Sopris
Sun
the
Cultivating community
connections since 2009
Volume 13, Number 4| March 4-10, 2021
¡Aqui! ¡Adentro! A HAPPY ENDING Sol del el
Valle
UNA NUEVA PUBLICACIÓN SEMANAL CON NOTICIAS LOCALES EN ESPAÑOL.
Photos & text by Jane Bachrach
It's no secret that it's calving season for the Nieslanik Beef crew as their cows are pastured next to the Carbondale Nature Park (aka dog park), where human passersby are treated to storybook scenes of moms and their newborn calves. But it's not such a glamorous
scene when one is tromping around in that muddy pasture filled with 220 cows, 70 calves and lots of cow dung while shooting photos and trying to locate a missing brown wallet. It was actually kind of amusing and entertaining helping Marty Nieslanik look for his son Johnny's wallet. He had lost it the night before after having take-out
dinner delivered to him in the muddy, dung-filled cow pasture. It was an interesting challenge and a lot more difficult than looking for a needle in a haystack. Cows usually give birth at night or early in the morning which is why Johnny was in the pasture at dinner time. He will continue to be there until mid-April which is
when calf number 220 is due to arrive. It's a 24/7 job and this year Marty is on duty during the day while Johnny is there all night, leaving after he serves breakfast which consists of five large round bales. Marty found the wallet that morning in Johnny's truck, where it had fallen between the seats.
MUSING
By Raleigh Burleigh Editor It is with great excitement that The Sopris Sun steps deeper into mission “to inform, inspire, and connect” with this week's launch of a new Spanish section: el Sol del Valle. We thank MANAUS and our first advertisers for backing the project, crafted with care by a modest team that includes Vanessa Porras, a new board member, and Jacquelinne Castro, our translator and layout assistant. We look forward to regular columns written by New Castle Councilwoman Crystal Mariscal, the team at Alpine Legal Services, Judith Alvarez Quiroz with La Clínica del Pueblo, and artist Vanessa Porras. The section
Introducing: el Sol del Valle
will often include other original columns by local leaders and thinkers, plus news bulletins, translated stories, and eventually stories written originally in Spanish or in both languages. So now, I'd like to explain a choice that we're making at the onset of this new project. In the interest of providing a space for intimate, relational dialogue, our plan is not to translate every piece of content into both languages, but to leave some content exclusively in Spanish. Likewise, we don't have the space nor support to translate all of our English content into Spanish. Beyond practicalities, my personal hope is that this new section stimulates a desire — while providing a valuable tool — for language acquisition. You'll find many things crossing over, particularly from “Scuttlebutt” into “Chisme del Pueblo,” as well as key articles. The rest will depend upon your engaged interest to understand, just as I hope that the majority-English paper is perused by readers of el Sol del Valle to discover useful words and a greater understanding of English in the context of local happenings. When I first lived in Chile, as a 16-year-old exchange student
through the Carbondale Rotary Club, my best method for learning Spanish was deciphering text. I still keep my reference dictionary, tattered and scrawled throughout. Every word that I did not recognize would be searched out and circled, along with the page number, to be easily redicovered if and when I looked up the same word again. Whether you obtain — or dust off — a Spanish-English dictionary of your own to annotate, or keep a translation website handy (I recommend wordreference.com), my hope is that this new section not only serves to inform, inspire, and include our local Spanishspeaking community — but that it also appeals to our established audience as a learning opportunity. As we saw last week, through “I Am” poems written by Crystal River Elementary School Students, the languages blend beautifully. My favorite new word, gleaned from that special, is “cempasúchil,” a borrowword from Nahuatl, the Aztec language. Translating literally as “twenty-flower,” in reference to the many-petaled marigold, the word also encapsulates a romantic legend. Mourning the death of her partner, young Xóchitl was
transformed into the marigold flower by a sympathetic sun god. Huitzilin, the lover killed at war, returns as the hummingbird guided by the flower's bright colors and pungent scent. “Cempasúchil” exists between life and death, transcending cultures. For it to have appeared organically between the pages of The Sopris Sun is a gift. Even learning a single new word each week adds up. Eventually, languages serve like trails to explore our infinitely expansive mental landscape. Some paths lead to the same places, in more or less steps (or words). Other paths deliver us to entirely new pensamientos, never before alcanzados. Within each word is a history and the potential to change us. Whether or not you treat it as such, we are proud to provide this opportunity and even gladder to carve a space with our resources for authentic dialogue to flourish and flow, informing and connecting our neighbors as we all interpret this place our home. What word(s) will you learn this week?
LETTERS To the Carbondale community Despite our incredibly strong and compassionate community, Carbondale is not immune from unfortunate situations arising from time to time. My expectation is that the Town will carefully evaluate the incidents that took place at City Market last December in more depth and in a manner that is consistent with Carbondale's vision of community policing and the values that shape that vision. We are resolved to more fully understand what happened and why. While the particulars as to how an evaluation happens, and who will be involved, remain to be determined, please know that an evaluation will occur, and that the Town as an organization is fully committed to learning all that we can from the events that took place. For now, I would ask that we all approach this situation thoughtfully, and with due consideration, until we all reach a better collective understanding. I also would respectfully ask for your continued patience as the Town works through this situation. My thoughts go out to all who this case has impacted, and I so am grateful for our community’s continuing efforts to support one another. Dan Richardson Mayor of Carbondale
Roaring Fork family As you should be aware from the article by James Steindler in last week's Sopris Sun, Roaring Fork Valley community resident Michael Francisco was arrested by Carbondale Police on
December 24th. I have known Michael since he moved to the Valley and I can say that the word “gentleman” is personified by Michael. He is a gentle man. Michael is quiet, sincere, intelligent and – as one person on social media said – "a ray of sunshine.” The controversy surrounding Michael's arrest calls into question, was there an overreaction by management at the Carbondale City Market by a manager that should have actually managed a situation? If, as was stated in the Sopris Sun article, this all came to fruition simply due to Michael pointing at a gas station employee, the response by Carbondale Police seems completely uncalled for. The question stands, did this happen because Michael Francisco is black? This is not a partisan reaction to what happened. Everyone should be outraged that a private citizen of the Roaring Fork Valley is being treated this way. To be forced to the ground, handcuffed and arrested by no less than four officers as the Chief of Police stands by is troubling at the least. In a conversation I had with Michael, he expressed the fact that he always felt safe in Carbondale and now he doesn't. Please don't forget about this, I know I can't. April Crow Spaulding Carbondale
Let’s do better I am appalled to read about the arrest of Michael Francisco in City Market. The image of officers forcing him to his knees as he attempted to check out in the self-service line horrifies me. It makes me want to not set foot in City Market again. I certainly will not buy gas there again.
I know Michael from his participation in the community garden that I helped to start behind Roaring Fork High School. He had a small plot there in our first year and was always gentle, quiet and considerate. There is nothing aggressive about him. The school district trusted him with kids until COVID terminated his job. The fact that he has been promoted to managing the floral department in Aspen’s City Market reflects the Michael I know. Why did the police not interview the person accusing him first? Why did they force him to his knees and handcuff him? I suggest a full psychological evaluation of the person who accused him of inappropriate aggression and of the police officers involved in Michael’s arrest. I suggest every person who participated in this shameful event read “Caste” by Wilkerson and take a good, honest look at her and his attitudes toward people who look different than they do. Please, let’s do better than this in Carbondale. Illène Pevec Carbondale
Content of character In the summer of 1963, in front of 250,000 people – the largest demonstration ever at that time – Martin Luther King Jr, said, “I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character.” Over the past year we have been in the street, gathering as the multi-colored citizenry that we are in this country, but still we see our fellow community members being Continued on page 18
The views expressed in opinion pieces do not necessarily reflect those of The Sopris Sun. The community is invited to submit letters up to 500 words to news@soprissun.com. Longer columns are considered on a case-by-case basis. The deadline for submission is noon on Monday. Correction: Last week we published a map created by Schwener Design Group, Inc for the Basalt Chamber of Commerce without properly crediting them. You can learn more about the Historic Walking Tour at basaltchamber.org 2 • THE SOPRIS SUN • soprissun.com • March 4 - March 10, 2021
Sincerest thanks to our
Honorary Publishers
for their annual commitment of $1,000+ Email todd@soprissun.com for more information.
Anne Sullivan & John Colson Bill Spence & Sue Edelstein Carly & Frosty Merriott CoVenture Deborah & Shane Evans Elizabeth Wysong Gary & Jill Knaus Greg & Kathy Feinsinger James Noyes Kay Brunnier Ken & Donna Riley Lee Beck & John Stickney Lee Mulcahy Megan Tackett Michelle & Ed Buchman Patti & George Stranahan Peter & Mike Gilbert Toni Cerise True Nature Healing Arts
Legacy Givers
for including us in their final wishes. Mary Lilly
And all our SunScribers
and community members for your support.
It truly takes a village to keep The Sun shining.
Donate by mail or online.
P.O. Box 399 Carbondale, CO 81623 520 S. Third Street #32 970-510-3003 www.soprissun.com
Editor Raleigh Burleigh • 970-510-3003 news@soprissun.com Executive Director Todd Chamberlin • 970-510-0246 adsales@soprissun.com Graphic Designer: Ylice Golden Delivery: Crystal Tapp Proofreader: Lee Beck Current Board Members Linda Criswell • Klaus Kocher
Kay Clarke • Lee Beck • Megan Tackett Gayle Wells • Donna Dayton Terri Ritchie • Eric Smith • Vanessa Porras The Sopris Sun Board meets at 6:30 p.m. on second Mondays at the Third Street Center. Contact board@soprissun.com to reach them.
Founding Board Members Allyn Harvey • Becky Young Colin Laird • Barbara New • Elizabeth Phillips Peggy DeVilbiss • Russ Criswell The Sopris Sun, Inc. is a proud member of the Carbondale Creative District The Sopris Sun, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation. Donations to The Sun are fully tax deductible.
WRNF explores aspen forest management By Olivia Emmer Sopris Sun correspondent
The White River National Forest (WRNF) is seeking public comment on a proposal to manage aspen forests. The project cites declining aspen forests due to drought, insects, disease, wildfire suppression, and browsing pressure. The WRNF’s motivations for preserving and expanding aspen forest-types include “their scenic value, the important wildlife habitat they provide, and their potential to help mitigate large wildfires,” said Acting WRNF Supervisor Lisa Stoeffler in a recent press release. Aspen (Populus tremuloides) forests are “the most biodiverse forests in the Rocky Mountain West, with the exception of riparian forests.” That’s according to Paul Rogers, director of the Western Aspen Alliance at Utah State University. Rogers explained, “where there's aspen there's relatively more moisture and the soils are richer. That gives you a wider variety of plants which are inhabited by a wider variety of animals.” In contrast, coniferous forests tend to have less rich soil as acidic needles accumulate. “Seral” aspens, or aspens that experience succession, are eventually outcompeted by conifer trees if there is no disturbance that favors the fast-growing aspen. While the White River Aspen Management Project describes a condition of aspen decline, one criticism is that, “the project description makes assertions about a decline in the surface area of forest dominated by aspen but does not provide any actual data on recent trends.” That feedback comes from Thomas Veblen, Professor Emeritus of Geography at the University of Colorado. Veblen continued, “Without quantitative information on changes in the extent of aspen in White River National Forest, it is not feasible to evaluate if recent trends justify any vegetation management.” However, the professor also explained that, “to the extent that reducing the size and severity of future wildfires is a goal, the proposed treatments are justified.” Aspen forests burn less well than conifer forests. According to Dominik Kulakowski, a professor of geography
and environmental science at Clark University who has studied aspen forests in western Colorado since the early 2000s, “on the one hand, there's this direct effect of climate, which is causing aspen to die in certain areas. But on the other hand, climate is also driving a combination of disturbances that, based on what we've seen, is actually favoring aspen over the conifers that otherwise dominate the landscape.” Kulakowski continued, “Our research has shown that there is actually more aspen in the White River landscape than there was about 130 years ago, prior to widespread wildfires of the late 1800s … those same forests are again successionally transitioning to conifer.” Current trends of more frequent, larger, and more severe wildfire may again favor aspen expansion. The project is being managed by Silviculturist Brett Crary of the WRNF. Crary explained that their goal is to describe a condition that they’ve observed in the forest and to allow for flexibility in management response across a very large forest area. There are over 600,000 acres of aspen in the White River forest. Of those, 375,000 acres could qualify for treatment, being not in wilderness or roadless areas. Crary referenced a study that is currently underway, using aerial data to document cover type change across the forest, and he’s hopeful that this mapping will aid them in subsequent steps of the project, where they would identify specific treatment areas appropriate for management. In this case, the management they are referring to is prescribed burns and cutting. Aspens are adapted to disturbance and typically respond to it by sending up “suckers” from their roots which can ultimately become new tree stems. The project describes a maximum of 20,000 acres, or 3% of current aspen forest in the WRNF, treated per decade. Both land managers and researchers cautioned that an important variable here is browsing pressure. There is evidence that in aspen forests with a lot of browsing, animals can consume enough young aspen shoots to prevent forest regeneration. When browsing pressure is combined with drought and disease, this can spell the end of an aspen grove.
According to Randy Hampton, a spokesperson for Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW), the primary elk herd on the WRNF, the White River elk herd, peaked in population at about 53,800 animals in 2001. That population is now at 45,000 with an “objective population” range between 32,000 and 39,000. In 1953 that herd was counted at 7,700 animals. While the White River elk herd is currently above CPW’s objective, the smaller elk herds that frequent the Roaring Fork River Valley, the Avalanche Creek and Fryingpan River herds, are currently in their “objective ranges.” Mule deer are a slightly different story, with populations generally below CPW’s objectives. There are three deer herds across the WRNF: the Rifle Creek, Sweetwater Creek, and White River herds. The White River herd is the largest, currently counted at 36,500 animals with an objective of 67,500. In addition to wildlife populations, grazing leases on public land for cattle and sheep also contribute to browsing pressure. When asked about how the WRNF would manage browsing pressure and variable conditions on treated forests, Crary said, “I do anticipate there being long term monitoring associated with this project. Right now, when we do harvesting we're required under the National Forest Management Act to do regeneration surveys to make sure that areas are in fact coming back – it's a law we have to follow. So we have
Private 1.10 Acre lot with wildlife viewing Entire main level has been remodeled 4 bedrooms with 3 bathrooms Open kitchen to living room design Cherry wood floors
• • • • •
crews go out and actually establish plots and basically do monitoring to make sure that they're coming back successfully. And if they're not, we're required to make sure that they do. I anticipate we're going to develop something similar for the burn areas.”
Crary emphasized that this type of feedback is something they are hoping the public engages in as part of the public comment period. To make public comment visit www. fs.usda.gov/project/?project=59419 by April 20, 2021.
Cool Brick Studios
photography • film • video 360° virtual tours
CoolBrickStudios.com
86 S 3rd St. Carbondale, Colorado
world-class multimedia studio
A gem in Westbank with pride of ownership • • • • •
Aspen forests are important wildlife habitat, with rich soils and the second highest biodiversity of any forest-type in the Rocky Mountain West, after riparian forests. Top photo by Olivia Emmer, bottom photo by Sue Rollyson.
Rock fireplace Spacious family room Private deck with hot tub Dining deck for entertaining Large 2 car garage
Call Marianne Ackerman at 970-379-3546 for a private showing
Audio and visual excellence all under one roof !
THE SOPRIS SUN • Your weekly community connector • March 4 - March 10, 2021 • 3
SCUTTLEBUTT Early STEM
Buddy for hire
Be aware
Aspen Science Center (ASC) is introducing preschoolers to science and the scientific method with their Early STEM Program. “Distance Learning Activity” kits are available to childcare providers for free! These include a bilingual instruction card and materials, introducing kids to concepts like “gravity,” “cause and effect,” and “states of matter.” ASC Early STEM Coordinator Annie Bell understands how hard preschool teachers work under normal circumstances and designed each activity to be easy for teachers and fun for kids. Learn more by contacting Bell at earlystemaspen@gmail.com.
The Buddy Program is seeking to fill two positions. A short-term development coordinator will be employed from approximately mid-May to mid-August. A part-time, paid internship from approximately June 1 to Aug. 6. For details about each position, visit jobs@ buddyprogram.org
Using trails during the muddy season will exacerbate erosion. Best wait until your favorite trails dry up before you venture out. If you encounter mud during an otherwise dry hike or ride, it’s best to travel through the mud, rather than around it, to avoid damaging vegetation and “threading” the trail.
Silver work
Big-game licenses
FindYourVaccine.org This national, volunteer-run website provides a centralized source of information for COVID-19 vaccines, including who is eligible, where vaccines are available, and how to make an appointment. Coverage recently expanded to Colorado. More info at findyourvaccine.org
Imagine Climate The Community Office for Resource Efficiency’s Imagine Climate 2021 continues with NESTed Roots opening in partnership with Carbondale Arts and CU Boulder at The Launchpad on Friday,On March 11, Colorado Mountain College presents a multimedia exhibition opening at the Aspen campus. Meanwhile, The Arts Campus at Willits with 5Point Film are curating a selection of music and film to diverge us from “the doom-and-gloom narrative.” More at aspencore.org
Mae Peshlakai returns to Colorado Rocky Mountain School to teach silversmithing. She will also sell Navajo silver work at the home of Adele Hause on March 8, between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. To make a reservation, call 970-404-7212.
Colorado Parks and Wildlife has opened the application period to draw a big-game license. Hunters hoping to draw a big-game license in Colorado in 2021 are urged to review the changes in license requirements and apply by April 6. More at cpw.state.co.us
High Country RSVP Volunteers are available to prepare and electronically file federal and state income taxes at no charge for seniors, veterans, persons with a disability, and persons with low to moderate income. Appointments are available through April 15 in Glenwood, Rifle, and Battlement Mesa. To schedule an appointment, call 970-384-8740.
Golden Anniversary Carbondale Arts is seeking entries for the poster and shirt design for the 50th Annual Mountain Fair. Interested artists should submit a well-developed concept for the design along with at least three work samples. The winner will receive $500 and 10 t-shirts. Handmade or digital, entries are due by April 30, 2021. Questions? Email brian@carbondalearts.com.
8th Street Update The Carbondale Bike, Pedestrian and Trails Commission voted unanimously on Monday, March 1, to recommend that Carbondale Trustees move forward with “Option B” for the 8th Street Corridor Project. This option provides wider sidewalks while eliminating approximately 50 spaces of parking on the westside of 8th Street between Main Street and Village Road. The construction cost will be roughly $685,000 which is $200,000 higher than “Option A.” Residents along 8th Street expressed concerns over losing parking, the removal of old growth trees, and loss of property to “right of way.” The full meeting is available for review on the town’s YouTube channel, “Town of Carbondale Board of Trustees.”
Preschooler Luca Finley investigates changes in matter with the "Mixing It Up" activity provided by the Aspen Science Center's Early STEM Program. Courtesy photo.
They say it’s your birthday Folks celebrating another trip around the sun this week include: Kurt Trede, Jr. (March 4); Matthew Bennett, Kelly Field, Amy Hadden Marsh and Meg Plumb (March 5); Gwen Garcelon and Bobby Mason (March 6); Carol Fabian and Diane Johnson (March 7); Greg Meredith, Sidney Thomas and Jordan Tribble (March 8).
We can recommend a personalized account or the best hiking trails. 2021-22 Kindergarten & Early Childhood Registration
MARCH 8: ONLINE REGISTRATION OPENS FOR BOTH PROGRAMS @ WWW.RFSCHOOLS.COM APRIL 7 @ 7:30A-5PM: IN-PERSON EARLY CHILDHOOD REGISTRATION
As members of the communities we serve, it’s our responsibility to know them inside and out. If you have a question, reach out. We’re here. We’re working. And we’re a neighbor you can always count on.
Talk to a personal banker today at 970•704•1012.
APRIL 16 @ 7:30A-5PM: IN-PERSON KINDERGARTEN REGISTRATION
Full-Call and970-384-6004 half-day kindergarten or visit is FREE. Children must be 5 on or www.rfschools.com/enrollment before Octinformation, 1, 2021 to enroll. for more including
tours & info nights. 4 • THE SOPRIS SUN • soprissun.com • March 4 - March 10, 2021
anbbank.com
409 Dolores Way, Carbondale Serving You Throughout the Roaring Fork Valley
A closer look at Pitkin County Open Space and Trails
By Geneviève Villamizar Sopris Sun Correspondent
“If you want to walk in the grocery store and buy something that was grown locally, that tastes good, then you’ve got to invest resources in protecting the land base.” This is the vision and mission of Acquisition and Special Projects Director Dale Will, with Pitkin County Open Space and Trails (OST). In two decades of conserving vital landscapes in the Roaring Fork Watershed, Will has facilitated over $100 million in conservation projects. OST protects 20,000 acres from development and manages over 80 miles of trails built since voters established the open space program in 1990. The benefits of OST were reaffirmed in 2016, with voters reauthorizing a property tax to continue funding programs and acquisitions through 2040. A decade into his work with OST, accelerated growth and development of the valley pushed against Will’s own personal values — born of mountains and valleys, of human connection to ecosystems, sustenance, and community. Will’s relationships have grown not only with land owners, farmers and ranchers, but with the agrarian landscapes he has come to know and care for.
“The focus of the open space program included preservation of ‘ag,’ but they were thinking of it more in terms of ‘scenic.’ People wanted to see green pastures and hay bales and cowboys in the valley,” says Will. “The primary tool for accomplishing that was conservation easements and the notion was, if we’re going to preserve these working ranches, we want to leave the ranchers on the land and just buy the development rights.” That standard model assumes a family wants to stay in place, wants to preserve the natural and rural qualities of their land, and are willing to sell their development rights to do so. “Once in a blue moon, though, the program would come upon agriculture property with irrigated pastures, but the landowner didn’t want to keep it. So the property was either going to get developed — or we’d have to buy it outright,” he says. “I realized Open Space had been approaching ag land indirectly. I’d be thinking in the back of my mind, Well, we can get this and then lease it. But we didn’t have an explicit policy that charged us — empowered us — to do that, in and of itself.” During Will’s undergrad years at UC Santa Cruz, he had encountered the work of Alan Chadwick, a charismatic and obsessed master
gardener whose methods in biodynamic and French intensive growing systems galvanized the organic food movement in California. Not only did Chadwick make an impression on Will, but on a whole generation of gardeners, farmers and chefs. Will’s rubric for assessing the characteristics and value of open space necessarily began to expand. “If there’s a little piece of highvalue farmland that’s on the market that could get developed — in the past, we asked, Is it scenic? Does it have habitat value? Does it have recreational potential? And if the answer to all those questions was no, we might overlook it,” he says. Locals connected to horticulture, farming, or John Denver have heard stories of the legendary folksinger’s 957-acre Snowmass environmental experiment, Windstar. For three years, Will lived in community; farming, stewarding the land, and “growing” himself alongside many others who have gone on to make names for themselves in the valley through energy, conservation, architecture, landscape, and community building. The inseparability of land, food, and quality of life are a core concept in Will’s personal life — in stark contrast to the scale of real estate development consuming the productive landscapes of the Roaring Fork watershed.
OST Acquisition and Special Projects Director Dale Will explains the program. Photo by Paula Mayer. Continued on page 7
Now Open After Hours Urgent Care Life keeps going after hours and so do we. Valley View is proud to announce the opening of After Hours Urgent Care. From nasal congestion to a sprained ankle, our walk-in clinic is here to treat you. Thanks to its convenient location inside Valley View next to the Emergency Department, you get to decide the right level of care for you at the right price. HOURS: Mon.– Fri., 5 to 11 p.m. | Sat.– Sun., 12 to 8 p.m. GLENWOOD SPRINGS Learn how we make your safety our priority at VVH.org/Safety.
LEARN MORE AT VVH.ORG/URGENTCARE THE SOPRIS SUN • Your weekly community connector • March 4 - March 10, 2021 • 5
Winter sowing
Geneviève Villamizar Sopris Sun Correspondent
Decades from now, we’ll look back on COVID as a chapter of planting the seeds for more Time; a time of slowing down and of reconnection. Of more front porch time, of long walks time, and of more authentic Nature time. In these slower moments, did you happen to notice something in the air this past week? wafts of wetness and thaw? of soils exhaling, of gentle stirrings from far away places? Were you filled with a heady hunger to engage, perhaps with our very planet? And what of those moments of stillness in southern exposures – the rising angle of the sun, beams hot on your body – did you ache with desire? feel a primal compulsion to dig into earth? to join in the circular dance of seasons and climes? Seed season is here: foreplay to the intoxicating act of growing food. Get in on the action sooner than later this year. COVID-driven seed shortages will extend into this season’s supply, too. For this reason, Michelle and Steve Cox, founders of New Castle Gardens (NCG), invite you to come get ‘em while they last. NCG carries two high-quality, Colorado-based brands: Botanical Interests and J & D Heirloom Seeds. With a background in soil biogeochemistry, restoration ecology, nonprofit start up, environmental education, and farm to table advocacy, Michelle wholly endorses growing from
seed. If you’ve never done so before, plant even just one species this spring. Your slumbering parcels of stored sunshine will miraculously grow into the crispy, juicy taste of summer. Botanical Interests (BI) is a Broomfield-based company, and has been Michelle’s go-to seed source for over 25 years. BI seed envelopes are legendary, each bearing a botanical rendering, sans hyperbolic colors or overblown promises. Each envelope is printed inside and out with tips for success: germinating temps and conditions; plant culture, harvest and pest control information; companion crops, recipes, history. BI is trustworthy, high-quality, and organic. Many varieties are even heirloom, allowing you to harvest your own true-to-type seeds for next year. Over in Montrose, brothers Joseph and Dodi grew up gardening with their dad. A neighbor turned them onto heirloom seeds that her own family had been growing and saving for over 50 years. When the brothers realized how powerful it was to collect that seed and grow the plant again the next season true to type, true to flavor, true to traits - they were hooked. Now 20 and 21, the “boys” continue to grow non-GMO heirloom vegetables through their own company, J & D Heirloom Seeds. They grow their seed stock free of chemicals or pesticides so we too can grow some of the best-tasting, reliable vegetables suited to our climate. Now sink your hands into the earth and sow your own seeds of life.
Peas are winter sown in a mini greenhouse fashioned from a plastic milk jug. Photo by Michelle Cox.
MARCH FOOD DISTRIBUTION
Covid-19 amplifies anxiety. Remember: We are here for you! ASPENSTRONG.ORG THIS COMMUNITY AD SPACE IS GENEROUSLY DONATED BY COOL BRICK STUDIOS
Best way to warmup after playing in the cold Historic Underground Vapor Caves
No Walkins Please Call for Appointments Caves Included
ASPEN
LIFT-UP ASPEN PANTRY: By Appointment Only for Food Pick-up To schedule: LIFTUP.org • 970.544.2009 Tuesday-Friday 11 a.m.-5:20 p.m. Saturdays 12-5:20 p.m.
CARBONDALE
MOBILE: Mondays 2-4 p.m. Third Street Center
GLENWOOD
MOBILE: Thursdays 2-4 p.m. Glenwood Church of Christ, 260 Soccer Field Rd. EXTENDED TABLE: Monday-Friday 5-6 p.m. First United Methodist Church, 824 Cooper Ave.
NEW CASTLE
MOBILE: Wednesdays 2-4 p.m. Cristo La Roca, 880 Castle Valley Blvd.
RIFLE
MOBILE: Fridays 2-4 p.m. Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints EXTENDED TABLE: Tuesdays & Thursdays 5-6 p.m. Rifle United Methodist Presbyterian Church, Lovell Bldg.
PARACHUTE
MOBILE: Tuesdays 2-4 p.m. 201 East 1st Street, parking lot
INFO: • No identification is necessary. • Dates subject to change in the event of inclement weather or holidays. • This institution is an equal opportunity provider & employer.
RIFLE THRIFT STORE OPEN FOR DONATIONS & SALES Tuesday-Thursday 10 a.m.-5 p.m. • Friday & Saturday 10 a.m.-6 p.m. (Donations Accepted Until 4 p.m.)
Hot Springs Mineral Baths
“A Lot More Private than a Pool”
For Information & Reservations call 970-945-0667 • yampahspa.com Spa Open 9-9 Salon Open 9-7 • One Block East of the Hot Springs Pool 6 • THE SOPRIS SUN • soprissun.com • March 4 - March 10, 2021
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED! • Visit LIFTUP.org for details • Call the Volunteer Hotline: 970.456.2804
For more info or to make a donation LIFTUP.org
MINI GREENHOUSES
Open Space and Trails from page 5
Roots 1-Step which has a blend of mycorrhizae and beneficial bacteria. Following seed packet directions, press your seeds onto, or into, the soil, ensuring soil to seed contact. Gently water the soil. Close the jug, pressing the top half into the bottom half, or tape it shut. Leave the cap off to allow air circulation, or they may mold. Find a stable spot out of the wind but where sun, rain and snow will be freely admitted, on the east or northeast side of your home. A southfacing wall might cause some seedlings to sprout too soon. A north-facing wall might delay them. Set them up in a way that will prevent tipping, which can shatter delicate new roots. Monitor your mini greenhouses; keep them moist but not soggy. Come early spring, watch your garden, too, as snow melts and the ground thaws. When last year’s plants launch tender new shoots, it’s time to transplant your cool season seedlings. Best wishes to you!
frame OST’s 2011 annual board retreat. Could local food production be an end unto itself, he asked. In defining the “why” and the “how,” the Board seeded a new program: Agriculture Leases. The lease program tackles the most significant hurdle to farmers, acquiring land, by placing farmers and ranchers on OST parcels and easements throughout the Roaring Fork and Crystal River Valleys. It also tackles one of OST’s heaviest burdens, stewarding their acquisitions regeneratively so they continue to flourish and add to the quality of life in the valley. That’s no small feat. Will’s strength is in acquisitions and real estate law. OST hired Agriculture and Conservation Administrator Paul Holsinger to pilot the program. It’s a constantly evolving and iterative process, so Will and Holsinger work closely together at the program level. Their genuine friendship helps them navigate challenges to maximize opportunities. Holsinger interfaces directly with each of the farmers and ranchers, wearing many hats. “I do everything,” he chuckles. “Sometimes I feel like a therapist.” As the growing season ramps up this spring, The Sopris Sun will tag along with Holsinger, visiting the various farmers, ranchers and land parcels under OST’s umbrella. This new series seeks to deepen the connections between the community, the open spaces around us, and the “succor,” as Will calls it, that healthy landscapes offer humans.
L E N OW AS ING
In this very moment, seeds in the soil are responding to the cold and moisture, freezing and thawing, happening outside. Snowmelt is beginning to soften the hard shells that protect seeds through their winter slumber. Soon, as moisture penetrates that shell, embryos will swell and burst forth, sending out their cotyledon and root. Winter sowing mimics this process. “Mini greenhouses'' are one of several ways to winter sow seeds. Spreading seeds across the soil works, of course, but a mini greenhouse protects your seed investment from squirrels, voles, mice and birds. You can make them for free, repurposing translucent, plastic milk jug containers. Sterilize your jugs first. Then, 4-6 inches from the base, slice the jug almost all the way around, leaving it hinged at the handle. Poke 3-6 small drainage holes in the bottom. Fill the bottom with 3-4 inches of light soil. For this season, Michelle Cox uses a combination of Black Gold Seedling Mix, “alive” compost, and
Homemade mini greenhouses keep pea seeds warm even in late winter. Photo by Michelle Cox.
He commissioned a study: How much arable land is left, and if we put every one of those acres into production, how many people could the valley feed? Will turned to local systems analyst Malcolm McMichael: twelve thousand bellies. OST had work to do. After Windstar, young Will returned to California to study environmental law, settling his new and growing family in Village Homes. Like Chadwick’s biodynamics, this planned community functions in sync with the natural systems of the planet. Every aspect of it was ecologically, sustainably designed to leverage nature and foster connections. Communal gardens, food-centric landscaping, community chicken coops and apiaries connected residents to food and land. Passive solar homes housed them amidst an emphasis on trails, green pathways, and common space over roads and cars. Green-engineering captures water, recharging soils, leading to a unique verdancy — a simple walk was a sensorial trip through a Garden of Eden: nuts, plums, pomegranates, citrus hanging from every branch, lowhanging nourishment — every day abundance for man woman child. “I remember being deeply affected by succor,” Will recalls. Today, his own yard in town is filled with apples, cherries, grapes, and pears. Roaming hens fertilize and aerate native plantings that offer habitat to all the tiny creatures, allowing for larger creatures like deer or black-capped chickadees to flourish. Quantifying the production capacity of remaining arable land helped Will
Co l
e o Av ad or
Sopris Lodge at Carbondale
Tru He e Nat alin ur gA e rts
Main St
Gra
nd
eT rail
N 2nd St
N 3rd St
Welcome Center
Rio
Main St
Elevated Senior Living is Coming to Carbondale Sopris Lodge at Carbondale Senior Living is a lifestyle community offering independent living, assisted living and memory care for the Roaring Fork Valley. We support resident wellness, choice, and healthy living, allowing you to live well, age well.
• Easy access to the Rio Grande Trail and downtown Carbondale
• Fitness Center
• Wellness programs and life enrichment activities
• Outdoor patio with hot tub
• Delicious chef-prepared meals
• Gardening beds
• Concierge and transportation services
• Greenhouse
• Bistro, library, Internet café, and theater
• Pet-friendly community
• Technology for safety, security and entertainment
….and much more
Visit our Welcome Center Today!
265 Main Street, Carbondale, Colorado | 970-440-2628 | SoprisLodge.com Independent Living | Assisted Living | Memory Care | Managed by THE SOPRIS SUN • Your weekly community connector • March 4 - March 10, 2021 • 7
COMMUNITY CALENDAR THURSDAY MARCH 4
CONTEXTUALIZING FIRE Wilderness Workshop and Aspen Center for Environmental Studies present “Colorado’s Record-setting 2020 Fire Season in the Context of the Past 6,000 Years” live-streamed over Facebook at 6 p.m. The presentation will be archived on YouTube with a Spanish translation. NO MAN’S LAND The 6th Annual No Man’s Land Film Festival takes place online beginning March 4. More at nomanslandfilmfestival.org SOLARIZE Garfield Clean Energy has launched Solarize, a three-month campaign to boost solar energy in the county. An introductory webinar, “Why Solarize?,” will cover the basics of how the program works as well as costs, rebates, tax credits, financing options and other aspects of solar systems. The Zoom webinar begins at 5:30 p.m. For more info, visit garfieldcleanenergy. org/solarize or call 970-704-9200, ext. 1101.
FIRST FRIDAY MARCH 5
NESTED ROOTS Carbondale Arts, in partnership with CU Boulder’s Nature, Environment, Science & Technology Studio for the Arts program, presents two exhibitions on how the arts can create conversation and spark action to bring awareness to climate change. Although no formal reception is planned, the gallery will be open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on opening day and continues through March 25.
Visit soprissun.com to submit events.
VIRTUAL FIRST FRIDAY Thunder River Theatre Company powers up the ThunderStream for a special presentation with Carbondale Arts and the Carbondale Chamber of Commerce at 6 p.m. The stream’s theme is sustainability, honoring Imagine Climate 2021. STREAMIN’ STEVE’S Bruce Hays performs at 7:30 p.m. at Steve’s Guitars. The stream is available at grassrootstv.org LIVE MUSIC Chris Bank and Mark Johnson play at Heather’s in Basalt at 6 p.m.
effectively run virtual meetings. The event begins at 9 a.m. and includes simultaneous translation into Spanish. More at gcpld.org/business RETRO FILM SERIES Aspen Historical Society and Aspen Film show vintage ski movies at 7 p.m. More at aspenhistory.org
SUNDAY MARCH 7
ANB BANK The Carbondale Planning and Zoning Commission reviews an application by ANB Bank to rezone Lot 1 and Lot 2 (south of the City Market Fueling Station) at 7 p.m. Persons wishing to enter a comment into the record regarding the application, or comment during the meeting, may email msikes@carbondaleco.net by 4 p.m. on March 11. The application is available for review at bit.ly/ANBBANK
MINDFULNESS IN RECOVERY John Bruna leads an 8-week course integrating mindfulness for addiction treatment and recovery. More at mindfullifeprogram.org
MONDAY MARCH 8
HARM REDUCTION Tune in to KDNK at 4:30 for a special announcement during Chemical World with Maggie Seldeen and Kenna Crampton. CARD PARTY Gay For Good and La Casa de Paz team up for a virtual card making event from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. Cards will then be sent to immigrants released from detention centers. More at gayforgood.org
TUESDAY MARCH 9
VIRTUAL BUSINESS Garfield County Libraries hosts a panel of experts on strategies to
WEDNESDAY MARCH 10
LIVE MUSIC Steve Cole performs at Heather’s in Basalt at 6 p.m.
FURTHER OUT THURSDAY MARCH 11
ONGOING
INSIGHT MEDITATION Roaring Fork Insight offers a weekly meditation practice with teachings on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 7 a.m. and Wednesdays at 8 a.m. More at roaringforkinsight.org KARAOKE THURSDAYS The Black Nugget offers karaoke on Thursdays at 7 p.m.
"NESTed Roots" is a collaborative exhibition in partnership with CU Boulder's "Nature, Environment, Science & Technology (NEST) Studio for the Arts program and CORE (Community Office for Resource Efficiency). Courtesy image. YOUTH ART SHOW
LIFT-UP
Aspen Art Museum presents the Roaring Fork Youth Art Expo, “Still Lifes and Works from Home,” from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Tuesday through Sunday.
Mobile food distribution continues as one-day-a-week per community event from 2 to 4 p.m. serving Carbondale at the Third Street Center on Mondays, Parachute at 201 1st Street on Tuesdays, New Castle at Cristo La Roca on Wednesdays, Glenwood Springs at the Church of Christ on Thursdays, Rifle at Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on Fridays, at LiftUp’s Aspen Pantry by appointment. More at liftup.org.
CRYSTAL STREAMING Virtual cinema offerings include “Heartworn Highways,” “Identifying Features,” “You Will Die at Twenty,” “M.C. Escher: Journey to Infinity,” and “Some Kind of Heaven.” Fifty percent of ticket sales support the Crystal Theatre. More at crystaltheatrecarbondale.com COMPLEXITIES A group exhibition by North American ceramic artists is on display at the Carbondale Clay Center though March 27. The gallery is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
HAPPY TRAILS In partnership with Roaring Fork Outdoor Volunteers, the Aspen Chapel Gallery displays watercolor paintings and sculptures celebrating the outdoors through April 11. The gallery is open every day from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
SPEAKERS
Looking to have fun and give back? Join us at Rotary every Wednesday at 7a.m. via Zoom! Visit rotarycarbondale.org for details. Guest Speaker Zuleika Pevec, CLEER Energy Rebate Programs March 10, 2021
Guest Speaker Carbondale Creative Series Artist TBD March 17, 2021
All are welcome! RSVP to Ed Queenan (401) 465-4276 queenan.edward@gmail.com
Celebratory Navajo Jewelry Event March 8 from 11a.m. to 4p.m. at 20 Clearwater, Carbondale Meet the artist, Mae Peshlakai of Cameron, Arizona. Don’t miss this opportunity to buy jewelry from her and other Navajo artisans at dealer’s cost. Visa | Check | Cash Wear a mask.
Please call 970 404 7212 for reservations so we can observe social distancing. 8 • THE SOPRIS SUN • soprissun.com • March 4 - March 10, 2021
FIRST FRIDAY, MARCH 5, 6-7 PM
VIRTUAL EDITION | THEME: SUSTAINABILITY Virtually join the Carbondale Chamber, FirstBank, Carbondale Arts, and Thunder River Theatre Company for March First Friday! This month’s ThunderStream will feature an overview of Imagine Climate 2021, presented by CORE; highlights from past Green is the New Black Fashion Shows; restaurant features showcasing Brass Anvil and Atina Bar & Grille; and an announcement of the February coloring page prize winners! Also, tune in to Streamin’ Steve’s with Grassroots TV, featuring live music from Bruce Hayes, 7:30 pm, www.grassrootstv.org
Learn More: www.Carbondale.com/First-Friday PC: Olive & West, courtesy of Carbondale Arts
Valle
Sol del el
Conectando comunidades
RUMIANDO
Por Raleigh Burleigh Editor Estás leyendo la primera página de un nuevo proyecto de The Sopris Sun, profundizando nuestra misión de informar, inspirar y crear comunidad. Empezó en Carbondale en principios de 2009, cuando el periódico semanal llamado "The Valley Journal" fue cancelado por una gran corporación que lo había comprado en 2003. Fue justo antes de Navidad y un grupo pequeño de residentes de Carbondale respondieron formando algo totalmente nuevo, más independiente y así más resistente. Ya trece años después, lanzamos el Sol del Valle tanto para incluir más personas en esa misma misión como para refrescar nuestras mentes pensando en otro idioma. Es bien conocido que el "español" es un lenguaje bien variado según su localización. Por eso, quiero explicar
Volumen 1, Número 1 | 4 al 10 de marzo de 2021
Agradecemos su apoyo para este nuevo proyecto.
Dando la bienvenida a un nuevo amanecer
un poco una decisión estilística para esta publicación. Yo como editor aprendí mi español mayormente en Chile y Argentina donde lo dicen "castellano" y se identifican con reinventar el idioma. Nuestra traductora, Jacquelinne Castro, nació en El Salvador. Tendremos contribuciones de originarios de todas partes, desde Chihuahua, México a Colombia. Así que, es seguro que vamos a ver mucha variación con esto y ojala que aprendemos nuevas palabras. Quizás que ya notaran mi uso del género neutro que están adoptando muchos pueblos hispanoparlantes. A veces, se escribe reemplazando el "o" masculino o "a" feminina con "x," así dando más ambigüedad al sujeto— específicamente cuando se trate de nombrar grupxs de personas. Optamos por utilizar "e" en vez de "x" porque es más sencillo de pronunciar hablando y ya se encuentra en el idioma en el caso de palabras como "estudiantes" y con el uso de "les." No es una ciencia exacta, y seguro que olvidaremos de vez en cuando. Siempre vamos a respetar las decisiones lingüísticas de nuestras columnistas y la gente que nos escriben cartas para publicar. Pero es cierto que verán el uso de "amigues," "nosotres," "muchaches," "etc." Y todo siempre es sujeto a cambiar. Esto dicho, nuestra mayor esperanza para esta nueva publicación es que sea participativa. Siempre invitamos
que nos escriben con sus pensamientos. Publicaremos cartas cada semana que sean entregadas antes del mediodía cada lunes antes del jueves que imprimimos. Contribuciones más largas también serán consideradas para publicar marcado "opinión." Si te interesa sumarte a nuestro equipo de reporteros, también te damos la bienvenida. Y nos gusta mucho publicar arte, como los dibujos de Larry Day que verán a menudo acompañando al "Chisme del Pueblo." Cualquier cosa que quieres, nos puedes escribir a sol@ soprissun.com. Así existe el Sol del Valle, parte de The Sopris Sun y totalmente su propia cosa formándose atreves de la colaboración comunitaria. El Valle Roaring Fork es un lugar único en el mundo, y esperamos comunicarlo con toda su variedad, así articulando nuestra identidad compartida por vivir aquí. Ojala que encuentran gusto explorando el resto del periódico también, la parte escrita en inglés contiene mucho contenido y no todo será traducido. Si hay algo en particular que les gustaría ver aparecer también en español, invitamos que nos avisan. Finalmente, quiero agradecer a Jacquelinne Castro por ser de gran ayuda con nuestro lanzamiento. Ya hace dos meses que está traduciendo artículos y boletines de noticias con nosotres. Ahora va a avanzar sus habilidades
Jacquelinne "Jacqui" Castro es nuestra traductora principal y diseñadora gráfica para el Sol del Valle. Foto cortesía de Jacqui. digitales como diseñadora gráfica para esta sección. Jacqui proviene del departamento de Santa Ana, El Salvador. Vive en Colorado con su familia desde 2013 haber llegado primero a Maryland, EEUU donde la primera pregunta que te hacen, me contó, es "¿de que parte de El Salvador vienes?" Alumna de Colorado Mountain College, a Jacqui siempre le han gustado los idiomas y espera que este proyecto sea una manera de "mantenernos conectados para mejorar la vida."
Si te interesa seguirnos por Facbook, también existimos ahí. Estaremos compartiendo cada cosa que imprimimos y nos gustaría mucho que nos conversan para que esta cosa se materializa según muchas visiones y, como The Sopris Sun, toma vida propia que transciende los muchos momentos y personalidades que la informan. Para apoyarnos en nuestro existir, recibimos donaciones y vendemos espacio para anuncios en los dos idiomas. Nos puedes contactar por más información escribiendo a sol@soprissun.com.
CARTAS La Alianza de Nutrición Abundante y Segura (SANA)
mes tenemos que pagar las deudas y hay muy poco que queda de dinero para comer La misión de Safe and Abundant lo que es suficiente para nosotros.” Otras de las preguntas que hicimos fue Nutrition Alliance (SANA) es trabajar de ¿Qué le haría más fácil pedir ayuda? ¿Qué la mano con una diversa gama de miembros le impide obtener la ayuda que necesita? de la comunidad para encontrar soluciones “Siempre me da vergüenza pedir ayuda. comunitarias basadas en la equidad a la Siento que soy independiente y siento que inseguridad alimentaria. Trabajamos con y es mi responsabilidad apoyar a mi madre y para familias e individuos desde Parachute a mi hijo. Creo que hay gente que necesita hasta Aspen. ayuda más que yo.” El año pasado entrevistamos a más de “Yo no tengo un automóvil para obtener 300 familias sobre las barreras alimentarias comida en las despensas de comida. Sería y los cambios que necesitamos en nuestro excelente si pudieran mover las horas más valle. Una de las preguntas que hicimos tarde en el día para que mi pareja pueda ir fue ¿Qué es lo más desafiante o difícil después del trabajo.” para alimentarse a sí mismo o a su familia? En SANA abogamos por la comunidad ¿Qué contribuye a esto? Estas fueron para ver cambios en nuestro sistema algunas respuestas de nuestra comunidad. alimentario local. Estas respuestas nos “A veces la falta de dinero, cuando no han ayudado para ver cambios positivos. hay trabajo y tenemos que hacer otros Si usted gusta participar, contar su historia pagos y nos limitamos a muchas cosas. La o ser voluntario/a por favor comuniquese comida es lo último que compramos. “ con nosotros por medio de nuestra página “El dinero, la entrada de dinero en la de Facebook https://www.facebook. casa y aparte que sube el precio de las cosas com/2020SANA en este valle. Ahora la situación en la que ¡Muchas gracias! estamos viviendo no es fácil. Si pagas el La Alianza de Nutrición Abundante y alquiler nos quedamos sin comida, y cada Segura (SANA) 9 • el Sol del Valle • soprissun.com/espanol/ • 4 al 10 de marzo de 2021
Hablando de asistencia Casi después de un año desde que el gobernador Polis declaró la orden de colorado stay-at-home, la pandemia continúa en tomar su efecto en nuestra economía local. Como evidenciado por la continua demanda de ayuda de caridades de asistencia de comida. De acuerdo con Debbie Patrick, directora de desarrollo, marketing y comunicaciones para Lift-Up, un aumento inicial de demanda seis veces más alto de lo normal en los meses iniciales de la pandemia se ha nivelado a tres o cuatro veces que antes de la pandemia. Lift-Up consistentemente trae 20% más de comida de lo que se distribuía la semana previa, por si haya otro aumento de caso. Para los siguientes meses, los servicios de Lift-Up seguirán iguales, ofreciendo distribución móvil de lunes a viernes en una comunidad diferente cada día de 2 p.m a 4 p.m. Sirven a Carbondale en Third Street Center los lunes, Parachute en 201 1st street los martes, New Castle en Cristo la Roca los miércoles, Glenwood Springs en Church of Christ los jueves, Rifle en Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints los viernes, y abren el Aspen Pantry por cita.
En lugar de su “mesa extendida”, LiftUp ofrece comida “Grab-n-go” de 5 p.m a 6 p.m dos veces por semana en Rifle United Methodist Presbyterian Church y de lunes a viernes en First United Methodist Church en Glenwood Springs. Lift-Up pronto lanzará una encuesta bilingüe para determinar con precisión preferencias para distribución a finales de la primavera, con posibilidad de ajustar horas y localizaciones. El programa de almuerzo The Meal Monkey continuará sirviendo al distrito escolar del condado de Garfield RE-2 con comidas gratis para los niños los viernes en Rifle, Silt, y New Castle. Adicionalmente, Food Bank of the Rockies proveerá asistencia en comida gratis con Aspen Skiing Company en Crown Mountain Park en El Jebel de mediodía a 2 p.m; con Aspen Family Connections en Aspen Golf Club cada miércoles de mediodía a 2 p.m.; y con el Safe and Abundant Nutrition Alliance (S.A.N.A.) los sábados en Rifle Middle School de 10 a.m. a 11 a.m. y en Glenwood Middle School de 1:30 p.m. a 2:30 p.m. Sol del Valle
CHISME DEL PUEBLO Actualizando 8th Street
Imaginando Clima
Aniversario dorado
El comisionado de Bike, Pedestrian and Trails de Carbondale hizo un voto unánime el lunes, 1 de marzo, para recomendarle a los representantes de Carbondale la “opción B” para el proyecto “8th Street Corridor.” Esta opción provee aceras más amplias, al mismo tiempo eliminado aproximadamente 50 espacios de estacionamiento en el lado oeste de 8th Street entre Main Street y Village Road. La construcción costará alrededor de $685,000 lo cual es $200,000 más que la “opción A”. residentes localizades a lo largo de 8th Street expresaron sus preocupaciones por perder estacionamiento, la eliminación de árboles antiguos y pérdida de propiedad al “derecho de paso.” La junta completa está disponible para revisión en el canal de YouTube del pueblo, “Town of Carbondale Board of Trustees.”
CORE, Community Office for Resource Efficiency (Oficina Comunitaria para Eficiencia de Recursos) presenta Imaginando Clima 2021, continuando con NESTed Roots el día viernes, 5 de marzo. Esta presentación de arte es una colaboración entre Carbondale Arts y CU Boulder en The Launchpad. Además, habrá una exhibición de multimedia con Colorado Mountain College en el campus de Aspen empezando el 11 de marzo. Finalmente, The Art Campus en Willits y 5Point Film organizarán una selección de música y películas para desviarnos de “la fatalidad y tristeza de la narrativa” del cambio climático. Para más información visite aspencore.org
Carbondale Arts está buscando aplicaciones de diseño para posters y camisetas para el 50th Mountain Fair. Artistas interesades deben entregar un concepto bien desarrollado del diseño acompañado con al menos tres muestras de trabajo. El ganador recibirá $5,000 más 10 camisetas. Hechas a mano o digitales, las aplicaciones tienen fecha de entrega el 30 de abril del 2021. ¿Preguntas? Envié un correo electrónico a brian@ carbondalearts.com
STEM para preescolares Aspen Science Center (ASC) está introduciendo ciencia y el método científico a preescolares con su programa de Early STEM. Equipos de “actividades de aprendizaje a distancia” están disponibles a proveedores de cuidado de niñes, ¡gratis! Estos incluyen tarjetas y materiales de instrucciones bilingües, introduciendo a les niñes a conceptos como “gravedad,” “causa y efecto” y “estados de la materia.” Coordinadora del programa Early STEM Annie Bells entiende lo difícil que es el trabajo de maestra de preescolar bajo circunstancias normales y ha diseñado actividades fáciles que tambien son divertidas para les niñes. Descubre más contactando a Bell por earlystemaspen@gmail.com.
Sea consciente Usar senderos durante la temporada lodosa puede empeorar la erosión. Es mejor esperar hasta que tus senderos favoritos se sequen antes de aventurarse. Si encuentras lodo durante una caminata o un paseo en bicicleta, es mejor pasar por el lodo, en vez de alrededor, para evitar dañar la vegetación y ampliar el sendero.
Contextualizando el fuego Wilderness Workshop y Aspen Center for Environmental Studies presentan “La Temporada de Incendios 2020 de Colorado en Contexto con los Últimos 6,000 Años” desde sus páginas de Facebook a las 6 p.m. el 4 de marzo. La presentación será archivada en YouTube con una traducción en español.
Contratando artistas VOICES está contratando miembros de la comunidad creativa latina para sus presentaciones y exhibiciones de verano en un pequeño espacio móvil de arte y teatro. Si eres un artista interpretativo(a), visual, músico(a), bailarín o bailarina, y vives en el Valle del Roaring Fork (entre Aspen y Parachute), ¡les encantaría aprender más de ti y amplificar tu trabajo! Esta es una oportunidad pagada. Ponte en contacto enviando un correo electrónico a: cassidy@ amplifyingvoices.org
Protección de Pago
La Administración de Negocios Pequeños de los Estados Unidos ha abierto solicitudes de préstamo para el programa de protección de pago por 14 días exclusivamente para negocios y organizaciones sin fines de lucro con menos de 20 empleados. Para más información visite sba.gov
Donaciones por correo o en línea P.O. Box 399 Carbondale, CO 81623 970-510-3003 www.soprissun.com Editor Raleigh Burleigh • 970-510-3003 news@soprissun.com Executive Director Todd Chamberlin • 970-510-0246 adsales@soprissun.com Directora Artística: Ylice Golden Diseñadora gráfica: Jacquelinne Castro Distribucion: Crystal Tapp Miembros de la Mesa Directiva
Linda Criswell • Klaus Kocher Kay Clarke • Lee Beck • Megan Tackett Gayle Wells • Donna Dayton • Terri Ritchie Eric Smith • Vanessa Porras The Sopris Sun, Inc. Es un miembro orgulloso del Distrito Creativo de Carbondale The Sopris Sun, Inc. es una 501(c)(3) organización benéfica sin fines de lucro. Contribuciones financieras son deducibles de impuestos.
Cartas y opiniones: Las perspectivas expresadas en contribuciones de opinión no reflejan necesariamente las perspectivas de Sol de Valle ni The Sopris Sun. Toda la comunidad es invitada a escribirnos una carta de hasta 500 palabras por sol@soprissun. com. Columnas más largas serán consideradas por caso. La fecha de entrega para este contenido es cada martes a mediodía.
MARZO DISTRIBUCIÓN DE ALIMENTOS ASPEN
LIFT-UP ASPEN PANTRY: Solo con cita previa para recoger alimentos Para programar: LIFTUP.org • 970.544.2009 martes a viernes 11 a.m.-5:20 p.m. sábados 12-5:20 p.m.
CARBONDALE
MÓVIL: lunes 2-4 p.m. Third Street Center
GLENWOOD
MÓVIL: jueves 2-4 p.m. Glenwood Church of Christ, 260 Soccer Field Rd. EXTENDED TABLE: lunes a viernes 5-6 p.m. First United Methodist Church, 824 Cooper Ave.
NEW CASTLE
MÓVIL: miercoles 2-4 p.m. Cristo La Roca, 880 Castle Valley Blvd.
RIFLE
MÓVIL: viernes 2-4 p.m. Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints EXTENDED TABLE: martes y jueves 5-6 p.m. Rifle United Methodist Presbyterian Church, Lovell Bldg.
PARACHUTE
MÓVIL: martes 2-4 p.m. 201 East 1st Street, parking lot
INFORMACIÓN: • No se necesita identificación. • Fechas pueden cambiar en caso de inclemencias del tiempo o días feriados. • Esta institución es un proveedor y empleador que ofrece igualdad de oportunidades.
RIFLE THRIFT STORE ABIERTA PARA DONACIONES Y VENTAS Martes a jueves – 10 a.m. a 5 p.m. • Viernes y sábado – 10 a.m. a 6 p.m. (Se aceptan donaciones hasta las 4 p.m.)
VOLUNTARIOS NECESITADOS • Visite LIFTUP.org par ser voluntario • Línea directa para voluntarios: 970.456.2804
Para más información LIFTUP.org 10 • el Sol del Valle • soprissun.com/espanol/ • 4 al 10 de marzo de 2021
¿SABÍAS QUE? Dejar su vehículo en ralentí durante más de 10 segundos usa más combustible y produce más CO2 que simplemente reiniciar el motor. El ralentí innecesario desperdicia dinero y contribuye al cambio climático. Las ciudades de Basalt y Carbondale por ordenanza prohíben más que dos minutos de inactividad. Por favor, haga su parte y ¡mantén nuestro aire limpio!
POR FAVOR, HAGA SU PARTE Y ¡MANTÉN NUESTRO AIRE LIMPIO!
Un desacuerdo entre comunidades Keep Missouri Heights Rural
Por Roberta McGowan Traducido por Jacquelinne Castro
Visión general En un ámbito rural, Missouri Heights está localizado 1,000 pies arriba del suelo del valle. Es un lugar con muy poco sonido o contaminación de luz; hogar a ranchos, granjas, pequeñas subdivisiones residenciales e instalaciones ecuestres. Actualmente, el condado de Garfield está revisando planes de parte de Ascendigo Autism Services para un complejo de 126 acres con propósitos de uso para recreación y educación el cual estará localizado en Missouri Heights, y también esperan reportes de potenciales impactos hacia el agua, fuego, tráfico, polvo, ruido y contaminación solar. El departamento de bomberos de Carbondale no estaba disponible para agregar comentarios a tiempo a la prensa. El plan de desarrollo incluye: una base de campamento central y otras estructuras haciendo un total de 37,800 pies cuadrados, además de una cabina para visitantes y también un centro de terapia con caballos. Keep Missouri Heights Rural (KMHR) o Mentangan Missouri Heights Rural, se opone a este proyecto por ser muy grande, por ser un área no adecuada y por preocupaciones ambientales. La revisión del progreso del condado comenzará con una conferencia de preaplicación, luego una revisión detallada del plan del sitio de sumisión y de personal, siguiendo audiencias públicas y la decisión final de parte de la mesa de comisionados del condado de Garfield.
El grupo de vecinos se organizó en el verano del 2020, cuando los residentes se enteraron de los planes de Ascendigo. KMHR está rotundamente opuesta al complejo, citando tres preocupaciones principales: fuego, agua y la comunidad. David Aguilar, un líder del grupo, afirma que el proyecto es de negocio/comercial y por lo tanto no es permitido por los actuales códigos de zonificación y tierra. El área es considerada rural/residencial y KMHR esta preocupado que este desarrollo le abriría las puertas a empresas adicionales de grandes escales. “La gente se ha movido aquí por la belleza rural, y estamos perdiendo eso poco a poco'', expresó Aguilar. KMHR está trabajando con un grupo de ingeniería de agua, una compañía de estudio enfocado en amenazas de incendios y un grupo de ingeniería de tráfico para evaluar potenciales impactos. El área rodeando Missouri Heights históricamente ha sido devastado por incendios forestales: los desastres de Lake Christine, Panorama y también Coal Seam que amenazó a Glenwood Springs. Este verano pasado trajo algunos de los incendios más grandes de la historia del estado, incluyendo el infierno de Grizzly Creek, y poca gente puede olvidar del incendio de South Canyon de 1994 el cual tomó la vida de 14 bomberos. Aguilar también lamentó lo cual describió como una “falta de comunicación” de parte de Ascendigo con residentes del área. Missouri Heights ya ha estado en conflictos previamente relacionados con la comunidad/ desarrolladores. Ha enfrentado situaciones que han sido negadas por último, tal como el Hunt Vendedor de Marijuana| 21 +
@rockymountainhighq
Ranch y los proyectos Dragonfly. El código de zonificación del condado de Garfield, artículo 15, define instalaciones educativas como “edificios y usos de instrucción o actividades de investigación asociadas con institución académica que tiene un curriculum de entrenamiento técnico o vocacional que podría ser, pero no es limitado a, el kinder, educacion primaria, educación secundaria ni educación superior, incluyendo instalaciones residenciales para facultad, personal y estudiantes.” Residente de Missouri Heights Holly McClain dijo que le da la bienvenida a todes, pero su preocupación más grande es por el agua, especialmente cuando se trata de combatir incendios.
Ascendigo Autism Services La misión de Ascendigo es “elevar el espectro del autismo al potenciar a las personas, inspirando vidas y traspasando expectativas.” El oficial principal de operación Dan Richardson, también alcalde de Carbondale, detalló la meta de Ascendigo. “Nuestros clientes son muy diversos en nuestros tres programas básicos. Para el campamento de verano, son en mayor parte niñes - de edades de 7 a 18 - pero el 25 por ciento son adultos también.” Richardson dijo que el proyecto “nos permite diseñar instalaciones personalizadas para individuos con autismo para que puedan triunfar en ambientes más conducentes, lo cual no es usual. Este sitio nos permite estar cerca de servicios y comodidades y capitalizar en actividades recreativas tales como montar a caballo, excursionismo, montañismo y más.”
Según Richardson, la organización está intentando comunicarse con la comunidad para trabajar juntos, respondiendo a preocupaciones acerca del acceso a senderos y pasarelas, potencial contaminación de luz, tráfico y preocupaciones acerca del agua e incendios. “Nos tenemos que integrar con la comunidad.” También afirmó que el plan tendrá menos impacto que el desarrollo alternativo de viviendas. Con respecto al agua, Richardson dijo que Ascendigo estará planeando por “un uso típico doméstico de agua, irrigación de pastos de caballos, un campo de juegos (aunque estamos buscando césped artificial), y paisajismo, así como también estructuras de control de irrigación para ayudar optimizar y proveer otros beneficios sensoriales para nuestros participantes, lo cual es un componente importante para ayudar individuos con autismo.” En adición, Ascendigo declaró en una página de web dedicada al proyecto, que “no tiene planes de alquilar propiedades a otras organizaciones” y “no buscará ayuda financiera de contribuyentes.” Richardson también señala que otras organizaciones sin fines de lucro y negocios ya operando en Missouri Heights incluyen WindWalker, Colorado Mountain College, el Missouri Heights Schoolhouse, Strang Ranch, Cedar Ridge Ranch, Crystal Springs Ranch, el pozo de grava, y otras propiedades en alquiler de corto plazo. Ascendigo insiste que su proyecto cae bajo el permiso para educación de la zonificación rural del condado de Garfield y reporta que dueños de propiedades adyacentes ya han sido consultados.
¡Captura tus tierras públicas! Dejar solamente huellas, llevar memorias.
Colorado Wild Public Lands ofrece un CONCURSO DE CINE con tres categorías, y tres oportunidades para ganar:
$99
por
onza
Por favor, entrega su video de 30 segundos o menos, grabado durante el último año en tierras públicas, antes del 15 de Mayo (Dia de Tierras Públicas en Colorado) a coloradowildpubliclands@gmail.com
Disponible en parachute
EXPERIMENTA la
•
CARBONDALE
•
SILT • PARACHUTE
WWW.HIGHQROCKIES.COM | 844-420-DANK (3265)
Fotógrafa:: Linda Braley Keefe.
DIFERENCIA
SILT, CARBONDALE & SNOWMASS VILLAGE MALL
SNOWMASS VILLAGE MALL
Artístico – ¿Cómo nos inspiran las tierras públicas? Personal – ¿Cómo nos sostengan las tierras públicas? Extremo – ¿Cómo nos emocionan las tierras públicas?
Puedes ganar un certificado por $100 a Ute Mountaineer, Bristlecone, o Factory Outlet, y ver su trabajo subido a nuestro sitio: coloradowildpubliclands.org Colorado Wild Public Lands retenga el derecho de incluir todo video entregado en materiales de educación en el futuro.
el Sol del Valle • Conector de comunidad • 4 al 10 de marzo de 2021 • 11
OPINIÓN
OTRA PERSPECTIVA Por Crystal Mariscal La manera en que vemos las cosas es muy distinta al resto de cada persona. Podemos incluso estar de acuerdo en una idea fija, pero con intereses y opiniones diferentes. En cada tema, ya sea en política, economía, intereses comunitarios y de más, intento encontrar un punto medio. Este punto medio, me ayuda a poder compartir lo que yo sé y me ayuda a aprender lo que otros piensan del tema. Así puedo ver las cosas desde otro ángulo, desde otra perspectiva. Es por eso
Cuando vecinos participan ...
que decidí llamar a mi columna otra perspectiva. Mi objetivo es dejarlos pensando y cuestionando en diferentes escenarios, no solo por la manera en que yo veo y entiendo las cosas, sino que también entrevistare a mis amigos y colegas según sea el asunto a tratar. Ni de aquí ni de allá, es el nombre de una de mis películas favoritas de la India Maria, me describe a la perfección, ya que nací en California y crecí en Zacatecas, México, me mudé a Colorado hace 16 años y hace 10 años a New Castle, donde me siento en casa. Soy parte del consejo municipal de New Castle, y la primera Latina en ocupar ese puesto. Soy parte de las mesas directivas de: la organización River Bridge, las Bibliotecas del Condado de Garfield, del programa para adultos mayores del condado, entre otras. Les cuento esto por si hay alguien que todavía no ha escuchado de mi o no me conoce. También por que gracias a la experiencia que he ganado en estos puestos es que deseo compartirla con uds, desde anécdotas hasta herramientas útiles
para su dia a dia. Decidí involucrarme en abogar por mi comunidad al entender que una comunidad preparada y lista para abogar por sí sola, es el legado que quiero para mis hijos. Hay cosas que a simple vista no entendemos, pero que vistas desde otra perspectiva podemos encontrar diferentes motivos por el cual algo se llevó a cabo. Por ejemplo, en el condado de Mesa, donde actualmente tengo un contrato, estamos trabajando en encontrar fondos para construir un parque. El parque estará en una zona donde viven familias de bajos recursos, donde no hay áreas recreativas y donde el crimen es más alto que otras áreas de ese condado. No solo el crimen, pero también la tabla de suicidios es algo alarmante. Se busca que al llegar a construir este parque, las familias puedan tener actividades al aire libre, socializar con otras personas y que los pequeños del hogar puedan jugar. La importancia de que los vecinos se socialicen entre ellos es de suma importancia para
¡Anúnciate con nosotros!
Sol del el
Valle
este proyecto. Al incrementar las conexiones personales se logra que un individuo tenga mejor calidad de vida. No necesariamente que su vida se resuelva milagrosamente de la noche a la mañana. Es decir, al crear relaciones de amistad o compañerismo el individuo podrá tener a alguien con quien compartir, charlar, pedir ayuda o guianza, entre muchos beneficios más. Así estos pequeños grupos se van formando, entre ellos comparten intereses comunes, ya sea idioma, valores morales, religión, gustos por cosas o actividades, o tener hijos de las mismas edades entre otros intereses. Al mismo tiempo se va creando una atmósfera de vecindario donde de alguna manera todos cuidan de los mismos intereses, haciendo también que el vandalismo disminuya. Así que cada que vez visite un parque intente conversar con otras personas, ya que ese lugar lleva otra meta más allá de un buen rato en familia. Para llegar a la meta final de la construcción del parque, falta tiempo, pero lo que ha apresurado
las cosas es el interés de los locales. Es increíble el poder que un grupo de voluntarios tiene al tratar de transformar su vecindario. ¡Se necesitan manos dispuestas a trabajar y ayudar, y esas ya las tenemos! Si los habitantes buscan un cambio es más probable que el cambio suceda, en comparación de un proyecto guiado solo por organizaciones o gobierno. Ya que el impacto será en esa comunidad. Por eso cada vez que hay algún plan comunitario se le pide a las personas que participen. Nadie conoce su vecindario mejor que sus habitantes, y nadie podrá entender las necesidades de su vecindario si los vecinos no participan. Dice un viejo refrán, “Al que no habla, Dios no lo escucha.” Usted ya está aquí, en este país, involúcrese! Su perspectiva tiene valor para los que están tomando decisiones. ¿Qué le impide compartir su opinión para mejorar su vecindario y la calidad de vida de su familia? Además de "Otra Perspectiva," Crystal estará contribuyendo reportajes al Sol de Valle.
Vendemos espacio para anuncios en inglés y español con diseño y traducción incluido. Actúa ahora para aprovechar de nuestra oferta de dos por el precio de uno hasta finales de marzo.
Contáctanos llamando 970-510-3003 o por correo electrónico a sol@soprissun.com
12 • el Sol del Valle • soprissun.com/espanol/ • 4 al 10 de marzo de 2021
A caboose comes to Bonedale
By Ken Pletcher Sopris Sun Correspondent
A caboose, you say? Here in Carbondale? Well, yes, right behind the big yellow house at the corner of 3rd and Capitol. So how did that get here and when? It’s a good story, but first …
The house
James Ibbotson and his son sitting on the steps of his caboose. Photo by Sue Rollyson.
According to a survey of historic structures put out by the Carbondale Historic Preservation Commission in 2010, the house at 424 South 3rd Street (popularly called the “Dinkel House”) was constructed by Mary J. Francis in 1904. Francis was a wealthy heiress who purchased a large tract of land south of Carbondale in the 1880s and later donated much of it to the school system. “Not so fast,” says Sue Gray, vice president of the Carbondale Historical Society. She has been researching the Dinkel family as part of the society’s effort to open a “Dinkel Mercantile” museum in its log cabin property at the south end of Weant Boulevard. “Everyone knew that it was the Dinkel House for a long time,” she explained, “and I wanted to get to the bottom of [the discrepancy with the 2010 survey].” As part of her work, Gray found the original warranty deed transferring ownership of the lot from Francis to William Dinkel (price: one dollar) in 1893, as well as architectural drawings for the house and a newspaper clipping further distinguishing the Dinkel provenance.
The house was sold by the family after Dinkel’s death in 1918, and it went through a series of owners over the next several decades. In the late 1960s, the house was divided into four rental units which remain to this day. The current owner is Cheryl Heineman, who bought the property in the 1970s. Her son, James Ibbotson, manages the property.
The caboose So, you ask, how did a 1960s-era Union Pacific caboose end up here? Ibbotson grew up in Aspen and became interested in its history. Later, after moving to Carbondale, he refocused that interest onto our town. His house, garage and yard are filled with historical artifacts he has collected over the years. Gray noted that he has donated part of his collection to the Historical Society and has been on the outlook for items on the society’s “wish list.” Last summer, during the heart of the pandemic, Ibbotson learned that a number of items, including the caboose, were for sale at a property up in Old Snowmass. He recalled, “The doctor who owned the property collected all sorts of stuff. I was interested in [the caboose], but they were asking a lot for it.” The estimate for moving the car was also high. Instead, he bought an old ore cart. By the end of the day, however, the caboose had not sold. The property was being sold and had to be cleared out, so the person running the sale offered it to Ibbotson for free if he could “get it out of
here.” He had one month to do it. Gray noted that Ibbotson initially offered the caboose to the Historical Society, but “because we don’t own any land, we had no place to put it.” So, it ended up at the 3rd Street house. Ibbotson found a contractor who agreed to do the move for much less than the original estimate. “I had to dig a foundation and lay down ties and track on the concrete. He also had to obtain permission from the town to have the caboose on his property. He did, but it was designated as a shed. “It all went so smoothly,” he recalls. One day in September, the caboose was loaded on a flatbed truck and began its slow journey to Carbondale. “We got it as low as it could go [on the flatbed] but had some close calls with traffic lights.” When it got to its new home, a large crane lifted it off the truck and placed it on the tracks. “It may be that all it ever is [is a shed], but I have big dreams for the whole property,” Ibbotson commented, including the caboose. “Being the steward of a historic house, we have a responsibility to keep it [in good condition]. I’ll do what I can to maintain it.” Because of the modifications to the main house, Ibbotson cannot get state designation as a historic landmark, but both he and Gray hope that Carbondale will give it historic status. That, hopefully, will allow him to apply for grants or other sources of funding that could help with restoration work.
AFTER-HOURS MEDICAL CARE ASPEN VALLEY HOSPITAL
DID YOU KNOW?
When you have unexpected medical needs, After-Hours Medical Care is here for you. We are staffed with doctors and nurses to answer your medical questions and treat minor injuries and illnesses, including: sprains, simple fractures, lacerations, UTIs ...and more. If you have respiratory symptoms, fever, sore throat, or flu/COVID-19-like symptoms, we can arrange a telemedicine consult for you by calling 970.544.1250.
Idling your vehicle for over 10 seconds uses more fuel and produces more CO2 than simply restarting your engine. Unnecessary idling wastes money and contributes to climate change.
970.544.1250
234 Cody Lane, Basalt Monday - Friday 3:00 – 11:00 pm
The Towns of Basalt and Carbondale each have two-minute idling ordinances. When you are stopped, turn it off.
PLEASE DO YOUR PART TO KEEP OUR AIR CLEAN!
Saturday & Sunday 8:00 am – 5:00 pm aspenhospital.org |
AspenValleyHospital
THE SOPRIS SUN • Your weekly community connector • March 4 - March 10, 2021 • 13
Twenty years ago Free Identification Tags For Every Pet!
OPINION
Colorado Animal Rescue has teamed up with Glenwood Springs Subaru to provide FREE identification tags to ALL pets in our area! To keep all pets safe and in their home, C.A.R.E. is offering free pet ID tags to any resident of Garfield County (& neighboring municipalities)! With the recent changes to our county animal control program, we are on a mission to provide EVERY pet with current identification. We love when a stray pet can be taken directly home and not spend any time in the shelter. There is no better way to return a lost animal to their home than by contacting the owner directly. Order an id tag for each of your pets. Choose your favorite color and style! Your pet’s tags will arrive by mail free of charge, ready to add to their collar. Microchips are also available at the shelter for only $30. Microchips contain an identification number that is linked to an owner’s supplied contact information. They provide pets with a lifelong link to safety and are effective when an id tag isn’t present.
t: r visi org o r e d scue. to or e R n l a a c S m doAni Colora
A
Ps & Qs
By Jeannie Perry Twenty years ago, the Carbondale cops knew me. I lived a couple of miles outside of town and sometimes they would give me a ride if I was walking home late at night (the nice ones would even stop by 7/11 for nachos). My husband worked part-time as a bartender at The Nugget, along with our good friend Bruce the Juice. Bruce is a long-time local; well-liked and respected in Carbondale. A year and a half ago, he had a run-in with the Carbondale police (an officer he didn’t know) and Bruce requested the paramedics stay with him until another officer arrived because of the cop’s ferocity. Then there was the infamous episode when a local cop tased a KDNK volunteer who was delivering hay bales for an event on Main Street. I believe that ended with a rather large settlement against the police department and a transfer for “No Way, Jose!” Now, I’ve just heard about the incident at City Market last Christmas, and it sounds like militarization of the police has even affected our little mountain town. At the very least, it seems we could use a refresher course on how to protect and serve all of our community. After all, we are a close-knit bunch of cowboys and hippies and bikers and boomers, and most of the time the police blotter printed in the paper is enough to deter the criminally minded from acting out their sinister plans. I’m not advocating for a lawless situation like the towns up McClure Pass, but surely, we can do a better job of keeping the peace.
Twenty years ago, my husband came to Carbondale to work construction for my uncle, along with my cousin and another young man named Pat Bailey. These three jack-of-all-trades, who embodied the phrase “all who wander are not lost,” helped my uncle build a garage in Satank and then commuted over McClure Pass every day to build a barn near Paonia. Their routine included a stop in Somerset at The Portal on their way home. The Portal was the only bar in town – in fact, it was the only business in town if you didn’t count the post office. Somerset, a mining town squeezed in between the river and Highway 133, has always offered a peek into the working man’s past; a real-life tiny Western town with train tracks running through the middle and little clapboard houses with driveways and carports crammed full of the kind of things that would be kept in the garage, if only they had one … as opposed to the private tiny town built by Bill Koch a few miles away, which reportedly has a red-light district wax museum and a helipad. Now, Oxbow Mining (Koch Industries) has announced they will no longer pay for the water treatment in this company town. So, the residents of Somerset are left without a pot to piss in – and as of this July, without any water to flush it down. Boy, they sure don’t make billionaires like they used to. I think about men like John C. Osgood, who built and operated the town of Redstone with the understanding that his prosperity was directly connected to the health and well-being of the people who worked in his mines. I’m nostalgic for the old timey days when it really did take a village. When you could wander through town looking, talking and pointing at strangers without the fear of being hauled off to jail. The days when you could belly up at The Portal and enjoy a cold one at 9:30 in the morning, sans judgement, because hey, that’s when the shift ended. Twenty years ago, Carbondale had a lot more in common with Somerset. We were a small town with much less traffic. A home for miners, hunters, and handymen – Oh my! We boomed, while Somerset went bust. But I have a plan … We can invest in their infrastructure and turn the town’s industry from mining to Wild Wild West tourism, complete with a full-service saloon (a.k.a. The Portal) and shootouts in the street at high noon. Just actors, mind you. We’ll leave the real gunslinging to the cops over in Carbondale.
ATTENTION ROARING FORK HIGH SCHOOL ALUMNI!
We need your RFHS graduation regalia to add to our Graduation Closet! Gowns, stoles, and caps! Monetary donations will be accepted, as well, and we will purchase new graduation outfits to loan out to Seniors every year. Every year, we have RFHS families who are unable to purchase a cap & gown. Please consider donating your gown back to RFHS to support fellow Rams!
Contact Lorri Knaus: lknaus@rfschools.com or 970.384.5750 14 • THE SOPRIS SUN • soprissun.com • March 4 - March 10, 2021
NOT A KDNK MEMBER? CALL 963-0139 GO TO KDNK.ORG
The newly-decorated storefront at 303 Main Street, the former Miser's Mercantile location, will be the new home for High Q's Carbondale store. Photo by Jeanne Souldern.
High Q relocates to Main Street Jeanne Souldern Sopris Sun Correspondent Redevelopment of the Sopris Shopping Center has left business owners scouting for alternatives. It has been a mixed bag of results, with some businesses closing permanently or temporarily, and others moving to a new space.
One of those relocating is High Q. The retail marijuana store (dispensary) opened at the Sopris Shopping Center in January 2018. They are moving to the front of the former Miser's Mercantile location at 303 Main Street in downtown Carbondale. High Q also operates stores in Silt, Parachute, and the Snowmass Village Mall. Renée Grossman, High Q's owner, says, "I Retail Marijuana| 21 +
@rockymountainhighq
think we've done far better than my original projections for the Town of Carbondale. We have a great relationship with the local community and wonderful customers." A couple of approval processes need to be completed before the move can be finalized. As a retail marijuana store, the relocation requires approval from the local jurisdiction (the Town of Carbondale) and the state to grant the “transfer of location” for the store's license. The local approval process will include a public hearing and vote by the Board of Trustees at their regular meeting on Mar. 9. Regarding the process, Grossman explains, "With the local jurisdiction, it is mostly confirming that the zoning works, which we have already confirmed with the Planning Department. And then any renovations are subject to the building permit, which we've secured." After local and state approvals, she has 120 days to move. Renovations, which have already begun, include constructing a wall to create two separate spaces – one retail space for customers and the other with a backroom for inventory storage and processing. Grossman adds, "We have to wire the whole place up for internet, some electrical upgrades, and then all of our security and surveillance systems." Initially, Grossman struggled to secure a new location. "There's not a lot zoned for it [as a retail marijuana store], and you've got landlords that don't want the use. The other challenge is that the entire west side of 133, all that property that has the cattle on it, is actually CRMS-owned property, and there are setbacks between marijuana use [business], and a school of 500 feet. It's a challenging city to find a place to locate." Under Colorado law, a landlord must consent to the property's use. While looking
for new locations, the nature of High Q's business became a sticking point for some property owners. Grossman says she looked at 12 or 13 possible locations. There were three locations where the owners would not consent to the use. She also wanted to lease in the new 10,000-square-foot building next to the new City Market but the easement agreement for the shared parking lot between City Market and the building also prohibits use by a retail marijuana business. Before becoming a retail marijuana store owner, Grossman worked as an investment banker and private equity investor. She has also worked on the financial side of the coal industry, first with a coal company based in Colombia, South America, followed by a stint at a now-closed mine in Paonia. Her understanding of production, distribution and logistics has carried over to the marijuana business. She has used skills from her coal industry experience at High Q’s cultivation facility, Hava Gardens in De Beque. Logistically, “Marijuana is a commodity similar to coal,” according to Grossman Grossman says she's "lucky" to have secured the location, which was recently separated into multiple units. Even with the challenge of moving the store, Grossman says, "We're really excited about the move. We think that we're able to secure a good location and good parking." The current plan is to close the Sopris Shopping Center store at their regular time on March 13. The Main Street location is scheduled to open by March 17 or 18, to which Grossman adds, "Stay tuned for grand reopening specials."
Looking for Exceptional Primary Care Near You?
CARBONDALE
SAVE 20% OFF STOCK UP BEFORE OUR BIG MOVE! MARCH 7-13, 2021
Michael Plachta, MD Family Medicine
Edward Wiese, MD Internal Medicine
Karen Locke, MD Family Medicine
Kelly Locke, MD Family Medicine
Aspen Valley Primary Care offers a full complement of services for adults and children in two convenient locations near you.
HIGH Q CARBONDALE IS MOVING TO 303 MAIN ST. Our current Carbondale location will be closed on Sunday, March 14th and will reopen at the Main Street location on Thursday, March 18th.
Aspen | Basalt Virtual visits available
NOW ACCEPTING NEW PATIENTS
FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA FOR DETAILS. *Valid at Carbondale location only. While supplies last. Some restrictions may apply, see store for details. For adults 21 and over only.
ASPEN VALLEY PRIMARY CARE ASPEN VALLEY HOSPITAL
DAILY SPECIALS & discounts
EXPERIENCE the
Organically-grown flower, concentrates, edibles, topicals & CBD products SNOWMASS VILLAGE MALL
•
CARBONDALE
•
DIFFERENCE
SILT • PARACHUTE
WWW.HIGHQROCKIES.COM | 844-420-DANK (3265)
BOOK TODAY 970-279-4111
0401 Castle Creek Road, ASPEN | 1460 East Valley Road, Suite 103, BASALT 970.279.4111 | aspenhospital.org | AspenValleyHospital
THE SOPRIS SUN • Your weekly community connector • March 4 - March 10, 2021 • 15
16 • THE SOPRIS SUN • soprissun.com • March 4 - March 10, 2021
OBITUARIES
Linda Christine Wanner
Ernie Bradley
March 21, 1950 - February 7, 2021
August 28, 1943 – February 15, 2021
Ernest LeRoy Bradley passed away at the age of 77 in Marble Falls, Texas. He was born in Roswell, New Mexico, and grew up near De Beque. Ernest was a lifelong outdoorsman. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, camping, bird watching, backpacking, horseback riding, and telling stories about all of the above. When he couldn’t be outdoors, he liked reading or watching shows about the outdoors. Ernie also loved people. He could talk a leg off a horse, his mother might have said. He would often strike up conversations with strangers and would offer advice on the best hiking route or the best fishing spot. He was kind and generous and would go out of his way to help someone in need. LeRoy, as he was known to family and friends from his youth, grew up farming and ranching. He graduated with a petroleum
engineering degree from the Colorado School of Mines, and then served in the US Army as a paratrooper and engineer during the Vietnam conflict. After his military service, he worked his entire civilian career at Exxon until eligible for retirement at the age of 55. The luckiest day of Ernie’s long life was when he met Betty Joyce North in 1967 in Grand Junction. One of their early dates was to go fishing! Their courtship was short and they were soon married in Hawaii while Lt. Bradley was on shore leave from Vietnam. The couple lovingly raised three sons, traveled all over the world, and spent 53 rewarding years together. Ernie was preceded in death by his father Cecil, mother Grace, and younger sister Carol. He is survived by wife Betty; sons Todd (Brooke Powers), Kent (Rebecca), and Matthew (Rachel); grandchildren Kristina, Elliott, Lorien, and Alina; and numerous cousins. He somehow survived country medicine, being shot in the foot as a child (no kidding), broken bones, a compound fracture of his finger while hunting in British Columbia, army food, Viet Cong snipers, repeated frostbite, and getting lost in the woods more times than it’s possible to count. But he finally met his match with the COVID-19 virus. He will be forever loved by all who knew him. A celebration of life will be planned for summer 2021 in western Colorado. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to the Rocky Mountain Bighorn Society (bighornsheep.org) or The Church at Redstone (churchatredstone.com).
Lin (Linda) passed away peacefully on Sunday, Feb. 7, at her home in Carbondale after a two-year battle with neuroendocrine cancer. Lin grew up in Jamestown, North Dakota with two sisters and two brothers, helping regularly on the family farm. After graduating high school, she moved to Boulder where she received a B.S. in Business Administration from Regis University, held a variety of accounting positions in the public and private sector, and delighted in time spent in the great outdoors. In 1998, she moved to North Carolina where she lived in a quaint cottage on the Albermarle Sound spending time boating, painting, and walking the beautiful beaches of the Outer Banks. After a momentous trek to Machu Picchu in 2008 she was drawn back to
the mountains of Colorado where she cultivated a rich network of friendships, was a smiling face in the Town of Carbondale front office, and delighted in spending time with family. Lin had an artistic heart and was a connoisseur of life. She was creative in painting, beading, jewelry making, and cooking. She loved to read and watch movies. She especially loved the music of Stevie Ray Vaughan, the art of Georgia O’Keeffe, and the glass sculpting of Dale Chihuly. Throughout her adult life, she enjoyed time with her nieces and nephew and in her later years spent many hours with her greatnieces and nephews both near and far. Lin is survived by her mother, Ida, her four siblings: Bernice Hjort (Oakland, Oregon), Phyllis Johnson (Lakewood), Ralph Wanner (Carbondale), and Dwight Wanner (Mesa, Arizona); as well as nieces, nephews, and greatnieces and great-nephews in Colorado, Arizona, Oregon, and Washington. She is preceded in death by her father, Ferdinand Wanner. She was loved by family and friends who will miss her sweet smile and warm, loving presence and will keep her in their hearts and thoughts to hold her ever near. The family asks that memorials be made to Home Care and Hospice of the Valley in Glenwood Springs (hchotv.org), The American Cancer Society (donate3.cancer.org), or Carbondale Arts (carbondalearts.com). A celebration of Lin’s life will be held on her 71st birthday, March 21, 2021. Contact 970404-1972 for event details.
Staying Home? Try Out Our Delivery Services!
Your story, digitized. Stand out on the web.
We want you and your pets to stay healthy and happy, so we are urging our customers to use our delivery services. All orders over $75 get FREE DELIVERY! Craft your online narrative with a website, email, strategic advertising and search marketing. Drive footsteps through your door, whether physical or online. Check out footstepsmarketing.com/services
footstepsmarketing.com
970.510.5233
/
Carbondale, CO
970-963-1700 RJPaddywacks.com Open 7 Days a week − Mon.-Fri. 9:00-6:30 ~ Sat.-Sun. 10-5pm 400 E. Valley Road # I/J, Next to City Market in El Jebel
THE SOPRIS SUN • Your weekly community connector • March 4 - March 10, 2021 • 17
LETTERS treated differently because of the color of their skin. Michael Francisco, a longtime Carbondalian, beloved KDNK DJ for eight years, florist at the Aspen City Market, is having to go through an embarrassing and expensive legal process – all because, at the end of the day, he is black. Michael has said he has always felt safe in Carbondale. He no longer feels that way after City Market employees, the same City Market in Carbondale where Michael’s son works, handled a miscommunication that has landed Michael in a situation that he doesn’t deserve. That no person deserves. The content of Michael’s character, as he has demonstrated over many years and as so many community members can attest, is not enough to ensure that he can walk safely in our town and be treated with the same respect due any citizen. My heart is broken, but every time our hearts break there is the potential that they get opened wider, and get stronger in service to a world where we are better, more compassionate, and more able to learn and grow our way into a braver and more connected future. Whoever may be listening, let’s forgive those involved with this scenario while still holding them to a higher standard, and let’s drop these charges against Michael and do better, because we are better than this. Gwen Garcelon Carbondale
Haiku Slice of sun Through my east window Harbinger of spring’s return. Jampa Carbondale
Your Big Backyard XVIII
Across 1. Contrapuntal form developed by Bach. 4. ___ surrender-- / Soundless as dots / On a disk of snow. 6. A giant mudslide, almost 3 miles long, occurred here in 2014 (3 words). 9. 500 sheets of paper. 10. Rock climbing pioneer. 11. Carbondale's grocery before City Market (2 words). 14. Short for Denver. For example, on an airline ticket. 15. The most difficult move on a
rock climb. 16. ___ D'Aosta, in Italy, origin of some valley settlers. 17. Make a speech. 18. Rock dweller belonging to the rabbit family. 19. Place in which to cuddle up or stash things. 20. Denver International Airport. 21. Reservoir above Basalt. Down 1. Less than before. 2. The Wild West Rodeo is held here (3 words). 3. "Nothing Without God." First
By Chromostome
word on Colorado's seal. 4. Place to unload coal. 5. ___ Eggs and Ham, breakfast specialty at Dos Gringos. 7. Runs through Apple Tree Park (2 words). 8. Ami's Acres is one; there's also one on the Crystal River and one in Silt. 12. Marble chiseler. 13. Aspen ___ Club features views of Pyramid Peak and Independence Pass. 16. Argument in which the conclusion necessarily follows from the premises.
ACROSS: 1. FUGUE; 4. DOGES; 6. WESTSALTCREEK; 9. REAM; 10. KOR; 11. CIRCLESUPER; 14. DEN; 15. CRUX; 16. VAL; 17. ORATE; 18. PIKA; 19. NOOK; 20. DIA; 21. RUEDI DOWN: 1. FEWER; 2. GUSDARIENARENA; 3. NIL; 4. DOCK; 5. GREEN; 7. ALKALICREEK; 8. KOA; 12. SCULPTOR; 13. GOLF; 16. VALID
18 • THE SOPRIS SUN • soprissun.com • March 4 - March 10, 2021
Changes Anybody ever heard of a guy by the name of Bill Gates? I don’t curse him every time my computer goes weird – anymore. I mention his name because he just came out with a new book called “How to Avoid a Climate Disaster: The Solutions We Have and the Breakthroughs We Need.” He has been on the tube talking about it. What he says is that not only are we facing an imminent disaster, but it will mean the end of humans. This century. Bill also says that there is a very big problem with how people have a really hard time trying to envision the future. We live in the present. But he says he talks to farmers all over the world and they tell him things are changing. Not in a good way. The migrations away from the equator are happening already. Bill is spending tens of billions of dollars on
Continued from page 2 many things that might make a difference. He reads about all the science and innovation all the time. We are going to need the new stuff, but we also have to come to grips with what we are doing. Carbondale passed a Climate Action Plan back in 2006. We updated it in 2017. The first big milestone is in 2030 and that is to have cut our greenhouse gas emissions by 50 percent. That is a really big ask. In fact, these climate plans are all over towns, states, and countries. But nobody is on track to meet their deadlines. The problem is simply that the plans are really just aspirational suggestions. Nothing is mandatory. There are no timelines for any specific projects. There are no budgets. There is no accountability. Additionally, Carbondale is in a building boom and every one of the new buildings will add to the greenhouse gas emissions that we said we would cut. Folks, don’t you think we ought to make a few changes? Pat Hunter Carbondale
Re: Limbaugh A truly despicable American is finally gone. It was a relief to know he would no longer suffer the airwaves, professing his demented, racist, right-winged rants, based more on speculation than evidence. His immense non-excellence and narrowness in broadcasting was more satirical and laughable than reality-based. The whole story was rarely told by him due to his blind-sided biases. He amassed over 600 MILLION dollars of net worth. His yearly salary, including perks, was reported as 85 MILLION dollars. He was part of a very exclusive financial elite – to say the least. I doubt he remembered or thought about the men and women in the ranks of “the little guys.” The crass harshness from decades of his irreverent, and often irrelevant diatribes, served to erode the natural goodness of millions of people in this country. limbaugh (not worth capitalizing) was nothing less than a propagandist who consistently did immeasurably more harm than good. He spoke haphazardly from his selfproclaimed big brain. He thought he was speaking truth to power, but apparently Joe, Kamala and sanity seems to have won the day, nonetheless. limbaugh was nothing short of a bigoted racist, who along with certain others, represent the very worst human examples America can offer. It is always ill-advised and delusional to think you are the smartest person in the room. The Devil now gets his due… Jeff Finesilver Carbondale
This paper costs $1.80 to produce. Advertising does not cover the full cost. Donors and advertisers keep The Sopris Sun in print!
For more info contact Todd Chamberlin
adsales@soprissun.com | 970-510-0246 The Sopris Sun, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation. Donations to The Soprs Sun are fully tax deductible.
LEGALS
NOTICE PURSUANT TO THE LIQUOR LAWS OF COLORADO KERPIZZA, LLC dba NEW YORK PIZZA CARBONDALE 901 HIGHWAY 133 #E, CARBONDALE, CO 81623 HAS REQUESTED THE LIQUOR LICENSING OFFICIALS OF CARBONDALE TO GRANT A NEW LIQUOR LICENSE TO SELL MALT AND VINOUS LIQUORS FOR CONSUMPTION ON THE PREMISE AT 901 HIGHWAY 133 #E, CARBONDALE, CO 81623 HEARING ON APPLICATION WILL BE VIA ZOOM:INVITATION CAN BE FOUND AT: CARBONDALEGOV.ORG ON APRIL 9, 2021 DATE AND TIME: APRIL 13, 2021 AT 6:00 P.M.DATE OF APPLICATION: MARCH 2, 2021 BY ORDER OF: DAN RICHARDSON, MAYOR APPLICANT:KERPIZZA, LLC Information may be obtained from, and Petitions or Remonstrance’s may be filed with the Town Clerk, Carbondale Town Hall, 511 Colorado Avenue, Carbondale, CO 81623
PARTING SHOTS
My kid could do that …
Text and photos by Raleigh Burleigh Aspen Art Museum’s youth art expo, “Still Lifes and Works from Home,” provides a unique window into the imaginations of our local youth, one year into the pandemic. This exhibition features 400 artworks by K-12 students from Aspen to Rifle speaking to three basic prompts: “somewhere or someone
you miss,” “your favorite object or room in your home,” and “a meal you enjoy eating.” Organizing artist Adam Stamp, visiting from Los Angeles, was impressed to see the children creatively “go their own way” based on those prompts. Repurposing components of surreal architecture designed by Veit Laurent Kurz for Winterfest 2020, Stamp incorporated every piece of art submitted
into the exhibit. Organized by motif, the space includes a “dog park,” all cat images hang inside the central hut structure, pastel fruit coat a wall, and the eyes of wildlife emerge from a forest of aspen trees. The trees were painted by Stamp and inspired by a drawing submitted by youth artist Norah Glasgow. Stamp was so impressed with the kids’ artist statements that he created a short
SERVICE DIRECTORY eW imaatte Wa ash tm i i l sh CLEAN lUt Cleans Inside
U
INSIDE & OUT & Out
Complete CompleteInterior Interior and and Exterior wash package. Exterior Wash Package Car ash Car W Wash Detailing Detailing Oil changes Oil Tires Changes
Tires
Weather Insurance Insurance Weather
If it rains or snows bring the vehicle back within If it rains48orhours snowsand bringweback vehicle will the rewash it. within
48 hours and we will rewash it.
970-963-8800 745970-963-8800 Buggy Circle in Carbondale www.sunburstcarcare.com 745 Buggy Circle in Carbondale
www.sunburstcarcare.com Open Mon.-Sat. 8am-5:00pm and on Sundays from 9am-4pm for washes only Open Monday - Saturday 8am to 5:30pm and on Sunday from 9am to 4pm for washes only.
Practicing minimal contact check-in.
zine with his professional advice. “If any of these children get to become an artist, job well done.” All exhibiting artists also received a t-shirt designed by Adam Stamp proudly proclaiming “I’m in a museum show!” The exhibit continues through Sunday, March 14. Stamp’s “Slippery Slope Bar” will remain on the roof of the museum through May 2022. WINDSHIE
REPAIR AUTO GLA REPLACEM WINDSHIELD
REPAIR & AUTO GLASS REPLACEMENTMo
970-963-3891 970-963-3891
Mobile Service Available
bil Servic Availab
Locally Owned by David Zamansky
Locally owned bybyJake Zamansky Locally Owned David Zamansky
500 Buggy Circle, Carbondale, 500 Buggy Circle, Carbondale, CO 289 MAIN STREET | (970) 963-2826 | CARBONDALEAH@GMAIL.COM THE SOPRIS SUN • Your weekly community connector • March 4 - March 10, 2021 • 19
C
Our Loyalty Debit Card & You: Makes Perfect Cents! With every one of your Alpine Bank Loyalty Visa® Debit Card* transactions, Alpine Bank donates 10 cents to localized community causes and charities that align with your passions and interests, in the form of grants, sponsorships and gifts.
Use your card, shop locally and remember: The change starts with you! *Alpine Bank Debit Cards are available with no annual fee to individuals with an Alpine Bank checking account.
ALPINEBANK.COM | MEMBER FDIC CONVENIENT LOCATIONS ACROSS COLORADO
This community ad space is generously donated by Alpine Bank
Capture your Public Lands! Leave only tracks, take only memories.
Colorado Wild Public Lands is hosting a VIDEO CONTEST with three categories, three chances to win:
Looking for recovery? MISSION: To provide a safe and supportive location for meetings, fellowship, educational activities, and social events for people, families, and friends in recovery.
Free Legal Aid Hotline
Hosting live, hybrid and online recovery meetings.
Please submit your video of 30 seconds or less, taken in the last year on public lands, by Colorado Public Lands Day, May 15, to coloradowildpubliclands@gmail.com
Photo credit: Linda Braley Keefe.
www.meetingplacecarbondale.org
“Ask a Lawyer”
Artistic – How do public lands inspire? People – How do public lands sustain? Extreme – How do public lands thrill?
Enter for a chance to win a $100 gift certificate from Ute Mountaineer, Bristlecone, or Factory Outlet, and have your work featured on COWPL’s website: coloradowildpubliclands.org Colorado Wild Public Lands retains the right to include all video submissions in future educational material.
Wednesdays 5-7 p.m.
970-368-2246 SERVING PARACHUTE TO ASPEN
Provided in partnership by Alpine Legal Services, the 9th Judicial District Bar Association and the Pitkin County Bar Association This community ad space is donated by Cool Brick Studios