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Volume 11, Number 40 | November 7, 2019
Wake the dead
Dia de los Muertos fell on a Friday this year, helping the Latin tradition of honoring those who have passed on to all but eclipse Halloween. See more from both events on pages 8 and 9. Photo by Laurel Smith
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OPINION
Ps & Qs
By Jeannie Perry I’ve had enough. I’m sick and tired of having to pony up more money to support things like libraries, schools, libraries in schools… I pay taxes and that is where I want the money to go, not to the military industrial complex. “Today in Capitalism” by Iraq Veterans Against the War “Hey Siri, what is the military industrial complex?” “When you load a $70,000 missile onto a 28 million dollar drone so it can fly at the cost of $3,624 per hour to kill some people in Yemen who live on less than $1 per day.” I vote according to my beliefs, not because I belong to one party or
LETTERS
Enough war for a lifetime the other — and yes, I’ve contacted my congressmen. But the system is broken- if it ever worked at all. I believe that simply by being born on this planet there are a few things we are entitled to: water, food, shelter and communication (i.e., television/internet). I don’t care what it costs, the internet (at the library for instance) is where we learn, connect, interact with our world, and it should damn well be free. I’ve also had enough of the haves taking more than their share— not to mention more than they can ever use. I find it hard to watch such wasteful avarice among our leaders, knowing that they have access to the same information and therefore awareness of the state of our world, but choose to focus only on what they can grab with their own tiny hands. How can they not see the naked emperor as he walks by in the full-length window reflection, or in the mirror at the gym; his pudgy inner child running on the treadmill of consuming emptiness and disappointment. “Poverty exists not because we cannot feed the poor, but because we cannot satisfy the rich." -Anonymous
I recently went to Durango for some energy work — energy as in collective consciousness, not the fracking industry (clarified for John Foulkrod.) After a truly healing and revealing session, I went out with old friends who know me well and we had a great time eating and drinking, talking and laughing. After I returned to the house where I was staying, I went around to make sure all the doors and windows were securely locked, closets were devoid of serial killers wearing hockey masks, lights were off, etc. Then I went to sleep and slept soundly, until I heard my name and a knock on the door; sharp and twice, like a Jehovah’s witness. I got up to see if my cousin had shown up for breakfast earlier than ever before in her life and I went into the upstairs bathroom to peek out the shower window at the empty front step below… no one. Then I went downstairs to investigate. Everything was just as I had left it, except for a lamp that was now on. I checked to see if it was on a timer… nope. I choose to believe that we all contain an energy (or soul, or stardust, or whatever you want to call it) and it stretches beyond the
Integration happens in the schools
Trump a CEO failure
Dear Editor: Reading the Oct. 17 article, “Our Latino and Anglo communities don’t interact much...,” I was surprised and disappointed to see that there was little mention of what, in my experience, are the most integrated places in our community: Crystal River Elementary School, Carbondale Middle School, and Roaring Fork High School. As the mother of two daughters who have attended the non-chartered Roaring Fork Schools for their entire K-12 education, I’ve seen how their lives have been enriched by the experience of going to school side-byside with a significant portion of classmates from a different cultural, linguistic and socioeconomic background from themselves. As much as I appreciate the excellent education my kids received at these schools in terms of academics, art and music, along with the incredible opportunities that that education has afforded them beyond high school, it’s the experience of befriending and working with children different from themselves that has shaped my daughters in ways that no other schools in Carbondale could have done. Learning how to interact and feel comfortable with people from different backgrounds is not something you can teach your children; it’s something they can only develop through experience. I’m so grateful that my daughters had those experiences throughout their entire years of schooling here in Carbondale. Debbie Bruell Carbondale
Dear Editor: Okay; he’s a con artist. Yeah, a compulsive liar. Maybe a crook. Much worse than that, he’s a flagrantly incompetent chief executive. Whether POTUS or CEO of General Motors or Berthod Motors, your responsibility is to surround yourself with the best and the brightest… identify, attract, orchestrate, motivate and retain the very best talent available — talent that is smarter and harder working than even you, which in this case wouldn’t be difficult! Sure, piloted six bankruptcies screwing lenders and suppliers in the process. Oh well, they should have known better. How about 78 percent turnover in the White House top echelon positions!? How about 31 percent multiple turnovers on his A-Team!? How about 9 of 15 Cabinet members turned over!? A recent Brookings Institute study labeled this chaotic turnover as “historic, unprecedented, off the charts”. How do you explain this? Easily; he has no idea how to identify, attract, orchestrate, motivate and retain talent. The only organization he has ever run is his family business and the family is extraordinarily well compensated for putting up with his ridiculous oafishness. His daddy fed him with a silver spoon which he damn near squandered and he has maintained that family tradition: buy and own your “faithful” flock. It’s understandable that few
tangible world we experience every day. It is comforting for me to believe that the end of this life is not The End. Although, my practical side can make a solid argument for the end being just that: curtain, lights, show’s over. And as much as I like to believe there is more to the whole exercise, I can’t help but notice that our minds are the ones relaying the news that we are more than our human bodies. Except when a lamp turns on inexplicably. The mystery of it is what makes life worthwhile. I mean, worst-case scenario we just get the time we’re here to experience the full spectrum of living on Earth, and best-case scenario the journey continues. That simple realization has reinforced my mission in this life; to gain new experience, create integral connections, and generate positive esprit. I’ve also fixed a sticky note to my bathroom mirror. Note to self: do not reincarnate. I mean, really; enough is enough. This tedious haves vs. have-nots struggle has been going on since the beginning, and it doesn’t look like we’ll solve it anytime soon… So, as my friend Walker often says, “peace out, girl scout.”
accomplished and ambitious talents would want to work for this guy. A bunch have given it a shot but either quit or been fired for failure to kiss his ring. Pence and Pompeo both have their eyes on the throne and if kissing rings or derrieres is part of the process, they’ll out-kiss the rest. Even the most “asleep at the wheel” Board of Directors (think Enron) would have fired this guy two years ago. Jim Noyes Carbondale
A big zombie thank you Dear Editor: Bonedale Flashmob would like to thank everyone who came out and supported our 2019 Thrill the World event. The community's outpouring of generosity for the Family Resource Center was amazing. We'd also like to thank our community sponsor, Alpine Bank; The Sopris Sun and Roaring Fork Weekly Journal for fabulous articles; and the volunteers that helped to make this year's event such a success. Congratulations, zombies, for another thrilling year! Alexandra and Anthony Jerkunica Coredination / The views expressed Bonedale in opinion pieces do Ballet not necessarily reflect
CORRECTION Contrary to quote in the Oct. 31 edition, there is a detox facility in the area: Recovery Resources, located next to Aspen Valley Hospital at 405 Castle Creek Rd., Suite 206. For more information, visit recoveryresourcescolorado.org or call 379-0955. 2 • THE SOPRIS SUN • soprissun.com • NOVEMBER 7, 2019 - NOVEMBER 13, 2019
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Donate online or by mail. 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 • 970-510-0246 adsales@soprissun.com Graphic Designer: Ylice Golden Staff Reporter: Roberta McGowan Delivery: Tom Sands Current Board Members board@soprissun.com Marilyn Murphy, President Raleigh Burleigh, Vice President Linda Criswell, Secretary Klaus Kocher, Treasurer John Colson • Kay Clarke Carol Craven • Megan Tackett The Sopris Sun Board meets regularly on the second Monday evening of each month at the Third Street Center.
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Virgili and Hartzell win CMC trustee
Salida a slam dunk
By Roberta McGowan Sopris Sun Staff Colorado Mountain College will annex the Salida School District following the overwhelming approval of ballot questions 7A and 5A, and will also welcome two new board members. In the Board of Trustee election, the apparent winner for the seat in District 2 (Roaring Fork School District boundaries) is Marianne Virgili of Carbondale and in District 6 (Lake County School District) Bob Hartzell of Leadville. Reached by phone in Salida, CMC President CEO Dr. Carrie Hauser said, “We are very excited as a college and on behalf of the Board of Trustees. It was a great statement that the community of Salida rallied and decided they wanted to be part of the college. The current district was clearly excited to say yes to have them join the district.” She noted that, as a result, students at CMC Salida campus will pay in-district tuition rates of $80 per credit hour rather than the out-of-district rates of $170.
CMC officials and supporters celebrated in Salida. Courtesy photo Rachel Pokrandt, Colorado Mountain College vice president and campus dean for Leadville and Chaffee County, said, “We are honored that the communities of Salida and Poncha Springs have voted to join the Colorado Mountain College district. It is impressive for a community to make this type of investment in education for students and to support workforce development.” Added Salida Mayor P.T. Wood, “We are incredibly excited. We’ve been working very closely with the school district on mutual goals. This gives us major opportunities.”
As Salida Superintendent David Blackburn, explained, “This allows us to set a pathway where partnerships and partnering are what we’re about. This really feels like the Salida way." Commenting on winning the District 2 seat, Virgili said she believed in affordable education, lifelong learning, and workforce development through education. She added “I want to keep CMC the most affordable bachelors’ degree program in the state. And just doing everything I can to offer education to everyone. I want to make sure every community is served. Salida passed. It was a great
night for CMC.” The unsuccessful District 2 candidate, Mary Nelle Axelson, said, “I really appreciate all of the people who supported me and my campaign, and I wish Marianne all the best in guiding the college into the future.” Axelson also looked forward to a great future for CMC. District 6 winner Bob Hartzell added, “I’m very pleased. I do feel as though CMC is headed in the right direction. I am extremely happy with the Salida vote.” He explained he has visited the CMC campuses in Carbondale, Glenwood Springs, Spring Valley, Aspen and Rifle. “I was impressed by the synergy throughout CMC in the Roaring Fork Valley.” He said he will work to get the same synergy in the Arkansas Valley,” he continued. His competitor, Christine Whittington, thanked her supporters and noted that “No, I did not win, but in a way we all did. If I had not run, the CMC Board of Trustees would not have been on the agenda of two candidate nights … and the subject of many letters, interviews, and Q & As.” The newly-elected board members will be sworn in at the December meeting.
GarCo library referendum squeaks through By Ken Pletcher Sopris Sun Correspondent According to unofficial results, Garfield County voters approved by a narrow margin Ballot Initiative 6A on Nov. 5. As of Wednesday afternoon, the count was 7,359 for and 6,511 against. The measure will provide additional funding for the county library district by adding a 1.5 mill levy on property tax bills. This will supplement the sales tax revenue that funds daily operations and the 1 mill levy enacted in 2006 to fund capital improvements and property maintenance. The increase is expected to provide about $4 million more for the 2020 fiscal year, or roughly 75 percent over estimates for the budget without the mill increase. It will also give the library district a more reliable revenue source than currently
exists with the fluctuations in sales tax receipts. “I’m just really excited to show people what we can do, and how this will change everything for us, as a library in Carbondale and as a district,” said Carbondale Branch Manager Lacy Dunlavy. “I think it’s amazing how many people turn out for midterm elections in Colorado. We had such promising results last year with debrucing,” which allowed the library district to keep all of the revenue received from sales taxes above the mandatory limit set by TABOR. When asked what the short-term benefits will be, Dunlavy responded, “We can immediately get more materials, we can immediately look at our subscriptions, we can immediately get more magazines and newspapers. But what I’m really excited about is restoring our hours.” She added, “That will be in the future, in 2020.” Budget cutbacks in recent years forced libraries throughout the district to reduce
weekday and Saturday hours and to remain closed on Sundays. Dunlavy continued, “An important part of being us, being Garfield County Libraries, being the Carbondale Branch, is that we really want to have great staff ” — a reference to the fact that it will now be possible to hire more library personnel. “So I’m really excited to get that process going, and then we can be open more and be more accessible to everyone in the community. That’s what this is all about; it’s really exciting!” When Dunlavy was asked about when the library might be open again on Sundays, she replied, “All I can say is as soon as possible. We really need to get to work. I’m really excited to do that, and we’ll be working really hard to make [Sunday hours] a reality as soon as possible. I know that it’s a great unifying factor for all of our staff and our branches.”
Ramirez leapfrogs Larson for school board By Will Grandbois Sopris Sun Staff Even when Jasmin Ramirez was trailing incumbent Shane Larson in the race for Roaring Fork Schools’ District D, she was simply pleased to be in the running. “I’m just a mom who cares,” she said. “I feel proud that enough people heard and related to my dreams for a better representative district for our kids and families. I'm grateful for the opportunity to connect with members of our district and
value the conversations that took place during my campaign. It all meant so much; I'm incredibly humbled by it.” And although Larson held a narrow lead in preliminary results Tuesday night and into Wednesday morning, it was Ramirez who ended up ahead by 60 votes when unofficial final results were released: 2,467 to 2,407 with Amy Connerton trailing at 1,474. Although more than 100 ballots are still caught up in the verification process, it’s unlikely that it will be enough
to change the result or trigger a recount. Even if it did, it’s clear that she has made her point. “The work continues regardless. We should have more parents involved. We should have more conversations about equity,” she said. “One of my biggest supporters was my fifth-grade teacher. This is why it’s so important to me that my child has a great experience in school. Teachers can change your life. I hope that our Latino children and other kids that have been underserved have those
relationships that can open doors. I hope the community knows that any parent can join the PTA or serve on a committee.” To read more about Ramirez’s platform, check out her column on page 14. Larson, for his part, told The Sun when he was apparently in the lead that he relished the competitiveness of the race as an opportunity to reflect on his first term and consider what might be next. Continued on page 9
Election Results Roundup Based on unofficial results as of noon on Nov. 6 Proposition CC which would have allowed the state to retain revenue it is required to refund under the Taxpayer's Bill of Rights (TABOR) failed 54.9 to 45.1 percent Proposition DD to authorize sports betting in Colorado and allow the legislature to levy a tax on it to fund state water projects passed 50.6 to 49.4 percent Pitkin County Issue 1A to dedicate sales tax on tobacco for tax collection, enforcement and public health passed 78.8 to 21.2 percent Aspen Ballot Issue 2A to retain excess tabacco sales tax passed 79.7 to 20.3 percent Basalt Ballot Issue 3A to increase taxes to support public safety, fire and flood mitigation and capital improvements passed 63.4 to 36.6 percent Glenwood Springs Ballot Issue 2A a tax increase on the sale of cigarettes and tobacco products passed 60.9 to 39.1 percent New Castle Ballot Issue 2B a tax increase on the sale of cigarettes and tobacco products passed 67.3 to 32.6 percent New Castle Ballot Issue 2C to reauthorize the 2008 property tax rate passed 41.1 to 58.9 percent
THE SOPRIS SUN • Carbondale’s weekly community connector • NOVEMBER 7, 2019 - NOVEMBER 13, 2019 • 3
SCUTTLEBUTT Mirror image Applications for Carbondale Arts' 12th Annual Green is the New Black Fashion Extravaganza on March 12-14, 2020 are available now and due Friday, Nov. 8. This year's theme is Mirror Mirror. To be considered, designers must meet certain sustainability guidelines specified in the application and provide a minimum of 5 looks (and a maximum of 10). Applications can be found at carbondalearts.com; email laura@carbondalearts.com with questions.
Water, water everywhere Calling all photographers! Roaring Fork Conservancy is looking for amateur and professional photographers to capture the beauty of the streams, lakes, meadows, peaks and lifestyles in the watershed, as well as Lake Christine Fire Restoration. Glenwood Hot Springs Resort is once again providing prizes for “best of ” awards. Visit roaringfork.org for rules and submission guidelines by Nov. 19.
Rest easy Basalt High School is holding a mattress sale fundraiser from 10 a.m to 5 p.m. on Nov. 9. It’s a chance to help out the kids and save some money on more than 20 brand-name pillowtop, firm, memory-foam and latex mattresses. Delivery options are available. Email cfscosprings@ customfundraisingsolutions.com for more information.
Send your scuttlebutt to news@soprissun.com.
Where there’s smoke
Restoration
On the road
In November, the Roaring Fork School District is offering free family education events on restorative practices, which are an alternative to traditional, punitive approaches to school discipline. Participants will learn what restorative practices are and how they benefit students and schools. The Carbondale event will take place at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 13 at Roaring Fork High School in both English and Spanish, with free dinner and childcare provided. For more information, email gtennant@ rfschools.com or call 384- 5697.
Fire managers from the Upper Colorado Interagency Fire and Aviation Management Unit plan to take advantage of changing weather conditions to burn slash piles on the Aspen-Sopris Ranger District on the White River National Forest. Specific locations for pile burning, when conditions warrant, include the Baylor Park area and three miles north of Thomasville. Local residents and travelers through the area should be aware of the likelihood of smoke rising from these areas. Call 963-2266 for more information. High Country RSVP (Retired Senior Volunteer Program) is once again offering AARP Driver Safety for drivers 50+, this time from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 8 at the Glenwood CMC Center. The class covers topics like how to compensate for changes in vision, hearing, and reaction time; how medications may affect driving and how to assess your own and others’ driving abilities with a Personal Driving Capability Index. Most Colorado auto insurance companies offer discounts to those who complete the course. There is a $15 fee for AARP members and a $20 fee for non-members for the workbook and handouts payable to the instructor. Visit coloradomtn. edu to register or visit any CMC branch location.
They say it’s your birthday
Noreen Steiner, Brett Nelson, Lee Beck, and Virgil Leeman (Nov. 7); Rick Carlson (Nov. 8); Stephen Molloy (Nov. 9); Natalie Rae Fuller and Tim Ireland (Nov. 10); Nicolette Toussaint (Nov. 11); Alex Achterhoff, Lance Quint, Kelsey Freeman and Estefania Montoya (Nov. 12) Bob Ezra, Maria Flores and Riley Skinner (Nov. 13).
What’s next? Join Aaron Garland, former RFSD educator, licensed English and Special Education teacher, executive skills and life coach to young adults at the Basalt Library 10:30 a.m. Nov. 9 for a smallgroup workshop. Each student will be led through a series of exercises designed and proven to help discover direction, purpose and next steps in life. Whether there is a post-high school plan or not, this workshop has been crafted to help each student independently define choices and steps that will help optimize the final months of high school and prepare for what is next. Visit mytigertiger.com to register for $45.
Piper Arnette, 8, of Silt, won her bid to become Sunlight’s next Mini-Mayor with 34,730 votes. She ran on a platform of sun safety and is lobbying to add a sunscreen station in the lodge. Arnette is also hoping to sway the ski area management to paint one of the chairs on its beginner chairlift purple. She plans to raise awareness for her platform by passing out free donuts at the chairlift. Courtesy photo
‘Returning’
@rockymountainhighq
A Repertory Performance by
CoMotion Dance Company Returning is an exploration into the layers of self and the many facets of journeying away and back home.
RETAIL MARIJUANA | 21 +
Friday, November 8, 2019 7:00 PM Saturday, November 9, 2019 7:00 PM Tickets — danceinitiative.org The Launchpad 76 South 4th Street Carbondale THIS COMMUNITY AD SPACE DONATED BY COOL BRICK STUDIOS.
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OPE N IN G S O O N I N S N O W MA S S V I LLAG E NOW H I R I NG
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4 • THE SOPRIS SUN • soprissun.com • NOVEMBER 7, 2019 - NOVEMBER 13, 2019
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Battle scarred and determined Former Redstonian writes book about war and love By Roberta McGowan Sopris Sun Staff As a Vietnam veteran who lost his leg in combat and still has shrapnel in his body, Infantry Captain Ron Sorter, knows about pain — emotional as well as physical. He’s suffered both. Veterans Day, Nov. 11, has always been a somber yet special day for him. And what will Sorter do? “I’ve visited a lot of veterans cemeteries and those with a veterans section,” he said, “And I plan to visit another this year.” Sorter and the love of his life, Michelle, lived in Redstone for 22 years and were project directors for the effort to restore the coke ovens. Sorter was also involved with the Crystal River Caucus and served as president of the Redstone Historical Society. They left in 2015 following Michelle’s cancer diagnosis to be closer to family in Sequim, WA. She died in March 2019, 25 years into their marriage. Most every list of stress factors places the loss of a spouse as the number one most traumatic events a person can experience in their entire lives. Despite his overwhelming grief,
Sorter reached out to his college fraternity brother Bob Tierno who also served in the military during Vietnam. Each has since been living a full, happy life but with trauma along the way. Sorter and Tierno realized they each had tales to tell about their long friendship. While Sorter was dealing with his grief, Tierno had just beaten prostate cancer. They always kept in touch. Titled “Letters in a Helmet, A Story of Fraternity and Brotherhood,” the nonfiction work harkened back to their war experiences, when soldiers would place their outgoing letters in an army helmet. Now available at Amazon.com online, it was published in October 2019. Aptly, the book begins with a thoughtful poem by Albert Camus, winner of the 1957 Nobel Prize for Literature. “Don’t walk in front of me, I may not follow. Don’t walk behind me, I may not lead. Walk beside me and be my friend.” Sorter and Tierno met as fraternity brothers at the University of Oklahoma. “We bonded immediately,” Sorter remembered. War changed them both, Sorter emphasized “We should find a better way to settle our differences. Sometimes it seems easier to hit someone than to chat.”
“Our lives have intersected often throughout the years.” Sorter said. A fraternity reunion in April 2019 brought them together again. “Letters in a Helmet” is a sweeping tale spanning five decades. Sorter and Tierno travelled across a landscape of military service, career transitions, marriages, war wounds, cancer battles and sadness. Sorter left Vietnam in 1970. June 2020 will be the 50th anniversary of his departure, he noted. He received the Combat Infantry Badge and the Bronze Star Medal. But, Sorter didn’t end his service to the military then. He became chief of prosthetic services at the Veteran’s Administration Medical Center in San Diego. Later, he went to San Diego State University where he earned a Master of Science in Business Administration(MSBA), a degree specializing in artificial intelligence and robotics used in business and manufacturing. Then, Sorter was hired by a private firm in San Diego as Director of Prosthetics. “All of us who were injured in combat were members of the involuntary brotherhood of the purple heart,” Sorter recalled. “Letters in a Helmet” presents narrations switching back and forth between Sorter and Tierno. It’s written in the first person style (“I”
HIGHLIGHTING WORKS BY LOCAL FILMMAKERS
Wounded Vietnam veteran Ron Sorter, a former Redstone resident, writes about his military and personal journeys in “Letters in a Helmet, A Story of Fraternity and Brotherhood.” Photo by Roberta McGowan instead of “he”); this allowed the writers to tell their own personal stories. “That made the book is more personal,” Sorter explained. Their editor and writing coach Jon Obermeyer commented on the book, “The immaturity of their youthful antics is followed immediately by the accelerated maturity of early adulthood, and later on, the accumulation of wisdom as they enter their eighth decade of life. This is an inspiring chronicle of American life bridging the 20th and 21st centuries with this enduring mantra: Your brothers are always there for you.”
Co-author Bob Tierno lives in Denton,Texas with Karen, his wife of 46 years. He expressed his thoughts about the publication, "It's a story about a couple guys who, like me, lived their lives with their loves, their families and their losses. As an ex-military guy, I loved the title. If you, like me, don't read a lot of books, you've got to read this one." Sorter is not quite finished with writing, as he has mulled over a new work about his late wife. He plans to call this new one “Dear Michelle.” Publication date is uncertain, but his heart is truly in it.
Meet Roaring Fork Family Practice’s new primary care provider, Alyse Poll, NP. Alyse is a nurse practitioner with a certificate in family medicine and focus on senior care. She spent the last three years practicing medicine in Alaska, but is happy to be back in the Roaring Fork Valley with her husband and son.
November 23, Third St. Center, Carbondale Adult: $17 /$20 Door | Child (12&Under): $7.50/$10 Door Purchase tickets online at SunlightMTN.com or at Sunlight Ski & Bike Shop, 309 9th St. downtown Glenwood Springs. Questions? 970-945-9425
Win a pair of Sunny 700s!
Alyse is accepting new patients. Schedule your appointment today by calling 970.963.3350.
PeopleCare. That’s Valley View.
VVH.ORG/POLL
Carbondale’s weekly community connector • NOVEMBER 7, 2019 - NOVEMBER 13, 2019 • 5 THE SOPRIS SUN •PeopleCare. That’s Valley View.
RESTLESS
Having Halloween on a Thursday gave plenty of opportunities for fun, starting with the zombie pub crawl the Saturday before (bottom and center left, photos by Jennifer Johnson). On the day itself, Bryson Fink came into the post office to show off his mailbox costume and Town staff got into the spirit with John Leybourne impersonating a police officer to arrest his boss, John Plano (bottom right, courtesy photos). That night, Laurel Smith, Teal Bowden, Stephanie Stocking and Mark Burrows gave out photos instead of candy (bottom center, photo by Teal Bowden) while folks from KDNK, the Daily News and Post Independent partied at the Third Street Center (top, photos by Will Grandbois).
Sean Jeung is a longtime friend of the TRUU congregation. She serves as chaplain at the Calaway Young Cancer Center at Valley View Hospital where she assists patients, families and staff with spiritual needs/ concerns. Sean also provides bereavement services for families, staff and community residents in her role as a Pathfinders counselor. We trust she can help us become a bit more comfortable with the end of our own lives with a newfound kindness. Guest Speaker Chaplain Sean Jeung Religious Exploration with Ana Chynoweth Guest Musician Ellen Stapenhorst Two Rivers Unitarian Universalist
Preschool with Justice Bouchet
Sunday Services at 10am at 520 S. 3rd Street Carbondale CO 6 • THE SOPRIS SUN • soprissun.com • NOVEMBER 7, 2019 - NOVEMBER 13, 2019
NOV SPEAKERS
“Kindness: A Fundamental Element of a Meaningful Life”
Looking to have fun and give back? Come join us at Rotary every Wednesday at 7 a.m. at the Carbondale Fire Station Guest Speakers Ann Harris, Herschel Ross, Rotary Foundation November 13, 2019 Thanksgiving Week No meeting November 27, 2019
All are welcome! RSVP to Ed Queenan (401) 465-4276 queenan.edward@gmail.com
Guest Speaker Eaden Shantay, True Nature Healing Arts November 20, 2019
SPIRITS TAKE OVER TOWN
Dia de los Muertos, by contrast, featured all the festivities in one wild night. It all started at the Third Street Center, with altars, treats and "que viva" before the whole assembly picked up and marched downtown to show off their traditional attire and more outlandish costumes. Then, in order to accommodate all the celebrants, Thunder River Theatre hosted back-to-back Aspen Santa Fe Ballet Folklorico shows. Photos by Laurel Smith
THE SOPRIS SUN • Carbondale’s weekly community connector • NOVEMBER 7, 2019 - NOVEMBER 13, 2019 • 7
CORE Act passes House, faces tough odds in Senate By Jesse Paul The Colorado Sun While proponents of the CORE Act are celebrating its passage out of the Democratic-controlled U.S. House on Oct. 31, the bill affecting about 400,000 acres of public lands in Colorado faces an uncertain future in the Republican-led Senate. U.S. Sen. Cory Gardner, a Colorado Republican, is raising the alarm over the fact that the legislation passed without the support of U.S. Rep. Scott Tipton, a Cortez Republican whose district has the majority of the lands the legislation seeks to address. “For a matter of collaboration, cooperation and bipartisanship in the delegation, it’s important for the member of Congress who is in the district where the land is located to be supportive of the bill,” Gardner told The Colorado Sun. “That’s the way it’s always been done in Colorado.” Tipton voted against the bill on Thursday, arguing that it “has not adequately incorporated the necessary feedback from the Western Slope communities which the bill predominantly impacts.” He expressed his concerns on the House floor, calling for the legislation to be pulled back for further change. Gardner echoed those concerns, saying that while his potential support for the CORE Act is not out of the question, he wants to see a host of changes made to the bill. Those alterations focus on protection of water rights, strengthening language allowing grazing on affected lands and the release wilderness-study areas, though most are in counties that are not included in the
U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet (left) and U.S. Rep. Joe Neguse discussed the CORE Act earlier this year. Photo by Nina Riggio / The Colorado Sun CORE Act or near lands the bill affects. The Democratic champions of the bill, U.S. Rep. Joe Neguse of Lafayette and U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet, argue that the legislation is a result of a decade of discussions in Western Slope communities and that some of the proposed changes threaten to undermine fragile compromises that have been reached. “Ultimately, this bill does have the support of every single local jurisdiction that’s impacted directly,” Neguse told reporters in a call after the House passed the
CORE Act by a vote of 227-182. Montrose County has taken a neutral position on the legislation. The CORE Act affects a sliver of the county’s eastern edge, in the Curecanti National Recreation Area. Montrose County Commissioner Roger Rash told The Colorado Sun “we definitely have some concerns about the CORE Act and we have concerns about the way they went about it.” None of Colorado’s three GOP members of the U.S. House, including Tipton, voted for the CORE Act on Thursday and the
partisan split appears to narrow its chances for passage in a divided Congress. Adding to the unlikelihood of its success is a White House policy memo released this week threatening President Donald Trump veto of the measure unless changes are made. Bennet called the veto threat “completely inexplicable” and “just completely inconsistent with what the local counties want in Colorado.” “There’s no reason we shouldn’t have a hearing in the Senate,” Bennet said, referencing the Energy and Natural Resources Committee, whose Republican chair, Alaska U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, has refused to grant the measure a hearing. In order to just send the bill to Trump’s desk, Bennet will have the tall task of shepherding the CORE Act through a Republican Senate and doing so without the active support right now of the state’s GOP senator. Gardner said that about two weeks ago he shared with Neguse and Bennet changes he’d like to see to the bill. “Unfortunately we’ve not heard back from Senator Bennet or Neguse yet,” Gardner said. “But I don’t think it’s because they don’t want to. I think it’s just maybe they haven’t had time to process this.” Notably, Gardner did not ask, in that request for changes, for the removal of a longcontroversial provision in the bill banning future oil and gas drilling on about 200,000 acres of public land along the Thompson Divide, an area spanning from Paonia to Carbondale. Tipton also now approves of the provision. Continued on page 9
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CORE from page 8 He declined to directly say if he supports that section of the legislation, but noted that Garfield County’s commissioners, who oversee the area, have dropped their opposition, while officials in adjacent Mesa County still takes issue with Thompson Divide prohibition. In July, Garfield County’s commissioners sent a letter to Bennet’s office supporting the CORE Act after adjustments to the legislation allowing methane capture at active and inactive coal mines in the Thompson Divide. “We’ll continue to talk about it,” Gardner said. “There are still some issues that need to be worked out.” Gardner also rejected accusations that he is holding up the bill and slammed political attacks on him over it. For instance, former Gov. John Hickenlooper, who is running as a Democrat in the primary to
unseat Gardner next year, has been trying to use Gardner’s lack of support for the CORE Act to drum up campaign support. “I’ve not blocked this,” Gardner said. “I’ve not stopped it. I’m not the chairman of the Energy and Natural Resources Committee. But I’m pretty sure for the people who want to use this for politics, I can designate the entire state of Colorado as wilderness and I’m pretty sure they’d oppose me.” Gardner also said he had nothing to do with the White House’s veto threat. “I haven’t talked to the White House about it,” he said. “They did not talk to us. It’s not our bill.” Bennet said he is committed to listening to lingering local concerns about the measure, but that those conversations have to be in good faith. “That’s different from having people at the federal level make excuses about a bill that has broad bipartisan support and should be
supported by the whole Colorado congressional delegation,” he said. Neguse echoed that sentiment. “Ultimately, Republicans in the Senate and the House must choose if they will side with President Trump or with Colorado,” he said in a statement. The CORE Act is actually a combination of four measures that have been debated for years. The two most-discussed sections deal with public lands along the Thompson Divide and the area around Camp Hale, where the 10th Mountain Division’s has its roots. The legislation calls for roughly 100,000 acres of wilderness, recreation and conservation areas in the White River National Forest along the Continental Divide and would also designate the land around Camp Hale near Leadville as a first National Historic Landscape. The measure offers permanent protections, including wilderness
SCHOOL BOARD from page 3 “It was fun to kind of have that challenge, because it made me stop and think about why I was running, what did I really think I brought to the table and could contribute,” he said. He also picked up some lessons from Ramirez’s efforts to represent everyone. “When you join the board, you kind of come in and see the district through the lens of your kids and the experiences that they’re having,” he added. “Then you start to learn
that you’re representing a community, you’re working for the entire district, so you try to expand and try to connect with people.” Meanwhile, Natalie Torres — running on the ballot against a write-in opponent — had no trouble tying up District B, which covers the west side of Carbondale and most of the area north toward Glenwood Springs. Although her focus is mostly in the latter direction, she expressed a desire to represent all of her constituents.
A map of lands affected handed out by the bill's proponents. designations, for roughly 60,000 acres of land in the San Juan Mountains in southwest Colorado. It would also formally establish the boundary for the Curecanti National Recreation Area near Gunnison and prevent mineral
“Even though I don’t live in Carbondale, it’s really important that they feel represented,” she said. “I’ve already tried to get a sense of what I can do to get that voice heard.” Torres said she hopes to tackle the need to recruit and retain quality teachers, and expressed excitement to be involved. “It’s a whole new experience I can’t wait to take on. I feel like it’s my opportunity to give back to the school,” she said. “One of the best things in this valley is everybody’s commitment to education. I feel really supported.”
development on about 6,500 acres outside of Norwood. The Colorado Sun is a reader-supported news organization that covers people, places and issues of statewide interest. To sign up for free newsletters, subscribe or learn more, visit ColoradoSun.com
Maureen Step, was similarly firmly ahead of her write-in opposition for District C, which mostly covers the west side of Missouri Heights. "I'm honored and proud to have been elected to the Re-1 Schools Board of Education,” she said in a statement. “I am looking forward to working with the other board members, the superintendent, the administration, the teachers, the parents, and community members to keep working hard to ensure every student's success.” The new school board members will be inducted and begin their tenures on Nov. 13.
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THE SOPRIS SUN • Carbondale’s weekly community connector • NOVEMBER 7, 2019 - NOVEMBER 13, 2019 • 9
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COMMUNITY CALENDAR THURSDAY NOV. 7 SPEED NETWORKING
The Arts Campus at Willits (TACAW) and CoVenture (201 Main St.) invite you to enjoy free jazz and libations from 7 to 9 p.m. and make connections with members of the community.
FRIDAY NOV. 8 THANK OUR VETERANS
Students at Crystal River Elementary present a musical tribute to military veterans to thank them for their service from 9:45 to 10 :30 a.m. at The Orchard (110 Snowmass Dr.).
MOVIES
The Crystal Theatre (427 Main St.) presents “The Lighthouse” (R) at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 8-10 and 12-14, Downton Abbey (PG) at 5 p.m. Nov. 8, “Linda Ronstadt: The Sound of My Voice” (PG-13) at 5:15 p.m. Nov. 9 and “Judy” (PG-13, captioned) at 5 p.m. Nov. 10. Closed Nov. 11.
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Join local naturalist and wildlife expert Chadd Drott at the Carbondale Branch Library (320 Sopris Ave.) from 6 to 7 p.m. to learn about critters in the local environment. This presentation features riparian animals — those that live on or near riverbanks. All events are free, open to everyone, and part of the “Explore Our Outdoors” series at the libraries. Visit www.gcpld.org for more information.
WEDNESDAY NOV. 13 CHIROPRACTOR TECHNIQUES
Learn about the Koren Specific Technique (KST) included in the practice of Dr Zachary Cashi from from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Third Street Center (520 S. Third St.). KST investigates energetic CHAKRACIZE imprinting from physical and emotional trauma; Ardis Hoffman leads personal journeys to visit DaviNikent.org for more information. connect the heart to all the chakras and CONSENSUAL IMPROV create a sense of inner freedom, peace and love from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the Third Street The improv troupe at Thunder River Theatre Center (520 South Third St,). $15; RSVP Company (67 Promenade) takes comedy to to info@DaviNikent.org or call 618-5879. new levels. Enjoy improv games featuring spontaneous hilarity, audience interaction and FOLK AMERICANA lightning-fast wit at 8 p.m. at the theatre. $15; visit Listen to Seattle singer-songwriter Jill thunderrivertheatre.com for tickets. Cohn performing with Carbondale guitarist Marc Bruel from 7 to 9 p.m. at FURTHER OUT Marble Distilling Co. (150 Main St.).
FRI NOV. 8 - THU NOV. 15
SILENT AUCTION BENEFITING
PREDATOR WILDLIFE
THURSDAY NOV. 14 FASHION POP-UP
Check out leather, denim, jewels and herbs from 6 to 8 p.m. at Batch (358 Main St.).
FRIDAY NOV. 15 CLASSICAL GUITAR
Peter Fletcher performs from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at Basalt Regional Library (14 Midland Ave.).
SATURDAY NOV. 9
SATURDAY NOV. 16
IMMIGRANT VOICES
CHRISTMAS BOUTIQUE
A live storytelling event featuring English In Action students and six story tellers 6 p.m. at Thunder River Theatre (67 Promenade). $10; go to englishinaction.org for tickets.
Carbondale & Rural Fire Protection District (300 Meadowood Dr.) hosts local artisans from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. with wares including stained glass, jam, wreaths, soap, jewelry, ornaments, candles, succulents and more.
INDIE FOLK
AWAKEN YOUR INTUITION
Enjoy mandolin and fiddle music and songs from Austin-based The Deer’s new album “Do No Harm” at 8:30 p.m at Steve's Guitars (19 N. Fourth St.) Email sguitars@ sopris.net or call 963-3304 to reserve seats. Tickets at the door.
Ann O’Brien helps you tap into your natural powers from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. at True Nature (100 N. Third St.). Visit AnnOBrienLiving.com for more information.
SUNDAY NOV. 10
TEEN ADVISORY GROUP
ONGOING
The Carbondale Branch Library (320 Sopris Ave.) invites seventh through twelfth graders to No singing experience required as Bonte discuss plan and sponsor events with planning at Lane guides you through a light and lively 4 p.m. on the second Friday of each month. exploration to connect with your authentic WRITERS GROUP voice from 4 to 5:30 p.m. at the Third Street Center (520 S. Third St.) For more Wordsmiths of all experience and abilities information, email bontelane@gmail.com gather at the Carbondale Branch Library (320 Sopris Ave.) at 6 p.m. on the second Monday of the month. or call 319-0108. COMMUNITY SOUNDING CIRCLE
MONDAY NOV. 11 CELEBRATE VETERANS DAY
YOUR STORY, YOUR LIFE
A free facilitated workshop for adults, writing your personal history, one story at a time. Facilitated by Shelly Merriam, historian/writer/ genealogist. First and third Fridays, 10 a.m. to noon at the Glenwood Springs Branch Library, (815 Cooper Ave.). Info at 945-5958 or gcpld.org.
The American Legion in Carbondale (97 N. Third St.) is hosting its Annual Veteran’s Day Celebration at 4 p.m. Dinner is free for all Veterans and $10 for all others. For STORYTIME information, call 963-2381. Young children (accompanied by an adult) are TUESDAY NOV. 12 invited for stories, songs, and more beginning at 10:30 a.m. Wednesdays at the Carbondale RIVER SCIENCE Branch Library (320 Sopris Ave.) — please use Eric Kuhn and John Fleck give a free the side entrance to the Calaway Room. presentation, “Science Be Damned: How ignoring inconvenient science drained the HOLIDAY INVITATIONAL Colorado, and its relevance to the future The Carbondale Clay Center (135 Main St.) of the Colorado River” from 5:30 to 7:30 features local and national ceramic wares. p.m. at Roaring Fork Conservancy’s River Center (22800 Two Rivers Rd., Basalt) HEALTH THROUGH NUTRITION For information or to reserve a seat visit Free opportunities include a PowerPoint roaringfork.org/events or call 927-1290. presentation by Dr. Greg Feinsinger about the science behind plant-based nutrition MUSIC TRIVIA at 7 p.m. the first Monday of the month, Figure out fun questions and 'Name that free one-hour consultations for heart Tune' in a team competition from 7 to 9 attack and other chronic illness prevention p.m. at Beer Works (647 Main St.). The by appointment Monday mornings (call $5 per player cost benefits the Andy Zanca 379-5718) and a plant-based whole-foods Youth Empowerment Program and a $50 potluck at 6:30 p.m. on the fourth Monday gift certificate goes to the team winners. of the month — all at the Third Street Center (520 S. Third St.). 21+; contact beth@azyep.org for info.
Cozying up to a crackling fire sounds pretty inviting on these cold, short days. How about chimney fires, air pollution and smoke inhalation hazards? Not so much. If you use a wood stove or fireplace, it’s key to learn before you burn.
CoMotion Dance Company and Dance Initiative co-present “Returning,” at 7 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 8 and 7 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 9. An interactive demonstration for families will be held 3 p.m. on Saturday; visit danceinitiative.org for tickets. Photo by Roberta McGowan ROTARY
The Carbondale Rotary Club meets at the Carbondale Fire Station (300 Meadowood Dr.) at 6:45 a.m. Wednesdays. LOSS SUPPORT
The Compassionate Friends of the Roaring Fork Valley, a group for parents, grandparents or siblings who have lost a child of any age, meets at 6:30 p.m. the first Tuesday of the month at The Orchard (110 Snowmass Dr.). LOVE ADDICTS
Sex and Love Addicts Anonymous, a 12-step group will meet from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. every Tuesday at Holland Hills United Methodist Church (167 Holland Hills Rd., Basalt). MINDFULNESS IN RECOVERY
An inclusive, peer-led recovery support group open to anyone with a desire for recovery — independent of faith and regardless of race, gender or orientation — meets Tuesdays from 6 to 7 p.m. in room 36 of the Third Street Center (520 S. Third St.)
Hatha Yoga from 8 to 9 p.m. on Tuesdays at The Launchpad (76 S. Fourth St.). RUN AROUND
Independence Run and Hike hosts a weekly Group Run on Thursday nights. Meet at 6:30 p.m. at the store, 596 Highway 133 (in La Fontana Plaza) during Daylight Saving time and at 6 p.m. during the darker months for a 4-mile loop around Carbondale. All paces are welcome. Info: 704-0909 PING PONG
Senior Matters (520 S. Third St. Suite 33) offers a table tennis club for adults from 4 to 6 p.m. Tuesdays. Contact Marcel Kahhak at 963-5901 for more information. PUNCH PARKINSON’S
MINDFULNESS
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.
The Mindful Life Program in the Third Street Center (520 S. Third St.) offers group sessions Mondays at 7:30 p.m. Admission is by donation and registration is not necessary. Info: mindfullifeprogram.org and 970-633-0163.
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.
DHARMA
KARAOKE
The Way of Compassion Dharma Center holds a Dharma talk and meditation from 6 to 7:30 p.m. on Wednesdays and a silent meditation and Buddha of Compassion practice at 8 a.m. Saturdays at the Third Street Center (520 S. Third St.).
Stubbies Sports Bar (123 Emma Rd.) 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.
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 388-3597). RF INSIGHT
Monday Night Meditation meets from 7:15 to 8:30 p.m. at Roaring Fork Aikikai (2553 Dolores Way) and offers instruction in the Buddhist practice of Vipassana. RFI also offers secular mindfulness at the Carbondale Community School and is working with CMC to provide a class on “Zen and the Art of Dying” — more info at roaringforkinsight.org. 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.). 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.). YOGA
Get a donation-based introduction to
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.
To save money, and have a safer and healthier home, remember these three tips: 1. Have a certified professional inspect and service your wood-burning unit annually. If you smell smoke in your home, something may be wrong. It’s important to clean out dangerous soot build-up to help keep it working properly and avoid chimney fires. 2. Burn dry, seasoned wood. Wet, green, painted, treated wood, and trash should never be options. Start with chemical-free fire starters and dry kindling. Maintain a hot fire and don’t let it smolder. 3. Upgrade to an efficient, EPA-approved wood stove or fireplace insert. Modern wood-burning appliances are more efficient, emitting less smoke and carbon monoxide to keep your home warmer, your fuel bill lower, and your family safer. By burning wise, you can reap all the warmth — and none of the cold reality — of your wood fire. Acostarse frente a un fuego crepitante suena bastante atractivo en estos días fríos y cortos. ES LA TEMPORADA DE LEÑA EN CARBONDALE OTRA VEZ. AQUÍ HAY 3 CONSEJOS DE LA JUNTA AMBIENTAL DE CARBONDALE. 1. Para seguridad, deje que un profesional inspeccione su estufa de leña y el conducto de humo. 2. No queme mas madera seca. Mantenga un fuego caliente y evite la combustión lenta que produce humo nocivo. 3. Actualicé a una estufa o chimenea de madera aprobada por la EPA. Reduzca las emisiones, queme menos madera, tenga un hogar más cálido y sea seguro. ¡Gracias!
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: 510-5046 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. THE SOPRIS SUN • Carbondale’s weekly community connector • NOVEMBER 7, 2019 - NOVEMBER 13, 2019 • 11
TOWN REPORT
COP SHOP
PICKLEBALL COURT construction is now on hold
From Town Manager Jay Harrington's weekly report to trustees, staff and others.
THE PLANNING COMMISSION approved a
six-unit condominiumization at 311 Main St. and recommended approval of a combined Preliminary/Final Plat for Parcel 2 of the Thompson Park Subdivision on Oct. 24. The latter will come before trustees on Nov. 12. THE STEIN PROPERTY at 1201 Colorado Ave.
is the subject of revised plans in response to concerns raised by Town staff, The Tree Board and P&Z. ROAD SANDING to mitigate ice and snow kept road
crews busy, and they also removed baffles at Sopris Park and managed the leaf days collection site. THE ROCKFORD DITCH overflowed and ran down
Hendrick Drive on Oct. 31, providing an unintentional test for the new drainage system along West Main Street. Crews were able to prevent the flood from getting into the roundabout. AN ACCOUNTING CLERK II is being sought
by the Finance department, with a full description at carbondalegov.org and applications due by Nov. 22.
until spring. Adult open gym pickleball continues inside at the Rec. Center from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays and 8 to 11 a.m. on Saturdays. JUMP LINES at the North Face Bike Park have
been finalized, with all tabletops and no gaps. The improvements will help minimize erosion and rodent holes. A MARTIAL ARTS TOURNAMENT prompted a
full gym closure at the Rec. Center on Nov. 2. Marble Charter will be renting the gym and climbing wall on Nov. 8 and a pair of birthday parties are planned for Nov. 9 and 10. YOUTH BASKETBALL league registration for third through sixth graders runs through Nov. 22. Volunteer coaches are needed; email wtempest@carbondaleco.net to get involved.
SUNDAY Oct. 27 at 12:31 p.m. A REDDI report led to a DUI summons for a 30-year-old man.
TUESDAY Oct. 22 at 12:09 p.m. No one was injured in a two-car accident near the intersection of Village Road and Highway 133. WEDNESDAY Oct. 23 at 9:04 a.m. Police took a report of a hitand-run accident.
COOKING CLASSES with the Rec. Center through
FRIDAY Oct. 25 at 1:13 p.m. Vandalism was reported at North Face Park.
room at 10:30 a.m. Mondays, Wednesday and Fridays, and it’s deisgned to help newcomers learn how to play. the CSU extension continue with Cooking Under Pressure Mediterranean Style on Nov. 18 and Fermented Vegetables on Jan. 20. The class is taught by Carla Farland and Deb Martin and runs $10 per session. GARFIELD COUNTY’S 2030 Comprehensive Plan
DRUG TAKE BACK garnered over 86 pounds of
early after the Town ran out of capacity and went over budget. The budget, frequency and scale of the event will be revisited.
prescriptions.
FRIDAY Oct. 18 at 11:21 p.m. Two men were forcibly removed from a bar and both turned out to have extraditable warrants out of other counties.
WEDNESDAY Oct. 23 at 9:34 a.m. An officer was informed of a warrant for a juvenile.
and how it relates to Carbondale was the subject of a meeting between Town and County staff.
YEAR-ROUND
failing to maintain a single lane, a 55-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence and released to a sober person.
MAHJONG continues in the Rec. Center activity
employment opportunities include Recreation Assistants (call 5101279) and Climbing Instructors (510-1214).
PART-TIME,
From Oct. 18 through 31, Carbondale Police handled 414 calls for service. During that period, officers investigated the following cases of note:
HAZARDOUS WASTE DAY had to be shut down
FRIDAY Oct. 25 at 9:13 p.m. Police were obliged to force their way into a home following a domestic violence call and ended up arresting a 50-year-old man for false imprisonment and harassment. SATURDAY Oct. 26 at 11:28 p.m. Following a traffic stop for
MONDAY Oct. 28 at 1:40 p.m. Theft was reported at a local bar. MONDAY Oct. 28 at 7:07 p.m. After a 29-year-old man reportedly destroyed numerous items in his motel room, he was arrested for felony criminal mischief. MONDAY Oct. 28 at 8:46 p.m. Following a stop-sign violation, a 34-year-old man was issued a summons for driving with a revoked license. TUESDAY Oct. 29 at 11:48 a.m. A warrant arrest took place at an area bank. TUESDAY Oct. 29 at 3:32 p.m. Police were called for a high-school fight. WEDNESDAY Oct. 30 at 10:38 a.m. A report of an unusually aggressive high schooler led to a citation for disorderly conduct and underage alcohol possession.
HELP WANTED Town of Carbondale Accounting Clerk II $20.60-$28.88/hr. DOQ For application and job description visit www.carbondalegov.org
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Deadline 11/22/2019
Carbondale & Rural Fire Protection District Proposed 2020 Budget The Board of Directors of the Carbondale & Rural Fire Protection District will be discussing the proposed 2020 budget at their regular monthly meeting.
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Distrito de Protección de Incendios de Carbondale y Rural La Propuesta del Presupuesto 2020 La Junta Directiva del Distrito de Protección de Incendios de Carbondale y Rural estarán hablando sobre la propuesta del presupuesto 2020 en su junta mensual.
Wednesday, November 13, 2019 • 11:00 a.m.
Miércoles 13 de noviembre 2019 • 11:00 a.m.
Carbondale Fire Station 301 Meadowood Dr., Carbondale
Estación de Bomberos en Carbondale: 301 Meadowood Dr., Carbondale
12 • THE SOPRIS SUN • soprissun.com • NOVEMBER 7, 2019 - NOVEMBER 13, 2019
Talking trees with the Town Arborist By Will Grandbois Sopris Sun Staff Ask Mike Callas about his favorite trees in town, and he won’t show you the biggest or most beautiful specimens. Instead, the Town Arborist has a special affection for those with deep historical roots or new varieties he’s gone out on a limb to bring to Carbondale. Take, for instance, the ponderosa in front of the old post office building where Colorado Avenue turns into Third Street. “A tree like this conceivably has probably been here since the early 1900s, and same with the spruces,” he said, standing in front of the specimen on a chilly October morning. “They’re probably our oldest planted landscape elements in town.” There certainly weren’t many trees here before. Callas’s favorite wild trees are the ancient bristlecones that thrive just under treeline. “That’s where I’m out hugging trees,” he said. But the shallow fast-draining or clay soils along the river bottoms don’t support the kind of trees you see back East, even if the climate did. “When this Valley was settled, Carbondale was wide-open sagebrush, rabbitbrush, a little bit of piñon-juniper,” Callas explained. Even though some consider them a nuisance, he has to give credit to the Siberian elms which were “the trees that grew” — and have continued to self propogate. He has similar feelings about the silver poplar in
front of the Smithy which, while beautiful, has a propensity to drop big branches. It’s a holdover from a time when such trees lined Third Street, and its heir is already being groomed to hold down the corner. In general, Callas has learned not to get too attached to the trees on Main Street. With the exception of a few with extra room — the spruce in front of the Forest Service Building; the linden at the start of the Promenade — it’s an environment too fraught with conflicts and confinement for them to flourish. “If you walk down the street, you can see where a substantial limb has been ripped off every one of these trees,” he observed. “Unfortunately, the life of a street tree is about eight to 14 years in an urban environment.” Those in front of the Crystal Theatre and in front of Friendship Park have defied those odds only to meet the limits of their vaults which, even with new techniques to encourage downward growth, are a limiting factor. “Main Street’s so narrow that we don’t have that opportunity for that big classic allée of trees where branches meet in the middle,” Callas said. Then there’s the matter of pests like the emerald ash borer, which has prompted the Town to diversify rather than risk a mass wipe out — note the lone oak in the Fourth Street Plaza. The purple robe locust, by contrast, is susceptible to beetles when young but gains resilience with age, making it one of the top tools in his arsenal. He has also been
pleasantly surprised by success with the Kentucky Coffeetree, and is even eyeing the possibility of testing out sterile Ginkgo biloba in town. It’s a bit of trial and error. The London planetree seemed promising, but didn’t take. A spring snow crabapple which was supposed to stay short enough to plant under a powerline has grown out of control in front of the old Dinkel house on Third Street. And conditions keep changing. “Especially as it’s been a bit warmer and dryer it’s been more difficult to establish new trees,” Callas explained. “As we’re choosing these more drought tolerant species, it sets us up to survive in the tough times and then allows them to catch up in the wet seasons.” He’s also doing his best to keep large old trees healthy until a new generation can take over. “It’s almost like there was a gap in planting,” Callas observed. “For the last 60 years, there hasn’t been a need to think about those tall trees.” The Town’s investment in a dedicated arborist — far from a given for a municipality this size — and a volunteer board is slowly making up for that. For each tree lost to “the construction death spiral,” there’s a “right tree in the right place” that should last to be just as big. It’s a year-round effort. When it’s too cold to prune but not snowy enough to bring branches down all over town, it’s time to begin
Callas tracks the growth on an old ponderosa downtown. Photo by Will Grandbois putting up holiday lighting. Callas doesn’t mind. “I’ve been a jack of all trades wearing 100 hats for 25 years, and it’s nice to be able to really focus,” he said. In fact, he’s happy to help out with issues on private property, as well. “Anybody can feel free to call me and chat about trees. Myself and the Tree Board like to see trees be successful,” he said. “You love ‘em all, but you recognize you can’t save ‘em all. I guess that’s where the tough part of the job comes in.” The upside is leaving a lasting legacy, he said. “I’ll never sit in the shade of this burr oak I planted last year, but at least somebody will.”
THE SOPRIS SUN • Carbondale’s weekly community connector • NOVEMBER 7, 2019 - NOVEMBER 13, 2019 • 13
GUEST
OPINION By Jasmin Ramirez There has been a lot of conversation around the word “equity” within our district these past few months. As a Latino mother, I find it particularly odd that Latino families, which make up more than 55 percent of our school district, are often left in the shadows of this usually wellintentioned dialogue. Cambridge Dictionary defines “equity” as: “equal treatment; fairness”. This means that as much as we do not want to talk about race, language barriers, or even the color of our skin, I believe that we must because that is part of what will truly make our child's experience in our schools a fair one.
A Latino mother’s perspective This very reasoning is why it is so crucial for our community to have this hard dialogue. It does not mean that we, Latino families, want more resources, or have more needs that aren’t being met. It means that we simply want what we deserve in order for there to be equity: a seat at the table in regard to our children's education. It means looking inwardly at ourselves as a district and doing our best in providing every school within our district with a minimum of at least two Latino teachers. Not staff, not custodians, teachers. That simple gesture would do so much for our children, let alone our families, to see themselves within their schools. To know that higher education is achievable. To know that they too can change the lives of the future as educators. It is such a powerful thing for any child to show him/her the vocations they can aspire to. It also means talking about Latino parents’ and children's experiences in our schools. Let me be clear, this does not mean that Anglo students do not have similar experiences, it simply means that there are different factors as to why. For example, recently during the visioning process at a district
elementary school, one of the recurring themes was that Latino families felt they were treated very differently than Anglo parents. Some even mentioned that although they offered to come into their child's classroom to help, they were never contacted or asked to help with anything. I’ve also met Latino parents incredibly frustrated with their child not being tested for gifted programs when they have requested it. One of the instances included a young girl whose mother requested it when she was a third-grader, and that child will be a middle schooler next school year. Thankfully, she will finally be tested next month, but that was only put in motion when her mother approached a representative from an outside organization and complained. Recently I also spoke to a bright junior at a district high school, an active student, and a member of pre-collegiate. I inquired about her experience in school as it pertains to racism, and she shared, “The teachers know it's happening, the students know it's happening, but everyone pretends it isn't.” Students in the student activist group AJUA (Association of Youth United in Action), mentioned that
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some students at GSHS wear hats that say “Border Patrol”, and that the administration has only very vaguely addressed these issues. We must, as educators, parents, and community members, provide a safe space for our children, and our schools in their entirety should be a safe academic learning space. See, when we decide not to talk about race and language barriers and even the color of our skin, we take away the opportunity to better understand perspective and experience. Our Latino children are dealing with issues that do not affect Anglo children, and we need to be honest about that. If our end goal as parents is to give our children the tools and opportunities to succeed in a changing world, we must be honest with them and ourselves. We must stop and reflect that, yes, all our kids should be successful, and yes, all our kids should be motivated. Expectations should be made higher and be made achievable for all students, but if we do not reflect on who we are currently trying to guide and what their life experience is in our schools, then can our conversations about equity be sincere? After speaking to parents within our district it has been shared with me the feel for a
community is needed. Specifically in our schools, and I strongly believe in order for that to happen we need to have honest dialogues. Dialogues where we are not easily offended. Dialogues where we need to listen to understand, rather than to respond. Dialogues where ideas can be brought forth in a safe space, and not shut down because they are different. Equity. Giving us as Latino parents the opportunity to actually speak up for our children, and not by using organizations or assumptions on our behalf. Giving us empowerment as parents, and not holding our hands like we are unwilling to do it ourselves. Believing in our children, knowing they are capable of becoming doctors and teachers and world-changers, and then pushing them to make it attainable for themselves. That includes working hard as educators, parents, and community members, to help make those dreams possible, for all our kids, regardless of race, religion, ethnicity, or ability. Jasmin Ramirez is the apparent victor of the election for District D of the Roaring Fork School Board, but sent this column before election day
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“Dance Initiative is committed to supporting The Sopris Sun because of their weekly arts coverage, highlighting local events like CoMotion’s fall show called ‘Returning.’ Returning is an exploration into the layers of self and the many facets of journeying away and back home. It takes place at The Launchpad on November 8th and 9th at 7pm with an interactive demo for families also on November 9th at 3pm.” ~ Peter Gilbert , Dance Initative Thank you, Peter Gilbert of Dance Initative , for your generous commitment to local, independent journalism. Honorary publishers commit $1,000 yearly (or $85 monthly). We welcome any contribution! Donate today at soprissun.com or PO Box 399, Carbondale. 14 • THE SOPRIS SUN • soprissun.com • NOVEMBER 7, 2019 - NOVEMBER 13, 2019
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Please don’t shoot the telephone lines From the archives of the Valley Journal and Sopris Sun
ES PAGthe of t Pas Nov. 8, 1979 There had been several cases of hunters shooting out telephone wires and cables, according to Mountain Bell. Mostly only single users had been affected, but on at least one occasion an entire community had had its communications severed. Some damage would likely not show up until winter, when water began to seep in. Folks were encouraged to exercise caution and warned that willful damage could carry hefty penalties.
In other news… Lift ticket prices were going up — to $16 a day on most SkiCo slopes and $10 at Sunlight.
Nov. 9, 1989 The potential for a $3 million marble fabricating plant in Marble prompted excitement — until Gunnison County officials revealed it would likely only generate about $5,600 in taxes for the Town. “Screw the county,” Town Council member Thanos Johnson reportedly grumbled. Given the potential noise impacts of a 24-hour operation, other attendees were similarly surly. However, the hearing was canceled due to lack of a quorum — some of the members were out hunting — delaying the final decision. In other news… Basalt High School was among the first non-colleges to install computers and invest in digital reference materials.
Nov. 4, 1999 A 1.5 mill levy to help pay for town-wide improvements came down to four votes. The 385-381 approval was still unofficial
as of press time, but it looked like the Town would have the buy-in to pursue $300,000 state Energy Impact Grant. The plan called for 250 new parking spaces, “historic-style” streetlights, landscaping and public art to be rolled out over three years. Garfield County Libraries, meanwhile, were thwarted in bid for a .25 percent sales tax, and a bid to explore the possibility of a home rule county also went down in flames. In other news… Sopris was still almost free of snow after a warm autumn.
LEGAL NOTICE TO CREDITORS Estate of Michael R. Pelletier, deceased Case No. 2019 PR 30088 All persons having claims against the above-named estate are required to present them to the Personal Representative or to the District Court of Garfield County, Colorado on or before February 24, 2020, or the claims may be forever barred. DeeAnn McPhilimy, Personal Representative C/o Thomas L. Adkison, Attorney and Counselor 2020 Eastbank Point Road, Carbondale, Colorado 81623
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Nov. 5, 2009 Fatbelly Burgers was slated to open its doors just in time for First Friday. Founded by Shane and Kristy Vetter, the name came from 4-year-old Dylan’s exclamation: “I’m gonna eat so many hamburgers that I’ll have a fat belly.” (The restaurant has since changed hands, but remains in the same space at 220 Main St.). In other news… The H1N1 Swine flu was proving unusually virulent, prompting extra encouragement for high-risk patients to get vaccinated — while Hilary Back recommended neti pots, vitamin D3 and silver biotics, among other remedies.
PARTING SHOTS The Roaring Fork volleyball girls celebrated senior night with a 3-0 win over Aspen on Halloween before heading off to a tournament in Buena Vista and wrapping up the season 4-5 in league play and 9-13 overall. The soccer boys' own senior night, meanwhile, proved not to be their final home game. Local volunteers came out to clear the field ahead of the first round of playoffs on Nov. 1 — " We are part of an amazing community that rallies to support our children," Athletic Director Jade Bath said. Following a 2-0 win over Fort Lupton on Nov. 5, the Rams will play Aurora West College Prep Academy at Hinkley High School for the quarterfinals on Nov. 9. The Colorado Rocky Mountain Oysters, meanwhile, lost their playoff game in the second overtime. They were down four suspended players, including their goal keeper. Photos by Sue Rollyson
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THE SOPRIS SUN • Carbondale’s weekly community connector • NOVEMBER 7, 2019 - NOVEMBER 13, 2019 • 15