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UNA NUEVA PUBLICACIÓN SEMANAL CON NOTICIAS Volume 13, Number 12| April 29 - May 5, 2021 LOCALES EN ESPAÑOL.
Michael Francisco's hearing at Carbondale Municipal Court was continued again on April 26. According to Michael Edminister, Francisco's lawyer, the possibility for restorative justice is being explored. Meanwhile, the public grows increasingly anxious for a fair resolution, as evidenced by vocal protestors spilling into the courtroom toward the latest hearing's non-conclusion. Sketches by Larry Day. Story on page 3.
OPINION
SEEKING HIGHER GROUND By Nicolette Toussaint
What's in a name? In my case, irony. In 1987, in a fit of feminist righteousness, I changed my surname to Toussaint. I was filing for my third divorce and tired of name changes. Having chaired a “women's own name task force” a decade earlier, I knew that barring “intent to defraud,” anyone can change their name anytime by making a “public declaration.” Even in the seventies, I thought that faddish name-changes – like Cooperman/Cooperperson and Wolfson/Wolfsdottir – wouldn't stand the test of time. So I decided to choose a family name. Trouble was, rich families leave better paper trails than poor ones, and my family tree came from my father's wealthy family. Then again, everyone's family trees are patronymic; women's names disappear. I settled on a token protest – taking the surname of my mother's
Uncovering family skeletons
adoptive father, Eugene. Gene Toussaint was the kindest, most reliable male I had known and, as resemblances make clear, I have always been my mother's daughter. The first time I wrote my explosive new initials – TNT – I laughed out loud. Many elders review their lives, writing memoirs and making sense of their lives. I have been doing that, and my mother, Myra Toussaint, did the same. In one note, she reflected on her name. Her birth name was changed even before she started school. Myra Dean Shields became Myra Jean Toussaint. Marriage added other surnames: Slusser, Devine, Toussaint-Devine. Everything changed but the Myra part. I empathize. During my 69 years, my surname has changed FIVE times. My first name changed only once, when I came home from school and announced that henceforth, I would be using my middle name in preference to my always-mispronounced first name. But I was the driver behind all my name-changes. My mother wasn't. Until she hyphenated ToussaintDevine late in life, she didn't have a choice. She had to jump through hoops to get a passport due to the fact that she'd never been able to find her birth certificate. Her mother, Mamie, said it was destroyed when the courthouse burned down. Myra always felt that something was amiss with Mamie. Her mother was reclusive, wouldn't let her play
with other children, and socialized only with family. It was almost as though she was in hiding. At various times, Myra theorized that she was the daughter of one of Mamie's sisters, or that she had been abducted from a wealthy family. (Around that time, there were a rash of such kidnappings in imitation of the Lindbergh baby case.) Myra maintained that she actually REMEMBERED being passed out of a window as a small child. While watching the PBS series “Finding Your Roots,” I recently realized that online documents might shed some light on my mom's dark imaginings, or at least on the reasons behind them. Old census and newspaper records not only did that, they lit a fuse under my TNT initials, busting some skeletons out of the family closet. Following my family's paper trail, I learned that I COULD have claimed to be a legacy student at CU Boulder – had I only known that my great uncle graduated from CU in 1911! Then I discovered that I had earned a master's degree at Illinois Institute of Technology while having no idea that my father was an alum. Or that my parents met there in 1944! My father, whose family had traced its lineage back to the Revolutionary War, never mentioned anything recent. He was proud that Downer's Grove is named after his great-great grandfather, and his stuffy family
glowed about obituaries that referred to them as an “old Illinois family.” That's an odd phrase. As DNA shows, EVERY human family is equally old. I guess you get termed “old” if you're fortunate enough to be able to enumerate your ancestors, or if local landmarks bear your name. (Kinda like being a Gianinetti in Carbondale, which has a Gianinetti Park.) Last week, I found my mother's birth certificate. It confirmed that Mamie Gowens and Casper Shields were her parents. But online research also showed that Myra was right about the abduction! In July 1928, when she was a toddler, her mother ran away from her husband Casper, taking Myra and $700 in savings. What's more, Mamie ran away with Eugene Toussaint, her next door neighbor! Eugene was, inconveniently, already married to a woman named Fanny. In 1928, THAT was a big scandal. The story's still there, in the archives of the Hammond Times. Highly miffed, both Fanny and Casper got divorces. But I'm pretty darn sure that with the arrival of the Great Depression, Myra was never legally adopted. Considering Mamie's possible intent to defraud and lack of public declaration, that might mean that the name Toussaint was never legally attached to my mom at all. The laugh's on me. Maybe I should change my byline to Nicolette Myrasdottir?
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LETTERS Ascendigo facts In response to various letters that have appeared in the local newspapers during the past two months, please note the following corrections of fact: Ascendigo is NOT requesting new zoning. Garfield County staff rendered the opinion during the pre-application phase that our proposed use fits under the ‘Education Facility’ land use, which is an allowed use, but one that requires approval by the Board of County Commissioners. This project will not change any zoning in Missouri Heights to commercial use. Missouri Heights IS the ideal location for Ascendigo Ranch. We have engaged a team of local experts who are following industry standards to closely examine traffic mitigation, water usage, availability and storage, wildfire preparedness and land management. Our application details the availability of these resources, the infrastructure that is in place, and the improvements we will make to accommodate the development. Most important is that the autistic individuals we serve will thrive in the safe and serene setting offered in Missouri Heights. Increased traffic will be mitigated. Ascendigo’s traffic study completed by McDowell Engineering determined peak day vehicle trips will generate up to 210 trips per day on Harmony Lane, NOT the 450 trips reported in the letters. Furthermore, Ascendigo’s planned use projects only 26 peak days per year, 20 during summer and six during non-summer. Traffic volume during
non-peak time periods will be considerably lower than alternative uses including the development of a subdivision of single-family homes, estimated at 269 vehicle trips per day. Numbers matter. Maximum residential capacity will be 82 individuals (NOT 100-plus people). Proposed parking calls for 94 spaces dispersed across the 126-acre property in 8 designated areas (NOT a parking lot for 100plus cars). Our main basecamp building will have indoor-dining for 72 people (NOT a conference center or event venue that hosts up to 250 people). We encourage community members to visit our website at ascendigo.org/ascendigo-ranchproperty for more information and to learn the facts of this inspiring project. Julie Kaufman Ascendigo Management Team
Re: Ascendigo Ranch In response to the letter from the Ascendigo Board I would like to assert that they are presenting a false narrative. To say “meetings with neighbors are productive and positive” is contrary to the opinion of the more than 380 neighbors that have signed a petition in opposition to this development and the vast majority of property owners who came to Monday’s tour (April 19). We came with hope of getting real answers, but yet again the details changed right before us and is another sign of dishonesty by Ascendigo. My home is directly across the street from
where they plan to have their entrance. We were told in July that it was an “eight-week summer camp,” a quiet and small operation. There would be a camper lodge, dorm for interns, a pond for agricultural use and a maintenance barn. This is not what we heard from Dan Richardson and his PR team at Monday’s tour. Not only will there be 24 campers and 48 staff (2:1 ratio due to higher needs to support these campers), the building plans have changed to accomodate housekeeping, laundry, medical, caretakers and a guest lodge. Catering staff would come daily and not reside on premise. And 94 parking spaces! Presumably to accommodate family dinners on Fridays and Sundays and other non-summer programs. A smaller capacity camp in May and September is planned and other non-residential programs in fall and winter. We were suspicious from the beginning, in part because the drawings included a sledding hill – not a summer activity. I can list dozens of items that have changed or have been misrepresented, from water usage and increased traffic to the frequency of ambulance visits. This program would likely strain our local emergency responders in this remote area, not to mention disturb longterm citizens, day and night. My husband and I have been ardent supporters of and have helped many people with autistic family members. We appreciate the mission, but are disheartened by the clearly dishonest approach to placing a large corporate facility in the middle of this tranquil residential area. The message is Continued on page 20
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.
2 • THE SOPRIS SUN • soprissun.com • April 29 - May 5, 2021
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Francisco case continued By James Steindler Sopris Sun Correspondent
The saga of the Michael Francisco case goes on. A hearing in Carbondale Municipal Court on Monday, April 26, was over almost as soon as it began, resulting in another continuance. Citizens packed the courtroom — as many as the spaced seating inside Town Hall could fit — and outside several more wielded signs expressing their contempt of the case. After witnessing the process of a few unrelated cases ahead on the court’s docket, peoples’ ears perked when Francisco’s was called to order. “Right now, the town and Mr. Edminister [Francisco’s defense attorney] are talking about a disposition,” Prosecutor Angela Roff led, “and the people would request … to set the matter over for continued discussions on a resolution.” Judge John Collins followed up with defense attorney Michael Edminister who replied, “I don’t have any opposition to her motion.” The matter was set for May 24 at 4:30 p.m. and the hearing was adjourned. Former town trustee Katrina Byars made her way into the courtroom with a protest sign in hand. “This is a miscarriage of justice,” she exclaimed, “I cannot believe this was continued … Shame!” Byars concluded stating, “These charges need to be dropped. Drop these charges, drop the charges!” Applause of approval echoed in the courtroom as she exited. During the five-minute hearing, Judge Collins asked Roff if the subpoenaed records from City Market had been
received. Roff responded that about 90% of the materials had been and she didn’t think the remaining undisclosed materials would affect the trajectory of the case. Roff later told The Sopris Sun that they “received most of the subpoenaed materials on March 15.” Roff does not come across many cases involving City Market and when she does, most relate to alleged theft. Those cases are resolved fairly quickly, but “cases that don’t involve theft at City Market usually take longer to resolve,” she said. The Sopris Sun reached out to City Market again for comment but has not received a response as of press time. When asked at what point a case can be dismissed due to insufficient or incredulous evidence, Roff responded, “Prosecutors have a duty to only go forward on cases with sufficient evidence,” and summed up, “In this case, I can state that I haven’t dismissed the charges.” Edminister stated that his client wants the case dismissed, and otherwise they will take it to trial. Francisco would also like an apology, which Edminister believes he is entitled to. The idea of restorative justice has also passed between the parties and, according to Edminister, neither side is writing off the idea for this case. Restorative justice is an alternative route to resolution in a criminal case. The idea is to involve all of the stakeholders to reach a collective outcome. Facilitators organize the meetings and make sure that everyone involved feels safe — often this means participants agree not to speak about the specifics of the process outside
Michael Francisco is met by supporters and reporters upon leaving Carbondale Municipal Court on April 26. Photo by Raleigh Burleigh. of it, thus instilling a level of trust between them. The outcome, however, is shared publicly. This is especially important when the community at large has been affected. Restorative justice initiatives have been around for more than 35 years. YouthZone in Glenwood Springs practices elements of restorative justice to effectively keep juvenile offenders out of the punitive system. Though Roff would not acknowledge the consideration of the alternative in this case she added that, “restorative justice is a process which can be relied upon to repair the harm in criminal justice.” Some folks are frustrated and have accused the town of delaying and not
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adequately addressing the matter of alleged police misconduct at the time of Francisco’s arrest. Roff told The Sopris Sun, “No one at the town can speak on the specific discussions in this case” because it is still being prosecuted. Roff said, “It interferes with the administration of justice to speak on this case other than what is public information.” Francisco told officers on the night of his arrest that he had done nothing wrong. He continues to repeat that message. “It’s unfortunate that I have to go through a situation where there was no problem and be stringed along,” he said, “but I think there’s a greater purpose for it.”
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THE SOPRIS SUN • Your weekly community connector • April 29 - May 5, 2021 • 3
SCUTTLEBUTT Mother’s Day This Saturday, May 1, is your last chance for mommies and their babies born within the past year to be featured in The Sopris Sun’s annual Mother’s Day issue. Call or text Mark Burrows at 970-379-4581 to reserve a photo session in Sopris Park between 9 a.m. and noon.
District 8 The Census Bureau announced official population counts for apportionment on April 26. Colorado’s population increased by 14.8% since 2010. Accordingly, the state will gain an additional congressional seat. Colorado Independent Redistricting Commissions is now taking public comment regarding communities of interest to be considered in the redrawing of districts. Other states that gained a seat are Florida, North Carolina, Montana and Oregon. Texas gained two. States that lost a seat were California, Illinois, Michigan, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania and West Virginia.
Breathe easy All Garfield County Libraries are now outfitted with a new air purification technology called REME HALO. For under $20,000, this system works with the existing HVAC system in each of the district’s six libraries, eliminating odors, air pollutants, smoke, mold, bacteria
and viruses. The same technology is used in medical centers and subways throughout the world. According to James Larson, Communications and Marketing Manager, this project is up for an innovation award from the Colorado Association of Libraries.
Check out nature All local libraries, including Colorado Mountain College campuses, are participating in Colorado Parks and Wildlife’s Check Out State Parks program. At no cost, library patrons are able to check out a backpack with a Colorado State Park Pass, binoculars, and educational materials like an activity ideas list, wildlife guide, birds guide and Leave No Trace ethics card.
Vaccines made easy Garfield County Public Health now offers the option of walk-in COVID vaccines at any of the scheduled weekly clinics. The health department is also hosting pop up clinics around the county and extending hours on weeknights. As of Friday, April 23, 52% of Garfield County residents 16 and older had received at least one dose. For details, visit garfield-county.com/ public-health/
Planting taters New Castle Gardens suggests preparing seed potatoes for planting.
If your seed potato is smaller than a chicken egg, it can be planted whole. If larger, it should be cut into pieces that have two or three “eyes” each. Freshly cut pieces can be dusted with sulfur to prevent disease and left to form a callus before planting. For more gardening tips and resources, visit newcastlegardens.com
Aspen Words On April 21, Aspen Words named Louise Erdich winner of the $35,000 Aspen Words Literary Prize for her novel “The Night Watchman.” Erdrich accepted the award on behalf of her grandfather, “one of the dwindling number of first speakers of the Ojibwe language,” promising that the prize will assist the revitalization of that language.
Call for bikes Aspen Music Festival and School seeks to replace some aging bikes from their fleet. Adult bicycles in good repair will help students mitigate scheduling and transportation issues with ongoing limited capacity restrictions on buses due to the pandemic. To donate a bike, email dcollins@aspenmusic.org
Mineral grants Garfield County Federal Mineral Lease District grant recipients for the spring cycle, announced on April 16, include Battlement Mesa
Metropolitan District ($24,960 for water service replacement), Garfield County Communications Authority ($25,000 for a service monitor), Garfield County Housing Authority ($25,000 for an ADA unit renovation), the town of New Castle ($24,972 for a fence replacement), Parachute ($25,000 for a dump truck), Silt ($25,000 for a police vehicle) and Silt Water Conservancy District ($15,437 for a tractor). The fall cycle begins in August with awards announced in October.
LIFT-UP in May Beginning in May, LIFT-UP distribution sites will have new hours and additional Saturday deliveries. The Aspen Pantry is served on Tuesdays (4 p.m. to 6 p.m.) and May 1 (noon to 2 p.m.); Carbondale’s Third Street Center on Wednesdays (4 p.m. to 6 p.m.) and May 8 (noon to 2 p.m.); Glenwood Church of Christ on May 13, 27 (4 p.m. to 6 p.m.) and Saturdays (from 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m); New Castle’s Cristo La Roca Church on May 6, 20 (4 p.m. to 6 p.m.) and 22 (noon to 2 p.m.); Rifle’s Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on May 7, 21 (4 p.m. to 6 p.m.) and Saturdays (10 a.m. to 11 a.m.); and at the LIFT-UP Warehouse in Parachute on May 14, 28 ( 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.) and 15 (noon to 2 p.m.). Extended Table is offered Monday through Friday at First United Methodist Church in Glenwood Springs from 5 p.m. to 6
p.m. and at Rifle United Methodist Presbyterian Church on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5 to 6 p.m.
They say it’s your birthday Folks celebrating another trip around the sun this week include: Diana Sirko and Luis Yllanes (April 29); Thomas Cochran, Alexandra Jerkunica and Gretchen Stock-Bell (April 30); Pixie Byrne, Melanie Gianinetti Cardiff, Devika Gurung, Jeff Leahy, Ginny Parker and James Steindler (May 1); Sherry Caloia (May 2); Suzie Brady, Kathy Goudy, Maura Masters and Mary Matchael (May 3); Sarah Everill, Zoe Kimberly and Aaron Laemmel (May 4); Stan Bell, Frank Betts, Jeremy Heiman, Claudia Prado Zepeda and Sandy Kaplan (May 5).
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CMC/HCE solar project is a “win-win”
By Ken Pletcher Sopris Sun Correspondent
In early April, Holy Cross Energy (HCE) announced that it was partnering with Colorado Mountain College (CMC) to develop a large photovoltaic solar array near Glenwood Springs. The installation, which will be built on CMCowned land near its Spring Valley campus, will have a generating capacity of 4.5 megawatts (MW). It will also include a battery storage component of 5 MW, or 15 megawatt-hours (MWh). Construction, operation and maintenance of the facility will be undertaken by Massachusettsbased Ameresco, Inc., a leading developer of renewable-energy resources. Under a Power Purchase Agreement with HCE, Ameresco will then provide renewable power to the utility. Phil Dunn, CMC’s public information manager, pointed out several ways the new installation will benefit the school. First, “It’s part of CMC’s goal of being carbon neutral by 2050, as part of the 2007 [American College & University] Presidents’ Climate Commitment.” It is also tied to CMC’s sustainability action plan, completed in 2016, in which, “We comprehensively track, as best we can, greenhouse gas emissions, travel, composting, etc.,” as the college works toward their 2050 goal. In addition to receiving revenue from Ameresco for leasing the land for the installation, CMC will get energy credits from the power produced, because the output is so much greater than what the school consumes. “This will include not only the Spring Valley campus but those at Aspen and Edwards as well,” Dunn explained, noting that because the Carbondale
component of the utility’s stated “100X30” goal of providing 100% of its electricity from renewable resources by 2030 – especially with the addition of battery storage, which has become more cost-effective as battery prices have dropped dramatically in recent years. Whelan continued, “As we move toward our energy goals, we want to develop flexible generating capability, and battery storage is helpful” in evening out power distribution when solar arrays are not generating electricity. Among a number of other renewable-energy projects, HCE is pursuing another 5 MW solar farm off McLain Flats Road near Aspen/Pitkin County Airport. Construction is scheduled to begin there this spring and be completed by fall. An even more ambitious project is a large wind farm in eastern Colorado near Arriba that will generate 100 MW, or roughly one-third of HCE’s total energy demand. It is scheduled for completion in late 2021. Most recently, in an April 19 press release, HCE announced two more local solar projects, one in Parachute and the other in Silt. Each will produce 10 MW of power and will have 20 MWh of battery storage capacity. Work is planned to start in late 2021 and be completed by the end of 2022. Reflecting on these and other projects, Jenna Weatherred, the utility’s vice president for member and community relations commented, “Being in a community like [the Roaring Fork Valley] allows us to do so many cool things. We can do really neat projects because we get so much support from the community.” She added, “The stars are aligned for a win-win here.”
Artist's rendering of the solar power array and battery storage facility to be built near CMC's Spring Valley campus. Courtesy image. facility is served by Xcel Energy, it is not part of this program. Sean Nesbitt, CMC’s director of facilities, added, “It’s a good thing when you can do something about local power generation, at a great cost, that will help CMC achieve its sustainability goals. It checks many boxes,” including providing an educational tool for students. Sam Whelan, HCE’s power supply manager, explained that the project began with HCE issuing an RFP (request for proposal) which invited all parties “interested in anything clean and renewable” to submit proposals. That approach ultimately led them to partner with CMC and Ameresco to create one of what HCE calls its “solar gardens.” Whelan said that it was unusual to
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Fireball Drop
First Friday, May 7th at Sopris Park. Buy your tickets at City Market this Thursday-Sunday!
THE SOPRIS SUN • Your weekly community connector • April 29 - May 5, 2021 • 5
ANNUAL REPORT TO OUR COMMUNITY
INCOME 2020 Actual Total $296,855
high schoolers from throughout the valley to produce original content for print. Along For over 13 years, The Sopris Sun with promoting sound and ethical practices, has delivered on our mission to inform, The Sopris Sun will teach media literacy to inspire, and build community. In 2020, the help our youth navigate the prevalence of board and staff rose to meet extraordinary misinformation. El Sol del Valle is already making a challenges and didn’t miss a beat. With great sacrifice, editor Will Grandbois, splash as a new, regular Spanish-section artistic director Ylice Golden, and ad within The Sopris Sun. This involves manager Todd Chamberlin — along training and supporting people with with our dedicated contributors, board translation and reporting work and will members, and volunteers — assured that continue to define itself by connecting The Sopris Sun was delivered every week authentic voices from within the valley’s without pause. In this way, our nonprofit Spanish-speaking communities. You'll notice that our budget is modestly newspaper remained an invaluable source of information and connection, even as increasing to match these ambitions, thanks other avenues for community-building and to more aggressively pursuing grants and your generous donations. As our expenses cohesion were lost. A review of the wide-ranging topics rise, along with the local costs of living, we covered in last year’s editions reveals ask that you help us to assure local journalism unsurprisingly that “health” was toward the remains a viable and valued industry. Our talented pool of contributors is top, following “business and nonprofits,” growing evermore representative of the many “government and politics,” and “the arts.” folks that we serve. We are proud to display That snapshot reveals a clear commitment to our community's wellness. All throughout the work of Colorado Mountain College 2020, The Sopris Sun kept busy informing photography students, imaginative local us about the unfolding pandemic and its cartoonists, fresh and seasoned news writers, implications, while connecting folks to and other local voices. The opportunity resources for mutual support. Meanwhile, for flexible, paid work and publication our pages shone bright and colorful to currently benefits well over a dozen regular contributors. We look forward to offering nurture hope and inspiration. Our dedication to independent media as that opportunity to more individuals as a nonprofit news outlet is now birthing new we increase our distribution to reach more opportunities for empowerment and equity. communities with fair and relevant news. At a time when honest journalism Beginning in 2021, beyond unfaltering commitment to our weekly print product, is under attack and faltering across the “to inform, inspire, and build community,” nation, you can help us to energize the The Sopris Sun added to our mission, practice of integral reporting as an essential, “by fostering diverse and independent democratic service. Already in 2021, we face a more than journalism.” Our nonprofit status affords The Sopris Sun a platform for outreach and 20% increase in printing costs beginning incubation to assure that responsible and May 1. Thankfully, The Sopris Sun board diverse journalism for future generations is chose to broaden Todd Chamberlin’s role from ad manager to executive director as an cultivated within our region. Moreover, this expanded mission evolution for the paper and new strategy for statement formalizes a long-standing navigating increasingly uncertain times. This spring, we ask you to help us attribute of The Sopris Sun. We’ve graduated reporters like Megan Tackett to match two substantial advertising pledges. serve as editor in chief for the Aspen Daily FirstBank has generously offered up to News; freelancer Kathleen Shannon now $20,000 if we can raise an equivalent works full time in KDNK’s newsroom; amount among individual donors. This adds former editor Terray Sylvester has gone on to $5,000 given by MANAUS to help us to publish with Reuters, Getty, Bloomberg, launch el Sol del Valle. Our ultimate goal VICE Magazine, and High Country News; this spring is $35,000 to sustain and grow and our first editor, Trina Ortega, is now The Sopris Sun. editor in chief for Mountain Flyer Magazine. More than ever, your help is key to our Within the expanded mission is continuation as a community asset and an opportunity to bring more of our service. In this way, we become “the people’s community into the fold of locally-produced paper,” beholden to our readers beyond all journalism. This fall, we will launch an after- else. Take stake in this community journal school program designed to bring together by donating today. 6 • THE SOPRIS SUN • soprissun.com • April 29 - May 5, 2021
2021 Budget Total $344,320
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BASALT REPORT
Council approves condo purchase By Todd Hartley Sopris Sun Correspondent
Health, both the COVIDrelated kind and the fiscal kind, took center stage at Tuesday night's Basalt Town Council meeting, and while nothing is changing just yet on the COVID front, the outlook couldn't be much sunnier on the town's balance-sheet side. People in Basalt will need to continue wearing masks in public until at least June 8 following a resolution that passed unanimously Tuesday night. It was the sixth extension of the town's mask ordinance, and the council stated its intention to revisit the mask mandate when Eagle and Pitkin counties – which both require masks in public – decide to loosen their own restrictions. "On or around May 27, the state is going to be rolling back their COVID restrictions and putting the responsibility of having restrictions or not on local governments, namely the counties," said Town Manager Ryan Mahoney. "We believe that Eagle County is going to be rolling back many of its restrictions, as is Pitkin County. In light of that, continuing this until that first meeting in June will allow us to see where the counties are with
regard to face coverings." The bigger story coming out of the relatively brief meeting, however, was the first look at how the town's unexpectedly large tax haul will be spent. Buoyed by $240,000 in excess revenues from 2020 and a 13.2 percent increase in sales tax in the first quarter of 2021 (over the first quarter of 2020), Basalt finds itself with $725,000 more in its general fund than town staff projected it was going to have. "So we were always going to have a positive fund balance," asked council member Bill Infante, "it's just that we're further in the black than you had anticipated?" "That's exactly right," said town Finance Director Christy Chicoine. "I don't want to say that it's all spendable at once because, obviously, it takes a lot of conversation and looking at strategic vision, etc., but that number's really important to keep in mind." Two ordinances that passed their first hearings Tuesday evening dealt with how to divvy up some of that extra money. Ordinance 3 approves a contract to buy and sell real estate with local businessman Howard Deluca for the purchase of a condominium in one of the Riverside Plaza buildings on Two Rivers Road. The building,
the closest of the three to the Fryingpan River, has eight condos on its second and third floors, seven of which were already owned by the town as part of its employee housing stock. The $361,000 purchase will allow the town to own all the condos in the building, "which would allow for efficiency in the management of town-owned affordable housing units," according to the ordinance. The town has the right of first refusal on the one-bedroom, twobath condo and finds itself in a good position to finalize the deal now, as the building's makeup, which includes commercial space on the first floor, means that any potential owner has to pay cash and can't get a mortgage on the property. "Just so that the public understands better," asked council member Elyse Hottel, "can you please reiterate why this would be better purchased by the town than to go to free market?" "There are a few restrictions related to this property that make it particularly more prudent for the town to own than perhaps just another employee," said Town Attorney Jeff Conklin. "It becomes a difficult property to obtain a loan on for an individual purchasing the property. It's not an issue that the
The Basalt Town Council approved a contract for $361,000 to purchase a one-bedroom condo in the building on the left, part of the Riverside Plaza development on Two Rivers Road. The purchase would mean that the Town of Basalt would own all eight condos in the building as part of the town's employee housing inventory. Photo by Todd Hartley. town would face." The second ordinance to come before the council Tuesday night had to do with modifying the town's 2021 budget to provide a "supplemental appropriation related to Basalt Forward 2030, TACAW contribution" and the purchase of the Riverside Plaza condo. TACAW (The Arts Campus at Willits), which is in the final stages of constructing its new home in Willits Town Center, will be allocated $110,000 for start-up costs that it can request from the town this year or next year.
Basalt Forward 2030, an initiative adopted by the town last month, takes recommendations from the town's 2020 master plan and works with the community to identify and prioritize capital improvements. Tuesday's ordinance would allocate an additional $82,000 to the program for expenses like engineering, attorney costs and consulting/community outreach. Both ordinances passed unanimously and are set for public hearing and second reading at the council's regularly scheduled meeting on May 11.
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8 • THE SOPRIS SUN • soprissun.com • April 29 - May 5, 2021
CARBONDALE REPORT
Trustees defer rescinding emergency declaration By Raleigh Burleigh Sopris Sun Editor
Carbondale’s Board of Town Trustees meeting on April 27 saw all trustees in attendance. The previous week’s work session involved reviewing the town’s commercial green building code, checking in with the Parks and Recreation Department and more closely defining a plan for improving Eighth Street. The consent agenda included accounts payable totaling $238,312. Items of considerable expense included final payments for the clarifier/pump project to Gould Construction ($77,880) and Mueller Construction ($30,221), an electric pad upgrade at RV Gateway Park ($29,297), a variable speed pump for irrigation at Miner’s Park ($25,297) and a commitment to Colorado Communities for Climate Action ($5,000). Also on the consent agenda, The Pour House was granted approval to add outdoor seating along Main Street; Tumbleweed Dispensary received a retail marijuana license renewal; new ownership of the Dandelion Inn was extended permission to continue using a portion of the town’s right-of-way on Second Street; the town will again lease 759 Main Street (across from Mi Casita) from Eastwood Carbondale
Investors for special events; Red Hill will receive improved landscaping at the trailhead, along with a fix-it station, bike racks, a trailhead kiosk, shaded seating and trash/recycling/ pet waste stations. During trustee comments, Trustee Lani Kitching reminded folks that Ruedi Reservoir opens on May 1 and boat inspectors are actively being recruited to intercept quagga mussels. Trustee Luis Yllanes praised the Parks and Rec staff for their help with 5Point Film’s Earth Day event, “an amazing success,” and waste diversion day, “also very popular.” Pacifica Senior Living received approval for a tavern license to serve liquor at the new Sopris Lodge senior living complex. Dance Initiative and the Carbondale Clay Center were both granted special event liquor licenses. Mary Kenyon presented on Valley Meals and More, now officially its own 501c3 nonprofit. According to Kenyon, between 75 and 80 meals are delivered daily with 135 total individuals being served. Nearly 13,600 meals were delivered in and around Carbondale from May through December of 2020 and demand continues to rise. This summer, Valley Meals and More plans to start a Saturday market with produce, meal boxes and healthy recipes.
Kathleen Wanatowicz with Project Resource Studio updated trustees on their review of communication strategies for the town. Among her recommendations, to translate every official notice into Spanish. Discussion also explored best methods for dispelling misinformation while encouraging public dialogue. Orchestrating communication for the comprehensive plan update process, it was decided, will be a good testing ground. Johnson Construction was selected for the Colorado Avenue sewer project with the lowest bid for completing this project plus alternates. Public Works Director Kevin Schorzman estimated a 10-day detour with Carbondale’s truck route disrupted for the majority of the work’s duration. ___ Trustees considered rescinding the town’s emergency ordinance enacted in response to the pandemic on March 17, 2020. Vaccines are now available to anyone over 16 and more than 52% of eligible residents in Garfield County have received at least a first dose. On April 16, the state turned responsibility over to counties for protecting public health. According to Town Manager Jay Harrington, the emergency declaration provided special powers for the town to react quickly to
financial demands with emergency spending. These powers are not being utilized. Tied to the emergency order, however, is the town’s mask mandate passed on May 12, 2020. Tamara Haynes-Norton, on behalf of Bonfire Coffee and the Village Smithy Restaurant, asked trustees to maintain an indoor mask mandate. “It’s too soon to let people keep their guard down.” Trustee Marty Silverstein agreed that continuing the mask mandate for another month or two would be more beneficial than harmful. “We’ve got this virus on the run, so to speak, so let’s get it done. Let’s finish the job.” Concerning personal freedoms, Silverstein highlighted that no one has been ticketed for not wearing a mask in Carbondale. Although no trustees were opposed to rescinding the emergency ordinance, it was decided to do so in concert with a revised mask order to more closely align with the nuances of the state’s, which applies to counties with over 35 COVID cases per week per 100,000 people. Staff will present a draft ordinance in two weeks to that effect. The meeting concluded with unanimous approval of a resolution voicing the town’s support of President Biden’s 30 by 30 plan, to conserve 30% of U.S. lands and waters by the year 2030.
From the weekly update:
Free COVID testing is available. To make an appointment, visit rfvcovidtest.com Hillcrest Cemetery will receive a new fence. The old metal fence was removed and recycled. Parks and Rec is hiring for seasonal work, including lifeguards, water safety instructors, a recreation assistant, group fitness instructor and seasonal mow crew. Public restrooms at Sopris Park, Hendricks Park, North Face Park, Miner’s Park and Gianinetti Park will open soon. Main Street will close to traffic between Third Street and Fourth Street from 4:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m., Wednesday through Saturday, from May 1 through Oct. 15. This temporary street closure is to provide additional outdoor dining and commercial space for local restaurants to allow social distancing. Planning and Zoning meets on April 29 to review proposals for a seven-unit townhome development on Twelfth Street and a nine-unit second-story addition to a commercial structure on Dolores Way. Between April 9 and April 22, the Carbondale Police Department handled 548 calls for service.
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July
May
July 1 First Friday & July 4th
We will be doing in-depth articles to raise awareness during Mental Health Awareness Month.
May 6 Mother’s Day & First Friday
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May 20 Graduation
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May 27 Memorial Day
June
Ads that help June 3 remember our troops First Friday get 30% off. Ads offering summer specials, discounts or promotions are 30% off.
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June 17 Father’s Day, Junetenth & Pride
Get 30% off when your ad celebrates Dad, Juneteenth, or Pride!
July 22 Mountain Fair
Reserve your ad space now for the 50th Anniversary Mountain Fair Guide. Ad slots are limited for this collector’s edition! Get an early bird discount by reserving by May 23.
For more information contact adsales@soprissun.com or call Todd at 970-510-0246. THE SOPRIS SUN • Your weekly community connector • April 29 - May 5, 2021 • 9
CALENDAR
Visit soprissun.com to submit events.
FURTHER OUT
THURSDAY APRIL 29 FIRE SAFETY
THURSDAY MAY 6
Garfield County Libraries host Maria Pina, Fire and Life Safety Educator for Colorado River Fire Rescue at 6 p.m. This online class is an English language immersion session presented by Literacy Outreach. More: gcpld.org/fire-safety
BIRDING
Roaring Fork Audubon visits the Sutey property off Garfield County Road 112 at 8 a.m. to check on nest boxes installed last year. To join, email Mark at fulcon@comcast.net
FRIDAY APRIL 30 VACCINE CLINIC
COOKING MATTERS
Garfield County Public Health administers a walk-in Pfizer vaccine at Apple Tree Mobile Home Park in New Castle from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Then, at Cottonwood Mobile Home Park in Rifle from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. SPELLEBRATION
Literacy Outreach takes their annual spelling bee fundraiser online this year under the theme “masqueread.” The event will be live-streamed at 7 p.m. on Zoom. More at literacyoutreach.org STREAMIN’ STEVE’S
The Red Hill Rollers perform at Steve’s Guitars at 7:30. The livestream will be available via the “GrassRoots Community Network” YouTube channel. MOUNTAIN FAIR
Entries for the 50th Annual Mountain Fair poster and t-shirt design are due! carbondalearts.com
SATURDAY MAY 1
The reading challenge begins in May and concludes at the end of August. Registration, basaltlibrary.org ASCENDIGO TOUR
Ascendigo invites the public to tour their property at 325 White Cloud Road, where Harmony Lane meets Fender Lane, at 9 a.m. More info, bit.ly/ascendigoranch
TUESDAY MAY 4
VICTORY GARDEN
CSU Extension agent Denyse Schrenker joins Basalt Regional Library to teach at the Basalt Community Gardens at 9 a.m. Registration, basaltlibrary.org HR EQUITY
READING CHALLENGE
Basalt Regional Library challenges the community to read a total of 500 books this summer! For every book you read, you’d earna raffle ticket to win prizes like a trip to the Hot Springs Pool or Aspen Mountain.
NEW DAYS & HOURS!
The Claudette Carter ARTMentors Program is now on display at The Art Base in Basalt through May 21 (Tuesday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.). This year’s student artists are Finn Johnson of Aspen High School, Tashi Jackson of Colorado Rocky Mountain School, Danny Carreno of Roaring Fork High School, and Stella Firmin of Basalt High School. Over five months, they worked with mentors Paul Woznicki, Staci Dickerson, Reina Katzenberger and Erin Rigney. Photo by Olivia Emmer.
Garfield County Libraries and Carbondale Chamber of Commerce present “Equity in HR: Best Practices for Small Businesses” from noon to 1 p.m. Registration, bit.ly/HREquity
Garfield County Department of Human Services hosts Cooking Matters for Diabetics” online at 10 a.m. To sign up, bpeterson@garfieldcounty.com or 970-945-9191 ext 3005
GLENWOOD CANYON
ONLINE BOOK CLUB
OUTSIDE STORYTIME
The city of Glenwood Springs hosts a virtual community meeting at 5:30 p.m. to review the I-70 Glenwood Canyon operations plan following last year’s Grizzly Creek Fire. Registration, cogs.us/May4Meeting
Basalt Regional Library hosts a virtual book club at noon. More at basaltlibrary.org
Basalt Library invites families to enjoy stories, songs and action rhymes for preschoolers on the lawn by the library at 10:30 a.m., weather permitting.
WEDNESDAY MAY 5
EMPTY THE SHELTER
All adoptions through May 9 cost only $25 at Colorado Animal Rescue with help from the Bissell Pet Foundation. To see adoptable pets, coloradoanimalrescue.org CINCO DE MAYO
Garfield County Libraries offers free take-and-make craft kits to make paper flowers for Cinco de Mayo. A special dance presentation by Aspen Santa Fe Ballet will be streamed on the Garfield County Libraries’ Facebook page and YouTube channel at 11 a.m.
BIKING SAFELY
ValleyOrtho Orthopedic Surgeon Mark Purnell presents “Common Biking Injuries and How to Prevent Them” online at 6 p.m. Registration, bit.ly/bikingsafely
ONGOING
VAUDEVILLE REVUE
Glenwood Vaudeville Revue’s spring show is happening live and in-person on Fridays and Saturdays at 6 p.m. through June 20. For reservations, call 970-945-9699. CRYSTAL STREAMING
Virtual cinema offerings include “My Wonderful Wanda” and “Kuessipan.” Fifty percent of ticket sales support the Crystal Theatre. More at crystaltheatrecarbondale.com
FRIDAY MAY 7 FIRST FRIDAY
Carbondale Arts presents “HELD,” a new exhibit by Jenn Weede and Shelly Safir Marolt, and “Transformation” by Hunter Hoan. An outdoor artist talk kicks it off at 5:15 p.m. at The Launchpad.
SATURDAY MAY 8 DANDELION DAY
Originally started by Carbondale’s Environmental Board, Dandelion Day is a celebration of spring, sustainability and community with local vendors and live music at Sopris Park from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
FOOD DISTRIBUTION SATURDAY, MAY 1 – SATURDAY, MAY 8 Title Sponsor
ASPEN
LIFT-UP ASPEN PANTRY: 465 N. Mill Street #18 Saturday, May 1 • 12-2 p.m. Tuesday, May 4 • 4-6 p.m.
CARBONDALE
LIFT-UP MOBILE PANTRY: Third Street Center, 520 S. 3rd Street Wednesday, May 5 • 4-6 p.m. Saturday, May 8 • 12-2 p.m.
GLENWOOD
SANA MOBILE DISTRIBUTION: Glenwood Springs Middle School, 130 Soccer Field Rd. Saturday, May 1 • 1:30-2:30 p.m. Saturday, May 8 • 1:30-2:30 p.m.
Friday, May 7, 2021
LIFT-UP MOBILE PANTRY: Cristo La Roca, 880 Castle Valley Blvd. Thursday, May 6 • 4-6 p.m.
Watch live as up to 1,000 numbered ping-pong balls fall from the Carbondale & Rural Fire Ladder Truck down onto a field of targets in Sopris Park during Carbondale’s First Friday on May 7th!
NEW CASTLE
RIFLE
LIFT-UP MOBILE PANTRY: Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Friday, May 7 • 4-6 p.m. SANA MOBILE DISTRIBUTION: Rifle Middle School, 753 Railroad Avenue Saturday, May 1 • 10-11 a.m. Saturday, May 8 • 10-11 a.m.
PARACHUTE
Rotary Club of Carbondale
Sopris Park in Carbondale, CO
The ball that lands closest to the center target wins the
GRAND PRIZE of $5,000 CASH! Other targets offer prize packages including $500 cash!
Adopt your ball: $20 each or 3 for $50 Need not be present to win!
Visit: www.paybee.io/@fireballdrop@1,
use the QR code here, or purchase from our partners at:
NO DISTRIBUTION MAY 1 – MAY 8
• Ascendigo Autism Services • Roaring Fork Pickleball • Carbondale & Rural Fire Protection District • Roaring Fork Youth Soccer • YouthZone • Stepping Stones
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.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED! • Visit LIFTUP.org for details • Call the Volunteer Hotline: 970.456.2804
For more info or to make a donation LIFTUP.org 10 • THE SOPRIS SUN • soprissun.com • April 29 - May 5, 2021
Proceeds benefit Carbondale Rotary Club, our local high school scholarships, youth exchange programs and community and international projects. Ball drop will be streamed on Facebook Live (facebook.com/ carbondalerotaryclub) at 5pm on Friday, May 7, 2021.
Featured Sponsor
Valle
Sol del el
Conectando comunidades
OPINION
AL NO ARTISTA Por Vanessa Porras
Yo conocí a Frida cuando tenía apenas ocho añitos en el salón de clase de Ms. Gilberti. La conoci atravez de un libro. Era uno de los únicos, o tal vez el único, libro en español en mi salón. Tome refugio en el idioma y en la historia pintoresca de una pequeña, niña Mexicana a la cual le gustaba pintar. Leí este libro a diario y a veces, incluso al momento de terminar de leerlo, me sumergía de nuevo en sus páginas. En ese tiempo, hacía solo unos
Volumen 1, Número 9 | 29 de abril al 5 de mayo de 2021
Agradecemos su apoyo para este nuevo proyecto.
La representación en el arte
dos años desde que mi familia y yo nos habíamos mudado al valle, sabía muy pocas cosas sobre mi misma: era una niña, era mexicana y me gustaba el arte. En mi mente, me daba igual si ese libro estuviese contando la historia de la artista mexicana más famosa del mundo, Frida Kahlo, o si en realidad solo estaba contando mi historia personal. Frida Kahlo se convirtió en una obsesión para mí, su vida, su personalidad, su arte y su fuerza. Esto fue durante el tiempo antes de que su imagen explotara y se vendiera todo tipo de mercancía con su rostro. Para mi ella ya era Santa Frida. Durante mis años en la universidad estudiando bellas artes, tome una inmensidad de cursos de la historia del arte. No solo eso, pero en cada curso que tome, ya fuera cerámica, pintura, grabado, etc., los profesores típicamente hacían alguna referencia hacia un artista famoso o un gran maestro en su medio artístico. Pero en ninguno de esos cursos encontré a Frida Kahlo. ¿Cómo era posible que alguien tan famosa como ella, cuyo rostro estaba estampado por doquier,
no estuviese en los libros de historia? Como estudiante de arte no me veía representada en ninguna parte. No solo no encontré a Frida, sino que, no encontré a artistas latinos. ¿Dónde estaban? No era posible que los únicos artistas latinos que conocí, Frida Kahlo y Diego Rivera, fuesen los únicos que existieron. La mayoría de los grandes maestros eran hombres, americanos y europeos. Dentro de como yo me identificaba: mujer, mexicana y artista, solo teníamos en común el amor al arte. Pero mi perspectiva y mi experiencia como mujer mexicana era demasiado diferente, no me veía en ese mundo y no sabia como expresarme. La importancia de la representación va más allá del arte, está en todos lados. El visualizarse en cualquier carrera, ya sea como artista, atleta profesional, matemático, etc., es la habilidad de manifestar en nuestras vidas aquello que nos inspira. Hace poco, leí el libro, The Impossible First, por Colin O’Brady, que cuenta su experiencia como el primer hombre en la historia del mundo que ha cruzado Antártica completamente solo. O’Brady tiene
un currículum impresionante de logros y récords mundiales. En su libro, O’Brady, narra que a los siete años, fue inspirado por Pablo Morales durante su triunfo en las Olimpiadas de Barcelona en el año 1992 donde se llevó la medalla de oro en natación. Desde ese ahí, O’Brady soñaba con el día en que él también se pararía en un podio recibiendo una medalla. Todos tenemos héroes y heroínas que nos han inspirado y nos han hecho preguntarnos a nosotros mismos, “si él o ella pudo, tal vez yo también pueda.” Hay innumerables ejemplos de historias así. Habremos quienes tal vez seamos los primeros en romper el molde por el simple hecho de no encontrar quienes nos represente. No se trata de que todos tenemos que ser recordados en la historia como alguien importante. Rabindranath Tagore escribió, “Aquel que siembra un árbol sabiendo que nunca se sentará en su sombra, al menos ha comenzado a entender el significado de la vida.” Me pregunto,¿qué hubiese sido de mí si Frida en vez de pintar durante el tiempo que estuvo postrada en una cama
hubiese tejido? ¿Qué hubiese pasado si en vez de haber sido una mujer tenaz y valiente hubiese sido dócil y cabizbaja? Tal vez muramos antes de que nos demos cuenta si hemos llegado a inspirar a alguien. A finales del año pasado, el museo de arte de Denver (Denver Art Museum), tuvo una exhibición titulada, Frida Kahlo, Diego Rivera y Modernismo Mexicano. Fue la primera vez desde que leí el libro infantil, “Frida” por Jonah Winter, que vi en persona pinturas de Frida Kahlo. Fue como tenerla en carne y hueso, pero también, fue una sensación de orgullo al ser mexicana, al verme representada y aprender de cuantos artistas internacionales y latinos estaban centrados en la Ciudad de México y sus alrededores como la meca del arte durante ese tiempo. Al no artista, ¿en quien te ves representado? Y si no lo encuentras, ¿qué esperas para ser tú quien siembra esa semilla? para que otros disfruten de la sombra y los frutos del árbol de tus logros.
CHISME DEL PUEBLO Prepárate
Vacía los albergues
La ciudad de Glenwood Springs invita a los residentes y a los negocios a asistir a una reunión comunitaria virtual el martes 4 de mayo a las 5:30 p.m. para el plan de operaciones de la I-70 en el Cañón Glenwood. En la reunión se revisará el plan del Departamento de Transporte de Colorado sobre el Cañón Glenwood y la I-70 en caso de posibles inundaciones repentinas o flujos de escombros que afecten a la interestatal como resultado del incendio de Grizzly Creek del año pasado. Regístrese en el enlace de Zoom en www. cogs.us/May4Meeting
Todas las adopciones del 5 de mayo hasta el 9 de mayo costarán solo $25 en Colorado Animal Rescue con ayuda de Bissell Pet Foundation. Para ver mascotas adoptables, visite coloradoanimalrescue.org
Cinco de Mayo Las Bibliotecas del Condado de Garfield ofrecen equipos gratis de manualidades para hacer flores para el Cinco de Mayo. Una presentación de baile especial será presentada por el Aspen Santa Fe Ballet en la página de Facebook de las bibliotecas del condado de Garfield y en su canal de YouTube a las 11 a.m.
Día de la Madre Este sábado, 1 de mayo, es la última oportunidad para que madres con bebes nacides dentro del año pasado reciban un retrato gratis para nuestra edición especial del Día de la Madre. Llame o envíe un mensaje de texto a Raleigh Burleigh al 970456-6929 para reservar una sesión de fotos en Sopris Park desde las 9 a.m. a mediodía.
Distrito 8 La oficina del censo nacional anunció cuentas oficiales de población el 26 de abril. La población de Colorado aumentó un 14.8% desde el 2010. Respectivamente, el estado ganará un asiento adicional del congreso. El Comisionado Independiente de Redistribución de Distritos de Colorado están tomando comentario público con respecto a comunidades de interés para ser considerados en el rediseño de distritos. Otros estados que ganaron un asiento adicional son Florida, North Carolina, Montana y Oregon. Texas ganó dos asientos. Estados que perdieron asientos son California, Illinois, Michigan, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania y West Virginia.
Respira tranquilo Todas las Bibliotecas del Condado de Garfield están equipadas con una nueva tecnología de purificación de aire llamada REME HALO. Por debajo de $20,000, el sistema trabaja con el ya existente sistema de HVAC en cada una de las seis bibliotecas del distrito, eliminando olores, contaminaciones de aire, humo, molde, bacterias y viruses. La misma tecnología es usada en centros médicos y metros a través
del mundo. Según James Larson, gerente de comunicaciones y mercadeo, este proyecto está siendo considerado para un premio a la innovación de la asociación de bibliotecas de Colorado.
Revise la naturaleza Todas las bibliotecas locales, incluyendo las instalaciones de Colorado Mountain College, están participando en el programa Check Out State Parks de Colorado Parks and Wildlife. A no costo, clientes de las bibliotecas serán capaces de llevar una mochila prestada con un pase de parques del estado de Colorado, binoculares y materiales educacionales como una lista de actividades, guía de vida silvestre, guía de pájaros y una tarjeta de ética de No Trace.
Vacunas fáciles Salud Pública del Condado de Garfield ofrece una opción de vacunas para COVID sin cita previa en cualquiera de las clínicas semanales programadas. El departamento de salud también ofrece clínicas a través del condado y extendiendo las horas en noches de semana. El viernes 30 de abril, administra la vacuna de Pfizer en Apple Tree Mobile Home Park en New Castle de 10 a.m. a 2 p.m. Luego, en Cottonwood Mobile Home Park en Rifle de 3 p.m. a 6 p.m. A partir del 23 de abril, el 52% de residentes 16 y mayores del condado de Garfield han recibido al menos la primera dosis. Para más detalles visite garfieldcounty.com/public-health/
Subvenciones de FAB Inscripciones para la subvención del 2021 de la Junta de Asesoría Financiera de Glenwood Springs (FAB) serán recibidas hasta el 10 de mayo. Subvenciones de FAB están disponibles a organizaciones benéficas, de gobierno y entidades respaldadas por impuestos para servicios humanos, eventos especiales, promoción de turismo y otros servicios públicos. Más información, cogs.us/FABgrant
Horarios de LIFT-UP Comenzando en mayo, los lugares de distribución de LIFT-UP tendrán un nuevo horario con oportunidades adicionales todos los sábados. El Aspen Pantry son servidos los martes (4 p.m. a 6 p.m.) y el 1 de mayo (mediodía a 2 p.m.); en Third Street Center en Carbondale los miércoles (4 p.m. a 6 p.m.) y 8 de mayo (mediodía a 2 p.m.); en Glenwood Church of Christ el 13, 27 de mayo (4 p.m. a 6 p.m.) y los sábados (de 1:30 p.m. a 2:30 p.m.); en Cristo la Roca Church el 6, 20 de mayo (4 p.m. a 6 p.m.) y el 22 de mayo (mediodía a 2 p.m.); en Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints en Rifle el 7, 21 de mayo (4 p.m. a 6 p.m.) y los sábados (10 a.m. a 11 a.m.); y la bodega de LIFT-UP en Parachute el 14, 28 de mayo (4 p.m. a 6 p.m.) y el 15 de mayo (mediodía a 2 p.m.). Mesa extendida es ofrecida de lunes a viernes en First United Methodist Chruch en Glenwood Springs de 5 p.m. a 6 p.m. y en United Methodist Presbyterian Church en Rifle los martes y jueves de 5 p.m. a 6 p.m.
el Sol del Valle • Conector de comunidad • 29 de abril al 5 de mayo de 2021 • 11
CARTAS AL EDITOR Hazte un "buddy" Ahora, más que nunca durante estos tiempos de incertidumbre, los jóvenes de tu comunidad necesitan de tu tiempo y apoyo. Como mentora de una joven, te puedo asegurar que esta es una de las experiencias más enriquecedoras que tuve en este país al que emigré hace 11 años. En el 2011 dí un paso muy importante en mi vida, ofrecer mi tiempo y compartirlo con una joven que entonces solo tenía 8 años. Me acuerdo perfectamente de ese día de septiembre en el que nos emparejaron y conocí a mi “buddy” que tenía una sonrisa preciosa que no le cabía en la cara y todo eran nervios, alegría e ilusión. Ahora esa niña es una joven que pronto va a cumplir sus 18 años y se gradúa este año de la escuela para emprender su carrera universitaria. Han sido 10 años de amistad, primero conociéndonos, ganando confianza, aprendiendo la una de la otra, probando experiencias nuevas juntas en nuestra comunidad. Diez años llenos de risas, carcajadas y también lágrimas y consuelo. Durante todo este tiempo las dos pasamos por momentos muy difíciles en nuestras vidas y siempre nos tuvimos la una a la otra. Ahora me doy cuenta de todo lo que aprendí de esta experiencia de Mentoría, de cómo me hizo mejor persona y de que mi “buddy” es y será
para siempre una parte fundamental de mi vida y de mi familia. Así que, ¿a qué estas esperando? No dejes pasar más tiempo. Muchos otros jóvenes inmigrantes o de familias inmigrantes son el futuro de este país en el que tú y yo vivimos hoy en día. La mentoría es una experiencia que cambia tu vida y la de un joven positivamente para siempre. Para obtener más información sobre como ser un mentor/a, ya sea en el programa de la comunidad o en la escuela y de cómo involucrarte con el Buddy Program, llama a 970-373-4850 o escribe a ainhoa@ buddyprogram.org Ainhoa Bujan Carbondale
Beca de educación La beca “Crystal Mariscal” de River Center se basa en la creencia de que la educación es la base inicial para derrotar la pobreza y romper las barreras sistemáticas. Brinda una oportunidad de crecimiento en tu carrera actual o como una forma de enriquecer tu vida, la vida de tu familia o tu comunidad. Esta beca es importante para mi ya que mi historia se relaciona con muchas personas que buscan la esperanza de un futuro mejor. Me convertí en madre a una edad muy temprana y, en última instancia,
madre soltera de cuatro hijos. En el proceso también superé la violencia doméstica. Desafortunadamente, debido a todas estas circunstancias, no tuve la oportunidad de terminar la escuela como lo haria un adolescente o un adulto joven promedio. Años después, poco a poco, comencé a tomar clases y capacitarme para buscar mejores oportunidades como viajar a Canada, Montana, Texas y muchos otros lugares para mejorar mi carrera. Pude cumplir todo esto gracias a las muchas oportunidades laborales que he tenido. Esta beca lleva como propósito el regresar un poquito de lo mucho que he obtenido, a la comunidad. ¡El ultimo dia para la solicitud del 2021 es el 31 de mayo! Calificaciones para aplicar son: cualquier padre soltero en un hogar, residente de New Castle o Silt, con ingreso familiar menos de $40,000 por año. Visite a rivercenternewcastle. org o llame a 970-984-4333 para obtener información sobre cómo aplicar. Isaiah: 54:5 Porque el que te hizo es tu esposo; su nombre es el Señor Todopoderoso. Tu Redentor es el Santo de Israel; ¡Dios de toda la tierra es su nombre! Crystal Mariscal New Castle
Día de la Madre Este sábado, 1 de mayo, es la última oportunidad para que madres con bebes nacides dentro del año pasado reciban un retrato gratis para nuestra edición especial del Día de las Madres. Llame o envíe un mensaje de texto a Raleigh Burleigh al 970-456-6929 para reservar una sesión de fotos en Sopris Park desde las 9 a.m. a mediodía. 12 • el Sol del Valle • soprissun.com/espanol/ •29 de abril al 5 de mayo de 2021
La importancia de involucrarse Soy originaria de la Ciudad de México. Es una ciudad muy grande, y el refugio de miles de extranjeros como el paso de la comunidad inmigrante hacia el Sueño Americano. A mi corta edad, conocí de cerca la desigualdad, como lo grande que es el mundo y sobre todo que las oportunidades son creación de nuestras propias acciones. Como de lo bien que estemos informados e involucrados con nuestras propias necesidades como lo comprometidos a nuestras responsabilidades. Yo he tenido la suerte como muchos inmigrantes de no tener la necesidad de resolverme la vida por medio de un estatus legal. Pero reconozco la importancia de poder tener acceso a este, y es ahí donde empieza mi abogacía por mis propias necesidades. Fui beneficiaria de DACA, ya que llegue a este país a la edad de 16 años. Como víctima de un crimen, obtuve la Visa U y hoy por hoy soy residente legal como inmigrante. Siendo mujer, sé los desafíos a los que nos enfrentamos por las desigualdades de nuestras propias culturas como de nuestros gobiernos corruptos y demás. Pero también sé que los límites están en nuestras creencias y para mi no hay imposibles ya que desde siempre creo que los imposibles empiezan
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 Traductora: 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.
¡ESCRÍBENOS!
Para contribuir ideas y contenido al Sol del Valle, escribiéndonos a: sol@soprissun.com Para comprar espacio publicitario en español, inglés, o ambos, mándanos un correo electrónico a: adsales@soprissun.com También se puede contactarnos llamando a 970-510-3003.
Los Navegadores Irma Avila y Gabriel Bonilla de SNAP estarán en las distribuciones de comida y realizaran llamadas para ayudar a las familias que puedan estar en riesgo de padecer hambre y conectar con recursos en la comunidad. Si tiene alguna pregunta por favor de comunicarse con S.A.N.A. www.facebook.com/2020SANA
¡Vámonos al rodeo!
MAS CARTAS donde los posibles nos limitan a ser quien verdaderamente somos. ¡Estos límites no comulgan más con nuestro bienestar! Por coincidencias de la vida es donde conozco la misión como la visión de Colorado Immigrant Rights Coalition. Hay un sin fin de formas de estar involucrado con la Coalition y muchas más de cómo estar comprometido con nuestras necesidades personales como de nuestra comunidad. De esta forma, yo les invito a tomar nota de esto y a empezar a informarnos de forma inmediata a lo que son nuestros talleres de Conoce tus Derechos como a nuestra línea de ayuda inmediata y nuestra asamblea anual. Como a nuestros grupos y organizaciones miembros activos en su región, para estar al corriente en las nuevas leyes como en nuestras propuestas de reformas y bienestar a nuestra comunidad inmigrante. No estamos solos, hay una coalición que le protege ante una orden de deportación o un proceso de obtención de una licencia de Conducir. Para aprender mas, les doy mi contacto: 970832-7764, laurasegura@ coloradoimmigrant.org Laura Segura El Jebel
¡Importante! Desde el momento en el que empecé a escribir para The Sopris Sun, siento que más oportunidades se han abierto, más que nada me siento mucho más informada. Gracias al periodico local de Carbondale puedo informarle a mi familia y conocidos de eventos y noticias que antes no se me hacían familiares. Desde lo más conocido hasta lo más peculiar, The Sopris Sun ha mantenido y presentado noticias locales, lo cual me hace sentir muy dichosa en participar. La oportunidad de poder formar parte de este periodico local me hace sentir muy afortunada, y más que nada muy emocionada y encantada de poder brindar parte de mi hacia la comunidad. Nosotres somos más que un periódico local premiado. The Sopris Sun informa, inspira y construye comunidad, una historia a la vez. ¡TU AYUDA es necesaria para continuar este trabajo importante! Al ayudar a The Sopris Sun, también ayudarás a fomentar un periódico local, diverso e independiente hoy y para generaciones futuras. Jacquelinne Castro Glenwood Springs
Por Paula Mayer Traducción por Dolores Duarte
"Padre celestial, en este momento hacemos una pausa, conscientes de las muchas bendiciones que nos has concedido. Te pedimos, Señor, que estés con nosotros en esta arena de la vida. Nosotros, como vaqueros, no pedimos favores especiales..." La última vez que los fanáticos del rodeo de Carbondale escucharon la voz barítona de Branden Edwards con la Oración del Vaquero en la Gus Darien Arena fue el 22 de agosto de 2019. Como tantos otros eventos, celebraciones y encuentros, el Carbondale Wild West Rodeo (CWWR) fue cancelado el pasado verano debido a la pandemia. Ahora que el Roaring Fork Valley, la nación y el mundo se sienten en la antesala de volver a tener alguna semejanza a la vida como la conocíamos, un pequeño paso hacia ese objetivo tendrá lugar el 3 de junio, cuando el CWWR inicie su 16ava. temporada. "Tenemos la esperanza de que se realizará,” dice Mike Kennedy, presidente de la junta directiva del CWWR. Mike es tan apasionado hoy como lo fue en 2005, cuando él y Dave Weimer se hicieron cargo de la gestión del rodeo y lo convirtieron en una organización viable de voluntarios sin fines de lucro. Normalmente, la planificación de la futura temporada habría empezado hace meses: hablar con los contratistas de ganado, conseguir patrocinadores y organizar el equipo de unos 25 voluntarios del que depende el rodeo. "Es una gran empresa y si no contáramos con toda esa gente, no podríamos hacerlo." Para el éxito del rodeo, también es clave su alianza con la ciudad de Carbondale. La misión del rodeo es preservar el estilo de vida del oeste y conectar con la comunidad local. Aunque los competidores vienen de lugares tan lejanos como Arizona, Montana y Texas, la mayoría son desde Aspen hasta Parachute. Se trata de una oportunidad local para que amigos y familiares salgan a verlos competir. Los historiadores coinciden en que el primer rodeo americano tuvo lugar en Prescott, Arizona, en 1888. Los vaqueros y ganaderos se reunieron para demostrar su destreza en el manejo
NUEVOS DÍAS Y HORAS
Silvia Rogríguez realiza trabajos tan variados como las necesidades de sus clientes, desde trajes de hombre, vestidos de novia, alteraciones en ropa de diseñador, confección de ropa y proyectos muy difíciles. No es necesario hacer cita. Se require cubrebocas.
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de la cuerda, la equitación y el trabajo con el ganado. Los rodeos de hoy en día son bastante similares, con pruebas como la soga por equipos, la monta de toros, la monta de broncos y las carreras de barriles. La agilidad de los atletas tanto humanos como equinos es impresionante. Edwards volverá a estar en la cabina del presentador este verano. "Se siente la energía. Estamos emocionados e impacientes. Queremos asegurarnos de hacerlo bien.” Él está deseando ver a gente que no ha visto en más de un año. "Todo es cuestión de comunidad. Sentarse frente a otro ser humano y conectar por algo que te gusta. Si tomamos una foto de cualquier rincón de la multitud, veremos a un trabajador sentado junto a un turista. Y por un momento, ellos están en la tribuna, viendo a los vaqueros y vaqueras trabajar con el ganado, preservando la historia del estilo de vida del oeste.” La pandemia ha sido difícil para todo el mundo y la industria del rodeo no es la excepción. Durante meses, su modo de vida ha estado en suspenso. Tanto a nivel estatal como nacional, las industrias del rodeo y la agricultura están bajo escrutinio. Sin embargo, los que eligen vivir de la tierra y criar ganado son un grupo fuerte y resistente. Así que ajústate el cincho y prepárate, ¡es la hora del rodeo!
DISTRIBUCIÓN DE ALIMENTOS SÁBADO, 1 DE MAYO A SÁBADO, 8 DE MAYO
ASPEN
LIFT-UP ASPEN PANTRY: 465 N. Mill Street #18 Sábado, 1 de mayo • 12-2 p.m. Martes, 4 de mayo • 4-6 p.m.
CARBONDALE
LIFT-UP DESPENSA MÓVIL: Third Street Center, 520 S. 3rd Street Miércoles, 5 de mayo • 4-6 p.m. Sábado, 8 de mayo • 12-2 p.m.
GLENWOOD
SANA DISTRIBUCIÓN MÓVIL: Glenwood Springs Middle School, 130 Soccer Field Rd. Sábado, 1 de mayo • 1:30-2:30 p.m. Sábado, 8 de mayo • 1:30-2:30 p.m.
NEW CASTLE
LIFT-UP DESPENSA MÓVIL: Cristo La Roca, 880 Castle Valley Blvd. Jueves, 6 de mayo • 4-6 p.m.
RIFLE
LIFT-UP DESPENSA MÓVIL: Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Viernes, 7 de mayo • 4-6 p.m. SANA DISTRIBUCIÓN MÓVIL: Rifle Middle School, 753 Railroad Avenue Sábado, 1 de mayo • 10-11 a.m. Sábado, 8 de mayo • 10-11 a.m.
Se ofrece 15% descuento al presentar este anuncio Silvia Rogríguez does work as diverse as the needs of her clients, including men's suits, wedding dresses, alterations to designer brands, original clothing and very difficult jobs. It is not necessary to make an appointment. Face coverings are required.
Branden Edwards estará de vuelta anunciando el Carbondale Wild West Rodeo este año. Foto por Paula Mayer.
PARACHUTE
SIN DISTRIBUCIÓN 1 DE MAYO A 8 DE MAYO
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.
VOLUNTARIOS NECESITADOS • Visite LIFTUP.org par ser voluntario • Línea directa para voluntarios: 970.456.2804
Para más información LIFTUP.org el Sol del Valle • Conector de comunidad • 29 de abril al 5 de mayo de 2021 • 13
Tormenta de Texas afecta costos de servicios acá
Por Olivia Emmer Traducción por Dolores Duarte
En febrero ocurrió en Texas un fenómeno meteorológico que se produce una vez por década, con temperaturas inusualmente frías y nevadas. Durante esta tormenta, la demanda de gas natural se disparó tanto para la calefacción como para la electricidad, al mismo tiempo que la disponibilidad caía en picada debido a la congelación de líneas de suministro de gas y a la reducción de la capacidad de bombeo por los apagones. Este desajuste entre oferta y demanda en Texas aumentó los precios del gas natural en todo el país. Según una presentación realizada por el vicepresidente de suministro y programas de energía de Holy Cross Energy (HCE), Steve Beuning comenta, "creo que la cantidad de dólares que Xcel Energy gastó en gas natural durante esos cuatro días rondó los 300 millones de dólares, es decir, aproximadamente cuatro meses de su gasto normal en compras de gas natural.” Los mayores costos de Xcel Energy (Xcel) se transfieren a sus clientes minoristas y mayoristas de electricidad, incluida HCE. Beuning continuó, "Lo que vimos ese mes, con este evento de emergencia, fue un aumento del 478% en nuestros costos de suministro de energía, ya que esa parte de su combustible de gas natural pasó a nosotros. que, para1 Sopris Sun Ad Así 4.9x7.pdf la energía que compramos a Xcel en
el mes de febrero, en lugar del costo esperado de unos 3.3 centavos por kilowatt hora, en realidad vimos un precio mayorista de electricidad de casi 16 centavos por kilowatt hora.” Pero los miembros de HCE no verán esta alza al costo en sus facturas. HCE se encuentra en una posición única. La mayoría de las cooperativas de energía y los municipios de Colorado están vinculados por contratos a largo plazo que garantizan la compra de casi toda su energía a un proveedor de energía específico, como TriState Generation and Transmission Association (Tri-State) o Xcel. En una entrevista con Drew Schiller, vicepresidente de finanzas de HCE, Schiller explicó que estos contratos existen porque tradicionalmente la energía se suministraba con activos grandes y costosos, como sería una central de carbón. Para llevar a cabo la gran inversión que supone la construcción de una planta, debían saber que tendrían compradores garantizados. Este modelo de generación de energía está cambiando rápidamente. Según Schiller, "tener flexibilidad [de compra] es increíblemente importante en un mercado en el que la tecnología está cambiando, los precios están cambiando. Me sorprendería que alguien construyera una nueva central eléctrica de carbón. No tiene sentido el punto de vista 4/12/21 6:38desde PM financiero. Es un activo de 50 años. La
tecnología en nuestra industria está empezando a moverse en términos de cinco y diez años. ¿Para qué querría aferrarme a algo que va a durar 50 años? Es la herramienta equivocada en la situación actual". Entonces, ¿por qué HCE tiene esa flexibilidad de compra cuando otras cooperativas regionales no la tienen? Según Beuning, es "un reconocimiento a la gestión de Holy Cross en los años 90, cuando la asociación cooperativa de generación y transmisión que nos suministraba energía al por mayor entró en quiebra, y Holy Cross se encontró en la situación de tener que renegociar sus acuerdos de suministro de energía. Fue una de las opciones que negociamos en su momento, y ahora seguimos viviendo bajo ese contrato y beneficiándonos.” Esta flexibilidad de compra significa que HCE evitó unos 11 millones de dólares de costos excesivos en el mes de febrero. Para un contexto, HCE gasta entre 65-70 millones de dólares en energía en un año normal. Los contratos existentes con otros proveedores de energía que dependen menos de la energía del gas natural hicieron que HCE necesitara comprar menos a Xcel durante la tormenta. De nuevo, Schiller agrega. "Siempre compramos un poco cada mes a Xcel Energy, aunque tenemos el derecho contractual de comprar a un montón de otras personas. Y en realidad eso se reduce a que no sabemos exactamente
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cuánto necesitamos en cada momento. Así que sólo contratamos hasta cierto punto y luego dejamos que Xcel, como parte de nuestro contrato, cubra esas altas y bajas entre las necesidades de cada hora.” Así que, aunque HCE compró algo de energía costosa a Xcel durante la tormenta, fue mucho menos de lo que habrían tenido que hacer si estuvieran obligados por contrato a comprar de ellos la mayor parte de su energía. Para cubrir el gasto adicional, HCE está utilizando un fondo para imprevistos creado a partir de los ingresos adicionales, en lugar de transferir los costos inesperados a sus miembros. Según el presidente y director general de HCE, Bryan Hannegan, "Para nuestros miembros que tienen gas natural procedente de Black Hills, o los que tienen suministro eléctrico procedente de Xcel, verás un pequeño incremento en la factura como resultado de todo esto, pero si eres miembro de Holy Cross y nos compras el servicio electricidad, no lo verás.” En contraste, Black Hills Energy (BHE), como proveedor de gas natural, se encuentra en una situación diferente a la de los proveedores de electricidad. Tienen menos medios para evitar los precios excesivos de materias primas. BHE envió un comunicado de prensa el 15 de febrero, en el que aconsejaba a los clientes que redujeran el consumo si era posible. Según otro comunicado de prensa después de la
Un trabajador de Holy Cross Energy durante COVID. Holy Cross Energy evitó unos 11 millones de dólares en costos excesivos en el mes de febrero gracias a la flexibilidad en la compra de energía. Foto de cortesía. tormenta, "trabajaremos estrechamente con la Comisión de Servicios Públicos de Colorado para determinar el mejor camino a seguir para gestionar el impacto a largo plazo del aumento de precios para nuestros clientes, lo que llevará más tiempo.” Según BHE, la tormenta de febrero provocó el mayor aumento de los precios del gas natural de los últimos veinte años. Esos aumentos de precios aún no se han reflejado en las facturas de sus clientes.
VACUNA PARA COVID-19 Todas las dosis son gratuitas. No es necesario ser ciudadano de los Estados Unidos y tampoco se necesita demostrar su presencia legal para recibir una vacuna de COVID-19 en Colorado. Además, la salud pública nunca compartirá su información con fines de inmigración o para aplicar la ley.
GRATIS | SEGURO | ACCESIBLE PARA TODOS Número de teléfono: 970-340-8504 Localidades: Sitios en los condados Garfield, Eagle, Pitkin ¿Se requiere cita? Sí
Estructura y Diseño y la industria de la Construcción
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Youthentity.org 14 • el Sol del Valle • soprissun.com/espanol/ •29 de abril al 5 de mayo de 2021
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RFHS volleyball: where camaraderie wins By Jeanne Souldern Sopris Sun Correspondent
Last Thursday was Senior Night for varsity girls’ volleyball at Roaring Fork High School (RFHS). The formidable Delta Panthers would leave town with a victory in tow; however, no loss could dampen the spirits of a team that has formed closely-knit bonds over the season. Volleyball, usually a fall season sport, was shifted to being played in March and April, as directed by the Colorado High School Sports Association, the state’s high school sports governing body. Karen Nieslanik Crownhart coached about 15 years ago for four seasons and then had her daughter, Letey, now a senior and the team’s captain. When Letey got to high school, there was an opening for varsity head coach, so Nieslanik Crownhart stepped in. A 1991 RFHS graduate, Nieslanik Crownhart played on the volleyball team that went to the state tournament. She was also a member of the RFHS basketball team, which won state tournament titles in 1989, 1990 and 1991. “There’s just a lot of history here in sports and knowing the love that they bring to your life past the gym. That’s why I want my girls to be involved,” said
Nieslanik Crownhart, “To get out of it all the life lessons.” Coreen Norwood is this season’s new assistant varsity and head junior varsity coach for RFHS girls’ volleyball. She is in her first year at the school, working this semester as a special education teacher. From Fort Collins, she played volleyball in high school and college and coached at the NORCO Volleyball Club and youth recreation leagues in North Carolina. New to Carbondale, Norwood said, “I really like the family, community feel.” Focusing on the team’s progress, Norwood explained, “Whenever I’m coaching my girls in a game, I just try to look at the bright side of the improvements I see in each competition and practice.” Seniors honored at the last home game were: Letey Crownhart, Samantha Ferry, Grace Jardine, Lily Nieslanik and Sydney Schramer. Two of those seniors spoke to The Sopris Sun about this year’s sense of camaraderie. Samantha “Sam” Ferry, who will be attending Eckerd College in Florida this fall, said, “It’s kinda crazy that it’s over, but it’s good at the same time.” What she takes away from this season
is “a lot about leadership roles and how to take charge of things just because I’m older now and I have to be a role model for the freshmen, and I have to be willing to use my voice to do that.” Ferry said younger players looked up to seniors as mentors because “it’s been hard for the freshmen this year because we started school online and they didn’t get a proper introduction to high school.” Grace Jardine, who will attend the University of Colorado Boulder, started playing volleyball in seventh grade at Carbondale Middle School. Jardine said, “Out of all the years I’ve played volleyball, this is the best year I’ve ever had. I think it’s a lot to do with COVID and really being able to appreciate that we get to play the sport and I get to be here with my friends, it’s really changed my life perspective. I think our team has the most fun friendship and community that I have seen, ever.” The students and school staff, Jardine continued, have been unwavering in their support for the team, and so have her teammates. “Even when this hasn’t been our best season ever, everyone has shown up, and everyone’s here to play and having fun. It’s been a blast.”
Rams volleyball players showed great energy in their game against the Delta Panthers on April 22. Photo by Sue Rollyson.
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OPEN Mon - Fri 9:00-6 | Sat - Sun 10:00-5:00 THE SOPRIS SUN • Your weekly community connector • April 29 - May 5, 2021 • 15
OPINION
View from the Visitor’s Center By Andrea Stewart Chamber Director
with subsequent restrictions on public gatherings, it’s hard to believe it’s been more than a calendar year without our favorite inperson community gathering. But this coming Friday, May 7, after a year of absence, First Fridays returns to Carbondale, and it’s a stirring time for us all as we think about how to be together again as a community that thrives on that togetherness and camaraderie. There is a stirring happening inside us all, as we come through the experience of the pandemic with an optimistic feeling of new beginnings. We cautiously march forward as winter turns to spring in our Colorado mountain town and we look ahead, exhaling with relief and hope. There is excitement to see old friends and familiar faces, to get back to normality. On the first Friday of the month, the town’s galleries and retailers along Main Street, Carbondale’s main Creative District, throw open their doors with extended hours to welcome shoppers and browsers. As well as late-night store and gallery openings and extended-hours street dining, there will be a series of staged entertainment areas throughout downtown Carbondale, including live music at Fourth and Main, a performance of indigenous song and dance by renowned native pride performer Larry Yazzie, who will present live flute music, storytelling and a majestic eagle dance. Carbondale’s Rotary Club will also host a fundraising “ball drop” in Sopris Park throughout the evening. Carbondale Arts and Carbondale Clay Center will host gallery openings and open-house events. As we come together again, we must all remember that it is possible to enjoy the
experience while keeping the community — and especially frontline workers in our restaurants and stores — safe at all times by following the public health and safety guidelines we’ve become accustomed to in the last year. We ask First Fridays attendees to do the following: please social distance inside and outside, please wear your face covering or mask when inside a business and ensure you are handwashing. If you are feeling sick or have been sick recently, please stay home to keep your community safe. Check the Carbondale.com website When: May 7, 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. to be familiar with the most up-to-date Where: Downtown Carbondale public health guidelines and continue to How: The Town of Carbondale Board of Trustees comply with any local ordinances. Lastly, approved the closure of Main Street between Third we must remind the community that open Street and Fourth Street in the evenings from 4:30 containers are not permitted during First pm to 10:30 pm, Wednesday-Saturday, starting Fridays, just as before. We can have nice May 1 to expand capacity for outdoor dining and things, so let’s all play our part to keep the social distancing. community safe and keep First Fridays on Extended outdoor dining will be available at all the calendar for the rest of the year. restaurants on Main Street including Brass Anvil, We must also make a special thanks to the Mi Casita, Batch Provisions, Phat Thai, Allegria, sponsors and partners of First Fridays: First Bonfire Coffee, Peppino’s, Carbondale Beerworks, Bank, Town of Carbondale, Carbondale Izakaya, Axkawa and others. Most of these outlets Arts and Carbondale Creative District, recommend making reservations during First and our strong business community that Fridays. For those less comfortable with in-person provides financial support to make this dining, you can still support your local restaurants event happen. And let’s not forget a huge by continuing to do take-out. thank you to Thunder River Theatre, who Attendees are reminded to continue to follow became First Friday’s “virtual host” since COVID public health protocols which include social April 2020. For general First Fridays info, distancing by maintaining a distance of six feet contact the Chamber at 970-963-1890. Be from others while outside, wear a facemask, or face covering while indoors. To confirm the latest sure to "like" First Fridays Carbondale on ordinances, please visit carbondale.com Facebook for updates. Lastly, mark your calendar: Family Block Party is moved to September 3, 2021. How good it feels to say, after more than Andrea Stewart is the Executive Director of Carbondale Chamber of Commerce and Carbondale Tourism a year, see you at First Fridays!
L E N OW AS ING
The community spirit of Carbondale abounds for First Fridays monthly celebrations. This Carbondale Chamber of Commerce event was originally founded by Carbondale Arts as a means to drive the arts-based economy and has since spun into one of our best-loved traditions on the community calendar. We get to wander our hometown visiting our favorite local boutiques and galleries; there’s usually a gaggle of local kids enjoying the liberty of the street closures along with the entertainment taking place; we see our neighbors, colleagues and friends as we meander through the evening. Yet, as the initial COVID-19 global lockdown came abruptly into effect in March 2020
In-person First Fridays return May 7
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THE SOPRIS SUN • Your weekly community connector • April 29 - May 5, 2021 • 17
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OPINION
The demise of dispersed camping
like solitude, and that’s getting harder to come by. I’m the first to admit that I was spoiled. When I was a kid, my family would roll into Arches or Slick Rock campground without reservations and usually get our favorite spot. Closer to home, we passed over places with picnic tables, restrooms and fee boxes in favor of gorgeous creekside campsites free of neighbors. As an adult, I’ve continued to seek out rough rock rings at the end of bumpy dirt roads. Developed By Will Grandbois camping is something I do out of necessity — to accommodate the The Forest Service’s new preferences of others, or because management plan for the it’s really the only option in many Crested Butte area is one of the National Parks and Monuments. But most substantial moves away the times, they are a changin’. from “boondocking” in favor of Reservations systems at established campgrounds we’ve Conundrum Hot Springs and seen in our neck of the woods — Hanging Lake were no skin off and I’m strangely okay with it. my nose, as I tend to shun such Your own reaction, I’m guessing, postcard-and-Instagram-publicized comes down to why (or if ) you like destinations anyway. But Prince camping in the first place. A lot of Creek was my go-to destination for folks are just looking for a base camp camping with my disabled brother, for other outdoor adventures. Others who loves fluttering oak leaves and are in it to socialize around a fire, and running water but not long fourthe infrastructure and accessibility of wheel-drive expeditions. So while I a developed campground supports understood the overuse and misuse that nicely. There’s usually some that drove the Bureau of Land desire to commune with nature Management to ban dispersed — which, columnist Geneviève camping along the creek itself, Villamizar will point out, you can the developed campgrounds they do in your own backyard. But4.9x7.pdf I, offered return seemed Youthentity Ad English 1 in 4/13/21 11:45 AMlike a poor personally, am often after something substitute.
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But that was the very same year I first found every obscure corner of Thompson Creek full during hunting season, and began to see the writing on the wall. It probably would have taken another decade of growth to really play out, but then the pandemic hit. On my way through Lime Park last summer, I encountered scenes I mostly associate with caving conventions or post-apocalyptic Hoovervilles: dozens of cars circling tent cities, each within a stone’s throw of the next. Certainly, a nicer way to social distance than cooped up in a Denver apartment all summer, but not the outdoor experience I’m looking for. So I retreated further into the hinterlands. That is, until my friends and family needed something more accessible. So I settled on a site up McClure Pass that was once my family’s go-to. Back then, the road was a bit longer, making for plenty of privacy and a beautiful view of Chair Mountain. Even now, I expected the spot to be one of the first to fill up, so I set up on a Thursday and camped several nights. The first was as perfect and peaceful as any in my childhood. On the second, a family came in very late and set up in an adjacent field that hadn’t even occurred to me as a spot. On the third, a couple with a rooftop tent
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trundled right into the cul de sac and set up a stone’s throw away. The pair had spent much of the summer camping in the aforementioned Crested Butte area, and when I told them I had considered the whole area a single campsite (and selected it specifically to socially distance from some friends outside my pod), the look I received told me everything I needed to know. That night was the closest I’ve ever been to other people in a dispersed site — and, indeed, closer than some developed campgrounds, including the one just down the road near the top of the pass. It wasn’t an unpleasant experience — both sets of neighbors were respectful, and it was easy to wander away to
a quiet area where the first aspens were changing. But with that level of density, I wouldn’t have minded more clearly delineated spaces. Plus, a metal grate would have allowed a campfire under stage one restrictions. And if that amount of use continues, a bathroom probably wouldn’t be a bad idea … Of course, campgrounds require money and manpower to create and maintain. White River National Forest has actually been decommissioning developed sites on the Flat Tops, and the rest are typically run by private concessionaires. So I’m really not sure what the future holds, but I suspect that if I want solitude, I’m gonna have to do more backpacking.
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Tell Governor Polis to enact his own climate action roadmap
OPINION
350 Roaring Fork by Will Hodges
The governor isn’t serious about achieving his own climate goals. Yesterday, he announced he intends to veto Senate Bill 200, a law going through the State Assembly that would give some oomph to his own greenhouse gas reduction goals passed two years ago. The state’s greenhouse gas reduction roadmap that the governor signed in 2019 stipulates a 26% reduction in emissions by 2025. According to the Environmental Defense Fund, by current rates, we will fall short of that goal by between 25 and 14 million metric tons. Senate Bill 200, the “Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions Increase Environmental Justice” Act, would put some much
needed teeth to the Governor’s Roadmap. It passed out of the Energy and Transportation Committee 4-3 last week and now heads to the House floor. We should all call and urge the governor, Senator Bob Rankin and Representative Perry Will to support SB-200. We are already seeing Red Flag Warnings in April! Dry soils and high winds portend another bad fire season. Snowpack is at 70% of average and much of western Colorado is in severe to exceptional drought. In 2019, the Colorado legislature passed and the governor signed HB-1261, which aimed to cut the state’s greenhouse gases by 26% by 2025, 50% by 2030 and 90% by 2050. It directed the state’s Air Quality Control Commission (AQCC) to develop a set of rules for cutting emissions from the four sectors: electric utilities, oil and gas production, transportation and buildings. Perhaps by design, the measure included no actual enforcement mechanisms. The AQCC missed its first deadline last July. It released its final draft Roadmap in January. Environmental organizations
panned it as “wishful thinking,” relying on rosy assumptions and voluntary actions rather than specific, enforceable measures. It calls for 80% cuts from utilities by 2030 but of the state’s 54 electric and 12 gas suppliers, only Xcel Energy is required to submit a clean energy plan. SB-200 mandates hard caps on emissions by sector, sets March 1, 2022, as a deadline for implementation and imposes a fee on CO2 and methane to go toward funding an office of environmental justice to ensure consultation with disproportionately impacted communities living downwind of coal plants, refineries and fracking sites. Not surprisingly, the utilities and oil and gas industry oppose the bill. Tellingly, the Polis Administration also came out against it, even though it simply strives to enact the governor’s own plan. There isn’t time for halfmeasures. The Roadmap targets themselves fall short. The United Nations’ Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change gives the world only a 50% chance of staying under 1.5°C of warming
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if we reach carbon neutrality by 2050 (we’re at 1°). For a 66% chance of averting catastrophe, we must be at net zero by 2036. Colorado’s plan only strives for 90% cuts by mid-century. Given the enormous challenge of decarbonization and the urgency of slowing current emissions, which will further warm the atmosphere for decades, we need big reductions in the near term. The fastest cuts will come from retiring coal plants and phasing out fracking. The sooner we scale up solar and wind generation, the more we can power our homes, offices and even cars cleanly. Unfortunately, after moving to close three coal plants by 2029, the AQCC backtracked under pressure from Xcel, Tri-State and Platte River. Meanwhile, most of Colorado’s gas is exported. Both the AQCC and Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission are conducting exhaustive rulemakings to reduce both combusted emissions, and the insidious by-product of fracking : leaked methane, the second most potent greenhouse gas. In February, regulators
finally required non-emitting controllers on all new oil and gas facilities as well as those undergoing upgrades. That still leaves 66,000 gas wells with controllers that open and close, adjusting for pressure and temperature. Then there are the abandoned wells dotting the landscape as gas companies pick up and leave. According to High Country News, there are nearly 60,000 unplugged wells in Colorado. The state has only 2% of the estimated $8 billion it will cost to remediate. We ought to think about phasing out gas production altogether, while providing financial assistance and job retraining for the estimated 30,000 workers. Instead of bending over backwards finding ways to frack more cleanly, we ought to not frack anymore. Let’s get serious about addressing this crisis. Contact Governor Polis (303-866-2471), Senator Rankin (303-866-5292; bob.rankin.senate@state.co.us) and Representative Will today (303-866-2949; perry.will. house@state.co.us) and urge them to support SB21-200.
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THE SOPRIS SUN • Your weekly community connector • April 29 - May 5, 2021 • 19
OPINION
HEALTH
George Bohmfalk, M.D. I am a retired neurosurgeon. Like over 95% of physicians, I received a vaccine against COVID-19 as soon as I could. I had only a very brief reaction, feeling tired and a little sore for about 24 hours. Now I feel very safe and secure that, even if I still catch COVID, there’s almost no chance that I’ll die from it or need hospitalization. I feel good that I’m protecting myself, my family, and everyone with whom I come into contact. I understand that there are many reasons why around half of Republicans and many others are deciding not to get the vaccine. Let’s walk through some of those. Perhaps you believed President Trump when he suggested that the virus wasn’t anything to worry about, that it wasn’t much worse than the seasonal flu. I hope you’ve come to understand that he was mistaken
LETTERS
To persons reluctant to vaccinate ... about that, now that we’re approaching 600,000 U.S. deaths from COVID and with cases rising in many of our states. You probably also know that he, Vice-president Pence, and both of their wives received the vaccine. So did Mitch McConnell, Kevin McCarthy, Mitt Romney, Lindsey Graham, Marco Rubio, Joni Ernst, George W. Bush, and most other Republican leaders. They all agree that the way to beat COVID is by being vaccinated. Despite earlier misgivings by some, almost all Republican leaders across the country have received the vaccine and encourage others to. Perhaps you’re concerned about side effects, particularly blood clots. Fifteen women who received the single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine developed blood clots within two weeks of getting the vaccine. Nearly eight million people received that same vaccine, making the odds of this complication, so far, under two in a million. That’s less than the normal incidence of similar blood clots in the overall population, suggesting that there may not even be a connection between these rare cases and the vaccine. The odds of being struck by lightning are around two per million. We have had over 30 million COVID cases among our 330 million U.S. residents. While the risk of getting infected depends heavily on individual circumstances, that suggests that the average risk of getting it here is close to one out of ten. With nearly 600,000 U.S. deaths, the risk of dying from it after getting it is about 20 in a million
clear – Ascendigo will say whatever is necessary to build their facilities in this neighborhood with disregard for the harm it may cause others. Kimala Fite Missouri Heights
Re: re: Ascendigo Ranch
(600K/30M). Even getting the J&J vaccine, you would be ten times safer than you would be not getting it. There have been no serious complications reported from over 200 million doses of the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines given. Even if you’re young and healthy, the safety odds still extremely favor your getting any vaccine over taking a chance without it. Why take that gamble? Perhaps you’re concerned that corners were cut in haste and the vaccines were not developed with standard safety protocols, that these are still “experimental” and not proven to be safe. The only shortcuts taken in the process were bureaucratic, the cutting of some red tape, to allow more rapid review and approval of the finished vaccines. The scientific process for developing the vaccines followed standard safety procedures. By all appearances, the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines are 100% safe and extremely effective. We may find that the Johnson & Johnson vaccine is safe as well and that these blood clots are a coincidence. There is nothing to fear, except for catching the virus and dying without a vaccine, as my brother very nearly did. The vaccine is now available to everyone over the age of 16, and it’s free, no matter where you get it. I hope you’ll reconsider your reasons for resisting it and sign up for your shots. You will safely protect yourself, your family and friends, and, as a good patriot, the entire country. We’ll return to normal more quickly.
How to vaccinate: Coronavirus vaccines are now available for free to all Coloradans 16 and older. Garfield County residents may make an appointment by calling Valley View Hospital at 970-384-7632. Eagle County residents may call 970328-9750. Pitkin County residents may call 970429-3363. Free COVID testing is available throughout the Roaring Fork Valley by scheduling an appointment at rfvcovidtest.com
Continued from page 2 resources, notably water, wildlife habitat, and transport will be far greater under a housing development. Many homeowners in Garfield County, where the Ranch will be located, embrace the project because it will preserve open space, viewsheds, and the rural way of life that attracted them to the Heights, and us to the valley. Advent of the Ascendigo Ranch on Missouri Heights represents an optimal land use that will better protect the social, environmental and economic values that we all want to safeguard in the Roaring Fork Valley. Garfield County commissioners are implored to protect against suburbanization, wanton sprawl and expansive residential home-building by welcoming Ascendigo Ranch.
Ascendigo Autism Services has been a stalwart part of our mid-valley community for decades – providing much-needed nurture for those on the autism spectrum and providing support for families that cannot address all of the behavioral and mental health needs of their dependent children. Ascendigo also employs dozens of skilled caregivers, and thereby contributes meaningfully to our community and economy. Ascendigo has identified an optimal property Bill and Betina Infante – 126 acres in Missouri Heights that it proposes Basalt for a ranch that will expand care and service to children on the autism spectrum. Sadly, facts are Welcome, Jerry! being misrepresented. So here are the facts: I would like to give a warm Carbondale Ascendigo is a non-governmental organization that provides nationally-recognized welcome to Officer Jerry Alcorta! Jerry has health and education services to people with recently joined the Carbondale police force. I first met Jerry at the ice rink years ago where both of differential learning. The property is already zoned for “educational our boys play hockey together. Hockey parents purposes,” and to this end the ranch will construct spend a lot of time together in cold and smelly six buildings, including a barn, and a stable and rinks at random hours of the day. Jerry is a parent riding ring that are the quintessence of our valley’s I always enjoy chatting with. He puts up with my "what if..." questions regarding anything from rural landscape. Ascendigo will also construct buildings where traffic stops to teenagers getting into mischief. they will teach, nurture and support campers, His answers are always thoughtful, bringing in house counselors, and provide administration. the other side of the argument that I sometimes This is a far cry from the 20+ high-end homes forget. I could not think of a better addition to that will otherwise be built under the approved our community. He has years of experience, a planned development. The intense pressure on calm and friendly nature, and is fun to hang out 20 • THE SOPRIS SUN • soprissun.com • April 29 - May 5, 2021
with. I hope to see you around town, Officer Alcorta. Welcome to Carbondale! Crista Barlow Carbondale
Dispatch from Marble In approximately 30 days, Marble and the surrounding backcountry will begin its descent into a throbbing, congested hellscape of internal combustion engines. Last summer, we saw an unprecedented number of visitors and an exponential increase of Off-Highway Vehicles (OHV). This traffic is unmanaged and unregulated. There are no bathroom facilities and the headwaters of the Crystal River continue to be fouled with toilet paper and human waste. If immediate action is not taken, an environmental and human safety crisis is imminent. We have been imploring our elected officials to take action for years. A county road OHV ban is not a radical or untested idea. It follows the same model that Aspen successfully implemented a few years ago and is the only viable option until the Forest Service can put together a permit system. Gunnison County has the authority to reinstate this ban immediately, but apparently the town and the county have concerns about possible repercussions. These concerns should be clearly defined and directly addressed, not dismissed with vague generalities and false narratives. Affected residents should be allowed to contribute to the discussion, not shut out of private meetings and work sessions. If business interests are to be considered, so too should the property devaluation of homeowners who live on the front line. And when our representatives present
arguments based on incorrect information, they need to be called out. Colorado is potentially facing another summer of extreme drought conditions. Considering that one very popular OHV manufacturer recently recalled hundreds of thousands of their vehicles due to fire hazards (yet these machines continue to burst into flames even after the recalls), the fear of forest fires is real. Fire extinguishers, spark arrestors and lowemission/low decibel exhaust systems should be mandatory on all OHVs traveling in the National Forest, but until there is sufficient enforcement, a ban is essential. The wilderness belongs to all of us. So why won’t our commissioners take a meaningful step toward protecting it? Please ask them. Teri Havens Marble
By chance Glancing down I spot $20 looking lost Misfortune my luck JM Jesse Glenwood Springs
Corvid blues Crow cawing loudly. No answer from companions. Crow flaps off, alone. Jampa Carbondale
Love through suffering
By Kenna Crampton Special to The Sopris Sun
As she sat by the side of the river, she thought. She thought about all of the people she lost. All of the people she pushed away. All of the people that left. She could count her remaining relatives on one hand. She could hear the ducks go by as she tallied all the people she would never see again — not in this life. It’s lonely here, here by the river and here in life. Where was everyone? Did she know or care? Did they care where she was? It was just her… Until she does something about it that is how it will be. It hadn’t been long since her dad died. She was waiting for it and knew it would happen. So why was she so surprised when it did? Because she had canceled the last plans she had ever made with him? Or was it simply because she missed her dad? None of these questions would last long rattling around in her head. Soon she would find a way to quiet those questions ... alcohol. The very same thing that took her dad away from her. When alcohol came into the picture the questions became easier, “where is that bottle?” — easier but more complicated. Most of the time she wasn’t sure where the problems came from — so easy to let go. It wasn’t until he came into her life that she considered maybe she wants problems that matter ... maybe to answer those questions left behind long ago. She didn’t need a man to change her life. She needed someone to love her and be there through it all, to hold her hand when things get scary — someone to live for. Before him ... it was some guy who she nearly wished she would die just to get away from. Still, the idea of leaving and starting over seemed like too big of a task. But she did it! Against all odds, she withstood his harassment for a month … then he crashed her car ... but, in the end, I think he did that for her own good — to set her free. She never was sure if he knew how badly he treated her, or if he didn’t know any better, but it didn’t matter because she was free. Free to fall in love, but for real. The kind of love that rushes at you. When you don’t know how you ever lived without this person. When you wonder, how anything in the world ever made sense before them — Was the sky always this blue? The mountain always so majestic? Yes, but before she couldn’t appreciate any of it because her world was so ugly and the ugliness rubbed off on everything else. Love truly does save lives. She is living, breathing proof.
Kenna Crampton by Brian Colley.
Mother’s Day This Saturday, May 1, is your last chance for mommies and their babies born within the past year to be featured in The Sopris Sun’s annual Mother’s Day issue. Call or text Mark Burrows at 970-379-4581 to reserve a photo session in Sopris Park between 9 a.m. and noon.
Art Work By: Brett Haynes
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THE SOPRIS SUN • Your weekly community connector • April 29 - May 5, 2021 • 21
By Suzie Brady
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PARTING SHOTS
Homecoming closes with Friday Night Lights
By Jeanne Souldern Photos by Sue Rollyson Roaring Fork High School's homecoming week concluded under the stadium lights, with Rams football hosting the Grand Valley High School Fighting Cardinals on
Friday, April 23. The Rams 44-0 loss was a tough close to a season abbreviated by COVID-19. Yet, the team, whose roster is comprised mostly of freshmen and sophomores, showed unyielding grit and kept the charge going until the game's final whistle.
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On a chilly night, with 300 fans in attendance, a lively Rams student section served up a big helping of school spirit. Senior athletes playing their last home game were joined by family members on the field and recognized in a pre-game ceremony. Those
honored were: Geo Ambrosio, Diggy Barajas, Israel Medina, Bailey Parker and Ruben Samuelson. Despite their 0-6 season, the Rams can take away these positives: a return of a varsity football program after a two-year absence; student-athletes and a coaching staff
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THE SOPRIS SUN • Your weekly community connector • April 29 - May 5, 2021 • 23