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Carbondale’s weekly

Amy Westervelt and Noah Fitzgerald

Jordan and Cortland Schoeller

Maira Dominguez and Izabella Angelli

community connector

Cara and Colby Nieslanik

Volume 11, Number 13 | May 9, 2019

Ericka Crampton with Vonne and Rozalynn Crampton-Puzick

Elizabeth Holway Pettit and Gigi O. Pettit

Esmeralda and Valentina Campos

Happy Mo"er's Day

Congratulations to the Roaring Fork Valley's newest moms and babies! We had a record turnout this year, and photographer Mark Burrows (rfvphoto.com) has been working double time to keep up. We'd like to thank him and everyone who participated in keeping this tradition alive.

Melissa with Emiliano and Leandro Romero

Molly and Nell Dillon

Kathleen and Alexander Wanatowitz

Sabrina Lahti and Daisy May

Yudi and Xavier Armendariz More mothers and babies on Page 7

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Carbondale Commentary

The views and opinions expressed on the Commentary page do not necessarily reflect those of The Sopris Sun. The Sopris Sun invites all members of the community to submit letters to the editor or guest columns. For more information, email editor Will Grandbois at news@soprissun.com, or call 510-3003.

Mexicans don’t ski?

I don’t know about you, but I’m still buzzing with fuzzy good feelings days and days after attending the 5Point Film Festival. One film that caught my attention this year was The Brotherhood of Skiing, a film about an organization of black skiers that started in 1973.

After the film one of the young directors was brought up on stage. The emcee then proceeded to play devil’s advocate.

Bits & Pieces After the film one of the young diBy Judith Ritschard rectors was brought up on stage. The emcee invited him to respond to the unfortunate but invariable question of why diversity is important in the outdoor industry and beyond.

The director seemed a bit unsettled because well, let’s face it, talking about the spiny subject of race in front of hundreds of people is no easy task, especially as a white male. His eventual response: “Well, don’t we all want to see everyone up there skiing?”

I had to overcome my urge to jump up on stage and help him out. After all, at one point I was just like that young black guy in the film whose girlfriend said to him, “Black people don’t ski.” But, instead of black insert Mexican. “Don’t you know real Mexicans don’t ski?” were words that rang loud and clear in my world as I grew up in a ski town. It’s a good thing I never listened.

What I wanted the creator of this film to say was that it’s important to showcase minorities doing things like skiing, or simply portrayed enjoying the outdoors, say on the cover of maga-

OPINION

zines or other advertisements, because there currently exists a major lack of diversity in the outdoors and recreation in general.

This is not a question of special treatment or favoring minorities instead of white people. It’s not about “instead of,” it’s about “in addition to. ” The film also helps show younger minorities, who might not be able to imagine themselves as part of the ski world, that this sport is not set aside exclusively for white people. A film like “The Brotherhood of Skiing” — or even an advertisement with a few brown or black faces — can be the one thing that could encourages a minority kid, to think it’s possible for them to participate in The Great Outdoors, a world that can feel unwelcoming.

Maybe that comes as a shock to some of you who have never felt “othered,” but I’m telling you when no one out there skiing (or hiking, or camping) looks like you, it can be downright intimidating. And with this intimidation there is the risk of missing out completely on the wonders and positive benefits of spending time in nature. Be it the view from the top of a mountain, camping by a lake or gliding down a ski run, everyone should feel welcome in the outdoors regardless of their ethnicity.

Lastly, it is so critical for our society to see minorities shining brightly, falling in love with their passion, and doing positive, healthy activities in the outdoors. This portrayal helps break the stereotypes by acting as a direct opposition to how awful people of color can be portrayed in the media.

So, young director, if you happen to read this, take heart. I applaud you for making a phenomenal film that takes a unique look at the world of skiing through the minority group’s perspective. And, yes, most people do want to see everyone out there skiing and enjoying the outdoors, but there’s much more to it than that. So, if by chance you find yourself at your next film festival and you are asked the same question, feel free to use this minority’s explanation. Seriously, I won’t mind.

Sincerest thanks to our

Honorary Publishers

for their annual commitment of $1,000+ Jim Calaway, Honorary Chair Kay Brunnier Scott Gilbert – Habitat for Humanity RFV Bob Young – Alpine Bank Peter Gilbert Umbrella Roofing, Inc. Bill Spence and Sue Edelstein Greg and Kathy Feinsinger Carolyn Nelson Jim Noyes True Nature Healing Arts Nicolette Toussaint Email barbara.dills@gmail.com for more information.

Legacy Givers

for including us in their final wishes.

Mary Lilly

And all our SunScribers

and community members for your support.

Letters

The Sopris Sun welcomes your letters, limited to no more than 500 words via email at news@soprissun.com or 250 words via snail mail at P.O. Box 399, Carbondale CO 81623. he deadline for submission is noon on Monday.

Proud of CMS Dear Editor: Let’s applaud the parents, students, teachers, administrators of the Carbondale Middle School. They put on an amazing First Friday with the help of the community.

The bands sounded really good. It was such a pleasure to see so many young adults engaging with their follow students in a positive and cheerful way. The conductor has to be one patient and stern lady to get the quality of sound that came out of those students on Friday.

The rest of the area was filled with booths that allowed children to make pictures and crafts. I didn’t see many completed ones, but the one that I saw made by a young girl was a colorful picture with the words, “ I love my family.” Need to see anymore?

What a progressive leadership that supports adolescent questions with real life support by qualified staff.

Maybe a standing ovation is more appropriate, as they did get a beautiful spring afternoon to shine their talents and disciplines with all of us. Thank you all who participated.

Paramroop S. Khalsa Carbondale

We appreciate our staff Dear Editor: The Roaring Fork Schools have declared May as Staff Appreciation Month. As we celebrate many end-of-year achievements for our students and schools, we want to formally recognize the dedicated staff members who make those successes possible.

There is no question that our staff are the organization’s most important asset.

Our staff members are true superheroes — inspiring and motivating, caring for oth-

ers and fixing, and changing lives. We have more than 1,000 staff members, and each person plays a crucial role in supporting the mission of ensuring our students thrive.

It is no secret that the school funding situation in Colorado is dire and that none of our staff members earn what they should given how hard they work. So, now more than ever, we want to appreciate every staff member for making a difference for our students and communities. Personally, and on behalf of the board of education and leadership team of the school district, I want to thank all staff members for making the Roaring Fork Schools a great place to learn and work.

Rob Stein, Superintendent Roaring Fork School District

Battling the summer slide for struggling readers Dear Editor: One’s ability to read and write is not an indication of one’s intelligence.

Any parent of a struggling reader or dyslexic child knows this to be fact. As parents, we have to watch our children work twice as hard as their peers just to stay afloat. All the while self-esteem and generalized anxiety associated with being a poor learner is a battle each school day. Keeping up with reading over the summer is important for all children but it is crucial for struggling readers.

I struggled with reading and understand personally the battle to keep self-confidence and a positive attitude toward school. Not only that, but my fifth grade son is currently struggling with reading. It is killing me to watch him deal with the same issues I experienced in school. The issues I would never have wished on anyone, especially my own child.

2 • THE SOPRIS SUN • www.SoprisSun.com • MAY 9 - MAY 15, 2019

Inspired by my son, I just finished a program to become a reading practitioner of a particular Orton-Gillingham based program. I am currently certified in the Wilson Reading System and taking new students for my tutoring business. The Wilson Reading system is a multisensory approach to teaching students to decode or break words into syllables and phonemes. While traditional readers can pick up these rules and patterns naturally many students need to be taught every rule and pattern directly. Eventually these readers do become fluent readers but it takes practice and a good reading tutor.

Avoid the summer slide and help your child move forward in reading. The months of May and June I am taking students at an introductory price of $30 an hour for six months. I can be contacted at 379-1728.

Just ask for Julie. Or call Wilson Academy at (800) 899-8454 .

Julie Lang Carbondale

Dandelions for bees Dear Editor: Every child appreciates the beauty of springtime dandelions. Adults, not so much.

For incomprehensible reasons, as we grow older, our juvenile appreciation of May's golden gift gives way to disgust. Hence society's obsession with poisoning dandelions, mowing them, digging them up.

Meanwhile, honey bees and other pollinators face a juggernaut of environmental stresses. They include pesticides, diseases, parasitic mites, and incomplete and insufficient nutrition.

The most important spring flower for bees is the dandelion. Given sufficiently warm weather, bees recovering from the stress of winter go forth in April and May Continued on page 14.

It truly takes a village to keep The Sun shining.

Donate online or by mail.

P.O. Box 399 Carbondale, CO 81623 520 S. Third Street #32 970-510-3003 www.soprissun.com Editor Will Grandbois • 970-510-0540 news@soprissun.com Advertising: Carol Fabian • 970-510-0246 adsales@soprissun.com Reporter: Megan Tackett Graphic Designer: Ylice Golden Delivery: Tom Sands Current Board Members board@soprissun.com Marilyn Murphy, President Raleigh Burleigh, Vice President Linda Criswell, Secretary Klaus Kocher, Treasurer John Colson • April Spaulding Kay Clarke • Carol Craven The Sopris Sun Board meets regularly on the second Monday evening of each month at the Third Street Center.

Founding Board Members Allyn Harvey • Becky Young • Colin Laird Barbara New • Elizabeth Phillips Peggy DeVilbiss • Russ Criswell Send us your comments: feedback@soprissun.com The Sopris Sun, Inc. is a proud member of the Carbondale Creative District The Sopris Sun, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation. Donations to The Sun are fully tax deductible

A fabulous First Friday

The whole town seems a little happier after the festivities last Friday. Of course, the headliner was the "Be You" pride parade organized by the Carbondale Middle School GSA, which brought out participants of all ages and backgrounds.

Aspen Out brought its giant rainbow flag down, which unified the block-long parade into one big collaboration. True Nature Healing Arts helped set the mood with a drum circle and pre-party, then all that energy spilled into the Family Block Party at Fourth and Main, where there was music, kids' activities and more.

Coupled with a special film showing at the Crystal Theatre and art happenings at the Main Street Gallery, Launchpad and Rio Grande trail, it made for a wild weekend even before Saturday brought planting, recycling and drag. Photos

by Mark Burrows

The Sopris Sun, Carbondale’s weekly community connector • MAY 9 - MAY 15, 2019 • 3

Scuttlebutt

Send your scuttlebutt to news@soprissun.com.

Symbol in the sky

To school by different means

Even newcomers to the area can’t help but notice Mt. Sopris looming over the midvalley, and it doesn’t take long for folks to form an attachment to it (heck, we named our paper after it). So if we’re gonna get statewide press for something, we’re glad it’s that twin-peaked mountain, and it’s even better to have it written by Issacson School Instructor and Rock and Ice Magazine Editor Alison Osius. Her ode in the May edition of 5280 (tinyurl.com/5280sopris) takes off from a trip to the top and discusses the significance of summiting as well as just looking at it every day.

Kids of all ages and stripes will be walking, biking, scootering or otherwise transporting themselves to 11 Garfield County elementary or K-8 schools on May 14, as part of the county’s Bike To School Day. According to a statement from the county, the participants are expected to arrive at their respective schools before 8 a.m. that day.

‘Help us roar’ “We are women, hear us roar, in numbers too big to ignore!” sang Helen Reddy decades ago, that sentiment has been taken up with determination in recent years, most immediately in the upcoming editions of Alice the online magazine. With the theme, “Help Us Roar,” the magazine will be welcoming contributions from the public as well local band Let Them Roar to spotlight “those amongst us who live with a resolute integrity and bravery to do that which is morally and humanely righteous.” Contributions are due by May 15, for the June 1 publication, and hopeful contributors can contact editor Maura Masters with questions.

On lock Ahead of the start of their Summer Series, Sunset Sessions, the Wheeler Opera House has unveiled a new name for the Wheeler Bar Lobby: The Vault. The name was chosen from several community suggestions collected over the past months and is also available for year-round community rental events. When Jerome Wheeler opened the Opera House in 1889, he also had a thriving banking business, infusing cash into various mines among other things.

Take a look, it’s in a book The Carbondale Branch Library is looking for teen volunteers to help with its Summer Reading Program. Join us for one of two sessions at the library on Wednesday, May 15: at 2 p.m. or 4 p.m. — whichever works best for your schedule. For more information call 963-2889.

Filling station The Bureau of Land Management has approved a 2.25acre right-of-way for the Basalt and Rural Fire Protection District to construct and operate a fire station about four miles southwest of Basalt on West Sopris Creek Road. The station is needed to better serve the growing area, and suitable sites to build the station are limited. The new fire station will have two bays, one for a fire vehicle and one for a medical response vehicle. Construction is anticipated to begin late spring or early summer.

Follow us @HighQRockies

The Sun was on hand when Amy Kimberly got the news that she was one of three 2019 winners of the Governor's Creative Leadership Award, which honors those who demonstrate commitment, advocacy, vision, collaboration and innovation. Photo by Will Grandbois

I’m on a boat In partnership with the Ruedi Water and Power Authority and Colorado Parks and Wildlife, Ruedi Reservoir Boat Ramp opened May 1 for the 2019 season.

As in years past, motorized boats are required to undergo inspections prior to launch to prevent the spread of Aquatic Nuisance Species into the waterway. Hours of operation are 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. through May 19, then 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. until June 30, 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. until Sept. 2 and back to 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. through the end of October.

In loving memory The life and times of the late Randy Strauss, who passed away two months ago after living for most of his life in Carbondale, will be celebrated on Saturday at 2 p.m. at The Waldorf School, 16615 Old Highway 82, just east of town, according to his family.

They say it’s your birthday Folks celebrating another year of life this week include: Karen Crownhart-Nieslanik (May 9); Kay Bell (May 10); Mark Chain (May 11); Pat Noel, Renee Prince, J David Taylor, Megan Cook, Jimmy Byrne, Camy Britt and Bill Jochems (May 13); Doc Philip and Steve Standiford (May 14); Jonelle Luther, Lindsay Dudycha, Kellie Land, Jenny Cutright and Greg Masse (May 15).

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4 • THE SOPRIS SUN • www.SoprisSun.com • MAY 9 - MAY 15, 2019

A win for CRMS, a loss for Roaring Fork in at-home playoffs

By Will Grandbois Sopris Sun Staff

Carbondale had the unusual privilege of hosting two overlapping state playoff games on May 7.

First up was Colorado Rocky Mountain School’s soccer girls. With only two non-league losses to their name — including one to 3A Roaring Fork — the Pearls have led the Western Slope for 2A, so Del Norte had to come to them for the first round.

CRMS took an early lead with a quick point at the start of the game and another unanswered before the half. In the second, however, the Tigers scored three points to the home team’s one, tying things up and sending the game into overtime. The Pearls rallied and clinched a 4-3 win.

Not only are they within striking distance this year, but the girls also have the potential to dominate in future years. While this is the last season for Sophia Jacober, Ella Beck and Macie Brendlinger, some of the team’s top scorers are underclassmen. Sophomore Riley Puckett and Freshmen Zea Anderson each boast 14 goals over the course of the season, with six and eight games played, respectively.

They whole crew will travel to Dawson School in Lafayette for a 4:15 p.m. quarterfinal on May 10. Both teams are 4-0 in league, with Dawson ranked second and CRMS ranked third in the playoff predictions.

The Roaring Fork High School girls’

soccer team, meanwhile, was scheduled for its own away playoff game against Stapleton after press time on May 8.

Instead, it was the fledgling varsity lacrosse team that got to start — and, it turns out, end — the playoffs with a home game.

The team, which includes students from Basalt and Glenwood as well as Carbondale, has had a tremendous first season, coming out of the regular season 10-2 in a league that includes much larger schools like Grand Junction and Durango. And once again, there’s plenty of hope for the future. Hanna Feder, Hannah Cole and Francesca Williams will graduate this year, but junior Lecsi Glenn and sophomore Gabby Narby have each averaged 4 goals per game with 12 and 11 games played, respectively.

They met their match in Conifer. The Lobos outscored the Rams 3 to 1 in the first half, and while Roaring Fork rallied somewhat in the second, Conifer continued to pull ahead for a final score of 20-9.

The state track meet, meanwhile, is just around the corner on May 16, although the Rams didn’t place in the Western Slope League.

The one Roaring Fork team still in the midst of its regular season is baseball, with home games against Grand Valley starting at 3 p.m. on May 9 and Basalt at 11 a.m. on May 11. While the boys' overall record is rather rough, they're actually 4-3 in league.

Open Enrollment Our Focus Rigorous Academics Faith-based education Partnering with Parents Safe Environment

The green team won both games on Tuesday night, which was a cause for celebration in Carbondale.

CRMS was wearing their green jerseys in the soccer match against Del Norte (above). Conifer, in their green jerseys, defeated Roaring Fork lacrosse (right).

Results for the Rams' away soccer playoff were not available at press time.

Photos by Will Grandbois

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The Sopris Sun, Carbondale’s weekly community connector • MAY 9 - MAY 15, 2019 • 5

Sinfonia, Symphony, Choral and Choir connect for collaboration

By Jeanne Souldern Sopris Sun Correspondent "It's one of the greatest things that ever happened.

It should have happened a long time ago." That is how Wendy Larson, of High Country Sinfonia, described the first-time collaboration between four local music organizations: the Aspen Choral Society, Symphony in the Valley, High Country Sinfonia, and the Maroon Bel Canto Choirs Program.

Three performances of "Music That Connects Us" will be presented over Mother's Day weekend in Aspen, Rifle, and Glenwood Springs. The series will be conducted by Paul Dankers, music director for the Aspen Choral Society, Kelly Thompson, music director for Symphony in the Valley, and Wendy Larson, coordinator of High Country Sinfonia.

The collaboration came about through a series of events that began with Stephanie Askew, jazz and classical vocalist and co-owner of the Redstone Art Gallery, and Dankers brainstorming different ideas. Askew suggested to Dankers that the Aspen Choral Society and Symphony in the Valley should do something together.

After last spring’s Aspen Choral Society concert, Dankers thought about the idea more seriously and contacted Thompson and others from Symphony in the Valley. Dankers and Larson had worked together before, and Dankers asked Larson to involve High Country Sinfonia. The project lent itself to adding more string players, as Larson described, “to give the orchestra more of a rounded out feeling, to provide a more lush sound.”

Larson explained, "To perform large choral works you need an orchestra." She adds, "I know it's way over 100 people that are going to be performing at this concert, which is a celebration in itself. And we have such a wonderful community and people that are willing to give up their time and volunteer to perform music."

Bringing together the four organizations was no small task and the end result should prove to be a special event for both participants and attendees.

The concert begins with Symphony in the Valley,

conducted by Larson and Thompson, performing English composer William Walton's coronation march, "Crown Imperial." The recessional piece was performed at the 2011 wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton.

Then Wendy Larson will conduct High Country Sinfonia for Beethoven's "Egmont Overture" and Aaron Copland's Variations on a Shaker Melody from "Appalachian Spring."

Larson, who is also a cellist, brings a unique perspective due to her tenure with all three organizations — even performing in each group's first concert. She is the founder of High Country Sinfonia, Photo by Jennifer Johnson a group of professional and Music That Connects Us semi-professional string play7 p.m.

Friday May 10 at Harris Concert Hall in Aspen ers, which began in 2015.

7 p.m. Saturday, May 11 at the Ute Theater in Rifle Other music selections include works by Mozart, 4 p.m. Sunday, May 12 at the Glenwood Springs High School Auditorium Bach, Béla Bartók, and American composers Robert ShelDankers said of Rutter's music, "What Andrew Lloyd don and Jared Spears.

Webber did for the [resurgence of the] musical theatre Dankers and Thompson choose selections from John scene, John Rutter did for the choir scene. He wrote this Rutter's repertoire for the concert finale, which will in- wonderful choir music that was beautiful and had strong clude the choir performing Rutter's "All Things Bright and interesting rhythms." and Beautiful" and "Children of the Masses." Thompson Dankers noted, "This is really the perfect way to spend described the work as, "an incredibly challenging piece, a Mother's Day." He added, "If families are looking for a but a very beautiful piece." way to honor their mothers, take them out for lunch, and Fourteen students from the Maroon Bel Canto Choirs then take them to this beautiful concert and let them enjoy Program will add their youthful voices to the mix for the this beautiful music with their families around them." finale. As Dankers said, "Being able to do this on a piece "Music That Connects Us" tickets are $20 at the of music that honors children on Mother's Day, and sung door or $15 in advance online at the sitv.org or aspenby children on Mother's Day just seemed like the perfect choralsociety.org websites. communing of conditions."

THE NEAR NEW STORE Thank you to all Mothers for the important work you do!

The Near New Store is run by the Rebekah Lodge, a sisterhood whose mo!o is

Friendship, love, and truth.

We ask with gratitude that donations be delivered only during Business Hours Tuesday – Friday 10:30 AM - 4 PM NDALE CARBO

Always seeking new volunteers come in the store to find out more

w We are your local, completely voluntary thrift.

Please deliver broken, torn and damaged items to the Aspen Landfill, which accepts textiles for recycling

All proceeds are donated to community causes.

Gracias a todas las madres por el importante trabajo que hacen!

Mother’s Day Shopping Special Friday, May 10 Buy One - Get One Women’s Clothing $5 Bags Of Children’s Clothing

Ventas Especiales Para El Día De La Madre Viernes, 10 de mayo compre uno y llévese uno ropa de mujer $5 bolsas de ropa para niños

VISIT us AT THE STORe FOR membERship aPPlicATIONs | 302 MaIN STREet, CARbONdaLE | 970.963.0340 6 • THE SOPRIS SUN • www.SoprisSun.com • MAY 9 - MAY 15, 2019

2019

Happy Mo"er's Day

Continued from Cover

Alba Diaz and Zaid Hernandez

Alejandra and Libertad Lee Rico

Andrea and Wyatt Stewart

Angie and Mika Fischer Hannula

Bailey and Tucker Haines

Brie and Boone Fitzsimmons

Brittany and Hawthorne Hailey

Brooke and Coral Bockelman

Claire Kammann and Beverly Rae Rather

Cristal Aguirre and Jonathan Rodriguez

Danielle and Liam Dudley

Danika Krajcar and Oliver Hill

Eleanor and Emma Ruth Haring

Elissa and Finley John Markoya

Elizabeth and Robert Matheson Proctor Jr.

Emily and Stella Wheeler

Erin and Sullivan Crawley

Erin Cuseo and Wekta Miranda

Jessica and Anna June Owings

More Moms & Babies on Pages 8-9

Photos by Mark Burrows / rfvphoto.com

Alana Houseman and Carter Long

The Sopris Sun, Carbondale’s weekly community connector • MAY 9 - MAY 15, 2019 • 7

CONGRATULATIONS NEW MOTHERS & BABIES!

Karen and Sena Ruiz

Karlie and Miles Colia

Katie and Ember Dahl

Laritza and Penelope Valencia

Lauren and Caroline Suhrbier

Lauren and Hope Sontag

Lauren Pierce and Elouise Forman

Leah and William Robart

Lindsay and Georgia Marie Cheney

Maria and Benjamin Mchale

Maria Navarro and Reina Ruby Vargas

Mayra and Bria Quintero

Melissa and Ethan John Malone

Michelle and Mikaela Smith

Photos by Mark Burrows / rfvphoto.com

Jessica and Hunter Riveira

SATURDAY, MAY 18, 2019 10 AM – 2 PM COMMUNITY SAFETY DAY Kids - enter to win a bike!

• • • • •

Meet Sparky the Fire Dog! Car Seat Checks by a Certified Inspector Free Bike Helmets to the First 50 Children Bike Safety Tips Wildfire Safety Information

• • • • • •

Home Safety Information Smoke Detector Give Away Photo Booth Face Painting Brought To You By Snacks Swag

Special thanks to Aloha Mountain Cyclery, Shimano, and the Zach Burn Foundation!

301 MEADOWOOD DRIVE, CARBONDALE 8 • THE SOPRIS SUN • www.SoprisSun.com • MAY 9 - MAY 15, 2019

2019

Congratulations to the Roaring Fork Valley’s newest moms and babies.

A special thank you to Mark Burrows (rfvphoto.com) for taking all of the wonderful photos and for all of the moms and babies who have graced the pages of this traditional Mother’s Day issue.

Michelle Lundin and Nolyn Rio Lundin

Molly and Henry Hamilton

Phoebe and Henrietta Stone

Rachel Mulry and Ania June Mulry Green

Sara and Autumn Erickson

Sara and Margot Malloy

Sara Mickus and Layla Bailey

Sarah and Aubri Whitworth

Sarah Overbeck and Lincoln Rhythm Cowan

Shilo and Lincoln Trom

Susan and Caleb Annabel

Susy Ramirez and Aden Alonso

Sydney and Dante Linfossi

Tracy Wilson and Ressa Sbarra

Whitney and Azalea Reyes

PM A special heartfelt Thank You with Love to Mother, Mammy, and Katie

u By

ALE

and especially to you Carly, for a job well done! And from Carly to her sweet “Momma" . She was never too old to sit on her lap.

HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY TO ALL YOU MOMS! 970-704-1101 970-704-9101 Fax frosty@frostycpa.com frostycpa.com 1101 Village Road LLA2 Carbondale, Colorado

JOHN FROST MERRIOT Certified Public Accountant

The Sopris Sun, Carbondale’s weekly community connector • MAY 9 - MAY 15, 2019 • 9

Community Calendar

THURSDAY MAY 9

ARTIST RECEPTION • In a 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. opening at Basalt Regional Library (14 Midland Ave.) Leah Potts shares how, following a skiing accident, she trained herself to create art using her non-dominant hand.

POETRY OPEN MIC • Carbondale Branch Library (320 Sopris Ave.) invites you to say your piece from 6 to 7:30 p.m.

HULA WORKSHOP • Transport yourselves to the islands with fundamentals on terms and cultural background as well and the dance itself from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at True Nature Healing Arts. $25 at eventbrite.

UKULELE JAM • Join the Crystal Ukuladies and Ukududes for an evening of strumming and singing at 6 p.m. at the Glenwood Springs LIbrary (815 Cooper Ave.). Bring your own or borrow one and join in!

BURN MORELS • Learn how to responsibly locate and collect mushrooms in a $5 class at 7 p.m. at Bristlecone Mountain Sports (781 E. Valley Rd., Willits).

PUBLIC FORUM • Aspen Valley Land trust invites you to learn about and contribute to its conservation plan with a 6 to 8 p.m. session at the Third Street Center (520 S. Third St.) — light dinner provided.

FRIDAY May 10

WHAT DO I KNOW • Carbondale Clay Center (135 Main St.) highlights the work of Kris Cox with work from 1979 through 2015 plus some more recent non-ceramic works with a 6 to 8 p.m.

To list your event, email information to news@soprissun.com. Deadline is noon on Monday.

Events take place in Carbondale unless noted.

opening reception and artist talk.

ACOUSTIC DUO • Caleb Cofsky opens for the The Milemarkers at 8:30 p.m. at Steve’s Guitars (19 N. Fourth St.).

ALBUM RELEASE • THe Tankerays play music off “Aztec Death Whistle” at The Black Nugget (403 Main St.) from 10 p.m. ‘til the wee hours of the morning.

PLANTS HEAL • Learn the properties of local evergreens and their medicinal qualities for $35 from 2:30 to 4:30 at True Nature Healing Arts (100 N. Third St.).

FARM DOC • “How We Grow” screens at 4 p.m. at Basalt Regional Library (14 Midland Ave.).

FRI May 10 - SUN May 12

MOTHER’S DAY MILE • A final race honors founder Nancy Reinisch with two heats and registration beginning at 6 a.m. at Glenwood Springs High School (1521 Grand Ave.).

BRUNCH • Take your mom out to breakfast at the Hotel Colorado (526 Pine St.). $48 for adults and $24 for kids plus complimentary mimosas for mothers — reservations at 928-3772.

MUSIC THAT CONNECTS U US • A premiere collaboration of local music groups wraps up with the closest show to Carbondale at 4 p.m. at the Glenwood Springs High School auditorium (1521 Grand Ave.). See page 6 for more information.

WOMEN’S VOICES • Eight local women present ten-minute pieces with themselves as author, director and ensemble members at 7:30 p.m. each night at Thunder River Theatre (67 Promenade).

FARMER’S NIGHT OUT • Get to know the folks behind your food from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Carbondale Beer Works (647 Main St.).

FRI May 10 – WED May 15 MOVIES • The Crystal Theatre (427 Main St.) presents “Amazing Grace” (G) at 7:30 p.m. May 10, 11, 14 and 15 and 5:30 p.m. May 12. Closed May 13.

SATURDAY May 11

DANDELION DAY • Arts and environment come together for a 10 a.m. “parade of species” down Main Street, followed by music and booths in Sopris Park.

DANCE • Summation Dance invites all levels to The Launchpad (76 S. Fourth St.) at 10 a.m. — reserve your spot for $15 at danceinitiative.org. Then, at 7:30, catch a performance of their work in progress, Project Highway Habitus.

DOWSING 101 • Learn an ancient technique for finding water and other things at 1 p.m. at Sustainable Settings (6107 Highway 133). Register for $60 at sustainablesettings.org.

Music that Connects Us featuring john rutter’s mass of the children

P

y:

b nted

rese

Aspen Choral Society

Symphony in the Valley

High Country Sinfonia

Students from Maroon Bel Canto Choirs Program

SUNDAY May 12

TUESDAY May 14

TOWN HALL • Catch up with state legislators from Eagle and Pitkin County for a free recap of the just-completed legislative session from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the Basalt Regional Library (14 Midland Ave.).

WEDNESDAY May 15

CONTENT MARKETING • Learn how to build trust and relationships rather than just being the loudest voice in the room for free at 10 a.m. at the Third Street Center (520 S. Third St.).

MARBLE THROWDOWN • Multiple restaurants and cocktails compete and

7 pm, Harris Hall

RIFLE Saturday, May 11th 7 pm, Ute Theater

GLENWOOD SPRINGS Sunday, May 12th 4 pm, GSHS Auditorium

TICKETS: $15 Advance | $20 at the Door | Senior + Family Rates

BUY NOW: SITV.ORG | ASPENCHORALSOCIETY.ORG

of

Sponsored in part by:

10 • THE SOPRIS SUN • www.SoprisSun.com • MAY 9 - MAY 15, 2019

LET IT BEE • A 21+ spelling competition comes to Batch (358 Main St.) at 6 p.m. with the $30 team entry fee benefitting youth radio.

VOICE OF TRUTH • Empowered Hearts presents an inspirational talk and guided sound meditation followed by a live musical performance at 6 p.m. at Coventure (201 Main St.). Free; all genders welcome.

THE MOMENT • Aloha Mountain Cyclery brings an encore screening of a documentary on the birth of freeride mountain biking to the Crystal Theatre (427 Main St.) at 7:30 p.m. with a 6 p.m. pre-party at Batch — $20 ticket includes a beer!

FRIDAY May 17

WATERCOLOR SHOW • Colorado Mountain College and the Carbondale Creative District come together to feature artists Deb Babcock, Robert Burch, Loretta Casler, Brian Colley, Judy Hazen, Gwen Hill, Spencer Lightfoot, Donna Lyons, Sarah Meyer, Meredith Nemirov, Elisabet Rojas Capilla, Jane Seglem, and Nicolette Toussaint at Morgridge Commons (815 Cooper Ave., Glenwood Springs) with a 6 to 8 p.m. reception.

CONSENSUAL IMPROV • Thunder River Theatre Company's troupe performs on its own stage (67 Promenade) at 8 p.m. — tickets are $15 at thunderrivertheatre.com.

Let me SEE...what will I choose?

OPEN SATURDAYS in Glenwood 8-5

• Mother’s Day • Nurses’ Week

GIVING ON FOR LIFE BETTER VISI

• Graduation

Glenwood Springs & Carbondale Locations

MAY SPEAKERS

ASPEN Friday, May 10th

Further out

THURSDAY May 16

A GIFT CARD!

ut • Optical Bo Vision Care

• Any Celebration!

Mother’s Day Weekend

you vote for your favorite from 4:30 to 7 p.m. at Marble Distilling (150 Main St.).

970.945.2020

act Lens ique • Cont

2020EYECARE.com

Looking to have fun and give back?

Come join us at Rotary every Wednesday at 7 a.m. at the Carbondale Fire Station Kat Fitzgerald, Founder Aspen Marathon May 15, 2019

Cathy Click

Roaring Fork Outdoor Volunteers May 22, 2019

All are welcome!

RSVP to Ed Queenan (401) 465-4276 queenan.edward@gmail.com

Community Calendar Ongoing

PAPER CLAY • Carbondale Arts (76 S. Fourth St.) presents ‘Linear / Planar’ by Savanna LaBauve and Stephanie Seguin and ‘Yellow for Frances’ by Eden Keil.

HEALTH THROUGH NUTRITION • Free opportunities include: One-hour consultations Monday mornings by appointment (379-5718) about heart attack and other chronic illness prevention through plant-based whole foods lifestyle with retired family doctor Greg Feinsinger, MD. At 6 p.m. Tuesdays, a livestream of Just 1 Thing 4 Health's interviews with featured doctors. At 7 p.m. the first Monday of the month, a Powerpoint presentation about the science behind plant-based nutrition.

Finally, at 6:30 p.m. the fourth Monday of the month, participate in a plant-based potluck. All events take place at the Third Street Center (520 S. Third St.) and are supported by Davi Nikent Center for Human Flourishing.

YAPPY HOUR • Colorado Animal Rescue’s Yappy Hour at the Marble Bar (150 Main St.) takes place at 5:30 p.m. the third Thursday of the month. Sip on handcrafted cocktails and meet a C.A.R.E. dog, with $1 from every drink donated to C.A.R.E. Bring your own dog along as well.

COMMUNITY MEAL • Faith Lutheran Church (1340 Highway 133), in collaboration with Carbondale Homeless Assistance, hosts a free community meal from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on the third Saturday of the month. Info: 510-5046 or faithcarbondale.com.

TAI CHI • All levels are welcome to participate a gentle path to health and flexibility from 9 to 10 a.m. Mondays and Wednes-

continued from page 10

days with John Norton. Marty Finkelstein offers a 5 to 5:30 course for beginners before his 5:30 to 7 p.m. class at Tuesdays and Thursdays. Both classes take place at the Third Street Center (520 S. Third St.).

ALAPRIMA • A watercolor painting group meets from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursdays at the Third Street Center (520 S. Third St.).

WORLD DANCE • Learn rhythms from various countries and cultures for $12 per class from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Mondays at the Carbondale Community School (1505 Satank Rd.).

LET’S JUST DANCE • Feel great, have fun and dance Tuesdays at The Third Street Center (520 S. Third St.). Catch a free lesson at 7 p.m., then from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. it’s open dancing with two-step, swing, waltz, line dance, salsa and more.

No partner or experience necessary. $8/ person; $14/couple. Questions? Call 970366-6463 or email billypat4@gmail.com.

BACHATA • Learn a Latin dance with Erik and Claudia Peña presenting weekly classes from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. every Thursday at The Launchpad (76 S. Fourth St.). $10 drop-in fee; info at 963-8425.

LOVE ADDICTS • Sex and Love Addicts Anonymous, a 12-step group will meet from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. every Tuesday at Holland Hills United Methodist Church (167 Holland Hills Rd., Basalt).

MINDFULNESS IN RECOVERY • An inclusive, peer-led recovery support group open to anyone with a desire for recovery — independent of faith and regardless of race, gender or orientation — meets Tuesdays from 6 to 7 p.m. in room 36 of the Third Street Center (520 S. Third St.) MINDFULNESS • The Mindful Life Program in the Third Street Center (520 S.

Third St.) offers group sessions Mondays at 7:30 p.m. Admission is by donation and registration is not necessary. Info: mindfullifeprogram.org and 970-633-0163.

DHARMA • The Way of Compassion Dharma Center holds a Dharma talk and meditation from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays and a silent meditation and Buddha of Compassion practice at 8 a.m. Saturdays at the Third Street Center (520 S. Third St.).

SANSKRIT MANTRA • Devika Gurung demonstrates how chant is about more than spirtuality, but also breath and rhythm at 4:30 p.m. Sundays at The Launchpad (76 S. Fourth St.).

RF INSIGHT • Monday Night Meditation meets from 7:15 to 8:30 p.m. at Roaring Fork Aikikai (2553 Dolores Way) and offers instruction in the Buddhist practice of Vipassana. RFI also offers secular mindfulness at the Carbondale Community School and is working with CMC to provide a class on “Zen and the Art of Dying” — more info at roaringforkinsight.org.

MEDITATION • Free silent meditation sessions are held at the Launchpad (76 S. Fourth St.) from 6:45 to 7:30 a.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays (info at 306-1015).

ROTARY • The Carbondale Rotary Club meets at the Carbondale Fire Station (300 Meadowood Dr.) at 6:45 a.m. Wednesdays. The Mt. Sopris Rotary meets at White House Pizza (801 Main Ct.) at noon every Thursday.

RUN AROUND • Independence Run & Hike hosts a run around town Saturdays at 8 a.m. Meet at the store 596 Highway 133 (in La Fontana Plaza) and run various distances, with different routes each week.

Info: 704-0909.

BLUEGRASS JAM • Bring the instrument of your choice or just your voice for a weekly jam session first and last Sundays at 6 p.m. at Steve’s Guitars (19 N. Fourth St.) and all other Sundays at the Glenwood Springs Brew Garden (115 Sixth St.) OPEN MIC • Take the stage at Riverside Grill (181 Basalt Center Circle, Basalt) from 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesdays. Food and drink specials. Free.

KARAOKE • The Black Nugget (403 Main St.) and Sandman bring you over 30,000 songs to choose from and a quality sound system to release your inner rockstar at 9 pm. every Thursday.

WALK WITH A DOC • Aspen Valley Hospital (401 Castle Creek Rd.) invites you to meet in the cafeteria at 10 a.m. the first Saturday of the month for a short discussion on a health-related topic, such as high blood pressure, asthma, anxiety, etc.

LIFE DRAWING • Bring your own drawing or painting materials to the Launchpad from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Wednesdays through April for a non-taught, 18+, $15 drop-in session with live models. Contact staci@carbondalearts.com for more info.

YOGA • Get a donation-based introduction to Hatha Yoga from 8 to 9 p.m. Tuesdays at The Launchpad (76 S. Fourth St.).

MAKERSPACE • Children and teens are invited to design, create, tinker, and play with art and technology to design and create with 3D Pens, make stop-motion animation films, engineer duct tape creations, build their own video games, and more from 2 to 3:30 p.m. every Wednesday at the Carbondale Branch Library (320 Sopris Ave.).

A SPEN VALLEY HOSPI TAL

2019

HEALTH FAIR TAKE CARE OF YOUR HEALTH! THURSDAY, JUNE 6 8:00 – 11:00 AM Aspen Valley Hospital Blood draw only*

SATURDAY, JUNE 8 8:00 – 11:00 AM El Jebel Community Center Blood draw only*

7th GRADE VISIT DAY MAY 17, 2019

|

SUNDAY, JUNE 9 8:00 – 11:00 AM Aspen Valley Hospital Blood draw* plus FREE health screenings!

9:30am

500 Holden Way, Carbondale 7th Grade Students & Parents

Please join us for a campus tour, Q&A session, and to learn more about the admission process.

Please RSVP.

www.crms.org/admissions/7thgradevisit/

CRMS is a boarding + day school serving students in grades 9 - 12.

*Please arrive at least an hour prior to closing

Lab Tests Offered

• Health Fair Profile - $65 • Cardio CRP - $35 • Hemoglobin A1c - $30 – NEW for 2019!

• PSA - $35 • Vitamin D - $45 • Colorectal Cancer Screening Kit - $25 Payment accepted at this event, CASH OR CHECK ONLY. There is an ATM available at Aspen Valley Hospital.

There is NOT an ATM available at the El Jebel Community Center.

Full test descriptions at aspenhospital.org

BOOK YOUR BLOOD DRAW APPOINTMENT! Visit aspenvalleyhospital.org/health-fairs

0401 Castle Creek Road, Aspen, CO 81611 | 970.925.1120 aspenhospital.org | AspenValleyHospital

The Sopris Sun, Carbondale’s weekly community connector • MAY 9 - MAY 15, 2019 • 11

Cop Shop

Basalt community mourns loss after car crash

From April 25 through May 2, Carbondale Police handles 225 calls for service. During that period, officers investigated the following cases of note: THURSDAY April 25 at 10:09 a.m. A parent reported that their daughter was sending and receiving inappropriate texts with an unknown person.

FRIDAY April 26 at 6:57 p.m. Following a traffic stop for running at a stop sign, police arrested a 25-year-old on a warrant and driving while revoked.

FRIDAY April 26 at 1:20 p.m. Officers assisted with child custody problems between grandmother and mother.

MONDAY April 29 at 12:22 a.m. Someone contacted police about a possible sex offense on a child.

THURSDAY May 2 at 9:14 a.m. Police took a report of harassment.

Paul Lazo and Eric Vargas became Carbondale's newest police officers last week after graduating from Colorado Mountain College's Law Enforcement Training Academy.

They were far from the only members of their class to launch right into their careers, with other hires headed to Eagle and Summit counties. Photo by Rebecca Young.

By Megan Tackett Sopris Sun Staff The Basalt High School community is still reeling from the death of Tyler Ribich, 16, in a May 3 car accident in Missouri Heights.

“Tyler had a special gift of making people feel good. His Head Student speech, the energy he brought to the character, Jack Scott, in this winter’s musical, and his daily interactions with others were emblematic of what we all aspire to — a contagious love and compassion for others,” the school’s May 6 community e-newsletter read.

Ribich’s marks the third death in 18 months to impact the BHS community, The Hope Center (rebranded from Aspen Hope Center) Executive Director Michelle Muething noted.

“When you think about 500 souls being in a building all emotional, that’s a lot to navigate,” she said. “We’re just offering support to the district and the parents as best we can.”

The Hope Center offers a range of mental health services, from individual counseling to crisis intervention to education. Additionally, the organization contracts with Roaring Fork School District, and as part of that relationship, BHS offered extensive counseling services May 6.

“We will continue to support students through the grieving process in the weeks to come and we will communicate with the community as we learn more details about a service for Tyler or for ways to support our grieving community,” according to the e-newsletter.

Think outside the box!

Mother’s Day is May 12th, so look to the Co-op for out-of-the-ordinary gifts for Mom! We’ve already mentioned tack, fishing and camping, but maybe Mom is the type who keeps the family fed by hunting in all seasons. Perhaps she’d appreciate a new rifle, or a scope to make sure she never misses! We’ve also got a crazy selection of giftready survival tools to keep her outdoor trips from going off the rails.

Even if Mom is a gardener, and likes a more traditional gift, we’ve got more than enough gloves, and tools, and accessories to brighten her day. If she’s got potted plants that need a freshened-up look, check out our spring-colored planters. If your plans include mending Mom’s fences, our warehouse and yard have everything you need for a great finished product.

Summer Pool Life Guards & Swim Instructors

Full Time & Seasonal Parks Maintenance

Contact: Margaret

Contact: Russell

Contact: Will

rsissom@carbondaleco.net

wtempest@carbondaleco.net

970-510-1327

970-510-1214

970-510-1280

And speaking of freshening up, that painting project she’d love for you to tackle just got less expensive! Our May Buy-One-Get-One paint sale is just around the corner, so you can double your painting dollars!

Summer Seasonal Rec. Assistants, Climbing Wall Instructors, Field Prep

Applications Available for download at www.carbondalegov.org

And don’t forget the Windwalkers 2019 campaign, on through May 31st. Check out www.windwalkers.com for more info!

Roaring Fork Valley Co-op 0760 Hwy 133, Carbondale

Help Wanted mdonnelly@carbondaleco.net

970-963-2220 www.roaringforkcoop.com

12 • THE SOPRIS SUN • www.SoprisSun.com • MAY 9 - MAY 15, 2019

C

True to the name of the organization she serves, Muething has found hope in By Am Sopris the immediate outpouring.

“I think people in today's society — specifically parents, teachers — adults Remem are realizing that if they don’t knowCounty C how to talk about something, it’s amaz-ruary rev ing how many people want to get itpermanen right. So they’re reaching out. To me,son Divid that’s a step in the right direction of re-rado Rec (CORE)? ducing stigma,” she said.

The roll-over crash was first report-up revers ed at 11:38 p.m. May 3, according to A rece the Colorado State Patrol arrest affida-John Wh vit of Jesse Lloyd, 18. The Carbondalegional D local faces felony charges of vehicularchael Be homicide and two counts of vehicularcondition assault, as well as misdemeanor third-CORE A degree assault, DUI and petty offense Comm of illegal possession or consumption ofki told W if metha alcohol by an underage person.

Lloyd admitted to the arresting offi-coal min cer that he had “5 to 6 shots of vodka”kin coun between 9:30 p.m. and 10:00 p.m., ac-the bill. “ cording to the affidavit. His prelimi-County i nary breath test resulted in 0.153 — thechange m he said. legal limit in Colorado is 0.08.

Ribich and Joel Rothman, 19, were Along both ejected in the crash; neither wereprotectin wearing a seatbelt. Rothman sustainedThompso serious bodily injury, as did Henryof which Twitchell, 18. The 17-year-old whothe COR reported the incident did not requireane captu the North medical attention.

Lloyd — who was already on pro-it does n bation for burglarizing three marijuanaThompso dispensaries in Carbondale and BasaltCounty. “ in April 2018 — has been released onty in ther sion of t $4,000 bail.

New Cas Those througho

rash

Coal mine methane capture key to GarCo CORE support

By Amy Hadden Marsh Sopris Sun Correspondent Remember how the Garfield County Commissioners in February reversed their decision to permanently protect the Thompson Divide as stated in the Colorado Recreation Economy Act (CORE)? Well, they could end up reversing that reversal.

A recent public meeting with John Whitney, Four Corners Regional Director for Senator Michael Bennett’s office, revealed conditional support for the CORE Act. Commissioner Tom Jankovski told Whitney on May 1 that if methane capture included coal mines in Garfield and Pitkin counties, he might support the bill. “If we can get Garfield County in there, I’m willing to change my vote on the support,” he said.

Along with permanently protecting 200,000 acres of the Thompson Divide, about 43,000 of which are in Garfield County, the CORE Act looks at methane capture from coal mines in the North Fork Valley; however, it does not include mines in the Thompson Divide or Garfield County. “Getting Garfield County in there” means possible inclusion of the old coal mines near New Castle.

Those mines are spread throughout the Grand Hogback,

Erica Sparhawk looks over a map of coal mines along the Grand Hogback. Photo by Will Grandbois a geological formation that extends for 70 miles from McClure Pass in Pitkin County through Garfield County and north to Meeker in Rio Blanco County.

It has a distinct ridgeline that you can see when driving west on I-70. Burning Mountain, near New Castle, has been on fire underground for over a century and occasionally vents just east of the town. Sparks from the smoldering mine caused the 2002 Coal Seam Fire, which began in South Canyon, west of Glenwood Springs, and burned through West Glenwood, destroying 29 homes.

Erica Sparhawk, Carbondale Town Trustee and deputy director of Clean Energy Economy for the Region (CLEER), told Commissioners that CLEER has been keeping an eye on methane capture opportunities around Coal Basin in Pitkin County, which was part of a 2016 coal mine methane study for the state. According to the study, methane from four old mines near Redstone could generate 5.8 megawatts of electricity.

Sparhawk told The Sopris Sun that she believes commissioners would support the CORE Act, including permanent protection for the Thompson Divide, if mines in the Grand Hogback were included in the bill. “The existing CORE Act has a section that would study coal mine methane opportunities in the North Fork valley,” she explained. “The Garfield County Commissioners would like to expand that study to include the Thompson Divide, which would include Coal Basin and other old mines outside of Redstone, and then expand it outside of the Thompson Divide designation to include the old coal mines in the Hogback area of Garfield County.”

At last week’s meeting, Commissioners discussed how to add mines along the Hogback to the Act, federal authorization of royalties from captured methane, and what kind of infrastructure

is needed to actually bag the methane and put it to beneficial use.

But, said Sparhawk, methane recovery is still a long way off. “Recovery would be piping it and getting it into our natural gas system,” she explained. “But you would need to have compressors and have that infrastructure there.”

Other options include flaring methane or converting it into electricity like what’s happening at the Oxbow Mine in Somerset. But, she said, the study, which would look at opportunities, options, and feasibility, would have to come first.

Every town in Garfield County is using solar energy, but there is still no information to-date about statewide greenhouse gas emissions

and how they add to national or global data. Sparhawk said that’s changing. “The [state] legislature did just pass a bill that is asking Colorado Department of Health and Environment do a statewide inventory of greenhouse gas emissions,” she said. “That will be the first time we’ve had a codified law requiring this inventory.” CDPHE is supposed to have a draft rule to address the data by next summer.

Sparhawk praised the Garfield County Commissioners for taking another look at supporting the CORE Act. “I think it was a good idea to increase the study area to include Garfield County since we do have so many old coal mine and gassy mine opportunities.”

The hogback crosses Garfield County from Dry Park to Rifle Gap. Photo courtesy of EcoFlight

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Step up to the plate, commissioners

By Fred Malo I said the following words to the Garfield County Commissioners at their May 6 meeting.

Senate Bill 181 is the law. The ball is in your court. The law states that local governments are empowered to regulate oil and gas development in their jurisdiction.

That’s you.

With that empowerment comes responsibility. Responsibility for the health and safety of your constituents and joining the global effort to combat climate change.

You didn’t like Proposition 112. You thought a 2500-foot setback was extreme.

Okay, what’s the proper setback — keeping in mind the University of ColoradoDenver School of Public Health reports, “People living within a half mile of oil and gas well fracking operations were exposed to air pollution five times above federal hazard standards?”

“We are seeing indications that oil and gas operations can release chemicals that can be harmful to residents,” continues Dr. Lisa McKenzie of the School of Public Health. She mentions elevated concentrations of benzene, a known carcinogen, and carbon dioxide, the primary greenhouse gas.

Of local significance, the School of Public Health study was done over a three-year period in Battlement Mesa.

The Colorado Health Institute states, “Coloradans are reporting health concerns such as headaches and respiratory problems in areas with high oil and gas activity.”

At a Medical Symposium on the Health Impacts of Oil and Gas Development in

Colorado at Colorado State University in February, Dr. Sandra Steingraber and 12 other speakers described the risks to neonatal development, cancers, respiratory illness, neurological disorders, endocrine system disruption, and gastrointestinal ailments in areas of high oil and gas drilling and fracking activity.

As for fighting climate change, what could be more important than preventing us from being the first species in the history of the earth to cause its own extinction? History should’ve taught us by now, don’t dispute science.

Our own National Climate Assessment tells us all, including our climate change denying president, “Heat trapping gases already in the atmosphere have committed us to a hotter future with more climaterelated impacts over the next few decades.

The magnitude of climate change beyond the next few decades depends primarily on the amount of heat-trapping gases that human activity emits globally now and in the future.”

The question to ask here is, do you care about your children’s and grandchildren’s future?

The United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change predicts, “We have 12 years to make massive and unprecedented changes to global energy infrastructure to limit global warming to moderate levels.”

I know you’re all Republicans and nationalists, so you’re gonna wanna know about the financial impacts of climate change in this country. A government report estimates a 10 percent drop in the Gross Domestic Product by the end of the century if projected climate change im-

OPINION

pacts are realized. Of course, it’ll be much worse in the poorer countries, which will lead to increased migration.

The economic impacts of the health risks are irrelevant. What price do you put on your own good health?

We call for immediate moratoria on all oil and gas permitting and new activities until new rules are implemented. Immediately prior to the vote on Proposition 112, the oil and gas companies were worried and there was mad rush to get the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission to approve drilling permits. Rushed judgment is poor judgment.

Among the new rules should be an overall fracking ban, just as they have in New York, Maryland, Vermont, and, soon, Florida. Fracking releases the powerful greenhouse gas methane into the atmosphere and injects dangerous chemicals into our water table. Strict limits on methane emissions should be applied.

We’ll have an abundance of water this year, but Colorado and New Mexico are coming out of a period of serious drought.

Fracking consumes and makes unusable 9.6 million gallons of water per well per day.

You’ll say the money the oil and gas industry has contributed to your campaigns isn’t reason for your consistent support, but the money your constituents make working in the gas fields is. Assuming that’s true, you’re not doing the oil and gas workers any favors by facilitating their continued employment in the industry.

All fossil fuel industries have no future.

We must cease producing and consuming fossil fuels very soon to avert a climate ca-

tastrophe. Rather than sending money to Texas to promote the industry, you should be keeping that money here in Garfield County to train industry workers for jobs in the burgeoning renewable energy field.

I worked for a big, integrated steel mill in the Chicago area in the nineties.

My company and all the other major steel producers in the area made poor business decisions, refused to adapt to changing market conditions, and went bankrupt.

Now, I see the oil and gas industry doing the same thing. They’re not switching to renewables. They’re sticking with fossil fuels and dooming themselves and their workers.

Letters

Continued from page 2. to feast on nutritious dandelion pollen and nectar. In a short period, they can store prodigious quantities of dandelion honey. Bees that miss the dandelion honey flow can deplete their leftover winter food stores and starve, before other important flowers begin yielding nectar in late May and June.

Dandelions are key to honey bee survival. If you are interested in helping bees, please don't kill their favorite flowers. Instead, water them. You can plant other blooming plants to help our pollinators, but the easiest, most useful thing you can do is to encourage the dandelions already growing in your yard.

Dandelions are not only good for our environment; they're lovely to look at. You don't believe me? Ask any child.

Ed Colby, President Colorado State Beekeepers Association

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rry, o w t ’ n o D oo late t t o n s ’ it rt to suppo radio. ity commun CALL 970-963-0139 or go to KDNK.ORG and click DONATE

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EMORIA

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THURSDAY, MAY 23RD

CALL 970-510-0246 OR EMAIL: adsales@soprissun.com 14 • THE SOPRIS SUN • www.SoprisSun.com • MAY 9 - MAY 15, 2019

NION

Obituary: Jim “Tappin’ Tip” Tippett

Legals

Although it was scheduled to coincide with Cinco De Mayo, Festival Las AmeriPUBLIC HEARING NOTICE cas was a celebration of all Latin cultures and, indeed, NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a Public Hearing will be held the whole hemisphere. With before the Carbondale Planning and Zoning Commission for the purpose of considering a condominiumization application to plenty of music (above, phodivide an existing apartment building into four condominium units. to by Lynn Burton) and other The property is located at 718 Lincoln Avenue. activities, it was the first big The applicant and Owner is Carlo Angelini. event of the summer at Sopris Park, and folks jumped at the Said Public Hearing will be held at the Carbondale Town Hall, 511 Colorado Avenue, Carbondale, CO at 7:00 p.m. on June 13, 2019. opportunity to hang out in the green grass (left, photo by Copies of the proposed application are on file in the Planning Department office, Town Hall, 511 Colorado Avenue, Klaus Kocher).

Carbondale, CO and may be examined by interested persons Festival season continues during regular working hours, 8:00 a.m. through 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. The application may also be reviewed with Dandelion Day on May on the Town’s website at www.carbondalegov.org 11 and Bonedale Bike Week Leybourne GREEN WALLSJohn PAINTING_SvcAd_021419.qxp_Layout 1 2/11/19 11:3 May 17-23.

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July 25, 1951 – May 4, 2019 Jim Tippett of Silt passed away on Saturday, May 4, at Grand River Hospital in Rifle after recent health problems. He was 67.

A longtime Carbondale resident before moving to Silt in 1997, Jim was known to his friends in the Roaring Fork Valley as Tappin’ Tip. He was born James Leslie Tippett on July 25, 1951, in Kansas City, Missouri, to Olin Leslie and Lois Jeanne Tippett; one of four children by that marriage. After his father’s death in 1954, his mother remarried to Melvin L. Stroud, Jr. in 1962.

Jim attended schools in Lee’s Summit, Columbia, Albany and Higginsville, Missouri, graduating from Higginsville Senior High School in 1969.

He went on to attend the University of Missouri at Columbia, and married Audrey Hazelwood on July 20, 1974. They followed their dreams to the Rocky Mountains of Colorado, moving to Carbondale in February 1976.

Together, Jim and Audrey had two beautiful children, Tara Kristen and Austin James, before they divorced in 1985.

Jim worked a variety of construction jobs after relocating to the Roaring Fork Valley, eventually starting his own drywall company, aptly named My Own Drywall.

He was an avid golfer, enjoyed pickup basketball and played on several slo-pitch softball teams in Carbondale. He was also a regular in the Carbondale/KDNK Spring Talent Show that became a popular annual town event in the 1980s and early ’90s, and sang for several years in the Aspen Choral Society’s performances of “The Messiah.”

Jim did his best to meet his children’s needs, and was able to get along with a mix of people because he did not judge, but let others be themselves. He was an all-around good guy with a loving heart and a great sense of humor, and was a “cool dad.”

He is truly going to be missed.

Jim was preceded in death by his father, Olin Tippett, mother Lois Jeanne Stroud, and stepfather Melvin Stroud.

He is survived by his children, Tara Tippett of Golden, and Austin Tippett of Silt; grandsons Fawkes and Rowan; sisters Billie-Gwen (Kirk) Tippett Russell of Olympia, Washington, Sandy (Steve) Tippett-Smith of Silt, Gayla Tippett of Cortez; brother John (Tami) Stroud of Carbondale; nephews Cory Edgar, Chris Edgar, Jason Duckowitz and Trevor Stroud, and niece Joanna Rae Lopez.

A memorial/celebration of life will be held at a later date to be announced. Memorial donations may be made to the Grand River Health Memorial Trust, or Home Care and Hospice of the Valley.

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