Redstone December 2023 / January 2024

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VOLUME 24, NUMBER 11

LYONS, COLORADO

RESIDENT / OCCUPANT PRSRT STD ECRWSS US POSTAGE PAID LYONS, CO PERMIT No 2053 $.50

DECEMBER 13, 2023 / JANUARY 17, 2024

B •R •I •E •F •S Catholic Christmas Eve Mass LYONS – Catholic Christmas Eve Mass will be held at the Stone Congregational Church, 408 High St. in Lyons (instead of the Lyons Methodist Church, 350 Main St.) at 4 p.m., on Sunday Dec. 24, 2023. For information on the Catholic Community, contact Patti Puzo at pattipuzo@msn.com.

Patti Puzo is the spokesperson for the Lyons Catholic Community; the Catholic Community holds services at either the Lyons Community (Methodist) Church at 350 Main St. and on occasion the Stone Congregational Church.

In 2021 the Catholic community in Lyons celebrated its 40th year in Lyons, Colorado, providing Mass celebration to the Lyons and surrounding mountain areas since 1981. The church has a rotating schedule of priests who schedule services. The Catholic Community is part of the St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Longmont.

The regular, weekly Mass is held 5:30 p.m. on Saturday evenings at the Lyons Community Methodist Church, 350 Main St.

Community dance class at the DCPA DENVER – No matter the number of left feet you think you have, you’re invited to a DCPA Community Dance Class. Led by professional dancers Gavin Juckette and Lyndsay Corbett, people of all ages and abilities are invited to learn dance numbers from A Chorus Line and Singin’ in the Rain.

Bring a hat and umbrella to complete your look as you sashay your way across the stage. Class will be held on Sat, Dec 16 from 1 to 2:30 p.m. at the Newman Center for Theatre Education located at 1101 13th St., Denver, CO 80204. The cost is $2 per person Not keen to get your Gene Kelly on? No problem. We’ve got winter classes for all ages and theatrical disciplines still on sale.

From dialect coaching to scene study, intro courses to professional development, you’ll have the opportunity to improve your craft with support from our experienced faculty. But don’t delay.

Many of our most popular courses have already reached capacity. For go to the DCPA Newman Center for Theatre Education website.

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I •N •D •E •X LYONS

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Audrey, 8 years old, from Lyons, dressed in her glittery holiday best to see Santa at the annual Lyons Holiday Artisan Market on Saturday, December 2 at Lyons Elementary.

PHOTO BY CATHY RIVERS

Town Board decides to place sales tax increase on November ballot and discusses enforcing air quality regs for CEMEX

By Susan de Castro Redstone Review Editor LYONS – At a recent Lyons Town Board workshop in December, the board discussed the possibility of placing a sales tax increase on the November, 2024 ballot. The Town Board is looking for ways to pay for some storm water drains and other infrastructure projects. The current sales tax rate in Lyons is 3.5 percent, which is in the lower range compared to 12 other municipalities in Boulder and Larimer Counties.

Finance Director Cassey Eyestone prepared some charts for the board to see a comparison between other municipalities, and a chart showing examples of how much annual revenue would be generated by an increase in various sales tax revenues.

The comparison chart showed that three municipalities have lower sales tax rates: Loveland has 3 percent; Mead has 3 percent; and Superior has 3.46 percent. One town, Erie, has the same sales tax rate, 3.5 percent, as Lyons. Some of the higher sales tax rates included Estes Park, which had the highest rate of 5 percent; Berthoud with 4 percent; Nederland with 4.25 percent; Boulder with 3.86 percent; Fort Collins with 3.8 percent; Lafayette with 3.87 percent; and Louisville with 3.65 percent.

Mayor Hollie Rogin asked Town Attorney

Brandon Dittman if there was any data on what the threshold would be for voters to approve an increase in sales taxes. Attorney Dittman said that he didn’t have any numbers off the top of his head but could certainly do more work on that. He added that in his experience sales tax issues usually are more successful if they are tied to a project.

Director Eyestone suggested that she could also pursue getting a loan for the storm water projects or the board could raise the storm water fees.

Town Administrator Simonsen pointed out that about 60 percent of the sales tax revenue is paid by visitors in the summer. “That is one thing to keep in mind here as we look at sales tax questions,” she said. She added, “We now have the funds to design the storm water project, and it looks like it would be 2nd Avenue first.”

Administrator Simonsen said that Director Eyestone has found a very low interest loan that they had used before. The caveat is that the construction would begin as soon as the loan was in place. She added that the town has 2nd Avenue, 3rd Avenue and 5th Avenue, all of which are associated with watersheds above them and all with water slides coming down the roads during large storms.

“We keep hoping for Federal grants, but that hasn’t happened yet. If we could get the sales tax passed, that would potentially offset

the cost of construction,” she said. “If the tax does not pass, we have the storm water impact fee that we could increase.”

She added that Governor Polis sent a letter asking all municipalities to reduce their tax rate (mill levy) in all areas of the state because the cost of housing is so high in many areas of Colorado and everyone is very mindful of how their tax dollars are spent.

During the regular town board meeting the board decided to place wording on the ballot to ask voters to approve a 0.5 percent increase on Lyons sales tax to be used largely for infrastructure. In the last election (2015) where the Lyons sales tax was raised to 3.5 percent, the ordinance passed by 62 percent.

The board held a discussion on what direction to give to Mayor Hollie Rogin, who will give her report to the Boulder County Commissioners as to whether to give the board’s approval to renew the operating permit for CEMEX. The board seemed divided on the issue of whether they were in favor of renewing CEMEX’s operating permit. Mayor Rogin, and others, will give their comments at the Boulder County Commissioners’ meeting on Jan. 5, 2024. All the board members made it clear that they wanted CEMEX to comply with the current air quality regulations and wanted those regulations to be enforced and even to raise the fines. But on the issue of denying the Continue Town on Page 14

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REDSTONE • REVIEW

DECEMBER 13, 2023 / JANUARY 17, 2024

LYONS Fire Chief Peter Zick resigns; Chief Robert Stumpf takes over on January 1

By Peter Zick, Lyons Fire Chief Redstone Review LYONS – I want to start off by saying Happy Holidays to all of you. This is my favorite time of Zick year and I love the way the Lyons community comes together to celebrate. The town looks amazing, as usual, and the Parade of Lights was a great event yet again.

With the holidays upon us, I want to remind everyone to check your smoke detectors and make sure that the batteries are fresh. If you have carbon monoxide detectors, check to make sure that those are working properly as well. In addition to those two things, and because I want to make sure that everyone has a safe and festive holiday season, I am going to get onto my soapbox for a minute as your Fire Chief.

I completely understand that some of our community members love to have real Christmas trees in their homes for season.

They smell amazing and are so beautiful to look at once they are all decorated with

lights and ornaments. That said, there are a few risks associated with having a real tree that I want to make you aware of.

First and foremost, I have seen many devastating fires around the holidays and dry Christmas trees can be a major hazard, so please keep them properly watered. We have all seen the videos of what a little spark can do so water your trees.

Second, make sure all external heat sources are far away from your tree. This will prevent it from drying out prematurely and prevent a potential ignition source from being close to the tree.

Finally, remember that although the weather has turned cool and we may have a white Christmas, it is still dry outside, and our landscape has a high potential for wildfires this time of year. Make sure you check with county and Fire District burn restrictions before having any fires outside.

Now for the hard part. This will be the last article I write as Fire Chief of the Lyons Fire Protection District. I have been offered, and accepted, the Assistant Chief of Operations position at Mountain View Fire Rescue in Longmont. I cannot begin to tell you what a difficult and emotional

decision this was for me to make. Since coming to Lyons in 2021 I have built so many great relationships with my staff, the town, and the community. I know that there have been rumblings about my departure, but want to clear up any misconceptions that people may have as to the reason I am leaving.

First, this was not a forced departure by any means. The Board of Directors and I have had one of the best working relationships that I have ever experienced in my 35-plus years in the fire service. They have been very supportive of me in my role as Fire Chief and have worked just as hard as me to make many of the changes that have occurred within our fire district. I am grateful to all the directors, their unwavering dedication to our district, and their support for me over the last three years.

This move is simply a career-based decision for my family and me.

Second, your officers, engineers, firefighters, paramedics, and the entire staff are the backbone of this organization.

They will continue to protect this community with the same professionalism, compassion, and skill as they have done for

many years. I am so proud of all the hard work and change that they have endured to make the Lyons Fire Protection District one of the best fire districts in Boulder and Larimer Counties.

Chief Robert Stumpf will be taking over as your Fire Chief, effective January 1, 2024. Chief Stumpf joined Lyons Fire as the Deputy Chief of Operations in February of 2023 and has all the qualifications and skill to continue to lead the Lyons Fire Protection District during the next leg of its journey; I am confident that he will do an amazing job in his new role.

As I close out this article, I want to say thank you all for welcoming me into your community. It has truly been an incredible experience. Lyons, this community, and this fire district will always hold a special place in my heart. I love each and every one of you and hope you all have a great holiday season and a wonderful new year.

check out NFPA’s website for more information at nfpa.org.

Here at Lyons Fire Protection District, we wish our community a festive and safe holiday season. The members of the Lyons Fire Protection District are: President

Paul Davidovich; Vice President Keith Spencer; Secretary Brian Roberts; Treasurer Chris Cope; Director Dave Roth.

Peter Zick, current Lyons Fire Chief, will resign on December 31 to accept a new job as Assistant Chief of Operations at Mountain View Fire Rescue in Longmont. He became fire chief in Lyons in 2021.

How to have fire-safe holidays

By Steve Pischke Redstone Review LYONS – As the holiday season approaches, it’s important to keep in mind some useful tips for home fire safety. Taking a Pischke few minutes to make sure your holiday decorations, cooking, and celebrations are fire-safe can help ensure everyone here in Lyons has happy and safe holidays this year.

Starting on the outside of the home, take a moment to look at your outdoor decorations. Before you deck your halls with sparkling lights and lawn ornaments, carefully inspect cords for frayed wires, damaged sockets, or any signs of wear. Use extension cords responsibly by avoiding overloaded outlets, and consider switching off your lights before bedtime or when leaving the house.

Candles are a common fire hazard during the winter months. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) recom-

mends opting for flameless candles as a safer alternative. If traditional candles are your preference, take time to ensure that they are placed in stable holders on nonflammable surfaces. Keep all open flames away from anything that could catch fire, and always extinguish candles before leaving a room or going to sleep.

Both real and artificial Christmas trees can be fire hazards. For live trees, remember to keep them well watered, which reduces their risk of ignition. If those buying artificial trees, look for ones made from fire-resistant materials. For both live and artificial trees, remember to keep them away from heat sources such as fireplaces or home heating devices, and avoid blocking any exits.

Early detection through functional smoke alarms can significantly minimize damage and protect occupants in case of a fire, so make sure you have working smoke alarms throughout your home. Regularly test and replace batteries in these alarms so they are always in proper working condition.

If you’re looking for some more holiday or all-season home fire safety tips, you can

Lyons Fire Fund 2023 recap and a big thank you

By Johanna Zeh and the Lyons Fire Fund Redstone Review LYONS – This holiday season the Lyons Fire Fund (LFF) is thankful for the support from local businesses, community organizations, and numerous individuals who donated to the LFF this year. Your support means LFF can fund much needed programs and equipment for the Lyons Fire Protection District (LFPD). Thank you. The Lyons Fire Fund is a 501(c) non-profit with a mission of providing fundraising support for the Lyons Fire Protection District.

In July the LFPD held a community pancake breakfast and silent auction, which raised $4,000 for LFF. Several local businesses and individuals provided either a direct contribution or items for the auction. These included: Lumber Liquors, Lyons Quilting, Metamorphosis Art and Tattoo, Brian McCann Real Estate, Lyons Physical Therapy, Lyons Veterinary Clinic, Harmony Bonsai, and local author John Gierach. A special thank you to Charlie Rose for providing music for the event.

In September LFF collaborated with the Farmette,

Beyond our two stunning WEDDING & EVENT VENUES, The Farmette hosts a series of FARM DINNERS with local chefs during the growing season and homesteading and DIY WORKSHOPS in the Spring and Fall.

which hosted a delicious farm-to-table dinner prepared by Butcher and the Blonde, with all beverage sales benefitting LFF. About $540 was raised from this event. Lyons Fire Chief Peter Zick gave a short talk to the guests about how LFPD serves the community, and provided updates on recent changes such as purchasing the Stryker LUCAS device for CPR, and adding paramedics for best medical emergency response.

October saw our second annual Artist Showcase fundraiser event at the A-Lodge Rock Garden for the Multi-Agency Peer Support program (MAPS). This program supports first-responder mental health for LFPD and surrounding districts. Special thanks to A-Lodge for hosting the event and providing a generous grand prize for the raffle, and to performers Jon Stambaugh and Friends, Eben Grace and Friends Band, and Billy Shaddox Band for providing live music. LFF raised just over $560 from this event, in local funds now available for required community matching dollars next year, along with ongoing Boulder County grant funding.

For November, we were very thankful to receive a grant

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Steve Pischke is the Assistant Chief and Fire Marshall for Lyons Fire Protection District.

of $3,000 from the Lyons Community Foundation (LCF).

These funds will be used to offset costs of purchasing two drug safes for secure storage of medication on LFPD apparatus, to allow full paramedic capability.

We also received an $800 donation from Medtronic, in an employee-match program, where a company gives funds to recognize an employee’s unpaid volunteer hours at the LFPD. A pending donation from Cemex is in the works, awaiting final corporate approval, with a commitment of $2,500, to come in 2024. Individual donors all do contribute a very big share of LFF’s annual total dollars raised. We rely on all of you, and send our donors gratitude and appreciation.

Finally, as we move into the end-of-year giving season, please consider making a gift to LFF. You can visit us at: www.lyonsfirefund.org, to make a donation.

Again, thank you to everyone who supported the Lyons Fire Fund this year. We hope you have a happy and safe holiday season, and we’ll see you in 2024. Good holidays to all.

The Lyons Fire Fund: Dave Roth, Maureen Davidovich, Bill Sassani, Johanna Zeh.

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DECEMBER 13, 2023 / JANUARY 17, 2024

REDSTONE • REVIEW

PAGE 3

MAYOR’S CORNER Governor asks municipalities to reduce property taxes and Lyons responds

By Hollie Rogin, Mayor of Lyons Redstone Review LYONS – Confused about property taxes? You’re not alone.

Colorado voters roundly defeated Proposition HH in November’s election.

Though we will never know exactly why Rogin voters did not pass Proposition HH ballot measure, I think it’s fair to say the ballot language was difficult to understand. Basically, it would have helped to blunt rising property taxes in Colorado for at least ten years and likely would have reduced tax refunds. If passed, the state budget would have increased, and limits would have been placed on local government spending.

That’s the very short story.

After Proposition HH was defeated, Governor Jared Polis called the Colorado State Legislature into a special session just prior to Thanksgiving, directing the members to address the sharp rise in property taxes via legislation.

The result was a number of bills that the governor recently signed into law. These new laws will provide some relief to residential property owners; however, they do not address the sharply rising taxes on commercial properties.

The governor also sent a letter to each municipality in the state asking us to do our part in easing the burden on residential property owners. The Town of Lyons will be providing an estimated 5.504 mill levy credit to taxpayers in 2024.

What does that mean? Good question.

A mill levy is a property tax based on the assessed value of a property. The Boulder County Assessor is responsible for determining assessed value. When the assessed value of a property goes up, so do its taxes. But what, exactly, is a mill?

A mill is an expression of the rate of tax. One mill equals

one dollar per $1,000 of assessed value. In Lyons, the total mill levy is divided between seven taxing entities: Taxing Entity

2022 Mill Levy (paid in 2023)

St. Vrain School District

58.385

Boulder County

24.746

Town of Lyons

17.932

Lyons Fire Protection District

13.962

Lyons Library

5.859

Lefthand Water

1.406

Northern Colorado Water Conservancy District

1.0

TOTAL

123.29

The Town of Lyons has a 5.5 percent limitation on property tax revenue growth. That’s why, each year, town residents receive temporary mill levy reductions. Over the last five years, these reductions have ranged between 1.59 to 2.805 mills. In 2024, it’s estimated (the final number will be based on information to come from the County Assessor’s office) that the mill levy reduction credit will be 5.504 mills.

Okay, still with me? On to the special legislative session.

The main bill, SB 23B-1, reduces the residential assessment rate for the 2023 tax year (paid in 2024) to 6.7 percent from 6.75 percent. It also allows homeowners to exempt $55,000 of value from taxation. So, while residential property taxes will certainly increase, they won’t increase as much as they would have otherwise. The local mill levy reduction credit will help with this.

Other bills included opting into a federal food assistance program to address food insecurity for 300,000 children in Colorado; making Taxpayer Bill of Rights (TABOR) refund checks equal for every taxpayer ($800); and providing $30 million in emergency rental assistance. This assistance can be applied to rent, utility bills, late fees, court costs, attorney costs, and any other costs associated with evection prevention. The legislature also doubled the state’s earned income tax credit for 2023. Finally, the legislature formed a task force to study and develop long-term, sustainable property tax plans to consider.

Hopefully, this task force will examine the sharp rise in commercial property taxes. In the meantime, the Board of Trustees has directed town staff to investigate other potential measures that could provide similar relief to commercial property owners. Because, as the late Minnesota Senator Paul Wellstone famously said, “We all do better when we all do better.”

I wish you all a safe and warm holiday season filled with good cheer, and a very happy 2024.

Hollie Rogin was sworn in as Mayor of Lyons on April 18, 2022. Before that she was elected to serve on the Board of Trustees for the term of 2020 – 2022. In 2015, she created the foundation for what is now the City of Boulder’s Commercial Affordability program on a pro bono basis. While serving as a Trustee, she was the Board liaison to the Economic Vitality Commission and the Historic Preservation Commission.

Representatives Neguse and Lamborn work to disburse outstanding bonus payments to National Guard troops

By Rep. Joe Neguse Redstone Review LYONS – Ten years ago, in the fall of 2013, our state called on the Army National Guard to assist in the response to the Neguse devastating floods in our community here in Lyons. National Guard soldiers helped to evacuate more than 1,600 residents of the town, ensuring that they were able to make their way to safety.

And just two years ago, when the Marshall Fire swept through neighborhoods in Superior, Louisville, and unincorporated Boulder County, the National Guard – once again – stepped in to help communities recover from disaster.

Time and time again, the National Guard has stepped forward to assist and protect our communities. And I believe it’s incumbent upon us to ensure that these service members are fairly treated.

Which is why upon hearing reports that thousands of National Guard troops have

not received promised enlistment bonuses, and that nearly 4,000 service members have left the military without being paid promised bonuses, I joined my Colorado colleague Rep. Doug Lamborn last week in penning a letter to the Chief of the National Guard Bureau, imploring the National Guard to take immediate action to disburse outstanding enlistment bonuses to soldiers who have made the commitment to serve in the National Guard. For many National Guard members, missing these payments can result in severe financial hardships and frustration for not only soldiers, but their families.

We must keep working to ensure that soldiers who have served their country honorably and fulfilled their commitments are compensated for their hard work. These brave service members continue to have our backs – it’s time we have theirs.

With the end of the year fast approaching, I would also like to quickly wish you all a happy holiday season. As we prepare for the new year, it’s more important than

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ever that we stay hopeful. That we focus on finding hope, spreading it far and wide, and holding on to it as folks across the country and within our own communities endure some significant challenges.

Please know that each and every day my office is working to do precisely that, and in turn, we remain steadfast in our commitment to not only protecting benefits

for service members and veterans, but putting people over politics to lower costs, grow the middle class, build safer communities, and meet the urgent needs of the people of our wonderful state.

Congressman Joe Neguse represents Colorado’s Second District in the U.S. House of Representatives. He was elected to his first term in November 2018, becoming the first African American member of Congress in Colorado history. He serves as a member of the House Judiciary Committee, the House Natural Resources Committee and the House Select Committee on the Climate Crisis.

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REDSTONE • REVIEW

DECEMBER 13, 2023 / JANUARY 17, 2024

OPTIONS LEAF grows healthy community all year round

By Lory Barton Redstone Review

LEAF’s biggest pantry of the year, the Super Duper Holiday Food Pantry, is next week. If extra holiday food and love sounds good to you, stop by on Wednesday, December 20 between 2:30 and 6 p.m. We’ll have tasty food, extra food, holiday treats, household items, and so much cheer to share on that day.

Carolers from Longmont Middle/High School will be there, and we’ll have plenty of hot chocolate and treats.

Our friends at CEMEX are providing holiday hams and rolls, and Longmont Elementary School is collecting food, too. This is always a special and warm day. Stop by for hot chocolate and sing a carol or two, and stop in to pick up some holiday provisions. Please note that the pantry will be closed the following week, on December 27. We’ll welcome folks back on January 3, 2024.

LYONS – Happy December from LEAF, Lyons Emergency & Assistance Fund. In case you don’t know us, we’re the local nonprofit that provides all of communitybased human and behavioral health servBarton ices in and around Lyons.

Our theme at LEAF for 2024 is, “Growing Healthy Community, All Year Round.” By now, you have received your annual holiday card from LEAF. Did you know that about 80 percent of annual individual donations are made in December? After a busy year of working to provide vital services across the community, our teams are so hopeful that the community will respond generously this month.

In fact, local generosity at year end will make it possible for LEAF to continue helping out all year round in 2024.

Your gift of $1000 supplies the Food Pantry for three weeks, or sponsors an entire series of mental wellness groups. $500 provides hot meals and warm “hellos” for someone for six months. $250 helps keep the lights on for a family in a tough spot. Whatever you are able to give, LEAF’s teams will gratefully put your holiday gift to good use in 2024.

Everybody needs help sometimes, and your support means LEAF will be ready. Questions? Just reach out.

Our programs include Lyons Community Food Pantry, Lyons Meals on Wheels, Basic Needs & Resource Matching, Lyons Volunteers, and Mental Wellness & Addiction Recovery. We serve about 25 percent of our local population each year, and we do it with just one full-time staff member, two part-time mental health clinicians, two parttime support staff and so many dedicated volunteers and donors. If you need us, we’re here. If you’d like to volunteer or support our work financially, we welcome you. Let’s grow healthy community together.

Our much-loved holiday tradition, the Holiday Giving Tree, is wrapping up now. We send thanks to all of you who shopped for, purchased, and wrapped gifts so we as a community can ensure that everyone can unwrap a present this holiday. In fact, this year, our holiday elves will deliver over 100 gifts, all made possible by this loving community. I want to thank the Chief Elves who led this project: Robyn Sloan, Jesse Garland, Pam Browning, and Kim Hinzy. This project requires a great deal of coordination in a short time, and these elves certainly sprinkle much holiday sparkle to make it happen.

Our 2023 mental wellness support groups, art groups for youth, and addiction groups are preparing to wind up for the year. Be on the lookout for new support and recovery groups, and for more art groups for youth.

New in 2024, watch for an announcement regarding elementary age groups. And as always, our clinicians offer high-quality, confidential individual support, typically at no cost, for people in our community who have a hard time accessing or affording services elsewhere. The new year is always a great time to set goals and work to get healthy.

Why not consider partnering with LEAF’s Mental Wellness & Addiction Recovery team to reach your goals in 2024? Email mentalwellness@leaflyons.org or visit leaflyons.org to learn more about all of the help that is available.

Lory Barton has been LEAF’s Executive Director since 2019. Email her at lory@leaflyons.org or learn more about LEAF at leaflyons.org.

Home for Christmas: LV Townhomes offers affordable housing for locals

By Bubbles Mangin Redstone Review LYONS – At long last, the Lyons Valley Townhomes project is finally coming to completion. After many building, construction, and permit delays, the 24 single family homes and 16 townhome units have all passed inspection and are ready to be housed… just in time for the holiday season.

The project has been a decade in the making, intentioned after the 2013 flood to provide an affordable housing option in town. Building was supposed to be completed in August, and after final completions last week, there is now a rush to get the homes filled.

We are hoping to get the word out to provide those living in and new town and friends of Lyons the chance to fill the homes themselves. We anticipate all leases will be signed by the end of the year.

There are still units available, particularly 2-bedroom single family homes and 2-bedroom townhome units. As this is an

Affordable Housing project through Boulder County’s strict standards, income qualifications must be met. They are as follows: • A one-person household cannot make more than $55,800 (gross).

• A two-person household cannot make more than $63,780 (gross).

• A three-person household cannot make more than $71,760 (gross).

• A four-person household cannot make more than $$79,680 (gross) Contact us if you have more than four people and we can tell you the limit.

The rent is $1,692 for two-bedrooms and $1945 for three-bedrooms. There are minimum income requirements primarily to ensure that rent can be paid each month to ensure quality of living.

“My family and I have had an apprecia-

tion for the affordable rentals of Boulder, however, to now be settled back into an intimate mountain community, in a brand new single-family home with space, in nature, in a safe and quiet subdivision, nestled against the hillside and next to the South St. Vrain, we are profoundly grateful. We are home,” said Cali Simpson, a resident of Lyons Valley Townhomes. She lives in a 3-bedroom single family home in the new project with her partner, Scott, and their two kids, Bodhi and Magnolia. They moved in on June 3 of this year.

The office is open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m, to 3 p.m., at 401 Carter Dr. If you cannot make it during those hours, call or text me (Bubbles) at 720-442-6343 for an appointment time. For more information and a link to the application go to: www.townoflyons.com/601/AffordableHousing-Resources.

For more information, email lyonsapts@leasehighland.com. Applications will certainly be accepted after the end of the year. However, we anticipate all units

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We are looking forward to supporting the members and friends of the community that qualify for this amazing opportunity. Be sure to pass this along if you know someone that may qualify and be interested.

Bubbles Mangin is a leasing consultant for Lyons Valley Townhomes, which is the affordable housing project in Lyons owned by Summit Housing and managed by Highland Property Management.

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DECEMBER 13, 2023 / JANUARY 17, 2024

REDSTONE • REVIEW

PAGE 5

CONTRAST The Claus family visited Lyons at the turn of the last century

By Monique SawyerLang Redstone Review LYONS – As the year 2023 winds down we thought it would be fun to share with you some of Sawyer-Lang the Christmas events highlighted in the early Lyons newspapers.

In the December 19, 1891 edition of the Longs Peak Rustler newspaper the proprietors of the Scanlon and Brice Emporium advertised a letter from Santa Claus stating the following: “Messrs Scanlon and Brice, Gents: I will be at your Store during Christmas Week, and make it my Headquarters.

Tell all the boys and girls. Yours Truly, SANTA CLAUS.” The Scanlon and Brice store was located in the center of the block, north side of Main Street between 4th and 5th Avenues. The offices of the Longs Peak Rustler were located on the second floor of the Scanlon and Brice building.

Not to be outdone, the owners of the Morey and Warner’s store published a short article about the arrival of Mrs. Claus to their store: “OLD MRS. SANTA CLAUS, will, in spite of her rheumatism, be at Morey and Warner’s this and next week, with a cartload of HER THINGS for the young folks. She is especially equipped to provide Christmas trees, new years trees, pound party, Christmas partys (sic), and all other holiday gatherings, with a full and complete line of candies, toys, fruits, useful goods, ornamental goods, and any, and all other holiday requirements. For low cash prices and gentlemanly treatment we know of no better house than Morey and Warner’s.” The Morey and Warner’s store

Page one of the Lyons Recorder from December 15, 1910 features holiday shopping at the Lyons Mercantile Company. was located on the southwest corner of Main Street and 5th Avenue.

The pound party, as mentioned in the article above, was a social gathering to which invited guests would bring a pound of something, generally food, which was to be given to an individual in need or a charitable cause. It is believed that the tradition originated in the 16th century and is accredited to the Quakers. The name derives from the fact that many of the items, such as coffee, grain, flour, sugar, etc., were sold by the pound.

A search of the Lyons Recorder newspaper issues for December 1900 showed a sur-

prising lack of interest in the Christmas holiday that year. With the exception of a few small store advertisements and reprints of several Christmas stories, including They Had a Good Time, Two Friends of Santa Claus, there was barely any mention of the upcoming holiday.

By December 15, 1910 Christmas was front and center in The Lyons Recorder with a large advertisement from the Lyons Mercantile Company. The advertisement stated: “We have put forth strenuous efforts to place on sale at your disposal the most complete lines of suitable Christmas Gifts for the baby, girl, boy, father and

mother, in articles for amusement, entertainment, instruction and usefulness, ranging in price from a mere trifle to the most expensive.” The Lyons Mercantile Company operated from 1893 to 1906 and was located at the northeast corner of Main Street and 4th Avenue. The sandstone building in which it was housed was destroyed by fire November 6, 1967.

As 2023 draws to a close, we would like to thank everyone who has supported the Lyons Historical Society and the Redstone Museum. Your donations and purchases at our gift shop and the Summer and Holiday Artisan Fairs are greatly appreciated. The funds go a long way in supporting the museum’s efforts to preserve the history of Lyons. Thank you to those who donated on Colorado Gives Day, December 5. Finally, it is not too late to make your yearend contribution to the Lyons Historical Society. You can donate online at www.coloradogives.org/organization/Lyons -Historical-Society. If you prefer you may send a check to the Lyons Historical Society at PO Box 9, Lyons Co. 80540.

Looking forward, the museum will reopen to the public in 2024 for weekends in May, Saturdays 9:30 to 4:30, Sundays 12:30 to 4:30. In the meantime, we are open for research purposes during the winter months by contacting us at redstonehistory.com to schedule an appointment.

We at the Lyons Historical Society and the Redstone Museum wish you and your family all the best during this Holiday Season and a very Happy New Year.

Monique Sawyer Lang is the Collections Manager of the Lyons Redstone Museum. She is also a volunteer with the Lyons Food Pantry and a former member/chair of the Lyons Community Foundation Board. She lives in Spring Gulch.

Winter bird arrivals include Clark’s Nutcrackers

By Deborah Huth Price Redstone Review LYONS – One of the joys of living in the foothills is seeing the different species of birds that you don’t often see along the Front Range. In Pinewood Springs, my neighbors and I have noticed the recent Price arrival of Clark’s Nutcrackers, a beautiful gray and black bird related to crows and jays.

While many bird species fly south for the winter, Clark’s Nutcrackers do an elevational, or altitudinal, migration.

They spend the spring and summer months in the Rockies at high elevations, feasting mostly on limber pine seeds, and caching them throughout the mountains by digging seeds into the soil or storing them in crevices.

They apparently have a good memory and can find most of the thousands of seeds they’ve cached for later use, but many of these seeds help grow new trees. The lim-

ber pine and whitebark pine in the Northwest are highly dependent on these birds to help repopulate their stands.

The birds have a special pouch under their tongues that helps them carry seeds long distances.

According to Cornell University Lab’s All About Birds website, “Nutcrackers have such good memories that they can relocate seeds more than nine months after caching them, though their accuracy declines after about six months. They don’t recover all the seeds they bury, and it’s estimated that for some high-elevation pines ... virtually all the trees you can see on the landscape come from seeds planted by a nutcracker.”

When snow covers the ground up higher and food supplies diminish, Clark’s Nutcrackers move down to lower elevations, seeking other pine trees to feast on. They often sit on branches and use their sharp beaks to remove seeds from cones before crushing them with their beaks.

Michelle Durant, wildlife biologist with Boulder County Parks and Open Space, says that she and her coworkers have documented Clark’s Nutcrackers at Betasso Preserve, Heil Valley Ranch, Hall Ranch, and other locations below 8,000 feet during the winter months.

Clark’s Nutcrackers nest early, usually in January or February. Unlike other members of the crow family, they often form monogamous bonds with their mates, and the males help raise the young. The pair feed their young from caches they have stored during the year. Nutcrackers also eat berries, insects, small vertebrates, and carrion.

Durant says that other altitudinal migrants you might see in your yard or at bird feeders in winter include Juncos, Townsend’s Solitaires, and white-crowned and tree sparrows.

In addition to looking for birds arriving in the spring, it’s great to see new arrivals in winter. Keep those binoculars handy.

Deborah Huth Price lives in Pinewood Springs and is a retired environmental educator. Visit her wildlife blog at www.walkthe-wild-side.blog or contact her at dhprice@comcast.net.

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CORRECTION The photograph above appeared on page five of the October issue of Redstone Review. The photographer, John Wright, was not credited. The Redstone Review regrets the error and apologises for this oversight.

B •R •I •E •F •S Continued from Page 1

Affordable Lyons Townhomes still available for those who qualify LYONS – The Housing and Humans Services Commission is a seven-member volunteer advisory to the Trustees of the Town of Lyons. The role of the HHSC is to provide coordination and communication with various private, non-profit and county entities in order to asses and fill the gaps in human services and identify unmet needs. In 2023 a good part of the activity and focus has been on facilitating the application process for Lyons Valley Townhomes. They have also provided input to the Housing Futures/community assessment. At present there are two openings on the HHSC. To apply, go to the Town of Lyons web site, click on Your Government, Boards and Commissions, Apply for a Board or Commission.

Lyons Valley Townhomes is still accepting applications for two-bedroom townhomes and single family homes for rent for those who qualify. They are owned by Summit Housing and managed by Highland Property Management. Stop by the office at 401 Carter Drive, Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., or call for an appointment t 720-442-6343. For more information and a link to the application go to www.townoflyons.com/601/Affordable-Housing-Resources.

Continue Briefs on Page 6

PAGE 6

REDSTONE • REVIEW

DECEMBER 13, 2023 / JANUARY 17, 2024

OPPORTUNITY New view of the new moon rising

By Peter Butler Redstone Review LYONS – It’s the second Wednesday of November and I am waiting for the latest Redstone Review to arrive at the post office.

Butler But this evening, a visual delight happens and I see a thin sliver of new moon. It’s a personal shiver experience that I look forward to through the year.

When we came to Colorado, and found our wild place to live, I reveled in dark night skies which are as black as your neighbor’s porch lights allow, and which reveal a sparkling myriad of tiny lights.

Most people think of stars and planets as the big visual offering but I am very attracted to the moon. Every so often, radio pundits will froth that the moon is close, and it’s a super moon, where the disc will gleam bigger that usual, and we should all go out and celebrate some sort of Druidic pagan rights. Call me a moon snob but I relish the smallest moons.

In the very early life of our solar system, the proto earth was minding its own business when a giant lump of rock stumbled into our neighborhood and caused a serious rearrangement. Our future home reshaped itself while a smaller blob floated off and started orbiting. Now there was planet Earth plus an orbiting moon. That event was pivotal in making our planet maybe the only place in the universe suitable for higher life. The rotation of the moon has a gravitation pull on the water that generates tides, which are important for the viability of life in the oceans. Our cat Luna is purring agreement.

Look into the sky and sometimes the moon is there. A big bright orb with dark patches that looks somewhat like a face: the man in the moon. We have already filled the oceans with plastic junk and you might think that a body 225,000 miles

away might be safe from pollution but sadly no, we are pock-marking its physiognomy with zits as well. There are probes from China, India, U.S. and Russia cluttering up the pristine surface. If you are a photographer, you might lust after a Hasselblad camera. If you would like one for free, all you have to do is pop up to our neighbor overhead and you can pick up one for free that Buzz Aldrin left there in 1969.

When we see the moon, we are seeing the light from the sun bouncing off its side.

Each evening the moon is a little further away from the sun and looks slightly thicker to us down here. But when the moon has just passed the sun there is a balancing act of being able to see it at all.

About two days after passing the sun, the moon reaches a position where its light reflection is thick enough to see.

At that point the light makes it look like a very fine crescent. But it is low in the sky, in the evening twilight, and is heading for the horizon ready to disappear.

So each month there is a compromise of thinness versus visibility. On a perfect evening the crescent is thin and sharp and the twilight is just dark enough that we can enjoy it as it descends. This is what makes the new moon so precious each month. It is easy to forget the meaning of month. The word comes from Old English and Old High German. I think of it as the equivalent of the relationship between “width” and “wide”. The lunar cycle is roughly 29 and half days, so a month is our attempt to link the calendar to its phases.

All those variables mean that every month the new moon is different. The position of the moon reflects the sun off its limb, producing varying thickness. But that thin sliver is in the bright glow that is descending with the setting sun. The sky needs to be dark to see it at all. So every once in a while, the stars align, and the combination of sun angle and sky darkness gives us a fleeting glimpse.

“CLOUDS” BY WILLIAM HAWKINS

There are not very many pleasures that can give you a thrill for free. When you understand the new moon you can bond with the universe in a visceral way and get a thrill for a few minutes that is precious and rare. The new moon was December 12 so look to the southwest in the early evening of December 14 and hope for a super thin crescent.

Trustees resolve to put St. Vrain Creek first

By Greg Lowell Redstone Review LYONS – The Town of Lyons Board of Trustees at their November 20 meeting accepted unanimously a resolution that recognizes and promotes protection of the St. Vrain Creek.

Lowell The resolution was written and brought before the trustees by the town’s Ecology Advisory Board (EAB).

The newly adopted resolution reads that the town will “ . . . establish a local policy to recognize and promote efforts to protect the environment and stimulate the health and welfare of residents; to enrich the understanding of the ecological systems and natural resources within the St. Vrain Creek watershed; recognize the interdependency between the town’s economy and natural environment; and consider the potential environmental effects from town actions.”

The resolution recognizes that the North and South St. Vrain Creeks are the “lifeblood for a large and diverse range of economic, recreational, and creative benefits and services to residents and visitors alike.”

B •R •I •E •F •S Continued from Page 5

Community warned of stolen Wyoming vehicle titles BOULDER COUNTY Colo. – The Boulder County Sheriff’s Office, in conjunction with the Wyoming Department of Transportation, would like to warn our community members about the potential of encountering fraudulent vehicle titles after a batch of blank Wyoming title stock was discovered to have been stolen from a Wyoming county. Detectives with the Boulder County Sheriff’s, along with local partners from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), recently encountered several of these stolen Wyoming titles in relation to an ongoing investigation into motor vehicle thefts.

According to a press release from the Wyoming Department of Transportation (WYDOT): “Some of these blank titles, which have control numbers ranging from 8790001 to 8790500, have been used for criminal purposes in the state of Colorado. The control numbers are located at the lower right side of the title in silver print with a security box around the number. On the lower left side of the title will be marked “MV301 (4/21)” with a round silver security seal to the right of the text,” said Shane Fox, investigator with WYDOT’s Compliance

“The St. Vrain River and surrounding natural resources are the heart of Lyons,” said Dave Batts, EAB member.

“Adoption of this resolution ensures that the town considers environmental impacts on the river in their decision-making process.”

The resolution is non-binding, and its intent is to safeguard the health of the river by recognizing its importance to the town and its economy. and Investigation program. “The control numbers are duplicated with the front green colored title that goes to the owner and the back copy that is white in color and is retained by Wyoming County clerks.”

If you encounter any of these suspected stolen Wyoming titles, you are requested to contact Detective Trevor Soole of the Boulder County Sheriff’s Office or tsoole@bouldercounty.gov; the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI or tips.fbi.gov; or the WYDOT Compliance and Investigation Program at 307-777-3840.

Broadway Road improvements LYONS – Road improvements continue along U.S. 36 Eastbound/Broadway through Lyons through December, weather permitting. Work will shift to the north side, pushing back the curb and gutter, utilizing the public right of way. Major project elements include: 1. Narrower travel lanes to enhance safety for all modes of travel; 2. Curb extensions to shorten crossing distances at intersections; 3. New sidewalks along the north side of the roadway; 4. Addition of public parking spaces along both the northern and southern edges; 5. Delivery and service access to businesses along the north side of Broadway; Continue Briefs on Page 10

Peter Butler was born in India and lived in a house facing a giant kapok tree. Growing up in England there were trees but never quite enough. After qualifying as biochemist there as a gradual evolution into being a graphic designer. He and his wife Deirdre moved to the U.S. in 1997 and to Lyons in 2000. Finally there are enough trees.

The resolution notes the environmental importance of the river and its corridor in that it provides floodplain soils and habitat for wildlife and vegetation, allows for floodwater storage and provides “waterways to fish, hike, float, bike, and otherwise recreate.”

While the resolution is only applicable to the three miles or so of the St. Vrain within town limits, its influence could eventually go beyond those limits to the Town of Lyons planning area, which extends up both branches of the St. Vrain Creek, should those planning areas be annexed into the town.

An earlier version of the EAB resolution, which had conferred “rights” to the river, had been previously reviewed by the trustees and town counsel and it was felt to be too nebulous and could cause legal issues, and the Ecology Board rewrote the resolution.

Lyons resident Greg Lowell is a former Lyons Town Board Trustee and serves as the chair of the Ecology Advisory Board.

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DECEMBER 13, 2023 / JANUARY 17, 2024

REDSTONE • REVIEW

PAGE 7

INSIGHT Jimmy Stewart falls victim to AI

By John Gierach Redstone Review LYONS – On some slow mornings I’ll start the day by watching the news, but that’s often a mistake.

There’s something about Gierach being exposed to all that idiocy, tragedy, nastiness and deceit before the first cup of coffee has even kicked in that puts a weird emotional backspin on whatever comes next.

Of all the depressing stories there were to choose from this morning, the one that freaked me out was about artificial intelligence. It seems that someone has now used AI to generate a recording of the actor Jimmy Stewart telling a story some 26 years after the actual (that is, biological) Jimmy Stewart’s death. This was clearly labeled as a fake, it was done with the permission of Stewart’s family and it was just a harmless little story so it wasn’t what you’d call nefarious; it was just one more demonstration of what could be done with AI. And in fact, it wasn’t even very convincing, at least to someone like me who grew up watching Jimmy Stewart movies.

Everyone remembers It’s a Wonderful Life and Rear Window, but there were dozens of others including my favorite: a western shoot-em-up called Winchester 76. (“He rode a thousand miles to kill a man he never met.”) To my ear, this new recording sounded only vaguely like Stewart. I thought a good actor could have done a better impersonation and I’ve heard more convincing AI fakes of Barak Obama.

Still, there it is: a way to make people with recognizable voices appear to say things they didn’t say and – as we’re constantly told – the technology will only get better and more convincing over time.

Soon fake voices will be indistinguishable from real ones and not long after that they’ll no doubt have video to match.

The dangers here are obvious. Politicians already lie instinctively – it’s in their nature

idiocy every time they open their mouths.

(Think Donald Trump and Elon Musk.)

In other cases, it can take skillful editing to make someone look and sound either better or worse than they really are, but when it comes to public figures there’s lots of raw material. Anyone who talks as much as those in the higher echelons of politics

In this scene from “It’s a Wonderful Life” Jimmy Stewart’s character, George Bailey, has a quiet moment with youngest child, Zuzu.

– and not just the ones you disagree with, either. They do it easily enough with the tools at hand, which include printed and spoken language as well as still photos and videos along with friendly partisan media.

If you’re an advocacy journalist – one with a political ax to grind – it’s easy enough to make certain subjects look bad simply by quoting them accurately because they blurt out their own peculiar brand of

– and has so much of what they say transcribed or recorded – is bound to slip up from time to time and say the wrong thing, or even the right thing in some clumsily ambiguous way. And at that point some predatory editor is bound to jump on it, use it out of context and there’s your headline.

The same goes for still photos. We all understand from a lifetime of snapshots that we look okay in some and downright

dopey in others, usually with the latter outnumbering the former. So it’s easy for Fox News to pick out photos of President Biden looking like a doddering old fool and Trump looking, if not dignified, then at least normal, while on MSNBC Biden looks like a wise elder statesman while Trump always seems to be braying like a deranged mule. Even if the facts being reported by each source are identical, those little subliminal nudges can eventually get under your skin.

But once AI is perfected and commonly in use, anyone with the means and the money will not only be able to invent crimes and scandals like they do already, but they’ll be able to produce even more convincing evidence. And on the flip side, anyone who’s caught red handed will be able to claim that whatever evidence there is was generated by AI and that it never actually happened.

Some of the people who invented AI have warned that it could spell the end of us begging the question, “Why did you invent it in the first place?” I suppose it’s possible that once our technology becomes fully sentient it’ll see the wisdom in wiping us out and there are days when, after watching the morning news, I’d find it hard to argue against that. But I think the real danger is that it’ll be even harder than it is now to believe anything we see or hear until finally we won’t be able to believe anything.

John Gierach is an outdoor and fly fishing writer who writes books and columns for magazines including a regular column for Trout Magazine. His books include Trout Bum, Sex Death and Fly fishing, and Still Life with Brook Trout.

He has won seven first place awards from the Colorado Press Association for his columns in the Redstone Review. His latest book, All the Time in the World, was be released in March 2023 and is be available at book stores and fly fishing shops everywhere including South Creek Ltd. on Main Street in Lyons.

Lyons Library holds Winter Wonderland Party, and has trail cameras to lend

By Kara Bauman Redstone Review LYONS – Escape the winter chill and join us for a season of fun at the Lyons Community Library. We have an excitBauman ing lineup of events for the whole family, featuring movies, crafts, educational adventures, and delightful treats. Don’t miss out on the festive atmosphere and community spirit.

The whole family is invited to join us for a Winter Wonderland Party on Thursday, December 21. We’ll kick off the afternoon at 4 p.m. with a short, classic holiday film geared toward a younger audience. Between 4:30 and 5:30 p.m. join us for crafts, games, a festive photobooth, and cookie decorating. Don’t be cotton-headed ninny muggings and leave before we show a modern classic holiday movie at 5:30 p.m.

On Wednesday, January 3 at 10:30 a.m., discover the fascinating ways wildlife survive in the winter. Join us for stories, handson demonstrations, and activities focused

on animals’ strategies for hibernation, migration, and toleration. This informative session is perfect for children ages 5 to 10 years old with an adult companion.

Did you ask Santa for a trail camera?

Continue exploring the wonders of wildlife with our locally Facebook-famous trail camera maven, Robyn Sloan, when she joins us on Tuesday, January 16 at 6:30 p.m. Learn best practices for setting up trail cameras, what to consider when making a purchase, and get hands-on experience with cameras. This session is best for families or adults and two attendees will be the first to check out the Library’s new trail cameras. After the session on the 16th, call to ask a staff member how to reserve a camera for your own property so you, too, can glimpse all the previously unseen visitors.

Students ages 7 and up are invited to try out martial arts with instructors from Ripple Effect in Longmont. This free, fourweek series will teach techniques such as blocks, punches, and the basic foundation of martial arts, all while improving each child’s self-awareness, coordination, and

Learn how wildlife survive in the winter on Wednesday, January 3 at 10:30 a.m. other life skills that carry over into school, home, and community. Registration is required and preference will be given to those who can attend all four sessions. The first session is Wednesday, January 17 at 3:30 p.m., with the conclusion on Wednesday, February 7.

Starting in January, we’re excited to announce that we’re adding Monday evening to our open hours. To accommodate this change, we will close at 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday. Meetings and programs will continue to have after-hours access to our Community and Effie Banta Meeting Rooms. Join us after work or school to explore our collection, attend events, or simply enjoy a cozy reading corner.

Upcoming Library closures include Monday, December 25; Monday, January 1; and Monday, January 15. Storytime is on break December 25 through January 3.

Story and playtime for babies and their caregivers is held on Tuesdays at 10:30 a.m. and will resume on January 9. Storytime and a craft for preschoolers and their caregivers takes place on Wednesdays at 10:30 a.m. and will resume on January 10.

Currently, your Lyons Community Library opens Monday through Saturday at 10 a.m. We close at 5 p.m. on Mondays and Fridays; 7:30 p.m. on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays; and 2 p.m. on Saturdays. Our online catalog is available 24/7 at lyons.colibraries.org and we’re always open for digital downloads on both the Libby and CloudLibrary apps. Give us a call at 303-823-5165 or email info@lyonslibrary.com with any questions. Please see the calendar of events on our website for additional programs, program information, film titles, and registration instructions.

Join us at the Lyons Community Library for a season filled with joy, learning, and community spirit. We look forward to celebrating the winter wonderland with you and we wish everyone a safe, warm, cheerful holiday season.

Kara Bauman is the Director of the Lyons Community Library and holds an MLIS from the University of Kentucky. She’s an avid fly angler, enjoys craft beer, and in non-COVID times travels extensively to see her favorite band, Widespread Panic.

PAGE 8

REDSTONE • REVIEW

DECEMBER 13, 2023 / JANUARY 17, 2024

CREATIVES Local theater performs It’s a Wonderful Life

By Jim Ramsay Redstone Review PINEWOOD SPRINGS –As reported in last month’s Redstone Review, Lyons Community Theater is presenting a radio play of the Christmas classic movie It’s a Wonderful Life at the Wildflower Pavilion Ramsay on December 15 and 16.

Its a Wonderful Life tells the story of George Bailey, a small-town banker down on his luck who is contemplating suicide. The whole town of Bedford Falls intervenes to help George realize how important he has been to the community as his guardian angel talks him down from throwing himself off a bridge on Christmas Eve. The guardian angel is on a mission to save George Bailey because the angel is trying to earn his wings.

This 1946 classic has become a must-watch feel-good TV tradition for the holidays in many American households. The Lyons Community Theater radio production will have a cast of over 30 characters played by local actors, and photographs of contemporary Lyons scenes will be projected on the stage as a backdrop.

The Wildflower Pavilion is on the Planet Bluegrass grounds, and It’s a Wonderful Life will be performed twice:

at 7 p.m. on Friday evening, December 15 and at 2 p.m.

Saturday afternoon December 16.

The play is directed by Barney Dreistadt and assistant director Esther Van Zyl. Lyons Community Theater has produced two previous plays, a radio play of the “George Burns and Gracie Allen” comedy show and the “Dragnet” detective drama in October 2022 and a performance of The Mammoth Springs Chamber of Commerce and their Wives Discuss Great Literature, High School Basketball, Sex

and Other Things in September of this year at the Lyons Public Library with makeshift sets and lighting.

They are looking forward to the possibility of having Wildflower Pavilion become a permanent stage for their future productions, with lighting and sets available for their future performances. They encourage local businesses to contribute photos of their establishments to be projected onto the stage to bring this heart-warming tale to life in our community.

Tickets will be $5 for children under 12 and $20 for adults. For tickets, visit: Lyons Community Theater/tickets.

The radio play of It’s a Wonderful Life was recently performed one night only at Denver jazz radio station KUVO’s Studio Loft with Chris Noth of Law and Order fame playing George Bailey. If you missed that performance, come on down to the Wildflower Pavilion for the same heart-warming experience in a local setting performed by actors from the Lyons community.

Jim Ramsay was raised in Iowa, Iran, Nigeria and Afghanistan. He studied English at CU in Boulder and taught English as a Second Language in Tanzania, Botswana, the University of Illinois and the Economics Institute at CU. An affinity for computers led him to technical writing, and he wrote manuals for tech companies up and down the Front Range. He moved from Boulder to Pinewood Springs in the early 1990s to follow a dream of mountain living, and he’s still up there.

Allenspark Community Church offers Christmas services

By Elisabeth Sherwin Redstone Review ALLENSPARK – The Christmas season is here and the Allenspark Community Church invites you to join us for the celebration of the birth of the Christ child on Sunday, December 24 at 4 p.m.

The log church, located at 16 Washington Street in Allenspark, will be decorated

GUEST

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with garlands (the love and peace of Christ), sparkling lights (symbolizing Christ being the light of the world), and red poinsettias (the leaves are thought to be a symbol of the Star of Bethlehem).

The first Advent service was held on December 3; the remaining Advent services will continue on December, 17 and 24 at 10 a.m. The Christmas Eve service on the 24th will include the lighting of

EDITORIAL

Lyons should not support unwise and costly residential annexations and development LYONS – The Town of Lyons is currently considering, if not actively pursuing, various residential development policies and proposals that will drastically, and we believe, unwisely, place our community at risk, and undermine the town’s quality of life. As community members, we’d like to highlight the more worrisome examples and urge concerned residents to make their voices heard.

First, based on an open-records request, it has come to light that town staff have been in active discussions with real estate developers about potentially annexing lands on the north side of town for “market rate” (i.e., $1 million-plus) housing developments, at the end of 5th Avenue, as well as other lands north/uphill of the cemetery above 3rd Avenue.

Although no formal applications have yet been submitted, there are significant concerns with these proposals, particularly the development of the 50-plus acres at the end of 5th (known as the Boone property). These lands are within the town’s high fire-risk area, and lack safe escape routes. Residents on Vasquez, Horizon, Steamboat Valley, and 5th Avenue have only one road in and out – lower 5th, which at best, is very narrow and allows only one car at a time to pass.

The likelihood of a downed power line blocking the road (due to wind as is often the case with wildfires) is a real and significant threat, and has happened in the recent tragedies involving blocked escape routes from wildfires in both Maui and California. Allowing new development in high fire-risk areas, with limited escape routes, makes no sense, and ignores how fire risks have risen dramatically in recent years, as was demonstrated by the Marshall and Cal-Wood/Heil Ranch fires.

The town’s Comprehensive Plan recognizes that development in these fire-prone areas should not occur, and is not a wise idea. “New homes or neighborhoods should be designed and sited to protect significant natural areas,

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To Order or For More Information: (303) 823-5271 redstonehistory@gmail.com

the fifth Advent candle, signifying the birth of Christ.

At 4 p.m. on Christmas Eve, The Rev. Debbie Unruh will lead this service which will include singing favorite hymns, telling the story of Christ’s birth through scriptures, and special music by the church choir and guests.

The Community Church wishes all of you a very Blessed Christmas and looks

wildlife habitat, and avoid locations at significant risk from natural hazards.” See the Lyons Comprehensive Plan at the townoflyons.com website. Why would the town consider new housing subdivisions in these high wildfire-risk areas? We applaud the town’s recent efforts to recognize and attempt to mitigate the fire risk around town, but it is not logical or wise to increase that risk with new developments in these fire areas.

Additionally, the Boone property, as well as lands north of the cemetery, are above 5,480 feet in elevation. Per the town’s longstanding “Blue Line” regulation, these lands should not be served by utilities. As stated in the Town’s Comprehensive Plan (at p. 50): “The Town Municipal Code sets the maximum elevation that will be served by water or wastewater at 5,450 ft.”. Although the Board of Trustees could waive that longstanding rule, that can only be done if the development would be in the best interests of town residents and comply with the Comp Plan.

As stated in Lyons 2017 Primary Planning Area Master Plan and Three-Mile Plan (part of the Comp Plan), the town considered only three areas as potentially suitable for annexation and development – the Eastern Corridor, Apple Valley, and South St. Vrain. Except for potentially in the Eastern Corridor area, that plan determined that residential development results in a net loss of revenue for the town.

See Master-Plan-Final at the townoflyons.com website.

Also, in that plan, the lands on the north side of the current town boundaries, including in Steamboat Valley above 5th and 3rd Avenues, were never considered to be suitable for annexation or development. For many reasons, including the excessively high costs to supply the necessary infrastructure, the plan concluded that future development should be limited to the Eastern Corridor.

Secondly, in the pursuit of additional residential development, the town is considering a substantial revision to the Inter-Governmental-Agreement (IGA) with Boulder County which would remove the current designation of much of the lands outside town as “Rural Preservation.” The current IGA states that the “Parties’ intent is to preserve the rural quality of the land.” See the Boulder County website to read the Lyons IGA with Boulder County, pg. 1-2.

Removing this designation would help pave the way

forward to seeing you at any or all of the services of the Christmas season.

for developers to annex these lands, and the town has not justified why it has changed its position.

Third, the town recently released its August 2023 “Community Housing Profile,” commissioned to determine “future housing needs.” This envisions an increase from the current roughly 2,000 residents to over 3,000. See the townoflyons.com website, Community Housing Profile, Figure 11. We must ask ourselves: is that what we want Lyons to become?

None of this makes sense, from a fiscal, safety, or quality of life perspective. The safety issues are paramount.

The town should not be annexing rural and undeveloped lands to benefit expensive housing developments in high fire-risk areas with limited escape routes. Thankfully, proposals to annex lands over five acres require a town vote and the developer cannot split the properties into smaller sizes to avoid the public vote.

We urge our fellow community members to carefully consider any developer’s annexation plans, any attempt to avoid the public vote on annexations by artificially subdividing larger properties, and any effort to override the rule prohibiting new water and sewer lines above the “Blue Line.”

We support smart, safe, and fiscally-responsible development in Lyons. But that is not what the town’s recent efforts and considerations would do. We encourage our fellow community members to become involved and participate in future decision-making before the Planning Commission and Board of Trustees.

Respectfully, Lyons residents in the Steamboat Valley area: Amy and Brian Donnell Mimi and Larry Elmore Liz and Brian Erley Michelle and Roger Flynn Tracey Holderman and Patrick Wroblewski Kathy and Scott Leiding Lesley and Jens Lundeen Lindsey Milliken Patricia Romero and Matthew Vavrina Kelly and Daniel Sproul Fernande Vervoort and Peter Van Oevelen

DECEMBER 13, 2023 / JANUARY 17, 2024

REDSTONE • REVIEW

PAGE 9

ARTS & LIFE The Beaver Dialogues continued

Our willingness to come together.

We learn that the tree harvesting should lessen As the beavers shelter.

Everyone spoke, tensions eased, wild as beavers.

By Sally King Redstone Review

In June we will reconvene and perhaps decide To relocate the beaver.

The St Vrain creek has a “zero” habitat rating But relocation has low odds of being sucessful.

In our shared existence as species Maybe it’s enough that we show up And ask the person (or animal) next to us For this next dance. Intimacy with Nature Might just save the day.

Eaten clean the beaver sticks rest in motion On river stones below As I walk over the bridge I see through the current The wood chewed raw by animal, as art.

It’s winter as we contemplate Our coexistence with the beaver.

The one who took down the 60-foot cottonwood Her winter silage now intact.

The beaver crewed-wood chips Feel sacred in my hands.

But there are differing points of view Some of us are tree lovers. Some are animal lovers.

As we stand In the snowy field, getting cold feet Listening to the experts who are thrilled by our interest

Sally King is a local artist who believes it’s imperative that each of us pop our head up out of the collective trace, to bring through our creative gifts. You can find her on her blog and website, hersoupot.net and sallywhiteking.com or email sallywhiteking@live.com.

King

Winter fun events: A colorful tree lighting, plans to open ice rink and winter outdoor concerts

By Kim Mitchell Redstone Review LYONS – Thank you, Lyons, for all your effort and enthusiasm for this year’s Parade of Lights, with the Small Town. Big Heart theme. The weather cooperated, with a brief pause in the wind, to enjoy and celebrate the weekend festivities in Lyons including the Holiday Artisan Market and the Parade.

We also sincerely appreciate all of you who came to the inaugural tree lighting celebration in Sandstone Park the week before. The fresh blanket of snow added to the fun and tree lighting. It was great to get into the spirit with Christmas songs and carols, led by two of our locally based and very talented musicians, KC Groves and Shauna Lee.

Thanks to everyone who made this year fun and festive. With awesome Lyons pride and style, the parade entries were exceptional. A hearty congratulations go to this year’s entries and winners.

• Best Representation of Theme: DandeLyons Brigade • Best Use of Lights: Lyons Portable Welding • Overall Parade Winner: Mayama/Laura Levy GroupColdwell Banker.

Hopefully you’ve been able to stroll through town and enjoy the merriment and holiday lights along Main Street and throughout Sandstone Park. Maybe you’re planning some family time along with some local shopping at our great restaurants and shops. ‘Tis the season to explore and share in all Lyons has to offer.

As the days grow shorter and the nights last longer, there are plans for additional winter events in Lyons.

The fun and festivities continue into the winter season, as we begin to plan for opening the ice-skating rink, weather permitting, along with the addition of three Winter Wonderland Concerts. Both of these options are great ways for our community to get outside and gather in the longer winter months.

On Sunday, February 4, the Old Man Winter Rally returns to Lyons for its 10th year. Based in Bohn Park, the event brings in enthusiasts from the region to participate in the 5K or 10K run through town, along with a 50K or 100K cycling event throughout Boulder County.

Time to begin training, especially if you’ve included a running plan or committed to more time in the saddle as part of your 2024 New Year’s resolutions. A local race could be the way to go. Whatever your winter plans include, we hope to see you at our local gathering places or events which bring the community together, sharing ideas, stories and a positive Lyons vibe.

Kim Mitchell is Director of Communications and Community Relations for the Town of Lyons. Kim has called Lyons home since 2009.

PHOTO BY CATHY RIVERS

Give the Gift of Massage Therapy!

Gifts abound through Priscilla

By Sally King Redstone Review As time moves forward – resisting I feel that I have left something behind Something important like my hat.

There has been so much rich detail With Priscilla’s journey into the next realm As an artist, she left us with so many handmade treasures Like the enameled earrings I’m wearing (so perfect for me) Priscilla-made and brought to me by Mystie Bracket.

We still have her house, hosting meals with friends there It’s been really helpful to be in her beautiful space It’s a Priscilla cocoon, her house is so her.

These transitions are wildly demanding And letting go brings out the reluctant child in us.

If we dig in our heels maybe we can just stop all of this As we simultaneously join her there in the field of dreams.

I love this year’s annual print.

It’s Priscilla delivering her gifts.

In a sleigh guided by turkeys, The noble birds that grace Apple Valley in large numbers.

Happy Holidays, Dear Lyons.

Wishing you a feather in your cap.

Art by Sally King: “The turkeys guide the sleigh as Priscilla delivers her gifts to us”

Shop Local • Shop Lyons

Meet the Town of Lyons sculpture curator

By Claudia Paterno Redstone Review

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WWW.WILDGRACE.STUDIO

LYONS – Lately there’s been a whirlwind of sculpture activity in town and that’s just the way Melinda Wunder likes it.

For the last seven years or so Wunder has been on the Lyons Arts and Humanities Commission working diligently towards improving the heART’s of LYONS – an outdoor public art collection all over town program.

A graduate of University of California Los Angeles in Fine Arts, a lifetime collector, and serious sculpture hunter, Wunder brings knowledge and big enthusiasm to improving quality to Lyons’ public art collection. She has also served on the board of the Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art and has led contemporary art tours in Reykjavik, Iceland and Santa Fe, NM.

With over 30 installations throughout Lyons, it’s been a job of love, and now the Town has created a small space in the Lyons budget to help her be more official.

Wunder says “It’s been a long process to improve the artists’ calls and local outreach but we are starting to see a higher level of submissions. The Town is agreeing to more landing spots which is an important step to growing our collection. Many people contact me with sculpture suggestions, which is always helpful and inspiring.”

If you would like to sponsor a sculpture or have ideas for works and placements on Town property, please email your thoughts and suggestions: melinda@creativeconvs.com.

Claudia Paterno is the Lyons Arts and Humanities Commission chairwoman.

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REDSTONE • REVIEW

DECEMBER 13, 2023 / JANUARY 17, 2024

INTEREST LCF college scholarships application window now open for 2024

By Kate Schnepel Redstone Review LYONS – The Lyons Community Foundation (LCF) is pleased to announce that the application window is open now Schneppel until early March for the eight types of college scholarships available to graduating high school students from the greater Lyons area.

New this year is the Zoe Chase Memorial Scholarship. Zoe Claire Chase, age 19, of Lyons, Colorado passed away on September 28, 2022, in Fort Worth, Texas as a result of complications from Type One Diabetes. Zoe Chase was born January 18, 2003, in Boulder and lived in Lyons since birth. She graduated from Lyons High School in 2021 where she was a cheerleader, in choir, worked at Pizza Bar, and a member of the Mayama dance team.

At the time of her death, she was a sophomore at Texas Christian University studying psychology with hopes of being a therapist. She worked at the library, was a member of Alpha Delta Pi sorority, as well as many clubs around causes that were dear to her heart, such as diabetes and politics.

She enjoyed dancing, horses and animals, thrifting, reading, making soup and spending time with friends and family. Most of all she loved being with people and helping others, so with the generous support of her community and family this scholarship fund was established in her memory.

The other scholarship with a planned debut this year is sponsored by Planet Bluegrass. LCF’s Community in Harmony Scholarship will award $5,000 to a student attending either a four-year college or a trade school next fall. For over 30 years, Planet Bluegrass has made its home in Lyons, hosting festivals that cultivate positive environmental and social reverberations. Planet Bluegrass strives to perpetuate both the tradition and evolution of all genres of music as well as the magic of gathering as a community.

Applications are available online at www.lyonscf.org under the Scholarships tab. Below is a brief description of each scholarship; please refer to the 2024 LCF Scholarship List on our website for complete information about eligibility and submission requirements.

All applications must be received by March 8, 2024 at 3 p.m.

Hard copies of complete application

B •R •I •E •F •S Continued from Page 6

6. Improved bicycle and pedestrian access to downtown, the library, Sandstone Park, and Black Bear Hole; 7. Multimodal pathway along the south side of Broadway.

The contractor is working on the pedestrian ramps, with both the SE and SW corners at Broadway and 4th Ave under construction.

There will be a temporary pedestrian lane fenced off on the east side of the library for crossing Broadway. Parking on the east side of the library building will be unavailable until that area is completed.

Your input requested for Wayfinding signage designs LYONS – Wayfinding is a company that designs signs. It uses signage, color, and other design elements to help navigate a place. The

forms and required documents may be returned to the counseling office of Lyons Senior High School or mailed to the Lyons Community Foundation, PO Box 546, Lyons, CO, 80540. All applications will be reviewed and kept confidential by a committee consisting of Lyons area community members.

Lyons Community Foundation Mission Scholarship. Four to six scholarships of up to $2,500 each are offered by the Lyons Community Foundation to recognize graduating seniors from Lyons Senior High School, graduating seniors living in

Uncle Louis “Bud” Winkler Memorial Scholarship. Honoring the memory of businessman Louis Winkler, one $2,000 scholarship (including a $1,000 LCF match) is available to any graduating senior from Lyons Senior High School, a graduating senior living in the greater Lyons area (80540 zip code) attending a different high school, or home schooled student from the greater Lyons area (80540 zip code) who has at least a 3.0 GPA and plans on majoring in business or finance.

Zoe Chase Memorial Scholarship.

New for the 2024 school year, this $2,000

2023 LCF Scholarship winners, left to right: Cole Thomas, Samantha Rickman, Hunter Powell, Lochlan Osborne, Cambria Burton, and Keara Ping. Inset: Maya Caplan. the greater Lyons area (80540 zip code) attending a different high school, or home schooled students from the greater Lyons area (80540 zip code) who embody LCF’s mission of improving the quality of life, building a culture of giving, and encourage positive change for the greater Lyons area.

Lyons Community Foundation TwoYear Study Scholarship. Two $2,000 scholarships offered by the Lyons Community Foundation are open to graduating seniors from Lyons Senior High School, graduating seniors living in the greater Lyons area (80540 zip code) attending a different high school, or home schooled students from the greater Lyons area (80540 zip code) who plan to attend a twoyear program at college/university, trade school or other technical/vocational training. The two scholarships will be awarded to students who embody the LCF mission of improving the quality of life, building a culture of giving, and encouraging positive change for the greater Lyons area. goal of the new wayfinding plan is to help make it easier for users to find their way around Lyons, while also creating designs that reflect the unique, friendly and colorful character of the community.

Share your preferences and ideas regarding the preliminary signage and wayfinding options. We have two preliminary designs to share, at www.surveymonkey.com/r/LyonsWayfindingDesigns, based on all the input earlier this fall. The first part of the survey includes images and descriptions of the two design option banners. Please take a look at these two options and record your likes/dislikes for each. Then use the second part of the survey to choose the option you most prefer.

Your comments and ideas will help us refine these preliminary options into the final draft design. For more information go to www.surveymonkey.com/r/LyonsWayfindingDesigns.

to $2,500 scholarship honors the memory of lifelong Lyons resident Zoe Claire Chase. The recipient of this scholarship must be a graduating senior from Lyons Senior High School, with an interest in helping people and a passion for education.

Gerald Boland Memorial Scholarships.

This scholarship honors the memory of Gerald Boland, a 54-year resident of Lyons who taught in Lyons Schools for 31 years.

He was a coach, Boy Scout Leader, and mentor who had a passion for learning and the outdoors. One $2,000 scholarship (including a $1,000 match from LCF) will be awarded to a graduating senior who shares these passions. Eligible students must at-

tend Lyons Senior High School and have at least a 3.0 GPA. LCF’s Community in Harmony Scholarship, Sponsored by Planet Bluegrass. Created this year, this $5,000 scholarship will be awarded to a local student (homeschool students are welcome to apply) attending either a four-year-college or a trade school next fall. (Important to note is that this scholarship is still being developed, so it is possible that it may not be available until next year’s application window. The LCF website, www.lyonscf.org, will be updated soon with final scholarship details.)

CEMEX Environmental Stewardship Scholarship. Created in 2023, the $2,000 scholarship (including a $1,000 match from LCF) will be awarded to a Lyons Senior High School graduating senior who best stewards natural resources in the community and beyond. The candidate may pursue studies in natural resources, engineering, wildlife biology or geology.

Lyons Garden Club Scholarship.

Created in 2023, the $3,000 scholarship (including a $1,500 match from LCF) will be awarded to a student interested in pursuing a career in horticulture or a related field. Eligible students include any graduating senior from Lyons Senior High School, a graduating senior living in the greater Lyons area (80540 zip code) attending a different high school, or homeschooled student from the greater Lyons area (80540 zip code).

If you have any questions about the scholarships, including about establishing a scholarship honoring the memory of a loved one, inquiries can be directed by email to: scholarship@lyonscf.org.

Kate Schnepel is the Marketing and Communications Associate for Lyons Community Foundation. She has worked in the non-profit sector for more than two decades, primarily with animal welfare organizations like Best Friends Animal Society and Wildlife SOS India. She moved to Lyons in 2019 with her husband and daughter, and spent nearly three years as a member of LCF's Advisory Board before moving into her current consulting role.

Happy Holidays!

From

Continue Briefs on Page 11

Ron R. Hogsett

(303) 651-1125 452 Main St, Longmont Call for our extended holiday hours Dec 15-23

Regular Hours: Tuesday-Friday: 10am-4pm Saturday: call ahead

DECEMBER 13, 2023 / JANUARY 17, 2024

REDSTONE • REVIEW

PAGE 11

SEASONS Jingle bells and Christmas smells fill the air

By Janaki Jane Redstone Review LYONS – Christmas, Solstice, New Year’s, Festivus, Hannukah, Kwanza: this is a psychologically loaded time of year.

They are “holidays:” a time of festivity, when little or no work is done, according Jane to the Oxford Dictionary.

So, holidays are supposed to be a time of not working, but these days far too many people still work on holidays.

The homemaker and (her) helpers have always worked on holidays. In my family, my dad and brother sat in the living room and ate nuts while my mom and my sister and I worked in the kitchen and served the meals.

Holidays are often fraught with memories, both good and bad. For me, the best part of the memories of my childhood Christmases, of my Christmases in Europe, and of the Christmases I have created as an adult is the food, as it is for many, and for me, it is the sweet foods.

My mother was born in 1920 and lived through the depression as a teenager and World War II as a newlywed, her husband overseas. Baking and creating family traditions were a way for her to make home feel like home.

Every Thanksgiving, after cleaning up dinner, the family sat around the kitchen table chopping almonds and

B •R •I •E •F •S

hazelnuts, candied orange, lemon, and lime peel, citron, and cherries. On Friday my mother would put all of those nuts and fruits into fruitcakes, bake them, and wrap them in kitchen towels reserved for that purpose and start pouring a mixture of orange juice and brandy over them every three days. The fruitcake became dark and fragrant. We would wrap them in aluminum foil a couple of weeks before Christmas, put a red bow on top, and send them to the other side of the country to our parents’ relatives for their Christmas and New Year’s celebrations. As a child, I hated these dark brown, loaf shaped cakes. The flavors were extremely strong. But as a teen and then as an adult I started to be able to appreciate the uniqueness of the flavors: orange, and spice, and citron and candied orange and lime, the brandy floating up through my nose, and the density of the bite into the fruit-filled slice.

Then, a few days before Christmas, my mother made Spritz cookie dough, put it in a metal cookie press, and made thin, wreath shaped cookies. The rest of the family chopped candied cherries into little pieces and put them on the wreaths like a bow. The cookies were baked until just barely brown on the edges, allowed to cool, and then we put a loop of green string through them, and hung them on the tree. They were so thin and crisp and buttery and sweet they really did melt in your mouth. We weren’t allowed to take any off the tree until after dinner on Christmas day, but I always cheated. They were too good to wait.

However, it was the times I lived in Europe that Christmas really came home to me as a time to eat delicious food, especially sweets and baked goods. Stollen, lebkuchen, panettone, marzipan, rum balls, buche de noel, apple tarts, spekulas, king’s cake, mince pies and strongly flavored jams chewy with plums, raisins, prunes, raspberries, cherries, and citrus rinds.

It turns out I adore pastries and candies made with almonds, citron, cinnamon and cloves and mace, marzipan, almonds and hazelnuts in every form, orange flavor and brandy and poppyseed, and the above-mentioned jams.

Give me a slice of dense bread or cake made with citron and hazelnuts and filled with marzipan or poppyseed paste and I am in seventh heaven.

Sadly, I am not much of a baker. Therefore, I have to enjoy other people’s creations, which is a hit-or-miss proposition: I want and expect the cookie to taste of honey, and it is made with sugar, or not enough honey; or I want that crisp melty spritz cookie, and instead it is dense too dense and not at all crispy, or I want strong marzipan flavor and it is barely almondy. The good side? I get to keep trying until I find something I like, which means lots of Christmas treats for me.

Wishing you the best of holiday treats for your winter solstice celebration.

Continued from Page 10

Town snow removal: Help us help you LYONS – ‘Tis the season for snow removal in Lyons, and the town’s fleet is poised to help manage the snow and icy conditions brought by mountain winter weather. The Town’s Snow and Ice Response Procedures outline priorities and operations during winter weather events. Streets, Sidewalks/Trails and Storm Drains are cleared according to these priorities. To learn more about the priorities and procedure go to TownofLyons.com.

Boulder County Solar Co-op reopens to new members LYONS – After filling up within a week of the initial September launch, the Boulder County Solar Co-op is reopening to new interested members – both homeowners and small businesses – through the end of the year.

Joining the co-op does not require a commitment to install solar on your building. Instead, it is a resource for learning more about incorporating solar, from a group of peers to share experiences with, and an opportunity for easier, cheaper solar installations thanks to group purchasing. Interested in learning more?

Visit their website for into and to sign up by December 31. For more information, go to BoulderCountySolarCo-op website.

Housing futures plan review draft available LYONS –Earlier this year, the town received a grant from the State of Colorado to develop an updated housing-needs assessment and identify innovative solutions to support the development of affordable and attainable housing. The work to date has centered around the comprehensive development of a Housing Futures Plan for the Town of Lyons that not only outlines affordability issues related to the town’s current housing stock, but also outlines future housing needs. This plan is intended to support near-term and future policy and regulatory strategies to address the identified housing needs of the community and builds on the goals outlined in the recently adopted Lyons Thrive! Comprehensive Plan.

The public is invited to review the current technical review draft of the document and provide feedback to the Board of Trustees. Two informational sessions are planned during the BOT’s January 2 and January 16 meetings. For more information go to the TownofLyons.com website.

Continue Briefs on Page 12

Janaki Jane moved to the Lyons area in 2004 and found the home of her heart in the mountains. She writes on issues of society and mental health. She has a degree in Psychology, a Graduate Certificate in Theology, and is a published neurologist. She spent over twenty-five years learning, practicing, and teaching psychological, physical, and spiritual healing techniques internationally, has worked professionally in disaster recovery and public health pandemic response. She is a practicing Tibetan Buddhist.

Her book “How to Survive a Disaster: From Surviving to Thriving After Trauma” will be published in Spring 2024.

Local, family-owned, and proudly serving the Boulder & Lyons area since 1983

siddallteam@gmail.com • www.gateway-realty.com

Happy Holidays! from the Gateway Realty team RARE OPPORTUNITY TO OWN A COMMERCIAL STOREFRONT/BUILDING/BUSINESS IN HISTORIC, VIBRANT DOWNTOWN LYONS! Currently the home of the famous Pizza Bar 66 restaurant. Trade name, marketing materials and FF&E are included in the offered price — no separate valuation. Building is in good shape and in compliance with current codes. Don’t miss this opportunity! Restaurant Seats 120. Pizza Oven, full bar, 3 large office spaces; Liquor/office space for managers. 2 large storage closets. Heating and cooling system/evaporative cooler. Well maintained 6 beer taps with FOB system. Built-in large walk-in refrigerator.

Enclosed back patio. Large picture windows and overhead door to Main Street.

430 Main Street, Lyons / $1,050,000

GORGEOUS, LUSH 1-ACRE LOT IN THE BEAUTIFUL ROLLING HILLS WEST OF LOVELAND! Located in regulatory floodway, so building footprint will be limited. Older mobile home with 2 additions and a 2-car garage presently on property, all in original condition —rehab potential unknown. Contact Larimer County Building Division @ (970) 498-7700 for info on what is allowed. This is a gem!

6755 W County Road 24, Loveland / $300,000

SWEET THREE BEDROOM UNIT IN SOUTH LONGMONT SUPER CONVENIENT TO EVERYTHING: SCHOOLS, PARKS, SHOPPING!! This townhome is in brand new condition, with very light usage and includes a two-car attached garage, high efficiency heating and cooling, open floor plan with lots of light and southern exposure.

Enjoy mountain views from the second floor!

1474 Sepia Avenue, Longmont / $475,000

Dan Siddall broker/owner

Colleen Dickes associate broker

Ian Phillips

Dot Fears

associate broker associate broker

THE SWEETEST LOG CABIN IN RIVERSIDE! St. Vrain River frontage, end of the road privacy, and nearly all usable land are just some of the highlights of this awesome property! Spacious kitchen and living room, plus enclosed porch. Sleeping loft and standup crawl space not included in square footage.

Propane heat, unregistered but functioning shallow well. Original septic system will need to be replaced with a vault by buyer upon transfer due to floodway location. In the same family and loved by them for generations.

Furnishings can be included in the sale if desired.

49 Riverside Drive, Lyons / $390,000

SALE PENDING

PERCHED ON A HILLSIDE IN LYONS PARK ESTATES, 3 MILES FROM DOWNTOWN LYONS, THIS CUTE MOUNTAIN HOME PROVIDES ALL THE ROMANTIC ASPECTS OF LIVING IN LYONS WITHOUT THE MILLION DOLLAR PRICE TAG OR HOURS OF WEEKLY YARD MAINTENANCE. Enjoy the mountain breeze, deer wandering in the yard and watching hummingbirds from this serene slice of paradise. This 3 bedroom (1 bedroom non-conforming), 1 bath does have a modest size, but packs a lot of character and potential to add a carport or larger garage on the lower portion of this 3 acre property. LISTED BY IAN PHILLIPS 276 Sandstone Drive, Lyons / $675,000

SWEET, COZY, BUT SPACIOUS STUDIO APARTMENT HOME IN SOLD MUCH SOUGHT-AFTER HORIZON WEST! Enjoy spectacular sunrises and the warming of the morning sun from the 6th floor of this east-facing unit. Building has an indoor swimming pool, exercise room, game room, indoor bike storage area, and peaceful sitting areas all around the grounds. Laundry facilities and private lockable storage closet just outside your door.

Mere steps to 29th Street and Dairy Center for the Arts. Short distance to CU Boulder, schools, parks, shopping, and more! No pets allowed, except ESA and/or service animals with appropriate documentation provided to the HOA. 1850 Folsom Street #612, Boulder / $350,000

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REDSTONE • REVIEW

DECEMBER 13, 2023 / JANUARY 17, 2024

CROSSROADS native perennials instead of lawns, capping your chimHelp decrease human impact on Colorado’s wildlife ing ney, building a catio for your feline, locking your trashcans, and collecting fishing litter around waterways.

By Mysti Tatro Redstone Review LYONS – It’s no secret that wildlife has a hard time adapting to human impacts.

In the wildlife rehabilitation setting, we are often faced with those repercussions.

Our roads dissect habitats, cars make Tatro safe passing difficult, window reflections scatter the landscape, our litter entangles, poisons, and suffocates unexpecting wildlife, and more. Our mission at Greenwood is driven by the desire to provide compassionate care for injured and orphaned critters in need in hopes of offsetting some of the negative effects people have on our wild neighbors.

Our state wildlife agency has designated two reptiles, two amphibians, 25 fish, 13 birds, and 13 mammals into a category of special conservation concern. From time to time, Greenwood will admit a species of special concern.

Take for example, the Black-tailed Prairie Dog. Our facility receives several each year from poisonings, traps, and vehicle collisions. In Colorado, Black-tailed, Whitetailed, and Gunnison’s Prairie Dogs are all species of conservation concern. Rehabilitation can help a handful of them at a time, but habitat conservation and humane wildlife conflict resolution are significant tools needed to help these species.

So, what can we do for wildlife and for the health of our ecosystem? Each individual can do something to offset

their impact, but we also recognize the role of government, landowners, and private businesses play in conservation. When considering your own family’s impact try to consider these major topics:

Humane Solutions – Greenwood receives hundreds of calls a year regarding animals that some would consider a nuisance. Many pest control companies use harmful tactics including poisoning and drowning which often leaves baby animals orphaned. Hazing is a more effective tool when trying to evict a wild critter from your property and it allows new moms time to return to the site to retrieve her young. Learn more about solutions to common wildlife conflicts on Greenwood’s website: greenwoodwildlife.org.

Time, Money, Vote – While individual actions are a great start when it comes to aiding wildlife, you can also take it a step further. Give a little something extra to the organizations and agencies that need manThe Black-tailed Prairie Dog is designated as a species of special conser- power, money, or votes. Habitat restoration vation conmcern in Colorado. They are at risk from poisoning, trapgroups need volunteers, wildlife rescues need ping, and vehicle collisions. funds, and government needs public input.

Colorado is lucky that very few of our endemic species have yet to become extinct. The Prevention – Many of the injuries we see at Green- collaboration of conservation groups has helped restore anwood could have been easily prevented with a little fore- imals close to extinction such as the Black-footed Ferret, thought. For example, hundreds of birds each year are Lynx, and even the Bald Eagle. We all have a stake in proinjured after striking windows. Birds will mistake a window tecting the land and animals of our beloved state. reflection with a safe flight path or unknowingly defend their territory by fighting themselves. Something as simple Mysti Tatro is the Communications and Marketing Cooras decorative stickers on your window could prevent these dinator at Greenwood Wildlife Rehabilitation Center. For intypes of injuries. Other preventive measures include plant- formation, call 303-823-8455 or www.greenwoodwildlife.org.

B •R •I •E •F •S Continued from Page 11

Closed December 25 and 26 LYONS – Town Hall Closed on Monday and Tuesday, December 25th and 26th. Town Hall will be closed for staff to spend the holiday with their families.

2023 Artisan Market and Parade of Lights LYONS – Thanks to our Small Town. Big Heart community for showing up and coming to our events to celebrate the season. From the inaugural tree lighting celebration and caroling, after Thanksgiving to the Parade of Lights and Artisan Market. The lights in town also look spectacular.

Special Shout out to the Parade Entrants, we had several new floats and creations this year. These were the top three: Best Representation of Theme: DandeLyon Brigade; Best Use of Lighting: Lyons Portable Welding; Winner Overall: Mayama

Travels with Redstone Ryan and Jill Sohlden traveled to Carcassonne, France, and took their Redstone along.

C’est si bon!

Take the Redstone with you on your next trip and send us your photos showing where the Redstone has traveled.

Send your photos to redstarnews5@gmail.com

DECEMBER 13, 2023 / JANUARY 17, 2024

REDSTONE • REVIEW

PAGE 13

TUCKER GROUP

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Happy Holidays from your TGRE Team!

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299 Blue Mountain Trl, Lyons Awesome contemporary 4BD/3BA ranch on 40 acres with huge windows framing gorgeous views, vaulted ceilings, wood floors, oversized garage, and excellent internet.

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725 5th Ave, Lyons $696,000 Charming 4BD/2BA home overlooking the river and Planet Bluegrass. Mature landscaping, garden level basement, and close to Lyons shops, restaurants and parks.

PAGE 14

REDSTONE • REVIEW

DECEMBER 13, 2023 / JANUARY 17, 2024

WHAT’S COOKIN’ A crunchy salad for midwinter

By Barbara Shark Redstone Review LYONS – Our current choices for winter vegetables are limited so I’m always looking for new ways to use them. I like to Shark mix up our dinner menu and include our veggies in a salad. This salad tasted great alongside an omelet filled with marinated goat cheese. Or serve with a sautéed chicken breast, grilled salmon or a chop.

For two servings, steam a large stalk of broccoli until tender but with a little crunch. Cool and cut into bite-sized pieces, including the peeled stalk, the sweetest part of the vegetable. Combine with salad greens – lettuce, arugula, radicchio, endive.

Add an orange, peeled by slicing off both ends, then cut down the sides to remove the skin. Cut into half-moons. Add two dates cut into half-inch pieces. A handful of chopped fresh dill is nice here if you have it, or use a big pinch of dried. Toss with a good olive oil, salt and pepper.

I’ve been embellishing a log of Trader Joe’s goat cheese with lemon and olive oil.

What a treat served with a crusty St. Vrain Market baguette, a loaf of Moxie sourdough, or in an omelet.

Crumble a log of plain goat cheese, four to eight ounces, into a bowl. Keep some chunks. Add the zest of half a lemon and a big pinch of hot red pepper flakes. Then pour over two tablespoons of olive oil and gently stir to combine. You may want to add more oil to taste as the cheese does absorb some.

Barbara Shark is an artist and author of How I Learned to Cook, an Artist's Life. She lives near Lyons, Colorado. For more recipes,

read her blog at www.howilearnedtocookanartistslife.blog.

Holiday veggie side dishes

By Catherine Metzger Redstone Review SAN MIGUEL COUNTY – Here are three easy and delicious side dish ideas for your holiday table: Artichokes in Wine Sauce, Hearts of Palm Ceviche, and Vegetables Anglaise.

Artichokes in Wine Sauce This is a tender and buttery vegetarian side dish made with artichoke bottoms. If you are vegan, you can substitute sunflower oil, which imparts a nutty taste.

This recipe is an interpretation of a recipe from the book Neue Cuisine by Kurt Gutenbrunner. And if you want to avoid a lot of work and staining of your hands, I recommend using canned or frozen artichoke bottoms.

Serves six to eight; preparation time is 15 minutes; easy.

11 artichoke hearts, frozen or canned 1/2 mild onion, thinly sliced 1/2 leek, quartered and chopped 1 carrot, scraped and sliced thinly Clarified butter, ghee or sunflower oil 1 cup white wine 1 cup chicken or vegetable stock 1 lemon, cut in half Salt and pepper • Rub the room-temperature artichoke hearts all over with lemon.

• Heat a medium-sized sauté pan with three tablespoons of clarified butter, ghee, or sunflower oil. Sauté the onion and leek

ARTICHOKES IN WINE SAUCE

until lightly golden. Add the carrots and let them sweat with the onion-leek mixture for several minutes.

• Add the wine and cook for one minute.

Adjust seasonings. Add the stock to the pan and lay the artichokes over the top of the vegetable mixture.

• Cover tightly and cook about 10 minutes.

Serve with sauce and vegetables ladled over.

Hearts of Palm Ceviche This quick to make vegan recipe for hearts of palm ceviche cuts through all the holiday fat while satisfying the comfort food drive. It’s a recipe taken from the Blue Zones Kitchen cookbook, by Dan Buettner.

Serves three; preparation time is 10 minutes; easy.

1 cup hearts of palm, sliced into small rounds, use fresh, canned or jarred 1 small, sweet onion, quartered and sliced 2 small sweet red peppers cut into 1/4 inch dice 1/4 small habanero pepper, seeded, minced 1 tablespoon chopped fresh cilantro Juice of 1 to 2 limes 1 teaspoon salt, Pepper to taste

Dante is a sweet senior feline, a big boy with an even bigger heart. He’s a seasoned veteran in the art of companionship, offering comforting purrs and gentle headbutts in moments of solitude. Dante is not just a cat, he’s a companion, a confidant, and a friend. He will do best in a home with high school aged children.

Adopt Dante, and let him fill your home with love, warmth, and the comforting purr of a contented cat. Visit Dante at the shelter at 9595 Nelson Road, or go to www.longmonthumane.org to see more of our adoptable pets.

Town Continued from Page 1 operating permit the board was split on the issue. Trustees Williams, Farrell and Delman were opposed to renewing the permit citing health concerns from pollution.

Trustee Ted Elson was absent from the meeting and the board decided to wait until he was present and could voice his opinion before making a decision on what they wanted Mayor Rogin to say at the Commissioners meeting in January.

In other news Administrator Simonsen told the board that the initial technical review draft of the Housing Futures Plan for Lyons is now available for review by the Planning and Community Development Commission, Housing and Human Services Commission, and the BOT for comment.

Each group will also host public input on

the draft document at their respective meetings in December and January. The plan will also be prepped for the project website and town website. The plan is to have a final document for adoption in January 2024 per the grant agreement.

The document will be available on the Town of Lyons website. This plan will show where there are proposed areas for development. Simonsen pointed out that it is a large, complex document and for every person who approves of the proposed growth areas for development, there is a person who is equally opposed to that same growth area.

The town is working with the fire department on mitigation issues. Simonsen said that they are trying to get a grant together for $50,000 to update the wildfire protection plan.

HEARTS OF PALM CEVICHE

• Combine first five ingredients in a small bowl, drizzle with lime juice and add salt; toss to combine.

• Season with pepper, if desired and serve immediately. Enjoy alone or served with popcorn, plantain chips or tortilla chips.

Vegetables Anglaise Deceptively simple, quick and tasty, these hearty vegetables go well alongside a turkey or chicken dinner. Serves as many as you wish; preparation time is 10 minutes; cooking time is 35 mins.; easy.

Equal amounts of: carrots, turnips, cau-

VEGVETABLES ANGLAISE

liflower, green beans and boiled potatoes cut in the same size and cooked until tender in salted water. Note: add the cauliflower about 10 minutes before the other vegetables are done.

Catherine Ripley Metzger has been cooking professionally and privately since 1979. She was a French cuisine journeyman at the celebrated Henri d’Afrique restaurant in Old Town Alexandria, Virginia. Today she is the proprietor of the food blog www.foodfortheages.com and cooks with curiosity from the ground up in her log cabin home on the Western Slope of Colorado.

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ARTS. PARKS. EATS. LYONS WINTER ESCAPE The small town of Lyons offers big views with a unique blend of artsy, down-home, outdoorsy fun. Explore Lyons with your friends and family this winter. Visit our independently-owned local businesses and discover all that we offer. From beautiful wintery hikes to great local eats and accessible recreational opportunities, Lyons has something for everyone. Come explore!

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