Jackson Emmer serves up fresh tunes

It started out as one song per month; twelve new singles that Jackson Emmer wanted to release during the year. Then his wife suggested doing 22. “All the best ideas come from Olivia [Emmer’s wife],” he observed to The Sopris Sun. And so, the 22 singles in 2022 project was born.

Singer-songwriter Emmer has been a staple of the Valley’s music scene for years. His voice, characterized in his website biography as “lush with overtones, ghostly harmonics and friendly grit” is the result of him losing it completely at age 28 and having to relearn how to sing — a story for another day. Performing either solo, accompanied by his guitar, or with talented backing musicians, he has graced countless area venues including Steve’s Guitars, the Mountain Fair stage (in 2019 and 2021) and Dan Sadowsky’s house concerts at the Missouri Heights Schoolhouse.

In addition, he has toured extensively around the country. His songwriting, as described on his website, “blends humor with heartache and tradition with exploration … [and] often [has been] compared to that of John Prine and Guy Clark.” It has attracted widespread attention including awards at the Telluride Troubadour Contest, Folks Festival Songwriter Showcase in Lyons and Songwriter Serenade in Moravia, Texas.

Emmer explained that he has written “plenty” of songs recently. “I have these songs I want to put out in the world but they don’t have to gel together.” He also has been thinking about his and Olivia’s nine-month-old daughter, Dylan. “What kind of music will I leave in the world for her?” He continued, “Now that I know how precious time is, I try to make the most of it.”

One of the unexpected and fortuitous consequences of having to stay at home so much during the COVID pandemic has been Emmer’s online collaboration with legendary singer-songwriter Tom Paxton. Emmer first encountered Paxton when Paxton was a panelist at a folk music conference Emmer attended. Later, a friend of Paxton’s (who lives in Carbondale) heard Emmer at Steve’s Guitars and said she would bring Paxton to hear Emmer play sometime.

Although Emmer was a bit skeptical, she and Paxton did indeed attend a gig in Glenwood Springs. Emmer noted that Paxton did not remember him from the earlier event, but this time he made a stronger impression, and the connection was made. Paxton has said that Emmer is “firmly on the right track – do not fail to hear this man!”

The two have been collaborating for a year or so. “We try to write a song every Friday, unless one of us has something else on,” Emmer said. The results have been fruitful. So far they have written more than 30 songs together including a few being released among the 22.

As for those 22, “All have been written; now it’s more about recording them.” Emmer is producing most of them himself, each taking considerable time. He noted that five have been recorded, mixed and “staged for release,” and that “eight more will be done by the end” of February. However, when he’s feeling stretched, he has turned to his friend, noted producer and musician Jon Estes in Nashville to help complete tracks.

Each of the 22 singles are being released roughly every two to four weeks and will be distributed on all streaming services. The first one, “Colorado Line” dropped on Jan. 14, and the second, “I Love You Now, I Loved You Then” comes out on Feb. 11. A third, the dryly humorous “Can’t Take It with You” (March 11) was cowritten with Paxton.

The first four releases feature original illustrations by Austin, Texas based artist Chris Kelly and are intended to evoke the songs’ themes. Singles five through eight will include photographs of Emmer as a child. The fifth, “Kids on Crescent Drive” (April 8) is a remake of a solo video performance he released on YouTube last June.

Those interested in seeing Emmer live in the near future need go no farther than Steve’s Guitars on Monday, March 7, when he, Natalie Spears and Ken Gentry will do a tribute concert for what would have been Townes Van Zandt’s 78th birthday. Inperson tickets are available at www.bit.ly/emmerandpaxton1 It will also be live streamed for free.

In addition, Emmer is looking forward to a songwriting retreat that he and Paxton will lead at Four Mile Creek B&B near Glenwood Springs on July 8-10. The retreat will culminate with a concert by the two of them. Details on the retreat can be found at www.bit.ly/emmerandpaxton

Emmer is planning a tour ranging from Texas to Pennsylvania to California, between mid-March and early May. Reflecting on his time as a professional musician, he mused, “There are many self-destructive narratives you could follow, but I’m not one of them.” He added, “People can make a life as a musician, it’s still doable.”

Jackson Emmer at Steve's Guitars. Photo by Olivia Emmer (Happy Valentine's Day, you two!)

Best way to warmup after Best way to warmup after playing in the cold playing in the cold playing in the cold playing in the cold No Walkins Please Call for Appointments Historic Underground Vapor Caves Historic Underground Vapor Caves Caves Included

Hot Springs Mineral Baths

“A Lot More Private than a Pool”

For Information & Reservations call 970-945-0667 • yampahspa.com Spa Open 9-9 Salon Open 9-7 • One Block East of the Hot Springs Pool

Cool Brick Brick Studios

photography • film • video 360° virtual tours

world-class multimedia studio

The longstanding Main Street Spirits liquor store, at 389 Main Street in Carbondale, recently changed ownership. The new owners, Ryan and Janie Pratt, retitled the business “Downtown Liquors on Main” and are eager to welcome the 21-and-up community.

Poster contests

The 51st Carbondale Mountain Fair poster contest is underway! This year’s theme: New Moon Magic. The fair will coincide with a new moon on July 28 and will be overseen by a new generation of leaders. A well-developed concept for the design with three work samples is due by April 1 (emailed to brian@carbondalearts.com). The winner will receive $750 and five t-shirts. Simultaneously, the Dandelion Day poster content is receiving submissions through March 15 (emailed to dandelionday81623@gmail. com) for the earthbound festival on May 14.

The Town of Carbondale is soliciting pro/con statements from its residents regarding ballot issue 2A — a proposal that would increase the town’s debt-limit up to $8 million, without increasing taxes, for the construction of a new aquatic center. Visit www. carbondalegov.org to view the text of Ballot Issue 2A. Statements received by Feb. 18 will be summarized and included in a pro/ con list along with the TABOR notice sent to voters ahead of the election. Statements can be emailed to cderby@carbondalegov.org or mailed to the clerk’s office at 511 Colorado Ave. Participants must be registered to vote in Carbondale and submittals need to include a signature and registered address.

Getting strategic

Roaring Fork Outdoor Volunteers is entering into the second year of its six-year strategic plan. In 2022, the trail stewardship nonprofit will focus on offering childcare for select projects; hosting projects accessible by public transit; expanded public trainings; general outreach; and more paid seasonal field positions.

Rock Bottom Ranch invites familes to hang with the animals. Details are at www.aspennature.org Photo by Sue Rollyson

Three Mile Creek

The city of Glenwood Springs has received $130,000 for the completion of the Three Mile Creek Confluence Restoration Project from the Colorado Water Conservation Board Watershed Restoration Program. “The project is designed to help address the heavy use of the area, enhance amenities, protect and improve the Roaring Fork River shorelines and improve river access,” states a press release. Additional funds have been received via the city’s River Commission and work is anticipated to occur in August and September.

Ditch cleaning

Carbondale work crews have begun cleaning irrigation ditches throughout town. Residents with ditches adjacent to their property are asked to keep access open. Smoke may be present near work areas and the town asks that residents help clear debris and plant growth accumulated over the past year. Ditches are anticipated to be turned on by mid-April.

Deer Creek management

A draft management plan for Pitkin County’s Deer Creek Open Space is open for public input through March 7. The 38acre parcel near Aspen was acquired in 2015, providing public access to the Roaring Fork River from the Rio Grande Trail. The new draft management plan maintains and broadens a lease agreement to protect wildlife habitat near Arbaney Gulch. “The proposed management actions … put the protection of biodiversity first,” said Open Space and Trails senior planner Carly Klein. The plan also evaluates how additional housing could accommodate the needs of employed land stewards. Learn more at www.pitkinOSTprojects.com

Latino Network

Voces Unidas, a local nonprofit which aims to elevate Latino participation and leadership in the community, announced this year's Latino Network selectees. Fourteen Latino leaders from the region will partake in several day-long retreats and regular programming to enhance their leadership skills and networking pool. Voces Unidas graduated six participants from its inaugural Latino Network class of 2021.

Reengineer and rewild

A group of conservationists has announced a contest to “reengineer” Glen Canyon Dam to rewild the Colorado River. The contest is seeking “engineering alternatives for Glen Canyon Dam that would allow for a ‘run of river’ flow regime through or around Glen Canyon Dam.” The contest is open to engineering students and firms across the country and includes a $4,000 prize for the winning proposal. Details are at www.RewildingColoradoRiver.org

They say it’s your birthday

Folks celebrating another trip around the sun this week include: Diego Gonzales, Sara McAllister and Pam Rosenthal (Feb. 10); Georgia Chamberlain, Linda Criswell, Anne Goldberg, Thomas Mack and Sydney McBrayer (Feb. 11); Raleigh Burleigh, Sam Hayes, Ciara Low, Faith Magill, Meghan Murphy, Sarah and Laura Nelson, Jamie Ramge and Gene Schilling (Feb. 12); The Sopris Sun (Feb. 12, 2009); Amy Rota (Feb. 13); Gabriela Meijia and Andrea Stewart (Feb. 14); Jennifer Moss, Scott Levine, Dave Plumb and Megan Tackett (Feb. 15); Cody Lee, Tristan Mead, Jen Moss, Jessie Murillo and Dale Will (Feb. 16).

Mark Clark came to the Valley as a bright-eyed, bushy-tailed 25-yearold, and he hasn’t changed much since. His laugh has carried through the halls and meadows of Colorado Rocky Mountain School (CRMS) and now echoes off the Grand Tetons — at least for part of the year.

Clark recently retired from CRMS, where he began teaching in 1979.

He was born with an urge to get outside, whether to run, ski or kayak down the Colorado River. After a not-so-favorable stint at a public high school, Clark attended Colorado College. There he met his wife, Jeanie.

After college, he found himself overseas in Germany, initially with the intention to complete his master’s degree in theology. “My girlfriend at the time, who became my wife and is still my wife,” Clark laughed, “had gotten a job with the Outward Bound school” there. It occurred to him then that he wanted his wife’s job. He tried to get a position with the German Outward Bound school, but it turned out there wasn’t an opening for the young American — not yet, anyway.

First, he worked as a tree-faller (lumberjack) with the patriarch of a previous host family in Germany. Soon, however, he landed his dream job and worked two years along with Jeanie for Outward Bound.

He came back to the states to complete his studies at Claremont Graduate University and continued studying religion, delving into eastern and western theologies. “It’s always been interesting to me how people formulate their lives, what motivates them and gets inside of them and becomes an ultimate concern,” he told The Sopris Sun.

Before going on to pursue a doctorate, and thanks to a little push from an advisor, Clark realized his niche was in secondary education. “I really like that era, that age … I find them more receptive,” he explained to his mentor at the time. So, he came up with a short list of high schools that resonated with him, and CRMS made the list.

After seeing the campus, with a cross country ski track jetting from each faculty member’s front door, he was hooked. He fielded a couple of other job offers, but his heart was set.

Clark anxiously waited by the phone for a call from the school at his soon-to-be in-laws’ house (while his soon-to-be wife was on a river trip). “I’m like this dog watching a bone,” he recalled. By 5 p.m., he couldn’t take the anticipation. He got in his rig with a kayak on the roof and drove toward Moab. He slept in the back of his car at the Hole in Rock parking lot.

Knowing his wife’s group was due to come through Mexican Hat, he successfully intercepted them there. Off the boat ramp, at a little store, he used a payphone to make the call.

CRMS Headmaster, Randy Brown, told Clark he had the job. “I didn’t know how much I was going to make. I didn’t know where we were going to live, but I’m like, ‘awesome.’” Then, he got on his kayak and paddled downstream with Jeanie and their friends.

CRMS years

Clark and Dutton Foster, the academic dean at the time, taught Western Civilization together — in the same classroom and during the same period. “As an apprenticeship, to watch this guy who was so linguistically gifted and so compassionate for the students … to work with him was an amazing experience.”

In the early ‘80s, he took over for Ken Hause, teaching philosophy and religious studies. “He was a legend. He was a great teacher,” Clark said of Hause.

Clark also ran the kayaking and, eventually, cross country ski programs. He recalls setting ski tracks with a jeep on the point pasture just north of the school.

He describes the school as a consumptive place. “I’ve always tried to find a way to lose myself in an experience,” and CRMS provided that opportunity. By the same token, “I always felt, even though I was sort of cloistered over there, I felt the community … I felt the Carbondale community.”

Clark continued, “The thing that was really wonderful for me was that people like Sue Lavin would go out of their way to introduce me to really wonderful people in the community — like John and Anne Holden [the founders of the school] … like Peggy and J.E. DeVilbiss.”

He recollects a talk he gave once about “being branded by the old Bar Fork. All of us at the Rocky Mountain School had been stigmatized. And that stigmata, that is a sort of brand. We’ve been touched. So I feel super grateful to the school for being able to have been there for as long as I have.”

Mark Clark outside Colorado Rocky Mountain School. Photo by Will Sardinsky

BASALT REPORT

Basalt declares election winners

By Dyana Z. Furmansky Sopris Sun Correspondent

The oddest action that Basalt Town Council took Tuesday night was when the quorum of four councilors unanimously voted to approve a resolution that canceled the Town’s April 5 municipal election.

The regular meeting, held again on Zoom due to the declaration of a local disaster emergency from COVID, was skeletal; council members Ryan Slack, Glen Drummond and Bill Infante were not in attendance, staff reports were sparse and the public was entirely absent. The agenda was wrapped up in less than an hour.

Giving the grounds for the election’s cancellation, Town Attorney Jeff Conklin explained that only three candidates had submitted applications by the Jan. 31 filing deadline for the three open council seats. Since there were no other issues on the ballot, Conklin said the council had the authority to cancel the election and declare the three people who were running unopposed, as the winners. And this the councilors did.

Slack, an incumbent, will retain the seat he has held for four years. Newcomers to the Basalt Town Council are Dieter Schindler and Angela Anderson, replacing Gary Tennenbaum, who is term-limited, and Infante, who decided not to run again. Biographies for Schindler and Anderson were not available.

Town Manager Ryan Mahoney said that, while candidate debates are not necessary, the Basalt Chamber of Commerce will host a forum for the new members to “talk about their interest in running for council.” This was scheduled tentatively for March 7. The three members will be sworn in at the April 12 regular meeting.

Mayor Bill Kane said that it was the second time that Town Clerk Pam Schilling would be directed to cancel an election. “It’s kind of what Joseph Stalin did, canceling elections [and] crushing dissent,” Kane joked.

After the meeting adjourned, Schilling told The Sopris Sun that she has held her position for about 20 years. Conklin told the council that canceling the election saves the town between $12,000 and $15,000.

In other news...

In the business that was usual, the council approved, on second reading, a contract for the purchase of land from Loose Cannon, LLC, for the construction of a police station at 20526 Highway 82. The $1.7 million site is adjacent to where the new public works compound will be built. The new site will double the police station’s current 2,400-square foot building size, and allow for the addition of a training center in the future.

The second part of the contract was the council’s approval of financing the land purchase using taxable certificates of deposit, with a bank as the investor on the three-year type of loan.

Also receiving approval was an initial agreement for the town to enter into a partnership with Blue Lake Preschool Inc., to provide licensed childcare at a site to be developed across from The Arts Campus at Willits. Senior Town Planner Sara Nadolny said the agreement is an outgrowth of the Basalt Early Childhood Coalition, which has wanted to “increase and improve access to quality licensed child care in the mid-valley.” The 2020 Basalt Master Plan recognizes mid-valley child care as “a legitimate burden in tandem with housing.”

“We are ready to take on the role,” said Blue Lake Preschool Director Michelle Oger, who will work with the Land and Shelter Design and Alan Ford Architects to produce a conceptual design of the new childcare center.

Blue Lake operates Little Blue Preschool in Carbondale, as well as the Blue Lake Preschool in El Jebel. All three locations will have separate rooms and licensed caregivers for infants, toddlers and preschoolers. According to Oger, after-school care will also be provided.

Mahoney said that Pitkin County Public Health is expected to lift its COVID advisory, enabling the council to meet inperson at its next regular meeting, Feb. 22.

The new preschool in Willits will likely resemble Blue Lake Preschool's recent renovation in Carbondale. Courtesy photo

Make time for your HEART

Ski For SISU

Feb. 5 - 13, 2022

Joseph L. Schuller, MD, FHRS Board Certified in Cardiology and Cardiac Electrophysiology Gordon Gerson, MD, FACC Board Certified in Cardiology

With clinics in Aspen and Basalt, you can see Dr. Schuller or Dr. Gerson at the location that fits around your schedule. And, as part of Aspen Valley Hospital’s Network of Care, visits are just the cost of a copay with most insurers.

Services include:

• Echocardiograms • Stress tests • Bubble studies • Cardioversions • Loop implants • Device clinic

Virtual visits available.

Schedule your visit today, call 970.544.7388.

Learn more about our services.

30th Annual

SISU (Finnish): Demonstrating extraordinary determination and grit in the face of adversity. 1)

FUNDRAISER FOR SPRING GULCH

All proceeds benefit the Mount Sopris Nordic Council for the Spring Gulch Nordic trail system.

2)

3)

4) Sign up on our website. $30 per adult, $20 per youth to participate. Gather sponsorships to multiply your contribution! Between 2/5 and 2/13, ski anytime of day, as often as you like, on our marked 3.5k, 10k, and 12.5k courses -OR- take advantage of our new virtual option to ski remotely on a trail near you. Report your distance(s) skied via our website (honor system).

TAKE THE 9-DAY CHALLENGE

Sign-up and pledge online: www.springgulch.org

Many thanks to our generous SISU sponsors! Prizes!

For most KMs skied, most pledges raised, & more!

Celebrate SISU - 2/13

Join us for a celebration of SISU’s 30th year! Stay tuned for details.

- Weather permitting -

CARBONDALE REPORT

Trustees split over yard waste collection

By Raleigh Burleigh Sopris Sun Editor

Tuesday’s meeting saw all trustees in attendance besides Erica Sparhawk. The meeting began with student of the month awards, approval of the consent agenda and comments by trustees.

Next was a public hearing for an application for a new retail marijuana store called Goodflower, to be located at 1101 Village Road. With no comments from the public, the application was approved. Trustee Ben Bohmfalk encouraged the applicants to be proactive to avoid issues with fugitive odors.

Public Works Director Kevin Schorzman introduced three contracts recommended for extension. First, a five year contract with Roaring Fork Engineering, set to expire on Feb. 14, was renewed for another five years. Schorzman praised the local company’s customer service and regional insight.

Second, a three-year contract with Mountain Waste was also renewed for trash and recycling collection at town facilities. This is one of three contracts with Mountain Waste, the company also chosen in 2019 for residential curbside collection.

The third contract held by Mountain Waste, and the third contract reviewed by trustees on Tuesday, was for operation of the yard waste drop site. Dave Reindel, co-founder and chief operating officer of Evergreen ZeroWaste, stood to comment.

“I simply ask that this doesn’t get handed off for renewal, but put out to bid again,” said Reindel, listing the accomplishments of Evergreen ZeroWaste, specifically regarding waste diversion education. “Your program could be approved and potentially even cheaper.” He concluded, “If nothing else, it’s more American to have some competition out there.”

Asked about the downsides of issuing a new request for proposals (RFP) for that two-year contract, Schorzman responded that there’s an advantage to consistency, especially given the inflationary economy. With the current contract set to expire on May 1, he recommended renewing for another two years and then issuing an RFP with more time to receive responses.

In a rare moment, the board was split over how to proceed. Heather Henry, Lani Kitching and Marty Silverstein all agreed with Schorzman’s assessment. Bohmfalk, Dan Richardson and Luis Yllanes favored putting the contract back out to bid.

Without a tie-breaker, the discussion was pushed to their next regular meeting on Feb. 22.

Finally, trustees began discussing Town Center, the land surrounding the Thunder River Theatre that was donated to the town late last year. Mayor Richardson proposed hiring a contractor to compile due diligence studies and clarify for the town and public what is and is not possible on that land. Included in the assessment would be the large empty lot just east of Town Hall, across fourth street. The park at Fourth and Main, also donated to the town, would have a separate process.

The Town Center topic will next be discussed at the trustees’ work session on March 15.

Save the date! The Sopris Sun and KDNK will host a candidate forum from 6 to 8 p.m. on March 9. Details to follow.

Save the date! The Sopris Sun and KDNK will host a candidate forum from 6 to 8 p.m. on March 16 at Town Hall. Details to follow.

Melissa Arellanes was one of the students of the month honored at the beginning of Tuesday’s meeting. Photo by Raleigh Burleigh

Preserved!

Thanks to the support of our members and friends, the Crystal Valley Environmental Protection Association and the Trust for Land Restoration have conserved 55 acres along the Crystal river in Marble. Wetlands, wildlife and public access are now protected for future generations. For more information, please visit cvepa.org and restorationtrust.org.

GARFIELD COUNTY REPORT

Mystery Ranch proposed near Carbondale

By Myki Jones Sopris Sun Correspondent

Garfield County Commissioners took nearly seven hours to address the agenda at their Feb. 7 meeting. For more information about the agenda, an assortment of attachments, and a recording of the entire meeting, visit www.garfieldcounty.com

The latter part of the meeting included topics pertaining to community development. During a public notice hearing, the commissioners reviewed 14 exhibit items as part of a developer’s proposal for the “Mystery Ranch” subdivision on land south of Carbondale.

Garfield County Senior Planner Vince Hooper presented the sketch plan. Brian Mcnellis of BMC Planning + Design joined the applicant, Antony Cullwick of Mystery Ranch, to make their case.

The proposed development would subdivide an 83.74-acre parcel and a 16.67-acre parcel (totaling roughly 100 acres) into nine lots. The designated plots are located at 1634 Prince Creek Road and 928 County Road 111. The separate lots would serve as “unattainable housing,” as pointed out by Chairman John Martin, with 31 acres dedicated for conservation and wildlife protection.

During the public comment portion of the hearing, Ryan Mitchell, an attorney with Balcomb & Green law firm, appeared representing T2 Carbondale LLC, “the owner of the Big Four Ranch — a historic 2,500-acre working ranch that surrounds the proposed development on three sides,” the attorney explained. Mitchell argued how much space the proposed subdivision would take up and how that would subsequently affect agricultural work for ranchers already operating near the proposed site.

“Proposed developments such as this one should be located within or adjacent to existing communities to eliminate sprawl and preserve agricultural lands for continued operation,” Mitchell said. “This proposal, to me, looks a lot like sprawl. It is located outside of Carbondale’s municipal boundary, an urban growth area, and nine homes with swimming pools and hot tubs would replace roughly 25 acres of agriculturally productive land,” he summarized.

Simultaneously representing the East Mesa Ditch Water Supply Company, Mitchell pointed out that the applicant seeks to acquire legal access to water through the use of the East Mesa Ditch, channeling an additional .75 cubic feet per second through it. Reportedly, the ditch does not currently have the capacity to divert the proposed level of water.

Matt Nieslanik, a lifelong resident of the Roaring Fork Valley and employee of T2 Carbondale LLC, stated that the lots of the proposed subdivision “don’t fit,” referring to the ranch land and demographic that surrounds the area.

Notably, as pointed out by Commissioner Mike Samson, Colorado Parks and Wildlife has not chimed into the conversation. Furthermore, the town of Carbondale has yet to provide any input.

Commissioner Tom Jankovksy was on the fence. He acknowledged that it’s agricultural land, but added that “nobody can make a living on 100 acres,” agriculturally. He noted that members of the planning commission indicated it is a good plan. “It’s sad to see land being split up but, at the same time, on 100 acres, I don’t know what else an owner does … I don’t know what else you do other than subdivide it.” He concluded by saying, “I’m not totally in favor of the plan, but I’m not opposed to it either.”

Samson said that he would echo some of what Jankovsky said, but added, “I think I’m more against it than he is.” The commissioner went on, “I’m looking at the time frame here and I’m thinking, ‘not yet.’ But I can see this happening in 10, definitely 20 years — something like this is going to happen to that land.”

The county attorney reminded the commissioners they did not need to make a decision at the time. Samson replied, “I understand that, but I don’t want them to spend a whole lot of money if you catch my drift,” he said of the developers.

“The use and change of agricultural water to other purposes, that’s a big impact. That’s a big issue,” stated Martin. He also noted that the potential wildlife impact needs to be addressed. “It is definitely a change of community and neighborhood, and it’s a real challenge to get your hands around,” he added.

No final decision was made at the close of the session.

Screenshot from Garfield County Assessor GIS maps