17 03 16

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Sun

Volume 9, Number 6 | March 16, 2017

Chasing winter... î‚Še end of the season Joshua Hmielowski had a bit of a hike to ďŹ nd some snow at Spring Gulch on March 13. With plenty of warm weather approaching the ďŹ rst ofďŹ cial day of spring on March 20, the cross country ski area is in the process of calling it a season. Up high, though, snowpack in the Roaring Fork Watershed remains around half again normal for this time of year and well above last year’s peak. What that actually means for ski resorts, runoff and the summer wildďŹ re season remains to be seen as the NOAA forecast calls for above average temperatures in March and April. Photo by Will Grandbois

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Carbondale Commentary The views and opinions expressed on the Commentary page do not necessarily reflect those of The Sopris Sun. The Sopris Sun invites all members of the community to submit letters to the editor or guest columns. For more information, email editor Will Grandbois at news@soprissun.com, or call 510-3003.

National security: Mending fences versus building walls Last week, lured by abnormally-early spring weather, I started repairing the stone walls that enclose my raised garden beds. This spring task was memorialized by Robert Frost in “Mending Wall,” a poem that talks about two neighbors rebuilding the wall between their farms. Their task, Frost mused, must have been be “a kind of outdoor game” because the wall was unneeded:

next summer. All tolled, the solid Berlin Wall claimed 136 lives — only .01 percent of the nearly 11,000 who have died crossing this country’s porous boundary with Mexico. The 1,989-mile US-Mexico border is defined by a series of short walls that lie within a “virtual fence” scanned by sensors and cameras. In January, our President called for My apple trees will never get across hiring 5,000 more officers to beef up the force that And eat the cones under his pines, I tell him. monitors the current wall. None of those new hires He only says, 'Good fences make good neighbors'. are on the job yet, but last week, John Kelly, Secretary Do they? of Homeland Security, announced a 40-percent drop My passport bears stamps from 38 countries. I in illegal border crossings. That drop occurred during have paced the medieval walls of Conway in Wales, January, a month when crossings usually increase. built by Britain’s invading King Edward to cow the (Winter is the safest time to cross the scorching and Welsh. I have walked along Hadrian’s Wall — what’s slaughterous Sonoran desert.) left of it — built by Romans to keep the Scots at bay. I think people are avoiding our border for the I haven’t seen the Great Wall of China, erected to same reasons I stayed away from Saddam Hussein’s protect the Chinese Empire from invading northern wall: Fear. Reproof. Maybe that’s why legal visitors tribes. Nor have I seen the Walls of Troy. Those beauare staying away. The Global Business Travel Assotiful blue-tiled walls, depicting dragons and aurochs, ciation has estimated that since the election, the US were restored (none too accurately) by Saddam Hustravel industry has lost $185 million due to a sein. I missed both of those walls because they were “Trump slump”. located in places that didn’t feel safe or friendly when If the new wall’s job is to bar “illegals”, it won’t I wanted to go. work any better than the Berlin Wall worked with By Nicolette Toussaint Historically, great walls have seen mixed success. Thomas Krüger. That’s because around 40 percent A wall has kept North and South Korea separated for 60 years. But of illegal visitors simply fly in and overstay their visas. the Maginot Line didn’t work. And while the Great Wall of China While the president’s talk is cheap, his wall isn’t. An internal has stood for 2,300 years, it didn’t keep the Manchu invaders out. Department of Homeland Security report estimates its cost as high Most famous walls were contentious constructions, built to keep as $21.6 billion. someone out. As Robert Frost wrote, “Something there is that doesn’t love a wall.” The Berlin Wall, by contrast, was built to keep someone in. DurI’m hoping that the “something” isn’t just me, or the endangered ing its 28 year span, about 5,000 East Germans tried to escape over, Mexico gray wolf, or the last jaguar, or the 111 other species comunder and around it. One man careened a sports car through even promised by the wall. Or the Tohono O’odham, Native Americans before the Berlin Wall was finished. Refugees got under the wall by who refuse to have 75 miles of wall cutting through their families tunneling or by slithering through a pre-existing sewer system. They and sacred sites. Or the Texas landowners who are furious about escaped by diverting trains and stealing tanks. Thomas Krüger pur- being cut off from their own farm and ranchland. loined a light plane from an East German youth military training I’m hoping that the “something” is also the GOP, which just organization and flew it to a British Royal Air Force base. The RAF might hate billion-dollar bloated budgets even more than foreigners? later trucked the disassembled plane back, emblazoned with huI’m hoping. Because the way I see it, we humans have usually morous slogans like “Wish you were here” and “Come back soon!” been safer mending fences than building them. The last person killed trying to cross the Berlin Wall was Winfried Freudenberg, whose homemade natural gas balloon crashed Nicolette Toussaint has written for the Sopris Sun since 2010. Her in March 1989. If only he had waited! East Berlin opened the bor- writing has also been published in the Denver Post, the San Frander eight months later, and the wall’s official demolition began the cisco Examiner, Roaring Fork Lifestyle magazine and Newsweek.

OPINION

Seeking Higher Ground

Letters

The Sopris Sun welcomes your letters, limited to no more than 400 words. Letters exceeding that length may be edited or returned for revisions. Include your name and residence (for publication) and a contact email and phone number. Submit letters via email to news@soprissun.com or via snail mail to P.O. Box 399, Carbondale, CO 81623. The deadline to submit letters to the editor is noon on Monday.

Praise for the ReStore

Fossil fuels vs. renewables

Dear Editor: I would like to extend my support, praise and gratitude to the Re-Store for everything you do for the community in general and for me in particular. You are my go to whenever I need something for my home. I have gotten so many amazing deals and your staff is always so helpful and accommodating. What a win/win/win. I get what someone else no longer needs. Less stuff goes to the landfill. Someone gets new housing. Talk about a great business model! Kudos and thanks to all of you who make this possible in our valley. Candace Resnick Carbondale

Dear Editor: I was impressed with Carbondale Mayor Dan Richardson’s column on the town’s commitment to a fossil fuel-free, renewable energy economy (Post Independent 3/9). He seems to be well versed on the subject. I urge him to pass on that wisdom to the Garfield County Commissioners before they vote on a zoning change to allow Ursa Resources to build a wastewater injection well within the Battlement Mesa PUD. I can’t believe the commissioners already allowed gas wells inside the PUD. My parents moved from Chair Mountain Ranch to Battlement Mesa in the 1980’s with the promise of a clean, quiet retirement community. If they were still there,

2 • THE SOPRIS SUN • www.SoprisSun.com • MARCH 16-22, 2017

their future neighbors would be noisy, smelly gas rigs producing methane gas and toxic waste water. Now Ursa Resources wants to build an injection well to treat that water. Unfortunately, that job needs to be done, but wouldn’t it be better done out in the sticks somewhere, rather than right in the PUD? Garfield County sends money to Texas to promote the oil and gas industry. That money would be better spent retraining industry workers to manufacture solar panels, wind vanes, hydroelectric dams, or organic fuels. Holy Cross Energy is projecting a 25 to 40-acre solar farm at Sunnyside Park outside Carbondale toward their goal of 30 percent renewable generation by 2020. LETTERS page 15

Sincerest thanks to our

Honorary Publishers for their generous, ongoing commitment of support. Jim Calaway, Chair Kay Brunnier Bob Ferguson – Jaywalker Lodge Scott Gilbert: Habitat for Humanity - RFV Bob Young – Alpine Bank Peter Gilbert Umbrella Roofing, Inc. Bill Spence and Sue Edelstein Greg and Kathy Feinsinger

ank you to our SunScribers and community members for your support! It truly takes a village to keep e Sun shining.

To inform, inspire and build community. Donations accepted online or by mail. For information call 510-3003 Editor Will Grandbois 970-510-3003 news@soprissun.com Advertising: Kathryn Camp • 970-379-7014 adsales@soprissun.com Reporters: Lynn Burton John Colson Photographer: Jane Bachrach Graphic Designer: Terri Ritchie Delivery: Tom Sands CURRENT BOARD MEMBERS board@soprissun.com Barbara Dills, President Debbie Bruell, Secretary Cliff Colia • Diana Alcantara Matt Adeletti • Olivia Pevec • Faith Magill The Sopris Sun Board meets regularly on the second Monday evening of each month at the Third Street Center. Check the calendar for details and occasional date changes.

Founding Board Members Allyn Harvey • Becky Young • Colin Laird Barbara New • Elizabeth Phillips Peggy DeVilbiss • Russ Criswell

The Sopris Sun, Inc. P.O. Box 399 520 S. Third Street #32 Carbondale, CO 81623 970-510-3003 www.soprissun.com Send us your comments: feedback@soprissun.com The Sopris Sun, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation. Donations to The Sun are fully tax deductible.

Teacher housing project goes before P&Z By Will Grandbois Sopris Sun Staff Writer Two years after the Community Partnership Development was finally deemed economically infeasible, a smaller Roaring Fork School District housing complex is in the works along South Third Street. In contrast with the 100-odd-unit pre-recession plan, which would have filled most of the field between Bridges High School and the Third Street Center, the design calls for 20 apartments totalling 33,000 square feet on a 1.37 acre plot currently mostly occupied by a bus barn. Also unlike the old design, it would be entirely reserved for RFSD staff and there’s already $5 million earmarked for the purpose. That’s how much each community – Basalt, Carbondale and Glenwood Springs – was allocated to address the challenge of teacher housing following the passage of a major bond issue in 2015. The district is already in the process of purchasing 17 units in Willits and building six in Glenwood Springs. The bond also provided funds for a new transportation center in El Jebel, which will replace the Carbondale location and is slated to begin operation this month. The Carbondale Community Partnership Village is slated to go before the Planning and Zoning Commission for rezoning to Residential/High Density shortly after 7 p.m. on March 16 at Town Hall (511 Colorado Avenue). Town staff have recommended approval, which an application compiled by Bob Schultz Consulting (tinyurl.com/PZ170316packet) indicates was the goal of the design. “The prime directive for the planning exercise was to design within the guidance of the UDC in order to offer the town a project in compliance and therefore expedient to review and approve,” it reads. If the process goes smoothly, the district hopes to begin construction this summer with movein sometime in 2018. To that end, RFSD agreed to expand the rear boundary of the site somewhat to meet landscaping requirements while keeping building height to two stories. Even so, the recreational field behind the site will be preserved under its current zoning, according to RFSD Chief Operating Officer Jeff Gatlin. No further developments are planned beyond the 20 units outlined, he added, with 16 slated up front with room for four more at a later date. A mix of one, two and three bedroom apartments are planned based on ratios from a staff survey.

A rendering of the proposed RFSD housing project by REVEAL. The 1.37 acre former bus barn site is slated to host 20 units totaling 33,000 square feet across four buildings. Courtesy graphic The application emphasizes the walkability of the location and the pedestrian friendly features of the design, with the 38 required parking spaces located near the rear of the lot while front doors mostly face Third Street. “The proposal meets the three segments of the vision statement in “Small Town Character Vision and Goals” by 1) keeping the downtown as the heart of the community by provision of housing near the downtown and center of commerce; 2) maintaining a compact form which reduces dependence on automobiles by providing housing near employment; and 3) maintains the small town character providing housing options that allow residents to live in the communities where they work,” the application notes. “The design team hopes that over time a civic space might develop framed by 3rd St., Bridges HS, the Library, and the Community Partnership Housing.”

The plan includes extension of water and sewer mains, utility easements and street improvements. It also calls for a new gravel fire access line to the Bridges parking lot and thus with Weant Boulevard and Highway 133, but only for emergency access. The total cost of the project and rates for tenants are pending, but the district expects to make some money on rent after operating and capital expenses. “This surplus will be reinvested back into the program and could go towards more rental units or some type of ownership assistance,” Gatlin explained. Further, if the units are subdivided or condominiumized in order to be sold in the future, RFSD has agreed to comply with the Community Housing requirements. According to Building Official John Plano, the actual construction of the project will be overseen by the state, not the town.

Rio Grande Trail Access Control Plan rolls ahead By John Colson Sopris Sun Staff Writer A controversial plan for limiting and controlling uses along the Rio Grand Trail, a 34mile ribbon of asphalt used by bicyclists, hikers and other non-motorized travelers between Glenwood Springs and Woody Creek, is headed for a vote of the Roaring Fork Transportation Authority's board of directors in about a month. In the interim, area governments that are members of RFTA are expected to study the draft ACP and make any additional comments, beyond previous comments that were made over the past couple of years, on the proposed Access Control Plan (ACP). That plan has been mired in negotiations and objections by some, including the governments of Glenwood Springs and Carbondale, that the plan was too restrictive. Recently, as the new draft of the plan was being finalized, there have been indications that the revisions to the ACP have been sufficient to lessen or eliminate concerns expressed by the member governments. The ACP is part of the overall set of requirements put in place when RFTA's predecessor, the Roaring Fork Railroad Holding Authority (or RFRHA), purchased the cen-

tury-old Denver & Rio Grande Western railroad right of way in 1997. This purchase followed years of declining freight rail traffic in the valley, and was viewed as a way of preserving the right of way for public use rather than see it revert to ownership by landholders on either side of the old railroad. The right of way was then “railbanked” under the guidelines of the National Surface Transportation Board and other agencies, giving rise to requirements that RFTA update its comprehensive plan for use of the rail, and the ACP, every five years — updates that were accomplished in 2005 and started in 2010. Essentially, the regulations require that RFTA continuously protect the right of way from any activities (such as construction of structures or crossings) that might get in the way of the agency's mission to preserve the old rail bed for possible resumption of rail travel (either for freight or passenger-train use) in the future. The current update is running about seven years late, said RFTA CEO Dan Blankenship, because the transit agency's staff turned its attention several years ago to creating the current mass-transit program

known as Bus Rapid Transit (or by its nickname, VelociRFTA). When the agency resumed work on updating the ACP a couple of years ago, opposition erupted from Carbondale, Glenwood Springs and Garfield County, where officials were worried that the ACP's provisions concerning crossings placed too many restrictions, and resulting high costs of building crossings, for the jurisdictions to accept. The current draft of the ACP, which is posted on the RFTA website under the “Railroad Corridor” and “Trail Documentation” menus, is a reworking of the plan's language to address the objections to the first draft. And, according to Carbondale Mayor Dan Richardson, who sits on the RFTA Board of Directors, the current draft appears to have taken care of Carbondale's concerns. “I went into that (a recent meeting about the revisions to the ACP) skeptical,” Richardson said, “but I came out of it feeling pretty comfortable.” He predicted that Carbondale's Board of Trustees probably will be as comfortable as he with the language of the new draft version of the ACP. In particular, he said, the current draft establishes that existing or future crossings of

the right of way will be governed by easements, rather than the previous use of crossing “licenses” that Carbondale officials felt posed too many potential “complications.” For example, while both easements and licenses are revocable, meaning RFTA can withdraw its permission for a crossing under certain circumstances, Richardson said that the license method is “much more revocable” and thus was not acceptable. An easement, he said, offers greater assurance that a crossing, once allowed, will be retained even if rail service ultimately is resumed on the right of way. A letter sent from the town to RFTA in 2016, which Town Manager Jay Harrington said is still the town's official position, adds that the town is appreciative of RFTA's pledge to take a “common sence” approach to crossing applications, and will not be “dictatorial” in its review of such applications. Published remarks by Glenwood Springs Mayor Michael Gamba also have indicated satisfaction that the present draft takes care of that town's objections, as well. The ACP is scheduled for consideration at the RFTA board's April 13 meeting, for a first reading, followed by second reading and possible adoption in May.

THE SOPRIS SUN, Carbondale’s weekly community connector • MARCH 16-22, 2017 • 3

Town Briefs

Cop Shop

Concrete, celebration and canines

From March 3-9, Carbondale officers and other law enforcement personnel handled more than 227 calls for service. During that period, officers investigated the following cases of note:

• Carbondale’s streets crew had a busy week earlier this month, according to the March 10 memo from Town Manager Jay Harrington to the Board of Trustees, town employees and other recipients. The crew tore up bad sidewalk panels along 4th Street and Main Street, pouring new concrete and hauling away the old, broken concrete to the landfill. And the town’s concrete contractor finished off a new concrete pad for the basketball court at Gianinetti Park. • Harrington also reported that this week marks the celebration of the Garfield Healthy Communities coalition (formerly known as LiveWell Garfield County), which will take place March 16 at The Ute Theater, 132 E. 4th St. in Rifle, from 6-9 p.m. The celebration is open to all residents of Garfield County, and will offer information about the coalition’s work over the years to celebrate health and increase the health-living options of county residents. • The town is in the midst of finalizing its summer recreation brochure, which is sent out to recipients in the 81623 zip code and placed as an insert in The Sopris Sun in early April. The brochure, which covers summer programming from May through August, also will be posted as a “flipbook” on the town’s recreational website, www.carbondalerec.com, as well as being available at the Carbondale Recreation and Community Center next door to Town Hall on Colorado Avenue. • The parks department, Harrington reported, has been removing trash and dog waste from the town’s system of trails and parks, as well as repairing and replacing winddamaged facilities such as a toppled bleacher structure at the Bill Hanks Baseball Field and a shed that was blown over and destroyed at the North Face Bike Park.

FRIDAY, March 3: A local man reported that his grey Cannondale road bike had been stolen sometime in the previous week, after he left it unlocked at the bus stop at Main Street and Highway 133, and later returned to find it missing.

• Beyond those chores, the parks crew has been aerating, seeding and fertilizing the turf of the town’s playing fields, as well as working on the more “passive” parks (meaning no organized sports activities) in preparation for the summer’s outdoor activities. All of the athletic fields in question remain closed to organized play, as the soil is saturated and there is a potential for damage to the grasses. Parks personnel also installed four new “dog pots” waste receptacles at points along the Highway 133 corridor, Harrington wrote. • The Darien Tennis and Pickleball courts, which were closed during recent snowfall events, were reported to be open as of the end of last week, and town workers were tentatively scheduled (weather permitting) to paint lines for 6 Pickleball playing surfaces, and the courts will be closed for those projects. • In other action, the town’s planning staff has been working to prepare a Roaring Fork School District application for rezoning and a “site-plan review” to begin March 16 before the Planning and Zoning Commission. The project is to involve construction of 20 teacher/employee housing units on land between the Bridges High School building (the old Carbondale Union School) and the Third Street Center.Town officials indicated the school district’s application will go before the Board of Trustees in late April. • An update to the town’s “salary survey,” initially written up and adopted in 2014, has been completed by a team of consultants and will be presented to the trustees on March 28. Town Public Works crew members are gearing up to begin maintenance and cleaning work on the town ditches this week.

REAL LIFE SKILLS FOR THE REAL WORLD

SEEKING COMMUNITY EXPERTS

on everything from building birdhouses to building rockets

Learn more about the Roaring Fork Schools Capstones Program for Graduating Seniors

Share your expertise, give back to the community, build a relationship with a student! Learn more: 970-384-6009 www.roaringforkschools.com/ capstones

4 • THE SOPRIS SUN • www.SoprisSun.com • MARCH 16-22, 2017

FRIDAY, March 3: At 1:01 a.m. Garfield County Deputy Sheriffs were called to the 7-Eleven store in Carbondale, where they arrested a 45-year-old male wanted on an outstanding arrest warrant. FRIDAY, March 3: At 10:27 p.m. a juvenile’s vehicle was stopped for speeding. After investigating, police allegedly found he was in possession of cannabis and cannabis paraphernalia. He was issued a ticket for underage possession and released. FRIDAY, March 3: At 11:49 p.m. an officer contacted a 27-year-old female for “suspicious behavior and abruptly striking a curb while parking.” An investigation lead police to arrest the driver on suspicion of driving while drunk. SATURDAY, March 4: At 2:48 a.m. police stopped a vehicle that allegedly was weaving and did not use turn signals. After investigating, they arrested the 25year-old male driver on charges of driving under the influence of alcohol and cannabis. TUESDAY, March 7: At 3:18 p.m., police received a report of a sexual assault that occurred roughly eight or nine years ago, against a juvenile. SATURDAY, March 11: At 5:45 p.m. Garfield County deputies were called to a location on Highway 133 near Carbondale, regarding a report of an unattended death. Further information was not available from the Garfield County Coroner’s office at press time.

It’s our river. Let’s make it right. PROJECT APPLICATIONS The Pitkin County Healthy Rivers board is currently accepting applications for projects and programs that benefit the Roaring Fork drainage and preserve water rights on the Western Slope. Please visit Pitkin County.com/ healthyrivers for grant criteria and more information.

Deadline is March 31, 2017. Send application to healthyrivers@pitkincounty.com.

Trustees discuss safe paths through the dark By John Colson Sopris Sun Staff Writer

people just opt out of using it at night,â€? Fuller said of the commisCarbondale’s elected leaders on sion’s work to gather public input Tuesday agreed that a map of safe on the issues. routes through town — produced Instead, he continued, the comrecently by the advisory Bike, Pedesmission was told “there are other trian and Trails Commission — prioritiesâ€? to be pursued, such as should be posted to the town’s web identifying streets that already are sites as a way of letting people know lighted well and are considered safe, what streets are considered the or streets that can easily be made safest for nighttime travel. safer by the addition of lighting and The Board of Trustees also by increased use by the public. agreed to a number of “next stepsâ€? “If we can educate people to use in making the streets as safe as posthese routes, there is safety in numsible at night, including adding bers,â€? Fuller declared. lights to the east-side pedestrian trail Mayor Dan Richardson, who along Highway 133 at the north serves as the town’s liaison to the side of town; and installing a sideRoaring Fork Transportation Auwalk along Village Road at Gianthority, which owns and manages inetti Park, where people currently the Rio Grande Trail, said RFTA must walk either in the road or has indicated it is willing to help the through the dark park. town improve the safety aspects of The trustees further concurred the trail at some point. with the commission’s ďŹ nding that But the trustees generally apanother step should be taken soon proved of the commission’s ďŹ nding — to address “deďŹ cienciesâ€? on that there are other, safer routes to North Eighth Street, where the sidebe taken by the public at night. walks are narrow and in some spots Among those “nighttime priornonexistent — but acknowledged ity corridorsâ€? are Eighth Street and that the money is not available right Village Road (despite their deďŹ ciennow to accomplish this and other cies), Main Street, South Second projects supported by the commisand South Third streets, according sion’s ďŹ ndings. to the map, which also identiďŹ es The commission was directed “priority corridorsâ€? for travel in last fall to study the linked issues of general. Those include the Rio lighting and safety on Carbondale’s Grande Trail, Weant Boulevard, streets, after assaults on two women and Sopris Avenue. last summer brought out dozens of Furthermore, the map shows citizens to complain about how un“important future connectionsâ€? safe they felt when walking or bicythat include the Cowen Drive from cling alone around town at night. its intersection with Highway 133 But, as noted by Darryl Fuller, to Village Road; and Snowmass chair of the BP&T commission, Drive from Main Street to Sopris “The town has been working on Avenue, which has no sidewalks on this for some timeâ€? even prior to the either side of the roadway. assaults last summer. The trustees generally approved He pointed out that work on the of the document and the recom2013 Comprehensive Plan included mendations from the commission, hearings on multi-modal trans- Proposed priority corridors to promote enhanced pedestrian and cycling circulation, as compiled by while conceding that there still is portation and related issues, and the Bicycle, Pedestrian and Trails Comission on Dec. 5, 2016. work to be done to satisfy the pubthat the 2015 Parks and Recreation lic demand for safe streets. Master Plan contained recommen“I think this is a real good start dations similar to the ones offered this streets effort, was that the Rio Grande cals avoid that trail at night because it is for us,â€? said Trustee Marty Silverstein. “It Trail that cuts through the north side of too dark, too closed in by fencing, and gen- is not the end.â€? week by the commission. One key ďŹ nding, which ďŹ rst came up town should not initially be targeted for in- erally feels unsafe. TRUSTEES page 14 “We heard almost universally that last year during meetings about the safe- creased lighting, simply because many lo-

Priority corridors Nighttime priority route Important future connections

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-VY 0UMVYTH[PVU 9LZLY]H[PVUZ JHSS VY 0UMVYTH[PVU 9LZLY]H[PVUZ JHSS ‹ `HTWHOZWH JVT ‹ `HTWHOZWH JVT : WH 6WLU :HSVU :HSVU ‹ 1\Z[ 6UL )SVJR ,HZ[ VM [OL /V[ :WYPUNZ 7VVS ‹ 1\Z[ 6UL )SVJR ,HZ[ VM [OL /V[ :WYPUNZ 7VVS :WH 6WLU THE SOPRIS SUN, Carbondale’s weekly community connector • MARCH 16-22, 2017 • 5

Scuttlebutt Poster contest The deadline is fast approaching for the newly commission based 2017 Mountain Fair Post Design Contest. Artists should submit a rough sketch of their idea along with two work samples by March 20 to 76 S. Fourth St. or amy@carbondalearts.com. Handmade and digital entries are welcome; This year’s theme is WATER. For more information, call 963-1680.

All conference Roaring Fork High School put four players on the 3A Western Slope All Conference team; three made honorable mention. The boy’s all-conference players are seniors Aldo Pinela and Jassiel Petatan, and junior Justin Thompson. Joe Salinas was an honorable mention. On the girl’s side, Cindy Salinas made all conference, with Lily Ramos and Ashley Hall as honorable mention. For the season, the boys went 18-6 and placed third in the 10team conference; the girl’s went 9-11.

Prescribed burns Don’t panic. If you see plumes of smoke around the Western Slope in upcoming months, there’s a good chance they were set on purpose by the Upper Colorado River Interagency Fire and Aviation Management Unit in

Send your scuttlebutt to news@soprissun.com. an effort to improve wildlife habitat and mitigate wildďŹ re risk. Weather permitting, potential locations include Avalanche Creek, Cattle Creek, West Divide Creek and Sheep Gulch.

Two horse town “Bustang,� the regional bus service by the Colorado Department of Transportation, is adding an extra round trip to its Glenwood/Denver service during the spring break period. From March 15 until April 16, a second run will depart the 27th Street Park and Ride at 7:30 a.m. and return from Union Station at 6:10 p.m. in addition to the standard schedule. Visit www.ridebustang.com for more information.

In the spotlight A local issue got some national attention earlier this month when the Sutey/Two Shoes land swap was featured in an LA Times Op-Ed on the public land trades. “Colorado is arguably ground zero for this sort of overreach,� Abby Aguirre contends. Read more at tinyurl.com/wexner-oped.

WRNF releases assessment White River National Forest has released a Final Environmental Assessment and Finding of No SigniďŹ cant Impact and draft Decision Notice for the Buford New Castle Project,

which will authorize vegetation management treatments on 615 acres in GarďŹ eld and Rio Blanco Counties. Additional activities include the development of 10-stock ponds and road improvements. The release of this draft decision initiates the 45-day objections period for those who submitted comments during scoping. For more information, visit fs.usda.gov/project/?project=47451.

Drive safely The Colorado Department of Transportation and 88 law enforcement agencies are teaming up for a crackdown on driving under the inuence of alcohol and drugs in the week around St. Patrick’s Day. Last year, The Heat Is On initiative resulted in 455 arrests, each of which can cost $13,500 after considering ďŹ nes, legal fees and increased insurance costs – to say nothing of the safety risks. On a related note, a recent CDOT survey (codot.gov/library/surveys/2016-driving-behaviors-survey) revealed some alarming trends in speeding, distraction and impaired driving.

They say it’s your birthday Folks celebrating their birthdays this week include: John Foulkrod (March 17), Terry Chacos (March 18) and Matthew Eames (March 19).

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Restaurant Pan & Fork River Valley Ranch, Carbondale

Space is limited. Call 970.261.6239 to RSVP 2643 Patterson Rd #506, Grand Junction, CO 81506 (970) 242-8177 | regenesisplasticsurgery.com 6 • THE SOPRIS SUN • www.SoprisSun.com • MARCH 16-22, 2017

Meet Scott Darling, the Third Street Center’s new chairman of the Board of Directors. Darling and his wife, Diane, have lived in Carbondale full-time since 2014 after his retirement as a management consultant and CIO in the information technology ďŹ eld in southern California. They built a house in River Valley Ranch in 2004; Diane is currently director of the Roaring Fork Brain Train program. “Diane and I fell in love with Carbondale in the early 2000’s when we came here to visit her sister up in Redstone,â€? Darling told The Sopris Sun. Scott has served on the TSC board for about two years and saw the facility’s importance through Diane’s work with Brain Train. “I see this (the TSC) as a critical need that we must continue to provide in the future,â€? he continued. Part of that future is the ongoing “Let There Be Lightâ€? campaign to install large windows in the former gym (shown here) as well as other upgrades. Scott replaces outgoing chair Laura Kirk, who served on the board for almost nine years. Photo by Lynn Burton

3rd Street Streetscape Improvement Project Construction begins in mid-March, including: t /FX TJEFXBMLT t .JOPS MBOETDBQJOH t *OTUBMMBUJPO PG B DPODSFUF SJCCPO DVSC UP TFQBSBUF SPBE QBSLJOH BOE MBOETDBQJOH t %JUDI DPOTUSVDUJPO JODMVEJOH EJUDI MBUFSBMT GSPN UIF FBTU UP XFTU TJEFT PG SE 4U JO UISFF MPDBUJPOT t *SSJHBUJPO TZTUFN JOTUBMMFE JO UIF SJHIU PG XBZ t 6QHSBEFE TUSFFU MJHIUJOH During street closures, residents affected will need to park on surrounding streets. )PVST PG DPOTUSVDUJPO 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 pm., Monday thru Saturday. -PPL GPS VQEBUFT PO UIF 5PXO XFCTJUF BOE UIF i5PXO PG $BSCPOEBMF $0 1VCMJD 8PSLTw 'BDFCPPL QBHF 2VFTUJPOT BOE BEEJUJPOBM JOGPSNBUJPO QMFBTF DPOUBDU Kevin Schorzman, Director of Public Works 970-510-1217

Please expect street closures during the two-month project.

Cobalt & Curry takes over from tylerWARE By Lynn Burton Sopris Sun Staff Writer Call it small-town serendipity, Carbondale style. Rebecca Wilson moved from Lexington, Virginia to Carbondale last October to be closer to her children and grandchildren. After settling into Carbondale she decided it was “time to find some work.” Wilson mentioned this to her chiropractor, Dr. Lauren Whitaker at LUX Wellness. “She got excited,” Wilson told The Sopris Sun. “You should go talk to this lady right across the road who is selling her business – studio and all.” The owner was Lea Tyler, of tylerWARE. Tyler has built a reputation for her brightlycolored wooden salad bowls, which are sold at retail outlets and artisan fairs. Wilson, who grew up on the Front Range, returned to school 10 years ago and earned a degree in studio art with an emphasis on portrait sculpture. “I had never heard of tylerWARE or seen the bowls … (but) love all creative outlets.” Wilson’s serendipitous business opportunity moved quickly after her mid-December talk with Dr. Whitaker. She talked to Tyler shortly before Christmas, thought about their discussions over the holidays, and told her she would buy the business in mid-January. “Within two months of our first conversation, and with the help of some great Real-

Nourish

tors and bankers, we closed on the sale. These are some of the reasons I love small towns.” Tyler, whose studio and gallery is located at 117 Village Ln., has been working with Wilson since the deal closed. Although the maple bowls and designs are the same as Tyler’s, the name is now Cobalt & Curry (cobaltandcurry.com). “I wish everyone could buy their business from someone like Lea. She is so organized and helpful, and has gone the extra mile a hundred different ways to help get me going. I can’t thank her enough. My job now is to continue to produce the high quality, artistic work that she has been producing,” Wilson continued.

Getting here Long before moving to Carbondale, Wilson said she studied architecture but did not finish before she got married and had two children. “That (architecture) went on the back burner.” She then spent 30 years in the restaurant business but looking back said, “ … the wrong place for an introvert.” From restaurants she renovated houses and worked as a kitchen and bath designer before returning to school. In 2004, Wilson decided to move from Virginia “wanting to be closer to my children and grandchildren but not on their back doorstep.” With children and grandchildren in Denver and Edwards, Colorado and Cul-

body & soul

Rebecca Wilson (left) and Lea Tyler (right) at Cobalt & Curry in Crystal Village. Wilson recently bought Tyler’s salad bowl-business in January after moving to Carbondale last October. Photo by Lynn Burton ver City, California, she decided to split the difference between Los Angeles and Denver by choosing the Western Slope. “It offers so much in terms of a relatively lower altitude, a great farming and ranching community full of hard working people, and the ability to grow things. I just got certified in permaculture last summer.” Continuing, Wilson said, “I have grown to love Carbondale and am so glad this is where I landed. I walk to most anything I need and feel right at home … people have

been so helpful.” As for Tyler, she isn’t going anywhere. “ … I am picking up bookkeeping clients and working in my ceramics studio!” And, she’s keeping her tylerWARE brand for the future.

Next steps

What: Open house/studio sale; When: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on March 18; Where: 117 Village Ln.

“I’m Mac, a six-year-old Chihuahua, a sensitive soul with the heart of a poet, both silly and serious. Take me traveling, show me the world, or show me your own private corner of it.” We have 23 dogs and 16 cats waiting for a forever home.

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THE SOPRIS SUN, Carbondale’s weekly community connector • MARCH 16-22, 2017 • 7

How many hands does it take…

Lisa Manzano

Cyndi Heckman and Bill Laemmel

Emily Marshall

Left to right: Dana Ellis, Carolyn Yates, Meagan Lundy Shapiro and Deb Colley

R

Nick Forbes

anging from bizarre to elegant to playful to dramatic, both “SHES” and “HES” pranced down Left to right: Stacy Campos, Bara Hlavnlekova, the runway in style on March 11 Emilie Kershaw, Annie Van Druten and Julia Morton and 12 to sell-out audiences who cheered repeatedly throughout the two shows and the dress rehearsal. In addition to the team of Amy Kimberly, Deborah Colley and Laura Stover, the designers, models, dancers and artists using all kinds of materials and media, there were many other hands that helped to shape the creation of “SHE”, this year’s theme. There are many folks behind the scenes that put in hours of time and energy that most audiences never consider. Hair, makeup, choreography, music, staging, logistics, video, audio, lighting, organizing rehearsals, the clothing as it arrives, stage manager, stage art and so much more. On these pages are a few of the sweet fruits of their labor.

8 • THE SOPRIS SUN • www.SoprisSun.com • MARCH 16-22, 2017

… to create an extravaganza like GITNB

Ellen Casey

Paul McQueeney and Beth Broome

Cocktail waitresses

Dana Ellis (left) and Meagan Lundy Shapiro (right)

Left to right: Katie Alderson, Tracie Wright, Laura Stover and Rochelle Norwood

Photos and text by Jane Bachrach

Karen Bradshaw

THE SOPRIS SUN, Carbondale’s weekly community connector • MARCH 16-22, 2017 • 9

Community Calendar THURSDAY March 16 BIG EVENT • The Carbondale Community School (1505 Satank Rd.) holds its 19th annual Big Event at 6:30 p.m. with an ocean (Sea Sea S) theme. Tickets are available at 963-9647 and are $20 for adults and $10 for children 12 and under. HEALTH CELEBRATION • Garfield Healthy Communities Coalition holds its “Live Healthy Live Local” free celebration from 6-9 p.m. at the New Ute Theater and Events Center (132 E. Fourth Street, Rifle). The public is invited to enjoy free food, door prize drawings and live music by Let Them Roar, as well as learn about opportunities to make Garfield County a healthier place to live. Spanish interpretation available. More information at www.garfield-county.com. EVENING RUN • Take advantage of the time change and dry trails with an evening run up Mushroom Rock sponsored by Independence Run & Hike. Meet at the store (586 Highway 133) at 6:30 p.m. and join the crew for a 4.5 mile jaunt with 1000 feet of elevation gain before regrouping at the bottom for free beer and snacks. CHEESE AND SPIRITS • Edible Aspen editor Laurel Miller and Marble Distillery cofounder Connie Baker team up for an evening pairing local artisan cheeses and

To list your event, email information to news@soprissun.com. Deadline is noon on Monday. Events take place in Carbondale unless noted.

spirits from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at the Distillery (150 Main St.). The class is $20 and limited to 16 participants; sign up at scoop@marbledistilling.com or 963-7008. SCHOOL SHOW • VOICES presents an unique performance experience of “Panic! Panico!” created by Basalt High School students under the direction of Myrlin Hepworth and Renee Prince. This original, bilingual show uses dance, poetry, music, and puppetry to explore how fear affects our lives. Thursday, March 16 from 7:30-8:30 p.m. at Basalt High School Auditorium. (600 Southside Dr.) $10 suggested donation, children and students FREE. More info at www.amplifyingvoices.org

FRIDAY March 17 MOVIES • The Crystal Theatre presents “20th Century Women” (R) at 7:30 p.m. Mar. 17-23 except Mar. 19 showtime is

6:30 p.m.; “Fences” (PG-13) at 4:45 p.m. Mar. 18 and “Lion” (PG-13) at 4 p.m. on Mar. 19. ROCK ‘N ROLL • Rivers Restaurant (2525 S Grand Ave., Glenwood)hosts Guilty Pleasure for some good time rock & roll from 9 p.m. to midnight with no cover charge. YACHT ROCK • All hands on deck for the Davenports at Carbondale Beer Works (647 Main St.) at 9 p.m. for St. Patrick’s Day.

SATURDAY March 18 ANDY TAYLOR OPENING • Carbondale painter Andy Taylor brings his colorful, gestural local landscapes to the at the Ann Korologos Gallery (211 Midland Ave., Basalt) beginning with a 5 to 7 p.m. artist’s reception. FIREWORKS AND FILM • The Wheeler Opera House (320 E. Hyman Ave., Aspen) celebrates the closing of the Audi FIS World Cup with fireworks at 8:45 p.m. and a screening of the classic ski film “Pretty Faces.” Tickets are free and available at 920-5770 or aspenshowtix.com). VOICES OF SPRING • The Aspen Choral Society features the original works by locally and internationally acclaimed singer-songwriters Mack Bailey & Ellen Stapenhorst at 7 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church (824 Cooper Ave., Glenwood). Tickets are $15 online or $20 at the door.

WEDNESDAY March 22 BLOOD DRIVE • The Carbondale Recreation Center (567 Colorado Ave.) hosts a blood drive from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Bring a photo ID and contact jroche@carbondaleco.net to donate. TRIVIA NIGHT • Gather a team of up to six and head to Marble Distillery (150 Main St.) at 7 p.m. to compete for the chance at $50 off the team tab, plus show off the custom made marble Trivia Trophy for a month.

Further Out

SATURDAY March 25 INTERACTIVE MOVIE • Enjoy “The Princess Bride” like never before beginning at 3 p.m. at the Carbondale Branch Library (320 Sopris Ave.)! Say your favorite lines along with the characters, blow bubbles, fence with your imaginary sword, and more! Props, instructions, and snacks provided; costumes encouraged for this free event.

SATURDAY APRIL 8 BIKE BLESSING • Make sure your bike is ready to take you wherever you need to go at the annual blessing of bicycles, 2 p.m. at the Third Street Center (520 S 3rd St.) Sponsored by the interfaith community of the valley, monies raised will go to Way of Compassion Bike Project, which makes sure anyone who needs a bike or needs a bike fixed up is helped.

CALENDAR page 11

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10 • THE SOPRIS SUN • www.SoprisSun.com • MARCH 16-22, 2017

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Community Calendar

continued from page 10

Ongoing

BLUEGRASS JAM • Bring the instrument of your choice or just your voice for a weekly jam session first and last Sundays at 6:30 at Steve’s Guitars (19 N 4th St.) and all other Sundays at the Glenwood Springs Brew Garden (115 6th St.). COMMUNITY MEAL • Faith Lutheran Church (1340 Highway 133) hosts a free community meal from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on the first and third Saturdays of the month. Info: 510-5046 or faithcarbondale.com. C’DALE TRUSTEES • The Carbondale Board of Trustees holds regular meetings the second and fourth Tuesdays of the month at Town Hall (511 Colorado Ave.) starting at 6 p.m. The trustees usually hold work session at 6 p.m. on the first and third Tuesdays. Info: 963-2733 or carbondalegov.org. MEET THE MAYOR • Carbondale Mayor Dan Richardson holds his weekly “Office Hours” session at the Village Smithy from 7 to 8 a.m. on Tuesdays. Drop by and say hi. YOUR STORY, YOUR LIFE • Have you wanted to explore your legacy of living and the wisdom of your experience? Join a free facilitated workshop for writing your personal history, one story at a time, facilitated by Shelly Merriam, historian/writer/genealogist. First and third Fridays, 10 a.m. to noon, Glenwood Springs Branch Library (815 Cooper Ave.) Info: 970 945-5958, gcpld.org. SUPER CHATS • RFSD Superintendent Rob Stein hosts coffee chats from 7 to 8 a.m. at Bonfire Coffee (in the Dinkel Building) on the second Tuesday of the month, at Saxy’s in

Basalt on the first Tuesday, and River Blend in Glenwood Springs on the fourth Tuesday.

Dr. Feinsinger is a retired family physician. For an appointment, call 379-5718.

IMMUNIZATION CLINICS • Garfield County offers immunization clinics at the Carbondale Family Resource Center (in the Bridges Center at 400 Sopris Ave.) the second and fourth Thursdays of the month (Oct. 27 this month). To schedule an appointment, call 945-6614, ext. 2030.

MINDFULNESS • The Mindful Life Program in the Third Street Center offers group sessions Mondays at 7:30 p.m. Admission is by donation and registration is not necessary. Info: mindfullifeprogram.org and 970-633-0163.

SENIOR RADIO • Diane Johnson talks about senior issues and services on KDNK at 4:30 p.m. on the second Wednesday of the month. BRIDGE • The Carbondale Bridge Club hosts duplicate bridge (not sanctioned by ACBL) from 6:30 to 10 p.m. the second and fourth Wednesdays of each month at the Third Street Center. $6/per pair LUNCH • Crystal Meadows senior housing hosts a lunch followed by Bingo every Wednesday. LIVE MUSIC • Steve’s Guitars (in the old part of the Dinkel Building at 19 N. Fourth St.) presents music every Friday night. Info: 963-3340. OPEN MIC • Dan Rosenthal hosts an open mic night at Rivers restaurant in Glenwood Springs every Wednesday from 8 to 10 p.m. PLANT-BASED NUTRITION • Every Monday morning at the Third Street Center (520 S. Third St.), Greg Feinsinger, M.D., gives free consultations about heart attack prevention, stroke/diabetes prevention, plantbased nutrition or other medical concerns.

RUN AROUND • Independence Run & Hike hosts a run around town Saturdays at 8 a.m. Meet at the store 596 Highway 133 (in La Fontana Plaza) and run various distances, with different routes each week. Info: 704-0909. MUTUAL MAKERS • The Carbondale Clay Center at 135 Main St. presents an exhibition celebrating the 50th anniversary of Colorado Mountain College in Aspen’s ceramics program. Info: www.carbondaleclay.org or 970963-2529. LIONS MEET • The Carbondale Lions Club meets the first Tuesday of the month at the Gathering Center at the Orchard (110 Snowmass Dr.) starting at 6:30 p.m. Info: Chuck Logan at 963-7002 or Chris Chacos at 379-9096. ROTARY • The Carbondale Rotary Club meets at the Carbondale Fire Station (300 Meadowood Dr.) at 6:45 a.m. Wednesdays. The Mt. Sopris Rotary meets at Mi Casita (580 Main St.) at noon every Thursday. YOGA • Himalayan Yogini Devika Gurung teaches yoga at the Launchpad (76 S. Fourth St.) every Wednesday from 9 to 10:30 a.m.

GRIEF AND LOSS • Pathfinders offers a grief and loss support group every other Monday at 6 p.m., and a caregiver support group every other Wednesday noon. An RSVP is required to Robyn Hubbard at 319-6854. Pathfinders offers support groups from Aspen to Rifle and is located in Carbondale at 1101 Village Rd. Info: pathfindersforcancer.org. SENIOR MATTERS • The nonprofit Senior Matters, based in the Third Street Center (520 S. Third St.), offers numerous programs for senior citizens, including: tai chi with John Norman at 8:30 a.m. on Monday and Wednesday; tai chi with Marty Finklestein at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday and Thursday; Alaprima Painters at 11 a.m. on Thursdays; the Senior Matters Book Club at 4 p.m. on the fourth Wednesday of the month; and the Roaring Fork Brain Train. Info: seniormatters.org; Diane Johnson at 970-306-2587; and Senior Matters, Box 991, Carbondale CO, 81623. SILENT MEDITATION • Free silent meditation sessions are held at the Launchpad (76 S. Fourth St.) from 6:45 to 7:30 a.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. The public is invited. LINX • The Linx Business Network meets Tuesdays at 7:15 a.m. at the Sotheby’s International real estate office (201 Midland Ave.) in Basalt. Linx is a networking organization whose members work together to grow and promote their businesses, according to a press release. All dues not used for administration are given to local non-profits each December. Info: Keith at 970-390-8401 or kedquist@usa.net.

Please join us in making every day an opportunity for every Roaring Fork Schools student to be ready to learn. For twenty-one years the Family Resource Center has successfully removed barriers that make learning difficult for local Every Student - Every Day students. Today, bilingual Family Liaisons - Ready to Learn are working at each public school to advocate, assist, and align with families, school Your donation to the Family Resource Center will help students obtain basic needs, medical staff and community partners to provide the tools necessary for every student succeed. and vision care; access mental health services; and participate in enrichment activities. Parents can participate in family strengthening programs. Once obstacles and issues are taken care of every student can focus on learning!

Donate online at frc.rfsd.k12.co.us or simply mail a donation to: Family Resource Center of the Roaring Fork Schools, P.O. Box 1833, Carbondale, Colorado 81623.

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THE SOPRIS SUN, Carbondale’s weekly community connector • MARCH 16-22, 2017 • 11

‘Panic! PĂĄnico!’ at Basalt High School By Will Grandbois Sopris Sun Staff Writer It’s not exactly a play, or a dance recital or even a variety show. “It’s one of a kind,â€? Renee Prince, artistic director for budding nonprofit VOICES, said of Basalt High School’s “Panic!â€? performance. Technically, it probably falls under the umbrella of “devised theatreâ€? – a mix of formats with some “connective tissueâ€? on common themes. In this case, it’s about fear and it’s impact on us, told without a script, just once at 7:30 p.m. March 16 at Basalt High School. Tickets are available at the door for a suggested donation of $10, with children and students welcome at no charge. Attendees will be treated to everything from monologues to puppetry “It’s a diverse set of interests and talents,â€? Prince explained. “I think truly there are so many moments of surprise and astonishment and unexpected things on stage. We all got into a room together and made it up. It’s an empowering process for the kids. They can be masters

of their destiny.â€? You won’t see everyone involved in the brainstorm on stage, but you will hear a blend of Spanish (call it PĂĄnico!) and English. You might also notice some hip-hop elements from Myrlin Hepworth, who helped organize the project in addition to his recent contributions to the school poetry scene through Aspen Words, as well as the inuences of the visual arts advisory team of Shere Coleman and Ryan Prince. For Renee Prince, the show is an opportunity to reconnect with her stage back– Renee Prince ground. “I just started missing theatre more and more,â€? she noted. “That’s where all my training and experience is.â€? It’s also a perfect ďŹ t for a new nonproďŹ t trying to ďŹ nd its place. Founded by local poet Barbara Reese, VOICES endeavors to “ ‌ amplify voices in the community through the artsâ€? – with an emphasis on the plural. “It felt like we were meeting a need at the school,â€? Prince said. “We’re intentionally sort of starting small and then see what has legs that we can expand.â€?

“It’s an empowering process for the kids. They can be masters of their destiny.�

Renee Prince, artistic director for VOICES, meets with her cast before a recent rehearsal for “Panic!� The production will be presented at Basalt High School at 7:30 p.m. on March 16. Photo by Lynn Burton

Spoken-word artist Myrlin Hepworth works with students to explore fear in preparation for the devised theatre production. Courtesy photo

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Lady Rams shut out Bears; baseballers lose By Lynn Burton Sopris Sun Staff Writer The Lady Rams soccer squad shut out Rifle 5-0 in their season opener on March 14, while the boy’s baseball team went down 14-4 in Hotchkiss. On the soccer front, junior Camilla Wikcum lead the Rams with three goals; freshman Emily Broadhurst and sophomore Lux Andrade also scored. Goalie Odalis Corcuora notched a save about mid-way through the first half, deflecting a corner kick by Rifle’s Jessica Bracamontes. Roaring Fork got on top of the Bears early in the game and stayed there through most of the first half, boxing in

RFHS Girls soccer schedule

Mar. 16 – RFHS at Delta, 4 p.m., 6 p.m. Mar. 18 – RFHS at Vail Mountain, 11 a.m., 1 p.m. Mar. 28 – Coal Ridge at RFHS, 4 p.m., 6 p.m. Mar. 30 – Basalt at RFHS, 4 p.m., 6 p.m. Apr. 1 – RFHS at CRMS, 11 a.m., 1 p.m. Apr. 4 – Delta at RFHS, 4 p.m., 6 p.m. Apr. 8 – Grand Valley at RFHS, 11 a.m., 1 p.m. Apr. 12 – Rifle at RFHS, 4 p.m., 6 p.m. Apr. 13 – RFHS at Vail Christian, 4 p.m., 6 p.m. Apr. 20 – RFHS at Moffat, 4 p.m., 6 p.m. Apr. 22 – RFHS at Vail Christain, 11 a.m., 1 p.m. Apr. 25 – RFHS at Aspen, 4 p.m., 6 p.m. Apr. 29 – RFHS at Basalt, 11 a.m., 1 p.m. May 2 – Rangley at RFHS, 4 p.m., 6 p.m. May 4 – Middle Park at RFHS, 4 p.m., 6 p.m.

Other spring sports team schedules will print in future issues.

Meanwhile, the boys baseball record dropped to 0-3 after their loss to the Bulldogs. Roaring Fork collected eight hits, with Ralph Good going 3-4, Drew Broadhurst 2-4, Ronnie Petatan 2-3 and Layne Crips 1-2. The Rams next game is at home against Meeker at 4 p.m. on March 28. The track team got the season going at the Pallisade Bulldog Relays on March 11. They return to track and field action for the Rifle Invitational at noon on March 17. Roaring Fork is also fielding a girl’s junior varsity lacrosse team composed of Carbondale players and those from other local schools. Their first outing is an away game at Grand Junction starting at 11 a.m. on April 1.

Rifle at their end of the field and taking a 2-0 lead to the locker room. The closest the Bears could get to the scoreboard happened about three minutes into the second half when an Adamarya Nagaya kick hit the cross bar and bounced back into the field of play. Wikcum closed out Roaring Fork’s scoring with a goal at the 9:42 minute mark in the second half. Roaring Fork continues its soccer season with a road game at Delta at 4 p.m. on March 16, and a road game at Vail Mountain at 11 a.m. on March 18. Their first game after spring break is at home against Coal Ridge at 4 p.m.

Students at the Carbondale Community School have been talking a lot about the ocean lately in preparation for their “Big Event” on March 15 and 16. Bringing some seaside perspective inland, Alison Teal (right) spoke to the kids about trash in the oceans after a recent rehearsal. Teal, who spent some time in the Valley, is well known for her appearance in “Naked and Afraid” as well as her environmental film series “Alison’s Adventures.” Photo by Will Grandbois

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Coal mining, gardening and stolen boas From the archives of the Roaring Fork Valley Journal

Trustees om page 5

March 17, 1977

March 19, 1987

March 20, 1997

More than 70 people turned out at the Redstone Inn for a public meeting about Mid-Continent coal mining operations west of town. Unlike more rancorous such meetings in the past, this time both sides expressed their opinions and observations in a fairly civilized manner. One main issue: whether off-and-on pollution of the Crystal River via Coal Creek was due to coal mining, or the “erodibility� of Coal Basin. Some area residents were also concerned about possible air pollution from the company’s $1 million coal-drying facility. Mid-Continent people said the company had received the necessary state and federal permits. In an advertisement, the Sunlight Coal Mine, located four miles south of Glenwood Springs, was selling coal to the public from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Monday through Friday. The Stagecoach Inn at the Ranch at Roaring Fork was advertising its “1, 2, 3 Breakfast� for $1.39, which consisted of one egg, two slices of bacon and three hot cakes. Coffee was 25 cents extra.

“Todo L. Mundo,â€? in a letter to the editor headlined “Unregulated gardens,â€? noted that gardening is “lawlessâ€? and one of the few pursuits that is “absolutely unregulated under our numerous levels of government.â€? Gardeners are allowed to work their little plot of land “drunk or soberâ€? and “you are not obligated to wear a seatbelt, a helmet or a condom.â€? In another letter to the editor, a local man blasted Aspen Highlands and the Valley Journal for a St. Patrick’s Day advertisement headlined “Irish Idiocy.â€? The ad implied there was something “idioticâ€? about “a jig, a joke‌ .â€? The writer concluded with a question for the VJ editor “ ‌ would your newspaper print advertisements implying Jewish Idiocy or Black Idiocy?â€? Meanwhile, the Mount Sopris Nordic Council reported its inaugural season at Spring Gulch was a “fantasticâ€? success despite a less than stellar snow year. “Not only did we put it (the ski area) together in fairly short order, we had a season of extremely heavy use,â€? said Chris Landry. Clark Cretti added that ski conditions “were not all that good.â€?

In a story that lead with “two-legged snake made off with a no-legged snake,� the Valley Journal reported that someone stole a boa constructor from the front window at R.J. Paddywacks pet store in El Jebel. A witness told police he saw a man “dodging between cars� in the parking lot with the 34 foot snake on his arm. Tina the snake was described as having a waistline about the size of a baseball bat. The store owner was offering a $300 reward for Tina’s return.

March 15, 2007 Under the headline “RFHS enrollment a community concern,â€? a Valley Journal article noted that enrollment in Carbondale’s high school as 350 seven years ago and had dropped to 300 in 2007. Possible reasons for the drop in enrollment varied, including “white ightâ€? as Hispanic enrollment increased from 26 percent in 2002 to 54 percent in 2007. Some parents said the school wasn’t challenging enough for collegebound students. A teacher said the school was going through “growing painsâ€? associated with the new standards-based education. A drop in enrollment also meant a drop in state funding for the school, which in turn meant a drop in programs and classes offered to students.

Also at the Tuesday meeting, the trustees: • Approved a list of priority energy-efďŹ ciency projects, submitted by the Community OfďŹ ce of Resource EfďŹ ciency (CORE) and the Clean Energy Economy for the Region (CLEER) organizations, which have worked for nearly a decade with the town to decrease Carbondale’s “carbon footprintâ€? and help local homeowners and business operators improve the energy efďŹ ciency of their buildings; • Approved special event liquor license for events planned by the Roaring Fork Outdoor Volunteers (April 6, Third Street Center) and the Blue Lake Preschool (April 7, The Orchard); • Approved a powerline undergrounding project by Holy Cross Energy, with ďŹ nancial participation from the town, for power lines in the area of Miner’s Park.

– Compiled by Lynn Burton

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Sealed BIDS for construction of the Town of Carbondale Crystal Wellhouse Improvements will be received by the Town Clerk at the Carbondale Town Hall, 511 Colorado Avenue, Carbondale, Colorado until 10 a.m. Friday, March 31, 2017, at which time they will be publicly opened and read aloud.

The project consists of installation of baffling curtains in the existing clearwell, installation of two cartridge filter vessels and appurtenances to the treatment process, modifications to existing piping to accommodate new cartridge filters and appurtenances, installation of new distributions pumps, installation of variable frequency drives to operate the new distribution pumps, upgrades/modifications to existing control and electrical systems to accommodate new equipment and pumps, and building modifications (new door and removal of existing block wall) to accommodate new equipment and piping. A Bid Bond in the amount of 5% of the Total Base Bid is required. Performance and Payment Bonds in the amount of 100% of the Total Contract Price will be required.

A pre-bid meeting will be held at 1:30 p.m., Tuesday, March 21, 2017, at the Carbondale Town Hall located at 511 Colorado Ave, Carbondale, Colorado, followed by a brief site visit.

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14 • THE SOPRIS SUN • www.SoprisSun.com • MARCH 16-22, 2017

Electronic bid packages including project manual and drawings will be provided for free from SGM. This information will be available on Friday, March 17, 2017, from SGM, contact Joan Preisner at joanp@sgm-inc.com for electronic copies. All questions pertaining to this project shall be directed to Chris Lehrman with SGM via email chrisl@sgm-inc.com. Last day to submit questions shall be Wednesday, March 29, 2017. Project substantial completion date shall be no later than Friday, May 31, 2017. Town of Carbondale Mark O’Meara Utilities Director

Letters continued om page 2 I’m sure the commissioners will tell you we need to support the oil and gas industry for the sake of the local economy. However, during the recent industry slump, the local economy has done quite well, mostly due to tourism. Sales tax records are being set and real estate development and prices are exploding. Could it be we don’t need the industry? One sure way to discourage tourism is to build an endless procession of oil and gas rigs as currently exists in the Piceance Basin, Texas, and Oklahoma. All this to produce what product; just another obsolete fossil fuel, easily and cheaply replaceable by renewable energy sources, the use of which is destroying our climate. Leave it in the ground. Fred Malo Jr. Carbondale

Plow it under Dear Editor: I’m a member of the old Carbondale Coop (now Dandelion Market), a nice little place staffed by nice people that make shopping a nice experience. But I have bought little there over the years because the inventory has always been small and prices relatively high. For most of us, liberal or otherwise, food shopping is rarely a social statement. There are certainly some who think it should be one but for most of us, it just isn’t. Now the Co-op is struggling to survive. Should it? From an idealistic point of view, certainly. Realistically? No! Organizations exist to produce results. Results are a combination of intentions, competence, hard work and circumstances. After years of well-meaning effort Co-op/Dandelion remains an idealistic enterprise unable to compete economically even within liberal Carbondale, a town that richly supports galleries, theatre, environmental organizations, outdoor and athletic shops, parks, alternative health practitioners and exercise facilities out of all proportion to its size. The Co-op Board was recently surprised, even shocked by their unpaid bills, months after hiring Katrina Byers to straighten things out. Good choice Board! Nice work Katrina! You really got on top of things quickly and kept your Board well informed (not). Local circumstances for a business like the Co-op? Favorable! Good intentions? Sure! Hard work? Maybe not! Ignorance about the balance sheet and accounts payable might have involved a certain amount of laziness, or at least a sloppy attitude, don’t you think? Competence? Undisputedly low! Overall results over the years? Obviously dismal.

Legal Notice

It’s time to plow Dandelion under, the quicker the better. If Carbondale wants a food co-op another will arise in due time. But this board and this director, though well-meaning enough, are simply incompetent and unfit to survive in even Carbondale’s generous local economy. Please stop making idealistic pandering noises and pretending that you can somehow do better. You’ve more than had your chance and you blew it. The most socially constructive thing you can do for Carbondale now is go away gracefully. Ron Kokish Carbondale

My first day at CRES EDITOR’S NOTE: This is the third in a series of letters submitted by CMS students in support of CRES. More letters to follow in future issues. Dear Editor: I remember my first day of elementary school being nerve-wracking, to say the least. I remember crying because I refused to go. Making new friends, learning new things, and being in a new environment was difficult for my introvert, 5-year-old self. But the staff and teachers at Crystal River Elementary School made my experience so much better. As I started to grow and learn new things I enjoyed my time in elementary school. I had people that supported me which is so important when you are younger. Feeling like you can trust adults with anything is something every little kid needs and CRES did that for

me. I experienced my first friendships, performances, and creative ideas. I was exposed to different cultures, people, and got to see new things. Elementary school is the time you learn how to be more independent and do your own things. Learning to read and write and be a part of a whole new world brought through literature was amazing. I had a tough time learning to read and write, but after I got help from several teachers, I finally understood why reading is so important. Additionally, I remember when I was in 3rd grade I was assigned to a buddy, which are basically high school volunteers who hang out with kids like me — somewhat lonely and semi-emotionally unstable. This buddy helped throughout my entire elementary experience. From doing projects to playing games or just having a conversation, I looked forward to spending my lunch/recess with her. Furthermore, the teachers were so helpful and compassionate and have made me the person I am today. They were so observant and knew when things were wrong and I experienced a safe environment at school. Thinking about my first day of kindergarten and this being my last year of middle school is insane. I am grateful for everyone who helped me get here. The staff and teachers were role models and everyone can say that we benefitted from surrounding ourselves with them as they were able to prepare us for middle school. Thank you, Crystal River Elementary School. Vanessa Eighth grade

PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a Public Hearing will be held before the Carbondale Board of Trustees for the purpose of considering a Petition for Annexation by 133 Limited Partnership. The property is legally known as:

A parcel of land situated in Lot 16 of Section 28, Township 7 South, Range 88 West of the Sixth Principal Meridian, being more particularly described as follows: beginning at a point on the Westerly right-ofway line of Colorado State Highway No. 133, whence the East Quarter corner of said Section 28 bears North 24°43'21" East, 2372.8 feet; thence South 01°16'00" East, 511.89 feet along said Westerly right-of-way line; thence leaving said Westerly right-of-way line along the boundary of that Exception Parcel described in that document recorded as Reception No. 232893 South 88°44'00" West, 195.0 feet; thence continuing along said boundary South 01°16'00" East, 49.14 feet to a point on the Northeasterly right-of-way line of the Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad; thence leaving said boundary North 33°10'35" West, 47.30 feet along said Northeasterly right-of-way line; thence leaving said Northeasterly right-of-way North 01°16'00" West, 520.88 feet; thence North 88°44'00" East, 220.00 feet to the point of beginning. Containing 2.602 acres more or less.

The site is generally located directly North of the RFTA Parking and bus stop and West of Hwy. 133. Said parcel contains 2.602 acres in size.

Said Public Hearing will be held at the Carbondale Town Hall, 511 Colorado Avenue, Carbondale, CO at 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, March 28, 2017.

Copies of the Petition and Annexation Plat are on file in the Planning Department office, Town Hall, 511 Colorado Avenue, Carbondale, CO and may be examined by interested persons during regular working hours, 8:00 a.m. through 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.

John Leybourne Planner

Published in The Sopris Sun on March 16, 2017.

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FREE CLASSIFIED ADS for kids and teens to promote their businesses enterprises. Thirty word maximum. Please send to unclassified@ soprissun.com. GET THE WORD OUT IN UNCLASSIFIEDS! Rates start at $15. Email unclassifieds@soprissun.com.

Indivisible Roaring Fork, part of the nation-wide nonprofit Indivisible network, held an organizational meeting at the Third Street Center on March 12. Speakers included: Gretchen Brogdon, Sloan Shoemaker, Haidith Ramirez-Leon, Shawna Foster, Tracy Altmaier, Josh Buchman and Debbie Bruell. An organizer told The Sopris Sun that the group plans to host a town hall meeting during Congress’s April recess and will invite Colorado Rep. Scott Tipton to attend. Photo by Lynn Burton

*Credit card payment information should be emailed to unclassifieds@soprissun.com or call 948-6563. Checks may be dropped off at our office at the Third Street Center or mailed to P.O. Box 399, Carbondale, CO 81623. Call 510-3003 for more info.

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THE SOPRIS SUN, Carbondale’s weekly community connector • MARCH 16-22, 2017 • 15

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