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Volume 10, Number 47 | December 27, 2018

2018

As Carbondale waves goodbye to 2018, we’ll need all hands on deck to take 2019 to the next level. Photos by Jane Bachrach

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Carbondale Commentary

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

There’s plenty new under The Sun

By Will Grandbois Sopris Sun Staff This time of year has, historically, not been the best for Carbondale newspapers.

In addition to the editor dying from Spanish Flu on Christmas 1918, there’s the whole matter of The Valley Journal closing with barely a goodbye on Christmas, 2008. I’ve left that to Pat Noel and Becky Young to discuss (see page 14).

But the reality is, were it not for those twists of fate, I might never have had the opportunity to usher in the New Year at the helm of Carbondale’s nonprofit community newspaper. And that’s a real privilege, particularly this year.

We have received an unprecedented amount of support, financial and otherwise, from the community in 2018. The Sopris 100 Who Care saw fit to select us as the recipient of their second annual event and we received a significant legacy contribution from Mary Lilly’s estate. Each of our solstice fundraising campaigns met the $10,000 goal, demonstrating widespread support alongside our big donors.

Advertising has been strong under new salesperson Carol Fabian. The rest of our roster, meanwhile, has remained almost unchanged, so our crack team is really getting a chance to settle into our roles. Far from getting stuck in a rut, however, we challenged ourselves and were awarded for it.

At our first Colorado Press Association Convention, we won first place in our distribution category for our website and both overall portfolio and a specific spread from photographer Jane Bachrach. We also learned a lot and have already put many of those lessons into print.

Our already close relationship with KDNK has only grown closer with our half-hour radio show at 4 p.m. on Thursdays, and we’re continuing to work on partnerships with other media

outlets (you might have noticed us sharing content with the Rio Blanco Herald Times, Glenwood Springs Post Independent, High Country News and Aspen Journalism). We also changed our size to better fit in with the local lineup and let us pack more into every issue.

In an effort to reduce waste, we cut back a bit on how many papers we print, but actually increased the number of locations where we drop them. We also launched an improved website and saw more than 90,000 visits — a third more than in previously record-breaking 2017. Our Instagram is nearing 1,000 followers and we’re kind of hoping to get to 2,018 Facebook likes before the year is out.

After more than a year of “High Noon” lunches at the Pour House, I’ve decided to try a different time and place. Look for me at Blue Spruce Coffee (formerly Cilundu) in the Third Street Center at 8 a.m.

Mondays. I’ll linger for 10 or 15 minutes and, if no one shows up, will continue to be available in our office just around the corner.

While we’ve greatly enjoyed putting on and promoting Classic Movie Night, we’ve decided to take this year off and focus on putting together a big 10th birthday celebration in February — with some other plans in the works for August.

All this is supported by our tireless volunteer board. We’d like to thank Marilyn Murphy and Raleigh Burleigh for agreeing to another year in their roles as president and vice president in 2019, as well as new board members Linda Criswell and Klaus Kocher for stepping into the positions of secretary and treasurer, respectively. A warm welcome to April Spaulding and a fond farewell to Olivia Pevec, Cliff Colia and Debbie Bruell.

Over the next six weeks, I invite you all to remember or imagine Carbondale without a newspaper. Then come celebrate the alternative.

OPINION

Letters

The Sopris Sun welcomes your letters, limited to no more than 500 words via email at news@soprissun.com or 250 words via snail mail at P.O. Box 399, Carbondale CO 81623. Letters exceeding that length may be returned for revision or submission as a guest column; please include your name, town, and contact information. The deadline for submission is noon on Monday.

An alternative Dear Editor: Fred Malo’s letter (“Two birds with one stone” / Dec. 13) in The Sopris Sun that suggests we remodel mansions to accommodate affordable housing is one solution to traffic and housing.

I’d like to offer another idea. Instead, we close all airports within 100 miles and shut down the ski lifts. This would make the Roaring Fork Valley less desirable and some owners of the mansions would no longer want to come here. So many workers wouldn’t be needed then. The abandoned mansions not converted to multiple affordable housing units could be dismantled. Fewer workers burning gas on Highway 82 and fewer mansions consuming gas and electric would result in a reduction of fossil fuels – another “two birds with one stone”.

Gerry Terwilliger Basalt

What have we become?

Dear Editor: What have we, as a nation of immigrants, become?

Border patrol agents dump water on the ground and toss the empty plastic bottles on the desert floor; tear gas is sprayed over the crowd, and women and children flee the spray; crying children are forcibly separated from parents and friends and relatives; others are placed in ‘contain-

ment’ cells, others are transported to unknown locations, and a 7-year-old girl is allowed to die without adequate food or water or medical care.

And these are only the incidents that rise to the level of national news. There is so much more pain and anger and suffering. When did we reach this low point?

Where are those who have been chosen to lead us and to express our caring for each other? What is the path forward?

We are together on one small, delicate planet. Instead of talking of walls and razor wire, we should be sitting together to discuss ways to stop violence, to end tribal conflict, to abandon weapons that kill. We are, as a people, better than that.

We need to seek solutions that encourage, embolden, and enable all to be part of the partnership of humanity.

Dorothea Farris Crystal River Valley

A glacier’s 168-year retreat Dear Editor: Carbondale reporter Scott Condon’s article in both the Aspen Times and the Glenwood Post Independent of Dec. 7 titled “Stunning images tell climate change story,” shows two photos of Tibet’s famous Ronguk Glacier, one in 1921 and one in 2007. The receding of this Glacier over those 86 years is dramatic, yet does not tell, to quote Paul Harvey, “The Rest of The Story!”

The New Zealand Government began documenting the area of their San Josef Glacier in 1865, 153 years ago. The shrinkage they documented throughout the 85 years from 1865 to 1950 was equally dramatic, having occurred before the recent increase in atmospheric carbon dioxide.

Over millions of years, our earth has had four or five major ice ages, along with periods of minor ice ages that are spaced at roughly 10,000 to 12,000 years apart. The glacier covering Chicago 11,000 years ago was well over a mile high. This glacier melted at the blink of our earth’s eye. To give a clear and stark image of its size, imagine Carbondale, Colorado with a massive block of ice covering all of town. As this mass of ice approached the sky, it came just short of matching the 12,965 foot peak of its neighbor, Mt. Sopris.

The Colorado Geological Survey cataloged a dozen glaciers in the state that were formed 500 years ago during the tiny “Little Ice Age”, a period from 1300 to 1850. Colorado’s new and old glaciers, as well as New Zealand’s, began their retreat in 1850 due to the warming of our planet.

As a large expanse of snow or ice begins to shrink, the rate of melting accelerates, so yes, the retreat continues until the lead up to the next Little Ice Age. Floyd Diemoz Glenwood Springs

2 • THE SOPRIS SUN • www.SoprisSun.com • DECEMBER 27, 2018 - JANUARY 3, 2019

Sincerest thanks to our 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 Carolyn Nelson Jim Noyes Honorary Publishers commit to tax-deductible gifts of $1,000 or more annually. If you’d like to be included please contact Barbara Dills at barbara.dills@gmail.com or 963-5782.

Thank you to our SunScribers and community members for your support!

It truly takes a village to keep The Sun shining.

To inform, inspire and build community.

Donate online or by mail.

P.O. Box 399 Carbondale, CO 81623 520 S. Third Street #32 970-510-3003 www.soprissun.com Editor Will Grandbois • 970-510-0540 news@soprissun.com Advertising: Carol Fabian • 970-510-0246 adsales@soprissun.com Reporter: Megan Tackett Photographer: Jane Bachrach Graphic Designer: Terri Ritchie Delivery: Tom Sands Current Board Members board@soprissun.com Marilyn Murphy, President Raleigh Burleigh, Vice President Stacey Bernot, Secretary Barbara Dills, Treasurer Debbie Bruell • Cliff Colia Nicolette Toussaint • John Colson Linda Criswell • Klaus Kocher The Sopris Sun Board meets regularly on the second Monday evening of each month at the Third Street Center.

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.

2018 goes up in smoke

By Will Grandbois Sopris Sun Staff Some years, it’s a struggle to name a top story or theme, but this year there’s no doubt. Drought in general, and the Lake Christine Fire in particular, defined 2018 for this paper and many others in the Valley.

It started with a weak snow year that disappointed skiers and all of us who depend on their tourism. Wells and ditches ran dry. By the end of June, I was chasing smoke plumes on almost daily basis.

Having lived here during Storm King and Coal Seam, covered numerous smaller fires, and been one of the first journalists on scene when Lake Christine got going, I thought I knew what we were up against. What I saw on the night of July 4 humbled me.

Rushing upvalley even as a line of cars descended from Missouri Heights, I questioned my own sanity and whether the upvalley lanes should even be open. I felt like I should do something more that just record — but that’s my job and I’d only be in the way.

Luckily, the professionals had it in hand, and somehow El Jebel – less three homes — was still there in the morning and nobody died. By those metrics, Coal Seam and Storm King were more destructive, but the big black scar on the hillside is a reminder.

As we head into a new year with slightly above average snowpack, let’s not become complacent. Pay attention to the natural world around you, and do what you can to keep it healthy. Hope for the best and prepare for the worst.

Don’t despair! Our look back at 2018 has no shortage of smiles. While far from comprehensive, it’s a reminder of how much happened and how big things can seem small in hindsight — or vice versa. And a lot of it will have implications for a future that’s yet to be written, though we hope to be the ones to do so.

JANUARY

Weeks does time

A simple way of giving Inspired by similar groups elsewhere, the “Sopris 100 Who Care” formed and held its first meeting. The women took a back-to-basics approach to charity, each contributing $100 during a social event that culminated with the consideration of three causes and the selection of one. The first recipient was the Freedom Center, a sober home for women in Glenwood, followed by The Sopris Sun itself and later the Roaring Fork Family Resource Center. The group intends to keep putting on events, and if men want to do the same, they’ll just have to make their own.

Twenty-year-old Benjamin Weeks was found guilty of felony aggravated robbery almost a year after robbing the Cowen Center gas station. His cousin had already pleaded guilty and been sentenced to six years in prison, but Weeks took it to trial, shedding light on the pair’s plan and the decisions made by family and law enforcement during the ensuing manhunt.

Weeks was later sentenced to 14 years in the Colorado Department of Corrections, though extradition to Las Vegas for firstdegree murder was pending.

Trustees approved a plan to allow limited public consumption of alcohol on Main Street during select First Fridays.

However, the process proved difficult, with heavy requirements for security, special cups and barriers to bar hopping.

The idea was eventually scrapped before it was tried, and by the end of the year it was agreed that dining-in-the-right-ofway accomplished something similar.

Neither snow nor rain A dearth of workers at the Carbondale Post Office was gumming up the works.

With 20 percent of their staff down and Sunday Amazon delivery suddenly added to their plate, they’d been forced to borrow employees from elsewhere and work long hours during the holidays. Folks were disinclined to assign blame either with late packages, and officials seemed optimistic that things would improve — although it appears to have been another challenging December.

Carbondale Food Co-op folded. The board did its best to pay off debts, but wasn’t going to be able to cover it all, nor the rest of the reduced lease it had negotiated with Rhumba Girl Liquors. A month later, however, Mana Foods sprouted in the same space under a nonprofit umbrella and much of the remaining inventory.

City Market checks out

FEBRUARY Big boots to fill

Common consumption

These weren’t the fireworks we wanted for Independence Day, but the Lake Christine Fire was already smokin’ at 2 p.m. July 4 and crews were exhausted by July 7.

Photos by Jane Bachrach

After almost 40 years at the help of Carbondale and Rural Fire, Ron Leach signed a separation agreement and retired. He reflected on the town’s transformation from “something out of a Norman Rockwell painting” to a hip and happening place, and how the department grew with it. Deputy Fire Chief Rob Goodwin was selected to take over, with Leach expressing great confidence for the future — though not without challenges. It would prove to be the first of several big transitions, including Roaring Fork High School Vice Principal (Kelsie Goodman to Zoe Stern) and Wilderness Workshop (Sloan Shoemaker to Will Roush).

Dandelion Market wilts After a decade of shaky existence and numerous attempts to keep it going, the

A 30-month construction deadline was approved for a new grocery store to replace the aging facility cobbled out of a former strip mall. Once the subject of great debate, the property on the west side of Highway 133 was also slated for a bank and a mixed-use development, with utilities work for all three beginning in the summer. Approvals on each aspect have continued to move forward with minimal resistance.

bandwidth for a new overhaul. As such, a replacement or improvement — ideally heated, according to respondents — will have to wait on a funding campaign.

YEAR IN REVIEW page 5

Pool your ideas With usage and repairs both increasing, folks were invited to discuss the future of the John M. Fleet Pool. The process had actually be underway since a community poll for the 2014 Parks and Recreation Master Plan indicated that most respondents wanted to see a pool renovation.

Built in 1978, it is admittedly a bit dated, but the recreation sales and use tax which supports it doesn’t have the

You did it!

$12,547

Thank you, donors! We met our $10,000 Winter Solstice goal. 2018 gifts are welcome through 12/31. soprissun.com/donate or PO Box 399, Carbondale, CO 81623 WEEK 1

WEEK 2

WEEK 3

WEEK 4

WEEK 5

WEEK 6

WINTER SOLSTICE

The Sopris Sun, Carbondale’s weekly community connector • DECEMBER 27, 2018 - JANUARY 3, 2019 • 3

Scuttlebutt

Send your scuttlebutt to news@soprissun.com.

Check yourself

In the mail

Do you now or have you ever had a weekly or monthly event here in town? It’s a good time to check your listing in the ongoing section and make sure it’s up to date or let us know about something new at news@soprissun.com. In fact, while you’re at it, take a look at our other fine print inviting you to send us scuttlebutt, letters, guest columns and calendar items. We’re not omniscient can’t do it alone!

If you remember the 2 or 3¢ stamp days, we’re afraid we have to report that prices are increasing by that and more beginning Jan. 27. A First-Class Mail Forever stamp, for instance, will go up to 55 cents, although the single-piece additional ounce price will go down to 15 cents, so your typical two-ounce wedding invitation will actually be cheaper.

For the future

Nine outstanding Roaring Fork Valley residents and one public agency were recently honored for their work in the community in the Pitkin County Cares Awards. Charlie Hopton took the Greg Mace Award, George Stranahan was Conservationist of the Year, the Pitkin County Public Safety Council got Outstanding Team, Laura Riegel was credited with an Exceptional One-Time Event, Susan Patterson was awarded for working with Children/Youth, Mimi Schlumberger got the same for seniors, Joe High was the top Good Samaritan, Dr. Bernarr Johnson took the Hospitality Award, Trey Barnes the Environment Award and Catherine Vazquez the Rising Star Award.

Kids First in Aspen is leading a 48-hour training called EQIT: Expanding Quality for Infants and Toddlers, which focuses on enhancing infant and toddler development from the perspective of parents and early childhood educators.The training begins Jan. 9 and is offered over 16 sessions running through May 1 at the Yellow Brick School (215 N. Garmisch St.). For more information, contact megan.monaghan@ cityofapsen.com or 920-5373.

Not blowing smoke YouthZone, a non-profit organization that provides youth diversion and advocacy services to communities in the Roaring Fork and Colorado River Valleys, is partnering with the Roaring Fork School District to tackle vaping. The program is designed to initially educate students about the short and long-term effects of vaping and juuling.

The school resource officer, in collaboration with school administrators, will initiate the process by writing a pre-file ticket directly to YouthZone when a student is caught vaping or with a vaping device.

Top notch

Colorado Mountain College student and Carbondalian Dustin Gregory earned a photo illustration award of excellence for his image, “Layers of Time: Day to Night in Canyonlands” in the 2018 international College Photographer of the Year competition. Other locals recognized were Stephanie Stocking for “Cisco Remains” and occasional Sun-freelancer Laurel Smith for a video project on Sanctuary.

Another point

If you can read this, you can help

Carbondale’s sell-out community event 5Point Film Festival brings its concertstyle presentation to Aspen for two nights of film screenings, talks and special guests that celebrate the adventure film genre, at the Wheeler Opera House, at 7 p.m. Jan. 18 and 17. Tickets, priced at $15 for the Youth Adventure film and $28 for evening shows, are on sale at aspenshowtix. com. The event will be a fundraiser for the 5Point signature festival confirmed to take place April 25-28, 2019.

Literacy Outreach, a local nonprofit, will be hosting information sessions for you to learn more about how you can help one of 36 million adults in the United States who lack basic literacy skills. When the cycle of low adult literacy is broken, economic security, reduced crime, and increased healthcare access are just a few examples of the lasting positive impacts. The closest event is from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. Jan. 18 at the Carbondale Branch Library. For more information, visit literacyoutreach.org.

www.CarbondaleRec.com 4 • THE SOPRIS SUN • www.SoprisSun.com • DECEMBER 27, 2018 - JANUARY 3, 2019

They say it’s your birthday Folkc celebrating another year of life this week include: Chip Bishop (Dec. 28); Randy Schutt, Sue Edelstein, Nick Walgren and Mark Gray (Dec. 29); Beymar Silva (Dec. 30); Kris Cook (Dec. 31); Anne Grice, Ryan Camp (Jan. 1) and Eric Rudd (Jan. 2).

www.CarbondaleRec.com

Year in Review Senior living surmounts stumbling blocks The Sopris Lodge project obtained most of the necessary approvals needed to move forward. Project Manager Terry Claassen said he had been close to throwing in the towel on several occasions as access challenges — mostly dealing with the RFTA corridor — held things up. On the flip side, the proposal actually prompted a change to parking requirements rather than exemption when it went before trustees. When or whether the 78-unit assisted living and memory care facility at the north end of Second Street will begin construction remains to be seen.

continued from page 3

Parkland, Fla. victims. Ross Montessori took part officially and en masse with its own 17 minute silence. The high schoolers, meanwhile, were planning an event for April called “Carbondale United for School Safety — an attempt to bring all the schools together for an official event centered around mental health and bullying. By then, teachers would be conducting their own rallies for better school funding, both at home and in Denver.

Crystal River Meats done JBC Agricultural Management LLC, which runs Crystal River Meats — Colorado’s largest producer of grass-fed beef and lamb — filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. The company’s struggles went back to a bad business deal with Southern Cross Ranches in Windsor and Ranch Management LLC. The claim was later dismissed, and CRM remains defunct — although Fat Belly Burgers continues to operate from existing stock.

More than just littering

Mango Madness started in May and only ripened during events held throughout the summer.

MARCH

The discovery of several bottles of strange chemicals in the Roaring Fork River led to a search, evacuation and arrest. While authorities had at first suspected some sort of drug connection, the evidence was less conclusive. Ricardo Parras-Membreno eventually pleaded guilty to criminal mischief and was sentenced to probation and community service, with no real indication as to his motives.

APRIL A race, if only just

True Nature emerges Amid 24 hours of chanting, singing, sage smudging, crystal programming, True Nature Healing Arts unveiled its new kiva and spa. Although the underground ceremonial space was the center of the ceremony, it also spilled over into the peace garden with its new(ish) Buddha and Ganesha statues. A kitchen and gathering space revamp also took place, and their next series teaching daily mindful practices began right before the spring Equinox.

Schools walk out Students at Roaring Fork High School participated in the National School Walk Out gun control protests despite knowing it would earn them a detention, with a simple 17 seconds of silence for the

23 Years Locally Owned!

Five candidates vied for four trustee seats — a somewhat unusual election preceded by a series of appointments. Each of the incumbents — Luis Yllanes, Erica Sparhawk, Heather Henry — were running for the first time but had firm community support for their partial terms.

Indeed, Lani Kitching finished in fourth, earning her a two-year term intended to set the schedule back to normal, while April Spaulding didn’t make the cut.

Frosty Merriott was term limited, Mayor Dan Richardson ran unopposed and voters also approved a proposal to renew the Town’s streetscape tax at its current rate.

Losing sight, but not vision School Resource Officer Michael Zimmerman revealed that he was going blind.

He was already training a replacement

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Eden and Dava Shantay led chants and meditations as True Nature celebrated the opening of its new kiva.

— Gretchen Bell — and trying to find a career that didn’t rely almost entirely on eyesight. Still, somehow, he remained upbeat. “If you see with your heart and your mind, you have vision,” he told students.

“If you see with only your eyes, then you are limited by what is in front of you.”

MAY

its annually and had stepped up its game with user fees, rentals, special events, but was still struggling financially. The successful levy more than doubled the park’s financial resources, hopefully leading to more staff, better accessibility and more in the short term and some community vision for the long term.

YEAR IN REVIEW page 6

Pot planted downtown Someone placed at least six live cannabis plants in Main Street pots and planters, though most were swiftly removed. According to Carbondale Police Chief Gene Schilling, planting marijuana on public property is at least a code violation. “It’s required to be secured and it has to be on private property,” he said. There were no suspects, and it’s not on the top of Schilling’s investigation priority list. “At this point, unless we get more information, we’re probably not going to do anything with it,” he said. As for what inspired someone to take liberties with the town planters, he declined to speculate on the record except to say, “it’s Carbondale.”

Parks and recreation Voters in Crown Mountain Park and Recreation District approved a permanent mill levy to support the facility. While the district follows library and fire boundaries — encompassing an area from Old Snowmass to Blue Lake — the flagship facility in El Jebel attracts plenty of folks from Carbondale and beyond. The 124acre facility boasts around 260,000 vis-

Carol Craven toasted not one, but 100 Women Who Care as the group got together to select the first recipient of back-to-basics charity.

Photos by Jane Bachrach

Sopris Sun Holiday Ad Deadlines Ad Deadline: Jan. 4 edition FRIDAY, DECEMBER 28, NOON

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Ad Reservation Deadline for the January 3 edition of The Sopris Sun

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400 E. Valley Road # I/J • Next to City Market – El Jebel The Sopris Sun, Carbondale’s weekly community connector • DECEMBER 27, 2018 - JANUARY 3, 2019 • 5

Year in Review

continued from page 5

High school drama

An official student theatrical production took the Roaring Fork High School stage for the first time in years, thanks to new teacher Marcia Kuhlman, who was also reintroducing choir. “Queen of the Silent Scream” took advantage of the school’s auditeria to put on a murder mystery dinner theatre, a model which seems to have become a new modus operandi for the school.

There was also success on the choir front, with Cal Brannigan participating at the All State level.

parcel, the BLM released an Environmental Assessment which further spelled out the agencies plans. The result was twelve developed campsites in two new campgrounds of two acres each featuring a large concrete pit toilet, graveled parking and access roads, tent pads, fire rings, picnic tables and the like, which were completed late in the fall.

Pilot program helps paralyzed participants

After participating in a monthlong pilot program developed Housing vs. traffic

by Lauryn Moloney-Gepfert, of the Carbondale-based NeuA proposed affordable housing roplastic Functional Institute project on Dolores Way prompted (NFI), Adam Lavender stood pushback from neighbors who felt — independently — in the pool it would worsen traffic in an alat Iron Mountain Hot Springs. ready bottlenecked area. Red Hill He’d been told by every spiLofts, a project of Aspen Pitkin nal cord injury expert at Craig County Employee Housing Inc. — Hospital that he would never a private organization not affiliatregain mobility after a mouned with or limited to Pitkin County tain biking accident in 2012.

— would consist of 30 category one rental units starting at $980 Arturo Ortiz and his steed jumped out of the gate twirling during the first Wild West Rodeo of the He was, and always would be, a quadriplegic. The program, for a studio. It was approved unan- summer, and the popular weekly event galloped ahead from there. called Connect, trained four imously by Planning and Zoning. candidates — Lavender, Soren Incidentally, several other efforts Lindholm, Ben Jenkins and Tucker Larare underway for affordable housing, traffic, and was waiting for Crystal River Thompson Park downsizes A new vision arose for development rieu — with varying paralyses over a including The Roaring Fork Valley and Elementary students — who had pushed around the historic Thompson House, four-week period using a combination of Garfield County regional housing needs for its construction — in the fall. with townhomes and other middle-class specific techniques to remap the brain by assessment, the Creative District’s ondomiciles mixed in with larger single-fam- combining neuroplasticity, kinesiology going collaboration with ArtSpace and ily spaces. With nine years and thousands and what she calls life education: mindRoaring Fork School District’s staff of dollars already invested, the developer fully shifting from an adrenaline-fueled, housing, which was completed in time was pushing hard for a significant exemp- fight-or-flight space to a relaxed, open for the new school year. tion from the Town’s affordable housing place amenable to learning.

Carbondale to Crested Butte Where the sidewalk ends Pitkin County Open Space and Trails requirements under the Unified Develop(OST) released a draft plan for a bike ment Code. It seemed, for a moment, that A tree falls Trustees backed Town staff’s recommendation of the second lowest bid to and pedestrian trail through the Crystal they wouldn’t get their wish, but some Just as the potential buyers for a home construct a new pedestrian and bike path Valley and a new survey to go with it. hard bartering with trustees resulted in a in Satank were finishing up lunch and between Main Street and Sopris Avenue With more than 500 comments already compromise both parties could live with. preparing for their final walk through, a on the eastern edge of town. Public Works in hand, OST and the Pitkin Board of large cottonwood fell, putting a hole in Director Kevin Schorzman expressed his County Commissioners had plenty to Prince Creek gets a makeover the kitchen roof — crushing a trailer in concerns about the lowest bid, which work with by the time they finalized Even as work wrapped up on newly between, as well. Luckily, no one was in came in just two days after the project and approved the plan in November — beautified bike trails, the Bureau of Land the house at the time, and the deal wasn’t documents were made public, was signifi- though technically only phase one (from Management turned its attention to the automatically off — though certainly decantly lower than the other five bids and Redstone to McClure Pass) has the full mess of unofficial campsites tucked among layed. A ponderosa pine in Aspen Glen from a company that appeared to have green light as of yet. “It’s is really a vision the gambel oaks. A Risk Management Plan with a history of hosting bald eagles fell done mostly smaller projects. The side- statement for the future that will take in 2015 had called for the prohibition of around the same time, and a large spruce walk was constructed over the summer, probably decades to complete,” OST Di- dispersed camping. Then, following the in old town came down not long after. with closures that ended in time for rodeo rector Gary Tennenbaum said.

2017 acquisition of the 112-acre Haines YEAR IN REVIEW page 8

JUNE

The Carbondale Recreation Center offered outdoor summer activities for folks of all ages including tennis for tots and prowling for peeps on Easter weekend. Photos by Jane Bachrach

6 • THE SOPRIS SUN • www.SoprisSun.com • DECEMBER 27, 2018 - JANUARY 3, 2019

The Near New Store Happy NEW YEAR! Fueled by your Donations and Shopping the Rebekkahs have donated over $20,000 THIS YEAR to local, national and international causes

The Near New Store is CLOSED until JAN 8.

We are doing a big year-end organization and would love to have YOUR help Please call Anna at (215) 767-8831 to sign up for a team.

WE ARE NOT ACCEPTING DONATIONS AT THIS TIME Come see what’s new and beautiful in the new year.

In Friendship, Love and Truth, The Rebekahs

ALWAYS SEEKING NEW VOLUNTEERS. COME IN THE STORE TO FIND OUT MORE. 302 MAIN STREET, CARBONDALE ♦ 970.963.0340 The Sopris Sun, Carbondale’s weekly community connector • DECEMBER 27, 2018 - JANUARY 3, 2019 • 7

Paul and Johnny Nieslanik took a lunch break after sorting cattle up near Spring Gulch and before bringing them down through town to their various winter pastures.

Photos by Jane Bachrach

Year in Review JULY Fourth under fire A wildfire sparked by careless use of the Basalt Wildlife Area shooting range grew rapidly, destroying three homes and sparing the El Jebel mobile home park thanks only to heroic measures by local firefighters. Under an array of federal management teams, it was ultimately contained but consumed 12,588 acres on the slopes of Basalt Mountain – surpassing Coal Seam as the area’s largest blaze in recent memory. Mass evacuations, smoke and the constant threat of a blow up had the whole Valley on its toes for the better part of the summer.

New – but familiar – restaurants Roosters was the first of several eateries to fill vacated space, bringing “a locally sourced, rotisserie-centric, relaxed dining experience” to the former location of Town.

By the end of the summer, it was followed

by Kenichi’s Izakaya where Russets used to be and A Way Home at 689 Main. The Beat is still under renovation, but otherwise it seems like the dining scene has reached a saturation point. Our commercial inventory also revealed that the 200 block of Main is looking a lot less empty, with a new gallery and tattoo parlor as well.

Controversy, construction on Red Hill Even as Roaring Fork Outdoor Volunteers began construction of a new hiking access trail on the newly acquired parcel on the

8 • THE SOPRIS SUN • www.SoprisSun.com • DECEMBER 27, 2018 - JANUARY 3, 2019

continued from page 6

front side of Red Hill, a debate raged around best to use the Sutey Ranch area on the back side. Equestrians, in particular, were looking for mountain-biker free access, while hikers just seemed glad to not have to walk the road from the parking lot.

21 for tobacco Several meetings worth of discussion came to fruition with an ordinance increasing the smoking and vaping age to 21. The Board stopped short of requiring licensing, but will be able to enforce the ordinance with both criminal and civil violations — the former for anyone caught actively selling tobacco to someone underage and the latter for the buyer, shop owner or manager or someone providing it outside of a retail context. Several retailers would later fail their initial checks.

At the same meeting, trustees declined to reduce or remove marijuana tax.

Don’t drink and drive Carbondale was seeing a relatively high rate of DUI citations compared to neighboring municipalities, with 62 DUI/ DWAI citations in the first half of the year.

Part of the reason for that high number was attributable to large events that involve more people consuming alcohol.

Another significant factor was the efforts of Sergeant Robb Windham, a certified Drug Recognition Expert (DRE). Windham says there is no demographic especially prone to drunk driving; he sees all ages, genders, and races making the mistake. The story failed to deter several more citations over Mountain Fair.

YEAR IN REVIEW page 9

Year in Review

continued from page 8

AUGUST

their home playoff games, and folks lined Main Street to see them off on the road.

Fair sparks petitioning debate

Sandra leaves Sanctuary

A Mountain Fair policy that requires signature collectors for political petitions remain along the park’s perimeter was challenged and found to be problematic. Sopris Park is a public space, but the Town had to step in to establish whether a leasing entity has the right to curtail First Amendment rights. Their decision?

Petition all you want.

For the first time in 10 months and two days, Sandra Lopez left the Two Rivers Unitarian Universalist parsonage, where she had been living in sanctuary with her youngest daughter Areli, a U.S. citizen. Thanks to a Supreme Court decision, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has communicated with Lopez’s attorneys that she is no longer a priority for deportation. Despite the light rain, a crowd of about 30 people came to cheer Lopez’s freedom and joined her in a march through Carbondale to speak at the Third Street Center.

Talk out the trash Residents were invited to weigh in on potential changes to the Town’s approach to waste hauling. Priorities identified included recycling and waste reduction, fewer trucks on the street, affordable trash pickup, choice of hauler and protecting the bears — but it was clear you couldn’t have it all. In the end, trustees opted for a single hauler and requiring recycling and volumetric pricing, but not composting. The big haulers didn’t seem to mind, and the bid is supposed to go out in time for the next bear season.

A different kind of football Once-and-future coach Dave Close did his best to put together a Ram junior varsity American football team at RFHS after a winless varsity season the previous year.

Turnout was inadequate to support more than a few games, however. Meanwhile, the soccer boys saw plenty of participation and had a strong season, winning the league and going all the way to the state semifinals.

Their success brought big crowds out for

Compassion is a verb The Way of Compassion hosted its inaugural Compassion Fest. With films, workshops, live music and speakers, it brought folks in from all over the world. It remained a fundamentally local event, too, with the Town of Carbondale issuing an official proclamation defining compassion as the desire to remove suffering and declaring Compassionate Carbondale Week.

SEPTEMBER Breaking down barriers to books Basalt Regional Library stopped charging fines for patrons under 18, or adults checking out juvenile and young adult materials on their behalf. It was part YEAR IN REVIEW page 12

2018 was the year of the strong woman, but there were obviously some strong men around as well. Women were out there protesting while Lisa Speaker got ready for a weightlifting competition at Sopris CrossFit. Photos by Jane Bachrach

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The Sopris Sun, Carbondale’s weekly community connector • DECEMBER 27, 2018 - JANUARY 3, 2019 • 9

Community Calendar THURSDAY Dec. 27

BLUES DUO • A.J. Fullerton and Erik Stucky take the Steve’s Guitars stage (19 N. Fourth St.) at 7 p.m. or thereabouts.

FRIDAY Dec. 28

ROCK FLAMENCO • The El Javi Trio performs beginning at 8 p.m. at The Temporary (360 Market St., Willits). $19 in advance at tacaw.org or $24 at the door.

FRI to THU Dec. 28-Jan. 3

MOVIES • The Crystal Theatre (427 Main St.) presents “Mary Queen of Scots” (R) at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 28-29, Dec. 31Jan. 3 and at 5:30 p.m. on Dec. 30.

SATURDAY Dec. 29

LATIN DANCING • Son Tres provides live music perfect for salsa, bachata, cubmia and merengue beginning at 9:30 p.m. at The Temporary (360 Market St., Willits). $10 for gals, $15 for guys and $20 for couples.

SUNDAY Dec. 30

NORDIC DEMOS • Independence Run and Hike invites you to head up to Spring Gulch and test out Salomon and Fischer skis from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., get classic lessons at 11 a.m. and beginning skate lessons at 10 a.m. and noon.

MONDAY Dec. 31

CHICKEN AND WAFFLES • Roaring Fork Beer Company brings back its bottomless brunch at Batch (358 Main St.) from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. — $30 for the whole shebang or $10 for food and $6 per build-your-own bloody beer. Reservations (510-5934) and PJs or fancy entire encouraged.

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

Events take place in Carbondale unless noted.

POOL PARTY • Glenwood Hot Springs (415 Sixth St.) hosts games and relays for all ages from 7 p.m. ‘til the wee hours of the morning — all at standard admission prices.

CRYSTAL PALACE REVIEW • After a 4-year hiatus, Aspen’s Crystal Palace alumni are back — but in Carbondale! Catch new musical numbers and hilarious political satire directed by Nina Gabianelli at 8 and 10:30 p.m. — tickets at thunderrivertheatre.com.

FUNKY GRASS • Let Them Roar mixes their classic repertoire with tunes from their new collaboration with Colia and Harris Jackson from 9 p.m. ‘til midnight at Steve’s Guitars (19 N. Fourth St.). Plus, catch Natalie Spears of Pearl & Wood’s new “Carbondale Collective” project, a dessert contest, vision board for a just community and champagne toast. $30 STONES COVERS • Emotional Rescue invites you to break out your bell bottoms and party as if you were born in a crossfire hurricane from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. at Carbondale Beer Works (647 Main St.).

FUNK ROCK • Dirty Revival comes together with an open bar, champagne toast and dessert buffet from 9 p.m. ‘til midnight at The Temporary (360 Market

St. WIllits). $100 in advance at tacaw.org.

DINNER AND MUSIC • Get your reservations for dinner at the Redstone Inn from 5 to 9 p.m., then ring in the New Year with the Hell Roaring String Band with a $10 cover.

TUESDAY Jan. 1

MEDITATION • Set your intentions for the year ahead with a conversation and reflection led by Yogarupa Rod Stryker from 2 to 5 p.m. at True Nature (100 N. Third St.).

WEDNESDAY Jan. 2

BLOODMOBILE • Donate blood in front of the Rec. Center (567 Colorado Ave.) from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Ongoing HEALTH THROUGH NUTRITION • Free opportunities include: Onehour consultations Monday mornings by appointment (379-5718) about heart attack and other chronic illness prevention through plant-based whole foods lifestyle with retired family doctor Greg Feinsinger, MD. New at 6 p.m. Tuesdays beginning Oct. 23, a livestream of Just 1 Thing 4 Health’s interviews with featured doctors.

At 7 p.m. the first Monday of the month, a Powerpoint presentation about the science behind plant-based nutrition. Finally, at 6:30 p.m. the fourth Monday of the month, participate in a plant-based potluck. All events take place at the Third Street Center (520 S. Third St.) and are supported by Davi Nikent Center for Human Flourishing.

BLUEGRASS JAM • Bring the instrument of your choice or just your voice for a weekly jam session first and last Sundays at 6:30 p.m. at Steve’s Guitars (19 N. Fourth St.) and all other Sundays at the Glenwood

Springs Brew Garden (115 Sixth St.) OPEN MIC • Take the stage at Riverside Grill (181 Basalt Center Circle, Basalt) from 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesdays. Food and drink specials. Free.

KARAOKE • The Black Nugget (403 Main St.) and Sandman bring you over 30,000 songs to choose from and a quality sound system to release your inner rockstar at 9 pm. every Thursday.

LOSS SUPPORT • The Compassionate Friends of the Roaring Fork Valley, a group for parents, grandparents of siblings who have lost a child of any age, meets at 6:30 p.m. the first Tuesday of the month at The Orchard (110 Snowmass Dr.).

LOVE ADDICTS • Sex and Love Addicts Anonymous, a 12-step group will meet from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. every Tuesday at Holland Hills United Methodist Church (167 Holland Hills Rd. Basalt).

EVERYTHING UNDER THE SUN • Staff and sources talk about this week’s paper and more at 4 p.m. Thursdays on KDNK (88.1 FM).

CALENDAR continued on page 11

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Community Calendar

continued from page 10

Ongoing

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

sions are held at the Launchpad (76 S. Fourth St.) from 6:45 to 7:30 a.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays (info at 306-1015).

SENIOR MATTERS • The nonprofit Senior Matters, based in the Third Street Center (520 S. Third St.), offers numerous programs for senior citizens, including: tai chi with John Norton at 8:30 a.m. on Mondays and Wednesdays; tai chi with Marty Finklestein at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays; 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.

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.

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. Contact Marlene for more info: 928-9805.

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.

RF INSIGHT • Monday Night Meditation meets from 7:15 to 8:30 p.m. at Roaring Fork Aikikai (2553 Dolores Way) and offers instruction in the Buddhist practice of Vipassana. RFI also offers secular mindfulness at the Carbondale Community School and is working with CMC to provide a class on “Zen and the Art of Dying” — more info at roaringforkinsight.org.

MEDITATION • Free silent meditation ses-

GRIEF AND LOSS • Pathfinders 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. Pathfinders offers support groups from Aspen to Rifle and is located in Carbondale at 1101 Village Rd. Info: pathfindersforcancer.org.

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 White House Pizza (801 Main Ct.) at noon every Thursday.

YOGA • Get a donation-based introduction to Hatha Yoga Tuesdays from 8 to 9 p.m. at The Launchpad (76 S. Fourth St.).

MAKERSPACE • Children and teens are invited to design, create, tinker, and play with art and technology to design and create with 3D Pens, make stop-motion animation films, engineer duct tape creations, build their own video games, and more from 2 to 3:30 p.m. every Wednesday at the Carbondale Branch Library (320 Sopris Ave.).

DHARMA • The Way of Compassion Dharma Center holds a Dharma talk and meditation from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays and a silent meditation and Buddha of Compassion practice at 8 a.m. Saturdays at the Third Street Center (520 S. Third St.).

Register Jan. 2

for Upcoming Classes

WORLD DANCE • Learn rhythms from various countries and cultures for $12 per class from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Mondays at the Carbondale Community School (1505 Satank Rd.).

WRITERS GROUP • Wordsmiths of all experience and abilities gather at the Carbondale Branch Library (320 Sopris Ave.) at 6 p.m. on the second Monday of the month.

BOOK CLUB • Join friends and fellow readers to discuss great books at Carbondale Branch Library (320 Sopris Ave.) at 4 p.m. on the first Wednesday of each month; call 963-2889 for this month’s selection.

STORYTIME • Carbondale Branch Library (320 Sopris Ave.) hosts stories, songs and more for ages four and up at 10:30 a.m.

Thursdays and three and under at 10:30 a.m. Wednesdays. Kids must be accompanied by an adult.

STORY ART • Carbondale Branch Library (320 Sopris Ave.), in partnership with the Aspen Art Museum, invites kids to learn about artists and create masterpieces of their own at 4 p.m. the first Tuesday of each 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.org.

LIFE DRAWING • Drop in for figure drawing with Staci Dickerson at 6:30 p.m. Mondays at SAW (525 Buggy Cr. Unit C) LET’S JUST DANCE • Feel great, have fun and dance Tuesdays at The Third Street Center (520 S. Third St.). Catch a free lesson at 7 p.m., then from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. it’s

open dancing with two-step, swing, waltz, line dance, salsa and more. No partner or experience necessary. $8/person; $14/couple. Questions? Call 970-366-6463 or email billypat4@gmail.com.

SANSKRIT MANTRA • Devika Gurung demonstrates how chant is about more than spirtuality, but also breath and rhythm at 4:30 p.m.

Sundays at The Launchpad (76 S. Fourth St.).

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.

PARENT CHILD CLASSES • Waldorf on the Roaring Fork hosts musics, movement and merrymaking for kids under 5 and caregivers at 9 a.m. Mondays; sweetness, self care and singing for the under 1.5 crowd at 9 a.m. Wednesdays; and pals, play and puppetry for ages 1.5 to 4 at 9 a.m. Fridays.

More information and registration at www. waldorfschoolrf.org.

Further Out THURSDAY Jan. 3

IMPROV • Consensual Improv returns to the Thunder River stage (67 Promenade) at 8 p.m. — $15 at thunderrivertheatre.com.

FRIDAY Jan. 4

IN THE YEAR 2525 • The Carbondale Clay Center (135 Main St.) presents a collaborative exhibition by Annette and Andrew Roberts-Gray inspired by the 1968 pop song by Zager and Evans with a 6 to 8 p.m. opening.

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Ginger(bread) Body Wrap Private Thermal Mineral Bath, Back, Neck and Shoulder Massage, and a Day pass to our Historic Underground Vapor Caves.

“A DAY AT THE SPA” $135

Int. Skate Cross-Country Ski.......... 1/5 (S) .................10:30am-12pm Int. Classic Cross-Country Ski ....... 1/12 (S) ................ 10:30-11:45am ... and more beginner and intermediate skate and classic!

`` CARBONDALE: Qigong - Grandfather of Tai Chi..... 1/8-2/28 (TTh) ...... 8:45-9:45am Nutrition ........................... 1/14-4/29 (M) .......... 1:30-4:20m NHuman Natural Bee Keeping ...................... 1/14-1/21 (M) ................... 6-9pm Positive Psychology ...................... 1/14-4/29 (M) ....... 5:30-8:20pm NFree Zen Barre “Sneak Peak” ......... 1/15 (T) .................... 10-10:50am Intro to Integrative Yoga ................ 1/15 (T) ....................... 6-7:30pm Morning Conditioning ................... 1/15-5/2 (TTh) ........5:25-6:25am Meditation for Health ................... 1/15-3/5 (T) ............... 6- 7:45pm NJewelry and Metal Work I.............. 1/16-5/1 (W) ................... 5-9pm Introduction to Business ................ 1/16-5/1 (W) ................ 6-8:5pm Conv. Spanish II.............................. 1/17-5/2 (Th ) ............... 6-8:50m Introduction to Philosophy ............ 1/17-5/2 (Th ) ............... 6-8:50m Free Zumba “Sneak Peak” .............. 1/18 (F) ............................ 12-1pm Women in U.S. History.................. 1/21-4/29 (M) ............. 6-9:10pm

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`` BASALT: Intro to Dynamic Workout ............. 1/7-1/24 (MTh) ...... 8:30-9:30am Intro to Physical Conditioning ....... 1/8-2/19 (TF) ......... 8:30-9:50am Cardio/Pilates Package .................. 1/7-5/1 (MW)......... 7:40-9:30am Pilates Mat Plus ............................. 1/11-5/3 (F) .......... 9:05-10:00am Indoor Cycling ............................... 1/14-3/27 (MW)......5:30-6:15pm Weight Training ............................. 1/14-3/27 (MW)...... 6:15-7:00pm CMC Campuses are closed for holidays 12/21-1/1.

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Include Carbondale Homeless Assistance (CHA) in YOUR Holiday Giving!

Here’s HOW:

• Purchase gift cards at City Market, Subway, Heidi’s Deli, Dos Gringos, Roaring Fork Co-op & Sopris Laundry.

• Donate $ for Carbondale Recreation Center shower passes. Drop cards and any $ donations off at Amoré Realty, 711 Main Street, Carbondale.

• Donate food and/or your time at Community Meal held the 3rd Saturday each month at Faith Lutheran Church, 1340 Hwy 133, Carbondale.

• Donate your used clothing to Misers Mercantile (B-152), Backdoor (9111) or Ragged Mountain Sports (CHA) and ask credit go to CHA accounts.

For More Information, please call 970-379-4766

Stay current with CHA needs & news at www.facebook.com/ groups/carbondalehomeless/

Thanks for YOUR support!

THIS COMMUNITY AD SPACE DONATED BY COOL BRICK STUDIOS.

The Sopris Sun, Carbondale’s weekly community connector • DECEMBER 27, 2018 - JANUARY 3, 2019 • 11

Year in Review of a broader push by the library to shake off the image of libraries as serious places guarded by stern librarians and provide access to everyone. Youth Services Librarian Linda Slaybaugh had led the charge, expressing concerns that fines disproportionately impacted those of meager means or with limited transportation, and citing a national trend toward fine removal.

Downtown for sale Six lots totalling around four acres on and just off Main Street went up for sale simultaneously through Aspen-based realtor Karen Toth. All were previously owned

by LLCs believed to belong to wealthy local Bren Simon. One, on the corner of Second and Main next to KDNK, has already sold to its previous owner, while the remaining properties are all reportedly under contract to the same entity — though the Garfield County Assessor has not yet recorded an official sale. What that means for the “park” next to the Fourth Street Plaza remains to be seen, though it’s clear the Town has no plans to buy it. The vacant lot across from Town Hall was not put up for sale, and a Board of Trustees executive session on purchasing property may have been related to that.

Running of the Balls The Carbondale and Mount Sopris Rotaries banded together to try something different, eschewing “The Happening” to blow inflatable balls down Main Street. Originally pitched as “Great Balls of Fire,” the name was changed to “Running of the Balls” in sensitivity to the

continued from page 9

ongoing fire season. Folks were a little confused by how exactly the winner was calculated, but they knew $5,000 was on the line and came out in droves to witness the spectacle.

OCTOBER Pipe comes through ceiling A “utilities emergency” prompted the mandatory evacuation of all 56 units of the Roaring Fork Apartments at 111 Emma Rd. in Basalt on Oct. 2. The view through the main entrance showed that the large water pipe had come down in the hall, taking a large section of ceiling with it. Residents described hearing a sound like an explosion as the pipe burst around noon. The building was declared uninhabitable for several weeks.

Win history The resurgence — and rebranding — of the Carbondale Historical Society happened to coincide with a new Potato Day committee. The theme of “Taters Take Flight” prompted a helicopter flyover that ruffled some feathers, but the real highlight of the day was a special safecracking event at Steve’s Guitars in which the contents of the vault were given away as a door prize. It ended up being an array of papers, including a birth certificate, a deed and the combination to the safe itself. Winner Jim Hawkins opted to take a ski pass instead and donated the rest to the historical society.

YEAR IN REVIEW page 13

Even though it was really the blowing or rolling of the balls Carbondale’s Rotary clubs came together for the inaugural “Running of the Balls” down Main Street. The Aspen Santa Fe Ballet Folklorico dancers performed at the Thunder River Theatre during the Dia De Los Muertos celebration. Photos by Jane Bachrach

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Year in Review

continued from page 12 and Colorado Mountain College and Garfield County Libraries passed “deBruceing” questions.

Redstone Castle reopens The Redstone Castle was once again open yearround for tours, overnight stays, and weddings and private events. Steve and April Carver, owners of the Hotel Denver in Glenwood Springs, purchased the property at auction for $2.2 million. They spent just over two years working with Pitkin County to rezone it to Two little ballerinas await their turn during one of accommodate their plans Coredination’s ballet performances. for its future, and an additional nine months restoring it. Not to be overshadowed, the Thompson House in Carbondale also reopened to the public with a well-attended winter gala.

driving range parcel and looking at fiscal sustainability for both the golf course and the HOA.

Turning a new page With Lacy Dunlavy freshly at the helm and propelled in part by the success of local publishing company Light of the Moon, Carbondale Branch Library hosted its inaugural Local Lit Fest. Nine locals showcased 19 publications among them, with book signings, and there seems to be no shortage of more works for next year’s event.

Student art pops Ross Montessori students had the opportunity to display their interpretations

NOVEMBER

A good night incumbents, taxes

Garfield County voters stuck with what they knew by reelecting County Clerk Jean Alberico (D) over challenger Bonnie McLean, County Commissioner Tom Jankovsky (R) over Paula Stepp, and Sheriff Lou Vallario (R) over writein Paramroop Singh Khalsa. Meanwhile, Carbondale and Rural Fire Protection District was granted a bond and substantial mill levy increase with no sunset clause, the Roaring Fork Transportation Authority garnered its own tax increase

A round of golf The River Valley Ranch golf course changed hands, with Crystal Outdoors LLC under Dan and Wynee Coleman taking over from RVR Golf LLC. The Colemans furnished a memo description their intent to “re-envision all the possibilities that our beautiful open space holds for everyone here to enjoy, not just golfers.”

Specifically, the document outlines goals of upgrading restaurant and resort facilities for year-round use, repurposing the

of Andy Warhol’s work alongside the real thing thanks to the Powers Art Center, which hosts a rotating exhibit which complements the Jasper Johns the facility focuses on. It was also a rare evening opportunity for adults to visit the free museum, which is usually open 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Thursday. Both Ross and the Powers hope to make it an annual event.

DECEMBER Carbondale collaborates with CoVenture CoVenture, a rebranded version of incubator GlenX, got most of its $25,000 ask after initial resistance. Mayor Dan Richardson praised the promise of a robust private / public partnership for economic development and coworking and cited indications of increasing need. Others were less convinced. Marty Silverstein, Erica Sparhawk and Heather Henry all expressed support for the project in general, but advocated for a smaller financial commitment for at least the first year.

When the final vote came, Ben Bohmfalk, Lani Kitching and Luis Yllanes knew they had the votes, but opted to go for $20,000 to appease their associates.

Basalt gets its own paper

This little girl turned up her nose when her class released butterflies at Crystal River Elementary School.

Photos by Jane Bachrach

The Aspen Daily News put M. John Fayhee in charge of bringing a new paper to the midvalley, and the Roaring Fork Weekly Journal launched right on schedule. You can find it most places you get The Sun, as well as online at rfweeklyjournal.com.

New Year's Eve [CHICKEN] + [WAFFLES ] BRUNCH AT BATCH WITH EATERY CAROUSEL 42 11A-2P $30 BOTTOMLESS BRUNCH INCLUDES:

Chicken and Waffles + Snacks + Build Your Own Bloody Beer Bar + Beermosas + RFBC Drafts (Guest taps not included) NON COMMITTAL: $10 Just the Chicken and Waffles $6 Build Your Own Bloody Beer *Add on drinks seperately. $12 Kids Option (12 and under) Includes Bottomless Food + Non-Alcholic Drinks MON. 12.31/DOORS 10:45AM/BRUNCH/11AM SHOWING COLLEGE BOWL GAMES COME IN YOUR PJ'S OR BEST HOLIDAY ATTIRE MOST FESTIVE WINS A $50 BAR TAB FOR NEXT VISIT

Batch at RFBC 358 Main St.Carbondale Reservations Recommended @ 970.510.5934 The Sopris Sun, Carbondale’s weekly community connector • DECEMBER 27, 2018 - JANUARY 3, 2019 • 13

A fond VJ farewell… for now From the archives of the Roaring Fork Valley Journal Dec. 25, 2008 It is with a heavy heart that we must announce that The Valley Journal is suspending publication as a free-standing newspaper for the foreseeable future with this, the 41st edition of the 34th year of the VJ’s existence, due to the current economic situation.

It is definitely not an easy decision, but the recession is forcing many tough decisions all around, both here in the Roaring Fork Valley and beyond.

The need for Carbondale to have a newspaper is still very real, and we of course prefer to look at this as a temporary situation, with the goal being the return of a stand-alone newspaper to the streets of Carbondale and the surrounding area — whenever the economy allows.

In the meantime, look for Carbondale news, happenings and human interest stories within the pages of our sister daily newspapers, The Glenwood Springs Post Independent and The Aspen Times.

They already have and will continue to grow their coverage of the Carbondale community in the absence of The Valley Journal.

We’ve had a great ride since the VJ’s humble beginnings, serving the Carbondale area in one fashion or another since 1974. We certainly hope – Pat Noel that ride is not over for good.

From the first issue of the VJ The VJ was founded as the Roaring Fork Review in 1974 by Craig publisher Robert Sweeney.

The newspapers editors at the time, Pat Noel and Becky Young, broke away from the Review to start The Journal, which was the first locally owned newspaper serving the middle Roaring Fork Valley since 1934. The papers merged under The Valley Journal banner on June 11, 1975.

The Journal went through a series of local ownership arrangements until 1998, when it was purchased by Morris Communications. In November 2000, the VJ was acquired along with other MOrris holdings in the region by Swift Communications / Colorado Mountain News Media.

“In the end, people is probably what the paper is all about… not The People, just people,” wrote Pat Noel in that first issue of the VJ. In the end, that philosophy still guides us in our mission to continue serving the community and its people.

“In the end, people is probably what the paper is all about… not The People, just people.”

Eulogy on the 10th anniversary of the death of a newspaper

By Pat Noel Some of us are beginning to realize that old age is not “just another bump in the road.”

It’s… The Last Bump… and we ain’t gonna get over it.

But you’ve got to admit we’ve been lucky enough to live as long as we have, made the friends we did and loved the lovers who loved us back.

Luckier still are those of us who came of age in a Carbondale that was the kind of song which, to paraphrase the old American Bandstand trope, “had a good beat and you could dance to it.”

These and other random thoughts have been crossing my mind the past few days ever since The Sopris Sun gave me a call on my cell phone as I was loitering in front of the “no loitering” sign at the 7-11 store smoking cigarettes with an old homeless guy who look just like me and absorbing approbation from the young, handsome and healthy as they passed by — 10-feet tall and bulletproof on their carbon-fiber bikes.

(Note to myself: was that sentence too long?

Did it make any sense at all? Whatever. Let’s press on.)

“It’s been 10 years since The Valley Journal died and we’d like to acknowledge the anniversary of its passing,” said the voice on my cell phone. “Maybe you could talk about the effect the paper had on Carbondale.”

“Why did he call you,” a reader might ask.

Well, once upon a long, long time ago in a galaxy far, far away, my then-girlfriend Becky Young and I drove into town on a Monday, said to ourselves, “Hey, let’s do a newspaper,” and it came out the following Thursday.

In Carbondale back then, you could get away with magical thinking. And we did. And it was fun — sometimes.

Hence the phone call and the assignment from the VJ’s sassy successor, whose editor is literally a son of The Valley Journal.

So, here it goes.

Officially known by the Colorado Press Association and the United States Postal Service under the rather cumbersome title of the Roaring Fork Review & Valley Journal, it was born in April of 1974 and chronicled the life and times of those who lived here. SImple as that. It did it for 34 years until its demise in December of 2008.

For those of you who live in Carbondale

during the papers heyday in the 1970s, ‘80s and ‘90s, well you were here, you remember and there’s not much I can tell you about it that you don’t already know. For those who missed it, you could look through the papers bound volumes sleeping in a storage room at the Carbondale Library. Its fading photos and typographically challenge text will take you to: • Ben Gianinetti’s kitchen where the old potato farmer talks about the time he let his entire crop rot rather than sell it on a market paying five centers per hundred pounds.

• Or beekeeper Joe Corthell’s honey house where he’d tell you the story about the gypsy baby’s grave.

• Or Marian Jacob’s living room where she kept the amazing collection of arrowheads that she’d found around here over the course of 80 years looking, looking, looking.

• Or Louise Borich’s check-out counter at the old Circle Super grocery store, where she’d remind you that Carbondale, despite its fancy ways, was built on coal and that her sons and husbands all worked in the mine and she worried about them every minute of her life.

• Or meet the old Basque cowboy Pancho Madrid who ran out of cows, and luck, at about the same time.

And on and on. But I digress.

My assignment was to talk about the influence which the Valley Journal had on the development of Carbondale. That’s easy: it had no influence whatsoever. Rather the opposite.

Carbondale, the people who lived here, were the agents who made the newspaper what it was, whatever that was.

But I believe that, at its best, the paper helped bind together what was then a very disparate bunch of people and helped, a little bit, in the formation of a real community by providing the words and pictures that showed what common ground looks like. Not that we had those intentions when Beck and I started the paper; it just kind of turned out that way — a noble hitand-run accident in which we merrily drove the getaway vehicle.

On that note, let me say on behalf of all the editors, writers, photographers and columnists who worked at the Valley Journal over all those years, “Thank you, Carbondale.”

It was a helluva ride.

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When your appliances fail, don’t chase your tail - Call Twin Labs 14 • THE SOPRIS SUN • www.SoprisSun.com • DECEMBER 27, 2018 - JANUARY 3, 2019

Parting Shots

In remembrance The Pocket Man was spotted at the Waldorf School on the Roaring Fork during Winterfaire daring curious kids to pick his pockets.

Carbondale area residents said final goodbyes to loved ones and friends in 2018, among them: Sue Bacon

The end of this rainbow landed in a grassy pasture the morning of Sept. 6.

Amy Barr Raymond Bourg Jr. James “Jim” Calaway

It doesn’t look as if Sue Drinker and Jeff Dickinson were ready to “giddyup” right after the big “Thrill the World” performance.

Teddy Cantrell Wallace “Wally” de Beque, III Edward Feld, Jr. Jack Gabow

Photos by Jane Bachrach

Patrick Groom Fred Haberlein Russell Hedman Peter Kerr Nellie LaJoy John Lawyer Christina Loerstcher Louisa Lovett Margaret “Peggy” Malloy Hester Miner Sandra McMullen Charles Newell Jack Nilsson Oliver Nimmo Michael Pacheco Anna Peleaz Jack Real Cynthia Seamons Phyllis “Ilgen” Smith Walt Smith Ethan Turner Wayne Vagneur James “Bret” Varra Dan Vories

Unclassifieds

Anita Witt Robert Zanko

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.*

GET THE WORD OUT IN UNCLASSIFIEDS! Rates start at $15. Email unclassifieds@soprissun.com.

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The Sopris Sun, Carbondale’s weekly community connector • DECEMBER 27, 2018 - JANUARY 3, 2019 • 15

16 • THE SOPRIS SUN • www.SoprisSun.com • DECEMBER 27, 2018 - JANUARY 3, 2019