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This Week: 4-7 ~ Health

8-9 ~ Calendar 11-14 ~ Español 17 ~ Fiction

It's all in the stitches

By James Steindler Contributing Editor

There’s a group of vivacious women, but any blokes are welcome too, who gather once a month at various locations in the Valley. They laugh a whole lot together and are as tight as a flat stitch. Why, it’s the Roaring Fork Quilt Guild (RFQG).

When this reporter visited the RFQG during its February meeting, he was treated to good food (homemade by guild-member Annette Alderson), great company and the wonders of quilting.

Joni Goodwin became president of the guild about a year ago, when no one else raised their hand to do so, she claimed. She has sewn for years but only recently finished making her first quilt — a beauty, and a true feat.

There once was a guild in Glenwood Springs, separate from Carbondale’s. But, about 10 years ago, the two merged, according to one member, Mary Tencza. “We realized most of us were already going to both,” she chuckled.

“What people in the nonquilting community don’t know is the mind-power of quilting,” Tencza told The Sopris Sun. “There are tons of us, I mean millions of quilters.”

“We’re so connected with threads and in other ways,” added another member, Stephanie Askew. “And, we’re nice to each other too,” she grinned.

Not only is their bond between one another strong, but the work these ladies do for the community knows no bounds.

For instance, when a group of women military veterans went on a “Huts for Vets” trip last winter, the seamstresses sewed each of the former service women a quilt. When the guild members later learned that the 10th Mountain Division hut did indeed have pillows, but sans pillow cases, the guild decided to take it upon themselves to make sure each pillow would be paired with a case.

These women also look out for their neighbors. During the February meeting, the hospitality committee reminded members that if they know of anyone who is held up at home and in need of a visitor to let them know.

During any given meeting, there’ll be show and tell, there’ll be a raffle and there’s always just a whole lot of fun to be had with the RFQG.

'Viewing Valley Quilts'

Do you know that March is National Quilting Month? For that reason, the Basalt Library is currently displaying quilts provided by the guild — from traditional to contemporary designs.

On March 12, the community is invited to the “Viewing Valley Quilts" event, from 1 to 4pm at the library, to celebrate and see quilts with eye-popping colors in all sorts of different patterns and sizes, along with their makers.

The organizer for the March 12 event, Janice Duroux, encourages

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Roaring Fork Quilt Guild President Joni Goodwin can’t help but smile while she sews. “Viewing Valley Quilts” takes place at the Basalt Library on March 12 at 1pm. Turn to page 16 for the full story. Oh, and a happy National Quilting Month to all. Photo by James Steindler

So excited for seed season OPINION

stories high, separated by CMU blocks, each level is a repurposed fluorescent light ballast with four LED tubes. Each level will hold four flats. Each flat contains 96 eco cones, most often, of a single species.

Branching Out

By Geneviève Villamizar

Every spring starts in my living room in February and March.

I collected seeds all last autumn, a compulsive habit born of years of desire. Rambling about, Juniper and I inevitably see something—

“Oh, my god, I want that!” I say, pointing to an unfamiliar plant.

“Mom, you always say that!” she teases…

Thanks to friend Sid, a 30-gallon tub waits by our door. A bale of peat moss is thawing in the bathtub; bags of ocean/guano compost, thawing by the easy chair. Cases of seed flats, root pruning flats and eco cones fill the truck bed. Over the next two weeks, all of these materials will coalesce into a production line that ultimately will become thousands of seedlings.

This is our second year of Seedling Hotel, built with the help of friend Art. Four

LETTERS

Seeds germinate under different conditions; a most fascinating puzzle! All species in the Seedling Hotel will be simple seeds with simple needs. We can sow them directly into the soil mix; sometimes on the surface because they need light to sprout. Others will be sown an eighth- to quarter-inch deep, and tamped, for seed-to-soil contact. Seeds absorb moisture directly from the soil, so if we didn’t tamp, there might be too much air space around the seeds for them to absorb water.

In comparison to simple seeds, there are species with more demanding seeds. Some seed species need a “winter nap” or they won’t flower or perform the way they’re supposed to. Think of garlic, which we plant in the fall. It sprouts a bit and goes to sleep. Upon waking, it shoots up, sets a flower, and forms its bulb. Without that cold nap — were I to plant in the spring — the garlic would shoot up but not flower and bulb out.

So, in the next several weeks, I’ll also fill 30 to 40 seed flats with the grasses and forbs species in need of cold naps.

Charles Wicker Moses II

The shockwaves from Wick’s passing generated a tsunami of emotions and memories for me. Wick and I were married in 1975, and we split up four years later. Wick was too young; I was way too young. While I now refer to this as my starter marriage, he loomed large in my life for many of my young and almostadult years.

Wick and I remained friendly, though, virtually all of the years. We communicated occasionally via phone or email and saw one another from time to time — usually when I made it back for Mountain Fair.

I last saw Wick at his home in August 2022. I knew of his health challenges and “close calls,” yet I was surprised by how compromised his health seemed to be; his breathing sounded labored. He assured me he was seeing his doctor.

During the visit, Wick showed me framed photos covering his walls. He had surrounded himself with good memories and photos of many of the people in his life. The photos and corresponding memories clearly provided daily comfort and nurtured him. Then, he proudly showed me a map of the Western United States,

I’m especially excited about the multitude of milkweed species we’re growing, and the slew of Astragalus species.

To paint a picture — you know those islands of fluffy ground covers at the Nature Park that have those black rattle pods every autumn? Those are Astragalus. In addition to white, they bloom throughout the West in pinks, yellows, lavenders. But more importantly, they perform an ecological service. As legumes (think pealike), they’re “nitrogen fixers,” pulling nitrogen from the air into the soils, usable as a fertilizer. And, of course, they provide habitat: nectar and pollen for pollinators; protein-rich seeds for the voles and mice — food for the hawks and buteos that flock to that park!

I use “forb” versus “wildflower” for the species I choose intentionally, based on their roles in an ecosystem. These species have evolved through millennia to attract specific insects versus human appreciation! So they’re worth the extra work of wintertime naps!

Other seeds need their coats cracked or nicked to sprout. This lets the seed absorb enough water to sprout before it simply rots. You might be familiar with “scarification” from starting your own morning glory seeds. So, we’ll do the “tedious” work of

highlighted with the routes and the thousands of miles he’d covered on his motorcycle. Then, on to Jazzy the cat — a major focus of his attention, love, and devotion.

After viewing the photos and related stories, the motorcycle map and doing my best to show an appropriate level of admiration for Jazzy, Wick directed me to sit down. The chair was optimally positioned for sound. He insisted I close my eyes and immerse myself in the phenomenal music coming from his “best ever” sound system. It was a Joni Mitchell album, my favorite. Wick was eager for me to deeply experience the music, as he had spent so much of his time doing. I did my best to chill out, slow down and listen deeply.

As an aside, in the ‘70s, Wick, in fact, fell in love with, and became a devoted Dog Dad to, the Welsh corgis I had brought into his life: Bootie, and then Paws and Pooka. However, it was all over once those cats got their claws into him. Wick was indoctrinated into their world and came to “know” dogs were lesser beings and not worthy companions for him. Cats ruled. Period.

Wick’s love of all — well, most — things Carbondale was evident. He was immensely proud of what

rubbing layers of seed between sheets of sandpaper, binging on our final season of “Stranger Things.” (It’s definitely time for a lighter series!)

For me, sitting in a living room or a greenhouse filled with living plants is heaven. It just feels nourishing, as though their health and vigor could rub off on me, fill me… summer all around me in the midst of winter, still. These seeds we sow are “friends,” discovered on hikes and walks, or in another’s garden, or in a sexy-ass photo online or in a book. Most of the seeds I’m growing are because I simply can’t find these species in a nursery.

My aesthetic has changed significantly in the face of species collapse and migration, planetary systems collapse, global warming and climate change. The big and colorful have their place — in fact, my favorite flower catalog is Annie’s Annuals and Perennials, a California nursery featuring some really far out stuff (Google: “echiums”).

But here, in the Roaring Fork Valley, where I directly experience this accelerating change on so many levels, I’ve found that the subtleties and nuances of native plant ecosystems blow my heart wide open in ways that exotics simply cannot. And it is these lesser known, seldom grown plants that I’m dedicating my attention to these days.

the town had become with its cultural facilities, events and various nonprofits. Only with Wick’s passing have I begun to appreciate the depth of his contributions to the community and his impact on the lives of so many people over the decades. He never tooted his own horn to me about having had a hand in so many aspects of the community.

Wick was a beloved character and absolutely one of a kind. He will live on in all of us, and in what Carbondale has and will become.

Hugs and condolences to all; and Rock on, Wicker!

Mary Wilmer Mills

Los Altos, California

Wild and Scenic

I would like to thank the Gunnison County Commissioners and the Marble Town Council for their commitment to the upcoming Crystal River Wild and Scenic stakeholder collaborative.

Only a very small percentage of rivers in the United States are eligible for Wild and Scenic designation. The Crystal was chosen for its historic, cultural, recreational and geologic values; its fish and wildlife properties; and its natural unspoiled beauty. Wild

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

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Current Board Members board@soprissun.com

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The Sopris Sun Board meets at 6:30 p.m. on second Thursdays at the Third Street Center.

The Sopris Sun, Inc. is a 501(c) (3) nonprofit corporation with a mission to inform, inspire and build community by fostering diverse and independent journalism. Donations are fully tax deductible.

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

Lee Beck & John Stickney

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Legacy Givers for including us in their final wishes.

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Donate by mail or online: P.O. Box 399 Carbondale, CO 81623 520 S. Third Street #26-B 970-510-3003 soprissun.com/Donate

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Our Underwriters and Nonprofit Partners!

Spring forward

Don’t forget to set your manual clocks one hour ahead on Sunday night, March 12. The next morning will feel especially early and dark, but the sun will be setting later than we’re accustomed to to make up for it.

Holy Cross rates

Holy Cross Energy plans to adjust its rates this September. According to a press release, the updated rate structure decreases the cost of energy but adds a delivery charge “to increase flexibility to make it easier to manage costs through electrification and behavior changes.” Members will be able to save money by decreasing their use during peak hours, 4 to 9pm. On average, rates will increase by 2% and continue to be within the lower third of Colorado’s utility bill rates.

Road closure

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

Two Rivers Road in Basalt will be closed between Homestead Drive and Cottonwood Drive from Thursday, March 9 at 6:30pm through Friday, March 10 at 7am to install a sewer line at Midland Avenue and a new water line near Midland Spur. Midland Avenue between the Basalt Library and Two Rivers Road remains closed due to the Basalt Sanitation District’s new sewer line project.

Gone fishing

Colorado fishing licenses for the 2023-2024 season are now available. The license is valid March 1 of this year through March 31, 2024. People can pick theirs up at a local Colorado and Public Wildlife office, an authorized sales agent or online at www.bit.ly/ gonefishingCO

Sweetwater Eagle Valley Land Trust, Colorado Parks and Wildlife and the White River National Forest hosted a virtual meeting

on March 6 to update the public on the Sweetwater Lake planning process. A full National Environmental Policy Act process is planned for this spring. In the meantime, the public can review the presentation, make comments and access a public survey (open through March 27) at www.evlt.org/sweetwater

Let it grow

Ready to get your hands dirty? Support Seed Peace in their mission of providing fresh, local and organic veggies to the Roaring Fork Valley as a volunteer on Wednesdays in March from 2 to 4pm. You can also trade volunteer time for a CSA share this summer. For more information, contact Heather at heatherfroelicher@gmail.com

Get gardening

The Carbondale Community Garden on Hendrick Drive at Holland has plots available for the 2023 gardening season. Plots are about 10 by 10 feet, with irrigation from the Town’s ditch system. For more information about joining this organic garden, contact Kay at 516kware@gmail.com

Busy bee

The 25th annual Dandelion Day is on May 13! All artists are invited to submit a design for this year's theme, Bonedale Bees! The winner will be selected by the Environmental Board and printed on all t-shirts and posters. Entries are due by March 15! Handmade pictures can be dropped at Carbondale’s Town Hall and digital entries sent to dandelionday81623@gmail.com

Common Reader

Colorado Mountain College’s 2023 Common Reader is “Woman of Light” by Kali Fajardo-Anstine. This multicultural novel — available at local bookstores

Astragalus is a workhorse of a plant at the Carbondale Nature Park, attracting pollinators, feeding rodents, drawing hawks and buteos. When the snow melts, we'll see rodent tunnels to and from these mounds, like ancient maps of European medieval cities. Photo by Geneviève

and libraries — spans five generations of an Indigenous Chicano family’s history, with depictions of southwestern Colorado in the 1880s and Denver in the 1930s. Fajardo-Anstine will speak at Morgridge Commons in Glenwood Springs on March 29 at 7pm. An affiliated creative writing and art contest explores “Indigenous roots, rights and responsibilities” with a submission deadline of April 9. Learn more at www.coloradomtn.edu/ common-reader

Mountain Pearl Mountain Parent magazine is now called Mountain Pearl!

“Dropping PARENT from our name welcomes teachers, coaches and outside-ofschool heroes to join our conversation, whether or not they’ve procreated,” wrote

publisher Kathryn Camp. The newest edition features a comprehensive local CSA guide, the ever-popular summer camp planner and so much more. Check it out!

They say it’s your birthday! Folks celebrating another trip around the sun this week include: Laura Kuhl (March 9); Vicky Browne and Pat Curry (March 11); Laura Bartels, Dean Bowlby, Hilary Burgess, Rose Rossello, Laura Segura and Lee Swidler (March 12); Alex Alvarado, Denise Barkhurst, Mike Cuseo, Jared Kennedy, Justin McBride, Mark Nieslanik, Grant Stevens, Nancy Thal and Caitlin Walker (March 13) Sonya Meyer and Athena Wright (March 14); Paula Stepp and Sierra Thompson (March 15).

JOIN US

MARCH 4

Ute Theater - Rifle at 6pm

MARCH 11

Hotel Colorado - Glenwood Springs 4pm and 7pm

TO BUY TICKETS OR LEARN MORE: www.advocatesafehouse.org

Villamizar

By Raleigh Burleigh Sopris Sun Editor

Heather Craven is well known in the Roaring Fork Valley. Born and raised here, she returned to with her partner, Matt Creer, more than 20 years ago. She now owns and operates a homecare service focused on enriching the lives of clients, some of whom have been family friends for decades, while assisting with basic at-home needs. The company started in 2018, though Craven previously did this work as an independent contractor.

Here to There, a name derived from Dr. Seuss’ “One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish,” now assists people recovering from an operation — working often with referrals from The Steadman Clinic — plus short-term companion care seekers, palliative care patients and persons nearing the end of their life. Most of the clients are in their later years, but it’s not uncommon for Here to There to work with young people, including children.

“I’ve taken care of people my whole life, that’s lovely in any capacity,” Craven told The Sopris Sun. Her service area encompasses Eagle, Pitkin and Garfield counties, though clients reside primarily between Glenwood Springs and Aspen. Here to There works in concert with other home care and assisted living services in the Valley to meet the high demand. “Everyone’s got something amazing to offer,” she said.

As far as its offerings, Here to There operates with creative programming, incorporating animals for therapy, field trips and even virtual reality (VR) to enhance the daily experiences of homebound persons. It is a family business, incorporating Craven’s daughter and two sons to help with the marketing, digital presence, VR and other aspects.

“Heather has always been looking for ways to improve their lives, even if they only have three months left, that’s important,” said Creer, who also helps with the company. “It’s horrid sitting in a room, isolated and lonely.”

Here to There currently uses Oculus Quest 2 headsets developed by Meta Platforms (formerly Facebook, Inc.) to broaden opportunities for their clientele. “For seniors, virtual reality is becoming more and more popular in three main areas,” said Creer. He described these as: reminiscence, revisiting nostalgic places and experiences; recreation, enjoying new or familiar games and activities to keep the mind sharp; and distraction, taking the mind away from anxiety or pain through art and entertainment. VR also affords elders the opportunity to interact with loved ones despite geographic distances by meeting in a virtual room.

“We’re trying to do things a little different as far as quality of care,” he continued, “and VR is just another tool in that overall philosophy.”

They also place emphasis on practical balance exercises. “A fall can change somebody's life significantly as you age,” Craven chimed in. They are currently looking into certifications for programs that match our active community.

“I love where we are,” she continued. “I love that we get to really know our clients and our families and I would like to just continue to do that, to sustain it.” She values the intimate and personal approach they are able to offer. Here to There can also help clients explore end-of-life options that are available legally in Colorado. “We believe it’s their journey and we’re there to support them in any way we can,” she said about clients facing a terminal illness.

“Our American society hasn’t exactly embraced the golden years like other cultures,” Craven said. “Something that I see and I learn more and more about every day is, it’s a beautiful and rich time; it doesn’t have to be shunned or sad.” She especially enjoys hearing stories from elder clients. “You get to be 70, 80, you’ve had a big life.”

You can learn more about Here to There’s services and philosophy at www.heretotherecare.com

Carol Craven and Patty Phelan enjoy a new experience at home using virtual reality with Here to There. Courtesy photo

Wilderness medicine app fills a needed niche

By Ken Pletcher Sopris Sun Contributor

In 2021, Kaen (“Call me ‘kl.’”) Lapides faced a crossroads in her life. The longtime Breckenridge-based ski patroller, emergency medical technician (EMT), backcountry ski and hiking guide and wilderness medicine educator was unable to do any of her usual activities. She was laid up from a back injury, and the COVID pandemic, then at its height, had pretty much shut down most everything anyway.

Casting about for something to do to fill her time, Lapides thought about

an in-house medical app she had created for her fellow Breckenridge ski patrollers in 2017. But, as she told The Sopris Sun recently, the app was “too wordy,” which limited its usefulness. She mentioned that a medical app was available for physicians, but “it was not useful for Wilderness First Responders [WFR] or Wilderness First Aid [WFA] … there wasn’t an app out there [for those people].”

Lapides decided to rectify that void by creating an app that could be downloaded to one’s mobile device and thus not be dependent on cell or satellite connectivity. Thus was

born Wilderness Medicine Etrier and its first app, Wilderness Medicine Reference (WMR), released in 2021 after several months of development.

As the WMR website describes, the app “is designed mostly for those with a WFA up to WEMT [the next level above WFR] training, but even those with higher level training who do not routinely practice medicine outside will find information of merit inside this app.” But it noted also that those with no wilderness medical training can still benefit from the “Patient Assessment Quick Reference” section.

The app is divided into nine sections, most of which are focused on medical issues. In addition to patient assessment, these include trauma, medical illness, environmental illness, cardiac arrest, medication and first aid kits. However, Lapides pointed out that the WMR app is much more than a reference for wilderness medical situations.

From years of dealing with injuries and other mishaps as a patroller and guide, she wanted to include extensive discussions “on the actual causes of most accidents,” what she explained often result from “subjective decision-making errors.” This section includes information and suggestions on decision-making processes before embarking on an activity that could put adventurers in a dangerous situation, as well as on mistakes that might be made by people faced with responding to wilderness medical emergencies (especially if they are inexperienced).

Another significant component of the app is a section called “Critical Checklists.” Inspired by the book “The Checklist Manifesto: How to Get Things Right,” by renowned surgeon Atul Gawande, Lapides created a series of 10 checklists on a wide range of topics, such as avalanche resuscitation, pretrip planning and helicopter flights. The checklists are designed to avoid a situation where indecision could lead to making the wrong choice on a course of action — harking back to subjective decision-making errors. “If they at least have it in their hand, it can help,” she said, noting that it might empower a “lesser member of a group” to speak up against an ill-advised course of action.

Lapides emphasized that the app “is a public service right now.” The download costs only $1.99. She observed that it has been “hard getting [the app] out there,” since it’s not like a physical item you might buy in a store. But she did note that while the conversion rate from view to download for apps averages 2%, for WMR it is “never below 5%” and can be an impressive 10-15%.

Lapides relocated to Redstone last year, calling it “my second home” from years of involvement with Outward Bound. She has continued as an EMT in Eagle County and as a wilderness medicine educator and recently became the volunteer EMT at the Redstone firehouse. Although she has had to give up her first love of trail running, she has embraced mountain biking with open arms. She competed in both the 2022 Snowmass Audi 50 (Power of Four) and Grand Traverse bike races and intends to do more cycling events this year.

For more information on the WMR app, or to download it, visit www. wildernessmedicinereferenceapp.com

Kaen Lapides developed a mobile app to help backcountry explorers be safe.

Photo by Will Sardinsky

Preparing to save a life

By Jeanne Souldern Sopris Sun Correspondent

On Jan. 2, during a nationallytelevised Monday Night Football game, Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin made what sportscasters called a routine tackle. After the 24-year-old stood up and walked a few steps, he wobbled and collapsed onto his back. The arguably healthy professional athlete suffered a cardiac arrest on the playing field.

To the reported 23.8 million viewers, the gravity of Hamlin’s condition became apparent quickly as medical personnel from both teams performed CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation) and used an AED (Automated External Defibrillator) to resuscitate him before being transported to a local hospital. Hamlin would be released nine days later to begin his recovery care.

In the aftermath of the Hamlin incident, The Sopris Sun contacted Carbondale Fire Chief Rob Goodwin to talk about the importance of knowing CPR/AED. His email response read, “We have our own incredible story about early CPR and a positive outcome.”

That story involves Jenny Cutright, Carbondale Fire’s own public information officer, whose husband, Don, suffered a cardiac arrest on Feb. 15 in their West Glenwood home.

Don gave permission to Jenny to tell their story to The Sopris Sun in the hope that it would encourage people to learn CPR/AED.

Jenny started with the Glenwood

Springs Fire Department and came to the Carbondale force in 1993. While currently working in an administrative capacity, she has worked for both departments as an emergency medical technician (EMT).

On Feb. 15, Jenny was in their bedroom when she heard Don, who was in the kitchen, collapse. Finding her 54-year-old husband lying on the floor — unconscious, unresponsive, not breathing and with no pulse — she called 911.

Jenny knelt by her husband’s side, leaning over him, leveraging her body weight, and performing rapid CPR chest compressions.

When Glenwood Springs Fire Department paramedics arrived, they continued administering CPR and drugs through an IV. They used a defibrillator (AED) to restart his heart and discharge an electrical current (shock). Paramedics shocked Don nine times.

After several paramedics worked on Don, they stabilized his heart enough to transport him to Valley View Hospital, where he arrived in critical condition.

According to Jenny, Don had been ill with an upper respiratory infection. His doctors believe the cause of his cardiac arrest was a blood clot that had gone into his heart.

Upon arrival at the hospital, doctors immediately examined Don’s heart rhythm and transferred him to a lab, where they inserted catheters to open his blood vessels.

Over the next 30 hours, Don was

resuscitated three times, catheterized again and had four stents inserted. And while Don’s condition was, according to Goodwin, “pretty gloomy,” he continued to make slow but steady progress. Don was released after eight days with no apparent neurological damage and will begin his cardiac rehabilitation at Valley View this week.

In retrospect, Jenny said, “I instantly went into my CPR training and did exactly what I knew. It wasn’t until paramedics arrived to take over CPR that I could step away and be a wife.”

That’s when the emotional impact of the situation hit her. Jenny remembers calling her son and Goodwin to deliver the news of Don’s cardiac event. "I fell apart.”

But being prepared for the moments that matter by knowing CPR/AED is something that, Jenny said, “anyone can do … and everyone should learn how.”

The reality is, Goodwin explained, “if

she hadn't been doing it [CPR], he would have lost up to 80% of his brain, and he'd be dead. Jenny did CPR, keeping blood flowing into his brain and heart, and that's how he lived.”

Correct CPR compressions on an adult go about two inches deep into the chest, and, in the process, Jenny broke Don’s sternum and a couple of ribs. But, as Goodwin said, while Don’s bones are healing, “at least he’ll be alive.”

Goodwin believes, “AEDs should be like fire extinguishers — they should be everywhere.” He said there are grants for purchasing AEDs, and “we will help anyone, company or organization who wants to buy one.”

Jenny expressed her gratitude for the Glenwood Springs Fire Department and the Valley View team, who “did a stellar and amazing job.” And, last but not least, her Carbondale Fire family “who came in to support me because that's the other part that you need when it’s over — you need that support.”

Pablo Herr, assistant fire marshal and public fire educator, is preparing a schedule of free CPR/AED classes that will begin this spring, with a class schedule posted on the Carbondale Fire website and notices published in The Sopris Sun.

Goodwin jokingly said, “I told Jenny she's got the ultimate hammer for the rest of her life. She can say to Don, ‘I saved your life. Mow the lawn,’” to which they both had a big laugh while blinking back tears.

If you would like more information, you can call Carbondale Fire at 970-9632491 or visit carbondalefire.org

In the Carbondale Fire classroom, Jenny Cutright (left) and Rob Goodwin (right) demonstrate CPR chest compressions on a mannequin. Photo by Jeanne Souldern

Reproductive healthcare services walk a tenuous tightrope

By Myki Jones and Jeanne Souldern Sopris Sun Correspondents

The Supreme Court’s June 2022 Dobbs v. Jackson decision gave states the power to regulate abortion, effectively overturning Roe v. Wade and leaving many seeking access to safe abortion services traveling across state lines to access this healthcare.

Colorado is one of 20 states to keep abortion legal, according to a Feb. 10 New York Times article. That update declared that 13 states have fully banned the procedure. On July 6, Governor Jared Polis signed an executive order directing state agencies to protect access to reproductive healthcare.

What does this mean for reproductive healthcare access in the Roaring Fork Valley?

The Sopris Sun contacted a number of sources, including representatives from Planned Parenthood, the Colorado Organization for Latina Opportunity and Reproductive Rights (COLOR), New Era Colorado and the Pregnancy Resource Center of Glenwood Springs, to discuss the state of reproductive healthcare in Colorado.

According to Jack Teter, policy director of Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains, even before the overturn, their clinics were seeing an increased number of cases where patients traveled long distances from all over the U.S. to access healthcare unavailable in their home states due to restrictive laws that had been implemented. In Texas and Alabama abortion care has since been criminalized.

Some patients, Teter said, have driven thousands of miles to receive reproductive care. “We’ve seen people [who] have driven with their sleepy kids in the backseat, having to find lodging and transportation, leaving their support system behind. They come from other states because those states have made abortion a crime,” Teter stated. Planned Parenthood, the largest national provider of family planning services, offers primary care, annual exams, contraceptive access, STI/STD (sexually transmitted infection/disease) testing and cancer screenings.

Thousands of those patients live within Colorado District 3.

Representative Lauren Boebert (CO-03) introduced the Defund Planned Parenthood Act (H.R. 128) to Congress on Jan. 9. According to a Jan. 20 press release from Boebert’s media office, this legislation would prohibit federal tax dollars from going to Planned Parenthood and have them

redirected to “community health centers.”

These community health centers, “crisis pregnancy clinics,” according to the press release, would instead receive the federal funding that goes to Planned Parenthood.

The Sopris Sun reached out to Boebert’s office multiple times for an interview and was denied. Her press secretary, Jake Settle, emailed a response containing language from the original press release.

The press release from Boebert stated, “The nation’s largest abortion provider has no business receiving taxpayer dollars.”

Boebert claimed that Planned Parenthood performed a record number of abortions last year while reducing the number of well-woman exams and breast cancer screenings. She asserted, “instead of funding Planned Parenthood, my bill will redirect this funding to community health centers that meet the health needs of women across the country.”

Other sources told The Sun that, should H.R. 128 pass, this would leave many people in Colorado, and especially in the Roaring Fork Valley, with limited reproductive healthcare options.

COLOR, a Denver-based nonprofit, is the only Latina-led reproductive justice organization in Colorado. Aurea Bolaños Perea, strategic communications director, said COLOR “takes multiple approaches, but all through a framework that's rooted in reproductive justice.” They also educate on access to abortion, birth control, sex education, immigrant and LGBTQ+ rights.

“We know that people of color, specifically the Latina community, are disproportionately impacted by any form of restrictions or bans to care, which is why this topic itself about defunding any form of health care clinic would have a disastrous public health effect on communities of color,” Bolaños Perea said.

COLOR is not an abortion fund or clinic but an educational/advocacy organization recommending policies that reflect the needs of Colorado’s Latina community. COLOR also has a youth-to-leadership pipeline, allowing volunteers to partner with other organizations within the reproductive justice coalition, “or they end up working under the dome [in the Colorado Assembly],” Bolaños Perea said.

Arianna Morales has led New Era Colorado’s initiative, The Brazen Project; an abortion advocacy campaign organized on Colorado college campuses, primarily in Denver, Boulder, Fort Collin and Greeley.

New Era historically “focused on civic engagement and empowering young people but has moved more into the issue advocacy space,” Morales said.

Pregnancy resource centers, which she called “anti-abortion centers,” are not viable alternatives to reproductive healthcare providers, she said. “They don't provide comprehensive care services and actually push shameful misinformation and dangerous practices,” including the controversial abortion pill “reversal” procedure.

Morales claimed that the clinics are often limited in services, such as ultrasounds and STI/ STD testing, due to a lack of medical providers on staff. She explained, “For the people we serve, this bill is not aligned with their values, and it can be dangerous to the safe haven identity of our state.”

The Pregnancy Resource Center (PRC) of Glenwood Springs, a nonprofit founded in 1985, offers free pregnancy and limited ultrasound testing, counseling support services and STI/STD testing.

Executive Director Marylu Sims shared, “We do not make referrals for abortion,” which is also stated on PRC’s website homepage.

PRC provides private consultations with a nurse for those who wish to learn more about or who are considering using the abortion pill, Mifepristone, which is used to terminate a pregnancy of 10 weeks or fewer.

Sims explained, “because Mifepristone has many risks,” they offer an ultrasound to check for a viable intrauterine pregnancy with no abnormalities. If signs of an IC [interstitial cystitis] pregnancy are found, “our client is strongly advised to go to an emergency room immediately, and if signs of a miscarriage are found, our client is urgently referred to an OB [obstetrician] or emergency room,” she said.

PRC staff includes an overseeing doctor, overseeing nurse practitioner, three registered nurses trained as sonographers and a clinical director performing administrative and clinical duties.

While the reproductive healthcare landscape in Colorado remains untouched by federal legislation, political wills could quickly change that reality.

Planned Parenthood in Glenwood Springs.

Photo by James Steindler

Inside a typical Planned Parenthood examination room. Courtesy photo

Now Offering Assisted Living and Memory Care

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 three-part 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.

P&Z

Carbondale’s Planning and Zoning Commission meets at Town Hall at 7pm to discuss the Roaring Fork School District’s Meadowood Employee Housing proposal.

TENSION�TRAUMA

The Center for Human Flourishing offers a facilitated Tension/Trauma Release Exercises session at the Third Street Center at 7:15pm on Thursdays through March 23. Learn more by emailing info@tcfhf.org

Commercial Space on Basalt’s Main Street

Prime retail and office building in downtown Basalt! Located in the middle of Basalt’s main street, this opportunity is rare and desirable. The street level offers a fantastic potential retail storefront with an upper level perfectly divided for office space overlooking Midland Avenue. Snag this opportunity while it lasts. This is also available to be rented separately with retail on the main level and office space on the upper level.

FASHION SHOW

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

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 works at the Glenwood Springs Library through April 28 with a reception tonight at 5pm.

CRYSTAL THEATRE

“Champions” opens at the Crystal

Theatre and continues on March 11, 15 and 16 at 7pm. The Sunday show on March 12 is at 5pm.

OATES & TRAPP

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

ASPENGLOW

Aspenglow performs at The Black Nugget at 9pm.

SATURDAY, MARCH 11

UPHILL RACE

Ute Mountaineer and the City of Aspen present the 2023 America’s Uphill race beginning at 7am. Snowshoers, runners, nordic skiers, telemark skiers and alpine touring skiers will climb more than 3,000 feet in 2.5 miles. To register, visit www.utemountaineer.com

BIODYNAMIC TREES

Sustainable Settings offers a fruit tree pruning and enhancements workshop from 10am to 4pm with a simple lunch included. To register, call 970-963-6107 or email rose@sustainablesettings.org

MORSE CODE

Bob Cutter teaches all about morse code, the telegraph and their historical uses in the area at the Glenwood Springs Library at 10am.

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

HOMESTAKE SNOWSHOE

Wilderness Workshop leads a snowshoe hike through Homestake Valley beginning at Blodgett Campground near Red Cliff at 10am. The event is free; registration at www. wildernessworkshop.org/events

LUNAFEST

Advocate Safehouse Project presents Lunafest — films by and about women — at the Hotel Colorado in Glenwood Springs at 4 and 7pm. There will also be a remote viewing option. Tickets and more info at www. advocatesafehouseproject.org

‘HIGH COUNTRY’

Aspen Journalism brings Conor Hagan to the Paepcke Auditorium in Aspen for a screening of his film, “High Country,” followed by a discussion on the topics of community and conservation at 6pm. Visit www.bit. ly/HighCountryfilm for more info.

The Crow & Key hosted its grand opening on Main Street in Carbondale on First Friday, March 3, with music by The Hell Roaring String Band. The general store is now open Tuesday through Friday from 10am to 5pm and Saturdays from 11am to 4pm. Photos by Ben Bohmfalk

STEVE’S GUITARS

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

CONTRA DANCE

Swing your partner and do-si-do your neighbor with live music by the Wooden Nickel String Band at the Carbondale Community School from 8 to 10pm. Newbies are invited to learn the basics of contra dance at 7:30pm.

SUNDAY, MARCH 12

QUILT GUILD

The Roaring Fork Valley Quilting Guild celebrates National Quilt Month with an exhibition at the Basalt Library from 2 to 5pm.

YOUTH ORCHESTRA

The Roaring Fork Youth Orchestra performs a free concert at the Third Street Center at 4pm.

JACKIE GREENE

Americana singer-songwriter

Jackie Greene performs at TACAW at 8pm. Tickets at www.tacaw.org

MONDAY, MARCH 13

PERSPECTIVES

The Carbondale Clay Center presents works by local high school students through April 14.

BRIDGE!

Basalt Library hosts bridge players on the second and fourth Monday of each month from 4 to 6pm. All levels are welcome!

SOUNDS OF BRASS

Basalt Library presents the Ensemble Flatirons for a free brass quintet concert from 5:30 to 6:30pm.

TUESDAY, MARCH 14

AUTHOR TALK

Scott Graham talks about his “National Park Mystery” series at the Glenwood Springs Library at 2pm.

DRAWING CLUB

The Roaring Fork Drawing Club gathers at Carbondale Beer Works at 6:30pm. BYO-drawing stuff.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 15

STEM

The Aspen Science Center dives into a different Science, Technology, Engineering, Math (STEM) topic each third Wednesday at Basalt Library from 2:30 to 3:30pm. These activities are designed for ages 5 to 11.

FIGURE DRAWING

Shawna Miller teaches figure drawing at The Art Base from 6 to 8pm. Sign up at theartbase.org

COEXISTING WITH WOLVES

The Aspen Center for Environmental Studies presents “Living with Wolves: Coexistence in Colorado” (free) at the Wheeler Opera House from 6 to 8pm. Register at www.aspenshowtix.com

SUPPER CLUB

TACAW hosts “Supper Club” every other Wednesday through March, including today! Dinner starts at 6pm. Visit tacaw.org for more info.

SNOW FLOW

The Aspen Science Center Hometown Science Café Series presents Heather Lewin of Roaring Fork Conservancy on snowpack and streamflows at the Casey Brewing Taproom in Glenwood Springs at 6:30pm.

THURSDAY, MARCH 16

CAREGIVER SUPPORT

Dr. Clair Rummel leads a caregiver support group for caregivers of people living with Alzheimers or other cognitive impairments at the Basalt Library, today and tomorrow at 10:30am. For more info, visit basaltlibrary.org

EAGLE COMMISSIONERS

The Eagle County Commissioners hold office hours at the Basalt Library from 11am to 1pm. This is a regular occurrence on the third Thursday of each month.

BOEBERT OFFICE HOURS

Congresswoman Lauren Boebert’s staff visits the Rifle Library from 11am to noon to hear from and help constituents.

BOOK CLUB

The Third Thursday Book Club discusses books by Alan Furst at the Carbondale Library at 2pm. Next month, April 20, the club will discuss “The Last Kingdom” by Bernard Cornwell.

ST. PATRICK’S DINNER

St. Vincent Catholic Church in Basalt (250 Midland Avenue) serves corned beef and cabbage from 4:30 to 8pm.

RIFLE GAP

Anglers and boating enthusiasts are invited to attend an inperson public meeting at Rifle Gap State Park from 6 to 7:30pm to provide input on proposed changes designed to reduce the risk of introducing aquatic nuisance species.

POLLINATOR DISCOVERY

The Aspen Science Center Hometown Science Café Series continues with Dr. Phillip Halliwell and “Citizen Science for Pollinator Discovery” at the Third Street Center at 6:30pm.

March

March

Hadley

HANS is a friendly, outgoing, one year old male cat who started using a stranger’s dog door to make some new friends. After checking

Sunday, March 12, 10am

Two Rivers Unitarian Universalist

DanceAspen draws local and global talents

By Myki Jones Sopris Sun Correspondent

DanceAspen will premiere its new winter program at the Wheeler Opera House in Aspen on March 17 and 18 at 7:30pm. This production will feature three original creations from world-renowned choreographers Penny Saunders, Yin Yue and Sebastian Kloborg. The performance will also feature works from local in-house dancers Matthew Gilmore, Madeline Scott and Blake Krapels.

DanceAspen was founded in 2021 after the Aspen Santa Fe Ballet company was reduced in response to COVID-19. Starting from scratch, executive director Lauren Winton began by working on getting the company on its feet, while dancers volunteered their time and talent. DanceAspen was able to break into the dance scene and make a name for itself thanks to community support. Since its inception, and first Wheeler Opera House performance in the summer of 2021, the company has grown its outreach for both local and international collaboration.

Winton, along with Scott and Kraples, sat down with The Sopris Sun to discuss what audiences can expect, how it has been working with talents from all over the world, and what they are most excited about for the upcoming performance.

Winton is originally from San Francisco and has a career stretching

from the Joffrey Ballet School to Broadway and Aspen Santa Fe Ballet. She said that their winter production is going to be a “great combination” of talent.

“We're looking forward to the next step in our identity as a company, which is melding these global, international names with the talent that we have locally. Exposing them to these global names and people, these really good choreographers to work with, it adds to their artistic imagination and skills, and it's a great opportunity for us to build those international aspects into our very local company,” Winton stated.

She expressed excitement over the talents they will be collaborating with and touched upon Yin Yue, who will be incorporating her trademark dance style, “FOCO,” which she created in her home city of Shanghai, China. This dance style blends a “dynamic fusion of Chinese dance, folk and contemporary movement,” said the DanceAspen press release.

Along with Yue, Penny Saunders, a recent residency collaborator, will be performing her piece, “In Mind,” which was created during DanceAspen’s residency at the University of Utah. Then, there’s Danish choreographer and freelance dancer, Sebastian Kloborg. Winton has worked closely with these artists during her dance career.

“A lot of the people that I end up bringing are either people that I have personally connected with, worked

Aspen Chapel Gallery elevates local artists

By Elizabeth Key Sopris Sun Contributor

Aspen is known for its art scene, featuring the world-renowned Aspen Art Museum and a plethora of highend galleries lining its brick-studded mall. For a local art perspective, exit the ballyhoo and travel over the bridge and through the roundabout to find the Aspen Chapel Gallery tucked under Prince of Peace’s steeple. The gallery has a dedicated entrance and is open to the public daily from 10am to 5pm.

The Aspen Chapel Gallery’s 240th show, “Here,” was curated by local architect and photographer Greg Watts and will run through Saturday, April 1. The exhibit showcases local photographers both young and old by promoting five high-school students among the eleven contributing artists.

“I wanted to get all types of perspectives,” Watts said. “We are going to be leaving this valley to these young people, and I want them to have a say in what this valley is about.” The vision of the portrait, landscape and architectural photograph show is to represent lifestyles across the Roaring Fork Valley. It is in partnership with the Aaron Roberts-Gray Memorial Scholarship at the Aspen Community Foundation.

The interfaith Aspen Chapel was established in 1967 with a mandate of inclusivity and a focus on the arts,

which is evident not only in the pews but the gallery below. The chapel was conceived in the 1960s by a Mennonite bishop who was influenced by a trip to France where he discovered old windmills, which were converted to wayside chapels by the simple addition of a steeple. They were often referred to as “Paux Mulon” or “Mill of Peace,” according to the chapel’s website. After services, the mixed congregation is invited to socialize and pursue the ever-changing local artwork lining the whitewashed walls of the communal space at the base of the chapel.

Molly Briggs, one of the artists in this show, was inspired by her photojournalism work for The Aspen Daily News. “Here” is her first photography show. Her candid images capture emotionally imbued scenes of women interacting in the Vally’s nightlife. Briggs’ work encapsulates a narrative within still but almost fleeting photographs. She utilized the existing ambient light, instead of a flash. Employing color grading techniques she produced saturated pigments and enhanced visual textures within the images.

Photographer Michele Cardamone contributed an array of portraits titled “Denizens of ‘70s in Aspen.” Beneath each image of a longtime local is a quote relaying their experience of Aspen. For example, Tim Cottrell said, “I loved the

with in my career or met through my training, or other people that the other artists have known from school or their previous professional experiences … It's like one degree of separation. There's always a friend connection or work connection that makes [these collaborations] happen,” Winton said.

Kraples shared Winton’s excitement. “Something special about DanceAspen is that there are six dancers,” he said. “So it's an intimate company, and when a choreographer comes in, I think it's really clear that we feel that, and they feel that it is a very welcoming environment to have the artists play … I'm grateful for that.”

The program will also feature an original film shot locally in the Bad

Harriet Cocktail Lounge in Aspen’s Hotel Jerome. The film will be directed by DanceAspen’s Madeline Scott and will feature many talents. The film, titled “Paradise,” will be the first large-scale production from DanceAspen based on the “Paradise Paradox,” a phrase coined by mental health professionals in reference to the high rates of suicide in these Rocky Mountains.

“This is my second full year in Aspen, and around the time of January every year — leading to the X Games weekend particularly — I get so rundown working multiple jobs to continue to work and exist in this community,” Scott told The

continued on page 15

irreverent ‘messy vitality’ that was so prevalent back then. We were one.”

The gallery exclusively shows artists from the Roaring Fork Valley, and is one of only four locations consistently featuring local artists, along with the Red Brick Center for the Arts in Aspen, The Art Base in Basalt and The Launchpad in Carbondale. Tom Ward has facilitated the gallery’s eight annual group shows since the gallery’s inception almost 38 years ago. He told The Sun, “Local artists are very challenged when it comes to getting into a downtown gallery.”

In 2018, the gallery started donating 10% of the proceeds from the sale of artwork to local nonprofits. To date, the gallery has donated $38,500 to 23 organizations. From its annual high school shows, an additional $9,200 has been given back to support local art departments.

Each show has a unique curator responsible for selecting artists and establishing a relationship with a Valley nonprofit. Michael Bonds, a local ceramicist, joined Ward at the gallery in 2017 to aid in managing the curators

continued on page

The Aspen Chapel Gallery's 240th show features work by local photographers (including Kelsey Brunner's photo in the foreground) and will be on display through April 1. Photo by Elizabeth Key

Courtesy photos

Sol del Valle

Conectando comunidades desde 2021

Por Laurine Lassalle Aspen Journalism Traducción

Nota del editor: Esta historia es la primera de una serie de dos partes que examinan el panorama del cuidado infantil en los valles de Roaring Fork y Colorado River. La Parte 2 incluye educadores de la primera infancia que hablan sobre su trabajo y los desafíos que enfrentan. Puede leer la historia completa en el sitio web de Aspen Journalism.

Los datos recopilados de proveedores de educación infantil con licencia en la región de Aspen a Parachute muestran que dichos operadores tienen capacidad para menos de la mitad de los niños menores de 5 años en el área. Los datos también muestran una disparidad en la capacidad de cuidado infantil disponible entre las comunidades que conforman la región. Los proveedores entre Aspen y Glenwood Springs tienen capacidad para más de la mitad de los niños menores de 5 años que viven en esas comunidades. Pero en el Valle del Río Colorado—que es el área al oeste de Glenwood Springs a través de Parachute y que tiene la mayor cantidad de niños pequeños de cualquiera de las cuatro subregiones en el área de la encuesta—la capacidad de cuidado infantil con licencia asciende a sólo el 35% de los niños menores de 5 años. También hay diferencias en el tipo de opciones de cuidado infantil disponibles, con opciones de cuidado infantil en el hogar con licencia, que son casi inexistentes en la parte alta del valle, lo que representa la mayoría de los proveedores en el condado de Garfield.

“A veces las familias nunca salen de la lista de espera,” dijo Megan Monaghan, codirectora de Kids First, un departamento de la ciudad de Aspen enfocado en el cuidado infantil. “Pueden poner a su bebé, un niño por nacer, tan pronto como se enteran de que están embarazadas, pueden entrar en una lista de espera, y para cuando los llamen y [se les diga], ‘Tenemos espacio,’ es posible que el

bebé ya no lo sea.”

Monaghan agregó que muchas familias ingresan en múltiples listas de espera para aumentar sus posibilidades. “Mucho de esto es solo suerte,” dijo.

El Informe de Datos de la Encuesta de Proveedores con Licencia, publicado el mes pasado por Confluence Early Childhood Education Coalition (CECE), se basa en un cuestionario distribuido por CECE de junio a septiembre a los 71 proveedores de cuidado infantil autorizados en ese momento con el estado de Colorado entre Aspen y Parachute. Solicitó a los proveedores información sobre capacidad, tasas de matrícula y otros puntos de datos. Todos respondieron excepto un proveedor. Los resultados de la encuesta mostraron que hay aproximadamente un lugar con licencia disponible para cada dos niños en toda la región, con limitaciones de capacidad inducidas por los bajos salarios de los maestros y el alto costo de vida en los valles de Roaring Fork y Colorado River. La región de Aspen a Parachute cuenta con 2.482 lugares con licencia entre los 70 proveedores que respondieron la encuesta para una población de 5.300 niños de 4 años o menos, según la Encuesta de la Comunidad Estadounidense del 2020.

Esos lugares con licencia incluyen 163 para bebés, 444 para niños pequeños (de 1 y 2 años) y 1.875 para niños en edad preescolar, según el

informe de CECE, que incluyó un análisis de los datos de la encuesta realizada por Aspen Journalism.

CECE cuenta entre sus miembros con 17 organizaciones públicas y privadas locales, incluidos gobiernos, distritos escolares, empresas y organizaciones sin fines de lucro. El grupo, que inicialmente se llamó Rocky Mountain Preschool Coalition, se formó en el 2017 para buscar proporcionar recursos en todo el valle como respuesta a la escasez de lugares para el cuidado de niños. Entre las soluciones que se están estudiando ahora, CECE está examinando el potencial para crear un distrito especial de educación de la primera infancia, que se establecería bajo el marco presentado en un proyecto de ley aprobado por la legislatura de Colorado en el 2019. Tal distrito requeriría que las tres juntas de los comisionados del condado—Pitkin, Eagle y Garfield—con jurisdicción sobre la región que se atenderá para aprobar la presentación de una pregunta en la boleta electoral ante los votantes, posiblemente en el 2024, quienes finalmente decidirían si crear el distrito o no. Dicho distrito tendría una junta elegida públicamente y, con la aprobación de los votantes, podría recaudar fondos públicos para programas que beneficien a los niños desde Aspen hasta Parachute.

“Simplemente no hay suficientes centros de cuidado infantil,” dijo Monaghan. “Cualquier bien inmueble en este valle cuesta tanto que el uso financiero más inteligente no es el

cuidado de niños. El cuidado de niños no le hace ganar dinero a nadie. No hay dueño privado de un centro de cuidado infantil que sea rico.”

La disponibilidad de lugares para bebés y niños pequeños es aún más escasa y costosa, ya que un bebé o un niño pequeño requiere una mayor proporción de personal por niño que un niño en edad preescolar.

“En general, los proveedores con licencia atienden a más niños de los que quisieran", señaló el informe. “Los proveedores pueden tener licencia para una cierta cantidad de niños y [pueden] atender legalmente a esa cantidad de niños, pero a menudo desean atender a menos niños para tener proporciones más bajas y una atención de mayor calidad. Debido a las presiones de atender a tantos niños como sea posible sabiendo que tienen dificultades para encontrar atención en otro lugar, muchos proveedores atienden a niños más cerca de su capacidad autorizada que de su capacidad deseada.”

En el 2019, el Bipartisan Policy Center informó que la brecha de cuidado infantil en todo el estado de Colorado era mayor que el promedio de los 35 estados. (El estudio no incluyó a la mayoría de los estados del sur y algunos otros, incluidos Alaska, Hawaii, Oregón, Nevada, Nueva Jersey, Minnesota y Dakota del Sur). Según dicho informe, el 3er Distrito Congresional de Colorado tenía la mayor brecha de cuidado infantil en el estado, con el 45.1% de los niños

Volumen 2, Número 1 | 9 de marzo de 2023 - 15 de marzo de 2023

por Edgar Barrantes

La brecha en capacidad de cuidado infantil a lo largo de la región

Rebecca Fuller, cuidadora de niños a domicilio, abraza a Sydni Gray, de 2 años, en New Castle, Colorado, el viernes 23 de febrero de 2023. Fuller lleva 14 años en el sector de la puericultura y ha cuidado a unos 50 niños. En la actualidad cuida de cuatro niños y pronto tendrá dos bebés a su cargo. Foto de cortesía

Un dato muy curioso de la radio mexicana es que al final de cada anuncio publicitario de botanas y golosinas se escucha una voz masculina que dice atropelladamente “Coma frutas y verduras”.

Si bien es cierto que nuestro cuerpo es el resultado de lo que comemos. Nuestro espíritu o mente es en gran parte reflejo de lo que leemos. En esta ocasión voy a hablar de dos lecturas que he leído recientemente y que me han servido para identificarme con mi ciudad natal. La Ciudad de México.

La primera es de la autora Isabel Revuelta Poo, “Hija de la Historia” es un libro tan llamativo como

Narrativas chilangas

los textiles mexicanos. Cada capítulo es de una mujer sobresaliente apenas conocida en el imaginario colectivo. El más estupendo es su primer capítulo donde nos habla de una niña llamada Malintzin que nació en 1502 en la región de lo que ahora es Veracruz.

Fue vendida como un objeto de lujo en el mercado entre plumas, frutos y textiles. Su virtud era ser bilingüe, dominaba dos lenguas, el popoluca y el náhuatl. Fue comprada por unos comerciantes mayas, con lo cual aprendió rápidamente el maya y sus amos por conveniencia y para congraciarse con los conquistadores, la entregaron como obsequio junto con otras 20 mujeres a Hernán Cortés que tenía la firme intención de conquistar la Gran Tenochtitlan.

Revuelta Poo nos cuenta en menos de 20 páginas como esta mujer conocida como la Malinche tuvo la habilidad y visión para ser la intérprete de los nuevos conquistadores convirtiéndose en una persona esencial en las altas esferas de la nueva clase

gobernante y dejar de ser una oprimida esclava. Malinche vivió en el palacio de la Gran Tenochtitlan convertida en la Nueva España. Participó activamente en la corte de Hernán Cortés como una gran dama, de buen ver, inteligente y políglota. Muy al contrario de lo que me habían enseñado en la primaria en las clases de Historia de México, cuando mencionaban que la Malinche era una traidora. Revuelta Poo me abrió los ojos a una de las personalidades femeninas más influyentes en el capítulo de la historia de la Ciudad de México y que dio resultado a una de nuestras mayores riquezas; el mestizaje.

La Ciudad de México (CDMX) es una macrópolis de más 20 millones de habitantes que habitan el Valle de Anáhuac, es un manto inmenso de casas, de colonias, vecindarios y asentamientos irregulares que se extienden hasta las faldas de los volcanes Iztaccíhuatl o la Mujer Dormida, Popocatépetl alias Don Goyo y del cerro del Ajusco. Parece un inmenso

manto sideral de estrellitas multicolores cuando la miras desde el avión en la noche.

Cuando un viajero, no un turista, quiere conocer y visitar la CDMX se vuelve loco por la complejidad de su geografía, por el caótico tráfico, por sus múltiples niveles culturales y sociológicos, por sus barrios y colonias tan diferentes y singulares.

“El Vértigo Horizontal, Una Ciudad llamada México” de Juan Villoro, actualmente es una lectura imprescindible para comprender algunas de las muchas aristas y niveles que hay en el modo de ser de la Ciudad de México.

El Vértigo Horizontal es un conjunto de crónicas y relatos organizados en un mapa del viajero como las líneas del Metro de la CDMX, en vez de la línea verde de Pantitlán es la línea de los Sobresaltos, la de la Travesías, la de los Lugares, etc. Sus íconos son tan geniales y elocuentes como los íconos de las estaciones de Metro.

“Voy a México, dice alguien que está en México. Todo mundo entiende que se dirige a la capital, que en

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

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Por Angelica Breña

Sopa de Letras

Esquina Legal

Por Tony Mendez

La autoridad del gobierno federal en cobrar impuestos viene de la Constitución de los Estados Unidos. La primera cláusula de la sección ocho dentro del primer artículo dice de que, “El Congreso tendrá poder para establecer y recaudar impuestos, derechos, gravámenes y exacciones, para pagar las deudas y proveer a la defensa común y al bienestar general de los Estados Unidos; pero todos los derechos, gravámenes y exacciones serán uniformes en todos los Estados Unidos.”

Aún con amplia potestad, el alcance de la potestad tributaria del Congreso se ha

Reduciendo impuestos y ahorrando para un hogar

visto sustancialmente restringido por decisiones judiciales con respeto a la forma en que se imponen los impuestos, los objetos por los que pueden recaudarse y la materia objeto de imposición.

Simplemente, la corte suprema del país ha puesto límites en la habilidad del Congreso en cobrar impuestos.

Colorado también tiene sus propios impuestos. Estos impuestos se encuentran en el Título 39 de las Leyes Revisadas de Colorado. En general, uno tiene que pagar impuestos, o sean federales o estatales, de cualquier ingreso de dinero que uno tenga, sin importar como uno consiguió ese dinero. Pero, uno paga impuestos solamente en las ganancias realizadas. Si uno tuvo una pérdida, por ejemplo, esto puede ayudar a reducir lo que uno paga en sus impuestos.

Uno también puede tomar ciertos pasos para disminuir los ingresos imponibles, así reduciendo

CHISME DEL PUEBLO

Traducción por Jacquelinne Castro

Llega la primavera No se le olvide programar sus relojes manuales una hora adelante la noche del domingo 12 de marzo. La siguiente mañana se sentirá especialmente más temprano y más oscuro, pero el atardecer será más tarde de lo acostumbrado.

Edúquese financieramente

Patrocinado por First Bank, un curso de educación financiera se impartirá en español en el Community Center de Glenwood Springs. Los participantes aprenderán por qué la educación financiera es importante para todos como la base para mejorar la economía y nuestros futuros. Los talleres serán gratuitos los jueves a partir del 9 de marzo hasta el 13 de abril de 5:30 p.m. a 7:30 p.m. Habrá cuidado de niños pero el cupo es limitado así que registrese en línea en webtrac.glenwoodrec. com

los impuestos que se pagan en Colorado. Por ejemplo, uno puede crear una cuenta de ahorro primera vivienda, una creación legislativa codificada como parte 47 del Título 39 de las Leyes Revisadas. Esta cuenta de ahorro está hecha con el propósito de ahorrar dinero para comprar su primera vivienda.

Para que la cuenta de ahorro primera vivienda califique para disminuir los ingresos que uno reporta, hay que cumplir con los requisitos de la Parte 47, el cual incluye designar a un comprador de primera vivienda como el beneficiario calificado de la cuenta de ahorros.

También, para que el dinero ahorrado disminuya los ingresos, el dinero se tiene que usar para la compraventa de propiedades inmuebles. Esto significa que los fondos no se pueden usar para comprar una traila, o casa móvil, como no están sentados permanentemente en

la tierra (tema para una futura columna).

Si el dinero se saca para un propósito diferente a los gastos de una compraventa del primer hogar del beneficiario de la cuenta, uno tendrá que pagar una penalidad. Al crear esta cuenta, el banco le mandara una Forma 1099 para poder reportar que ha hecho con los fondos de esta cuenta en sus impuestos estatales.

El beneficio de crear una cuenta como está es que un pariente puede ayudar a un hijo/a ahorrar para comprar su primera vivienda, y el pariente recibe el beneficio de disminuir los ingresos reportados al estado para propósitos de impuestos.

Al fin del día, el tema de impuestos y cómo reducir los ingresos reportados por medio del uso de deducciones es un tema que rápidamente se complica. Esto es especialmente importante si tiene un negocio o está tramitando un divorcio. Por eso, dependiendo su situación, es bueno consultar con un contador o un abogado cuando está preparando sus impuestos.

su voracidad aspira a confundirse con el país entero. Extrañamente ese lugar existe”.

Así comienza la travesía de Villoro, nos lleva por avenidas gozosas y vericuetos dolientes de la forma de ser de los habitantes, de los mitos y ritos que nos identifican. Cada capítulo denota un conocimiento profundo de la Ciudad relatado con humorismo negro o blanco, según sea el caso. Me gustó mucho como menciona los cambios y desapariciones que ha sufrido esa Ciudad por el crecimiento acelerado y aterrador que ha sufrido en las últimas décadas. A veces me daban ganas de llorar de la impotencia de poder cambiar las circunstancias, como el capítulo de los Niños de la Calle. Pero también me arrancaba una carcajada el capítulo del Ministerio Público donde con un diálogo muy realista resume el gran problema de la burocracia y la zona gris y empañada de la legalidad. Los que vivimos ahí nos hemos topado necesariamente con un trámite burocrático de ese calibre. Últimamente la CDMX se ha convertido en un destino muy atractivo y popular para los nómadas del mundo. Yo sugeriría que al final de cada anuncio publicitario para visitar la CDMX deberíamos poner “Lea estos libros antes de visitarla”.

Conocer a María

Anderson Ranch les invita a conocer a la artista María De Los Ángeles quien estará visitando durante el 7 de marzo al 25 de marzo. María De Los Ángeles es una artista Mexicoamericana que aborda las ideas de migración, pertenencia e identidad a través del dibujo, la pintura, el grabado y las esculturas vestibles. La conferencia será el día 23 de marzo de 5:30 p.m. a 6:30 p.m. virtual o en persona, seguido por una cena con el costo de $25 por persona. La conferencia sera gratis para el publico, pero requiere registracion el línea www.andersonranch.

org/events

A pescar

Las licencias de pesca de Colorado para la temporada del 2023-2024 ya están disponibles. La licencia es válida desde el 1 de marzo de este año hasta el 31 de marzo del 2024. Las personas pueden recoger sus licencias en su oficina local de Vida Silvestre Pública y de Colorado, un agente de ventas

autorizado o en línea en www. bit.ly/gonefishingCO

Sweetwater

Eagle Valley Land Trust, los Parques y Vida Silvestre de Colorado y el Bosque Nacional White River organizaron una reunión virtual el 6 de marzo para actualizar al público en el proceso de planificación en Sweetwater Lake. un proceso de ley política ambiental está planificado para esta primavera. Mientras tanto, el público puede revisar la presentación, hacer comentarios y acceder a la encuesta pública (abierta hasta el 27 de marzo) en www.evlt.org/sweetwater

Jardinería

El jardín comunitario de Carbondale en Hendrick Drive en Holland todavía tiene espacios disponibles para la temporada de jardinería del 2023. Los espacios son de 10 por 10 pies, con irrigación del sistema de zanjas del pueblo. Para más información acerca de unirse a este jardín orgánico, contacte a Kay a 516kware@gmail.com

"Sincronías" parte 14 por Leonardo Occhipinti

que no pudieron acceder a la educación de la primera infancia de acuerdo con la capacidad y la población autorizadas del distrito.

Los expertos están de acuerdo en que es difícil precisar cuál sería el objetivo real de capacidad con licencia, pero la analista del Bell Policy Center, Perrine Monnet, dijo que lo importante es la capacidad de los padres para elegir a dónde van sus hijos. “No quiere decir que necesariamente debamos tener más cuidado con licencia o que el cuidado informal no es algo que queremos, sino más bien que los padres necesitan las opciones y deben tener la disponibilidad para elegir el cuidado infantil que sea más ideal para ellos.”

El panorama de capacidad cambia a lo largo del valle

La encuesta de CECE solicitó a los proveedores su pronóstico de capacidad autorizada a partir del 1 de octubre. Setenta proveedores locales desde Aspen hasta Parachute respondieron la encuesta.

En el Valle del Río Colorado, los 31 proveedores autorizados ubicados en los códigos postales 81635, 81647, 81650 y 81652 pueden atender al 35% de la población menor de 4 años que vive en esos códigos postales. Los proveedores locales tienen licencia para un total de 879 lugares, incluidos 64 lugares para bebés, 114 lugares para niños pequeños y 701 lugares para preescolares.

Entretanto, los proveedores de la zona baja, media, y alta del valle pueden atender a más de la mitad de la población menor de 5 años que vive en su área respectiva. Los proveedores de la zona baja del valle con códigos postales 81601 y 81623 pueden atender al 57% de ese grupo etario con 1.071 lugares con licencia para 1.885 niños, incluidos 53 lugares para bebés, 236 lugares para niños pequeños y 845 lugares para preescolares. Los proveedores de la zona alta del valle, con códigos postales 81611 y 81654, cuentan con 323 lugares para 610 niños menores de 5 años, incluidos 30 lugares para bebés, 56 para niños pequeños y 237 para niños en edad preescolar. Pueden atender al 53% de esa población. Los proveedores de la zona media del valle pueden atender hasta el 78% de la población que vive en el código postal 81621.

Si la capacidad de cuidado infantil es menor en el condado de Garfield y especialmente en el Valle del Río Colorado, eso se debe primordialmente a una población más grande que vive en el área, lo que resulta en una menor cantidad de programas de cuidado infantil per cápita.

Katie Langenhuizen, quien se desempeñó como directora de CECE hasta fines de febrero, afirmó que los datos no capturaron el patrón de viajes al trabajo en el valle. “Hay un gran movimiento de personas que se desplazan hasta sus trabajos, hacia sus ingresos, que generalmente es valle arriba o contra la corriente del río.”

El tipo de proveedores también varía en la región. En el momento de la encuesta, no había proveedores autorizados en el hogar—también conocidos

como proveedores de cuidado infantil familiar—en el condado de Pitkin. Eso se puede atribuir a las casas y apartamentos más pequeños en los que viven muchos trabajadores locales y las muchas regulaciones estatales y de la asociación de propietarios (HOA, por sus siglas en inglés) con respecto a cuáles lugares se pueden dedicar al cuidado de niños.

“Sucedía que no podías estar en un segundo piso o tenías que ser dueño de la propiedad, y están cambiando algunas de esas cosas,” dijo Monaghan. Esas políticas han creado barreras para las personas que querrían estar en esa industria pero que no son propietarios ni viven en un apartamento. “Es difícil administrar un centro de cuidado infantil desde un apartamento", explicó.

Mientras tanto, la atención domiciliaria representa aproximadamente la mitad de los proveedores autorizados entre Carbondale y Parachute. Esa es principalmente una respuesta a la crisis de cuidado infantil en el condado de Garfield.

El informe de CECE indica una escasez de cuidado infantil de 814 cupos entre Carbondale y Glenwood Springs y una escasez de 1.552 lugares entre New Castle y Parachute. La región entre New Castle y Silt se considera un desierto del cuidado infantil, que es cualquier tracto censal donde la cantidad de niños menores de 5 años es tres veces mayor que la cantidad de espacios de cuidado infantil con licencia.

Kelly Esch, directora de Early Childhood Network, una organización sin fines de lucro con sede en Glenwood Springs que brinda recursos a familias y proveedores en los condados de Garfield y el oeste de Eagle, señaló que expandir las ofertas actuales de cuidado infantil mediante la apertura de centros adicionales es difícil. Encontrar un edificio, ya sea en Aspen o en Rifle, no es sencillo.

“Muchos de estos [centros] de cuidado infantil familiar habían abierto sus hogares debido a la crisis de cuidado infantil en el condado de Garfield,” según Esch. “Tenían sus propios hijos y no podían encontrar cuidado infantil. Así que empezaron a cuidar niños en sus casas. [Para] muchos de ellos, sus hijos ahora son mayores y simplemente han seguido haciéndolo, pero así es como comenzaron originalmente, y es mucho más fácil comenzar un negocio desde su hogar en vez de adquirir un edificio”.

La historia anterior es la primera parte de una serie de dos partes que examinan el panorama del cuidado infantil en los valles de Roaring Fork y Colorado River. En la próxima historia, escucharemos a los educadores de la primera infancia hablar sobre su trabajo y los desafíos que enfrentan, y explicaremos nuestra crisis local de cuidado infantil.

Aspen Journalism es una organización de noticias sin fines de lucro e independiente. Para obtener más información, visite www.aspenjournalism.org

When You Have Unexpected Medical Needs

Our After-Hours clinic provides a convenient, cost-effective way to receive the compassionate care you deserve without a visit to the ER.

No appointment necessary, walk-ins welcome!

Weekdays: 3:00 pm - 11:00 pm

Weekends: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm

After-Hours Medical Care

234 East Cody Lane, Basalt 970.544.1250

Virtual visits available

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.

Climbing high: CRMS excels at State Championships

Special to The Sopris Sun

On Saturday, Feb. 25, in a packed gym in Broomfield, the Colorado State High School Climbing Championships saw impressive performances from climbers representing more than 30 high schools. The 50-foot walls of G1 Climbing and Fitness hosted the 15th year of the league finals. This wrapped up a season that opened in early November and included nearly 500 students from across Colorado. Over 200 climbers from four regions, Denver Northwest, Denver Southeast, Western Slope and Southern Colorado, qualified for both JV and Varsity competitions. After an intense day of climbing that included remarkable ascents and heartbreaking falls on ropes and boulders, the results were in. Courtesy photos.

Colorado Rocky Mountain School dominated the team competition, placing first in the Varsity Boys, JV Boys and JV Girls. The Varsity Girls' team placed fourth. Stellar performances by individuals included Tuco Williams ’26 in first and Ethan Flynn ‘26 in third in the boys’ JV competition. They were supported by Chapin Turner ‘26 (ninth), Ryder Davies ‘26 (18th) and EJ Becker ‘24 (27th).

Kai Young ‘23 earned second and Tiffany Zhang third in the girls’ JV competition. They were supported by Soleil Scott ‘26 (eighth), Maya Menconi ‘23 (15th), Marlee Brinson ‘24 (32nd) and Kylie Baker ‘25 (33rd).

The Varsity Boys team was comprised of student-athletes Devin Bush ‘25 (fourth), Fritz Simmons ‘26 (10th), Makai Yllanes ‘23 (26th), Max Seitel-Hayes ‘24 (33rd), Dylan Baker ‘25 (36th) and Reid Goldstein ‘23 (57th).

The Varsity Girls’ team included Hazel Lazar ‘26 (15th), Lily Jones ‘23 (28th), Scarlett Kerr ‘24 (30th), Lila Russell ‘25 (33rd), Makaya Mackie ‘23 (46th) and Ellis Hutchens ‘25 (57th).

As high school climbing grows as a sport, it is always great to see the competition carried out in a spirit of camaraderie and support.

Aspen Chapel

continued from page 10

and communicating with artists. Bonds said that the gallery exemplifies the concept “of building community and giving back to the community.”

Sopris Sun. “I started doing some research and looking into it to see if I was feeling alone in that and came to find out it is a very common phenomenon.”

As she was researching the topic one day, a song came on the radio that completely “juxtaposed” the heavy topic. It was at that moment that everything clicked for the film’s production, she said.

For more information on upcoming events, or to buy tickets to the upcoming performance, www.danceaspen.org/events

Bonds and Ward also seek sponsorship for each show, and the gallery is regularly awarded a grant from The Aspen Thrift Shop, which is applied toward a weekly KAJX spot announcing the current show. TKC Foundation is also instrumental in supporting the work of the local artists. The gallery functions under the umbrella of The Aspen Chapel but is independently run and pays rent for its space. Ward said, “We couldn’t rent a space downtown. That would be impossible.”

The upcoming show, titled “Les Femmes,” is a mixed medium exhibit of all female artists in partnership with Planned Parenthood of Glenwood Springs. When asked about the current religious and political controversy surrounding Planned Parenthood, Ward told The Sun, “We can’t shy away from supporting things that support people.” The Aspen Chapel and its gallery are fulfilling the mission to build community through spirituality, the arts and inclusivity.

The Aspen Chapel Gallery’s shows are open to any artist living in the Roaring Fork Valley. For more information, to participate in a show or support the gallery, visit www. aspenchapelgallery.com

Aspen Dance continued from page 10

Varsity Boys States 1st

JV Boys States 1st

JV Girls States 1st

Courtesy photos

Rams upend Woodland Park, but fall to Faith Christian in second round

By Luke Wander Sopris Sun Correspondent

On Friday, March 3, the Roaring Fork Rams boys varsity team defeated the Woodland Park Panthers in a tense 53-48 game in Arvada. Despite a relative height differential in the Panthers’ favor, senior River Byrne led the Rams with 21 points in the program’s first playoff victory since 2019.

The victory earned the Rams a chance to face up against Faith Christian Academy Eagles the following day. The Eagles, with a 21-1 record and ranked #1 in the 3A bracket, are a heavy favorite to take home the state title this month, but the Rams came out in the first quarter and showed that it would not be a straightforward win. “We did get good looks at the rim and could get into the paint,” said Coach Krieling, “but the presence of a six foot, seven inch center definitely had an effect on finishing shots that are usually easy for us.”

Though not for lack of effort, the Rams could not stop the Eagles, and their season came to an end with a 70-37 loss. When asked to reflect on a season in which the Rams went 17-7 and 11-1 in the 3A Western Slope League, Coach Krieling could not hold back his pride. “We have great leaders in our seniors in how much they care about this team

River Byrne scores from the free throw line with seconds remaining in Roaring Fork’s playoff win against Woodland Park last Friday.

and the example that they make for the younger players. Some of these guys have not had a winning record in four years of Roaring Fork basketball. They came together as a team right after Christmas and it continued through the end of our season.”

Coach Krieling will lose six seniors to graduation, but he remains upbeat about his team’s chances next season. “We’ll be young, but I do expect us to be competitive in our league.”

The Faith Christian Eagles will play Yuma later today for a spot in the state semifinals.

GARFIELD COUNTY REPORT

Roaring Fork Quilt Guild

people outside of the guild to bring their own quilting projects as well. It’s an opportunity not just to see amazing quilts, but to mingle with fellow community members — quilters and laypeople — and pick each others’ brains about stitching and such. Come for the cookies, stay for the view — and lots of laughs, which there are sure to be plenty of with this crew — and leave with a new or renewed appreciation for the power of quilting. For more information about the RFQG, and to follow their journey and perhaps become a member, search “Roaring Fork Quilt Guild” on Facebook. To browse some of their lovely quilt projects, visit www.flickr.com/photos/ roaringforkquiltguild

banned and the courthouse is too cold

By Amy Hadden Marsh Sopris Sun Correspondent

Sometimes funding request grants from the Garfield County Commissioners are like an awards ceremony. “And the winner is!” This time local dogs and cats won big. The commissioners approved Colorado Animal Rescue’s (CARE) request of $230,000 to continue its work.

Wes Boyd, CARE director, and program director Maggie Niehoff listed the shelter’s programs, including the community feral cat program, emergency/disaster boarding, in-house vet care, the pet food bank, vaccination clinics, free IDs, medical/ behavioral support and more. Last year, fewer animals came into the facility but stays were longer, and there were fewer transfers from other shelters. CARE treated 85 strays from Glenwood Springs, 50 from Silt and 24 from Carbondale.

The housing crunch is the main reason behind pet relinquishments, they said. “A big issue in our community is the problem people face with housing,” said Boyd. “That impacts a lot of pet owners especially.” Animal behavior challenges also pose a problem. Eighteen animals were euthanized at CARE last year, some of which were those with behavior problems. “Sometimes we have to make a difficult decision and protect the community from a pet who might be a danger to either people or other animals,” Boyd explained.

The good news is that 427 animals were adopted in 2022, 120 were reunited with owners, and 278 were spayed or neutered. In total, CARE served 729 animals last year and distributed over four tons (9,117 pounds) of dry dog food. CARE’s request approval comes close on the heels of Rifle’s Journey Home Animal Care Center request of the same amount last week. Funding for both is budgeted and comes out of the county’s Non-Profit General Fund.

In other news, the Board approved $20,000 to Carbondale-based Coventure, which is celebrating its fifth anniversary. Despite numerous start-up successes, one promising participant, Spring Born hydroponic lettuce in Silt, closed late last year. Coventure Director Mike Lowe said distribution problems and the loss of a major investor forced closure in December 2022.

Commissioners also reduced county landfill fees for the Town of Rifle’s annual Spring Clean-up Day. County Community Development Director Sheryl Bower presented 2022 development stats. A long list of permitted projects included Eagle Ridge in Spring Valley, Half Moon housing in Battlement Mesa, the Scott gravel pit near Rifle, Colorado Mountain College student housing and a 22-acre solar installation at the Spring Valley campus, Royal Mini-Storage behind Glenwood Meadows and more. Projects under review for 2023 include the Flying M Planned Unit Development (PUD) for 170 units near Riverview School south of Glenwood Springs, a 577-unit PUD

amendment for Spring Valley Ranch, a PUD near New Castle, a large CPX solar project northwest of Parachute, 12 duplexes off Four Mile Road and more. Only two gas well permits were included in the lists — TEP’s permit south of Rifle and a CPX permit application for new wells on an existing pad southwest of Rifle. Bower also stated that building permits increased from 606 in 2021 to 616 in 2022 with a valuation of more than $57 million.

Attorney and Glenwood Springs City Council Member Tony Hershey made a brief, unscheduled appearance in his winter parka, asking the Board to do something about the freezing temperature inside the courthouse across the street.

Commissioners also approved the weekly consent agenda, with the exception of a liquor license renewal at the Kum & Go in Parachute, which was delayed. A ban on the sale, use or possession of fireworks in unincorporated Garfield County goes into effect April 9.

Local dogs and cats win big, fireworks are

Janice Duroux concentrates on a stitch.

Photo by James Steindler

Denise Vetromile stands with one of her quilts that is currently on display at the Basalt Library.

Photo by James Steindler

John Martin, chair of the BOCC. Portrait by Larry Day

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

Rambler

Sheila

Markowitz

Glenwood Springs

November 1980

I first thought about selling him when July came and I hadn’t ridden Rambler even once the previous month. I felt uneasy. He was an important part of my life. It seemed the need to be with him had suddenly diminished.

It reminded me of the end of my marriage, four years before. Changes, adjustments, decisions – I always got through them and grew, but initially they always frightened me.

The previous month, I almost sold him twice, but each time the person backed out at the last minute. “It’s just plain fate,” I thought, as I carefully combed his tangled mane and tail.

It was early one Saturday morning at the pasture where I boarded Rambler — at a farm a couple of miles up a mountain road. The sky was pure blue. Almost all of the golden leaves had fallen from the surrounding aspens. A cool autumn wind left me exhilarated and glad to be alone with my horse.

“This is the reason I bought you, Rambler, and I’m sure this is why I’m meant to keep you for a while longer,” I thought. “You’re the one I love to be alone with,” I said affectionately.

He nudged my back as I bent down to get a brush from the bucket of supplies. His coat was fuzzy and thick now, getting ready for winter.

Many times, as I brushed him, my mind would wander, giving me time to contemplate thoughts I was usually too busy to think about. Sometimes I wouldn’t think of anything specific at all. I arranged my life so that my schedule

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

was full with little time left to be by myself. But, my time spent with Rambler was the one thing I preferred to do alone. Now, as I continued to brush his coat and admire the shine I was achieving, I remembered the day I bought him three years before, and how important he’s been to my life since.

After my divorce, the desire to own a horse had been my number one consideration for moving to this small Colorado town, from Chicago where I was raised. As a little girl I would dreamily stare out the kitchen window and imagine my horse running around in the empty lot next to the apartment building where I lived. When another building was erected on the lot next door, I gave up on that dream, but never totally gave up the idea that someday I would have a horse of my own. One that I could ride any time I wanted to.

I bought Rambler just a few months after my move here. My financial situation was a bit precarious. But, when I saw him running around the snowy pasture that cold March afternoon, I knew the money I needed would be found.

The next three years we would spend time together, usually three days a week. My time with him would calm me, no matter what disruptions were going on in the rest of my life. He would always be there, waiting to carry me into the mountains. The wind would make my hair fly, and the smile on my face would reflect the freedom and joy I felt.

I felt unsettled when I realized I had ridden him so seldom the last few months. What was changing in my life? Had whatever I had moved here for been accomplished? Was I ready to move on?

Now, on this chilly fall morning, as I lifted myself onto the saddle, I knew I could contemplate this question without a feeling of panic. The right answer would come. The indecision I felt quickly passed away. As Rambler cantered off, I was thankful I had my horse and the freedom to make these decisions on my own.

LETTERS continued from page 2

and Scenic status would ensure the greatest level of protection against dams, and the very real threat of water being diverted out of our local watershed. It would preserve water quality and keep the Crystal River flowing free for future generations.

I’m grateful to The Wild and Scenic Feasibility Collaborative for selecting highly experienced professional mediators to facilitate the process and engage with the community. I believe the stakeholder committee will provide a valuable forum for addressing the specific concerns of residents and informing the public of the finer points of the designation.

I encourage fellow Gunnison County and Crystal Valley residents to participate in the process by voicing your support or concerns in the upcoming meetings or surveys. By sitting down together we can work toward solutions for the river we all love.

Teri Havens Marble

Proposed traffic 'rules'

New Carbondale “rules”: Anywhere between Prince Creek Road and Highway 82, you get a point for each vehicle you help to enter or exit from Highway 133, without modifying the flow of traffic by more than three miles per hour. Pro tip: To maximize points, maintain space before and behind

your vehicle; adjust those buffers as you see what the cross traffic needs. Generate flow, people.

Jay Coursey Carbondale

Glenwood safety

Glenwood Canyon is approximately 13 miles long. Driving a constant 30 mph takes 26 minutes.

40 mph takes 19.5 minutes.

50 mph takes 15.6 minutes.

60 mph takes 13 minutes.

Why can't we all agree to drive 40 mph, “waste” a few minutes, leave approximately 60 feet between cars and eliminate virtually all accidents?

It seems like a small price to pay for safety. Nobody hurt, no damage to vehicles or structures, no road closures or delays.

Think we should try it?

John Kleinwachter Carbondale

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.

How do you spell regal?

Spellebration is a joint fundraiser benefiting local nonprofit Literacy Outreach and the Colorado Mountain College Learning Labs. The annual event was held on March 3 at the Hotel Colorado. This year's theme, "A Royal Spelling Bee," had participants sporting crowns and golden (toilet plunger) scepters, enjoying the puns delivered by Sir Spellsalot (Steve Shute) and Merlin (Bruce Leland). First-place honors were bestowed on Her Royal Highness Heather Exby's Exquisite Exponents, sponsored by Colorado Mountain College, pictured in the photo on the left (from left to right: Yesenia Silva Estrada, Shute, Leland, Kevin Cote and Virginia Nicolai). Pictured top-right, Garfield County Libraries sponsored Lisa's Linguistic Librarians in Waiting, a team dedicated to Lisa Detweiler, who worked at the New Castle Library and died tragically late last year (from left to right: Rifle branch manager Amy Tonozzi, Carbondale branch manager Tracy Kallassy and library substitute Carolyn McCann) won thirdplace honors. Meanwhile, Literacy Outreach student coordinator Brisa Morales played The Queen of Hearts (bottom-right photo).

LEGAL

PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a Public Hearing will be held before the Carbondale Board of Trustees for the purpose of considering a combined application for a Major Site Plan Review, Minor Plat Amendment, Rezoning Application, and Alternative Compliance to allow the construction of a 50-unit residential development.

The property is located at Lots 2A and 2B, North Face Base Camp Subdivision (East of the Meadow Wood Dr and High School Access Road intersection).

The property is approximately: Lot 2A - 3.439 acres (149,781 sq. ft.); Lot 2B 23.822 acres (1,037,672 sq. ft.) and is zoned Community Arts (Lot 2A) and Commercial Business Park (Lot 2B).

The Applicant is Robert Schultz Consulting LLC

The Owner is Roaring Fork School District

Said Public Hearing will be held at the Carbondale Town Hall, 511 Colorado Avenue, Carbondale, CO at 7:00 p.m. on March 28, 2023.

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

Jared Barnes, Planning Director

Photos by Jeanne Souldern

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