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Where's Dora?

and text by Jane Bachrach

Don’t be sheepish — head on over to Strang Ranch to catch the amazing display of communication between dog and handler as they compete during the USBCHA National Sheepdog Finals, Sept. 26 to Oct. 1. Proceeds raised will be donated to Colorado Animal Rescue, So besides enjoying a fun day of competition, attendees will also be helping to rescue homeless pets!

When she’s not protecting Bridget Strang’s flock of sheep from predators, Dora the Akbash (a kind of sheepdog) is just another face in the crowd.

Photo

Sex in the library OPINION

only to seventh graders, found a way of making babies without using jars. The method was revealed to us from a book on human sexuality shelved in the adult section. Best of all, it was illustrated. Eric and I returned to the book repeatedly that semester. A stern librarian often walked by and glared at us but, thankfully, she did not interrupt our education.

Mature Content

By Rony Kokish

Editor's note: This column contains references to sex and pornography.

Like most children, I asked my mother how babies were made. She told me a doctor cuts a small piece of flesh from the mommy’s thigh and places it in a jar filled with a special liquid, wherein the flesh grows into a baby. My father did not contradict her.

When I later learned the truth and confronted her she said, “Yes, it can be done that way, but that’s not the best way. The jar is much better and that’s how we made you.” I guess sex embarrassed her. Many years later, she acknowledged that she had never liked sex or wanted children. My father, however, did want children (and sex). Having me, and only me, was their compromise.

Eric and I were children of mothers who, having been childhood friends in Vienna, now lived in the same Manhattan neighborhood, raising us like cousins who were as close as brothers. Unbelievably, Eric’s mother was even more neurotic than mine and he still knew no more about sex than I did. Like me, Eric was an only child. We had no older siblings to help educate us.

One afternoon, when I was 11, Eric excitedly asked me to accompany him to the local library. I had been there countless times but this was my first trip without an adult. Eric, who was a year ahead of me in school, had, using advanced research methods taught

LETTERS

Good news!

We are deeply grateful to the Aspen Thrift Shop for their generous donation in support of The Sopris Sun's Youth Journalism Program. We believe good journalism is crucial to a functioning democracy, a healthy community and a shared social understanding.

Now in its third year, The Sopris Sun's Youth Journalism curriculum teaches practical skills and ethical principles, empowering local high school students to become responsible journalists. One program graduate came back as a teaching assistant and is now a writer/illustrator on our adult freelance team. Another is studying journalism in college and a third youth contributor won a Colorado Press Association award this year. We are extremely proud of our students. Every day they give us reason for a hopeful future. You can enjoy their work on the pages of The Sopris Sun and el Sol del Valle.

The Aspen Thrift Shop is a shining

The following year we started a more advanced sex-ed program using a full-on pornography stash Eric discovered in his mother’s dresser. There, in a plain manilla envelope, were “French” playing cards, several graphic novels (then called “comic books”), several photographs and short stories. We poured over these many an afternoon, before Eric’s mother returned from work, being careful to replace them just as we had found them — but alas, one day, they were gone.

A year later, I stumbled across the same envelope at a nearby aunt’s home. This time I wasn’t taking any chances. I took the envelope home and hid it deep in one of my own dresser drawers. What could my aunt do? Ask around? “Hey family, I seem to have misplaced my porn. Keep your eye out for it, would you?”

By this time, we had learned all there was to be learned from these materials but we still used them for … well, you know what we used them for. A year or two later, the then disintegrating envelope mysteriously disappeared once more. We never saw it again, but it no longer mattered. Our education had advanced to lab experiments. Hopefully, the Viennese ladies extracted many more years of pleasure from it.

You probably know that today, in Garfield County some people want to keep minors from seeing certain books. These people are concerned about children being led astray by what they consider premature knowledge of sensitive material, but my own experience leads me to a

star for supporting nonprofits and school programs. As a nonprofit entity, we are so fortunate for their dedication and generosity.

Sopris Sun Board & Staff

Library props

On Sept. 7, the Garfield County Public Library District held its monthly board meeting in Carbondale. Articles in the Post Independent, Aspen Daily News and The Sopris Sun described what occurred at the meeting. The aggressive and confronting behavior of a group of folks who had not read the books but were incensed with the graphics, demanded that the board and the executive director place adult books in a guarded area of the library or lock them away — rather than being shelved in the adult section. The group’s bullying tactics left no room for comment by those who had read the books and are perfectly capable of being the moral compass for themselves and their children, and felt that it was

different conclusion.

I believe that any form of censorship, no matter how well-intentioned, will make the world worse, not better. My parents, for example, censored my knowledge of human sexuality. They thought I wasn’t ready for it, but, really, it was they who were unready. Fortunately, the public library nullified their efforts.

Suppose though, that our library didn’t have that sex-ed book for us to educate ourselves, but Eric did find the porn stash a year later? That book and the interpersonal values my parents, for all their shortcomings, had taught me helped me to develop, by age 13, an appropriate intellectual and moral framework about pornography.

The envelope included stories about men raping women and women learning to love being raped. Even women who weren’t raped in those stories loved a good roll in the hay, so much that they would do anything for, and put up with anything from, the men who rolled with them. As a teenager, I naturally found those stories very exciting. But, I knew they were just stories. I never thought live girls were like their comic book counterparts, and I was never tempted to act like a comic book rapist.

Later, as a parent, I didn’t hesitate to tell my children the full, uncensored truth about anything, nor did I shelter them from experiences they told me they were ready for. I tried being clear about my beliefs and values, encouraged them to develop their own, and they became fine adults.

I think parents who want to limit their children’s experiences are underestimating their ability to impart their values within their homes. I also think they are kidding themselves if they believe they can, or even ought to, manage their children’s experiences outside their front doors.

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

not a librarian’s job to be a childcare supervisor.

I was five when my father took me to a small public library. It was a weekly venture followed by ice cream. I remember the smell of the wooden shelves. I remember learning the Dewey Decimal System and using a card catalog. Mostly, I remember cherishing the freedom of reading anything. My parents gave me a thirst for knowledge. By the time I was 12, I was allowed to take the subway to the New York City Public Library, and spend the day browsing and reading.

I am writing to support our library staff, its board of trustees, and Executive Director Jamie La Rue. I am grateful that they follow a code of ethics, committing to upholding the principles of intellectual freedom and resisting all efforts to censor library resources.

Niki Delson Carbondale

Editor Raleigh Burleigh 970-510-3003

news@soprissun.com

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What's the word on the street? Let us know at news@soprissun.com

Graffiti update

On Sept. 1, Carbondale police officers found that graffiti in Glenwood Springs matched the graffiti that has proliferated around Carbondale in recent weeks.

Glenwood Springs police identified a juvenile suspect who admitted to spray painting around Carbondale. During the investigation, a second juvenile suspect was identified. Both were charged with 12 counts of criminal trespass and one felony count of criminal mischief. It is believed there are no other suspects.

Drug bust

Wolves update

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

Garfield County’s Special Problems Enforcement and Response (SPEAR) team has been busy. In August and September, ongoing SPEAR investigations led to the seizure of over 3,000 fentanyl pills, 226 grams of methamphetamine, 86 Xanax pills, 17 grams of crack cocaine and five firearms. Three men were identified as distributors of illegal drugs and firearms in the Battlement Mesa area and arrested during the ongoing investigation. Anyone with information on criminal activity is encouraged to call SPEAR at 970-945-0453.

Defensive driving

The Roaring Fork Transportation Authority (RFTA) Board of Directors voted unanimously on Sept. 14 to raise the starting wage for year-round bus operators from $25.68 to $30. The top wage was also raised from $33.93 to $38. RFTA offers a full benefit package and in-house and paid CDL license training, as well as an Aspen SkiCo four-mountain ski pass. Learn more at www. rfta.com/careers

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) released a final Environmental Impact Statement and draft record of decision which establishes Colorado’s population of gray wolves as “experimental” under section 10(j) of the Endangered Species Act. The 10(j) rule permits more flexible management practices of the experimental population. There will be a 30-day cooling period, as of Sept. 19, after which USFWS will finalize the 10(j) rule. It is expected that the 10(j) rule will go into effect after an additional 30-day period. The first reintroduction is expected to occur before the Dec. 31 statutory deadline.

Aerial mulching

The White River National Forest is aerially applying mulch and soil additives on up to 150 acres within the 32,631-acre Grizzly Creek Fire burn perimeter this fall. The project aims to improve soil health and help reestablish native vegetation communities. Crews have begun trucking and staging wood products on Coffee Pot Road, where increased traffic is expected through early October.

CoWPL

Colorado Wild Public Lands (CoWPL), a local nonprofit, is celebrating a federal district court ruling that the U.S. Forest Service illegally withheld appraisal records for the Valle Seco land exchange and relied on internal agency policies that violate the Freedom of Information Act. “This is a huge win for us and for all public lands advocates,” stated CoWPL board member Anne Rickenbaugh. “It will transform how agencies treat appraisals for proposed federal land exchanges going

forward and ensure informed public engagement in the land exchange process.”

Celebrating Bob Young

J. Robert “Bob” Young, founder of Alpine Bank, was named one of 12 honorees for the 2023 National Philanthropy Day presented by the Association of Fundraising Professionals Colorado Chapter. Young’s Lifetime Achievement award was earned through his “deep and wide legacy of personal philanthropy, corporate citizenship and community activism.” Young is quoted saying, “The most valuable thing one person can give to another is caring. When you care, everything else just follows.”

Daniels Fund

The Daniels Scholarship Program is receiving applications through Oct. 15 for high school seniors looking to further their education. This scholarship covers the full cost of attendance at partner schools in Colorado, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming, or up to $25,000 per year of education expenses outside the four-state region. Learn more at www. danielsfund.org/scholarships

Latino Policy Agenda

Last week, Voces Unidas released its 2023 Colorado Latino Policy Agenda, informed by a poll of 1,600 registered Latino voters. Among the key findings, “addressing the rising cost of living/inflation” topped the list for federal and state priorities. More than a third of respondents reported they “cannot afford” or “can barely afford” where they live, and 50% said their economic situation has gotten worse in the past 12 months. View the report at www. coloradolatinopolicyagenda.org

They say it’s your birthday!

Folks celebrating another trip around the sun this week include: Karen Funk Ireland and Bianca Ortega (Sept. 21); Cheryl Cain, Betsy Browning, Nancy Helser and Dawson Kuhl (Sept. 22); Cathy Derby, Barbara Dills, Kent Jones, Jerome Osentowski, Julia Steindler and Luke Wander (Sept. 23); Jon Fox-Rubin and Karen Leavitt (Sept. 24); Taila Howe, Laura Stover and Geneviéve Villamizar (Sept. 25); Martin Calkins, Carolyn Cipperly, Teka Israel, Klaus Kocher, Kate Phillips, Kenya Pinela, Matt Rader, Mimi Schlumberger and Leonard Zanni (Sept. 26).

Design and building professionals met at the Third Street Center for a day-long Town Center design charrette on Sept. 20. The public was then welcomed in to review the work. Part two of this process will take place on Sept. 27, with an open house portion from 5:30 to 7:30pm. Photo by Raleigh Burleigh

Rams teams prepare for Homecoming Week

By John Stroud Sopris Sun Correspondent

Roaring Fork High School’s varsity sports teams saw limited action this past week, as the Rams prepare for the big Homecoming Week games coming up next.

On the boys soccer front, the Rams played 3A Western Slope League rival Coal Ridge to a 1-1 tie on Sept. 14 in Carbondale — a game that could have a lot of bearing on the eventual conference championship.

Always a physical match with the Titans, it was Coal Ridge that struck first just past the midway point of the first half when senior captain Zion Williams scored on a penalty kick after Titan Alex Serna drew the foul.

Several Rams shots just missed as the home team controlled the ball for most of the game, before Roaring Fork senior Yandel Silva found the net off the assist from junior Fernando Rodriguez with 22 minutes to play in the game, knotting the score.

Coal Ridge nearly had the game winner with just 35 seconds left to play, but the goal was waved off due to an offside call.

The Rams sit at 4 wins, 0 losses and 2 ties overall, and 2-0-1 in

league play headed into a road contest Thursday at Vail Mountain (5-3). Game time is 4pm

For Homecoming, the Rams host district rival Basalt at 6pm on Friday, Sept. 29 at Rams Stadium next to Carbondale Middle School, before traveling to face Delta on Oct. 3.

Volleyball

Roaring Fork girls volleyball was off for a full week before traveling to play undefeated and stateranked Delta on Tuesday, Sept. 19. The Rams fell in straight sets, 3-0, dropping to 5-6 overall and 0-1 in 3A WSL play, while Delta stays perfect at 10-0. Sophomore Nikki Tardif recorded seven kills of the night, while senior Nora Lindgren and junior Carley Crownhart had five each. Crownhart also had five service aces, and sister Erica Crownhart had 15 digs.

The Rams host Gunnison at 6pm Thursday, Sept. 21, and Homecoming Week brings volleyball action to the Roaring Fork gym at 6:30 pm Tuesday, Sept. 26 versus Coal Ridge.

JV football

Also playing a home game as part of the Homecoming festivities will be the junior varsity football team, which

squares off at 4pm Monday against North Fork at the Rams Stadium. With the Roaring Fork varsity players joining up with Glenwood Springs this season, the Rams JV team sits at 2-0 on the season with wins over Summit and Basalt.

Mountain biking

Roaring Fork’s club mountain bike team has seen some action recently. Sam Friday has placed fourth and fifth, respectively, for varsity boys in the last two events, and Quinn Carpenter claimed fifth for JV boys. Here’s the upcoming schedule:

Sept 23 — Leadville

Oct. 8 — Eagle

Oct 21-22 — State Championships, Colorado Mountain College Spring Valley, Glenwood Springs

Rams Classic Golf Tournament

Homecoming Week also brings the annual Rams Classic scramble golf tournament, 10am-4pm Friday, Sept. 29 at the River Valley Ranch course. The event serves as a fundraiser for the RFHS Booster Club. For information, call 970963-3625 or visit www.rvrgolf.com

The Rams soccer team defeated Gunnison 4-1 on Sept. 7.

Photo by Sue Rollyson

Donny Read (49) carries the football forward with Desi Chacos (34) and Marcus Trujilo (68) close behind.

Photo by Sue Rollyson

Potato Days 2023

By James Steindler Contributing Editor

It’s not every town that gets amped up year after year over a vegetable, but leave it to Carbondale to keep such traditions alive and well. In fact, Potato Days is coming back so strong this year that that plural days is not a misnomer. That’s right, Potato Days will expand the weekend, Oct. 6-8, with lunch served at 11:15am on Saturday, Oct. 7 in Sopris Park.

The 114th Annual Potato Days theme is “Growing Together,” a nod to both Carbondale’s recent transformations and the Colorado Potato Growers Exchange which was founded precisely 100 years ago.

The Carbondale Potato Growers’ Association, a member of the statewide exchange, was once housed where Main Street Gallery & The Framer and Main Street Liquors operate today.

“The larger cooperative, the Colorado Potato Growers’ Exchange, formed in 1923 from local cooperatives,” a press release explained. “This organization acted as the sales agency for 2,000 members from 20 localized associations.”

Notably, as pointed out by Sue Gray of the Carbondale Historical Society, Ben Gianinetti was president of the Carbondale association in the mid1900s. Remarkably, the Gianinettis continue to help make Potato Day(s) happen every year — from sitting on the organizing committee to growing

potatoes for the feast and cooking the bulk of the meal in the pits beneath the surface of Sopris Park. The family’s steady dedication to the tradition speaks to Carbondale’s small-town roots.

First Friday

The festivities kick off on First Friday, Oct. 6 with the return of the community contra dance, to be held at the Carbondale Rec Center. The doors open at 6pm with food and libations catered by The Painted Pig, along with a selection of wines from Aquila Cellars. A contra dance lesson starts at 6:30pm, and the Wooden Nickel String Band will provide the rhythms from 7 to 10pm. The $10 admission fees go directly to the Carbondale Historical Society.

Saturday

Start with some pancakes, served up by the Carbondale Rotary Club at 8:30am at Chacos Park (4th and Main). Then, run it off (to make room for lunch later) at the Tater Trot hosted by Ross Montessori School, which starts at 9am (also at Chacos Park). Get a cup of cowboy coffee and check out local farmer and artisan booths at Sopris Park anytime between 9am and 3pm. The annual parade starts at 2nd and Main Street at 10:30am (applications for parade floats are still open at www.bit. ly/PotatoDays2023).

The first Potato Sackers Corn Hole Tournament will take place at Sopris Park from 11am to 2pm. Visit www.bit.

ly/PotatoDays2023 or email wtempest@ carbondaleco.net to register.

Think you’ve grown the largest potato around? Put it to the test and leave it at the Gazebo at 11am with your name and number/email to compete in a contest that comes with “spudtacular” bragging rights and a chance to win a prize.

Sunday

Carbondale Tourism launches the first-ever Ride The Ranches, a bike ride that brings participants to the gates of some of local farms. The 50-kilometer ride, led by Aspen Cycling Tours, serves as a fundraiser for Roaring Fork Roots, Carbondale Tourism’s new agritourism grant program which, according to a press release, will provide financial support to farmers and agricultural businesses looking to expand or develop a tourism offering. The ride starts at Coffman Ranch (1837 County Road 100) at 9am (registration at 8am). Visit www.carbondale.com/ride-theranches/ to preregister.

Check out the Youth Gymkhana Rodeo at the Gus Darien Rodeo Grounds, organized by the Sopris Gymkhana Club, on Sunday, from 10am to 2pm. Or, party down at Party in the Pasture, hosted by Aspen Valley Land Trust at the Coffman Ranch (11am to 2pm). Register and get tickets for the latter at www.avlt.org

All in all, it’s bound to be one heck of a Potato Days weekend. The Sopris Sun board and staff look forward to seeing you there, and will be helping to serve lunch on Saturday.

For a full list of events and details, visit www.bit.ly/PotatoDays2023

After 10 years of searching, Sue Gray finally rediscovered the Red McClure potato, named after its creator, Carbondale settler and grower Thomas McClure. Red McClure seedlings were rediscovered before at Colorado State University's San Luis Valley Research Center and returned to the Valley around 2010, according to Gray, but were lost yet again. So, Gray was enthralled to recently receive an invitation from Ziska Childs to help harvest her crop of Red McClures on Missouri Heights. Childs has been growing the strain for the past 10 years. She gave Gray some seedlings which will be planted at the heritage gardens outside of the history cabin on Weant Boulevard and Hattie’s Kitchen Garden at the Thompson House, bringing them home once again. Courtesy photo

Somers, MD Otolaryngology (ENT), Head and Neck Surgery

ANB Bank proposal advances

By Raleigh Burleigh Sopris Sun Editor

After withdrawing their application in 2021, American National Bank (ANB Bank) returned before the Planning and Zoning Commission (P&Z) on Thursday, Sept. 14, with a revised proposal for a new 27,000 square-foot building south of their current location on Highway 133.

The main impetus for the move, owner representative Will Cofield told P&Z, is to be in the hub of Carbondale Marketplace, with improved ease of access for customers. Moreover, he said, the old building’s layout is obsolete and the new building would be more efficient with sustainable features like electric vehicle charging stations and ample bike parking.

Back in 2021, the ask was to subdivide the lot, purchased by ANB Bank in 2019, leaving the southern parcel undeveloped and rezoned to sell. This time, ANB Bank designed a two-story, mixed-use building spanning the lot’s entirety, with the larger section housing residential and commercial rentals. Sharing a lobby, the squarish portion to the north would serve as the bank. The new proposal also eliminates a drive-thru, which was a point of contention for the previous application.

This rectangular southern section includes 16 residential units of varying size (three studios, nine one-bedroom and four two-bedroom units) — all longterm rentals — and approximately 7,000 square-feet of commercial space, with the possibility for a restaurant. Three of the residential units would be deedrestricted, for persons and families earning between 80% and 120% of the area median income (www.bit.ly/CdaleAMI2023). The project is all-electric, with the exception of gas hook-ups for that potential restaurant, and on-site solar exceeds the minimum requirements.

Proposed public improvements include an acceleration lane onto Highway 133 off Hendricks Drive and heading toward the roundabout, plus more pedestrian trails crossing the Carbondale Marketplace development. As prescribed in the comprehensive plan, the building comes close to the highway, with parking hidden behind it.

The proposal also includes a small playground/dog park space to the south, serving as a buffer between the Remax building and new building. ANB Bank met with Carbondale Arts, the Bike Pedestrian and Trails Commission, WEcycle, the Rotary Club, Carbondale Chamber and its own banking customers in developing the plan. Asked what will happen with the former building, ANB Bank representatives said it would be sold.

Nicholas DiFrank, vice-chair of P&Z, reminded the commission that this area serves as a gateway to Carbondale. “Does this feel like Carbondale?” he asked.

The new ANB Bank proposal has changes significantly from what was previously submitted and reviewed in 2021. Courtesy graphic

While noting the buildings are “very cool,” “modern” and “thoughtful,” he said “I’m not sure it feels like Carbondale to me.”

With no members of the public appearing to comment, the commissioners deliberated. P&Z noted that with Hayden Place across the highway, a canyon effect would be created, with echoing noise and a general loomingness from tall buildings close to the road.

“I’m a little disappointed with how flat and boxy it is,” noted Jess Robison. “It looks like Boulder to me.” She added, “I’m all for modern and clean, and think this is the appropriate location for housing like this … I just think we could get a little more creative on roof lines.”

DiFrank’s main concern was the playground/dog park designated to the south. “We can’t have a shared fence between a dog and a kid’s finger,” he said. “Their dollars could be spent better. The community could be better served with something else.” DiFrank expressed disappointment with the alleged playground which resulted to be a plastic rock across the highway at Carbondale Center Place and suggested a more intentional use of the space may be preferable over “checking a box” for open space.

After one failed motion, a second motion passed unanimously with the added condition to rethink the playground/dog park piece. A revised design for the playground/dog park area will return to P&Z on Oct. 12, with a review by Trustees of the project in its entirety planned for Oct. 24.

The Crystal Mill: How to get there, how to shoot it

By Lynn “Jake” Burton Sopris Sun Correspondent

An entomologist for the Colorado State Forest Service is predicting a good leaf-changing season this year. “They (aspen) look better than they’ve looked in a long time,” the entomologist told the Denver Post. As usual, the peak leafpeeking time is late September to early October.

With that information in mind, it might be time to consider heading up to the Crystal Mill outside Marble to catch the colors, which provide a backdrop for the historic structure. This article gives photographers tips on how to get to the Crystal Mill and recommendations on snapping the thing when you get there.

First, the road. Crystal River Jeep Tours in Marble has driven this reporter to the mill twice in the past two years. I can’t stress this too much: the five-mile trip to the mill is four-wheel drive only. A pair of signs tell that to motorists, but non-four-wheelers still try it.

I talked to a Marble resident this summer who knows a couple who lived at the last house before Daniel’s Hill. Every year, people in conventional vehicles got into trouble and came to their house asking for help. In one case, the gas tank got ripped off the underside of a late model sedan.

As for Daniel’s Hill, it starts a little less than a mile past Beaver Lake and is widely considered the most treacherous part of the route.

Experienced four-wheelers recommend vehicles have at least an inch of lift, while others say two is the magic number. Lift or no lift, it’s a good idea to let some air out of your tires for traction, and don’t forget to reinflate them when you get back to town. The one-lane road is narrow in parts, so your shiny new four-wheeler

might return home with some scratches.

Another reminder: vehicles going up have the right-of-way when faced with vehicles coming down.

OK, now for some photo tips.

For starters, it’s a good idea to bring a fullycharged camera, or a portable charger. You don’t want to run out of juice after the sometimes treacherous road to the mill.

Let’s go straight to what I consider one of the best vantage points for shooting the mill — as seen in the accompanying photo. This was shot from just off the road. The angle shows both Crystal Mill rooftops, with emphasis on the ladder-like structure leading down to the Crystal River. Some photographers bring a ladder or step ladder to get up even higher and shoot down on the mill. There is a similar angle about 50 feet down the road. That spot doesn’t show the east side of the mill, or the two rooftops

As long as you’re spending an hour each way up and back, you might consider shooting some wide angle or zoom in for a popular postcard image. With camera phones and DSLRs (digital single lens reflex cameras), photos don’t cost anything, so you might as well shoot ‘em up.

Wrapping up, the old town of Crystal City is less than 100 yards upstream from the mill and is worth a look. On the way up or down to the mill, you might want to stop and photograph Lizard Lake, especially in the fall. If you’re lucky it’ll be a calm day, with the water reflecting the foliage like a mirror.

Final thoughts: there is no cell phone service at the Crystal Mill or in Marble. Consider bringing some basic survival gear because you never know when some lunkhead will block the road and you will have to hike back to Marble or spend the night up there. That’s about it. Happy trails. I might see you there.

The Crystal Mill was built in 1893 to provide compressed air to a Sheep Mountain mine. The structure that leads down to the Crystal River is called a penstock, according to a display in the Marble Historical Society’s museum, which is open Saturday and Sunday from 11am to 3pm until early October. Photo by Lynn “Jake” Burton.

WINES OF BURGUNDY

Learn about Pinot Noir and Chardonnay using the deductive tasting method.

Friday, 6-8pm, 9/22

INTERMEDIATE OIL PAINTING

Instructions and guided painting projects with plenty of time to explore your own style.

Tuesdays, 5:30-8:30pm, 10/3-11/7

MASTERING CELL PHONE

PHOTOGRAPHY

Learn the quick and easy tricks available in your phone. Sandy Kaplan will show you how to get the images you truly want, and enjoy making photos with your phone.

Mon/Wed, 9am-12pm, 10/16-10/25

MONOTYPE PRINTING

Create “painterly” prints and explore creative, experimental, and spontaneous ways to make unique images on paper with additive and subtractive techniques.

Mondays, 6-9pm, 10/16-11/20

PILATES BLEND

A full-body workout based on the principles of Pilates. Improve balance, coordination, and strength.

Monday/Wednesday, 10/16-12/6 12-12:50pm OR 1-1:50pm

Event Details

The next iteration of the Equity Speaker Series highlights National Disability Employment Awareness Month. The evening will include a panel (representing people with disabilities, businesses, government agencies and service providers) discussion revolving around opportunities and challenges people living with disabilities face when looking for employment. Visit www.tacaw.org to register. In this photo, Mateo Bakken, a participant with Cook Inclusive (a service provider), operates a forklift at the Aspen Pitkin County Airport while on the clock. The event starts at 6:30pm at TACAW. Courtesy photo

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 21

CLEAN MOBILITY

CLEER, Garfield Clean Energy and Drive Clean Colorado are hosting the Three Rivers Clean Mobility Summit and Expo at the Glenwood Springs Community Center from 8:30am to 5pm (lunch and snacks provided). More information and a link to register at www.CleanEnergyEconomy.net

EXIT PLANNING

District, presents his new book, “On Censorship,” at White River Books in Carbondale at 6pm.

ASPEN WORDS

Aspen Words presents Adrienne Brodeur, author of “Little Monsters” and “Wild Game,” for a free talk at TACAW at 6:30pm. Register at www.tacaw.org

TRTC

ADULT BEGINNER BALLET

Classical ballet fundamentals at the ballet barre and center work in a fun and positive environment.

Tuesdays, 9-10am, 10/17-12/5

PERSPECTIVE DRAWING I & II

Learn all about the aspects of drawing in 1-point and 2-point perspective and complete an interior and outdoor scene in each of these two courses.

Tuesdays, 9am-12pm

Perspective Drawing I, 10/17-10/24

Perspective Drawing II, 10/31-11/7

MEMOIR WRITING WORKSHOP

New and current writers will explore the genre of memoir writing and identify the key features that turn a touchstone event into a great narrative.

Wed’s, 6-8:30pm, 10/18-11/22

HAND WOVEN BASKETS

Learn the basics of basket weaving while creating a functional “Bean Pot” basket with wire handles.

Wed-Thurs, 9am-1pm, 10/25-10/26

BEGINNING SCULPTURE

Learn how to think and design in 3-D, or “in-the-round” and create 2 sculptures for your home/garden.

Fri/Sat, 10am-3pm, 10/27-11/4

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

Carbondale Lappala Center • 690 Colorado Ave • 963-2172

The Northwest Small Business Development Center hosts a webinar training about exit plan strategies for small businesses online at 9am. Visit www.northwestsbdc.org for more info.

BOOK CLUB

The Third Thursday Book Club discusses any books by Kate Quinn at the Carbondale Library at 2pm.

HRHR

High Rockies Harm Reduction will be at The Meeting Place in Carbondale providing syringe exchange services, and supplying narcan/naloxone, fentanyl test strips and sterile use equipment, from 4 to 6pm.

BABBLE SEASON

Bronco Babble returns on KDNK with a one-hour special at 4pm. The Babblers will then take over the 4:30pm slot every Thursday through the football season.

COMMUNITY PICNIC

The Carbondale Community Oven hosts a potluck behind the Third Street Center beginning at 6pm. If you’d like to bake a loaf, bring your dough by 5pm.

BEARDUCATION

Aspen Bear Alliance hosts an informative, fun evening educating residents about living in harmony with local black bears leading up to their hyperphagia season. It takes place at Hallam Lake (100 Puppy Smith Street in Aspen) tonight at 6pm. For more info, call 970-923-0041.

AUTHOR TALK

Jamie LaRue, executive director of Garfield County Public Library

Thunder River Theatre Company’s production of “Rabbit Hole” by David Lindsay-Abaire shows at 7:30pm, Thursday-Friday, and 2pm on Sunday this weekend and next. Find tickets at www.thunderrivertheatre.com

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 22

ENGLISH CLASS

Valley Settlement offers free English lessons at the Basalt Library every Friday through Dec. 15, from 9am to 12:30pm.

HISPANIC HERITAGE

FirstBank in Glenwood Springs (2014 Grand Avenue) celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month with street tacos, live music and a bouncy house from 3:30 to 5:30pm.

FAMILY MOVIE NIGHT

The Basalt Library screens “Elemental” at 5pm. To celebrate Library Card Sign Up Month, the library will sign up new library card holders before the film.

CRYSTAL THEATRE

“The Miracle Club” opens at the Crystal Theatre at 7:30pm and shows with captions tomorrow (at 7:30pm) and Sunday (at 5pm) and again on Sept. 28 (at 7:30pm).

BLKBOK

BLKBOK (Charles Wilson III), a pianist born and raised in Detroit’s inner-city, performs neo classical music at TACAW at 8pm. Tickets at www.tacaw.org

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 23

PUBLIC LANDS DAY

Backcountry Hunters & Anglers invites you to celebrate National Public Lands Day by removing barbed wire

fencing on public lands to improve mule deer and elk winter range. There will be an overnight trip in the Maybell area of Moffat County with a potluck and beverages donated by Upslope Brewing. Details and registration at www.bit.ly/Moffatfences

RIVER CLEAN UP

Wilderness Workshop, the City of Glenwood Springs, Middle Colorado Watershed Council and the Roaring Fork Fly Fishing Guide Alliance team up to clean up the Colorado River in South Canyon from 9am to 3pm. Details at www.wildernessworkshop.org/events

ALZHEIMER’S WALK

The Rocky Mountain Walk to End Alzheimer’s kicks off at 9am at Brush Creek Park & Pavilion in Eagle. To register or donate, visit www.alz.org/ walk or support the Sopris Lodge Squad of walkers via on online auction open through Sept. 19 at www.soprislodge.com/auction

MURAL PAINTING

The City of Glenwood Springs invites community members to stop by Bethel Plaza to witness the creation of a new community mural from 10am to 3pm today and tomorrow.

FRIDA KAHLO

The Basalt Library invites patrons to celebrate Hispanic heritage and create colorful hearts while listening to stories about Frida Kahlo, from 10am to 12:30pm.

MEETING DEATH

Local death doula Rachel Zetah Becker discusses how to prepare practically and spiritually for the end of life, at any age, at the Silt Library at 10am. Visit www.gcpld.org for more info.

COMMUNITY CONSTELLATION

Carol Shure leads a Systemic Family Constellation workshop at the Third Street Center from 10am to 4pm. Register by contacting Carol at 831218-5770 or carolshrue@yahoo.com

MENTAL FITNESS FAIR

HeadQuarters hosts its Mental Fitness Fair at Triangle Park in Willits from 11am to 4pm. Proceeds will benefit HeadQuarters and The Mental Health Fund, which therapists can pull from to provide 10 subsidized sessions to clients with financial/insurance barriers. Visit www.headquarters.org for more info.

EXHALE WISDOM

Meghan Gilroy leads an afternoon ceremony at True Nature to reap the messages of light and shadow, from 1 to 4pm. Tickets at www. truenaturehealingarts.com

AUTUMNAL EQUINOX

Candice Claire Oksenhorn and Conor Johnson lead an “Autumnal Equinox Mini-Retreat” with The Center for Human Flourishing from 3:30 to 6:30pm at the Third Street Center. Tickets and more info at www.tcfhf.org

SETTINGS

Take a seat at “The Potter’s Table” with the Carbondale Clay Center’s fall fundraiser, featuring dinner by Pan & Fork, dessert by Sifted Measures and music by Shanti Mae Gruber. The event takes place from 4 to 8pm, and all ticketholders will take home a handmade plate and cup. Find details at www. carbondaleclay.org/settings-2023

WILD & SCENIC

The Wild and Scenic Film Festival, an annual fundraiser for the Middle Colorado Watershed Council, premiers at the Ute Theater in Rifle on Sept. 23 at 6pm. The program will repeat at the Glenwood Vaudeville Revue on Sept. 28, with a streaming option from Sept. 28 to Oct. 5. Learn more at www.midcowatershed.org

FOLK LEGACY TRIO

The Glenwood Springs Community

Concert Association’s season kicks off with Folk Legacy Trio performing at Glenwood Springs High School at 7pm. Tickets are available at the show or www.gsconcertassn.org

STEVE’S GUITARS

Ron Steven Houston plays “real outlaw Americana music” at Steve’s Guitars at 8pm. Tickets at www.stevesguitars.net

COMEDY

Comedian Billy Wayne Davis performs stand-up at TACAW at 8pm. Tickets at www.tacaw.org

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 24

END OF AN ERA

The Town of Carbondale hosts an “End of an Era” pool party at the John M. Fleet Pool from 10am to 4pm. Entry to the pool will be free and stories will be collected from patrons about their favorite memories.

ELON MUSK

Walter Isaacson talks about his new book, “Elon Musk” as part of the Hurst Lecture Series at the Aspen Institute’s Paepcke Auditorium from 11am to noon. Register for free at www.aspeninstitute.org

SUNDAY CONCERT

The Town of Carbondale’s free concert series in Sopris Park concludes the season with The Circuss and Mitt Spicy and The Blues Bandits performing from 4 to 7:30pm.

ECSTATIC DANCE

Dustin Eli leads the monthly Full Moon Ecstatic Dance at 13 Moons Ranch from 6 to 8pm.

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 25

BUDDY CLASSIC

The Buddy Program hosts its First Annual Buddy Classic Golf Tournament fundraiser at the Iron Bridge Golf Course. Teams can start practicing their swing at 10:30am. Rules will be given immediately before the shotgun start at noon. Visit www. buddyprogram.org/buddyclassic for more info and to register.

FROM YOUR CENTER

Alexandra Jerkunica leads a combination of pilates and ballet exercises at the Carbondale Library at 4pm. Bring your own yoga mat and water bottle.

EIA OPEN HOURS

English in Action hosts English tutoring open hours, from 6 to 7:30pm, at the Basalt Library.

VEGAN POTLUCK

Plant-based, whole food enthusiasts and friends are invited to share dishes at the Third Street Center from 6:30 to 8pm. Questions? Contact info@tcfhf.org

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 26

SHEEPDOG FINALS

The Strang Ranch hosts the 2023 USBCHA National Sheepdog Finals today through Sunday, Oct.

1. All proceeds will benefit the shelter pets at C.A.R.E. Visit www. carbondalesheepdogfinals.com for more info and a detailed schedule.

ROCKY MOUNTAIN PUPPETS

Meghan Casey and Rocky Mountain Puppets present a special show about friendship at the Carbondale Library at 11am.

COLLEGE BOUND

Roaring Fork College Consulting offers a four-part (once quarterly) workshop focused on preparing high school students planning to go to college. Today’s session, at 5pm at the Basalt Library, will cover the Common App, which is the application most colleges use for admissions.

Family Movie Night

Fri, Sept. 22, 5-7PM

Celebrate Library Card

Sign Up Month with a family movie night full of popcorn and treats! We will be doing library card sign-ups before the movie!

Frida Kahlo and Her Talent

Frida Kahlo y su talento

Sat, Sept. 23, 10AM-1PM

Create colorful hearts and listen to stories about Frida Kahlo and her artistic talent.

Crea corazones de colores y escucha historias sobre Frida Kahlo y su talento artístico. 14

CELEBRATE LIBRARY CARD SIGN-UP MONTH WIN A KINDLE

Your Garfield County Libraries are giving away three Kindles to library card holders this September for Library Card Sign-Up Month!

If you already have a library card from the Garfield County Libraries you will need to call or visit your local library in September and ask to renew your library card. Once you renew, you will automatically be entered to win.

If you do not yet have a card from the Garf ield County Libraries you can apply for one online or by visiting your nearest library. Once you register you will automatically be entered to win. You will also receive a small gift (while supplies last).

WWW.GCPLD.ORG

School board candidate interviews: District D

By Jeanne Souldern Sopris Sun Contributor

Over the next three issues, The Sopris Sun will publish responses to questions posed to candidates running for the Roaring Fork School District Board of Education.

Jasmin Ramirez is running unopposed for reelection in District D, which includes the northern and western sections of Glenwood Springs.

Background and Motivation:

I am proud to be a Glenwood Springs High School graduate and a mother of two students attending Glenwood schools. Currently, I serve as Vice President of the board and as a member of the newly formed policy committee.

Despite the challenges brought by a pandemic and a superintendent search, I am grateful for the opportunity to have served our community since my election in November 2019 and the chance to have made a positive impact. As a strong advocate for education, I believe in equity, equality, justice, inclusion, access, and building communities centered around students, our most

important stakeholders. I'm convinced that by holding ourselves accountable for our students' performance in schools, we can make a longterm impact on the future citizens of our communities.

As a mother of a child on the autism spectrum, I'm also passionate about ensuring that all students and families have the best possible experience in our schools. As a daughter and wife of immigrants, I have firsthand knowledge of what it means to be a student in our district with diverse lived experiences.

Educational Vision and Priorities:

My main focus and priority as a board director remains that all students graduate from our schools with the necessary skills and knowledge to positively impact our ever-changing world. During my tenure, I have worked hard to ensure that our superintendent evaluation system effectively holds our district's leader accountable for student achievement.

Under the guidance of our current board leadership, we've established a policy committee to ensure board directors are involved in creating and reviewing policies being

approved. Moving forward, I am committed to ensuring that an equity policy is passed and that we hire an independent third party to conduct an equity audit to ensure our district is truly meeting the needs of all our students.

Budget and Fiscal Responsibility:

As a board member, I have advocated for improved communication regarding our district's budget practices and how we allocate funds. Through my participation as a fellow with School Board Partners, a national fellowship for board members, I earned a Certificate in Education Finance from Georgetown University and now sit on their Education Finance Advisory Board. I have also worked to establish relationships with local and state legislators, believing that collaboration is critical to effectively communicating our needs and realities to best inform and impact their decision-making at the Capitol.

Community Engagement and Communication:

As a board member, I have emphasized the importance

of effectively engaging with the community at the district and broader levels. I strongly advocate for better representation in our surveys and improved disaggregation of our collected data. In my opinion, it is crucial to establish measurable standards and expectations for community involvement and ensure that all stakeholders — including teachers, staff and students — are actively participating in the process.

Equity and Inclusion:

I understand the importance of addressing issues of equity and inclusion within the school district, especially for underrepresented or marginalized student groups. I believe the board can create an impact through implementing policies that prioritize diversity and inclusion, such as providing resources and support for students who may face barriers to success. But this work must truly be done at the school level to ensure our students are really benefiting from the sense of belonging. This includes mentorship programs, access to tutoring services, and promoting cultural awareness and sensitivity in the classroom.

Additionally, developing partnerships with community organizations and hiring staff who reflect the diversity of the student population will help create a more inclusive and equitable learning environment.

Superintendent Accountability, Evaluation, and Housing:

The most current district data shows the current superintendent has already impacted student success and achievement. Current board leadership has ensured that the Superintendent's Evaluation not only has accountability metrics but also defines goals and improvements needed to ensure we are evaluating the success of the school district leader. I strongly believe the board must choose one of the Superintendent Housing Task Force recommendations.

Courtesy photo

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

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

¡Solicita tu tarjeta hoy mismo!

Sol del Valle el

Conectando comunidades desde 2021

Distrito D

Por Jeanne Souldern Traducción por Dolores Duarte

En las próximas tres publicaciones, el Sopris Sun presentará respuestas a las preguntas formuladas a los candidatos que se postulan para la Junta Educativa del Distrito Escolar de Roaring Fork.

Jasmin Ramirez se presenta sin oposición para la reelección en el Distrito D, el cual incluye las secciones norte y oeste de Glenwood Springs.

Trayectoria y motivación:

Estoy orgullosa de ser una graduada de Glenwood Springs High School y madre de dos estudiantes que asisten a las escuelas de Glenwood. En la actualidad, ocupo el cargo de Vicepresidente de la junta y soy miembro del recién creado comité de políticas.

A pesar de los desafíos que trajo la pandemia y la búsqueda de superintendente, estoy agradecida por las oportunidades de haber servido a nuestra comunidad desde mi elección en noviembre de 2019 y de haber tenido un impacto positivo. Como firme defensor de la educación, creo en la equidad, la igualdad, la justicia, la inclusión, el acceso y la construcción de comunidades centradas en los estudiantes, nuestros beneficiarios más importantes. Estoy convencida de que si nos responsabilizamos del rendimiento de nuestros alumnos en las escuelas, podremos influir a largo plazo en los futuros ciudadanos de nuestras comunidades.

Como madre de un niño en el espectro autista, también me apasiona garantizar que todos los estudiantes y las familias tengan la mejor experiencia posible en nuestras escuelas. Como hija y esposa de inmigrantes, conozco de primera mano lo que significa ser un estudiante en nuestro distrito con diversas experiencias en su vida.

Visión y prioridades educativas:

Mi enfoque principal y prioridad como directora de la junta sigue siendo que todos los estudiantes se gradúen de nuestras escuelas con las habilidades y conocimientos necesarios para impactar positivamente nuestro mundo cambiante. Durante mi cargo, he trabajado duro para asegurar que nuestro sistema de evaluación del superintendente efectivamente tenga el líder de nuestro distrito responsable de los logros estudiantiles. Bajo la dirección de nuestro actual liderazgo de la junta, hemos establecido un comité de política para asegurar que los directores de la junta están involucrados en la creación y revisión de las políticas que se aprueban. En el futuro, me comprometo a garantizar que se apruebe una política de equidad y que contratemos a un ente independiente para llevar a cabo una auditoría de equidad y asegurar que nuestro distrito está realmente satisfaciendo las necesidades de todos nuestros estudiantes.

Presupuesto y responsabilidad fiscal:

Como miembro de la junta, he abogado para mejorar la comunicación sobre las prácticas presupuestarias de nuestro distrito y la forma en que asignamos los fondos. A través de mi participación como miembro de School Board Partners, una beca nacional para miembros de juntas directivas, obtuve un Certificado en Finanzas Educativas de la Universidad de Georgetown y ahora formo parte de su Junta Asesora de Finanzas Educativas. También he trabajado para establecer relaciones con los legisladores locales y estatales, convencida de que la colaboración es crítica para comunicar eficazmente nuestras necesidades y realidades informando mejor e influyendo en su toma de decisiones en el capitolio.

Participación y comunicación con la comunidad:

Como miembro de la junta, he enfatizado la importancia de la participación efectiva con la comunidad en el distrito y en niveles más generales. Abogó firmemente por una mejor representación en nuestras encuestas y un mejor desglose de los datos obtenidos. En mi opinión, es crucial establecer normas y expectativas cuantificables para la participación de la comunidad y garantizar que todas las partes interesadas -incluidos los profesores, el personal y los alumnos- participen activamente en el proceso.

Equidad e inclusión:

Entiendo la importancia de abordar las cuestiones de equidad e inclusión dentro del distrito escolar, especialmente para los grupos de estudiantes no representados o marginados. Creo que la junta puede crear un impacto a través de la aplicación de políticas que den prioridad a la diversidad y la inclusión, tales como la provisión de recursos y apoyo a los estudiantes que pueden enfrentar barreras para el éxito. Pero este trabajo debe hacerse realmente a nivel escolar para garantizar que nuestros estudiantes se beneficien realmente del sentido de pertenencia. Esto incluye programas de mentores, acceso a servicios de tutoría y fomento al conocimiento y sensibilidad cultural en el aula. Además, el desarrollo de asociaciones con organizaciones comunitarias y la contratación de personal que refleje la diversidad de la población estudiantil ayudarán a crear un entorno de aprendizaje más inclusivo y equitativo.

Responsabilidad, evaluación y vivienda del superintendente:

Los datos más recientes del distrito muestran que el actual superintendente ya ha tenido un impacto en el éxito y el rendimiento de los estudiantes. El liderazgo actual de la junta se ha asegurado de que la Evaluación del Superintendente no sólo tiene métricas de responsabilidad, sino que también define los objetivos y las mejoras necesarias para asegurar que estamos evaluando el éxito del líder del distrito escolar. Creo firmemente que la junta deberá elegir una de las recomendaciones del Grupo de Trabajo para Vivienda del Superintendente.

Volumen 2, Número 30 | 21 de septiembre de 2023 - 27 de septiembre de 2023

Entrevistas a candidatos para la junta escolar:

Foto de cortesía

Un matrimonio ejemplar OPINIÓN

Nacido en un pequeño pueblo de Chihuahua, México, Manuel fue traído por sus padres a los Estados Unidos a la edad de cuatro años. La falta de oportunidades en su pueblo y las dificultades económicas impulsaron a los padres de Manuel a tomar una decisión difícil, emigrar a los Estados Unidos. Aunque Manuel no recuerda sus primeros años en México, sabe por su familia que el tiempo que estuvieron separados fue muy difícil, ya que primero emigró su papá y posteriormente su mamá y sus seis hijos.

La historia de cómo llegaron aquí es un tanto peculiar, ya que el matrimonio viajó con sus hijos hasta Colorado en una

avioneta que el empleador de su papá consiguió, además les dejó vivir en una cabaña de su propiedad. “Se puede decir que no sufrimos al llegar aquí, lo más difícil para la familia fue estar en México mientras mi papá estaba de este lado, ya que fueron algunos años en los que mi papá iba y venía, hasta que nos trajo a todos”, comentó Manuel quien dijo estar consciente de lo afortunados que fueron por la manera en la que llegaron aquí, sin correr mayores riesgos y con ciertos beneficios que no muchos tienen.

Una vez establecidos en su nueva vivienda Manuel y sus hermanos empezaron a asistir a la escuela, donde tuvieron un intérprete que además les enseñó inglés.

Un desafío significativo que Manuel recuerda fue cuando él tenía aproximadamente 13 años. Sus padres decidieron mudarse a otro estado y las cosas no salieron como ellos esperaban, lo cual resultó en que la familia entera pasara una temporada durante un frío invierno viviendo en un camión escolar para finalmente regresar a Colorado.

Por su parte Mayet, esposa de Manuel, que también nació en Chihuahua, recuerda haber cruzado el río con su familia siendo muy pequeña y después de un tiempo viviendo en Estados Unidos se regresaron a México. A los 14 años ella vino nuevamente a los Estados Unidos y vivió con un hermano mayor y su cuñada por un tiempo. Aproximadamente un año y medio más tarde los padres de Mayet también vinieron. Al principio, fue difícil conseguir un lugar donde vivir, pasaron unas semanas durmiendo en su auto, tan pronto encontraron, rentaron un departamento; los demás miembros de la familia pudieron venir para estar todos juntos.

Mayet recuerda el tiempo en la escuela secundaria, como una experiencia difícil, “éramos muy pocos hispanos, había racismo, y yo me negaba a hablar inglés porque sabía que al hablarlo mal se burlarían de mí y eso me afectaba”, dijo Mayet. “Aun así, gracias a Dios y al director de la escuela, que me ayudó mucho, logré graduarme”.

Una cosa que Mayet dijo respecto al choque cultural

que uno sufre al mudarse de un país a otro fue que ella siempre tuvo presente los valores morales que sus padres le inculcaron y en todo momento tuvo en su corazón no defraudar a sus padres y eso la ayudó a hacer sabias decisiones en cada situación que se le presentaba.

Manuel y Mayet, se conocieron aquí en el valle, se casaron y formaron una familia saludable; tienen dos lindas hijas, su hija mayor está casada y tiene tres hermosos niños; su hija menor está estudiando en el colegio.

Manuel compartió que parte del éxito de su matrimonio es que comparten los mismos valores. Uno de esos valores para Manuel y Mayet es el matrimonio y la familia por eso han luchado juntos en los tiempos de dificultad, que como toda familia han enfrentado.

Manuel y Mayet son personas trabajadoras y emprendedoras. Un poco después de casados, al ver la cantidad de hispanos que estaban llegando al valle, Manuel vio la necesidad de abrir una tienda, Tortillería la Roca en Carbondale, de la cual ellos son propietarios. Un consejo que Manuel

da a quienes tal vez van empezando en este lugar, es esforzarse, trabajar arduamente, y ser pacientes, ya que según él “toma tiempo establecerse en un lugar”.

Aunque Manuel expresa que le encanta la comunidad en este valle y está agradecido por las oportunidades que este país le ha dado, anhela algún día regresar a vivir a su país de origen. Finalmente, Mayet dijo “solo me gustaría agregar que todo lo que hemos logrado como familia ha sido gracias a Dios, es cierto que hemos trabajado duro, pero es Dios quien nos ha dado las fuerzas, él nos ha abierto puertas para llegar hasta donde estamos”.

La familia Ruiz es bien conocida y querida en este valle, todos hemos disfrutado de las tortillas tan ricas que hacen, pero poco conocíamos de su inspiradora historia, les agradecemos por dejarnos conocer un poco de su vida familiar y de su historia.

Si usted quiere contar su historia o si conoce a alguna persona o familia que quiera relatar su historia me encantaría conocerla y escribirla. Puedes contactarme en: rochintrini@gmail.com

Por Triny Rochin

Volver a lo Esencial

El sargento de la policía de Rifle se marcha y continúa la divulgación en las redes sociales

guitarra, un hobby que practica desde que era niño. El popular influencer de las redes dijo que continuará utilizando la música como plataforma.

CHISME DEL PUEBLO

Traducción por Jacquelinne Castro

Actualización de graffiti

El 1 de septiembre, oficiales de policía de Carbondale encontraron que un graffiti en Glenwood Springs coincide con un graffiti que se ha multiplicado alrededor de Carbondale en las últimas semanas. La policía de Glenwood Springs identificó a un joven sospechoso quien admitió rociar pintura alrededor de Carbondale. Durante la investigación, un segundo joven sospechoso fue identificado. Ambos fueron acusados con 12 cargos de traspaso criminal y un cargo de delito grave de daño criminal. Se cree que no hay más sospechosos.

Redada antidrogas

El equipo de Respuesta y Cumplimiento de Problemas Especiales (SPEAR por sus siglas en inglés) del condado de Garfield ha estado muy ocupado. En agosto y septiembre, investigaciones en curso de SPEAR llevaron al decomiso de más de 3,000 píldoras de fentanilo, 226 gramos de metanfetamina, 86 píldoras de XanaX, 17 gramos de cocaína y cinco armas de fuego. Tres hombres fueron identificados como distribuidores de drogas y armas de fuego ilegales en el área de Battlement Mesa y fueron arrestados durante la investigación en curso. Cualquier persona con alguna información de actividad criminal es alentada en llamar a SPEAR al 970-945-0453.

Después de servir en la ciudad de Rifle durante 12 años, seis de ellos como sargento, Carlos Cornejo está colgando su uniforme. Pero su compromiso con la comunidad sigue siendo tan fuerte como siempre.

Originario de Guerrero, México, Cornejo y su familia hicieron de Rifle su hogar en 1998. Desde entonces se ha convertido en una figura reconocible, no sólo en las calles de Rifle sino también en las redes sociales.

“Durante el comienzo de la pandemia, vi estas publicaciones en diferentes grupos comunitarios diciendo que estaban arrestando a personas por estar afuera,” dijo Cornejo. “Pedí permiso para interactuar con esos grupos como persona más que como departamento y disipar esos rumores.”

Desde esas interacciones iniciales en abril del 2020, la presencia en línea de Cornejo se disparó. Con más de 5 millones de seguidores en plataformas como TikTok y Facebook, su destreza en las redes sociales es innegable.

“Comenzó a crecer realmente y pensé, mientras estoy en esta posición, ¿Por qué no empiezo a educar a la gente sobre sus derechos y responsabilidades como ciudadano?,” dijo Cornejo.

Los números hablan por sí solos: 187.000 seguidores en Instagram (@ carloscornejov), 1.9 millones en TikTok (@ sargentocarloscornejo), 251.000 suscriptores en YouTube (@sargentocornejo) y 2.9 millones en Facebook. Sin embargo, su cuenta de Facebook fue desactivada el miércoles a petición del Departamento de Policía de Rifle.

Al informar a la comunidad latina sobre consejos de seguridad pública, Cornejo también usa su plataforma para tocar la

Manejar a la defensiva

La junta de directores de la Autoridad de Transporte Roaring Fork (RFTA por sus siglas en inglés) votaron por unanimidad el 14 de septiembre en aumentar el salario inicial para operadores del año entero de $25.68 a $30. El salario máximo también aumentó de $33.93 a $38. RFTA ofrece un paquete de beneficio completo y entrenamiento de licencia CDL pagada, además de pases para esquiar en cualquiera de las ubicaciones de Aspen SkiCo. Para saber más visite www.rfta.com/careers

Fundación Daniels

El Programa de Becas Daniels está recibiendo inscripciones hasta el 15 de octubre para estudiantes de último año buscando continuar su educación. La beca cubre costos completos de asistencia en escuelas asociadas en Colorado, Nuevo México, Utah y Wyoming, o hasta $25,000 por año para gastos de educación fuera de la región de cuatro estados. Aprenda más visitando www.danielsfund.org/scholarships

Agenda Política Latina

La semana pasada, Voces Unidas publicó su Agenda Política Latina de Colorado 2023, informado por una encuesta de 1,600 votantes latinos registrados. Entre los hallazgos se encontró que, “abordar los aumentos de costos de vivienda/inflación” encabezó la lista para prioridades federales y estatales. Más de un tercio

“Me encanta la música,” dijo Cornejo. “He hablado con un par de bandas latinas y vamos a colaborar para involucrarnos aún más con la comunidad.”

Incluso al dejar la policía, Cornejo no dejará Rifle. Su amplia plataforma le brinda la oportunidad única de viajar y hablar con comunidades de habla hispana sobre seguridad en todo el país. Si bien Cornejo optó por mantener en secreto los detalles específicos, sí mencionó conversaciones con una organización sobre posibles conferencias.

“Esta ha sido una parte muy importante de mi vida que me ha enseñado muchas lecciones de vida y me ha dado una segunda familia,” recordó Cornejo sobre su tiempo en el departamento. “Estaba haciendo los cálculos el otro día y he usado este uniforme durante más de 27.000 horas, pero en cada una de ellas he estado muy orgulloso de poder servir y ser parte de esta comunidad.”

Sus planes futuros también incluyen una participación continua en la comunidad de Rifle. Ya se están llevando a cabo conversaciones con varias organizaciones en Western Slope y Colorado sobre cómo puede aprovechar mejor su plataforma para el bien común.

Romper las barreras del idioma y ayudar a una integración exitosa en comunidades diversas siempre ha sido una pasión para Cornejo, especialmente cuando se trata de normas y seguridad pública.

¿Y qué hay de su base de redes sociales en constante crecimiento?

“Voy a seguir compartiendo información,” afirmó Cornejo. “Ya no lo compartiré desde una patrulla, pero es importante compartir esta información con la comunidad.”

"Sincronías" parte 41, por Leonardo Occhipinti

de los encuestados reportaron que “no pueden pagar” o que “apenas pueden pagar” donde viven, y el 50% dijo que su situación económica ha empeorado en los últimos 12 meses. Encuentre el reporte en www.coloradolatinopolicyagenda.org

Manuel y Mayet Ruiz son propietarios de La Tortilleria La Roca en Carbondale. Foto de cortesía

Por Taylor Cramer Post Independent Traducción por Edgar Barrantes

Public Health gears up for vaccine season

By Will Buzzerd Sopris Sun Correspondent

On Monday, Sept. 18, the Garfield County Commissioners met for a series of presentations, notably from the local Board of Human Services and the Board of Health, as well as from the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) which provided a thorough update on all the changes coming to Cottonwood Pass over the next few years.

The meeting opened with a presentation by Karen Peppers, executive director of local homeless shelter Feed my Sheep, who discussed expenditures for this year. According to Peppers, rising food costs are becoming a major issue. Ordinarily, the organization budgets $4,500 for food, but this year costs have reached $17,000 ascribed to a recent loss of actively donating volunteers.

Next up, Sharon Longhurst-Pritt and Lori Goodwin, director and deputy director of the Department of Human Services respectively, acted as the Board of Human Services to present government programming in the county. Longhurst-Pritt noted that disbursements and client caseloads “appear high” and still remain higher than pre-pandemic levels.

Additionally, applications for programs this month have risen 24.4% from last month, and 50.5% from August of last year. Currently, a majority of cases managed by Human Services are Medicaid, with 16,710 individuals in the county currently on the program — approximately a quarter of the population of Garfield County.

After that, Sara Brainard and Joshua Williams, deputy and executive directors of Garfield County Public Health respectively, acted as Board of Health Commissioners to provide updates for this year’s immunizations and communicable disease programs.

Both noted short-staffing issues this year. Currently, out of six nursing positions, two nurses are out on medical leave and one position is vacant coming into the year’s flu season — the busiest time of the year for the Health Department. Brainard said that the lack of help will require a change in immunization tactics. “We are sort of duplicating the initiatives we started during COVID, which is having clinic days and having the public come to us.”

The board also noted rabid bat cases springing up around the Valley and advised any individuals who have been bitten to collect said bat and bring it in with them for testing and control. They took a moment to emphasize the particular unpleasantness of rabies shots.

The Board of Health also asked for approval to employ temporary part-time nursing, beginning at the end of the third quarter through the 2023 calendar year. Brainard is working with staff who were previously employed by Garfield County as well as various community partners to see who could potentially help, especially at these immunization clinics. Labor costs will be covered by both vacancy savings as well as grants, and if there are immunization operations related to COVID this year, the county is eligible for federal reimbursement.

The Board took a few actions prior to a break, both to provide grant funding; $250,000 was provided for the Parachute Area Transit System (the same as last year) and $50,000 was provided to the Glenwood Springs Historical Society and Frontier Museum to match a grant from the State Historic Fund for the preservation of the historic Cardiff Coke Ovens.

Following the break, CDOT arrived with a lengthy presentation detailing both a high-level overview of changes coming to Cottonwood Pass, the rationale behind these changes and a site-by-site, nuts-and-bolts

Sounds of Sopris Park

By Delaney Meyers Sopris Sun Contributor

As crisp fall air comes to the Valley and the trees begin their shift to reds and golds, audiences can enjoy some of the last outdoor music of the season this coming Sunday, Sept. 24 from 4pm until 7:30pm. The fifth of 2023’s five free Sopris Park concerts will feature The Circuss (“A musical trip thru some of your favorite rock and roll tunes”) followed by Mitt Spicy and the Blues Bandits to close the evening. Everyone is welcome — the only rules are no pets, no glass and no booze.

The free concert series in Sopris Park has existed in its current iteration for about 10 years. In the 2000s, the gazebo used to see concerts every Thursday evening put on by what was then the Carbondale Council on Arts and Humanities (now Carbondale Arts). After a several years’ hiatus, then-mayor Stacy Bernot, along with two other Carbondale Trustees Pam Zentmyer and Elizabeth Murphy, approached Marty Silverstein to help bring the park concerts back.

They asked if Silverstein — then on the Parks and Rec Commission and now a town trustee — would be interested in working with Steve Standiford of Steve’s Guitars, and a partnership was born. Though town leadership was only expecting two concerts the first year, Silverstein and Standiford delivered three. The concerts were a big hit, and Silverstein says the music “makes people feel good and it brings the community together … and that’s a joyous thing.”

With over 30 years of booking experience, Standiford brings in quality acts and Silverstein does most of the fundraising and marketing. The first year of concerts had a budget of about $6,000 with an additional $1,000 or so from fundraising efforts. Since then, the Town has increased the budget for the park concerts and Silverstein’s fundraising efforts have increased donations almost seven-fold in recent years.

Community is the main focus of the concerts in Sopris Park: “For me, one of the most rewarding things, besides having free music, is seeing three generations –grandchildren, parents and parents – all enjoying the music together in the park,” Silverstein reflected.

The Town partners with The Sopris Sun and KDNK as media partners, thereby keeping ad revenue in the community, and Standiford’s booking always features local and returning talent as part of the lineup. The series aims to showcase a variety of genres, from bluegrass and Americana to Lantinx rock. “We try to mix it up,” Silverstein said. Recent favorites include Jackson Emmer, Cruz Contreras and Los Mocochetes.

The concerts in the park have “grown into quite an event,” Silverstein said, with attendance often between two and three hundred. He noted, however, that it is a

review for every twist and turn to be modified. CDOT Region 3 Representative Jason Smith and Program Engineer Karen Berdoulay presented, noting that of 14 individual future construction sites along the corridor, eight will take place in Garfield County over the course of four years.

According to Smith, the goal of this project is simply to improve safety and reliability on the pass, primarily through the increased definition of right-ofway, improving visibility and widening sections with a history of sideswipes. However, each change will be made according to four criteria — safety, respect for the rural character/private property, natural resource preservation and collaboration with stakeholders.

Karen Moculeski also presented with CDOT representing Keep Missouri Heights Rural, an organization dedicated to protecting private property rights in the area. Moculeski communicated public concerns to the board, primarily that if the road is improved, speeding may simply increase, the road will become louder and collisions won’t go away. Moculeski also noted that the lack of law enforcement on the road is a contributing factor in this issue.

Due to some absences, the BOCC adjourned early, its next regular meeting scheduled for Oct. 2.

typical Carbondale crowd, and concert-goers don’t all show up at once. There may only be 20 or so people there right at 4pm. He tells the musicians not to worry: “the Carbondale people, especially during the summer, are out biking, hiking or riding on the river, but then they get back, and then, ‘Oh yeah, there’s music in the park, let’s go!’” By 6pm, the park is teeming with folks dancing and enjoying the music.

Silverstein mentioned that keeping the concerts alive was a challenge during the height of the pandemic, but Steve’s Guitars kept the music going by broadcasting shows through their partnership with GrassRoots TV. KDNK simulcasts the music for people who can’t make it in-person, and Silverstein pointed out that the local station “gets to tape the shows so they have a library they can use when they need some programming.”

The Sopris Park concerts wouldn’t be possible without Ralph Pitt, who runs sound for the concerts, and Mountain Maes, a local high school student who runs lighting and helps Pitt with sound. Jeff Jackel and Eric Brendlinger of Parks and Rec have also been instrumental in the success of these concerts, as well as the many sponsors of the series including Alpine Bank, Sopris Liquor and Wine, Umbrella Roofing and others.

“Those that come here love the environment and they’ll come back and play, even though it may [pay] less than a neighboring town,” Silverstein said. “Everyone wants to show ‘em love and everyone wants an encore, they don’t want the music to end.”

"He has a biting problem."

It only takes one groovy dancer to get the party started in front of the gazebo at Sopris Park. Photo by Raleigh Burleigh

Business collaborations inspire community connections

By Myki Jones Sopris Sun Correspondent

On Sept. 6, Capitol Creek Brewery hosted an event celebrating a collaborative project with Two Leaves and a Bud. The final product, named Two Leaves and a Hop, is a saison ale brewed at Capitol Creek Brewery and infused with tea from Two Leaves. The brew has been enjoyably received by customers of both companies.

The party included live music by local artist Logan Fletcher, a beer-purchase raffle and a plethora of prizes and swag bags for attendees to take with them. Local Jimmy Uvodich won the raffle.

"Everybody enjoyed themselves,” Alli Elam, Two Leaves and a Bud's social media manager and customer care representative, told The Sopris Sun. And, “I was floating around and spending quality time with my team. Overall, it was a nice bonding experience."

Her sentiments were echoed by Capitol Creek’s master brewer, Mat Johnson. “The highlight was meeting the folks of Two Leaves and a Bud and the [Basalt] Chamber,” he shared. “At the end of the day, collaborations like this foster new friendships and provide an opportunity to get to know other members of the community.”

Johnson met Elam through one of his coworkers, and they hit it off immediately. During one particular hangout, they discussed using tea

leaves in a brew.

"It was [actually] my boyfriend, who works at Capitol Creek and is good friends with Mat, who suggested we brew a beer with tea." Elam clarified.

The project moved smoothly once Mat selected a tea and went to work. Later, Two Leaves posted about the collaborative brew, which caught the attention of the Basalt Chamber of Commerce.

"It was awesome that they approached us and showed interest in our work. I think they're helping facilitate these relationships between businesses on a more personal level," Johnson shared.

Elam added that the connection between the businesses and the Chamber's promotion of the product, inspired them to brew more batches.

"It's fun for people to see what's going on and to have good friends and local companies that bring up brainstorming ideas together,” said Elam. “Plus, it's just fun to collaborate. I think if you have the mind set and aspiration to want to collaborate with people, you can make some magic happen."

Johnson piggybacked on that, saying he enjoys collaborating with companies outside of the brewing industry. "Collaboration amongst brewers is very common. I think it's fun to have collaborations spark up with other companies outside of the beer business,” he said. “It intrigues me, and there are more opportunities to be creative."

He explained that he has

networked with local coffee roasters, food upcyclers looking to utilize the brewery’s spent grains, farmers and even mountain bike companies.

"I'm interested in partnering with other businesses; whether it's people producing something I can add to the beer or a food item — there are many different ways to collaborate,” Johnson expressed. “I'm super stoked about partnering with local companies again soon, especially with the changing seasons."

Two Leaves is no stranger to collaborating in various capacities. For instance, and on the heels of the Sept. 6 release party, the tea company

partnered with Roaring Fork Outdoor Volunteers to work on maintenance of the Arbaney Kittle Trail, recently adopted by Two Leaves. Plus, "Two Leaves started a program in January of this year called Community in a Cup,” Elam added. “Our first collaboration was with Pollinator Chocolate in Carbondale, where we had a tea and chocolate pairing.”

For more updates on Two Leaves, or to inquire about collaborating, visit www.twoleavestea.com For more on Capitol Creek, visit www. capitolcreekbrewery.com

Pitkin County Cares

Let us help you find the resources you need.

LEAP can help heat your home.

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Jimmy Uvodich (left) won the raffle at the Capitol Creek Brewery event celebrating a new saison ale brewed in partnership with Two Leaves and a Bud. Master brewer Mat Johnson (right) dreamed up the collaboration between these local businesses. Courtesy photo

Green technologies adopted locally

By London Lyle Sopris Sun Intern

On Aug. 23, the Community Office for Resource Efficiency (CORE) hosted the Green Electronics Showcase, where several different vendors demonstrated their green alternatives to carbon-heavy machinery used in and around the community. CORE has made electrification a primary focus for its programming.

Jami McMannes, CORE's public relations and communications manager, said, “We are delighted with the representation we had from our sponsors, partners and attendees [at] the Green Electronics Showcase. Our partners demonstrated how to make the switch to electrification and how small changes can make a big impact on the future of our environment. Ranging from electric snow blowers to bikes to induction cooktops, the electronics that were featured were not only innovative and inspiring, they were also fun!”

One piece of green technology in particular is generating a lot of buzz: robotic lawn mowers. Colin Lowe, the business development manager at Kress Outdoor Power Equipment, said of the Showcase, “The community was able to go into different booths and have multiple conversations about different electrification options in their

area. Being able to bring all of our electric, battery-powered hand tools to homeowners and to show them robotic lawnmowers was a very worthwhile event for us to be a part of.”

nonroad gasoline emissions in the United States in 2011.

lawn mowers is noise pollution. This change is championed among environmentalists and golfers alike. “People love to be in serene areas,” Lowe commented. “Nobody — especially on a golf course — likes to hear a noise during their backswing. So being able to reduce those types of loud obtrusions is what we’re doing here.”

According to Lowe, local golf courses are already adopting their electric mower technology, which is also automated. Once a person has mapped the area they would like to mow with a special tool that uses satellite technology, the Kress mower can move around that perimeter without an operator, similar to a Roomba vacuum, cutting labor costs in addition to noise pollution.

Kress sells their robotic lawnmowers and other batterypowered tools like hedge trimmers, chainsaws, backpack blowers and snow blowers to both individuals and companies. All products use the same rechargeable batteries across machines, making them interchangeable.

Mountain Fair

Lowe emphasized that gaspowered tools are harmful to the environment. According to a 2015 report from the Environmental Protection Agency, gasolinepowered lawn and garden equipment accounted for 24%−45% of all

“If we’re able to remove the exorbitant amount of gasolinepowered hand tools and convert those to battery, we are having a dramatic impact on the environment,” Lowe said. “Not to mention the extreme benefit for the user of these tools,” citing the harmful impacts of breathing emissions for the user of a gas-powered tool.

Another type of pollution that is reduced in communities when they make the switch to robotielectric

As far as costs go, making the switch to electric-powered tools and machinery can ultimately save a person money. Lowe said that individuals can expect to save up to $900 on gasoline per lawn mower if they make the switch, depending on how much they use it. “We’re changing the game dramatically, and I hope that the momentum keeps up,” he concluded.

Art by Sofie Koski

So the women gathered

By Melina Laroza Sopris Sun Contributor

The air changed this past weekend, and on its cooled currents came the first dusting of snow atop Mt. Sopris and a migration of around 130 women from all over Colorado and beyond to join locals at 13 Moons Ranch for the seventh annual Red Earth: The Mountain West Women’s Herbal Gathering. For three days, women of all kinds focused on celebrating the Wise Woman tradition of healing the self through deep nourishment, ceremony, song and dietary herbs.

Willow scent greeted me as I left my car and cell service behind, entering the womb of Red Earth Herbal Gathering. Tucked under Wemagooah (a Ute name for Sopris), I felt power radiating from the land. A pathway sparkling with plant allies led to registration and all that awaited: the marketplace abuzz with botanical commerce, an array of outdoor spaces for connective workshops, a Wellness Village for women to receive all flavors of healing treatments, a fairy garden blasting Spanish dance music for the kids and moms to play to.

The path continued along the Crystal River, beckoning us. Oriana Moebius, co-organizer and steward of the magical 13 Moons Ranch, where the seventh annual gathering was being hosted for the first time, said, “A lot of work was needed, but the whole village showed up to help make the vision I had to gather women on this land the night I got here happen, 13 years ago when I came back home for good.” Moebius is a fifth-generation Carbondalien, but had been living abroad with her family. She told of a potent gathering in Costa Rica which inspired her participation in “creating a women’s only

space for mothers to feel safe with their children living with the land as we are meant to.”

Previously located on the Front Range, this move to Carbondale was an attempt to find Red Earth a true home, co-founder Astrid Grove told me. We look to the red cliffs in the north and agree they are onto something.

Grove also had a vision from Spirit. “I wanted my girls to grow up in this women’s culture that we co-create without even trying, just by being together. So I created Red Earth with my friend Leela. I wanted women to be deeply nourished, as one of my biggest intentions. We know that it’s up to us to hold the energy of the planet right now during this great turning that is happening, it’s super intense and scary. We know as women that it’s up to us, but we don’t know what to do … this is what we do. We gather.”

Jenna Barnes called Grove last summer relaying a vision she had been given of cooking for this very gathering. Grove’s instant “yes” made the visionary trifecta complete; Barnes and her crew of kitchen goddesses supplied the heart of the gathering: deep nourishment. Crocks of animal bone broth, gallons of fortifying teas with herbs Moebius grew and gifted, plus three organic meals a day made with so much love.

On the first afternoon, I sat in ceremony in the Red Tent with these special women and felt the power of Sacred Sisterhood become part of me.

The Red Tent was just one of 27 juicy workshops replete with herbal and woman wisdom. Participants could choose up to six during the weekend: from tincture making to drum making with local goddess Alya Howe,

For three days, 13 Moons transformed into a hearth for women and their children from near and far to gather and share herbal wisdom.

herbal aphrodisiacs (there was a lot of vulva talk) to permaculture, aerial arts, menstrual care, self-breast massage and much more.

For three days we celebrated being the container of the entire species with five F’s EagleSong Gardener taught us: “fun, food, friends, family and fire.” We had all of those, belly laughs, singing around the fire about abuelas and pajaritos, dancing while BethyLoveLight rapped herbal disquisitions. The medicine of the plants and the wisdom of our grandmothers are inseparable. This is what we celebrated: reclaiming our power.

We are delighted to offer you, our community, the opportunity to take advantage of low-cost blood tests. By Appointment Only.

Photo by Melina Laroza

Tony Furtado’s musical mastery takes center stage at TACAW

By Jeanne Souldern Sopris Sun Correspondent

On the evening of Sept. 30, The Arts Campus at Willits (TACAW) will come alive with banjo-string symphonies from singer-songwriter, banjo champion and slide guitar master Tony Furtado.

The Pleasanton, California native said a sixth-grade homework assignment was the spark for his musical career. He recalled, “I wrote a report on a musical instrument, and had to make that instrument out of household items. I made a banjo out of a pie tin and some paper that I stretched over the pie tin. I put a stick on it, then rubber bands for frets and fishing line for strings.”

Growing up in the San Francisco Bay area, where, Furtado admitted, “there weren't too many banjo players around me,” he saw them on TV shows like “Hee Haw” and “The Beverly Hillbillies” at his grandparents’ house.

For his 12th birthday, Furtado’s parents gave him his “first real banjo” — sort of. They leased a banjo, making small monthly payments, “because they were afraid I wouldn't be that into it after a month. But you couldn't take it out of my hands. That got me going on my musical path. Public school did that!” As Furtado was perfecting his banjo-playing skills, he won the National Bluegrass Banjo Championship in 1987 and 1991.

Known across the Roaring Fork Valley as a frequent performer at Steve’s Guitars and many other area

venues, Furtado moved from Boulder to Portland, Oregon, about 20 years ago.

He plays a regular and cello banjo, slide guitar on acoustic and electric guitars, baritone ukulele and “really bad mandolin,” he said. That’s the cue for long-time musical collaborator and accomplished mandolinist Matt Flinner to join him on stage.

At the TACAW performance, Flinner will play mandolin and bouzouki (a Greek stringed instrument). Furtado shared, “I might even hand him my banjo to play because he's also an amazing banjo player and a great guitarist.”

As a teenager, Furtado found inspiration whenever and wherever it showed itself, including Charlie Parker’s bebop jazz compositions or “a new guy on the scene named Béla Fleck.” Always listening for those golden musical nuggets for his musical mentors, “I was into good solid players back then, like Alan Munde, J.D. Crowe and Earl Scruggs,” he said.

When Furtado took up slide guitar, he began to understand the intrinsic connectedness between musicians, saying, “Ry Cooder was my gateway into slide guitar and from Ry Cooder, I got into David Lindley and Blind Willie Johnson. And you know what, all these players influenced Ry Cooder too.”

At 20, Furtado quit college to tour with Laurie Lewis & Grant Street. “We were on tour somewhere back east, and there was this new young singer

with this band called Union Station named Alison Krauss, and I thought she was just killer.”

He and Krauss chatted backstage and struck up a friendship. Thereafter, she stopped by “to jam and pick” whenever she was in California, he said. Furtado was working on a banjo arrangement of The Beatles song, “I Will,” when he ran into Krauss, who offered to sing vocals on the track on Furtado’s second solo album, “Within Reach,” released in 1992.

In a June 2023 uDiscoverMusic. com magazine article, the FurtadoKrauss rendition of “I Will” joined the list “Best Beatles Covers: 20 Essential Versions of Fab Four Classics.”

The therapeutic effect of songwriting would be in full force on his 2015 album, “The Bell,” which he described as “a snapshot of that time period” when his father died, his son was born, and he parted ways with his recording label.

The deep dive into the personal proved to be cathartic for Furtado. He said, “The whole album is me processing. I felt empowered. Of course, I missed my father, and that sucked, but I had my family and my new son and my friends that were supporting my new moves.”

But music is not Furtado’s only creative endeavor; he is also a sculptor. For about 16 years, he has worked out of a studio space in the Falcon Art Community Building in Portland. His sculpture work, found

on his website (www.tonyfurtado. com/sculpture-gallery) includes orca whales, hares and otters. With music and sculpture, he explained, “One helps the other in that it relaxes any kind of stress on each of them. When I first got back into sculpting, there was a lot of pressure on me in the music business, and then I would disappear into my studio, and it'd be my Zen space.”

The TACAW performance will feature Furtado, Flinner and Portland-based fiddle player Luke Price, the current and five-time Grand National Fiddle Champion.

Doors open at 7pm and show at 8pm. For tickets and more information, go to www.tacaw.org

When You Have Unexpected Medical

Courtesy photo

TRTC tackles grief, loss in “Rabbit Hole”

By Luke Wander Sopris Sun Contributor

Editor’s Note: This review contains plot spoilers

David Lindsay-Abaire’s Pulitzer Prize-winning play, “Rabbit Hole,” is an honest examination of the dynamics of bereavement. Despite its laugh-in-theface-of-death brand of levity and its unceasing buffet of dessert dishes, it is famously not a feel-good play. In choosing “Rabbit Hole” to begin the 2023-2024 season, Thunder River Theater Company (TRTC) has signaled its intention to not just entertain its audience, but to challenge us.

The grief in question belongs primarily to Becca and Howie, played by Toddy Walters and Mark Millhone respectively. A married couple living out the apparent suburban dream in Upstate New York, Becca and Howie have been working through the loss of their only child for eight months, and are clearly still stumbling over their most basic wants and needs as they adjust to their new reality. Everyday acts like folding laundry or walking the dog are laden with emotional hazards. Even discussions of decades-old political conspiracy theories have the capacity to set them back.

Thankfully, Howie and Becca are not left to weather these storms alone. Becca’s mother, Nat, played by Libby Rife, has experience with grief as well, though her approach to doling out advice is far from tactful. Becca’s sister, Izzy, played by Brittany Crooke, lives a life chaotic enough to distract Becca from her own problems, albeit briefly. Off stage, Howie deals with his pain by attending group therapy sessions and playing squash.

To attempt to convey any more of the play’s central story along traditional lines of climactic crescendo and the subsequent fade

into resolution would not only spoil the plot, but it would also miss the central point of the play: grief is not a linear, tidy process.

“There can and should be moments of hope and genuine connection between these characters,” writes David Lindsay-Abaire in his notes in the original script, “but I don’t ever want a moment (not even the very end) where the audience sighs and says, ‘Oh good, they’re gonna be okay now.’”

Missy Moore’s direction takes these words to heart. The result is an honest, delicate, frigid, hilarious performance from the cast. Toddy Walters plays Becca with a deep need to be pitied and comforted, and gains bravery with every scene. Mark Millhone plays Howie with a hunger to move on, to defeat grief and live something closer to a normal life. Though at times his acting is too subtle, Millhone’s Howie is decidedly human, and his palpable weariness in the final scene is the most truthful work of the entire play.

Brittany Cooke’s performance leans into the messiness of Izzy’s existence, but she is unafraid of the consequences. Her brash approach, when partnered with the energy of Libby Rife’s performance as Nat, breathes life into the play. Together, Izzy and Nat boldly speak truth to the power of sadness, emboldened by glasses of wine and orange juice.

Ricky Perez plays the surprising and somehow delightful role of Jason, whose part in the story serves to illustrate the particular oddity of grief that is caused by an accident. He is aware of the impact of his presence, but he is nonetheless determined to own his part in Becca and Howie’s loss.

Credit must also go to Set Designer Sean Jeffries, who dreamed up a set that ensures the tragedy of Becca and Howie’s loss remains visually present throughout the show. Technical

Director Taylor Barr deserves plaudits for bringing Jeffries’s vision to life, and for building a set of kitchen cabinets worthy of a showroom floor. Props Designer Wayne Breyer’s neverending array of desserts and Sara Malloy’s crafty costuming warranted a round of applause all on their own.

Ultimately, “Rabbit Hole” is not a step-bystep manual for how to grieve the loss of a life, but rather a glimpse into what grief can look like in white picket fence suburbia. For those among us who have lived through periods of grief, it will feel eerie, even familiar, but for those who have not, it may leave a sense of foreboding.

Regardless, TRTC must be applauded for choosing such a bold play to open their season, and for holding true to the playwright’s vision. The point is not to feel good. The point is to feel. Are we up to the challenge?

Brittany Cooke and Toddy Walters in “Rabbit Hole.”

Photo by Sam Ferguson

carbondale potatoday

cornhole tournament

oct 7th 11am-2pm to register visit: carbondalerec.com

Voices of the Crystal

The Crystal is a freestone river, not dammed at any point of its journey. This has become a rare thing for rivers in the West, and the watershed therefore still holds on to some vestige of its original state. The very core of who I have become as an artist and fly fisherman is predicated on the well-being of this river.”

Carbondale man arrested in NYC

During the international Climate Week gathering in New York City, Arn Menconi, a Carbondale resident, was one of 149 protesters arrested on Sept. 17 for blocking access to the Federal Reserve Bank, demanding the Fed regulate Wall Street fossil fuel financing. Protesters called attention to both public and private fossil fuel financing. As reported by The Guardian, government subsidies for coal, oil and gas globally

reached a record high of $13 million per minute in 2022 last year — "equivalent to 7% of global GDP and almost double what the world spends on education, according to the International Monetary Fund." Meanwhile, BlackRock and Citibank are among the biggest funders of fossil fuels in the world. "I don’t have hope, I have kids," Menconi told The Sopris Sun.

Gerdin

learn more CrystalWild.org

Courtesy photo

Martin

Glassblower, Angler

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

Phantom Pitch

By Golda Wolfe

This is an excerpt from an unpublished novel, Phantom Pitch. This is a work of pure fiction. All Rights Reserved. No use without permission.

I n the January after the war ended, a young couple went to the little town of Aspen for the somber occasion of their honeymoon. Leonard Davidoff had mustered out of the 10th Mountain Division with the rank of lieutenant, a deaf ear and the consequences of a disease he caught while being treated for battle injuries. Davidoff married his war bride Charlotte Blum in an impromptu ceremony held in the London hospital ward where he and other casualties from his unit were recuperating. By then, the new Mrs. Davidoff had learned that she would never see her parents or younger brother again. She did not yet know how they died, when, or where. She wore a borrowed wedding dress in ivory satin that pooled extravagantly on the floor. The nurses who had befriended her gave her a bouquet of tiny white roses, a lifeline she gripped tightly.

Charlotte’s nationality was an issue. Fraternizing with any civilian from the enemy side was prohibited by the Army months after the hostilities ended. Leonard married Charlotte nonetheless, but when he sought permission to bring her to the United States as his wife, the request was refused. He was ordered to return without her and wait to see if she would receive clearance. For five months the newlyweds were apart. Leonard Davidoff lived with his family in Brooklyn. His parents complained incessantly about his reckless marriage, which they opposed more strenuously than the Army had. They disapproved of more than

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her Austrian passport; by their standard, their son’s wife was of a different religion. Charlotte, an athletic, blond beauty, arrived at LaGuardia and silently endured the Davidoff family’s enmity. After three days of it, she and Leonard boarded the train for their long journey into the Colorado Rockies, where they intended to remain until they figured out where to go next.

One week into the start of their American life, an avalanche calved onto the train tracks in Glenwood Canyon, missing their train but burying the tracks under a few tons of snow that solidified like concrete. It took a team of 20 men to clear the way, adding yet another delay. While the passengers waited, the conductors handed out thick blankets and the kitchen served up a bottomless, steaming vat of vegetable soup. Leonard and Charlotte spent the night and much of the next day in the club car with the other passengers, huddled by the wood burning stove. The day was fading into a gauzy dusk when they reached Aspen’s only hotel, a ramshackle structure that faced the ski slope. Charlotte looked around her and was struck by the familiarity of the mountainside’s barren, phantasmal whiteness, rising directly from where the town’s few streets ended. The slope almost glowed, and the slack skeins of the rope tow swayed. She may have stared for many seconds.

“Hey, come on, let’s get inside and make sure we still have a room,” Leonard said loudly. The hotel was almost full. But the promise of a room for three dollars a night to any 10th Mountaineer on his honeymoon, was kept.

This was the second time that Randall Johnson, a tall, angular youth of about 20, with eyes too bright for his cinnamon-colored skin, saw her lingering, as if in a trance. He had been on the crew that cleared the train tracks. She had been one of the few women aboard the train. She was the only one who had climbed down from the car, strapped on bearpaws and plodded a short distance in the unbroken snow to get a closer look at the removal work. Shoveling, which was one of Randall’s three jobs, was an around the clock profession. When he noticed Charlotte at the hotel entrance he was, once again, moving snow out of her way, broadening the passage through the narrow canyon between mountains of snow that stood as high as the roofline on Main Street. Though another storm was hanging in the air, shoveling in the town could not be put off. Within minutes the temperature had dropped like a stone. The first flurries coming unbound from the mist settling in, were widely spaced and reluctant in their falling. The woman — Randall Johnson guessed she was older than he was —turned to follow the man who had spoken to her. Only on the radio had Randall heard the man’s knowing manner of speaking. It had an edge of arrogance to it, which irritated him. Charlotte’s eyes rested on the shoveler in a gaze that was curious, perhaps bemused. Randall Johnson was accustomed to being invisible, even when his proximity was of the utmost necessity.

Photo by Tommy Sands, Sept. 17, 2023

I appreciate that, unlike most others I talked with, Sue Zislis actually took the time to read a couple of the “explicit content” manga books at the Silt library. She called them “rather risqué,“ but the women I showed them to didn’t want to look at them at all after they saw the first few images. One image shows a school girl handcuffed to a wall with her school uniform revealing her private parts. That’s just one of many. The head librarian says these books are “meant

A safe haven for books like that? Zislis asks if any public library or governing body should have the authority to restrict who has access to which reading materials. Truth is, they already do. Libraries pick the books they provide and determine where they will display those books. And, the First Amendment to the Constitution does not protect child

requested those books, who bought them, and who approved them in the first place. They are definitely

The petition about these books requested segregating the books so that children under 18 could parental permission — rather than putting them on the lowest shelves providing easy access to children. That is NOT BANNING the books. Correct me if I’m wrong, but our libraries have self-check-out computers. One need not even talk

I will say this: any parent who lets their children read these books would not be one I would let have access to any child in my family. But, how does one know unless their children start acting like the role models in these books? What are my children’s rights? I must admit, I’m really sick and tired of abuse of children and women, and people thinking it’s their right and

anxiety about the change. Young people are suing state and national governments to force them to become active in fighting climate change.

What needs to happen is well known. We have to stop burning fossil fuels. It’s that simple. Right away. So, what about Carbondale? What can we do? What can we do that really makes a difference? How about we stop putting up houses and buildings that will be burning natural gas? Every new building or project that is burning fossil gas will be adding to our problem as long as it stands. I think that’s a crime.

A crime against the next generations.

I wonder if the lady in the wrong parking place even understands what we’re facing. Or maybe, she just thinks it is not her problem; saving a few steps to the store is more important. For a decade now I have been trying to encourage action to stop climate change. Any ideas on how to make that happen?

Patrick Hunter Carbondale

Boebert lies

She lied about her background and education.

She lied that she was a successful businesswoman (according to her congressional disclosure forms, her restaurant lost $143,000 in 2019 and $226,000 in 2020).

She’s suspected to have lied about the amount she spent on campaign travels in 2020, using donor money to pay off tax liens on her restaurant.

She lied to her constituents that the 2020 presidential election was "stolen." There is, and never was, any evidence to support this falsehood.

She lied about her support of the attack on our nation's capital.

She even lies about her behavior. How dumb do you have to be to get thrown out of a show and then lie about it? She thinks she is above the rules of common decency and the rule of law.

Carbondale’s City Market has about eight parking spaces near the entrance that are reserved for “hybrid” vehicles. Every time I park my EV there, I see cars that are not hybrid or full EV. I asked the manager about it. He said, they can’t really do anything. Today, there was a little old lady that was putting her groceries in her gas burning car. I didn’t say anything.

But, here’s the larger point. When I checked the online news today, I saw major problems all over the planet that are directly connected to climate change. Hundreds of fires, incredible floods from massive rain, drought that is killing crops, and heat that is killing people outright. There are stories about young people in the U.S. experiencing great

We, you and I, are paying Boebert $174,000 a year. That's $476 a day, every day of the year. She has no clue how to work with other legislators to get laws passed that will benefit our country. She habitually lies, is a public embarrassment and, with all of the dire challenges facing our world, is nothing but a vindictive obstructionist in our congress.

Annette Roberts-Gray Carbondale

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.

Colorado Mountain College unveiled its Faculty Heritage Wall at the Spring Valley Campus on Sept. 14, honoring faculty that served the college for 10 or more years. The wall is located upstairs in the Calaway Academic Building. Among the honorees were Bob Kelley (pictured bottom- right with his granddaughter) and Clay Bolland (pictured top-right with friends Peggy Devilbiss and Sondie Reiff). Former vice president and campus dean Nancy Genova (below) spoke at the event.

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HIRING NEW POSITIONS

The Town of Carbondale is currently hiring for six staff positions. Open positions vary between part and full-time, and include:

• Planner I/II

• Building Inspector

• Board and Commission Clerk (P/T)

• Police Administrative Assistant

• Ordinance Officer

• Police Officer II

Interested candidates can visit www.carbondalegov.org a nd click on Employment Opportunities to find complete position profiles, job descriptions and required application forms.

CARBONDALE IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER.