Sopris the
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Sun
¡Aqui! ¡Adentro! Sol del el
Valle
una nueva publicación semanal con noticias Volume 13, Number 47 | Dec. 30 2021 - Jan. 5, 2022 locales en español.
Looking back, looking ahead
Despite the challenges, our community found ample opportunity to celebrate in 2021. Photos by Jamie Wall (top left), Paula Mayer (center), Klaus Kocher (bottom left) and Sue Rollyson (right)
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.
MUSING
EDITOR
By Raleigh Burleigh How to sum up a year like 2021? Chinese Astrology deemed it the “Year of the Metal Ox,” which I associate with a lot of hard work. And indeed it was. Mentally, emotionally, physically — we’ve all been challenged to rise above exceedingly difficult circumstances. Or, at least, to rise out of bed and seek beauty somewhere. Thankfully, we’re made small by the epic beauty of the Rocky Mountains that surround us, hunkered between rivers and gleeful beneath it all. All said, the year that may have topped 2020 for demanding inner strength is nearly concluded. Amid “back to normal” expectations in a fundamentally changed world, we’ve made it to the grand psychological reset that is New Year’s Eve.
A toast to the stories yet untold What lies beyond the threshold of midnight, Jan. 1, is yet unwritten. A year from now, the stories we tell about 2022 will depend on how we choose to live each day. May the motivations behind our actions be known to us. May we choose to operate from the wisdom of our hearts, above all else. It is a special opportunity to view the unfolding of a year through the lens of a weekly newspaper and its myriad stories. The flavor of 2021 was unrelenting: year two of a pandemic, small-town outgrowing its character and social fractures widening globally. I take pause and offer gratitude. First, to you. The reader. Whoever and wherever you are, choosing to give thought to these words, I thank you. Second, to our board of directors. This valley knows the effort it takes to sustain a nonprofit. Your time, attention and devotion to our mission keep us true. Donors — you affirm a nonprofit’s value. Bless you for giving of your earnings that organizations like ours may exist. Likewise, thank you to our advertisers for choosing to be seen in The Sopris Sun. Of course, a cheers to the dedicated people that make this newspaper a weekly reality. Namely,
Todd Chamberlin going after the money, big and small. James Steindler, who made contributing editor in July, my camel’s back would have split around then had you not joined the fray as a part-time employee. The exuberant charm that you imbue into each issue is beyond articulation. I offer a special thanks to Ylice Golden, who taught me many things, every day. Ylice, your mark on The Sopris Sun was substantial and we’re better for it. Thank you for mentoring me into the print medium over this past year. I am grateful to Will Grandbois, another teacher, for stepping in as a graphic designer these past few weeks and sharing more of the insight that distinguishes this paper. To the freelance team and all guest contributors, The Sopris Sun would be a shell without you — devoid of the diverse perspectives that give it vibrant relevancy and life. The artists that lend their talents to making every paper a classic are also profoundly appreciated. And how would the paper arrive in anyone's hands without the fearless tenacity of a great distribution person? Through the summer madness of relentless landslides and into the icy uncertainty of winter,
Crystal Tapp, Fred Kischbaum and each fill-in have gotten the job done without fail. While we count our blessings, I’d be remiss not to mention the inspiring field of journalists that keep the craft alive and well in the Roaring Fork and Crystal valleys. The Sopris Sun’s own youth journalists, too, give us hope and motivation for carrying forth the torch that is this timeless essential service: the keeping of our local stories. I am proud to have completed a year now as editor. It’s a tremendous amount of responsibility that I do not take lightly. I thank each person that has helped me along the way, maintaining this publication accountable to journalistic virtue, its rich historical origins and the current needs of our region’s people. On behalf of The Sopris Sun, we look forward to experiencing this coming year together with you, our neighbors and friends. Never hesitate to drop us a note, continue a conversation in the letters, pitch a photo or story opportunity and think about contributing yourself. What defines community media is the community it represents. That remains our focus. Until next week, remember that you feed the world. So make it good.
LETTERS 350 Roaring Fork "Picture a bright blue ball just spinning, spinning free. It's dizzy with possibilities..." Bob Weir and John Barlow Some of us gather on Friday mornings at 8 a.m. to remember our personal connection to the planet and its future. We remind some others as well by carrying signs along 133 and 82. We support the work of 350 Colorado Roaring Fork Valley. And we invite all to join us. Meet outside La Fogata (995 Cowen Drive, Carbondale) at 8 a.m. on Friday mornings. For an hour each week, let's try to be the change we seek in the world. Jimmy Byrne Carbondale
New pool Carbondale trustees are sending a request for a new aquatic center to voters this coming April. Also on the ballot will be the mayoral and three trustee seats. The aquatic center, a euphemism for “fancy swimming pool,” will be financed by the issuance of $8 million in bonds, which will be paid for by extending the half cent sales tax that paid for our state-of-the-art rec center built about 15 years ago. An aquatic center sure seems like a luxury and not a necessity at this time. This is especially true if the voters view this in the context of the substantial and critical capital outlays coming in the very near future. Assuming we put our money where our
mouth is, these include providing workforce housing for our policemen, firemen, town employees, teachers and worker bees. The current policy of uncontrolled growth, and the ratio of building residential which is 20% affordable and 80% free market, is creating more problems than it is solving. Also on the front burner should be the implementation of our Climate Action Plan. There is an important deadline in 2030 which needs to be prioritized. Required will be the retrofit of most existing buildings, both commercial and residential. Glenwood Springs is having to spend $10,000,000 for water delivery improvements due to the Grizzly Creek Fire. This was not expected, and we should be planning for the unexpected as well with climate change effects seemingly on a steroidal feedback loop. To retrofit the buildings in town to net zero would probably cost about $20 million — that is what I call a SWAG (sophisticated wild ass guess) based on the bonding done by Ithaca, New York, for $100 million for 30,000 residents. This is a property tax issue. Hopefully we can get a match as well. For comparison’s sake in the Valley, Basalt just approved a $18,000,000 bond issue to makeover Midland Avenue, prioritize the creation of workforce housing and provide for “green” projects including solar development with battery storage and vehicle charging stations. Carbondale needs at least $10 million
to make a dent in our workforce housing shortage (based on the Basalt bond above). My recommendation would be rededicating the half cent sales tax from the pool to our workforce housing needs. Carbondale just raised property taxes on residents to increase teacher salaries, a worthy and admirable undertaking. Now we are asking the taxpayers to continue a half cent sales tax for an aquatic center? There is a great facility we can access in Glenwood Springs, and I swam in lakes and rivers when I was growing up. Carbondale needs to inform the public that we have some other big ticket money items coming. I cannot in good conscience support a new swimming pool when workforce housing and climate change resilience need to be on the proverbial front burner. Frosty Merriott Carbondale
Winter seeds
Todd Chamberlin 970-510-0246 • adsales@soprissun.com
Editor
Raleigh Burleigh 970-510-3003 • news@soprissun.com
Contributing Editor James Steindler
Interim Graphic Designers
Will Grandbois & Alyssa Ohnmacht
Delivery
Frederic Kischbaum
Proofreader Lee Beck
Current Board Members board@soprissun.com
Klaus Kocher • Kay Clarke Lee Beck • Megan Tackett Gayle Wells • Donna Dayton Terri Ritchie • Vanessa Porras Eric Smith • Larry Day The Sopris Sun Board meets at 6:30 p.m. on first Thursdays on Zoom.
Sincerest thanks to our Honorary Publishers for their annual commitment of $1,000+
Lee Beck & John Stickney Kay Brunnier Michelle & Ed Buchman Toni Cerise CoVenture Sue Edelstein & Bill Spence Deborah & Shane Evans Greg & Kathy Feinsinger Peter & Mike Gilbert Gary & Jill Knaus Carly & Frosty Merriott Mama Sandy & Lee Mulcahy James Noyes Ken & Donna Riley Patti & George Stranahan Anne Sullivan & John Colson Megan Tackett True Nature Healing Arts Elizabeth Wysong Alpine Bank
Legacy Givers
for including us in their final wishes.
Mary Lilly
Donate by mail or online. P.O. Box 399 Carbondale, CO 81623 520 S. Third Street #26-B 970-510-3003
The wild clematis Now dusty silver, still clings To fences and trees. Jampa Carbondale
Time of your life Time is relentless But memories are timeless Make more memories JM Jesse Glenwood Springs
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 • Dec. 30, 2021 - Jan. 5, 2022
Executive Director
soprissun.com The Sopris Sun, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation with a mission to inform, inspire and build community by fostering diverse and independent journliasm. Donations are fully tax deductible. The Sopris Sun, Inc. is a proud member of the Carbondale Creative District
YEAR IN REVIEW Dec. 21, 2020 — a grand conjunction between planets Saturn and Jupiter, on the solstice, signaled the beginning of “a new epoch,” in the words of Sopris Sun columnist Whitney Will (Sun Signs), “that will see us through until the year 2219.” Year one of that nearly 200 year epoch was a rollercoaster for shared frustrations and renewed hope as the pandemic never faded from peoples’ minds and news headlines. Nonetheless, life continued amid the backdrop of not-quite-back-to-normal.
When was normal?
May
January The vaccination program quickly advanced in Colorado, making first and second doses available to health workers, persons over the age of 70 and first responders. The next round included school workers, postal workers, transportation workers, supermarket employees, legislators and journalists. Garfield County Public Libraries District eliminated late fees (but kept a replacement fee for items not returned within 60 days). The Carbondale Historical Society recovered Mary Ferguson’s “This I Remember” tapes, featuring oral histories broadcast on KDNK in the ‘80s. Crystal River Elementary School students enjoyed a new ice skating rink installed by Marty Madsen with help from CUC Construction. Rick Holmstrom, the new owner of the Dinkel Building, told The Sopris Sun, “the intent here is not to do some crazy repurposing of the building or modern, out-of-character work on it,” rather, “I think the effort is going to be to provide the TLC [time, love and care] that the building needs.”
February José Miranda, founder of Rocking TT Bar, filed a formal appeal contesting Pitkin County Open Space’s decision to lease a Glassier Open Space plot to Marigold Livestock Co. Ultimately, the appeal was denied, but generated much discussion surrounding the process and overall (lack of ) availability of arable land. On Feb. 8, Michael Francisco appeared at the Carbondale municipal court, defending against trespassing charges filed by City Market and subsequent charges for resisting arrest… It's a long story. Over the course of several appearances, Francisco saw a swell of support from Carbondale residents. Carbondale trustees approved plans to redevelop the Sopris Shopping Center on Feb. 9. The two mixed-use apartment buildings now under construction will include 76 residential rental units and 10,370 square feet of commercial space. Additionally, Sopris Self
The Carbondale Historical Society installed a cross-section from a 120-year-old blue spruce tree along the Rio Grande Trail next to Town Hall. The tree was removed from near the historic Thompson House. Artist John Williams marked the slice with historical events that occurred during the tree’s life. Holy Cross Energy announced that, in partnership with Colorado Mountain College, 4.5-megawatts solar installation will be installed near the Spring Valley Campus.
Beth White snapped this shot of the Gaden Shartse monks, returning from the Crystal River where their sand mandala was ritually released to the waters. Storage will expand to 68,000 square feet of climate-controlled storage. Carbondale Arts, in partnership with Barbara Frota and the American Heart Association, hosted the first-ever “Light the Night with Love,” an illuminated art walk along the Rio Grande Trail. Texas storms caused a spike in demand for natural gas, affecting prices nationwide. As reported by Olivia Emmer, Holy Cross Energy was able to absorb much of the cost thanks to a diversified portfolio.
March The third annual Imagine Climate event, hosted by the Community Office for Resource Efficiency, decorated three Colorado Mountain College buildings with temporary murals displaying local faces. Participants also recorded their personal climate stories, which were aired by KDNK and Aspen Public Radio. High Q, a retail marijuana store, moved into the former location of Miser’s Mercantile on Main Street in Carbondale. El Sol del Valle launched on March 11, establishing The Sopris Sun as a bilingual paper. In lieu of the annual fashion show, Carbondale Arts partnered with local restaurants to photograph models sporting fashion lines from the canceled 2020 show. Local K-12 kids took over the Aspen Art Museum with “Still Lifes and Works from Home,” an exhibit organized by Adam Stamp.
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The Roaring Fork High School (RFHS) baseball team raised funds for an indoor batting facility, receiving donations from the community and local businesses. The White River National Forest received comments for a plan to address declining aspen tree populations, “due to drought, insects, disease, wildfire suppression and browsing pressure.”
April After a 14 month process to settle on a new design for Eighth Street, and a large turnout of neighbors opposing the Bike, Pedestrian and Trails Commission’s recommendation which would have eliminated parking on one side of the street, Carbondale’s trustees chose to maintain the parking while still widening and connecting sidewalks. RFHS senior Hannah Miller painted a large Pride flag outside the Carbondale Rec Center as part of her capstone project. Megan Baiardo was hired as the new RFHS principal, after Lyn Bair announced her retirement. Later, Cora Carballeira was selected as RFHS vice principal. Megan Hartmass was hired to serve as vice principal at Basalt High School, filling Baiardo’s previous role. At Crystal River Elementary School, Aimee Brockman moved from vice principal to principal with the departure of Matt Koenigsknecht. Former teacher Kendall Reiley stepped up to serve as Brockman’s vice principal.
Making good on a campaign promise by Garfield County Commissioner Mike Samson, dialogue began with New Castle Councilor Crystal Mariscal to form what would become the Garfield County Latino Community Committee. The group first met on July 21 in Glenwood Springs and has continued meeting monthly throughout the county. Gunnison County Commissioners deferred taking action to regulate the amount of ATVs accessing the Lead King Loop via Marble. Valley View Hospital welcomed folks to their new Urgent After-Hours walk-in clinic. On May 25, Carbondale trustees denied an application by ANB Bank to move from their current location on Dolores Way to a planned building next to the new City Market. Warm weather brought a renewal of beloved traditions, like First Friday celebrations, school plays, Carbondale Bike Week, Wilderness Workshop community hikes and more.
June Matt Hoogenboom was crowned Mr. Roaring Fork at KDNK's most rambunctious fundraiser, held outside this year. The Carbondale Wild West Rodeo returned to the Gus Darien Arena after being canceled all of last summer. The Carbondale Farmers’ Market also returned with fewer COVID precautions than the previous summer. Carbondale's police department welcomed the public to attend its firstever Citizens Academy, educating residents about the work while also deepening conversations. Consultant Cushing Terrell was contracted by the town of Carbondale to lead the process for an update to the 2013 Comprehensive Plan. The Crystal Theatre reopened at halfcapacity requiring proof of vaccination. Continued on page 5
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Audio and visual excellence all under one roof ! THE SOPRIS SUN • Your weekly community connector • Dec. 30, 2021 - Jan. 5, 2022 • 3
SCUTTLEBUTT Masks required
wolves to the state. For more info regarding the reintroduction planning process, visit: www.wolfengagementco.org/advisory-groups
The Roaring Fork Transportation Authority would like to remind passengers that masks are required while riding the bus, regardless of vaccination status. The federal mask requirement on public transportation remains in effect through March 18, and local bus service will be impacted if too many drivers are exposed to the virus.
Hunger-free Colorado Mountain College (CMC) was recognized by the state for supporting students with limited access to food at all 11 of its campuses. CMC recognizes that food insecurity can lead to lower grades, poor mental health and a limited social life. Each campus now has free food pantries with non-perishable items and, occasionally, donated vegetables. The program called “Swipe Out Hunger” also provides students with cafeteria meals.
Sustainable devo The Aspen International Mountain Foundation was awarded $100,000 from the state of Colorado toward hosting the United Nations Mountain Partnership Global Meeting at the Aspen Institute campus in September 2022. The United Nations General Assembly has proclaimed 2022 as the “International Year of Sustainable Mountain Development.”
Trustee openings Citizens interested in running for a Carbondale trustee position, or even the mayoral seat, can submit their petition beginning Jan. 4. Petitions will be available at Town Hall during business hours and must be completed and returned by Jan. 24. For more info, email cderby@carbondaleco.net
Youth advice YouthZone is seeking students from Parachute to Aspen to help develop a youth advisory council to advise the nonprofit’s board of directors and staff. Youth leaders will be asked to attend monthly virtual meetings and may apply, or be referred, at www. youthzone.com or by calling 970-945-1300.
Garfield broadband Carbondale resident Jinx Riedesel, known for her love of music and literature, was recently diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor. “Her decline has been rapid and the prognosis isn’t good,” her son told The Sopris Sun. In the spirit of Christmas, neighbor Peggy Beehler organized friends to serenade Riedesel from the back deck of her home in River Valley Ranch on Dec. 21. Courtesy photo
Responding to Omicron The city of Glenwood Springs is implementing safety precautions to guard against the spread of COVID-19. These include requiring all staff and visitors to wear surgicalstyle masks while inside city facilities through January. Additionally, public meetings with more than 10 people will be held virtually and court dates will occur by phone for the month.
Food assistance The Colorado Department of Education has supported 500,000 children and families experiencing food insecurity during the pandemic. Eligible families whose children
4 • THE SOPRIS SUN • soprissun.com • Dec. 30, 2021 - Jan. 5, 2022
did not have access to free or reduced cost meals, due to school closures, were reimbursed through Colorado’s Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer (P-EBT) program. Visit www.colorado.gov/cdhs/p-ebt for more info.
Wolf kill The Colorado Department of Wildlife (CPW) determined the cause of death of a calf in North Park (north-central Colorado) was due to wolf depredation. The livestock owner will be compensated the same as if a bear or mountain lion had attacked the calf. CPW is in the process of formulating wolf management policy after Colorado voters passed a referendum to reintroduce gray
Garfield County has contracted with Vero Fiber Networks, LLC to build upon infrastructure and enhance broadband connectivity in the region. The project will be funded by nearly a million dollars from a Department of Local Affairs grant. County Commissioners kicked in an additional $200,000 in American Rescue Plan Act funds.
They say it’s your birthday Folks celebrating another trip around the sun this week include: Beymar Silva and Stephanie Syson (Dec. 30); Chris Barlow and Kris Cook (Dec. 31); Ryan Camp, Anne Grice, DJ Hill and Dan Sadowsky (Jan. 1); Dustin Eli and Eric Rudd (Jan. 2); Angela Bruno, Patrick Casse, Jay Engstrom and Mark Hamilton, (Jan. 3); Bob Albright, Skip Bell, Rick Herrington, Pat Murray, Paul Nieslanik, Brad Palmer and Melinda Schultz (Jan. 4); Logan Doherty, JP Bauer and Rachel Orosz (Jan. 5).
YEAR IN REVIEW Continued from page 3 Garfield County Commissioners heard extensive comments from proponents and opponents before denying Ascendigo Autism Services’ proposal for a summer camp facility at their property in Missouri Heights. As a consequence of 2020’s Grizzly Creek Fire, mudslides began closing the Glenwood Canyon with frequency. Debris also flowed into the Colorado River and destroyed the trail to Hanging Lake.
July On July 7, Sopris Lodge opened to seniors. Sopris Sun cartoonist Larry Day was announced the winner of the poster and t-shirt design contest for the 50th Carbondale Mountain Fair. Former Town Manager Jay Harrington announced his imminent departure from the role. Public Works Director Kevin Schorzman has filled in since August. Lauren Gister will take over in January 2022. “Help wanted” signs began proliferating around town as the “Great Resignation” rolled across the country. Carbondale Arts treated the community to a grand celebration for the 50th Mountain Fair. A good time was had by all, but anecdotally, dozens may have caught COVID during the event.
August It was announced that the Roaring Fork School District would begin the fall semester requiring masks inside buildings. RE-2 took a different approach, but ended up requiring masks too, about a month into the semester.
A coalition assembled by the Community Office for Resource Efficiency, scientist Chris Caskey and Aspen Skiing CO met with Senator Michael Bennet in Redstone to discuss methane leakage from retired coal mines in the Crystal Valley. Aspen Valley Land Trust closed on the Coffman Ranch, 1.4 miles east of downtown Carbondale. The property will remain conserved for habitat and agriculture and become the home of an educational facility.
September Carbondale Arts teamed up with Art of Air to host the first-ever Convergent Circus at 13 Moons Ranch. Thunder River Theatre Company returned to the stage with “Men On Boats” — the first in-person show there since before COVID, albeit with precautions.
October VOICES and The Arts Campus at Willits (TACAW) presented “Nuestras voces – Teatro en Español,” embracing Spanishlanguage theater in the Roaring Fork Valley. This came shortly after TACAW began hosting events at their newly-constructed venue, The Contemporary. The Carbondale Historical Society installed a new 2.7-mile history trail in River Valley Ranch, with kiosks documenting local history. Glenwood Springs Middle School teacher Autumn Rivera was named 2022 Colorado Teacher of the Year! Colorado Extreme began offering free hockey lessons for youth at Crown Mountain Park.
The Rams fielded its first varsity football team since 2017 in a strange spring season, though they didn't get an official homecoming until the fall. Photo by Sue Rollyson
November Colorado Parks and Wildlife solicited public feedback on a proposal to increase the number of hunting licenses for bears in an effort to reduce the frequency of human-bear conflicts, which have begun to overtake the agency’s capacity to handle. Basalt High School senior Katelyn Maley defended her title as 3A individual state champion in cross country. Ra-ra-rams! The RFHS boys soccer team won the 3A state championship match against Jefferson Academy on Nov. 12.
December Event cancellations began again as the Omicron variant of the COVID virus caused a new spike of cases.
Youth DJs took over KDNK’s airwaves for a full 24 hours in a fundraiser for the Andy Zanca Youth Empowerment Program. Photo by James Steindler
THE SOPRIS SUN • Your weekly community connector • Dec. 30, 2021 - Jan. 5, 2022 • 5
COMMUNITY CALENDAR
Visit soprissun.com to submit events.
The Mount Sopris Nordic Council depends on annual memberships to keep Spring Gulch nordic ski trails groomed and open to the public. Become a member for the 2021/2022 season!
Support Spring Gulch You could score a new Spring Gulch Headband! The first 175 people to contribute at $125 or more will receive a custom made in Colorado headband by Kind Design, Inc.
www.springgulch.org
Tune in to Everything Under The Sun on KDNK for an on-air performance by the Red Hill Rollers at 4 p.m. Dec. 30. The group will be playing at Steve’s Guitars on Dec. 31 from 9 p.m. to midnight to bring in the new year and celebrate the release of their first album. Photo by James Steindler
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 30 HOLIDAY HAPPY HOURS
True Nature welcomes you to sip and shop with live music every Thursday in December from 6 to 8 p.m. INDIGENOUS WISDOM
The Center for Human Flourishing streams a panel discussion about indigenous wisdom at the Third Street Center beginning at 6:30 p.m. More info at www.davinikent.com Promotion item only valid for 2021-2022 members. While supplies last. Visit our website for details.
www.springgulch.org
`
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 31 CRYSTAL THEATRE
The Crystal Theatre screens Steven Spielberg's 2021 rendition of “West Side Story” at 7:30 p.m through Monday, except at 5 p.m. on Sunday. LIVE MUSIC
REGISTER NOW!
`CLASSES STARTING IN JANUARY... Cross-Country Ski Lessons at Spring Gulch in January: Classic and Skate styles for Beginners through Intermediate. Hand-Stitching, Mending, and Slow Fashion - Tuesday evenings, 1/25-3/1: Learn the basics of hand repairs, basic patchwork, decorative stitching, and quilt-work to repair and upcycle your favorite clothes. Find Your Creative Spark - Monday evenings, 1/31-3/7: Therapeutic art technique to grow and expand your awareness and creativity. No prior art experience necessary. Pilates Matwork Tues/Thurs – Livestream: Gentle at 11am, and Advanced at 12pm. Classes are livestream, and are recorded so students can participate any time. Session I begins 1/11. * Zen and the Art of Dying – Tuesdays at 10am, 1/18-3/8: Radically transform the way we live our lives. Meet the inevitability of change, embrace the tender work of loss, and find balance with life “as it is.” * Creative Writing In-person and Livestream – Wednesday evenings 1/19-2/16: Hone your writing skills and expand self-expression with creative writing and/or poetry.
Rodrigo Arreguín performs at Heather’s in Basalt at 6:30 p.m. DANCE PARTY
Craft Coffee (689 Main Street) hosts a New Year’s Eve bash beginning at 7 p.m. FIREWORKS
The city of Glenwood Springs’ fireworks show, weather dependent, is scheduled for 7 p.m. Live music and hot cocoa will be available beneath Grand Avenue Bridge beforehand; attendees are asked to mask up and practice social distancing. CHAMPAGNE TASTING
The Redstone Inn hosts a New Year’s Eve Champagne Tasting event from 8 to 10 p.m. To make a reservation, call 970-963-2526.
SATURDAY, JANUARY 1 AA MEETING
The Meeting Place in Carbondale (981 Cowen Drive) hosts a New Year’s Day AA meeting at 5 p.m. More info at www.meetingplacecarbondale.org ECSTATIC DANCE
Start the new year with free-form movement at 13 Moons Ranch at 5 p.m. Bring a journal and something to write with. RSVPs are requested at alyahowe@me.com LIVE MUSIC
* Multi-Cultural Literature - Monday evenings 1/23-2/28: Highlights African/ African American, Asian, Native American, Latin, and European short stories and film shorts that include traditional tales, fiction, poetry and memoir to further understand our cultural differences and commonalities.
Josefina, Tim & Friends play at Heather’s in Basalt at 6:30 p.m.
* Students may choose to attend these classes in-person at the Carbondale campus, or remotely via livestream.
Kids, ages 5-18, are invited to compete in a cupcake decorating contest beginning at 2 p.m. at the Glenwood Springs Library. Call 970-945-5958 or stop by the library in advance to RSVP.
FOR MORE INFO AND TO REGISTER...
coloradomtn.edu/community-education Carbondale Lappala Center • 690 Colorado Ave • 963-2172 6 • THE SOPRIS SUN • soprissun.com • Dec. 30, 2021 - Jan. 5, 2022
MONDAY, JANUARY 3 CUPCAKE WARS
TUESDAY, JANUARY 4 STORYTIME AT HOME
Garfield County Libraries posts a storytime video to it’s Youtube page every first Tuesday
of the month at 10:30 a.m. Just search for “Garfield County Libraries” on Youtube. DRAWING CLASS
Nicolette Toussaint will begin teaching a four-part basic drawing class from 3 to 4:30 p.m. at the Basalt Library. More info at www.basaltlibrary.org GRAPHIC NOVEL CLUB
The Graphic Novel Club meets every first Tuesday from 4 to 5 p.m. at the Basalt Library. Students in grades 5-12 are welcome. More info at: www.basaltlibrary.org CHAT WITH AMY
Basalt Regional Library Executive Director Amy Shipley invites community members to chat next to the fireplace along with coffee, tea and treats. Stop by the library anytime between 5 and 6 p.m.
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 5 BABY GYM
The Basalt Library invites babies 0-3 years old and their parents to its indoor gym from 10 to 11 a.m. to get those wiggles out. GROW WITH GOOGLE
Jump on a virtual webinar to learn about Google Drive tactics from 10 to 11 a.m. For more info and to register, visit: www.basaltlibrary.org SCIENCE FOR KIDS
The Aspen Science Center hosts activities for students in preschool through 12th grade at the Carbondale Library at noon and at the Glenwood Springs Library at 2:30 p.m. every first Wednesday of each month. ASK A LAWYER
Alpine Legal Services offers a hotline clinic on Wednesdays from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Call 970-368-2246 and visit alpinelegalservices. org for the schedule of dates by legal topic. LIVE MUSIC
Steve Cole performs at Heather’s in Basalt at 6:30 p.m.
FRIDAY, JANUARY 7 COMIC BOOK BASH
Award-winning hip hop artist Neil McIntyre uses beatbox and rhymes to convey his love of comic books at the Glenwood Springs Library on Friday at 4:30 p.m. On Saturday, “Mr. Kneel” will be at the Carbondale Library at 4 p.m.
SATURDAY, JANUARY 9 WHIFFENPOOFS
The Arts Campus at Willits presents dinner with the Whiffenpoofs, 14 senior Yale students selected to perform in the world’s oldest collegiate a cappella group. Dinner starts at 5:30 p.m. and doors open for just the show at 7 p.m. Proof of vaccination and masks are required for all attendees. For tickets, see TACAW.org
Sol del
Valle
el
Conectando comunidades
Traducción por Dolores Duarte El año 2021 fue una montaña rusa de frustraciones compartidas y de esperanzas renovadas, ya que la pandemia no desapareció de la mente de las personas ni de las noticias titulares. Sin embargo, la vida continuó en el escenario de la no tan vuelta a la normalidad.
Volumen 1, Número 44 | 30 de dic. de 2021 - 5 de enero de 2022
¿Cuándo fue la normalidad?
Enero El programa de vacunación avanzó rápidamente en Colorado, poniendo la primera y la segunda dosis a disposición de trabajadores de la salud, de mayores de 70 años y de socorristas. La siguiente ronda incluyó al personal escolar, trabajadores del servicio postal, trabajadores del transporte, empleados de supermercados, legisladores y periodistas. El distrito de bibliotecas públicas del condado de Garfield eliminó el cobro por retrasos en la entrega de materiales de la biblioteca (manteniendo un cobro de reposición para los artículos no devueltos en un plazo de 60 días). Los alumnos de la escuela primaria de Crystal River disfrutaron de una nueva pista de patinaje sobre hielo instalada por Marty Madsen con ayuda de CUC Construction.
Febrero José Miranda, fundador del Rocking TT Bar, presentó un recurso formal para impugnar la decisión de Pitkin County Open Space de arrendar una parcela de Glassier Open Space a Marigold Livestock Co. Finalmente, la apelación fue rechazada, pero generó un gran debate en torno al proceso y en general a (la falta de) disponibilidad de terrenos cultivables. El 8 de febrero, Michael Francisco compareció en el juzgado municipal de Carbondale para defenderse de los cargos por allanamiento presentados por City Market y de los posteriores cargos por resistir el arresto... es una larga historia. En el transcurso de varias comparecencias, Francisco recibió un gran apoyo de los residentes de Carbondale. Los comisionados de Carbondale aprobaron el 9 de febrero los planes de reurbanización del Sopris Shopping Center. Los dos edificios de apartamentos de uso mixto que se están construyendo incluirán 76 unidades residenciales de alquiler y 10,370 pies cuadrados de espacio comercial. Además, Sopris Self Storage se ampliará a 68,000 pies cuadrados de almacenamiento con control climático.
A este su agrpadec nu e o y o e m o vo p par s ro y a ecto .
Julio El ex gerente de la ciudad Jay Harrington anunció su inminente salida del cargo. Lauren Gister comenzará en enero de 2022. Los carteles de "Se busca ayuda" empezaron a proliferar por la zona mientras la "Gran Resignación" se extendía por todo el país. Carbondale Arts obsequió a la comunidad una gran celebración de la 50ª Feria de la Montaña en Sopris Park. De forma anecdótica, es posible que docenas de personas hayan contraído COVID durante el evento. Todo el mundo se lo pasó bien mientras duró.
Agosto
Torero local José Cano mantiene a salvo a los vaqueros, vaqueras y montadores de ovejas en el Gus Darien Arena cada jueves durante el verano. Es un oficio poco típico que le da orgullo y satisfacción. Photo de Paula Mayer
Carbondale Arts, en colaboración con Barbara Frota y la American Heart Association, organizó el primer "Light the Night with Love", un paseo artístico iluminado a lo largo del Río Grande Trail. Las tormentas de Texas provocaron un aumento de la demanda de gas natural que afectó a los precios en todo el país. Como informó la corresponsal Olivia Emmer, Holy Cross Energy pudo absorber gran parte del costo gracias a una cartera diversificada.
Marzo El tercer evento anual Imagine Climate, organizado por Community Office for Resource Efficiency, decoró tres edificios del Colorado Mountain College con murales temporales que mostraban rostros locales. Los participantes también grabaron sus historias personales sobre el clima, que fueron emitidas por KDNK y Aspen Public Radio. El Sol del Valle se lanzó el 11 de marzo, estableciendo The Sopris Sun como un periódico bilingüe. El equipo de béisbol de la Roaring Fork High School (RFHS) recaudó fondos para una instalación de bateo interior, recibiendo donaciones de la comunidad y de empresas locales. El bosque nacional White River recibió comentarios para un plan destinado a abordar la reducción en las poblaciones de árboles de aspen, "debido a la sequía, insectos, enfermedades, supresión de los incendios forestales y la presión por ramoneo".
Abril
Mayo
El 3 de abril, el equipo de fútbol americano de los Rams volvió al campo contra los Mustangs de Manitou Springs. Este fue el primer partido de fútbol desde el otoño de 2017, cuando el programa se puso en pausa. Más tarde en el año, los Rams celebraron su primer juego de homecoming en cuatro años. Después de un proceso de 14 meses para llegar a un acuerdo sobre un nuevo diseño para Eighth Street en Carbondale, los comisionados optaron por mantener el estacionamiento mientras seguían ampliando y conectando las aceras. Megan Baiardo fue contratada como la nueva directora de RFHS, después de que Lyn Bair anunciara su retiro. Más tarde, Cora Carballeira fue seleccionada como subdirectora de RFHS. Megan Hartmass fue contratada para servir como subdirectora en Basalt High School, ocupando el papel anterior de Baiardo. En Crystal River Elementary School, Aimee Brockman pasó de subdirectora a directora con la salida de Matt Koenigsknecht. El exprofesor Kendall Reiley se convirtió en el subdirector para apoyar Brockman. La sociedad histórica de Carbondale instaló el corte transversal de un árbol de abeto azul de 120 años que fue retirado de las cercanías de la histórica Casa Thompson. El artista John Williams marcó el corte con acontecimientos históricos que ocurrieron durante la vida del árbol. Se encuentra a lo largo del Río Grande Trail, junto a las oficinas del ayuntamiento.
Cumpliendo con una promesa de campaña del comisionado del Condado de Garfield, Mike Samson, se inició el diálogo con la concejal de New Castle, Crystal Mariscal, para formar lo que se convertiría en el Comité Comunitario Latino del Condado de Garfield. El grupo se reunió por primera vez el 21 de julio en Glenwood Springs y ha continuado reuniéndose mensualmente en todo el condado. El Hospital Valley View dio la bienvenida a pacientes en su nueva clínica de cuidado urgente después de horas. El clima cálido trajo consigo la renovación de tradiciones muy queridas, como las celebraciones del First Friday, obras de teatro escolares, las caminatas comunitarias de Defiende Nuestra Tierra y mucho más.
Junio El Carbondale Wild West Rodeo volvió al Gus Darien Arena después de haber sido cancelado durante todo el verano pasado. La ciudad de Carbondale contrató a Cushing Terrell para dirigir el proceso de actualización del Plan Integral de 2013. Como consecuencia del incendio de Grizzly Creek de 2020, algunos deslizamientos ocasionaron cierres frecuentes al cañón de Glenwood. Los escombros también fluyeron hacia el río Colorado y destruyeron el sendero hacia el Hanging Lake.
Se anunció que el distrito escolar de Roaring Fork comenzaría el semestre de otoño exigiendo cubrebocas dentro de los edificios. RE-2 adoptó un enfoque diferente, pero alrededor de un mes después de iniciar el semestre terminó exigiendo cubrebocas también. Una coalición se reunió con el senador Michael Bennet para discutir la fuga de metano de las minas de carbón retiradas en el Crystal Valley.
Septiembre Carbondale Arts se asoció con Art of Air para organizar el primer Circo Convergente en el Rancho 13 Moons. La compañía teatral Thunder River volvió al escenario con "Men On Boats", el primer espectáculo presencial desde antes de COVID.
Octubre VOICES y The Arts Campus at Willits (TACAW) presentaron "Nuestras voces - Teatro en español", acogiendo el teatro en español en el Roaring Fork Valley. Los jóvenes DJs se hicieron cargo de las ondas de radio de KDNK durante 24 horas como parte de una recaudación de fondos para el Andy Zanca Youth Empowerment Program. La maestra de Glenwood Springs Middle School, Autumn Rivera, fue nombrada maestra del año de Colorado 2022. Colorado Extreme comenzó a ofrecer hockey para jóvenes en el Crown Mountain Park.
Noviembre ¡Ra-ra-rams! El equipo de fútbol de los Rams ganó el partido del campeonato estatal 3A contra Jefferson Academy el 12 de noviembre.
Diciembre Cancelaciones de eventos comenzaron a afectar de nuevo a nuestras comunidades, ya que la variante Omicron del virus COVID provocó una nueva oleada de casos en aumento.
OPINION
AL NO ARTISTA Por Vanessa Porras
Al comienzo del 2021, empecé a escribir la columna, Al No Artista, con la intención de motivar y de compartir lo poco que sé sobre el arte y el mundo de los artistas. El título nació después de haber escuchado a innumerables estudiantes, que parecían tener el mismo guión, decirme, “yo no soy artista”. Empatizo con ese sentimiento, incluso recuerdo que hace tiempo atrás, me molestaba cuando la gente se refería a mí como una artista, porque yo no me sentía como tal. Especialmente porque no había creado absolutamente nada en años. La etiqueta, artista, me quedaba como un saco cinco tallas más grandes con las mangas demasiado largas. Por más que lo ajustaba, aún me sentía como una impostora, una niña jugando a disfrazarse. Durante ese tiempo pensé que
De todos modos — lánzate lo que necesitaba era un título universitario que dijera que era licenciada en Bellas Artes. Pensé que la seguridad en mi misma y en mis creaciones sería absoluta, después de todo, tendría un diploma que verificaba que había cumplido con los requisitos. Pero no fue así. La inseguridad de ser una artista y exponer mi arte se intensificó. Aún quería ser parte de ese mundo pero entré en una parálisis, así que opté por ser maestra de arte. Me quedé como un perrito triste viendo por la ventana como los demás salían y se enfrentaban al mundo. Hay un dicho que dice, “quien sabe, lo hace; quien no sabe, enseña”. Este dicho no está sin falla, no creo que aquellos que enseñan no tengan dominio sobre su oficio, pero sí creo que habemos muchos que nos refugiamos en un título que no nos corresponde, como el de maestro, por miedo a no exponernos a lo que realmente queremos ser. En muchas ocasiones me he preguntado ¿A quién le importa? ¿Será que solo me afecta a mi? Este tren de dudas resulta en desmotivación y al final no hago nada. La respuesta verdadera es, a nadie le importa. Puedes pasarte toda una vida sin hacer nada dejando tus ideas en un rinconcito coleccionando polvo y a nadie le va a importar. Ellos seguirán viviendo
sus vidas y tú la tuya. Y a la misma vez, es un oxímoron porque a todos les importará. Piensa en todas las películas que has visto, todos los libros que has leído y toda la música que has escuchado y pregúntate ¿cómo han moldeado la persona que soy? Piensa en las personas que te inspiran y en las personas que vinieron antes que ellos, los héroes de tus héroes ¿Qué pasaría si decidieron no contar su historia, realizar sus ideas, compartir sus triunfos o sus derrotas? La vida en general sería muy diferente. La frase, “a la miseria le encanta la compañía”, típicamente se interpreta como algo negativo. En cambio para mi, esa es la razón por la cual importa tanto lo que hacemos. La forma en la que cuentas tu historia y expresas tus ideas es la piedra angular a la cultura y nadie lo hará tal como tú puedes hacerlo. A la miseria le gusta estar acompañada porque nos gusta saber que alguien comprende nuestro dolor y camina con nosotros o que incluso ya ha marcado el camino. Para los que me leen, ya conocen mi afán con Frida Kahlo, cuyos cuadros eran su miseria compartida, lo cual la llevó a convertirse en un icono Latino Americano. Todo es un método de contar una historia ya sea a través de un pincel o no. He visto bailes contemporáneos
8 • el Sol del Valle • soprissun.com/espanol/ • 30 de dic. de 2021 - 5 de enero de 2022
que me han conmovido hasta llegar al llanto, he escuchado piezas musicales que me han erizado la piel. He sentido el dolor de extraños al empatizar con sus historias. Cuando imagino que ya no existe todo aquello que ha tenido una influencia en mí se siente como una pérdida total. Me doy cuenta que es por eso que importa. Porque a pesar de que no todo lo que hagas será importante y tal vez a nadie le importe lo estés haciendo, les importará que lo hayas hecho. Se aproxima el año nuevo y la mayoría de nosotros sentimos la gran necesidad de ser mejores de lo que fuimos el año pasado. Comencé el año como educadora de arte y terminé siendo artista. Aún me siento como una niña disfrazada en particular cuando la gente me pregunta que hago. Siento que tengo que justificar mi oficio como si crear arte no fuera suficiente. Escribo esta columna no solo para convencerles de la importancia del arte, sino egoístamente, también para recordarlo yo misma. El camino rara vez será fácil cuando decidas arriesgarte. Lánzate de todos modos. Rodeate de gente que comparta tu sufrimiento – no para victimizarte, sino para impulsarte a crear. Serán ellos quienes estén dispuestos a caminar a tu lado. De cualquier forma, prepárate en caso de que tengas que caminar solo.
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 Kischbaum Miembros de la Mesa Directiva Klaus Kocher • Kay Clarke Lee Beck • Megan Tackett Gayle Wells • Donna Dayton Terri Ritchie • Vanessa Porras Eric Smith • Larry Day The Sopris Sun, Inc. Es un miembro orgulloso del Distrito Creativo de Carbondale The Sopris Sun, Inc. es una 501(c) (3) organización benéfica sin fines de lucro. Contribuciones financieras son deducibles de impuestos. ¡ESCRÍBENOS! Para contribuir ideas y contenido al Sol del Valle, escribiéndonos a: sol@soprissun.com Para comprar espacio publicitario en español, inglés, o ambos, mándanos un correo electrónico a:
adsales@soprissun.com También se puede contactarnos llamando a 970-510-3003.
CHISME DE PUEBLO Respondiendo al Omicron
Consejo juvenil
La ciudad de Glenwood Springs está implementando precauciones de seguridad para combatir la propagación del COVID-19. Estos incluyen requiriendo el uso de mascarillas estilo cirúrgico a los trabajadores y los visitantes en establecimientos de Glenwood Springs durante el mes de enero. Adicionalmente, reuniones públicas con más de 10 personas deben ser organizadas virtualmente y las fechas de corte ocurrirán por teléfono durante el mes.
YouthZone está buscando estudiantes desde Parachute hasta Aspen para ayudar a desarrollar un consulado de consejo juvenil para guiar a la junta directiva y el personal de la organización sin fines de lucro. Se le pedirá a los líderes juveniles asistir a reuniones virtuales cada mes. Pueden inscribirse, o ser referidos, en www.youthzone.com o llamando al 970-945-1300.
Máscaras requeridas
La Comisión de Arte Pública de Carbondale está aceptando inscripciones para el show de escultura “Art Around Town” del 2022-2023. Entregas deben ser recibidas antes del 7 de febrero a www.callforentry.org
La Autoridad de Transportación de Roaring Fork le gustaría recordarles a los pasajeros que las mascarillas son requeridas durante el uso de autobús, a pesar de estatus de vacunación. El requerimiento federal de mascarillas en transportes públicos permanece en efecto hasta el 18 de marzo, y el servicio de autobús local sería impactado si muchos conductores están expuestos al virus.
Desarrollo sostenible El Aspen International Mountain Foundation fue premiado $100,000 por el estado de Colorado para organizar el United Nations Mountain Partnership Global Meeting en Aspen en septiembre del 2022. La asamblea general de las Naciones Unidas ha proclamado el 2022 como el “Año Internacional del Desarrollo Sostenible de las Montañas”.
Presas de lobos El Departamento de Fauna Silvestre de Colorado (CPW) determinó que la causa de muerte de un ternero en North Park (norte-central de Colorado) fue debido a la depredación de un lobo. El dueño del ganado será compensado igual si un oso o un león de montaña hubiera atacado al ternero. CPW está en el proceso de formular una póliza de manejo de lobos después de que los votantes de Colorado pasaran el referéndum para reintroducir a los lobos grises al estado.
Llamando a artistas
Dibujo por Larry Day
Sin hambre El Colorado Mountain College (CMC) fue reconocido por el estado por ayudar a los estudiantes con acceso limitado a alimentos en todas sus 11 ubicaciones. CMC reconoce que la inseguridad alimentaria puede resultar en calificaciones bajas, mala salud mental y una vida social limitada. Cada instalación tiene despensas de comida con artículos no-perecederos y, ocasionalmente, vegetales donados. El programa llamado “Swipe Out Hunger” también proporciona comidas de la cafetería a estudiantes.
Asistencia de comida El Departamento de Educación de Colorado ha ayudado a 500,000 niños y familias experimentando inseguridad alimentaria durante la pandemia. Familias elegibles cuyos niños no tuvieron acceso a comidas gratis y de costo reducido, debido a los cierres de las escuelas, fueron reembolsados por medio del programa de Colorado “Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer”. Para más información acerca del programa, visite: www.colorado.gov/cdhs/p-ebt
Banda ancha de Garfield El condado de Garfield ha contratado con Vero Fiber Networks, LLC para construir sobre la infraestructura y mejorar la conectividad de banda ancha en la región. El proyecto será fundado por casi un millón de dólares de un subsidio del Departamento de Asuntos Locales. Los comisionados del condado de Garfield también incluyeron un adicional de $200,000 de los fondos de American Rescue Plan Act.
Colaboración comunitaria Carbondale Arts ha iniciado una encuesta bilingüe en línea prometiendo “¡es rápido!” y lo mejor de todo es que tus respuestas ayudarán a guiar al personal de la organización sin fines de lucro y sus esfuerzos y programación para los años que vienen. Échale un vistazo en www.bit.ly/CAencuesta
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. Para más información visite www.jazzaspensnowmass.org
el Sol del Valle • Conector de comunidad • 30 de dic. de 2021 - 5 de enero de 2022 • 9
Why is journalism so important? By Sopris Sun youth journalists
Maeve Murray After joining The Sopris Sun’s new youth journalism program, we were asked one question: why is journalism important? We responded with various ways of saying: “getting information out to the public” and “connecting the community.” However important these things are, throughout this program, I've realized something that has made me love journalism even more. Through learning about others in the community, you often learn more about yourself. Self-discovery is something that we often speak highly of as a culture but rarely get the chance to explore. As a high school student, I’m often told that college is the time to “find yourself.” I’ve always found this to be frustrating because, simply put, I want to find myself now! After working with Raleigh, James, Jeanne and Myki for the past few months, I’ve noticed that I have started to find myself. Being respected as an adult makes you act like an adult, and that is why I loved this program. Oftentimes, as a 16-yearold, if I walk into a room ready to work, most people still look down on me. However, love was radiating from
The Sopris Sun when I walked in, and I could feel it. Because of that, I was motivated to work even harder. Having mentors who truly care about your writing and are proud to see you get published is extremely important — and rare. Through exploring journalism, I’ve explored what it means to affect a community. The work done at The Sopris Sun — not trying to toot my own horn — is exceptional and important. The environment established in the workspace at The Sopris Sun is warm and welcoming and I am thrilled to be a part of this team.
I’ve always thought that newspapers are interesting, but a bit old-fashioned. I had probably never read The Sopris Sun before September, when the class started. I’d never dreamed I'd be a part of it! Even when I started this journalism class, I did not think I would actually contribute content. But here I am, getting published regularly. As I write this, I have had three things in the paper, two drawings and an article, with more to come. I’m only 14, and I hope to be a paid writer and artist for a newspaper. This class has opened a whole new realm of
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From left to right: Marlo Bowman, Maeve Murray, Sofie Koski and Jaris Elliott. Photo by James Steindler
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possibilities for me, and I have learned so much about all the different aspects of journalism. I really enjoy learning about the ethics of writing, about being accurate and also about the workings of photography. It was also interesting meeting all these different people, working together for the community! I’ve even been graded both an A+ and an F, all in one class (thank you, Klaus), while also eating free pizza, sandwiches and burritos (thank you, New York Pizza, Bonfire and Dos Gringos). I’m so thankful to Raleigh, James, Myki, Jeanne and all my fellow students for
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Jaris Elliott The Sopris Sun youth program is great! Our first semester was an exciting and educational experience. I was able to explore my love for photography by taking pictures of unique art at the Carbondale Clay Center and the beautiful Sunlight Ski Resort! When I first started the youth program, I was not expecting to be so involved with the actual newspaper!
The RFV’s reader-supported weekly
By the third class, I already had pictures published in the paper. The teachers are always supportive of our story ideas and projects we want to work on. They are also willing to offer assistance and suggestions. The program has already taught me more about photography, art and all that goes into creating a weekly newspaper. For example, editing the stories, interviewing the people for information and even the financial aspects are some of things I’ve learned. I can see how the program could lead Continued on page 11
Un periódico semanal en español
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Jaris Elliott learns the intricacies of editing photos and text at the offices of The Sopris Sun. Photo by James Steindler
Continued from page 10 to a full and rewarding future. I am excited to continue to be a part of The Sopris Sun and to add what I can to the newspaper. Lastly, it's been a pleasure working with my fellow classmates who are all so talented in writing, art and so many other things. I look forward to continuing to be impressed by them!
Marlo Bowman The moment I found out about The Sopris Sun’s youth journalism program, my heart knew that I had
to participate in it. I was thrilled that not only would my school, Basalt High School, finally have access to a journalism class, but there was an actual newspaper that wanted to include high school students. I finally felt that I had an opportunity to learn more about the world of journalism. Getting to meet my instructors, Raleigh, James, Myki and Jeanne, and my peers, Sofie, Maeve and Jaris, has given me the opportunity to build friendships that are helping me grow, both as a journalist and a person. Collaborating with these amazing people has been an opportunity that I
will most certainly never forget. On day one, I recall being extremely nervous to be in a room with people that I had never met before. I have never really been a social butterfly, but being with this group has allowed me to feel more comfortable sharing any and all of my thoughts and ideas. Each week has offered me a new perspective on what goes on behind the scenes of a newspaper, and this has led me to consider majoring in journalism in college next year. This program has most definitely opened a new door for my future, and The Sopris Sun will always be a second family to me.
Sketches by Sofie Koski
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THE SOPRIS SUN • Your weekly community connector • Dec. 30, 2021 - Jan. 5, 2022 • 11
GUEST
QUESTION by Will Evans
A junction point is a meeting place where trails converge. In modern times we may think of an intersection where two streets or highways cross. Our world is much more than street intersections. Our world is a beautiful web of life-sustaining junction points. Originally, our ancestors were in direct relationship with the land and water — we were intimately fed by Mother Earth. Arvol Looking Horse, a Lakota spiritual leader, explains this traditional view in very few words, “The Earth is a source of life, not a resource.” Most of us today are distanced from the web of life and depend on intermediaries — our food comes from stores. Here, we focus on a junction point, a specific connection, between where we shop for food and where we live. Relationships are alive at
Are our relationships at a healing junction? a junction point, and there is no place not to be respectful — and careful. Meeting places are essential to the healthy function of beings, as well as communities, and they are extraordinarily complex. Lifesustaining exchanges occur at junction points. Some vital junction points remain invisible. The oxygen needed for human metabolism depends on blood flow carrying an invisible byproduct of plant metabolism. To feed myself, a continuous cooperative flow is necessary — through the junction points linking my nerves with muscles, moving my hands, arms, fingers, eyes and mandible as I put a spoonful of food into my mouth. Multiple junction points are involved in the processes of chewing, swallowing, digesting and absorbing this energy. As it is absorbed into my bloodstream, food fuels my movement, respect and gratitude for life. Eating is preceded by multiple junction points functioning cooperatively where seeds, soil, sun and water grow into healthy crops. Middle Thompson Creek is a flow of cooperation surrounded by fertility. Good-hearted intention is at the foundation of life in a community. For health to prevail at a meeting place, cooperative and goodhearted intention is necessary. Disease, toxins and violence can render junction points lifeless with relationships broken. Sometimes a
The journey back to healthy relationships may require a 180° turn. Courtesy graphic
forest heals, sometimes it becomes a desert wasteland. Sometimes refugees cannot find a place to flee. There are fewer and fewer sanctuaries. Carbondale and Satank are on Nuche (Northern Ute) ancestral land. Indigenous people of North America were generally of a common mind: valuing balance between human relationship with Earth and Sky. They knew that all of Earth is sacred. Each place is to be respected and treated with care. In 1879, relationships changed.
Following events at Meeker, the Nuche people were walked with a bayonet at their backs into Utah. The local land we are focused on became the Bar Fork Ranch. Harald “Shorty” Pabst, a rancher, purchased the Bar Fork to raise cattle and sheep. In 1953, he donated 350 acres to John and Anne Holden, founders of the Colorado Rocky Mountain School (CRMS). For years, the land served as a working ranch and Shorty was able to keep an eye on the health of the school as a
trustee of CRMS. Shorty was a lifelong rancher, and also a student of Wisconsin conservationist Aldo Leopold; he learned to see the big picture. He knew how much is “enough” and was also fully aware of the risks inherent in growth. As a rancher, Shorty learned to calculate the carrying capacity of a watershed — how many cow-calf pairs a pasture can support. He saw the consequences of overgrazing and knew developers were vulnerable to the same frailty, especially because many were obsessed with growth, with no sense of carry capacity. While a mayor of Aspen in the early 1960s, Shorty more than once opposed what he perceived to be unnecessary or unhealthy growth. He also opposed paving Independence Pass, which would increase access to Aspen from the east. Neither was he in favor of hosting the Winter Olympics in Colorado, which he said would damage the environment. In the ‘70s, CRMS began selling land to developers. In 1997, Brian Huster, a California developer, purchased 19 acres. A sequence of “big box” plans finally resulted in a new City Market and high density housing project located on this land supporting a progression from indigenous, to mining and ranching, to commercial shopping and housing. Continued on page 13 Retail Marijuana| 21 +
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Continued from page 12 As people recognize the world we know is collapsing, Carbondale is perceived as a sanctuary. Is there a risk we will outgrow the carrying capacity of this land and water? Being able to see the big picture is important. But our industrious age has carried society away from the big picture and whole systems thinking. Skilled decision-makers are vulnerable to defining problems narrowly, without respect for relationships and junction points. Something has been lost in the progression from the indigenous age to the industrial age, from the information age into this time of pandemic, smart phones and gene editing. Was respect lost? On the scale of a big box grocery store, the two olive drab boxes south of City Market are small. Nonetheless, I sense that Shorty would easily discern the consequences of these two utility boxes, resting on the south edge of the old Bar Fork Ranch at the junction of what is now Hendrick Drive and West Main Street. When Hendrick Drive was extended to the new City Market parking lot, the location of these boxes adversely impacted visibility of traffic traveling east along West Main. To my knowledge these boxes have generated little or no public commentary nor interest. They are not invisible; compared to a human being, they are sizable. Is there a reluctance to speak about them and their consequences? Or, are we overly educated to be silently obedient and not ask questions? Were we trained
These two utility boxes, 5’ 4” high and 6’ 9” long, sit at the intersection of Hendrick Drive and West Main Street. Courtesy photo
to ignore the voice of our hearts? Have we been distracted by other events as a population traversing this junction? Hundreds of cars per day will travel through this junction when the high density housing is built out and Carbondale grows into its “new identity.” Is this a case of tunnel vision or a larger loss of respect? Only one other person I know acknowledges the danger I perceive at this junction. Will someone suffer unintended and unnecessary adverse consequences here? Some decisions do not dig deeply enough to account for consequences. When decisions are focused narrowly, as a result of a singular focus only on a for-profit objective, relationships suffer. When respect is absent, the junction between public and private interests becomes toxic. We know healthy meeting is essential to individual and collective well-being. Some of us have glimpsed the big
picture and see we can regain our balance and do better than travel in a narrow focus looking only for disease or for profit. I find it nourishing to listen to elders who learned to play the long game in the wildness of places like Trappers Lake, north of Carbondale on the edge of the Flat Tops. Up to 150 years ago, Trappers Lake was a healthy junction point in a fraying net of nourishment embracing the Western Hemisphere. In the autumn of 1919, Arthur Carhart, a young man from Iowa, was sent by the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) to survey potential summer homesites around Trappers Lake. As Carhart surveyed through the serenity of the Engelmann spruce, he was filled with awe and awareness. Unbeknownst to him, the rhythm of his heart came into resonance with the rhythm of the Earth. A healing occurred within Carhart and his relationship with this
place. He saw a paradox, a different reality as well as a subdivision. He saw Trappers Lake and the surrounding terrain to be something larger than USFS’ plans. He saw inherent beauty and glimpsed an image of honoring wildness into the future. What Carhart saw changed the USFS and human relationship with wildlands in America. Carhart was an early non-indigenous visitor to this location. He spent the remainder of his life searching to understand the vision and the responsibility for the Earth he experienced there. Carhart glimpsed a present moment and realized it could become an image of the future. As a result, he became a grandfather of America’s not “developing” wildlands. Carhart knew the consequences of a path dominated by subdividing. His life was lived remembering humans can live in a respectful relationship with Source.
Later that year, Aldo Leopold read a wilderness initiative Carhart had authored. He was stirred as he read words from a man who had been gifted an image of beauty. In December 1919, Leopold rode a train north from New Mexico to Denver for a conversation with Carhart. He listened as Carhart related his encounter with Source at Trappers Lake. Shorty, in turn, listened to Leopold. Elders, grandmothers and grandfathers see a lot of broken cups and dented fenders over the years and sometimes boil complex events down to a very few words. “Wish Shorty were here — and we were able to listen to what he would say about the location of these boxes.” Can we see a future where humans are in balance with each other and the carrying capacity of Source? Can we be players in a story of healing relationships? Will we recognize if something is amiss and potentially dangerous, or will we be distracted? As we look to this new year, when you next depart from City Market, instead of driving east toward Highway 133, go south. Go toward the mountain, out of the parking lot to the junction of West Main Street and Hendrick Drive. Stop at the junction. Look. The boxes are on your right. No clear vision! Is this a metaphor for our current community relationships? Or, will we pause long enough at this junction point to regain our balance and step onto a path of healing?
I'm just waiting until you say the magic word…
Tre a t s !
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PARTING SHOTS
In remembrance of the souls that crossed over this past year including, but not limited to…
STAN BADGETT RITA BEJARANO TOM BLESKAN ERNIE BRADLEY JR BURTON PEGGY CHAIN DAVID CLARK ROSEMARY CLARK SHIRLEY FRANK JOHN GOLMAN SHARON HAGEDORN TIM HAGMAN DICK HANSON ADAM HOBBY BOB LEONE DAVID MORK KAREN IRENE NATAL DWANE NIEDENS LYLE OLIVER CHARLES ANDERSON PARKER III JOHN ALTON PHELAN III TERRY ANN REED AIDAN SHEAHAN GEORGE STRANAHAN KAWAAN SUNGAH SUZI TITUS LINDA CHRISTINE WANNER
SERVICE DIRECTORY eW imaatte Wa ash iitm l sh t CLEAN Ul Cleans Inside U INSIDE & OUT & Out Complete Interior andand Exterior Complete Interior Exterior package. Washwash Package Weather Insurance Insurance Weather
If it rains or snows bring the vehicle back within Car Wash Wash Car If it rains48orhours snows theit.vehicle andbring we willback rewash Detailing within 48 hours and we will rewash it. Detailing 970-963-8800 Oil changes 970-963-8800 745 Buggy Circle in Carbondale Oil Tires Changes 745www.sunburstcarcare.com Buggy Circle in Carbondale www.sunburstcarcare.com OpenTires Mon.-Sat. 8am-5:00pm and on Sundays from 9am-4pm for washes only
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You asked for it! After weeks of a worrisome dry spell, the sky opened up and it just kept snowing. Top: This family — recently transplanted from Canada and Hawaii — joined Will Grandbois in leaving some fresh tracks at Spring Gulch.
WINDSHIELD Bottom: "We have shoveled and shoveled but it never stops," wrote Sopris Sun photographer Sue Rollyson. Eventually, she and Bo Persiko REPAIR & 289 MAIN STREET | (970) 963-2826 | CARBONDALEAH@GMAIL.COM ventured down their treacherous road in the Crystal Valley to the mail boxes, retrieving two sleds full of packages from Santa. AUTO GLASS REPLACEMENT WINDSHIELD REPAIR & AUTO GLASS REPLACEMENTMo Aspen Science Center bile
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