September 30, 2010

the

Sun

Sopris Carbondale’s

weekly, non-profit newspaper

Volume 2, Number 32 | September 30, 2010

POTATO DAY 101

- Back to the basics

•

The laziest group of potatoes are couch potatoes.

•

•

Potatoes always have their eyes on.

Potato chips are America’s most popular snack food

•

Mr. Potato Head was born in 1952

QUIZ: a. What do potatoes have in common with humans? b. Which potato product makes humans feel silly?

Quiz Answers: a. They both have eyes, skin, and can get easily fried. b. Potato vodka This year’s Potato Day theme is “Back to the Basics” so start boning up. Carbondale’s celebration of its agricultural heritage on Saturday includes a farmer’s market, parade, barbecue and more. Illustration by Terri Ritchie and Jane Bachrach

Aspen trees not so SAD anymore

CMS students camp out

CARE fund-raiser draws a crowd

Page 3

Page 5

Page 13

Carbondale Commentary

’Tis a privilege The Denver Post used to have the following quote from newspaper co-founder Fredrick bonfils inscribed into the façade of its downtown headquarters: “‘Tis a privilege to live in Colorado.” The quote seems ripe for localizing this weekend in Carbondale. Just think about all the activities taking place: Potato Day The bareback bonanza (part of Potato Day) Aspen Filmfest at the Crystal Theatre First Friday The Strang Sheepdog Trials Roaring Fork High School’s homecoming The men’s fall softball league tournament The opening of the Thunder River Theatre Company’s 2010-11 season.

Add to those activities all the other things a person can do in and around Carbondale at this time of year (leaf peeping, hiking, biking, golfing, fishing, picnicking, walking) and it’s easy to put a slight twist on bonfils quote.

While it might not be an actual privilege to live in Carbondale, it sure can be a lot of fun.

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 letters@soprissun.com or via snail mail to P.O. Box 399, Carbondale, CO 81623.

Getting straight on Indica Dear Editor: I would like to set the record straight concerning the article in last week’s Sun about the stolen street signs at Indica Way. At one of the last trustee meetings on the annexation approval of Indica Way, mayor Randy Vanderhurst asked developer David mork’s legal representative to explain the meaning of "indica." The attorney said, "maybe a village in South America?" mayor Vanderhurst’s response was, "Well, I don’t know, but I aim to find out."

Russell Hedman Carbondale

Anyone know the Colpitts?

Dear Editor: I am researching a couple who lived up high on the mountain of mount Sopris.They are Guy Alfred Colpitts and Ruth Stoner Colpitts. I recently have gotten an 80 page handwritten story by Ruth of an accounting of their lives on the mountain. It is entitled

"Thirty Years on the mountain."

Parts of the story tell about going to town to the Strawberry Festival, Spud Day and some other events in the area. I also have photographs of them, their log home on the mountain and some of the hunting parties, etc. I believe they were there from about the 1930s-1960s. I’ve heard that later in the 1950s or so they were both working at the livestock auction and still lived up on the mountain.

If you have any, please send information on the Colpitts to the mt. Sopris Historical museum, box 2, Carbondale, CO 81623 and it will be forwarded to me. Their e-mail address is mshm@sopris.net.

Thank you very much. bev Lawson Edmond, Oklahoma

Help the Sun shine Dear Editor: The Sopris Sun is throwing a party on Oct. 15, from 6-9 p.m. at the Village Smithy, and everyone is invited. This is the kick off of

our first ever fund-raising drive. Please come celebrate a year and a half of good news from the Sopris Sun. Save the date: Oct. 15! Look for more details in the next issue.

The Sopris Sun board of Directors Carbondale

Thanks from KDNK Dear Editor: Thanks very much to all members of KDNK Community Radio. We recently wrapped up our Community Treasure membership drive. Your support means we can continue offering in-depth broadcast journalism, community access music and public affairs programs, a community calendar, a dynamic news archive on our Web site and all the rest.

KDNK’s mission is to provide pubic-access radio that connects community members to one another and the world. Thanks for being an active participant in the important work of community media, and for believing in KDNK. Thanks to your support, you can look forward to a strong community radio station.

Steve Skinner, general manager KDNK Community Radio Carbondale

Thanks from Club Rotario Dear Editor: The Roaring Fork Rotary/Club Rotario wishes to thank supporters of our eighth annual Festival of the Americas at Sopris Park in Carbondale. Families dined on exotic cuisine and shopped for folkloric crafts as they enjoyed our children’s area, beer garden and live music from ballet Folklórico’s“Herencia mexicana,”banda La Revuelta, Grupo Alba, Los Lunáticos and Novillos musical. by 5 p.m., many were dancing, beer and food sales were going strong, and ultimately an estimated 2,500 valley residents attended.

The sponsors included: Alpine bank and Wells Fargo bank (Platinum), U.S. bank and the town of Carbondale (Silver), and Karp Neu Hanlon, P.C. (bronze).

For the first time we fenced the park and the $5 entry fee for ages 13 and up helped gross over $12,000. Revenues will go to Colorado mountain College and to Rotary International’s campaign to eradicate the global scourge of polio.

Club Rotario was also proud to award the 2010 Jackie morales Distinguished Award for Community Service to Peter Westcott (educator), Junior Ortega (student), Jennifer Smith (professional) and Jim Coombs (volunteer). Each leader has given many hours to bring bicultural harmony and integration to the Roaring Fork Valley; we salute their efforts.

Gabriela berdeja, president Roaring Fork Rotary/ Club Rotario

Reflections of summer

Nilsse Peterson (left) Shiloh Merriott (center) and Mariah Ahumada keep up on hometown news while also keeping an eye for manatees at Palm Island, Florida.

Courtesy photo 2 • THE SOPRIS SUN • SEPTEmbER 30, 2010

Dear Editor: As I watch the leaves begin to transform and drop and feel the chill in the air, I also know it is time for me to reflect on another amazing Carbondale summer. Summer memories include cold dips in the Crystal, inner tubes on the Roaring Fork and rafts everywhere.

Summer is the Farmers market short and sweet, yet growing in bounty as summer progresses. It is my garden fighting extreme heat

or too much rain yet still thriving.

Summer is Sopris Park overflowing at all sides with picnics, birthday parties, live music and quiet shade under the trees. It is the mountain Fair with all its chaos and clarity as over 300 volunteers gather together to build community. This year was extra special as so many went above and beyond duty to help pull this off. People ask me if I have recovered from mountain Fair and the fact is I come off the fair so energized by the overwhelming support and creativity that the fair breeds.

It all starts with production manger mark Taylor rallying his team of experts who take time off from their day jobs to volunteer to make it happen, from marty Treadway to Attaboy to Kevin Lundy to Pete Rich who solve every challenge thrown their way.

It continues with Parking Czarina, madam barb bush and four Corners King mac macenney keeping the streets moving. It thrives with our Green Team led by Jason White and mark Weinhold inspiring volunteers to dig into garbage to save our earth. It strengthens in numbers as the CCAH and mountain Fair boards rally in so many ways that it helps us all keep going. It bursts wide open with our EmT’s, fire and police who stand by to keep everyone safe and it culminates with the countless volunteers who keep the fair running strong.

I must give a special shout out to Gene Schilling who happily helped us through several challenges including electrical failure on Saturday night. The fact is we all participate to help this summer event benefit not only CCAH, but over 10 other non-profits and many town businesses.

Yes, it all seems so long ago and yet, it is a circle that keeps spinning round with energy.

The new CCAH Center for the Arts at Third LETTERS page 16

To inform, inspire and build community Donations accepted online or by mail. For information call 618-9112 Interim Editor: Lynn Burton • 618-9112 news@soprissun.com Advertising: David Johnson • 970-309-3623 david@soprissun.com Photographer/Writer: Jane Bachrach Copy Editor: Jack Sebesta Ad/Page Production: Terri Ritchie Paper Boy: Cameron Wiggin Webmaster: Will Grandbois Student Correspondent: Kayla Henley Sopris Sun, LLC Managing Board of Directors: Mark Burrows • Peggy DeVilbiss Allyn Harvey • Colin Laird Laura McCormick • Jean Perry Elizabeth Phillips • Frank Zlogar

Sopris Sun, LLC • P.O. Box 399 520 S. Third Street #14 Carbondale, CO 81623

618-9112 www.soprissun.com Visit us on facebook.com Send us your comments: feedback@soprissun.com The Sopris Sun is an LLC organized under the 501c3 non-profit structure of the Roaring Fork Community Development Corporation.

Potato Day honors Fischer

By Trina Ortega Sopris Sun Correspondent

It’s been a busy week for Bonnie Fischer. On Tuesday night, the Carbondale trustees presented her with their Woman of the Year award. Saturday, she’s being honored in the Potato Day parade for her 40 years as a teacher at Carbondale elementary schools. She’s shown here with some current students. Photo by Jane Bachrach

beginning in the 1970s, Carbondale Elementary School teacher bonnie Fischer had a hand in raising nearly every Carbondale child. Now, she teaches many of those kids’ kids at Crystal River Elementary School (CRES) and is even beginning to see a third generation of students.

She has spent 40 years as an educator in Carbondale’s primary school and her passion for teaching is still strong. Fischer is Carbondale’s past, present and future.

To honor her contributions in and out of the classroom, Fischer has been named Carbondale’s Woman of the Year. Every year, in conjunction with Potato Day, the town of Carbondale and Zeta Epsilon Sorority accept nominations for an outstanding community member and honor a man or woman of the year.

In line with tradition, Fischer also will be the grand marshal in the Potato Day parade, which begins at 10:30 a.m. Saturday and runs down main Street to Sopris Park where the annual Potato Day community celebration takes place. (See schedule on page 14).

Zeta Epsilon Sorority member Ann Gianinetti said the selection for the 2010 person of the year was “easy” in that Fischer has played an important role in teaching the children of Carbondale.Additionally, it fits really well with this year’s theme,“Potato Day 101: back to basics,” Gianinetti said. “bonnie is being recognized for all of her volunteerism in the schools. That goes for all teachers — they all do so much above and beyond. but bonnie has taught for so long, and she has given so much of her time,” Gianinetti said. “All of the [CRES] teachers really got behind her.”

Fischer also has been a supporter of the Potato Day parade by organizing a float for the elementary school for as long as she’s been a teacher. In case it still hasn’t sunk in, that’s 40 years in Carbondale alone.

Her story begins in the small coal-mining camp of Kenilworth, Utah, where her dad was a miner. One day her dad brought home a little playhouse in the bed of his truck.

“I made a school out of it when I was 8 or 9 years old and I’ve been teaching ever since then,” Fischer said.

The family moved east to the Roaring Fork Valley when the Kenilworth mine shut down and her father came to work for midContinent. Fischer was a junior in high school and transferred to what was then Garfield County High School (now Glenwood Springs High). She met her sweetheart, the late Jack Fischer, and they married before he shipped off to Vietnam.

Even in high school bonnie Fischer knew she wanted to teach and was involved in Future Teachers of America. She first concentrated on special education — because she had a soft spot for “helping kids who needed extra attention”— and ran Camp Round Up, where she worked with Gen. George S. Patton’s grandson. The couple lived in Grand Junction and Texas before moving back to the valley, where bonnie Fischer launched her 40-year tenure in Carbondale in 1970.

For 22 years, Fischer taught in the same classroom off of the Round Room at Carbondale Elementary School. Even though the school has since been renovated into the Third Street Center, she hadn’t set foot back into the 1950s building since the day she walked out five years ago, en route to the new TEACHER LOOKS BACK page 14

Researchers say massive aspen die-off on the wane

By David Frey Sopris Sun Correspondent The widespread death of aspen trees across the Western Slope is on the wane, researchers say, but some areas where the trees have died may never see aspens again.

Researchers with the Forest Service and Colorado State University who have been studying the loss of aspens, a phenomenon called sudden aspen decline (SAD), said drought seems to have caused the massive die-off, and wetter, cooler weather seems to have halted the spread.

The die-off closely followed climate change models, causing researchers to suspect it provided an early peek at what the future of area forests might look like as temperatures warm.

“We can’t say that it is due to climate change, but we can say it’s consistent with the predictions or projections of climate change,” said Jim Worrall, forest pathologist for the Forest Service based in Gunnison. “This drought that incited this is the type of drought that occurs more frequently due to climate change. In fact, it’s called a climate change-type drought because it’s not only dry but warm.”

Sudden aspen decline is believed to have wiped out more than half a million acres in Colorado, about 17 percent of the aspen acreage in the state. The damage was seen mostly on the Western Slope, where aspens are more prevalent.

The phenomenon largely affected older aspen trees, which are weaker and more susceptible to insects and disease. In many cases, the damage was so severe that even the roots were killed, meaning new suckers could not grow out of them, the primary way aspens regenerate.

That probably means that many areas, particularly low-altitude areas. That used to have aspens won’t see them again in the longterm,Worrall said.That could have an impact on wildlife that rely on aspens for food.

“Some of these smaller patches are clearly gone,”Worrall said.“You can find these small stands of aspen surrounded by sagebrush and no suckers coming up at all.”

Researchers believe the die-off was prompted by the severe drought in the beginning of the millennium, particularly in 2002, the driest year on record in Colorado for centuries.

“It’s all about mature aspen forests dying all at once,” said Wayne Sheppard, a former Forest Service scientist working on a sudden aspen decline research project for Colorado State University at Terror Creek, near Paonia.

“The natural conclusion here is, this is probably a climate change thing, triggered by this extreme drought.You have to understand that climate change doesn’t happen on a nice, clean line. It dances in fits and starts. What we see here may be the first scrimmage in a

change that will ultimately proceed.”

About 80 percent of the acres affected by SAD corresponded with Forest Service modeling that predicted the disappearance of aspens due to global warming in the first part of this century. Those models show aspens disappearing from lower altitudes and southfacing slopes.

“The clear lesson about climate change is, this may be one of the first major impacts of it,” Worrall said. “That’s something for society to consider. How far do we want to let this go before we react to it?”

Sheppard is studying ways to try to limit the impact on aspen stands, essentially killing the trees to save them. He found that by cutting the trees before they are affected by sudden aspen decline, they produce suckers that will survive.

“It appears that it works if you can get there soon enough,” he said.

The problem is that many of the region’s aspens are old, Sheppard said. Quick to take root after a fire, aspens came to dominate much of the landscape after mining fires and settlements in the 19th century.

Kebler Pass, near Crested butte, has become one of the state’s premier spots for fall leaf peepers looking for golden aspens, but historic photos show it was filled with conifers in the 1890s. Those conifers are largely gone now.

This ancient aspen on McClure Pass measures about 18 inches in diameter and is about 130 years old, according to retired Forest Service scientist Wayne Sheppard. Old trees such as this are most susceptible to sudden aspen decline (SAD). Photo by Lynn Burton “One lesson from that is age diversity is a good thing,” Worrall said. “It builds resilience and a kind of insurance against events like this.

If the predictions from climate change are true, we can expect to see a recurrence of this event in the future and probably more serious.”

THE SOPRIS SUN • SEPTEmbER 30, 2010 • 3

News Briefs

Cop Shop

The Weekly News Brief The Sopris Sun and the KDNK news departments team to discuss recent news from the Roaring Fork Valley and beyond. Catch the Brief on KDNK between 7:30 and 8 a.m. and between 5:30 and 6 p.m. on Thursdays.

Gunnison County signs TDC letter The Gunnison County commissioners agreed to sign a Thompson Divide Coalition letter to Rep. John Salazar opposing energy development on federal and private land southwest of Carbondale according to coalition spokeswoman Laurie Stevens.

Stevens said her group is urging Salazar to sponsor legislation to protect the 221,500-acre Thompson Divide area by banning energy development there.

The letter from the commissioners states,“We support the aims of that bill and request that you (Salazar) introduce the bill during this session.”

TDC planned to ask the mesa County commissioners to sign a similar letter on Sept. 27.

Stevens said the mission of the Thompson Divide Coalition is “to secure permanent protection from oil and gas development on federal lands in the Thompson Divide area including the Thompson Creek and Four mile Creek watersheds, as well as portions of muddy basin, Coal basin and the headwaters of East Divide Creek.”

Enrollment drops at CRES Enrollment at Crystal River Elementary School dropped by 40 students compared

to last fall, according to numbers released by the Roaring Fork Re-1 school district last week. Fourth grade took the biggest hit, with 20 fewer students than last year, although last year’s fourth grade class was one of the biggest in recent years.

District-wide, enrollment is down about 150 students. Total enrollment is a little less than 5,000 students.

CDOT begins Highway 82 work

Gustavo Rosal was one of more than 100 people who attended a rally at Sopris Park on Sept. 22 to support the federal DREAM Act, which would provide a path to citizenship for youth who graduate from any U.S. high school and complete at least two years of college or serve in the armed forces. Alex Alvarado, student body president at Roaring Fork High School, was one of the speakers. Photo by Lynn Burton

PRESENTING

Rafael Bejarano

The Colorado Department of Transportation begins re-surfacing Highway 82 at the south end of Glenwood Springs starting Oct. 1. The project is expected to take about seven to 10 days, according to a press release.

Other sections included in this re-surfacing project are from mile marker 23 to 27 (from basalt Road and to Lower River Road) and between mile marker 30 and 37.5 (from Snowmass Canyon extending near the Aspen Airport business Center).

Democrats open Glenwood office The Garfield County Democratic Party has opened its 2010 campaign headquarters at 817 Grand Ave. in Glenwood Springs.

The hours are monday through Saturday from noon to 6 p.m., said spokeswoman Leslie Robinson.

Who Are We?

The following events are drawn from incident reports of the Carbondale Police Department.

MONDAY Sept. 20 At 12:44 a.m., police issued a warning to a designated driver in the 700 block of Colorado Avenue for playing her music too loud.

MONDAY Sept. 20 A man contacted police and said his ex-wife was sending him harassing text messages.After he discussed the matter with police, the man said he’d pursue a civil restraining order.

MONDAY Sept. 20 At 6:22 p.m., police received a report of a large rock in the middle of Roaring Fork Avenue. Police responded and determined the large rock was really a large piece of styrofoam.

SUNDAY Sept. 21 At 10:36 p.m., police gave a woman a ride to her home after receiving a domestic violence call in the 1300 block of main Street.

SUNDAY Sept. 21 At 6 p.m., Carbondale police and a Garfield County sheriff’s deputy responded to a call concerning a family disturbance in the 200 block of Garfield Avenue. There were no arrests.

SUNDAY Sept. 21 A man reported a black Lab jumped a fence at 8th and main Street while he was walking his dog. The Lab was “growling and snarling” and the man thinks the dog would have attacked his dog had he not yelled at him. He asked police to contact the snarling dog’s owner.

NOT JUST A PLACE - BUT WHERE IT TAKES YOU

Thunder River Theatre Company “Professional Theatre at its Finest” Lon Winston, Executive Artistic Director

World Renowned Musician, Shaman, Healer & Deeksha Giver

4 • THE SOPRIS SUN • SEPTEmbER 30, 2010

We’re Fresh The Santa Fe Chicken Salad

Friday Oct. 8 "Sounds of Creation" Concert 7:00p.m. Third Street, Suite 31, Cost: $20 Sunday Oct. 10 "10/10/10 Oneness DEEKSHA Celebration" featuring Deeksha and Rafael Bejarano! 5:00p.m.

Suggested Donation: $15.

Third Street, Calaway Room Advanced registration required, Julia Desmond: aspendeeksha@ gmail.com, 948-4512 **2 Shamanic Healing Circles also taking place Oct 7+9"

All-Natural Farm Fresh Chicken and Homemade Mango Salsa

By Sarah Ruhl Pulitzer Prize Finalist

Directed by Sue Lavin Featuring: Maureen Jackson, Eileen Seeley, Janice Estey, Charisse Layne, Lee Sullivan

Thunder River Theatre 67 Promenade, on the Red Brick Walkway, Downtown, Carbondale

Sept. 30 (Preview) Oct. 1 (Opening), 2,3, 8-10, 14 & 15 7:30 p.m. Curtain, except Sunday Matinees, 2 p.m.

8]ZX` djg lZWh^iZ [dg YV^an heZX^Vah# 8]ZX` djg lZWh^iZ [dg YV^an heZX^Vah#

WWW.VILLAGESMITHY.COM

963.9990

I]Z K^aaV\Z Hb^i]n GZhiVjgVci dc ;VXZWdd`

Tickets & Information: www.thunderrivertheatre.com or 970-963-8200 You can fi nd us on Facebook!

We support Trési Houpt because she brings balance, experience and thoughtful leadership to the Board.

Philip & Anne Freedman

Josh Hmielowski

Richard & Sandy Getter

Ken Jones

Chris & Terry Chacos

John & Lori Sweers

Jo & Steve Bershenyi

Theodore & Nancy Hess

Paul Helman

Jeff Houpt

Cindy Ryman

Tom Hall

Lloyd & Marlene Manown

John & Doris Shettel

Elaine Hanak-Hall

Cyndi & Peter Fleming

Sue Lavin

Bob & Ann Arrington

Carolyn & James O’Donnell

Bruce Christiansen

Dana & Barbara Barker

Elizabeth & Tim Malloy

Stacey & Rob Gavrell

Marla Haschks

Gay Moore

Sonja & Whitney Linman Emily Finch

Mark Gould

Scott & Lisa Sobke

Clare Bastable

Butch & Luana Olson

Hal Sundin

Mary Russell

Linda & Jim English

Richard Voorhees

Sloan Shoemaker

Jerry Rankin

David & Ann Nicholson

Nathan Stowe

Sharill & Jim Hawkins

Jock Jacober

Warren & Jeanette Humble

Paula Derevensky

Joyce & Tom Ball

Ed Sands

Kenneth Koerber

Anthony Bontempo

Frank Breslin

Sean & Greg Jeung

Liz Chandler

Craig & Jill Rathbun

Heather McGregor

Kay Ware

Sue Bacon

Walter Gallacher

Rachel Conner

Alice Laird

Dale & Shelley Kaup

Sarah Hess

Amy Barr

Gregory Durrett

James Peterson

Worth Carroll

Pat Seydel

Christopher Hassig

Sheri Scruby

Cindy Crandell

Andrea Holland & Jim Sears

Ann Hopkinson

Marcia & David Moore

Jay Cronk

Carmen Iacino

J.A. & Patricia Tonozzi

Barb Coddington

John & Maurine Taufer

Ellie Caryl

Will Perry

Susan Cashel

Andrew McGregor

Caroline Norquist

Russ Arensman

George & Linda Austin-Martin

Elliot Norquist

John Hoffman

Dick & Jackie Durrett

Jim Noyes

Susan & Robert Hess

Dave Reed

Ed Cortez

William Lando

Wendy & Anthony Bontempo

Jeannie Golay

Judy Fox-Perry

Rosario Iraola Young

Michael Gorman

John Foulkrod

Kay Clark Philip

Allen Lambert

Nancy Kyner

Debbie McKenna

Jay Leavitt

Beth & Michael Mulry

Barclay Lottimer

Virginia Harlow

Lee Beck

Betsy Leonard

Michael Gibson

John Stickney

Carolyn Duell

Leslie Lamont & Lance Luckett

Kathryn (Kat) Camp

Charles Moore

Jean Buchan

Rich & Holly Glasier

Garry & Thelma Zabel

Jeanne Nicholson Beth Shoemaker

Randi Lavelle

Gerry & Marja Vanderbeek

Garry & Bettie Evenson

Alison & Ron Limoges

Les Schaub

Ivo & Betty Jo Lindauer

Dick Helmke

Keith Lambert

Judith A. Topol

Marice Doll

Paul & Bobbie Light

Bernita Grove

Robert Millette

Frank Martin

Cheri Brandon

Margaret Pedersen

Joni & David McGavock

John & Mary Ann Keller

Jonathan Tripp

Frosty Merriott

Robert & Elaine Warehime

Joe & Debra Burleigh

Dean Moffat

Bruce & Kat Neumann

John Sebesta

Gail Pollack

Ralph Fruetel

Nancy Smith

Jack Real

Suzanne & Jeff Stephens

John Stewart

Leslie Robinson

John Evans

Debbie & Marc Bruell

Greg Russi

Anne Goldberg

Davis & Cathie Farrar

Jennifer Sanborn

Larry Dragon

Kim Stacey

Mike Sawyer

Mark & Christine Stevens

HP & Gwen Hansen

Anita Sherman

Bruce Stolbach

Herb Feinzig

Steve Smith

Michael & Barbara Larime

Gayle Wells

Paula Stepp

Steven O’Brien, M.D.

Laurie Loeb

Melissa Sumera

Elaine Cloninger

Michael Hassig & Olivia Emery

Robin Tolan

Steve & Georgia Carter

Laura Van Dyne

Ralph Trapani

Jolene Melnicoff

Alice Bedard-Voorhees

Greg & Kathy Feinsinger, MD

Bruce Wampler

Jim & Connie Calaway

Charlie Westerman

Russ Criswell

Randy Winkler

Kathy Kopf

Judy Woodward

Edward Colby

Harvey Branscomb

Judy Beattie Patricia Tomasko Randy L. Van Engelenburg Steve Kaufman Ruth & Mike Podmore

Ga

www.tresihoupt.com

ect -El

iel d

rf

Through an expanded outdoor education program at Carbondale middle School (CmS), the teachers and staff are hoping that the bonds established among students while hiking Colorado’s high country, paddling the Colorado River, balancing through desert slot canyons, and making dinner around a campfire transfer into the classroom.

Although it is not a new concept for CmS to offer outdoor education for its students, beginning this year, nearly every child in the school’s 320-student population will participate in an“extended”outdoor trip, according to CmS Principal Rick Holt.

Within the first three weeks of the school year, 90 percent of the student body had slept under the stars for roughly four days as part of the program. Fifth-graders camped at Chapman reservoir up the Fryingpan River Valley; the sixth grade went rafting and hiking in moab, Utah; the seventh grade ventured to mesa Verde and the Great Sand Dunes National monument; and eighthgraders did their annual climb up Colorado’s highest peak, mt. Elbert.

“I’ve been working really hard last year, and this year as well, on some character traits,” explained Holt,“… respect, responsibility, loyalty, trustworthiness. While those things are always key in the classroom, they really come to life when you have a chance to provide some of these unique experiences for students to apply those traits in a realworld setting.”

Offering the trips within the first weeks of school enables the students to build a relationship with peers and teachers and gives them something to reflect upon throughout the year. The other benefit of outdoor education is that the lessons learned while forming a team to climb a mountain, working handin-hand through a rope “maze” in a teambuilding exercise, or paddling in sync down a rapid can be easily transferred to overcoming challenges at school.

“They learn that it’s possible to pick up and start again,” Holt said.

Holt said the cost per student was about $40 per trip this year but added that that number is not sustainable. CmS purchased 10 new tents and also has started amassing other gear, such as sleeping bags. Still, he said,

the school needs more equipment.

The lack of all the latest, fancy camping gear didn’t keep the kids from enjoying their time outdoors, though.

“They’re middle school kids — they’re tough, they’re resilient, they’re adaptable,” Holt said. Unlike adults, who might feel limited by their equipment, “kids work right around that.”

Holt said his staff deserves a lot of credit for making the trips possible. They helped round up extra clothing and sleeping bags, and the entire staff has been willing and able to invest an “enormous amount of time” to make the experiences successful.

“Imagine trying to cook dinner for 60 kids over a two-burner propane stove,”he laughed.

Sixth-grade parent/chaperone Stacey bernot additionally gave the teachers kudos for providing such a rich experience for students.

“The fact that our educators would take this on, on top of their day-to-day duties, is a real testament to their dedication to our kids,” bernot said.

For a few in bernot’s group of about 35 students, including son Hayden, it was their first time in the desert, and “they just really enjoyed it,” said bernot, who chaperoned for three days on the Colorado River and hiking up Negro bill canyon in moab.

She was additionally impressed with how respectful the kids were; they followed the “Leave No Trace” ethics, treated their classmates, teachers and parents well, and even cooked and cleaned up on their own.

“It was a great experience for the children not only because they learned so much, but also because they got to interact with their classmates and build bonds,” she said.

Holt’s goal for the program is to offer the trips in smaller group sizes and send students to increasingly unique locations.

And although some of the school’s Latino parents have yet to fully see the benefits of the outdoor education program, the parent chaperones “are very much into what we’ve done and have appreciated what we’ve accomplished so far,” Holt said. “We have more to accomplish, including considerable outreach into Latino the community. but we’ve had some great Latino parent volunteers who are talking [among their peers] about the benefits.”

To make a donation to the CmS outdoor education program, call 384-5700.

Tyler Stableford

Thomas Sisneros

Michael & Marjan Barnes

m isi o ne r

By Trina Ortega Sopris Sun Correspondent

David & Shannon Meyer

om

CMS expands outdoor ed program

Linda Jenks

RichardBuchan

Re

Nearly every child at Carbondale Middle School took part in this year’s outdoor education program. Students were divided in four groups and either camped at Chapman reservoir, rafted and hiked in Moab, explored Mesa Verde or climbed Mt. Elbert. Courtesy photo

David Devanney

Co unt y

C

twitter.com/TresiHoupt facebook.com/TresiHoupt

THE SOPRIS SUN • SEPTEmbER 30, 2010 • 5

Scuttlebutt

Send your scuttlebutt to Scuttlebutt@SoprisSun.com.

Anyone remember the Colpitts?

Gas film wins an Emmy

From sometime in 1938 to sometime in the 1950s, Guy and Ruth Stoner Colpitts lived up the Crystal on a ranch on the shoulder of mount Sopris. We know this for two reasons. First, Ruth wrote about living on the ranch in an unpublished memoir. Second, bev Lawson, a distant relative of the Colpitts, got hold of the manuscript and now it’s got a hold of her. bev, from Edmond, Oklahoma, is asking for information anyone might have on the Colpitts. From Ruth’s memoirs bev knows the Colpitts’ ranch was on Nettle Creek, which cut right between the barn and house. They lived about eight miles from Carbondale and acquired their land by trading a car for it. She thinks the Colpitts are buried in Rifle.

At one point, a neighbor of the Colpitts would not let them through his property so they had to ford a river or stream to get there. Their two-room cabin also burned down at some point. Carbondale didn’t have a dentist but the town doctor (Lubbs? Tubbs?) sometimes pulled teeth. They built a water wheel in Nettle Creek and used it for electricity but it broke, and then they didn’t have electricity. bev is asking anyone with information about the Colpitts to get in touch with the mt. Sopris Historical Society, box 2, Carbondale CO, 81623, which will forward the information, or e-mail to mshm@sopris.net. bev says she’s hoping to get her cousins out this way for a reunion sometime. Some are in their 80s or 90s and live in montana, Idaho and Oregon.

The film “Split Estate� won an Emmy earlier this week for Outstanding Individual Achievement in a Craft: Research. “Split Estate� explores Colorado’s mineral rights laws and conflicts that can arise between sub-surface mineral rights owners and surface owners. In a nutshell, Colorado’s laws allow mineral rights owners to explore for gas or oil without the permission of the surface rights owners. Dozens of property owners in Western Colorado, including the Silt, Rifle and Parachute areas, are affected in this way.

The Thompson Creek Coalition, which is fighting against oil and gas exploration in the Thompson Creek area south of Carbondale, presented the film as a fundraiser earlier this year. “We thank the journalists who exposed the story ‌ the activists and organizations that work with such fierce dedication for a clean and just energy future ‌ and the many families and communities who live with oil and gas for their daily acts of courage on behalf of the land, our collective health and our civil rights,â€? said film producer Debra Anderson.

Vote for poker playin’ Dave Folks who know him know that David Ritchie enjoys playing a hand of poker or three from time to time to time to time. What you probably don’t know is Dave submitted a humorous video of his poker skills in action

John Linney, Chris Ridings and Dave Ritchie (left to right) play a round of poker in the Crystal River for their Pokerstars.net Million Dollar Challenge video. Just out of camera range is Bill Fisher, a local videographer who was shooting the event. Photo by Terri Ritchie

Carbondale kids taking over AVSC to try to qualify for pokerstars.net’s million Dollar Challenge. If folks vote his video as one of the top three, he gets to sit down with poker star Daniel Negreanu on Fox TV and two others players. After that the chips will fall where they may and Dave could end up walking off with a million bucks.

If you’d like to help Dave in this quest for the million dollar pot, go to memelabs.com/mdc/?play=17896 and give his video a look. And then vote, up to once a day, for David “The bonedale Kid� Ritchie.

SECRETARIAT DANCER “Dancer�

February 27, 1986 - September 24, 2001

“And can it be that in a world so full and busy the loss of one creature makes a void in any heart, so wide and deep that nothing but the width and depth of eternity can fill it up!�

VALENTINE DANCER “Bud�

April 18, 1990 - October 20, 2001

6 • THE SOPRIS SUN • SEPTEmbER 30, 2010

“Deepest appreciation to Carol Craven for this memorable award winning photo and to Iron Rose Ranch for maintaining their final resting place.� xoxo Lynn

For the first time, there are more Carbondale kids involved with Aspen Valley Ski Club programs than actual Aspen kids. That’s according to the AVSC itself. On a related note, Team AVSC Devo athletes are encouraged to sign up by Oct. 1. For details, call 970-205-5100.

Watch out for elk Folks in the area report that one or possibly two elk have been hit near Aspen Glen in the past week so watch out. They are beginning to move to lower elevations.

&DUERQGDOH 5HFUHDWLRQ &DUERQGDOH 5HFUHDWLRQ &RPPXQLW\ &HQWHU <RXWK &OLPELQJ &ODVVHV %HJLQQHUV 7XHVGD\V $GYDQFHG 7KXUVGD\V Q LR LV W UD WK W V H JL OLQ G H 5 DG HQ 'H HHN Z &OLPELQJ 7HDP &OLPELQJ 7HDP

0RQGD\V 2FW 'HF

$%6 &RPS 1RYHPEHU WK

ZZZ FDUERQGDOHJRY RUJ

Fatbelly reaches 100,000; expands to Basalt

By Jane Bachrach The Sopris Sun Fatbelly burgers, which opened last year on Nov. 13, at the “dead end of main Street,” reached the 100,000 mark on Sept. 1 of this year. “We cleared 100,000 burgers in nine or 10 months, and almost 50,000 fries,” said Fatbelly owner Shane Vetter.

What used to be known as the dead end of main Street is no longer, thanks to Vetter. “I asked myself, in this region, in this town, where’s the best spot to open?” Vetter said. That’s when he met Jess and Nina Pedersen and found the building at 220 E. main St. that is now the home of Fatbelly burgers.“Everyone said you can’t go to that side of town, that’s the dead end of town. I said,‘that’s perfect.’ There’s fine dining there with Russets, the Smithy’s there, there’s a little bit more parking there,” he added.

The rest is history. The burger joint, tucked between the Crystal Fly Shop and Carbondale Animal Hospital on the south side of the street, has turned that part of town into a destination spot during lunch and dinner hours. The lines of people outside the little restaurant that serves shakes, burgers with American cheese, and hand-cut fries in brown paper bags, is proof that the restaurateur/cook/artist/musician/owner, who likes to study the economy, serves as much locally grown-food as possible, in-

cluding all Colorado raised meat and chicken (and only Crystal River meats beef) knows what he’s doing. Simple, fresh, in and out.

American comfort cattle food During the second weekend of October, the burger king of bonedale is opening Fatbelly Eats, a full-service restaurant with a bar, in basalt. Vetter wasn’t planning to open what will be his flagship restaurant so soon after opening his place in Carbondale, but he was offered a good deal on the former bistro basalt space and couldn’t say no.

Vetter calls his fare at Fatbelly Eats “American comfort cattle food.”It’s meat and potatoes.“We figured out some cuts of meats with Tai Jacober (of Crystal River meats) that will work. We’ll serve rib eye, meatloaf, a great short rib, lamb shank (which is a homey dish), trout, fresh veggie pasta, and a veggie burger (all the veggies will be fresh). We’ll have grilled veggies, black beans, roasted chicken … fresh chicken salad, a couple of salads.We have a great bar menu, very affordable with the Fatbelly burger on it.

You can get a meal and beer for 10 bucks,” Vetter said.

Vetter also describes Fatbelly Eats as a place “where kids can spill their juice on the table and not have the waiter come by rolling their eyes and wiping the table like ‘damn you you’re making me work

for my money.’”

Vetter is a family man. He’s married to Kristy and has two kids, 3-year-old Luke and Dylan who’s only 5 and already a marketing genius, having come up with the name “Fatbelly.”

Vetter grew up in brooklyn and is a Yankees and Jets fan. He started working in his uncle’s “pizza joint” when he was 13 years old. He managed and helped open bars and restaurants later on, put himself through college where he studied music and art (and was successful professionally in both) as well as business and philosophy He left New York after 9/11, after he saw the buildings come down. “I didn’t realize how intense it was, what effect it would have on me. That was my neighborhood. I was filling buckets with body parts … .”

For a wedding present 10 years ago, Kristy’s parents, who had been coming to Aspen for 30 years, gave them a trip to Aspen. “We came out and spent five or six days here, and drove downvalley to check out basalt and Carbondale.”

Vetter said “Serendipity really fell into my lap” with the whole Fatbelly burger stuff.

Fatbelly Eats will be closed on Sunday, “because we’re a family business. …

We need a day to rest. I like football a little too much to be open on Sunday. I’m a Jets fan.”

Non-profit highlight

PR

First Friday October 1st

6:00-8:00 pm Invitational Photography Show

N

IC

E

EW

RE

LIS

DU

TIN

CE

G

D

Valley Opportunities

Shane Vetter talks with a well-wisher in front of his Fatbelly Eats restaurant in Basalt. Vetter opened Fatbelly, a take out restaurant, in Carbondale last year and to date has sold just over 100,000 burgers. Photo by Jane Bachrach

“Image as Metaphor, Beyond Looking To Seeing”

Spring Valley Residence $450,000

3 bedroom, 2 bath, 1,670 sq. ft. duplex lives like a single-family home. All new custom designed kitchen with stainless appliances, bamboo flooring and new paint. 2 car garage.

3 bedroom, 2.5 bath, 2,983 sq. ft home with three car garage on 8 acres. Updated in 2010 with a new roof, new paint, new carpeting in master bedroom, and a guest bedroom. Priced to sell.

TIN

CE

LIS

DU

EW

RE E

N

IC PR

Show runs through the month of October

CCAH is now offering Kids & Adult workshops and classes.

Fully Furnished Willits Townhome $549,000

Warehouse/Industrial Business Space $649,000

3 bedroom, 3 bath, 1,776 sq. ft. townhome on the quiet side of Willits. 2 car garage and parking.

Hot tub and robes included!

6,240 sq. ft. warehouse space in great location close to downtown Carbondale. Space is subdivided into separate areas allowing for up to 5 different tenants.

970.963.5155 lynnk@rof.net

Featuring The Work of Many Valley Photographers, as well as some nationallyrenowned members of the photography community.

Artwork “Limbo” by Sue Drinker

G

D

Roaring Fork Village $395,000

711 Main Street, Carbondale, CO 970.963.5155 www.amorerealty.com

Beginning Piano with Laurel Sheehan Knitting with Jill Scher Fiber Exploration with Jill Scher Dia de los Muertos, Building Altars With Susan Obermeyer Strauss Tuned In with Molly Lord and much, much more.

Go To www.carbondalearts.com and click on Workshops for more details.

Carbondale Council on Arts & Humanities 520 South Third Street, Carbondale 970.963.1680 Ad sponsored in memory of Ron Robertson

THE SOPRIS SUN • SEPTEmbER 30, 2010 • 7

Solar tour includes Carbondale homes Sopris Sun Staff Report

Carbondale stops include the home of Carrie and Keith brand (featuring passive solar, solar hot water and solar electric), and the home of Susy Ellison and marty Schlein (on missouri Heights). The Third Street Center features a large solar array on top of the building and a bi-facial array at the entranceway.

The tour is meant to educate people on solar energy that can drastically reduce monthly energy bills and reduce carbon emissions. It will also explain solar-related tax credits and cash incentives.

“In the wake of one of the largest manmade environmental disasters in U.S. history, learning about clean, job-creating energy options that provide tax breaks, lower energy bills and create cleaner communities for all of us is something Garfield County residents can do to address America’s dangerous addiction to fossil fuels,” said tour organizer

The 2010 Garfield County Solar Energy Tour on Oct. 2 includes two Carbondale homes, one near the Colorado mountain College Spring Valley campus, and the Third Street Center.

“The tour also gives a rare opportunity for the public to visit the Clean Energy Collective’s community solar farm at blue Lake,” said tour spokeswoman Heather mcGregor.

“It’s the state’s first community owned solar array, with panels offered for sale to customers of Holy Cross Energy.”

The event — organized by Garfield Clean Energy, Clean Energy Economy for the Region (CLEER), Solar Energy International, and the Roaring Fork Group of the Sierra Club — is free and open to the public. Tour locations and maps are available at garfieldcleanenergy.org.

First Friday Happenings First Friday show features 33 photographers Sopris Sun Staff Report

The Carbondale Council on Arts and Humanities presents “The Image as Metaphor, Beyond Looking to Seeing” at the Third Street Center as part of First Friday on Oct. 1.

The photographers are locally and nationally known, including: the late Brett Weston, Norm Clasen, Judy Hill, Sue Drinker, Dick

Durrance, Judy Hill, David Marlow, Doug Rhinehart, Tyler Stableford, Bernie Arndt and 23 others.

“The theme ‘The Image as Metaphor’ is intended to generate a show as unique as an individual’s vision and as universal as the world of artistic experience,” said show curator Sue Drinker.

An opening reception will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. on Oct. 1. The show continues through October.

bob millette, of the Roaring Fork Group of the Sierra Club.

The Garfield County tour is being held in conjunction with the 15th annual National Solar Tour, which is billed as the world’s largest grassroots solar event.

“Our nation sends $24.9 billion a month to foreign nations to sate its oil addiction, and many of those nations are hostile to U.S. interests,” said Richard burns, solar tour manager for the American Solar Energy Society, which is coordinating the event with other groups around the United States. “If people are frustrated by what they’ve seen these past several months, they should empower themselves with information that conclusively proves there are legitimate energy options for patriotic Americans who care about the environmental integrity and economic vitality of their communities.”

Other First Friday action includes: Dancing Colours presents a father/ daughter opening for Jeff and Camy Britt titled “Joy of Music.” The show features Jeff’s new “musicians in motion” photography and Camy’s lyrical artwork.

Majid Kahhak will paint live at his gallery in the Dinkel Building from 6 to 8 p.m. His painting will be inspired by autumn. Beverages and hors d’oeuvres will be served.

Author/artist/cancer survivor Marlane Miller

Mike and Penny McDill live in the Elk Springs subdivision near the CMC Spring Valley campus. Their home is one of the stops on the Garfield County Solar Tour on Oct. 2. Courtesy photo

gives her presentation “Walking the Talk: A Survivor’s Journey from Diagnosis to Health” and shows her art at Creative Spark Studio in the Third Street Center. The hours are 5:30 to 8 p.m. Miller said she discovered intuitive painting in 2004 and it became an avenue of expression for her right-brain talents.

The Carbondale Clay Center presents “Steins, Pints and Plates from 6 to 9 p.m.

Live music will be provided by Emma Bakesale. A gallery talk takes place at 7 p.m.

199 Main St, Carbondale 970-963-7190 411 Hyman Mall, Aspen www.harmonyscott.com

32 ND ANNUAL

Heartbreaker

Marwencol

Summer Pasture

HEARTBREAKER “Hilarious, smart, and a whole lot of fun” —IndieWIRE MARWENCOL Named one of IndieWIRE’s 33 must-see films for fall SUMMER PASTURE “A remarkably intimate [documentary] woven out of tradition and change, and the endearing subjects who contend with both.” —Variety

TIX ALL SHOWS aspen show tickets at the wheeler

www.aspenshowtickets.com

970 920 5770

CARBONDALE SHOWS ONLY

third street café @ third street center 520 south third roadside gallery 320 main 970 963 9333

TICKETS ON SALE

NOW

schedule + details: www.aspenfilm.org 8 • THE SOPRIS SUN • SEPTEmbER 30, 2010

Super Sale!

It’s time to stock up for the holidays on all of our great items...

Hundreds of items marked on sale from

10-60% off!

Trustees continue pot talk; OK’s downtown overlay

By Lynn Burton The Sopris Sun Carbondale trustees continued their discussion on medical marijuana regulations and approved the Historic Commercial Core overlay zoning Tuesday night.

Twelve medical marijuana dispensaries have opened in Carbondale since 2009, forcing the town to consider drafting firsttime regulations and ordinances, and establishing new zoning districts. After last night’s meeting, mayor Stacey bernot said the trustees still have more questions than answers concerning those issues. most of Tuesday night’s medical marijuana discussion revolved around memos from town manager Tom baker and town attorney Sherry Caloia.

Caloia told the trustees there are two separate issues for them to consider in regard to medical marijuana: zoning that specifically addresses medical marijuana commercial growing operations, and regulations that address dispensaries themselves.

Issues concerning dispensaries include the minimum distance from schools, licensing that can include background checks for owners and employees, establishing whether there’s a need for a new dispensary (much like the current liquor license review) and the fee charged for a medical marijuana dispensary license.

Trustee Elizabeth murphy listed several types of businesses currently operating in

Carbondale, including five liquor stores and one dry cleaner, and said it’s “ironic” the town has 12 medical marijuana dispensaries.

On the Historic Commercial Core overlay zoning topic, trustees approved it 4-2 with the following changes proposed by trustee Frosty merriott: off-site parking is required to be 150 feet away (it was 300 feet);

the fee-in-lieu for parking is $30,000 with a 5 percent escalator per year; owner occupied units were increased to 60 percent (it was 30 percent); the building height stayed at 42 feet maximum.

The overlay zoning allows alternative development standards related to density, building heights and parking requirements

within the Historic Commercial Core (HCC) zone district.

The trustees and Planning and Zoning Commission have discussed the zoning for three years. Frosty merriott, Ed Cortez, Elizabeth murphy and mayor Stacey bernot voted for the ordinance. John Hoffmann and Pam Zentmyer voted against it.

Trustee John Foulkrod was absent.

Camera ready: The film crew and host of the Russian television series, “Around the World With Tatiana,” spent part of the day at the Tybar Ranch outside of Carbondale on Tuesday, taping a segment for their show about life on American ranches which will air in Russia in November. While ranch manager Mark Nieslanik (left) and assistant manager Mike Gosha (right) had the “difficult task” of escorting beautiful host/model Titiana around to several locations on the ranch, the film crew rode in a different truck. Tybar owner Emma Danciger, a woman of many talents including cooking, prepared quite a spread for the guests consisting of homemade barbecue pork ribs, cowboy beans, corn pudding and homemade peach cobbler, among other things. Photo by Jane Bachrach

LAST DAY OCTOBER 6

FARMERS’ MARKET Carbondale

10 AM - 3 PM • CORNER OF 4TH AND MAIN STREETS

STOCK UP FOR THE WINTER! Brought to you by these fine vendors

Veronica Worley American National Bank vworley@anbbank.com Steve Johnson Back Alley Coffee backalleycoffee.com Guy Borden Borden Farms, LLC 970.874.5383

Deb Bansburger Deb’s Gourmet Gluten Free Baking 970.618.8595 Landon Deane Eagle Butte Ranch 970.925.4614 Rena Miller Eat Me Raw 970.589.7933

Rico Torres El Zocalo 970.987.9796

Colin Stewart Hidden Gems 970.963.0476

Felix Tornare Louis Swiss Pastry 970.925.8592

Chris Stoner Nature’s Provision 970.923.3315

Josh Tukman Sprigs 720.319.2655

Dr. Kent Albrecht Headache & Back Pain Center 970.366.2030

Jeff Isaacson Jeffreezz Aspen Sorbetto aspensnowbetto.com

Etenesh Bartley Maraki Ethiopian Cuisine 970.404.7402

Steve Nieslanik Okagawa Farms 970.242.0887

Nancy Cavazos Southwest Designs 480.983.0664

Sue Whittlesey High Wire Ranch highwireranch.com

Katie’s Cakes Katie Custodio 970.379.6673

Karen Draper Milagro Message 970.379.4439

Kerry Noonan Rain Crow Farm raincrowfarm.com

Joel Petre Sunny Breeze Farm sunnybreezefarm.com

Melanie Ettenger Rancho Durazno 970.985.5585

Melissa Adams Wild Mountain Honey 970.309.5597

Andy Groggor Service at its Best andysicecarvings@comcast.net

Thutop Yuthok Yuthok Tibetan Treasure 303.979.9359

FARMERS’ MARKET IS SPONSORED

BY AMERICAN NATIONAL BANK THE SOPRIS SUN • SEPTEmbER 30, 2010 • 9

Community Calendar

To list your event, email information to news@soprissun.com. Deadline is 5 p.m. Saturday. Events take place in Carbondale unless noted. For up-to-the-minute valley-wide event listings, check out the Community Calendar online at soprissun.com.

THURSDAY Sept. 30

SATURDAY Oct. 2

MAURICES FEATURES HOMELESS PETS • maurices department store hosts a fall fashion show with models accompanied by homeless pets up for adoptions at 3 p.m. at the Glenwood Springs mall.

POTATO DAY • The 101st annual Potato Day takes place in Carbondale with a farmer’s market at Sopris Park at 8 a.m., Tater Trot 5K and one-mile race at 8 a.m., parade down main Street at 10:30 a.m., music and barbecue in Sopris Park from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., and bareback bonanza at the roping arena on County Road 100 at 3 p.m.

FRI.-SAT. Oct. 1-2 TRTC SEASON BEGINS • Thunder River Theatre Company’s 2010-11 season begins with Sarah Ruhl’s “The Clean House” (a runner up for the Pulitzer Prize). Curtain time Oct. 1-2 is 7:30 p.m., with a matinee on Sunday at 2 p.m.

The play runs through Oct. 15. TRTC is located at 67 Promenade (northwest of the Dinkel building). Info: 963-8200 or thunderrivertheatre.com.

FRI.-MON. Oct. 1-4 SHEEPDOG TRIALS • The Strang Ranch Sheepdog Trials will be held at Strang Ranch, located at 393 County Road 102 (on missouri Heights north of Carbondale). bring a chair. Admission is free.

Concessions are available. Info: strangranch.com or 963-2319.

FRIDAY Oct. 1 MOVIES • The Crystal Theatre presents FILmFEST Oct. 1-3. Closed monday, Oct. 4. “Get Low” (PG-13) at 8 p.m. Oct. 5-7.

FIRST FRIDAY • First Friday returns to Carbondale with various studios open late.

See article on page 8 for details.

CONTRA DANCE IN GLENWOOD • There’ll be a contra dance at Glenwood Springs Elementary School from 8 to 10:30 p.m. The Last minute String band will provide the music and Pat Tognoni from Fort Collins will be the caller. Admission is $8.

SKI SWAP • The Sunlight Winter Sports Club and the Sunlight Volunteer Ski Patrol hold their annual Great Ski and Sports Swap at the Orrison Distributing warehouse from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. There’s a $1 admission fee; early birds can shop from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. for $5. bring consignment items to the warehouse on Oct. 1 from 6 to 8 p.m. Info: 379-9452.

SOLAR ENERGY TOUR • CLEER presents the Garfield County Solar Energy Tour from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. It’s free. There’ll be solar sites in Rifle, Glenwood Springs and Carbondale. For maps and info, go to garfieldcleanenergy.org.

MONDAY Oct. 4 LINDA LOESCHEN SHOWN • The main Street Gallery and the Framer in Glenwood Springs presents new paintings

NON - STOP FLIGHTS Denver Atlanta Chicago Los Angeles Salt Lake City San Francisco CONVENIENT Four miles from

Aspen and ten miles from Snowmass Village.

COMPETITIVE Served by Delta,

Frontier and United Airlines.

ASPEN/PITKIN COUNTY AIRPORT

ENVIRONMENTALLY RESPONSIBLE

Thanks for flying local!

Year-round noise monitoring, wind power purchase and recycling deicing fluids.

visit us at aspenairport.com

connect TO YOU

YOGA

MEDITATION

DANCE

by Linda Loeschen through Oct. 23.

Her paintings concentrate on cowboys, horses, bears and such.

Loeschen won the Artists’ Choice Award in the 2010 “Cowgirl Up” show. An opening reception will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. on Oct. 8. Info: 945-4817.

SACRED MUSIC

HEALING THERAPIES

non-profit 501c3 | 520 south third street, suite12, carbondale | 970.963.9900 | www.tnha.us

10 • THE SOPRIS SUN • SEPTEmbER 30, 2010

BOOK SALE CONCLUDES • The Friends of the Gordon Cooper Library book sale ends today.

TUESDAY Oct. 5 RED BRICK FEATURES FURNITURE MAKERS • The Red brick Center for the Arts in Aspen presents “4 Voices in Wood: Work by Furniture makers in the Roaring Fork Valley” through Oct. 27. The furniture makers are: ben Kelly, David Rasmussen, marty Schlein and Dave Struempler. An opening reception will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. on Oct. 7.

SEX IN THE 21ST CENTURY • The Café Scientifique discussion series continues with “Sexual Function in the 21st Century: What has changed and what’s ahead?" at Dos Gringos at 6:30 p.m. Dos Gringos is located in La Fontana Plaza on Highway 133. The series is a civic project of Roaring Fork Leadership. Info: site.rfcafesci.com.

WEDNESDAY Oct. 6 LIVE MUSIC • White House pizza presents Seattle singer/songwriter Jill Cohn from 7 to 10 p.m.

Ongoing KOROLOGOS SHOW CONTINUES • The Ann Korologos Gallery in basalt presents “Western Color” with artists Andy Taylor, Elizabeth Sandia and Gregory Stocks through Nov. 1.

LANCASTER SHOW CONCLUDES • A. beadles Fine Art presents Joey Lancaster in a show titled “Aspen Trees” through Sept. 30.

The gallery is located at 225 main St. MAYOR’S COFFEE HOUR • Chat with Carbondale mayor Stacey bernot on Tuesdays from 7 to 8 a.m. at The Village Smithy, 26 S. Third St. CLASSICAL HARP • Through September, Elise Helmke plays classical harp from 6 to 9 p.m. Thursdays at Russets, located at 225 main St. LIVE MUSIC • Konnyaku restaurant, on Highway 133, presents bobby mason every Friday from 7 to 9 p.m. Info: 704-0889.

night with new musicians every week from 7 to 9 p.m. Thursdays at Carnahan’s Tavern.

Info: 963-4496.

month at 6:30 p.m.at the First United methodist Church in Glenwood Springs, 824 Cooper St. Info: 945-1398 or pamsz@sopris.net.

WRITING CLASSES • Senior matters in the Third Street Center offers creative writing classes Tuesdays from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m.

LEGAL SERVICES • Alpine Legal Service offers intake to eligible clients from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. mondays and Fridays at the Garfield County Courthouse in Glenwood Springs, and Tuesdays and Wednesdays at the Pitkin County Courthouse in Aspen. Info: 945-8858, 920-2828.

ENSEMBLE DRUMMING OFFERED • Kip Hubbard offers beginner-level AfroCaribbean ensemble drumming classes for kids and adults at True Nature (located in the Third Street Center). Info: 963-9900.

GROUP RUN • Independence Run and Hike at 995 Cowen Drive leads group runs, Saturdays at 8:15 a.m. rain or shine. more info: 704-0909.

FARMERS MARKET • The Carbondale Farmers market takes place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesdays through Oct. 6 at Fourth and main streets.

ROTARY MEETING • The mt. Sopris Rotary Club holds its weekly lunch meeting at noon Thursdays at the Aspen Glen Club featuring a local speaker. Info: 948-0693.

Oct. 7

Oct. 8

HPC MEETS • Carbondale’s Historic Preservation Commission meets the first Thursday of the month at town hall starting at 6:30 p.m.

RAM CLASSIC GOLF TOURNAMENT • The 2010 Ram Classic golf tournament is held at River Valley Ranch at 9 a.m. (a shotgun start). Info: Larry Williams at 355-4554 or rfbball08@yahoo.com.

HOME CANNING TAUGHT • Rock bottom Ranch offers a home canning class from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The cost is $45 for nonmembers; $35 for members. Robin blankenship is the teacher. Info: 927-6760.

HUMAN ENERGY SYSTEM EXPLAINED Kat Diamond, a certified Omm movement instructor, explains the human energy system for six weeks starting today from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at True Nature Healing Arts. Info: 963-9900.

WALDORF HOLDS TOUR • The Waldorf School on the Roaring Fork presents a“Walk Through the Grades” tour of the grade school, kindergarten and preschool, followed by questions and answers with faculty and staff.The hours are 8:25 to 10:15 a.m. Reservations: 963-1960.

2010 Gar f ield County

Oct. 1 TYF HOLDS FIRST CLASS • TYF holds its first yoga class in its Carbondale studio (the former Novel-Tea space) at 5:30 p.m.

Oct. 2 RAW FOODS EXPLAINED • Kimberly

Solar Energy Tour

Glenwood Springs Carbondale Rifle

FREE!

EMBROIDERY MEETING • The Embroiderer’s Guild ofAmerica meets the second monday of the month. beginners welcome. bring a new or unfinished project. Info: 945-7434.

Sept. 30

PREVENT COLDS • The Asteria School of Whole-istic Healing presents “Prevent Colds and Flu with Essential Oils,” presented by Cheri mcNeil, at 6 p.m. Info: 963-4697.

Further Out

REFORMERS UNANIMOUS • Reformers Unanimous, a faith-based program for those who are struggling with addiction, meets at 7 p.m., Fridays, at Crystal River baptist Church on Highway 133. Info: 963-3694.

Health and Fitness

SUICIDE SURVIVORS’ SUPPORT • A support group for those who have lost a loved one to suicide meets the second Tuesday of the

ACOUSTIC CARNAHANS • Singer songwriter T Ray becker hosts an acoustic music

VETERANS SUPPORT GROUP • The Roaring Fork Combat Veterans Support Group meets at 8:30 p.m. mondays at the Circle Club, 123 main St. Info: (303) 6136191 or bigmac309@gmail.com.

Williams gives free lectures about raw food at Nur-ish each Saturday at 4 p.m. through September. Nur-ish is located in Sopris Shopping Center.

Oct. 5

NIA OFFERED • Studio Sol offers Nia at 3627 County Road 100 every Tuesday and Thursday from 6 to 7 p.m. through Oct. 7.

Info: Julie at 303-333-3311.

Oct. 7

COREDINATION PILATES OFFERS CLASSES • Coredination Pilates, located in the Third Street Center, offers many classes, including adult/teen ballet on Thursdays from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Info: 379-2187.

Ms. Jeni is celebrating 20 years of teaching dance in Carbondale!!! Send me pictures of your child in one of my classes: 1990-1999 at CMC or 1999 to present at CRBS to: jeniptacek@aol.com

Now enrolling for fall Ms. Jeni and Annie Sapp Mtn Fair 1999

Creative dance, ballet and contemporary dance for ALL levels ages 3 to adult

Free registration during September Call 970-379-8085 or crystalriverballet.com

10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Saturday, October 2 =PZP[ VUL VM [OL 6SKLZ[ 4VZ[ Info & maps: www.GarfieldCleanEnergy.org 9LZWLJ[LK :WHZ PU (TLYPJH Questions? call (970) 947-9613 Presented by the Roaring Fork Group of the Sierra Club, CLEER, Garfield Clean Energy & Solar Energy International

6J[VILY»Z :WLJPHS 7\TWRPU )VK` >YHW

)HJR 5LJR :OV\SKLY 4HZZHNL 7YP]H[L 4PULYHS )H[O +H` 7HZZ [V [OL =HWVY *H]LZ ¸0[»Z H +H` H[ [OL :WH¹ $115 @LHYZ VM *VU[PU\V\Z 6WLYH[PVU

/PZ[VYPJ <UKLYNYV\UK =HWVY *H]LZ

For Information & Reservations call 970-945-0667 `HTWHOZWH JVT 6WLU +HPS` HT WT 4HQVY *YLKP[ *HYKZ .PM[ *LY[PÄJH[LZ (]HPSHISL

THE SOPRIS SUN • SEPTEmbER 30, 2010 • 11

Community Briefs change date. For more information or to register, visit AVSC online at teamavsc.org or call (970) 205-5100.

Carbondale mayor talks and listens Carbondale mayor Stacey bernot holds

a coffee hour at the Village Smithy each Tuesday from 7 to 8 a.m.

Literacy Outreach needs volunteers

Rick Holt, principal of Carbondale Middle School (right), and George Stranahan of the Manaus Fund (left), raise their glasses to all Carbondale teachers at a recent party in their honor at the Third Street Center. The Manaus Fund, led by Morgan Jacober and Stranahan, has started the Educators Roundtable, which meets monthly to discuss and plan programs designed to bring together Carbondale’s schools and the broader community. Courtesy photo

AVSC registration under way Registration is under way for the Aspen Valley Ski and Snowboard Club. The club offers a wide variety of programs in alpine, freestyle and Nordic skiing and snowboarding. The club also emphasizes core values of commitment, teamwork and integrity, according to a press release.

Team AVSC Devo athletes (ages 9-12) are encouraged to sign up prior to the Oct. 1 price

Literacy Outreach is holding informational sessions for prospective volunteers at the Gordon Cooper Library on Oct. 6 from 6 to 7 p.m.

Volunteers must have at least two hours a week to work one-on-one with an adult, the ability to read and speak English, and a desire to help someone who wants to learn. Tutors do not need to speak Spanish.

For details, call Literacy Outreach at 945-5282.

Canine First Aid offered A canine First Aid and CPR class will be offered at the Third Street Center from 5:30 to 9 p.m. on Sept. 30. There’ll be a lecture, demonstration and practice on dummy dogs and live dogs. The cost is $75 for one person or $130 for two. Info: 948-0297 or suemelus.com.

Ram Classic registration continues Registration for the Ram Classic golf tournament continues. The tournament, at River Valley Ranch, is Oct. 8. Entry fees are $125 per player and $500 per team.

Proceeds benefit Roaring Fork High School sports programs. For details, call Larry Williams at 355-4554 or rfbball08 @yahoo.com.

If you haven’t checked out the new Third Street Café (located in the Third Street Center) then get on over there. It’s a comfortable place to hang out and the food’s good (while hanging, you might even pick up some decorating tips). Shown here at the café’s recent opening reception are (left to right): Kate Schettler, Barclay Lottimer (owner), Austin Lottimer (helped with the decorating) and Tanya Black. Photo by Mark Burrows

AAspen sppen Valley Va ey Ski and an d Snowboard Sn owbo ard Clu istration Nights N ig ights h ts Clubb Reg Registration

My iinstructor n s t r u c t o r wa f u n!”

“My wass fun!”

- Manuel, M a n ue l , age ag e 9

SSign i g n up u p for for llessons e s s o n s for for aages ges 3 1 / 2 tto o 1/2 12t Grade h Grade 12th

B asalt Basalt M i d d l e School School Middle O Octo t ob b er 5 October 5 - 7 pm 5-7pm

G our Get e t yyour A S kiin g s p e n Skiing Aspen C o m p a ny Company Passes on Site

R Roaring oa r in g Fork F ork H i g h School School High Oct tober 6 October 5 -7 p m 5-7pm

““II had h ad a great g ree a t time t i me learning le a r n i ng new n e w tricks t r ic k s and a n d making m a k i n g new ne w ffriends!” r ie n d s ! ” C r i s t i a n, age ag e 10 - Cristian,

www w..teamavvsc.org 970.205.5160 970.205.5160 www.teamavsc.org

12 • THE SOPRIS SUN • SEPTEmbER 30, 2010

SScholarships cholarships Available!

A vailable!

Habla ¡¡Se Se H abla Español!

Es sp añol!

1

2

3

CARE’s

4

Day in The Sun Photo and text by Jane Bachrach Last Saturday, Colorado Animal Rescue celebrated its 10th anniversary at the Carbondale Recreation Center.

Inside and out, CARE volunteers strolled the grounds with adorable, adoptable fourlegged creatures needing homes. Furry, purry little bundles of love snuggled and played together in cages located inside the reception area, hoping and waiting to find loving homes.

The stage was set for the fund-raising party in the gym, which was elegantly transformed for the special evening gala with white table cloths and floral centerpieces, upstaged only by the mouth-watering eats created and catered by Hestia.

A veritable who’s who from up and down the valley attended the celebration and the Sun’s own Pawpurrazzi was there to capture their day.

11

1. Frosty and Carly Merriott 2. Connie Calaway 3. Martha Cochran 4. Volunteer Bill Lukes with Ginger 5. Co-founder Jim Calaway with Molly 6. Volunteer Beth Koepke and Duncan Shawn with Gelato

7. CARE trainer Tracy Yajko and Weewam 8. Executive Director Leslie Rockey and shelter employee Jenna Bontempo 9. Vet tech and volunteer server Molly Bartz 10. Lon Winston 11. Debbie Smith with Angel

5

Oso, along with Molly, Weewam and Gelato are a few of the many dogs available for adoption at CARE.

10

9

To adopt an animal at CARE call (970) 947-9173 or coloradoanimalrescue.org

8

6

7 THE SOPRIS SUN • SEPTEmbER 30, 2010 • 13

Teacher looks back on 40 years at Carbondale elementary schools continued om page 3 school, renamed Crystal River.

When The manaus Fund held a teacher appreciation party recently at the Third Street Center, Fischer said she went a half hour early, by herself, knowing it would be too overwhelming.

“There were just too many memories there,” she said.“Everything happened in the Round Room — P.E. [physical education], music, cheerleading practice … The Round Room was special to everyone in the community. It was the place to be,” she said.

And Fischer was involved with it all. She

was a cheerleading sponsor, a soccer coach, the creator of the school’s Cinco de mayo celebration and Veterans’ Recognition program (two ceremonies that still thrive at CRES).

Among her many awards and nominations, she was named the statewide Technology Teacher of the Year in 1993 and the L.S. Woods Teacher of the Year in 1999.

“What’s made it enjoyable over the years is just the children and how much they have to offer to me. And the community has always been supportive,” she said.

She’s “gone through” at least seven princi-

101st Potato Day Saturday, Oct. 2

Billed as Carbondale’s “pure hometown event,” Potato Day takes place Saturday at Sopris Park and features a pit barbecue meal with slow-roasted beef, coleslaw, ice cream and, of course, baked potatoes. Now in its 101st year, Potato Day celebrates the golden agrarian years of Carbondale. This year’s theme is “Potato Day 101: Back to the Basics.” The fun begins at 8 a.m. with a farmers’ market and foot races. Other events include a parade down Main Street, live music, a horseshoe tournament, and the Bareback Bonanza. For more information, call Eva Cerise at 379-6701.

8 a.m. — Farmers’ Market 8 a.m. — Tater Trot 5K and 1-mile run/walk (near the Hendrick Ranch soccer field) 10:30 a.m. — Parade down Main Street 11 a.m. — Horseshoe Tournament, Glassier Park 11:30 a.m. — Live music by All the Pretty Horses Noon — Barbecue begins 2 p.m. — Registration for Bareback Bonanza, Gus Darien Arena 3 p.m. — Bareback Bonanza, Gus Darien Arena

14 • THE SOPRIS SUN • SEPTEmbER 30, 2010

pals and has seen many a Nieslanik, Chacos, Gianinetti and Patch in her classes.“There are too many to name,” said Fischer of her former students who are now adults living in the community.

“I’ve always been known as‘mrs. Fischer’ even now among the adults. People will come up to me and say, ‘Do you remember me?’

And I say, ‘Yeah.’”

CRES Principal Karen Olson’s son was in Fischer’s second-grade class and she agrees that Fischer is “pretty exceptional.” “bonnie is the lifelong learner we want all

kids to become. She has led the field in technology in our district. She advocates for student needs while maintaining high expectations for them,” Olson said. “She never forgets a student by face or name and has been, I think, to every graduation there has been.”

For Fischer, all of her hard work still comes back to the students.“Whoever walks through the door is special to me,” she said, adding that she doesn’t know what she’d do if she didn’t teach.“I still love it; I’m still effective; I still put out 110 percent.”

One Book, One Town selection available Sopris Sun Staff Report The Gordon Cooper Library’s selection for the sixth annual One book, One Town is “Running Dry, A Journey from Source to Sea Down the Colorado River” by Carbondale author Jonathan Waterman. Copies of the book are available for check-out at the library.

“Running Dry” is Waterman’s account of his 1,450-mile journey down the Colorado River, which only reaches the sea in the wettest of years. During his adventure, the award-winning author and filmmaker spent time with the people whose lives are touched by the river — those who depend on the Colorado River for their livelihoods, who manage its flow, who enjoy its beauty.

Through the stories of these people, Waterman tells of a river that is on the brink of an ecological calamity.

Sponsored by the Friends of the Gordon Cooper Library, the One book, One Town se-

ries encourages community members to read a “shared” piece of literature. Events include a free lecture and book signing by the author.

A teen program titled “Plumbing the Colorado” will be presented by the Roaring Fork Conservancy at 6:30 p.m. Oct. 12 at the Gordon Cooper Library. A second communitywide event featuring a lecture, photo presentation and book signing by Waterman will be at 6:30 p.m. Oct. 14 at the Roaring Fork High School Auditeria. both events are free and open to the public.

In keeping with the theme, the Friends of the Library will promote the One book, One Town selection with a float in the Potato Day parade. Those who would like to join in the parade should dress in “fishing or river attire” and meet for set-up at 10 a.m. Oct. 2 on Second Street, near KDNK. The parade begins at 10:30 a.m.

Call 963-2889 for more information.

Filmfest brings indy films – and filmmakers – to C’dale

By David Frey Sopris Sun Correspondent When mark Landsman heard the story of a remarkable high school band and its inspiring bandleader from the 1970s, he knew it was more than a great story. It would make a great film.

“The hair on my arms stood up,” said Landsman, director of the film “Thunder Soul,” which shows at the Crystal Theatre as part of Aspen Filmfest. Landsman will appear to talk about the film.

“Thunder Soul” (showing Friday at 8 p.m.) tells the story of the Kashmere Stage band, an inner-city Houston high school band that rose from mediocrity to become a funk powerhouse in the 1970s under the baton of Conrad “Prof” Johnson.

Johnson, a talented jazz musician in his own right, took these band members to places black students never dreamed of going.

They toured Europe, recorded eight records and were named the best high school band in the nation.

Thirty-five years later, his former students, some of whom hadn’t played in decades, dusted off their instruments and reunited to honor their now 92-year-old Prof.

“I was really inspired by how much of a mentor, a father figure, he was to these people at a very vulnerable time of their lives, coming from a vulnerable place,” Landsman said.

“He was really able, through music education and through teaching, to guide them and put them on a sound path.”

“Thunder Soul” is one of six films to

show in Carbondale, and one of two at which filmmakers will appear to speak.

Kevin Walsh, a producer and cameraman for the film “marwencol” (showing Saturday at 5:15 p.m.), will also appear. The documentary tells the story of mark Hogancamp, a man whose traumatic brain injury prompted him to turn to an unusual form of art therapy.

Hogancamp created a miniature replica of a “Thunder Soul” shows Friday at 8 p.m. at the Crystal Theatre.

World War II-era town in his backyard, and populated it with dolls every scene, and the film became a way for representing family and friends, which he pho- Hogancamp to open up to the real world tographed in life-like situations. The photo- through film, without having to be in public.

“The reason why it feels OK for us to go graphs caught the eye of a prestigious New York gallery, which displayed them in an ex- ahead with it is, mark feels good about it,” hibit. The event forced Hogancamp to choose Walsh said.“He told us if the film can go out between the imaginary world of marwencol there and help people who are dealing with traumatic brain injury and post-traumatic and real life.

“We were not just documenting mark,” stress disorder, if the film can give them some Walsh said.“We were kind of his support net- comfort or hope or other ways to deal with work. We were with him that whole time to the situation, that makes him happy.” both films have been showered with acgive him that sense of security.”

The film crew also became as responsible claim since they hit the film festival circuit. for exposing Hogancamp to the real world as “Thunder Soul” has won audience awards the exhibit was. It was a delicate situation, from South by Southwest, Hot Docs, the Los Walsh said, but Hogancamp signed off on Angeles Film Festival and the Dallas Interna-

Downtown Carbondale

BEAUTIFUL VICTORIAN WITH HISTORIC CHARM • 1,704 sq. ft.

• 3 Bedrooms, 2 Bathrooms • Extensive renovations, yet preserved charm • Revitalized outdoor spaces: new yard, patio & hot tub • This house is a must see for the most discerning buyer.

tional Film Festival. “marwencol” has won awards for best documentary at South by Southwest, Independent Film Festival boston, Comic-Con and others.

“When I get to go to a festival and it’s my turn to represent the film, I love it because audiences just respond to it in a positive way,” Walsh said.

Other films showing at the Crystal Theatre are: “127 Hours” (Sunday, 5:15 p.m.): Director Danny boyle’s film of Aspenite Aron Ralston’s experience being trapped in a Utah canyon with his arm pinned beneath a boulder. Ralston cut off his arm to free himself.

“Summer Pasture” (Sunday, 8 p.m.): A documentary about a young nomadic couple in a very remote region of Tibet.

“Queen to Play”(Saturday, 8 p.m.): Kevin Kline, in his first French-speaking role, stars as an American expatriate who teaches a French maid to play chess and gives her a new chance at life.

“Heartbreaker” (Thursday, 8 p.m.): A French film, starring two of France’s hottest young stars, about a man who puts his powers of seduction to work as a heartbreakerfor-hire, convincing women to dump their husbands, fiancés and boyfriends.

Tickets for Carbondale shows are available at the Third Street Café, 520 South Third St. in the Third Street Center, and the Roadside Gallery, 320 main St. Tickets for Carbondale and Aspen shows are also available at the Wheeler Opera House box office in Aspen.

TION A T I INV TO BID

Ennovate Corporation is soliciting qualified Mechanical, Sheet Metal, Piping, and Electrical Contractors for HVAC and energy conservation retrofits for the Town of Carbondale facilities. Design/Build and Turnkey experience preferred.

Please send a project resume, at least three references, and number of employees to alan.hill@energyexpertise.com

by October 10th for consideration.

789 Colorado Avenue Carbondale, CO 81623 MLS: 118112 • Available for $595,000

SPECTACULAR VIEWS

2.6 ACRES, ABUTS BLM LAND. UNLIMITED HIKING & WILDLIFE.

• 3,554 sq. ft., 4 BR • 2 minute drive to Carbondale • All day sun (passive solar) • Nestled among piñon & juniper • R-50 roof/R-30 Walls, radiant floor heat throughout and solar rough-in • Integral plaster walls, reclaimed beams, hot tub, steam shower, media room, office

Did I mention a view of Mt. Sopris?

Two-bedroom, Two-bath Carbondale Condominium built in 1996

328 Los Adobes Drive Carbondale, CO 81623 MLS: 116254

Storage, Reserved Carport Parking $215,000 favorable financing available to an owner occupied qualified buyer

Reduced to $799,000, originally $879,000!

Michael Shook www.Alta-Properties.com shook@Alta-Properties.com (970) 618-6795

Toni Cerise GRI, Broker Associate

256 Main Street Carbondale, Colorado 81623 Direct Line 970-379-6029 Toll Tree 800-963-7172 www.RoaringForkRealty.com

THE SOPRIS SUN • SEPTEmbER 30, 2010 • 15

Letters continued om page 2 Street, as well as all the other exciting entities in this beautiful new center, are teeming with creativity. The opportunity to participate and integrate is powerful and it’s happening every day here. From Senior matters to Creative Spark Studio, Wilderness Workshop, The Sopris Sun, CCAH and so much more, the Third Street Center embodies the best of community. Stop by and see us. Have some coffee at the Third Street Café and swing by the CCAH Gallery to take in some art or just stand in the middle of the Round Room and feel the energy swirling about.

Summer is fading but not the opportunity to gather and celebrate.Thank you to all who keep the arts alive in this community. We can’t do it without you!

Amy Kimberly Carbondale

Giving thanks in October Dear Editor: As we approach the end of our beautiful summer and welcome the present glorious fall season leading up to our annual homegrown Potato Day celebration reflecting deliciously on our colorful and unique history, we are fortunate to call your attention to all those lovely filled flower pots along two of our main downtown streets – main Street and Colorado Avenue.

All these flowers were donated and planted by a talented group of ladies in our community this spring and we’re happy that their efforts will still be visible for our locals and visitors, especially this weekend.

This project is just a sampling of why

Carbondale is such a special place. We still have that “small town feel” and a community full of friendly and classy citizens.

People say that we’re fortunate to live in such a charming community with a beautiful mountain in close proximity to our beautiful surroundings. may our town leaders, present and future ones, respect our unique fortune and always strive to preserve these attributes for our children, and hopefully for their children’s children.

Amen.

Happy Potato Day everybody.

Chris Chacos Carol bruno Co-chairs, The Downtown Preservation Association

Thanks from Lift-Up Dear Editor: We at the Carbondale office of Lift-Up would like to thank all of you at the Carbondale office of mason & morse for the great food drive you did for us this month.You collected almost 100 bags of food and over $600 in donations!

We thank everyone that gave food items or cash. You each make a difference.

Thank you City market for letting us use your entry. We are truly grateful.

Debi boyle Lift-Up Carbondale

Take the Solar Tour Dear Editor: On Saturday, Oct. 2 from 10 a.m. to 2

It’s all about balance.

rf

iel d

www.tresihoupt.com

Co unt y

C

twitter.com/TresiHoupt

Trési Houpt Brings Balance to the County.

Paid for by the Committee to Re-Elect Tresi Houpt, Marcia Moore, Treasurer

16 • THE SOPRIS SUN • SEPTEmbER 30, 2010

m isi o ne r

Ga

facebook.com/TresiHoupt

ect -El

om

Re

Our county has a wealth of natural resources: lands for agriculture; mountains, canyons, and rivers for tourism and recreation; gravel, natural gas and coal for development and energy.

As a County Commissioner, I weigh the needs and wishes of all the citizens in our county, especially around jobs, health, safety and the environment.

I promise to continue to bring a balanced decision-making approach to the Board of County Commissioners.

p.m., Garfield County is joining the nonprofit American Solar Energy Society (ASES) and hundreds of solar-savvy people and grassroots organizations throughout America to showcase more than 5,000 solar powered homes, schools and businesses across North America for the 15th annual Solar Tour, the world’s largest grassroots solar event.

The Roaring Fork Sierra Club Group, CLEER, Garfield Clean Energy, and Solar Energy International are sponsoring open house tours of nine homes and businesses in Carbondale, Glenwood Springs and Rifle. The self-guided tours will give participants the direct perspectives of homeowners and installers about the costs, processes and economic and environmental benefits of going solar. Tours will also give the people of Garfield County a glimpse at how a variety of solar systems are integrated with structures of different architectural styles.

This solar tour is free and open to the public. To learn more about this event and the location of open house sites, go to garfieldcleanenergy.org, or call 947-9613. bob millette Glenwood Springs

Fight the cause of pine beetles Dear Editor: Senator mark Udall’s recent visit to Dillon (in July) over proposed actions to take on the massive pine beetle kill in our area only exemplifies how woefully inadequate the government’s response is to this biological disaster.

Rather than throwing millions of taxpayer dollars addressing the symptoms of this prob-

lem (cutting down dead trees, expanding U.S. Forest Service jurisdiction and building multimillion dollar fire stations),right-wing/corporate Democrats such as Udall and his ilk need to learn to aggressively deal with the cause of the pine beetle Kill — the fossil fuel economy and the resulting global climate change.

How about allocating $50 million to build and operate a couple dozen state of the art regional environmental centers across Colorado to help educate citizens about their carbon footprint? How to reduce and eventually eliminate it?

Where are the government subsidies for struggling solar, wind and anti-gravity businesses to help expand and grow the alternative energy market and rapidly transit our country out of depression and into a thriving green economy for the 21st century?

Where are the local, state and federal laws that would criminalize any vehicle that does not get at least 50 mpg?

Federal bureaucrats such as Udall engage in short-circuited, regressive and backward thinking when it comes to properly engaging crises’ such as the pine beetle kill.

This issue requires a revolution in human and societal consciousness, intelligence and management. It is an opportunity to evolve our species out of its current destructive behavior, ignorance and insanity and move us into the light of brilliance, proper stewardship of the commons and, ultimately, our own planetary survival.

Steve Jonah breckenridge

Road crews go remote to identify rockfall dangers

By Troy Hooper Special to the Sopris Sun

What can make many of Colorado’s highways spectacular can also make them deadly.

Particularly stretches of road that meander through canyons with walls that shoot high above, and where rocks of all sizes could at any moment come tumbling down. Out of the Canyon,” the true story of an Aspen man who lost his family in a rockfall tragedy in Glenwood Canyon, is but one example.

There have been nine fatalities as a result of rocks hitting cars on Colorado highways since 1999, including one that claimed the life of a motorist in Snowmass Canyon in August 2009. but those are rare occasions. more often, rock slides damage and close Colorado’s mountain roads.

Armed with $4.13 million to mitigate rockfall hazards this year, the Colorado Department of Transportation is putting several projects in the fast lane, including one in Shale bluffs. The state is spending $1.5 million on that section of Highway 82 near Aspen to drape netting between mile markers 35 and 37. The Shale bluffs project initially was scheduled to begin in 2013 but FASTER (Funding Advancement for Surface Transportation & Economic Recovery) money accelerated the work.

Crews are also evaluating Highway 133 over mcClure Pass where they are considering rock scaling, blasting and netting. About $1.2 million is penciled in for the project, which could start in spring 2011.

In Glenwood Canyon, crews are repairing and improving existing rockfall fences along Interstate 70. The state has earmarked $600,000 for the project, which, like the one for Shale bluffs, is already under way.

To get a better perspective on work that needs to be done, CDOT employs a small fleet of remote-controled helicopters and airplanes rigged with cameras that are used to snap aerial photos.

Recently, CDOT senior geologist Alan Hotchkiss stood on the side of Highway 82 looking at a monitor linked to a live-stream feed from the remote-controled helicopter. He shot the photos based on what he saw in the monitor while helicopter technician Dave Wilbur maneuvered the bird above the zooming traffic.

“We come out here and rate rockfall sites every five years. We’re also doing aerial photography of each site. Instead of just a ground view we have a view from the air of what that entire site looks like and what may be causing the rockfall so at a later time we can come back and mitigate those things,” Hotchkiss explained. “These pictures are great to take because it allows us to take a picture in time to see what it looked like a year, five years, 10 years, 20 years from now.”

The remote-controled helicopters and airplanes cost about $3,500 and $5,000, respectively, and are built by Wilbur, who started Eye in the Skye Aerial about 18 years ago.

CDOT is his only customer.

“It used to be fun, but now it’s a job. It’s

ACTIVITIES ALL DAY FOR ALL AGES Plant trees for kids and the future 10 a.m. to noon • Crystal River Elementary & C’dale Middle School Meet at the Crystal River parking lot • Bring a shovel & work gloves Plant an orchard for teens and the future 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. • Roaring Fork High School Meet at the dome greenhouse • Bring a shovel & work gloves Low Carbon Lunch for Volunteers Noon to 1 p.m. • 3rd St Café at 3rd St. Center Totally local lunch powers you through the day’s activities Map a Low Carbon Future for Carbondale Noon to 1:30 p.m. • 3rd St. Center Community Room Put on your thinking cap, map our clean energy future “Bling” a Bike for the 3rd St. Center Green Fleet 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. • 3rd St. Center Give an old bicycle a new life with “bling” decorations Climate-Friendly Home Makeover Open House 1 to 4 p.m. • 37 Maroon Place Tour a whole-house remodel that maximizes energy efficiency

Sunday Oct. 10 2010 CARBONDALE SPONSORS

Sustainable Settings ECOS Third Street Cafe Spuds, Subs and Suds Eco-Goddess Edibles Town of Carbondale Children for a Better World Land West Alpine Bank Planted Earth Central Rocky Mountain Permaculture Institute Fat City Farmers CU Outreach Rick Lawrence Construction Kay Brunnier

very, very serious,” Wilbur said.

Officials have identified 756 rockfall sites in Colorado based on traffic data, geology and hazards.

There are 24 of them on Highway 82 and 20 of them on Highway 133, most or all of them rated high.

Hotchkiss and Wilbur are documenting them with the remote-control aerial photographs.

“It’s a quick operation,” Hotchkiss said. “We’re rarely

in a location longer than 5 minutes, then off we go.”

Other sites where state officials are mitigating rockfall include I-70 at Georgetown Hill, where $1.4 million is earmarked, U.S. 285 in Turkey Creek Canyon near bailey, where as much as $300,00 could be spent, and Highway 145 at Norwood Hill in the Telluride area, where $1.7 million is in the budget.

This story was originally published on realaspen.com and is reprinted here with permission.

Colorado Department of Transportation geologist Alan Hotchkiss looks at the monitor of a remote-controled helicopter (upper left) on Highway 82 in order to shoot photographs from it to be used in rockfall projects. Photo by Troy Hooper

Egg Salad Expires 10/7/2010

7am - 4pm • 7 Days a Week • Conveniently located next to City Market

970-963-3663

Transformation YOGA & FITNESS

Please join us for our celebratory first class,Vinyasa and Vino, this Friday @ 5:30 pm.

All levels welcome!

OPEN IN CARBONDALE ON FRIDAY, OCTOBER 1!

• New Location – 449 Main Street, Next to the Floral Boutique and Green Miracle Medicinals • 25 classes weekly including Vinyasa Flow, Anusara Yoga, Yin Yoga, and Cardio Kickboxing.

• Two studios (Basalt and Carbondale) accessible with ONE PUNCH PASS!

Power flows where intention goes!

www.peacefulfrank.com (970) 309-6911

THE SOPRIS SUN • SEPTEmbER 30, 2010 • 17

Wild area gets a reprieve in northwest Colorado Lovers of wild open spaces in northwest Colorado recently received some long-awaited great news. The bureau of Land management’s Little Snake Field Office announced that it would close 77,000 acres of the magnificent Vermillion basin to oil and gas development.

The agency’s decision came as a result of a well-publicized public process. Nonetheless, moffat County commissioners and the oil and gas industry cried foul. For these folks, it seems, public involvement is only valuable when it leads to the results they want.

For nearly a decade, the bush administration led by Vice President Dick Cheney elevated oil and gas development on our public lands far above over all other uses. The administration pursued “expedited energy plans” to open up huge swaths to development across the West, and the voices of conservation-minded ranchers, hunters, anglers, municipalities and conservationists were ignored. on This pursuit of oil and gas drilling on the virtually every acre of our public lands

By Suzanne Jones became a bush administration hallmark.

High Country News In the case of the Little Snake region, it led to a draft management plan that would have opened up 93 percent of the entire resource area to oil and gas development, including 100 percent of the Vermillion basin, an area proposed for wilderness designation through congressional legislation. A balanced approach was sorely needed, and a move in that direction was made by the bLm under the Obama administration in its final Little Snake management plan. Released this August, it protects Vermillion basin from oil and gas development.

The final plan was not a surprising, top-down decision, but a reasoned response to many voices that had been ignored over the past eight years. They included Colorado’s Gov. bill Ritter, the state’s Department of Natural Resources, many conservationists both regional and national, and a local group of diverse citizens called Friends of Northwest Colorado.

I participated for two and a half years in collaborative stakeholder meetings as part of the Northwest Colorado Stewardship process on the Little Snake plan, so I can attest that we

Suzanne Jones is a contributor to Writers on the Range, a syndication service of High Country News (hcn.org). She is the Colorado regional director for The Wilderness Society in Denver.

SAVE THE DATE

Friday Night October 15, 2010 • 6-9 p.m. at The Village Smithy

Fundraising Kick-off Party Come Join Us at a Get Out To Vote Party

Join at the Crystal River

FREE Barbecue

iel d

rf

Live Music: All the Pretty Horses

m isi o ne r

Thursday, Sept. 30 5:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.

ect -El

om

Grass Fed Beef 55 North 4th Street, Carbondale

Ga

18 • THE SOPRIS SUN • SEPTEmbER 30, 2010

But let’s be clear: The final management plan still opens a whopping 90 percent of the Little Snake Resource Area to oil and gas development.

Re

Writers Range

never reached a consensus on opening Vermillion basin to drilling, despite claims to the contrary by moffat County and the oil and gas industry. Furthermore, the final Little Snake plan was signed by Helen Hankins, the bLm Colorado state director, and not some bureaucrat in Washington, D.C. but let’s be clear: The final management plan still opens a whopping 90 percent of the Little Snake Resource Area to oil and gas development. You’d think that would make the oil and gas industry happy. Rather than spouting misleading speculation about the jobs and revenues that are foregone by not drilling for the tiny amount of oil and gas that some estimates claim might be under Vermillion basin, the critics of this settlement should explain why 85 percent of the 1 million acres already leased in the Little Snake Resource Area has never been drilled.

The critics might also acknowledge that some $105 million per year and a slew of jobs are provided by hunting, fishing and wildlife-viewing in this three-county region. These are traditional activities that depend on wild country and healthy herds. Vermillion basin is a wild and beautiful place, and its wilderness qualities make it valuable to the local community — far more valuable than its small amount of potential oil and gas reserves.

For those who haven’t had the pleasure of seeing it, Vermillion basin is a rugged, wide-open country of rolling, multi-hued badlands and winding canyons featuring awe-inspiring petroglyphs. The basin forms the wild heart of a region renowned for trophy elk hunting, the largest greater sage grouse populations in the state, and wild-flowing rivers. Any drilling in this proposed wilderness area would destroy its wild character and render it ineligible for wilderness designation by Congress.

So I say, “Thank you,” to the bLm and the Obama administration, for finally listening to the many people in rural Colorado who said they wanted to keep bLm lands open to multiple use, not just relegating them to development, new roads and truck traffic by one industry. All Coloradans, as well as citizens from across the country, stand to benefit from the decision to conserve one of the West’s treasured landscapes from unnecessary development. As the locals say, this place is “one in a Vermillion.”

Co unt y

C

www.tresihoupt.com facebook.com/TresiHoupt twitter.com/TresiHoupt Paid for by the Committee to Re-Elect Tresi Houpt, Marcia Moore, Treasurer

Unclassifieds

Submit to unclassifieds@soprissun.com by Monday 12 p.m. Rates: $15 for 30 words, $20 for up to 50 words. Payment due before publication.*

THE 34TH ANNUAL CARbONDALE CHRISTmAS bOUTIQUE will be held November 20, 2010 at the Carbondale Firehouse. For information call Charlotte Vanderhurst at 963-2379.

GET THE WORD OUT IN UNCLASSIFIEDS! Rates start at $15. Email unclassiďŹ eds@soprissun.com. *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 618-9112 for more info.

Support The Sopris Sun while The Sun supports your business!

Service directory ads start at just $30.

Contact David Johnson at 970-309-3623 or david@soprissun.com

Service Directory ACTION AUTO COLLISION FREE ESTIMATES â&#x20AC;˘ INSURANCE CLAIMS WINDSHIELDS & CHIP REPAIR LICENSED & INSURED CUSTOM PAINT - FRAME REPAIRS BEDLINERS - RESTORATIONS Carbondale 963-5635 Aspen 925-2285

Bring this ad in on Wednesday for

HAPPY HUMP DAY

15% off all glass

15% OFF your food bill!

I=: K6AA:NĂ&#x2030;H EG:B>:G HDJG8: ;DG B:9>86A 86CC67>H

('. B6>C HI s 'C9 ;ADDG s 86G7DC96A: s .,% I=:<G::C=DJH:9>HE:CH6GN#8DB

.+( ''*)

351 Main Street Historic Downtown Carbondale 963-3553 â&#x20AC;˘ www.skipspourhouse.com

DE:C JCI>A -EB

OF $15 OR MORE Specializ ing in solar ho t water and radiant heat Patrick Johnson 970-618-1768 p 970-963-4867 f

687 Colorado Ave. Carbondale, CO 81623 solarflair@sopris.net

cut out this coup

on & b r

ing

in

$5 OFF ANY PURCHASE

Miserâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Mercantile

1978 Harding Road, Paonia, CO

Bed & Breakfast Inn

NOW ACCEPTING FALL CONSIGNMENTS!

Farm to Table Friday Dinners

303 Main St. â&#x20AC;˘ Carbondale â&#x20AC;˘ 963-3940 â&#x20AC;˘ OPEN 7 DAYS

970.527.4374 â&#x20AC;˘ www.freshandwyldinn.com

Sunday Breakfast with Live Music 9:00amâ&#x20AC;&#x201C;12:00pm, Reservations Please

Healthy Home

Welcomes new massage therapist

Free Demo Rides. No Gas.

Green Cleaning, LLC Earth conscious home & office cleaning services Angie Riley Protect your family and your investment, naturally! www.healthyhomegreencleaning.com healthygreenclean@gmail.com

970-987-5048

Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve got the NFL ticket!

Every game Every Sunday! # Sunday 11am-5pm Hookup # Buy a Large Pizza # get a New Belgium Pitcher # of Beer for $4.99 #

Monday Night Football Free Kickoff Shots! $2.25 Bud $4.45 AYCE Spaghetti

801 Main Ct. Carbondale â&#x20AC;˘ Monday-Sunday â&#x20AC;˘ 11am-10pm www.whitehousepizza.com

Call now for an appointment

970-963-8499 Offering deep tissue, sports massage, or 970-379-0051 Mariaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s cell

Office 970-704-1101 Fax 970-704-9101 Email frosty@sopris.net Web frostycpa.com

1101 Village Road Carbondale, Colorado

Mountain Utility Electric Vehicles 525 C Buggy Circle / www.MUEV.com

LLA2 81623

GO ROARING FORK RAMS

Welcomes our new Nail Technician

WITH DISCOUNTS UP TO 40%.

State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company 3TATE &ARM )NDEMNITY #OMPANY s "LOOMINGTON ), s STATEFARM COMÂŽ

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Healing of the mind, body and soulâ&#x20AC;?

.

Certified Public Accountant

Find out why more people trust State Farm for car insurance. See me about our many discounts and find out how much you can save.

P050127 03/05

reflexology and hot stone (inwinter months only)

J. FROST MERRIOTT

Switch gears to State Farm and save

Todd Fugate, Agent 590 Hwy 133 #ARBONDALE #/ "US TODD FUGATE G KU STATEFARM COM

MARIA REGALADO

Call now for an appointment

963-8499 Salon

618-7838 Michelleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Cell

MICHELLE RENEE Manicures,Pedicures, and Lacquer Gels â&#x20AC;&#x153;Live like a Goddessâ&#x20AC;?

WINDSHIELD REPAIR AUTO GLASS REPLACEMENT DAVID ZAMANSKY â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Owner Operated License & Insured

970-963-3891

500 Buggy Circle Carbondale, CO.

Auto Glass & Side Mirrors

THE SOPRIS SUN â&#x20AC;˘ SEPTEmbER 30, 2010 â&#x20AC;˘ 19

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2010 • SOPRIS PARK, CARBONDALE 8:00 am 8:00 am 10:30 am 11:30-2:30 Noon 3:00 pm

Farmers Market in Sopris Park Tater Trot at Hendrick Ranch Soccer Field Parade on Main Street announced by Carbondale’s own Michael Chandler Music by: “All the Pretty Horses” in Sopris Park Barbeque in Sopris Park Bareback Bonanza at Gus Darien Arena, Registration starts @2:00

Special Thanks to ALL our Sponsors

Town of Carbondale, Carbondale Wild West Rodeo, KMTS Radio 99.1, The Sopris Sun, Mountain Party Rentals-Jamie & Mary Scheurich, PostNet Carbondale A4 Architects, LLC • Ackerman Log & Timber • Alpine Animal Hospital, P.C. • American Legion Post 100, Carbondale B&H General Contractors • Carbondale Family Dental • Casey Concrete • Cheney Plumbing & Heating, Inc. • Church at Carbondale Claddaugh Irish Pub • Clifford Cerise Ranch Co. • Cobble Creek Landscaping, Inc. • Cowen Center Convenience Store Crystal Glass Studio/Parkside Gallery • Crystal River Liquor & Laundromat • Crystal River Ranch, Sue Rodgers • Crystal River Spas Crystal Springs Builders, Inc. • Crystal Valley Plumbing & Heating • Culligan Water • Danciger Tybar Ranch, LLC Dave Cardiff Construction • Dr. Dave's Herbal Medicine • Dru Handy Custom Painting, Inc. • General Services • Gianinetti Ranch Grand Junction Pipe & Supply, Carbondale Division • Heritage Park Care Center • L&L Cabinets, Inc. • Lynn M Kirchner, Amoré Realty M.G. Landscaping, Inc. • M.R. Maintenance & Repair, LLC • Main Street Gallery and The Framer • Michael D. Doherty, DDS Mid Valley Electric • MRI Mountain Roll-offs, Inc. • Mt. Sopris Historical Society & Museum • Pacific Sheet Metal, Inc. • Peppino's Pizza Personal Rehabilitation Center Physical Therapy • Pour House • Red Hill Animal Health Center • Red Rock Diner • Roadside Gallery Roaring Forge, LLC Roaring Fork Cabinets • Roaring Fork Family Physicians, P.C. • Roaring Fork Valley CO-OP Rona Fischer, owner Carbondale Ins. Service • Russets • Seven Star Rebekah Lodge #91 • Shear Happenings • Sopris Engineering, LLC Sopris Liquor & Wine • Sunburst Car Care • Telephone Systems Consultants, Inc. • The Village Smithy Restaurant • Timbers Resorts TJ Concrete Construction, Inc. • Todd Fugate State Farm Insurance • Toni Cerise/Roaring Fork Realty • Valley View Hospital Waldorf School on the Roaring Fork • Walter Welch Interiors, Inc. • Western Slope Materials • White House Pizza Wood Doctor Construction, Inc. • Rebecca Young Graphic Design • Your Parts Haus Corp (NAPA Auto Parts)