’s had a predisposition for fashion, having “attempted” to create some of his own clothes “but nothing like this.”

“We’re all so different — style-wise, but also expression-wise — so it’s been really interesting to try and work that all together in a coherent way,” said Enzo. “That’s been really fun.”

“I really love fashion,” added Jacob Sam, a senior at Colorado Rocky Mountain School (CRMS), who discovered his interest thereof at a young age. He got to help with costuming for a CRMS play but considers this to be a whole other level.

Speaking to the group's cohesion, Nicola Stringham, a junior at Roaring Fork, said, “We’ve been able to come up with a lot of fun pieces that have a lot more meaning than anything I think I would have been able to come up with individually.”

The apprentices have also been coming in on their own time during open hours on Saturdays at the Project Shop to work on their pieces, according to Reina Katzenberger, Project Shop manager and the liaison for the Creative Apprenticeship Program.

Left: Jacob Sam applies rivets.

Above: Nicola Stringham (left) and Gigi Rascon fitting model Mugsy Fay.

Tune into “Everything Under The Sun” on KDNK Thursday, March 7, at 4pm for a live interview with the Creative Apprenticeship Program.

Photos by James Steindler

Top: Yoli Laguerre (center) with three of her line's models and the notorious GITNB Director Amy Kimberly (right).

Left: Laguerre is known for incorporating flora and other natural elements into her designs.

Below: A glimpse at some of Laquerre's designs slated for the runway.

Photos by Will Sardinsky

Continuing Ed Classes in Carbondale

PILATES BLEND

A full-body workout that will engaging the entire body and the core powerhouse. All levels

Tue/Thurs, 12pm & 1pm, 3/11-5/1

ZUMBA WITH MIMI

Burn calories and have fun while dancing to Latin music.

Thursdays, 6:30-7:30pm, 3/14-5/2

PHOTOGRAPHING ANIMALS

Learn to get great images with your camera or cell phone.

Sat/Sun, 9am-12pm, 3/16-3/24 SPRING PLANTING IN THE ROCKIES

How and when to plant for high altitude gardens that thrive.

Thursday, 6-8pm, 3/21 NEW TECHNIQUES FOR PRINTMAKERS

Expand your printmaking skills with drypoint, photo transfers, brushwork and more!

Mondays, 6-9pm, 3/25-4/29

ADULT BEGINNER BALLET

Classical ballet fundamentals at the barre and center work with Alexandra Jerkunica.

Tuesdays, 9-10am, 3/26-4/30

INTRO TO DRAWING

Learn traditional drawing and observational skills with a simple method in this fun class.

Tue’s, 5:30-8:30pm, 3/26-4/30

BEGINNING FOOD GARDENING

For beginning gardeners or anyone wanting to increase productivity in their garden. 6-8pm, 3/27and 4/11

PET PORTRAITS WITH CHARCOAL PASTELS AND WATERCOLOR

Explore materials, compositions, color theory, and how to interpret a portrait from photographs.

Thursdays, 6-8:30pm, 3/28-5/2

FOR MORE INFO AND TO REGISTER . . .

Carbondale Lappala Center 690 Colorado Ave 970.963.2172

When You Have Unexpected Medical Needs

Our After-Hours clinic provides a convenient, cost-effective way to receive the compassionate care you deserve without a visit to the ER.

No appointment necessary, walk-ins welcome!

Weekdays: 3:00 pm - 11:00 pm |

Weekends: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm 234 East Cody Lane, Basalt | 970.544.1250

THURSDAY, MARCH 7

FASHION EXTRAVAGANZA

Models and dancers take to the runway for the 13th Annual Green Is The New Black Fashion Show Extravaganza tonight, tomorrow and Saturday. Tickets are sold out. Have a great show, everyone.

GOP CAUCUS

Republican caucuses take place in Garfield County at assigned precinct locations at 7pm. Preregister at caucus.cologop.org.

CRYSTAL THEATRE

“Dune: Part Two” screens at 7pm on March 7, 8, 9, 13 and 14, and at 5pm on March 10. “American Fiction” shows at 4:30pm on March 9.

FRIDAY, MARCH 8

POLLINATE YOUR PALATE

Basalt Library hosts Pollinator Chocolate at 4pm for an educational and culinary event to tickle your tastebuds. This free chocolate tasting will satisfy stomachs of all ages. Visit basaltlibrary.org to register.

WELCOME HOME

English In Action kicks off its Welcome Home capital campaign to raise funds for its future Center for Communication building. Visit englishinaction.org for more info.

IMPROV JAM

The notorious Consensual Improv troupe invites you to practice your improvisational chops at 6:30pm at TACAW. Previous improv experience is encouraged. Email info@theconsensualimprov. com to register.

SATURDAY, MARCH 9

PLANTING WORKSHOP

Growing Empowerment hosts a seed sorting and planting workshop before sorting, repackaging and planting seeds that will be distributed to recipients who depend on Lift-Up’s food pantries. The first workshop is at the Carbondale Library at noon and the second is at the Glenwood Library at 2pm. Email Kim.Wille@gmail.com for more info.

DEMS CAUCUS

Garfield County Democrats host a precinct caucus and county assembly at 1pm via Zoom. Visit www.garcodems.org for more info and to register.

YONDER MOUNTAIN

Yonder Mountain String Band performs a 7pm show at TACAW. Visit www.tacaw.org for tickets.

‘COMMON GROUND’

“Common Ground” screens at the Wheeler Opera House at 7pm, followed by a panel discussion about regenerative agriculture between the filmmakers and representatives from Aspen Valley Land Trust, Aspen Center of Environmental Studies and The Farm Collaborative. Visit wheeleroperahouse.com for tickets and more info.

GITNB AFTER PARTY

Typical Ghost plays bootyshaking original tunes during a Fashion Show after party at La Raza at 9:30pm. Visit typicalghost.com for more info.

SUNDAY, MARCH 10

INTRO TO THE WHEEL

Ashley Banegas teaches beginners the basics of throwing pots at 10am at the Carbondale Clay Center. Visit carbondaleclay.org for more info.

QUILT GUILD

The Roaring Fork Valley Quilt Guild invites you to their annual “Show and Tell” viewing of quilts and stitching projects created by Valley residents from 2 to 4pm at the Basalt Library. Bring your projects and share your stories with friends. Stay and stitch or just come by to enjoy the beautiful quilts!

MINDFUL LIFE

The Mindful Life Program begins a 28-part Daily Practice Circle this evening at 5pm. Visit www.mindfullifeprogram. org for more info.

SONG CIRCLE

Sweet Root invites you to bring your voice and sing your intentions in the Third Street Center round room at 6pm.

MONDAY, MARCH 11

‘PROXIMAL VERDURE’

HP Bloomer and Sam Oliver’s exhibit, “PROXIMAL VERDURE,” will be on display at the Carbondale Clay Center today through April 12. A reception will be held on April 5 at 6pm.

CARBONDALE HISTORY

Sue Gray of the Carbondale Historical Society tells the story of the town’s early pioneers through the lens of entrepreneur William M. Dinkel at 6pm at the Carbondale Library.

TUESDAY, MARCH 12

COGNITIVE CARE CIRCLE

The Alzheimer’s Association facilitates a monthly support group for families, partners and caregivers of individuals living with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia every second Tuesday at 3pm at Sopris Lodge. Register at soprislodge.com/events

GLAZE, GLAZE, GLAZE

Anne Goldberg gives glazing tips at the Carbondale Clay Center at 6pm. Visit carbondaleclay. org for more info.

TRANSCENDENCE

R. Christian Minson leads “Transformation and Transcendence: A Breathwork Ceremony” at True Nature at 6pm. Visit truenaturehealingarts. com for more info.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 13

WHATLOW

Learn all about fire safety, careers in fire service, the science of fire and get to tour a fire truck in an all-ages event from 2:30 to 3:30pm at Basalt Library.

CLIMATE FILM

350 Roaring Fork screens

“Happening: A Clean Energy Revolution” — an upbeat, positive telling of climate solutions by Robert Redford's late son James — at 6pm at the Carbondale Branch Library.

LESSONS FROM SHAKESPEARE

At 7pm, the Colorado Shakespeare Festival’s touring program uses a 45-minute abridged “Romeo and Juliet” coupled with the latest school violence research to teach safe and effective intervention strategies people can use when they see mistreatment happening around them. Visit tacaw.org to register.

HEART ATTACK PREVENTION

Greg Feinsinger, MD discusses heart attack prevention measures at 7pm in the Calaway Room at the Third Street Center.

The Carbondale Community School hosts a community contra dance on Saturday, March 9 at 7:30pm. A half-an-hour tutorial starts out the evening followed by live music and dancing until 10pm. Visit Roaring Fork Valley Contra Dance on Facebook for more info.

THURSDAY, MARCH 14

INTRO TO PASTELS

Amanda Selsky teaches the basics of drawing with pastels from 9am to noon today, March 21, April 4 and 11. Register at theartbase.org

‘BRIDGE TO TERABITHIA’

SoL Theatre Company opens “Bridge to Terabithia” tonight at 6pm at Thunder River Theatre. The run continues tomorrow and Saturday, March 16 with showings at 6pm and a matinee on Sunday, March 17 at 2pm. Tickets at tinyurl. com/BridgetoTerabithiaSoL

BANNED BOOK CLUB

The Basalt Library invites adults and high schoolers to a safe and inclusive space for readers to explore literature that has challenged norms, defied censorship and sparked important conversations throughout history. This month features Lois Lowry’s “The Giver,” with a discussion starting at 4pm.

MUSIC AT THE LIBRARY

Salomé Songbird is, at a glance, a string-band but the acoustic trio boasts a background spanning fiddle tunes to free jazz; and baroque to bebop to bluegrass. They’ll show off these influences from 5:30 to 6:30pm at the Basalt Library.

‘THUS, THE NIGHT’

The Isis Theatre screens a short art film inspired by French composer Henri Dutilleux's seminal work for string quartet written in 1976, Ainsi la Nuit. The event begins at 5:30pm and will include a panel conversation and a live musical performance. Visit aspenfilm.org for info and tickets.

‘SPIDER LIVES’

A 5:30pm Wheeler Opera house screening takes you on a journey into the rich history of professional ski racing through the story of renowned American ski hero, Spider Sabich, followed by a conversation with Christin Cooper, Mark Taché and Amy Redford. Visit aspenshowtix. com to reserve your seat.

CRYSTAL CAUCUS

The Crystal River Caucus meets at 7pm at the Church at Redstone and over Zoom. Email crcaucus@ gmail.com for more info.

WOMEN’S ADVENTURE FILM

Celebrate extraordinary women in the name of adventure with a touring selection of short films at 7:30pm at TACAW. Visit tacaw.org for tickets.

FRIDAY, MARCH 15

LOVE LETTERS

Join Mateo Sandate at the Carbondale Library at 4pm on March 15, April 19 and May 17 to explore techniques for letting appreciation flow and saying what you need to say to loved ones through letter writing. Each session is free and open to all. Call 970-963-2889 for more info.

ZIKR DANCE

Denver’s nationally-acclaimed Zikr Dance Ensemble celebrates its 15th anniversary season with “Invocation” — a showcase of some of the company’s signature works and audience favorites — at 5:30pm at TACAW. Visit tacaw.org for tickets.

SATURDAY, MARCH 16

AMERICA’S UPHILL

The 2.5 mile and 3,000-foot plus vertical race up Aspen Mountain starts at 7am. Visit utemountaineer.com/americas-uphill to register by 9am on March 9.

SPRING GULCH SEND-OFF

Before we hang up our skis, join your fellow cross country skiers at Mountain Heart Brewing for drinks, apps and live music by Sweet Jessup & the Dirty Buckets. Follow the Mount Sopris Nordic Council on social media for details and exact times.

SUNDAY, MARCH 17

ST. PATRICK’S DINNER

Join St. Vincent’s Catholic Church in Basalt from 4 to 7pm for the parish’s annual St. Patrick’s Day dinner — this year with carnitas in addition to the traditional corned beef and cabbage.

TUESDAY, MARCH 19

INTERFAITH DIALOGUE

People from any and all religious backgrounds are invited to participate in an Interfaith Dialogue at 5pm at the Basalt Library. “The dialogue is not about debate, changing minds or pushing agendas,” according to a press release, “but rather about learning how to hold space for difficult conversations.”

More info at basaltlibrary.org

DRAWING CLUB

The Roaring Fork Drawing Club convenes at The Launchpad at 6:30pm.

“Animal Writes"

Love Thy (Immigrant) Neighbors

In late fall of 2023 roughly 60 immigrants, mostly from Venezuela, arrived in Carbondale, basically homeless. Unlike other communities, Carbondale greeted them with compassion and tried to meet their needs. The Social Justice committee of the Two Rivers Unitarian Universalists will examine how we can continue to help at our service on March 10.

Sunday, March 10th, 10am

at Two Rivers Unitarian Universalist Community Room @ Third Street Center in Carbondale or via Zoom (scan QR code)

Join Zoom Meeting - https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82605258305

Meeting ID: 826 0525 8305 - Passcode: chalice

truu.org

Addressing fights at Roaring Fork School District

By Victoria Gautier Youth Correspondent

Last semester, The Sopris Sun interviewed Joel Hathaway, the executive director of schools for Roaring Fork School District (RFSD). The purpose of the interview was to find out more about the average number of school fights that occur.

Hathaway stated that there is not necessarily data accounting for the exact number of school fights and offered to explain why.

“The State of Colorado has different codes that a principal uses when there is a behavioral incident. They don’t have a code that’s for fighting,” specifically, he explained. He added that there are codes for things such as smoking, bullying and weapons.

“Most of the time for fighting, we use a code called ‘detrimental behavior.’” He went on to explain that other forms of misconduct are also categorized as detrimental behavior.

As of Feb. 22, there had been 239 detrimental behavior coded incidents across all RFSD schools for the current school year, compared to 212 cases for the entirety of 2022-2023. The district also has a code called “physical aggression,” Hathaway clarified. From August through October 2023, there had been 34 documented instances of “physical aggression,” compared to 26 in 2022 during the same period.

A principal or school administrator will determine if any given case qualifies as physical aggression or not. However, the principal might look at it from a different perspective than the students involved. For example, if two students were horsing around the principal might consider that as physical aggression.

Hathway explained that the school has a tool called a “response matrix” to help make sure no one is discriminated against based on race, gender, language, sexual orientation, religion and so on. “We want things

Art by Dominic Furer, Youth Correspondent

to be fair and even, no matter who you are. We want to try to eliminate the potential for unconscious bias when people deal with incidents,” he stated.

The school uses restorative practices to try to reach solutions. Hathaway explained that this may include “facilitating safe, brave conversations with the people who were involved so that they can work it out appropriately.”

Another element of restorative response is making it up to the community, which can be done by giving an apology. When Hathaway goes into a mediation, he goes in with four questions:

1) What happened? 2) Who do you think was affected by what happened?

3) What part can you take responsibility for? 4) What should we do to fix it?

Hathaway understands that a student might act out because something may be going on at home or in their personal life and they are, in a way, trying to ask for

help when they might not know how else to get it. In such an instance, the school may recommend that the student visit a school counselor.

“I think that the issue is bigger than just fighting. I think the issue is that many people, especially kids right now, have gone through a lot of things in their lives that are hard,” said Hathaway. “There are a lot of people who are hurting inside.”

When it calls for it, a student may receive inschool suspension “or even out of school suspension, if it’s really serious,” stated Hathaway. This year, there has been a 50% reduction in incidents leading to out of school suspensions in district high schools compared to last year at this time.

If a student continues a pattern of aggressive behavior, the school may gather a large group — from the principal, to parents and counselors — to develop what’s termed a “wraparound” plan.

Hathaway said that parents or guardians are some of the first people to be notified and are key to addressing their child’s behavior. “In most cases, family is the most important part of solving these issues. You need family support and family help. The school needs it and the kid needs it,” he stated.

From a big-picture perspective, Hathaway said that it’s important for students to feel a sense of belonging at school. The administration can help with that by offering clubs and other activities where students can make friends who share common interests.

He added that it’s important to have teachers and administrators who are trusted by their students. The presence of therapists and counselors for younger students in elementary schools can help instill that trust, so when they get older they know that resource is there.

“All of those things help build a culture in schools that make the school experience better for kids,” concluded Hathaway, which leads to fewer fights.

Anna Cole

Bill Wilson

Sol del Valle el

Conectando comunidades desde 2021

Jalisco Grill llega a Carbondale

Por Jeanne Souldern

Corresponsal de Sopris Sun

Traducción por Dolores Duarte

El pasado miércoles por la tarde, coloridos arcos de globos y una tradicional ceremonia de corte de listón, proporcionaron un alegre marco para la tan esperada gran apertura del nuevo restaurante de Carbondale, Jalisco Grill.

Para los propietarios, Armando y María Vidrio, nativos de Jalisco, México, éste es su tercer restaurante en el valle de Roaring Fork, junto con los de Basalt y Rifle.

El restaurante, especializado en auténtica cocina jalisciense, está situado en La Fontana Plaza, en el local de una esquina que antes ocupaba 450 Teppanyaki.

Los Vidrio contrajeron nupcias en el estado de Washington en 2007, donde también eran propietarios y manejaban un restaurante. Tras vender el negocio hace unos 12 años, llegaron a Roaring Fork y al valle del río Colorado.

En mayo de 2017, los Vidrio y un socio comercial pusieron en marcha Hacienda Jalisco en el centro de Basalt.

Tras la venta de su parte, el restaurante cerró durante la pandemia. Sin embargo, su arrendador ofreció a los Vidrio la oportunidad de reactivar el negocio, lo que llevó a su reapertura en 2020. Además, se habían expandido con un restaurante en Rifle en octubre de 2019.

Como antiguos residentes de Glenwood Springs, la pareja ahora vive en Silt con su hija de 16 años y su hijo de 13 años, quienes continúan asistiendo a las escuelas de Glenwood Springs.

"Les gustan las escuelas de Glenwood- habían hecho amigos y allí se sentían como en casa", explicó María.

"Cuando compramos una casa en Silt, los niños querían continuar en Glenwood para ir a la escuela, así que mi esposa los lleva todas las mañanas", añade Armando.

El local de Carbondale es el más grande de los tres restaurantes y cuenta con una plantilla de unas 20 personas, entre empleados a tiempo parcial y completo.

Jalisco, el estado mexicano que bordea el océano Pacífico por el oeste, es ampliamente conocido como la cuna del tequila, y eso se refleja en

el menú de bebidas, con tequilas de primera calidad para las margaritas y mojitos de la casa. También puede elegir el tradicional caballito de tequila con una rodaja de limón.

Armando calcula que, en un día ajetreado, utilizan entre 150 y 200 limones para jugo recién exprimido.

Jalisco es una experiencia gastronómica completa, con totopos, guacamole, salsa y tortillas de maíz y harina hechas en el lugar. María dice que sólo utilizan ingredientes frescos, nunca congelados o enlatados, para garantizar resultados más sabrosos.

Cada día hierven dos tandas de frijol para prepararlos refritos, mientras que el arroz se esponja delicadamente con tomates frescos, ajo y especias. Las carnes y verduras a la parrilla se marinan en jugos de cítricos y hierbas antes de cocinarse para que quede en su punto.

María tuvo un par de agradecimientos el día de la inauguración: A Tutty Frutti, la heladería de al lado, por proveer los arcos de globos festivos y a los miembros del personal del ayuntamiento de Carbondale que vinieron a comer para

En el centro se encuentran Armando y Maria Vidrio, dueños de Jalisco, acompañados por su personal y miembros de la cámara de comercio de Carbondale. Fotos por Jeanne Souldern.

ofrecer su apoyo al negocio más nuevo de nuestra comunidad.

"Tenemos muchos amigos en Carbondale y estamos emocionados de estar aquí. Es un reto porque este restaurante es más grande que los otros dos, pero hemos aprendido mucho de esas experiencias. Estamos contentos de abrir", dice María con una gran sonrisa, porque por fin llegó el día.

En el futuro, tienen previsto abrir a las 7 de la mañana y ofrecer un completo menú de desayunos, que incluirá burritos y tacos de desayuno, varios platillos de huevos, tostadas francesas, panqueques, avena y su versión del clásico desayuno mexicano, rebautizado Sopris Rancheros.

Jalisco Grill sirve comida en el lugar y también para llevar y está abierto de domingo a jueves de 11 am a 9 pm y los viernes y sábados de 11 am a 10 pm.

Volumen 3, Número 2| 7-13 de marzo de 2024

Opinión de Invitado

Por Yesenia Benavides Burgos

Tengo 17 años y voy en el tercer año en la preparatoria Roaring Fork (RFHS por sus siglas en inglés). Ser capaz de poder ayudar a los latinos a aprender un nuevo idioma por medio de ser tutora para mis compañeros ha sido un experiencia que ha cambiado mi vida. Retrospectivamente,y en riesgo de parecer dramática, se me hubiera roto el corazón de no haber tomado esta oportunidad de ser un tutora.

Mi primer semestre de ser tutora yo principalmente me enfoqué en ayudar a los recién llegados con sus estudios. Los recién llegados en este sentido son personas nuevas a los EE.UU y aprendiendo inglés.

Un tutor es un estudiante de mayor grado que ayuda a los maestros ( y los estudiantes del curso) en una clase que ellos ya han completado. Desde el minuto que te inscribes a este programa tienes que tomarlo en serio. Tienes que llegar a

Tutoría y una conexión cultural

clase, tienes que comunicarte y tienes que ser un buen ejemplo a seguir por toda la escuela. La clase en la que yo ayudo se llama tutorial para los estudiantes del primer grado (noveno). Tutorial es una clase donde los estudiantes pueden hacer su tarea con sus compañeros del mismo grado. Durante ese tiempo nosotros repasamos los anuncios y participamos en actividades. Es como una clase base y toma el lugar de ”Crew” el cuál teníamos el año pasado. Cada estudiante de RFHS tiene una clase tutorial un día sí y un día no. Yo estoy orgullosa de ser latina. Yo nací en los Estados Unidos y el español es mi primer lenguaje. Yo aprendí inglés en el preescolar y a veces todavía tengo dificultades con el lenguaje. Cuándo estaba en la escuela primaria y secundaria, estaba en el programa ELD (Desarrollo del idioma Inglés) en la Escuela Ross Montessori. Yo batallaba con la pronunciación tanto en inglés como en español. Para aprender el español mi mamá me apoyaba en casa. Para aprender inglés recibí apoyo adicional en Ross Montessori. De vez en cuando todavía olvido una palabra en inglés o español. Escribir es el aspecto qué

más se me dificulta en ambos idiomas.En más de un sentido comparto una experiencia parecida a la de los recién llegados. La relacionabilidad me hace sentir la responsabilidad de ayudar a otros a navegar la transición de una sociedad hispano-hablante al Valle de Roaring Fork.

En la clase en la que soy tutora, ayudó al maestro con todo lo que sea necesario y dedico mucho tiempo a hacer lo que amo; ayudar a hablantes bilingües emergentes. Ya sea ayudando a interpretar los anuncios practicando la lectura en inglés o ayudando a los estudiantes a hacer sus tareas cada vez es más gratificante.

Pase lo que pase en clase hago todo lo posible para ayudar a responder las preguntas de mis compañeros, aclarar cualquier confusión y asegurarse de que vayan por buen camino. Es gratificante trabajar con mis compañeros y ayudarles. Espero ser una parte importante del Camino hacia el aprendizaje de inglés para los estudiantes de {ELD or recién llegados} con los que he trabajado. Espero que dentro de unos años estos compañeros miren hacia atrás y tengan una sonrisa en sus caras cuando me recuerden. No es por razones

egoístas, sino que también recordaré a las personas que marcaron la diferencia en mi camino aprendiendo un nuevo idioma y cómo su papel cambió completamente mi experiencia. Lo más importante es que estos estudiantes con los que he trabajado sepan que estoy aquí para ayudarlos. Ser tutora es técnicamente como un trabajo pero no lo consideró trabajo. Me he conectado con estos estudiantes y he hecho amistades.Todos tienen alrededor de mi edad lo que en parte es la razón por la que me conecto tan bien con ellos. Además de que haya una cultura y algunas experiencias de vida compartida o similar crea un conexión naturalmente con los estudiantes ELD. Siento que la comida hispana está conectada como una comunidad donde las personas se cuidan unos a otros Admito que me conecto más fácilmente dentro de la comunidad hispana pero eso no significa que no valore a mis amigos y vecinos de todos todos los orígenes. La cultura es importante y estoy agradecida de vivir en un lugar donde puedo abrazar la mía y animar a otros a hacer lo mismo, ser parte de una comunidad más amplia.

El idioma nunca debe ser un obstáculo cuando se trata de alcanzar sus metas financieras.

2014 Grand Ave

Glenwood Springs, CO 81601 970.947.0300

Es por eso que creamos los Centros Bancarios de FirstBank, donde los clientes pueden recibir servicios bancarios en el idioma de su preferencia y con un entendimiento de su cultura.

Donaciones por correo o en línea P.O. Box 399 Carbondale, CO 81623

970-510-3003 www.soprissun.com

Editor Bianca Godina • 970-510-3003 news@soprissun.com

Directore Artístico

Hattie Rensberry

Diseñadora de anuncios

Emily Blong

Traductoras

Jacquelinne Castro y Dolores Duarte

Distribucion

Frederic Kischbaum

Bartlett

Hank van Berlo

Executive Director

Todd Chamberlin • 970-510-0246 adsales@soprissun.com

Miembros de la Mesa Directiva

Klaus Kocher • Kay Clarke

Jessi Rochel • Lee Beck

Donna Dayton Terri Ritchie • Eric Smith

Roger Berliner

• Elizabeth Phillips

Andrew Travers • Juanma Cespedes

el Sol del Valle agradece por su apoyo a: MANUAS, FirstBank y Alpine Bank

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.

efirstbank.com/centrosbancarios

Miembro FDIC

Cinco libros al día OPINIÓN

Sopa de Letras

Por Angélica Breña

Me quedé anonadada cuando a principios de este mes escuché a mi nietito conjugar perfectamente el verbo “haber” en copretérito del subjuntivo.

Cumplía con mis deberes de abuela yendo a casa de mi hija a cuidar a los bebés porque ella tenía juntas por Zoom. Xavi estaba parado en la periquera con su pelo húmedo, pues se acababa de bañar. Merendaba un taco de frijoles y entonces le pregunté cómo le había ido en su clase de natación; él me contestó entre bocado y bocado.

-Si hubieras venido, hubieras…- su carita miró para arriba como buscando la palabra y dice casi gritando “Visto”. Repite la frase muy orgulloso;

- Abuela, si hubieras venido, hubieras visto-. Xavi a sus tres años formuló una frase muy compleja y le salió de una manera natural, como si su pequeño cerebro hubiera acomodado cada palabra automáticamente.

Es maravilloso ser testigo de cómo evolucionan las habilidades lingüísticas en los pequeños, pero lo más impresionante es comprobar cómo esas habilidades les pueden abrir la puerta para desarrollarse como personas y alcanzar su potencial. Y eso no es todo, lo emocionante es que nosotros los abuelos, tutores y educadores podemos promover que los niños y niñas menores de 5 años aprendan palabras, las entiendan y sepan cómo y cuándo usarlas. ¿Cómo?

Leyéndoles desde el primer día de su nacimiento en voz alta todos los cuentos, las historias que tengamos a la mano, enseñándoles todo tipo de libros impresos y contándoles, señalando las palabras e imágenes. Puede ser hasta el National Geographic.

Poder hablar y entender palabras es la llave para

CHISME DEL PUEBLO

Traducción por Jacquelinne Castro

Concurso de diseño de la feria

¡El concurso de diseño de camiseta y cartel del 53o festival anual de Carbondale Mountain Fair ya está abierto! El tema de este año inspirado en Talking Heads “Este Debe Ser el Lugar: Los Pies en la Tierra, La Cabeza en el Cielo!” Entregue un concepto bien desarrollado verticalmente o en cuadrado y al menos tres ejemplos de obras a brian@carbondalearts.com antes del 1 de abril.

Bebe del Día Bisiesto

El 29 de febrero del 2024, Ayani Aliana Alvarez se convierte en el primer bebe del Año Bisiesto, o “saltarin” nacido en Valley View Hospital en Glenwood Springs. Los padres de Ayani planean celebrar su cumpleaños el 28 de febrero y el 1 de marzo.

Ahorre su energia

Los hogares que hagan el 80-150% del ingreso medio del área pueden calificar para $2,000-$4,000 en ayuda financiera hacia medidas energéticas recomendadas en el hogar, dependiendo del ingreso. Para una familia de cuatro habitantes en el condado

que niñas y niños puedan aprender y desarrollar habilidades a lo largo de su trayectoria escolar. Un estudio reciente (2023) en el Reino Unido encontró que las y los niños que tienen dificultades para hablar y entender palabras tienen:

- Seis veces más probabilidades de rezagarse en la materia de Inglés a los 11 años,

- Once veces más probabilidades de rezagarse en matemáticas a los 11 años,

- El doble de probabilidades de tener un problema de salud mental, y

- El doble de probabilidades de estar desempleados como adultos. Para más información, consulta: https://tinyurl. com/2kaa2557

Desde que nació Xavi, en noviembre de 2020, en pleno encierro de la pandemia, sus padres le han leído al menos tres libros diarios. Sus cuidadores más cercanos somos los abuelos, sus tíos y, ahora, sus maestras del kinder. Todos le hemos leído cuentos o libros álbum,

de Garfield, el 150% equivale al ingreso anual de $148,800. Las familias que hagan el 80% de AMI ($79,360 para una familia de cuatro) o menos serán referidas a programas estatales o federales, en donde ellos podrán calificar a mejores beneficios. Visite tinyurl.com/ mpztdas2 para aplicar.

A pescar

La temporada de pesca del 2024-2025 ya está aquí, con licencias disponibles desde ahora hasta el 31 de marzo del siguiente año. Consiga su licencia en Alpine Angling o en Roaring Fork Co-Op, en línea en cpw.state.co.us o llamando al 800-244-5613. La venta de licencia de pesca ayuda a las operaciones de criadero y repoblación de los peces.

Carta de triunfo

La corte suprema de los Estados Unidos oficialmente decidió que Donald J. Trump es elegible para aparecer en las papeletas de votación de Colorado debido a Donald J. Trump v Norma Anderson, et. al. En anticipación de su apelación, la corte suprema de Colorado optó por quedarse en su decisión contra su elegibilidad bajo las provisiones de la sección 3 de la 14a enmienda de la constitución de los Estados Unidos. Como tal,

siempre que lo vemos como primera actividad, él lo sabe y le encanta. Conversamos con él con las mismas palabras que le hablamos a los adultos, lo expusimos al vocabulario cotidiano sin concesiones de bebé. Por ejemplo, cuando hago galletas con él, repetimos los ingredientes como el bicarbonato de sodio o la maicena. Con el cuento del Rey León discutimos si las cebras son carnívoras o si la hiena come carroña. De repente me sale con frases como “eso es impreciso, abuela”. Si las criaturas desde temprana edad no están expuestas a palabras y conversaciones entre adultos y niños que ya hablan, a libros impresos y a muchos, muchísimos cuentos, es difícil que su cerebro expanda y evolucione las habilidades para hablar y entender el lenguaje, o por al menos, requerirá de muchos apoyos a lo largo de la vida. No es difícil imaginar en el hoyo que estamos las escuelas del continente americano. Las cifras de la investigación de la Universidad del Estado de Ohio en abril del 2019 nos indican que:

- Los niños y niñas a quienes

su nombre ya apareció en las papeletas de votación principal previa a la decisión de la corte suprema el 4 de marzo.

¿Mordido por un perro suelto?

La policía de Carbondale respondió a varios reportes de un par de perros persiguiendo y mordiendo a peatones en la tarde del 27 de febrero. Después de que ciudadanos intentarán atrapar a los caninos haya terminado en otra mordida, los oficiales atraparon al par de perros cerca de Village Road. Uno sacó su pistola paralizante, pero un poste de captura fue utilizado para atrapar al par de perros. Ambos perros están en cuarentena, y al menos una víctima fue tratada en emergencias. El departamento de policía de Carbondale está pidiendo ayuda en identificar otras posibles víctimas/ testigos de este incidente; llame al 970-625-8095 para hacer un reporte.

Luchando contra el fuego

A aproximadamente las 9:46 p.m. El sábado 1 de marzo, el departamento de bomberos de Glenwood Springs fue alertado y respondió a una estructura en llamas en Soccer

nunca les leyeron antes de entrar a la escuela acumulan tan solo 4,662 palabras.

- A los que les leyeron 1-2 veces a la semana registraron 63,570 palabras en sus cerebros.

- Aquellos que tuvieron la suerte de haber leído libros con sus padres o tutores de 3-5 veces a la semana sumaron 169.520 palabras.

- Los que diario leyeron un libro acumularon

296,660 palabras

- El salto cuántico viene con los cinco libros, llegan a acumular 1,483,300 palabras.

https://tinyurl.

com/3wrwww2n

Concluyendo, el milagro de la dichosa palabra se da cuando a los bebés e infantes se les han leído cinco cuentos al día. Esos niños tendrán 1.4 millones de palabras que su cerebro ya registró, están listos para aprender en la escuela y podrán expresar sus sentimientos, emociones y sus necesidades, claramente, herramientas indispensables para garantizar su salud mental. Las palabras serán su mejor herramienta para toda la vida.

Consulta https://tinyurl. com/52yzdwnn

"Sincronías" parte 65, por Leonardo Occhipinti

Field Road. Los bomberos fueron capaces de derribar el incendio exitosamente antes de medianoche sin ninguna lesión reportada. La causa del incendio todavía está bajo investigación. Hablando de extinción de incendio, el Servicio Forestal USDA está contratando a 50 bomberos

forestales de nivel básico, de temporal permanentemente para trabajar en maquinaria, sección aérea y equipos de operaciones a lo largo de Rocky Mountain Region. Visite tinyurl.com/USFSr2WFH para más información o USAJobs. gov para una solicitud hasta el 15 de marzo

EVENTO DE LIMPIEZA Y RECICLAJE DE PRIMAVERA

13 DE ABRIL, DE 8AM-2PM

Cuotas de recepción de residuos domésticos en la puerta de entrada en la 4th y Colorado: Se requiere prueba de residencia en la ciudad de Carbondale para las tarifas de recepción /reciclaje.

Ciudad de Carbondale (residente) $10 No residente $30

Carga con remolque (residente) $20 No residente $60

Reciclaje de colchones ($20 por colchón pagado en la puerta de entrada)

Refrigerador/congelador con freón - $40 por unidad (pagado en la puerta de entrada)

Unidad de aire acondicionado - $50/unidad (pagado en la puerta de entrada)

Mountain Waste:

Basura doméstica general (muebles/cercas, etc.)

Reciclaje de metales

Reciclaje de madera

Reciclaje de colchones ($20 por colchón)

Reciclaje de textiles (deben estar en bolsas para el reciclaje)

Todos los clientes serán responsables de los cargos relacionados con refrigeradores y otros artículos con freón.

Refrigerador/congelador con freón - $40 por unidad

Unidad de aire acondicionado - $50 por unidad

SITUADO EN EL ESTACIONAMIENTO DE LA 4TH Y COLORADO

ARTÍCULOS NO ACEPTADOS: Residuos peligrosos, ejemplos: aceite, pintura, líquidos de limpieza/envases, líquidos para autos, botellas de propano. NO habrá recepción de medicamentos recetados en este evento, pero está programado para el 27 de abril de 10am-2pm en el Departamento de Policía de Carbondale.

Deshechos de jardín y ramas NO serán aceptados en este evento.

Deshechos de jardín y ramas de 2" o menos de diámetro serán aceptados en la temporada de residuos de jardín que inicia el 20 de abril de 2024, y cada quince días hasta septiembre. Este evento está localizado en la 4th & Colorado, 9am-12pm. Sólo para residentes de la ciudad.

La recepción de artículos por parte de los residentes de Carbondale a proveedores que se indican a continuación es gratuita hasta que el subsidio de la ciudad se haya cumplido, a partir de entonces, se cobrarán las tarifas que figuran a continuación.

La recepción de artículos por parte de no-residentes a proveedores que se indican a continuación NO ES GRATUITA y se cobrarán las tarifas correspondientes.

Blue Star Recyclers:

RESIDUOS ELECTRÓNICOS: Computadoras, discos duros, teléfonos móviles.

TELEVISORES: Televisores de pantalla plana, CRT y proyectores, cables y fuentes de alimentación.

Cámaras, equipos de grabación, radios, routers, hubs, tablets, teclados, mouses, fotocopiadoras, impresoras, microondas, reproductores de DVR/DVD/CD ($0.65 /lb)

MEDIA: CD/DVD/cintas ($3 /lb)

SÓLO BATERIAS ALCALINAS Y NO RECARGABLES (AA, AAA, C, D, 9V) NO se aceptan otros tipos de baterías debido a problemas de transporte e incendios.

BOMBILLAS: Tubos fluorescentes ($ 0.25 /ft), incandescentes, CFL, tubos en U, halógenas ($ 0.75 /ea), Tubos rectos LED ($4.50 /unidad), Bombillas HID y LED ($2.50 /unidad), Luces UV ($5 /unidad) http://bluestarrecyclers.org/ LOCALIZADO EN EL ESTACIONAMIENTO DETRÁS DEL AYUNTAMIENTO

JLM Tires:

Sin costo para los residentes de la ciudad en los primeros 100 neumáticos, hasta 18 "con o sin rin. Límite de 8 neumáticos gratis por cliente. Un costo de $10 por neumático será cobrado a todos los clientes después de que el límite del presupuesto de la ciudad haya sido alcanzado.

LOCALIZADO EN EL ESTACIONAMIENTO DE 4TH & COLORADO

SPRING CLEAN-UP & RECYCLING EVENT

Entry Gate: 4th & Colorado in Carbondale

Household Waste and Mountain Waste:

Entry

Entry Fees per Load:

Special Recycling Vendors:

Town of Carbondale (resident) $10 Non-resident $30

Load with trailer (resident) $20 Non-resident $60

Mattress recycling ($20/mattress paid at entry gate)

Refrigerator/freezer with freon - $40 per unit (paid at entry gate)

Air conditioning unit - $50/unit (paid at entry gate)

Mountain Waste:

• General household trash (furniture/fencing, etc.)

• Textile recycling (must be in bags for recycling)

• Mattress recycling ($20 per mattress)

• Refrigerator/freezer with freon ($40 per unit)

• Metal recycling

• Wood recycling

• Air conditioning unit ($50/unit)

All customers will be responsible for charges related to refrigerators and other freon items.

LOCATED IN THE PARKING LOT AT 4TH & COLORADO

Hazard waste, i e , oil, paint, cleaning fluids/canisters, car liquids, propane bottles

Yard waste and branches will NOT be accepted at this event.

(Yard waste and branches 2” or less in diameter will be accepted at the seasonal Yard Waste event that begins on April 20, 2024, and every-other weekend through September This event is located at 4th & Colorado, 9a-noon. Town residents only.)

NO prescription drug drop-off at this event but it is scheduled for April 27 from 10-2p at the Carbondale Police Dept.

Town of Carbondale resident drop-off items for the vendors listed below are free (until the Town subsidy has been met)

Out-of-Town resident drop-off items for the vendors listed below are Not Free and applicable fees will be charged.

Blue Star Recyclers

• ELECTRONIC WASTE: Computers, hard drives, cell phones.

• TV’s: Flat screen, CRT display and projector tv’s, cords and power supplies

Cameras, recording equipment, radios, routers, hubs, tablets, keyboards, mice, copiers, printers, microwave, DVR/DVD/CD players ($0.65/lb)

• MEDIA: CD/DVD/tapes ($3/lb)

• ALKALINE BATTERIES & NON-RECHARGABLE ONLY (AA, AAA, C, D, 9V)

NO other battery types are accepted due to transportation and fire issues.

• LIGHT BULBS: Fluorescent tubes ($0 25/ft), Incandescent, CFL, U-tubes, Halogen ($0.75/ea), LED straight tubes ($4.50 ea), HID and LED bulbs ($2.50 ea), UV lights ($5/ea)

http://www.bluestarrecyclers.org

LOCATED IN THE PARKING LOT BEHIND TOWN HALL

JLM Tires:

• No charge for Town residents for the first 100 tires, up to 18” w/o rims.

• There is a limit of 8 tires per customer

• A fee of $8 per tire will be paid by customer after the limit.

LOCATED IN THE PARKING LOT AT 4TH & COLORADO

• Crews will alternate lunches between noon and 1pm. Unloading may take additional time during this time-frame. Please plan accordingly.

• Check, cash, debit/credit card accepted. • Proof of Town of Carbondale residency required for waiver of fees until the subsidy has been met for each vendor.

• The Town website and “Town of Carbondale, CO Public Works” Facebook page will have current updates.

Rams hoops teams bow out in regional round of state playoffs

By John Stroud Sopris Sun Correspondent

A pair of young Roaring Fork High School basketball teams got a nibble of what it tastes like to play in the postseason, and the youthful squads and their coaches are already hungry for next season.

Roaring Fork’s girls opened the 3A state playoffs Friday in the small northern Colorado town of Ault with a convincing win, 78-41 over Windsor Charter Academy, to advance to the Sweet 16.

However, the 10th-seeded Rams got derailed by the regional host, the No. 7 Highland Huskies, 64-56 on Saturday to end their season at 16 wins, eight losses.

Roaring Fork’s boys, seeded 25th and playing at No. 8 Peyton High northeast of Colorado Springs, had their chances early in Friday’s opener leading the host team by nine points with 2:30 to play in the first half. But a scoring lapse for the Rams, and some easy buckets for the Panthers when they managed to get behind the Roaring Fork defense, more than made up the difference as the Rams fell 68-60. Roaring Fork closed out the season at 11-12.

It was the last game in a Rams basketball jersey for five Roaring Fork seniors: Lelaney Gardesani and Avery Smith for the girls, and Noel Richardson, Josh Hernandez and Yusbani Carrillo for the boys.

Missed opportunities

Against Highland, the Roaring Fork girls were up 32-29 at the end of the first half and were tied at 46-all going into the fourth quarter.

Roaring Fork suffered a blow early in the fourth quarter when sophomore post player Nikki Tardif fouled out, and a rash of Rams turnovers proved costly as the Huskies closed out the game with an 18-10 run.

Freshman Riley Bevington was the team’s leading scorer with 17 points, despite playing on a slightly sprained ankle.

Junior Erica Crownhart had 12 points, with Gardesani and junior Carley Crownhart scoring 11 each. In the opener, Carley Crownhart had 23 points, including three three-pointers, and Tardif had a season-high 19 points to go with her 11 rebounds.

Freshman Hazel Jenkins contributed 10 points.

In the boys’ playoff game, the Rams were up 34-25 before a scoring drought and

GARFIELD COUNTY REPORT

a defensive lapse that plagued them all season let the Panthers back in it. By halftime, it was 34-all. Roaring Fork kept it close, trailing just 47-45 after three periods, but the higher seed pulled away in the fourth to claim the win.

“Overall, we played a pretty good game,” third-year head coach Jason Kreiling said. “The inconsistency part of scoring caught up with us. We kept playing hard but couldn’t quite get there.”

Richardson led the way for the Rams with 19 points, followed by sophomore Lucas Carballeira with 17 and sophomore Ethan Wilson with 12.

“Our seniors showed up and played hard and will be really missed,” Kreiling said. “I’m really proud of this team.”

Bright futures

With the likelihood of a strong contingent of returning starters and several younger players who are showing promise, there’s already some excitement building for next season for both Rams teams.

“I’m anxious to start working with the kids for next season,” said firstyear girls head coach Mike Vidakovich, who took the

helm unexpectedly after he signed on to be Colorado Hall of Fame Coach Al Blanc’s assistant. Blanc resigned for health reasons just before the start of the season and later passed away.

The Lady Rams’ starting lineup this year featured two juniors, a sophomore and a freshman, with ample support off the bench from some upand-coming players.

“I just think if they work hard this summer, they will have a chance to do some special things next season,” Vidakovich said.

But it will take some work by the returning players in the off season to accomplish that, he said.

Likewise, after losing several players to graduation in last year’s state playoff run, few people expected a young Rams boys team to go as far as it did this season, coach Kreiling said.

“They came together at the end to play great as a team,” he said of his own sophomore- and junior-laden starting squad this season.

“The good part is that we have three or four starters coming back next season, and some younger guys that are looking really promising,” Kreiling said.

Vidakovich named league Coach of the Year, several Rams earn All-Conference

First-year Roaring Fork girls basketball coach Mike Vidakovich was named Coach of the Year for the 3A Western Slope League, after leading the Lady Rams to a 16-8 record and second place in the league.

Several Roaring Fork girls and boys also made All-Conference in voting by league coaches.

For the boys, first team selections included senior Noel Richardson and sophomores Ethan Wilson and Kiko Pena. Honorable mention was given to sophomore Lucas Carballeira.

For the girls, first team honors went to junior Carley Crownhart, sophomore Nikki Tardif and freshman Riley Bevington, and honorable mention was made of senior Lelaney Gardesani on junior Erica Crownhart.

Commissioners double down on reluctance to aid migrants

By James Steindler Contributing Editor

The Garfield County Commissioners (BOCC) held their first regular meeting of March at the Garfield County Sheriff Annex outside of Rifle. It was a quick meeting — just over an hour long — with one particularly divisive item on the agenda: a resolution declaring Garfield County as a “non-sanctuary” county.

Commissioner Mike Samson began by thanking legal counsel for helping draft the resolution. “It has been several years since I have had so many phone calls … personal conversations with people who are very concerned about this issue,” he started out.

Samson pointed out that sanctuary cities such as Denver are struggling to keep up with a surge of newcomers arriving over the past several months. “We want to make it perfectly clear that Garfield County is not such,” he stated. He read the last paragraph of the resolution verbatim: “... The Board of County Commissioners declares that Garfield County is not a sanctuary county and will not directly open shelters or provide services, other than emergency services, to uninvited migrants and/or undocumented immigrants that may arrive in unincorporated Garfield County. Garfield County will continue to prioritize the needs of our local citizens.”

This comes on the heels of the BOCC denying a $50,000 request from the Town of Carbondale to assist with its response in providing displaced newcomers, mostly from Venezuela, with aid.

Tom Jankovsky noted that the commissioners never formally declared Garfield County as a sanctuary county, but that it has been referred to as such on unspecified websites. He assumed this is the case because the Garfield County Jail does not hold undocumented persons for Immigration Customs Enforcement (ICE) if they are not also being held on a criminal charge or have posted bond. The practice of holding someone for 48 hours without cause in such an instance is commonly referred to as an “ICE hold.”

Sheriff Lou Vallario gave his two cents over the phone, echoing

what Jankovksy had already stated. He noted that the Garfield County Sheriff’s Department used to honor ICE holds, but that changed due to state legislation. Vallario said that the jail still works with ICE and will hold someone for ICE for up to six hours upon “release” from county custody — which Vallario said is the maximum amount of time permitted by the state.

“We work with ICE. We are not a sanctuary county — a sanctuary sheriff’s office. I would argue based on the laws in Colorado, Colorado is in its entirety a sanctuary state,” Vallario stated. “But I have the prerogative to do what I can, and we do as much as we can, to work with ICE.” He thanked the BOCC for considering the resolution.

Jankovsky argued that references to Carbondale and Denver in the proposed resolution should be removed, and it should focus on

what Garfield County is doing. Acknowledging Jankovky’s request, Samson put forth a motion to pass the resolution and omit the first seven clauses.

The motion passed unanimously.

“It’s disappointing but not surprising to us that Tom Jankovsky, Mike Samson and John Martin think the immigrant community ‘poses a significant health and safety risk’ to Garfield County despite the decades of contributions our community has given to the Roaring Fork Valley,” Voces Unidas de Las Montañas Chief Executive Officer Alex Sánchez said in a statement. “Their actions are political and do nothing to resolve the barriers that both long-term and new immigrants face in Garfield County. Instead, they merely make clear where they stand — that police and public officials are not here to serve the Latino community. And that is shameful.”

Voces Unidas began circulating a petition which declares that the BOCC was “wrong” to pass the resolution. Visit vocesunidas.org for more information and a copy of the petition.

To view the proposed resolution, which still includes the seven omitted clauses, visit www.tinyurl.com/ GarCononsanctuary

"THIS IS NOT A SANCTUARY PLANET."

Gray talks Carbondale history at the library

By Lynn “Jake” Burton Sopris Sun Correspondent

Sue Gray, museum director for the Carbondale Historical Society, will teach about the Town’s history at 6pm on March 11 and 25 at the Carbondale Library. The first talk, “The Early History of Carbondale,” is told from early entrepreneur William Dinkel’s perspective. “Our Gal Hattie: A Pioneer Woman’s History” is the title for the second event. Gray was kind enough to join The Sopris Sun for a question and answer session ahead of the presentations.

Sopris Sun: What will the format be?

Gray: A PowerPoint slide show that I will narrate.

Sun: How many Carbondale people will you talk about?

Gray: Over a dozen.

Sun: What are their names?

Gray: Ottawa Tanney, Mary Jane Francis, Thomas McClure, Sam Bowles, Myron Thompson, Oscar Holland, Frank and Edna Sweet, Eugene Grub and more.

Sun: How did you choose them?

Gray: They are the early pioneers of Carbondale mentioned in local historical records.

Sun: How did you research them?

Gray: I read books and records of Carbondale’s early days contained in the Historical Society’s Log Cabin Museum.

Sun: What years will you cover?

Gray: The Dinkel Era is 1883 to 1918, but I'll also cover the history of the Ute tribes and early explorers like Richard Sopris.

Sun: You’re talking about people from the perspective of William Dinkel. How did that idea come about?

Gray: Because we have the most complete record of Dinkel’s time in Carbondale, thanks to his descendants donating all of his records and photos. Also, much of the Dinkel biography material comes from Iva Dunklee’s article in The Colorado Magazine, in which Dinkel speaks first-person. I wanted to keep true to that perspective. Plus, it’s just more interesting to hear someone tell their own story.

Sun: How long did you work on your presentation, or when did you start your research?

Gray: I have been doing research on the history of Carbondale ever since I joined the Carbondale Historical Society in 2016. This presentation took about 32 hours to put together.

Sun: Any visual aids or artifacts?

Gray: I will have a selection of Dinkel artifacts from the museum at the presentation.

Sun: Did you learn anything that surprised you?

Gray: Yes, I’ve learned a great deal about the people and incidents that shaped Carbondale’s early history. I was surprised at the prominent role played by the women pioneers in shaping the Town’s character.

Gray: Probably not, but it will be posted on the Carbondale Historical Society website at some point.

Sun: Is there anyone in particular who you would like to credit?

Gray: Shelle de Beque (Dinkel’s great-granddaughter) and all of the past historians and researchers who provided the material I use in the presentation.

Sun: Anything else you want to add?

Gray: If you’re a fan of western history, or just want to learn more about how the place you live came

The home of William Dinkel still sits immediately south of the Third Street Center. Dinkel had his hands in more than one Carbondale business, including Dinkel Mercantile and a bank. Photo by Lynn “Jake” Burton

Anna Cole

Bill Wilson

Hoffman Hotel promises local staff and local vibes

By Myki Jones Sopris Sun Correspondent

The Hoffmann Hotel, a 122-room property between Basalt and Carbondale, opened its doors for a softopening on Feb. 22.

The brand-new hotel offers a fitness center, a fully-staffed restaurant with Italian cuisine (plus a small-bites menu for the lounge area), a full bar, pet-friendly and connecting rooms and the Mount Sopris Conference Room — which is slated to host Basalt High School’s prom.

“It's been a long time coming, and we're happy to start selling guest rooms. I think it turned out fantastic,” said owner Jeff Blackman. “It was a labor of love, and we love our spot in the Valley. I think it will be an interesting mix of corporate business and leisure. The hotel certainly is set up to support both needs.”

Blackman lives part time in Carbondale and has 28 years of experience in the hospitality industry. He is the founder and president of Bedford Lodging — a Dallasbased hotel development company which oversaw the construction of the

Hoffmann Hotel. He is also the founder of Five Senses Hospitality — a Denver-based hospitality management company that manages the new hotel along with other properties in Texas, Kansas, Arkansas and other parts of Colorado.

Blackman stated that the staff is mainly local.

“Most of the folks we’ve hired live down Valley and had been driving up to Aspen or Snowmass … [and] did not want to make that commute anymore,” he shared. “We certainly hadn't planned that, but it was a wonderful surprise.”

In this regard, he gave credit to the general manager of the hotel, Douglas Hayes, who has spent time building up the staff and leadership team since June 2023.

“The team that Doug has assembled is fantastic,” Blackman stated. “It makes me sleep a lot better at night knowing that we've got such a great team there.”

Hayes is a longtime Valley local and previously worked as the director of operations for The St. Regis Aspen Resort and as the general manager for three Hyatt locations in Snowmass Village, including Top of the Village.

“I'm excited because we have mostly local staff,” Hayes echoed. “Being located [farther] down Valley plays a part in that. But I also think there's an excellent leadership team that helps foster a good place to work.”

Their intention is to provide tourists as well as Valley residents with an experience that feels both luxurious and local.

“We're looking to bring the locals to the restaurant and [to] stay at the hotel when they have friends and family in town,” said Hayes. “When people stay in Aspen or Snowmass, they're tied to that

area, but this location allows you to access the entire Valley.”

Blackman added that community buy-in is essential to him, noting that the common space of the Hoffman was envisioned as a community space from the beginning.

“We want it to be a place that locals can come and have a beer after work, have an impromptu meeting and bring their families for dinner. It's more important to be part of the neighborhood, part of the community and have a true connection with the people that live here in addition to those visiting,” Blackman concluded.

The staff of the Hoffman Hotel poses for a picture. Courtesy photo

Jalisco Grill comes to C'dale

By Jeanne Souldern Sopris Sun Correspondent

Last Wednesday afternoon, the colorful balloon arches and a customary ribbon-cutting ceremony provided a joyous backdrop for the long-awaited grand opening of Carbondale’s newest restaurant, the Jalisco Grill.

Owned by Armando and Maria Vidrio, natives of Jalisco, Mexico, this marks their third restaurant venture in the Roaring Fork Valley, alongside establishments in Basalt and Rifle.

The restaurant, specializing in authentic Jaliscan cuisine, is located in La Fontana Plaza, in the corner space formerly occupied by 450 Teppanyaki.

The Vidrios were married in Washington state in 2007, where they also owned and operated a restaurant. After selling the business about 12 years ago, they came to the Roaring Fork and Colorado River Valley.

In May 2017, the Vidrios and a business partner launched Hacienda Jalisco in downtown Basalt. Following the sale of their stake, the restaurant closed during the pandemic. However, the Vidrios were offered the opportunity by the landlord to revive the business, leading to its reopening in 2020. Additionally, they expanded with a restaurant in Rifle in October 2019.

Formerly residents of Glenwood Springs, the couple now resides in Silt with their 16-year-old daughter

“They like the Glenwood schools — they’d made friends and felt at home there,” Maria explained.

“When we bought a house in Silt, the kids still wanted to come to Glenwood for school, so my wife drives them every morning,” Armando added.

The Carbondale location is the largest among the three restaurants and has a staff of approximately 20 people, including both part-time and full-time employees.

Jalisco, the Mexican state bordering the Pacific Ocean to the west, is widely recognized as the birthplace of tequila, and you will see that reflected in the drink menu with top-shelf tequilas for signature margaritas and mojitos.

Or you can choose the traditional caballito shot glass of tequila topped with a lime wedge. Armando estimated that on a busy day, they will go through anywhere from 150 to 200 limes for freshly squeezed juice.

Jalisco is a full-service sit-down dining experience with tortilla chips, guacamole, salsa, corn and flour tortillas made on-site. Maria said they use only fresh ingredients, never frozen or canned, to ensure the most flavorful results.

Every day, they boil two batches of beans for refried beans, while the rice is delicately fluffed with fresh tomatoes, garlic and spices. Grilled meats and vegetables are marinated

in citrus juices and herbs before being cooked to tender perfection.

Maria had a couple of opening day thank-yous: To Tutty Frutti, the ice cream shop next door, for providing the festive balloon arches and to the Town of Carbondale staff members who came by for lunch to offer their support to our community’s newest business.

“We have many friends in Carbondale and are excited to be here. It's a challenge because this restaurant is bigger than the other two, but we have learned a lot from those experiences. We are happy to be open,”

In the future, they plan to open at 7am, offering a complete breakfast menu, including breakfast burritos and tacos, various egg dishes, French toast, pancakes, oatmeal and their version of the classic Mexican breakfast, renamed Sopris Rancheros.

Jalisco Grill offers dine-in and takeout options and is open from 11am to 9pm on Sundays through Thursdays and from 11am to 10pm on Fridays and Saturdays.

Maria shared, with a big smile, that this day was finally here.

On the day of the grand opening, several Carbondale Town employees stopped by Jalisco Grill for lunch and to show their support for Carbondale's newest business.

Photo by Jeanne Souldern

Women’s Adventure Film Tour rolls into TACAW

By Jeanne Souldern Sopris Sun Correspondent

In its second year of touring U.S. cities, the Women’s Adventure Film Tour (WAFT), with its stories highlighting remarkable women and their exhilarating adventures, will screen eight new short films on March 14 at 7:30pm at The Arts Campus At Willits (TACAW).

It began years ago at an adventure film festival when Toby Ryston-Pratt was asked a poignant question by his young daughter: Why are there no women or girls in these films?

Ryston-Pratt, whose home base is Sydney, Australia, said, “I started researching the proportion of women in films with sports content, which was significantly lower than that of men.”

Mother’s Day 2017 was coming up, and “we thought, why don’t we put something together for a one-off event to celebrate, and I went about sourcing films.” The event drew 800 attendees.

While Ryston-Pratt said he “was a bit shocked by the turnout,” he knew he was on to something, and with that, founded WAFT.

Courtesy photo

They collaborated with a few women’s groups and toured Australia.

“The pre-target marketing [for WAFT] began to spread like wildfire in the United Kingdom and Europe and places like Singapore and Hong Kong,” he recalled. He connected with a group of film distributors and built a worldwide infrastructure through his founding of Adventure Entertainment, whose “mission is to inspire people to get out and adventure via world-class outdoor adventure film content, events and media offerings.”

Film lineup includes…

• "NGR: The Fabulous Life of Nancy Greene Raine" which chronicles the remarkable journey of the Canadian skiing legend, Olympic gold medalist and former senator in the Canadian Parliament. Raine was voted as Canada's Female Athlete of the 20th Century.

• In “For My Daughter’s Sake,” fly fisher, block print artist and mom Danielle said she wanted “to teach my girls to be their own person, and to like their own things, and not lose themselves as they get older because society tells you that you have to like these things or you have to do these things as a woman.”

• "The Destiny of a Sherpa Woman" follows Yangji’s poignant journey back to her impoverished village in the Mount Everest region, after escaping mountain life as a teenager, to return as a seasoned mountain guide. One of Yangji’s goals is to promote women into leadership roles in Nepal.

• Nine years ago, cyclist Anna Lena Kempen began the Frigid Bitch Race, an annual alleycat-style cycling event geared toward women and underrepresented genders in the cycling community. In “A Bitch of A Race,” Kempen said about the event, “I love the way the competitiveness and the badassery manifest” as women find an inclusive space to display their determination and toughness.

• “Solo” follows Edinburgh, Scotland-born endurance athlete Jenny Tough, who, in 2021, became the first person to run across a mountain range on six continents, solo and unsupported. Tough narrates, “I was definitely raised that there is only one life path in this world, and that is [to] get good grades, go to a good university, graduate, get a job, get a husband, get a house. Do those things and then just coast it out until you die,” she continued. “Leave the

hometown that you're from and go explore the world — no, that was never encouraged; it was never seen as a prospect.”

• The WAFT film roster rounds out with: “The Girl That Found Happiness,” where an aerial silks dancer performs while in flight under a hot air balloon; “The Ascension Series: Morag Skelton,” which follows an ice climber who doesn’t let deafness limit her adventures; and

“Extreme Minds: Freediving Segment,” which explores the stories of athletes who have come to understand the psychology of adventure therapy and the transformative power of extreme sports to improve mental and emotional wellbeing and build resilience.

“It’s a very diverse group of people and cultures represented in these films … The stories, with every demographic, we get insights into their lives and them doing incredible things,” Ryston-Pratt said.

Doors open at 6:30pm for the all-ages, seated show. Tickets are $15 for members, $20 in advance and $25 on the day of the show, with a limit of four tickets per purchaser. For more information, go to tacaw.org

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Embarking on a solitary journey, "Solo" captures one woman's quest to traverse mountain ranges across six continents, defying obstacles and embracing the triumph of achieving her goals in utter solitude.

MainStreet Alliance still wants USFS to put project on hold, listen to citizens

By Amy Hadden Marsh Sopris Sun Correspondent

Carbondale citizens continue to protest U.S. Forest Service (USFS) plans for a complete redesign of the property at the corner of Main Street and Weant Boulevard. The MainStreet Alliance gathered Sunday at the Fourth Street Plaza. The group says the USFS has ignored public comment.

“The people filled Town Hall in August, unanimously against cutting down those trees and offering a different plan for the [USFS], which allowed them to pretty much build the same type of buildings,” said Satank resident Cody Lee. “They shouldn’t be allowed to continue this process in the Town of Carbondale because they didn’t listen to the wishes of the citizens of the town.”

Events of the last week of February at the Aspen-Sopris Ranger District were a shock to some. Two large spruce trees were chopped down and donated to a Roaring Fork High School woodshop class.

One building has been demolished and the area is now a construction

zone with the Community Tree still standing at the northeast corner.

Asbestos was found in the other two buildings, delaying demolition. The fence continues to block parts of the sidewalk around the property despite a Feb. 7 complaint filed with the town by resident Pam Zentmyer arguing that the fencing obstructs the public's right-ofway. Zentmyer told The Sopris Sun that she had not received a response from the Town.

Alejandra Rico said the fallen trees plus hearing

MainStreet Alliance members on KDNK were catalysts for her to get more involved. “It's making me realize that we need to move efforts towards community organizing and push forth with whatever means we have,” she said.

MainStreet Alliance is calling on the USFS to put the project on hold and sit down with the community.

“I truly believe when we have all stakeholders coming together, we can have a better outcome for all involved parties,” said Jim Coddington with MainStreet Alliance.

Jim Coddington of MainStreet Alliance speaks during a protest on March 3 in Carbondale. Photo by Amy Hadden Marsh

Left: A crew from Peak Tree Works brought down the two spruce trees north of the old Aspen-Sopris Ranger District. This was the larger of the two and the second to come down.

Photo by James Steindler

Below: The aftermath. Photo by Jeannie Perry

Demolition work is slowly progressing at the USFS property, as observed from an elevated vantage point. Photo by Amy Hadden Marsh

Sopris Sun Editor in Chief Raleigh Burleigh on assignment ...

LETTERS

Unaffordable housing

The Sopris Sun just reported on more affordable housing. But what I never see is this question: “We have been building housing for decades, so why is there never enough?” The answer: (Drum roll) affordable housing is ITSELF growth. Adding more housing increases growth in all sectors, and creates added employees, who require still more housing. Believe what they say, “You can’t build your way out of growth.”

Affordable housing is “conventional wisdom,” defined as an idea that was generally accepted at the time. But conventional wisdom can be a shield that blocks opposing facts. Today, our valley is caught in a “growth spiral.” There are many reasons for this: it’s a nice place to live; climate change “refugees”; constant promotion and marketing from probusiness groups.

“Vibrancy” is a new catchword. Vibrancy just means more development. People say, “If you are not growing, you are dying.” They say growth is inevitable. Funny thing is, there is never enough growth.

A friend asked, “Why aren’t we more concerned about the folks that already live here? What about the quality of life of the locals?” More traffic. Longer lines for about everything. Sign up for recreation. Rents and costs of homes go up. Schools are crowded. Wait to see doctors. More crime. More stress. More pollution. More health problems.

I’m sorry, but all this push for affordable housing is just plainly misguided. Instead, do this: Stop the growth of business and all the jobs that go with it. Un-American, right? Even more, let some of the current business go away. Limit the business licenses and the total number of working people. Growth is just profits for developers. Today’s taxpayers pay to support the new people. Enough already!

Patrick Hunter

Carbondale

Salt on an open wound

It was a sad day for our beloved community. On Feb. 28, two mature blue spruce trees were taken down as directed by the Aspen-Sopris Ranger District. This is yet another tragic development after nearly four years of deceitful procedures by the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) to avoid adequate public input. This pattern of deceptive actions began on Nov. 19, 2019 when the USFS utilized a Categorical Exclusion for “repair and maintenance” — normally reserved for minor projects such as mowing and painting — for a $6.3 million redevelopment project in the heart of downtown Carbondale. They also failed to list this project on their website.

On Sept. 25, 2023, they added the project on their website and then added the new Decision Memo with a more appropriate updated Categorical Exclusion for demolition and reconstruction. This gesture does not undo the past history of insincere and inappropriate actions by the USFS that will adversely affect our beloved community for generations to come.

In addition to the recent loss of two majestic trees, the USFS will soon demolish the two remaining buildings on site. These structures are of significant historic and cultural importance. They were constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930’s when our country was recovering from the Great Depression. By these actions, the USFS is exhibiting a complete and distressing disregard for our community’s past and future.

The USFS made a sympathetic gesture of goodwill by donating a majority of the wood of the fallen trees to a Roaring Fork High School woodshop class.

This gesture is like rubbing salt on an old and festering wound. I would have preferred to have these trees still standing strong, beautifying Main Street. What’s left behind is a void that reminds us of a federal agency that does not truly care for our beloved community.

Jim Coddington III MainStreet Alliance

Gaza

Do you remember the part in the movie Casablanca where Victor Laszlo, the French resistance leader confronts his Nazi nemesis, Major Strasser?

He says, in response to Strasser’s assertion that Germany will wipe out the resistance, “From every corner of Europe, hundreds, thousands would rise to take our places.”

Today, Israeli President Benjamin Netanyahu pledges to wipe out Hamas — along with any innocents who might get in the way.

This is an impossible goal. You cannot wipe out an idea or a cause. Hamas is the manifestation of hatred for Israel by elements within the Gazan community. They have their history, and their point of view. The savagery of the Israeli invasion only inflames their already white-hot enmity.

Imagine you’re a young Palestinian in Gaza. Maybe you formerly had no strong political or nationalistic feelings. Now suddenly you watch your mother die from an Israeli airstrike. How might that shape your future course in life?

Of course Netanyahu comprehends the futility of this war. You don’t become president of Israel by being naive. But this most unpopular president has a job to hold onto, and that job appears safe as long as Israel is at war.

Nothing justifies the unspeakable attack on Israel by Hamas that claimed 1,200 lives and hundreds of hostages. But the Israeli response – 29,000 Palestinians dead and counting, plus countless more suffering from injuries, starvation and disease – smells more like revenge than self-defense.

Did I say self-defense? Selfdestruction would be more like it.

What happens in six months or a year when Gaza lies in utter ruin and Israel finally declares the war over and Hamas dead and buried in the rubble? Will it really be over? Is Hamas finished? Or, to paraphrase Victor Laszlo, do thousands more rise to take their places?

Ed Colby New Castle

A construction crew went to work on the west side of the Dinkel building this week. The restoration project has been underway for nearly a year.

LEGAL

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a Public Hearing will be held before the Carbondale Board of Trustees for the purpose of considering a combined application for Annexation, Rezoning, Administrative Site Plan Review, Subdivision Exemption, and Conditional Use Permit to allow the development of a food truck court, dining room, and commissary kitchen.

Applicant: Robert Schultz Consulting LLC

Owner: Richard & Kathryn Camp & Terrance McGuire

Said Public Hearing will be held at the Carbondale Town Hall, 511 Colorado Avenue, Carbondale, CO beginning at 6:00 p.m. on March 26, 2024.

Copies of the proposed application are on file in the Planning Department office, Town Hall, 511 Colorado Avenue, Carbondale, CO and may be examined during regular business hours, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. The application may also be viewed on the Town’s website at:

Project Description: The project proposes to annex a 1,731 square foot parcel and to merge with 111 Main Street, for a combined lot containing 0.122 acres (5,311 square feet) to repurpose and expand an existing structure (1,744 square feet) for the development of a food truck court, dining room, and commissary kitchen. The project includes annexation, merging of two lots, rezoning the lots from C/T (Commercial/Transitional) to HCC (Historic Commercial Core) and making improvements to the Main Street right-of-way.

Property Location: 111 Main Street; Outlot B and the East 17 feet of Lot 24 in Block 1 of the Town of Carbondale.

https://carbondalegov.org/departments/planning/current_ land_use_applications.php

If you would like to submit comments regarding this application please send them via email to jbarnes@carbondaleco.net by 3:00 pm on March 26, 2024. The comments will be entered into the record. If you have questions regarding the application, please contact Jared Barnes, Planning Director, at 970-510-1208.

Photo by Lynn “Jake” Burton

Carbondale Arts

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