20221201

By Jeanne Souldern Sopris Sun Correspondent

In 2019, Carbondale’s master of many trades, Mark Burrows, began his chocolate-making career with Pollinator Chocolate. Since then, Pollinator has become the go-to for high-quality, single-source, small-batch chocolate bars, truffles and bonbons in the Roaring Fork Valley. Burrows is now dipping into a highly-anticipated business venture with the opening of the aptly-named Cocoa Club. This soon-to-open venue is another expression of Burrows's 20-year quest for the perfect bar of craft chocolate. The Cocoa Club, with an anticipated opening in January 2023 in Red Rock Plaza, next to Mana Foods, is an eclectic space that will satisfy your richest chocolate fantasies.

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Mark Burrows takes a quick break while preparing to open the Cocoa Club by early 2023. Photo by Jane Bachrach

By Jeanne Perry

This December, I want to give a little appreciation for our local flare here in Carbondalay, Bonedale, C-Town. (Just kidding, no one calls it that — yet!)

As the holidays approach, it’s a good time to take stock of all that we have and look for ways to share with our neighbors. Personally, I feel extremely lucky to live here, surrounded by cowboys and artists, in a house we moved from the ranch to the unorganized territory of Satank, and I’m grateful for my little candid opinion column in this, our own town’s weekly newspaper. So, here to the theme of “The Twelve Days of Christmas”, are some local spots to show a little love this holiday.

On the 12th day of C— wait, the 12th day? Is that as in 12 days counting down to Christmas? Or are we celebrating Christmas for 12 whole days like the pagans did… and is it backwards? Oh

LETTERS

Re: Past prologue

Twelve days of Carbondale

well, whatever. Here we go…

On the 12th day of Carbondale, my true love gave to me: 12 builders building. We are lucky to have the Habitat for Humanity ReStore chock full of billionaires’ hand-medowns, and while the Pitkin County landfill will be full in a few years, we can still focus our talents on reducing, reusing and recycling our building materials.

On the 11th day of Carbondale, my true love gave to me: 12 builders building, 11 potters potting (okay, throwing, actually.) The Carbondale Clay Center celebrates 25 years of clay this year.

On the 10th day of Carbondale, my true love gave to me: 12 builders building, 11 potters throwing, 10 drinkers day drinking at the Legion. You guessed it, I’m one of those hundredaires who shows up regularly once Shake-A-Day climbs above four digit$.

On the ninth day of Carbondale, my true love gave to me: 12 builders building, 11 potters throwing, 10 drinkers day drinking, nine writers writing. Let’s hear it for The Sopris Sun’s success with informing, inspiring and building (up!) this community.

On the eighth day of Carbondale, my true love

I just finished reading Kate Collins' article, “The past is prologue”. Back in the ‘80s, I took a tour of the capitol building in Denver. In reply to someone's question, our guide said that when European-Americans first arrived in Colorado, "There were no people here." It seems we've made some progress since then. At least we now seem to understand what constitutes “people.” Evans, Chivington, Byers and many others had no idea at all.

James Nelson, Hanoi, Vietnam

Stop the Uinta Basin Railway

It’s hard to believe even the most calloused oil and gas industrialist would ever dream of transporting extremely viscous, heated oil up the Union Pacific Railroad along the I-70 corridor next to the Colorado and Eagle rivers, across some of Colorado’s most environmentally sensitive areas.

Yet that is exactly what the Seven County Infrastructure Coalition in Utah is planning to do. They want to build an 88-mile railroad from the oil fields in Myton, Utah in the Uinta Basin to Kyune, Utah on the Union Pacific line. From there, the oil tanker rail cars will cross

gave to me: 12 builders building, 11 potters throwing, 10 drinkers day drinking, nine writers writing, eight artists creating. Carbondale Arts supports a full spectrum of artists who color in our beautiful valley.

On the seventh day of Carbondale, my true love gave to me: 12 builders building, 11 potters throwing, 10 drinkers day drinking, nine writers writing, eight artists creating, seven skiers skiing at Spring Gulch. We have world-class, bluebirdsky cross-country skiing right in our backyard, thanks to the Mount Sopris Nordic Council.

On the sixth day of Carbondale, my true love gave to me: 12 builders building, 11 potters throwing, 10 drinkers day drinking, nine writers writing, eight artists creating, seven skiers skiing, six geese a-laying — what’s better than fresh eggs from happy dames? Shop at Mana.

On the fifth day of Carbondale, my true love gave to me: Five grass-fed burgers. One of the best things about this town is that wherever you order it, chances are you are eating delicious, locally-raised beef.

On the fourth day of Carbondale, my true love gave to me: 12 builders building, 11 potters throwing, 10 drinkers day drinking,

Colorado and continue down to the refineries in Louisiana and Texas at a rate of 350,000 barrels per day.

The new rail line in Utah was approved by the Forest Service and the Surface Transportation Board. The environmental impact assessment they did was for the new line in Utah only. The impacts upstream weren’t considered.

Having worked on a track gang, I can tell you Murphy’s Law applies when it comes to rail traffic.

Derailments are frequent. Tanker cars leak. Sparks fly from steel wheels on steel rails.

Eagle County has filed a lawsuit in the U.S. Court of Appeals to reverse the Forest Service ruling. Amicus briefs have been filed by Routt, Boulder, Chaffee, Lake and Pitkin counties and the municipalities of Glenwood Springs, Avon, Minturn and Vail.

Conspicuously missing are Garfield and Mesa counties and Grand Junction. The Garfield County Commissioners are known for spending millions on a lawsuit that benefits the oil and gas industry. One wonders why they wouldn’t get behind one that protects the local environment.

nine writers writing, eight artists creating, seven skiers skiing, six geese a-laying, five grass-fed burgers, four spinning DJs; KDNK plays all my favorite country punk songs.

On the third day of Carbondale, my true love gave to me: 12 builders building, 11 potters throwing, 10 drinkers day drinking, nine writers writing, eight artists creating, seven skiers skiing, six geese a-laying, five grass-fed burgers, four spinning DJs, three canned goods for Lift-Up. “When we have more than we need, we build a longer table.” –Jesus

On the second day of Carbondale, my true love gave to me: 12 builders building, 11 potters throwing, 10 drinkers day drinking, nine writers writing, eight artists creating, seven skiers skiing, six geese a-laying, five grass-fed burgers, four spinning DJs, three canned goods, two feature films. Crystal Theatre gift cards make the best stocking stuffers!

On the first day of Carbondale, my true love gave to me: 12 builders building, 11 potters throwing, 10 drinkers day drinking, nine writers writing, eight artists creating, seven skiers skiing, six geese a-laying, five grass-fed burgers, four spinning DJs, three canned goods, two feature films, and a happy, healthy 2023.

In addition to supporting the lawsuit, I encourage you to contact President Joe Biden, Senators Michael Bennet and John Hickenlooper, and Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack. The Forest Service is under the Department of Agriculture.

Don’t believe that the Uinta Basin oil will lower gas prices. There is no oil shortage. The United States is still the third largest oil exporter in the world. If you want to know why the price at the pump is so high, just check big oil’s balance sheet.

Fred Malo Jr., Carbondale

A democracy, or a republic?

Why has the word “democracy” replaced the word “republic” in nearly all present-day communications — either spoken, published or broadcasted — about the United States Constitution? The word “democracy” will never be found in our nation’s constitution, nor in our First Amendment through our last, the 27th Amendment in 1992.

The Founders, during debates regarding the forms of government

continued on page 26

Editor

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

Contributing Editor James Steindler

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Frederic Kischbaum Bartlett Proofreader Lee Beck

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Youth Program Coordinator Jeanne Souldern

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Avalanche Creek

Avalanche Creek is now closed for the winter season. The road is closed to vehicles, and humans are not allowed north of the road. The entire area is closed to dogs. Since 1996, the seasonal closure has been implemented to protect wintering bighorn sheep, elk and mule deer. Compliance, however, has purportedly declined in recent years. “It’s clear to me that the presence of dogs in the closed area contributes to the lower numbers of big game, as does the amount of people,” said ranger Phil Nyland. The area is due to reopen to humans and dogs on May 1 and to motor vehicles on May 21.

Cottonwood Pass

With heavy snowfall on Nov. 29, Eagle County announced that Cottonwood Pass is closed for the winter season. Weather permitting, the pass will reopen in April 2023.

Outdoor watering

As reported by Aspen Journalism, the Ruedi Water and Power Authority — made up of local elected officials — gave unanimous support for a set of unified permanent watering standards, limiting outdoor watering to between 6 p.m. and 9 a.m. from Aspen to Glenwood Springs and alternating watering days between evennumbered and odd-numbered properties with no watering on Mondays. View the document online at www.bit.ly/RWAPAwatering

Saving energy

Black Hills Energy shares the following energy-saving tips for Coloradans this holiday season: 1. Lower the thermostat, especially when cooking and hosting guests; 2. If you

plan on cooking many dishes and treats, bake them in sequence to avoid repeatedly heating up the oven; 3. If traveling for the holidays, unplug large appliances like coffee makers and computers to avoid wasteful phantom energy.

It’s a gas

Garfield County approved the first new natural gas well pad limited impact review since new regulations took effect in Colorado in 2019. The 6.4-acre pad, with as many as 21 directional wells, is an expansion of an existing pad and includes 1.13 acres of new ground disturbance, according to operator Terra Energy Partners Rocky Mountain, LLC. The site, about six miles south of Rifle, is within 2,000 feet of four residential building units of which all owners signed informed consent letters. As reported by the Post Independent, the site is also within 2,640 feet of Beaver Creek.

Hendricks Park

The old playground at Hendricks Park is being recycled to make room for new equipment selected by local girl scouts who researched options and presented their findings to the Parks and Recreation Commission for a “Take Action” badge. The commission agreed with their choices which include an ADA compliant swing, partner swing, spinning element and a teeter totter.

Songwriting competition

Jazz Aspen Snowmass’ third annual “Share Your Voice” songwriting competition is accepting entries from middle and high school students through Feb. 1. Stepping Stones will host a series of songwriting workshops in December and January. Find all the details at www.jazzaspensnowmass.org

Researcher and scholar Joe Brewer stopped by the Third Street Center on Nov. 13 while visiting Colorado from his home in Barichara, Colombia. Brewer’s Earth Regenerators network encourages communities around the world to focus on thriving bioregions in the face of planetary collapse. Brewer and his team will return to the Third Street Center on Dec. 10 at 9 a.m. to talk about sustaining the Roaring Fork Watershed as a bioregion. RSVP by emailing Lmckenzie1light@gmail.com

Photo by Raleigh Burleigh

They say it’s your birthday!

Folks celebrating another trip around the sun this week include: 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); David Dabney, Holly Richardson and Lisa Speaker (Dec. 7).

By James Steindler Contributing Editor

Tragically, the day before Thanksgiving, the Shipman family’s home on the Dooley Creek Farm in the Crystal Valley burned to the ground.

Mollie Shipman knew the home her whole life. Her grandparents came over from Leadville, bought the property in 1949 and lived in the same house. The home was built in 1900 by, Mollie assumes, the farm’s namesake, James Dooley, who homesteaded there in the late 1800s.

When her grandparents first moved in, there was no running water or electricity. Later, her parents built a separate home on the property, where Mollie grew up — just down a dirt road from her grandparents.

Today on the property, Mollie runs Dooley Creek Farm with her husband, Jake. The business was registered in 2019 as a limited liability company.

“Right now we’re just taking care of the immediate animal needs, which is quite a task,” Mollie told The Sopris Sun.

They still have about 260 laying hens, around 40 pigs and a small herd of cattle. The couple has been working to keep the animals cared for, namely getting water and power restored to keep their water thawed. Recently, Jake worked until 10 p.m. on a frigid night filling in trenches to cover water and power lines before the snow came.

Mollie noted that Holy Cross Energy has been very supportive and believes

they’ll be able to maintain energy service through the winter.

“As far as the business moving forward, we’re just starting to have that conversation a little bit,” Mollie explained. “Right now, our feeling is that we really need to continue. We have momentum. We have community support. There’s demand for the food we’re growing. We love what we’re doing and being able to offer that to the community.

“The question is, can we balance that with family life and the whole process of rebuilding?” Mollie wondered. She added that, at this point, they plan to continue with the business but perhaps scale back production for a while.

Ironically, the day before the fire, the Shipmans ordered 350 chicks to raise as laying hens. Mollie said they’re still committed to the newcomers.

Understanding that Pitkin County has a stringent permitting code, Mollie stated, “One of the biggest things in my head that seems really daunting is the whole rebuilding process.”

In fact, Mollie’s sister is working on building another home on the property. And, reportedly, it took her five years to secure the building permit.

In the meantime, the family is nestled in Mollie’s parents’ home. Mollie’s sister, a professor at Colorado Mountain College, is also living in their parents’ house.

“We’re all here; one big happy family,” Mollie said. She predicts, however, that there’ll be moments when

they begin to get on each others’ nerves, as families do.

Considering the circumstances, Mollie hopes that the permitting process can be expedited. At this point, she’s left a message with the county to get the preapplication rolling.

Fortunately, the home was insured and the family has begun the claims process. “They acted like it should be pretty straightforward and we should get the full amount, because it was a total loss,” Mollie relayed.

“We definitely want to be here on this property, you know? It’s home. It’s where I grew up,” Mollie continued. “It’s where my grandparents lived and died … I had my third baby there in that house.”

She reflected on aspects of the

home, including a window where her grandmother used to sit, sip her coffee “and look out the window and watch the birds. That’s one of my best memories, grandma sitting at that window.

“It was old and definitely had its quirks, but it was a beautiful, cozy, little house,” Mollie said.

So, there may be a few aspects they’d like to emulate when rebuilding, but she also foresees making the home more energy efficient.

When it comes to the community support the family has received since the devastating fire, Mollie said, “It’s just been mind blowing.”

A friend of the family’s created a GoFundMe page which can be found at www.bit.ly/ShipmanGofundme

The Shipman family in front of their home sometime before the fire on Nov. 23. Coutesy photo

RFTA cruises into the digital age

By James Steindler Contributing Editor

The day has come. Roaring Fork Transportation Authority — colloquially known by its acronym, RFTA — now accepts mobile payments in lieu of exact change or a bus pass.

The mobile ticket option was first activated on Nov. 21. Since then, every RFTA bus is equipped to admit passengers with a mobile pass.

An app, “RFTA Mobile Tickets”, can be downloaded on a passenger’s smartphone. Then a one-way, roundtrip or youth ticket can be purchased. The ticket won’t expire for three months, is refundable within 10 minutes of the purchase and is valid on all RFTA routes — as noted when buying a ticket through the app.

Prior to boarding, people can deposit money into a personal account set up through the app. Using the app comes with a perk: a 25% discounted rate. For instance, a round trip from Glenwood Springs to Carbondale and back is typically $4 ($2 each way); with the app, the same roundtrip costs only $3. Thirty-day zone passes as well as seasonal passes are also available through the app. The same 25% discount will continue to be available to stored value card holders, as has been the case for some time.

If they wish, cash riders can upload funds to their mobile account at the Ruby Park Transit Center in Aspen; or, tickets can be purchased in advance — or just before boarding — using a bank card through the app or online. When a rider first downloads the app and creates an account, they receive a free one-day bus pass. Purchased tickets are stored in a rider’s “ticket wallet” on the app.

Upon boarding, passengers scan a QR code from their phone which includes their destination information, cross the yellow line and find a seat.

“It’s pretty simple,” RFTA’s communications

manager, Jamie Tatsuno, told The Sopris Sun. “I’ve used it myself and I would say it’s very intuitive.”

It’s still early, but many riders haven’t yet jumped on the bandwagon. Ashley Buckberg works as a nurse practitioner and occasionally likes to use the bus when there’s inclement weather or when her partner is using their shared vehicle. While she hasn’t yet made the transition to RFTA’s mobile ticketing option, she noted that it could help prevent situations where she’s left without exact change or a stored value card handy.

“RFTA is the connection between the Roaring Fork and Colorado River valleys, serving not just the great number of visitors we welcome year-round but also residents who use our service daily to commute to work, school and as they go about their daily lives,” said Dan Blankenship, chief executive officer at RFTA. “Introducing this new mobile fare payment system makes using our services safer, easier and more efficient for everyone.”

RFTA partnered with Masabi Justride, a fare payment platform for public transportation. According to its website, Justride serves 150 agencies in nine countries.

“Building on Masabi’s presence in Colorado with RTD Denver, ECO Transit, Bustang, CDOT [Colorado Department of Transportation] and Mountain Metro, our ticketing technology allows RFTA to quickly provide their customers with affordable and equitable fares, no matter how much or little they travel — making transit fairer and faster for all,” Brian Zanghi, chief executive officer of Masabi, said in a statement.

People who do not have a smartphone can, as before, still pay using exact cash, stored value

cards or 30-day passes.

“We’re delighted to be going mobile and working with Masabi,” said Blankenship, “not just to make RFTA a better service for our locals, but a more efficient way of connecting our region.”

RFTA is the second largest transit provider in Colorado and the largest rural transit provider in the United States.

To learn more about RFTA mobile tickets, visit www.rfta.com

RFTA passengers await their bus at the Carbondale Park and Ride. Courtesy photo

Carbondale gets a cozy chocolate lounge and café

The decor features floors painted in a hexagonal honeycomb design that “gave us a lot of room to play with different colors,” Burrows explained. He referred to local artist Gabriela Meija as “the primary architect” of the unique design.

Chocolate bars, drinking chocolate and t-shirts are displayed on shelves with an eye-catching, copper penny-like mosaic tile background.

In what Burrows assured was “a happy coincidence,” the front of the 11-seat bar, with its shiny brown bricks, “made the bar look like chocolate bars.” Bar service will include chocolate-infused cocktails and non-alcoholic options like a cherry-chocolate soda or hot cocoa (of course).

Cafe seating has a cozy vibe with tables and chairs lit by sleek hanging pendants and clear glass wall sconces that resemble daisies. As Burrows described it, “At night, it’s a calm and subtle light.”

In the morning, the cafe will serve coffee, espresso, scones and Danish pastries. In the evening, table-side service will include cocktails and desserts like crème brûlée and tiramisu. Charcuterie platters with nuts, olives and locally-sourced meats are also on the menu for noshing.

Sitting at the bar, patrons can get a bird’s eye view through large windows of Pollinator’s in-house chocolate production.

Burrows, born and raised in the Denver area, moved to the Roaring Fork Valley in 1990 for a job in the audiovisual industry. “That just means I was the guy in the back of the room operating the slide and overhead projectors, the video projector cameras and the soundboard,” he said. Burrows noted that the frenetic pace of Aspen’s conference schedule led to him “getting burned out real quick.”

Then, while managing a department at an Aspen health food store, he gained a reputation among local chefs as knowledgeable about the growing organic and health food market.

In the mid-1990s, when Apple computers became popular, Burrows worked as a Macintosh support technician and was one of the originators of the KDNK radio show “Geekspeak”.

He moved on to photography “by buying some gear and putting my shingle out.” Specializing in portraits, his portfolio contains countless photos of mothers and newborns which have graced the cover of The Sopris Sun’s Mother’s Day issue “for a good 10 years,” he said.

Burrows then learned about the idiosyncratic behavior of bees, earning a certificate from the University of Montana’s online beekeeping program.

“I tend to throw myself into projects 100 percent,” he said of his Renaissance-like desire to learn. “I want to know everything I possibly can.”

The cocoa-themed dream began in earnest in 2019 with Pollinator Chocolate. Burrows said, “After a multiyear love affair with chocolate and not being happy with what I could find, I asked myself if I could even do it.”

After studying the details of the process and making a trip to England to visit chocolate makers, Burrows took the plunge.

At chocolate tastings, customers will receive an informal primer about the different regions of the world where cacao beans are grown. Burrows shared, “I have five different origins with five different flavors, from Bolivia, Ghana, Tanzania, Madagascar and the Dominican Republic.”

Photo by Jane Bachrach

Cacao beans are traded internationally on commodity futures exchanges, like the New York Mercantile Exchange. Burrow’s process begins with ethically-sourced beans from importers that guarantee their farmers a living wage. “One of my main tenets is that I buy my raw beans from brokers that guarantee that there was no slave or child labor anywhere in the process,” Burrows said.

While Fairtrade labeling started becoming common in the late 1980s, Burrows said, “It doesn't help a lot of the farmers because, while it does pay them more, it's still not enough. I pay what's known as farm gate pricing, the price the farmer requests, which is generally three to five times more than the commodity chocolate on the market, including Fairtrade.”

Once business gets rolling, Cocoa Club plans to host special events, like wine and beer pairings and cigar tastings. Burrows describes it as “a vibrant space that will change frequently.”

When The Sopris Sun asked Burrows why he chose to set up shop in Carbondale, he replied, “This is my home. This is my family. These are my friends. I will never leave Carbondale. I plan on doing a lot of traveling, but I will always come back here and spend the vast majority of my time here; this is my community.”

Cocoa Club also has a dedicated chocolatier making bonbons and truffles in a special production room. “I'm producing them by the hundreds, so they'll be ready for the holiday markets,” Burrows said.

By Raleigh Burleigh Sopris Sun Editor

For many months, Carbondale has witnessed the construction of several large buildings along Highway 133. Soon, the largest of the new residential buildings will be complete, and 94 new rental units will house Carbondale residents.

The Sopris Sun took the opportunity to tour MSP Development’s nearly-complete Building C on the corner of Hendrick Drive and the City Market parking lot. Developer and general contractor Briston Peterson stated that this project has made a point of hiring local talent throughout its process, including Sopris Engineering, Bob Schultz, Richard Camp and Poss Architecture.

“Seventeen years ago, City Market wanted a new store and a new facility.” explained Peterson. Fast forward to 2022, Builder FirstSource and City Market, “two of the largest sales tax providers within the Roaring Fork Valley,” will soon reside side-by-side. “It’s a game changer for the town of Carbondale,” Peterson continued. “We’re the engine behind town.”

With Building C poised for completion this month, all 18 residential units are already spoken for and there’s a growing waitlist for MSP’s units at Carbondale Marketplace and Stott’s Mill in Basalt. At this time, a one bathroom, one bedroom unit is renting for $2,400-$2,800 per month at market rate. The two bedroom, one bathroom units rent for $3,000-$3,300 and the two bedroom, two bathroom units for $3,200-$3,400.

Every residential unit has 10-foot-tall ceilings, comes with a 50-inch LCD TV and, “We

really put on what I call premium finishes into our fit and finish,” said Peterson, including LED lights and efficient appliances. Each unit also has its own heat pump and water heater and utility costs are not included with the monthly rental price.

Peterson emphasized that there’s no difference in quality between their market-rate housing and the affordable stock. In accordance with Carbondale’s community housing guidelines, 20% of the project must be rented to people in the first three categories of average median income (AMI) as defined by the Garfield County Housing Authority.

The community housing guidelines document (www.bit.ly/AffordC-Town) explains that “Carbondale begins its income categories with the Garfield County four-person household and adds dependents from that benchmark.”

Beginning at the four-person county average for a single person, $7,500 is added for each additional person.

In 2022, here’s what that calculation yielded for maximum household incomes that qualify for affordable rates (www.bit.ly/CarbondaleAMI):

Category 1 (80% AMI): $75,360 for a single person, $82,860 for two, $90,360 for three, $97,860 for four.

Category 2 (100% AMI): $94,200 for a single person, $101,700 for two, $109,200 for three, $116,700 for four.

Category 3 (120% AMI): $113,040 for a single person, $120,540 for two, $128,040 for three, $135,540 for four.

And here’s the breakdown for the affordable stock at Carbondale Marketplace:

For Category 1, a studio rents at $1,320, one bedroom at $1,414 and two bedroom at $1,696. For Category 2, a studio rents at $1,650, one

bedroom at $1,767 and two bedroom at $2,450. For Category 3, a studio rents at $1,980, one bedroom at $2,121 and two bedroom at $2,544. The Sopris Sun was informed that these rates will increase in April.

For context, a minimum wage earner in Colorado in 2022 (at $12.56 per hour), would sit around $26,125 working full-time, though locally the minimum wage hovers closer to

Basalt Mountain, as seen from a third-story corner unit in Building C. Photo by Raleigh Burleigh

$16-$18 per hour ($33,280-$37,440 annually).

City Market, The Sopris Sun was told, is in conversation to lease Carbondale Marketplace units for its employees.

Find details about renting with MSP Development at: marketplacelofts.us

Condominiumization

Regarding the complex’s condominiumization, approved by trustees on May 11, Peterson assured that MSP’s intention is not to sell any building, rather this was a mechanism for financing the remaining build-out.

“Our sole purpose,” Peterson stated at that meeting, “is to create a condo plat here where we can take out the various blocks after we get

them up, get them stabilized, and bring in some large institutions with long-term financing that eliminates risk both for the developer and for the community.”

After Building C is filled, with 61 of 115 residential units left to construct at Carbondale Marketplace, Peterson estimated that it could be another three to five years before all the units are complete. These will feature condos as well as townhomes with two to four bedrooms. Each building will also include 20% affordable stock, as determined by the Garfield County metric.

Additionally, Building C will contribute 5,718 feet of commercial space to the town’s inventory. Most of that space will be occupied by a physical therapy center with the remainder going to a dry cleaner. As with the residential units, these will remain rentals.

According to Peterson, although approached by national tenants for these buildings, they again chose to go local, opening the spaces next to City Market to Independence Run & Hike, Sure Thing Burger, M'S Beauty Salon, New York Pizza and Ming’s Cafe.

Also with the condominiumization, as accepted by trustees within unified development code requirements, a public park that includes a futsal court, gazebo and four-season restrooms must be complete by the end of July 2023.

View a virtual tour of the completed project at: www.bit.ly/C-TownMarket

Across the highway

East of Highway 133, an additional 76 units are slated for completion in early 2023. The first of two buildings will add 48 units to the town’s housing stock. It is anticipated to be complete in January. Directly to the south, 28 more residential units and 10,000 square feet of commercial space could be available as early as March.

The new buildings are deemed “Hayden Place” and, similar to Carbondale Marketplace, all units are rentals with 20% adhering to Carbondale’s affordability requirements. The remaining one bedroom and two bedroom units will follow the market and range between $2,000-$3,000 per month.

“It’s all coming up and moving fast,” said Riley Soderquist with Loge Properties. The same company is responsible for 1201 Main Street, home to Plosky’s Deli and Kula Yoga as well as 27 residential rental units across Colorado Avenue.

“One thing you keep hearing is that people are coming from California, New York … that Carbondale is a Zoom town,” said Soderquist. “We don’t really see that at all … all of our tenants have lived in the Valley for a while.”

Hayden Place, designed to the town’s energy efficiency standards, will include a fitness center for residents, as well as an outdoor community area. Learn more about available rentals at: www. haydenplaceapts.com

Ed Rubin shows how units were designed with ADAaccessibility in mind. Photo by Raleigh Burleigh

COMMUNITY CALENDAR

THURSDAY, DEC. 1

HOLIDAY HOPE

The BISSELL Pet Foundation is partnering with Colorado Animal Rescue for reduced-fee adoptions through Dec. 11.

CERAMICS SALE

The Ceramics Club of Aspen hosts a sale from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the CMC Aspen Campus Gallery (0255 Sage Way) with a “lively reception” beginning at 4 p.m. The sale continues tomorrow from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

TOASTING CAMP HALE

Wilderness Workshop celebrates the recent designation of Camp Hale as a national monument at Explore Booksellers in Aspen at 4:30 p.m.

OPEN DOORS

Aspen/Bariloche Sister Cities fellow Valeria Fiala unveils a new mural at The Red Brick Center in Aspen at 5 p.m.

VISITING ARTISTS

Anderson Ranch hosts public lectures by visiting artists Rashawn Griffin, Sam Yates and Maggie Jensen at 5:30 p.m. with an optional dinner afterward. Visit www.andersonranch. org for reservations and more info.

FOCUSED PARENTS

Parents of fourth through sixth grade students are invited to the Basalt Library to learn about how a child’s brain functions and develops at that age. This is a bilingual, threepart course from 6 to 7 p.m. today, Dec. 8 and Dec. 15. Visit www. basaltlibrary.org for more info.

SOURCE DIALOGUE

The Center for Human Flourishing hosts an online study group for Gary Springfield’s “Source Dialogues”, a book about balancing and aligning our emotional and physical bodies to create harmony, peace, abundance and universal love. The series continues every Thursday from 7 to 8:30 p.m. More info at www. thecenterforhumanflourishing.org

RELEASE TRAUMA

Learn simple exercises to release stress or tension from the body with a guided session at the Third Street Center from 7:15 to 8:30 p.m. tonight and on Dec. 8. More info at www. thecenterforhumanflourishing.org

PROOF

Thunder River Theatre Company presents “Proof” at 7:30 p.m. The show closes this weekend with performances at 7:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and at 2 p.m. on Sunday. Tickets at www.thunderrivertheatre.com

FRIDAY, DEC. 2

BOLSITAS ROJAS

Bolistas Rojas (Little Red Bags) holds bilingual storytime at the El Jebel Firehouse at 10:30 a.m. Email liz@rar4kids.org for more info.

JEFF RICE

Jeff Rice performs during “Friday Afternoon Club” at Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park. The fun begins at 5 p.m.

YOUTH ORCHESTRA

The Roaring Fork Youth Orchestra performs at The Launchpad from 5 to 7 p.m.

LIGHT UP CARBONDALE

“Light Up Carbondale” kicks off with Santa illuminating the Christmas tree at Main Street and Weant Boulevard at 5:30 p.m.

CLAY CENTER

The Carbondale Clay Center continues to celebrate 25 years! “A Visual Timeline” displays photos, articles and more from the past quarter century. The opening reception is today at 6 p.m. Meanwhile, drop by the ArtStream retail shop for a 25% off pottery sale.

LABOR OF LOVE

KDNK’s annual Labor of Love fundraiser auction is live at the Village Smithy from 6 to 9 p.m. Register early for a complimentary beverage at www.kdnk.org

SOPRIS THEATRE

“The Play That Goes Wrong” closes this weekend at Sopris Theatre Company’s New Space Theatre with showings tonight and tomorrow at 7 p.m. and on Sunday at 2 p.m. For tickets, call 970-920-5770 or email svticketsales@coloradomtn.edu

CRYSTAL THEATRE

“Aftersun” shows at the Crystal Theatre tonight and Dec. 3, 7 and 8 at 7 p.m., or catch an early showing on Sunday, Dec. 4 at 5 p.m. “Ticket to Paradise” screens at 4:45 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 3.

SATURDAY, DEC. 3

POSADA PARTY

Cut your own Christmas tree and celebrate Posada! Wilderness Workshop and Defiende Nuestra Tierra, along with Smokey Bear and White River National Forest, hold the annual bilingual event at the Babbish Gulch trailhead, past Sunlight Mountain Resort, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

WINTERFAIRE

Waldorf School on the Roaring Fork hosts its annual “Winterfaire” with an artisan market, music, lunch and more from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Visit www.bit.ly/ Winterfaire22 for tickets and more info.

REDSTONE MARKET

The Redstone Art Foundation presents a European-style outdoor market on the boulevard with unique gifts and holiday decorations from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tom and Julie Paxton will perform music at noon.

GILDED MOUNTAIN

Author Kate Manning sells and signs her new book, “Gilded Mountain”, an “epic historical novel set in the small marble-mining town of Moonstone” at the Redstone Holiday Market from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Then, at 4:30 p.m., she will present an audio visual program about the book’s inception at Crystal Dreams.

COOKIE DECORATING

Youngsters are invited to decorate holiday cookies in the treehouse behind Basalt Library at 1 p.m.

MR. CLAUSE

Hang out with Santa at the Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park from 4 to 7 p.m. Kids 12 and under can ride the gondola for free! And visitors that bring a $25 City Market gift card to donate to Lift-Up will receive four free gondola tickets.

SUMMIT FOR LIFE

The Chris Klug Foundation is back with its 17th annual Summit for Life fundraiser. Racers will take off from the base of Aspen Mountain and begin the 3,267-foot ascent at 5:30 p.m. There is a “ride for life” option for those who’d rather forgo the race. Visit www. chrisklugfoundation.org for more info.

ORAN MOR

Enjoy traditional Scottish and Irish music mixed with more contemporary tunes performed at the Glenwood Springs Library at 6 p.m. The concert will repeat at the Carbondale Library on Dec. 7 at 6 p.m.

DANCE FLAMENCO

Lisa Trujillo, a former Broncos cheerleader, performs a fusion of flamenco and classical Spanish dances, sponsored by Colorado Gives Day, at TACAW at 8 p.m. Tickets at www.tacaw.org

SUNDAY, DEC. 4

FRIENDSHIP CIRCLE

Mothers of children with special needs (and their kids) are invited to the Chabad Jewish Community Center in Aspen for a parent and provider roundtable, sensory project activities and more at 1 p.m. Visit www. friends@jccaspen.com for details.

HOLIDAY MARKET

The Old Thompson Barn in River Valley Ranch hosts a holiday market featuring local artisans from 2 to 5 p.m.

JOYOUS SONGS

The Roaring Fork Youth Orchestra performs traditional songs representative of different cultures at the Basalt Library at 3 p.m.

CRYSTAL SOUNDS

Bonte Lane leads a “Crystal Bowl Sound Journey” at the Third Street Center at 4:15 p.m. Visit www. thecenterforhumanflourishing. org for more info and to register.

GILDED MOUNTAIN

Author Kate Manning sells and signs her new novel, “Gilded Mountain”, at Explore Booksellers in Aspen at 4:30 p.m.

ECSTATIC DANCE

Move freely among your peers with a combination of electronic and live music at 13 Moons (south of Carbondale) from 6 to 8 p.m.

MONDAY, DEC. 5

VALLEY VISUAL

Today is the deadline for artists living within the area code beginning with 816 to submit a piece to be featured in the 44th annual Valley Visual Art Show. Visit www.bit.ly/ValleyVisualArtShow for more information and to apply.

CALLIGRAPHY CLASS

Learn the art of calligraphy and make some holiday cards while you’re at it, starting at 2 p.m. at the Carbondale Library.

TUESDAY, DEC. 6

COLORADO GIVES DAY

Support local nonprofits with a year-end donation at www.coloradogives.org

WINTER BIRDING

Aspen Center for Environmental Studies hosts winter birding at Hallam Lake from 8 to 11 a.m. Register online at www.aspennature.org

PAWS TO READ

Young readers get the opportunity to practice literacy with a furry friend at their side for 15-minute time slots at the Carbondale Library from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. Register at www.gcpld.org

YARN GROUP

Crafters convene at the Basalt Library at 5 p.m.

GIRLS NIGHT OUT

Free skin cancer screenings, a presentation by oncologist Alexandra Donovan, MD, mocktails and more make up “Girls Night Out” at Roaring Fork Family Practice from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Email events@vvh.org to register.

2023 EVENTS

The town of Carbondale hosts its annual Special Event Task Force meeting at Town Hall from 6 to 7:30 p.m. to discuss 2023 events. RSVP to jwall@carbondaleco.net

MUSIC TRIVIA

The Andy Zanca Youth Empowerment Program hosts Music Trivia, a fundraiser, at Carbondale Beer Works at 7 p.m. Register a team of up to six people by emailing beth@azyep.org

WEDNESDAY, DEC. 7

BLOOD DRIVE

Donate blood at Carbondale’s rec center from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

FOCUSEDKIDS

FocusedKids holds storytime at the Basalt Library for kids three and under and will include tips for parents about healthy brain stimulation at 10:30 a.m. Register at www.basaltlibrary.org

BOOK CLUB

Basalt Library hosts an informal discussion of all things books from noon to 2 p.m.

STEM ACTIVITIES

The Aspen Science Center (ASC) leads a “sustainable design” educational activity at the Glenwood Springs Library at 2:30 p.m. Then, at 3:30 p.m., ASC teaches kids about human anatomy at the Carbondale Library.

BRIDGE!

The Library Bridge Club meets at Basalt Library on the first and third Wednesdays of each month from 4 to 6 p.m. All levels welcome!

THE FABELMANS

Aspen Film screens “The Fabelmans” at the Isis Theatre in Aspen at 7:30 p.m.

POSADA & CHRISTMAS TREE CUTTING

SATURDAY,

DECEMBER 3 | 10 A.M.-2 P.M.

Babbish Gulch Trailhead, near Glenwood Springs

Join Wilderness Workshop & Defiende Nuestra Tierra for a free, all-ages Posada and Christmas Tree Cutting in the White River National Forest! Forest Service staff and Smokey Bear will be on-site to teach about the best ways to pick out a tree and care for it through the holidays. We will have FREE tree, extra tools, hot drinks, and traditional tamales to enjoy and celebrate the Posada.

For more information, scan the QR Code or visit wildernessworkshop.org/events

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 14 | 4:30-5:30 P.M.

Community Hall at the Third Street Center

520 South Third St., Carbondale, CO 81623

Gather with fellow supporters in advance of the public meeting about the proposed Withdrawal! We’ll make signs and buttons and write supportive comments before heading to the public meeting to show our community remains “Unified for the Thompson Divide.”

For more information, scan the QR Code, visit wildernessworkshop.org/events, or email erin@wildernessworkshop.org to learn about other ways to participate.

Photo courtesy: Jon Mullen Photography

Sol del Valle

Acceso a agua limpia

Por Beatriz Soto y Alex Sánchez Voces Unidas de las Montañas

Es evidente el hecho de que el agua de Colorado se enfrenta a una crisis sin precedentes. En medio de la peor mega-sequía de los últimos 1,200 años, estamos viviendo condiciones climáticas más cálidas y secas que han alimentado más frecuentes y devastadores incendios forestales y todos los impactos que ello conlleva. Pero, aunque la sequía, el calor y los incendios forestales nos afectan a todos, la realidad es que algunas comunidades se ven más afectadas que otras.

El agua afecta cada aspecto de la vida en Colorado, y por lo tanto tiene un impacto en cada familia latina en todo el estado. Desde el agua que bebemos y utilizamos para nuestras necesidades básicas, hasta nuestra estabilidad económica sostenida por las fuertes industrias de agricultura, ganadería y actividades recreativas, todos dependemos de la sólida gestión de nuestros cada vez más escasos recursos hídricos. Por lo que es esencial garantizar que se tenga un acceso equitativo al agua potable y limpia para nuestro futuro colectivo.

Como líderes de diversas organizaciones, tenemos muy en cuenta las preocupaciones sobre la cantidad del agua como la calidad del agua en relación a la justicia medioambiental a las que se enfrentan los latinos de Colorado. Asimismo, los datos de nuestro informe de la Agenda Política Latina de Colorado (CLPA por sus siglas en inglés), publicado recientemente, confirman la necesidad de prestar más atención a la crisis del agua y a las desigualdades sistémicas que afectan a la comunidad latina en particular.

El informe CLPA 2022, con más de 1,500 encuestados en todo el estado, se

basó en la mayor encuesta no partidista de votantes latinos jamás realizada. De entre los diversos hallazgos destacables, la encuesta reveló una creciente preocupación por la calidad del agua en la comunidad latina. Y con mucha razón.

Según la encuesta, casi uno de cada tres latinos en todo el estado (30%) no confía en la calidad del agua de sus casas; ni la bebe, y esa desconfianza aumenta a más del 40% entre los residentes de casas móviles. De ellos, cerca del 20% dice que debe hervir el agua antes de beberla, y un porcentaje equivalente manifiesta su preocupación por que la salud y el bienestar de sus familias se vean afectados debido a la mala calidad del agua, y ni qué decir de los daños causados a tuberías y electrodomésticos debidos a los contaminantes y residuos presentes en el agua.

Por ello, un 80% de los votantes latinos encuestados en 2022 apoya la aprobación de una nueva normativa que obligue a los dueños de parques o “parqueaderos” de casas móviles a proporcionar agua potable a sus residentes. Desgraciadamente, las leyes, los reglamentos y los incentivos existentes resultan inadecuados para proteger a los residentes de los parqueaderos de infraestructuras descuidadas, agua con mal olor, sabor y color, o incluso situaciones peores.

Si bien el mensaje dirigido a los legisladores sobre la necesidad de contar con un acceso universal al agua potable debería ser claro, sigue en pie la lucha por traducir nuestras necesidades en acciones. Las comunidades históricamente excluidas y mal representadas, como las latinas, las comunidades de color, las naciones tribales y los coloradenses

de bajos ingresos, desean y deben ser parte de las soluciones para combatir la inseguridad en materia de agua y las preocupaciones de mayor alcance del cambio climático. Sin embargo, muy a menudo nuestras voces no se escuchan, nuestras necesidades no se satisfacen. Para tener un impacto significativo en nuestras comunidades, hay que guiar a los legisladores y a la legislación en materia de agua desde la perspectiva de la equidad.

La justicia medioambiental existe cuando todo el mundo tiene un medio ambiente saludable y seguro, incluido el acceso a agua limpia y segura para beber y otras necesidades básicas. Pero no se garantiza dicho acceso, ni tampoco una representación equitativa en los espacios de decisión existentes. Esa realidad es sobre todo evidente en las comunidades rurales de Colorado, donde la equidad y el acceso al agua están indiscutiblemente relacionados.

Por ejemplo, los parques de casas móviles o “trailas” son la mayor fuente de viviendas asequibles no subvencionadas en Colorado. Alojan un porcentaje excesivo de residentes latinos como viviendas para la mano de obra y fuerza laboral existente cerca de las comunidades turísticas y las regiones agrícolas rurales. Sin embargo, incluso en algunos de los condados más acaudalados de Colorado, muchos de esos residentes de casas móviles no pueden beber el agua, ni utilizarla para cocinar, ni siquiera para bañarse.

Mientras tanto, los residentes pueden gastar miles de dólares en filtros, calentadores de agua, lavavajillas y otros electrodomésticos dañados por el agua calcárea o dura, que a menudo, no suelen reportarse por miedo a sufrir represalias de los propietarios o por la falta de interés de los funcionarios electos locales. El hecho de que personas, organizaciones o entidades en el poder nieguen el acceso a tener agua potable o busquen más agua para sus propias necesidades a costa de las de los demás es la definición misma de la

Foto de cortesía

injusticia medioambiental.

Si se pretende lograr un verdadero avance hacia una mayor equidad e inclusión racial, se debe empezar por la voluntad de identificar necesidades, soluciones e inversiones comunitarias prioritarias para todos, no sólo para los que pueden permitírselo. El reto consiste en garantizar que Colorado disponga de suficiente agua limpia para nuestros hogares, negocios y para cultivar nuestros alimentos sin que se añada presión a las comunidades que ya disponen de pocos recursos y están saturadas.

Debemos conservar nuestra economía diversa, proteger el medio ambiente, los ríos, la biodiversidad y mejorar nuestra resiliencia ante la crisis climática, todo ello a la vez que brindamos apoyo a las comunidades que han sido sistemáticamente marginadas al excluir sus voces y necesidades.

La aprobación de nuevas normativas que obliguen a los parques de casas móviles a suministrar agua potable a sus residentes es un buen punto de partida, pero también necesitamos que los sistemas de gobierno locales, como los ayuntamientos y los comisionados de los condados, inviertan en tiempo, energía y recursos necesarios para ayudar a las personas de sus comunidades que están siendo objeto de exclusión y marginación. En definitiva, todos debemos seguir trabajando con el ánimo de levantar a los que están en mayor riesgo y sufren un impacto desproporcionado como medio para que toda la comunidad avance. Nuestro futuro depende de ello.

Volumen 2, Número 40 | 1 de deciembre - 7 de deciembre, de 2022

Conectando comunidades desde 2021

Beatriz Soto es presidenta de la Junta Directiva de Voces Unidas de las Montañas y líder de la justicia medioambiental reconocida a nivel nacional. Actualmente dirige Protégete, un programa de Conservation Colorado. Foto de cortesía

Alex Sánchez es fundador y director general de Voces Unidas de las Montañas, organización sin fines de lucro creada y dirigida por latinos que trabaja en los condados de Summit, Lake, Eagle, Pitkin y Garfield.

Críticas

Por Héctor Salas

Como muchos, pasó mucho tiempo esperando a que los días festivos se sintieran como días festivos. Tal vez si decoró este año, entraré en el espíritu navideño. Tal vez una vez que haya hecho mis compras navideñas, estaré comprometido a la temporada.

Los últimos años los he pasado tratando de revivir la magia que la temporada navideña solía inculcarme. En toda mi experimentación que he hecho para tratar de hacer que los días festivos sean más festivos, he determinado que la mayor parte del problema se debe al hecho de que es muy fácil quedarse dormido durante las fiestas familiares.

Imagina intentar dormir con el ruido de tu abuela aferrada a lavar sus platos, y a la vez discutiendo con tu

madre, diciéndole que ella es la invitada y no debería de hacerlo. Tu abuelo, con el brazo envuelto alrededor de tu cuñado, le da consejos de vida en voz demasiado alta. Platos golpeándose. Cucharas meneando tazas de café por la noche. Primos jugando videojuegos en la otra habitación. Sobrinas rogándole a su mamá que abran los regalos temprano. La puerta mosquitera abriéndose y cerrándose. Corridos cantando desamores y lujuria toda la noche.

No hay lugar para esconderse de todo el ruido, así que era mejor participar y contribuir al ruido.

Al menos así sonaban las vacaciones.

Puedo contarles sobre los primeros días festivos después de que falleciera mi abuelo.

Mi abuelo, que técnicamente no era mi abuelo, pero no nos estanquemos en los detalles, hacía la mayor cantidad de ruido de cualquier persona que he conocido. Un vaquero patizambo atrapado en la memoria de los días en el rancho. El tiempo había pasado demasiado rápido. Un patriarca gracioso, siempre buscando el próximo

trabajito o el próximo chiste para contar. Los tiempos solían ser difíciles para él, pero nunca lo adivinarás. Su sonido era el de aliento. Nos animaba mientras abríamos los regalos. Se entusiasmaba cuando abríamos un par de calcetines o pantalones nuevos. Sin falta, nos preguntaba cada vez si se los podía prestar.

¡Que me los preste! ¡Que me los preste!

Gritaría esto al otro lado de la habitación para que todos pudieran escuchar y no pudiera evitar enrojecer. Cuando era niño, hacía que esos pantalones fueran tus nuevos favoritos para usar. Ahora de adulto, después de su fallecimiento, abro mis regalos y reproduzco su voz en mi cabeza. Aunque sé que los recuerdos grises no hacen el mismo ruido.

Una vez que nos dejan, nuestros seres queridos dejan atrás su papel en la obra de teatro familiar. Sus líneas en el guión, no son borradas o tachadas, simplemente no hay nadie para decirlas. Una pausa.

Paso mucho tiempo deseando que las cosas sigan igual. Bueno, honestamente, paso mucho más tiempo resintiendo el presente por haber llegado tan rápido. Mis recuerdos de los

días festivos de hace mucho tiempo, dejan mi memoria uno por uno. Hojas de otoño carmesí en el suelo. Estoy aprendiendo que esos recuerdos dan lugar a los ciernes de hojas verdes por venir.

Hay un hueco que un nuevo sonido puede llenar. Pienso en mis familiares mayores y sus sonidos característicos y me pregunto cómo sonará el mío. ¿Cómo me escuchará mi sobrino, ahora que han pasado los años? ¿Cómo escuchará mi papá, ahora que se mueve más lento, la voz grave de su hijo? ¿Pueden reconocerme por mis pasos, como yo puedo reconocerlos a ellos? ¿Cómo armoniza mi risa con los que me rodean?

Que falte el ruido de los que amamos, no significa que el espacio que ocupaban ya no se pueda llenar. Me doy cuenta de que el silencio es una oportunidad, no una lápida.

En mi avanzada edad de 25 años, irónicamente, cada vez es más difícil permanecer despierto durante las funciones familiares que se prolongan hasta altas horas de la noche. Pero sigo haciendo mi ruido porque alguien debe recordar cómo sonaba la alegría.

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

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

Editora Contribuyente Vanessa Porras

Directore Artístico Hattie Rensberry Diseñadora de anuncios Alyssa Ohnmacht

Traductoras Jacquelinne Castro y Dolores Duarte Distribucion Frederic Kischbaum Bartlett

Executive Director

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

Miembros de la Mesa Directiva

Klaus Kocher • Kay Clarke • Jessi Rochel Lee Beck • Megan Tackett Gayle Wells • Donna Dayton

Terri Ritchie • Eric Smith • Roger Berliner

el Sol del Valle agradece por su apoyo a: MANUAS, FirstBank y Alpine Bank

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

¡ESCRÍBENOS!

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

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

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

Crecer en un hogar catolico, como la mayoría de los latinos, me ha envuelto en una cantidad de rituales religiosos; en especial para las fiestas decembrinas. Uno de estos es la corona de adviento.

Pero el caso es que no siempre fue así. Recuerdo tener ocho o nueve años, y acercarme al patio de mi casa materna, y preguntarle a mi papa si Dios existía.

Desde niña he observado la vida con meticulosidad filosófica. Siempre he querido saber el porqué de las cosas y cuál es la lógica detrás de lo que quizás es inexplicable.

Pasado los años de mi niñez a mi temprana adultez, decidí salirme

de todo tema catolico y buscar una filosofía de vida que se adaptara con mis condiciones de pensamiento.

He ahí cómo llegué al Budismo de Nichiren Daishonin. Lamentablemente, fracasando a penas al año de esta inmersión. Siendo joven y fluctuante en mi perspectiva de vida, la filosofía no se adaptó completamente a mis pensamientos y desistí.

En un tiempo de mucha ambigüedad y apatía espiritual, me encontré sumergida en relaciones familiares difíciles, ya que no encontraba una manera de comunicarme. He así como mi retorno al catolicismo llega, como el retorno del hijo pródigo, gracias a un encuentro en terapia en búsqueda de mejorar la relación con mi padre.

Nuestra relación no estaba haciendo click en los espacios que yo quería que funcionara y me di cuenta que era importante para mi mantener un diálogo saludable con mi papá. Un día divagando e investigando en cómo rezar

el rosario, nos hablamos por teléfono, mi padre y yo, y él me guío diciendo, “ven y recemos el rosario juntos”.

No dijimos una palabra que no estuviese relacionado con el ritual de hacer el rosario.

A medida que se volvió un tema cotidiano, haciendo FaceTime y rezando, comenzamos a hablar de temas más sosegados. La vivencia en Venezuela, de mi abuela, recuerdos de infancia, sus historias de niño, o simplemente una reflexión espiritual.

Mientras esto sucedía, me daba cuenta que me conectaba mucho más con quien soy y de donde vengo. Esas llamadas para hacer el rosario, se volvieron un enlace entre él y yo, y comenzaron a disiparse las discusiones y los problemas.

Nuestra relación de padre e hija mejoró y la comunicación entre los dos tuvo un vuelco importante. Pero lo más grande que me trajo del todo, fue mi percepción actual del tema religioso.

No creo que sea

necesario pertenecer a una religión para tener paz o conciencia espiritual. Tampoco creo que exista un ente dimensional que a través de un juicio nos condene o premie con la vida eterna después de la muerte.

Para mi, el cielo y el infierno se viven en el dia a dia; en la forma que vemos y actuamos ante la vida. El comportamiento que tenemos hacia con los demás y con nosotros mismos.

Está en observar que vivir en el cielo es tener alegría, paz, amor en tu entorno. Y que vivir en el infierno es tener condicionamientos, ataduras, sosiego, mentiras y tristeza.

El catolicismo en particular, y sus rituales, abrió un puente en mi relacionamiento familiar, y me recordó, vívidamente, de lo que es ser latina, y en ver el viaje que he recorrido. Me regreso a un hogar emocional y espiritual, que me hacía mucha falta. Fue el camino que necesitaba para darle sentido a muchas otras cosas en mi vida. Para continuar siempre en movimiento, no por el

dogma, sino por la cercanía a mis raíces.

La corona de adviento, en particular, es un ritual que conmemora los primeros cuatro domingos antes de la llegada del niño Jesús. Los cuatro domingos de adviento, y el inicio del año litúrgico en la iglesia católica.

Nos reunimos todos en la mesa, cenando unas hallacas, con pan de jamón (comida navideña venezolana) y al finalizar encendemos una vela morada. Es el conjunto de lo que somos en un acto de simple compañía familiar. Es emotivo.

Marca la llegada del principio del final de año, y nos recuerda de un lugar en la memoria donde la familia, cual sea su forma, es lo más preciado que tenemos.

La moraleja de esta historia es sencilla. Cualquiera que sea el camino que necesites para unificarse con tus seres queridos, tómalo, porque vale la pena. En el camino, te darás cuenta que habrán otras cosas de ti, que pensastes tenías olvidadas, y solo te hacía falta desempolvarlas.

¡Solicita tu tarjeta hoy mismo!

Por Geraldine Pichardo

En Movimiento

CHISME DEL PUEBLO

Traducción

por Jacquelinne Castro

Cottonwood Pass

Con la nevada del 29 de noviembre, el condado de Eagle anunció que Cottonwood Pass estará cerrada por la temporada de invierno. Si el clima lo permite, la carretera abrirá nuevamente en abril del 2023.

Riego al aire libre

Según Aspen Journalism, Ruedi Water and Power Authority — compuesto de oficiales elegidos localmente — dio apoyo unánime para un conjunto de estándares permanentes de riego al aire libre, el cual limita el riego entre las 6 p.m. y las 9 a.m. desde Aspen hasta Glenwood Springs y alterando los días de riego en días pares e impares entre propiedades sin riego los lunes.

Es un gas

El condado de Garfield aprobó la primera revisión de impacto limitado de la plataforma de pozos de gas natural desde que las nuevas regulaciones tomaron efecto en Colorado en el 2019. La plataforma de 6.4 acres, junto con 21 pozos direccionales, es una extensión de una plataforma ya existente el cual incluye 1.13 acres de alteración de suelo nuevo, de acuerdo con el operador Terra Energy Partner Rocky Mountain, LLC. El sitio, ubicado seis millas al sur de Rifle, está a 2,000 pies de cuatro unidades residenciales en las cuales todos los dueños firmaron cartas de consentimiento. Según lo informado por el Post independent, el sitio está a 2,640 pies de Beaver Creek.

Competencia de canciones

La tercera competencia de composición de canciones anual de Jazz Aspen Snowmass “Share Your Voice” está aceptando registros de participación de estudiantes de escuela secundaria y preparatoria hasta el 1 de febrero.

Stepping Stones organizará una serie de talleres de composición de canciones en diciembre y en enero. Encuentre más detalles en www. jazzaspensnowmass.org

Nuestras historias

La biblioteca de Glenwood Springs, en asociación con la Sociedad Histórica de Glenwood Springs, presentarán “Nuestras Historias” el 8 de diciembre a las 6 p.m. Este documental destaca ocho latinos de Roaring Fork Valley quienes compartirán sus experiencias en búsqueda de su Sueño Americano. El proyecto se hizo posible con una subvención de parte de National Endowment for the Humanities.

Parque Hendricks

El viejo campo de juegos en el parque Hendricks está siendo reciclado para hacer más espacio para un nuevo equipo seleccionado por un grupo de Niñas Exploradoras locales que buscaron opciones y presentaron sus recomendaciones al comisionado de parques y recreaciones para obtener la insignia “Tomar Acción”. El comisionado acordó son sus opciones el cual incluye un columpio que cumple con la ley Estadounidense para Discapacidades (ADA), columpios dúos, juegos giratorios y un balancín.

Ahorrando energía

Black Hills Energy comparte los siguientes consejos para ahorrar energía para los residentes de Colorado en esta temporada festiva: 1. bajar el termostato, especialmente cuando cocine y al recibir invitados; 2. Si hace planes en cocinar varios platillos y bocadillos, hornee en secuencia para evitar calentar repetidamente el horno; 3. Si viaja durante las vacaciones, desconecte los electrodomésticos grandes así como cafeteras y computadoras para evitar el derroche de energía

English In Action, creando comunidad

Por Elizabeth Key Traducción por Dolores Duarte

Hace cuatro años, después de que John López y Paulina Navas salieran de Colombia para salvar sus vidas, encontraron un segundo hogar en el valle de Roaring Fork con English in Action.

Anteriormente, López trabajó para una poderosa corporación internacional con sede en Bogotá, auditando la contabilidad y el proceso de ingeniería. Navas trabajaba como ingeniera industrial y la pareja participaba activamente en su comunidad. Cuando López descubrió actos de corrupción e hizo la denuncia, López y Navas empezaron a recibir amenazas de muerte.

Navas dijo que recibieron llamadas telefónicas diciendo: "Si no te callas, vas a morir".

López renunció rápidamente a su trabajo y se presentó en otro lugar, pero nadie del sector quiso contratarlo por miedo a las represalias. Cuando las balas empezaron a volar, se vieron obligados a abandonar su casa, su familia, su comunidad y su país, y escaparon a Estados Unidos para pedir asilo.

"Decidimos continuar nuestras vidas en un país diferente porque no teníamos otra opción", dijo López a The Sun. "Hubo mucho miedo y pánico al mudarnos a Estados Unidos. No fue fácil trasladarse a un país sin dominar el idioma o sin conexiones".

Al llegar, hubo numerosos obstáculos. El estigma que conlleva el ser extrajero era evidente, y la pareja identificó que dominar el inglés era esencial para su éxito e integración. Cuando finalmente se instalaron en el valle de Roaring Fork, dieron prioridad al aprendizaje del inglés apuntándose a clases en el Colorado Mountain College y uniéndose a English In Action (EIA).

López describió el valle de Roaring Fork como una "burbuja de felicidad", pero al principio su

reasentamiento fue desalentador. La pareja se sentía sola y aislada.

"Llegamos aquí con muchas ideas. Tuvimos que empezar de nuevo y volver a intentarlo", dijo Navas entre lágrimas. Navas era tímida para expresarse en un idioma extranjero y atribuye a EIA el mérito de haber facilitado el aprendizaje, que fue esencial para establecer conexiones e integrarse a la comunidad.

EIA cuenta actualmente con unos 300 estudiantes activos y tiene una lista de espera de 200 estudiantes para su programa de tutoría individualizada. Algunos estudiantes esperan hasta dos años para que se les asigne un tutor. La organización necesita hablantes nativos de inglés que estén dispuestos a ofrecerse como voluntarios durante una hora a la semana para reunirse con un estudiante. La mayor necesidad de tutores está en Basalt y Carbondale.

Al principio, mientras estaban en la lista de espera, López y Navas se apuntaron a las clases abiertas de EIA los jueves, y descubrieron un lugar seguro, sin juicios, para practicar el inglés con un hablante nativo. Sin embargo, deseando un enfoque de inmersión completa, Navas fue finalmente asignada a una tutora exclusivamente de habla inglesa, Betsy Key. López, por su parte, fue a la par con David Floria en horario abierto. Con el tiempo, ambas parejas solicitaron continuar asociadas para recibir una tutoría individualizada.

Key admite que le tenía miedo a lo extranjero, lo que fue uno de los factores que la motivaron a ser voluntaria en EIA. "Me ponía nerviosa estar con otras culturas", dice, "siento que mi relación con Paulina y John me ha enseñado a conocer y respetar otras culturas".

La pareja empezó a aprender inglés funcional en situaciones del mundo real, como pedir en cafeterías o ir de compras. Luego asistieron a eventos culturales, desde museos de arte y conciertos hasta el rodeo, y participaron juntos en actividades al aire libre, como

Avalanche Creek

Avalanche Creek estará cerrada por la temporada de invierno. La carretera estará cerrada a vehículos y las personas no están permitidas al norte de la carretera. El área completa está cerrada a los perros. Desde 1996, el cierre de temporada ha sido implementado para proteger al borrego cimarrón invernal, los alces y los venados. Sin embargo, el cumplimiento de este cierre ha disminuido en los años más recientes. “Me parece muy claro que la presencia de los perros en el área cerrada contribuye a los números de caza mayor, al igual que la cantidad de personas,” dijo el guardabosque Phil Nyland. Se espera que el área reabra a todos el 1 de mayo y haya vehículos el 21 de mayo.

esquí, senderismo y paddleboarding.

Cuatro años después, López y Nevas siguen estudiando inglés con Key y Floria, pero en lugar de extraños, ahora se consideran familia. Todavía se embarcan en aventuras, las parejas celebran juntos los días festivos y se reúnen socialmente.

Navas trabaja ahora para EIA como entrenadora de alfabetización digital y Floria es el nuevo vicepresidente de la junta directiva de EIA. Dijo que se ha convertido casi en una posición política para él en cuanto a los derechos de los inmigrantes, "construyendo puentes, no muros".

Conoce más sobre la experiencia de los inmigrantes locales en el evento anual emblemático de EIA, Immigrant Voices, el jueves 8 de diciembre a las 7:30 p.m. en TACAW en Willits. Regístrate en línea en www. tacaw.org

EIA está ampliando su sede de El Jebel con una campaña de capital. Es un proyecto de 3 millones de dólares que permitirá que el programa crezca como base para la comunidad inmigrante local.

Para ser voluntario, participar o donar a EIA, visita: www.englishinaction.org o llama al 970-963-9200.

Desde 1994, English In Action ha dado a personas desconocidas, amistades duraderas, incluyendo (de izquierda a derecha): John López, Paulina Navas, Betsy Key, David Floria. Foto de cortesía

English in Action, creating community

By Elizabeth Key Sopris Sun Correspondent

Four years ago, after John López and Paulina Navas fled Colombia for their lives, they found a second home in the Roaring Fork Valley with English in Action.

Previously, López worked for a formidable international corporation based in Bogotá, auditing the accounting and engineering process. Navas worked as an industrial engineer and the couple were actively involved in their community. When López discovered corruption and reported it, López and Navas started receiving death threats.

Navas said they received phone calls saying, “If you are not quiet, you are going to die.”

López promptly quit his job and applied elsewhere, but no one in the industry would hire him for fear of retribution. When the bullets started flying, they were forced from their home, family, community and country and escaped to America to seek asylum.

“We decided to continue our lives in a different country because we didn’t have a choice,” López told The Sun. “There was a lot of fear and panic when moving to America. It was not easy moving to a country without possessing the language and having connections.”

Upon arrival, there were numerous obstacles. The stigma of foreignness

was evident, and the couple recognized that mastering English was essential for their success and integration. When they eventually resettled in the Roaring Fork Valley, they prioritized learning English by signing up for classes through Colorado Mountain College and joining English in Action (EIA).

López described the Roaring Fork Valley as a “bubble of happiness,” but initially, resettling in here was daunting. The couple felt alone and isolated.

“We came here with a lot of ideas. We had to start again, and try again,” Navas said through tears. Navas was shy to express herself in a foreign language and credits EIA with facilitating the learning that was essential to making connections and building community.

EIA currently has around 300 active students and averages a 200-student waitlist for their individualized tutoring program. Some students wait up to two years to be matched with a tutor. The nonprofit needs native English speakers willing to volunteer for one hour a week meeting with a student. The greatest need for tutors is around Basalt and Carbondale.

Initially, while on the waitlist, López and Navas joined EIA’s open hours, drop-in classes on Thursdays and discovered a safe place, void of judgment, to practice English with a native speaker. Still, desiring

¡Hagamos que esté cubierto!

a complete immersion approach, Navas was eventually paired with an exclusively English-speaking tutor, Betsy Key. López, meanwhile, was matched with David Floria during open hours. Eventually, both couples requested to be paired together for individualized tutoring.

Key admits she possessed a fear of foreignness, which was one of the motivating factors for her to volunteer with EIA. “I used to be nervous about being with other cultures,” she said, “I feel like my relationship with Paulina and John has taught me to learn about and respect other cultures.”

The couple started learning functional English in real-world situations, like ordering in cafes and shopping. They progressed to attending cultural events, from art museums and concerts to the rodeo, and participating in outdoor activities together, like skiing, hiking and paddleboarding.

Four years later, López and Nevas are still studying English with Key and Floria, but instead of strangers, they now consider each other family. Still embarking on adventures, the couples celebrate major holidays together and see each other socially.

Navas now works for EIA as the digital literacy coach and Floria is the new vice chair of EIA’s board of directors. He said it has become almost a political standing for him in terms of immigrants rights, “building bridges, not walls.”

Sculpture by John López made during a recent English in Action event hosted at the Carbondale Clay Center. Courtesy photo

Learn more about the experience of local immigrants at EIA’s signature annual event, Immigrant Voices, on Thursday, Dec. 8 at 7:30 p.m. at TACAW in Willits. Register online at www.tacaw.org

EIA is expanding its El Jebel headquarters with a capital campaign. It’s a $3 million project that will enable the program to grow as a base for the local immigrant community.

To volunteer, participate or donate to EIA, visit: www.englishinaction.org or call 970-963-9200.

REGLAS:

• Estudiantes de kindergarten a high school están invitados a entrar

• Tamaño de papel: 8 ½ x 11”

• Se puede utilizar una variedad de materiales, pero no destellos ni elementos tres-dimensionales

• Se recomienda colores brillantes

Eventos de inscripción para seguro médico

5 de noviembre | Biblioteca de Glenwood Springs, 9am – 1pm 12 de noviembre | Edwards Mountain Family Health Centers, 9am – 1pm 19 de noviembre

Centro de la calle tercera / La Clinica del Pueblo, 9am – 1pm 3 de diciembre | Biblioteca de Rifle, 9am – 1pm 17 de diciembre | Centro de la calle tercera / La Clinica del Pueblo, 9am – 1pm 14 de enero | 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

Se Habla Español.

• Por favor, incluir el nombre del artista, su edad, curso, escuela y información de contacto para su pariente (en la parte atrás de la página)

FECHA LÍMITE: 5 P.M. EL DIA MIERCOLES, 13 DE DICIEMBRE

ENTREGA: The Launchpad, 76 S. Fourth Street, Carbondale POR CORREO: P.O. Box 399, Carbondale CO 816234

Para más información: news@soprissun.com / 970-510-5003

A Thanksgiving rescue

By James Steindler Contributing Editor

Just before dinner time on Thanksgiving, the Garfield County Search and Rescue (GCSAR) team was called out on a mission close to home.

Kevin Ward, who splits his time between the Roaring Fork Valley and Denver, decided to take a jaunt up Red Bluffs outside of Carbondale around 2 p.m. the same day. Little did he know, he wouldn’t make it back down until after 2 a.m. the next day.

Ward got turned around and had a hard time distinguishing which trail would lead him back. He soon realized the one he’d chosen left him in a pickle with steep cliffs above and below.

“Finally, I got to a point where I’m on the side where Highway 82 is, and it got scary,” Ward told The Sopris Sun. “I didn’t even want to turn around.”

Around 4 p.m. Tom Ice with GCSAR was notified by Garfield County. Ice called Ward, who had limited battery life on his phone. Between the two of them, they were able to figure out Ward’s coordinates.

Classic Air Medical did a fly over to verify he was directly below where the rescue team was preparing to anchor from. GCSAR member Kyle McAlpin rappelled down to Ward to get him extra clothing, food, water and assess the situation.

GCSAR team member Elise Wolf then rappelled down to them. Kyle went back up to help with the hauling team from

above, and Wolf put Ward in a harness to hoist him up the roughly 200 feet to where the rescuers’ anchors were set.

“I would say, ideally, we would want eight to 10 people to complete this operation, and we did it with six,” said Ice. “If we had been one person shorter, we would have been calling Aspen or Vail to help out.”

Ice and Wolf want to be sure their other team members are also recognized for their involvement: Liza Stewart, Denise Abate, Chelsea Fagan and Bobbie Duncan.

According to Ice, who has been with the rescue team for nearly 20 years, GCSAR has been around since the ‘70s. It is a nonprofit and all of the team members are volunteers.

Ice offered some advice to hikers who end up in similar situations. “If you start getting into sketchy terrain, stop where you’re at, turn around and retrace your footsteps rather than trying to keep moving in a direction that may lead you into trouble.”

“Everybody makes mistakes,” added Ice. “We are very much non-judgemental when we go out to help these folks, because it can happen to any of us.”

“They were freaking awesome,” Ward said of the GCSAR team. “I’m reflecting on it every day.”

Tune in for a live interview with GCSAR team members Ice and Wolf during “Everything Under The Sun”, The Sopris Sun’s weekly radio program on KDNK radio, this Thursday, Dec. 1 at 4 p.m.

TOGETHER WE CAN DO MORE this COLORADO GIVES DAY

Colorado’s largest day of giving has kicked off, and Coloradans are coming together to celebrate the nonprofits that make our communities strong. We need your help to keep the effort moving to support hospice care for anyone, regardless of their ability to pay.

We can only do it with your help. Please consider making a tax-deductible donation between now and Decemeber 6 so we can continue helping those who need it most. Give the gift of Hospice Care in your community: visit: www.coloradogives.org/organization/HomeCareHospiceValley

This Google Earth image depicts the coordinates of the hauling team above and Ward's location below. Graphic prepared by Tom Ice

The hauling team, from left to right: Kyle McAlpin, Liza Stewart and Chelsea Fagan. Courtesy photo

Arthur Franklin follows the flow

By Raleigh Burleigh Sopris Sun Editor

As part of an ongoing, get-to-know-your-neighbors series, The Sopris Sun interviews folks in and around Carbondale who may not otherwise appear in the paper. We welcome guest features of this sort emailed to news@soprissun.com

This interview has been edited for length and clarity.

Q: Please introduce yourself.

A: I was born in Hawaii, the eldest of four kids. My father was a squadron leader of pilots aboard aircraft carriers. My mother was a nurse and they met in Hawaii. At the age of five, I was living in San Diego and the first skateboards came out, and I ran around telling everybody I was going to be a skateboard pro in 1965. It took quite a few years, but in my mid-teens I became one of the top 20 skate pros in the world, and I was one of the first to start snowboarding.

You’ve probably seen those snowboards in the history museums — the Tom Sims one — with the yellow plastic and a ski on it and a skateboard on top and bungee cords. I was in Sorels and we were jumping off backcountry 10-foot cliffs in 1977 and ‘78, before there were even steel-edged boards.

I always felt very comfortable in nature, so I was interested in things that related to nature. That brought me into studying geometry, some biology and biochemistry and how that all works with nature and supports the human body. And then I got into creating health care products and created the first energy tables before any of the biomats and that other stuff came out.

Q: What’s all that?

A: They use different harmonics, different frequencies that are transmitted through coils or transmitted through some type of tool that puts those subtle frequencies into the body, kind of like a tuning fork, which then the body recognizes creating coherence and bringing it back to balance.

All of that fascinated me, and I was always running into people that were on similar wavelengths, studying these different things. So, about 20 years ago, I came up with the first multifaceted, crystallized fiber in the world. It’s now used for better sleep, exhaustion from fatigue, increased circulation, oxygen. These are all studies that were done, and it really helps support calming the nervous system which is a big piece for people with stress.

Very soon we’ll be coming out with clothing lines, bedding and other things that will be using this technology. I’ve also been researching for many years how it can be used in agriculture, and I’ve already done my first trials with extraordinary results.

Q:

How did you come to live here?

A: I was very fortunate. I had my daughter when I was 52 and she’s now 10. And she’s a very free spirit and she’s very connected to everyone. She’s all about heart and all about the community.

We decided that we wanted to be away from the West Coast at the time, when she was young. We started searching schools all over the western United States over a two-year period and we came to Carbondale, to the Waldorf School and she looked at me when she got onto the grounds and she said, “Papa, this is it. This is my school.”

It’s going extremely well. She’s learning her third instrument, a viola. She knows she’s an artist, a songwriter. She’s been claiming that since age five.

Q: Any recommendations for our readers?

A: Oh sure, “The Big Thing Effect” is a book that just got released by a local gentleman, Jeff Patterson. My dreams are coming true because of his influence on me and being able to get out of my own way.

I find yoga very helpful, of course there are phenomenal teachers in the Valley, incredible people. I’ve also been weight training with Sandro Torres at Custom Body Fitness for 19 months. Weight lifting takes it to a whole other level in the way it supports the body, the bones.

I think the more live food we can eat has a huge influence on our life force and life condition. There are books that talk about juicing and how it helps build the immune system. My biggest influence was my mother around nutrition and homeopathy.

Bringing it all back full circle to my skateboarding days, I had a wallpaper steamer fall on my ankle and boiling steam water whip my sock off with my skin. My ma and two other nurses used color therapy, essential oils, aloe vera — these kinds of things — for three weeks, day and night. And in three weeks, I had enough skin back on my ankle and I won a national skateboard competition.

CROSS-COUNTRY SKI

LESSONS AT SPRING

GULCH

Classes for Beginners and Intermediate skiers in both CLASSIC and SKATE styles.

Various days and dates Starting as early as January 3

PILATES

Matwork, Power Barre and Pilates, Pilates Blend, Pilates for Mom and Baby, and NEW Reformer at FreeBird Pilates in Carbondale.

Various days and dates Starting as early as January 9

CREATIVE WRITING

Find the power, beauty and even courage in the words you create. This class is taught online via Zoom. Wednesdays, 6-8pm, 1/11-2/8

NATIVE AMERICAN LITERATURE

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

Mondays, 6-8pm, 1/16-2/20

PAINTING AND DRAWING

Painting classes in different mediums/levels, and Beg. Drawing. Starting as early as January 17

FUNDRAISING FOR NON-PROFITS

Learn how to solicit major gifts and create donor loyalty in this program designed for new and seasoned development professionals.

Wednesday, 9am-12pm, 2/1

MEDICINE OF TREES

learn how to identify a variety of tree species as well as explore their ecosystem importance and clinical and medicinal actions.

Tuesday, 5-7pm, 3/7

Photo by Raleigh Burleigh

Jeff Colt and Kara Lapoint took the cake for overall fastest times, completing the 5k in 17 minutes, 12 seconds and 20 minutes, 57 seconds respectively.

Among the youngsters (under 18), Zachary King and Kayla Steele finished first at 21 minutes, 19 seconds and 24 minutes, 18 seconds.

In the 62+ category, Daniel Perlman and Virgina Rutowski won with 20 minutes, 20 seconds and 30 minutes, 2 seconds.

Last and literally not least, Carl Meinecke earned the "average racer" grand prize by placing exactly in the middle with a time of 31 minutes, 35 seconds.

As for the one-mile fun run, Teddy Lievois had the fastest time overall at 7 minutes 49 seconds.

Nothing gets one in the mood to gobble gobble like a good old fashioned foot race, as evidenced by 470 registrations for this year's Turkey Trot hosted by Carbondale Parks and Recreation.

Photos by Jamie Wall

OBITUARY

Louise Lafitte

Louise was a wonderful and talented woman, a ripple in still water. Her smile was a sparkling light, brightening her face, her eyes and the lives of those around her. She touched many hearts and souls through music, cooking, dancing and caring for her furry family. Louise was a brilliant and quick-witted lady. Growing up in Shreveport, Louisiana, she had many activities that kept her busy. She was in the Girl Scouts, where she learned various skills and gained many lifelong friends. She was active in radio and drama, and she loved her Byrd High School Drama Team. During her years in high school and college, she played bass with the symphony orchestras in Shreveport and Marshall, Texas.

From skiing with Jacques Pepin to saving the day with deep-fried food, Louise did it all. She graduated from Centenary College of Louisiana with degrees in music and psychology. She dazzled the taste buds of celebrities and guests from Aspen to Redstone with her creative dishes, dances, smile and good conversation. While cooking during a blizzard for a prince, Louise received praise for preparing “the most beautiful cheese tray he had ever seen.” She had an incredible work ethic

and kept the whole kitchen crew happy during long shifts. She loved skiing and loved hitting the town afterward for dining and dancing.

Later in life, Louise ran a sound system business and volunteered for her favorite radio station, KDNK. She visited local farms and enjoyed canning her own food on her woodburning stove. She was very active and loved to hike the mountain trails and down to the river near her home; she did so until a chronic illness took her from us. She is dearly loved and missed by everyone she touched. She is survived by her sister, Emily Lafitte, and brother, Lanier Lafitte. Please consider donating to KDNK in her memory.

proves its prowess

By Luke Wander Sopris Sun Contributor

Editor’s note: This review contains plot details that may be deemed "spoilers"

David Auburn’s Pulitzer Prizewinning play, “Proof”, is a laboratory built to test your interpersonal compass. Thunder River Theater Company’s interpretation, directed by Valley veteran Sue Lavin, is just as honest as it is provocative, stripping bare the human intellect’s ability to create as well as its propensity to destroy.

The play opens on a humble birthday celebration. The birthday girl, Catherine, played by Emily Henley, fends off the predictable concerns of her father Robert, played by Jeff Carlson, over a bottle of cheap champagne on their back porch. Is Cathy making friends? Is she fulfilling her intellectual potential? Cathy’s sole concern, however, centers on the fact that she is now 25 years old. Is she past her prime?

Henley’s strength and clarity, combined with Carlson’s charm and patience, make Catherine and Robert excellent sparring partners. Their fears echo our own, and within minutes the audience feels at home on this dusty back porch somewhere in the South Side of Chicago. Then, in the span of a few lines, everything changes.

Catherine’s fear over her own mental well-being thrusts itself into the spotlight, and the audience leans in, intent on discovering her fate.

Despite everything you’ve read, this play is only tangentially about math. At its core, “Proof” is a testament to the tragic cost of genius, and whether or not human relationships have the power to redeem intellectual rot. As Robert exits, we meet Hal, played by John Hauser, and discover that Robert was not an ordinary math professor, but rather a field-altering mathematician with swaths of idolizing students, Hal chief among them.

On the surface, Hal’s interests lie in digesting decades’ worth of Robert’s journals, one by one, combing through them with a careful eye, searching for heretofore undiscovered academic marvels. At the same time, he senses tragedy in Cathy, and attempts to get her out of the house to have the type of fun typical of a 20-something Chicagoan. Cathy, always on guard, doubts his motives, and for good reason. Hal is a thief, and though Cathy calls the police, by the time they arrive she has forgiven him.

The next day, Cathy’s sister Claire, played by Allison Fifield, arrives from New York with her own intentions disguised in coffee, bagels and shampoo recommendations. Claire, like Hal, knows that Cathy is, despite all

protestations, not okay, but she has come prepared. Though she stops short of revealing the entirety of her plan, Claire suggests that some time spent outside of Chicago might be good for her sister. Cathy’s response? A definite maybe.

From there, Hal and Claire each attempt to mend Cathy’s broken spirit with offers of housing and of love, only one of which persuades Cathy to open herself up and share the true cause of her despair: her genius.

The second act winds back the clock four years and gives us a picture of Robert at his mesmerizing, lucid best, before exposing the crippling nature of his insanity, with Carlson’s performance leaving the audience in chills. Meanwhile, in the present,

Cathy, Claire and Hal begin to spiral into a cesspool of doubt and toxicity over the true authorship of yet another piece of field-altering mathematical work. As the dust settles, the audience ponders over several crucial questions.

In the face of a father’s insanity, what does it look like to be a responsible daughter, or a caring sister? Is genius hereditary? What about madness? Can one exist without the other? And, most crucially, what kind of love can best heal a broken mind?

I must admit that after watching just once, I do not have answers to these questions. So, this coming weekend, I will be back in the audience to watch what unfolds on the back porch a second time. I hope, dear reader, that you’ll join me.

Catherine, played by Emily Henley, reveals a difficult secret to the two people she trusts most in the world, Claire and Hal (played by Allison Fifield and John Hauser). Learn the secret for yourself during the final weekend of "Proof" at Thunder River Theatre Company. Courtesy photo by Northrup Studios

Bridges to understanding

By Raleigh Burleigh Sopris Sun Editor

A new book by students at Bridges High School proudly proclaims: “We Are America”. The subtitle, “Voices of the Nation’s Future”, takes it a further, reminding adults that they are accountable to these youth and their futures. The book features intimate portraits from 18 students and is part of a national project.

The national project was born in Lowell, Massachusetts in August 2018, when high schoolers were charged to ponder the prompt: “What does it mean to be American?” As described by the We Are America Team in a foreword to this local edition — the first from Colorado — “It was a definition we couldn’t find in our textbooks.”

Andrea Monique Peña Harris, a teacher at Bridges, became aware of the project two years ago thanks to Halle Zander, a reporter with Aspen Public Radio. “You had the grant, and I had the students,” Peña Harris wrote in the acknowledgements.

“I was working with the Andy Zanca Youth Empowerment Program at the time … brainstorming different classes we could offer. I came across We Are America's website, and all I can say is it felt necessary to bring it to the Roaring Fork Valley,” explained Zander in correspondence with The Sopris Sun.

Peña Harris saw “We Are

America” as an opportunity to empower her students and also “to dispel false rumors and misunderstandings about their identities.”

This brave volume covers a range of topics from student perspectives, including sports and discipline, choosing supportive friendships, switching schools when necessary, managing depression and anxiety, suicide, overcoming personal challenges, immigration and more. Some stories are painful to witness, but they are as a whole triumphant and transformative.

“God hadn’t done this to me, but he had done this for me,” realizes Alexus Amaya in a story about her parents’ divorce.

“Most things break your heart to fix your vision,” shares Jeovanny Sorto Solis.

“Having self-love is something incomparable to being with someone who doesn’t value or love you the way you deserve to be loved,” explains Alondra Casas in “Put Yourself First”.

“Nobody is going to accomplish your goals for you,” advises Cameron Foster.

Ariel Ruiz, now a proud published writer, as well as sponsored snowboarder, said it feels good to have done something so meaningful. “We Are America” is one of his most memorable experiences at the

school, he said, calling it “significant change” to dissect the prompts and explore his identity. “Do not judge a book by its cover” was his takeaway.

“I'm glad the book is out; those kids deserve to be published writers,” said Zander. “They put in a lot of hard work and introspection.”

The book is available to purchase at The Launchpad and Bridges High School and proceeds will fund a second edition with a new array of voices.

What’s more? Thanks to the collaboration with Zander and the Andy Zanca Youth Empowerment

Program, an audio version of the project is available at www.bit.ly/ AZYEPBridges

“Those kids just blew my mind in how well they were able to articulate their experiences and talk with so much conviction about who they were and what they wanted to do after graduation,” reflected Zander.

Learn more about the national project at www.weareamericaproject. com, where these stories reside online among hundreds of others from across the nation.

Bridges High School hosted a book signing event on Nov. 17. Top row, left to right: Andrea Monique Peña Harris, Josue Deloera, Elian Najera, Roxanna Ramirez. Bottom row, left to right: Karyme Gallardo, Salvador Medrano Lupercio, Abby Delgadillo Cigarroa, Maria Gonzales Rea, Ariel Ruiz. Photo by Raleigh Burleigh

December First

Nancy McAtavey Carbondale

Continued from “The House at #45” on the Nov. 24 Work in Progress page

December 1. This is the day that I have been waiting for. Today, after school Aunt Kitty and I will finish the nativity scene and light the window candles for the first time.

But, this is not a good day for me at school. I cannot concentrate on my reading book. My arithmetic numbers do not add up right. I break my pencil, sharpen it and then break it again. And, it’s my turn to help Miss Bennett hand out milk at morning snack. I love to hold the box out to each classmate, not handing it over until I hear a “please.” But, today, I walk between the rows and kerplunk the cardboard container goes down on each desk.

Recess seems to last forever. I think, “Why can’t we just skip this and get on with the school day?” After lunch, I look at the big clock on the front wall. The big hand is on the 12 and the little one is on the two. I sigh and return to coloring my snowman. I glance up again. The big hand is on the one. How can this day be so slow?

Finally, Miss Bennett says it’s time to put our coloring projects away. We can finish tomorrow, she adds. “This is good news,” I think to myself. Now the big hand of the clock is on the four. It’s time to go out to the hallway, to the line of hooks buried by our coats and scarves and hats. We sit on the long wooden bench to pull on our rubber boots. Miss Bennett goes down the line, checking to make sure that we are coated, booted and hatted before we leave the building.

When the bell rings, I run across the school yard and through the gate of the chain link fence to the sidewalk. Two houses down, I turn the corner and run up the path to the big white house. I’m almost there.

Aunt Kitty’s face fills the half window; her warm breath fogs the glass. And then the door opens and she stoops to hug the big ball of wool that is me. “I’m here! I’m home!” I exclaimed. “Today was so slow. I could not do my work. My brain did the wrong things. And, I think I forgot to say good-bye to Miss Bennett.”

She smiles as she unbuttons my coat. “There, there. You’re fine. Just a little bit excited, that’s all. Now come into the kitchen. The milk is ready for the cocoa and I’ve made sugar cookies. You need energy to set up a manger.”

I sit at the big table and sip from a steaming mug. I bite the head off of a reindeer, letting the sugar sprinkles melt on my tongue. But, I can’t wait. “Let’s get started,” I announce. “We have to get to work. Mama will be home. We need to finish the manger and light all the candles before it’s dark.”

The top of the Stewart-Warner radio is covered with a thick blanket of cotton batting with a dusting of shiny snowflakes. The wooden manger is empty. My job is to finish the scene. To place each figure in its proper place. “Where did you get all these animals, the kings and shepherds?” I ask.

“Turn them over. What does it say on their bottoms?”

The tiny J. J. Newbury stickers are faded but I know my numbers and can read the prices: eight cents for a sheep, 15 cents for the gray donkey. I arrange and rearrange each small figure as Aunt Kitty tells me the story of the nativity.

“Look at the wise men. Do you know what’s in their hands? They’re bringing

gifts for the baby Jesus. And do you know how those shepherds found the baby? They followed the bright star that lit up the sky for miles around.”

I place Mary and Joseph in the manger and break up a few pieces of hay for the small wooden crib that sits between them. Then I carefully lay the baby Jesus in his bed. Finally, I place the angel and the star on the roof. I look out the dining room window. The street lights are on. “It’s time,” I say.

I follow Aunt Kitty from room to room, up and down the stairs and across the hall as she plugs in each candle. The bright orange light fills each darkened window as we make our way back to the dining room. “Just one more,” I tell her. And she plugs in the string of colored bulbs that frame the stable. “It is SO pretty! It is SO beautiful!” I proclaim. “I did SUCH a good job!”

A car turns from Broadway onto New York Street. I know it’s my mother. I know she’s coming home to me. I know she can see the window candles. And, when she opens the back door, I pull her through to the dining room even though she’s still in her heavy coat and wet rubber boots.

“It’s beautiful, Nancy,” my mother says. “It’s the most beautiful manger scene ever.”

The late December sun travels through the window a good 20 feet before reaching this manger. The figurines, probably 70 years old , are still posed expectantly. This story never changes. Mary may move closer to the baby one year or a sheep may make its way into the manger. All small changes; well, except for the year GI Joe made his appearance. Photo and text by Nancy McAtavey

LETTERS

continued from page 2

our new nation might pursue, rejected democracy. The word “democracy” is found on less than 50 pages of the 1,400 collected of the Founders’ political writings, from 1760 through 1850. They believed a republican form of government with a stable constitution would guarantee the citizens’ “unalienable rights.”

Fisher Ames, a congressman in our nation’s first Federal Congress of 1789, clearly states in a simple sentence, “The … political wisdom in framing the constitution was to guard against licentiousness, that inbred malady of democracies.” They believed that to vote an unconstrained approval of a matter of substance could overburden government well beyond what it could ever properly provide or afford.

Our nation has been reasonably stable over the past 250 years. The ever-increasing reliance on “democracy” and less on the self-reliance of our republic will continue the melting away of our founding principles. We must never abandon our pledge of so many years ago. “I pledge allegiance to my flag and the republic for which it stands.”

Floyd Diemoz, Glenwood Springs

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Redstone's Grand Illumination once again attracted a large crowd, braving the cold to witness the large bonfire built and monitored by the Carbondale & Rural Fire Protection District. Carolers caroled

Photos by Raleigh Burleigh

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