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Volume 7, Number 10 | April 16, 2015

Left to right: Ellie Mae, Opie and Andy were lucky dogs at last Saturday’s Spring Clean Up Day at town hall because they attracted lots of attention and no doubt enjoyed it. Owners Rusty and Jo Jones seemed to also enjoy the smiles from cell phone photographers who took home a reminder of the day. For more on Spring Clean Up, please turn to page 5. Photo by Jane Bachrach

Community responds for “Music + Loveâ€? beneďŹ t Sopris Sun Staff Report

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lmost everyone said yes to Julie Puchkoff and Melody Durham when they started soliciting auction donations for the April 18 “Music + Loveâ€? beneďŹ t for Mary Margaret O’Gara more than two months ago. “Everyone really rallied,â€? Puchkoff told The Sopris Sun. In total, 60 business and individuals donated to the silent auction, with items that include restaurant gift certiďŹ cates, artwork, lodging and even the unusual, which includes an acre of land just outside Sand Dunes National Park (a $4,000 value; minimum bid of $500).

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O’Gara and Steve Standiford own Steve’s Guitars in the Dinkel Building, which attracts local and touring musical acts, and is known for its intimate, living room style set up.

O’Gara has been diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer and is undergoing treatment. Puchkoff and Durham work with her at Valley View Hospital. “When we heard about the diagnosis, we just wanted to do something,� Puchkoff said.

Although covered by insurance, the bills are starting to mount for O’Gara and Standiford, and she is also unable to work full time.

The beneďŹ t will take place from 5 to 10 p.m. at the Orchard and admission is $15 at the door, which covers

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appetizers from ďŹ ve Carbondale restaurants. Wine (from Sopris Liquor & Wine) and beer (from the Roaring Fork Beer Company) will also be available.

The musical lineup includes Valle Musico (5 p.m.), Steve Skinner with Louie Girardot (6 p.m.), Dan Sheridan (6:30 p.m.), Bobby Mason with Hap Harriman and Vid Weatherwax (7 p.m.), Frank Martin (7:45 p.m.), Lipbone Redding (8 p.m.) and Let Them Roar (9 p.m.). “She (O’Gara) has been at Aspen Valley Hospital for 35 years and has really done a lot for the community,â€? Puchkoff said. “This is a great way for her friends to do something ‌ we’ve had tons of calls from people wanting to volunteer.â€?

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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.

Buying locally grown food: It’s an investment

Weekly in print; daily online

In February I had the pleasure of being but with total commitment to the integrity of in a room with over 25 food growers and what they do. ranchers from Palisade to Aspen. They So what is our return on the investment were part of a focus group to share op- for what they are providing? Health, comportunities and challenges munity, water conservation, within our local food sysfertile soil and a future that tem. As each person shared includes the capacity to feed why they do what they do ourselves to the greatest exand their authentic love of tent possible in the face of the the land and animals in breakdown of the agricultural their care, I couldn’t help system upon which we are feeling an overwhelming currently dependent. welling up in my heart.

A recent Bloomberg reTheir work is hard, and port states that in response to it’s uncertain, and every seaincreasingly dire water shortson and every day require ages, California farmers new and bigger leaps of probably will leave as much faith. It’s not just the comas 500,000 acres unplanted,

By Gwen Garcelon plex and challenging work or about 12 percent of last of figuring out the economic models that year’s principal crops. Instead of being dewill work to grow the healthiest, most pressed or fearful in the face of this news, we water-sensitive and ecologically beneficial can wake up to the opportunity to reclaim food in our locality. They are actually living our relationship to growing food — somea new story for us as human beings, in thing that was once a very immediate and which we live once more in deep interde- central part of every person’s life. pendence with each other and the land.

For me, much of the time, that looks like I am astounded by the value of this, and advocating for and helping to build a local them. And I think of how many times I hear food system that celebrates work of people the concerns and even complaints about the like Whitney Will of Roaring Gardens. At a extra dollars that it costs to buy their locally recent local CSA expo, when I asked her how grown and raised food. But what are we truly the shares were selling she replied, without a buying? We are making an investment in our moment’s hesitation, that she was really there future through their expertise and the rela- to get cucumbers into the hands of children. tionship they are building with the land And there’s Casey Piscura and Matt Rader within an ever shifting and stressed ecosys- of High Lonesome Harvests, whose boundtem. We’re buying their courage to keep less passion inspires the ranching family that showing up amidst the constant uncertainties, provides the land for them to grow vegeta-

The Sopris Sun keeps you informed all week long with special content on the web; including breaking news, photo galleries, calendar events and much more.

Slow is the new fast

bles biodynamically and figure out the subtleties of growing at high altitude.

There’s John Maas and Josh Deaton of Mountain Primal Meat in Emma, who are as committed to the dignity and care with which their animals’ lives are ended as they are with how their animals are raised. Even for a vegetarian like me, the integrity of their operation is inspiring.

We know the equation — when you spend your money at a locally owned business, significantly more money stays in the local economy. But buying local food reaps a whole added set of rewards. Not just the economy benefits, but the health of the people, creatures, water, land and air also benefit. What if that nutrient-rich local food saves you one trip to the doctor? Combine the lost time at work and added child care costs — that would pretty much eat up the extra margin of what it cost to buy local. And that’s not even taking into account the increasing necessity of a viable local food system in the face of crises in the food supply far and wide.

There are plenty of reasons to choose out of fear or even because it will save us money in the long run. But somehow it feels much more powerful to choose in the direction of, as author Charles Eisenstein put it, “the more beautiful world our hearts know is possible.”

Letters

An amazing community

(Editor’s note: This letter was addressed to Colorado Rocky Mountain School).

Dear Editor: What an amazing community we live in!

Many thanks to everyone for a tremendously successful “Spring Into Wellness” First Friday event on April 3. From Main Street to the Third Street Center people were enjoying the cool spring evening and getting their Bingo cards signed so they could enter the drawing to win one of the 20 donated prizes. It was so inspiring to have over 70 wellness-oriented individuals and businesses participate in the evening’s events.

Special thanks to the following people who contributed above and beyond.

Super organized volunteer Denise Rankin.

Major sponsors: the town of Carbondale Recreation Department and Community Center, Carbondale Chamber of Commerce, Sustainable Settings, Dr. Jody Powell ND, Third Street Center, Clear Heart Healing Arts and Hippocrates Table.

Members of the manifesting committee: Megan Passmore, Laura Barton, Jody Powell, Diana Alcantara, Joanne Nevilas, Cindy Weaver, Kersten Wilson, Illene Pevec, Dave Troxel, Denise Rankin, Ardis Hoffman, Connie Clancy-Fisher, Eric Brendlinger,

Dear CRMS: After all the meetings last year, and the final decision by the BOCC to deny your County Road 106 vacation request, why are you building a fence on the public rightof-way? That land belongs to the Garfield County taxpayers and it is illegal to block or alter it without public notice.

You tout that you are fostering: “a learning environment in which students discover their potential to excel as individuals, contribute to their communities, and thoughtfully participate in the world we share.” In actuality you are showing them that due process should be utilized unless it doesn’t produce the desired results, in which case you just take what you want.

The message is loud and clear: the law only applies to those who can’t afford a highpriced attorney.

Looks, sounds and smells like new money in the old west to me.

Jeannie Perry Satank

2 • THE SOPRIS SUN • www.SoprisSun.com • APRIl 16-22, 2015

Help us keep the website fresh: Send breaking news tips, photos and suggestions to

970-309-2053 or claird@soprissun.com.

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Gwen Garcelon is the director of the Roaring Fork Food Policy Council, and writes about her unabashed passion for a thriving planet and the adventure challenge of recreating the local food system (and other inspiring stuff of relevance).

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.

New money, old west

We are collecting Mt. Sopris images for our online gallery.

Shannon Jones, Gwen Garcelon, Elizabeth Cammack and Dave Teitler.

Volunteers from the Jaywalker community who helped set up and replace tables at Third Street Center. The talented musicians from local band Let Them Roar.

The generous individuals and businesses that donated Bingo prizes: Aspen Face & Body Sculpting, Headache & Back Pain Center of Carbondale, Back to Balance, Reconnective Therapies of Western Colorado, Carbondale Recreation Department, Author Dr. Connie Clancy-Fisher, Jenny Johnson, Holistic Health Clinic, True Nature Healing Arts, Carbondale Community Food Co-operative, Carbondale Acupuncture Center, Dr. Jody Powell ND, Colorado Community Acupuncture, Awaken to Conscious Healing, Mama Bear’s Organics, Phat Thai, Town. and Hippocrates Table.

Kudos to the hardy folks from the local gardens, CSAs, Ondalu, Community Bread Oven and Cyn Cyr who welcomed visitors at their tables on the south lawn of Third Street Center.

The tenant businesses in Third Street Center who opened their doors and served LETTERS page 19

To inform, inspire and build community.

Donations accepted online or by mail. For information call 510-3003 Editor: Lynn Burton • 970-510-3003 news@soprissun.com Advertising: Bob Albright • 970-927-2175 bob@soprissun.com Reporter: John Colson Photographer: Jane Bachrach Graphic Designer: Terri Ritchie CURRENT BOARD MEMBERS board@soprissun.com Barbara Dills, President Denise Barkhurst, Vice President Debbie Bruell, Secretary Colin Laird • Sue Gray • Craig Fulmer Cliff Colia • Diana Alcantara Honorary Board Members David L. Johnson • Laura McCormick Jeannie Perry • Trina Ortega • Frank Zlogar Founding Board Members Allyn Harvey • Becky Young • Colin Laird Barbara New • Elizabeth Phillips Peggy DeVilbiss • Russ Criswell

Sopris Sun, LLC • P.O. Box 399 520 S. Third Street #36 Carbondale, CO 81623

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www.soprissun.com Send us your comments: feedback@soprissun.com The Sopris Sun is an LLC organized under the 501c3 non-profit structure of the Roaring Fork Community Development Corporation.

Satankers, CRMS squabble over new and old issues

By John Colson Sopris Sun Correspondent A simmering road-related dispute between Colorado Rocky Mountain School, a private academy for grades 9-12, and it’s neighbors to the north, in the unincorporated community of Satank, seems poised to spill over into a broader fight.

At present, the spat has expanded to include the Garfield Board of County Commissioners and the board of directors for the Rockford Ditch Association, which controls one of the oldest ditches diverting water from the Crystal River, supplying irrigation water to CRMS as well as to the residents of Satank.

“We went through this all, last year,” lamented one Satank resident, John Armstrong, who works for the Pitkin County Open Space and Trails department and has been deeply involved in the CRMS/Satank conflict in recent months.

Armstrong also was involved in a similar conflict last year when the school tried but failed to get the county to vacate a county road right-of-way and turn it over to CRMS. The current dispute, Armstrong told The Sopris Sun, “has a whole different flavor to it, but it’s the same issue, that’s for sure.”

At its core, the present fight revolves around changes made to the historic right-of-way of Garfield County Road 106, which bisects the CRMS campus and, in Armstrong’s words, predates the existence of both the school and the town of Carbondale.

The historic right-of-way through the school once was the main, two-lane route for automobile traffic between Glenwood Springs and Carbondale, crossing the old Pink Bridge over the Roaring Fork River and passing through Satank, prior to the construction of the four-lane Highway 82.

Both the bridge and the stretch of road through CRMS have been closed to public traffic for years, becoming a “driveway” through the school’s property that remains on the books as a public right-of-way open to pedestrians and bicyclists.

Before being closed to traffic, CR 106 went directly through the campus in a north-south direction, connecting to Dolores Way (also known as the Satank Road) on the north end of the campus, and the existing CR 106 at the school’s southern entrance, where it links Carbondale with Thompson Creek Road (CR108) and with Hardwick Bridge Road (CR109) leading toward Aspen Glen and Glenwood Springs.

The school was built in 1953 on both sides of CR106, on land donated by the late Harold “Shorty” Pabst to school founders John and Anne Holden. At various times in recent years school officials have unsuccessfully tried to convince the county to vacate the road and turn it over to the school’s ownership, citing concerns about the safety and security of the school in general and the students in particular with a public road passing straight through the heart of the campus.

The latest attempt at vacation of the road was last year, when Satank residents who wanted the road to remain a public right-of-way prevailed after a contentious and lengthy series of hearings before the

What started a few weeks ago as a new south entrance way to Colorado Rocky Mountain School has devolved into a dispute that has spread to the north end as well. This new fence is a focal point for some Satankers ire, as they claim it was built on county right-of-way property without the proper approvals. At the north end, Joleene Singer enjoys the new path over a recently installed Rockford Ditch culvert, which CRMS claims did not have the ditch association’s approval. Photos by Lynn Burton

Garfield County Commissioners and other governmental bodies.

Since last year’s failed vacation request, according to school officials, Garfield County’s road and bridge department contacted CRMS and, also citing safety issues, asked the school to reconfigure its southern entrance, where the county road once entered the campus in a “straight shot” that school officials say they long felt was neither safe nor secure.

The school started work on the southern entrance about six weeks ago, rerouting the road to one side, piling up dirt where the road once entered the school’s property, and extending a fence onto the road right-of-way.

“The alterations will increase safety for vehicular traffic going to and from CRMS,” the school maintained in a statement issued publicly before the work began.

Years earlier, the school also had closed off the road at its northern end, where it once lead straight through Satank to the old Pink Bridge, erecting a long earthen berm across the right-of-way.

Though the road still is a public rightof-way, open to foot and bicycle traffic, the only way of getting onto the right-of-way

from Satank is along a narrow trail that crosses the Rockford Ditch at Dolores Way, adjacent to the point where the ditch splits into several “laterals” that deliver water to various Satank properties.

Alarm The work done by the school at its south end has alarmed Satank residents who fear the school is trying to restrict and diminish use of the road as a way of convincing the county to give up the right-ofway, an intention the school administrator, Headmaster Jeff Leahy, has denied.

Referring to last year’s confrontation, Armstrong said that when the vacation request was denied, “they (CRMS) went to a different plan of attack” that culminated in the work being done at the southern school entrance.

On April 6, Armstrong asked the Garfield Board of County Commissioners

(BOCC) to designate the closed portion of CR106 through CRMS as a formal, public trail, with signs alerting potential users to its existence.

It was at that meeting that the BOCC, as a whole, got its first look at the work the school had done in the right-of-way, and at least one commissioner reportedly was not happy with what he saw.

According to a news story in the Glenwood Springs Post Independent about the meeting, Commission Chairman John Martin concluded that the school did its work without the proper permits and, in doing so, improperly altered the public’s right-of-way.

That issue is scheduled to be considered again at the BOCC’s meeting on May 4.

Rockford Ditch A sidebar issue, involving the Rockford Ditch, arose last week when a group of CRMS/SATANK page 4

THE SOPRIS SUN, Carbondale’s weekly community connector • APRIl 16-22, 2015 • 3

CRMS/Satank om page 3 Satank residents got together to replace an aging metal grate that had carried the narrow trail from Dolores Way, over the ditch and into school property.

The school, according to Rockford Ditch Association Board Secretary Marge Palmer, controls a majority of the shares in the ditch, and appoints three of the five members of the association’s board of directors.

The neighborhood group installed a donated culvert to carry the water, and covered it with dirt to form a smoother and wider trail surface than the old grate, which was believed to have been an old school-bus luggage rack. Palmer said the installation largely was driven by a desire to provide better access to the trial for a wheelchair-bound Satank resident.

School officials, angered by the move, accused the neighbors of trespassing and of working on the ditch without permission from the board of directors in charge of the ditch.

Armstrong, however, told The Sopris Sun on Monday, “I don’t think we did anything wrong.” He said that the ditch walker for the Rockford Ditch Association at the time, Satank resident Joe Burleigh, not only was aware of the planning for the grate replacement, he took part in it. Armstrong said that others associated with the board of directors had been aware of the plans for some time in advance.

According to Satank resident Patrick Hunter, who owns 17 shares of water from the ditch and also took part in the work, “Not only does the new culvert make for a much safer and attractive trail, but it also allows for the access of emergency vehicles to the north end of the 106 ROW.” Burleigh has since been fired from his job as ditch walker, replaced by local rancher Mark Nieslanik, who reportedly leases part of the CRMS lands for his cattle

ranching operation.

In an e-mail to Garfield County planner Tamra Allen, obtained by The Sopris Sun, CRMS Finance Director Joe White called the culvert installation work “illegal” and a case of “trespass,” and informed the county that both CRMS and the Rockford Ditch Association “are in the process of discussing their options” about the issue.

Thus, there are allegations of improper or illegal work being done by both sides of the conflict, and the entrenched battle lines seem to be hardening.

“Sadly, there is a great mistrust of the Colorado Rocky Mountain School by neighbors and ROW (CR106) users due to the school’s numerous attempts to close public access to the ROW,” wrote Armstrong in a summary of the issues provided to The Sopris Sun. “Neighbors and trail users are requesting clear signage of the ROW and a modest but safe trail linking Satank and the Rio Grande Trail with Carbondale, Hardwick Bridge Road and Thompson Divide.”

For its part, the school maintains it has followed county guidelines and rules in attempting to assure the safety of the school and its students, and that it always has worked well with its neighbors and will continue to do so.

“From the very beginning,” said Headmaster Jeff Leahy, “we’ve been very deliberate and cautious about following all the protocols. We went through the whole process that the county set up. They approved the plans that we submitted.”

As for Commissioner’s Martin’s remarks, Leahy said, “We were a little confused by what John Martin said.”

Leahy declined to specifically discuss the matter any further with a reporter, recommending that any future information be gleaned from the May 4 meeting of the county commissioners.

4 • THE SOPRIS SUN • www.SoprisSun.com • APRIl 16-22, 2015

Cop Shop During the week of April 2-9, Carbondale officers handled 272 calls for service, according to a report issued

by Chief Gene Schilling. What follows is a sampling of “cases of note” compiled by the department.

FRIDAY, April 3: At 7:02 a.m. police took a report of tire slashing at Ballentine Carpet involving two vehicles at the business. An investigation revealed that a total of 14 vehicles had their tires slashed, along Merrill Avenue and in the Colorado Meadows subdivision, coming to a total of 18 tires. The case is under investigation.

FRIDAY, April 3: At 4:57 p.m. police took a report about a runaway juvenile.

SATURDAY, April 4: Police got a call about a traffic complaint in which the complainant expressed concern about a driver's ability to drive. A later medical call about the same driver revealed that the driver had suffered a seizure and had hit two parked cars. The driver was taken by ambulance to Valley View Hospital in Glenwood Springs.

FRIDAY-SATURDAY, April 3-4: Officers arrested five different individuals, in five separate incidents, on suspicion of drunk driving.

MONDAY, April 6: At 2:45 p.m. police were called by a motel regarding an apparent telephone scam, in which the caller claimed to work for the town's water department and demanded payment of the motel's water bill within 45 minutes or the water would be turned off. The management called the town's water department and was informed it was a scam. Officers attempted to contact the scammer, who had left a phone number with a 907 area code (Alaska) and were informed it was not a working number. “Alert … staff were not fooled,” stated the police report.

COP SHOP page 19

Around town Folks dumped some junk and took care of their health at Saturday’s Spring Clean Up Day and Valley View Hospital’s Community Health Fair. Photos of note: upper right, Trash Queen/ Spring Clean Up organizer Julie Farwell; lower right, Chrissy Leonard checks out the body fat scanner.

Photos by Jane Bachrach

THE SOPRIS SUN, Carbondale’s weekly community connector • APRIl 16-22, 2015 • 5

Scuttlebutt

Send your scuttlebutt to news@SoprisSun.com.

last chance to say “cheese” The last sitting for The Sopris Sun’s Mother’s Day photo spread is April 18 from 2 to 7 p.m. at the Third Street Center. Portraits of moms and their babies born in the past year or adopted since Mother’s Day will be included in the Sun’s May 7 issue. To schedule a photo session, call Mark Burrows at 379-4581 or e-mail mark@rfvphoto.com.

RadioCMC streaming live

5POINT FILM FESTIVAL A P R I L 23-26 2015 I N C A R B O N DA L E, CO

T I C K E T S

O N

S A L E

N O W !

5P O I N T F I L M .O R G /T I C K E T S

Has it been that long? On April 15, Smiley Wise marked his 20th year with the town of Carbondale. Wise is the streets foreman with the Public Works Department and is shown here during last Saturday’s town clean up day. Jane Bachrach photo

5Point sneak preview Do you know what “scraper bikes” are?

Have you ever heard of the “scraper bike movement” or Tyrone “Baybe Champ” Stevenson?

Well, neither has anyone in The Sopris Sun’s alleged newsroom, but the whole town will know about scraper bikes after the upcoming 5Point film festival, slated for April 23-26. Champ himself will be in attendance to explain the scraper bike movement, which apparently has something to do with decorating bikes.

In other 5Point news, the ever-popular 5Point Van Life Rally returns on April 23 to demonstrate some of what it takes to actually live in a specially outfitted van or similar vehicle. Also, in the climbing world they don’t come much bigger than Tommy Caldwell and Lynn Hill. The whole world watched last January as they scaled El Capitan’s 3,000-foot Dawn Wall. Caldwell and Hill will discuss the Dawn Wall climb in particular and the Yosemite Valley in general at 2 p.m. on April 26.

Join the Rampage

BROUGHT TO YOU BY

In this month’s Roaring Fork High School Rampage newspapers (in this week’s Sopris Sun), you’ll read about and see photos of the Model UN Club taking a bite out of the Big Apple in March. Roy Benge writes a personal account of getting caught in a Snowmass avalanche. There’s an excerpt from a poem by Portia Brown on the Art and Poetry Showcase section, an opinion piece headlined “Say yes to the dress, no the stress” and much, much more.

© PatitucciPhoto

Country star heading to Rifle

6 • THE SOPRIS SUN • www.SoprisSun.com • APRIl 16-22, 2015

Country music star Gary Allan will headline the 2015 Garfield County Fair & Rodeo in Rifle on Aug. 7. Allan has sold more than seven million albums, according to a press release. His current single, released on Feb. 25, is titled “Hangover Tonight.” He has appeared on “The Tonight Show” with Jay Leno, “Late Night” with Jimmy Fallon and other TV shows.

Colorado Mountain College’s student-run radio station, RadioCMC, is now streaming live at RadioCMC.com.

In addition to live music, artist profiles and a local music hour, listeners can hear recorded episodes of the interview program “Inside the Mountain.” The latest episode of “Inside the Mountain” offers a candid, informal conversation with Dr. Carrie Besnette Hauser, president and CEO of the college.

This just in The Carbondale Wild West Rodeo, billed as “Small town rodeo, big time fun!”, returns to the Gus Darien Arena east of town every Thursday (rain or shine) from June 4 to Aug. 20. Admission is $10 for adults, $30 per car load (up to six people) and kids 10 and under with an adult are free. Gates open at 5:30 p.m. with slack at 6 p.m. and Grand Entry at 7:30 p.m. For details, go to carbondalerodeo.com.

Pretty artful Aspen Community School students receive 98 percent more arts than their peers nationwide, according to a survey release from the school this week. “At ACS, we believe in the power of creative expression. We also see a correlation between high quality arts education and our students’ outstanding academic achievement,” said principal Jim Gilchrist. “We wanted to better understand the depth of arts our students are receiving across the board — in music, visual arts, theater, dance and woodshop — to get a baseline on what it takes to deliver these results.”

According to a press release, ACS is a three-time winner of the John C. Irwin School of Excellence Award, a five-time recipient of the Governor’s Distinguished Improvement Award and currently holds an “A+” rating from Colorado School Grades, which ranks it the #6 middle school in the state. The school has also earned accolades for its arts program, having received the National Schools of Distinction in Arts Education Award (2004) from the Kennedy Center, which honored the top five arts schools in the nation each year from 1998-2011.

They say it’s your birthday Folks celebrating their birthday this week include: HP Hansen (April 17); Stephanie Schilling (April 18); Leslie Emerson, James Surls and Deb Colley (April 19); Jack Bergstrom, Molly Jacober and April Clark (April 20); and Shannon Muse (April 21).

Roaring Fork’s Shay Gianinetti takes a throw (top) while Raul Leyva (right) throws a pitch during Saturday’s home-field doubleheader against Grand Valley. The Rams took the first game 17-7 but dropped the second 8-2. Upcoming home games are a doubleheader against Aspen at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. on April 25, and a doubleheader against Moffat County at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. on May 2. Photos by Sue Rollyson

THE SOPRIS SUN, Carbondale’s weekly community connector • APRIl 16-22, 2015 • 7

County starts crossing Catherine Store bridge issues

By John Colson Sopris Sun Correspondent Garfield County recently agreed to hire the SGM engineering company of Glenwood Springs to do the preliminary engineering work for a project to either modify or replace a bridge along County Road 100 (Catherine Store Road) that crosses over the Roaring Fork River east of Carbondale.

The decision came on April 6, when the Garfield Board of County Commissioners approved a contract with SGI for the engineering work.

The approval represents the first step toward rebuilding the aging bridge.

Catherine Store Road is a main commuter route for Carbondale workers heading upvalley toward Basalt and Aspen.

It also is designated by Garfield County as the main haul route for trucks serving a transfer station for the Mountain Roll-offs Inc. trash hauling company, located at the old MidContinent Resources train loading facility.

The county agreed to designate Catherine Store Road as the haul route in order to keep the main volume of MRI trucks off the streets of Carbondale.

At the BOCC meeting on April 6, Chief Procurement Officer Jamaica Watts and Assistant County Engineer Jeff Nelson told the commissioners that SGM’s bid for the engineering work represented the “best value” out of the three firms that sent in bids, and that the work by SGM would cost $350,900.

Commissioner Tom Jankovsky, questioning the cost, asked Nelson and Watts, “Is this a completely new bridge?”

His question was first answered by Commission Chair John Martin, who said he thought that price tag was for a new bridge.

But Nelson added, “We don’t know yet.”

He said the request for bids directed the engineers to explore both a complete replacement of the bridge, and the possibility of modifying and expanding the existing bridge.

Nelson added later that the county budget contains a line item of about $650,000 for engineering and right-of-way acquisition for whichever option ultimately is chosen for the project.

Still seeming unhappy about the cost, Jankovsky remarked about the bridge work, “There’s no question that it is needed,” specifically mentioning the 90-degree turn that the road takes to pass over the bridge on its way to Highway 82.

Martin, in acknowledgement of Nelson’s explanation, commented about the cost, “You’ll need to add a couple new zeroes to this” for the cost of replacing the old bridge to accommodate the MRI truck traffic.

Regarding the need for an improved bridge, Jankovsky noted that the county had accepted some money from RMI for the project.

“We received some funding from MRI, I believe,” he said, “but … just looking at the engineering cost, it’s a minimal amount

The Catherine Store bridge project probably won’t begin in 2015, but some county officials are already concerned about its projected costs. Photo by Lynn Burton of money.”

According to County Manager Drew Gorgey, as a condition of approval MRI agreed to pay up to 35 percent of the estimated cost of $504,600 to do the bridge work, which would come to roughly $176,600. Gorgey noted that the county has yet to request, or receive any actual money from MRI, as the approvals for the transfer station state that MRI will not be approached

for funding until the county starts construction on the bridge.

Jankovsky made the motion to approve the hiring of SGM for the engineering work, got a second from Commissioner Mike Samson, and the motion was passed unanimously.

The county has no schedule for the construction or expansion of the bridge, although the actual work apparently will not take place this year.

Forest Service OK’s operating plan for controversial quarry

By John Colson Sopris Sun Correspondent Federal officials have approved an operating plan for the White Banks Quarry operation at Avalanche Creek, between Carbondale and Redstone, that calls for mining operations to begin as early as May. Robert Congdon, a former coal miner who first started work at the White Banks location nearly a quarter century ago, confirmed on Tuesday that it is likely there will be only a minimal amount work done at the mine in May, thanks to the sudden nature of the recent approval from the U.S. Forest Service.

“We’ve worked five years to get the permit,” Congdon said. “It’s dropped into our lap pretty unexpectedly.”

It will not be until later in the summer, perhaps July or August, before any significant work begins, Congdon said.

The mine is intended to produce marble, alabaster and gypsum.

According to a document provided by the White River National Forest offices in Glenwood Springs, the quarry is to commence its “development phase” this May, which is to involve “full scale alabaster exploration, development and production, and limited marble exploration and development for mineral classification purposes through May 2019.”

The quarry’s “production phase,” involving full-scale production of all the minerals, is to last through May, 2035, according to the document.

The approval document also states that, even if the marble is determined to be “a salable mineral” as defined by federal regulations, the WRNF Ranger still will have “discretion” as to whether continued marble production operations can move forward, or whether the quarry will be restricted to “alabaster/gypsum mining operations only.”

The operator of the quarry is listed as the Elbram Stone LLC in Glenwood Springs, which is reported to be leasing the quarry property from Mystic Eagle, which Congdon started in 1991 under prospecting rights granted through Colorado’s 1872 mining law.

Walt Brown, a Glenwood Springs attorney who was bought into the mine opera-

tions several years ago, explained that the two entities actually are made up of the same people, but under different corporate identities for legal reasons.

Popularly known as the Mystic Eagle mine, the quarry was originally known as the White Banks quarry, said Brown, explaining that the original name is the one used by forest service officials.

The Mystic Eagle name for the mine is derived from a striking carving of an eagle’s head, sculpted out of the solid rock of the mine wall by sculptor Jeremy Russell, at Congdon’s invitation.

The quarrying operations have been opposed by neighboring residents, mostly in the Swiss Village subdivision that sits WHITE BANKS QUARRY page 9

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8 • THE SOPRIS SUN • www.SoprisSun.com • APRIl 16-22, 2015

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Carbondale firefighters responded to a fire at the strip mall on Highway 133 at about 3:30 p.m. on Sunday. Heavy smoke was coming from part of the roof when firefighters arrived. They found the fire burning in the roof between two of the building’s units and quickly got the blaze under control. A fire district press release said the fire is believed to have been accidental. There were no injuries. Photo by Lynn Burton

White Banks Quarry om page 8 opposite the quarry site in the Crystal River canyon, who are worried that the mining operation could produce unacceptable levels of noise, dust and other problems.

Some residents have blamed mining operation in the past for cracking walls and broken windows in their homes.

The Pitkin County government also has been at odds with the mining plans, primarily over concerns expressed by the neighbors and worries about the operation’s effects on area wildlife.

According to published reports on the mining operation, it has been operated only

sporadically since 2003 due to environmental restrictions and legal battles with Pitkin County, the White River National Forest and environmental groups.

The Forest Service court fight mainly was over Congdon's contention that the mine could only be profitable if operated yearround, while the Forest Service maintained the mine's operators had to prove the mine contains sufficient marketable minerals to justify year-round operations.

This year’s approval sets up a four-year schedule of operations intended to permit the mine's operators to prove their claims.

Congdon has long maintained that the mine can produce marble of sufficient quality for sculptors to work with, and he told The Sopris Sun on Tuesday that he expects to be involved in this year’s MARBLE/ marble symposium, which takes place in July and August in the historic mining town of Marble at the head of the Crystal River Valley.

“We’ll definitely have a presence there,” he said.

Congdon still is the manager of the mine, Brown said.

“He’s the manager and the guy in charge

of things,” Brown declared, adding that right now Congdon is putting together an operations plan that will be reviewed by an engineer with the WRNF. “I think all he wants is to find out what’s planned and when it’s planned,” Brown commented about the engineer’s interest.

Brown added that all the work at the mine is to be underground initially, which he hoped would alleviate concerns among the neighbors about noise and other problems.

“It’s going to be slow work at first,” Brown predicted. “I think it’s going to be a small operation for at least 10 years.”

A Religion of One’s Own with Rev. Stephan Papa Join us Sunday, April 19, 2015 – 10:00 a.m.

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THE SOPRIS SUN, Carbondale’s weekly community connector • APRIl 16-22, 2015 • 9

Community Calendar THURS.-SUN. April 16-19 THEATRE • SoL Theatre presents Shakespeare’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” at noon on April 16, 17 and 19, and 7 p.m. on April 17 and 18. Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for kids 10 and under. Info: soltheatrecompany.com.

THURSDAY April 16 lIVE MUSIC • Third Thursday at the Third Street Center features Valle Musico (elegant guitar-based music with jazz, classical, Latin and world-beat elements) from 7 to 9 p.m. Admission is $5 (which goes to the band); kids under 12 are free. Info: thirdstreetcenter.net.

POETRY • Steve’s Guitars hosts valley Poetry at 4:30 p.m. The first time out, about 10 kids and 12 adults read their work.

MEET THE CHIEFS • Carbondale Police Chief Gene Schilling and Fire Chief Ron Leach meet the public from 8 to 9 a.m. at the Village Smithy.

EAGlES’ NEST BAZAAR • The Sopris Elementary School Parent/Teachers Association in Glenwood Springs hosts its Eagles’ Next Bazaar from 5 to 8 p.m. at the school. There’ll be food, drink handmade gifts and more.

CRES REGISTRATION • Crystal River Elementary School holds registration for the next school year from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Parents must bring a birth certificate, immunization records and deposit for fulltime kindergarten (there is no fee for part time kindergarten).

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.

ROTARY • The Mt. Sopris Rotary meets at Mi Casita at noon every Thursday.

OPEN MIC • Boomerang Coffee Company on Highway 133 hosts an open mic night.

lIVE MUSIC • Rivers restaurant in Glenwood Springs presents Dry Hollow from 9 p.m. to midnight and Valle Musico on April 24. No cover. Info: 928-8813.

FRI.-SAT. April 17-18

SAT.-SUN. April 18-19

THEATRE • Colorado Rocky Mountain School presents “Lend Me A Tenor” at 7:30 p.m. at the barn. Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for kids and students.

STAGED READING • Thunder River Theatre presents a free reading of “Final Grades” by Alex Pototsky at 7 p.m. Potosky, a 2011 graduate of Glenwood Springs High School, won the TRTC’s 2015 New Play Development series. His credits include the musical “The Crazy Ones,” about Steve Jobs, which was staged at the 2013 New York Musical Theatre Festival.

FRIDAY April 17 MOVIES • The Crystal Theatre presents “Danny Collins” (R) at 7:30 p.m. Apr. 17-23; “The Wrecking Crew” (PG) at 5:30 p.m. Apr. 18 and “Awake: The Life of Yogananda” (PG) at 5:30 p.m. Apr. 19. lIVE MUSIC • Steve’s Guitars in the old part of the Dinkel Building presents Lipbone Redding.

Info: 963-3304.

ECSTATIC DANCE • The Dance Liberation Project hosts a community ecstatic dance from 7:30 to 9 p.m. at the Launchpad. “Join dancers and a live DJ for a journey through sound, aligning with your own inner rhythm, silence, creativity and unique free-formYOU-ness,” said a press release. This event is open to those from all walks of life and dance experience is not necessary. The suggested donation is $9. Info: Aja McAdams at kiryndeluna@gmail.com

first annual Forever Love Day of Remembering with Honor at Paepcke Auditorium in Aspen. Classes begin at 3 p.m. with registration at pathfindersforcancer.org. A free ceremony will be presented at 5:15 p.m. Info: 379-7388.

SUNDAY April 19 lIVE MUSIC • Steve’s Guitars presents The Accidentals. For details, go to moreaccidentals.com or call 963-3304.

ASC • A Spiritual Center in the Third Street Center presents John Norton (“Healing Immersion) at 10 a.m. Coming up on April 26: The Rev. David Ault CD, “Spiritual Discomfort.” Info: 970-812-2120. lIVE MUSIC • Lindsay Lou & the Flatbellys play the Woody Creek Community Center at 7 p.m. Info: woodyc3.org.

SATURDAY April 18 FUND-RAISER • There’ll be a fund-raiser for Mary Margaret O’Gara and Steve Standiford, owners of Steve’s Guitars, from 5 to 10 p.m. at The Orchard.

Mary Margaret was diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer and is undergoing treatment, according to a press release. but the bills are mounting.

Her friends have put together a great musical line-up, food from local restaurants and a HUGE silent auction — everything from ammo to artwork. Tickets will be available at the door for $15 and beer, wine and soft drinks will be available for purchase. Info: Julie Puchkoff at 925-3356.

FOREVER lOVE • Pathfinders hosts the

MONDAY APRIL 20 KDNK • The KDNK Board of Directors meets at the station (76 S. Second) at 5:30 p.m. The meeting is open to the public and the agenda is posted at the KDNK office.

Info: 963-0139.

TUESDAY April 21 FIRE PlAN MEETINGS • The Carbondale Fire District continues its series of input meetings to help it draft at master plan at 7 p.m. at the Third Street Center. Other meetings are slated for 7 p.m. at the Missouri Heights fire station on April 28, the fire station at the CMC turnoff on April 29, Aspen Glen on CALENDAR page 11

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FREE & OPEN TO THE TH PUBLIC!

The Basalt Downtown Business Association is accepting proposals for

businesses to lease the Merino Park (formerly the Recycling space) for the summer months.

Please go to www.BasaltDowntown.com to view the Request for Proposal.

Featuring Jazz Bands ands from Carbondale Middle School, Glenwood Springs gs Middle & High School, ol, ol, Rifle High chool School and Coal Ridge High School. chool.

Join JAS for this special night, celebrating the accomplishments of our local youth musicians! We promise you’ll be surprised!!

Info: jazzaspensnowmass.org, 970.920.4996

Proposals must be submitted by May 4th, 2015.

10 • THE SOPRIS SUN • www.SoprisSun.com • APRIl 16-22, 2015

Community Calendar May 4, the Carbondale fire station on May 11 (for volunteers), Aspen Equestrian Estates on May 18, and the Carbondale fire station on May 19.

MUSIC TAlK • KDNK DJ Rico Torres invites everyone to the third installment of his progressive rock class at the station (76 S. Second) at 7 p.m. on April 21. BYOB. Please RSVP at 963-0139.

WEDS.-THURS. April 22-23 CONTEMPORARY DANCE ClASSES • DanceLab offers contemporary dance classes at the Launchpad from 6 to 7:30 p.m. on Wednesdays and Thursdays through May. This is for all levels. Knee pads are encouraged. The cost is $15 for drop in or $45 for four classes. Info: 379-0376 or debcolley@gmail.com.

WEDNESDAY April 22 CUlTURE ClUB • The Carbondale Culture Club in the Third Street Center presents pianist Elizabeth Gauger playing old faves and new at noon. On April 29 it’s Claire O’Leary (profound journaling).

ROTARY • The Rotary Club of Carbondale presents Debbie Wilde (Insight to Impact). Info: rotarycarbondale.org.

EARTH DAY • The Roaring Fork Food Policy Council and Davi Nikent present the documentary “The Power of Community,” followed by a discussion about local food, at the Third Street Center at 6:30 p.m.

continued from page 10

Further Out

SATURDAY April 25

DANCE WORKSHOP • Dance Initiative hosts a modern technique workshop with Patrick Mueller from 10:30 a.m. to noon at the Launchpad. Mueller has performed with Troika Ranch Dance Theater in New York, the Ben J. Riepe and Mancopy Danse companies of Europe, and currently serves as teaching faculty and production manager at the Colorado Conservatory of Dance. The workshop is $10 and knee pads are encouraged. Register at danceinitiative.org or contact danceinitiative@gmail.com.

STORYTEllING • The Basalt Library pres-

ents storyteller Judith Black. From 5:30 to 6:15 p.m., the stories are for ages 4 and up; from 6:30 to 7:15 p.m. it’s for ages 11 and up. It’s free with support from Spellbinders, Alpine Bank and the Thrift Shop Aspen.

well as video installations will be considered.

Preliminary proposal forms are available online at carbondalearts.com or may be picked up at The Launchpad. Notifications will be sent by July 15. Info: 963-1680.

FRIDAY May 1

SUNDAY May 3

GAllERY PROPOSAl DEADlINE • May 1 is the deadline to submit proposals to CCAH for shows in its R2 Gallery. Proposals may be for an exhibition of an individual’s work, or a group show (juried or invitational). Two and three dimensional works, as

RUNNING • The Basalt High School National Honor Society hosts a 5K run/walk “color run” to benefit the Aspen Hope Center.

Participants will walk or run the route while fans shower them with powdered paint. For details, call Basalt High School.

Third Street Center. For an appointment, call Greg Feinsinger, M.D. at 379-5718.

CCAH SHOW CONTINUES • The CCAH show “State of Abstraction” continues at the Launchpad through May 1. The show features Shelley Bogaert, Amy Butowicz, Judy Hancock, Nancy Kullgren, Suzannah Reid, Mark Brendon Smith and Ellen Woods. Info: carbondalearts.com or 963-1680.

Ongoing MAYOR’S COFFEE HOUR • Chat with Carbondale Mayor Stacey Bernot on Tuesdays from 7 to 8 a.m. at the Village Smithy.

ClAY CENTER • The Carbondale Clay Center continues “Elina Jurado: New Work.” The show features Jurado’s brightly colored earthenware pottery. Info: 963-2529 or carbondaleclay.org.

PATHFINDERS • The grief and loss support group Pathfinders meets at Core Healing Arts 1101 Village Road, Suite 2D) from 6 to 7:30 p.m. on the first and third Monday of the month.

Pathfinders is a non-profit, psychosocial support program for people dealing with chronic illness, disability, bereavement. Info: pathfindersforcancer.org or 319-6854 or 925-1226.

FREE COUNSElING • Davi Nikent facilitates free, one hour counseling sessions about heart attack, stroke and diabetes prevention from 8 a.m. to noon every Monday at the

Arbor Day

and Opening Day

MINDFUlNESS GROUP • The Mindful Life Program hosts a weekly meditation and mindfulness group on Mondays from 7:30 to 8:15 p.m. in Suite 28 at the Third Street Center. All are welcome. Info: 970-633-0163 or mindfullifeprogram.org.

MINDFUlNESS MEDITATION • Discussions about mindfulness meditation and Buddhist philosophy take place from 9 to 10:30 a.m. on Sundays at Carbondale Community School. All are welcome and mats/cushions are available. Info: 970-618-1032.

MEDITATION • Silent meditation is held at the Launchpad from 6:45 to 7:30 a.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Please bring your own cushion or chair. Info: meditationcarbondale.weebly.com.

HASSIG SHOW CONTINUES • The Wyly Art Center in Basalt presents Chris Hassig’s show “Close In and Far Away” through April 25. At the Wyly Annex, it’s Sam Harvey and Alleghany Meadows in “The Language of Making.” Info: 927-4123 and wylyarts.org.

PHOTOGRAPHY • The CMC ArtShare Gallery in downtown Glenwood Springs presents a show of students’ work through April 28.

Gallery hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturdays. Info: 9478367 or cmcartshare.com.

3rd Thursdays – April 16 @ 7pm Music by Valle Musico Elegant guitar based music with jazz, classical, latin and smooth worldbeat music elements.

April 25 at the Bill Hanks

Baseball Field at Northface Park

Come help us plant trees around the ball field Meet at the Bill Hank Ball Field at Northface at 8:30 a.m. for donuts, juice and coffee. Planting will begin at 9 a.m.

Hot dogs and Cracker Jacks after planting is completed.

3rd Thursdays @ Third Street is a new monthly series highlighting community artists, music, ideas & interests.

Adults – $5 cover (all proceeds go to the band) CASH ONLY, Children under 12 free

Beer from Roaring Fork Brewery Wine and soft drinks

See the 3rd Thursday Schedule @ www.thirdstreetcenter.net/events/3rdthursdays/

For more information contact David Coon Carbondale Arborist 510-1331 Sponsored by THREE

RIVERS LITTLE LEAGUE and

KEEP THE SOPRIS SUN SHINING Your financial support is a critical part of our community news effort DONATIONS ARE TAX DEDUCTIBLE

Donate online at www.soprissun.com Send a check made out to the Sopris Sun LLC, P.O. Box 399, Carbondale, 81623 Take out an ad for your business by contacting: Bob Albright 970-927-2175 • bob@soprissun.com THE SOPRIS SUN, Carbondale’s weekly community connector • APRIl 16-22, 2015 • 11

Community Briefs Highway 133 open house slated The Colorado Department of Transportation and Oldcastle SW Group hosts an open house to explain the Highway 133 construction project between Carbondale and Redstone at Carbondale Town Hall from 6 to 7:15 p.m. on April 23, according to a press release. The project consists of rock-wall scaling, guardrail upgrades, bridge deck and rail repairs and replacement, chip seal road overlay, pavement marking and safety improvements. A pilot car service will be implemented at times during the $4 million project to minimize traffic delays. The targeted completion date is mid-September. To be added to the project update list e-mail coloradoSH133@gmail.com or call 704-5269.

One Book 4 Colorado The Garfield County Libraries are promoting the importance of early reading by providing a free picture book (in English or Spanish) to any four-year-old as part of the One Book 4 Colorado program. One Book 4 Colorado is a statewide initiative aiming to support family reading at home.

Families of four-year-olds can stop by any of the libraries from April 13-27 to pick up a copy of “How Do Dinosaurs Get Well Soon?” by Jane Yolen while supplies last. For more information, visit www.gcpld.org.

Please submit your community briefs to news@soprissun.com by noon on Monday.

World,” which celebrates the fair’s commitment to local as well as global issues, but it’s just an inspiration point for the design, according to a press release. The winning artist receives. $500. For details, call 963-1680 or go to carbondalearts.com.

CMS JA seeks volunteers Volunteers are needed at Carbondale Middle School for eighth grade Junior Achievement day on April 29. Volunteer teams of two each will teach lessons on preparing for the working world from 8 a.m. to 1:50 p.m. and lesson plans are provided. Each 45-minute session includes an activity or game to keep the kids engaged. For details, e-mail Laura Seay at laura.seay@ja.org.

Emergency 911 calls Here are the Carbondale Fire District’s emergency 911 calls for the week of April 5-11: • Medical emergencies (7); • Fire alarm responses (5); • Trauma emergencies (3); • Motor Vehicle Accident (1); • Smoke alarm response (1); • Carbon Monoxide response (1).

Baseball registration deadline nears The deadline to sign up for the Carbondale Recreation Department’s baseball and softball programs is April 17.

Baseball teams are ages 7-8, 9-10 and 11-12. Softball teams are 8-10, 11-12 and 13-15. To register, call 510-1290 or go to carbondalerec.com.

Fair poster entries due The deadline to enter the Carbondale Mountain Fair poster contest is April 24. The theme is “The Eyes of the

CCS offers First Aid course Carbondale Community School is offering a NOLS/Wilderness Medicine Institute Wilderness First Aid course on June 6-7, according to a press release. The course covers a wide range of wilderness medicine topics for people who travel in the outdoors, and is ideal for trip leaders, camp staff, outdoor enthusiasts and individuals in remote locations.

The course fee is $225. For more information, call the school at 963-9647.

MT. SOPRIS ROTARY CLUB OF CARBONDALE

Not Just a Restaurant Draw to benefit local charities 1st Place: Over $1800 in Gift Certificates* 2nd Place: Over $1300 in Gift Certificates* 3rd Place: Over $900 in Gift Certificates* 4th Place: Over $700 in Gift Certificates* 5th Place: Over $400 in Gift Certificates* *and other items from Local Merchants BUY YOUR TICKETS FROM MT. SOPRIS ROTARIANS One ticket for a $10 donation, 3 tickets for a $20 donation, 8 tickets for a $50 donation Tickets available for sale while they last from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Ace Hardware every Saturday in April

Winners announced at KARAOKE NIGHT May 2, 7 p.m. at MiCasita 580 Main St. Carbondale

mtsoprisrotaryclub.com

12 • THE SOPRIS SUN • www.SoprisSun.com • APRIl 16-22, 2015

We don’t know what they did to “earn” it, but Dan Maynard (left) and Tim Pace (right), calling their team Shucking Amazing, won the Carbondale Cornhole Chumps award at the second annual Roaring Fork Beer Company Cornhole Tournament at the Carbondale Recreation Center on Saturday. A total of 22 teams paid to toss bags of corn at small holes cut into slanted boards about 50 feet away. First place went to Your Killin’ Me Smalls (Ralph Smalley/Matt Miller), followed by The Empire (Jordan Williams/Bill Kirkland) and The Rebel Alliance (Dan McClain/Chris Smith).

Proceeds went to the recreation center’s scholarship fund.

Tucky Banjos (Justin/Jessica Eiseman) won the Least Points Scored award. Photo by Daniel Self

Spring chicks ... and horses and goats and more Carbondale is experiencing a population explosion of sorts, with newborn horses, chickens, calves, goats and more popping up in and outside of town.

Pictures of note here: a new colt at Skyline Ranch (upper left) baby goats at Susan Gibbs’ ranch on Missouri Heights and baby chicks at Bill Laemmel’s home in Carbondale.

Photos by Jane Bachrach

THE SOPRIS SUN, Carbondale’s weekly community connector • APRIl 16-22, 2015 • 13

Smoke seems to mingle with cumulous clouds during last Sunday’s prescribed burn about five miles north of El Jebel. The Forest Service brought in about 35 federal firefighters to control the 1,100-acre burn, which was set to improve wildlife habitat and remove fuels from part of Basalt Mountain. Although the Forest Service publicized the burn before hand, not everyone got the memo. One horse owner in the Red Hill area reportedly saw the smoke and thinking it might be from a wildfire, hooked up her trailer in case she had to evacuate her livestock.

Photo by Jane Bachrach

Garfield County Public Health

Carbondale Immunization Clinic Garfield County Public Health is offering children and adult immunizations at the

Carbondale Family Resource Center 400 Sopris Avenue in Carbondale.

Appointments are available the second and fourth Thursday of each month.

Please call Garfield County Public Health at 970-945-6614 ext. 2030, to schedule an appointment.

www.garfield-county.com 14 • THE SOPRIS SUN • www.SoprisSun.com • APRIl 16-22, 2015

Town does an about face on North Face weeds Here come the herbicides

By John Colson Sopris Sun Correspondent Carbondale’s elected leaders decided Tuesday to use herbicides to knock down a persistent weed problem at the North Face Bicycle Park, which goes against a long-standing policy against using toxic chemicals on town parks.

But the move is needed, the trustees decided, in order to prevent a crop of noxious weeds from taking over the bike park and spreading onto nearby properties, both public and private.

The issue arose when Darryl Fuller, chair of the town’s Bike-Pedestrian-Trails Commission (BPTC), stood up to talk to the trustees during a time reserved for “persons present not on the agenda,” meaning anyone who is not there for a specific agenda item.

“This is not something we typically do,” remarked Mayor Stacey Bernot, but she and the trustees agreed to go along with the ensuing extended discussion about weeds and related topics, which featured remarks by Fuller, Garfield County weed control specialist Steve Anthony and others.

Fuller said the weed problem has been debated at BPTC meetings, as well as with the town’s Parks and Recreation Commission and the Environmental Board, seeking ways to keep the weeds at bay that included a discussion of using goats as a natural method of weed control.

But the talks always returned to the idea of using weed killer, “kind of more as an emergency measure,” remarked Becky Moller, chair of the Parks & Recreation commission.

Anthony suggested the town employ a specialized weedcontrol company to conduct “spot spraying using backpacks” loaded with herbicide, which would kill the offending weeds but still leave them in place as a reminder of the problem.

Such a method, he suggested, could be used as an educational tool, to let the community at large know how se-

rious the problem is and why the town decided to ignore its own “non-toxic” policy in this instance.

Another area where weeds have infested a public planting zone is in Promenade Park, adjacent to Town Hall and the Carbondale Recreation and Community Center, a spot that the mayor said was particularly troubling to her.

She declared that the town had done “a great disservice” to the public’s property by not keeping up with maintenance and weed-control efforts at the park, which was created to considerable public fanfare when the Recreation Center was built.

“I would like to see us really do something now to help protect that investment,” she said, suggesting that a treatment similar to that planned for North Face Bike Park might be the proper way to proceed.

Allowing weeds to flourish, she said, is “a huge risk to our neighboring landowners … quite onerous and not being a good neighbor.”

She and others at the meeting agreed that engaging volunteers to pull weeds manually, while seeming to be in keeping with Carbondale’s overall philosophies, has not proved to be effective in this arena.

Trustee Allyn Harvey, agreeing that the use of herbicides seems to be warranted in this instance, said he had discussed the matter with Sloan Shoemaker, director of the Wilderness Workshop.

“He surprised me,” Harvey said, noting that Shoemaker is “in favor of smart applications of herbicides” to deal with noxious weeds. Harvey said Shoemaker had approved of such applications even in the wilderness, such as an area near the Marble Ski Area that was being overrun by weeds.

Trustee Katrina Byars, agreeing that the use of herbicides seems unavoidable, said it should be followed by the planting of native plant species and fertilization of the soil.

The trustees agreed that the treatment should be done soon, while the plants are in the early stages of growth and more susceptible to herbicides, and the mayor instructed staff to look into finding “the least toxic” substance available.

In other action, the trustees: • Heard from Mayor Bernot that the town has received two grants from the Federal Mineral Leasing District program of Garfield County — $48,900 to build a roof over the grandstands at the Gus Darien Riding Arena where the Carbondale Wild West Rodeo is held, and $25,000 to buy variable messaging signs for traffic control on the streets and highways. Although Bernot did not mention it, the Carbondale & Rural Fire Protection District also received an FMLD grant — $25,000 for purchase of communications equipment.

• Approved a mosquito-control program for the coming summer months.

• Approved a new liquor license for a new establishment: The Beat, an organic food and beverage cafe to be operated

by Tobyn Britt at 968 Main St., where his mother and landlord, Cathy Britt, also operates a business.

• Approved liquor licenses for the Third Street Center (formally known as the Carbondale Community Nonprofit Center), for the center’s fifth birthday party scheduled for June 19.

• Approved a liquor license for this year’s Dandelion Days celebration, scheduled for the weekend of May 9 at Sopris Park.

• Approved a plan to build a roof-only shelter in Bonnie Fischer Park behind the Third Street Center, near the Community Oven and the newly named Demeter’s Garden. The project is to use $5,000 in grant money from the LiveWell Garfield County organization and $5,000 of unneeded funds transferred from the budget of the Parks and Recreation Department mapping program, at the recommendation of recreation director Jeff Jackel.

• Agreed to a request from the Garfield County Libraries District, to appoint a trustee to serve as liaison at quarterly meetings at the Carbondale Branch Library, where citizens can meet with library and town officials. The board of trustees will meet to select the liaison, and Mayor Bernot pledged to inform the library district of the lucky trustee’s name by May 1.

It’s time to starting thinking about wildfires

By John Colson Sopris Sun Correspondent With spring’s rising temperatures and windy days, thoughts are naturally turning to — wildland fires.

Ever since the Panorama Fire of 2002, when high winds fanned flames that scorched more than 1,500 acres of ground in the Missouri Heights area of Garfield and Eagle counties, the region’s governments and citizens have been wary of a repeat conflagration, as happened with the Red Canyon fire of 2013.

The Panorama Fire, which was started

by a construction crew using a gas-powered saw to cut rebar on a house project in the Panorama Estates subdivision, caused no injuries but destroyed two houses and damaged others, in a blaze that began on July 31, 2002 and was contained on Aug. 2.

The Red Canyon fire, which started on Aug. 12 and was contained by Aug. 16, did not damage any homes, and no injuries were reported as a result of the blaze. That fire was believed to have been caused by a lightning strike at the top of Red Canyon.

Carbondale & Rural Fire Protection District Chief Ron Leach said this week

that now is a good time for homeowners, particularly in rural parts of Garfield, Eagle and Pitkin counties, to begin thinking about the best ways to protect their properties from wildfires.

But as far as the potential for a dangerous fire season this year is concerned, Leach said, “It’s really too early to tell what the summertime wildfire season is going to be like.”

He noted that the U.S. Forest Service has been conducting controlled burn operations, in such areas as lower Avalanche Creek and on Basalt Mountain, both to improve wildlife habitat and to reduce the fuel

load on public lands.

The end of winter is the time for area ranchers and rural property owners to clear out their ditches and prepare fields for planting, typically by burning away old brush and undergrowth.

Leach urged area residents to call the fire district at 963-2491 any time they are planning to do some controlled burning, primarily so the department knows about it and officials can calm the fears of any residents who might see smoke and fear fire is right behind it.

WILDFIRES page 18

O&G lobbyists objecting to Fitzwilliams decision

By John Colson Sopris Sun Correspondent Only months after White River National Forest Supervisor Scott Fitzwilliams issued a decision that would prevent the issuance of future oil and gas leases in much of the contested Thompson Divide area near Carbondale, oil and gas lobbyists have written to federal officials objecting to Fitzwilliams’ decision.

And the Thompson Divide Coalition (TDC), a group that has been fighting against oil and gas drilling in the Thompson Divide, is not happy about the letter.

“Unfortunately for us, Grand Junctionbased oil and gas associations and industry lobbying groups are pushing back on this balanced management plan,” wrote TDC director Zane Kessler in a message to supporters. “And now they’ve filed formal objections urging the Forest Service to allow for future drilling in the Thompson Divide.”

An article in the Grand Junction Daily Sentinel reported that the Grand Junctionbased Western Slope Colorado Oil and Gas Association, and industry lobbying group, and other industry organizations have objected to what it termed a “high pressure

lobbying campaign” that the industry believes pressured Fitzwilliams into making his decision.

Fitzwilliams, however, has pushed back, reiterating that the decision was his alone and was not based on direction or pressure from his superiors, according to the article

by Sentinel reporter Dennis Webb.

Other TDC supporters were quoted as criticizing the industry’s action, including TDC board member Jock Jacober, who reportedly said, “The right to petition our government is a fundamental tenet of our republic. For industry lobbying groups to

insinuate otherwise is wrong and it’s sad.

It’s even worse when you consider that the oil and gas industry spent half a billion dollars on federal lobbying in the last four years alone.”

Fitzwilliams’ decision, issued late in 2014, would leave more than 194,000 acres of the WRNF open for future leasing, a reduction of the more than 400,000 acres available under previous policies.

Fitzwilliams also pushed for eliminating some 61,000 acres of the Thompson Divide from future leasing consideration, includO&G LOBBYISTS page 18

THE SOPRIS SUN, Carbondale’s weekly community connector • APRIl 16-22, 2015 • 15

EAT. SHOP. PLAY CONFLUENCE OF RIVERS, RECREATION & CULTURE

Mark your calendar: Earth Day Parade April 22 Sopris Sun Staff Report The town of Basalt hosts its annual Children’s Earth Day Parade on April 22. “Everyone is invited to attend and participate,” said a town spokesman. The parade route begins at Basalt Elementary, 151 Cottonwood Drive, at 10 a.m. snow, rain or shine.

Dress up in costume, bring props, flags, balloons, posters, wear hats, carry banners. Ride your bicycles, push strollers, pull a wagon or simply walk the parade route, but remember – no motorized vehicles.

April 22 will be the 45th anniversary for Earth Day; April is also the Month of the Young Child in Basalt.

Recycle E-waste April 25 The town of Basalt partners with ECOS for the annual Electronic Recycle Day from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on April 25, according to the town’s website.

“We make it as convenient as possible to recycle all of your obsolete and unwanted computers, PC monitors (small fee), printers, fax machines, TVs (small fee), cell phones and all other electronic equipment,” said a press release.

The list of acceptable items includes: dishwashers,

lawn mowers, computer keyboards and more.

For computer monitors and televisions, the cost is $1.50 per diagonal inch. There is a $20 charge for any Freon appliance. Large printers (over 20 pounds) are $20.

Bring your electronic waste items to Lion’s Park in downtown Basalt. For more information, go to basalt.net.

Be bear aware, again Colorado’s bears have awoken from their winter’s nap and are again active throughout the state, according to a press release from Colorado Parks and Wildlife. The agency reminds residents in bear country to make sure they aren’t providing any food attractants around residences.

By following some simple steps, residents can all pitch in to avoid conflicts with Colorado’s wildlife. Here are some tips to help keep bears out of trouble and away from your house: • Keep garbage in a well-secured enclosure.

• Only put out garbage on the morning of pickup.

• Take down all bird feeders (birds don’t need to be fed during the summer).

• Clean garbage cans regularly to keep them odor free.

Coffee NOW ACCEPTING SPRING CLOTHING ITEMS FOR CONSIGNMENT Also accepting furniture, jewelry, art, housewares and gift items SPIRIT LIFTING CONSIGNMENT

970-927-4384 144 Midland Avenue, Basalt, Colorado 81621

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Ice Cream

Open daily Basalt’s Only Ice Cream Shop

The Town of Basalt is taking applications for the newly created

Public Arts Commission (PAC) through Monday, April 20, 2015.

Some members may reside outside of the Town limits.

Please visit our website at www.basalt.net.

Select the Community tab at the top, then select Board Openings for more information and how to apply for the Public Arts Commission.

16 • THE SOPRIS SUN • www.SoprisSun.com • APRIl 16-22, 2015

with the

Mayor

• If you don’t have secure storage, put items that might become smelly into the freezer until trash day.

• Don’t leave pet food or stock feed outside.

• Never provide food for any wildlife.

• Secure compost piles.

• Fully enclose backyard beehives and chicken coops (electric fencing is an effective bear deterrent).

• Allow grills to burn for a couple of minutes after cooking to burn off grease and to eliminate odors (clean grills and grease cup after each use.

• Clean up thoroughly after picnics in the yard or on the deck.

• If you have fruit trees, pick fruit before it gets too ripe (don’t allow fruit to rot on the ground.

• Keep garage doors closed.

• Keep the bottom floor windows of your house closed when you’re not at home.

• Do not keep food or used-food containers in your vehicle.

• Lock vehicle doors and roll up the windows.

• Talk to your neighbors and kids about being bear aware.

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.

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, "QSJM at 8 a.m.

Hours:

Mon-Sat 10- 5

Sun 12-5

Educator’s message: Critique and feedback are good tools

By Debbie Bruell Sopris Sun Correspondent “We need to change the conversation in America away from standards and test scores, and toward (students) creating work of value and beauty and significance to the world,” Ron Berger told an audience of about 70 people at Colorado Rocky Mountain School on April 6.

Berger is chief academic officer for Expeditionary Learning, a non-profit school improvement network. CRMS brought Berger to town for two days of professional development with their staff as well as a free public speaking engagement.

During his public presentation, Berger spoke about raising the bar for the quality of work we expect from our students. “As a nation,” Berger said, “we vastly underestimate the capacity of students to do great things.”

Berger showed photos and videos of student work that clearly impressed the audience of mostly teachers, administrators and parents. The student work included field guides of biological systems and a musicvideo about snakes that was created and performed by elementary school children.

How do schools get students to create such high quality work? According to Berger, the key lies in “the power of critique and feedback.” He shared video clips of classrooms of students of various ages looking over each others’ work, giving each other critical and constructive feedback, and revising their own work over and over.

Berger himself was a teacher for 25 years in rural Massachusetts. The basic rule for providing feedback in his classroom was “be kind, be specific, be helpful.” He told stories of using an extensive process of critique and revisions to help all students, even those with learning disabilities, create high quality work.

This approach Berger explained, not only helps students build the skills they need to succeed in life, it also “create(s) the kind of human beings we want to live with.” As the only upper elementary school teacher in his tiny hometown for decades, many of the people Berger interacts with now are his former students: his plumber, his health care provider, the person who plows his driveway, local policemen and others.

In his everyday interactions with these former students, Berger explained, what matters most is that they “have integrity and an ethics of excellence” — which was exactly the goal of his work with these people when they were students in his classroom.

The focus on critique and revisions continues to form the basis of Berger’s work with Expeditionary Learning (EL).

Berger showed a well-known video called “Austin’s Butterfly” in which he shows some fourth graders and then some kindergartners the progress made by a first grader named Austin as he made multiple revisions of his scientific drawing of a tiger swallowtail butterfly.

Austin’s initial drawing was good, Berger explains in the video, but because this was

“As a nation we vastly underestimate the capacity of students to do great things.”

Ron Berger Chief academic officer for Expeditionary Learning

an EL school, the teachers didn’t look at his drawing and say, “Good, you’re done.” Instead, Berger tells the children, “They said, ‘Austin, good start. Now we can start giving you critiques so you can do a second draft and make it better, and a third draft and make it better, and make it much, much closer to this (photograph of a butterfly).’”

During his years as a teacher and in his current work with EL, Berger has also emphasized the importance of making student work relevant to the world beyond the classroom. When students see that their work has some kind of impact in the world, Berger argued, it inspires them to care about doing quality work.

He spoke about an EL high school in Springfield, Massachusetts, a town with high rates of poverty and unemployment. In

this school, ninth grade students were trained by city engineers to do energy audits of local buildings and cost-benefit analyses of retrofitting buildings to be more energy-efficient. The students’ calculations led them to propose to the mayor that the town spend over $150,000 retrofitting several school buildings. The city made the decision to move forward with these retrofits.

As a result, the city’s savings in energy costs made up for the cost of the retrofit projects in just two years, with promises of future savings for years to come. The students made the local news as heroes.

These students were motivated to work hard, Berger argues, because they saw that their work made a difference. “These students see their role in high school as working to change city politics and helping the world, not just getting themselves a high school degree,” Berger explained.

While Berger firmly believes that we need to turn the focus away from standards and test scores and toward high quality relevant student work, he is not opposed to standards or testing. The standards define a high bar for what students should be able to achieve, which Berger supports. However, Berger explained, the standards themselves don’t tell teachers how to get students to reach that bar.

Rather than having students turn in “acceptable” work over and over, Berger says, the in-depth process of critique and revision is the way for students to reach the level of EDUCATOR page 18

THE

Town of Basalt Partners with ECOS for Electronic Recycle Day in Basalt

Place to Experience The Valley’s Highest Grade Cannabis

Saturday, April 25, 2015 The Town of Basalt has partnered with ECOS Disaster Restoration to take all the hassle out of responsibly recycling electronic waste.

Bring your electronic waste items to the Town of Basalt, Lion’s Park, 101 Midland Avenue, Basalt Colorado from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on April 25, 2015.

Visit our website at www.basalt.net for detailed instructions on what is acceptable and cost to you, if any.

Great edible selection!

CHILDREN’S EARTH DAY PARADE

Must be 21 or Older Hosted by:

165 Southside Drive | Basalt

Wednesday, April 22

In Basalt’s Southside: Turn off of Highway 82, then right past Big O Tires, Roots RX is 1/2 block on left.

Everyone is invited to attend and participate.

The parade route begins at Basalt Elementary, 151 Cottonwood Drive at 10 a.m. snow, rain or shine!

Store hours: Mon.-Sat. 9 a.m.-7 p.m.

Last call 6:45 p.m.

970.539.WEED

Dress up in costume, bring props, flags, balloons, posters, wear hats, carry banners. Ride your bicycles, push strollers, pull a wagon or simply walk the parade route, but remember – no motorized vehicles.

Visit our Eagle Vail Location For All Your Rec. Needs and visit Holistic Health Care for your Medical needs!

Celebrate the 45th Anniversary of Earth Day and The Month of the Young Child in Basalt!

THE SOPRIS SUN, Carbondale’s weekly community connector • APRIl 16-22, 2015 • 17

Wildfires om page 15 He noted that ranchers typically do not pose a problem in terms of starting wildfires from controlled burns, “because they use fire as a tool, they’ve been doing it forever, and they know what they’re doing.”

Problems sometimes arise, he said, when inexperienced property owners start burning piles of accumulated brush, especially in the middle of the day when winds can unexpectedly kick up and push a fire beyond its intended limits.

For example, a fire some years ago along 100 Road was started in that way, when a brush pile burned out of control and came close to torching some area homes.

He suggested those with concerns about wildfire contact their local fire department, which can respond with educational information about thinning or removing brush from around the home.

“The fire departments in Pitkin and Garfield counties don’t actually go out and cut brush from around peoples’ homes,” Leach explained.

“We’re available,” he said. “We’ll go out and meet with the homeowner and give them advice, recommendations as to what brush to cut, how far from the house to cut.”

In addition, he said, the fire departments have information

O&G Lobbyists

about how homeowners can apply for grant money to help pay the costs of doing the advance fuel-load control work.

In general, he said of the brush-thinning process, “It doesn’t have to be clear cut.”

Instead, he said, it is best to work toward “a gradual thinning” of the brush around a home.

Overall, Leach said, local fire officials are hoping this spring and summer will be like the spring and summer of 2014, when periodic rains kept the fire danger at a minimum.

“If we get a little rain once a week in the summer, then we don’t have much of a problem,” Leach explained.

One precautionary measure Leach urged homeowners to take is to sign up for their particular county’s emergency alert system.

These systems, which are active in all three of the local counties, enable officials to issue evacuation notices or alerts about a variety of emergencies, including wildfires.

Although it is similar to the “reverse 911” systems that have been in place for years, Leach said, “the county alert system is newer, better technology.”

He urged residents of Garfield, Eagle and Pitkin counties to check with their respective county governments about the different alert systems, and sign up immediately.

om page 15

ing acreage that currently is leased to energy companies.

The Sentinel article reported that the status of 65 leases in the forest, including 25 leases encompassing some 33,000 acres in the Thompson Divide, currently is in limbo while the U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM) conducts a court-ordered environmental review of those leases, with the possibility of canceling some or all of them.

In a related development, Kessler appeared at the Carbondale Board of Trustees meeting on April 14 to report that SG Interests, a Texas-based energy company, has filed for two new

RN Residential Manager

drilling permits in the Thompson Divide.

Kessler requested that the Carbondale trustees send a letter to the BLM, asking that federal land managers write to the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission (COGCC) to request that the two drilling applications be put on hold until after the BLM’s environmental review is concluded.

The Carbondale trustees agreed to either send a letter on the town’s behalf, or to sign on to a letter from the City of Glenwood Springs, which also is being asked to call for a hold on the drilling applications.

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excellence defined by standards.

Similarly, Berger is not opposed to standardized testing in and of itself, although he is opposed to making test preparation the focus of classroom learning time. If we teach effectively, Berger suggests, the test scores will take care of themselves.

Berger also pointed out that the tests have helped to validate the effectiveness of his approach to learning. In the case of Springfield, Massachusetts, there are six public high schools, each serving similarly high proportions of low-income students. The one school that is an EL school focusing on high quality work, not test-prep, achieves test scores that are about twice as high as the scores from any of the other five public schools.

“How much training do teachers need to do this kind of work with students?” one audience member asked.

“A lot,” was Berger’s response.

He explained that when EL partners with a school, they commit to work together for at least five years.

“We work with some of the most lowperforming schools in the state,” Berger said. “After just one year we see everyone’s spirits rising, but test scores take longer than that to rise. It’s crazy to think you can turn everything around in one year.”

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Educator om page 17

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18 • THE SOPRIS SUN • www.SoprisSun.com • APRIl 16-22, 2015

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Letters continued om page 2

up delicious food and drink: Mindful Life Photos with the Easter Bunny are avail- Considering the commons from the same point of view as the Public Program and Way of Compassion Founda- able for viewing at www.facebook.com/ Dear Editor: Trust Doctrine. tion, Senior Matters, Ascendigo, A Spiritual CarbondaleRecreation.

There is concept in common law that A few days ago I was on a hill looking Center and Center for Independence.

Thank you to the Carbondale parks goes back to the Magna Carta, and even to down over Highway 82. It was morning rush Apology in advance if we left out men- crew for helping prepare the park and ancient Rome. That is, that the resources of hour and there was a cloud of blue smoky tioning anyone that contributed – you are gazebo for the hunt, and a very special “the commons,” resources like clean water auto exhaust rising in the valley. I recently an unsung hero. thank you to Gracie Piccinati. and wood and game from the forests, should read a study of Spanish children whose eleIf you missed the inaugural event, we See you Saturday, March 26, 2016! be preserved for the people, and for genera- mentary schools were located next to busy hope to “Spring Into Wellness” again next Carbondale Recreation tions to come. roads. Their memory tested 13 percent worse year, together, as an official Healthy Eating Department This Public Trust Doctrine puts a burden than kids whose schools were farther away Active Living (H. E. A .L.) community! of responsibility on the powers-that-be to from the traffic. They also had trouble paying In gratitude, Don’t poison bees protect and conserve. This doctrine has been attention in class. The effects were believed to Ardis Hoffman, Dear Editor: dusted off and is now working its way be permanent. This is just one of the many, Hippocrates Table It’s spring that means ate all of lit- through vided by the kind, caring and chiefs in the Public Works and Department all the of you. Thank you.the courts. In one case in Oregon many negative effects of urban growth, espeRita Marsh, Davi Nikent tlest creatures come outtoand get busy, in- Chris the Chacos plaintiffs are a group of young people cially in a narrow valley like ours. cannot speak more highly of who gave permission to the project, and Center for Human Flourishing honeybee. that This is the time of Project make theDin!” claim that their government who “Gunga Global warming is here. nt to their clients’ well being. Carlos Loya, thecluding one whothe transformed year look.” they swarm, and while the movies Carbondale has not taken the necessary steps to ensure The world’s scientific community is alult to observe our loved ones old look to the “new egg thanks would have you believevolthat this is a horri- these kids a future. They are looking at ready documenting the effects. The pine beendEaster we strive to do all we can Also, thanks to our newest planting Boogie’s thanks Dear Editor: fying event, it’s actually when honey bee global warming and all the other ongoing tle devastation of our forests is one. The n. I felt that every request that unteers: D’uan Hajdu, O. D., Jeanie Hays with the Dear Editor: Carbondale Recreation would like to is at it’s most docile. insults to our environment. smaller snow packs are another. The state of age on her behalf was hon- the law offices of Whitsitt & Gross, and Zane sincerely thank the following businesses for When bees swarm, it means that they This past Friday, over 1,000 people kicked For the last couple of years, a few ColColorado’s environmental scientists have attempt was made to fulfill Kessler with the Thompson Divide Coalition. generously donating to our annual Easter looking a newDave home, and in urban off their Fourth of July celebration one to get the Public published a very dire report. The simple fact oradans have been with working was treated with the utmost Thanks to theare town’s newfor arborist, hunt: City Carbondale, Cityin addition that usually the eves egg and citytoareas most Trust popular traditions: theballot an- as a constitu- is that we are in a water shortage now and it of Aspen’s Doctrine on the ect and loving care.Market I am very Coon, who his many duties means Market Elfolks Jebel, Bonfiremanages Coffee. The of every your flower house pot or business.

A nice attic Buddy Boogie’s Race to benefit thethe effects would is getting worse. They call it the “gap.” We do One of tional amendment. wonderful at and Heritage to water in our nual huntwe is are a free community is pretty sweet, too. Please not beThis BuddydoProgram!

5K Colorado race and 1-mile to turn water law on its head. not have the water resources for more develunate to have this fa- event town and threewe timesspace a week! greatly appreciate the local support. poison them out! almostfamily never works That why anfunding association and canine walkis provides to representing opment. We do not have enough water now. mmunity.

Other volunteers involved withThat planting All 6,000 eggs were picked up in less and you’ll be killing a very beneficial water districts in this state has so far suc- Lake Mead and Lake Powell are draining support nearly 1,000 local youth and their atti Stranahan their own plants in those large pots are: Mary than two minutes so we would also like species.

Instead call your favorite beekeeper cessfully opposed it.

Trans-mountain diver- out. The water you see flowing down the families through many critical services and arbondale Beth Bos (new owner of Main Street Spirits), to thank all the kids who came out and or me, Mark Burrows, sions of river water to the Eastern Slope Roaring Fork and the Colorado belongs to programs including individual mentoring, Aimee and Anthony Gullwick (Koru conour 970-379-4581, I’ll remove them to couldleadership easily comeeducation, into question. Watch for it. somebody else. group mentoring, hehelped crewus with clean up! We purchase struction company), Amy Kimberlyand (CCAH), pre-stuffed eggs from Sunny Bunnyof the someplace where they can thrive and conI thought of this doctrine Lemonade Day, activities, scholarships, and when I read the What kind of future are we leaving? We Peter Gilbert Dance Initiative (soon-toEaster Eggs, a non-profit that provides tinue to pollinate our crops and flowers. recent letter from Chris Hassig about the are betraying the Public Trust. therapeutic counseling. ost of you have noticed the be occupants of the old town library on Fourth meaningful employment overStacy 250Evans & Friends, Mark newest talk of development of the former David Houggy Patrick Hunter flower boxes along the en- toStreet), Susan’sBurrows Flowadults with disabilities.

Carbondale Sanders Ranch on Highway 82.

Chris comes Executive Director Carbondale ondale’s Main Street public ers plus 21 others who are repeat participants The Buddy Program w nice to see beautiful flow- since 2010. Thank you folks! these newly covered section What attractive and pleascient black railroad ties. ant gifts your efforts are to om page 4 nks to Smiley Wise, one of the this community. We appreciTUESDAY, April 7: At 12:50 p.m. police were called to an accident at the Centennial Building, 502 Main St., where a juvenile driver punched a hole in the buildCleans Inside $31.95 ing as he was trying to park, apparently because his Out & Out NOW ACCEPTING SPRING Desk: (970) 920.5224 Cleans&Inside foot slipped from the brake to the accelerator. No inComplete Interior and CLOTHING Proposals AND ACCESSORIES Complete Interior and must be received at the above address no Exterior juries were reported, and the driver was cited for careExterior wash wash package. package. later than 1pm MST, Wednesday, July 16th, 2014, to beSPEND considered. $50, There will be a mandatory Pre-Bid Weather eather Insurance Insurance less driving. and W

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Project Goals. The CDOT EEO officer has set Disadvantaged Business Goals at 3.5% for this project. There will be no on the job training goals. The Form 347, Certification of EEO Compliance, St. • CDOT Carbondale • 963-3940 OPEN 7 inDAYS is no longer required to be •submitted the bid package. This form certified that the contractor/proposed subcontractors were in compliance with the Joint Reporting Committee EEO-1 form requirements. The EEO-1 Report must still be submitted to the Joint Reporting Committee if the contractors SPECIALIZING IN OUTDOOR GOODS and subcontractors meet the eligibility requirements (29CFR 1602.7); we will, however, no longer require certification. For additional information 1945 Dolores reWay, garding these federal requirements, please refer to: Carbondale http://www.eeoc.gov/stats/jobpat/e1instruct.html .

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by Carbondale the individual who Bike bags will execute the Contract Form. Any work form completed as part of the bid package shall indicate the commencement date for construction. The work schedule must conform to the commencement and completion dates for the contract.

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ADVERTISE IN OUR SPECIAL MOTHERâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S DAY 2015 ISSUE

AD RESERVATION DEADLINE: Monday, May 4 12 p.m.

Contact Ad Rep. Bob 927-2175 bob@soprissun.com

VALLEY VIEW PRESENTS THE

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SAVE THE DATES! NEW CASTLE/SILT: SATURDAY, APR. 18 | 7 TO 11 A.M. COAL RIDGE HIGH SCHOOL 35947 HWY. 6 | NEW CASTLE, CO GLENWOOD SPRINGS - NEW LOCATION! SATURDAY, MAY 2 | 7 TO 11 A.M. GLENWOOD SPRINGS HIGH SCHOOL 1521 GRAND AVENUE | GLENWOOD SPRINGS, CO

SCREENING INFORMATION

Requires fasting 12 hours before screening - Health Fair Blood Chemistry Screening - $45 7:( 7YVZ[H[L :WLJPĂ&#x201E; J (U[PNLU - CBC - $20 /LTVNSVIPU ( *

- Vitamin D 25 Hydroxy Screening - $45 - Colorectal Kits - $15 - Diabetics should not fast. Please drink water.

Continue prescribed medications as directed.

Blood draw for 18 years and older.

VVH.ORG/health-fairs 20 â&#x20AC;˘ THE SOPRIS SUN â&#x20AC;˘ www.SoprisSun.com â&#x20AC;˘ APRIl 16-22, 2015