Redstone February/March 2018

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CELEBRATING OUR 18TH ANNIVERSARY

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LOOK FOR REDSTONE REVIEW AT ISSUU.COM / SDCMC VOLUME 19, NUMBER 1

LYONS, COLORADO

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FEBRUARY 14 / MARCH 14, 2018

Acquiring property for affordable housing

By Susan de Castro McCann Redstone Review Editor LYONS – There is lots of buzz going on at the Lyons Town Hall and around town in general surrounding affordable housing proposals. Part of the buzz is excitement from a portion of the town’s people that affordable housing is coming to Lyons and part of the buzz is from disgruntled residents who don’t want affordable housing in their back yards.

Residents packed the town hall at a town board meeting in early February to express their concerns and questions about a proposed affordable housing project on 4.07 acres on Tract A Filing 8 in Lyons Valley Park (LVP) on Carter Drive. The land is owned

by Lyons Valley Park LLC and developer Keith Bell is the president of the LLC and the negotiator for the land. Boulder developer Michael Markel had the first option to build on the parcel, but gave up his option saying that he did not feel he could make any money on market rate homes on that parcel. Markel has developed and is still building out several more parcels in LVP. Bell approached the town about the property and the timing was right. The town board was looking for land to build affordable housing and they had access to $4 million in Community Development Block Grant – Disaster Recovery (CDBG – DR) funding that the state has been holding for them since the flood.

During the flood Lyons lost about 70 homes and dwelling units.

Many of the residents of those

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homes have not been able to return to Lyons since the cost of housing has gone up so much since they built their homes.

The funding was due to expire at the end of January 2018 if the town did not have a signed contract for some land to build affordable housing. The town board was able to sign a contract with Bell two days before the funding would expire. Under the Subdivision Improvement Agreement, (AGI) 43 multifamily units are allowed on the fouracre parcel. However the developer may choose to have fewer units and may choose to have a mix of market rate and affordable housing on that land. Mayor Connie Sullivan made it clear that this contract does not mean that this development is a done deal and many obstacles need to be addressed, so the board is pursuing several options, not just this one, for affordable housing.

The town has sent out requests for proposals for developers to submit proposals for affordable housing and eight developers toured the land with Town Administrator Victoria Simonsen.

“Their proposals are due back in

by March 5 and we (town staff) want to have our recommendation ready so we can submit our recommendation to the board by the March 12 board meeting,” said Simonsen. “The money ($4 million) has to be spent (on the housing project) by September 2019.”

Eight developers toured the land with Simonsen.

The developer who is chosen for the project can also apply for a 9 percent low income tax credit from the state. Simonsen said that a 9 percent tax credit is very unusual normally the state only offers a 4 percent tax credit.

Simonsen said that the state told the town staff that they will give priority to the builder for the Lyons project. “This makes it very desirable for a builder to bid on this project because they will have the $4 million plus the 9 percent tax credit,” Simonsen said.

A number of people in town were not happy about where the proposed affordable housing would be built. Some people said that the price of their homes in that area would go down if they were near affordable housing. Others said that they did not want more traffic and noise in that area. Others said that the town acted in secret, behind everyone’s back Continue Town on Page 12

Marella Nelson, age 4, has some fun with a Valentine project at Lyons Valley Preschool.

PHOTO BY CATHY RIVERS

B •R •I •E •F •S Lyons Regional Library News LYONS – Get your garden ready for spring at the seed distribution and information night at the Lyons Regional Library, 405 Main St. in Lyons. Local seed guru Ross Rodgers will be at the library on Wednesday, February 21 at 6:30 p.m. to share his expertise about planting and harvesting seeds. The library will have lots of free seeds to give away.

Join us Wednesday, February 28 at 6:30 p.m., for an open and honest conversation about breast cancer with two Boulder county authors. Cristina Trapani-Scott and Jennifer Lynch have recently released books about their experiences as survivor and caregiver. The evening will feature readings, discussion, and refreshments.

Writers at all ages and stages of life, join our community at Word Wednesdays. Whether you are writing a memoir, blog, picture book, or the Great American Novel, we are here to support you. Our group is facilitated by Kayann Short, Ph.D. and meets the first Wednesday of every month at 6:30 pm. The next meeting is March 7.

Calendar for Lyons Elementary School 2/15 – Eco Cycle-Family Workshop, Lyons Middle School, 4:30 to 6 p.m.

2/15 – Kaiser Assemblies: Invisible Feelings and People Like Vince 2/16, 2/19 – No School, Presidents Day 2/20 – PTO General Meeting, 2:45p.m., school library 2/23 – Family BINGO Night, LES gymnasium, 6 p.m.

2/25 – Eco Club at CU basketball with Ralphie’s Green Stampede 2/28 – BPS presentation “Motivating the Unmotivated” LES 6 p.m.

3/7 – Late start and outdoor leadership, first bell at 10:30 a.m.

3/12 to 3/16 – EcoCycle waste-free lunch contest 3/8 – CU STEM Explorers field trip 3/15 – Second and fourth grade concert 3/19 – Graduation photos, four-year PreK, Kindergarten, fifth grades 3/22 – Talent show 3/23 to 3/30 – Spring break, no school Continue Briefs on Page 4

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REDSTONE • REVIEW

FEBRUARY 14 / MARCH 14, 2018

LYONS Town Board Election: A candidates’ forum will be held on March 7

By Staff Reports Redstone Review LYONS – The Town Board Election for Trustees will be held on Tuesday April 3 when all the mail-in ballots must be turned in to the Town Hall.

The public is invited to attend a Candidates Forum to be held at 6 p.m. on March 7 at Oskar Blues event room (to the right of the stairway). The forum will be sponsored by the Lyons Chamber of Commerce, the Redstone Review, the Lyons Recorder and the Lyons Regional District Library. Joseph Lekarzyk from the Lyons Recorder will be the MC. The audience will be invited to write out questions on slips of paper which will be collected and the MC will ask the candidates. Refreshments will be available.

There are seven candidates running for six seats on the town board and one candidate, Connie Sullivan, running for Mayor. Sullivan is running for Mayor unopposed. The six candidates running for the town board are: Current Town Board Trustees, Barney Dreistadt, Wendy Miller, Juli Waugh and Michael Karavas.

The newcomers running for town board are: Mark Browning, Jocelyn Farrell and Gary McCrumb.

Mayor Connie Sullivan is running for a second term as Mayor Mayor Connie Sullivan, 48, is running unopposed for Mayor again. Sullivan ran unopposed for Mayor in 2016. She was elected to the town board as a trustee in 2012 and was reelected in 2014 when she became the Mayor Pro Tem. Connie and her husband, Neil Sullivan, have been residents of Lyons, Colorado, for approximately 11 years and currently live in Eagle Canyon with their two children who attend Lyons Middle School. In 2009, Connie (with her husband Neil) took advantage of a government sponsored, small-business loan program to purchase and revitalize the St. Vrain Market located on Main Street in downtown Lyons, which they still own today.

Connie is a licensed pharmacist and obtained her pharmacy degree from Ohio State University in 1994. During her pharmacy career, Connie spent 15 years as the Director of Pharmacy Operations for a national home care and hospice provider, and currently works for a nonprofit, national pharmacy association conducting research and developing regulatory policy related to the practice of pharmacy. Connie is the liaison to the Watershed Advisory Board and represents Lyons at the Denver Regional Council of Governments at the Metro Mayors Caucus and the Boulder County Consortium of Cities.

Juli Waugh is running for a second term as Trustee Juli Waugh, 47, has lived in Lyons for 15 years. She and her husband own the Wee Casa tiny homes for rent and sale at River Bend at the west end of Lyons.

They are the former owners of Lyons Dairy Bar on Main Street. She was elected to the town board as a trustee in 2008.

She served one term. Waugh worked as a human resources manager. Before she became a trustee, she was on the Depot

Library Board. While on the board, the trustees approved the 2008 Parks and Open Space Plan and updated the 2008 Comprehensive Plan.

Waugh is the current town board liaison on the Economic Development Commission, which works to help local business owners with post-flood recovery issues that come up between the town and the business community and works closely with the Chamber of Commerce.

She is the former president of the chamber and presents issues from the business community to the board. Juli and Kenyon Waugh have two daughters in Lyons schools and they live in Lyons.

Barney Dreistadt 70, is running for a third term as Trustee Barney Dreistadt, 70, was elected to the town board as a trustee in 2014 and he is seeking a third term. He moved to Lyons in 2009. Dreistadt has worked with the Lyons Volunteers since the very first days of the flood and now serves on the Lyons volunteers Board. He is also on the Board of Lyons Area Chamber of Commerce and the Tourism Grant Steering Committee.

As a trustee he is a town board liaison to the Lyons Arts and Humanities Commission and the Planning and Community Development Commission.

He was born in Greensburg, Pennsylvania and has lived in West Virginia, Ohio and Florida prior to moving to Lyons. He graduated from Wheeling College in 1969 and attended Ohio University for several graduate courses in business. He has four daughters and six grandchildren. His career included working in management roles for two physician group practices and for Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida. These positions provided experience in organizational strategy, planning, budgeting, project management and the nuts and bolts of making complex organizations work effectively. During the growing season he works at his daughter’s organic produce booth at the Longmont Farmers Market.

Mark Browning is running for a first term as a Trustee Mark Browning, 62, is a Planning and Community Development Commission member and Lyons Volunteers board member. He formerly chaired the Lyons Regional Library District board. He is a member of the Lyons Community Church, Lions Club and Polar Bears Club and does volunteer work with Lyons Volunteers, Habitat for Humanity and Lyons Emergency Assistance Fund (LEAF) Meals on Wheels. Before retiring to Lyons, he practiced law in Texas for 33 years, ten in private practice and 23 with the Texas Attorney General’s Office.

He would like to see the town focus more

on basic services such as street and sidewalk repair, sell surplus town property, complete hike and bike paths and, if financially feasible, encourage affordable housing.

Wendy Miller is running for a second term as Trustee Wendy Miller, 44, was elected to the Lyons Town Board in 2016 and has served one term on the town board. She moved with her partner to Lyons 14 years ago from Colorado Springs. They have one son. As a volunteer she served on a Tenant – Landlord Protections subcommittee for the Lyons Human Services and Aging Commission.

Currently she is the liaison for the town board on the Human Services and Aging Commission.

She also serves on the Lyons Elementary PTO Board and volunteers with the Lyons Emergency Assistance Fund (LEAF). Miller has a Lyons-based business, GLEAM, cleaning homes and offices.

She said her family struggled to find affordable housing in Lyons. “After the flood, it became apparent to me that Lyons is in jeopardy of becoming something it has never wanted to be,” she said. “I believe we need to look hard at the Lyons Comprehensive Plan for Lyons to move forward. I believe there may be a need to readdress certain issues like zoning, parks, housing, and business.”

Miller said, “The three most important things in this town are 1) the people, 2) housing, and 3) businesses. Without all three of these things as the focus, we no longer have a community, but an empty shell. I also believe it’s important for Lyons to take care of our elderly and to maintain a high level of learning opportunities for our children.”

Jocelyn Ferrell is running for a first term as a Trustee Jocelyn Farrell, 47, loves living in Lyons.

She and Dan, her husband of 23 years, moved to Colorado from Florida in 1994.

Her professional experience includes working for an IT magazine selling advertising to Fortune 500 companies, volunteer grant writing for Habitat for Humanity of Boulder, and volunteer fundraising for L o n g m o n t Community Hospital, now Centura Health.

In addition, Jocelyn is a part of the local art community as a professional modern abstract painter. Her paintings have been shown in restaurants and galleries around Lyons. In 2017, she was invited to create a work of art, which then became a live auction item at the Lyons Community Foundation’s gala.

From the time her children, Beck and Grace, were in preschool at LES, she has volunteered with children in reading and art, as well as many school fundraisers.

As a Town Trustee, Jocelyn’s overall goal is to first, listen to what Lyons residents think the important issues are.

Farrell said she believes that open communication between residents and the town board is key. She wants to advocate for a diverse and inclusive community and will support local businesses to retain employees and increase sales tax revenues. “These goals can be accomplished with the help of affordable housing, light industry, hotel lodging, and Main Street urban renewal,” she said.

She said she believes there is still work to be done for the library, ball fields, skate park, river sports, and a trail system linking Main Street to the Eastern Corridor.

She said this is a very important time to ensure fiscal responsibility for a vibrant community.

Michael Karavas is running for a second term as a Trustee Michael Karavas, 51, was elected to the town board in 2016 and has served one term. Currently he is a volunteer sitting on the Ecology Board and he serves as chairman of the Lyons Volunteers Board of Directors. He is the Town Board Trustee liaison to the Ecology Advisory Board.

Karavas is a semi-retired business owner, a family contracting business, and is the sole owner of residential and landscaping contracting small business. He spent the early years of his career in the insurance industry and has served in both management and labor positions.

Karavas has helped at Lyons Elementary School with the spelling bee. He has served as an ice hockey coach for 12 years, as an alumni advisor to college students, and as an officer of a building corporation for a fraternal organization.

As a trustee, Karavas has advocated for growth in Lyons through the eastern corridor annexation. He said this development will recover the lost property tax and utility revenue following the flood, while increasing the town’s sales tax revenues, resulting in a more stable tax base for the community. By providing mixed use development alongside the river with exceptional views of Mt. Meeker and Longs Peak, Lyons will truly be the gateway to the Rockies.

He lives in Lyons with his wife, Julie. They have two grown sons who visit frequently.

Gary McCrumb is running for a first term as a Trustee Gary McCrumb, 49, was born in Pittsburg, PA. He is the Center for Media, Arts and Performance’s (CMAP) lighting designer, audio engineer, tech crew mentor, and events manager for the ATLAS Black Box Experimental Studio. He also schedules CMAP facilities and creates performance production schedules.

Prior to ATLAS, he managed the Performing Arts Center at Naropa University, where he taught audio recording and production. An active professional audio engineer, McCrumb has engineered shows for touring artists at the Boulder and Fox theaters, Chautauqua Auditorium, the e-Town radio show and Planet Bluegrass festivals .

McCrumb lives in Lyons, where he is designing and building a net zero energy house. He has a bachelor of arts degree in philosophy / music from Trinity College.

After his home in the confluence was destroyed by the flood he rebuilt it using passive solar.

He hopes to share some of the things he learned with the town so Lyons can use passive solar technology on some of the affordable housing units the town plans to build.

He is interested in music, helping the town with low income housing, the environment and other issues. He teaches classes in lighting design and audio engineering at CU Boulder.

FEBRUARY 14 / MARCH 14, 2018

REDSTONE • REVIEW

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MAYOR’S CORNER Achieving full recovery with affordable housing

By Connie Sullivan, Mayor of Lyons Redstone Review LYONS – Since being elected in 2016, this Board of Trustees (BoT) has been unanimously and relentlessly committed to pursuing affordable housing solutions to restore the units lost in the 2013 floods.

Sullivan The Town of Lyons lost more than 70 housing units in the disaster and the majority were mobile homes and older, single family residences built before 1980.

Residents making less than $35,000 a year were disproportionately displaced from Lyons and were much less likely to return than residents earning higher incomes.

Residents unable to return post-flood were also likely to be over age 65, renters, or single-person households. The result is that Lyons has lost about 225 permanent residents, dropping the population to approximately 1920 according to state demographer estimates. Lyons needs to address this loss of diversity in order to maintain the character of the community. Much of Lyon’s identity is founded in the musicians and artists, quarry workers, and small business owners who have made Lyons their home.

The current BoT is very focused on maintaining Lyons as a residential, family-oriented community through housing policies that favor permanent residents over tourists.

An example of these efforts is the recent passage of a policy that prohibits short-term rentals in residential areas unless the homeowner lives onsite a majority of the year.

Just after the floods, four million dollars of disaster recovery funding was allocated to Lyons for replacement housing. Four million dollars is a sufficient amount for Lyons to replace all of the lost units if suitable land can be identified. Over the past four years, these funds have been re-allocated to Lyons three times in hopes that Lyons would identify one or more affordable housing projects; however identifying buildable land outside the floodplain has been a significant challenge due to Lyons’ topography and other restrictions on land in the planning area.

Aside from the six Habitat for Humanity homes being built on the old Valley Bank site, the only substantial project put forward failed in a public vote. The failed effort was attributed primarily to the fact that the plan used five acres of undeveloped land in Bohn Park for replacement housing. Despite the lack of progress since the vote, these disaster recovery funds are still allocated to Lyons; however time is running out to utilize the funding to help replace our lost population. Federal disaster funding that is not spent within a certain time frame gets allocated to a more recent disaster. The funding currently allocated to Lyons expires in September of 2019, meaning the housing developer must draw down the funds prior to this date or the funds will be diverted elsewhere.

A meeting with the state Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) in late 2016 laid out the parameters for maintaining access to the federal funding.

The most critical step was for the BoT to purchase land for an affordable housing project. In order to keep the funding in play, the BoT needed to have a parcel under contract by January 31, 2018. Since then, the town staff and BoT have explored several new opportunities, and

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released Keith Bell to consider other developers for the remaining lots, which will be developed whether or not the town’s proposal for affordable units succeeds. revisited previously evaluated parcels in order to identify Another local developer (Wickum Properties, Inc.) had the best possible sites that could meet the challenging also been in contact with Mr. Bell about the remaining lots. timeline. The BoT has taken two major steps to achieve Mr. Bell encouraged the town and Mr. Wickum to prepare the goal of rebuilding up to 100 new units of housing that a joint proposal to purchase and together develop the will be accessible to residents making less than 60 per- remaining lots. The joint plan is for the town to acquire cent of the area median income for Boulder County, Tract A for affordable housing, and for Wickum Properties which is approximately $90,000 annually. to acquire the lots platted for single-family, market-rate First, the BoT attempted to leverage land purchased homes. The current agreement allows each party to pursue from Longmont in the eastern corridor for the new pub- the other’s lots should they opt not to proceed. Mr. Bell was lic works building to incentivize businesses located near willing to enter into a purchase agreement containing residential areas to consider relocating out east; as this many contingencies allowing the town to terminate the would open up previously unexplored options for housing agreement if the property is not suitable to meet the town’s housing objectives. A purchase price is not yet determined for any of the parcels, as the appraisal, soil testing, and other inspections need to be completed.

The BoT has been actively negotiating purchase and sale agreements with several landowners in an effort to meet the state funding timelines. Other properties are still being considered and are in active negotiations should the eastern corridor and Bell parcels fall through, however time is essentially running out to pursue alternatives. In order for any parcel to be eligible to receive a portion of the four million in federal funds, the developer needs time to apply for tax credits, design A four-acre parcel on the east side of Lyons Valley Park known as Tract A is a potential site the project including identifor multi-family housing in Lyons. This parcel has been part of the Lyons Valley Park develfying the target population opment plan since the subdivision was approved in 1986. PHOTO BY CATHY RIVERS that will be served, and satisfy all the town’s public near downtown. Part of the funding criteria depends on processes for zoning and development review. The deadlocating housing near existing amenities such as schools, line to apply for 9 percent tax credits is June 1, 2018, shopping, parks and bus stops. The eastern location cur- which is not much time for developers to submit proposrently is less accessible and not connected through multi- als to secure the project. The town is using a competitive modal pathways and is more conducive to industrial busi- process to identify the affordable housing developer and nesses than housing. Improvements to connectivity are posted a request for proposal (RFP) on February 1, 2018. underway through grant funding, but won’t be realized A recent pre-bid meeting demonstrated significant interfor some time. Some businesses did explore this opportu- est in the project with eight developers participating. nity, but none with properties outside the floodplain The deadline to respond to the RFP is March 5, 2018 at came forward. The BoT is open to pursuing some afford- 9 a.m., with final selection by the BoT at a special meetable housing out east as part of a mixed-use development ing to be held on Monday, March 12, 2018. Every step of proposal, and is currently exploring one concept to see if the process is open to the public and a member of the it can meet the federal funding timelines. The Greens at Lyons Valley Park Homeowners Association will be Lyons Village East, which includes approximately 45 invited to participate in the developer selection commitaffordable housing units, does not currently meet the tee along with town staff and one representative from the required timelines to use the federal grant funds. The via- Planning and Community Development Commission bility of using a portion of the four million in funding for and BoT. The BoT realizes this expedited timeline still this project will depend on the developer’s ability to pur- needs to include ample opportunity for public input from sue the housing project more quickly than originally pro- all citizens who are impacted by this proposal. Public posed. The fact that the land is already owned by the comment related to either proposal is welcome at all BoT town and has an interested developer makes this a viable meetings or in the form of one-on-one communication project for using the federal dollars. with BoT members.

The second proposal being considered by the BoT is to I believe Lyons should care about the permanent loss acquire a four-acre parcel in Lyons Valley Park from Keith of residents and affordable housing, and make substantial Bell. This parcel has been part of the Lyons Valley Park efforts to rebuild our numbers. The loss may eventually development plan since the subdivision was approved in materialize in the form of higher utility fees and property 1986. The parcel known as Tract A was identified as a taxes; however, if you talk to businesses they can tell you potential site for multi-family housing as recently as 2009 that finding enough employees has been a significant and (Filing 8, 2009), but has not yet been pursued by a mar- immediate problem. With unemployment at historic ket-rate developer. Until very recently, Markel Homes lows in Colorado, prospective employees don’t have to had a right of first refusal with Keith Bell to develop all of commute to Lyons for service jobs. the housing in Lyons Valley Park. Markel recently Continue Mayor on Page 15

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REDSTONE • REVIEW

FEBRUARY 14 / MARCH 14, 2018

INTEREST Lyons Food Pantry celebrates ten years

By Kate Kerr Redstone Review LYONS – Each Wednesday afternoon, local residents gather outdoors as they wait for the Lyons Community Food Pantry to open at 3:30 p.m. Latecomers need to arrive by 5 p.m. Each household is guided through the food choices with a food pantry volunteer. While waiting, folks can enjoy conversation over cups of coffee donated by the Barking Dog Cafe.

Foods usually available each week include rice, pasta, beans, canned soups and stews, cereal, snacks, frozen meat, milk, eggs, yogurt, bread and household goods as well as canned and fresh fruit and vegetables. Kids are delighted by special snack bags just for them. Much of the food comes from the Boulder Community Food Share where Lyons volunteers “shop” each week, especially for milk and eggs. Other food is donated locally by individuals, businesses, school groups and farmers. Special thanks for donations from Lyons Elementary, Ralph’s Farm Stand, Steamboat Natural Foods, St. Vrain Market, Stonebridge Farm and Lucky’s Market (in Boulder).

Ten years ago in 2008, both the Lyons Community Foundation and the Lyons Food Pantry were created. Former pastor of the Lyons Community Church, Claire McNulty Drewes, noticed that there were residents of Lyons who didn’t have enough to eat. Also, there were those needing help paying for basic needs like utilities, rent and medical bills. The church congregation asked the newly formed Lyons Community Foundation (LCF) to assist with funding for the cre-

ation of a Food Pantry and a Basic Needs Emergency Fund (BNEF).

The Food Pantry started by providing a few families with boxes of non-perishable foods. Assistance with other emergencies was limited. After the flood in 2013, the increase in needs was astronomical. At that time the LCF, with its 501(c) 3 status, served as steward for the vast donations coming in to assist flood-impacted Lyons residents. Within four months after the flood, over $1,000,000 was distributed to 300 local households.

“LCF’s support of LEAF’s work is truly making a difference in the lives of Lyons residents. Their commitment to the people of Lyons is astounding,” said Emily Dusel, Executive Director of LEAF In helping with the flood recovery, it became apparent that BNEF and the Food Pantry needed their own unique non-profit status. In July 2014 the Lyons Emergency Assistance Fund (LEAF) was created including both the food pantry along with basic needs and resource matching.

Recently Meals on Wheels has been added.

Special thanks to the LCF for continuing their support and for the $5,000 grant to the Food Pantry for 2018 operations.

In this small town, volunteers are willing to deliver food to those who can’t leave their homes. For example, each week, Lyons Food Pantry volunteer Debbie Tabor phones homebound resident Betsie Montieth to see what food she needs from the pantry. Tabor then delivers the food and has a visit. They have become close friends.

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

Ash Wednesday Service LYONS – Ash Wednesday Service will take place Wednesday, February 14, 2018 at 6:30 p.m. at Lyons Community Church, 350 Main St., Lyons. Pastor Emily Kintzel will conduct the service. For more information, call 303-823-6245.

World Spay Day at Longmont Humane Society LONGMONT – World Spay Day is an annual campaign of the Humane Society of the US and Humane Society International that shines a spotlight on the lifesaving power of spay/neuter and the need for affordable services.

Former pastor of the Lyons Community Church, Claire McNulty Drewes began the Lyons Food Pantry in 2008.

After the flood, increased need in the community expanded that effort to become LEAF. “Because of you I’ve been able to eat and I’ve met so many cool people. That’s really important to someone who is kind of homebound. I’ve never had this kind of kindness. I mean, it’s kindness every time you turn around.” – Betsie Montieth, Lyons elder and Lyons Community Food Pantry participant.

Nearly one in ten Coloradans (10.3%) struggle with hunger, not always having enough money to buy food. Nearly one in six Colorado kids (16%) may not always know when or where they will get their next meal. Thank you to the many vol-

Longmont Humane Society is proud to join the effort by offering deeply discounted spay and neuter services for dogs and cats at our Well Pet Clinic on Tuesday, February 27. Space is limited. Call the Well Pet Clinic today at 303-651-0610 to reserve your appointment.

Registration for Homeward Bound 2018 now open Join us for this fun-filled evening that has quickly become a local favorite. Enjoy local food and beverage tastings, live and silent auctions, live entertainment and more, all in support of animals in need in our community. Purchase your tickets today at www.longmonthumane.org.

Visit the Longmont Humane Society Thrift Store Gather your unwanted, gently used items and let them do a world of good for the animals in our community at the LHS Thrift Store. Your donations of items such as clean clothing and shoes, furniture, small appliances, books and artwork

unteers and donors who have helped the Food Pantry continue as a vital service for those in our Lyons community who need nutritional support.

Here are a few Food Pantry statistics for 2017: • 1,844 Food Pantry visits • 81 Households • 167 Individuals • 45 Children • 38,165 pounds of food from Boulder Community Food Share • 14,941 pounds of food collected outside of Boulder Community Food Share • 1,500 volunteer hours • $21,957 dollar value of donated food Singer and Spellman – 2,627.5 lbs.

St. Vrain Market – 1,406.5 lbs.

Stonebridge Farm – 810 lbs.

Steamboat Mountain Natural Foods – 327.5 lbs.

Lyons Elementary School garden – 299.5 lbs.

Lucky’s Market – 1,036 lbs.

The Food Pantry is open Wednesdays 3:30 to 5 p.m. at 350 Main St. at Lyons Community Church. Participants are asked to show proof of local residency. Donations of food and household products are accepted Wednesdays 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The vast majority of LEAF’s work is funded through local donations. Everyone is invited to support LEAF which offers a human services safety net to those in need in the greater Lyons area. Services include the Food Pantry, Meals On Wheels, and Basic Needs and Resource Matching. To contact LEAF, call 720-864-4309 or email info@leaflyons.org.

Kate Kerr is a volunteer for LEAF and other groups. She enjoys playing the fiddle, yoga, hiking and quilting. She and her husband Jim moved here from Virginia.

become much needed revenue for the animals of LHS. Conveniently located in the Parkway Plaza Shopping Center, 700 Ken Pratt Pkwy., behind Lucky’s Market, in Longmont.

Hours of operation are Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Donations are accepted Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

City to host AARP Tax-Aide, through April 14 BOULDER – From February 6 through April 14, 2018, the City of Boulder is hosting the annual AARP Foundation TaxAide Program on Tuesdays and Thursdays each week between the hours of 8 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. at the West Senior Center, 909 Arapahoe Ave., Boulder. Tax returns will be prepared by appointment only. To make an appointment call 720-4756639. Appointments fill up quickly and participants are encourContinue Briefs on Page 6

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FEBRUARY 14 / MARCH 14, 2018

REDSTONE • REVIEW

PAGE 5

OPTIONS Xeric gardens now available to Lyons utility customers

By Greg Lowell Redstone Review LYONS – When I first arrived in Lyons, I was confronted with a backyard of red dirt and cobblestones and only a vague idea of what grew here and what were appropriate plants to grow in this climate.

But the answer soon came in the form of “Gardens in a Box”– a water-wise, pre-planned garden of native plants offered by ReSource Central in Boulder.

With the help of my son, who lived in Boulder – a participating partner of ReSource – I bought three such gardens. It was almost too easy; stake out a garden, follow the planting instructions and – voila! – a ready-made xeric garden that has thrived with only what moisture naturally falls from the sky and some hand-weeding.

Now for first time Lyons utility customers can take part in the Garden in a Box program thanks to a grant from the Gates Family Foundation.

For the next two years, a limited number of Lyons residents can receive a discount on Gardens in a Box. To get the discount, you must be a Lyons water utility customer.

The first 20 residents to purchase a garden will receive a $25 discount on each garden. After that, both Town of Lyons residents and anyone living in unincorporated Boulder County can order the gardens at the normal, undiscounted price.

Pre-planned pallets of plants – Each year, ReSource Central offers a selection of professionally designed perennial gardens. The xeric (low-water) garden kits

include 14 to 30 starter plants, a comprehensive plant and care guide and up to three plant-by-number maps for each garden type.

The plants are locally grown. This year’s garden selections were designed by horticultural agents for Colorado State University Extension services and three local landscape designers.

The gardens are offered in partnership with local and regional water utilities as part of their commitment to water conservation. Partners include Denver Water; the cities of Boulder, Longmont, Fort Collins, Lafayette, Erie, Louisville, Golden, Arvada, Thornton and Greeley; and now, the Town of Lyons.

Saving water through xeriscaping – The term “xeric” comes from the ancient Greek term meaning dry. Today, it refers to any environment or habitat that is extremely dry and lacks humidity and water. The term is also used to describe an organism adapted to live in a very dry habitat.

We live in an area that is defined as semiarid and depends on water imported at great cost and environmental expense. Growing a traditional lawn or traditional garden plants here is difficult and expensive. Lyons has some of the highest water rates along the Front Range.

But by tailoring our home landscapes to fit the climate homeowners can save water and money and still have a beautiful, lively landscape.

The non-profit ReSource Central’s goals include water conservation. In the past decade ReSource Central has provided nearly 5,000 xeric gardens to residents. It’s estimated that those gardens had a potential savings of 3.4 million gallons of water. ReSource Central claims that by replacing just 100 square feet of irrigated lawn with a Garden in a Box, a homeowner can save one thousand gallons of water annually.

Garden sale starts March 1 – This year, there are six garden types, ranging from $109 to $159. Each garden contains from 14 to 30 plants. The gardens go on sale March 1 and will be available for pickup in mid-May. Before March 1, interested Garden in a Box customers can add their name to the pre-sale list to be notified when the gardens go on sale.

The full garden selection is currently available to view at ResourceCentral.org/Gardens. Questions can be directed to ReSource Central at 303-999-3820, ext. 222.

Brochures describing the gardens are available at Lyons Town Hall and the library on Main Street.

Greg Lowell is a member of Lyons Ecology Advisory Board and has been involved with land conservation issues for more than 25 years. He graduated from the University of New Hampshire and now lives in Lyons.

Erasing the stigma of mental illness through contact with those who have it

By Janaki Jane Redstone Review LYONS – “Stigma about mental illness is as much of a problem as the mental illness itself.” With these words Patrick Jane Corrigan, Ph.D. began his talk on stigma and mental illness in Longmont on February 5.

According to Corrigan, stigma is not a medical issue; it is an issue of justice, or social justice. With stigma, it’s not the patient that needs to be fixed; it is the community’s attitudes and actions toward the patient that need to be fixed.

Internationally, the stigma around mental illness has gotten worse in recent years.

In the United States alone, in the 1950s, 20 percent of Americans thought people with mental illness were dangerous. But by

2016, over 40 percent of Americans thought so. Much of this is because when there is a mass shooting, the perpetrator is often described as “having mental problems” or as being “mentally ill.” This has led to an increase in the distrust of people with mental illness and the belief that these people are incompetent and untrustworthy. This has led, in turn, to close to 50 percent of people with symptoms of mental illness not seeking help or medical care, because they don’t want to be labeled as mentally ill, crazy, or nuts. They don’t want to be seen going to a psychiatrist’s office or a support group, or taking medications for mental health issues.

Stigma starts as a stereotype, such as, “All people with mental illness are either weak, dangerous or incompetent (or all three).” Believing the stereotype can then lead to prejudice. Prejudice is being afraid of, distrusting, or disliking people who have

Patrick Corrigan, Ph.D. gave a talk on stigma and mental illness in Longmont on Feb.5.

mental illness. The public result of these stereotypes and prejudice can be devastating: lost employment, sub par housing, worse health care, earlier death, fewer educational opportunities, and diminished legislative supports and funding, to name just a few. People with mental illness often end up feeling alienated from their communities, and sometimes even their families.

In turn, many people having mental illnesses then internalize these ideas and end up with self stigma: “I can’t reach my goals because of mental illness,” or, “I am ashamed of myself, I should be able to get over this.” This kind of stigma is what stops the almost half of people who experience mental illness from asking for help.

What to do? Corrigan and also many others believe the answer is for people who have been diagnosed with mental illness to start to come out. Research shows that conContinue Stigma on Page 15

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PAGE 6

REDSTONE • REVIEW

FEBRUARY 14 / MARCH 14, 2018

OPPORTUNITY Dinners with an international flair are now served at the Stone Cup

By Don Moore Redstone Review LYONS – Modou Jaiteh first came to work at the Stone Cup three years ago and his passion for the place is both palpable and infectious. He hails from the Gambia in West Africa, came to the States in Moore 2009, and has been a chef in North Carolina and New York City before moving to Lyons.

In part due to his enthusiasm for “Lyons Front Porch,” the coffee shop/café is now serving dinners two nights a week.

“He’d become a thorn in my side to do the dinners,” Mindy Tallent said, tongue-in-cheek. She and her husband Sam have owned the establishment since August 2004. “Doing the dinners has been a natural progression we’ve been pursuing for some time. Our occasional dinners which began in 2016 have morphed into this.”

The dinners start with a happy hour of cocktails, beer, wine, and other beverages. For the meal that follows, a recent menu included small plates such as winter squash with maple butter, green salad with feta and spiced nuts, and both a vegetarian and meat-based soups of the day.

For kids chicken breast, broccoli and rice, and mac ‘n cheese have been offered. Adult entrees included lasagna, salmon with tamari glaze, and rib eye steak with mushroom sauce.

Jaiteh is the head chef for the dinners, and occasionally will yield up the kitchen to a celebrity or guest chef who will prepare foods from different cultures and regions around the world. On Saturday, February 17, 2018 French chef Pierre Olivier Giannotti, master baker, pastry chef, and chocolatier, will prepare a multi-course post-Valentine’s dinner.

In talking about the Stone Cup, Jaiteh said, “I see the importance of community and family in this space, and everything must reflect that. All the food we use here comes from here, especially in the summer. People growing food around here have a showplace in the Stone Cup. Keeping it all local is very important. It keeps building community.”

Among other local providers, the Stone Cup sources

The Stone Cup is now serving dinners two nights a week. Left to right: Brett Eicher, Cathy Christiansen, and chef Modou Jaiteh, are making it happen. food from the Farmette, Rocky Mountain Fresh, and Aspen Moon Farm.

Chef Jaiteh has a culinary background, having worked in many different restaurants. Yet, the Stone Cup has the feel of a different kind of place to eat to him. His mother has a restaurant back home, and her influence plus the Gambian food itself have influenced both his original recipes and how they are prepared.

“This is a place to go for sustenance, including food, family, and love,” he said. “It is more of a café, yet the food has become restaurant quality – from a burrito to a ribeye dinner. We are able to provide all the services: playpen for kids, coffee, cocktail, snack, breakfast, music, lunch.”

Jaiteh’s experience in North Carolina included work-

Little Thompson watershed restoration project continues near Berthoud

By Teagen Blakey Redstone Review LARIMER COUNTY – One more of the Little Thompson Watershed Coalition’s river restoration projects is under way near Berthoud. The Green Bridge Project looks different every week as debris and sediment is removed, the river channel graded, and pools, stacked boulder walls and root wads installed just ahead of the revegetation crew planting willows.

All of the willows planted along the Stagecoach and Green Bridge Projects have been harvested from surrounding properties, thanks to the landowners.

Revegetation crews only clip 20 percent of the willow stems from mature plants, and then soak the cuttings in water a minimum of 24 hours to encourage the plants to grow new roots after planting.

The willows are placed in individual holes along the river banks deeply enough to touch the water table. This spring we look forward to seeing bright green plants leafing out along the river banks again.

Please contact Teagen Blakey with any further questions or concerns: assistantcoordinator@ltwatershed.org or 303-434-6293.

Protective stacked boulder walls are going in around all four corners of the bridge.

ing with locally owned restaurants. Wanting to challenge himself and further hone his skills, he moved to New York where he experienced a much more hierarchical kitchen. After two and a half years he had a longing to be closer to and less ignorant about food growing and production. He said that restaurant people in New York are not knowledgeable about how food grows, how it is produced and how it gets to the table.

“I wanted to know what it took to make all the food in a restaurant. I wanted to get away from the kitchen and learn how the food was grown,” he said. “For me this is about the product and the satisfaction of providing food.

It’s the same as grandma wanting you to eat the food she prepared. The way to express love is what attracts me.”

Jaiteh wanted learn every part of food growing, delivery, preparation and offering, not only for himself but also to fulfill a responsibility he feels to teach educate, and sensitize customers to different varieties and techniques.

Cathy Christiansen of Big Olive Creative is another cog in the wheel of the new twice-weekly dinners, as well as in all that the Stone Cup does. With both culinary and journalism degrees, she “helped create most of our original baked goods and has helped with some of the recipe modifications we’ve made through the years,” said Mindy. Christiansen also advises Jaiteh on desserts occasionally and, among other advising, maintains the website and all the social media for the Stone Cup. A tenant recently vacated the adjacent space owned by the Tallents, so in early May of this year Mindy said that she and Sam would remodel the area to be used for brunches, wedding receptions, special events, and other activities.

For the past five weeks, dinner has been served on Thursday and Friday nights. That will soon change to Friday and Saturday night dinners beginning February 23 and 24.

The Stone Cup is located at 442 High St., Lyons. For more information, please go to http://www.thestonecup.com/ or call 303-823-2345.

Don Moore is a retired lawyer and the author of Love is a Verb: Healing Yourself through Love, Gratitude and Compassion. He lives in Lyons.

B •R •I •E •F •S Continued from Page 4

aged to schedule as soon as possible. For questions about the program call 303-440-8104.

The free tax assistance program serves taxpayers of all ages with low and moderate incomes with an emphasis on older adults. Tax preparers are IRS-certified volunteers. Tax appointments can last several hours, and participants need to remain present for the entire process. To find out more information about Tax-Aide go to https : / / bouldercolorado . gov / seniors.

Conference on World Affairs LYONS – Celebrating its 70th year on the University of Colorado Boulder campus, the Conference on World Affairs is pleased to announce 114 speakers and performers. They will gather in Boulder from April 9 to 13, 2018, bringing different perspectives on the most important issues of our time, including Leadership: In the Words of Women, Feeding the Future (an extension of the 2017 CWA food series), and People and the Planet.

Representing 25 countries, nearly one-third of the 2018 CWA speakers will attend from outside the U.S. The speaker class also has a

near 50/50 balance of men and women (including those with transgender history).

The conference is free and open to the public.

Select speakers and performers include: Kim Severson, food culture correspondent for the New York Times; Mindy Finn, founder and current president of Empowered Women and candidate for vice president of the U. S. in the 2016 election as the running mate of Evan McMullin.; and Tulio K. Cardozo, technical manager for the Last Mile Works at San Quentin State Prison and the first credentialed employee authorized to work in the same facility where he was once incarcerated.

Returning speakers and performers include Shadia Marhaban, journalist, activist and peace mediator based in Indonesia; James Tanabe, senior director of creative strategy for Cirque du Soleil; and Joe Cirincione, president of Ploughshares Fund, nuclear expert and MSNBC contributor.

All speakers and performers are selected by the CWA program committee, comprised of student and community volunteers. For information, go to https://www.colorado.edu/cwa/.

Get more information at the 2018 Speakers and Performers page. Sign up for the CWA newsletter to receive the latest information on upcoming news and events.

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FEBRUARY 14 / MARCH 14, 2018

REDSTONE • REVIEW

PAGE 7

INSIGHT A cabin in the woods: A childhood dream merges with reality over time

By John Gierach Redstone Review LYONS – On a fishing trip to Michigan last June, I stayed for a few nights in what I consider the archetypal cabin in the woods. It was half a mile from the county road on an unmarked two-track that Gierach wound through second growth white pine and spruce to a small clearing on the north bank of the Au Sable River. You couldn’t ask for a prettier spot.

The cabin was built of logs placed vertically instead of horizontally in the French / Canadian style known as poteaux-sur-sol that you’ll see from the upper Midwest through Maine and eastern Canada. The roof peak was high to shed snow and the big main room – half kitchen, half parlor – featured one of those enormous old wood cook stoves: a cast iron and chrome monstrosity that was as big as a Volkswagen, probably weighed about as much, and was too big to have passed through either of the existing doors. The standard procedure for these huge ranges back in the day was to lay the floor, bring in the stove with a crane, and then build the cabin around it. And God help you if you ever wanted a new stove.

Our guide on that trip, Jimmy, had a one-third share in the place. The previous owner had been a widower with no surviving family, so when he died he left the cabin to his three favorite fishing guides in a sentimental gesture that triggered a stand-off. One of the guides wanted to sell the cabin and split the money, another wanted to rent it by the week to parties of hunters and fishermen, and Jimmy just wanted to keep it as a place for him and his clients to spend the night after long float trips that ended right at dark. None of the three could afford to buy out the others and no compromise presented itself, so hard feelings had developed.

Jimmy didn’t know how old the cabin was, although he did say that none of the local geezers could remember when it wasn’t there. It had been built to last – and it has lasted – but it needed work. Slivers of daylight shone between the ceiling planks and you could catch glimpses of the woods and the river through the cracks between

logs where the chinking has fallen out – cracks that let in cold air in the winter and mosquitos in the summer. And that’s with just a quick look. No doubt a full inspection would turn up a dozen other things that needed fixing, never mind the subterranean mysteries of the well and primitive septic system that could run into real money.

It was an adolescent fantasy of mine to live alone in a cabin in the woods just like this when I grew up.

Fantasies can be specific in some ways but not in others.

At age 12 or 13, I envisioned a life of pancake and sausage breakfasts followed by days of hunting or fishing, depending on the season, but I didn’t bother imagining how I’d make a living or avoid going mad from loneliness. I assumed that would all work itself out somehow.

It was a kid’s vision, but my father harbored similar ideas. Sometimes on fishing trips we’d end up staying in places like this and there’d be at least one night when he’d rhapsodize about the simple, self-sufficient sporting life without the slow motion train wrecks of jobs, mortgages, car payments, and traffic. He even said more than once that when he retired he’d buy a fishing lodge in northern Minnesota. I’d be the head fishing guide, Mom would do the cooking and cleaning (I’m not sure he actually cleared that with Mom) and he’d spend his mornings fishing and his afternoons in a rocking chair with a glass of good whiskey. Maybe he really meant it, or maybe he was just so happy to be fishing instead of at the office that he couldn’t contain his enthusiasm.

I think this nostalgia was triggered by all the work

we’ve had done around the place in the last month. First I had to have the drain from the downstairs bathroom jackhammered up and replaced because the old iron pipe had rusted and collapsed. Then I had the circuit breakers and all the outlets and switches in the house replaced because the existing equipment was old enough to have become a potential fire hazard. I’m not complaining; it’s just that after writing two big checks, all I have to show is that the lights go on and the toilet flushes, just like they did before. The image of a treadmill comes to mind: lots of effort spent in order to stay in the same place, only without the beneficial cardio / vascular exercise.

In the end, Dad never did get his lodge in the north woods. Even if he’d lived long enough, his head guide had long since gone off to become a writer and I can just imagine Mom saying, “If you think for one minute that I’m gonna spend the rest of my life cooking and cleaning for a bunch of fishermen . . .”

And I never did become an idealistic hermit living in a cabin in the woods, although that childhood fantasy influenced where I do live to some extent.

Namely, in a decent old frame house on a few acres of land in the foothills with a view of rimrock cliffs, regular sightings of game animals, decent trout fishing a few minutes’ drive away, two wood stoves, a generator for when the power goes out (which seems to happen every time it snows, blows or thunders) and no cell signal.

The question of how to live is a moving target that’s perpetually out of range, but I suppose I’ve achieved an adult version of that adolescent fantasy, complete with electricity, indoor plumbing, a satellite TV and a livelihood. I did finally become a writer with a specialty in travel and fly-fishing, so although I don’t actually live in one, I have been able to spend time in plenty of cabins in the woods in a dozen states and Canadian provinces. Of course as a grown-up homeowner I have a good eye for things that need to be fixed, although my interest is now purely academic, since I’m not the one who has to fix them. For my purposes, a little duct tape will keep mosquitos out of a hole in the screen for the few nights I’ll spend there. Dad always said that rule one for traveling to remote fishing destinations is, always bring a roll of duct tape.

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REDSTONE • REVIEW

FEBRUARY 14 / MARCH 14, 2018

CSU BISON PROJECT

Northern Colorado and CSU bison project uses high-tech breeding to halt disease and conserve an icon

By Coleman Cornelias Redstone Review FORT COLLINS – A seed herd of American bison – offspring of the iconic native species in Yellowstone National Park – were reintroduced in late 2015 to a natural area at the hinge of the Rocky Mountains and the Great Plains. Ten of the powerful animals thundered from a holding corral onto the northern Colorado prairie, the first step to restoring the nation’s largest iconic land mammal to this part of its historic range.

The herd has since grown to 36, an indication that the animals have settled into their new home and that calves born on the site are thriving.

on 1,000 fenced acres at Soapstone Prairie Natural Area, owned by the city of Fort Collins, and the adjacent Red Mountain Open Space, owned by Larimer County.

The site is in northern Colorado, near the Wyoming border, where bison once roamed freely before they were slaughtered to near extinction in the late 1800s.

The release date itself was symbolic, coming on National Bison Day and at the start of Native American Heritage Month.

In May 2016, just six months later, former President Barack Obama signed a law to make bison the first national mammal.

The bison in northern Colorado are among just a handful of genetically pure herds raised privately, by American Indian tribes and by government agencies in the

Purebred bison calves born at CSU in spring 2014 were released on city and county open space in the fall of 2015.

PHOTO BY KERRI MCDERMID “The Yellowstone herd is so unique. It started the U.S. conservation movement in large animals,” said Dr. Jack Rhyan, a veterinarian with the U.S. Department of Agriculture in Fort Collins and a partner in the reintroduction project. “It’s exciting that Fort Collins is part of this really great American story. We’re having a role in the story of bison conservation and restoration.”

The first time since the 1800s – The bison release took place on Nov. 1, 2015

United States. Colorado State University scientists set a goal early on to provide bison to other conservation efforts.

To date, bison or bison embryos have been shared with the Bronx and Minnesota zoos, Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie in Wilmington, Illinois and the Pueblo of Pojoaque in New Mexico (the latter through a research partnership with the Denver Zoo).

“This bison reintroduction project has the

Above: Bison roam around by the Wyoming border in the Red Mountain Open Space, owned by Larimer County, and in the Soapstone Prairie Natural Area, owned by Fort Collins. Both areas close seasonally, but will reopen March 1. potential to fulfill many needs and interests, and we’re really pleased to contribute,” said Dr. Mark Stetter, a wildlife veterinarian and dean of the CSU College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences.

Improving conservation, disease control – Conservationists for years have envisioned bison reintroduction in northern Colorado. The aspiration has become a reality with the problem-solving use of assisted reproductive technologies developed over several decades at Colorado State University in Fort Collins, chiefly for production livestock and high-value performance horses. Similar techniques, including in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer, are used to help people with fertility problems attain pregnancy.

In this case, the technologies – including a special washing technique to cleanse bison embryos of potentially dangerous pathogens – are being used to help conserve dynastic American bison, while also guaranteeing the animals are free from an infectious disease loathed by cattle ranchers and wildlife fans.

“We realized we have the tools to get around the disease to help the city establish a bison seed herd,” said Jennifer Barfield, the reintroduction project’s scientific leader, with Colorado State University’s Animal Reproduction and Biotechnology Laboratory.

Barfield recalled a meeting over coffee five years ago, when she and collaborators realized that assisted reproductive technologies long used in beef and dairy cattle could be applied to a different end: species conservation and, critically, disease control.

“All the pieces seemed to fall into place,” said Barfield, an assistant professor trained in conservation biology and reproductive physiology. “I started with this project really excited by the science, the idea that we could use the bovine reproduction system in a different way.

“But I’ve developed this passion for the bison,” she said. “They’re so culturally important. The heritage they carry with them has been the extra motivation to make this work.”

Yellowstone bison’s genetic makeup is pure American bison, according to current genetic tools, without cattle genes that are nearly always present as a result of interbreeding in the decades after bison were nearly wiped out. Crossbred animals that look like pure bison will still carry cattle genes.

The reintroduced group, originating from animals quarantined for more than a

decade, has repeatedly tested free of the devastating infectious disease bovine brucellosis. Caused by the bacterium Brucella abortus, the disease affects cattle, bison and elk. The pathogen can pass among these species when they intermingle, as

This bison mom and calf, born in the spring of 2014, are part of northern Colorado’s bison conservation project.

PHOTO BY KERRI MCDERMID

when elk traipse between herds of bison and cattle in and near Yellowstone National Park. The result: spontaneous abortions that can devastate both wild and domestic herds.

Bison don’t typically die from the disease, but it does limit conservation management strategies for bison and is financially devastating for ranchers if herds are infected, said Barfield.

Brucella abortus also can infect people, known in that case as “undulant fever” for rising and falling fever and other symptoms. Such illness has occurred in the United States when veterinarians and ranchers have unknowingly assisted infected cows with calving.

Yet problems with bovine brucellosis will be avoided with the Laramie Foothills reintroduction plan. Barfield and her team have collected semen from bison bulls housed at CSU; if any of the shaggy-coated males has tested positive for exposure to Brucella, the semen is washed in a laboratory procedure.

Introducing genetic diversity to herd – Some of the bison in the Laramie Foothills Bison Conservation Herd were Continue Bison on Page 15

FEBRUARY 14 / MARCH 14, 2018

REDSTONE • REVIEW

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT Arts and Entertainment in the Lyons Area

By Chrystal DeCoster and Bonnie Auslander Redstone Review LYONS Music and art at the Stone Cup Rachel Tallent will be continuing her show New Moon through the end of February. In March and April, Vicki Taylor will be displaying her work. Vicki Taylor is a lifelong musician who started painting at the age of 58. She is inspired by the beauty and the light of the landscapes she has walked through, in Colorado, and the desert Southwest. She is an untrained painter who works exclusively in oil, and is transforming her style from intricate brushwork, to using a palette knife. She lives in Lyons.

Music lineup at the Stone Cup is as follows: On Sat. Feb. 17 from10 a.m. to 12 noon, Natalie Padilla will perform folk / oldtime; on Sun. Feb. 18 from 10 a.m. to 12 noon, Emily Barnes will perform folk; on Sat. Feb. 24 from 10 a.m. to 12 noon, Harmony and Brad will perform acoustic pop/rock; on Sun. Feb 25 from 10 a.m. to 12 noon, Brett Hendrix will perform country; on

needed. There’s a springy open mic event for you and your chums Saturday April 7 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at Town Art, served up perfectly with the new Spring Town Hall Art Show opening reception and Community Tapas (finger foods only) Potluck. The Lyons Arts and Humanities Commission will have wine by the glass for sale to benefit local arts. All wall-hangable Spring-themed art (any interpretation; all mediums; all ages and stages of artists) are welcome; you can deliver up to three pieces with information placards to Town Hall between 4 and 7 p.m. Friday April 6. All pieces from the current Winter-themed Art Show at Town Hall get picked up at this same time.

Change is in the air Western Stars Gallery and Studio is changing things up to welcome in a brand new neighbor (details to come). In the meantime, in-house Sip n’ Paints are on hold but special painting celebrations can possibly be brought to you. Some artists and consignors have swapped in new items to replace things sold, new artisans have been sought out and added in, and an eclectic bounty of cards, beautiful gift and decor offerings await return shoppers and first-timers of all ages and wages.

Stop by 160 East Main soon (between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m.) and keep Western Stars posted about what locals would like to see available in town. The gallery is currently closed Mondays and Tuesdays. Call 303-7473818 for special appointments, new interested area artists, ideas for speakers / presentations, and info about consignment and appraisal services.

LONGMONT Friday Afternoon Concert: Boulder Taiko On Feb. 16 at 2:30 p.m. the Taiko Drummers will perform at the Longmont Museum, 400 Quail Rd. in Longmont. An art show featuring Chinese orchid painting will begin at 1:30 p.m.; the Taiko concert will begin at 2:30 p.m. The fee is $10 per show. An Asianinspired art experience pairs Taiko drums with Chinese Paintings by Vicki Taylor will be featured at the Stone Cup during March and April. orchid painting. Taiko is an ancient Japanese form of Sat. March 3 from 10 a.m. to 12 noon, Caleb Ryan ensemble drumming that is physically demanding and Martin will perform roots and Americana music; on artistically based.

Arts Longmont and the Longmont Museum present Sun. March 4 from 10 a.m. to 12 noon, Joe Teichman will perform alt country / folk / Americana; on Sat. regular Friday Afternoon Concerts and Art Shows in the March 10 from 10 a.m. to 12 noon, Emily Barnes will Stewart Auditorium. Enjoy a reception after the concert. perform folk; On Sun. March 11 from 10 a.m. to 12 noon, Billy Shaddox will perform American folk music; BOULDER Annie is featured at the Boulder Dinner Theatre on Sat. March 17 from 10 a.m. to 12 noon, Harmony and Brad will perform acoustic pop / rock; on Sun. Annie has become a worldwide phenomenon and was March 18 from 10 a.m. to 12 noon, the Wildwoods will the winner of seven Tony Awards, including Best Musical. Annie is determined to find the parents who perform indie / folk / rock. abandoned her years ago on the doorstep of a New York Prepare spring art and comedy schticks now Comedians, monologuers, jokesters: your comic relief is City Orphanage that is run by the cruel, embittered Miss

PAGE 9 LAHC GETS PERSONAL WITH NEW CAMPAIGN:

“Charming small town in search of new outdoor arts pieces”

By Bonnie Auslander Redstone Review LYONS – Although the public work currently on display in Lyons isn’t exactly lonely, the matchmakers of the Lyons Arts and Humanities Commission are nonetheless determinedly seeking new partners, specifically new outdoors arts pieces.

In fact, the romantically minded commission has newly christened Lyons’ existing outdoor arts collection the “heARTS of LYONS,” with the tagline of “an outdoor arts collection all over town.”

To reach new sweethearts, er, artists (or to find new pieces by already represented artists), the commission has created a new logo and application process as well as crafting a Call to Artists to be sent out across the country, with first preference going to those with proximity to Lyons.

Public sculpture has grown in popularity in recent years.

In addition to enriching our community by showcasing different kinds of art, the LAHC sees the heARTS of LYONS as a way to spur commerce and help support artists.

John King agrees. King is a well-known kinetic sculptor who was instrumental in establishing what was then called “the Art on Main Street.”

“With public sculpture, you’re telling the folks passing through, ‘It’s fun here. It has an interesting street life.’

People think, We should come back after our hike for pizza or coffee and look around.”

Are you a lonely-heart artist or do you know of any? The LAHC wants to hear from you at melinda@creativeconvs.com.

Hannigan. With the help of the other girls in the orphanage, Annie escapes to the wondrous world of NYC. In adventure after fun-filled adventure, Annie foils Miss Hannigan’s evil machinations and even befriends President Franklin Delano Roosevelt. She finds a new home and family in billionaire, Oliver Warbucks, his personal secretary, Grace Farrell, and a lovable mutt named Sandy. Annie is the perfect family-friendly musical, playing through Feb. 24.

From March 3 to May 20 Always… Patsy Cline will be performed at the dinner theatre It is based on the true story of Patsy Cline’s friendship with Houston housewife Louise Seger. The Boulder Dinner Theatre is located at 5501 Arapahoe Ave. in Boulder. For information, call 303-449-6000 or visit www.bdtstage.com.

Jenna Brink, at left, wearing a pink pussy hat, met Denver Mayor Michael Hancock at the Women’s March. Jenna is the owner and operator of Lyons Mane Hair Salon in Lyons.

Durango Blues Train announces artist lineup for June 1 and 2 DURANGO – The onset of summer in the mountain town of Durango, Colorado seems just a bit closer with the announcement of the artist lineup for the Durango Blues Train on June 1 and 2. Presented by SBG Productions and the Telluride Blues and Brews Festival, the Durango Blues Train returns to the historic Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad for the eighth year, on June 1 and 2 and then again on August 17 and 18. The list of the artists set to play the June event includes returning veteran artists, internationally acclaimed blues acts and upand-coming performers. The June lineup features Dwayne Dopsie and the Zydeco Hellraisers, Amanda Fish, C.W. Ayon Duo, Dos Gatos, Left Lane Cruiser, and Russ Chapman.

“There’s something magical that happens when you combine blues and a steam

train but there’s so much more to it than just that. It is an unforgettable experience that you will remember for a lifetime,” said Steve Gumble, founder of the Durango Blues Train. “Each year, the train grows in popularity and each ride on the Blues Train brings a different experience.”

The Blues Train is a 3.5-hour moving experience of live blues on board the coal-fired, steam-powered train through the breathtaking canyons of the San Juan National Forest and above the Wild Animas River. The Blues Train features six live blues performances inside nine historic passenger cars with a festive musical atmosphere. Each artist performs in a particular vintage coach, while passengers are free to dance their way from coach to coach.

Refreshments will be available for purchase on board. Guests can enjoy light

snacks and visit bars serving wine and craft beer from award-winning regional brewery partners Telluride Brewing Company and Ska Brewing.

Blues Train tickets are on sale now. for $119 per person per night, plus a Historic Train Preservation fee. Tickets are limited and will sell out in advance. Purchasers must be 21 years old. Tickets are available online at Durango Blues Train. com / Tickets and by phone at 512-6749300. Tickets and the artist lineup for August 17 and 18 will be released later this spring. For more information, visit DurangoBluesTrain.com.

A selection of lodging options at local hotel partners is available for those looking to stay in town. To view all accommodation opportunities, visit DurangoBluesTrain. com / Lodging. For general information and more, visit DurangoBluesTrain.com.

PAGE 10

REDSTONE • REVIEW

FEBRUARY 14 / MARCH 14, 2018

FOUNDATION It’s raining bacteria and viruses

By Richard A. Joyce Redstone Review PUEBLO – It’s amazing how the language we speak changes right under us as we bravely trudge toward the future, Joyce making discoveries along the way that force such changes in speech and thought.

Of course, science fiction writers from the beginning have coined terms we never thought would describe actual reality, but scientists had a ready-made lexicon of terms from which to draw for whatever their latest discoveries might be.

In computer science, physics, math, chemistry and even meteorology the jargon of scientists and sci-fi writers has often become part of the standard language landscape we all recognize and utilize in casual conversation. Email, internet, terabyte, thermonuclear, black hole, super nova, artificial intelligence and so many more new words expand our range of thought far beyond what it would otherwise be. Sometimes, such expansion takes the form of acronyms. The military branches love to use these to describe all sorts of plans, units, programs, etc. ICBMs, EMPs, NORAD, and many other examples flourish in everyday conversation.

At other times, the terms are euphemistic – sanitation engineer, for example – or creatively simple: astronaut, space walk, superbug. However, rarely does a new term or expression come along that instantaneously and profoundly changes the way we think about the everyday reality in which we function, especially in the language of bio-meteorology.

I don’t use that term lightly. A recent study by scientists at the University of British Columbia has shown that regardless of sunshine or clouds, it just keeps “rainin’ all the time,” if you’ll forgive a reference to the song “Stormy Weather.”

And it’s not rainin’ cats and dogs, either, though our ancestors were on the right track. It is, in fact, rainin’ B and Vs, millions of the former and billions of the latter per square meter each day. They are swept up from the Earth’s surface, and then rain down upon it again all around the world. They are not inorganic, and they are not visible.

If you are the bug-phobic type, you may want to put your mask on now – perma-

nently. The rain the scientists are talking about consists of bacteria and viruses.

“Even scientists were astonished to know that millions of viruses are circulating in the atmosphere,” according to an article this week by Maui Hermitanio in Tech Times, which references the study, “Deposition rates of viruses and bacteria above the atmospheric boundary layer” published in the International Society for Microbial Ecology Journal.

The study says more than 800 million viruses per square meter are always swirling in the Earth’s upper troposphere, and researchers also said billions of viruses and tens of millions of bacteria are deposited per square meter each day. In other words, they don’t need aircraft and infected peo-

ple to get around in this world.

“This preponderance of long-residence viruses traveling the atmosphere likely explains why – it’s quite conceivable to have a virus swept up into the atmosphere on one continent and deposited on another,” virologist Curtis Suttle of the University of British Columbia is quoted as saying in the Tech Times article. Soil and vapor particles from sea spray allow the long-range travel of viruses and bacteria, sweeping them up to the troposphere before settling back on Earth.

Earlier research, the Tech Times article

reported, “indicates that migration of bacteria is a natural phenomenon due to atmospheric events and ocean currents. Dust particles from deserts or arid regions can also transport microbes such as viruses and bacteria over long distances, on air currents.

“Bacteria and viruses are typically deposited back to Earth via rain events and Saharan dust intrusions. However, the rain was less efficient removing viruses from the atmosphere,” said study author Isabel Reche, a microbial ecologist from the University of Granada. So, when it rains, it could be literally raining viruses and bacteria.

Before you put away your hand sanitizer and antibacterial wipes in favor of an

LCF welcomes new advisory board members

By Kristen Bruckner Redstone Review

Debbie Davies, of Louisville, holding the sign, and Aprylisa Snyder, created this Earth Mother goddess to carry at the Women’s March in Denver on January 20.

LYONS – The Lyons Community Foundation (LCF) is pleased to announce the addition of its newest Advisory Board members. These dedicated individuals are volunteer citizens of the greater Lyons area who are committed to three-year terms, furthering the mission of the Bruckner foundation to improve the quality of life, build a culture of giving and promote positive change in the Greater Lyons Area.

Gail Frankfort has joined the board. A retired finance professional with the Keebler Company, Frankfort has lived in Lyons since 2003. She also serves on the board for the Longmont Humane Society and volunteers for Life Care center of Longmont.

Julie Jacobs moved to Lyons in 2017 and has recently joined the LCF board in an interest to serve her new community. She is a professionally trained psychologist and attorney, working in both fields in order to serve mental health professionals in their practices.

Claudia Kean has lived in Lyons since 1994, has recently retired from teaching and is committed to serving the people of her hometown. She continues to substitute teach as well as run a travel club taking students on international travel expeditions.

Josie Wratten, a native of Yorkshire, England has also joined the board. She has lived in Lyons for more than three years with her husband and son, volunteering for both LCF and LEAF. Kean and Frankfort will join Laura Levy and Jeanne Moore (co-chairs) in rounding out the Executive Committee for the Lyons Community Foundation. LCF would like to acknowledge the dedicated service of its entire board and outgoing board members Debbie Simms and Dave Lock.

We are extremely grateful for their service. For more information on the Lyons Community Foundation, its board or its granting work, please visit www.lyonscf.org.

underground lifestyle, take heart this Valentine’s Day and beyond in the rest of the information reported in the Tech Times piece.

“It is surprising to know that there are millions of viruses in the air. Viruses are actually the most abundant microbes on the planet – if gathered all together, all viruses on Earth would cover an estimated area spanning 100 million light-years.

According to the American Society for Microbiology, an estimate of 320,000 types of viruses infect mammals. It went on to say, “However, this raining down of viruses and bacteria phenomenon is not related to the widespread flu epidemic across the United States. The enormous number of viruses in the sky mostly infects only bacteria and do not mutate.

The flu virus, a type of airborne virus, can be transmitted just by breathing tiny droplets of air that are left suspended in the air. The flu virus can also mutate into different strains.”

That may be comforting for many, but I’m sitting here writing this with a case of the “crud,” to use a new and innovative 21st Century term that may precisely describe the kind of virus that rains on our heads like cats and dogs each winter, makes us miserable for ten days and then vanishes again into the sky.

We could be talking alien invasion here, and no wall can stop it.

Our only hope is to sell our pitiful possessions and move to a filtered-condo environment on Mars, where it never rains. Just be sure to sani-wipe the dust from your spacesuit after you’ve been outside. You never know where that Martian dust has been.

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FEBRUARY 14 / MARCH 14, 2018

REDSTONE • REVIEW

PAGE 11

CREATE Town authorizes agreement to purchase tract from Keith Bell for affordable housing COMMENTARY: AFFORDABLE HOUSING IN LYONS

By Amy Reinholds Redstone Review

LYONS – In the past year and half, the Lyons Board of Trustees has been trying to find land for affordable housing, to not lose $4 in federal million Community Development Block Grant-Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) funds set aside for Lyons.

Reinholds Last month’s news was a partnership proposing to purchase townowned land east of Colo. Hwy. 66 and U.S. 36 for 45 affordable housing units for rent (to be built and managed by Thistle), agricultural food production with vertical greenhouses, a farm grocery, and a commercial kitchen. The trustees were supportive of town staff continuing to work with the partnership to gather more info.

Then on Jan. 29, the trustees approved a resolution authorizing a purchase and sale agreement that gives the Town of Lyons an option to buy Tract A of Lyons Valley Park Filing 8, already intended for multifamily housing. The town signed a joint letter of intent between Keith Bell, president of Lyons Valley Park, Inc., who lives in Kansas, and David Wickum of Wickum Properties and Realty. It states the Town of Lyons intends to purchase Tract A and work with public and private sectors to replace some of the housing lost in the 2013 flood, and that Wickum intends to purchase Lots 15-32 of Block 2 to develop single-family housing.

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If either Wickum or the Town of Lyons discontinues pursuing an intended purchase, Bell and Lyons Valley Park, Inc., will negotiate with the other party for a possible purchase. For example, if Wickum discontinues purchasing the Block 2 lots, the Town of Lyons could negotiate to purchase those as well. A price for all the tracts and lots won’t be negotiated until an appraisal is conducted, per Bell’s request. According to the agreement, Wickum and the Town of Lyons also plan to work in good faith to share infrastructure costs.

At a Feb 5 meeting, Mayor Connie Sullivan repeated that the timing of the federal funding required having a sales agreement in place while the town determines if the land will work for affordable housing.

“The one thing that’s really important to know is that we are fourplus years postflood, and the CDBG-DR funding for housing expires if we couldn’t be in a purchase and sale agreement by the end of January,” Sullivan said. “So, not having a purchase and sale agreement by the end of January in essence loses $4 million – even the hope of spending $4 million.”

She continued: “And it doesn’t even mean that we will get it. We still might lose that money. We still might lose a portion of that money. But what that purchase and sale agreement did for us is kept us in the game so that we have a possibility of looking at a land parcel that is available to see if it's even viable for development.”

Trustee Jim Kerr summed up a key point: “The owner already has the right to develop the land,” he said, referring to an existing intention for 43 homes in multifamily buildings in Lyons Valley Park Filing 8. “You’re already going to face that development.”

The difference is that instead of just market-rate multifamily housing sometime in the future, the Town of Lyons might be able to leverage the federal

CDBG disaster recovery funds to purchase Tract A of Lyons Valley Park Filing 8 and partner with an affordable housing developer to build units that are affordable to households that earn about $42,000 to $49,000 a year (60 percent of the area-median income for a one-person or two-person household). For example, rents might be $1,300 a month or less, depending on household size.

“Affordable” monthly costs are determined as no more than 30 percent of a household’s gross income. The area median income changes every year.

The board heard public comments from about

15 people at the Feb. 9 meeting about the purchase and sale agreement. Videos of Board of Trustees meetings are now available to view online at www. townoflyons. com / 588 / Board - of Trustees - Meeting - Videos.

“Mr. Bell said he always hoped this would be a development that would contain multifamily units that looked like the larger homes, fitting in with the neighborhood,” Town Administrator Victoria Simonsen said, giving an example of multifamily residential units that look like the Lyons Valley Village co-housing that was built in the same neighborhood in 2006.

A request for proposals (RFP) for affordable housing developers who are interested in partnering with the town for the Tract A parcel went out on Friday, Feb. 2, with a due date of March 5. A meeting and a walk-through of the property for applicants (and also open to the pubic) was scheduled for Feb. 9. A Town of Lyons email provided more information to the public, including a link to the 8th Plat Filing for Lyons Valley Park (document at www. townoflyons. com / DocumentCenter / View / 1294).

A larger amount of federal funds were lost in

2015 when a proposal for using part of Bohn Park to build subsidized, affordable Boulder County Housing Authority rentals and some Habitat for Humanity for-sale affordable homes (a total of 50 to 70 units) was rejected in a town vote: 498 Lyons voters supported it, and 614 Lyons voters opposed it. However, with the $4 million still reserved for Lyons in the years that followed, the trustees have been pursuing several smaller options for housing.

Lyons can receive a maximum of $40,000 in CDBG-DR funds per each new affordable housing unit (up to $4 million total if 100 new affordable housing units are built).

According to my estimates, the Town of Lyons lost a total of about 70 f l o o d destroyed homes to both the federal buy out programs (including the 16 homes in the Foothills Mobile Home Park) and to the changed use of the Riverbend Mobile Home Park property, where 32 families used to live, to an event venue (rezoned for commercial use). The Town of Lyons currently has a total of 26 permanently affordable rentals (already in Lyons before the flood): eight apartments at Bloomfield Place near the Stone Cup, 12 apartments at Walter Self Senior Housing near the post office, and six apartments at Mountain Gate on Second Avenue.

This column is a monthly commentary in the Redstone Review about affordable housing after the 2013 flood in Lyons. If you have any questions, comments, or complaints, contact me directly at areinholds@hotmail.com. For history of post-flood efforts for affordable housing in Lyons – including the land at Second Avenue and Park Street that Habitat for Humanity bought to build three duplexes – see previous columns at lyonscoloradonews.wordpress.com.

Amy Reinholds served on the Lyons Housing Recovery Task Force from December 2013 through its end in February 2015. She is currently a member of the Lyons Human Services and Aging Commission and served as a liaison to the Special Housing Committee during its existence from April 2015 to April 2016. She has lived in Lyons since 2003 and in the surrounding Lyons area since 1995.

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REDSTONE • REVIEW

Former head of EPA to speak at CSU

By CSU Communications Redstone Review FORT COLLINS – Gina McCarthy, former head of the Environmental Protection Agency, will be on the Colorado State University campus, addressing topics of sustainability, world health and climate change, on Feb. 28 at 6 p.m. in the Lory Student Center Ballroom.

McCarthy, who served as EPA Administrator in the Obama administration from 2013 to 17, is also a Harvard University Senior Fellow at the Institute of Politics and Menschel Senior Leadership Fellow at the T.H. Chan School of Public

Health at Harvard. A leader in public health and environmental protection, she helped develop the Climate Action Plan, signed the Clean Power Plan, and spurred international efforts to secure the Paris Climate Agreement.

McCarthy is appearing as part of the CSU Office of International Programs’ Global Engagement Lecture Series. “We are very honored to host such an extraordinary and influential global thought leader on campus,” said Shauna DeLuca, assistant director of Global Co-Curricular Initiatives for International Programs.

The talk is free and open to the public, but tickets are required. Register online

Town Continued from Page 1 on the land purchase for affordable housing. Greg Lowell, a Lyons resident, told the board that he attended all the meetings held to discuss what type of development should happen in the Lyons Planning Areas (county land that Lyons has the option to annex) and there was never any mention of the four-acre parcel in Lyons Valley Park.

Because there was so much misinformation floating around, the town board broke with tradition and decided to try to address some concerns and set the record straight. Trustee Jim Kerr told the audience that the parcel under discussion was platted years ago and it was always intended for build out, so there was always a plan to have housing on that land and all the noise and traffic that comes with any development.

That land was in fact platted for development in 1981 and it was never part of the Lyons Planning Area. It’s doubtful that a Lyons Planning Area even existed 37 years ago. It is fair to say that probably not more that two or three people at that meeting in the town hall were even living in Lyons 37 years ago, with the exception of

FEBRUARY 14 / MARCH 14, 2018

at csutix.com.

Other sponsors for the lecture are the CSU Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs, Residence Life, Women in Natural Sciences, First National Bank, Department of Political Science, Office of the Vice President for University Operations, Associated Students of CSU, KUNC, Department of Environmental and Radiological Health Sciences, Colorado School of Public Health at CSU, and the School of Global and Environmental Sustainability.

For more information, visit the Office of International Programs website at international.colostate.edu.

Obama administration EPA head Gina McCarthywill speak at the Lory Student Center at CSU on February 28.

LaVern Johnson.

Shortly after the flood in early 2014, the town staff, at the request of the town board, sent out a survey on affordable housing. It was called the Housing Assessment Survey to ask residents if they wanted to replace the housing that was lost in the flood and if they wanted affordable housing in Lyons. The surveys came back with overwhelming public support for replacing the affordable housing by more than a two-thirds margin.

Simonsen pointed out that since the flood about 20 percent of the residents in Lyons are new and have recently moved into town. She suggested that the public needed more information around the process.

What was not said at the meeting is that people who are new to Lyons don’t realize that the people who lost their homes and dwelling units in the flood were musicians, artists, school teachers, people who worked in local shops, hair stylists, hospital technicians, computer programmers, elderly people, single moms, ministers and all kinds of people in all kinds of professions. And the people who filled out the survey clearly said that they wanted a way for these people to be able to live in Lyons again.

The board went into an executive session to discuss buying another parcel of land for affordable housing, but not before Mayor Sullivan explained that this session had nothing to do with the Keith Bell parcel now under contract. The Mayor also explained that affordable housing has been under discussion at almost every town meeting since the flood including many special meetings, many workshops, meetings by the Planning and Community Development Commission (PCDC), all open to the public and advertised.

Executive sessions are allowed by law for municipalities to negotiate contracts, land purchases, employee contracts and a few other things. Members of the press and media are not allowed in to these meetings, but the meetings are not outside the law.

The town board has another project for affordable housing in the works. This parcel of 2.7 acres is in the eastern corridor and is for the land at the old water treatment plant on the north side of Colorado Highway 66 is called the Greens and is part of the Thistle Project. It is part of a greenhouse development with growing plant towers. There will be more projects to come in the future.

FEBRUARY 14 / MARCH 14, 2018

REDSTONE • REVIEW

CONCEPTS Relocating animals that nest under a house

By Alie Moreno Redstone Review LONGMONT – Upon arriving at Greenwood Wildlife on a recent morning, I picked up the messages from the answering machine. The familiar rings and prompts brought me to the one lone message we had received overnight. A Moreno woman’s tired and slightly panicked voice called out through the line at 5:12 a.m.

“I have found a raccoon with babies under my house.

What can I do?”

It’s a great question and one we get at Greenwood Wildlife many times throughout the season. There are several good answers to the question and there isn’t any answer that is more right than another. The answer is there are many possible responses whenever people find animal families in their homes and yards.

One of the first things we try to encourage people to consider is if it is possible to leave the family where they are and to let the parents raise their young. Doing nothing is often the best possible answer for the animals and the people they have chosen to make their homes near. By waiting and taking no action, we get the joy of watching a wild family grow and develop in a natural way.

It’s like having an Animal Planet show in your own backyard and for most animals taking refuge in our chimneys, attics, sheds, under decks, and in brush piles, the time for them to raise their young and move on isn’t very long.

If it is determined the animal cannot stay in the place she has chosen to give birth and raise her babies in, we suggest trying minimally invasive techniques to encourage the mom to relocate. For the lady with the raccoon family under the house, we would suggest things like playing talk radio constantly in the area day and night. Talk radio doesn’t hurt the animal but it may annoy her into leaving, especially after 48 to 72 hours of it. Bright lights shining in the attic or placing ammonia soaked rags around the deck could make the living situation uncomfortable for the animal family and may prompt mom into moving her brood. The goal is to encourage mom to relocate her babies without any human contact and there are many humane eviction methods to use as encouragement.

Sometimes humane eviction is not successful.

Relocation is often a final, last resort and is the most dangerous solution to human / wildlife conflicts. For the animals being relocated, it is like being dumped in a foreign country with $2.12, the clothes on your back, and nothing more. The new neighbors aren’t real excited about sharing space and resources with you and you don’t speak the language. People in this situation probably aren’t going to get jumped or beaten or killed but animals in this situation might be. Animals are territorial. The existing animal population in the relocation area has already established a distribution of resources and may not take too kindly to an interloper and her brood. The struggle for survival quickly becomes an all out brawl. Additionally, there are laws governing our interactions with wildlife in Colorado

PAGE 13 Jade is a sweet and cuddly two-yearold girl looking for a quiet home to call her own.

Jade loves and relocation can with other to play happen within only of all and adogs strict set sizes of guideeven does well withis lines.

If relocation her kitty fiends. ultimately decided Comeitinis for visit upon, besta to call this lovely humane animal awith today. young girlcompany removal Morelet than aniand the200profesmals are waiting for sionals do the work; at forever it’s safer families for you and L o n g m o n t safer forSociety. our wild it’s Humane neighbors.

Visit them at Ideally, the racwww.longmonthucoons wouldn’t have mane.org, and then gotten under come meet them the at the shelter today. woman’s house in the first place. It is important to practice exclusion techniques to prevent animals from entering a residence and making a nest there. If you miss the initial opportunity to keep them out, seek ways to exclude others from taking refuge in your home after the animals have left. Once an animal or family has moved on, it is important to figure out where and how the animals were getting into the inappropriate place. Start by checking roofs for missing or damaged shingles and secure chimney caps. Make sure to check vents, overhangs, gutters and foundations for evidence of animal entry and close it off, seal it up, or otherwise prevent the animals from returning. There are many ideas for excluding animals from our homes on Greenwood's website, at Greenwoodwildlife.org. Remember an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

Alie Moreno is the Lead Animal Care Liaison at Greenwood Wildlife Rehabilitation Center, which cares for more than 3,400 mammals, songbirds and waterfowl each year. Greenwood also offers education programs for children and adults of all ages.

Visit www.greenwoodwildlife.org to learn more.

PAGE 14

REDSTONE • REVIEW

CONTEXT Two ways to see a single picture

By Jesse Van Leeuwen Redstone Review

ing her world. Summer 2016, or the season we became a family of four, is full of beautiful photos from Everett’s newborn weeks. The little details on each page brought me back to the overwhelming joy of holding my sweet two-week old son.

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA – In our office there’s an old wooden desk facing the window.

VanLeeuwen The desk is tall, airy, with a deep surface and enough room to pile books, accommodate a large succulent and a computer. It‘s basic in design, larger than most desks, and could almost pass for a dining table in a small space. The wood is full of blacks and browns, indents, marks, all of which only add to its history, story and sturdiness.

There’s a single letter drawer, with hand crafted joints. The desk is from New Jersey; my Dad salvaged it from the basement of Princeton Seminary. He guesses it was used as a student writing desk in the middle 19th century. True to its aura, it looks most at home in low lamplight or in layers of candlelight facing a grey morning.

My writing desk.

I often type at my computer, but the computer glow and the sleekness of the laptop keys seem out of place against the rich handmade elements of the desk. The surface feels in best use under a paper and pencil.

I often handwrite at the desk – notes, calendars, forms – but recently I have found a calming flow in hand captioning my photos. The part of me that loves the handcrafted desk has also come to love my own handwriting beneath the faces of my husband Tyler, Nora, my almost-fouryear-old, Everett who is one and a half, and Tahoe, our lab, too.

Hand captioning and album making is new for me.

I made each album using my phone – I selected the photos and previewed the digital album before it was printed, but it wasn’t until I saw the printed pages that I really took the time to experience each photo, focus on the content, and write about each moment.

The albums are seasonal, and the contents tell about physical seasons, but also seasons that are unique and personal to our family. Summer 2015, a season of health for Nora, is full of bright green grass, sand, her little red swing, bright colored nesting bowls full of water, just me and my beautiful girl splashing in palmsized rainbow pools. Each photo sparks so much joy, seeing her outside and explorA

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Photos like these I found so easy to caption, joy scribbles everywhere and every which way. Then there are the seasons with long lapses between photo dates. Or perhaps a smile on one page then the clinical blue and whites of the hospital on the next. This is when we found out our daughter Nora was diagnosed with Aicardi Syndrome. As I went through to add my own captions I found myself facing challenges.

Everett’s first Easter (visiting his sister in the healing garden at Children’s Hospital).

Celebrating our five-year anniversary (at Children’s Hospital) .

Happy 4th of July and Nora four days post-surgery (at Children’s Hospital), how cute that her IV board, tape and blood are red white and blue.

Happy birthday to me! Nothing goes with birthday cake like an oxygen tank at discharge (from Children’s Hospital). I didn’t use any of these captions – but I used sarcasm to make Tyler laugh – because in reality if we didn’t laugh we would probably be in the fetal position crying.

Truthfully, I was wrestling with the I

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MD Bookkeeping & internet Services now open – Laura Myers, owner At MD Bookkeeping & Internet Services LLC we feel it is important to give back to our community. We have talked to Mr. Dennis Daly, the principal of Lyons Middle Senior High School and set it up so that 5 percent of our tax preparation fees are going to the school. All people have to do is tell us “Lyons Rocks!” and 5 percent of the fees will be set aside to go to our school.

More specifically, the funds will be going to the Science Department so that all the kids can benefit from the money. We plan on making this a yearly event and as we grow, we want to do even more for the school.

We offer old fashioned service with cutting edge technology. Everyone seems to have less and less time to spend doing their taxes that is why we have a secure mobile app for our clients. Our clients can send us their information and save time by not having to wait in line to get their taxes done. With our secure “Taxes To Go” app our clients can easily send us information and when the return is ready, we meet and go over their taxes and file their returns.

The biggest mistake people make is leav-

ing money on the table. Taxes are the biggest financial transaction of the year.

Our tax pros take the time to go over life changes and tax law changes.

Penalties for not having health insurance are higher than last year, but some people may qualify for an exemption or credit to pay the health insurance premium.

Life changes like having a baby, buying a home, moving, or retiring affects taxes.

The PATH Act is going to delay the refunds for millions of tax payers who receive the Earned Income Credit (EITC) or the Additional Child Tax Credit (ACTC).

The good news is that this act is in place to help prevent identity theft even though it affects the timing of the tax refunds.

These refunds will not be funded before mid February this year.

We have over 20 years in the tax industry. Our goal is to set business owners free to do the things they love most. We work by appointment only. For more information, contact us at 303-823-2467 or go to mdbookkeepservices.com and like us on facebook.

FEBRUARY 14 / MARCH 14, 2018

photos – the reality that these were not the “happy” and “healthy” moments I was hoping for in my family’s photo albums. Seeing them in print meant facing the heartache and grief that my life, my daughter, my family was not the thriving and healthy family I pictured when we first began this journey of parenthood.

But as I caption my albums and heartache moments in my own writing, I have the chance to take these moments – the ones that nobody hopes for their family – and rewrite them as pillars of strength and perspective.

The result has been a renewed sense of

gratitude, healing and happiness. As I turn each page and focus on each photo I have the opportunity to point out the beauty in it. The beauty of us being all together on Easter, and the miracle of us being allowed to take Nora outside in the sunshine and fresh air.

The joy in being married to my high school sweetheart, an amazing man and remarkable father.

The beautiful reality that we live in a country where we have access to incredible health care for our often very sick little girl.

The joy that I was able to celebrate another birthday, that I am healthy and I am happy.

These are the captions that have the power to shape my heart and bring me closer to healing. It doesn’t erase dashed hopes, or minimize suffering, but it shapes my perspective and highlights the miracles of our day-to-day life.

Our lives – mine and yours – are raw and messy so our photo album can be too.

Regardless of your story, I hope you can take hold of your captions and let them sing with the strength and perspective you find along your journey. Like an old wooden desk from a basement in New Jersey, the messy indents and marks will only add to your family’s story and your family’s sturdiness.

Jesse Van Leeuwen is a stay-at-home mom who enjoys writing about her family and daughter's life with Aicardi Syndrome through her blog noraeverafter.com and instagram account @noraeverafter. She lives in Southern California with her husband, two children and yellow Labrador. She is thankful for her Aunt (and Colorado resident) who has always encouraged her to write.

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SOLD 13910 N St Vrain Dr, Lyons • 1609 County Rd 37E, Lyons • 13930 N St Vrain Dr, Lyons 840 Bruce Dr, Berthoud • 125 Eagle Canyon Cir, Lyons • 128 Elk Rd, Lyons

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FEBRUARY 14 / MARCH 14, 2018

Mayor Continued from Page 3 There is a tipping point for businesses that serve the local community in terms of how many residents are needed to make a business viable. While Lyons has always depended on tourism to sustain the local economy, many businesses have struggled to survive during the slow winter months when tourist visits are low.

Rebuilding our population is one way to maintain a healthy business sector. Lyons has a limited capacity to grow due to our natural open space boundaries. This is both an asset and a challenge for Lyons in terms of sustaining our independent identity and maintaining a resilient economy.

My hope is that the next board can build on this BoT’s efforts to replace the hous-

Stigma Continued from Page 5 tact with people who have mental illness decreases stigma. Contact means that you know that the other person has mental illness. Two people in ten at any time have mental illness. This means any time you are in a room with ten people, chances are good that two of them are currently dealing with mental illness. So we are all already in contact with people with mental illness all the time, we just don’t know it.

Having a mental illness does not mean that a person is incompetent, or unable to live a full, productive life. Corrigan is a Distinguished Professor of Psychology at the Illinois Institute of Technology, an internationally respected expert on stigma, the editor of the professional journal Stigma and Health, and sits on the National Institute of Mental Health’s (NIMH) National Consortium on Stigma and Empowerment. He has come out as having been hospitalized and having multiple diagnoses. It has not impacted his professional standing, or the importance of his work.

Google “Patrick Corrigan mental health” to see for yourself how respected he is.

Corrigan and others have started a group training called “Honest, Open, Proud” to help people who have or had mental illness look at whether coming out is a good idea for them personally. Many

Bison Continued from Page 8 produced when females were artificially inseminated with cleaned semen, or when this process preceded embryo transfer – another high-tech step applied in this project to halt disease.

The scientific team is now using a third strategy, which allows use of eggs from even more bison and will add genetic diversity to the conservation herd. With this method, in vitro fertilization is accomplished in the laboratory by joining clean bison semen with eggs collected from purebred bison cows. Resulting embryos are incubated, tended by graduate students who act as laboratory midwives. The microscopic embryos likewise undergo rinsing to rid the bison herd of any potential brucellosis pathogen.

After a week of incubation, the embryos are bathed in cryoprotectant, which protects cellular structures, and are plunked into liquid nitrogen; they instantly freeze to a temperature colder than the moon at night. This quick freeze turns cellular structures to glass, a process called vitrification. It prevents damaging intracellular ice crystals that would hamper pregnancy success.

The frozen embryos – called blastocysts – are stored and soon will be thawed and transferred to bison females. With successful implantation, the little cell clumps will develop naturally and will be born to bison surrogate moms nine months later.

Before reintroduction, animals will

PAGE 13

ing lost in the floods, and that Lyons does not miss the opportunity to use the four million dollars of federal disaster funds.

The next two years will likely conclude the majority of our recovery efforts and my sincere hope is that we will be able to say we emerged a stronger, more resilient and equally diverse community.

Connie Sullivan was elected Mayor on April 5th, 2016. Prior to becoming Mayor, she served two terms on the Town Board of Trustees beginning in 2012. Connie and her husband Neil are the owners of the St. Vrain Market located in downtown Lyons on Main Street. For comments or questions, Mayor Sullivan can be reached by email at csullivan@townoflyons.com.

people who experience mental illness do not identify as “mentally ill.” They may have never even told their spouse, close friends or family that they are on medications, or were once hospitalized. Here’s one reason: in some states, in order to be admitted to the bar, you must answer questions about any mental health episode or diagnosis in your past, and provide doctor’s records if there are any. This is strong motivation to not disclose. We don’t see the truth, which is that “normal” can be a lawyer who once was diagnosed with mental illness; instead “normal” is seen as never having had a diagnosis, because it has been hidden.

It’s time to see the normalcy of many people who have mental illness, according to Corrigan. “When the population gets a better sense of how many people with mental illness are actually successful – if more people come out of the closet – perhaps the stigma of mental illness will finally decline,” he says.

Janaki Jane has been working in the fields of counseling, healing, and case management for over 30 years. She lives off the utilities grid in the foothills outside Lyons, where her nearest neighbors are the moose, mountain lions, fox, and deer.

undergo additional testing to prove they are clear of brucellosis.

Unique approach to disease mitigation The Laramie Foothills bison project is unusual in its use of assisted reproductive technologies as a disease-mitigation strategy, said Rhyan, the USDA veterinarian.

Daylan Figgs, senior environmental planner for the city of Fort Collins Natural Areas Department, has nurtured the idea of bison reintroduction for almost a decade and is nearly giddy that a partnership of local-government planners, conservationists and scientists is preparing to release a group of genetically pure and disease-free bison to a small part of their historic territory.

“It feels really nice to get to this point,” Figgs said. “This project allows us to play a role in the conservation of bison as a species.”

In addition, the bison will benefit the ecosystem by grazing the Red Mountain and Soapstone properties, said Meegan Flenniken, a project collaborator with Larimer County Natural Resources.

“It’s the net effect that’s really exciting to us,” Flenniken said. “These animals will be able to go forth and prosper.”

To donate to the project, visit advancing.colostate.edu/BISON. Coleman Cornelias works in the communications department at Colorado State University.

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