20 03 19

Because every town needs a park, a library and a newspaper

Carbondale’s weekly

community connector

Volume 12, Number 6 | March 19-25, 2020

Life goes on While most Green is the New Black lines will keep 'til the rescheduled event in November, Yoli LaGuerre's live works won't — so Carbondale Arts arranged a photo shoot to preserve them for posterity! Photos by Mark Burrows

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970.963.5880 | 1026 CO-133, Carbondale, CO 81623 | SoprisLiquor.com

OPINION

by Will Grandbois Editor

Last week, our paper was practically out of date by the time it hit the stands. Next week, we may not put out a print edition at all.

At this awkward moment in the middle, we’ve made some unusual choices that probably warrant explanation.

We have opted not to include a calendar. There may be a few public events planned, but

This isn’t a normal edition of The Sopris Sun requirements are changing so quickly that we can’t be sure that they’ll actually take place.

Similarly, with so many people housebound, there’s not a lot to Scuttlebutt — although we would like to congratulate Fred Williams for finishing second out of 200 at a pickleball tournament in Wickenburg, AZ and extend birthday wishes to Sophia Kaikim Higbie, Stan Badgett, Katie Hunter and Matthew Eames (March 19); Judy Bartels (March 21); Erin Danneker and Jose Miranda (March 23); Jammin’ Jim (March 24) Paul Struempler and Alta Otto (March 25).

Now, for what is in this paper.

Obviously, the big news of the moment is the COVID-19 outbreak and the sweeping measures in place to slow its spread.

On the next few pages, we’ve tried to provide context on what people are experiencing and how they’re

handling it. Most of that won’t change over the course of a week, but be aware that resources or business plans might.

We have also very deliberately included plenty of content that isn’t directly related to Coronavirus. There are plenty of outlets providing exhaustive coverage — KDNK, in particular, is once again proving itself an essential resource in an emergency, and we hope to support that. But our goal is not just to inform, but to inspire and build community. We think you should still get to meet your neighbors even if you can’t do it in person (see pages 6 and 7 for people focused features). There are also some public processes still taking place that need public attention (pages 9 through 11).

And our contributors have gone out of their way to make sure there’s some lighter stuff to maybe lift your spirits or just entertain you (12).

It’s been extremely gratifying to see so much support in the form of advertising and community feedback. If you had trouble putting your hands on a paper this week, our apologies. Many of our usual distribution sites are closed or too risky for us to drop-off. We’re working on a few ideas on how best to minimize the spread of disease through our boxes.

That brings us to the possibility that it may not be wise or even possible for us to continue as we have in coming weeks. In any case, we’re certainly not going to turn over Carbondale coverage to the Xinhua News Agency, so be sure to check our website, soprissun. com, and follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. We look forward to reconnecting with all of you when life returns to some semblance of normalcy.

Until then, be well and be good.

Dear Editor: Pug in a jacket Proudly prancing down the street You go little guy JM Jesse Glenwood Springs

A kindhearted town Dear Editor: Since I moved to Carbondale in late September, I have been struck by the kindness, openhearted welcome and genuine sense of community shown by so many in this lovely, progressive town.

I would especially like to recognize several individuals who exemplify the character and compassion of Carbondale.

Some weeks ago, my old companion setter, Charlie, was waiting outside the library shivering and unable to move. In my 80s, without a car, I was in a quandary.

Within minutes, Amy from the library as well as Sharon Taverna, her daughter and granddaughter offered to help. Without hesitation, they wrapped Charlie in their coats and bodily lifted him into their car, brought us both home and made sure that he was comfortable and that I was able to cope with the situation. My heartfelt gratitude to them.

Unfortunately, Charlie was not only cold but a few days later diagnosed with heart failure and we sadly had to help him go. Dr. Benjamin Mackin DVM and his staff couldn’t have been more kind and compassionate to Charlie and to me. In particular, Dr. Bonnie Abercrombie DVM and Lyndsae who helped us say goodbye to him and pass peacefully here at home.

Nancy Roen Carbondale

A calm, sensible reaction to the Coronavirus Dear Editor:

Honorary Publishers for their annual commitment of $1,000+ Email marilyn@soprissun.com for more information.

Jim Calaway, Honorary Chair Kay Brunnier Scott Gilbert – Habitat for Humanity RFV Bob Young – Alpine Bank Peter Gilbert Umbrella Roofing, Inc. Bill Spence and Sue Edelstein Greg and Kathy Feinsinger Carolyn Nelson Jim Noyes True Nature Healing Arts Nicolette Toussaint Jill and Gary Knaus Megan Tackett Ken & Donna Riley Michelle & Ed Buchman CoVenture

Legacy Givers

LETTERS Spring in his step

Sincerest thanks to our

for including us in their final wishes.

On Feb. 29 I received a kidney transplant. With the Coronavirus coming on strong, I could have picked a better time to have my immune system down around my ankles. But I'm much healthier than before and haven't felt this good in 30 years.

But I'm a lucky guy with a family support system that's nothing short of fantastic. Unfortunately, there are many senior citizens in our communities that aren't so lucky. For most people the virus poses no more risk than the flu. But for those in the high risk category,the virus could prove fatal.

So I appeal to our communities to reach out to our vulnerable relatives and neighbors and friends. Wear a mask and go shopping for them or pick up a prescription or whatever.

No one needs to be carting off a hundred rolls of toilet paper or three months of supplies of anything! Soon, supplies will catch up with demand and when they do, all you end-of-days stockeruppers stay home and let people who need those goods have access. Stores would be wise to put limits of three to a customer on scarce items. In the meantime, everyone needs to stop acting bat-shit crazy.

I’m fortunate to have optimum circumstances. There are many in our communities who aren't so lucky. Make yourself feel good and reach out to our elders. You could save a life.

Bruno Kirchenwitz Rifle

Is this really about rabbits?

Dear Editor: This past winter, I spoke on behalf of small animal husbandry and food independence at a town hall meeting. I have chickens with neighborhood kids.

And to me, today, COVID 19 shines a klieg light on the benefits of in-town meat

availability.

In that trustee meeting, Russ Criswell’s tirade against his neighbor and rabbits was tempered only by Mayor Dan shouting louder. Afterward, Criswell approached me with an invitation to view the “lovely gardens [he] has been growing for decades” at one of his rental properties. His warmth snapped and he hissed at me about “teaching a daughter to break the law.”

I was shocked at being unjustly attacked.

Criswell’s letter last week frames rabbit husbandry as damaging. He calls them feedlots and predicts a drop in property values resulting in less tax money to the town, resulting in pissed off property owners and a burden to Old Town.

As a farmer, Matt is a friend of mine, full transparency, as are many of those in the young farming and ranching circles here. As I did 20 years ago, and continue to do today, we are continually learning firsthand by trial and error how to create alternative systems to chemical-laced “organic” vegetables, animals inhumanely raised in unhealthy feedlots, with hormones, and cruelty.

Additionally, Matt has brought a grounded vitality, life, to a stretch of Sopris Avenue that is actually somewhat run down. Kids and others stop every day to enjoy the diversity and cuteness of the ducks, hens and rabbits Matt and his daughter raise.

To me, “we do so much together,” would be offering a single parent working three jobs a helping hand. Joining a youngster in her lessons on where food comes from, how to raise small animals, sharing meals of veggies and rabbit together.

To me, “following courtesies” would be a friendly phone call if a rabbit escapes or bringing my compost scraps like the other neighbors who value the rabbits do. To me, ‘thoughtfulness of others’ would be solution finding, not hounding, harassing, Continued on page 13

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 • MARCH 19 - MARCH 25, 2020

Mary Lilly

And all our SunScribers and community members for your support.

It truly takes a village to keep The Sun shining.

Donate online or by mail.

P.O. Box 399 Carbondale, CO 81623 520 S. Third Street #32 970-510-3003 www.soprissun.com Editor Will Grandbois • 970-510-0540 news@soprissun.com Advertising: Todd Chamberlin • 970-510-0246 adsales@soprissun.com Graphic Designer: Ylice Golden Reporter: Roberta McGowan Delivery: Tom Sands Current Board Members board@soprissun.com Raleigh Burleigh, President Marilyn Murphy, Vice President Linda Criswell, Secretary Klaus Kocher, Treasurer Kay Clarke • Carol Craven Megan Tackett • Gayle Wells The Sopris Sun Board meets at 6:30 p.m on second Mondays at the Third Street Center.

Contact board@soprissun.com to reach them.

Founding Board Members Allyn Harvey • Becky Young • Colin Laird Barbara New • Elizabeth Phillips Peggy DeVilbiss • Russ Criswell The Sopris Sun, Inc. is a proud member of the Carbondale Creative District The Sopris Sun, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation.

Donations to The Sun are fully tax deductible.

Locals step up to virus challenges

Deatra Glock, Dos Gringos Burritos wait staff, uses roller skates to quickly get the take out orders from customers inside and also outside for drive up customers. Photo by Robera McGowan

By Roberta McGowan Sopris Sun Staff The Bonedale community has come together to weather the Covid-19 crisis.

It’s quiet in town absent the parking spot search, delicious smells wafting from restaurants all along Main Street and sweet sounds from music venues.

This is the new Carbondale — at least for a while. But below the surface, businesses, organizations and schools are learning to survive and adapt, while figuring out how to best help those in need, especially the eldery and the sick.

Carbondale Chamber of Commerce President Andrea Stewart reported, “We are following Garfield County Department of Health guidelines.

Although our offices are closed, we are going virtual to support our members.”

“We are practicing and recommending social distancing,” she added.

“Our business community is staying strong,and very creative with business strategies, including grab-and-go menu options, pickup and delivery services and more.”

Evan Zislis, chief executive officer at Bonedale Business Academy, said, “We want to find out the needs. We have postponed all events and are working hard to get video conferencing online.”

And, as just posted by the Town of Carbondale, “If you are a local business on Main Street and will be doing take-out orders, email llindberg@carbondaleco.net for details. The Town will make signs and post them near your business for customer pick-up instructions for parking.”

Public access radio station KDNK recently set up a Coronavirus Information and local resources page on the kdnk.org website.

Also, Aspen Public Radio recently posted, “The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) said the state is prioritizing testing in mountain resort communities. State officials, with help from the National Guard, will open mobile testing sites throughout different mountain communities to understand the severity of community spread of COVID-19.”

They cautioned that testing is for those who have been pre-selected by area health care providers. The sites will not accept walk-up or drive-up patients.

On the banking side, financial institutions are staying open while instituting cleaning and sanitizing procedures recommended by the Centers for Disease Control.

Glen Jammaron, president of Alpine Bank, reinforced this approach, saying, “We’re definitely meeting our responsibilities to keep everyone as safe as possible.”

The Colorado Department of Labor and Employment recently announced a variety of resources for workers and employers who are impacted by the Coronavirus. Visit colorado.gov for the most up-to-date information and additional resources.

Valley View Hospital issued its new restrictions as follows: No visitors are permitted in any location unless visiting a patient. Visiting hours are from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. (exception for delivery partners in Family Birthplace) with a limit of one visitor per patient.

Also, all persons who have business with the hospital should call in advance before arriving at any location.

In a similar move, Aspen Valley Hospital (AVH) is limiting nonessential access to all locations to help limit potential exposure to novel coronavirus, COVID-19. In an effort to maintain Aspen Valley Hospital’s operational status, all patients and visitors are asked screening questions prior to entering the hospital or any other AVH facilities, until further notice. The hospital and the Midvalley Surgery Center are postponing elective surgeries until March 30 and then will reevaluate.

Senior Matters, a non profit group that helps older adults, has organized a help-out effort to reach people in Carbondale, the Roaring Fork and Crystal River Valleys. Volunteers can go to seniorsmatter.org or email mary@impactmarketingaspen.com for more information.

A new group, Carbondale CO Mutual Aid, has just been started on Facebook, noting, “This is a swap page for those in need of assistance and those able to help. In the coming weeks, many people will need others to help with deliveries, child care, respite, etc. They can post their needs, and others can respond.”

What are businesses doing?

Colorado Governor Jared Police has ordered closure of restaurants and bars for at least 30 days to stem coronavirus spread — although takeout, delivery and outside dining are permitted. The order also mandates that gyms, casinos and theaters, including movie theaters, be closed. Here’s how that’s impacting different establishments.

Allegria: Call for available take out and delivery details 963-7316.

AmeriGas: Closed to walk-in customers.

Alpine Bank: Open.

The Arts Campus at Willits (TACAW): Postponed three upcoming Kids Flix screenings on April 4, April 18 and May 2.

Aspen Center for Physics: Lectures and cafes on March 18 and 24 and final two winter conferences canceled.

Avalanche Ranch: Open and asking prospective guests who are experiencing symptoms, or have been near someone sick, to stay home and reschedule their visit.

Ball Brewing: Call for available take out and delivery options 989-1210.

Batch: Call for available take out and delivery options 510-5934.

Belly Up: Closed through March 31.

Bonedale Business Academy: Classes canceled. Call founder Evan to chat 366-2532.

Bonfire Coffee: Call for available take out and delivery options 510-5327.

Carbondale Beer Works: Call for available take out and delivery options 704-1216.

Carbondale Beat: Call for available take out and delivery options 510-5134.

Carbondale Chamber of Commerce: Operating virtually.

Carbondale Clay Center: Closed until March 30, possibly longer.

Carbondale Municipal Court: Postponed until May 11, 2020 Carbondale Rotary: Weekly meetings will continue on at zoom. us. and will reevaluate April 1.

Dos Gringos Burritos: Takeout orders in-person or by phone 704-0788. Also, Dos Gringos Burritos is running a gift card program. For every $100 of gift cards purchased, buyers get an additional free $10 gift card to give to someone in need.

Town of Carbondale Recreation Center: Closed until April 8. All events and programs canceled.

Members credited for days missed.

Some refunds possible.

Town Hall: Limited access, check phone in the lobby. Public access further limited next week.

Utilities: Limited access, similar to Town Hall.

Town Shop: Closed to public access.

Town Services: Services in the field remain as do building inspections.

Board of Trustees: March 24

meeting postponed/canceled as are the next two weeks of boards and commissions meeting March 23 through April 8.

City Market: Open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Changes may occur. Pickup available 963-3255. Pharmacy Mon. to Fri. 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Colorado Mountain College Extending spring break through March 20, then holding credit classes via distance learning.

Noncredit classes and on-campus events canceled. All non-credit courses will be canceled for their duration and prorated refunds will be provided. Go to coloradomtn. edu for details.

Colorado Rocky Mountain School (CRMS): Closed until March 30. May be reassessed.

Comfort Inn: Open.

CoVenture: Events canceled.

Developing webinars.

Crown Mountain Park: Open.

All organized gatherings, sports practices and games at the park will be on hold until April 9.

Crystal Theatre: Closed.

Dance Initiative: Evaluating upcoming events.

Dandelion Inn: Open. No cancellation charges.

David Clifford Photography: Evaluating regularly.

Days Inn: Open but reevaluating regularly.

Eagle County Updates: ECemergency.org Five Points Film Festival: April events rescheduled to October 1418. Refunds available.

Footsteps Marketing: Contact at services@footstepsmarketing.com or 510-5233.

Garfield County Seniors Programs: Meals and group activities suspended presently and Traveler transportation service reduced.

Garfield County Facilities: All restricted until April 8, when precautions will be reevaluated.

Garfield County Fairgrounds: All 4-H events are canceled through March 23, and all 4-H Friday Activity Clubs are canceled until April 10.

Garfield County Oil and Gas Symposium and the Vegetation Management Pesticide Applicator Workshop canceled.

Garfield County Libraries: Closed Through April 8. Late fees suspended.

Glenwood Caverns: Closed.

Glenwood Hot Springs Pool: Closed.

Glenwood Vaudeville Revue: Closed through April 8.

Heritage Park Care Center: Complying with visitation restriction guidelines that apply to all nursing homes.

Iron Mountain Hot Springs: Closed.

Jaywalker Lodge: Suspended nonessential work-related travel for all staff, site visits and in-person meetings with external parties at the offices and facilities. Screening process started for admissions and

outside visitors and postponing or canceling all in-person events until April 12.

JC Breakfast and Lunch: Call for available take out and delivery options 404-7229.

Lift Up: Drive-trough, but may reaccess.

Marble Distilling Co. & The Distillery Inn: Call for available take out and delivery options 963-7008.

Mind Springs Health: Only operating virtually until March 29.

Ming’s Cafe: Call for available take out and delivery options 340-4941.

The Orchard: Suspending Sunday services and any group activities until further notice. Non-essential events are canceled or postponed.

Peppino’s Pizza: Call for available take out and delivery options 963-2993.

Phat Thai: Call for available take out and delivery options 963-7001.

Pitkin County Incident Management Team (PCIMT): Eagle, Garfield, and Pitkin county Public Health prohibits large gatherings and events of more than 50 people.

Pour House: Closed for 30 days.

Redstone Castle: No public tours March and April.

Redstone Inn: Inn open to guest stays. Call for available take out and delivery options 963-2526.

Roaring Fork Schools: Reopening April 17.

High School Sports: Canceled.

Roaring Fork Transit Authority (RFTA): Service cuts to the Snowmass and Express Buses and their destinations. Check RFTA. com to see if your particular route has been affected. VelociRFTA Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) is still running on normal schedule at this time. Go to myrfta.com for real time projections.

Ross Montessori School: Closed through March 29. May be extended.

Steve’s Guitars: Acts canceled through March.

Third Street Center: Closed to the public.

Thunder River Theatre Company (TRTC): Suspended all rehearsals, programs, meetings and events through mid-April.

Train Aim Conquer (TAC): Closed for 30 days.

True Nature Healing Arts: Closed until March 31.

Valley View Hospital: Visitor restrictions in place. Nonclinical groups and events canceled. Elective surgeries postponed. Community calls taken at 618-6735.

Village Smithy: Call for available take out and delivery options 963-9990.

Wells Fargo: Open.

Wheeler Opera House: Closed.

White House Pizza: Call for available take out and delivery options 704-9400.

Wind Walkers: Closed through March 30 then reassessed.

THE SOPRIS SUN • Carbondale’s weekly community connector • MARCH 19 - MARCH 25, 2020 • 3

OPINION

SEEKING HIGHER GROUND

By Nicolette Toussaint

“Oh, a storm is threat'ning my very life today If I don't get some shelter oh yeah, I'm gonna fade away…”

I’m quarantined, listening to a 2011 recording of Gimme Shelter produced by Playing for Change, which seeks to “connect the world through music.” It’s a sublime recording, uniting musicians in places like Jamaica, Senegal, New York, Tokyo, Italy… many places where Coronavirus now “burns like a red coal carpet.”

Today, the recording is giving me goosebumps: “War, children, it's just a

EMERGENCY NUMBERS Health related emergencies: 911 Bilingual Aspen to Parachute COVID-19 hotline: 429-6186 Colorado Health Emergency Line: 877-462-2911 Colorado Pre-Testing Information Line: 303-389-1687 Eagle County Public Safety Hotline: 306-4673 Colorado Crisis Services Support Line: 844-493-8255 Garfield County Volunteering Hotline: 945-1377, extension 2020 Pitkin County Hotline: 429-6186 Pitkin County Text Updates: Text CVIRUS to 888777

Love in the time of Coronavirus shot away... Love, sister, it's just a kiss away.”

I lived through AIDS in San Francisco. Epidemics bring out the best and worst in human nature.

Yes, panicked folks have hoarded all the toilet paper in the Roaring Fork Valley, but FIVE people have contacted me, wholly unbidden, to offer their help while I’m sheltering in place. I’ve been shut in since March 8, when the virus turned up in Vail. That prompted me to start reading — and to learn that COVID-19 would likely hand me to the grim reaper pretty quickly.

Given my medical fragility, posts like this one from Trinity Stebleton, an online friend from Silt, have moved me nearly to tears: “As more research has come to light, it has become more clear that this pandemic is different. It spreads easily, its symptoms become severe quickly, and it can make a person deteriorate rapidly. Not just any person though.

People over 60, and those who are immuno-compromised. Some of my favorite people on the planet fall into one, or both, of those categories …

We need to do all we can to protect ourselves, for the sake of others who wouldn't fare as well. A world without grandparents doesn't sound like a

world too many of us want to live in...”

Though I’m glad I’m not amid the storm raging in Seoul or New York, I’m also keenly aware that “there is no away.” I suspect international tourists dropped Coronavirus into the petri dish we call “Aspen” around Christmas.

I think a local friend had it long before the quarantined Aussie, and after a helluva six-week battle, she recovered. The Colorado Sun reported on a healthcare worker who brought the virus home to Crested Butte — without knowing what she had.

Governor Polis is right. This is going to be a “test of our Colorado character,” one that’s toughest in our mountain towns. Danielle Macchini, a doctor in Bergamo, a mountain town in Italy, posted about a hospital where “the war has exploded and battles are uninterrupted, day and night…”

Where there are “no more surgeons, urologists, orthopedists – only doctors who have become part of a single team to face this tsunami that has overwhelmed us”… Where “the ER is collapsing.” Where exhausted doctors have to triage, refusing scarce respirators to those over 60… who don’t have many years left

anyway.

It wouldn’t take many cases to overwhelm Valley View and Aspen Valley hospitals, nor to deplete the medical workers on whom local lives depend. That’s why we need to “flatten the curve” of medical demand by slowing the virus through social distancing.

Beyond that, I think we humans, as a species, could use a big time out.

Speaking at a recent international design conference, Dutch trends forecaster Li Edelkoort opined that the current slowdown in travel and manufacturing is both “terrible and wonderful” because “we need to change our behavior to save the environment. It’s almost as if the virus is an amazing grace for the planet.”

to reflect on our hearts, on our interconnectedness?

Last week, Lynn Unger, a poet I know, wrote a poem called “Pandemic”. Like Whitman, she urged us to stop buying and selling, to stop traveling. She asked what would happen if we viewed this hiatus “as the Jews consider the Sabbath—the most sacred of times?” She writes:

It’s a message poet Walt Whitman gave us in 1907: “The world is too much with us; late and soon, Getting and spending, we lay waste our powers— Little we see in Nature that is ours; We have given our hearts away, a sordid boon!”

What if we used this time-out

Center down. That’s what I’m trying to do.

I’m trying to find love – agape – in the time of Coronavirus. As Lynn urged, I’m reaching out with my heart and words, not my hands. And to the community of so many loved ones, I’m promising my love “for better or for worse, in sickness and in health, so long as we all shall live.”

“Center down.

And when your body has become still, reach out with your heart.

Know that we are connected in ways that are terrifying and beautiful.

(You could hardly deny it now.)

Know that our lives are in one another’s hands.

(Surely, that has come clear.)”

How I became GarCo’s first COVID-19 case The Sopris Sun has been in touch with this woman since early last week, but opted not to publicize anything until the test results come back. We’re still not releasing her identity due to the sensitive nature of the diagnosis.

When I woke up on Sunday, March 8 with a fever and cough I didn’t think anything of it. I had had a slight cough for a few days beforehand that didn’t register as anything dire. On Monday, I went to work as usual, fever seemed gone and my cough was still lingering, I was on a lot of over the counter meds at this time.

On Tuesday, I went to work and read an article about people from Australia testing positive for the virus. I thought about a concert I had attended about a week prior where I had met an Australian girl, so I started reading about COVID-19 symptoms. After determining I had all the symptoms, I went on the hunt for answers.

I called my local doctor, who took all my information, then directed me to the state health department. The state health department first advised me to go home immediately then advised me to call the local health department.

The local health department told me to call the Valley View Emergency Department.

When I called the ER, a nurse took all my symptoms then said my exposure was “vague” and I didn’t qualify to be tested. They then advised me to contact local papers to see if I could get the word out since testing was so restricted. So I did. After receiving a call from a local paper, the hospital called me back.

I had to call the ER upon arriving so someone dressed in proper PPE could give me a mask and escort me into the hospital. I was taken to a room and told I would be isolated

4 • THE SOPRIS SUN • soprissun.com • MARCH 19 - MARCH 25, 2020

until some test results came back. They first tested me for roughly 600 viruses. When those all came back negative they sent the test to the state testing facility for COVID-19 and told me it would be four to five days for results; I would have to isolate until then.

Five days of isolation is a lot harder than I imagined! Working from home is harder as well — I felt so guilty for being gone. Luckily, everyone at work is a trooper and really stepped up! My bosses were overwhelming in their offers of help and support. I’ll always be grateful for that.

I binged shows on Hulu and caught up on some “light” reading (p.s — don’t read about a plague while under quarantine for a pandemic even if Stephen King’s “The Stand” is an amazing book!).

I also have some amazing friends who checked on me daily! One friend dropped off some much-craved cottage cheese and other food, which was great. I Face Timed with my son and my ex and his family. I talked to my cats. The hardest part was when my ex brought my son over to talk while separated by my balcony. It was heart wrenching — he’s only six and while he mostly understood I had to keep myself away from them he was sad he couldn’t be at home and worried about me. I cried for almost an hour after they left, I was lonely and missed my son more than anything.

The waiting to know if I was positive or negative was extremely stressful! Five days is a long time. I was obsessively checking the statistics and reading article after article on the virus.

When I finally got the call, I was stunned even after knowing I most likely had it. I honestly thought I was being just a touch neurotic — as I tend to be. But the words “your test came back

positive” are sobering, to say the least.

The doctor who called was very kind and answered as many questions as he could. He advised the health department would get in touch. He also told me there have been instances when people felt a lot better than relapsed and had to be hospitalized so I should contact the ER immediately if I started feeling worse.

Within an hour, the health department called. They would have to call everyone I had been in contact with, for two days before I got sick until today, individually. This included all my co-workers, friends and relatives from before I even knew I was sick! It’s hard to have to call your boss and tell them you could have exposed an entire workplace to a virus. The guilt is immense, even knowing I probably infected people before I even knew I was sick.

I have racked my brain for anyone I could have been in contact with to let them know. I’ve also been very open about it on social media.

The reason I have been so open is mainly because I was angry at how hard it was for me to get tested in the first place. I know I am young and healthy, but what about the people I infected who could pass it on to older family members or people with underlying conditions? My greatest fear has always been that.

I was considered “low risk.” I had to fight to be tested. I had people telling me I was overreacting. My takeaway is; sometimes the only advocate we have is ourselves. If you’re sick, stay home, call your doctor and friends and family. Let people know. Yes, you might be embarrassed or possibly even ridiculed, but if we are going to stop this spread we have to get over those hurdles. Stay strong!

Governor Polis says schools reopening this school year is 'increasingly unlikely' All K-12 schools across the Roaring Fork Valley including Carbondale’s Ross Montessori announced school closures last Friday, sending kids on an early spring break. Schools are currently scheduled to be closed through April 17th though that date could be extended if deemed necessary. Schools across the nation are facing similar closures in order promote social distancing and reduce the spread of COVID-19.

Kindergarteners pack up anything they want to take home for this extended break.

Class pets were sent home with students and their families.

Kindergarten teachers Estefani Spicer and Eira Soto pack up not knowing when they will return to their classrooms.

Teachers meet after school to discuss the uncertainty of the coming weeks.

Facilities manager Chris Gillette disinfects one of the Ross Montessori busses. Before the closure, Gillette had been spending an hour or two extra each day to make sure all school facilities were properly disinfected each day

Brennan (no last name for student privacy) helps disinfect desks in his classroom. Noticing a heightened anxiety among students, Brennan’s teacher had given kids a break from regularity scheduled lessons clean their classroom.

There were 10 students absent from this upper elementary classroom on Friday.

THE SOPRIS SUN • Carbondale’s weekly community connector • MARCH 19 - MARCH 25, 2020 • 5

The Neffs bring perspective, classical music from Switzerland

By John Colson Sopris Sun Correspondent The Sopris Sun is conducting a series of interviews with folks you may not have seen in the paper before – a sort of introduction to your neighbors.

This week we caught up with Werner Neff, 72, a Swiss-born author and transplant to Carbondale, whose thoughts are given here with input from his wife, Sylvia, 70, who also is from Switzerland.

Q: How did you end up in Carbondale?

A: I came to this area exactly 10 years ago, where Sylvia came to this country over 40 years ago.

[Sylvia: I lived in New York most of that time, and then I came here 7 years ago]. I am retired, and now spending my time writing books on the American economy. I came here because of my late wife, who was from Carbondale. I met her while in Aspen at the Aspen Music Festival and School … auditing the conducting class given to me as a sabbatical by my company. I play piano.

Q: What did you do for work before coming here?

A: I studied political economics and business administration, and worked for 25 years in a large Swiss

bank in the Swiss mortgage and small business loan department.

I moved here from Switzerland directly to Carbondale after my retirement. Since my arrival I have been studying and writing about the American economy and American politics. [Ed. Note: Neff has three books published and available online]. A political economist, I am interested and concerned about the fundamental changes in American democracy.

Q: Tell us a bit about your family background.

A: My family and many, many ancestors came from Switzerland … very simple. I have a brother and a sister, and you would say we were middle class. I attended public schools all the way through university.

Q: Is there a question you get from others that you find tiresome?

A: People often ask me, what do you like better, to live here in America, the Roaring Fork Valley or in Switzerland. And I usually say, “Today, I love it here best. But I am enjoying every situation, being home in Switzerland and being in the United States, especially in Colorado.”

Q: How did you end up writing about American economics and politics?

A: My late wife was so ill that I had to take over working on taxes, health insurance, pension funds, social security and other things.

I found it difficult, compared to solutions we had in Switzerland, so I was forced to study and understand the American social economics.

And there is now my new book, “Restore Trust — Economic Solutions to Current Social and Political Issues in the U.S.” Q: And what are your main concerns as expressed in your book?

A:. I am concerned about the failing of the American Democracy.

I am talking about a distorted democracy and I write about that poverty is a structural problem created by economic thinking errors and institutional poverty traps.

Q: If people recognize you on the street, where do they remember you from?

A: I hope from my book, and I have many friends from piano playing … classical music.

Q: How do you spend your free time?

A: I have a couple of main activities.

I have founded here in Carbondale a group of piano players, about 10 or 12 friends, who come together once every month at one home or another to play piano. The second activity I love, is

Werner Neff, a Swedish-born transplant who came to Carbondale about a decade ago and has been writing books about American political and socio-economic issues.

Photo by Sylvia Neff being a DJ for KDNK Classical every Sunday morning from 8 -10 a.m.

Q: Any advice for our readers?

A: Most important for Americans

now is to vote, and take responsibility for their civil rights. I also encourage people to enroll in a pension plan and health insurance.

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LadyBosses take on the entrepreneurial roller coaster

By Kate Phillips Sopris Sun Correspondent Lindsay Gurley knows just as well as anyone what it is like to ride the entrepreneurial roller coaster.

For the past 10 years, Gurley has been her own boss, but it has not always been easy. Even though her work as an intimate relationship and adventure-based life coach was fulfilling, Gurley often found her thoughts fluctuating between the highs and lows of entrepreneurship.

It was when Gurley reached out to two trusted girlfriends to talk about her own professional challenges that she realized there might be other women in the valley struggling as solo entrepreneurs.

Thus the LadyBoss Collective was born.

The LadyBoss Collective (LBC) is a network of women founders and entrepreneurs with a mutual desire to “elevate their purpose, impact, and income” through connection and soulful interactions.

Open to all female-identifying entrepreneurs, the LBC helps individuals either launch their own business or take their already thriving business to the next level by relying on a deeprooted network of dynamic women.

“It is so easy to stop believing in yourself when you’re an entrepreneur,” Gurley said.

“When you have a community to reach into incredible things can happen. We create new beliefs and break down old barriers so that you can get out of your own way to see that there are an infinite amount of possibilities.”

Specializing in confidence development, Gurley has helped LadyBosses both locally and internationally break-free from the nagging self-

doubt that has kept them from moving forward in their business ventures.

Within the LadyBoss Collective, women are able to connect and grow through virtual and in-person meet-and-greets, outdoor retreats, leadership training, continuing education, and the MasterCircle.

The MasterCircle is a nine-week program — eight weeks of sessions with one week off — in which women dive deep into the soul of their business ventures. Here, the LadyBosses discover their own personal and professional boundaries, speak to their inner critics, and build their “strong voices” by supporting one another.

At the start of the program, Gurley said the women gather together in community, share wine, nourishing food, and hot tea while establishing rules of engagement.* With the ritual in place, the women have set their intentions with each other, and most importantly: themselves.

Each week, the women use breathwork, meditation, and small group discussions to focus on diverse topics prompted by Gurley to create tangible measures that propel their entrepreneurial goals.

“I am a very action-oriented person,” Gurley said. “The MasterCircle has concrete action steps for real movement forward. Each person is paired with an accountability buddy to lean on, and there is about two to three hours of homework every week.”

While the MasterCircle is not a crash course on how to run a business, Gurley said potential topics will include mission and vision development, establishing income goals, business leadership training, and rediscovering one’s passion and creativity in business.

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Upon completion, MasterCircle alumni not only leave with a clear-cut business plan and the confidence to enact it, but they are given an extensive network of women to lean on when the entrepreneurial roller coaster becomes difficult to manage.

With just a few programs completed, the LBC already boasts an impressive list of MasterCircle alumni. Connecting digital designers, nutritional therapists, functional movement therapists, inventors, real estate brokers, and more the LBC has a wealth of community knowledge.

A private Facebook group keeps the alumni connected and offers additional coaching and educational opportunities provided by Gurley.

“There are so many inspiring women out there, and there is so much power in a community,” Gurley said. “When you have a group, it is like the scaffolding that holds your vision and keeps you moving forward.”

For Gurley, nothing is more important than continuing to support and uplift the women she collaborates with. Currently, she is planning for monthly LBC meet-ups and hopes to see LBC chapters pop up across the United States.

“These women are my long term investment.

I want to make an impact by helping others make an impact,” Gurley said. “It really does warm my soul to see how badass these women are.”

With the onset of COVID-19, Gurley has decided to host the upcoming MasterCircle workshop virtually through Zoom. It will be similar to the in-person experience — full of break out sessions, personal check-ins, and rituals — just now from the comfort of your own home while following CDC protocol.

The deadline to apply for the upcoming

Lindsay Gurley, founder of the LadyBoss Collective, helps female entrepreneurs make an impact on the greater community by supporting their goals, network, and business ventures.

LadyBoss Collective MasterCircle is April 1.

Accepted applicants will meet every Wednesday on Zoom from April 8 through June 3. Visit www.lindsaygurley.com/roaringladybosses to learn more.

What are you waiting for? The time to invest in yourself is now! *In light of COVID-19 future LadyBoss Collective programs will be run virtually until further notice.

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Community committees consider chief candidates

By Will Grandbois Sopris Sun Staff The public reception for Carbondale’s four police chief finalists went ahead as expected amid COVID-19 cancellations on March 12, but with very little risk of exceeding the 50-person cap imposed by the county. Similarly, a set of panels intended to further vet the candidates managed to squeeze into the narrow window before the Rec. Center and Town Hall closed to the public.

In addition to the standard law enforcement investigation and faux-Town Council Town Manager Jay Harrington has used for such decisions elsewhere, he also opted for a dedicated bilingual group.

“The real key is to find someone who’s a good fit for the community — and that means all groups,” he said. “The Town Board felt that it was critical to have a Latino influence on this.”

In turn, Sean Dugan, Dave Shaffer, Kirk Wilson and Lee Damuth took their hot seat at the red table to answer to a mix of Town employees and community members — all bilingual, though some questions were posed via interpreter for good measure.

“Mi espanol es muy malo — muy poquito,” Dugan acknowledged.

Shaffer expressed a desire to learn, noting that he’d learned passable Italian for

his frequent (until recently) forays abroad.

Wilson had similar hopes, but admitted that his attempts to pick up a second language have thus far been fruitless.

Those of you who are bilingual, that’s very impressive to me,” he said.

As for Damuth, the goal of better integration went well beyond the chief.

“The department is becoming a lot more representative. I’d like to continue that,” he said. “I don’t think you should only expect your Spanish-speaking officers to do all the Spanish-speaking events.”

One spectre that revealed itself in each interview was that of Immigration and Customs Enforcement — and in particular, the 2011 controversy over a school resource officer who moonlighted as an ICE agent.

“We’re not an arm of immigration,” Damuth responded. “I think we need to be very clear about the separation of ICE and local police and ensuring it’s there.”

Wilson opposed the idea of having any officer cross-trained with ICE, and Dugan suggested that the police department should supervise the feds to make sure they’re operating appropriately.

For Shaffer, it came down to trust.

“We are the bridge to help kids learn about public safety and law enforcement,” he said. “There are enough issues in schools without bringing that conversation in.”

Many of the questions posed weren’t

Tie-dye clad Police Chief Gene Schilling observes as four men vie to be his successor.

Photo by Will Grandbois specific to the Spanish-speaking community.

The panel probed into difficult decisions each candidate had made in the past and specifically expressed concerns about use of force.

On that front, training was widely regarded as the best solution.

“You have these low-frequency, highimpact conflicts,” Wilson said. “We have a responsibility and an obligation to ensure that our officers are trained to do their job effectively and safely.”

For less extreme challenges, all four seemed to agree that community relationships were essential.

“I think you need to meet people where they’re at on communication,” Damuth

said. “You can’t just say you have an open door policy.”

To that end, each was asked whether they would support the tradition of police officers wearing tie-dye during Mountain Fair. All were supportive, though Dugan was perhaps the most enthusiastic.

“Only if I get matching pants,” he said.

“If it’s something that brings down those tall cold walls of the police department, I think it’s a good thing.”

Once feedback from the panels has been compiled, Harrington will have more background work to do on the top candidate before a formal offer might be made in April.

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Carbondale, CO THE SOPRIS SUN • Carbondale’s weekly community connector • MARCH 19 - MARCH 25, 2020 • 9

GOVERNMENT BRIEFS New graduation requirements start with Class of 2021 Beginning with the Class of 2021, all students graduating in the Roaring Fork School District must meet Colorado's new graduation guidelines that require graduates to demonstrate college and career readiness in English and math, in addition to meeting other graduation requirements.

Previously, Roaring Fork students had the option of completing 30 course requirements or demonstrating college readiness in English or math. The new guidelines require students to do both.

Meeting the new requirements, according to school officials, will be accomplished “for most students by meeting or exceeding the scoring requirements” on standardized tests.

“Although the most significant change is due to state requirements, we agree with the principle that students should be proficient in English and math before they graduate high school,” said Superintendent Rob Stein. “We also know that participating in our English and math programs is important because there are learning experiences that cannot be measured on a test.”

Since the new requirements were first mentioned in 2013, Stein said, local counselors and teachers have

been working to prepare students for the changes, and he noted that the new policy “allows flexibility for students with special needs.”

Dems unveil Colorado Affordable Health Care option Earlier this month in the Colorado General Assembly, Representative Dylan Roberts, Senator Kerry Donovan and Representative Chris Kennedy unveiled what they described as innovative, first-in-the-nation legislation to lower the cost of health care and increase consumer choice by creating the Colorado Affordable Health Care Option.

“Today, we have introduced a bill that will give Coloradans relief they deserve: lower insurance premiums and real choice on the individual health insurance market,” said Rep. Roberts, D-Avon. “The Colorado Option will provide choice and competition for Colorado families, and the status quo of being forced to pay outrageous premiums because it’s the only option will be over.”

From fostering health care cooperatives to ending surprise medical billing, according to statements from House and Senate Democrats, legislators have passed legislation intended to save consumers money. However, despite these efforts, legislators

have concluded that Colorado families still pay too much for health insurance, and 22 out of 64 counties have only one health insurance carrier. Furthermore, research shows that one-fifth of Coloradans do not seek care because of affordability concerns.

We're proud to say that today that will no longer occur in the State of Colorado,” said Polis.

Colorado follows California, New York, New Jersey, and Virginia in passing the CROWN Act. It passed by a vote of 42-21 in the House and 23-11 in the Senate.

Colorado bans hair-style discrimination

State seeks to boost rural

In a community celebration in Denver recently, Colorado Gov. Jared Polis signed The CROWN Act, prohibiting discrimination based on hair texture, hair type, protective hairstyles and headwraps.

The ban is to affect education, employment, housing, and public accommodations.

“The CROWN (Create a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair) Act will right a decades-long wrong: forcing people across the ethnic spectrum to make their hair look and feel a certain way to succeed,” said State Rep. Leslie Herod (D-Denver). “This bill is for every person who has spent countless hours and dollars to conform to eurocentric beauty standards. Everyone should be their true beautiful selves, feel proud of their culture and heritage, and be celebrated for their self-expression.”

“Discriminating against people's hair has often been a stand-in for discriminating against their race.

The Colorado House of Representatives recently passed two bipartisan bills meant to boost rural economies.

HB20-1003, which passed 5113, would extend and expand the Rural Jump-Start program, which helps small businesses open, and creates jobs in rural areas across the state.

HB20-1191, which passed 44-20, is related to HB20-1003, and would promote the outdoor recreation industry in Colorado by eliminating barriers to eligibility for certain types of outdoor-oriented businesses to take advantage of the Rural Jump-Start program.

HB20-1191, sponsored by Representatives Barbara McLachlan and Matt Soper, calls for the cultivation, promotion, and coordinated development of the outdoor recreation industry in Colorado and for the protection and conservation of public lands, waters, air, and climate.

Want to get involved?

Contact your elected officials about the issues that matter to you

economies

Senator Michael Bennet 261 Russell Senate Office Bldg.

Washington, DC 20510 (202) 224-5852

Senator Cory Gardner 354 Russell Senate Office Bldg.

Washington, DC 20510 (202) 224-5941

Congressman Scott Tipton 218 Cannon HOB Washington, DC 20515 (202) 225-4761

CO Senator Bob Rankin 200 E Colfax, 346 Denver, CO 80203 (303)866-5292

CO Rep Perry Will 200 E Colfax, 07 Denver, CO 80203 (303)866-2949

CARBONDALE DITCH CLEANING BEGINS THIS WEEK As of March 16TH Town crews will be cleaning irrigation ditches throughout Carbondale. Be advised there may be smoke in your neighborhood when the crew is working near your home. Please keep access open, inspect the ditch condition and remove any debris and plant growth that has accumulated since last year. We anticipate the ditches will be turned on April 15th.

In preparation for this year’s irrigation season, please make appropriate adjustments to your pump intakes to allow for low flow conditions which appear toward the end of the season.

The low flow conditions in the Crystal River will pre-empt calls by the Colorado Water Conservation Board to reduce diversion amounts throughout the Crystal River basin as appropriate for minimum stream flow and drought conditions. These calls will reduce the depth of the irrigation ditches throughout town.

Ditch usage information Per the Town of Carbondale Municipal Code 13.44.020: .All rights of persons and entities to use or divert water from the town ditch system shall be permissive only, and may be refused, canceled, or revoked at any time by the town for any reason whatsoever. Without limiting the foregoing, no use or diversion by any person or entity of water from the town ditch system shall entitle such user to any legal water right of any kind.

10 • THE SOPRIS SUN • soprissun.com • MARCH 19 - MARCH 25, 2020

Per theTown of Carbondale Municipal Code 13.44.040: Obstructions - No person or entity shall: A. Place any obstructions to the flow of water in any ditch in the town ditch system; B. Place any fence or other structure across or within the easement of any ditch in the town ditch system; C. Throw or lodge any solid matter into any ditch in the town ditch system; this includes lawn clippings and yard waste D. Refuse to remove any obstruction, fence or structure from any easement of any ditch in the town ditch system, when so requested by the town; E. Pollute any ditch, or water therein, in the town ditch system; F. Prevent access for authorized town personnel to operate, maintain, inspect, or otherwise use the town ditch system, or easements or head gates utilized by the town ditch system.

If you have questions, please call the Town Utility Department at 963-3140.

Thank you.

Byars brings water, health to the commissioner conversation

Disaster comes to town

Katrina Byars. Courtesy photo.

By Will Grandbois Sopris Sun Staff Katrina Byars has been busy since she was forced to step down from the Carbondale Board of Trustees due to a housing situation in 2017.

She spent the first six months in Glenwood Springs, putting together a nonprofit dedicated to sustainability.

“Its mission is to empower communities to protect their water and plan for a sustainable future — really using what we did in Carbondale as an example,” she explained.

Next, she enrolled at the University of Denver, pursuing a Masters of Legal Studies in Environmental and Natural Resource Law and Policy — focusing in particular on water and energy.

“Those are my priorities because those are our priorities as a community.

We rely on the natural resources around us,” she explained. “I was concerned and am concerned about dangerous

environmental contamination into our watersheds.”

Byars kept a foot in Glenwood Springs the whole time, and before she even finished school people were encouraging her to run for county commissioner.

“I’ve considered this for a long time,” she said. “I really wanted to check in with the community before I ran. I wanted to know that I was ready for it.”

First, she approached incumbent John Martin.

“I know John and have worked well with him in the past,” she said. “I told him I’d rather run with his support than as his opponent.”

That doesn’t seem to be in the cards, but Byars isn’t too worried.

“I want my conversation with John Martin to be one that moves our whole county forward, whether he wins or I win,” she said. “Right now, we’re not

separate political parties. We’re just one people living.”

And while she plans to remain a registered candidate for November, she’s suspending all campaign activity during the COVID-19 outbreak.

“I’m really worried about our senior citizens and the Latino community,” she said. “I don’t want people to experience social isolation or resource shortages.”

To that end, she’s been involved in the creation of a Facebook page, Coronavirus/covid19 Ask/Offer Glenwood Springs and Beyond. She encouraged those with web access to help connect those without such resources.

And when the election rolls around, she suspects more folks might share her concerns for public health and equity.

“When we’re making this decision, it’s going to be in a different political and economic landscape,” she said.

The Town of Carbondale on Tuesday declared a Local Disaster Emergency in response to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

All town advisory-board meetings have been canceled, the town's Recreation Center is closed, and municipal court will not be held until April 11, according to announcements from town officials.

In addition, other facilities owned and controlled by the

Town may have reduced hours or be closed to public access,” the town announced. Town buildings will be following “social distancing guidelines” (keeping at least six feet away from others) for the foreseeable future, and the same adherence to social distancing is encouraged in town parks.

Local residents are urged to visit garfield-county.com/publichealth/novel-coronavirus to stay informed on virus-related issues.

Election process continues, but virtually An emergency measure by the state legislature will allow the county party assemblies to proceed online.

Both the Garfield County Democrats and Republicans will go ahead more or less as planned on March 21, but without the in-person mingling that usually accompanies such events.

Delegates selected at local caucuses will be asked to make a

final candidate decision based on videos rather than speeches. The final preference polls will be sent on to the state convention and made available publicly.

Under the circumstances, The Sopris Sun is suspending its policy of only covering candidates who host events in the 81623 zip code. Keep an eye out for expanded coverage of state and county races.

“I will participate in the census to show my love for Colorado.”

CARRIE BESNETTE HAUSER, PRESIDENT & CEO, COLORADO MOUNTAIN COLLEGE

Census data funds community services for all of us from Aspen to Parachute.

Complete your census Complete your census TODAY! starting March 12th.

A2PCensus2020.com A2PCensus2020.com THE SOPRIS SUN • Carbondale’s weekly community connector • MARCH 19 - MARCH 25, 2020 • 11

S E G A P f the o t s a P

Cooperation and controversy in Carbondale

By Suzie Brady

SUZOKU

In other news… Garfield County Sheriff Verne Soucie was urging caution after a pair of pipe bombs were placed in Rifle-area mailboxes.

From the archives of the Valley Journal and Sopris Sun

March 20, 1980 Meals on Wheels rolled into town, thanks to the Carbondale RSVP, Ladies Sewing Group and CMC. $1 covered the cost of meal containers and car expenses. According to Vic Foglia, pastor of the Lifehouse congregation that delivered the meals, the program met “a genuine human need of the people we see… we had been praying for a chance to minister to some of the community’s older people. Our congregation is all young and this is the answer to our prayers.”

In other news… The Overland Stage Company passed through with an original play based on the events surrounding the Ludlow massacre, entitled “The Trial of Mother Jones.”

March 22, 1990 Incumbent trustee Mike Speer said he would make every effort to work with challenger Randy Schutt — who had alleged that the council violated state election laws in a recent sanitation district consolidation vote — but “that doesn’t mean he’s a rational individual with the best interests of the community at heart.” Schutt shot back that the Town needed to be held accountable and “if they erred, they should recognize it.”

March 16, 2000 A Basalt Middle School teacher had been suspended after allegedly assaulting a student in the hall. Superintendent Fred Wall called the allegations a "fabrication," saying that the teacher had grabbed the student's backpack after the latter refused to stop, causing both to fall to the ground. In an unrelated incident, the dance team coach at Basalt High School obtained a restraining order against an 18-yearold student.

In other news… The Church at Carbondale was approved for a 900-person auditorium in the still-under-construction space which would become The Orchard.

March 18, 2010 In addition to putting together its second Green is the New Black fashion show, the Carbondale Council on Arts and Humanities was preparing to move from the old post office (now Carbondale Beer Works) into a new space in the Third Street Center. The official opening of the TSC wouldn't be for a couple more months, but CCAH — now Carbondale Arts — would prove something of an anchor tenant for years before moving into its current location at the Launchpad.

In other news… The Town was trying to find the right balance of growth and density in its 2010 comprehensive plan.

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OPINION

Sun Signs

By Whitney Will

On March 21, Saturn will ingress into the sign of Aquarius, marking the end of one mini-epoch and our collective entrance into another.

Saturn has been in the sign of Capricorn since December 2017, bringing attention to the structure of our institutions and “the establishment.” Saturn’s shift into the sign of Aquarius will shift the focus to the collective ideals that underpin government and society with a critical eye as to their current function or dysfunction.

Astrology is built upon a series of cycles, timed by each planet’s particular speed as it traverses the signs of the zodiac. The swifter

Saturn enters Aquarius

planets, Mercury and Venus, will speed through the zodiac and due to their relatively short time in each sign and aspect, signify more fleeting things. The moon, the fastest moving of them all, rules over daily life, all the details that come and go, appointments, moods, hair appointments, and meals.

Saturn, originally the outermost known planet until the discovery of Uranus in 1781, was called the leaden planet because of its slow march through the sky that takes on average 27.39 years. As the final planet, Saturn stands for what is bound in the temporal and corporeal planes of existence.

Saturn is the limitation imposed on us because, despite the possibility of deeper spiritual truths (Neptune), we are in fact mortal meat suits who live in actual relationships and communities, in shelters made of matter that must be logged, mined, transported, and erected with effort.

We eat food grown through great strain on both earth and man.

Each of us will die, and before we do, we will probably have our hearts broken a few times by losing those we love to the inevitable vicissitudes of time. We are essentially limited creatures, and Saturn’s work is that

Saturn. Courtesy photo. limitation. Cheerful, no?

The planet Saturn finds his mythological roots in the figure of Chronos, the father of Zeus, who devoured each of his children so they could not supplant his power. Chronos is also the root of chronology, the type of time wherein one thing follows another in the causal sequence. Saturn is called the Lord of Time and governs structural changes in ourselves and society that take years to come into form.

Saturn rules both Capricorn and, in traditional astrology, Aquarius as well. No other planet rules two

adjacent signs.

Capricorn is the sign of goals accomplished and plans realized.

No other sign has the discipline and willingness to apply oneself fully over long periods of time. It also represents the status quo in systems of power and government. Saturn in Capricorn can feel quite oppressive, and it’s sharing the last year there with Pluto and the South Node have seen a calling up of collective shadow from within our institutions and those in power.

The strength of Saturn in Capricorn and its iron grip can only be matched by Saturn himself.

LETTERS

Saturn in Aquarius is as strong as Saturn in Capricorn, but with an eye toward the future and the mind of a revolutionary. Instead of embodying systems, Saturn in Aquarius examines the architecture of ideas underneath them.

It is irreverent and bold with a stubborn rebelliousness that is fully committed to humanitarian ideals.

When Saturn shifts into Aquarius on March 21, a devil-may-care attitude may breathe new life into an exhausted populace.

Saturn spends around two and a half years in each sign, and there will be plenty of time for new stories to take root. Among them, we can expect to see themes of a more populist nature, but also we should be wary of rigid individualism.

Capricorn is the sign of elders, and though Aquarius has the mental acuity to cut losses, I hope that the rising panic around the Covid-19 outbreak does not dull our compassion towards those older and more vulnerable.

Saturn will be in Aquarius until July 1 when it will retrograde back into Capricorn until it re-enters Aquarius on December 16.

Continued from page 2

challenging.To me, living ‘a wonderful blessing’ of a life would be spreading that shit out and sharing it with others.

I’m on a town board, my second one, and have been to a handful of other town meetings over the years. Our town is not as harmonious as the picture Criswell paints. Conflict is necessary; it arises when expression is suppressed, when a solution that has not existed before is trying to surface.

And people in a pickle need safety, respect, listening — all ways to common ground.

I’ve seen a lot of ugliness in our community meetings of late involving angry people resorting to force and aggression to get their way in town matters. There is no place for that kind of behavior in navigating the change and possibilities a growing town will always face. How can rabbits raise such ire? Is this really about rabbits?

Geneviéve Joëlle Villamizar Carbondale

Manifest massacres Dear Editor: On a recent trip to Canyon de Chelles in the four corners area of Arizona, a Navajo guide told our tour group of some horrors the white man had heaped on his people I hadn’t heard before.

In 1825, Spanish soldiers brutally slaughtered and dismembered 25 Navajo women and children hiding in a cave. The braves were off hunting. Today, this area is known as the Canyon del Muerto or “this evil place” and nobody goes there.

Then, in 1864, Kit Carson led an American force to drive the Navajo outta the canyon. The Navajo gathered on a high rock and refused to surrender. Carson decided to starve them out by destroying their crops and irrigation channels, cutting down their fruit trees, and slaughtering their livestock.

The Navajo held out for months, but eventually the

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majority gave in. Those who didn’t were killed. Survivors, including women and children and old men, were subjected to what is called “The Long Walk” to Bosque Redondo in eastern New Mexico some 450 miles away. Many perished.

One of the more innocent souls on the tour asked, “Why would they do something like that?”

The guide had no answer, so I offered one. “Because that’s what white people do when they encounter people of color. It’s called genocide. Sand Creek, Wounded Knee — gender or age doesn’t make any difference to them. The white men saw the Native Americans as less than human.”

A while back, a Native American friend of mine said his people hate Mexicans. “You hate your indigenous brothers?” I inquired. “I suggest you stick together,” I offered, “because nobody can hate like the white man.”

Fred Malo Jr. Carbondale tireless dedication of Jamin Hea

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14 • THE SOPRIS SUN • soprissun.com • MARCH 19 - MARCH 25, 2020

Barbara Frances Morris Snobble, worldwide traveler, devoted teacher, avid jazz fan, and much-loved mother and grandmother, died Feb. 17, 2020, in Niceville, Florida. She was 93.

Barbara was born March 9, 1926, in Cleveland, Ohio, to Robert H. and Marie Morris, and grew up in Kansas and Chicago, Illinois, with her sister Bobbie Herbest.

She graduated from Vassar College, New York, in June 1946, where she studied liberal arts and had dreams of working at the State Department. Instead, she fell in love with the Mountain West and John “Jack” Snobble, who she married (in ski gear!) on March 27, 1947, in Aspen, Colorado.

They lived in Europe, Washington, D.C., and Carbondale, Colorado, where they raised four daughters and were married nearly 50 years. Jack died in 1996. Barbara was engaged to Richard “Dick” Allenby, a childhood friend of hers and college roommate of Jack’s, from 2003 until he died in Jan. 2017.

Although Barbara spent summers during her childhood living on a farm, she was also quite the socialite who loved Benny Goodman and Coleman Hawkins. As a teen in Chicago, she snuck into jazz clubs to go dancing with friends.

Barbara was also a dedicated student of history; at 18, she joined the Daughters of the American Revolution and remained an active member most of her life. She was also a founding member of the Roaring Fork chapter of the Colorado Archaeological Society. She taught Latin and history at Colorado Rocky Mountain School and at Colorado Mountain College. She later became the librarian at Gordon Cooper Library in Carbondale.

Barbara loved to travel. After she and Jack married, they spent three years living in and traveling through Europe; enjoying rationed

wine, cheese, and bread; and seeing the art and treasures of a continent recovering from WWII. Later, she visited Syria, Russia, and Egypt; led a six-week study tour through the Yucatan; sailed in Spain and Greece; rode horseback on safari in Kenya; and took one crazy bus tour through Italy. In 1987, she traveled to China, her lifelong dream.

Barbara enjoyed the theater and performed with the Carbondale Light Opera Company in the 1970s and 1980s. She also loved to read, garden, and collect souvenirs from her travels, including an impressive doll collection. While touring Greece, Yugoslavia and Turkey in 1965, she sent home boxes of dolls to her children every two weeks.

Several years ago, after living for decades in the same home in Colorado, she moved with Dick to Florida to be closer to her daughter, Cristi, and to spend time attending concerts and the theater, going to parties, and enjoying the sunshine and her beloved cat.

Barbara is survived by her four daughters and sons-in-law, Cori Snobble and John Montgomery, Casi and Kerry Miller, Conne and Jim Bazley, and Cristi and Tim Perry; her nephew Bruce Everett and his wife Patti; and Dick’s three sons and their wives, Braden and Carolyn Allenby, Kent and Patrice Allenby, and Peter and Julie Allenby. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Leila, Arden, Kelly, Megan, Holly, Cameron, Rachael, Kendra, Richard, Kristy, and Brian; and her great-grandchildren, Wyatt, Colton, Reese, Jace, Luke, Harrison, Eloise, Tanner, and Sloane.

Memorial services will be held this July in Colorado. In lieu of flowers, please donate to hospice care. Expressions of love and sympathy may be viewed or placed at mclaughlintwincities.com

PARTING SHOTS

LEGALS PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a Public Hearing will be held before the Carbondale Planning and Zoning Commission for the purpose of considering a Special Use Permit for a large Day Care (seven children or more).

The application includes a variance from the maximum fence height of 42” in the front yard setback to allow a four foot high fence. It also includes Alternative Compliance from Section 5.8 Off-Street Parking.

The property is located at 55 N. 7th Street (aka Lots 1-4, Block 21, Town of Carbondale and the South 15 feet of Lots 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5, Block 7, Weavers Addition to the Town of Carbondale).

The owner is Millard Courtney Farmer III.

The applicant is Blue Lake Preschool, Inc. Said Public Hearing will be held at the Carbondale Town Hall, 511 Colorado Avenue, Carbondale, CO at 7:00 p.m. on April 16, 2020.

Copies of the proposed application are on file in the Planning Department office, Town Hall, 511 Colorado Avenue, Carbondale, CO and may be examined by interested persons during regular working hours, 8:00 a.m. through 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. The application may also be reviewed on the Town’s website at HYPERLINK "http://www. carbondalegov.org" www.carbondalegov. org Janet Buck Town Planner

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“don’t trash it – cash it” We pay CASH for METALS! With what started out as canceling events out of an abundance of caution as become the new norm as community members and businesses grapple with the social, health and financials costs of the COVID-19 pandemic. After a final rehearsal Green is the New Black Fashion Show, Alchemy breaks down the lighting they day the show was supposed to open to the public. Sunlight employees commiserate the early closure of Sunlight Mountain with an uphill hike on Sunday, the day after Governor Polis announced an executive order to close all ski resorts. While all facilities will remain closed, the mountain is still open for uphilling for now. Fred Malo pulls down his mask for a brief moment as he places his order at the Village Smithy. The restaurant opened up for two hours on Wednesday to sell their perishable food items to community members.

Photos by Laurel Smith

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THE SOPRIS SUN • Carbondale’s weekly community connector • MARCH 19 - MARCH 25, 2020 • 15

C VID Health Alert: CORONAVIRUS DISEASE

19

Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)

You have traveled to a country with an outbreak of COVID-19 and are at higher risk.

COVID-19 is a respiratory illness that can spread from person to person.

Stay Home

Symptoms

Stay home for the next 14 days and monitor your health.

Take your temperature with a thermometer two times a day and watch for symptoms.

Illnesses have ranged from mild symptoms to severe illness and death. Symptoms may appear 2–14 days after exposure.

If you feel sick and have symptoms:

Symptoms can include:

• Call ahead before you go to a doctor’s office or emergency room.

Fever (100.4°F/38°C or higher)

• Tell the doctor about your recent travel and your symptoms.

Cough

• Avoid contact with others.

Shortness of breath

• Do not travel while sick.

Visit the website for more information on monitoring your health and how to contact local public health officials. Visit: www.cdc.gov/COVIDtravel

CS 315649-B February 29, 2020 4:15 PM

For information about COVID-19 and how to monitor your health after travel, open your cell phone camera and scan this code:

코로나바이러스감염증-19(COVID-19) 및 여행 후 건강 상태를 모니터 링하는 방법에 대한 정보를 보려면, 휴대폰 카메라로 이 코드를 스캔 하십시오:

Для получения информации о COVID-19 и о том, как контролировать состояние вашего здоровья после путешествия, включите камеру на вашем мобильном телефоне и отсканируйте этот код:

COVID-19

,

,

:

Pour obtenir des informations relatives à COVID-19 et à la manière de surveiller votre santé après un voyage, ouvrez la caméra de votre téléphone portable et scannez le code suivant : ‫دجتسملا انوروك سوريف لوح تامولعم ىلع لوصحلل‬ COVID-19 ‫رفسلا دعب ةيحصلا كتلاح ةبقارم ةيفيكو‬، ‫اًيئوض زمرلا اذه حسماو يولخلا كفتاه اريماك حتفا‬:

Untuk mendapatkan maklumat mengenai COVID-19 dan cara mengawasi kesihatan anda selepas perjalanan, buka kamera telefon bimbit anda dan imbas kod ini:

新型コロナウイルス感染症（COVID-19 ）に関する情報、および旅行後の自 身の健康状態を観察する方法について は、携帯電話のカメラを起動して、こ のコードをスキャンしてください：

Para obtener información sobre el COVID-19 y cómo monitorear su salud después de un viaje, abra la cámara de su teléfono y escanee este código:

Para obter informações sobre o COVID-19 e como monitorar sua saúde após a viagem, abra a câmera do seu celular e digitalize este código:

有关COVID-19 的信息以及如何在旅 行后监测您的健康状况，请打开手机 摄像头并扫描此二维码：

www.cdc.gov/COVIDTravel