19 07 18

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Volume 11, Number 23 | July 18, 2019

Charge of the Bike Brigade

The Thunder Moon lived up to its name on July 16. As its rays mixed with flashes of lightning it seemed to summon a hoard of cycling spectres on Main Street. Whether they were visiting to remind us of the upcoming Apollo landing anniversary or just to whoop it up is hard to say — but the head of the hunt bore a striking resemblance Brandon Jones. Photo by Laurel Smith 970.963.5880 On the SE Corner of Hwy 133 and Main Street in Carbondale

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OPINION

SEEKING HIGHER GROUND

By Nicolette Toussaint

Be a friend to bees

“Remember when we were kids and a field like this would be buzzing with bees?

We were always afraid of getting stung.”

My friend Jae Gregory said that while standing in a meadow near the Maroon Bells that was bursting with dandelions.

And she was right. There were very few bees.

At home, my xeriscape garden stands in marked contrast to the flowerless green lawns and agricultural monoculture that rob both wild and cultivated bees of much of their diet. Right now, more than a dozen types of flowers are blooming there: columbines, lupines, hollyhocks, sweet peas, Canadian roses, lavender, bee balm. The bees are especially drawn to my humongous catmint bushes. If I squat down nearby, I can actually feel their buzzing.

Though I’m not savvy enough to recognize different species, I have seen at least five different kinds of bees in my garden. That’s a small number, considering

that Colorado, home to 950 bee species, ranks fifth in bee diversity of any U.S. state.

That’s the good news. The bad news is that worldwide, bees are in trouble.

A couple weeks ago, a bright 20-something named Jennifer rang my doorbell to tell me about it. She had come from Denver, camping out with other young volunteers so that they could go door-to-door in Western Slope towns pollinating public opinion. Her message: “No bees, no food.”

We humans rely on bees to pollinate 71 of the 100 crops that provide most of the world’s food. This past winter – a good one in terms of snowfall and summer water supply – was murder for honeybees. The Bee Informed Partnership recently conducted its 13th annual survey of “managed” honeybee colony losses, polling 4,696 beekeepers who collectively manage 319,787 hives. The survey found that around 37.7 percent of domestic honeybee colonies in the U.S. were lost last winter!

After Jennifer alerted to me to this terrifying buzz kill, I emailed Mark Burrows. In addition to being an accomplished photographer whose work often appears in the Sopris Sun, Mark is also a local bee guardian.

When I asked him for the three best ways to aid bees, his first piece of advice was to stop using pesticides to “fix” to the soil and kill the weeds. “Consider the biome of the soil,” he urges. “Every application of a pesticide, herbicide, fungicide, etc., damages it for many years.”

Pesticides — specifically the insecticides known as neonicotinoids, or “neonics” — are about 6,000 times more toxic to bees than DDT. Because neonics work their way into the pollen and nectar of the plants, they weaken even surviving bees.

Neonics sap the strength that honeybees need to fight off the varroa mite, a parasite that specifically attacks Apis mellifera.

When honeybees die off, we humans rally to help them. Or at least some of us do.

A few years back, the USDA provided

grants and technical assistance to farmers.

European nations have banned several bee-killing pesticides.

But last week — in a decision that Earthjustice attorney Greg Loarie called “nothing short of reckless” — the Trumpera EPA removed restrictions on the pesticide sulfoxaflor. Following a lawsuit brought by beekeepers, environmental groups, and honey-industry advocates, sulfoxaflor, sold under the brand names “Closer” and “Transform”, had been banned in 2015. Now it’s back (albeit with warning labels). But the EPA’s own studies have showed that sulfoxaflor harms wild pollinators like bumblebees, even at low doses.

As Mark Burrows points out, “There are some 20,000 pollinator bee species in the world. We are paying attention to only one species. When honeybees die off, as they have been, we have gotten really good at bringing them back, partly because bees are very adept at building up their populations. But what are the native bees and other pollinators doing? Are they able to come back as adroitly? I seriously doubt it.”

Mark’s second piece of advice is to buy only local honey. “It’s being estimated that about 40 percent of the worlds honey being sold on the open market is not honey, but corn syrup with flavorings.

How can you tell?” he wrote. “You can’t.

Buy from a local producer. Support your local farmer and beekeeper.”

Mark’s third piece of advice was to plant “flowers, low-water sedges, and grasses for the local population of solitary bees to nest in.”

About seven years ago, my husband Mason and I pulled out about half of our front lawn and planted native perennials — pretty much what Mark recommends.

If you’d like to take that bit of advice, please consider this column your invitation to visit my garden at the corner of Rock Court and Wald. You can see for yourself what kinds of plants our local bees like best.

LETTERS The views expressed in opinion pieces do not necessarily reflect those of The Sopris Sun. We invite members of the community to submit letters to the editor of up to 250 words by snail mail to P.O. Box 399 or 500 words emailed to news@soprissun.com. Longer columns are considered on a case-by-case basis. The deadline for submission is noon on Monday.

Meredith column misguided Dear Editor: In his June 17 opinion piece “Who gets to decide — judges or parents?”, Paige Meredith expresses concern for the “young children through teens who for some reason believe that they are not really of the gender they were born.”

Meredith clearly cares about children, but his concerns are misguided. First, gender identity is not a matter of “belief.” For the 1.4 million Americans (UCLA Law School) who identify as transgender, not identifying with the gender they were born is a very real fact of life. A quick primer from the Center for Disease Control: “Transgender is an umbrella term for persons whose gender identity or expression is different from their sex at birth.” This is not a fad or a phase, but rather the lived

experience of at least 0.7 percent of the US population, with some estimates putting this number closer to two percent.

Meredith erroneously compares the various medical interventions some transgender people pursue (horomone therapy, surgeries), to some of the most egregious scandals of the 20th Century, including forced sterilizations and the Tuskegeee experiment. Importantly, these discriminatory, racist procedures were performed without the consent or knowledge of the patients, unlike the patient-selected medical interventions Meredith discusses.

Meredith worries that these treatments can have devastating mental health consequences, including suicidality. Transgender youth are indeed significantly more likely to attempt or commit suicide than their

cisgender (gender identity matches gender assigned at birth) peers: According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS), “Transgender youth reported significantly increased rates of depression, suicidality, and victimization compared to their cisgender peers,” with 35 percent of transgender youth reporting having attempted suicide. 31 percent of transgender youth reported having experienced sexual violence in the past year, and 27 percent reported not feeling safe at school in the past year. Harassment, bullying, and violence lead to suicide attempts, not hormones or surgery.

Finally, Meredith comes to his main concern “that the government is now in all situations more qualified to raise children than are parents,” citing several cases protecting minors’ rights to

pursue medical treatment and be identified as they choose.

It will be a great day when all parents talk with their children openly and honestly, and treat them with the dignity they deserve. Once that happens, a court will never again have to intervene in a family to protect a child.

As a teacher, I am privy to the daily struggles of children who do not, for whatever reason, fit in. If we, as Meredith says, truly “fear for the well-being of these children” we must do all we can to combat ignorance, intolerance, and fear through fostering trusting, nonjudgmental relationships with our children.

Shaina Maytum Carbonale

Independents bridge the divide Dear Editor: I am responding to Summer Continued on page 15

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P.O. Box 399 Carbondale, CO 81623 520 S. Third Street #32 970-510-3003 www.soprissun.com Editor Will Grandbois • 970-510-0540 news@soprissun.com Advertising: Todd Chamberlin • 970-987-9866 adsales@soprissun.com Reporter: Megan Tackett Graphic Designer: Ylice Golden Delivery: Tom Sands Current Board Members board@soprissun.com Marilyn Murphy, President Raleigh Burleigh, Vice President Linda Criswell, Secretary Klaus Kocher, Treasurer John Colson • April Spaulding Kay Clarke • Carol Craven The Sopris Sun Board meets regularly on the second Monday evening of each month at the Third Street Center.

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Keeping Crystal from being put through the mill

By Will Grandbois Sopris Sun Staff

While there was plenty happening on either side of Lead King Loop over the weekend, the middle of the route was closed by an avalanche until High Country 4 Wheelers showed up to clear it. It's one of 13 trails the club helps the Forest Service keep clear, though the heavy snowpack has made it a particularly tough year — and you'll still want a winch if you plan to make the circuit. Photo by Will Grandbois

Education, conservation come together at Marble Basecamp

By Will Grandbois Sopris Sun Staff As Aspen Valley Land Trust doubles down on “community conservation,” Roaring Fork Outdoor Volunteers is proving a valuable partner. Crews from RFOV spent the weekend at the Marble Basecamp, a property that AVLT purchased three years ago in an effort to maintain and expand a decades-long tradition.

For more than 50 years, Aspen Middle School eighth graders have been making the trek to aspen grove near North Lost Trail to spend some time off the grid and in the woods. A series of landowners have honored the deal, but the last time it came up for sale, the Land Trust decided not to risk it.

AVLT got it start as the owner of several of Aspen’s parks back in the 1960s, and now holds conservation easements on more than 40,000 acres across Pitkin, Gunnison, Garfield, Eagle and Mesa counties.

While open space and ranchland is a big focus, the organization is not at all opposed to conservation with public use in mind. Most recently, AVLT worked with the Town of Carbondale to purchase a plot of land at the base of Red Hill, backed by a successful fundraising campaign.

Preserving the Basecamp property also required community support and, according to Stewardship Director Dave Erickson, there was plenty of that.

“We did a big fundraising effort, and people were just ready to donate,” he said. “It really leaves an impact on those kids that go through it.”

Education Outreach Coordinator Brian Hightower couldn’t agree more.

“All we want is for kids to unplug and just be.

It’s getting harder and harder for people to carve out time to really have contact with their environment.

As much as the draw of nature brings people here, I think a lot of people don’t have the free time to take advantage of it. And that kind of migrates down to the kids,” he said. “I think it’s important to connect not only with the environment but with your place.

We’re trying to grow the next generation of land stewards. They’ve been there and touched it and know that it’s important to save it.”

It’s symbiotically distinct from the Outward Bound site just down the road, he observed. Both feel like wilderness despite being reasonably accessible.

It's the second time AVLT and RFOV have worked together, after Red Hill. Photo by Matt Annabel OB is focused on building survival skills for a select few, while Basecamp is about creating an experience for as many local kids as possible.

“The only thing they have to survive is can they sleep on lumpy ground,” Hightower observed. “We’re the introduction, and we hope they love it enough to continue to pursue different skills and experiences out there. We want to grow the programs up there slowly so everyone has a rewarding experience and Marble Basecamp can become a place of tradition that’s just a right of passage.”

With a Great Outdoors Colorado grant in the mix, AVLT closed on the property in June 2016 and the Crested Butte Land Trust took on the conservation easement. Since then, it’s been a slow process of improvement and outreach.

“We’ve reached out to the different schools in the Valley about how this place has been used and our intention to make it available free for outdoor ed,” Erickson said. “Just to grow up in this valley and have that opportunity to go up to places like that and camp with your classmates can be life changing.”

In addition to Aspen Middle School’s annual visits, Basalt High School, Colorado Rocky Mountain School and Marble Charter have all brought students up to the site, while others have taken advantage of the fairly quiet summer and winter seasons (there’s a cabin on the property, as well) to offer teacher training or retreats there.

To ease access, the Land Trust has removed dead and dangerous trees, installed wall tents and Continued on page 14

Some new things have been happening in Crystal City — but they’re rooted in old things.

Emmett Gould saw the value of the remote mining town and the picturesque “mill” nearby more than a century ago and set about consolidating the claims.

“He loved the beauty of it and wanted it kept,” Chris Cox said of his great-grandfather. “I spent every summer of my life here. I raised three sons here, and my grandsons mark six generations of it being in our family.”

More recently, he bought out several of his family members to become majority owner of Crystal Mountain Ranch, with his cousin Duane holding the rest. Meanwhile, traffic has skyrocketed.

“The internet — social media — has kicked our tails. There’s no fighting it. The mill has become an icon. It’s a destination. You look at Hanging Lake, The Maroon Bells — it’s the exact same thing,” Cox said. “We’ve never seen the numbers we’re seeing now. There has been vandalism and other problems, so we have to keep staff down there seven days a week over the summer.”

The road itself is public access, but Crystal Mountain Ranch now charges $10 and requires a waiver if you want to get closer to the river or the mill. That helps cover the cost of enforcement.

“We’re trying to find that balance,” Cox said. “We want people to enjoy this beautiful place, but it is private property.”

There’s also an opportunity for public education. The part of the building still standing, for instance, was actually the powerhouse rather than the mill. A horizontal turbine filled an air tank to deliver power to the rest of the now-scrapped facility as well as nearby mines.

“It really was cutting edge technology,” Cox observed. “To run compressed air a mile in three-inch steel pipe is a pretty amazing feat.”

The town itself has no shortage of history, either. Stop in at the General Store for a copy of “Crystal… What Really Happened” or “Creepy Crystal Tales” and maybe chat with the author Roger Neal. The town has no permanent residents, but several organizations and individuals, including Crystal Mountain Ranch, pool resources to get the road open every spring to provide access to the cool escape. The Ranch has also put considerable effort into restoring several cabins for rent while maintaining the historical charm, with camping available as well. Most of their takers are from out of state or the Front Range, but Cox is glad to cater to locals.

“They get it more than some others,” he observed.

It’s not a destination for folks who need cell service or internet access. There’s a lot more to the property than the gawkers or Jeepers see, Cox said, and it’s easy to find a little solitude.

“You get off the road and it’s nice and tranquil,” he said.

Long term, Crystal Mountain Ranch plans to create a 501c3 nonprofit to buy the mill, said spokesperson Heather Leigh.

“The idea is to take it out of private hands and put it into this public entity where it can be maintained and managed for decades to come,” she explained. “Heritage tourism is the biggest draw in Colorado, and yet there’s very little money to these types of structure… It is such a large project and it’s on such a sketchy road that History Colorado doesn’t have the funds to take it over even if we gave it to them.”

It would also allow for infrastructure improvements like steps down to the riverside. “We want grandma to be able to walk down there with a two-year-old — really try to make it safer for everybody,” Leigh said.

Right now the ranch can only accept pledges, not donations, but to reach out or learn more, visit crystalmountainranch.com.

Crystal City and the Crystal Mill today are just the remnants of a much larger complex. Courtesy photo

THE SOPRIS SUN • Carbondale’s weekly community connector • JULY 11 - JULY 17, 2019 • 3

SCUTTLEBUTT

Send your scuttlebutt to news@soprissun.com. children, a wade-in pool with waterfalls and a fountain designed for both play and show.

Up a creek

Pato Banton and the Now Generation attracted an unusually large and enthusiastic crowd to Sopris Park to free music on Sunday. Photo by Mike Lemmer

Crack the code

Reading rainbow

The Sopris Sun is working on a story about area codes, and would appreciate your feedback. Take a quick trip to surveymonkey.com/r/KTYGYN and keep an eye out for the results in an upcoming edition!

Big changes are underway at Raising A Reader Aspen to Parachute including a new executive director and two new literacy-development programs for families of young children.

After 10 years as the organization’s executive director, Rick Blauvelt will retire this summer. Cindy Blachly, formerly director of the High School High Scholar (HS)2 summer program at Colorado Rocky Mountain School, will take Blauvelt’s place.

The way of the future Youthentity has announced a partnership with the Roaring Fork School District to bring a more immersive experience to high school students throughout the Roaring Fork Valley. The pilot program offers two tracks: Structure Design and the Building Industry, and Culinary Arts and Hospitality Management. The organization has also hired a Program Director, Peter Barclay (who came over from the Aspen Community Fund) to oversee Career Academy & YE University.

Splash down After months of planning, construction and testing, the new aquatic features at Glenwood Hot Springs Resort are open for adventurers of all ages. The Sopris Splash Zone is the resort’s newest addition to the hot springs, spa and lodge property in Glenwood Springs. It features a fast-moving adventure river for older kids and adults, and for younger

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The City of Glenwood Springs is inviting the community to participate in the planning efforts for the Three Mile Creek and Roaring Fork River confluence at an open house from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m on Saturday, July 20 on site of the project, just off the Atkinson Trail near the Three Mile Creek and Roaring Fork River confluence. High use of this area over time has resulted in the loss of valuable recreation space and area for riparian plant species to thrive. You can share your opinion at surveymonkey. com/r/3Mile.

Fiesta comunitaria Wilderness Workshop is celebrating Latino Conservation Week with free food, drinks, music, and activities in Davidson Park in Rifle from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, July 20. Bring the whole family as you enjoy a day in the park with opportunities to learn about conservation efforts to protect Colorado's great outdoors. We are also offering a guided hike to Rifle Arch — a free and bilingual adventure. Space is limited so register in advance at wildernessworkshop.org.

Strike oil Oil paintings by Hone Williams are on display now at the River Valley Ranch Clubhouse. Stop 444 River Valley Ranch Dr. by through the end of July to check ‘em out.

And the nominees are…

Pitkin County is now accepting nominations for outstanding volunteers to be honored for the 2018 Volunteer Service Awards. The Pitkin County Cares Volunteer Service Awards were established 18 years ago to honor individuals and groups for their outstanding service, leadership and civic involvement. Recipients will be chosen for their service in the following sub-categories: Greg Mace overall volunteer, Children/ youth, Seniors, Health, Community Pride, Education, Good Samaritan, environment, Rising Star (18 years and younger) and Exceptional One-Time Events. Find a form at pitkincounty.com.

In for pence, out for a pound The Sun isn’t sure that the Pitkin County Republicans knew they were emailing a newspaper when they asked us to “quietly spread the word” that Vice President Mike Pence will be in Aspen for a high-dollar reception next week. At $35,000 a couple, it’s a bit rich for our blood, but feel free to contact Bob Jenkins for the details — we’re not gonna publish them here lest the Secret Service get on our case.

They say it’s your birthday Folks celebrating another year of life this week include: Jacque Whitsitt, Laurel Sheehan and Heidi Paul (July 18); Tony Comer and Edgar Reyna (July 19); Heather Henry, Dave Dixon, Amy Burdick (July 20); Ernie Kollar and Brian Wexler and Colleen Weinfurter (July 21); Louie Girardot and Jessica Kollar (July 22); Maria Sabljak, Jeff Wadley, Shelle DeBeque and Ruth Frey and Mary Boucher (July 23) Greg Jeung, John Masters, Adele Hause, Mark Von Hagke (July 24)

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Josh Brooks, a guy with grit

By Roberta McGowan Special to The Sopris Sun Josh Brooks, a 19-year-old with a bright future ahead of him, nearly lost it all while riding rough stock at the Carbondale Wild West Rodeo on June 27.

The bull, Golden Bear, that Brooks had drawn, wasn't going along with the rider's hope for an eight-second time and a winning score.

The rodeo chute swung open into the arena. Bull and rider leaped out, high in the air. Despite Brooks' skill and strong will, He was thrown off and stomped on.

Brooks explains," I was trained that if you go off the bull, you need to get up quickly and run out of the arena."

"I knew immediately something was terribly wrong; I had trouble breathing, and blood was everywhere," Brooks recalls. "The pain was excruciating."

The accident caused internal bleeding with a stage three out of five laceration to his liver and a partially collapsed lung. The ambulance rushed him to Valley View Medical Center where he had three blood transfusions for severe hypotension with a blood pressure of 50/30 and had a reaction to the third transfusion.

Luckily for Brooks, who had left his protective gear at home, another bull rider, Zachary Jammaron, lent him his protective equipment, including a helmet and bull riding vest, which possibly saved Josh's life.

Doctors thought he might need surgery and as such, flight for life was activated and Brooks was transported to St Mary’s Medical Center in Grand Junction, a certified Colorado trauma facility.

Physicians treated his internal injuries and lacerations. Brooks spent four days in the hospital.

President of the Carbondale Rodeo Michael Kennedy said, "We are all so glad Brooks will be okay. You never want something like this to happen."

Doctors say that he will not have any permanent damage from the accident. However, for the next three months, Brooks is unable to be involved in any physical activities, as the slightest injury or impact can cause the liver to bleed again and could be deadly. That means he cannot work.

Now recovering at his mother's home in Glenwood Springs, Brooks "is so grateful for all of the help and support of my family and friends."

With nearly $100,000 in medical bills, they set up two fundraising sites with a $20,000 goal: gofundme.com/f/

bullriderwithoutinsurance and facebook.com/ donate/908863976114510.

Friends like Andrew Garcia donated because "Josh's brother was my best friend at one point. But, more than that, Josh is an awesome human being. The kid has a bright future, and he deserves all the support we can muster."

Another donor, Yesi Gomez, didn't know Brooks but felt "that he was a young kid who needed help. I was taught that if someone needs support, and you're in a position to provide it, you should."

Brooks is a recent graduate of Coal Ridge High School, having grown up in Silt and Glenwood.

Brooks explains, "I have worked since I was 14 years old. I volunteer and help my mom with pet sitting. I’ve volunteered for the police department, helping them do a taser demonstration (being on the receiving end of the taser)."

As for the future, it may or may not include bull riding. "I just want to stay involved in the rodeo world but perhaps in another event. Also, Brooks notes, "I would like to work in law enforcement in this part of Colorado. I would first attend the police academy in Spring Valley."

His future looks bright indeed.

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While a recent rodeo injury has set him back, 19-year-old Josh Brooks doesn't plan to let that stop him from continuing to be an active outdoorsman and community member — and he's getting some help. Courtesy photos

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THE SOPRIS SUN • Carbondale’s weekly community connector • JULY 11 - JULY 17, 2019 • 5

‘Honeybee’ produces food for thought about suicide

By Jeanne Souldern Sopris Sun Correspondent The world premiere of the musical, "Honeybee," takes place at 7 p.m. on Jul 18, 19, and 20 at Thunder River Theatre. The play is written by Roaring Fork Valley students Jenny Henry and Brooke MacKay and is presented by Stage of Life Theatre Company (SoL).

Henry wrote the music, MacKay wrote the script, and together they wrote the music lyrics.

Suicide and mental illness are two subjects central to the play's storyline. Henry and MacKay hope to shed light by exploring "what it means to be broken, what it means to be human, and ultimately what it means to forgive."

Henry and MacKay are close friends, and this is their first foray into the process of creating a play. When they were younger, they acted in productions for Stage Door Theatre in Glenwood Springs. They both performed in SoL productions; Henry since 2012 and MacKay since 2017.

Henry and MacKay approached Jennifer Johnson, SoL executive director, and Dani Kopf, former SoL director and stage manager, about doing a staged reading. That evolved into a table reading at SoL and within one week, they started working on the script and work shopping the songs.

Henry plays one of the main characters, Cassie, and MacKay is

"Honeybee" is written and performed by locals with the goal of tackling the difficult topic of suicide.

Photo by Jennifer Johnson the play's director. The six-member cast, ages 11 to 18, have acted in other theatre productions in the Roaring Fork Valley. Many of the actors are also friends of Henry and MacKay. MacKay observed a change in the cast because, "when I was working as a director with the actor that plays a character that commits suicide, working through that character, finding moments for there to be light, but also helping her examine the dark. As her friend outside of rehearsal, I've noticed a significant change in the way that she deals with her own

emotions." She added, "I thought the entire cast has a whole new understanding of it."

Aspen Hope Center (AHC) provides a 24-hour hotline to assist callers experiencing mental health issues. They also provide education to area schools, with their clinicians stationed in many of them.

AHC Executive Director Michelle Muething said when students are asked, "Why do you think that teenage suicide is so prevalent today? And 95% of them will say social media. We live in a different day and age with social media today."

Another factor, which Muething cited with teenage suicides, is that many teens lack a fundamental understanding of the concepts of life and death. Muething explained, "I heard an interesting presentation not too long ago about our kids really not having a concept of death, the afterlife, spiritual beliefs, and they don't get what happens, and death isn't necessarily real. You have all these video games where you come back [to life]."

"Honeybee" sprang from Henry and MacKay wanting to express their perspectives on suicide and attempted suicides. As

Johnson said, "This has been them processing some things that our valley has gone through in the last few years. And this has been their response to it."

MacKay saw the need for a more truthful representation of suicide in the media, because, as she said "I feel like whenever it is represented in the media, it's very binary. Almost where you have it super villainized or romanticized.

And in our experience, and the experience of most people, it's neither of those things. And we wanted to find a fairly middle ground between the two."

Henry remains hopeful for the future, as she said, "I've noticed for the first time in a long time, people are coming forward and saying, 'Hey, this is not something that we should keep hush-hush.' And people of all ages are starting to realize that if there's a problem, you have to address it. And you have to bring light to it and make sure that people understand it, rather than just keeping it in the dark."

"Honeybee" contains adult themes, strong language, and sensitive and emotional material, including the discussion of mental illness and suicide.

Therefore, it is not recommended for students under the age of 13 without adult supervision.

Tickets are $20 and available in advance at soltheatrecompany. org or at the door.

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Magic World arcade and ice cream may be the only game in town

By Jeanne Souldern Sopris Sun Correspondent Magic World, a family-owned business featuring ice cream and vintage arcade games opened on May 25 in La Fontana Plaza. It is owned by three siblings, Norma, Patricia, and David Muñoz. Patricia's daughter, Elideth Renteria, a 2016 graduate of Roaring Fork High School, is the store’s manager.

The Muñoz siblings are from Madera, a mountain town in the Mexican state of Chihuahua. The business has been a dream of Patricia's since she was a teenager in Mexico. Renteria recalled, "My mom (Patricia) and my aunt (Norma) decided to have a little place for kids. And my mom has always been wanting an arcade. So we just decided to also include ice cream and fruits."

The plan for this business started about a year-and-a-half ago. It came from a desire to have a place for kids and their friends to go for food and entertainment.

Renteria said when she was younger and growing up in Carbondale, there was no place for her to go out with friends. Now, Renteria sees the same thing happening for her younger brother, Darey, who is twelve years old and a student at Riverview School.

She said, "The only places would be like, we have to drive him to Glenwood or El Jebel."

Darey, when not playing his favorites of foosball and air hockey, helps with the day-to-day operations. Renteria said, "He's really smart, so he does know how to use the register." She added, "He does help to

move us forward. And so he's like a big part of this as well."

The food menu includes nachos and many flavors of Blue Bunny brand ice cream. You can get milkshakes, banana splits, shaved ices, and fruit smoothies. They also serve traditional Mexican ice cream parlor treats with cut-up fruits in either cream or chamoy sauce (think pickled and slightly spicy).

One traditional Mexican drink is a mangoneada, number 15 on the menu. A mangoneada is made with chamoy sauce, diced mangos, lime juice, and chili powder and decorated with a tamarind straw.

Renteria stated all creams and sauces are made on-site, from scratch with fresh ingredients. Renteria said Magic World shaved ices are made their homemade syrups, which are naturally flavored by using the fruits themselves.

The arcade in the back has many games, including pinball, foosball, and air hockey, that are a throwback to another era. And here is another welcome piece of nostalgia-games average a quarter per play. Those are 1980's prices. Renteria said they kept all vintage arcade games at their original prices.

There are several games meant for all skill-levels — kids and adults. They even have one of those coin-operated mechanical horses so the little ones can enjoy a fun gallop.

The pinball machine Cyclone was released by Williams Electronics in 1988. It depicts a roller coaster ride at Coney Island amusement park with former President Ronald and former First Lady Nancy

While the family is all-business in bringing Magic World to life, it doesn't stop them from enjoying their own wares.

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Reagan riding in the first car. (A review from this reporter: the ball drains nicely.)

The vision has been a long time in the making. Patricia came to Colorado about 17 years ago but had the idea of starting an arcade since she lived in Mexico. She began raising funds for this business when she and her sister Norma, who lives in Glenwood Springs, started a laundry service in Carbondale in 2013.

Then the two started a cleaning business, and with the savings from those two businesses came the plans for Magic World.

Additional funds came from their brother, David, who lives in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

They did a search for storefronts and found their space in La Fontana Plaza, because as Renteria recalled, "It was just like family-friendly, with the stores around [us], so we just decided that this was a good location."

Patricia said she and her siblings learned, by example, from their parents. Their mom would always work to find a way to help their father financially. Patricia was told that it did not matter if you were a boy or a girl, that "if you ever wanted anything, it was always possible if you work for it."

Renteria said her mother's idea of owning a business was a way to create jobs and provide financial security for

their family because "She just decided to open a business up for her own, to help other people in need of jobs and to have something for her kids."

Patricia does not have a business degree; in fact, she has never taken any classes. What she does have is a drive to learn all she can to run a successful business. She scours the internet for information on running a business.

In fact, Patricia honed her business acumen at age 16 while in Mexico. She worked for a candy store when she had the idea to sell candy to other stores farther away. Her efforts created a distribution chain which dispersed the store's products and boosted its profits.

As for now, promotion and advertising for Magic World is limited to their business Facebook page and word-ofmouth praise from happy customers. The goal is to grow the business to have two additional stores; one to be owned by Elideth and, eventually, the other owned

by Darey.

A plan, many years in the making, has come to fruition for the Muñoz family. As a result, kids and adults have a welcome local alternative for food and entertainment. As for me, you will find me at the pinball machine working on my personal best high score.

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In addition to the games, the shop offers a healthy variety of ice cream and toppings.

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THE SOPRIS SUN • Carbondale’s weekly community connector • JULY 11 - JULY 17, 2019 • 7

Riding and dancing to a different tune

Despite multiple torrential downpours and ferocious lightning, attendees and participants at the "Jaripeo y Baile" on July 13 remained adaptable and steadfast in pursuing a mission of a good time for all. It was very much a family affair with children of all ages a part of the scene and festivities. For many of them, you could tell that this was already a part of their life. There was plenty of good food being sold and Modelo was the drink of choice. Our photographer was immersed in a culture where ranching and horsemanship are in the blood and macho means brushing off the hard falls. The events were like any other rodeo, minus the barrel racing. According to Mario Tarin, the seasoned organizer of this event, the main difference between Anglo and Mexican rodeos is music! The weather caused some delays, but in the end people and the beautiful dressed out dancing horses, met together in the rodeo mud, dancing under the lights. Photos by Sue Rollyson 8 • THE SOPRIS SUN • soprissun.com • JULY 11 - JULY 17, 2019

THE SOPRIS SUN • Carbondale’s weekly community connector • JULY 11 - JULY 17, 2019 • 9

COMMUNITY CALENDAR THURSDAY JULY 18

p.m. each night at Thunder River Theatre (67 Promenade). $20 at soltheatrecompany.org.

MOON LANDING • Celebrate 50 years since Apollo 11 by watching the recording on a big screen beginning at 1:30 p.m. at Glenwood Springs Branch Library (815 Cooper Ave.).

Free and open to all ages.

RIVER PROTECTION • As water champions commemorate the 50th anniversary of the burning of the Cuyahoga River, Roaring Fork Conservancy hosts Nicole Silk, President of River Network, for a 1 to 2:30 p.m. talk. Free but with limited seating; RSVP at roaringfork.org/events.

PROGRESSIVE FOLK • Let Them Roar makes a hometown stop during a tour of local libraries with a free 6 p.m. show at the Carbondale Branch Library (320 Sopris Ave.).

REFLEXOLOGY • Sally Nicholson walks you through her healing modality from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at the Third Street Center (520 S. Third St.) for a suggested donation of $10 to $15. More info at sally4reflexology.com.

THU JULY 18 - SAT JULY 20 HONEYBEE • Stage of Life Theatre Company presents an original, locally written music about life, death, and how to survive them both from 7 to 9

FRIDAY JULY 19 FRIDAY AFTERNOON CLUB • Natalie Spears and Lizzy Plotkin play the Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park (51000 Two Rivers Plaza Rd., Glenwood) beginning at 5 p.m., with free gondola rides after 4 p.m. with a coupon in the Post Independent.

ALBUM RELEASE • Carbondale native Mugsy Fay plays new music from "Night" alongside Callin' Old Souls and The Millers beginning at 9 p.m. at Native Son (813 Grand Ave., Glenwood Springs).

FRI JUNE 19 - THU JULY 25 MOVIES • The Crystal Theatre (427 Main St.) presents “Echo in the Canyon” (PG-13) at 7:30 p.m.

July 19-25, “The Biggest Little Farm” (PG) at 5:30 p.m. July 20 and “Booksmart” (R) at 5:15 p.m. July 21.

SATURDAY JULY 20 OPEN GARDENS • Nine gardeners in River Valley Ranch and Redstone show off their hard work from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. — tickets are $10 the day of at the corner of RVR Drive and Northbridge or the Redstone Art Gallery, with proceeds benefiting Stepping Stones.

PLEIN AIR • Join Amy Beidleman from 9 a.m. ‘til noon at the Catto Center at Toklat (11247 Castle Creek Rd., Aspen) for an outdoor watercolor workshop. $55 at

Submit your events as soprissun.com. Deadline is noon on Monday. Events take place in Carbondale unless noted. aspennature.org.

GOLDEN LIGHT MEDITATION • Lisa McKenzie teaches you to focus and quiet the thinking mind from 10 a.m. ‘’til noon at Davi Nikent (520 S. Third St.). $15-20 vis cash or Paypal; RSVP to lmckenzie1light@gmail.com.

FEAR & LOATHING • Batch (358 Main St.) celebrates Hunter S. Thompson’s birthday with live music by Marilyn and the Millers beginning at 6 p.m., birthday pie, films, memorabilia and drink specials — costumes encouraged.

WRIT LARGE • Free storytelling begins at 8 p.m. at the Wheeler Opera House (320 E. Hyman Ave., Aspen).

HARD COUNTRY • Wood & Wire take the stage at 9 p.m. at Steve’s Guitars (19 N. Fourth St.).

RENEGADE BLUES • Next 2 the Tracks plays the Black Nugget (403 Main St.) from 9 p.m. ‘til the wee hours of the morning with no cover.

21+

SUNDAY JULY 21 DOCUMENTARY • A Spiritual Center (520 S. Third St.) screens “Time of the Sixth Sun” at 12:30 p.m. with donations accepted to cover the cost of the venue.

MON JULY 22 & TUE JULY 23 DIVA CABARET • Nina Gabianelli and David Dyer present “Polka Dots and Moonbeams” at 7:30 p.m. each night. Tickets at thunderivertheatre.com — $25 general admission or a premium

- It’s the annual -

TOUGH ENOUGH TO WEAR PINK RODEO This fundraising event provides integrated therapies for cancer patients and their families.

July 18, 2019

Gates open at 5:30 p.m., survivor recognition and opening ceremonies begin at 7:30 p.m.

Gus Darien Riding Arena, Carbondale

table for four with wine or champagne for $140.

T U E S D AY JULY 23

advance of a two-day field class.

SAVE THE DATE FRI JULY 26 - SUN JULY 28

M OV I N G T H ROUG H SPACE • Aspen D a n c e Connection dancers will perform at 11:30 a.m. at the Carbondale Branch Library (320 Sopris Ave.) and then the audience will be encouraged to try movements focusing on space, time, and energy. Free and open to the public.

WEDNESDAY JULY 24 JOHNNY CASH TRIBUTE • Cash’d Out respectfully references the late, great Man in Black at Basalt’s Summer Concert Series with a 6 to 8 p.m. set on Market Street in Willits. Bring chairs or blankets and picnic or take advantage of specials at local restaurants during the free event.

MOVIE NIGHT • Bristlecone Mountain Sports (781 E. Valley Rd., Basalt) screens “Artifishal” by Patagonia Films at 6:30 p.m. with a cash bar, snacks and raffle.

KNOW THE BIRDS • Join Editor of Birding magazine, author, and birder Ted Floyd at Hallam Lake (100 Puppy Smith St., Aspen) as he shares stories and birding field craft tricks from 7 to 9 p.m. in

MOUNTAIN FAIR • Over 145 vendors are poised to bring their unique and diverse homemade wares to town each summer. In addition to vendors, Mountain Fair features non-stop entertainment– both in live music and various forms of performing arts; a family-area called The Oasis which provides interactive, creative experiences for children; great food; friendly competitions that run the gamut from pie baking to wood splitting, and an amazing spirit. That spirit is best evidenced by the over 300 volunteers who come together to run the fair. More info at carbondalearts.com/mountain-fair.

ONGOING OPEN TO THE UNEXPECTED • The Ann Korologos Gallery (211 Midland Ave., Basalt) features a solo exhibition featuring the regional landscapes of Carbondale artist Andy Taylor with a 5 to 7 p.m. opening reception.

WORKS ON PAPER • Carbondale Arts presents “Cross Pollinate” — a group exhibition curated by Marcia Weese focused on immediate, intimate, personal expressions with more emphasis on process than product. After a 6 to 8 p.m. opening reception, it runs through the end of the month at the Launchpad (76 S. Fourth St.).

PHOTO SHOW • The Colorado Mountain College (CMC) ArtShare Continued on page 11.

Honeybee is proud to present

The World Premiere Production of

A New Musical

Book by Brooke MacKay Music by Jenny Henry

July 18th 7:00 p.m, July 19th 7:00 p.m, July 20th 7:00 p.m at Thunder River Theatre, 67 Promenade, Carbondale

Tickets $20 - Available at the door or by visiting soltheatrecompany.org This show features adult content, strong language, and sensitive material, and is not recommended for students under the age of 13 without adult supervision

10 • THE SOPRIS SUN • soprissun.com • JULY 11 - JULY 17, 2019

COMMUNITY CALENDAR Program and Carbondale Creative District collaborate for a group exhibition at Morgridge Commons (815 Cooper Ave., Glenwood S p r i n g s ) featuring Sami Dinar, Martin Garfinkel, Karen Glenn, Penelope Greenwell, Cindy Higby, George Lilly, M i ke Rand, Mark Ronay, Lesa Russo, Deborah Shannan and G r e g Watts with a 6 to 8 p.m. opening reception.

HEALTH THROUGH NUTRITION • Free opportunities include a PowerPoint presentation

by Retired Family Physician, Dr. Greg Feinsinger about the science behind plant-based nutrition, on the first Monday of every month at 7 pm., as well as Monday morning free one-hour consultations by appointment for heart attack and other chronic illness prevention through Plant-Based Whole Foods Lifestyle. (Call 379-5718.) A once a month Plant-Based whole foods potluck for anyone interested in plant-based living is the 4th Monday of the month at 6:30 pm. All events take place at 3rd Street Center, 520 S. Third St. PUNCH PARKINSON’S • Rising Crane Training Center (768 Highway 133) offers free boxing / fitness classes for folks with Parkinson’s from 11 to noon Tuesdays and Thursdays. More info at 274-8473.

RENDERED TIME • The Carbondale Clay Center (135 Main

St.) shows off the work of 2017-19 resident artist Stephanie Seguin.

YOUR STORY, YOUR LIFE • A free facilitated workshop for adults, writing your personal history, one story at a time. Facilitated by Shelly M e r r i a m , h i s t or i a n /w r it er/ genealogist.

First and third Fridays, 10 a.m. to noon at the Glenwood Springs Branch Library, (815 Cooper Ave.). Info at 9455958 or gcpld.org.

ALAPRIMA • A watercolor painting group meets from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursdays at the Third Street Center (520 S. Third St.).

COMMUNITY MEAL • Faith Lutheran Church (1340 Highway 133), in collaboration with Carbondale Homeless Assistance, hosts a free community meal from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on the third Saturday of the month. Info: 5105046 or faithcarbondale.com.

YAPPY HOUR • Colorado Animal Rescue’s Yappy Hour at the Marble Bar (150 Main St.) takes place at 5:30 p.m. the third Thursday of the month. Sip on handcrafted cocktails and meet a C.A.R.E. dog, with $1 from every drink donated to C.A.R.E. Bring your own dog along as well.

ASPEN MUSIC FESTIVAL • Enjoy world-class classical music performances — orchestra, opera and chamber — with many events a day. In addition to fully free events, it’s always free to sit on the lawn outside the Benedict Music Tent.

RODEO • Catch the Carbondale

Continued from page 10.

Wild West Rodeo at 7:30 p.m.

Thursdays through Aug. 22 at the Gus Darien Arena on Catherine Store Road.

FARMERS MARKET • Get fresh produce and other goods from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesdays through Sept. 25 at the Fourth Street Plaza.

THOMPSON TOURS • The house (301 Lewies Ln.) is open for tours every Thursday, Friday and Saturday, from 1 to 4 p.m. $5 for ages 13 and up, info at carbondalehistory.org.

CASTLE TOURS • Experience life in another time with a tour of the elegant, beautifully-preserved home of Alma and John Osgood (58 Redstone Castle Ln.) at 10:15 a.m.

Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays.

Tickets at theredstonecastle.com.

MAGICAL MOMENTS • Bring your family, chairs, coolers and libations to the banks of the Crystal River Redstone’s free summer concert series at 6 p.m. Saturdays.

ROTARY • The Carbondale Rotary Club meets at the Carbondale Fire Station (300 Meadowood Dr.) at 6:45 a.m.

Wednesdays. The Mt. Sopris Rotary meets at White House Pizza (801 Main Ct.) at noon every Thursday.

BOOK CLUB • Join friends and fellow readers to discuss great books at Carbondale Branch Library (320 Sopris Ave.) at 4 p.m. on the first Tuesday of each month; call 963-2889 for this month's selection.

WRITERS GROUP • Wordsmiths of all experience and abilities gather

Future North Face Park Pickleball Courts Name Proposed The Carbondale Parks & Recreation Commission received a request to name the Future Pickleball Courts at North Face Park the:

at the Carbondale Branch Library (320 Sopris Ave.) at 6 p.m. on the second Monday of the month.

W A L K WITH A DOC • Aspen Valley Hospital (401 Castle Creek

Rd.) invites you to meet in the cafeteria at 10 a.m. the f irst Saturday of the m o n t h f o r a short discussion on a health-related topics, such as high blood pressure, asthma, anxiety, etc.

BLUEGRASS JAM • Bring the instrument of your choice or just your voice for a weekly jam session first and last Sundays at 6 p.m. at Steve’s Guitars (19 N. Fourth St.) and all other Sundays at the Glenwood Springs Brew Garden (115 Sixth St.) OPEN MIC • Take the stage at Riverside Grill (181 Basalt Center Circle, Basalt) from 5 to 8 p.m.

Wednesdays. Food and drink specials. Free.

LET’S JUST DANCE • Feel great, have fun and dance Tuesdays at The Third Street Center (520 S. Third St.). Catch a free lesson at 7 p.m., then from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. it’s open dancing with two-step, swing, waltz, line dance, salsa and more. No partner or experience necessary. $8/person; $14/couple.

Questions? Call 970-366-6463 or email billypat4@gmail.com.

BACHATA • Learn a Latin dance with Erik and Claudia Peña presenting weekly classes from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. every Thursday at The Launchpad (76 S. Fourth St.). $10 drop-in fee; info at 963-8425.

MEDITATION • Free silent meditation sessions are held at the Launchpad (76 S. Fourth St.) from 6:45 to 7:30 a.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays (info at 306-1015).

YOGA • Get a donation-based introduction to Hatha Yoga from 8 to 9 p.m. on Tuesdays at The Launchpad (76 S. Fourth St.).

KARAOKE • The Black Nugget (403 Main St.) and Sandman bring you over 30,000 songs to choose from and a quality sound system to release your inner rockstar at 9 pm. every Thursday.

TAI CHI • All levels are welcome to participate a gentle path to health and flexibility from 9 to 10 a.m.

Mondays and Wednesdays with John Norton. Marty Finkelstein offers a 5 to 5:30 course for beginners before his 5:30 to 7 p.m. class on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Both classes take place at the Third Street Center (520 S. Third St.).

WORLD DANCE • Learn rhythms from various countries and cultures for $12 per class from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Mondays at the Carbondale Community School (1505 Satank Rd.).

SANSKRIT MANTRA • Devika Gurung demonstrates how chant is about more than spirituality, but also breath and rhythm at 4:30 p.m.

Sundays at The Launchpad (76 S. Fourth St.).

EISNER/LAUDER NEW VIEWS DOCUMENTARIES AND DIALOGUE SERIES

“Young-Calaway Pickleball Courts...Alpine Bank”.

Following a required 45-day public comment period, the Parks & Recreation Commission will take formal action on September 11, 2019 regarding the name recommendation to the Town Trustees.

To comment, object to name, or suggest a different name: contact Parks & Recreation Director Eric Brendlinger (970) 510-1277 or ebrendlinger@carbondaleco.net.

“Close Encounters of the Wild Kind” with Guest Speaker Rev. Paul Gibb This service is about transformational experiences in nature that can lead to a new understanding of our inextricable connectedness with the natural world.

Join us Sunday, July 21, 2019 - 10 a.m.

MIKE WALLACE IS HERE “Masterful. Dazzling. A prismatic portrait.”

– The Wrap 7:00 PM, JULY 22 PAEPCKE AUDITORIUM 1000 N. THIRD STREET, ASPEN

Two Rivers Unitarian Universalist (TRUU) @ Third Street Center, Community Room Truu.org

TICKETS $20 AT ASPENSHOWTIX.COM

Guest Speaker Rev. Dr. Carla Ryan, Music with Jimmy Byrne, Religious Exploration with Ana Chynoweth, Preschool with Justice Bouchet

More information at aspeninstitute.org/series/new-views/

Two Rivers Unitarian Universalist

THE SOPRIS SUN • Carbondale’s weekly community connector • JULY 11 - JULY 17, 2019 • 11

TOWN REPORT

From Town Manager Jay Harrington's weekly report to trustees, staff and others.

DEPORTATION RHETORIC caused the Carbondale Police Department to reiterate the following policy: “We are not actively looking for people based on their immigration status. However, we are looking for people who violate state and municipal laws. We don't want victims, witnesses and / or people in the community to be afraid to approach Carbondale police based on their legal status.”

PLANNING AND ZONING Approved Resolution Number 8 of 2019 approving a 4-unit Condominization plat and a Lot Consolidation in RVR to combine two lots.

An application to amend Section 12 of the Crystal Acres PUD to add specifications and design standards for the currentlyallowed Primitive Trails for lots bordering the Crystal River was continued to the Aug. 29 hearing.

MOWING took place at the archery range and Delaney Nature Park.

LODGING TAX collections were down 6.9 percent for June 2019 compared to June 2018, but year to date they’re up 10.7 percent due to a strong January and February. Bag fees are down 9 percent year-over-year and sales tax collections are up 4.4 percent.

KEEP IT CLEAN signs will be installed in Nuche Park, Gateway RV Park and south of town along the Crystal River corridor. More info at roaringfork.org/ keepitclean.

A QUINCEANERA for 250 people occupied the Rec. Center gym on Saturday afternoon.

HIGHWAY 133 IRRIGATION work has been completed, although a pump relay is still missing to get the system automatic.

PATO BANTON and the Now Generation played Sopris Park on July 14 to an enthusiastic crowd.

YOUNG STEWARDS from Roaring Fork Outdoor Volunteers will conduct a weed pull at the North Face Bike Park and Bill Hanks Baseball Field on July 19.

BEST IN SHOW voting is ongoing for Art Around Town — visit carbondalegov.org to participate. The winning artist will receive a $1,000 bonus.

WATER LEAK survey on the distribution system picked up one leak on a fire hydrant and another on a Fourth Street service line.

A MAIN LINE SHUTDOWN in the Colorado Meadows subdivision was necessary after a private contractor pulled an abandoned water service line away from the tap.

THREE CANDIDATES were interviewed for the current Police Officer position, and the department is evaluating the results.

POOL USE is still down compared to last year but is catching up, with 2,934 visits in the first 48 days of 2019 and 4,039 in the same period of 2018.

SOUTH NETTLE CREEK has been increasing in flow into the Treatment Plant since the last week of June — up to 800 gallons per minute thus far. Staff will continue to increase filtration rates now that the demand is increasing with the hot weather. Utilities Staff has been working with the engineers on the hydro project as well.

HENDRICKS & MINERS soccer field will be closed a week longer than expected due to different germination rates, with a new tentative opening date of July 20.

SWIM LESSONS enter the final session July 29 through Aug. 8, with registration required.

COP SHOP From July 5 through 11 Carbondale Police Officers handled 375 calls for service.

During that period, officers investigated the following cases of note: SATURDAY July 6 at 1:37 a.m. A speeding stop led to a 33-year-old man’s arrest on suspicion of driving under the influence.

SUNDAY July 7 at 1:58 a.m. In the process of inquiring about a stolen phone, an officer confirmed that a 31-year-old man was wanted on a warrant and arrested him.

SUNDAY July 7 at 3:08 a.m. Following a disturbance call, police arrested a 43-yearold man on charges of harassment and possession of a controlled substance, which will be treated as domestic violence for the purposes of sentencing.

MONDAY July 8 at 4:03 p.m. Police issued a 36-year-old woman a summons for a vicious dog.

TUESDAY July 9 at 7 p.m. After being dispatched to a civil matter, police issued a summons for menacing.

Not a KDNK member? We're shocked!

rry, o w t ’ n o D te a l o o t t it’s no port to sup radio. ity n u m m o c CALL 970-963-0139 or go to KDNK.ORG and click DONATE CARBONDALE & RURAL FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT is accepting letters of interest for an open seat on the Board of Directors.

This position will serve a term that ends in May 2020.

Interested Parties must be a registered elector in the Carbondale & Rural Fire Protection District.

Letters of interest and a completed application must be received by Friday, August 2, 2019 at 4:30 p.m.

Letters of interest and application requests should be submitted to: Gene Schilling, President, Board of Directors gschilling@carbondalefire.org

12 • THE SOPRIS SUN • soprissun.com • JULY 11 - JULY 17, 2019

WEDNESDAY July 10 at 5:12 p.m. A woman reported a harassing message from her ex-boyfriend.

WEDNESDAY July 10 at 10:55 p.m. A traffic stop for a burnt-out headlight led to the arrest of the driver and two passengers for possession of a forged instrument, unlawful possession of a controlled substance and possession with intent to distribute less than 14 grams of a schedule I substance.

THURSDAY July 11 at 11:12 a.m. Police transported a 31-year-old with a warrant to Garfield County Jail.

THURSDAY July 11 at 6:25 p.m. A trespass complaint led to a warrant arrest.

THURSDAY July 11 at 7:29 p.m.

Following a disturbance call, a 46-yearold man was arrested for harassment and criminal mischief, to be treated as domestic violence for the purposes of sentencing.

Bureau of Land Management HQ headed to Grand Junction Grand Junction headquarters. Seventyfour positions were deemed no longer necessary at the national level. “Those positions have been allocated to individual state offices to carry out their mission at state, district, and field office levels,” he said.

The remaining 222 jobs will be assigned to state offices associated with the job. Oregon timber sale positions, for example, will go to Oregon.

Critics of the move

Contractors for the Bureau of Land Management set up jute traps ahead of a wild horse round-up on the Piceance-East Douglas Herd Management Area near Meeker.

Photo by Amy Hadden Marsh

By Amy Hadden Marsh Sopris Sun Correspondent U.S. Senator Cory Gardner may have stolen the spotlight Monday, taking credit for the Bureau of Land Management’s anticipated move from Washington, D.C., to Grand Junction, Colorado, but Assistant Secretary of the U.S. Department of the Interior Joe Balash made it official Tuesday during a conference call with reporters from across the country.

“There are 27 positions associated with the director, the deputy director for operations and the assistant directors of the Bureau that will relocate to Grand Junction for the new headquarters for BLM,” he said.

Senator Gardner (R-CO) has been lobbying hard for the move, claiming to be the “chief architect” of the plan to move agency headquarters west.

His website provides a timeline, beginning in June 2016 when Gardner raised the idea at a Senate Energy and Natural Resources hearing, and includes his Bureau of Land Management Headquarters Act, introduced in May 2017.

Congressman Scott Tipton, also a Republican and representative of Colorado’s Third District, introduced the companion bill in the House.

According to congress.gov, the act didn’t gain much traction. But, apparently, it didn’t have to. Both former Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke and current chief David Bernhardt had been keen on the

idea of moving the agency someplace out West. Bernhardt first announced the planned move in April 2018 without naming a location.

Balash said that before Bernhardt was confirmed as DOI director, the agency had looked at costs and benefits associated with staying in the district or leaving.

“What we found was, because of the incredibly high cost of real estate and lease costs as well as the locality pay differential that employees in the D.C. Metro area receive, that moving the headquarters to another location was going to result in a significant savings almost regardless of where we might put the headquarters.”

Each of the 550 agency positions that report to Washington, D.C., were sorted, using four questions: Is the position necessary to deliver the results for its respective national program? Does it need to be in Washington, D.C.? If not, where is the best place for it to be? The final test was whether the job needed to be close to the BLM director on a daily basis.

One hundred sixty-six positions are already spread out across the West. “Some of them are in law enforcement; some are in the Wild Horse and Burro Program and other national programs,” said Balash.

Sixty-one jobs will stay in the district.

“Those are positions primarily related to budget, congressional affairs and relations, regulatory affairs, and FOIA (Freedom of Information Act) compliance,” he added.

But most are headed West. Twentyseven jobs, including the director and assistant directors, will work out of the

Public lands and public employee advocacy groups, such as the Western Values Project (WVP), the Public Lands Foundation (PLF), and Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility (PEER), cite fiscal discrepancies, lack of transparency, and concerns about the impact on decision-making as reasons to oppose the move.

George Stone, board member of PLF, a public lands advocacy group comprised of retired BLM employees, told The Sopris Sun that he’s concerned that the plan will dilute the BLM. “This is highly unusual to dismantle a functioning headquarters office and, frankly, to remove headquarters’ senior management and staff positions and disperse them elsewhere in the organization,” he said.

Stone added that PLF has not seen a business case, justifying the relocation. He questions the costs involved. “Why would it make sense to do all this?” he asked. “Is it efficiency? Is it effectiveness? What are the problems they are trying to solve?”

Jayson O’Neill, Deputy Director of WVP, a public lands advocacy group based in Montana, said that moving key BLM positions out West will not change the fact that public lands policy decisions are made in Washington DC. “There are over a dozen other agencies that have some influence on how we manage our public lands and those are based in Washington, D.C.,” he said. “When we talk about decisions that impact those public lands and folks out West, we’re losing an important component in allowing that collaboration and that input to happen.”

Cautiously optimistic Erin Ricchio, community organizer for Grand Junction-based Conservation Colorado, said she’s glad the town will reap the economic benefits of the move and that new BLM employees will get to experience western public lands firsthand. But, she’s wary of the Trump Administration. “It won’t actually do much to protect our treasured public lands as long as we have this current presidential administration in place,” she said.

The BLM plans to have the relocation complete within the next 15 months but the agency still does not have a permanent director.

“As a matter of fact, there’s not even a nominee to be the director of the BLM,” said Jeff Ruch. “So a department that’s proposing to do major things like change its headquarters, you would think you’d have a director that would be making that decision and explaining it for reasons that are readily understood both to the employees and to the public, but that’s not the case.”

Timing and money O’Neill is also concerned about money already spent on the relocation. WVP claims that $14 million was spent in fiscal year 2018 on the reorganization proposal but does not know exactly how that money was spent.

Interior has requested another $27 million but that has not yet been allocated.

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Jeff Ruch, Pacific Director of PEER, a public employee advocacy group, said that some of the money that Interior is using for the move has already been allocated and is coming out of BLM’s general operating funds.

“Most of these agencies have a fair amount of discretion as to how to spend money that’s been appropriated unless it’s confined to a line item for a specific purpose,” he explained.

He added that he doesn’t know how much BLM plans to spend on the move.

“But, they appear to be rushing it so that they have it in place before it can be vetoed or blocked in the upcoming appropriations bill for [fiscal year] 2020 which begins Oct. 1.”

George Stone said about $5 million is available for the relocation, based on 2019 appropriations.

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THE SOPRIS SUN • Carbondale’s weekly community connector • JULY 11 - JULY 17, 2019 • 13

The magician in your kitchen From the archives of the Valley Journal and Sopris Sun

July 19, 1979

don’t really remember that many bands.”

In other news… Following a personal visit with ranchers along the Roaring Fork River, Senator Tim Wirth urged the Environmental Protection Agency to drop a lawsuit against those who had sought and been denied permits for rechanneling.

ES PAGthe of t as P

Lon Benedict was making a name for himself as both a caterer and roller-skaterabout-town. The former computer analyst for Texas Instruments found skating his way up Independence Pass or Highway 133 offered an opportunity to meet people and escape the bustle. While his business might have flourished better in Aspen alone, he preferred to diversify, and found his simple meals were well received downvalley. “I do magic tricks as part of the service and have even begun thinking about putting together a type of ‘Dinner Theatre’ which I could bring into peoples’ homes to go with the meal,” he explained.

In other news… The Town of Carbondale was surveying possible interest in a Crystal Valley bus.

July 18, 1999

Marble was planning a series of events to celebrate its centennial. Tours were slated for the quarry, Bank Building and old Marble school, old timers were encouraged to get together for palaver and everyone was invited to the Arts and Crafts fair. Meanwhile, the closing of the Redstone Castle to public view was prompting concerns that The Crystal Valley’s tourism might suffer.

In other news… SearchColorado, a website developed by the owner of several local newspapers including the Valley Journal, was honored alongside the New York Times in the Digital Edge awards.

Basecamp continued from page 3 generally improved the site.

“We were hearing that if there was enough infrastructure out there, it would be a lot easier for schools to use the site,” Erickson said. “Basically all a school group would need to bring at this point is a pad, sleeping bag, personal gear, food and water.”

Over the weekend, volunteers leveled and expanded the tent area, built trails and otherwise improved infrastructure. RFOV’s Olivia Deihs saw it as a great opportunity to showcase the property to those who might not otherwise get to see it.

“The property is absolutely beautiful, and people were excited to be up there,” she said. “We had plenty of kiddos who joined us, which was awesome, and a lot of parents were asking about how to get them back. My hope is that some of the schools that go up there can become stewards as well.”

Roaring Fork Outdoor Volunteers’ next big event is a “backpacking light” trip near Hay Park in August.

“For all our trips we provide the food and tools and leadership, so it’s really just showing up and having a good time,” Deihs said.

Sign-ups also recently opened at rfov.org for projects at Cathedral Lake and Hanging Lake and the season wraps up with a new trail near Rifle in October.

Aspen Valley Land Trust, meanwhile, is gearing up for its Grand Land Dance — a major fundraiser that supports its many projects — on July 20. More info at avlt.org.

July 16, 2009

July 20, 1989 Life Magazine made a point of tracking down local Michael Maxon 20 years after he was pictured in the magazine alongside several other “soggy hippies huddled under a piece of wood, trying to escape one of Woodstock’s infamous rains.” An updated pic of him at Valley Lumber was expected to run in the anniversary edition, and Maxon took the opportunity to reflect on his “foggy” memories of the event. “Everyone you met was your friend. You’d move from one group to another. It was quite a scene,” he said. “I

Youngsters were invited to help internationally-exhibiting muralist Tony Ortega with a piece to be installed at the Carbondale Rec. Center. The community mural process wasn’t new to him, or to the community. “I hope to share that art doesn’t have to be just in galleries or museums or for wealthy people,” he said.

In other news… Construction on a new library wasn’t expected to start for at least another year as the district prioritized downvalley locations.

The Marble Basecamp offers schools a balance of amenities and solitude. Photo by Matt Annabel

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LETTERS Scott's guest opinion column, "Bridging the Divide", in the July 11 Sopris Sun. I commend Summer Scott's effort to formulate a common grounds approach to make the political divide in America and in Colorado disappear. Summer Scott mentions the blue vs. the red divided and the rural vs. urban divide among Americans. Summer promotes the idea that communities should unite around common goals of election reform and fighting political corruption among others.

He then conveys very well all of our frustration when our attempts at political reforms have no impact on our local, state, and national representatives.

Summer frames our frustration and the divide in America quite well.

What is the answer to the divide?

Answer: The Independent voter movement in America! Independent voters all over America are uniting to fight for election reform and stop political corruption. As one of the national leaders in the Independent voter movement, I found this movement to be a breath of fresh air for me politically.

I find that former Democrats and Republicans are uniting behind other Independents to support legislation that will open all of our closed primary elections in America as well as stopping gerrymandering. So, defending voter rights is a major cause of the Independent voter movement. Let's throw in the much-needed campaign finance as well.

The Independent voter movement supports free and open elections.

Specifically, we may need to start our path toward free and open elections with Top Two Primaries, Ranked Choice Voting, or Approved Voting. If we can get rid of the rigged Democratic and Republican Party primaries which all of us taxpayers fund, this would be a major political reform. The Independent voter movement is all about voting for the person and not the party!

As the leader of the Western Colorado Independent Voters and as a national leader in the Independent voter movement, these simple democratic reforms represent a political revolution.

We need this political revolution to erase the divide that the Democratic

and Republican Parties have caused in America. The Independent voter movement is working hard every day to erase the divide in America. If we can accomplish some or all of these reforms, America can begin building a real democracy. I believe that the Independent voter movement is the common ground that can unite the people of Colorado and the rest of America.

Thank you, Summer Scott, for bringing this important message to our attention.

Randy Fricke Western Colorado Independent Voters

Pass the CORE Act Dear Editor: It’s a warm summer day, a group of 5-7 year old girls scramble along the banks of the Thompson Creek, catching water striders and pressing their noses against the pine trees, inhaling the sweet butterscotch smell.

This is the Wild at Heart Summer Camp, a program intended to empower girls to be strong in themselves through their connection with the natural world. The Thompson Divide area has been a haven of adventure for us because of its close proximity to Carbondale, the range of ecosystems it offers, and the cool waters of the Thompson Creek.

If we don’t pass the CORE Act, the Thompson Divide area is still at risk of being developed by oil and gas production. In an industry where an oil company in La Plata County reported 160 spills in one year, it’s not hard to see how detrimental development in the Thompson Divide could be to the community and surrounding environment. With one spill, we could lose this precious resource that provides an easily accessible outdoor classroom to the children of the RFV and my business as outdoor educator would be impacted.

I, therefore, urge Representative Scott Tipton and Senator Cory Gardener to support the CORE Act. Passing out of the House Natural Resources Committee was a critical first step, and I urge the full House to quickly pass this important legislation, and continue its journey to the Senate.

Natalie Spears Carbondale

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