Colorado Country Life February 2011 by American MainStreet Publications

FEBRUARY 2011

Cowboy DVDs with strong family values

The official publication of the Colorado Rural Electric Association • Volume 42, Number 02

Publisher/Editor Associate Editor Digital Designer

Mona Neeley, CCC Donna Norris Carissa Sheehan

OFFICERS President Vice President Secretary Treasurer Executive Director

Chris Morgan, Gunnison Bob Bledsoe, Tri-State Bill Midcap, Fort Morgan Don Kaufman, Sangre De Cristo Kent Singer, CREA

BOARD OF DIRECTORS Empire John Porter Grand Valley Sylvia Spangler Highline Jim Lueck Holy Cross Michael Glass K.C. Dan Mills LaPlata Tom Compton Mountain Parks Stan Cazier Mountain View B.D. Paddock Poudre Valley Jack Schneider San Isabel Joseph Costa, Reg Rudolph San Luis Valley Mike Rierson, John Villyard Sangre De Cristo Paul Erickson Southeast Mark Grasmick United Power Jim Jaeger White River Bill Jordan Y-W Stuart Travis Yampa Valley Sam Haslem Associate Members Basin Electric Co-Bank Moon Lake Electric Wheatland Electric EDITORIAL Denver Corporate Office 5400 N. Washington • Denver, CO 80216 Phone: 303-455-4111 Email: MNeeley@coloradocountrylife.org Website: coloradocountrylife.coop Facebook: Colorado Country Life Twitter: @COCountryLife ADVERTISING Kris Wendtland NCM

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COLORADO COUNTRY LIFE (USPS 469-400/ISSN 1090-2503) is published monthly for $9/$15 per year by Colorado Rural Electric Association, 5400 N. Washington Street, Denver, CO 80216 Periodical postage paid at Denver, Colorado. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Colorado Country Life, 5400 N. Washington Street, Denver, CO 80216. Publication of an advertisement in Colorado Country Life, does not imply endorsement by any Colorado rural electric cooperative or the Colorado Rural Electric Association. Editorial opinions published in Colorado Country Life, magazine shall pertain to issues affecting rural electric cooperatives, rural communities and citizens. The opinion of CREA is not necessarily that of any particular cooperative or individual.

Colorado Westerns Movie makers still find ways to tell the western story BY MIKE COPPOCK

COLUMNS

Recipes

Spice up your menu with tastes from New Orleans BY LINH TRUONG

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Gardening

Dress up your winter garden with color, texture, movement BY EVE GILMORE

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Outdoors

Ice fishing no longer only for the die-hard enthusiast BY DENNIS SMITH

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Energy Tips

Check your home heating system to see if it needs cleaning BY JAMES DULLEY

DEPARTMENTS

Challenge of building power lines adds to electricity costs BY KENT SINGER

4! 303-902-7276 800-626-1181

FEATURE

5! 6! 7! 12! 14! 30!

Viewpoint

Letters Calendar Co-op News NewsClips Industry Story Discoveries

COVER: FILMS ARE STILL BEING MADE IN COLORADO. THESE STILLS BY SKELETON CREEK PRODUCTIONS AVAILABLE ON DVD. DESIGN BY DONNA NORRIS.

Not in My Backyard Challenges of building power lines, infrastructure add to the cost of your electricity BY KENT SINGER, CRE A E XECUTIVE DIRECTOR

olorado’s electric cooperatives work hard every day to keep your electricity bill as low as possible. This is a daunting task given the ever-increasing array of regulations that apply to the electric power industry. There are regulations that apply to all aspects Kent Singer of the power delivery system: the generation of electricity at the power plants, the bulk transmission of that power over high-voltage lines and the distribution of electricity to you, the member and end-use consumer. In this column, I am going to focus on the challenges faced when the co-ops try to build the transmission lines that are necessary to provide you, our memberowners, with electricity. Colorado’s electric cooperatives depend on a complex system of facilities to deliver affordable and reliable power. For the most part, the electricity you need to light your homes and power your businesses comes from large power plants that are located many miles away. While we believe that local, distributed generation (including renewable sources like wind, solar and biomass) and energy efficiency are important components of the future energy picture, we still need a robust system of transmission and distribution lines to meet your power needs today and into the near future. Additional high-capacity transmission lines are also needed if Colorado is to take advantage of its abundant renewable resources. One of the greatest challenges facing electric co-ops (as well as other electric utilities) is the ability to find suitable places to site generating facilities, substations and transmission and distribution lines. There was a time when farmers and ranchers were so eager to have access to electric power that they donated the

4 Colorado Country Life FEBRUARY 2011

easements required by the local utility and allowed it to build power lines across their property. They recognized that not only was this necessary for them to have affordable power, but it was also necessary to enable their neighbors, as well as people they did not even know in adjoining communities, to have power. This cooperative spirit still exists in most of Colorado, but in the last several years we have seen many examples of landowner and local government resistance to the siting of utility infrastructure. Many co-ops spend years and huge sums of money fighting with local governments or individual landowners in order to be able to locate the facilities they need to supply power to their customers. Some have referred to the phenomenon of consumer objection to the siting of power lines and other public infrastructure facilities as the NIMBY (Not In My Backyard) syndrome. Others have referred to this mind-set as the BANANA syndrome (Build Absolutely Nothing Anywhere Near Anyone ) or at its most extreme the NOPE syndrome (Not On Planet Earth). Whatever you call it, there is no question that siting utility facilities has become a difficult proposition. A current example of the NIMBY problem involves a joint transmission line project that has been proposed by Tri-State Generation and Transmission and Public Service Company of Colorado. The two utilities have proposed a project, known as the San Luis Valley–Calumet– Comanche project, to connect the San Luis Valley to the Front Range of Colorado. The main portion of this project is a double-circuit, 230-kilovolt transmission line that would run approximately 95

miles from a substation near Alamosa to a substation near Walsenburg. This project would enable Tri-State to provide more reliable service to the San Luis Valley and it would also enable Public Service Company and Tri-State to export large-scale solar power generation to the consumers along the Front Range. A billionaire landowner over whose property this project would be constructed has hired a team of lawyers and experts to aggressively fight this project. The landowner argues, among other arguments, that a transmission line would damage the unique beauty of his property (and its landing strip). He wants the utilities to use an alternate route, one that would be more expensive and impact other landowners and additional communities. While the landowner has every right to make these arguments, this project demonstrates the challenges that utilities face when it comes to siting and building transmission lines. The Colorado Public Utilities Commission recently ruled that the project is needed, but it appears that there may be additional rounds of litigation before the project can be constructed. So, while your co-op is doing everything it can to keep costs down, it has to deal with many different types of regulation and legal proceedings in order to provide the power you need. The Colorado Rural Electric Association is constantly working for your co-op and the other CREA member co-ops to minimize new regulatory burdens so that Colorado’s electric co-ops can continue to provide affordable power to you, their members and consumers.

Executive Director

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Top Turkey Tip I never brined anything in my life, let alone a turkey (Recipes, November 2010). But I was in the mood to try something different this Thanksgiving. It turned out perfectly. For the first time in my life I actually enjoyed the dark meat, not just the white. Thank you for printing the recipe. I know I’ll use it again. Fran Hawks, Mancos

Interested in Efficiency I just finished reading the January 2011 magazine and noted your free monthly e-newsletter regarding renewables and efficiency ideas. In the article you mention that a free copy could be emailed to residents. Please include us on that list. We love reading the monthly magazine. A “pat on the back” to all those involved in its publication. Dan Spiegelberg, Monument

Editor’s Note: To receive the Energy Efficiency & Renewables newsletter, send your email address to mneeley@colorado countrylife.org.

Take a Broader View Can we get a break from the overtly rightleaning commentary that greets every reader of your fine publication? I do not believe it is appropriate for the executive director of the Colorado Rural Electric Association to use the magazine as a personal pulpit to espouse his political views on electric co-op members. Polls consistently show that Americans are fed up with partisan behavior, myself included. Those who perpetuate partisan behavior seem to think the world fits neatly in one of two boxes and anyone not inside their box is wrong. Perhaps Mr. Singer can open his mind to a broader world — one that allows room for more than two boxes. Brian Fowler, Windsor

! Send your letter to the editor by mail to 5400 N. Washington St., Denver, CO 80216 or by email to mneeley@coloradocountrylife.org You must include your name and address to be published. Letters may be edited.

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FEBRUARY 2011

Colorado Country Life 5

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February 1-26 in Palmer Lake

February 12-March 19 in Grand Lake

February 19-20 in Estes Park

Visions of Light Photography Show

Snowshoe in the Kawuneeche

Rails in the Rockies Model Railroad Exhibition

Tri-Lakes Center for the Arts 719-481-8615 www.trilakesarts.org

Kawuneeche Visitors Center 1 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays Beginners on Saturdays, intermediates on Sundays 970-627-3471 www.nps.gov

Estes Park Conference Center 201 S. St. Vrain Ave. Saturday 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sunday 9 a.m.-4 p.m. 970-577-9900 www.estesvalleymodelrailroaders.org

February 13-15, 20-21 in Cripple Creek

February 24-27 in Lamar

Cripple Creek Ice Festival

High Plains Snow Goose Festival

Downtown Cripple Creek Ice sculptures, family-friendly events 877-858-4653 www.visitcripplecreek.com/IceFestival

Lamar High School 719-336-4379 www.highplainssnowgoose.com

February 10-13 in Dillon

Dillon Snow Kite Open The Lake Dillon Marina Watch boarders and skiers attached to kites race 970-485-3300 http://summitcounty.whattodo.info/ February 11-13 in Lake City

Lake City Hot Air Balloon Festival 800-569-1874 lakecity@lakecity.com

February 26 in Loveland February 18 in Grand Lake

Fiber Fun Fest

Full Moon Ski

Youth and Community Building, Larimer County Fairgrounds 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. 970-498-6000 www.larimer.org/ext

Flight for Life Poker Run

The Nordic Center, Grand Lake Golf Course 970-627-8008 www.grandlakechamber.com

Includes silent auction, lunch and evening social 303-601-6931

February 18 in Crested Butte

February 12 in Grand Lake

February 12 in Durango

Valentine Train Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad 888-TRAIN-07 www.durangotrain.com

Moonlight Snowshoeing

February 27 in Leadville

Crested Butte Mountain Resort 970-349-4554 www.skicb.com

Mineral Belt Historical Tour

February 19 in Pagosa Springs

San Juan Shootists Monthly Match February 12 in Colorado Springs

2011 Heart Ball Broadmoor Hotel and Resort Dinner and dancing benefit 719-635-7688

342 Cimarrona Circle; noon Watch the match; take a few shots yourself 970-731-9140 sanjuanshootists@hotmail.com February 19 in Granby

February 12 in Colorado Springs

Snowfest Movie Night

Bighorn Sheep Day

Sol Vista Basin Ski Area Watch a winter sports documentary, also night skiing and tubing 888-850-4615 www.granbyranch.com

Garden of the Gods Visitor and Nature Center 1805 N. 30th St. Lectures, tours and nature walks 719-634-6666 www.gardenofgods.com/yourvisit/

Cross-country ski tour of historic Leadville Mining District 719-486-7484 www.leadville.com www.lakecountyco.com/recreation March 4-6 in Grand Junction

Home Improvement and Remodeling Expo Two Rivers Convention Center 159 Main St. 970-245-0253 www.visitgrandjunction.com/events March 4-6 in Nederland

Frozen Dead Guy Days Quirky events, contests 303-258-3936 info@nederlandchamber.org

February 19 in Lake City

Ice Fishing Derby and Ice Climbing Festival

!!For more information on these activities, visit www.coloradocountrylife.coop. Click on Events.

6 Colorado Country Life FEBRUARY 2011

Fun events, great prizes 800-569-1874 970-275-4106 lakecity@lakecity.com; www.lakecityiceclimbs.com

Send calendar items two months in advance to Calendar, Colorado Country Life, 5400 N. Washington St., Denver CO 80216; fax to 303-455-2807; or email calendar@coloradocountrylife.org.

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FEBRUARY 2011

Colorado Country Life 11

GRANTS FUND RESEARCH ON POTENTIAL FOR RENEWABLE HYDROELECTRIC IN COLORADO IRRIGATION DITCHES

t least two separate grants are funding research into whether or not the water that irrigates some of Colorado’s crops could also be used to generate electricity. Supporters see great potential in these small hydropower projects. According to one researcher, these small projects might be able to generate more electricity than similarly sized photovoltaic systems, and they would do it more consistently. La Plata Electric Association, headquartered in Durango, is using a $100,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to investigate the development of several of these small hydroelectric generation projects in its southwestern Colorado service territory. Like many parts of the state, La Plata and Archuleta counties are crisscrossed with irrigation canals that take the water from the state’s few rivers and streams to fields where the average rainfall is not enough to produce crops. The water in

these irrigation ditches moves fast enough to produce anywhere from 100 kilowatts of power to two megawatts of power, according to sources. The LPEA grant will finance preliminary studies and site analyses for possible low-head hydroelectric projects. Meanwhile, the Colorado Department of Agriculture has awarded a $50,000 grant to Colorado State University to study the same concept. CSU adjunct professor and researcher Dan Zimmerele and

water resources engineer Lindsay George of Applegate Group, Inc., in Glenwood Springs are surveying the approximately 250 ditch companies in the state to find potential locations for these low-head turbines. They will be discussing their project at the February 16 Ditch and Reservoir Company Alliance (www.darca.org) workshop in Berthoud. All of this research is timely because a new agreement between the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, which oversees the nation’s electric grid, and former Gov. Bill Ritter’s office is expected to expedite the permitting process for these small projects. In the past, the small projects had to go through the same process as large-scale hydroelectric dams, often making them too expensive to pursue. With a more reasonable permitting process now being established, the state’s irrigation canals may become another renewable resource for generating electricity.

Energy Scores Will Help Evaluate Homes

new Home Energy Score provided by the federal government will offer home owners straightforward, reliable information about their homes’ energy efficiency. The new report will provide consumers with a home energy score between 1 and 10, and show them how their home compares to others in their region. The report also includes customized, cost-effective recommendations that will help to reduce their energy costs and improve the comfort of their homes. Under this voluntary program, trained and certified contractors will use a standardized assessment tool developed by the U.S. Department of Energy and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory to quickly evaluate a home and generate useful, actionable information for home owners or prospective homebuyers. With only about 40 inputs required, the Home Energy Scoring Tool lets a contractor evaluate a home’s energy assets, like its heating and cooling systems, insulation levels and more, in generally less than an hour. That means a homeowner can see how his home’s systems score, regardless of whether a particular home owner takes long or short showers or keeps the thermostat set high or low. A score of 10 represents a home with excellent energy

12 Colorado Country Life FEBRUARY 2011

performance, while a 1 represents a home that will benefit from major energy upgrades. Along with the score, the home owner will receive a list of recommendations for home energy upgrades and other useful tips. For each specific improvement, the estimated utility bill savings, payback period and greenhouse gas emission reductions are included. To see a sample copy of the Home Energy Score and get more information on how it is calculated, visit www. homeenergyscore.gov, where you can also view an example PDF (702 kb) of a score and recommendations. The Home Energy Score will initially be tested with local government, utility and nonprofit partners in 10 pilot communities across the country, located in both urban and rural areas that cover a wide range of climates, including that of Colorado’s Eagle County. During this test phase, the DOE and its partners will gauge how home owners respond to the program and whether the information encourages them to get energy improvements done on their homes. After the pilot tests conclude in late spring 2011, DOE expects to launch the Home Energy Score nationally.

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Texting Helps Farmers Save $, Electricity

ne electric cooperative found a new way to notify its members and help them save on their electric bills: text messages to cell phones. Northeast Nebraska Public Power District in neighboring Nebraska worked with a text message provider to notify its irrigators in real time about daily peak load periods when electricity would be more expensive. For example, a message would go out at 7 a.m. telling irrigators that peak rates would be applied from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. with a follow-up alert describing any changes. Farmers would receive the text messages on their mobile phones and take action, even if they were out in the field already. The co-op regularly reduced its electric load by 50 percent during highcost demand periods. â&#x20AC;&#x201D;RE Magazine

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Colorado Country Life 13

INDUSTRY

!"#$%&'"$()"!*(&# A flurry of government regulations are set to hit your electric bill BY PERRY STAMBAUGH

The cost of electricity hinges on several things — availability, prices of power plant fuels and materials and the amount of power consumers demand. Now a slew of volatile federal rulemaking has hit power producers.

erhaps the most pressing challenge facing electric utilities involves U.S. Environmental Protection Agency regulation of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases as pollutants under the federal Clean Air Act. On January 2, the EPA began restricting the amount of greenhouse gases that may be emitted by fossil fuel-burning power plants and other stationary industrial sources. This action will significantly impact electricity production. Fossil fuels like coal and natural gas fuel 70 percent of America’s electricity generation. Since electric co-ops are more dependent on coal than investor-owned utilities and municipal electric systems, the end result will be higher electric bills. “Clearly, the EPA is wielding the Clean Air Act as a bludgeon, pressing it into service because the outgoing Congress was unable to agree on how to curb greenhouse gas emissions blamed for contributing to climate change,” notes Glenn English, chief executive officer of the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association based in Arlington, Virginia. By failing to pass legislation addressing carbon dioxide and greenhouse gases, Congress essentially left the decision-making up to EPA. But the Clean Air Act was never intended to regulate carbon dioxide — it was enacted to fight smog and acid rain with proven technologies. No viable, commercially tested solution exists to remove carbon dioxide emissions from power plants.

14 Colorado Country Life FEBRUARY 2011

“Electric co-ops are urging Congress and the White House to approve a two-year moratorium on EPA regulation of carbon dioxide greenhouse gases — a delay giving lawmakers the opportunity to fashion climate change legislation that protects consumers and keeps electric bills affordable.” Glenn English, NRECA, CEO

“Co-ops expect the EPA’s rule-making will eventually have the practical effect — absent breakthrough technology — of eliminating coal as a power plant option,” remarks English. “On top of this, the cost of switching from coal, which has traditionally been plentiful and affordable, to other fuels will be high.” Only two alternate baseload generation sources can meet America’s demand for safe, reliable and affordable electricity — natural gas, which is priced on a volatile commodities market (and has carbon dioxide emissions to contend with), and nuclear power, requiring a long lead time for construction. “Electric co-ops are urging Congress and the White House to approve a twoyear moratorium on EPA regulation of carbon dioxide greenhouse gases — a delay giving lawmakers the opportunity

to fashion climate change legislation that protects consumers and keeps electric bills affordable,” English stresses. Even if Congress grants a reprieve on greenhouse gas regulations, red tape from other EPA and various government rule-making efforts — the Clean Air Transport Rule, Cooling Water Intake Structure requirements and a decision on treating coal ash as hazardous waste, for starters — will trigger higher electric bills. Clean Air Transport Rule Released in 2010, EPA’s Clean Air Transport Rule aims to cap emissions of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides from power plants across 31 eastern states and the District of Columbia. The regulation enables “downwind” areas whose air quality is compromised by power plants to their west to meet federal standards. The EPA claims that by 2010 the transport rule, when combined with other state and federal measures, will reduce power plant sulfur dioxide emissions by 71 percent and nitrogen oxides emissions by 52 percent from 2005 levels — at a cost to utilities of $2.8 billion per year. The transport rule requires 180 coal-fired power plants to install new pollution-control technology activate existing pollution controls or shut down. A second-round version under consideration could impose even tighter standards. “We’re expecting a number of existing power plants to simply be retired,” notes WWW.COLORADOCOUNTRYLIFE.COOP

INDUSTRY

Kirk Johnson, NRECA vice president of energy & environmental policy. “The cost to comply with the regulation will simply be too much.” Cooling Water Intake Structure Requirements Power plants use water from lakes or rivers to cool generating equipment. The federal Clean Water Act Section 316(b) sets standards for cooling water intake structures, requiring plant operators to use “best available technology” to protect the environment. The EPA began reviewing the standards in 2010, launching a cost-benefit analysis of imposing stricter regulations. The rule is expected to be unveiled in February. The North American Electric Reliability Corporation or NERC, the nation’s bulk power grid watchdog, estimates this EPA rule will have the greatest potential impact on American energy reserves. If strictly enforced, NERC contends one-third of U.S. electricity capacity may need to be retired. Coal ash debate To ensure the safe disposal of fly ash and other residues produced by coal-fired power plants, the EPA is considering designating the materials — for the first time—as hazardous waste.

Classifying these “coal combustion byproducts” (CCBs) as hazardous could cost billions and force increases in electricity rates. Each year, the U.S. electric utility industry produces about 130 million tons of CCBs (roughly 8 percent from power supply cooperatives). “In previous analyses, the EPA determined CCBs do not warrant regulation as hazardous waste under the federal Resource Conservation and Recovery Act; oversight was generally in place at the state level to ensure adequate management,” points out Johnson. “Nothing about CCBs has changed since then. Electric co-ops contend coal ash is appropriately regulated and oppose efforts to have it branded as hazardous waste.” Carrying the hazardous label in any form (the EPA could classify CCBs as “special wastes,” making them subject to all permitting, handling, and disposal requirements that apply to toxic items) will severely hamper beneficial uses of CCBs, Johnson warns. “No matter how you slice it, CCBs will be considered unsafe.” Currently, one-third of fly ash (used as a cement replacement) and more than one-fourth of scrubber sludge (converted into synthetic gypsum for

wallboard manufacturing) are recycled. For every ton of cement replaced by fly ash, a ton of greenhouse gas emissions is avoided. More than 10,000 co-op consumers sent letters to the the EPA in 2010 voicing their concern and asking the EPA not to brand coal ash as hazardous. EPA had not reached a final decision as of press time. Parting thoughts “Rest assured, local electric co-ops are working together to keep your electric bills affordable,” relates Kent Singer, executive director of the Colorado Rural Electric Association. “We’re controlling costs through innovation, and no matter what government mandates come our way, we’ll continue to put you, our members, first.” The electric cooperatives of Colorado are Looking Out for You. Find out more at www.crea.coop. Perry Stambaugh writes on consumer and cooperative affairs for the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association, the Arlington, Virginia -based service arm of the nation’s 900-plus consumer-owned, not-for-profit electric cooperatives.

EVEN IF CONGRESS GRANTS A REPRIEVE ON GREENHOUSE GAS REGULATIONS, RED TAPE FROM OTHER EPA RULEMAKING EFFORTS WILL PUSH COSTS HIGHER AT COLORADO’S GENERATING PLANTS.

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Colorado Country Life 15

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16 Colorado Country Life FEBRUARY 2011

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Filmmaker Rick Simpson directs his brother, Larry (on horseback), in a scene at Buckskin Joe’s in central Colorado. The movie Cactus Creek was the last movie they filmed at the famous Colorado film site.

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arry and his brother Rick talk with me at the Alamosa airport while they wait to pick up actor Buck Taylor, to be featured in the scenes they are filming tomorrow. Puffs of popcorn clouds dot the summer sky as the plane lands. Most of the passengers come off wide-eyed, a good sign that there was turbulence during the landing. But 72-year-old Buck Taylor seems unruffled by his flight. He’s wearing cowboy boots, cowboy hat and a jacket and is sporting a goatee and long, steel-gray hair. His last film was the upcoming blockbuster Cowboys and Aliens, to be released this summer. Now he has arrived in Alamosa for the under-the-radar Simpson brothers’ project. “They make movies that have family values,” Buck says about the brothers in his deep southern drawl. “They show children what is right and what is wrong while also telling them about the Old West, and I’m all for that.” Taylor and the Simpson brothers soon start talking about the demise of Buckskin Joe’s. Word is already out that the Colorado landmark has not only been sold, but will also be dismantled and moved somewhere else. The Old West movie set and tourist attraction was formerly located 8 miles

outside of Cañon City, only one of more than 20 locations used by the Simpson brothers, including Colorado sites in Buena Vista, Cripple Creek and Alamosa. Buckskin Joe’s Frontier Town and Railway was as close as Colorado has ever come to a permanent film set. Begun in 1957 as a “tourist trap,” the set was created when old buildings were brought to the 805-acre site from an 1860s mining camp named Buckskin Joe near Alma. Eventually, more than 30 structures from other ghost towns were hauled in to create an authentic place for tourists to watch re-enactments of gunfights and Old West hangings. The Simpson brothers’ Cactus Creek was the last film shot at the Old West set, a location that had set the scene behind such legends as John Wayne, Jane Fonda and Lee Marvin in famous films like the original True Grit, The Cowboys, and Cat Ballou. While Colorado filming locations like Buckskin Joe’s hold a special place in their memories of movie making, the Simpson brothers didn’t start filming in Colorado until later in their careers. They made their first western in 1996. It was The Trail to Abilene, introducing their audience to the series character Stormy Lane, played by Rick; Texas Clapsaddle, [continued on page 18]

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Colorado Country Life 17

Rick Simpson, (blue shirt) on the main street of Buckskin Joe’s, demonstrates how to draw a pistol Hollywood style to his young stars.

[continued from page 17]

played by Larry; and Cimarron Simmons, played by character actor Tom Ward. Their father, K.P. Simpson, had infected them with the acting bug when they were kids. From a second floor office over his western wear store in Enid, Oklahoma, K.P. hammered out scripts on an old manual typewriter from research notes made while visiting rural museums. He then badgered NBC’s Unsolved Mysteries to produce them as episodes for the network’s highly watched television program. For compensation, K.P. took small acting roles rather than cash. He was responsible for such Unsolved Mysteries episodes as those featuring the spiral staircase in Santa Fe, New Mexico; the possibility that Billy the Kid may have lived in Texas as Brushy Bill; and the kidnapping of 4-year-old Joan Croft as a tornado struck a small Oklahoma town. Two of them were later developed into full length films: Young Guns and CBS’s The Staircase. Rick and Larry acted as gofers on the Unsolved Mysteries sets, hammering props and getting coffee and snacks

18 Colorado Country Life FEBRUARY 2011

Character actor Tom Ward (right), as Cimarron Simmons, is the comic relief in all Simpson westerns.

for the crew. Deciding to use what they learned about filmmaking from this experience, they eventually poured nearly $150,000 into their first full length feature. Like most independent filmmakers, once they had finished the film, they couldn’t figure out what to do with it. Hollywood was running away from

westerns as fast as it could. Except for a few DVDs sold out of their father’s store, it appeared that the brothers’ film careers were over before they started. But they didn’t give up. Rick put out a series of small ads in western magazines to spark DVD sales, and by 2001, orders covered their production costs. The Simpson brothers then decided

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to make a second Western, Guns Along The Bravo. This time, they spread the word through their Oklahoma ranch connections requesting unpaid volunteers to help with everything from acting to props. The response was phenomenal. Within weeks, they had their cast, propmen, and locations. Oklahoma’s legendary Chain Ranch even offered the use of its cowboys, ranch and longhorns. The film turned a profit within 18 months. More importantly, it caught the eye of a European distributor who began selling their movies overseas. Profits convinced the Simpson brothers to give their westerns more attention, which meant finding better summer locations to shoot at. “The summers in Oklahoma are so hot, we had to wait for things to cool down before we could film, and that’s hard when you’re dealing with cast members who have other commitments,” Larry says. Forming Skeleton Creek Productions in 2003, the Simpson brothers set their third western, Showdown At Devil’s Butte, in Colorado as well as Oklahoma. This film had a paid cast, paid technical support and paid location setups. Rick had the movie marketed through western magazines, through agricultural retail outlets and in Europe. “That film was by far our biggest money-making movie,” Rick says with pride. The film did two things for the Simpson brothers. First of all, it got Hollywood to notice them. Old-time televison

western actors began contacting them, asking if they could be in their next project. And secondly, it led to the creation of the Stormy Lane Fan Club. “We had some grandparents visiting our store one day and they suggested we ought to start a fan club,” Rick says. Made up of children mostly ages 3 to 9, the fan club now has 2,300 members from 37 states. For a $6 annual fee, children receive a certificate, a fake bullet or arrowhead, and a Code of the West to live by. “We have one member who is 93 years old,” says Larry. Spurred on by the creation of the club, the Simpson brothers have continued to make movies. Peter Brown, the star of television show Laredo, was signed to be in their fourth western, Curse of the Sacred Mountain, mostly filmed in Colorado. “After that, Colorado always ended up having some of our location shooting,” Rick says. “We’ll be back filming, probably next summer. These kids are still very interested in the West.” And as long as they keep filming, Larry and Rick Simpson will be keeping the Old West alive in the hearts of the young and the young at heart. Mike Coppock grew up in western Oklahoma. His family made the Oklahoma land run, staking out their farm. He has been nominated twice for a Spur Award for his articles on the West.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF SKELETON CREEK PRODUCTIONS Driver, horse and buggy, are all donated by western Oklahoma’s Chain Ranch bring authenticity to a Simpson brothers film. The Simpson westerns rely on volunteers from across the West.

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Colorado Country Life 19

February Is Mardi Gras Spice up your menu with delicious tastes from New Orleans

BY LINH TRUONG

f you’ve ever eaten any New Orleans cooking, your mouth has probably already started to water at the mention of spicy, savory Cajun food. But if you’ve never had a proper taste of these distinctive, southern flavors, this Mardi Gras is a great time to try something new you’re sure to love. Celebrate with these recipes and more from www.experienceneworleans.com.

Shrimp and Andouille Sausage Gumbo 1/2 cup vegetable oil 1/2 cup all-purpose flour 4 stalks celery, chopped coarse 2 medium onions, chopped coarse 2 green bell peppers seeded, cored and chopped 2 bay leaves 2 teaspoons salt 2 teaspoons dried oregano, crumbled 1/2 teaspoon cayenne 40 ounces clam juice 28 ounces canned plum tomatoes, drained and chopped 1 pound smoked andouille sausage, halved lengthwise and cut into 1/4-inch slices 1/2 pound okra, trimmed and cut crosswise into 1/4-inch slices 2 pounds uncooked medium shrimp, peeled and deveined Cooked long grain rice 2 tomatoes, seeded and diced (optional) Parsley, chopped (optional) Heat the oil in a large Dutch oven over high heat until it is almost smoking. Add the flour and cook, stirring, until dark reddish brown (about 8 minutes). Add the celery, onions and bell peppers all at once. Cook 5 minutes, stirring and scraping the bottom of the pan. Mix in the bay leaves, salt, oregano and cayenne. Add the clam juice, canned plum tomatoes and sausage. Boil 15 minutes. Add the okra. Reduce heat. Simmer until the okra is tender (about 15 minutes). Then add the shrimp. Simmer until just cooked through (about 3 minutes). Ladle the gumbo into each soup bowl and mound rice on top of each bowl. Serve sprinkled with diced tomatoes and/ or parsley.

Cook Gumbo Slowly Like a stew, a good gumbo should be cooked uncovered over a slow heat for two to three hours. The process of cooking it slowly allows the flavors to mingle. If a gumbo is cooked too quickly with a temperature that is too high, the flavors will burn off. The gumbo can be made a day or two in advance to allow the flavors to develop. The flavors will balance as the gumbo sits in a refrigerator for a few days and is then reheated.

20 Colorado Country Life FEBRUARY 2011

Sue’s Honey Island Jambalaya 2 pounds Italian or green onion sausage, crumbled 3 packs frozen seasoning (bell pepper, onion, celery), chopped Garlic powder Worcestershire sauce 1-2 cans Ro*Tel tomatoes Chicken broth or stock 1-3 cups meat or shellfish 2-4 cups rice Sauté 2 pounds sausage in a large pan. Add frozen chopped seasoning. Brown together and skim off any excess grease. Season to taste with garlic powder or Tony Chachere’s Creole seasoning and Worcestershire sauce. Add canned tomatoes. Add chicken broth or stock to cover (about 3 inches above meat mixture). Cover and simmer a few minutes. Add any meat or shellfish as desired (shrimp, crawfish, turkey, chicken, etc.) Cover and simmer some more. Add 2 to 4 cups of rice, depending on how large your pot is. Cover and cook on high for 15 minutes or so; then turn down heat, stirring occasionally until tender.

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Bananas Foster from Brennanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s in New Orleans

(Serves 4)

Creole Madame (Makes 1 sandwich)

1 ciabatta roll 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard 6 slices shaved honey ham 1 ounce shredded cheese or cheese curd 2 slices tomato 1 bundle pea shoots or other sprout Cooking spray 1 tablespoon butter 1 egg Slice ciabatta roll in half and spread the Dijon mustard on the roll. Layer the ham on the roll. Next, spoon the cheese curd on top of the ham and lay one slice of tomato on each piece of bread. Top the tomatoes with the pea shoots and fold the two halves back together. Place the roll in a panini press sprayed with cooking spray and set on medium high. While the sandwich is heating through, heat a nonstick skillet over medium heat. Place one tablespoon of butter in the skillet. Once the butter has melted but not browned, crack the egg in the skillet and cook until medium. Remove the sandwich from the press and top with the fried egg. Serve warm. Recipe courtesy of Family Features

Note: Pea shoots are the young top leaves and tips of vines on a pea plant. They are usually sold in Asian markets or grocery stores. Cheese curds are small chunks of cheese solids that have been separated from the natural whey present in milk, but not yet pressed into molds to make cheese. They can be found at many grocery stores.

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1/4 cup (1/2 stick) butter 1 cup brown sugar 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon 1/4 cup banana liqueur 4 bananas, cut in half lengthwise, then halved 1/4 cup dark rum 4 scoops vanilla ice cream Combine the butter, sugar and cinnamon in a flambĂŠ pan or skillet. Place the pan over low heat either on an alcohol burner or on top of the stove and cook, stirring, until the sugar dissolves. Stir in the banana liqueur, then place the bananas in the pan. When the banana sections soften and begin to brown, carefully add the rum. Continue to cook the sauce until the rum is hot, then tip the pan slightly to ignite the rum. When the flames subside, lift the bananas out of the pan and place four pieces over each portion of ice cream.

Strawberry Beignets 5 quarts vegetable oil 1 cup water 1 cup milk 1 egg, beaten 3 cups all-purpose flour 2 tablespoons baking powder 1 teaspoon salt 2 teaspoons sugar Powdered sugar 1/2 cup sugar 3 pints strawberries Heat oil to 350 degrees in a deep fryer or pot. In a bowl, mix water, milk and beaten egg. In another bowl, combine flour, baking powder, salt and sugar. Combine dry and wet ingredients and mix well. Drop spoonfuls of the batter mixture into oil. When browned on one side, turn over until brown on other side, 3 1/2 to 4 minutes. Drain on a towel. Sprinkle with powdered sugar. Puree the strawberries with the sugar. Drizzle the strawberry sauce over the pastries.

F! or more Cajon recipes, visit our website at www.coloradocountrylife.coop. Click on Recipes.

FEBRUARY 2011

Colorado Country Life 21

Brighten up the winter landscape with little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium). This native xeric grass turns an impressive shade of mauve that nicely complements evergreens.

Miscanthus, although not as xeric as some would like, can be favorite grasses for this time of year (when not crushed by snow) for their grace, movement and flow in their fountain-like shape.

Dress Up Your Winter Garden Surprise your senses this time of year with color, texture and movement

here are so many options beyond the simple evergreen for enhancing the look and feel of your Colorado winter garden. Think about the added delight that can be provided by winter plants with form, texture and movement in what is typically regarded as a f lat, motionless time of year. Enter ornamental grasses, one of my favorite ways to dress up a winter landscape. They offer a seductive motion with their long tresses of blond leaves undulating in the chill breezes, while their tall, shapely figures contribute a vertical accent to the expansive drifts of horizontal plane. Beyond their aesthetic benefits, grasses also produce life-giving seed heads that provide a source of nutrition for birds in search of sustenance. In return, these plants only require being renewed late each winter — cut back to 6 inches from the ground — so that their new growth may start fresh, looking its best. A flattop haircut style is quick and easy with hedging shears and is an appearance that won’t last long; the new growth will fill in quickly come spring. Other appealing additions to a winter garden are shrubs and trees with interesting bark, such as ninebark (Physocarpus sp.), red twig dogwood (Cornus stolonifera), seven sons f lower (Heptacodium miconioides), American waxflower (Jamesia 22 Colorado Country Life FEBRUARY 2011

Yarrow (Achillea millefolium) provides seed heads for winter birds.

americana), birch (Betula sp.) and, of course, aspen (Populus tremuloides). These welladapted species add texture and contrast. I personally think there are few sights better in the winter here than the intensely red twigs of the dogwood showcased by the shocking white of new fallen snow brought alive by that crisp, deep blue winter sky. Seed heads also contribute textural interest. Consider growing blue mist spirea (Caryopteris sp.), “Autumn Joy” sedum (Hylotelephium spectabile), rue (Ruta graveolens) or yarrow (Achillea millefolium). Note that these seed

BY EVE GILMORE

heads must be preserved in the tidy gardener’s fall rampage of garden cleanup, as they can easily fall victim to an accidental uprooting. Also note that Caryopteris tends to be invasive in some (especially generously watered) gardens. If this is the case in your garden, you will want to deadhead it before it has a chance to go to seed, sacrificing its cold season beauty. Form may be found in shapely branching patterns. To add a natural, sculptural shape to your garden, consider New Mexico privet (Forestiera neomexicana) or Agave (Agave sp.), the leaves and flowering stalk of which (only once, at the end of its life) are uniquely sculptural. Or try hawthorn (Crataegus sp.) or weeping varieties of trees and shrubs like “Twisty Baby” locust (Robinia pseudoacacia) and Corkscrew willow (Salix sp.). With so many qualified options, there is really no reason for you to be uninspired by your winter scenery. Take note now of what you’d like to see where, and come spring, try spicing up your landscaping by adding motion, texture or form to increase the beauty of the scene you see through your frosted windowpanes next year. Eve Gilmore is a garden coach, consultant and designer with Gardens by Eve, LLC in Durango, Colorado. For more tips and discussion check out her blog at www.xeriscapegardens.com. WWW.COLORADOCOUNTRYLIFE.COOP

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Colorado Country Life 23

Modern Ice Fishing It’s no longer a sport just for the die-hard, well-insulated, old-school enthusiasts BY DENNIS SMITH

he ice fishing season got off to a slow start in Colorado this winter due chiefly to the balmy weather we had through most of December, but the weeklong blast of arctic air that swept the state right after Christmas finally nudged reluctant “coldfooters” into action. Anxious to be fishing but concerned about safe ice, many anglers held off until the reports of 6-inch ice and big fish started rolling in from Lake John, Delaney Buttes, Antero Reservoir and other high-country lakes. While much of ice fishing remains centered on staring at a hole in the ice waiting for a fish to bite, modern hard water anglers go about it in a considerably grander fashion than their predecessors did only a few decades ago. Like so much else in the 21st century, this primitive sport has gone high-tech. The difference in tackle and equipment used by today’s ice fishermen and that of their recent ancestors is remarkable. Not so long ago, ice anglers used a 6-foot steel pole with a sharpened chisel head welded to one end to “spud” a hole in

the ice. A big man with a sharp spud and a bundle of energy could chisel a 10-inch diameter hole through 2 feet of ice and be fishing within 15 minutes or so. Maybe. Today, motor-driven power augers can drill that same hole in about the time it takes to read this sentence. And you don’t have to be Godzilla to run one. More holes, less effort, more time to fish. Likewise, “old school” ice fishermen would clip a heavy weight to their line, drop it through the hole to measure water depth and adjust their baits accordingly. That primitive but effective little technique has been replaced by an astonishing variety of portable electronic sonar devices that simultaneously measure water depth, show the fisherman’s lure in relation to the bottom and alert the angler to approaching fish — all re-created visually or audibly either on a liquid crystal display or the dial of a high-speed, color-coded flasher. Some units read through the ice and mark water depth without even drilling a hole. Taking the electronic approach one step further, underwater television cameras scout for fish under the ice in a 360-degree circle around the hole. They’re not only effective; they’re entertaining as well. Carbon fiber ice rods and fluoro-carbon monofilaments have replaced the homemade jig sticks and linen hand lines of yesteryear. The assortment of jigs, f lies, bobbers and other ice fishingrelated gadgetry available in tackle shops staggers the imagination. And all of this winter fishing can be done “inside.” Modern ice shelters weigh less than a quarter of the 100-pound behemoths used less than a decade ago and pop up in mere seconds. So, kicking back in a hut warmed by a miniature heater, sipping a cup of coffee freshly brewed on a Jetboil stove can make staring at that ice hole seem almost as comfortable as a day at the beach … almost.

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24 Colorado Country Life FEBRUARY 2011

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Get Your Ducts in a Row Check your home heating system to see if it needs cleaning for better efficiency BY JAMES DULLEY

oes cleaning air ducts really increase air quality in a home? What are the signs that ducts need to be cleaned? If they need cleaning, how does the process work and who should do the job?

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PHOTO COURTESY WIDMERS CLEANERS

Healthy indoor air should be a goal for any family. This is particularly true in today’s more energy-efficient, airtight houses where the air quality is often worse than outdoor air. In addition to some dust from the ducts, there are many sources of indoor pollutants, including cleaning, cooking and outgassing from synthetic materials. Many of these can be removed from indoor air with a combination of whole-house, furnace-mounted air cleaners and smaller individual room air cleaners. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, much of the dust in heating and air-conditioning ducts tends to adhere to the duct surface and never gets into the indoor air circulating throughout the house. In other words, just because some dust collects on the grill over air registers in your home does not necessarily mean the ducts are dirty and need to be cleaned. However, sometimes more than just a benign, fine layer of household dust can reside inside of the ducts. Bacteria can often live in some ducts under certain conditions. Also, very fine particles, from cigarettes or wood-burning fireplaces, can become airborne and cause respiratory problems. Test kits are available that allow you to take a sample of the dust from inside the ducts and have the sample tested for mold and other potentially harmful contaminants. Although it is commonly referred to as “duct cleaning,” a true air system cleaning will need to have the entire heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) system cleaned. This includes the furnace and air conditioner blower, heat exchanger and coils and drain pans in addition to the ductwork. Air conditioner evaporator coils can collect a lot of dirt because they get damp when the unit is running. Dust in the air sticks to the wet surfaces. This

A long vacuum hose is inserted into the wall return duct to clean the air duct. It is connected to an indoor vacuum unit with a HEPA exhaust filter.

reduces the energy efficiency of the entire system, as well as the health of the air. If the contractor who services the HVAC system also does duct cleaning, a discount may be offered for having the service and cleaning done at the same time. The typical cost for a complete cleaning ranges from about $500 to $1,000, depending on the size of the home and the complexity of the duct system. It is a good idea to have the duct system inspected before going to the full expense of a cleaning. Look for a company that will deduct the inspection cost from the total project cost should you choose to have it cleaned. Technicians conduct the inspection by looking into ducts and the furnace blower unit and using mirrors at bends. They can also move a mini television camera through the ducts. When selecting a duct-cleaning company, there are several factors to consider. As with any project, the reputation of the company is highly important. Although the ducts can be inspected afterward to see how well they have been cleaned, your best assurance is to start with a reliable contractor. Always check references with past customers. The National Air Duct Cleaning Association is the trade group that certifies HVAC system cleaning contractors. The certification is legitimate and requires extensive training. For a company to be certified, it must have a certified special-

ist on staff. Find a national listing of certified companies, along with its number of specialists, at www.nadca.com. Also, when selecting a contractor, ask about the type of cleaning equipment each uses. If an indoor vacuum unit is used, it must have a high-efficiency particulate air, or HEPA, filter on the exhaust to trap all the particles. Some of the particles dislodge from the duct walls can be extremely fine, and a lesser quality filter will not remove them from the exhaust air. Another option is an outdoor truck with a built-in vacuum unit and a long hose. Because it is located outdoors, the exhaust filter is not critical. These large vacuums are powerful in order to overcome the airflow resistance in the long hose. Their only downside is that during the winter they suck the heated air out of the house during the cleaning process. Some duct-cleaning companies may suggest spraying a chemical biocide inside the ducts to kill mold and bacteria and to keep them from growing in the future. If opting to have this procedure done, make sure they use EPA-approved chemicals designated for sheet metal ducts. Questions? Send inquiries to: James Dulley, Colorado Country Life, 6906 Royalgreen Dr., Cincinnati, OH 45244 or visit www.dulley.com.

!!For more information on energy saving ideas, visit www.coloradocountrylife.coop and click on Energy Tips.

FEBRUARY 2011

Colorado Country Life 25

MARKETPLACE

Colorado Electric Cooperatives

26 Colorado Country Life FEBRUARY 2011

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MARKETPLACE

A Different World BY JANE AMBROSE MORTON

Before big ag conglomerates or online cattle sales, each family ranch had horses, cows and their own ranching tales.

FOLLOW CCL ON FACEBOOK AND WIN PRIZES.

Machines are making inroads now; horse jobs have been downsized. Folks round up cows on ATVs; data’s computerized. Our global trades are taking place on Internet TV. No need for livestock auction barns, where grandchildren can see. So if one day computers crash, wreak havoc with our lives, how will we pass on memories recorded on those drives? — Reprinted from Western Poetry in this Land of Little Rain

This book is available at 480-984-8856 or dickandjane2earthlink.net

Place an ad in Market Place and watch your business grow. Call Kris at 303-902-7276. WWW.COLORADOCOUNTRYLIFE.COOP

FEBRUARY 2011

Colorado Country Life 27

TO PLACE A CLASSIFIED AD Please type or print your ad on a separate paper. Indicate how many months you would like your ad to run and which month to start. There is a minimum of 12 words at $1.63 per word/month. Be sure to include your full name and address for our records. Check MUST accompany this order or call to pay with a credit card. Send your ad to: Mail: Colorado Country Life 5400 N. Washington Street, Denver, CO 80216 Phone: 303-902-7276 fax: 303-455-2807 Email: classifieds@coloradocountrylife.org

ANTIQUES

BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES

CHAIR CANING, hand caning, machine caning, fiber rush caning. Pueblo West, 719-5470723. chaanita@aculink.net. (858-10-11)

(These opportunities have not been investigated by Colorado Country Life.)

COMPLETE RESTORATION of antique woodburning stoves. Some parts available. Free estimates. 719-924-9192. (874-02-11)

ANTLERS ANTLER CHANDELIERS made only from REAL antlers. We are the manufacturer and we sell all of our products at wholesale prices; save as much as 60% from store prices. Many other antler products and mounts, including 5’ Moose Mount, 56” Elk Mount and giant Moose Paddles. Showroom open May 15 through October 15 in Granby, CO. 15 years at this location, over 900 satisfied customers! 970-627-3053. (105-12-11)

BOOKS LET US PUBLISH your book! We can take your manuscript, design a cover, edit and format it, and print it. Check us out. Personalized service is our specialty. 719-749-2126. www. peakvistapress.com (93303-11) NEED A SPRING GIFT idea? Valentine’s Day memento? Something to enliven the season? Check out Colorado’s Rodeo Roots to Modern-Day Cowboys. This is a book about the Wild West. It can be yours for only $25. Call 303-455-4111 to order one today. (106-12-11)

BEGIN YOUR OWN BUSINESS! Mia Bella Candles/Gifts/ Beauty. Try the best! www. naturesbest.scent-team.com. Free weekly drawing. Great income potential. (831-02-11) INSTANTLY RENEW METAL, rubber, flat roofs. Saves replacement. E-mail azteccollc @socket.net, 573-489-9346. (856-08-11) K-LAWN – LAWN FERTILIZING business opportunity. Parttime seasonal work. Be your own boss. NOT a franchise. It’s YOUR business! Training by turf professionals. Superior quality products. Protected territory. Low startup costs. www.k-lawn.com. 800-4459116 (914-03-11) LEGITIMATE WORK AT HOME opportunity. No sales. No investment. No risk. Training/ website provided. Weekly/ monthly income plus bonuses and benefits. Call Carrie at 303-579-4207 or fill out form at www.workathomeunited.com/ ourabundance (932-03-11)

CARS/TRUCKS/BOATS

FREE

POULTRY/GAMEBIRDS

1985 CADILLAC ELDORADO Barritz Conv., mint condition, collector’s dream, $15K, 970-522-4600 (899-02-11)

FREE BOOKS/DVDS. Soon the “Mark of the Beast” will be enforced as Church and State unite! Let the Bible reveal. The Bible Says, POB 99, Lenoir City, TN 37771. thebible saystruth@yahoo.com, 888211-1715. (814-04-11)

FREE – 5 EXOTIC CHICKS or 3 ducks with 100 frypan special @ $35.95 plus shipping. Also Cornish Cross, standard breeds, fancy chicks, ducks, geese, turkeys, bantams, guineas, pheasants, quail, supplies, video. FREE COLOR CATALOG 417-532-4581. Cackle Hatchery – PO Box 529, Lebanon, MO 65536. www.cacklehatchery. com. (876-07-11)

1995-2010 — SUBARUS, Foresters, Outbacks, Imprezas, WRXs and Tribecas! Great Prices! One-Year Warranty! Dealer: 719-510-2212 or 303-870-2212. (574-02-11) 2005 40 FT. ALFA GOLD motorhome, diesel, loaded, 2 slides, non-smokers, new $400K, now $145K, 970-522-4600 (899-02-11)

CLOCK REPAIR & RESTORATION DURANGO AREA. CLOCKS of all kinds repaired. Antique and modern. Call Robert 970-2477729. (109-03-11)

DIET FOOD DISCOUNT DIET FOOD. Highest quality, lowest prices. Our plan or yours. Diethighprotein. com. (763-06-11)

FARM MACHINERY & PARTS SAWMILL EXCHANGE: North America’s largest source of used portable sawmills and commercial equipment for woodlot owners and sawmill operations. Over 800 listings. THE place to sell equipment. 800-459-2148 www.saw millexchange.com. (267-03-11)

FINANCIAL SERVICES Great rates on mobile/ modular home insurance, auto, motorcycle. Colorado licensed agent. Dennis 719-641-6713 (905-05-11)

MAKE MONEY PLAYING THE LOTTERY. Guaranteed system. FREE report. Call toll-free 1-877-526-6957 ID# S4465 or visit our website — www.flalottomagic.net/?S4465 (911-04-11)

FOR SALE

PIANO TUNING PAYS. Learn with American School homestudy course. Tools included. Call for info. 800-497-9793. (158-14-10)

WORK CLOTHES – good clean rental type, 6 pants and 6 shirts $44.95. Lined work jackets $10.95. Denim Jeans $6.00. Call 1-800-233-1853. www.usedworkclothing.com. 100% satisfaction guaranteed. (610-04-11)

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28 Colorado Country Life FEBRUARY 2011

HEAVY DUTY CATTLEPENS. Portable or Permanent; 32x45 working pen w/ 16’ crowding tub, $3,015. Call Kenneth 580876-3699, www.cccattle equipment.com. (882-05-11)

HEALTH AMERICA’S LARGEST naturalremedies encyclopedia. Covers 11,000 inexpensive home remedies, 730 diseases and disorders. 970-946-9706. (944-03-11)

HELP WANTED $400 WEEKLY ASSEMBLING PRODUCTS FROM HOME. For free information, send SASE: Home Assembly – CC, PO Box 450, New Britain, CT 060500450. EARN $60,000/yr PART-TIME in the livestock or equipment appraisal business. Agricultural background required. Classroom or home study courses available. 800-4887570. www.amagappraisers. com (935-05-11)

HOBBIES & CRAFTS AWARD WINNING LONG-ARM QUILTING — reasonable rates, quick turnaround. Karen Niemi, 303-470-9309, http://creative. stitching.home.comcast.net, creative.stitching@comcast.net (846-08-12) SPINNING, WEAVING, KNITTING, crochet, felting, dyeing, books, patterns, classes. Table Rock Llamas Fiber Arts Studio, 6520 Shoup Road, Colorado Springs, CO 80908, 866-4957747. (791-03-11)

MISCELLANEOUS PUT YOUR OLD HOME MOVIES, slides or photos on DVD. 888609-9778 or www.transferguy. com. (465-12alt-11)

REAL ESTATE 35-ACRE PARCELS, overlooking North Sterling Reservoir, ideal for custom home, exc. hunting, 970-522-4600. (899-02-11) BUSY, FULL SERVICE, AUTO REPAIR workshop in SW Colorado. Est. 35 yrs. Owner retiring and may carry. 6 bays, paint booth, and offices. Little competition. 1-970-563-4500. Please ask for Joyce. (942-05-11) COMMERCIAL LAND 1-25 Exit 106 north of Pueblo. 17.5 acres, 1/4 mile frontage on west side of I-25. Great location. Some owner financing. Additional properties available. Call Fran at ERA Herman Group Real Estate 719-251-4038. (945-04-11) FT. COLLINS EQUESTRIAN ESTATE. 8720 sq. ft. home on 35 acres with lakefront, mtn. views, trees, barns, steel fencing, arena… www.obeo. com/637253 or call John Stegner 970-412-1657 or email jfstegner@msn.com (93704-11) LAND WANTED — large land buyer looking to purchase 500-20,000 acres in Colorado. Will consider bail outs, foreclosures, joint ventures, condo/commercial projects. Will close quickly. Call Joe @ Red Creek Land 719-543-6663. (648-02-11) WINTER PARK AREA. Unbelievable horse property. 12-stall barn, foaling apartment, 2400 sq. ft. home, 10 fenced acres. Ride to national forest. $777,000. OWNER FINANCING. www.gingeryinfo.com, 970-5315050 (934-03-11)

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RELIGION

VACATION RENTAL

WANTED TO BUY

BECOME AN ORDAINED Minister by correspondence study. Founded in 1988. Free info. Ministers for Christ Outreach, PMB 207, 7549 W. Cactus, #104, Peoria, AZ 85381. http://www.ordination.org. (44106-11)

KAUAI VACATION RENTAL, 2bdr, full kitchen. Minutes from beaches. $600/wk. 808-245-6500; makana crest.com; kauaiweddings.com. (756-05-11)

OLD POCKET WATCHES – working or non-working and old repair material. Bob 719-859-4209 watchdoctor@hotmail.com. (87006-12)

WANTED TO BUY

OLD TRACTORS that don’t run. Jerry Browne, 2707 Weld Co. Rd. 19, Fort Lupton, CO 80621. 303-659-7026. (220-04-11)

We had no idea, so my husband said, “I think I will marinate them.” With gusto in his voice, my 4-year-old looked up at him and said, “Them mares ain’t going to eat them.” Monica Halde, Cheyenne Wells

THREE shares of CBT. Call Water Colorado 970-493-4227. (94302-11)

We were getting ready for a benefit dance when I

SPECIAL SERVICES CHIMNEY CLEANING. Gas, wood, and pellet stove installations/ service. Factory trained. Serving Custer and Fremont County. 719942-3880 (929-02-11) LAKE OR POND? Aeration is your 1st step toward improved water quality. Complete systems $199 to $369!! Waterfall? 7,000 gph super Hi-Efficiency waterfall pump, just 3 amps! $399.99! www.fishpondaerator.com, 608254-2735. (879-12-11)

TICKETS NFR & PBR RODEO TICKETS – Las Vegas. All seating levels available. Call 1-888-NFR-rodeo (1-888637-7633) or www.NFR-Rodeo. com. *BBB Member; Since 1990. (912-11-11)

VACATION RENTAL HIDEAWAY CHALET vacation home in Winter Park. Sleeps 6. Close to town. No smoking. No pets. Free front door shuttle. Call Judy 847392-9713. (941-03-11)

I WILL BUY YOUR German daggers, helmets and other military items. Don Simmons, PO Box 4734, Springfield, MO 65808, 417-8815645. DSimmons@corpranet.net. (470-06-11) NAVAJO RUGS, old and recent, native baskets, pottery. Tribal Rugs, Salida. 719-539-5363, b_inaz@ hotmail.com. (817-04-11) OLD CARS. PRE 1970. Prefer complete cars. Not running okay. 970-565-2653 after 3pm. (94002-11) OLD COLO. LIVESTOCK Brand Books prior to 1950. Call Wes 303757-8553. (889-03-11) OLD COWBOY STUFF–hats, boots, spurs, chaps, Indian rugs, baskets, etc. ANYTHING OLD! Mining & railroad memorabilia, ore carts! We buy whole estates. We’ll come to you! Call 970-759-3455 or 970565-1256. (871-05-11) OLD GAS AND OIL items: Gas pumps, advertising signs, globes, etc. Pieces, parts, etc. considered. Also 1932-34 Ford cars and trucks, parts and pieces too. Any condition. Brandon, 719-250-5721. (519-11-11)

WANT TO PURCHASE mineral and other oil/gas interests. Send details to: PO Box 13557, Denver, CO 80201. (402-02-11) WANTED: JEEP CJ OR WRANGLER. Reasonably priced. No rust buckets. 888-735-5337. (227-09-11) WE PAY CASH FOR minerals and oil/gas interests, producing and nonproducing. 800-733-8122. (227-09-11)

WEDDINGS DO YOU WANT TO CREATE a magical, romantic, unforgettable wedding on the beach? The NEW Beach Wedding Planning Guide and Workbook shows you how. Download now at www.BeachWedding Magic.com. (106-12-11)

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Since all of my children were little, I have owned and raised horses. One day, when my youngest son was 4 years old, my oldest son brought us home plenty of pheasants. With gun in hand, he asked, “How should we cook them?”

asked my 4-year-old son if he was going to dance with a young girl named Amanda. He replied, “Sure.” Then I asked him if he was going to dance with Amanda’s younger sister, Shayla. He again said, “Sure.” Finally, I asked him if he was going to dance with Melissa. He looked at me straight in the eye and said, “Mom, I only have two hands.” Heidie Marriott, Kit Carson

My 5-year-old son, Ezekiel, and I were sitting at the table eating dinner last night, and out of the blue he starts talking about chicken spots (which I began to understand were chicken pox) .Then he said, “Man, I bet those chicken spots sure do hurt.” “Yes, they do,” I said. “Why do you think they hurt?” He answered, rather excitedly, “Because those chickens start peckin’ ya and you’re left with all those scabs!” K atie Harrington, Englewood

I was standing in the customer service line at Walmart today with my 8-year-old daughter, Kayla. A young lady in front of us purchased a $300 money order. She pulled lots of cash from her pocket, which included two $100 bills. My daughter was watching her closely and was in awe of all the cash this young lady had. Kayla said to me, “She’s lucky. She must have lots of grandmas!” Barb Wanderlingh, Sheridan Lake

A Scottish friend of mine has a granddaughter

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who lives in Scotland and recently started kindergarten. She was so excited to tell her granny all about her first day: who she sat beside, what the teacher said, what the other kids said, etc. She ended the recital by saying, “And do you know what, granny? I’m the bonniest lassie in the class.” “Are you?” responded Granny. “Who told you that?” “No-o-o-o-o-body,” replied the grandchild. “I just looked round about me.” Miriam Traynor, Monument We pay for funny stories. Email to funnystories@colorado countrylife.org.

FEBRUARY 2011

Colorado Country Life 29

In the Footsteps of the Famous FIND YOUR WAY

id you ever want to step behind the silver screen to find yourself in a movie with your favorite stars? “Filmed in Colorado” tours, offered by Colorado Tourism, get you as close as you’ll ever be. These tours allow you to visit the shooting locations of some of the hundreds of movies that have been filmed in Colorado, as well as restaurants, hotels and resorts also enjoyed by famous film icons. Custom maps and special packages are available for some of Colorado’s more illustrious films. Learn more about how you can walk in the footsteps of the stars by visiting www.colorado.com/SeeFilmedIn Colorado.aspx.

TO FASCINATING FILM FESTIVALS

f your appetite for some good film has been whetted by our articles this month, check out these film festivals coming to a Colorado town near you: Durango Independent Film Festival March 2-6 in Durango Contact: Joanie Fraughton, 970-375-7779 Vail Film Festival March 31-April 4 in Vail Contact: Sean Cross, 970-476-1092

HOLDING ON TO OUR PRECIOUS PAST

ithout anyone to pass on the memories, the history of a place and its people can easily fade into obscurity. Luckily for Colorado’s Black Forest area, its residents are determined to remember the past. They produced a 45-minute DVD full of images and narration that record the early years of the town’s existence. Names, stories and pictures that would otherwise be forgotten make this film a priceless treasure. DVDs are available from Terry Stokka by calling 719-495-0895 or by email at tstokka@juno.com.

Filming the Heart of the West

rom Union Station to Colfax, from Aspen to the indomitable life of Molly Brown, the stories of the West have been captured through the lenses of the Havey Productions team in its films and photography. Jim and Charlotte Havey began the company in Denver in 1979 and have been producing quality documentaries, promotional media and gorgeous photos ever since. If you need to be reminded of just how lucky you are to live in Colorado, take a look at some of the projects Havey Productions has posted on their website, www.haveypro. com. You won’t be disappointed.

Indie Spirit Film Festival April 14-17 in Colorado Springs Contact: Chris Loud, 719-502-7057 Silver Spoon Film Festival April 16 in Loveland Contact: Jenni Dobson, 970-962-2562 5 Point Film Festival April 28-May 1 in Carbondale Contact: Julie Kennedy, 970-963-2188 Mountain Film in Telluride May 27-30 in Telluride Contact: Peter Kenworthy, 970-728-4123 ext. 10 Breckenridge Film Festival June 12 in Breckenridge Contact: Dawna Foxx, 970-453-6200 Film Festival of Colorado June 23-26 in Denver Contact: http://thefilmfestivalofcolorado.org Gilpin County Film Festival July 30 in Central City Contact: Kerri Atter, 303-722-2850 Estes Park Film Festival September 16-18 in Estes Park Contact: info@estesparkfilm.com or 970-231-2580

!!Enter to win a movie night — a package that includes family movie package and movie munchies. Visit our website at www.coloradocountrylife.coop and click on Contests. Deadline is February 15. We will also be giving away romance and western movies during February. You’ll find us at www.facebook.com/COCountryLife.

30 Colorado Country Life FEBRUARY 2011