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Volume 14, Number 14| May 12 - May 18, 2022

Taking Pride

Pride parade caption The 10th annual Family Block Party went off without a hitch on First Friday, May 6, at the Fourth Street Plaza in Carbondale. The event coincides with the town’s annual pride parade, organized by Carbondale Middle School and Roaring Fork High Schools’ Gender and Sexuality Alliance (GSA) chapters which collaborate and garner participation from other GSAs throughout the Valley. From the stage, student leaders explained to the teeming crowd what GSAs means to them and local LGBTQIA+ youth. See page 14 for additional pride photos. Cover photo by James Steindler

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OPINION

Red Hill options grow with usage both necessary and good in a space that's already busy, it's important to establish some context.

History of the Red Hill Trails Network

Trail Notes

By Roaring Fork Outdoor Volunteers

Red Hill — its trails and views — has become one the most popular spots around to enjoy a vista of Mount Sopris.

Last year, the Red Hill Special Recreation Management Area, as the site is officially known, counted approximately 65,000 visitors.

As use increases, so do potential challenges for soils, users and land management. That's the general reason for construction of the new trail this year called the C-Line.

But to explain why a new trail is

The Red Hill Special Recreation Management Area, managed by the federal Bureau of Land Management (BLM), was finalized in 2000 with the help of the nonprofit Red Hill Council.

The land, now owned by the town of Carbondale on the "frontside," was purchased by Aspen Valley Land Trust in 2017 utilizing grant funds and private donations.

Since the acquisition, a new parking lot and a new trailhead were constructed in 2020, creating a gateway to BLM lands.

Community outreach in 2017 identified three separate trails that were preferred to be built, providing distinct routes to reduce potential collision between hikers

and bikers. These routes included: Ruthie's Run Trail, Lower Three Gulch Trail and B-Line Trail. In 2021, the Sutey Ranch Connector Trail was constructed. Finally, this year, the C-Line Trail will be built.

What makes a trail sustainable The Roaring Fork Valley has an abundance of outdoor recreation opportunities. Between Rifle and Independence Pass, there are nearly 600 miles of trails. The purpose of these trails is to concentrate human and domestic animal impacts, all while providing an enjoyably accessible outdoors experience and conserving natural resources.

With that in mind, there are numerous threats to a good trail.

Take water: if it pools stagnantly, mud can form, potentially encouraging users to walk around (therefore widening the trail and damaging sensitive vegetation or

For several years volunteers with RFOV have helped improve the user experience at Red Hill. Courtesy photo

LETTERS Forward momentum on CORE Act I was enthused when I heard that the Colorado Outdoor Recreation and Economy (CORE) Act, the legislation to protect the Thompson Divide, received a markup and vote in the Senate Energy and Natural Resources committee earlier this week. This is the furthest the CORE Act has ever made it in Congress, and I applaud the efforts of Senators Bennet and Hickenlooper for getting us one step closer to permanently protecting the Thompson Divide.

The Thompson Divide provides important habitat for a variety of different wildlife species and supports some of the oldest ranching operations in our area.

It is essentially important for our local economies and lifestyles and protecting it has broad community support. I’m calling on Congress to listen to the voices of our community and pass the CORE Act! Richard Vottero, Carbondale

Ode to the dandelion An uncle of mine who was a foreman

for the Idaho state highway department used to say, “A weed is nothing more than an unwanted plant.” That’s the way many people see the dandelion: a noxious, invasive growth competing with their precious, water gulping grass.

Nothing could be further from the truth. Dandelions are neither poisonous, foreign nor harmful in any way. In fact, ingesting dandelions has so many medicinal and food purposes they should be protected at all costs.

The health benefits include treating liver diseases, gastro-intestinal problems, anemia, cancer and diabetes. Eating dandelions can contribute to weight loss, improved vision and bowel function. It can lower your blood pressure and cholesterol and act as a skin cleanser.

There are many recipes for dandelion consumption, but basically it breaks down this way: the leaves are for greens, the blossoms are used for wine and jelly and you can make coffee out of the roots.

Besides, I see dandelions as a beautiful harbinger of spring. Even when the flowers turn white and the parachute-born seeds

2 • THE SOPRIS SUN • soprissun.com • May 12 - May 18, 2022

soils). On the other hand, if water runs off in an uncontained manner, then structures that support the trail can quickly be eroded. In addition to potential harm to the landscape, other forms of unsustainable trail design include: potential harm to vegetation, potential harm to animal life and potential harm to human users.

Current challenges to sustainable trails at Red Hill are fundamentally related to growing usage. This isn't to say that hiking and biking Mushroom Rock is bad — just the opposite — a good recreation area deserves good recreation! But, as alluded to above, trails should be designed to realistically accommodate the types and quantities of usage.

The C-Line Short and sweet, the C-Line Trail will accompany the existing B-Line Trail and is meant to provide a downhill-only alternative route for mountain bikers.

How does this enhance Red Hill's sustainability? By dividing the downhill and uphill routes, there's a decreased chance of hiker or biker collisions, therefore reducing potential human harm. By creating a downhill-specific route and anticipating user behaviors, the trail structures (such as rock walls and wooden ramps) can be installed in the right places to protect against erosion. In sum, this short, new trail will have a big impact.

All community members are invited to join Roaring Fork Outdoor Volunteers, the town of Carbondale, Red Hill Council, Roaring Fork Mountain Bike Association and Aspen Valley Land Trust to help construct the C-Line.

Visit RFOV.org to learn more and register to volunteer.

float on the spring breeze to their new home, the dandelion is a visual verification of the life cycle.

And finally, but perhaps most importantly, the dandelion is essential fodder for the pollinators. You may have noticed bee populations are down and if you like fruit, that should concern you.

So, save that garden trowel for digging a hole for your tomato plants and, for God’s sake, don’t spray your dandelions with any poisonous chemicals. That’ll not only kill the flowers, but the pollinators as well and make people sick.

The dandelion is Carbondale’s town flower by general acclamation. If you don’t believe it, wait until you see the turnout on Saturday at this year’s Dandelion Day at Sopris Park.

Fred Malo Jr., Carbondale

A flaming success!

Carbondale Rotary’s second annual Fireball Drop last Friday was a huge success!

Volunteers, scholarship recipients and spectators joined us in Sopris Park on First Friday, May continued on page 26

Editor

Raleigh Burleigh 970-510-3003 • news@soprissun.com

Contributing Editor James Steindler

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Executive Director

Todd Chamberlin 970-510-0246 • adsales@soprissun.com

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Redstone Park renovation poised to start

By Ken Pletcher Sopris Sun Correspondent After a nearly two-year planning process, Redstone Park is set for an extensive renovation and restoration project. The work, budgeted at some $536,000, is scheduled to begin on June 1.

The park lies between the Crystal River and Redstone Boulevard and is popular with both residents and visitors. It is managed by Pitkin County Open Space and Trails (OST).

The county purchased the land in unincorporated Redstone in the 1970s and placed it under OST in 1999. A small parcel, just to the north, was added in 2009. Two other nearby county parks — Redstone Boulders Open Space, farther north along the Crystal, and Elk Park, just southwest across the river — are also managed by OST. In a recent press release, Carly Klein, OST’s senior planner said, “Open Space is looking forward to breaking ground at Redstone Park and improving the park for residents and visitors.” She added, “We’ve heard so much from the community about the appreciation for this park through the public process for the park improvements.”

The nearly 50-year-old park (the first work on it dates to 1974) definitely was showing its age, with deteriorating infrastructure and facilities. Notable are the two iconic white marble picnic tables, which have been gradually sinking into the ground.

A community effort The impetus for restoring the park dates to the “Redstone Parks and Open Space Management Plan,” a comprehensive document on all three area parks released

by OST in 2010. That document identified many of the key issues that needed to be addressed and provided the blueprint for how OST and the community would approach the 2022 project.

Fast forward a decade, to the summer of 2020, when a 14-member steering committee began determining the scope and direction of the work. It adopted architect Mies van der Rohe’s famous aphorism “less is more” as its guiding principle, emphasizing “preservation of the natural and rustic character of the park, and the need to balance its active and passive uses.”

The committee comprised members from throughout the community, including representatives from the Redstone Community Association, Redstone Historic Preservation Commission and Crystal Valley Caucus. It worked for several months via virtual meetings during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Klein told The Sopris Sun that although the pandemic “didn’t put much of a damper” on the schedule, it did limit opportunities for in-person public participation.

Committee member Gentrye Houghton (also editor of The Crystal Valley Echo) told The Sun, “The process was interesting. [It was] a small committee with a lot of opinions” at first. But, over time, “we really blended” all of the opinions and came up with a unified draft plan that would make the park “a more inviting place.”

That plan, released for public comment in early 2021, received “generally supportive” feedback and was endorsed by the Crystal Valley Caucus. After further public input, the plan was finalized by DHM Design of Carbondale. It was approved by the OST board and Pitkin County commissioners in late 2021, and the county Planning and Zoning Commission gave its endorsement this spring. Money for the project is coming from OST and a county parks fund.

Environmental Excavation chosen to make the general park improvements. Aspen Carpenter Services will be responsible for such components as the new gazebo, the skate shed work and the picnic table restoration. The major projects are expected to be completed by the end of July, with all work finished by the end of August.

Klein said that some portions of the park will be open nearly all of the time during construction. She also mentioned that

Courtesy image

Redstone’s popular summer concert series will be hosted across the river near the Redstone Coke Ovens, as it was in 2021, “because there was more room” there than in the park.

Houghton noted that the series had “outgrown the park” and its relatively confined space for concertgoers. She added how excited she was about the renovation project. “It was time to give [the park] some love.”

BREAKING NEWS

After an extensive search, Dr. Jesús Rodríguez was chosen to serve as the next superintendent of the Roaring Fork Schools. “My wife, Elle; our son, Cosme; our dog, Cain; and I can’t wait to begin exploring and immersing ourselves into the community,” Rodríguez said. “I look forward to meeting you soon and partnering with each of you.”

NOTICIA DE ÚLTIMA HORA

La Junta de Educación de las Escuelas Roaring Fork anunció que han extendido una oferta de empleo al Dr. Jesús Rodríguez para ser el próximo superintendente de las Escuelas Roaring Fork. “Mi esposa, Elle; nuestro hijo, Cosme; nuestro perro, Caín; y yo no podemos esperar para comenzar a explorar y sumergirnos en la comunidad”, dijo Rodríguez.

“Espero conocerlos pronto y asociarme con cada uno de ustedes”.

The project Major components of the work include replacing the existing gazebo with a larger structure that will include lighting and sound equipment; making the bridge connecting the park with Elk Park across the river ADA accessible; improving the existing “informal” ice rink at the north end of the park and better integrating the parcel into the rest of the park; moving and renovating the rink’s associated warming shed; stabilizing the levee and improving access to the river; and reconfiguring and resurfacing the playground area.

Klein noted that one of the most expensive projects would be raising the marble picnic tables and resetting them on new concrete pads. She also reiterated, “[The] aim is not to redo the park but [to make] small improvements throughout.”

DHM’s Jason Jaynes (a Redstone resident) will act as project manager, with Carbondale’s

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THE SOPRIS SUN • Your weekly community connector • May 12 - May 18, 2022 • 3

SCUTTLEBUTT

What's the word on the street? Let us know at news@soprissun.com

Wildfire preparedness

Photo contest

The Carbondale & Rural Fire Protection District recognizes May as “Wildfire Preparedness Month.” Four out of five of the largest fires in Colorado’s history have occurred in the past three years, with the most destructive fire happening this previous winter. The first step for preparedness is to sign up for local alerts. You can also sign up for a free wildfire mitigation assessment for your home. Find this information and more at www.bit.ly/CRFPDprepare

Colorado Wild Public Lands hosts its annual photo contest with the theme: “Public Lands, My Way.” What’s unique about the way you enjoy public land? Send a photo to coloradowildpubliclands@gmail.com by May 21 for the chance to win a $100 gift card to the Ute Mountaineer.

April showers?

The Colorado Water Trust reports that April 2022 was one of the driest Aprils in Colorado’s recorded history, bringing streamflows for the Colorado Headwaters from 84% of average to 77%. The southwest corner of the state, meanwhile, is reporting snowpack at less than 50% of normal for this time of the year.

CORE Act The Colorado Outdoor Recreation and Economy (CORE) Act, legislation that aims to protect 400,000 acres, including the Thompson Divide, received a mark-up in the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, advancing it a step closer to the Senate floor. The House passed the CORE Act for the fourth time most recently, but it has yet to be voted on by the Senate in its 10 year history. “This vote is a new high water mark and I hope the final hurdle before it passes the Senate and becomes law,” said Senator John Hickenlooper. House District 3 Representative Lauren Boebert, who has concerns about restricting oil production on the proposed lands, responded, in part, “Proposals to lock up more land may generate campaign checks from the enviros for out-of-touch leftists, but they don’t result in good public policy.”

AARP Driver Safety Class High Country RSVP hosts an AARP Driver Safety Class for drivers over 50 on June 7 in Glenwood Springs. Most Colorado auto insurance companies offer discounts to those who complete the course. To register, call High County RSVP at 970-947-8460.

Big money The Greater Colorado Pitch Series is receiving applications through June 10 for a live event on July 12 where eight rural business owners have the opportunity to win up to $1 million in investment capital. Find details to apply at www. greatercoloradopitchseries.com

Aspen Community Foundation (ACF) appointed Erica Snow as the philanthropic organization’s next executive director.

Previously, Snow worked with the Denver-based Colorado Health Foundation. “Her commitment to communities shows up outside of her work as well,” reads a press release, “ from serving as a founding board member for a new charter school in Montebello to joining the Peace Corps in Madagascar, Erica seeks opportunities to make a difference, both locally and globally.” Snow begins work with ACF on June 13. Courtesy photo

Bonedale Bike Week

Leave them kids alone

Folks celebrating another trip around the sun this week include: Dylan Rose Emmer (May 12); Camy Britt, Jimmy Byrne, Megan Cook, Bill Jochems, Pat Noel, Renee Prince and David Taylor (May 13); Debbi Fadli, Paige Gibbons, Doc Philip and Steve Standiford (May 14); Jenny Cutright, Lindsay Dudycha, Kellie Land, Jonelle Luther, Greg Masse, Feénagh O'Donnell, Morgan Williams and Ana Vega Terrazas (May 15); Cynthia Butterfield, Aaron Luttrell and Fred Pulver (May 16); Terrie Geddes, Lisa Johnson and Steven Quint (May 17); Gretchen Hofmann (May 18).

The next generation of young wildlife is being born and Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) would like to remind residents and visitors to leave them be. “Every spring, CPW and local parks receive an increase of office visits and calls from people that report they ‘rescued’ young wildlife,” writes a press release. “Although reports are made with good intentions, people routinely orphan young wildlife by essentially kidnapping them from the wild.” Remember, don’t feed or touch wild animals and contact your local CPW office for guidance if one appears sick or injured.

4 • THE SOPRIS SUN • soprissun.com • May 12 - May 18, 2022

Carbondale's 12th annual Bonedale Bike Week kicks off on Monday, May 16 and continues all week. Free coffee, donuts, tea and snacks will be available at Fourth and Main from 7 to 9 a.m. For the full list of events, check out page 11!

They say it’s your birthday!

More space means new possibilities for Independence Run & Hike

By Kate Phillips Sopris Sun Correspondent

Brion After, longtime owner of Independence Run & Hike (IRH), breathed a small sigh of relief while looking around his store’s new location the night before reopening on May 5.

“We’re in and it feels so good,” After said. “I’ve put a lot of time, energy and money into it, and it’s so nice to see it come out looking so good.”

Located at 901 Highway 133 next to City Market, After said this is the first time he had a clean slate to customize Carbondale’s premiere outdoor adventure shop. “All the other spaces I [previously] went into were business offices that I put a running store into. I worked with the space as it was.”

He continued, “I helped the design team pick out flooring, lighting, pictures, outlets, every little detail. It’s exhausting, but it’s been great.” The empty space came with steel studs and concrete floors.

Tastefully designed with a high, industrialstyle ceiling, an exposed-brick accent wall, stunning local landmark photographs by Basaltbased creative Draper White, natural lighting and nearly double the space, IRH’s new location offers a fresh and inspiring shopping experience for customers to comfortably browse high-quality footwear and outdoor gear.

“Carbondale has gone from this small town, when I opened in 2006, to a town that is growing,” After said. “People are coming in who are looking for more stuff, and I want to be the store that people come to for their fun outdoor activities.”

Despite ongoing disruptions in the global

supply chain, After said the new store will carry more outdoor brands, stand-up paddleboards, sleeping bags, camping stoves, tents and more casual and outdoor clothing. The popular footwear section will also expand with the addition of new running, hiking and casual footwear brands.

Taking a moment to pause while reflecting upon this growth, After smiled as he emphasized that running will remain the heart and soul of IRH. “We’re a little bit different because we have a run-focus, and that’s one of the things we’re really known for. We still hire a lot of runners — I’m still a runner — and the running part is core to my whole life.”

At IRH, footwear tops the podium for customers because of After’s five-step fitting process. Through a series of simple exercises and questions pertaining to the customer’s athletic goals, lifestyle and historical injuries, trained staff members narrow down the shoe-wall to find a perfect fit. The shoes are then tested on the treadmill while staff members video-record and analyze the customer’s gait and compatibility with the shoes.

According to After, this time-tested process ensures that customers can confidently tackle their next adventure and beyond. Recognizing that sometimes shoes can feel different on the trail, customers have a 30-day fit guarantee; if the shoe does not work, bring it back and the staff will find a better option.

While the knowledgeable staff and extensive gear selection is a major draw for customers, the community-centric atmosphere is what keeps them around. IRH manager, Kyle Jones, said that a key aspect of his role is to create a welcoming

shop “where everybody knows your name — kind of like Cheers,” he laughed.

“I want to still know every customer’s name that walks in the door,” Jones continued. “Not only is it good customer service, but it creates that hometown feel. That’s what I like when I walk into a store, and it's super important for us to maintain that.”

Even though the dust is still settling at the shop, After and Jones are excited about hosting future gatherings. “Ultimately we want to do more events,” After said. “We want to continue expanding our running group, maybe have a backpack fitting night, or yoga in the store, or more running and hiking groups. That is definitely in the plans.”

Jones added that he would like to see the shop host more races in addition to the Sopris Run-Off and Jingle Bell Run. He also expressed interest

in monthly get-togethers featuring experts in the industry, such as “a podiatrist who comes and talks to us about insoles.”

With the shop’s transition at the forefront, After said that many of these events will happen once the store feels a bit more settled.

To help lighten the load, he hopes to hire another person to join his staff of outdoor enthusiasts. “We think there’s going to be a lot more people just meandering in with this location,” After said. “We’re definitely hiring, but as we all know, housing and hiring people is very challenging right now.”

The shop buzzes with excitement and possibilities, and After is incredibly appreciative of the community’s support and his staff ’s hard work over the last several months. “I think moves like this bring people together,” he said, “and I think it’s a really great thing for the store and our community.”

Be on the lookout for the shop’s grand opening event in early June. Ready to join the team? Stop by to fill out an application, or call 970-704-0909.

Brion After (center) and his staff at Independence Run and Hike are excited to continue bringing high-quality outdoor gear and knowledge to Carbondale at their new shop next to City Market. Photo by Sue Rollyson

THE SOPRIS SUN • Your weekly community connector • May 12 - May 18, 2022 • 5

Dandy drummers start the day

By Geneviève Villamizar Sopris Sun Correspondent

There’s no denying the African drummers carry Dandelion Day’s Parade of Species. An intoxicating wall of sound comes at you, reverberating off historic buildings, whirling, lifting, falling with the spring air and bluebird skies — it’s nearly impossible not to be swept up. And then, of course, there are the African dancers, a mesmerizing spectacle; dancers young and old, moving in ways that most of us don’t.

“It’s a cultural thing of drumming and dance,” says Eric Baumheier. “They just go together. You hardly do one without the other. It’s about a relationship that’s formed between the drummers and the dancers. It’s an unspoken relationship and there’s an intimacy in that that goes beyond an audience listening to a band.”

Baumheier is a locally cherished musician with lifelong roots in music. “I had been drumming on tables and whatnot for ages, growing up,” he explains.

His mother studied piano at Juilliard, where she earned her master's, and eventually became a renowned opera singer.

“Being a pretty rebellious young person, I totally veered away from all that, and anything she tried to make me do.

So, there was music in my family — I just wanted nothing to do with it.”

Thankfully, he couldn’t escape his fate.

Music is universal, afterall, and rhythmic beats, specifically, have a primal pull.

“I remember first recognizing rhythm at my early high school dances. These

African American young girls would pull me out on the dance floor and teach me the MC Hammer! I felt like, ‘Oh. I can do this. That feels cool!’ That was my first introduction to the rhythmic universe and the fundamental African-ness of rhythm, and their mastery of polyrhythm.”

A few years later, Baumheier’s brotherin-law “dragged” him to Denver to buy a drum because he wanted a buddy for classes at an African cultural center in the Mile High City. And now ? These days, Baumheier plays djembe, congas, cajon, marimba and several other small African drums.

“It’s such an important part of my life.

It’s just — it’s a feeling. I feel — I feel at home when I’m playing,” he says.

“Drums challenge me. They provide me a way to become self aware. It’s like a meditation; I have to remember to breathe if I’m doing something really challenging, or working on tricky parts. Remember to smile, to look around and interact with other people in the room. And eventually, once you put in the time and remember to do all those things, there is certainly a trance-like state that one can go into with those African rhythms. I go into a place of ‘no thought.’ No thinking, just acting ; spontaneous creation going on, and my body being a full part of it.” He pauses.

“Ultimately, what I go for is a somatic experience — I mean a full body-mindsoul experience, so that my whole body is embodying that rhythm. And that’s when you can really let go, take it all to a different level, take it to a higher place, and at that same time, be in touch with all

6 • THE SOPRIS SUN • soprissun.com • May 12 - May 18, 2022

that’s around you.”

Baumheier’s parents moved to Carbondale, originally, and he quickly discovered an African drumming community. He has played with them for decades now. They, too, are intrinsic to Dandelion Days — and the famously epic drum circle that opens Mountain Fair each year, conducted by the Mother of Mountain Fair and notorious drummer herself, Laurie Loeb.

“We all support each other,” Baumheier says. “It’s really about community. This sort of drumming is not about ‘loner’ drumming, it’s about drumming with other musicians, and particularly other drummers, because you can drum

alone, but it can only take you so high.

When you drum with other people and everyone’s locked in, there’s a certain sort of synchronicity… that’s when magic really starts to happen.”

The Parade of Species is one of Carbondale’s more “magically” festive parades, and launches what locals affectionately call “Dandy Days,” our community’s spring renewal celebration.

Expect a party and some eye candy with all sorts of “species” strutting down Main Street at 10 a.m. on Saturday, May 14.

“It’s great to be out there leading the parade,” Baumheier concludes. “It’s an honor that people like to have the energy, and build the energy, with the drumming.

It’s a perfect fit, with this festival being dedicated to the Earth, the more natural way of living.”

Eric Baumheier and friends drum beneath the quaking aspens during an annual gathering in an undisclosed location. Photo by Claire de L'Arbre

‘Flashback’ gets its RFV debut at last

By James Steindler Contributing Editor

Once upon a time — in 1989, to be precise — the lights of Hollywood followed hotshots Kiefer Sutherland and the late Dennis Hopper to the Roaring Fork Valley to shoot a film called “Flashback.”

The movie is about a fictional hippie activist, Huey Walker (Hopper), who is being arrested for a stunt he pulled on Spiro Agnew, Nixon’s vice president, 20 years prior. Twenty-six-yearold FBI agent John Buckner (Sutherland) is tasked with transporting the fugitive, but things go haywire and the audience is treated to a raucous and nostalgic journey.

Enticed? You’re in luck! The Carbondale Historical Society will screen “Flashback” at the Crystal Theatre on Wednesday, May 18, at 7 p.m. All proceeds from the event go right back to the historical society.

The idea came about amid planning for the summer opening of the historical society’s “history theater” in the back room of the historical log cabin on Weant Boulevard, explained board member Sue Gray. Gray conducted a search for movies that had been filmed in Carbondale and came up with “Flashback,” among a few others.

“I thought, ‘Well that would be fun because it’s got scenes in Carbondale and Glenwood, so it would appeal to a broad spectrum of people in the Valley,’” said Gray, adding that it would be a good way to advertise the history theater.

“What really surprised me,” she began, “was when I posted it on Facebook, how many people started commenting about their experiences during filming and sharing their memories.”

For instance, Josh Lent, who grew up in Carbondale, after being caught spying on Hopper, whose character from “River’s Edge” he and his buddies idolized, was invited to be an extra in the movie. He and a friend cut class to collect on the opportunity which is forever memorialized in the bar scene, shot at Doc Holiday’s Saloon in Glenwood Springs.

“The excitement my friends and I shared sneaking around and taking it all in was fueled by youthful curiosity and small town boredom,” Lent reminisced. He also included a bit of local trivia, stating, “The funny thing was they jumped off the Satank bridge in the movie but got out of the water at Catherine Store bridge — the opposite of how the river actually runs.”

Laurie DeMent was a teenager at the time and recalls hanging around in downtown Glenwood Springs in hopes of seeing Sutherland. She was in luck and took the opportunity to snap a couple of photos of the actor, which DeMent recently posted in the comments of a Facebook post promoting the screening. “I had him autograph a jacket of mine as well,” she shared with The Sopris Sun. “He seemed kind of irritated by the whole thing, but put up with me anyway.”

Janice and A.O. Forbes own the property up Cattle Creek Road where the barn scenes were shot. The barn still stands today and even has some lasting marks from when they filmed there more than 30 years ago. The payment the Forbes received from the producers was enough to nearly pay off the property, a sum they were chipping away at at the time. The couples’ favorite scene is when part of the cast is walking across a “rainbow zen” bridge — constructed

over the creek in their backyard specifically for the film — to the Jefferson Airplane song “Comin’ Back to Me,” which also happened to be their favorite song.

Barbara Bush worked with Sirpos Company, providing heavy equipment operations on set.

According to Bush, Carol Kane had trouble driving the old school bus so they helped “jerryrig the bus so someone could sit behind her as she drove down Cattle Creek.” She added that it was amazing to see the Carbondale Rural Fire Protection District's swift water rescue team help create the river scenes.

Audience members are encouraged to dress up in ‘60s hippie attire or FBI agentpassing threads. Tickets are $15 and can only be purchased with cash at the door. Proof of vaccination is required for entry and the film is rated R.

Carbondale Historical Society board president Stephen Shapiro, playing the part of FBI agent Buckner, arrests fugitive Huey Walker (portrayed by Nathan Markham) at the Satank Bridge, where a scene from "Flashback" was, in fact, filmed. Photo by James Steindler

Make time for your HEART

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Janice Forbes (left) and Sopris Sun youth correspondent Marlo Bowman peek over whimsical drawings that still remain in the Forbes' barn from the time of filming. Photo by James Steindler

Audio and visual excellence all under one roof !

THE SOPRIS SUN • Your weekly community connector • May 12 - May 18, 2022 • 7

Zimbabwean Eisenhower Fellow visits local ag innovators

Kudakwashe Manyanga and Jerome Ostenkowski exchange knowledge at CRMPI. Photo by Geneviève Villamizar

By Geneviève Villamizar Sopris Sun Correspondent Defining “permaculture” in his own words, Kudakwashe Manyanga said, “In my country, we have what we call ‘farming God’s way.’”

On Basalt Mountain, at 7,200 feet, that “way” fills the very air.

Red rock cliffs and clear blue skies dazzle the senses. Translucent, new-green leaves unfurl along slender chokecherry stems. Among the plums and apricots, blossoms flutter and twitch beneath spring’s first pollinators.

The season of life’s renewal was pulsating at the Central Rocky Mountain Permaculture Institute (CRMPI) as we gathered to watch two humans, consumed by their life’s work, learn and share stories of regeneration — literally trying to save the world, one

small act after another.

Manyanga is an Eisenhower Fellow visiting from Zimbabwe, where he coordinated research for the Department of Climate Change Management within the Ministry of Environment, Water and Climate. Online, his Eisenhower profile reads like a parable: a government official traveling the countryside is so inspired by the unexceptional but stable financial success of a farmer with just five mango trees, that the official changes his own life.

With the farmer’s permission, Manyanga gathered 5,000 seeds from fallen, rotting fruit to grow mango tree seedlings back on his own farm. From those first trees, Manyanga’s Grow A Tree Foundation (GAT) took root. GAT has planted 12,000 fruit trees since, with a target of five million by 2035.

Sights set, Manyanga lept when the program announced international fellowship opportunities addressing climate change.

Eisenhower Fellows become part of a global network bringing “together innovative leaders from all fields and regions of the world, women and men of notable achievement who have the potential to do even more.”

Manyanga’s fellowship project applies permaculture concepts to social ecosystems. He aims to create a network of climate-smart villages among Zimbabwe’s 10 provinces. He reached out to Eden Vardy, founder and executive director of the Farm Collaborative, who was a 2021 Agriculture Fellow.

“I visited policy makers, farmers and community leaders in France, to learn what France and the E.U. are doing to support the next generation of farmers and ranchers entering the field,” Vardy shared.

On May 6, he paid it forward, introducing Manyanga to innovators in the Roaring Fork Valley, starting at CRMPI with its founder, Jerome Ostenkowski. Lunch was in the home of Rocky Mountain Institute founder Amory Lovins. And the day concluded with a visit to the Farm Collaboration with Aspen’s Mayor Torre in tow.

Gazing across a CRMPI greenhouse, Manyanga asked about pests. Ostenkowski explained how working with nature restores a balance. What looks like chaos to traditional “grow in rows” vegetable farmers is actually a complex, interconnected web of life and death, decomposition and fruiting.

Leaves from the mountain forest mulch the raised beds and provide habitat and fodder for earthworms, sow bugs and other soil-building creatures, while slowing evaporation. Tender shoots of basil are nestled in against cold nights. A tower of kale in flower looks feral, but actually attracts and supports early season pollinators. It will go to seed soon, to be saved and planted for the next round. Chard, still growing from last summer, has enormous leaves, the tougher of which will be fed to the rabbits. The rabbits multiply quickly. They eat garden scraps, provide meat for eating, manure for compost and companionable connection throughout each day.

“The first thing we work on in Africa is changing the mind.

We were taught to spray and spray. Chemicals,” Manyanga said, shaking his head.

Ostenkowski next showed Manyanga tricks to increase diversity, tricks to turn losses into wins, even tricks to trick climate.

Manyanga took more notes, but mostly just listened, as effective leaders do. At the end of the tour, he shared some of his own thoughts.

“Permaculture is an integral part of climate change solutions, both adaptation and mitigation, for two reasons,” he said.

“The first: it is harmless. Unlike other innovations, it doesn’t create negative impacts at the end of the day. So, it is more sustainable. Second, it blends well with indigenous knowledge systems, especially for us in Africa … knowing the importance of ecosystems, how all systems are important, interacting together.”

He continued, “Permaculture is gaining traction for obvious reasons,” noting rising costs in agribusiness and increasing issues around nutrition and food insecurity. “Permaculture is cost effective, uses less water and less energy in the face of more droughts and the climate effects disrupting the African way of life.”

Manyanga concluded, “I really urge policy makers and global leaders fighting climate change to look into low hanging fruits. In particular, look at climate-smart interventions like [permaculture].

More often we look at very big ideas — big machinery. We forget there are small, effective interventions that are critical, that help communities become more adaptive, and that blend well with nature.” For example, one farmer and five mango trees.

Colorado Rocky Mountain School

ANNUAL PLANT SALE GET YOUR GARDEN GROWING!

Tomatoes • Herbs • Veggies • Annual Flowers • Perennials • Seed Potatoes • Onion Plants & More!

FRIDAY, MAY 13 • 1-5 pm SATURDAY, MAY 14 • 9 am-3 pm SUNDAY, MAY 15 • 9 am-3 pm To see a full list of plants available: www.crms.org/plantsale Payment via Venmo (preferred), Cash, Check or Credit Card All garden starts are organically grown and are well suited to the Roaring Fork Valley Climate.

CRMS Organic Garden Learning Center 500 Holden Way, Carbondale

Bring your own box to carry home all of your goodies.

8 • THE SOPRIS SUN • soprissun.com • May 12 - May 18, 2022

For 17 years, Rochelle Norwood has nurtured a parallel life in Ghana. She first discovered the Africana Dance Ensemble while studying abroad.

Captivated by the energy of traditional African drumming and dance, she regularly introduced other foreign students at the University of Ghana to the troupe. Together they danced, drummed and made other art, beading and painting, sewing and sculpting.

Norwood eventually performed for the president of Ghana while traveling with the Africana Dance Ensemble to ceremonies, weddings and funerals. She soon joined their common dream of founding a village dedicated to cultural exchange.

“This Village of Peace, I could never shake it out of my mind,” Norwood told The Sopris Sun. “I couldn’t live anymore without trying.”

When she moved to Carbondale in 2007, “I instantly made connections for the Village of Peace.” Then, five years ago, she purchased three acres along the Volta River for the Africana Village of Peace Project. The land’s caretaker, Aziz Mohammed, assures the village is growing and thriving.

With help from our local Rebekah’s Lodge, they acquired a canoe, water pump, water tower and polytank, and built a mud hut that sleeps 16.

Norwood describes the village as “[a place] where the human can live off the land, drum, dance and create.” There, “living the simple life, yet always

dance back into the schools, from Aspen to Parachute. “Now, this idea of being able to do a Zoom class, reaching around the world like this, the other side of the world is real and available to them.”

She continued, “I love African Dance because physically and mentally it’s very integrative. It’s really good for the whole body-mind situation.”

Norwood agreed, “The power of African dance is its enlivening somato flow, reminding the brain and body they’re connected and flowing … connected to spirit and the earth, and community, through joy.”

Join the class at The Launchpad on May 15 from 10 a.m. to noon. You can donate there or via Venmo (@rochelle-norwood).

All donations go directly to the Village of Peace Project, building more huts for visitors, planting food crops (including papaya, plantain, banana, cassava and more), purifying water and teaching drumming and dancing in schools.

Learn more directly from Norwood, Mohammed and Page by tuning in for Everything Under The Sun on KDNK this Thursday, May 12, at 4 p.m.

For 17 years, Rochelle Norwood has deepened her connections with the Africana Dance Ensemble in Ghana. Together, they founded the Africana Village of Peace Project to keep West African traditions alive while promoting cultural exchange. Courtesy photo

The Africana Village of Peace Project often teaches African dance in Ghanaian schools. This Sunday, May 15, they will brings those lessons to Carbondale via a live stream at The Launchpad. Courtesy photo

RIDE PASS N U N D AT I O

•

0 • 3

2. family-friendly 2+ miles / 500’ vertical [untimed] to WELLER LAKE 3. E-BIKE option, pedal assist only [untimed]

DENCE P A

1. 10 miles / 2,300’ vertical [timed] to the ghost town of INDEPENDENCE

S

— A N N U A L —

3 OPTIONS

2

S

TWENTY-EIGHTH

the small print

2 20

FO

SE P R E S E N TYSE ATRH

COST [ before race day ]

START

2. WELLER LAKE $25 adults | $10 kids (under 12)

closure gate

1. INDEPENDENCE $25 adults | $10 kids (under 12) 3. E-BIKE $25 adults | $10 kids (under 12)

at the winter on Highway 82

POST-RIDE PARTY

barbecue and raffle at the winter gate immediately following the Ride (weather and COVID-dependent).

E OR THE I ND TF

SATURDAY MAY 21 10am

AB EN

FI

BRA LE

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FOR THE

EN

By Raleigh Burleigh Sopris Sun Editor

giving back to neighbors, towns, villages and the world,” she is constantly reminded that “the more we give, the more we receive.”

She continues to find ways of entwining her love for the Valley, where she co-owns and operates the Redstone General Store, with her community in Ghana. On Sunday, May 15, Norwood will bring a taste of the Africana Village of Peace Project to Carbondale, by live streaming a traditional Ghanian dance class at The Launchpad. A similar session was hosted in April, and both are in partnership with Aspen Dance Connection.

This time, Norwood will join from Ghana, where she is delivering a $12,000 water filter to the village. Previously, the village boiled drinking water to purify it. Donations made at the class, or at the Redstone General Store, will help to pay for the filter.

Then, throughout the upcoming school year, the Village of Peace aims to partner with Aspen Dance Connection to bring Ghanian dance classes to schools while collecting donations.

They’re calling the project “Dancing for Water.”

Thanks to a budding relationship with the nonprofit Potters for Peace, the Village of Peace is exploring the feasibility of building a factory for producing ceramic water filters to benefit surrounding villages. Norwood described the initiative as a direct exchange, “fresh water for the power of dance and culture.”

Aspen Dance Connection Executive Director Fran Page described the partnership as getting back to the nonprofit’s roots. “Our mission for Aspen Dance Connection has always been to present original and world dance,” she said. “I’ve known Rochelle for a long time, she came to me 12 years ago and talked me into bringing Baobao [Foundation] here.” Baobao Foundation, based in Boulder, hosts an annual West African dance festival.

Page is enthusiastic about bringing African

EP

Village of Peace dances for water

MANY THANKS

TO REGISTER

For a complete list, please go to

MORE INFORMATION

to our generous sponsors! independencepass.org

independencepass.org/ride-for-the-pass

call Dina | 970.379.1222

THE SOPRIS SUN • Your weekly community connector • May 12 - May 18, 2022 • 9

COMMUNITY CALENDAR

Visit soprissun.com to submit events

THURSDAY, MAY 12 FREE LEGAL CLINIC Volunteer attorneys provide free legal advice concerning civil matters. Sign up for a 15 minute phone appointment between 2 and 5 p.m. by calling 970-927-4211 or emailing info@basaltlibrary.org EARTH DAY IN MAY Join the Aspen Center for Environmental Studies at Hallam Lake in Aspen for willow planting from 4 to 7 p.m.

Register at www.aspennature.org HAPPY HOUR DANCE Katrina Toews teaches a drop-in dance class at The Launchpad from 6:15 to 7:30 p.m.

MEDICAL COSTS Glenwood Library hosts reporter Marshall Allen, who has investigated the healthcare industry for 15 years, presenting about “insidious practices used to prey on working Americans, including price gouging, inaccurate billing and insurance denials.” The free presentation begins at 7 p.m. and will also be live streamed.

More info at www.gcpld.org/first-bill HIGH COUNTRY SINFONIA The High Country Sinfonia spring concert series performs at The Arts Campus at Willits on May 12 at 7 p.m., at the Old Thompson Barn in River Valley Ranch on May 14 at 7 p.m. and at the Aspen Chapel on May 15 at 2 p.m.

Admission is free with a suggested donation of up to $20.

FRIDAY, MAY 13 CRMS PLANT SALE The annual plant sale at Colorado Rocky Mountain School opens this Friday from 1 to 5 p.m. and continues on Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. A full list of plants available is at www.crms.org/plantsale FARM TO TABLE DINNER Kick off your Dandelion Day celebration with a night of mingling and local food prepared

by L’Orto at Craft Coffee beginning at 5 p.m.

Tickets at www.https://bit.ly/DandyDinner TEA CEREMONY All ages are welcome to join Fudō-an Tea & Wellness for a Japanese tea ceremony at the Carbondale Library at 5:30 p.m. The event is free but space is limited. Register by calling the library at 970-963-2889.

PRESCHOOL BENEFIT Blue Lake Preschool invites folks to its Sip, Savor and Support fundraising event at the Orchard in Carbondale from 6 to 10 p.m. All proceeds benefit the Blue Lake and Little Blue preschools.

Tickets and info at www.bluelakepreschool.org SOUND HEALING Dr. Zachary Cashin leads a sound healing journey at True Nature from 6:30 to 8 p.m.

Tickets at www.truenaturehealingarts.com CRYSTAL THEATRE “The Duke” shows at the Crystal Theatre at 7:30 p.m. through Monday, except at 5 p.m. and with captions on Sunday. “The Rose Maker” also shows on Saturday with subtitles at 5:30 p.m.

In-Person at Third Street Center in Carbondale or via Zoom

COHENHOVEN Indie artist Joen Van Horne, known as Covenhoven, performs at The Arts Campus at Willits (TACAW) at 8 p.m. Tickets at www.tacaw.org

SATURDAY, MAY 14 Join Zoom Meeting - https://zoom.us/j/97893023273 Meeting ID: 978 9302 3273 - Passcode: chalice

Scan QR Code to Join via Zoom and enter “chalice”

truu.org

10 • THE SOPRIS SUN • soprissun.com • May 12 - May 18, 2022

WORK DAY Roaring Fork Outdoor Volunteers gets to work at Rifle Gap State Park from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. To register, visit www.rfov.org ART, HEALING & HOPE Sheri Gaynor hosts an in-person and virtual workshop at The Art Base from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Details at www.theartbase.org DANDELION DAY Carbondale’s annual spring festival begins with the Parade of Species at 10 a.m., marching from outside KDNK on 2nd Street to Sopris Park where artisans will sell sustainably produced clothing, tinctures, soaps, jewelry and more. As always, there

The Sopris Sun wishes a very happy 75th birthday to Doctor Dandelion himself (Doc Philip). A charter member of the town's Environmental Board and avid brewer of dandelion beer, Doc is credited with turning the notorious "weed" into Carbondale's celebrated town flower. His birthday coincides with Dandelion Day this year, so wish him a good one! Photo of Doc at the first Dandelion Day by B. Sibley Loughran

will be plant starts, live music and a beer tent hosted by KDNK from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

UPCYCLING! Claire Wright of Cosecha Textiles returns to Basalt Library from noon to 4 p.m. with sewing machines and other supplies to turn used clothes into something brand new. Space is limited and will be on a first-come, first-served basis.

BIKE WEEK Celebrate National Bike to Work Week with bicycle enthusiasts at the Carbondale Library from 1 to 2 p.m. Then, on Sunday, mechanics will help you tune up your ride from 1 to 5 p.m., also at the library.

CAPTAIN POW TACAW presents the original kids’ show “Captain Pow!” about a hero who protects the environment against their nemesis Pollutron, at Lions Park in Basalt at 5 p.m.

SUNDAY, MAY 15 TRAILWORK Roaring Fork Outdoor Volunteers hosts a work day at the Storm King Fire Memorial Trail from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. To register, visit www.rfov.org YOGA FOR MOMS True Nature offers a retreat for pregnant and postpartum mamas, as well as those contemplating motherhood, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tickets at www.truenaturehealingarts.com AFRICANA DANCE Join the Africana Village of Peace Project in Ghana for a traditional dance class live streamed at The Launchpad from 10 a.m. to noon. No experience or registration required.

DRUG TALK Basalt Library hosts Cath and Ashley Adams for an honest conversation about Substance Use Disorder “in the Age of Fentanyl” from 3 to 4 p.m.

ECSTATIC DANCE Join Alya Howe and DJ Mama Ale for an ecstatic dance at 13 Moons Ranch from 6 to 8 p.m. Questions? Email alyahowe@ me.com or call 970-309-2582.

MONDAY, MAY 16 CLAY EXHIBIT DEADLINE Applications are due by 5 p.m. for the Carbondale Clay National XVI exhibit juried

by Diane Kenney. This year’s theme is “Say It With Clay.” Details at www.carbondaleclay.org

TUESDAY, MAY 17 MORNING BIRDING The Aspen Center for Environmental Studies leads birding at Rock Bottom Ranch from 7 to 10 a.m. Register at www.aspennature.org WINDOWS FILING Learn how to best organize digital files on a Windows device at the Basalt Library from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. Visit www.basaltlibrary. org for more info or to register.

C-LINE BUILD Work continues on the new C-Line Trail on Red Hill. Join Roaring Fork Outdoor Volunteers from 4 to 8 p.m. by registering at www.rfov.org

WEDNESDAY, MAY 18 THE LAST TROPIC GLACIERS Dr. Heïdi Sevestre lectures about her ongoing project, “The Last Tropic Glaciers,” at Hallam Lake starting at 6 p.m. For those who cannot attend in-person, a Zoom link is available, along with more info, at www.agci.org FLASHBACK The Carbondale Historical Society screens “Flashback,” a 1990 comedy partly filmed in Carbondale and Glenwood Springs, at 7 p.m. at the Crystal Theatre. Afterward, the historical society will treat anyone presenting a ticket stub to a free beer at Carbondale Beer Works where people will share memories related to the film’s production.

BOOK-SIGNING The Glenwood Springs Citizens’ Alliance presents an author talk and book-signing with Paul Andersen, author of “The Town that Said ‘Hell, No!’ Crested Butte Fights a Mine to Save Its Soul.” The presentation begins at 7 p.m. at the Hotel Colorado.

THURSDAY, MAY 19 REAL TIME SCIENCE Basalt Library hosts Sarah R. Johnson of Wild Rose Education, sharing about her recent trip to collect weather data on the Arctic Ocean, at 5:30 p.m. Participants will receive a small wooden boat to be decorated and deployed for tracking in the Arctic Ocean using satellites.

To register, visit www.bit.ly/ArcticEducation FIRE PREPAREDNESS The Carbondale Fire Department (301 Meadowood Drive) hosts a bilingual meeting at 6:30 p.m. to share tips for wildfire preparedness.

FRIDAY, MAY 20 LIBRARY BIRDS Roaring Fork Audubon leads a morning bird walk at the Basalt Library from 7 to 10:30 a.m.

CRMS VISITOR DAY Colorado Rocky Mountain School invites current seventh grade students for a tour of its campus from 9 to 11 a.m. For more info or to register, visit www.crms.org MUSIC AT THE LIBRARY Valle Musico performs at the Basalt Library from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. For more info or to register, visit www.basaltlibrary.org ZOË KEATING Composer Zoë Keating performs at TACAW at 8 p.m. For tickets and more info, visit www.tacaw.org

SATURDAY, MAY 21 BIRDWATCHING In celebration of Public Lands Day, Colorado Wild Public Lands, English in Action and Roaring Fork Audubon invite you to bilingual guided birdwatching at Glassier Open Space near El Jebel from 7 to 11 a.m. To RSVP, email coloradowildpubliclands@gmail.com TODD SNIDER Todd Snider performs at TACAW at 8 p.m.

For tickets and more info, visit www.tacaw.org

SUNDAY, MAY 22 PLANT SALE True Nature hosts Seed Peace for a plant sale from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and a seed talk from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

SPRINGFEST Aspen Valley Land Trust invites people to celebrate spring and conservation at the Strang Ranch from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

More info is available at www.avlt.org REAL TIME SCIENCE Sarah R. Johnson of Wild Rose Education, presents about her recent trip to collect weather data on the Arctic Ocean, at the Carbondale Library at 1 p.m. and Glenwood Springs Library at 4 p.m. Participants will receive a small wooden boat to be decorated and deployed for tracking in the Arctic Ocean using satellites.

To register, visit www.bit.ly/ArcticEducation

CONTACT IMPROV Contact improvisation is “a conversation between bodies using the language of weight sharing.” Learn more at The Launchpad at 6:30 p.m. For guidelines, visit www.bouldercontactlab.com

MONDAY, MAY 23 AUTHUR TALK Paul Anderson presents his new book “The Town that said Hell No!” which chronicles the people of Crested Butte pushing back against AMAX, a mining project, in the ‘70s at the Basalt Library, beginning at 5:30 p.m. For more info or to register, visit www.basaltlibrary.org

TUESDAY, MAY 24 ASPEN WORDS Jenn Shapland, author of “My Autobiography of Carson McCullers” and an Aspen Words writer in residence, presents at The Arts Campus at Willits at 5:30 p.m.

Registration at www.aspenwords.org CREATIONS & LIBATIONS AspenOUT and The Art Base host the LBGTQIA+ community and allies for an evening of art and socializing beginning at 6 p.m. Register at www.theartbase.org

ONGOING AA The Meeting Place in Carbondale (981 Cowen Drive) offers “Hole in the Donut AA,” Monday through Saturday, at 6:45 a.m. plus “Daily Reprieve” at noon on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Find a full schedule at www.meetingplacecarbondale.org COMMUNITY CHOIR The Carbondale Community Choir meets at Sopris Park on the first and third Tuesday of each month from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.

STORYTIME Young ones and their parents are invited to storytime at the Glenwood Springs Library on Tuesdays at 10:30 a.m. More information is at www.gcpld.org STORYTIME AT HOME Every first Tuesday of the month at 10:30 a.m. Garfield County Libraries posts a storytime video to its Youtube page; just search Garfield County Libraries on YouTube.

EXPLORERS CLUB School-age children are invited to free after-school activities with the Aspen Science Center at the Glenwood Springs Library on Wednesdays at 2:30 pm.

Community Wildfire Prevention Meeting

ASK A LAWYER Alpine Legal Services offers a hotline clinic on Wednesdays from 5 to 7 p.m. Call 970368-2246 and visit alpinelegalservices.org for the schedule of dates by legal topic.

STORYTIME Children and their parents are invited to storytime at the Carbondale Library on Thursdays at 10:30 a.m. More information is at www.gcpld.org UNDER THE SUN Join Sopris Sun correspondents and guests for Everything Under The Sun, airing every Thursday on KDNK at 4 p.m.

GROUP RUN Independence Run and Hike leads a weekly group run on Thursdays departing from the store’s new location at 6 p.m.

KARAOKE THURSDAYS The Black Nugget offers karaoke on Thursdays at 7 p.m.

NARCOTICS ANONYMOUS The Meeting Place in Carbondale (981 Cowen Drive) offers a 12-step meeting at 8:30 p.m. on Thursdays.

KUNDALINI YOGA CLASS The Sattvic Health Temple at Mana Foods now offers a Kundalini Yoga class on Fridays from 8 to 9 a.m.

HEROIN ANONYMOUS The Meeting Place in Carbondale (981 Cowen Drive) offers a 12-step meeting at 4 p.m. on Sundays.

WILDFIRE SEASON IS COMING Meet with wildfire professionals from Carbondale Fire and learn and what you can do to protect yourself and your home Thursday, May 19, 2022 • 6:30 p.m.

301 Meadowood Drive Carbondale Fire Headquarters Building THE SOPRIS SUN • Your weekly community connector • May 12 - May 18, 2022 • 11

12 • THE SOPRIS SUN • soprissun.com • May 12 - May 18, 2022

Sol del el

Conectando comunidades desde 2021

Valle

Volumen 2, Número 11 |12 de mayo -18 de mayo de 2022

El Coro de la Comunidad de Carbondale, un lugar para el “desorden”

Incluso durante un aguacero, el Coro Comunitario de Carbondale atrajo a cinco participantes (incluido nuestro fotógrafo) el martes 3 de mayo. El coro se reúne el próximo 17 de mayo a las 6:30 p.m. en el parque Sopris. Foto de Raleigh Burleigh

Por Vanessa Porras Traducción por Dolores Duarte Después de una pausa de COVID durante el invierno, ¡El Coro de la Comunidad de Carbondale está de vuelta! El mes pasado tuvieron su primera reunión del año y continuarán reuniéndose el primer y tercer martes de cada mes, llueva o truene.

El coro es conducido por voluntarios rotativos, incluyendo a Cara Lynch, Pam Rosenthal, Gabriela Mejía y Jessica Congdon. Cada sesión ofrece un entorno seguro para aquellos que sólo quieren cantar.

"No hay un motivo en particular, sólo la oportunidad de expresarnos a través del canto y de conectar con otros miembros de nuestra comunidad", señaló Congdon.

El Coro Comunitario de Carbondale pretende fomentar la comunidad, especialmente después de las dificultades y el aislamiento experimentados durante la pandemia de COVID. El coro, un sueño de Rosenthal desde hace mucho tiempo, se hizo realidad el año pasado después de que Sweet Root, una banda local, necesitara voces para su conjunto de la Feria de la Montaña. Tras formalizar un grupo básico de seis integrantes participando, además de miembros de la comunidad que también se reunían y ensayaban durante todo el verano, hubo varias personas que decidieron continuar.

Rosenthal quería crear un espacio al que hubiera deseado tener acceso cuando era una niña pequeña con ganas de cantar. Evoca un recuerdo de cuando un coro visitó su escuela rural a la tierna edad de 12 años. En medio de la conmoción y todo el entusiasmo, la joven Rosenthal cantó y pronto se vio empujada hasta atrás, donde su voz fue ahogada por los demás. "Los profesores eran muy malos. ... el coro era algo para lo que tenías que audicionar, tenías que ser lo suficientemente bueno, no era una invitación para que un joven cantara".

Ahora, como músico profesional, Rosenthal quería cambiar esa narrativa para todos los cantantes que sienten curiosidad, pero que a menudo se sienten demasiado intimidados para dejar que sus voces se escuchen. "Hay miembros del coro que vienen y susurran sus canciones y, con el tiempo, vemos que empiezan a dar un paso hacia adelante. ... Nunca presionamos a nadie,

nunca se llama la atención a nadie, [nunca] te pondrán bajo los reflectores a menos que sea tu improvisación", dice Rosenthal. Asegura que no hay miradas reprobatorias si no puedes dar la nota correcta.

El Coro Comunitario de Carbondale es un entorno de aprendizaje pasivo en el que la gente aprende entrenando sus oídos. "El coro no me enseña a cantar, sino que me permite experimentar con mi voz y llegar a comprender mejor si estoy en, o fuera de tono con las otras voces. Puedo experimentar libremente, mejorar y encontrar armonías", dice Congdon.

Las anfitrionas animan a los miembros a cantar por la diversión de cantar, "siempre quiero dejar espacio para el desorden", dijo Rosenthal. Aunque el coro no tiene presentaciones, hay oportunidades ocasionales que se hacen extensivas, se comparten con el grupo y se deciden en función del interés común. En el futuro, Rosenthal ve la posibilidad de realizar talleres de armonización, además del tiempo para canto.

Se invita a los participantes a traer sus propias canciones y contribuir al sabor de la sesión.

Ocasionalmente en torno al círculo se cantan canciones conocidas y queridas, incluidas canciones tradicionales del evangelio y canciones con temas que honran a la tierra, acompañadas por maracas y la guitarra acústica de Mejía.

El Coro Comunitario de Carbondale es gratuito; no hay que apuntarse ni presionar para comprometerse a nada como miembro del coro. De hecho, si no te interesa cantar, pero quieres participar y congregarte, estás invitado a traer una manta o jalar una silla y escuchar.

Las anfitrionas del coro lo ven como su regalo a la comunidad y sus mayores objetivos son la creación de comunidad, la accesibilidad y la diversidad. Rosenthal espera que más voces jóvenes se unan al coro. "Nuestra cultura se ha desviado realmente con nuestro [perfeccionismo]. ... estamos enseñando a nuestros jóvenes que no se les permite hacer nada a menos que ya sean buenos en ello", dijo Rosenthal.

El canto es una expresión vulnerable y creativa que requiere que uno se exponga a sí mismo y a sus límites. Como dijo Congdon de forma elocuente, "podemos curarnos a nosotros mismos mediante la aceptación de nuestra propia y única voz. Encontrar esa armonía interior, y la habilidad de compartirla con otros, es un regalo para el mundo".

El coro se reúne el próximo 17 de mayo en la glorieta del parque Sopris, de 6:30 a 7:30 p.m.

Orgullo y Carbondale Fotos de Beth White

El 6 de mayo, durante las celebraciones de First Friday en Carbondale, hubo el desfile anual de Pride (Orgullo) organizado por el Gender and Sexualities Alliance de Carbondale Middle School y Roaring Fork High School.

El propósito es celebrar toda la diversidad que existe dentro de nuestra comunidad.

Donaciones por correo o en línea P.O. Box 399 Carbondale, CO 81623 970-510-3003 www.soprissun.com Editor Raleigh Burleigh • 970-510-3003 news@soprissun.com Editora Contribuyente Crystal Mariscal Directore Artístico Hattie Rensberry Diseñadora de anuncios Alyssa Ohnmacht Traductoras Jacquelinne Castro y Dolores Duarte Distribucion Frederic Kischbaum Executive Director Todd Chamberlin • 970-510-0246 adsales@soprissun.com Miembros de la Mesa Directiva Klaus Kocher • Kay Clarke Lee Beck • Megan Tackett Gayle Wells • Donna Dayton Terri Ritchie • Eric Smith el Sol del Valle agradece por su apoyo a: MANUAS, FirstBank y Alpine Bank The Sopris Sun, Inc. es una 501(c)(3) organización benéfica sin fines de lucro.

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SE ACERCA LA TEMPORADA DE INCENDIOS FORESTALES Reúnase con profesionales de incendios forestales De los Bomberos de Carbondale protegerse a sí mismo y su hogar JUEVES, 19 DE MAYO DE 2022 • 6:30 P.M. 301 Meadowood Drive Edificio de Bomberos de Carbondale

OPINIÓN

VívidaMente Por Illiana Rentería

Nací antes de tiempo, seguramente porque tenía prisa de conocer el mundo pero, sobre todo, de conocer a la mujer que me tejió la vida: mi mamá. Ahora me encuentro en México, celebrándola en su día y, siendo yo misma, mamá de dos maravillosos hijos.

Estando aquí, no puedo evitar notar la diferencia abismal de la maternidad en esta tribu familiar y la maternidad a solas que se vive en nuestro valle.

Muchas de nosotras, las mamás migrantes, tenemos que aprender nuevos modelos de crianza, y desaprender lo que es tener a tu familia a tu lado.

La maternidad es un antes y un después. Ser madre es dar a luz dos veces, ese día conocerás a tu bebé y a la nueva versión de ti. La maternidad nunca deja de transformarse.

Hija de mi madre

seguir aprendiendo y saber que sus hijos las aman tal como son.

En mayo también se Muchas veces pienso en conmemora la semana de la las nuevas madres, en toda Salud Mental Materna, así que la gente a su alrededor tomemos un momento para deseosa de conocer al bebé. Mientras ellas En mayo también se conmemora la reflexionar en nosotras, las no saben si les está semana de la Salud Mental Materna, que somos madres, más permitido sentir algo allá del lente de nuestros más que dicha. No así que tomemos un momento para hijos y lo que hacemos saben si se vale decir por ellos. Piensa en ti, refl exionar en nosotras, las que somos que están agotadas, en la mujer valiosísima que tienen miedos y madres, más allá del lente de nuestros que eres, y date un abrazo. dudas, que necesitan hijos y lo que hacemos por ellos.

Felicitate no por lo que haces un descanso. Ambas se por los demás sino porque valen: la inmensa alegría y hoy mismo escribes tu propia el infinito amor por ese nuevo ser, y el agotamiento brutal, la tanto, historia, y redefines lo que la ebullición hormonal de traer q u e sean más maternidad significa para ti. vida al mundo. empáticos, y una tribu que apoya Que no se te vaya la vida en Quisiera decir que pronto más que limita o juzga. querer darle gusto a los demás, todo vuelve a la normalidad, pero Todas las maternidades son que encuentres tu balance y lo ser madre es despedirte del sueño distintas. Lo vemos en nuestro que funciona para ti y los tuyos, y comenzar a inventarle más valle, desde mamás que trabajan que tengas apoyo de verdad, horas al día. Incluso si cuentas dos o tres turnos para sacar con el apoyo de tu pareja. adelante a su familia, hasta mamás del que quita peso no del que En nuestra cultura, nos que se quedan en casa a hacer añade estrés. Que seas una madre enseñaron que la madre debe el arduo trabajo de criar niños adorada porque diste vida, ser abnegada y dulce, o dura e y administrar un hogar. Mamás pero también una mujer que inquebrantable. La presión de ser emprendedoras, deportistas, florece dentro y más allá de su perfectas es real. ¿Qué madre no activistas, mamás que no tienen maternidad. ha experimentado la culpabilidad a sus hijos con ellas, madrastras, Y que la culpa no sea tu de no poder serlo todo? mamás que ya son abuelas… compañera de vida. Sentir dolor, Para una mamá latina todo el tantas mamás viviendo su propia angustia, estrés, enojo, y todo ese mundo tiene un consejo y una experiencia como mejor saben y rango de emociones es parte de la opinión, cuando tal vez el mejor pueden hacerlo. consejo que pueden darte es Si este Día de las Madres vida. Lo importante es saberlas que creas en ti, que escuches tu pudiera regalarles algo, sería el reconocer y entender cuándo te intuición materna. Y a la familia, ser amables consigo mismas. están sobrepasando para pedir y allegados, aconsejarles que Perdonar lo que no les sale bien ayuda a tiempo. No esperes a que tengan fe en ti, que no opinen y crecer en sus éxitos, siempre se desborde tu vaso.

Únete a Marble Charter School para leer y cantar La Montaña Mágica Sábado 14 de mayo a la 1:00 pm, durante Dandelion Day - Sopris Park

Algunas organizaciones locales que pueden ayudarte a navegar el barco de la maternidad: FVP: Visitadoras domiciliarias, brindan orientación y apoyo gratuitos para nuevas y futuras madres, desde el embarazo hasta preescolar: info@familyvisitor.org ALMA: Un programa de apoyo para mujeres atravesando depresión perinatal: info@valleysettlement.org FOCUSED KIDS: Estrategias de crianza y autorregulación para madres y sus niños pequeños: Yolanda@FocusedKids.org APRENDIENDO CON AMOR: Clases para padres e hijos y visitas al hogar: info@valleysettlement.org

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EL SOL DEL VALLE • Conector de comunidad • 12 de mayo - 18 de mayo de 2022 • 15

Reducción en los flujos de agua inspiran una amplia colaboración Por James Steindler Traducción por Dolores Duarte El Colorado River district (CRD) celebró su reunión anual sobre el "Estado del Río en el Medio Colorado" en el Morgridge Commons de Glenwood Springs la noche del 3 de mayo. Los presentadores predijeron otro verano caluroso con niveles bajos de agua, lo cual no es diferente al 2021.

De marzo a junio, se llevarán a cabo varias reuniones en todo el oeste de Colorado, desde el condado de Ouray hasta el de Grand, con muchas escalas intermedias.

Zane Kessler, director de relaciones gubernamentales de CRD, dirigió la reunión.

"Esta es la primera reunión presencial que podemos hacer sobre el estado del río en más de dos años. Es realmente bueno estar de vuelta en la sala con nuestros constituyentes, ver cara a cara a la gente y tener conversaciones sobre nuestro recurso natural más importante: nuestra agua y el río Colorado".

Kessler también presentó a Steve Beckely como representante del condado de Garfield en CRD. Explicó que la junta directiva de CRD es nombrada por los comisionados de cada uno de los 15 condados que representa.

El comisionado del condado de Garfield, Tom Jankovsky, también estuvo presente. "El agua es importante para nuestro condado, es importante para toda la ladera occidental", dijo a The Sopris Sun. "No hay duda, estamos en una sequía de 20 años".

Becky Bolinger, la climatóloga estatal adjunta del Centro Climático de la Universidad Estatal

de Colorado, fue la primera ponente. Explicó que el manto de nieve determina los caudales de los ríos. "Aunque el manto de nieve está bien, necesitábamos un manto de nieve superior a la media para que los caudales vuelvan a estar donde se necesita que estén", dijo.

"Seguimos luchando por esta situación de sequía a largo plazo", subrayó Bolinger. "El calor del verano es una gran preocupación y la precipitación también va a ser una gran preocupación".

Lindsay DeFrates, de CRD, habló de la historia de la política del agua en el oeste, empezando por el Convenio del Río Colorado de 1922, que describió como la base del derecho del río. El Convenio del Río Colorado dividió el derecho de uso entre los estados de la cuenca alta y baja.

"Los datos recientes indican que los estados de la cuenca baja tienen sistemáticamente uso excesivo del agua de la distribución del río Colorado porque no tienen en cuenta aspectos como la evaporación, las pérdidas por transporte o las entradas de sus afluentes", dijo. "Los estados de la cuenca alta — Colorado, Wyoming y partes de Nuevo México y Utah — vivimos dentro de nuestra hidrología porque no estamos rio abajo de una “cuenta de ahorros”".

DeFrates, y muchos otros a lo largo de la velada, se refirieron al lago Powell, al que se refirió como la cuenta de ahorros de los estados de la cuenca alta. El lago Powell sólo está al 23% de su capacidad.

Además, afirmó que con cada 1% de aumento de la temperatura, el caudal se reduce entre un 3 y un 9%. "El año pasado, terminamos con un 89% de manto de nieve, pero sólo tuvimos un 32% de

afluencia al lago Powell", explicó DeFrates. Volvió a referirse a la presentación de Bolinger, afirmando que "los suelos sedientos se van a beber primero el deshielo, antes de que se convierta en caudal".

Y continuó: "A medida que avancemos, se necesitarán noches de organización como ésta, en las que se pondrán sobre la mesa voces que quizá no hayan estado allí antes. ... Va a ser necesario reconocer que no podemos seguir ignorando nuestra realidad".

Janeth Stancle, de la oficina del senador John Hickenlooper, confirmó el apoyo del senador al Programa de Recuperación de Peces en Peligro del Alto Colorado. David Graf, coordinador de caudales de agua para el Departamento de Pesca y Vida Silvestre, habló sobre los beneficios ecológicos del programa de recuperación de especies en peligro de extinción.

Raymond Langstaff, del Distrito de Conservación de Bookcliff, se refirió a la importancia de la agricultura en la región y a la dependencia del agua en la industria. Al final de su presentación, Kessler añadió que el 90% de las empresas agrícolas de la ladera occidental son de propiedad familiar.

April Long, de Ruedi Water and Power Authority, así como Roaring Fork Conservancy, se refirió a las tendencias locales. Long mencionó que el año pasado el embalse de Ruedi tuvo el segundo nivel de agua más bajo desde que se construyó en la década de 1960. Espera ver un enfoque regional más unificado de las regulaciones del agua a través de las líneas municipales y del condado en la región.

Paula Stepp, directora ejecutiva del Consejo de la Cuenca del Colorado Medio, se refirió a los

16 • EL SOL DEL VALLE • soprissun.com/espanol/ • 12 de mayo - 18 de mayo de 2022

Paula Stepp, directora ejecutiva del Consejo de la Cuenca del Colorado Medio, habla de los esfuerzos de control de la calidad del agua que realiza la organización. Foto de James Steindler

efectos que el incendio de Grizzly Creek tuvo, y sigue teniendo, en la calidad del agua. Invitó a estar preparados para el próximo acontecimiento que cambie la cuenca.

La directora de asociaciones estratégicas del CRD, Amy Moyer, concluyó la velada ofreciendo una presentación sobre el programa de Asociación de Financiación Comunitaria de la organización estatal. "Llevamos apenas un año y medio con este programa, en el que disponemos de $4.2 millones de dólares anuales para dedicarlos a proyectos hídricos de gran impacto en todo nuestro distrito", explicó.

El programa fue aprobado por primera vez por los electores de Colorado en noviembre de 2020. Los proyectos elegibles deben estar en la ladera occidental y se dividen en cinco categorías: agricultura productiva, salud de la cuenca y calidad del agua, ríos saludables, infraestructura y conservación y eficiencia.

Jamie LaRue trae nuevos conocimientos al GCPLD

Por Raleigh Burleigh Traducción por Dolores Duarte

Durante la mayor parte de un año, el Distrito de Bibliotecas Públicas del Condado de Garfield (GCPLD) estuvo sin un director ejecutivo oficial. El anterior director ejecutivo del distrito renunció en agosto de 2021, precedido por varios otros empleados, incluidos cuatro de los seis directores de sucursales. En octubre, el director de Finanzas Kevin Hettler se hizo cargo temporal de las funciones de director.

Entretanto, a finales del mes pasado, el consejo administrativo de las bibliotecas anunció algo muy emocionante. "Después de una larga y reflexiva búsqueda", se lee en el comunicado de prensa, "[GCPLD] se complace en presentarles a nuestro nuevo director ejecutivo".

James "Jamie" LaRue llega al puesto con pasión por la libertad intelectual y toda una vida de experiencia. Criado en Illinois, LaRue descubrió su amor por las bibliotecas a los seis años. Un día, jugando al béisbol, "aburrido como una ostra, en el jardín derecho", dijo a The Sopris Sun, vio algo brillante en la distancia. La curiosidad le llevó a abandonar el campo, a mitad del partido. Al acercarse a lo que descubrió como una biblioteca móvil, "la señora Johnson me miró como si fuera el hombre al que había esperado toda su vida".

Su sencilla pregunta marcó el rumbo del joven LaRue: "¿En qué puedo ayudarte?".

Desde ese momento, supo cuál era su vocación. Fundó un club de bibliotecarios

en el séptimo grado y se fue a trabajar a la biblioteca de Normal, Illinois, como estudiante universitario. Después de recorrer el país pidiendo aventones y ayudar a construir una biblioteca totalmente voluntaria en Arivaca, Arizona, cursó un postgrado en ciencias bibliotecarias.

En aquella época, la tecnología informática estaba revolucionando las bibliotecas de todo el mundo y LaRue se encontraba justo en el lugar, convirtiendo los catálogos de papel en catálogos electrónicos y preparándose para el internet.

La mayor parte de su carrera se desarrolló en el condado de Douglas. Allí, LaRue fue nombrado Bibliotecario del Año de Colorado (1998), Empresario del Año de la Cámara de Comercio de Castle Rock (2003), obtuvo el Premio Julie J. Boucher a la Libertad Intelectual (2007) y el Premio a la Trayectoria Profesional de la Asociación de Bibliotecas de Colorado (2013).

En 2013, la Biblioteca de Highlands Ranch pasó a llamarse Biblioteca James H. LaRue. Ese cambio se deshizo más tarde, porque "nunca se sabe lo que puede hacer una persona que pueda empañar la reputación de una biblioteca", explicó LaRue con buen humor.

LaRue informó a The Sun que, durante el tiempo que trabajó en el condado de Douglas, se produjeron unos 250 intentos de eliminar materiales de esa red de bibliotecas. Observó que casi todos ellos procedían de padres de niños de entre cuatro y seis años y de entre 14 y 16, padres preocupados por las etapas de desarrollo de sus hijos y que experimentaban "amor, pérdida y dolor". Más tarde, escribió un libro sobre el tema.

Identificar esto, dijo, "cambia la forma en

ART AROUND

que un bibliotecario responde a la queja". Ya no es "el enemigo", un padre preocupado puede ser reformulado como "probablemente un amigo, [que] trajo a sus hijos a la biblioteca, les leyó, se preocupó por lo que estaban leyendo.

Alguien dispuesto a actuar en la esfera cívica para hacer un punto — esas son las marcas de un buen padre y ciudadano".

LaRue también ha sido profesor adjunto en la Universidad de Denver, ha trabajado como consultor y ha dirigido la Oficina de Libertad Intelectual de la Asociación Americana de Bibliotecas. "[Las bibliotecas] son una institución dedicada a la dignidad individual de la investigación", dijo, "es a dónde vienes si quieres investigar el mundo".

Al preguntársele sobre que está leyendo actualmente, LaRue dijo a The Sopris Sun que lee un libro al día y que está disfrutando de las obras de ciencia ficción de Nathan Lowell, un autor de Greeley autopublicado que "repentinamente ha vendido 300,000 ejemplares de sus libros, no disponibles en ninguna tienda". LaRue ha descargado los libros en un Kindle Fire.

"Por la mayor parte, cuatro grandes editoriales generan el 80% de lo que se publica en Estados Unidos", explica. Esa tendencia, sin embargo, está cambiando con el auge de las obras autopublicadas y las editoriales independientes de nivel medio. "Es la mayor explosión de la escritura en la historia de la humanidad", dijo. "En 2014, el 16% de los Best Sellers del New York Times fueron autopublicados".

Entre sus enfoques para GCPLD: "construir comunidad y hacer crecer la alfabetización". LaRue citó un estudio de 2010 que sugiere que tener 500 libros en el hogar de un niño de cinco años o menos es comparable a tener dos padres con maestría.

Otros estudios revelan que los resultados de lectura en cuarto grado son el mejor indicador de la salud, la educación y otras medidas de éxito. El

James "Jamie" LaRue, foto de cortesía.

mejor indicador de las puntuaciones de lectura en cuarto grado, por su parte, proviene de la preparación para la lectura a los cinco años que, a su vez, se correlaciona con el número de libros en el hogar. "La alfabetización en la primera infancia es la clave de todo", afirma.

Ahora, residiendo en Glenwood Springs, "¿por qué quise este trabajo? "Por el personal.

El personal me impresionó mucho. Pocas veces he conocido a gente tan comprometida, ética, diligente, minuciosa, amable e inteligente".

La segunda mejor parte, según LaRue, son los edificios. "He construido muchos edificios de bibliotecas en mi tiempo y creo que los seis edificios que veo aquí están entre los seis mejores que he visto. Realmente, están diseñados de forma muy inteligente".

En tercer lugar, "la belleza natural es espectacular. No puedo creer la calidad del aire y los panoramas impresionantes".

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INDEPENDENCIA • COMUNIDAD • COMPASIÓN • INTEGRIDAD • LEALTAD ES.ALPINEBANK.COM • MEMBER FDIC EL SOL DEL VALLE • Conector de comunidad • 12 de mayo - 18 de mayo de 2022 • 17

CHISME DEL PUEBLO Lluvias de abril

Traducción por Jacquelinne Castro

Los reportes de Colorado Water Trust indican que el mes de abril del 2022 fue uno de los meses de abril más secos en la historia de Colorado, lo que redujo los flujos de corriente de un 84% a un 77%. Mientras tanto, la esquina suroeste del estado ha reportado que la capa nieve ha estado bajo del 50% de lo normal para esta época del año.

Preparación de incendios Se reconoce el mes de mayo como “Mes de Preparación de Incendios” y el departamento de bomberos de Carbondale (301 Meadowood Drive) presentará una reunión bilingüe el 19 de mayo a las 6:30 p.m. para compartir detalles acerca de cómo prepararse contra incendios. Cuatro de los cinco incendios más grandes de Colorado ocurrieron en los últimos tres años, con el incendio más destructivo ocurrido el invierno pasado. El primer paso para prepararse es suscribirse a alertas locales. También puedes inscribirte en una evaluación gratuita de mitigación de incendios para tu hogar. Puedes encontrar está información en www.bit.ly/CRFPDprepare

Deje a los bebés La siguiente generación de vida silvestre ya está aquí y a los Parques y Vida Silvestre de Colorado (CPW) le gustaría recordar a los residentes y visitantes que no interrumpan con ellos. “Cada primavera, CPW y los parques locales reciben un incremento de llamadas relacionadas con personas reportando que han ‘rescatado animales bebés’”, escribió un comunicado de prensa.

“Aunque los reportes se hacen con buenas intenciones, las personas rutinariamente dejan a estos bebés huérfanos al secuestrarlos esencialmente”. Recuerde, no alimente ni toque a los animales salvajes y contacte a su oficina local de CPW para ser guiado si algún animal parece estar enfermo o herido.

Observación de aves En celebración del Día de Tierras Públicas, a Colorado Wild Public Lands, English in Action y Roaring Fork Audubon les gustaría invitarte a una observación de aves bilingüe en Glassier Open Space cerca de El Jebel desde las 7 a.m. hasta las 11 a.m. el 21 de mayo. Para confirmar tu asistencia, envíe un correo electrónico a coloradowildpubliclands@gmail. com

Se busca ayuda La biblioteca de Basalt está buscando contratar a un coordinador de enlace. La persona en este puesto debe ser bilingüe en español e inglés. Este puesto es responsable de conectar la biblioteca con personas hispanohablantes en nuestra área para servir mejor a nuestra comunidad.

Encuentra más información en www.basaltlibrary.org/jobs

Gran capital Greater Colorado Pitch Series está recibiendo inscripciones hasta el 10 de junio para un evento en vivo el 12 de julio, donde ocho dueños de negocios rurales tendrán la oportunidad de ganar hasta un millón de dólares en capital de inversión. Encuentre más detalles de cómo inscribirse en www.greatercoloradopitchseries.com

Angela Muñoz, quien vive en New Castle, es el vivo ejemplo de que madre no es la que engendra, sino la que dedica su vida a criar, cuidar, proteger y amar a sus hijos. Esta madre y abuelita hoy es celebrada por su familia. Foto de cortesía

Decreto CORE El decreto de Recreación al Aire Libre y Economía de Colorado (CORE), una legislación que tiene como objetivo proteger 400,000 acres incluyendo el Thompson Divide, recibió un margen de beneficio en el comité de Energía y Recursos Naturales del senado, lo cual le permite avanzar más. “Este voto es una gran marca y esperamos el último obstáculo antes de que pase por el senado y se convierta en ley”, dijo el senador John Hickenlooper.

Concurso de fotografía Colorado Wild Public Lands organiza un concurso de fotografía con el tema: “tierras públicas, a mi manera”. ¿Qué tiene de especial la manera en la que disfruta las tierras públicas? Envíe una foto a coloradowildpubliclands@ gmail.com antes del 21 de mayo para tener la oportunidad de ganar una tarjeta de regalo de $100 de Ute Mountaineer.

¡Síguenos en Facebook! ¡No te pierdas ninguna novedad! Sigue a “Sol del Valle” en Facebook para estar al tanto de nuestras historias, columnas y chismes más recientes, incluyendo contenido no incluido en la versión impresa.

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Boletos en avlt.org/springfest 18 • EL SOL DEL VALLE • soprissun.com/espanol/ • 12 de mayo - 18 de mayo de 2022

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Spring sports have nearly wrapped up for the year with teams moving through playoffs and toward championship titles. The Rams’ girls lacrosse team crushed Fruita Monument on Tuesday, May 10, scoring a 17-4 victory.

Next, they will play against Thompson Valley High School on Thursday, May 12. They are currently ranked fourth in the 4A Mountain East league with 10 wins to six losses.

The girls soccer team, meanwhile, will play against Eagle Ridge Academy for the state championship playoffs at 6 p.m. on Thursday, May 12. They are ranked fourth in the 3A Western Slope division with six wins, eight losses and one tie (against Coal Ridge High School).

The boys baseball team plays their final games of the season against Gunnison (away) on Saturday, May 14. They are ranked sixth in the 2A Western Slope division with eight wins and 13 losses.

The Sopris Sun congratulates all the youth athletes for their hard work and tenacity!

Go Rams!

Roaring Fork schools sports wrap!

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THE SOPRIS SUN • Your weekly community connector • May 12 - May 18, 2022 • 19

BASALT REPORT

Council looks at four-year Midland project

By Dyana Z. Furmansky Sopris Sun Correspondent Basalt Town Council reviewed the first quarterly financial report of the Basalt 2030 project at its regular meeting May 10, focusing incrementally on the budget for the $20.9 million Midland Avenue Streetscape project.

From the get-go, costs for revamping Midland Avenue, one of the three priorities approved

by Basalt voters in a bond issue last year, will be closely monitored as the project proceeds, said Basalt Town Manager Ryan Mahoney. “You’re going to get really familiar with this budget over the next four years,” he told the seven council members.

“Obviously, for a project of this size you have to keep your thumb on the costs,” said Basalt Finance Director Christy Chicoine. Breaking it down for quarterly review allows

Photo by Dyana Furmansky

what Mayor Bill Kane called “opportunities to spend wisely.”

Chicoine’s presentation noted differences between the initial 2021 estimate for the project, and the current estimate. She projected that $834,000 in additional funds will be needed to complete the project, although no final design has been chosen. Mahoney said that the shortfall would be spread out over several years, and that additional grants and funds from the town’s General Fund are expected to cover it.

At their work session held prior to the regular meeting, councilors reviewed three different conceptual designs for the Midland streetscape presented by Connect One, the Basalt landscape firm that was awarded the contract in March. Stutsman Gerbaz Earthmoving and Construction will provide general contracting services.

In other business, the council unanimously approved on second reading an ordinance for acquiring a recreational use easement on the hill area belonging to the 27-unit Basalt Vista Affordable Housing Homeowners Association (HOA). The property has already been open to the public for hiking, sledding and other year-round recreations.

Gail Schwartz, president of Habitat for Humanity Roaring Fork Valley that built Basalt Vista, told councilors that since low and mid-income families own the residences, their HOA would not be in a financial position to cover any liability costs in the event of an accident by a recreationist. Nor could the HOA find an insurer to do so, Schwartz said. Granting a recreational easement to the town of Basalt is “the elegant solution” to the problem, she continued, because it would enable the town to cover the easement in its own comprehensive liability insurance policy.

Also on the agenda was the council’s convening as the Local Liquor Authority to grant a new liquor license to Jaffa Kitchen, the Middle Eastern restaurant in Willits, and renew the liquor license for Brick Pony Pub in Basalt. Both items were unanimously approved.

Additionally, the council voted to again approve a one-year agreement allowing the Brick Pony to use four street parking spots for 32 tables, an outdoor arrangement necessitated by the pandemic. The dining area is separated from street traffic with concrete barriers, or what the Public Works Department calls “river pigs.”

While the town paid for the river pigs’ installation during the pandemic, Brick Pony owner Greg Jurgensen agreed to pay for their placement for this summer’s outdoor dining.

Dieter Schindler, who joined the council with Angela Anderson in April, said that concrete barriers did not seem like an attractive element for Main Street in light of the downtown’s beautification efforts.

Manager Mahoney said the “pigs” would not be permitted when the redesign work got underway, and that more attractive long-term outdoor seating for Brick Pony would be considered at that time.

The continuing rollback of COVID restrictions means that 2,000 bicyclists will roll into Basalt from Glenwood Springs on June 13, Day Two of this year’s Ride the Rockies route. At 31 miles, it will be a short ride that day. On Day Three, however, participants will head over Independence Pass for Salida, a 118-mile ride.

Another popular event returning this summer is the Basalt Half Marathon and Relay on June 4. The council voted in its Consent Agenda to approve Special Event Activity permits for each. The Basalt Half Marathon has been run since 2010, and is a fundraiser for the Basalt High School cross country team. In language that seemed a hangover from a weaker economy, planning staff noted in its recommendation that the 12-year-old race “brings tourism and vitality to Basalt.”

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CARBONDALE REPORT

Carbondale gains a park and condominium complex

By Raleigh Burleigh Sopris Sun Editor Carbondale’s regular municipal meeting on May 10 saw all trustees in attendance. After a slew of students of the month were recognized, comments from persons not on the agenda were heard.

Resident Arn Menconi stepped forward to elucidate that the language in the short term rentals (STR) ordinance passed in March has inadvertently excluded full time residents that are tenants from applying for a permit to run an STR. After some deliberation, trustees agreed to put the item on an upcoming agenda.

The meatiest item on Tuesday’s agenda involved a public hearing for a condominium subdivision on Lot 1 of the Main Street Marketplace development. Robert Schultz and Briston Peterson represented the applicant, Crystal River Marketplace, LLC. The condominium subdivision, dividing Lot 1 into seven units which could each be independently owned, will not alter the project’s already-approved site plan. This includes 115 residential units — all rentals, with 20% deed restricted — and 10,000 square-feet of commercial space. So far, Carbondale has seen two of the eleven buildings completed, with a third currently under construction.

In the center of the development will be open space in accordance with the unified development code (UDC). When the project was approved in 2018, the UDC necessitated that 15% of the site be private common open space. An amendment to the UDC in 2019 requires that any development undergoing condominiumization dedicate 15% of its land, or a separate parcel equal in size, to public open space — or pay cash equal to the fair market value of that land.

In all three scenarios, a park development fee is also required. In this case, the fee was estimated at $80,000.

Instead of a dedication of land, Crystal River Marketplace, LLC sought to grant the town an easement, allowing public access into perpetuity on Lot 1’s open space, with the

condominium association on the hook for its maintenance.

At a cost to the developer of $1.3 million, Carbondale Marketplace Park is slated to include a universally-accessible playground, gazebo, futsal court — a miniature, hardsurfaced area for playing soccer— and four-season restrooms.

After public meetings with the Parks and Recreation Commission and Planning and Zoning Commission, the town’s staff recommended approving the easement in lieu of a dedication of land.

“This is a giveaway, it’s very hard to see it otherwise,” declared resident Ross Kribbs during the public hearing. Introducing himself as a former president of a condominium association in Aspen, Kribbs continued, “Perpetuity is very squishy. When we now have one owner but will eventually have seven, that’s a lot of folks to get behind improvements. … That can affect upkeep, aesthetics and safety.” He urged trustees to table the discussion and not grant exceptions to the UDC without serious consideration. “It’s a very slippery slope,” he concluded.

Peterson explained that Crystal River Marketplace, LLC intends on owning the entire asset, estimated at $100 million.

The condominiumization, he said, is a financing mechanism for the project’s completion. “We specifically sought out American National Bank as a local bank. I could have easily taken this business to a national bank outside of our community.” The hang-up, he explained, is that the project now exceeds the lending limitations of American National Bank.

“Our sole purpose,” Peterson continued, “is to create a condo plat here where we can take out the various blocks after we get them up, get them stabilized, and bring in some large institutions with long term financing that eliminates risk both for the developer and for the community.”

Newly-elected trustee Chris Hassig questioned “accelerating the developer’s process if we are still tying our shoes in terms of dealing with all of the traffic”

impacts generated by the project. Peterson responded that the development has already made contributions toward a second roundabout, including a donation of land.

“When we first approved this project in 2018, [the park] was going to be private common space. … I was actually thrilled to see that this is now going to be publicly accessible,” said trustee Erica Sparhawk.

“I don’t think it’s a giveaway,” said Mayor Ben Bohmfalk. “The developer has followed the code in every part of the process” and now, impacted by a change to the UDC, is offering an investment beyond what the town could do “with a raw piece of land and $80,000.”

Ultimately, the condominiumization was approved with Hassig as the sole dissenting vote. The details of liability and oversight will be fleshed out for an approval ordinance that staff will present at the June 14 meeting.

In other business, Erica Sparhawk was unanimously appointed to serve as mayor pro tem, facilitating meetings and signing documents when the mayor is away.

Trustees also interviewed candidates for appointment to serve the remaining two years of Bohmfalk’s vacated trustee term. Applicants included Jess Robison and Luis Yllanes, both of whom ran for election, plus Planning and Zoning Commission member Kade Gianinetti. Based on receiving the fourth most amount of votes in the election, Yllanes was unanimously appointed.

The trustees’ next regular meeting was moved from May 24 to May 31.

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THE SOPRIS SUN • Your weekly community connector • May 12 - May 18, 2022 • 21

Local poet writes a better world into existence

By Jeanne Souldern Sopris Sun Correspondent

Tony Alcántara has been writing poetry for the last 10 years, publishing poetry under his legal name — José Antonio Alcántara.

Known to friends as Tony, he explained, “When I started writing poetry, I wanted to use my legal name, José, instead of Tony, because I was in this Valley. I wanted others to see that people who have a name like mine can do things” — like become a published poet.

Growing up in New Jersey and Pennsylvania, Alcántara first came to Carbondale in 1997 as a University of Colorado Boulder student who was a member of the second cohort of the Roaring Fork Teacher Education Project (RFTEP) in Woody Creek.

He already had degrees in forestry and biology, but RFTEP student teaching garnered him a temporary teaching position at Roaring Fork High School (RFHS). Alcántara recalled, “I filled in as a science teacher, and I can’t say I did a very good job.” After completing the school year, he returned to Boulder and worked in construction.

The following years would find Alcántara teaching in Colombia, Costa Rica and back in Boulder. But, 2008 would usher in his return to the Roaring Fork Valley with teaching positions at RFHS and Basalt High School.

And as he became more involved with writing poetry, he discovered what many creative individuals face: a tug-ofwar between honing your craft versus a full-time job. Besides teaching, he worked as a baker, commercial fisherman, studio photographer and even as a mail carrier in Carbondale — all to strike a balance between his creative calling and the economic realities of living in the spendy Roaring Fork Valley.

About four years ago, he submitted a manuscript for the Patricia Bibby First Book Award. While he didn’t win the award, the California-based publisher, Tebot Bach, told Alcántara they wanted to publish his first poetry book. “The Bitten Word,” was published in 2021, but with delays caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, it wasn’t available for purchase until January 2022.

Inspiration for a poem can come from reading another poet’s

work. He and his friend and fellow poet, Matt Day, who lives in Wyoming, share poems. He explained that Day has a poem with the line “things that can break us.” Alcántara shared, “I liked that line, so I started riffing off of that.”

The opening line of his poem “Windfall,” which appeared in the April 2022 issue of Ploughshares, a prestigious literary journal, is: “Objects heavy enough to break us hang from the thinnest of threads.”

While the poem is about a windfall — a piece of unexpected good fortune — it is also about vulnerability.

On a recent trip to Honduras to visit his father and reunite with family, he explained that he thoroughly enjoyed reconnecting with loved ones but didn’t write a single poem. He describes the need for solitude to create, “I know I’m definitely doing the right thing [working as a poet], but mostly it’s a lonely business, mostly I’m off sitting by myself writing and if I don’t do that, I don’t write.”

In October, Alcántara will participate in his first artists’ residency awarded by the Virginia Center for the Creative Arts. He will be living in a community with other writers and visual artists in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. He is confident that “new writing will come because I’m in a new setting.”

Since October, he’s been traveling and writing — living on the beach in Texas and camping in Missouri — and recently returning to Carbondale. Alcántara’s nomadic lifestyle fosters his writing productivity because, he said, “I can’t write unless I have time to be off by myself,” whether that’s seated on a riverbank or off-trail mountain hiking.

Alcántara is currently working on a second poetry book and is applying for writers’ residencies across the country. He believes he has structured his life in a way to be able to dedicate time and headspace to writing poetry. “Mostly, the drive is to simplify life and not have more and more distractions.”

He admits that in many of his writing attempts, he is trying to better understand our individual and collective existence.

“Poetry is aspirational, and part of the process is trying to write a better world into existence.” Alcántara added, “You can leave the reader in a place where things can be better in a redemptive way.”

Countertop

By José Antonio Alcántara I run my hand along the surface and feel a smoothness like volcanic glass.

The granite comes all the way from India, but when I look closely, I see nebulae.

I see galaxies. I see little black suns orbited by little black planets, and on the planets, deep black holes, dug by broken black bodies.

And I see the black bodies heaving black stones, and the stones burnished in black blood, and buffed by black bone to the smoothness of volcanic glass.

And on the counter I lay bread, apples, cheese, green olives, and those little swords we use to stab the olives, so we can lift them to our mouths without dirtying our hands.

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22 • THE SOPRIS SUN • soprissun.com • May 12 - May 18, 2022

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RFHS Visual Art Show celebrates 21 years

By James Steindler Contributing Editor

It likely will not come as much of a surprise, but, did you know that Carbondale has an abundance of talented teen artists? The collective articulation of this talent is currently on display throughout the Roaring Fork High School (RFHS) library.

That’s right, the annual RFHS Visual Art Show (VAS) is up until Friday, May 13 at 5 p.m. and the community is invited to come and peruse the brilliant art in its many forms. From sketch books to stained glass sculptures and wooden fishing nets, there is a little bit of everything.

This is the 21st iteration of the annual VAS, and it’s only the second year in which woodshop has collaborated with the art department on the exhibit. Art teacher extraordinaire and the curator for the show, Leslie Keery, attributed the budding partnership to instructor Michael Black, who initiated the department's involvement.

It’s not an easy job bringing all of the pieces together; there are literally hundreds of them. In fact, Keery holds each of her students’ projects until the end of the year so every piece can be included in this showcasing event.

The exhibit is divided into five student categories: Art 1, 2, 3, 4 and AP (Advanced Placement). Each of the nine AP students (and the solo Art 4 student) have pieces from the time they started in the art program as freshmen up to their most recent.

Previous art students, teachers and other local artists make up the judging panel to determine “Best of Show” — not an envious task, considering how much talent there is to choose from.

As it turns out, and according to Keery, there is hope for anyone who dedicates their time and energy to creativity, although she approaches progress from a different perspective. “I don’t say ‘get better,’” she began. “I think they can develop artistic skills and they can also develop their personal voice — which is really the root of art.”

When asked if students narrow in on a certain medium by the time they’ve been through four years of art classes, Keery

responded that they’re most often “still experimenting with different media. They’re starting to realize who they are. They’re on what I figure is the first step in that journey — it’s always fun to watch,” she proudly expressed.

Following up on that note, The Sopris Sun inquired if art is a good means of figuring out “who we are.”

“Yeah, absolutely,” Keery replied. “You can tell a lot about the kids when you look at their artwork. I mean, I call every piece of art a self-portrait. Every piece of art that you make is a selfportrait because it’s you making it; so all of those experiences and feelings in your life as you’ve lived it come out…”

The artwork that lines the walls of the library certainly reflects an abstract understanding of the respective young artists. The works are as enlightening as they are profound and Keery is beaming with pride.

RFHS senior Payton O'Hara stands beside four years worth of her artistic creations. Photo by Sue Rollyson

Mateo Ledezma (left) and Brady Samuelson with their woodshop pieces. Photo by Sue Rollyson

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THE SOPRIS SUN • Your weekly community connector • May 12 - May 18, 2022 • 23

As the weather warms, take control of your energy bills

OPINION

Black Hills Energy

By Amy Fiala

We know customer bills and energy usage are topics of conversation in the communities we serve. A combination of factors — including the increased cost of the natural gas we purchase, recovery of costs associated with Storm Uri and costs to help cover system investments and improvements — have added to monthly costs.

The common thread is that each of these costs are necessary to provide the safe, reliable natural gas service that our customers depend on. We know changes to monthly bills can have an impact on the household budget and we’re here to help. As the weather warms, many families tackle home

spring cleaning projects, like deep cleaning or organizing. But did you know there are several spring cleaning actions you can take that could help lower your natural gas bills? Here are five jobs to tackle to help reduce your energy usage and make your home — and appliances — more energy efficient: 1. Replace filters for your HVAC system. Check and replace your filters every three months.

Dirty filters make your furnace work extra hard to push the air through, using more energy and increasing the wear and tear on your system.

2. Service your furnace. An annual furnace inspection will ensure your heating system is working safely and efficiently.

Our experienced Service Guard technicians can help keep your furnace in shape. Visit www. blackhillsenerg y.com/ser viceguard to learn more.

3. Deep clean your oven. When an oven is deep cleaned, it will reach desired cooking temperatures more quickly which reduces energy usage.

Heat is also better distributed, so your food is cooked more evenly.

Keep in mind that frequently using the self-cleaning feature on your

KDNK: forever young Photo and text by James Steindler “If you don’t go to prom, you’ll miss out on this once in a lifetime opportunity.”

Does anyone remember their parents saying that? Well, KDNK has proved them wrong by providing that unexpected second chance.

KDNK members and nonmembers alike converged at The Arts Campus at Willits on Saturday, May 8, for the beloved local radio station’s inaugural Thrift Shop Prom fundraiser.

KDNK hopes to carry on the event as an annual tradition.

Upon walking in, at least for early arrivals, the scene did resemble a typical high school prom with everyone awkwardly standing around and conversing on the edge of the dance floor. Before long, however, the crowd was moving and a-grooving.

Friday morning 8 to 10 a.m. KDNK DJ host April Spaulding (Ape on the Dink) takes the stage in her fancy thrift shop duds.

24 • THE SOPRIS SUN • soprissun.com • May 12 - May 18, 2022

oven can be expensive because it uses a lot of energy, so try to wipe up messes promptly using baking soda and water to keep your oven clean throughout the year.

4. Flush your hot water heater.

Doing this annually is not only good for your water heater, but you’ll also become familiar with how the appliance works and better equipped to spot potential issues. Plus, if your unit is in a spot that’s exposed to cold temperatures, consider insulating the unit to help reduce how much energy it’s using to heat water.

5. Conduct a home safety check. Lastly, remember to replace the batteries in your carbon monoxide and smoke detectors.

Plus, test the units to make sure they’re still working properly.

Black Hills Energy is committed to keeping you safe, while empowering you to take control of your energy usage. There’s no better time to tackle home efficiency projects than during annual spring cleaning and these five actions can go a long way to helping keep your home running efficiently and energy costs down. For more energy-saving tips and to apply for an energy audit and rebates, visit www.blackhillsenergy. com/monitor-energy-usage If you need help paying your energy bills, reach out to our customer service team (888890-5554) or visit our energy assistance programs webpage: w w w. b l a c k h i l l s e n e r g y. c o m / assistance-programs

OBITUARY

Richard Scott McKinley March 29, 1955 – April 7, 2022

Richard (Dick) Scott McKinley passed away at the age of 67 following a courageous, year-long battle with brain cancer.

Dick affected countless people with his never-ending optimism and his love for life. He greeted each day with a contagious smile and often reflected, “It’s been a great day!”

His lifelong relationships with so many people made him well-known in a variety of ways. Although always a true cowboy at heart, his most important titles were that of husband, father and grandpa.

Dick was born in 1955 to George Burton and Harriett (Sunny) Marie McKinley in Boulder. He grew up in Western Colorado where he learned to love the great outdoors: skiing, fishing, hunting and exploring the natural surroundings.

After graduating from Grand Junction High School, he married Michelle Patterick and the couple had two beautiful children together, Maitt Mathew and Mandelyn Marie.

They later moved to Mack, where he began operating the family ranch, fulltime. To him, working on the ranch was never considered a “job” but instead, was an exceptional way of life.

His experiences there and the many cherished friendships he made always remained an integral part of him.

Dick later met Carolyn and her two beautiful children, Chelci and Jason Bruno. They began their loving and devoted lifetime together when they were married in December of 1990 in Grand Junction. They moved shortly thereafter to Glenwood Springs, where he began his career in the energy business with KN Energy and eventually earned the position of general manager of KN Field Services.

His entrepreneurial spirit and work ethic (often viewed as his stubborn determination), led him to start his innovation company, Fast Fusion, in 2003. By bringing a new method to the industry of fusing HDPE pipe, he quickly built Fast Fusion into a very successful international company. He was ultimately recognized by the Construction Innovation Forum for revolutionizing the industry and received the international NOVA Award, the “Nobel Prize” for innovation in construction.

With the establishment of Fast Fusion, the opportunity came for Dick and Carolyn to choose where they would like to call home.

After exploring many options, they returned home to Colorado and settled in Palisade in 2006.

In his later years, Dick’s happiest moments undeniably came in the role of “grandpa” to his granddaughter McKinley Marie.

Courtesy photo

McKinley was a big part of his world for the past eight years and he cherished every moment with her.

They were the best of friends!

Dick valued his success in business, participation on local boards and commissions and his philanthropic endeavors for his community. Trusting life always had a way of working out, his spontaneity paved the way for opportunities in business, travel and memorable life adventures with family and friends.

His legacy of love, words of wisdom and pursuit of family will forever be remembered. He truly had a special way of connecting with others, confirming they were valued and understood.

He was preceded in death by his parents, George B., and Harriett (Sunny) McKinley; by his brother, Robert (Bob); and his son, Maitt Mathew.

He is survived by his wife of 32 years, Carolyn; his daughter, Mandelyn Huiras ( Jim) of Solana Beach, California; his bonus daughter, Chelci Bruno of Lolo, Minnesota; his bonus son, Jason Bruno of Price, Utah; his adopted sister, Karen Cowan (Bill); his brother, Thomas McKinley ( Janet); his sister, Ann Gianinetti (Mark); his granddaughter, McKinley Marie Huiras; nieces and nephews, Sara, Kathryn, Thomas, Kade, Hattie and Megan; and many great-nieces, nephews and cousins.

A celebration of Dick’s life will be announced at a later date as plans are made pursuant to his wishes.

Dick was passionate about contributing to organizations that would help change or enhance the lives of children and the community. Our family requests those who wish to show their support to consider making a donation to a charity or organization of their choice or to HopeWest Hospice (3090 North 12th Street, Unit B, Grand Junction, CO 81506).

We will be forever grateful for the caring staff of HopeWest Hospice in Grand Junction for the utmost comfort and care they provided.

Your source for showcasing local fiction, poetry and more!

Send your creative pieces to: fiction@soprissun.com

Poetry

S hort Stories by Students

The Day of the Troubadours

Moon in a Glass

By Kitty Riley

By Mackinnon Frisbie Carbondale Community School

A band of troubadours came into town Traveling from far beyond Their instruments with them all around And stories to pass on.

The day was hot and the sky was blue Weary were they from the roads I offered them shade and a drink to cool And a place to rest their souls.

We talked a while of many things Of weather, books and time But soon they had to tune their strings And ready their words of rhyme.

They sang from their hearts to those who listened The night grew dark outside The air cooled down, the stars they glistened While the music played inside.

But then came the hour to end the show Their tales were told so fair They left when the morning was all aglow But their music still drifts in the air.

Tom turkeys strut their stuff near County Road 112 on Cinco de Mayo. Photo by Tommy Sands

her mother felt obliged to do the same.

“She’s been having narcoleptic attacks. At random times she simply falls asleep. Just the other day, she raised her hand in class and when the teacher called on her she landed face down on her desk, lightly snoring.”

“And what is the source of this information? How did you receive it?”

“Mrs. Laroux told us. She’s been Charlotte’s teacher since third grade, and Charlotte is in seventh. She cares for the girl and never lies.” Think again, Charlotte mentally contradicted.

“Alright, but do you trust her?” the doctor prodded.

“What a question! After all we have just told you, you imagine us not to trust her?!”

“Alright, alright. Calm down. What have you tried to stop the narcolepsy?”

“Ha!” yelled Charlotte's father. “More like, what haven't we tried? Every trick on the internet, but those only work if you know what’s causing the narcolepsy and this is just plain random!” The doctor pretended not to notice the strain in his voice and inspected Charlotte’s face for an uncomfortably long time. “Well, she looks like a perfectly normal 13-year-old girl,” he commented.

“Twelve,” Charlotte’s mother reminded him. “Twelve.”

“Ah, yes. My apologies, Charlotte. Although she looks normal, she needs to stay here for the rest of the week. Just in case of any unexpected developments. Could you please lie on your stomach, Charlotte?”

Charlotte did as she was told and the doctor used one cold hand to push up her shirt. “What are these bumps on your shoulder blades?” He ran his other hand along them. “Probably just a deformation, like a double joint or detached earlobe.” But, it was all Charlotte could do to not cry out with agony, for when the doctor rubbed the bumps they grew tender and left her in great pain.

Then the doctor moved the bright light from Charlotte’s path of vision and she saw the distraught faces of her parents.

They looked quite unhappy with the arrangement. The doctor noticed this and spoke a few words to calm them.

“It’s the only way to see if there’s a cure for her narcolepsy.

Or at least find out what’s causing it.”

With that, the doctor ended the conversation and any possible objections. “We understand,” her father finally agreed with the information with a melancholy sigh and

“Perfect!” was the last word Charlotte heard before the light began to blot out everything, like a fresh stain of ink on a thin sheet of fabric pulled taut. Then the light inverted and turned dark, with the sound of sleeping gas hissing from the nearest fiberglass tube and her parents leaving.

Charlotte awoke in complete darkness. It seemed no time had passed at all, but there was no existing proof and she felt strangely helpless. She started going over things in her head.

It was probably night and there would be no one around.

Suddenly, she heard a sound like a switch. She quickly scanned the room for movements and silhouettes of people.

Then, instantly and with a feeling of being splashed with ice water, she realized there was not a single silhouette of anything. It was pure darkness. She was mortified to realize that her eyes were closed. She tried to open her eyes. Her body seemed to be in a paralyzed state, for she could not move anything — not even wiggle her pinky toe.

After about a dozen tries, she accepted it and returned to her thoughts, hiding in them from the fear of loneliness.

Then a stream of light broke through, the murky darkness seemed to clear, the stream widened and the crystal-clear light broke the deep endless dark.

For a moment she was blinded, but in her paralyzed state there was not a thing she could use to protect herself from the luminescence. The light crescendoed and she was a second from shattering sanity, but then it dimmed.

It dimmed to the soft soothing light that heals even the deepest of cuts. The feeling of helplessness snapped like elastic stretched too far. The paralyzation broke into pieces, but the edges slashed at her mind like steel sharpened to perfection. Then it stopped, and a rush of relief started to drown her. There was no air. She couldn’t breathe.

Her frantic eyes snapped open and she took long hard gulps of cold wet air. After she had satisfied her thirst, she looked around straight into deep blue eyes — the color of velvet night.

WE ARE PLEASED TO SPONSOR “WORK IN PROGRESS”

Looking for your next good book?

Stop by and browse at White River Books!

65 N 2nd Street, Carbondale • 970-340-4503 Hours: Tues. 10-3; Wed.-Sat. 10-5; Sun. 12-4. Closed Mondays.

Facebook: white river books •

www.whiteriverbooks.org

• Instagram: @whiteriverbooks

THE SOPRIS SUN • Your weekly community connector • May 12 - May 18, 2022 • 25

LETTERS 6, to witness almost 1,000 ping pong balls tumble from a fire ladder truck onto targets on the ground to select our winners. It was a beautiful, sunny day and great fun!

Huge thanks go out to our title sponsor, Ace Hardware of Carbondale, for their consistent, dedicated support. Alpine Bank, Umbrella Roofing, Sopris Liquor and Wine, super Rotarian Mike Waski, The Post Independent and RJ Paddywacks Pet Outfitters also stepped in with key support.

Other sponsors included ANB Bank, Becky Dombrowski at Sotheby’s Real Estate Glenwood Springs, Karen Pierson and Brian Leasure of Aspen Snowmass Sotheby’s Real Estate at RVR, Herschel Ross DDS Family Dentistry, Jim Kenney, L&H Enterprises, Modern Day Media, Nardecchia Dental, Roaring Fork Family Physicians, Wealth by Design, Whitsitt Law Office LLC and RK Wolff Safety Consulting.

We would like to especially thank the wonderful men and women of the Carbondale & Rural Fire Protection District. They once again provided the equipment, manpower, expertise and good music that made it all possible!

Thanks also go to our event partners: the town of Carbondale’s Parks and Recreation Department, Andrea and everyone at the Carbondale Chamber, The Sopris Sun, Greg and the crew at KDNK and everyone at City Market Carbondale.

Thanks also to Bennett Bramson of the Aspen Rotary Club, Carbondale Police, and the Mt. Sopris Rotary Club of Carbondale.

Lastly, many thanks to all of you who bought balls from us, Ascendigo, Roaring Fork Youth Soccer, Roaring Fork Pickleball, Coventure and YouthZone, and helped us raise much-needed funds for all our community service projects,

continued from page 2 scholarships and grants. We are indeed grateful to be part of this wonderful community.

Yours in service, Alan Cole, Carbondale Rotary Fundraising Chair Heather Hicks-Stumpf, Rotary President 2021-2022

More gratitude On April 29, 2022, Crystal River Elementary School (CRES) celebrated the 9th Annual Rams Run! It was a sea of gold, while students from every grade took to the course in matching shirts throughout the day, running to music and raising money for the special programs at their school.

This event is a favorite among students, teachers and families at CRES. It was wonderful to see the kids taking pride in being a Ram, and feeling empowered to support the programs that expand their awareness, experiences and knowledge.

Without the support of our sponsors, volunteers and staff, the event wouldn’t be possible. We would like to extend a heartfelt “thank you” to Ridge Runner Construction, Stratus Group, Comfort Dental, Coldwell Banker Mason Morse broker Carly Passchier, Valley Ortho, Cheney Plumbing and Heating, CUC Construction, Blue Sky Carpet and Upholstery Cleaning, Aspen Tree Service and Independence Run & Hike. Your generous donations to Rams Run are deeply appreciated and the impact reverberates far beyond the event itself.

With sincere gratitude, Autumn Evans-Lough, Crystal River Elementary

Now Open

After Hours Urgent Care Life keeps going after hours and so do we.

Valley View is proud to announce the opening of After Hours Urgent Care. From nasal congestion to a sprained ankle, our walk-in clinic is here to treat you. Thanks to its convenient location inside Valley View next to the Emergency Department, you get to decide the right level of care for you at the right price.

OPEN EVENINGS AND WEEKENDS FOR SAME-DAY, WALK-IN CARE IN GLENWOOD SPRINGS.

LEARN MORE AT VVH.ORG/URGENTCARE 26 • THE SOPRIS SUN • soprissun.com • May 12 - May 18, 2022

PARTING SHOT

Less Rios (far left) (appearing as Ryūko Matoi from "Kill la Kill") judged the cosplay contest. (top middle) Garfield County Libraries’ communications and marketing director James Larson personally presses t-shirts. (bottom middle) Parachute Library's own Natalie Smith facilitated a steampunk goggle making course.

Rafael Maldonado Bad Hand (above) is the creator of "Pilla," a comic book series about a little girl navigating a post-apocalyptic world.

Garfield County Public Library District (GCPLD) held its first Comic Festival on Saturday, May 7 at its Glenwood Springs (pictured) and Parachute branches. GCPLD intends to make it a yearly event.

Photos by James Steindler

SERVICE DIRECTORY Adverteyes Advert eyes in The Sun

WINDSHIELD & AUTO GLASS REPLACEMENT WINDSHIELD

For more information contact Todd Chamberlin REPAIR adsales@soprissun.com or 970-510-0246 REPAIR & AUTO GLASS REPLACEMENTMo

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Mobile Service Available

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Locally Owned by David Zamansky

Locally owned byby Jake Zamansky Locally Owned David Zamansky

500 Buggy Circle, Carbondale, CO 500 Buggy Circle, Carbondale, CO 289 MAIN STREET | (970) 963-2826 | CARBONDALEAH@GMAIL.COM

PUBLIC NOTICE:

Certified Veterinary Technician or Experienced Veterinary Assistant

Cellco Partnership and its controlled affiliates doing business as Verizon Wireless is proposing to install a monopole telecommunications tower located near Garfield County Pin: 239319201070, Carbondale, Garfield County, Colorado 81623 (lat/long 39° 26’ 3.12” N Long: -107° 15’ 52.26” W). The height of the support structure is 60 feet above grade surface (AGS). The overall structure height is 65 feet AGS. Public comments regarding potential effects from this site on historic properties may be submitted within 30 days from the date of this publication to: Terracon Consultants, ATTN: Philip Lind, 15080 A Circle, Omaha, Nebraska 68144, (402) 330-2202 or Phil.Lind@terracon.com.

Monthly Housing Stipend, Sign-On Bonus & Relocation Support Offered!

Aspen Animal Hospital is a busy four-doctor practice with an excellent highend clientele. We are currently becoming an AAHA accredited hospital, and our in-house offerings include advanced ultrasound, endoscopy, laparoscopic surgery, and orthopedics.

As a Licensed Veterinary Technician, you are a leader within the hospital. We are seeking someone who has a true passion for the industry and desires to expand skills and knowledge while providing robust support for both our doctors and staff. Solid technical skills will include patient restraint, phlebotomy, and anesthesia.

Full-time benefits start within 30 days! • Hourly $30-$40 DOE Contact Ryan Hart at ryan.hart@wellhaven.com Visit www.wellhaven.com

THE SOPRIS SUN • Your weekly community connector • May 12 - May 18, 2022 • 27

Help us spread the sunshine!

Our Fundraising Goal is $25,000 By supporting The Sopris Sun, you will help us: CONTINUE TO FOCUS ON SUPPORTING OTHER NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS $100 provides free ad space each month FOSTER DIVERSE, INDEPENDENT, LOCAL JOURNALISM TODAY AND FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS $250 funds helps provide a pool of funds to support our local contributors for the incredible work they do each week.

OFFER INSTRUCTION AND GROWTH EXPERIENCES TO BUDDING JOURNALISTS $500 funds an entire semester for a student in our new High School Journalism program PROVIDE COVERAGE TO UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES $1,000 provides resources to expand the editorial and distribution of the Spanish language insert

shers i l b u P ry Honora 000 , 1 $ e giv for e r o or m ears, y e l p multi e and ar on listed head t s a m our

Donor Levels TITLE Underwriter Benefactor Laureate Publisher’s Circle Journalism Advocate Sunscribers

AMOUNT $25,000 $10,000 $5,000 $2,500 $1,000 up to $999

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VISIT SoprisSun.com/donate • CALL 970-510-0246 MAIL PO Box 399, Carbondale, CO 81623 Scan to donate!

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28 • THE SOPRIS SUN • soprissun.com • May 12 - May 18, 2022