20230720

Page 1

19 ~ Astrology

21 ~ Fiction

FOR THE LOVE OF FENS

Sliding her shovel deep into the spongy earth, ecologist Delia Malone explained that a fen is a special kind of wetland, formed over thousands of years. Prone to freezing and lacking aeration, the decomposition of organic matter in a fen is limited, generating around four centimeters of nutrient-rich peat soil every 1,000 years. She flips up a dense, wet block estimated to be some 10,000 years old, with vegetation on the bottom still identifiable and intact.

On a beautiful Saturday, July 8, over 40 people of all ages gathered in the White River National Forest for the second-annual bilingual bioblitz in Homestake Valley, near Redcliff. The event was organized by Wilderness Workshop and the Eagle River Watershed Council, with attendance from Wildearth Guardians’ wild rivers team and experts from Colorado Natural Heritage Program, Walking Mountains Science Center and Roaring Fork Audubon.

Participants were divided into three groups to avoid disturbing the nesting Wilson’s snipes and delicate orchids, then spread out to record data using the iNaturalist app on their smartphones. Of special interest were rare and endangered species of “high conservation value.”

The impetus for this outing, besides enjoying Colorado’s natural beauty, is a possibility that this very location could be flooded by a new reservoir feeding a trans-basin diversion if it’s not actively protected. The cities of Colorado Springs and Aurora, forecasting significant growth in the next few decades, hold water rights in the Upper Eagle River Basin and a 1998 agreement to use them via a joint water project. In 2021, the Forest Service approved the drilling of test wells to “help the cities determine whether the Homestake Valley is a feasible location for a potential reservoir,” announced a press release.

Opposition blocked such a project in the ‘80s, and conservationists are getting ahead of another potential fight to protect this rare ecosystem. As Michael Gorman with Wilderness Workshop put it, “the more we know, the better advocates we can be.”

Fens make up 1% of wetlands, Malone told the group of citizen scientists, and wetlands make up fewer than 2% of all the land in Colorado. Yet, wetlands are among the most important of habitats, supporting 80% of wildlife according to The State of Colorado’s Biodiversity report (2011). Fens especially are host to unique species of plant, avian and insect life, and store both water and carbon. Without them, runoff from melting snow would be much less gradual.

The species count is ongoing and began with last year’s event. Together, citizen scientists have uploaded over 500 observations representing 138 different species. For more details about this initiative and how to join, visit: www.inaturalist.org/projects/homestake-valley-bioblitz

Your nonprofit community newspaper Volume 15, Number 24 | July 20, 2023 - July 26, 2023 This Week: 6-7 ~ Gov't 8-9 ~ Calendar
10-14 ~ Español
Photos by Chris Cohen Rocky Mountain Science Center

OPINION

Fear and Prejudice

Next, the dance instructor taught us words to sing while we danced and changed partners, something like, “Take me as I am, come onto me, live in me.” I may not be remembering these lyrics precisely, because my survival alarm kicked into lights and sirens mode and I panicked. “Jesus is all over this,” I thought.

From almost the moment it began, I’ve been fascinated by the fear I experienced at Two Rivers UnitarianUniversalist (TRUU) Services last Sunday.

I was born Jewish and am an active member of the Aspen Jewish Congregation, but I’m a TRUU member as well. My DNA is literally, 100% Jewish. There’s so much I love about Judaism and, honestly, I wouldn’t know how to not be Jewish. But as a lifelong atheist, there are parts of Judaism that don’t ring true, even parts I reject. Unitarian-Universalism (UU) is essentially a free and responsible search for truth and meaning. Like Judaism, UU has a strong ethical component but unlike Judaism, there’s no dogma, god is optional, and war, while sometimes unavoidable, is never considered glorious. I’m not the only “Jewnitarian” at TRUU.

Here’s what happened on Sunday. The service was about playfulness. Someone was teaching a simple, playful dance that, she explained, came from The Scottish Church of England. Instantly, my survival alarm started buzzing. Christian churches have been historic bastions of anti-Semitism. As late as 1962, the official Roman-Catholic position held all Jews, living and dead, responsible for Jesus’ betrayal and crucifixion by the Romans. The Church of England is a direct descendant of the Roman Catholic Church.

LETTERS

Save the fens!

Mental videos of European Christians forcing my ancestors into synagogues they locked and then burned to the ground started running through my now irrational mind. Hitler, I remembered, used Christian symbolism to whip up his largely Christian followers. Twothirds of Europe’s Jews, some 6 million people, most of my family among them, were either executed or worked to death. Sadly, The Six Million are not unique. They are simply the high point of 1.5 millennia of European Christian antisemitism.

I quietly told my dance partner, “Too much Jesus. I can’t do it,” and left the circle. She left with me, saying that if I was upset, she’d rather be with me. “Are you alright? Is there anything I can do?” Yes, there was something she could do, and she had already done it. She had, as the Christian lyrics advised, taken me as I was. “Everyone should feel safe here,” She said. “We shouldn’t do anything that makes anyone feel unsafe here.” With her support, I calmed down and started thinking about my experience.

It made sense I thought, as a manifestation of intergenerational trauma. And almost as quickly I also thought, “That’s one facile explanation.” I was, after all, among friends. UUs risked their lives to save Holocaust victims. UUs seek to learn from anyone willing to share. TRUU hosts Jewish, Atheist, and Buddhist speakers as well as Christians. We borrow all sorts of rituals, including pagan. My thinking wasn’t even historically correct. The Church of England never persecuted Jews in anything like the manner that occurred in Catholic Europe.

I’d like to give a big thank-you to Wilderness Workshop, Eagle River Watershed Council and Walking Mountains for sponsoring the Homestake Community Science Day on July 8. The purpose of this event was to explore and understand the fens along Homestake Creek, south of Minturn, to help protect them for future generations.

According to Wilderness Workshop, “Fens are peat-forming, ancient wetlands that prevent soil erosion, retain water, recycle nutrients, filter out chemical pollutants, and even sequester atmospheric carbon. These ancient wetland habitats occupy less than 1% of the landscape in the Rocky Mountains, making them a rare and irreplaceable natural resource of outsized importance. Fens are biodiversity hotspots, serving as critical habitat for unique plant and animal communities.” Unfortunately, they lack sufficient legal protections.

As part of this event, we were charged with the role of community scientists, documenting the numerous plant and animal species that depend on this unique environment to survive. We took photos and uploaded them to the app iNaturalist for identification and cataloging. The hope is that this information will help reinforce why the fens are an irreplaceable natural resource.

It is estimated that the Homestake fens took 10,000 years or more to form, relying on the cold runoff from snowmelt to create the unique conditions for their development.

While I appreciate my dance partner saying, “We shouldn’t do anything that makes anyone feel unsafe here,” I don’t agree. I was in reality, as safe at that service as anyone ever has a right to expect. My prejudices are my responsibility and really, what was I experiencing, if not my prejudice against Christians? Understanding how I developed that prejudice is one thing; excusing it on that basis is quite another.

I’ve always abhorred student demands for schools to avoid exposing them to upsetting experiences. Needing to feel safe to be able to learn is narcissistic nonsense. One needn’t even BE safe to learn. People learned as bombs fell around them in WWII England and they are learning now, in Ukraine. Some Jews studied Torah in the death camps and walked into the gas chambers grateful for becoming somewhat wiser while they waited.

European Christians have persecuted Jews for 1,500 years. Six million of us, including most of my family, were slaughtered in my lifetime. My parents were refugees from Nazi Germany where my father was a successful dentist. I grew up poor, listening to his worries about paying rent. I saw my father cringe during a parking-space dispute when an “American” told him to go back to where he came from. I met death camp survivors and knew without being told not to ask about the numbers tattooed on their forearms. I saw my parents looking at pictures of dead Jews piled in open pits, wondering whether Cousin Esther was in there.

I’m as intergenerationally traumatized as anyone and last Sunday I experienced the result. I thank my fellow UUs for the opportunity to learn about myself and for supporting me while I learned. I wouldn’t change any of it. Spiritual growth, the point of any religious practice, comes from facing our fears, not from avoiding them.

Mature Content is a monthly feature from Age-Friendly Carbondale.

Unfortunately, Colorado Springs and Aurora want to enforce their water rights to inundate the fens and disrupt the surrounding environment with the proposed construction of a second Homestake reservoir. Such an action would destroy these sensitive wetlands with untold effects on the myriad of animal and plant species that rely on the fens to survive. We cannot allow this to happen.

Please take the time to learn about this proposal and watch for opportunities to vehemently oppose the project. Fens are friends!

Nancy Tashman, Avon

Editor Raleigh Burleigh 970-510-3003

news@soprissun.com

Sol del Valle Editor

Vanessa Porras

Contributing & Digital Editor

James Steindler

Editorial Designer

Hattie Rensberry

Advertising Designer

Emily Blong

Delivery Frederic Kischbaum

Bartlett

Hank van Berlo

Proofreader Lee Beck

Executive Director

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

Youth Coordinator

Jeanne Souldern

Board Members / Mesa Directiva board@soprissun.com

Klaus Kocher • Kay Clarke

Lee Beck • Donna Dayton

Terri Ritchie

Eric Smith • Roger Berliner

Elizabeth Phillips • Jessi Rochel

Juanma Cespedes • Andrew Travers

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

Kay Brunnier • Frances Dudley

Michelle & Ed Buchman

Sue Edelstein & Bill Spence

Deborah & Shane Evans

Greg & Kathy Feinsinger

Gary & Jill Knaus • Eric Smith

Peter and Mike Gilbert

Carly & Frosty Merriott

James Noyes • Megan Tackett

Patti & George Stranahan

Anne Sullivan & John Colson

Elizabeth Wysong • Alpine Bank

Emily & George Bohmfalk

Kathy & Carter Barger

Sandy & Paul Chamberlin

Karen & Roger Berliner

Mama Sandy & Lee Mulcahy

Donna & Ken Riley

Legacy Givers for including us in their final wishes. Mary Lilly

Donate by mail or online: P.O. Box 399

Carbondale, CO 81623

520 S. Third Street #26-B 970-510-3003

soprissun.com/Donate

The Sopris Sun, Inc. is a proud member of the Carbondale Creative District

2 • THE SOPRIS SUN • soprissun.com • July 20, 2023 - July 26, 2023
Primula pauciflora aka dark-throated shooting star, photo by Nancy Tashman continues on page 20

Our Underwriters and Nonprofit Partners!

Fondo Sueños

Colorado Mountain College (CMC) has announced a new program for undocumented students and those enrolled in Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA). El Fondo Sueños (Dreams Fund) provides financial guidance and support to pay for college, including access to CMC Foundation scholarships. Learn more by contacting kelopez@coloradomtn.edu or 970-9478349, by visiting www.colorado.edu/ suenos or by tuning in “El Sol Habla” this Thursday, July 20, at 4:30pm on KDNK.

Affordable housing

The Aspen-Pitkin County Housing Authority is accepting applications to purchase newly-released affordable housing units at Burlingame Ranch Phase III, located 3.5 miles from downtown Aspen. This final phase adds 74 multifamily units to 176 brought by the first two phases. Before bidding, qualification must be verified by Aug. 11. For more information, visit www. APCHA.org

27th Street underpass

"Apocalypse 101" was taught by Sue Gray at CMC in Carbondale on July 15. "Having been a secret prepper for the last 20 years, I am finally coming out to my community!" she told The Sopris Sun. To hear more about this subject and another class on Sept. 16, tune in "The Wild Rumpus" on KDNK this Friday, July 21 at 9am.

RJ Paddywacks

Cool Bricks Studio

White River Books

Alpine Animal Hospital

Nonprofit Partners

Wilderness Workshop

5point Film Festival

Basalt Library

Aspen Strong

Carbondale Rotary

Colorado Animal Rescue

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

Roaring Fork Transportation Authority (RFTA) has completed detour paving for the first phase of a project that will shift traffic off 27th Street southbound lanes. Once completed, the project will move pedestrians and cyclists through two underpass tunnels, one under Highway 82 and the other under 27th Street, to more safely connect to the Rio Grande Trail and RFTA Bus Rapid Transit station. For more details, visit www.27thstreetproject.com

Tobacco sales

Pitkin County Commissioners approved a county-wide Tobacco Retail License program on July 12 to combat youth tobacco and nicotine use. Already, the county implemented a price increase and raised the minimum legal sales age to 21. This new program establishes compliance monitoring for greater retailer accountability and reduced disparity in how the products are marketed and sold.

OHV wreck

Emergency services out of Carbondale responded to an off-highway vehicle crash at the Daniel’s Hill area of Gunnison

County Road 3, just east of Beaver Lake, at approximately 2:17pm on Wednesday, July 12. The vehicle’s driver was pronounced dead at the scene and one passenger was airlifted with critical injuries. The other two passengers were transported to the hospital by ambulance. It’s believed that excessive speed and a possible mechanical failure were factors in the crash.

River tragedy

On July 7, Cornelis Booysen, 55, of Juliet, Tennessee fell from a commercial raft, along with at least one other passenger, on the Colorado River between Shoshone and Grizzly Creek. He was brought to shore, and the raft group, which consisted of his immediate family, along with other bystanders attempted to resuscitate Booysen before first responders arrived. The coroner later pronounced him as deceased at the scene. Booysen was wearing a personal floatation device and a helmet at the time of the incident.

Mural competition

Artists of all ages can apply to compete

CARE has 8 dogs and 7 cats and 3 guinea pigs available for adoption.

in Basalt Public Art Commission’s mural contest. Artists can work as a team or individually and will be given a 4’x8’ piece of plywood to create a mural that represents “community.” The winning artist(s) will have the opportunity to recreate their design as a permanent installation downtown. The deadline to apply is July 28, and the artists are to work on their murals between Aug. 1-10. Visit www.basalt. net/bpac for more information.

Grant a wish

Make-A-Wish Colorado creates lifechanging wishes for children with critical illnesses. To celebrate its 40th anniversary, and more than 6,200 wishes granted, the nonprofit aims to deliver on 400 wishes this year. To achieve this, volunteers are sought across the state for a variety of roles. Learn more at www.wish.org/volunteer

Call for artists

Grand Canyon Conservancy is calling all artists who aspire to contribute to the cultural and aesthetic legacy of the Grand Canyon to apply for a residency at the South Rim in 2024. Selected artists will receive up to eight weeks of private accommodations and workspace, as well as a modest stipend for travel, food and supplies. Carbondale resident Leah Aegerter received the residency in 2022. Applications are due by July 31 at www.grandcanyon.org/our-work/artistin-residence

They say it’s your birthday! Folks celebrating another trip around the sun this week include: Ed Anderson, Amy Burdick, Dave Dixon, Pat Morrissy and Heather Henry (July 20); Jordan Ebel, Ernie Kollar, Colleen Weinfurter, Brian Wexler and Bonnie Williams (July 21); Louie Girardot, Jessica Kollar and Elley McBrayer (July 22); Mary Boucher, Rick Burrows, Shelle DeBeque, Ruth Frey, Maria Sabljak and Jeff Wadley (July 23); Michael Banks, Adele Hause, Greg Jeung, John Masters and John Steuben (July 24); Adrienne Ackerman, Robert Moore and Frank Norwood (July 25); Meredith Ogilby, Alison Osius, Fran Page and Jesse Steindler (July 26).

RJ offers a “C.A.R.E. package” for new adoptive including a “Paws for Points” plan first 15% for your new pet.

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

Hiya, Teddy! This 4-year- old boy is a professional goofball who loves giving kisses, chasing tennis balls, and playing in water on hot days. Teddy is always on the go go go, and he’s dreaming of an adopter who will keep him busy!

Jebel

THE SOPRIS SUN • Your weekly community connector • July 20, 2023 - July 26, 2023 • 3 SCUTTLEBUTT What's the word on the street? Let us know at news@soprissun.com
Working Together For Pets And Their People 2801 CR 114 Glenwood Springs, (970)947-9173CO
Paddywacks 400 E Valley Rd. # I/J Next to City Market in El Jebel 970.963.1700
Photo by April Crow-Spaulding
RJ
rjpaddywacks.com
FOR RECOVERY?
a
and
activities, and social events for people, families and friends in recovery. www.meetingplacecarbondale.org
Thru July 31st, All adoption fees are only $25 courtesy of the BISSELL Pet Foundation’s ‘Empty the Shelters’ national adoption event.
LOOKING
MISSION To provide
safe
supportive

Locals and out-of-towners alike enjoy the pristine beauty of South, Middle and North Thompson Creek, but the jurisdictional and property lines can cause some confusion.

Earlier this summer, a lot of Facebook attention was focused on the area due to assumed partiers along the road heading to North Thompson. About a quarter of a mile from where the road becomes dirt, leftover garbage and makeshift campfire rings were left in the wake. One Facebook user reported coming across a smoldering unattended fire in June.

Parker Lathrop, chief deputy of operations for the Pitkin County Sheriff’s Office, said that the department has received calls after a party has occurred, generally the next day once the alleged partiers had cleared out. He said that it’s important to report unattended fires immediately.

Carbondale & Rural Fire Protection District Deputy Chief Mike Wagner told The Sopris Sun that the department generally responds to two to three calls in the area every year, albeit not strictly for unattended campfires. He did say that the department’s initial attack patrols, from Memorial Day to Labor Day, sweep the district regularly, including in the Thompson Creek

area. “One thing they patrol for … is unattended campfires,” he clarified.

“We work very closely with the Forest Service, BLM [Bureau of Land Management] and Pitkin County,” Wagner added. “There is no lack of coordination between all of those entities and 911.”

Jurisdiction

The county line, between Pitkin and Garfield, is about a half a mile east of the Spring Gulch parking area. According to Brian Pettet of Pitkin County Public Works, the county retains the right-of-way along the North Thompson Creek Road all the way to the locked gate (three miles past the cattle guard).

“That area has a mix of just about everything,” added Lathrop. “Middle and South Thompson are a combination of county, BLM and Forest Service [lands].” According to a GIS

mapping tool, there are also a number of private parcels in Middle and South Thompson.

Much of the land adjacent to Thompson Creek Road, including Spring Gulch, and North Thompson Creek Road is privately owned by the North Thompson Four Mile Mineral Land Corporation (NTFM), what locals may know as the Cattlemens’ Association. Often, people don’t realize, or simply stumble upon it as a rural and safe place to park their RV and camp.

Dispersed camping

4 • THE SOPRIS SUN • soprissun.com • July 20, 2023 - July 26, 2023
Thompson Creek Road: Who’s land is it, anyway? Aspen Valley Hospital Clinics Aspen HospitaValley l Aspen Valley Hospital Clinics Aspen HospitaValley l Aspen Valley Primary Care offers a full complement of services for adults, children and infants in two convenient locations near you. Aspen | Basalt Virtual visits available Exceptional care in your neighborhood 0401 Castle Creek Road, ASPEN | 1460 East Valley Road, Suite 103, BASALT 970.279.4111 | aspenhospital.org | AspenValleyHospital AS PE N VA LLE Y PR IMARY CARE AS PE N VALLE Y HOSPITAL ACCEPTING NEW PATIENTS 970.279.4111 Help Us Keep Making The Sun Shine Current: 85 SUNSCRIBER GOAL: 250 Become a SUNSCRIBER!
This map shows parts of the North, South and Thompson Creek roads. The opaque beige overlay indicates BLM land, and the green is for Forest Service lands, otherwise the parcels are private or county-owned. The large parcel that includes Spring Gulch and part of North Thompson Creek Road belongs to the Cattlemens’ Association. Map generated from Pitkin County Assessor’s GIS tool

“The county purchased a conservation easement from us, but we own the land and have full control over it, we just can’t build a Walmart up there,” Bill Fales, a cattle rancher and shareholder of NTFM, stated.

He added that his understanding is that some online mapping resources which people use to find dispersed camping will incorrectly label the land as county or public, adding to the confusion.

“We’ve had trouble with onXmaps and another online company … where you get these maps through an app,” Fales explained.

Interestingly, when this reporter was at North Thompson Creek Road in late June, campers camped on private land adjacent to the road stated that they’d discovered the area online and were under the assumption that the land was public. They politely stated that they’d inform the online group that the land was, in fact, private. The onXmaps website has since noted that the parcel is privately owned.

There are some exceptions where the public is granted access to NTFM land, but not for camping. For instance, “NTFM leases the Spring Gulch Nordic Ski Area to the Mount Sopris Nordic Council, only for skiing; not for walking your dog, not for snowshoeing, not for anything except nordic skiing,” said Fales. He credited his late father-in-law, Bob Perry, for offering this recreation opportunity to the community. The first part of the Marion Trail is also owned by NTFM, which permits equestrian and pedestrian access, so people can get to the public land beyond.

Target practice

Just beyond the cattle guard on Thompson Creek Road, there is an unofficial shooting range where people have practiced their aim for years. Most often, people shoot from the road (a county right-of-way) and toward a hill on the east side. According to the Pitkin County Assessor, the land adjacent to that part of the road is owned by NTFM.

“A lot of time, they’re on public land, shooting onto private land,” Fales said.

He added that people have been known to leave trash up there. If one looks down the gully, directly across the road from the unofficial shooting area, they’ll indeed see all sorts of things, including house appliances and more.

“Dealing with the trash is a real frustration for us,” continued Fales. “It’s not a way to treat land. Too many people go up there and dump their trash, and it’s a real problem.”

Lathrop pointed The Sopris Sun to the Forest Service webpage when it comes to best practices while shooting on public lands. According to the website, “Abandoning any personal property or failing to dispose of all garbage, including targets, paper, cans, bottles, appliances” is prohibited.

Garfield County announces Stage 1 Fire Restrictions

The Garfield County Sheriff, Bureau of Land Management and the seven Fire Districts in Garfield County are implementing Stage 1 Fire Restrictions effective at 12:01 a.m. Friday, July 21. This applies to all of unincorporated Garfield County.

“This decision was made with thoughtful consideration. We look at the data, the potential for significant wildfires and balance it with the impacts to our community,” states a press release. “Our concern, with the level of fire danger we are seeing: one spark could quickly spread into a dangerous wildfire threatening lives, property and natural resources.”

Fire restrictions are implemented based on specific criteria including: moisture content of vegetation, weather outlooks, human risk factors and firefighting resource availability. It’s been hot, dry and unseasonably windy. So far this year, we’ve had 12 Red Flag Warnings which is more than what we typically see over an entire year. The National Weather Service is forecasting above average temperatures and dry conditions with no relief from rain anytime soon.

With increasingly dry vegetation, severe drought conditions, and more hot and dry conditions approaching, the danger for human caused wildfires increases even more.

What Stage 1 Fire Restrictions mean in Garfield County:

• Fireworks are not allowed under Stage I Fire Restrictions. Professional fireworks shows may be allowed through the permitting process.

• All burn permits are postponed/Canceled until further notice.

• Campfires are only allowed within designated fire grates in Developed Areas (i.e. a permanent in-ground containment structure or store bought fire pit) A temporary fire pan and rock campfire rings will not be acceptable.

• No fires of any type including charcoal in Undeveloped Areas.

• No smoking except within a designated area, enclosed vehicle or building, a developed area or in an area free of combustibles.

• No use of fireworks or explosive materials, including “exploding” targets or bullets and tracer rounds.

• Exercise common sense and industry safety practice when welding or operation of an acetylene or other similar torch with open flame always cleared safe area of vegetation and combustibles.

Penalties

Causing a fire during fire restrictions can be a class 6 felony and can be punishable by fines. Other possible charges include Fourth Degree Arson (M2) and Intentionally Setting a Wildfire (F3). You may also be held financially responsible for damage caused.

efirstbank.com/premier

THE SOPRIS SUN • Your weekly community connector • July 20, 2023 - July 26, 2023 • 5
The interest rates and Annual Percentage Yield (APY) are effective as of 05/10/2023. Fees can reduce earnings on the account. $10,000 minimum balance required. A penalty will be imposed for early withdrawal. Earn 5.39% Annual Percentage Yield with FirstBank’s 182-Day Premier Time Deposit Account. To learn more or open an account, visit efirstbank.com, call 800.964.3444, or visit any of our convenient locations.
Member FDIC banking for good

“Sharpen your pencils,” advised Garfield County Commission Chair John Martin after another county budget “kick-off” presentation at Monday’s meeting. County staff are wading into the annual budget process this summer. With two kick-offs under their belts and one more scheduled for August, they seem a little nervous about creating a balanced budget for 2024. And, perhaps with good reason.

Property taxes are at an all-time high this year with 100 additional appeals (as of Monday) to be heard through Thursday of this week. County resident Craig Amichaux spoke to the commissioners (BOCC) for the second time in a month about his property taxes, which he said came to $79,000 this year. “I don’t go to work every day just to pay $79,000 in property taxes,” he exclaimed, again demanding that the BOCC do something about the county mill levy. Commissioner Tom Jankovsky said the county plans on putting together a no-growth budget and will reduce the mill levy accordingly.

Property taxes make up half the county’s revenue and are estimated to bring in $56 million for use in 2024, according to projected revenues presented Monday, up from about $40 million last year. But, that figure could shift once appeals hearings are finished and the outcome of Proposition HH, a controversial ballot measure about property taxes and TABOR refunds, is decided by voters in November.

The budget, said County Manager Fred Jarman, is an action plan for 2024. Challenges include a

significant reduction in property tax revenues due to the decline in oil and gas production, increased costs due to inflation, and salary increases and equity adjustments to attract and retain workers. Projected severance tax revenue is also down by $100,000 for next year.

The projected fund balance is what concerns the BOCC. For 2024, the fund balance is estimated at about $84 million. But, steep declines are expected for 2025 to $65.3 million and $45 million for 2026. Jamaica Watts, county finance director, told the Board that the forecast shows operating discretionary and capital spending consistent with this year plus a projected 6% insurance increase and 5% merit pay raises through 2026. She said that capital expenses could remain around $10 to $14 million through 2026.

Commissioner Mike Samson said he feels good about 2023 and 2024. “As I look past that, I get real nervous,” he said. “We’ll have to ask for a miracle of revenue coming in. I think I'm going to have to go back to Washington, D.C. and bring back some more oil shale trust fund money or something to help us out.” County staff will present the proposed budget in October. Based on the outcome of Prop. HH, the budget is expected to be finalized Dec. 4.

In other news, the BOCC adopted a new noxious weed ordinance to enforce weed management in unincorporated Garfield County. The ordinance was introduced by county vegetation management staff and discussed at a BOCC meeting in late June. Basically, Steve Anthony, vegetation manager, said in June that his office has been fielding complaints about noxious weeds. Brett Jolley, president of the South Side Conservation District, told the BOCC at the same meeting that it’s time to get weeds under control. Noxious weeds spread quickly and crowd out native plants. So, beginning next month, anyone who has received a complaint about the presence of noxious weeds on their property has ten days to respond. A process ensues, which may include fines of $100 per day (up to $1,000) for the first violation, if the complaint is ignored, and double that for the second.

Colorado has three categories of noxious weeds. The 18 culprits on the “A” list, include three knapweed plants, including the prolific Russian knapweed which is poison to horses, myrtle spurge, star thistle and purple loosestrife. They must be eradicated on sight. Thirty-four “B” list plants include absinth wormwood, five thistles, chamomile, Russian olive and salt cedar. (Durango’s Mountain Studies Institute states that a Russian olive tree can guzzle up to 75 gallons of water per day.) The state has management plans in place for the “B” list. Thirteen plants make up the “C” list, including chicory, common mullein, St. John’s wort, halogeton, burdock and bindweed.

“The top three (in Garfield County) would be Scotch thistle, Russian knapweed and hoary cress (aka whitetop),” said Anthony in an email to The Sopris Sun. He added that myrtle spurge is spreading. “We are seeing that plant escape from landscape situations in residential areas,” he explained. “It is now becoming a problem in native ecosystems throughout the county, particularly in and around the hillsides north of Glenwood Springs.”

More about Colorado’s weed lists, the new weed ordinance and cost-share mitigation programs is at www.garfield-county.com/vegetation-management

6 • THE SOPRIS SUN • soprissun.com • July 20, 2023 - July 26, 2023
GARCO REPORT Budget Kick-Off #2 and a new weed ordinance
the Myrtles are here!"
"Honey,
El Jebel, Colorado 970-963-1700 RJPaddywacks.com I'm waitingjustuntil you say the magic word… Treats! follow us on: Hazy Oak Interiors hazyoak 58 0 main s t r eet , c arbondal e, c o (c orn e r of main & w eant blvd ) t uesday - friday 10 - 5 saturday 10-4 970 - 96 3-5 99 1 hazy@hazyoak.net unique furniture, lighting, home decor & gifts Professionally Representing You with 16 Years of Experience Your Mid-Valley Real Estate Expert Call me, I love to talk real estate! 970.319.5757 • hilary@hilaryporterfield.com • roaringfork-homes.com HILARY PORTERFIELD ©2023 Engel & Völkers. All rights reserved. Each brokerage is independently owned and operated.

CRYSTAL CAUCUS

Wild and Scenic and Redstone Castle monopolize meeting

Residents, officials and board members gathered at the Church at Redstone for the bimonthly Crystal River Caucus meeting.

Among those in attendance was Kayo Ogilby, a member of the Crystal Wild and Scenic Coalition and “one of hundreds of local citizens who support the efforts of a large group of organizations working to secure one common goal: a free flowing future for the Crystal River,” he said.

Ogilby emphasized that the Crystal River is threatened “today more than ever.”

“Colorado currently has 24 transmountain diversions, sending 560,000 acre-feet per year from the Western Slope to the Front Range,” he continued. “Our state also has an obligation to send 3,750,000 acre-feet, or 1.2 trillion gallons per year, downstream to the Lower Basin states — allocations we are clearly struggling to meet.”

Today, 40 million people depend on the Colorado River’s water supply. “Some estimates predict that it will one day be asked to support twice that population,” Ogiliby added.

He noted that Colorado’s population is projected to nearly double by 2050, increasing dependence, particularly on the Front Range. “Where will this

water be sought? Where the water is: Colorado’s Western Slope.”

Ogilby gave a brief historical overview of efforts in the past to dam the Crystal.

“The Crystal River remains one of the very few large streams in our state that still has neither a dam nor a transmountain/trans-basin diversion. It’s long been a target.”

In 1956, the Colorado River Storage Protection Act was passed. “On the Crystal River, the legislation prioritized planning for a major dam and transbasin diversion project, the specter of which would haunt the Crystal for the next 55 years.” By 1957, there were proposals on the table for the Placita and Osgood dams. In 1982, the plans were put on hold for financial reasons.

“In 2011, project owners shocked the Crystal River with new maps showing Osgood and Placita reservoirs as real possibilities once again,” Ogiliby lamented. “Fortunately, an organized community opposition paired with unfavorable economics won the day.”

In 2013, the developers and the opposition reached an agreement. The developers kept their water rights, but gave up a lot of their project rights.

“The last line of their [the developers] press release [at the time] stated, ‘The settlement preserves the opportunity for the developers to file new junior water rights, both storage and direct-flow rights, in the future,’” read Ogiliby.

“There’s only one way to permanently prevent the possibility of a federally decreed dam on a river, and that’s a preceding federal act to protect it,” he stated.

The Crystal River was determined eligible for Wild and Scenic. Currently, the coalition is undergoing the second step: determining whether or not designation is “suitable” for the river and its community. The third step would be a congressional decree.

The Wild and Scenic Feasibility Collaborative is currently playing out the suitability process.

Ogiliby said that people can visit www.pitkincountyrivers.com/ crystalwild for more information.

Redstone Castle

Stephane De Baets, who purchased the Redstone Castle in March 2022, appeared at the caucus along with Glen Horn, a veteran planner in the Valley.

Horn represented the previous owner in an effort to change the castle’s zoning designation to “village lodge preservation,” as recommended by the 1990 Redstone Master Plan. That designation was finally achieved in 2018.

“The process that we’re in is to amend that master plan, to change the concept for the use of the property from what it was approved for in 2018,” explained Horn.

The concept is to turn the castle into a

continues on page 18

I Support the SOPRIS SUN!

I am a proud Sunscriber because I believe in local community driven journalism. Local journalism gives a voice to the people and protects our right to know what's going on in our communities, our country and our world. The Sopris Sun builds community, captures history, shares stories about our people, cultures, arts, schools and businesses and where we can all have a voice. Independent local journalism helps us fight for the things that matter in our communities. It informs us about important issues and helps us find common ground. The Sopris Sun enlightens us, delights us, inspires us and unites us. You can be a Sunscriber too, it feels warm and fuzzy, I promise!

-Aly Sanguily

TAX-DEDUCTIBLE DONATIONS:

ONLINE: soprissun.com or coloradogives.org

MAIL A CHECK: P.O. Box 399, Carbondale CO 81623

2 DONATE ON

SPONSORSHIP: Sponsor an advertisement for your favorite nonprofit or struggling local business.

Contact: Todd Chamberlin 970-510-0246 adsales@soprissun.com

THE SOPRIS SUN • Your weekly community connector • July 20, 2023 - July 26, 2023 • 7
Open Monday–Saturday at the Pitkin County Landfill www.TheMotherlodeMercantile.com
TO REUSE
A SMART WAY
1
The Crystal Causus hosted an ice cream social ahead of the meeting. Jessie Young of Pitkin County Open Space and Trails (OST) (left) tells Crystal Valley resident Susan McCoy about OST’s Management Plan for the Redstone Stables. Photo by James Steindler

BUSINESS & COMPUTERS

Fundraising Fundamentals

Quickbooks Pro

ART

Sculpture

Monotype Printing

Drawing

Oil Painting

Watercolor Painting

Drawing with Soft Pastels

Mixed Water Media

Intuitive Painting

Open Painting Studio

Paint the RF Valley in Watercolor

Perspective Drawing I & II

Sketchbook Workshop

Cell Phone Photography

Botanical Printing Workshop

Felted Bag Workshop

Sewing

Hand Woven Baskets

WINE TASTING

Burgundy

Champagne

Northern Rhone

Rioja and Ribera del Duero

HUMANITIES

Fiction Writing Workshop

Memoir Writing Workshop

Film Studies

Apocalypse 101 Surviving a Long Emergency

Fire Cider and Tinctures

Local Berry and Acorn Walk

Seed Saving

Vegetable Gardening 101

FITNESS AND DANCE

Swing Dance

Adult Ballet

Qigong

Pilates Matwork

Intro to Reformer Pilates Blend

Toddler and Me Yogalates

u Fall classes start as early as 8/21 and registration is open now. Watch for the printed class schedules from Aspen/Carbondale and Glenwood Springs Campuses in your mailbox.

THURSDAY, JULY 20

SENSORY�SAFE SHREK

Did you know that July is Disability Pride Month? Catch a sensory-safe performance of “Shrek the Musical Jr.” at the Hurst Theatre in Aspen at 11am, organized in part by Cook Inclusive, with ASL interpretation and closed captioning services. Visit www.theatreaspen.org for tickets.

BOOK CLUB

Carbondale Library hosts Third Thursday Book Club, discussing “The Last Mona Lisa” by Jonathan Santlofer, at 2pm.

LIBRARY MUSIC

Aspen Music Festival and School students perform a chamber music concert at Basalt Library at 5:15pm today, and again on July 27 at 5:15pm.

BREAD BAKE

The Carbondale Community Bread Oven crew gathers for a picnic behind the Third Street Center at 5:30pm.

RODEO

The Carbondale Wild West Rodeo kicks off at 5:30pm every Thursday through Aug. 17 at the Gus Darien Riding Arena (County Road 100). Tickets can be purchased in advance at the Roaring Fork Valley Coop. A free shuttle runs from 6 to 10pm between the rodeo and The Orchard (110 Snowmass Drive). Limited onsite parking is now $10 per vehicle.

EMERALD ASH BORER

Carbondale’s Tree Board hosts a public meeting, from 6 to 8pm at Town Hall, focused on combating the emerald ash borer infestation.

NEW MOON CEREMONY

Sheridan Semple presents “New Moon Ceremony and Sacred Aromatherapy” at True Nature at 6pm. Visit www.truenaturehealingarts. com for more info and to register.

‘DOUBT’

Theatre Aspen’s “Doubt” continues tonight and tomorrow at 7:30pm, with a 4pm performance on July 22; 7:30pm performances on July 24-28; 8pm performances on July 22 and 29; and a 2pm performance on July 27. Visit www.theatreaspen. org for tickets and more info.

FRIDAY, JULY 21

HISTORY FOR KIDS

Nina Gabianelli, with the Aspen Historical Society, spins stories of local lore for children’s ears at the Basalt Library at 10:30am.

LEADING LADY

Beyul Retreat (26604 Frying Pan Road) hosts a three-day retreat for women “to help you claim and create your next level of love and livelihood” beginning today at 2pm. Details at www.beyulretreat.com

ACES LECTURE

The Aspen Center for Environmental Studies presents “The William A. Nitze Community Lecture with Elizabeth Kolbert,” a Pulitzer Prize winner and prolific climate communicator, at 5pm. Visit www.aspennature. org for more info and to register.

DATE NIGHT

Basalt Library welcomes couples to enjoy dinner and a concert from 5:30 to 8pm, with music by The Foreign Landers. The event is free, for details visit www.basaltlibrary.org

MAGIC WITH MELLIE

Artist Mellie Test leads a workshop in True Nature’s Kiva from 6 to 8pm, using movement and intuition to initiate personal change. Tickets at www.truenaturehealingarts.com

WINE AND DINE

The Chris Klug Foundation raises funds and awareness with a dinner at the Snowmass Club from 6 to 10pm. For tickets, visit www. chrisklugfoundation.org

CRYSTAL THEATRE

“Barbie” opens at 7:30pm and continues every evening at that time through July 27, with the exception of Sunday’s 5pm matinee.

ANDREW DUHON

Andrew Duhon performs at TACAW at 8pm. Visit www.tacaw.org for tickets.

SATURDAY, JULY 22

BREATHWORK

Nick Nicholson and Lisa Wilson lead three neo-shamanic breathwork workshops at the Third Street Center, 9am to 3pm (today, Aug. 5 and Sept. 9), coinciding with an astrological phenomenon known as the Lion’s Gate Portal. People can opt into one class if desired. Visit www.bit.ly/ TCFHFbreathwork for more info.

FIFTH WORLD

“Fifth World Medicine” author, Dr. John Hughes, joins Ben Germann for a full-day workshop at True Nature including discussions, journaling and movement. Tickets at www. truenaturehealingarts.com

FREE YOGA

True Nature welcomes the community to the Peace Garden for free, outdoor yoga from 10:30 to 11:20am on Saturdays through Aug. 26 (excluding Aug. 19). A variety of teachers will offer different types of yoga for all ages and bodies — but bring your own mat and props.

GARFIELD COUNTY FAIR

The 85th annual Garfield County Fair & Rodeo in Rifle begins with a parade down Railroad Avenue at 11am. Events continue all week, with a July 28 concert by Chris Janson and Chase Wright at 7pm and a July 28-29 carnival from noon to midnight. Tickets and more info at www.garfieldcountyfair.com

LATIN DANCE

Mezclas Socials Dance teaches adults the nuances and joys of partner dance to the rhythms of salsa, bachata, merengue and more at the Basalt Library at 2pm.

LATINO CONSERVATION WEEK

Celebrate Latino Conservation Week with outdoor family activities and more at Two Rivers Park in Glenwood Springs at 4pm.

MUSIC RECITAL

Jennifer Gary (flute) and Karen Tafejian (piano) perform a free concert at the Carbondale Community Methodist Church at 6pm.

HWY 82 BAND

Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park hosts Music on the Mountain with HWY 82 performing “old songs, favorite songs, new songs” from 6 to 9pm.

STEVE’S GUITARS

Sarah Slaton and Sarah Joelle perform at Steve’s Guitars at 8pm. For tickets, visit www.stevesguitars.net

CONSENSUAL IMPROV

Consensual Improv performs at TACAW at 8pm. See www.tacaw.org for tickets.

MOVIES IN THE MEADOW

Movies in the Meadow returns to the Basalt Library, beginning with “Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey” tonight after sunset (8:30pm).

SUNDAY, JULY 23

COLLECTIVE VOICES

Local storytellers, curated and trained by Alya Howe, share their souls at The Collective in Snowmass at 6pm.

8 • THE SOPRIS SUN • soprissun.com • July 20, 2023 - July 26, 2023 COMMUNITY CALENDAR Visit soprissun.com to submit events
FOR MORE INFO AND TO REGISTER... coloradomtn.edu/community-education Carbondale Lappala Center • 690 Colorado Ave • 963-2172
REGISTER NOW! CARBONDALE

MONDAY, JULY 24

SCHOLASTIC BOOK FAIR

The Basalt Library will host a Scholastic Book Fair in the Treehouse where kids can spend their Book Bucks (earned by keeping a summer reading log) or pay with cash/card. The book sale will be open today through July 31 during business hours.

KIDS COMEDY

Consensual Improv leads a comedy workshop for ages 11-14 from 4 to 6pm. Tickets at www.tacaw.org

EVENING POETICS

Writers, poets and curious minds are invited to “an evening of poetics” at the New Castle Library at 6pm. To share work, please sign up at the front desk.

TUESDAY,

HIP HOP

JULY 25

Mr. Kneel teaches hip hop history for kids and how to beatbox and rhyme at the Carbondale Library at 11am and Glenwood Springs Library at 2pm. He’ll perform at the Basalt Library on July 28 at 2pm.

CAMP OMEGA

Beyul Retreat hosts its “Camp Omega Flow Genome Project: Future Proof Your Life,” a week-long intensive intended to level up every aspect of one’s neuropsychology and performance, today at 3pm through July 30 at 10:30am. Visit www. beyulretreat.com for more info.

BUDDY PROGRAM

Celebrate the Buddy Program’s 50th anniversary with a lawn party at the Red Brick Center for the Arts in Aspen from 3:30pm to 5:30pm.

WEDNESDAY, JULY 26

HIGHWATER LUNCH

Highwater Farm’s Youth Crew (along with Farmer and Chef Catering) prepares a lunch, with produce they planted and harvested, to be served at 11am. Visit www. hightwaterfarm.org for more info.

DISABILITY PRIDE

Cook Inclusive hosts a Disability Pride Rally and Celebration, marking the 33rd anniversary of the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act, at the Bluebird Cafe in Glenwood Springs at 4:30pm. All are welcome.

GLENWOOD REGGAE

Glenwood Springs welcomes Niceness to Two Rivers Park for a free concert, with The Know Bodies Band opening at 6:30pm.

BASALT MUSIC

Collidoscope opens for The Mañanas performing at Basalt’s new River Park bandshell at 6:30pm.

THURSDAY, JULY 27

EAGLE COMMISSIONERS

Eagle County Commissioner Kathy Chandler-Henry will be at the Basalt Library for this month’s office hours, from 11am to 1pm.

REDSTONE HISTORY

A walking tour will depart from the Redstone Inn at 11am every Thursday and Sunday. Tickets can be purchased in advance at the inn.

MARBLE MUSEUM

The Marble Museum is open Thursdays through Sundays, 11am to 3pm. The museum is housed in the historic Marble schoolhouse, located at 412 Main Street.

FREE NARCAN�TEST STRIPS

High Rockies Harm Reduction distributes Narcan, fentanyl test strips and more (no questions asked) at The Meeting Place, 981 Cowen Drive in Carbondale, from 4 to 6pm.

EAGLES TRIBUTE

The Boys of Summer, an Eagles tribute band, performs at the Glenwood Vaudeville Revue at 6pm. Tickets are sold-out, but there is a waitlist. Details at www.gvrshow.com

FRIDAY, JULY 28

MOUNTAIN FAIR

Carbondale’s annual, three-day festival begins with the drum circle at 4pm followed by The Confluents performing at 5:15pm and Moon Hooch at 7:45pm. The fun continues all weekend, and volunteers are still being sought, learn more at www. carbondalearts.com/mountain-fair

MOON HOOCH

Following their performance at Mountain Fair, Moon Hooch will rock out at Steve’s Guitars. The show is sold-out, but dancing in the streets is likely, along with music at other Carbondale venues like Beer Works and The Black Nugget.

Summer Concert Series

THE SOPRIS SUN • Your weekly community connector • July 20, 2023 - July 26, 2023 • 9
THANKS TO OUR GENEROUS SPONSORS: CONCESSION SALES WILL SUPPORT SMILING GOAT RANCH Travel sustainably! Walk • Bike • WE-cycle • Basalt Connect • RFTA JULY 26 Alternative/Indie THE MAÑANAS
Parking information & concert details at basalt.net/concerts Basalt River Park Downtown Basalt FREE CONCERT Wednesdays Music Starts @ 5:30 PM HEADLINER @ 7 PM
Artists are preparing for the second-annual Snowmass Plein Air Festival beginning July 31. This year, 20 landscape painters and one emerging youth artist will paint for five days. Then, their work will be shown and sold at Snowmass Base Village, Aug. 5-6. Festival judge, Susie Ayer (left), is pictured above with artist, Jody Kauflin and one of her paintings. Courtesy photo
Collidoscope
BASALT The Town of Basalt presents

¡Celebremos al aire Libre!

Semana de la Conservación Latina 2023

Sábado 22 de julio

Two Rivers Park, Glenwood Springs

4 - 8 p.m.

Actividades a medio día (11:30-4:00) en tierras y aguas públicas, seguidas de la celebración por la tarde en el parque. Evento gratuito y abierto al público, hay que registrarse para algunas actividades.

Música y entretenimiento en vivo por:

• Diamante Tropical

• Grupo Andariego

• Ballet folclórico Aspen Santa Fe

• Las Reinas del SalSon y Cumbre Flow Bachata

¡Actividades para toda la familia, juegos, comida y muchos premios!

¡Celebremos al aire libre! es un evento comunitario bilingüe enfocado en las familias que conectará a nuestra comunidad latina de los valles del Roaring Fork y Colorado River con las aguas y tierras públicas y su protección. Venga con nosotros el sábado para hacer rafting, caminatas y otras actividades (más detalles en línea) y luego para celebrar nuestras tierras públicas por la tarde en el parque.

#MejorAfuera

Patrocinadores del evento:

Traido a ustedes por:

Por favor regístrese y encuentre más información en wildernessworkshop. org o escanee el código QR a continuación

10 • THE SOPRIS SUN • soprissun.com • July 20, 2023 - July 26, 2023
Artwork by Vanessa Porras

Sol del Valle

Conectando

Estudiantes de HS2 cambiaron sus planes para el 4 de julio

Las secuelas Oppenheim no estaba allí, pero tuvo que lidiar con las secuelas de estos preocupantes incidentes cuando los estudiantes regresaron al campus del CRMS.

"Este es mi octavo año con el programa, y jamás hubo un día en el que yo haya estado con el programa que haya sido más perjudicial para los estudiantes a nivel colectivo que ese día", dijo Oppenheim.

Méndez dijo que la experiencia tuvo un impacto duradero, y se cuestionó si volver o no a HS2 y al valle de Roaring Fork este verano.

"¿Cómo voy a volver a un lugar donde se suponía que era mi espacio seguro, pero fue la primera vez que experimenté el racismo directamente?". dijo Méndez.

Méndez decidió volver, citando las promesas de Oppenheim y Henderson de mantener a los estudiantes seguros, y parte de esa promesa implicaba permitir a los estudiantes decidir qué hacer para el Cuatro de Julio este verano.

Oppenheim envió una encuesta, y la mayoría de los estudiantes dijeron que querían permanecer en el campus y celebrar juntos.

Zamaris Infante, estudiante de HS2, dijo que no se trata de aislarse sino de valorar las relaciones entre ellos.

"Todos nos estamos divirtiendo", dijo Infante. "Estamos todos en diferentes equipos y haciendo diferentes actividades y aprendiendo a crear nuestra propia comunidad".

El Sopris Sun publicó un artículo sobre los incidentes de Redstone el año pasado y entrevistó a Oppenheim para el reportaje.

Los alumnos de HS2 se reúnen en un terreno del campus de la Escuela Colorado Rocky Mountain el 4 de julio de 2023, después de participar en juegos de campo. Los alumnos decidieron quedarse en el campus de la escuela para la festividad de este año después de sufrir racismo en el desfile del 4 de julio de la ciudad de Redstone en 2022. Foto cortesía de Nick Favaloro

Alumnos del programa High School High Scholar (HS2) decidieron quedarse este mes en la Colorado Rocky Mountain School (CRMS) para celebrar el 4 de julio tras sufrir prejuicios raciales durante el desfile de diciembre de 2022 en el pueblo no incorporado de Redstone.

HS2, una escuela que funciona en Carbondale desde 2007, trae cada verano a Carbondale a más de 70 estudiantes de color de alto rendimiento procedentes de Texas, Nueva York, Luisiana y otras partes de Colorado.

Participan en clases académicas y optativas y disfrutan de actividades al aire libre en la zona oeste, como los desfiles del 4 de julio.

Leonard Henderson es administrador de HS2, supervisó la visita a Redstone el año pasado y dijo que los estudiantes se preocuparon cuando perdieron el servicio de telefonía móvil en la carretera 133.

"Y creo que ingenuamente dije: 'Eso es bueno para ustedes", dijo Henderson.

Los estudiantes le dijeron a él y a otros miembros del personal que se sentían nerviosos debido a esa desconexión, y Henderson dijo que cuando llegaron a la ciudad y empezaron a explorar, los estudiantes informaron de múltiples incidentes en los que se sintieron atacados por el color de su piel.

Macielle Méndez, de 17 años, es estudiante de HS2 en su tercer y último año en el programa y dijo que sintió que la gente la miraba desde el momento en que bajaron del autobús.

"En el puesto de hamburguesas, cuando nos formamos en la cola, vimos a gente que se salía de la cola", dijo Méndez. "También tuvimos un caso en el que una mamá y sus hijos estaban pintando, y nos acercamos a la estación para venir a pintar, y ella sacó a su hijo, dejó la pintura y todo abierto, simplemente se lo llevó. Fue algo desgarrador".

Otros estudiantes describieron experiencias en las que el personal de varias tiendas de Redstone les seguía o la gente del desfile les apuntaban con pistolas de agua.

El personal del programa también relató historias en las que llamaron a un estudiante con la palabra N, o en las que un establecimiento les dijo que tenían derecho a negarse a servirles.

Tras conocer estos incidentes por boca de sus alumnos, Henderson acortó el viaje.

"Todavía tenía, en mi opinión, tiempo para hacer esa llamada", dijo Henderson. "En 20 minutos, había consolado al menos a nueve o diez de nuestros alumnos que estaban absolutamente angustiados o enfadados, historia tras historia tanto de microagresiones sutiles como de racismo bastante explícito".

El artículo suscitó una serie de respuestas escritas en defensa de la ciudad de Redstone frente a las acusaciones de racismo, algunas de las cuales culpaban a los visitantes y no a los residentes.

Las fiestas de la ciudad atrajeron a miles de personas de distintas partes del oeste de Colorado.

Oppenheim dijo que no quiere culpabilizar o señalar con el dedo a la ciudad de Redstone, pero animó a todo el valle Roaring Fork a utilizar las historias de sus estudiantes como una oportunidad para reflexionar.

"No se trata de culpar a una persona u otra", dijo Oppenheim. "Creo que, como comunidad, es una cuestión de '¿Cómo nos mostramos e hicimos que estos estudiantes se sintieran bienvenidos?".

En septiembre de 2022, la Asociación Comunitaria de Redstone emitió una disculpa a los estudiantes y al personal de HS2 unos meses después de los incidentes del 4 de julio.

La carta decía: "Es verdaderamente desgarrador que esto haya sucedido en nuestra querida comunidad de Redstone, donde pensábamos que la inclusividad era profunda."

La organización también invitó al personal de HS2 a hablar sobre cómo pueden ser más "culturalmente sensibles."

De izquierda a derecha: Annie Oppenheim es la directora del programa HS2, Macielle Mendez y Zamaris Infante son estudiantes en su tercer año con el programa académico. Cortesía de HS2

Hacia adelante

Los incidentes animaron a Oppenheim, Henderson y otros miembros del personal a cuestionarse si el daño que experimentan los estudiantes en el valle de Roaring Fork supera o no los beneficios del programa.

"Y no creo que sea el caso, pero creo que es realmente importante dar un paso atrás y evaluar esa cuestión de forma integral", dijo Oppenheim.

Los sucesos de Redstone del año pasado no fueron incidentes aislados.

Los estudiantes han denunciado anteriormente haber recibido atenciones no deseadas a causa de su raza mientras visitaban otras partes del valle de Roaring Fork, y han contado al personal que desconocidos de la ciudad les tocaban el

Volumen 2, Número 21 | 20 de julio de 2023 - 26 de julio de 2023
el
comunidades desde 2021
continua en la pagina 13

Desde La Clínica

El Dr. Feinsinger es un médico de familia retirado con especial interés en la prevención y reversión de enfermedades a través de la nutrición. En sus consultas médicas les dice a sus pacientes que deben comer “el arcoíris" cuando se trata de frutas y verduras. Esto significa que las frutas y vegetales de colores más intensos tienen la mayor cantidad de antioxidantes y otros micronutrientes que promueven la salud.

En los champiñones no se aplica esta regla de color ya que no son coloridos, pero son nutritivos. El Dr. Joel Fuhrman, autor de varios libros, escribe en "Eat to Live", que "los hongos contienen una variedad de potentes fitoquímicos

¡Los champiñones son buenos para ti!

y se han relacionado con la disminución del riesgo de enfermedades crónicas, especialmente el cáncer".

Setas y ergotioneína

Las setas son la fuente más importante de ergotioneína, un potente antioxidante que protege las mitocondrias (las “plantas de energía” microscópicas dentro de las células) de los radicales libres. En su libro "Cómo no morir", el Dr. Michael Greger dice que "privar a las células humanas de este aminoácido conduce a un daño acelerado del ADN y a la muerte celular".

La ergotioneína se concentra en partes del cuerpo que experimentan mucho estrés oxidativo, como el hígado y el cristalino- capa del ojo-. También se concentra en tejidos como la médula ósea y el semen que son particularmente sensibles al estrés oxidativo

Cáncer

Los hongos ayudan a prevenir el cáncer por los siguientes mecanismos:

Las células cancerosas producen promotores de la angiogénesis -que se refiere a

la formación de nuevos vasos sanguíneos- que les permiten multiplicarse y hacer metástasis. Los compuestos de los hongos bloquean este proceso y provocan la muerte de las células cancerosas.

Algunas de las miles de millones de células de nuestro cuerpo siempre están mutando. Los hongos ayudan a optimizar la inmunidad, eliminando estas células mutantes antes de que puedan propagarse y causar cáncer.

El exceso de estrógeno contribuye al cáncer de mama y la aromatasa es una enzima involucrada en la producción de estrógeno. Los inhibidores de la aromatasa se usan en la quimioterapia para tratar el cáncer de mama, y los hongos contienen un inhibidor de la aromatasa natural.

Inflamación

La inflamación está implicada en muchas enfermedades, como el asma, la artritis reumatoide y las enfermedades cardíacas. Los hongos tienen propiedades antiinflamatorias. Además, el Dr. Fuhrman reconoce que los hongos son una de las pocas fuentes alimenticias de

vitamina D. Hay dos advertencias sobre el consumo de hongos:

1. Los hongos comestibles crudos tienen una leve toxina llamada agaritina, que afortunadamente se destruye al cocinarlos. Las colmenillas -su nombre debido a su particular sombrero con celdillastienen un nivel más alto de esta toxina e incluso cocidas pueden liberar esta toxina cuando se combinan con alcohol.

2. Algunos hongos comerciales se cultivan con fertilizante que contiene estiércol de pollo, que a menudo contiene arsénico. Sin embargo, la cantidad de arsénico que la gente obtiene al comer la cantidad de hongos no es suficiente para ser un problema.

El acrónimo G-BOMBS del Dr. Joel Fuhrman, donde "M '' significa hongos. Las verduras, frijoles, cebollas, champiñones, bayas, semillas/nueces representan los alimentos en los que debemos concentrarnos para lograr la "excelencia

nutricional".

En la cocina basada en plantas, los champiñones se utilizan a menudo como sustituto de la carne. Su textura carnosa absorbe fácilmente los sabores y deja una sensación en la boca de umami (uno de los cinco sabores básicos en el gusto que significa “esencia de la delicia” en japonés).

Laura Van Deusen, instructora autorizada de Food For Life a través del Comité de Médicos por una Medicina Responsable, que está enseñando clases de cocina en la clínica del pueblo, suguiere que podemos usar champiñones en lugar de carne: en tacos, chilis, hamburguesas y salsa para pasta y incluso los hongo exóticos se pueden utilizar para crear “cerdo desmenuzado”.

En pocas palabras, los champiñones son buenos para usted, así que cómalos varias veces a la semana, pero no coma grandes cantidades y evite los crudos. Para una consulta médica gratis donde te ayudaremos a prevenir y revertir enfermedades a través de la nutrición llama a Isabel Almeida al 970-948-1072.

efirstbank.com/premier

banking for good

Las tasas de interés y el porcentaje de rendimiento anual (APY) son efectivos a partir del 05/10/2023. Los cargos pueden reducir las ganancias en la cuenta. Se requiere un saldo mínimo de $10,000. Se impondrá una penalización por retiro anticipado.

12 • el Sol del Valle • soprissun.com/espanol/ • 20 de julio de 2023 - 26 de julio de 2023
OPINIÓN
Gane una tasa de porcentaje de rendimiento anual de 5.39% con la cuenta Premier Time Deposit Account de 182 días de FirstBank.
Para aprender más o abrir una cuenta, visite es.efirstbank.com, llame al 866.239.6000 o visite cualquiera de nuestras convenientes ubicaciones. Miembro FDIC

Fondo sueños

Colorado Mountain College (CMC) ha anunciado un nuevo programa para estudiantes indocumentados y aquellos inscritos en La Acción Diferida para los Llegados en la Infancia (DACA por sus siglas en inglés). El Fondo Sueños (Dreams Fund) proporciona orientación financiera y ayuda para pagar la universidad, incluyendo el acceso a becas de la Fundación CMC. Entérese más contactando a kelopez@coloradomtn.edu o llamando al 970-947-8349, visitando www.colorado. edu/suenos o sintonizando a “El Sol Habla” este jueves 20 de julio a las 4:30 p.m. en KDNK.

Vivienda asequible

La Autoridad de Vivienda del condado de Pitkin está aceptando aplicaciones para comprar unidades de viviendas recién estrenadas en Burlingame Ranch Phase III, ubicado a 3.5 millas del centro de Aspen. La última fase añadirá 74 unidades multifamiliares a 176 de las dos primeras fases. Antes de hacer ofertas, los requisitos deben ser verificados antes del 11 de agosto. Para más información, visite www. APCHA.org

Paso subterráneo

La autoridad de transporte de Roaring Fork (RFTA por sus siglas en inglés) ha completado la pavimentación de un desvío para la primera fase de un proyecto que moverá los carriles hacia el sur de la calle 27. Una vez completado, el proyecto moverá a los peatones y ciclistas a un túnel subterráneo, uno debajo de la carretera 82 y la otra debajo de la calle 27, para conectar al sendero Río Grande y la estación de autobuses RFTA de una manera segura. Para más detalles, visite www.27thstreetproject.com

Accidente OHV

Los servicios de emergencia a las afueras de Carbondale respondieron a un accidente automovilístico fuera de la carretera en el área de Daniel’s Hill en Gunnison County Road 3, justo al este de Beaver Lake a aproximadamente las 2:17 p.m. el miércoles 12 de julio. El conductor del vehículo fue declarado fallecido en la escena y otro pasajero fue transportado en helicóptero con heridas críticas. Los otros dos pasajeros fueron transportados al hospital en ambulancia. Se cree que una velocidad excesiva y es posible que también una falla mecánica fueran los factores del accidente.

Tragedia en el río

El 7 de julio, Cornelis Booysen, 55, de Juliet, Tennessee cayó de una balsa comercial, junto con al menos otro pasajero, en el Río Colorado entre Shoshone y Grizzly Creek. Él fue traído a la orilla del río, y el grupo de balsa, el cual consistía en su familia inmediata y otros transeúntes intentaron resucitar a Booysen antes de que los equipos de emergencia llegaran a la escena. El médico forense luego lo declaró muerto en la escena. Booysen estaba usando un dispositivo de flotación personal y un casco a la hora del incidente.

Ventas de tabaco

El comisionado del condado de Pitkin aprobó un programa de licencia de venta por menor de tabaco en todo el condado el 12 de julio para combatir el uso de tabaco y nicotina en los jóvenes. Por el momento, el condado implementó un incremento de precio y aumentó la edad mínima legal de venta a 21. Este nuevo programa establece la supervisión de cumplimiento para mayor responsabilidad de vendedores y reducción de la disparidad en la forma que se comercializan y venden los productos.

HS2 desde la pagina 11 pelo o los miraban fijamente por la calle.

Dado que los impactos de estas interacciones se acumulan con el tiempo, Oppenheim ofreció un consejo a los residentes.

"Si es residente de Carbondale o Aspen y ve a un grupo de 10 adolescentes negras con pelo, trenzas y ropa increíbles y preciosas caminando por la calle, deje de mirarlas", dijo Oppenheim. "Trátelas como a seres humanos. No las trate como si fueran una especie de exposición de museo o un espectáculo".

Dados los informes anteriores, Oppenheim se ha planteado qué medidas de seguridad debe instituir para proteger a sus alumnos de las interacciones racistas, y cómo puede enviar a los estudiantes a la comunidad con confianza.

El HS2 mantuvo sus celebraciones del 4 de julio en el CRMS, pero el programa sigue interactuando con la comunidad de otras maneras.

Oppenheim animó a las organizaciones que quieran conocer a los estudiantes a que se pongan en contacto para posibles asociaciones, y a los estudiantes se les dio la opción de visitar Carbondale el primer viernes el 7 de julio.

Pero Macielle Méndez dijo que ahora aborda estas excursiones con un sentido extra de precaución.

"Aprendí que no todo el mundo va a aceptar", dijo Méndez. "Hay grupos y multitudes y mucha gente a la que no le caigo bien por mi color, y eso es lo que realmente me afectó".

Competencial de mural

Los artistas de todas las edades pueden inscribirse para competir en el concurso de mural de la Comisión de Arte Público de Basalt. Los artistas pueden trabajar como equipo o individualmente y se les dará una pieza de contrachapado de 4’x8’ para crear un mural que represente “comunidad”. Los artistas ganadores tendrán la oportunidad de recrear su diseño como una instalación permanente en un edificio del centro. Los ganadores jóvenes tendrán su mural presentado cerca de la piscina. La fecha límite para inscribirse es el 28 de julio, y los artistas pueden trabajar en sus murales entre el 1 y el 10 de agosto. Visite www.basalt.net/bpac para más información.

Llamando a todos los artistas

Grand Canyon Conservancy está llamando a todos los artistas que aspiran a contribuir en el legado cultural y estético de Grand Canyon para inscribirse a una residencia en South Rim en 2024. Los artistas seleccionados recibirán hasta ocho semanas de alojamiento privado y espacio de trabajo, además de una paga para cubrir el transporte, la comida y útiles. La residente de Carbodnale Leah Aegerter recibió la residencia en el 2022. Las inscripciones deben ser entregadas el 31 de julio en www.grandcanyon.org/our-work/artist-in-residence

el Sol del Valle • Conector de comunidad • 20 de julio de 2023 - 26 de julio de 2023 • 13
Traducción por Jacquelinne Castro
"Sincronías" parte 32, por Leonardo Occhipinti
CHISME DEL PUEBLO
Alumnos del HS2 enlazan los brazos durante un juego de capturar la bandera en la Colorado Rocky Mountain School durante sus festividades del 4 de julio. Foto por Halle Zander

Encuestas sobre el transporte en C'dale buscan opiniones

Actualmente, dos encuestas buscan la opinión del público sobre seguridad para peatones, ciclistas y conductores en Carbondale.

Niki Delson, un miembro del comité directivo de Age-Friendly Carbondale, anteriormente conocido como CAFCI, habló con The Sopris Sun sobre una encuesta que están llevando a cabo para recopilar información sobre accidentes o casi accidentes a lo largo del Highway 133. La encuesta está disponible en línea y en papel tanto en inglés como en español.

El Departamento de Transporte de Colorado (CDOT por sus siglas en inglés) tiene jurisdicción sobre el Highway 133, pero sólo registra datos sobre accidentes, no lo hace en casi accidentes. Hasta hoy, el CDOT ha informado de 37 peatones muertos en accidentes de tráfico en el estado, en lo que va del año.

En los últimos años, a medida que han aumentado los desarrollos a lo largo del corredor 133, también lo ha hecho el tráfico de vehículos. Lo que hace unos años se consideraban zonas de paso seguras para peatones y ciclistas, ahora son menos confiables. La cuestión que se plantea hoy en día es cómo hacer que conductores, ciclistas y peatones se trasladen a su destino de la forma más segura posible. Delson explicó que desde la formación de CAFCI en 2019, "siempre nos ha interesado la movilidad y poder desplazarnos por la ciudad sin auto, ya que la ciudad completa es de 2 millas cuadradas".

En 2022, Delson, como miembro de la Comisión de Bicicletas, Peatones y Senderos de Carbondale (BPTC por sus siglas en inglés), y Susan Zislis, como miembro del comité directivo de CAFCI, solicitaron y obtuvieron becas de seis meses para el America Walk’s Walking College, cuya misión es ayudar a los activistas de la comunidad a desarrollar planes de acción para hacer que sus lugares sean más amigables con los peatones.

"Mientras realizábamos el entrenamiento, Sue y yo pensamos que lo que está ocurriendo en Estados Unidos es un gran movimiento que se aleja del diseño suburbano para construir edificaciones más compactas", dijo Delson, "donde la gente pueda caminar y pasear en bicicleta, haciéndolo más respetuoso con el medio ambiente".

Lo que resultó evidente para Delson y Zislis fue la necesidad de recopilar datos de la experiencia del público. El CAFCI recurrió entonces a la pericia de Matt Farrar, un experimentado planificador municipal, para crear y completar una encuesta. Delson dijo que Farrar hizo el trabajo gratuitamente, y "no podríamos haber hecho esta

Emerald Ash Borer

Informational and planning meeting at the Town Hall

Thursday July 20, 2023 at 6pm.

The Carbondale Tree Board is hosting an informational and planning meeting concerning the Emerald Ash Borer at Carbondale Town Hall on Thursday July 20, 2023 at 6pm. Members of various boards and comissions will be present.

Presenters for the agenda will include: CSU Extension

Entomologist - Melissa Schreiner, Town ArboristCarl Meinecke, and other tree professionals from the Roaring Fork Valley.

Topics will include: Current spread, History and biology, Treatment options, Current actions, and Other communities response.

Questions and comments from the public are welcome after the presentation. Recommendations for plans to lessen the impact of this insect in Carbondale will be presented to the Board of Trustees at a September BOT meeting. For more information contact Carl Meinecke at cmeinecke@carbondaleco.net

de atención y recolectaron datos en un mapa y un póster. Las recomendaciones, basadas en estos datos, se compartirán con los consultores del Plan Maestro para presentarlas al consejo administrativo de la ciudad.

Según Delson, "todo se reduce a que la gente no se siente segura en los pasos peatonales. Los más preocupados son los padres de jóvenes. Si nos fijamos en Lewies Lane, frente a Weant Boulevard, donde está el colegio Montessori, no hay paso peatonal. Para cruzar, los chicos tienen que ir al cruce junto a Wells Fargo o al semáforo de Snowmass Drive. Y otros, que van a Bridges High School o al Third Street Center, simplemente van a intentar esquivar el tráfico".

Muchos de los 12 miembros del comité directivo de Age-Friendly Carbondale están colaborando en la encuesta, y parte de los fondos para imprimir copias proceden de Rebekah Lodge. Uno de los vecinos de Delson ayudó a traducir la encuesta al español.

Una segunda encuesta, perteneciente al Departamento de obras públicas de la ciudad de Carbondale, se llama MAP Carbondale. "MAP" son las siglas de Mobility and Access Plan (Plan de Movilidad y Acceso) y, según la página Carbondale Connect, es "el comienzo de un proyecto para estudiar los retos del transporte, identificar los problemas de movilidad y desarrollar recomendaciones para que Carbondale sea cómoda y accesible por cualquier medio".

La campaña arrancó en el Primer viernes de Julio, también con un módulo. Kevin Schorzman, Director de obras públicas de Carbondale, dijo que la encuesta en línea incluye un mapa donde se puede colocar un pin digital para marcar cualquier intersección que percibas como insegura.

"También alentamos a la gente a señalar los lugares donde estamos haciendo las cosas correctamente", añadió.

Schorzman compartió que el presidente de BPTC Matt Gworek y su compañero Rick Blauvelt "han sido muy activos en hacer pasar la voz sobre la encuesta". Seguirán teniendo puestos en el mercado del pueblo de los miércoles en Carbondale. Tras la finalización de ambas encuestas, los datos serán analizados y encontraran una vía hacia a las comisiones apropiadas de la ciudad, que, a su vez, ofrecen recomendaciones a la junta administrativa de la ciudad.

La encuesta sobre el Highway 133 puede completarse hasta el 4 de agosto en: www.agefriendlycarbondale.org

Copias en papel están disponibles en las entradas de la biblioteca de Carbondale y el Third Street Center, o por correo electrónico en cafci@agefriendlycarbondale.org

La encuesta MAP Carbondale puede accesarse en: www.carbondaleconnect.org/ map-carbondale

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

14 • THE SOPRIS SUN • soprissun.com • July 20, 2023 - July 26, 2023
INDEPENDENCIA • COMUNIDAD • COMPASIÓN • INTEGRIDAD • LEALTAD ES.ALPINEBANK.COM • MEMBER FDIC ¡Solicita tu tarjeta hoy mismo!
*Las tarjetas de débito de Alpine Bank están disponibles sin cuota anual para personas con una cuenta de cheques de Alpine Bank.
COLORADO STATE FOREST SERVICE

C’dale transportation surveys seeking input

the Carbondale Bike, Pedestrian and Trails Commission (BPTC), and Susan Zislis, as a CAFCI steering committee member, applied for and were awarded six-month fellowships to America Walks’ Walking College whose mission is to assist community advocates in developing action plans to make their places more pedestrian-friendly.

“As we're going through the training, Sue and I are thinking that what is going on in the United States is a big movement away from suburban design into one of building things more closely compacted,” Delson said, “where people could walk and ride bikes, making it more environmentally friendly.”

Drive. And others, going to Bridges High School or the Third Street Center, they’re just going to try to dodge traffic.”

Many of the 12-person Age-Friendly Carbondale steering committee members are assisting with the survey, and part of the funding to print copies came from the Rebekah Lodge. One of Delson’s neighbors helped translate the survey into Spanish.

Currently, two surveys are seeking the public’s input about pedestrian, biker and driver safety within Carbondale.

Niki Delson, a steering committee member for Age-Friendly Carbondale, formerly known as CAFCI, spoke with The Sopris Sun about a survey they are conducting to gather input about crashes or near misses along Highway 133. It is available online or in hard copy in both English and Spanish.

The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) has jurisdiction over Highway 133 but only collects data

on crashes, nothing on near misses. To date, CDOT reported 37 pedestrians killed in traffic crashes in the state this year.

In recent years, as development has increased along the 133 corridor, so has vehicle traffic. What may have been considered safe crossing areas for pedestrians and bikers just a few years ago are now more precarious. The looming question today is how to move drivers, bikers and pedestrians to their destination in the safest possible way.

Delson explained that since CAFCI’s formation in 2019, “We’ve always been interested in mobility and being able to get around town without a car, since the whole town is only two square miles.”

In 2022, Delson, as a member of

What became evident to Delson and Zislis was that experiential data needed to be collected from the public. CAFCI then enlisted the expertise of Matt Farrar, an experienced municipal planner, to create and finalize a survey. Delson said Farrar did the work probono, and “we couldn't have done this survey without him.”

At community events, like July’s First Friday, they had a booth and collected data on a map and a poster board. Recommendations, based on this data, will be shared with Master Plan consultants to be presented to the Town Trustees.

Delson said, “It breaks down to people not feeling safe in crosswalks. Those most concerned are parents of young children. If you look at Lewies Lane, across from Weant Boulevard, where the Montessori School is, there's no crossing. For kids to cross, they have to either go to the crossing by Wells Fargo or the traffic light at Snowmass

A second survey, belonging to the Town of Carbondale’s Public Works Department, is called MAP Carbondale. “MAP” stands for Mobility and Access Plan and, according to the Carbondale Connect page, is “the beginning of a project to study transportation challenges, identify mobility issues and develop recommendations to make Carbondale comfortable and accessible by any mode.”

The campaign kicked off during July's First Friday, also with a booth. Kevin Schorzman, Carbondale’s Public Works Director, said the online survey includes a map where you can place a digital pin to mark any intersection that you perceive as unsafe.

“We also encourage people to point out places where we’re doing things right,” he added.

Schorzman shared that BPTC Chairperson Matt Gworek and fellow member Rick Blauvelt “have been very active in getting the word out about the survey.”

They will continue to have booths at the Wednesday Farmers Market in Carbondale.

Upon the completion of both continues on page 19

Town of Carbondale, Colorado

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS FOR "Chacos Park" SITE

MASTER PLAN

Town of Carbondale is soliciting proposals and statement of qualifications from qualified firms/individuals to develop a “Site Master Plan & Report” for the Chacos Park property at 4th Street & Main.

This Site Plan will determine how best the Town should develop this property to meet the public needs of the site.

A copy of the Request for Proposals that outlines the scope of services and submittal requirements can be obtained by going to the Town of Carbondale website www.carbondalegov.org or at this link: https://www.carbondalegov.org/residents/rfps/index.php

or contact: Eric Brendlinger - Parks & Recreation Director Phone: (970) 510-1277 Email: ebrendlinger@carbondaleco.net

THE SOPRIS SUN • Your weekly community connector • July 20, 2023 - July 26, 2023 • 15
Photo and text by Jeanne Souldern Sopris Sun Correspondent Pedestrians cross the roundabout at Highway 133 and Main Street, one carrying groceries from City Market. Age-Friendly Carbondale invites the public to share their opinions on safety for pedestrians, bikers and drivers by completing a survey before Aug. 4.

CO and WY partner up to capture CO2

On June 28, the states of Wyoming and Colorado announced that they signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to focus on the development of direct air capture (DAC) technology and activity. DAC is a method of carbon dioxide removal in which CO2 is taken out of the atmosphere and sequestered in a controlled environment. Both Colorado and Wyoming lead the nation in DAC activity, and the bipartisan agreement between governors Mark Gordon and Jared Polis represents the first multi-state partnership of its kind in the country.

The MOU highlights such potential collaborations as applying for grants, developing carbon removal measurement standards, analyzing market opportunities and developing commercialization pipelines for new carbon-related technologies. This partnership hopes to mobilize $3.5 in funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law’s Regional Direct Air Capture Hub program, designed to support four regional DAC projects across the nation.

DAC has been hailed as a method to possibly attain net-negative emissions sometime in the near future, meaning more CO2 is sequestered than emitted. While many industrial plants have carbon recapture technologies on-site, CO2 released from passenger vehicles or construction projects — two of the leading sources of greenhouse gas emissions in the Roaring Fork Valley — can’t be recaptured directly. However, by actively removing CO2 from the atmosphere, DAC can function in conjunction with renewable energy sources to potentially reverse emissions from these sources.

DAC technology can function either chemically or physically, but the most common form of DAC currently in use first uses large fans to suck ambient air through a filter. However, it isn’t a physical filter that separates CO2 from the air. Instead, most DAC

units use a liquid solvent to absorb gaseous CO2 — commonly amines (derivatives of ammonia) or sodium hydroxide (better known as caustic soda or lye).

As a common example, sodium hydroxide reacts with the gaseous CO2 to form solid sodium carbonate, a chemical similar to baking soda. This sodium carbonate is separated from the liquid solvent and then heated to produce a highly pure stream of gaseous CO2. The CO2 is extracted, and the sodium carbonate is recycled to form more sodium hydroxide for the reaction to occur again. Once extracted, CO2 is ready for longterm sequestration — often deep underground — or packaged into gas tanks for industrial application.

This is simply one example of a common method of DAC, but most commercial techniques follow a similar method by using a liquid to absorb CO2 from the air. Some other techniques in development include using synthetic membranes, which use less water than a liquid solvent, or small, dispersed scrubbers instead of large, high-power facilities.

There are, however, problems with current commercial DAC technology. The liquid solvent process for CO2 absorption demands a high energy input in order to heat the array and requires a carbon-free source of electricity. If a DAC plant was powered by fossil fuels, the plant would end up releasing more CO2 into the atmosphere than it would absorb. The amine-based capture process also demands immense quantities of water — not a plentiful resource in either Wyoming or Colorado — and sodium hydroxide for the other process is highly caustic, meaning chemical spills could be disastrous. Furthermore, the technology and the power necessary for its function are expensive, and climatologists have argued that it would be more efficient to direct resources towards reducing CO2 emissions instead.

That being said, Colorado and Wyoming are global leaders in the practical application of DAC technology. In the spring of this year, U.S.-based company Global

Passenger vehicles account for a significant amount of CO2 emissions in the Valley, especially noticeable at 5pm on HIghway 82. However, Direct Air Capture technology may be able to negate this pollution in the near future. Photo by Will Buzzerd

Thermostat unveiled one of the world’s largest DAC machines in Adams County, Colorado, with a CO2 adsorption capacity of more than 1,000 tons a year. Additionally, LA-based company Carbon Capture is building a DAC plant in Wyoming which is slated to become the world’s largest CO2 removal facility. Called Project Bison, the facility is expected to start operations within a year and endeavors to capture 5 million tons of CO2 annually by 2030 — orders of magnitude greater than any currently operational DAC project.

According to a press release, Colorado’s rapidly developing technology sector is especially poised to work with Wyoming’s already greatly developed energy workforce and infrastructure. The MOU signed between the two states could create a powerhouse of carbon capture in the Mountain West.

“This exciting bipartisan partnership builds upon our nation-leading work in Colorado to achieve 100% renewable energy by 2040 while adding good-paying jobs,” said Governor Polis.

When You Have Unexpected Medical Needs

16 • THE SOPRIS SUN • soprissun.com • July 20, 2023 - July 26, 2023
Whitcomb rrace After-Hours Medical Care
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 234 East Cody Lane, Basalt 970.544.1250 Virtual visits available AF TE R- HOUR S MEDICAL CA RE AS PE N VA LLE Y HO SPITAL aspenhospital.org | AspenValleyHospital 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. $5 Adults $2 Seniors Kids 12 and under free OPEN JULY 4th 412 W. Main Street, in Marble The Marble Museum GOT MEDICAL BILLS? Decoding your medical bills and bringing you peace of mind. Medical Billing Advocacy Nancy Johnson, M.Ed, CPC gotadvocate@gmail.com mypatientadvocate.net 970.618.9899

Peaceful bliss...

at a park near you

It might be one of the best-kept secrets in Carbondale: a vibrant green space surrounded by mature trees, with a walking labyrinth for meditation and a small fountain area with stone benches to sit in tranquil contemplation. It is frequented by butterflies and songbirds going about their daily business.

Where is this hidden gem, you ask? At just under a half-acre, the plot of land is nestled between Graceland Drive on one end and abuts Crystal Meadows Senior Housing on the other.

The story of how this park space went from private ownership to being donated to the Town of Carbondale is one of selfless altruism.

Roger and Judy Harvey, who lived in the home adjacent to the property, owned Ramey-Harvey Park. While the space was a “private park,” it was always considered “open to all.” Over the years, the Harveys had the labyrinth, pond, benches and picnic tables installed.

As the Harveys were getting ready to sell their property in early 2021, they approached Town staff about gifting the park to the Town.

Eric Brendlinger, Director of Parks and Recreation, said some ongoing maintenance concerns, including weed management and watering, needed to be considered before accepting the donation.

The property had few invasive weeds, so Brendlinger spoke with the Harveys about how they managed that. “They were using vinegar, soap, salt and other natural products and were super diligent about it. This spot is where an integrated weed management plan without chemicals works. That helped me to say, ‘Hey, this park is cool for our inventory,’” he said.

The park is watered with the Town’s existing irrigation system. Brendlinger explained, “We treat it like other Town parks — we aerate it, fertilize it and reseed it every season.”

Minutes from the June 9, 2021 meeting of the Carbondale Parks and Recreation Commission noted: “The commission members thought the park would be a unique addition to our park inventory.” The Board of Town Trustees accepted the donation a month later and the legal transfer of ownership was completed in November 2021.

As they say, timing is everything. This is where the Age-Friendly Carbondale (AFC) steering committee entered the park’s evolution into what is now called the HumanNature Garden.

Nancy Peterson, AFC steering committee member, said the group has always had an interest in community spaces with their mission “to make Carbondale an everbetter place to live for people of all ages and abilities.”

AFC collaborated with the Town to install a new concrete pad with two park benches, and two flower planters were installed by Public Works personnel. Previously, AFC worked with Public Works on a similar park bench installation project near Heritage Park.

“We were very purposeful in placing the benches into a conversational arrangement on the concrete pad because we wanted to make sure that someone

using a wheelchair could easily access the space and visit with others,” Peterson explained.

Improvements resulted from countless hours of dedicated efforts by AFC steering committee members working closely with Town staff. AARP and Rocky Mountain Health Foundation provided funding.

A plaque was later installed to honor the memory of Carbondale resident and AFC steering committee member Kristi Nicholls. A psychotherapist, triathlete and mother of four, Nicholls died in October 2022.

The gift from the Harveys is indeed a generous one. Brendlinger shared, “What I was pretty impressed with was that the Harveys invested a lot of money in that park, with its upkeep and maintenance, and I was pretty impressed that they decided to give it to the Town.”

If you plan to visit, remember, as is true of all Carbondale parks, smoking is prohibited. Consider bringing a book or bag lunch. Before you visit, Peterson recommends downloading Merlin ID, a free bird identification app, onto your smartphone to identify birds by their songs and calls.

Surrounded by a tapestry skillfully woven by Mother Nature, Peterson said, with a beaming smile, “We have a fantastic view of Mt. Sopris, and if you love birds and nature, you can sit here and listen to and see all kinds of birds. I already see and hear robins, crows, house finches and even a cedar waxwing. Isn’t it lovely?”

It certainly is.

Being an accountable life coach

Tom Karrel has been making waves in the Roaring Fork Valley ever since he moved to Carbondale in August of 2022. He started making those waves in the community through his “Lost Art of Random Conversations” series (formerly hosted at The Carbondale Library). Lately, he’s been working with people who’d like a little extra support navigating some of life’s challenges.

Recently, Karrel has been building Tom Karrel Coaching, a life-coaching program providing strategic intervention while fostering the values of honesty, integrity, depth and, most importantly, connection. He offers one-on-one and group coaching sessions, as well as restorative justice and conflict resolution services.

"Connection is probably the biggest one of those values. Community building and connections are a big part of who I am and, more and more, I'm seeing the power of connection in my work," Karrel explained. "I can go deeper with folks, and be able to go into some of the darkness they might be experiencing; but also really bring in some light and a lot of honesty and perspective."

His inspiration for starting the coaching business came from his passion for community building and lessons from a mentor, who Karrel described as a catalyzing figure.

"Meeting someone like him that's doing this sort of coaching work in a way that I didn't know was

possible, and is very much in line with my values, was a big inspiration," Karrel shared.

Tom Karrel Coaching’s targeted demographic are men, boys and male-identifying individuals, ages 13 and older who are looking for support, mentorship and accountability.

"On a more core level, it's much more about strategic intervention for me and working with people who are in a rough place … I'm pretty cognizant of folks with very extreme cases, referring them out or letting them know if I can or can't take on cases which are particularly high risk,” he explained.

Karrel explained that he enjoys working with young people because of related experiences from the last decade of his own life. Particularly, when it comes

to the work he’s been doing with Youthzone. While volunteering there, he expressed, he’s developed even more understanding and perspective.

He also wanted to recognize the critiques that come with life coaching as it is a lower barrier of entry, as opposed to a therapist. While there is a benefit in the life-coaching business because of the ease of entry, it has allowed problematic talking heads and messages that can be damaging.

"I think there's a lot of benefits there. It gives people opportunities to coach, mentor and support in many different ways. But, it also opens the floodgates to many people who may abuse that power, abuse that trust,” he stated. “So much of my approach right now is about trust and intimacy and building connection and community."

As he builds his clientele, Karrel hopes to ensure a buy-in from both directions, where an agreement can be set that works within a client's needs and so Karrel can address those accordingly.

"I think it's sad that a lot of people are abusing these power dynamics. We all need people like this in our lives in different capacities,” he stated. “There's so much power when people step into supporting roles for one another, especially in the mental health space. It's saddening that it goes awry sometimes."

Along with the goals he has for his business, Karrel hopes to partner and collaborate with different organizations and networks to create a ripple effect within the Roaring Fork Valley community.

For more information, visit www.tomkarrel.com

THE SOPRIS SUN • Your weekly community connector • July 20, 2023 - July 26, 2023 • 17
Tom Karrel, courtesy photo Age-Friendly Carbondale steering committee members seated at the newlyinstalled benches at the Human-Nature Garden: (on left, foreground to back) Udelle Stuckey, Larry Bogatz, Candace Goodwin, Sue Zislis and (standing) Nancy Peterson; (on right, foreground to back) Frank Sgambati, Ted Zislis, Niki Delson and Ron Kokish. They are joined by pups Nettie and Ellie. Courtesy photo

Letter from Michigan, 2023

Greetings again, Sunscribers et al, from our little corner of southwestern Michigan! During our years of coming here, we have gotten to know some of the communities around us. One nearby is the charming little village of Three Oaks. I came to realize that it has a lot of similarities to Carbondale, despite having only about one-fourth the population. Such as…

Public outdoor sculptures; an award-winning distillery; an art-house movie theater (often showing the same films as the Crystal); a community radio station (broadcasting from a nearby town); and an active bicycling community that has sponsored an annual century tour ride for 50 years. A financial crisis there 15 years ago was precipitated by an expensive public-works project, reminiscent of Carbondale’s troubles in the early 1980s. A movie was even shot there: the 1989 holiday film “Prancer.

But what I most noticed was the growth of a vibrant arts scene.

The village (within the larger township of Three Oaks) lies just north of the Indiana state line and a little inland from New Buffalo along Lake Michigan. It was settled in the 1850s and incorporated a decade later. The surrounding region has long been agricultural, but industry was also established there.

For decades the mainstay was a company that manufactured, among other items, stays for corsets and other garments made out of turkey quills (called “featherbones”). Other plants were set up nearby. And, as Chuck Sittig, board president of the local history museum, noted, Three Oaks became a “bedroom community” for nearby localities like South Bend, Indiana and Benton Harbor, Michigan.

All of that began to change, however, when the featherbone factory closed in the 1950s and other plants in the region later relocated south. Three Oaks experienced a boom-and-bust cycle so familiar to our Valley. As Carolyn Drier, third-generation owner of the local meat market put it, “We were thriving in the ’50s and ’60s, dead in the ’70s and ’80s.”

By 1993, when Colleen Froehlich opened her specialty food shop and bakery on the main street, there were some two dozen empty storefronts downtown. But her decision to take a chance there was actually a harbinger of things to come.

A tourism revival began in nearby communities along the lakeshore after a yacht harbor opened in New Buffalo in the 1970s. This attracted a growing number of vacationers, especially from the Chicago area, and interest began filtering eastward into communities like Three Oaks, with its affordable and available real estate. Drier watched as the town “came back in the ’90s.”

Art galleries and studios opened, new shops sprang up. The long-vacant movie house was renovated and reopened in 2000. Second-home ownership flourished, as did vacation rentals. As Sittig, a fourth-generation resident put it, “Three Oaks started building on itself.”

A milestone was the establishment in 2003 of The Acorn performance space in part of the old featherbone factory (the distillery took over another part of the building in 2011 and added a restaurant there in 2015). Originally largely a venue for local musicians, it quickly grew into a popular destination for regional and national acts; Tab Benoit and Los Lobos played there recently.

However, as Bob Murphy — a second-home owner who later moved there from the Chicago suburbs — told The Sopris Sun, The Acorn has also become

a venue for all kinds of performance, including dance, spoken word and live theater, as well as art exhibitions. To that end, in 2015 the organization transformed itself into the nonprofit Acorn Center for the Performing Arts (ACPA). Murphy, chair of the center’s board of directors, explained that ACPA wants to “look at programming that’s diverse,” asking, “What does the community need?” Recently, a four-week children’s summer drama camp was held there.

Joining the cultural scene in 2012 was the nonprofit School of American Music — later renamed the Three Oaks Arts and Education Center. It started in available space in the local public library but now also occupies the former village hall. Founder Garth Taylor told The Sun, “We teach music to anyone who wants to learn.” This is important, he noted, as there is no music program in the local elementary schools. It also hosts many live performances, including free concerts in the park behind the school that, as Taylor put it, “add to the vibe that there’s a lot going on here.”

There is a spirit of giving in Three Oaks, undoubtedly inspired by featherbone factory founder G.K. Warren (two nearby state parks bear his name). ACPA makes its space available for nonprofit fundraisers. The music school provides scholarships of varying levels to about half of its students, and many are given donated instruments. Froehlich’s has an ongoing charitable donation program.

A strong, quiet LGBTQ+ presence has developed in the town. The Acorn’s original owners are both gay, and many gallery and shop owners are gay or lesbian. ACPA is the main sponsor of the local Pride organization and, as Murphy put it, The Acorn is “a safe space” for the LGBTQ+ community. Tom Pauly, who moved his art studio and gallery from Chicago to Three Oaks in 2019, noted that he and his partner quickly felt at home there and found “a wonderful circle of friends.”

Pauly, on the village’s Downtown Development Commission said, “[Three Oaks] is going to be even better.” He noted that it needed “more restaurants” and had “no real night life” yet — although the distillery’s restaurant has lateevening hours, as does a fine-dining establishment opened in 2019 by Froehlich on weekends.

But then, other than the Nugget, Carbondale gets pretty quiet by 9pm too, doesn’t it?

Crystal Caucus continued from page 7

wellness-longevity retreat, not meant for day use but for stays of five or six days. De Baets and his partners operate a similar resort in Bangkok, Thailand and are opening another in Tuscany, Italy in September.

The proposal includes building four cabins and cottages for guests (three bedroom cabins and two bedroom cottages), which were already approved under the previous plan. The wellness center would operate out of the castle, carriage house and the barn (which would be converted into an hydro-aquatic therapy facility); none of which would have overnight accommodations for guests.

“That’s probably the most significant change in the use of the structures, is that guests won’t actually be in the carriage house or the castle,” explained Horn.

The proposal includes building two employee apartment complexes, each with eight two-bedroom units, as well as a greenhouse.

The previous plan included the approval to hold up to 35 special events during the non-winter months to bring in income. “That’s really not a part of the proposal now,” said Horn. Public historic tours, however, would continue on the property.

Courtesy photo

www.schoolofamericanmusic.com/support-sam

The proposal will be reviewed by Pitkin County Planning & Zoning in the next few months, according to Horn, and then will go to the commissioners for a final review.

18 • THE SOPRIS SUN • soprissun.com • July 20, 2023 - July 26, 2023
Carolyn Drier, third-generation owner of Drier's Meat Market in Three Oaks, Michigan. Known for its quality smoked meat products, the store has been in her family for 110 years, but actually dates back to 1875. Photo by Ken Pletcher Free concert in the park behind the School of American Music, Three Oaks, Michigan. The school puts on several such events in the village each summer. Donations can be made at:

Venus Retrograde in Leo OPINION

within, rather than something external pursued. These goals revolve around the crux of the person I would like to be, rather than how my achievements might reflect on me.

Sun Signs

If you would like to have a more personal interpretation of the Venus Retrograde, I offer readings and classes at starhearthastrology.com

I have to admit, I am wary of personal “goals.” I am all for the pursuit of self-development, I balk at the external quantification. Parsing out the future in attempting measurable external achievement feels too abstract and presupposes a predictable world, and as it often shows up in the practice of behavioral health, there is a clinical sterility to managed care. There is a fine line between self-development and narcissistic perfectionism injected into the psyche by a witty copywriter in service to late-stage capitalism.

Recently though, I have softened my suspicious stance toward goals. I now think of goals as guidelines to keep ourselves in alignment, and mantras to help us remember where we’re trying to go. Goals that emanate from

Maybe the kind of goals I am writing about are more akin to personal values, only these are not abstract virtues, but actionable road signs for what makes a meaningful life and the building blocks of personal integrity. These are the things we care about on a personal level and are willing to change ourselves for.

In the language of astrology, whenever we talk about “values,” we are talking about Venus. Venus is everything soft and sweet and comforting and alluring. She is the cosmic attractor and the principle of pleasure. She is personal taste and style. She is value and cooperation.

Venus is about to go retrograde. She is reflecting on what she cares about and is entering a roughly 40-day period of confronting her ambivalence. During the course of her retrograde she will get to decide what she values and what cares she has outgrown.

There is a Death Cab for Cutie lyric: “When you find yourself the villain in the story you have written, it’s plain to see — sometimes the best intentions are in need of redemption, don’t you agree?” The song is about how we can be led astray by our own commitments, and find ourselves foreigners in our lives. It’s the problem of our values shifting as our actions remain the same, and Venus Retrograde is here to poke the bear.

During the course of Venus’ retrograde, from July 22 through Sept. 3, the glue that holds things together fails. These things might be a specific relationship that hits some bumps and cannot continue in its current form. It might be unsustainable ways that money is being spent or earned. It might be the social fabric — cue the strikes and protests.

Whatever it ends up being, because it’s in the sign of Leo, it's personal. For the sign most concerned with how they are perceived, the way that we are likely to understand the issues that arise is in the context of how we view ourselves and how we would prefer others view us as well.

When things come undone in the sign of Leo, questions of identity arise. Who am I now, that this relationship is changing, I can’t do my job in the same way I used to, I need to move somewhere else?

Venus goes retrograde every 19 months, providing the opportunity to shift what we’re putting energy to in accordance with how circumstances have changed. There is likely some area of your life you’ve grown deeply ambivalent toward. Now is the time to change it. There’s something you long for, now is the time to take that longing seriously, not merely as a pipe dream, but as the next part of your story beckoning.

supported by Jupiter, the most exuberant planet in the sky. The next six weeks will be a bumpy road to a better place.

Lean on those goals to guide you.

Art by Larry Day

Transportation

continued from page 15

surveys, the data will be analyzed and make its way to the appropriate Town commissions, that will, in turn, offer recommendations to the Board of Town Trustees.

The Highway 133 survey can be completed through Aug. 4 at: www. agefriendlycarbondale.org

Paper copies are available at the entrances to the Carbondale Library and Third Street Center, or by emailing cafci@ agefriendlycarbondale.org

The MAP Carbondale survey can be accessed at: www.carbondaleconnect. org/map-carbondale

Emerald Ash Borer

Informational and planning meeting at the Town Hall Thursday July 20, 2023 at 6pm.

The Carbondale Tree Board is hosting an informational and planning meeting concerning the Emerald Ash Borer at Carbondale Town Hall on Thursday July 20, 2023 at 6pm. Members of various boards and comissions will be present.

Presenters for the agenda will include: CSU Extension Entomologist - Melissa Schreiner, Town ArboristCarl Meinecke, and other tree professionals from the Roaring Fork Valley.

Topics will include: Current spread, History and biology, Treatment options, Current actions, and Other communities response.

Questions and comments from the public are welcome after the presentation. Recommendations for plans to lessen the impact of this insect in Carbondale will be presented to the Board of Trustees at a September BOT meeting. For more information contact Carl Meinecke at cmeinecke@carbondaleco.net

THE SOPRIS SUN • Your weekly community connector • July 20, 2023 - July 26, 2023 • 19
COLORADO STATE FOREST SERVICE Support Locals SHOP AT MANA A SUPER NATURAL EXPERIENCE Local Fruit and Tomatoes Now Avalible Along with our Unique Array of Healthy Options Throughout the Summer. Open 7 days a week 10-6:30 / Phone: 970-963-1137 Mana Foods 792 Hwy 133, Carbondale MANA FOODS NATURAL FOODS STORE

Karen Crawford

MORE LETTERS

continued from page 2

Gratitude

I'm writing to express my gratitude to the Pitkin County Commissioners for their support in expanding the Maroon Bells Snowmass Wilderness Area near Ashcroft. The Ashcroft addition contains approximately 1,000 acres that were withheld from the original wilderness area designation in 1964 and subsequent expansion in 1980.

My first years in the Valley were spent working at the Ashcroft ghost town and caretaking the Toklat Lodge. I spent countless hours on this land and it has all the characteristics of wilderness. The land is natural, ecologically diverse, intact, provides opportunity for solitude, and has unique features worth protecting.

why we were able to open a larger store and have a sanctuary for mediation and yoga — primarily reading Gurmukh Mantra.

The other pay off is my life is filled with healthy people. The people who work with me and read with me are never sick. We have held this great secret around Gurmukh Yoga, but the truth is worth sharing. Gurmukh is a Punjab word that translates as “perfect health.” The vibration uplifts, transforms and overall liberates us from the tyranny of thought. Here’s an easier translation: it brings you into your Heart Center.

A Celebration of Life service for long-time Carbondale resident Karen Crawford will be held on July 26 at 11 am on the lawn of the Carbondale Community United Methodist Church at 385 South 2nd St in Carbondale. Karen passed away peacefully at the age of 70 in her daughter’s home in Denver from complications of cancer on Nov. 25, 2022. She had moved to Carbondale in 1976 where she and her husband, Alex, became an integral part of the community and raised their two daughters, Kendra Crawford Rippe and Lexi Crawford.

Karen worked as an account manager at Colorado Mountain College in Carbondale for 27 years, where she also taught fitness classes. She also held positions with the Aspen Skiing Company, Alpine Bank, and Stewart Title. Everyone who knew Karen realizes how giving she was — always willing to lend a helping hand.

She was a devoted wife, loving Mom, involved “Grammy” to Monroe and Adelaide Rippe, and a best friend to many. She will be remembered as a beautiful skier, avid hiker, legendary yard sale shopper, voracious reader, and Kabala student. Her quick quips, beautiful smile, and loving heart are missed. Please join us in remembering Karen and celebrating her life. The service will be live-streamed on Karen Crawford’s Facebook page for those who cannot attend.

Thank you, Pitkin County Commissioners, for valuing public land, conservation, and wildlife. I hope Senator Bennet will reintroduce the GORP Act soon with the Ashcroft Addition included.

Health

“Simplify the problem of life and find where your main roots run.”

This is a quote by Henry David Thoreau that I always used as a guide for creating balance. I found the recent article about the Wellness Portal proposed by Rita Marsh and Gwen Garcelon once again a reminder of how complicated people like to make a simple thing like health. This is clear to me based on my own experience of creating a Health Portal back in 2018, when I combined my passion for local food with my knowledge about health and yoga. When I put the two together, something magical happened: our sales went through the roof, and this year in September we will celebrate our 15th 72-hour yoga Mantra Reading here in Carbondale.

We sponsored a biannual Mantra Reading event for eight years and learned during COVID that our commitment to health paid off, hugely. This is

A healthy heart, a community spirit and a willingness to bow to the unfolding of a healthy planet is what we cultivate in our health portal at Mana Foods. What I see in Garcelon and Marsh’s plan is people leading others away from truthful heart-centered solutions for caring for our Earth, toward networks of networks designed for more networking to network. I think a simpler term is “creating a cancer.”

I caution people not to fall for this rhetoric in a time when creating sustainability, balance and good vibrations for our planet should be our number one devotion. When people act like cancers they create cancer. We have been creating sustainability in Carbondale since our birth in 2018, and I have been working on it even 20 years prior when I created the current farmer’s market in Carbondale.

At Mana we know health and we know community. What keeps people healthy is selfless service toward each other. We have a yoga term for it called “Seva.” The beautiful part of Seva is it’s free.

You give your time to unpack food, clean or stock shelves at Mana Foods, or read in our temple and it keeps you healthy, and happily connected to creating a healthy planet. This is the bigger picture. Healthy Earth, happy people. We know it works. We have been doing it “religiously” at Mana Food since we opened.

All of our meditations and readings are FREE!

continues on page 22

20 • THE SOPRIS SUN • soprissun.com • July 20, 2023 - July 26, 2023
OF LIFE
CELEBRATION

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

THE DRESS

When a girl gets married, her main focus is on her wedding dress. She shops for hours, spends a lot of money to wear it once. Most people think that is foolish, but they do it anyway. When she finds the right dress, she knows immediately, that's the one. Price is usually an issue.

Linda, a young lady found a dress she loved and it only cost $99. It was perfect. The bodice formed large scallops that surrounded the breasts and continued over the shoulders. It was unique, modest yet sensuous. The plain skirt was adorned with lace appliques, hand-sewn by the seamstress at no extra charge. She was paying for her own wedding not to burden her parents who were hard working but had very little.

It was a simple wedding and a simple dress and it was beautiful. The guests enjoyed the homemade food prepared by friends and family. The lawn was green and the sky was blue. It was the perfect day.

A year later, her friend Kathleen knocked on her door. They were friends from childhood and Maid of Honor for each other, a pact from childhood.“Would you consider letting me buy your wedding dress? It was so simple and so beautiful. I loved it and I can’t find anything I like as well.” She shrugged her shoulders and flopped down in a chair, looking exhausted and dismayed. “Do you still have it?”

“My dress isn’t for sale,” Linda seemed alarmed that Kathleen would even ask. ”I’ll tell you what. I’ll let you borrow it.”

Kathleen’s eyes lit up. She jumped up from the chair and threw her arms around Linda. “Thank you, thank you,” she cried out. “I’ll take good care of it and I’ll have it cleaned when I’m done.”

The two girls ran up the stairs to the attic of the old house that Linda and her husband were renting in the old section of town, where rents were cheaper. A large white box sat on the floor under the eves. It was a special box with an acid-free lining to preserve the dress after it had been cleaned. Linda opened it and lifted out the dress and held it up to Kathleen. “It will fit you perfect. Just be careful, okay?”

“I will. I promise. And I’ll have it cleaned and get it back to you right after the wedding.”

Linda was flattered that someone else would want to wear her $99 dress and she was happy Kathleen could save money and not have to pay for a gown.

Kathleen’s wedding was lovely. It was in a beautiful venue with an orchestra and beautiful flowers donning the tables. There was a huge dance floor and people danced the Polka, the Cha Cha and the Foxtrot. The dress was beautiful and Kathleen got many compliments. Little did they know, it was borrowed. It was the “something borrowed,” of the something old, something new, something borrowed, and something blue. Each time Kathleen got a compliment, she winked at Linda. The dress was $99 and it was worn for two weddings, by good friends, which made it priceless.

The following year, Linda’s brother was getting married. He was in the military and had very little money starting out as a lieutenant right out of college. Her sister-in-law to be, Tracy, came to her house one day and asked Linda if she would help her pick out a dress. Tracy’s mother had passed away and planning her wedding on her own was sorrowful.

Linda rose up to the occasion. She would take Tracy shopping and pay for her wedding dress. She wanted Tracy to know that she was not alone. She was part of their family and she deserved to be pampered for her wedding. They shopped, and they shopped. They shopped online and they went to New York trying to find a dress and bonding over the experience.

They checked out all the Boutiques and found a honeymoon wardrobe while they were at it. Tracy finally found a gown, but she didn’t seem thrilled about it. When Linda started to pay for the dress, she stopped and said, “I have a better idea. Let's go home. I have something to show you!”

The next morning, Tracy came for coffee. Linda took her to the attic to the special white box under the eves. “Open it,” she said. Tracy opened the box and moved aside the special tissue that was covering the dress. She lifted it up to

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

herself and looked in a mirror. Tears came to her eyes. She looked at Linda.

“You’ll let me wear it?” she asked.

“If you like it,” Linda said. “I wore it, my friend Kathleen wore it, and you’ll be the third person to wear it if you want to.”

Tracy held up the dress. The lace bodice with wide scallops was like nothing she had ever seen. “Of course I’ll wear it. I’ll be honored to wear it.”.

Linda smiled. That would make three of them wearing the same dress that only cost $99. Again it would be “the something borrowed.”

After Tracy and her brother’s modest wedding. The dress was cleaned and returned to the special white box and returned to the attic. Possibly it could be worn by future brides, maybe a daughter or a niece or a granddaughter for that matter. It was only a dress, but it was a very special dress for three people who loved it and had pictures in it and shared the love of friendship on their wedding days.

Linda was in all three weddings, one as the bride, the second as the maid of honor and one as a bride’s maid. She was happy to share the one thing that she still cherished from her own wedding and will keep it forever, until someone else knocks on her door and asks her, “do you still have your wedding dress?”

21 • THE SOPRIS SUN • soprissun.com • July 20, 2023 - July 26, 2023
Daylilies and roses compete for attention on the east side of Downtown Liquors On Main. Photo by Lynn “Jake” Burton High-alpine columbines, by Benny Blue

MORE LETTERS

continued from page 2

We accept donations from people who

that what health really is? Keep it simple, the community for coming together support our mission of guiding and supporting youth through mentoring

The Buddy Program is thrilled to celebrate our 50th Anniversary and are so grateful to all who ran in the East Coast Asset Management, Mike Connolly and Aspen on the Fourth of July. With over 800 participants, this annual event brought families, dogs, competitors and friends together to raise money for the Buddy Program!

We are also so grateful to everyone

auction sponsored by Delta, as well as to those who bid on them. With over 200 items generously donated, the auction had something for everyone!

the annual Bash for the Buddies on “Boogie” Weinglass were deservingly

would not happen without sponsors, board members who come together for an evening to champion our work!

LEGALS

buddyprogram.org

With a heart full of gratitude, Lindsay Lofaro, The Buddy Program

Harvey Gap trash

I've volunteered at our state parks for the last decade or so because I love the outdoors and it makes me feel useful. Our parks are underfunded and the employees are underpaid, so I pick up trash to help out.

This morning I spent three hours at Harvey Gap; 242 bottle caps, 151 cigarette butts and seven bags of trash later, the swim beach looked a lot better. However, the trash containers were overflowing. It was the same landfill-esque scenery there on July 3.

I'm sure the parks department is doing the best they can within their limited resources, but the trash container situation is unacceptable! How can we expect visitors to pick up after themselves when upon arrival they're greeted by a heap of reeking refuge, eight feet high?

As for the visitors, how dare you self-absorbed swine use our beautiful recreation areas for your personal ashtrays and garbage pits!? Worse yet, you piggy parents are creating another generation of lazy, littering, lowlife liabilities.

We must do better!

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

has filed an application with the USDA Rural Development for financial assistance to develop an extension of the Marble Water Company water line throughout the main streets of East Marble and to complete a loop in the waterline of West Marble. The new water line will begin at the existing fire hydrant at the Northwest corner of East 3rd street and Marble Street, and proceed south on East 3rd Street to East State Street, turn east to East 2nd Street, turn north to East Silver Street, turn west to East 3rd Street, creating a complete loop. A public meeting for comments will be held at 6:00 pm on September 13, 2023, at the Marble community Church Fellowship Hall, to discuss the proposed project and to provide the opportunity for public comment.

ORDINANCE NO. 4, Series of 2023

AN ORDINANCE OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE TOWN OF CARBONDALE, COLORADO CONCERNING THE TAXATION OF TOBACCO PRODUCTS

This Ordinance was introduced, read, and adopted at a regular meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Town of Carbondale, Colorado, on July 11, 2023.

This Ordinance shall take effect thirty (30) days after publication of this notice. The full text of said Ordinance is available to the public at www.carbondalegov.org or at the office of the Town Clerk, 511 Colorado Avenue, Carbondale, Colorado, during normal business hours.

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a Public Hearing will be held before the Carbondale Planning and Zoning Commission for the purpose of considering “Clean-Up” text amendments to the Unified Development Code (Title 17 of the Carbondale Municipal Code). The proposed text amendments correct several reference errors, re-order rows numerically in several Tables and, for clarity, separate out an existing section of application requirements into a separate section 2.5.2.C.1(h).

Applicant: Town of Carbondale

Said Public Hearing will be held at the Carbondale Town Hall, 511 Colorado Avenue, Carbondale, CO beginning at 7:00 p.m. on August 10, 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 during regular business hours, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. The application may also be viewed on the Town’s website at: https://carbondalegov.org/departments/planning/current_land_use_applications.php

If you would like to submit comments regarding this application please send them via email to kamdur@ carbondaleco.net by 3pm on August 10, 2023. After 3pm on August 10, members of the public are welcome to bring written comments to the hearing or speak during the public comment period.

If you have questions regarding the application, please contact Kelley Amdur, Planner, at 970-510-1212.

22 • THE SOPRIS SUN • soprissun.com • July 20, 2023 - July 26, 2023

MORE LEGALS

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN

that a Public Hearing will be held before the Carbondale Planning and Zoning Commission for the purpose of considering an application for Minor Site Plan Review and Conditional Use Permit for an Accessory Dwelling Unit.

Project Description: The owners of the single-family residence at 326 –S. 3rd Street propose to construct a two-story addition consisting of a two-car garage with an Accessory Dwelling Unit above.

Property Location: 326 S. 3rd Street; the SE corner of 3rd St and Sopris Ave, Lots 10, 11 and 12 in Block 6.

Owner/Applicant: J. Ray and Crista Barlow

Said Public Hearing will be held at the Carbondale Town Hall, 511 Colorado Avenue, Carbondale, CO beginning at 7:00 p.m. on August 10, 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 during regular business hours, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. The application may also be viewed on the Town’s website at: https://carbondalegov.org/departments/planning/current_land_ use_applications.php

If you would like to submit comments regarding this application please send them via email to kamdur@carbondaleco.net by 3pm on August 10, 2023. After 3pm on August 10, members of the public are welcome to bring written comments to the hearing or speak during the public comment period.

If you have questions regarding the application, please contact Kelley Amdur, Planner, at 970-510-1212.

It was a pleasant Sunday evening, July 16, as

NOW HIRING CAREGIVERS

Hiring personal care assistant/CNA/Home health aid. Individuals who are compassionate and are service oriented to care for others. Assist with activities of daily living including bathing, dressing, toileting, and running errands.

BENEFITS: Working hour discount

Flexible schedule

Time schedule: 5 hours per day

$30 per hour

Email Andy for more details about the caregiver job: andyctrangegrading@gmail.com

contact Todd Chamberlin: adsales@soprissun.com or 970-510-0246

THE SOPRIS SUN • Your weekly community connector • July 20, 2023 - July 26, 2023 • 23 PARTING
SHOT
SERVICE
289 MAIN STREET (970) 963-2826 CARBONDALEAH@GMAIL.COM
owned. Accepting new patients. Offering: Dentistry Surgery Wellness Geriatric Care Chiropractic Acupuncture Cold Laser Adverteyes in The Sun Adverteyes in The
For more info
DIRECTORY
Locally
Sun
community members gathered at the historic Thompson House lawn for HerStory, a storytelling and music event presented by VOICES and the Carbondale Historical Society. Strong women with Mama Sopris (from left to right): Sandra Wong, Andrea Harris, Cassidy Willey, Amy Kimberly, Laurie Loeb, Jeannie Perry, Charlotte Graham, MinTze Wu. Courtesy photo

THANK YOU TO OUR CURRENT SUNSCRIBERS:

Barbara Adams

Mary Kate Adams

Kelley Amdur

Eric Anderson

Jane Bachrach

Kathy & Carter Barger

Bartlett

Rob Benedetti

Kathleen Bradley

Carrie & Keith Brand

Michael Brown

Michelle & Ed Buchman

Raleigh Burleigh

Daniel Benavent

Michael Brown

Debbie & Marc Bruell

Todd Chamberlin

Patricia Chew

Kay Clarke

Brian Colley

Barbara Collins

Cathy Cooney

Susie Darrow

Peter Davidoff

Larry Day

Donna & Jerome Dayton

Barbara Dills

Dana Ellis

Sue Engelhardt

Tucker Farris

Christina Flynn

Denise Fogerty

Walter Gallacher

Jillian Gibbs

Will Grandbois

Mary Groome

Ann Harris

Allyn Harvey

Heather Henry

Edward Holub

Eilene Ish

Greg & Sean Jeung

Leslie & Patrick Johnson

Susan Jordan

Wewer & Steve Keohane

Sarah Klingelheber

Colin & Alice Laird

Megan Larsen

Terry & Bill Lee + Perich

Blake Leonard

Laurie Loeb

Jeffrey Loomis

Rita Marsh

Tristan Mead

Tim & Donna McFlynn

Hannah Hunt Moeller

Sally & Frank Norwood

Michelle Page

Matthew Patera

Tom Penzel

Gail Petry

Illene Pevec

Liz Phillips

Donna Phelps & Bruce Pearson

Ken Pletcher

Rivers Dentistry

Terri & David Ritchie

Joel Rittvo

Jessi Rochel

Tommy Sands

Aly Sanguily

Eric Smith

Terri Slivka

James Steindler

Wendy Stewart

Danny Stone

Kenny Teitler

Andrew Travers

Hank VanBerlo & Shelle deBeque

Gayle Wells

Kate Friesen & Peter Westcott

Jan Williams

John Wilson

Annie Worley

Elizabeth Wysong

24 • THE SOPRIS SUN • soprissun.com • July 20, 2023 - July 26, 2023
S c an here to donate S oprisS un.kindful.com SUNscribers sign up for a recurring monthly donation. ER BECOME A SUNSCRIB www.SoprisSun.com Sol del Valle el Sol del Valle el Sol del Valle el
FUND THE SUN

Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.