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This Week:

5 ~ Nepalese

6-7 ~ Basalt candidates

8-9 ~ Calendar

10-14 ~ Español

17 ~ RFHS

Glen Canyon Rises Tour hits GWS

By Ken Pletcher Sopris Sun Correspondent

A sold-out, enthusiastic crowd packed the Glenwood Vaudeville Revue on March 14 to see the Glen Canyon Rises Tour (GCRT), a captivating multimedia presentation on the reemergence of Glen Canyon as Lake Powell recedes. The tour, on the second of four consecutive nights (including also Salt Lake City, Moab and Flagstaff) is the collective effort of author, journalist and film producer Zak Podmore; photographer and filmmaker Dawn Kish; and singer-songwriters Peter McLaughlin and Jackson Emmer — under the auspices of the Glen Canyon Institute (GCI) in Salt Lake City.

The presentation was brought to Glenwood Springs by the Rifle-based Middle Colorado Watershed Council (MCWC). As Paula Stepp, MCWC’s executive director, told The Sopris Sun, “We are now in an aridity situation for the western U.S.; water that we thought was plentiful is not there now. There are a lot of complicated issues on how to share this water, and what happens with Lake Powell itself is very complicated. We just want to make sure that people are aware of water use.”

Background

Podmore, Emmer and Stepp joined The Sun in conversation to discuss the genesis of GCRT. Valley native Podmore (now based in southern Utah) has written extensively about the issues concerning the Colorado and other Western rivers, including his widely acclaimed 2019 book “Confluence: Navigating the Personal & Political on Rivers of the New West.” He has been at work on a new book, “Life After Dead Pool: Lake Powell’s Last Days and the Rebirth of the Colorado River,” scheduled for release this August. Longtime local musician Emmer recently moved to northern California.

Podmore: I had been working on the book for I guess two years at that point and spent most of my time out there with different scientists: ecologists, geologists, archaeologists.

Emmer: Zak and I went to high school together and kept in touch. I had thought about doing some kind of trip to check out Glen Canyon. Zak told me he was writing a book about Lake Powell, Glen Canyon and was circumnavigating it. And I said, “Take me on a trip with you!”

Podmore: [Circumnavigating Lake Powell] was the original literary device [for the book], but I didn’t really end up doing that. I explored most of the lake and majority of the tributary canyons.

Emmer: The trip with Zak was only four days [last] April and was put together mostly by Zak and the institute. We had 14 writers, musicians, artists, filmmakers come and hang on the river.

Jackson Emmer by Sofie Koski

Keeping it local — do we? OPINION

By Ron Kokish

There’s a plethora of local Facebook posts denigrating Donald Trump. Posts critical of the Supreme Court are also popular, as are posts about a certain congresswoman’s intelligence and passions. There are complaints about our local government too. Carbondale Marketplace and other developments are favorite targets. Unfortunately, relevant decisions about those developments were made 10 or more years ago. These aren’t complaints about local government; they’re complaints about local history.

Ask the complainers what’s currently under consideration and they rarely know. We get hot under our collars about national issues easily enough, but all too often we pay less attention to local matters.

That’s unfortunate because local government has much more impact on our everyday lives than the federal government does. Services like education, utilities, public safety, road maintenance and local parks and recreation are fundamental to the quality of daily life. When a snowstorm hits, it's the local government that clears the streets so we can get to work, get our children to school, shop, etcetera.

To the degree that local government is effective, residents experience timely snow removal, ample clean water, pleasant, accessible parks and responsive public safety services. Conversely, local blunders are felt quickly, often affecting our lives the day they happen.

LETTERS

Digital coupons discriminate

In the longer term, local land use decisions determine where homes can be built, where businesses can operate and how land within the community can be used. They influence the character of our community, our property values, how easy or difficult it is to get our groceries home from the checkout stand and what our local economy is like. A decision to allow or disallow a new development can have significant implications for a small community's landscape and identity.

Given its cogency, it’s good that local government is more accessible than state and national governments. We can attend town council and commission meetings, engage in other public forums and communicate easily with local legislators and administrators. In short, we can influence the policies and projects we’ll have to live with, or live without, locally more easily than we can at higher levels of government.

If you want something done or not done in Carbondale, you can get 30 or 40 signatures on a petition, ask the town clerk to put your group on the agenda for a board of trustees (BOT) meeting and there you are, face-to-face with the legislators you elected. Or, have coffee with the mayor every Friday at 8am at Bonfire.

Since it’s relatively easy to be heard locally, you might expect a high degree of citizen participation. But you’d be disappointed. Turnout for the BOT elections was 41% in 2022 and under 36% in 2020 — the very year our presidential election turnout was over 85%.

Are Bonedalers just plain ignorant about local government? With an important local election now underway, two friends helped me briefly test this possibility by offering random strangers at City Market and the Third Street Center $5 if they could correctly name our mayor, three of our six current trustees and three of our eight commissions and boards. (Can you?) After asking 36 people, I was a mere $30 poorer. Five out of every six people

The digital coupons at City Market discriminate against us. If you are … too busy, in a hurry, too late getting home to family, too non-tech savvy, working too hard, too tired — or even worse, old — you probably can't use digital coupons.

But you are hungry and picked up an item on sale (you saw the yellow tag to "buy one at a lower price and five for even less”). It is a SCAM! You get to the cashier and find out you can't have it on sale! YOU DON'T HAVE YOUR DIGITAL COUPON! OR YOUR COUPON DOES NOT WORK! The cashier cannot fix it. Only some items are really on sale! A solution: Give it up, buy some place else when possible and the Town will lose your tax $$$.

Joani Matranga Carbondale

Vote for Susan

Carbondale is fortunate to have so many residents who are willing to volunteer and to run for office. In the upcoming election for the board of trustees, there is a candidate that merits your serious consideration. Susan Rhea has volunteered on numerous boards and commissions and has made a difference in helping to maintain the vibrancy of

didn’t remember who we had elected or how local government is structured.

Given the results of this little experiment, the voter turnout numbers and what I observe on Facebook, I’m more sure than ever that most of us don’t pay nearly enough attention to the government that has the greatest immediate impact on our lives. That’s too bad because democracy is the best form of government, but I don’t think it’s working well right now and small towns like ours are the easiest places to make it work better. If we can’t even participate actively and competently in Carbondale, how can we hope for much from Washington, D.C.?

If you read last week’s Sopris Sun carefully enough, you can learn about Carbondale’s current BOT candidates. I did. The most substantive question they were asked was what would they have done differently from the current trustees. Two answered thoughtfully. A third candidate’s answer lacked scope. The remaining three ducked the question altogether. I’m guessing those three dislike open disagreement, so won’t be effective leaders, and that the one who focused on one blind spot at one intersection as the main thing they would have done differently isn’t good at seeing the big picture.

Did you read last week’s Sun carefully enough to know which candidates I’m referring to? They probably know and, as I write this, they still have the chance to change my current opinion on March 20 during the candidate forum. That’s how democracy works, but only when we work at it.

Age-Friendly Carbondale believes in active resident involvement in local government and does policy work to make our Town a better place to live for people of all ages and abilities. We invite you to join in our work. Leave us a message at 970-366-6460 or email info@agefriendlycarbondale.org. Let’s bump turnout over 50% this time.

Mature Content is a monthly feature from Age-Friendly Carbondale.

this community. She is currently running for the board of trustees in an effort to maintain the character of Carbondale, to work towards smarter growth, to further environmentally responsible decisions and to build an inclusive community. Susan, as geophysicist and environmentalist, has a unique ability to handle complicated issues. She would bring to the board, and to the community at large, a willingness to listen to opinions from all sides and to consider all input before deciding on the best approach to resolving an issue. Under her leadership, I am confident that she will work to protect this community’s special gifts and grow in a manner that will protect what we love about Carbondale. Please support Susan Rhea in the April 2 election.

Frank and Kathy Sgambati Carbondale

April on April 2

I have known April Spaulding almost as long as she has been here since 2011. We are DJ’s together at KDNK, where she has served on the executive board. She has served on The Sopris Sun board and we have worked together for years at the Mountain Fair Cake Contest!

continued on page 20

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Tragedy on 82

On Monday, March 18, a serious traffic accident occurred at the bottom of County Road 114 involving two Colorado Mountain College (CMC) residential students. One student sustained several injuries and was transported to St. Mary’s Hospital in Grand Junction. The other tragically died in the accident. CMC has counseling services available for all students affected by this news.

CMC changes

Dr. Carrie Hauser, president and CEO of CMC, announced Tuesday she is stepping down in August after working for the college since December 2013. What’s next? Dr. Hauser told her employees she’d be climbing Mt. Whitney in California with her husband in the fall, and “I’ll keep you posted about my next professional steps.” Meanwhile, the board of trustees will meet Friday to discuss the selection process for CMC’s 10th president.

Infrastructure funds

Ten of Congresswoman Lauren Boebert’s community project funding requests were signed into law as part of legislation enacted on March 9, a press release stated. This included $20 million for Colorado water and infrastructure projects. Among them: $2 million for renovations at the Town of Silt’s water plant; $1.5 million toward improving the Blue Hill section of Cottonwood Pass; and $1.4 million toward the Glenwood Spring’s South Bridge connection across the Roaring Fork River.

Uinta update

On March 4, as reported by the Grand Junction Daily Sentinel, the Seven County Infrastructure Coalition, a group of Utah county governments backing the Uinta Basin Railway, filed a petition with the U.S. Supreme Court requesting a hearing of the case. In August, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit overturned the December 2021 ruling of the Federal Surface Transportation Board approving the proposed 88-mile railway, which would take oil from Utah through Colorado on the national rail line to refineries on the Gulf Coast. The Appeals Court ruled the Surface Transportation Board did not properly consider the potential downstream environmental impacts. In November, the court rejected a petition for a re-hearing, and in January, the U.S. Forest Service withdrew approval for the railway crossing a roadless area in Utah’s Ashley National Forest. The petition to the Supreme Court claims the D.C. Appeals Court decision took too broad a view of the National Environmental Policy Act review and that federal regulatory agencies did not have to consider the impacts to Colorado or the Gulf Coast communities where the oil would be refined.

CDOT projects

Colorado Department of Transportation officials recently met with the Garfield County Commissioners and outlined some priorities for Region Three which encompasses 15 counties in northwest Colorado, including Garfield. A big priority is replacing culverts. There are more than 20,000 culverts in the region with 295 marked as high priority for replacement. CDOT is also replacing signal wiring, conduit, pull boxes and detection at Highway 82 and Catherine Store Road, constructing a new roundabout at Highway 6 and Castle Valley Boulevard in New Castle and planning to expand the deceleration turn lane at the traffic light on Highway 82 at Spring Valley Road.

What's the word on the street?

The Handlebar restaurant enjoyed a soft opening on St. Paddy’s Day, March 17. Stephen VanDyke, pictured here with his wife, Jennifer, and daughters, Thea and Sophia, told The Sopris Sun that the space will remain largely unchanged from the Homestead Bar and Grill, which they purchased from Red Cunningham and Julie Warren in December. It will remain a comfortable place neighbors can bike or walk to with a gorgeous view and sports on TV. “We embrace community and consistency,” VanDyke said. Beginning April 5, the restobar will be open from 11am to 9pm, Friday through Monday. On April 26, services will expand to seven days a week.

Shoshone

Five more West Slope entities made substantial financial commitments toward the preservation of the historic Shoshone water rights on the Colorado River, a press release stated. These include: Basalt Water Conservancy District, committing $100,000; the City of Rifle, $100,000; West Divide Water Conservancy District, $50,000; Palisade Irrigation Company, $50,000; and Mesa County Irrigation Company, $10,000. On Dec. 19, 2023, the Colorado River District and Xcel Energy signed a Purchase & Sale Agreement to protect the flows of the Upper Colorado River in perpetuity. The River District committed $20 million toward the $98.5 million sale price, matched by the Colorado Water Conservation Board one month later.

Scholarships

Credit Union of Colorado Foundation is accepting applications through April 15 for $5,000 college scholarships available to 10 students enrolled in, or scheduled to enter, an accredited college or university. Visit www.cuofcofoundation. org/general-scholarships

They say it’s your birthday!

Folks celebrating another trip around the sun this week include: Judy Bartels, Kerwin Hirro and Miles Phillips (March 21); Tanner Hawkins and Evan Piccolo (March 22); Erin Danneker (March 23); Martin Gerdan and Jammin’ Jim (March 24); Ben Canady and Alta Otto (March 25); Ruby Marker and Brian McIsaac (March 26); Shea Courtney and Drea Marsh (March 27).

Photo by Raleigh Burleigh

Tour

Podmore: I was really excited about the idea of going out and doing an art trip, as opposed to all these science trips. I’d done a few trips previously on Lake Powell with Dawn. She invited Peter McLaughlin and his friend Chris Brashear, who have been writing Colorado River songs for over 25 years. He was really good friends with Katie Lee, who was a legendary musician of Glen Canyon and was a pretty outspoken anti-dam activist. Peter has Katie’s guitar and took that out in the canyons with us. Although he’d written a lot of songs about the river, canyon and John Wesley Powell, he hadn’t really explored Lake Powell at the record low levels we’re seeing.

Emmer: I’d never met [Peter]. I was interested in conservation, environmentalism, activism, water management in the West and the intersection of folk music. I didn’t know how lucky I was until I was on [the trip], because Peter and Chris had been working on this for like 20 or 30 years already … and [I] realized, “I hit the jackpot, the gold mine.” I mean these people were so deep in it, and I get to just hang out and soak that up for four days. I now have a handful of songs.

Stepp: I knew Zak since he was a kid and reached out to him a couple of years ago when he wrote “Confluence” and was trying to figure out how to get him involved with the [MCWC] speaker series. I knew that he was involved in the book “Dead Pool” and started talking

about him coming out and doing an event around that book. At the same time, he was coordinating with the institute and others [to put together the GCRT]. We had something [last month] on endangered fish; we’ll be doing something on stream restoration in April. [March 14] was kind of the culminating piece between the three of them.

The event

Stepp kicked off the evening explaining that MCWC’s mission is “dedicated to enhancing and protecting the water for all uses and for the environment in the watershed from Glenwood Canyon to De Beque.” She continued, “Our job is to take care of your watershed. We all have to work together — hopefully, we can do it cordially.”

Next, Podmore took the stage to talk about why he decided to write “Dead Pool.” Using a slide presentation and paraphrasing the title of a famous spaghetti western, he dubbed the discussion “the Bad, the Ugly and the Good.”

The Bad: He described how the dam was designed so that water can only be released through the hydroelectric intake towers. If the lake’s surface level drops below 3,370 feet in elevation, water can’t leave the lake — it becomes a “dead pool” — nor can electricity be generated.

The Ugly: As the lake level drops, it is revealing vast stretches of built-up sediment that the GCI has dubbed the Floyd Dominy Formation, named for

the federal official most responsible for Glen Canyon Dam. Podmore described the unsightly, unstable masses as “mud glaciers grinding downstream” in the lake.

The Good: On his trips on the lake, Podmore has seen ecosystems reestablished (shoots growing up around “ghost” cottonwood trunks, the return of beavers) and cultural resources uncovered (rock art, pottery, even basketry) — in addition to canyons, arches, and natural bridges reemerging.

Kish followed with her short film “Tad’s Emerging World,” presented in the form of a voiceover letter to Tad Nichols, who, beginning in the 1950s, photographed Glen Canyon before and after its inundation. Using a replica of Nichols’ boat, Kish documented revisiting “certain iconic places” he had photographed that are again above water, taking stills

using Nichols’ 4x5 camera but not replicating his photographs. “I was trying to channel him,” she said. “It was kind of a spiritual time for me.”

Jack Stauss, GCI’s outreach director and coordinator of the tour, spoke briefly about the institute, its Returning Rapids Project in the canyon and GCI’s advocacy for decommissioning Glen Canyon Dam before introducing McLaughlin and Emmer.

The two presented 10 lakeand canyon-inspired original compositions. Among them, Emmer’s observations about “sand in everything;” McLaughlin’s “Powell’s Journey,” written 30 years ago; and Emmer’s humorous “houseboaters’ anthem,” with the singalong refrain: “Weather’s getting hotter, summer’s getting longer / And it means more time to party!”

They closed the evening with two poignant songs about Katie Lee, made even more meaningful because McLaughlin played Lee’s guitar. Emmer wrote his with legendary folk singer Tom Paxton, and Lee helped with McLaughlin’s “She Knows the River.”

As the participants took a bow, Stepp thanked John Goss at the theater and others for their contributions and urged people to get involved “at the local level.” Emmer gave a shout-out to Carbondale Arts for providing funds for the boat fuel on their 2023 trip.

Information is available at www. midcowatershed.org and www. glencanyon.org

The Glen Canyon Rises Tour team. Clockwise (from upper left): Jack Stauss, Dawn Kish, Zak Podmore, Peter McLaughlin and Jackson Emmer. Photo by Ken Pletcher

Home is where you make it

Himalayan Cuisine opens its doors

By James Steindler Contributing Editor

Three Valley locals are making their way to Glenwood Springs to open a Nepalese restaurant and bring a little bit of home into their hearts and those of the community. Himalayan Cuisine, located at 115 6th Street, opens for business this weekend.

Krishna Thapa and Devika Gurung met in their home country of Nepal about 15 years ago. Both have businesses in tourism there — Gurung as a yoga teacher and healer and Thapa as a mountaineering guide. They both lived in the same town, Pokhara.

Gurung came to Carbondale ahead of Mountain Fair weekend in 2016 and, of course, couldn’t help but fall in love with the place. Thapa has been in the Valley since 2011.

Ranjan Karki grew up in Kathmandu and came to the Valley just a few years ago. He studied hospitality in Nepal and moved to Aspen to work at the St. Regis. After being here a while and not meeting anyone from Nepal, he became homesick. In conversation, a coworker told him that he knew another man from Nepal, Thapa. Karki jumped at the opportunity to meet someone from home.

“I was so mesmerized at that moment because I hadn’t seen a single guy from Nepal for the first month I was here,” Karki told The Sopris Sun. Gurung echoed his sentiment, “When I first moved here, I missed so much seeing Nepali people.”

They each have a lot of love for the Roaring Fork Valley community. Gurung brought up that in 2015, following a catastrophic earthquake in Nepal, their friends and family here rallied to donate a significant chunk toward the recovery.

The food will be authentic Nepalese cuisine, whereas, according to Gurung, many Himalayan restaurants’ dishes tend to have an Indian influence. Their goal is to use organic and nonGMO ingredients.

“In Nepal there are lots of ethnicities and each different region has their own dish,” stated Gurung. “We don’t have to introduce all of that, but there are so many foods that are unknown [here].”

Glenwood seemed like a good fit because of tourism traffic, and with a 10 year lease they plan to be around to reap the benefits of the City’s 6th Street Project. They certainly are not relying solely on tourists “because they can come and go,” said Gurung, “but we’ll sustain … by getting support from locals.”

The intention is to create a space to share Nepali culture. Eventually there will be an Asian market with vegetables, frozen momos, various chutneys and more. The market will also sell goods from Nepal, feeding the economy back home.

They don’t plan to be stingy with their recipes either. On top of the restaurant menu, “I want to create a menu … that anybody can make at home,” Gurung stated. “I want to pass it on.”

The trio intends to give back to the community in other ways. Gurung said they’d like to deliver to the hospital so patients can enjoy good food, and provide space in the commercial kitchen for community use at a fair price. “There are so many local small business owners looking for a commercial kitchen where they can produce their local product,” she acknowledged.

To shake things up a bit, they plan to host live music twice a month, show a film about Nepal or the Himalayas once a month and host a buffet once a week. Carbondale musicians Morgan Williams and Gabriela Mejia will perform during the opening.

Krishna Thapa, Devika Gurung and Ranjan Karki, the local team behind a new Nepalese restaurante in Glenwood Springs, were spotted in style at the Green is the New Black Fashion Show. Courtesy photo

The three owners want people to be curious and ask about their culture. One can start by asking about the logo, which carries a lot of symbolism. I won’t give it all away, but the mountain on the logo is Machapuchare, also known as Mata Putra (a Vedic name that translates to “mother son”), located outside of Pokhara.

“A year ago the idea of creating a center for Nepali culture was just a spark, born from the shared passion of myself and my dear Nepali friends, who are more like family and brothers to me,” Gurung wrote in a recent Facebook post. “Now, as we prepare to open our doors we are filled with excitement and anticipation for the opportunity to share the rich flavors and traditions of Nepali cuisine with you all.”

The opening is this Saturday and Sunday, March 23 and 24, starting at 1pm.

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Meet the Basalt town council candidates

On April 2, Basalt will elect its next mayor, as well as three new councilors — each for fouryear terms. The Sopris Sun sent a short questionnaire to candidates via email. David Knight is the sole mayoral candidate. To view a meet-and-greet hosted by the Basalt Chamber of Commerce and Basalt Regional Library, visit bit.ly/ BasaltForum2024

Questions

1. What makes you a good fit to represent Basalt?

2. How do you feel about the changes coming to historic downtown Basalt as part of the Midland Avenue Streetscape Project? How would you like to see the Town government work with the community and local businesses as construction continues?

3. As the Valley becomes increasingly populated, how would you like to see Basalt handle this growth over your term?

4. What's a fun fact most people may not know about you?

Hannah Berman

1. I’m a Colorado native who grew up going to Winter Park every weekend where my parents started the kids’ nordic team. Mountain towns have always been special to me: the opportunities to get outside, good hardworking people, and time spent with family and friends. Everything I idealized, I now get to enjoy in Basalt and I don’t take living here for granted. Yet, I’m increasingly aware of issues like housing that are stressors on our community.

I’m running for town council to improve the quality of life for local people by driving progress on issues like housing and climate change. Basalt is special. To keep it that way, we need to figure out how to balance small town character and a functional community with transitconnected affordable housing.

Some 40% of our Town are renters, but most council members are homeowners. I believe there should be more representation of renters and younger people trying to make a life here. I hope to represent

that voice because I am lucky enough to rent one of the Town’s affordable housing units. It is all-electric with onsite solar and a WE-cycle station outside my front door. It’s a good example of planning and I hope to ensure future decisions are just as thoughtful and sustainable.

I’ve been able to see the Town through my role on the SkiCo sustainability team, philanthropy, as an election judge, and an amateur wedding cake baker. And I want to get involved in the community on a deeper level by joining town council.

2. The Town did a massive amount of public outreach and there was strong support for the Midland Streetscape. The ballot measure passed, so now the Town is doing what it said it would do.

The project updates basic utility infrastructure like water, and builds resiliency for the future with buried power lines and EV charging infrastructure. Basalt also received some major grants to support the project and I think it would be silly to leave money on the table from CDOT and the federal government and pay for all the construction ourselves.

It’s worth investing in Midland to ensure the core of Old Town is ADA accessible, resilient, and maintains its Mountain West character. It’s a place that all community members should be able to enjoy. That includes our aging population, people with disabilities, and parents with strollers.

If the voters decide to change tact, I know the Town will be responsive. In the meantime, construction can be a pain and disruptive. Basalt needs to ensure our businesses are proactively supported through signage and wayfinding. There should be more Midland money this summer. I’ll look forward to community events like the summer concerts where you can see families and residents spill from the park into the restaurants.

3. Housing costs threaten the vibrancy of our community. The average free-market rent in the Valley rose 40% from 2020 to 2023. We have teachers commuting past a handful of schools, but getting paid the same amount as their peers working closer to where they live. We have librarians and waiters and healthcare professionals commuting from way downvalley. That’s unsustainable, but we’re not going to build our way out of this problem.

I believe in affordable, transitconnected density in the core, so we can protect and preserve the open spaces that make this place desirable. We also have projects, like the Basalt Vista teacher housing, that model smart, sustainable planning and design.

We can implement incentive programs for ADUs and deed restrictions to claw back housing stock into the realm of affordability. I’d also like to see any new development far exceed the current standards for affordable housing.

Recently the council worked with a developer to get to 50% affordable housing — that’s unprecedented. Let’s use all the tools at hand — incentives, policy, and partnerships — to get future developments even higher.

4. I once made a wedding cake with 16 lbs of butter.

Angele Dupre-Butchart

1. I am a long-time Valley resident with a passion for the mid-Valley. My kids attend the schools, we frequent the businesses and utilize the public services, parks and open spaces. I represent an important demographic in our town: young, working families that are concerned about the future of Basalt and where we and our children fit into that future. We need to ensure that our community continues to offer the high standard of living that we all expect. This challenge requires a complex compromise of growth and restraint, and I feel that my experience, background, and demeanor can offer a unique skill set to the council and the Town of Basalt in achieving those goals.

2. The prior council and mayor were tasked with a huge undertaking in the Midland Streetscape Project. The aging utilities and infrastructure of the street needed to be upgraded and with that came an opportunity to improve the ADA and general accessibility of Midland as well as a face-lift. I had a hard enough time navigating those sidewalks with a stroller; I cannot imagine a wheelchair. One could argue the details of the aesthetic improvements almost endlessly and at the end of the day, decisions, and progress, had to be made. Could there be more parking? Probably. Ultimately, I applaud the changes and feel as though they were necessary. The council and their consultants did the best they could to work within the given structural restraints to provide a solution to the problem while providing a pleasant look that honored the past and the future of Basalt.

Going forward, to the end of 2024 and completion of the project, the Town should continue to offer incentives to the public to visit the businesses despite the

accessibility inconvenience, to the extent that it does not cause undue financial burden to the taxpayers. They should continue an aggressive public outreach program, reminding people that the town and businesses are open and notifying of scheduled work. Communication and compromise are key. The local businesses and business owners have made a huge sacrifice during this project. I believe it is now in the best interests of the businesses and the people of Basalt, as well as our visitors, that we allow this project to move along in the most expedient way possible. Ultimately, the town and council are responsible to the entire voting population and the budget set forth. It is in everyone’s best interest to finish this and finish it without unnecessary delay.

3. When it comes to growth in the mid-Valley, that train has left the station. The growth was coming prior to the 2020 COVID pandemic, and it was exacerbated by it. In my view, the growth must be managed with a priority on essential services and providing housing for those workers. Who are we if our schools are not good because we cannot attract and keep qualified teachers because they cannot afford to live within a reasonable distance to the schools? Who are we if we cannot rely upon fire and EMS to respond to our calls in a timely manner when we need them? Who are we if our local businesses can no longer afford to stay in business and are run out of town by rising real estate prices and chain stores? The growth is placing a strain on our community that is now bordering a public service emergency but saying NO to all growth/ development is not the answer. We must allow smart, appropriate deed-restricted development in areas previously identified in the master plan as suitable and ensure that those units are dedicated to the essential workers in OUR community. It was clearly defined by the people of Basalt in the Master Plan that they wanted density, over spread, with development near old town Basalt, transit and businesses. During my term, I intend to honor the wishes set forth in the Master Plan and work toward bringing vitality to historic Basalt. Allowing reasonable growth and development of the right kind of housing will help us solve the issues of teacher shortages, essential worker shortages and give our business owners the consistent traffic they need to remain here for us.

4. Most of my career has been in hospitality, property management and finance but one of my favorite jobs was at a flower shop (Mountain Flowers of Aspen, 10 years ago) where I was able to utilize my education and experience to help the business owner but also spend time learning about the flowers and making arrangements, a hobby that I enjoy today. I love to garden and create flower arrangements for friends.

Chris Mullen

1. I am a 15-year resident in Town that has experienced life through a wide variety of perspectives; from being single to married with kids and struggling with child care to divorced and scrambling for affordable housing. I'm grateful for the stability I have in those areas currently and want to give back and serve my community while being committed to continuing to raise my children here.

2. I'm glad the new water main was successfully installed last year and was happy with the communication efforts about the impacts to local businesses during that process. I was also pleased at the value engineering efforts the Town undertook to bring costs down and look forward to the three zones of work that will finish out that construction down Midland this year. The stormwater infrastructure and enhanced ADA accessibility and walkability in Town will allow for a great connection to the spur and into the river park and the rest of Basalt. I'd like to see the Town continue with the transparency and information they have provided throughout.

3. Density within the urban growth boundary near transit.

4. Prior to 2020, I was captain of a billiards team at Stubbies.

Rick Stevens

1. My experience in governance in the Valley goes beyond political, social, and institutional boundaries and I feel strongly that I will be an asset going forward. Basalt's position as an influence in the mid-Valley community, along with Carbondale's role as a great multifaceted town, will require that elected officials of our communities and counties collaborate on regional issues to assure our futures stay in motion and that our Valley economies, environment, and cultures remain sustainable. Having

long term relationships with several entities whose missions are to change and stimulate regional conversations to a higher level will be beneficial.

The Valley is maturing and coming out from under the shadow of the core resort of Aspen/Pitkin County and into its own time. Many are excited to see the changes that are coming and feel that I have the experience and the right focus to support the effort. I have been engaged in multiple initiatives that have been centered on local governance and regionalism from Aspen to Parachute, including early childhood education, youth sports, and housing. I will continue to work towards cross generational solutions and will dedicate the time necessary to create positive and lasting change.

2. There can never be enough effort put in front of the communication to the community around a project of this nature and scope. The revitalization of Midland Avenue has been a major part of the “Old Town” discussions over the last 25-30 years. The river master plan of 2001-02 supported several initiatives that have been successfully addressed and the community has acquired key parcels for the purpose of returning the river to its natural state and bringing the river back to the community as first steps in revitalizing the core. Monies were budgeted for the Midland project many years ago. The Midland piece of the puzzle in the revival of downtown Basalt has now been initiated. With the commencement of the project last summer came a number of issues brought by merchants and citizens that are a natural reaction to the disturbance that was occurring. I would encourage much more outreach than has occurred, support a "boots on the ground,” face-to-face daily presence with a constant contact system in place to quickly and efficiently address and solve issues and problems. I would enlist a separate oversight/PR committee of citizen ambassadors/ media that would be in front of the construction updates — not behind the progress. Basalt has very competent staff and a qualified contractor in place to manage the technical aspects of the improvements — we need a tactical/ cultural presence. Coupled with the start of the Clark’s Market project it could be a busy summer.

3. Basalt has the issue of being in two counties, Pitkin and Eagle, each with their own philosophies. The Carbondale area is also in two counties. Pitkin and Garfield. Both communities are challenged due to the political boundaries of the counties. I was mayor of Basalt in 1999 when the urban growth boundary (UBG) was established in Basalt and our discussions centered around growing from the core of Basalt outward. "Seamless government" was a smart growth goal and a joint planning effort was begun with both counties. The UGB in Basalt is still in place today and at near capacity.

The Valley has proven that a nogrowth mentality does not contain growth nor stop the population from expanding. At the present time, there are very few developable parcels left in Basalt to grow into. We must embrace density and opportunities near transit for future housing opportunities and

execute the plan that was in place following the setting of the UGB. The Valley must unite behind a climatefocused, sustainable land use model that will provide opportunities for our future generation. I have and will continue to engage any and all citizens in our critical land use decisions.

The growth engine is the core resort of Aspen and Pitkin County and their elected officials must take responsibility for their own expansions and mitigate the impacts that are felt throughout the Valley including the I-70 corridor. Basalt can manage its growth and development on our own terms. Thank you to Mayor Kane and the current council for their hard work.

4. My fourth grade lacrosse players think I started playing the game of lacrosse right after I got off the Mayflower. Like lacrosse, politics is a game of intelligence. The game is played for the benefit of the greater good, not for those with single purpose agendas. There is no sin in thinking younger while growing older, so let's together set the future up for success.

Kaja Rumney

1. As a local mom, homeowner, business owner, and nurse, I bring a multifaceted perspective to the table and am committed to representing Basalt with integrity, compassion, and dedication. I aim to serve as a council member who actively engages with our community, listens with an open mind, and advocates for the collective interests of our residents.

2. I'm pleased to see the Town's commitment to enhancing our infrastructure to accommodate the growth in Basalt. It's crucial that we continue to prioritize support for businesses impacted by the construction process. By doing so, we can ensure the continued prosperity and vitality of our community as we evolve and expand.

3. As Basalt continues to grow, I believe it's essential to prioritize the development of our community, infrastructure, and Town amenities. By investing in these areas, we can enhance the quality of life for residents, attract new businesses, and create a more vibrant and sustainable future for Basalt. Let's work together to build a thriving community that meets the needs of all its members.

4. I was born in Norway, lived in three countries before I moved to the U.S. at the age of 10. After spending time in Seattle, Chicago, and Milwaukee, I settled in Basalt.

David Knight

sole mayoral candidate

1. I have been serving on Town Council for the past four years with the last two years as Mayor Pro Tem. During this time I have had the opportunity to work with my fellow councilors and Town staff on efforts to complete the River Park, help find a path forward for the redevelopment of the old Clark's market building, update building codes to make them more climate friendly, establishing Basalt Connect and digitizing services and information for a better community member experience. I look forward to completing the Midland Avenue Streetscape Project and focusing on affordable housing, additional climate initiatives, child care and youth services, and strengthening community engagement. I have been living in Basalt for the last seven years with my wife and son (9) who attends Basalt Elementary School. I want to continue to see Basalt be the amazing place it is to live, work, and play for decades to come.

2. I believe the changes that are underway as part of the Midland Avenue Streetscape Project are necessary and will enhance Basalt. We will see improvements to infrastructure as well as accessibility and usability of our downtown space. For this final upcoming phase in 2024 it will be critical for the Town to continue to engage with the community and local business stakeholders including upcoming work and schedules, mitigation plans for any issues that arise, and hearing feedback on potential improvements to support during this process.

3. I would like to see growth management over the next four years to be focused on attainable housing within Basalt's Urban Growth Boundary. There are diverse and overlapping ways to accomplish this including encouraging density near mass transit, varying types of deed restrictions within developments, promoting ADUs where appropriate, land banking, seeking public private partnerships, and incentivizing deed restrictions on existing development. We are at a point where we are at a deficit for attainable housing for our workforce so we need to be intentional about what development decisions we make going forward to support reducing that deficit.

4. I played steel drums on an album in college during my time as a music education major.

REGISTER TODAY!

Community Ed Classes in Carbondale SPRING PLANTING IN THE ROCKIES

How and when to plant for high altitude gardens that thrive.

Thursday, 6-8pm, 3/21

NEW TECHNIQUES FOR PRINTMAKERS

Expand your printmaking skills with drypoint, photo transfers, brushwork and more!

Mondays, 6-9pm, 3/25-4/29

ADULT BEGINNER BALLET

Classical ballet fundamentals at the barre and center work with Alexandra Jerkunica.

Tuesdays, 9-10am, 3/26-4/30

INTRO TO DRAWING

Learn traditional drawing and observational skills with a simple method in this fun class.

Tue’s, 5:30-8:30pm, 3/26-4/30

BEGINNING FOOD GARDENING

For beginning gardeners or anyone wanting to increase productivity in their garden.

6-8pm, 3/27and 4/11

ADULT BEGINNER BALLET

Classical ballet fundamentals at the barre and center work in a fun learning environment.

Tuesdays, 9-10am, 3/26-4/30

PET PORTRAITS WITH CHARCOAL PASTELS AND WATERCOLOR

Explore materials, compositions, color theory, and how to interpret a portrait from photographs.

Thursdays, 6-8:30pm, 3/28-5/2

INTERMEDIATE PAINTING

Your choice of medium.

Tues’s, 1:30-4:30pm, 3/26-4/30

INTRO TO DRAWING

Learn traditional drawing and observational skills in a simple method, and see progress.

Tues’s, 5:30-8:30pm, 3/26-4/30

GARDEN SCULPTURE

Learn to design in 3-D and create two sculptures, one for your home and one for your garden.

Fri/Sat, 10am-3pm, 4/5-4/13

FOR MORE INFO AND TO REGISTER . . .

Carbondale Lappala Center 690 Colorado Ave 970.963.2172

The Spirit of Transformation

CALENDAR

THURSDAY, MARCH 21

SPANISH STORYTIME

Basalt Library hosts bilingual storytime at 10:30am.

THURSDAY BOOK CLUB

The Third Thursday Book Club meets at the Carbondale Library at 2pm. This month's book is “The Midnight Library” by Matt Haig.

LOTUS LANTERNS

The Korean Spirit and Culture Promotion Project teaches participants how to make a lotus flower lantern at the Basalt Library at 5:30pm. Visit basaltlibrary.org for more info.

LOUNGE

HeadQuarters hosts its first “Book Club, Journal, Draw” event, where participants draw inspiration from literature to unlock the power of journaling and artistic expression in a social setting at 6pm at its headquarters in Basalt. The event will repeat every third Thursday. Visit headq.org for more info.

CRYSTAL THEATRE

The Crystal Theatre presents “Dune: Part Two” at 7pm. “Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire” opens tomorrow and continues Saturday, Wednesday and next Thursday at 7pm with a 5pm showing on Sunday.

KT TUNSTALL

Grammy-nominated Scottish musician KT Tunstall performs at TACAW at 8pm. Tickets are sold out.

FRIDAY, MARCH 22

BREAKFAST CLUB

PRUNING WORKSHOP

Colorado Edible Forest, UpRoot Colorado, CSU Extension, & Pitkin County Open Space offer a free fruit tree pruning workshop in Basalt from noon to 4pm. An intermediate hands-on workshop will be offered in Emma on March 30, also noon to 4pm. Visit coloradoedibleforest. com/workshops to register.

KICK THE TURF

Join Bee Friendly for a hands-on workshop for anyone interested in replacing their turf with native plants. Bring an aerial image or the approximate square footage of your garden and Bee Friendly can help create a landscape design, select plants and answer questions about Carbondale’s new turf buy-back program. It all takes place at the Carbondale Library from 1 to 3pm.

HORSE HEALTH

Farrier Josh Aikens teaches about identifying, diagnosing and treating laminitis, a painful equine disease, at the Hoffman Hotel in Basalt from 1 to 4pm. The Roaring Fork Valley Horse Council will host three more horse health symposiums in 2024. To register, visit bit.ly/RFVhorses

BREATHWORK

True Nature offers a somatic breathwork immersion beginning today at 4pm with at-home practice through April 2 and a closing integration session. Find details at www.truenaturehealingarts.com

LIARS’ CONTEST

Roaring Fork Valley Storytellers hosts its annual Liars’ Contest event for free at Aspen Mountain Chalet from 5 to 6pm. For more info, call 970-379-2224.

Spirituality can be a slippery term for Us. We are often described as “spiritual but not religious” but what does that mean? Probably something different for everybody. In this talk, Aaron will describe what it means for him as someone who loves science and mysticism, literature and philosophy,

Roaring Fork Conservancy invites folks to hike/skin up Buttermilk to enjoy a discounted breakfast at the Cliffhouse restaurant. Participants are encouraged to look for watershed related trivia items on the way up the mountain for a chance to win giveaways at the top. More info at roaringfork.org

SLEEPING BEAUTY

Live in-person service. Live music by Ellen Stapenhorst.

Sunday, March 24th, 10am at Two Rivers Unitarian Universalist Community Room @ Third Street Center in Carbondale or via Zoom (scan QR code)

Join Zoom Meeting - https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82605258305

Meeting ID: 826 0525 8305 - Passcode: chalice truu.org

On the second and third Sundays of each month, Aaron Brown will be speaking in-person at Third 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.

Crystal River Ballet School presents “The Sleeping Beauty Ball” at the Thunder River Theatre at 6pm.

MOUNTAINFILM

MountainFilm makes a stop at the Basalt Library to present a slew of inspiring short films at 6pm. More info at basaltlibrary.org

LVDY

Kathleen Hooper and Aubrey Mable perform uplifting and intimate music at Steve’s Guitars at 8pm. Tickets at stevesguitars.net

MONOPHONICS

The Monophonics, a soul rock group, performs at TACAW at 8pm. Tickets at tacaw.org

SATURDAY, MARCH 23

FIELD DAY

Seed Peace hosts a field day at Sunfire Ranch from 10am to noon. The day will consist of helpful lessons to ready gardens and farms for spring! To sign up, visit www.bit.ly/FieldDayMarch23

COLLAGE TECHNIQUES

Learn collage techniques from artist Elizabeth de Wetter with an interactive workshop from 10am to 1pm at The Art Base. Register at theartbase.org

ARTISAN CLAY

The Aspen Hive, a boutique jeweler in Aspen (429 East Cooper Ave) hosts potter Diane Wuslich and a display of her work from 11am to 6pm.

SUNDAY, MARCH 24

WINDWALKERS

WindWalkers, a horse therapy nonprofit, hosts an “Emergency Procedures” volunteer workshop from 1 to 3pm. Email info@ windwalkers.org for more info.

ECSTATIC DANCE

Move to the groove at the Ecstatic Dance hosted at 13 Moons Ranch, south of Carbondale, from 6 to 8pm. Email alyahowe@me.com or call 970-309-2582 for more info.

TRTC CABARET

Toddy Walters presents “Trying Myself on for Size” at 6:30pm at the Thunder River Theatre. Tickets and more info at thunderrivertheatre.com

MONDAY, MARCH 25

SPRING BREAK

Rocky Mountain Kid CLUBS offers childcare from 8:30am to 4pm daily through March 29. More info at www.rockymtnkidclubs.org

MOTHERING 101

The Basalt Library offers an eight week moms group where participants learn about baby wearing, infant feeding, milestones, sleep and more. Pregnant moms 35+ weeks and moms with newborns 6 months or younger are invited. The class starts today and occurs every Monday at 10:30am. Mothers can drop in for a session or attend the entire series. Call 847-8946546 with questions and to register.

IN STITCHES

The In Stitches Knitting Club convenes at the Carbondale Library at 1:30pm.

PIONEER HISTORY

Sue Gray from the Carbondale Historical Society teaches about Hattie Thompson, daughter of Carbondale’s first homesteader, at the Carbondale Library at 6pm.

TUESDAY, MARCH 26

GIRLS WHO CODE

Students of all genders learn the basics of coding at their own pace at the Basalt Library at 3:45pm.

COAL BASIN STUDY

Last year, CORE and Delta Brick & Climate Company conducted research on the methane escaping from abandoned mines at Coal Basin. They will present findings and recommendations for mitigation at 6pm today in Basalt and Thursday, April 4 at the Church at Redstone. Register for the Basalt event at tinyurl.com/CoalBasinBasalt and for the Redstone event at tinyurl. com/CoalBasinRedstone

SCIENCE ON SCREEN

In celebration of Women’s History Month, Aspen Film presents “Women in the Equation” at the Isis Theatre with special guest Dr. Nausheen Shah, associate professor of physics at Wayne State University. The film “Hidden Figures” will be paired with a short film by students. The show starts at 6:30pm. More info at www.aspenfilm.org

ELEPHANT REVIVAL

The Wheeler Opera House presents Elephant Revival at 7:30pm tonight and tomorrow night. Tickets at aspenshowtix.com

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 27

RECOVERY YOGA

The Meeting Place in Carbondale hosts Yoga for People in Recovery at 8am. The Meeting Place offers two dozen recovery meetings every week. Find out more at meetingplacecarbondale.org

STORYTIME WITH TACAW

The Basalt Library partners with The Art Campus at Willits to bring early literacy storytime to the Treehouse next to the library at 10:30am.

STEP W/O THE STEP

Linda Loeschen guides a fun dance class that is “like a step fitness class without the step” at the Basalt Library at 11:30am. Call 970-927-4311 or email edewetter@ basaltlibrary.org for more info.

TEEN DEFENSE

Girls, 15-19, learn self-defense techniques based on Krav Maga at 2:30pm at the Basalt Middle School gym on Wednesdays. Call 970927-4311 x1004 or email bcrooke@ basaltlibrary.org for more info.

SPEAK SPANISH

The Spanish Conversation Club meets at Bodegón this Wednesday and next from 5 to 7pm.

BOOK TALK

The Basalt Library invites you to this month’s Book Talk to discuss “Tom Lake” by Ann Patchett at 5:30pm. Free copies are available at the circulation desk while supplies last.

350 FILM

Join 350 Roaring Fork for a screening of “A Land Out of Time” at the Carbondale Library at 6pm. This film examines oil and gas drilling in western Colorado.

THURSDAY, MARCH 28

MORTALITY

Akaljeet Khalsa hosts a conversation about dying with grace at True Nature from 4:30 to 6pm. This community offering is free.

SOUND JOURNEY

Danielle Klein performs a Spring Equinox sound journey at True Nature from 6 to 7:15pm. Tickets at www.truenaturehealingarts.com

FRIDAY, MARCH 29

BOOT TAN FEST

Sunlight Mountain Resort hosts the third annual Boot Tan Fest today and tomorrow. “Designed for women and femme folks,” the weekend includes music, games and more. Tickets at www.boottanfest.com

STEVE’S GUITARS

Haley Harkin and Carly Anne perform at Steve’s Guitars at 8pm. Tickets at www.stevesguitars.net

MONDAY, APRIL 1

DEATH CAFE

Death Cafe offers a safe place to share thoughts and hear others’ on the subject of death and dying at the Basalt Library from 5 to 6:30pm. This is not a bereavement or counseling session but an opportunity to bring comfort in talking about the subject. All are welcome and tea and cake will be provided.

BRYAN BIELANSKI

No joke! Bryan Bielanski returns to Steve’s Guitars at 8pm. Tickets at www.stevesguitars.net

TUESDAY, APRIL 2

THE BIG FIVE

The Big Five, hosted by HeadQuarters in Basalt, helps participants leverage the power of their nervous system to boost mental fitness, emotional wellbeing and overall health every first and final Tuesday of the month at 6pm. Visit headq.org for more info.

The Colorado Extreme 10UA youth hockey team will compete against the Utah Grizzlies at the Carbondale rink (2340 County Road 100) on Thursday, March 21 at 5pm.

Courtesy photo

Emerging bilingual students share wisdom beyond their years

By Jessica Peterson Sopris Sun Correspondent

The Hero's Journaling Project came out of a blended effort between the local arts nonprofit, VOICES, and Lucia Campbell, an English language development teacher at Glenwood Springs Middle School. The culmination was a student presentation last Thursday evening at the Glenwood Springs Library.

The project started back in 2019. It involves instructional storytelling — teaching students to express themselves through writing and other artistic modes.

This year, the program had a record number of 37 emerging bilingual students participate. The theme was: “Hero’s Journey: Life Changing Stories,” or “El Camino del Héroe: Historias que Cambian Vidas,” in Spanish.

There were many overlapping themes, including emigrating to the U.S., leaving behind family and friends and starting at a new school. They reflected on what their experiences taught them and set goals for the future.

As students presented, their classmates listened attentively and often used their cellphones to record and preserve the moment. There were nervous jitters as they waited their turn to present but the encouragement between students was palpable.

‘La Gran Propuesta de mi Mama’

Matias Largo from Colombia was the first to share his story, which he dedicated to his mother, with the title “My Mother’s Great Proposal,” or “La Gran Propuesta de mi Mama.” His family first flew to Orlando when coming to the U.S. and while at the airport Largo said he remembered ordering a coffee and having his first taste of culture shock. “The coffee cost like eight dollars,” Largo said. “I remember thinking, ‘My God how much is this coffee?’ In Colombia this cup of coffee (would) only cost 2,000 pesos.”

The next leg of their travels was to New York. He described feeling regret

at the time about agreeing to move to America. However, his whole family was finally together. After living in Glenwood Springs for a time, he considered how leaving his life in Colombia helped him grow as a person.

“As a result of the journey, I am now more independent, stronger and smarter,” Largo stated.

“In five years, I am going to be in high school. I hope to learn English perfectly. I am going to be more independent and [will] have a car,” he said. “In 10 years, I will have a house. I will be in college. I am going to have a dog and a cat, and I want to learn to speak perfect English like an American.”

‘El Gran Cristal’

In her story, “The Great Crystal,” Salma Borbon said that when her mother first told her they were going to the U.S., she felt very sad to be going to a new place and leaving her family. She lived in Chihuahua and was concerned that going to the U.S. would make visiting her loved ones too difficult.

“I also wanted a better future for myself. I knew it was going to be hard,” Borbon shared. When she first arrived in Glenwood, she just wanted to return to Chihuahua but with time things became easier. “I learned that things don’t always go the way we want them,” Borbon continued. “Now, I understand that sometimes we have to let go of some parts of our lives to make our dream come true.”

Borbon said her five-year goal

is to get good grades. In 10 years, she wants to be in college and save money to help her mom, sisters and family back in Mexico.

‘De las Playas a las Montañas’

Elmer Romero, from El Salvador, shared his story, “From the Beaches to the Mountains.” He remembers feeling happy with friends and family back home, but also seeing people living in poverty.

“I used to see people being so happy eating pupusas and eating chicken soup with their families,” Romero said, then added, “I used to see kids who were not wearing shoes because they were poor.”

He moved to the U.S. when he was 8 years old to live with his dad. He said he was happy to be with his father but nervous about learning to speak English.

“One lesson I learned from my journey is to always be kind to people. I am always thinking, ‘What if other people are having a hard life?’” said Romero.

In five years, he plans to visit his grandfather back in El Salvador —who is currently battling cancer — and to be working to support his family. In 10 years, he wants to have graduated high school and be a professional soccer player. The wisdom the students shared grew from experiences which many their age do not realize. Thursday evening was not just a Celebration of Learning, as it was labeled, but a celebration for the students finding their VOICES.

Pagado por el Comité de Jess Robison para la fideicomisario de la ciudad de Carbondale.

Fernando Meza presents his story, “El Camino a una Nueva Vida,”or “The Path to a New Life.” Photo by Jessica Peterson

818

Sol del Valle el

Estudiantes bilingües emergentes

comparten

una sabiduría que va más allá de su edad

Por Jessica Peterson

Traducción por Dolores Duarte

El Proyecto Hero 's Journaling surgió de un esfuerzo combinado entre la organización local de artes sin fines de lucro, VOICES, y Lucia Campbell, profesora de desarrollo del idioma inglés en Glenwood Springs Middle School. El cierre del proyecto fue una presentación estudiantil el jueves pasado por la noche en la biblioteca de Glenwood Springs.

El proyecto inició en 2019. Involucra narración instructiva-enseñar a los estudiantes a expresarse a través de la escritura y otras modalidades artísticas.

Este año, el programa tuvo un número récord de participación con 37 estudiantes bilingües emergentes. El tema fue: "El camino del héroe: Historias que cambian vidas", o "Hero 's Journey: Life Changing Stories", en inglés.

Hubo muchos temas coincidentes, como emigrar a Estados Unidos, dejar atrás familia y amigos y empezar en una nueva escuela. Reflexionaron sobre lo que les habían enseñado sus experiencias y establecieron objetivos para el futuro.

Mientras los estudiantes hacían sus presentaciones, sus compañeros escuchaban atentamente y a menudo utilizaban sus teléfonos celulares para grabar y preservar el momento. Hubo nervios mientras esperaban su turno para presentar, pero el ánimo entre los alumnos era palpable.

‘La Gran Propuesta de mi Mamá’

Matías Largo, de Colombia, fue el primero en compartir su historia, que dedicó a su madre, con el título "La Gran Propuesta de mi Mamá" o “My Mother 's Great Proposal”. Su familia voló por primera vez a Orlando cuando llegó a Estados Unidos y mientras estaba en el aeropuerto Largo dijo que recordaba haber

pedido un café y haber tenido su primer choque cultural.

"El café costaba como ocho dólares", dijo Largo. "Recuerdo que pensé: 'Dios mío, ¿cuánto cuesta este café? En Colombia esta taza de café (costaría) sólo $2,000 pesos".

La siguiente etapa de su viaje fue Nueva York. Describe que en aquel momento se arrepintió de haber aceptado mudarse a Estados Unidos. Sin embargo, toda su familia por fin estaba reunida. Después de vivir en Glenwood Springs durante un tiempo, reflexionó sobre cómo dejar su vida en Colombia le ayudó a crecer como persona.

"Como resultado del viaje, ahora soy más independiente, más fuerte e inteligente", declaró Largo.

"Dentro de cinco años estaré en bachillerato. Espero aprender inglés perfectamente. Voy a ser más independiente y [tendré] un coche", dijo. "En 10 años

tendré una casa. Estaré en la universidad. Tendré un perro y un gato, y quiero aprender a hablar inglés perfectamente como un estadounidense".

‘El Gran Cristal’

En su relato "El Gran Cristal", Salma Borbón cuenta que, cuando su madre le dijo por primera vez que se iban a Estados Unidos, se sintió muy triste por ir a un lugar nuevo y dejar a su familia. Vivía en Chihuahua y le preocupaba que ir a Estados Unidos dificultara demasiado las visitas a sus seres queridos.

"También quería un futuro mejor para mí. Sabía que iba a ser duro", dice Borbón. Cuando llegó por primera vez a Glenwood, sólo quería regresar a Chihuahua, pero con el tiempo las cosas se hicieron más fáciles.

"Aprendí que las cosas no siempre salen como queremos", continuó Borbón.

"Ahora entiendo que a veces tenemos que dejar ir algunas partes de nuestras vidas para hacer realidad nuestro sueño".

Borbón dijo que su meta a cinco años es sacar buenas notas. En 10 años, quiere estar en la universidad y ahorrar dinero para ayudar a su mamá, hermanas y familia en México.

‘De las Playas a las Montañas’

Elmer Romero, de El Salvador, compartió su historia, "De las Playas a las Montañas". Recuerda haberse sentido feliz con amigos y familiares en su país, pero también haber visto a gente viviendo en la pobreza.

"Solía ver a la gente tan feliz comiendo pupusas y comiendo sopa de pollo con sus familias", dijo Romero. Luego añadió: "Veía a niños que no llevaban zapatos porque eran pobres".

Se trasladó a Estados

Unidos cuando tenía 8 años para vivir con su padre. Dijo que estaba feliz de estar con su padre, pero nervioso por aprender a hablar inglés.

"Una lección que aprendí de mi viaje es ser siempre amable con la gente. Siempre pienso: '¿Qué tal si otras personas están teniendo una vida difícil’”? Dijo Romero.

Dentro de cinco años, tiene planes de visitar a su abuelo en El Salvador -que actualmente lucha contra el cáncer- y estar trabajando para mantener a su familia. En 10 años, quiere graduarse de bachillerato y ser futbolista profesional.

La sabiduría que compartieron los estudiantes surgió de experiencias de las que muchos de su edad no se dan cuenta.

La noche del jueves no fue sólo una Celebración de Aprendizaje, como se le calificó, sino una celebración de los alumnos encontrando sus voces (VOICES).

Algunos de los diarios visuales de los estudiantes que hicieron durante el proceso de lluvia de ideas creativa al escribir sus historias.

Foto por Jessica Peterson

Volumen 3, Número 4 | 21-27 de marzo de 2024

Conectando comunidades desde 2021

Reseña: Poor Things OPINIÓN

Por Vanessa Porras

Cuando vi el tráiler de la película, Poor Things, pensé que ésta sería una obra maestra cinematográfica. Sin embargo, al ver las grotescas escenas en blanco y negro de la película en tan solo los primeros 30 minutos en el cine, me acerque a mi novio, a quien básicamente llevaba a ciegas, y le susurre con toda la pena del mundo: “lo siento muchísimo”, porque sabia que aun nos quedaban dos horas de cine.

Compartir arte, ya sea una película, un libro o música, me da mucha pena, porque si amo algo y la otra persona no lo aprecia como yo, es como una daga al corazón ya que lo siento como un

reflejo directo a mi persona. Por suerte, mi primera declaración de la película era correcta. Es una obra de arte, aunque muchos opinen lo contrario. Poor things es una película que te hace sentir incómodo en muchos aspectos relacionados a la condición humana y aquello que consideramos moralmente correcto y tabú.

El 10 de marzo, la protagonista y productora de cine Emma Stone, quien hizo el papel de Bella Baxter se llevó su segundo Premio de la Academia, conocidos popularmente como los Oscar, como mejor actriz en la película Poor Things. La película también acumuló una serie de premios que incluyen mejor diseño de disfraz, mejor diseño de producción y recibió el premio de Golden Globe (Globo de Oro) por la mejor película musical o de comedia.

Así que, ¿por qué una película que recibió tanto aclamo, también ha sido una película que por partes iguales ha recibido tanta crítica? He ahí el dilema de lo que clasificamos como arte.

Como conté anteriormente, al inicio de esta película, yo misma me disculpe porque en ese

momento no solo era yo la que estaba comprometida a ver una película de dos horas y media, sino que había arrastrado a otra pobre alma conmigo para soportar esta jornada artística. Me iba a quedar porque no me gusta hacer prejuicios sin saber el final pero corría el riesgo de perder ese tiempo y no llegar a una conclusión satisfactoria. Sin arruinarles la película, la trama gira en torno a una mujer llamada Bella Baxter quien es un experimento creado por el doctor Godwin Baxter interpretado por Willem Dafoe y toma lugar en la era Victoriana. Poor Things fue dirigida por Yorgos Lanthimos quien tomó gran inspiración de la novela de horror Frankenstein de 1818 por Mary Shelly y fue escrita por Tony McNamara, quien se basó en la novela con el mismo nombre de 1992 de Alasdair Gray. Robbie Ryan, cinematografo, admitio haber tomado gran influencia de la pelicula de 1992, Bram Stoker's Dracula de Francis Ford Coppola.

Aunque esta película se asemeja a la novela Frankenstein, varía en

quién es el monstruo en la historia. A pesar de que el Dr. Godwin, llamado God (Dios) por Bella, crea y le da vida a Bella, él mismo es un tipo de Frankenstein ya que el padre de Godwin lo usaba para hace sus propios experimentos lo cual lo dejó desfigurado y dependiente de máquinas para funciones corporales básicas como digerir sus alimentos, todo ello en aras de la prosperidad de la ciencia. Aun así, Godwin y los otros personajes, le enseñan a Bella sobre ética y sobre y las crueles realidades del ser humano.

Bella es como una niña en el cuerpo de un adulto que va por la vida con la misma curiosidad y entusiasmo infantil de alguien quien está experimentando sus sentidos por primera vez. Me quedé encantada con los detalles sutiles de la cinematografía que colaboró a la historia y por igual las referencias al desarrollo de los movimientos artísticos y escuelas de la filosofía a la par con el desarrollo intelectual de Bella.

La trama de la película sigue el desarrollo de la mente de Bella y hace referencia cronológica a la evolución del pensamiento,

incluyendo la Ilustración, el Romanticismo, el Trascendentalismo, el Socialismo y la época Victoriana. También aborda temas de ciencia, naturaleza, filosofía de la creación y teoría política.

A simple vista, Poor Things, es una película que incomoda. Todo aquello que consideramos tabú, parece ponerlo debajo de una lupa y magnificarlo. Algunos han criticado la película por ser hipersexualizada y por complacer la mirada masculina. Pero viéndola con más profundidad, no solo hace referencia hacia la evolución del pensamiento pero también reta nuestra brújula moral y nuestra condición humana. Son precisamente esas críticas las que me hacen pensar que Poor Things, logró su objetivo al provocar discordia hacia la “moralidad”.

Finalmente, al ver la última escena mi ansiedad por compartir arte se alivió. Me dirigí hacia mi novio por última vez y le pregunté, “¿te gusto? ¡Porque a mi me encanto!”. Esta comedia de humor negro no será del gusto de todo el mundo, sin embargo, ninguna obra maestra lo ha sido.

Artista existencial

Desde SANA

Por Judith Alvarez-Quiroz

Los estudiantes que enfrentan inseguridad alimentaria- hambre- en las escuelas a menudo experimentan dificultades académicas y pueden estar más propensos a tener problemas de conducta y salud emocional, mental y física. Sin embargo, gracias a la iniciativa de Comidas Escolares Saludables para Todos, esta situación puede ser abordada de manera efectiva.

En el año 2022, la Alianza para la Nutrición Abundante y Segura (SANA) se unió a Hunger Free Colorado y a más de 100 organizaciones e individuos en todo el estado para promover la aprobación de Comidas Escolares Saludables para

Comidas escolares saludables y accesibles

Todos (HSMA) mediante una iniciativa electoral estatal. La aprobación de esta propuesta, liderada por los votantes de Colorado en noviembre de 2022, marcó un hito significativo en el esfuerzo por combatir la inseguridad alimentaria en las escuelas.

La experiencia de participar en esta iniciativa electoral fue una demostración del poder de la comunidad para generar un cambio positivo. Ya que la aprobación de HSMA fue un esfuerzo de base centrado en la comunidad que demostró el poder de la organización comunitaria para el cambio y generó impulso en todo el país para programas de comidas universales en otros estados.

Desde entonces, el programa ha comenzado a operar, ofreciendo comidas escolares gratuitas para todos los estudiantes que deseen desayunar y almorzar durante el año escolar 2023-2024. En las escuelas que participan en el programa Nacional Federal de Almuerzo Escolares.

Investigaciones muestran que este acceso a comidas escolares tiene un impacto positivo en la salud, asistencia y éxito académico de los estudiantes en Colorado, promoviendo la inclusión

y eliminando el estigma asociado con recibir comidas escolares gratuitas.

Próximos pasos

A medida que avanzamos hacia el año escolar 20242025, se espera implementar componentes adicionales del programa para mejorar la calidad de las comidas y beneficiar la agricultura y a los trabajadores locales. Actualmente, SANA y otros socios en todo el estado están buscando colaborar estrechamente con las escuelas durante la fase de implementación, reconociendo la importancia de cerrar brechas en el programa Nacional de Almuerzos Escolares.

El trabajo aún no ha terminado. Ahora es el momento de asegurarse de que esta iniciativa se implemente de manera efectiva en nuestras escuelas locales.

Gracias a Comidas Escolares Saludables para Todos (HSMA), las autoridades de alimentación escolar recibirán un reembolso por las comidas gratuitas proporcionadas a estudiantes que no son

DE PRUEBA PARA RADÓN GRATIS

El radón es un gas radiactivo canceroso que entra a hogares a través del suelo. La única manera de saber si su casa tiene radón es hacer la prueba. Salud Pública del Condado Garfield está ofreciendo pruebas gratuitas. Recoja su kit:

Salud Pública

2014 Blake Avenue

Glenwood Springs 970-665-6383

Salud Pública

195 West 14th Street Rifle

Oficina CLEER

520 S. Third Street, #7

970-665-6383

Carbondale 970-704-9200

40% de los hogares en el Condado Garfield han probado por encima del límite de acción de radón de la EPA.

elegibles para recibir comidas gratuitas o a precio reducido según programas federales, garantizando que todos los niños puedan acceder a alimentos sin estigma.

Se invita a todas las familias a completar la solicitud de almuerzo gratis o precio reducido durante el proceso de inscripción para el año escolar 2023-24. Al proporcionar esta información, se ayudará al distrito a acceder a todos los fondos disponibles para cubrir el costo de las comidas y otros programas nutricionales para los estudiantes. Además, aquellas familias que completen el formulario pueden calificar para recibir descuentos en cuotas escolares, materiales de clase, pases de autobús, apoyo para servicios públicos y más.

Se requiere únicamente un formulario para todos los niños del hogar, sin necesidad de proporcionar estatus de inmigración, migrante, ciudadanía o refugiado al completar el formulario.

Este es un recordatorio de que, aunque el almuerzo escolar sea ahora gratuito para todos, el apoyo de los padres es esencial para mantener la financiación de nuestras escuelas.

¡POR FAVOR, CONTINÚEN LLENANDO ESTAS SOLICITUDES Y SIENDO PARTE ACTIVA EN ASEGURAR QUE NINGÚN NIÑO PASE HAMBRE EN LA ESCUELA!

¡Por favor, continúen llenando estas solicitudes y siendo parte activa en asegurar que ningún niño pase hambre en la escuela!"

www.garfield-county.com

Toda la información sobre los ingresos del hogar proporcionada al distrito escolar es estrictamente confidencial y está protegida.

Al trabajar juntos, podemos garantizar que cada niño en nuestra comunidad tenga acceso a alimentos saludables y culturalmente apropiados en la escuela. Si tienes preguntas o dudas comunícate con tu distrito escolar, o manda un mensaje al 970-989-3513 a SANA por si quieres seguir aprendiendo más de esta propuesta y cómo poder ayudar.

Cada vez que usas tu tarjeta de débito Loyalty*, Alpine Bank dona diez centavos a las causas comunitarias que son importantes para ti.

¡Solicita tu tarjeta hoy mismo!

Traducción por Jacquelinne Castro

Tragedia en la 82

El lunes 18 de marzo, un accidente serio de tráfico ocurrió al fondo de County Road 114 involucrando a dos estudiantes, residentes de Colorado Mountain College (CMC). Un estudiante sufrió varias lesiones y fue transportado al Hospital St.Mary 's en Grand Junction. El otro estudiante trágicamente falleció en el accidente. CMC tiene servicios de asesoramiento disponibles para todos los estudiantes afectados por estas noticias.

Cambios de CMC

La Dra.Carrie Hauser, presidenta y CEO de CMC anunció el martes que se va a retirar en agosto después de trabajar para la universidad desde diciembre del 2013. ¿Qué sigue? La Dra. Hauser le dijo a sus empleados que escalara la montaña Whitney en California con su esposo en otoño, y “los mantendré enterados acerca de mis siguientes pasos profesionales”. Mientras tanto, la junta de administradores de CMC se reunirá a finales

de esta semana para discutir el proceso de selección para el 10o presidente de CMC.

Fondos de infraestructura

Diez de las solicitudes de financiamiento de proyectos comunitarios de la congresista Lauren Boebert fueron firmadas como ley como parte de la legislación promulgada el 9 de marzo, dijo el comunicado de prensa. Esto incluye $20 millones para proyectos de agua e infraestructura de Colorado. Entre ellos: $2 millones para renovaciones de la planta de agua en el pueblo de Silt; $1.5 millones para mejoras de la sección de Blue Hill de Cottonwood Pass; y $1.4 millones hacia la conexión del puente del sur de Glenwood Springs en el Río Roaring Fork.

Proyectos de CDOT

Los oficiales del departamento de transporte de Colorado se reunieron recientemente con el comisionado del condado de Garfield y destacaron algunas de las prioridades de Region Three en el cual abarca 15 condados en el noroeste de Colorado, incluyendo Garfield.

Una prioridad principal es reemplazar las alcantarillas. Hay más de 20,000 alcantarillas en la región con 295 establecidos como alta prioridad de reemplazo. CDOT también está reemplazando cableado de señal, conductos, cajas de extracción y detección en la carretera 82 y Catherine Store Road, construyendo una nueva rotonda en la carretera 6 y Castle Valley Boulevard en New Castle y planificando la expansión de desaceleración de cambio de carril en la luz de tráfico en la carretera 82 en Spring Valley Road.

Parque de Silt

Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO por sus siglas en inglés) otorgo $900,000 al pueblo de Silt para la renovación del parque del vecindario de 1.7 acres. Los fondos irán hacia un equipo accesible de patio de juegos, baños, senderos para caminar y estructuras con sombra GOCO también designó $7 millones hacia la construcción del último segmento de 7.5 millas del sendero Eagle Valley Trail, completando un total de 140 millas de sendero continuo desde Breckenridge hasta Aspen.

Becas

Credit Union of Colorado Foundation está aceptando solicitudes hasta el 15 de abril para becas de universidad de $5,000 disponibles a

10 estudiantes inscritos, o programados para entrar, a una universidad o instituto autorizado. Más información: www.cuofcofoundation.org/ general-scholarships

"Sincronías" parte 67, por Leonardo Occhipinti

Steve’s Guitars presents Haley Harkin & Carly Anne

By Myki Jones Sopris Sun Correspondent

On March 29, Coloradobased musicians Haley Harkin and Carly Gilliland, known professionally as Carly Anne, will grace the stage at Steve’s Guitars. Harkin and Anne have been friends and collaborators for several years, and despite working in different genres, they often merge their talents to create a whole new sound that they are excited to share with an audience.

Harkin’s voice and lyrics combine the classic sound of folk with the romantic passion of a poet. Listening to her, one can almost feel themself standing barefoot in a river on a scalding hot day. The naturalistic themes in her music tell of her love for humanity, love, and a strong desire to make a difference.

Harkin has described Anne as versatile. She is influenced by psychedelic and progressive rock, soul, funk and folk music. As a multi-instrumentalist and experimental performer, her sound is so hypnotic and captivating that one could feel they are walking through a historic art exhibition of the

Renaissance. Anne has also performed with many bands and loves collaborating.

“Carly inspires me as a person, and musically, I get inspired by her,” Harkin told The Sopris Sun. “Playing together feels so natural.”

Originally from Austin, Texas, Harkin came to Fort Collins three years ago for the nature and the music scene. Through a twist of fate, Anne was living in Fort Collins at the same time after leaving her home in Bellingham, Washington to pursue a graduate program in music therapy. Anne now resides in Steamboat Springs.

“I moved out here amid a band I was in’s album release process, which was kind of sad because we had worked so hard on it. But the album was released, and I was off to Fort Collins. Then, I started focusing on my solo project. I thought, ‘I got this place, I got myself and I've got some songs I've written and recorded,’” Anne stated.

Their paths crossed when Harkin stumbled upon one of Anne’s shows at The Atrium.

“I was at a taco place that's connected to The Atrium, and she was playing fiddle with a string band called Nightbird. I had been living there at that point for six months, and I decided to reach out to her on Instagram and from there we connected,” Harkin explained.

“She asked if I wanted to throw some fiddle on some of the tracks for her album. We got together and instantly felt good around each other. We had fun talking and hanging out, and then when we started playing,” Anne stated.

This stop at Steve’s is part of Harkin’s current tour across the state. She said she had been planning a tour for some time and wanted to

play at Steve’s, seeing that other musicians she follows had played there.

“I keep tabs on what venues other musicians are playing, and I had seen [Steve’s Guitars] on the radar for a while,” Harkin stated. “I knew I wanted to play there. I've never been there because I haven't been to Carbondale, but it seems pretty cool.”

In another twist of fate, Anne was skiing in Steamboat Springs one day, and when she discussed her upcoming show with people on the lift, they guessed

“I always go skiing and rode the chairlift with three guys from Carbondale. I said, ‘Oh, I'm gonna be playing a show in Carbondale.’ They responded, ‘Is it at Steve’s?’ It's cool that it's this wellknown hub for music, and I love getting to play places like that because it means this is where people like to see music,” said Anne.

Anne explained that she is excited to bring her music to new ears. A sentiment she shared with Harkin is that if even one person leaves the show impacted in some way, it will be a win.

“This is such a beautiful opportunity for connecting with an audience, and I hope that even if it’s just one person who likes it, I will have accomplished something. And maybe they will, in turn, follow me on my musical journey,” Anne expressed.

“I love to inspire, give people hope and plant seeds of love. That has always been in my music, and those are my intentions for this show,” Harkin added.

To get tickets for this show

To keep up with Haley Harkin, visit www. haleyharkin.com

For Carly Anne, check her out on Bandcamp at: carlyanne.bandcamp.com

Pagado por el Comité de Jess Robison para la fideicomisario de la ciudad de Carbondale.

Roaring Fork Rams spring seasons under way

By John Stroud Sopris Sun Correspondent

The days are finally warming up, and the outdoor practice fields in Carbondale have come alive with spring sports.

For Roaring Fork High School, that means baseball, girls soccer, girls lacrosse, boys and girls track and field, plus a combined school boys lacrosse team hosted by Glenwood Springs High, and girls tennis and golf hosted by Basalt High.

The Rams baseball team is off to a 1-3 start to the young season, recording home losses to Evergreen, 9-1, on March 11, and to Montrose 16-7 on March 13, with a road loss at Kent Denver, 6-5, on March 12.

The lone win so far came March 16, 11-0 over Littleton at home.

Next up for the Rams is a road trip to Grand Junction on Thursday to play Castle View

at Canyon View Field. Then it’s back home for a double header on Saturday versus Liberty Common. Game times are 10am and 2pm at Ron Patch Memorial Field.

Roaring Fork’s track and field team opened the season at the Rifle Invitational on March 15, where sophomore Nikki Tardif took second in her first-ever 400 meter race, with a time of 1 minute, 3.68 seconds. Tardif also took 10th in the 200 meter event (28.84) and senior Kyra Reeds was 12th in the 100 meter hurdles (20.42).

The soccer ladies got a win Tuesday at home over Fruita Monument, 1-0, to improve their record to 1-1-1. The Rams’ goal came in the second half off a corner kick from junior Emma Charters.

In earlier soccer action, Roaring Fork tied Vail Mountain at home 2-2 on March 13, with goals coming

Spring sports are underway! Avery Shook led her team in a fierce match with Vail Mountain on March 13, which resulted in a 2-2 tie. Find all the schedules and scores at www.maxpreps.com

Photo by Sue Rollyson

from Charters and senior Avery Shook. The Rams lost 3-0 at Montrose on March 16. The soccer team is off until after spring break, when they host Coal Ridge on April 4.

Girls lacrosse, which combines players from Roaring Fork, Basalt and Glenwood Springs, is 0-2 after a pair of close losses to start the season: 16-14 at

Mullen on Tuesday and 8-7 at Aspen on March 13.

Against Aspen, junior Hailey Wolfe found the net three times, with goals also coming from junior Josie McKinley-Kitchell, senior Gracie Garcia, senior Lucianna Phillips and sophomore Jordyn Miller.

Boys lacrosse is 1-0 after a 19-4 win March 16 at Durango. Goals in the season opener came from sophomore Kiko Pena (5), junior Tristen Bledsaw (4), senior Cooper Chacos (3), junior Sawyer Harrington (3), senior Ian Cole (2, with 5 assists), senior Jett Weatherred, and junior Canyon Cherney. Senior goaltender Marek Senn had 15 saves.

The Demons are at Eagle Valley on Thursday, ahead of the spring break.

Girls tennis opens their season at Aspen on Thursday.

RFHS seniors soar in showcase of capstone projects

By John Stroud Sopris Sun Correspondent

From sharing personal stories and useful information about student activism on the KDNK airwaves and in the pages of The Sopris Sun, to literally flying, this year’s Roaring Fork High School seniors are taking their capstone projects to new heights.

Capstones are a free form, handson project, often spanning the better part of two years of high school, plus hours upon hours of research and writing, and culminating with a teacher panel review and a community presentation of the student’s work.

It’s also a requirement for graduation.

This year, seniors at the Carbondale public high school gave their presentations during parentteacher conferences on March 7.

“We’ve always had a dedicated time for students to give their demonstrations of learning and have invited the public in to see what the students have been doing,” RFHS Vice Principal Mary Kate Adams said. “Our staff and parents were thrilled and loved having the opportunity to check them out.”

Seniors also had the opportunity to showcase their capstone work during 11th grade tutorials, as a way to provide some guidance for the juniors as they develop their capstone projects to present next year.

Seniors Brisa Farfan Fernandez and Esmeralda Alverde Duarte utilized local media outlets to share their capstone projects with a much broader audience.

Farfan Fernandez emigrated from Peru and shared her story in a personal column she wrote for el Sol del Valle,

The Sopris Sun’s Spanish insert, in October 2023. It was also shared in a Voices Radio Hour segment on KDNK Community Access Radio.

“For this project I was inspired by freedom of expression,” Farfan Fernandez said. “When I moved to the United States, I became quiet and awkward, not because I wanted to, but because it felt impossible to communicate when I did not know the language properly.”

Writing about her experiences as a young immigrant helped her empathize with others who are still struggling as recent arrivals. “For me, there is nothing more beautiful than what connects us as humans, in this case, freedom of expression,” Farfan Fernandez said. “This project allowed me to not only connect with people but also myself. I don’t consider myself the greatest writer,

yet I am certain that the words I type come from passion, honesty and dedication.”

She said her takeaway is that, in sharing her story in her own words, it doesn’t have to be perfect.

“When I wrote the article I really had to put myself out there for criticism, which is something that I usually avoid at all costs, but it taught me that it is good to sit in discomfort every once in a while to accomplish your own goals.”

For her project, Alverde Duarte created a series of podcasts to air on KDNK focusing on discussions about environmental issues and directed at youth taking action to protect their environment. She interviewed representatives from several area environmental organizations about how small actions locally can make a difference globally.

“It’s such a big issue and young people want to help, but it can seem insurmountable and it’s hard to stay motivated,” Alverde Duarte said. “So I focused my series on trying to empower them through their own connections to the environment.

“Instead of getting sad and, ‘oh, the world is dying,’ I try to get them to think about how blessed we are with our surroundings and that we want to do whatever we can to protect it.”

The project itself involved a lot of scheduling and rescheduling meetings with the people she was interviewing and fine-tuning her conversational skills.

“It will be a two-year project from when I first started to when the last (segment) will air,” said Alverde Duarte, who plans to study on a pre-law track at the University of Colorado at Boulder.

Two senior students have been learning how to fly planes, which Haven Keery documented for his capstone.

Emerging pilot JT Haberern took it a step further, using his training to help teach middle school students about the world of aviation and introducing them to the flight simulator at the Aspen Flight Academy.

A sampling of other capstone projects at the March 7 event found Brandon Thomas presenting about his beekeeping project; David Finley talking about the “E-Sports” team he created for digital gamers; Micah Bays showcasing his digital artwork; Evi Keating’s job shadowing project; Noah Brockman’s work as the RFHS baseball team photographer; and Eli Cohen’s effort to obtain his Level 1 ski instructor certification and organize a ski day for emerging bilingual students at his school.

Esmerelda Alverde Duarte did her capstone work with support from the Andy Zanca Youth Empowerment Program. Photo by Sue Rollyson

Hope and potential for the Redstone General Store

By Will Buzzerd Sopris Sun Correspondent

“This is really all about building community, and it’s going to be the community that designs what’s on this site,” said Larisa LaLonde of Roaring Fork Leadership (RFL). LaLonde led a presentation during the Crystal River Caucus last Thursday regarding future plans for the Redstone General Store, including creating a community serving village center to further its impact. The team is still deciding whether the project would be operated as a nonprofit or as a co-op.

RFL is helping to create a strategic plan that the General Store can use as a roadmap for the project. The bulk of the presentation focused on what’s possible within the space — which includes the “Wild HeArts” building adjacent to the General Store. Ideas included a tool and book library, classes led by local artisans and teachers, childcare programming, a community garden, among many others — but few are “hard plans.”

Matt McGaugh of RFL spoke in more detail about the vision for the site, presenting a watercolor map of each building on the site along with a list of potential new uses for each one. “The program and the vision already fits in the existing structures,” he stated. “[We’re] not really building anything more, but taking the existing spaces and enhancing them and repurposing them.”

To address the perennial

housing problem, the old condos behind the Wild HeArts building could be converted into employee housing — not only for the General Store’s staff, but for other businesses in Redstone as well.

Several weeks ago a tree came down on the General Store, but the team is hoping that repairing the damage will actually provide an opening to make improvements to the existing building. One such improvement might be to extend the kitchen and make it into a community space to host cooking classes and events for local groups. The Wild HeArts building next door would be the primary center for the community space, but the

GARFIELD COUNTY REPORT

General Store building, with a new kitchen, could be used for such activities as well.

RFL emphasized that, at the moment, the team is in a conceptual “dreaming” phase. While there are countless possibilities for what could exist, it is up to the community what will come to be. A survey is open online through the summer, thematically focused on community needs and values as well as potential programming ideas. “The more input we can gather early on, the more it'll be able to inform the direction of the project, because it can go different ways,” said LaLonde.

Once enough feedback is gathered and the Redstone

community decides on what might be in its best interest, then a solid site plan will be created. Then the plan will be presented to potential investors, ranging from private partners to Pitkin County. In any case, the ultimate goal is for the village center to remain in the hands of the local community.

Visit redstonegeneralstore. com for a link to the community survey.

Other updates

Michael Gorman of Wilderness Workshop led a presentation on efforts to protect segments of Avalanche Creek, as well as

the south and middle forks of Thompson Creek, through Colorado’s Outstanding Waters (OW) designation.

While OW prohibits new or increased point-source pollution (pollution from single sources like mining operations or sewage treatment), the designation legally cannot impact water rights or any existing water uses. Potential non-point-sources of pollution, such as ranching, would likewise remain unaffected.

After two public hearings and an ongoing public outreach phase, Gorman’s team is coming to the end of a three-year long process. An upcoming state hearing in June will decide whether these creeks will be awarded the OW designation. The caucus passed a motion to draft a letter voicing its support.

The last item of the night was a brief update on the Wild and Scenic designation of the Crystal River. After a private meeting, the Crystal River Collaborative Steering Committee reached a consensus to pursue three non-mutually exclusive protections: 1) an intergovernmental agreement to protect against dams and diversions, 2) peaking instream flow (meaning capturing unallocated runoff during heavy flow and using it to recharge floodplains) and 3) a Wild and Scenic designation with the flexibility necessary to address the specific needs of stakeholders.

Changes to library trustee appointment process, gray wolf update and more

By Amy Hadden Marsh Sopris Sun Correspondent

“Shame on you Commissioner Martin and Commissioner Samson for changing, without public notice or input from either the library trustees or the residents of Garfield County, the practice of allowing our library trustees to nominate candidates to serve on the library board of trustees.” Glenwood Springs resident Ellen Dole on Monday ripped into the Garfield Board of County Commissioners’ (BOCC) decision to take control of the Garfield County Library Board of Trustees appointment process.

“This established practice has been delegated for many years by the [BOCC] to the library trustees and is memorialized in both resolution 2006-111 and the library’s bylaws and other resolutions,” she continued.

Dole, who was overlooked during the open public comment period at the beginning of the meeting and waited 40 minutes to be heard, spoke up via Zoom.

“When you couldn’t intimidate the library trustees last fall with respect to the banning of certain books unpopular with a particular county constituency,

you’ve decided to try another method to browbeat and bully the residents in this county,” she said. Dole was the only person to voice opposition on Monday to the BOCC library decision. On Feb. 26, the BOCC approved a letter to the library board, stating that the BOCC planned to take control of the trustee appointment process, from advertising the position through the actual appointments. A week or so later, the library board responded with

its own letter (obtained by The Sopris Sun via an open records request). The library’s letter pointed out that on Feb. 19, 2008, under the auspices of then-county attorney Don DeFord, the BOCC agreed with an amendment to Resolution 2006111 that “appointees to the library board shall be recommended by the Board of Trustees for the consideration of the [BOCC]” and that the BOCC will act on the recommendations “instead of a committee” appointing library board members. During Monday’s meeting, Commissioner Mike Samson said that the 2008 agreement was before his time. “I was not even aware of this verbal 2008 agreement and, I guess, thank you to the library board for bringing it to our attention,” he said.

At the end of the meeting, after an executive session, the BOCC voted unanimously (sans an absent Commissioner Tom Jankovsky) to approve a resolution “rescinding the verbal 2008 amendment to Resolution [20]06-111 and setting policy and procedure for Garfield County Public Library District Board of Trustee appointments.”

continued on page 23

The Redstone General Store team is in the “dreaming” stage of plans to create a village center in the heart of Redstone, enhancing and repurposing existing structures on both sides of the Boulevard. The team used this watercolor by Chris Hassig as a diagram to include some suggestions for community use of each space. Courtesy image

Colorado doles out $30 Million in rental assistance

and other accessibility barriers. Applicants are not required to disclose their immigration status.

Colorado’s Department of Local Affairs (DOLA) recently launched its Temporary Rental Assistance Grant Initiative which will provide $30 million in temporary rental assistance to Coloradans at risk of eviction or displacement.

The pre-application period repeatedly opens on the 15th day of each month and closes on the 20th while funds are still available. Following the pre-application period, DOLA conducts a random selection process to invite individuals to complete a full application. Funds must be spent by June 30.

DOLA is prioritizing those who are facing eviction. To qualify, someone must be a Colorado resident, hold a valid lease, be at risk of eviction or displacement and should make at or below 80% of the area median income (AMI), among other factors. There is an assistance limit of $10,000 and the intention is to stabilize the home, not to provide recurring assistance.

Applicants must have experienced a significant life event to qualify. Such circumstances can include a health related event (mental health inclusive), a loss or decrease in income, the death of a family member, a need to leave one’s home due to domestic abuse, or a substantial unexpected expense like a car repair.

People who have already received rental assistance within the past 12 months are not eligible.

However, the Emergency Rental Assistance Program is available to people regardless of whether or not they received rental assistance within the past 12 months. To be eligible for that program one must have a current court summons in hand.

The agency is also eager to spread the word about the program to those who face language

“We’ve been trying to get the word out through the media, using social media and doing ‘grasstops advocacy.’ So we’ve reached out to our nonprofit partners as well as city and county leaders across the state,” a spokesperson from DOLA commented. “But our team constantly reevaluates our process because we do see holes. We do see that there’s a gap in certain counties. We’re working to increase our outreach to those counties and working with them to make sure they have the information they need. We have to consider the unique needs of all our constituents.”

DOLA has a team monitoring spending rates and efficiency to ensure that funds are rolling out accordingly. The initiative comes at a time when Colorado's housing costs are about 20% higher than the national average and, according to a recent article by the Colorado Sun, the average rental cost for a one-bedroom apartment sits at $2,000 a month.

While the goal of this initiative is to keep as many Coloradans housed as possible, it is not a quick fix.

“We’re hoping that we can avoid some evictions, but we still have to work with landlords throughout this process. We do deliver direct pay to landlords, so we’re hoping that they are more willing to work with us instead of filing for eviction and putting that on someone’s record moving forward — which exacerbates the situation,” the spokesperson concluded. “Obviously, the program itself is not going to solve housing instability. We’re eager to work with our partners and legislators across the state to try to come up with a more long-term solution.”

To find out more, visit cdola.colorado.gov/ temporary-rental-assistance

April has amazing community spirit and a huge heart. She jumps in to help at any opportunity, most recently with the Venezuelan immigrants and she created a fundraiser for families impacted by the fires in Lahaina, Maui.

She has seen a lot of changes in her time here, and understands Carbondale and its community spirit first hand! I strongly endorse her as a candidate for the Carbondale board of trustees. She will bring thoughtful, knowledgeable experience to the position and a whole lot of heart!

Grace Trevor Gallo

Carbondale

Berman for Basalt

It is an honor to write to the voters of Basalt about your upcoming Town Council elections. How fortunate you are to have a slate of candidates to choose from! I hope you find comfort in knowing it means you have an engaged community.

Today, I’m hoping to make the candidate selection easier for you as I’ve been lucky enough, in my professional career as a nonprofit leader and as the Mountain Family Health Centers board president, to work alongside Hannah Berman for the past five years. Hannah recently joined the Mountain Family board of directors and the speed with which she has grasped the complex issues our patients and providers face daily has been impressive.

More exciting, though, is the creativity with which she joins every conversation; always ready to listen and learn and never afraid to offer up ideas. As a colleague, I know that her professional experiences — in policy dedicated to better access to early childcare and higher pay for childcare providers — will prove to be a unique asset as a councilwoman for the Town of Basalt. I applaud the Town for taking some meaningful steps to address the health of its community and for creatively attempting to find ways to support Basalt’s childcare providers and children. But so much more is possible with smart, approachable, energetic, dedicated and creative locals on town council like Hannah. If I were voting in the upcoming election on April 2, I would cast my vote for Hannah Berman.

Sydney Schalit

Satank

Property tax solution

After over 237 years as a democracy it should be crystal clear to the political class that for the private citizen anytime growth in taxes exceeds the growth of our personal income, we are not happy. Such a case has occurred in Colorado and Eagle County this year. After adjustments by the state legislature, Eagle County commissioners, Eagle County School Board and the various taxing districts within the county, my property taxes went up 24.8%. On the other hand, my Social Security payment (personal income) went up 3% — a mismatch of 21.8%, and I am not happy. Ultimately, my choices are to dip into savings to fund the difference or sell my house to get out from under such an unfair and

unvoted-upon confiscatory tax system. Neither choice is palatable.

Fortunately, there are solutions and mine is simple to understand and implement ...

First, take the difference between this year's Social Security increase (3%) and the 24.8% property tax increase and refund the difference either as a check to the taxpayer or a credit against 2024 taxes. If enacted by the legislature, this will refund approximately 88% of the 2024 property tax increase.

Second, enshrine in Colorado’s Constitution that property taxes for any property tax payer whether in-state or out-of-state, whether residential or non-residential cannot increase on an annual basis by more than the Social Security annual cost of living adjustment as measured by the Consumer Price Index. More than anything else, this will keep government demands for money in line with taxpayers ability to fund those demands. If governing bodies complain that this limits their spending priorities, then so be it. They can control their spending or bond their spending for capital projects if necessary. But I think in a democracy that has survived for over two centuries, it is essential for the citizenry to believe that we are living in a country where fair taxation is of paramount importance. What happened this year in Colorado was not fair taxation.

Mike

Meehan

Avon

Jess for Bonedale

I am taking time to write about my support for Jessica Robison in the upcoming election. Jess is the perfect candidate for the board of trustees in the Town I have come to love. Jess possesses the ideal blend of integrity, respect and responsibility which are necessary to hold our Town in good standing over the coming four years. I believe a vote for Jess is a vote of confidence that our Town will be able to meet the challenges that await us in the years ahead.

I first met Jess eight years ago after relocating to the Roaring Fork Valley. She was a kind, thoughtful and welcoming presence for someone a long way from home. As a third generation resident, Jess knew all of the great places to grab a bite or get off the beaten path to find our Valley’s many hidden gems. She has connected me with many members of the community and helped me build relationships with people that have changed my life. Having lived in the RFV most of her life, Jess and her family have opened their lives to me and given me an inside look as to the kind of people they are.

A mother of two young children, Jess and her husband Adam have integrated themselves in the local community. Their kids attend a local school. She is a small business owner, who works with her family here in Carbondale. We have participated in many beloved Carbondale events, such as the Rodeo, Cowboy Up, Mountain Fair, the Fashion Show and the Puzzle Competition.

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

Editor's note: While Saint Paddy's Day has passed, consider this week's Works In Progress page a retrospective.

Happy Saint Patrick's Day

By David P. Carroll

It's Saint Patrick's Day

Everyone's Irish today

And, we'll have some fun along the way

Green shamrocks and a colorful rainbow

In the clear blue sky

The shiny pots of gold are in sight And we'll sing and dance

All through Saint Patrick's night

From Carbondale

To Aspen and to Sunny Broomfield And on to Castle Rock

Classical Irish Music fills the air

All the little leprechauns Are dancing and jumping

LETTERS

I have seen the character and integrity of Jess and her family in action. I believe there is no finer candidate on this year’s ballot.

I know I have given you a fairly biased opinion of my friend. It is hard to be neutral when there is a person of this quality running for something as important as a Town trustee. Our Town is facing many critical issues, and we need people who care, are qualified and have the experience to make a difference. My hope is that you will join me on April 2 with a Yes on Jess.

Michael Koscielski

Carbondale

Concerning Kribbs

In last week’s Sopris Sun, trustee candidate Ross Kribbs indicated he thinks the town could have done better with the new storage facility on Highway 133 and apparently doesn’t like it anyway. Has anyone ever heard of the land-use term “best and highest use?” What else are you going to put under high-power lines and next to a gigantic electrical substation? A boutique hotel?

While we’re at it, Kribbs calls Aspen the Valley’s “economic driver” — a common misconception for those who start their local tenure in that town then migrate downvalley. Most downvalley folks who have lived here for some time recognize there are several economic drivers in the Roaring Fork Valley and Aspen is one of them. Kribbs goes on to comment about Carbondale’s “little library.” Well yeah, compared to Aspen’s but so what?

Kribbs complained that the trustees only allowed the public to comment on

Up in the air and the little children Are having so much fun

I love Saint Patrick's Day and I'm playing the fiddle on This special Irish day and The people are marching through the Streets celebrating Saint Patrick's Day

And the little children

Are running up and down And chanting “Saint Patrick!”

And we will sing And dance in Colorado

All through the night

So may the love and luck Of the Irish be

With you all today on this very Special, loving And peaceful happy Saint Patrick's Day

the Forest Service building proposal in “two-minute” segments. How much time does Kribbs think the public should have been allowed to comment? How many times do members of the public have to say “I agree with…” and “I’d like to reiterate …” Should the public and trustees have brought sleeping bags?

Kribbs said Carbondale has a “big bucket” of success stories and the town should focus on them and learn from them. Sounds like the folks who pushed the Economic Roadmap Plan in the 1990s who said the Town should “build on what’s already here.” The Economic Roadmap is probably still gathering dust on a shelf at Town Hall.

Wrapping up, I can’t vote in the trustee election because I live in Glenwood but if I could, I’d give April Spaulding a look. I think she’d bring some good common sense to the board and a more conservative perspective than the board’s prevailing liberal bent.

Lynn Burton

Glenwood Springs

Yllanes’ endorsements

I am writing to express my enthusiastic endorsement of Susan Rhea, Jessica Robison and Christina Montemayor as candidates for Carbondale board of trustees. I believe that these individuals possess the vision, integrity, and dedication necessary to lead Carbondale forward.

Susan Rhea's commitment to community engagement and sustainable development is exemplary. Her experience in grassroots organizing and advocacy makes her a strong advocate for inclusive decision-making processes

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

Carrying on Redstone a tradition that dates back at least 15 years, a paint crew marked a symbolic St. Patrick’s Day Parade route on Saturday. It was a symbolic route down the Boulevard this year, because there was no parade on Sunday. The congregation, 20 to 30 strong, that followed the paint crew was pretty much the parade. The painters, which at times included little kids, also painted green shamrocks and “SLOW” on the road. Photo by Lynn “Jake” Burton

from page 20

that reflect the diverse needs and interests of our town's residents. Having seen her engagement firsthand as a member of the Parks & Rec Commission, I truly believe that she has the best interests of the Town at heart.

Jessica Robison's background in construction, community building and deep roots in the Valley brings valuable expertise to the table. Her proactive approach to addressing issues such as affordable housing, transportation and land use aligns with the long-term sustainability goals of Carbondale. Having served on our Planning and Zoning Commission, I believe she has a sincere desire to serve the Town in the best way possible.

Christina Montemayor's dedication to small businesses, entrepreneurship and equity issues resonates deeply with me. Her track record of championing initiatives that promote equality and diversity will undoubtedly contribute to making Carbondale a more inclusive and welcoming community for all.

Together, Susan, Jessica and Christina represent dynamic and forward-thinking candidates that will prioritize the well-being of Carbondale residents and the preservation of our town's unique character. Their collaborative spirit, innovative ideas and commitment to transparent governance make them the ideal candidates to serve on the Town Council.

I urge my fellow community members to join me in supporting Susan Rhea, Jessica Robison and Christina Montemayor for Carbondale

board of trustees. They offer a brighter future for Carbondale, as leaders who truly have our town's best interests at heart.

Luis Yllanes

Carbondale Trustee

Silverstein’s two cents

We have six candidates for the Town election. I am not going to presume to endorse any of the candidates but I want to share my input on two of them. I have known Jess Robison and April Spaulding for many years. Both of them ran for trustee before and did not win. They were encouraged to stay active in the community and try again. They both have done that. Jess has been on the Chamber of Commerce, Planning and Zoning Commission and is one of the advisors for Roaring Fork Swap. She is also married, a mother and runs a business. She is a busy woman who makes time for our community.

April Spaulding works at multiple jobs, dj's on KDNK and has served on the boards of KDNK and The Sopris Sun. She also served on the First Friday Committee and volunteers for Mountain Fair and served on the Board of Adjustment. She is also married with grown children.

Both of these women have strong community ties. You decide who you want. Their dedication to this Town should be appreciated.

No matter who you want, please vote.

Marty Silverstein

Carbondale Trustee

continued on page 22

Susan for BOT

I'm writing to support Susan Rhea for Town of Carbondale trustee. She has been active in the community through Parks and Rec and the Forest Conservancy as well as the Age-Friendly Carbondale project. Susan brings an analytical background to the job as evidenced by her work for the U.S. Geological Survey. I trust her judgment and she would make a fine trustee.

Jerome Dayton

Carbondale

Susan for Carbondale

I have had the pleasure of serving with Susan Rhea on the Town of Carbondale’s Parks and Recreation Commission for the past three years. Susan always comes to the meetings prepared. On any given topic, her curious mind and strong reasoning skills result in thoughtful, probing questions, which provides value and insight to the commission at large. She is respectful of others’ views and opinions and open minded when seeking solutions. She does her research and will come with ideas and resources to help accomplish any Town project. Her career and civic experience will make her a terrific trustee. She has a strong commitment to community and continuing to make Carbondale a great place to live!

Please join me in voting for Susan Rhea for Carbondale Trustee.

Hollis Sutherland

Carbondale

Vote for Berman

As a proud small business owner, avid outdoor enthusiast and engaged community member in Basalt, I am honored to endorse Hannah Berman for Basalt Town Council. Hannah's thoughtful and inclusive leadership style uniquely qualifies her to address the diverse challenges facing our mid-valley mountain community.

With Hannah on Town Council, I believe we can navigate complex issues surrounding housing, education, workforce development, outdoor and climate equity, and the balance between local needs and tourism. Her dedication to listening to all voices and finding collaborative solutions will undoubtedly benefit Basalt's future.

Hannah's integrity, compassion and tireless work ethic, as seen through her current work with Aspen Ski Company, make her the ideal candidate to represent our community. I urge you to join me in supporting Hannah Berman for Basalt Town Council. Let's vote for a youthful candidate who truly understands the needs of our community and is committed to making Basalt an even better place for us now and for future generations to come.

Jake Wheeler Basalt

One more for Rhea

I urge you to vote for Susan Rhea for trustee! I have known Susan from days when we worked in the earthquake program of the U.S. Geological Survey. She moved to the

Roaring Fork Valley over 10 years ago and has lived in Carbondale much of that time. She closely follows each of the issues that are important to our town, including water, transportation, pedestrian safety and housing.

She has a broad understanding of various stakeholder opinions and is savvy enough to endorse those positions which will lead to the greatest good for our special mountain town. She tracks much detail, listens well to all and works diligently. I strongly endorse Susan Rhea for trustee.

Bill Spence

Carbondale

Ambiguous

That was the word used by Heather Beattie, the lawyer for the Garfield Board of County Commissioners (BOCC), when describing the Garfield County Public Library District (GCPLD) Board of Trustees’ policy on term limits for its members.

This question was raised at a BOCC meeting months ago around a discussion about whether Adrian Rippy-Sheehy could begin a new term as the Library District’s board president without going before the BOCC. Rippy-Sheehy first served an unexpired partial term that ended in 2023. Their bylaws state, “If a trustee first serves an unexpired partial term, the trustee is still ELIGIBLE to serve two additional three-year terms.”

Therein lies the ambiguity. Eligible how? By whom?

The BOCC used their authority to take much needed and appropriate action by writing a public letter to GCPLD stating that going forward all current trustees and candidates must present themselves to the BOCC when desiring a continued or new appointment.

No more self-appointment.

The letter also noted that it has only been in the last year or so that trustees have failed to present themselves to the BOCC for re-appointment. The library board has had months to address their lackadaisical attitude toward their own policy with the public, the BOCC and has failed to update their bylaws last revised in 2020.

I am requesting that Rippy-Sheehy present herself to be interviewed by the BOCC on April 2 along with the candidates for the open trustee position. I also would suggest that initial term limits be set at three years with a second term of two years and a third term of two years for a maximum of seven years regardless of the specific position held within the board. Please consider endorsing this request by contacting the BOCC, the library district and attending the interview meeting.

Trish O’Grady Rifle

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.

LEGAL

GarCo from page 18

The resolution also states that the BOCC will be “acting as a committee” to appoint a trustee whenever a vacancy occurs.

A special meeting has been scheduled for April 2 specifically to interview trustee candidates. There are seven candidates so far. The application period is open to the public until March 25. The April 2 meeting is open to the public but, according to County Manager Fred Jarman, the BOCC will not be taking comments.

In other news, the BOCC heard from the county Department of Human Services that the total EBT/EFT disbursement was $1,086,380 for February.

PARTING SHOT

The BOCC also heard updates from Catholic Charities, Advocate Safehouse and the county’s Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC), signed a proclamation for Red Cross Month and approved the consent agenda and the annual fireworks restrictions.

Commissioners approved $11,000 from the Nonprofit General Fund for Community Counts, an oil and gas industry response group, $60,000 from the Conservation Trust Fund to Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) for improvements to the Sam Caudill State Wildlife Area/ West Bank boat ramp, and a supplemental request of $50,000 to Program Management Services

for Airport Development at the Rifle/Garfield County airport.

CPW officials also gave an update on the status of the 10 gray wolves released into the state in December. Matt Yamashita, CPW district wildlife manager, told the BOCC that the collared gray wolf activity map is based on historical data, meaning that the data comes in after the wolves have moved through an area. “We don’t know what we know until it’s done,” he said.

You can watch this week’s BOCC meeting in its entirety at the Garfield County website, garfield-county.com

HELP WANTED

Light housekeeping and gardening.

WEEKLY: TUESDAYS & FRIDAYS

3hr minimum, more as needed

RATE: $25.90 per hour

TRANSPORTATION/CAR MODEL/YEAR

Provide Copies of: Drivers License, Auto & Health

Age: 35yrs to 55yrs.

Bilingual & List of references required.

***CALL RENEE @ 970-510-5596***

Beth Krasemann of Carbondale said she’s going to ski every day until she can’t. The Sopris Sun found her at the Spring Gulch on Wednesday, March 20 finishing up her route. She described the conditions as, “Pretty good, all things considered,” and gave a shout-out to the groomers who do a “fantastic job.” In a press release on Tuesday, March 19, the Mount Sopris Nordic Council announced, “It’s likely that we’re within a week of closing down [Spring Gulch] for the season.” Once the gates are closed, the trails, located on private land, are closed to the public.

ORDINANCE NO. 3

SERIES OF 2024

AN ORDINANCE OF THE TOWN OF CARBONDALE, COLORADO, AMENDING CHAPTER 2 OF THE MUNICIPAL CODE OF THE TOWN OF CARBONDALE TO INCREASE

MAYOR AND TRUSTEE COMPENSATION

NOTICE: This Ordinance was introduced, read, and adopted at a regular meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Town of Carbondale, Colorado, on March 12, 2024.

This Ordinance shall take effect thirty (30) days after publication of this notice. The full text of said Ordinance is available to the public at www.carbondalegov.org or at the office of the Town Clerk, 511 Colorado Avenue, Carbondale, Colorado, during normal business hours.

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 combined application for Rezoning, Administrative Site Plan Review, and Alternative Compliance to allow the redevelopment of the Carbondale Aquatics Center.

Project Description: The project proposes to redevelop the John M. Fleet Pool with a new Carbondale Aquatics Center containing a 2,760 square foot building, 6 lane lap pool, entertainment pool, hot tub, and concrete pool deck. The project includes rezoning the lots from Open Space (O) to Public Facilities (PF) and an alternative compliance request to permit an 8-foot tall fence.

Property Location: 684 Main Street

Applicant: Town of Carbondale

Owner: Town of Carbondale

Said Public Hearing will be held at the Carbondale Town Hall, 511 Colorado Avenue, Carbondale, CO beginning at 7:00 p.m. on April 11, 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 April 11, 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 TO CREDITORS

Estate of Luz Helena Ortiz Ford a/k/a Luz Helena Ortiz

Rodriguez, Deceased

All persons having claims against the above named estate are required to present them to the personal representative or to District Court of Garfield County, Colorado or Denver Probate Court of the City and County of Denver, Colorado on or before June 19, 2024, or the claims may be forever barred.

Case Number 2024 PR 30018

Andres Caique Ford, Personal Representative c/o Garfield & Hecht, P.C. 625 E. Hyman Ave., Suite 201 Aspen, CO 81611

Photo by James Steindler