2009 03 12

Sopris Sun THE

VOLUME 1, NUMBER 5 • MARCH 12, 2009

‘Don’t give up on us

By Trina Ortega

T

Students stress the positive aspects of Roaring Fork High Landon Garvick, Brittany Sabori, Jesse Allen, Ixchel Muniz, and Niki Burns get close during a passing period Monday at Roaring Fork High School. Photo by Trina Ortega

hey are math whizzes, yoga stars, world travelers, musicians, debate champions, artists, newspaper writers and council leaders — and students, one and all — at Roaring Fork High School. And they want the community to stop focusing on the negative actions of a few and take a closer look at all that’s good about their school.

After weeks of headlines highlighting the January 29 assault by seven valley students on two women in Carbondale, RFHS youth still are wrestling with their feelings of frustration and disappointment about a few of their peers.

But these resilient young people, who are hitting the books every day in their bright new building, will not let the negative incident taint their Ram pride.

“If I could stand up in front of the whole entire community and tell them one thing, ” says junior Adrianna Romero, “it would be: ‘We’re really giving it an honest try . Don’t give up on Roaring Fork.’”

Whether hanging out in their new building, warming up for soccer practice, attending a community meeting, or viewing an art exhibit, students have been waiting for a chance to remind the community at large that they are good-natured, hard-working students.

“Thank you for talking to us. I don’ t like when our school gets a bad rap,” said Jesse Allen raising a triumphant fist above his head.

It was lunchtime, and Allen was waiting for a parent to take his small group of friends to lunch. The crew of about six Anglo and Latino students greeted each other in the hallways adorned with students’ pastel and graphite sketches, posters announcing upcoming school events, and newspaper clippings showing off good deeds of students.

Even if given the choice to go anywhere else, students say they would not abandon their school right now. They simply refuse to let the negative influences drag them down.

“I feel like some people are saying,‘Oh, Roaring Fork is just a bunch of gangsters.’

“We’re willing to prove ourselves if the community will support us,” said Romero, who is on the school’s successful Debate Team that took second place at this year’s state meet.

Romero and two 11th-grade schoolmates, Ingrid Gomez and Sara Betancourt, told the Sopris Sun that they were especially upset about the assault because it involved Latino students,

RFHS page 5

Carbondale Commentary Let’s stand behind our kids

The call is out to jump on what Roaring Fork High School students are calling Principal Cliff Colia’s “bandwagon” to ensure that each and every student turns a tassel come Graduation Day … in 2009 and for years to come.

RFHS students are a bright and energetic bunch, juggling extracurricular activities, student governance, personal lives, athletics, peer pressure and academics.

Sometimes the greatest challenge is simply making it out the door on time.

And right now, these kids are begging to know that the Carbondale community still cares about them.

We challenge you to find a way to get involved with the school. Spring sporting events are under way, with a number of competitions at home or close to home in our sister towns of Basalt and Glenwood. School board meetings, which may offer a means of understanding how districtwide challenges can affect individual schools are held twice-monthly in Glenwood Springs (and are open to the public).

Whether you’re interested in chemistry, poetry, university field trips, or being a dance chaperone, the school would love more volunteers, and student athletes can benefit from a strong cheering section.

Teachers and staff have been stepping up to lend an extra hand in the REA CH For Credits classes and at Saturday School held from 9 a.m.to noon on those everprecious Saturdays. Both programs are designed to provide extra time for students to catch up or focus on studies.

Our support goes out to our young citizens;The Sopris Sun is sponsoring the student newspaper, The Rampage, which is featured monthly as an insert. (See inside for this month’s issue.) We also will continue our coverage of RFHS sports, showcasing student art, and spotlighting the academic and extracurricular achievements by the diverse student body.

So we encourage you to step up by calling or visiting the school. It’s time to reassure these young upstanding citizens, who make up 10 percent of the town’s population, that we do have their backs.

Our pledge to you...

The Sopris Sun stri ves for accuracy and the highest journalistic standards.

Sometimes under deadline pressure a mistak e may slip through. Please let us know if w e’ve made an error b y emailing us at news@soprissun.com or call Trina at 274-1861.

In the February 26, 2009, Scuttlebutt column we inadvertently stated that John Foulkrod is a former trustee. He currently serves on the Board ofTrustees for the town of Carbondale, and we sincerely apologize for this oversight.

Sopris Sun THE

The Sopris Sun is an LLC organized under the 501c3 nonprofit structure of the Roaring Fork Community Development Corporation, P.O. Box 1582, Carbondale, CO 81623.

The mission of the Sopris Sun, LLC is to inform and inspire community members of Carbondale, Colorado.

Editor: Trina Ortega • news@soprissun.com Reporter: Jeremy Heiman Production: Terri Ritchie Advertising Director: Jody Ensign 948-9715 Sopris Sun, LLC Managing Board of Directors: Russ Criswell • Peggy DeVilbiss • Allyn Harvey • Colin Laird Barbara New • Elizabeth Phillips • Rebecca Young Sopris Sun, LLC • P.O. Box 399 • Carbondale, CO 81623 www.soprissun.com 2 • THE SOPRIS SUN • MARCH 12, 2009

Letters

The Sopris Sun welcomes your letters, limited to no more than 400 words. Letters exceeding that length may be edited or returned for revisions. Include your name and residence (for publication) and a contact email and phone number. Submit letters via email to letters@soprissun.com or via snail mail to P.O. Box 399, Carbondale, CO 81623.

Stopping the oil and gas invasion

Real news about a real town

Dear Editor: The amazing hard work of our downvalley friends in the Grand Valley Citizens Alliance and the Western Colorado Congress is coming to fruition in the form of possible passage of the regulations put forth by the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission; this after many hearings and exhaustive testimony.

The Rule Review Bill is the beginning of the end of a process started by neighbors affected by the invasion of our quiet rural grand valley by the profithungry oil and gas companies. The helter skelter , go-go early days of the invasion left in its wake sickness, fouled wells, reduced property values, dangerous roads, dust, ozone, chemical pits, political manupulation (fake newspapers), divorce and a generally totally changed quality of life. Many of the original members of this valiant group have moved away to maintain their sanity and health.

All of us can now help their effort.

Please write your representative in the state House and Senate and let them know you care about clean air and water, wildlife and a sustainable future for our valley. Encourage them to support the rules as written.

We are hearing from the oil and gas industry that the regulations are causing a reduction in drilling and jobs. This comes under the heading of “Never Let a Good Crisis Go to Waste” category.

The slowdown is in the economy, resulting in low gas prices and reduced capital for drilling. This in addition to the fact the pipeline that will get Colorado gas to the larger and higher paying eastern markets is, as yet, unfinished. The industry is using this crisis to claim the rules are the cause of it all. These are the UNPASSED rules.

The oil and gas industry will push hard, and we need to push back. Let your legislators know that the Western Slope has learned from our previous booms and busts.

We look for the sustainable economies of hunting, fishing, tourism, agriculture, small manufacturing for a stable population of workers and families and want control on the fast money and impermanence of gas development.

The rules are a step in the right direction.

We need to recruit you! Please take time to help.

Barb Coddington Glenwood Springs

Dear Editor: Carbondale, I love you. I put down my only copy of the Valley Urinal, (which someone immediately — and erroneously — accused me of publishing), I leave town, get on an airplane, and return a month later only to find that I have already missed Volume 1, Numbers 1 and 2 of The Sopris Sun. Whew! Things happen really fast around here. Your paper is not only welcome but is, I hope, a harbinger of things to come in the publishing world, namely, nonprofit journalism. Real news written by local people about a real town.

I just arrived back in town in time to pick up Volume 1, Number 3, and I'm looking forward to Number 4.

Jim Breasted Carbondale

Model of activism

Dear Editor: Once again, the folks of Carbondale have pulled it off. I am really impressed with the grassroots efforts of the newly founded Sopris Sun. I was sad to see the VJ fade away, but I was pleasantly sur prised at how fast the boxes went from blue to yellow, and a new meaty paper was created. This is a good model of activism. Thank you.

Jason White Carbondale

Good food in hard times

Dear Editor: The staff and management of The Pour House want to thank all of our friends and neighbors for your ongoing support and patronage. These are hard times for us all in the face of so much uncertainty. Jobs are scarce and the immediate future is a bit bleak, to say the least. We at The Pour House are feeling it just like everyone else.

However, we are committed to continue to serve the finest quality food that our talented staff is capable of producing. Recent additions to our kitchen staff are yielding very satisfying results.

Michael Dainty and Denah Knight, both highly skilled chefs, are anxious to show off their talents for our patrons.

Along with the rest of our staff, I want to thank you all for thinking of us when you decide to go out for a bite to eat and a chance to meet your friends for a bit of mutual support during these tough times.

Skip Bell The Pour House

Overlook follows community group recommendations

By Allyn Harvey Community Correspondent The fact that developer and town Trustee John Foulkrod and local activist and Town Mother member Laurie Loeb are on different sides of a big issue like the proposed Overlook neighborhood is no surprise.

Both love Carbondale and have demonstrated their commitment to making it a great place to live. But their visions of what the town can and should be don’ t always match, which over the years has made for strong differences and uneasy exchanges.

Foulkrod, for instance, was a vocal supporter of the big box mall development proposed several years ago for the empty field along Highway 133. Loeb led the successful opposition against it.

And Loeb worked for nearly a year as part of the town-appointed Roadmap Group charged with crafting an“economic roadmap” for the community. Foulkrod, as a trustee reviewing the group’s recommendations, didn’ t like what he saw and worked hard to keep the group’ s recommendations from being formally adopted.

The story is retelling itself now at Overlook, a mix of commercial and residential uses proposed for the industrial zone north of the Rio Grande Trail and Town Hall.

The proposal is Foukrood’ s, and Loeb opposes it for many reasons.

“I’m trying to change it from industrial to commercial/residential,” Foulkrod said.

“Yeah, there’s some heartburn over that, but the industrial used to be on the edge of town. Now it’s in the middle of town, and it’s questionable whether that’ s appropriate anymore.”

At least some of that heartburn must come from an overdose of irony that comes from the fact that the design standards used in the Overlook proposal are based on the recommendations of the Roadmap Group.

One might say that Foulkrod was against his proposal – voting against the Roadmap Group recommendations – before he was for it.

“I gave the Roadmap recommendations to my designers and said, ‘Here, this is what I think they want,’” Foulkrod told the Sopris Sun. And Loeb was for the plan – making those recommendations as a Roadmap Group member – before she was against it.

The Next Step The Planning & Zoning Commission will meet at 7 p.m. March 12 at Town Hall.

The meeting is also televised on Channel 12. Public hearing will continue on: Downtown Overlay District regarding parking, building heights, commercial and residential building standards in downtown Carbondale.

Overlook Neighborhood - Mixed use development with up to 220 residential units and 40,000 square feet of commercial space on 12.29 acres north of Town Hall (formerly Mine Services).

Loeb, who has led the call for big reductions at Overlook through the Town Mother’s e-mail list, concedes she voted for the final Roadmap Group report and its recommendations for this neighborhood.

“We were adamant about reaching consensus, so sometimes I was voting for things I wasn’t currently embracing,” Loeb said.

The Overlook neighborhood proposal, which has been under review for several months by the Planning & Zoning Commission, calls for 150 small single-family homes, townhomes, and condominiums; mixed use buildings; a hotel; streetscaping with grass and sidewalks; public walkways that connect to other neighborhoods; and traditional neighborhood forms, such as front porches and rear garages.

Loeb is worried that the town is going to get overrun by several major developments that are working their way currently through the approval process. She points out that the town has doubled in population over the last 15 years, and questions the need for more big projects on the scale that Foulkrod is proposing.

“We need to look at the big picture,all of it together, not piece by piece,” she continued.

But if ever there was a comprehensive review of the community and its build-out potential, it was the recommendations issued by the Roadmap Group.

Despite sharply differing philosophies among participants, who were selected to represent a variety of viewpoints, the group was able to craft detailed recommendations for everything from land use to capital investments to trail and road connectivity to revenue generation to building size.

And, it made extensive build-out rec-

Overlook Neighborhood • A mix of approximately 150 small single-family homes, townhomes and condominiums ranging in size from 400-square-foot studio condos to 1,800-square-foot single-family homes; • Several mixed use buildings that merge commercial uses on the ground floor with offices, residential and art studios above; • A 50-room hotel; • Streetscapes that include parking, curb and gutter , a planter strip of grass and trees and sidewalks on both sides; • Public walkways throughout the neighborhood that connect with the bicycle trail and surrounding neighborhoods; and • Traditional town forms, such as alleys with rear garages, front porches, and winding streets designed to slow traffic as it enters the residential neighborhoods.

The Roadmap Group recommends residential density and mixed uses — which is incorporated into the Overlook proposal — to help keep downtown Carbondale vibrant. ommendations for every neighborhood in town that was either undeveloped or facing extensive redevelopment.

In general, the recommendations also say the Overlook Neighborhood (also referred to as Downtown North) should extend the traditional town form, scale and mixture of uses; support critical elements of downtown; provide opportunities for community uses that benefit from the walkability of the old town area; provide easy foot and vehicle access to surround ing neighborhoods; include streetscaping; include a hotel or other destination use, such as an educational facility; and more.

(See the comparison below for the specifics.)

Overlook, Foulkrod maintains, would provide Carbondale with what it needs: “semi-affordable housing, a live-work style neighborhood and smaller houses.”

“I kept this parcel whole, under single ownership, for a few reasons. It’s more valuable that way, and I wanted to make it into something that is good for the town,” he said.

But Loeb says Foulkrod and his partners at C’Dale LLC are asking for too much density – too much intensity – on their parcel.

“If we’re hoping to preserve small town character, vast seas of density are not consistent with that – with small town character,” Loeb says that density is fine in small doses, like the Cleveland Place neighbor hood off of Eighth Street.

“I don’t think you really have to grow bigger to survive,” Loeb said.“Some degree of growth is inevitable, especially in a beautiful place like this, but we don’t have to go to the max.”

Loeb also questions the idea that units will be affordable just because they are moderately sized. She points out that the flat-roofed townhouses on Main Street and the mixed use building at the corner of Third Street and Colorado Avenue are both modest in size, but not in price.

“They’re both sitting empty,” she said.

“I think it does probably follow the Roadmap,” said Joani Matranga, a member of the Roadmap Group.“John’s architect is known for those kinds of designs.”

Matranga said the Roadmap Group thought residential density and mixed uses were necessary to keep Main Street and downtown Carbondale vibrant.

“You need people and activity , to provide more of a backbone for the commercial, mixed use portion of town,” she said.

“We decided we needed more density on the residential side.”

“What isn’t quantified is the loss of our sense of peace and tranquility ,” she said.

“More movement creates agitation, and diminishes sense of tranquility in a community.

“To be in the midst of a sense of scrambling at all times is not what I sense this community desires.”

Roadmap Group Recommendations • Create an extension of the traditional town form, scale and mixture of uses; • Add to and support critical elements of downtown; • Provide opportunities for community uses that benefit from the walkability of the old town area, and include things like a conference center , recreation and/or education facilities, or a medical facility; • Provide easy access to surrounding neighborhoods on foot or by car; • Include traditional streetscapes with sidewalks, tree banks, places for public art and on-street parking; • Include a hotel or other large, destination use, such as an educational facility; • Allow two- and three-story buildings; • Transition from downtown on its south, with more intense uses, to the quiet residential area to the north; and • Allow pedestrian access to recreational facilities and existing trails.

THE SOPRIS SUN • MARCH 12, 2009 • 3

Alpine Bank employs nearly 600 people in western Colorado.

While that may be a small number compared to other companies, the loyalty of our employee-owners speaks volumes.

Scuttlebutt Eyes on the prize Christopher Longden was Carbondale’s first falcon finder in the Garfield County Libraries’ Big Read month long contest, where residents are challenged to spot the black falcon statue and officially report the sighting at the Gordon Cooper Library. Falcon finders names will be entered into a drawing for prizes each Saturday in March. A new Carbondale resident, Chris won a $50 gift certificate from City Market after he spotted the bird perched on top of the floral display at Carbondale’s City Market. The falcon has since flown to a new location in Carbondale, and another $50 gift cer tificate will be issued Saturday. The prizes for the next four weeks are from the Village Smithy , The Pour House, Sounds Easy, and Ace Hardware. The contest is in honor of the Big Read initiative in which communities are encouraged to read and talk about the same book. This year’s selection is The Maltese Falcon by Dashiell Hammett.

Marble couple ties the knot Marble residents Jerry Hartman and Diann Allen had a long-awaited day on March 6 when they tied the knot in a very special ceremony at Valley View Hospital. Jerry, who is diagnosed with terminal cancer, has been under care in the Intensive Care Unit at VVH. The couple exchanged vows surrounded by family and friends in the Critical Care Unit family room. They celebrated with a catered meal and, of course, a wedding cake. Congratulations to Jerry and Diann on their blessed day.

Queen of healthier lifestyles Sharla Gallegos, medical assistant and

outreach worker for Mountain Family Health Centers, was commended by Mountain Family’s board of directors on February 24 for her outstanding work in the Community Cardiovascular Disease Prevention Program. Over the past 12 months, Sharla has screened 3,009 clients regionally for cardiovascular risk factors. This is 250 percent of the tar geted goal for the area, and the highest number of screenings of the 15 sites in Colorado participating in the program.

Free screenings are conducted each month at public locations and at area businesses. They will be offered in Car bondale this month on March 27 from 2:30-7 p.m. at La Perla, 1018 Highway 133. Free workplace screenings for employees or customers may be arranged by contacting Sharla at 618-3159.

Give a click for local blogger

Carbondalian Kara Williams and three of her fellow professional travel writers — who started the blog TravelingMamas.com just over a year ago — were recently nominated for a Lonely Planet Travel Blog Award in two categories: “Best Consumer Travel Blog” and “Best Group Authored Blog.” Kara is asking friends to log on, check out the blog, then cast a vote in favor at the polling site: www.lplabs.com (click the buttons next to TravelingMamas.com). Fifty percent of the overall score comes from online voting, while the other half comes from judges’ scores. Voting ends March 20. “We need all the votes we can get,as we’re up against some big-name blogs from National Geographic Traveler and the Matador Travel Network,” pleads Kara. “While we’re embracing the cliché — ‘It’s an honor just to be nominated’ – we’d also like to win.”

Maybe that’s why Alpine is stronger now than in our entire 35 year history.

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4 • THE SOPRIS SUN • MARCH 12, 2009

Friends of Jackie Chandler gathered for a walk around RiverValley Ranch to reflect on their friend who passed away one year ago. The “Celebration of Life,” as sister Cici Fox Kinney called it, was held March 3 and honored Chandler, a local watercolorist and all-around loving human being.After walking, the friends enjoyed lunch at the Village Smithy, a common eatery for Chandler.

Roaring Fork High students ask for support continued from page 1 furthering the stereotype that Latinos don’t want to better themselves, they said.

“I was very angry ,” Romero said, prompting nods of agreement from Gomez and Betancourt. “I feel like Mr. [Cliff] Colia is reaching out to these kids more than any other adult has.… I think it’s a slap in the face to our principal and to Ms. [Barbara] Mason,” she said of the principal and assistant principal, respectively.

They explained that RFHS teachers and staff are working harder than ever to help all students experience success.

Adult volunteers in the pre-collegiate program have been “amazing,” they say, as well as teachers who help with REACH For Credits and at Saturday School held from 9 a.m. to noon Saturdays for students who need extra time to catch up or focus on studies. REACH is offered during the school day to ensure students complete their coursework.

Those who are caught up can use the time for other activities.

“I cannot think of one teacher this year who is not honestly trying to pick

students up,” Gomez said.

“Students need to take advantage of the opportunities,” Betancourt added.

For instance, when Romero and a handful of other students asked Colia last month for more advanced placement math classes, he responded by finding a Colorado Mountain College professor who will teach an extra course at RFHS. Colia also praised the RFHS faculty , noting that students take part in nominating teachers for recognition by Car bondale Rotary , “every single teacher was nominated,” and each nomination included student testimony outlining each teacher’s attributes.

“We’ve got great activities. We’ve got great programs. We’ve got great teachers.

We need to do a better job of selling that,” said Colia, who took the helm at RFHS in fall 2008.“Every single student has incredible talent to share with the community and we need to provide a venue for kids to showcase their talents.”

One of Colia’s goals is to maintain the number of kids who stay at RFHS and graduate. The three enthusiastic juniors

also are working toward that goal directly and indirectly . Among other activities, Betancourt is in student council; Gomez is the editor of the school newspaper; and Romero is on the public forum Debate Team. They are blazing trail and leaving in their paths younger siblings who look to them as role models.

Romero is making it her personal agenda to see that they not lose any more classmates before graduation in May 2010. Their freshman class started with roughly 90 kids, now as juniors they have about 70 in their class.

They agree that the additional support of the Carbondale community will go a long way to encouraging kids to stay in school and nurture Ram spirit … spirit that is displayed in their blue and gold sweatshirts, the words of admiration for their teachers, and the hugs, high-fives and knuckle taps exchanged with one another during passing period.

Volunteer opportunities are av ailable on a one-time basis or recurring sc hedule, depending on the v olunteer’s expertise, interests and time. Call Principal Cliff Colia at 384-5751.

Jack Stokan, Soren Phibbs and Ryan Weimer hit the books hard during calculus. Photo by Trina Ortega

The Next Step Community members are invited to attend upcoming school events:

March 12 • Girls Varsity Soccer vs. Aspen at RFHS, 4 p.m.

March 12 • Girls V arsity Tennis vs.

Glenwood Springs, 4 p.m.

March 16 • Boys V arsity Baseball vs.

Aspen in El Jebel, 3 p.m.

March 21 • Varsity Track vs. Hotchkiss in Hotchkiss, 8 a.m.

March 27 • Job Fair/Career Day

Police request ordinances for handling over-served bar patrons

By Jeremy Heiman Sopris Sun Reporter Drinking a few beers has been a timehonored pastime in Carbondale since the days when coal mining lent its name to the town. But in recent months the number of those who have downed a few too many at local establishments has increased.

Carbondale Police Chief Gene Schilling approached the town board last week requesting that the trustees pass ordinances to reduce the risks and costs created by people drinking too much in the town’s bars and restaurants.

Consequences of excessive drinking include fights, automobile accidents and citations for driving while intoxicated.

He told the Sopris Sun the recommendations were based on his officers’ observations.

“They said this has been an issue for quite a while but has increased” in recent months, he said.

Schilling’s first recommended ordinance would require all bar employees who serve liquor , including wait staff, bartenders, owners and managers, to take a TIPS (Training for Intervention ProcedureS) course , with annual retraining.. TIPS is a nationwide program that provides training in how to prevent intoxication, drunk driving, and underage drinking.

Schilling said he would invite one of his officers to become a TIPS trainer and perform the function as part of his or her staff job, and not as a sideline.

Town Manager Tom Baker suggested that the instructor might also be someone from the town clerk’ s office. Either way, the program would be supported by fees charged to the liquor establishments, he said.

Schilling’s second request to the trustees was for an ordinance that would prohibit bar personnel from allowing intoxicated people to enter their establish-

ment. One of the problems is that bar employees, when questioned about an over-served patron, say , “He came in that way,” he explained.

“If they’re that intoxicated,” Schilling said, “we don’t want them in there.”

Doormen and bartenders should be willing to refuse service to anyone who clearly has already had too much to drink, he said.

Carbondale’s police officers have a policy of offering rides home to bar patrons who are too drunk to drive. Officers may encounter these people during their routine bar checks or when responding to a call to an establishment.

Schilling noted that these rides have become more frequent recently, perhaps due to the downturn in the economy , and he said he doesn’ t want his department to become a taxi service.

But he said he is willing to continue the practice because it is a lot more costeffective than processing a D UI arrest.

Each D UI eats up between 15 to 30 hours of police time with paperwork, follow-up and court appearances, Schilling said.

Minimizing over -served customers will minimize these rides, Baker said.

“We want to do it,” Baker said, “but we don’t want it to be abused.”

The police department is also requesting that security cameras be used in bars, that signs be placed to make bar patrons aware of the cameras, and that bar personnel become much more vigilant about checking identification and photos of those entering.

Schilling said he’s not calling for all bars to install expensive surveillance equipment, just requesting that establishments that already have cameras keep them rolling during open hours.

“That’s just a tool that gives us more evidence to follow up on cases if we need to,” he said.

THE SOPRIS SUN • MARCH 12, 2009 • 5

Trustees ask: Can school resource officer prevent youth crime?

By Jeremy Heiman Sopris Sun Reporter Following an assault that left two Carbondale women beaten and robbed on January 29, residents are mourning the loss of Carbondale’s reputation as a safe, quiet town.

And many residents wonder whether this gang-style crime, committed by seven area juveniles, could have been prevented by having a police officer in the community’s schools on a daily basis.

Until recently, Carbondale has had a town police officer working full time as a school resource officer, or SRO. Carbondale Police Chief Gene Schilling told the Carbondale Trustees that his department can have officers back in the schools for the remainder of the school year, but the problem is money — there’ s not enough in the budget to hire an SR O, and the department is one person short as it is.

The resource officer resigned in November and was not replaced due to a town staff hiring freeze that was instituted last year because of budget constraints.The position was one of three that Carbondale elected not to fill.

The resource officer’s salary and benefits, including health insurance and retirement contributions, Schilling said, would cost between $73,000 and $88,000 annually, depending on the officer’s level of experience.

Trustee Stacey Bernot pointed out that the schools represent about 10 percent of the town’s population.

“We should put 10 percent of our policing effort there,” she said.

School board member Debbie Bruell said that having a school resource officer has the potential to prevent crimes like the January 29 incident, though talking about whether that particular crime could have been prevented is mere speculation.

“An officer who gets to know the kids might be able to identify a kid who has the potential to be a problem,” she said.

“It’s not just a policeman walking the halls,” school board member Bill Lamont said. “It helps to have someone there who’s School officials agree sensitive to the kids.”

Opinions among school and town offiAmong students, though, opinions difcials are pretty much unanimous that hav- fer. One 18-year -old RFHS senior who ing an SRO in Carbondale public schools is asked to remain anonymous, said an SRO a good thing. is unnecessary.

“The value of having a visible police of“I feel perfectly safe in my school,at this ficer in the school is immeasurable,” said . point,” he said, “and having a officer Assistant Principal Barbara Mason of would just make people afraid. ” He said Roaring Fork High School. “I think it has the SRO represents an unnecessary level of a huge effect.” protection that makes people wonder what Middle School Principal Rick Holt there is to be afraid of and makes them unagreed. sure if they are, in fact, safe.

“I think we’re missing a golden opporAnother student, a 16-year-old junior tunity to develop a relationship,” Holt said. at RFHS, said he thinks the SRO salary of Trustee Frosty Merriott said he was in around $80,000 could be put to much favor of returning an officer to the schools better use. “as an investment in our kids.”

“That’s more than a teacher makes,” he

Trustees tossed around the idea of moving one of the officers currently on the force into the schools. Some officers already have some experience in the schools, but none has undergone the full training to qualify as a resource officer. Mayor Michael Hassig asked Schilling what the implications would be for his staff if he transferred an officer to the school beat.

“You’re going to have less traffic enforcement,” Schilling said. “It’s just a giveand-take thing.”

Just last year, in response to complaints about speeding scofflaws, the board directed Schilling to issue more traffic tickets and fewer warnings.

WantAFunJob? The Town of Carbondale Public Works Department is now accepting applications for seasonal employees to start immediately and work through the season. You get to work outside in the sun at a job that is actually fun! The really great work hours are from 7:00 am to 3:30 pm Monday through Friday.

We need energetic, self-directed people for our parks department to perform general landscaping and maintenance labor in our parks and the downtown area. Applications are available at Town Hall, 511 Colorado Avenue. A valid Colorado driver’s license is required. Pay will be $16.00 – $17.00/hour depending on your qualifications.

said. He also noted that, while the SRO is supposed to be role model for students,the officer who last filled the position was a cigarette smoker.

Money is the problem

The salary required to retain an officer in the schools appears to be the only thing standing in the way. In the past, the Roaring Fork School District has paid Carbondale $15,000 toward the salary for the SRO position.

Trustee Ed Cortez said it’ s his opinion that the district should contribute more toward the SRO salary, if the officer is going to work full time in the schools.

But school board member Debbie Bruell said $15,000 is the same amount the district pays Glenwood Springs and Basalt toward the salaries of resource officers in those towns.

“We’re facing cuts, too,” Bruell said.

“I think what we’ll end up doing is what we’ve done in Basalt and Glenwood,” Lamont agreed.

Town manager Tom Baker said the wheels of government have already started to turn in the effort to provide an SR O in the Carbondale schools. But he said the trustees will have to direct town staff how to proceed, based on the budget, and whether to lift the hiring freeze to accommodate another police department employee.

RESOURCE OFFICER page 7

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6 • THE SOPRIS SUN • MARCH 12, 2009

Bonedale Biz Six89’s Mark Fischer is in line for Best Chef in the Southwest

By Allyn Harvey Carbondale chef Mark Fischer, owner of Restaurant Six89 and Phat Thai, has been named as a semi-finalist for the prestigious James Beard Foundation’ s Best Chef Award.

Fischer has been recognized for his work at Six89, a local favorite for the last decade. He is among 20 semifinalists from around the Southwest, many from much larger markets than Carbondale’s.

Others finalists come from Dallas, Denver, Houston, Santa Fe, Las Vegas and Aspen (of course), where Montagna’s Ryan Hardy has been tagged for

his great eats.

“It’s pretty heady company ,” Fischer said. “There’s a ton of great cooks out there — to be in their company is a great honor.”

Time Magazine calls the James Beard Awards “the Oscars of the food world.”

Fischer is surprised that Restaurant Six89 catches anyone’s attention, given the relative obscurity of Carbondale.

“We’re really a small fish in a very small pond,” he said.

Small in size, perhaps, but big in taste.

Fischer was just one of more than 15,000 initial nominees for the 19 award categories honored by the James

Beard Foundation.

The foundation’ s Restaurant and Chef Committee produced a nominating ballot that lists the 20 semifinalists in each of the categories, including Outstanding Restaurant, Rising Star Chef of the Year, Outstanding Wine Service, Best New Restaurant and Best Chef in 10 different regions.

Four hundred judges, comprised of leading critics, food and wine editors, culinary educators and past James Beard Foundation Award winners, will select five finalists later this month and then the winners in May. “Last year it was a surprise, a shock

really,” Fischer said, recalling his reaction to making the semifinalist list for the first time in 2008. “I’m like, ‘What are you talking about?’”

The surprise is understandable, given that Fischer has trouble classifying his own food. “Jesus, we’ve been trying to answer that question since we opened. I guess today we can call itArtismal Comfort Food.”

If the judges and their taste buds like the artismal comforts provided by Fischer and his team at Restaurant Six89, he’ll be honored at a dinner in New York City on May 4. No word yet on what kind of food they’ll be serving.

RFTA service is resuming at pool bus stop Resource officer from page 6 Roaring Fork Transportation Authority resumed bus service to the Carbondale Pool stop (across from the U.S. Post Office) on Main Street.

The pool stop had been closed for several months during the town’ s streetscape construction project. With the new bulb-outs, diagonal parking and narrowed streets along Main and Colorado Avenue, between Eight and Sixth streets, navigating buses through downtown became difficult. Adjustments were made to the streetscaping and service resumed March 9.

The status of other Carbondale stops are: • Carbondale Park & Ride — bus stops on in-bound trip only.

• Subway stop — in-bound, drop-off only.

• Stop across from Carbondale Park & Ride — drop-off only out-bound for Local “L” buses.

• Colorado Avenue and Eighth Street — no longer a stop.

If the trustees agree to lift the hiring freeze,a new officer will be hired to perform patrol or ordinance enforcement duties, while an officer currently on the force will be trained as a school resource officer.

Baker said the town will apply for a grant that would fund 100 percent of an officer’s salary for three years.

One town trustee suggested rotating three officers into and out of the school duty, to familiarize more officers with the students. Schilling said the department had three officers who have had some experience in schools,but it was probably not the best solution “If you ask school staff,” Schilling said,“I think they’d say they’d like to have one person who’s a point of contact.” But even without having an officer specifically trained for the job, there will be officers in the schools for the remainder of the school year.

“I believe between now and the end of the school year , you’ll see a lot more police presence in the schools,” Schilling said.

THE SOPRIS SUN • MARCH 12, 2009 • 7

Education

School and RFOV plan White Hill nature trail

Students build on creativity at architecture fair

By Kayla Kline CCS eighth-grader Lunch was nearly over . The floor plans and elevations were finished; the sugar cubes and Popsicle sticks now resembled the desired structure. The working fan was installed, along with the solar panels that made it work.The lawn was painted green, and the pet giraffe was placed behind the fence. Now real architects would come around and evaluate the student designs.

Since the beginning of the school year, the seventh and eighth grade students at Carbondale Community School have been designing plans for a passive and active solar house. They discussed with the teacher the details of how the houses would look. Each house was required to be 2,000 square feet or less. Students had their own ideas and special features to add to the houses. The students are a diverse group, so the additions ranged from a basketball court to a pool to a built-in terrain park.

This year’s houses were both amazing and colorful in design. Not only was each unique to the style of the creator , but the location of all the houses was different, as well. The location of the houses ranged from Africa to Los Angeles and from the top of Mt. Sopris to

8 • THE SOPRIS SUN • MARCH 12, 2009

Crystal River Elementary School and Roaring Fork Outdoor Volunteers will partner this summer to construct a nature trail that will connect the paved path below White Hill with County Road 101 on top of White Hill.

The plan calls for a 3-foot-wide sur face path about ¼ mile long starting near the CRES campus and climbing on school property through the juniper on the hillside below St. Mary of the Crown Church.

There will be interpretive stations along the way, according to trails advocate John Hoffmann.

“We get a constant stream of people walking up White Hill Road,” which has no shoulder and moderate vehicle traffic, Hoffmann said. “It will be nice to

have an alternative to walking up and down the roadway.”

RFOV has adopted the trail for one of its project work days scheduled for Sept. 26. Hoffmann said in addition to recruiting volunteers who can help build the trail or provide food that day , organizers are seeking financial support.

Hoffmann is a town trustee and serves on the town’ s Trails Committee, but the CRES trail is not a town project Hoffmann has been helping get the project off the ground and will have his Falconers Patrol pitch in to construct the footpath in the summer.

To help now with design and planning, call the school at 384-5620. To volunteer for the work day , log on to www.rfov.org.

Carbondale Middle School spellers take honors Students view the elabor ate model homes at the Carbondale Community School’s architecture fair.

Japan. The creativity of the students this year was brilliant, and the collection of houses was spectacular.

Students expressed appreciation to the professionals and community members who came to the fair and invite others to view more structures at the next student architecture fair.

Congratulations to Carbondale Middle School Wolverine spellers Fiona Laird and Kayla Derby, who took first place in their grade divisions at the District Spelling Bee February 25 in Glenwood Springs. Torrey Sanson took second among the eighth-graders.

Pictured left to right, front row: Adrian Medina, Mealani Gray and Torrey Sanson. Back row: Fiona Laird, Kayla Derby, Rorey Freeman, Kayla Burkholder and Ian Brophy.

Robin migration may provide insight into global climate change

is responsible for the wintering over of our robins.

“Of 305 species tracked by theAudubon Society, more than half are spending the winter about 35 miles farther north than they did 40 years ago, ” reveals an Audubon study released on February 10. The four-decade-long study is based on data collected during the Audubon Society’s annual bird count. During the period of study, the average January temperature

By Sue Gray in the U.S. climbed by about 5 degrees.

Community Correspondent According to researchers, the changes in migration coincide with variations in temperature over time, suggesting that many birds are responding to cliAs an amateur ornithologist, I look forward every mate change by moving into new ranges. Confirming year to the changing of the guard in migratory bird my observations, the report stated: “There are fewer populations. After a long cold winter, the springAmerican robins and cedar waxwings in Texas than betime arrival of robins is always a welcome sight, fore, but their populations are growing in spots to the a harbinger of warmer days ahead. When their north.” numbers dwindle in the fall, I know winter is Birdwatchers like myself are rightfully concerned about on the way. the shift in migration patterns. Senior researcher at the United This time was different; the robins never Kingdom’s Royal Society for the Protection of Birds Paul Donleft. At first I hardly noticed, but when, in ald says: “Many long-distance migrant birds in Europe are sufDecember, I began to see flocks of 30 to 40 fering long-term population declines, and these results suggest of the red-breasted birds lining roof eaves an additional danger posed to them by climate change.” and crowding bare tree limbs, I knew something For the past decade, biologists have been exploring the possiunusual was going on. bility that warmer winters could increase the survival of birds that For the last few years, when the juniper berries on the bushes live in an area year -round, giving returning migratory birds in the in front of my Carbondale home ripen in January , scads of cedar spring more competition for food and nest sites. That could potenwaxwings arrive for the harvest. This year they were replaced by robins. I’d tially cause a decrease in the total number of migratory birds and even never even seen robins eating berries before, just their comical worm wrangling on affect the survival of certain species, giving us front row seats at the engrassy lawns. But there they were, jostling for position on the juniper branches like women at a Macy’s one-day sale. The berry crop, which used to take the waxwings actment of Darwin’s theory of adaptation.

For my part, I’ll be paying closer attention to the correlation between bird mia month to devour, was gobbled up by the larger robins in half that time.

It seems the birds knew beforehand what we in the Roaring Fork Valley have gration and annual weather patterns as I continue to make amateur observations been observing recently. No one who’s lived here for the past 10 years can deny this from my front porch. I’ll report my findings to Audubon in the hope our nation’ s has been a strange weather year; bare ground for weeks on end,nighttime temps in new leaders will take note of the statistics.

After all, if Mother Nature is trying to tell us something, maybe we should rethe mid-30s and rain! It’s almost enough to convince diehard creationists that global warming is for real. In fact, there is data that supports the idea that climate change spectfully listen.

Sources and additional info • “Visitors passing through: Audubon Society study bird migration shift to climate change” Houston Chronicle, February 10, 2009 http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/front/6255181.html

• “Bird migration at mercy of weather patterns” New Scientist, May 17, 2008 http://www.newscientist.com/article/mg19826563.500-bird-migration-at-mercy of-weather-patterns.html • “Climate Change Linked To Migratory Bird Decrease” Science Daily, Mar. 26, 2003 http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2003/03/030326073630.htm

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THE SOPRIS SUN • MARCH 12, 2009 • 9

Community Calendar Events take place in Carbondale unless noted. To list your event, email information to news@soprissun.com. Deadline is 5 p.m. Thursdays.

Daily Planner MARCH 13-19 • MOVIE Playing at the Crystal Theatre, “Milk” begins at 7:30 p.m.

THROUGH MARCH • FINE ART • S AW: Anderson Ranch Arts Center artists Matthew Fischer and Jennifer Ghormley are displaying works through March at S AW (Studio For Arts + Works) at 978 Euclid Ave. • CCAH: The Valley Visual Art Show, featuring more than 40 artists in a variety of mediums continues through March at the Carbondale Council on Arts and Humanities, 645 Main St. Call 963-1680 for details.

• CLAY CENTER: Washington ceramicists Loren Lukens and James Brooke are featured in an exhibit at the Car bondale Clay Center, 135 Main St. For more info and gallery hours, call 963-2529.

• RED BRICK: Carbondale artists Nancy Barbour, Stanley Bell, Stephen Colby, Anne Goldberg, Angus Graham and Colby Smith are among valley artists displaying work in “American Soil,” the March exhibit at the Red Brick Center for the Arts, 110 E. Hallam Ave., Aspen.

• KIDS’ ART: The Glenwood Springs Center for the Arts presents the Valley Kids Art Exhibit running through April 5. The show features hundreds of pieces from students throughout the valley in all mediums. Call 945-2414 for more information.

THROUGH MARCH • BIG READ The Garfield County Libraries continues events for The Big Read. This year’s selection is “The Maltese Falcon” by Dashiell Hammett. The Gordon Cooper Library will host the WhoDunIt Mystery Scavenger Hunt throughout the month. There is a free literary night hosted by Thunder River Theatre Company on March 22, and an All-book Club Night on April 2. The Black & White Gala will be at 6:30 p.m. March 21 at the Hotel Colorado in Glenwood Springs. For more information, visit www.garfieldlibraries.org.

THROUGH SPRING • KINDER INFO Tours to observe kinder classes at Crystal River Elementary School are available at 8:30 a.m. Wednesdays. A Kinder Information Night to meet teachers will be from 6:30-7:30 p.m. April 9 and Registration Day will be from 6:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. April 10. Call 384-5620 to sched

ule a tour or to get more information.

MARCH 12 • NONPROFIT TALK Aspen Community Foundation will host a facilitated dialogue with nonprofits, funders, government officials, media and community members about the state of nonprofits in this economy. The discussion will be from 10-11:30 a.m.

March 12 at the Red Brick Center for the Arts Conference Room, 110 E. Hallam, Aspen. For information, call 9259300, ext. 216.

MARCH 12 • NAVAJO ART A Native American art demonstration

by Navajo weaver and silversmith, Mae Peshlakai will be at 7 p.m. March 12 at the Colorado Rocky Mountain School Barn, 1493 County Road 106. Mae is from Cameron, Ariz., and has traveled the country conducting seminars in Navajo lifestyles, beliefs, arts and culture.

MARCH 12 • P&Z MEETING Carbondale Planning & Zoning Commission meets the second and fourth Thursdays of the month. Meetings begin at 7 p.m. at Carbondale Town Hall.

MARCH 12 • WORKSHOP The Colorado Mountain College Sustainable Living Series is designed for

people who have an interest in green living and want to learn more. The next workshop is with Dan Richardson, a senior consultant in clean energy solutions for Schmueser Gordon Meyer, presenting “Investing in a Clean Energy Economy” from 6-9 p.m. March 12 at the CMC Lappala Center . To register, call 945-7486 or 963-2172.

MARCH 12-14 • THEATER Colorado Mountain College Theatre presents “The Cripple of Inishmaan” by Martin McDonagh, a new playwright who has been characterized as the most significant to emerge this century. The timely performances showcase Irish humor and drama in the spirit of St. Patrick’s Day . Performances are at 7 p.m. March 12-14 in the New Space Theatre at Spring Valley, in addition to a matinee at 2 p.m. March 15. Tickets are $14 for general admission and $10 for students and seniors. Call 947-8252 for more information and to reserve tickets.

MARCH 12 • WATER REPORT Aspen Center for Environmental Studies and Roaring Fork Conservancy present State of the Roaring ForkWatershed Report at 7:30 p.m. March 12 at Aspen Center for Environmental Studies.

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Speakers include Sharon Clarke of Roaring Fork Conservancy and Mark Fuller of Ruedi Water and Power Authority.

MARCH 13 • LIVE MUSIC Lipbone Redding gives voice to surreal characters, sings beautiful love songs and makes lots of sounds with only his lips. He’s the jazz, blues, jam and soul version of a human beat-box ... make that a “Human Sweet Box. ” Lipbone performs at 8:30 p.m. March 13 at Steve’s Guitars. For more about the artist, visit www.lipbone.com.

MARCH 13 • ART TALK/SHOW The landscape oil paintings of Carbondale artist Andy Taylor will be featured in the exhibit, “Backyards To Arroyos” opening with a slide lecture and reception at 5:30 p.m. March 13 at the Wyly Community Art Center (lecture) and at 6:30 p.m. at the Basalt Gallery (reception/show). For information, call Basalt Gallery at 927-9668.

MARCH 13-14 • BEE WORKSHOP The Waldorf School on the Roaring Fork and Spikenard Farm present a lecture and workshop on sustainable beekeeping by Gunther Hauk, who has more than 30 years of experience as a beekeeper and biodynamic gardener .

His lecture, “The Honeybee Crisis,” will be at 7 p.m. March 13. Donations will be accepted. Gunther will hold the workshop “Respectful Beekeeping”

from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. March 14.

Cost is $50. Proceeds benefit Spikenard Farm and Apiary. Call the Waldorf School at 963-1960 to pre-register or for more details.

MARCH 14 • COMPUTERS Computers For Kids will hold a Build Your Own Workshop from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. March 14. Call Computers For Kids for more information and registration at 963-7259.

will be conducted at Mountain Family Health Center from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

March 15. Referrals for free mammograms will be available based on eligibility. Mountain Family Health Center is located at 1905 Blake Ave. in Glenwood Springs. For more in formation, call 945-2840, ext. 214.

MARCH 15 • ART DEADLINE The W ilderness Workshop’s Artist in Wilderness program is seeking a professional March 14 • FASHION SHOW or emerging water “Green is the New Black, ” a fashion color artist for its show sponsored by Carbondale Coun- one-week paid cil on Arts and Humanities and KDNK, residency in late will be March 14 at the Carbondale June or early Recreation and Community Center. De- July.

The signers and artists will present clothes deadline is made from recycled materials, locally March 15. Apsourced materials or made in Colorado. plication forms For tickets/information, visit www.car- can be downbondalearts.com or call 963-1680. loaded from the WW W eb site, MARCH 14-15 • WORKSHOP w w w. w i l d e r n e s sA Feisty Females Creative Awakenings workshop.org. For more inAdventure Camp — with author Sheri contact Mary formation, Gaynor and Creative Awakenings fea- Dominick at 925-7892 or Tim tured artist Laura Kirk — will be 6 p.m. McFlynn 925-2445 or 923-2391.

March 14 and 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

March 15 in Carbondale. For the sched- MARCH 17 • ST. PATRICK’S DAY ule and more information, contact Sheri Activities in and near Carbondale in celebration of St. Patrick’s Day: Gaynor at 618-0561 or sheri@sheri• Carbondale’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade gaynor.com. will begin at 4 p.m. March 17 at Second MARCH 15 • HEALTH SCREENINGS and Main streets, near KDNK. The Free breast exams for women and men route goes from Second and Main to the Claddaugh Pub. To enter a float, call Jenny at 404-0402. Entry is free, and prizes will be awarded.

• American Legion Post No. 100 is hosting its annual St Patrick’ s Day corned beef and cabbage dinner from 5-7 p.m.

March 17. All are welcome to this traditional event. Phone 963-2381 for prices and further information.

• Snowmass Village will have its St. Paddy’s Day mountain parties — with live Irish music, a beer garden and Irish fare, activities and prizes — will last throughout the day on March 17.

MARCH 17 • LIVE MUSIC Tuesday Night Live Jazz is open to all who want to jam or enjoy the sounds of improvisational jazz. 8:30 p.m. the first and third Tuesdays of the month at Steve’s Guitars, 19 N. Fourth St.

MARCH 18 • WINE TASTINGS Wine O’ Wednesdays are ongoing until the winter blues have faded away . Join the Redstone Inn Wednesday evenings for Old and New World wines and appetizers.

Cost is $10 per person.

Call 963-2526.

MARCH 18 • MUSIC Dave Notor and Steve Frishmann play live music, from blues to bluegrass, from 7-10 p.m. at White House Pizza. Go to www.whitehousepizza.com for more information.

MARCH 18 • WINE TASTINGS Wine O’ Wednesdays are ongoing until the winter blues have faded away . Join the Redstone Inn Wednesday evenings for Old and New World wines and appetizers. Cost is $10 per person. Call 963-2526 for details.

MARCH 19-20 • JAZZ CONCERT The Boston-based trio Montage Music Society will provide two nights of jazz, tango and amore for the Jim Calaway Honors Series concerts on March 19-20.

The trio will perform at 7:30 p.m.

March 19 at Colorado Mountain College’s West Garfield Campus, EnCana Academic Center, in Rifle. A second concert will be at 7 p.m.

March 20 at CMC’s Spring Valley Center in Glenwood Springs. Tickets are $15/adult, $10/student 17 and younger , and $5/full-time CMC student with ID. For tickets or information, call 947-8367.

MARCH 19-20 • SITTER TRAINING Carbondale Recreation Department offers the American Red Cross Babysitter’s Training course for boys and girls ages MARCH 17 • BENEFIT NIGHT Eat and drink for a cure. White House 11 and up to learn to become certified Pizza will donate 10 percent of proceeds babysitters. $40 (includes handbook and first aid kit). 12:30-5:30 p.m. on March 17 to the Susan G Komen March 19-20.

Foundation.

THE SOPRIS SUN • MARCH 12, 2009 • 11

Bridge Club joins Senior Matters in celebrating grand opening at Third St.

By Marlene Manown and Trina Ortega Twenty-two avid members of the Carbondale Bridge Club christened the new Senior Matters home at the Third Street Center with several hands of bridge and an official honoring of Senior Matters Chairman Virginia “gina” Sterrett, who has worked for more than three years to secure a facility for senior activities.

The Bridge Club presented Sterrett with a plaque on March 2 at the center , the old Carbondale Elementary School that is now taking shape as the nonprofits center.

Linda Crossland, who heads the Bridge Club, acknowledged Sterrett for her “tireless efforts” that have benefited not only the Bridge Club and Senior Matters, but the entire valley.

“Nothing is ever too big or too small for her to willingly invest her best effort, and I think I can speak for all of us in saying that she continues to be an inspiration. We all thank her,” Crossland said.

Crossland and Sterrett began playing bridge together in the early 1980s at the Methodist Church in Basalt, where the club originally formed.

“It eventually migrated to Carbondale, and here we are today,” Crossland said.

The Carbondale Bridge Club will meet at 6:30 p.m. every Wednesday at the Third Street Center at 520 S. Third St. In addition to Wednesday night

12 • THE SOPRIS SUN • MARCH 12, 2009

bridge, the Senior Matters space will be used to provide nutrition and activities programs for Carbondale seniors. The group will be serving a Friday lunch at the Third Street Center, in addition to its Wednesday meal for seniors at Crystal Meadows.

Senior Matters also is planning for education resources and classes to take place at the center, and Sterrett said the group’s space is available for other groups to use.

The new Senior Matters location at Third Street is open on a daily basis.

Other tenants scheduled to move into the Third Street Center this spring are Mountain Valley Developmental Services and Solar Energy International.

Gina Sterrett (center) celebrates with her sons, Tim Weaver, left, and Shane Weaver. Submitted photo

AARP Driver Safety Program offered for older drivers Colorado Mountain College and High Country RSVP are sponsoring two AARP Driver Safety Programs from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. March 21 and from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. March 25-26.

These courses are for drivers ages 50 and older and will educate participants about how best to reduce traffic viola-

tions, crashes, and chances for injuries; update drivers’ knowledge about relevant laws; and provide safe driving strategies to compensate for age-related changes that affect one’s driving ability.

The eight-hour courses also stress the importance of periodically monitoring a person’s driving capabilities.

The programs will be at the Colorado Mountain College Glenwood Springs Center, 1402 Blake Ave. Cost is $12 for AARP members and $14 for non-members. The fee includes a workbook and handouts.

For more information or to enroll, call 384-8747.

In Carbondale fashion, this is not your run-of-the-mill fashion show

By Jane Bachrach and Gina Guarascio It’s the evening of March 4 and the first gathering of producers, directors, models and designers of the Carbondale Council on Arts and Humanities’ Green is the New Black Fashion Show is taking place in one of the classrooms at the new Third Street Center . Co-director Lynn Aliya is finishing up some touchyfeely exercises.

“We’re all going to work intimately with each other so we have to get to know one another ,” Aliya says in a raised voice as the group of about 40 men, women and teenagers finish up the exercises, reminiscent of a rehearsal for the Broadway production of “Hair.”

“It will be chaotic backstage and nobody will have time to be inhibited,” she says.

Organized chaos is what it looks like as producer Amy Kimberly pulls out handfuls of clothing trying to figure out which model will wear what outfit. The outfit, according to Kimberly , not only has to look good on the model, but the model has to be comfortable wearing each piece of clothing. About eight models are currently taking off and putting on clothes as backstage mama, Vicki Browne, tries to write a description of the outfits each will be wearing the night of the show . Outside, in the hallway , Aliya has about 15 models in lines facing each other. She’s showing them one

planning this a of the “runyear ago.

“We way struts” wanted to create and commusomething that nicating the was very specific importance to the Roaring of being in Fork V alley and sync. reflects the way Those atwe live here,” said tending the Kimberly who fashion took the idea for s h o w a well-produced, fundraiser entertaining fashfor the ion show with a CCAH and cause from her KDNK on years as the direcMarch 14 tor of the Telshould be luride AIDS prepared to This CD belt is part of an outfit created by Benefit. see someBoulder designers. Photo by Jane Bachrach “The most imthing other portant thing right now in this economy than what the expected, because it is is that we, as nonprofits, come up with more like a Broadway production with creative ways to keep our organizations fashion as the theme.

This will not be your typical fashion going without costing an arm and a leg.

“This is a way to come together and show; visualize a cast of about 40 local divas, dudes and dudettes clothed in eco- have a really good time. An event like this supports two really important or friendly tops made of bottle caps or ganizations.” short sexy black recycled leather skirts Kimberly recently hired theater direcand high heels, or a guy or girl wearing tor/actress Aliya to help her as co-direcshorts just covering a nicely curved booty slithering, strutting or dancing up tor. According to Aliya, one of her goals is to get the “cast” to feel uninhibited and down the runway.

Although the first gathering of the and to experience the joy of feeling good cast and crew was held last Thursday about themselves. She said that when a evening, producer Amy Kimberly started person releases his inhibitions he’ll give

a much better performance. “The success of the show will be the result of the sum of all its parts,” according to Lynn.

“The coolest part for me is the spontaneity, this is what I love to do.”

Although the clothes themselves will be the stars of the show, it’s up to the actors and actresses to show them off in such a way that is so tantalizing that everyone in the audience will want to purchase something. The rehearsals, the theatrics, being in sync with fellow models, the music and the crowd will make this fashion show a Broadway production.

Who: Carbondale Council on Arts & Humanities What: Green is the New Black Fashion Show Auctioneer: Steve Skinner When: 8-10 p.m. March 14 Where: Carbondale Recreation and Community Center Tickets: Advance tickets $20 at CCAH Contact: 963-1680; www.carbondalearts.com Additional info: A trunk show with some of the clothes will be from 4-6 p.m. March 15 at the Village Smithy.

THE SOPRIS SUN • MARCH 12, 2009 • 13

Springtime in the Rockies offers up opportunities for devoted anglers In many parts of the country anglers are limited to a legal fishing season that spans just part of the year. Opening day on a trout stream in some eastern and midwestern states can be like fighting for front row seats at a Rolling Stones concert.

But here in Colorado, anglers can legally throw a line year-round. March is an excellent time to fish for several reasons.

The high-country snowpack is still relatively solid right now. The pre-thaw, pre run-off stage makes for clear , manageable rivers that are great for wade anglers and drift boats alike. The exception is an overnight cold snap that can leave slush and ice in the rivers making it very difficult to get a good drift with a fly. An odd drift is a certain turn-off for wary fish. Look for a stretch of relatively warm nights that should render the rivers running clear and free of ice.

As we approach the spring equinox, the increase in day length triggers a rebirth of activity in all underwater life.

Stream invertebrates are mostly dormant through the dark and cold of winter . As the days get longer and stream insect activity increases. Increased insect

by Sue Melus warmer, activity means the fish are feeding more. More fish feeding simply means more chance to catch a fish on the fly.

Not only are fish feeding more now, but the rainbow trout are getting ready for their annual spring spawn. Similar to the yearly migration of songbirds to their nesting sites, increased day length triggers a migration of the rainbows upstream to the shallows where they build their spawning beds. Here they will stay from approximately late March through mid-May. Early spring, however, is a great opportunity to net a large rainbow on the fly. At this time, the rainbow trout gather in the deeper pools and wait for the environmental cues that signal them to move into the shallows. Anglers who locate the rainbow trout in the deep-pit staging pools will be rewarded.

Fly anglers will do well with small flies. A #18 to #22 midge or pheasant tail fished below the surface is a good choice. They should also keep their eyes open and their fly boxes ready for sporadic insect hatches that leave trout in an abovesurface feeding frenzy. Dry flies to keep on hand include blue-winged olive Baetis

Deerfly Diaries

SHAMROCK PARTY Come eat at White House Pizza on

ST.PATTY’S DAY

and adult midge patterns. The hatch may only last a few minutes but can be an unexpected bonus to the day.

In these times of economic uncertainty , there are some things that will never change. The sun will still rise in the east,the days will grow ever longer and warmer, and a trout will take a fly presented to it with a convincing drift. And if history repeats itself once again, the tourists will be here again in July. Analysts claim daylight savings will create more spending. Maybe they are right. It sounds like a good time to spend some money at your local fly shop, beat the summer crowds and use your extra hour of daylight down at the river wetting a line.

Sue Melus c hases grouse in the mountains with her tw o German shorthaired pointers, nets fish on the fly with her husband Glenn, and promotes the outdoor industry at Carbondale’ s Bac kbone Media. Read more from Sue at her blog, www.deerflydiaries.com.

LIFT-UP participates in hunger campaign

For the 12th straight year, the Feinstein Foundation in Rhode Island has issued its $1 million challenge to help feed the hungry, and LIFT-UP is grateful for the campaign, in light of increased demand for services locally . The foundation puts up the money each year to raise awareness about hunger inAmerica, and to increase support to agencies that are effectively meeting the needs of people who don’t have enough to eat.

The troubled economy is taking its toll on a growing number of families in the region. So far this year , LIFT-UP’s monthly services have increased 272 percent over 2008. In January, LIFT-UP served 1,817 families or individuals and gave out 2,115 bags of food, almost triple the monthly average for last year.

Attendance is also up at The Extended Table Soup Kitchen, now serving 1,200 meals per month, up 33 percent from 900 meals per month last year . LIFT-UP has seen a steady increase in requests for assistance at its five area food pantries since the economic downturn last year (up 49 percent duringAugust through December, compared to January through July 2008).

The Carbondale LIFT-UP office, which was seeing 100 to 200 people/families per month in 2008, is now approaching 500 per month.

Donations to LIFT-UP may be made online at www .liftup.org or mailed to P .O. Box 1213, Glenwood Springs, CO 81602.

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Student creativity fills the air at Valley Kids

By Kayla Henley Sopris Sun student intern

included cake, music and hands-on art activities for kids

Having never attended the Valley Kids Art Exhibit at the Glenwood Springs Center for the Arts, I was curious about it and was originally taking on too serious of an impression. I assumed kids and their teachers would be stationed at each piece of artwork and parents and viewers would be calmly walking from piece to piece.

But the second I walked in, my tension and hesitation left.

There was a friendly and creative atmosphere and, on the whole, it was contrary to my original assumptions. Kids of all ages were meandering around the exhibit and nearly everyone had a piece of cake in hand.

There were oils, charcoals, pastels, and photography covering the walls, colorful sculptures and mini artistic shrines on the tables, and 8-foot-long wire mesh dragonflies hanging from the ceiling.

The opening reception on March 7 included a kids’ art party that lasted two hours that

of all ages.

“It’s an honor… to continue the tradition, ” stated Gayle Mortell, executive director of the arts center. After being held in Aspen for 25 years, the Glenwood Springs Center for the Arts was chosen to host the event when it began drifting in a different direction.

Mortell spent the past two weeks hanging the artwork, but some of it still remains unhung.

Every year there is an average of 500 to 600 art pieces on display. This year the number of art pieces has exceeded the previous years; reaching nearly 1,000.

“It’s cool to have my artwork here; there’s a lot of talent,” said Hanna Burleigh, a senior at Roaring Fork High School, who also had her work in the exhibit last year . “It’s great because it’s all ages.”

Kids were happy and the parents were happy , enjoying themselves immensely upon seeing their kids’ artwork.

“Our motto is ‘arts are for

everyone,’ and I think this embodies that philosophy ,” Mortell said.

Also on display is a range of art pieces from students at Carbondale Middle School. “It’s really exciting. We try to bring a variety of artwork,” said CMS art teacher Ami Maes. She has been teaching for nine years and every year her students try to participate in the Valley Kids Art Exhibit. Maes loves the variety of art in the exhibit but on Saturday her favorite part was the hands-on activities for all the kids. There was pinwheel painting, necklace-making, group activities and much more.

“I think that all the art has so much energy and each one reflects the energy of the kids,” Maes said enthusiastically.

“It would be incomplete without the music,” she said as a pianist played “Stand By Me.” For those who haven’ t gone down to see all the creativity , I strongly recommend checking out the talent of our young Top: Tavia Teitler and Lizzeth Galleg os check out greeting cards local artists. The show runs created by Carbondale Middle Schoolers. Bottom: Hanna Burleigh through April 7. looks at her sketch of Ray Charles. Photos by Trina Ortega

An Open Public Forum On

OPEN BURNING Saturday, March 14th 3:00 p.m to 5:00 p.m.

Carbondale Fire Station • 301 Meadowood Dr. • Carbondale THE SOPRIS SUN • MARCH 12, 2009 • 15

Youth may prove advantageous for baseball team

By Chris Dolce Community Correspondent

The RFHS baseball team fields a relatively young and inexperienced team this spring. Led by first-year coach, Tim Nieslanik, Roaring Fork looks to meld quickly into a cohesive unit.

As Nieslanik explains, the team is “going to be very young” with at least three freshmen starting. Those freshmen will be ushered along by some of the returning players on whom the team will heavily rely. Among those returnees are Jake Strack Loertscher and Alex Rascon. Nieslanik says keep an eye on these two players this spring; they should hold the key to success for this youthful team.

The complete success of this team,Nieslanik says, will rely on the progress of the younger players, as well. He notes that it would not surprise him if a couple of the freshmen on this year’s squad distinguish themselves by season’s end.

Nieslanik is optimistic about the upcoming season despite the team’s youth. Though the schedule should prove challenging, Nieslanik is excited about the prospects of coaching such a young team. New to the team himself, Nieslanik hopes to build a strong foundation for the future of the program. To do that, he explains, it is necessary to begin with the fundamentals: A fundamentally sound team has a chance to be successful no matter how youthful or inexperienced the team may be.

Seasoned and new track athletes make for promising season

top three in the 300 hurdles. Tyler Thompson, who took second in the triple jump and first in the long With 22 sprinters, jumpers, hurdlers, and discus jump in 2008, will again be leading the region in those throwers, the Roaring Fork High School is doubling its events. And Hentschel noted that Thompson may make track team and hopes to make an impression this spring. a debut in the 110 high hurdles.Nate Soucie is a strong “Our key strengths will lie in our numbers, ” said competitor in the 400 and is expected to return to state, Coach Hadley Hentschel. “This is the first year we’ve and Jon Araujo is hoping to lead the region in shotput had enough depth for the kids to really push themselves and discus this year, as well. in training. … Our seniors have a lot of strength and Up-and-coming runners to watch are Raleigh will be great leaders. I think we will also have a great Burleigh and Pedro Abarca in the 1600 and 3200; distance team that could potentially do well throughArick Zeigel in the 800 (and possibly the mile); and out the season.”

Taylor Browning in the 100 and 200.

More Latino participants, a number of soccer players “I’m also hoping to field several relays this year, and a few first-year seniors are rounding out the team. which we have not had the opportunity to in the past,” Key events to watch this year are the four returning Hentschel said. “Beyond that we have a lot more talent, senior boys, according to Hentschel. After taking sev- but so many are new to track and we’re not too sure in enth in state last year, Bryan Salinas is aiming for the what events they will excel.

By Trina Ortega

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