December 30, 2010 by The Sopris Sun

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Sopris Carbondale’s

weekly, non-profit newspaper

Volume 2, Number 45 | December 30, 2010

Here’s lookin’ at you Carbondale

Ethiopian cuisine debuts

C’dale gets cop funding

Gardening lessons learned

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Carbondale Commentary

Libraries are ready to help By Mollie Honan With a new Web site, two new buildings (and more to come), and experienced and enthusiastic employees, the Garfield County Library system is more ready than ever to help jump-start your New Year’s resolutions. Whether it is spending a little less slimming down your figure, learning a language, reading more, investing in your community or maybe even going back to school we have the resources to assist you. In this difficult economy even the smallest savings can be a big help. Instead of purchasing the latest hot read online, order it through the library. Rather than spending money on movie rentals, stop by and check out our DVD collection. We feature blockbuster hits, fringe art films and plenty of children’s movies. Not only are these movies free but you can keep them for a week. If your iTunes bill keeps adding up, order your favorite CDs through the library. In addition to books, movies and music, we also subscribe to over 50 magazines including many of the grocery-store eye catchers, so now you can avoid those last minute additions to your shopping cart. If we do not have the item you are looking for, you can order it online and have it sent to your local library. Maybe you have resolved to read more and watch less TV but don’t know what books to read. Not only can we help you locate the books you are looking for, but we are also bursting with wonderful recommendations. Going back to school? Our online databases give you access to scholarly research, newspaper archives, test preparation and more. These resources will help you conquer any research paper or project. If you are learning another language we offer online databases, audio materials and books to help you achieve fluency. Do you ever wish someone who is not related to you could answer your computer questions? Perhaps you need help signing up for an email account, or help setting up your new Christmas gadgets? Through the “Book a Librarian” program we provide you with one-on-one tutorials to help you learn the basics. Please call your local branch for more details. For those looking to give back to the community and stay active this year, the library is always looking for dependable volunteers. Our literacy outreach program works with individuals who are learning English as a second language. Each library branch also offers unique opportunities for volunteers from shelving books to brainstorming and implementing new programs. Whatever your interests — cooking, car repair, chess strategy, self improvement, genealogy or science fiction — the Garfield County Library system has something for you. With the library at your fingertips there are no excuses left to let your resolutions drift away. Mollie Honan is a library assistant at the Gordon Cooper Branch Library.

The Sopris Sun encourages commentaries on local issues from those who live and care about them – that’s you, our readers. Remember: Keep your commentary local and keep it to 700 words, then dispatch it to news@soprissun.com or P.O. Box 399, Carbondale, CO 81623. Don’t forget to tell us your name, phone number, where you live and any other pertinent information about yourself.

It’s a good idea to bring a Sopris Sun along on hut trips because you never know when you might need some reading material. This party skied into Francie’s Hut near Breckenridge. From left to right they are: Duncan Scott (in sled) pulled by ‘Bonedalian Ben Hoffmann, Nancy Thal, Annie Scott, John Hoffmann, Madeleine Scott and Katie Scott. Courtesy photo 2 • THE SOPRIS SUN • DECEMBER 30, 2010

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.

00 $50R,0GOAL

Reconsider the Baker decision

$40,000

Editor’s note: This letter was also sent to the Carbondale Board of Trustees. Dear Editor: Like so many citizens here in Carbondale, I was surprised and disappointed when I read that Tom Baker’s town manager contract was not renewed. I had received two different email letters to sign in support of Tom prior to your decision not to renew his contract, though I, and I suspect many others, didn’t bother to sign the letter or the petition because I thought it unnecessary given that Tom is such an extraordinary administrator. I felt certain that it would be foolish not to keep him. I know of no one that doesn’t believe that Tom has done a wonderful job for Carbondale through some very challenging times. He has been neither pro-growth nor anti-growth. He is an advocate for this community with as much passion for the good of Carbondale as anyone I’ve met in this community. He is a steady hand at the helm running the town staff and overseeing the many citizen committees that help our wonderful community. He is a complete gentleman, a decorated Vietnam veteran, and has a tremendous work ethic. He was masterful in working with the Roadmap Committee and he was a thoughtful proponent of the Third Street Center and the recreation center. I can’t imagine being able to replace Tom with anyone better for Carbondale. Since the discussions not to renew his contract was made in executive session, the citizenry doesn’t know the truth about such a critical decision that will affect us all, and that seems counter productive to fair and open government. At the same time those of us that run businesses in Carbondale fully understand that personnel decisions should generally not be up for public comment, but the town manager position seems to me to fit into special category, where citizens should have the right to know. I respectfully request that you re-consider Tom’s contract renewal and consider renewing it for five years so he doesn’t have to worry about this kind of thing for some time. If you choose not to re-visit this issue, even while recognizing that a great many of the most active and influential citizens strongly disagree with this very surprising decision, you should make public the comments of the trustees that were opposed to Tom remaining as our town manager. I for one feel strongly that we should do all we can to retain Tom Baker for our community. Please reconsider! Craig R. Rathbun Carbondale LETTERS page 12

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START Illustration by Eric Auer

To inform, inspire and build community Donations accepted online or by mail. For information call 510-3003 Co-editors: Lynn Burton and Terray Sylvester 510-3003 • news@soprissun.com Advertising: David Johnson • 970-309-3623 david@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 Allyn Harvey • Colin Laird Laura McCormick • Jean Perry Elizabeth Phillips • Frank Zlogar

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Ethiopian chef settles in weekly at The Lift By Angela Paulone Special to The Sopris Sun This summer in a corner of the Carbondale Farmers’ Market, a small booth stood with a hand-painted sign calling out that a new cultural cuisine had come to town: Ethiopian food. The woman behind the booth’s delicate yet filling plates was the valley’s own Etenesh Bartley. She is an energetic and well-spoken 28 year old, balancing two small children, a husband and a dream. Now that the weather has cooled and the farmers’ market has closed for the season, Bartley has moved her cuisine indoors to The Lift on Main Street. You can visit her there on Thursdays and Fridays for lunch, and she is hoping to be able to sell on First Fridays as well. She also caters. Bartley is also hoping that larger prospects will bloom in the future. Over the past few years she has occasionally made her homeland’s traditional dishes for her friends, who raved about the food every time. These words would come back to her in the middle of the night, waking her up with ideas on how to utilize her gift, and this summer those midnight dreams coasted into reality when she began selling her food at the farmers’ market. Now she hopes to pursue her dreams further by opening a restaurant.“I have a great following due to word of mouth,” Bartley said. “This is a dream now but I want to make it come true, with the help of my parents. The restaurant business is demanding and with two small children I’m not sure [when this dream will be a reality].” Beginning a business here, or throughout the country, is a task as delicate as the staple of Ethiopian dishes; injera, or sourdough bread. But Bartley knows her parents will support her, and she believes that her food will be appreciated because “the folks here are well-traveled and openminded.” She has experienced hospitality here in Carbondale that invites her to share Ethiopian culture and its unique food.

Etenesh (pronounced E-TEN-esh) Bartley serves up native Ethiopian dishes at The Lift two days a week. She has built a loyal following by word of mouth and hopes to someday open her own small restaurant in Carbondale and decorate it with Ethiopian artwork and textiles. Photo by Lynn Burton Bartley arrived in this area in 2000 for perfect spot right here in town.“I want some- After all, says Bartley, coffee was first found college. A decade later, once she had com- thing small, where people walk in and want in Ethiopia and Ethiopians have a coffee pleted college, she and her family decided more,” more space, more food, more atmos- ceremony. “I would also add the full coffee to settle in the Roaring Fork Valley. When phere, she said. “I want to decorate it with ceremony at the restaurant which would asked if she missed Ethiopia, Bartley sighed, beautiful Ethiopian artwork and textiles.” make the whole atmosphere authentic.” hoping this little story would say it all: “I Bartley describes her food as “very deliThe question now is, “When?” When still have a pair of shoes with mud from my cious, healthy, and unique.” The sourdough will folks up and down the valley be able land. I can’t bring myself to wash them. bread is made from teff, which is one of the to enjoy this unique food and experience a Ethiopia has an amazing culture, and I’m smallest grains in the world. Injera is used to coffee ceremony? Bartley is not sure when so attached and so proud.” scoop the food, usually beef, which is sea- her dream will become a reality, but she Where and what can we expect from Bart- soned with a choice of sauces: a red sauce states,“I feel very committed. This has been ley’s future restaurant? Due to the welcom- named keye wot, which can be hot or mild, the humblest time in my life and I want to ing response she has received from or alcha wot, a flavorful but mild yellow make the restaurant in Carbondale because Carbondalians, Bartley is searching for the sauce. Coffee will also appear on the menu. of the following I have gained.”

Library district to buy land for new Carbondale branch By Terray Sylvester Sopris Sun Staff Writer Carbondale’s new library has moved one step closer to becoming a reality. At their meeting on Dec. 21 the town trustees approved an adjustment to the subdivision on the parcel of land at the intersection of Third Street and Sopris Avenue where the Garfield County Library District plans to build a new library. That approval paves the way for the district to purchase the land and then move into the next step of the process: searching for a team to design the new library. The subdivision adjustment – or“plat correction” – had originally been approved in May, but a modification required it to be reconsidered by the town. The library district intends to purchase the land from the Roaring Fork School District for $675,000. Library Director Amanda Shelley said it might take about three months for the district to find an architect and/or contractor for the new facility. If all goes according to plan, a construction crew will break

ground in 2011 and complete the building before the end of 2012. The new facility will be 13,000 square feet and hold about 60,000 items. The Gordon Cooper Library is 3,700 square feet and holds 35,000 items. Shelley emphasized the public will have a chance to comment on the plans for the library once the district finds a team to construct it. “We just want to be sure the community knows we’re going to work toward a really inclusive process,” Shelley said. “We know you have a great building and we want to replace it with something the community can be very proud of.” The library district has benefited from the recession. An abundance of builders looking for work and low interest rates have all meant the district has “done very well with its budgets,” Shelley explained. “We’ve tried to be very aggressive and make sure construction gets done while prices are down,” she said, adding that the district is glad it has been able to provide jobs

“We’ve tried to be very aggressive and make sure construction gets done while prices are down.” Amanda Shelley Garfield County Library District Director

at the same time. To help pay for the construction of the new facilities the library district has sold certificates of participation (a form of annuallyappropriated bond) worth $23 million, most recently in a roughly $9 million sale completed in September. Shelley said the district expects the Glenwood building to ring in at about $6 million, and the new Carbondale facility to cost roughly $5 million. The Glenwood branch will be slightly larger and the district will have

to construct new parking for it, she said. In Carbondale, the school district and the library district have agreed to share the parking lot at Bridges High School. The library district is currently in the midst of a major push to improve facilities throughout the county. Renovations at the Parachute branch were completed in September, a new library in Rifle opened in November, and the library district plans to finish remodeling the New Castle branch before the end of 2011. The district is also planning to build a new facility in Silt. The trustees’ subdivision approval could help bump Carbondale to the top of the district’s to-do list, Shelley said. Shelley explained that the Carbondale, Glenwood and Silt projects have been in a “holding pattern,” with the district “waiting for one of them to break out and get going.” The district doesn’t want to end up with too many projects on its plate at once. So it will stagger the projects once they start moving forward.

THE SOPRIS SUN • DECEMBER 30, 2010 • 3

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 on KDNK between 7:30 and 8 a.m. and between 5:30 and 6 p.m. on Thursdays.

Trustees accept police grant The Carbondale Board of Trustees voted 4-0 on Tuesday night to accept a $239,331 federal grant to pay an additional police officer over the next three years. The department is budgeted for 14 patrol officers and the grant will allow it to expand to 15, according to Police Chief Gene Schilling. The grant, from the U.S. Department of Justice, carries at least one catch. The town must maintain its current staffing level for four years or risk losing the money.

ExxonMobile donates $30K ExxonMobil recently presented a check for $30,000 to United Way of Garfield County and a check for $20,000 to Moffat County United Way. ExxonMobil is one of United Way’s largest supporters, according to a press release. “We are very grateful for this donation as we are all donations,” said Micaela Folsom, executive director of United Way of Garfield County. “ExxonMobil is providing community leadership that will translate into a safety net for Garfield County residents through our many agencies.”

Basalt non-proﬁt center proposed The Carbondale based Roaring Fork

Community Development Corporation (a non-profit) with support from the Manaus Fund is working toward an agreement on a one-year option to purchase the Pan and Fork Mobile Home Park, according to a press release. “Our vision is to create a non-profit community campus and affordable housing along Two Rivers Road,” said RFCDC and Manaus Fund board member Michael McVoy. “We are in discussions and hope to reach agreement with the owners early next year.” The RFCDC and Manaus were instrumental in creating the Third Street Center in Carbondale, which opened this summer. “We have had receptive preliminary conversations with Rocky Mountain Institute, Colorado Mountain College and other organizations about the non-profit campus idea,” said McVoy.

Wilderness Land Trust makes buy The Carbondale-based Wilderness Land Trust recently purchased a 10-acre patented mining claim between Aspen and Crested Butte about 2.5 miles northeast of the old mining town of Gothic, according to a press release. The trust will turn the parcel over to the Forest Service at a later date for inclusion in the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness.

Cajun Turkey w Avocado

CMC classes for high schoolers Colorado Mountain College offers free classes to high school seniors to prepare them for college, according to a CMC press release. Thanks to the state’s Concurrent Enrollment Programs Act (CEPA), qualiﬁed high school students can take commonly required college-level classes such as English, algebra, Spanish and social sciences. Dalton Handy, a senior at Roaring Fork High School, said the English comp class he

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took was “deﬁnitely more of a challenge than high school. I took an (Advanced Placement) language class, but there’s nothing tougher than a college-level course.” Some school districts can also partner with colleges to offer career tech classes for students who seek more of a vocational focus. In January, a Web page will be launched that will help students and their high school counselors ﬁnd out more about available courses.

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

SATURDAY Dec. 18 At 12:17 a.m., two males took off with the tip jar at Deportes taco stand. Police found the jar itself a short distance away but not the alleged thieves. WEDNESDAY Dec. 22 At 7:22 p.m. police were called to a beauty salon, where one woman was reportedly assaulting another. One woman was cited for third degree assault. FRIDAY Dec. 24 Police responded to possible gunshots in the 600 block of Merrill at 9:12 p.m. It turned out to be ﬁreworks. SATURDAY Dec. 25 At 7:42 p.m., police responded to a ﬁreworks complaint on Crystal Canyon Drive.A resident there said he’d quit shooting them off. SATURDAY Dec. 25 A restaurant em-

ployee called police to report ﬁnding a suspected baggie of cocaine. Police conﬁscated the bag. SUNDAY Dec. 26 At 7:16 a.m., a resident on North Bridge Drive called police to report he’d locked himself out of his home. Police responded but said they could only provide a list of locksmiths. SUNDAY Dec. 26 A resident on Euclid called police to report a male entering a back window of a neighboring house. Police determined the suspect had locked himself out of his house. SUNDAY Dec. 26 A 29-year-old male reported he’d been assaulted the previous night at Eighth and Main. He suffered scratches and bruises.

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Carbondale P&Z hopes PUDs will RIP By Lynn Burton Sopris Sun Staff Writer The Carbondale Board of Trustees have yet to ink a contract with a pair of consulting firms to draft a new comprehensive plan but one thing seems certain. The planning and zoning commission hopes the new comprehensive plan and updated zoning code will banish the current planned unit development (PUD) process to the history books. “(The PUD process) is totally unpredictable and inconsistent,” said P&Z Chairman Ben Bohmfalk. On Dec. 7, the trustees instructed town staff to begin negotiations with RPI Consulting of Durango, and DHM Design of Carbondale, Denver and Durango, to help the town draft a new comprehensive plan and conduct the first phase of updating its zoning code. When the town wrote a new comprehensive plan in 2000 it did not update the zoning code that spells out the uses that are allowed in districts throughout the town. As a result, developers are more likely to apply for site-specific PUDs rather than comply with existing zoning. With the PUD process comes a series of public hearings before the P&Z and trustees. In the end, proponents and opponents of each project fight it out on each project, Bohmfalk said. “So the town rewrites the rules every time (a development is proposed),” he said. “Anybody who has been involved in our process in the past five years has got to say the process is broken.” As originally designed, PUDs were used in Carbondale and other towns on sites with unusual circumstances or where normal zoning doesn’t work well, and for big developments. In recent years in Carbondale, just about every project other than a single family home has turned into an expensive, time consuming, sometimes divisive PUD. Bohmfalk said the increase in the use of PUDs is an indication that the zoning code doesn’t work. “(And) the P&Z wants a zoning code that works.” He called appropriate zoning “proactive” and the PUD process “reactive.” The P&Z received seven applications for the comprehensive plan project and narrowed the field to three before recommending the lead firm of RPI Consulting, who is teaming with DHM Design. RPI focuses on rural and resort communities in the Rocky Mountain west and has completed more than 200 major projects in the past 15 years, according to its Web site. Its managing partners are Andrew Klotz and Gabe Preston. Bohmfalk said DHM will act as the landscape architect on the project, in part to help the public visualize the different proposals; the firm Kendig Keast of Durango will handle zoning. Local planner Leslie Lamont will serve as community outreach coordinator.

Roaring Fork’s Sam Carpenter drives during a recent loss to Glenwood Springs. On Dec. 18, the Rams defeated Eagle Valley 47-38. They resume play against Olathe on Jan. 7. Photo by Lynn Burton

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THE SOPRIS SUN • DECEMBER 30, 2010 • 5

A potpourri from 2010: people, pot, parades and pro bull riders Medical marijuana was the hot topic in Carbondale throughout 2010. Dispensaries swelled from two at the end of 2009 to 11 at the end of 2010, while the town trustees discussed how to regulate a whole new industry that did not exist only two years before. Carbondale is known for its grassroots projects, and one came to fruition after years of hard work, negotiations and fund-raising. In the end, folks created the mostly non-proﬁt Third Street Center in what used to be Carbondale Elementary School. The year was not without its tragedies, as Bill Worley went missing in the Redstone area, and a Missouri airplane pilot was killed in a crash near Marble. As usual, people grabbed headlines week after week for their accomplishments and community service. Here is some of what the Sopris Sun reported on and wrote about in 2010.

January Carbondale’s third medical marijuana dispensary (The Green House) opened its doors at 329 Main Street. Store owner Ryan Gordon said he planned to offer a variety of marijuana products ranging from food to tinctures, and from hash to pills. He was optimistic the medical pot market in Carbondale will continue to grow. “Carbondale’s just got the right vibe for it,” Gordon said. Bankruptcies were still being recorded at the beginning of 2010 in the wake of the recession. The number of licensed real estate agents in the area took a nosedive as well. Residents of the Marble area began organizing against the mountain pine beetle, which, unless mitigation efforts are taken, may threaten all of the pines in the Crystal River Valley. Marble is one of many communities in Colorado that is struggling to respond to the impacts of the naturally occurring insect which has killed over two million acres of pines in Colorado, particularly in Eagle, Routt, Grand and Summit counties.

Carbondale native Jake Zamansky raced all the way to the Olympics, qualifying for the games despite a challenging World Cup season that saw him competing without the support of the U.S. Ski Team. Jake is only the fourth male skier from the Roaring Fork Valley to make the Olympics. Carbondalian Hadden Walker rolled away in a brand spankin’ new electric car after he won the grand prize in the Go Green Get Green economic stimulus campaign, which wrapped up in February. Local businesses teamed up with the town (which kicked in $30,000) to boost sales in the midst of the recession. Many said the event was a positive effort to remind folks to shop locally, though it didn’t necessarily boost sales signiﬁcantly. The Sopris Sun turned 1 year old in early February, and we couldn’t have done it without the support of all of you: our advertisers, donors and readers. El Montañes, the valley’s Spanishlanguage paper, celebrated its ﬁrst anniversary not long after.

In a letter, the town trustees reiterated their support for the proposed Sutey/Two Shoes land swap. But the letter didn’t much matter in the end because Pitkin County never got on board with the deal. If the swap had gone through, billionaire Leslie Wexner and his wife Abigail would have traded 520 acres on the backside of Red Hill for 1,268 acres below Mount Sopris.

In a landslide victory, Stacey Bernot became Carbondale’s ﬁrst female mayor. At the same time Elizabeth Murphy, a fresh face in town politics, took a seat on the board of trustees after running unopposed. In a move aimed at providing affordable housing to teachers, police ofﬁcers and other local workers, a 120-unit devel6 • THE SOPRIS SUN • DECEMBER 30, 2010

Wielding blue tarps and duct tape, the Carbondale Public Arts Commission set off around town in late spring, covering up about 30 public sculptures to remind folks the artworks exist and they should chip in to support the program. Susy Ellison, who teaches at Yampah Mountain High School, received the Richard C. Bartlett Environmental Education award, presented by the National Environmental Education Foundation.

June World champ Jeannie Longo dominated the women’s professional division of the Rocky Mountain Omnium, which attracted 350 bicycle racers to Carbondale and the surrounding area.

Representatives from the town, Alpine Bank and the Manaus Fund held a ribbon cutting ceremony for the non-proﬁt Third Street Center. One of the new tenants was the Carbondale Council on Arts and Humanities. A plane crash near Marble claimed the life of a Missouri pilot. His two passengers survived. A raccoon, estimated by police to weigh 60 pounds, ripped the screen off a window in Crystal Village one night in late June. A resident inside said she thought her house was being burgled.

July The Crystal River Valley trail along Highway 133 south of town opened with bicyclists, runners, pedestrians and a ribbon cutting. Paul Frantzich and Ashley Mosher, co-founders of Feed Them With Music, left for Haiti to distribute 2,600 meals to victims of the January earthquake.

March

The “grow dome” greenhouse sprouted at Roaring Fork High School in April with the help of students, teachers, local sustainability gurus and community volunteers. It’s just a portion of the roughly two acres of fruit trees and gardens planned on the grounds.

May

Police investigated a rash of downtown break-ins.

February

April

opment was approved on about 15 acres near Bridges High School. The Roaring Fork School District hopes to break ground in 2011.

August During an outside audit, the town learned it failed to collect $88,000 in use taxes that should have been assessed on new construction projects. Top to bottom: Bull riding was a crowd favorite at the weekly Wild West Rodeo; Roaring Fork’s soccer team limbered up for another winning season in August; and CCAH’s fashion show was a dazzler. Photos by Jane Bachrach

About the cover The people of Carbondale make the town what it is. The folks on the cover were all captured during 2010’s many events, celebrations and get-togethers. Photos by Jane Bachrach and Lynn Burton

Carbondale’s top planner (Doug Dotson) resigned after five years on the job. An extensive search for Bill Worley was called off after several days. Worley went missing in the Redstone area in early August. Crews from the Pitkin County Sheriff’s Office, Mountain Rescue Aspen, Garfield County Search and Rescue, and friends and community members searched a 50-square-mile area after Worley’s Nissan Pathfinder was discovered east of the Redstone Inn on Aug. 3. LOOKING BACK page 7

Looking back on 2010 continued om page 6 CNN’s Anderson Cooper featured the Carbondale Fire District and its ﬁve-year-old Project Pearlington, which helped residents in that town rebuild after Hurricane Katrina.

Main Street was stolen – again. Indica is a strain of marijuana.

made it into the 2011 Calendar of Notabale Trees of Colorado. Carbondale police ofﬁcer Drake Rooks planned to return to the department after losing his left leg from the knee down in a motorcycle accident in Fruita.

The Novel-Tea bookstore in the Dinkel Building closed.

In the Leadville Trail 100 mile race, Zeke Tiernan ﬁnished second in the men’s division and Ashley Arnold ﬁnished third in her division.

September

October

The Slow Food movement, which works to preserve local foods and ﬂavors, added Carbondale’s historic Red McClure potato to its list of 200 foods from around the country that are deemed delicious, endangered and worth ﬁghting to protect.

Marsha and Jack Brendlinger, who now call Carbondale home, were elected to the Aspen Hall of Fame. They moved to Aspen in 1963 and operated the Applejack Inn on Main Street.

Sopris Sun readers reported the mystery bugs seen ﬂitting around town during Potato Day were either winged Asian woolly hackberry aphids or the woolly apple aphid.

A dog walker reported seeing a “large” snake at the Carbondale Nature Park but due to the low temperature the serpent was lethargic and appeared to pose no danger to dogs or humans.

With rallies in Carbondale and Glenwood Spring throughout the fall, local students, teachers and others mobilized in support of the DREAM Act, to provide a path to citizenship for some undocumented immigrants who have grown up in the U.S.

Crews removed the historic Satank Bridge, which spans the Roaring Fork River just downstream from Highway 133, and moved it to a Garﬁeld County shop for a $1 million refurbishing job.

The Strang Ranch north of Carbondale was selected to host the National Sheepdog Finals from Sept. 13-20, 2011.

November A medical marijuana caregiver reported that three armed males broke into his home on Cowen Drive at about 11 p.m., and stole a large amount of money and small amount of medical marijuana. The intruders also kicked one of the home’s occupants in the face. Roaring Fork High School seniors Landon Garvik and Samantha Belcher formally accepted athletic scholarships to George LOOKING BACK page 9

Marge Palmer’s gigantic silver maple tree

The Indica Way street sign on west

January A

RS E

L ASSA U UA X LT E S R G EXAMI NER PRO

Community supports SANE The SANE (Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner) program at Valley View Hospital provides medical care for people affected by sexual violence, including forced or unwanted sex, sexual assault or sexual abuse. SANE serves patients in Garfield, Pitkin, Eagle and Rio Blanco Counties and beyond. The following groups provided funding to support the SANE program in 2010:

• Aspen Community Foundation $25,000 • City of Aspen $6,000 • Glenwood Springs VALE (Victim Assistance Law Enforcement) Board $15,000 • 5th Judicial District VALE Board $18,000 • 9th Judicial District VALE Board $26,000 • Pitkin County Health and Human Services $9,000 • Vail Valley Cares $15,000 Valley View Hospital, SANE and the people served by the program are grateful for this support.

Photos by Jane Bachrach

AT VALLEY VIEW HOSPITAL

HMR offers help with weight loss Losing weight is among the most common New Year’s resolutions. The HMR weight management program at Valley View Hospital can help those resolutions become reality with a real lifestyle change and medically significant weight loss. There are program options to fit every lifestyle, both in-clinic and at home. From the decision-free medically supervised diet to self-directed diet kits, the HMR method has helped thousands to lose weight and gain health. To find out about HMR, the country’s leading weight loss program, call 945-2324 or toll free at 866-231-6260.

Tobacco Cessation Classes Create a personalized plan to stop smoking using the Quit Smart Program from Duke University. Small group classes are taught by Sandy Hyra, RN. There will be two additional sessions, to be scheduled by consensus of the participants. All three sessions must be attended. Individual classes available by request. Fee $35.

January 4, 5:30 pm

Third floor conference room at Valley View Hospital. New class sessions begin on the first Tuesday of every odd-numbered month. For questions, contact Martin Gaither at 384-7702 or email: mgaither@vvh.org

Yoga

for cancer patients and survivors

Wednesdays in the Cardiac Rehab Education Room at VVH

Yoga can provide benefits for patients undergoing radiation therapy and chemotherapy, patients in remission or in hospice or palliative care. Taught by Nova LoverroSprick, yoga therapist and cancer survivor.

Meditation/Relaxation Yoga provides deep relaxation and breathing to help the body heal from cancer treatment. For those currently or recently in treatment. Vibrant Health Yoga helps those not currently receiving cancer treatment to regain strength, flexibility and stamina without overtaxing the body.

Contact Nova Loverro-Sprick at 945-9515 or Integrated Therapies at 384-6954.

VALLEY VIEW HOSPITAL 1906 BLAKE AVENUE, GLENWOOD SPRINGS • WWW.VVH.ORG • 970.945.6535

THE SOPRIS SUN • DECEMBER 30, 2010 • 7

Scuttlebutt

Send your scuttlebutt to Scuttlebutt@SoprisSun.com. Leslie Johnson, Jenni Peterson, Perry Mickles, Lisa Paige, Katy Hart, Shannon Hutton, Kassandra Thompson, Susie Wallace, Bonnie Muhigirwa, Becky McDaniel, David McDaniel, PJ Wallace, Sadie Stillman, Josie Wood, Judy Feinsinger, Elizabeth Ritchie, Terri Ritchie, Megan Palmer, Joe Palmer, Roxanne Sullivan, Kathleen Sullivan, Kristi Nichols, Andrew Patterson, Lisa Treadway, Cindy Davis, Nina Lane and Palmer Cowgill.

Jake earns honorable mention Roaring Fork High School’s Jake Strock-Loertscher (a senior) was named to the Denver Post’s all-state football team as an honorable mention selection (linebacker). Jake also plays basketball and baseball for the Rams. Other midvalley allstate selections were sophomore Bertillo Garcia for Basalt (first team at kicker), and junior Zach Mobilian (honorable mention at running back).

What a hose job

Check out this menagerie Spencer Crouch, Mary Matchael, Shannon Muse, Charlie Pace, David Powers and Kathy Steckel are included in the Colorado Mountain College Gallery show “Glass Art Menagerie”through Jan. 25.The gallery is located at 831 Grand Ave. in Glenwood Springs and is open weekdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Honeybee seen buzzing around How not cold has it been of late? Well, a woman at a Christmas Eve party reported spotting a “confused acting” honeybee buzzing around her garden earlier in the week. At least one Prince Creeker reports her grass is turning green again, although she has no plans to make her boyfriend get out the lawn mower – at this time.

Organic coffee lounge now open Perky Woods organic coffee lounge, located at Corky Woods in the Willits Town Center, is now open at 7 a.m. Monday-Saturday, and 9 a.m. on Sunday.

The Sun’s self appointed Man Around Town reports that airing up your tires on weekends at Carbondale Car Care is one of the town’s most popular activities. MAT (as he’s called) said that ever since the service station installed one of those wind up hose things, more and more people are rolling in to use it. CCC’s hose also seems to have much more pressure than the one at 7/Eleven that goes “ka-chug, ka-chug, kachug” as you eyeball the tire to see if it’s really being inflated.

The Giving Tree popped up again this Christmas at the corner of Third and Main next to Miser’s Mercantile. Nobody seems to know who is behind the tree, but it invites people who need something to take it, and for people who have something to give to leave it. On Christmas Eve, hats, gloves, dollar bills and inspirational bookmarks were attached with clothespins to the tree. By Tuesday afternoon, only a stocking hat and the some bookmarks remained. Photo by Lynn Burton

Final Jingle Bell results Anyone who gets out and runs a fourmile race in a December rain deserves to get their name in the paper. So, here are the finishers (from top to bottom) in the recent Jingle Bell 4-Mile Run, sponsored by Independence Run and Hike: Bernie Boettcher, Mike Schneiter, Andrew Mansfienld, Brain Passenti, Ashley Arnold, Lauren Arnold, Charlie Wertheim, Lou Brenner, Jon Lipp, Hadley Hentschel, Jen Burn, Jason Elliott,

Escape Winter’s Cold

Sun needs some feedback

John Stroud, Brad Palmer, Steve Vanderhoof, Candelario DeLuera, Jesus Chavez, David Ward, Kayce Anderson, Devon Hutton, Dave Clark, Wyatt Till, Emily Macdonald, Abbey Walters, Suzanne Simon, Mark Feinsinger, Beth Broome, Berry Roper, Veronica Whitney, Chris Barbaur, Katie Brooks, Carlos Herrara, Dee Dee Beard, Jeanne Blatter, Ryan Cynoski, Carly Stillman, Phil Samora, Trish Shepard, Curtis Vaughn, Johnny Mickles, Jason Wessels,

The Sopris Sun is looking for some feedback on our new Web site (soprissun.com). If you have some comments, one way or the other, please send them to will@soprissun.com.

Birthday greetings Birthday greetings go out to Kris Cook (Dec. 31) and a belated happy birthday to Beth Mohsenin (Dec. 12).

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Looking back continued om page 7 Washington University and the University of Georgia respectively. The Roaring Fork High School volleyball team ended its season with a 23-5 record after making it to the state playoffs in Denver. The boys’ soccer team advanced to the second round of the state playoffs and ended its season at 10-5-1. The football team managed three wins and seven losses. Missouri Heights Democrat Roger Wilson won a seat in the Colorado statehouse, defeating former representative Kathleen Curry who ran as an independent write-in candidate, and Republican Luke Korkowski. Incumbent Lou Vallario defeated Carbondale resident Tom Dalessandri in the Garﬁeld County sheriff’s race. In the Garﬁeld County commissioner race, incumbent Tresi Houpt took Carbondale but lost to challenger Tom Jankovsky.

December By a 4-3 vote, the Carbondale Board of Trustees decided not to renew town manager Tom Baker’s contract. Baker, who was at the end of his second three-year contract, said he plans to continue living in Carbondale and seek other employment. The Roaring Fork Cultural Council concluded its second season with a presentation by former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright. Other speakers included former U.S. ambassador Henry Catto, and best-selling author Walter Isaacson.

The following Roaring Fork High School soccer players were named to the Western Slope allleague team: Sam Carpenter, Saulito Vega and Dalton Handy; Roberto Ramirez and Antonio Madrigal received honorable mention honors. The following volleyball players were named to the all-league team: Landon Garvik (Player of the Year), Joey Clingan and Niki Burns; Savanna Phibbs, Ixchel Muniz and Megan Gianinetti received honorable mention honors. Carrie Shultz was named Western Slope 3A Coach of the Year. For Basalt High School, Nancy Hernandez made the all-league team, while Chantri Knotts and Abby Norton received honorable mention honors. The Holiday Market at Airstream Village, located at Highway 133 and Sopris Avenue, combined arts/crafts, food, drink, music, a bonﬁre, Santa, reindeer, Christmas tree sales and more than a half-dozen Airstream trailers for the ﬁrst event of its kind in modern day Carbondale. The Carbondale Chamber of Commerce named Habitat for Humanity/ReStore as its Business of the Year.

Trustees prepared to enter their third year of review for the Village at Crystal River. Located on the west side of Highway 133, the 24-acre project would include 125,000 square feet of retail space, 16,000 of ofﬁce space and 164 multi-family housing units. With a draft bill in Congress and a baseline water quality study completed, the Thompson Divide Coalition closed out an active 2010 in its ongoing effort to protect 220,000 acres from gas drilling. The coalition was working with Rep. John Salazar on the legislation, which would remove unleased land west of Carbondale from future federal leasing. Now the group will have to learn how to work with Salazar’s successor, Scott Tipton.

Carbondalians and others bid adieu to well-loved neighbors in 2010, among them: Mildred Mae (Thurston) Baumli, Lester Fred Bickel, Arthur A. Cerre, Brent William D’Attilo, George W. Gleason, Sheryl Lynn Freeman Gordon, Patrick Hayes, Scott Wesley Maynard, Chick Overington, Henry Jessen Pedersen, Edmond A. Perregaux Jr., Ron Robertson, Carol Rothrock, Alice Rachel Sardy, Virginia “gina” Frances Sterrett Weaver and Joel “J” Worley.

Several new businesses opened during the year, including Carnahan’s (which shrugged off the name Black Nugget), Lulubelle Clothing, Heidi’s Brooklyn Deli, Aloha Mountain Cyclery, Carbondale Beer Works, and Indoor Garden Supply. After an armed home invasion on Cowen Drive in November, the town trustees slapped a moratorium on the medical marijuana industry. Meanwhile, Bonedale’s pot biz continued to bloom like a weed in a compost heap. Eleven dispensaries were operating at the end of the year, up from about half that many 12 months earlier, and as of mid-December the town had collected about $58,000 in sales tax revenue from herb sales.

Ron Robertson’s favorite coat graced the stage during a memorial service that ﬁlled the Church at Carbondale’s Gathering Room in January. Photo by Jane Bachrach

Non-profit highlight CCAH Classes and Workshops Start the year off with some chuckles when Jack Green and Bob Willey present “Cellular Guilt,” January 7-8, 7:30 p.m. Round Room, Third Street Center.

Classes and Workshops (something for everyone) January 4 Youth Fashion Troupe Class with Adriana Pevec Tuesdays starting January 4. (Ages 9-14) 4-6 p.m. January 13 and 20 Shadow Puppets, Soozie Lindbloom, (Ages 6-12) January 16 Toy Theatre, Soozie Lindbloom, (Ages 16 and up) January 21 Beginning Piano with Laurel Sheehan, 4:00-4:45 p.m. (Ages 4-6), 5:00-5:45 p.m. (Ages 7-9), 6:00-6:45 p.m. (Adults) January 22 T-Shirt Reconstruction, Tanya Black, (Ages 13-Adult), 10 a.m.-3 p.m. January 29-30 Felted Slippers, Jill Scher (Teenagers and Adults), 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Call 963-1680 for more information and to register. Check www.carbondalearts.com for new offerings.

Carbondale Council on Arts & Humanities 520 South Third Street, Carbondale 970.963.1680

www.carbondalearts.com

Ad sponsored in memory of Carol Rothrock

THE SOPRIS SUN • DECEMBER 30, 2010 • 9

Community Calendar

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

THURS. Dec. 30-Jan. 1

FRIDAY Dec. 31

WEDNESDAY Jan. 5

FILM SCREENINGS • Aspen Film’s annual academy screenings take place through Jan. 1 at Harris Hall with one screening at the Wheeler Opera House. A complete program schedule is available online at aspenﬁlm.org; tickets to the general public are available at the Wheeler Opera House.

MOVIES • The Crystal Theatre presents “Black Swan” (R) at 5 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Dec. 31-Jan. 2 and 7:30 p.m. on Jan. 3-6. LIVE MUSIC • Steve’s Guitars, located in the old part of the Dinkel Building, hosts a CD release party for All the Pretty Horses at 9 p.m. Info: 963-3304. LIVE MUSIC • Carnahan’s Tavern presents Sector 7 G. There’s a $10 cover. LIVE MUSIC • Ann Federowicz (fiddle) and John Sommers (guitar) play the Down Valley Tavern in El Jebel from 7 to 9 p.m. Reservations are required: 963-4388. VAUDEVILLE REVUE • The Glenwood Vaudeville Review presents New Year’s Eve shows at 5 p.m. and 9 p.m. Tickets are $22 for adults and $16 for kids. Info: 945-9699. SENIORS CELEBRATE • Seniors celebrate New Year’s with magician Doc Eason at the Pitkin County Senior Center on Castle Creek Road from noon to 2 p.m. RSVP at 920-5432. NEW YEAR’S BONFIRE • There’ll be a DJ, bonfire and fireworks at Wagner Park from 8 p.m. to midnight.

LIVE MUSIC • White House pizza presents Ric Rock covering everyone from the Stones to Dylan from 7 to 10 p.m.

THURS.& FRI. Dec. 30-Dec. 31

TWELVE DAYS • The Aspen Chamber Resort Association’s “12 Days of Aspen” continues through Dec. 31. Events include free ice-skating, story reading and more. Info: aspenchamber.org.

THURSDAY Dec. 30

CIRQUE D’ASPEN • Cirque d’Aspen presents a new production at the Aspen High School gym at 5 p.m. on Dec. 29-30. Ticket prices range from $60 for kids 12 and under to $5,000 for a VIP ﬂoor table for 10. Info: 544-9800. LIVE MUSIC • Shadow Mountain Lodge at the St. Regis-Aspen presents Chris Bank and Smokin’ Joe Kelly from 4 to 6 p.m. BENEFIT RACES • The Aspen Valley Ski and Snowboard Club presents such noted racers as Casey Puckett, Chris Davenport, Chris Klug, Kristina Kosnick, Tommy Moe, Jake Zamansky, Wiley Maple and others at the dual giant slalom Ajax Cup races on Aspen Mountain’s Little Nell from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The winner will be awarded the Ajax Cup trophy at the sold-out après-ski party hosted by Goldie Hawn and Kurt Russell.

SATURDAY Jan. 1 FAMILY FUN • Legacy Lodge (a family ministry) presents a family fun day at the Carbondale roping arena ice rink on County Road 100 from 3 to 6 p.m. There’ll be broom hockey (bring your own broom), a ﬁre pit, s’mores, music and more. Admission is $5 per person/$10 per family. Info: 456-2699.

Tell ’em you

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HANOI FOR THE WINTER • The Aspen Center for Environmental Studies presents “Hanoi for the Winter” with Sharon DeQuine as part of its Potbelly Perspectives series from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. at 100 Puppy Smith St. in Aspen. Admission is $5 for nonmembers. Info: 925-5756.

TERRY TEMPEST WILLIAMS • The Aspen Center for Environmental Studies presents author/environmental advocate Terry Tempest Williams at Paepcke Auditorium in Aspen at 5:30 p.m. Tickets are $15. Info: 920-5700.

Further Out

Jan. 6

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

Jan. 7

LIVE MUSIC • Carnahan’s Tavern in the Dinkel Building presents Already Gone. WINTER DRIVING CLASS • The Glenwood Springs Chamber Resort Association, Pinnacol Assurance and the Colorado State Patrol offer a winter driving class at the Glenwood Springs Community Center from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. on Jan. 11. Pre-registration is required by Jan. 7. For more information, call Joni at 945-6589 (ext. 104).

Jan. 8

CONTRA DANCE • There’ll be a community contra dance at Glenwood Springs Elementary School from 8 to 10:30 p.m.

Old time music will be performed by the Last Minute String Band with Richard Myers calling. The school is located two blocks west of the post ofﬁce at 915 School Street. Admission is $8. Info: 945-0350. LIVE MUSIC • Carnahan’s Tavern in the Dinkel Building presents King Hippo.

Jan. 15.

BENEFIT CONCERT • The Carbondalebased Feed Them With Music presents a beneﬁt concert at the Wheeler Opera House in Aspen at 9 p.m. The concert is part of the 2011 Winterskol festivities, which run Jan. 13-15.

Jan. 18

GREAT DISCUSSIONS • The Aspen Institute’s Great Discussions series runs from Jan. 18 to March 8. Topics include rebuilding Haiti and global governance. The cost is $195. Info: 544-7914.

Ongoing “GLASS ART MENAGERIE” • The Colorado Mountain College Gallery, located at 831 Grand Ave. in Glenwood Springs, presents “Glass Art Menagerie” featuring the works of Spencer Crouch, Mary Matchael, Shannon Muse, Charlie Pace, David Powers and Kathy Steckel through Jan. 25. The gallery is open weekdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Info: 947-8367. RAILROAD MUSEUM • The Glenwood Springs Railroad Museum, located in the Rio Grande train station on Seventh Street, is open for the holidays Friday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Adult admission is $1; kids under 12 are free. Info: 945-7044. CASTLE TOURS • The historic Redstone Castle (aka Cleveholm Manor) is open for guided tours Saturdays and Sundays. Info: 963-9656. WILITS WINTER MARKET • The valley’s only indoor farmer’s market takes place every Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Willits Town Center in Basalt. Info: 277-1100. OPEN MIC • Dan Sadowsky hosts open mic sessions at the Limelight Lodge in Aspen from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. every Sunday. Info: 925-3025. MUSEUM EXHIBIT • The Aspen Historical Society’s “Out of Your Mind, Body and Spirit: Voices of Aspen, 1975” continues at the Wheeler/Stallard Museum in Aspen. The hours are 1 to 5 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday. Info: 925-3721. MAYOR’S COFFEE HOUR • Chat with Carbondale Mayor Stacey Bernot on Tuesdays from 7 to 8 a.m. at the Village Smithy, located 26 S. Third St.

“MADE BY HAND” • The Carbondale Council on Arts and Humanities presents its annual holiday exhibit “Made by Hand, From the Heart” at the Third Street Center. Info: 963-1680. EXHIBIT CONTINUES • The Frontier Historical Museum in Glenwood Springs presents exhibits on Doc Holliday, Kid Curry, Teddy Roosevelt, Ute Indians, mining and more. The museum is located at 10th and Colorado and is open from 1 to 4 p.m. on Monday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday. ART SHOW • Zheng Asian Bistro at 400 E. Valley Road in El Jebel presents the work of local painter Dennis Dodson. The show is called,“Insider Outsider Art: Finding the Sociological Imagination.” Info: 963-8077. ACOUSTIC CARNAHANS • Singer/songwriter T Ray Becker hosts an acoustic music night with new musicians every week from 7 to 9 p.m. Thursdays at Carnahan’s Tavern. Info: 963-4498. FOOD EDUCATION • Eco-Goddess hosts a food education series at the restaurant every Wednesday from 6 to 7 p.m. Topics include the hidden costs in food and choices you can make. It’s free. Info: 963-7316. GROUP RUN • Independence Run and Hike at 995 Cowen Drive leads group runs Saturdays at 8:15 a.m. rain or shine. Info: 704-0909. MATINEE BINGO • It’s Matinee BINGO time in the Rominger Room at Crystal Meadows senior housing after lunch every Wednesday. It’s ﬁve cents per card, and large print cards are available. Info: 704-1579.

Not just for cyclists!

Fourth-graders at Crystal River Elementary School put on a jazzy holiday concert on Dec. 16 led by music teacher Amber Bate. Students at the local schools are enjoying the annual winter break through Jan. 3. Photo by Trina Ortega

Garco Community Housing Open House: SUNDAY, JAN. 2 2:00-4:00 p.m.

PERIODIZATION TRAINING HAS COME TO CARBONDALE. • Join indoor cycling instructors Valerie Gilliam and Lisa Rashbaum for an introduction to Periodization Training which is composed of an aerobic base building period followed by a strength training period and finally leading up to an anaerobic training period. • Improve your cycling fitness over this 4 - 12 week course and begin your cycling season with an energy that you never thought possible. • More than just a workout, periodization training has direction and purpose. This program is good for anyone looking to build a strong aerobic base.

Tuesdays and Thursdays 6 - 7pm OR Mondays & Wednesdays Noon - 1:00PM Session II - January. Aerobic Base Building Session III - February. Hill Climbs Session IV - March. Interval/Anaerobic Training 8 classes per session: $56

$287,000 36 Gambel Oak Way, Carbondale Blue Creek Ranch

Carbondale Recreation & Community Center 567 Colorado Ave. 970-704-4190 For more info contact Valerie Gilliam 970.948.5877 *For optimal results you should commit to 2 or more additional hours per week on your own. Heart rate monitors required (available @ front desk.)

3 bedrooms, 2 full baths, 1 car garage + storage. Fenced with shade trees and access to RF River. Architect designed, energy efficient, vaulted ceilings.

www.garfieldhousing.com 970-945-3072

**Gift certificates available for the cycling enthusiast in your life.

THE SOPRIS SUN • DECEMBER 30, 2010 • 11

Join me

in supporting the Sun to know what is happening here. “TheWeSunhaveprovides coverage for Carbondale which is where I live. I want to know what is happening in Carbondale because it helps me figure out how we fit into a broader community. The Sun helps me know what is happening in my home town. I like that.

”

Steve Skinner

Community Briefs Rocky Mountain Filmfest slated

Entries are now being taken for Rocky Mountain Student Filmfest’s 12th annual festival, slated for next spring. Films must be submitted by April 5. For more information, go to www. studentfilmfest.org or call (970) 384-5963.

Christmas tree recycling continues Carbondale’s annual Christmas tree recycling program continues through January across from town hall. All decorations must be removed, including ornaments, tinsel, garland, tree stands, wires, lights, plastic bags, screws and nails. Flocked and artificial trees, and roping, garland or wreaths will not be accepted. Mulch from the trees will be available in February. Info: 963-1307.

Open space calendars available Pitkin County open space calendars are now available at the Pitkin County Library, clerk and recorders office, and county administration office. They are free. Call 920-5232 and one will be mailed to you.

Max Marolt scholarships available Max Marolt scholarships of up to $1,000 are available to area athletes. For details, go to aspenrecreation.com or call 544-4104. Applications are available only on-line and are due Jan. 3.

Parenting program begins The Roaring Fork Family Resource Centers at the Bridges Center offers parenting classes Wednesday nights from 5:15 to 8:15 p.m. beginning on Jan. 19 and continuing for 15 weeks. The fee is $125 per couple or $75 per individual. Dinner and child care are included. Scholarships are available. For details, call 384-5689.

Letters continued om page 2

Start from scratch with VCR Editor’s note: This letter was originally addressed to the Carbondale Board of Town Trustees.

Cut out the form below and mail it with your donation to: Sopris Sun, P.O. Box 399, Carbondale, CO 81623 or bring it by the Sopris Sun offices at the Third Street Center at 520 3rd Street, #35 in Carbondale.

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12 • THE SOPRIS SUN • DECEMBER 30, 2010

Dear Editor: Please consider these comments on the Village at Crystal River. Bottom line: Take a six-month break, draft a thorough set of requirements for what we want in a development and start from scratch. Review citizen response in the roadmap and the recent survey. Work quickly and efficiently and treat the developer fairly in terms of a decent time frame. End up with what we want and need, not with what the developer wants to build. Or wait for another developer. That these reviews have taken forever is sad, and perhaps unfair to the developer. I know it is all complex, but part of the problem is that various parties, including the trustees, keep coming up with new ideas. The reason they do, I think, is that the proposal is quite imperfect. This is a 1990s proposal for a suburban development – even the name is 1990s suburban boring and out of place. Every suburb has a“Village at ... .”We’re Carbondale, not Carbon Copy. That is simply not appropriate for this environment. Carbondale has a proud tradition that we ought to defend and extend – energy efficiency, sustainability, open space, art and more. We shouldn’t give up the ship. This developer does not have to be satisfied and this land does not have to be developed now. The current proposal will yield a modest tax benefit for the town when all the incentives are taken into account and add to a housing market that has many years to absorb current inventory, while at least three other major residential developments wait in the wings. A PIF, especially on food, is inappropriate. If this developer goes away, so what? We can wait for a better one. We should be in the driver’s seat, not the developer. We have precious little property with commercial potential.The standard configuration will not work – most developers will put mid-size boxes in Glenwood or

Basalt. We are just too “in between” the two. However, a destination development, such as all sporting goods, or a nice senior living development over commercial, could work very well. I’m sure there are other ideas too. And it should have a nice design, art integrated into it, energy efﬁcient buildings, and other characteristics that keep Carbondale a special place, not just another boring strip mall/housing development. Please don’t keep negotiating. You can’t make a silk purse out of a sow’s ear. If you keep negotiating with the current proposal as a basis, you’ll end up with something about which you and most citizens can’t be proud. Sue Edelstein Carbondale

Developers are vampires Editor’s note: This letter was addressed to Sopris Sun columnist Jeannie Perry. Dear Editor: Good work on the vampire developers column. Yes, there is something very good about cows eating grass that will later be eaten. Connecting many of the dots is this amazing article from the New York Times: nytimes.com/2010/12/11/science/earth/11fossil.html?hpw. Please spread this around. Like manure, it might cause something to grow. I can’t stand how far behind the Europeans we are on changing our economic models. The plant referenced in the New York Times article is 10 years old, for cryin’ out loud! They have city greenhouses! The vast majority of Carbondale people have no clue that this town is going down the same old non-sustainable, oil-based, overpopulated, suburban disaster. Every time I hear the word “green” or “sustainable” my head starts to explode. It does about as much good as putting on green tinted glasses. What will this valley look like when the oil pipelines start slowing down? Pat Hunter Carbondale

The Roaring Fork Cultural Council a Partnership of Colorado Mountain College, Thunder River Theatre and

The Fleisher Company

Wish to thank the Roaring Fork Cultural Council Founders for their generosity that has made the RFCC possible here in Carbondale Connie & Jim Calaway, Co-Chairman Colleen & Rick Borkovec Pamela & Gary Brewer Gail Caruso & Rick Mandell Nancy & Roy Davidson Peggy De Vilbiss Kathleen & Greg Feinsinger Kate & Herb Feinzig Jeanette & Scott Gilbert Holly & Richard Glasier Mary & Mark Gould Jane & Richard Hart Karen & Stephen Hessl Karen & Stanley Jensen

Jill & Craig Rathbun, Co-Chairman Carla Malmquist Rosie & Frank McSwain Carly & Frosty Merriott Elizabeth & Brian Murphy Emily & Tom Neel Donna & Gino Rossetti Gayle & Barry Schochet Sharon & Garry Snook Nancy Sheffield & Jeff Steck Ajka & Bill Wallace Patricia & Jim Waddick Connie & Jon Warnick Alexandra & Doug Yajko

For information about the Roaring Fork Cultural Council and the schedule of programs for 2011 go to www.rfculturalcouncil.org For information about becoming a Founder of the Roaring Fork Cultural Council, contact Craig RathbuO at 970-704-1515 , ext. 101

2010: What I didn’t know for sure

Happy Holidays from The Sun!

From left: Jean Perry, Terray Sylvester, Peggy DeVilbiss, Frank Zlogar, Terri Ritchie, Allyn Harvey, Laura McCormick and Dave Johnson

Here’s wishing you a pleasant year to come. Thank you for reading and supporting The Sopris Sun. The Sopris Sun Board of Directors Peggy DeVilbiss, Allyn Harvey, Colin Laird, Laura McCormick, Jean Perry, Elizabeth Phillips and Frank Zlogar The Sopris Sun Staff Jane Bachrach, Lynn Burton, Will Grandbois, David Johnson, Terri Ritchie, Terray Sylvester and Cameron Wiggin

14 • THE SOPRIS SUN • DECEMBER 30, 2010

Chasing a degree in horticulture, I also liage I just HAD to have north of the water became a Master Gardener through Col- feature? Attempt No. 1, 2006: The six-foot orado Cooperative Extension. Why not? It Van der Wolf pine, devoured by deer. Yeah, looked good on paper (back then) and in that one was expensive. Attempt No. 2, only 60 hours of training, 2007: The four-foot Van followed by a mere 50 hours der Wolf pine. Not as of volunteer work, I would pricey, but the surrounding have all the smarts needed to bosque of Os trees and master gardening in our ditch willows bullied it out Rocky Mountain region. of existence, stealing any Upon completion, I sailed water available. Attempt forth with a firm belief that I No. 3 in 2009 was not a knew what I was doing. charm: An artfully caged Since then I’ve left a baby blue eyes spruce wake of errors as wide as WITH a water well to boot the Mississippi and tumulAND solar powered Christtuous as the Roaring Fork. I mas lights. Come 2010, have blown it big time, those Christmas lights are many a time. I have wasted hanging on a brown skelemoney, hours and effort. Alton of branches. What though I’ve also tried to by Geneviève Joëlle gives? That I don’t know. Villamizar learn from those mistakes, I thought in 2010 I and despite my springtime could tie up loose ends. We declaration to do things right in 2010, a ret- impulsively decided to do an installation in rospective of my body of work reveals the acre pasture between our house and clearly the many things I still don’t know Highway 133 when we had a shot at 60for sure. some dump loads of fill dirt. That was three Early this year, I vowed to do things sim- summers ago. After four trips, they found a ply with a less-is-more approach. How was dumpsite closer than us, so we used our I to know that the $15 fluorescent fixtures piles as a dirt-bike track the rest of the sumI bought second hand had been replaced mer. As the Crystal River Trail began confor a reason? Or that we would spend al- struction, we again offered up our pasture most $200 on the light bulbs? Or that sav- for dumping, but it still wasn’t quite ing $150 on germinating mats by using enough dirt. We practiced jumping snowkitty litter and Christmas lights would melt mobiles on the larger pile that winter. The the plastic seed flats and roast the first summer of 2010, they continued work on batch of seedlings? So much for repur- the river trail, but gave us no more soil. We pose/re-use/recycle. grew weeds – three -and-four-foot-tall I was gung-ho on growing tomatoes in weeds. So, I don’t know WHEN we’ll have 2010. Google “tomato plant spacing” and enough soil to complete our Mongolian you’ll come up with two to three feet be- Mound. Our neighbors love us. Really. tween plants. I decided with my experience What I know for sure (sorry, Oprah) at as a Master Gardener, I could get away this point is that 2011 will continue to with six to eight inches apart. Why, I’d just show me that which I do not. train them up lines and pinch the side buds. Happy New Year, fellow diggers in the I was too scared to go into the hot house dirt. May you sow success with what you by June. Come late August, Peter had to do know. bush whack just to harvest tomatoes. Master Gardener, huh? Shows me what I knew. Questions, ideas or rants? Email Geneviève Okay, better yet? That splash of blue fo- at genevieve@evolvinglandscape.com.

Getting Grounded

Doing the holidays the integral way Ah, the holiday season is upon us. Some- hints to put you on the path. First, the integral model addresses the how it sneaks in and each year seems to esdevelopmental aspects of calate in intensity with the the whole person through number of activities to parfour perspectives: the psyticipate in (or to excuse chospiritual, biological, inoneself from); the number terpersonal and worldly. of friends and family memSo, we should address bers to tend to with gifts; the psychospiritual first beand the pressures of travelcause often it is the most ling afar to be with family underdeveloped aspect of or family coming here to our lives and the one that fill up the house. Or there can be the biggest saboteur may be a dearth of the this time of year. How can above from those who you keep your inner house have recently moved to the in order? Start with five or valley and do not yet feel 10 minutes of belly breathpart of community. For ing twice a day (or more these folks it can be a into often as stressors arise.) lonely time of year. Either by Rita Marsh The simple practice of way it can be stressful. RN, BSN mindful breathing calms So how do you apthe mind, balances the auproach the season with a plan? A plan based on the model of integral tonomic nervous system and allows you to health might help. What follows are a few respond rather than react when stressors JOURNEYS TO HEALTH page 15

Journeys Health

Unclassifieds

Journeys to health continued om page 14 appear on your radar screen. Second, we should address biological and physical health. We all know the importance of adequate rest, good nutrition, physical exercise and hydration in supporting physical well being. But at this time of year activities seem to pull us away from any balance in these areas that we may have had going for us. So perhaps it is a good idea to pause and take a few deep breaths before adding one more thing to your list that will draw you away from the selfnurturing you have been doing. The third aspect to look at is the area of interpersonal flourishing. Ask, “How can I reach out with intimacy, loving kindness and compassion to family, friends and neighbors and to the stranger who just might really need that warm smile and friendly hello?” You can only do this if you are feeling present, centered and grounded in your own being. By attending to your personal needs in the first two aspects – the psychospiritual and the physical – you are better prepared to respond from the heart to someone else. Fourth, you should look at the work you do in the

world and how you serve in the world. Volunteering at homeless shelters, at community meals offered for people in need, at Lift Up and at the Salvation Army can be a way to bring meaning and purpose into your life. Those who have more to give can offer a year-end gift to charities or organizations that are serving the community and people in need. This is a quick and very simplified start down the path toward integral health. For more information keep an eye on what’s happening at Davi Nikent (davinikent.org). To all the readers of The Sopris Sun: May your holiday season be blessed with health and happiness. May the love in your heart grow exponentially as you take your deep breath breaks. All best wishes for the New Year. Rita Marsh has been a practicing nurse for more than 30 years. Over the past nine years she has designed and cotaught courses to enhance wellbeing, reduce the effects of stress, support healthful aging and ultimately help people prepare for life’s ﬁnal transition.

Service Directory Bring this ad in on Wednesday for

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(970) 963-2826

Doctor’s Garden MMJ Center

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DOG TRAINING AND CARE SERVICES. Private dog training or Saturday group sessions, dog walking and hiking, Pet CPR and First Aid classes. Gift Certiﬁcates available. More info at www.SueMelus.com or 948-0297.

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

Carbondale, Colorado

1978 Harding Road, Paonia, CO

Bed & Breakfast Inn

Farm to Table Friday Dinners Sunday Breakfast with Live Music

Office: 970.963.1297 E-fax: 866.466.1872 vgilliam@houseloan.com www.ValerieGilliam.com

9:00am–12:00pm, Reservations Please

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Snow Day Specials in December

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Have an energy efficient home! Call GreenBuild Roofing for a free roof, heat tape, insulation and ventilation inspection and to schedule gutter cleaning for this fall!

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Certified Public Accountant

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1101 Village Road Carbondale, Colorado

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LLA2 81623

Best specialty Bomber and Microbrew selection in town

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EVERYONE WELCOME EVERY DAY OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK M - F 9AM - 7PM; SAT. 11AM - 6PM; SUN. 12 - 6PM 559 Main Street 970-963-1375 www.carbondalecommunityfoodcoop.org

THE SOPRIS SUN • DECEMBER 30, 2010 • 15

Happy Holidays from Mason Morse The Source for Real Estate since 1961. Proudly serving Carbondale, the Crystal River & Roaring Fork Valley with more transactions than any other firm in 2010.

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Carbondale | 0290 Highway 133 | 970.963.3300 www.masonmorse.com