December 1, 2011

LOOK INSIDE:

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VCR opponents group

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Tourney returns

PAGE 18

Exploring KDNK’s roots

the

Sopris Carbondale’s

’Tis the season to

“Spruce Up e Sun” Carrying on a favorite Carbondale tradition, the Sopris Sun is seeking young artists to turn this issue’s cover into a colorful winter wonderland with our Spruce Up The Sun contest.

This year’s black and white cover was created by Carbondale Middle School eighth grader Kimberly Tena. A big thank you goes out to CMS art teacher Ami Maes and her students who submitted more than 170 drawings from which to choose.

The Sun staff had a difficult decision and besides Kimberly Tena, would like to recognize five honorable mentions: Beth Fawley, Emily Mata, Grace Lamont, Naomi Pulver and Leah Allen. We were very impressed with their creativity and imagination. They used holiday themes encompassing everything from a scuba diving and a moonlight cruising Santa to dancing gingerbread men and women.

We hope this inspires our young readers to embellish this cover. The coloring competition is open to pre-school through fourth-grade students.

We want to see your creative colors shine. Choose from clipping the cover right off a copy of the Sun, making a Xerox copy of the cover, or picking up a printout at the Gordon Cooper Library or the Carbondale Recreation and Community Center.

The contest will be judged by community artists and Sopris Sun staff in three categories: Preschool/Kindergarten; First/Second Grades; and Third/Fourth Grades. A grand-prize winner will be selected from those categories.

All winning designs will be printed in the Dec. 22 issue and posted on the Sun’s Web site.

The deadline for entries is Friday, Dec. 16. Drop them off at The Sopris Sun office in the Third Street Center (520 S. Third St., #35 – at the end of the “long hall”) or send them to P.O. Box 399, Carbondale, CO 81623. Include your name, grade level, and a phone number with your entry. For more information, call the Sopris Sun at 510-3003.

weekly, non-profit newspaper

Sun

Volume 3, Number 42 | December 1, 2011

Carbondale Commentary

You can’t eat money The saga of the Village of the Damned Crystal River Marketplace continues. Boy, this thing outlasts most Hollywood marriages. So, now we’ll vote. Well, some of us will. Even though the proposed development is less than a mile from my house, I don’t live inside the town limits and therefore I won’t have a say. The location of this mall will impact my home in many ways: the lights will forever change my view of the night sky, the pavement will irreversibly increase summer temperatures in Satank, and the traffic will make it likely for me to take a left on Highway 133 — away from town, in order to go into town.

Are we really going to bring big business to town like an old gunslinger to kill off our small businesses? Sure, this project can potentially bring more customers to Highway 133, especially in the beginning, but it’s also likely to kill business on Main Street in the long run. Just like Rock beats Scissors, National Chain beats Mom & Pop every time.

At the final town meeting on this subject I kept hearing that Carbondale gives the impression we’re “closed for business” and that an outdoor mall will remedy the situation. If by “closed” you mean we have our own local fast-food burger joint and we don’t need a national rainforest-fed-beef chain, or if you mean we’re a peaceful little cow town where we don’t get road rage when we’re stuck behind a rancher driving his

By Jeannie Perry baler down the highway, then yes, we are “closed.” It’s intentional and if you don’t like it you know what to do.

Besides, if Carbondale’s so “closed,” how did we all get here? Carbondale’s population has tripled in the last two decades and the only things that have kept it from turning into typical sMalltown, America are the people who live here and care enough to sacrifice hours of their lives at town meetings.

Elizabeth “Mad” Murphy always votes exactly the opposite of the way I would vote if I lived in the town limits and could be elected as trustee (count your blessings, folks!). I can’t wait to meet her in person; I’m expecting some sort of Witches of Eastwick windstorm to pick up and crack the Pour House floor or something. Maybe Mount Sopris will erupt, casting a strange spell on the town and River Valley Ranch will have to be evacuated and taken over by exceptionally good-looking scientists and the National Guard. We’ll have to learn how to make soap and grow our own food because of the quarantine.

I know, I may have been watching too many made-for-TV movies lately, but there is a rare opportunity here for Carbondale to grow vegetables and plant fruit trees and move towards a genuine sustainable foods future.

If I’m going to pay 1 percent on all my purchases for a new development then I want something I can really enjoy, and Kroger mac ’n cheese ain’t it. I think Mr. Schierburg should bag the idea of an outdoor mall and instead build a literal beergarden (brewery/garden) in the middle of a giant Frisbee golf course. Grow some hops and lettuce, plant some raspberry bushes and apple trees, hide rosy-cheeked gnomes around the property and brew seasonal ales year round.

My husband and I met up with an old friend at a brewery in Boonville, California, last summer and it was a magical place (even before we tasted the beer). Five acres of shady benches in rural open space with a beer garden and a friendly, local feel; the Anderson Valley Brewing Company is exactly the kind of place Carbondale needs to mimic in order to loosen up and enjoy itself.

If nothing else, this piece of property on Highway 133 and its perpetual potential has made me realize we tend to take things a little too seriously in this town.After all, you can’t eat money; well you can, but it doesn’t taste as good as a local garden salad and a home-brewed beer.

Carbondale could pave the way (sans asphalt) for small towns everywhere to be self-sufficient and satisfied. And we could have a Frisbee-golf-of-a-good-time doing it!

Ps & Qs

Eric Anderson takes a break while fishing for permit in Xcalak, Quintana Roo, Mexico a few weeks back. Courtesy photo

2 • THE SOPRIS SUN • DECEMBER 1, 2011

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.

Say hi to Emmy

Be sustainable, use cash

Dear Editor: This is the time of year when my thoughts turn to those I hold near and dear: family and friends. This note is about one such person.

Many, and I will wager hundreds of us in this valley (from Aspen to Rifle), are indebted to this woman. For years she shared her expertise in the needle arts with us.

From sewing to knitting to quilting to needlepoint to crochet, Emmy Neil was our Needle Arts Encyclopedia.

She was always there: for some through Colorado Mountain College, for others, 4H, to lend a helping hand, to teach us that “ripping builds character,” to help us navigate the murky waters of “the pattern.”

Emmy was a jovial, caring friend with a wealth of knowledge to share – a saint!

Emmy Neil now spends most of every day sitting alone at Heritage Park Care Center. The Coal Seam Fire robbed her of her home, her life’s possessions and, in the end, her identity.

Please, if you find yourself in Carbondale, stop by Heritage Park and give Emmy a hug. Visit with her for a few minutes. She may open her eyes and smile and speak a sentence or two. Most importantly, she will know that you are there and that you care.

Thank you all.

Warm and happy holidays, Jenny Tempest Carbondale

Dear Editor: As a business and community member of Carbondale, a town which is striving to be green, sustainable and locally supporting, let me speak about credit card use.

We, the population in general, have become quite dependent on credit and/or debit card usage to the point that it costs businesses a portion of net income to accept them. The Red Rock Diner receives 50 to 60 percent of payments in credit and debit cards. The economy has changed enough that all businesses are looking for ways to cut the cost of daily operations.

The credit, debit (yes they cost also) and gift card charges to the processing companies are 2.5-3 of sales. Businesses then (using 50 percent of sales) pay 1.25-1.5 percent of all sales (2.5 percent of 50 percent of sales = 1.25 percent of 100 percent sales) to the processing companies.

When taken into consideration, this represents monies that never return to the community. In essence, 1.25 percent of all credit card sales cannot be spent in the local economy. I learned years ago from my father that money spent and used in the local economy benefits all.

Perhaps it is time for us to locally return to cash usage for paying for goods to supLETTERS page 15

CCAH gives thanks Dear Editor: The Youth Green Is the New Black Fashion Show was a goose-bump experience. From the innovative designs the kids created to the music and dancing to the cross-cultural audience, “The Future Is Ours” was a pure delight and inspiration.

This experience could not have happened without the support of many but there is one person we did not get to give proper thanks to at the show and she deserves it.

None of this could’ve happened without the creativity and cooperation of Jennifer Berry from the Carbondale Middle School. Jennifer allowed Carbondale Council on Arts and Humanities classes to use the sewing machines at the middle school, which is an amazing resource.

We also need to give another shout out to PAC3, Access Roaring Fork and Second Shift, Alchemy Audiovisual Systems, Jenna Bradford, Kether Axelrod, Kashana Tonozzi, Adriana Pevec, Rochelle Norwood, Kevin Jenkins and Mark Burrows.

How lucky are we to live in a valley filled with such talent! I hope everyone comes out for the adult Green Is the New black Fashion Extravaganza on March 910. It won’t be long before all this young talent unleashes on our world!

Thanks again.

Amy Kimberly Executive Director CCAH

To inform, inspire and build community Donations accepted online or by mail. For information call 510-3003 Editor: Lynn Burton • 510-3003 news@soprissun.com Advertising: Dina Drinkhouse • 970-456-7573 dina@soprissun.com Bob Albright • 970-927-2175 bob@soprissun.com Photographer/Writer: Jane Bachrach Ad/Page Production: Terri Ritchie Paper Boy: Cameron Wiggin Webmaster: Will Grandbois Sopris Sun, LLC Managing Board of Directors: Peggy DeVilbiss • David Johnson Allyn Harvey • Colin Laird Laura McCormick • Trina Ortega Jean Perry • Elizabeth Phillips Frank Zlogar

Sopris Sun, LLC • P.O. Box 399 520 S. Third Street #35 Carbondale, CO 81623

970-510-3003 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.

Group forms to fight VCR

Jeff Scott, inventor of FlashFlight Frisbees and owner of LightMyBike.com, will provide some of the lights for the Parade of Bike Lights at First Friday. Photo by Amber Scott

Bikers help light up C’dale as never before Sopris Sun Staff Report Carbondale will be lit like never before during First Friday festivities on Dec. 1, thanks to the Parade of Bike Lights.

The Parade of Bike Lights will consist of at least 20 bicyclists, who will be outďŹ tted on a ďŹ rst come-ďŹ rst served basis with specialized LED bike lights from Lightmybike.com. “These lights include multi-colored spoke lights, red seat post lights and handlebar lights,â€? said Carbondale Recreation Center Director Eric Brendlinger.

The Parade of Bike Lights is the latest twist in the annual Light Up Carbondale, which is a component of First Friday. The schedule is as follows: • 3 to 4:30 p.m. – Santa rolls into the Third Street Center Round Room to hear holiday wishes and confer with kids up to age 5; he’ll return to the Round Room from 6:15 to 8 p.m. for older kids. • 5:15 p.m. – The Parade of Bike Lights leads Santa’s sleigh to the big tree at Main Street and Weant Boulevard (near the Forest Service building) for the tree’s ofďŹ cial

lighting. The Crystal River Elementary School Choir Carolers will be ďŹ ll the night air with song. The parade route is as follows: Bikes head south from the Recreation Center on Promenade to Main Street then to Weant, then east down Main Street to Third Street, right on Third Street then right on GarďŹ eld to Fourth Street, then on to Fourth Street Plaza where Santa will hit the switch on those lights as hot-chocolatefueled festivities continue. At about 6 p.m., the Parade of Bike Lights rolls out east on Main Street to Third Street and on to the Third Street Center. • 6 to 8 p.m. – At the Third Street Center, the Carbondale Council on Arts and Humanities opens its December exhibit, “Hand to Heart,â€? from 6-8 p.m. The show features work from 21 local artists including ceramics, jewelry, glass, wood, photography, painting, mixed media, wearable art and homemade chocolates.

For more First Friday related action, please turn to Calendar on page 10 and Hold the Presses on page 11.

Next steps

Bicyclists interested in participating in the Parade of Bike Lights should arrive at the Recreation Center no later than 4:30 pm. The first 20 helmeted bicyclists will be decked out in lights, which are consistent with bicycle safety laws.

CHRISTMAS TREES & GREENS HAVE ARRIVED! House Plant Blowout

Planted

Earth

Garden Center CARBONDALE LOCATION ONLY 12744 Highway 82 • 963-1731 OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK Mon.-Sat. 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Sun. 10 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Poinsettias & Holiday Bulbs ................

Stocked with New Candles and Gift Items!!

Submitted Press Release Carbondale-area residents have formed an ofďŹ cial campaign issue group to work against the proposal for the Village at Crystal River development along Highway 133.

The group, known as Locals for Smarter Growth, or more simply “The Locals,â€? is comprised of a growing number of town and area residents, ranging in age from their 20s to their 70s. So far more than two dozen different people are committed to helping to convince Carbondale voters to come out against the Village at Crystal River in the upcoming special election. “It’s very important that people understand the costs associated with this proposal. Once they do we are conďŹ dent they’ll vote‘No’ in January’s special election,â€? said Denise Moss, an active member and organizer of The Locals. “To that end, we will be conducting a campaign that involves traditional and some non-traditional tactics,â€? Moss continued. “Keep an eye out for us — and join us if you can.â€?

The Village at Crystal River is the latest proposal for the 24-acre parcel on the west side of Highway 133. The property runs along West Main Street, across from the Ace Hardware and City Market complex, and north along Highway 133 to Roaring Fork Valley Co-Op. The Carbondale Trustees voted 5-1 to approve the project with the caveat that voters have the ďŹ nal say. A mail-in ballot election will be conducted in January, with ballots due by Jan. 31.

The last day to register to vote for this election is Jan. 3, according to Cathy Derby, Carbondale town clerk. “This proposal would result in 125,000 square feet of new commercial

development, up to 164 new residential units and a massive, Willits-style building at the far edge of the empty ďŹ eld on the way to CRMS,â€? said Allyn Harvey, another organizer.“Worst of all, the proposal calls for everyone who buys groceries in Carbondale to pay a 1 percent tax on their food and drugs to cover the highway ‘improvements’ that are required to make this project work.â€?

The Locals realize they have an uphill battle against Richard Schierberg, the Front Range developer who is the face of the investors behind the Village at Crystal River proposal. His group has promised a new building for City Market at the north end of the property. “If this was simply about a new supermarket, we wouldn’t be having this election,â€? said Laurie Guevera Stone, another member of The Locals. “But this developer wants much, much more than permission to build a new supermarket,â€? she continued. “Schierberg wants us to tax our own groceries to pay for infrastructure improvements. He wants to ood our already weak residential real estate market with 164 new townhomes and condominiums. He wants us to approve a so-called â€˜ďŹ‚ex zone’ where he can build anything he wants at some future date. And he wants us to give him 12 years to built it all — that’s many, many more years than most developers are granted.â€?

Voters can expect outreach from The Locals over the coming weeks on the proposal and the upcoming election. “This is an important election,â€? said Michael Gorman, a 26-year-old resident who is helping with the campaign. “I’m a Local, and I’m voting against this awed proposal.â€?

School district to release survey questions

By Debbie Bruell Sopris Sun Correspondent The RE-1 school district will release survey questions that are being sent to about 700 district staffers as part of Superintendent Judy Haptonstall’s on-going 360-degree review.

The school board has not decided whether to release any or all of the survey results.

The survey, conducted by Utah-based

DecisionWise, is a key component in the school board’s evaluation of Haptonstall’s leadership.

The survey lists 51 behaviors “required for leadership excellence.� For each of these behaviors, respondents are asked to rate the superintendent on a scale from “very poor� to “outstanding.� The survey then lists 14 “derailers,�or“behavior challenges that undermine the person’s results.� Respondents SURVEY page 9

December’s Special Cranberry Body Masque Private Mineral Bath Back, Neck and Shoulder Massage plus a Day Pass to Our Historic Vapor Caves

IT’S A DAY AT THE SPA FOR $115

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News Briefs The Weekly News Brief The Sopris Sun and the KDNK news departments team up to discuss recent news from the Roaring Fork Valley and beyond. Catch the Brief Fridays on KDNK.

Commissioners talk pot

BLM roads closed for season

The Garfield County commissioners will hold a public hearing about three medical marijuana grow operations, including two on County Road 100 east of Carbondale, during their morning session on Dec. 5. At issue is whether the businesses were operating in unincorporated portions of Garfield County prior to the county’s June 21, 2010, moratorium on new medical marijuana businesses, according to a legal notice. The businesses are CMG Care-House LLC (whose listed agent is Chris Busley with a Gypsum mailing address) and the Green House LLC (whose listed agent is Ryan Gordon with a Carbondale mailing address).

Annual winter closures to motorized vehicles on certain lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management’s Colorado River Valley Field Office went into effect on Dec. 1 and continue to April 30 to protect critical big game winter range and prevent road damage.

The roads are on Light Hill and the Crown in Pitkin County, East Elk Creek in Garfield and at several points in the Castle Peak area of Eagle County. All the areas are still open for non-motorized uses such as hiking, snowshoeing, horseback riding and skiing.

Town closing in on budget The Carbondale Board of Trustees is putting final numbers in the town’s 2012 budget and will hear community requests for funding at its next meeting on Dec. 6.

At Tuesday night’s meeting, the trustees tentatively budgeted $12,000 for the Carbondale Public Art Committee, which administers a town-funded program to pay stipends to sculptors to place their work around town. The group had asked for $18,000 in 2012; they were given $12,000 in 2011.

Fire destroys chicken coop An early morning fire on 11th Street on Nov. 29 destroyed a chicken coop, killing all the chickens inside, and also damaged a straw bale shed, fence and neighboring house, according the Carbondale Fire District. The cause of the fire is believed to be a heat lamp in the chicken coop.

The fire district received a report of a brush fire at 3:48 a.m.

The district responded with three trucks, an ambulance and 17 personnel. There were no injuries.

CDOT goes Facebook The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) officially launched a Facebook page on Thanksgiving Day to help improve customer service and communications by providing highway news and information and allowing for two-way communication with citizens. CDOT’s Facebook page can be found at www.facebook.com/coloradodot.

“We have been utilizing our Web site, Twitter and e-mail/text message alerts to communicate road and traveler information as well as other news to motorists,” said CDOT Executive Director Don Hunt. “While these tools are all very successful, we believe Facebook will provide another avenue for citizens to communicate with us directly and receive critical information about our transportation system and programs statewide.”

CDOT will post information about construction projects and programs as well as events and photos. In addition, there is a feed from CDOT’s Twitter account that provides updates on road and travel conditions as well as other CDOT news.

Other resources for CDOT information includes www.coloradodot.info where you can also sign up for free e-mail and text message alerts; www.cotrip.org or 511 for road and weather conditions; and www.twitter.com/coloradodot.

FEATURED CRIME

INFORMATION WANTED Criminal Mischief October 10, 2011 Carbondale Police Department is looking for any information on a Criminal Mischief which occurred on Monday, October 10th, 2011.

Damage to the property occurred when an unknown person(s) entered the vacant residence, which is located at 310 W. 8th Place in the Town of Carbondale.

The unknown person(s) turned on all water faucets inside the residence and plugged the drains, which caused water to flood all three floors of the newly built residence. Damage inside the home is estimated between $20,000 to $30,000.

Remain anonymous and earn up to $1,000 by calling 970-945-0101 or visiting www.garcocrimestoppers.com and clicking “Report a Tip” Tab. “Let’s solve this case”

M y Fa v o r i t e 14 e r:

PYR AMID PEAK My Lunch Spot:

HALLAM LAKE My Airpor t:

ASPEN/PITKIN COUNTY

{I f ly A S E } CHRISTY MAHON FIR S T WOM A N TO SK I A LL COLOR A DO 14ER S

N O N - S T O P C H I C A G O D E N V E R L O S A N G E L E S S A N F R A N C I S C O H O U S T O N D A L L A S / F T. W O R T H

4 • THE SOPRIS SUN • DECEMBER 1, 2011

A S P E N A I R P O R T. C O M

Sunrise on Nov. 22 brought low clouds between Mount Sopris and Elk Springs Ranch sub-division, located between Carbondale and Glenwood Springs. Photo by Ray Sauvey

Beyond Naughty and Nice ......................................................................................

Join us to explore what makes someone “deserving” of the universe’s gifts. ......................................................................................

Sunday, Dec. 4, 10 a.m.

Two Rivers Unitarian Universalist (TRUU) @ Third Street Center

www.tworiversuu.org UU Minister

Visit Artwares Upstairs, the newest addition to Dancing Colours featuring art for everyday living...

Its a grand (gallery) opening!

This First Friday, December 2nd, 5-8:30 pm Bonfire with our artisan-crafted marshmallows and gourmet hot chocolate!

Gretchen Haley

Children’s fairy orb making workshop from 5-7:00 pm

Inspirational, Rockin’ Music

While you’re here... check for signs of life at the little enchanted dwelling...

Jimmy Byrne Youth Program Director Two Rivers Unitarian Universalist

Heather Rydell Childcare Available

968 Main Street, Carbondale | www.dancingcoloursstudio.com | 970-963-2965 THE SOPRIS SUN • DECEMBER 1, 2011 • 5

Scuttlebutt

Send your scuttlebutt to news@SoprisSun.com.

Where’d they come from?

Ever since the Sun’s recent story on the Moonlight Cruisers unofďŹ cial bicycle group, some folks have been wondering about their history, how long they’ve been around and who started it all.

Well, the Sun received an anonymous message about the Cruisers the other day. Here it is. “One snowy evening about six and a half years ago or so, ďŹ ve of us, intrepid travelers each, met at Sopris Park under a cloudy sky that suggested a full moon. We biked down Main Street ringing our bells through the snowakes shouting, "We bike for you!" We biked through the Nugget and were met with cheers by the bartender and the few patrons who were partaking. We biked up Snowmass Drive and back down toward the park. I rode that cold, snowy evening in solidarity with Critical Mass movements that were originally meant to raise awareness about biker rights, clean transportation and lack of bike lanes. I also rode because it was good fun (any excuse to wear a wig). I rode because the one who conceived of the Moonlight Cruisers in Carbondale had amazing energy and is still as charismatic today (and still rides with the cruisers). We all hoped that it would catch on . . . ride on, you crazy cruiser diamonds.â€?

Thomas Friedman sells out No, we’re not talking about the Pulitzer Prize winning writer’s moral beliefs, association or non-association with various causes or what he will or won’t do to make a buck.

We’re talking Friedman’s talk for the Roaring Fork Cultural Council on Dec. 29.

The Sun wrote an article on Friedman’s upcoming appearance on Oct. 20 and all the tickets were snapped up by Oct. 26, according to a RFCC spokesman. Friedman wraps up the Roaring Fork Cultural Council’s third season. Previous speakers include former U.S. Senator Gary Hart and former Secretary of State Madelyn Albright.

As for 2012, Harvard professor Henry Louis “Skip� Gates kicks off next year’s action on Feb. 4. Tickets are $15. For details, go to www.roaringforkculturalcouncil.com.

If you were wondering If you were wondering exactly how many yellow signs that said “We buy houses ‌ any conditionâ€? were planted up and down Highway 133 last week, here you go – 17 of them.

Most of the signs were stuck on public property and they stretched the entire length of Highway 133 from the Red Rock Diner to River Valley Ranch. A Sun staffer called the phone number on the sign and the woman who answered seemed a bit bewildered by the

call. It also sounded like she had a soap opera playing on the TV in the background.

The Sun staffer then dialed up the Web site address on the signs and eventually found a response box that said “How did you hear about us?â€? He was temped to ďŹ ll in “Your 17 yellow signs up and down Highway 133 were hard to missâ€? but decided against it.

Turding tip Sometimes, folks who take their pooches to Delaney dog park can’t ďŹ nd their dog’s turd and become a bit anxious about continuing their walk empty handed. Well, just remember “a turd’s a turdâ€? or “any turd will doâ€? and if you can’t ďŹ nd your own (so to speak) there are usually a few laying around to the left as you enter the park.

Here’s lunch The lunch menu for RE-1 schools is as follows.

Dec. 1 (elementary and middle): pig-n-blanket, roasted sweet potato, fries, strawberry/banana mix, milk; (high school): spaghetti, fruit and vegetable bar, milk.

Dec. 2 (elementary and middle): homemade pizza, cucumber sticks, grapes, milk; (high school): pizza, fruit and vegetable bar, milk.

Dec. 5 (elementary): grilled cheese with chicken noodle soup, carrot and celery sticks, fresh kiwi, milk; (middle): bean and cheese burrito, fresh pico de gallo, Spanish beans, apple wedges, milk; (high school): beef taco, fruit and vegetable bar, milk.

Dec. 6 (elementary): super nachos, refried beans, fresh pico de gallo, fresh orange wedges, milk; (middle): bean and cheese burrito, fresh pico de gallo, Spanish beans, apple wedges, milk; (high school): hot dog, fruit and vegetable bar, milk.

Dec. 7 (elementary) baked potato bar with choices of chili, cheese, sour cream, steamed broccoli, apple crisp, milk; (middle): pulled pork on a bun, homemade butternut squash croutons, orange wedges, milk; (high school): enchiladas, fruit and vegetable bar, milk.

Dec. 8 (elementary): hamburger, homemade butternut squash, croutons, banana, milk; (middle): baked French toast, herb roasted potatoes sausage, grapefruit wedges, milk; (high school): herb roasted chicken, fruit and vegetable bar, milk.

They say it’s your birthday Birthday greetings go out to: Sadie Dickinson (Dec. 1), Elizabeth Robinson, Ted Brochet, Paul Stover and Sierra Palmer (Dec. 2), Ro Mead (Dec. 3), John Stroud and Mark Stover (Dec. 5), Amy Kimberly, Judy Whitmore, Carol Craven and Frank McSwain (Dec. 6), Holly Richardson and David Dabney (Dec. 7).

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6 â&#x20AC;˘ THE SOPRIS SUN â&#x20AC;˘ DECEMBER 1, 2011

Roaring Fork hoopsters enter season with high hopes

By Will Grandbois Sopris Sun Correspondent It has been 25 years since Roaring Fork High School student and basketball star Brenda Patch and her mother Loretta lost their lives in a tragic car accident on Thanksgiving, 1986. The loss devastated a family already touched by the 1981 Mid-Continent mine explosion that claimed their father, Ron. But though Carbondale has seen a lot of change since then, including over 3,000 new faces, each year Brenda’s legacy lives on in the Brenda Patch Tournament and the scholarship it sponsors.

This year’s tournament kicks off with junior varsity on Dec. 2 with the Roaring Fork Rams facing the Basalt Longhorns at 6:30 pm (girls) and 8 p.m. (boys).

The stats look good for the guys, whose varsity team has defeated the Longhorns in all but one of their season match ups since 2006 (that’s nine wins over five years). The gals, with no such pattern to fall back on, will likely face stiff opposition in their first match. However, with the return of coach Kirk Cheney to varsity, who oversaw a 13-7 season four years ago, the girls have the chance to reset the bar.

After Basalt on Dec. 2, both teams will have a chance to measure themselves against Steamboat Springs and Glenwood, while the JV will have their first look at Aspen’s up and coming lineup.

“We lost to Steamboat in the Brenda Patch Tournament last year and to Glenwood in their tournament, both in December. They have excellent programs and are both teams well-coached,” said boys’ coach Larry

Williams. “It will be a challenge for us, but that is why we schedule them. I like to play schools that are larger than us in order to better prepare the team for the competition we will face.”

This year marks Williams’ fourth as basketball coach, but his roots at Roaring Fork reach far back, as a coach, teacher, and alumnus. He saw the team reach the state bracket five times in a row under Roger Walters, then took them there himself last year, and remembers the days when the girl’s team (with eventual WBA player Tricia Bader) took state three years running. It’s a daunting legacy, but the coach, and the team, seem up to the challenge.

The chief challenge for the boys will be to replace last year’s starters Dalton Handy and Jake Strack Loertscher. “It will be very difficult to fill their shoes,” admitted Williams. “They were terrific players and leaders for our program, but this year's captains, Clay Gross and Sam Carpenter, are displaying their own styles of leadership.”

Gross just finished his role as quarterback for the Rams’ football team, while Carpenter was a top scorer on the soccer field. The basketball lineup pulls liberally from both fall sports, giving the best of Roaring Fork's athletes a chance to shine on one court. Whether the combination will be enough to top last year’s 17-9 record remains to be seen.

“It was an exciting season last year and it looks like it will be again,” said Williams. “The competition in our league will very strong and we will have to battle for every victory.”

Aspen Choral Society

Messiah Directed by RAY VINCENT ADAMS

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2011 WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2011 First United Methodist Church Glenwood Springs, Colorado

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 9, 2011

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2011 St. Mary Catholic Church, Aspen ALL CONCERTS AT 7:30 PM $15 • Children under 12 free

Staff Report The 24th annual Brenda Patch basketball tournament brings in a total of 14 boys and girls basketball teams from the Roaring Fork Valley and Steamboat Springs. The tournament tips off at 3:30 p.m. on Thursday and concludes at 5:30 p.m. on Saturday.

Tournament schedule

Dec. 2 (JV/main gym) 3:30 p.m. – Aspen vs. Glenwood girls 5 p.m. – Aspen vs. Glenwood boys 6:30 p.m. – Roaring Fork vs. Basalt girls 8 p.m. – Roaring Fork vs. Basalt Boys

Dec. 3 (Varsity/main gym) 3:30 p.m. – Basalt vs. Glenwood girls 5 p.m. – Basalt vs. Glenwood boys 6:30 p.m. – Roaring Fork vs. Steamboat girls 8 p.m. – Roaring Fork vs. Steamboat boys

Dec. 4 (JV and Varsity) 10 a.m. – Roaring Fork vs Aspen JV (girls in aux, boys in main) 11:30 a.m. – Glenwood vs Basalt JV (girls in aux, boys in main) 1 p.m. – Steamboat vs Basalt girls (main) 2:30 p.m. – Steamboat vs Basalt boys (main) 4 p.m. – Roaring Fork vs Glenwood girls (main) 5:30 p.m. – Roaring Fork vs Glenwood boys (main)

Since the Brenda Patch Tournament started the year after her death in 1986, it has raised $30,000 for local scholarships. The tournament kicks of the high school basketball season for area teams.

Non-profit highlight

Handel’s

Performed by: The Aspen Community Chorus The Glenwood Springs Community Chorus The Aspen Choral Society Orchestra

Brenda Patch Tournament tips off on Thursday

ROTARY CORNER

ROTARY CLUB OF CARBONDALE

“SERVICE ABOVE SELF”

Become a Member

December with Carbondale Rotary Meetings are Wednesday 7 AM at the Carbondale Firehouse. Visitors are welcome to come enjoy the programs and see the wonderful work for the community and around the world that Rotary does.

SPEAKERS: Dec 14 – Dr John Findley – “Fit for Life” Dec 21 – Aaron Garland – “Houses for Higher Education” Dec 28 – Louis Meyer, SGM President – “Carbondale Report Card” Rotarians will be ringing the bell to raise money for the Salvation Army at City Market Carbondale all Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays for the month of December.

The community is invited to come and take a shift to help those in need during the holidays. Call Mike Waski or Amy Barr to volunteer or for more details.

Rotary wishes all the happiest of holidays!!

THE SOPRIS SUN • DECEMBER 1, 2011 • 7

Pick your favorite economics villain at chamber expo Sopris Sun Staff Report

Carbondale Community School students won first place in the Window Decorating competition in Aspen during last week’s World Cup races. Several students took part. Shown here are (left to right): Isla Brumby Nelson, Greyson Post, Luna Segal and Teddy Noel.

Courtesy photo

Economist R. Dan Brumbaugh Jr. will ask participants at the Dec. 2 Carbondale Chamber of Commerce expo to choose their favorite recent economic villain: greedy Wall Street bankers, large commercial banks, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, Democratic or Republican government officials, or sub-prime borrowers.

“His talk will spell out the role played by all these entities from the beginning of the crisis to today,” said chamber director Sherri McClenahan. “His analysis is sure to surprise the audience.”

The chamber of commerce’s annual Business Conference and Expo takes place from noon to 6 p.m. at the Orchard (aka Church at Carbondale) on Snowmass Road. For details, call 963-1890.

Brumbaugh is an economist who, during the savings and loan crisis in the 1980s, served as deputy chief economist at the Federal Home Loan Bank Board during the savings and loan crisis in the 1980s. He has published five books and numerous academic articles on aspects of financial crises and has testified before Congress 12 times.

He is currently writing a book titled, Betrayal and Global Catastrophe: How the U.S. Government Caused the Last Three American Financial Crises, and Ultimately Brought the World Economy to the Brink of Disaster, which examines the unifying causes of the savings and loan and banking crises in the U.S. in the early 1980s and the early 1990s, the most recent U.S. financial crisis, and the current financial crisis in Europe.

“It should be startling to recall that we have faced several relatively recent financial crises — two savings and

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loan and banking crises in the early 1980s and 1990s, the most recent U.S. crisis, and now the European sovereign debt and banking crisis. It is daunting that, depending on how it is handled, the European crisis could cause new global economic turmoil that would surely reach the Roaring Fork Valley,” said Brumbaugh.

Other speakers will be Garfield County Commissioner Tom Jankovsky, will lead a discussion on economic development, and Carbondale Town Manager Jay Harrington who talk about issues the town faces.

Expo schedule

Noon to 12:30 p.m. – Registration (brown bag lunches OK) Noon to 6 p.m. – Business expo open 12:45 to 1 p.m. – Welcome 1 to 1:45 p.m. – Presentation, Tom Jankovsky 1 to 2 p.m. – Break, expo and refreshments 3 to 3:30 p.m. – Presentation, Jay Harrington 3 to 4 p.m. – Organization forum 4 to 4:15 p.m. – Break, expo and refreshments 4 to 5 p.m. – Presentation, R. Dan Brumbaugh, Jr. 5 to 6 p.m. - Expo and networking.

The expo concludes with a networking opportunity with beer, wine and appetizers from Bravo Fine Catering. Tickets are $40 in advance and $50 the day of the event. For more information and to buy tickets, call 963-1890 or email: sherri@carbondale.com.

SEI included in Colorado Gives Day Submitted Press Release Solar Energy International has announced its support of the second annual Colorado Gives Day – an initiative to increase philanthropy in Colorado through online giving to Colorado charities.

Once again presented by Community First Foundation and FirstBank, Colorado Gives Day is a 24-hour period to “give where you live”by making online donations to the hundreds of charities featured on Community First Foundation’s online giving resource, GivingFirst.org. As a profiled charity on GivingFirst.org, Solar Energy International will benefit from this initiative.

In recognition of Colorado Gives Day, Solar Energy International staffers will be at Bonfire Coffee (433 Main St.) from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Dec. 6 and will continue the celebration at Mi Casita (580 Main St.) from 3 to 9 p.m. the same evening.

At each location, staffers from SEI will explain the organizational goals for 2012, answer questions from the community, as well as unveil the 2012 course schedule. Computers will available for easy access to SEI’s Giving First donation page.

“Solar Energy International is excited to be a part of the second annual Colorado Gives Day,” said Johnny Weiss, SEI Executive Director and co-founder.“As a Colorado nonprofit, we recognize the value of bringing local communities together in support of the charitable sector — and Colorado Gives Day is an ideal outlet for raising awareness of the need to support organizations like ours.”

The event coincides with SEI’s 2012 Education Fund end-ofyear appeal. Donations to the Education Fund will be used to: • Meet the needs of people requiring scholarship assistance to receive training; • Adapt RE100: Introduction to Renewable Energy online course for high school students and make more accessible to their teacher; • Translate SEI’s online course PV203: Solar Training-Battery-Based Design into Spanish.

• Expand Solar Suitcase projects into additional schools, offer solar suitcase trainings in a continued partnership with WE CARE Solar.

• Improve our Paonia campus by building permanent equipment storage and bathrooms.

“Over the past 20 years, Solar Energy International has educated and provided technical assistance to tens of thousands of people.What makes this achievement so outstanding is that SEI is a small nonprofit that continues to gain respect and recognition internationally for its accomplishments,”said Tresi Houpt, SEI Board Chairwoman. “SEI employs leading educational and technical experts in renewable energy and sustainable building technologies, to design and offer programs that reach thousands of people annually. Our participation in Colorado Gives Day will allow us to continue to educate and support individuals and communities through our established programs and enhance our services to meet the needs of our changing environment and economy.”

Marla J.Williams, president of the Community First Foundation, said, “We are very proud of our local nonprofits — they add to the vibrancy and diversity of our communities — and we are honored to support them by providing an opportunity to raise more funds for their worthy causes on Colorado Gives Day. ‘Give where you live’ is a simple concept but one with huge impact. Our goal last year was to raise $1 million online for local nonprofits. Instead, thanks to Coloradans’ generosity, we raised more than $8 million.”

For more information about Solar Energy International and how it is supporting the second annual Colorado Gives Day, visit www.solarenergy.org.

Solar Energy International was founded in 1991 as a nonprofit educational organization to help others to use renewable energy resources and sustainable building technologies through education and technical assistance. SEI’s vision is focused on helping create a more sustainable future for our planet and its inhabitants.

Survey continued om page 3 are asked to indicate to what extent the superintendent demonstrates each behavior, from “none” to “a great deal.” The survey ends with three open-ended questions, asking respondents to: describe the superintendent's greatest strengths as a leader, any critical job-specific skills she lacks (if any) and specific things the superintendent could do to become a more effective leader.

DecisionWise will compile the results for the board's review at its Dec. 16 retreat. Parents first proposed the idea of a 360-degree review of the superintendent last spring and the previous school board listed the review as a future goal.

In news from Tuesday night’s school board meeting: • The board chose Michael Kinsley of the Rocky Mountain Institute to facilitate its Dec. 16 retreat, which will be funded by Carbondale educator George Stranahan.

• Board members agreed they want to begin the process of getting teacher and administration feedback regarding how mill levy override funds should be used.

Board president Matt Hamilton said,” We need to have a thoughtful process that respects the great honor the taxpayers gave us by approving the mill levy override.”

• The board agreed to allow McREL, an education research and development corporation, to look at RFSD as part of the company’s research project investigating best practices in education.

• Haptonstall told the board a state report on the district’s progress through the Closing the Achievement Gap initiative will be posted on the district’s Web site; the board will discuss the results on Dec. 14.

• Haptonstall noted that Roaring Fork High School teacher Ben Bohmfalk was featured recently in a Los Angeles Times article for his work with students in regards to the Occupy Wall Street movement.

J OIN U S. . .

Dec. 2nd or 3rd from Noon to 3PM for: • Refreshments • Private Tour • Enter a drawing for a gift certificate to Phat Thai

Mark Wyman Managing Director office 970.925.2225 cell 970.379.7377 markw@sopris.net

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THE SOPRIS SUN • DECEMBER 1, 2011 • 9

Community Calendar THURSDAY Dec. 1 ROTARY • The Mt. Sopris Rotary Club meets at Mi Casita every Thursday at noon.

KDNK AUCTION • The KDNK Labor of Love Auction commences on-air tonight from 6 to 8 p.m. and continues through Dec. 1 with a wrap up session from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Dec. 3. Information and a complete catalog is available at kdnk.org. There are hundreds of items and services from all over the valley in the Labor of Love Auction. Register by calling the KDNK office at 963-0139.

Only registered bidders can participate. All proceeds benefit KDNK Community Radio.

THEATRE • Jayne Gottlieb Productions presents“Legally Blonde”at PAC3 on the following dates: Dec. 1-2 at 7 p.m.; Dec. 3 at 2 and 7 p.m.; Dec. 4 at 5 p.m. The actors range from 7 through 18 years old. Info: 309-1269.

STOCKING STUFFERS • Valley View Hospital’s Stocking Stuffer Sale in the second floor lobby is presented by the Valley View Hospital Auxiliary. There are great bargains on Christmas gifts and unique items. A drawing for a quilt takes place at noon. Proceeds benefit local health occupation scholarships and the Connie Delaney Medical Library.

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

FRIDAY Dec. 2 MOVIES • The Crystal Theatre presents “Answers to Nothing” (R) at 7:30 p.m.

Dec. 2-8 and “The Ides of March” (R) at 5:15 p.m. Dec. 2-6.

“LIGHT UP CARBONDALE” • The town

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. View and submit events online at soprissun.com/calendar.

of Carbondale, chamber of commerce and CCAH present “Light Up Carbondale,” beginning with a visit from Santa for kids up to 5 at the Third Street Center from 3 to 4:30 p.m. For details, see the article on page 3.

CUP AUCTION • The 14th annual Carbondale Clay Center Cup Auction takes place from 6 to 9 p.m. Items from more than 250 ceramists are offered. A members preview takes place from 5 to 7 p.m. on Dec. 1. The clay center is located at the east end of Main Street. Info: 963-2529.

KDNK LIVE ART AUCTION • The KDNK Labor of Love Silent Auction takes place at the Village Smithy (Third and Main).

The auction showcases local original artwork, gifts, and merchandise from the Roaring Fork Valley and beyond. A complete list of silent auction items are in the Labor of Love Auction catalog, available for download at kdnk.org.

WHIMSICAL WOMEN • Whimsical Women of the West’s annual Holiday Show takes place at the Third Street Center Dec. 2 from 4 to 9 p.m. and Dec. 3 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Items include: fiber art, holiday décor, jewelry, baskets, clothing, vintage collectibles, fine art photography, folk art, pottery and food from by 20 local artisans. Info: 945-4004.

MOSS RECEPTION • Brent Moss Photography hosts a First Friday reception from 6 to 9 p.m. at 467 Main St. (in the Dinkel Buidling behind the Floral Boutique).

LIVE MUSIC • Hell Roaring String Band plays Carbondale Beer Works on Main Street.

LIVE MUSIC • Carnahan’s Tavern in the Dinkel Building presents B.M.F. (local boys

Billy, Masse and Frankie) at 10 p.m.

LIVE MUSIC • Steve’s Guitars in the old part of the Dinkel Building presents live music every Friday. Info: 963-3304.

LIVE MUSIC • Rivers restaurant in Glenwood presents Bad Willie (blues). No cover.

Info: 928-8813.

CHAMBER SYMPOSIUM • The Carbondale Chamber of Commerce “State of Carbondale and Beyond” business symposium takes place from noon to 6 p.m. at the Orchard on Snowmass Drive. Keynote speaker is economist R. Dan Brumbaugh Jr. Brumbaugh has appeared on numerous TV news shows, including “NBC Today,” “The McNeil/Lehrer News Hour” and on National Public Radio. Tickets are $40 in advance and $50 at the door. Info: 963-1890.

HOLIDAY CRAFT FAIR • Valley View Hospital’s Holiday Craft Fair takes place from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the second floor lobby. The items are created by Valley View employees and include wreaths, jewelry, paintings and other art, stained glass, candles and more.

THEATRE • CMC Theatre presents “I Hate Hamlet” at the Spring Valley Campus (between Glenwood Springs and Carbondale) at 7 p.m. on Dec. 2-3 and 8-10, and 2 p.m. on Dec. 4 and 11. Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for students and seniors. Info: 947-8177.

FRI.-SAT. Dec.2-3 SIV • Symphony in the Valley presents “American Composers,” featuring George Gershwin’s“Rhapsody in Blue”as performed

by Andrea Aresa Elias at the Wheeler Opera House in Aspen Friday at 7:30 p.m., and

Opens First Friday, December 2nd, 6-8pm

Just in Time for the Holidays

Hand to Heart Hand Crafted Gifts made in the Roaring Fork Valley Laurel Astor - Pastel Paintings Ginny Beesley - Pottery Stanley Bell - Paintings Tanya Black - Fabric Art Jenna Bradford - Fabric Art Staci Dickerson - Paintings Melanie Finnen - Textile Art Sandie Gardner - Pottery Kathy Hansel - Jewelry Nonie Hoffman - Crocheted Hats Alexandra Jerkunica - Painted Ballet Shoes Bob McCool - Photography Brad Reed Nelson - Wood David Moore - Turned Bowls

Rochelle Norwood - Hand made Chocolate David Powers - Blown and Sculptural Glass Erin Rigney - Paintings Tom Semborski - Metal Sculpture Lisa Singer - Cards Matt Suby - Photography GALLERY HOLIDAY HOURS

Monday through Friday, 9am-5pm Saturday, December 3rd, 9am-5pm Saturday, December 10th, 9am-7pm Saturday, December 17th, 9am-5pm

THINK LOCAL · BUY LOCAL · BE LOCAL LOCAL FIRST

10 • THE SOPRIS SUN • DECEMBER 1, 2011

Glenwood Springs High School Saturday at 7:30 p.m. Also on the program are four episodes from Aaron Copland’s “Rodeo,” and the Kokopelli Hand Bell Choir from Grand Junction. Tickets for the Wheeler performance are $15 at the door or 920-5770.

Tickets for the Glenwood Springs performance are available at the door at $12 for adults, $10 for seniors, $6 for kids and teens, and $30 for families. Info: www.sitv.org.

FRI.-SUN Dec.2-4 ART MART • The Wyly Holiday Art Mart takes place December 2-4 at the Wyly Community Art Center (the old library) in Basalt.

The hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Info: 9274123 or art@wylyarts.org.

SATURDAY Dec. 3 LIVE MUSIC • Carbondale Beer Works presents Big Daddy Lee and the King Bees.

LIVE MUSIC • Carnahan’s Tavern in the Dinkel Building presents Pineapple Crackers at 10 p.m.

CHRISTMAS BAZAAR • The Crystal Meadows (Carbondale senior housing) annual Christmas Bazaar takes place from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. in the Rominger Room.

There will be handcrafted jewelry, yummy baked and canned goods, amazing paintings; great knitted items and fun odds-and-ends to complete any shopping list.

CONTRA DANCE • A community contra dance breaks out at Glenwood Springs Elementary School from 7:30 to 10 p.m. The music is “lively” and “old time” according to a press release. This month’s caller is Carol CALENDAR page 11

Get your 1st Friday

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EVERY FRIDAY in Carbondale!!

Great Food & Fun! Support your small local businesses

Every Friday night enjoy Great DinING, Art ViewING & EntertainING CelebratING & BrowsING Rickshaw RidING Dancing & laughING Plays & Movie ViewING or experiencING Steve’s GuitarsING & PAC 3ING

Every Friday you can be

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Support your local Small business

Community Calendar Fey. She’ll teach square, contra, and folk dances, as well as the polka and waltzes.“It’s fun, non-alcoholic, aerobic and no partner is necessary,” said a contra spokesperson. Beginners should arrive by 7:30 p.m. for a 30minute dance walk-through. The school is located at 915 School Street in Glenwood Springs, two blocks west of the post office.

Admission is $8.

COOKIE DECORATING • As part of Basalt Christmas tree festivities,Wyly Art Center hosts a cookie decorating event at the old library from 3 to 5 p.m.The cookies are from the Midland Baking Company. Info: 927-4123.

MONDAY Dec. 5 ZUMBA • Zumba “Blasts the PAC3” on Monday nights Dec. 5, 12 and 19 from 6 to 7 p.m. Info: 945-8822.

TUESDAY Dec. 6 TRIVIA NIGHT • KDNK presents “Trivia

frompage10

Night” at Carbondale Beer Works. CBW is located on Main Street, across the street from forest service offices.

WEDNESDAY Dec. 7 ROTARY • Carbondale Rotary meets at the firehouse Wednesdays at 7 a.m.

CERAMICS • Colorado Mountain College/Aspen ceramic students hold a pottery show and sale Dec. 7 from 5 to 7 p.m., Dec. 8 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Dec. 9 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Some of the students selling wares are Lindsay Fortier, Mary Ballou, Georgann Moore, Casey Coffman and Marianne Breed, plus faculty members K Rhynus Cesark, Sam Harder, Katie Van Alstine and Anne Goldberg. CMC is located across from the Aspen Airport. Info: 925-7740.

OPEN MIC • Dan Rosenthal hosts open mic nights at Rivers restaurant in Glenwood Springs every Wednesday from 8 to 10 p.m.

Save the date Saturday Dec. 10

PAC3 • Elephant Revival returns to Carbondale after rocking Sopris Park during Mountain Fair last July. The five-piece band from Nederland describes itself as “neo-acoustic folk … with a unique multi–genre musical approach that threads together dynamic instrumentation and a diverse rhythmic sound while exploring the depths of all five of the groups’ songwriters. The band delves into Scottish/Celtic fiddle tunes, original folk pieces, traditional ballads, psychedelic country, indie rock, reggae grooves, 1940s to 1950s jazz standards and an occasional hip-hop beat among other styles. The band consists of Bonnie Paine (vocals, washboard, djembe, musical saw), Sage Cook (electric banjo/guitar, acoustic guitar, mandolin, viola, vocals), Dango Rose (double-bass, mandolin, banjo, vocals), Daniel Rodriguez (acoustic guitar, electric banjo/guitar vocals) and Bridget Law (fiddle and vocals). Carbondale’s own All the Pretty Horses will be the opening act, starting at 8 p.m. Tickets are $20 in advance/$25 at the door.

Info: 1-888-71-TICKETS and www.elephantrevival.com.

Further Out

THURSDAY Dec. 8

THEATRE • Thunder River Theatre Company opens“Always … Patsy Cline”at 7:30 p.m. and continues the musical on Dec. 9-11 and 15-18.

Info: 963-8200.

DEAD ALERT • Mickey Hart of the Grateful Dead will perform with his new band at Belly Up in Aspen. Hart is donating 100 percent of the fees from tickets sold on MickeyHart.net to music therapy.

Ongoing S.A.W. • Ceramist Anne Goldberg and painter Staci L. Dickerson introduce new work at their “Simple Rhythms” show at the Studio for Art + Works (S.A.W.), 978 Euclid Avenue. The show is about action, adaptation, and acceptance and will be up through Dec. 6. S.A.W. hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays. Info: 379-5050 or 379-9419.

CLAY CENTER • The Carbondale Clay Center continues its 2011 Holiday Invitational through Dec. 30. Featured ceramists include: H.P. Bloomer, Tony Wise, John Cohorst, Nathan Bray, Lyla Goldstein, Avi Arenfeld, Tyler McGinn, Casey Coffman, CJ Jilek, Elizabeth Farson, K Rhynus Cesark, Shawn O’Connor, Lusterbunny, Diane Kenney, Sarah Moore, Donie Hubbard, Charlie Childress, Mary Ballou, Sue Tirrell, Katie Kitchen, Lisa Maher, Tom Jaszczak, Ronan Peterson, Tammie Lane and Gail Burtik. The Carbondale

Clay Center is located at the east end of Main Street. Info: 963-2529.

WINTER FEST • The Glenwood Springs Center for the Arts’ Winterfest show features Joy Commons, Dan Glidden, Betsy Blackard, Ewa Lachur- Omeljaniuk, Chad Zanca, Mary Blichmann, Dara Barth, Nancy Helser, Phyllis Hackett, Anne Ramsay, Tara Vetter, Anne Moll, Sinda Wood, Barbara Jean Swan, Sara Ward, Kellie Philburn, Jennifer Miller, Randi Garcia, Sandy Richards, Jamie Spry, Marcia Fuscaro, Jessica Kidd, Terry Muldoon, Noemi Kosmowski, Kristoff Kosmowski and Kari Doerr. The show continues through Jan 3.

The Glenwood Springs Center for the Arts is located east of the Hot Springs Pool. Info: 945-2414.

TEEN PHOTO SHOW • The Gordon Cooper Library presents a photo show from local teens based on their favorite book titles.

Hold the presses FIRST FRIDAY UPDATES • Dancing Colours at the west end of Main Street opens its Artwares Upstairs gallery of art for everyday living with a gourmet marshmallow roast from 5 to 8 p.m. Marcel (Majid) Kahhak will paint live at his Dinkel Building gallery from 6 to 8 p.m. Beverages and hors d’oeuvres will be served. Elliot Norquist and Chris Hassig show recent art (steel sculpture and works on paper) at 100 N. Third St. (across from the American Legion). Wood burner Fritz Anders demonstrates his art at Ravenheart (located on Weant). A portion of Main Street will be closed to traffic, so Crystal Theatre movie goers might want to allow extra time for parking (additional parking is available at Colorado and Fourth Street (north of Main Street).

PRESENTS

Fritz Anders Wood Burning Art First Friday Artist Demonstration December 2 Using wood as canvas, Fritz incorporates the distinctive grain characteristics with a series of burns, layers of color stain, sanding and a variety of finishes.

50B WEANT BLVD

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CARBONDALE CO 81623

You’ll enjoy his unique whimsical style. Stop by and see his latest creations and works in progress.

•

970.963.1401

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RAVENHEARTGALLERY.COM

•

RAVENHEART@RAVENHEARTGALLERY.COM THE SOPRIS SUN • DECEMBER 1, 2011 • 11

Community Briefs CMS holds fund-raiser at Dos Gringos Carbondale Middle School presents three homegrown extreme sports guys who’ll show videos of their experiences at Dos Gringos from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Dec. 3. The guys are: Sam Stevens (professional downhill mountain bike racer), Hayden Kennedy (climber) and Jake Sakson (tele-skier).

The $20 admission fee covers a burrito and drink. Tickets for door prizes are $5 per ticket or $20 for three. Proceeds go toward buying climbing wall mats.

Event sponsors are: Independence Run & Hike, Ragged Mountain Sports, Aloha Cyclery, Ajax Bike & Sport, Backbone Media, Carbondale Acupuncture, Five Points Film Festival, Summit Canyon Mountaineering and Dos Gringos Burritos

No late starts RE-1 schools have regular start days on Dec. 5 and 12, and May 7 and 21.

In other school news, Winter Break is Dec. 19 through Jan. 3 (teachers return on Jan. 2); the last day of school will be June 7; graduation day is June 2 rather than during Memorial Day holiday.

Equine assisted therapy demonstration slated

WW newsletter available on line

Creative Spark Studio, a non-profit therapeutic art and experiential program, will be conducting a demonstration of its new

970-963-1234

program Healing heARTs with Horses, on Dec. 3 at Strang Ranch. The program offers equine assisted psychotherapy with Level 2, certified EAGALA instructors Sheri Gaynor, LCSW and registered expressive arts therapist Susan Gibbs (owner of SG Horses and Her Herd).

Anyone who is interested in learning more about how horses can help people solve problems and overcome obstacles is encouraged to attend, including mental health professionals, parents, teachers and educational consultants.

Equine assisted therapy and learning can offer a direct path to healing with issues such as anxiety, depression, communication breakdowns, insomnia, post traumatic stress syndrome, improving relationships, social skills deficiency, authentic leadership, team building skills, improved self confidence, substance abuse recovery, at-risk youth, marital and family counseling, stress and anger management, bereavement and more, according to a press release. Drinks and snacks will be provided. Attendees should wear layered, comfortable clothing and closed-toe shoes. The demonstration will be held in the Strang Ranch arena.

RSVP at 618-0561 or sheri@sherigaynor.com.

The Wilderness Workshop newsletter is available on line at wildernessworkshop.org. Current articles include “Roadless Rule Good for Thompson Divide” and

“We Got a Grip on Thistles – and a Passle of Pizzas.”

Thursday Night Bar offers advice Alpine Legal Services’ Thursday Night Bar at the Garfield County Courthouse in Glenwood Springs on Dec. 15 offers advice on civil issues, divorce, custody, tenant rights and powers of attorney, according to a press release. Participants will be received in order of appearance, starting at 5 p.m.

Each session lasts up to 10 minutes. Volunteers attorneys donate their time for Thursday Night Bar. “To facilitate this service please bring all necessary documentation related to your case, such as leases, contracts and court papers,” said a spokesman.

For details, call 945-8858.

Colorado Gives Day is Dec. 6 The HERA Women’s Cancer Foundation is participating in Colorado Gives Day, a one-day online giving event promoting philanthropic generosity.

The HERA Women’s Cancer Foundation was established by Carbondale’s Sean Patrick in 2002.

“After being diagnosed with ovarian cancer, Ms. Patrick decided to use her passion for the outdoors and resolve the lack of awareness, information and funding for ovarian cancer by launching the popular HERA Climb4Life rock climbing and hiking weekends,” said a HERA Director Meg J. Steitz.

Funds raised through the event provide for scientific research grants, as well as community grants to raise awareness about ovarian cancer. “The mission of the foundation is to stop the loss of women from ovarian cancer by promoting health, empowerment, research, and awareness,” Steitz said.

More information is available at: www.herafoundation.org.

LIFT-UP receives $30,000 grant from ACF The Aspen Community Foundation awarded a $30,000 grant to LIFT-UP to assist their ongoing efforts to feed people in need in our local communities. “LIFTUP greatly appreciates the strong support we’ve received from Aspen Community Foundation over the years,” said Mike Powell, executive director for LIFT-UP. “As we move into the busy holiday season, this funding will help with our Thanksgiving and Christmas meal assistance.”

Requests for food assistance at LIFTUP’s seven area food pantries continues to be much higher than before the economic downturn in 2008. “Support from the community and caring organizations like Aspen Community Foundation has helped us keep up with the increased demand, which is how LIFT-UP is intended to work.

We’re here to serve as a channel for the community’s concern for their neighbors,” said Powell.

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12 • THE SOPRIS SUN • DECEMBER 1, 2011

Call Linda for Appointment

(970) 618-4598

Sitting down with RFHS Principal Cliff Colia

By Will Grandbois Sopris Sun Correspondent Cliff Colia has been pouring his heart and soul into local schools for decades.

When I first met him over 10 years ago, he was the principal of Carbondale Middle School and I was one of several hundred elementary students that had been evacuated across the field due to a gas leak. He’d let his students shave his head as a reward for some academic success, but while the ’do clashed with his suit, he had our fears dampened and our sense of adventure piqued inside the first minute.

For four years now, he’s been putting that wacky warmth to work as the principal of Roaring Fork High School. He also drives the school bus for many of their special events and field trips, and is acting as the athletic director in the wake of budget cuts. Even so, he was able to take some time out of his busy schedule to talk to the Sun about the school, the district, and education in general.

Cliff Colia is a man of many hats at Roaring Fork High School. Here he’s shown introducing the girl’s volleyball team in 2010. Photo by Lynn Burton

Question: You’ve been here four years now. You’re the only principal these students know. How have things changed since you took the helm?

Answer: Any job inside a school building is so all encompassing, sometimes you just don’t have a chance to sit back and really think about things like that, because you’re so in the now. I would say this, though: almost all the staff that are here this year were here last year. We didn’t really

have any turnover in the core class teachers, so the dynamic just feels really good. It seems like, after a couple of years, because of the great job that teachers do and that (vice principal) Mason does, it feels like the thing is just moving on its own.

Q: How has the economic downturn and the failure of Prop 103 affected things?

A: You know, all these people wrote into the paper talking about “trimming the fat” from our schools. We’ve already trimmed the fat. We’re looking at amputations of major organs. I’m real nervous about that, because some of the things we do really well – our art program, our science or writing – I would hate to see it in jeopardy because we lose more positions. I hate to think about combining this school with other schools and shutting schools down.

Q: Does the mill levy help with that?

A: I’m so excited that the mill levy passed, because it will help us maintain this year’s level. Now, if the state does something really drastic, that will help us offset that. But there may be some things even the mill levy can’t mitigate.

Q: How has the Moving On program been? Has it synced well with the standards-based grading system?

A: With Moving On, you’re focusing on the specific essential learning objectives that COLIA page 14

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Food for families in need is available at LIFT-UP’s 7 area food pantries. Support from our caring community makes the work of LIFT-UP possible.

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Mid-Valley Food Pantries Carbondale: Third Street Center, 520 South 3rd Street, #35 Monday, Wednesday & Friday: 10am-12:30pm • 963-1778

Basalt: Basalt Community United Methodist Church, 167 Holland Hills Rd. Wednesday & Thursday: 11am-1pm • 279-1492 Learn more at www.liftup.org and join us on facebook!

THE SOPRIS SUN • DECEMBER 1, 2011 • 13

Colia Q and A continued om page 13 are incorporated in the standards. It’s too early to tell, we’re just sort of in the middle of it. We have a challenge because we’re a smaller staff. For example, we have three math teachers, but theoretically we could have 15 different segments of math to teach…. It’s going to be challenging. We’ll see how that works in the coming months.

Q: Does this sort of system spell the end of grade integrated approaches like Sophomore Core?

A: We don’t have the staff members to be able to do something like that. We can’t dedicate one English teacher or one social studies teacher to just a sophomore group.

That makes it more difficult to coordinate.

What would help us out tremendously is, the number of teaching positions is dictated by the number of students we have here. If the kids that lived in Carbondale came to Roaring Fork High school, we would have more positions.

Q: I believe that. The population of Roaring Fork High School has been holding about steady for 20 years, while the population of the area and other local high schools has doubled. I imagine that’s one of the biggest issues facing Carbondale schools.

A: Absolutely it is. We can do some things here as a small school that no other school can, but there are also some things we can’t do, and we have to rely on CMC (Colorado Mountain College) to provide

some of our coursework. We have a lot of folks that would rather drive their kids to Aspen, Basalt, or Glenwood rather than drive across the highway here to Roaring Fork High School. That’s something that we really have to address. We try to do some things with our course offerings, independent study, even offering CMC classes here in the building to make sure that every student has something that’s going to be really beneficial to them. More than beneficial, exciting.

Roaring Fork High School has received, for whatever reason, what I think is some unfair criticism from the community. It makes me sad when people don’t investigate Roaring Fork High School as their first and best option. I think they are looking for this educational pot of gold at the end of the rainbow that they think they can’t get here. And that’s a shame, because I see our students being very successful in a wide range of post-high school situations that the community should be very proud of.

Q: How do you think we got in that position? And how do we turn it around?

A: That’s a good question. One thing that I used to get at the (Carbondale) Middle School, was a perception that because there was so much diversity, the Anglo kids couldn’t get what they needed. That’s really a superficial argument. I think if parents would really investigate who these students are, they would be amazed. From the peo-

“Eat local, grow local, educate local.”

– Cliff Colia ple that come in contact with our students, we hear just the highest praise.

I used to hear the wildest things at the middle school. “Oh there’s gangs everywhere” and all that kind of stuff. What I’d ask anyone to do is just to walk around our halls and sit in our classrooms. We’re probably the safest high school in the district. We don’t have graffiti, we don’t have vandalism, we don’t have fights, we have teachers that are truly invested, we have small class sizes, smaller than what you’ll find at other high schools. But you don’t hear those things being said.

People don’t know this: our students earned two and a quarter million dollars worth of scholarships last year. More than any high school in the district. But once it becomes part of the groupthink… We just have to offer the best product we can, be open to parents, be open to students. It’s something we have to do every day with every interaction with every member of the community.

If you look at our scores, you see that our Anglo students do as well or better than other Anglo students in the district.

You see that our growth numbers are very high. But if you just get on the CSAP Web

site, and look at Roaring Fork’s ranking is lower than the other high schools.

Q: Is that a function of an inherent bias for those who had English as their first language with a test that’s administered in English?

A: Well, yeah! If you have a word problem in math, it doesn’t really assess your math ability as much as your reading ability. But if you break down the socioeconomic figures, we do very well. But unless I wrote a letter to the editor every week . . .

There is a bias with our diversity.

Q: Surely the diversity has a pro to it.

A: Absolutely. We have this great diverse mix of students that’s just so positive. But many people in the community see that as a negative. We just see it as a great advantage for going out and participating in a diverse world, and being successful. We have a Spanish program where we have kids matched up with native speakers in the class. That’s a chance to learn language in a pretty unique way.

Q: Would you say that the student loss is mainly in the people who have moved here recently?

A: Although every now and then I’m surprised by a core Carbondale family going to another school, there are very few of those.

I would say that it’s mainly the more recent residents who send their kids elsewhere. Eat local, grow local, educate local.

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Letters continued om page 2 port local business (unfortunately we may have to pay for airplane tickets – MileagePlus cards command a higher rate). I understand credit card usage has become mainstream, but I feel we can cut back on usage to help bolster our local economy.

I am open to comments in print or in person. This thought has been in my head for years and was first written on a Diner napkin.

As always, shop local and support local economy.

Forever in second-hand Hawaiian shirts.

PS - The Red Rock Diner will still accept credit cards. Happy Holidays!

Bob Olenick Red Rock Diner Carbondale

Concerning Kight’s column Dear Editor: In response to Bill Kight’s Common Ground column in last week’s Sun (“Will mountain bikers keep their word on Smuggler”), the short answer is yes.

Bill suggests the mountain bike community sign an agreement to not develop new trails outside of the NEPA process that’s currently under way for the Hunter Creek/Smuggler Mountain Cooperative Plan. I have been representing the Roaring Fork Mountain Bike Association during the focus group planning meetings for this plan, and feel that I have a full appreciation for the existing conditions of wildlife, habitat, forest health and recreation that the

plan is looking to improve upon. In my opinion, working within this process is the best way to achieve the valuable goals that are in the works for this treasured “backyard” of Aspen.

The trail network in the area links together numerous four-wheel-drive roads and older routes from the mining era, but more importantly, includes some superb sections of single-track. Some of this single-track, including the relatively famous Hobbit Trail, was only recently brought into the Forest Service’s official trail inventory. The Hobbit, and other unauthorized stretches of trail, came into existence through informal social pressure. Had the Forest Service’s budget allowed for proactive planning of the area’s needs, and user’s desires, these trails might have come into place through the proper channels. Most fortunately, such a planning process is currently under way, and we have the opportunity to plan out, in a cooperative manner, what this landscape’s future will look like for the next several decades.

Perhaps Bill’s article was really asking whether a group like RFMBA can represent or even control rogue trail builders that are working outside of processes like NEPA. Simply put, we can’t control the actions of individuals. However, we can re-double our ongoing efforts to be involved with partners like the Forest Service, BLM and the Open Space programs throughout the Roaring Fork valley.

Through these partnerships, we have been working to identify the priorities and

opportunities for a valleywide trail system.

In truth, there are a lot of really good trails on the ground right now. The best of these need to be prioritized and improved, whether through better trailhead and signage infrastructure, or through re-routes designed to improve both the sustainability and the “fun-factor” of a given trail. There are only a limited number of areas throughout the valley that will make sense for expansion from the existing trail systems. If we can identify these remaining expansion areas properly on paper, then we can take the energy being applied to “social” trails, and redirect it towards the trails and areas that have been approved for improvement through these partnerships.

We currently have an agreement with our parent organization IMBA, which prohibits us from engaging in social trail building. We’ll happily extend this arrangement to the Forest Service and our other partners, but more importantly, we need the riders who are most excited about new and improved trails to work with us and with these partner agencies to meet our shortterm and long-term goals. Long in gestation, our Master Plan effort to “create and sustain the best possible mountain bike trail system and experience in the Roaring Fork Valley” is in draft form at the moment. We look forward to opening this plan up to public comment and greater involvement with our members in the coming months.

Mike Pritchard RFMBA, President

About that alleged trail Dear Editor: Just a few comments regarding the misleading article promoting open space for trails (Aspen Daily News, Nov. 14).

The statement by Dale Will that “he was solving an age old problem” doesn’t pass the sniff test. The rail grade removed almost 80 years ago has never been considered the “Crystal Trail.” The abandoned platform, at least the public portion that still remains, has been under the able management of the U.S. Forest Service and has always been accessible to those who have wished to use it.The beautiful Crystal River Valley was designated a Scenic Byway because the view-plane from the highway is so outstanding and currently does not include looking over at hikers and bikers on the east side.

The six-mile midvalley elevations on the east side of the river between Nettle Creek and Avalanche Creek are home to bighorn and elk production activity areas (lambing and calving) and a rich diversity of transitional plant species and wildlife.

The majority of the residents of the valley have gone on record through the Masterplan opinion survey and petitions to the county as opposing the urbanization of this narrow valley floor in favor of an appropriate bike and pedestrian trail with plenty of accommodating highway right-of-way space available, especially throughout the midvalley six miles.

Most of us applaud Leslie Wexner for doing what Crystal Valley constituents do not LETTERS page 17

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The Community Office for Resource Efficiency

thank you and congratulations

Gives a huge

to the following

Sustainable Communities Team Challenge Participants!

To learn more about the projects, log on to www.aspencore.org.

COREmmuter Challenge Led by Aaron Taylor of Carbondale, 60 participants saved over 14 barrels of oil and 657 gallons of gasoline and burned 533,423 calories in 2 months of human-powered commuting!

They biked, walked, rollerbladed, skateboarded, etc. for a group total of 14,037 and went car-free for a group total of 1,550 days over the 2 months. Nice work!

Team 5 Zuleika Pevec Michael Gorman Paula Stepp Jen Burns Kate Rolston

I’d Rather Be a Lizard* Aaron Taylor Nic Degross Darren Broome Dan Giese Kazzy

Sorry for Partying Pedalgogy

Pedal Pushers

Cora Carbavore Michael Logan Adam Carbavore Darryl Fuller

Jeff Lauckhart Paul Black Dylan Mace Dana Ganssle

Clean Livin’

Sunsense/DHM

Isaac Ellis Marc Bruell Shane Spyker Kendall Spyker

Annie Bickley Steve Haines Bailey Haines Charlie Kees

Will Inverso Darin Binion Brad Reed Nelson Andy Lietz Aaron Mays

BikePATHology

Headless Chickens

Schoolin’ It**

Susy Ellison Aaron Garland Mike Podmore Olivia Pevec Marty Schlein

Collette Newell Jenn Kaufman Mary Bright Mike Mines Rachel Korber

Steve Novy Eric Brendlinger Brett Meredith Jeremy Duncan

Team 11 Julie Albrecht Stacy Stein Hannah Lippe Dan Whitney Andy Patterson

Oil Abstinence Sara Tie Cody Lee Noah Davis Amelia Potvin Mark Cavatorta

*Overall team winner for Car-Free Days **Overall team winner for Human Powered Miles

Modular Home Efficiency Upgrades

Glenwood Springs Fruit Harvest Project

Roaring Fork High School Grow Dome

Achieved $100 annual savings and 15-18% efficiency improvement on a Lazy Glen home

Reaped over 600 pounds of fruit from downtown trees

Began project to supply RFHS cafeteria with nutritious, organic and ultra-local ingredients!

John Hines Lee Ledesma Laura Bartels Natalie Spears Mark Lane Russell Cluff

Denise Rankin Joseph Bower Jennifer Vanian Mark Vanian Richard Vottero Mary Russell Cyn Cyr

Jerome Osentowski Mary Cervantes Ilene Pevec

Founded in 1994, CORE works cooperatively with businesses, individuals, utilities and government entities to create measurable improvements in energy and water efficiency in order to benefit the environment and develop a more sustainable economy.

16 • THE SOPRIS SUN • DECEMBER 1, 2011

Letters continued om page 15 have the resources to do in resisting the open space for trails/Carbondale biking coalition for apparently wishing to creating a Moablike area. The Bureau of Reclamation would be considerate to involve the Crystal River residents in their decision-making.

William Hanks Crystal River Valley

Come together, right now Dear Editor: While driving upvalley, I listened to one of the local Aspen radio stations promote an upcoming event at Steve’s Guitars in Carbondale. The DJ was talking with two comedians involved in the event, and the three of them, in an unscripted moment, began touting what an incredible town Carbondale is. They waxed on about how Carbondale has become THE place to be, with constant cultural events, amazing venues and an emphasis on the arts and cuisine.

What they were alluding to was part of our town’s humanity.

It made me think: why is there a faction of townspeople who want to take our unique flavor and squelch it with a run-of-the-mill, bland display of consumerism? The Village at Crystal River is an outdated model for the new paradigm shift our country, state and valley are in. We can no longer buy our way out of a slow economy, and we can no longer burden the middle class with a subsidy tax for the developer’s gain.

Trying to make Carbondale follow the pattern of sprawl that Glenwood suffers from, or the loss of identity that other non-descript towns stagnate in, is irresponsible for future generations. Surely the wealth of energized, bright minds that have chosen to live here can come together to act on a vision that is economically sustainable and green.

If people here want to live in a Cherry Creek type of environment, then they should move there, instead of trying to shift our humanity to fit their needs for consumerism.

We are the envy of many in the valley, and in the country as well. Why sell out our opportunity to be a model for the new paradigm of a generation?

Denise Moss Carbondale

Welcome Burger King?

Dear Editor: I would like to thank Katherine Buettner for her letter welcoming Home Depot and Burger King to Carbondale.

I’m sure the folks who own Ace Hardware and LIVE in Carbondale and their employees who LIVE in Carbondale will be the first ones to welcome Home Depot.

I’m also convinced that the folks who own Fatbelly and The Pour House and The Village Smithy and Mi Casita and Peppino’s and White House Pizza and all of the other fine restaurants and their employees who LIVE in Carbondale will be ecstatic when Burger King moves in.

If you are partial to those businesses maybe you should live in West Glenwood where each one of those businesses exist already. That way you won’t have to wait for your flame broiled burger.

Skip Bell Manager The Pour House restaurant

Interview library candidates (Editor’s note: This letter was sent to the Pitkin and Eagle county commissioners and town of Basalt).

Dear Editor: A group of citizens, representing themselves and many people in the library district, is concerned with the health and improvement of the Basalt Regional Library District (BRLD) board, and request that potential appointees to the BRLD board be interviewed independently by elected representatives.

Currently, the BRLD board itself interviews candidates and makes recommendations to the appropriate governing entities which generally rubberstamp their approval.

We believe that active management of the board appointment process by elected representatives would allow for additional citizen input and make it possible to find a variety of diverse candidates who better represent the needs and desires of the district. In addition, elected officials could advise candidates of the commitment and responsibility they are about to assume. This affords an opportunity to build a board suited to the needs of the BRLD. We share the public concerns raised by several members of the community observing that the BRLD board has been and continues to be unduly influenced by the executive director and one or two vocal board members, thereby preventing the board from seeking outside advice or listening to their constituency.

Anne Freedman Basalt

H O L I DAY E N C O R E P E R F O R M A N C E

Benign neglect a concern (Editor’s note: This letter was addressed to Aspen Daily News reporter Andrew Travers).

Dear Editor: I enjoyed your write-up of the Droste land use planning (Nov. 29, Aspen Daily News). What struck me about the reporting was the extensive and exhaustive apparent public input the OST and Gary Tennenbaum are facilitating for citizens, residents and special interest groups.

The development of trail plans on public lands in the Crystal Valley have not enjoyed the same transparency and I have watched this since the public announcement in August of 2002 (Valley Journal, Aug. 29, 2002) that the trail was coming and that parcels were and would be acquired to link up throughout the east side of the river.

Two parcels, the Red Wind Point open space and the Filoha Meadows open space draft management plans were presented to the public as pretty much finished documents. Input from the Crystal River needed to come during the drafting process, which never happened and is still not happening.

The Crystal Caucus would appreciate being brought into the planning process for our valley and have some say into where it is appropriate to take the trail out of the highway right-of-way. The absence of this articulation has created a great deal of resentment.

If the Carbondale Trails Committee can weigh in (Garfield County) then it would seem reasonable that the Crystal Caucus (Pitkin County) could be brought into a greater degree.

This benign neglect is of great concern.

William Hanks Crystal River Valley

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Kudos to another ’80s pioneer— KDNK Memoirs of a River…

Up the Crystal

By Charlotte Graham Sponsored by the Mt. Sopris Historical Society Who remembers the first song, and by what group when KDNK, Carbondale’s community radio, hit the airwaves on April 15, 1983? No fair asking Amy Hadden Marsh, who was the first DJ air-waved over this ’dalian land after Lee Swidler, one of KDNK’s founders, announced KDNK was “on the air.”

I learned which song — “Birthday” — and almost got to see the original Beatles “White” album itself by visiting with Wick Moses, one of the many KDNK long-time, two-legged studio fixtures, who, it just so happens, is pretty much “out-the-door” these days. In a good way, I hasten to add.

Wick retires next month as KDNK’s underwriting specialist after 14.5 years on the job selling underwriting, although he assured me that he will continue to spin his jazzy classic vinyls on his every other Tuesday night show, “Wicked Jazz”, 9-11 p.m. How does he stay in shape? “Three or four nights a week at home, I still play records.”

“Dink?”

An upstairs room above what is now the Floral Boutique in the Dinkel Building was the base to this volunteer-run hometown radio studio on opening day, ergo its call letters: K-DNK. The official name? KDNKCarbondale Community Access Radio.

Wick was one of the first two co-station managers along with Pat Noel. However, Pat’s needed presence at The Valley Journal’s print time left not much after for air time, leaving Wick on the newbie hot seat until Jerry Duckowitz took over.

Wick, who graduated from Colorado Rocky Mountain School in 1966, said that when he came out here from New England, his “universe changed completely.” After graduating from Denver University, he returned to Carbondale in 1970, taught at CRMS for two years and then opened a hi-fi/ record store.

“We carried 4,500-5,000 titles,” said Wick. Musical activity in Carbondale was almost non-existent in the 1970s. But, even within the record bins, the times, they were a’changin’.

Catching Air Lee Swidler owned Valley Lock and Key on Main Street. Lee had a friend, Jerry Green, who started a public radio station — KOTO in Telluride. Green encouraged Lee to look into it so Lee put together a board of directors and applied for a Public Telecommunications Facilities Program (PTFP) grant that was,“lo and behold, approved,” Wick said.

“We had a really good technical person, John Sytog, a true electronics genius,” Wick said. “And also Gordon Federman, owner of Triad Communications, a two-way radio communications company that operated up

and down the valley. Both had a lot of radio experience that they shared in KDNK’s formative years.”

“Pretty amazing how many people came in as volunteers and gave of their time and expertise,” Wick said. He told about “an incredible lady — Mary Dinota” during those formative years who was “a great government employee.”

Come again?

“While there is negative talk about government employees. Mary was so great. I don’t know how we would have turned out with someone else not as engaged as she,” he said.

Mary was a program officer for the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA). She later received awards for her work with Native American community radio stations that inspired the book “Signals in the Air: Native Broadcasting in America” by Michael C. Keith.

Many hats Wick’s time at KDNK has been one of wearing many hats, starting with a “very, very” part-time job in radio spot sales, followed by running all the computers, volunteer DJ and as de facto co-manager again with Amy Kimberly and Leslie Johnson for a time in 2005.

“It has been the most interesting, most terrifying, most neck-wringing, incredible adventure over the years … also amusing,” he laughed.

Station manager more than once these past 25 years, Steve Skinner, proudly said, “KDNK has stayed true to its roots.” Steve would know. His first run was 1986-1987, then a bit in 1989-1990 and he has been handling the radio reins from 2006 to now.

“The community access part hasn’t changed much,” Steve said.“A lot of stations that started at the same time have become much more cluttered and confused, [more] talk-oriented or public radio oriented but we have reflected local programming and local news in Carbondale all the time.”

Steve went on to tell how of the more than 70 volunteer DJs today, a number of them with 25 or more years behind the microphone still create the station’s eclectic programming, including: Leslie Johnson, Roy Rickus, Cowboy Randy, Wick Moses, Art Ackerman and Amy Hadden Marsh, to name a few.

“In those early days (meaning the 1980s) Carbondale was really good about entertaining itself,”Steve remembers.“The talent show had just gotten going, the Valley Journal was out, there were a lot of music venues — the Black Nugget, Pour House, the Warehouse and Ship of Fools.”

“People were very passionate about volunteering and having their own radio station.

We started broadcasting Mountain Fair and the Ram football games. KDNK fit right in,” Steve said.

“I’m very excited,” Steve continued, “about something that has progressed since the early days.”He points out a couple young boys on a photo-collaged wall in one of the station’s offices.

“Eight-year-old Andy Zanka first came in along with Cody Swidler back then. They did a show called “Kid’s Beat” about what was going on in the cafeteria and anything else at

18 • THE SOPRIS SUN • DECEMBER 1, 2011

school. His sister, Ann Marie started Andy Zanka Youth Empowerment Program, youth radio that still works in partnership with KDNK.” KDNK is still going strong with their end of November/early December annual on-air “Labor of Love” fundraiser and a silent auction at the Village Smithy on Friday night. Be sure to check it out at KDNK.org.

For more on this story, go to: marbledweller.com.

NOTE: Adieu and adios to two fine local musicians, Howard Berkman and T. Ray Becker.

Play on, gentlemen.

The folks who got KDNK off the ground and into the airwaves made the cover of the Valley Journal on April 14, 1983.

Have a Delicious December

Happy Hometown Holidays The Gingerbread Dinkel Building, created in 1992 by Kathryn Ross

from the

Mt. Sopris Historical Society

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â&#x20AC;&#x153;Carbondale girlâ&#x20AC;? appears in Crystal î&#x201A;&#x160;eatre ďŹ lm

By Jane Bachrach Sopris Sun Staff Writer

Miranda Bailey is an actress in the ďŹ lm â&#x20AC;&#x153;Answers to Nothing,â&#x20AC;? which plays at the Crystal Theatre on theatre on Dec. 2-8.

The actress/producer/director currently lives in Los Angeles but in movies you can stretch the truth, so if we streeeeeeched the truth here, we could say that Bailey is a â&#x20AC;&#x153;Carbondale girl,â&#x20AC;? which wouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be a complete lie.

Why wouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t it be a lie?

Because Miranda loves Carbondale, visits her dad who lives here (Tom Bailey), and enjoys a Colorado lifestyle that includes skiing, horseback riding and hiking. â&#x20AC;&#x153;If I could live there I would,â&#x20AC;? she told the Sopris Sun in a telephone interview.

Having given birth to a baby six weeks ago, Bailey also wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be able to ďŹ&#x201A;y out to Carbondale for the ďŹ lmâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s opening. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Answers to Nothingâ&#x20AC;? also opens nationwide on Dec. 2. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Answers to Nothingâ&#x20AC;? is the latest in a series of ďŹ lms from Baileyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s company Ambush Entertainment, which she founded with writer/director Matthew Leutwyler in 2001. One reason for starting the production company: â&#x20AC;&#x153;I love to act but donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t like waiting for the phone to ring,â&#x20AC;? which is what most actors spend a lot of time doing. â&#x20AC;&#x153;(This way) I can stay active and at least have some control over my career.â&#x20AC;? She added that the company also gives her the opportunity to develop, write, produce and direct.

Here is a plot synopsis of â&#x20AC;&#x153;Answers to Nothing,â&#x20AC;?as down-

Miranda Bailey plays a recovering addict in â&#x20AC;&#x153;Answers to Nothing,â&#x20AC;? which plays at the Crystal Theatre Dec. 2-8.

Photo courtesy Ambush Entertainment loaded from the Ambush Entertainment Web site: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Intertwining stories exploring the bad in the best of us and the good in the worst of us. Against the backdrop of a child abduction case we follow ďŹ ve days in the life of the single parent detective assigned to the case, her best friend whose determination to get pregnant keeps her from confronting her husbandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s inďŹ delity, a school teacher and his obsession with the missing child that pushes him to the edge of vigilantism, a beat cop grieving over the violent death of his wife, a re-

covering addict and her wheel chair bound brother preparing for the LA marathon, and a self-loathing African American TV writerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s search for love.â&#x20AC;?

Bailey plays Drew, a recovering addict who is training with her brother for the marathon. She said the role is quite personal, as Leutwyler (who also directed the ďŹ lm) wrote her characterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s role with her in mind. Both Bailey and Leutwyler have experienced the loss of a brother. She said that for both of them, developing and making the ďŹ lm has been a healing experience, as they are able to pay â&#x20AC;&#x153;homageâ&#x20AC;? to their brothers.

Bailey grew up in Vail, where she was a ski racer. From there she went to New York to pursue a degree in acting at Skidmore College. She moved to Los Angeles after graduating and began professionally acting, writing and producing in ďŹ lm, television and theater. Besides Leutwyler, her other partners in Ambush Entertainment are Jun Tan (producer) and Francey Grace.

Leutwyler said their companyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s philosophy is to produce a wide range of original and diverse feature ďŹ lms. His ďŹ rst ďŹ lm for the company was the award winning comedy-horror-musical â&#x20AC;&#x153;Dead & Breakfastâ&#x20AC;? starring Jeremy Sisto, Portia De Rossi and Jeffrey Dean Morgan. Since then, Ambush has executive produced 2005â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s critically acclaimed drama â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Squid and the Whaleâ&#x20AC;?; produced the sexually charged comedy â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Oh In Ohioâ&#x20AC;? starring Parker Posey, Paul Rudd and Danny DeVito; and for Starz, the comedy â&#x20AC;&#x153;Lower Learningâ&#x20AC;? with Eva Longoria Parker, Jason Biggs and Rob Cordry.

TRTC and Aspen Stage team up for â&#x20AC;&#x153;Always ... Patsy Clineâ&#x20AC;? Unclassifieds Submitted Press Release Thunder River Theatre Company, in partnership with Aspen Stage, presents an encore production of â&#x20AC;&#x153;Always ...

Patsy Cline,â&#x20AC;? written and originally directed by Ted Swindley and based on a true story.

The Roaring Fork Valleyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Jeannie Walla reprises her performance of the immortal Patsy Cline in story and song.â&#x20AC;&#x153;Past audiences agree that Walla can â&#x20AC;&#x153;channelâ&#x20AC;? Patsy Cline,â&#x20AC;? said TRTC Director Lon Winston.â&#x20AC;&#x153;If you let your mind drift, you just may think youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re actually in the presence of the much loved singer herself.â&#x20AC;?

Co-star Cara Daniel will recreate the outrageous character Louise Seger, the hilarious friend Patsy met early in her career and with whom she maintained a lifelong friendship. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Add to that the music of The Bodacious Bobcats, and you have a magniďŹ cent evening of theatre,â&#x20AC;? Winston continued. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Always â&#x20AC;Ś Patsy Clineâ&#x20AC;? features 27 songs from the country singerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s short but remarkable career. Walla is

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backed by musical veterans Bobby Mason, J.D. Martin, Geoffrey Morris, Randall Utterback, Dave Johnson and Larry â&#x20AC;&#x153;LTâ&#x20AC;? Thompson.

Theatre patrons will recognize Walla from roles with Theatre Aspen, Aspen Community Theatre, the Crystal Palace, the Broadway Players, the Aspen Fringe Festival and Snowmass Repertory.

The production opens Dec. 8 and continues Dec. 9-11 and 15-18. All performances begin promptly at 7:30 p.m. except the two Sunday matinees at 2 p.m.

Ticket prices have been reduced from past performances of â&#x20AC;&#x153;Always ... Patsy Clineâ&#x20AC;? to a family price of $20.

There will also be an opening night reception with the cast and crew sponsored by Jill and Craig Rathbun, and the Fleisher Company.

Tickets are available at www.thunderrivertheatre.com.

More information is available at 963-8200. The theatre is located at 67 Promenade in downtown Carbondale.

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GO BRONCOS! AND MERRY CHRISTMAS! THE SOPRIS SUN â&#x20AC;˘ DECEMBER 1, 2011 â&#x20AC;˘ 19

Claim markers kill thousands of Nevada birds From the unintended consequences de- outlawed in Nevada in 1993, but hundreds partment comes a sad tale of dying birds in of thousands remain in the landscape. In Nevada mining country. Across the Silver 2009, the state Legislature passed another State, hundreds of thoulaw backed by the Audubon sands of plastic pipes used Society and the Nevada Minto mark mining claims kill ing Association giving claim untold thousands of birds, holders two years to remove according to the Las Vegas the outdated markers.

Review-Journal.

November 1 marked the Birds fly into the pipes two-year deadline and now looking for a place to nest anyone can legally pull them and, unable to climb out on out and set them on the the smooth surface or ground in the same location. spread their wings in the Hiatt and other Audubon tight space, they slowly die volunteers celebrated the day of starvation. The cavityby pulling out pipes near the nesting ash-throated flytown of Pahrump. The Bucatcher has been hit reau of Land Management is on particularly hard, as well as helping, too, by sending the Nevada’s state bird, the crews out into southern Neby Nathan Rice mountain bluebird. The vada to remove the deadly High Country News markers. BLM policy forbids PVC tombs have also swallowed starlings, woodpeckusing capless pipes to mark ers, kestrels,Western screech owls and lizards. mining claims but states have their own rules.

The pipes are driven straight into the Arizona allows the practice. ground. “Basically they’re black holes for It’s a sad story for sure, but it’s important birds, literally and figuratively,” John Hiatt, to keep the problem in perspective. Consider conservation chairman for the Red Rock these numbers: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Audubon Society, told the Review-Journal. Service estimated in 2002 that between 97 “Once they’re inside, it’s a one-way trip.” and 976 million birds are killed each year by The Nevada Department of Wildlife has flying into windows. Hundreds of millions of pulled out at least 10,000 illegal posts and birds are killed by cats annually and some counted about 3,000 dead birds so far. One 440,000 are whacked by windmills. state biologist pulled 32 dead birds from a So much unintended, feathery carnage single marker, according to the article. highlights the need to prevent more hazards, The uncapped plastic pipe markers were and yanking or capping the countless plastic

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pipes across Nevada is one easy way to save some birds. As the Red Rock Audubon Society invites its volunteers: “Pull, baby, pull.”

Nathan Rice is editorial fellow at High Country News.

Another try for wilderness

By Ed Quillen Browns Canyon in central Colorado is again getting promoted for wilderness designation. It was one of 18 areas in nine Western states identified in a recent report by the federal Bureau of Land Management with "significant local support for Congressional protection."

The area sits six miles south of Buena Vista, and even if it's called Brown's Canyon, the wilderness designation would not include the canyon floor, since the Arkansas River there is flanked by human structures, like railroad tracks and irrigation ditches.

Indeed, when the area was first studied for wilderness designation more than 30 years ago, it was called Aspen Ridge. However, Browns Canyon is one of the most popular whitewater rafting trips in America, and river outfitters like to market "wilderness trips" even if they're not actually in a wilderness area, just in sight of one.

The current proposal is for 6,614 acres on the east side of the river which includes "striking red hoodoos, dramatic gulches and abundant wildlife" with wintering grounds for deer, elk and bighorn sheep.

It might be the wildlife that derailed wilderness designation in 2005-06. Joel

Hefley, a Colorado Springs Republican who then represented that area, introduced a bill to protect 20,000 acres, and Sen.Wayne Allard, a Colorado Republican, sponsored it in the Senate.

Although there was some grumbling that the area had too many rough back roads and prospect holes to qualify as wilderness. there was considerable local support.

The stars appeared to be aligned until the National Rifle Association weighed in -- in opposition. Hunting is allowed in wilderness areas, so designation would not have affected anyone's Second Amendment rights.

But the NRA said it was concerned about access for elderly hunters. and further, "without roads in the area, it would make it nearly impossible to pack out big game."

Apparently the NRA has never heard of pack horses or mules.

Since most Western politicians would endorse the Taliban before they'd cross the NRA, the 2005 effort died. Maybe this time around, the NRA will stick to its guns, so there will be more protected habitat and thus more game to hunt for its members.

Ed Quillen is a freelance writer in Salida, whose blog is printed in High Country News.