20221229

Bidding adieu in 2022…

After a pair of especially difficult years, 2022 was a return to relatively calmer waters. Along with more stable circumstances, a number of community elders took the opportunity to gracefully exit, closing important chapters in personal and collective histories. From Amy Kimberly to Judge Paul Metzger, Mary Matchael to Rob Stein, Steve Cole to Jean Alberico, Mark Clark to A.O. Forbes, Janet Buck, Renae Gustine and more… The Sopris Sun wishes all of you and more a wonderful rewirement.

For a recap of some locally significant events in 2022, check out pages 4-5...

Mark Clark, photo by Will Sardinsky

John and Mary Matchael, photo by Will Sardinsky

Paul Metzger, photo by James Steindler

Steve Cole, photo by Will Sardinsky

Photo by Klaus Kocher

Amy Kimberly, photo by Klaus Kocher

George Weber and Lynn Pulford, photo by Will Sardinsky

By Whitney Will Sun Signs

As I write this, we are in the liminal week between Christmas and the New Year — a week of travel, leftovers, clean-up, and thank-you notes. From this precarious vantage point, we look back and we look ahead, reflecting on the year that was and dreaming into the year that lies ahead. Lucky for us, the astrology of the year ahead is decidedly brighter than the year we are completing.

The year ahead is also less dramatic than the one behind. Some of us will undoubtedly experience the extremes of luck and misfortune, but many of us will find the year ahead less chaotic than the preceding three. Still, some major shifts occur which begin to outline themes that will take the rest of the decade to resolve. Here are the headlines of 2023’s astrology...

For the first several months of 2023, we can expect to be resolving the loose ends of 2022. Mars,

LETTERS

Been there

The astrology of 2023: Calmer seas ahead

in Gemini since August and retrograde since October, has been complicating and aggravating our ability to think clearly and take action effectively for the later portion of 2022. However, on Jan. 12, 2023, Mars will station and regain direct motion, helping us make progress in a more straightforward fashion. We’re not out of the woods until the final week of March when Mars leaves Gemini for the new territory of Cancer. He will spend the rest of the year moving at a regular pace (roughly six weeks per sign) through the rest of the zodiac. Also in March, Saturn will leave Aquarius for Pisces.

Saturn has spent a full three years in Aquarius, ushering us through lockdowns, questioning of what can and cannot be said on social media, and enforcing social codes for better or worse.

When Saturn enters Pisces, structure imposes itself on the imaginal. We can expect great works of art to emerge during this time, as Saturn strives to reify wherever he passes through.

Pisces is a water sign, and has a much greater capacity for emotion than abstract air or practical earth. With Saturn in Pisces, our ability to grieve for how life has changed in the past five years will be expanded. Saturn will

be in Pisces from March 2023 until February 2026 and will share his time in Pisces with numinous and nebulous Neptune, a planet who governs altered states and fantasy. Both advancements in virtual reality and legislature concretizing the use of psychedelics in therapy can be expected during the next few years.

Finally, marking March as the month that puts the “new” in new year, Pluto will enter Aquarius. Pluto has been moving through Capricorn since 2008, exposing the shadows of our economic and political institutions. Next up: Aquarius, the sign of technology. Pluto dredges up what has been hidden, makes monstrous what has been shunned, and showcases abuses of power. Queue all artificial intelligence horror stories and what exactly the internet is doing with all your data! Pluto will dip between Capricorn and Aquarius for the next two years before committing fully to Aquarius until 2044.

If that sounds too scary, Jupiter, the most fortunate planet of the pantheon, will be in Aries until May when he enters Taurus. While in Aries he supports decisive action and martial themes, in Taurus he will take on a more grounded tone,

bringing innovation to life’s necessities — food, shelter, and environmental concerns. Taurus has been upended by Uranus since 2018 and eclipses since November 2021. Jupiter’s ingress will likely begin to show the innovations and upgrades from so much turmoil.

Normally eclipses take place in pairs of opposite signs, but 2023’s skies will see eclipses in both the Scorpio/ Taurus and the Aries/ Libra axes in April/May and October. Eclipses bring about sudden beginnings and endings in our lives, and with four signs activated instead of the usual two, we are making big changes quickly.

The last notable transit of 2023 is a Venus retrograde in sign of Leo that will dominate the summer. Venus will be in Leo from June until October, bringing beauty, romance, and heart connections to the Lion’s sign. Relationships can undergo transformations and matters of the heart pull stronger than the mind.

Overall, 2023 is a year to regain our footing and look around at what will become the new normal. Of course there will be highs and lows, but they are of lower amplitude than what we have lived through since January of 2020.

If you would like a more personal look forward into 2023, I am available for birth chart and year-ahead readings at starhearthastrology.com

Unease over others’ opinions and judgment ebbs over time. After seeing societies react poorly to inconvenience and foreseeable change, one tends to become more tolerant and amenable to sharing experience. Through the years, I too have been faced with the challenges life consigns.

I remember being broke at Christmas one year after grocery shopping and paying bills; then writing a post-dated check to make sure I could provide a nice holiday for my family. There were days I was able to put $3 of gas in my tank and others when I could fill it. I’ve had $12 to feed myself for a week and have had $100 to go out for a nice meal. I’ve had a pantry full of food and weeks the unheated space sat empty. I’ve been to stores and checked out worry-free or, after a discreet estimate, have had to put things back. I’ve paid bills on time and in full and have had to pay minimums late. I’ve donated generously to charitable causes and have had to ask for a loan.

We’ve all had ups and downs in life. Some certainly more than others, who may be masking past hardships that will never be revealed. Each person is just trying to make it. No one is better

than anyone else and I’m troubled by those who think they are. No matter how lavish your lifestyle, tech driven your wheels or how much green sits in your accounts we all bleed red and will finally fade from view. Death has no discrimination, and neither should life. Be kind to others no matter who. We’re all here to serve. Be respectful, show compassion, mute the negativity and make amends. A supersized ego won’t get you anywhere. Stay humble. And, in this New Year, find faith in humanity.

Happy Holidays from Level Seven. Lani Kitching Carbondale

A CVEPA Merry Christmas

To All in our lovely Crystal Valley, A Christmas giving to the land.

I feel the luck of living in such a fine and luscious place.

To enjoy the contentment of appreciating, Gray trees under a clouds plodding pace.

I will nurture the planet, smile at the occupants and make peace with fall.

Merry Christmas from a place of love, joy and cheer to All.

John Hoffmann CVEPA Treasurer

Party on

The Carbondale Recreation Center is closing early on New Year’s Eve. Why?

The only reason I can figure is so that recreation center employees can start to party early.

One question for the town trustees, however. People pay for a pass to use the recreation center. Will they get a credit on their next pass for the time they lost on New Year’s Eve?

Lynn “Jake” Burton Glenwood Springs/Carbondale

Open letter to Gunnison County commissioners

The actions taken by the commissioners to continue to allow offhighway-vehicle (OHV) use on a portion of County Road 3 (CR3) have resulted in severe environmental impacts to the Lead King Loop (LKL), and a significant lowering of the quality of life for both Marble residents and adjacent Gunnison County residents.

Discussions by the LKL Stakeholder Committee (LKLSC) for almost four years have resulted in no improvements

on page 14

Editor

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

Contributing Editor James Steindler

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Coat drive

Good-hearted locals are collecting winter coats and warm clothing to deliver to asylum-seeking families at the U.S.-Mexico border. Donations will be distributed by Border Servant Corps, a U.S.-based shelter that provides food, clothing, travel assistance, medical care and temporary shelter to some 200 asylum-seekers per day, 40% of whom are children. Coats can be dropped off at KDNK (76 South 2nd Street, Carbondale) during business hours through Jan. 3.

Ski on

Nordic skiers received an early gift on Christmas Eve with the Mount Sopris Nordic Council announcing that Spring Gulch is open for the season. The groomers caution, however, that the base is thin and sticks, brush and other hazards exist. Not all trails opened immediately with the need for more snow.

Car congestion

Glenwood Springs residents, businesses and commuters are invited to talk traffic at a community forum on Tuesday, Jan. 10 at 6 p.m. in Morgridge Commons (815 Cooper Avenue). Ahead of the meeting, persons are asked to fill out an online questionnaire at www.surveymonkey.com/r/cogsTDM

West Elk Mine

According to a press release from Wilderness Workshop, a Colorado judge ruled that Governor Jared Polis violated state law by failing to act upon an application for an air pollution permit on behalf of the West Elk Coal Mine outside of Paonia — the largest coal mine in Colorado. Mountain Coal, a subsidiary of the mine’s operating company, Arch Coal, committed to addressing air quality control and to obtain a federal permit ensuring compliance. District Court Judge J. Steven Patrick ruled that the

Polis administration violated state law because it did not approve or deny the permit by the September 2021 deadline.

Cage-free future

Beginning Jan. 1, all eggs and egg products sold in Colorado must be compliant with House Bill 1343, passed in 2020. Producers must provide one square foot of space per hen with a commitment to be completely cage-free by 2025. “The Colorado Department of Agriculture is committed not only to the welfare of egglaying hens, but also to fair and equitable trade of eggs and egg products as we implement this new regulatory program,” said Mark Gallegos, director of inspections and consumer services.

Alfalfa recall

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration and Colorado Department of Agriculture are cautioning horse owners not to feed their animals Top of the Rockies alfalfa cubes by Manzanola Feeds with the date codes 111222, 111322, 111422, 111522 and 111622. Horse owners should immediately consult with their veterinarian if their horses ate the recalled product and show signs of neurologic illness, such as muscle tremors, difficulty eating or swallowing, difficulty standing, or collapse. For more information, visit www.bit.ly/alfalfarecall

Mail bandits

There have been multiple citizen reports via Facebook of parcels being stolen from receiving addresses along the Crystal River Road. A handful of residents have taken matters into their own hands by simply warning their neighbors or installing surveillance cameras where parcels are typically delivered. Parker Lathrop, chief deputy of

Sisters Tillie, Gen and Rae (left to right) didn’t have to horse around for too long before they were able to successfully secure Santa’s cap to Apache’s halter so that he too could be included in the holiday celebration.

by Jane Bachrach

operations for Pitkin County Sheriff’s Office, says the agency is working to increase its presence in the area. He asks for anyone who sees something suspicious to contact 970-920-5300 immediately.

They say it’s your birthday!

Folks celebrating another trip around the sun this week include: Sue Edelstein, Mark Gray, Jordan Hirro, Randy Schutt, Will Tempest, Nick Walgren and Debbie Wilde (Dec. 29); Beymar Silva and Stephanie Syson (Dec. 30); Chris Barlow and Kris Cook (Dec. 31) Ryan Camp, Anne Grice, DJ Hill and Dan Sadowsky (Jan. 1); Dustin Eli and Eric Rudd (Jan. 2); Angela Bruno, Patrick Casse, Jay Engstrom, Mark Hamilton, Kerry Honan and Lucas Pulver (Jan. 3); Bob Albright, Skip Bell, Rick Herrington, Pat Murray, Paul Nieslanik, Brad Palmer and Melinda Schultz (Jan. 4).

Photo

By Raleigh Burleigh Sopris Sun Editor

Another year has come and gone with hardship and success. We at The Sopris Sun offer this brief look back at just a few of the headline happenings.

January

At the beginning of the year, a surge of Omicron, the prevailing COVID-19 variant, had local governments reinstating indoor mask mandates as free testing centers saw a sharp incline in demand. Thankfully, this variant proved to be less severe than its predecessors and the peak arrived shortly. Meanwhile, a same-day testing service set up a lab in Carbondale instead of sending samples out-of-state.

In other news, MANA Foods, Carbondale’s locally-focused health food store, skipped down to the Red Rock Plaza (where Mark Burrows will open a neighboring chocolate bar and store early in 2023). Meanwhile, Terry Glasenapp premiered his collection of local cultural oddities with a Glenwood Spring Arts Council show, and Two Rivers Community School, founded in 2014, joined the Roaring Fork School District (RFSD) with a unanimous vote from the board of directors.

February

As the darkness of winter wore on,

Carbondale Arts teamed up with KDNK Radio to bring back Light the Night with Love for its second year. This outdoor, interactive art walk transformed the Rio Grande Trail into the “Heart Way” and served to kick off Love Notes, a project created by Brijetta Waller to support LGBTQ+ youth with words of encouragement from the community for display in schools.

In other news, a 54-acre land donation established the Marble Wetlands Preserve with help from the Trust for Land Restoration, and RFSD lifted its universal face mask mandate which was in place since the return to in-person learning in 2020.

March

Spring brought new beginnings, along with White River Books restoring the presence of a bookstore in Carbondale, Hattie Rensberry joining The Sopris Sun team as our layout guru, free senior meals returning to Carbondale (Wednesdays at The Orchard at noon) and Eric Mitchell purchasing Phat Thai to keep its legacy rolling.

April

April opened with a big surprise, as the Crystal Valley’s iconic biodynamic ranch, Sustainable Settings, was put on the market. Nine candidates put a hat in the ring to represent Carbondale on the Board of Town Trustees while Basalt Council saved on an election with only incumbents showing

interest in serving. Tiny Bine Bistro became Carbondale’s latest go-to for a homey vibe and delicious food. And The Sopris Sun launched a dedicated fiction section on the supposed birthday of William Shakespeare.

May

Two new faces joined the community in notable positions of authority: Jamie LaRue became the Garfield County Public Libraries District’s executive director, and Dr. Jesús Rodríguez was hired as the next RFSD superintendent.

June

Glenwood Springs’ Strawberry Days returned after a two-year hiatus with a parade and music, though the traditional beauty pageant was left in the history books. Speaking of history and progress, Coal Basin Ranch opened restored lands to mountain bikers where once there was an industrial coal mining operation west of Redstone. Family Visitors Program, founded in 1983, rebranded as Great

Expectations to reflect expanded services in support of families and to prevent child abuse and neglect.

In national news, the Bureau of Reclamation, concerned about low water levels impairing hydropower infrastructure at Glen Canyon Dam, issued a dire warning that Colorado River states must seriously curtail usage or the federal government will intervene.

July

Carbondale’s 51st Mountain Fair went off without a hitch. The beloved summer festival gained a new crew of organizers with Amy Kimberly and Mark Taylor passing along the torch, and a fresh emphasis on inclusion inspired a handful of bilingual events. The Anna Lynn Cunningham Foundation’s benefit concert at the River Valley Ranch driving range also made a return, this time with Big Head Todd and the Monsters headlining.

Mountain Fair 51, photo by Raleigh Burleigh

August

Amid a delightfully wet summer, a welcome respite after previous summers of smoke-filled skies, two of Carbondale Recreation Center’s little league teams earned championship titles. The Blue Jays, ages 9-10, and the Yankees, ages 1113, both defeated their Aspen rivals in overtime games.

Meanwhile, the Aspen Community Foundation welcomed Erica Snow as the organization’s executive director, and the Crystal Valley Environmental Protection Association celebrated its 50th anniversary with a well-attended bash at Sunfire Ranch.

September

As the precious fall weather settled in, True Nature hosted The Crystal Jubilee to announce the organization’s transition from a for-profit business (previously a nonprofit) into a foundation.

October

Along with the crisp weather, local runners made frequent appearances in The Sopris Sun, including Michael Wirth, who set a new record for the Elks Traverse in August, Joe DeMoor, who won gold in the Skyrunning World Championships, and Team U.S.A. Track and Field competing in Thailand.

Under the guidance of its new executive director, MinTze Wu, VOICES premiered “A Green Bird on Orange Trees” to celebrate the personal stories of seven local queer artists.

November

With colder weather closing in, Batch Provisions raised a final toast with a public party on First Friday followed by a family-and-friends closing the following week. Día de Los Muertos festivities in Carbondale gave extra love to Francisco “Paco” Nevarez-Burgueño for 20 years of bridging cultures in the Valley. RFSD stood strong with LGBTQ+ students after a gender toolkit was contested by some parents and celebrated by others.

Carbondale’s trustees: adopted an update to the town’s 2013 Comprehensive Plan, backed Wild and Scenic designation for the Crystal River, agreed to partner with ArtSpace for the development of Town Center, and inked the contract with the Roaring Fork Transportation Authority for a bike share program with WE-cycle beginning in 2023.

December

As the year drew to a close, Craft Coffeehouse in Carbondale also announced it would be closing its doors and focusing on its Basalt location. The Carbondale Clay Center hosted a retrospective exhibit in celebration of its 25th anniversary.

Obituaries for the following people were published in The Sopris Sun in 2022. We print obituaries of a reasonable length free of charge. For details, email news@soprissun.com Galen Bittel, Dave Boyle, James Breasted, Will Cockrell, Betty Cranmer, Karen Crawford, Lee Ann Eustis, Sandra Gardner, Joan Hollingsworth, Louise Lafitte,

Light the Night with Love 2022, photo by Sue Rollyson

Pro-choice demonstrators march in Redstone, photo by Elizabeth Key

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.

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.

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. The Basalt Library will be closed New Year’s Day and Monday, Jan. 2.

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.

Visit soprissun.com to submit events

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.

YOGA OF THE HEART

True Nature hosts a Bhakti Yoga event with story, breathwork and kirtan (devotional chanting) at 6:30 p.m. Tickets at www. truenaturehealingarts.com

FRIDAY, JAN. 6

COFFMAN COFFEE WALK

Beginning today, and continuing every first Friday of the month at 9 a.m., Aspen Valley Land Trust guides an educational walk to the river at the Coffman Ranch. Visit www.avlt.org/ coffman for more info and to register.

FEEDING GIANTS

Feeding Giants performs during Friday Afternoon Club at the Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park at 5 p.m.

SATURDAY, JAN. 7

INTENTION POWER

Four local women offer a daylong retreat at True Nature to begin the year with powerful intentions, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tickets at www. truenaturehealingarts.com

ART BASE GRAB & GO

Artists can create with a grab and go kit, picked up from The Art Base anytime between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. every first Saturday of the month.

Sol del Valle

2

Editor's note:

What's this? To close out the year and thank you for supporting The Sopris Sun, we are proud to present this long-form comic from Argentine artist Leonardo Occhipinti. We hope that its message inspires you to discover your heart's desires beyond the edge of fear.

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

Nota del editor:

¿Qué es esto? Para despedir al año y agradecerte por apoyar el Sol del Valle, estamos orgullosos de presentar esta historieta por el artista argentino Leonardo Occhipinti. Esperamos que su mensaje te inspire a encontrar los deseos de tu corazón atravesando el miedo.

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

Miembros de la Mesa Directiva

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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

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¡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.

que esté cubierto!

or even feasible solutions. The traffic and parking situation last summer was far worse than ever before. Marble has changed from a serene wilderness portal to a pit stop for assault vehicles.

Insistence on consensus between the governing bodies may be the reason for the failure of solutions to emerge. The Town of Marble (TOM) has the right to allow OHV use within its jurisdiction, but does not represent the interests of outof-town residents or have the ability — or responsibility — to protect the natural environment. The White River National Forest must follow national policy which designates the LKL for multiple use, precluding elimination of OHV traffic.

In fact, there is a silver bullet solution. Gunnison County is responsible to protect their constituents’ quality of life and the adjacent forest environment. A lack of consensus is not an excuse. Gunnison County could rescind the exemption for OHVs and ban trailer parking on CR3. A simple vote by the commissioners at the Jan. 3 meeting could effectively eliminate the problems on the forest and in the TOM. Pitkin County has already demonstrated that such a ban is effective.

Of course enforcement of the decision would be necessary. Why not station a deputy in busy Marble instead of sleepy Somerset? The sheriff's deputy hired to manage the existing use has resigned and has not been replaced, as far as I know.

The exemption of the state prohibition of OHV use on county roads, granted by the commissioners on CR3, was not the result of intensive planning, discussion or any public input. In fact, it was a casual decision to legalize existing nonconforming use. There was no thought about mitigating the impact, which has grown exponentially every year.

The impact from OHV users begins upon their arrival. Truck and OHV trailer parking uses two to three times more space than other visitors. Parking is often a limiting factor on busy summer days in Marble. The LKLSC proposed to limit parking to 12 spaces at the Marble Mill Site Park. Such parking actually violates the covenants on the park, which is a national historic site. The covenants restrict parking to Mill Site visitors, not to an off site user group. On a typical busy Saturday, the 12 spaces would be filled and 40 others would be turned away to park illegally elsewhere. It is out of control.

Alex Menard

Marble

Having a say

Have you seen the signs? The green and white “Take a Minute” yard signs along our most heavily used streets have been given a voice with new radar-speed-signifying signs that have been installed on Grand Avenue in Glenwood Springs. Motorists exceeding the speed limit see “Slow Down/ Too Fast” and mindful drivers complying with the limit see “Thank You.” These signs speak volumes for everyone along and on the road. Surely

drivers can empathize.

Please, Take a Minute, think about it and slow down in towns. Wishing everyone safe travels, Diane Reynolds

Take a Minute/Slow Down in Town

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.

Art by Jacquelinne Castro

December Ends

By Nancy McAtavey Carbondale

On this last afternoon of the year, I light my window candles early. I do not want darkness in my home tonight. As I walk from room to room, turning on each white bulb, I am flooded with memories of Christmastime.

When I was young, as young as I can remember, my Aunt Kitty and I would move through the rooms of the big white house at 45 New York Street, plugging in each electric candle, watching as the orange bulbs filled each room with a soft glow. Then, I would sit in the big chair by the front room window and wait for my mother’s car to turn onto

our street from Broadway. I could tell by the darkness outside when it was time for her to come home from work, to gather me up in her arms and walk me the short distance across the street to where we lived.

Outside my window, Christmas snow is on the ground. The colors of the day are fast changing to the black and white and gray of this winter evening. The windows are lit; the spotlight shines on the front door.

Tonight, at midnight, the Spirit of the New Year will be able to see my house as he turns the corner onto my quiet street. He will be able to slip through the front mail slot, glide beneath the storm doors and wedge around the drafty windows.

Welcome, Spirit of the New Year. Please keep my family healthy, safe and wrapped in light. And embrace my friends and neighbors with the happiest of new years!

Volunteers Needed!

CASA of the Continental Divide guides volunteer advocates who ensure a child’s safety, best interest and well-being are at the forefront of legal proceedings. We believe that every child should be given the opportunity to thrive in a safe and loving home. Change a child’s story by volunteering with us today! Apply to volunteer at mtncasa.org or call us at 970-513-9390.