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Strength of Will That's how the Finnish term Sisu translates, but around here it's mostly associated with Spring Gulch's Ski for Sisu. The 32nd annual fundraiser kicks off on Feb. 3 — full story on page 15.

This Valley Journal archive photo caught Dave Powers taking a break from grooming to watch Jack ONeill test out the track at Sisu '92.

community newspaper

Volume 15, Number 52 | February 1-7, 2024

OPINION

By Elizabeth Phillips

Founding and Current Board Member A brief phone call from Rebecca Young was all it took.

The Valley Journal of 34 years was closing.

It was 2009, one year into a worldwide financial crisis. Small, local newspapers were rapidly folding as advertising revenues dropped. Even large newspapers were closing or merging.

Rebecca knew how important our local paper was to keeping us informed about town government, school sports and Carbondale events. She and Pat Noel began the Valley Journal in 1975. It was the best of smalltown journalism on a shoestring budget, always full of wonderful photography.

This time around, Rebecca had the vision that our own locallyproduced newspaper must be in the hands of its readers as a nonprofit.

Hence the phone call and emails to a few hardy souls she thought might join her in taking up the challenge.

LETTERS

One phone call and 15 years later…

Lynn Kirchner at Amoré Realty gave us a space to meet and eventually rented us an office.

Within the group answering the call there was a wealth of publishing knowledge. Others around the table stepped up for similarly crucial jobs, such as delivery, ad sales and bookkeeping. A few volunteers and generous donors put the whole idea into motion.

We did meet with more than a few skeptics, of course. But after 15 years of publishing and delivering a wellwritten newspaper every Thursday, we have proven that communitysupported, local journalism works.

It is not an easy task to fill those yellow boxes each week, and your financial support is always needed.

A SUNscriber commitment can be a modest monthly donation connected to your bank account. Information on how to set that up can be found on our website: www.soprissun.com Here is the good news: staff has expanded, our grantors are from all over Colorado, our readers are from Rifle to Aspen and with the website we reach international readers interested in Roaring Fork news. The paper now has so many contributing journalists and artists that we’re losing count. We are striving to pay our talented staff a living wage and provide them with benefits. The Sun earns numerous awards yearly. These are all signs of a maturing business.

Our mission is to inform, inspire and build community by fostering diverse and independent journalism. I believe we have served that mission and will always be looking for innovative ways

Traffic at 27th

Concerning Glenwood’s 27th Street construction traffic snarls, I think I’ve figured out why up-valley and downvalley traffic is often reduced to one lane — meaning rightlane motorists must “zipper” their way into the left lane.

Here is what I think happens.

Every morning, the construction supervisor comes out to 27th Street and makes one of three decisions: 1) Leave all four lanes open, 2) reduce up-valley traffic to one lane or 3) reduce down-valley traffic to one lane. In lieu of any regular newspaper notices from CDOT or RFTA on how the supervisor makes this decision, it is open to conjecture.

But ya know … CDOT or RFTA could send out regular press releases to local newspapers and other news outlets, telling the tax paying public the status of 27th Street traffic.

And, they could also run periodic ads in local newspapers updating the taxpaying public on 27th Street traffic flow.

I’m sort of surprised CDOT or RFTA isn’t already doing this.

Lynn “Jake” Burton, Glenwood Springs

Candidate forum

The Garfield, Eagle, and Pitkin County Democrats have teamed up to organize a candidate forum on Monday, Feb. 12 at the Basalt Library from 5:30 to 7:00pm. Everyone is welcome to attend this free event.

We’ll hear from Congressional District 3 candidates, Mayor Anna Stout and Adam Frisch; State Senate District 5 candidates, Cole Buerger and Mayor Barbara Bynum; and Representative Elizabeth Velasco (HD57).

Submit your suggestions for questions for the candidates to: info@garcodems.org The forum will be a great opportunity to get to know our Democratic candidates before our [Garfield County] caucus and county assembly, which will take place on March 9 via zoom. The caucus/assembly process is a way for Democratic

2 • THE SOPRIS SUN • soprissun.com • February 1- 7, 2024

Editor Raleigh Burleigh 970-510-3003 news@soprissun.com Contributing & Digital Editor James Steindler Editorial Designer Hattie Rensberry Advertising Designer Emily Blong

The first issue of The Sopris Sun hit stands on February 12, 2009.

to improve the way it is delivered.

Thank you for your ongoing support.

To read more about our history, search for “The newspaper’s in their hands now,” an article by the Los Angeles Times about our first edition. Other informative reads include “Valley Journal collection comes home” by Will Grandbois and “The Sun shines through” by Raleigh Burleigh, both at www.soprissun.com Editor’s note: As we approach our 15th birthday celebration, Feb. 8 at the RVR Barn, I raise a heartfelt toast to our founding board of directors, without whom The Sopris Sun would never have risen: Russ Criswell, Peggy DeVilbiss, Allyn Harvey, Colin Laird, Barbara New, Elizabeth Phillips and Rebecca Young.

voters in the county to provide input on which candidates make it onto the Democratic primary ballot. (See www. garcodems.org for more info on the caucus/assembly.)

Debbie Bruell, Garfield County Democrats

Buddies in GWS

The Buddy Program is a local nonprofit with a mission to empower youth through mentoring to help them reach their full potential. In 2023, we expanded our service area to include youth and families in Glenwood Springs. Over the past year, we have been overwhelmed by the generosity of the Glenwood Springs community.

We wanted to take a minute to thank Alpine Bank, Bank of Colorado, Glenwood Springs Ford, Glenwood Caverns, Mike Picore and the Bay Equity team (along with Riviera Scratch Kitchen for our recent Restaurant Takeover) all for contributing to our fundraising efforts over the last year.

We also are thrilled to have so many businesses offering discounts to our Big and Little Buddies. We have heard rave reviews from some Buddies about skiing at Sunlight and want to thank the resort for providing free passes, rental gear and lessons to our Buddies!

If you are interested in learning more about becoming a Big Buddy or our programs in general, contact us at 970920-2130 or info@buddyprogram.org Lindsay Lofaro, Carbondale

Shoebox Christmas

Generosity throughout Carbondale​​​​​ contributed to a successful shoebox gift collection season at drop-off locations for the Samaritan’s Purse project: Operation Christmas Child. Across the U.S., the project collected 10 million shoebox gifts in 2023. continued on page 22

Delivery Frederic Kischbaum Hank van Berlo Bartlett Proofreader Lee Beck Executive Director Todd Chamberlin 970-510-0246 adsales@soprissun.com Board Members / Mesa Directiva board@soprissun.com Klaus Kocher • Kay Clarke Lee Beck • Donna Dayton Eric Smith • Roger Berliner Elizabeth Phillips • Jessi Rochel Andrew Travers • Anna Huntington

The Sopris Sun Board meets at 6:30 p.m. on second Thursdays at the Third Street Center.

The Sopris Sun, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation with a mission to inform, inspire and build community by fostering diverse and independent journalism.

Donations are fully tax deductible.

Sincerest thanks to our Honorary Publishers for their annual commitment of $1,000+ Lee Beck & John Stickney Kay Brunnier • Frances Dudley Michelle & Ed Buchman Sue Edelstein & Bill Spence Deborah & Shane Evans Greg & Kathy Feinsinger Gary & Jill Knaus • Eric Smith Peter and Mike Gilbert Carly & Frosty Merriott James Noyes • Megan Tackett Patti & George Stranahan Anne Sullivan & John Colson Elizabeth Wysong • Alpine Bank Emily & George Bohmfalk Kathy & Carter Barger Sandy & Paul Chamberlin Karen & Roger Berliner Gretchen Greenwood & Lee Mulcahy Donna & Ken Riley Gayle & Dick Wells

Legacy Givers for including us in their final wishes.

Mary Lilly

Donate by mail or online: P.O. Box 399 Carbondale, CO 81623 520 S. Third Street #26-B 970-510-3003 soprissun.com/Donate The Sopris Sun, Inc. is a proud member of the Carbondale Creative District

SCUTTLEBUTT Municipal races

Our Underwriters and Nonprofit Partners!

Six candidates have turned in petitions for three open seats on Basalt Town Council: Hannah Berman, Chris Mullen, Richard Stevens, Kaja Rumney, Angele Dupre-Butchart and Courtney Sheeley Wycoff. Meanwhile, only David Knight has put his hat in for mayor. In Carbondale, six candidates are vying for three seats: Jess Robison, April Spaulding, Katie Tabor, Susan Rhea, Christina Montemayor and Ross Kribbs. Nicholas DiFrank has formally withdrawn his name from the race.

Limestone quarry

Alpine Bank RJ Paddywacks Cool Bricks Studio White River Books Alpine Animal Hospital Nonprofit Partners Basalt Library Colorado Animal Rescue Carbondale Arts Interested in becoming an Underwriter or Nonprofit Partner in 2024? Email Todd@soprissun.com or call 970-987-9866

The City of Glenwood Springs announced that the Bureau of Land Management’s Colorado River Valley Field Office manager, Larry Sandoval, informed the City that a Determination of Common Variety investigation found that the majority of the limestone deposit at the Mid-Continent quarry, operated by Rocky Mountain Industrials, is “not disposable under the Mining Law of 1872 because of being marketed for common purposes.” City officials are optimistic that this development will help prevent a proposed expansion of the quarry, from 15 to 447 acres.

Maroon Bells

A multi-agency partnership announced completion of a comprehensive management plan for the Maroon Bells Scenic Area. According to a press release, the vision of this plan “is to proactively and sustainably manage users, access and infrastructure to provide positive and equitable outdoor recreation experiences, while preserving natural resources of the Maroon Creek corridor.” Find the plan at www.bit.ly/MaroonBellsPlan

Traffic deaths

The Colorado Department of Transportation released preliminary data showing a 6% decrease in traffic fatalities on Colorado roadways in 2023, compared to 2022, marking the first decline since 2019. Still, “even one life lost is too many,” the press release stated.

Overall, there were 716 deaths, including 408 passengers, 134 motorcyclists, 277 impaired drivers (a 21% decrease over 2022), 216 unbuckled seat belt deaths, 133 pedestrians, 20 bicyclists (a 33% increase) and 16 construction zone deaths (a 60% increase).

CMC tuition

The Colorado Mountain College Board of Trustees met on Jan. 23 to discuss the college’s tuition and fees for the 202445 academic year. Trustees approved an increase in tuition of 4%, which equates to an additional $4 per credit hour for in-district students, $8 for in-state students and $20 for non-resident students.

The board also approved differential tuition for nursing and dental hygiene programs and eliminated differential tuition for teacher education, reducing tuition for teacher education students by $40 per credit hour.

Residence hall fees are increasing by 2.3% and meal plans by 7.4%.

BLM public comment

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is seeking public comment on a proposed supplementary rule designed to protect natural resources and provide safe public recreation in several western Colorado areas. The proposed rule would cover a wide variety of site-specific issues including building fires, proper disposal of human waste and keeping dogs leashed in certain areas. The proposed rule is available for review at www.bit.ly/ BLMrules where written comments may be submitted through March 25.

Theatrical excellence

OnStage Colorado has recognized Thunder River Theatre Company with four awards! “You Can’t Take It with You” earned first place for “ensemble,” Missy Moore first for “director in a comedy,” Bob Moore first for “actor in a comedy” and fourth best comedy overall.

“Dances with Donkeys’

Locally renowned columnist Jim Duke’s book, “Dances with Donkeys,” is currently listed as a Goodreads giveaway. Fans who wish to enter the giveaway for the chance to win a free ebook copy, can visit www.wbp.bz/DWDGRG Winners will automatically receive their ebook. Just twenty copies will be awarded, so don’t delay! The deadline to enter is Feb. 9.

Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) released a map monitoring the state’s 12 resident wolves. The map will be updated monthly based on the GPS coordinates collected from the wolves’ collars, programmed to record their locations every four hours. “Watersheds are the appropriate mapping unit to display wolf activity information, because wolves are far more likely to use geographic features to affect their distribution than they are political boundaries,” reads a CPW press release. If a single wolf’s position is recorded even for a short period in any given watershed, it will be highlighted on the map — meaning the inclusion of a watershed doesn’t necessarily equate to a high level of wolf activity. To view the map, visit www.bit.ly/COwolfmap Art by Sofie Koski

They say it’s your birthday!

Folks celebrating another trip around the sun this week include: Joani Lubrant (Feb. 1); Candy Holgate, Mal Lent, Nikki Macleod, Mountain Maes, Rex van Minnen and Silvia Rodriguez Gutierrez (Feb. 2); Bob Moore, Stacey Novak and Sarah Strassburger (Feb. 3); Sandra Gaddis, Sue Gray and Aly Sanguily (Feb. 4); Jim Coddington, Patrick Hunter, Sandra Lopez and Andrew Scott (Feb. 6).

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THE SOPRIS SUN • Your weekly community connector •February 1- 7, 2024 • 3

State curriculum seeks to meet demand for crisis response

By Myki Jones Sopris Sun Correspondent

The Aspen Hope Center, a local nonprofit, has assisted countless people during the throes of a mental health crisis in the Valley for the past 14 years.

The Hope Center provides a myriad of services, including: crisis intervention, suicide prevention, therapy, a 24-hour confidential “hope” line and mobile crisis response. Meeting the growing demand for crisis response in Colorado has become increasingly tasking, as has hiring qualified candidates.

Over the last two years, Colorado’s Behavioral Health Administration (BHA) has been working to develop a 40-hour crisis education course, known as the Crisis Professional Curriculum (CPC), to meet rising demands for crisis responders.

The no-cost program would be available for anyone, with no cap on enrollment. The intent is to enable organizations, like the Hope Center, to hire individuals for entry-level positions who do not hold a degree in a related field.

“This CPC is a first step in becoming a crisis professional and should be paired with practical on-the-job training, coaching, mentoring and supervision that occurs at crisis service agencies,” BHC’s media manager, Stefany Busch, told The Sopris Sun. “Furthermore, consultation with

fellow crisis professionals and licensed professionals is also recommended.”

Michelle Muething, the Hope Center’s outgoing executive director (Muething will move on from her role in approximately two months), has been involved since the organization’s inception. Concurrently, she’s continued her work as a licensed crisis clinician. As far as the CPC is concerned, Muething agreed that it could help fill in some gaps.

“The whole point is to get people in crisis face-to-face assistance quicker,” Muething stated, “because even five minutes, to a person in crisis, can feel like a lifetime.”

Colorado is one of only a few states that has mandated that a mobile crisis response team be operational in each county, 24/7. According to Muething, the work is demanding and can be taxing for even the most seasoned social workers.

“Most crisis clinicians around the state are licensed at a master's level,” acknowledged Muething. “Over the last few years, teams have expanded by adding different para-professionals … such as peers and case managers.”

Busch explained that the statewide curriculum is set to be introduced, at least in part, in mid-March, but additional details are being ironed out by the Crisis Professional Advisory Committee and the BHA. Classes will be held virtually, and pre-recorded

4 • THE SOPRIS SUN • soprissun.com • February 1- 7, 2024

Aspen Hope Center’s crisis response team members (left to right) Christian Jackson, Jillian Standley and Laura Geddes with Glenwood Springs Police Lieutenant John Harrell. Courtesy photo

content will be uploaded to a BHA learning management system.

Participants will also learn how to complete Colorado’s crisis assessment.

When considering the impact the CPC could have on the Hope Center, Muething said that hiring additional crisis clinicians through the initiative could be beneficial. During her time in the Valley, she has come across many individuals who have qualities the Hope Center hopes to find in its clinicians, but didn’t have the credentials to qualify for the position.

This program could allow those folks to pursue a career in the field.

“These people I’ve met have: the ability to read body language, good

boundaries, compassion, empathy and good critical thinking skills. I always look at those people and think, ‘God, I’d give anything to hire you as a crisis clinician,’” Muething stated. “But, again, they'd have to go back to school for two years and get field supervision for two years. I think this allows folks with good abilities to work in this field … without the hoops of a degree.”

For more updates on CPC, visit www.bha.colorado.gov If you or someone you know are struggling with mental health, call the Aspen Hope Center at (970)-925-5858. In cases of emergency, call 911 or the national suicide hotline at 988.

Sudden spike in unhoused population exposes regional gaps

By Raleigh Burleigh Sopris Sun Editor

“It’s nice to know the folks here have shelter to go to. We'll see what the next phase brings, but it buys us some more time,” Carbondale Trustee Colin Laird said on Jan. 30.

In more than one way, Laird has been on the frontlines of Carbondale’s response to the recent influx of more than 100 newcomers, mostly from Venezuela and without work permits. As executive director of the Third Street Center, Laird was thrust into the role of emergency management coordinator while locals rallied to provide basic support for at least 70 people discovered to be camping in cars beneath a bridge at the entrance to town.

As outlined in a memo to other town trustees (www. bit.ly/Jan9memo), Laird sees the clear need for a more regional response to assisting the Valley’s growing unhoused population. While the current situation has driven it to an extreme, the need has and will continue to exist as even longtime locals are priced out of rentals.

Although the Third Street Center was intended to serve as

On Friday, Jan. 19, newcomers were split between the Carbondale Community United Methodist and Town Hall.

Vehicles were relocated to the Town-owned, dirt lots west of Thunder River Theatre. Photo by Raleigh Burleigh

a short-term emergency shelter, it took the Town more than 70 days to procure an alternative.

Even then, the Carbondale Community United Methodist Church was the only option that surfaced, with room for just 20 people, and the Town fell back on dividing its municipal meeting room in half to accommodate another 20.

The challenge is not unique to Carbondale. Even Denver, with significantly more resources for transitional

housing, reached a point of desperation in early January with over 4,400 migrants being temporarily housed in hotels and hundreds more arriving daily.

Although Venezuelans who arrived in the United States prior to August 2023 qualify for Temporary Protected Status and a work permit, it’s a process that takes months at best, if not over a year.

Organizing legal clinics to file the necessary paperwork

and get the process rolling is one crucial piece for helping the Venzuelans who are eager to work to become selfsustaining. In early January, Voces Unidas gathered nine attorneys and other volunteers who successfully completed applications for 16 people.

A second clinic is being planned for February. It’s a role the advocacy nonprofit feels more at home with, after initially bringing the crisis to light and helping to manage the shelter response.

Voces Unidas spent nearly $80,000 in direct assistance and advocacy efforts, president and CEO Alex Sánchez told The Sopris Sun. An emergency fund, now closed, received $35,600 in donations from individuals and businesses. This money was allocated toward City Market gift cards, Visa cards to assist people with hotels and transportation when the shelter was full, hot meals when no volunteers signed up, reimbursements to other nonprofits, transitional housing costs, legal clinic costs, interpreters and other professional services.

The Town of Carbondale since received $223,880 from the state’s Department

of Local Affairs to assist with sheltering and custodial services, security, case management and other needs.

Aspen Community Foundation also set up a fund for the Town which has raised a little more than $12,000 and is yet to be utilized (www. aspencommunityfoundation. networkforgood.com). Some of this funding, The Sopris Sun was told, could go toward organizing a regional response.

The Town of Carbondale’s clearly stated intention is to begin winding down its response by the end of March.

Transportation is already being offered to people who decide they’d like to move on. When the weather warms and more day labor jobs are available, however, it’s inevitable that others will arrive in search of work.

What dynamics have prompted the Venezuelans to leave their home country, risking their lives by crossing multiple borders, often by foot and without resources?

More than 7.7 million people have fled Venezuela due to an economic crisis attributed to the government of Hugo Chávez

continued on page 7

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THE SOPRIS SUN • Your weekly community connector • February 1- 7, 2024 • 5

‘Survivors of genocide should be in solidarity’ An interview with Carbondale resident Ben Green

By Amy Hadden Marsh Sopris Sun Correspondent

Ben Green and his sons solemnly display protest signs while attending a Ceasefire Now RFV rally in Glenwood Springs on Jan. 21. Photo by Amy Hadden Marsh

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Ben Green is a former high school teacher from the San Francisco Bay Area who has lived in Carbondale for six years with his wife, who grew up here, and three children. He now works for Brass Taxes©, helping freelance creatives file income tax. I first noticed Green at the Ceasefire Now RFV rally in Glenwood Springs on Jan. 21. He and his sons, Sagan and Izzy, quietly held signs denouncing oppression and war crimes, and urged people to educate themselves about the history of the Palestinian people.

What I didn’t notice until I took a closer look at my photographs from the protest was the logo on Green’s hat — the letters “AJC” and a graphic of the Star of David between two mountain peaks, which stands for the Aspen Jewish Congregation.

A week after the Glenwood Springs rally, Green consented to an interview to talk about why he chose to wear that hat on that day, what the conflict means to him and why he is speaking up for the Palestinian people. Our conversation lasted for over an hour and has been edited here for length and clarity.

AHM: Talk about why you chose to wear that particular hat to the ceasefire rally.

BG: My personal answer is complicated. It was important to me to be “out” as a Jew. In particular at the ceasefire rally, I wanted to be “out’ as a Jew because I think there are a lot of people, both within the leftists organizing around the IsraeliPalestinian conflict and also within the Jewish community, who assume that all Jews have this unified opinion that we might call an uncritical approach to Israeli geopolitical operations.

I wanted to wear the hat as a message but also as a reminder to the other people at the rally to remember that it’s important to make a distinction between criticism of the Israeli government and military policy, and the Jewish people as a whole. There’s a lot of nuance that leftists miss when they criticize Israel, and a lot of ways they inadvertently or deliberately perpetuate antisemitism in their rhetoric and organizing. At the same time, like the sign I made that my older son, Sagan, was holding… continued on page 7

continued from page 6

AHM: The war crimes sign.

BG: We can simultaneously recognize that, yes, Hamas’ attack on Oct. 7 was a war crime.

Yes, it was terrorism. No, that doesn’t justify what Israel is currently doing in Gaza, and Hamas’ war crimes weren’t justified by the Israeli occupation of the West Bank or its treatment of Gaza. Pain does not justify pain; war crimes do not justify war crimes.

One of the criticisms I hear a lot about calling for a ceasefire is that Hamas will not respect a ceasefire.

And the reality is, that’s true. They won’t. But you agree to a ceasefire because you’re taking a stand on your actions and what you believe is the right thing to do. And you do it, knowing that if Hamas continues with violence that’s tragic and wrong, that still doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t agree to a ceasefire because that’s the right thing to do.

I think that a lot of people who are critical of Palestinian liberation movements point at the fact that they are currently led by a terrorist organization; but you can’t make Palestinian liberation and their right to sovereign control of their territory, their right to life and access to food and water and electricity contingent on their going about getting their liberation in the way that you want.

People still deserve freedom even when they go about it in the wrong way.

AHM: What were your feelings when Hamas attacked on Oct. 7, and about Israel’s response?

prevent genocide [www.tinyurl.com/ Intercept-human-rights] . What are your thoughts about these two cases?

BG: I remember when I first started hearing about it, I was actually nauseous the whole day and just heartbroken. I have family in Israel and I have been to the town that was attacked when I was a teenager. So for the first day, I actually had to stop.

At a certain point, I was, like, I can’t look at the news. I can’t be on social media. I just can’t take this. Then, once I started using social media again, I spent a few days really trying to provide context for people.

BG: The U.S. has a storied history of funding and training and supporting a whole litany of crimes against humanity, war crimes and genocides all over the world. If you get to the point where you’re needing to parse, “Does this thing technically meet the criteria for genocide?” That’s already too close to genocide, and the U.S. shouldn’t have any part in it. The U.S. provides a lot of military aid to a lot of countries that it shouldn’t. I oppose all of that, including Israel.

AHM: What do you mean by that?

AHM: How are you talking about this to your boys?

BG: I remember seeing a lot of people in different forums online who were getting very close to openly calling for genocide in Gaza, like, Israel should just turn the entire area to powder. Problem solved. But, [the conflict] didn’t start on Oct. 7. It didn’t start in 1948. This goes back farther than that, so basically I was like, let’s start 5,000 years ago and just trace the whole history of this place.

AHM: The International Justice Court recently ruled on South Africa’s case against Israel and stopped short of calling for a ceasefire. Some human rights groups in the U.S. have sued President Biden, [Secretary of State] Antony Blinken and [Defense Secretary] Lloyd Austin stating that the U.S. has breached its obligations to

BG: I try to talk to them about it in small bits. I pay attention to how interested they are in the topic. [My wife] and I have always had this position that if they ask us questions, we try our best to answer them honestly in a way that’s as ageappropriate as we can.

AHM: Is there anything else you’d like to add?

BG: I think it is important for Jews to be taking a leadership role in demanding a ceasefire. You don’t spend 70 to 80 years saying “never again”; never again means never for anybody.

I think all people who are survivors of genocide should be in solidarity with each other on these issues.

Unhoused from page 5 (succeeded by Nicolás Maduro) and exacerbated by foreign sanctions. In 2022, the country reported an inflation rate of 234%.

How can people help?

Since Jan. 8, meals have been offered on weekday evenings at Crystal River Elementary School.

Meanwhile, all breakfasts and weekend meals are being covered by volunteers.

To help out, contact newcomersresponse@ carbondaleco.net Age-Friendly Carbondale is renting a storage unit, first acquired in November with help from Two Rivers Unitarian Universalist and the Aspen Jewish Congregation.

Sopris Self Storage provided the first two months at a highly discounted rate.

Volunteer Niki Delson is posting updates and requests on the Carbondale Facebook page and Age-Friendly Carbondale intends to keep the unit through the end of March. They will then attempt to store quality items in basements and garages in case the need resurfaces.

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THE SOPRIS SUN • Your weekly community connector • February 1- 7, 2024 • 7

COMMUNITY CALENDAR Visit soprissun.com to submit events THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 1

STORYTIME Both the Carbondale and Basalt libraries offer storytime for children 6 and under at 10:30am. Basalt’s storytime is conducted bilingually.

INTRO TO DRAWING The Art Base offers an introduction to drawing course, for ages 9-13, taking places every Thursday in February from 4 to 6pm. More info at www.theartbase.org TEEN COUNCIL Basalt Library’s teen advisory council meets at 4pm. Students in grades 6-12 can influence the library’s offerings by committing one hour of time each month and assisting with teen programming.

APRENDO A Learn to use Basalt Library resources accessible at home with a bilingual training at 5pm.

DOCUMENTARY FILM Ceasefire Now RFV shows “Gaza Fights for Freedom” (a documentary filmed during the 2018-19 Great March of Return protests) at the Basalt Library at 6:30pm.

CRYSTAL THEATRE The Crystal Theatre shows “Poor Things” at 7pm tonight, tomorrow and Saturday, Feb. 3.

Catch a matinee of “The Boys in the Boat”on Feb. 3 at 4:30pm.

“Ferrari” screens Sunday, Feb. 4 at 5pm and Feb. 7 and 8 at 7pm.

ASPEN FILM Aspen Film presents “State and Main” at the Isis Theatre at 7pm, followed by a live interview with actor William H. Macy.

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 2

GROUNDHOG DAY It’s said that if a groundhog emerges and sees its shadow, winter will persist for six more weeks. If it does not see its shadow, spring should be that much closer.

NATURE JOURNALING The Carbondale Library hosts “Nature Journaling with Words and Drawings,” a free class for adults, from 1 to 2:30pm.

COMPUTER BASICS The Basalt Library offers a bilingual adult computer course where participants learn the basics at 3pm.

More info at www.basaltlibrary.org MODEL AUDITIONS Aspen Cares is seeking people from all walks of life, body types and talents to audition for the10th Annual Aspen Cares Fashion Show.

Auditions take place tonight and tomorrow night at 6pm at 535 East Hyman Avenue in Aspen.

Register at www.aspencares.org ART RECEPTION The Carbondale Clay Center hosts a reception for Joanne Seongweon Lee’s “Volume 1: Reshaping Roots” from 6 to 8pm.

SOPRIS SOARERS The Launchpad presents “Wintery Wonders Showcase” by the Sopris Soarers at 6pm.

BLACK VIOLIN The Wheeler Opera House presents the two-time Grammy nominated duo Black Violin at 7:30pm. Tickets at www.aspenshowtix.com

8 • THE SOPRIS SUN • soprissun.com • February 1- 7, 2024

JAZZMONAUTS Steve’s Guitars hosts The Jazzmonauts for a First Friday listening party at 8pm. Tickets at www.stevesguitars.net

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 3

SKI FOR SISU Mount Sopris Nordic Council’s 32nd Annual Ski for Sisu fundraiser kicks off today and goes through Sunday, Feb. 11. The main in-person event takes place on Feb. 11. Registration and more info at www.springgulch.org SPIRITUAL FOUNDATIONS Create more ease and flow in your life with Meghan Gilroy at True Nature at 10am. More info at www. truenaturehealingarts.com MIDDLE SCHOOL JAZZ The Jazz Aspen Snowmass District 8 Honor Jazz program presents a concert, featuring 64 students from 15 different middle and high schools across the Western Slope, at the Carbondale Middle School at 5pm. More info at www.jazzaspensnowmass.org TYPICAL GHOST A new local band, Typical Ghost, performs at Steve’s Guitars at 8pm.

Tickets at www.stevesguitars.net LIP SYNC BATTLE The Roaring Divas compete with drag queens from Grand Junction in a lip sync battle extravaganza at TACAW at 8pm. Tickets at www.tacaw.org

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 4

CACAO CEREMONY Nicole Lindstrom leads a cacao ceremony at True Nature at 11am. More info at www.truenaturehealingarts.com STAGE MANAGING 101 Dani Taylor of Thunder River Theatre Company guides a workshop that delves into the imperative role of a stage manager at TACAW at 1pm.

Register at www.tacaw.org/calendar WESTERN ALLIANCE The Western Colorado Alliance of Garfield County hosts a kickoff meeting at the Rifle Library at 2pm, with childcare, Spanishinterpretation and food provided. To RSVP, visit www.bit.ly/Feb4GarCo TRUE NATURE 101 Kyle Jason Leitzke leads a threepart series, “Optimize your True Nature,” today, Feb. 11 and 18 at 3pm at True Nature. More info at www.truenaturehealingarts.com COWBOYS The Carbondale Historical Society’s speaker series continues with “Cowboys” at KDNK (76 South 2nd Street) at 5pm.

This event is live, in-person and free.

RANDOM CONVERSATIONS Join in on the Lost Art of Random Conversations at the Carbondale Library at 6pm.

COMEDY NIGHT Aspen Film teams up with Patio Night Live for its first-ever Comedy Night at the Isis Theatre at 7:30pm, featuring Beth Brandon, Miller Ford, Zoe Rom, Louis Beck and Ryan Honey.

Tickets at www.aspenfilm.org

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 5

BOLSITAS ROJAS Children under 5 and their guardians are invited to enjoy stories and activities in Spanish at the Carbondale Library at 10:30am.

MOVE FROM CENTER Alexandra Jerkunica guides a four-week ballet barre and Pilates mat class. The class meets every Monday in February at 4pm at the Carbondale Library.

EIA OPEN HOURS English in Action hosts open tutoring hours for English learners at the Basalt Library at 6pm.

Live in-person service. Live music by Jimmy Byrne.

Sunday, January 28th, 10am at Two Rivers Unitarian Universalist Community Room @ Third Street Center in Carbondale or via Zoom Join Zoom Meeting - https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82605258305 Meeting ID: 826 0525 8305 - Passcode: chalice

The Carbondale Rec Center is hosting a month-long fitness challenge with classes for all ages and abilities! How it works: attend as many classes as possible in February. Each class earns you one punch on a challenge card, demonstrated here by fitness instructor Parker Kennedy and aquatics facility and wellness coordinator Lia Barskey. Five punches will earn you an entry into the prize drawing — with one three-month membership to win, among other goodies. Photo by Raleigh Burleigh

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 6

HEART HEALTH Valley View celebrates American Heart Month by inviting the community to meet Ethan Munzinger, its newest interventional cardiologist, for a free, virtual webinar at noon.

Sign up at www.bit.ly/VVFeb6 GRIEF MEDITATION Robyn Hubbard leads a “Community Grief and Wellness Movement Meditation” session at TACAW from 6 to 10pm. Register at www.tacaw.org DRAWING CLUB The Roaring Fork Drawing Club travels to Aspen’s Soldner Center for informal sketching and socializing at 6:30pm. RSVP by emailing rfdrawingclub@gmail.com AVALANCHE FORECASTING Dylan Craaybeek, a backcountry avalanche forecaster for the Colorado Avalanche Information Center, presents “Avalanche Forecasting: Stories from the Roaring Fork Valley to New Zealand” at The Collective in Snowmass at 7pm.

Register at www.aspennature.org

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 7 STEPLESS STEP Linda Loeschen teaches easyto-follow dance routines at the Basalt Library at 11:30am.

LIBRARY BOOK CLUB The Basalt Library hosts its monthly informal book club, where attendees can discuss any and all books, at noon every first Wednesday of the month.

WHATLOW Children 7 and under are invited to build with Legos at the Basalt Library at 2:30pm.

FLY TYING Basalt Library invites teens to learn to tie their own flies at 3:30pm in preparation for the Iron Fly Competition on Feb. 10.

BIENNIAL ART SHOW The Aspen Chapel Gallery hosts an opening reception for its 2024 Four Rivers Biennial art show from 4 to 7pm. There are over 100 pieces from 45 local artists! The art will remain on display through March 2 and a portion of all sales will benefit The Sopris Sun. NATURALIST NIGHT The Naturalist Nights series continues with “The IdentiFlight Technology: Protecting Sensitive Bird Species from Wind Turbine Collisions” tonight at Roaring Fork High School at 6pm, and tomorrow night at Hallam Lake at 6pm. More info at www.aspennature.org

On the second and third Sundays of each month, Aaron Brown will be speaking in-person at Third truu.org Street Center. Aaron Brown received his Master’s in Theological Studies from Iliff School of Theology. He develops coaching and leadership programs for a global consulting firm and has spoken intermittently over the last 12 years at TRUU. He is the father of two teenagers, one who recently started college, the other in 10th grade. He is delighted and honored to be joining the congregation this year as a guest speaker.

free winter speaker series

The Identiflight Technology: Protecting Sensitive Bird Species from Wind Turbine Collisions with Susan Downey & Carlos Jorquera

GREG STUMP In partnership with Aspen Film, U.S. Ski Hall of Fame member Greg Stump hosts four screenings of his vintage ski films at the Isis Theatre, every Wednesday in February at 7:30pm.

Tonight's film is “Maltese Flamingo.”

Wednesday, feb. 7 | Roaring Fork High School, 6pm Thursday, feb. 8 | ACES Hallam Lake nature center, 6pm

OLLELLA Ellie Barber, aka Ollella, returns to the Roaring Fork Valley with a show at Steve’s Guitars at 8pm.

Tickets at www.stevesguitars.net

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 8

BANNED BOOK The Banned Book Club convenes to discuss “All Boys Aren’t Blue” by journalist George M. Johnson at 5pm at the Basalt Library. A limited number of free copies are at the circulation desk.

SOPRIS SUN PARTY The Sopris Sun’s Cabin Fever Wine Tasting, 15th birthday celebration at the RVR Barn kicks off at 5pm with small bites from local restaurants, fine wines and a silent auction. Purchase tickets at www.soprissun.com STEVE’S May Erlewine performs at Steve’s Guitars at 8pm. Find tickets at www. stevesguitars.net

FREE REGISTRATION AT WILDERNESSWORKSHOP.ORG AND ASPENNATURE.ORG

GOLD SPONSORS:

SILVER SPONSORS: *A livestream of all Thursday lectures will be available on YouTube and Facebook, thanks to Grassroots TV.

THE SOPRIS SUN • Your weekly community connector • February 1- 7, 2024 • 9

CABIN FEVER WINETASTING 15th Birthday Celebration Thursday Feb 8th 5-8pm Thompson Barn at RVR Sponsored By: Downtown Liquors on Main Street Food provided by: Allegria, Honey Butter, Plosky’s Deli, Peppinos, Itzy Bitz and other local chefs

Enjoy fine wines, great food from local chefs, live music, a silent auction and birthday cake!

Reserve tickets at soprissun.com Want to support The Sun with a small bite from your restaurant at our event? Contact ... ASAP! 10 • THE SOPRIS SUN • soprissun.com • February 1- 7, 2024

Sol del

Valle

el

Conectando comunidades desde 2021

Volumen 2, Número 49 | 1-7 de febrero de 2024

Susana Salamun consigue el premio 40 Under 40 Por Jackie Ramirez Sol contribuyente Desde una temprana edad, Susana Salamun siempre ha participado en la industria de negocios.

Recientemente, ella, conocida en el Valle Roaring Fork por su trabajo con Alpine Bank, fue reconocida en la clase de 2024 “40 Under 40” de Denver Business Journal. Este premio celebra a profesionales jóvenes que están haciendo un impacto en sus comunidades por su trabajo en la industria de negocios en Denver.

Ahora viviendo en el Front Range, Salamun es directora de desarrollo de personal en Alpine Bank y trabaja incansablemente para ayudar a otros a alcanzar su máximo potencial, pero su trabajo no termina ahí. Salamun es parte de Latino Community Foundation of Colorado, Minority Business Office Advisory Council y Colorado Bankers Association, donde conoció a Jenifer Waller, la CEO y presidente de la asociación, que nominó a Salamun para el premio.

La nominación empezó cuando el Colorado Bankers Association incluyó a Salamun en su revista donde ella compartió la historia de cómo se mudó de México a los Estados Unidos y superó los desafíos culturales y aprendió un nuevo idioma. Al mismo tiempo, Salamun estaba integrándose en la industria de bancos y estaba trabajando para ayudar a las comunidades de minoridades y desatendidos para que tengan acceso a bancos.

“Nunca iba a imaginar que compartiendo mi historia con la revista de Colorado Bankers Association se convertiría en una nominación para

Susana Salamun es la directora de desarrollo de personal en Alpine Bank. Foto de cortesía

el premio 40 Under 40 del Denver Business Journal”, dijo Salamun.

“Pienso que eso fue una continuación de la historia que estaba compartiendo, y era el próximo paso. Me hizo sentir apreciada, honrada y muy agradecida”.

Cuando Salamun era niña en México, ella soñaba con tener su propia tienda de ropa o salón de belleza y

también jugaba tener su propio negocio.

Como joven, Salamun comenzó a convertir sus sueños en realidad haciendo joyas hechas a mano y vendiéndolas a sus amigos. Durante los veranos ella hacía pasteles y los vendía a negocios locales en su ciudad. Desde pequeña, siempre tuvo espíritu emprendedor.

“Yo todavía uso ese espíritu emprendedor que he tenido desde que yo jugaba en casa o cuando comencé a hacer un negocio verdadero cuando era joven. Todavía lo uso cuando trabajo en el banco, y lo uso para poder crear programas que ayudan a nuestros clientes y empleados [de Alpine Bank]”, dijo Salamun.

Mientras ella celebra el premio de 40 Under 40, recuerda su llegada a los Estados Unidos.

“Pienso yo que ese cambio inicial que tuve en mi vida de mudarme de países, teniendo que aprender un nuevo idioma y adoptar un nuevo sistema, me ayudó a desarrollar las habilidades que iba a necesitar para ser exitosa para el resto de

mi carrera y para las demás oportunidades y desafíos que iba tener en el futuro”, dijo Salamun.

Con su experiencia, ella hace un esfuerzo para ser activa en su comunidad y ella reconoce que participar en varias organizaciones le permite hablar más por parte de negocios y comunidades que necesitan ayuda. A través de sus experiencias e interacciones con personas, ya sea en Alpine Bank o en una de las juntas directivas en que participa, puede pensar en nuevas formas de ayudar.

“Escuchar todo eso y luego participar en una junta me ha dejado llamar atención a estas necesidades y asuntos para poder colaborar con otras personas y traer cambio para ayudar a las comunidades más necesitadas. Mi plan es seguir siendo activa y comprometida e involucrada”, dijo Salamun.

Al recibir este reconocimiento, Salamun se siente apreciada. Quiere seguir reciprocando a través de ayudar a su comunidad y dar apoyo a los que más lo necesitan.

“Hace 12 años cuando me mudé a los Estados Unidos, nunca hubiera imaginado que 12 años después estaría recibiendo este premio. Me siento casi en shock e incredulidad, pero muy emocionada y agradecida por esta oportunidad”, dijo.

Salamun anima a los demás a que no se desanimen y que confíen en el proceso más que el producto final.

“Los desafíos se convertirán en oportunidades que se convertirán en recompensas. Eso es algo que siempre me ha motivado, y algo que consejería a los demás que siempre se recuerden”, dijo Salamun.

Largos (y productivos) meses

OPINIÓN

Superintendente Interina Por Dra. Anna Cole

En las escuelas, enero y febrero parecen los meses más largos del año. La frescura del otoño se ha desvanecido.

Las vacaciones de primavera parecen lejanas. Junio bien podría ser dentro de 12 meses.

Bromeamos diciendo que hemos llegado al "día número 45 de enero", o quizás a la "sexta semana de febrero".

Estos meses ponen a prueba la resistencia de los estudiantes y del personal. Pero también es la época del año en que los estudiantes y el personal están en su mejor momento.

A pesar de los desafíos, enero y febrero son el corazón del año escolar. Para nuestros alumnos de preescolar y primaria, las rutinas están bien establecidas. Los conocimientos adquiridos en otoño han servido de base para el nuevo material.

En secundaria, los alumnos están profundizando en los contenidos, poniendo a prueba la resistencia de sus amistades y empezando a identificar las materias que realmente les interesan.

Nuestros estudiantes de secundaria todavía no están pensando en la emoción de la primavera, ni nuestros estudiantes de preparatoria han sentido todo el peso del último año.

Siguen comprometidos, siguen liderando en sus aulas y comunidades. Los estudiantes de último año están planificando con antelación sus oportunidades profesionales y universitarias, pero siguen muy comprometidos con sus estudios. Están trabajando duro para mantener las calificaciones, terminar fuerte, y cumplir con los requisitos para la fecha límite de graduación de mayo a tiempo.

En todas nuestras aulas, el ritmo curricular es estricto.

Estamos al día, trabajando a un ritmo intenso; nuestros profesores son conscientes del tiempo. Se reta a los alumnos a que se mantengan comprometidos, alerta y presentes. Nuestros profesores les animan: "Quédate conmigo, puedes hacerlo".

Apenas pasada la mitad del curso, nuestros profesores han analizado las evaluaciones de mitad de curso de los alumnos y conocen los puntos fuertes, las carencias y los retos en los que deben centrarse para que el crecimiento de los alumnos siga acelerándose y el rendimiento se mantenga en el objetivo. Nuestros servicios de intervención académica, diseñados para abordar las carencias de los alumnos, son cada vez más específicos.

Estos son los meses en los que realmente vemos brillar la experiencia y la profesionalidad de los educadores. Están metidos de lleno en el plan de estudios y los contenidos. Saben dónde y cuándo dar un codazo, empujar, animar, retar y hacer una pausa. Ese gran proyecto o trabajo del que llevan hablando todo el año por fin ha comenzado.

Los equipos operativos también trabajan al máximo de su capacidad. Superan los problemas de mal clima (retrasos en el transporte, cortes de electricidad, aparcamientos cubiertos de nieve, goteras en los tejados) con flexibilidad, resistencia y trabajo en equipo.

Los equipos de apoyo a estudiantes y familias se ocupan de los niños y las familias que

necesitan ayuda adicional durante estos meses que ponen a prueba el bienestar mental de todos. Los socios siguen añadiendo valor y rellenando vacíos; su personal y sus voluntarios están firmemente integrados en nuestras comunidades escolares.

La cultura escolar prospera.

Los alumnos de BHS representan obras escritas y dirigidas por ellos mismos. El Club de Equidad Estudiantil RFHS está representando a Colorado rural en una conferencia de diversidad en todo el estado. Miembros del coro de GSHS actuarán en el Festival de Colorado All-State Choir la próxima semana en Denver. Y los estudiantes de Bridges High School nivelaron su compromiso de asistencia con cambios a mitad del año en su horario de campus abierto/cerrado y clases de Reconnect. Los atletas de invierno, incluyendo los equipos de oratoria y debate, se están preparando para las competencias estatales. Los estudiantes de todas nuestras escuelas K-8 están explorando nuestro paisaje invernal en zapatos de nieve o esquís con clases de ciencias y con socios de la comunidad.

Las noches de alfabetización de nuestras familias de primaria, las exposiciones de arte y las actuaciones del coro

llenan las salas. Los padres y las familias asisten a charlas de café con los consejeros escolares, foros comunitarios del distrito sobre la prevención de drogas y recaudaciones de fondos escolares para apoyar una variedad de actividades.

Los equipos de liderazgo del distrito están empezando a trabajar en los presupuestos de las escuelas 24/25 y hemos dado el comienzo a la temporada de contratación 24/25. En las próximas semanas empezaremos dar la bienvenida a las familias de la clase de 2037 cuando iniciemos la inscripción para el jardín de infancia. El Plan Estratégico 2024-2029 de las Escuelas de Roaring Fork está casi terminado y estará listo para publicarse esta primavera.

Nuestra Junta de Educación ha dado la bienvenida a los nuevos miembros con una serie de proyectos que incluyen el apoyo continuo al plan estratégico, una evaluación del superintendente y el proceso de contratación, la adopción de políticas impulsadas por la misión, y se dirigen a la temporada presupuestaria.

Pero los estudiantes sienten enero y febrero con más intensidad que nadi. No son meses de premios y celebraciones. continúa en la página 13

SE BUSCA EDITOR/A EDITOR WANTED ¡El Sol del Valle está buscando su próximo/a editor/a!

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Ayúdanos a informar, inspirar y construir comunidad... ¡en español!

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12 • el Sol del Valle • soprissun.com/espanol/ • 1-7 de febrero de 2024

Para saber más sobre este trabajo de tiempo completo, mandanos tu CV y una carta de interés a raleigh@soprissun.com

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Visita el enlace para más información: https://soprissun.com/elsoleditor

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Escuelas

de la página 12

No es el momento de hacer una pausa y reflexionar sobre lo lejos que hemos llegado. Son meses de mucho trabajo.

Estos son los meses en los que el estímulo, el apoyo, el sueño, la asistencia y la rutina importan.

Este es el momento en el que nuestros alumnos necesitan oír: "Tú puedes hacer cosas difíciles", y estar rodeados de adultos que realmente creen que pueden hacerlo. Y como adultos, tenemos que asegurarnos de que los estudiantes tienen los recursos, el tiempo y el apoyo para hacer su mejor trabajo. Miembros de la comunidad, si ven a nuestros estudiantes, personal o profesores fuera de casa, e ste sería un buen momento para animarles.

Cuando vean a nuestros estudiantes haciendo malabares con los deberes y también haciendo la compra; cuando vean a nuestro personal haciendo un esfuerzo para ir a correr, esquiar o asistir a un partido de baloncesto; si ven a nuestros equipos quitando nieve de los aparcamientos a las 2 de la madrugada, o ven al conductor del autobús intentando mantenerse caliente en las mañanas frías, denles las gracias. Si ves a familias con niños pequeños agotados, cansados de tanto escuchar el "¡Puedes hacerlo!", de los deberes y de la asistencia a eventos, diganles que aguanten, que sí que pueden.

Aunque sea duro, aunque enero y febrero sean eternos, lo conseguiremos. En las escuelas Roaring Fork, es cuando mejor estamos.

OPINIÓN

Sopa de Letras Por Angélica Breña

Si alguna vez escuchamos que ser un buen anfitrión es un deber, no es por casualidad. La historia nos ha mostrado a lo largo de los siglos que es una gran virtud para lograr una paz profunda.

En las últimas semanas, Colorado ha presenciado una llegada significativa de inmigrantes venezolanos.

Este flujo migratorio no solo trae consigo diversas historias y esperanzas, sino también la oportunidad de explorar un valor profundamente arraigado en la historia de la cultura occidental: la hospitalidad.

Al sumergirnos en la rica tradición de la hospitalidad, desde los antiguos griegos hasta los días presentes, podemos comprender mejor la importancia de construir puentes culturales y fomentar la comprensión mutua.

Empezaré con los antiguos griegos que creían en este valor como parte de la buena cultura. En la "Odisea" de Homero, vemos como gobernantes y ciudadanos;

CHISME DEL PUEBLO Traducción por Jacquelinne Castro

Lobos

Los Parques y Vida Silvestre de Colorado (CPW) lanzaron un mapa supervisando a los 12 lobos residentes del estado.

El mapa será actualizado cada mes basado en las coordenadas de GPS recolectadas por los collares de los lobos, programados para registrar sus ubicaciones cada cuatro horas.

Visite www.bit.ly/COwolfmap

Maroon Bells

Una asociación de multiagencias ha anunciado la finalización del plan de gestión integral para el Área Escénica de Maroon Bells. La visión de este plan “es administrar de forma proactiva y sostenible a los usuarios, el acceso y la infraestructura para proporcionar experiencias de recreación al aire libre positivas y equitativas, mientras se preservan los recursos naturales". Encuentre el plan en www.bit.ly/MaroonBellsPlan

Aptitud física

¡El Centro Recreacional de Carbondale está organizando un desafío de aptitud física de un mes con clases para todas la edades y habilidades! Cómo funciona: asista a cuantas clases pueda en febrero. Cada clase le consigue una perforación en una tarjeta de desafíos. Cinco perforaciones le consiguen una entrada al sorteo de premios (con una membresía de tres meses, junto con otros premios). ¡Traiga a un amigo y juntos pueden recibir una perforación adicional!

Carreras municipales

Seis candidatos han entregado peticiones para tres puestos disponibles en el ayuntamiento del pueblo de Basalt: Hannah Berman, Chris Mullen, Richard Stevens, Kaja Rumney, Angele DupreButchart y Courtney Sheeley Wycoff. Mientras tanto, solamente David Knight ha puesto su petición para alcalde.

En Carbondale, seis candidatos están compitiendo por tres

Ser buen anfitrión o anfitriona ellas y ellos primero se mostraban amigables, generosos y pacíficos con los desconocidos, era la etiqueta a seguir y luego se sentaban a escuchar las historias de esos forasteros para comprender los porqués y los cómos habían llegado ahí.

Aunque estuvieran en guerra o fueran enemigos, los griegos recibían a los “otros” en el siguiente orden; primero con saludos cordiales, luego ofrecían un banquete y después de haber saciado el apetito, abrían un diálogo para saber cuáles eran las intenciones de esa visita o llegada. La hospitalidad era un deber sagrado; una oportunidad para demostrar generosidad y solidaridad.

Constituía una verdadera virtud ser buen anfitrión.

En la antigua Roma también se reconocía esta virtud. Virgilio resalta con detalle en el libro “I de la Eneida”, el protocolo de la hospitalidad. Eneas llega a las costas de Cartago (actual Libia), con su tripulación en situación sin techo, es decir, náufragos y moribundos, después de arder Troya. La reina Dido le da la bienvenida a Eneas y su mermada tripulación.

Para ella eran unos perfectos desconocidos y posiblemente una amenaza a la paz de su reinado. Aun así, los recibe y les provee de baño y ropa limpia, para después

encontrarse con ella y su corte, dignos todos de un banquete y, como iguales, discutir su procedencia e intenciones. No puedo evitar decir que este capítulo ha sido motivo y tela de la historia de un romance inolvidable en la literatura universal y las artes escénicas.

Avanzando en la historia, en la Edad Media. Los peregrinos que viajaban a Santiago de Compostela experimentaban una forma única de hospitalidad.

Comunidades a lo largo de los "Caminos de Santiago" ofrecían alojamiento, comida y atención médica a los peregrinos, considerándolos como portadores de experiencias y conocimientos valiosos. Actualmente esa sinergia de “hospitalidad” la experimentan los hacen El Camino.

En este lado del mundo, la civilización azteca, en su apogeo imperial, también valoraba la hospitalidad.

Los mexicas, al igual que otras culturas antiguas, consideraban que recibir a los huéspedes con respeto y amabilidad era esencial.

Esto se reflejaba en sus rituales y ceremonias destinadas a honrar a los visitantes. Un ejemplo: el recibimiento de Moctezuma a Hernán Cortés que ha dado pie a obras pictóricas y relatos que nos han dado mucho que pensar y han contribuido a una identidad.

En el crisol cultural de Colorado, la hospitalidad no es un concepto nuevo. A lo largo de la historia, diversas comunidades han convergido en este estado, cada una aportando su propia riqueza cultural. La llegada de los venezolanos presenta una oportunidad para agregar un capítulo más a esta narrativa en constante evolución.

La historia de la hospitalidad nos enseña que la acogida de extraños no solo es una cortesía, sino también una inversión en la construcción de sociedades fuertes y resilientes.

En un mundo cada vez más interconectado, las comunidades que abrazan la diversidad y practican la hospitalidad son las que prosperan.

En conclusión, los recién llegados a este Valle inundado de sol, representan para todos una oportunidad para reflexionar sobre la rica tradición de hospitalidad a lo largo de la historia. Desde los griegos hasta los aztecas, la hospitalidad ha sido un valor fundamental que ha fortalecido las comunidades y ha construido puentes entre diferentes culturas.

Nosotros tenemos la oportunidad de escribir nuestro propio capítulo en esta historia, abrazando la diversidad, celebrando las diferencias y construyendo un futuro más inclusivo y próspero para todos.

puestos: Jess Robison, April Spaulding, Katie Tabor, Susan Rhea, Christina Montemayor y Ross Kribbs. Nicholas DiFrank ha formalmente retirado su nombre de la carrera.

Matricula de CMC

La junta directiva de Colorado Mountain College se reunió el 23 de enero para discutir los costos y matrículas para el año académico del 2024-25. La junta aprobó un incremento en matrícula del 4%, el cual equivale a $4 adicionales por cada hora de crédito para estudiantes en el distrito, $8 para estudiantes en el estado y $20 para estudiantes no residentes. La junta también aprobó la matrícula diferencial para programas de enfermería e higiene dental y eliminó la matrícula diferencial para educación de maestros, reduciendo la matrícula para los estudiantes de educación de maestro $40 por hora de crédito. Los costos de residencia incrementaron un 2.3% y los planes de comida un 7.4%.

"Sincronías" parte 60, por Leonardo Occhipinti

el Sol del Valle • Conector de comunidad • 1-7 de febrero de 2024 • 13

Rams lean on senior leadership, young talent in bid for 3A league title

By John Stroud Sopris Sun Correspondent A combination of veteran experience and talent among the younger ranks has the Roaring Fork High School boys basketball team in the thick of the 3A Western Slope League (WSL) race with five crucial games to go.

After soundly defeating North Fork in the final road game of the regular season last Friday (Jan. 26), 62-41, the Rams come home to close out the league schedule, starting with Cedaredge at 7pm Friday, Feb. 2 and a rematch with league-leading Meeker at 4pm that Saturday.

Roaring Fork earned a 5850 win over Cedaredge in their first meeting back on Jan. 12, two days after Meeker nipped the visiting Rams 43-41.

The Meeker Cowboys are currently undefeated in league play at 7-0 (11-1 overall), while Roaring Fork is riding a threegame winning streak with a 5-2 league mark (6-8 overall) that has the Rams sitting in second place in the league standings.

“We’ve been playing really well, and I feel like our scoring has been balanced, which is really hard to stop,”

Ram basketball seniors (left to right) Yusbani Duarte Carrillo, Noel Richardson and Josh Hernandez. Photo by John Stroud

said senior Noel Richardson, who leads the team averaging 12.9 points per game.

To win league, the Rams will most likely need to win out (win the remainder of their games) or hope that another team can beat Meeker along the way. Wins Friday and Saturday would put Roaring Fork in the driver’s seat.

“If we all just work as hard as we can, I feel like no one can hang with us,” Richardson said.

SCHOOL DISTRICT REPORT

Key to the Rams league journey thus far, after a tough start to the season against several 4A and 5A opponents, has been the play of senior Josh Hernandez and a core of talented sophomore and junior players. Sophomore big man Kiko Pena has been strong on the boards, pulling down 9.4 rebounds per game, along with 1.8 steals and 0.8 blocks per game. Against North Fork last week, sophomore Ethan Wilson led all scorers with 15 points, including three

3-pointers, while sophomore Lucas Carballeira had 12 and Richardson had 11.

“Everyone has to do their role, and just try to get buckets every game,” Hernandez said.

“Our four sophomores have been really helping us out with rebounds and scoring.”

Bench support from players like fellow senior Yusbani Duarte Carrillo, in just his first year with the Rams team, has also been helpful.

“I feel like defensively I've been doing my part and I’ve learned a lot in practice and games,” Carrillo said. “I’m glad to have these coaches and my teammates around to support me.”

Head coach Jason Kreiling thinks his team is moving in the right direction, but they aren’t yet at their best.

“This group is still figuring a few things out from when Noel missed three games,” Kreiling said of Richardson’s absence for the first three games after the holiday break when he was out sick. “It would be great to get through the rest of the league games with wins, and everyone wants to be playing their best basketball real soon with post season right around the corner.”

Girls grab another ‘W’ Meanwhile, the Roaring Fork girls are also keeping pace in the always-tough WSL, sitting in fourth place currently at 4-3 in league and 7-5 overall.

The ladies team won convincingly over North Fork, 61-28, on Friday, and is preparing for the same slate of opponents on the home court this weekend as the boys (5:30pm Friday vs. Cedaredge, and 2:30pm Saturday against Meeker).

Against North Fork, junior Carly Crownhart led in the scoring column with 16 points, while sophomore Nikki Tardif had 12 and junior Erica Crownhart and freshman Riley Bevington chipped in 10 each. “(Senior) Lexy Sanchez and (junior) Maddie Anderson did a nice job coming off the bench,” head coach Mike Vidakovich said after the weekend action. “We have a couple of big games at home this weekend, and hopefully a sellout crowd on Friday.”

The Rams fell to Meeker 57-50 on Jan. 10, before claiming a 43-34 win at Cedaredge two nights later.

Roaring Fork Schools tackles student substance use

By Jeanne Souldern Sopris Sun Correspondent The Roaring Fork School District (RFSD) has prioritized addressing students’ use of alcohol and drugs by seeking input from parents and local nonprofit organizations on what is a growing and concerning trend across the country.A drug and alcohol community session, facilitated by Roaring Fork schools, took place the evening of Jan. 18 at Basalt High School (BHS). The Jan. 17 session at Glenwood Springs High School (GSHS) was canceled due to inclement weather.

On Jan. 24, during the regularly scheduled meeting of the RFSD board of education, Vice President Jasmin Ramirez asked if the GSHS session would be rescheduled, to which Johnathan Landon, RFSD’s public information officer and chief of staff, answered that there would be no rescheduled meeting, but that there is a PowerPoint slide presentation that will be made available with a voiceover in Spanish and English. There will also be an opportunity for public feedback.

Landon said the presentation should be posted to the RFSD website by the end of the week.On Jan. 23, community meetings were held at Roaring Fork High School (RFHS), one in Spanish followed by another in English to address the topic.

Kelly Medina, RFSD family resource center director, facilitated the Spanishlanguage sessions at BHS and RFHS, while Bridges High School Principal Suzanne Fitzgerald and Interim Superintendent Dr. Anna Cole facilitated the English-language sessions.

Both sessions, held in the RFHS library, were at capacity. Representatives from local addiction agencies and the county health department were in attendance. They are helping guide the school district to make informed decisions about a response. Those agencies include: Garfield County Public Health Department, YouthZone, A Way Out, Stepping Stones, Aperture, High Rockies Harm Reduction and Mountain Family Health Centers.

Written materials were distributed to attendees, which included a sheet titled “Substance-related disciplinary actions,” which details questionable behavior involving the use, possession, sale or distribution of alcohol, tobacco (including vape pens), marijuana and illegal drugs or controlled substances.

The guide clarifies definitions of the substances and observed behavior, provides the minimum expectation of recommended interventions, and whether the incident qualifies for a referral for school expulsion or a referral to the School Resource Officer.

During the meeting discussion, it was noted that this information is distributed

14 • THE SOPRIS SUN • soprissun.com • February 1- 7, 2024

to student-athletes when they register for sports. Still, the general student population may not be aware of the disciplinary actions that could be taken should they violate the school’s alcohol and drug policy.

One topic discussed was the possibility of RFSD high schools moving to a closed-campus school day. Currently, high schools are opencampus, meaning students have the option to leave the school grounds during lunch breaks.

The idea of moving to a closedcampus school would eliminate the possibility of students consuming alcohol or using drugs while they’re off campus. Instituting a closed-campus policy would have to be approved by the board. Discussions among parents during the meeting at RFHS seemed to be split between those in favor and those opposed to the idea.

One parent shared, “If it keeps my student out of trouble, I have no problems with it.” District officials said further discussion will be coming on this topic, and others, at upcoming Community Safety Summit meetings later in February.

One suggestion that came through loud and clear was: Talk to your teen.

While presenters acknowledged the conversations can seem difficult, parents should let their children know where they stand on alcohol and drug use.

(Left to right) RFSD Chief Academic Officer Stacey Park, Chief of Staff Johnathan Landon and Interim Superintendent Dr. Anna Cole during a 2023 board of education meeting.

Photo by Jeanne Souldern

Suggestions were, to set aside a time and place to have the conversation — when all parties are calm and have the time to devote to the topic.

Advice from one of the handouts was “You can never step in too early” and how use “can lead to accidents, legal trouble and health problems.”

Dr. Cole will be presenting a debriefing of the drug and alcohol community sessions at the next board of education meeting on Feb. 6.

In other news

Kindergarten registration begins at 8am on Feb. 15, with parent information nights starting on Feb. 6. To learn more about kindergarten registration, visit www.rfsd.k12.co.us/en-US and look under “RFSD News” for more information in English and Spanish.

Stella Buchheister, a rising star in alpine ski racing

By Jeanne Souldern Sopris Sun Correspondent In his sixth season as alpine director at Team Summit Colorado (TSC), Aldo Radamus, a Colorado Snowsports Hall of Fame inductee and former professional skier with over 40 years of coaching and athlete development experience, recognizes top-notch talent when he sees it.

According to Radamus, 17-year-old Stella Buchheister, a local alpine ski racer, stands out as a premiere athlete.

When The Sopris Sun asked Radamus what makes a young athlete successful, he responded, “I would say it's determination, perseverance — or resilience — and work ethic. Stella demonstrates all three of those in spades.”

The alpine racing spirit runs deep in the Buchheister family. Her father, Geoff, was a three-time National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) All-American racer on the ski team at the University of Colorado at Boulder. Her mother, Tina, grew up racing in Slovenia and achieved NCAA All-American status while attending the University of Utah. Younger brother, Luka, is currently pursuing alpine racing with the Aspen Valley Ski and Snowboard Club.

Growing up in Park City, Utah, Buchheister’s love for skiing began in a weekend program for kids where she skied “and just had fun,” she said. When she was about 6,

Buchheister's coach, Aldo Radamus, says she "is the kind of athlete a coach dreams of working with."

Photo courtesy of Tina Buchheister

she asked her parents about “the next step, where I could continue skiing and take it further,” she recalled.

That next step was the Park City Farm Team, a program for young athletes ages 7 to 11, fostering a passion for skiing while developing fundamental racing skills. Later, her family moved to Keystone, where her father became the general manager of Keystone Resort and later chief operating officer at Whistler. In 2018, at 12 years old, Buchheister joined TSC, a ski and snowboard development community for youth, starting as a U-14 racer, and she soon moved into the U-16 age group.

“From the beginning, it’s been awesome,” she said.

“Just really great training.

We have good partnerships with the mountains in Summit County — at Copper

Mountain, Breckenridge, Keystone and Arapahoe Basin resorts — so we have amazing training all the time.”

“She's a rare athlete, a rare young person in terms of the commitment she makes to her sport,” Radamus shared.

Buchheister was nominated

by U.S. Ski & Snowboard to compete as a member of the women’s alpine team at the Youth Olympic Winter Games, Jan. 19 to Feb. 1 in South Korea.

However, in late November, a crash during a training run resulted in an impact fracture on her tibial plateau — an injury that kept her off the slopes for six weeks. Being sidelined by an injury was unfamiliar territory for Buchheister.

“It was hard mentally because it happened at the start of the training season,” she said. “I had been skiing

really well in training, and I was excited to see how that translated in races.”

Facing the stark reality of an injury was “shocking at the beginning,” she admitted, but with the unwavering support of family, friends and coaches, she adopted a day-by-day strategy for her recovery.

“I chose not to look too far ahead into the future and think about all the things I was missing but instead focus on the positives and the small progress that I was making every day,” Buchheister shared.

Despite the injury, Buchhesiter remains steadfast in her goal to make the U.S. Ski & Snowboard Development team. “With this injury, it's obviously going to be a lot harder to do that this season, but I think it’s still attainable,” she said.

Last spring, the family moved to the Roaring Fork Valley when her father took over the reins as chief executive officer of Aspen Snowmass. Currently, she is completing her senior year of high school online while living in Dillon and participating in TSC, and coming home to be with her family every weekend.

With the physical demands of the sport, she maintains a healthy diet “to make sure that my body is fueled for training and races,” she said, and stays in top racing form during the offseason by participating in dryland training, including lifting weights and cardiovascular exercises.

Buchhesiter has two cats — Killian and Ash — brothers from a litter of six. “They were each named after a different beer, so we kept the name Killian. Ash’s name was Molson, and we changed it to Ash,” she said with a laugh.

Outside of skiing, Buchheister enjoys biking, hiking and playing golf, but skiing is her first true love. “I love Colorado snow, and I love training out here. The snow can be super perfect — so soft, it makes you feel so good.”

There’s a reason Buchhesiter’s star is sure to rise. As Radamus said, “She's a wonderful young woman and the kind of athlete that coaches dream of working with, not just because of her athletic ability and commitment, but because of the kind of human being she is.”

Ski for Sisu Spring Gulch fundraiser returns Feb. 3-11 Week-long ski-a-thon concludes with Sisu celebration on Super Bowl Sunday

By John Stroud Sopris Sun Correspondent

A Carbondale cross country skiing tradition dating back 32 years survived the pandemic years with some ingenuity born straight from the meaning of the Finnish word “sisu.”

The result is an extended version of Ski for Sisu’s former self, as the annual fundraising event now stretches over nine days, concluding with the onsnow celebration longtime Sisu-ers have grown to love over three decades.

Starting Feb. 3, skiers can begin racking up as many kilometers at the Mount Sopris Nordic Council’s Spring Gulch trail system west of Carbondale as they can, on as many days as they can, culminating with the Sisu ski day and community celebration on Feb. 11.

A scene from last year's Ski for Sisu event. Photo by Anais Tomezsko

Event entry fees and pledges combine for the nonprofit Nordic Council’s biggest fundraiser of the year to support operations and trail maintenance at Spring Gulch.

“This is a critical piece of our overall funding, and we’re really trying to emphasize what it means for Spring Gulch to be operated by a nonprofit, and what it brings to the

community — free, public skiing,” said Rachel Bachman Perkins, executive director of the organization.

While the funds raised at the event make up about a third of the Nordic Council’s annual operating budget, it’s an opportunity to engage with the community about the importance of supporting the Spring Gulch area through annual memberships and other giving opportunities.

That includes the organization’s $750,000 capital campaign for the ongoing implementation of a climate resiliency and capital improvements plan, which has brought several new higher-elevation trails and a new trailhead to the system over the past two years.

As for Sisu, it’s a Finnish concept of strength of will, determination and endurance. Little did organizers know heading into the winter of 2020-21 that an extension of that definition — “acting rationally in the face of adversity” — would come into play.

continued on page 19

THE SOPRIS SUN • Your weekly community connector • February 1- 7, 2024 • 15

New Art Base leader Annie Henninger envisions the ‘we’ in community

By Jeanne Souldern Sopris Sun Correspondent

As the newly named executive director of The Art Base, Annie Henninger is set to carry on the rich history established by the Basalt-based nonprofit community arts center.

Founded in 1996 by artist and teacher Deborah Jones, The Art Base, previously known as the Wyly Community Art Center, originated as a project of Compass, one of the many philanthropic initiatives of the late George Stranahan. Initially located in Woody Creek, The Art Base moved to Basalt in 2005 and has been at its current location in the Three Bears Building since 2021.

Born and raised in eastern Pennsylvania, Henninger holds degrees in art history and psychology from Muhlenberg College in Allentown, Pennsylvania, as well as a degree in K-12 art education from Colorado State University. After she graduated from college, she moved to Colorado and worked as a public school fine arts teacher for eight years.

In 2011, she moved to the Roaring Fork Valley for a position at the Aspen Art Museum (AAM) as its director of diversity, equity, access, and inclusion.

She remained at AAM until 2022, when she became the art supervisor for the City of Glenwood Springs.

970.989.4203

Working at AAM, Henninger delved deep into art museum education programming and “the transformative power of looking at and responding to art and how that can bring people together,” she stated.

Art education programming has consistently formed the foundation of Henninger’s professional endeavors, where she has derived personal satisfaction from bringing the community together to foster meaningful experiences and lifelong learning through art and culture.

Henninger, who lives in Basalt, has taken classes and attended art openings at The Art Base, “so I consider it my community art space,” she said.

She and partner Keith Berglund, the housing access manager for West Mountain Regional Health Alliance, share a home with Banjo, their beloved Bluetick coonhound.

When asked by The Sopris Sun about the appeal of the executive director position, she explained, “The Art Base is so community-centric and resonates with my values and what I care about most, which is art education for the community and access to art education through the generous use of our space, time and resources,” she said.

The Art Base, Henninger said, provides a platform for Colorado 818 INDUSTRY PLACE Carbondale, CO

artists to nurture their personal growth. “Creativity, of course, is at the core of our mission. So, by fostering and encouraging creative expression through inspirational programming and providing space for Colorado artists to show their work, it inspires community and allows for dialogue and learning,” she continued. “It’s one of the things The Art Base does really well.”

While The Art Base gallery is free and open to the public, Henninger emphasizes that accessibility involves creating an inclusive and welcoming environment. “Even though there isn't a charge to walk in, I still feel that the invitation and attitude of ‘You are welcome here’ is important,” she said.

Henninger believes we can benefit from approaching art with a beginner’s mind that is receptive and curious.

“You don't need to know anything about art to have an experience. Art can illuminate who we are, what we think and feel, and perhaps encourage questioning,” she continued. “We can do that alone, with a friend or group of people. I believe in the power of art to bring us together and create a more open-minded, tolerant and empathetic society.”

The Art Base’s continued support of learning through its educational programming, outreach to public schools, and exhibition opportunities for local and

Embarking on a new creative odyssey, Annie Henninger took the helm as executive director of The Art Base on Jan. 30. Courtesy photo

Colorado-based artists factor heavily in Henninger’s outlook as a leader.

“I care that we’re a communitybased place, and the community helps to shape who we are and what we become. As a public figure, I can't make any promises, but I can stay open-minded and shed positive light on The Art Base because this is a very exciting time,” she continued.

“We are all responsible [for] and a part of this organization. I see it as “we” — we will continue to support and grow The Art Base into the treasured gathering place we envision,” Henninger concluded.

For more information about The Art Base, visit www.theartbase.org

Looking to have fun and give back?

Join us at Rotary every Wednesday at 7a.m. at the Carbondale Fire Station!

Visit rotarycarbondale.org for details.

All are welcome!

Feb. 7 -

Gail Schwartz, Habitat for Humanity

Feb. 14 - TBD Feb. 21 - Rikako Baba, Rotary

Exchange Student from Japan

RSVP to Rick Carlson (970) 948-9650 • riccarlson@gmail.com

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Call me, I love to talk real estate!

970.319.5757 • hilary@hilaryporterfield.com • roaringfork-homes.com ©2023 Engel & Völkers. All rights reserved. Each brokerage is independently owned and operated.

Susana Salamun earns Denver Business Journal award

By Jackie Ramirez Sopris Sun Intern

From a young age, Susana Salamun has been making waves in the world of business. Salamun, a familiar face in the Roaring Fork Valley through her work with Alpine Bank, was recently recognized in the Denver Business Journal’s 2024 Class of 40 Under 40. The award celebrates young professionals in Denver who are making an impact in their communities through their work in the field of business.

Now living in the Front Range, Salamun works tirelessly to help others reach their highest potential as the director of staff development at Alpine Bank, but her work does not stop there. She is part of the Latino Community Foundation of Colorado, Minority Business Office Advisory Council and the Colorado Bankers Association (CBA), where she first met Jenifer Waller, CEO and president of CBA, who nominated Salamun for the award.

Waller initiated the nomination after CBA included Salamun in their magazine, where she shared her story of moving from Mexico to the United States and overcoming cultural challenges and learning a new language. At that time, Salamun was joining the banking industry and working to help underserved and minority communities with access to banking and financial literacy.

“I never imagined that sharing my story for a bankers magazine with CBA would eventually translate into a nomination for a 40 Under 40 award with the Denver Business Journal,” Salamun said. “I think it was a continuation of my story that I was telling, it was the next step. That made me feel very appreciated, honored and very grateful.”

As a little girl in Mexico, Salamun dreamed of having her own clothing store or hair salon.

Locally owned.

Accepting new patients.

289 MAIN STREET (970) 963-2826

CARBONDALEAH@GMAIL.COM

Susana Salamun is the director of staff development at Alpine Bank. Courtesy photo

As a teenager, Salamun began turning her dreams of having a business into a reality by making handmade jewelry and selling it to her friends. During the summers, she would bake pastries and sell them to local businesses in her hometown. Since childhood, Salamun has always had an entrepreneurial spirit.

“Now that I’m in the banking industry, I still use that entrepreneurial spirit to create programs that help our [Alpine Bank] employees and our customers,” Salamun said.

As she celebrates the 40 Under 40 award, she remembers her arrival to the United States.

“I think that initial change that I had in my life, of moving countries and having to learn another language and having to adopt a new system, it allowed me to build the skills that I needed to be successful for the rest of my career, and for the rest of other opportunities and challenges that I was going to have along the way,” Salamun said.

With Salamun’s experience, she makes an effort to play an active role in her community and acknowledges that being a part of various organizations allows her to help even more by being able to speak on behalf of the businesses and communities that need assistance.

Through her own experiences and interactions with people, whether it’s at Alpine Bank or on one of the boards on which Salamun serves, she is able to think of new ways to help people.

“That has allowed me to voice these needs and bring these matters to the table, so that we can collaboratively work with other entities and other people to try to bring change, and help the most vulnerable in our communities,” Salamun said.

For Salamun, receiving the award has made her feel appreciated. She wants to continue giving back to her community and supporting those who need it most through her work.

“Twelve years ago, when I moved to the United States, I would have never imagined that 12 years later I would be receiving this award. I feel almost in shock and disbelief, but very excited and grateful for this opportunity,” Salamun said.

She encourages others to not give up and to trust in the journey more than the destination.

“Challenges will turn into opportunities that will turn into rewards. That is something that has been my north star and that I would encourage people to always remember,” Salamun concluded.

Offering: Dentistry Surgery Wellness Geriatric Care Chiropractic Acupuncture Cold Laser

EVENTS COMING SOON Teen Library Council Thurs, Feb. 1, 4-5PM Students in grades 6-12 can make their voices heard by joining Teen Library Council! Influence the games, books, movies, and programs at the library.

Yarn Group Tuesdays, 5-7PM Knitters and crocheters (and any other yarn workers) come together to work on and discuss projects, yarn, and techniques.

Basalt Regional Library Book Club Wed, Feb. 7, 12-2PM Discuss favorite new releases, books in the news, and any books you’ve been reading.

14 Midland Avenue | Basalt Colorado 81621 | 970.927.4311 | basaltlibrary.org

THE SOPRIS SUN • Your weekly community connector • February 1- 7, 2024 • 17

Heather Sackett is the managing editor at Aspen Journalism and the editor and reporter on the Water Desk.

A company with ties to oil shale development in western Colorado has dropped its attempt to maintain water rights for a proposed reservoir on Thompson Creek.

On Jan. 26, Puckett Land Co. filed a motion to dismiss its diligence application for conditional water rights that date to 1966 and are associated with the construction of a 23,983-acre-foot reservoir on Thompson Creek, a tributary of the Crystal River just south of Carbondale. Later that day, a water court judge signed off on the motion, meaning the water rights have now been abandoned.

The Greenwood Villagebased company holds interests in 17,500 acres of land in Garfield and Rio Blanco counties, according to its water court filing. Attorney for Puckett, Megan Christensen, said the decision to voluntarily cancel these water rights was for business purposes. In its November filing, known as a diligence application, Puckett said that current economic conditions are adverse to oil shale production.

“Puckett has a portfolio of water rights and in looking at them, they made the decision that this one wasn’t worth maintaining anymore, so they decided to just go ahead and dismiss it,” Christensen said in an interview with Aspen Journalism.

The proposed reservoir site had been on Bureau of Land Management (BLM) land in Pitkin County and within the boundaries of an area that the U.S. Forest Service and BLM are proposing to withdraw from eligibility for new oil and gas leases.

The proposed Thompson Divide withdrawal area is comprised of 224,713-acres in Garfield, Gunnison and Pitkin counties that generally straddles the ridge of mountains running from south of Glenwood Springs to the northern edge of the West Elk Wilderness, south of McClure Pass.

Carbondale conservation group Wilderness Workshop supported the withdrawal and celebrated Puckett dropping the water rights as a win for the Crystal River.

“This is great news for the Thompson Divide, the Crystal River, and our local ecosystem and communities,” Will Roush, executive director

Company drops bid for Thompson Creek reservoir water rights

By Heather Sackett Aspen Journalism

Above: the Thompson Creek drainage on the right as it flows into the Crystal River just south of Carbondale. A company with oil shale interests has voluntarily abandoned its conditional water rights for a reservoir on Thompson Creek.

Photo courtesy of EcoFlight Left: This map shows the location of the proposed Thompson Creek reservoir on BLM land in Pitkin County. The company that held conditional water rights has abandoned them, citing “business purposes.” Map by Laurine Lassalle, Aspen Journalism

of Wilderness Workshop, said in a prepared statement.

“Puckett’s intention to cancel their conditional water rights demonstrates just how speculative conditional water rights associated with oil shale development are. Other holders of similar rights ought to follow Puckett’s lead.”

Puckett is among the companies with an interest in western Colorado oil shale development that have water rights dating to the ‘50s and ‘60s, which were amassed in anticipation of a boom. A report, produced by conservation group Western Resource Advocates in 2009, found that there were conditional water rights associated with oil shale development for 27 reservoirs with 736,770 acre-

18 • THE SOPRIS SUN • soprissun.com • February 1- 7, 2024

feet of water in the mainstem of the Colorado River basin.

Companies have been able to hang onto these conditional water rights in some cases for over 50 years without using them because Colorado water law allows a would-be water user to reserve their place in the priority system based on when they applied for the right — not when they put water to use — while they work toward developing the water. Under the cornerstone of water law known as prior appropriation, older waters rights get first use of the river.

To maintain a conditional right, an applicant must file, every six years, what’s known as a diligence application with the water court, proving that they

still have a need for the water, that they have taken substantial steps toward putting the water to use and that they “can and will” eventually use the water.

They must essentially prove they are not speculating and hoarding water rights they won’t soon use.

But, the bar for proving diligence is low. Judges are hesitant to abandon these conditional water rights, even if they have been languishing without being used for decades.

Before Puckett dropped its diligence application, John Cyran, senior staff attorney for Western Resource Advocates’ Healthy Rivers Program, said holding onto conditional rights like these raised speculation concerns.

“The water is being held without a plan to use it, which violates a central tenet in western water law,” Cyran said in an email. “Water shortages are affecting Colorado’s communities, fish and wildlife. We cannot afford to let companies profit off these shortages by holding onto unused conditional water rights.”

Crystal River Ranch was the only entity to file a statement of opposition to Puckett’s diligence application. The deadline to file a statement of opposition is Jan. 31.

Crystal River Ranch also expressed concern that the over-50-year-old water rights had never been used and said that over the five decades Puckett had not shown it would develop them.

“During that period, the applicant has failed to obtain the necessary federal, state and local permits required to develop this reservoir,” the statement of opposition reads. “Therefore, this subject conditional water right must be canceled and abandoned.”

The Thompson Creek water rights had been part of a proposed “integrated system” that includes conditional water rights for two proposed small reservoirs, and a pump and pipeline on Starkey Gulch, a tributary of Parachute Creek. The application did not specifically mention work regarding the Thompson Creek reservoir site in its list of diligence activities and Puckett had said that diligence on any part of the system constitutes diligence with respect to the entire system. It is unclear how the Thompson Creek reservoir would have operated with these other parts of the system, but Christensen alluded to the reservoir being conceived of as additional back-up supply.

Christensen said the water rights applications for the Starkey Gulch components are still going forward because those water rights are closer to Puckett’s landholdings. These diligence applications were filed on Nov. 30 and so far no entities have filed statements of opposition.

To view this article along with links to referenced documents, visit www. aspenjournalism.org

Sisu

OBITUARY

Doris ONeill (Day) Dec. 25, 1929 to Jan. 8, 2024

Doris ONeill (Day) of Carbondale lived in Wayzata and Hopkins, Minnesota. She was born Dec. 25,1929 and passed away peacefully at the age of 94, leaving behind four siblings out of 14. She was preceded in death by her loving husband of 64 years, Jack ONeill. They both enjoyed a full life.

Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways — chocolate in one hand and wine in the other, a body thoroughly worn out!

Doris had a dignified and meaningful quality of life. She really enjoyed all of her endeavors: sewing club, quilt making, playing scrabble, Zingers Singers, Red Hats, Tai Chi, skiing, supporting Finn Sisu and playing Whist for over 50 years with her nursing cohort!

Courtesy photo

Survived by her son, Gary ONeill, granddaughter, Clarissa ONeill (residing in Brazil), son, Tim ONeill, daughter, Kathy ONeill (Dave Ellis), grandson, George Ellis and son, Mike ONeill.

A private family memorial will be held

to reunite Doris with Jack. She wished to be cremated and for her ashes to follow Jack with the planting of a bee feed flower mix.

Donations to the local nonprofit Meals on Wheels, or other national programs, are appreciated in lieu of flowers.

continued from page 15

That first Ski for Sisu event, after COVID-19 public health precautions severely limited public gatherings, was all virtual, with skiers self-reporting their distance skied over the course of a week.

On hold was the traditional Super Bowl Sunday celebration, ski-a-thon and barbecue at the Thompson Trailhead.

A scaled-back celebration event returned in 2022 and again in 2023, but so many people liked the idea of being able to accumulate their kilometers over several days, that the lead-up week continued on as a new tradition, Perkins said.

“It is also a return to tradition of having that one day where people can get together and see everyone out on the trails,” she said A silent auction that is held in conjunction with the event has also moved completely online, with bidding open all next week.

Longtime Nordic Council board member Elliot Norquist has fond memories of Ski for Sisus past, including a heated competition between a pair of Frenchmen one year who were vying to ski the most kilometers.

Norquist taught with legendary French kayaker and climber Roger Paris at Colorado Rocky Mountain School.

In the earlier days of Ski for Sisu, there was an age handicap

called “kilometer years,” which combined the number of kilometers skied with a participant’s age.

One year, Paris and another legendary Frenchman, Jacques Houot, known locally as “Frenchy,” both in their late 70s at the time, showed up to try to win the coveted Ski for Sisu title of most kilometer years skied.

“They skied all day long to see who would claim the prize, and Roger was determined that he could not let another Frenchman beat him,” Norquist recalled.

Paris ultimately prevailed, but not without a dual for the ages.

“Sisu is just such a great event, because it involves all those generations of people, and it just kind of bonds the community,” Norquist said.

Ski for Sisu registration is $30 for adults and $20 for children, and can be found online at www. springgulch.org Information about how to collect pledges can also be found there. Participants can either create their own personalized pledge page, or share the provided online giving tool with friends and family.

Starting Saturday, Feb. 3, set courses of 3.5K, 10K, 12.5K and 15K will be marked off at Spring Gulch to help skiers track their distances and make their daily reports online.

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follow @carbondalecreativedistrict for updates and visit carbondalearts.com for more information THE SOPRIS SUN • Your weekly community connector • February 1- 7, 2024 • 19

OPINION

Ps&Qs

By Jeannie Perry

When I was in college, my sister and I went skydiving with one of my roommates.

We drove out to a field near Longmont where a Vietnam veteran gave us a quick four-hour session on the dos and don’ts of jumping out of a perfectly good airplane.

We avoided going tandem on our very first dive because it was a static line that opened after a few seconds of freefall. Still, we needed to know what to do in case the chute didn’t open automatically, and while I can’t remember the guy’s name, to this day I remember one piece of instruction he gave us.

I think it has stuck with me all these years because it is damn good advice in general.

OPINION

Cabin Fever

By James Steindler

When I write a column, I like to write something that people can relate to. Generally, it’s about working on myself. This time, I’m reflecting on “Dry January.” That’s right, I’d be collecting a one-month chip had I gone to a meeting.

I’ve been mulling this one over. How does not drinking alcohol make me feel? Overall, it hasn’t been too big of an adjustment. “Consistency” has come to mind as a theme. Reliably being there to support the ones I care about is a big motivating factor to keep going.

It’s also just … chill. Drinking can be so unchill; whether it’s fighting to keep upright until your ethanol-filled body is ready to collapse or recovering from the night before. Here, here! If it’s Saturday, onto the 19th Street Diner for mimosas and asleep by six o’clock, only to wake up Sunday wondering where the weekend has gone.

And, I love the Diner. It’s my favorite place for breakfast in Glenwood Springs,

This one’s for you, Brad

“When you’re up there, hanging junk cars in the yard, by letting out enjoying the view,” he said, “if trees and grasses grow wildly, by you happen to see a dumpster way hanging our laundry out for all down on the ground, whatever you to see… Basically, by making our do, do not stare at it, thinking, ‘Gee, town unsightly, we would keep the I really don’t want to land fancy-pants from finding in that dumpster.’” out how great it was to "BY MAKING If you have lived live here. Well, Kevin, in Carbondale for a THE TOWN UNSLIGHTLY, you can take your spell, this perfectly underpants off the WE WOULD KEEP THE describes what is line now because FANCY-PANTS FROM going on in our they’ve figured it FINDING OUT HOW town these days. out.

(The mere fact I’ve decided Kevin GREAT IT WAS TO that I use the word is the male counterpart LIVE HERE" ‘spell’ ought to clear to Karen (no offense to up any confusion as to who all the easy-going Kevins out I’m talking about; the middle-aged there, who do not shove their-waylocals, the folks who have lived here or-the-highway down our throats.) for their middle-of-the-loaf years.)

Inspired by the Kevins, Brad, and all We keep driving by all the new this new construction, I’ve decided construction, shaking our heads, to announce my candidacy for Town muttering to ourselves, “When the Trustee. Just kidding! Whoo-boy, hell did that happen? I sure hope gotcha! Luckily for all of us, I live they stop building us out with this outside the town limits and therefore bland suburban sprawl.” Then, next cannot run for one of THREE OPEN thing we know, there’s an enormous SEATS this April. cinder block wall at the entrance of If I did live in town, I would town. What’s the plan here? Keep probably have gone around the bend Carbondale Ugly? by now. I’d be that middle-aged This was a theory held by beloved woman in the same old gray sweater Satanker, Brad Hendricks. Brad who forgot to wash her hair, ordering believed we could keep our town the an oat-milk cortado to get a crackin’ way it was a little longer by leaving start on her day at 11am — oh snap.

I am that woman, and while I was busy making other plans, Carbondale has turned out to be my hometown.

Through the years I’ve worked here, played here, loved and lived in this little town, at the base of a mountain. I understand that change is the only constant, but there’s something to be said for a thoughtful, listening approach to determining the future of our town.

We can encourage smart, sustainable growth over hungry, hungry hippo building. We can buzz over the vibrancy as long as we don’t attack our heart: the people and places that keep it Carbondale.

I want to smile as I cruise down Main Street, remembering the good ol’ days while nodding to new ones in the making. I want to watch the Forest Service incorporate healthy, mature trees into their plans for improving the place they live and work. I want to see less dumpster rubble making room for new box-style construction and more reclaimed floor plans with an enhanced view of Mt. Sopris, putting the mountain in our little mountain town.

Since I can’t run for town council, I guess I’ll just keep writing and posting — or wait! Does P&Z require one to live inside the town limits?

Lookout boys, one more Karen comin’ up! I really hope their meetings don’t start too early…

Dry January retrospective with some great people who I’ve had the pleasure of getting to know a bit. I finally got a picture on the wall — although I’m in the background of its intended subjects. But, ultimately, drinking mimosas was just part of the routine, ingrained in my psyche that that’s what made it a good time. I’ve been back this month, and have had a blast — coffee in one hand and a fork in the other.

We live in a party place, full of party people — some of the best kind.

Mountain Fair brings joy into my heart, in between gulps, with fleeting faces from the past checking in one after the other. Often, it’s a very meaningful reunion and my blood-alcohol-content takes the edge off, letting me externalize my feelings right off the bat. Frankly, I don’t see much wrong with that, but I do look forward to trying it out sometime of my own volition, without the crutch.

I reach sky-highs and sea-bottom lows when I’m off of the wagon. I’ll be the belle of the ball at a holiday dinner, finishing the night singing my heart out, only to wake up in the morning with a headache and depression whispering in my ear … “You’re not worthy.”

I borrowed that quote from the underside of a bottlecap of Arrogant Bastard, brewed by Stone Brewing Company, discovered after cavalierly popping open one of its bombers with a Bic lighter. Those mornings are rough, though. Emotions that were already there would be intensified by depreciating my worth through uncontrollable self doubt and ridicule.

I’d ruminate on regrets rather than lean into all of the blessings life continued

20 • THE SOPRIS SUN • soprissun.com • February 1- 7, 2024

to offer. Thoughtfully balancing the good with the bad has, indeed, been an underlying perk of sobriety in my case.

It’s interesting how people really do have their own unique relationships with alcohol. Some are able to reach an understanding with their counterpart (Is that what they call drinking in moderation?), others are caught in the midst of a mutually abusive relationship, others have never touched the stuff, some are on a break and many completely cut ties. Depending on how that relationship looks, it can seriously affect the real ones that matter.

I’d be lying if I said, bellying up to a table at Beer Works with a frosty IPA hasn’t crossed my mind this month. A good pub offers a sense of freedom and community; that, topped off with a pint, makes for a magical recipe. I’ll still be in, but, for now, will stick to the chili and, perhaps, an NA. Within this tight community, there is a flourishing sober one. There are tons of people navigating the effects of addiction, so I certainly don’t feel alone. I haven't attended one yet, but the allure of The Meeting Place on Cowen Drive, where more than twodozen recovery meetings are held each week, is compelling.

Today is Jan. 31, and I still don’t know how long this will last. I guess that’s why they say “one day at a time.” Today, I’m happy, I’m sober and I look forward to what tomorrow will bring.

If you are struggling with addiction, there are resources in the Valley that can help, including at The Meeting Place (www.meetingplacecarbondale.org).

Carbondale Trustee Lani Kitching and Hans Lutgring, outpatient program director for Mind Springs Health, smile for a photo in the future drug and alcohol withdrawal management (detox) facility currently under construction in Glenwood Springs.

The eight-bed facility for women and men is located at 2802 South Grand Avenue and is slated to open this spring. In the coming weeks, look for The Sopris Sun to follow up with an article that will include details about the facility and an upcoming open house. Photo by Jeanne Souldern r for Mind Springs Health, smile for a photo in the future drug and alcohol withdrawal management (detox) facility currently under construction in Glenwood Springs. The eight-bed facility for women and men is located at 2802 South Grand Avenue and is slated to open this spring. In the coming weeks, look for The Sopris Sun to follow up with an article that will include details about the facility and an upcoming open house.

Photo by Jeanne Souldern

Comparte tus proyectos creativos aún en proceso con nuestros lectores. Puedes enviarnos un correo electrónico con tus ilustraciones, creaciones literarias y poesía a fiction@soprissun.com

Share your works in progress with readers by emailing illustrations, creative writings and poetry to fiction@soprissun.com

Odd Connection

By Deborah Holt Williams, Glenwood Springs This poem is based on an actual event.

ONE FINE DAY IN MONTEREY BAY THE AQUARIUM WORKERS SAID "WHOA!" THE GIANT PACIFIC OCTOPUS ATE LUNCH AND THEN NEEDED TO GO. NOW ANIMALS VARY IN HOW THEY EXCRETE. WOMBAT POOP IS A CUBE! BUT OCTOPI ROLL WITH A TINY HOLE IN THEIR SIPHON, THEIR MANTLE'S SHORT TUBE. THE AQUARIUM STAFF WAS ACCUSTOMED TO SPAGHETTI-LIKE STRANDS OF THIS POO. WHAT SURPRISED THEM THAT DAY WAS THE CURIOUS WAY AN ANEMONE WANTED SOME, TOO. THE TWO CREATURES SWAM OFF FOR HOURS, EACH HOLDING ONE END OF THE STRING. ONE STRAND OF FECES UNITING TWO SPECIES — A WEIRD AND WONDERFUL THING.

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THE SOPRIS SUN • Your weekly community connector • February 1- 7, 2024 • 21

LETTERS

Combined with those collected from partnering countries in 2023, the ministry is now sending over 11.3 million shoebox gifts to children worldwide, including many who are suffering from war, poverty, disease and disaster.

Through shoeboxes — packed with fun toys, school supplies, and personal care items — Carbondale​​​​​area volunteers brought joy to children in need around the world. Each giftfilled shoebox is a tangible expression of God’s love, and it is often the first gift these children have ever received.

Through the continued generosity of donors since 1993, Operation Christmas Child has collected and delivered more than 220 million giftfilled shoeboxes to children in more than 170 countries and territories.

Across Colorado​​​​​, shoebox packers often shop for deals on shoebox items throughout the year, and many serve at a deeper level by becoming a year-round volunteer. Information about ways area participants can get involved year-round can also be found at www.samaritanspurse.org/occ or by calling 303-745-9179.

Although local drop‑off locations for shoebox gifts are closed until Nov. 18 – 25, anyone can still be a part of this life-changing project by conveniently packing a shoebox gift online in just a few simple clicks at www. samaritanspurse.org/buildonline These simple gifts, packed with love, send a message to children worldwide that they are loved and not forgotten.

Luke Switzer, Samaritan's Purse

Empires crumble

To tackle immigration, we must stop being reactionary, at least enough to take the time to understand what it really is. It is a major problem in the entire collective West — the American Empire and all its vassals. It is not an isolated event but a symptom of the hegemony's permanent decline. The last bastion of colonialism has squandered its power and no longer can maintain the stranglehold on the nations it has exploited (throughout its entire history).

With the collapse, the poverty created will be, as always,compelled to go where wealth remains.

22 • THE SOPRIS SUN • soprissun.com • February 1- 7, 2024

continued from page 2

The poverty was forged by the destruction of self-sustaining cultures, enabling the stealing of their resources for the “empire.” The empire’s infrastructure is as obsolete as the transportation system in America.

Solutions implemented decades too late and then further debilitated with a neurotic clinging to a past that has been over for sometime. Decades. That we are somehow exceptional. Chosen.

Nothing but chaos can ensue if we do not recognize we have squandered the entire empire by worshiping the seven deadly sins, rather than implement our founding principles in the nations we colonized (under the West India Trading Co. model) with corporate greed and military bases.

We claim to export democracy but never actually do so, but instead hide our exploitation — our inherited addiction of raping and pillaging non-white peoples.

We (and all our vassals) must recognize we are the tares pretending to be the wheat. Repent and confess the long histories of sins against humanity. It is now necessary to understand the blow-back a declining empire always faces. Only this can clear our minds of the residue (of being addicted to the seven deadly sins) enough to adequately solve a vast array of problems the end of colonialism will have to confront. Immigration is just one of them. We must not treat the symptom as the disease.

Only this can turn tares (now being sifted) into wheat. One stretch of potholes.

Our addicted nation is hitting bottom. Will it continue on toward an overdose of a nuclear Armageddon?

This is the real reality we are facing.

Eric Olander, Carbondale Letters policy: The Sopris Sun welcomes local letters to the editor.

Shorter letters stand a better chance of being printed. Letters exclusive to The Sopris Sun (not appearing in other papers) are particularly welcome.

Please cite your facts and include your name and place of residence or association. Letters are due to news@ soprissun.com by noon on the Monday before we go to print.

PARTING SHOTS

The people have spoken! The Carbondale Chamber of Commerce recently announced the 2023 businesses of the year, determined by those who made the time to vote. And, the winners come as no surprise.

The for-profit accolade went to Peppino’s Pizza, and KDNK Community Access Radio was recognized as the winning nonprofit. (Left) A few of KDNK’s staff members (from left to right), Aly Sanguily, Tracy Strode, Megan Passmore and Megan’s son, Sean, proudly display the organization’s award. (Above) Part of the Peppino's family, Kurt and Bekah Trede along with their little one, Storm, do the same.

Photos by Margarita Alvarez

LEGALS NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a Public Hearing will be held before the Carbondale Planning and Zoning Commission for the purpose of considering a Special Use Permit to allow the development of a preschool facility.

Project Description: The project proposes to remodel an existing single-family home on the Ross Montessori property to allow for 10 preschool students. In addition, playground facilities will be created to the west of the existing structure.

Property Location: 109 Lewies Lane, Parcel #246303200008 and 246303200009 Applicant: Sonya Hemmen, Ross Montessori School Owner: Mark Ross Montessori Foundation Said Public Hearing will be held at the Carbondale Town Hall, 511 Colorado Avenue, Carbondale, CO beginning at 7:00 p.m. on February 22, 2024.

Copies of the proposed application are on file in the Planning Department office, Town Hall, 511 Colorado Avenue, Carbondale, CO and may be examined during regular business hours, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. The application may also be viewed on the Town’s website at: https://carbondalegov.org/departments/planning/current_land_use_applications.php If you would like to submit comments regarding this application please send them via email to jbarnes@carbondaleco.net by 5:00 pm on February 22, 2024. The comments will be entered into the record. If you have questions regarding the application, please contact Jared Barnes, Planning Director, at 970-510-1208.

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a Public Hearing will be held before the Carbondale Board of Trustees for the purpose of considering a Petition for Annexation submitted by Richard Camp, Kathryn D. Camp and Terrance McGuire. The address is 111 Main Stret (Parcel #2393344400026). It is the 0.040 acre (1,731 square feet) parcel along the north side of Main Street at the east end of the 100 block.

Project Description: The property is legally described as follows: The following property conveyed by that certain quit claim deed recorded as Reception No. 817870 in the Garfield County Clerk & Recorder’s office: That portion of the railroad right-of-way conveyed

by Ludocia Moore to the Denver and Rio Grande

Western Railroad Company (D&RGW) by deed recorded at Book 35 at Page 403, and also acquired by the Roaring Fork Transportation Authority (RFTA), as successor to the Roaring Fork Railroad Holding Authority in that correction bargain and sale deed recorded 09/09/08 at Reception No. 755399 in said record of Garfield County, as shown on a railroad right-of-way survey prepared by Farnsworth Group, 6 recorded at Reception No. 789, Located in Section 34, Township 7 South, Range 88 West of the 6th Principal Meridian, State of Colorado, described as follows: Beginning at the intersection of a line 14.15 feet Southwesterly at right angles from the centerline of the right-of-way of said D&RGW railroad with the West line of that parcel described in deed recorded in Book 35 at Page 403; thence Southeasterly along a line 14.15 feet Southwesterly at right angles from the centerline of the right-of-way of said railroad, to a point that is 18 feet Easterly from the Northeast corner of a wood shed, as shown on a railroad rightof-way survey prepared by Farnsworth Group, recorded at Reception No. 789; thence Southwesterly, along a line parallel with the West line of the East 17 feet of Lot 24, Block 1, of the Town of Carbondale, to the South right-of-way line of said RFTA railroad; thence Northwesterly, along the South right-ofway line of said RFTA railroad, to the West line of that parcel described in deed recorded in Book 35 at Page 403; thence Northeasterly, along said West line described in Book 35 at Page 403, to the point of beginning.

The following property conveyed pursuant to a Personal Representative’s Deed recorded on December 19, 2012 in the Office of the Garfield County Clerk & Recorder at Reception No. 828735: A parcel of land situate in Section 34, Township 7 South, Range 88 West of the 6th Principal Meridian, Town of Carbondale, County of Garfield, said parcel of land being more particularly described as follows:

Said Public Hearing will be held at the Carbondale Town Hall, 511 Colorado Avenue, Carbondale, CO beginning at 6:00 p.m. on February 27, 2024.

Copies of the Petition for Annexation, Annexation Plan and the proposed application are on file in the Planning Department office, Town Hall, 511 Colorado Avenue, Carbondale, CO and may be examined during regular business hours, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. The application may also be viewed on the Town’s website at:

Commencing at the Southwest corner of that parcel of land described in Book 1571 at Page 494, a rebar and cap LS No. 14111 in place; thence along the Northerly right-of-way line of Main Street S88°53’34”E 47.00 feet to the true point of beginning; thence continuing along said right-of-way S88°53’34”E 42.29 feet to a point on the Southerly right-of-way line of the Roaring Fork Transportation Authority Railroad (RFTA) right-of-way; thence departing said Northerly right-of-way along the arc of a curve to the left having a radius of 3769.63 feet, an arc length of 47.099 feet (chord bears N60°41’15”W 47.99 feet); thence S01°06’26”W 22.68 feet to the true point of beginning, said parcel of land containing 483 square feet more or less.

https://carbondalegov.org/departments/planning/current_land_use_applications.php

These two properties consist of a total area of approximately 1731 square feet and, together with adjacent Outlot B (Reception No. 817869), have a street address of 111 Main Street;

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If you would like to submit comments regarding this application please send them via email to jbarnes@carbondaleco.net by 5:00 pm on February 21, 2024. The comments will be entered into the record. If you have questions regarding the application, please contact Jared Barnes, Planning Director, at 970-510-1208.

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THE SOPRIS SUN • Your weekly community connector • February 1- 7, 2024 • 23

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at the Aspen Chapel Gallery in partnership with The Sopris Sun Carbondale, Colorado

A juried exhibition open to all artists from Rifle to Aspen Juried by: Lissa Ballinger and Andrew Travers

Opening reception Wednesday, February 7 from 5-7 Exhibition runs through March 2, 2024 at the Aspen Chapel, open daily 10-5 at the roundabout

Season Sponsors: Susan and Larry Marx TKC Foundation and Arches Foundation This exhibition is made possible in part by a grant from the Thrift Shop of Aspen & the Wheeler Opera House (City of Aspen) Arts Grant Program Visit our new website at: www.aspenchapelgallery.org Like us on Facebook • Follow us on Twitter @ A_ChapelGallery The Aspen Chapel Gallery at the Aspen Chapel 0077 Meadowood Drive Aspen, Colorado 81611

24 • THE SOPRIS SUN • soprissun.com • February 1- 7, 2024