20221222

There were so many great choices this year, The Sopris Sun had a difficult time selecting a single winner for the annual "Spruce Up The Sun" contest. Here are our top choices, with runners-up on pages 6-7.

Top left: Ryker Demeyer, grade 2

Top right: Ina Stuart, grade 4

Bottom left: Piper Hansen, grade 4

Bottom right: Ella Demeyer, grade 5

By John Armstron

On a gray winter day, you can hear the eerie wind whistle down the long corridors which stretch out almost as long as a football field. It is the skeleton of the 200-room Marble Ski Area base lodge. (The actual size is debatable, but it is very large!)

The sprawling roof can just barely be seen from the Marble Quarry Road. The massive hulk of a building was never completed and stands as a monument to unrequited greed. Christmas wreaths never decked the halls. Never an anxious skier sipped coffee while waiting for the lift to open; never was an aprés ski, hot mulled wine shared among friends after a day on the slopes.

The abandoned building is called the Marble Village Inn, also known as the Crystal Lodge. The lodge is entirely on private property, only accessible by permission from the owner. It sits almost 1,000 feet above the Marble Valley Floor and the drive can be a challenge in itself during the Colorado winter. The carcass of the hotel shares some dubious similarities with the Titanic. Reputedly, the “hull of the ship” has a cracked and damaged foundation due to the turbulent Mancos Shale it was built on which expands and heaves

LETTERS

The Salvation Army

I am honored to help Rotary members of Carbondale by ringing the bell for The Salvation Army and greeting those who stop by the red kettle in the entry to our City Market, where donations can be left for the Salvation Army.

What is it about?

The Salvation Army began in 1852 in London. Its purpose remains the same today as then when its founder, William Booth, abandoned the traditional church pulpit in favor of taking the gospel of Jesus Christ directly to the poor, the homeless, the hungry and the destitute. Within 10 years, there were many followers in the streets joining the “fight for the souls of lost men and women” under the name “The Christian Mission.”

Later, Booth read a printer’s proof of the mission’s annual report and noticed the description of a “volunteer army” and he penned The Salvation Army. Their message spread rapidly gaining a foothold in America, and soon after Canada, Australia, France, Switzerland, India, South Africa, Iceland and Germany. Today it serves in 131 countries, offering the message of God's healing and hope to all those in need.

The local Salvation Army

Have you seen the Ghost of Marble Past?

depending on the ground water.

The Dickens’ “Christmas Carol” imagery that one conjures up of a “Marble Yet to Come” could wake you terrified in a sweat like old Scrooge himself! The misfit ski village of 26,000 people that was proposed was thwarted by a grassroots effort of common local people, like you and me, that have a love and respect for the land. Those forefathers/mothers formed the Crystal Valley Environmental Protection Association (CVEPA).

I risk boring those who have heard this story so many times, but I urge the curious to read the fabulous history of the Marble Ski Area by Lynn Burton published one year ago in The Sopris Sun. (Search “Marble Ski Sopris Sun” in Google.) Lynn elucidates the story in brilliant chronological form.

I was astonished when a good friend who was raised in this valley told me how surprised he was to learn that there is a chair lift on the slopes of Mount Daly. The Riblet double chair lift remains on the old ski area slope and might still be serviceable. For ski history nerds, The Riblet Tramway Company of Spokane, Washington built most of the chairlifts in the American West and became the largest chairlift company in the world at the time. Several locals tell stories of riding this lift in 1971/72 to ski the low angle, west-facing slopes.

People have long desired to ski in the Crystal Valley. The Redstone Castle T-bar sits idled in a neighbor’s backyard, giving testimony to Frank Kistler’s faded dream of Tram-serviced skiing in Redstone. Colorado Rocky Mountain School also pioneered lift serviced

headquarters is in Glenwood Springs. Donations are tax deductible. Thereby, you can “put a present under someone’s tree today or a roof over someone’s head tomorrow.” By calling 970-945-6986, you can find a variety of ways to give. In the meantime, see you at our local market.

Adele Hause, Carbondale

National Mentoring Month

As the president of the board of directors for the Buddy Program, I want to take a minute to share my enthusiasm for all that 2023 has in store for our organization! The coming year marks the 50th anniversary of our locally-created mentoring program AND the start of an expansion into the Glenwood Springs community.

We’ve heard it from parents, youth serving organizations, educators and the community at-large that the need for mentoring in Glenwood exists. We also know that mentoring works. It results in better social and emotional outcomes for local youth; it results in youth who are more engaged and who aspire to pursue education and careers with passion and excitement … who have a trusted adult with whom they can share those aspirations and dreams! Mentors are a

skiing outside of Carbondale. Several other small cross country ski efforts have come and gone. The pure joy of gliding in the snow will not fade away, and inspired skiers continue to find the solace or exhilaration they seek whether speculators succeed or not.

In this 50th anniversary year of the Battle of the Marble Ski Area and of CVEPA, I am going to allow myself one more poke at the dangerous initiative of that small group of fraudulent developers. John Zakovich was one of the primary developers of the Marble Ski Area. In true Scrooge form, Zakovich told everyone that he would “develop this valley like God would if he had the money!” In the Crystal Valley, we say, “Bah humbug, Ebenezer!” Let’s go skiing!

To learn more and to support the mission of the Crystal Valley Environmental Protection Association, go to cvepa.org

critical piece of the community fabric.

In addition to being the president of the board of directors, I’m also a Big Buddy. I’ve seen first-hand what mentoring can do for a child. And there’s no denying this Valley’s youth deserve our best effort to support them. Mentoring can help youth as they go through challenging life transitions, including dealing with stressful changes at home or transitioning to adulthood.

In this community, there is no such thing as “someone else’s child.” We’re all in this together. January is National Mentoring Month. Let’s get to work.

Contact the Buddy Program at buddyprogram.org or 970-920-2130 to see how you can get involved.

Mark Iola, Buddy Program

The best gift of all Affordable Housing…We need it, we want it and we will have it. Not many places can say that so resolutely as we can in Carbondale, but 2022 has brought us this gift.

Now it’s up to us to make sure we create something that is authentic to who we are; that is inclusive, not exclusive. That not only provides an array of affordable housing options, but allows

Editor

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

Contributing Editor James Steindler

Editorial Graphic Designer Hattie Rensberry

Advertising Graphic Designer Emily Blong Delivery Frederic Kischbaum Bartlett

Proofreader Lee Beck

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

Youth Program Coordinator Jeanne Souldern

Current Board Members board@soprissun.com

Klaus Kocher • Kay Clarke

Lee Beck • Gayle Wells Donna Dayton • Terri Ritchie Eric Smith • Roger Berliner • Jessi Rochel

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

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

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

Lee Beck & John Stickney • Kay Brunnier Michelle & Ed Buchman Eric Smith • Sue Edelstein & Bill Spence Deborah & Shane Evans

Greg & Kathy Feinsinger

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Peter and Mike Gilbert

Carly & Frosty Merriott

James Noyes • Megan Tackett

Patti & George Stranahan

Anne Sullivan & John Colson

Elizabeth Wysong • Alpine Bank

Emily & George Bohmfalk

Kathy & Carter Barger

Sandy & Paul Chamberlin

Karen & Roger Berliner

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

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

Carbondale, CO 81623

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CVEPA Views

Original ticket from the Redstone Ski Area, another ghost of Christmas Past. Courtesy photo

Breaking news

On Wednesday morning, Dec. 21, civil rights law firm Killmer, Lane & Newman, LLP announced it has filed a race discrimination lawsuit on behalf of Michael Francisco against City Market, Inc., The Kroger Company and Tia Walker, manager of the self-check out area at the time of Francisco's removal from City Market on Dec. 24, 2020. The Sopris Sun will follow up with details in the new year.

Chacos Park

Carbondale’s Parks & Recreation Commission voted on Dec. 14 in favor of naming the Fourth Street plaza/park “Chacos Park” in honor and memory of Chris and Terry Chacos. The proposal will be presented at the next Board of Town Trustees meeting on Jan. 10 with time for public comments.

Whole Foods deliveries

Local health consultant Kim Williams, owner of Nur-ish, a private raw food co-op that delivers in the Roaring Fork Valley, has expanded her business to also deliver Whole Foods groceries. To schedule a delivery or get more information, call 424-335-9335.

School lunch debt

The Roaring Fork School District has received a “tremendous amount of community support related to resolving outstanding student meal balances,” reads a press release from the district, but there is still a ways to go. According to last week’s article in The Sopris Sun, since the beginning of the school year the district has registered around $40,000 in meal debt. To make a contribution and help reduce the deficit, people can send checks to the Roaring Fork Education Foundation at 400 Sopris Drive in Carbondale. Email omaese@rfschoool.com or call 970-384-6007 with any questions.

Drug bust

On the morning of Dec. 14, Roaring Fork High School Principal Megan Baiardo called the Carbondale Police Department to report suspicious activity in the school parking lot. School Resource Officer Paul Lazo and Baiardo approached three students in a vehicle during classes. Lazo spotted a small amount of a substance later confirmed to be cocaine. The students were taken into custody, charged with possession of marijuana, possession of paraphernalia and possession of fictitious identification, and released on summonses. “There has been an increase in drug-related incidents in our school community,” stated Baiardo. “We are concerned and are taking it very seriously.” The underage suspects are innocent until proven guilty.

G’wood Comp Plan

After a nearly year-long process, the city of Glenwood Springs has released its draft comprehensive plan update for public comments (due by Jan. 6). The draft document and comment form can be found at www.cogs.us/VisionGlenwood

SoL auditions

Students ages 7 to 14 are invited to audition for the Stage of Life Theatre Company’s first production of 2023: “The Fantastic Mr. Fox”! Auditions will take place on the afternoons of Jan. 5-6 and morning of Jan. 7. Sign up at www. bit.ly/SoLFoxauditions

Thompson House tours

Looking for something fun to do with your visiting guests this winter? Take them to the

They say it’s your birthday!

Folks celebrating another trip around the sun this week include: Jessica Hardin, Carolyn Jackson, Emerita Martinez and Jerry Pluger (Dec. 22); Ember Dahl (Dec. 24); Hanah Jundt

Lani Kitching with “Jack Straw” and Adele Hause, accepting donations on behalf of The Salvation Army. Courtesy photo

By Kate Phillips Sopris Sun Correspondent

The Crystal River Valley has unearthed its newest gem this season at Redstone Connected, an inspiring and welcoming community-centric internet cafe.

Located at 450 Redstone Blvd, Redstone Connected is a co-working space for visitors and residents alike to enjoy refreshments, use high-speed internet and browse locally created art and crafts. Perhaps most importantly, the quaint red house is where friends and neighbors can gather through the cold winter months.

“This is just the perfect place to have community because it’s so easy to be friends with your neighbors since we’re all so close to each other,” said co-owner Laura Reagan. “Neighbors can have a coffee, greet each other, read a book and bring their laptop to do some work. I feel like those casual conversations and interchanges are key to a strong civil society, and I think just having a place you can gather is great.”

For Reagan and co-owner Keely Doyle building community comes naturally, as they are both enthusiastic local realtors for A La Carte Real Estate, Doyle’s property management and real estate business. Since working and living on the boulevard, Reagan said that she and Doyle have loved meeting new people and building upon Redstone’s vibrant community.

“Redstone is saturated with artists

[and it’s] historically known for hospitality,” said Reagan. Alongside the hospitality, Reagan added that Redstone Connected can give locals the “cafe culture” that is quickly growing on the Western Slope.

Tastefully decorated for the holidays, the cafe easily attracts guests with its warm and inviting atmosphere as the afternoon sun washes over the room through the bay window. A large center table orients the area while a stunning metal chandelier hangs overhead offering plenty of space and ambiance to work using the cafe’s high-speed Starlink internet service.

Visitors looking to warm up after a day of shopping the boulevard, skating the ice rink or snowshoeing the trails can enjoy a hot beverage and gather around the handcrafted wooden bar generously gifted by friend and longtime local Stephanie Askew. While discussing the daily news and happenings or checking the community events calendar, guests can also peruse the cafe’s extensive art gallery, beautifully installed throughout the space.

“We got the art into this space and you would not believe the change in the mood of everything,” said Reagan. “The art lit up the space and made it come alive.”

Showcasing the Crystal and Roaring Fork Valley’s artistic depth, an array of makers, from authors, painters and photographers to jewelers, seamstresses and ceramists, have works on display. Among the many makers is jeweler

Collin Arnold, owner of Colorado Wild Jewelry, who studied under Harmony Scott. Adding her own unique style, Arnold’s necklaces and earrings are exquisite, featuring delicate chains and colorful gems perfect for daily wear. The cafe also highlights jeweler Andrea Bresson, owner of Jeweled Musings, who’s distinct rings and necklaces are adorned with dried pressed flora and fauna.

Simplicity shines in the cafe with Laura Post’s impeccably shaped wooden bowls and Jodi Henderson’s ceramic mugs embellished with minimalist designs inspired by nature. Cait Kennett adds pops of color to the cafe with her cozy fleece skirts and hoods that will keep anyone comfortable on the slopes.

Emphasizing the gallery’s affordability, Reagan said guests can get creative with last minute gift ideas. For that special someone seeking respite, a rejuvenating gift basket filled with Grandma Denny’s lavender eye pillows, Keely and Laura’s homemade sea salt scrub and some scented candles from Marble Candle Company, might be the answer. Or perhaps a polaroid emulsion lift by Mellie Rose will enliven the spirit and home of a loved one.

By purchasing a gorgeous find at Redstone Connected, Reagan said patrons are doing more than just supporting a local business; they are supporting artists who have a deep passion for creating.

“Art is really healthy for people, and you can support people’s ability

to work on their craft,” said Reagan. “What a piece of art does for other people is inspire them … I find this space that’s filled with art to be comfortable, fun and inspiring.”

Redstone Connected is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. seven days a week. Individuals who are interested in renting out the space for their next meeting or event can contact the team at redstoneconnected@gmail. com or 970-963-7465. For more information, search “Redstone Connected” on Facebook.

Photo by Raleigh Burleigh

Courtesy photo

Cash-for-grass comes to Colorado

By Will Buzzerd Sopris Sun Correspondent

Beginning in July, locals may have an opportunity to participate in a cashfor-grass program as part of statewide efforts to reduce water consumption. The turf replacement initiative comes on the heels of Colorado House Bill 1151 passing in June 2022. According to the Colorado General Assembly, “the act requires the Colorado Water Conservation Board (CWCB) to develop a statewide program to provide financial incentives for the voluntary replacement of irrigated turf with water-wise landscaping,” financed using $2 million transferred from the state general fund.

Since 1990, Colorado’s annual precipitation has decreased dramatically — by 0.92 inches per decade. Even now, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor, 83% of the state is currently below normal precipitation conditions and 43% of the state ranges from “moderate drought” to “exceptional drought.”

Data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration indicates that although the fall months have stayed consistently wet over the past century, central and southwestern counties of Colorado have faced continually drier springs and summers, and it’s in these two seasons that lawns require the most water.

Kentucky bluegrass, one of the most common turfgrasses in Colorado, generally requires over an inch of water weekly. Meanwhile, average annual precipitation in the Roaring Fork Valley generally ranges below the state average of 18 inches — hovering around 17.2 inches in Glenwood Springs and 16.8 inches in Basalt. Moreover, lawns themselves can be highly inefficient — the Environmental Protection Agency estimates that 50% of residential outdoor water gets wasted due to overwatering.

Alternatives to the classic, highconsumption lawn include natural landscaping and xeriscaping. Natural landscaping, as its name suggests, is the use of plants native to an area, while xeriscaping (derived from the Greek word for “dry”) specifically selects plants for water conservation while increasing the amount of dry soil. Both rely on higher diversity and more varied terrain than fields of green grass, and both are prime candidates for turf replacement.

However, if one prefers the classic lawn look and feel, there are more efficient alternatives to common sods. In August of this year, Roaring Fork Conservancy partnered with the Basalt Public Library to plant droughtresistant tall fescue turf beside the usual Kentucky bluegrass. The fescue

requires around half as much water as the bluegrass and, although both types of turf might be under a bit of snow for now, the two look quite similar.

Rebates and governmental compensation for turf removal are already common practice in various counties of Nevada, Utah, Arizona and California and have proven to be very effective in changing residential landscaping, some with far larger programs. The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California alone set aside $350 million for turf rebate and conservation programs to widespread use by citizens. Colorado’s $2 million isn’t likely to fundamentally shift landscaping statewide, but CWCB is hopeful, stating on its website that the program “has the potential as a pilot to show how larger scale turf replacement efforts can be a successful

pillar of community water efficiency and drought resilience.”

CWCB’s website also states that the turf replacement program is anticipated to be available after July 1, 2023. However, individual homeowners will not be able to apply directly for state funding; instead, only local governments, special districts, tribal nations and nonprofit organizations with their own turf replacement programs will be able to receive a part of that $2 million.

Therefore, individuals interested in receiving funding should consult their local government before the state. In areas where turf replacement programs do not currently exist (such as in and around the Roaring Fork Valley), third parties contracted by the CWCB will administer them. As of yet, no thirdparty contractors have been selected.

"Give it up, Walter!"

Travel through time

The Sopris Sun is proud to present these wonderful works of art from local youth as part of our "Spruce Up The Sun" holiday tradition.

Kudos to all the budding artists for portraying our theme, "Travel Through Time," with such creativity.

Anabelle Sinclair, Grade 3

Kade Mason, Grade 3

Ruby DeWolfe, Grade 3

Evy McEwan, Grade 6

Maxine Williams, age 12

Milo Smith, Grade 4

Josie McLain, Grade 2

Billie Buchanan, Grade 3

THURSDAY, DEC. 22

JINGLE JAM

Rocky Mountain Kid C.L.U.B.S. offers winter activities for children ages 4 and up on Dec. 22, 23, 27-30 and Jan. 2-6, 9 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Find details at www.rockymtnkidclubs.org

PUPPET SHOW

Rocky Mountain Puppets performs at the Carbondale Library at 10:30 a.m. and in Glenwood Springs at 2 p.m. This event is free and open to all children and families.

ACADEMY SCREENINGS

Aspen Film’s 30th Academy Screenings festival continues today and tomorrow with shows at noon and 2 p.m. at the Isis Theatre and at 5 and 8 p.m. at the Wheeler Opera House. Find details at www.aspenfilm.org

BEAUTY AND BLOODSHED

Aspen Art Museum partners with Aspen Film to present “All the Beauty and the Bloodshed”, a documentary about activist Nan Goldin, the Sackler family and America’s opioid crisis, at the Wheeler Opera House at 5 p.m. More info at www.aspenfilm.org

SIP SHOP + CONNECT

True Nature opens its boutique from 4 to 7 p.m. with live music, special deals and a local book signing.

FRIDAY, DEC. 23

STONE KITCHEN

Stone Kitchen performs at Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park during Friday Afternoon Club at 5 p.m.

CRYSTAL THEATRE

“Empire of Light” shows at the Crystal Theatre at 7 p.m. tonight and Dec. 27-29.

Sopris Lodge residents and guests enjoyed a high-flying performance by Sopris Soarers on Dec. 19. Photos by Raleigh Burleigh

DECK THE WALLS

Last-minute gift shopping? Carbondale Arts’ holiday market remains open until 7 p.m. tonight and closes for the season at 2 p.m. tomorrow.

SATURDAY, DEC. 24

LIBRARIES CLOSURE

Local libraries will be closed today and tomorrow in observance of Christmas. You may still browse and request materials and even stream movies at www.gcpld.org

SUNDAY, DEC. 25

SOMETIMES SLOWLY AA

Catch an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting at The Meeting Place, 981 Cowen Drive in Carbondale, at 8 a.m.

TUESDAY, DEC. 27

APRÈS PARTY

The Aspen Center for Environmental Studies hosts an evening party at Hallam Lake, from 4 to 6 p.m., with warm sips, tasty bites, kids crafts, live music and more. RSVP at www.aspennature.org

GRINGA

“GRINGA,” directed and produced by local filmmaker EJ Foerster, screens at the Wheeler Opera House at 7 p.m. Proceeds will benefit the Jake Foerster/Jazz Aspen Snowmass Music Arts Fund. Visit www.aspenshowtix. org for tickets and more info.

WEDNESDAY, DEC. 28

RELEASE STRESS

The Center for Human Flourishing offers an intro session for the Tension, Stress and Trauma Release technique at the Third Street Center from 6:30 to 8 p.m.

THURSDAY, DEC. 29

EMPOWERED RELIEF

Ruth Trowbridge, LPC teaches “Empowered Relief for Chronic Pain”, a psychological approach to coping with physical pain, at the Morgridge Commons in Glenwood Springs at 5:30 p.m. Call 970-628-0280 to register.

DOWNHILL DISCO

The Aspen Art Museum hosts a dance party with aerial performances from 6 to 9 p.m. Tickets at www. bit.ly/DownhillDiscoTix

CONSCIOUS LIVING

Connie Baxter Marlow and Andrew Camerson Bailey present their book, “The Trust Frequency”, at the Third Street Center from 6:30 to 8 p.m. This intro session will be followed by six mini-seminars.

FRIDAY, DEC. 30

GERRY GOODMAN

Gerry Goodman Acoustic performs during Friday Afternoon Club at the Glenwood Caverns Adventure Club at 5 p.m.

SATURDAY, DEC. 31

VAUDEVILLE NYE

The Glenwood Vaudeville Revue offers two shows on New Year’s Eve. Doors open to early celebrators at 4:30 p.m. with a toast to the new year at 8 p.m. Doors open again for night owls at 9 p.m. and includes a midnight champagne toast.

Tickets at www.gvrshow.com

GET HAPPY

Thunder River Theatre celebrates Judy Garland with a cabaret starring Jenna Pastuszek. This New Year’s Eve performance has two showtimes: 6 and 8:30 p.m. Tickets at thunderrivertheatre.com

NEW YEAR’S BASH

TACAW throws a New Year’s Eve Bash, which includes a performance by the Lowdown Brass Band. The party starts at 8 p.m. Visit www. tacaw.org for tickets and more info.

DANCE PARTY

The Black Nugget hosts a New Year’s Eve dance party starting at 8:30 p.m.

SUNDAY, JAN. 1

LIBRARIES CLOSED

All Garfield County Public Libraries are closed on New Year’s Day.

SOMETIMES SLOWLY AA

Begin the New Year with Alcoholics Anonymous at The Meeting Place in Carbondale, 981 Cowen Drive, at 8 a.m.

CHOOSING WELLNESS

True Nature hosts a three-hour, immersive workshop for starting the year off right, from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Details at www. truenaturehealingarts.com

TUESDAY, JAN. 3

BIRDING

Bird watch at Hallam Lake every first Tuesday of the month through April from 8 to 11 a.m. Visit aspennature. org for more info and to register.

YARN GROUP

Share yarn projects and strategies with fellow yarn workers at the Basalt Library at 5 p.m.

WEDNESDAY, JAN. 4

STORYTIME WITH KARA

Youngsters are invited to hear stories, songs or action rhymes — or a combination thereof — at the Basalt Library from 10:30 to 11 a.m. Visit basaltlibrary.org for more info.

ANIMAL BEADING

Fifth through 12th graders can create animal keychains, earrings and so forth at the Basalt Library at 2:30 p.m. Visit basaltlibrary.org for more info.

COMMUNITY PILATES

All levels are invited to a pilates class at the Basalt Library at 5 p.m. Visit basaltlibrary.org for more info.

SUPPER CLUB

TACAW, in collaboration with Epicure, will serve exclusive dinners every other Wednesday through March. Each multi-course meal will feature an inspired menu made with fresh ingredients. Tickets at www.tacaw.org

THURSDAY, JAN. 5

KNITTING CLUB

In Stitches Knitting Club meets at the Carbondale Library at 2 p.m.

DUCT TAPING

Fifth through 12th graders create accessories with duct tape at the Treehouse behind the Basalt Library at 2:30 p.m.

LOWER BASIN PERSPECTIVE

Doctor Kathryn Sorensen, director of research and professor of practice at the Kyle Center for Water Policy of the Morrison Institute at Arizona State University, discusses how water shortages affect cities, tribes and agriculture in central Arizona at 5 p.m. Visit basaltlibrary.org to register and for more info.

GLENWOOD MANAGERS

The three finalists for the City Manager of Glenwood Springs position meet with the public and answer questions in a casual setting at the Community Center at 6 p.m.

CARBONDALE

CROSS-COUNTRY SKI

LESSONS AT SPRING GULCH

Classes for beginners and intermediate skiers in both classic and skate styles.

Starting as early as January 3

PILATES BLEND

A full-body workout that targets specific muscles while engaging the entire body using the fundamentals of Pilates. Improve balance, muscle coordination, strength, and stability. Mon/Wed, 12-12:50pm, 1/9-3/1

PILATES FOR MOM AND BABY Moms can exercise and bring their baby to this all body workout that focuses on specific post natal pelvic floor, and core strengthening. Fridays, 10:30-11:20am, 1/13-2/3

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, 3/20-4/24

BEGINNER OIL PAINTING

Learn the basics of painting and mixing with water-based oil paints. Supplies are provided Tuesdays, 9am-12pm, 1/17-2/28

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

SEWING

Start with a simple project that includes a zipper or elastic waist, finish seams, and hem; and/or work on your own project. Machines provided, or bring your own.

Tuesdays, 6:30-9:30pm, 3/14-5/2

TENSION AND TRAUMA

RELEASING EXERCISES

Release deep muscular stress, tension, and trauma; calm the nervous system, and return balance.

Sundays, 10am-11:30am, 3/19-4/9

BEGINNING SCULPTURE

Learn how to design in 3-D, from sketches into a maquette, and complete sculptures while learning the tools to create special effects. Mondays, 10am-1pm, 3/20-4/24

Sol del Valle

Discovery Café extiende sus servicios a la comunidad de habla hispana

Por Triny Rochin Sol Contribuyente

Ahora que se acerca el año nuevo, es el momento perfecto para comenzar a practicar nuevos hábitos. Una resolución de año nuevo de la que se puede beneficiar enormemente es mejorar su salud mental. Todos lidiamos con diferentes retos, heridas, complejos, adicciones o traumas. Nadie tiene la capacidad, ni debe intentar enfrentar sus heridas por su cuenta. ¿Qué mejor manera de superar sus dificultades que con la ayuda de un grupo de apoyo y recuperación?

Discovery café es un programa diseñado para ayudar a las personas a recuperarse de comportamientos adictivos y traumas, a mantener la recuperación, a reducir las recaídas y a desarrollar su máximo potencial. Fue fundado por Gabe Cohen tras su recuperación del abuso de sustancias, encarcelamiento y otros retos. Inició en Rifle Colorado en el año 2020, su éxito ha sido tal que ahora Discovery Café se extiende a la comunidad de habla hispana, ofreciendo grupos de recuperación en español en Basalt y en Rifle.

El programa brinda un espacio seguro, cálido, libre de drogas y alcohol y una comunidad amorosa para anclar a sus miembros en la recuperación necesaria para obtener y mantener un estilo de vida saludable.

Las puertas de Discovery Café están abiertas para todos, es su visión y misión que todos sean amados y valorados. El programa es gratis, y requiere que sus participantes se conviertan en

miembros y cumplan con ciertos requisitos. Esos requisitos incluyen que estén libres de drogas y alcohol durante al menos 24 horas, que asistan a un círculo de recuperación semanal y que participen en el servicio comunitario en el café.

Discovery café se ocupa del bienestar de sus miembros de manera integral, ofreciendo toda una gama de servicios que van desde lo mental, lo emocional, y lo espiritual, hasta las necesidades físicas. Además del grupo de apoyo, en casos necesarios se refiere al miembro a un profesional de la salud mental, que también habla español. Cuida de las necesidades físicas proveyendo alimentos, abrigo etc. El programa está diseñado para ayudar a las personas a manejar cada aspecto de su vida mientras están en recuperación.

Dina Prieto, Especialista en apoyo de pares de Discovery Café en Basalt, comentó, “el primer paso a la recuperación es reconocer que necesita ayuda, nosotros proveemos este recurso, le ofrecemos un lugar libre de prejuicios y crítica a donde acudir, queremos ayudar a la comunidad latina”. Pero la persona debe tener la determinación de buscar mejorar su vida.

Cabe mencionar que todo es confidencial, “las personas que están luchando con alguna adicción cuentan con protección legal por lo cual no deben temer buscar ayuda y compartir con confianza sus luchas”, asegura Prieto. Tampoco se les pregunta respecto a su estatus legal en el país.

Discovery café está ahí para ofrecerle ayuda, no solo en casos de alcoholismo y drogadicción, también es para quienes están pasando otras

dificultades por ejemplo, un divorcio, violencia, abuso, desórdenes alimenticios, etc. Prieto anima a la comunidad latina a buscar ayuda para poder vivir una vida plena. “Creemos que pedir ayuda nos hace débiles, en realidad es lo contrario, cuando pides ayuda eres fuerte”, afirmó.

Las adicciones no solo afectan a quienes luchan con su salud mental sino a quienes le rodean, “No hay mejor regalo para la familia en estas fiestas que, reconocer que necesita ayuda y acudir a buscarla para poder cambiar su manera de vivir y poder disfrutar en compañía de quien realmente importa, que son sus seres queridos. Pronto empezaremos un año nuevo, ¿por qué no empezar una vida nueva?”, Prieto afirmó. Dejamos la información al pie para quienes se interesen en asistir a un círculo de recuperación:

Dina Prieto (970) 697-0435

Midvalley Family Practice 1450 E. Valley Rd. Suite 102, Basalt Miércoles a las 6:30 p.m.

Salomi González (970) 404-9420

Colorado Mountain College Room 121 3695 Airport Rd, Rifle Miércoles de 1:30-2:30 p.m.

Biblioteca Pública en Rifle 207 East Ave, Rifle Miércoles de 6:30-8:00 p.m.

Reunión de miembros del círculo de recuperación en Rifle. Foto cortesía de Gabe Cohen

Volumen 2, Número 43 | 22 de deciembre - 28 de deciembre, de 2022

Conectando comunidades desde 2021

El Rincón del Sargento

Por Carlos Cornejo

En el mundo que vivimos, es casi imposible mantener a los niños seguros en línea. Anteriormente escribí un artículo que mencionaba cómo mantener a tus hijos seguros. Hoy te quiero hablar de una herramienta que te puede ser útil si tus hijos tienen un iphone.

Hay una tendencia entre los jóvenes de mandar fotos explícitas a sus amigos o sus parejas. Desafortunadamente, después que una foto es enviada es prácticamente imposible regresar el tiempo. Todo va bien hasta que los jóvenes terminan su relación y uno de los dos decide chantajear o compartir esa foto privada con otros.

Estos casos pasan muy seguido en las escuelas y cada vez es más prevalente. Ahora, ¿Qué puedes hacer tú para prevenir estas situaciones? Principalmente, debes hablar con tus hijos sobre cómo

Controles parentales no sustituyen conversaciones con nuestros hijos

pueden respetar sus cuerpos y de las consecuencias que puede tener el compartir imágenes explícitas. Hay padres que les da pena hablar con sus hijos del tema. Pero créeme, si no hablas tú con ellos, alguien más lo hará.

La conversación debe empezar desde temprana edad y evolucionar según vayan creciendo tus hijos. Tu sabes que no vas a poder estar a su lado todo el tiempo. Aunque pudieras, no es saludable. Así que tu meta debería ser que tus hijos estén preparados para cuando la vida les traiga pruebas, ellos sepan qué hacer.

La tecnología no es mala, mientras la sepas manejar apropiadamente. Así que cuando decidas que tu nene es lo suficiente maduro para tener un celular, no olvides de que tu tambien tienes que aprender cómo funciona y cómo puedes poner límites apropiados a su edad.

Gracias a avances en tecnología, la compañía Apple tiene varias opciones para controles parentales. Por si no lo sabías, tu iPhone puede identificar objetos en tus fotos. Por ejemplo, si vas a tu álbum de fotos y quieres

buscar fotos donde aparezca un pastel o una mascota, solo escribes esto en el buscador y listo, te aparecen las fotos que contienen lo que buscas.

Asimismo, la tecnología puede identificar fotos inapropiadas. Cuando tu hijo o hija se toma una foto explícita y la trata de mandar, el sistema la reconoce y le pregunta al usuario si está seguro de mandar la foto.

A menudo los jóvenes que mandan estas fotos lo hacen por presión o por complacer a la persona que la está pidiendo. Ellos mismos se preguntaran, ¿La enviaré? Cuando su teléfono le alerta, puede ser que la balanza caiga sobre la decisión correcta. Esto es aún más eficaz cuando ya ha existido una conversación sobre el tema con sus padres.

También existen casos donde tus hijos recibirán fotos inapropiadas sin haberlas pedido. Esto le ocurre especialmente a las mujeres. Al activar este control parental, cuando llega una foto no deseada, el mismo teléfono cubre la foto para que tu hija o hijo no la vea al abrir el mensaje. La foto entra con una alerta

avisando que el contenido puede ser inapropiado. Luego le da recursos a tu hijo, como la opción de notificar a un adulto, maneras de buscar ayuda y bloquear al contacto.

Este software está instalado ya en el dispositivo, así que las fotos que lleguen o se tomen tus hijos, no van a Apple. La inteligencia artificial en el mismo aparato hace la identificación de imágenes.

Estos ajustes pueden ser activados en un iPhone, iPad, y iPod Touch con iOS 15.2 o más alto. Para activarlo, vas a los ajustes y luego al tiempo de pantalla. Debe de estar activado el dispositivo con una cuenta infantil, la cual puedes controlar desde tu dispositivo de adulto. Puedes aprender sobre esto y muchos controles parentales más en la página de apoyo de Apple. Y claro, si tienes un dispositivo de otra marca, puedes leer y aprender más en sus páginas de apoyo.

Recuerda que para mantener seguros a tus hijos, tú también debes aprender. Pero nada reemplaza la comunicación efectiva y respetuosa entre padres e hijos.

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

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

Editora Contribuyente Vanessa Porras

Directore Artístico Hattie Rensberry

Diseñadora de anuncios Emily Blong

Traductoras Jacquelinne Castro y Dolores Duarte

Distribucion

Frederic Kischbaum Bartlett

Executive Director

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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

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

Se acerca la Navidad y me surge el dilema inevitable de cada año. Hacer el menú tradicional de mi familia con recetas de la abuela o buscar una nueva receta, diversa, que también sea conocida por otras regiones o comunidades. Es como el ser y no ser de Hamlet. Ser tradicional para que la familia se acuerde de quienes somos, de dónde venimos, y lo que valoramos desde entonces. No ser esa repetición aburrida por tan conocida. Innovar, sorprender a los comensales incorporando un nuevo platillo, un toque diferente que venga de otra cultura para integrarnos mejor a un mundo diverso y actual. ¿Cambio o permanencia?

Pierna de cerdo al pibil, untada de achiote, envuelta en hoja de plátano en vez de bacalao fue un escándalo en mi familia cuando me dio por no ser. Pero hasta el día de hoy se acuerdan que estuvo muy sabrosa y me piden la receta.

Siendo honesta, mi acto no fue de innovación sino por necesidad. El bacalao toma más de tres días en su preparación, pues hay que desalarlo, desmenuzarlo, y sazonar los muchos ingredientes que no son fáciles de conseguir. La pierna de cerdo solamente toma una mañana y es más económica. El bacalao es típico de la Ciudad de México, el cerdo al pibil es de Yucatán.

Las tradiciones son experiencias que consideramos valiosas para transmitirlas de una generación a otra. Incluyen: saberes, rituales, platillos, bailes, formas de ser, actos festivos y más.

Representan una identidad regional y conectan el presente con el pasado.

Según la Fundación UNAM, “Una tradición se mantiene viva gracias a que las generaciones experimentadas transmiten las prácticas culturales a las generaciones nuevas”. Los niños reciben la herencia cultural de sus pueblos a través de la convivencia con los adultos, apropiándose así de los modos de vida de su comunidad.

Sin embargo, todos estos saberes y construcciones sociales no son estáticos, evolucionan y se enriquecen con sus nuevos miembros. Muchos de nosotros somos biculturales, y hasta multiculturales.

En esta navidad los invito a incorporar nuevos sabores y aromas. Como aquellos que probamos en otro lugar en fechas similares o, que quizás, nos platicó nuestro vecino o amigo de otro país y queremos compartir esa experiencia. También puede ser que en nuestro clan haya un miembro de otras costumbres y si añadimos una de sus tradiciones culinarias a nuestra mesa estamos enriqueciendo el patrimonio cultural del clan.

Cuando pregunté a los contribuyentes del Sol del Valle y otros amigos de sus tradiciones, sus respuestas fueron variadísimas. Geraldine me sedujo con su contestación, “En Caracas hacemos unos tamales glorificados”. En realidad se llaman Hallacas, son muy elaborados y la receta varía según la región. Se sirven con el conocido pan de jamón. Vanessa y yo coincidimos con que el aroma a canela que se desprende de la olla del ponche de frutas es indispensable para estar en plena temporada navideña. Tanto su abuela como mi tía, lo empezaban a preparar la víspera y desde entonces esos jarritos de barro con el palito de caña de azúcar son parte de nuestro imaginario colectivo en la Nochebuena. Caldo de camarón, lechón al horno, papas

Un ponche calientito con rajas de naranja, fresas, caña de azúcar, canela y un piquete de ron aromatizan el ambiente navideño en la Cafebrería El Péndulo en la Ciudad de México, dándole la bienvenida a la Nochebuena. Foto de Angélica Breña

fritas, relleno de pavo, agua de horchata, espagueti, ensalada de manzana, romeritos con mole y turrones. Delicias que están dentro del abanico de los platillos tradicionales navideños. Tan variopintos como nuestros pueblos de origen. Son parte de nuestra riqueza cultural.

Sea cual sea el menú en esta ocasión, al sentarnos a la mesa estaremos uniendo el presente con el pasado, el aquí con el allá. Transmitiendo cultura y reforzando identidad en los pequeños y, también, en los grandes.

Que tu mesa esté llena de bendiciones y alegrías. ¡Felicidades!

CHISME DEL PUEBLO

Traduccion por Jacquelinne Castro

Parque Chacos

El comisionado de parques y recreaciones de Carbondale votó el 14 de diciembre a favor de nombrar la plaza/el parque de la cuarta calle “Parque Chacos” en honor y memoria de Chris y Terry Chacos. La propuesta será presentada en la reunión del consejo directivo del pueblo el 10 de enero con más tiempo para comentarios del público.

Plan integral de Glenwood

Después de un largo año, la ciudad de Glenwood Springs ha publicado su diseño actualizado de plan integral para recibir comentarios del público (pendiente hasta el 6 de enero), el documento del diseño y el formulario de comentarios pueden ser encontrados en www.cogs.us/VisionGlenwood

La vida silvestre

Dieciocho agencias las cuales comparten preocupaciones de vida silvestre de la región firmaron un memorándum de entendimiento, lo cual crea Roaring Fork Valley Wildlife Collaborative. El memorándum de entendimiento establece a las agencias colectivas como un colaborativo informal destinado a trabajar en equipo para “identificar, priorizar e implementar el trabajo de mitigación de vida silvestre a escala de paisaje” en el valle.

Audiciones de SoL

Los estudiantes entre las edades de 7 a 14 son invitados a audicionar para la primera producción de teatro del 2023 de, Stage of Life Theatre Company: “The Fantastic Mr. Fox”! Las audiciones tendrán lugar en las tardes el 5 y el 6 de enero y en la mañana el 7 de enero. Inscríbase en www.bit.ly/SoLFoxauditions

Deudas de almuerzos escolares

El distrito escolar de Roaring Fork ha recibido un “enorme apoyo de la comunidad relacionado con resolver saldos pendientes de almuerzos de estudiantes.” dijo el comunicado de prensa del distrito, pero todavía hay mucho que recorrer. De acuerdo con el artículo de la semana pasada en The Sopris Sun, desde el comienzo del año escolar, el distrito ha registrado alrededor de $40,000 en deudas de comidas. Para hacer una contribución y ayudar a reducir el déficit, las personas pueden enviar cheques a Roaring Fork Foundation a 400 Sopris Drive en Carbondale. Envíe un correo electrónico a omaese@rfschoool.com o llame al 970-384-6007 si tiene alguna pregunta.

Alivio de la inflación

El ayuntamiento de Aspen autorizó subsidios de alivio de la inflación de $800,000 el 13 de diciembre designados a servicios humanos y de salud y organizaciones de educación infantil temprana con la meta de mantener los niveles de servicio normales mientras se adaptan a las presiones causadas por la inflación. El comité directivo de subvenciones de la ciudad contactó a 36 organizaciones elegibles para inscribirse y cada uno recibió al menos el 50% de lo que pidieron.

Confiscación de drogas

En la mañana del 14 de diciembre, Megan Baiardo, la directora de la escuela secundaria Roaring Fork, llamó al departamento de policía de Carbondale para reportar una actividad sospechosa en el estacionamiento de la escuela. El oficial de recursos escolares Paul Lazo y Baiardo se acercaron a tres estudiantes en un vehículo durante clases. Lazo rápidamente detectó una sustancia en polvo luego confirmada ser cocaína. Los estudiantes fueron detenidos, acusados de posesión de marihuana, posesión de parafernalia de drogas y posesión de identificación ficticia, y luego liberados

Argentinos a través del valle Roaring Fork celebraron al ver el equipo de su país triunfar, 4-3 contra Francia, durante la Copa Mundial de la FIFA del 2022. Foto de cortesía

con condiciones. “Ha habido un incremento de incidentes relacionados con drogas en nuestra comunidad escolar.” dijo Baiardo. “Estamos muy preocupados y tomamos esto muy en serio.”

Envíos de Whole Foods

La consultora de salud local Kim Williams, dueña de Nur-ish, una cooperativa privada de alimentos crudos que hace envíos en Roaring Fork Valley, ha expandido su negocio para hacer envíos de víveres de Whole Foods. Para programar un envío u obtener más información, llame al 424-335-9335.

Clínica aprés

ValleyOrtho, parte de Valley View, está ofreciendo atención del mismo día para lesiones ortopédicas en la clínica de ValleyOrtho Aspen (132 West Main Street). No es necesaria cita previa, para más información visite vvorthocare.org

RJ Paddywacks offers a “C.A.R.E. package” for new adoptive families, including a Paws for Points plan and a first time 15% discount for your new pet. RJ 400 E Valley Rd. # I/J Next to City Market in El Jebel

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

The Resourceful Elf

By Tom Mercer Former Carbondalian

Snuffles the Elf had mixed feelings about the coming Christmas. Santa had selected Snuffles to oversee the maintenance and upgrading of his sleigh just over 100 years ago, and each Christmas season the elf typically had to deal with uncooperative suppliers, late deliveries of parts and countless other challenges. Nevertheless, Snuffles faced a hard deadline each and every year, and he always managed to complete the necessary work on Santa’s sleigh in time for Christmas Eve deliveries.

Santa’s most recent work order for Snuffles included the following tasks and modifications: (1) Purchase and install an upgraded electronic mapping program, (2) replace Santa’s sleigh seat with a heated model, (3) install an electronic display panel that would show all intended deliveries for Christmas Eve (one that would include information on whether the intended recipient had been “naughty or nice” since the previous Christmas), (4) an upgraded radar system, (5) a new eight-speaker sound system and (6) a replacement for Santa’s “snack box” with a greater capacity. Snuffles had a hard deadline and his future employment depended on successfully completing his assignments.

Mrs. Snuffles dreaded the coming of the Christmas season. She was acutely aware of the pressure that her husband had to endure. Snuffles the Elf worried and fretted about his assignments, and he would sometimes become uncharacteristically grumpy (which was not a desirable quality for an elf). Still, the couple managed to make it through each Christmas season, thanks to their mutual elf-support and elfunderstanding.

It was the week before Christmas when Snuffles received a message from the vendor who handled Santa’s sleigh seats. The vendor, whose name was Ted, reported that his supplier could not ship any heated sleigh seats due to a manufacturing defect. Apparently, the new model of the seat featuring the heaters had a tendency to short circuit, thereby burning the seated party’s posterior. Snuffles repressed the panic that began to well up and instructed the seat supplier to go ahead and ship one of the new heated seats immediately. Time was of the essence and, apparently, Snuffles’ mission, not to mention Santa’s posterior, was potentially in jeopardy.

The defective heated sleigh seat arrived quickly. Santa’s sleigh had to be ready to fly in just a few days, and Snuffles knew that failure was not an option. Fortunately, Snuffles possessed some basic knowledge about electronics and wiring.

Recognizing the critical nature of his mission, he developed the following plan. He would work day and night to correct the electronic defect in the seat’s heater unit, reinstall the heater, sew up the seat’s upholstery and mount the new seat in Santa’s sleigh — all before Christmas Eve. His job was on the line, and for elves there were very few alternative employment opportunities.

Happily, Snuffles’ plan seemed to progress perfectly. He rewired the seat’s heater, installed the new sleigh seat and finished all of Santa’s other upgrades and modifications with two days to spare. Snuffles the elf and his wife were finally able to relax and enjoy their quiet, peaceful, elven lives.

But that Christmas Eve, somewhere over the Midwestern United States, Santa Clause became aware of an intensely uncomfortable heat emanating from his seat on the sleigh. The heat forced Santa to make an emergency landing in an open field somewhere in Illinois. He jumped out of the sleigh, and looking back he saw wisps of smoke rising from his sleigh’s empty seat. Naturally, his first thoughts were of Snuffles the Elf.

To be continued……

The Two Rivers Unitarian Universalist solstice celebration combined rituals from the JudeoChristian and pagan traditions. They honored Chanukah by telling its story, lit a chalice to honor the orbiting of the sun and the planets, cast a circle to honor the indigenous Nuche people and called upon the guardians of the four directions, represented by animal totems. On slips of paper, people wrote down what they want more of in 2023 and what they want to let go of. The papers were placed in a wreath which was ceremoniously burned in the bonfire at the end of the spiral dance where people joined hands and moved in a counterclockwise circle, winding toward its center. The circuits grew ever smaller, just as the days get shorter toward the end of the year. Near the center, at the point that represents the solstice, the dance turned and moved clockwise, bringing people face-to-face.

Photo and text by Sue Rollyson

Hello Darkness

By Jampa Carbondale

It’s that time of year When darkness drops without dusk And crushes the light.

By James Steindler Contributing Editor

Often while commuting up and down the Roaring Fork Valley, motorists see what we’ve become accustomed to referring to as “roadkill” on the side of the highway. These animals are the victims of vehicle collisions.

On a personal note, this reporter recently took the life, inadvertently, of a majestic bull elk in exactly this way. The most difficult aspect of the matter was watching the elk struggle to get back up when there was no hope. Fortunately, there was the means available to end his suffering and Colorado Parks and Wildlife was able to retrieve the lifeless body within an hour of his last breath.

The point being, it can happen to anyone despite their best effort to drive safely.

On Monday, Dec. 19, local Cecily DeAngelo launched a new organization, Roaring Fork Safe Passages (RFSP), to tackle this issue on a macro scale here in the Valley.

After reading an article in the New York Times regarding the efficacy of wildlife collision

the aftermath of a deer being hit, DeAngelo sought to curb the tragic trend.

According to a press release from the budding organization, elk populations in the Roaring Fork Watershed have declined significantly. It goes on, “Throughout our watershed, calf-elk survival on average has dropped to nearly just 30 calves per 100 cows.”

Reportedly, a large part of the issue is connecting viable wildlife habitats throughout the watershed so animals themselves can freely commute, uninterrupted by barrelling automobiles.

“It is widely understood that protecting and restoring landscape-scale habitat for elk (and other wildlife) is critical to restoring the vitality of this iconic species,” the press release continues. “Connecting large swaths of habitat is equally important, and highway overpasses for elk that involve just an acre or two can open up thousands of acres of good but currently inaccessible or underutilized habitat.”

DeAngelo pointed to the success of mitigation infrastructure along Colorado Highway 9: seven large wildlife

fence between Kremmling and Green Mountain Reservoir. In March 2021, the Colorado Department of Transportation’s final monitoring report for that infrastructure — implemented in 2016 — was released. According to the report, “Altogether, the wildlife crossings, continuous fencing, and associated mitigation features achieved major safety benefits, helping to decrease WVC [wildlife vehicle collision] crashes reported to law enforcement by 92% and supplementary carcass counts by 90% relative to preconstruction levels.”

DeAngelo is working closely with Tom Cardamone of the Watershed Biodiversity Initiative (WBI). RFSP intends to build upon WBI’s recently completed “Roaring Fork Watershed Biodiversity and Connectivity Study'' which outlines hindrances to the survival of local elk and deer populations. A key finding from that three-year-long study was that “significant opportunities exist to restore degraded habitats and improve connectivity, especially along major transportation corridors and near developed areas.”

endeavor, stating, “Beyond contributing to the safety of wildlife and motorists, this initiative will knit back together our road-fragmented watershed, a primary goal of the biodiversity study.”

In fact, WBI is the acting fiscal sponsor of RFSP. So, donations, grants and so forth meant for RFSP are channeled through WBI and earmarked as such.

RFSP received a $10,000 grant from Aspen Ski Company’s Environment Foundation to support its launch. RFSB has a goal to raise $150,000 by June 1, 2023 to support its own study and produce a mitigation plan specific to State Highways 82 and 133 — pinpointing best placement for new infrastructure or optimizing existing structures.

“This prioritization study and mitigation plan is a crucial step to receiving state and federal funding to construct the mitigation structures,” reads RFSP’s press release. With a comprehensive study and mitigation plan to back up RFSP’s eventual proposal, DeAngelo is confident the funding for tangible infrastructure will follow suit.

“I was born and raised in the Roaring Fork Valley, and it has long been an interest of mine to protect wildlife in our watershed,” DeAngelo stated. “Animals need infrastructure, and where it has been properly built and designed, there is great success in minimizing wildlife vehicle collisions.”

For more information regarding RFSP or to make a contribution, visit roaringforksafepassages.org

Where once there was a trailer park…

By Raleigh Burleigh Sopris Sun Editor

On Dec. 28, 2021, Carbondale’s Board of Town Trustees quietly accepted a generous land donation from a party requesting anonymity, though reporting in 2018 linked the donated properties and others with the Melvin and Bren Simon Foundation.

In addition to the park at Fourth and Main, the donation included 1.4 vacant acres surrounding the Thunder River Theatre.

The land reacquired a former moniker, Town Center, and is poised to be developed in partnership with ArtSpace, a national nonprofit that conducted a feasibility study in Carbondale in 2017.

With a public process anticipated to begin early in 2023, The Sopris Sun thought it apt to travel down memory lane and pay homage to Bonanza Trailer Park, scraped from the Town Center site in the summer of 2002. Anyone wishing to fill in details we missed is welcome to write to news@soprissun.com

Krista Paradise, now living in Washington state, remembers that the park was shaded by tall elm trees

and buzzing with children. “Everybody seemed to know everybody,” she said, “though it was quite rundown” with a sizable pothole in its center that would often fill with water.

Paradise, a former town trustee, lived in Bonanza for around five years before she and her former husband, Scott Chaplin, sold their trailer for $1 to a friend. “She was able to live there for a few years before being forced out,” said Paradise. “I saw the writing on the wall … I knew that it was such a prime piece of town real estate, and it had a limited number of years before somebody wanted to redevelop it.”

Paradise’s trailer, like most of the 18 others in the park, was too old to be relocated when Bonanza tenants were evicted in 2002.

“It was a social justice travesty,” said Chaplin, also a former trustee and now the mayor of Langley, Washington. “Everyone lost much of their investments.”

Bonanza provided lowincome, affordable housing for workers, with under $40,000 average annual income per household according to a survey conducted around 2001. Most of the residents

were Latino, reported the Post Independent at the time. They were carpenters, construction workers, housekeepers, cooks, a ranch worker and more.

Trailer owners are typically locked in a vulnerable position. Although they may own their home outright, that’s commonly not the case for the land beneath them. Investors may buy the land and raise the land leasing fees, or redevelop the property, leaving people with no recourse but to abandon their trailer.

In 2020, the Colorado Legislature passed several new laws to give park residents more of a shot at organizing and obtaining financing to own their park as a community. Today, nonprofits like Thistle and MANAUS are actively working with park residents to preserve this type of affordable housing.

Long before their displacement in July of 2002, the people of Bonanza banded together to try to purchase the land from Fourth Street Corporation of Carbondale, which bought it in 1994 for $460,000.

In 1997, the Bonanza Families Secure Home Project offered $600,000, then $800,000 and eventually

$1 million, but all the offers were rejected. Fourth Street Corporation asked for $2 million which was out of reach for the residents. In 2001, the park sold to a Houston realty firm for nearly $1.5 million (and the property was assessed at $60 per square foot, or $3.7 million, in 2022).

Each trailer owner was given seven months notice with free rent and $1,500 to relocate. The land’s new owners, Bill Smith and Ed Podolak, were “credited with generosity toward the tenants,” wrote the Post Independent, though 30 of them appeared at a town trustees meeting with a translator asking trustees to pass a replacement housing ordinance to guarantee that homes lost to redevelopment would be replaced. No action was taken.

“I think the town has always presumed in the long run that a trailer park on the Bonanza site did not have an indefinite future,” the Post Independent quoted Michael Hassig, then chair of the Planning and Zoning Commission.

Although Chaplin doesn’t deny that a trailer park in the heart of town was unfeasible given Carbondale’s growth, “the people who were there

Bonanza trailers are crunched beneath a tractor. Valley Journal archival

Bachrach

could have been given more equity,” he said. “Probably three-fourths of those families moved far away or definitely outside of the city limits. There was a loss of cultural cohesion and neighborhood ties, and then everyone lost a lot of money.”

Smith and Podolak, meanwhile, were optimistic that a mixed-use residential and commercial project could be completed on the site within five to seven years. By 2003, the building that now houses Backbone Media was under construction. Progress on the other lots, however,

photo by Jane

Amy Hadden Marsh Sopris Sun Correspondent

Garfield County Commissioners had a busy agenda for their final regular meeting of 2022.

The meeting kicked off with introductions of Bentley Henderson, new deputy county manager, and Jackie Harmon, county clerk and recorder-elect.

Jean Alberico, who is retiring after 40 years with the county and four terms as clerk, attended her final meeting. Her retirement party is scheduled for Jan. 5. The swearing-in ceremony for all newly-elected county officials is scheduled for Jan. 10.

Other items included approval of the Ironbridge Lift #1 station, certification of mill levies and revenues of $187,111,494 for budget year 2023 and a letter of support for a matching grant of $15,000 from the Colorado River District to the Silt Water Conservancy District (SWCD).

The SWCD operates Harvey Gap/Rifle Gap reservoirs through an agreement with the federal Bureau of Reclamation. The District will use the money to develop a Water Delivery Analysis for a system balancing procedure for drought and regular runoff conditions. The SWCD and the Colorado River District will provide $30,000 and the Bureau of Reclamation will provide $30,000 toward the project goal.

Commissioners voiced concern about what happens to shallow water rights or ground recharge systems as water delivery systems become more efficient.

Commissioners also approved a $20,000 nonprofit grant request for the Rifle Regional Economic Development Corporation, which wants to include New Castle and Parachute in its regional economic

development program. The town of Rangely made a purchase request for a K-9 vehicle from the Garfield County Sheriff’s Department for $18,000. Since the Rio Blanco jail closed in June, local police departments are responsible for transporting inmates to Craig for holding, but Rangely’s K-9 vehicle was recently “totaled” after hitting an elk. Commissioners approved the purchase of a 2017 Chevy Tahoe with 92,000 miles on it.

Four county planning commission re-appointments were approved, as was the return of a $48,510 revegetation security bond to Terra Energy. Updates to the County Livestock Rulebook were also approved. County Fairgrounds and Events Manager Chris Floyd asked the board to approve a waiver of fees and deposit for the Coal Ridge High School Rodeo Club Gymkhana series. Commissioners approved the waiver of fees but, over protests from Commissioner Mike Samson, said the club has to pay the refundable $150 deposit.

Updates included presentations by Andrew Romanoff, director of Great Expectations (formerly the county’s Family Visitor Program), Alpine Legal Services, the Early Childhood Network and the county’s Human Services department. The commissioners also heard updates on the Parachute trail system and the LOVA “Meet in the Middle” trail from west Glenwood Springs to the entrance to South Canyon, and approved a quit claim deed for 893 Hunt Ranch.

Contract lobbyist for the county, Robert K. Weidner, updated commissioners about fourth quarter 2022 Rural Public Lands County Council work, including strategy meetings with county commissioners in Nevada and ongoing discussions with a Utah senator to coordinate R.S. 2477 strategy. R.S. 2477 is a federal

law that helped Garfield County Commissioners win a legal dispute with High Lonesome Ranch last year over a public right-of-way.

Garfield County Manager Fred Jarman told The Sopris Sun in an email that “the County Commissioners, championed primarily by Chairman John Martin, [have] for many years pursued legislation supporting historic right-of-ways across public lands granted by Revised Statute 2477. The county continues to seek bipartisan support on a proposed bill."

In reference to drought impacts on the Colorado River, Samson asked Weidner if lawmakers in Washington, D.C. are aware of the current water needs in the West. “If we don’t get our act together in the West, the federal government will get involved and that’s when things really get jacked up,” said Samson.

Weidner said it is critical that the seven states sharing Colorado River water be allowed to reallocate that water themselves and not have the Interior Department do it. “That would be a fiasco,” he said.

Commissioner Tom Jankovski mentioned that the board was involved in four different environmental impact statements (EIS) but did not specify which ones. Samson also said he and Martin would be back in D.C. for the National Association of Counties conference next year and would “love to meet with Senator Joe Manchin.” He asked Weidner to help set that meeting up. Weidner invoiced the county for $5,000.

Fred Jarman also told The Sopris Sun that Garfield County has been paying Weidner out of the commissioners’ budget in the county’s general fund since 2012. Jarman identified the EIS’s as related to Bureau of Land Management land use plan amendments and 10(J) Rule on the Reintroduction of the Gray Wolf in Colorado. As for why Samson wants an audience with Senator Joe Manchin? Jarman said to ask Samson.

By Amy Hadden Marsh Sopris Sun correspondent

Despite the efforts of Colorado Senators Michael Bennett and John Hickenlooper and Colorado Congressman Joe Neguse (D-CO-2), the Colorado Outdoor Recreation Economy (CORE) Act, which would have protected the Thompson Divide from new natural gas leasing in perpetuity as well as Camp Hale and other landscapes in Colorado, has not made it out of the U.S. Senate.

But in October, President Joe Biden permanently protected Camp Hale as part of the Camp Hale-Continental Divide National Monument, the first such designation of Biden’s term. He also proposed a 20-year, administrative mineral withdrawal of 224,704 acres of the Thompson Divide.

It isn’t the first time the Thompson Divide has been closed to new natural gas leases. In 2015, White River National Forest (WRNF) supervisor Scott Fitzwilliams closed the portion of the Thompson Divide within the WRNF to future leasing for at least 20 years. But, the current proposed withdrawal is different, says Peter Hart, attorney with Wilderness Workshop, a local public lands

“There is a whole bunch of Thompson Divide on the Grand MesaUncompahgre Gunnison National Forest (GMUG).”

The new, proposed Thompson Divide withdrawal would add 122,000 acres in the GMUG, 15,465 acres of Bureau of Land Management (BLM) lands and 8,721 private or split-estate lands to the 78,472 acres within the WRNF.

It’s also a “secretarial level” decision compared to Fitzwilliams’ “plan level” decision. “With a plan level decision, Fitzwilliams or a future WRNF supervisor could reverse it at any time,” Hart explained. According to Hart, a secretarial — or administrative — level decision can only be reversed or overturned by the Secretary of the Interior or by an act of Congress. “So, this newest proposal is bigger and offers stronger protections,” he said.

At two public meetings in Carbondale last week, U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management officials laid out plans and painstakingly described an intricate, and at times confusing, approval process. The bureaucratic language was the first hurdle. Officials defined concepts including land segregation, administrative

Basically, said JenniferJardine, the state USFS withdrawal program lead, a withdrawal does two things. “We’re preventing disposal [of land], like land swaps for example, and we’re limiting activities that are tied to federal land laws, like the 1870s mining laws or the oil and gas leasing laws,” she explained. The Secretary of the Interior is the ultimate decisionmaker for the withdrawal. The BLM is part of the Interior Department and manages what’s called the “mineral estate” — all the minerals beneath USFS lands, which is why the application comes to this agency.

In the case of the Thompson Divide, the USFS initially sent the withdrawal application to the BLM. The BLM asked Interior Secretary Deb Haaland to consider the proposal. She approved the application, which was published in the Federal Register on Oct. 17.

This started two things. First, regulations require a 90-day public

comment period, which means comments are due by Jan. 16, 2023. At the risk of getting into the weeds, Jardine and others stressed that this is the first of several opportunities for the public to get involved. “This is the process before the process,” she said brightly. “The comments help us shape the proposal.” She added that this part of the process is separate from the NEPA process, which is a future forum for more public comments.

Secondly, the clock starts ticking on a two-year, pre-withdrawal segregation period. “We would not accept any mining claims in the proposed withdrawal area,” said Jardine. “We would not see new applications under the oil and gas leasing laws or geothermal leasing laws for that two-year period.”

The two years allows federal

Photo by Amy Hadden March

Ross Montessori gives back OBITUARY

By Myki Jones Sopris Sun Correspondent

Ross Montessori, a charter school in Carbondale, is sending $1,000 to Escuela Montessori San Cristóbal in Caguas, Puerto Rico in hopes of a collaborative partnership between the two schools.

Ross Montessori is one of around 500 public charter schools in the United States where children are taught by the Montessori method, invented by Maria Montessori, an Italian physician, in the early 1900s. The Montessori method emphasizes individualized instruction and self-paced learning, facilitating students' growth through the joys of discovery, dedication to mastery, compassionate love and community building.

San Cristóbal follows the same approach to teaching its students, many of whom are orphans. Ross Montessori found out about the school from Eira Soto, a former Carbondale teacher who is originally from Puerto Rico and now works out-of-state. The $1,000 donation will help fund resources to further the education of San Cristóbal's student body.

This money was raised through a bake sale that was run by students at Ross from kindergarten to eighth grade. On Nov. 28, the students decorated 600 cookies from Sunshine & Moons Bakery in Glenwood Springs in under 45 minutes. The cookies, served along with the hot cocoa and fresh rolls from the Carbondale Community Oven, sold out within two hours at a bake sale on Dec. 2. The school invited parents and community members to join in face painting, postcard making, cornhole and other activities ahead of First Friday festivities.

"It was amazing. It was like watching Santa's elves at work, but in a bakery. We've already talked about doing this again next year but ordering 1,200 cookies," said Head of School and CEO Sonya Hemmen.

She then mentioned that the $1,000 check is already on its way to San Cristóbal. Although Ross is not yet privy as to what the money will go toward specifically, it is a sizable donation given the cost of school supplies.

"Montessori materials, in and of themselves, are very expensive, but they're also durable,” Hemmen continued. “They're meant to last, as a green curriculum, so that you're not having to buy workbooks or make copies of a lot of things. So the $1,000 would buy maybe one or two durable Montessori works. I'm not sure what they're gonna decide to do, but hopefully we'll get some more information from them soon, and we're hoping to have a relationship for our students with theirs.”

She hopes to see a pen pal program develop between the students of Ross and the students of San Cristóbal. While no solid plans have yet been made, this goodwill gesture could potentially be the beginning of a beautiful and fulfilling partnership.

"It's the kernel of a great pop,” Hemmen said. “I'm pretty delighted to be talking with the school and we'll see what happens in the future.”

Hemmen is set to meet with San Cristóbal’s head of the school at a later date to discuss the potential for a sisterschool relationship.

For future updates, or for more information about Ross Montesorri, visit their website at: www.rossmontessori. org

Donna L. LaMore

October 14, 1929December 6, 2022

Donna Lee Smith LaMore, age 93, of Grand Junction and formerly of Chappell, Nebraska, passed away peacefully the evening of Dec. 6, surrounded by her family and dog, Sparky. Per Donna’s wishes, a private family burial will take place at the Pleasant View Cemetery north of Lodgepole. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. Gehrig-Stitt Chapel & Cremation Services, LLC is in charge of Donna’s care and funeral arrangements.

Donna was born Oct. 14, 1929 to Paul E. and Nellie (Book) Smith in Lodgepole, Nebraska. She attended Lodgepole Public Schools, Stephens College and received her bachelor’s degree from Denver University and her master’s degree from the University of Northern Colorado.

As a school teacher, she taught in Wyoming, Nebraska, Utah and Carbondale, where she taught for 25 years. She had many friends in Carbondale and was voted “Woman of the Year” in 1983.

In 1990, Donna retired and returned to Chappell to be closer to her father and sister, Maurine. Donna enjoyed spending time with Maurine, her best friend, and her many other friends in Chappell. She was a lifelong member of the United Methodist Church, serving as an organist and pianist. She was a member of P.E.O. and United Methodist Women. She was also a wellknown and loved piano teacher.

Her last year was spent in Grand Junction, to be closer to her granddaughter, Landon, and grandson, Will. She enjoyed being taken on long drives around the

Western Slope to see the beautiful scenery as well as driving through the peach orchards of Palisade

at the local pie stand. She also enjoyed reconnecting with her long-time friends, Rex and Jo Coffman, in Carbondale and with her dear friends, the Burns. She spent her final days in the home of her granddaughter, Landon, where she was given the loving care that she gave others over her lifetime.

Donna is survived by her son, Joe LaMore, his wife, Karen, and their son, Devon, of Kauai, Hawaii; her granddaughter, Landon, and her husband, Kelcey Pettit, and their children, Zachary and Aidan, of Grand Junction; grandson Will Inverso of Grand Junction; grandson Cooper Riley of Kearny, Nebraska; granddaughter Jennifer LaMore and family of Idaho; grandson Tom LaMore of Idaho; grandson Brian LaMore and family of Idaho; her beloved dog, Sparky; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends, whom she deeply loved.

Donna was preceded in death by her parents, Paul and Nellie; her brother, Dick Smith; sister-in-law, Earlene Smith; sister, Maurine Lydiat;, brother-in-law, Jerry Lydiatt; son, Jon LaMore; daughter, Jan LaMore; and an infant son.

dragged on and was altogether halted by the recession of 2008-2009.

“It is such a shame that all this time later nothing happened,” Chaplin continued. “There was a real lack of understanding and empathy for Latinos in affordable housing at the time, and I was guilty of that as well. I didn’t understand dynamics as well as I do now … we’re all learning.”

Chaplin moved from Bonanza to Thompson Corner, “the preeminent affordable housing at the time” and remembers that all of his neighbors were white. “Not a single Latino family there,” he remarked to The Sopris Sun, 20 years later. In terms of affordable housing, “you still have to be pretty ‘white’ to qualify,” he continued. “You have to be documented, have credit to make a down payment, do things that are harder for people of color in general because of systemic racism to achieve.”

As presented to the trustees by consultant Robert Schultz on March 15, 2022 (available for review at www.bit.ly/TownCenterPres), the land was under contract in 2019 after going up for sale in August 2018.

Chaplin was glad to know that it now belongs to the town. “If they do something with it, I’d like to see them incorporate the displaced people into the process,” he remarked.

Thompson Divide

continued from page 19

agencies to gather and analyze data on the effects of the withdrawal under the NEPA process and then present the completed proposal to the Interior Secretary. The final proposal is expected in March 2024. It does not need to be approved by Congress.

By this time, questions began to surface from the 70 people in the room and those attending online, asking for clarification on the processes and questioning the two-month lag time between the proposal’s publication in the Federal Register and the first public meetings, given that the public now had one month as opposed to 90 days to submit comments. The officials continued to explain the processes and gave a variety of reasons for not scheduling the public meetings sooner.

The proposed withdrawal will not be permanent and does not apply to the Wolf Creek natural gas storage field or the 23 active natural gas leases on the Thompson Divide unless they expire during the segregation period. Public comments will be accepted through Jan. 16, 2023 by email to BLM_CO_Thompson_Divide@blm.gov or by regular mail to: State Director, Bureau of Land Management, Colorado State Office, 2850 Youngfield Street, Lakewood, CO 80215

and getting a peach pie

Ross Montessori raised $1,000 for a sister school in Puerto Rico through a bake sale.

Courtesy photos

Bonanza

Never again? GUEST

fled to the forest, where Mrs. Posinski died. Mr. Posinski was discovered and arrested. He survived the concentration camps and remarried another camp survivor. I met his second family.

Once I knew this, my experience at age 11 made more sense: the dark, abandoned store with the sliver of light in the distance, the lifeless kitchen, the feeling of dread that came over me in a familiar neighborhood so close to home. The Posinskis, past with all its terrors and sorrows, lived in that empty store with its dismal rear apartment.

COLUMN

By Nikki Delson

I have been wrapped in a swirl of conflicting feelings: happily anticipating Chanukah, the eightday-long Jewish Festival of Lights that began the evening of Dec. 18, while at the same time feeling a sense of impending darkness. These two conflicting emotions brought back a memory from my 11th year when my mother asked me to babysit for an unfamiliar family.

“The Posinskis are new in our neighborhood,” she said. They lived a few blocks away, on Mentone Ave., where our tree-lined suburban streets were divided by a small commercial corridor. “They live in an apartment in the back of an abandoned store,” Mom explained. “It is between the candy store and the shoemaker. Knock on the storefront door and he will come to get you.” Then she added, almost casually, “Oh, and maybe I should tell you, he and his wife are Holocaust survivors.”

I walked two blocks to a dimly-lit street. The store’s large windows were covered with butcher-block paper. A dirty window blind covered the front door. I knocked, and Mr. Posinski opened the door, but he did not turn on the light.

The old store, empty, dark and musty, seemed cavernous. I felt a sense of dread. In the far back corner, a dim sliver of light came from under a door. I focused my eyes on the sliver, trying not to stumble as I followed him through the darkness into a dimly-lit kitchen, its walls covered with old, yellowing wallpaper.

Mrs. Posinski, with her coat already on, pointed to the bedroom and told me their daughter was asleep and wouldn’t wake up. “We won’t be gone long,” she said in broken English. When Mr. Posinski slipped on his jacket, I saw the number tattooed on his arm. They disappeared into the darkness to the front of the store and locked the door behind them.

Years later, I learned that Nazis, with swastikas on their uniforms, carrying the swastika emblazed Nazi flag marched into their Polish village, lined up all the children, and murdered them in front of their parents. Mr. Posinski ’s son and daughter were among the slaughtered. When the Nazis left, Mr. and Mrs. Posinski helped bury the children and

The eight-day Jewish celebration known as Chanukah commemorates the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem. Around 200 B.C., Judea — now a part of modern Israel — was controlled by the king of Syria. He allowed the resident Jews to continue practicing their religion unimpeded, but his son, Antiochus IV, was less benevolent: he outlawed Judaism and ordered all Jews to worship Greek gods.

Many resisted and, in 168 B.C., his soldiers descended on Jerusalem, massacring thousands and desecrating the Temple by erecting an altar to Zeus and sacrificing pigs within its sacred walls. A rebellion led by the Jewish priest Mattathias and his five sons broke out. When Mattathias died, his son, known as Judah Maccabee (“Judah, the Hammer”), assumed leadership.

Within two years, the Jewish guerillas drove the Syrians out of Jerusalem. The victorious Jews cleansed the Temple, rebuilt its altar, and lit its menorah — the gold candelabrum whose seven branches still represent knowledge and creation.

Then, victorious Jews witnessed what they believed to be a miracle. The menorah meant to always be aflame had only enough untainted oil to burn a single day. They lit it anyway and the flames continued flickering for eight nights, leaving them time to find a fresh supply and inspiring Jewish sages to proclaim a yearly eight-day festival.

Chanukah calls us to think about the light of freedom, and for what we are willing to fight. It is one of the Jewish holidays on which we jokingly say, “They tried to kill us, we survived, let’s eat.” We live in a glorious mountain town in the Roaring Fork Valley in the United States of America. Here, Jewish people do not have to worry about religious freedom. Here, we are safe.

But are we?

Several weeks ago, in an email string, a friend shared an article about swastikas being found on lockers and car hoods at Steamboat Springs High School. Another person wrote, “Yes, and at Aspen High School, too.” And another responded, “Yes, and right here in Carbondale.”

Swastikas were found in the bathroom at Roaring Fork High School (RFHS). There it is… that old feeling of dread in the dark store that Chanukah brought to mind.

It would be easy to pass this off as stupid, isolated, adolescent incidents. Perhaps it’s more comfortable to think that whoever graffitied the walls did not know what swastikas stand for, didn’t

know that in the minds and hearts of Jewish people they represent an existential threat. And that may well be the case at RFHS. But shouldn’t every American child old enough to enter high school know what people brandishing swastikas did and why the United States spent its treasure and blood to stop the carnage?

When the swastikas at RFHS were discovered, Principal Megan Baiardo acted quickly. She sent a letter to the RFHS Community. “I regret to inform you that recently our school community experienced multiple incidents of hate speech vandalized onto our boys’ bathroom stalls. Swastikas, a long-standing symbol of the worst kind of hate, were drawn, in multiple cases, in pencil. Hate speech is hurtful and harmful and we will not tolerate it in our school.”

She informed the school community — including RFHS students, staff, and families. She alerted law enforcement and leaders of the Jewish community. She sought guidance from the AntiDefamation League. She used the incident as a teaching opportunity with the high school community. But both the school and Jewish leaders kept the larger community in the dark. When I spoke to the school resource officer, he knew that the school was handling it, but little about how it was

being handled. No mention was made on the Carbondale Police Facebook page. When I spoke to our town manager, she was surprised; no one had informed her. This article will likely be the first time you hear about it. No one thought it wise to make our public media aware of it.

The swastikas appearing on school property were considered a school issue rather than a community one. That is too bad. Families without children at RFHS were deprived of an educational opportunity, deprived of the opportunity to be part of a community response to a community problem. They missed an opportunity to show their children images of hate symbols, ask if they had ever seen them, and tell them what they symbolized.

So often we hear of a tragic incident that could have been stopped had we recognized the nascent signs of growing hate. When we closet hate speech, we give it space to fester.

When you read this, Jewish people in the Roaring Fork Valley and all over the world will be celebrating Chanukah with menorahs in their windows. But some, fearing the growing wave of antisemitism in our country, will feel the dread I felt when I was 11, and keep their windows as dark as the Posinskis storefront. Shalom.

“It is better to light one small candle than to curse the darkness.”

-Eleanor Roosevelt

On Saturday evening, Dec. 17, around 70 people gathered at the Third Street Center for a community celebration of Chanukah (Hanukkah) with an early lighting of the menorahs that were brought by the families in attendance. Photo by Sue Rollyson

us to imagine a creative, commercial core that provides a vision to keep our downtown vibrant, innovative and interesting.

We have this opportunity because the lead developer of this project is a nonprofit that has been working with communities all over the country since 1979, creating affordable spaces that remain affordable in perpetuity. Artspace has no agenda, except to listen to our community and help us build spaces that speak to who we are. Yes, they have the word Art in their name and yes, they design spaces that do speak to the creative sector, but the end result is open to anyone. We are all creative beings and we all deserve to live in the town that we love.

Thankfully, our town and the Carbondale Creative District had some foresight. By being a creative district, certified by the state, we had an opportunity to participate in a program called “Space to Create,” which allowed Artspace to become familiar with Carbondale. What we build now is up to us. Many exciting conversations have begun and more will be forthcoming. This will not be a process that takes place behind closed doors. It will not be a project that promises one thing and then delivers another. It is a project that will have transparency, local participation and a 21st century vision. Thank you to the town of Carbondale for understanding the unique gift we have before us and thank you to all of you — in advance — who, I hope, will participate in bringing a holistic, authentic project to our downtown. 2023 is already looking super exciting for keeping Carbondale real.

Amy Kimberly, Carbondale

Wolves

Last week’s scuttlebutt quoting Wild Earth Guardians on the Draft Wolf Reintroduction Plan was disappointing. A fair assessment would recognize the SAG [stakeholder advisory group] and TWG [technical working group] volunteers’ countless hours, hard work and compromise as they attempted to find a solution that could allow wolves and ranchers, outfitters and elk to thrive.

The plan proposes impact-based management where the focus is not on population numbers, but on leaving wolves alone where they are not a problem and killing the few that are if standard deterrents do not work.

There are people who have lamented the loss of cattails and blackbirds, fallen to development. Ranches provide critical habitat to many plants, birds and animals. Many songbirds are going extinct. In the big picture, ranching landscapes are vital. What have we gained if we get wolves and lose a dozen more songbirds to housing development? Why not go with a plan that attempts to balance wolves, many other species and ranches?

Marj Perry, Carbondale

Mineral withdrawal

I attended the public meeting about the proposed Thompson Divide administrative mineral withdrawal at the Carbondale Firehouse last week and wanted to say a sincere thank you to the staff from the Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management for visiting our community and providing us with more information about the process.

The meeting was standing-room-only and people in attendance were overwhelmingly in support of the proposed withdrawal, which would prevent new oil and gas leasing in the Thompson Divide for 20 years. There was a moment when the crowd was asked who in the room supported protecting the Thompson Divide and nearly everyone raised their hand or rose to their feet — truly powerful.

The public lands of the Thompson Divide are special to each and every one of us in this community, whether you’re a rancher, recreationalist, hunter or hiker. All of us can think of a special memory or favorite place on this landscape. These lands also provide critical habitat for many wildlife species and help fuel our local economy.

I am excited about this new opportunity to protect the Divide from oil and gas development for the next 20 years. There’s a comment process currently open

through the Bureau of Land Management until Jan. 17, and I encourage all of my friends and neighbors to participate and voice your support for the withdrawal! This is the beginning of a longer process, and we need to let the agencies know at every opportunity that our community remains Unified for the Thompson Divide. You can submit comments through Wilderness Workshop using their template on their Take Action page on their website, www.wildernessworkshop.org, or directly to the Bureau of Land Management via email at BLM_CO_Thompson_Divide@blm.gov Morgan Williams, Satank

Big corporations ruin everything

I don’t do my Christmas shopping on Amazon or at Walmart. I prefer local shops, particularly consignment, Carbondale Arts’ “Deck the Walls” or KDNK’s “Labor of Love” silent auction. I don’t shop for groceries at City Market or Whole Foods. I shop at Mana Foods. I don’t eat at the Village Inn. I eat at the Village Smithy. I don’t go to the movies at Movieland. I go to the Crystal Theater. I don’t read the Aspen Times (except on Tuesday when Colson’s column is in there). I read the Aspen Daily News.

Buy local. You’ll pay more because smaller retailers deal with less volume, but it’s worth the extra to keep our neighbors’ businesses thriving. And stay away from big box stores. They’re always run by large corporations so they don’t know you and you don’t know them. The big boys’ marketing doesn’t tell them what you want, need or can afford and you don’t know if you can trust them. Since big money is behind them, you probably can’t.

Fred Malo Jr., Carbondale

Letter policy: Please limit your letters to 500 words. We are committed to including all perspectives in The Sopris Sun. If your letter does not appear, it may be because of space limitations in the paper or because other letters we printed expressed the same idea or point of view. Letters are due by noon on the Monday before we go to print.

“Chanukah” means “dedication” in Hebrew and occurs on the 25th of Kislev on the Hebrew calendar, which is based on the lunar cycle. It frequently overlaps with Christmas, situated on the Gregorian calendar based on a solar year. Although the holiday is based on a story from Israelite history, many Jewish festivals also have a meaning associated with nature, in this case the winter solstice. Therefore, it is no surprise that people attended both the Chanukah gathering and the Two Rivers Unitarian Universalist solstice celebration on the following morning.

Let us all celebrate this season of light, whether it be the solstice, the light that burned for eight days in the temple or the birth of Jesus. Share your holiday greetings with each other in any way you choose. It is a joyous season with our shared hopes for renewed light.

Photos and text by Sue Rollyson

" I l o v e t o h u g t h e h o r s e s ! "

" I l o v e t o h u g t h e h o r s e s ! "

BENEFITS

T h e r a p e u t i c r i d i n g p r o v i d e s b e n e f i t s i n t h e a r e a s o f h e a l t h , e d u c a t i o n , m e n t a l h e a l t h , a n d p h y s i c a l s k i l l s . T h r o u g h o u t t h e w o r l d , t h e r e a r e t h o u s a n d s o f i n d i v i d u a l s w i t h s p e c i a l n e e d s w h o e x p e r i e n c e t h e r e w a r d i n g b e n e f i t s o f t h e r a p e u t i c r i d i n g . O n e ' s c h a l l e n g e d o e s n o t h a v e t o l i m i t t h e m f r o m p a r t i c i p a t i n g i n e q u i n e t h e r a p i e s I n f a c t , e x p e r i e n c i n g t h e m o t i o n o f a h o r s e c a n b e v e r y t h e r a p e u t i c

B e c a u s e t h e r a p e u t i c r i d i n g r h y t h m i c a l l y m o v e s t h e r i d e r ’ s b o d y i n a m a n n e r s i m i l a r t o a h u m a n g a i t , r i d e r s w it h p h y s i c a l d i s a b i l i t i e s o f t e n s h o w i m p r o v e m e n t i n f l e x i b i l i t y , b a l a n c e a n d m u s c l e s t r e n g t h .

W e o f t e n s a y t h a t h o r s e s m i r r o r h u m a n e m o t i o n b e c a u s e t h e n o n - v e r b a l b e h a v i o r s o f t h e h o r s e t r u l y r e f l e c t t h e e n e r g y , e m o t i o n , a n d i n t e n t o f t h e p e r s o n T h i s r e f l e c t i o n g i v e s c l i e n t s i n s i g h t i n t o t h e i r o w n f e e l i n g s a n d p r o v i d e s a w a r e n e s s o f p a t t e r n s a n d b e h a v i o r s t h a t m a y b e h i n d e r i n g t h e i r a b i l i t y t o f i n d e f f e c t i v e s o l u ti o n s

M e t a p h o r i c a l l e a r n i n g i s s u c h a p o w e r f u l t e c h n i q u e i n t h e r a p y t h a t i t c a n h e l p p r o d u c e o u t s t a n d i n g r e s u l t s f o r e v e n t h e t o u g h e s t c l i e n t s .

m e f r e e d o m ! " m e f r e e d o m ! "

W i n d W a l k e r s . o r g / d o n a t e

Y o u r d o n a t i o n c h a n g e s l i v e s

" T u r n e r l o v e s W i n d W a l k e r s ! " " T u r n e r l o v e s W i n d W a l k e r s ! "

" I l o v e g i v i n g h o r s e s t r e a t s . " " I l o v e g i v i n g h o r s e s t r e a t s . "