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Volume 7, Number 50 | January 21, 2016
Tax hikes on April’s ballot By John Colson and Lynn Burton Sopris Sun Staff Writers
T
he April 5 town-wide election could put up to three new members on the Carbondale Board of Trustees, but residents are also being asked whether to approve a new property tax to pay for capital improvements, and whether to increase taxes on natural gas and electric bills to pay for programs to increase energy efficiency and renewable energy use. The Carbondale Board of Trustees voted to put both questions on the April 5 ballot at its Jan. 13 meeting.
Property tax The proposed tax would assess an additional three mills to all real property within the town limits, which would amount to roughly $119 per year on a house valued at $500,000 by the county assessor. For commercial properties, the tax hike would amount to about $870 per year on a business valued at $1 million, according to calculations by town officials. The tax is needed, town officials have decided, in order to create a pool of money for capital improvements, which in the past have been paid for using a combination of money from the town’s general fund and payments from the Federal Mineral Lease Fund (FMLD) maintained by Garfield County. The FMLD is used as a disbursing platform for money that the county receives from energy companies doing business within the county’s borders, and has at times amounted to grants of hundreds of thousands of dollars for Carbondale projects. But the FMLD money is expected to diminish in the coming years, as the energy industry continues to be hard-hit by low prices for oil and natural gas and a glut of petroleum products on the international market. The trustees concluded last year that the town’s traditional funding sources, mostly sales tax revenues, were not sufficient to pay for improvements to streets, sidewalks, bike trails, property acquisition, parking and facility construction, which typically fall under the general description of capital improvements. In fact, the town has a list of planned capital projects that represent about $4 million, in what is
Mmmmm … Schools were closed and the streets of Carbondale were quieter than normal on Martin Luther King Day (Jan. 18). The kitchen at the Orchard, however, was quite different. The activity going on in there looked like a scene from “Hell’s Kitchen: The Early Years.” From the chopping, mixing, frying and finger licking, the kids ages 5-12 in Ardis Hoffman’s Heart Healthy Meals class appeared to be headed for stardom on the Food Channel (judging from their creative enthusiasm). Here, Lucy Sparhawk, 5, finds the non-gelatin “Jello” quite tasty. Hoffman, and Hippocrates’ Table, offer the classes, which continue through February. For details, visit hipocratesTable.com. Photo by Jane Bachrach
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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, e-mail editor Lynn Burton at news@soprissun.com, or call 510-3003.
OPINION
Keep ompson Divide the way Teddy saw it By Randy Melton I am an outfitter, a cowboy and a veteran. I spent more than a decade of my life fighting to defend liberty in some of the most hellish countries on earth. I am proud to have served my country, and to have protected everything that makes it great. These days, however, I’ve traded my flak jacket for a duster, and my M4 for a .45-70 lever-action rifle. I now earn a living as a hunting guide and cattle wrangler in some of the most beautiful country on earth – the Thompson Divide area of the White River National Forest. I’ve spent countless hours traversing the remote ridgelines of the Divide in the same way that Teddy Roosevelt traversed them more than a century ago — in a leather saddle. I’ve come to appreciate this landscape and all that it provides for our community. I’ve come to appreciate that these are public lands, and that we all have a duty to protect them. Fortunately for us, I’m not the only one who recognizes the need to conserve the Thompson Divide. Over the years, our rural communities have come together, regardless of political affiliations, in an effort to protect this area for hunting, fishing, grazing and recreation. County commissioners and local town councils have joined us in urging our government to set these lands aside for the next generation. This is why I was stunned to see Congressman Tipton — a politician claiming to represent Western Slope ranchers and sportsmen — peddling the interests of Texas oil speculators on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives. Shame on him. Mr. Tipton downright ignored our local concerns, and then claimed that folks working to protect these lands are just a bunch of “environmental extremists.” For some reason, I don’t think he’s been paying attention. Just to be clear, these lands are our lands. They belong to the public. And they cannot be bought and sold. That’s just one of the things that makes our country great. Now, I’m no tree-hugger, and you can safely wager that I don’t vote for democrats. But I am firm in my belief that the greatest resource in the Thompson Divide is found on its surface — not underneath it. We do not need to drill everywhere. It’s as simple as that. There are some places that should be left alone. And if that makes me an environmental extremist, then so be it. But I’d wager that most any man or woman who has spent a day on a horse in the Thompson Divide would agree. Randy Melton is from Redstone.
Federal environmental review did take place on ompson Divide leases By Scott Tipton
Numerous stakeholders and local govThis week (editor’s note: the week of ernments recognized that the BLM’s final deJan. 4-10) I spoke on the House floor to ad- cision would have impacts far beyond those dress an ongoing environmental review to the specific leases in question, and underprocess within my district that I firmly be- took efforts to draft detailed and substantive lieve represents yet another in a feedback to the agency. This long line of abuses of private is a very laborious and timeproperty rights by the federal consuming process, yet the government, and more specifically the land BLM provided only the bare minimum pubmanagement agencies that oversee a major- lic comment period required by the law, and ity of the land in the western United States. the agency’s scheduled comment period The outcome of this process will likely set a overlapped the Thanksgiving, Christmas and disturbing precedent under which the in- New Year holidays. It also overlaps another tegrity of contracts into which federal agen- environmental review comment period for cies enter with private parties is undermined. the well-known Roan Plateau, which inThe Bureau of Land Management is cur- volves many of the same stakeholders and rently reviewing 65 existing oil and gas leases local governments, and has been under reissued in the White River National Forest be- view in some form since the late 1990s. ginning in 1993. This retroactive review was As such, several stakeholders and local prompted by a 2007 decision on three of the governments, with the support of several leases by the Interior Board of Land Appeals members of Colorado’s congressional delein which the BLM was found to have not for- gation, requested a modest extension to the mally adopted a Forest Service environmen- comment period. These extension requests tal analysis that was utilized to make the are routinely granted by federal agencies in leasing decisions — basically what amounts recognition of the technical nature of these to an administrative oversight. issues, interruptions due to federal holidays, It should be emphasized here that ex- and when there are several similar issues tensive environmental review did in fact under review simultaneously. Despite this, take place, and that the BLM played a sig- the requests in this instance were dismissed nificant role in that process. The agency ar- out of hand. One can only conclude that the gued as much to the Board of Land Appeals BLM is afraid of the scrutiny that could reduring the review. The fault was simply the sult from its effectuating a government takneed for BLM to sign on the dotted line, ing of property rights under the guise of and the board expressly made this option rectifying an administrative error from over available to remedy the problem. However, 20 years ago. instead of adopting that commonsense apIt is abundantly clear that the BLM inproach, the BLM succumbed to political tends to ramrod through a decision which pressure from environmental extremists will trample lease owners’ rights by canand determined to revisit every one of the celling or altering leases to the point as to leases issued since 1993. make them economically unviable. This is The new proposal from BLM deals with unfortunately in line with a disturbing the leases in one of two ways. It either im- trend of federal agency abuses of private poses new, significantly restrictive stipula- property rights, whether it is the Forest Sertions that were not in place at the time the vice’s repeated attempts to leverage special original leases were acquired, or it outright use permits to forcibly acquire private revokes the leases. The federal government water rights or the EPA’s determination to is acting as nothing more than a highway classify every ditch and puddle as a “Water robber, in this case and many others, robbing of the United States” to further insert itself citizens and businesses of property they have in to the everyday lives of ordinary, hardbought and paid for and telling us that we working Americans. should just be grateful there’s someone lookProperty rights and the integrity of coning out for our greater interests. tracts are at the very foundation of our libI highlight this particular process because, eral economic system. Yet too often federal should the BLM follow through with certain agencies casually cast these important conof its proposed actions, it will set a precedent siderations aside. If the BLM is confident not only for oil and gas development, but for that it is making the right decision and is any lessee or permittee, who, when entering willing to defend it, then it should have no into contract in good faith with a federal problem providing additional time for the agency, may see their lease or permit threat- public and other interested stakeholders to ened with retroactive revocation or severely comment on their proposed actions in the restricted based on any flimsy pretext. Many White River National Forest. important industries rely on federal leases and permits, including livestock grazing, Scott Tipton is a Republican who represents recreation and renewable energy, and no Colorado’s 3rd District in the U.S. House. business can successfully operate if its license to do so no longer enjoys protections against arbitrary cancellations or changes dependPlease turn to page 11 for ing on the ideology of the current occupant of the White House.
2 • THE SOPRIS SUN • www.SoprisSun.com • JANUARY 21-27, 2016
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Expeditionary learning at CRES? Not at this time By Debbie Bruell Sopris Sun Correspondent With a new principal and assistant principal at Crystal River Elementary School this year, many changes are underway. One change that has been under consideration is whether the school will become an expeditionary learning (EL) school. A survey of CRES staff last month, however, indicated that while more than twice as many staff members support a partnership with EL Education as oppose it, CRES will not be moving forward with EL at this time. EL Education only agrees to partner with schools in which at least 80 percent of staff are in support of the partnership. The results of the recent CRES EL Readiness Survey, which were shared with the School Accountability Committee last week, indicated that 61 percent of CRES staff (27 staff members) supported entering into a partnership with EL, close to 30 percent (13 staff members) did not support entering into a partnership with EL, and 9 (four staff members) were undecided. EL Education is a New York-based nonprofit organization. According to its website, EL Education’s overarching vision is to increase student engagement, and elevate and expand student achievement, by focusing on three core areas: mastering knowledge and skills, character, and high quality student work. For more information, go to eleducation.org. The process of exploring EL was put on hold last year as the staff worked through some
leadership issues. When Matt Koenigsknecht (or Mr. K, as the kids call him) was hired as the new principal beginning this fall, he was charged with re-initiating this process. As part of the exploration process, Mr. K developed a shared online document for staff members to collectively brainstorm the potential costs and benefits of this model for CRES. He encouraged all staff to share their thoughts and concerns about EL on this document and make sure they were as informed as possible about this educational approach. In December, Mr. K decided to give the EL Readiness Survey to the staff. According to Mr. K, this survey determines whether staff at a school are ready to take an official vote on the possibility of adopting EL. Mr. K told The Sun that he was “a little surprised” by the results of the survey: “I thought the percentage for agreeing would have been a little higher.” During the exploration process, Mr. K chose not to share with staff his personal opinions about EL. However, once the results of the survey were presented, he did disclose to his staff that he voted in support of the partnership. Roaring Fork School District Superintendent Diana Sirko told The Sun that she was disappointed by the results of the EL readiness survey at CRES as well “only because I like the kind of wrap-around comprehensive professional development that goes with EL.” She acknowledged, however, that “if you don’t get a critical mass of staff that has bought into any new program, the chances of it being successful are not good.”
Resistance to EL What were the specific aspects of the EL Education model that some staff members objected to? Mr. K told The Sopris Sun that some staff members’ concerns about EL included: the cost of the professional development provided by EL Education; the fear that a great deal of resources would be invested in EL only to have it “fizzle” after a couple of years; and concerns about the increased effort and planning time that would be required in order to deliver high quality, integrated, project-based learning. According to Sirko, the cost of EL professional development is comparable to that of other full-school reform models. She also told The Sun that EL Education requires that the district sign a five-year contract in order to enter into a partnership with them. In other words, the district is required to make a fiveyear commitment to EL from the start, as it did with Glenwood Springs Elementary School starting in 2013. Sirko said that the training provided by EL would “ratchet down” each year as staff capacity “ratchets up.” Staff need a great deal of support at the start, she said, but after five years staff should be able to continue their EL Education program with just some occasional professional development for “fine-tuning.” Sirko also said that the amount of professional development a school continues to receive after those five years would vary depending on the situation. If there are multiple EL schools in the district, there could be more opportunities to bring EL in for some
multi-school trainings. Sirko said that Glenwood Springs Middle School is in the “early beginning stages” of considering a partnership with EL. Mr. K said that there is also the idea among some CRES staff that “we can be an amazing neighborhood school and we don’t need to spend a lot of resources to be something different.” His response to this idea has been, “We are the neighborhood public school and we will always be the neighborhood public school. And we need to add some layers to who we are.” Similarly, Sirko said that all schools need to be continuously finding ways to grow and improve. The exploration of EL at CRES, she explained, “is not a conversation about change or no change, the question is, ‘Is this the vehicle we want to use for how we change?’” Sirko also noted that some CRES staff members seemed to feel that EL was being pushed on them from the outside. “It’s human nature,” Sirko said, “if anything feels top down or outside in, people push back.” In contrast, at GSES, Sirko said that “staff there got involved from the very start.” The EL Readiness Survey included many questions, including a question asking staff members what they did to learn about EL Education. The results indicated that only 51 percent of staff had done a “close reading of EL Education Core Practices” and only 64 percent had explored the EL Education website and online resources. When asked whether he was surprised to read these results, Mr. K said “I was a little bit CRES page 5
Fire district draing new pension policies John Colson Sopris Sun Staff Writer The managers of Carbondale's local fire department last week directed their attorney, Eric Gross of Carbondale, to come up with a draft policy that clearly defines the roles of paid fire fighters versus volunteers, as it relates to state labor law, pension eligibility and other regulations. The matter came up during a Jan. 13 meeting of the board of directors for the Carbondale and Rural Fire Protection District, as a result of concerns among the district’s administrators, employees and board members about a variety of issues relating to employment by the district. The issue was raised during a portion of the meeting devoted to discussion of issues related to the district's pension fund and the eligibility of employees to collect from that fund, which is overseen by fire-fighter Karen Tafejian. The fire district currently has 18 full-time paid positions filled by fire fighters and emergency medical technicians, along with roughly 65 volunteers who respond to fire calls. The district has a budget of about $2.9 million, along with a pension fund of nearly $2 million fed by contributions from fire fighters and the district itself, to cover the costs of running the district' operations and paying out pensions to its combination of volunteer (including fire-board members) and paid employees. The district’s pension plan is covered by the Fire and Police Pension Association of Colorado, which in 2014 was managing an
investment portfolio of assets worth more than $4.5 billion, according to the organization's annual report for that year. The new policy is needed, according to Fire Chief Ron Leach, to clarify how fire fighters and others in the district collect “credits” toward an ultimate pension. As Leach explained it, the district basically is “paying three pension funds” for its employees, volunteers and temporary workers. The employees and volunteers are covered under different aspects of the FPPA’s retirement-fund regulations, while temporary workers contribute to the federal Social Security Administration for their retirement. Temporary workers include volunteers who are hired and paid each summer to staff the Initial Attack Team that prowls the backcountry looking for fires caused by lightning and other factors, in order to prevent them from growing into large wildlands conflagrations. Also included, according to fire-board member Carl Smith, could be volunteers who are elevated to paid positions to fill in for a couple of paid fire fighters who currently are off the roster because of injuries. The had no policy to cover the transitions from volunteer-status to being a full-time, paid worker, although the pension rules are different for each status. For instance, volunteers typically are eligible to receive a $400-per-month pension if they have served for 20 years by the time they turn 50. Paid fire fighters, according to both Smith FIRE DISTRICT page 5
The funniest photo opportunity of the year so far can be found in the Launchpad at the Valley Visual Art show. Launa Eddy (not shown here) was commissioned to produce some Donald Trump masks for a client and one of them went a little wonky so it just sat in her studio until she realized that the world is pretty wonky these days, so she made a piece (titled “An Open Mind”) that reflects that feeling. The show continues through Feb. 20. Photo by Jane Bachrach
THE SOPRIS SUN, Carbondale’s weekly community connector • JANUARY 21-27, 2016 • 3
Cop Shop From Jan. 7-14, Carbondale officers handled 269 calls for service. During that period, officers investigated the following cases of note:
SATURDAY, Jan. 9: At 7:46 p.m. police were called to a local home about an argument among a juvenile, his mother and his aunt. The juvenile, after investigation by police, was issued a summons into court on charges of harassment, criminal mischief and possession of marijuana by an underage person. SUNDAY, Jan. 10: At 8:18 a.m. police took a report of a hit-and-run accident on Garfield Avenue, involving a juvenile. MONDAY, Jan. 11: At 4:40 p.m. police received a traffic complaint from an incident around mile marker 69 on Highway 133. After investigating, police issued a ticket for careless driving to a 21-year-old man. TUESDAY, Jan. 12: At 9:15 a.m. police investigated a “cold” hit-and-run accident on Ivy Lane. THURSDAY, Jan. 14: At 4:11 p.m. police took a report at police headquarters from a local woman who said her son, who is 47, had taken a friend to Nebraska “and she had not heard from him in four days.” Police are looking into it.
With real estate prices once again on the upswing, observers say Carbondale is becoming a tear-down kind of town. First, the decrepit Victorian across the street from KDNK was torn down and replaced with a new home. Then, a single-family home on a large lot on Sopris Avenue was torn down and replaced with a four-plex. This week, the log cabin at 734 Sopris Avenue was gobbled up in short order, and will no doubt will be replaced with a larger house befitting a 8,250 square-foot lot. In case you’re wondering, the 868-foot cabin was built in 1955 and sold last March, according to public documents. Photo by Lynn Burton
THURSDAY/FRIDAY, Jan. 14 or 15: Police investigated a burglary at the Third Street Center on the south side of town, in which a person or persons unknown apparently entered the building through a skylight and broke into several of the rented office spaces there.
“We’re putting the band back together.”
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4 • THE SOPRIS SUN • www.SoprisSun.com • JANUARY 21-27, 2016
CRES om page 3 surprised, but I will say that everyone learns in different ways and that there were many different types of opportunities for people to get the information they needed.� One of the next steps, Mr. K explained, “will be to analyze the parts of EL that really resonated with us. How can we build those things into our programming? And for the 30 percent who had some things that they weren’t ready to get behind: What were those things? How can we keep those things in mind as we move forward?� “One thing that’s really, really hard,� Mr. K continued, “is that we still have a supermajority of people who want to move forward with EL. But we’re not able to do so at this time.� When asked whether the door was still open to the possibility of CRES
Fire district om page 3 and Leach, become eligible for pension checks if they have accumulated 25 years of service by the time they turn 55. But according to Gross, there are regulations under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) that prevent certain kinds of overlap among the district's workers. For instance, there is a rule prohibiting a paid employee from also acting as a volunteer. “It hasn't really been a problem,� Leach said of such abuses of the system. “We’re just trying to clarify the issue� so that all involved, including administrators, board members, paid employees and volunteers, understand the system in a detailed way. “It’s just never been put into a written policy,� Leach continued.
Caution At the Jan. 13 meeting, Gross cautioned the board that a policy is needed for a number of reasons, including the recognition that paid ďŹ re ďŹ ghters cannot show up for a ďŹ re call as a volunteer, in part because of the need to differentiate between the two pension plans. “You cannot come on your time off and respond to a call,â€? Gross said. “It cannot be allowed to happen.â€? Gross added that he has more research to do into the FLSA before he can begin writing up a new policy, and said he expects to have a draft policy ready for the board's next meeting, in February. Then, he said, the CVFPD Pension Board, which is a separate legal entity under the district's bylaws, can discuss the draft policy at
partnering with EL in the future, Mr. K responded: “If and when we as a staff feel like we want to re-open the conversation about EL, that’s when we’ll re-open that conversation ... it needs to come from the staff.�
Tremendous progress Mr. K emphasized that regardless of the EL survey, tremendous progress has been made at CRES this year and they have built the foundation for continued development of the school. Sirko agreed, pointing out how hard the staff has worked this year to build student engagement, make learning relevant to kids and create a sense of unity among the staff. The most notable positive change this year, according Mr. K, is the adoption of the “crew� structure. Crew has taken the form of 30-minute community meetings in each
its next meeting, in April. Smith, who attended the Jan. 13 meeting by phone, agreed with the other board members that a clarifying policy is needed because violations of FLSA regulations or the rules of the FPPA could mean the district would be open to ďŹ nancial penalties imposed by the state. In other action at the meeting, the fire board: • Agreed to move ahead with a proposed employment contract for the position of ďŹ re chief. In addition, board member Bob Emerson suggested the board “take a step toward communicating somehow with Ronâ€? about his future plans as he nears retirement, and whether he wants his remaining time with the district to be covered by a contract. Leach has been working without any contract for his multiple decades as ďŹ re chief up until now. • Heard a report from Leach about the district's write-off of more than $39,000 in uncollected fees for ambulance service in 2015, as is done every year with such unpaid charges. Leach stressed that the district continues to seek payment of the fees, but prefers to write them off to avoid accumulations of “receivablesâ€? on the district’s books. • Opted to keep researching the idea of extending health-insurance beneďŹ ts, and possibly other beneďŹ ts, to domestic partners of ďŹ re ďŹ ghters working for the district. The board’s next meeting is scheduled for Feb. 10. Minutes of the board meetings, as well as agendas of upcoming meetings, are available for public inspection on the department’s website, www.carbondaleďŹ re.org.
CRES classroom at the start of every day. Teachers set aside this time for students to reect on themselves as learners and as part of a community, and to set personal goals. Crew has received “overwhelmingly positive reviews from parents, teachers and kids,â€? Mr. K said. Interestingly, crew is part of the EL Education model. The school district contracted with EL Education to provide training in the crew model to staff across the district. There has also been tremendous growth among the “adult cultureâ€? at the school this year, Mr. K said. The same crew structure used with students is being used among staff, which means that staff meetings include spending time “exploring who we are, who are community is and what our values are.â€? Mr. K noted that the staff has done a sig-
niďŹ cant amount of work around deďŹ ning their identity this year. They have identiďŹ ed seven core values that they “hold dear as a staffâ€?: joy, compassion, integrity, respect, relationships, creativity and equity. And they have created a new mission statement: CRES challenges and inspires all students to develop character skills, reach their academic potential and become global citizens. Now that they have identiďŹ ed these core values and developed a mission statement in the abstract, Mr. K explained, they can ďŹ lter any speciďŹ c program or approaches through these values and ideas to decide if it’s something they as a staff want to adopt. “Who knows, down the road, what path they (CRES staff) will choose to go,â€? Sirko said. “If it’s not EL, I’m conďŹ dent they’ll ďŹ nd something else that matches their ideas and energy around improvement.â€?
Gustavo Oliva (#2) drives the lane in Roaring Fork’s 68-40 win over Olathe on Jan. 16. Justin Thompson led the Rams with 16 points, followed by Jassiel Petatan with 12. Oliva recorded 9 points, 5 assists and 4 steals. Hayden Bernot had 8 points, 8 rebounds and drew two charging fouls. Roaring Fork’s next home game is against Gunnison on Jan. 23 (girls at 2:30 p.m., boys at 4 p.m.). Photo by Lynn Burton
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Scuttlebutt
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Trustee race getting crowded
Don’t believe it
Carbondale voters apparently will have four additional candidates to choose from in the upcoming municipal election, on top of the four who took out nominating petitions a week ago, for a total of eight hopefuls and (perhaps) counting. As the Jan. 25 deadline nears for candidate to sign up for the race to fill three open seats on the Board of Trustees, the field has expanded to include Wayne Horak, John “Doc” Philip, Marty Silverstein and Patricia Warman, according to Town Clerk Cathy Derby. The four recently took out nominating petitions, joining incumbent Trustee Allyn Harvey, and challengers Ben Bohmfalk, Michael Durant and Dan Richardson, who all had taken out nominating petitions a week earlier. As of Jan. 19, Derby said, petitions had been returned by Durant, Philip and Richardson. The petitions had not yet been certified as complete, thereby formalizing the candidacy of the petition circulators, as of Tuesday afternoon. The municipal election, which also will feature two tax-hike questions — seeking a property tax increase and a “climate action excise tax” (see page 1 story) — is scheduled for April 5.
Don’t believe everything you read in newspapers, at least not in regard to the residency of Arn Menconi. The former Eagle County commissioner sent out a press release in the past few days, announcing his candidacy as the Green Party’s candidate for U.S. Senate, and also that he’s a Carbondale resident. This was news to the Sun’s political editor, as he had always seen Arn’s name connected to Eagle County, Vail, and Washington, D.C. itself, thanks to the Chicago native’s arrest in 2015 for disturbing a Senate hearing. The Sun is still waiting for a reply on where Arn is living these days. In the meantime, if you’re wondering what the former snowboard instructor looks like, his website shows him as long-haired and short-haired, with a beard and without out. His most recent photo is probably the one he Tweeted out, which shows him in a Martin Luther King Day parade on Monday, with his gray freak flag flying, gray beard a flowing, shouting something or other, with his left hand above his head in a fist – surrounded by a bunch of African-American kids and teens.
Watch D.O.G.S. arriving
How cold was it earlier in the month? It was so cold, Ernesto the bufCrystal River Elementary School is looking to start a falo was rockin’ some leggings out on Highway 133. He was back to Watch D.O.G.S. program and is hosting an organizational the bare-leg look a few days later, which prompted a couple of theories. Attention filmmakers meeting (with pizza) at the school from 6 to 7 p.m. on Either temperatures warmed enough for Ernesto to just shuck his colThe Paonia Film Festival is looking for short Jan. 21. The D.O.G.S. stands for Dads of Great Students orful leg wear, or he lost them while kicking up his heels during one of films made by Colorado filmmakers. The entry and is the main focus of the non-profit National Center this downtown bar rounds. Photo by Illène Pevec deadline is Feb. 5. The details, go to paradiseoffor Fathering. The program’s purpose is to invite fathers, paonia.com. The festival runs April 28-30. grandfathers, uncles and father-figures to volunteer at least one day in schools, where they help teachers work with students, play with them at recess, They say it’s your birthday eat lunch with them and engage students. Watch D.O.G.S. volunteers not only provide posFolks celebrating their birthday this week include Felina Cruz (Jan. 25) and Laura Mcitive male role models for students, but provide an extra set of eyes and ears to enhance Cormick Grobler and Elizabeth Ritchie (Jan. 27). school security and reduce bullying. For more information on the program, check out fathers.com. For info on the Jan. 21 pizza night, call Coly Campbell at 970-456-5154.
ASPEN DANCE CONNECTION PRESENTS
FIRST FAT FRIDAY
PARADE FEBRUARY 5 5 TO 6 PM
STAYCEE PEARL dance project Friday January 22, 7 PM
GET YOUR ENTRIES READY NOW Application and float fee of $25 are due by noon on Feb. 3. For application or more information contact Andrea at the Carbondale Chamber, andrea@carbondale.com, (970) 963-1890. The parade route is as follows: starts at the corner of 2nd Street and Main Street, heads down Main Street, and ends at the corner of Weant Blvd. and Main Street. Check-in time is 4 p.m., and you must be lined up by 4:30 p.m. The parade begins promptly at 5 p.m. The parade forms along 2nd Street from Main Street to Sopris Drive. Parade entries will be judged and a trophy will be awarded.
6 • THE SOPRIS SUN • www.SoprisSun.com • JANUARY 21-27, 2016
Adults $25 Students $16
ASPEN DISTRICT THEATRE Aspenshowtix.com 970-920-5770 DANCE MASTER CLASS $15 SATURDAY JAN 23, 9:30-11 AM
at the LAUNCHPAD, Carbondale Info: 927-0641
Carbondale trustees OK new lighting ordinance By John Colson Sopris Sun Staff Writer Carbondale’s board of trustees on Jan. 13 passed revisions to the town’s outdoor lighting regulations in an effort to rein in a growing use of light-emitting diodes (L.E.D.) devices that tend to radiate considerably more “offensive” illumination than other, historically dominant lighting technologies. The ordinance that was passed last week refers to “certain types of modern lighted signs, including those that use L.E.D. Technology, (that) can be inconsistent with the Town’s goal of reducing glare and offensive light sources.” The trustees had been discussing the town’s lighting ordinance for months, in response to concerns that L.E.D. lighting dis-
Taxes om page 1 known as the Five Year Capital Improvement Summary and Plan. According to town officials, the new tax would generate perhaps $425,000 a year or so, which could be used to leverage grants and other sources of income to multiply the ability of the tax to pay for costly improvements. The property tax ballot question is written to set the tax to expire on Dec. 1, 2026, after a decade of collection.
Energy tax The ballot question that would hike taxes on natural gas and electric bills (residential and non-residential) is titled the “Climate Action Excise Tax” and reads: Shall town of Carbondale taxes be increased by $352,000 annual beginning in 2016, and by whatever additional amounts are raised annually thereafter, by authorizing the town to levy and collect a climate action excise tax upon customers of electric and natural gas utilities at rates of $0.008 per kilowatt hour (kWh) for residential electric utility customers, $0.035 per therm for residential natural gas utility customers, $0.0029 per kilowatt hour (kWh) for non-residential electric utility customers, and $0.02 per therm for non-residential natural gas utility customers, with these taxes taking effect on July 1, 2016 and expiring on June 30, 2022, for the purpose of funding programs to increase energy efficiency and renewable energy use, to reduce emissions from motor vehicles, and to take other steps toward the
plays were adding to the level of light pollution around Carbondale. The discussions specifically mentioned a new sign at the Faith Lutheran Church on Highway 133, in the building that once housed the Roaring Fork Family Physicians clinic. But town planner John Leybourne, who drafted the lighting-code revision passed by the trustees, said on Jan. 19 that the Faith Lutheran sign may or may not be affected by the revision. He said that the current sign code contains a provision that requires that all signs in town comply with the code as it is written within five years of its adoption, regardless of whether a particular sign was erected previous to the code’s passage into law.
goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions, with the resulting tax revenues to be collected, retained and spent by the town as a voter-appproved revenue change notwithstanding any applicable revenue or spending limitation imposed by Article X Section 20 of the Colorado Constitution or any other law? TABOR comments Amendment One (1992) to the Colorado Constitution requires a notice of the election to be mailed to all registered voters with certain information about the election and financial implications of the ballot questions (TABOR notice), according to a Town of Carbondale notice. Part of the TABOR notice to be sent to electors must include summaries of written comments, up to 500 words each, one for and one against the proposal, filed with the election officer by 45 days before the election. The Town of Carbondale hereby solicits written comments for and against the questions. Please address your comments to the Town Clerk, Town of Carbondale, 511 Colorado Avenue, Carbondale, CO 81623. Only comments filed by persons eligible to vote in the Town of Carbondale will be summarized in the ballot notice. To be summarized in the ballot issue notice, the comments must address these specific ballot issues and must include a signature and the address where the signer is registered to vote. Written comments must be received no later than Friday, Feb. 19, 2016 at 5 p.m. (Editor’s note: The Sopris Sun will explore the ballot questions and trustee campaigns in greater detail in the upcoming weeks).
But that provision may change, Leybourne said, as part of the ongoing rewrite of the town’s overall development review codes, known as the Unified Development Code process. As approved by the trustees, the revisions to the lighting code strictly address the issue of L.E.D. lighting, although Leybourne wrote in a memo to the trustees that he had drawn up a more comprehensive rewrite of the lighting code because the old one “was found to be outdated and did not address current technologies” beyond the L.E.D. issues. Those more extensive revisions may come before the board of trustees at a work session later this year, according to Leybourne’s memo. As revised, the lighting code now prohibits signs with internal lighting sources that emit
“excessive glare, color changing light sources, and visible lamps oriented toward the roadways,” as well as “animated” signs or “signs with visible (unshielded) light sources.” The code also now requires that “all lighted signs shall be reduced by 50 percent or more at the close of business of service or by 9 p.m., whichever is later,” except in the historic commercial core, where lighted signs “may remain fully illuminated until close of business or midnight, whichever is later, at which time lighting shall be reduced by 50 percent or lower.” The revisions to the lighting code were to be effective as soon as they are posted and published, in keeping with Carbondale’s Home Rule Charter.
Rotary Exchange student reflects on his stay here By Camilo Guevara-Stone Sopris Sun Student Intern
Manuel Cortina was a mid-year exchange student from Argentina who lived here for several months, thanks to the Rotary Student Exchange program. He returned home on Tuesday. As part of the Rotary program, Manuel also travelled to several other cities during the summer, including Chicago, New York and New Orleans. Before returning to Argentina, Manuel said his favorite thing was the different cultures he saw as he traveled the United States. According to John Stroud, a proud member of Rotary for almost 10 years, the Rotary Club was established around 1985 and has been around ever since. “I started working with Rotary because it was a requirement if you worked for the (old) Valley Journal, but after I transferred over to the Glenwood Post. I stayed in Rotary to know what was going on in Carbondale,” John said. Between 20 and 30 students come into the entire Colorado Rotary Club district almost every year. “We take in as many students as we send out, that’s the exchange,” John said. In his time here, Manuel lived in three houses, with: the Brands, the GuevaraStones, and the Strouds. At first Manuel was nervous coming here to the U.S. “I didn’t know what to expect,” he said. He said he also feared he wouldn’t have a nice host family, but once he got here, Manuel was surprised at how friendly the people are here in Carbondale. “Everybody says hi and smiles at you even though they don’t know you,” Manuel said. “I also like the different cultures here … . You go to one place and it’s different from the place that you came from.” Manuel arrived here in the U.S. in February and first spent three months at the Brands house. “Manu was a pleasure to have as part of our family. He brought curiosity in our culture, foods, sights and activities. He was always interested in even the experience of the smallest errand,” said Carrie Brand. “He shared his culture and EXCHANGE STUDENT page 9
If you would like to advertise your local non-profit or school here, free of charge, please call 379-0214. THIS COMMUNITY AD SPACE DONATED BY COOL BRICK STUDIOS.
THE SOPRIS SUN, Carbondale’s weekly community connector • JANUARY 21-27, 2016 • 7
Community Calendar THURSDAY Jan. 21 CHIEFS TALK • Carbondale Police Chief Gene Schilling, and Carbondale Fire Chief Ron Leach, invite the public to the Village Smithy from 8 to 9 a.m. to drink some coffee and talk about whatever’s on their mind in regard to those two agencies. Schilling and Leach meet the public at the Smithy on the third Thursday of the month. MODEL UN FUND-RAISER • A fundraiser for Roaring Fork High School’s Model UN Club takes place from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Third Street Center. There’ll be food, drinks and a presentation by the students about their work with the club, and their preparation for the National High School Model UN conference in New York on March 1-6. BUDDY PROGRAM • The Buddy Program hosts a Mentor and Mingle event from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at BB’s Kitchen in Aspen. Come on out and learn what it means to be a Buddy. There are currently 37 kids in the Roaring Fork Valley waiting to be matched with adults in the Buddy Program. Info: laura@buddyprogram.org. ROTARY • The Mt. Sopris Rotary meets at Mi Casita at noon every Thursday.
FRIDAY Jan. 22 MOVIES • The Crystal Theatre presents “The Big Short” (R) at 7:30 p.m. Jan. 22-28 and “Spotlight” (R) at 4:45 p.m. on Jan. 23. SHABBAT • The Aspen Jewish Congregation (AJC) holds Shabbat at the Orchard (110 Snowmass Drive in Carbondale) at 6 p.m.
To list your event, email information to news@soprissun.com. Deadline is noon on Monday. Events take place in Carbondale unless noted. For up-to-the-minute valley-wide event listings, check out the Community Calendar online at soprissun.com. View events online at soprissun.com/calendar.
This is the third Shabbat the AJC has held downvalley and last time, 80 people attended. Admission is free. Info: 925-8245 ext. 3, office@aspenjewish.org or aspenjewish.org. DANCE • Aspen Dance Connection presents the Staycee Pearl dance project at 7 p.m. at the Aspen District Theatre. Ticket info: aspenshowtix.com and 920-5770.
COMEDY • The Wheeler Opera House presents “Sandy Hackett’s Rat Pack Show” at 8 p.m. The show recreates what it would have been like to see legendary icons, Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr. and Joey Bishop live onstage together. Tickets are $65. Info: 9205770 and aspenshowtix.com.
LIVE MUSIC • Steve’s Guitars in the old part of the Dinkel Building presents the Front Range-based Moors & McCumber. Info: 963-3304.
LUNAFEST • Proceeds from the LUNAFEST film festival go to the Advocate Safehouse Project and the Breast Cancer Fund, according to a press release. The festival is dedicated to promoting awareness about women’s issues, showcasing female film-makers, and bringing women together in their communities. The six short films range from animation to fictional drama, and cover topics such as women’s health, motherhood, body image, aging, cultural diversity and breaking barriers. To date nationwide, LUNAFEST has raised more than $850,000 for the Breast Cancer Fund and more than $2.1 million for other women’s non-profit organizations. LUNAFEST takes place at 5 and 7:30 p.m. at the Hotel Colorado in Glenwood Springs. Advance tickets are $20 at Susan’s Flowers in Carbondale, Treadz in Glenwood Springs and lunafest.com. Info: 945-2632 or sarah@advocatesafehouse.org.
SAT.-SUN. Jan. 23-24 CIRQUE D’SOPRIS • CCAH’s annual Cirque D’Sopris (a show of youth design, daring and dance) is presented at Roaring Fork High School at 6 p.m. on Jan. 23, and 1 p.m. on Jan. 24. The theme is “Native Roots” and the show will look at traditions fo the past as we peer into the future. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for kids at the door. Info: 963-1680 and carbondalearts.com.
SATURDAY Jan. 23 SATURDAY MARKET • Eagle Crest Nursery hosts an indoor Saturday farmer’s market from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. through March 15. Items include local produce, eggs, fish, meats, bread, pastries, spices, jewelry, arts, apparel and more. Info: 963-1173. DANCE CLASS • Dance Initiative, CCAH, GrassRoots and others present a dance master class with the Staycee Pearl dance project from 9:30 to 11 a.m. at the Launchpad. The cost is $15. Info: 927-0641.
SUNDAY Jan. 24 UU SERVICE • The Two Rivers Unitarian Universalists meet at 10 a.m. for a service in The Spiritual Center, Suite 31 at the Third Street Center in Carbondale.
MONDAY Jan. 25 LIBRARY • The Carbondale Branch Library presents a “Get Your Business Online” workshop at noon. Trent Blizzard of BlizzardPress will teach how to claim your spot on Google and various best practices. A limited number of laptops will be available. RSVP at gcpld.org/gybo. The same workshop is also being presented at the other Garfield County libraries. AFRICAN DANCE • African dance classes are held at Carbondale Community School from 6 to 7:30 p.m. on Mondays through Feb. 15. The cost is $12 and all ages and levels are welcome.
TUESDAY Jan. 26 BLOOD DRIVE • St. Mary’s Medical Center holds a blood drive from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Roaring Fork High School. Donors must bring a photo ID. CHA • The newly formed Carbondale Housing Assistance meets at the Third Street Center at 5:30 p.m. Info: Lynn Kirchner at 379-4766, lynnk@rof.net and on Facebook at Carbondale Housing Assistance. C’DALE LIBRARY • The Carbondale Branch Library offers elementary-schoolaged kids a different program each Tuesday starting at 4 p.m. The first Tuesday of the month is Story Art with the Aspen Art Museum; second Tuesday is Book Buddies; third Tuesday is Legos at the Library; fourth Tuesday is The Good, the CALENDAR page 9
THE INDOOR SATURDAY
FARMER’S MARKET Dec. 5 through Mar. 15 10am-2pm
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Enjoy Local Vendors & Live Musicians Weekly!
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GREAT SHOPPING HAPPENS HERE Local produce, eggs, fish, meats, bread, pastries, coffee, soups, prepared foods, organic snacks, spices, honey, soaps and lotions, jewelry, arts, apparel and more!
www.EagleCrestNursery.com BU &BHMF $SFTU /VSTFSZ JO &M +FCFM t (JMMFTQJF %SJWF 970-963-1173 THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS Eagle Crest Nursery, Crawford Properties, Bank of Colorado, Daly Property Services!
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The Sopris Sun is hiring! Seeking an outgoing person to join our team as the ad rep. Part-time, weekdays, with strong earning potential Visit soprissun.com for a full job description and more info. Our mission: to inform, inspire and build community
8 • THE SOPRIS SUN • www.SoprisSun.com • JANUARY 21-27, 2016
TOWN OF CARBONDALE RESIDENTS are required to remove snow and ice from sidewalks 24 hours after the snowfall. BUSINESSES are required to remove snow and ice from their sidewalks 4 hours after the snowfall. It is also prohibited to deposit snow and ice into a public street, sidewalk or public property from private property.
Visit the Town of Carbondale website for additional information. Thank you!
Community Calendar Bad, and the Gross; and the fifth Tuesday is Librarian’s Choice. Info: 9632889 or gcpld.org.
WEDNESDAY Jan. 27 ROTARY • The Rotary Club of Carbondale meets at the Carbondale fire station on Meadowood Drive Wednesday mornings at 6:45 a.m. Todays speakers are Lucy Kessler (CORE) and Erica Sparhawk (CLEER). They’ll talk about Carbondale’s clean energy efforts. Upcoming speakers are: Feb. 3, Dave Reed (Western Colorado Congress); Feb. 10, Jack Brendlinger (“Don’t Get Mad, Get Even.”) Info: rccarlson@gmail.com. NATURALIST NIGHT • The Wilderness Workshop and ACES Naturalist Nights series at the Third Street Center continues with “The Hungry Bird: What Birds Eat” with David Leatherman. Questions that will be answered include: do ravens eat candy bars and what’s the best woody plant to attract birds to your yard? The talk starts at 5:30 p.m. and will be repeated in Aspen at ACES’s Hallam Lake HQ at 7 p.m. WINTER WORDS • Aspen Words’ Winter Words series continues with Alison Bechdel and Beth Malone at Paepcke Auditorium starting at 6 p.m. Tickets are $20. Info: 925-3122 ext. 4. LIVE MUSIC • Dan Rosenthal hosts an open mic night at Rivers restaurant in Glenwood Springs from 8 to 10 p.m. every Wednesday.
continued from page 8
Further Out
THURSDAY Jan. 28
WEDNESDAY Feb. 3
SATURDAY Feb. 13
RFHS SOLAR DEDICATION • Roaring Fork High School, Sunsense Solar, the Town of Carbondale and Garfield Clean Energy will celebrate the recent installation of a solar array at the school with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 11:15 a.m. on Jan. 28. The array of 1,242 solar panels will power 100 percent of the school’s electric usage on an annual basis, according to a press release. The public is invited to attend. In case of inclement weather, the ribbon cutting will take place at the same time on Feb. 4.
HOUSING • The Carbondale Creative District and others present a housing forum from 6:30 to 9 p.m. at the Third Street Center. According to a press release, discussion items and groups invited to attend the meeting include: “creatives,” senior housing, deed restricted housing, affordability, rentals, co-housing, micro-housing, tree houses, land owners, teachers, architects, multiuse development, rentals and more.
REDSTONE • Redstone’s WinterFest 2016 includes bike and snowshoe races, kids crafts and movies, the 10th annual dog parade and doggie games, beer tasting and music, a bonfire and more. WinterFest is is presented by: Aloha Mountain Cyclery, Bighorn Toyota, Alpine Bank, the Redstone Inn, the Redstone Castle and the Redstone Community Association. Info: redstonecolorado.com.
VALLEY DIVAS • The Valley Divas women’s networking group meets the first Wednesday of the month at 5:30 p.m. at Konnyaku. Jody Wilson is February’s speaker. Admission is $12 for Carbondale Chamber of Commerce members and $15 for non-members. To RSVP, call Lauri Rubinstein at 704-1711 or e-mail lauri@stepintogreat.com.
Save the date
ANGLING • Roaring Fork Conservancy and the Roaring Fork Valley Fly Fishing Club hosts the Iron Fly competition from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Riverside Grille (181 Basalt Center Circle) in Basalt. Iron Fly is fly tying combined with some friendly competition. Contestants will be given “secret materials” that must be used in each fly, and they must bring their owner materials. Entry is free. Info: Tom Skutley at rfvffc@gmail.com and 379-9114. OPERA • The Aspen Music Festival and Wheeler Opera House kick off a five-part series of filmed productions from the Metropolitan Opera, starting with Verdi’s “Il Trovatore.” Curtain time is 5:30 p.m. Tickets are $20. Info: 920-5770.
FRIDAY Jan. 29 ECONOMIC FORECAST FORUM • The Bank of Colorado holds its 2016 Economic Forcast Forum from 7 to 11 a.m. at the Hotel Denver. Speakers include portfolio manager Chad Morganlander, associate dean at CU Richard Wobbekind and others. Info: 945-0784 and glenwoodchamber.com.
Midweek Service 7:00pm
Come join in a time of worship with familiar music and A relaxed atmosphere
SUNDAY Feb. 7 SKI FOR SISU • The Mt. Sopris Nordic Council holds its annual Ski for Sisu fund-raiser at Spring Gulch. The skier who brings in the most pledges wins a new pair of skis. There’ll also be a silent auction for outdoor gear and apparel. Info: springgulch.org and info@springgulch.org.
FRIDAY Feb. 12 POETRY SLAM • Aspen Words presents its third annual Youth Poetry Slam starting at 6:30 p.m. at the Third Street Center. It’s hosted by Myrlin “Myrlindo” Hepworth, Mercedez Holtry and Logan “Dirty Verbs” Phillips. Admission is free. Sign up is from 5:30 to 6:15 p.m. Judges will be chosen from the audience. Info: 925-3122.
Exchange student life experience with us. We had a lot of laughs together and he was a great addition to our family.” Manuel was a junior at Roaring Fork High School. At Roaring Fork, he played soccer and especially liked art class. He said that his stay here was fun, but the school was very different. For example, in Argentina, his school is very small compared to the Carbondale high school. He also said that here, people are more quiet during class and the teachers here are more concentrated on teaching. “I wasn’t nervous about having Manuel over,” Trevor Stroud said. “We have had
MONDAY Feb. 8
FILM • The Sopris Sun’s third annual Classic Movie Night features “The Blues Brothers” at the Crystal Theatre. Doors open at 7 p.m., the film starts at 7:30 p.m. and tickets are $10. Costumes are encouraged. Proceeds benefit The Sopris Sun.
Ongoing VVAS • The 36th annual Valley Visual Art Show continues at the Launchpad and Bonfire Coffee through Feb. 20. The show features more than 60 local artists. Info: 963-1680 and carbondalearts.com. ART • The “Best of the West” group show at the Ann Korologos Gallery in downtown Basalt continues through Feb. 16. Info: 927-9668 and korologosgallery.com. MAYOR’S COFFEE HOUR • Chat with Carbondale Mayor Stacey Bernot on Tuesdays from 7 to 8 a.m. at the Village Smithy.
om page 7 multiple exchange students living in our house, so taking Manuel in was no problem. It just felt like having a brother.” In Argentina, Manuel lives with both of his parents, his dog Lisa and his parrot Paco. He also has two older brothers that don’t live with him anymore. In Argentina, Manuel likes to hang out with his friends and play in the park. “On a scale from one to ten, how was your stay here?” I asked him. “Probably a nine point five.” He answered. “Overall my stay here was really fun and enjoyable, and it was great to come live in Carbondale.”
First service January 27th!
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1340 Highway 133 Carbondale, CO 81623 www.faithcarbondale.com (970) 510-5046
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Make a joyful noise to the Lord all the earth! Psalm 100:1
THE SOPRIS SUN, Carbondale’s weekly community connector • JANUARY 21-27, 2016 • 9
EAT. SHOP. PLAY. CONFLUENCE OF RIVERS, RECREATION & CULTURE
Christensen, Hill and Lovins on tap at e Art Base Sopris Sun Staff Report
$230 for non-members. • The Art Project for kids 6-12 years old is offered on Tuesdays through Feb. 2. • Kids and teens can learn about outsider art with Stanley Bell each Thursday from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. through Feb. 4. (Note: full scholarships are offered through the PeyBack Foundation for some kids’ classes. For details, call 927-4123. • Saturday Crafternoons with Lindsey Webster returns for kids 4 and older from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The fee is $5 per session. For details, call 927-4123. The Art Base Charles J. Wyly Gallery continues its exhibition “Works” by Jill Sabella through Feb. 6. Sabella works with oils, monotypes and watercolor washes. “Collaborations by Craig O’Brien” continues at the Art Base Annex through Feb. 6. O’Brien presents a wide variety of artists’ work that he printed, including such notables as Carol Anthony, Aaron Fink, Robert Rauschenberg and C.J. Yao.
The Charles J. Wyly Gallery at The Art Base will feature Basalt resident and artist Ada Christensen, in an upcoming exhibition titled “Colorscapes.” The opening reception is Feb. 12 from 5 to 7 p.m. and the show continues through March 5. Christensen works with stains and lacquers on mahogany, accentuating the grain and achieving the feeling of a meditative landscape, according to a press release. Concurrent with the opening, in a new format for 2016, Christensen will discuss her work in an art talk with Art Base Executive Director Genna Moe on Feb. 12 at 5:30 p.m. Meanwhile, The Art Base Annex will feature two longtime Old Snowmass photographers, Judy Hill Lovins and Amory B. Lovins, in “Out of Sight Insight.” The show opens on Feb. 12 and runs through March 5. It Spans more than four decades of photographic images and experiences, and will feature a retrospective of Hill’s work, and more recent work by Amory. Both will discuss their work at the Art Base at 3 p.m. on Feb. 25.
The Art Base features:
Feb. 12: “Colorscapes” opening reception from 5 to 7 p.m. Feb. 12: Art talk with artist Ada Christensen at 5:30 p.m. Feb. 25: Art talk with photographers Judy Hill Lovins and Amory B. Lovins at 3 p.m.
In other Art Base news: • Expand your knowledge in iPhone photography in a hands-on class with Summers Moore from 6 to 8 p.m. on Jan. 22 and 10a.m. to 3 p.m. on Jan. 23. The cost is $145 for Art Base members and $195 for non-members. • Art Base Camp I with Jill Sabella is offered on Wednesdays from 6 to 8 p.m. from Feb. 3 through Feb. 24. The cost is $100 for members and $150 for non-members. • Painting Your Winter Vision in watercolor landscapes is offered by Amy Beidleman from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Feb. 17-19. The cost is $180 for members and
The Art Base Annex features:
Feb. 12: “Out of Sight Insight” opening reception from 5 to 7 p.m.
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On Wednesday mornings, after a Tuesday night Council meeting, visit in an informal setting with Basalt Mayor Jacque Whitsitt for coffee and a chat at Saxy’s Coffee Shop, 104 Midland Avenue.
Coffee with the
Mayor
This is a great opportunity to share your thoughts, make comments and catch up on what’s happening in Basalt. All issues and topics welcome. The next Coffee with the Mayor is:
Wednesday, January 27 at 8 a.m.
CHRISTMAS TREE RECYCLING 201 . The Town of Basalt will take Christmas trees for recycling through the month of January. The location is the former recycle center at the corner of Two Rivers and Midland Spur – just west of Lions Park. Trees must be completely free of all wiring, ornaments, lights, garland and tinsel.
10 • THE SOPRIS SUN • www.SoprisSun.com • JANUARY 21-27, 2016
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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 news@soprissun.com or via snail mail to P.O. Box 399, Carbondale, CO 81623. The deadline to submit letters to the editor is noon on Monday.
Shelter thanks Dear Editor: I am writing on behalf of everyone who will use and enjoy the new outdoor classroom/shelter that has just been completed behind the Third Street Center where the Carbondale Community Oven and Demetre’s Garden are located. The public structure is the most recent addition to Carbondale’s attractions, thanks to a grant obtained by the town. Now, people who use the Third Street Center, the bike path, the garden and the oven will have a safe, shady place to gather, share and learn. Thank you to everyone who helped make the outdoor classroom a reality. Linda Romero Criswell Carbondale Community Oven
Thanks to TSA Dear Editor: I am delighted and honored to announce that the Children’s Rocky Mountain  School, in Carbondale, has been awarded a  grant by The Thrift Shop of Aspen. The Children’s Rocky Mountain School has provided a quality early childhood program for 27 years in the Roaring Fork Val-
Legal Notice NOTICE
PURSUANT TO THE LAWS OF COLORADO
ley. Funds from this grant contribute to our school by improving the quality of our program and our community. Thank you for your continued support. If you want more information about the school, please call 963-2524. Debbie Condello Executive Director Children’s Rocky Mountain School
Check out Moab market Dear Editor: I moved to the Roaring Fork area from Moab, Utah and saw the positive transformation and expansion of the Moonower Market from a struggling 1970’s era cooperative to a thriving downtown food cooperative serving the community and visitors. I suggest that if any of the members of the Carbondale Food Co-op Board of Directors are going to Moab to make a stop there and speak with the managers and employees about the positive transformation and their business model. I think there is great potential for the Carbondale Food Co-op, and Moab seems to have found a working formula. Emily Miller Glenwood SpringsÂ
SWEET LEAF PIONEER
HAS REQUESTED THE LICENSING OFFICIALS OF THE TOWN OF CARBONDALE GRANT A RENEWAL RETAIL MARIJUANA STORE LICENSE TO SELL RETAIL MARIJUANA PRODUCTS AT SWEET LEAF PIONEER 1101 VILLAGE ROAD UL-4B CARBONDALE, CO 81623
HEARING ON APPLICATION TO BE HELD AT: CARBONDALE TOWN HALL
511 COLORADO AVENUE CARBONDALE, COLORADO
BY ORDER OF: STACEY BERNOT, MAYOR
APPLICANT:
DAVID MANZANARES
Information may be obtained from, and Petitions or Remonstrance’s may be filed with the Town Clerk Carbondale Town Hall, 511 Colorado Avenue, Carbondale, CO 81623. Published in The Sopris Sun on January 21, 2016.
Service Directory U
mate Was i t l Cleans Inside h & Out Complete Interior and Exterior wash package.
and
Car Wash • Detailing Oil changes • Tires
Unclassifieds
DATE AND TIME: FEBRUARY 10, 2016, AT 6:00 P.M. DATE OF APPLICATION: JANUARY 12, 2016
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Submit to unclassifieds@soprissun.com by Friday 12 p.m. Rates: $15 for 30 words, $20 for up to 50 words. Payment due before publication.*
THE SOPRIS SUN IS HIRING. Seeking an energetic, outgoing, detail-minded person to join our team as a part-time (20-30 hours/wk) ad sales representative. Strong computer skills required. Some direct sales experience preferred (need not be for newspapers). A positive attitude and commitment to The Sun’s mission (“to inform, inspire and build community�) are equally important. This is a great growth opportunity for the right person. Flexible weekday hours. Contact barbara.dills@gmail.com or 970-963-5782 for a detailed job description.
NOW ACCEPTING WINTER CLOTHING AND ACCESSORIES SPEND $50,
GET $5 OFF
If it rains or snows bring the vehicle back within 48 hours and we will rewash it.
Open Mon.-Sat. 8am-5pm and on Sundays from 9am-4pm for washes only
Grab and Go Local Grass-fed Beef Burgers
Salads By the Locals For Ice the Cream Locals
NEW!
FATBELLY BURGERS
Locally raised beef and produce 220 Main St, Carbondale | 970-963-1569 fatbellyburgers.com | info@fatbellyburgers.com
GET THE WORD OUT IN UNCLASSIFIEDS! Rates start at $15. Email unclassiďŹ eds@soprissun.com. FREE CLASSIFIED ADS for kids and teens to promote their businesses enterprises. Thirty word maximum. Please send to unclassiďŹ ed@soprissun.com. *Credit card payment information should be emailed to unclassifieds@soprissun.com or call 948-6563. Checks may be dropped off at our office at the Third Street Center or mailed to P.O. Box 399, Carbondale, CO 81623. Call 510-3003 for more info.
HOA MANAGEMENT
Weather Insurance
970-963-8800 745 Buggy Circle in Carbondale www.sunburstcarcare.com
The Carbondale Board of Trustees honored their Students of the Month on Jan. 13. They are (front row, left to right): Hayden Everett and Violet Lucy; (back row, left to right): Juan Hernandez and Connor Brennan. Not shown: Joseline Sanchez Garcia. Photo by Tom Penzel
SPEND $100,
GET $10 OFF
303 Main St. • Carbondale • 963-3940 • OPEN 7 DAYS
Doggone Clean A self-serve pet wash.
Accounting, Enforcement, Legislative Compliance, Minutes, Board Guidance, Site visits HOA Management is our ONLY business. Certified Manager of Community Associations 34 years in the Roaring Fork Valley
EMRE LLC kedquist@usa.net or 970-928-8428 WINDSHIELD REPAIR AUTO GLASS REPLACEMENT
We have custom designed tubs for your pet. Bring in your furry friend and we supply the rest.
: Ă“RӇ %:ÂŒ! %; ´ Ă“ÂŽ ;ӕӼ! ;
Dog wash $15-$20
/^` :VWYPZ :OVWWPUN *LU[LY ‹ 970-309-9034
Having a CRACKED WINDSHIELD is NOT SAFE for you or your family. CALL US NOW!
970-963-3891
DAVID ZAMANSKY – Owner Operated
500 Buggy Circle, Carbondale, CO
THE SOPRIS SUN, Carbondale’s weekly community connector • JANUARY 21-27, 2016 • 11
START SAVING TODAY ON PROPANE Become a member and save even more!
Now providing residential and commercial
BULK PROPANE DELIVERY We deliver from Aspen to Parachute (customer-owned tanks only) Call for account information
(970) 963-2220 Chris Bernat
Roaring Fork Valley Coop, Your New Hometown Propane Company
N OPE e to th I C L B U P Clothing, Boots, Hardware, Pet Supplies, Tack, Full Line of Animal Nutrition and Feed
WINTER HOURS MONDAY thru FRIDAY 5:30 AM to 5:30 PM SATURDAY and SUNDAY 8 AM to 3 PM
NEW WEBSITE www.roaringforkvalleycoop.com )JHIXBZ $BSCPOEBMF $0 t
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