20 05 21

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

Carbondale’s weekly

community connector

Volume 12, Number 15 | May 21-27, 2020

OLD & NEW

Sixth grade teacher at the Waldorf School on the Roaring Fork Diana Baetz raided the school’s costume storage closet to use in creating digital lessons for her students. Her husband, Brad, films the lessons in their backyard just outside of Carbondale. The Baetz family has had to find ways to balance working from home while supporting three kids who are distance learning. The youngest Baetz children are both students at the Waldorf School. Turn to page 6 to find out more. Photo by Laurel Smith

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OPINION

By Laurel Smith After four years, last Friday I graduated from Colorado Mountain College with my A.A.S. in professional photography. It has been a long journey starting with taking night classes while still teaching elementary school fulltime and ending with one final Zoom critique at my kitchen table.

I can’t shake the feeling of déjà vu. I graduated from the University of Denver with my bachelor’s degree in writing in 2009. I had plans of being a journalist, but that was the year of the recession. Denver’s oldest paper, the Rocky Mountain News,

To the class of 2020: I hope we are not forgotten went under just weeks earlier and I was competing for the same jobs and even unpaid internships as veteran journalists with decades of experience. So, I joined the Peace Corps instead and eventually got a teaching license.

Now, it's 2020 and I am once again trying to break into journalism, only this time as a photographer. Ad revenues have plummeted in response to shutting down the economy and newspapers across the country are laying off and furloughing journalists. It really hit home as I started to see local journalists’ names disappear from our mountain papers.

It is a bad time to graduate in almost any field. Since February, almost 40 million people have filed for unemployment. Almost no one is hiring. Joining the Peace Corps isn’t even an option. For students living off student loans there will be no-unemployment assistance to replace that lost income, and for

undocumented students there will be no stimulus check to wait for. It is going to be very hard financially for a lot of recent college grads.

I am lucky. My partner is working full time, and I am still able to do some freelance photojournalism.

And unlike in 2009, I have another skill set to fall back on — teaching.

Right now, I’m looking at ways I can possibly replace my lost income through tutoring. Things are definitely not going to plan, but I am okay with that. Perhaps that is a lesson I learned after my 2009 graduation.

It is my hope that the class of 2020 will not be forgotten and that, when the economy recovers, employers hire us for jobs in our chosen fields. Until then most of us will have to spend the foreseeable future doing plan B. During this time, I encourage our community to support recent grads through mentorships. In the last year, I’ve met a lot of working photojournalists and a few have stayed in contact

with me. They check in on me every once in a while, alert me to opportunities and give me feedback on my work. This along with the continued support and mentorship of my CMC professors has meant the world to me. It keeps me going when my dreams feel impossible.

Last week, a blue and yellow box arrived on my porch. Inside was a graduation cap and messages of congratulations. I opened it and felt immense gratitude for CMC. Because of CMC, I was able to get a second degree as an adult, in my own community, without taking on any debt. I got a better education and have had more opportunities than I ever expected.

On May 15, we had our virtual graduation ceremony. After countless hours learning alongside my classmates, we sat in our living rooms listening to speeches and words of encouragement. We ended this long journey alone, but together we enter into an unknown world.

LETTERS

Sincerest thanks to our

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 Lee Beck and John Stickney

Legacy Givers for including us in their final wishes.

Mary Lilly

And all our SunScribers and community members for your support.

Vote DeGolia onto HCE board

The enemies of democracy

Oath vs Vow

Dear Editor: A quote from Albert Einstein that helped inspire me to run for elected office almost 20 years ago was: "We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them." I translated this quote into a campaign slogan of ‘A New Perspective.’

Fast forward two decades and I remain convinced that our perspectives must continue to evolve in order to successfully address the amazingly complex challenges we face today and will continue to face for decades to come. I would argue that utilities, particularly electric utilities are in the eye of the storm.

What continues to inspire me is that our greatest lever to solve these challenges, without question, is local agencies, which includes local electric coops like Holy Cross Energy. It is imperative that Holy Cross be innovative, collaborative and entrepreneurial, while at the same time being measured and responsible stewards of the incredibly vital systems they manage on our behalf. I see Alex DeGolia fitting that mold quite well.

Alex is energetic and thoughtful. He has intelligence backed by field experience. He has helped solve complex problems by asking the right questions and forging strong relationships.

He brings a new perspective to the table yet his family has strong roots to the valley.

The Town of Carbondale relies on Holy Cross Energy in many different ways and in some ways our future success is intertwined.

I look forward to Alex helping us achieve that success. Please vote Alex DeGolia for HCE Board.

Dan Richardson, Mayor of Carbondale

Dear Editor: The GOP doesn’t just oppose the Democrats, it opposes democracy itself. This was again evidenced by a tape of a conference call acquired by the Denver Post revealing Colorado Republican Party Chair and Fourth District U.S. Congressman Ken Buck pressuring Tenth District GOP Chair Eli Bremer to report inaccurate results for the district’s state senate primary.

Buck favorite David Stiver only got 24 percent of the vote in the March 3 primary. The rules say a candidate must receive 30 percent of the vote in the primary to qualify for taking the caucus and assembly route to the November ballot. Buck asked Bremer to fix it.

Voter suppression, particularly of people of color, is a favorite tactic of the GOP in the South and elsewhere. In Wisconsin, the Republican legislature eliminated polling places in districts that were likely to vote Democratic.

U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has a bill on his desk passed by the House that’d protect our elections from foreign interference. McConnell refuses to advance the legislation because that involvement, probably from Russia, would favor his party.

President Trump and most of the Republican Party are opposed to mail-in balloting because that’d increase voter turnout and the GOP knows they can’t win with a high vote count. There’s no way the majority of Republicans would ever vote to abolish the antiquated Electoral College.

Every time that highly undemocratic institution overrules the verdict of the people, the GOP comes out on top.

Democracy be damned. Winning is the only principle the Republican Party adheres to.

Fred Malo Jr. Carbondale

Dear Editor: Does anyone else out there get sick and tired of the election year lies of incumbent politicians by both major parties in the far off distant land of Washington D.C.? For the past four decades I’ve compared what they say to how they voted Constitutionally; you know, the Constitution they swore an oath to, “serve and defend against enemies foreign and domestic.”

The historical, objective votes do not lie, as can be found at thenewamerican.com/freedomindex When you enter “Scott Tipton”, you’ll find that his Constitutional votes have declined over the past nine years in office starting in 2011: 80 percent, 68 percent, 56 percent, 57 percent, 66 percent (2019).

The really cool thing about the website is that you will learn why the votes are right or wrong for our once-strong nation.

When I took the Army’s oath to serve the Constitution, they didn’t give me an option to defend less than 100 percent, nor my son who is serving now. How serious should the oath to the Constitution be taken before the USA is on its deathbed like Greece and Venezuela?

I certainly hope that all of the politicians listed on the website respect their wedding vows better than their wayward votes against the Constitution! Check it out; a huge percentage of the politicians are 20 percent or less, meaning they spend more time with their mistress (Marxism), than they do with their spouse (Constitution)!

We already have US Constitutional term limits every election depending on the office; two, four or six years before they have to face the electors again. The challenge is that we need more educated, freedom loving voters to elect Constitutionally obedient candidates.

Tipton’s time has come to step down and allow Continued on page 13

Correction - A recent letter regarding the Carbondale Historical Society president was in fact referring to Sue Gray, who no longer fills that role.

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 • May 21 - May 27, 2020

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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 Donna Dayton 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.

Expect the unexpected with Bonedale Tattoo

By Kate Phillips Sopris Sun Correspondent Perfectly placed within an underground hillside, it is easy to be swept away from the outside world at Bonedale Tattoo’s new studio space located at 818 Industry Pl. Flanked by massive boulders and encircled with an impressive steel culvert, the studio’s entrance gives off the impression of an underground lair; however once inside your senses are warped as you are greeted by a bright and airy environment with floor-toceiling windows, nearby birds chirping, and freshly renovated wood floors and accents.

If anything, the studio more so resembles a laid-back spa retreat more than your standard tattoo parlour.

Having opened their new studio to the public on May 4, Bonedale Tattoo co-owners Brett Haynes and Conor Ward believe they have finally found the ideal location to support their business.

“We’re both very goofy, light-hearted people,” Ward said. “When we collaborated to get the shop going we started moving little steps forward at a time to make sure things continued to go well, and they did! Now we’re in the best shop that we’ve had so far, and I think we’re going to be here for a while.”

Just over two years ago, a mutual friend connected the two entrepreneurs. At the time, Haynes was living in Denver and Ward was in the midst of another Carbondale business venture called the Skate Ship.

In a single conversation via phone, the two quickly realized that their complementary styles could help them flourish in the body art industry.

“I think a lot of our synergy comes from being skateboarders, and having that frame of culture to build our relationship off of,” Haynes said. “Also, our art is very quirky and strange.”

Taking one look at their portfolios, it is easy to see why they would describe their art as quirky.

Drawn to the unexpected, the guys both relish being swept away within the moment while designing their work.

“There are a lot of times where Conor and I are working on our designs and we just start laughing at ourselves because it’s so weird and it just plopped out,” Haynes said.

“It’s actually one of my favorite moments,” Ward chimed in. “I’ve made myself audibly laugh from drawing. That’s one of the reasons why I’ve always drawn, because I’m just playing with my own brain basically.”

Bonedale Tattoo regular Heather Quinn gets a tattoo from artist Conor Ward just over a week after they re-opened the shop on May 4.

Inspired by American-traditional aesthetics, Haynes elegantly balances light and dark themes with a psychedelic twist; whereas Ward finds satisfaction in taking natural objects and evolving them to wherever his hand and mind see fit.

Together they have created a market for illustrative surrealism that has seamlessly integrated within the Carbondale community.

“Carbondale is a great town for the arts, and [tattooing] is a unique art form,” Haynes said. “For someone to choose us to put a tattoo on their body is such an honor because they are a walking canvas and it’s there forever. That right there is huge community support because it’s like my heart walking around town.”

Prior to COVID-19, Bonedale Tattoo played host to multiple communal gatherings; from anniversary parties to First Friday events their previous studio was packed with supporters.

During the state closure, their studio at SAW was closed down, and the guys used it as an opportunity to step back and refresh.

While Haynes produced music, Ward found time to connect with the outdoors, and together they reimagined what their new studio could look like.

Now, under current state regulations, Bonedale Tattoo is open and operating, but under strict regulations.

“As much as we focus on art and creativity, our number one has always been health and cleanliness,” Ward said. “If it’s not a clean

tattoo it is not worth doing. That being said, with the new implementations, we have that little bit extra to focus on.”

Per Colorado guidelines, the guys are tattooing separately and only allowing one person into the studio at a time. Additionally, they are requiring all clients to wear masks, to sanitize regularly, and to take and record their temperature prior to entering.

Looking toward the future, they are hopeful that community gatherings can happen again as soon as it is safe on their new outdoor patio — but as we all know, life is not linear, and the guys are prepared in the event of another state closure.

In the meantime, Haynes and Ward will continue to follow their flow and playfully conjure up the unexpected deep within their wormhole oasis.

Clients must get their temperature checked before entering the shop. Photos by Laurel Smith

Access to the art Using social media as a way to showcase their portfolios, Brett Haynes and Conor Ward of Bonedale Tattoo have been able to bring their artwork into the comfort of their clients’ homes. Organically growing via word of mouth and “guerilla marketing”, Haynes and Ward have easily filled bookings months in advance.

On Instagram, you can find the guys’ fun and unique designs with personal twists on their individual accounts. To see a more collaborative flow, the guys also created a joint account for clients to access.

If you are ready to dive into the world of tattoo culture, or eager to bring your next design to life, then head on over to bonedaletattoostudio.com for bookings, or check out @ bonedaletattoo on Instagram.

For personal Instagram accounts: Brett Haynes @grimnymph Conor Ward @cnrward

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SCUTTLEBUTT Under fire Fire restrictions are changing across several local jurisdictions, and the public is urged to check with local offices before heading out this weekend. Among areas which will remain in Stage 1 fire restrictions until further notice are all Bureau of Land Management lands within Garfield, Pitkin and Summit counties; and all BLM lands in Eagle County within the Roaring Fork Valley as well as private lands within Garfield, Pitkin and Summit counties. Meanwhile, current restrictions will lift on May 20 on the Aspen-Sopris, Blanco, Eagle-Holy Cross, and Rifle ranger districts of the White River National Forest, Bureau of Land Management lands within Eagle County outside of the Roaring Fork Valley and private lands within Eagle County. Land managers urge the public to be extremely careful in areas where fires are allowed and ensure campfires are completely out before leaving camp.

Short supply Two months ago, shelter-in-place protocols led Aspen Film to deliver its prestigious annual Shortsfest program directly to patrons virtually instead of as a traditional festival presentation at Aspen’s historic Wheeler Opera House. Now, as a special Memorial Day weekend treat, Aspen Film is pleased to offer the award winners from this year’s Shortsfest in a single streaming program available Thursday, May 21 through Monday, May 25.

Visit AspenFilm.org for tickets — $12 for general public and $10 for Aspen Film members.

Cut out the middleman A new farm stand will be open in Carbondale this season. Zephyros Farm and Garden a certified organic farm in Paonia, Colorado who has sold at area Farmers’ Markets, into local CSAs and through local restaurants for the last 17 years, is opening up in front of Sopris Liquors each from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. each Tuesday.

Share your story The Roaring Fork Schools are hosting another virtual roundtable discussion — “Sharing Stories: Life During a Pandemic” — at 4:30 p.m. June 3. This bilingual event features students, parents, and teachers sharing their experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic. The project is sponsored by the Roaring Fork Schools equity steering committee, a multidisciplinary team currently utilizing our shared COVID-19 experience to tackle the inequities that have long existed in our community and were exacerbated by the pandemic. Participants can join at meet.google.com/dow-fjbn-jts or +1 443-489-6225 (PIN: 335 435 197#).

Reframed Main Street Gallery and The Framer is now open for one-on-one custom frame consultations. The staff will be following recommended health guidelines and

cleaning protocols and requests that customers do the same. Adjusted business hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday; call 963-3775 or email mainstreet399@gmail.com to make an appointment.

Her own merit Colorado Rocky Mountain School graduating senior Sarah Teague, who will go to Yale University, was recently selected as one of 2,500 seniors across the country to be awarded a $2,500 scholarship through the National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC).

Winners were selected by a committee of college admissions officers and high school counselors, who appraised a substantial amount of information submitted by both the finalists and their high schools: the academic record, test scores, contributions and leadership in school and community activities, an essay written by the finalist and a recommendation written by a high school official. CRMS, incidentally, will be having a virtual graduation only.

They say it’s your birthday Folks celebrating another trip around the sun this week include: Frank Markoya, Steve Beckley and Charlie Chacos (May 22); Tai Jacober (May 23); Patti Hall and Tom Mercer (May 24); Paul Dankers, Sean Connors and Charlie Cook (May 25); Dena Barnes, Amber Frisbie and Sue Hopper (May 26) Jennifer Johnson, Lacy Dunlavy and Richard Glasier (May 27).

Bandit art seems to have experienced a boost during social distancing, with numerous signs and painted rocks appearing around town.

Photos by Mark Burrows

It’s Now The Law in Carbondale to wear a Mask in Public.

THE MASK I WEAR PROTECTS YOU; THE MASK YOU WEAR PROTECTS ME. For more information about the Town of Carbondale’s ordinance requiring that people utilize face coverings within the Town of Carbondale during the COVID-19 Pandemic while inside places of business at locations where public contact is likely, visit: carbondalegov.org 4 • THE SOPRIS SUN • soprissun.com • May 21 - May 27, 2020

Valley View layoffs jolt the region Safety concerns addressed

By Roberta McGowan Sopris Sun Staff With its recent and sweeping layoffs of 10 percent of its workforce — roughly 40 employees — Valley View Hospital (VVH) has impacted facilities up and down Highway 82.

Roaring Fork Family Practice (RFFP), operated by VVH, is one.

Valley View Chief Executive Officer Dr. Brian Murphy explained, “Our financial future has changed dramatically related to the COVID-19 pandemic, and there is no end in sight for our response.”

Other cuts include the lowering by 10 percent of all executive salaries and reduction of non-essential services such as valet, childcare and community programs.

In addition, the COVID-19 supplemental pay at 100 percent base salary ended as of May 16, the date previously specified.

Murphy added, “Affected employees will be offered salary and benefit continuance to assist them as they transition to other opportunities. Members of our human resource team will meet individually with those affected.”

RFFP has been part of the Carbondale community since 1975 and later added an office at the Willits Care Center. Roaring Fork has a total staff of 11 medical providers plus support positions.

Although not specifying which positions were terminated,” Murphy emphasized, “Patient care has not been affected.”

“We want to stress to the community how totally safe it is to come to Valley View. We have quite stringent screening protocols, and every single employee is included,” he added.

Valley View Hospital, Murphy pointed out, has quite an extensive list of symptoms that are used in the screening process.

Presently, he said, “We have no COVID19 patients hospitalized here, and of the many people we’ve tested for the virus, 95 percent came back negative.”

Valley View just published its cumulative COVID19 statistics as of May 19 noting reported numbers are from Valley View only and could change at any time.

• Specimens collected thru Valley View: 1,235 • Positive results: 48 • Pending results: 40 • Patients admitted with COVID-19 since outbreak began: 16 • Admitted patients discharged: 13

Murphy is concerned that critically ill people are not coming to the emergency rooms, and that the hospital has seen a drop of 20 percent of people who need urgent care. He took over VVH leadership after a long stretch as a urologist at the hospital.

Non-essential visits, like adult wellness checkups, have been postponed. Many mental health appointments are being handled via telemedicine, and the tool is also useful for following up or vetting symptoms before making an inperson appointment.

As Murphy reported, “Patient volumes are down across Valley View and it is unknown if, or when, patient volumes will return to historic levels.

For 2020, we are projecting a $30 to $45 million reduction in income due to COVID-19.” He said, “We project additional losses of $13.5 million annually due to increases in Medicaid enrollment.”Concerning the future, Murphy said, ‘We are in a great unknown. And when we look ahead a few years, We don’t anticipate bringing eliminated positions back.”

He concluded, “The list is too long to recognize the amazing work those redeployed employees have done over the last two months. Suffice it to say, we could not have faced this pandemic like we're doing without your work to support our amazing and heroic frontline direct patient care staff.”

Registered nurse Shana Light reads the 24-step process for removing personal protective equipment. The procedure was originally developed in response to the Ebola crisis. “Remember, removing the PPE is the most dangerous part,” Light reminds her team. Photo by Laurel Smith

Changes coming to VVH community programming Community programming: • • •

End the Athletic Trainer program that provides athletic trainers to the three area high schools.

Conclude the HealthQuest wellness program for area businesses.

Sunset the Connie Delaney Medical Library and other Valley View libraries.

Internal restructuring • • •

•

Reorganize the Performance Improvement, Quality and Clinic Operations departments.

Restructure Integrated Therapies.

Restructure the Youth Recovery Center to accommodate a lower census (six vs. ten) for continued physical distancing of those adolescents patients.

Sunset our Early Learning Center to close August 15, 2020.

Service changes • • •

Consolidate valet service to serve patients at the lower entrance.

Adjust retail food service offerings to realize savings and come in line with market prices.

Conclude 24/7 spiritual care coverage.

Better care for patients.

Better health for all – wherever you are in the Roaring Fork Valley.

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THE SOPRIS SUN • Carbondale’s weekly community connector • MAY 21 - May 27, 2020 • 5

Waldorf creatively adapts to the new world

By James Steindler Sopris Sun Correspondent

but WSRF is certainly not letting that slow their mission.

Waldorf School on the Roaring Fork (WSRF) is known for its unconventional hands on teaching methods; but how does “hands on” happen when the teacher cannot share the same space as the student? Well, it takes not a small amount of ingenuity, a determined team of educators, and you guessed it: virtual reality — well, at least a hint of it.

March 13 was the last day of in-person classes for WSRF. The administration decided to dismiss classes one week early for spring break. They’d hoped it would just be an extended break which students graciously welcomed at the time.

Liesl Bellack, a WSRF Alumni herself, began working in marketing and communications for the Waldorf School in February. She had no idea her role, along with those of her senior colleagues, would be transformed right off the bat.

“It’s been a total ongoing evolution,” Bellack explains, “even how we’re looking ahead.” While school has yet to return to any sense of normal, the students continue to learn in new creative ways.

“The entire system needs to continue being flexible,” says Bellack. The onus is on the teachers to implement new tactics to reach their students and to spike their interests’ enough to get them to actively participate.

Bellack expresses her admiration for the teachers who are “Really challenging their levels of creativity and how they’re actually communicating their curriculum.”

Of course with every transition comes its obstacles. “At first there was definitely that technology overwhelm,” Bellack states,”How do we deliver something we’re so used to doing tangibly through screens?” After all, part of WSRF’s goal is to balance technology with real life; with more of an emphasis on the real life approach.

“How do we start to use it [technology] as a tool,” Belllack wonders, “while still maintaining the integrity of what we’re doing and why we do it?”

Though technology has become essential to learning during this time, WSRF still believes it should still be limited when possible. “We are not actually doing a ton of live classes, especially for our lower grades” explains Bellack “because technology is generally absent from those curriculums.” However, even Kindergarten teachers are recording themselves reading books so little ones can still follow along to the voices and rhythms they’ve become accustomed to hearing.

A huge weight has also fallen on the parents, who have stepped up to facilitate their children’s educational productivity and assist with problem solving and creativity.

Students have been tasked with completing assignments at home or in socially-distanced settings. Whether it be making authentic Latin American cuisines whilst dressed as Frida Kahlo for Spanish class or preparing gardens which will be used to feed families through Lift-Up, the kids are being kept busy without having to stare at a screen through every class period.

“Education in general looks a lot different now than it did a few months ago” says Bellack,

Merging forces Chris Harrison is Waldorf ’s Music Speciality teacher and has been in that position for the last eight years. Prior to COVID 19 he taught an array of music classes — from choir and band to string instrumentals — each week. With class sizes that ranged from 14-32 students he managed to reach a lot of young minds the old fashioned way: face-to-face.

Originally, along with the rest of the faculty, Harrison turned to the virtual meeting platform Zoom as a new and necessary conduit for communication with his pupils stranded at home.

Harrison tried hosting classes and rehearsals over Zoom by “Having the kids with all their instruments and trying to lead them” but unfortunately it would not be that easy.

As it turns out those inevitable glitches and delays people experience while using Zoom or Facetime are even more disruptive when it comes to musicians struggling to sync with one another. Harrison explains when, “Playing music, that split second — or half second — adds up very fast and it makes it very frustrating to try and experience music with that latency.”

Harrison quickly realized they’d “have to figure something else out.”

After some research he found that orchestras in Europe “were already a couple steps ahead of the game” and creating virtual performance videos. He figured that if professional musicians could achieve such moving results, so could his students.

The sixth to eighth grade band students decided to work on a piece suitable for superheroes: “The Avengers” theme song. Like saving the world, it would require lots of work.

Harrison created practice videos for each instrument. Students were able to watch and listen to his instructional videos and then play along to the tune of the “Avengers” in real time without the pesky delays of a live tutorial.

While the task has been incredibly time consuming for Harrison, he foresees a benefit in providing students with instructional videos they can follow along with at their own pace while practicing at home.

Typically this time of year the music students put on a concert for their peers, parents and educators. Harrison explains that performing for an audience is the key motivating factor for any musician or band.

The WSRF middle school band was not about to let their groupies down. The show would go on...

Each young artist submitted a video of themselves playing “The Avengers” song with their respective instrument. Harrison then compiled each of their submissions and merged them into one cohesive piece that even Iron Man himself could not help but swing his mechanical hips to.

The complete virtual performance can be found on WSRF’s facebook page.

Assuming that all goes well, students will be back in the halls and courtyards this fall.

Regardless, WSRF has proven it will still be there to educate by whatever means necessary until the student body can return to their second home once again.

6 • THE SOPRIS SUN • soprissun.com • May 21 - May 27, 2020

Fifth grader Calvin Baetz (11) works on an arm knitting assignment for his handwork class. The Waldorf education system traditionally emphasizes the arts and practical skills and uses little technology. With distance learning teachers are integrating more digital work while still emphasizing hands on projects.

Jacob Baetz (13) practices juggling with his mom Diana. Juggling is part of the Waldorf on the Roaring Fork's curriculum starting in sixth grade. Much of their physical education involves connecting the thinking brain with the body.

Students still submit hard copies of their assignments to emphasize the physical process of creating. Diana Baetz grades her sixth grader’s book reports from home.

Jacob Baetz finds ways to continue his physical education from his backyard.

Photos by Laurel Smith

The lifeboat of distance learning

By Robertra McGowan Sopris Sun Staff With the Roaring Fork School District (RFSD) year drawing to a close — June 4 is the last official day — officials there are gearing up for what might be a mirror image situation in the fall while analyzing possible summer programs.

No one knows what will happen, but Roaring Fork Schools Public Information Officer Kelsy Been is optimistic that the district can handle what comes.

She noted, “95 percent of our students now have internet access. Each student from grades four through 12 has already received a Chromebook laptop,“ with limited use of ageappropriate technology in earlier grades.

For some families, internet access has been an issue, especially for students living in Marble.

Been referred to RFSD’s list of free or low cost internet options including hotspots at school parking lots. The district is also partnering with Aspen Ski Company to help figure out what is the best choice for each family.

Superintendent Rob Stein stated, “Distance learning is the lifeboat in which we have taken refuge to help us survive a storm — not the vehicle designed to carry us most efficiently or effectively where we want to go.”

RFSD is presently working on a summer plan, Been reported, which will determine public access to indoor and outdoor facilities.

However, RFSD, Summit 54 and Summer Advantage USA have cancelled the Summer Advantage program scheduled for this summer.

The Summer Advantage program served approximately 550 students and employs 110 staff members each summer at three elementary schools in the Roaring Fork School District.

As Hill explained, “This was a difficult decision made in the interest of the health and safety of our students, staff, and community, but we appreciate that many families will be disappointed at the lack of programming this summer,” The recent RFSD survey on distance learning had 2,200 responses from 795 students, 1134 parents and 242 staff members.The RFSD student enrollment is 5637.

Many respondents gave a thumbs up to communications, resources for lessons and teachers, easy to understand expectations and well-organized lessons.

But, concerns were raised about how office hours are structured and to what degree teachers are following limits on daily work per class by grade level. These are 15 to 20 minutes in elementary school, 20 to 25 minutes in middle school and 30 minutes in high school. Also, the survey showed the parents need more bilingual resources to support students.

The survey also had teachers reporting 61 to 80 percent of students have completed school work. Also, 41 percent of parents felt distance learning lessons were quite or extremely helpful, and 28 percent more reported that lessons were somewhat helpful.

RFSD has implemented the Crew program, which brings each student a connection to a teacher, and focuses on character skills (Habits of a Scholar), social-emotional learning and academic

Bridges High School principal Suzanne Fitzgerald passes out laptops in the school parking lot.

Photo by Laurel Smith goal-setting. Plus, Crew fosters risk, fun, creativity and well-being in a safe environment.

Each Crew team has a leader who understands students’ ability to achieve socially and academically and serves as a point of contact with families, staff members and other supports.

With Crew, Been explained, “We’re providing a home room environment which students are used to.”

As described online, Crew is emphasizing “Habits of a Scholar,” which helps students solve the problems affecting their lives while teaching the habits necessary for healthy relationships and happy lives.

The district has brought on prevention specialists to counter serious bullying issues.

Since 2017, RFSD has implemented the “Second Step Program” unanimously chosen by school counselors. This undertaking Is a researchbased social-emotional learning curriculum that

includes bullying prevention lessons for PreK to eighth-grade students.

In addition, RFSD is developing its Extended School Year (ESY) services for students with disabilities. ESY, will provide special education and related services beyond the normal school year in accordance with the child’s Individualized Education Program (IEP) and at no cost to the parents. ”We are still considering all options — inperson and distance learning for this summer,” Been commented.

Another resource now in place is the Roaring Fork School Health Centers offer of limited services during the current school closure through telehealth (phone calls or video chat). This includes sick telehealth visits, prescription refills and referrals to other schoolbased or community services. Call 384-6054 for an appointment.

U T L A A R T G I O N NS O C

CLASS OF 2020

WE ARE SO PROUD WELL DONE

Colorado Rocky Mountain School Roaring Fork High School Bridges High School SENIORMATTERS.ORG | P.O. BOX 991, CARBONDALE CO 81623 THE SOPRIS SUN • Carbondale’s weekly community connector • MAY 21 - May 27, 2020 • 7

Carbondale adopts mask ordinance

By Will Grandbois Sopris Sun Staff Cloth face coverings are required in businesses and public buildings in Carbondale effectively immediately, following a 6-1 trustee vote on May 19.

The ordinance is geared toward indoor establishments and specifically addresses common areas, lobbies and front desks as well as any portions of grocery stores or restaurants accessible by customers. It includes exceptions for kids under two, those with breathing conditions and offices without public interaction, and as as necessary for eating and drinking, security purposes or services like dentistry. It could either expire with the emergency health order or could be repealed separately by trustees.

Although the Town is one of the last municipalities in the area to implement such requirements, the public response to the proposal was far from united — even among business leaders.

Tamara Haynes-Norton — a manager at Bonfire Coffee, among other roles — spoke to the difficulty of requiring masks for customers without a public mandate — with servers and cashiers bearing the brunt of any resulting hostility.

“Some people don’t recognize anyone who is in a perceived lower status would have … a right to enforce a rule like this," she said. “I feel like this is a very, very important public safety measure to not just recommend but also have the Town’s weight behind… It allows Carbondale to be an open and vibrant business community.”

By contrast, True Nature Healing Arts co-owner Eaden Shantay saw the proposed measure as an infringement on personal freedom.

“We support and don’t have judgement for those people who wish to wear masks, but I personally don’t want to be made to wear a mask," he said. "Human connection is vital and a strong immune system is very important.”

Further public comments fell on similar lines, and the board itself was not without differing opinions. Mayor Dan Richardson, who ultimately cast the sole dissenting vote, was the first to state his case.

“In Carbondale, at least … I think requiring masks may not result in more mask wearing, and may have unintended consequences,” he said. “For me, the best approach to this issue is for the Town to support businesses by promoting the existing health orders.”

8 • THE SOPRIS SUN • soprissun.com • May 21 - May 27, 2020

“I feel fortunate that this ordinance will likely pass, following the will of the majority of people, but that I can voice my alternative perspective that also lives strongly in the community,” he added. “I ask for community respect and kindness regardless of how we proceed.”

Trustee Marty Silvertsein, by contrast, felt that the mandate sent an important message.

“To me, it’s not only a matter of public health but also a matter of public courtesy,” he said. “If it makes our vulnerable population feel safer… it’s that much sooner that town and business is going to be open.”

Asked to respond to allegations that such restrictions are unconstitutional, Town Attorney Mark Hamilton noted that, “anyone in this country has a right to challenge anything they’d like to challenge,” but that “in this particular instance, I believe the board does have the authority to take the action it’s taking.”

As for enforcement, while violations of the ordinance will be subject to a penalty of $50 for a first offense, $100 for a second offense and a summons to municipal court for any subsequent offenses, Town Manager Jay Harrington said, “From a practical standpoint… I would expect warnings far more than citations.”

If you want to enter a business like Batch, you'll have to wear a mask.

Photo by Mark Burrows Appointed Ben Bohmfalk as In other action, trustees…

Mayor Pro Tem, as well as making Discussed the possibility of appointments to various advisory shutting down parts of Main Street boards and commissions. to allow for outdoor dining — a Honored City Market prospect Chamber of Commerce employees with a new and Creative District have been “Community Hero” award in lieu exploring. A final proposal and of the usual Student of the Month ceremony. full public process is pending.

Town seeks input on possible new swimming pool June 7 survey deadline

By Lynn Burton Sopris Sun Correspondent The town isn’t exactly jumping into the deep end to build a new swimming pool, but it is sticking a toe in the shallow part.

As a first step, Carbondale residents are being asked to take a public survey to help town officials decide what amenities they’d like to see in a new pool. The survey is available in Spanish and English at bit.ly/ CdalePool. The deadline to take the survey is June 7. Copies will also be available at town hall and the recreation center, said Recreation Director Eric Brendlinger.

Key questions in the survey include whether to build a new pool at the current site at Seventh and Main Street, or one directly behind the recreation center.

Construction on a $4 to $6 million aquatics facility is probably at least three or four years away, after the town retires the bonds that financed the recreation center, which will occur in 2023. Brendlinger said that when the recreation center bonds are retired, the town’s recreation sales and use tax would be used in conjunction with municipal bonds and possibly grants to pay for the facility. “Our recreation sales and use tax (balance) is relatively healthy … a municipal bond to go into debt would have to go to a vote of the people,” he continued.

The existing John M. Fleet swimming

pool was built more than 40 years ago and is “becoming costly and difficult to maintain” according to a town website.

Brendlinger said the existing bathhouse and locker room are not ADA compliant, as the current facility was built before Congress passed the Americans with Disabilities Act. “The new bathhouse and pool will be compliant.”

The existing swimming pool is 25-meters long with six lanes, a wading pool, diving board and slide.

The survey is divided into several parts and asks 15 questions, including : How often so you use the pool; Features you’d like to see, including : a climbing wall, splash pad, zero-depth entry, diving board, therapy pool, hot tub and more. (FYI: Brendlinger said splash pads feature a group of above-the-ground water-play elements; a zero-depth entry is like a gradual beach so that users can pick and choose at what depth they want to play, and is good for parents with toddlers).

Questions 11-13 asks participants to rank their preferred features based on cost: Low, medium and high.

Question 3 would probably prompt some bar-stool discussions if taverns were open, and water-cooler talk in offices that are open: Do you prefer the current site or one north of the recreation center?

A map with Question 3 shows an expanded pool-footprint at the existing site jutting into the space where Mountain Fair sets up its Oasis area the last full weekend of

It's unclear when the John M. Fleet Pool will be open like this again — but it's almost time for a replacement, anyway. File photo by Jane Bachrach July each year. Brendlinger said if the town goes in that direction, a splash pad could be built in that area and incorporated into the Fair and Fourth of July pool party.

A more in depth exploration of the two proposed pool sites can be found at carbondalerec.com/newpoolinfo. The site lists “strengths & opportunities” for each site, and “weaknesses and concerns.”

The survey is part of the town’s Aquatics Master Plan process, which is being conducted with the help of Design Workshop. Brendlinger said the town planned to hold several public outreach sessions to solicit input on the master plan, but with the onslaught of COVID-19,

“We had to change that strategy.” What Brendlinger, town officials and Parks & Recreation Committee members and Design Workshop are shooting for now is to get an overall feel for what people want through the survey that is now underway.

After the current survey is conducted, there will be a second survey that utilizes the data conducted to create a more detailed concept and design for a new pool.

Brendlinger said he hopes the Aquatics Master Plan will be completed by November or December of this year. It is being funded by a $56,250 COGO grant and $18,250 from the 2019 town budget.

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THE SOPRIS SUN • Carbondale’s weekly community connector • MAY 21 - May 27, 2020 • 9

GOVERNMENT BRIEFS GarCo submits variance to reopen businesses The Garfield County Board of County Commissioners, sitting as the Board of Public Health, endorsed a variance request to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment to assist with reopening local businesses. The variance indicates the county’s desire to open restaurants, places of worship, fitness facilities and gyms at fifty percent occupancy, as well as allowing recreation areas to open and outfitters to start up, and open large tourist attractions at 30 percent occupancy — all while following social distancing plans submitted by the businesses. The county had requested a 30 percent variance for these businesses in a letter to the state as well. County commissioners are also considering approval of a letter Monday to Gov. Polis requesting local control.

Dog, glass ban considered at Wildwood The White River National Forest is soliciting comments on a proposal to prohibit dogs and glass at the Wildwood put-in on the Roaring Fork River above Aspen. The proposal will align Forest Service regulations at Wildwood with those of the nearby Pitkin County Open Space and Trails’ North Star Nature Preserve, which is downstream. The proposal also prohibits parking in the fire lane adjacent to the Wildwood parking area.

More information about the proposal and how to comment is available at fs.usda.gov/ project/?project=58157; comments need to be received by June 15, 2020.

State tweaks election rules Due to the COVID-19 national health crisis, the Colorado Secretary of State’s Office, in conjunction with county clerks, has enacted a series of temporary emergency rules that outline the procedures for conducting elections during the pandemic. They are effective immediately and will be applied to the June 30 State Primary. The rules outline the procedure for receiving and processing ballots, social distancing, and Personal Protective Equipment. Voting equipment and voting booths are to be cleaned after each use and social distancing guidelines will be enforced.

All rules are subject to change as conditions dictate.

Census field operations resume The U.S. Census Bureau is resuming 2020 Census field operations in Colorado, though for the health and safety of Census employees and the public, field staff will observe social distancing protocols and will wear Personal Protective Equipment. Field employees will begin dropping off 2020 Census invitation packets at front doors of households in areas that do not receive mail at their homes. This field operation follows current federal health and safety guidelines and does not require interaction between households and Census Bureau employees. Responding online with the Census ID or completing and returning the paper questionnaire helps ensure an accurate count of Colorado communities.

Bennet looks to help renters Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet and 25 of his Democratic colleagues announced

the Emergency Rental Assistance and Rental Market Stabilization Act of 2020, new legislation to establish an Emergency Rental Assistance program to provide $100 billion in emergency rental assistance to help families and individuals pay their rent and stay in their homes during and after the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) crisis. Stabilizing renters and the rental market through this crisis will help the economy recover from the economic aftershock of the pandemic.

Specifically, the bill would authorize $100 billion for an Emergency Rental Assistance program to help families and individuals pay their rent and utility bills and remain housed during and after the COVID-19 crisis.

Want to get involved?

Contact your elected officials about the issues that matter to you 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

Gardner introduces bioeconomy legislation U.S. Senator Cory Gardner (R-CO) and others recently introduced the Bioeconomy Research and Development Act of 2020. The legislation would establish a committee to coordinate research in engineering biology across the federal agencies. In addition to developing new vaccines, engineering biology research is used to develop nutritious, locally grown specialty crops that are resilient to climate change; to make food safer with technologies that detect harmful microorganisms and fight antimicrobial resistance; to help wounded service members regain quality of life with advanced prosthetics, burn treatments, and regenerative therapeutics; to develop low-cost lifesaving drugs and early detection of cancer; and to clean the environment by creating non-polluting batteries, preserved biodiversity, and microbes that can chew through persistent toxic chemicals.

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

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Carbondale, CO

No longer silence at the libraries

By Will Grandbois Sopris Sun Staff The libraries were among the first public facilities to reopen this month, and patrons are learning to operate within some substantial limitations.

“We feel comfortable with all of the different precautions that are in place, not just for patrons but also for staff,” noted Carbondale Branch Librarian Lacy Dunlavy, “It’s not about what we can’t do, it’s still kind of awesome what we can do.”

An employee is posted in the entry to ensure that only two masked groups are allowed inside at a time.

Media must be retrieved by staff and returned in the book drop for 72 hours of quarantine. It’s possible to ease the process by placing a hold online first.

“It definitely can speed up your transaction,” Dunlavy said. “It totally depends on how comfortable people are being in our space.”

One resource that isn’t coming back for now is public computing, although printing, scanning and faxing are available in a similar staffservice format. There’s also a wireless printing form online.

“Everything’s free right now, both because we don’t want to be handling money and for good will to the public,” Dunlavy said.

And while the indoor tables, bathrooms and drinking fountains are out of service, folks are continuing to take advantage of the outdoor tables and chairs to connect to the wifi.

“We know how busy we are and how many things we provide for how many different people,” Dunlavy observed. “There were people that were just waiting for us to be open in any capacity to do these really basic things.”

Even during the closure, libraries across Garfield County made efforts to continue connecting. Almost immediately, the district launched the Hoopla streaming service for movies, audiobooks and comics — a move that was already in the works, according to Assistant Executive Director Amy Shipley. The whole process was helped by a mill levy increase approved by voters last fall.

“With the new funding that we have, building a world-class library collection was really one of our priorities,” Shipley noted. “We’re really more insulated from an event like this than we would have been.”

In addition to content from elsewhere, the libraries also made a point of producing their own, including a series of virtual events.

“We’ve really just worked hard to figure out what would be energizing and entertaining right now as well as

informative,” Shipley said.

Recorded storytimes have been particularly popular, with youth service coordinators from around the county taking turns to keep a steady stream of stories coming.

“Kids get to know their librarian, and they really get an attachment to that person and storytime,” Shipley said. “We’re getting live participation, but the viewing of the recordings is getting even more traction.”

The virtual programming includes offerings for all ages, much of which is available for later viewing if viewers miss the live show. A poetry slam series took place last month, and a screening and discussion of “The Mask You Live In” is in the works.

As for what the future holds in the buildings themselves, it’s kind of up in the air.

“People have been coming back pretty slowly, so we do have capacity to serve more people,” Shipley said.

“We’re just constantly monitoring the information that’s coming from the state and the county to determine what our level of service should be. Stay tuned to our Facebook page and library website for our upcoming events.”

Dunlavy acknowledged that it’s a lot to navigate.

“If you have any questions or reservations, just give us a call and we’ll help you figure it out,” she said.

We Need Your Help ...

In addition to producing virtual storytime content, Britney White is among those manning the desk at the Carbondale Branch Library.

Carbondale Branch Library hours 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Mondays 2 to 6 p.m. Tuesdays 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesdays 2 to 6 p.m. Thursdays 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Fridays Library regulations are posted and enforced. Photos by Will Grandbois

https://bit.ly/2WOyydl

The Sopris Sun is here to keep you connected.

Our commitment to offer continued independent, local journalism to Carbondale and the Roaring Fork Valley community remains steadfast.

However, due to decreased advertising revenue, we must look to our readers for to help keep The Sun shining.

The Sopris Sun is more important now than ever. We are so very fortunate to have a local, independent newspaper dedicated to keeping us connected as a community. I’m pleased to be supporter of The Sun! ~ Kay Clarke How to Help: Sponsor an advertisement for your favorite nonprofit or struggling local business today.

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THE SOPRIS SUN • Carbondale’s weekly community connector • MAY 21 - May 27, 2020 • 11

OBITUARY

PAGES OF THE PAST

History up for auction

Jennifer Ann Boland Feb. 16, 1964 - May 2, 2020 Dear Jennifer: Now that you have finished your brave fight against ovarian cancer and left us only the memory of 56 years of your life, we tearfully must say goodbye.

You started life fighting to breathe in a hospital incubator and ended it fighting to hold on to life in a hospital bed at home.

As in everything you did, you did it your way and refused to fall in line with the accepted procedure or conventional expectations.

You were one of those rare individuals who loved and took the time to fully appreciate the wonders of nature. Watching the moon rise and hiking in the forest as nature displayed the beauties of every season were, for you, a constant joy.

You loved animals, especially your dogs, Jasmine, Chelsea, and Chelsea's puppies, Simba and Nala. The two of us together, with our dogs, enjoyed many years of wonderful outings talking

about the ups and downs of our brief lives.

And you were a wonderful and incredibly gifted musician. The conventional musical world was yours for the asking. You were a teenage prodigy on the clarinet and had the good fortune to study with the firstchair clarinet players of the Philadelphia, Los Angeles, and Denver orchestras.

However, alas, you fell in love with Rock and Roll and switched to alto and tenor saxophones, playing in local groups. You also had a very nice voice and played guitar and piano quite well.

You were an excellent double-diamond skier and ski instructor at Snowmass and later at Sunlight.

Contrary to expectations, you recovered enough, after your first chemotherapy and unconventional non-western medicine treatment, to teach the entire 2018-2019 season at Sunlight without missing a day, and you were named “employee of the year.”

Your courage and determination to remain positive and enjoy what was left of your life during the last eight months of your life spent in bed showed incredible courage and strength of character.

You will be missed by your sister, Wendy Ann Boland, your brotherin-law, James Andrew Roman, your nephew, Paul Clay Roman, your niece, Briana Jaye Boland, and your fellow impractical musician, philosophical hiking companion, and loving father, Clay Boland Jr.

From the archives of The Sopris Sun and Valley Journal May 22, 1980

May 18, 2000

A Rocky Mountain insulation employee happened to interrupt a robbery while checking on the business on his way home from the bar — and got a fist to the face for his troubles.

Coming to an hour later, Eastin contacted the police and was later treated for a concussion.

An investigation revealed nothing missing, but some items moved around. Police Chief Verne Soucie urged anyone in similar circumstances to call the authorities rather than attempt to investigate themselves.

In other news… Roaring Fork High School senior Jeff Orosz blew away the competition at the state track meet and was gearing up for the state pentathlon.

The Downtown Preservation Association was soliciting general input from the public on exactly how to use $600,000 for infrastructure improvements. The plan called for enhanced parking, new streetlights, pedestrian crossings and landscaping. Among the biggest ticket items was the installation of a plaza at Fourth and Main (which has since become a major hub of public events).

In other news… A small wildfire up Cattle Creek was quickly snuffed, but inspired reminders to use caution while burning and pay attention to red flag warnings. (See Scuttlebutt on page 4 for a similar advisory here and now.)

May 24, 1990 Numerous artifacts of local lore were up for sale to the highest bidder as Wally and Betty DeBeque cleaned out the basement of the Dinkel Building. The historic structure at the corner of Fourth and Main was built by William Dinkel, Wally’s grandfather, between 1893 and 1913 and housed a bank, mercantile, post office, hotel and potato warehouse, among other things. Among the items being sold was a 1913 Victrola, House and Senate journals from 1901 and the old bank teller’s cage. (It is probable that the same cage is the one that eventually ended up in the hands of YouthEntity.)

In other news… The Carbondale Council on Arts and Humanities (now just Carbondale Arts) received the 1990 Governor’s Award.

May 20, 2010 With funding for the Carbondale Public Arts Commission in question, the organization launched “Carbondale Cover Up.” As the new art around town was installed, it was wrapped up in blue tarps and tape. For $500, donors could have a specific sculpture uncovered. (The goal of raising $20,000 must have been at least partially successful, as the program has only grown over the last decade.)

In other news… Among the trash hauled out of Prince Creek was a whole crumpled car. (We’re actually working on a story on old cars on public land — email news@soprissun. com if you know of one!)

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Castaway on a deserted island

OPINION

SEEKING HIGHER GROUND

By Nicolette Toussaint Perhaps you’ve seen COVID-19 homeschooling memes.

My favorite: Homeschooling going well. Two students suspended for fighting. One teacher fired for drinking on the job.

My San Francisco friend Caroline Nassif, who teaches at the college level, says homeschooling is “ridiculously difficult.” One of her friends complained of “hitting the wall”, her patience exhausted. Another replied, “Wall hit and utterly destroyed. I love my kids, but the yelling, bickering, etc. makes me dread each never-ending day.

We have it easy compared to many, but

OPINION

By Joseph Puglisi Dear Carbondale: I’m in Antwerp, Belgium.

It’s been a helluva place: culture and arts, a sweet little river with a bike path, pubs loaded with blonds and tripels.

If I shut my eyes while I sip that golden, liquid courage, I can almost imagine sitting beside you belly up at the bar.

But with the lockdown I’m not going anywhere, even my visa’s been extended. And when I open my eyes, I find myself drinking beers alone in the small room I rent in the redlight district. It's vacant too, incidentally.

What’s it like there? I haven't seen so many pix on social media of you in the hills? Are you allowed to drive up into the mountains?

Sending you love in these weird times.

I’m doing okay. Don’t worry about me. But to be honest, I think I’ve kind of reached the end of this tour.

It’s been two years since I left you, but after all the countries,

it's still ok to say it sucks, and to feel like you can’t get out of this funk. Hoping for no lasting damage.”

Humans are social creatures.

Remaining a llama-length apart and connecting only via Zoom goes against our nature. It does suck.

Worse, it tests our sanity.

I’m not referring just to antisocial acting out — shootings of Family Dollar store and McDonald’s employees; protesters who spit on doctors and nurses — but also to the sorry toll on those doing their lonely best to safeguard themselves and others.

Me among them. A few days ago, while I was out weeding, Sopris Sun Editor Will Grandbois drove by and called out a greeting. I wanted to jump through the car window and hug him.

Alas, I hug no one. I touch no living thing but a ring-tailed tomcat.

I spend my time with a painwracked 89-year-old with declining cognitive abilities. Sometimes, we have the same conversation four times the same day — a fact I notice, but he doesn’t. Occasionally, fearing that he’s a burden, he wonders why he’s “still on the planet” and offers to

“remove” himself.

As of today, the US has suffered 89,498 Coronavirus deaths, not counting two front-line New York healthcare workers who committed suicide: Dr. Lorna Breen and EMT John Mondello. ER physician Dr. Breen was, in her father’s words, “killed by the enemy on the front line.”

That enemy has also prompted suicides in Italy, India, Saudi Arabia, Britain and Germany. A JAMA Psychiatry article noted that unemployment, stock market losses and isolation add up to a “perfect storm” for increased suicide. In another article in the NIH medical library, authors Vikram Thaker and Anu Jain anticipate a “rippling effect of this virus on worldwide suicide events.” They noted that in addition to medical workers, the “most vulnerable are those with existing mental health issues like depression and older adults living in loneliness and isolation.”

I’m not dead yet, but some days, I think I might as well be. My summer calendar is black with cross-outs: church services, my weekly painting group, Zumba classes, camping trips,

art classes I once taught at CMC. I fear that the rest of my life will look like next fall’s stark white calendar pages, the featureless days so alike it’s hard to remember today’s name and number.

Anguished as I was to add to the social losses in my life, I surrendered a senior cat to CARE last month. I’m just not resilient enough to manage TWO ailing elders. Because helpers like the handyman and housekeeper must stay away now, my caretaking role has expanded in scope and hours. Shopping, cooking, cleaning, home repairs, tech support, pulling me in like quicksand. There’s no longer time off. Some days, I feel like Tom Hanks in Castaway, marooned on an island with no one to talk to but Wilson, the volleyball.

Most of my senior friends feel similarly isolated, similarly cast off.

They say, “Some days, I wonder what’s the point.” And, “if this goes on for two years, that could be the rest of my life!” And “It’s heartbreaking to think that I may never get to see – or touch – my grandkids again.”

At our age, two years of social distancing can mean a life in solitary.

A letter from abroad the faces, all the conversations and continents, the cities, the jungles, the monks, the artists, the addicts, the aquamarine waters and the cobalt green forests; I’m just about ready to call it quits. So it’s funny that somehow the world has conspired to find a way to maroon me here in this town, right at the end of my journey: just at the moment when I want to go home.

I’m making the most of it though. Oddly enough, a tulip breeder has me filming his garden as it blooms this April.

There are over 5000 flowers in over 200 varieties unseen behind the thick stone facade surrounding them. The owner calls it a hortus conclusus: an enclosed garden. It’s an undiscovered heart of green within the limestone walls of an old pastory and the St. George Church. Over the centuries, princes and bishops, diamond moguls and honored dignitaries have walked its paths and contemplated world events.

So I have to laugh that today it’s some Colorado cowboy sitting in this holy garden during a global quarantine.

With my camera in hand, I’m always looking for ways to magnify the grandeur of the divinity here. It’s a dance with plants and insects and lenses. If I can find the angles, I see the tulips rising like spruce trees in the Rockies. I can see the

Then again, those of us who have homes in which to isolate, or to home-school, and those who still have income must count themselves fortunate. We can protect ourselves better than confused elders in nursing homes, than immigrants crowded into camps, or prisoners in jail.

Still, as Caroline wrote, this is so hard for so many: For parents who now have two full-time jobs. For parents who don’t have computers for online schooling. For kids too young and too restless to follow online schooling. For teenagers missing crushes, graduations and proms.

It is “a nauseating roller coaster” Caroline. I too know the feeling of having “accomplished nothing all day, day after day” in a way that “erodes my sense of well-being. It’s like I'm climbing out of quicksand every day with no end in sight.”

Tom Hanks’ character was stuck on that island for four years. I hope I get off mine a lot sooner.

“Hang on Wilson, I’m paddling.”

LETTERS

Continued from page 2

Lauren Boebert the chance to turn our Republic around Constitutionally by making the States strong again. She deserves the chance to represent Colorado in the US House and if she can’t hit the 100 percent mark Constitutionally, then you get to decide in two years if her term is up. Vote for Lauren Boebert when the ballots are mailed in early June.

Jerry Law, US Army, retired Glenwood Springs

A fresh face for Holy Cross

cherry blossoms cascading like snowmelt in a crystal stream.

And at a certain time of day, the sun balances on the limestone wall like a little girl on a high mountain pass. The two towers of the church appear to me like the equal summits watching over a small town in the Roaring Fork. If I let it, even the small basin of water at the garden’s edge looks like a glaciated lake, reflecting in the sun. Somehow they all stand guard over my solitude as good friends should, justas your snowy peaks and broad forests used to do. It feels almost like any other April, actually,in this magical place.

Just like so many I spent playing in your garden, in fact. The real reason I keep coming back here

is to sit with visions of you on hallowed earth, just as I have always done in springtime. I could, according to the Belgian government and according to my own imagination, if I wanted, find a way to see this place as home.

I hope you’re doing ok.

This too shall pass my friend, and we’ll meet again. I can promise you that. We’ll catch up with a long run in Avalanche Creek and a cold beer at Batch. I miss you, but somehow you’re still with me even among the bluebird tulips and upon the warm breeze in the heart of this far off city.

Joseph Puglisi Formerly of Carbondale

Dear Editor: For over 80 years, the Holy Cross Energy cooperative has provided reliable energy throughout our valleys. Holy Cross has met the challenges of our changing times and growing needs. My family and I live on a rural ranch powered by Holy Cross. When the power goes out, the crews arrive in record time, day or night, any weather, and take care of the problem. I am most impressed and grateful for such friendly local service from Holy Cross.

The upcoming election asks for us to vote for a Northern District and a Western District candidate before June 2. As power-using members, we have a say in the future of Holy Cross. I am very interested in how energy will be provided and used by my children, grandchildren and future generations. I am also interested in how that energy will support and impact the resources, the communities, the environment and the climate. Electricity is much more than just a wall socket. It’s what’s behind the wall socket that matters.

I am pleased to see some new blood interested in the Holy Cross Energy future. I can whole heartedly recommend Alex DeGolia for a position on the board.

I have had the privilege of working with Alex DeGolia on the Thompson Divide Coalition board. He is smart, insightful, articulate, and thoughtful. I can’t think of a better person than Alex to join the Holy Cross board and represent the next generation. Alex DeGolia has worked with clean energy issues from Washington, D.C. to Carbondale. It is his career and his passion. Alex DeGolia will bring to Holy Cross a fresh look at the current strong operation of Holy Cross with an eye to the future of affordable, clean, and reliable energy. He loves our mountain valleys and he will love designing ways to build the future of clean energy here at home.

Vote for Alex DeGolia, Western District, Holy Cross Energy board Judy Fox-Perry Carbondale

THE SOPRIS SUN • Carbondale’s weekly community connector • MAY 21 - May 27, 2020 • 13

By Suzie Brady

SUZOKU

Ms. Cathy’s Crew of Amazing Creatures Sadie is a smart salamander, spying all the details.

Max is a mighty moose, marching into the future.

Esteban is an energetic elephant, entering into the unknown.

Alea is an amazing antelope, adventuring into the great beyond.

Ember is an empathetic emu, empowering herself and others to be their best selves.

Emilliano is an electric eel, energizing himself to be his best.

Elijah is an eager eagle, embarking on a new adventure.

Samantha is a super shark, swimming past her fears.

Betty is a bubbling bumble bee, breaking through barriers.

Kyra is a confident koala, cruising towards the top.

Chase is a champion chimpanzee, charging towards his future Yair es un lleno Yak llegando a su futuro.

Sofia es una segura serpiente, saludando su futuro.

Santiago is a superb squirrel, starting off on a new adventure.

Eddie is an elusive ermine, enabling himself to achieve his goals.

Manuel is a marvelous mouse, making his dreams come true.

Valeria is a valiant viper, vanquishing her fears.

Elian is an excellent elk, emerging into the future.

Viri is a vivacious vicuna, volunteering to help herself achieve her goals.

We don 't charge for obits

The death of a loved one costs enough. The Sopris Sun is happy to publish local obituaries of a reasonable length, including a picture, for free. Email news@soprissun.com for submission or information.

From our cartoonist, Brian Colley “More and more each year, after living here for the past decade, I've found myself grateful for the seemingly little things we have here in Carbondale. But some of these "little things" take a lot of effort and extra support to keep them going, especially these days. Only recently have I realized that if it truly takes a village to sustain something like The Sopris Sun, then I also need to step up and give back. Because if I'm not willing to volunteer, or donate, or support in some (even seemingly small) way, why should I expect it to continue? And wouldn't IT be too bad to realize too late that I could have contributed to the longevity of something that does so much for our community?”

Make a tax-deductible donation Online:

soprissun.com

By mail:

PO Box 399, Carbondale, CO 81623

14 • THE SOPRIS SUN • soprissun.com • May 21 - May 27, 2020

PARTING SHOTS

It's COVID-19, not corvid — so don't blame the ravens, crows and magpies. Nor do these horses masks have anything to do with the pandemic. Photos by Jane Bachrach

LEGALS ORDINANCE NO. 5 Series of 2020 AN EMERGENCY ORDINANCE OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE TOWN OF CARBONDALE, COLORADO, REQUIRING THAT PERSONS UTILIZE FACE COVERINGS WITHIN THE TOWN OF CARBONDALE DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC WHEN PUBLIC INTERACTION IS LIKELY NOTICE: This Ordinance was introduced, read, and adopted at a regular meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Town of Carbondale, Colorado, on May 19, 2020.

This Ordinance shall take effect immediately. The full text of said Ordinance is available to the public at www.carbondalegov.org or at the office of the Town Clerk, 511 Colorado Avenue, Carbondale, Colorado, during normal business hours.

THE TOWN OF CARBONDALE

By Dan Richardson, Mayor PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a Public Hearing will be held before the Carbondale Planning and Commission for the purpose of considering a General Rezoning application for properties located at 1201 Colorado (Stein Mini-Storage) and 900-958 Highway 133 (Sopris Shopping Center).

The current zoning for the Sopris Self-Storage facility is the Stein Planned Unit Development (PUD).

The current zoning for the Sopris Shopping Center is Planned Community Commercial (PC). The proposal is to rezone the western portion of the site to the Mixed-Use (MU) zone district and the eastern portion of the site to Commercial/Transitional (CT).

If the rezoning is approved, an application for a Major Site Plan Review and Preliminary/Final Plat will be submitted to develop a mixed use project on

the westerly portion of the property along Highway 133, and construct an additional self-storage building directly to the west of the existing storage building.

The existing self-storage facility will remain in place.

The property would then be subdivided to place the self-storage development on one lot and the mixed use building on another lot.

The applicant is Carbondale Center Place LLC. The owner is Stein Properties, LP. Said Public Hearing will be held at 7:00 p.m. on June 11, 2020.

You may watch a live streaming of the meeting on You Tube. Search Town of Carbondale June 11, 2020 meeting. Please be aware that you will experience a 15-30 second delay.

If you would like to submit comments regarding this application, email your comments or letter to msikes@carbondaleco.net by 4:00 pm on June 11, 2020. This email or letter will be entered into the record.

If you would like to comment during the meeting, email msikes@carbondaleco.net with your full name and address by 4:00 pm on June 11, 2020. You will receive instructions on joining the meeting online prior to 7:00 p.m.

Also, you may contact msikes@carbondaleco.net to get a phone number to listen to the meeting, however, you will be unable to make comments. Wifi will be available in the lobby of Town Hall and a phone will also be available in the lobby for the public to listen to the meeting.

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 an amendment to the Unified Development Code (Title 17 of the Carbondale

Municipal Code). Specifically, the amendment is to Section 5.8 Off-Street Parking to revise certain parking regulations, including off-street parking requirements for the “Self-Storage Facility (MiniStorage)” use category.

The applicant is the Town of Carbondale. The amendments would apply Town-wide.

Said Public Hearing will be held at 7:00 p.m. on June 11, 2020.

You may watch a live streaming of the meeting on You Tube. Search Town of Carbondale June 11, 2020 meeting. Please be aware that you will experience a 15-30 second delay.

If you would like to submit comments regarding this application, email your comments or letter to msikes@carbondaleco.net by 4:00 pm on June 11, 2020. This email or letter will be entered into the record.

If you would like to comment during the meeting, email msikes@carbondaleco.net with your full name and address by 4:00 pm on June 11, 2020. You will receive instructions on joining the meeting online prior to 7:00 p.m.

Also, you may contact msikes@carbondaleco.net to get a phone number to listen to the meeting, however, you will be unable to make comments. Wifi will be available in the lobby of Town Hall and a phone will also be available in the lobby for the public to listen to the meeting.

Please email Janet Buck at jbuck@carbondaleco. net or call 970/456-3036 by 4:00 p.m. the date of the public hearing if special accommodations are necessary to participate in the meeting.

Copies of the proposed application are available on the Town’s website at www.carbondalegov.org. Please contact msikes@carbondaleco.net if you are unable to view the application on the Town’s website and would like to request an alternate method of review.

SERVICE DIRECTORY Mary or Mark Poppins Wanted

See Thundercat at

CARBONDALE ANIMAL HOSPITAL New location!

289 Main Street, Carbondale on the corner of Third and Main Street

(970) 963-2826 Find us on Facebook

Dr. Benjamin Mackin Monday-Friday 8 a.m.-5:30 p.m.

Providing the Roaring Fork Valley will high quality and reliable interior and exterior painting, staining, plaster, wallpaper and all aspects of remodeling.

Free estimates. Fully insured.

GARETH ROBSON | ARTISAN FINE FINISHING, LLC (970) 319-8064 | WWW.ARTISANFINEFINISHING.COM

Caretaker’s apartment on lovely property in exchange for providing shopping, errands and indoor/ outdoor property care — about 70 hours per month.

Applicant must be sane, competent and kind.

Contact: chickadee1138@gmail.com

THE SOPRIS SUN • Carbondale’s weekly community connector • MAY 21 - May 27, 2020 • 15

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Our Virtual ReStore is still open—visit to browse before you come in or to shop without leaving your home.

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*30% off a single new mattress, up to a total savings of $300.

While supplies last. One coupon per household, per day.

Valid through Tuesday May 26, 2020. (SS)

Open Monday-Saturday, closed Sunday. More info & hours: HabitatRFV.org *30% off does not apply to new merchandise other than mattresses. One coupon per household, per day. Valid through Tuesday May 26, 2020. **For your safety, and the safety of our team, we’ll be following all state and local social distancing guidelines.