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RAPTOR RUN 3 | AG SUMMIT 10 | PUEBLO WEST CHAMBER 20 | MEN’S LACROSSE 24

Vol. 3 No. 2

FEBRUARY 2, 2024

• DIG DEEPER •

Grow & Prosper with SBDC

PSJ launches small business column, spotlights youth mentorship organization

By Catherine O’Grady SoCo SBDC Education and Specialty Projects Coordinator

hat is so special about small businesses? According to the Colorado Chamber of Commerce Annual Report, there are approximately 691,230 small businesses in Colorado, making up 99.5% of all businesses in Colorado. These businesses employ an estimated 1.2 million workers. Proving, undeniably, that small businesses are important to our economy. But is that what makes them special? Is that why we skip the convenience of a box store or pay a little more from the shop down the street than online? Certainly, those reasons are part of it. But when it all boils down, isn’t it also about fostering a sense of connection, instilling community pride and embracing the heartfelt essence that small businesses bring to our lives? On this note, it is with much pleasure and pride, that the Southern Colorado Small Business Development Center has the opportunity to use this space to bring a little entrepreneurial advice, inspiration and introduce you to some of the amazing small businesses we have in Southern Colorado. Meet Jace’s Place: In every endeavor, every step taken and every life touched through Jace’s Place, owners Monica and Mark Martinez honor the memory of their beloved son, Jace Anthony Martinez, who died of a rare metabolic genetic disorder, called Methylmalonic Acidemia Cobalamin C (MMA Cbl C), at 1 years old. The parents have dedicated this endeavor to their child: “This business is our son’s legacy.” It is an affirmation said with unwavering determination and heartfelt conviction. Losing Jace became the catalyst for Monica and Mark to channel their immense

Photos courtesy of Jace’s Place

Owners Monica and Mark Martinez, started the youth mentoship organization, Jace’s Place, in honor of their son. The Southern Colorado Small Business Development Center chose Jace’s Place the first business to spotlight in its new column, “Grow & Prosper.” Photos courtesy of Jace’s Place.

GROW & PROSPER continued on page 6

‘VOICES OF PUEBLO’ PODCAST SPOTLIGHT: ‘LA PURA VERDAD’

FULL STORY ON PAGE 8

family of split Mexican and Puerto Rican heritage. Ana came up with the podcast name as they set out to share their truth. The podcast is focused on “machismo” which is evocative of the role prideful-to-toxic masculinity has within Hispanic culture. Together, as two women, Angelika and Ana grapple with the things they saw growing up and how to move forward together. ...

FEBRUARY 2, 2024

he sun rose while two bald eagles sunned themselves atop tall cottonwood trees right across the Arkansas River, almost like they were commemorating the run happening below. As participants started to arrive, stretch and warm up for the race, conversation buzzed with admiration for the beautiful birds. “Did you see them? Right over there!” was frequently heard, setting the tone for an exciting day. After weeks of steady preparation, on Jan. 20, the 12th—and final—Raptor Resolution Run kicked off at the Nature & Wildlife Discovery Center’s River campus. The NWDC welcomed 128 participants, an alltime high for the event. Of those 128, 80 participated in the 5-mile race and 48 participated in the 2-mile walk. The Southern Colorado Runners, a nonprofit organization, set up the start line, finish line and the timing and results system as we all gathered in the main parking lot to kick off the race. It was great to see so many folks wearing the official blue 2024 race T-shirt! Jay Zarr and Ron Dehn, who first came up with the idea for the Raptor Resolution Run 12 years ago and have generously coordinated the event with the NWDC ever since, both

took a moment to express their appreciation to everyone who has attended over the years. The NWDC Executive Director Taylor Driver thanked them for their long-lasting support. Then, we kicked things off with a raptor release. Raptor Center DirecJenn de Groot tor Diana Miller drew a NWDC Sales & Marketing beautiful red-tailed hawk Director out from a portable carrier and held it up for all to see. She shared how the hawk had been admitted to our care as an injured juvenile, and then nursed back to health by our compassionate team. Next, we did a drawing, and one lucky participant was chosen to perform the release. Miller gave him gloves and showed him how to hold the bird properly, and everyone got as close as space allowed to snap some photos. Then he tossed it up and out, and it took to the air, flapping away to rest in a nearby tree. I think the bird needed a minute to make sense of all the attention it had just received! Finally, with the squeak of a rubber chicken (what

Photo courtesy of Jenn de Groot

GUEST COLUMN

better way?), the race began, and the 5-mile runners were off! The 2-mile walkers followed right behind. The out-and-back course wound along the Arkansas River, on the scenic paved trail west of the River campus, taking participants past picturesque fishing ponds towards Lake Pueblo, before turning around to head back. As the rest of the runners and walkers finished the course, everyone gathered in our Riverfront Room to enjoy delicious breakfast burritos, coffee and other refreshments, alongside some raptor presentations featuring a few of the birds that are permanent residents at our Raptor Center. Participant Betsy Goodwin said, “My favorite part was the camaraderie and food after the event. Also, watching the Red-tailed hawk being released, and the Peregrine falcon that was shown.” The sun began to shine, bringing warmer temperatures as we moved over to the River Deck for the prize ceremony, NWDC board member Adam Davidson acted as the master of ceremonies. Participants who won overall titles or placed in age categories were awarded commemorative Raptor Resolution Run mugs, cozy forest-green NWDC beanies and an assortment of NWDC gift certifi-

FEBRUARY 2, 2024

Raptors fly, runners race

Nature & Wildlife Discovery Center hosts final run at river campus after 12 years

RAPTOR RUN continued on page 4

Board of Directors: Gregory Howell, Kennedy Pugh, Chantal Woodyard, Leslie Nazario Advisory Board: Nicki Hart, Susan Wolf, Caroline Trani, Jayson Peters

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News content, sports & podcast manager: Ben Cason Arts & News editor: Rory Harbert Contributors: Cat O’Grady, Jenn de Groot, Kristin Skye Hoffmann, Rachel Kutskill, Gary Markstein, Jocelyn Martinez, Megan Moore, Amy Gillentine Sweet Special thanks to: Al “Pama” Maisel, Creative Consortium of Pueblo, CSU Extension Office, Fit Instincts, Karmic Konnection, Katie Farmer, Mt. Carmel Veterans Service Center, Photography by Lyss, Pueblo County Historical Society, Rocky Mountain Realty, SRDA, Sure-Lock Locksmith, Visit Pueblo Looking for a meaningful cause to round out your charitable contributions for the tax year? Look no further than the Pueblo Star Journal and support local news. Rational Media Ltd dba Pueblo Star Journal is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Make your donation by Dec. 31 to ensure that it can be deducted from this year’s taxes. EIN: ‍87-2723921 | Pueblo, CO, United States. Send donation checks to: Pueblo Star Journal 301 N Main St, Suite 101 Pueblo CO 81003.

Illustration by Gary Markstein.

or donate online: PuebloStarJournal.org/Donate

Photos by Jenn de Groot

FEBRUARY 2, 2024

RAPTOR RUN continued from page 3

cates. Participant Lori Gregory said: “This was my first event since I had covid in 2020. It was so wonderful to be part of this and see so many familiar faces. I enjoyed it all but especially seeing the raptor release and the walk by the river.” It made me so happy to hand out the swag and see the joy on everyone’s faces. It was especially nice to see those who I recognized from last year’s Run, or from other community races that I have helped coordinate before I joined the NWDC team (State Fair Stampede, anybody?). I want to extend my sincere gratitude to everyone who came out to run, walk, volunteer, and support NWDC’s Raptor Center this year, especially Jay, Ron, and the Southern Colorado Runners. Although this was indeed our 12th and final Raptor Resolution Run, please stay tuned as NWDC works to bring more amazing community events and good causes to you in the future!

Temperatures were in the mid-thirties for most of the morning, and that only seemed to add speed to the heels of the runners. Harrison Walter (pictured, closest rightside photo) clocked in at 31:39 (pace - 6:20/ mile), winning the title of First Place Male Overall Runner. Jessy Narimanov (pictured, furtherest rightside photo) was right behind, coming in at 33:25 (pace - 6:41/mile) to claim the title of First Place Female Overall Runner. Photos by Jenn de Groot.

The Pueblo Star Journal invites you to support

2024

Southeastern Regional Colorado’s

HISTORY DAY

How can you help? • VOLUNTEER: Become a Judge by attending a training. Dates: Feb. 24 | Mar. 2

• SPONSOR AN AWARD:

Offer participating students another way to shine alongside other community sponsors.

MARCH 16 | CSU PUEBLO 4

• MAKE A DONATION: Help keep registration fees down by contributing!

info: schistoryday.wordpress.com/resources nhdc.pueblo@gmail.com

By Rory Harbert

nce a Coloradoan has been accepted into the state’s health coverage programs, some members can be automatically renewed. Other members need to go through the renewal process. Automatic renewal is determined by the programs, without intervention of the qualified members, with information considered up to date.

How to find your renewal date • • •

Online: co.gov/PEAK In-app: Or download and the Health First Colorado app In-person: at the local county human services office (Pueblo County’s office: 320 West 10th St.)

If you are auto-renewed

Members receive a letter several weeks before their renewal deadline confirming that health coverage has been renewed. An additional letter post-renewal may come in asking if the income information is correct. A response is required to this letter to continue qualifying for coverage.

If you are not auto-renewed

To continue receiving coverage, if qualified, these members must go through the renewal process. This renewal process is to update income information and determine qualification for state coverage. A renewal packet will come in the mail and be accessible online at co.gov/PEAK. This arrives about 60-70 days before the renewal deadline. Members called for renewal will receive reminders via mail or, if signed up for electronic notifications, through email, text or push notifications via the Health First Colorado app. Members can complete their renewal packet online at co.gov/ PEAK or on the Health First Colorado app. Alternatively, members who opt for nonelectronic submissions, may complete, sign and mail, fax or deliver the renewal packet to the local county human services department by the renewal deadline. Pueblo county’s office is located at 320 West 10th St.

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uring the pandemic, Colorado saw a 37% increase in enrollment for the state’s Medicaid program, called Health First Colorado. Unemployment in Colorado meant that many residents lost their employer-sponsored health insurance. With COVID-19 being declared as a public health emergency meant that, in addition to this coverage, members did not have to verify eligibility for three years. Now, the public health emergency has ended and the federal government has required all states to resume eligibility renewals. Members were not renewed all at once. The eligibility requirements were reinstated in May of last year, and the renewal periods are based off of the month coverage began for each member. The 1 in 4 Coloradoans that were insured through Health First Colorado and Child Health Plan Plus during this emergency, but specifically the 456,000 Coloradoans that were newly enrolled due to the effects of the pandemic, may have either become accustomed to not renewing their enrollment in these programs or have not renewed before and may not be aware that this is a requirement for members that are not automatically renewed. As well, many enrolled members may have moved, but did not update their address in the Health First or Child Health Plan Plus system and have not received a renewal packet. This raises the concern—for Pueblo’s Health Colorado’s team, in particular— that members may be receiving eligibility renewal packets in the mail or in the Health First app but not returning them. This results in a loss of coverage, which, according to the team, is often not brought to their attention until these former members need to see their doctor or fill a prescription. The team stated in an email: “We need to increase awareness, so people understand the need to complete their renewal information to remain covered (if they are still eligible)—and if they are NOT eligible—they have time to find alternative, affordable health coverage.” See the sidebar for more information on the renewal process.

FEBRUARY 2, 2024

Renewal confusion RENEWAL & D ELIGIBILITY O

Colorado Medicaid members: know when to renew to prevent coverage loss

continued from page 1

love into a purpose-driven endeavor. Their vision was to create a nurturing haven: to create a space dedicated to guiding, supporting and empowering children and young adults facing diverse challenges. Thus, Jace’s Place was born: a business which offers social skills development programs, mentoring services and life skills coaching. Open to clients between the ages of 7 years old through their early 20s, Jace’s Place does comprehensive consultations to ensure the young individuals they work with receive the help they need. While Jace’s Place opened in October, it has been in conception for many years. Monica and Mike credit their dedication, trainings and consultations to the Southern Colorado SBDC along with the amazing support of The Pueblo Latino Chamber of Commerce and The Rocky Mountain Service Employment and Redevelopment Empowerment Center in giving them the tools and confidence needed to start their business.

A LETTER FROM THE SBDC EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Photos courtesy of SBDC

ello, Southern Colorado Small Business Community. As we step into the new year, I am thrilled to share news of this exciting partnership between the Southern Colorado Small Business Development Center (SBDC) and the Pueblo Star Journal. Starting this month, we will be presenting a monthly feature titled, “Grow and Prosper with the SBDC.” In each feature, you can expect, insightful Brian Estrada words from yours truly, Executive Director SBDC Executive Director Brian Estrada, highlights of a local small business or support organization within our community, valuable information aimed at helping your business, and a calendar of upcoming events that you won’t want to miss. For those who may not be acquainted with the SBDC, our mission revolves around assisting small businesses in our community and the surrounding areas, specifically Pueblo, Fremont, Huerfano and Custer counties. Our primary areas of support include: • Free Confidential One-on-One Consulting • Free to Low-Cost Educational Webinars and In-Person Classes • Resource Connection Whether you’re just starting your entrepreneurial journey or seeking assistance to enhance your established business, we are here for you. Reach out to our office at 719-549-3245, and let us guide you towards success. Explore our online presence, at southerncoloradosbdc.org, for additional resources and information. Here’s to a year of growth and prosperity for your business! Best regards, Brian Estrada

Photo courtesy of Jace’s Place

FEBRUARY 2, 2024

GROW & PROSPER

Monica said she had felt a sense of fear and intimidation as they worked to start the business, but tributes the Female Founders Program from the Southern Colorado SBDC in giving her the confidence and motivation to make it happen. When asked about the cost of their services, Mike and Monica said that they charge on a case-by-case basis. They offer a ‘Brothers Helping Others’ scholarship fund to help ensure no child needing their services is denied. Jace’s Place is an active and growing business which embodies the spirit of entrepreneurial dedication and the heart of small businesses ownership. When asked what advice they would give individuals wanting to open their own business, Monica and Mike emphatically expressed the hope that people will reach out to the community and take advantage of all of the resources available. To connect with Jace’s Place: visit www.jacesplace.org, follow their Facebook page facebook.com/JacesPlaceLLC or call (719) 501-6116. They are located at 330 Lake Ave., but an appointment is required. They are seeking clients as well as donors for their ‘Brothers Helping Others’ scholarship. For more information about the Southern Colorado Small Business Development Center please vist: www.southerncoloradosbdc.org. The Grow and Prosper podcast launches soon!

FEBRUARY 2, 2024 Pueblo was a hub for many industries, from steel to saddles. Small businesses supported(and continue to support) the workers and the families living within the city. Grocery stores to gas stations, these family-owned businesses were crucial in maintaining the local economy and bringing in the goods, ommodities and utilities to the Pueblo people. Photos courtesy of Pueblo County Historical Society and Pueblo City-County Library District.

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Pics from the past

The history of Pueblo businesses

By Ben Cason

e at the Pueblo Star Journal are so excited to announce that we will be featuring the “La Pura Verdad” podcast in our Voices of Pueblo series. The Spanish phrase “La Pura Verdad” means “the pure truth.’ This phrase acts as the title of a limited series podcast created by Angelika and Ana Palacios. Over the span of four episodes, these two sisters unveil the truth of growing up in a “Mexirican” household, a family of split Mexican and Puerto Rican heritage. Ana came up with the podcast name as they set out to share their truth. The podcast is focused on “machismo” which is evocative of the role prideful-to-toxic masculinity has within Hispanic culture. Together, as two women, Angelika and Ana grapple with the things they saw growing up and how to move forward together. Last year, Angelika was in her final semester at CSU Pueblo when she recruited her sister to help create the podcast series as a capstone project for her degree. The podcast is “trauma-based,” following the conversations between the sisters, who work through some of the situations they have seen as a Hispanic family and bring toxic masculinity into the light. Angelika was intrigued by the construct of toxic masculinity throughout her time at college, writing many papers on the subject. It has been a topic she has been able to help others work through. The two spoke of a rule within their family, one that targeted them as girls and women: they were told they could not move out until they were married. But Ana moved away to pursue college in Greeley, which showcased that there could be a new way forward. “We’re trying to break those stereotypes of the typical Hispanic family,” Angelika said. “...I have a boyfriend and we want to move out together. I graduated from college. I have a job. I’m telling my dad I’m gonna move out soon. I’m going to live with my boyfriend, and I’m going to live with him as a boyfriend and girlfriend, and we talk about how that’s not accepted.” One of the episodes focuses specifically on how their brothers are treated differently than the sisters. Their youngest brother is 13, and Angelika remembered that at that age she had nowhere near the freedom her brother has now. They also discussed generational traumas, looking at how their parents were raised and how that perpetuates through generations within the family. “It’s kind of hard to break that cycle, and that’s really what we’re trying to do is, like I said from the be-

Photo courtesy of Angelika Palaicos

‘La Pura Verdad’ W

PSJ spotlights CSU Pueblo graduate’s 4-part podcast with sister on ‘machismo’ in the family

Podcast host Angelika Palacios. Photo courtesy of Angelika Palacios.

ginning, have my brothers listen to this—have other boys listen to this as well,” Angelika said. “You can listen, even though you’re a guy, and be like, ‘oh my gosh, I don’t want to treat my girls like that;’ ‘Oh, my gosh. I don’t want to treat a girl like that;’ ‘Oh, my gosh. I don’t want to treat my kids like that.’” The podcast is not exclusively for people with Hispanic backgrounds, the conversations Ana and Angelika have can be relatable to many family dynamics from many backgrounds. Angelika said that she hopes that, by listening to the podcast, even if some listeners are not Hispanic or cannot wholly relate, they can be better equipped to be there for Latina friends. “My sister (Ana) had a lot of things kept to herself that she wasn’t ready to talk about,” Angelika said. “I had a lot of things kept to myself that I didn’t want to talk about. But when I pitched it to her, she was like, ‘yeah, I think these conversations are good, and I’m ready to have them. How do you feel?’ And I was like,

‘I’m ready to have them too.’” Despite Ana not having a media background, she learned how to co-host and even set up the podcast equipment. Angelika felt like her and Ana were closer after creating the short series. Angelika is thankful for the upbringing she had, and for the work ethic her father instilled in her. ”With all of the good comes some bad, and those bad things are what I just don’t want to show or portray onto my kids when the time comes that I do have kids,” she said.” Angelika expressed a frustration with this predicament. “I just wish I could shake them sometimes and be like, please get out of those old mindsets of back in the day,” Angelika said. “Where you couldn’t go and tell your parents that you felt a specific way. But I would rather them be,instead of like, ‘you’re crazy.’ Sit down and be like, ‘Okay, I don’t know what that means.’” Angelika came to Pueblo from Colorado Springs for college. “Pueblo has shown me that to be Chicana is not a negative thing,” she said. “If you follow the history, being Chicano or Chicana was not a great thing, people would bash you for being Chicano/ Chicana. And that’s kind of the image that I grew up with, too.” Identity, for Angelika, is intrinsically tied to her upbring– Angelika Palacios ing. “You know, at the end of the day I am Chicana because

“I want my parents to sit down and listen to it because I think it would be very good for them to hear what my sister and I are talking about. But I also know that that probably may never happen.”

Check out this “Voices of Pueblo” spotlight on: voicesofpueblo.podbean. com or use the QR code on the back page of this issue. Listen on any platform!

FEBRUARY 2, 2024 | PUEBLOSTARJOURNAL.ORG

I was not born in South America or any part of Mexico,” Angelika said, “but I call myself Mexican because my dad is Mexican and my mom is Puerto Rican. And I die hard for my Chicanas, like I’m proud to be a Chicana, and Pueblo seriously has taught me that with how much with how much the population of Hispanics, Latinos, Chicanos, Chicanas there are.” Angelika hopes her podcast will spark conversation about family dynamics and what people have gone through growing up: “That’s my biggest, ultimate goal.” She said she wants “for somebody older to listen to this and be like. ‘I can’t apologize; It’s not too late to apologize,; Let me have those conversations.” Their parents have not listened to the podcast. “My biggest concern was my parents,” Angelika said. “At the end of the day, I do talk about my dad a lot in there, and I love my dad. I never wanted to paint a bad picture of him.” Angelika does express that she wants her parents to listen to “La Pura Verdad” one day. “I want my parents to sit down and listen to it because I think it would be very good for them to hear what my sister and I are talking about,” she said. “But I also know that that probably may never happen.” With the discussions of “machismo” so prevalent in the podcast, Angelika had some reservations with how it may be perceived by her father in producing “La Pura Verdad.” “He might not ever want to talk about it,” Angelika said, “I have to talk about it. I can’t keep this in for a long time. And that’s why I decided to do the podcast because I was like, there’s so many other people like me who want to talk to their parents.” Angelika said she still hopes her brothers listen to their work, at least for her future nieces. And that, she hopes that their takeaway is, “This is what my sister is going through. Let me learn from that and start taking mental notes, so when the time comes Podcast logo for “La Pura Verdad.” Photo courtesy of Angelika Palacios. and I have my daughters, I won’t be the same.” The new series will be featured in the Pueblo Star Journal’s Voices of Pueblo series. The first episode is out now! We will release one new episode each week through February.

Megan Moore Pueblo Food Project program manager

Photos courtesy of Pueblo Food Project

GUEST COLUMN

Photo courtesy of Megan Moore

FEBRUARY 2, 2024

Engaged eating T

Pueblo Food Project eagerly invites community members to 4th annual agricultural event

he Sun Soil Water Ag Summit is brought to the Pueblo community by Pueblo Food Project and the Pueblo County CSU Extension Office. This two day event celebrates various elements of food and agriculture in Pueblo and brings community members together to engage more deeply with their local food system. Complete with excellent locally sourced food, Sun Soil Water Ag Summit is a can’t miss event! This year’s Summit will be held at Pueblo Community College on February 23rd and 24th. There are four key elements of Sun Soil Water Ag Summit, each focusing on various aspects of our food system.

Friday, March 23 | 3 - 5 p.m.

Propel: A Business Pitch Conversation Food industry experts and local entrepreneurs come together in a round-robin conversation to answer one question: What do you need right now to propel your business forward? During this unique pitch competition, businesses will compete to walk away with the resources they need to get to the next level. Pueblo Food Project has partnered with experts across the state to chat with our local businesses. Through this conversation local businesses will be able to ask essential questions and receive feedback.

Friday, March 23 | 6 - 8 p.m., doors open at 5:45 p.m.

Pueblo Food Systems Leadership Awards a lovely evening of celebration as we honor leaders in the Pueblo Food System and announce our Propel winners. We will enjoy local food, drinks, and music. Four awards are given, the categories include: People, Planet, Profit Partner of the Year, Farmer of the Year, Food The third Sun Soil Water Summit was held last year. Photos courtesy of Pueblo Food Project (Facebook). Access Advocate of the Year, and Pueblo Food Project Member of the Year. Locally sourced food makes for an excellent evening of celebrating local food businesses! The music will be provided by the Central High School Jazz Band! health. Each of these tracks are designed to give community members skills they can carry with them long after they leave the Summit. There’s something for Join us and give gratitude to our local food heroes! everyone at this conference, join us to network and catalyze change!

Saturday, March 24 | 9 a.m. - 4:45 p.m., registration at 8 a.m.

Sun Soil Water Ag Summit we will gather to learn, share, inspire, and catalyze community food systems change. This day-long conference will include keynote presentations, panel discussions, hands-on breakouts, and delicious food to enjoy. All are welcome! Our focus of this year’s conference is People Power! We are so excited to help our community members, organizations, and producers gain knowledge and better engage with our food system. This year’s conference will feature keynote speaker, John Giordenego, author of Ecosystems as Models for Restoring Our Economies. Giordanengo will help us understand the many ways we are able to nurture a sustainable food system and economy as individuals. The Summit also features three learning tracks: Agriculture, Food Systems, and Food for You! This year the Agriculture track will focus on backyard fowl, permaculture, and beneficial garden insects. The Food Systems track will focus on local food procurement, food sovereignty through community gardening, and community leadership. The Food for You track will focus on easy home irrigation, immune boosting herbs and foods, and benefits of gardening on mental

Saturday, February 25 | 4- 7 p.m.

Makers’ Market and Happy Hour conference participants will get to explore ideas, try products, and support local food businesses at the Maker’s Market. 40 vendors will be joining the market this year! See what’s happening with local foods and take home some goodies to share with family and friends. Every conference participant will receive a $5 coupon to spend at the Makers’ Market! Browse with free local beer and wine! Sun Soil Water Ag Summit is the best place to learn more about what’s happening in our food system. We can’t wait to see you there! Tickets for the Pueblo Food Systems Leadership Awards are $30 and tickets for the all day Summit are $15. Scholarships are available and dual translation into Spanish will be For more information and registration: pueblofoodproject.org/sunsoilwaterag.

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FEBRUARY 2, 2024

By Rachel Kutskill

ebruary marks a full calendar year of Thrive being a part of Pueblo Star Journal. It has been a delight to create a storyline each month, after listening to the happenings of the town and the focus of our energy. There is always a beginning, a point at which the culmination of new ideas, actions, necessary changes are made and enhanced, and the survival rate of these beginnings correlates with the ability to adapt and grow, just as our resilient town has for so long. As stated in the inaugural Thrive article, February 2023: “THRIVE is a collaborative and interactive piece of Pueblo, one with a strong foundation for quality of life. We bring you ideas, outings, nourishment, replenishment, adventures, tools, movement and many parts of a thriving system that isn’t new and improved, but addresses our instinctual desires for wellness and happiness.” This is where it all began. The adaptation of wellness and happiness in this month’s article spawns from the excitement of new beginnings, which continue to emerge in our day to day lives. While we may

The Pueblo Star Journal (PSJ) Happiness Index will rate our suggestions in terms of: Social support- Does this help connect us as a community and is it inclusive? Healthy life expectancy- Does this potentially prolong life to a high standard of living and without harm or risk? Freedoms making life choices - Is this free from imposition on others or ourselves? Generosity - How cost effective is this for others and ourselves?

Photo by Patrick Carver

FEBRUARY 2, 2024

THRIVE! with Rachel

The beginnings of each morning, and how we choose to spend them, can impact our entire day.(Photo/ Patrick Carver).

not remember many of these beginnings or firsts: the first time you tried a new coffee shop—the first time you traveled to a different town—the first time you learned about the natural history of our home, we do know they help shape and mold our lives every day. When speaking with locals about the first days of Pueblo and our growth, the history often involves: the settlement of Fort Pueblo, the four territories of Spain, Mexico, France and Texas preceding it’s induction to the United States, the culmination of 4 towns—Pueblo, South Pueblo, Central Pueblo and Bessemer, C,F&I, the great flood of 1921, being the smelting pot of the world and the transition to what we experience now, in our post silt covered town. Our surroundings have been enhanced and beautified by murals, river walks, cultural foods and traditions, bustling business’ and trees—oh how the green spaces have grown.

Sure Lock Locksmith Specializing in commercial, residential and auto locksmith services.

Locally owned, family business Daniel Sandoval/Owner 719-251-2925 www.surelocklocksmith.com

Through mindfulness, recognizing beginnings can inspire, rejuvenate

"KEEPING SOUTHERN COLORADO SECURE ONE DOOR AT A TIME"

Countless Puebloans have enriched our community through the years by adding passion, pride and wellness into many aspects of our great town. This indeed displays the beginnings of Pueblo, as a town on modern man’s map. If we go back a bit further in time, we learn of native Paleo-Indian, Archaic, Ute’s, Apache and Cheyenne on this land, and the prosperity of farming and a more nomadic lifestyle of hunting mastodon and bison. The confluence of Fountain Creek and the Arkansas River have gifted the inhabitants with the ability to thrive in our high desert home, for many years. Recently, I was standing on a bluff on the south side of the reservoir. My friend and I remarked on such a beautiful landscape, with the rising sun, and that possibly no other person had stood in this exact spot, taking in this exact view, which was breath-

Photography by Lyss Natural light photographer in Pueblo Colorado & surrounding areas. Alyssa Vallejos Photographer 719-250-1762 www.photographybylyss.com

of the sun as I am and I wish I knew the language…Over my shoulder comes the sizzle and smell of frying bacon. That’s the way it was this morning.”

WRITE DOWN OR RECITE FIVE OF YOUR MOST PROFOUND BEGINNINGS AND FIRSTS. THINK OF HOW IT HELPED SHAPE WHO YOU ARE TODAY. YOU CAN ALWAYS ADD MORE IF YOU’D LIKE.

PSJ Happiness Index: 3.74/4 • Social support 4/4 - Anytime we share what shapes us as humanity in a positive way, it connects us as a community and others feel open to share their experiences as well. • Healthy life expectancy 4/4 - While practicing mindfulness and interpersonal communication doesn’t have any direct relationship to prolonging life, it does affirm high standards of living with focus on the ability of the whole person to thrive. A result of this practice could be feelings of happiness, which does correlate with longevity. • Freedoms making life choices 3/4 - This can be a challenging task. We often times need to follow up with questions or examples for our brains to dive into personal contemplation of the past in order to use it towards positive growth. • Generosity 3.9/4 - This exercise is free from monetary imposition in it’s simplest form. It may be fun to practice this with close friends over a wonderful meal or cup of coffee, which would create a small fee. References: Abbey, Edward. Desert Solitaire. New York City, McGraw-Hill, 1968

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taking to the point of wonder and awe. A potential first. We looked down and laughed. An arrowhead lay at our feet, reminding us that while adaptations and new beginnings have continued through the years, some places or instances remind us that quality of a life and perseverance can come full circle. Our rivers and bluffs have been home to so many, and how incredible is it that we have the opportunity to influence and bear witness to some firsts in our town. Beginnings are everywhere and doing or seeing things for the first time hold potential for life changing moments and memories. Thrive Tip: Write down or recite five of your most profound beginnings and firsts. Think of how it helped shape who you are today. You can always add more if you’d like. When I think of profound firsts for me, I am often transported to river canyons. It reminds me of times I’ve sat watching the sun creep down the canyon walls, waiting for the warmth to hit our faces and hands. To listen as Mother Nature starts to wake up for the day. To feel the newness of another beginning, another day in a river canyon. The feeling of rowing a boat through a rapid for the first time, “running it blind” is exhilarating all on its own. Indeed, it’s one of my favorite places to be, and if you care to look, there are many beginnings, or firsts. It prompts me to share an excerpt from one of my favorite books. In 1968 Edward Abbey released Desert Solitaire. His words recount his time spent in the Utah desert, some ten years earlier, as a park ranger one hot and dusty summer. He resided in Arches National Monument during the modern beginning, as civil engineers plotted the roads to lay in which thousands of tourists would finally flock to, in search of the Wild West—the wilderness, which they would never see, because roads don’t exist in the wilds of Mother Nature. Ed Abbey, after experiencing his first morning in the desert, writes, “When the first rays of the sun strike the cliffs I fill a mug with steaming coffee and sit in the doorway facing the sunrise, hungry for the warmth. Suddenly it comes, the flaming globe, blazing on the pinnacles and nearest and balanced rocks, on the canyon walls and through the windows in the sandstone fins. We greet each other, sun and I, across the black void of ninety-three million miles…I am not alone after all. Three ravens are wheeling near the balanced rock, squawking at each other and at the dawn. I’m sure they’re as delighted by the return

FEBRUARY 2, 2024

THRIVE TIP:

FEBRUARY 2, 2024

The Theatre Review Squad covered a wide range of productions from varying groups. Photos by: Joe Vallegos, Impossible Playhouse’s “Haunting of Hill House” in October; Robert Lutes, Sangre de Cristo’s “The Little Mermaid” in July; Jenn de Groot, County High School’s “Addams Family,” in March.

professional touring groups who come to town.” said Squad Member Jen Jaco, “Reviews help get the word out about all the many types of theatre performances located right here in our community.” We are so proud of what we have accomplished in under a year, but we are greedy and we want to showcase even more work! “There is so much amazing theater and music in Pueblo and I enjoy celebrating the work and talent of performers at all levels!” said Julie Kuhlman, Squad Member, adding “I hope that more organizations submit their programs so we can celebrate them!” She’s not wrong. There are some organizations and schools that have yet to reach out to us for coverage and we cannot wait to include them. In fact, some companies have been covered but only in a small percentage compared to how many shows they actually produce in a season. Pueblo theatre makers are prolific and each and every show deserves coverage. This season we hope to cover more haunted houses like “Night Terrors at the

Rosemount Museum” from Artists Anonymous, as well as delving into more dance shows, live music performances, and even fine art shows. There’s lots to come for the PSJ Review Squad. Thank you, Pueblo, for providing our community with such an impressive array of options for theatrical experiences. We promise to spend this year doing our part to make sure that folks who want to see shows know when and where they’ll be and what they can expect when they get there. We have big plans for our first full season of reviews and we hope to finish off the year with an awards ceremony that is fancy, fun, and most importantly, inclusive. Keep an eye out for all the good things to come from the PSJ Review Squad, and thanks for a wonderful year! To submit a review request, email kristin@pueblostarjournal.org and include a short synopsis of the production, the image of the show logo, and the dates and times available for a reviewer to attend.

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long time ago in a town called Pueblo, a robust and brilliant arts community was born. Musicians, fine artists, designers, writers and theatre makers emerged to share their work with the people of Pueblo. The work they made was unique and creative with distinct perspectives and fascinating stories to tell, and the townspeople rejoiced. Then, in the year 2022, The Pueblo Star Journal, a historic Pueblo institution, revamped itself and made it a priority to celebrate the community of Pueblo at large. This publication began to draw lots of attention toward the arts community, specifically in the performing arts. In 2023 the Pueblo Star Journal Review Squad was born; a collaborative team of about 25 theatre makers who made it their business to ensure that each and every production in Pueblo and the surrounding areas who desired a fair and objective critique from a fellow theatre professional would receive one. And so it was! Over the course of 10 months, the squad reviewed each and every production that requested a review. We covered 14 productions from companies including The Impossible Players, WYNOT Productions, La Junta Children’s Theatre, Steel City Theatre, Second Street Dance Company, and The District 60 Musical. Reviews also included high school performances from Pueblo Central High School, The Arts Academy at Pueblo County High School, Pueblo Centennial High School and Pueblo West High School. These reviews not only reported on the work these artists were making, they helped raise awareness to potential audience members, celebrated the talent being shared, and immortalized the production overall in print. “Pueblo is filled with creative and talented people ranging from Community Theatre right on up to the

Photo by Jenn de Groot

PSJ Review Squad Director

PSJ Squad Director reflects on journey since launch on theatre review project

Photo by Joe Vallegos

One year of cheers A

Photo by Robert Lutes

• DIG DEEPER •

By Kristin Skye Hoffmann

FEBRUARY 2, 2024

First Friday Art Walk GUIDE

FEBRUARY 2, 2024

John-Deaux Galleries 221 S Union Ave Pueblo, CO 81003 TEL 719.545.8407

Sangre de Cristo Arts & Conference Center 210 N Santa Fe Ave Pueblo, CO 81003 sdc-arts.org TEL 719.295.7200

Heritage Center 201 W B St Pueblo, CO 81003 theheritagecenter.us TEL 719.295.1517

The Arts Alliance & Liminal Space Gallery 107 S Grand Ave Pueblo, CO 81003 puebloarts.org 719.242.6652

Fuel & Iron Loading Dock Gallery 400 S. Union Ave Pueblo, CO 81003 fuelandironfoodhall.com

Steel City Art Works Gallery 216 S Union Ave Pueblo, CO 81003 steelcityartworks.org TEL 719.542.6838

First Friday Mineral Palace Park location hubs Mesa Junction

Blo Back Gallery 131 Spring St Pueblo, CO 81003 blobackgallery.com TEL 970.749.1211

The Ethos 615 E. Mesa Ave. Pueblo, CO 81006 ethospueblo.com TEL 719.281.6215

Pueblo Art Guild 1500 N Santa Fe Ave Pueblo, CO 81003 TEL 719.543.2455

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Grove Neighborhood

FEBRUARY 2, 2024

Union Avenue Historic District

Downtown

FEBRUARY 2, 2024

Photo courtesy of Legatia

February arts events ARTS & CRAFTS Indoor Makers Market Second Thursday of each month through March, 330 Lake Ave. in gymnasium Info: Text Angel at 719-601-7578

HISTORY & CULTURE INKWELL: Analogue’s Creative Writing Open Mic 7-9 p.m., second Thursdays, Analogue Books & Records, 216 N. Main St.

MUSIC & DANCE Line Dancing EZ 4 p.m., Country/Classic 6-7 p.m. Wednesdays, Eagleridge Event Center, 805 Eagleridge Blvd., Suite 170 Info: facebook.com/PuebloDanceCompany Cocktail Hour with Live Music 7-9 p.m. Wednesdays, Analogue Bar, 222 N. Main St. Info: facebook.com/AnalogueSolar

Open Mic at Blue Cactus 6-9 p.m. Thursdays, El Nopal’s Blue Cactus Room, 1435 E. Evans Ave. Info: 719-564-9784 First Thursday Open Mic Night 6:30-9:30 p.m. first Thursdays, The Ethos, 615 E. Mesa Ave. Info: ethospueblo.com Live Music Fridays 7-9 p.m. Fridays, Analogue Bar, 222 N. Main St. Karaoke Night at The Fallout with KJ Mikey D. 9-11:30 p.m. Fridays, 1227 S. Prairie Ave. Info: facebook.com/PuebloFallout Alt Night at Analogue 7-9 p.m. last Saturdays at Analogue Books & Records, 216 N. Main St.

Pueblo Puzzleworks, a new puzzle shop located at 204 S. Union Ave., unveils mural by local artist, Celesté Rodriguez. Pueblo Puzzleworks extends its typical hours for First Friday Art Walks. Photo courtesy of Legatia/ Celesté Rodriguez.

FEBRUARY Feb. 2 - First Friday

5-8 p.m., Steel City Art Works, 216 S. Union Ave. Info: 719-542-6838, steelcityartworks.org or steelcityartworks@gmail.com “Synthetic Orogeny” and “Back to Black” art shows 6-10 p.m., Blo Back Gallery, 131 Spring St. Info: www.blobackgallery.com

Feb. 3 - Saturday Kickass Film Fest Ultimate Meet-NGreet 6-9 p.m., Wake Up Events, 102 Oneida St. Info: www.kickassfilmfest.com Soul of the Sirens blues show 7-10 p.m., Copper River, 395 S Angus Ave, Pueblo West Info: soulofthesirens.com

Feb. 5 - Monday “Chicago” 7 p.m., Memorial Hall, 1 City Hall Place Info: pueblomemorialhall.com

Feb. 8 - Thursday Johnny Cash Concert Experience 7 p.m., Memorial Hall, 1 City Hall Place Info: pueblomemorialhall.com

Feb. 18 - Sunday Bridal and Events Show Noon-3 p.m., Pueblo Convention Center, 320 Central Main St. Info: 719-583-4972 or Elitia.rouse@ oakviewgroup.com

Feb. 25 - Sunday Travels: An Immersive Clarinet Recital 2-3 p.m., Pueblo West High School, 661 W. Capistrano Ave..

SUBMIT EVENTS TO: PUEBLOSTARJOURNAL.ORG/EVENTS/ SUBMIT

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FEBRUARY 2, 2024

By Rory Harbert

ueblo West boasts over 30,000 residents with over 700 businesses in the rural housing development. Since its foundation in 1970, the residents have built up a robust community within Pueblo County. A natural evolution of this growth started in 2001 with its own Chamber of Commerce. Following suit, the chamber has outgrown its welcome center on Spaulding Ave. and looked towards a bigger space. Enter: San Isabel Electric Association. The Pueblo West Chamber of Commerce celebrated a ribbon cutting ceremony on Jan. 19 in their new space located within San Isabel Electric Association Headquarters, located at 781 E. Industrial Blvd. Executive director and Samantha Hardcastle, who took on this position in September, addressed the crowd before the ceremonial ribbon cutting. She has run her full-service portrait photography business for three years, and has been a chamber member for half as long. Her family, including her five children, have lived in Pueblo West for 11 years. “I’m so excited to see this community come out and support each other,” she said. “I’m excited to have the Greater Chamber here as well Latino [Chamber of Commerce] because we succeed more when we work together.” For Hardcastle, the crowd indicated a commitment to community and mutual support. In her speech, she said, “a community is a group of people who agree to grow together” before asking attendees if they agree to grow together. She received a chorus of agreement from the crowd. “‘Success is a team sport’... that’s my new favorite quote, she said. “I said it at the annual dinner and I’ll say it the next time I have the microphone. Success is a team sport, and we want to be successful, right?” County commissioner Daneya Esgar attended the event: “We’ve got a great board and an amazing leader in Sam, and I’m excited to see what’s next for the Pueblo West Chamber, including our new space.” Esgar, as representative of the county, shared how these organizations support the community. “Chambers of Commerce are so important to the vitality of the county,” Esgar said. “It’s important for our business friends to have spaces to network and have organizations like the Chambers looking out for them. Without the chambers that we have throughout Pueblo County, I think we would have a harder time watching businesses grow.” Prior to this move, the Chamber of Commerce and the Pueblo West Metro District Board shared a space. The SIEA Headquarters had served as a temporary rental space for the Metro District Board after their previous office building was destroyed by a weather event in 2019. When the temporary occupancy ended, the rental space was open. The previous executive director was able to start the discussions with San Isabel Electric on renting the available office space. Hardcastle said that, with the move to this space, the chamber will now enjoy “three big, beautiful offices” with a basic computing area. The headquarters building also provides access to two smaller conference rooms in addition to the space where the ceremony was held. The celebration took place in a large event room, surrounded by large windows showcasing Pueblo West’s panoramic views, with room for long tables, modular design for whatever an event may require, equipped with tech including projectors and easy access from the parking lot. There are two kitchens available for the chamber to use. San Isabel Electric is a utility co-op, meaning that the association is owned by its customers and a not-for-profit. The headquarters, built in 2012, has over

Photos by Rory Harbert

Growing out west P

Pueblo West Chamber of Commerce invites community members, celebrates new space

Pueblo West Chamber of Commerce boardmembers were excited to official welcoming the community to the new space at San Isabel Electric Association Headquarters. Prizes were raffled off to attendees. Photos by Rory Harbert.

22,000 square feet of office space, spread over two levels. General Manager Ryan Elarton said that the headquarters for the electric coop was built to support a business with a mission of community outreach. So, moving in the Pueblo West Chamber of Commerce was like completing a puzzle, they fit together. “Since the beginning of the Pueblo West Chamber, we’ve worked together on events and sponsorships, trying to support each other,” he said. “Really just through those conversations that this came to be: they were in need of a space, we have this facility. That’s what this facility was designed for is for community use for these types of events.” Elarton said that opening up the rental space to the Chamber of Commerce makes aligns with the values of SIEA, as the board donated $80,000 to organizations local to SIEA’s serviced territory: “these are the types of organizations we support through seven counties in southern Colorado.” Hardcastle said that the Chamber’s next steps are redesigning their website, to improve accessibility and navigation which would better showcase businesses involved in the organization. According to Hardcastle, it is a priority, “so the community knows, when they need a service, they don’t have to just go to Facebook, they can go to our website” with the knowledge that the listed businesses are a safe, peer-reviewed choice. Ultimately, she said that the Chamber wants to continue upon its progress from 2023 into the new year: “We want to work on the value that the chamber has for all of its members as well as community awareness [of the chamber].” Board meetings are every third Tuesday of the month. The annual membership dinner serves as an award ceremony for the community and chamber members and when board appointments are made. Prospective members can apply on the chamber’s website: pwchamber.com.

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FEBRUARY 2, 2024

By Amy Gillentine Sweet Each month, Mt. Carmel Veterans Service Center in Pueblo will feature a veteran and their military experience — and how they continue to serve after transitioning from the military. Eddie Runyan has known Frankie Cirullo his entire life — the older man was his fifth-grade football coach; his son was Runyan’s best friend growing up. But when Runyan decided to join the military and started taking ROTC classes, the two developed a bond that helped Runyan through many hard times as an Army officer in the explosive ordinance disposal field. Cirullo has proven to be more than just a family friend. “He has always been there for me,” Runyan said. “I was commissioned from UCCS — I graduated from CSU-Pueblo, but the ROTC program there was small,” he said. “He came down for the ceremony and pinned on my rank. It’s a tradition, I gave him a silver coin and he gave me my first salute as a second lieutenant.” As the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq continued, the Vietnam veteran was that voice on the phone that helped guide Runyan, even as he lost two soldiers during combat as a company commander. It’s a bond that only grows with time and military service. “I just knew he was always a phone call away,” he said. “He always had advice; he always knew what to say. He’d been there; he understood what I was going through in a way that people who haven’t been in combat can’t understand. He helped me move forward. He was able to draw on some of his lessons from Vietnam and he helped me understand what a good leader is.” Cirullo enlisted in the military in 1967, just a year out of high school. He went to Germany, but was called to Vietnam after a year. He was a door gunner in the war, an extremely dangerous combat position that made it easier for him to relate to the dangerous activity of defusing roadside bombs and improvised explosive devices in Iraq and Afghanistan. He earned three Purple Hearts and a Bronze Star while deployed. “I had 72 days left over there,” he said. “And I got hit. I ended up in Japan in the hospital. When the military visited my mom, they told her I was missing in action. She had a nervous breakdown.” But Cirullo’s family didn’t give up, and his sister finally located him in the hospital in Japan. She was there to meet him when he flew into Travis Air Force Base in California. He weighed 117 pounds, he said. “But I don’t regret a minute of it,” he said. “I have no regrets at all. I would do it again in a minute. I don’t dwell on the fact I got hit; I’m just glad I made it back home.”

Photos courtesy of Mt. Carmel

Pueblo’s Veterans’ Voice

Reaching across generations: Veterans find camaderie, understanding together Frankie Cirullo (left) was Eddie Runyan’s (right) youth football coach, now he is a longtime mentor and friend. After Runyan enlisted (top photo), he turned to Cirullo, a Vietnam veteran, (bottom photo) for guidance. Photos courtesy of Mt. Carmel, Eddie Runyan and Frankie Cirullo.

Cirullo said the Army taught him discipline and courage and gave him friends and camaraderie. “All the things that are important in life,” he said; It is those lessons he is helped pass on to Runyan. He does not dwell on his awards and commendations, evidence of over three years in service. “The real heroes are the ones who didn’t come home from the war,” he said. “Those are the ones we should honor.” And the older combat veteran is visibly proud of the younger Army officer, now a full colonel in the Army. “I pinned on his rank,” he said, “when he made colonel. I’m just so honored to have been a part of that. He would call me from over there and just talk about what he was going through. I understood it.” For his part, Runyan said the wisdom of the enlisted veteran has made a difference in the way he leads. “At first, he would tell me about bad officers and leaders he had, and how that affected the mission,” he said. “And he told me about the good ones, about the camaraderie, the officers who got it, who understood. In the end, it’s helped me lead soldiers. He helped me create a unit that can move forward and get the mission done — but who also care about each other. And that’s what’s important.” The bond between the two is unique, he said, and he credits Cirullo’s humility and understanding for helping him through the tough times of deployment and war.

“You know, when he came back from Vietnam, he didn’t get the reception I had coming back —even from other veterans,” Runyan said, “and he never once has said, ‘You know, I had it tougher. He just said all that wasn’t important. It wasn’t what mattered.” Runyan said he is grateful for the relationship. “We just have a unique understanding,” he said, “It’s a bond that only a few people outside the military can understand.” Runyan was fortunate to have a mentor and a friend he’s known his entire life. But for those seeking that same kind of mentorship and support, Mt. Carmel Veterans Service Center can help. Mt. Carmel’s staff share the same experiences from combat and military service. Executive Director Bob McLaughlin has 29 years of military experience and deployed five times. Southern Colorado director Sal Katz is a retired command sergeant major with over 30 years in the military and three combat deployments. In Pueblo, Mt. Carmel is located at St. Mary Corwin Hospital, 1925 E. Orman Ave. They can be reached at 719-309-4719. And if you or another veteran is in crisis, please don’t hesitate to reach out to the veterans crisis line at 1-800-273-8255, then press 1. Mt. Carmel has behavioral health, job assistance and basic need assistance available to military members, veterans and their families.

The PSJ encourages reaching out to Mt. Carmel for services or, if in crisis, to utilize the Veterans Crisis Line. This line is available 24/7 for crisis support for veterans or someone who is concerned about a veteran.

1-800-273-8255 + Press 1; Text any word to 838255; Online chat via veteranscrisisline.net

The Pueblo Star Journal was invited on a rare tour of the Chemical Depot as the last of the munitions were processed last summer. Reporter Ben Cason documented the vital role Pueblo workers played in this destruction of mustard gas in the July 2023 issue. Rory Harbert photographed this historical moment. Photo by Rory Harbert.

reminder that even after a major treaty, like the 1997 Chemical Weapons Convention, is concluded, there is hard, behind-the-scenes work to be done in order to ensure full implementation and ongoing compliance,” Kimball said. A total of nine individuals and groups were nominated by the Arms Control Association staff and board of directors for the annual Arms Control Person(s) of the Year honor. "This contest is a reminder of the positive initiatives—some at the grassroots level, some on the international scale—designed to advance disarmament, nuclear security, and international peace, security, and justice,” Kimball said. The runners-up in this year’s contest were the governments of Austria and 27 co-sponsoring states that secured approval in the United Nations' First Committee of the first-ever resolution on lethal autonomous weapons systems (LAWS), advancing the possibility of binding international regulations on such weapons systems. In response to its adoption, UN Secretary-General António Guterres and International Committee of the Red Cross president Mirjana Spoljaric issued a joint call urging world leaders to launch negotiations on a new legally binding instrument to set clear prohibitions and restrictions for LAWS and to conclude these negotiations by 2026. Online voting for the 2023 Arms Control Person(s) of the Year contest was open from Dec. 8, 2023, until Jan. 11, 2024. A list of all of this year's nominees is available at ArmsControl.org/ACPOY/2023. Previous recent winners of the "Arms Control Person of the Year" include: the Energoatom staff working at Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (2022) and Foreign Minister Marcelo Ebrard and the Government of Mexico (2021).

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orkers and technicians at the U.S. Army’s Pueblo Chemical Depot in Colorado and the Blue Grass Army Depot in Kentucky were named 2023 Arms Control Persons of the Year after a recent online contest that engaged thousands of participants from dozens of countries. The annual contest is organized by the independent, nongovernmental Arms Control Association. The contest has been held each year since 2007. The workers and technicians at the two chemical stockpile depots were nominated for their successful and safe completion of eliminating the last vestiges of the United States' once-enormous declared stockpile of lethal chemical munitions as required by the 1997 Chemical Weapons Convention. "Under the supervision of the U.S. Army's Office of Assembled Chemical Weapons Alternatives, the last mustard gas munition was destroyed in June at Pueblo; Blue Grass destroyed the last missile loaded with Sarin nerve agent in July," the association said in a statement. "The elimination program cost an estimated $13.5 billion." “We applaud the highly professional work of all the people involved in the difficult destruction of the last remnants of the U.S. chemical weapons stockpile," said Daryl Kimball, executive director of the Arms Control Association. "Their efforts bring to close an important chapter in the decades long global disarmament struggle to verifiably eliminate an entire class of weapons considered so inhumane that their use was condemned more than a century ago," he said. "The successful work of the people and community watchdogs in and around the Pueblo Chemical Depot and the Blue Grass Army Depot is an important

Photo by Rory Harbert

STAFF REPORT

FEBRUARY 2, 2024

Succesful ‘watchdogs’

Pueblo workers honored for chemical weapons milestone, a $13.5B effort

Learn more about how the Chemical Depot workers destroyed the last stock of mustard gas munitions. Read the cover story on our website, by article or via the July pdf.

pueblostarjournal.org/news.

By Ben Cason

Photo courtesy of CSU Pueblo Athletics

Entering club status

CSU Pueblo ends men’s lacrosse program, team petition city council to intervene

olorado State University Pueblo announced 2024 would be the final season of the men’s lacrosse program playing at NCAA Division 2 level on Jan. 19. Vice President for Athletics and Strategic Partnerships Dr. Paul Plinske commented in a press release. “After an extensive review and careful analysis of our strategic initiatives within the landscape of college athletics, we have made the difficult decision to transition men’s lacrosse to club status following the 2024 season,” he said. “We want all student-athletes to have the most competitive experience possible and feel that men’s lacrosse at the club level is the best place for us.” According to a release from CSU Pueblo, all scholarship-eligible athletes will have their financial aid honored until they depart or graduate from CSU Pueblo. Additionally, NCAA rules will permit them to play immediately if they decide to transfer after the 2024 season. The men’s and women’s lacrosse programs were added at CSU Pueblo in 2014. There are no plans in effect to change women’s lacrosse. The men’s team has not had a winning season in their nine seasons. Since the program launched, Sean Blair had served as the head coach. In that time, the team has had 366 players, 224 coming from outside of Colorado. A petition to save the team stated that Blair had “committed over a decade CSU Pueblo’s men’s lacrosse team turn to Pueblo City Council to help reinstate the program. The team had created a of hard work and determination.” petition on change.org, collecting over 63,000 signatures. Photo courtesy of CSU Pueblo Athletics. The petitioners stated, “he has built the program into what it is today, de“Students who desire to play at the club level would be more likely to endure spite a majority of the seasons where funding for the program dwindled. The team consistently attracts players, from across the country and world to CSU playing at the CU Boulder or CSU Fort Collins—more major schools.” Buddington said that the men’s lacrosse team provides a service to Pueblo: Pueblo to play on the team, who would not otherwise have chosen the school as “bringing in revenue and possible recognition for them (players) to visit and pothe place to obtain their college degrees.” tentially spend four years in this beautiful city. Alumni choose permanent resiThe CSU Pueblo team had been competing in the Rocky Mountain Athletdence at this school because of the impact they’ve made on this city.” ic conference. With the announced change, the conference will have only five City Councilor Joe Latino shared his sympathies for the players, “They’re the teams in 2025, meaning the conference will not earn an automatic bid to the victims of adults’ actions and reactions; I firmly believe that,” he said. “It means NCAA division 2 playoff tournament. a lot to me to see you here as a group , supporting. If there’s any way for us to Following the announcement from CSU Pueblo, members of the men’s lahelp I’m willing to do this.” crosse team attended Pueblo’s Jan. 22 city council meeting to discuss ways forCity Councilor Roger Gomez had similar sentiments. “These young men are ward. trying to survive,” he said. “I’m asking the city of Pueblo and the city council to Sophomore Caleb Buddington said, “We were blindsided and shocked by this help these men.” late decision, just weeks away from our first game which now would be our last The team recently fundraised $20,000 for new equipment for the 2024 season. NCAA season.” The Thunderwolves are scheduled to open their season Feb. 4 City Councilor Dennis Flores addressed the elephant in the room: why go to at home against Dominican University of California. city council? Buddington said the news of the program’s demotion was “the worst news a “It doesn’t sound like you guys have gotten an audience with the people who college athlete could hear.” are making this decision at CSU Pueblo,” he said. “That’s why you came here, CSU Pueblo has just two seniors on their roster this year, meaning the remainyou wanted someone to hear what the problem is. If nothing else you deserve der of the roster had committed to further seasons with CSU Pueblo. an answer.” According to NCAA research, 68% of Division 2 men’s lacrosse athletes who Flores offered to facilitate a call with the CSU System Board of Directors, a entered the transfer portal in the 2021-22 window did not find a new team. board Flores previously served on. “My dreams were finally fulfilled when Coach Blair offered me an athletic “We appreciate the support of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference and scholarship to play at CSUP…completing my childhood dream,” Buddington value their efforts to grow the sport of men’s lacrosse,” Plinske said. “Our focus said. “Like many of my teammates in this room, he was able to provide this now is on the 2024 season and helping our men’s team have a successful concludream for all of us.” sion. We will work closely with Coach Blair and the team members this spring to The team has started a change.org petition to “save Division 2 Men’s Lacrosse help each individual make the best decision for their future.” at CSU Pueblo.” The petition, started Jan. 21, has 63,522 signatures as of Feb. 3. Buddington expressed a sense of neglect for him and his fellow players. According to CSU Pueblo’s press release, the move to a club sport will offer “The CSU Pueblo men’s lacrosse team has been undervalued and overlooked greater competitive opportunities going forward through the Rocky Mountain financially from the CSUP administration as a whole,” he said. Lacrosse Conference, which currently includes nine club teams across Colorado The move reduces CSU Pueblo’s number of varsity sports offered to 20. The colleges. average number of varsity sports sponsored in NCAA Division 2 is 16 , accord“Tuition and sports dues now play a factor at the club level,” Buddington said. ing to CSU Pueblo.

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FEBRUARY 2, 2024

FEBRUARY 2, 2024

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FEBRUARY 2, 2024

FEBRUARY 2, 2024

Photo courtesy of Pueblo Convention Center

FEB. 18 - BRIDAL AND EVENTS SHOW AT PUEBLO CONVENTION CENTER. PHOTOS FROM 2023. MORE INFO ON PAGE 30.

Indoor Makers Market Second Thursday of each month through March, 330 Lake Ave. in gymnasium Info: Text Angel at 719-601-7578

HISTORY & CULTURE “You Should Have Seen It: Pueblo’s Mineral Palace” 10 a.m.-4 p.m daily through April 1, El Pueblo History Museum, 301 N. Union Ave. Info: historycolorado.org INKWELL: Analogue’s Creative Writing Open Mic 7-9 p.m., second Thursdays, Analogue Books & Records, 216 N. Main St. War Memorial Ghost Tours 7-9 p.m. first Saturday of each month, Pueblo Weisbrod Aircraft Museum, 31001 Magnuson

Ave. Info: pwam.org

FAMILY EVENTS Pueblo Rocks in the Park Noon-2 p.m. Fridays, Ray Aguilera Park, 840 W. Northern Ave.

FUN & GAMES Game Knight Games 1839 S. Pueblo Blvd. Info: gameknightgamesllc.com Pokemon, Dungeons & Dragons, Magic: The Gathering, Keyforge, My Hero Academia, board game league and more. Weekly game schedule available on website. Chaos Games & More 4065 Club Manor Drive Info: chaosgamesandmore.com Pokemon, Dungeons & Dragons, Magic: The

Gathering, Warhammer 40K, board game nights and more. Weekly game schedule available on website.

MUSIC & DANCE Line Dancing EZ 4 p.m., Country/Classic 6-7 p.m. Wednesdays, Eagleridge Event Center, 805 Eagleridge Blvd., Suite 170 Info: facebook.com/PuebloDanceCompany

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ARTS & CRAFTS

Check out PSJ’s First Friday Art Walk Guide on page 15 for events specific to Pueblo’s art scene.

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FEBRUARY 2, 2024

Cocktail Hour with Live Music 7-9 p.m. Wednesdays, Analogue Bar, 222 N. Main St. Info: facebook.com/AnalogueSolar Open Mic at Blue Cactus 6-9 p.m. Thursdays, El Nopal’s Blue Cactus Room, 1435 E. Evans Ave. Info: 719-564-9784 First Thursday Open Mic Night 6:30-9:30 p.m. first Thursdays, The Ethos, 615 E. Mesa Ave. Info: ethospueblo.com Live Music Fridays 7-9 p.m. Fridays, Analogue Bar, 222 N. Main St. Karaoke Night at The Fallout with KJ Mikey D. 9-11:30 p.m. Fridays, 1227 S. Prairie Ave. Info: facebook.com/PuebloFallout Alt Night at Analogue 7-9 p.m. last Saturdays at Analogue Books & Records, 216 N. Main St.

SPIRITUALITY

Interfaith meditation and service 10-11:30 a.m. Sundays, Center for Inner Peace, 740 W. 15th St. Info: 719-543-2274

WELLNESS Essentrics fitness classes 9-10 a.m. Feb. 8, 15, 22 and 29 at Sangre de Cristo Arts Center, 210 N. Santa Fe Ave. Info: Katie at 719-470-3017, essentricswithkatiefarmer@gmail.com, /www.essentricswithkatiefarmer.com Seniors: Riverwalk Walking Group Meets 10 a.m. Mondays in front of Senior Resource Development Agency (SRDA), 230 N. Union Ave. Info: 719-553-3446 or richmond@srda.org Yoga: Hun Yuan Qi Gong 10 a.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays at Anahata Healing Yoga Studio, 3942 Ivywood Lane $5/class; Wednesdays and Thursdays on Zoom (no charge); Sundays at City Park Ballroom, George L. Williams Pavilion, 801 Goodnight Ave. Yoga and Cocktail Night 5:30 p.m. second Tuesdays Ren Yoga Flow, 110 W. Fifth St. Analogue Books & Records, 216 N. Main St. Info: renyogaflow.com Vibration meditation 6-7 p.m. Wednesdays, Ren Yoga Flow, 110 W. Fifth St.

Info: renyogaflow.com Wellbriety Support Meeting 9-10:30 a.m. Wednesdays, Center for Inner Peace, 740 W. 15th St. Info: 719-543-2274 Prenatal Workshop and Support Group 6-7 p.m. last Wednesday of each month, Phoenix Massage, 105 W. Fifth St. Info: socodoulaco@gmail.com Inner alchemy 6-7 p.m. Thursdays, Ren Yoga Flow, 110 W. Fifth St. Info: renyogaflow.com Ladies Night Out Self-Defense Training 6-8 p.m. first Friday of the month, Rocky Mountain Empowerment Center, 330 Lake Ave. Info: $39. 800-748-2074 Mom Group hosted by SoCo Doula Collective 9:30-11:15 a.m. last Fridays at Sweet Ella’s Bakery, 110 S. Union Ave.

FEBRUARY Feb. 2 - First Friday

5-8 p.m., Steel City Art Works, 216 S. Union Ave. Info: 719-542-6838, steelcityartworks.org or steelcityartworks@gmail.com

Feb. 3 - Saturday Kickass Film Fest Ultimate Meet-N-Greet 6-9 p.m., Wake Up Events, 102 Oneida St. Info: www.kickassfilmfest.com Soul of the Sirens blues show 7-10 p.m., Copper River, 395 S Angus Ave, Pueblo West Info: soulofthesirens.com

Feb. 5 - Monday “Chicago” 7 p.m., Memorial Hall, 1 City Hall Place Info: pueblomemorialhall.com

Feb. 8 - Thursday Johnny Cash Concert Experience 7 p.m., Memorial Hall, 1 City Hall Place Info: pueblomemorialhall.com

Feb. 10 - Saturday

Feb. 18 - Sunday Bridal and Events Show Noon-3 p.m., Pueblo Convention Center, 320 Central Main St. Info: 719-583-4972 or Elitia.rouse@oakviewgroup.com

Feb. 25 - Sunday Travels: An Immersive Clarinet Recital 2-3 p.m., Pueblo West High School, 661 W. Capistrano Ave..

MARCH Mar. 2 - Saturday Getting to know your bones and pendulum 2-3:30 p.m. Karmic Konnection, 125 E. Abriendo Ave. Cost: $33 Info: karmickonnection.com

Mar. 9 - Saturday History Buff Day El Pueblo History Museum, 301 N. Union Ave. Info: h-co.org/join

SUBMIT YOUR EVENTS ONLINE - FREE

FEBRUARY 2, 2024

“Synthetic Orogeny” and “Back to Black” art shows 6-10 p.m., Blo Back Gallery, 131 Spring St. Info: www.blobackgallery.com

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Fasching 7:30 p.m., Union Depot, 132 W. B St.

FEBRUARY 2, 2024