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5 ~ Michael Francisco

8-9

11-13

~ Calendar

~ Español

14-15

~ Youth

'Mirror Mirror' reflects meaningful mentorship

By James Steindler Contributing Editor

The runway will rise from the ashes for the long awaited 12th annual Green is the New Black (GITNB). The 2020 version of “Mirror Mirror” was abruptly canceled on the eve of opening night when COVID-19 cases proliferated across the state and people took refuge inside their homes.

Fast forward three years, the inception of “Mirror Mirror” would still recognize its reflection, yet transformed.

“I would say that the skeleton of the 2020 show is the same,” Amy Kimberly, founder and director of GITNB, told The Sopris Sun. “It’s amazing that we are here [three years later],” she continued. “And, It’s also somewhat of a gift to have already created something and be able to delve in just a little deeper.”

As its moniker infers, GITNB is rooted in environmental preservation.

“It’s surprising how many popular and mainstream designers are slow in committing to sustainability, but it is creeping into the fashion industry in a good way,” Kimberly is quoted in a recent press release. “Lucky for us, we have many talented designers in this valley, and state, who are devoted to upcycle and reuse for their lines, and it’s exciting to see what they create.”

Mirroring mentors

Some of this year’s younger participants have grown up admiring the creativity of their mentors and now embrace the opportunity to work alongside them.

Growing up, Annabelle Stableford and her brother, Sam, took advantage of the creative opportunities offered for youth in Carbondale. Sam, 15, always loved to dance and found himself busting moves with Cirque du Sopris from the age of 7 — even participating in the youth troupe’s very own fashion show.

Sam noted that it was Kimberly who suggested that he graduate early into the adult fashion show. The audience will see Sam dancing — of course — and walking in “The Emperor's New Clothes” fashion line.

“I’m really excited to be a part of this line,” Sam stated. “It’s dance, it’s sass, it’s everything I love to do.”

Sam also teaches a kids’ hip-hop dancing class through Dance Initiative, alongside his fellow Roaring Fork High School student Ava Montemayor.

“I’m hoping I can take it [dance] further into the future, but what comes will come,” Sam modestly stated.

Annabelle, 17, is nearing the end of her junior year, also at Roaring Fork. In 2019, she performed during Sopris Soarer’s pre-show to the fashion show and was set to do so again in 2020. This year, Kimberly figured it was time for Anabelle to level up as well. She will walk in three fashion lines and dance alongside her brother.

Back in elementary school, Annabelle designed junior fashion lines for Cirque du Sopris. “That was a brief two or three year period,” she said, describing her fashion creations as “kind of interesting.”

“One was kind of a short ‘skort’ thing — shorts with this long, flowing, white tail fabric,”

and a layered gold-trim blouse, she explained. She recalled wearing the look to school to test the design among her peers.

Approaching adolescence, Annabelle gravitated toward aerial performance with Sopris Soarers. You also may have seen her flying through the air during a First Friday event.

She praised her longtime mentor, Carrie Vickers, as well as Stacey Everson, who founded Sopris Soarers. Vickers regularly performs in GITNB, and Annabelle said it’s amazing to share a stage with someone she’s always looked up to.

Full circle

Chloe Brand (Cooper) graduated from Roaring Fork in 2016, then went off to fashion design school at Pratt Institute in New York.

“I was super lucky to grow up in Carbondale and experience its art scene,” Brand said.

Even back in high school, Brand was provided the opportunity to show off her designs in GITNB. And, because she comes from a nautically-inclined family, her earlier designs were known for incorporating torn pieces from sails.

For this year’s GITNB, Brand is reviving a line that

continued on page 10

Sam Stableford caught in his element during a dance rehearsal for GITNB. Photo by Will Sardinsky

OPINION

By Jeanne Perry Ps & Qs

Well, here we are, three years since the start of the pandemic to beat all pandemics (at least in our lifetime). What a ride it has been!

We did it. We survived our first rodeo. I don’t know about you, but I embraced the hermit cycle: get up, go to the dog park, go to work in my uncle’s garage, go home and go to bed. No need to get dressed up — or even wear real pants. It felt like that movie, “Groundhog Day” with Bill Murray, and it hardly mattered what I wore as the days blurred together into weeks, months, years…

Forget about the days when we dressed to fly, now we don’t even change out of our pajamas to board the plane.

LETTERS

Re: ReEnergize

Trying to stay engaged and lighthearted in these viral times was challenging. I believe we are generally a happy species with an inclination to help each other, even we middle-agers who can barely understand the virtual social language at this point. We gave it our best shot during COVID with apps like House Party; pretty much like a real house party in that you can see your friends, you can sometimes even hear them over the background noise, and you can lock the room if you don’t want Chachi’s girlfriend to barge in on you (when we went to actual house parties Joanie still loved Chachi).

“Is this what the future looks like?” we wondered, enjoying our cocktails while hanging out with video versions of our friends, all without actually leaving the house. The best part was when we were ready to leave the party, we just said goodbye; no waiting for an uber on the street or taking a late-night bus ride, because we were already home. Of course, the most often-heard phrase on House Party from the 45-55 age bracket was, “how do you end this thing?”

Virtual house parties weren’t the only advantages to humans staying indoors. Pollution was

Last week’s paper included a press release from Garfield Clean Energy (GCE) asking residents to apply for “ReEnergize'' and other programs which subsidize home energy use reduction measures. It noted that the program has limited funds. Another article reported that last year the funds ran out after 50 retrofits countywide. So, if you noticed your heating bill this winter, apply ASAP for improvement funds. If you didn’t notice your heating bill, consider a tax-deductible contribution to CLEER (cleanenergyeconomy.net), which manages these programs, so they can serve more of the applicants. Either helps reduce carbon pollution contributing to climate disruption.

Much of the funding for GCE and CLEER comes from our towns and the county. These entities almost doubled their revenue from energy taxes and fees last year. Perhaps they should also specifically increase their contributions to this existing underfunded program.

Fred Porter, Carbondale

Re: Harm reduction

In response to a quote in the Feb. 7 edition of the Post Independent, “You don’t think harm reduction encourages the use of opioids? That’s a question that’s out there."

Here’s the answer: 30 years of data in the United States shows that individuals who use drugs are five times more likely to access treatment if they use harm reduction programs. While we support folks to make their own life choices, these services have been shown to ultimately reduce drug use.

Harm reduction programs also reduce crime, the spread of disease and spending

Booted and spurred

less, and wildlife was free to roam the empty parks. Water was cleaner and clearer, and people were spending less of their quality time in their cars. Hey, if this is what it takes to stop mass shootings, maybe we’d better give permanent stay-at-home orders some consideration, amiright? But we are seeing real social consequences of not bumping into each other for all that time. Without physical interaction, it seems we lost the ability to put ourselves in another’s boots. We are hugging on the sidewalk less and fighting at the dog park more. The dog park on a crowded afternoon is to dogs what happy hour was to us pre-pandemic. Remember when everyone was so excited to see each other that we never wanted to leave? And getting the gang together on Zoom is not the same. The energy can’t move and shift through the screen, plus there is no way to sense (smell) the mood in the air. Maybe we should take a cue from our canine friends and realize that we too need actual interaction to stay connected. I think we humans get carried away sometimes, and with the best of intentions we

of taxpayer dollars.

High Rockies Harm Reduction does much more than just give out free needles. We train hundreds all over the state on how to use Narcan to reverse opioid overdoses. We give out free Narcan, fentanyl test strips, condoms and more. We collect syringes from folks who require regular injections for a variety of reasons and reduce biohazard debris.

But the number one thing we do is build relationships, because that's what it's going to take to end the addiction crisis. No one program or building can do it, we all must work together from a place of compassion and be willing to learn more about what works for people with different cultural backgrounds than our own.

If you aren’t affected by addiction issues in your life somehow, that’s fantastic, but we need to uphold the voices of those most affected by these issues in determining the most effective strategies to combat them.

The CDC and CDPHE recommend that communities implement syringe service programs as an evidence-based approach to mitigate opioid addiction and overdose.

In 2020, the Garfield County Commissioners, as our Public Health Board, agreed to defer to the expertise of professionals in matters of public health, as this is not their background. At the Feb. 6 commissioner meeting, public health experts from Eagle and Garfield counties presented on the plan to expand harm reduction programming in our region, as funds have already been committed to this.

Syringe services have existed, on a small scale, in Garfield County since 2021. For more information and a service schedule, visit www.highrockiesharmreduction.com

alienate ourselves and each other. By crossing the street to give everyone six feet of personal space and masking up in public, we’ve created a lot of isolation and fear, and often now our conversations begin with anger and distrust.

“Do you think it’s the hat? … A lot of people hate this hat. It angers a lot of people, just the sight of it.” -Uncle Buck.

So, what can we take from this viral lesson? We’ve been there, done that, survived the worst. Now what?

As I look around at our postpandemic world, I see Hunger Games in Congress, and war balloons for profit, billionaires with no more imagination than club level seats and an obvious lack of empathy. We’ve returned to our regularly scheduled program of road rage, school lockdowns and prescription drug (vaccination) commercials for days. Our immune systems are inundated, our stresses trigger-happy, we’re booted and spurred and ready to kick some ass at the dog park — even though our dogs get along. Surely there is more to this human story.

Stay tuned…

Whether harm reduction is an effective method of combating addiction issues is not a matter of opinion, it's a matter of public health, and it's a FACT that syringe services save lives and reduce drug use and its negative consequences.

Maggie Seldeen, High Rockies Harm Reduction

KDNK4lynn

KDNK4lynn@gmail.com is ready for your KDNK-related memories, which I plan to use for Sopris Sun columns about the station in this, its 40th year.

Working themes include: names of shows, great moments in KDNK history, anecdotes, observations and anything else that might fit.

Several KDNKers have already sent me stuff, including Keith Edquist, who was an original volunteer DJ (“Old and In the Way”), and trained under the tutelage of the late Brad Hendicks, who told Keith that a gorilla could work the control board. “I took that to mean I’d do fine,” he told me.

Terri Ritchie was production manager at the Aspen Daily News early in KDNK’s life, and the crew used to listen to “Cowboy Randy” on Friday mornings, with “X-Actos and wax a flyin’.”

One Thanksgiving, Jane Bachrach and myself (the “Jake and Jane Show”) demonstrated and explained how to carve an actual turkey on air. We also did a segment called “Live from the Free Box” wherein Jane would lug clothes and other odd objects into the studio from the station entrance, and I’d describe them, or speculate what their use might be. (Word

continued on page 18

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Sincerest thanks to our Honorary Publishers for their annual commitment of $1,000+

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Hunting season

The primary draw application for a Colorado big game hunting license is open through April 4 at 8pm. Hunters are encouraged to apply early to avoid complications or delays. Find all of the details at cpw.state.co.us/bg/hunting

Sisu results

The 31st annual Ski for Sisu at Spring Gulch raised a record $23,660 for the Mount Sopris Nordic Council! Dave Kodama skied the furthest at 262.5 kilometers over the course of nine days, followed by Corbin Carpenter at 241 and Zachary Russell at 200. Susy Ellison was at the top of the women’s division with 167.85 kilometers, followed by Megan Passmore at 155 and Laurie Stone at 105.5. Kian Sullivan won the youth division with 71 kilometers, Burton Smith skied 32 and Atlin Mason 25.

Elder care

Mike Jones is a parent first, but also a former chief executive officer of MySpace and an early advisor to some of the prominent social media platforms we know today. The evening of Monday, Feb. 27, Jones gave an eye-opening presentation at the Waldorf School on the Roaring Fork to fellow parents about the realities of social media consumption and its effects, particularly for school-aged children. On top of providing an abundance of insight about the industry, he said that parents can delay their child’s use as long as they can, but ultimately their exposure to social media is inevitable and therefore it’s important to teach them proper “hygiene,” for when that time comes. Photo by James Steindler

RJ Paddywacks

Cool Bricks Studio

White River Books

Alpine Animal Hospital

Novus Glass

Nonprofit Partners

Wilderness Workshop

5point Film Festival

Basalt Library

Aspen Strong

Carbondale Rotary

Carbondale Animal Shelter

Carbondale Arts

Carbondale Chamber of Commerce

Interested in becoming an Underwriter or Nonprofit Partner in 2023? Email Todd@ soprissun.com or call 970-987-9866

NextFifty Initiative, a Colorado nonprofit, is offering Flexible Support grants to organizations that serve older adults on a variety of topics, from combating ageism to independent living, access to care, healthy aging and more. Applications will be accepted through March 22. Potential applicants are asked to schedule a call with a program officer by emailing info@next50initiative.org or calling 303-547-1800.

Glenwood garage rental

The parking garage at Ninth and Cooper in Glenwood Springs is closed to the public through March 6 with Hotel Colorado guests renting the facility for $60,000 which the City will allocate toward $408,000 worth of “immediately necessary work including deck and drainage repairs” planned for completion this year. Alternate parking suggestions have been posted at cog.us/ ParkDowntown

Sweetwater Lake

Eagle Valley Land Trust, Colorado Parks and Wildlife and the White River National Forest will host a virtual public meeting on March 6 to update the public on the Sweetwater Lake planning process and to receive feedback. The meeting begins at 6pm and Spanish interpretation will be available; register online at cpw. info/sweetwater-lake-public-meeting

SNOTEL tour

Roaring Fork Conservancy invites the public to learn more about how snowpack is measured with an event on March 16 from 9:30am to 12:30pm. Participants will carpool to McClure Pass then snowshoe to a SNOTEL site at the summit, learning along the way about snow science and spring runoff. Registration is due by 5pm on March 14 at www.roaringfork.org/ events

You prune

Pitkin County Open Space and Trails, Colorado State University, UpRoot and Colorado Edible Forest are teaming up to offer a series of free fruit pruning workshops throughout the Valley beginning March 4 in Silt. Find the list at www.coloradoedibleforest.com/workshops

State support

The State of Colorado is now offering a digital tool called Aira to provide Coloradans who are blind or have low vision with live interpretation at no cost when navigating state-operated locations and digital services. Aira requires a smartphone or computer and sessions are limited to 30 minutes. Learn more at oit. colorado.gov/accessibility/aira

Allegations dismissed

The Secretary of State dismissed

CARE has 10 dogs and 6 cats available for adoption.

allegations of campaign finance violations against Garfield County Sheriff Lou Vallario on Feb. 22 “after an exhaustive and expensive investigation paid for by the taxpayers” according to the sheriff’s press release. The complaint was filed on Sept. 2, 2022 by a North Carolina political action committee in response to Vallario’s support of Lauren Boebert’s bid for re-election.

Valley View Surgery Center

On March 1, Valley View hosted a grand opening for its new orthopedic surgery center in Basalt (1450 East Valley Road). As part of the Midvalley Medical Center, this amenity makes use of the Mako Robotic Arm and specializes in simple fractures, sports medicine, hand surgery, foot and ankle surgery and outpatient knee and hip joint replacements.

They say it’s your birthday!

Folks celebrating another trip around the sun this week include: Sean Jeffries (March 2); Barbe Chambliss and Bella Frisbie (March 3); Kurt Trede, Jr. (March 4); Matthew Bennett, Kelly Field, Amy Hadden Marsh and Meg Plumb (March 5); Gwen Garcelon and Bobby Mason (March 6); Carol Fabian and Diane Johnson (March 7); Greg Meredith, Gracie Oliphant, Karen Tafejian, Sidney Thomas and Jordan Tribble (March 8).

RJ PADDYWACKS offers a “C.A.R.E. package” for new adoptive families, including a “Paws for Points” plan and a first time 15% discount for your new pet.

BIFF is almost 4 years old and is looking to be someone’s constant companion! He has lived with dogs, cats, and older children and he loves to cuddle and will climb right in your lap if you let him. He’s been great at doggy day care as well.

PADDYWACKS offers a “C.A.R.E. package” new adoptive families, for Points” plan and a time 15% discount Rd.

By Will Buzzerd Sopris Sun Correspondent

Feb. 21 marked the first of three weekly meetings for the Rural Action Project (RAP), an initiative spearheaded by Colorado State University (CSU) to foster community connection both within and between rural communities across the state. The project largely aims to provide an opportunity for community members to interact and share their experiences, thereby strengthening bonds with the goal of working together for community improvement.

Held in the Third Street Center auditorium, the local meetings are hosted by Roaring Fork Leadership (RFL) and call upon all members of the Roaring Fork and Colorado River valleys to sit at the same table — quite literally. After signing in, name tags and food are provided and participants are encouraged to select any open seat at various tables to eat with and get to know folks who might be complete strangers.

The first meeting required the completion of a small preassessment of one’s own opinions about their community’s health, along with a small discussion packet. All reading materials are available in both Spanish

and English, in addition to live translation services.

The goal for the first meeting was to build connections and identify community assets — not bemoaning the tragic affairs of one’s rural environment, but fostering an awareness of its unique strengths and desirable qualities.

All the while, organizers from RFL insisted that, throughout the course of this meeting and the whole of the project, all participants should be learning first and foremost not just from the presenters, but from each other’s common experience.

At this meeting, community members from all walks were present — residents who have only recently moved to the Valley, lifers, young families, immigrants from overseas, members of nonprofits and business leaders. All commingled in one unique and welcoming environment.

However, in-person participants were not just with each other. The whole of the auditorium also participated in a joint zoom call with eight other regions across the state. People from Sedgewick, Logan, Morgan, Kit Carson, Cheyenne, Prowers and Huerfano counties, the San Luis Valley and the Roaring Fork Valley, all shared a table during these presentations and discussions.

Rural Action Plan: A forum for connection LIFE

During the first meeting, a portion of the presentation was dedicated to introductions by both the counties and RAP’s facilitators: members of CSU’s Center for Public Deliberation. According to Patti Schmitt, the CSU Extension State Coordinator, RAP was originally designed to reintegrate rural areas that have lost a sense of community. “Over the last couple years we’ve become less connected, so how can we work together to create a community where [people] feel like they belong?”

A significant portion of this first presentation was designed to inform attendees across the state how rural communities have evolved over the past century, and to debunk negative stereotypes. Benjamin Winchester, of the University of Minnesota Extension, presented a slideshow titled “Rewriting the Rural Narrative” to highlight how most of the ideas people have about rural communities tend to be based on long-outdated, or simply inaccurate, narratives.

Winchester highlighted that rural communities are actually becoming more and more desirable places to live, generally for people in their 30s or 40s who want a simpler pace of life, safety and (theoretically) lower housing costs. Furthermore, only one in four people who move to rural areas are returnees, and only two-fifths move in for a job.

After the presentation, attendees

discussed both what rang true and where their experience differed. Naturally, the Roaring Fork Valley has had a very different experience with desirability and thus, housing. This became a topic of discussion at multiple tables following the slideshow. However, this is the point of RAP: identifying the unique situation of each rural community and working within these conditions together.

Winchester emphasized that the most important thing a rural community can do is foster a sense of belonging among its newcomers. If one feels like they are happy staying somewhere for the next decade, they’ll be far more inclined to participate in local events and try to better their community. After a lengthy discussion of values and community strengths, it’s safe to say that in only a couple of hours, RAP was one step closer to that goal.

At the end of the three weeks, the organizations hosting the project in their county will have the chance to apply for a $5,000 grant for an initiative agreed upon by their participants, all in the service of vitalizing a spirit of action to improve one’s community. Although the first two meetings have already taken place, sign-ups are still available online at RFL’s website (rfleadership.org) for the final meeting, oriented toward developing community projects, on March 7 from 5:30 to 8:00pm.

Valley View is proud to announce the opening of After Hours Urgent Care. From nasal congestion to a sprained ankle, our walk-in clinic is here to treat you. Thanks to its convenient location inside Valley View next to the Emergency Department, you get to decide the right level of care for you at the right price.

Open evenings and weekends for same-day, walk-in care in Glenwood Springs. Learn more at vvh.org/urgentcare or call 970.384.7315.

PeopleCare. That’s Valley View.

GOING AND SO DO WE.

C’dale PD investigation report withheld since

September 2021

Francisco mediation scheduled for March 9

By Amy Hadden Marsh Sopris Sun Correspondent

On May 26, 2021, the Town of Carbondale released a statement that the Town had “retained Powers Police Consulting and Investigations of Grand Junction to perform an independent administrative investigation of the Town of Carbondale Police Department’s handling of the arrest incident that occurred at City Market in Carbondale on the evening of December 24, 2020.”

Carbondale resident Michael Francisco was the subject of that arrest, whose charges of obstruction of government operations, disorderly conduct, and resisting arrest were dropped on May 18, 2021 as part of a deferred sentence agreement.

According to Town records, obtained by The Sopris Sun pursuant to the Colorado Open Records Act, the Colorado Criminal Justice Records Act and C.R.S. § 24-72-303(4)(a), the Town paid a total of $3,200 (including a retainer of $2,500 on May 21, 2021) to Natasha Powers to conduct the investigation. She began her research in June and finished the report by Sept. 1, 2021, which is when the Town paid her an additional $700 for her work. But, a year and a half later, despite assurances from the Town, the draft report of the investigation, which Chief

Wilson welcomed and looked forward to reading, has not been released.

So, where is the report?

According to a summary from Town Clerk and records custodian Cathy Derby, who responded to the records request and who retired March 1, 2023, the draft report was provided only “to the Town’s attorneys in anticipation of litigation in this matter” including Mark Hamilton. The report is protected under attorney/client privilege so is off-limits to anyone else, including Carbondale Town Trustees.

The anticipated litigation part of this remains unclear. Then-Mayor Dan Richardson told The Sopris Sun in a recent email that the litigation warning came from Michael Edminister, who was Francisco’s attorney in 2021. But, Richardson would not comment on whether a lawsuit was imminent at that time.

On May 19, 2021, shortly after Francisco’s charges were dropped, Edminister told the Aspen Daily News, “Now that the case has been dismissed, it’s my position that we would be free to pursue a civil remedy, and I would advise my client to pursue those remedies against the Town of Carbondale.” Edminister did not make himself available to The Sopris Sun for comment, stating that he no longer represents Francisco.

The first — and so far only — lawsuit was filed in federal District Court against City Market and Tia Walker on Dec. 21, 2022 — 19 months after Francisco’s Carbondale case was dismissed and 15 months after Natasha Powers completed her draft investigative report. Francisco is now represented by Michael P. Fairhurst and Darold W. Killmer of Killmer, Lane, and Newman LLP, a Denver civil rights firm with an office in Carbondale. In a February 2023 interview, Fairhurst told The Sopris Sun that the lawsuit does not include the Town of Carbondale or the Carbondale Police Department.

Fairhurst explained that all legal claims Francisco has or might have against Carbondale and the police, stemming from the Dec. 24, 2020 arrest, will be part of a mediation. Claims include wrongful arrest and a First Amendment retaliation claim, excessive force and race discrimination when it comes to contracts. “It’s a statute from the 1800s civil rights law,” Fairhurst explained.

Under this law, Francisco has legal claims related to what would be considered a retail contract. “You have what’s considered to be a contract with the grocery store where they give you groceries and you pay them,“ he said. “The police interfered with that by removing [Francisco] from the store after he had picked up — but not yet purchased — the groceries.”

Fairhurst would not say who approached whom with the idea of mediation but he said that both sides agreed. Denver-based Leland Anderson,

a retired Colorado District Court judge, will be the mediator via Zoom on March 9.

During mediation, explained Fairhurst, both parties will have separate virtual rooms. The Town of Carbondale and the police department will be represented by Denver-based attorney Eric Ziporin, who was hired as outside counsel in case Francisco sued the Town and whom Town records show

When You Have Unexpected Medical Needs

Weekdays:

Weekends:

Michael Francisco ponders his case at a March 2021 hearing in Carbondale. He has filed suit against City Market and Tia Walker but will enter mediation on March 9 with the Town of Carbondale and the Carbondale police. AH Marsh photo

BOCC approves Fussner Minor Subdivision

By James Steindler Contributing Editor

During their final regular meeting of the month, the Garfield County Commissioners approved the proposed Fussner Minor Subdivision, located on Missouri Heights at the same site as the previously proposed, and rejected, Ascendigo Ranch.

The applicant plans to divide the 41.284-acre lot into two separate parcels, with lot one at 36.175 acres and lot two at 5.11 acres.

The “project description” within the application stated: “The applicant’s intent is to develop lot one of the minor subdivision for their own single-family home and to potentially build an ADU [accessory dwelling unit] or SDU [secondary dwelling unit] on the lot to help offset the high cost of living in the Roaring Fork Valley. The ADU or SDU is also intended to help provide a more affordable housing option for someone looking to reside here.”

The application continued, “Lot two of the minor subdivision is intended to be sold and developed with a single-family home and possibly an ADU or SDU.”

On Dec. 8, 2022, the application was approved, with conditions, by Garfield County’s Director of Development Sheryl Bower.

“On Dec. 16, 2022, the County received a request for a ‘call-up’ to the Board of County Commissioners from the Neiley Law Firm representing an adjacent property owner,” reads a memo to the commissioners, prompting the board’s review. Subsequently, the commissioners set a public hearing for Feb. 21. That hearing was continued for one week to allow the commissioners and the applicant time to review 70 pages worth of newly entered exhibits.

The applicant, Skyler Fussner of SkyFooze1 LLC, began the Feb. 27 hearing by telling the commissioners, as well as the general public, a little more about himself.

“The word ‘developer’ was thrown around quite a bit last time,” he began.

“I just wanted to clarify that I am not a developer. I am a 27-year-old constructional engineer, and came to Colorado to live in the mountains … I recently started my own constructional engineering firm in the Valley … I’m really just trying to build a home here and have a family here, for a while.”

Matt Farrar, with Western Slope Consulting and representing SkyFooze1, wished to clarify that the adjacent Whitecloud Ridge Subdivision and the proposed Fussner Minor Subdivision are indeed separate entities.

With that said, it’s noted in the application that SkyFooze1 also owns the majority of lots in the Whitecloud Ridge Subdivision.

After the applicant finished a closing presentation, the commissioners each said their piece, touching on community concerns such as the maintenance of one of the shared access roads, Harmony Lane, and, perhaps most notably, water.

“I think there’s more than adequate water,” said Commissioner Tom Jankovsky. He then referenced the previous Ascendigo Ranch proposal, stating there was adequate water then, “which was [for] a much bigger operation.”

“I don’t think in approving this it would adversely affect the quality of life and so on, as sometimes is portrayed,” added Commissioner Mike Samson. “So, I’m fine with it.”

Chairman John Martin was the sole dissenting vote, and disagreed with Jankovsky — as well as the water engineering analysis — that there is enough water.

“I still feel that water is a huge issue up there because I know there have been several wells that are [above] and

neighborhood disputes coming down the pike.”

Martin then addressed the applicant, stating, “I do applaud you for buying lots and building a house, but I’d like you to use the entire lot and not subdivide it.”

Regardless, the board upheld the development director’s conditional approval of the application, 2-1.

Commissioners urge 10(j)

The commissioners recently sent a letter to the Colorado Public Wildlife Commission, in regard to the drafted Colorado Wolf Restoration and Management Plan, urging that the state not reintroduce wolves until the 10(j) rule of the Endangered Species Act is in place. The 10(j) rule allows for an “experimental” population to be designated as “threatened” within a certain area, which permits more flexible management, including lethal measures.

“We strongly support the 10(j) rule being in place prior to reintroductions,” the County’s letter reads. “If Colorado finds itself in the unfortunate position that lawsuits, injunctions or other legal strategies are used to stop

Trustees contend with inflation

By Raleigh Burleigh Sopris Sun Editor

All trustees were in attendance at the regular meeting on Feb. 28, 2022. After unanimously approving the consent agenda (a grant application to the Garfield County Federal Mineral Lease District for Chacos Park planning, accounts payable, minutes, a liquor license renewal and street dining approval for the Pour House), Jessica Markham was sworn in as the town clerk.

But first, outgoing clerk Cathy Derby was honored for her 18 years with the Town. “I’m truly honored to have been able to work with you, if only for a short time,” said Town Manager Lauren Gister, who also read messages from former town manager Jay Harrington and former mayor Stacey Bernot.

“See you around the campfire,” responded Derby as she departed the room with a bouquet of flowers and many gifts.

During the public comment period, Lynn Kirchner pointed out the “declining appearance” of the post office, with a broken window, unkempt plants and lack of snow shoveling. “It’s an important building in our community,” she stressed, “and it’s the most dilapidated building on Main Street.”

Trustee Marty Silverstein, a former postal service employee, offered to meet with Kirchner “offline” to discuss the matter.

During general comments by trustees, Erica Sparhawk mentioned that Colorado Communities for Climate Action has grown to 42 member organizations (consisting of counties and municipalities) and is updating its policy statement.

Trustee Lani Kitching announced that Mind Springs Health will help close the funding gap for Garfield County’s withdrawal management (detox) facility. She also mentioned the public opportunity to weigh in on the Sweetwater Lake plan at a virtual meeting on March 6 at 6pm (cpw.info/sweetwater-lake-publicmeeting). Next, she updated the Town that its trustee liaison role on the board of Coventure has drawn to a close, however she will remain serving as vice chair of that board as a citizen with institutional knowledge and personal interest.

Trustee Colin Laird announced that the regional housing coalition has been encouraged by the Colorado Department of Local Affairs to apply for a $3 million

BASALT REPORT

Seats fill up on Affordable Housing Commission

By Will Buzzerd Sopris Sun Correspondent

The Manager’s Report provided an update on the “lightning bolt project” — work on the sewer lines between the library and Two Rivers Road. Importantly for commuters, Manager Ryan Mahoney also announced that the bridge has changed to being closed full-time, instead of with the use of stop lights at night as originally planned. This was due to the concern that a stoplight immediately next to a stop sign at the Two Rivers/Midland intersection would create confusion. The process overall was stated to be going well and should tentatively be completed by April.

Next up, The Mountain Pact — an organization of elected officials from over 100 mountain communities in the West — requested the Basalt Town Council sign a letter to Colorado’s Bureau of Land Management (BLM). The letter, penned to State Director Doug Vilsack, urges the BLM to direct its resources toward preserving natural landscapes as opposed to prioritizing the extraction of resources. Council unanimously supported signing the letter. Interviews led to a series of actions for two appointments (and one reappointment) of Basalt

dollar grant which may require some matching funds from the Town to potentially be discussed at a meeting in March.

Trustee Chris Hassig suggested that the board consider writing a letter of support for protests to the Uinta Railway Basin carrying waxy crude oil on trains through Glenwood Canyon. Hassig also volunteered to represent Carbondale on the Garfield County Emergency Communications Authority board.

A liquor license was granted to La Raza, aiming to open in the former Mi Casita space (580 West Main Street) sometime in April. This was followed by four special event liquor licenses for: Blue Lake Preschool’s annual fundraiser at The Orchard on April 21; a Ducks Unlimited fundraiser at The Orchard on April 15; a Crystal River Ballet School fundraiser at the RVR Barn on March 18; and KDNK’s 40th Birthday Bash on April 15 at the Third Street Center.

Mountain Waste and Recycling, represented by Doug Goldsmith, came before the trustees for its annual update as per the contract signed in 2019. Goldsmith praised Carbondale for its 30.72% landfill diversion rate in 2022. For the first time since before COVID, a “trash audit” was conducted, sorting through 32 samples from trucks carrying Carbondale trash at the Pitkin County Landfill in September 2022.

Goldsmith spoke about the company’s app which can send text reminders for service days and has a “waste wizard” feature to help customers determine what is compostable and recyclable. “How much is aspirational recycling?” asked Mayor Ben Bohmfalk. Goldsmith explained that plastics numbered one and two, which hold liquid, are recycled, while three through seven, though theoretically recyclable, have no market and are generally “burned as waste energy.”

citizens to the Basalt Affordable Community Housing Commission (BACH). BACH, which consults with the Council on issues related to housing, had only two active voting members out of seven possible seats. Jay Israel and Matt Triebwasser were both unanimously appointed as a long-time Basalt resident and relative newcomer, respectively.

Anne Baker, who was unanimously reappointed, mentioned specific concerns noticed over her tenure with BACH, and changes she is looking to make in housing, such as seeking to lower the 30% of gross income qualification for “affordable” to 25% of gross. Two more interviews will take place at the Council’s next meeting, bringing BACH to six full seats out of seven.

The next two actions approved contracts relating to Basalt River Park: the first for its restroom and bus stop and the second for its bandshell. The contract for the bus stop will be signed with FCI contractors, who are currently constructing the Basalt River Park Apartments, for a base bid of $796,664. The estimate is based on higher quality build materials necessary for public property, along with RFTA’s specifications for the bus stop. Notably, RFTA granted $130,000 for the construction, and the developer is also providing $150,000, so the Town will be obligated to pay approximately $520,000 of that bid.

The bandshell, which has undergone some redesigns to make its construction more cost-effective, will be

Public Works Director Kevin Schorzman joined the trustees for the remainder of the agenda. The first item involved a “dry-up” covenant related to water rights associated with the original annexation and development of River Valley Ranch (RVR). The Lowline Ditch rights consisted of approximately 84.3 irrigated acres, 51 of which were conveyed to the Town. The remaining 33.3 are now owned by Iron Rose Ranch, belonging to billionaire Tom Bailey, who filed a water court application to change their legal place of use to a location on his property above the Lowline Ditch alignment. Dry-up areas within River Valley Ranch, no longer irrigated, include house pads and driveways, roads, trails and cart paths and 2.3 acres of “rough” on the golf course. Trustees unanimously approved the agreement.

Next, Schorzman presented on the bid to complete the second half of the Eighth Street project. For phase two, $550,00 was budgeted. The only bid that came back was for $710,000, which prompted the board to consider other options. Schorzman suggested waiting a year and putting the project out to bid again, but also offered that the Town itself could begin work on the project in smaller phases over the course of three to four years. Silverstein asked about the impact to residents and commuters, to which Schorzman responded it could be less with the project parsed out, instead of all at once. After some discussion, trustees agreed unanimously that the Town’s public works department should do a strategic part of the project and to put the remainder out to bid next year and reassess.

“I will commit to you, this is going to be a trial,” said Schorzman. “If it’s just messing everything up, I will tell you that."

Schorzman went on to report back on two more contracts that went out to bid, one for chip sealing and the other for crack sealing. The chip sealing prices are up 45% over last year which will result in three fewer roads to be treated (Barber Drive, Clearwater Road and Greystone Drive) for an approved cost of $210,038. Crack sealing was up 35% compared to last year and was approved at $21,000.

The final item on the agenda was approval of a request for proposals for a Multi-Modal Mobility and Access Plan as prescribed by the recently adopted Comprehensive Plan update.

“We’re putting out a big net,” said Matt Gworek, chair of the Bicycle Pedestrian and Trails Commission. “We’re going to get back components and get to decide what makes sense to do, what is cost effective to do.”

built by Burlingame Construction at a base bid of $821,220. The bandshell will be constructed primarily of steel and fabric and will even include a climbing element for recreation. Ideally, it will be complete in early July. As of now, Council is still in the process of interviewing event managers for this summer’s programming. All council members voted “yes” on both contracts with the exception of Elyse Hottel, who abstained from both.

Next up were two ordinances to amend the processes for marijuana and liquor licensing, both presented by Town Attorney Jeff Conklin. Conklin

The meeting began with outgoing clerk and recorder Cathy Derby swearing in Jessica Markham, her successor. Many people shared words of praise at the meeting for Derby’s direct demeanor and dry wit, including former mayors Stacey Bernot and Dan Richardson.

Photo by Raleigh Burleigh

The bridge at south Midland will now be closed full-time until its completion around early April.

Photo by Will Buzzerd

CARBONDALE

PILATES BLEND

A full-body workout that targets specific muscles while engaging the entire body. Improve balance, muscle coordination, strength, and stability. Appropriate for all levels.

Mon/Wed, 12-12:50pm, 3/6-4/26

TENSION AND TRAUMA

RELEASING EXERCISES

Release deep muscular stress, tension, and trauma; calm the nervous system, and return balance.

Sundays, 10am-11:30am, 3/19-4/9

BEGINNING SCULPTURE

Learn how to design in 3-D, from sketches into a maquette, and complete sculptures while learning the tools to create special effects.

Mondays, 10am-1pm, 3/20-4/24

EXPLORATIONS IN MIXED

WATER MEDIA

Working with watercolor, acrylic, casein, and gouache to see how they work togehter - emphasis on design and creative process,

Mondays, 2-5pm, 3/20-4/24

FIND YOUR CREATIVE SPARK

Expand your creativity, and cultivate curiosity with therapeutic art techniques. No prior art experience necessaryand all supplies provided.

Mondays, 6-8pm, 3/20-4/24

NATIVE AMERICAN LITERATURE

Highlights themes of historical context, reservation life, and current cultural conflict through the writings of well-known Native American authors of various tribes.

Mondays, 6-8pm, 3/20-4/24

ADAPTABLE YOGA FOR SENIORS

Learn a simple yoga practice that builds flexibility and balance, promotes ease, protects you from injuries, and reduces chronic pain.

Tuesdays, 9:30-10:30am, 3/21-4/11

PAINTING FOR FUN

Paint in any medium in this fun class with guided projects and free painting time. Meet other painters and see what is possible.

Tuesdays, 9am-12pm, 3/21-4/25

UKRAINIAN EGG DECORATING

Decorate eggs with beautiful colored patterns using beeswax resist in Eastern European tradition with Jill Scher.

Saturday, 10am-3pm, 4/1

INTRO TO HERBALISM

Learn about the 5 herbal actions and flavors, and how food and herbs help us to live more in balance. An introduction to bioregional herbalism with Sheehan Meagher.

Tuesday, 5-7pm, 4/4

FOR MORE INFO AND TO REGISTER... coloradomtn.edu/community-education Carbondale

“There is a very strange phenomenon about fat biking: every time we go out it seems like it is more fun than the last time,” Steve Novy wrote to The Sopris Sun. Novy coaches the Glenwood High School Dirt Demons, hosting a fat bike race this Sunday, March 5, at Sunlight Mountain Resort (registration at www.bit.ly/ RatBikeFace2023). Courtesy photo

THURSDAY, MARCH 2

MUSIC AND MOVEMENT

Ms. Holly and friends lead families and their young children through a musical movement activity at Basalt Library from 10:30 to 11am.

LIBRARY TRAINING

Learn how to make the most of the resources offered by Basalt Library at 5pm. This is a bilingual opportunity.

BANFF FILMS

The Banff Centre Mountain Film and Book Festival presents a show at the Wheeler at 7pm. Tickets at www.aspenshowtix.com

TENSION�TRAUMA RELEASE

Jacquie Wheeler facilitates Tension/ Trauma Release Exercises at the Third Street Center at 7:15pm tonight, March 9 and March 23 and at 3:30pm on March 4. Learn more at www.traumaprevention.com and register by emailing info@tcfhf. First responders may attend for free.

YOU CAN'T TAKE IT WITH YOU

Thunder River Theatre Company’s rendition of “You Can’t Take It with You” closes this weekend! Catch the show tonight, tomorrow or Saturday at 7:30pm, or on March 5 at 2pm. Tickets at www. thunderrivertheatre.com

FRIDAY, MARCH 3

YOUTH ART

The Powers Art Center features inspired artwork by Carbondale Community School students through March 15 alongside its renowned collection. The museum is open from 11am to 4pm Tuesday through Friday.

CRYSTAL THEATRE

Stroll Main Street in the heart of Carbondale’s Creative District and take in a wide range of local arts and galleries, shopping, and award-winning restaurants & spirits

This month we invite you to explore the collective offerings within the Creative District Catch the closing weekend of “You Can’t Take It with You” at Thunder River Theatre Company, support students of the Carbondale Clay Center by checking out their pop-up exhibition and view artwork by artists of SAW at the Carbondale Arts Gallery.

The Crystal Theatre shows “Women Talking” at 4:45pm this evening and “The Whale” at 7pm tonight, tomorrow and March 9, and at 5pm on March 5. “A Man Called Otto” returns March 4 at 4:15pm.

ART OPENING

The Launchpad presents “What Is This Gold Toothed Beast” by Kia Neill through April 6 with an opening reception tonight from 5 to 7pm and an artist talk at 5:30pm. A group show featuring local SAW (Studio for Arts+Works) artists will share the R2 Gallery.

POTTERY SALE

The Carbondale Clary Center hosts a makers pop-up show from 6 to 8pm. The show will remain on display through March 4.

THE CROW & KEY

A new business opens on Main Street in Carbondale with a First Friday jamboree featuring the Hell Roaring String Band. The Crow & Key is a lifestyle general store, specializing in gifts and home goods.

BINGO NIGHT

Honey Butter hosts a barbecue buffet and bingo every Friday from 6 to 8pm.

SHREK

Glenwood Springs High School presents “Shrek, The Musical” tonight and tomorrow at 7pm. Tickets are available at www.bit.ly/GSHSShrek

KINGFISH

Blues rocker Christone “Kingfish” Ingram performs at TACAW at 8pm. Tickets at www.tacaw.org

SATURDAY, MARCH 4

BREATHWORK

Lisa Wilson and Nick Nicholson teach Neo-Shamanic Breathwork at the Third Street Center from 9am to 6pm. To sign up, text Lisa at 970-274-6726.

ART BASE GRAB AND GO

Every first Saturday, middle and high school students can pick up a “take and create” kit, put together by The Art Base, at the Basalt Library between 10am and noon.

CRAFTY KIDS

Every first and third Saturday through May, Carbondale Arts brings a local artist to the Carbondale Library to guide kindergarten through third graders — and their accompanying adults — in a craft project at 10:30am. To register or for more info, call 970-963-2889.

ANIMAL IDENTIFICATION

Colorado Parks and Wildlife teaches how to identify animal tracks at the Silt Library at 10:30am.

SOUL WISDOM

True Nature hosts a workshop for women guided by Meghan Gilroy from 1 to 3pm. Tickets at www. truenaturehealingarts.com

LUNAFEST

Advocate Safehouse Project presents films by and about women at the Ute Theater in Rifle at 6pm, and on March 11 at the Hotel Colorado in Glenwood Springs at 4 and 7pm. There will also be virtual viewing options; learn more at www. advocatesafehouseproject.org

SUNDAY, MARCH 5

SHANKALPA SHAKTI

True Nature leads a workshop for building confidence and achieving goals, led by Alya Howe, from 10am to 12:30pm. Tickets at www. truenaturehealingarts.com

ECSTATIC DANCE

Alya Howe guides a full moon ecstatic dance at 13 Moons Ranch, 6334 Highway 133, from 6 to 8pm. Registration is not necessary.

MONDAY, MARCH 6

MEET THE AUTHOR

Carbondale Library hosts Linda Romero Criswell, author of “Watermelon Snow,” at 2pm to talk about her book based on a fictional town with many similarities to Carbondale.

PASTEL DRAWING

Doug Graybeal begins a four-part introductory pastel drawing workshop at the Basalt Library at 5pm. The workshop continues each following Monday, with the exception of March 13. Visit www.basaltlibrary.org for more info.

SWEETWATER LAKE

The Sweetwater Lake partnership hosts a virtual public meeting from 6 to 7:30pm. Register online at cpw. info/sweetwater-lake-public-meeting

ENGLISH IN ACTION

English in Action hosts an open English tutoring session at the Basalt Library at 6pm.

TUESDAY, MARCH 7

WINTER BIRDING

ACES hosts a winter birding excursion at Hallam Lake from 8 to 11am. Visit www.aspennature.org for more info.

THE SPACE

YouthZone hosts a LGBTQIA+ peer support group for teens in Glenwood Springs every Tuesday from 4 to 5pm. For more information, email twilson@youthzone.com

TECH TALK

The Glenwood Springs Library hosts a talk for teens about the latest in tech at 4pm. This event will repeat at the Carbondale Library tomorrow at 4:30pm.

YARN GROUP

Basalt Library invites all yarn enthusiasts to share and create at 5pm.

ASPEN WORDS

Aspen Words presents bestselling author Imbolo Mbue at the Wheeler at 6pm. Tickets at www.aspenshowtix.com

SOUND HEALING

Conor Johnson facilitates a sound healing journey at the Third Street Center at 7pm. Details at www. thecenterforhumanflourishing.org

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 8

YOUTH MAKERSPACE

The Treehouse at Basalt Library hosts a space to create for kids 7 and up from 2:30 to 3:30pm.

NATURALIST NIGHTS

Field ecologist Delia Malone presents “Ancient Wetlands: Their Essential Value and Threats in our Warming World” at the Third Street Center at 6pm (registration at wildernessworkshop. org) and tomorrow at Hallam Lake at 6pm (registration not necessary).

PFAS MEETING

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency hosts a virtual listening session from 6 to 8pm regarding per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances: manufactured chemicals known to break down slowly and accumulate in people, animals and the environment. Register online at pfascommunityengagement.org/register

EQUITY SPEAKERS

MANAUS presents a conversation with musicians Jake Blount and Kaia Kater at TACAW at 6:30pm. Register for free at www.tacaw.org

BEAUTY AND BLOODSHED

Aspen Film presents “All the Beauty and the Bloodshed” at the Isis Theatre at 7:30pm. Tickets at www.aspenfilm.org

THURSDAY, MARCH 9

LEGAL CLINIC

Basalt Library hosts a free legal clinic from 2 to 5pm. Volunteer attorneys will answer questions for parties without an attorney. To sign up, call 970-927-4311 or email info@basaltlibrary.org

GENEALOGY 101

The Glenwood Springs Library hosts the Glenwood Genealogy Group for a threepart series on Thursdays at 6pm beginning tonight.

FANTASTIC MR. FOX

Stage of Life Theatre Company presents “The Fantastic Mr. Fox” at the Thunder River Theatre this weekend with 6pm showings, a 1pm Saturday matinee and 2pm Sunday matinee. Tickets at www.bit.ly/SoLFox

UNEXPECTED HOSTS

The Aspen Science Center Hometown Science Café Series presents Dr. Ann Hawkinson on viral infections and animals at the Casey Brewing Taproom in Glenwood Springs at 6:30pm.

FASHION SHOW

Carbondale Arts’ Green Is the New Black Fashion Extravaganza returns this weekend with shows at 8pm. Tickets are already sold out!

JAKE BLOUNT AND KAIA KATER

Musician and scholar Jake Blount is joined by Kaia Kater to perform at TACAW at 8pm. Tickets at www.tacaw.org

FRIDAY, MARCH 10

CREATOR CLUB

Students in third through fifth grade are invited to explore imaginative creation at the Carbondale Library on the second and fourth Friday of each month at 3:30pm.

ART IN THE STACKS

The Glenwood Springs Art Guild presents work at the Glenwood Springs Library through April 28 with a reception tonight at 5pm.

OATES & TRAPP

The Wheeler Opera House presents “An Evening of Songs and Stories with John Oats and Guthrie Trapp” at 7:30pm. Tickets at www.aspenshowtix.com

SATURDAY, MARCH 11

HOMESTAKE SNOWSHOE

Wilderness Workshop leads a snowshoe hike through Homestake Valley beginning at Blodgett Campground near Red Cliff. The event is free; registration at www. wildernessworkshop.org/events

PRINTED LANDSCAPE

Jim Harris leads a relief printmaking workshop at The Art Base from 10am to 3pm with supplies included. Sign up at theartbase.org

STEVE’S GUITARS

Steve’s Guitars presents a classical performance with Ensemble Basso at 7pm. Tickets at www.stevesguitars.net

• Open to Students from Aspen to Parachute, ages 13 through 18

• $1,800 Scholarship Prizes for each Performance Category (vocal, instrumental, dance and theatrical)

• Audition Application Website: gwskiwanistalentshow.org

• Nominations close March 1

• Successful Applicants for Audition will be Notified by March 10

IMPORTANT DATES

Audition: Thursday, March 23, 2023

Dress Rehearsal: Thursday, April 13, 2023

Show: Friday, April 14, 2023, Glenwood High School

Sign up for the giveaway BOOK of THE MONTH

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THE SCOTT DILLARD TEAM

Bookseller finds a welcoming nook

By Jeanne Souldern Sopris Sun Correspondent

In her first year of business, Izzy Stringham, owner of White River Books in Carbondale, has developed a simpatico relationship with Roaring Fork Valley authors, students, businesses and book lovers.

The first anniversary of White River’s opening is March 3, and while many locals know where her store is, some are surprised when they stumble upon it. “I like it when college kids come home and pop in, and they're like, ‘Was this place always here?’” she shared.

If you have yet to visit White River, located on north Second Street near the Rio Grande Trail, the quaint storefront with its wooden walkway conveys an Old West charm.

Stringham enjoys chatting with customers and answering questions — even with the occasional odd inquiry. “Someone asked me if the Crystal River would be a good place to scatter ashes.” She paused and added, with a laugh, “I think they were asking for themselves.”

A local authors section includes the recent second edition release from Aspen author and journalist Paul Andersen of his “Moonlight Over Pearl,” a collection of short stories about Aspen’s history.

Across the shelf is “This Cursed Valley” by Roaring Fork Valley’s Larry Meredith, covering the pre-settler

history of the Ute, or Nuche, peoples. Stringham shared, “I imagine I've sold almost 50 copies — that's probably my top 10 most-sold books in the store.”

Before White River Books opened last year, Carbondale had not had an independently-owned bookstore since Novel Tea, formerly located in the Dinkel Building, which closed its doors in 2010.

Stringham and Danny Stone, Crystal River Elementary School librarian and English Language Development (ESL) teacher, planned 19 field trips, over two weeks, for CRES classrooms — a total of 400 students — to visit White River and leave with a free book in their hands.

The Parent Teacher Organization raised money for the project, asking for donations from the larger school community. Stringham said that some parents donated from $25 to $50. She then bought books at a discounted rate and paperbacks to keep costs affordable.

She recalled, “We'd meet out front, and I’d say ‘hi’ to all the classes and tell them what to expect. And to come in and learn about books.” Some students were in disbelief that they could bring a book home and keep it. One little boy whose teacher told Stringham that no book “has ever clicked with him” loves the book he got at White River so much so that he asked the school librarian to order the book series to share with his schoolmates.

Last November, Stringham and

was originally intended for her senior thesis project but never made it down the runway due to the pandemic — that is, until now.

“I have pulled a half-finished collection out of the dusty old bins and am shooting for my ‘full-circle moment,’” the designer explained. “I’m adding some new pieces, mixing up some looks and trying to finish up what I have, closing this New York chapter in a way.”

While fashion school often pushed the use of processed materials, Brand’s designs continue to honor the ecological element of GITNB, incorporating upcycled and recycled materials.

This year’s line mostly consists of knitted work.

Stone brainstormed ways to help kids grow their book collections. The result was a “Giving Tree” concept, with one tree set up at White River and another at the CRES library. Teachers and staff from the Roaring Fork School District’s Family Resource Center made referrals of recipients, whose names were kept anonymous with tagged ornaments that included the student’s age, grade and interests.

On the second-to-last day of the campaign, next-door business neighbor Max Filiss of Divide Creek Builders purchased books for the 14 remaining tags. A total of 250 books were purchased and distributed.

“I was gobsmacked by the generosity that you can elicit from people with a simple thing like that — it’s like generosity compounding generosity,” Stringham shared.

Roaring Fork High School ESL students, whose first language is Spanish, stopped in to get books. “Some

Brand uses a “fully finished” approach where she knits “each piece exactly to the shape it needs to be, so you don’t end up with any waste.” She added that about 50% of the yarn is reclaimed.

Brand recently launched her own online store, www. chloecoopercreative.com

“I’d like to give a big thank you to Carbondale, especially Amy [Kimberly] and Laura [Stover], for supporting me and believing in me since I was 14; and letting me do this and figure it all out with them,” Brand concluded.

"Mirror Mirror" opens Thursday, March 9 at the Carbondale Recreation Center and continues through March 11. Tickets are all sold out at this time.

are up against an inordinate amount of tough things in life. They were impressive kids — super enthusiastic and funny. You can't sell these kids short at all,” commented Stringham.

One student wanted a military biography, so she directed him to a book about the 10th Mountain Division. Some girls wanted to read love stories, so she suggested middle-grade romances, like John Green's “The Fault in Our Stars.”

Looking to this summer, White River will host a book club, showcasing one title each month from May through August.

She credits the people of the Roaring Fork Valley and Carbondale, in particular, for a fantastic year one. “I'm really proud to bring this little shop to Carbondale, and I’m so grateful to Carbondale for embracing this project — the support has been huge!” she said.

To celebrate White River’s first anniversary, everything in the store will be 20% off on Friday, March 3.

Izzy Stringham celebrates the first anniversary of opening White River Books on March 3. Photo by Olivia Emmer

Fashion Show continued from cover

(Above) Annabelle Stableford strikes a pose during a fashion rehearsal. Photo by Will Sardinsky

(Left) Sam Stableford (right) breaks into a smile while speaking with GITNB Director Amy Kimberly.

Photo by Will Sardinsky

Sol del Valle

Por Omar Sarabia Defiende Nuestra Tierra

Si usted pudiera decirles a los funcionarios electos y los tomadores de decisiones los temas que son más importantes para usted, ¿Qué les diría? ¡Probablemente usted no se sorprendería al ver que el programa Defiende Nuestra Tierra en Wilderness Workshop abogue por una mayor conservación y protección de las tierras públicas! Y esta vez tenemos una gran oportunidad para hacer exactamente eso: el Día de la Abogacía Latina (LAD), del 18 al 20 de marzo en Denver.

Este es el 17º Día Anual de la Abogacía Latina y esta es una gran oportunidad para unirnos a personas y organizaciones de todos los rincones de Colorado para abogar con nuestros funcionarios electos a nivel estatal por temas, como justicia ambiental, inmigración, vivienda asequible y conservación, que afectan nuestras vidas de varias maneras. ¡También habrá talleres, capacitación y mucha diversión a lo largo de ese fin semana!

Durante el Día de la Abogacía Latina, Defiende planea enfatizar el abrumador apoyo que existe para la protección ambiental en la comunidad Latina. En una encuesta de 2023 realizada por Colorado College, el 79% de los latinos expresaron su apoyo al objetivo nacional de conservar el 30% de la tierra y las aguas en Estados Unidos y el 30% de las áreas oceánicas para el año 2030 (comúnmente llamado 30x30).

El 70% de los latinos apoya a que las compañías de petróleo y gas solo tengan derecho a perforar en áreas de terreno público donde existe una alta probabilidad de producir petróleo y gas; y el 83 % apoyó una transición hacia las energías 100% renovables. ¡El Día de la Defensa Latina es una oportunidad para celebrar este apoyo y animar a nuestra comunidad a abogar por lo que es importante para nosotros!

Presentado por COLOR (Organización de Colorado para la Oportunidad de las Latinas y los Derechos Reproductivos) y Voces Unidas de las Montañas de

origen local, y con el apoyo de Protégete de Conservation Colorado, el Día de la Defensa Latina es una oportunidad para que los tomadores de decisiones escuchen directamente a nuestras comunidades sobre las áreas clave de cambio que queremos que nuestros funcionarios electos trabajen.

Estas mismas organizaciones lanzaron la Agenda Política Latina de Colorado. En 2023 encontró que los votantes latinos están muy preocupados por el cambio climático y apoyan firmemente las políticas que harán la transición del estado hacia una economía de energía limpia. Además de favorecer las políticas que incentivan los vehículos eléctricos y la energía solar (69%), existe un fuerte apoyo a una mayor inversión de los contribuyentes en transporte público (60%) y desarrollos de vivienda que fomenten la eficiencia climática y del transporte.

Además, la encuesta realizada por Policy Agenda encontró que los latinos continúan apoyando las políticas en Colorado que abordarán la sequía y el acceso al agua limpia. La calidad del agua es motivo de especial preocupación, dado que el 30% de los encuestados no confía ni bebe el agua en sus hogares, lo que aumenta al 40% entre los residentes de casas móviles.

¡2023 será un gran Día de Abogacía Latina muy especial para aquellos de nosotros en Roaring Fork y Colorado River Valleys porque conoceremos a nuestra representante Latina, miembro de la Junta Asesora de Defiende y Representante recién electa Elizabeth Velasco (Distrito 57 de la Cámara)!

Estamos planeando reunirnos con ella en el Capitolio del Estado para hablar sobre su trabajo como legisladora y discutir las preocupaciones de conservación. ¡Espero que me acompañe en Denver y comparta sus opiniones con nuestros tomadores de decisiones y funcionarios electos! Si está interesado en asistir a LAD, comuníquese conmigo, Director de Defiende Nuestra Tierra, Omar Sarabia (omar@wildernessworkshop.org) y le proporcionaré más información.

Volumen 1, Número 52 | 2 de marzo de 2023 - 8 de marzo de 2023

Conectando comunidades desde 2021

¡Únase a Defiende Nuestra Tierra en Denver para el Día de la Abogacía Latina!

Participantes de los valles Roaring Fork y Colorado River en los talleres de abogacía. Foto de cortesía de Omar Sarabia

Por Hector Salas-Gallegos Críticas

El corredor I-70 y la carretera 82 en Colorado se ha convertido en el mayor robo salarial, la comunidad trabajadora sufre la mayor forma de este tipo de robos en la zona.

Todos los días, las familias trabajadoras de la parte baja del valle Roaring Fork viajan diariamente a sus lugares de trabajo, a menudo soportando largos viajes que pueden durar horas de ida y vuelta. Sin embargo, el viaje en sí no es el único problema; los salarios de los trabajadores también se ven gravemente afectados.

Por ejemplo, imagine a un trabajador que vive en una ciudad en la parte baja del valle de Roaring Fork y viaja diariamente al trabajo en una ciudad en la parte alta del valle. Este trabajador puede pasar hasta cuatro horas al día yendo y viniendo del

¿Estamos viviendo en neofeudalismo?

trabajo, lo que puede sumar una cantidad significativa de tiempo y dinero perdido cada semana. En muchos casos, a los trabajadores no se les paga por este tiempo, por lo que en realidad trabajan gratis durante su viaje.

Además, el costo del transporte también puede ser una carga financiera para muchos trabajadores. Los precios de la gasolina, el mantenimiento del automóvil y otros gastos asociados con los desplazamientos pueden acumularse rápidamente; dejando a muchos trabajadores luchando para llegar a fin de mes. Esto es particularmente cierto para los trabajadores con salarios bajos que pueden ganar lo suficiente para cubrir sus gastos básicos de subsistencia.

Las comunidades de trabajadores han encontrado métodos para reducir el impacto financiero de la unidad, con efectos secundarios positivos.

Es común que los limpiadores de casas, los equipos de construcción y los trabajadores de servicios compartan vehículos para trabajar. Y si bien estos trabajadores participan en algunas de las prácticas de conducción más sostenibles

y ecológicas, los trabajadores todavía no reciben compensación por los salarios perdidos por el largo viaje.

El valle Roaring Fork es un excelente ejemplo de neofeudalismo, donde las familias trabajadoras se ven obligadas a hacer sacrificios solo para mantenerse a sí mismos y a sus seres queridos. El lujo y la grandeza de los pueblos de la parte alta del valle se sustentan en la tenacidad y la resistencia de las familias de la parte baja del valle. Los trabajadores se enfrentan a condiciones viales peligrosas en el invierno sin compensación adicional, y sacrifican un tiempo precioso con sus familias solo para llegar a fin de mes.

Pero no son solo los salarios lo que estas familias están sacrificando. El tiempo que se pasa conduciendo hacia y del trabajo puede ser agotador, especialmente si se tiene en cuenta el tramo del I-70 y la carretera 82, que a menudo es turbulento, en el cañón de Glenwood y es propenso a cierres. Cuando los trabajadores finalmente llegan a casa, se encuentran con poco tiempo o energía para pasar con sus familias.

Las familias trabajadoras

están obligadas a hacer sacrificios solo para mantenerse a sí mismos y a sus seres queridos. Es un círculo vicioso que perpetúa la desigualdad y refuerza el desequilibrio de poder entre los trabajadores y sus empleadores.

A pesar de estos desafíos, los trabajadores del oeste de Colorado son la piedra angular de la economía del estado. Sin ellos, el estilo de vida ideal de Colorado, donde puedes esquiar y recrearte casi sin límites, sería imposible.

Imagino un valle Roaring Fork que respete a sus comunidades trabajadoras. Uno donde valoramos el ingenio de nuestra fuerza laboral y nos compensan adecuadamente por nuestro tiempo, esfuerzo y flexibilidad. Las ciudades de esquí y el turismo pueden ser lo que hace más dinero para la economía de Colorado, pero no existirían sin las personas trabajadoras que las mantienen funcionando día tras día.

A medida que trabajamos hacia esta visión, debemos recordar que son los trabajadores quienes la harán posible y que debemos hacer todo lo que esté a nuestro alcance para apoyarlos y animarlos en todo lo que hacen.

Donaciones por correo o en línea P.O. Box 399 Carbondale, CO 81623 970-510-3003 www.soprissun.com

Editor Raleigh Burleigh • 970-510-3003 news@soprissun.com

Editora Contribuyente

Vanessa Porras

Directore Artístico

Hattie Rensberry

Diseñadora de anuncios

Emily Blong

Traductoras

Jacquelinne Castro y Dolores Duarte

Distribucion

Frederic Kischbaum

Bartlett

Hank van Berlo

Executive Director

Todd Chamberlin • 970-510-0246 adsales@soprissun.com

Miembros de la Mesa Directiva

Klaus Kocher • Kay Clarke

Jessi Rochel • Lee Beck

Gayle Wells • Donna Dayton

Terri Ritchie • Eric Smith

Roger Berliner • Elizabeth Phillips

Andrew Travers

el Sol del Valle agradece por su apoyo a:

MANUAS, FirstBank y Alpine Bank

The Sopris Sun, Inc. es una 501(c)(3) organización benéfica sin fines de lucro. Contribuciones financieras son deducibles de impuestos.

¡ESCRÍBENOS!

Para contribuir ideas y contenido al Sol del Valle, escribiéndonos a: sol@soprissun.com

Para comprar espacio publicitario en español, inglés, o ambos, mándanos un correo electrónico a: adsales@soprissun.com

También se puede contactarnos llamando a 970-510-3003.

• Abierto a alumnos desde Aspen hasta Parachute, de 13 a 18 años.

• $1,800 de beca otorgada para cada categoría (vocal, instrumental, danza, y teatral)

• Sitio web para solicitar audición : gwskiwanistalentshow.org

• Cierren los nominaciones el 8 de marzo

• Cada solicitante seleccionado para la audición será notificado antes del 14 de marzo

Fechas importantes

La Audición: jueves el 23 de marzo

El Ensayo General: jueves el 13 de abril

El Espectáculo: viernes el 14 de abril, Glenwood High School

Gracias a nuestros patrocinadores

Oportunidades para artistas

THE SCOTT DILLARD TEAM

OPINIÓN

Salvavidas de hielo

Por Geraldine Pichardo En Movimiento

Hace un par de días me encontré divagando acerca de la idea de manutención a mis padres. Honestamente, ellos siguen en una edad donde están activos y no tienen necesidades económicas que me fuercen a mí a extender una asistencia financiera mensual. Pero la realidad es que ese no es el caso para la mayoría de los inmigrantes latinos en Estados Unidos y el mundo.

Las remesas - el dinero que se envía al país de origen-

ha pasado a ser, en algunos lugares de América Latina, la mayor fuente de ingreso, según un reporte publicado por la Asociación Mundial de Conocimientos sobre Migración y Desarrollo (KNOMAD por sus siglas en inglés). Se estima, “específicamente de América Latina y el Caribe, los flujos de remesas aumentaron a US $131.000 en 2021, un aumento del 25,3% con respecto a 2020”. Según el Banco Mundial, “las remesas representan al menos el 20% del producto interno bruto”.

Al leer estas cifras, me impresionó otro tema del que casi nunca se habla. Me atrevería a decir que es el elefante rosado en el cuarto. Mantener a tus padres, en este caso en tu país de origen, ¿es tu deber como hijo(a)? Esta es una pregunta que muy pocas personas se hacen por sentir una carga moral y generacional muy pesada. Pero al ver esta pregunta fríamente, sin darle

CHISME DEL PUEBLO

Temporada de caza

La primera aplicación para la licencia de caza mayor está abierta hasta el 4 de abril a las 8 p.m. Los cazadores son alentados a inscribirse antes para evitar complicaciones o retrasos. Encuentre todos los detalles en cpw.state.co.us/bg/ hunting

Resultados de Sisu

¡El 31o evento anual de ski de Sisu en Spring Gulch recaudó un récord de $23,660 para Mountain Sopris Nordic Council! David Kodama esquió más lejos unos 262.5 kilómetros durante un periodo de nueve días, seguido por Corbin Carpenter con 241 y Zachary Russell con 200. Susy Ellison tuvo la posición más alta en la división de mujeres con 167.85 kilómetros, seguida por Megan Passmore con 155 y Laurie Stone con 105.5. Kian Sullivan ganó la división juvenil con 71 kilómetros, seguido por Burton Smith con 32 y Atlin Mason con 25.

Cuidado de mayor edad

NextFifty Initiative, una organización sin fines de lucro de Colorado, está ofreciendo subvenciones de apoyo flexible para organizaciones que ayudan a las personas de mayor edad en varios aspectos, desde combatiendo discriminación por edad hasta apoyo de vivencia independiente, acceso

una carga emotiva, existen varios factores a considerar. Las circunstancias varían, y no voy a incluir la necesidad financiera básica de subsistir. Hoy hablamos de las circunstancias emocionales; entre estas puede que estén que tus padres procuraron de que tuvieras una vida con oportunidades y esta es una manera de devolver el sacrificio que por muchos años ellos hicieron por ti.

También está la unión familiar y generacional que se vuelve costumbre. Tus padres lo hicieron con tus abuelos y ahora te toca a ti con ellos. Pero lo que fallamos ver, es que en muchos casos se forma una culpa y manipulación emocional.

Está el argumento que dice, “porque yo soy tu padre/madre, tienes un deber moral de suplementar mis necesidades económicas”. Es una carga que sin verlo, se vuelve emotiva y que quizás en las oportunidades

a cuidados, envejecimiento saludable y más. Inscripciones serán aceptadas hasta el 22 de marzo. Se le pide a los solicitantes potenciales que programen una llamada con un oficial de programa al enviar un correo electrónico a info@ next50initiative.org o llamando al 303-547-1800.

Garaje

en Glenwood

El garaje de estacionamiento en la novena calle y Cooper en Glenwood Springs está cerrado al público hasta el 6 de marzo debido a que huéspedes del Hotel Colorado alquilaron el complejo por $60,000 los cuales la ciudad asignarán hacía los $408,000 con destino al “trabajo necesario inmediato incluyendo a reparaciones de suelo y drenaje”, planificados para finalización este año. Sugerencias alternas para estacionamientos han sido publicadas en cog.us/ ParkDowntown

Lago Sweetwater

Eagle Valley Land Trust, los Parques y Vida Silvestre de Colorado y el Bosque Nacional White River organizan una reunión pública y virtual el 6 de marzo para actualizar al público en el proceso de planificación del lago Sweetwater y para recibir comentarios. La reunión comenzará a las 6 p.m con traducción al español disponible, inscríbase en línea en cpw.info/sweetwater-lakepublic-meeting

o habilidades económicas actuales no se te está permitido. Y la verdad es que ayudar a tus padres económicamente no debería estar impulsado por la culpa.

El esfuerzo que toca para hacer $100 aquí es alto. Es levantarse muy temprano, lidiar con un idioma que no es el tuyo, con una cultura que en momentos llega a ser seca y distante. Con una rutina que puede llegar a ser hostil.

El trabajo que hay detrás de hacer dinero en Estados Unidos, para muchos inmigrantes, tiene una carga emocional, física y mental muy pesada. Me atrevería a decir que es mucho más fuerte que en los países de origen. Y por encima de todo, un pesar emocional del cual no se habla.

Lo que me lleva a mi segundo argumento. Si te estás ahogando en alta mar, abrazado de un salvavidas de hielo, ¿como haces para salvar a los que están a tu alrededor? Te hundirás rápidamente. Nunca puedes ayudar a otra persona, si no te puedes ayudar

a ti mismo.

La asistencia económica para tus padres o familiares de núcleo más cercano, no debería ser una transacción moralmente legal. En otras palabras, no creo que sea un deber. Es un acuerdo que parte de un sentimiento desde la estabilidad económica personal, el cual permite extender una mano y procurar que ellos también estén bien. Y en muchos casos, ese acto se da porque la crianza en el hogar así lo manifestó. Siempre entendiendo hasta donde puedo ayudar en un momento particular.

Lo peor que se puede crear es el condicionamiento en las relaciones humanas; osea, yo te doy y tu me das porque yo te di. Las ayudas, sean económicas o no, deben venir desde un sentimiento de amor y bienestar que queremos para aquel que recibe la ayuda. La reflexión es con nosotros mismos. Y entonces te pregunto, ¿estás abrazado a un salvavidas de hielo?

A recortar

Open Space and Trails del condado de Pitkin, Colorado State University, UpRoot y Colorado Edible Forest se unen para ofrecer una serie de talleres de poda de frutas gratis en todo el valle comenzando el 4 de marzo en Silt. Encuentre la lista en www.coloradoedibleforest. com/workshops

Apoyo estatal

El estado de Colorado está ofreciendo una herramienta digital llamada Aira la cual proporciona a los residentes de Colorado quienes son ciegos o tienen visión baja interpretación gratuita cuando navegan ubicaciones y servicios digitales operados por el estado. Aira requiere un Smartphone o computadora y las sesiones son limitadas a 30 minutos. Para saber más visite oit.colorado.gov/ accessibility/aira

Acusaciones desestimadas

El Secretario del Estado desestimó las acusaciones de violaciones de financiación de campañas contra el alguacil del condado de Garfield Lou Vallario el 22 de febrero “después de una exhausta y costosa investigación pagada por contribuyentes de impuestos”, de acuerdo con el comunicado de prensa del alguacil. La queja fue presentada el 2 de septiembre

del 2022 por un comité de acción política del Norte de Carolina en respuesta al apoyo de Vallario hacia la candidatura de reelección de Lauren Boebert.

Centro de cirugías

El 1 de marzo, Valley View presentó la gran apertura para su nuevo centro de cirugía

ortopédica en Basalt (1450 East Valley Road). Como parte del Centro Médico Midvalley, esta amenidad hace uso del brazo robótico Mako y se especializa en fracturas simples, medicina deportiva, cirugía de mano, cirugía de pie y tobillo, además de reemplazos de articulación de cadera y de rodilla.

Traducción por Jacquelinne Castro

"Sincronías" parte 13 por Leonardo Occhipinti

Buddy Program expands to Glenwood Springs

By Victoria Eakins and Yesenia Benavides Youth Correspondents

The Buddy Program is turning 50 this year! And they’re also expanding to Glenwood Springs. The Buddy Program is a youth-mentoring nonprofit that focuses on empowering youth with one-on-one and group mentoring programs throughout the Valley.

The Buddy Program offers four primary programs, including one-on-one mentoring between adults and a youth, peer-to-peer mentoring between youth, mentoring within the school setting and experiential, outdoor programs for teens called LEAD (Leadership through Exploration, Action and Discovery). Annually, the Buddy Program serves over 500 youth, families and volunteer Big Buddies.

It all began in 1973 in Aspen. Mental-health professional Gregg Anderson had been a Big Brother in college and recognized its value, especially for kids of single parents and/or without siblings. In 1994, the program started expanding downvalley. In 2010, it arrived to Carbondale and, in 2018, LEAD started in Rifle thanks to a three-year grant in partnership with Garfield County.

To learn more about this next expansion to Glenwood Springs, The Sopris Sun sat down with Assistant Director Brooke Bockelman. “We are aware there is a lack of mentoring services in Western Colorado,” she said. “For now, we’re all in, focused on Glenwood growth.”

At the beginning of January 2023, The Buddy Program had already launched a middle school LEAD program, which they are planning to bring to Glenwood Springs High School at the beginning of the 2023/2024 school year, along with peer-to-peer mentoring also launching at the start of the next school year.

They also plan on hosting multiple events in the upcoming year, most of which are an annual

occurrence, like the Bash for Buddies gala and gingerbread house-making.

When Glenwood Springs is added, they will add approximately 100 youth to the number who are served each year, Bockelman said. They will operate out of the YouthZone building in Glenwood Springs, thanks to a partnership between the organizations.

“We are always seeking more Big Buddies,” Bockelman continued. A Big Buddy gets to do community-based or school-based activities of their choosing, depending on their Little Buddy’s schedule. The Buddy Program matches pairs so successfully that most last an average of 3.5 years, compared to two years nationally for similar programs, according to Bockleman. Some pairs have even lasted 12 or more years!

Along with expanding, as a celebration for their 50th,The Buddy Program also created a “more vibrant and joyful logo,” said Bockelman. The new logo, a “b” and “p” interlocking to form a colorful Venn diagram, launched in January and symbolizes relationships. Although it is simple, it symbolizes so much. “We believe that connection changes lives,” said Bockelman. “All of our work is relationship-based.”

The Buddy Program helps youth grow their social and emotional skills through developing authentic relationships. They strive to build genuine friendships between each Little Buddy and Big Buddy.

But, “It shouldn’t be underestimated what the big buddies get out of the experience as well,” said Bockelman. Big Buddies also benefit from building cross-generational friendships and doing fun things in the Valley.

To learn more, or sign up, visit buddyprogram.org or call 970-920-2130.

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

*Las tarjetas de débito de Alpine Bank están disponibles sin cuota anual para personas con una cuenta de cheques de Alpine Bank.

¡Solicita tu tarjeta hoy mismo!

Big Buddy Alex Costa and Little Buddy Sawyer, winners of Anderson Ranch's Sled Derby event. Courtesy photo

Big Buddy Jill Gruenberg and Little Buddy Ali, hanging out. Courtesy photo

PRESENTING…

... The RFHS Capstone Projects!

Finally! After a year of learning, laboring and living with the projects they chose, designed and managed, Roaring Fork High School seniors presented their creations to the junior class. The juniors are about to start their own projects this Spring. According to Capstone Coordinator Nannette Weinhold, each student, based on their individual interests, decides what the topic of their exploration will be. The student then works with a community member who is an expert in that field. The presentations were held on Feb. 23 and 24.

Luis Perez Mendoza wrote original songs in Spanish which he performed during an AP Spanish class.

Natividad Flores Gonzalez has an interest in portrait photography which is the subject of her Capstone project.

Leah Schaefer (left) created a workout for teens that she presented to Evi Keating. Maeve Murray (right) wrote a book of poetry she presented to Ella Kipp.

Photos and text by Jane Bachrach

Cas Weaver (left) presented the novel they wrote and illustrated to teacher Chelsea Robson.

Dean McMichaels received a local grant to start a composting program at the high school.

Wick Moses

Jan. 22, 1947 - Feb. 23, 2023

It is with heavy hearts that the community bids adieu to Wick Moses, a fun-loving man who played a great role in the shaping of Carbondale’s culture.

Wick came to the Roaring Fork Valley in 1963 as a student at Colorado Rocky Mountain School (CRMS). He came by train from Springfield, Massachusetts, with a head full of dreams, an electric guitar and amp and a Sony transistor AM radio. After graduating in 1966, Wick studied history at the University of Denver, got immersed in the hippie scene and discovered a love of FM radio and stereo sound systems.

“I am still wearing the CRMS school uniform — jeans, and a flannel shirt,” he joked during an interview with The Sopris Sun last year. “The summer of ‘67 was the last summer I spent back east and I never went back.”

He returned to CRMS to teach in 1970 and later opened a record store on Main Street which expanded to Aspen before closing in 1980. Wick and Pat Noel were the dual managers of KDNK when it first came on the air in April 1983. He later served on the station’s board of directors and was an avid supporter (leveling honest criticisms at times) for the past four decades.

Wick also performed at the very first Mountain Fair (Chautauqua) and was part of the fair’s early leadership and sound direction. “The thing about Mountain Fair was that it carried on that whole idea of a group of volunteers coming together to create something. That really was a big driving force in the town,” Moses told The Sopris Sun.

After Wick followed “love and money” back to Denver in 1988 and returned to the Valley in 1992, KDNK had moved its transmitter to Sunlight Peak and now had valley-wide coverage. In the ensuing years, he hosted a jazz show, sold underwriting and

did production work and engineering for the station until his retirement in 2012.

As well as an audiophile, Wick was a motorcycle enthusiast and traveled the American West. He watched Carbondale grow and change along with new technologies and expressed gladness in 2022 at seeing young people continue to come to the area and be involved in creating community.

“One of the things I think about during the

whole time I have been involved with Carbondale is that there was this incredibly fascinating cast of characters that came here. The place attracted some really unusual and unique people. For the most part, they were really good people.”

Editor’s note: Wick’s beloved cat, Jazzy, has been adopted into a new home.

Wick Moses enjoys a sunny afternoon on Main Street. Courtesy photo

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

By Melissa Sidelinger

When I first met you, love, It was like being reacquainted

With a very dear friend

As if in another lifetime

We had promised to find each other

Here in this one

Before I met you

I was afraid to grow old

I wished for life to be fleeting

To burn bright like a falling star

But now, I know I would miss you

I'd rather grow old together

I want years to memorize

The shape of your hands

The blue of your eyes

The smell of your hair

The curves of your body

Your limbs tangled around mine

I cried on your shoulder this morning

Overwhelmed with life

I told you I was scared of many things

You kissed me and held me in your arms

And said, maybe many of the things I fear

I don't really need to be afraid of

Maybe you are right, love, I found home in your arms

When I wake beside you in the morning

When I am tucked safe in your embrace

And you kiss me and stroke my hair

It makes the world outside less frightening

Time and again

JM Jesse Glenwood Springs

Dusk is a sneak thief Slowly makes off with the light Ransoms it to dawn

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

Diamonds on the hillside

Throng by the thousands

Diamonds on the Hillside

By Linda Helmich Feb.

The air is crisp, cold, strong

Glancing early morning sun

Soon will have her way

The sparkles then will disappear

Their mounds will melt away

Like fallen ice cream cones

On a summer day

The birds who now must scrounge for food Will be singing with delight

As the food they most desire Comes back into sight

We too will be rejoicing To be spending time outside Instead of reading by the fire

Writing words that rhyme

Basalt Report

continued from page 7

stated that the initial marijuana codes were penned in 2014 when licensing was first introduced. The code would change primarily in four areas — the first being regular language cleanup. The second eases the renewal process: while liquor licenses are automatically renewed every year, marijuana licenses come to Town Council yearly for a public hearing in order to be renewed, which was deemed excessive. The third change amended a previous provision requiring at least one license holder to be local, which may come too close for comfort against the dormant commerce clause (which prohibits protectionist lawmaking). Instead, the new code would call for license owners to use a local manager to provide information to the Town. The fourth change added Triangle Park to the list of areas with spacing requirements.

The liquor code was cleaned of outdated references, and updated to contain a new class of festival liquor license authorized last year by the state. Originally, beer and liquor festivals had to be licensed as special events, for which only nonprofit businesses were eligible. Theoretically, a for-profit business could go through the state for a license in Basalt, but the amendment to the code allows for more local control of licensing. Second public hearings on March 14 were unanimously set for both the marijuana and liquor ordinances.

The final order of business was an executive session for Town Manager Review, and with that the meeting was adjourned.

Francisco

also received a copy of the 2021 Powers report.

continued from page 5

“The mediator will go back and forth between [the rooms] and attempt to find common ground when it comes to the terms of a settlement agreement,” said Fairhurst. “He has the ability to recommend that the sides do certain things but he doesn’t have the power to require anything.” It’s ultimately up to both sides to agree on a resolution.

Fairhurst did not discuss what a settlement might look like but stated, “We want to see [the police] take accountability for the serious harm that they've inflicted on Mr. Francisco by subjecting him to the blatant racism that they did.” He added that Francisco is prepared to litigate if mediation is not successful.

According to Town records, the 2021 Powers report also contains “administrative investigation information involving [the Carbondale Police Department] that could be contrary to the public interest if disclosed.” It is likely, since both Hamilton and Ziporin received copies of the report in 2021, that they knew about this information before agreeing to the mediation. Hamilton declined comment due to attorney-client privilege. Jay Harrington and Chief Wilson also chose not to answer any questions.

LETTERS continued from page 2

had it at least one staffer didn’t like the segment, or Jake and Jane’s “Sing along with the Beatles.”)

So, email me your stuff and I’ll try to use whatever fits.

Please note: It looks like my email address (kdnk4lynn@gmail.com) works with lowercase kdnk or uppercase KDNK.

Thanks in advance.

Lynn “Jake” Burton, Carbondale/Glenwood Springs

Letter policy: The Sopris Sun welcomes local letters to the editor. Letters of 500 words or less stand a better chance of being printed. Letters exclusive to The Sopris Sun (not appearing in other papers) are particularly welcome. We reserve the right to edit letters for length and content. Please include your name and place of residence. Letters are due to news@soprissun.com by noon on the Monday before we go to print.

CRMS IS HIRING:

Lunch Cook

CRMS está contratando Cocinero(a)

The second annual Puzzle and Pie Night took place at the Carbondale Community Center on Feb. 26, 2023.

Sponsored by ANB Bank, first place finisher, Fong Tour 2023 (bottom right), beat last year’s winner, The Best Team Ever, by a mere nine seconds and three puzzle pieces! This year, the entrant pool more than doubled with 53 teams participating. Thanks to Uncle Pizza and Portrait Puzzles for their donations.

Photos by Paula Mayer

LEGAL

NOTICE OF CANCELLATION AND CERTIFIED STATEMENT OF RESULTS

§1-13.5-513(6), 32-1-104, 1-11-103(3) C.R.S.

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN by the Carbondale & Rural Fire Protection District, Garfield, Gunnison, and Pitkin Counties, Colorado, that at the close of business on the sixty-third day before the election, there were not more candidates for director than offices to be filled, including candidates filing affidavits of intent to be write-in candidates; therefore, the election to be held on May 2, 2023 is hereby canceled pursuant to section 1-13.5513(6) C.R.S.

The following candidates are hereby declared elected:

Gene Schilling 4 year term until May, 2027

Sydney Schalit 4 year term until May, 2027