Sopris Sun THE
VOLUME 1, NUMBER 12 • APRIL 30, 2009
Sounds Easy owner Staci Dickerson is calling it quits after 26 years in business. If the independent movie store isn’t sold to a new owner, Dickerson will start liquidating before the end of the month. Photo by Trina Ortega
at’s a wrap Sounds Easy to close after 26 years as Carbondale’s ‘great video store’ By Trina Ortega
T
he marketing plan was simple. It was Mountain Fair weekend 1983, and the two young entrepreneurs printed fliers announcing the grand opening of the new Sounds Easy Video Store on Main Street. They placed the fliers on car windshields. It was cheap and simple but it got the word out. And business took off. Now, 26 years later, Sounds Easy owner Staci Dickerson will be closing the small independent shop known for its variety of movie titles, including rare and foreign films. Dickerson said life has “come full circle” and she is ready to retire from the home movie business to focus on her fine art. She intends to study at Naropa Institute in Boulder, where she lived before
moving to Carbondale 30 years ago. Her art is only one part of what she called the “perfect storm” prompting her to close Sounds Easy. For the first quarter of 2009, business was down 25 percent; the shop has suffered a handful of breakins recently; and Dickerson’s father passed away last month. Dickerson had remained hopeful through December when sales remained “flat.” She thought she’d weathered the current recession, but with her slowest months upon her, she said she believes her wave has rolled in. “It’s a hard decision. I have always said I’m just gonna ride this wave, but I think the wave is coming to shore now,” she said. Dickerson survived the revolutionary format change from VHS to DVD, as well as the onset of Blockbuster Video, the mail-order ventures (such as Netflix), and today’s online subscription services. “With all of the things that have
changed over the years, people have always come back,” she said. Sounds Easy has a loyal customer base and the shop could continue to thrive, Dickerson said, but she is personally ready to get out of the director’s chair, explaining that the local DVD rental shop has become “just supplemental” to the other businesses that provide movies. “We, as consumers in this world right now, have a lot of choices. The choices we make in the privacy of our home is our responsibility,” she said. “Personal choice does matter. It’s that decision you make when you push that [purchase] button on your computer. It means that business goes someplace else.” Now customers who are not picky about a high-quality movie experience with a clear picture and crisp sound can even stream movies and TV shows over the Internet to their laptops. It is a shift that Sounds Easy customer SOUNDS EASY page 15
Carbondale Commentary A shining star fades What is it about a mom-and-pop video store that makes a small town feel like a small town? Maybe it’s walking in late on a Saturday night and the young high schooler who works there is playing his electric guitar eagerly awaiting the next customer. Maybe it’s the owner calling you by name or occasionally helping you out by waiving a late fee. Or perhaps it’s bigger than that. Maybe it’s the reality we face when a society chooses the impersonal but seemingly convenient mail-order and online services over a longtime independently owned business. Sounds Easy Video has been a staple in this community for 26 years. The store’s movies have taken us on journeys around the world (“Up the Yangtze”), into one boy’s shocking reality (“L.I.E.”), down memory lane (“Gone With the Wind”). Sometimes it’s simply about keeping in touch with our neighbors who are also there trying to pick out the perfect movie to round out a relaxing evening at home. We hope someone from the community steps in to carry on the Sounds Easy legacy. The inventory is on the shelves, the customer base is in place, the location is right. If not, we’ll honor Staci Dickerson for her big screen efforts that have contributed to this small town. If Carbondale had a Walk of Fame, Dickerson’s handprints would be among the stars who’ve made this community shine. With heavy hearts, we close the curtain on a bright scene in Carbondale’s history.
Letters
The Sopris Sun welcomes your letters, limited to no more than 400 words. Letters exceeding that length may be edited or returned for revisions. Include your name and residence (for publication) and a contact email and phone number. Submit letters via email to letters@soprissun.com or via snail mail to P.O. Box 399, Carbondale, CO 81623.
Just Say No
Dear Editor: Sen. Al White, Reps. Kathleen Curry and Randy Baumgardner: On behalf of the Glenwood Springs Association of Realtors, which represents more than 300 Realtors and affiliates across Garfield County, I am writing to express our op-
position to SB-276, a bill to eliminate the homestead exemption for seniors over 65 and qualifying veterans who have owned and lived in their homes for more than 10 years. Please vote NO on SB-276. While your goal of achieving additional revenue for the state to balance the budget is commendable, crawling on the backs of seniors and veterans is not the appropri-
Sopris Sun THE
The Sopris Sun is an LLC organized under the 501c3 nonprofit structure of the Roaring Fork Community Development Corporation, P.O. Box 1582, Carbondale, CO 81623. The mission of the Sopris Sun, LLC is to inform and inspire community members of Carbondale, Colorado.
Editor: Trina Ortega • news@soprissun.com Reporter: Jeremy Heiman Page Production: Terri Ritchie Ad production: Barbara New Advertising Director: Jody Ensign 948-9715 Nuts, bolts and more: Russ Criswell and Mark Burrows Sopris Sun, LLC Managing Board of Directors: Russ Criswell • Peggy DeVilbiss • Allyn Harvey • Colin Laird Barbara New • Elizabeth Phillips • Rebecca Young Sopris Sun, LLC • P.O. Box 399 • Carbondale, CO 81623 www.soprissun.com 2 • THE SOPRIS SUN • APRIL 30, 2009
ate solution to balance the budget. These citizens are a fragile segment of our state’s population. They often live on fixed incomes, and rely on certain government benefits, such as the senior homestead exemption. If you take away their benefits, they may not be able to survive in the current economy, which is already draining their retirement funds. The Glenwood Springs Association of Realtors recommends you abandon efforts to eliminate this exemption, and look for other ways to balance the budget this year. Please vote NO on SB-276. If you have any questions or comments regarding our position on elimination of the exemption, please feel free to contact us. Thank you for your consideration of our position. Sincerely, John Wendt, Glenwood Springs Association of Realtors
The comma is in the right place Dear Editor: On behalf of the Ross Montessori School and the Mark Ross Montessori Foundation, we would like to give a huge thank you to all of our sponsors, restaurants, the Church at Carbondale and the many dedicated volunteers who made our annual fundraiser such a success. With your help we were able to raise over $35,000 for our public K-8 charter school. It is so gratifying to live in a community that supports education and all of our students. Again, many thanks! The Mark Ross Montessori Foundation
Be true to your school Dear Editor: Parents of prospective kindergarteners: This time last year we stood in your very shoes; wanting to do what is right for our future kindergartener and concerned about making the right decisions for our children. Choosing a school is a big decision and something that we spent lots of time and energy fretting over. We know how you feel. We did the research and visited all of the schools. Fortunately, we both decided that the public elementary school right here in Carbondale would be the best choice for our children. Crystal River Elementary School is an amazing facility with passionate, loving, dedicated teachers and an administrative staff that has your child’s best interest at heart. The facilities are conducive to learning and the school has a positive energy that you feel when you walk through the front door. The fa-
cilities are state of the art, and the art, music, and physical education programs are amazing. Children are not only learning to read and write, but are also learning to exercise their bodies and their creativity. With a child in the bilingual program and a child in the regular education program we could not be happier with the education that our children are receiving at CRES. Our children are happy to go to school in the morning, happy when we pick them up, and are receiving an amazing education. As an educator myself, of middle-, high-, and college-age students, I am quite sure that my daughter is being prepared for her future not just academically but culturally, as well. I am thrilled that she is learning to speak Spanish and learning at an early age to befriend children of other ethnicities. She will be prepared to live in this culturally diverse United States of the 21st century. If you haven’t stopped by CRES to check it out, please do. Tours of the building are every Wednesday morning, and I will be happy to show you around and answer any questions you may have. This is a great school that is an important part of our amazing community. Instead of looking outside of Carbondale for educational opportunities for your child, check out CRES, CMS, and Roaring Fork High. As Gandhi so eloquently put it, “be the change you want to see.” Become involved and support our local schools. Sincerely, Ashley Jardine M.A., M. Ed. and Sophie Schlumberger Carbondale
Support Simba and ARF ARF!
Dear Editor: About one year ago, I adopted a wonderful dog, George, through our incredible Animal Rescue Foundation ARF. George had a bad sore on his leg that I paid no attention to. This wound did not heal even though many rounds of antibiotics were administered and an exploratory surgery was performed, which ARF helped me pay for. I was referred to Dr. Melissa McPherron who is a veterinarian surgeon. Dr. McPherron performed the surgery, discovered the problem and now George is a happy energetic, loving pet. There is another extraordinary part of this story. I was concerned, as I could not pay for the surgery, yet George would probably have become permanently crippled without it. There is a fund, called the Simba Fund, which was started by Melissa because she refused to euthanize any animal for financial reasons, when it was a fixable problem. This fund helps defray
Correction Organizers of a proposed community garden at Delaney open space have not formally made a presentation to the Carbondale Board of Trustees as stated in the April 23 issue of The Sopris Sun. A final presentation will be made to the Parks and Recreation Commission in the next few months, and then the proposal heads to the town board for final approval. The group anticipates being up and running by the 2010 growing season.
Traffic planners see roundabouts in Carbondale’s future
By Jeremy Heiman Though Carbondale’s coffers can’t currently cough up the cash required to build an extension of Industry Place between Highway 133 and Eighth Street, planning for the project continues. The connection has been deemed necessary for future growth and especially as a truck route for construction of the Overlook development, which if approved will replace the light industrial neighborhood north of Town Hall. Industry Place forms at “T” with Highway 133 between the Carbondale Co-op and the Red Rock Plaza. The street runs east to the RFTA facility. A proposed thoroughfare would punch through various properties and onto Eighth Street across from Merrill Avenue to the east. Engineers from Schmueser Gordon Meyer, the company contracted to design a route, state that an Industry Place connection that curves to the east, skirting RFTA property has several advantages over a straight shot through to Eighth. A straight thoroughfare would bisect RFTA’s property near the end of the existing street, whereas a route designed to skirt the RFTA property would have a
A driver on Industry Place gets ready to merge with traffic on Highway 133 at one of the intersections identified for a future roundabout. Photo by Trina Ortega curve that could naturally slow traffic. Either design would intersect the Rio Grande trail. The engineers assured Mayor Michael Hassig and the trustees that the street could be built in phases, starting with two lanes of asphalt and curbing and pedestrian amenities added as the town can af-
ford them. Project engineer Nick Senn told the board the next big step is property acquisition. The project will require the purchase of two residential properties, he said, as well as some property from RFTA. The April 21 update also included
drawings showing how Highway 133 might be redesigned to accommodate traffic for the Village at Crystal River (formerly called the Marketplace), as well as Industry Place. Developers for the Village at Crystal River would like the main entrance to their commercial and residential development to be near the middle of the 24-acre property, rather than on one end. Schmueser Gordon Meyer’s first drawing illustrated an option with traffic signals at two intersections, requiring Highway 133 to be expanded to five lanes. The remaining two designs show the intersections with two one-lane roundabouts and with two two-lane roundabouts. Traffic engineer Lee Barger assured the trustees that the one-lane roundabouts would handle projected traffic volumes on Highway 133 for 15 to 20 years, and could be expanded to two lanes without major redesign work. “The roundabout solution works better,” said SGM traffic engineer Lee Barger, “because you don’t need these acceleration and deceleration lanes.” Hassig also preferred the two-lane highway that the roundabouts allow.
Town to re-establish loan fund for businesses as part of economic development imously to re-activate the program and reconstitute the committee. The pool of funds established for the program in 2002 has remained intact, and currently has a balance of $104,500. As a loan is paid back, the money goes back to the pool to be loaned out again, hence the term “revolving,” said Town Manager Tom Baker. Baker said nonprofits would be eligible to apply for loans, in addition to businesses. “I think any enterprise that adds value to the economy could come in for consideration,” Baker said. Barnett said the intent of the program is to support special projects, rather than merely to provide money for operating
expenses. She said loans would be approved on the merit of a project, as well as the collateral and the repayment capability of the applicant. “It really would be on a case-by-case basis,” Barnett said. In the earlier incarnation of the program, she said, the minimum loan was $2,500 and the highest amount was $25,000. One previous loan was structured with monthly payments and ended with a balloon payoff after three years. Barnett said once a committee is re-es-
Carbondale trustees support ompson Divide Coalition
An outbreak of swine flu first reported in Mexico has caused health officials in the United States to issue warnings to U.S. residents. According to a news release from Garfield County’s Department of Public Health, as of Monday there were 40 confirmed cases of swine influenza in the United States, but no known cases in Garfield County or in Colorado. Deaths from the disease have been reported in Mexico,but all U.S.cases have been mild. Only one required hospitalization. Swine flu is passed from person to person and not from pigs or from eating pork. Garfield County Public Health is working with local emergency officials including county administration, EMS, hospitals, medical clinics, schools, and pharmacies, to monitor the situation and plan for possible emergencies. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control is recommending that this current flu season be treated as any other flu season.
The town of Carbondale has decided to re-activate its revolving loan fund for small businesses. A program that awarded such loans has been dormant for the past few years. The program was originally part of Carbondale’s economic development plan, dating from 2002. It was not being used at least partly due to lack of participation by members of the Revolving Loan Committee, which was charged with steering the program, said Nancy Barnett, Carbondale’s finance director. Citing the need for local economic development and the tenuous condition of some local businesses, the Carbondale Board of Trustees on April 14 voted unan-
The Carbondale Board of Trustees on April 21 voted 5-0 to authorize Mayor Michael Hassig to sign a resolution in support of preventing natural gas drilling on more than 100,000 acres of national forest land in the area of the Thompson Creek headwaters and Fourmile Creek southwest of Carbondale. The resolution is a result of an initiative by the Thompson Divide Coalition, an alliance that includes the North Thompson Cattlemen’s Association, the Mount Sopris Nordic Council, Trout Unlimited, the Colorado Mule Deer Association, Aspen Valley Land Trust and other groups, brought together by Carbondale-based Wilderness Workshop. The area is valued for its unspoiled nature, its hunting and fishing opportunities, its wilderness values and for grazing leases held by Carbondale area ranchers.
The coalition hopes to prevent development on some or all of 81 natural gas leases in the Thompson Divide region. Its strategy includes working with Colorado’s Congressional delegation and with the natural gas industry to reach agreements that will prevent large scale drilling. Dorothea Farris of the Crystal Valley Environmental Protection Association told the trustees that companies might be convinced to withdraw some leases. Others could be administratively withdrawn, and others could be purchased with funds raised for the purpose. Farris has already met with Congressman John Salazar to discuss the matter. Rancher Bill Fales of the North Thompson Cattlemen’s Association said if the area were developed on the scale that the existing leases would allow, it would completely change the character of the land.
tablished, its members will nail down some of the rules concerning how the money is loaned, including interest rates. When the program was first established, the rules stated the committee members were to be representatives of each local financial institution, plus two at-large business representatives. But the trustees last week suggested to Barnett and Baker that the new board should not be weighted so heavily toward banks. The town will advertise for applicants for appointment to the loan program board soon, Baker said.
Preparing for possible swine flu outbreak
The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment is recommending that people take the following steps to avoid getting or spreading the flu: • Wash hands frequently • Avoid others who are coughing or sneezing • When you cough or sneeze, cover your nose and mouth with a tissue or your sleeve. Throw used tissues in a trash can. • If you think you or your children are ill with flu, plan to stay at home or out of public places. Do not go to work, school or travel until your symptoms are gone. • Seek medical care if you are severely ill (such as having trouble breathing). There are antiviral medications for prevention and treatment of swine flu that a doctor can prescribe. For more information go to the state health department Web site, http://www.cdphe.state.co.us/ or call (877) 462-2911. THE SOPRIS SUN • APRIL 30, 2009 • 3
Scuttlebutt
Squeaky clean
Carbondale Boy Scout Troop 235 held a car wash April 18 to raise money to go to summer camp this year and attend the National Jamboree in July 2010. The Jamboree, held at Fort A.P. near many historical Civil War landmarks, will celebrate the 100th anniversary of scouting in the USA next year. The jamboree program reflects the skills of Scouting — physical fitness, environmental conservation, national heritage, and the spirit of Scouting. Troop 235 in Carbondale is open to boys between the ages of 11 and 17. Contact Scoutmaster Tom Provost at 963-2168 for more information about joining or making a donation or Bill Kelly at wnkelly2004@yahoo.com
No spam here
For the second consecutive year, Basaltbased Blue Tent Marketing won Gold for Best Postcard-Style Campaign (B2B) at the
fourth annual MarketingSherpa Email Awards held in Miami in March. MarketingSherpa is a research firm that specializes in tracking what works in all aspects of marketing. The annual email summit is billed as the largest event in the world focused exclusively on email marketing.“In a campaign like this, execution is everything. Blue Tent had the temerity to combine a simple holiday greeting postcard-style email with a holiday-themed survey of their clients’ business needs,” said Hilary Pecheone, marketing manager at MarketingSherpa.
ENERGY STAR in action The Pitkin ENERGY STAR partners invite the public to tour a new ENERGY STAR certified home on April 30 at 3:30 and 5:30 p.m. The home, located at 63 Pinon Lane in Blue Creek Ranch, is one of the first of its kind in the Roaring Fork Valley and embodies the Bonsai Communities’ “Deep Green” standard of living. RSVP to mary@pitkinenergystar.com or call 920-7276.
Fourth-graders get ready Carbondale Middle School will host an information night for incoming fourthgraders on Tuesday, May 5. Principal Rick Holt, counselors, mentors, Diversity Team leaders and fifth-graders will welcome and talk with the new students. Parent Orien-
tation will be at 6 p.m. Thursday and a Fun Night will be from 4-6 p.m. Friday. Cost is $3. Activities include Wii sports games, Bingo, movies, gymnasium games and prizes.
Speaking of CCAH … Carbondale Council on Arts and Humanities presents the Roaring Fork Chamber Players in a recital of Baroque music on May 8 at 7 p.m. at the Gathering Center at Church of Carbondale. The performers are soprano, Kathryn Schmidt (Glenwood Springs); violinist and violist Nancy Thomas (Aspen); harpsichordist, Charlotte McLain (Basalt); and cellist, Bill Capps (Carbondale). Call 963-1680 for more information.
Pasta with a purpose Bridges High School in Carbondale is hosting a community spaghetti and chile dinner on Wednesday, May 6, from 6-8 p.m. The cost is $5 per person to help raise funds for the school’s upcoming trip to Europe. Bridges will honor Abbey Leone and Tyler Newcomb, who placed first and third, respectively, in the recent statewide Colorado “Moral Courage” essay contest. Kathleen Keelan, program director of Creating Caring Communities, will speak on “How to Create a Caring Community.” The school is at 455 S. Third St. For more info, call the school at 384-6160.
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Just walk
Cowen Drive between Latigo Loop and Eighth Street will be intermittently closed to through traffic between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. until May 1 for utility work. Cowen Drive will be open to through traffic between 5 p.m. and 8 a.m. each day. Drivers may use Village Road as an alternate route.
Big shoes to fill
Congratulations to the People’s Choice Award winner from the Carbondale Council on Arts and Humanities 2009 Valley Visual Art Show. Top place goes to sculptor Jack Brendlinger for his bronze piece titled “In Daddy’s Shoes.” Janet Nelson “Mermaid” was voted second, and Jeff Britt’s “Ghost Herd” came in third.
Happy baby birthday May 1 is Maya Rose Lindbloom’s first birthday. Mom Soozie will be serving a gluten-free carrot cake made only with organic carrots and baked in a handmade solar oven.
Student bring brains to local business
By Jeremy Heiman To find a solution to a difficult business problem, owners and managers of valley businesses and nonprofits can now turn to a group of public school students.Although it may seem unlikely at first, that’s exactly what is happening at the Partnering for Success Center. Partnering for Success is a major part of a newly named nonprofit, Youthentity, that was formerly known as Computers for Kids, which also has under its umbrella the computer-oriented youth organization called Build Your Own. The concept of student consultants working for professional clients is definitely working, said Kirsten McDaniel, executive director of Youthentity. Businesses and organizations have been willing to bring their problems to Partnering for Success for several reasons. First, the fee is low. The center charges a flat consulting fee of $2,000 per job, or a discounted rate of $1,000 to nonprofits. Second, the kids are backed by volunteer coaches with experience in appropriate fields. Third, some clients take the opportunity to scout the kids as prospective future employees. “For all of those reasons, customers are willing to give kids a chance,” said McDaniel. “They’ve always been delighted with the results.” There’s a fourth reason that businesses have come to PFS, one that’s not as self-centered, McDaniel said. Clients are attracted to the idea of contributing to the education of kids in the community. “It’s kind of a really nice way to give back,” she said. The relationship between the students and the customer is the reverse of an internship, McDaniel said. That relationship allows the program to help kids prepare for their future by putting them in real-world situations, requiring them to think critically, letting them work as teams and making them prepare and give presentations. PFS operates in the former Carbondale Middle School building that also houses
Bridges High School. The space is a former gymnasium, redesigned by students. It’s painted in striking colors above polished corrugated sheet metal wainscoting. The design work was done by PFS students, working with Charles Cunniffe Architects.The tab for the 2008 remodeling and fixtures, McDaniel said, was paid from a $250,000 El Pomar Foundation award that Computers for Kids won in 2007. In the spacious main room, there’s a computer rental concession area, café tables and a presentation area with a massive, donated video screen. There’s also a snack bar that sells salty chips, caffeine-laced drinks and other such things. “It’s pretty kid-driven, in terms of what we offer,” McDaniel said. To the side is a glassed-in conference room with chrome and vinyl chairs around a glass table. Next door to the conference area is the Brain Bar, where adults can get help with the technical parts of their lives. Here, anyone who needs a bit of tutoring in the use of his or her iPod, phone, or other modern convenience, can be mentored by a high school brain for a very reasonable price. Just around the corner, off the hall in this former school building, is the game room, where kids will be learning to develop video games. It’s equipped with a bank of computers on new glass tables and a large projection screen. Game designing will be part of Youthentity’s summer program, McDaniel said. Next to that is a former classroom that will be the site of the Youthentity Bank, a joint project of Partnering for Success and Alpine Bank. Students participating in PFS come from Aspen, Basalt, Carbondale and Glenwood Springs. Customers have included Alpine Bank, Blue Tent Marketing, the True Media Foundation and the Roaring Fork School District. One current project was brought to the PFS center by the Institute for Civic Achievement, a nonprofit with an office in
CMS students Ricardo Herta and Arturo Torres play computer games in the Partnering for Success Center. Photo by Jane Bachrach Glenwood Springs that provides business training and finds financing for local businesses. ICA wanted help in determining whether a business symposium would garner enough interest and sponsorship to be successful, McDaniel said. PFS assembled a six-student team of 9th graders, who attacked the problem headon. Their first task was to determine which valley businesses were likely sponsors.Then they called, visited and secured sponsorships from those businesses. At press time, they’ve sold $13,000 in sponsorships for the symposium, and have two $1,000 openings left to sell. “They’ve done a really good job,” McDaniel said. They succeeded in their mission. The symposium is on the calendar, scheduled for May 29, and the team will be honored participants. “It’s really rewarding to them to see their work come to life,” McDaniel said. Projects are not necessarily related to the school calendar — they often last three months and can last up to eight months at the most. About 200 students have participated in the program since its beginning in 2007, McDaniel said. Team size varies, with high school teams ranging from six to twelve members and elementary school projects sometimes involving an entire class. Some teams have started larger and lost members due to the time commitment required. As the demands of a project get
more intense, the intensity of the students’ involvement also increases, McDaniel said. “To me, that’s a good indication of what they’re getting out of it,” she said. Often, McDaniel will get a project request and then a teacher will help by recommending particular students to work on it. Other times, students volunteer, and McDaniel must find a customer for them. Students in the program vary in their achievement levels. Some of the participants have been honors students, or in the gifted and talented program, but other projects have gone to students with other interests, McDaniel said. One project, which required some mathematical skills, was assigned to a group of students who were struggling with math.As the project progressed, the math skills of the girls in the group started to improve. But the boys didn’t show much improvement. That unanticipated outcome was intriguing. “It’s interesting, because sometimes you’ll see their self-esteem start to progress,” McDaniel said. “That’s kind of, to me, why it’s so worthwhile to do it.” Student satisfaction with the program is high. Some kids say the harder they work on a project, the more fun they’re having. And there’s a feeling of having accomplished something of importance. McDaniel recounted the satisfaction expressed by a ninth grader: “This is the first time something I’ve done has gone beyond the teacher’s desk,” the girl told her.
CARBONDALE: Early settlers in 1881 started cattle and sheep ranches and began growing potatoes, which for over 50 years was the mainstay crop of the Carbondale economy. SPUDS: Potato: an edible tuber native to South America; a staple food of Ireland SUBS: Bomber: a large sandwich made of a long crusty roll split lengthwise and filled with meats and cheese,tomato, onion and lettuce
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THE SOPRIS SUN • APRIL 30, 2009 • 5
Tis the season for trail work RFOV launches weekly trail work evenings at highly used Red Hill By Trina Ortega Billowy gray clouds salted the air with fluffy snowflakes and the ground swelled quickly with a blanket of snow. It was 7:30 a.m. on a Saturday last May, and the Roaring Fork Outdoor Volunteers trail work day at Red Hill in Carbondale was scheduled to happen rain or shine. But what about blizzard? Yet, typical of all RFOV projects, more than 45 volunteers braved the elements to haul rocks, heave pickaxes and help maintain the popular hiking, running and mountain biking trail. Carbondale residents love their Red Hill, and the land owned by the Bureau of Land Reclamation has become more used as the area’s population has increased. With the rise in population, the trail system also has seen a dramatic increase in use over the last several years. Recent estimates put visits at more than 55,000 annually. “That’s a lot of hikers, runners and cyclists,” says RFOV Executive Director David Hamilton. “Our 2009 goals on Red Hill are to bring these trails, especially the ones closer to the trailhead, up to a sustainable standard and work to maintain them at this level. To that end, RFOV will be launching a new program to make it easier for all to
lend a hand to care for our favorite hometown trail. Beginning Thursday, May 7, RFOV will schedule work projects on Thursday evenings for the entire month of May on the Red Hill trail system. Volunteers will not be asked to pre-register (although you still can), making it easy to just show up and work for a few hours. Hamilton said the concept is to offer an alternative to RFOV’s typical Saturday projects on the busy summer weekends and a shorter, less demanding work period of three to four hours. Volunteers should bring water, work gloves and rain gear and meet at 5:30 p.m. Thursdays at the Red Hill Trailhead. RFOV will supply snacks, drinks, tools and instruction. “If you use and enjoy these trails, we believe you have a duty to help maintain them,” Hamilton said. For Red Hill Council President Davis Farrar, a little sweat equity from residents and trail users yields good trails on which to play. From big projects, such as re-routing Three Gulch, to maintenance, including building water bars and trail edging, RFOV has provided the council with support for nearly a decade.
STRANG RANCH thanks the SOPRIS SUN
for continuing to serve Carbondale with local news!!!
RIDING LESSONS FOR ALL AGES AND ABILITIES AVAILABLE MAY 1ST
First Hunter/Jumper Show MAY 3RD
Greg Eliel Horsemanship Clinic JUNE 26-28
Grass Fed Natural Beef and Lamb AVAILABLE SEPT/OCT
Waldorf School on the Roaring Fork has adopted the Perham Creek Trail in the White River National Forest. The school is in its second year of community service work to help maintain this trail with the assistance of Roaring Fork Outdoor Volunteers and the U.S. Forest Service. The sixth-, seventh- and eighth-grade students spent the day on April 20 widening the trail path corridor, building and cleaning water bars and improving the trail tread. “The students of the Waldorf School are helping to ensure that people will be able to enjoy this trail for many years to come,” said Waldorf Trails Committee Coordinator Deb Collins. Photo courtesy Waldorf School “Collaboration with other partners is very valuable,” Farrar said. “They bring physical bodies. They bring planning and trail expertise. We marry our experience and their expertise to come up with the best trails for user recreation.” RFOV mission is to promote volunteer stewardship of public lands by completing
trail work and other long-lasting conservation projects. Now in its 14th season of public projects, RFOV has helped land managers and other organizations create and maintain dozens of trails and natural areas from Aspen to Rifle since 1995. For more information, log on to www.rfov.org or call 927-8241.
Mid-Valley Unitarian-Universalist Gathering!
A Caring Community Promoting Spirituality While Embracing Liberal Religion, Secular Humanism, and You! Welcoming and Open-Minded.
Sundays, May 3 and June 7
Widely Acclaimed UU Minister
ROBERT LATHAM
THIS SUNDAY, MAY 3: “Frolicking in Mystery…
Making Sense of the Spiritual” Children’s Program Provided
10:30 am, WIN Health Institute, Basalt
(behind Mid-Valley Medical Center at Hwy 82 and Original Road)
Hoping to Call a Unitarian Minister in 2010
Located on Missouri Heights Contact Bridget or Kit for information
963-2319 • strangranch.com 6 • THE SOPRIS SUN • APRIL 30, 2009
For More Information, call Bill or Sue at 963-2163
ART is no accident
Student work on display during First Fridays expo, Band Battle and student film fest this weekend By Trina Ortega and Jane Bachrach
Top: CMS eighth-grader Macy Gorriz works on her “Wishes for the World” flag for Carbondale’s “peace pole” that will be erected at the park at Fourth and Main. Above left: Kerwin Hirro’s “Forest of Souls” tree is based on the book A Separate Peace. Photos by Carol Craven. Top right: Two firefighters from the Carbondale Fire Department examined injured victim Tyler Ting during the mock accident involving teens that were drinking and driving. The enactment was staged for Juniors and Seniors at RFHS on Monday. Photo by Jane Bachrach
May is a magical month. Within its longer days and warmer air is the promise of spring. In Carbondale, however, May holds an even greater magic — during the First Fridays student expo, the promise of the future is on display.
Kids Art and Learning Expo What has been a tradition for four years now, CCAH is sponsoring the Carbondale Kids Art and Learning Expo, a celebration of visual art, live music, poetry, educational projects and demonstrations by students from Carbondale’s schools. Main Street will be closed from 4:308:30 p.m. from Second Street to Weant Boulevard for the First Fridays expo, and students will be presenting their live and visual art from CCAH, on Fourth Street, at the library, in front of Russets and everywhere in between. Even Main Street itself will be a stage; Carbondale Middle and Roaring Fork High musicians, directed by teacher Mark Gray, will perform in the street. The Carbondale Clay Center will preview platters painted by students, as well. The platters will be on auction at the center’s La Dolce Vita fundraiser held May 30. “We are so appreciative of the town for allowing us to close off Main Street on this important night when we honor our schools,” said CCAH Executive Director Ro Mead. “It is so exciting to me to see what our schools are doing. In this period of economic doom and gloom, we look at the kids and what they’re doing … this is the future and there’s so much hope out there,” Mead said. Third-graders who worked with Anderson Ranch artist Sarabeth Berk will have pieces on display, along with other artwork, at both CCAH and the Gordon Cooper Library. Students will lead an Open Mic Poetry Night from 6-8 p.m. at Steve’s Guitars. Students also will be playing live music at Steve’s, with musicians taking the stage from 4-6 p.m. and 8-10 p.m. Students from Carbondale Community School and Carbondale Middle will raise a “Peace Pole” in conjunction with the 5Point Film Festival. CMS art teacher Ami Maes has helped her fifth- through eight-grade students in the “wishes for our world” flag project. They created flags using silk, dyes, cold wax, fabric and
more to communicate personal wishes for the world. Maes said CMS created more than 70 flags that will be part of the maypole, and 5Point Film organizers then will keep them on display through the festival that opens May 7. “The idea was to create these flags to send wishes throughout the world,” Maes said. “They are beautiful … each student put so much heart into their piece.” For more information and to volunteer, call 963-1680.
Student Film Festival
The Rocky Mountain Student Film Festival isn’t only a venue in which students have the opportunity to showcase their films, this festival is completely run by students, who handle everything from marketing to serving as liaisons with the judges. This year is the 10th annual festival and will be held at 7:30 p.m. May 1 at Glenwood Springs High School. The festival is open to students throughout the valley, and one of those students is Roaring Fork High School senior Tyler Ting, who produced “Solitude.” He made the film with classmates Blaine Hudson and Jack Stokan who both shot it, along with a former foreign exchange student, Iain Tholie. Ting came up with the concept in Media Empowerment class. Ting is the only “actor” in the film. It’s “an exploratory piece, with a piano accompaniment,”Ting said.“A big inspiration for me is music and when I listen I picture things in my head,”he added.When he was originally listening to the piano piece he visualized this film, then went and made a storyboard. It’s been quite a busy week for Ting who right about now probably needs some solitude. He not only has a film in the festival and is one of the many students organizing the event, but he’s also competing in Battle of the Bands with About Blank, the band that he’s played with for four years. On Monday, Ting played one of four accident “victims” in an enactment of a car accident that was held for juniors and seniors at RFHS. The mock accident involved teens that were drinking and driving and Ting played one of the injured victims that had to be extracted from the vehicle by police and firemen. There was obviously a great deal of preparation involved beforehand. BAND BATTLE ’09 page 13
THE SOPRIS SUN • APRIL 30, 2009 • 7
Obituary
Polo in the park
Jerry Lee Hartman
Bicycles are the ponies, PVC and ski poles the mallets
By Allyn Harvey Nobody is keeping track of the “chuckers.” “Bumps” aren’t allowed. There aren’t any “sideboards” defining the edge of the field. And these “ponies” don’t need much in the way of “tack.” But polo is polo, and anyone who happens by Sopris Park on Thursday evenings has a good chance of finding a game in play. Bicycle polo, that is. The players ride mostly single-speed bikes. (Many ride a “fixie” or a freewheel in the back. On a fixie, once you start pedaling, you don’t stop until the bike stops.) “You might want to mention this: We affectionately call our bikes our ‘polo ponies,’” says Rhonda, one of the organizers. The polo games are held twice a week – 6 p.m. on Thursdays – in Carbondale. On alternate weeks, the game is held in Glenwood Springs at one of the parks off the bike path. The mallets are made from ski poles with short pieces of PVC pipe. Black pipe works better than white, which splinters more easily. The bike polo games got its official start hear a year ago, during Bonedale Bike Week. The sport traces its origins to Ireland. (The second annual bike week is set to begin on May 11. Visit www.bonedalebikeweek.com for details.) “This year, we’re trying not to drink as much beer while we’re playing,” Rhonda says. “We’re saving it for after.”
8 • THE SOPRIS SUN • APRIL 30, 2009
Sept. 27, 1946 – April 14, 2009
The Carbondale Stompaz, shown at the Lyons Bike Polo Tourney — are out to have fun and not just kill each other. Photo by Steve “Doom” Fassbinder While the games may be informal here, the athletes – and their commitment to the sport and art of the bicycle – aren’t. A group went down to Lyons last year for a bicycle polo tournament and placed fourth. But last Thursday, as the twilight set in, the spirit was more collegial than competitive, open to those willing to pedal their pony and play. “Hey, grab your bike, grab your mallet and show up,” Rhonda said.
Jerry Lee Hartman of Marble, Colo., passed away April 14, 2009. He was 62. Jerry was born Sept. 27, 1946, in Glendale, Calif., to Gerald Lloyd Hartman and Dixie Lee Hartley (Hartman). Jerry graduated from El Segundo High School in 1964. He left his family and friends and moved to Aspen, Colo., in 1969, fulfilling his dream of the life he wanted to live. He loved the ocean but the mountains were his life. He was a carpenter by trade and his love showed in his work. He would never take full credit for any project but contributed to its building. He helped build the Aspen Business Center. He worked on numerous houses and businesses that showed his talent as a craftsman. He was so proud of his sons: Kevin, Corey and Tyler, the lights of his life. He taught his sons love of life and love of the land and to appreciate it. He was their Scout Master and shared his love of the mountain life. Being an Eagle Scout was important to him. Jerry also loved his German shorthair hunting dogs. Max was his best buddy. Geoboh won awards, and Jerry was training two more. Jerry is survived by his dad, Gerald Hartman; his mom, Dixie, had preceded him in death, and we know she was waiting for him. He also is survived by his wife, Diann, the love of his life, and his sons, all of whom were with him when he passed. He leaves one brother, Jim; a sister, Melinda; a niece; and three nephews; and many cousins, who all shared in the celebration of his life. Jerry will be missed by many but his wife, sons and his work will be his legacy.
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Spring has sprung — Pasta primavera takes advantage of fresh produce
Pasta primavera is an interesting and delicious dish whose popularity stems from several points. Just saying the name is fun and sounds sophisticated.“Spaghetti and meatballs” will never roll off the tongue as poetically as its alliterative first cousin. Primavera means springtime, which instantly brings to mind longer, warm days, colorful and fragrant flowers, and approaching summer. Pasta primavera combines just about any of the myriad pasta forms with flavorful, colorful, fresh vegetables, usually some rich cream, and some zesty Italian cheese. What’s not to love? It’s a vegetarian’s dream, and all of us can By Chef George Bohmfalk enjoy it whenever we have fresh vegetables available. Even the controversies surrounding the origin of the dish, its name, and its official ingredients are delightful. Certainly, Italian cooks have married spring vegetables to pasta in many forms for centuries, without attaching too much importance to their casual combinations. But in the mid-1970s, the Italian owner of a prestigious Manhattan French restaurant unwittingly created a culinary sensation. Cirio Maccioni, the personable owner of the restaurant Le Cirque, was entertaining a group of chefs and food writers on a springtime hunting trip. Late one evening, with everyone exhausted but starving, Maccioni went into the camp’s kitchen to see what he could whip
The Fork
that Roared
up quickly that wouldn’t be too heavy. He found some spaghetti and fresh vegetables, made a simple sauce with tomatoes and cream, and combined all, to the hungry hunters’ enthusiastic responses. One member in the group was a New York Times food writer who wanted to share this fabulous discovery with his readers. When asked the dish’s name, the inventive cook thought for a second and casually replied, “Call it spaghetti primavera.” As chefs came to use pasta forms other than spaghetti, the more generic name “pasta primavera” took hold. Probably not even Mr. Maccioni remembers exactly what went into his creation, and it doesn’t matter at all. The essence of pasta primavera is the savory combination of fresh vegetables and just about any form of pasta. Fettucine is most commonly used, but there’s no reason not to make it with penne, bowties, or any of the other pasta shapes. This is an ideal recipe for substituting and using what you can easily get or have on hand, exactly as did Mr. Maccioni. Most cooks sauce it with cream, but our arteries and thighs will appreciate substituting something lighter. When I make this, everything is optional except pasta, olive oil, garlic, cheese, and fresh vegetables.
Pasta primavera Put big and medium pots of salted water on to boil. Rinse and cut into bite-sized pieces about a cup each of three to five fresh vegetables. Good choices might include asparagus; broccoli; green beans; carrots; snow peas; mushrooms; zucchini, yellow, and other squash; red, yellow and other bell peppers. When the smaller pot boils, blanch the hard vegetables, like broccoli, carrots, and beans, a few minutes,
until they’re just cooked, still slightly crisp. Drain and immerse the blanched veggies in iced water to stop their cooking and preserve their bright color (that’s called “shocking”). When the large pot boils, add the pasta and stir frequently to prevent the pasta pieces from sticking together. Test a piece for doneness after a few minutes. When cooked to the firm al dente stage, drain incompletely, leaving about a half cup of water to moisten the pasta, and return it to the pot, off heat. While the pasta is boiling, empty and dry the smaller pot, pour in several tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat, and sauté half a sliced onion until slightly soft. Add a finely chopped garlic clove and stir around for about 10 seconds. Toss in the uncooked softer vegetables, like asparagus, mushrooms, bell peppers, and squash, which cook quickly. Sauté these for about 30 to 60 seconds and season them with salt and pepper. Drain the blanched and shocked vegetables and combine everything into whichever pot is more convenient. Grate in a generous half-cup or so of a hard cheese, like Parmesan, Romano or Asiago. Stir well to coat the pasta, melt the cheese, and warm the vegetables. Season with a little salt and pepper and serve immediately. The warm and productive face of the earth is spread before you. Options: if you’d like yours richer or creamier, add a little butter, cream, or just milk. In the cheese department, you could use cream cheese, goat cheese, mozzarella, or just about any other easily melting kind. Fresh basil, parsley, oregano, or cilantro will pick it up a bit, as will some sliced olives and a few red pepper flakes, for a little zip. If I have a good tomato, I’ll peel, dice, and stir it in right at the end to warm, as it doesn’t need to cook.
THANK YOU! FROM ROSS MONTESSORI SCHOOL to all of the businesses and individuals that donated services, food, auction items, and their time to make our ANNUAL FUN-RAISER a success.
Savage Excavation Alpine Bank Red Mountain Inn Annette Ballard Designs Lamont Planning Services
Back Door Catering Blue Creek Grill Bravo Fine Catering Creative Catering / Peter O’Grady Dream Dinners Ella Grana Bakery Konnyaku Mi Casita Midland Baking Comany Zheng
Mark Thomas and his Comedy Troupe Church at Carbondale AND... ALL OF OUR EXCEPTIONALLY TALENTED AND DEDICATED VOLUNTEERS.
- we couldn’t have done it without you! THE SOPRIS SUN • APRIL 30, 2009 • 9
Community Calendar THURSDAY, April 30
CMC REGISTRATION • Registration for Colorado Mountain College’s summer semester is under way, with many classes starting the week of May 11. For a list of classes, look for the course schedule in your mailbox or go to www.coloradomtn.edu/register.
FRIDAY, May 1
INSULATION CONTEST • The Garfield 100% Rebate Home Energy Audit and Insulation Contest deadline is May 1. Entry forms and rules are available at town halls or libraries in Parachute, Rifle, Silt, New Castle, Glenwood Springs or Carbondale, or download the form at www.GarfieldCleanEnergy.org. For more information, call 704-9200, ext. 1.
RIVER FLOAT • Registration opens May 1 for Roaring Fork Conservancy’s River Float 2009 on June 6. The float starts at 8 a.m. at Veltus/Kiwanis Park. Space is limited. Register online at www.roaringfork.org/events by June 2. For more information, call 927-1290.
MOVIES • The Crystal Theatre shows “Sunshine Cleaning” (R) at 8 p.m. Friday through Thursday, May 1-7, and “Adventureland” (R) at 5:45 p.m. Saturday, May 2.
FIRST FRIDAYS • Galleries and businesses in Carbondale will have art openings and extended hours for the First Fridays Art Walk. For full coverage, see pages 11–13.
LIVE AT STEVE’S • Young musicians from Carbondale Middle and Roaring Fork High perform jazz, rock and original tunes from 4-6 p.m., followed by a free Open Mic Poetry Night at 6 p.m. and more student music from 8-10 p.m. Visit www.stevesguitars.net for more info.
STUDENT FILM • The 10th annual Rocky Mountain Student Filmfest takes place at 7:30 p.m. at Glenwood Springs High School. $5 at the door.
BASEBALL/SOFTBALL • Registration deadline is May 1 for the Carbondale Recreation Department summer youth baseball/softball leagues. Costs for coach pitch are $75 and for baseball and softball $80. Interested coaches and umpires may contact Chris at 704-4115.
SATURDAY, May 2 OPEN HOUSE • Senior Matters will have an Open House from noon to 4 p.m. at its
To list your event, email information to news@soprissun.com. Deadline is 5 p.m. Fridays. Events take place in Carbondale unless noted.
new Third Street Center location. Plant sale and refreshments; Membership signup will be a $10 annual fee.Senior Matters is also offering two free yoga sessions at noon on May 21 and May 28 at the Third Street Center. CMC GRADUATION • Graduation ceremonies for Colorado Mountain College honoring graduates from the Spring Valley, Glenwood and Lappala centers, is at 10 a.m. at the student center gymnasium at Spring Valley. CMC President Dr. Stan Jensen will be the commencement speaker. For more information, call 945-7481. SPRING CLEANUP • Local residents can bring yard waste, furniture, appliances (without Freon) and general junk from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. to the corner of Fourth and Colorado.The fee is $10/pickup load (double for extra large loads). Loads from persons not in the town limits will be charged $25 to $35 per load. No hazardous wastes, tires or refrigerators. CONTRA DANCE • The monthly community contra dance will be from 8-10:30 p.m. at the Glenwood Springs Masonic Lodge, Ninth Street and Colorado Avenue. The dance caller will be John Unger from Montrose. Live music by the Last Minute String Band. Beginner’s walk-through is at 7:30 p.m. For more info, call 945-0350 or visit www.lastminutestringband.com.
SUNDAY, May 3 UNITARIANS MEET • The mid-valley Unitarian-Universalists group will be gathering at 10:30 a.m. at the WIN institute in El Jebel. The May topic will be “Frolicking In Mystery (Making Sense of Spirituality).” Children’s program provided. For more information, call Mike or Cathy Schermer at 927-9611 or email suereally@gmail.com. EAT LOCALLY FILM • The Redstone Community Association presents the Ellen Frankenstein film “Eating Alaska,” a serious and humorous film about connecting to where you live and eating locally. Local farmers and ranchers will discuss food options in the Crystal Valley. The presentation is at 7 p.m. at the Church in Redstone. For more information, call Becky at 963-6355.
MONDAY, May 4 STUDENT VOICES • The Andy Zanca Youth Empowerment Program and Tomorrow’s Voices continue broadcasting student perspectives from 4-4:30 p.m. on
Friends of the Gordon Cooper Library present…
SPRING BOOK SALE May 7 – May 18 during regular library hours at the library 76 4th Street Carbondale • 963-2889
Please become a member of the Friends of the Gordon Cooper Library! 10 • THE SOPRIS SUN • APRIL 30, 2009
KDNK. Upcoming: The Need to Preserve Wilderness, Noelle Chiarelli, Jade Johnson and Jake Wilker, May 4. KIDS’ DENTAL CLINICS • Roaring Fork Family Resource Centers provides free dental varnishing clinics for children under 13 in the Roaring Fork School District. Parents can make an appointment (between noon and 5 p.m.) in English or Spanish for the final clinic: Glenwood Springs Elementary School — May 4. Call Lisa at 384-6055. Llame Neyma al 384-5616 por español.
TUESDAY, May 5 LIVE JAZZ • Tuesday Night Jazz takes place beginning at 8:30 p.m. on the first and third Tuesdays of the month at Steve’s Guitars. Visit www.stevesguitars.net for more info. TEEN INPUT SOUGHT • The Gordon Cooper Teen Advisory Group (TAG) will meet at 4:30 p.m. in the conference room to discuss what teens in grades 7-12 would like to see at the library. For more information call 963-2889.
WEDNESDAY, May 6 STORYTIME • The Gordon Cooper Library hosts Storytime at 10:30 a.m. Wednesdays and Saturdays. Lap sit for infants and parents is at 11 a.m. Fridays. The library is at 76 S. Fourth St. Phone 9632889 for further details. DANDY PUPPETS • A puppet-making party for the Dandelion Day Procession of
the Species Parade will be at 4 p.m. on the basketball court next to Solar Energy International. May 7 is the rain date. Get some inspiration at http://www.procession.org. The parade is at 11 a.m. May 9. Arrive no later than 10:45 at KDNK/SEI on 2nd and Main St.
PIZZA TUNES • White House Pizza presents Open Mic Night hosted by Ananda Banks. Play a tune for a free pint of beer. Sign-up sheet starting at 7 p.m. and sing-alongs till 10 p.m. For more information, call WHP at 704-9400
KIDS’ ART • Wednesday is Art and Pottery Camp, and Thursday is Dance, Music and Theater Camp for kids at the Glenwood Springs Center for the Arts. Call 9452414 to register. For more info, log on to www.glenwoodarts.org.
BIRD WATCHING • Wildlife biologist Jonathan Lowsky and Roaring Fork Conservancy will lead a viewing of blue herons, bald eagles, and osprey near the confluence of Cattle Creek and the Roaring Fork River. Event will be from 5:30-7:30 p.m. May 6 and is free. Space is limited; registration required. Visit www.roaringfork.org/events to register.
ADULT SOFTBALL • Carbondale Recreation Department will hold a mandatory Coed Recreational softball captains meeting at 6:30 p.m. May 6 at Carbondale Town Hall. Registration is ongoing for the summer adult softball leagues. For more information, call 704-4115.
Sticks and stones part of SAW jewelry-maker’s artistic bones By Jessi Rochel Community Correspondent Twelve years ago, while living in San Miguel, Mexico, Colby June Fulton fell in love. The source of her newfound affection — jewelry-making. A friend that was taking a class, told her the teacher was crazy and the class fun, so Fulton decided to try it out. On and off since then, Fulton has been designing jewelry. In the last year and a half, however, she turned her hobby into a business. In her studio at SAW, Folton tries to work at least two days a week. Lately she has worked more as she prepares for her solo exhibition, “Compose Decompose,” through May at SAW (Studio for Arts + Works). An opening reception will be held from 6-8 p.m. Friday, May 1, at the gallery located at 978 Euclid Ave. Fulton will donate 20 percent of sales to Wilderness Workshop, a local organization that seeks to protect natural areas around the valley. Though Fulton has worked mostly with silver and a little gold, her new line also features some bronze. Her designs are influenced by nature; some of her work was inspired by native Colorado grasses, and her new collection is based on sticks and stones. “My work is really organic, minimalist, and raw,” she said. A native to the area, Fulton is originally from Aspen. She moved back to Carbondale a year ago
March and connected with SAW at a New Year’s Eve party the studio hosted. Aside from the class in Mexico and another she took while studying at Lewis and Clark College in Portland, Ore., Fulton is mostly self-taught. Fulton’s designs are unique creations and, as such, are time-intensive. Though she makes multiples of her work — each requiring a half-hour to three hours of labor — the first design takes much longer. “The initial creative process takes awhile, but after that it goes a lot faster,” she said. In addition to her jewelry, Fulton also holds a degree in counseling from a graduate program she took in Denver and is a part-time counselor at Carbondale Community School. Though these two endeavors keep her busy, if she can find spare time, Fulton enjoys hiking, skiing and traveling. She has been to Nepal, the Dominican Republic, and lived in France for a year when she was 15. May’s show at SAW will not be Fulton’s first. In March, she participated in a show at the Red Brick Gallery in Aspen with many of her co-artists from SAW. And last year she was the resident artist in May for SAW, as well. This summer, Fulton will be showcasing her jewelry at the Saturday Market in Aspen. For more information, and to view Fulton’s collections, visit www.colbyjune.com.
Colby June Fulton taps out a ring in her studio at SAW. Her solo show opens Friday. Photo by Trina Ortega
May 2009
BREAKFAST SERVED Saturdays and Sundays 8-12
See you on the Sunny Side!
351 Main Street , Historic Downtown Carbondale Sun
Mon
963-3553
Tue
Wed
Book your Graduation Parties early!! Thu
0RWKHU¶V 'D\ Breakfast Served 8AM-2PM Reservations Recommended
Derby Day! MAY 2 Derby Contest Mint Juleps Appetizer Specials
3 Steak for Two
4
10 0RWKHU¶V 'D\
11
17 Steak for Two 24 Steak for Two 31 Steak for Two
5 T-SHIRT DAY!
Fri
1 First Friday $1 Jello Shots
2
Sat
6
7 $1 Jello Shots
8
9Full Moon Bikers Beware Of Specials
12
13
14 $1 Jello Shots
15
16
18 Skip Burgers For Dinner!
19
20
21 $1 Jello Shots
22
23 LIVE MUSIC Kelley & Hayden 8:30 ±11:00
25
26
27
28 $1 Jello Shots
29 6DQG\¶V
30
Show your Pour House pride for a free pint!!
Hula Hoop Contest 6:00
Fine Dining in a Cowboy Casual Atmosphere
THE SOPRIS SUN • APRIL 30, 2009 • 11
Inspired by dreams
By Trina Ortega When people approach Carbondale artist Wewer Keohane declaring that they’re not creative, she asks: “Have you had any dreams lately?” As Keohane’s email signature states, she believes that “dreams and art are windows to the soul, allowing us entry into the true nature of Self.” Keohane, who has a Ph.D. in Creative Arts/Depth Psychology from Union University, hopes to put more artists, writers and “ordinary people” in touch with their own dreams through her new book, Artful Dreaming, A Primer for Finding Inspiration From Your Dreams. The book is available locally at The Artists’ Collective and Book Train, as well as online. For the First Fridays on May 1, she will hold a book signing from 6-8 p.m. May 1 at The Artists’ Collective, 647 Main St. “The book is for visual artists, literary artists, and regular ordinary people … with a thread on how dreams can inspire your creativity,” Keohane said. “It’s for dreamers who really would like to be more creative by understanding their dreams.” A lecturer and leader of dream workshops for more than 25 years, Keohane has inspired dreamers, artists and writers to create from their dreams and to live
what she calls “authentic lives.” Keohane compiled the book in a relatively short time (she’s been working on it intensively since January — 12 hours a day, seven days a week), but she’s been writing it since 1984, when she conducted her first dream workshop. And not surprisingly, she’s been dreaming. Yes, in the midst of compiling a book about dreams, Keohane had a dream reaffirming her pursuit of writing a book about dreaming. In the dream, she saw three identical pairs of sandals. One pair represented her visual art; another, her literary work; and the third, her dream work with groups. The dream made her realize it’s OK that she focus on all three of her passions. It was a shift for a visual artist who is represented nationally and internationally, with pieces in permanent collections of several museums. “Dreams are very telling if you know what to look for. Dreams have blessed my life,” she said. In addition to Artful Dreaming, Keohane is publishing Nightscapes, a symbol journal for keeping personal info on the metaphors in dreams. Keohane will be visiting libraries and cafes over the next month, as well. On May 14, she will be at the New Castle Li-
Carbondale artist Wewer Keohane (pictured above with her dog, Isabel) will host a book signing at 6 p.m. May 1 at The Artists’ Collective. Photo by Jan Panico brary; on May 29 at Book Train from 5-7 p.m.; and will schedule additional events in Basalt, Glenwood and Silt. During First Fridays, Keohane said she’ll answer dream questions and exchange email addresses so other dreamers can share their inspired work in another upcoming Keohane book. For more information about Friday’s book signing, call 963-9194. Keohane’s art may be viewed at www.wewerart.com.
Garfield 100% Rebate Home Energy Audit & Insulation Contest
A thick layer of insulation in your home’s attic and walls saves money and keeps your home warm in the winter and cool in the summer.
Enter the 100% Rebate Contest 12 home owners in Garfield County will win:
Membership Weekend May 8 - 10
10% off all new memberships paid in full. Shopping discounts, drawings for prizes, free local organic food tasting.
Carbondale’s Natural Food Store
Organic, local produce and meats; bulk grains et al, fine dairy, beverages, chocolates, and packaged goods.
Members make the co-op so everyone can shop
Monday - Friday, 9 AM - 6 PM, Saturdays 11 AM - 7 PM, Sundays 12 - 6 PM 559 MAIN STREET • CARBONDALE • 963-1375 12 • THE SOPRIS SUN • APRIL 30, 2009
Home energy audit Professionally installed attic and wall insulation Window and door sealing All worth up to $1,400 For homes heated with natural gas from SourceGas or Xcel Energy, or with propane or all-electric baseboard heat. Entry form and rules at www.GarfieldCleanEnergy.org and at Carbondale Town Hall and the Gordon Cooper Public Library
= GARFIELD New Energy Communities Initiative Joining forces for a clean energy economy
Entry deadline Friday, May 1 Information at 704-9200 x 1
First Fridays
The Student Expo is the featured event at First Fridays this month and Main Street, from 2nd – Weant Blvd, will be closed to traffic from 4:30 – 8:30 p.m. during the monthly celebration
Galleries and businesses in Carbondale will also have art openings and extended hours for the First Fridays Art Walk. Among the happenings:
• Carbondale Clay Center — 135 Main St.; 963-2529; www.carbondaleclay.org. The center is showing a preview of platters that will be on auction at the center’s La Dolce Vita fundraiser, held May 30.
• Main St. Gallery & The Framer — 399 Main St. Renae Taylor has been a professional artist for over 40 years and works mainly in mixed medium using an impressionistic style and blending abstract with realism. Renae is the featured artist at the gallery. • Kahhak Fine Arts & School — 411 Main St. Inspired by May flowers, Majid Kahhak will paint live from 6-8 p.m. Beverages and hors d'oeuvres will be served.
• Via Viva — 50 N. Fourth St. Via Viva is closing and is liquidating eco groovy furniture and accessories. Live music at 8 p.m (www.viavivastyle.com.) • Open Mic Poetry — 6-8 p.m. Steve’s Guitars • Live Music — 4-6 p.m. and 8-10 p.m.
Musicians jam in Band Battle ’09
At least 18 student bands will compete in over five hours in the Jazz Aspen Snowmass Band Battle ’O9 (formerly Battle of the Bands) from noon to 5 p.m. Saturday, May 2 at Roaring Fork High School. The competition is open to students up to and through the high school level across the Western Slope region. Each band will have a 10-minute set length. Winners will have a chance to perform at
Renae Taylor’s mixed-media piece “5 Red Bulls” shows her technique that evokes pictorial ideas from mixing two mediums that resist each other. She uses oil and water, or ink and alcohol, or watercolor and plastic to create her work. Submitted image
continued om page 7
the Jazz Aspen Snowmass June Festival on the Cooper Mall Free Stage on June 27 and at the JAS Labor Day Festival “Village Stage” in early September. This year’s Band Battle participants include: T.H.G., Talitha Jones, Slightly White, A, Sophie Dasaro, The Great Political Figures Orch., Walter Gorra, Marble Charter School Choir, Jammin’ Wolverines, ACDS Fifth Grade Band,
About: Blank, Hazmat, GSHS Jazz Band, No Joes, Genuine Jazz Combo, The Hippo-crites, Arch Angel and the Josh Milby Band. Steve Marker, the founding member of the seven-time Grammy nominated band Garbag and an owner of Smart Studios in Madison, Wisc., is program director. “This event is important because there are so few opportunities for kids to play
in public here in the valley. You can practice all day long, but the excitement of performing is the thing that’s going to motivate you to keep getting better,” he said. For more details, go to www.myspace.com/jasbandbattle, which not only promotes this year’s event, but will also serve as a place for student musicians to communicate, post, and stay current on gigs.
THE SOPRIS SUN • APRIL 30, 2009 • 13
Letters continued om page 2
the costs of medical and surgical procedures for rescue animals and for pets whose owners ďŹ nd themselves in need of ďŹ nancial assistance. The services are provided by loving doctors who agree to provide their services at a discounted price. These doctors and hospitals still need to be paid, and that’s where you all come in. With your help, the Simba Fund will make sure that pets and owners get to stay together. There are no words to express my gratitude to the Simba Fund and to ARF. George is such an important part of my life and would not be here without the assistance of the Simba Fund and ARF. I am asking all of you who love animals to please support both. To make a donation or learn more about the Simba Fund, contact Dr. Melissa McPherron, 379-8743, or to make a donation and learn more about ARF, 963-4562. Ro Mead
energy to support the community through this challenging time. You know you will be participating in some of them, many of them with no entry fee. The calendar on www.carbondalearts.com is impressive for this small, vibrant town. For this effort, CCAH will need your continued support in volunteer time and, most importantly, with your membership. New members or renewing members can easily call the ofďŹ ce to add your name to our support list (963-1541), or email us at carbondalearts@sopris.net, and ďŹ nding that renewal letter in your “to doâ€? pile will work also. Please take the time to contribute. www.carbondalearts.com will give you the pertinent information. Think of it as an easy investment in your future. It is deďŹ nitely an investment in your community. Elizabeth Phillips CCAH Membership Chair
Smells bad but works good
Roundabouts not ped friendly
Dear Editor: The participants of the Community Garden on Hendrick Drive would like to thank the Nieslanik families for delivering a huge load of fertilizer for our gardens. You folks have contributed so much to our community. As noted, all our plots are taken this spring. Mostly enthusiastic, returning gardeners have again signed up for future summer gardening. Again, our thanks. Rusty Burtard Carbondale
Dear Editor: I currently walk or bike to City Market from my home on north 12th Street several times a week to do my shopping. With the proposed roundabouts and rerouting of trafďŹ c ow through town, it’s possible I’ll have to use my car just to drive across the street. How many others will be forced to do the same? At the risk of pointing out the obvious, signals stop trafďŹ c to allow pedestri-
Help support CCAH
Dear Editor: Maybe it was dancing at the Mountain Fair ‌. It could have been the scholarship that your neighbor received to study creative writing, or your proud child showing off his painting from the After School Program‌. It might have been the gathering of your friends and family at a Summer of Music concert. Maybe it was the provocative discussion you had after the Spirituality Series, or a new awareness from the classical music class. Could have been a First Friday on Main when you saw your old buddy and shared some fond memories‌ If you live in the Roaring Fork Valley, somewhere, sometime, somehow you have experienced enrichment from the Carbondale Council on Arts and Humanities (CCAH). Now is the time to help CCAH maintain that important contribution to the community. It is time to become a member of CCAH. In the coming months, CCAH will produce First Fridays, music events, school arts programs, art shows, an arts calendar, and other miscellaneous celebrations like the 38th Carbondale Mountain Fair. All of these are wonderful venues for gathering our collective
14 • THE SOPRIS SUN • APRIL 30, 2009
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ans to cross a busy highway, roundabouts do not. That would discourage, if not downright prevent, people on the east side of Highway 133 from walking to the Village at Crystal River and the people living in the Village’s 300 residential units from walking into town. In areas where there is no need to consider pedestrian access, roundabouts are a ďŹ ne way to keep trafďŹ c moving smoothly, but with Carbondale’s growing reputation as an environmentally conscious town, it’s disappointing that our civil servants are more concerned that drivers “not perceive it as a delay,â€? than with maintaining more pedestrian friendly conditions. In this age of fuel insecurity and climate change concerns, promoting greater ease of motorized transportation should not be our primary goal. I hope we can look beyond the “highway corridor master plan that was developed by citizens in the 1990sâ€? when the car was king, and think about options that encourage people to walk and bike more. Sue Gray Carbondale
On Earth Day‌ Dear Editor: On Earth Day, Gov. Ritter signed a bill allowing rural electric co-ops like Holy Cross to create “tiered ratesâ€? for residential electricity customers. This means that utilities can structure bills so that you pay more
as you use more, creating incentives for homeowners to conserve, making renewable energy systems more ďŹ nancially attractive, and generally moving whole communities in a more climate-friendly direction. Aspen has such a system in place today. (For most average customers, a tiered rate won’t have any effect, because those customers fall into the lowest rate category.) This legislation would not have existed without the Sopris Foundation and Piper Foster who convened experts and stakeholders to discuss the idea; Holy Cross Energy and CEO Del Worley, who stuck his neck out to support the bill; State Senator Gail Schwartz and Rep. Kathleen Curry, who cosponsored it; and Anson Fogel, of In Power Systems, who has been hammering on this issue for years. Next comes the hard work of designing rate structures that are fair and encourage efďŹ ciency. Let’s go! Auden Schendler Aspen Skiing Company
Moonbeam’s correct email
Dear Editor: I want to thank everyone for the support of my candle business. I am still making my soy candles at home! Thanks, again, for ďŹ ve great years on Main Street! You can email me for any orders at: collinsddean@hotmail.com. Dennis Collins Moonbeam Candles
Sounds Easy om page 1
Wick Moses resents. “This is just one more sign of Western Civilization going down the toilet,” Moses said, while reflecting on how music and movies have been reproduced over the years. Known for his wicked passion for jazz, Moses favors movies over reading novels. He strolls the aisles of Sounds Easy, combing through the “in-depth selection” of movies in search of something new and interesting. “I like the fact that there’s such a huge variety. You’d have to be in a dark mood or not into movies to not find something to watch.” Moses became a regular customer in 1994, and met Skip Naft (a former KDNK staffer) at Sounds Easy. Naft knew film and could make great recommendations, Moses said. It made all the difference. Now he’ll probably start ordering form Netflix, but he can’t imagine that the experience will be as enjoyable nor offer immediate gratification. Plus, he added: “Losing one more retail stand-alone is sad to me.” Dickerson said she would entertain selling the business should an interested buyer step forward soon. “There’s a lot to be squeezed out of it, I just don’t want to be the squeezer. “Carbondale is full of surprises, so you just never know,” she added. The country’s recession is a big factor in the shop’s closing. Ironically, it was during a recession in the early ’80s that Dickerson and partner Patty Bristol (then Nightingale) opened the store when the home movie industry was booming. The two found a 500-square-foot space on Main Street — in the Centennial Building and picked 200 titles from a catalog. They bought two VCRs and opened their doors. The shop was a satellite for the main store that was operated by Bristol’s uncle in Glenwood Springs. “It was just up-and-coming and it was something nobody was doing,” Dickerson said.“It took off beyond our wildest imagination. Neither of us thought we’d be in it for that long.” It was only about a year after they opened that they needed a bigger space and moved next to where the Taste Garden is now in the Sopris Shopping Center. Dickerson bought out Bristol and made a final move a couple doors down to the current location in 1998. But all along, movie buffs have relied on Sounds Easy for the major motion pictures and the independents alike. With nearly 7,000 titles, there’s something for everyone. Take, for instance, longtime customer Ben Heffer of Carbondale who is not afraid of subtitles and will miss the shop for its selection of foreign films. “We started going there when the shop opened and it was quite clear to me that she was going to be able to cater to our film needs, which are not run of the mill,” said Heffer, a retired schoolteacher. He has appreciated the films from Mongolia, China, Iran and Tibet and those made by small producers from throughout the world. “Every once in a while we’d request a title and she would hunt it down and bring it in for us,” he said. “And
Sports
Rams #26 Matt Albeinco almost picks off a Titian base runner at first last Thursday. Photo by Jim Ryan.
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Adrianna Romero heads upfield against Vail Christian in a 6-3 win last Thursday. The Lady Rams continued with their busy week to finish the season, losing to Basalt on Saturday but chalking up wins against Grand Valley (3-2) on Monday and Rangely (4-3) on Tuesday. Photo by Jim Ryan.
that’s how you build a customer base.… We value her business. And it’ll be a real loss.” Dickerson said customers also taught her about film, and she has learned how to talk about the powerful aspects of movies through running a video store. “What’s cool about the movies that are on my wall is that they’re not my choices. It’s what I have learned about from my eclectic and discerning customers,” she said. Owning Sounds Easy also has taught her how to be part of the community on a bigger level. She supported schools, nonprofits, raffles, churches and other organiztions with gift certificates and punch cards. She’s also been happy for the strong connections to the business community, the town’s supportive residents and to the young people who have worked for her — “kids whose worlds opened up when they learned how to watch movies.”
SEEKING PLANTER PARTNER: Gently ascended longhair (visualize Gandalf) intimate with Gaia, skilled in the arts of living lightly, seeks similar organic girl to co-create a sustainable Space of Love on 3 extraordinary, fertile, irrigated riverside acres, 4 miles to Ridgeway farmer’s market. Would like to build solar home, goatchicken barn permaculture garden together, while basking in alpen glow and streamsong. You too? Share this path with Rainbeau at 970-626-5228. AD REPRESENTATIVE for the Sopris Sun. Work on commission, flexible hours, lots of community interaction. Contact Jody at 948-9715 or email at jodye@soprissun.com. EDITOR for the Sopris Sun. Full time. Looking for an editor/writer to manage and guide a reporter and a handful of community journalists in the weekly production of one of the most innovative and daring projects in journalism today. Contact Allyn at (970) 963-7421.
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THE SOPRIS SUN • APRIL 30, 2009 • 15
Mythology & Theology of Native Americans: Their ways of Living & Thinking The Roaring Fork Cultural Council is pleased to host a dialogue on this topic with
Chief Arvol Looking Horse.
Arvol Looking Horse was born on the Cheyenne River Reservation in South Dakota in 1954. At 12, he was given the enormous responsibility of becoming the 19th generation Keeper of the Sacred White Buffalo Calf Pipe, the youngest in history…inheriting responsibility of the Lakota, Dakota & Nakota Nations.
When:
May 9, 2009, 6pm
Tickets: $10
Where: Thunder River Theatre, 67 Promenade, Carbondale
Seating is limited. Please purchase your tickets today at www.rfculturalcouncil.org.
More information:
www.rfculturalcouncil.org
The Roaring Fork Cultural Council will host a series of events this year, featuring prominent experts on cultural, political and ecological issues. “Our purpose is to make an affordable, lovely opportunity for all the people in the Roaring Fork Valley, hoping it will last into the future, long after I’m gone, to enrich and benefit our lives.” – Jim Calaway, co-chairman