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This Week: 5 ~ Labor of Love 7 ~ Theater 11-14 ~ Español 16 ~ Immigration 18-19 ~ Town reports

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Christmas on the Boulevard The snow arrived on time to greet Santa's arrival in Redstone on Saturday, November 25. After a stop at Propaganda Pie and another at the General Store, Santa greeted the people surrounding the giant bonfire at the Redstone Inn. Then he took his chair at his special place in the Inn's fitness center to have kids of all ages tell him what they hope to find under the tree on Christmas Day. Photos and text by Sue Rollyson

Volume 15, Number 43 | November 30 - December 6, 2023

OPINION

The Sopris Sun

By Kay Clarke

Editor's note: Clarke is the co-chair of The Sopris Sun's board of directors.

There are so many great reasons to be proud of the publication you are holding in your hands. Less than six weeks after our local newspaper of 34 years was scrapped by corporate owners, a group of Carbondale citizens quickly gathered together and created The Sopris Sun. And, to ensure we would never again lose our community newspaper, they made it a nonprofit.

That was early 2009, and we have grown in important ways since then.

Here for you

As a nonprofit newspaper, we exist to serve our community – to inform, engage and empower. Our commitment to providing high quality, award-winning journalism is fueled not by commercial interests but by dedication to public service. This commitment is a labor of love for our board members, our employees and our individual freelance contributors.

Our reporters watchdog Garfield County commissioner meetings as well as Carbondale and Basalt town council meetings, the school board and so much more. Our talented staff and team of reporters, photographers, graphic artists and illustrators provide vital local and regional coverage every week. The Sopris Sun is pleased to reflect the cultural abundance of our valley, including “Works in Progress” to showcase the endeavors of local writers and artists. And, drum roll, we're in the midst of rolling out our new and improved bilingual website.

LETTERS

Authenticity vs audacity

Our longtime locals are constantly finding themselves criticized for every conceivable deficiency of the modern world, real or imaginary. And, we unapologetically take responsibility for all we have done and do not look to blame others.

However, upon reflection, we would like to point out to our newer residents and visitors that it was not our community’s founding miners, ranchers, foresters and mountaineering explorers who took the melody out of music, the pride out of personal appearance, the courtesy out of well-mannered driving, the responsibility out of parenthood, the togetherness out of family, the learning out of education, the service out of

It takes a village, and what a village!

Looking good

Larry Day, Sofie Koski (an alumni of our youth journalism program) and Brian Colley bring their special brand of creativity to the paper and consistently make us look so good.

Then there’s our volunteer proofreader since 2010, Lee Beck. She keeps us on our toes and grammatically correct.

Our talented team of writers work many hours to tell our stories and keep us informed; they are the real backbone of the organization. Watch for their bylines and thank them when you see stories or columns you appreciate. After each week’s edition is sent to press, Frederick Kirschbaum drives to the printer in Gypsum to pick up and deliver the paper on time to 125 locations from Glenwood to Aspen, regardless of weather or conditions in Glenwood Canyon.

Volunteers then carry the paper up the Crystal to Redstone and Marble.

While you sip coffee and read the Thursday morning newspaper, James Steindler is producing the Sopris Sun’s online newsletter that links you to all the week’s stories and more. Did I mention we received an astounding fifteen awards this year from the Colorado Press Association? This is an unprecedented amount of recognition, especially for a small independent nonprofit newspaper. Wow!

El Sol poster child

In 2021, Sopris Sun Editor Raleigh Burleigh created our Spanish section, el Sol del Valle, which is also printed by the Aspen Daily News and appears from Aspen to Rifle as a stand-alone publication. Skilled Latino writers and columnists have come into our fold, sharing perspective and enhancing coverage of the Latino community. Last year, a cohort of eight local news organizations met to improve news service to local Spanish speakers. The cohort selected el Sol del Valle to spearhead this effort and this year voted to allocate grant money in support of a full-time editor position for el Sol, currently held by Vanessa Porras.

patriotism, the Golden Rule from political leaders, the civility out of public discourse, the refinement out of language, the dedication out of employment, the prudence out of spending, the ambition out of personal achievement or the respect out of government and schools.

Let’s all remain mindful of the commotion we left and the colors of Colorado that drew us here.

Wishing all a kind New Year, Lani Kitching, Carbondale Trustee

Grateful for MANA

It’s been a year and a month since I left the Valley, and in this season of reflecting and giving thanks I want to share my gratitude for MANA Foods.

Thank you for feeding the Valley, for providing a bridge and access to

2 • THE SOPRIS SUN • soprissun.com • November 30 - December 6, 2023

Mentoring young journalists

Three years ago we launched our very popular Youth Journalism Program.

Students receive hands-on professional training from local working journalists, photographers, illustrators and other special guests. Contributing Editor James Steindler oversees the program, and student works appear regularly on our pages. Independent journalism is vital to the foundation of our democracy, and mentoring young journalists ultimately benefits us all. It’s no accident that freedom of the press is part of the First Amendment.

On the radio

Thursday afternoon at 4pm tune in to KDNK to hear in-depth interviews during our radio program, “Everything Under the Sun,” which starts and ends with the tune “Here Comes the Sun” played by our own Ken Pletcher.

On Sunday evenings, “El Sol Habla,” our Spanish radio program, takes the airwaves.

Sustaining nonprofit journalism

Advertising sales and grants cover less than 80% of the escalating costs of producing a newspaper. It takes $10,000 each week to bring you this newspaper and Executive Director Todd Chamberlin works tirelessly to gather advertisers, sponsors and donors. It requires the support and commitment of our community members to make it happen. Our Honorary Publishers pledge $1,000 or more every year. The balance comes from people like you who support The Sopris Sun and know the importance of independent journalism.

We could not do this without your help.

Tax deductible donations can be given online at www.soprisun. com/donate or mailed to PO Box 399, Carbondale, CO 81623. Every dollar invested in our newspaper is an investment in the wellbeing of our community, and through Dec. 31 we have matching grant funds to multiply what you provide. We are proud to continue delivering this essential service and grateful for your generosity.

local food. Thank you for supporting local farmers and ranchers. Thank you for providing the community with a space to not only take care of their physical bodies, but spiritual bodies as well; embodying that health is holistic and communal.

I’d like to celebrate MANA FOODS for five solid years of serving the community, opening in early 2018. Remember the adorable floral wallpaper at the first location? Credit to Paramroop. This moment of gratitude would not be complete without thanking Sotantar, the heart and soul behind MANA FOODS and the Adi Shakti Ashram nonprofit. As manager, her hard work and vision has been integral to manifesting this community cornerstone we know and love. continues on page 22

Editor Raleigh Burleigh 970-510-3003 news@soprissun.com Sol del Valle Editor Vanessa Porras Contributing & Digital Editor James Steindler Editorial Designer Hattie Rensberry Advertising Designer Emily Blong Delivery Frederic Kischbaum Bartlett Hank van Berlo Proofreader Lee Beck Executive Director Todd Chamberlin 970-510-0246 adsales@soprissun.com Board Members / Mesa Directiva board@soprissun.com Klaus Kocher • Kay Clarke Lee Beck • Donna Dayton Eric Smith • Roger Berliner Elizabeth Phillips • Jessi Rochel Andrew Travers • Anna Huntington

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

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

Donations are fully tax deductible.

Sincerest thanks to our Honorary Publishers for their annual commitment of $1,000+ Lee Beck & John Stickney Kay Brunnier • Frances Dudley Michelle & Ed Buchman Sue Edelstein & Bill Spence Deborah & Shane Evans Greg & Kathy Feinsinger Gary & Jill Knaus • Eric Smith Peter and Mike Gilbert Carly & Frosty Merriott James Noyes • Megan Tackett Patti & George Stranahan Anne Sullivan & John Colson Elizabeth Wysong • Alpine Bank Emily & George Bohmfalk Kathy & Carter Barger Sandy & Paul Chamberlin Karen & Roger Berliner Gretchen Greenwood & Lee Mulcahy Donna & Ken Riley

Legacy Givers for including us in their final wishes.

Mary Lilly

Donate by mail or online: P.O. Box 399 Carbondale, CO 81623 520 S. Third Street #26-B 970-510-3003 soprissun.com/Donate The Sopris Sun, Inc. is a proud member of the Carbondale Creative District

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

Forest Service building Our Underwriters and Nonprofit Partners!

According to a press release, work to redevelop the Aspen-Sopris Ranger District compound in Carbondale will begin next week with staff moving to a temporary office on Weant Boulevard.

The existing location will be temporarily closed to the public Dec. 6-8, reopened Dec. 11-15 and then closed permanently on Dec. 18. The new office is due to open in 2025. Demolition is scheduled to begin in February, and new construction in March. In the interim, people can go in-person to the Glenwood Springs office at 900 Grand Avenue. “The Forest Service will continue to work closely with the Town of Carbondale, local businesses and residents to minimize impacts from the redevelopment,” the release stated. The statement will become available online on Thursday, Nov. 30, at www.fs.usda.gov/ whiteriver

Spruce Up The Sun

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

It’s that time of year, when The Sopris Sun invites young people to submit artistic entries for its annual Spruce Up The Sun contest. The winning illustration(s) will be featured on the cover of the Dec. 21 holiday issue. Contestants, or their parents, can submit scanned submissions to news@ soprissun.com or place a hard copy in the submission box outside of The Launchpad in Carbondale (76 South Fourth Street).

Preschoolers through high school seniors are welcome to submit. This year’s theme: World Peace. Entries should reflect the theme. And, please refrain from using glitter. Submission due by Dec. 15.

Unparalleled Universe

Roaring Fork High School recently recognized its All Conference and Honorable Mention athletes from their respective Western Slope Leagues (WSL). Volleyball recognitions included: (left to right) Ruby Denning (Honorable Mention), Erica Crownhart (All Conference) and Carely Crownhart (Honorable Mention). Boys soccer: Jake Barlow (Honorable Mention), Bennett Jardine (All Conference), Eli Cohen (Honorable Mention), Yusbani Duarte (Honorable Mention), and Foster Hayes (3A WSL Conference Player of the League). All received plaques recognizing their achievements. Photo by Sue Rollyson

Carbondale, look for the red phone booth in Chacos Park for the first of a series of questions. Answers can be posted or dropped into the ballot box inside of the phone booth.

Multimodal Carbondale

Carbondale’s Multimodal Mobility and Access Plan (MAP) enters a new phase next month. The public is invited to provide feedback on proposed ideas for intersection improvements, mobility facilities and traffic calming on a new interactive online map (www.bit.ly/MultimodalCdale). The MAP team will be available in-person on First Friday, Dec. 1 at the Launchpad from noon to 2pm, the Town Hall Trustee Room from 2:30 to 4:30pm and at Light Up Carbondale from 5 to 7pm. More information is at www.carbondaleconnect. org/map-carbondale

Do you love Brian Colley’s weekly contribution of the Unparalleled Universe comic found toward the back of every Sopris Sun issue? Well, now you can add the first compilation of those quirky, and often poignant, comics to your library.

Find a copy of “The Unparalleled Universe, Volume I: March 2020 - March 2023” at White River Books or the Launchpad.

Basalt Library facelift

Chacos Park

Colorado Wolf and Wildlife, a conservation organization based in Divide, Colorado, invites middle schoolers from across the state to name the gray wolves coming from Oregon next month. A contest is in the works from Nov. 27 to Dec. 20.

From Dec. 1 through Feb. 2024, the town of Carbondale will accept community input on the future of Chacos Park, corner of 4th and Main, through a series of events. Beginning First Friday at Light up

From Monday, Dec. 4 through Friday, Dec. 15, various areas inside the library, including study rooms, will get a new coat of paint. Keep an eye out for signs noting availability. Meeting space will be limited.

You can call the library at 970-927-4311 for more information.

Name those wolves

Students can vote for their favorite from a list of 14 names. Invitations have been sent to Colorado middle schools but some may have been missed. If your school was not contacted, you can email wolfcontestco@ gmail.com with “Wolf Naming Contest” in the subject line. Votes will be tallied Jan. 1, 2024. More information is at www.wolfeducation.org Colorado voters approved wolf reintroduction in Nov. 2020.

Holiday angels needed

The Roaring Fork Holiday Baskets program, now in its 40th year, needs holiday angels to purchase gifts for families in need. Each person in the program receives a City Market gift card but gifts are still needed for some of the families. You can be an angel by calling Anne Blackwell at 970-989-3383

They say it’s your birthday!

Folks celebrating another trip around the sun this week include: Chuck Dorn, Stephen Horn and Kat Lieblick (Nov. 30); Sadie Dickinson, Jim Harris and Marcel Kahhak (Dec. 1); Ted Brochet, Sierra Palmer, Elizabeth Robinson, Deva Shantay and Paul Stover (Dec. 2); Skip Doty, Hannah Feder, Rebecca Murphy and Rochelle Norwood (Dec. 3); Edgar Garcia and Carol Klein (Dec. 4); Dakotah Grett, Mark Stover, John Stroud and Kashana Tonozzi (Dec. 5); Carol Craven, Amy Kimberly, Cathleen McCourt, Colette Meagher, Frank McSwain, Collette Spears and Judy Whitmore (Dec. 6).

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THE SOPRIS SUN • Your weekly community connector • November 30 - December 6, 2023 • 3

Western Slope shows support for conservation in BLM plan

By Will Buzzerd Sopris Sun Correspondent In August of this year, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) released a draft supplemental environmental impact statement (SEIS) to be appended to both the Colorado River Valley and Grand Junction resource management plans, affecting usage policy for approximately 2 million acres of land for the next two decades. After a two-month period of public comment which closed early this month, there’s been significant support within the Western Slope community to increase the protection of public land and reduce oil and gas leases.

Nearly 6,000 community members, including nearly 85 businesses and over 25 elected officials, responded to BLM indicating their support for an increased conservationist policy. Most of this came with the support of Alternative F, a proposed plan which expands protection and reduces leasing.

Alternative F makes sweeping closures to future gas and oil leasing in the name of environmental protection.

While Alternative E — indicated as the BLM’s preferred — would close all areas with

unknown to moderate oil or gas development potential, 93% of high development potential areas would remain open to leasing under the jurisdiction of the Colorado River Valley Field Office (CRVFO), as well as 44% of high potential areas in that of the Grand Junction Field Office (GVFO). In comparison, Alternative F would close the same low-potential areas as E, but only keep 16% of high potential areas in the CRVFO area and 14% in the GVFO area open to future leasing.

In Alternative F, areas closed to future oil and gas development include designated habitat for threatened and endangered species and areas of tribal concern. These areas include famous public lands such as Castle Peak and the Book Cliffs — sites not only of ecological but recreational importance.

The draft SEIS — which Alternative F could become a part of — is being written in response to a court opinion and settlement agreement following a lawsuit filed

by Wilderness Workshop challenging the BLM on its assessment of climate impacts.

Filed in 2016, Wilderness Workshop prevailed two years later and the BLM was

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ordered to reconsider aspects of its resource plan now to be addressed in the SEIS. Now that the period for public comment has closed, the BLM will enter the final drafting stage for the SEIS which will be released in spring of 2024. After a formal protest period and governor’s review, a record of decision will be signed by the third quarter of that year.

Wilderness Workshop is encouraged by the vast support for Alternative F. “We urge the BLM to listen to the voices of community members who participated in this process and provide us with a strong final plan,” stated Erin Riccio, Wilderness Workshop’s advocacy director.

In terms of the economic implications of Alternative F, the plan calls for assistance in shifting the Western Slope’s industries from extraction to services, sustainable agriculture and recreation. Regional oil and natural gas production peaked in 2012 and has been steadily decreasing since. In a value assessment by Garfield County, the assessed value of residential properties has exceeded that of oil and gas since 2019. Additionally, the extractive industry makes up 2% of employment in Garfield

A map of the area covered by BLM's Colorado River Valley Field Office. Seen in red, Alternative F would close 687,100 acres to oil and gas leasing, leaving only 3% (green) open to development.

Map courtesy of BLM

and Mesa counties, compared to 69% of employment in services.

According to an estimate by the Conservation Economics Institute (CEI), since roughly 40% of oil and gas production takes place on federal land, a total ban of federal oil and gas leases would put approximately 1% of the Garfield and Mesa County workforce at risk of unemployment. However, the CEI also noted consistent growth of amenity-based industries and emphasized the longevity of a diverse local economy instead of a boom-and-bust cycle and the environmental risk common

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“The non-oil-and-gas revenue sources the region will need to rely upon have been consistent and steadily growing,” stated the CEI in a report titled “Economic Transition Away from Federal Oil and Gas in Western Colorado.” It continued, “Our analysis indicates that imposing greater limits on which BLM lands are available for oil & gas leasing, and greater accounting for the social costs of carbon (and methane), would have a minimal fiscal effect for Mesa and Garfield Counties and would create a rising tide for all other economic activities.”

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Programs Coming Soon at Basalt Regional Library Music at the Library: Joyous Seasonal Celebration Sun, Dec. 3, 4:30-5:30PM Start the season with joyous holiday sounds performed by the Roaring Fork Youth Orchestra, and sing along to familiar songs.

Book Talk: Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow Tues, Dec. 5, 5:30-6:30PM Discuss Gabrielle Zevin’s “Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow”, a novel that examines the multifarious nature of identity, disability, and failure.

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4 • THE SOPRIS SUN • soprissun.com • November 30 - December 6, 2023

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Happy Labor of Love, Carbondale and beyond

The KDNK staff is ready for the Labor of Love Auction on First Friday, Dec. 1. Tune in for Everything Under The Sun on KDNK Thursday, Nov. 30 at 4pm for an interview with the KDNK team about this beloved event. Courtesy photo

By Myki Jones Sopris Sun Correspondent KDNK is gearing up for its Labor of Love auction beginning on Friday, Dec. 1, and continuing (online) through Dec. 8. The annual tradition is one of KDNK’s biggest fundraisers.

Early registration for the auction opened at www.KDNK. org on Nov. 20. Those who sign up early will receive a free drink at the main event, to be held at Thunder River Theatre Company (TRTC) on First Friday, Dec. 1 from 5 to

8:30pm.

Customary silent bidding will commence promptly at 5pm. And, for the first time, a “very merry” live auction, to be emceed by Pedro Rivera (also known as The Walrus), will take place at 7pm. According to KDNK Development Director Aly Sanguily, there are a few particular items that won’t be revealed until the live auction.

Following the main event, listeners can make bids online.

A wide variety of the items are donated by community members and businesses. Each donation is made with love,

of course, such as a voucher for a palisade peach pie baked

by KDNK DJ Susie Darrow, a long standing Labor of Love tradition. Over 200 items are up for grabs this year.

This is Sanguily’s first Labor of Love fundraiser as a staff member at KDNK, having previously served as a board member. She informed The Sopris Sun that it has been refreshing to see so much generosity from the community and local businesses.

“I think the Labor of Love shows a true collaborative spirit, which is what KDNK is all about. We have members who stop in daily to donate, and some members who are even going out of their way to make things for the auction — like handcrafted cribbage boards with our logo,” Sanguily shared. “You have community members, business owners and former community members participating every year. It shows that KDNK is for all, not only a specific few. Anyone can get involved.”

The auction has been going on almost since KDNK’s inception in 1983. It used to be relegated completely to the

airwaves, before the in-person celebration and online bidding.

The transition was partially due to the fact that describing artwork over the airwaves proved to be challenging, Station Manager Megan Passmore explained.

“There was always artwork available during Labor of Love that people donated to the station that was hard to describe on the airways. At some point, we thought there should be an in-person portion to the auction so that people could actually see the artwork,” she emphasized.

Some of the artwork up for bid includes funky, sparkly designs by Amber Sparkles, pottery from the Carbondale Clay Center, artisan jewelry and so much more.

Sanguily pointed out how the auction provides another opportunity for working artists in the Valley. “Say that you’re a potter and you don’t have a retail space and you want to get your name out there, you can put [your work] into Labor of Love. It is a great way to get involved.”

Plus, there are vacation/ staycation opportunities,

fishing, rafting, massage and fitness class vouchers, tickets to live shows, along with a myriad of certificates to local businesses and restaurants.

And, by the way, did you recognize this year’s poster?

Well, it’s not just your mind playing tricks on you, but a remake of the 1990 Labor of Love poster. This year’s mimicked design was created

by KDNK News Director Hattison Rensberry.

“I feel that it is such a fun event for the community; you know almost everyone there …

It is a fun way to get everyone together for the holidays. I think that has to be the best part of it,” concluded Sanguily.

“The name ‘Labor of Love’ is very telling, as it really is a labor of love. It takes all of us working hard to make this event come together, and when it does it is a beautiful event that truly reflects the spirit of KDNK and the love the community has for the radio station.”

Visit www.KDNK.org to register early. Go to the same site, Dec. 1-8, to make a bid.

THE SOPRIS SUN • Your weekly community connector • November 30 - December 6, 2023 • 5

slate of games starting in late Brenda Patch Tournament kicks League January.

The Roaring Fork varsity girls match up with Prospect Ridge at 6pm off season for Rams basketball

By John Stroud Sopris Sun Correspondent

The new-look Roaring Fork High School boys and girls basketball teams open the season with their home Brenda Patch Tournament this weekend.

Girls coach steps down

Right off the bat, the girls team is adjusting to a coaching change following the unexpected resignation this week of new head coach Albert Blanc.

Blanc, a 1966 Glenwood Springs High School graduate and later an accomplished coach at various schools across Colorado, tendered his resignation to RFHS Athletic Director Crista Barlow on Monday, citing health reasons.

The decision leaves one of Blanc’s former players at Glenwood, Mike Vidakovich, to take on the head coaching duties after he had signed on to be Blanc’s varsity assistant coach.

Vidakovich is a veteran coach himself, having led the Glenwood Springs varsity girls from 1991 to 1998, and the Eagle Valley High School varsity girls in 2003-04.

For the past four years, he has coached the Glenwood Springs Middle School eighth grade girls, assisted by Rich Law. Vidakovich has

asked Law to be his varsity assistant at Roaring Fork, and Barlow is looking to hire a new junior varsity coach.

To start, Vidakovich will be on the sideline coaching both the JV and varsity squads this weekend, as the Rams invite Aspen, Steamboat Springs and Front Range guest, Prospect Ridge, to Carbondale for the Patch tourney.

The tournament is held each year in memory of Brenda Patch, a former Rams basketball player who died in a car wreck along with her mother during Brenda’s junior year in 1986.

Vidakovich inherits a young Rams team that he describes as “very enthusiastic and very coachable.”

The team is heavy on sophomores and juniors, with several key returning players who saw ample playing time last year, including juniors Erica and Carley Crownhart and Maddie Anderson, and sophomore Nikki Tardif. The lone seniors on the team are Avery Smith and Lelany Gardesani.

“We will try to play fast, and do that while playing under control,” Vidakovich said of a speedster team that will look to thrill fans on the fast break.

He cautioned, however, that the team will take some development through the early season, leading up to the always tough 3A Western Slope

6 • THE SOPRIS SUN • soprissun.com • November 30 - December 6, 2023

Friday at the RFHS gym, and will take on Steamboat Springs at 1pm Saturday. Over in the Auxiliary gym, the JV girls play at 4pm Thursday against Basalt and at 3pm Friday against Palisade.

The team is then off to fine tune some things on the practice court ahead of the Basalt tournament, Dec. 13-16.

Rams boys regroup

Meanwhile, the Roaring Fork boys will look to try to rekindle the playoff flame this season after making it to the Sweet 16 of the 3A State Tournament last year. However, they’ll have to do it without a core group of six seniors who graduated after the 2022-23 campaign.

Roaring Fork is led by third-year head coach Jason Kreiling, who has had the rare opportunity to continue coaching a group of student-athletes he began with as the eighth grade coach at Carbondale Middle School before taking the high school varsity helm.

“We have a lot of guys out this year, which is nice,” he said of a team that will have some needed depth on the bench.

Seniors Noel Richardson and Josh Hernandez, who had to sit out last year with a knee injury, provide this year’s leadership, along with some newer upperclassmen who also

Josh Hernandez makes a shot while Sam Brennan attempts to defend during a recent practice. Photo by Sue Rollyson

decided to give basketball a try this season.

A talented group of juniors, including Sam Brennan, Luis Andrade and Lawson Kreiling, round things out for the Rams.

“These younger guys got some experience in those games toward the end of the season last year, because we were able to dress a full roster of 14,” Kreiling said.

The Rams finished second to Cedaredge in the 3A WSL last season, and will look to again be among the top teams this year.

The varsity boys open against a familiar league opponent to start the Patch tournament, taking on Aspen at 7:30pm Friday. They’ll return to the court Saturday to play Prospect Ridge at 2:30pm.

THEATER REVIEW

STC production sheds light on neurodivergent perspective

By Myki Jones Sopris Sun Correspondent On Nov. 24 at 7pm, Sopris Theatre Company (STC), Colorado Mountain College’s (CMC) student-community theater hybrid, premiered its second show of the season, "The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time." The opening was met with an intimate and befitting audience and went off without a hitch.

It will run again this weekend, Dec. 1 and 2 at 7pm and Sunday, Dec. 3 at 2pm.

The show was directed by Theater Operations Manager Brad Moore. Following the run at CMC's New Space Theatre, the cast will take the show to Aspen’s historic Wheeler Opera House on Jan. 26, 2024.

The show is based on a novel by English author Mark Haddon and was adapted to the stage by Simmon Stephens in 2012. It’s a dark comedy and intense drama of sorts, and tells the story of 15-year-old Christopher Boone, played

by J.D. Edmonds in his debut lead role. Boone is a brilliant young man with an unspecified form of neurodivergence. He

finds himself wrapped up in a troubling series of whacky events, all while trying to uncover the truth behind the killing of his neighbor’s poodle, Wellington.

Edmonds described the theme of the production as “difference, not disability.”

The story has long been credited as a positive portrayal of neurodivergence. Edmonds himself is on the autism spectrum. Discussing his role, he touched upon one way in which the production can reach audiences.

"I think a lot of people have this preconception when they talk to someone who is neurodivergent that they are so much different than them.

When in reality, there is a lot of overlap,” he explained. “Until I told my castmates, they said they had no idea that I was neurodivergent.”

At the same time, “While it is like playing every other character, you do have to keep in mind that some things for Christopher are a crisis,” he continued, “whereas to someone who might not be like Christopher, it is not as big of a deal.”

Other actors include Travis Wilson as Ed Boone (Christopher’s father), Julia Whalen as Judy Boone, Courtney Williams as Mrs. Alexander, Joshua Adamson as the Policeman, Hattison Rensberry as Mrs. Shears, Scott Elmore as Roger Shears, Calvin Parrish as Reverend Peters and Pax Wild as Voice Number Four.

The chemistry among the cast is palpable, magnetic, synchronized and painfully human. There are moments in the show that will send those in the audience through many different emotions. At one moment, guttural laughter may erupt from some, while others will be left with their jaws on the floor.

Despite some unconventional moments that occur between Christopher and the band of characters he encounters throughout his investigation, once he discovers the truth the story provides a beautiful opportunity for introspection and empathy.

All in all, this production is best understood when expectations are left at the door.

For example, take the case of

J.D. Edmonds (Christopher) and Bostyn Elswick, who plays Christopher's teacher, share the stage. Photo by Oliver Semple

Christopher’s parents, Ed and Judy. While both characters take on some unlikeable traits, Wilson and Whalen shared that their characters are just two people doing their best.

"I hope people take away how the human condition is so complicated,” Whalen expressed. “Judy is a mom, but she is unable to show her nurturing nature in the way she wants to; while Ed shows it with aggression, but he's [also] trying his best.”

Her sentiment was echoed

by Wilson. "Ed is a very complicated character. I've enjoyed playing him so much because despite him coming across as coarse, cavalier and uncaring, he does what he needs to take care of his son.”

To purchase tickets for "The Curious Incident of The Dog in The Night-Time," visit www.coloradomtn. edu/theatre or call the box office at 970-947-8177.

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THE SOPRIS SUN • Your weekly community connector • November 30 - December 6, 2023 • 7

COMMUNITY CALENDAR Visit soprissun.com to submit events

Winterfaire A Family Celebration of Winter!

Saturday Dec 2nd 11am-3pm * Family crafts * *Unique shopping * * Food & treats * * Puppet play * *Enchanted story * & much more!

Hosted @ Waldorf School on the Roaring Fork 16543 Hwy 82 Carbondale

Original artwork by @roaringforkchalkart

&

Winterfaire Store Open House!

Thursday November 30th 5-8pm

Adult Only festive holiday shopping experience! Live music music, food & beautiful handmade giftss from over a dozen local vendors!

More info & presale tickets for Saturday Dec 2 @ waldorfschoolrf.com waldorfschoolrf

HOLIDAY EVENTS!

The Glenwood Springs Community Concert Association hosts pianist Charlie Albright for a performance at the Mountain View Church in Glenwood Springs on Wednesday, Dec. 6 at 7pm. Albright has been heralded as "among the most gifted musicians of his generation,” GSCCA’s Susan Ludtke told The Sopris Sun. “Our audience loved him when he played for us a few years ago, and we are thrilled to be able to have him return to our stage this season.”

For more information, visit www.gsconcertassn.org

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 30

HOLE IN THE DONUT AA Catch an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting at The Meeting Place this morning at 6:45am. Visit www. meetingplacecarbondale.org for a list of 24 weekly recovery meetings.

WINTERFAIRE STORE Waldorf School on the Roaring Fork invites people to the opening of its Winterfaire Store from 5 to 8pm.

This is an adults only event. The school’s Winterfaire celebration is Saturday, Dec. 2 from 11am to 3pm, which is open to all ages. More info at www.waldorfschoolrf.com 5POINT FOR FREE 5Point’s “On The Road Tour” stops at the Pitkin County Library in Aspen for a free viewing of its adventure films at 6pm. Register at www.pitcolib.org CRYSTAL THEATRE The Crystal Theatre shows “The Holdovers” tonight, Dec. 1, 2 and 7 at 7pm, and Sunday, Dec. 3 at 5pm. The Sunday screening includes captions.

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 1

Holiday Cookie Contest

Friday, December 8, 4-6 pm, $10 registration fee Bring 2 dozen of your best homemade cookies arranged in a basket, platter, on a sled, in a tree etc, and a recipe to share. Prizes will be awarded for Most Creative, Best Presentation, and Best Overall.

Register at coloradomtn.edu/commity-education using “cookie” in the keyword search, or stop by the Carbondale Campus or call 970-963-2172

SHINING MOUNTAINS FILM The Aspen Indigenous Foundation presents the Shining Mountains Film Festival, with feature-length and short documentaries, as well as live Q&A sessions following each screening, today and tomorrow at The Wheeler Opera House. Tickets and more info are at www.shiningmountainsfilm.com ENGLISH CLASS Valley Settlement teaches an English class from 9am to 12:30pm at the Basalt Library. More info at www.valleysettlement.org

Student Art Show and Party

INTERIOR DESIGN POP�UP Djuna and Te Zaal Interior Design hosts an opening for its “Interior Design and Gift Pop-Up” in Basalt (23300 Two Rivers Road, #32) at 4pm.

The pop-up will be open Thursdays through Saturdays, noon to 6pm, Dec. 2-23. More info at www.djuna.com

Carbondale Lappala Center

XMAS IN WILLITS A tree lighting celebration takes place at Triangle Park in Willits, complete with Santa and Mrs. Claus visits for kids, carolers, free horse drawn carriage rides and more from 4 to 6pm.

Tuesday, December 12, 6-8 pm Come see what our Art Students have been creating this semester and help us celebrate their accomplishments with some Holiday Cheer.

690 Colorado Ave • 963-2172

8 • THE SOPRIS SUN • soprissun.com • November 30 - December 6, 2023

LABOR OF LOVE KDNK hosts its annual Labor of Love Auction at Thunder River Theatre from 5-8:30pm. A “very merry” live auction begins at 7pm, to be emceed by KDNK DJ The Walrus.

You can also bid on items from the comfort of your own home, Dec. 1-8, by visiting www.kdnk.org LIGHT UP CARBONDALE Carbondale lights up the Christmas Tree at Weant Boulevard and Main Street and fills downtown with holiday cheer this First Friday. The fun starts at 5pm. There will be two public engagement opportunities there for upcoming town projects and initiatives: the development of Chacos Park and the Carbondale Mobility & Access Plan.

ORNAMENT PAINTING The Carbondale Clay Center invites little ones and their guardians to paint clay ornaments from 6 to 8pm. Walk on down to the Christmas tree lighting afterward to hang your ornament!

SOUND BATH Danielle Klein guides “Soulful Soundscapes Sound Bath” at True Nature at 6pm. Register at www. truenaturehealingarts.com SOPRIS THEATRE It's closing weekend for Sopris Theatre Company’s performance of “The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time.” Catch the show tonight or tomorrow at 7pm, or Sunday at 2pm. Tickets at www.coloradomtn.edu/theatre

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 2

XMAS TREES & POSADA Wilderness Workshop and Defiende Nuestra Tierra host their bilingual and annual “Christmas Tree Cutting and Posada” event at Babbish Gulch Trailhead (4 Mile Road) from 10am to 2pm. Christmas tree permits will be available. More info and registration is at www.bit.ly/Xmas-Posada HOLIDAY BAZAAR The Glenwood Community Center hosts its Third Annual Holiday Bazaar with local makers, creators, crafters and artistic vendors from 10am to 6pm. More info at www.bit.ly/GlenwoodBazaar

HOLIDAY MARKET The Redstone Art Foundation hosts the Redstone Holiday Market, a European style outdoor market with locally made bits and bobs, from 11am to 4pm along the Boulevard.

SHAMANIC JOURNEY Meghan Gilroy guides “Exhale into Your Souls Wisdom” at True Nature at 1pm. Register at www. truenaturehealingarts.com CELEBRATION OF LIFE A celebration of life service for Paul N. Sutro will take place at St. Peter's Episcopal Church in Basalt at 2pm. All are welcome.

ORAN MOR Scottish-Irish musical group Oran Mor performs a holiday concert at the Carbondale Library at 2pm. The group will perform at the Glenwood Springs Library on Dec. 8 at 6pm.

NAUGHTY OR NICE? Marble Distillery hosts family-friendly photo shoots with Santa from 2 to 5pm. Then, the adult “Bad Santa” photo shoot kicks off at 6pm.

GARLAND WORKSHOP Vallee Noone guides a garland making workshop at the Launchpad today and tomorrow from 4 to 6pm.

Register at www.carbondalearts.com SUMMIT FOR LIFE The Chris Klug Foundation hosts the 2023 Summit for Life at Aspen Mountain at 5:30pm. A post party is to follow at the Sun Deck.

Alternatively, skip the uphill hike and Ride for Life by taking the Gondola straight to the top. More info at www.chrisklugfoundation.org BRIAN BLADE Brian Blade and the Fellowship perform at TACAW at 8pm.

Tickets at www.tacaw.org

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 3

RVR HOLIDAY MARKET Works from 30+ vendors make up the Thompson Barn Holiday Market in River Valley Ranch. Stop by anytime between 1 and 5pm.

MUSIC AT THE LIBRARY Enjoy joyous holiday sounds performed by the Roaring Fork Youth Orchestra at the Basalt Library at 4:30pm.

BLISS YOUR HIPS Cari Eisenson guides a “Bliss Your Hips” yoga session at Kula Yoga on Main at 5:30pm. Register at www.kulayogaonmain.com NATIVE PRIDE Native Pride Productions presents “Inspired by Tradition, Powered

by Dance,” a live performance, and educational opportunity, of traditional Native American dances at the Wheeler Opera House at 1:30pm.

Tickets at www.aspenshowtix.com

MONDAY, DECEMBER 4

MAKE AN ORNAMENT Anyone, 10 and up, is invited to create an ornament at the Carbondale Library at 3:30pm. Space is limited.

Register at www.gcpld.org TOY MAKEOVER Kids, 6-12, give their used toys a makeover for the holidays. Repurpose and upcycle old toys to create something new at the Community Art Center in Glenwood Springs from 5:30 to 7pm. Register at www. bit.ly/glenwoodrec-arts Adults are invited to a similar event on Dec. 11 and 12, 5:30 to 8pm.

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

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 5

LGBT PEER SUPPORT YouthZone hosts LGBTQ+ youth peer support groups at CMC’s Glenwood Springs Blake Avenue campus every Tuesday at 4pm, and at TACAW in Willits every Wednesday at 3:30pm.

BOOK TALK Discuss Gabrielle Zevin’s New York Times bestseller, “Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow,” at the Basalt Library at 5:30pm. More info at www.basaltlibrary.org MUSIC TRIVIA The Andy Zanca Youth Empowerment Program hosts its Music Trivia Night fundraiser at Carbondale Beer Works at 7pm. This is a 21 and up event. Register your team at www.bit.ly/AZYEPtrivia

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 6

COSECHA TEXTILES Learn and experiment with textiling at the Cosecha Textiles studio south of Carbondale every first Wednesday from 4 to 9pm. Register at www.cosechatextiles.com NORDIC SOCIAL Mount Sopris Nordic Council hosts its annual Nordic Social, kicking off the cross country ski season, at El Dorado in Carbondale at 6pm. Members will each receive a free drink ticket.

HOUSING PANEL Curtis Wackerle, Aspen Journalism’s executive director, moderates a housing-oriented panel, “Is the dream still livable: Fighting to Maintain Community in the Roaring Fork Valley,” at Marble Distillery from 5:30 to 7pm. Other panelists include Glenwood Springs Director of Economic and Community Development Hannah Klausman and West Mountain Regional Housing Coalition Program Director April Long.

‘THE GRINCH’ The Glenwood Vaudeville Revue screens the 2018 animated rendition of “The Grinch” at 6:30pm.

Tickets at www.gvrshow.com

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 7

Is the dream still livable:

Fighting to maintain community

in the Roaring Fork Valley.

A housing-oriented panel discussion moderated by Aspen Journalism

April Long

West Mountain Regional Housing Coalition Program Director

Hannah Klausman

City of GWS Director of Economic and Community Development

Curtis Wackerle

Aspen Journalism Editor and Executive Director

Event Details Wednesday, Dec. 6 5:30 to 7p.m | Marble Distilling Co. 150 Main St. Carbondale aspenjournalism.org Space is limited. Please RSVP to this free event

SANTA CLAUS IS VISITING MANA FOODS!

SOL THEATRE Youth company SoL Theatre presents “A Christmas Story” at Thunder River Theatre tonight, tomorrow and Saturday at 6pm. Catch the matinee on Sunday, Dec. 10 at 2pm. Tickets at www.soltheatrecompany.org MEN’S GROUP HeadQuarters in Basalt hosts Common Roots, a monthly open gathering for anyone 18 and up who identifies by he/him pronouns, at 6pm. Register at www.headq.org CLIMBING FILM TOUR TACAW presents the fourth season of the Climbing Film Tour, which includes a selection of short films celebrating the global climbing community, at 7:30pm. Tickets at www.tacaw.org

BRING YOUR CAMERA AND SMILING FACES!

SATURDAY 11-1pm 3-5pm

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 8

ART FOR THE HOLIDAYS The Art Base hosts its Holiday Open House at 4pm.

BASALT CHRISTMAS A Band Called Alexis takes the stage at the Basalt River Park performing twists of favorite holiday songs, along with a light show. There will be a petting zoo and visits with Santa and Mrs. Claus to boot. It all starts at 4pm.

CUP AUCTION The Carbondale Clay Center hosts its 25th Annual Cup Auction fundraiser at 6pm at the Third Street Center.

More info at www.carbondaleclay.org

MANA FOODS 792 Hwy 133, Carbondale

Open 7 days a week 10-6:30 / Phone: 970-963-1137

THE SOPRIS SUN • Your weekly community connector • November 30 - December 6, 2023 • 9

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GIVE WHERE YOU LIVE MATCHING GRANTS THROUGH DEC 31st!

An Informed Community is Empowered. No Matter What the Language.

Join our Effort to Inform, Inspire and Build Community by Fostering Diverse Voices in Local Journalism.

All Donations will be Matched $2 for $1 through December 31.

Mail A Check: PO Box 399, Carbondale, CO 81623 For More Info Contact: Todd Chamberlin 970-510-0246 • Todd@SoprisSun.com

Thank You if you already Joined Our Effort. We still need to raise $60,000 to reach our 2023 Matches.

www.coloradogives.org/organization/TheSoprisSun

A 501(c)(3) Nonprofit. Building and Empowering Our Communities from Aspen to Parachute and Beyond. All Donations are Tax Deductible.

10 • THE SOPRIS SUN • soprissun.com • November 30 - December 6, 2023

Sol del el

Conectando comunidades desde 2021

Valle

Volumen 2, Número 40 | 30 de noviembre - 6 de deciembre de 2023

‘Ser inmigrante no es fácil’ Por Austin Corona Aspen Daily News Traducción por Dolores Duarte Nota de la editora: Este artículo fue originalmente publicado en inglés en Aspen Daily New el 22 de noviembre y ha sido modificado para los lectores hispanohablantes.

Lewi Balboza recorrió ocho países en su camino hacia el valle de Roaring Fork, a menudo a pie.

Cuando le preguntan cómo llegó a Estados Unidos, simplemente responde: "la selva, hermano, la selva".

Balboza es uno de los más de 100 refugiados venezolanos que han llegado a Carbondale este verano y otoño, provocando lo que algunas autoridades locales han calificado como crisis mientras trabajan para dar alojamiento a los recién llegados durante el invierno. Actualmente, es uno de los 60 refugiados que han encontrado albergue en el Third Street Center de Carbondale. Las autoridades locales afirman que es solo un arreglo temporal.

El joven de 31 años es originario de la ciudad de Maracaibo, Venezuela, la cual abandonó por el deseo de alcanzar "el sueño americano". Balboza inició su carrera en Venezuela como soldado, pero renunció a su cargo debido a la "corrupción bajo la dictadura de Nicolás Maduro".

Tras dejar el ejército, Balboza encontró trabajo como guardaespaldas de varios empresarios israelíes que trabajaban en Venezuela (él los describe como "empresarios árabes" de Israel). Pero sus clientes acabaron abandonando el país porque el régimen nacionalizó sus empresas. Cuando Balboza decidió buscar un futuro económico más seguro en Estados Unidos, dijo que toda su familia respaldó su decisión.

Llegó a Texas en junio.

El presidente Maduro ha gobernado Venezuela desde la muerte del ex presidente Hugo Chávez en 2013. En la última década, el gobierno de Maduro ha tenido la mayor contracción económica documentada en la historia del hemisferio occidental, perdiendo el 71.8% de su ingreso per cápita en los ocho años entre 2012 y 2020, según datos analizados por el profesor de economía de la Universidad de Denver y ex funcionario del gobierno venezolano, Francisco Rodríguez. La mala gestión financiera, una fuerte caída del precio del petróleo (el mayor producto de exportación de Venezuela) y las duras sanciones de Estados Unidos crearon una crisis económica en Venezuela que ha motivado la emigración masiva del país.

En agosto de 2023, las Naciones Unidas estimaban que alrededor de 7.7 millones de refugiados, migrantes y solicitantes de asilo venezolanos estaban dispersos por todo el mundo, la gran mayoría asentados en otros países latinoamericanos. En los dos últimos años, la migración venezolana a Estados Unidos se ha disparado, y este año han llegado a Denver alrededor de 27,000 venezolanos.

La ciudad ha luchado por atender a miles de inmigrantes cada noche en cuatro refugios temporales, y muchos de ellos han terminado instalándose en tiendas de campaña en las aceras de la ciudad. Los inmigrantes con frecuencia han utilizado Denver como punto de partida antes de trasladarse a otros lugares en busca de trabajo, como el valle Roaring Fork.

Para llegar a Estados Unidos, muchos inmigrantes venezolanos recorren miles de kilómetros por tierra, atravesando selvas,

Lewi Balboza es uno de los 60 inmigrantes venezolanos refugiados temporalmente en el Third Street Center de Carbondale. Foto de Austin Corona/Aspen Daily News

desiertos y ocho fronteras internacionales.

El viaje, dice Balboza, no es fácil.

"Se ven muchas cosas y te enfrentas a mucho peligro", dijo.

Muchas adversidades

Balboza dijo que sus peores experiencias las vivió en México. Antes de cruzar a Estados Unidos, estuvo trabajando y viviendo temporalmente en Ciudad Juárez, al otro lado de la frontera con El Paso, Texas.

Durante ese tiempo, dos policías mexicanos le robaron y tomaron todo el dinero que tenía.

"Un oficial me preguntó si tenía dinero y le dije que no, entonces el otro me agarró y me registró. Encontró el dinero y se lo llevó. Y luego se marcharon en sus motocicletas", relató Balboza.

Dijo que otros compañeros de viaje sufrieron la misma experiencia durante su estancia en México.

Grupos de derechos humanos han señalado que los abusos a migrantes por parte de la policía mexicana son una tendencia habitual y preocupante, y que en ocasiones los policías se unen a organizaciones delictivas para extorsionar y robar a los migrantes.

También en Juárez, Balboza dijo que tenía amigos entre un grupo de al menos 38 migrantes venezolanos que murieron en un incendio que calcinó un centro de detención de migrantes en marzo. Balboza dijo que los migrantes en ese albergue habían estado trabajando "en las calles" antes de que las autoridades mexicanas los agruparan y detuvieran en el centro.

Uno de sus amigos sobrevivió porque los

funcionarios le dejaron salir para llevar dinero a su hija, que necesitaba efectivo para comprar comida. En cuanto a Balboza, sobrevivió porque no salió a trabajar ese día.

El presidente de México, Andrés Manuel López Obrador, ha afirmado que el incidente fue provocado por migrantes detenidos que prendieron fuego a colchones en protesta por su posible deportación. Los vídeos sugieren que las autoridades no intentaron liberar a los inmigrantes cuando el fuego se salió de control.

Al principio del viaje, Balboza perdió a otro compañero de viaje que se ahogó en una inundación.

Balboza no precisó dónde se produjo la inundación.

"Empezó a llover muy fuerte... nosotros nos quedamos en un sitio y él estaba en otro... lo vimos a las 11 de la mañana, y para las 3 de la tarde se había ahogado. No volvimos a verlo. Todos sus familiares lloraban", relató Balboza.

También mencionó a una mujer haitiana que conoció y que había abandonado a su hija en el camino porque ya no podía mantenerla mientras hacía su viaje.

"Ser migrante no es fácil", dijo Balboza, "te enfrentas a muchos peligros. Cada país que atraviesas tiene riesgos diferentes. Le pides a Dios que te ayude a llegar aquí... Gracias a Dios, las cosas me han ido bien aquí en este país".

Para leer el resto de este artículo incluyendo el artículo de seguimiento producido por Aspen Daily News, puede visitar www.soprisun.com/soldelvalle-2

OPINIÓN

VOICES Radio Hour Por Giovanna Kennedy

Crecí bendecida con una vida cómoda, tuve una niñera y siempre hubo alguien cuidando de mí. La educación era fundamental para mis padres, así que fui a un colegio católico bilingüe en Lima, Perú. Siendo una estudiante destacada, mi sueño era ser doctora. Quería ayudar a familias y niños necesitados en todo el mundo, así que Doctores Sin Fronteras era mi sueño. Soñaba con ayudar a la gente y hacer una diferencia.

Como solía decir mi abuela, Mama Julita, "Lo único constante en la vida es el cambio", y bueno, mi vida cambió, ¡así que lo recibí con los brazos abiertos!

A los 17 años, quedé embarazada y después de un breve matrimonio de

Dar un salto de fe

adolescente, me convertí en madre soltera. Algunos dijeron que arruiné mi vida, ¡Ja... estaban tan equivocados! ¡Mi hija fue una bendición! Afortunadamente, tuve el apoyo de mi familia, especialmente mi mamá y mi hermano. Ellos se convirtieron en un escudo protector para nosotras.

Siendo madre, pensé que ser doctora era un camino demasiado largo, así que opté por estudiar Ingeniería Industrial en la Universidad.

Mi papá es ingeniero, así que parecía el camino correcto.

Mientras estaba en la Universidad, una amiga me habló de Aspen y la posibilidad de venir durante las vacaciones de verano, que aquí es invierno, con una visa J1. Pensé, "Francesca es muy chiquita, pero el proceso llevaría meses, tal vez podría aplicar para el próximo año".

No sabía que en 2 semanas de aplicar, obtendría mi visa de trabajo y estudio, un trabajo y vivienda. Todo esperándome para comenzar de inmediato en Steamboat Springs.

Aún recuerdo a mi mamá diciendo, "Está destinado a ser", así que, con el apoyo de mi familia, dejé Perú en diciembre del año 2000. Después de un

CHISME DEL PUEBLO Traducción por Jacquelinne Castro

Embellece el Sol

Ha llegado la época del año en que The Sopris Sun invita a los jóvenes a presentar obras de arte para su concurso anual Spruce Up The Sun (Embellece el Sol).

La(s) ilustración(es) ganadora(s) aparecerá(n) en la portada de la edición navideña del 21 de diciembre. Los concursantes, o sus padres, pueden enviar sus obras escaneadas a news@soprissun.com o depositar una copia impresa en la caja de envíos situada fuera de The Launchpad en Carbondale (76 South Fourth Street).

Pueden participar estudiantes de preescolar hasta estudiantes de último curso de secundaria. El tema de este año es La paz mundial, las obras deben reflejar el tema, y, por favor, abstenerse de utilizar brillantina. La fecha límite es el viernes 15 de diciembre.

Parque Chacos

Del 1 de diciembre hasta febrero del 2024, el pueblo de Carbondale estará aceptando comentarios de la comunidad acerca del futuro del parque Chacos, en la esquina de la cuarta calle y la calle principal, a través de una serie de eventos. Comenzando el Primer Viernes en Light up Carbonale, busque la cabina telefónica roja en el parque Chacos para la primera serie de preguntas semanales. Las preguntas pueden ser publicadas o entregadas en la urna dentro de la cabina telefónica.

Multimodal Carbondale

Multimodal Mobility and Access Plan (MAP por sus siglas en inglés) entra a su nueva fase el siguiente mes.

El público está invitado a proporcionar comentarios en las ideas propuestas para mejoras en la intersección, instalaciones de movilidad y medidas en calmar el tráfico en el nuevo mapa interactivo en línea (www. bit.ly/MultimodalCdale). El equipo de MAP está disponible en persona el Primer Viernes 1 de diciembre

largo viaje, llegué a Denver, pero Aspen me llamaba, no sé por qué, pero sabía que necesitaba venir a Aspen. Así que, en lugar de ir a Steamboat Springs, me separé de mi grupo y tomé un shuttle a Aspen.

Proveniente de una gran ciudad y llegando a un pequeño pueblo durante una tormenta de nieve, sin trabajo, sin vivienda y sin familia debería haber sido aterrador, pero no lo fue.

En cambio, me sentí fuerte y decidida. Y aunque pasé la mayor parte de ese invierno durmiendo en diferentes lugares y yendo de un trabajo a otro, me enamoré de este valle, de la gente y de las muchas oportunidades que me presentó, especialmente para poder proveer para mi hija sin depender de mis padres. ¡Poder hacer esto significó mucho para mí!

Una vez que terminó la temporada, volví a Perú y le dije, bueno debería decir "informé", a mis padres que abandonaba la Universidad y me mudaba a Aspen. Mis padres estaban en shock, ¡pensaron que estaba loca!

Pero tenía un objetivo y estaba decidida. Así que, en cuestión de meses regresé aquí, buscando la estabilidad

que deseaba.

El plan original era regresar a Perú una vez más en septiembre antes de finalizar mi mudanza. Mi vuelo estaba programado para el 11 de septiembre. Todavía recuerdo despertarme temprano y conducir al aeropuerto de Denver. Conducía escuchando música. ¿CD’s, los recuerdas?

Así que no sabía lo que estaba sucediendo. Cuando me acercaba al aeropuerto, vi los letreros que decían que el aeropuerto estaba cerrado, pero los ignoré y seguí conduciendo hasta que la barricada de policias me pararon.

Ellos me preguntaron por qué estaba allí. ¿No vi los letreros? E insistí, tenía un vuelo ese día. Revisaron mi auto y sin explicación me hicieron dar la vuelta.

En ese entonces, tenía una amiga en la zona, así que fui a su casa. Fue allí donde descubrí lo que había sucedido... ¡No podía creerlo! ¡Parecía una película! ¡Estaba en shock! y luego, estaba confundida, no sabía cuál sería mi próximo paso.

Una cosa estaba clara, no tenía intención de subir a un avión en un futuro cercano, así que conduje de regreso a Aspen. Este fue el momento que determinó

que me estableciera por completo en el valle.

Después de establecerme, mis padres finalmente trajeron a mi hija Francesca a vivir conmigo. Estaba tan emocionada de estar de nuevo con ella, la había extrañado mucho. El tiempo avanzó y conocí a mi esposo, Kevin.

Es un esposo solidario y un padre increíble para Francesca y nuestro hijo menor, Connor. Tengo que decir que Connor también es una bendición en nuestras vidas, es un adolescente compasivo, cariñoso, amoroso e inteligente.

A lo largo de los años, también crecí profesionalmente en diferentes campos. Desde la gestión bancaria hasta la gestión hotelera, logré mucho mientras estudiaba para sacar mi título en administración de empresas. No me malinterpretes, hubo altibajos por seguro. Sin embargo, nunca dejé de avanzar, y durante todo este tiempo, nunca olvidé mi pasión más grande, que era "hacer una diferencia, ayudar a la gente". Y aunque ya tenía una vida ajetreada, decidí comenzar mi trabajo filantrópico con algunas organizaciones sin fines de lucro en nuestro valle.

Incluso después de hacer todo esto, sentí que podía hacer más. Podía tener una continua en la próxima pagina

en The Launchpad de mediodía hasta las 2 p.m., en la sala de administración del ayuntamiento de 2:30 a 4:30 p.m. y en Light Up Carbondale de 5 a 7 p.m. Para más información visite www.carbondaleconnect.org/ map-carbondale

Universo incomparable

¿Ama la contribución semanal de Brian Colley del cómic Unparalleled Universe encontrado en la parte de atrás de cada publicación en The Sopris Sun? Bueno, ahora puede añadir la primera compilación de esos cómics peculiares y a menudo conmovedores a su biblioteca. Encuentre una copia de “The Unparalleled Universe, Volume I: March 2020 - March 2023” en White River Books o The Launchpad

Renovación de la biblioteca de Basalt

Del lunes 4 de diciembre al viernes 15 de diciembre, varias áreas dentro de la biblioteca, incluyendo los cuartos de estudio, recibirán una nueva capa de pintura. Estén al tanto de carteles que indiquen disponibilidad. El espacio de reuniones será limitado.

Puede llamar a la biblioteca al 970-927-4311 para más información.

Nombra a esos lobos

Colorado Wolf and Wildlife, una organización de conservación ubicada en Divide, Colorado, invita a los estudiantes de secundaria de todo el estado a nombrar los lobos grises que vienen en camino de Oregon el siguiente mes. Un concurso estará en marcha del 27 de noviembre al 20 de diciembre. Los estudiantes pueden votar por sus opciones favoritas de una lista de 14 nombres. Las invitaciones han sido enviadas a las escuelas secundarias de Colorado pero puede ser que algunas escuelas no las hayan recibido. Si su escuela no fue contactada, puede enviar un correo electrónico a wolfcontestco@gmail. com con “Concurso para Nombrar a los Lobos” como línea de asunto. Los votos serán contados el 1 de enero

12 • el Sol del Valle • soprissun.com/espanol/ • 30 de noviembre - 6 de deciembre de 2023

"Sincronías" parte 51, por Leonardo Occhipinti del 2024. Para más información visite la página www. wolfeducation.org. Los votantes de Colorado aprobaron la reintroducción de los lobos en noviembre del 2020.

Se necesita ángeles de Navidad

El programa The Roaring Fork Holiday Baskets, ahora en su 40o año, necesita ángeles navideños para comprar regalos para las familias en necesidad. Cada persona en el programa recibirá una tarjeta de regalo de City Market pero todavía se necesitan regalos para algunas familias.

Usted puede ser un ángel llamando a Anne Blackwell al 970-989-3383.

OPINIÓN

Espacios sin límites Por Victor Zamora

Tuve la oportunidad de estar en el Museo Universitario de Arte Contemporáneo, por sus siglas MUAC, de la Universidad Autónoma de México, la UNAM. Pude apreciar tres exposiciones, una de ellas a la cual le quiero hacer énfasis, es la presentación correspondiente a Lawrence Abu Hamdan. El es un artista que se identifica por hacer conexiones entre espacio, sonido y política. Hay cierta tendencia a observar a las fronteras y sus limitaciones que en ellas conllevan alrededor del mundo.

El artista de origen Amman radicado en la Ciudad de Beirut, propone el desarrollo de estas conexiones como el desarrollo

Espacio atmosferico de una ecología del ruido.

Mientras que filosóficamente podríamos interpretar a las fronteras como barreras y delimitaciones territoriales, el concepto del sonido o ruido puede llevarnos a traspasar ciertas barreras en diferentes entornos.

Durante una de sus presentaciones, el artista hace hincapié a la contaminación atmosférica ocasionada por el ruido de aviones que resguardan los espacios aéreos en zonas que los gobiernos consideran zonas de guerra o con potencial a convertirse en zonas peligrosas de este tipo. Específicamente, muestra videos filmados por personas en Beirut durante los bombardeos del 2020.

El artista también presenta un caso muy específico sobre una biblioteca entre la frontera de Canadá y Estados Unidos, la cual sirve como conexión entre migrantes que no pueden ir de un país al otro pero pueden tener cierto contacto. Considerado un proyecto de carácter humanitario, fue construido por la familia Haskell con el propósito de promover la amistad transfronteriza.

Del otro lado y a algunos

kilómetros al sur, se encuentra otro tema que el artista contextualiza y es el de la frontera entre El Paso y Ciudad Juárez. Cuando dos amigos jugaban cerca del Río Bravo (el cual delimita las dos ciudades en ciertas partes del territorio) un agente migratorio al considerar que los pequeños podrían ser una amenaza y quebrantar la ley al cruzar hacia los Estados Unidos el agente decidió disparar a uno de los pequeños el cual murió en territorio Mexicano.

Un suceso que causó una investigación jurisdiccional a nivel internacional para Estados Unidos sobre el intervencionismo militar en otros países ya que si se consideraba que el agente migratorio asesino en base a la protección de la Ley. Entonces, justificaba de muchas maneras ataques desde el territorio Americano hacia otros Países.

El caso fue de gran importancia para analizar leyes internacionales que hoy en día descifran muchas incertidumbres conectadas al litigio internacional. La idea de conceptualizar la nota en relación al artista, y a los diferentes casos en

¡Hagamos que esté cubierto!

Eventos de inscripción para seguro médico 5 de noviembre 12 de noviembre 19 de noviembre 3 de diciembre 17 de diciembre 14 de enero

| | | | | |

Biblioteca de Glenwood Springs, 9am – 1pm Edwards Mountain Family Health Centers, 9am – 1pm Centro de la calle tercera / La Clinica del Pueblo, 9am – 1pm Biblioteca de Rifle, 9am – 1pm Centro de la calle tercera / La Clinica del Pueblo, 9am – 1pm Biblioteca de Glenwood Springs, 9am – 1pm

Mountain Family Health Centers es un sitio de assistencia certificada por Connect for Health Colorado. Cubriendo a TODOS los Coloradenses amplía el acceso a la cobertura médica - incluyendo a los que no tienen documentación y los beneficiarios de DACA. Llamenos al 833-273-6627 o 970-945-2840 para agendar una cita Correo electrónico: EnrollmentHelp@mountainfamily.org

temporalidades y espacios, es para dar a conocer que en gran medida la mayoría de las fronteras sur de Estados Unidos entre las Ciudades conurbadas como Tijuana con San Diego, El Paso Texas con Ciudad Juárez y demás pueblos hermanos fronterizos comparten una atmósfera.

Por lo tanto, comparten una contaminación auditiva relacionada al sobrevuelo militar en el espacio aéreo.

Este es cada vez más intenso, en los últimos años ha causado contaminación visual para los ciudadanos que tienen que escuchar y ver el sobrevuelo de noche, madrugada y día, alternando así, la percepción de tranquilidad de los dos suburbios tanto mexicanos y estadounidenses.

La anomalía está ligada a la incoherente acción de producir una crisis global por el calentamiento del planeta. Siguen produciendo estrategias de seguridad nacional en los dos países que generan contaminación que no hace más que perjudicar a los ciudadanos, con la excusa de que la protección de las fronteras requiere de un sobrevuelo para detener el paso de sustancias ilegales. Se recomienda revisar el trabajo del artista para profundizar en sus diferentes trabajos.

Dar un salto de fe por pagina 12

carrera donde también pudiera ayudar a las personas a alcanzar sus metas. En enero del 2020, decidí hacer otro cambio de carrera.

Decidí convertirme en agente de bienes raíces.

Y luego, todos sabemos cómo fue el año 2020. Mientras tomaba las clases requeridas para mi examen de licencia, ¡llegó la pandemia!

Todos me decían que estaba loca por hacer un cambio de carrera en ese momento, pero yo sabía, más que nunca, que tenía que hacerlo. ¡Había tomado una decisión y no iba a dar marcha atrás! Así que, en medio de una pandemia, me convertí en agente de bienes raíces en nuestro Roaring Fork Valle.

Debo decir, ayudar a las familias a alcanzar el "Sueño Americano" de ser dueños de su primera casa y ayudar a otros a crecer su poder financiero para que luego puedan alcanzar sus sueños en la vida ha sido extremadamente gratificante!

Entonces, ¿quién soy yo? Soy una persona que sinceramente cree que Puedes Lograr Todo lo que te Propongas en Mente y Corazón!

VOICES Radio Hour presenta "Un-Comfort Zone: Taking the Leap" en KDNK el viernes, 15 de diciembre, de 6 a 7 de la tarde, y https://voicesrfv.org/voices-radiohour a partir de entonces.

CONVOCATORIA DE CARBONDALE

JUNTA DE SÍNDICOS NOMINACIONES Elecciones ordinarias Ciudad de Carbondale

La ciudad de Carbondale celebrará elecciones municipales ordinarias el 2 de abril de 2024. Se eligen tres asientos de la Junta de Síndicos (todos los términos son de cuatro años). Aquellos que deseen postularse para Síndico pueden recoger una Petición de Nominación a partir del 2 de enero de 2024, lunes-viernes 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. de la secretaria del ayuntamiento, 511 Colorado Avenue, Carbondale, CO. Requisitos: Todos los candidatos deben ser un elector cualificado de la ciudad, un ciudadano de Estados Unidos, tener al menos 18 años de edad y haber residido en la ciudad de Carbondale durante un año consecutivo inmediatamente anterior a la fecha de la elección.

Las peticiones deben devolverse a la secretaria del ayuntamiento antes de las 5:00 p.m del lunes 22 de enero de 2024.

La ciudad de Carbondale es un organismo gubernamental local no partidista, por lo que no existe designación de afiliación partidista.

Para más información, póngase en contacto con la secretaria municipal Jessica Markham en el 970-510-1206 o en jmarkham@carbondaleco.net

Se Habla Español.

el Sol del Valle • Conector de comunidad • 30 de noviembre - 6 de deciembre de 2023 • 13

El proyecto de ley Bennet pretende proteger los derechos de los niños inmigrantes

Por Jaqueline Ramirez The Sopris Sun

A principios de noviembre, los senadores estadounidenses Michael Bennet y Lisa Murkowski y los representantes Dan Goldman y Maria Salazar presentaron un proyecto de ley para proteger a niños inmigrantes en las cortes de inmigración. Este proyecto de ley tomará en cuenta los problemas en las cortes de inmigración y proporcionará más apoyo a los niños que entran solos a los Estados Unidos.

Específicamente, este proyecto de ley establecerá una corte de niños que requerirá personal capacitado, protocolos de participación de niños y coordinación con organizaciones de servicios legales.

“Menores que no son acompañados son los que más sufren por el sistema fallido de inmigración de los Estados Unidos”, dijo el Senador Michael Bennet en un correo electrónico. “Estos niños que están huyendo violencia y la persecución merecen dignidad y respeto y ellos deberían de entender y participar en sus procedimientos en la corte de inmigración”.

Abogado subdirector del programa de los niños en Rocky Mountain Immigrant Advocacy Network, Emily Brock, explicó que la mayoría del tiempo los niños inmigrantes son puestos en expedientes que no están especializados. El caso de un niño es presentado mientras el

juez oye el caso de un adulto al mismo tiempo.

“Los niños tienen opciones de alivio que están disponibles para ellos y que son específicamente para ellos.

Teniendo un expediente o una corte de inmigración específico para niños significa que tendríamos a jueces que son entrenados para entender la situación del niño que está huyendo de violencia en su país”, dijo Brock. “A los niños se les puede explicar las opciones de alivio que están disponibles para ellos y pueden entender que esas opciones de alivio también están disponibles fuera de la corte de inmigración”.

Brock también explicó que los niños tienen el derecho a presentar su caso de asilo antes del United States Citizenship and Immigration services antes de la corte de inmigración. Esto le da a un niño el derecho de hablar con un oficial de inmigración en vez de tener una corte que puede ser intimidante, especialmente para un niño. También hay derechos para los niños que deciden regresar a su país. Estos derechos aseguran que el niño sea regresado seguramente a su país.

Aparte de sus derechos, la ley establece normas específicas sobre el trato que debe darse a los niños en la frontera. Los niños no pueden estar más de 72 horas bajo la custodia de Aduanas y Protección de Fronteras. Los niños no pueden estar en un centro de detención, deben ser transferidos a la Oficina

Descubra 80 increíbles organizaciones sin ánimo de lucro que hacen un gran trabajo.

VER LA GUIA

de Reasentamiento de Refugiados bajo el Departamento de Salud y Servicios Humanos. Con la ayuda de entrenamiento y consideración, los derechos de un niño serán explicados y presentados a ellos. Esto da más apoyo y protección a un niño antes y durante la corte de inmigración.

Según la ley propuesta, los jueces de las cortes de inmigración de niños recibirán capacitación sobre trata de niños, prácticas informadas sobre el desarrollo y el trauma y ayuda para manejar expedientes. La intención es que los jueces vean la situación a través de los ojos de un niño. Los protocolos de participación infantil requerirían al tribunal a utilizar procedimientos adaptados a los niños para garantizar que comprenden el proceso. El proyecto de ley también requeriría que los servicios legales coordinen con la corte para ayudar a reducir el tiempo en la corte y evitar demoras procesales.

“Contar con un expediente específico para los niños es el primer paso hacia una representación universal”, dijo Brock. “El proyecto de ley toma en cuenta las vulnerabilidades específicas que tienen los niños a respecto a sus casos de inmigración”.

Brock hizo referencia a una foto en particular. Es una foto de un niño de dos años sentado en un tribunal con un abogado del Departamento de Seguridad Nacional y un juez. Brock dice que este proyecto de ley reconoce y

Senador Michael Bennet, foto de cortesía

busca remediar esa imagen.

“Es un primer paso para garantizar que estos niños reciban la protección que necesitan, el apoyo que necesitan”, dijo Brock.

“Necesitamos una solución de sentido común que sea consistente con nuestras mejores tradiciones como una nación de inmigrantes, defienda el estado de derecho y satisfaga las necesidades de los niños que llegan a la frontera”, dijo Bennet. “Mi proyecto de ley bipartidista y bicameral demuestra que podemos encontrar puntos en común y reparar nuestro sistema de inmigración fallido.

Es bueno para los niños, es bueno para nuestro sistema de inmigración, y un símbolo de lo que podemos lograr si estamos dispuestos a trabajar juntos”.

Por ahora no hay actualizaciones en este proyecto de ley y su proceso.

Para más información, por favor visita https://bit.ly/BennetChildImmigration

I'm just waiting until you say the magic word…

Tre a t s !

VISITA COLORADO GIVES

2023/2024 Guía de donaciones a Eagle, Condados de Garfield y Pitkin.

Mountain West Gives

Mountain West Gives

Mountain West Gives

14 • THE SOPRIS SUN • soprissun.com • November 30 - December 6, 2023

El Jebel, Colorado 970-963-1700 RJPaddywacks.com

1 st Join

at Weant & Main at 5:3Opm

to light up the forest service tree & main street Unanse a Santa en Weant Blvd y Main St a las 5:30pm para prender las luces Navideñas en el árbol del Forest Service y Main Street

free hot cocoa & sugar cookies while supplies last Cocoa Caliente y galletas de azúcar Graits hasta agotar los suministros

free sleigh rides with Santa 5:45pm–7:45pm Los paseos gratis de trineo con Santa

Caroling BY CCS STUDENTS & public Engagment in Chacos park canto de villancicos de los estudiantes de CCS Y compromiso con la comunidad

Deck the Walls holiday market inside The Launchpad will be open until 7pm with live performances by Roaring Fork Youth Orchestra.

El mercado “Deck the Walls” en The Launchpad permanecerá abierto hasta las 7pm con música en vivo por la Roaring Fork Youth Orchestra.

for more info visit carbondalearts.com or carbondale.com THE SOPRIS SUN • Your weekly community connector • November 30 - December 6, 2023 • 15

Bennet bill strives to protect rights of migrant children

By Jackie Ramirez Sopris Sun Intern

At the beginning of November, U.S. Senators Michael Bennet and Lisa Murkowski and Representatives Dan Goldman and Maria Salazar presented a bill to protect migrant children in immigration court. The bill’s measures would provide further support for children who have become separated from their families.

Specifically, it would establish a children's court with trained personnel and child-centric protocols.

The bill would also require the court to coordinate with legal services on behalf of a child.

“Unaccompanied minors suffer the most from America’s broken immigration system,” said Senator Michael Bennet in a statement.

“These kids who are fleeing violence and persecution deserve dignity and respect, and they should be able to understand and fully participate in their immigration court proceedings.”

The deputy managing attorney of the Children’s Program at Rocky Mountain Immigrant Advocacy Network, Emily Brock, explained that oftentimes migrant children are put on dockets that are not specialized. A child’s case is being heard in the same session as an adult’s. “[Children] have relief options

that are available to them, and that are specific to them. Having a docket or a specific immigration court for children means that we can have trained judges who understand the specific issues facing children who are escaping violence in their home country,” Brock explained. “[Children] can be trained on the specific relief options available to them and understand that many of the relief options are available outside of immigration court.”

Brock also explained that before having to enter court proceedings, children have the right to pursue their asylum cases before the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. This affords children the right to have a conversation with an immigration officer instead of going to trial, which can be intimidating, particularly for a child. There are also rights for children who decide to go to their home country rather than staying.

Those rights are supposed to ensure that children are returned to a safe situation.

In addition, there are specific regulations within the law as to how children should be treated at the border. Children cannot spend more than 72 hours in the custody of Customs and Border Protection.

Children are not supposed to be held in detention facilities, but must be transferred to the Office of Refugee Resettlement under the Department of Health and Human Services.

Under the proposed law, judges would receive training in child trafficking and developmental and trauma-informed practices.

The intention is to help judges understand proceedings through the lens of a child. Child participation protocols would require the court to utilize childappropriate procedures to ensure that children comprehend the proceedings.

“To have a child-specific docket is the first step towards universal representation of children,” Brock stated. “It acknowledges the specific vulnerabilities that children have with respect to their immigration cases.”

Brock referenced a particular photo. It’s a picture of a two-yearold sitting in a courtroom with a Department of Homeland Security attorney and a judge. Brock said that the bill acknowledges and seeks to remedy the problems associated with that image.

“It’s a first step to ensuring that these children are given the protection that they need, the support that they need,” she said.

Art by Larry Day

“We need a commonsense solution that’s consistent with our best traditions as a nation of immigrants, upholds the rule of law and meets the needs of kids arriving at the border,” stated Bennet. “My bipartisan, bicameral bill demonstrates that we can find common ground and repair our broken immigration system. It’s good for the kids, good for our immigration system and a symbol of what we can accomplish when we’re willing to work together.”

As of now, there have been no updates on this bill and its process.

For more information, visit www. bit.ly/BennetChildImmigration

Town of Carbondale Special Event Task Force Meeting Announcement

The Special Event Task Force reviews special events within Town Parks, Streets and Facilities. The review of proposed 2024 events will take place on Thursday, November 30th This meeting will take place from 6-7:30 pm at Town Hall.

These meetings are open to all interested citizens.

For more info /virtual option e-mail:ebrendlinger@carbondaleco.net

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16 • THE SOPRIS SUN • soprissun.com • November 30 - December 6, 2023

THE SOPRIS SUN • Your weekly community connector • November 30 - December 6, 2023 • 17

BASALT REPORT

Councilor Drummond resigns, opening temporary seat

By Will Buzzerd Sopris Sun Correspondent This week, Basalt’s town council discussed an upcoming two-day closure on Midland Avenue as well as this year’s budget. This meeting also marked the last for councilor Glenn Drummond, who officially resigned on Nov. 30.

Elected to a four-year term in April 2020, Drummond initially had planned to serve until the term ended in April of next year, but a change in family circumstances expedited his resignation. “I couldn’t have a better group of people and I couldn’t have a better town staff,” Drummond said in his address to the council.

The town attorney, Jeff Conklin, reported that according to the town charter, a substitute councilor will have to be appointed within the next 60 days. Otherwise, the seat would remain open until the municipal election next April. Council agreed to release a notice to the public about the election, and per a recommendation by Conklin the town will be taking letters of interest through Jan. 5.

In this month’s streetscape update, project representative Dave Detwiler announced that streetlights will be going up in the Midland Spur around

the first days of December, and the waterline beneath central Midland Avenue will be complete in midDecember.

In order to meet this deadline, there will be both a street closure and water outage on Midland Avenue from Thursday, Dec. 7 at 7am through Friday, Dec. 8 at 5pm. The street will be closed from the Midland Mall up to Riverside Drive, along with a small section of Homestead Drive in front of the Basalt Barber Shop. To compensate for the lack of services, the town will be setting up water bottle stations and temporary bathrooms around the area.

Additionally, citizens can celebrate this final push of 2023 by attending the event in the Basalt River Park that same Friday from 4 to 6 p.m. A Band Called Alexis will be performing holiday music in the bandshell, and the park will host both a live petting zoo as well as a visit from Mr. and Mrs. Claus.

In other news, Planning Director Michelle Thibeault announced that bids for the construction of a daycare at Stott’s Mill will be going out in the next few weeks as the floor plans of the building have been finalized.. To be operated by Blue Lake Preschool, the daycare will have four classrooms, and after an anticipated nine-month

build schedule beginning in January the daycare should be open for students autumn of 2024.

The first council action of the night was the appointment of town resident Stephanie Gale to a threeyear term on the Basalt Public Arts Commission (BPAC). Gale, a familiar face to visitors to The Art Base, has an extensive background in arts and fashion and was unanimously appointed to a seat on BPAC. The final items for the night related to the town budget, both for this year and next. The first action was for an amendment to this year’s budget, updating expenses and income from property taxes.

The second action was the adoption of the 2024 annual budget.

Budgeted expenditures for next year total $12.2 million in general fund expenditures, as well as $5.8 million in restricted fund expenditures.

Current budgeted revenues for 2024 are estimated to be $10.6 million in the general fund and $4.1 million in the restricted fund, leading to a total difference of $1.6 million and $1.7 million and end-of-the-year fund balances of $8.9 million and $6.8 million respectively.

The personnel budget 2024 totals $5.7 million this year, with 34% of that expenditure going towards the Police Department, where vacancies for Sergeant and investigator exist.. Administrative personnel expenditures were the second highest

Councilor Glenn Drummond, having dutifully served the town of Basalt since April of 2020, resigned Thursday, Nov. 30. Town staff expressed their gratitude for his consistent preparedness and pragmatism during his tenure. Photo courtesy of the town of Basalt

at 17% of the personnel budget. In total, personnel expenditures make up 18.4% of all fund expenditures.

In addition, the town intends to spend $10.5 million of its $10.9 million capital construction fund in 2024. This fund is dedicated to voter-approved town construction projects such as the Midland Streetscape Project.

The final 2024 budget was approved unanimously. The full document can be found on the town website.

CALL FOR CARBONDALE

BOARD OF TRUSTEE NOMINATIONS Regular Election Town of Carbondale The Town of Carbondale will hold a regular municipal election on April 2, 2024. Three Board of Trustee seats (all four-year terms) are up for election.

Looking to have fun and give back?

Those wishing to run for Trustee may pick up a Nomination Petition beginning January 2, 2024, Monday–Friday 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. from the town clerk, 511 Colorado Avenue, Carbondale, CO.

All are welcome!

Qualifications: All candidates must be a qualified elector of the Town, a citizen of the United States, at least 18 years of age, and must have resided in the Town of Carbondale for one consecutive year immediately prior to the date of the election.

Join us at Rotary every Wednesday at 7a.m. at the Carbondale Fire Station!

Visit rotarycarbondale.org for details.

Dec 6

Alleghany Meadows, Ceramic Artist

Dec 13 Kate Keleher,

RYE Exchange Student “A Year in Romania”

RSVP to Rick Carlson (970) 948-9650 • riccarlson@gmail.com

18 • THE SOPRIS SUN • soprissun.com • November 30 - December 6, 2023

Petitions must be returned to the town clerk no later than 5:00 p.m. on Monday, January 22, 2024.

The Town of Carbondale is a non-partisan body of local government, therefore, there is no party affiliation designation.

For more information contact Town Clerk Jessica Markham at 970-510-1206 or jmarkham@carbondaleco.net

CARBONDALE REPORT

Trustees approve state sales tax collection

By Will Grandbois Sopris Sun Correspondent

Carbondale will move to state-collected sales tax effective Jan. 1, the board of trustees decided in a unanimous vote on Nov. 28.

The change, which reverses the town’s move to self-collected sales tax in 2006, means businesses will no longer have to obtain a sales tax license from the town of Carbondale and eliminates a vendor fee for general sales tax and marijuana sales tax. It is at least partially in response to Colorado House Bill 19-1240, which expanded tax requirements to vendors without a physical place of business, increasing returns and thus administration costs.

Trustees and staff hope that the new approach will not only streamline the process, but may uncover some previously overlooked revenue streams. It’s not a complete fix, Mayor Ben Bohmfalk pointed out, as some taxes (like those on lodging, tobacco, marijuana and waste) would still need to be collected locally.

“It creates these nice little revenue streams that don’t feel like they cost everybody anything — they’re unique user groups,” he observed, “but it does complicate things.”

Taxation was just one of several fiscally-oriented action items on the docket, while the influx of unhoused Venezuelan migrants looming large in offagenda discussion.

Dave Johnson of the Crystal Fly Shop shared a public comment suggesting that those living under Veterans Memorial Bridge be required to clean up the trash before receiving further public support. Although the format didn’t provide for an immediate response from the board, both Trustee Colin Laird and Town Manager Lauren Gister used their own comments to acknowledge that trash is among the issues the

Pitkin County Cares Let us help you find the resources you need.

Pitkin County Human Services:

municipality is working to address. The board opted to schedule a special meeting for Dec. 5 to keep track of the situation.

In other trustee comments, Marty Silverstein expressed his disappointment in a second occurrence of swastika graffiti in the schools, and particularly the fact that it made the newspaper before trustees were notified. Erica Sparhawk shared her positive impression of Xcel Energy’s plan to be 80% carbon neutral by 2030.

Anticipating next meeting’s budget discussion, Lani Kitching advocated flexibility in the allocation of $200,000 for a six-month Downtowner shuttle service pilot program, citing other priorities in the event of a funding shortfall. The board opted to keep it in the budget, with Sparhawk and Silverstein pointing out strong reserves and Laird emphasizing the value of the program in addition to existing transit.

“We all know that the current circulator doesn’t really do all that much. It comes downtown, it goes back out to the park and ride and that’s kind of it,” he observed. “WeCycle’s amazing, but riding your bike with bags of groceries in the snow is not that much fun. This could offer a lot of people — our seniors, our visitors — a chance to get around our town.”

Next, the board unanimously approved tweaks to the fee schedule. Bohmfalk specifically highlighted some increases in planning fees, which weren’t covering cost. Trustee Chris Hassig also advocated for eventually moving the building fees from the code itself to the schedule to make it easier to modify.

Trustees also supported staff’s recommendation to grant an improvement extension to Central SelfStorage, currently under construction on the north side of town. When the annexation and development was originally approved in 2020, it came with the stipulation that public improvements be completed

by Nov. 10, 2022 — later extended to 2023 — and private improvements by Nov. 10, 2023. The request asked both deadlines be pushed to Aug. 10, 2024.

Bohmfalk expressed hopes that the bike path be open as soon as possible, though it will likely have to wait until at least May. The meeting wrapped up with a work session on inclusionary zoning. Planning Director Jared Barnes presented the results of a survey of other communities, prompted by the adoption of the town’s Community Housing Plan earlier this year.

Currently, Carbondale mirrors other municipalities in requiring price caps and resident occupancy for large residential housing projects, but the exact figures vary. After some discussion, the board instructed staff to begin the public process to increase requirements and reduce thresholds.

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Many of the improvements on the Eastwood LLC self storage development — including the bike path along Highway 133 — will have to wait until after paving is possible in the spring. Photo by James Steindler

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SAVE THE DATE FOR AN EVENING OF SUPPORTING COMMUNITY RADIO. CALL (970) 963-0139 THE SOPRIS SUN • Your weekly community connector • November 30 - December 6, 2023 • 19

OPINION

CVEPA Views

By John Armstrong

I found myself giggling with the exhilaration of each steep, sinuous turn.

We descended rapidly down a perfect ribbon of asphalt as if on a roller coaster.

We had driven almost 3,000 vertical feet up from Italy’s Mediterranean Sea coast to hike the subalpine spine of the Ligurian Apennines. This hundred mile long mountain chain is one of three main Apennine Chains that thread down the boot of Italy all the way to Sicily. Rising straight off the coast, the mountains are independent of the Alps and are often steeper.

The road, not much wider than a bike path, wound through the bare trees of lush deciduous woods. My son abruptly pulled over and parked under a grove of trees and hopped out. He parked in rust colored leaves in what appeared to be a bed of green sea urchins! The ground was covered in spiny husks about the size of my fist. Ben (my son), always the insatiable hunter-gatherer, set to crunching the husks with his feet.

I followed suit and was thrilled that

GUEST

OPINION

By Patrick Hunter

Hello Carbondale! Can you believe the beautiful weather we are having this year? What a place to live! But, what a name.

“Carbon”dale? I wrote a piece for a national magazine on environmental issues that talked about caps and fees on carbon fuels like gasoline and natural gas. A reader sent a comment saying that’s funny, because I lived in a town called Carbondale. Point taken.

I’ve been suggesting changing our name to “Sunnydale,” but not getting much traction. Ironically, somebody in charge named the town after a town of Carbondale back east. It was not because of the coal mines in the area.

But, this essay is about the change in climate that is tearing

Nuts! An American tragedy each husk held a shiny brown Italian Chestnut. Whoa, this one had two nuts. We were like children under the Christmas Tree. I soon realized that every husk yielded two to three nuts and in no time we filled a shopping bag with these delectable nuts.

We had awoken that morning in Genoa to a warm chestnut tarte. Isiah had gathered the nuts the day before, made the crust with chestnut flour and the filling with pureed nuts. Numerous times we found chestnuts on our table in Italy, in pasta flours and breads or desserts. The nut is a staple in many parts of Europe. The distribution range is immense. Indigenous chestnuts populate Italy and the Caucasus but they are naturalized (synanthropic) in most of central Europe. When our children were young we stumbled upon an antique chestnut mill, not uncommon in the Apennine foothills. The local Italians brought their nuts to mill and ground flour which was a staple protein in the Italian diet.

Chestnuts were equally important in the diet of Americans. The American Chestnut forest numbered 200 million acres before 1905 and extended from Southern Maine to Georgia with the heartland being Appalachia. The nut yield was astonishingly bountiful and fed Native Americans and settlers, wildlife and livestock. Chestnuts were an economic savior for many people in impoverished Appalachia. The timber, known for straight grain, rot resistance and beauty was prized. One out of four trees in the East was a chestnut. Fast

growing to 80 feet tall, “The Redwood of the East” could reach five feet in diameter.

Americans romanticize about chestnuts roasting on an open fire. Their aroma still wafts from the street vendors in New York City. I am a professed and proud tree hugger. I surmise that most members of the Crystal Valley Environmental Protection Association (CVEPA) are tree huggers on some level.

Cute story, so why am I melancholic ?

Where are the chestnuts? The day of infamy was in 1904 when Japanese Chestnut nursery stock was unloaded in New York Harbor carrying the chestnut blight. New Yorkers soon watched as the blisters and cankers of this necrotrophic fungus girdled their beloved trees, destroying the cambium and killing the trees. The disease raged north to New England before turning south to Appalachia and destroying 99% of all American Chestnuts. The devastation traveled at 25-50 miles per year completing the death march in the Deep South around 1950. Arborists, farmers and tree lovers call the blight “the greatest ecological disaster in the world” due to the speed and thoroughness at wiping out the species.

This doomsday story seemed to leave little hope as each new seedling quickly succumbed to the omnipresent fungus.

Survivors of the 4 billion trees were estimated to be only in the hundreds.

Trees are still sprouting from the antique root systems of ancestors and may reach a 3 inch girth before dying. Today, there is promise thanks to The American

The climate in Carbondale

up the state, the U.S. and the rest of the world. As a part time Colorado Mountain College student in the Bachelors of Sustainability Studies program, I have been a careful observer of climate change over the last 10 years. The recent climate news is really disturbing.

I’ll explain.

There is an active volcano in Hawaii called Mauna Loa that has a very special recording station at its summit. They measure the components of the atmosphere, especially CO2. CO2 is the primary ingredient that controls the temperature range we have on the planet. As the amount of CO2 increases, it blocks more of the heat that normally radiates from the earth back into space. Science has known this since the 1800s. In fact, based on work done at the time, they predicted that burning wood and coal would increase CO2 and lead to warming. More recently, scientists working for the big energy companies like Exon-Mobil came to the same conclusion. The scientists told the executives. The executives buried the data. Instead of warning us, they mounted a disinformation campaign. So, the country went ahead using fossil fuels in so many ways which are increasing the amount of greenhouse gasses (GHG) that are

20 • THE SOPRIS SUN • soprissun.com • November 30 - December 6, 2023

now driving up climate change.

If the problems of GHG were more common knowledge, we might have avoided car-dependent suburbs and instead built more multi-family homes with mass transit close by.

We might have avoided plastics that are now trashing our environment and even being absorbed into our very bodies. We might have avoided chemicals like PFAS, known as forever chemicals that are now in our drinking water and in most of our bodies. We might not be building around 17 million gas burning new cars and light trucks every year which produce evermore GHG. What was it that caused my alarm? The Guardian newspaper just reported that Mauna Loa has recorded the highest CO2 reading ever at 422.36ppm. The increase is 5.06ppm from a year ago. Ten years ago, it was 395.64ppm. Referring to the year 1993, the article stated, “Then the scientific community worried about the effect on the weather if we were to pass the 400 mark. Now we know: the result is catastrophic heatwaves, storms, droughts, floods and rapidly increasing and unstoppable sea level rise.” It continued, “All the efforts of nearly 200 member states to tackle the menace of the climate crisis have been a failure, so far.”

In climate history, the U.S. has

Chestnut Foundation (TACF), other non-profits, scientists, philanthropists and state forestry programs. Grafting and hybridization involving Chinese Chestnuts (the irony), which have blight resistance, and native stock have been successful. Painstaking efforts are made to ensure that the trees are genetically “as American as possible” while developing a tree that can thrive and withstand the blight. Orchards and experimental forests, notably in Virginia and Maryland, report promising success and believe the American Chestnut will return to its domain. We live in a crucible of cultures, languages, religions and … trees. With benevolent efforts and best science, hope springs eternal like the sapling sprouting from the root system of a bygone time.

Such loss as the chestnut cuts deep into our environmental and cultural well being. Tears are shed for the buffalo, the passenger pigeon and a magnificent tree that most Americans sadly don’t know.

Right now, we have the opportunity and the onus to protect our legacy. We are all the stewards of the last unencumbered wild river in Colorado. Current public forums have shown virtual unanimity to protect the Crystal River. Now is the time to unite to protect the Crystal River and secure this legacy for future generations.

Educate yourself on river protection with The Sopris Sun’s Oct. 18 front page story.

To learn more about the Crystal Valley Environmental Protection Association and to support our mission go to www.cvepa.org been the worst contributor to GHG. We are responsible for 25% of all of it. We make up less than 5% of the world’s population. We have had the world’s largest economy.

We are now experiencing hundreds of billions of dollars in damages.

What’s to do?

Millions of Americans are working hard to make changes to cut GHG emissions. There are solar collectors and wind turbines that produce electricity instead of burning coal and fossil gas. There is the introduction of electric vehicles and even battery electric tools for lawn care. There is electric induction cooking instead of natural gas. A major change is the growing use of “heat pumps” for heating buildings and hot water at the tap. This brings me to what we might do locally.

I think that we all have a moral responsibility to bring climate change under control to preserve a livable world for our coming generations. I think every governing body should be doing whatever possible to take on the problem. There are many things that can be done locally.

Unfortunately, the current growth in the Valley is taking us in the wrong direction. More buildings, more development, more traffic is just adding to the problem. Can we talk about this?

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

Approaching Avalon, Part I Amy Hadden Marsh Carbondale

Legend has it that the ancient, mystical isle of Avalon is tricky to find, that in ages past pilgrims often got lost in the mist that surrounded the island, never to be found. Certain romantic Arthurian legends say that King Arthur’s body was returned to Avalon after his death at the hands of his son, Mordred. In 1191, the monks of Glastonbury Abbey in Somerset, England claimed to have discovered King Arthur’s grave. Their claim is history, but the truth of the claim remains legend. Nonetheless, Glastonbury has been synonymous with Avalon ever since.

Fast-forward 832 years to a recent October afternoon when Legend had me in its grip, like white knuckles on a steering wheel, as I drove from Bristol to Glastonbury. “A 45-minute drive,” said the bloke at the car rental place. But, the ghosts of all those dismal pilgrims who lost their way to Avalon had other plans.

They must have been lined up along the roads and roundabouts as I ventured south, pointing me in the wrong direction.

I headed out from Bristol Airport in the rain in the rental — wider, said the bloke, than what the English usually drive. Wider? My spidey sense began to tingle.

I was fairly confident, if not a bit anxious, with the idea of driving on the left side of the road from the right side of the car. I had been told to keep the center line on

my right and to hug the left side of the left lane, which I did to the detriment of the front left quadrant of the “wider” car when I scraped off the mirror against a building.

I knew less about how to drive the roundabouts.

British roundabouts are nothing like the ones in the Roaring Fork Valley, which I now call “Leggo© roundabouts.” I also didn’t know how to set up the e-map in the car, so I used the Google Map on my phone to guide my drive, which kept switching off every five seconds. I guess I thought that by following highway signs and the map, I’d be okay. But, I wasn’t.

My biggest problem was not understanding the four-exit scenario of the roundabouts combined with a lack of familiar landmarks. Every time I came to a roundabout, I lost the highway thread. I would inevitably get honked at, freak out and spin off the first exit that presented itself. My hopes would soar when I saw a road sign tempting me with “Glastonbury” and an arrow pointing in the right direction only to plummet after losing my way in a roundabout and heading in another direction.

Around sunset, I found myself at Burnham-On-Sea, which, as its name implies, is on the coast, about 30 miles southwest of Bristol and 20 miles northwest of Glastonbury. I found a Tesco — the UK’s version of City Market — and, for normalcy’s sake, decided to go in for a spot of grocery shopping. I bought water and slippers and a box of Walker’s Shortbread. Outside in the parking lot, I struck up a conversation with Charlie

"Is this the way to Avalon?" and Maddie, two young women out in their car for a Friday night in a small town. Upon hearing my plight, they offered to help me find a hotel. They led the way and I followed but not before I crashed into a parking divider.

Fortunately, Charlie advised me to stay left at the upcoming roundabout, which helped when their car disappeared behind a large van. We ended up on the waterfront, looking out over a dark sea toward Wales. All of the hotels were full, so off we went to a Travelodge that Charlie knew of, only this time she didn't mention which way to go at the roundabout. To this day, they don’t know if I survived the night.

When I lost sight of them, I was once again adrift on a sea of highways with no guiding light, totally lost in the dark and the pouring rain without any sense of direction. Panic began to swirl around me like mist around Avalon.

To be continued …

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THE SOPRIS SUN • Your weekly community connector • November 30 - December 6, 2023 • 21

LETTERS

Thank you to the board members as well, volunteering your time and stewarding this very special space: Crystal Colantino, Gabriela Mejia, Stephanie Riverman and Richard Vottero. To many more years!

Natalie Rae, Portland, OR

Wild and Scenic

Many thanks to everyone who generously donated their time to the Crystal River Wild & Scenic Collaborative.

After months of exploring the various alternatives for preserving the Crystal River, it is clear that the Wild and Scenic designation is by far the strongest option to ensure the Crystal will forever remain a free-flowing river.

With the designation comes federal funding to permanently protect the Crystal River from dams and transbasin diversions. Wild and Scenic will preserve water quality, ecology and wildlife, as well as increase property values and enhance the quality of life for everyone who is fortunate enough to live in the Crystal River Valley. It will have no effect on existing water or property rights. And, Wild and Scenic is incredibly flexible, allowing our community to custom-tailor a proposed plan for the Crystal.

We do not own the river; it is only passing through. But as residents we have a rare opportunity to make a lasting contribution to this beautiful valley by securing Wild and Scenic designation. The Crystal is one of the last undammed rivers in Colorado — with Wild and Scenic we can keep it that way.

If you live in the upper Crystal River Valley, please consider reaching out to the Gunnison County Commissioners bocc@gunnisoncounty.org and the Marble Trustees leach@townofmarble. com to let them know you support Wild and Scenic.

There is no better gift for future generations than the legacy of a freeflowing river.

Teri Havens, Marble

Third time, not the charm

What beautiful wetlands! Let’s develop it!

If the proposed Basalt Black Mountain housing development (right on the Roaring Fork River and adjacent to the library) proceeds, residents will have to swallow permanent, precedent-setting problems. With 68 housing units, 12 hotel cabins, and seven “glamping” spots on a 9.3 acre site, we can expect constant gridlock on the service road from the roundabout at the town entrance to its exit onto highway 82.

The intersections will be jammed.

Emma Road will no longer be a popular, safe section of the Rio Grande Trail, with constant traffic on the road entering and exiting the development. The hundreds of residents, guests and the service people will use vehicles; and with little room to widen and no space for roundabouts we’re guaranteed a nonstop traffic nightmare. Also,

22 • THE SOPRIS SUN • soprissun.com • November 30 - December 6, 2023

continued from page 2

expect these hundreds of residents, guests and pets to frequent the path to the riverbank. During the wetland’s growing season the luxury tents with their guests and pets will sit on “temporary” pads 50 feet from the river. It’s an old story that when riparian vegetation is destroyed there’s a downward spiral with eroded sediment killing the aquatic plants and everything that depends on them.

Aesthetically, the southern views from the popular trails across the river will be blocked by three-story buildings.

The first view you’ll have of Basalt when driving east on Highway 82 will be this inharmonious development.

The big developments in Willits are coming online to address housing problems at scale (on more appropriate sites). We have yet to experience the impacts of this, yet we want to build more of the same on one of the town’s last remaining “untouched” sections of the Roaring Fork. Proposals for two previous projects on this site failed approval.

Since the same problems exist, why should we allow this one?

Ed Williams, Basalt

Colonization

On Sept. 29, it was reported in the Aspen Times that a protester in Espanola New Mexico was shot in the stomach by a counter protester.

Ryan Martinez is now charged with attempted murder. The origin of the controversy was the installation of a statue of the conquistador Juan de Onate, Spain's first territorial governor of New Mexico. He is best remembered for his 1599 slaughter of 800 Acoma people and then ordering the remaining male survivors to have a foot chopped off.

Who were these Europeans we have celebrated? They were the original colonizers of the modern era.

The word colonizer derives from the Latin root word "colon" which carries a meaning to digest, consume or even eat. Although settler colonialism has always been a crime against humanity, it did not become an international crime until 1960.

Statues, mythology, history and historical memory have currently become hot button issues.

Nevertheless, monuments offer us teachable moments. I think we can all agree that murder, terror, theft, religious bigotry and hate are things that deserve careful scrutiny.

Most of us know that the Roaring Fork Valley was Spanish/Mexican land for over 300 years. The 1542 Coronado expedition baptized the Colorado River and thus through the Christian Discovery Doctrine acquired legal title to all the territory in the drainage.

So, what in particular is Aspen's connection to nationalist/religious violence and theft? Well, we have an even bigger statue of an armored conquistador situated on Galina Plaza next to the courthouse!

Happy Native American Heritage Month Ross Douglass, Basalt

PARTING SHOTS

The annual Turkey Trot in Carbondale had a huge turnout of 759 racers between the 5K and one mile races.

The winners of the 5K were broken down into three age categories and by gender. This year’s winning 5K runners: Adult male: Will Oliver 17:31 Adult female: Katelyn Maley 18:56 Youth male: Owen Lambert 18:55 Youth female: Morgan Fink 21:00

Older adult male: Ron Lund 23:32 Older adult female: Virginia Rutkowski 30:05 Kiddos who placed in the one mile included: Kathleen Stuart (first place), Oliver Gardner (second place) and Miley Stuart (third place).

Photos by Jamie Wall, Carbondale Parks and Rec.

Public Notice November 2023

Photo by Margaret Donnelly, Parks and Rec.

Correction: In last week’s GarCo Report, The Sopris Sun misattributed the quote, “Younger people did not live through Three Mile Island so they’re open to nuclear energy,” to Matt Solomon but, in fact, it was stated by Commissioner Mike Samson.

Secondly, While Solomon said that “there is no waste” from the smaller nuclear reactors, he also said that the waste is considered “used goods” and that France is recycling energy from it. The online article has been updated.

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Notice of Opportunity to Comment On Issuance of a Restrictive Notice at the Marble Wetlands Site Facility: Marble Wetlands Site Address: Parcel 2917-264-00-005 Marble, Gunnison County, CO Background: The Marble Wetland Preserve is a designated Voluntary Cleanup Program property, which includes a remnant slag pile from the Hoffman Smelter,an operation thatceased operation over 100 years ago.The Trust for Land Restoration, the property owner, in conjunction with the Town of Marble, completed cleanup of the site by consolidating looses lag and other materials in a capped repository, addressing drainage erosion,and revegetating the site to support the long-term health of the property. Because historic mining waste remains on site, this Restrictive Notice is being placed per the request of the Trust for Land Restoration to protect the site remedy and capped mine waste.

Public comments: Please submit comments by December 9, 2023 to: Mark Rudolph, CDPHE Project Manager CDPHE/HMWMD 4300 Cherry Creek Drive South Denver, CO 80246 mark.rudolph@state.co.us | 303.916.2179 | Toll free: 888-569-1831, ext 3311

The Restrictive Notice is available online for review at: https://cdphe.colorado.gov/hm/HMWMD-public-notices

THE SOPRIS SUN • Your weekly community connector • November 30 - December 6, 2023 • 23

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presented by carbondale arts "Glory Be to Diversity" by Rev. Florence Caplow

"As Unitarian Universalists, we come from many religious traditions Christian and Jewish, Muslim and Pagan, Atheist and Buddhist, to name a few. Together, across those differences, “we can make such sweet harmony,”. In nature, greater diversity can create greater resilience, although in the human world, differences can evoke fear and even violence against those who are “different”. In this first service on our December theme of “Pluralism” we will celebrate diversity and pluralism and we will have a little fun along the way.

Rev. Florence Caplow (she/her) has served Unitarian Universalist congregations in Illinois, Washington State, and Colorado. Before becoming a minister, she worked as a botanist for 25 years, specializing in the conservation of endangered plants. She is also a writer, editor, change coach, and ordained Soto Zen priest.

Live in-person service. Live music by Jimmy Byrne.

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Sunday, DECEMBER 3rd 10am at Two Rivers Unitarian Universalist Community Room @ Third Street Center in Carbondale or via Zoom Join Zoom Meeting - https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82605258305 Meeting ID: 826 0525 8305 - Passcode: chalice

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24 • THE SOPRIS SUN • soprissun.com • November 30 - December 6, 2023

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