20240425

A famil i ar face to take the helm at RFHS

Lindsay Hentschel hired as principal

JEANNE SOULDERN

Sopris Sun Correspondent

When Lindsay Hentschel enters the principal role in July, a familiar face will return to the halls of Roaring Fork High School (RFHS). In February, current principal Megan Baiardo announced plans to depart at the end of the school year. Hentschel, a longtime educator within the Roaring Fork School District (RFSD), said, “It feels a little bit like coming back home.”

Having served as one of the assistant principals at Glenwood Springs High School (GSHS) since 2022, Hentschel expressed her gratitude for the opportunity to work with an experienced leadership team at GSHS but underscored her affinity for Carbondale, saying, “My heart is really in the Carbondale community.”

Hentschel and her husband, Hadley, arrived in Carbondale in 2003 and have been part of the RFSD family ever since. Hadley has taught science at Roaring Fork High School for 21 years.

While the couple was teaching at RFHS, they went on long and arduous journeys to and from Haiti to adopt their sons, Mykerson and Leander, who were then ages 4 and 6, respectively.

high schools for next year. As Hentschel explained, “I’m letting him feel that out for himself.”

“My heart is really in the Carbondale community.”

Hentschel taught at Carbondale Middle School for four years before transitioning in 2007 to RFHS. In 2013, she assumed a districtlevel role as an instructional coach, overseeing professional development and subsequently crafting curricula implemented district-wide.

-Lindsay Hentschel

Fast forward 10 years and Leander, an eighth grader at Carbondale Middle School, will be a freshman at RFHS next school year. Mykerson, who will be 17 this summer, is currently enrolled at GSHS and is deciding between the two

Hentschel’s shift from teaching to administration was motivated by her belief in the importance of teacher input in decision-making. She emphasizes the significance of educator participation in curriculum development and professional growth and highlights the role of school administrators in cultivating supportive environments for both staff

and students.

“I feel like the district has come a long way in ensuring that teachers have more of a voice in curriculum and professional development. That’s still a value to me — that teachers are respected as professionals and are the people closest to the work who should have a say in how the work is executed,” Hentschel shared.

In March 2020, Hentschel earned a graduate certificate in restorative practices from the International Institute for Restorative Practices.

Restorative practice extends beyond conflict resolution and is an ongoing practice of cultivating relationships. It acknowledges that “while conflict is inevitable, violence is optional. It’s rooted in how you develop relationships that allow you to work through difficult problems together. Even when

The Hentschels, from left to right: Hadley, Leander (8th grade), Lindsay and Mykerson (10th grade). Photo by Sue Rollyson

The Will to Conserve

Next month there will be a celebration of land conservation. Conservation: the word comforts me; it has no negative charge. It is green, noncontroversial, popularly embraced and non-partisan. The Oxford dictionary defines conservation as “prevention of wasteful use of a resource.” Property owners may have the will to conserve but seek the means to conserve.

In this land of milk and honey, we are so fortunate to have such a complement of organizations focused on conserving the environmentally precious jewels we have. The Crystal Valley Environmental Protection Association (CVEPA) recognizes several groups that come to the forefront of land conservation in our Three Rivers Area. The Aspen Valley Land Trust (AVLT), Pitkin County Open Space and Trails (PCOST) and Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO). All of these entities have been instrumental in the protection of countless acres of land, often working in partnership. Conservation easements come in myriad colors and shapes but the lands are consistently valuable for wildlife habitat, water benefits, scenic values, agricultural preservation, recreation and access. One intangible stands out above all — quality of life! This is why PCOST garnered perhaps the highest approval rating of any vote in Pitkin County history by voter renewal for 25 years. This is why you (hopefully) and I team up with philanthropists to support the work of AVLT. This is why the fruit of the Colorado Lottery funds goes to GOCO to continue their work in conserving Colorado. Ultimately, this contributes to the commonwealth, quality of life.

program to conserve property.

OPINION

Perhaps the more disquieting announcement this week was the $150 million sales listing of Saint Benedict’s Monastery (The Snowmass Monastery). After years of efforts to get the Monastery into conservation failed, this was a sad moment. The long history as a spiritual center for a myriad of retreatants as well as for the fathers and brothers of Saint Benedict paints a little different color to this sales offering. Hope for conservation is hardly gone as those in the know realize the protections Pitkin County has built into their code. Prayers continue at Saint Benedict’s.

CVEPA VIEWS

By John Armstrong

Last week Aspen’s breaking news was the record setting real estate sale of a $77 million dollar house sale. Wow, the shock factor just was not there for me, though perhaps disdain was. Less than a week later that sale was “eclipsed” by the $108 million dollar sale of another Willoughby Lane bungalow. The bright side of this excessive Monopoly game is that a healthy slice of the pie goes to PCOST through their Robin Hood-like

LETTERS

CORRECTIONS: Lynn Burton humbly assumed credit for mistyping his last name within his email address provided in his letter to the editor last week. His email address is lynnburton679@gmail.com Following Lynn’s lead, The Sopris Sun acknowledges its part for not having caught the mistake. In addition to R&A Enterprises, Alpine Bank, TJ Concrete and Industrial Repair Maintenance Welding also sponsored the installment of the Roaring Fork Rams’ current scoreboard.

Bon voyage

Those lovely contributors for over four decades to the unique fabric that is Carbondale’s business and art scene, Sally and Franklin Norwood, former owners of Main Street Gallery & The Framer (now professionally operated by the talented Cate Tallmadge), are moving to Longmont, Colorado to be closer to Lindsay, Tom, Rivers, and Larkin. Touch base with them or blow kisses if you see them running wrap-up errands during their final month in town.

Bob Axelson Glenwood Springs

Noche de Lotería

I didn’t grow up with Monopoly or Scrabble. I grew up with Lotería. I learned to shout ‘Buenas!’ before I learned to shout ‘Bingo!’ I remember the excitement building in me as my grandma got out the Lotería cards,

Through the excitement, successes and disappointments, negotiations and drama, there has been a constant — one individual who has devoted his life to conservation, and what a legacy it has been! Thousands of acres that we all adore and many millions of dollars that have been appropriated leave a trail of ecological pearls that define a career well spent. For a quarter of a century, Dale Will has studied, cultivated, walked and talked, counseled and assisted families and individuals on how to conserve their own legacies into perpetuity. Dale is also vice president of CVEPA where he has volunteered his time for decades.

What greater satisfaction than to see wild or agricultural land protected for his grandchildren, your grandchildren and the grandchildren of so many benevolent donors and conservators of the land? In so many ways, Dale Will has been that personal but professional hand that assisted in securing the will of the people.

“Conservation is a state of harmony between men and land,” -Aldo Leopold

To learn more about the Crystal Valley Environmental Protection Association and to support our mission, visit cvepa.org

the beans and when she’d give me her stash of coins so that I could place bets too. My family could play for hours. It’s something that brought us together and a memory that I hold very dear to my heart. It’s exciting to share that the nonprofit I work for, The Buddy Program, is going to host our own Lotería event.

On Saturday, April 27 from 6-8pm we will be hosting our very first Lotería event, Noche de Lotería. We will have fun prizes and free traditional food. We are hopeful that this event lets the Latino community know that we value the importance of having Latino mentors. As a Latina, as a big sister and as the eldest cousin, I understand the significance of allowing young people to comfortably speak the language of their choice, empowering them to connect with adults who share similar life experiences and seeing that an adult who comes from the same culture is valued as a leader/ mentor within their community.

If you’re interested in learning how to become a mentor or would like to learn more about our organization, then come join us at the Glenwood Springs Community Center! Nos vemos pronto.

Briana Sanchez

The Buddy Program

Donate to EIA

English In Action has come a long way in the 30 years since we started operating out of a few rooms at the Basalt Library

and serving just a handful of our Valley’s newest residents. In 2023, we served 380 individuals, a substantial increase over those early days.

English In Action, with the help of almost 300 tutors and community members, helps immigrants learn English and develop the skills they need to pursue their dreams. We bridge cultural divides and offer opportunities to celebrate and learn about our diverse community.

Today, we are on the verge of achieving a significant milestone: creating our new home, the English In Action Center for Communication, in the heart of the midValley. The Center will enable us to serve our entire community better.

Thanks to the extraordinary generosity of hundreds of donors, we have raised $4.3 million towards our $5 million goal. With just $730,000 left to raise, we are close to realizing our dream. Yet, to achieve this goal, we need your support now more than ever.

I encourage you to visit the English In Action website (www.englishinaction. org) and donate. By doing so, you’re not just contributing financially, you’re joining a community that empowers countless individuals.

Working together, we can make the Center for Communication a reality.

Patrick Curry Board of Advisors

continued on page 22

Kathy & Carter Barger

Sandy & Paul Chamberlin

Karen & Roger Berliner

Gretchen Greenwood & Lee Mulcahy

Donna & Ken Riley

Gayle & Dick Wells

Legacy Givers for including us in their final wishes.

OUR UNDERWRITERS AND NONPROFIT PARTNERS!

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Interested in becoming an Underwriter or Nonprofit Partner in 2024?

Email Todd@soprissun.com or call 970-987-9866

Housing options

On April 15, in order to expand housing options and reduce exclusionary discrimination, Governor Jared Polis signed into law a bill that prohibits residential occupancy limits. Local governments may no longer dictate the number of unrelated persons who share a home. In Carbondale, the unified development code currently limits the number of unrelated persons per dwelling unit to four, or two plus any number of rela ted children. The code must now be updated to ensure compliance with the state’s new regulations, which do allow occupancy limits justified by health and safety concerns.

E-centive

The Town of Basalt is offering its residents a $500 rebate when they purchase a new commuter e-bike. To qualify, e-bikes can be purchased at any retailer between April 22 and Oct. 31, 2024. Participants must provide proof of residency and a receipt for the purchase. E-mountain bikes do not qualify. According to a press release, ground transportation has remained the Town’s second largest contributor to carbon emissions since it first began tracking in 2014. For more information, visit basalt.net/ebikerebate

Ballot Question A

The City of Glenwood Springs voters overwhelmingly voted in favor of Ballot Question A, according to unofficial results

Tuesday evening. Of the 1,859 votes cast, 1,457 were in favor and 399 were opposed. The measure requires that any proposed annexations or residential or mixed-use housing developments on City property approved by City Council must then go to a vote. It also requires that any development proposal of more than four dwelling units must be reviewed by Planning and Zoning and approved by the Council.

Mineral tubs

The Glenwood Hot Springs is gearing up for the unveiling of its Yampah Mineral Baths in late May. The new pools, including a cold plunge, will be directly east of the original Therapy Pool. All ages will be welcomed during the daytime, but later hours will be reserved for adults only within the new section. There will be no extra cost to use the new pools.

Syphilis response

In response to a significant increase in cases of congenital syphilis, when the disease is passed on to a newborn during childbirth, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment issued Public Health Order 24-01 declaring it an epidemic and expanding access to testing. The disease is often deadly for infants. “From 2018 to 2023, congenital syphilis cases increased more than seven times in Colorado (seven cases in 2018 to 50 cases in 2023). So far in 2024, there have been 25 reported congenital syphilis cases,

including five stillbirths and two neonatal deaths,”readapressrelease.Therefore,medical providers must offer increased testing during pregnancy. For more information, visit www. tinyurl.com/CDPHEsyphilis

Volunteer or run

Independence Run and Hike and Roaring Fork Outdoor Volunteers are preparing for the Mount Sopris Run-off on May 19 which starts at Flying Dog Ranch on Prince Creek Road and finishes at Rock Bottom Ranch in Basalt. Those who don’t feel like jogging but still want to participate can volunteer to help with set up and hand out snacks and refreshments at checkpoints. Email Becca Schild at rschild@rfov.org to sign up to volunteer, or register to race at www.mtsoprisrunoff.com

They say it’s your birthday!

Folks celebrating another trip around the sun this week include: Julio Maciel, Tom McDonald, Hope Sontag and Stephen Shapiro (April 25); Gayle Embrey and Susan Jordan (April 26); Donni Cochran, Rachel Gillespie, Wewer Keohane, Sloan Shoemaker and April Spaulding (April 27); Wes Boyd, Julie DeVilbiss, Julia Morton and Judy Welch (April 28); Enzo Bonzi, Diana Sirko and Luis Yllanes (April 29); Thomas Cochran, Alexandra Jerkunica and Gretchen Stock-Bell (April 30); Pixie Byrne, Melanie Gianinetti Cardiff, Devika Gurung, Jeff Leahy, Ginny Parker and James and William Steindler (May 1).

The senior lineup for Colorado Rocky Mountain School’s girls varsity soccer team played their final home game on Thursday, April 19 against Grand Valley, which ended in a 2-2 draw. Seniors (left to right) Abee Pabst, Skylar Picard, Bridget Hoefel, Addelyne “Addie” Kearsey, Kate Deardorff and Scarlett Kerr proudly display signs, created by junior Campbell Habel, complete with bold descriptors and messages of appreciation from their teammates. Photo by Isaac Sterling, youth correspondent

Alpine Legal aims to balance the scales with bilingual Law Week

From April 27 through 30, Alpine Legal Services (ALS), a nonprofit that provides legal assistance to those who may otherwise not be able to afford it, is hosting free educational sessions on a variety of topics.

Law Week, or La Semana de Derecho, will offer both in-person and virtual presentations to community members in English and Spanish at Morgridge Commons in Glenwood Springs.

Executive Director Jennifer Wherry explained to The Sopris Sun that ALS’ capacity to provide legal aid is outweighed by the area’s demand.

The first annual Law Week is the result of the nonprofit working with 12 attorneys and four community partners who are all donating their time for the event. There will be free lunch and childcare provided for those who attend in-person sessions. Registration is required — so don’t delay!

“We’re hoping people will walk away with legal information that empowers them to uphold their rights or the rights of their friends and family,” Wherry stated. “Our entire community is stronger and safer when we have at least a basic understanding of the laws that impact our lives and uphold them.”

The sessions will cover employment, civil rights, immigration, housing and elder law. Convey Language Solutions will be helping with the Spanish interpretation during the presentations.

“We know there are a lot of people

in our community whose first language is Spanish and we wanted to remove as many barriers as possible to accessing this important information,” Wherry relayed.

Claire Noone, from Noone Law Firm in Glenwood Springs, is one of the attorneys presenting at the Immigration Law session on Saturday, April 27. Noone, who speaks both languages, also noted the significance of Law Week being bilingual.

“The law is already a foreign language even in your native tongue,” said Noone. “Speaking to someone in their native language is an act of connection, humility and respect that engenders trust in the lawyer and the legal system.”

Noone will be presenting on Adjustment of Status — the legal process of adjusting an individual’s non-immigrant status. She described the process as tedious and costly, with some information only available in English.

“The legal system was not designed to only be accessed by lawyers,” continued Noone. “Language equity is an essential part of the pursuit of justice … Lady Justice may be blind, but she certainly is multilingual.”

Jennifer Smith, another bilingual and local attorney, will be presenting on updates to U.S. immigration policy. Smith hopes that attendees of her session will “gain a better understanding of the complicated nature of our immigration system,” which, she further detailed, “is very broken and needs updating.”

In addition to Law Week, ALS provides a free legal helpline Wednesday evenings

“We’ll start with immigration soup, an employment salad, the civil rights entree and housing for dessert.”

from 5 to 7pm (also in English and Spanish). Noone is one of the volunteer attorneys who answers the hotline and said that being involved with such programs grants her the privilege and responsibility to seek justice when someone is wronged.

“Laws and regulations affect every aspect of every life, yet the access to le-

IN A NUTSHELL

When: April 27-30

gal knowledge is gatekept,” she stated.

“People who don’t speak English, noncitizens or people without a thick financial cushion are more likely … not [to] receive the protection they are entitled to. For justice to be done, there must be equity in access to legal resources and knowledge in our community.”

Where: Morgridge Commons, 815 Cooper Avenue, Glenwood Springs

Cost: Free

To register: Visit www.alpinelegalservices.org or call 970-945-8858.

JESSICA PETERSON Sopris Sun Correspondent

and taking out infested trees if necessary. “We decided to go with the tree injection,” he said. “It has the least amount of risk to pollinators and things around it.” Biological pest controls — bugs that kill other bugs — are not an option. “I know the City of Boulder has been experimenting with a few types of parasitic wasps,” he said, “but at this time it is not readily available.”

Meinecke has completed some assessments and identified trees that will be treated or removed. “Trees that have been selected for treatment have a blue dot at their base,” he said. Two hundred twenty trees will be treated on a three-year rotation in River Valley Ranch and in Town, and 210 will be removed over time.

continued on page 19

EVENTS COMING SOON

Are you interested in helping to shape the future of the Library? Attend an upcoming focus group to help us learn what matters to you about your library. Light dinner will be served. Each session will have a raffle for a $50 gift card! Check our calendar of events for more info and a schedule of all upcoming focus groups. Music at the Library: High Country Sinfonia Thurs, May 2, 7-8PM

A small chamber orchestra comprised of musicians in the Roaring Fork Valley will perform a selection of chamber music.

Carbondale arborist Carl Meinecke identifies tree species at Friendship Park. Photo by Amy Hadden Marsh

New Facebook page wants to raise awareness about threats to local libraries

AMY HADDEN MARSH Sopris Sun Correspondent

The goal of Protect Our Garfield County Libraries (POGCL), a new, private Facebook page, is to convince the Garfield County Commissioners (BOCC) to ease up on the Garfield County Public Library District. New Castle resident Carole O’Brien is the spokesperson for the group and met with The Sopris Sun on Saturday, April 20 at, appropriately enough, the Glenwood Springs Branch Library.

“Hopefully, we will show enough community support for the library that [the BOCC] will understand this is a lost cause on their part,” O’Brien said. “There are so many things in this county they need to be worried about: Housing, transportation, climate, water, I could go on and on. Why have they chosen this hill?”

The POGCL page is a result of what O’Brien calls “recent attacks” on the library. “There is a group of residents who have been challenging certain books in the library,” she explained. “They have variously asked for them to be put on higher shelves, to be put in a locked room or to be burned. We’re not real clear what their actual goal is but obviously they are attacking certain books based on their content.”

The books O’Brien is talking about are some Japanese manga graphic novels that

were the subject of a formal complaint to the Garco Library District last year. Several western Garfield County residents have been vocal about what they consider to be pornographic material in the books and have attended library board and Garfield County Commissioner meetings to demand that the books be removed, reshelved, locked up or even burned. (The Sopris Sun has reported on these demands, including one person who admitted to saying the books should be burned. That person has since retracted the statement.)

your education of the residents of Garfield County as to what is happening within the library system.” Samson added, “If you will do research, you will find out that the American Library Association is not a good deal and it is working very hard throughout the United States of America and this state and, evidently, right here in this county to promote such filth and garbage.”

“The value that the libraries give to this community cannot be measured in dollars and cents. It’s measured in community spirit. ”

O’Brien said that the BOCC appears to be sympathetic to the complaints. “[The commissioners] have directly shown support for them,” she observed. “By agreeing that the books are pornographic and by responding to some of the comments of the protestors by saying ‘God bless.’” In fact, at the Jan. 3, 2024 BOCC meeting, Commissioner Mike Samson told John Lepkowski, who is vocal in the local anti-manga movement, “What I would advise you is to continue

-Carole O’Brien

O’Brien added that the POGCL is also concerned about last fall’s BOCC resolution of disapproval of the Garfield County library board’s policy regulating the manga books. The resolution was approved on Oct. 16, 2023 and stated, in part, that “pornographic materials not be accessible to children in Garfield County Public Libraries.” The summary of the non-legally binding document states, “...the Board of County Commissioners hereby states its disapproval of the Garfield County Library’s policy, which permits these obscene Books [sic] to be available to children and encourages the Garfield County Library to take decisive measures to prevent access of the Books [sic] to minors.”

O’Brien added, “They came right out and said, ‘we don’t approve of this. We think you should do what the protesters are asking.’”

The library district board of trustees has stood firm despite complaints, including accusations that the libraries are “grooming children” and are not safe for kids. Executive Director Jamie LaRue has told The

Sopris Sun more than once that the library is not going to move the manga books.

The BOCC took control of the library board of trustee appointments in February, which concerns O’Brien. “If the county commissioners start appointing library board members who are in favor of censorship, eventually they can have a majority of board members who feel that way and who could really make some inroads in terms of changing library policy,” she explained. “I realize that’s maybe an extreme thing, but it could happen.”

The BOCC and library board president Adrian Rippy-Sheehy will interview library board trustee candidates on April 30 at 1pm at the County Administration building in Glenwood Springs. The meeting is open to the public. The POGCL group plans to be there, wearing red. O’Brien explained the choice of color. “Be well read,” she said.

The group encourages people to attend the meeting. “The value that the libraries give to this community cannot be measured in dollars and cents. It’s measured in community spirit,” O’Brien said. ”It’s measured in intellectual freedom, in the happiness of children coming to story hour. Those are the things that the library is about so much more than books. It’s about the spirit and soul of a community in a lot of ways.” The BOCC expects to make a decision about the board appointee on May 6 during their regular meeting.

EDITOR’S NOTE: O’Brien applied for the open library board trustee position to represent the Rifle area. She and others were removed from the applicant list by the BOCC on Tuesday, April 23 because they live outside the 81650 zip code.

Rifle Airport intends to save space for local pilots while balancing increased corporate demand

JAMES STEINDLER Contributing Editor

Rifle Garfield County Airport is a general aviation airport with charter, private and business aircrafts coming and going regularly. The Sopris Sun caught up with its director, Brian Condie, ahead of the finalization of its master plan.

And just in case some readers are wondering, as this reporter had, there’s not really a chance that the Rifle Airport would ever host commercial airplanes. According to Condie, “Usually the target market for a commercial airline is a 3-3.5 hours drive to the airport, and we’re within an hour drive of three.” He added that the airlines wouldn’t be interested in adding the extra infrastructure.

There are 21 aircrafts based at the Rifle Airport, according to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) report. However, roughly 32 airplanes arrive each day and 32 depart, which is relatively busy for a general aviation facility.

“The master plan is a required document from the FAA that they recommend every 10 years,” but that timeline can vary, according to Condie. If in five years an airport has achieved the goals set in its master plan, the airport can submit another one. Alternatively, the timeline may be extended if an airport’s standing master plan has yet to be fulfilled, in which case the FAA wouldn’t have to put up funding at the time.

In the case of the Rifle Airport, it’s high time for an updated plan. “I’ve been here 22 years and on an average we’ve had one application for a new hangar every three years,” stated Condie. “This past 18 months, I’ve looked at six applications and this system just wasn’t designed to accommodate that workload.”

That increase is primarily due to a demand for more large hangars which house jet aircrafts. Condie explained that there are three tiers to classify airplanes at the Rifle Airport: one through three. Group One, light aircrafts, have a wingspan under 50 feet, whereas Group Three’s wingspan can reach up to 102 feet. Approximately 8,000 Group Three aircrafts come and go each year.

“This master plan will [address] how to preserve land for the local pilot and also maximize the interest in large hangars from the national and the corporate aircraft market,” Condie summarized.

The airport is made up of 520.65 acres total, but not all of that land is usable. There are 89 acres available for development, which is outlined in the Airport Layout Plan.

Condie wouldn’t speculate as to why there’s been an increase in demand, but said that it’s not unique to the area. “It’s a phenomenon going around the United States,” he explained.

The final proposed scope of work out lined within the master plan was recent

ly approved by the county commissioners during a work session and has been sent off to the FAA for its review. “If the

“They’re bankers and construction workers, hedge fund investors … that’s who makes up the community and they’re here because of the quality of life and access to an airport,” said Condie.

“The jet, or corporate aircraft, pays 98% of all the bills at the airport. The local pilots pay 2%.” He added that the airport is self-sustaining and does not use county funds to operate.

“We want to keep the local pilot hap-

A line of locally owned aircrafts at the Rifle Airport. Courtesy photo

Dr. Scott Tesoro is back in Carbondale and is accepting a limited number of new patients.

WE OFFER:

Chiropractic Care for Sports and Wellness

Dry Needle Therapy

Massage therapy ($120/60 min. $160/90min.)

Physical Therapy and Injury Rehabilitation

Mental Health Support and Coaching

WE ACCEPT SOME INSURANCE PLANS.

While our new o ce in La Fontana Plaza is under construction, we are at a temporary location 1378 Main Street just West of ACE Hardware. (970) 927-9204 • www.soprischiropractic.com

THURSDAY, APRIL 25

5 POINT KICK OFF

Kick off 5 Point by joining Tre’lan Michael and Renan Öztürk at a special 5Point Film art exhibition opening at The Launchpad from 5 to 6:30pm. Both artists are featured in film premieres at this year’s festival. Visit www.5pointfilm.org/festival for the 17th Annual 5 Point Film Festival schedule of screenings and event happenings over the weekend.

FAKE NEWS?

Basalt Library hosts a workshop for identifying trustworthy news sources from 5:30 to 6:30pm.

EARTH SOUND

Danielle Klein leads a sound bath at True Nature at 6pm. Register at www.truenaturehealingarts.com

WOMEN’S GROUP

After several months of offering the Common Roots men’s group, HeadQuarters is offering a Common Roots women’s group on the last Thursday of every month at 6pm. More into at www.headq.org

FRIDAY, APRIL 26

STUDENT FILM

5Point Film invites high school students to a free adventure films screening at the Carbondale Rec Center at 1pm. More info at www.5pointfilm.org

SEEDING PEACE

Seed Peace hosts a volunteer orientation at Sunfire Ranch from 3 to 6pm. The day will begin with preparing beds for planting, followed by a tour and concluding with beverages and bites. To RSVP email volunteer@thefarmcollaborative.org

CRYSTAL THEATRE

The Crystal Theatre in Carbondale screens “Civil War” tonight and tomorrow, May 1 and 2 at 7pm. Catch the matinee on Sunday, April 28 at 5pm.

THUNDER AT TACAW

“The Voice” season 18 finalist Thunderstorm Artis performs at TACAW at 8pm. Tickets and more info at www.tacaw.org

PAR AVION

As part of 5 Point, Par Avion performs at Bodegón from 10pm until late.

5 POINT AFTERPARTY

Mountain Heart Brewing hosts its own 5 Point afterparty with live music by C.A.R.P. at 10pm.

SATURDAY, APRIL 27

5 POINT 5K

The annual 5 Point 5K starts out at Independence Run & Hike at 8am. Registration and more info at www.5pointfilm.org/festival

TAI CHI DAY

Today is World Tai Chi Day and the community is invited to join in and learn some qi-gong, standing meditation and tai chi at Sopris Park at 10am.

CLOTHING SWAP

Mountain View Church in Glenwood Springs hosts a kids spring clothing swap from 9 to 11am. Clothing for infants to teenagers will be free for the taking — no donation is necessary to participate.

CHANGEMAKERS

The 5 Point Changemakers program features “A Symphony of Tiny Lights,” the story of John Francis (the Planetwalker), at 10:30am.

CAREGIVING

Communication Works offers a two-day workshop in Carbondale for caregivers, professionals and people generally wanting support and skills for better communication, balance and empathy during challenging times. Day one of the training is from 9am to 5pm with a midday break for lunch. The training resumes on Sunday, April 28 from 1:30 to 5pm. For more details, call 970-6182944 or visit www.bit.ly/caregivinghelp

ARBOR DAY

While Arbor Day was technically yesterday, Aspen Valley Land Trust celebrates by planting trees at Coffman Ranch from 10am to noon today. Sign up to help out at www.avlt.org

TREE PLANTING

Glenwood Springs Parks and Rec teaches residents how to properly plant trees at Two Rivers Park at 11am. Participants also get to take home a tree to plant. Reserve a spot at www.bit.ly/ArborDayCOGS

EARTH DAY EXCHANGE

The City of Aspen celebrates Earth Day with a clothing, book and other items swap at the fire department (420 E Hopkins Ave) from 11am to 2pm. Item drop-off begins at 10am.

BRUSHES AT BLUEBIRD

Kick back with a beer or a glass of wine and paint in the company of other community members at the Bluebird Cafe at 5:30pm. Register at www.tinyurl. com/BluebirdBrushes

LOTERÍA

The Buddy Program hosts Noche de Lotería at the Glenwood Springs Community Center from 6 to 8pm, presented for free thanks to FirstBank.

KRAY VAN KIRK

Steve’s Guitars hosts Kray Van Kirk for a night of mesmerizing music beginning at 8pm. Tickets at www.stevesguitars.net

BODEGÓN

Bodegón offers a dance party from 9pm until late!

5 POINT AFTERPARTY

Celebrate the 17th Annual 5 Point Film Festival with Rattlesnake Milk performing at Thunder River Theatre at 10pm. Tickets and more info at www.5pointfilm.org/festival

SUNDAY, APRIL 28

ICE CREAM SOCIAL

Following 5 Point’s Family Film Program at noon at the Carbondale Rec Center, enjoy a free scoop of ice cream at 1:30pm and celebrate another successful film festival. More info at www.5pointfilm.org/festival

VAGUS NERVE YOGA

Davis Cowles leads a breathing and movement workshop at Kula Yoga on Main at 3:30pm. To register, visit www. kulayogaonmain.com

GOOD TROUBLE

Jazz fusion quartet Good Trouble performs at the Glenwood Vaudeville Revue at 6pm. Tickets at www.glenwoodarts.org

Summer Classes in Carbondale

ACRYLIC PAINTING FOR BEGINNERS

Basic exercises to introduce this medium, and create finished pieces from the first class. Tuesdays, 1:30-4:30pm, 5/21-6/18

OPEN PAINTING STUDIO

Bring ongoing work, or start something new while enjoying the inspiration of other artists. and teacher guidence if needed. Tuesdays, 5:30-8:30pm, 5/21-6/8

BEGINNING SWING DANCE

Learn the basics of Jitterbugsteps, turns, spins, dips - and get ready for your your next event.

Wed, 6-8:30pm, 5/22-6/12

BALANCE AND MOBILITY

Consciously activate balance with strength, reflex, flexibility, sensory awareness, and concentration exercises. Thurs, 1:30-2:20pm, 5/30-8/15

ZUMBA WITH MIMI

MONDAY, APRIL 29

IN STITCHES

The In Stitches Knitting Club convenes at the Carbondale Library at 1:30pm.

G’WOOD REFORM

The City of Glenwood Spring hosts an informational webinar and listening session from 5 to 7pm via Zoom and on the City’s official Facebook page. The webinar is in preparation for a May 16 City Council agenda item to change minimum lot standards and allow duplexes by right. To register, visit www. gwsco.info/ZoningReform

PLASTIC PLANET

The Aspen Center for Environmental Studies hosts researcher Marcus Eriksen at Hallam Lake to discuss the Global Treaty to Address Plastic Pollution at 5:30pm. RSVP for free at www. aspennature.org

TUESDAY, APRIL 30

RECOVERY YOGA

The Meeting Place hosts a free yoga session for people in recovery every Tuesday at 8am and Fridays at 6pm. Visit www.meetingplacecarbondale.org for a list of weekly recovery meetings.

JAZZ DAY

Jazz Aspen Snowmass presents a free student showcase at TACAW from 5 to 7pm.

BROTHERHOOD CIRCLE

Kyle Jason Leitzke leads the Sacred Brotherhood Circle at the Basalt Library at 5:30pm. This time, the theme is responsibility. All male-identifying individuals are welcome. More info at www. basaltlibrary.org

DRAW

The Roaring Fork Drawing Club meets at the Cattle Creek Thrift Store at 6:30pm.

WEDNESDAY, MAY 1

ADOPTION EVENT

The BISSELL Pet Foundation is teaming up with Colorado Animal Rescue to offer reduced fees for pet adoptions through May 15.

BLOOD DRIVE

Vitalent accepts blood donations at the Carbondale Rec Center from 10:30am to 3pm. Make an appointment at www.bit. ly/May1CdaleBlood

LIBRARY CLUB

Discuss books you loved and those notso-much at the Basalt Library’s monthly Library Book Club today at noon.

TEEN DEFENSE

Girls, 15-19, learn self-defense techniques based on Krav Maga at 2:30pm at the Basalt Middle School gym on Wednesdays. Call 970-927-4311 x1004 or email bcrooke@basaltlibrary.org for more info.

TRIVIA AND BEER

Mountain Heart Brewery in Carbondale hosts Trivia Night at 6pm. Gather a team, head on over and have fun!

THURSDAY, MAY 2

LIBRARIES 101

The Basalt Library conducts a bilingual tutorial where participants learn how to best utilize its resources at 5pm.

CLASSICAL AT TACAW

Daniel Adam Maltz, a fortepianist who specializes in Viennese Classicism, performs at TACAW at 5:45pm. Tickets at www.tacaw.org

COMMON ROOTS

The Common Roots men’s group meets at HeadQuarters in Basalt at 6pm.

HIGH COUNTRY SINFONIA

You have three chances this weekend to catch High Country Sinfonia performances. The first stop is at the Basalt Library tonight at 7pm, then at the Old Thompson Barn in River Valley Ranch at 5pm on Saturday, May 4 and finally at the Aspen Chapel on Sunday, May 5 at 4pm.

FRIDAY, MAY 3

NATURE JOURNALING

Adults learn techniques to creatively document nature at the Carbondale Library at 1pm. For more info, call 970-963-2889.

Burn lots of calories in this fun cardio fitness dance program with Latin music and rhythms. Thurs, 6:30-7:30pm, 5/30-8/8

RELATIONSHIP READY

Explore the nature of thought, the purpose of emotions, and your ‘state of being’ to improve your relationships to self and others. Mondays, 6-7:30pm, 6/3-7/8

SPANISH FLUENCY THROUGH STORYTELLING

Build fluency in this fun, nontraditional, non-grammar focused class with Satya Leidner. Mon/Wed, 6-8pm, 6/3-6/19

YOGALATES FOR ADULTS

A combo of yoga and pilates that supports your spine and builds strenght in a slower workout with lots of stretching. Mondays, 1-1:50pm, 6/3-8/12

BIPARTISAN PROBLEM SOLVING

Join Bo Persiko to discuss CMC Common Reader “The Bill of Obligations” by Richard Haas. Tuesdays, 6-8pm, 6/4-6/25

MICROSOFT EXCEL

Spreadsheet basics - formatting, printing, formulas and functions, charting, tables Excel tricks. Tues, 8:30am-12:30pm, 6/4-6/11

FOR MORE INFO AND TO REGISTER . .

Carbondale Lappala Center

690 Colorado Ave 970.963.2172

Frank Nadell slides a freshly-baked loaf of bread from the Carbondale Community Oven on April 18. This hand-built masonry oven behind the Third Street Center is host to third Thursday potlucks and pizza bakes throughout the spring, summer and fall. Stay apprised by following “Carbondale Community Oven” on Facebook or keeping an eye on this community calendar. Photo by Raleigh Burleigh

THANK YOU

to the Biden administration, including Secretaries Haaland and Vilsack, Sen. Bennet, Sen. Hickenlooper and Rep. Neguse — for protecting the Thompson Divide!

The awe-inspiring beauty of this quintessential backcountry in western Colorado and its abundant wildlife habitat, ranching and recreation areas, are now safe from new drilling and mining for the next 20 years!

Cámara de comercio ofrece impulso para negocios latinos con su primer evento de ‘Hablemos de Negocios’ en Glenwood Springs

BIANCA GODINA Editora del Sol del Valle Fotos por Emotion Cinema

El 17 de abril tuvo lugar el primer evento de “Hablemos de Negocios”, organizado por la Cámara de Comercio de Glenwood Springs y FirstBank. El evento se centró en resaltar a los negocios latinos del área, brindándoles la oportunidad a tres propietarios de negocios para que compartieran sus historias. “Hablemos de Negocios”, o “Let’s Talk Business” en inglés, fue un evento bilingüe con un enfoque en español, donde la mayoría de las traducciones se realizaron del español al inglés. El objetivo principal de este evento fue ayudar a aquellos con negocios establecidos o con el sueño de iniciar su propio emprendimiento a establecer conexiones significativas que los impulsen hacia nuevos horizontes.

Hora social para dar inicio al evento.

Comida por Taqueria el Yaqui.

Mirella Ramirez, oradora del evento, y su esposo atendiendo en el puesto de su negocio Specialist Auto Body Repair.

Katya Robledo Ortega, oradora del evento y dueña de Kumbala Hair Salon.

Hugo Muñoz, dueño de Hugo ‘s Restaurant, sirviendo la comida en el evento.

Letrero de “Se habla espanol”, en puesto de negocio.

Fallar

Desde que empecé esta columna, mi objetivo ha sido compartir mis experiencias como hijo de inmigrantes que creció en el valle. Espero que aquellos que crecieron conmigo, o quienes están creciendo aquí ahora, puedan encontrar algo con lo cual identificarse. De igual manera, espero que los padres de personas como yo puedan obtener un poco de información sobre la vida de sus hijos. Claro, mi historia no es la historia de cada niño latino, pero espero que mis reflexiones nos inviten a explorar qué significa ser latino en el valle, particularmente en el contexto de la inmigración y la experiencia del inmigrante.

OPINION

Tengo Trastorno de Ansiedad Generalizada. Creo que proviene de un trauma generacional con el que estoy lidiando. Cómo latino de segunda generación, muchas de mis preocupaciones y miedos surgen del dolor cultural, el ser pionero y la identidad. Pero, sobre todo, se manifiesta como un profundo miedo al fracaso.

solo dura un tiempo antes de que vuelva desde su latencia para recordarte que eres perezoso, que no haces nada, que eres un ingrato ‘no sabo.’ Cuanto más tiempo logras silenciar el miedo, más aterradora es su resurrección. Volverá algún día, como si nunca se hubiera ido, tal vez mientras lavas los platos, o mientras lees. Quizás mientras estás al teléfono con mamá.

CRITICAS

Por Hector Salas-Gallegos

He identificado que este sentimiento proviene de la idea de que lo que sea que llegue a ser, debe valer el esfuerzo que conlleva la experiencia del inmigrante. En esencia, si mis padres trabajaron tan duro para llegar a donde están hoy, entonces es mi deber esencial justificar ese trabajo lo mejor que pueda. No solo eso, sino que, dado que el trabajo que mis padres hicieron fue tan duro y tan importante, debo mostrar mi gratitud con una trayectoria ascendente impecable.

profesional proviene de noches largas de profundo autodesprecio y momentos de miedo.

Solía ver esta parte de mí como, mi torturador. Pero recientemente he entendido que esta parte de mí solo está tratando de ayudar. Así que en lugar de someterme a esta parte de mí, he aprendido a intentar tratarla con suavidad y respeto.

La parte de mí que me impulsa a evitar el fracaso es parte de quien soy. La parte que me infunde este miedo, en última instancia, solo tiene miedo.

Se manifiesta de manera diferente en cada uno de nosotros. Pero al hablar con muchos de mis compañeros de primera y segunda generación, ese miedo está presente, y todos nos identificamos con el temor en algún nivel.

No un miedo que te inmoviliza y te consume por completo. El miedo al fracaso del que hablo te impulsa; te hace querer mantenerte tan lejos como sea posible del fracaso, al punto que estás dispuesto a sacrificar tiempo, estabilidad mental y salud física para mantenerte lo más alejado posible.

Desafortunadamente, este miedo está entretejido en mi tejido espiritual. Luchar contra él es inútil, porque apaciguar la culpa y la vergüenza del fracaso

¿Cómo me atrevo a desperdiciar esta oportunidad? Otros trabajan mucho más duro sólo para tener la oportunidad. ¿Por qué te acomodaste?

¿Cómo me atrevo a desperdiciar esta oportunidad? Otros trabajan mucho más duro sólo para tener la oportunidad. ¿Por qué te acomodaste?

Pero déjame decirte un secreto. Puede ser la cosa más pesada que carga a diario, pero también es el motor V12 que impulsa mi corazón, llevándome a trabajar más rápido, empujar más fuerte y apuntar más alto que cualquier otro en cualquier sala. Mi mejor trabajo

¿T ie n e s m e d i c ame n t o s ?

Entregue sus medicamentos no usadas o vencidas y medicamentos de venta libre para eliminación segura

Sabado 27 de abril de 2024 - 8:00 am a 2 :00 pm

La ubicación de disposición es :

Depar tamento de Policía de Carbondale

511 Colorado Avenue , Suite 911 Carbondale , CO 81623 970-963-2662

Los siguientes ar tículos NO serán aceptados : Agujas y punzones

• Mercurio (termómetros)

• Recipientes de oxígeno

• Quimioterapia / Sustancias radiactivas

• Frascos Presurizados

• Drogas Ilícitas

Si descubres que esta parte de ti—la parte que siente miedo—es difícil de amar, recuerda que aún es parte de ti. Al igual que la alegría que proviene de nuestro legado. La ira, la esperanza, la tristeza, las bromas, la comida, el idioma. Hoy en día, creo que la vida consiste en tener estas cosas que a veces nos hacen daño y a veces nos ayudan dentro de nosotros, y encontrar una manera de amarlas. Y cuando aprendemos a manejarlas con amor, no con odio, es cuando podemos conectarnos verdaderamente unos con otros.

Acompáñenos en este evento informativo que ofrece sesiones presenciales y virtuales en inglés y español. Los temas incluyen derecho de familia, inmigración, derecho laboral, derechos civiles, derecho de vivienda y derecho de las personas mayores. No se pierda esta oportunidad de ampliar su conocimiento de la ley y empoderarse con información

El pasado siempre será parte de nuestro presente

Durante las migraciones ancestrales se denominó una mágica conexión entre lo que conocemos hoy como continente Americano y Continente Europeo. Se le denomina el estrecho de Bering un paso formado por un glaciar que conectaba a los dos continentes por el Hemisferio Norte entre lo que hoy es Alaska y Rusia. Este proceso de congelamiento debido a que el planeta venía de un deshielo natural por procesos evolutivos del propio planeta.

Teóricamente se dice que los primeros aborígenes en América cruzaron por ahí. Existen ciertos estudios en donde se puede demostrar acumulamientos genéticos “pool génicos” entre personas de origen asiático y personas de origen nativo en américa, esta relación genética es fuerte con un ola de migración ancestral que se dio por medio de este puente y se perdió con el descongelamiento del glaciar en este sentido se conceptualizó la idea que el origen asiático podría o no existir.

Hoy en día es difícil demostrarlo

en un cien por ciento de exactitud pero podemos hacer algunas inferencias sobre el parecido entre personas de orígenes asiáticos, con aborígenes americanos e incluso mestizos. La magia se expresa cuando podemos encontrar ciertos tipos de tradiciones o costumbres entre culturas que aunque estén lejos geográficamente existe siempre la gran incógnita entre pueblos originarios y sus conexiones hoy en día.

En América tenemos cierta historia de cómo la extensión de nativos americanos de Alaska migraron en algún momento hacia el sur de América y fueron extendiendo sus aldeas hacia diferentes puntos de la gran América continente nombrado así después de la Llegada de Cristóbal Colón misteriosamente seguimos llamando América a un Continente que bien podríamos llamarlo diferente y con mayor relación y conectividad hacia los antiguos ancestros. Esta migración de América es un poco más familiar para las personas que están en esta latitud, aunque si

observamos el mapa global entre migración podemos llegar a diagnosticar una mejor pintura de lo que pasó o mejor dicho un mapa histórico.

El Pasado siempre será parte de nuestro presente no podemos borrar la historia con nuevos conceptos de quienes somos pero sí hay ciertos patrones que se repiten si bien es cierto hoy en día las limitaciones entre países son barreras de origen antropomórficas hay que tomar en cuenta que estas barreras al final no significan nada a la hora de conceptualizar ideologías en costumbres y tradiciones.

Tener la oportunidad de estar hoy en día en un país como Nepal y caminar por esos valles ver la tribus que viven en las montañas del mundo, las poderosas Himalayas y ver una correlación entre los países y las fronteras que existen en todos lados, pero como la del Tíbet y Nepal es simplemente histórico por una adquisición territorial por el imperio Chino y como culturalmente los villistas de esa zona siguen de-

¡Solicita tu tarjeta hoy mismo!

Cada vez que usas tu tarjeta de débito Loyalty*, Alpine Bank dona diez centavos a las causas comunitarias que son importantes para ti. *Las

OPINION

ESPACIOS SIN LÍMITES

Por Victor Zamora

scifrando que es lo que pasó en la disyuntiva de identidad por referencia a los tiempos modernos de conquista desarticulada en una justificación real cuando los aldeanos han sido siempre parte del territorio natural, ver símbolos y tipologías descritas parecidas a la de los Mayas, grupo que se acentúa en el sur de México que construyeron las grandes Pirámides en lo que hoy es palenque y encontrar relaciones entre los dioses y creencias de las dos culturas.

Platicar con una sherpani mientras recolectaba papas para la temporada alta cuando llegan los turistas que van a que los conquiste el Sagarmāthā y no a conquistar el Everest como mencionan los libros de historia de conquista traída por británicos hacia la aldea y en si es un despertar de conciencia que es difícil ver y posiblemente es necesaria una tertulia entre café y vino para entender que ha pasado en esta majestuosa migración nómada ancestral que tiende a seguir estar presente y ¡va pa el Norte!

Debido a que el frío posiblemente y las grandes montañas son un indicador de recursos naturales, la sherpani dice “he escuchado que ustedes también tienen villistas en México” con una sonrisa y con su atuendo tradicional que te podría recordar a los Raramuris localizados en las Barrancas del Cobre. Es en relación a mucha cultura en todos lados que se recomienda a los lectores que vean la película denominada Monkey Man, del director Dev Patel.

MOUNTAINPEARL

CONCURSO DE ESCRITURA PARA ESTUDIANTES COMPARTA SU TRABAJO ESCRITO FAVORITO DE ESTE AÑO ESCOLAR. ¿ EN ESPAÑOL? SÍ, POR FAVOR

UN JURADO UTILIZARÁ UN SISTEMA DE PUNTOS BASADO EN CALIFICACIONES QUE VALORA: Originalidad, claridad, elección de palabras, detalle, y voz.

Todas las escuelas desde Aspen hasta Glenwood Springs. Honey Butter Milkshakes

Todos los participantes cuyo trabajo cumpla con los criterios de nivel de grado recibirán un certificado de regalo para un batido, que se entregará en su campus antes del último día de clases.

Los ganadores serán anunciados y publicados en la edición OTOÑO. En forma impresa y en línea en Septiembre de 2024.

DEADLINE TO PARTICIPATE: Friday, May 3

DETALLES Y PRESENTACIONES CON TRADUCCIONES AL ESPAÑOL EN LÍNEA THEMOUNTAINPEARL.com

Traducción por Jacquelinne Castro

Opciones de alojamiento

El 15 de abril, en orden para expandir las opciones de alojamiento y reducir la discriminación excluyente, el gobernador Jared Polis firmó en ley el proyecto que prohíbe límites de ocupación residencial. Los gobiernos locales ya no pueden dictar el número de personas no relacionadas quienes comparten un hogar. En Carbondale, un código de desarrollo unificado actualmente limita el número de personas no relacionadas que viven en una unidad a cuatro, o dos más cualquier número de niños relacionados. El código ahora debe ser actualizado para asegurar el cumplimiento con las nuevas regulaciones del estado, el cual permite límites justificados de ocupantes por razones de salud o seguridad.

Respuesta de sífilis

En respuesta al incremento significativo de casos de sífilis congénita, cuando la enfermedad se transmite a un bebé recién nacido durante el parto, el Departamento de Salud Pública y Ambiente de Colorado emitió una orden de salud pública 24-01 declarando una epidemia y la expansión del acceso a pruebas. La enfer

más de siete veces en Colorado (siete casos en el 2018 y 50 casos en el 2023). Hasta la fecha en el 2024, han habido 25 casos de sífilis congénita reportados, incluyendo cinco muertes de parto y 2 neonatales”, dijo un comunicado de prensa. Por lo tanto, los proveedores médicos deben ofrecer un incremento de pruebas durante el embarazo. Para más información, visite www.tinyurl.com/CDPHEsyphilis

Oportunidades para artistas

Carbondale Arts está aceptando solicitudes hasta el 3 de junio. Cuatro artistas recibirán $2,000 cada uno hacía el apoyo de desarrollo de una visión, herramientas de arte, renta de estudio, costos de residencial o talleres o propósitos de marketing. Esta beca fue creada para honrar el legado de Allegheny Meadows y ahora es apoyada por los patrocinadores del evento Wolfpack Foundation y Carbondale Arts. Encuentre la solicitud en www.bit.ly/CdaleFellow

Baños minerales

Glenwood Hot Springs se está preparando para la revelación de sus Baños Minerales Yampah a finales de mayo. Las nuevas piscinas, incluyendo inmersión de agua fría, estarán directamente al este de la piscina ter-

May 3 rd

Come enjoy the monthly celebration of local arts, shopping, restaurants, and live music in the heart of the Carbondale Creative District.

FAMILY BLOCK PARTY 4-8PM

Celebrate spring at this family-friendly event with local food, music produced by valley youth, and activities for kids of all ages.

ervado para adultos solamente en la nueva sección. No habrá ningún costo extra para usar las nuevas piscinas.

Incentivo

El pueblo de Basalt está ofreciendo a sus residentes un reembolso de $500 cuando compren una bicicleta eléctrica. Para calificar, las bicicletas eléctricas pueden ser compradas en cualquier tienda entre el 22 de abril y el 31 de

octubre del 2024. Los participantes deben proporcionar prueba de residencia y un recibo de compra. Las bibliotecas eléctricas de montañas no califican. De acuerdo con el comunicado de prensa, el transporte terrestre ha permanecido como el segundo contribuyente más grande del pueblo de emisiones de carbón desde que se empezó a rastrear en el 2014. Para más información, visite basalt.net/ebikerebate

El equipo de Colorado Mountain College, FirstBank y salud pública del Condado de Garfield presentes en el panel de discusión durante “Hablemos de Negocios” el 17 de abril. Foto por Emotion Cinema

Rams soccer, baseball score home wins over Basalt

JOHN STROUD Sopris Sun Correspondent

Roaring Fork High School’s sports complex was abuzz with activity on Tuesday, with the Basalt Longhorns in town for back-to-back varsity baseball and girls soccer games.

The home team won both contests, including a 12-11 walk-off win in the extra eighth inning for the Roaring Fork baseball team, and a 3-0 shutout win for the Lady Rams on the soccer field.

After a scoreless first half of soccer action, junior Carley Crownhart gave her team a leg up with a goal early in the second. Then came junior Maddie Anderson’s first goal of the season with just over 27 minutes left to play in the game.

“Basalt throws in a lot of offsides traps, so I thought we did a good job of holding their line after getting called on a couple in the first half,” head Roaring Fork coach Nicole Cruz said after the win.

“We did better in the second half … staying onside, and we communicated as a team.”

Cruz said the team is sharing the offensive load more, and not relying on one or two players to get the job done.

Sophomore Maya Lindbloom, usually a back line player, also scored her first goal of the season in the closing seconds.

Audry Lopez stepped into the varsity goalkeeper position for junior Maggie Russell, who was out sick. Lopez recorded eleven saves for the Rams.

The win came on the heels of a 0-0 tie in non-league action Friday, April 19 at Manitou Springs, and improved the Rams to 6-3-2 overall and, more importantly, 3-01 in 3A Western Slope League (WSL) play.

Roaring Fork hosts league-leading Delta (11-1, 4-0) at 6pm Thursday, April 25 at Rams Field for a game that could ultimately determine the league championship.

RF 9 slip past Longhorns

Down 11-9 going into the bottom of the extra eighth inning against Basalt, the Rams loaded the bases with patience at the plate that resulted in multiple walks from the Longhorns pitcher.

Back-to-back walks for senior Ben Oldham and sophomore Kenny Riley set the stage for junior Cole Fenton to lob a bloop single into shallow left field to score the winning run.

Head coach Marty Madsen noted his team has been in several extra-inning

games this season, but has had a difficult time pulling off the win.

“We found a way,” Madsen said. “I mean, we made some mistakes in the field, and so did they, but in the end we battled at the plate and got it done.

“The one thing we have done all season is we do not quit,” he said. “These guys trust the lineup and trust that if we get a few guys on [base], anything’s possible.”

Roaring Fork struck first, taking a 2-0 lead into the third before Basalt exploded for eight runs and Roaring answered back with five to keep it at 8-7 Longhorns. Both teams added to the tally to make it 9-9 after seven innings, with Basalt scoring two to force the Rams into the walk-off position.

Roaring Fork won a non-league game

Sopris Run-Off 25K and 10-miler take to The Crown May 19

JOHN STROUD

Sopris

Sun Correspondent

Though a long-standing Carbondale Mountain Fair weekend tradition may be ending, organizers of the Mount Sopris Run-Off foot race are confident a new tradition will be born with the revamped event coming up May 19.

Independence Run & Hike is presenting the new Mount Sopris Run-Off 25K (15.5 miles) and 10-Miler trail races up and over the Prince Creek and Crown trails from Flying Dog Ranch and finishing at Rock Bottom Ranch on Sunday, May 19.

In conjunction, there will be a Trail Running Film Festival at TACAW on Friday, May 17 starting at 7:30pm. All proceeds from the weekend events will benefit Roaring Fork Outdoor Volunteers (RFOV) and its work to build and maintain mountain trails in the region.

For more than 30 years, the Sopris Run-Off road race, founded by Bruce Gabow,

started in Basalt, took runners for several grueling miles up West Sopris Creek Road, with a pounding descent on Prince Creek Road into Carbondale on the last Saturday of July — part of Mountain Fair festivities.

What used to be billed as “16 Long Miles” on the backs of the race t-shirts (it was closer to 16.5 miles) was shortened to 14 miles with a new start line at the Emma Schoolhouse when Independence Run & Hike took over the event in 2010.

The tradition has continued for an additional 13 years, but more recently, between the pandemic disruption in 2020, hotter summer temperatures and multiple years when wildfire smoke engulfed the valley, race participation began to dwindle.

Independence Run & Hike owner Brion After added the 4-Mile Fair Run on the lower part of Prince Creek Road in an effort to attract more recreational runners who weren’t up for the longer run.

But the other thing he began hearing was that the hard-core distance runners wanted a different alternative.

Specifically, runners wanted a long trail race more suited to Carbondale’s outdoor culture, rather than the classic road race.

“I think the old Sopris RunOff is a fantastic race,” After said. “But I’ve just seen the tastes of my customers and people around here in general change, where they’re clamoring for more trail races.”

Several such backcountry races are concentrated in the upper valley in late summer and early fall, including the Power of Four trail runs on July 20 this year, the Aspen Backcountry Marathon on Aug. 12 and the Aspen Golden Leaf Half Marathon on Sept. 28.

So, the other big decision was to make the Sopris Run-Off a spring event; sort of a season kickoff for runners looking to

continued on page 19

Monday at home, 7-6, and now sits at 8-9 overall and 3-1 in the 3A WSL. The Rams host Cedaredge at 11am Saturday, April 27 for another important league game.

Girls lacrosse

The Roaring Fork girls lacrosse team picked up a pair of home wins ahead of last weekend, 14-8 over Fruita Monument on April 18 and a 22-8 league win over Eagle Valley the following night.

Junior Hailey Wolfe scored or contributed to seven points against Fruita, while sophomore Jordyn Miller was in on six points.

Against Eagle Valley, Wolfe, junior Josie McKinley-Kitchell and senior Grace Garcia were the leading contributors, scoring or assisting on eight goals each.

The Rams (6-4, 5-2) host Summit for a 4A Mountain East league game at 5:30pm Friday, April 26 before taking on league-leading Battle Mountain at 5:30pm Tuesday, April 30, also at home.

Track and Field

Competing at the Coal Ridge Invitational on Friday, April 19, Roaring Fork sophomore Nikki Tardif won the 200-meter dash with a time of 28.79 seconds. Tardif was also third in the 400-meter event with a personal-record (PR) time of 1:02.71.

Also scoring points for the Lady Rams were senior Kyra Reeds, third in both the 100 hurdles (17.36) and 300 hurdles (51.05); junior Isabella Moon, fourth 1600 meters (5:49 PR), and fifth 800 meters (2:41.46 PR); and the 4x800 team of Moon, sophomore Caroline Cole, freshman Sadie Silcox and senior Margaux Zeijlstra, sixth (12:02.79).

IN A NUTSHELL

Film Fest ticket: www.tacaw.org

Race registration: www.independencerunandhike.com

Junior Lexy Sanchez helped the Rams shut out Basalt with a 3-0 win on April 23.

Photo by Sue Rollyson

Three new trustees sworn in April 23

RALEIGH BURLEIGH Sopris Sun Editor

Tuesday’s meeting, April 23, was brief but well-attended. Exercise equipment lined the walls of the Town Hall meeting room as the Rec Center is transformed for the weekend’s 5 Point Film Festival.

First, the consent agenda was unanimously approved. This included accounts payable, meeting minutes, a $19,901 maintenance contract for North Face Bike Park with The Jump Doctors, the reappointment of Hannah-Hunt Moeller to the Environmental Board and a sales tax report for the first two months of 2024 elucidating a 25.2% increase over the same period last year.

Next, members of the public were allotted three minutes each to address the board on matters not on the agenda. Mayor Ben Bohmfalk requested comments remain relevant to local issues. To begin, a local high school student thanked Carbondale for not considering an Israel-Palestine ceasefire resolution first presented on March 13. The student emphasized that “Israel’s sovereignty was broken” on Oct. 7 and “terrorists need to be eliminated” before peace can be considered.

Five others addressed the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza asking that Carbondale trustees lend weight toward ending the conflict. “If we don’t talk, it will

BASALT REPORT

never end,” said Adrián Victór. “We need to talk, not in spite of how difficult it is but precisely because of it.”

In response, Ron Kokish, representing Age-Friendly Carbondale, stated that “there are groups working on public dialogue” beginning with this Sunday’s Two Rivers Unitarian Universalist service at the Third Street Center.

The meeting then shifted into trustee

Council welcomes its newest members

WILL BUZZERD

Sopris Sun Correspondent

On Thursday night, Basalt Town Hall overflowed with applause as it said goodbye to Councilor Elyse Hottel and Mayor Bill Kane, congratulated Councilor David Knight on his assumption of the position of mayor and welcomed its two newest councilors, Angele DupreButchart and Hannah Berman.

Prior to swearing in its newest members, the council voted to approve a $1.78 million contract with Roaring Fork Valley-based commercial builder RA Nelson for the development of two affordable housing units at Stott’s Mill. In 2022, Basalt purchased four lots at Stott’s Mill to develop affordable housing for town employees and, after posting a request for proposals in January, staff selected RA Nelson to construct a duplex on two adjacent lots.

Afterwards, Town Manager Ryan Mahoney was the first to bid farewell to Councilor Hottel and Mayor Kane. Mahoney highlighted the achievements the council made during this previous term. Although groundwork was laid for Basalt River Park by the previous council, Mahoney praised the hard work of this current team which brought the park to life. This team also made the necessary preliminary efforts for the rejuvenation of the Clark’s Market lot, as well as initiated the massive

Midland Avenue Streetscape project, which Mahoney stated is the “last piece of the puzzle” to revitalizing historic downtown Basalt.

Great as these accomplishments are, Mahoney urged those in the room to consider that they make up a small portion of what this council has done for its community in the past four years. Mahoney then presented Mayor Kane, Councilor Hottel and Councilor Knight with plaques to commemorate their service to the community during their tenure.

Councilor Hottel offered her thanks to the community and reflected on her goal to improve the trust and communication between Basalt’s government and its citizens. “I hope that will be my legacy,” said Hottel, “that folks feel like they can communicate to the council, and that they trust we’re making decisions with their best interests at heart.”

Mayor Kane then took the microphone to make his final statements. He first acknowledged ex-councilor Glenn Drummond who stepped down earlier this spring, thanking him for his service to Basalt even though his tenure was cut short.

Kane then expressed his gratitude to every council and staff member. “Thanks for all the memories and the wonderful stuff we hacked through together,” he said. “This is a wonderful town, and it keeps getting more won-

comments, most of which revolved around bidding adieu to outgoing trustees Marty Silverstein, Lani Kitching and Luis Yllanes and welcoming Jess Robison, Christina Montemayor and Ross Kribbs to the board.

Before presenting each of the outgoing trustees with a gift, Town Manager Lauren Gister announced that Carbondale received a $500,000 Garfield County

Federal Mineral Lease grant toward the new pool on top of more than $51,000 in individual donations, so far. Gister said that after free shower vouchers ended for the newcomer migrants, more than 10 bought memberships to the Rec Center and are playing basketball. The Town Center project team will formally present to the Colorado Housing and Finance Authority for funding on May 17. Lastly, a salary and benefits survey will be conducted to assist with staff retention.

The sole action item was a proclamation to celebrate Arbor Day on May 4 this year. Silverstein moved to approve and the motion was seconded by Yllanes then approved unanimously.

Finally, Robison, Montemayor and Kribbs took the oath of office to assume their roles on the Board of Trustees beginning May 14. As Silverstein quipped, “This is where they get sworn in instead of sworn at.”

Members of the public are invited to learn about boards and commissions at an open-air open house on First Friday, May 3 from 5 to 6:30pm on Main Street between CenturyLink and Peppino’s. All boards and commissions have at least one opening for appointment beginning in June.

derful with time. … We’re a great place to live, and let’s keep it that way.”

Mayor Kane then donned his western hat and, to a round of applause, Town Hall bid adieu to two leaders of the Basalt community.

After a round of congratulations, Knight was sworn in as the new mayor of Basalt. New councilors DupreButchart and Berman were also welcomed with applause.

Mayor Knight, in his new seat, thanked Hottel and Kane for their outstanding service: first to Hottel for being so approachable to the community and second to Kane for his leadership.

The first action this new council took was a resolution to oppose a proposed ordinance to Basalt’s municipal code. A petitioner’s committee submitted the proposed ordinance which would create a spending limitation on the Town’s

Capital Construction Fund, a parking area limitation prohibiting any reduction in the number of parking spaces present downtown and a parking use limitation which would prohibit the Town from allocating any off-street parking spaces to third parties except if those spaces remain open to the public in perpetuity.

Council unanimously opposed this ordinance, with Mayor Knight and Councilor Ryan Slack agreeing that it would add unnecessary confusion to Basalt’s municipal code which already has guidelines for these matters. Notably, councilors stated the ordinance will not and cannot, as a matter of law, retroactively apply to the Midland Streetscape project, or any other project previously approved by the Town. This ordinance will be present as Question 1 on a special ballot on May 21.

Outgoing trustees Marty Silverstein, Lani Kitching and Luis Yllanes were each thanked for their service with a personal gift: Silverstein received a food delivery from a New York deli, Kitching was given a framed photograph of Mt. Sopris and the Crystal River and Yllanes got a gift certificate for Belly Up Aspen. Photo by Raleigh Burleigh

Councilor Elyse Hottel and Mayor Bill Kane shared laughter and gratitude during their final meeting as members of Basalt’s Town Council. Photo by Will Sardinsky

Unexpected stuff to check out at the Library

LYNN “JAKE” BURTON Sopris Sun Correspondent

You say your friends were looking forward to hearing you play “Life’s Been Good to Me So Far” on your ukulele at an upcoming party? You know the song by Joe Walsh, with lyrics that go, “My Maserati does 185. I lost my license, now I don’t drive?” But, you loaned your ukulele to a guy you thought was your friend and fear he has absconded with it? Well fear not, Bunky. You are probably in luck. You can check out a ukulele at the Carbondale Branch Library and fulfill your social obligations.

Garfield County libraries have a lot of items other than books, videos and other materials patrons can check out. In Carbondale, they include: WiFi hotspots, laptop computers, Launchpad tablets preloaded with educational games for kids, teens and adults and even Colorado state park passes. To check out laptops and park passes, patrons must be at least 18 years old. And here is something new: “Stay Sharp” kits that are meant to promote cognitive stimulation and tactile movement.

In other news, the Carbondale library is embarking on a multi-year project to digitize its collection of Valley Journal bound volumes. So far, the library is committed to digitizing all issues from 1975 through 1982 at a cost of about $1,000 per year. “I’m currently exploring grants and other funding opportunities to complete the project,” branch manager Tracy Kallassy said. “The digitized volumes will be accessible by the public at Colorado Historic Newspapers starting this summer.”

District-wide

The district launches its new website April 30, said communications director James Larson. He said the new site will allow easier navigation to digital content, contain a revamped calendar of events section, include a patron book recommendation link and make it easier to reserve rooms.

Events and programs

Garfield County libraries present “Music of the West African Kora” with Sean Gaskell, starting with Carbondale on May 6 at 6pm. Gaskell will share a unique program featuring songs on the kora, a 21-stringed West African harp. The kora is traditionally played by oral historians known as “griots.” Many of the songs featured on the kora preserve an 800-year history dating back to the founding of the Mande empire. Gaskell studied under musicians in Gambia and Senegal and has performed throughout the United States and Canada. The program repeats in Glenwood Springs on Tuesday, May 7 at 6pm.

Other upcoming events include a return screening of “The Paradise Paradox” on May 15 at 6pm and “A Day in Tahiti” Polynesian dance on May 18 at 2pm. The library hosts English in Action drop-ins Mondays at 6:30pm offering conversational practice for English learners.

Recent board action

At this month’s library board meeting in Glenwood Springs, the board unanimously voted to deny an appeal and uphold staff’s decision to keep “Kill or Be Killed” on the shelves. Board members noted the book does not have a parental advisory sticker on it. “Kill or Be Killed,” by Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips, is a series of books generally described on the internet as crime thrillers with supernatural overtones.

Executive director’s report

Executive Director Jamie LaRue presented his monthly report to the library board at the April meeting. Among other items, the report included:

An update on book bans. His report said the American Library Association (ALA) released censorship figures for 2023 and “the data is alarming.” The ALA documented efforts to censor 4,240 unique book titles in schools and libraries were eclipsing 2022’s high of 2,571. He said the numbers highlight a recent trend: challenging multiple titles, often dozens or hundreds, at a time. LaRue told the trustees he submitted his self evaluation at the board’s 2024 retreat in February. As of May 2, he has held the position for two years. He asked the board to let him know if it requires any further reflection or data.

LaRue told the board his book, “On Censorship: A Public Librarian Examines Cancel Culture in the U.S.,” sold out its first printing. He has given a fair number of presentations about the book regionally and national and has a speaking engagement in Scotland in June. LaRue said the library district’s 1 mill property tax, used to build and maintain its branch locations, expires in 2027. “On the one hand, sales tax revenues are almost replacing that income stream. On the other, I do believe that an equivalent to 3.5-4 mill is about right for an effective library,” he said. LaRue concluded this section of his report by saying the district should watch what’s on the ballot “to look for a propitious time if we choose to pursue a mill levy extension.”

Garfield County libraries handed out free glasses through which to view the solar eclipse on April 8. At its peak around 12:30pm folks gathered to view the action. Photo by Lynn “Jake” Burton

at the Art Base

On April 19, Basalt’s Art Base opened a new exhibition from local interdisciplinary artist Jahn Carlos Neri. The exhibition, titled “HYPERMNESIA,” has been in development for two years. It is an interactive, multisensory exploration of the impact of technology on our society and the nature and fragility of human memory. The exhibit combines virtual reality with panoramic images, video, graphic and sound design. Pieces include a QR code for folks who want to dive deeper.

“The goal here is to have a practice that permits these kinds of interdisciplinary intersections between art, technology and science,” gallery manager Erin Morrison told The Sopris Sun.

his time between Mexico and the Valley. He received a bachelor of fine arts degree from the Autonomous University of San Luis Potosí in 2017 and has now been in the Valley for two years.

Asked what inspired this exhibition, Neri said he started thinking about information and the similarities between how humans and technology observe, receive and store it.

“I think art can be shared in so many different ways, and I want to invite people to come and just experience this and see what happens.”

-Jahn Carlos Neri

“The Art Base has historically been a space that has been open to all media,” she continued. “Still, because virtual reality and augmented reality is a new form of medium, it’s gonna be interesting to see how people take that in and experience it.”

In addition to doing art, Neri teaches art at Basalt High School. He is originally from San Luis Potosí, Mexico, and splits

“Right now, with technology, I have noticed that we have a boost of a lot of information, which is where the ‘hyper’ part comes from, and the ‘amnesia’ part of the title refers to memory,” Neri explained.

Along with the interactive exhibition, text accompanying each piece and special talks are all presented in both Spanish and English.

“Because [Jahn] is bilingual, we’re also making the artwork accessible to the Spanish-speaking community in that way,” Morrison stated. “He definitely wants to create an inclusive environment that is both interactive and multidisciplinary.”

Neri said that his teaching career inspired him to create this access point for Spanish-speaking members of the community.

“As a teacher, I realized that our population is very diverse, which is wonderful. I wanted to share my art with the community in the most accessible way possible,” he explained.

Neri’s work from the exhibition is available for purchase. The collection is “phygital,” meaning that both a physical and digital copy are acquired by purchasing a frame of the work as a non-fungible token, better known as an NFT. Neri said this element plays into the interactive nature of his work and he is hopeful that the community will come out to experience it.

“I think art can be shared in so many different ways, and I want to invite people to come and just experience this and see what happens. With

this being interactive, I am looking for people to come out and share the excitement that I’m feeling,” he stated.

In addition to gratitude for Neri and all its exhibiting artists, the Art Base extends appreciation for Denise Taylor of Aspen Design House, the sponsor of “HYPERMNESIA.”

IN A NUTSHELL

The Art Base gallery is open Tuesday through Saturday from 11am to 5pm.

“HYPERMNESIA” will remain on display through May 17.

For more information, visit @theartbase on Instagram or www.theartbase.org

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en este evento informativo que ofrece sesiones presenciales y virtuales en inglés y español.

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civiles, derecho de vivienda y derecho de las personas mayores. No se pierda esta oportunidad de ampliar su conocimiento de la ley y empoderarse con información legal esencial!

MYKI JONES Sopris Sun Correspondent

Jhan Neri’s art installations at the Art Base include QR codes for patrons wanting to diver deeper. Courtesy photo

Your fears are keeping you broke

Have you ever caught yourself graphically daydreaming your own demise? Plummeting down a flight of white-tiled stairs, getting side swiped by your neighbor’s Ford while taking the trash bin out, making one faulty step at the canyon’s edge, being at the exact spot an airplane door falls from the sky…

A few years into investigating my relationship with money, I realized that my gripping fear of death was one of the things keeping my bank accounts barren. I think you might understand. Stay with me.

OPINION

MONEY JUICE

By Megan Janssen

Our fears present in myriad ways and sneakily hold us back, invisible parachutes inflated behind us. My particular flavor has been the rejection of complacency because I decided as a ripe teenager that complacency was the slip ‘n slide directly into the jaws of death. Get a boring job, settle in a marriage, buy a giant television, contribute to a 401K, put on weight, buy a watercraft if you’re really lucky, day drink too much on the Fourth of July, retire, and try to piece meaning together for the rest of your life from hobbies, holidays, and daytime TV until you split. Welcome to my highly judgemental and cynical mind.

I subconsciously decided that spending money, or rather, not keeping money around (there is a difference) was one way for me to “stay young.” The idea of saving made me want to run. I saw saving as the patriarchy’s oily grip molding me into a piece of the machine, forcing me into an uninvestigated life. Monotony. Death. I realized that impulse buying was a sort-of “I’ll do what I want, you can’t hold me down” plan I had to… well… not die too soon? It makes little sense. I can tell you now that buying a plane ticket, leaving $300 to my name, doesn’t play well as an act of resistance and it certainly doesn’t retrograde the aging process. The thing is, we’re all doing this in some bizarre way.

What are you afraid of? Commitment? Vulnerability? Death? Being seen? Security? Worthiness? Stay with that one for a moment. Worthiness. Are you afraid of claiming your truest self, giving it a bullhorn and softer sheets? You, too, might be psychologically keeping yourself broke because you are afraid to radically accept who you are, budget for it, and live your juiciest life. Or maybe you’re afraid of commitment and money likes you. Or you’re afraid of the vulnerability of squarely looking at your unhelpful habits and patterns and designing something more supportive. Are you worried that if you have money you’ll be seen in a new way? You won’t be able to slurp through life unnoticed? Perhaps you’re afraid of abandonment and having money will separate you from your delightfully broke peers. We do live in the never-never land of the Roaring Fork Valley, after all. What would it mean to, wheeze, “grow up?” What would it mean to really take care of yourself financially?

“What are you afraid of? Commitment?

Vulnerability? Death?

Being seen? Security? Worthiness?”

Here’s an exercise. Picture yourself five years from now. You are elated. You are getting ready to do your favorite thing: perhaps you’re going on a rafting trip, maybe you’re traveling internationally, maybe you’re meeting your best friend for a beautiful dinner. You are light-hearted, you aren’t stressed financially, you feel safe in your skin, you have the means to care for yourself in body, mind, spirit, and beyond. Friend, you have money. Take a beat to feel what this feels like and compare it to your fear. In this scenario are you more or less vulnerable? Are you more or less alone? Are you more or less alive? Come up with a word or phrase that describes what money is for you in this vision. Reconsider if you want to keep it a little closer at hand. Maybe you’d even like to, how do you say, commit?

The first step to building wealth is understanding your relationship with money. Regardless of how significantly your income grows, it’ll just the same be ushered away if you don’t want it hanging around. And understanding the relationship is understanding yourself, your fears, and your inherent worthiness. Take the first step toward building wealth by spending time with your joys and cutting the strings of that parachute. Consider being seen, being vulnerable, committing, living, rejoicing, and you will begin the journey toward wealth.

Megan Janssen is a financial educator and founder of Money Juice. Learn more at money-juice.com

ASH TREES from page 5

Signs of infestation

Clear signs of EAB presence include increased woodpecker activity, “S” shaped patterns (called “galleries”) under the bark, vertical splits or loss of bark, sparse leaves or branches in the upper part of the tree, new sprouts below an infestation site and those “D” shaped holes where the adults exit the tree.

The EAB is dormant from September through April, during which time pruning or tree removal is recommended. The bug’s active period is from May through August when any cutting is discouraged. “That’s when adult EABs are flying,” explained Meinecke. Moving ash firewood is prohibited. Burning ash wood is allowed only where the tree came down and in compliance with fire restrictions.

Arbor Day presentation

Meinecke encourages everyone to celebrate Arbor Day on Friday, April 26 at Colorado Meadows Park. He will demonstrate how to plant a tree and talk about the upcoming update to the Town tree inventory. “I need about five volunteers to help me with the inventory,” he said.

Private property owners with concerns about ash trees can contact Carl Meinecke at cmeinecke@carbondaleco.net or a tree care professional who is certified and licensed for ash tree treatment or removal.

AIRPORT from page 7

py and in Garfield County because of the tax generation” in the community, he continued. “And we want to keep the corporate pilots happy because they pay the bills of the airport.”

Other than the business tax generation, there are emergency services based at the airport, including flight for life and wildland firefighting aircraft at the ready.

Comparing the Rifle and Glenwood Springs airports would be like comparing Denver International and Rifle Airport, said Condie. The Glenwood Springs Airport is intended primarily for Group One aircrafts, but can accommodate a limited number from Group Two. There is no lighting system, so really no nighttime operations. He said that the space in Glenwood is meant for local pilots and that there’s still not enough room, so some of those planes end up in Rifle.

For more information, visit www.rifleairport.com

SOPRIS RUNOFF from page 15

gear up for those later races.

“The nice thing about Carbondale and the Crown is that it does dry out a lot earlier, so a spring race made sense,” he said. “It’s also a good way to get Carbondale more on the map as a trail running destination.”

The 25K and 10-Mile races will take runners up The Crown along a combination of trails including Up ‘N’ Over, Buckhorn, Buckhorn Traverse and Glassier.

Helping stage the event with trail permitting assistance and volunteer support is RFOV, which will also be the primary beneficiary.

Managing race logistics and helping organize the Friday film festival is Kyle Jones, former store manager at Independence Run & Hike, who recently moved back to Austin, Texas.

The finish line for both distances is at Rock Bottom Ranch, where there will be a finish line party and social.

“It’s a really wonderful spot to finish, and we’ll try to have some music and other fun stuff so people can hang out a little bit more at the end of the race, instead of just finishing the race and kind of meandering off,” After said.

Future years could see a full slate of events throughout the weekend, possibly adding a 50K event or shorter distances to appeal to different levels of runners, he said.

“The idea was not only to have a great locals’ race, but also to maybe pull some people from the Front Range or regionally to come out for a really cool race and see what Carbondale is all about,” he said.

The Trail Running Film Festival has been making the rounds for several years and lands at TACAW (The Arts Center At Willits) just in time for this year’s trail races.

Select films center on the love of off-road running with diverse narratives and confronting issues like climate change. The festival will kick off with a panel discussion and will be hosted by Trail Runner magazine Editor-in-Chief Zoë Rom.

Scan the QR code to learn more about the emerald ash borer.

OBITUARY

Jay Michael Leavitt

Jay Michael Leavitt, 84, died April 3, 2024. Beloved father of Maurice and Charles (Emily), brother of Susan Meisel (Bill), brother of the late Jonny and late Sam; son of Maurice and Ruth and former husband of Karen, Jay was an architect with community vision and will be remembered for his love of life, beautiful smile and big heart. Family was really important to Jay and his contribution to the Leavitt/Ets Hokin family genealogy project was immense. The Family Tree data was initially compiled by Jay over 50 years ago. In Jay’s later years he had a passion for sculpting marble and clay. Jay had a special place in his heart for the Carbondale Clay Center where he played a major role in its inception as a founding board member. In lieu of a memorial, donations can be made in Jay’s honor to the Carbondale Clay Center at www.carbondaleclay.org/support or by calling 970-963-2529. Thank you for your support.

WindWalkers mounts up for annual Kentucky Derby fundraiser

MYKI JONES Sopris Sun Correspondent

WindWalkers, the nonprofit equine-assisted learning and therapy center that has served the communities of Eagle, Pitkin and Garfield counties for nearly 20 years, is gearing up for its annual Kentucky Derby Party Fundraiser. This fun event promises an afternoon complete with a silent auction, a delicious southern-style family buffet and, of course, a Kentucky Derby watch party.

“WindWalkers is a magical place where horses and caring professionals offer a variety of equine-assisted therapies to aid in the development and growth of those living with challenges, be they physical, neurological, emotional, behavioral or psychological,” the organization’s website reads.

“The horses are the doctors, and our counselors are part of the medical treatment teams that are there six days a week,” Executive Director Gabrielle Greeves told The Sopris Sun.

Greeves said the Kentucky Derby event has grown substantially since its inception roughly seven years ago. The first was hosted by Holly McLain, the owner of Rumble Ridge Ranch and a sponsor of WindWalkers.

“Since the event is so big — we have 130 to 170 people coming — we no longer could do it on a home front or in a barn,” said Greeves. “At this point, we are stepping out and making it bigger.”

She added that WindWalkers is dedicated to keeping the event accessible. Any given year, the Kentucky Derby Party will see teachers and parents associated with WindWalkers, general community members as well as individuals who require inhome care or are residents at assisted living facilities.

“We’ve made it that kind of an event,” Greeves proudly stated.

HENTSCHEL from page 1

having disagreements, you should keep moving forward and be in good community with each other,” she said.

She advocates for a balance between structured expectations and supportive care, ensuring everyone feels understood and supported. “The idea is that you’re creating a sense of balance between those two things — like I’m being asked to do something challenging to me, whether as a student or an educator, to grow, knowing that I have the support I need to do that,” Hentschel said.

While the conversation around school safety and security, particularly regarding campus accessibility, is ongoing for the school district, Hentschel reflects on the balance between maintaining an open campus and ensuring student safety.

As a former teacher and current administrator, she acknowledges the complexities involved, including potential impacts on faculty and student schedules. She emphasizes the importance of thorough planning and community input in addressing these issues.

With RFSD currently engaged in discussions with community partners about conducting an equity audit as part of its new diversity, equity, inclusion and anti-racism policy, Hentschel highlighted challenges stemming from a predominantly white teaching and leadership staff’s limited perspective on systemic barriers.

“We might have a good idea about how to teach academics, but we might not be fully grasping the factors in our systems that are getting in people’s way,” she shared.

Hentschel credits longtime educator and former RFHS assistant principal Barbara Mason, who mentored her while she was completing her master’s in education, with shaping her approach to educational leadership.

“Barbara helped me understand how to be a strongly feeling person and still be a strong leader,” she said.

Community holds deep meaning for the Hentschel family. Following a year of travel and a COVID lockdown in Denver, when they returned home, the children expressed feeling safer in Carbondale, contrasted with the sense of anonymity they felt while traveling.

“They were like, ‘People don’t know us here [in Denver].’ Familiarity brings a sense of safety, and that’s why we highly value our community,” Hentschel concluded.

Those in attendance, particularly the ladies, will be encouraged to create their own fun and unique derby hats from blank Western-style and straw ones. WindWalkers will also use the opportunity to highlight the community that makes it up, including some of the horses.

“We plan to do our own Derby-style introductions where we will talk about our horses and bring out a child or participant in the program to introduce them,” Greeves explained. “Since the race lasts only two minutes, everything comes so fast and these introductions give party goers something to chat about.”

When asked where the proceeds from the event will go, Greeves relayed that the funds would go back into the organization’s programming, horse maintenance and a rider scholarship fund.

Windwalkers is always looking for volunteers for their general programming and, in fact, needs some extra hands on deck for the upcoming event.

“Volunteers … are the critical backbone of nonprofits in this Valley, and Windwalkers certainly cannot do it without volunteerism,” she stated. “[For the Derby], we probably need at least four to five new volunteers. We have a strong volunteer community that comes in, but it’s always nice to get fresh hands.”

WindWalkers hosts summer camps as well, including Pony Pals which provides equine experiences for children ages 4 to 5, its All Inclusive/All Abilities camp (for ages 6 to 11) and a music camp.

IN A NUTSHELL

When: Saturday, May 4, from 2 pm to 6 pm

Where: Spring Creeks Ranch in Carbondale

Tickets & more info: www.windwalkers.org

Illustration by Sofie Koski, based on a photo by Pixel Addict/Flickr

Share your works in progress with readers by emailing illustrations, creative writings and poetry to fiction@soprissun.com

Feathers Flying

By Larry Day

Chaos in the hen house

Fox is on the loose!

Got in through the backdoor, Disguised as a goose.

Comparte tus proyectos creativos aún en proceso con nuestros lectores. Puedes enviarnos un correo electrónico con tus ilustraciones, creaciones literarias y poesía a fiction@soprissun.com

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A great horned owl and its chick watch me as I take a few clicks with my camera. Photo by Tommy Sands

A northern flicker begins nest building on a dead cottonwood stump near the Rio Grande trail in Carbondale.

Photo by Tommy Sands

LETTERS

No Downtowner

You’ve got to be kidding town trustees! $181,500 for a six month taxi service in little Carbondale! For heaven’s sake, someone has a lot of money! Can’t a person take responsibility when they find themselves in need of a ride? How about asking a friend, a neighbor, a family member, The Traveler, WE-cycle? I bet with all of Carbondale’s awesomeness there is a group that could be contacted that would love to help you.

If we have so much money how about considering the following instead of the Downtowner: 1) Paint no parking curbsides throughout town; 2) Hire a second ordinance officer so “newcomer” Ben isn’t so overwhelmed; 3) Hire a person to educate business owners the importance of acknowledging and decorating for Memorial Day Weekend, Independence Day, Veterans Day; 4) Repair/replace sidewalks; 5) Enclose the disgusting port-a-potties on Fourth and Main; 6) Hire a landscaper to plant all pots along Main; 7) Pay someone to remove all the stickers on our beautiful lampposts (minus the breweries, of course); 8) Make available gloves and bags at all parks so guests can leave things better than the way they found it (teach your peeps by example!); 9) New pool need additional funding?; 10) Purchase veggie seeds so those in need can utilize our community garden spots and plant their own veggies.

Just a few suggestions — we all have our “favorites!” Lastly, a huge thank you to the property owners that make an effort to beautify our Town! And remember, Dandelion Day is coming in May! Whether you choose to celebrate it or are reminded to spray them — Happy Spring!

Ramona Griffith

Carbondale

Funding Israel

The U.S. House of Representatives voted on Saturday to approve $26 billion in aid for Israel. The U.S. government is operating in the red so that money will need to be borrowed. People who work to supply humanitarian aid say that Gaza is worse than any warzone they have ever seen. One article in the Informed Comment stated that “Since some 13,000 children have been killed that means that a child has been either killed or wounded every 10 minutes.” Children are now dying of hunger, thirst and disease as well as being blown up. A rash of children have been brought into what is left of hospitals with gunshot wounds from snipers.

It’s been reported that Israel has developed AI with facial recognition programs that seek out individual targets. For a low level target, it has been permissible to also kill up to 20 civilians as collateral damage. For high value targets that rises to 100 civilians. They prefer to attack these targets when they are home and indoors. In that case a whole building might be destroyed.

Much of the billions of dollars is to be spent in the U.S. on arms manufacturers for bombs, bullets, rockets and other war supplies. Politicians with these companies in their districts have extra encouragement to vote for the money. Politicians who do not support these payments are very likely to find that Israeli lobbying groups will generously fund opposition candidates at the primaries and general elections. They run for reelection every two years, including this November.

Israel recently bombed the Iranian consulate in Damascus, Syria killing at least seven including two senior Iranian military officers. Israel just attacked a Palestinian town in the West Bank killing about a dozen people. They used bulldozers to level some buildings. It’s been reported that Israeli settlers in the West Bank are traveling in gangs and killing Palestinians. They will also set fire to buildings, homes and fields.

I’m just scratching the surface. Anybody see a problem in any of this?

Pat Hunter Carbondale

Eyes on the ‘I(s)’

Illegal immigration and inane inflation are destroying our middle class. But the “I” words have been hidden from Americans’ eyes by our lying leaders and the corrupt mainstream media.

The answer to inflation isn’t Bidenomics. Inflation is sustained by out of control government spending. Printing dollars from thin air is what decimated our buying power.

The illegal immigration of millions of foreign nationals is a modern day Trojan horse. The breaching of Biden’s brittle border has unleashed a lethal threat to our sovereignty and security.

We must open our eyes to the “I” words to survive. We stop inflation by not spending money we don’t have. We need to resume our energy independence because it is the foundation of our economy (drill baby drill).

An open border can’t coexist with a welfare state. We need to return to the secure border policies of Trump for the sake of our children. We must open our eyes to the evil “I(s)”.

Bruno Kirchenwitz Rifle

Residents and friends of Crystal Meadows Senior Housing gathered on April 18 to honor the memory of John Nieslanik, a founding father of the affordable living complex made possible thanks to a land donation by Doc Hendrick in 1987. Over the course of several phases, Crystal Meadows grew from 16 units to 79, available only to persons 62 and older or disabled. Income-qualifying residents pay 30% of their monthly income, including utilities, which has helped many longtime locals remain in Carbondale during their golden years. “The goal was to make people proud and comfortable,” explained Jerilyn Nieslanik, John’s daughter-in-law who has managed the housing authority for 30 years. John’s son, Marty Nieslanik wrote the following poem, which is engraved on the memorial bench:

As I live my life, the life I’ve come to know, is a gift that you gave me for the land that we both know.

We rode so many miles in this land that we both love, from this day on you will guide me from a ridge somewhere above.

Regret is not a word that anyone should use, but I regret that on those days, I did not say — I Love You.

Affection is not the normal cowboy way, but as I think back, you showed me every day.

The furrows that you dug were deep, straight and true, your hand shake was your word and everybody knew.

Your round up now is over. The herd is now at home. So rest your feet my good friend at last your cows are home.

Marty and Jerilyn Nieslanik with Zippy the dog and the memorial bench. Photo by Raleigh Burleigh