17 07 13

the

Sopris Carbondale’s weekly

community connector

Because every town needs a park, a library and a newspaper

Sun

Volume 9, Number 23 | July 13, 2017

Y’all better sing along!

Ragtime Cowboy Joe, aka Brian Colley, performed with the Cowboy Corral when they stopped by The Launchpad after they serenaded folks up and down Main Street during First Friday. Photo by Jane Bachrach (See more First Friday photos on page 5.)

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

To the person who posted the ICE Flyer: I’m not going to debate facts with you. Stuff like - this part of Colorado is Spanish-speaking because it was part of Mexico until 1845, or that immigrants commit crime at a much lower rates than than people born here, or that immigration has always been a race issue since Europeans landed and determined native peoples here were religiously not people, or that immigrants are not stealing our jobs - none of this is going to change your mind about ‘putting America first’.

Instead I’m going to ask you to not be afraid. I want you to pause and ask yourself, who is in charge? What sectors of society benefit from an immigration mess? Who gave who jobs, who is creating wealth where, and who Rev. Shawna Foster is benefiting from that wealth? Who wants you to be afraid? Who benefits from your fear?

In our culture we are taught to protect the powerful and to hate the powerless. To fear those who are not responsible for an unjust system. To turn away from our neighbors and tune into shocking stories about different people that are rare and that distorts their humanity. We become distortions ourselves; afraid of our neighbors, afraid of people we don’t know, afraid to put our names next to our own beliefs, constantly angry to cover up fear. When we are afraid, we don’t blame the people who design the system to be broken or confront the powerful.

The powerful are those who are able to make things happen in our political system, and that is not the immigrant.

You don’t have to spread your fear throughout our community and ask us to spy on each other to put America first. America today is a nation of many peoples with many differences and appreciating this is our strength. When we look to our leaders, understand that the fear mongers are just as bad as snake oil salesman. They are selling something and it ain’t good.

Instead, look to leaders who ask you to take heart. Who ask

Sincerest thanks to our

OPINION

Honorary Publishers for their generous, ongoing commitment of support.

Jim Calaway, Chair Kay Brunnier Bob Ferguson – Jaywalker Lodge Scott Gilbert: Habitat for Humanity - RFV Bob Young – Alpine Bank Peter Gilbert Umbrella Roofing, Inc. Bill Spence and Sue Edelstein Greg and Kathy Feinsinger

ank you to our SunScribers and community members for your support! you to understand one another, to meet the unknown, who have no clear solutions and know that the only way we can figure this out is together. Please, no more flyers asking us to report members of our community to the federal government. Instead, come talk to me, to others you don’t know or understand, and let’s figure this out together. I’m at the Third Street Center, #23 or 970-510-0442 or truu.minister@gmail.com.

Letters

The Sopris Sun welcomes your letters, limited to no more than 400 words. Letters exceeding that length may be edited or returned for revisions.

Include your name and residence (for publication) and a contact email and phone number. Submit letters via email to news@soprissun.com or via snail mail to P.O. Box 399, Carbondale, CO 81623. The deadline to submit letters to the editor is noon on Monday.

Marginalia

The People’s Budget

Dear Editor: It’s early evening and I am on the porch reading a quote from Goethe: “A leaf is a compend of Nature, and Nature a colossal leaf.”, when, from beyond the trees and over the fence, comes the sudden sound of Sonora – the accordion, the trumpets, the love-sick crooner and his corazon.

And through the leaves, I watch as the men unload the tools from their truck, the radio blaring, and I think of fractals, how every part is also a whole, and every whole, a part, and as I hear the men laughing, I am overcome with gratitude for these builders, and for what they build, and for what built them.

Tony Alcantara Carbondale

Dear Editor: While members of the Republican majority are competing to see who can make the deepest cuts, there is a budget proposal before Congress that would boost the economy for all of us while cutting the number of people in poverty in half. It’s The People’s Budget, proposed by the Congressional Progressive Caucus. The People’s Budget invests in safe and productive infrastructure, education, affordable housing, healthcare and nutrition, child care and working family tax credits.

It calls for increasing the minimum wage.

These investments will create 3.6 million jobs, and set us on a path to cut poverty in half in ten years. The People’s Budget invests $2 trillion in infrastructure spending, expanding rural broadband, universal Pre-K and free college tuition at state and community colleges.

Every year without fail our elected representatives give over half of the discretionary budget to the Pentagon, leaving less than half to be divided up to fund education, healthcare, environmen-

2 • THE SOPRIS SUN • www.SoprisSun.com • JULY 13-19, 2017

tal spending, infrastructure, and everything else.

Liana Luciano New Castle

From heaven to hell and back again I will be leaving for my 50-year high school reunion in the Chicago area today.

I’m very excited about seeing my high school buddies again, but I’m not thrilled about going back to that part of the country.

I’ll be trading in 90-degree days and 40degree nights for 90-degree days and 90degree nights because of 90% humidity. I’ll leave robin’s egg blue skies and fresh air for pea green skies and the smell of industry.

It’ll be God’s country to the armpit of the world. I remember driving to work every day and looking up at a great cloud of gunk and glumly muttering, “That’s where I work.” Now, I come home from the Glenwood Hot Springs Pool every day with Madame Sopris looming above and vigorously shouting, “That’s where I live!”

Those of you who have read my letters LETTERS page 15

It truly takes a village to keep e Sun shining.

To inform, inspire and build community.

Donations accepted online or by mail.

P.O. Box 399 520 S. Third Street #32 Carbondale, CO 81623 970-510-3003 www.soprissun.com Editor Will Grandbois • 970-510-0540 news@soprissun.com Advertising: Kathryn Camp • 970-379-7014 adsales@soprissun.com Reporter: John Colson Photographer: Jane Bachrach Graphic Designer: Terri Ritchie Delivery: Tom Sands CURRENT BOARD MEMBERS board@soprissun.com Barbara Dills, President Debbie Bruell, Secretary Cliff Colia • Diana Alcantara Matt Adeletti • Olivia Pevec Faith Magill • Stacey Bernot Raleigh Burleigh • Marilyn Murphy The Sopris Sun Board meets regularly on the second Monday evening of each month at the Third Street Center. Check the calendar for details and occasional date changes.

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

Donations to The Sun are fully tax deductible.

Although she was the mastermind behind the project Diane Kenney still finds new discoveries in the tiles on the Sopris Park bathrooms. Photo by Will Grandbois

e tale behind the tiles 720 works of art

Mentors usually suggested a theme the tile painters could choose from — such as family scenes,

By Lynn Burton their house, pets, Mountain Fair scenes, self portraits Special to The Sopris Sun or mountains — “or anything they wanted,” Kenney Hiding in plain sight, the Carbondale Clay Cen- said. The younger the child the faster they seemed to ter’s Sopris Park restroom-tile project was four years get their tile painted. As soon as the child finished painting, the mentor asked in the making. them to describe what their “I always say this took four painting was about.

Mountain Fairs and two Potato “It wasn’t always obvious Days,” project organizer Diane what we were looking at, so Kenney told The Sopris Sun. “I then we asked if it would be think we started in 2000 at MounOK to add some black brush tain Fair.” work to pull out what they had The project eventually wrapped painted. Without the black 600 individual ceramic tiles around brush work, a lot of the tiles the restrooms on the west side of looked pretty blobular,” KenSopris Park. ney said.

Kenney said the project was The tiles were fired at about part of the Clay Center’s commu1,900 degrees, so they are “innity outreach program to offer credibly” durable and are not hands-on, participatory art-making In addition to contributing to numerous affected by weather. experiences. “We also wanted to squares, Kenney did a couple of her own.

Each installation cost about create public art in Carbondale,” $5,000, much of which was she said.

Most of the tiles were painted by kids (probably el- covered by grants that Kenney wrote. As noted on the ementary/middle school ages) during Mountain Fair restroom’s west side, the project was sponsored by the and Potato Day, but adults and preschoolers also got Aspen Valley Community Foundation Spring Board, Town of Carbondale, Carbondale Clay Center, and into the action.

At Mountain Fair and Potato Day, Kenney and Carbondale Council on Arts and Humanities.

The project attracted more than a dozen Clay Cenother Clay Center mentors set up a table with ceramic materials, brushes and colorants. Back at the Clay Cen- ter mentors, volunteers and others. The Town of Carter at the east end of Main Street, mentors applied a bondale assigned staffers to sandblast the walls to soft background glaze called “majolica” to each 8X8 create a smooth surface. The Clay Center hired Steve inch terra cotta tile before hauling them to the park. Davis (of Capco Tile & Stone) to install the tiles. OthThe majolica glaze rendered each tile surface dry and ers involved in the project included Marry Noone (who chalky for decorating. “It was a little bit like watercolor designed the mural on the east side), Julie Johnson, painting,” Kenney remembered. “All throughout the Judy Davis, Sue Kolbe and “maybe” Nancy Barbour.

“The tiles have pretty much been respected and unfair(s) we transported tiles back to the Clay Center as touched. I am proud of this project and it gives me joy soon as we built up a load (for the kilns).”

The suggested donation was $5 per tile to help to see it … to remember the joy that went into the making of it,” Kenney concluded. cover the project’s costs.

THE SOPRIS SUN, Carbondale’s weekly community connector • JULY 13-19, 2017 • 3

Town Report Fourth of July fire snuffed at wastewater plant A fire broke out near the wastewater treatment plant on July 4, but quick staff and firefighter action kept damage to a minimum, according to Town Manager Jay Harrington’s weekly memo to trustees, staff and others. Follow up with Fire Chief Ron Leach found that the cause remained undetermined, which was also the case for a fire near Spring Valley the same evening.

Meanwhile…

• A preconstruction meeting was held at the Nettle Creek Water plant to discuss the fire mitigation project beginning this week. Despite the weather being hot and dry, demands remain level on the town’s water system. Overall, it is producing 1.65 million gallons per day, with .79 million gallons from Nettle Creek and .86 million gallons from the Roaring Fork Well.

With the Crystal Well offline, the system is at the upper end of its production capacity.

• A Colorado Water Resources & Power Development Authority grant application has been submitted for the Nettle Creek hydro project. The grant (if awarded) would cover a feasibility study, engineering, permitting and interconnection approval for the town’s hydropower project.

• Tent camping sites at the Gateway RV Park were 88 percent book from July 1 through 7, with group camping sites 50 percent booked and full hookup RV sites 83 percent booked for 34 foot max spaces and 100 percent booked for larger vehicles. In total, the week surrounding the Fourth saw 44 separate reservations with 101 campers.

• The streets crew repaired the loading chute at the rodeo grounds, provided barricades for special event street closures and repaired drainage issues at Miner’s Park and on Roaring Fork Avenue.

• The Highway 133 landscaping from the bridge to the roundabout is slated to be mulched. The elm thinning project on East Bank Point Road is wrapping up.

• Eighteen kids will take part in a Friday Field Trip to GET AIR trampoline park in Grand Junction.

• There are six courts available for tennis and pickleball at North Face Park on Meadowood Drive. Pick up times at those courts are Mondays, Fridays and Saturdays at 9 a.m. and Wednesdays at 5 p.m.; schedules and registration details are available at www.carbondalerec.com.

• The John M. Fleet Pool schedule is available on line at www.carbondalerec.com The liner of the wading pool was fixed on July 3; the heater was malfunctioning and a new thermostat has been installed and the “Kiddie Pool” should be open again.

• The parks crew fixed the horseshoe pits at Gianinetti Park and conducted thistle eradication efforts at Hillcrest Cemetery.

• Sales tax collections in June 2017 were 7.2 percent above June 2016. Year to date, sales tax revenues are 3.6 percent above 2016.

• The Planning Commission is expected to begin working on a draft Planned Unit Development policy and a list of Unified Development Code amendments.

• Planning staff have been working with the Stein team to fine tune the Major Site Plan Review application for the vacant lot at the northeast corner of Main and Highway 133. It would be a mixed use development with commercial space and approximately 20 rentals and should start through the planning process in the next month.

• The police department is working on finalizing their grant application for a new officer.

Nourish

Cop Shop From June 30 through July 1, Carbondale Officers handled 254 calls for service. During that period, officers investigated the following cases of note:

FRIDAY June 30 at 2:10 a.m. After stopping a car with Texas plates for weaving, officers arrested the 34-yearold driver on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol.

SATURDAY July 1 at 1:45 a.m. Police stopped a car going 51 miles per hour in a 25 mph zone and arrested the 29year-old driver on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol.

MONDAY July 3 at 2:51 p.m. A new sex offender registered with police.

TUESDAY July 4. During the wee hours of the morning, police made three separate arrests for driving under the influence.

THURSDAY July 6 at 3:56 p.m. Officers took a cold report of a domestic disturbance.

THURSDAY July 6 at 5:13 p.m. A warrant was issued for a 52-year-old Carbondale man, who was subsequently arrested and taken to the Garfield County Jail.

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4 • THE SOPRIS SUN • www.SoprisSun.com • JULY 13-19, 2017

Trustees consider immigrant policy, seek Latino applicants

By John Colson Sopris Sun Staff Carbondale’s Board of Trustees on July 11 declined to adopt a proposed resolution, submitted by a quartet of Carbondale Middle School (CMS) students, that would clearly define and outline the town’s policies and position regarding the use of local police to ferret out illegal immigrants in the local population.

But the board assigned Trustee Erica Sparhawk (with help from Mayor Dan Richardson) to work with the four students to refine the language into a form that can be adopted at some point, after pointing out several ways in which the proposed resolution’s initial language was problematic.

In addition, the board asked the students — Vanessa Leon, Jessica Koller, Keiry Lopez and Cassidy Meyer, all entering the ninth grade this year — and anyone else in the council chambers that night, to seek out prospective trustee applicants among the town’s Hispanic population.

The town currently is seeking applicants for appointment to fill the position vacated by Katrina Byars, who has moved to Glenwood Springs.

At Tuesday’s meeting, Town Clerk Cathy Derby informed the trustees that only one applicant had so far submitted a completed application — local resident Niki Delson — but added that others have come into the office or otherwise contacted her.

“There is interest,” she assured the trustees. Anyone interested in applying can contact Derby at 510-1206 or go to town hall to pick up an application and a nominating petition. The deadline for applications is 5 p.m.

July 21.

Aside from the trustees’ suggestion to the four students, which can be viewed via a YouTube link on the town’s website, The Sopris Sun also has learned that area

STEP

social media outlets have carried posts calling for Latino applicants for the position.

The proposed resolution came from a relatively new organization at CMS, known as The Issues Club, which formed earlier this year as a way for local students to work through their feelings following policies and pronouncements from President Donald Trump and others in his administration that have been perceived as anti-immigrant.

The club’s genesis and its activities also have been associated with an incident in 2009, in which local Hispanic students and adults accused a Carbondale police officer, while working in the local schools, of asking students about the immigration status of them and their families.

Carbondale Police Chief Gene Schilling, while admitting that the officer was working on a gang-related task force linked to the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement task force, has said the accusations were false, and that his department does not ask about a person’s immigrant status during normal police work.

But the incident and others have created fear in the community that still has not completely abated, said Shawna Foster, minister to the Carbondale-based Two Rivers Unitarian Universalist Church and a participant in the Issues Club, while addressing the trustees during the recent meeting.

“There really is fear in this community,” she told the trustees, noting that she recently discovered a flier on a bulletin board at the Carbondale City Market store, urging people to turn in “illegal aliens.”

She and others congratulated the board of trustees for taking on the issue and for offering to work with the students, but local resident Gretchen Brogdon added another layer of complexity to the discussion by reminding the trustees of their lack of racial diversity.

“It’s time we did something,” she said to the trustees, charging them with recognizing publicly “that you do not represent the full community … there are no Latino voices at this table.”

Shortly afterward, Trustee Frosty Merriott asked the students who presented the resolution to do what they could to find Hispanic applicants for the trustee position.

“Find somebody for us, or two or three, and get ’em in here,” he remarked.

In other action, the trustees: • Approved a modification of the development plans for the Thompson Park project, under which developer Frieda Wallison will develop only four of the housing units, not the 16 units originally planned. One of the units to be built under the new plan will be an affordable-housing townhome.

“It’s basically the same application,” Town Planner Janet Buck said.

The proposal was approved by a vote of 4-1, with Mayor Dan Richardson dissenting due to concerns about affordability and potential for problems for the project’s homeowners association as a result of the changes.

• Approved an emergency ordinance changing the town’s rules regarding hours of operation for construction and trash hauling. The ordinance adds provisions for Saturday construction work (from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.) and permitting trash haulers to make their rounds an hour earlier each day (at 6 a.m. rather than the current 7 a.m.)

The changes were made to give construction crews and trash haulers greater flexibility in dealing with anticipated massive traffic disruption and congestion due to the Grand Avenue Bridge construction project in Glenwood Springs, which call for the bridge to be closed for some three months starting on Aug. 14.

UNREST

AN EVENING AT THE RESNICK ASPEN ACTION FORUM

I AM JANE DOE

DOLORES

THE SOPRIS SUN, Carbondale’s weekly community connector • JULY 13-19, 2017 • 5

Scuttlebutt

Send your scuttlebutt to news@soprissun.com.

In the line of fire

Our cup of tea

Are you prepared for a wildfire? U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) has plenty of advice for those who’d like to be. Chief among them is having an evacuation plan and practicing it, making an emergency bag with essential items, and keeping your yard clear of potential flammables. Learn more about wildfire safety at usfa.fema.gov/prevention/outreach/wildfire.html.

Basalt’s own Two Leaves and a Bud Tea Company has been honored as a 2017 Colorado Company to Watch — an award that recognizes second stage companies that are too hot to ignore due to their influence, impact and innovation. Past Roaring Fork Valley winners of the Colorado Companies to Watch Award are Backbone Media (Carbondale), SGM (Glenwood), Clean Energy Collective (Carbondale).

Not that kind of weed Roaring Fork Outdoor Volunteers, Aspen Center for Environmental Studies, Wilderness Workshop, Pitkin County, the City of Aspen, and the White River National Forest are seeking volunteers to help remove noxious weeds in the Hunter Creek Valley, on Saturday, July 15, from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Volunteers will be provided with instruction and basic tools, but are encouraged to bring their own work gloves if they have them. Morning coffee and pastries and post-work pizza and beer are also provided. For more information, visit rfov.org, wildernessworkshop.org, or aspennature.org. RSVPs are appreciated.

National Novel Writing Month usually takes place in November, but with NaNoWriMo Executive Director Grant Faulkner in town, some folks might get inspired early. As Aspen Words’ Writer in Residence, Faulkner will read and discuss his writing process at a free community event on July 18th at Hooch Craft Cocktail Bar in Aspen. His recent collection of essays, “Fissures”, features one hundred 100-word stories, and free copies are available in advance of the public event at the Aspen Words’ office.

Homestead history

Music and movement

More than a century after Sterling Price (S.P.) and Edith Sloss homesteaded what newspapers referred to as “the ranch on Sopris creek”, homeowners will celebrate the history of what is now Sopris Mountain Ranch (SMR) with an open house on July 15. It takes place from 1 to 4 p.m. beginning at the Red Guest House (3708 West Sopris Creek Rd). Additionally, much of the history for SMR was researched by author Claire Fisher Drumond, for her new book, “Blue Flowers,” which will be released in late 2017 and is accepting pre-orders at www.blueflowersthebook.com.

The Aspen Music Festival and School still has spaces available in two summer music camps, Sing Play Move (for infants through age five) and the Maroon Bel Canto Children’s Chorus Festival Summer camp (for students entering fourth through eighth grades).

Visit www.aspenmusicfestival.com/mbcccsummercamp to learn more.

Out for blood St. Mary’s Bloodmobile will be in the Basalt Regional Library’s parking lot from 3 to 6 p.m. July 19. Stop by to make a donation; your help goes a long way.

Model mugging Colorado Mountain College presents a comprehensive program of self-defense and empowerment based on decades of crime research at its Carbondale campus beginning at 6 p.m. July 14 and running all day Saturday and Sunday. Interested students should stop by the CMC campus in Carbondale to register today, or call 963-2172 for more information.

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6 • THE SOPRIS SUN • www.SoprisSun.com • JULY 13-19, 2017

&

*

How novel

Anything is possible Certified Infinite Possibilities Trainer Alyssa Ohnmacht presents “The Art of Changing Your Life” — a two part workshop that teaches you to understand the power of your own thoughts, beliefs and actions — from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. July 15 and 22. It’ll cost you $108 if you register by July 14 or $20 at the door. Info and registration at 963-2373 or lightofthemooninc@gmail.com.

They say it’s your birthday Folks celebrating the day of their birth this week include: Ian Bays and Rebecca Self (July 13); John Tolan (July 14); Don Voltmer and Meghan Gillespie (July 15); Diana Alcantara, Katie Browne and Tony Spires (July 16); Merrill Johnson, Jason Steinberg and Eric Brendlinger (July 17); Jacque Whitsitt, Laurel Sheehan and Heidi Paul (July 18); Tony Comer and Edgar Reyna (July 19).

The teardown of the Theresa’s and Dandelion Market buildings on the 400 block of Main Street attracted some attention at First Friday and over the weekend. Other than the demolition permit, there is no official documentation of a potential future use on file with the town's planning department. According to planner John Leybourne, the town has been told that owner Bren Simon and her development team have plans to clean off the lot, cover it with sod and install an irrigation system for the time being, although she is expected to submit development plans at some point.

A goofy, groovy & juicy First Friday July’s First Friday was nothing to stick your tongue out at. The town was packed with crowds and street vendors who provided ice cream and mangos, among other items, to folks interested in partaking. The Mount Sopris Music Fest brought the beat while adults and kids either listened or swirled and twirled to the music on a hot but beautiful July evening.

Photos by Jane Bachrach

THE SOPRIS SUN, Carbondale’s weekly community connector • JULY 13-19, 2017 • 7

Highway aligned Crystal Trail would be best for wildlife, biologist says Report commissioned by the Wilderness Workshop

By John Colson Sopris Sun Staff

“As we do on a number of issues, we wanted to provide some independent analyA 114-page report on possible wildlife im- sis” of the underlying wildlife-related issues pacts from construction of a pedestrian and that could affect which route a trail might biking trail up the Crystal River was not in- take, before the county’s planning got too far tended to identify one particular trail route or underway, Roush said. another, said the study’s author, Boulder-based The Thompson survey also was seen as a wildlife biologist Rick Thompson on Monday. way to introduce the public to the wildlife Nonetheless Thompson’s report, which questions, which mainly involve local popuwas outlined at a meeting on July 10 in Red- lations of bighorn sheep, elk and deer that call stone (with a second meeting scheduled for the Crystal Valley home, along with numerCarbondale the following day), seemed to ous other species included in Thompson’s lean toward keeping the proposed trail along analysis. Those interested in checking out the the Highway 133 right-of-way for most of study itself can find it on the WW’s website its 20-mile length. (www.wildernessworkshop.org), Roush said.

The study was commissioned earlier this Roush predicted that, as planned, the trail year by the Wilderness Workshop (WW), said would be “similar to the Rio Grande Trail” WW’s conservation director, Will Roush. that runs along the Roaring Fork Valley from A biking trail up the Crystal River has Aspen to Glenwood Springs — paved and been eagerly considered since about 1991, relatively wide — at least through Redstone when the Colorado Scenic and Historic and possibly to the top of McClure Pass, the Byway Commission established the West Elk point at which the proposed trail route leaves Loop Scenic and Historic Byway between Pitkin County and enters Gunnison County.

Carbondale and Crested Butte.

From there, he added, the trail likely But there is more urgency now, Roush said would be single-track or double-track on dirt, at the Redstone meeting, since Pitkin County winding through the canyons and peaks to recently embarked on the early planning Crested Butte. stages for actual construction of a trail along Thompson, surveyed the results of several the byway route, which is envisioned to link studies, including a Crystal River Bicycle Trail the towns with about 83 miles of trail.

Study for Pitkin County in 1994; a Roaring This proposed trail is one of 16 identified Fork Watershed Biological Inventory, also for recently by Colorado Gov. John Hicken- Pitkin County (1996-99); a West Elk Loop looper as the most important trails projects Byway study of trail feasibility by Newland ( ( ( ( (((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((1*'2,"0,$$(15"6$758( in the( state at this time.

Project Resources (2004); A Wildlife and

A bear meanders along one of the sections of former railroad grade considered for potential trail alignments. Photo courtesy of Pitkin County Open Space and Trails.

Habitat Report for the Crystal River Caucus (2007); Pitkin County management plans for Red Wind Point and Filoha Meadows (2005 and 2008, respectively); and recommendations from the Colorado Department of Wildlife (later renamed to Colorado Parks and Wildlife) ranging from 2002 to 2008 and concerning several portions of the valley’s wildlife habitat; as well as other correspondence from various experts.

Generally, from a wildlife-safety standpoint, Thompson reported that the studies found the best alignment would follow the Highway 133 right of way from just south of Carbondale to the top of McClure Pass. The only possibly justifiable exception to the highway-hugging route would be a 1.5-mile “bypass” around the Hayes Creek Canyon stretch just south of Redstone, and Redstone Boulevard itself, Thompson concluded.

This “bypass,” first identified by local consultant Tom Newland in 2004, follows along the abandoned Bear Creek railroad grade that detours from the highway just north of the Hayes Creek Canyon to top out on the rocks above the falls, then returns to the highway just south of where the canyon ends.

Most importantly, according to Thompson’s survey, the proposed trail should not be built on seven-mile stretch of the historic Crystal River Railroad grade comprising the Red Wind Point, Janeway and Filoha Meadow and another nearby open space parcel.

Those portions of the railroad bed, built roughly a century ago to transport marble from the Yule Quarry in the Town of Marble down to Carbondale, are in important wildlife habitat, said Thompson, summarizing from studies going back to the 1990s in come cases.

Another questionable but oft-cited proposed route for the trail, Thompson said, is a series of unpaved switchbacks that once was the only route over McClure Pass (before the highway was realigned in the 1970s), which for decades has been the province of occasional hikers and bikers but has remained largely unused.

In his survey, Thompson referred to previous studies that reported how wildlife can be disturbed by humans in the vicinity. Ac( cording to the studies, wildlife can be disThe ( proposed Carbondale to Crested Butte trail system. Trail segment A, south of ((-7,(8"585$,2(!&"G502&',(%5(!",$%,2(H?%%,(%"&*'($#$%,/=((-"&*'($,E/,0%(4;($5?%7(53( turbed by people along, say, a trail through in 2010. Map developed by Pitkin County GIS. !Carbondale, ( ( was completed ( ( ((-7*$(",85"%(&22",$$,$(%"&*'($,E/,0%$(H(&02(!(*0(.*%6*0(!5?0%#;(05"%7( the woods, in distances that range from a 5( ( ((-7,(/&8K$(2&"6(E",,0($7&2*0E(2,'*0,&%,$(%7,(J&"550(H,''$FL05I/&$$(1*'2,"0,$$=((J&8( 8 • THE SOPRIS SUN • www.SoprisSun.com • JULY 13-19, 2017

couple of hundred yards to as much as nearly two miles away.

In general, Thompson said, his estimate is that wildlife need at least a 100-foot “buffer” on either side between the trail and adjacent wildlife habitat, which Thompson and other studies referred to as the “zone of influence” within which human activity imperils wildlife.

He told his audience that the existing Highway 133 alignment presents just such a zone already, noting that wildlife tends to stay away from highway corridors except for established migration crossings and other attributes particular to the different species.

As a result, he said, the highway presents the prospect of the least disturbance to wildlife, as does Redstone Boulevard, a twolane street in the middle of residential and commercial buildings in the village that is no longer viable wildlife habitat.’

Some in the audience in Redstone questioned Thompson about his conclusion, based on the studies surveyed, that seasonal closures of trails over wildlife safety concerns are not much use because too many people ignore the closures and regularly violate them.

Redstone resident Mark Hilberman argued that hunting, highway-related animal deaths, residential development in the backcountry and cattle ranching in the high country could be as much to blame as recreational activities, though it is recreation that largely gets the blame from state wildlife officials and others.

“I think it’s incredibly complicated,” Hilberman said, criticizing Thompson for oversimplifying the issue.

Thompson, however, noted that while he found no studies on the matter, he received plenty of anecdotal and observed stories about violations from various officials.

“They’re the ones that have more than 60 collective years observing this stuff, and I believe them,” he said.

He was backed up by former Pitkin County Commissioner Jack Hatfield, who traveled from Snowmass Village to attend the Redstone meeting and declared, “For those of us who are wildlife advocates, there are no compromises.”

Hatfield said he supported the idea that the trail should be kept on the highway side of the river and that the Red Wind Point, Janeway and Filoha parcels “should be off limits.”

Drilling resumes a�er ompson Divide spill

By John Colson Sopris Sun Staff Following a mid-June spill of more than 2,300 gallons of chemicals, wastewater and drill “cuttings,� for which the Texas gas drilling company SG Interests was ordered on June 20 to shut down the well in question, drilling has resumed.

The well is located in the southernmost portion of the controversial Thompson Divide region, and following a brief interruption to clean up the spill, the company is back in business at the same well, according to an ofďŹ cial with the U.S. Bureau of Land Management, which leased the site of the well to the company a decade ago.

But at least one local group, Wilderness Workshop of Carbondale, is questioning both the legality of the lease in question, and the motives of the company, which a workshop spokesman said might have been trying to get around federal leasing rules to hold onto the leases for certain parcels that otherwise might have expired.

SGI, founded in 1989 with drilling interests in Colorado, New Mexico and Texas, is one of two drilling companies, along with Ursa Resources, that have been locked in a public relations and legal battle for years over their plans to drill for natural gas in the Thompson Divide region near Carbondale.

Organizations in Carbondale, as well as municipal governments up and down the Roaring Fork Valley, have resisted the companies’ efforts, and last year the BLM cancelled 25 leases in the Thompson Divide, including 18 leases held by SGI, basically validating critics’ claims that the leases were not legally issued and should have expired.

The drilling site where the June spill occurred, discovered by BLM inspectors before it was reported to the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission, was one of

several leases that were subject to a request for “suspension� in early May because of a lack of drilling activity and a looming expiration date of May 31 (leases normally expire after 10 years if no drilling has occurred), according to Peter Hart, an attorney for Wilderness Workshop.

The Workshop, Hart said, in June ďŹ led a legal request for a formal review of the suspension after it had been granted by the BLM, questioning whether it was granted legally under the federal agency’s own rules.

“It seems that the narrative here is, a company starts tossing off a bunch of different proposals to try and hold the acreage.� – Peter Hart, WW attorney Then, in a complex series of maneuvers, SGI began drilling operations on the lease before the suspension legally took effect, which prompted the BLM to retroactively terminate its suspension. That allowed SGI to keep drilling — at least until the spill occurred and the BLM concluded it had been operating in a way not allowed under the permit.

Once the spill was cleaned up, according to David Boyd,

public information ofďŹ cer for the BLM, the agency allowed drilling to resume on June 23.

When questioned about the timing of the suspension and subsequent ofďŹ cial actions, Boyd said he would need to examine the paperwork to determine if everything was done legally and above board, but would be unable to do so for some time as he was working as the PIO (public information ofďŹ cer) on a ďŹ re in the Breckenridge area. “It’s complicated,â€? Boyd remarked, explaining that “there are some leases that were getting ready to expireâ€? in the area around the site involved in the spill.

He indicated that SGI had moved to “unitize� those wells — meaning clump them together in a production group of leases that can remain valid despite expiration dates if there is at least one active well in the “unit.�

And the well where the spill occurred, he said, “was being drilled as an obligation well ‌ to hold the unit.â€? “It seems that the narrative here is, a company starts tossing off a bunch of different proposals to try and hold the acreage,â€? Hart said, explaining that his organization believes it was not an entirely legal effort under federal gasdrilling rules. “This company is notorious for doing this,â€? Hart said of SGI. The Workshop’s interest, he added, is due to the fact that “this is all about lands that people really care aboutâ€? — the Thompson Divide region, roughly 225,000 acres of relatively unspoiled land southwest of Carbondale.

Hart said he would be looking further into the legality of all aspects of the lease, the spill and other issues, and would not know for some time what action Wilderness Workshop might take in addition to its call for a review of the entire situation by the BLM’s state ofďŹ ce.

Robert Guinn, vice president for land issues at SGI, could not be reached for comment for this story.

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Community Calendar THURSDAY July 13 WORLD PEACE • Join Thubten Semkye at 7 p.m. at the Third Street Center (520 S. Third St.) as she shares some of the Buddha’s wise words to help us avoid falling prey to destructive mental states and instead to nourish our minds with cool, clear wisdom and to empower our hearts with hope and joy. Details and registration at https://wocdc.org/semkye/ TROUBADOURS • Touring trio Humbird comes to Steve’s Guitars (19 N. Fourth St.) at 8:30 p.m. — or thereabouts.

FRIDAY July 14 MOVIES • The Crystal Theatre presents “The Beguiled” (R) at 7:30 p.m. July 14-20 and “Wonder Woman” (PG-13) at 4:30 p.m. July 15-16.

SECOND FRIDAY • Seven participating galleries in Historic Downtown Basalt open their doors from 5 to 7 p.m. for a night of food, beverage, and a chance to view select works of art.

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

Events take place in Carbondale unless noted.

AMERICANA • Marble Distilling (150 Main St.) welcomes The Milemarkers at 8 p.m. with no cover.

SURF PUNK • At 9 p.m., The Tankerays descend on the Black Nugget (403 Main St.).

SATURDAY July 15 LEMONADE DAY • YouthEntity teaches business entrepreneurship with a hands on, classic childhood experience. Join in on the fun by purchasing a glass at a stand near you. Register a youth to participate and receive free learning materials at lemonadeday.org/ roaring-fork-valley.

OUTDOOR MOVIE • The Basalt Summer Cinema Series presents “Hook” beginning at 7 p.m. in Lions Park.

IMPROV • Thunder River Theatre's Consensual Improv! comedy troupe entertains with high-energy improv games, audience interaction and lots of laughs in the style of “Whose Line Is It Anyway?” and Chicago’s Second City. Doors open at 7 p.m.; show starts at 8 p.m. at 67 Promenade.

MANTRA MUSIC • True Nature Healing Arts (100 N. Third St.) hosts Sean Johnson and the Wild Lotus Band for a soul-stirring evening of ancient mantras given new voice through dynamic songs that merge New Orleans roots, rock, gospel, and world grooves. For more information, visit truenaturehealingarts.com/seanjohnson.

SUNDAY July 16

SOUL BAND • New York band Scruffy Pearls comes to Steve’s Guitars (19 N. Fourth St.) at 8:30 p.m. — or thereabouts.

SINGER SONGWRITER • Severin Browne brings his easy manner to Steve’s Guitars (19 N. Fourth St.) at 8:30 p.m. — or thereabouts.

MONDAY July 17 HEALTH THROUGH NUTRITION • Free opportunities include…

• One-hour consultation about heart attack prevention, plant-based nutrition, other medical issues. Call retired family doctor Greg Feinsinger, M.D. for appointment (379-5718).

• First Monday of every month catch a powerpoint presentation

by Dr. Feinsinger about the science behind plant-based nutrition 7 to 8:30 p.m. in the board room Third Street Center (520 S. Third St.).

• Fourth Monday of every month, plant-based potluck 6:30 p.m.

Calaway Room Third Street Center (520 S. Third St.).

All events supported by Davi Nikent, Center for Human Flourishing. More information at www.davinikent.org.

TEA CEREMONY • Zen master Tae Won Snim leads a Dharma Talk and takes you through a Korean Tea Ceremony at 5:30 p.m. as part of an array of events at True Nature (100 N. Third St.).

TUESDAY July 18 DANCE STORYTIME • Rifle based Ar-

tillumA presents an interactive dance storytime at 10:30 a.m. at the Carbondale Branch Library (320 Sopris Ave.).

CONSTELLATION INTRO • Carol Shure leads you through the systemic constellation healing process from 6:30 to 9 p.m. at the Third Street Center (520 S. Third St.). $25; registration required at 831-218-5770 or carolshure@yahoo.com.

WEDNESDAY July 19 BLUEGRASS • The 2017 Basalt Summer Concert Series continues with Wild Mountain from 6 to 8 p.m. at Triangle Park.

Further Out

THURSDAY July 20 BOOK CLUB • Discuss “A Gentleman in Moscow” with other bookworms at 6 p.m. at Bookbinders Basalt (760 E. Valley Rd; Unit C-122).

Save the Date FRI.-SUN. July 28-30

CARBONDALE MOUNTAIN FAIR • Carbondale Art’s 46th annual Carbondale Mountain Fair takes place in Sopris Park.

Food, music, arts/crafts and more. Admission is free. Volunteers are needed to make this event a success plus volunteers who give over four hours of their time are also eligible to receive a Mountain Fair T-Shirt!

Info: carbondalearts.com or 963-1680.

CALENDAR page 11

Is it OK to punch a Nazi?

Join us this Sunday, July 16, 2017 - 10:00 a.m.

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10 • THE SOPRIS SUN • www.SoprisSun.com • JULY 13-19, 2017

CALL FOR APPLICATIONS CARBONDALE TRUSTEE

Those wishing to apply for the Board of Trustee seat may pick up an application from the Town Clerk, 511 Colorado Avenue, or visit the Town’s website carbondalegov.org.

The successful applicant will serve until April 2018.

Qualifications: All candidates must be a qualified elector of the Town, a citizen of the United States, at least 18 years of age, and must have resided in the Town of Carbondale for one year immediately prior to the date of the election.

Applications and signature sheet must be returned to the Town Clerk no later than 5:00 p.m. on Friday, July 21, 2017.

The Town of Carbondale is a non-partisan body of local government, therefore, there is no party affiliation designation.

For more information contact Cathy Derby, Town Clerk 510-1206.

Community Calendar

continued from page 10

Ongoing

WORMAN’S WEST • The Ann Korologos Gallery (211 Midland Ave., Basalt) features Dinah Worman’s take on the human relationship to the landscape.

WRITERS GROUP • Wordsmiths of all experience and abilities gather at the Carbondale Branch Library at 6 p.m. on the second Monday of the month.

YOUR STORY, YOUR LIFE • A free facilitated workshop for adults, writing your personal history, one story at a time. Facilitated by Shelly Merriam, historian/writer/genealogist.

First and third Fridays, 10 a.m. to noon at the Glenwood Springs Branch Library, (815 Cooper Ave.). Info at 945-5958 or gcpld.orgf TRIVIA NIGHT • Gather a team of up to six and head to Marble Bar (150 Main St.) on the third Tuesday of the month at 7 p.m. to compete for the chance at $50 off the team tab, plus show off the custom made marble Trivia Trophy for a while.

COMMUNITY MEAL • Faith Lutheran Church (1340 Highway 133) hosts a free community meal from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on the ďŹ rst and third Saturdays of the month. Info: 510-5046 or faithcarbondale.com.

POETRY WORKSHOPS • Release your inner poet from 5:30 to 7 p.m. on the ďŹ rst and third Mondays of each month a the Basalt Regional Library (14 Midland Ave.).

HIGH NOON • Bring your compliments, complaints and ideas to Sopris Sun Editor Will Grandbois at 12 p.m. Thursdays at the Pour House (351 Main St.).

ROTARY • The Carbondale Rotary Club meets at the Carbondale Fire Station (300 Meadowood Dr.) at 6:45 a.m. Wednesdays.

The Mt. Sopris Rotary meets at Mi Casita (580 Main St.) at noon every Thursday.

7:30 p.m. every Tuesday at The Third Street Center (520 S. Third St.). No partner or experience necessary; 7 p.m. lessons available with Wild Bill. Questions? Call 970-366-6463 or email BillyPat4@gmail.com.

GRIEF AND LOSS • PathďŹ nders offers a grief and loss support group every other Monday at 6 p.m., and a caregiver support group every other Wednesday noon. An RSVP is required to Robyn Hubbard at 319-6854. PathďŹ nders offers support groups from Aspen to Rie and is located in Carbondale at 1101 Village Rd. Info: pathďŹ ndersforcancer.org.

IMMUNIZATION CLINICS • GarďŹ eld County offers immunization clinics at the Carbondale Family Resource Center (in the Bridges Center at 400 Sopris Ave.) the second and fourth Thursdays of the month. To schedule an appointment, call 945-6614, ext. 2030.

SENIOR MATTERS • The nonproďŹ t Senior Matters, based in the Third Street Center (520 S. Third St.), offers numerous programs for senior citizens, including: tai chi with John Norman at 8:30 a.m. on Monday and Wednesday; tai chi with Marty Finklestein at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday and Thursday; Alaprima Painters at 11 a.m. on Thursdays; the Senior Matters Book Club at 4 p.m. on the fourth Wednesday of the month; and the Roaring Fork Brain Train. Info: seniormatters.org; Diane Johnson at 970-306-2587; and Senior Matters, Box 991, Carbondale CO, 81623.

CASTLE TOURS • Take a step back in time with a guided visit to the baronial home of Redstone’s founder, J. C. Osgood, at 11 a.m. every day in July. Tickets available on the day of the tour in Redstone and at the Hotel Denver in Glenwood Springs. More info at www.theredstonecastle.com or 963-9656.

FARMER’S MARKET • Local produce and more available at the Fourth Street Plaza from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesdays.

MEDITATION • Free silent meditation sessions are held at the Launchpad (76 S. Fourth St.) from 6:45 to 7:30 a.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Additionally, The Monday Night Meditation Group meets from 7 to 8:15 p.m. at True Nature (100 N. Third St.) and offers instruction in the Buddhist practice of Vipassana. Also at True Nature, everyone’s invited for SRF meditation from 10 to 11 a.m. on the ďŹ rst Sunday of the month and 5 to 6:30 p.m. on the third Thursday of the month.

SENIOR RADIO • Diane Johnson talks about senior issues and services on KDNK at 4:30 p.m. on the second Wednesday of the month.

BRIDGE • The Carbondale Bridge Club hosts duplicate bridge (not sanctioned by ACBL) from 6:30 to 10 p.m. the second and fourth Wednesdays of each month at the Third Street Center (520 S. Third St.). $6/per pair C’DALE TRUSTEES • The Carbondale Board of Trustees holds regular meetings the second and fourth Tuesdays of the month at Town

JUST DANCE • Get out on the dance oor at

Hall (511 Colorado Ave.) starting at 6 p.m.

The trustees usually hold work session at 6 p.m. on the ďŹ rst and third Tuesdays. Info: 9632733 or carbondalegov.org.

MEET THE MAYOR • Carbondale Mayor Dan Richardson holds his weekly “OfďŹ ce Hoursâ€? session at the Village Smithy from 7 to 8 a.m. on Tuesdays. Drop by and say hi.

MINDFULNESS • The Mindful Life Program in the Third Street Center (520 S. Third St.) offers group sessions Mondays at 7:30 p.m. Admission is by donation and registration is not necessary. Info: mindfullifeprogram.org and 970-633-0163.

LUNCH • Crystal Meadows (1250 Hendrick Dr.) senior housing hosts a lunch followed by Bingo every Wednesday.

RUN AROUND • Independence Run & Hike hosts a run around town Saturdays at 8 a.m.

Meet at the store 596 Highway 133 (in La Fontana Plaza) and run various distances, with different routes each week. Info: 704-0909.

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

SAVE MICHELLE’S GARDEN • A local citizen action group devoted to protecting Michelle Obama’s White House garden meets at 5 p.m. every other Thursday at the Third Street Center (520 S. Third St.).

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THE SOPRIS SUN, Carbondale’s weekly community connector • JULY 13-19, 2017 • 11

Get hooked on polo Photos and text by Jane Bachrach Sopris Sun Staff

Clockwise from top left, Alejandra Foster prepares to take an offside shot to advance the ball toward her team’s goal.

The player in front whose mallet is raised in preparation to hit the ball is about to be “hooked” in order to prevent him from making contact with the ball — a widely used defensive play in polo.

Ponies dry off in their stalls after having had a bath after playing. A cooling spray in the face. Former 10-goal player Mike Azzaro gets ready to play; Azzaro is here for the summer playing for the Ganzis and is one of the few players in America to ever reach 10 goals.

Spectators eat and socialize during a game while these kids play their own game.

12 • THE SOPRIS SUN • www.SoprisSun.com • JULY 13-19, 2017

Polo is an exciting sport and if you live in Carbondale you don’t have to walk, bike or drive very far to enjoy it this summer.

The 2017 polo season has officially kicked off at the Aspen Valley Polo Club outside of Carbondale, and in addition to the complimentary food and refreshments served at Sunday games, the growing number of spectators already seem to be eating it up.

Not only is polo at the Aspen Valley Polo Club free and open to the public, but also it is entertainment for the entire family. In addition to watching the two Sunday games at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. there is a lot more to take in no matter how old or young you are. From the exquisite four-legged athletes to their athletic two-legged riders, it’s intriguing to watch the grooms as they tack up and warm up the horses, the kids playing their own games on the sidelines and it’s amusing to take in the social scene. Although there are a few things that need to be learned about the game to really enjoy it, that will be explained by the announcer who calls the game live for spectators.

Melissa and Mark Ganzi, owners of the club, are bringing polo to the people of the Roaring Fork Valley this summer not only on Sundays but also on Fridays and Saturdays at Sopris

Mountain ranch. The polo school offers individual and group lessons for all ages including a youth program on Tuesdays in the arena.

With the recent purchase of adjacent property, the Ganzis’ goal is to make Carbondale a destination for summer polo. Although plans aren’t finalized they will add two more fields, some barns and a clubhouse according to Melissa Ganzi.

“I believe this is the best place in the country for a facility like this,” she said. “I can’t think of a better place in the summer… It will be a boost for the Carbondale economy in the summer with more horses, more jobs, and another activity for people to enjoy.

People can hike and bike there and then watch polo as it’s next to the Rio Grande trail.”

The Ganzis believe that with the addition of more fields more teams will want to come here and it will attract higher goal players and create more competitive polo.

You can check out polo this Sunday during the Craig Sakin Memorial Polo Tournament, which will benefit Windwalkers.

You might just get hooked!

Aspen Valley Polo Club 3275 County Road 100 Polo hotline: 710-1663 www.gcpolo.com/avpc/

When the cards are stacked against you, open Tom’s Door

By Will Grandbois Sopris Sun Staff Need has no season, but Tom’s Door keeps track anyway.

For 15 years, the nonprofit has been mostly recognizable to the public through the cards it sells to raise money for folks facing emergencies. Available at dozens of local stores, they feature local scenes from around 65 area photographers appropriate to the time of year.

Right now, the call is out for fall images, but when The Sun caught up with Founder Rosie McSwain and Secretary Diane Darling, the spring collection was just debuting.

But back to the cause.

“It supports people in financial need by providing emergency funds from Rifle to Aspen,” Darling explained. “We give to people who are really falling upon hard times — though never directly to the person who’s requesting it.”

Instead, Tom’s Door works with partners — Reach out Colorado, River Center, Catholic Charities, and Family Resource Center — to step in and pay someone’s rent or help with a medical bill.

The approach has its roots in Minneapolis, Minn., where Catholic Priest Arnie Webber used to hand out help from what became known as “Arnie’s Door”.

“People would call for assistance and he

would take the check to the front door,” McSwain explained. “He was such a role model.”

When she moved from Minnesota to the Valley, she brought the idea with her. The idea for how to fund it, came to her after she shot four rolls of film on an anniversary trip to Marble.

“I looked at those photos, and it just hit me that I could make cards,” she recalled. “It’s amazing how things just pop into your brain.

I give all the credit to the Spirit.”

“Right at the beginning, it seemed to work,” she added. “We were getting donations and the cards were fun to make.”

Indeed, it seemed to grow organically.

Bob Boylen brought his expertise to the team through a casual encounter at a copy story. The fledgling charity got its name from three more priests who supported the cause — Tom Bradke, Tom Dentisi and Tom McCormick.

“We had three Toms, and they were like the headliners,” McSwain said. “They loved the mission, they loved that we were out there doing good works.”

There’s certainly never been any shortage of need.

“It’s amazing in this affluent Valley, how many people need help,” McSwain observed.

“It just seems like if we can help people maintain a pretty normal way of living with a bit of assistance… it gives them hope. They just

www.soprissun.com

Sopris Sun photographer Jane Bachrach is a consistent contributor to Tom's Door cards. are renewed when someone has enough faith in them to help them with their rent or pay that utility bill.”

Compared to other forms of assistance, Tom’s Door offers a significant lack of red tape, and McSwain isn’t really worried about getting fleeced as a result.

“In all these years, I could count on one hand the times we’ve been taken advantage of,” she said. “It is an act of humility to call our number and reach out for help.”

All they ask is that folks pay it forward.

And they have plenty of opportunities to do

so, one challenging situation notwithstanding.

“The asking population is not one demographic,” Darling noted. “It could be your neighbor.”

There’s always more to do, and Tom’s Door takes help in many different ways, from contributing photos for cards to direct donations — which actually represents most of the organization’s funding. They also need volunteers for more-or-less-monthly card packing events and other projects.

For assistance or to get involved, call 704-5082.

What is a progressive Christian?

Looking for a church that actually loves and doesn’t condemn?

Join the congregations of Carbondale and Basalt Community United Methodist Churches for an eight-week sermon series

by Pastor Brad Walston on what it means to be a progressive Christian and rediscover the Gospel as a life-giving message that still transforms.

Continuing this Sunday, July 16 Every week through Sunday Aug. 27

8:30 a.m. at Basalt Community UMC 0167 Holland Hills Rd. 10:30 a.m. at Carbondale Community UMC 385 S. Second St. This week’s sermon: “So Why Jesus?”

All are Welcome … Really!

Check out our website!

Carbondale’s www.soprissun.com community supported, weekly newspaper Featuring: • The E-edition • Linkable, searchable news

Plus: • Fun polls • Easy calendar submission • A live Twitter feed • More photos ... and videos, too!

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‘I’m not interested in little potatoes’ RFSD passes 2017-18 budget Submitted story

From the archives of the Roaring Fork Valley Journal July 14, 1977 It took three hours for rescuers to reach a fatally injured climber near Bulldog Creek after dispatchers failed to agree on which of three emergency groups could get there the fastest. Aspen Search and Rescue, Carbondale Volunteer Fire and Garfield Search and Rescue were all called in and called off in turn before the Aspen crew finally set off. The climber, meanwhile, succumbed to her injuries.

In other news… The Carbondalian habit of leaving the keys in unlocked cars lead to a rash of short distance joy rides, according to Police Chief Verne Soucie.

Rebekah Lodge’s Near New Store after Mary Ferguson was relieved of her Saturday duties.

Ferguson, 91, claimed she was let go due to age, while manager Sandy Allmon asserted that she had quit after being asked to work Fridays, instead. Some volunteers expressed fears that the Near New might be losing its heart and becoming commercial (which, in The Sun’s estimation, did not turn out to be the case).

In other news… A surprise sting by U.S. immigration officials resulted in the apprehension of 49 suspected undocumented workers in Carbondale.

July 16, 1987

July 19, 2007

Basalt Police seized a pair of marijuana plants they reportedly noticed in plain sight while they were attempting to execute an arrest warrant.

They opted not to charge the owner of the property. “I’m not interested in little potatoes,” Basalt Police Chief Larry Johnson said. “I’m interested in the farmer who plants the potatoes.”

In other news… Following numerous ribbons and local and state contests, 11-year-old Casey Dallman placed fifth at the National Appaloosa Youth Horse Show in Albuquerque.

With a tax increase allowing improvements through Garfield County Libraries, about 30 people showed up at Town Hall to talk about the possibilities for Carbondale. (At the time, the branch was still named after astronaut Gordon Cooper, whose mother lived in Redstone, and was located in what is now the Launchpad.

It was just the first planning stage in a long process toward a new building, however.)

In other news… The Carbondale Community Food Co-Op hoped to have a storefront by December (though it was expected to be at the Third Street Center rather than the location they just vacated).

July 17, 1997 Locals were contemplating a boycott of the

Job ready.

Career ready.

Life ready.

Roaring Fork Schools Board of Education approved the 2017-18 budget on June 28 with a combined total budget appropriation of $189 million. Of the district’s 12 funds, the building fund and general fund are the two largest funds with appropriations of $89 million and $67 million, respectively.

The building fund is a temporary fund established to account for the proceeds of the $122 million bond issue authorized by voters in November 2015. The majority of bond projects are scheduled to be completed by December 2017, with a handful of projects carrying into 2018 including staff housing and the completion of Glenwood Springs Elementary School’s addition and renovation.

The general fund accounts for almost all school operations and related support functions of the district, and its budget incorporates an increase in revenues of about $2.3 million over projected current year amounts, comprised primarily of the following: A per-pupil funding increase of about 3.3% under the State’s School Finance Act, totaling about $1,373,000. This funding comes from a combination of local property taxes and state taxes.

About $1.2 million of the per-pupil funding increase will be applied to salaries and benefits, including a 1.8% average wage increase for employees; a 6% increase in district-funded health insurance costs; and a 0.5% increase in the required contribution to PERA (Colorado’s retirement plan for public employees). The remaining increase in per pupil operating funds will cover other inflationary costs and start-up expenditures associated with Riverview School.

A one-time allocation from the state of $951,000 under the Sustainability of Rural Colorado Act (the Act) passed by the legislature in May 2017.

The Act includes funding to assist rural areas of Colorado in a number of areas including hospitals, education, and roads. Once additional guidance is received from the Colorado Department of Education, the Board of Education will develop a process for determining how the funds will be spent to address priorities established under the Act. A complete copy of the budget can be found on the District’s website at www.rfschools.com.

HIGH NOON

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14 • THE SOPRIS SUN • www.SoprisSun.com • JULY 13-19, 2017

Photo by Jane Bachrach

Sopris Sun Editor

Will Grandbois will be at the

Pour House (351 Main St.)

at noon Thursdays

He’ll take your compliments and complaints, answer your questions and hear your suggestions.

Stop in for lunch, grab a drink or dessert or just drop in.

Letters om page 2 to the editor know I like to kick the political football around a little. I’m going to make a concerted effort to do anything but that at the reunion. The current political situation is so divisive and the Munster (Ind.) Class of ’67 was a tight group.

We were the first graduating class and not a consolidation. We broke off from a larger high school. We were the oldest kids in school four years in a row. We got arrogant and very close. I stayed in touch with my classmates until I moved to Colorado in 1993. Politics will not separate us, not if I can help it.

I’m anticipating fielding two questions at the reunion; “Why didn’t you ever get married?” and “What’s Carbondale, Colorado like?” I have no answer for the first and a one-word answer for the second: “Heaven.” I plan to have a fabulous time at the reunion, but I’ll return as soon as I can.

Fred Malo Jr. Carbondale

The questionable reliability of digital votes Dear Editor: I don’t know how to feel about our Secretary of State, Wayne Williams, being so willing to turn over our voter registration information to the ‘vote suppression king’ Kansas SOS Kris Kobach. Just two other states, Missouri and Tennessee, join with us in praising the request. Now I know why Republicans work so hard to get a SOS. Wayne can’t imagine how we got to the democratic outcomes in our last election.

In 2002 the ’Help America Vote Act’ by George Bush and the Republican congress started the age of electronic voting with $4

billion. Harvard scientists showed that the first machines were all hackable one way or another. The CEO of Diebold is recorded as saying Diebold is committed to getting out the vote for Republicans.

Garfield County’s new machines are able to be accessed electronically. With voter registration information, the vote could be altered, using the votes of people that usually don’t vote. The County Clerk would never know. That is likely how Trump won Michigan by 11,000 votes and PA by 44,000. Thanks to Russia?

The publicly available list Wayne will send to Kobach includes the full name, address, year of birth, political party and vote history of every person registered. Ohio turned off the expensive ability to take a picture of each electric vote, making a recount impossible. We have paper ballots, early votes, any IDs and more thanks to the democrats in congress, but we haven’t set up a way to check the voting process during or even after the vote.

As Lenin said, “The voter does not name the leader, the vote counter does”, and now it has WiFi. Despite the hard work of our clerks, we have no reason to be confident that our votes reflect our wishes. The 9 million more liberal votes cast in the last election were overturned by 11 thousand votes in Michigan. Fiddlesticks.

John Hoffmann Carbondale

Wilderness Workshop would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to the many supporters, sponsors, vendors, and volunteers who came together to make the day a success.

Wildfest is our annual celebration for all outdoor enthusiasts to a moment to celebrate our wonderful public lands. It is encouraging to see how many public lands lovers come out to show their support for these treasured resources.

So many people made Wildfest a success, starting with Anita Thompson and Owl Farm for providing the fantastic venue. An important goal of Wildfest is to keep it moderately priced, affordable and inclusive - we couldn’t have done that without our generous sponsors: Sopris Liquor and Wine, Alpine Bank, Aspen Brewing Company, Suerte Tequila, Gonzo Nation, Bristlecone Mountain Sports, Reese Henry & Com-

pany, Blue Periodontics, Bill Stirling of Douglas Elliman Real Estate, The Aspen Times, True Nature Healing Arts, Aspen Sojourner, Eagle Crest Nursery, Carbondale Arts, Stripped All Natural Drink Mixers, Bethel Party Rentals, The Aspen Agency, Guayaki Yerba Mate, the ArtBase, Mural Farm, Aspen Snowmass, ASC Catering, Clark’s Market, and Domino’s Pizza. Thanks to Gravity Productions for organizing the event and keeping everything running smoothly. Thank you to the professional musicians, artist, and chefs who made Wildfest a day to remember. And of course, thank you to all you public land lovers who came to show your support and enjoy a fun day in the sun. We’ll see you next year!

Sloan Shoemaker Wilderness Workshop Executive Director

Parting Shot Kids swarmed the Carbondale Branch Library on of the morning of July 11 to wallow in the magic of Kyle Groves and Mr. E. of Party People Productions The “magic room” was packed to the gills while kids gawked at the tricks, especially when Groves made a live dove appear.

Wildfest thanks Dear Editor: Last Saturday, 600 folks from across the community showed up at Owl Farm in Woody Creek for Wildfest 2017. We at the

Unclassifieds Submit to unclassifieds@soprissun.com by Friday 12 p.m. Rates: $15 for 30 words, $20 for up to 50 words. Payment due before publication.*

ESTATE SALE. Paul Markham’s Woodworking. Fri., July 14 from 3-6 p.m. and Sat., July 15 from 8 a.m. - ? at 856 Colorado Ave. Tools - hand, power, antique. Craft items. Household sporting goods, snow tires. Antiques - queen brass bed, walnut table, crocks and more. 50 year accumulation!

HELP WANTED. Home Care of the Grand Valley – Glenwood Springs Branch, formerly “Columbine Home Health” hiring Full Time RN’s; PT’s; CNA’s. Submit resume: 927 Cooper Avenue; Glenwood Springs, CO 81601 or fax: 970-945-8098.

POSITION SOUGHT. Experienced caregiver and dietitian available for home duty. Call 970456-7411.

Photo

by Jane Bachrach

GET THE WORD OUT IN UNCLASSIFIEDS! Rates start at $15. Email unclassifieds@soprissun.com. *Credit card payment information should be emailed to unclassifieds@soprissun.com or call 948-6563.

Checks may be dropped off at our office at the Third Street Center or mailed to P.O. Box 399, Carbondale, CO 81623. Call 510-3003 for more info.

Service Directory U

mate W ltiCleans Insideash & Out Complete Interior and Exterior wash package.

Weather Insurance

Car Wash Detailing Oil changes Tires

If it rains or snows bring the vehicle back within 48 hours and we will rewash it.

970-963-8800 745 Buggy Circle in Carbondale www.sunburstcarcare.com

Open Mon.-Sat. 8am-5:30pm and on Sundays from 9am-4pm for washes only

WINDSHIELD REPAIR & AUTO GLASS REPLACEMENT

970-963-3891

Locally Owned by David Zamansky

Mobile Service Available

500 Buggy Circle, Carbondale, CO

FREE Beer, Wine, or Soft Drink with purchase of Entrée (excludes milkshakes) Expires January 1, 2018

Open 7 days a week from 7 a.m. - 9 p.m. %UHDNIDVW /XQFK 'LQQHU &RFNWDLOV 155 Highway 133, Carbondale

THE SOPRIS SUN, Carbondale’s weekly community connector • JULY 13-19, 2017 • 15

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Summer Fun CARBONDALE, COLO.

Fishing Licenses Fishing Poles Tackle Flies & Lures Live Bait Snacks Clothing ... And everything you need for a day on the lake or river

WE CARRY EVERYTHING YOU NEED, FROM THE BRANDS YOU TRUST. If we don’t have it in stock, we will strive to Ä UK P[ MVY `V\

We are a diversified co-op, offering products and services for local ranchers, commercial and residential customers, hobby farmers, horse lovers, gardeners, outdoor enthusiasts and more.

FUEL DELIVERY Diesel or Gasoline for your home, ranch or job site, including short-term tank rentals.

Please contact Chris or Floyd in our Energy Department for more details. 970-704-4204

EE E R F FE Y F DA Y COALL RYDA E

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Roaring Fork Valley COOP

0760 Highway 133, Carbondale, CO (970) 963-2220

roaringforkvalleycoop.com

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