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una nueva publicación semanal con noticias Volume 13, Number 42| Nov. 25 - Dec. 1, 2021 locales en español.
Season of giving opens with Tom’s Door By Jeanne Souldern Sopris Sun Correspondent
When I moved to Carbondale before Christmas 2018, I wanted to send a taste of Colorado back to friends and family in my native Minnesota. One day, while waiting for a table at The Village Smithy, I found a display rack filled with greeting cards, each decorated with a photo featuring the iconic beauty of the Roaring Fork Valley. That was my introduction to Tom’s Door, a nonprofit organization founded in 2001 by Carbondale resident Rosie McSwain, provides emergency assistance to residents from Aspen to Parachute. With support from its community partners, Tom’s Door assists with basic needs such as food, housing utilities, transportation and medical and mental healthcare expenses. River Valley Ranch (RVR) resident, and Tom’s Door volunteer, Sidney Poncelet is instrumental in assuring the festive red Tom’s Door makes an appearance at RVR’s Ranch House. Now in its sixth year, the door, decorated with an evergreen wreath and 35 gift tags, encourages RVR residents to make a gift card donation. Poncelet shared that 25 gift cards are designated for senior citizens and 10 to help families in need. McSwain’s inspiration for Tom’s Door stems from when she and her husband, Frank, lived in Minnesota and attended the Holy Name of Jesus Catholic Church in a Minneapolis suburb. “The priest there was Arnie Weber. What Father Weber did was tape checks to his door for people who called for assistance, and they called it Arnie’s Door,” McSwain explained. After moving to Colorado, the McSwains took an anniversary trip to Marble, where Rosie took photos, and “when I came back, a light went on.” She visited Father Tom Bradtke, a pastor at St. Vincent Catholic Church in Basalt, sharing her experience of Arnie’s Door in Minnesota. Father Bradtke asked, “Is that Arnie Weber’s church?” The same church was Father Bradtke’s parish before he moved to Colorado, and Weber was his mentor! McSwain started making greeting cards with her own photos, and then her friends added their photos to the mix. In those early days, they sat around McSwain’s dining room table assembling the cards. Tom’s Door now partners with the Catholic Charities Archdiocese of Denver Western Slope, Family Resource Center of the Roaring Fork Schools, Reach-Out Colorado, the River Center and, their latest ally-in-giving, Stepping Stones. McSwain said, “We decided to meet with the agencies that called us the most and invited them to be our partners.” Natasha Lucero-Conklin, development director at the Family Resource Center of the Roaring Fork Schools, said, “Our decades-long partnership with Tom's Door is an excellent example of an important community collaboration.” She added, “Since the onset of the pandemic, the most significant increase in requests have been for rent and housing resources.” A registered nurse by training, McSwain said of her business acumen, “I have no business savvy — I’m just heart, passion and a worker.” However, over the last 20 years, McSwain estimated, “We've probably given over a million and a half dollars.” And they run a lean organizational model. McSwain shared, “We spend only about 4% of our revenue on cardstock, postage and miscellaneous supplies. We've nipped and tucked and now we have a very efficient, well-run organization.” With no paid staff, about 100 Tom’s Door volunteers assemble each season’s greeting cards. McSwain said volunteers also replenish cards and swap out seasonal inventories at seller locations. Tom’s Door also counts the support of private businesses. One day, Charla Belinski, an associate pastor at Snowmass Chapel, made a trip to pick-up Christmas card photos from a local photo processing business. Belinski stood in line behind local professional photographer Bob Boylan, “peeking over his shoulder, looking at these beautiful photos.” McSwain said, “Bob is the kind of guy that you can approach.” So Belinkski told Boylan about Tom’s Door and, as McSwain recalled, “He said, ‘Oh, I’d love to be a part of that!’” He has been contributing ever since. Kelly Sarno, who worked for Digitech, a former digital imaging and photography firm in Glenwood Springs, now works out of her home taking care of all of Tom’s Door’s photo printing needs. For more information about Tom’s Door and locations where greeting cards can be purchased, go to: www.tomsdoor.com The red door at RVR's Ranch House includes a display of greeting cards for sale with proceeds benefitting Tom's Door, an interfaith outreach program serving Roaring Fork Valley residents. Photo by Paula Mayer
The newspaper in your hands costs $2.00 to create. Advertising does NOT cover the full cost. The Sopris Sun is a nonprofit enterprise that helps budding journalists gain experience, provides employment and freelance opportunities to local writers, photographers and artists. We also produce a weekly publication in Spanish. Please help us to continue to provide quality independent media by donating today. Mail checks to P.O. Box 399, Carbondale, CO 81623, scan the QR code or donate at SorprisSun.com/donate.
OPINION
CVEPA Views By John Armstrong The view from the Dutch Creek Mine Number One, above Redstone, was breathtaking but the air was breathless. The stillness made the constant coursing of the methane gas from the old mine portal even more pronounced. Chris Caskey is a climatologist from Paonia and owner of the Delta Brick and Climate Company. This October, Caskey invited a sundry group of Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management rangers, staff from the Community Office for Resource Efficiency, a Pitkin County Open Space board trustee and Crystal Valley Environmental Protection Association (CVEPA) board members to climb to the mine portal at 10,500 feet and observe the methane vent. Shrubs close to the vent holes waved back and forth constantly. Caskey is the driving force behind the effort to mitigate the destructive methane
Weighing methane capture
emanating from the Mid-Continent Coal and Coke Mine, which was decommissioned in 1991. “Methane has more than 80 times the warming power of carbon dioxide over the first 20 years after it reaches the atmosphere. The atmospheric concentration of methane is increasing faster now than at any time since the 1980s,” he revealed. Estimates say, the “gas and oil industry was emitting at least 13 million metric tons of methane a year, enough natural gas to fuel 10 million homes” (source: Environmental Defense Fund). The four abandoned mine portals reportedly account for about 50% of the annual output of greenhouse gas in Pitkin County. Scientists trust that this quantity will sustain for at least another 20 years. Upon arriving at the vent, Caskey activated an instrument which measured the ambient methane concentration of the gas, around 1.6%. While not flammable, this figure is voluminous flowing 24/7, all year. This problem is widespread at active and retired coal mines across the West. Methane was a hot topic at the Glasgow Climate Summit, so what do we do with it? Caskey is a chemist with a doctorate and is a former research assistant professor at the Colorado School of Mines. He is passionate about climate change and has some big ideas. Caskey recognizes three means of
dealing with the gas: 1: status quo/ do nothing 2: flare and destroy the methane by burning it off on-site in a tall pipe 3: capture the gas at the source, pipe it down to a generating facility in Coal Basin and burn it to produce electricity. Caskey is seeking a grant which will provide funding for accurately measuring the location and concentration of the gas by helicopter-aided exploration. Who doesn’t want to destroy the methane, slow global warming and refresh clean air? Like everything in life, each action affects everything around it. The more CVEPA learns, the more questions we have. Board members debate the environmental benefits v. detriments. A tsunami of rules and regulations, some of them yet unwritten, would need to be navigated before any project could begin. The mine portals are accessed by a network of wide, stable roads. Existing electrical lines in the lower Basin could transfer power production to the grid. There is a large flat area suitable for construction of an electrical generation plant. Methane could be destroyed and significant energy provided to the public. That technology is already in use at the old Somerset Mine, which provides most of the power for the Aspen Ski Company’s four mountain resorts from methane generation. Redstone resident and CVEPA board member Chuck Downey was part of the mine reclamation effort which CVEPA helped
complete. Coal Basin is sacred ground to Downey. “Thirty years ago a massive revegetation program was undertaken in Coal Basin,” he said. “This program took six years to complete at a cost of over five million dollars. The dramatic re-growth of a total environment now supports a rich and diverse variety of wildlife. The proposed project would require a significant disturbance to re-vegetated land to open the re-vegetated mine roads to provide access for the equipment necessary to capture the methane gas.” Downey added, “Daily visits to each portal will be necessary, including in winter months. It will be necessary to construct a piping system to transport the captured methane to a very loud generating facility in lower Coal Basin. The equipment necessary at each mine portal will need electrical power which will require the construction of a system of overhead power lines to each of the four portals. The environmental impact of such a project on the re-vegetated Coal Basin area is considerable and must be weighed against the benefits gained by a capture and destroy project.” Educate yourself on this issue! Search The Sopris Sun and Aspen Journalism for “Coal Basin methane.” To learn more about CVEPA and to support Crystal Valley environmental defense, go to: www.cvepa.org
LETTERS Re: Solar, Storage, Scotland It’s too bad the three-county community solar and storage study only received such brief notice in the Nov. 11 paper. While it shows a lot of solar potential, it shows the many limitations locally. Some of those may be overcome someday, but mostly our topography is a problem. However, our topography is useful for electricity storage in pumped hydro energy storage (PHES) facilities, like Xcel Energy’s successful Cabin Creek Station. Over a decade ago, anticipating faster wind power development, the University of Colorado’s electrical engineering department evaluated PHES sites. Two were sited on the Roan Plateau, with lower reservoirs and generators near Parachute and its plethora of power lines. Given all the environmental issues which hold these up, it’s interesting that on the Roan, gas wells were drilled at the location of the upper reservoir and pipeline paraphernalia planted at the lower reservoir location. These facilities would have provided sustainable tax revenue, and a big stake in the renewable energy economy, for Garfield County. But Colorado opted for "cheaper" power from gas and Pueblo coal. Back to the present, since most Carbondale residents are Xcel customers, we should be encouraging the PUC to modify Xcel's proposed “Integrated Resource Plan” to front-load more wind and solar generation. The PUC should
also approve the "Colorado Power Pathway" transmission lines, with the southeastern extension. This is all under consideration right now, and great outcomes are not assured, though somewhat expanded wind and solar production is required now by Colorado law. The climate meeting in Scotland made this paper also, but Scotland’s energy story was mostly ignored in the reporting from there. It's quite applicable to Colorado. Scotland's electricity supply is essentially "net zero" now. Scotland’s population is close to Colorado’s, as is their oil and gas production. Their land area is about that of the eastern plains of our state. They have 20% less electricity demand, and about 25% higher rates. Ten years ago, Scotland, like Colorado, generated most of its power from coal and gas, with a few wind turbines. But they just put their heads down and built enough wind turbines to now supply 60% of consumption. We were at about 20% in 2020. They have already closed all their coal power plants and mines. Their gas plants only supply 10%, which is less than their clean electricity exports. They are expanding wind power into the seas nearby, but we have unexploited solar. They are also considering new or expanded pumped hydro energy storage, along with detailed hydrogen production and heating electrification plans. Who knows if we will emulate them? Fred Porter Carbondale
Haiku Yellow rabbitbrush Now bouquets of ochre fluff Winter’s arrangement. Jampa Carbondale
Hail, all hail, Cornell It must be said Carbondale is a very green town. I don’t mean greenwashed with words, but actively pursuing climate remediation measures. We’ve taken the leadership in the Roaring Fork Valley. However, more can always be done and it’s often constructive to see what other municipalities are doing. For example, the city of Ithaca, New York, home of Cornell University, recently committed to electrify and decarbonize all of its buildings. I mean all of its structures, not just municipal premises. This is more than passing building codes that ban oil or natural gas in new construction. We’re talking about approximately 6,000 homes and commercial buildings being retrofitted to eliminate fossil fuels for heating and appliances. Natural gas and propane stoves will be converted to electric induction appliances powered by solar panels. Forced air heat pumps are being contemplated. Continued on page 26
The views expressed in opinion pieces do not necessarily reflect those of The Sopris Sun. The community is invited to submit letters up to 500 words to news@soprissun.com. Longer columns are considered on a case-by-case basis. The deadline for submission is noon on Monday. 2 • THE SOPRIS SUN • soprissun.com • September 30 - October 6, 2021
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Mary Lilly, The Sopris Sun and legacy giving By Ken Pletcher Sopris Sun Correspondent
In the summer of 2018, in the midst of the calamitous Lake Christine Fire and as a persistent drought gripped the region, an extraordinary thing happened in our community. Checks began arriving at various organizations in the area from the estate of Carbondale grand dame Mary Lilly, who had passed away two years earlier just after her 100th birthday. One of the recipients was The Sopris Sun. “We knew something was coming,” former Sun board member Debbie Bruell remembered, “but we didn’t know when.” Lilly’s gift to The Sun was but one of dozens to organizations throughout the Valley and beyond. Linda Criswell, a close friend of Lilly and executor of her estate, noted, “Matt Trinidad [Lilly’s lawyer] had never seen so many beneficiaries in a will, more than 70.”
people talk about other people, average people talk about things, and great people talk about ideas.’ Mary was the third type of person, and so were her close personal friends.” Criswell continued, “She was really healthy, and she continued to drive and cook for people until she was almost 100. She put out more than she got, and it probably kept her alive.” And, in reference to our Town, she noted, “Mary loved this place and wanted to give something back.”
Shortly before her death, Lilly had conferred with Criswell about designating bequests. “I went through a list, reading off names, and she would indicate yes or no. When I got to The Sun, her eyes lit up.” Two other organizations which also prompted that particular spark were KDNK Community Radio and the Aspen Music Festival and School (Aspen Music’s annual reports lists her name each year as one of their legacy givers).
The legacy
Who was Mary Lilly? Articles about Lilly appeared shortly before she died and just after. She was the first wife of the renowned physician, researcher and counterculture figure John C. Lilly, known for his work studying sensory deprivation and dolphin communication. Although John is credited with inventing the isolation tank and first realizing that dolphins had a vocal language,
Linda Criswell, Mary Lilly's close friend, with a memory album Lilly made for her. Photo by Paula Mayer Mary made it clear that she should share the credit for both innovations. After she and John divorced in the mid1950s, Lilly moved to the Carbondale area and lived here for many years with her younger son, Charles. In the 1990s, when John’s health
was failing, she and Charles joined him in Hawaii (she and John had maintained their friendship) to care for him. After his death in 2001 and the death of Charles shortly after that, Lilly moved back to Carbondale. Criswell met Lilly soon after her return, and they
became fast friends. She observed, “Mary was gruff — honest but not mean. She always wanted to have interesting people around her.” In a 2019 biographical essay on Lilly, Criswell wrote, “Mary loved good conversation. In a notebook she kept she wrote: ‘Small
The amount Lilly gave to The Sun was significant. “We had never received a gift of this size before,” Bruell recalled. The paper, a 501(c) (3) nonprofit, has relied on contributions for a significant portion of its income since its founding in 2009. A program established by Jim Calaway in the mid-2010s called “Honorary Publishers” has made a difference. Its members each donate $1,000 or more annually to The Sun and are listed every week in the paper’s masthead.Lilly’s gift prompted the decision to identify a new category of donor, called “Legacy Continued on page 7
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THE SOPRIS SUN • Your weekly community connector • Nov. 25 - Dec. 1, 2021 • 3
SCUTTLEBUTT Holiday card swap Through Dec. 4, the Carbondale Library hosts a holiday card swap. People can bring their old/unused holiday cards from years past and exchange them for “new-to-you” designs. For more information, call the library at 970963-2889.
Space Force The Colorado Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) is now able to label drivers licenses of Space Force guardians or veterans with the Space Force logo. The Space Force was recently recognized as a U.S. military service. The DMV already offered, and will continue to offer, the logos of the other military branches for those respective service members.
Safe-use High Rockies Harm Reduction recovery program has secured indoor locations throughout the Valley to operate its syringe services program. Beginning after the Thanksgiving holiday, their confidential services will be offered from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Rifle on Tuesdays, Glenwood Springs on Fridays, Carbondale on Thursdays, and alternating Mondays at Aspen and Basalt. For more information, visit: www. highrockiesharmredcution.com
with help from nonprofits Earth Law and Save the Colorado. The resolution declares “the right to maintain natural flow sufficient in quantity to maintain ecosystem health.”
Algae bloomin’ Diane McKnight, a professor at the University of Colorado’s Institute of Arctic and Alpine Research, reports that “highelevation lakes are changing due to both climate warming and atmospheric nitrogen deposition.” Analysis for seven alpine lakes in Colorado show that ice is melting close to a week earlier than three decades ago, allowing for new microbial activity. Roaring Fork Conservancy will host McKnight for an online presentation via Zoom on Feb. 8, 2022. More info at www.roaringfork.org
Share your voice Middle and high school students are invited to compete in Jazz Aspen Snowmass’ second annual “Share your Voice” songwriting competition. The deadline to submit entries is Feb. 1, and the winners will be announced on March 1. Meanwhile, students can participate in virtual lessons taught by Grammy-nominated songwriter Shane Adams. For more information, visit: www.jazzaspensnowmass.org
Sage-grouse
River rights The town of Ridgway joined Nederland in passing a “Rights of Nature” resolution for a Colorado waterway. In a unanimous council vote with one abstention, Ridgway declared personhood for the Uncompahgre River, assigning guardianship for legal representation,
Garfield County passed an amendment to its Greater Sage-Grouse Conservation Plan. The plan covers parts of Parachute, Piceance Basin and the Roan Plateau area. The amendment expands the protected area to cover 89,743 acres of priority habitat and 95,772 acres of general habitat. For more details, visit www.garfield-county.com
The first-ever Glenwood Springs High School Grateful Turkey incorporated messages of gratitude written by students on "feathers." Photo by Tom Penzel
Selamat tinggal... ...means “goodbye” or “farewell” in Malay, the national language of Singapore. Glenwood Springs Elementary School (GSES) principal Audrey Hazleton has accepted a leadership position at the Singapore American School starting next school year. Hazleton has been the GSES principal since 2013. “Audrey’s accomplishments as a school leader have been consistently remarkable, and we will miss her,” Superintendent Rob Stein shared in a letter to the community.
Anderson Ranch Anderson Ranch Arts Center received a large donation to launch a three-year initiative meant to enhance education and inclusivity. “This multifaceted program will allow us to further
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4 • THE SOPRIS SUN • soprissun.com • Nov. 25 - Dec. 1, 2021
our standing as a leader in arts education, with a focus specifically on the Latinx community,” said CEO Peter Waanders. More information about the three-year initiative can be found online at www.andersonranch.org
They say it’s your birthday Folks celebrating another trip around the sun this week include: Kathy Flanigan, John Lopez, Steve Puzick, Jillene Rector and Neiby Vargas (Nov. 25); Dan Richardson, Terra Salamida and Hunter Taché (Nov. 26); Alice Steindler (Nov. 27); Richard Fuller and Paul Hassel (Nov. 28); Naomi Pulver and Kat Rich (Nov. 29); Chuck Dorn (Nov. 30); Sadie Dickinson, Jim Harris and Marcel Kahhak (Dec. 1).
Housing Stability Coalition pursues solutions By James Steindler Contributing Editor
These days, here in the Roaring Fork Valley and well beyond, the subject of housing comes up in conversations held from family dining room tables to city council meetings. Rent is sky high and the average sale price for a home in Carbondale is well over a million dollars. Many folks work within the community to do their, or their organization’s, part in addressing the housing crisis. Each effort contributes to a larger solution, according to Debbie Wilde. Wilde is busy facilitating the onset of the Glenwood Springs Housing Stability Coalition. For the past few years, Wilde has been doing contract work as a special projects facilitator for the city of Glenwood Springs. She focuses on homelessness and its many causes. She has guided the city to an understanding that better recovery resources are needed — particularly a detox center. She conveyed that these, and several other sociological issues are interconnected, and working toward one end helps another. “Those of us who work in human services, or on some of these issues, we just really don’t have any fences,” Wilde stated, “like the people who we serve.” Built For Zero, a national initiative aiming to end homelessness
The attendees of the third Moving Toward Solutions: From Homelessness to Housing session pose for a photo. "This group of interested community members began the work of what has evolved into the Glenwood Springs Housing Stability Coalition," Wilde told The Sopris Sun. Courtesy photo has a chapter administered locally by Western Mountain Regional Health Alliance. Together they invited individuals and organizations concerned with housing stability to a three part educational series. In May 2021, the groups started a series of informational sessions called “Moving toward Solutions: from Homelessness to Housing” with one focus completed each month. The three lessons were: 1) Homelessness 101, 2) Best Practices and 3) Pathways Forward. The final lesson was held inperson and participants committed to doing what was in their power to keep the momentum up. “One of the things we talked about in our first education piece,
Homelessness 101, is that the number one reason that people are homeless is the lack of housing and lack of affordable housing, housing within their grasp,” explained Wilde. “It’s not substances, and it’s not mental health — although those definitely are factors for some people — but the number one thing is the lack of attainable housing.” “It is not just about the few guys under the bridge,” she lamented and pointed out that many people on the verge of, or already experiencing, homelessness are working tirelessly to stay afloat. Western Mountain Regional Health Alliance, the city of Glenwood Springs, the Glenwood Chamber,
Catholic Charities and Mind Springs are a few organizations that have been involved in the coalition thus far. “The coalition itself is really learning a lot,” said Wilde. “These are citizens, and this isn’t necessarily their field of work. Although we do have professionals involved, many of us have had a steep learning curve.” Each participant was assigned to a working group, some based on their professions or personal connections and others solely based on interest. The various working groups were assigned to look into: the practicality of an emergency shelter, public education and communication, building the coalition itself and developing a registry.
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For the registry, the group is surveying Garfield County. “When people ask, ‘How many homeless people do we have here?’ We say, ‘Well, that’s a good question that we’re trying to answer and we’re working on that.’” Wilde is hoping to have the resulting data by the end of the year. The predicament is that some who are affected may choose not to participate in the survey. Still, she predicted, “we’re going to see a whole lot more working people who are unhoused.” To the coalition, establishing an emergency shelter should be a high priority for the area. While there are groups such as Feed My Sheep that operate an overnight shelter during the winter months, their space is limited. Housing stability experts generally agree that addressing homelessness ultimately benefits the rest of a community. “It’s a win-win,” Wilde sighed. “The win when we impact homelessness is also a win for everybody else in the community” from emergency services to economic health, she explained. The coalition is hoping to launch a webpage around the beginning of 2022. For now, those who wish to participate can contact Wilde at: dwilde81601@gmail.com The coalition’s next meeting is on Dec. 1 and there will be a virtual attendance option.
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THE SOPRIS SUN • Your weekly community connector • Nov. 25 - Dec. 1, 2021 • 5
COVID outbreaks at schools teach hard lessons By Dyana Z. Furmansky Sopris Sun Correspondent
When Ross Montessori School (RMS) closed on Nov. 15 due to a coronavirus outbreak among staff and students, the school tallied 56 infections since Oct. 11, with 12 active cases. In the Colorado Public Health Department’s (CPHD) weekly Outbreak Report, the RMS count stood at 61. Even at the lower number, the RMS outbreak was the third largest COVID-19 casecount in the state recorded at a school site last week. A letter from the Ross Montessori board of directors to parents and the community said that their school would reopen on Nov. 29, to give “students and staff time to physically recover, obtain COVID-19 vaccination (if they so choose), and be ready to return to inperson learning.” For public health reasons, the school “will continue to be designated as an outbreak facility” until it has gone 28 days with no additional positive COVID test results. Ten miles away, at Cornerstone Christian School in Eagle County, there have been no in-person classes since Nov. 4, by which time COVID had claimed the life of one school staff member, and 14 people had been infected in a student body of about 100. “Cornerstone made the decision to go to a remote modality the day the Board of Health issued an emergency public health order,” says Heath Harmon, head of Eagle County’s
Public Health and Environment Department. Heading into another holiday season and the third winter of the pandemic, educators are bearing more of the brunt of the global pandemic, as they strive to keep their classrooms open. Schools with students in grades K-12 make up close to half of the 725 active coronavirus sites that CPHD investigated last week. Although their mortality rate remains statistically very low, schools rank alongside assisted living facilities, prisons and detention centers as the riskiest locations for COVID’s spread.When school outbreaks grow too large, it’s up to administrators to determine when to shut down in-person classes and when to reopen them. “The key limiting factor is how many teachers and staff are out sick,” says Harmon. “If the school reaches a certain threshold of these people being out, they are not able to operate.” Most important, there is that word “outbreak” to define, and to know what to do about it when it occurs. In school settings, public health officials in Garfield, Basalt and Pitkin counties use five related cases as the criterion for designating an outbreak. Identifying outbreaks of five or more does not mean an entire school must close; only the classes where the outbreak occurred need to isolate or quarantine, as happened at the direction of RMS administrators earlier in the month. As difficult as it still is to contain this novel virus, school leaders find that dealing with parental opposition to one decision they
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Instances of infection are higher now than they were at this time last year. Graph courtesy of Garfield County Public Health
make or another is equally challenging. Sara Brainard, Garfield County’s public health nurse manager, describes “the severe number of concerned parents who left anonymous messages” regarding RMS. “County public health departments are not going to shut schools,” says Brainard. “We are not as heavy-handed as some people think we should be.” Some parents had asked the school to host a vaccination clinic on the campus of the charter school, which has an enrollment of 301 from kindergarten through eighth grade. Brainard says that having a vaccination clinic at the school had also been Garfield County Public Health’s recommendation. “We have ZERO interest in this or any other immunization program,” Head of School Sonya Hemmen had written in a letter sent to parents before the school closed. “We want to assure you that it is not consistent with our role as a school and not a health facility to poke students with needles.”
In her letter Hemmen also said, “a high number of adults and some children are vaccinated.” Subsequently, a Ross Montessori COVID Response Team spokesperson said 94% of the staff has now been vaccinated. Area public schools do not require vaccination against COVID, but serial testing for those who are unvaccinated is recommended. While neither Pitkin or Eagle County public health officials will order a school to close, both counties do use much stronger methods of persuasion than Garfield County to bring a school into compliance with their health orders. Cornerstone’s Pastor Tarr faces a $5,000 fine and 18 months of jail time for his school’s refusal to require that masks be worn by everyone, and for not promptly reporting Cornerstone’s outbreak which, at last CDPH count, was 17 cases. It will be up to Cornerstone to decide when Continued on page 7
Mary Lilly from page 3 Givers,” whose names would also be listed in the masthead. To date, Lilly’s is the only Legacy Gift. Criswell noted that “Mary hoped others would follow along” with giving to the paper. Former Sun board president Barbara Dills, under whose tenure both the Honorary Publishers and Legacy Givers programs were set up, affirmed that wish. “Mary’s gift helped boost interest in giving to the paper,” she said, noting, “Jim Calaway was very happy that it had come from elsewhere in the community.” Lilly’s bequest came at an opportune time for The Sun. The paper, not quite a decade old, was “not in dire straits, but was definitely touch-and-go,” observed former Sun Editor Will Grandbois. Lilly’s gift and the Honorary Publishers program “gave us some peace of mind that we never had before,” he added. “We could plan ahead and invest in the organization.” Grandbois continued, “We took it very seriously to be part of someone’s legacy — to use it wisely and do something she would be proud of.” One of those investments was hiring Todd Chamberlin, who had been The Sun’s advertising director since 2019, to the new position of executive director late last year.
“Others have promised Legacy Gifts when they pass, and I certainly would welcome the opportunity to talk to others about legacy giving and the many other ways one can donate to help make The Sopris Sun more sustainable for years to come,” said Chamberlin. One who has heard the call is longtime Sun proofreader Lee Beck, who, in addition to being on the board, is, with her husband John Stickney, an Honorary Publisher. She explained that she had always had legacy gifts in her will and just happened to be redoing it around the time of the Lilly bequest. “It was a good time to add The Sun to mine,” Beck said. She continued, “We need to give back to our community’s local nonprofits that make Carbondale what it is, and newspapers are really important to that.” For those considering a legacy gift, Criswell — who recently stepped down as secretary of the board — has a suggestion: “There are several ways to make a legacy gift to The Sun, but an easy one is to purchase a CD and name The Sopris Sun as beneficiary upon your death.” Another simple way, she noted, is through an IRA charitable gift, which can be up to $100,000 annually.
"We need to give
Watercolor art by Sarah Meyer.
COVID from page 7 to reopen, says Harmon, as long as county health orders are followed. These include submitting positive case reports as soon as possible, requiring masks for everyone over the age of two, twice-weekly COVID testing for unvaccinated staff and teachers, and not hosting any public events before Dec. 17. Despite the conflicts, all school administrators interviewed say they work closely with their county public health officials. Weekly zoom meetings with area superintendents during which new data
and recommendations are shared, have become standard operating procedure. Increased emphasis is being put on getting kids between the ages of five and 12 vaccinated at one of the mobile clinics that will be hosted by various schools in December. “We are relying very heavily on Pitkin County Health to keep our schools safe and open,” says Carolyn Hines, director of communications for Aspen Country Day School. Vaccination and testing will remain the best defense against COVID’s spread this
winter, says Dr. Dr. Brooke Allen, a Basalt neurologist who partners with Garfield, Eagle and Pitkin Counties’ public health departments to provide the rfvcovidtest.com’s 11 pop-up test sites that are free to everybody. “We’re definitely in worse shape this year than last,” she says. “Personally, if I go anywhere and I don’t know the vaccination status of everyone in the room, I wear a mask. But you can still live your life.” Editor’s Note: Reporter Dyana Furmansky is related to one student at RMS.
back to our community's local nonprofits to make Carbondale what it is. "
THE SOPRIS SUN • Your weekly community connector • Nov. 25 - Dec. 1, 2021 • 7
RFSD board approves one-time staff bonuses By Jeanne Souldern Sopris Sun Correspondent
At a Nov. 10 meeting, two outgoing Roaring Fork School District (RFSD) board members — Jennifer Rupert and Jennifer Scherer — were honored with resolutions recognizing their service. Rupert served for six years, including three as board president and Scherer served for four years. Board President Natalie Torres also read letters of appreciation. The board adopted a resolution approving lease financing to install two scoreboards at the Basalt High School (BHS) football field. The scoreboards will be utilized for football, soccer and powderpuff football. One of the two will be a video scoreboard, allowing games to be live-streamed. Daktronics, a supplier of large screen video and graphics display scoreboards, will partner with BHS on the project. The cost of the scoreboard is $256,000, with the district entering into a lease-purchase agreement with Huntington National Bank for a term of five years, at an interest rate of 3.79%. Payments will be funded through sponsorships with local businesses. Jason Santo, BHS athletic director, said they have already secured eight Roaring Fork Valley businesses as sponsors who will advertise on the scoreboard. The video scoreboard could also be used for community events. One idea was to host community movie nights on the field, “to enjoy a night under the stars while watching a movie,” Santo said. Uncertified election results show that Ballot Issue 5B, an RFSD mill levy override
The board also heard a proposed update to the district’s current background check policy. Background checks are used for licensing and employment purposes. A new law requires policies in place that outline the methods used to collect, review, store and destroy fingerprintbased state and national criminal history record checks, used for licensing and employment purposes. In the first of three readings, the proposed policy has been reviewed by the district’s human resources team. Other agenda items included RFSD Chief Financial Officer Nathan Markham presenting the quarterly financial report as of Sept. 30. RFSD staff bonus allocation information (from Nov. 10 Board of Education meeting information packet): • Full-time employees who started employment prior to Dec. 1, 2021, will be eligible for the full bonus of $1,000. • Part-time employees who started prior to Dec. 1, 2021, will receive a prorated bonus based on full-time equivalent hours. • Employees beginning employment after Dec. 1, 2021, will receive a $500 bonus in their April paychecks. • Athletic coaches will receive a one-time $200 bonus if they are not eligible for the full or part-time employee bonus. • Guest teachers already receive up to $2,250 in bonuses for completing a set number of days of assignments, so they are not eligible for this additional bonus. • All bonus recipients must be employed by the district at the time the bonus is paid (except for fall season athletic coaches who will receive the bonus for coaching in the fall).
Brenda Patch Tournament Schedule Friday, Dec. 3 RFHS v. Basalt JV Girls — 3 p.m. Moffat v. Rifle JV Girls — 3 p.m. AUX Basalt v. Rifle JV Boys — 4:30 p.m. Basalt v. Moffat JV Girls — 6 p.m. RFHS v. Rifle V Girls — 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 4 Rifle v. RFHS JV Boys — 12 p.m. Rifle v. Steamboat V Girls — 1:30 p.m. Rifle v. RFHS JV Girls — 3 p.m. Basalt v. RFHS JV Boys — 4:30 p.m. Steamboat v. RFHS V Girls — 6 p.m. Rifle v. RFHS V Boys — 7:30 p.m.
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(MLO), passed by 69% on the Nov. 2 ballot. Superintendent Rob Stein said, “We're in this position to celebrate very strong support from our community and our voters. Now we have an opportunity to start determining how to use these funds for retention and recruitment efforts, largely through salaries.” Stein said he and administrative staff have begun meeting with groups of district staff to explain salary structures and the costs of employee benefits, including health insurance. He shared, “What we want to do with each employee group is give them an update on the process. And also get their input, because we really want this to be collaborative and transparent. We want all of our staff and our community to know how we're using these funds.” From now through the end of December, the district will conduct salary research and comparisons with surrounding school districts. The district will not know the exact amount of MLO funds available until January 2022. After Jan. 1, property tax bills go out and the district begins receiving funds in March. Staff salary adjustments would be made on March or April 2022 paychecks. Because MLO funds will not be available for several months, a recommendation by administrative staff was made to the board that one-time bonuses be paid to teachers and staff to address “the need to provide immediate financial relief for our staff members and immediate actions to address our staffing shortage,” Stein explained. Stein said the approved one-time bonuses will be paid in December.
y a d i l Ho
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8 • THE SOPRIS SUN • soprissun.com • Nov. 25 - Dec. 1, 2021
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CARBONDALE REPORT
Town's future coming into focus By Raleigh Burleigh Sopris Sun Staff
To avoid having our delivery person work on the Thanksgiving holiday, The Sopris Sun went to press a day early this week. Expect full reports from the Nov. 23 Carbondale Trustees and Basalt Town Council meetings in the Dec. 2 issue. At a special meeting on Nov. 16, Trustees reviewed community grant applications. The Town historically allocates 1% of its general fund budget to community grants, which amounts to $95,000 for 2021. Each grant is capped at $5,000, max. The meeting began with consideration for whether or not an organization may apply for funds procured from the new nicotine tax, as well as the general community grants. There was consensus among trustees that given the “relatively modest amounts,” in the words of Mayor Pro Tem Ben Bohmfalk, who led the meeting in Mayor Dan Richardson’s absence, “if they end up getting something else from the nicotine tax, then that’s okay.” The nicotine tax, approved by voters in April 2020, is anticipated to bring in more than $250,000 this year to be directed toward cessation and prevention efforts, as well as sales enforcement and education. Returning to community grants, organizations that secured the top amount
Courtesy graphic
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include Senior Matters, the Carbondale Clay Center, KDNK, English in Action and Carbondale Arts. After personally reviewing all applications, trustees made their recommendations which were then averaged out by the Town’s finance department. Many organizations received their requested amount, except those that asked for more than the $5,000 cap. About $6,000 was left over — “By underfunding, it gives us sort of wiggle room later on,” said Trustee Marty Silvertsein. There was agreement that, apart from the Chamber of Commerce, Tourism Council and Creative District, economic development organizations including Coventure should request funds under the same community grants framework as other nonprofits, as opposed to pursuing Town funds independent of this process. The special meeting ended with the Town agreeing to join other nationwide municipalities in a lawsuit against Johnson & Johnson and parent company Janssen and three large opioid distributors. The meeting was completed in 36 minutes. The Town’s proposed budget is available at carbondalegov.org for review. On Wednesday, Nov. 17, the public had an opportunity to meet the next batch of town manager finalist candidates: Travis Elliott, Lauren Gister and Brian Smith. The three were then
interviewed by a community panel and staff panel on Thursday and by the Board of Town Trustees on Friday. It is anticipated that a new town manager will be hired at the Trustee meeting on Nov. 23.
In other news… The Planning and Zoning Commission met on Nov. 18 with contractor Cushing Terrell to discuss draft recommendations for the comprehensive plan update. According to polling, still underway, most components of the plan see a majority of support from residents, although some by a thin margin (particularly the categories “Downtown” and “Downtown North”). Much of the meeting focused on a “Future Land Use Framework” map that accounts for growth with two new roundabouts (one near the Roaring Fork Coop and the other next to the Ross Montessori School at the Town’s southern “gateway” connecting Weant Boulevard with Highway 133).After reviewing strategies and priorities, another update to the recommendations will occur prior to a special meeting slated for mid-December for the Planning Commission’s final approval on recommendations for the comprehensive plan update that will likely go before the Board of Town Trustees in early 2022. Visit www.carbondalekaleidoscope.org for related documents.
Town of Carbondale Special Event Task Force Meeting Announcement
The Special Event Task Force reviews special events within Town Parks, Streets and Facilities. Review of 2021 special events on Tues. Nov. 30th & proposed 2022 events on Wed. Dec. 15th. Both meetings take place from 6-7:30 pm at Town Hall. These meetings are open to all interested citizens. For more info /virtual option e-mail:ebrendlinger@carbondaleco.net
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THE SOPRIS SUN • Your weekly community connector • Nov. 25 - Dec. 1, 2021 • 9
Cozying up to a crackling fire sounds pretty inviting on these cold, short days. How about chimney fires, air pollution and smoke inhalation hazards? Not so much. If you use a wood stove or fireplace, it’s key to learn before you burn. To save money, and have a safer and healthier home, remember these three tips: 1. Have a certified professional inspect and service your wood-burning unit annually. If you smell smoke in your home, something may be wrong. It’s important to clean out dangerous soot build-up to help keep it working properly and avoid chimney fires. 2. Burn dry, seasoned wood. Wet, green, painted, treated wood, and trash should never be options. Start with chemical-free fire starters and dry kindling. Maintain a hot fire and don’t let it smolder. 3. Upgrade to an efficient, EPA-approved wood stove or fireplace insert. Modern wood-burning appliances are more efficient, emitting less smoke and carbon monoxide to keep your home warmer, your fuel bill lower, and your family safer.
The Crystal River gets pretty wide and shallow just before it passes under the south bridge into River Valley Ranch. Photo by Will Grandbois / Aspen Journalism
Crystal River restoration finds footing near RVR By Will Grandbois Aspen Journalism
By burning wise, you can reap all the warmth — and none of the cold reality — of your wood fire. Acostarse frente a un fuego crepitante suena bastante atractivo en estos días fríos y cortos. ES LA TEMPORADA DE LEÑA EN CARBONDALE OTRA VEZ. AQUÍ HAY 3 CONSEJOS DE LA JUNTA AMBIENTAL DE CARBONDALE. 1. Para seguridad, deje que un profesional inspeccione su estufa de leña y el conducto de humo. 2. No queme mas madera seca. Mantenga un fuego caliente y evite la combustión lenta que produce humo nocivo. 3. Actualicé a una estufa o chimenea de madera aprobada por la EPA. Reduzca las emisiones, queme menos madera, tenga un hogar más cálido y sea seguro. ¡Gracias!
The Town of Carbondale and the Roaring Fork Conservancy are finalizing funding to restore a half-mile stretch of the Crystal River and 18 acres of riparian habitat — provided they can convince Colorado Parks and Wildlife that it can be done with a light touch. The location, next to the River Valley Ranch subdivision on the south side of town, is the ideal spot for the effort due to Carbondale’s Riverfront Park on the west side and the headgate for the Town-owned Weaver Ditch on the east side, with some associated in-stream impacts. As spelled out in a Water Plan grant request to the Colorado Water Conservation Board — originally slated for consideration in September but since pushed back to January — improvements will include streambank stabilization and river channel restoration, plant diversification and better access to the park as well as an automated ditch headgate. Efficiency work is ongoing on the ditch itself, but it is not officially part of the project. The cost of the whole effort was originally estimated at $1,466,478, with roughly half hinging on the Water Plan grant. The multifaceted nature of the project lends itself to a wide array of sources to pay for the rest. At least eight other agencies have committed funding or are considering grant applications. This includes $100,000 awarded from the Colorado River Water Conservation District in October. Other agencies partnering in the project include the Pitkin County Healthy Rivers Program, Great Outdoors Colorado, Colorado Parks and Wildlife’s Fishing Is Fun Program and the Aspen Valley Land Trust. Carbondale has committed at least $220,000 toward the effort to improve the reach of river described in the Water Plan grant application as “severely to unsustainably degraded.” The project’s many layers make it a perfect fit for the Roaring Fork Conservancy (RFC), according to Heather Lewin, director of Watershed Science & Policy. “You’ve got so many different things that we’re interested in doing — a flow issue, a riparian corridor, this older ditch outtake
and the potential for efficiencies within the ditch itself,” she said. It’s also in alignment with the 2016 Crystal River Management Plan, which seeks to preserve the river’s scenic, historic and recreational values in the face of development and water demands. But few private owners have the time or money to devote to irrigation improvements or wetland rehabilitation. And it shows. “There are certain concerns about areas Continued on page 11
Other than headgate improvements, most of the riparian work will take place on the west side of the river. Courtesy graphics
THE SOPRIS SUN • Your weekly community connector • Nov. 25 - Dec. 1, 2021 • 10
Although better access and an outdoor classroom are planned, the majority of the park will remain relatively rustic for a wild experience and good habitat. Photo by Will Grandbois / Aspen Journalism
Continued from page 10 of low flow on the Crystal and what that does for aquatic habitat and overall stream health,” Lewin said. Although the work won’t necessarily increase the amount of water in the river, it should help mitigate the Weaver Ditch’s impact. Until now, the Town has maintained a somewhat antiquated “push-out” diversion into a manually operated gate. It requires substantial in-stream changes to keep water flowing into the ditch, which sometimes means heavy machinery. “The only way the machinery can access it is to drive about a quarter mile in the river,” Lewin said. “You’ve got this artificially widened, shallow, low-flow channel. There’s a pretty big difference between super-low water and high water.” The new headgate, slated for installation this winter, will feature automation, freeing the ditch rider from making frequent trips to adjust it. With time, an algorithm should predict the ebb and flow of water supply and demand and adjust to compensate. Meanwhile, reconstructing a narrow, deep stream channel could allow the river to flow clear and cold even at low water.
The ends and the means But there’s a hangup. Although the conservancy is confident in its ability to raise the remaining funds and the project is otherwise shovel-ready, Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) is concerned about the immediate impacts of construction, said Matt Yamashita, area wildlife manager. “We’re in charge of articulating the needs and concerns of the resource,” he said. “The proposed instream construction window is estimated at about four months. There’s really not a single window that wouldn’t be grossly impactful to all the fish species during the year.” According to Yamashita, in-stream projects in the area would typically be limited to between Aug. 15 and Sept. 30 in hopes of avoiding fish spawning and egg incubation. By those rules, work would probably take several years to complete, with a substantial increase in cost. But CPW is working with project partners to try to build a model for larger projects like this one. “We support the scope of the project wholeheartedly,” Yamashita said. “The future of our waterways is only going to continue to become more and more impacted, so the more time and effort we can put toward improving those and preserving their natural
qualities, the better.” The park enhancements should be more straightforward. The most visible part of the project for the general public will be additional accessibility via an Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant ramp and an outdoor classroom to engage the public. Most of the park will remain fairly primitive .
Keeping it simple
The restoration project is less intensive than what Aspen Valley Land Trust (AVLT) first proposed in a round of public presentations in 2015. It was one of the first projects identified for the River, Riparian and Restoration (R3) Fund, which memorializes brothers Kea and Ian Hause. For AVLT’s executive director, Suzanne Stephens, “it was a great opportunity to show what could be done on a river that needed some love.” “It is still natural habitat, which there’s not a lot of when you’re looking at a river that’s running through own,” she said. The original vision called for a fairly significant overhaul of a longer stretch of river, but that didn’t sit well with area residents. “At that point, it was just a much bigger project than folks wanted to support,” she said. “We kind of went back to the drawing board, dialed back the plan and did some more community engagement to figure out how to maintain the scenic, parkland nature of that land without domesticating it.” With the Town and RFC stepping up, AVLT has been able to take more of a support role, with the R3 Fund contributing $10,000, according to the Water Plan application. “It’s been a long, winding road, but I feel like going slow and having all the right partners on board are really key,” Stephens said. “Hopefully, we get some momentum, and more folks want to start doing things like this.”
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THE SOPRIS SUN • Your weekly community connector • Nov. 25 - Dec. 1, 2021 • 11
COMMUNITY CALENDAR
Visit soprissun.com to submit events.
THURSDAY NOVEMBER 25 LIBRARIES CLOSED
All Garfield County Library branches are closed on Nov. 25 and 26 in observance of Thanksgiving. TURKEY TROT
The Carbondale Rec Center's annual Turkey Trot 5k/mile race begins at 9 a.m. Preregistration closes on Wednesday at 4 p.m. The first 100 people to register get a turkey-themed apron. Learn more by calling 970-510-1290. GRATITUDE FLOW
Aspen Shakti offers a Thanksgiving yoga class at their studio in Aspen (535 East Hyman Ave) at 9 a.m. GOBBLE WOBBLE
Basalt Elementary School hosts its annual turkey trot, The Gobble Wobble at 9:30 a.m. Register at www.bit.ly/basaltgobble or on site the morning of the event.
FRIDAY NOVEMBER 26
THANKSGIVING MEETING
The Meeting Place offers a 12 Steps Thanksgiving meeting beginning at 10 a.m. More info at www. meetingplacecarbondale.org TURKEY BURN
Open daily through December 24th Monday-Saturdays 10am – 5pm Sundays 11am – 4pm Full details available at carbondalearts.com
Aspen Shakti guides a special yoga class at their studio in Aspen (535 East Hyman Ave) at 10:30 a.m. GRAND ILLUMINATION
Tom and Julie Paxton perform Christmas songs at the Redstone General Store at 5 p.m. Shortly after, Santa lights the Christmas tree in the park, followed by the Grand Illumination with a bonfire and carolers at 6:30 p.m. CRYSTAL THEATRE
“Belfast” opens at the Crystal Theatre at 7:30 p.m. and continues through Monday, except on Sunday at 5 p.m. Additionally, “The French Dispatch” shows on Saturday at 5 p.m.
SATURDAY NOVEMBER 27 MEET THE AUTHOR
Nancy Bo Flood has worked with Navajo and Hopi teachers for the past 20 years. Noticing only a few children’s books about Native American children, she wrote two of her own. This virtual event starts at 10 a.m. For more info, visit: www.gcpld.org
MONDAY NOVEMBER 29 WARHOL IN COLORADO
The Powers Art Center (13110 Highway 82) presents a new exhibition with an opening reception from 5 to 7 p.m.
TUESDAY NOVEMBER 30 MYSTERY BOOK BAGS
The Glenwood Springs Library begins selling “mystery bags” of books, filled with surprise titles for $5 per bag while supplies last. Call the library at 970-945-5958 for more info. HOLIDAY CONCERTS
Musician Rodrigo Arreguín will play this year's Garfield County Public Library’s holiday music series. The first show takes place at the Silt Library at 6 p.m. Arreguín will also play at the New Castle Library on Dec. 1 at 2 p.m. and the Parachute Library on Dec. 2 at 2 p.m. More info at www.gcpld.org HOLIDAY MOVIE NIGHT
Watch the latest animated rendition of “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” at the Glenwood Vaudeville Review beginning at 7:30 p.m. Visit www. gvrshow.com for more details.
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 1 BOOK(S) CLUB
12 • THE SOPRIS SUN • soprissun.com • Nov. 25 - Dec. 1, 2021
The Basalt Library invites readers to come and discuss new books they’ve enjoyed, or not, in a noon group.
SYSTEMIC CONSTELLATION
Carol Shure leads an “Introduction to Systemic Family Constellation” healing experience at the Third Street Center, addressing generational trauma. More info and registration at www.carolshure.com ORAN MOR
Local Irish music group Oran Mor plays at Glenwood Springs Library at 6 p.m.
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 2 VACCINE CLINIC
Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine is now available for ages five and up. Students, staff and family members are welcome to get a vaccine or a booster dose at Bridges High School (8:30 a.m. to noon) and Basalt High School (1 to 4:30 p.m.). Registration is not needed, a signed permission form is required for students under 18. CHILD MUSICIANS
Bring your young one to Basalt Library for a music class geared toward kids from eight months old to five years old. The half-hour class begins at 10:30 a.m. More info at www.basaltlibrary.org
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 3 MORE WARHOL
Aspen Art Museum opens its “Andy Warhol: Lifetimes” exhibit. For more info, visit www.aspenartmuseum.org ASPEN FILM
Tickets for Aspen Film’s 29th annual academy screenings are available to the public. Visit www. aspenshowtix.com for tickets. VACCINE CLINIC
Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine is now available for ages five and up. Students, staff and family members are welcome to get a vaccine or a booster dose at Glenwood Springs High School (8:30 a.m. to noon) and Roaring Fork High School (1 to 4:30 p.m.). Registration is not needed, a signed permission form is required for students under 18. CONSENSUAL IMPROV
Thunder River Theatre revives Consensual Improv. The fun begins at 8 p.m. Tickets and more info at www.thunderrivertheatre.com
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 5
HEALING WITH ANCESTORS
Folks are invited to delve into their own and others’ generational trauma and healing in this workshop hosted by Carol Shure at the Third Street Center. Registration is required and can be made at www.carolshure.com
Sol del
Valle
el
Conectando comunidades
Volumen 1, Número 39|25 de noviembre - 1 de diciembre de 2021
El poder del agradecimiento
Por Crystal Mariscal Sol Corresponsal Piensa en tres cosas de las que estás agradecido, ¿cuáles son? Escríbelas en algún papel, o en las notas de tu teléfono antes de continuar. Créeme, las necesitarás después de leer esto. Ahora sí, proseguimos. La gratitud le da sentido a tu pasado, trae paz para el hoy, y crea una visión para el mañana, esta frase es de Melody Beattie, y en estas fechas hace tanto sentido. Agradecimiento ¿cada cuanto lo practicas? Si eres como yo y — el día a día solo me enfoco en mi rutina diaria y me espero hasta en fechas para pararme y reflexionar sobre TODO por lo que tengo que estar agradecida — entonces quizás me entiendas cuando digo que no conozco de la historia detrás de la celebración de Acción de Gracias. Algunos hablan de genocidio, otros de una masacre cubierta con “buenas intenciones”, la verdad es que en mi casa tomamos el tiempo de AGRADECER. Incluso lo más doloroso nos trae una
enseñanza. Y no, no es que intente ser solo positiva, es que el mismo esfuerzo que me tomara enfocarme en todo lo malo es el mismo esfuerzo que me tomara en dedicarme a aprender y crear resiliencia. Al inicio te preguntaba sobre las tres cosas por las que estás más agradecido, solo tres cosas. Bueno, pues esas tres cosas representan tus prioridades. Quizás, en estos momentos estés cuestionando si fue tu mejor elección o estás pensando que no lo pensaste bien al momento de decidir… Podrán ser muchos tus pensamientos, pero la realidad es que esas tres cosas son tus prioridades. Yo también fui de las que se sorprendieron y hasta se molestó por no haber pensado mejor la respuesta. Cuando mi querida amiga Dina Prieto me hizo la pregunta, mis respuestas inmediatas fueron; trabajo, mi casa y mis hijos. Tal cual en ese orden. Así que, cuando me dijo que esas eran mis tres prioridades y en ese orden, pues algo dentro de mi se
A este su agrpadec nu e o y o e m o vo p par s ro y a ecto .
Hay muchas cosas para agradecer. Entre ellas, la familia es sumamente esencial, sean padres, hijos o hasta queridos amigos. Foto de Andi Marie Photography
reveló. ¿Cómo puedo poner a mis hijos al final? ¿Mi trabajo es más importante que lo demás? ¡Mi conexión con Dios y mi salud ni siquiera aparecieron en la lista! Mil ideas pasaron por mi mente. Incluso yo me quise molestar con mi amiga por no avisarme de las reglas de la pregunta. Claro, de haber sabido el final mi respuesta hubiera sido; Dios, familia y
"Dios, familia y mi propósito en la vida", estás con las cosas más importantes para nuestra autora, Crystal Mariscal. Foto de Andi Marie Photography
mi propósito en la vida. De la abundancia del corazón habla la boca, es un versículo en la biblia, así que no, no puedo cambiar respuestas según mi sentido de ánimo. Pero en el fondo del corazón, la realidad es otra. No busco hacerte sentir mal, por eso es que también me atrevo a contar mi propia historia. Ahora bien, si no estás contento, ¿qué piensas hacer? En mi caso te cuento que agregue un par de alarmas a mi teléfono, solo para tomar el tiempo de pasar agradeciendo a Dios por él amanecer, la comida, el agua, la vista… Por cada cosa que mi corazón bendice. Llevo un par de semanas haciéndolo y el cambio en mí también se puede ver en mi modo de ser. En algún momento, un desconocido sonrió al ver que en una cafetería local tomaba el tiempo de dar gracias por mi taza de café, y me dijo; “eso es adicción al café”, a lo que respondí “No, eso es agradecimiento a poder saborearlo, perdí el sabor con las secuelas del COVID y ahora que puedo volver a saborear agradezco a El Creador por otra taza de café”. El desconocido se fue pensando en lo que le conté. Mi querida Dina contaba que su hija había tenido un accidente automovilístico. Al ver las fotos de cómo
quedó el carro, me dio un fuerte dolor en el estómago, con eso te darás cuenta de que fue un horroroso accidente. Ella agregó que su hija salió solo con rasguños menores, y que ella agradece al Cielo por que si hubiese sido ella la del accidente quizá no hubiera salido caminando como lo hizo su hija. Claro, el susto no fue algo menor, sobre todo porque el alma de una madre siempre estará amplificando cualquier cosa que pase con sus hijos. El agradecimiento que ella tenía de saber que su hija estaba bien era refrescante, yo quise comentar sobre las pérdidas económicas, pero obviamente NADA podría comprar el bienestar de su pequeña. Cuántas veces nos enfocamos en lo que se perdió, en lo que no fue o en lo que ya no podremos cambiar. Quizá una mala decisión, una mala inversión o creer en la persona con las intenciones incorrectas. Solo nos queda guardar el dolor, vivir en amargura, en lo que pudo haber sido, o tomamos el paso de levantarnos en sabiduría, estableciendo el terreno, parándonos en victoria, procesando y reflexionando. Cambiando lo aprendido y con sanidad en el alma agradecer todo lo que sí
tenemos. Este miércoles, antes de la noche donde se sirve el pavo, cumpliré un año más de vida, mis hijos estarán en un evento y mi hija mayor en Washington. No pasaré con mi madre, ni con mis perros. El día de mi cumple tomaré tiempo a solas para agradecer por mi vida y mi propósito en este mundo. El 25 de noviembre lo pasaré ayudando y sirviendo, no sin antes tomar tiempo de agradecer a ustedes, mis fieles lectores, a mis amistades por sus vidas y sus enseñanzas. Desde ya agradezco estar en este valle todo este 2021 y agradezco la lucha de cada uno de los que creemos en un mundo mejor, con mejores oportunidades y donde el odio cae ante el poder del agradecimiento. Únete conmigo a agradecer y no te canses de agradecer. Lo que para ti es poco para otros podría ser la oración que están pidiendo. Oye- gracias a Alpine Bank y River Center, estamos recaudando fondos para ayudar a madres y padres solteros a continuar con su educación, sin importar su edad, raza o idioma. Se puede aprender más en www. rivercenternewcastle.org
OPINION
AL NO ARTISTA Por Vanessa Porras
El martes, 16 de noviembre, se hizo historia cuando el autorretrato de Frida Kahlo, “Diego y yo” pintado en 1949 quebró récords al ser la obra latinoamericana más cara jamás vendida. Sotheby’s estimó el precio de la obra entre 30 y 50 millones de dólares. Al final, fue vendida a Eduardo F. Costantini, fundador del Museo de Arte Latinoamericano de Buenos Aires (MALBA), por $34.9 millones. En 1990 Kahlo se convirtió en la primera mujer latina en vender esta misma obra por más de $1 millón. Después, en el año 2006, Kahlo volvió hacer historia cuando Sotheby's vendió otro de sus autorretratos, “Raíces” pintado en 1943 por $5.6 millones. Hay un promedio de 200 obras que Kahlo completó durante su
Frida Kahlo hace historia vida. Aunque 200 parezca ser un número alto, realmente es una cantidad limitada de obras. Se especula que durante los próximos años, estas obras seguirán aumentado en valor. Pese a todo el éxito que sus obras ahora tienen, Kahlo permaneció desconocida ante el mundo del arte hasta poco antes de su muerte en 1954. En contraste, su esposo Diego Rivera fue un artista famoso y recibía comisiones de murales alrededor del mundo. En 1933, durante una comisión en Detroit, Michigan, Kahlo conoció a Florence Davies, una reportera para Detroit News. En los últimos años, el artículo escrito por Davies ha vuelto a la superficie después de haber sido publicado hace 88 años. En ese entonces, nadie hubiera podido predecir el inmenso éxito que tendría esa muchacha de apenas 25 años. El artículo ha circulado en las redes sociales en especial por su título machista. Hay quienes piensan que no fue Davies quien escogió el título, “Esposa del maestro pintor de murales incursiona alegremente en obras de arte”, ya que parece menospreciar el talento de Kahlo. A pesar de que el título subraya el éxito de Rivera y pone énfasis en su matrimonio, el artículo contiene
citas de Kahlo con su sentido de humor inigualable diciendo, “Claro, lo hace muy bien para un niño pequeño [Rivera], pero soy yo quien es la gran artista”, refiriéndose a su esposo mientras se echaba de carcajadas. La confianza de Kahlo en esa entrevista parece presagiar su carrera. Ambos eran artistas por derecho propio, sin embargo, Kahlo ha eclipsado a Rivera en el mundo del arte y ha demostrado que era mucho más que simplemente la señora de Rivera. Kahlo ha establecido su nombre como las grandes aristas del siglo XX. En el artículo de Davies, ella deja en claro que Rivera nunca fue su maestro, incluso nunca estudió, solo comenzó a pintar. En 1925, después de un trágico accidente donde Kahlo casi pierde su vida, retomó el arte durante el tiempo que estuvo postrada en cama recuperándose. De niña, Kahlo retocaba las fotografías que su padre, Don Guillermo Kahlo, tomaba. Ahí fue donde Kahlo desarrolló su técnica artística y su atención al detalle. Diego y yo, como la mayoría de sus obras, es un relato de sus aflicciones personales. En él, podemos ver a Frida con una mirada penetrante y de sus ojos caen tres lágrimas. Su cabello está suelto y despeinado, un contraste
al típico peinado de trenzas con listones y flores que solía llevar. Da la impresión de una mujer derrotada con una vulnerabilidad palpable. Su cabello se embaraña alrededor de su cuello creando una sensación de asfixia. En su frente, postrado encima de sus cejas icónicas, está la imagen de Diego como el tercer ojo. Literalmente en su mente o infiltrando incluso hasta su sabiduría superior más allá de los que sus ojos pueden ver. Diego también tiene un tercer ojo en la frente, a diferencia que parece pertenecer a él. Se podría interpretar como si él estuviera siguiendo su propia intuición sin ser influenciado por nadie más. Durante este tiempo se sabe de la infidelidad de Rivera con la actriz mexicana, María Félix, quien era amiga de Kahlo también. La traición de Rivera fue un golpe duro para Kahlo, cuya salud continuaba deteriorándose. La tubulosa vida de Kahlo terminó a la joven edad de 47 años al sufrir un embolismo pulmonar. Un año antes, asistió a su primera exhibición solista en ambulancia. Se considera que “Diego y yo”, es una de las obras producidas en la altura de su madurez artística.
14 • el Sol del Valle • soprissun.com/espanol/ • 25 de noviembre - 1 de diciembre de 2021
Donaciones por correo o en línea P.O. Box 399 Carbondale, CO 81623 970-510-3003 www.soprissun.com Executive Director Todd Chamberlin • 970-510-0246 adsales@soprissun.com Editor Raleigh Burleigh • 970-510-3003 news@soprissun.com Traductoras: Jacquelinne Castro y Dolores Duarte Distribucion: Frederic Stevie Miembros de la Mesa Directiva Klaus Kocher • Kay Clarke Lee Beck • Megan Tackett Gayle Wells • Donna Dayton Terri Ritchie • Vanessa Porras Eric Smith • Larry Day The Sopris Sun, Inc. Es un miembro orgulloso del Distrito Creativo de Carbondale The Sopris Sun, Inc. es una 501(c) (3) organización benéfica sin fines de lucro. Contribuciones financieras son deducibles de impuestos. ¡ESCRÍBENOS! Para contribuir ideas y contenido al Sol del Valle, escribiéndonos a: sol@soprissun.com Para comprar espacio publicitario en español, inglés, o ambos, mándanos un correo electrónico a:
adsales@soprissun.com También se puede contactarnos llamando a 970-510-3003.
CHISME DEL PUEBLO Vacunas para niños
El Anderson Ranch Art Center recibió una gran donación para lanzar una iniciativa de tres años que tendrá como objetivo mejorar la educación e inclusividad. “Este programa multifacético nos permitirá expandir nuestra posición como líderes en la educación del arte, con un enfoque especialmente en la comunidad Latine,” dijo el CEO Peter Wander. Para más información acerca de la iniciativa de tres años, visite www. andersonranch.org
La vacuna Pfizer del COVID-19 ya está disponible para niñes de cinco años o mayores. Les estudiantes, el personal y los miembros de familia son bienvenidos a recibir una vacuna o una dosis de refuerzo el 2 de diciembre en Bridges High School (de 8:30 a.m. hasta mediodía) y en Basalt High School (de 1 a 4:30 p.m.) o el 3 de diciembre en Glenwood Springs High School (de 8:30 a.m. hasta mediodía) y en Roaring Fork High School (de 1 a 4:30 p.m.). Las inscripciones no son necesarias, un formulario de permiso firmado es requerido para estudiantes menores de 18 años.
Comparte tu voz Estudiantes de la escuela intermedia y secundaria están invitados a competir en el segundo concurso de composición anual de Jazz Aspen Snowmass “Share your Voice”. La fecha límite para enviar participaciones es el 1 de febrero, y los ganadores serán anunciados el 1 de marzo. Mientras tanto, los estudiantes pueden participar en clases virtuales enseñadas por el compositor nominado al Grammy Shane Adams. Para más información visite www.jazzaspensnowmass.org
Derechos de los ríos El pueblo de Ridgway se ha unido con Nederland para aprobar “Derechos de la Naturaleza”, una resolución para una vía fluvial en Colorado. En un voto unánime del consejo con una abstención, Ridgway declaró individualidad para el Uncompahgre River, firmando custodia de representación legal, con la ayuda de organizaciones sin fines de lucro Earth Law y Save the Colorado. La resolución declara “el derecho de mantener el flujo natural suficiente en cantidad para mantener el ecosistema saludable.”
Floración de algas Diane McKnight, una profesora en el Institute of Arctic and Alpine Research de la Universidad de Colorado, reporta que “la alta elevación en los lagos están cambiando debido al calentamiento global y la deposición de nitrógeno atmosférico.” Un análisis de siete lagos alpinos en Colorado muestra que el hielo se está derritiendo cerca de una semana antes comparado a hace tres décadas, lo que permite nueva actividad microbiana. Roaring Fork Conservancy tendrá a McKnight para una presentación virtual por medio de Zoom el 8 de febrero del 2022. Para más información visite www. roaringfork.org
Selamat tinggal… Dibujo por Larry Day.
Space Force La División de Vehículos de Motor de Colorado (DMV) está ofreciendo licencias de conducir etiquetadas de los protectores de Space Force o veteranos con el logotipo de Space Force. El Space Force fue recientemente reconocido como un servicio militar de los Estados Unidos. El DMV ya ofreció, y continuará ofreciendo, los logos de otras ramas militares para aquellos respectivos miembros del servicio.
Sage-grouse
Intercambio de tarjetas
El condado de Garfield aprobó una enmienda a su Greater Sage-Grouse Conservation Plan. El plan cubre partes de Parachute, Piceance Basin y la área de Roan Plateau. La enmienda expande el área de protección para cubrir 89,743 acres de hábitat prioritario y 95,772 acres de hábitat general. Para más detalles, visite www. garfield-county.com
Anderson Ranch
¡OFERTAS INMEDIATAS!
3-7 PM
Hasta el 4 de diciembre, la biblioteca de Carbondale organizará un intercambio de tarjetas festivas. Las personas pueden traer sus tarjetas festivas viejas/sin usar de años anteriores e intercambiarlas por diseños “nuevos-para-ti”. Para más información, calle a la biblioteca al 970-963-2889.
FERIA DE EMPLEO
...significa “adiós” o “despedida” en malayo, el idioma nacional de Singapur. La directora de la escuela primaria de Glenwood Springs (GSES) Audrey Hazleton ha aceptado una posición de liderazgo en la escuela americana de Singapur el próximo año escolar. Hazelton ha sido la directora de GSES desde el 2013. “Los logros de Audrey como una líder de la escuela han sido constantemente notables, y la extrañaremos mucho,” dijo el superintendente Rob Stein en una carta hacia la comunidad.
Uso seguro El programa de recuperación High Rockies Harm Reduction ha asegurado ubicaciones a través del valle para operar su programa de servicio de jeringas. Comenzado después de la celebración de Acción de Gracias, sus servicios confidenciales serán ofrecidos desde las 10 a.m. hasta las 2 p.m. en Rifle los martes, en Glenwood Springs los viernes, en Carbondale los jueves y alternando los lunes en Aspen y Basalt. Para más información, visite www.highrockiesharmredcution.com
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REGLAS: • Estudiantes de kindergarten a high school están invitados a entrar • Tamaño de papel: 8 ½ x 11” • Se puede utilizar una variedad de materiales, pero no destellos ni elementos tres-dimensionales • Se recomienda colores brillantes • Por favor, incluir el nombre del artista, su edad, curso, escuela y información de contacto para su pariente (en la parte atrás de la página)
RECIBE UN REGALO DE $25 AÑO PASADO: GANADORA DEL SHANE MC MARISA
FECHA LÍMITE: 5 P.M. EL DIA MIERCOLES, 14 DE DICIEMBRE
Quien gana tendrá su arte en la tapa de nuestra edición de 23 de diciembre. ENTREGA: The Launchpad, 76 S. Fourth Street, Carbondale POR CORREO: P.O. Box 399, Carbondale CO 816234
Para más información: news@soprissun.com / 970-510-5003 el Sol del Valle • Conector de comunidad • 25 de noviembre - 1 de diciembre de 2021 • 15
El Agradecimiento
El Bienvenido al Mundo Natural Ohên:ton Karihwatêhkwen — Palabras Previas de Todo
Estas palabras de agradecimiento fueron traducidas de una reza tradicional de la gente que se llamaba Haudenosaunee (Gente de la Casa Larga). Conocido al mundo como los Seis Naciones o Iroquois, estos pueblos — los Mowhawk, Oneida, Onondaga, Cayuga, Seneca y Tuscarora — viven hoy en los estados Nueva York, Wisconsin y en Canadá. Por miles de años, los Haudenosaunee han utilizado estas palabras para comunicar con los poderes del Mundo Natural, para expresar su aprecio por todas las formas de vida, para unificar las mentes de las personas y para alinearlas con Natura.
El Pueblo Hoy nos hemos unido y vemos que los ciclos de vida continúan. Hemos recibido el deber de vivir en balance y en harmonía con cada cual y con todo lo que vive. Y ahora, unimos nuestras mentes. Nos damos el uno al otro saludos y agradecimiento como personas que somos. Ahora nuestras mentes están unidas.
Nuestra Madre La Tierra Agradecemos nuestra Madre, La Tierra, pues ella nos da de todo lo que necesitamos para vivir. Nos apoya los pies cuando caminamos sobre su manta. Nos da alegría que ella continúa cuidandonos
como lo ha echo desde el principio. Hacia nuestra Madre le mandamos saludos y agradecimiento. Ahora nuestras mentes están unidas.
Aguas Le damos gracias hacia las aguas del mundo por satisfacer nuestra sed y por darnos nuestra fortaleza. Agua es vida. Su poder es conocida en muchas formas — las cataratas, la lluvia, la neblina, los arrullos, los ríos y los océanos. Con nuestras mentes unidas les damos saludos y agradecimiento a las aguas. Ahora nuestras mentes están unidas.
Los Peces Viramos nuestras mentes hacia los Peces en las aguas. Pues ellos tienen la responsabilidad de limpiar y purificar las aguas. También se nos dan de comida. Estamos agradecidos que aún podemos encontrar agua pura. Ahora, les damos a los Peces nuestros saludos y agradecimiento. Ahora nuestras mentes están unidas.
Las Plantas Ahora nos viramos hacia las multitudes de plantas. Tan lejos como podamos ver, viven las Plantas, logrando sus muchas maravillas. Ellos proveen el sostenimiento para una gran variedad de vida. Con nuestras mentes unidas, les damos agradecimiento y esperamos que las Plantas puedan proveer para las generaciones por venir. Ahora nuestras mentes están unidas.
VISITE UNO DE LOS SPAS MAS ANTIGUOS Y RESPETADOS EN AMERICA y las Cuevas históricas de Vapor
Las Plantas que se Comen
Los Arboles
Con nuestras mentes unidas, nos viramos con honor y agradecimiento hacia todas Las Plantas que se Comen que obtenemos de nuestros jardines. Desde el principio, los granos, los vegetales, las habichuelas y las frutas han ayudado que el pueblo viva. Muchos otros también adquieren su vida de ellos. Reunimos todas Las Plantas que se Comen y les damos nuestros saludos y agradecimiento. Ahora nuestras mentes están unidas.
Ahora viramos nuestros pensamientos hacia los Arboles. La tierra tiene muchas familias de Arboles, y todos tienen sus propios instrucciones y usos. Algunos nos acobija y nos dan sombra, otros las frutas, belleza y demás cosas útiles. Mucha gente del mundo usan un Arbol como símbolo de paz y fortaleza. Con una mente, saludamos y agradecemos a toda vida de Arbol. Ahora nuestras mentes están unidas.
Las Yerbas que Curan
Los Pájaros
Ahora nos volteamos hacia todas las Yerbas que nos curan. Desde el principio, estas yerbas han sido instruidos ha quitar nuestras enfermedades. Siempre están listos para curarnos. Estamos alegres que aún entre nosotros se encuentran personas con el conocimiento para quitar el mal. Con una mente, les mandamos saludos y agradecimiento hacia estas medicinas y a los que mantienen la sabiduría en su uso. Ahora nuestras mentes están unidas.
Los Animales Unimos nuestras mentes para mandar saludos y agradecimiento a todo los Animales del mundo. Ellos tienen muchas cosas para enseñarnos. Los vemos cerca de nuestros hogares y en los bosques. Nos da aliento de que aún están aquí y esperamos que siempre sea así. Ahora nuestras mentes están unidas.
Uniendo nuestras mentes, agradecimos a los Pájaros que se mueven y vuelan sobre nuestras cabezas. El Creador les dio cantos bellos. Cada día nos recuerdan que disfrutemos y apreciemos la vida. A todos los Pájaros — desde el más pequeño al más grande — les damos nuestros saludos y agradecimiento alegremente. Ahora nuestras mentes están unidas.
Los Cuatro Vientos Estamos agradecidos a los poderes conocidos como Los Cuatro Vientos. Oímos sus voces refrescando y purificando el aire que respiramos. Ayudan los cambios de las estaciones del año. De las cuatro direcciones vienen, y nos traen mensajes y nos fortaleza. Con una mente, mandamos nuestros saludos y agradecimientos a Los Cuatro Vientos. Ahora nuestras mentes están unidas. Continúa en la página 18
Have an artist in the family? Enter the Spruce Up The Sun holiday cover design contest! Theme: Healthy Future
Baños naturales minerals termales “Más privado que una piscina”
RULES: • Students from kindergarten to high school are invited to enter • Paper size: 8 ½ x 11” • A variety of media is permitted, but not glitter or three-dimensional elements • Bright, bold colors are recommended • Please write the child’s name, age, grade, school and a parent’s contact information (on the back of the page)
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Drop off: The Launchpad, 76 S. Fourth Street, Carbondale
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16 • el Sol del Valle • soprissun.com/espanol/ • 25 de noviembre - 1 de diciembre de 2021
Thanksgiving Address
Greetings to the natural world Ohén:ton Karihwatéhkwen — Words Before All Else
These words of thanksgiving are translated from a prayer traditional of the people who call themselves Haudenosaunee (People of the Longhouse). Known to the world as the Six Nations or Iroquois, these people — the Mohawk, Oneida, Onondaga, Cayuga, Seneca and Tuscarora — live today in upstate New York, Wisconsin and Canada. For thousands of years, the Haudenosaunee have used these words as a spiritual address to the powers of the Natural World, to express their appreciation of all life forms, to bring the minds of people together as one mind and to align their gathered minds with Nature.
The People Today we have gathered and we see that the cycles of life continue. We have been given the duty to live in balance and harmony with each other and all living things. So now, we bring our minds together as one as we give greetings and thanks to each other as People. Now our minds are one.
The Earth Mother We are all thankful to our Mother, the Earth, for she gives us all that we need for life. She supports our feet as we walk about upon her. It gives us joy that she continues to care for us as she has from the beginning of time. To our Mother, we send greetings and thanks.
Now our minds are one.
The Waters
We give thanks to all the Waters of the world for quenching our thirst and providing us with strength. Water is life. We know its power in many forms — waterfalls and rain, mists and streams, rivers and oceans. With one mind, we send greetings and thanks to the spirit of Water. Now our minds are one.
The Fish We turn our minds to all the Fish life in the water. They were instructed to cleanse and purify the water. They also give themselves to us as food. We are grateful that we can still find pure water. So, we turn now to the Fish and send our greetings and thanks. Now our minds are one.
The Plants Now we turn toward the vast fields of Plant life. As far as the eye can see, the Plants grow, working many wonders. They sustain many life forms. With our minds gathered together, we give thanks and look forward to seeing Plant life for many generations to come. Now our minds are one.
The Food Plants With one mind, we turn to honor and thank all the Food Plants we harvest from the garden. Since the beginning of time, the grains, vegetables, beans and berries have helped the people survive. Many other living things draw strength from
them too. We gather all the Plant Foods together as one and send them a greeting and thanks. Now our minds are one.
The Medicine Herbs Now we turn to all the Medicine Herbs of the world. From the beginning, they were instructed to take away sickness. They are always waiting and ready to heal us. We are happy there are still among us those special few who remember how to use these plants for healing. With one mind, we send greetings and thanks to the Medicines and to the keepers of the Medicines. Now our minds are one.
The Animals We gather our minds together to send greetings and thanks to all the Animal life in the world. They have many things to teach us as people. We see them near our homes and in the deep forests. We are glad they are still here and we hope that it will always be so. Now our minds are one.
The Trees We now turn our thoughts to the Trees. The Earth has many families of Trees who have their own instructions and uses. Some provide us with shelter and shade, others with fruit, beauty and other useful things. Many peoples of the world use a Tree as a symbol of peace and strength. With one mind, we greet and thank the Tree life. Now our minds are one.
The Birds We put our minds together as one and thank all the Birds who move and fly about over our heads. The Creator gave them beautiful songs. Each day they remind us to enjoy and appreciate life. The Eagle was chosen to be their leader. To all the Birds — from the smallest to the largest — we send our joyful greetings and thanks. Now our minds are one.
The Four Winds We are all thankful to the powers we know as the Four Winds. We hear their voices in the moving air as they refresh us and purify the air we breathe. They help to bring the change of seasons. From the four directions they come, bringing us messages and giving us strength. With one mind, we send our greetings and thanks to the Four Winds. Now our minds are one.
The Thunderers Now we turn to the west where our Grandfathers, the Thunder Beings, live. With lightning and thundering voices, they bring with them the water that renews life. We bring our minds together as one to send greetings and thanks to our Grandfathers, the Thunderers. Now our minds are one.
The Sun We now send greetings and thanks to our Continued on page 18
THE SOPRIS SUN • Your weekly community connector • Nov. 25 - Dec. 1, 2021 • 17
Agradecimiento de la página 17 Los Truenos Ahora nos viramos hacia el oeste, donde nuestros Abuelos, Los Truenos, viven. Con sus voces en forma de relámpagos y truenos, nos traen las lluvias que renuevan las aguas de vida. Unimos nuestras mentes para mandar saludos y agradecimiento hacia nuestros Abuelos, Los Truenos. Ahora nuestras mentes están unidas.
El Sol Ahora mandamos saludos y agradecimiento a nuestro Hermano Mayor, El Sol. Cada día sin falla, el cruza el cielo del este al oeste trayendo la luz del nuevo día. El es la fuente de la vida. Con una mente singular, mandamos saludos y agradecimiento a nuestro Hermano el Sol. Ahora nuestras mentes están unidas.
Nuestra Abuela La Luna Unimos nuestras mentes y le damos gracias a nuestra Abuela más anciana, la Luna, quien alumbra el cielo nocturno. Ella es la dirigente de todas la mujeres del mundo, y ella gobierna el movimiento de la marea. Medimos el tiempo con los cambios de sus faces, y es la Luna que vela la llegada de los niños aquí en la Tierra. Con una mente, mandamos saludos y agradecimiento a nuestra Abuela, la Luna. Ahora nuestras mentes están unidas.
Las Estrellas Le damos gracias a las Estrellas, que atraviesan el cielo como joyas. Los vemos en la noche alumbrando la oscuridad conjunto con la Luna, trayendo el rocío a nuestros jardines y a todo que crece. Cuando viajamos
en la noche, nos guían a nuestros hogares. Con nuestras mentes unidas, les damos saludos y agradecimiento a las Estrellas. Ahora nuestras mentes están unidas.
Los Maestros Ilustrados Unimos nuestras mentes para recibir y agradecer nuestros Maestros Ilustrados que siempre han venido para ayudarnos por todas las edades. Cuando nos olvidamos de como vivir en harmonía, ellos nos acuerdan nuestras enseñanzas para vivir como humanos. Con una mente, mandamos saludos y agradecimiento a estos Maestros queridos. Ahora nuestras mentes están unidas.
El Creador Ahora viramos nuestros pensamientos hacia el Creador y mandamos saludos y nuestros agradecimientos por todos los frutos creados. Todo lo que necesitamos para vivir bien está aquí en la tierra nuestra Madre. Por todo el amor que aún está en nuestro alrededor, unimos nuestras mentes y mandamos nuestro agradecimiento y saludo predilecto hacia el Creador. Ahora nuestras mentes están unidas.
Palabras Finales Hemos llegado al momento cuando terminamos nuestras palabras. De todas las cosas que hemos nombrado, no ha sido nuestra intención de dejar algo sin ser mencionado. Si algo ha sido olvidado, se lo dejamos a cada individuo que mande saludos y agradecimiento en su propio modo. Ahora nuestras mentes están unidas.
Thanksgiving from page 17
eldest Brother, the Sun. Each day without fail he travels the sky from east to west, bringing the light of a new day. He is the source of all the fires of life. With one mind, we send greetings and thanks to our Brother, the Sun. Now our minds are one.
Grandmother Moon We put our minds together and give thanks to our oldest Grandmother, the Moon, who lights the nighttime sky. She is the leader of women all over the world, and she governs the movement of the ocean tides. By her changing face we measure time, and it is the Moon who watches over the arrival of children here on Earth. With one mind, we send greetings and thanks to our Grandmother, the Moon. Now our minds are one.
The Stars We give thanks to the Stars who are spread across the sky like jewelry. We see them in the night, helping the Moon to light the darkness and bringing dew to the gardens and growing things. When we travel at night, they guide us home. With our minds gathered together as one, we send greetings and thanks to all the Stars. Now our minds are one.
The Enlightened Teachers We gather our minds to greet and thank the Enlightened Teachers who have come to help throughout the ages. When we forget how to live in harmony, they remind us of the way we
were instructed to live as people. With one mind, we send greetings and thanks to these caring Teachers. Now our minds are one.
The Creator Now we turn our thoughts to the Creator, or Great Spirit, and send greetings and thanks for all the gifts of Creation. Everything we need to live a good life is here on this Mother Earth. For all the love that is still around us, we gather our minds together as one and send our choicest words of greetings and thanks to the Creator. Now our minds are one.
Closing Words We have now arrived at the place where we end our words. Of all the things we have named, it was not our intention to leave anything out. If something was forgotten, we leave it to each individual to send such greetings and thanks in their own way. And now our minds are one. Copyright © 1993 Six Nations Indian Museum and The Tracking Project. SBN 0 - 9643214 -0 -8 Produced by The Tracking Project together with the Six Nations Indian Museum, the Tree of Peace Society and the Native Self Sufficiency Center. Proceeds from the sale of these products are shared between these four groups and various Iroquois language and cultural programs. Thanksgiving Address editions in a dozen languages can be ordered from: The Tracking Project PO Box 266, Corrales, NM 87048 Phone/ Fax: 505-898-6967 office@thetrackingproject.org www.thetrackingproject.org Reprinted by permission.
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THE SOPRIS SUN • Your weekly community connector • Nov. 25 - Dec. 1, 2021 • 19
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Potter Giana Grossman finds happiness in a cup
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To walk into Giana Grossman’s studio at the Carbondale Clay Center is to enter a realm of sea and land, warmth and spirit, pop and verve. Between form, texture, and color, a display of Grossman’s vessels is irresistible to the eye and hand. You can’t help but to pick one up, finding pleasure in their lightness and form; or to run your fingers over rising and falling stains and glazes. You can’t help but want one. Grossman’s work has made a name for itself at the farmers market and Bonfire Coffee, where demand keeps the selection in continuous flux. Her shapes are clean and contemporary. She removes all traces of fingerwork, letting style and personality come through in her color choices, compositions and patterns. In her studio, late morning sun spills through a high window. Two additional
lights shine on her wares and across her potter’s wheel, its rhythmic whir at play with background tunes. Grossman dips into one of three buckets around her wheel, two shades of ocean blue and one of desert green. “I’ve wanted to be a potter since I was a child. There was an electric wheel in our basement,” she remembers, “it was like a toy wheel. I’d go down to the bay — I grew up really close to the water — and dig up clay and try to make things. I’ve always had my hands in the earth.” Grossman’s first degree was in advertising design, “and then the whole industry turned to computers. I don’t want to work on a computer,” she chuckles. “I’m more of a hands-on, ‘manual labor’ type. So I went to art school and studied printmaking,” in addition to her ongoing pottery studies, which have resulted in a well-loved line of homewares here in the valley. Continued on page 21
If you know someone who should be featured in “Valley Folk” email news@soprissun.com or call 510-3003.
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Grossman carefully glazes a bowl in her studio at the Carbondale Clay Center. Photo by Olivia Emmer
Continued from page 20 “I started teaching classes here that no one else was teaching, which were with Ascendigo and adults with developmental disabilities.” Grossman’s hands move up the face of a vase, applying and removing stain. Interning with a disabled woman during college, she had discovered as much reward for herself as she did for her disbaled students. “It’s great muscle and motor skill exercise, brain-to-hand. It’s a disconnect for a lot of special needs students. And working the material and creating something? A lot of special needs humans haven’t been expected to carry something to completion. That’s important — from start to finish — being accountable, just like anyone else in the world.” In addition to pottery, Grossman has raised her son, loves to garden, cook, and take care of her home. “I have always been involved with domesticity, and cooking,”
“I’ve wanted to be a potter since I was a child," remembers Grossman. Photo by Olivia Emmer
she says, her words steeped in sensuality. Having grown up in the Hamptons, she designed large container gardens for her garden design clientele. Here, she has a large wrap-around deck, “but it’s like the Mongolian steppes; super windy and dry. I can grow cacti, peppers!” Four plots at a community garden have supplied her with easier, satisfying root crops — carrots, beets. Canning produce inspired her to throw her own funnels, which today, are objets d'art on her studio walls. They exude playfulness, style and an appreciation for beauty in the ordinary. Various other series fill the shelves of her studio: cups, bowls, plates, saucers, vases. “For me, the cup is a really important form — it is to most potters: the culmination of all your experience. We all drink. That vessel helps me connect with a lot of people.” As such, Grossman strives to create a variety of forms in a spectrum of hues that “can touch a broad range of people,” she says. “My favorite is when kids come in. They want to touch every single one.” The objects Grossman creates, especially cups, she finds sacred. “All the work that goes into the beverage, for that coffee to finalize in my cup, be realized in my cup — that's pretty intense. Where all those coffee beans came from, where that tea was harvested. It’s inspiring to me,” Grossman sighs. “I’m a very ‘feeling’ individual. I like to be connected to my human side. I like to get dirty. I don’t mind working hard. I like communicating with people. I like to get involved. I like to put happiness into my work.” One of Grossman’s clients, a gifted artist and known empath who tends to hold the weight of an unsettled world in her heart, has acquired a significant collection. “When she gets a new piece, I can see her really happy. Truly happy, and feeling really resolved and fulfilled. That’s a great feeling for me.” Peruse Grossman’s alluring wares at Bonfire Coffee, the Redstone General Store, the Annual Fire House Holiday sale (Nov. 20, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.) and the RVR Barn popup (on Dec. 5, from 1 to 4 p.m.).
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THE SOPRIS SUN • Your weekly community connector • Nov. 25 - Dec. 1, 2021 • 21
Participants find profound connections during a People’s Summit for Climate Justice event at the GalGael in Glasgow. Sharing untold climate stories of extractivism, climate colonialism and community alternatives brought together locals and global participants, with conversations centered on the interplay between extractivist logics, climate emergency, colonialist responses and how community practices resist false solutions. Courtesy photo
COP26: Becoming better ancestors By Sarah R. Johnson Environmental Education Specialist Wild Rose Education
The world needs you, and you, and you, and each and every one of us to operate together as an authentic community, built of genuine relationships and deep care for one another and our common home: Planet Earth. This communal leadership is what will change the world quickly. It did not, and will not, happen by the world leaders who convened at the United Nations Conference of the Parties (COP26) in Glasgow, Scotland during the first two weeks of November. Politicians motivated by capitalism, who view people as consumers rather than citizens, are not the solution. I was there at the COP26 as an nongovernmental (NGO) observer delegate with
the U.S. Action for Climate Empowerment (ACE) coalition. I shared in the intense feeling of disappointment, watching as very few change-making decisions were made, and feeling the weight and gravity of the moment as the world was watching Glasgow. It was an experience that will forever change my understanding of the actual impact climate change has on people globally, and the fight for real climate justice in the Global South in the midst of rampant carbon colonialism. It will be impossible for me to un-see. Forging new relationships with powerful articulate change makers was the most inspiring piece of the two-week global experience. Women from island countries, youth leaders
from around the world, river and watershed protectors from Patagonia, Inuit scientists and activists from the Arctic Circle and climate educators from across America were just a few of the people I encountered. Their passion, authenticity, kindness and professionalism as effective advocates and activists was contagious and inspiring. Here are a few things we can all do to take action now to join the global movement to work to create a future where ALL people are welcome, empowered and included in the race for climate solutions. Begin by asking yourself, “What type of ancestor do I want to be?” Write, draw, sing or dance the story Continued on page 23
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Continued from page 22 you want to become. Tap into your deeper self and feed your soul some love; remind yourself that you are enough. You have what it takes to participate and be an active part of the community where you are. Then, start to seek out and listen to the stories that truly matter and tune out the noise that is so loud. Listen for climate science facts, as well as stories of people’s ambition and determination and communities fighting for justice. Amplify these stories. Join in authentic solidarity with someone not like yourself, from a different cultural background or ideology. Don’t just send money. Instead, learn their stories, feel their pain, hold their hand and walk alongside them fighting for a better future. Stay curious and full of wonder. Notice the beauty around you each and every day; be amazed by it and celebrate and share it with those you love. By creating and leaning into a new story, the ripple effect begins. As the everyday narrative begins to evolve, so do the people who live and hear it. We become healthier, and so does the planet. We become hopeful, inspired and our ability to work toward real, active change becomes energized. We come together and build a community that is more grounded, trusting, full of life and genuinely connected. This connectedness builds power: power bigger than any one person can manifest by themselves; power to change the world as we know it. The power is within the people to create systems change and climate justice. We are what the world needs, power of the people, an unstoppable global movement. Read more about Sarah’s COP26 experience at www.WildRoseEducation.com/UNCOP
Above: (from left) Kyle Hill, University of North Dakota; Nicole Donaghy, North Dakota Native Vote; and Ashley Fairbanks, 100% Campaign; presenting during the People’s Summit for Climate Justice in Glasgow outside of the COP26 conference. They discussed their lived experiences as Indigenous people on Turtle Island, current efforts to combat the climate crisis, climate resilience frameworks and challenges posed by settler-colonialism, extractive industries, capitalism and globalization. Courtesy photo Left: Building a new friendship with Germaine Umuraza, climate programme director for the World Association for Girl Guides and Girl Scouts, was a highlight of Sarah Johnson’s experience at COP26. Here, they pose in front of the UN Sustainable Development Goals expressed in numerous world languages, including Kinyarwand, the language of Germain's home country, Rwanda. Courtesy photo
THE SOPRIS SUN • Your weekly community connector • Nov. 25 - Dec. 1, 2021 • 23
REVIEWS
Cody Owen and inner ability By James Steindler Contributing Editor
Jean Owen inscribes a personal note during the book launch at the Third Street Center. Photo by James Steindler
Donald Clinton Owen more commonly went by Cody, a nickname he picked up while serving in Vietnam. Cody positively influenced people and institutions within the Roaring Fork Valley before passing away in 2009; his spirit lives on through those he loved and the differences he made. His wife, Jean Owen, recently published a book of “meditations” that Cody came up with over the years. The book’s title is “Schuring: One Soldier’s Path to Peace.” On Nov. 18, Jean spoke to an intimate group of people at the book’s launch at The Third Street Center. Cody’s collected “meditations'' are short paragraphs and phrases. “Schuring” is something that Cody thought up as a young man, before the weight of the war. He used the mantra during transcendental meditation practice to get closer to God. He was instructed to pick a Sanskrit word that didn’t necessarily have any meaning to use during meditation, and not to share it with anyone — to keep it between him and God. After experiencing the brutal reality of war, Cody wished in retrospect that he could have carried a source of positive and celestial words to give him a reprieve from his harsh reality at the time. Years later, and just as he intended, the book is small enough to fit into a rucksack to take along on any journey. Some years after coming back from the
war, Cody started riding his bike. He then created his own nonprofit called Ride for a Cause in the ‘90s. At that time, he asked God for permission to share his mantra, “schuring” with others and still use it in prayer. To him, the word came to mean: “...only God, only love, only forgiveness, only service.” The first two years he rode his bike great distances in recognition of Alzheimer's disease. Along the rides, he would stop and set up an informational table and speak with folks about his purpose and the illness. It was during one of these rides when he met Jean, whose father was suffering from Alzheimer’s at the time. The two married during one of his rides in 1995. “For the next four years, he rode for spina bifida,” explained Jean. At the time, it was determined that spina bifida was a birth defect increasingly caused due to a parent being exposed to Agent Orange. Cody himself ended-up dealing with the harsh effects of agent orange and developed blood clots in his right leg. Eventually, he was faced with losing his leg from the knee down. “They say, ‘freedom isn’t free,’ someone pays for it,” lamented Jean, “and as a soldier, as a Vietnam vet in combat, he paid dearly for it.” Cody had been through the wringer before and remained positive. In fact, “He said that having the amputation gave him a second lease on life,” Jean recalled. Living with posttraumatic stress disorder, “he always had to Continued on page 25
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THE SOPRIS SUN • Your weekly community connector • Nov. 25 - Dec. 1, 2021 • 24
REVIEWS
On 'The Summer of Lost Letters' By Jamie Dale GCPLD Youth Services Coordinator
Donald "Cody" Owen and his service dog Yogi guide a child and his mother across Highway 133. Courtesy photo
Continued from page 24 fight depression,” Jean stated. “And as a person with a disability, he didn’t dare let discouragement get him down.” He continued to ride his bike, and to ride for a cause. Later in life, Cody lived at Crystal Meadows Senior Housing on Hendrick Drive in Carbondale. He pushed for improvements made at the neighboring Hendrick Dog Park. He, along with his friend Jim Finch, also successfully advocated for enhanced accessibility standards for RFTA services. For a time, he worked as a crossing guard every morning and evening at the intersection of Highway 133 and Hendrick Drive. Cody served on Carbondale’s Parks and Rec Commission and was the disability consultant for the town. After his passing, the Carbondale trustees issued a proclamation honoring Cody’s “courage and service.” The proclamation reads: “...the Town is a far better place for the brief and magnificent presence of our devoted, courageous friend.” “I believe every person has the ability to overcome challenges,” Cody wrote in the book’s introduction. “Therefore, my emphasis is on the ability in everyone, rather than on any disability.”
As a child, I would often leave fake love letters hidden in the walls of houses while we were moving out. I wanted desperately to find one of these hidden messages myself; to have the joy and intrigue of solving a mystery and learning of a secret, tragic love affair. I wanted to give that joy to someone else (although my fake love letters would not lead to any secret love affair, nor could they be “solved,” as they were fake). I blame this on the obsession I developed in the third grade with Nancy Drew. The mere idea that someone could happen upon my letter and get that thrill of a romantic mystery to solve, a thrill I so fiercely longed for, was reason enough for me to continue my dalliance with the world of faux mysteries. Understandably, when I came across Hannah Reynolds’ “The Summer of Lost Letters”, I was intrigued. Reynolds weaves a charming tale of mystery, discovery and intertwining transgenerational love affairs. Throw in some environmental concerns, social awareness and Jewish history, and this book checks every box. Our protagonist, Abby Schoenberg is a spirited 17-year-old with a love of history and a complicated relationship with her deceased grandmother, O’Ma. After receiving a box of her possessions,
she comes across a set of love letters from the mysterious E. Abby and is immediately drawn into the hidden past of her O’Ma. She decides to go on a journey to solve the mystery and use it as fodder for her college admissions essays. The letters lead her to a wealthy family and their estate in Nantucket, where she has a run-in with E’s grandson that leaves her more determined to figure out what secrets the family is harboring and how they relate to O’Ma. The story unfolds across the month of June in the sweltering heat of Nantucket. Abby and Noah grow closer as they unravel the mystery of O’Ma and E, and family secrets lead to trouble for everyone. With a somewhat predictable, yet satisfying ending, the mystery is unraveled and Abby and Noah realize they may not know as much as they originally thought about love, family obligation and the choices their grandparents made. The entire story is a juxtaposition of the past and present. A true picture of how the struggle of immigrant grandparents leads to the opportunity of third-generation grandchildren. Reynolds weaves in tales of beach bonfires, yacht trips and mansion parties as easily as stories of Jewish children fleeing Nazi Germany to come to America in search a better future while leaving behind family and all they once knew.
Courtesy graphic
She highlights the American Kindertransport and the 1,000 children adopted into American families during that time, and she manages to do it in a way that feels respectful, honest and real. While this is a book targeted toward teens, it is a story that is relevant and compelling and can be enjoyed by all ages. Take the time to immerse yourselves in this story of love, family and history. You won’t be disappointed. “Recommended Reading” is a collaboration between The Sopris Sun and the Garfield County Public Libraries District (GCPLD), highlighting important literature available at local libraries.
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SIP, SHOP + CONNECT Healthy Holiday Happy Hours at True Nature Healing Arts Join us at True Nature Healing Arts every Thursday in December for after-hours shopping specials, cafe offerings, and LIVE MUSIC! Sip, shop, and connect with our community. Boutique specialists will be on hand to explain the ethics behind our collection of consciously curated gifts. We want you to feel good about what you are supporting and bringing in this season while treating your loved ones.
THURSDAYS IN DECEMBER 6-8PM DECEMBER 2ND, 9TH, 16TH, 23RD, 30TH THE SOPRIS SUN • Your weekly community connector • Nov. 25 - Dec. 1, 2021 • 25
LETTERS
Continued from page 2
Structures account for about 40% of greenhouse gas emissions in this country. Ithaca is saying their efforts will save 160,000 tons of carbon dioxide, the equivalent of a year’s worth of driving for 35,000 cars. Ithaca has hired a Brooklyn-based firm named BlocPower to conduct the transition. They’ve already retrofitted more than 1,000 apartments in their home borough in less than two years. Ithaca’s goal is to meet all electricity needs with renewable energy by 2025 and achieve carbon neutrality by 2030.
All of this, of course, will be very expensive. Ithaca plans to defer the costs with private equity, state and federal incentives, and manufacturer rebates. Our town trustees, Planning and Zoning Commission, Environmental Board and Clean Energy Economy for the Region should look into what Ithaca and other forward-looking communities are doing to stem the tide of climate change. Fred Malo Jr. Carbondale
LEGALS PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a Public Hearing will be held before the Carbondale Planning Commission for the purpose of considering a Subdivision Exemption to subdivide a 1.417 acre parcel into two lots as follows: Lot 1 0.813 acres Lot 2 0.604 acres The new Subdivision Exemption would be known as the Roaring Fork Valley Cooperative Subdivision Exemption. The property is located at 761 Industry Place. The parcel is east of Roaring Fork Coop and north of Industry Place. The subdivision includes the dedication of 20 ft. wide access easement located on Lot 1 for the benefit of Lot 2 for the purpose of ingress and egress to and from Lot 2 to Industry Place. The owner is Roaring Fork Cooperative Association, Tom Harrington, President of the Board. The applicant is Janet Buck, Planning Director, Town of Carbondale. Said Public Hearing will be held at 7:00 p.m. on December 16, 2021. You may watch a live streaming of the meeting on You Tube. Search Town of Carbondale Planning and Zoning Commission meeting. Please be aware that you will experience a 15-30 second delay. If you would like to submit comments regarding this application, email your comments or letter to msikes@carbondaleco.net by 4:00 pm on December 16, 2021. This email or letter will be entered into the record. If you would like to comment during the meeting, email msikes@carbondaleco.net with your full name and address by 4:00 pm on December 16, 2021. You will receive instructions on joining the meeting online prior to 7:00 p.m.
Also, you may contact msikes@carbondaleco.net to get a phone number to listen to the meeting, however, you will be unable to make comments. Wifi will be available in the lobby of Town Hall and a phone will also be available in the lobby for the public to listen to the meeting. Please email Janet Buck at jbuck@carbondaleco. net or call 970/510-1208 by 4:00 p.m. the date of the public hearing if special accommodations are necessary to participate in the meeting. Copies of the proposed application are available on the Town’s website at www.carbondalegov.org. Please contact msikes@carbondaleco.net if you are unable to view the application on the Town’s website and would like to request an alternate method of review. Janet Buck Town Planner PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a Public Hearing will be held before the Carbondale Planning Commission for the purpose of considering a Subdivision Exemption to combine the following two lots into one lot in order to expand the Town of Carbondale Public Works Yard: The northerly .604 acres of property located at 761 Industry Place (parcel east of Roaring Fork Coop and north of Industry Place) – Lot 2 of the future Roaring Fork Cooperative Subdivision Exemption if approved Lot 2, Carbondale Highway 133 Subdivision Exemption – 0756 Highway 133 (Existing Public Works Yard located east of Grand Junction Pipe) The owners are Roaring Fork Cooperative Association, Tom Harrington, President of the
Board, and the Town of Carbondale, respectively. The applicant is Janet Buck, Planning Director, Town of Carbondale. Said Public Hearing will be held at 7:00 p.m. on December 16, 2021. You may watch a live streaming of the meeting on You Tube. Search Town of Carbondale Planning and Zoning Commission meeting. Please be aware that you will experience a 15-30 second delay. If you would like to submit comments regarding this application, email your comments or letter to msikes@carbondaleco.net by 4:00 pm on December 16, 2021. This email or letter will be entered into the record. If you would like to comment during the meeting, email msikes@carbondaleco.net with your full name and address by 4:00 pm on December 16, 2021. You will receive instructions on joining the meeting online prior to 7:00 p.m. Also, you may contact msikes@carbondaleco.net to get a phone number to listen to the meeting, however, you will be unable to make comments. Wifi will be available in the lobby of Town Hall and a phone will also be available in the lobby for the public to listen to the meeting. Please email Janet Buck at jbuck@carbondaleco. net or call 970/510-1208 by 4:00 p.m. the date of the public hearing if special accommodations are necessary to participate in the meeting. Copies of the proposed application are available on the Town’s website at www.carbondalegov.org. Please contact msikes@carbondaleco.net if you are unable to view the application on the Town’s website and would like to request an alternate method of review. Janet Buck Town Planner
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OBITUARY
PARTING SHOTS
David Mork
Jan. 11, 1947 - Nov. 3, 2021 David Wallace Mork, a longtime resident of the Roaring Fork Valley, passed away at the age of 74. Born in Boston, Massachusetts, he quickly left the East Coast for greater adventures to the West and to explore the world, particularly Asia, as a young adult. He eventually landed back in Aspen, but built his life and home in Carbondale with his wife, Nanna Schov, and his children, Andreas and Maria Mork. David's love for the outdoors was unparalleled, which started at an early age when his dad would bring him and his siblings skiing in Aspen in the ‘60s. Whether it was hiking and backpacking the mountains of Colorado (including all the 14ers), rafting roaring rivers, skiing in all its forms or camping with the family, being connected to mother nature was his biggest passion. He loved listening to music (and the weather), taking care of his home and traveling. Community development was also important to him. He was a smart and stubborn man who was a wellknown character up and down the valley, always willing to chat and share a smoke. Although his final years were riddled with obstacles and difficulties, he lived a long and noteworthy life. He always said that life was no dress rehearsal. He is loved and missed by his family and many friends. A memorial will be announced at a later date.
Above and Left: On Dec. 11, Basalt and Roaring Fork High School students from the Buddy Program's Outdoor Leadership classes took an Ecoflight in support of their studies of public lands management. Ecoflight is a local non-profit that advocates for the protection of wild lands through aerial education. Below: This recently completed five- megawatt solar array in Pitkin County will host a ribbon cutting on Dec. 8 at 2 p.m. The 35-acre project sells electricity to Holy Cross Energy, which expects the project to power approximately 900 homes. Photos by Olivia Emmer
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