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Volume 8, Number 1 | February 11, 2016

Trustee distressed over deer incident By John Colson Sopris Sun Staff Writer

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Carbondale trustee, distressed by the recent handling of a dead deer along Highway 133 near the new Ross Montessori School, is calling for the town and the state to get together on how such situations will be handled in the future. One outcome of the discussion may be a speedlimit reduction along the stretch of highway between the new school and Roaring Fork High School, which is located at the southern end of Carbondale. Another outcome could be the designation of the stretch of road near the Montessori school as a “wildlife crossing zone,” in recognition of the fact that deer hang out during the winter months in the River Valley Ranch (RVR) subdivision and in the small patches of trees along the highway between Ross Montessori and the northern portion of RVR. These deer frequently stray onto or across Highway 133 and occasionally are hit by passing cars, which at that point typically are traveling at or above the posted 40 miles-per-hour speed limit. The dead deer in this instance, which was hit around at 7 or 7:30 p.m. the night of Feb. 4 by a vehicle about 200 yards south of the Montessori School’s entrance, was left there until the next day, Feb. 5, according to Trustee Frosty Merriott, who said on Monday that he was planning to raise the matter at this week’s Board of Trustees meeting to see if it could have been handled differently. (Editor’s note: The trustees now meet on Wednesday, after The Sopris Sun has gone to press). Merriott, who lives in RVR, wrote in an e-mail made available to The Sopris Sun, that he was driving home on the evening of Feb. 4 when he saw a Carbondale police cruiser parked by the side of the highway with its emergency lights on. Merriott said he saw police officer Michael Zimmerman standing by a downed deer, which was alive but unable to rise due to its injuries.

Jason Thraen, a Carbondale Recreation Department coordinator, does a victory lap after the department and Aloha Mt. Cyclery teamed up to win top prize for their float at the First Fat Friday Mardi Gras parade on Feb. 5. For more Mardi Gras pics, please turn to page 8. Photo by Jane Bachrach

DEER INCIDENT page 9

970.963.5880

G NOTHINS SAY

GREAT A GREAT I Louv!e LIKE BOTTLE OF Yo CHAMPAGNE! CHAMP PAGNE!

On the SE Corner of Hwy 133 and Main Street in Carbondale

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

To citizens of the C’dale fire protection district By Carl Smith If you live from West Bank to Elk Springs, from Missouri Heights to Carbondale, or from Redstone to Marble, I am writing this letter to you. Have you heard an ambulance siren at night and wondered how you could help those citizens in need? Or seen smoke at a distance and wondered if you could play a role in protecting your community? Have you looked at your tax bill and wondered where that money goes? If you, have I am writing this letter to you. On Tuesday, May 3, 2016, there will be an election for two members of the Board of Directors for the Carbondale and Rural Fire Protection District. If you are an eligible elector of the district you can run for the board. So, first you think you don’t know anything about running for office. You can go to the Colorado Department of Local Affairs website and look at Special District Elections. There is a lot of information there. You can get a Self-Nomination form at the site or from the Carbondale fire district’s Designated Election Official, Chief Ron Leach. The fire district’s telephone number is 963-2491. The Self Nomination Form must be submitted to the Designated Election Official by Feb. 26. Worried that you lack knowledge about special districts? The Department of Local Affairs website has a host of information about special districts. Want more information? You can go to the Colorado Special District Association website for additional information. So, you have decided to run and turned in your Self-Nomination Form by Feb. 26, what is next? You will need to become familiar with the fire district and the issues that are being faced in the future. First, you can go to the Carbondale & Rural Fire Protection District website. You can learn much about the fire district there. In addition, minutes to previous fire board meetings are on the site, as well as the district’s 2016 budget. You can also get a copy of the district’s master plan. There is a lot of information available to you. Next, start talking to your friends and neighbors about the fire district. Call or email a district board member about any questions you have. They are publicly elected officials and I am

sure we’re all willing to talk to you. Then you need to get out your name and message. Develop a brochure telling about yourself and your thoughts about local government. You can even put your picture on the brochure. Think about an ad in the newspaper. I spent less than $500 getting my message out. Now is the exciting part. Go out and start talking to the citizens in the fire district. Look for public meetings where you can speak. Go door-to-door to listen and talk. Conversations are great. Get out and meet people. No one home? Leave your brochure. Once elected, you will get to participate in a great American tradition. You will take the Oath of Office. You formally commit to serve the citizens of the fire district to the best of your abilities. Then you become an official member of a great organization in our community. You will meet and work with people that have dedicated themselves to serving their community in difficult and extremely hazardous ways. They are great people and you have the opportunity to be a public elected official of this great team. There is also training for special district board members by Colorado’s Special District Association. They have training meetings for new board members after the election. In addition, there are numerous webinars that you can view about various aspects of Colorado special districts on the Website. Finally, there is an annual conference for Colorado’s special district board members. So what do you do as a Carbondale fire board member? The board meets once a month for one to four hours. There are an agenda and background documentation that you will receive a few days prior to the meeting. You will discuss the issues with other board members and district staff. You then will cast your vote on agenda items that require a vote. You will participate in local government issues in a formal process that is part of our country’s history. You will be a part of the future of the Carbondale & Rural Fire Protection District. It is not easy, but serving your community is well worth the effort. Thank you.

OPINION

You will meet and work with people that have dedicated themselves to serving their community in difficult and extremely hazardous ways.

Carl Smith is a resident of the Carbondale & Rural Fire Protection District.

Only a revolution will change housing situation By Nancy Thal Nothing but a cultural revolution is going to change how life is in the Roaring Fork Valley regarding affordable housing. I attended the housing forum in Carbondale on Feb. 3, and I am sorry I did not speak out. I have much to say. I have been working, along with others, on developing a co-housing community in or around Carbondale. I personally have been committed to this work for many years. Co-housing is an intentional community of private homes clustered around shared space and a common house. The people partner with a developer and help to build and manage their own neighborhood. Many social and business gatherings must happen to determine who and what the core values are of the group developing. We have started that process and are well on our way. Much co-housing (see www.cohousing.org or www.ic.org ) is high end or market value homes. We want to see this turn around to be smaller sized and affordable dwellings. We want to keep our young and old in our midst. Conscious community built without greed, and sustainably with small footprint/small living spaces is one way to do this. With the advantage of a common house, grounds and friendly neighbors, the small living can seem large. This is a piece of the revolutionary thinking. The housing forum assured me that there is a mindset that is

willing to look at this. Now it is time to act on it. We propose to have shared living with suites around a common kitchen and living room that people could purchase or rent. That will be revolutionary. Single family, duplexes, triplexes, studios, all would be deed-restricted and only a few market value homes. Revolutionary. Mixed incomes, ethnicity, generations living together. Revolutionary. In order for this to happen the government and the people will need to be deeply collaborative. Possible re-zoning, recalibrating density and re-looking at impact fees. Only with a collaborative effort and culturally creative model will we be able to move forward with affordable rental and owned living here in our area. Feel free to get in touch with me at healthyday2u@gmail.com

OPINION

Nancy Thal is a Carbondale resident.

Sincerest thanks to our

Honorary Publishers for their generous, ongoing commitment of support. Jim Calaway Kay Brunnier Bob Ferguson – Jaywalker Lodge Scott Gilbert: Habitat for Humanity - RFV Bob Young – Alpine Bank George Stranahan Peter Gilbert James Surls Umbrella Roofing, Inc.

ank you to our SunScribers and community members for your support! It truly takes a village to keep e Sun shining.

To inform, inspire and build community. Donations accepted online or by mail. For information call 510-3003 Editor: Lynn Burton • 970-510-3003 news@soprissun.com Advertising: 970-379-0214 AdSales@soprissun.com Reporter: John Colson Photographer: Jane Bachrach Graphic Designer: Terri Ritchie CURRENT BOARD MEMBERS board@soprissun.com Barbara Dills, President Debbie Bruell, Secretary Colin Laird • Cliff Colia Diana Alcantara • Matt Adeletti • Olivia Pevec The Sopris Sun Board meets regularly on the third Monday evening of each month at the Third Street Center. Check the calendar for details and occasional date changes.

Honorary Board Members Denise Barkhurst • Sue Gray David L. Johnson • Laura McCormick Jeannie Perry • Trina Ortega • Frank Zlogar Founding Board Members Allyn Harvey • Becky Young • Colin Laird Barbara New • Elizabeth Phillips Peggy DeVilbiss • Russ Criswell

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2 • THE SOPRIS SUN • www.SoprisSun.com • FEbRUARy 11-17. 2016

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CRMS pre-school runs into relocation snag P&Z hearing continued By John Colson Sopris Sun Staff Writer Carbondale’s Planning and Zoning Commission (P&Z) put a temporary hold on a request by the Children’s Rocky Mountain School, a pre-school that has operated for more than a quarter of a century at the Colorado Rocky Mountain School campus east of town, for permits to move the pre-school to a location on Main Street. Rather than make a decision at the P&Z meeting on Feb. 4, the town’s citizen-planners opted to continue the matter over to the next meeting, on March 3. Apparently contributing to the commissioners’ decision were a couple of issues, one being a petition signed by 22 people in businesses on and around Main Street that stated the Main Street site is “not the appropriate location for a pre-school.” The pre-school has a house under contract, at 126 Main St., and is hoping to move its operations from the CRMS campus in time to open up for classes next September. But according to the petition, submitted to the town’s planning department, the signers agreed that “as business and land owners on and around Main Street, we would like to see Main Street add vitality with additional shops, food and beverage outlets, galleries, personal services, etc. to encouraged increased foot traffic” and generate more sales-tax revenue for the town. In addition to the opposition from the business and property owners, town planner John Leybourne has recommended that the application be denied. In his memo to the P&Z, Leybourne wrote that the proposed use of the house, which would be extensively remodeled, “does not meet the purposes of the Historic Commercial Core zone district,” which is the underlying zoning for most of Main Street. Leybourne also concluded that a preschool in that location “may have an adverse impact on the traffic and parking in the neighborhood,” which was one of the arguments used by neighboring business owners against allowing the school to locate there. The school proposes that parents would drop kids off on

Main Street, at the northern end of the proposed school property, between 8:45 and 9:15 a.m., and pick them up again between 2:45 and 3:15 p.m. Staff parking would be in the alleyway at the south end of the site. Leybourne suggested in his memo that the P&Z should recommend against approval of the application “to allow the applicant to explore additional options for drop off and pickup and address other issues.” The site butts up against the eastern wall of the Marble Distilling Company (www.marbledistilling.com), at 150 Main, which manufactures vodka and other alcoholic beverages as well as offering “luxury” accommodations in rooms at the facility. Keith Marlow, one of the distillery’s principals and reportedly a circulator of the petition, spoke at the public hearing before P&Z and noted that his children had attended the CRMS pre-school and called it “a phenomenal facility.” But, he added, putting the pre-school at the Main Street site would create traffic and parking hassles that would not be in the best interests of neighboring businesses. He also noted that, while there has been no official word from state liquor-licensing authorities, he and his partners worry that having a school next door might mean trouble for their business. Some speakers at the hearing, however, disagreed with the pre-school’s critics and doubters. For one thing, according to planning consultant Mark Chain, his research has indicated that state liquor officials would not be concerned about the location of a preschool next to the distilling company, since the pre-school would not operate on weekends or in the late afternoons and evenings, which is when the distillery sees most of its customers. Chain also maintained that, where state liquor authorities are concerned, the pre-school, with students aged three to five years, does not even fall into the state’s definition of a school facility that must be protected from proximity to a liquor establishment. Dave Taylor, owner of Cool Brick Studios on South Third Street, told the commissioners that any such conflicts could be overcome with cooperation. “My experience here in Carbondale is, we can work these things out,” Taylor said.

Naomi Pulver (center) and Carly Rosenthal (left) were two of 40 Western Slope students to take part in the choir for the District 8 Honor Jazz Band concert at Roaring Fork High School on Feb. 6. Other Roaring Fork High School students in the choir included: Portia Brown, Emilyna Johnson, Jesse Campos and Cal Branigan. For more photos, please turn to page 13. Photo by Lynn Burton

And local real estate broker Cindy Sadlowski, speaking for the school, said the school’s officials had looked at numerous properties around town and that the Main Street location is the best they encountered. She pointed out that it is near to such facilities as the Launch Pad and the Carbondale Clay Center, where kids could take art classes, as well as Sopris Park and the Rio Grande Trail, where the kids could go for outings. The school plans on a maximum of 17 students and three teachers. And some of the students are brothers and sisters, so the overall number of cars dropping kids off in the midmornings and picking them up in the mid-afternoons should not present a problem for the neighbors, the school’s supporters said. “We think we’d be an excellent addition to downtown Carbondale,” Sadlowski declared, noting that there have been earlier examples of educational facilities on Main Street, mentioning the Mountain Sage School and the Carbondale Community School specifically. Commissioners expressed concerns about some of the points raised during the meeting, particularly as it concerned parking, traffic and permitting operations that meet the “intent” of the Historic Commercial Core zone district. Those issues, and likely others, will get a further airing at the continued public hearing on March 3.

Phone scams continue in Garfield County Sopris Sun Staff Report “They come in all flavors and in all seasons and you need to be aware of them,” according to a Garfield County Sheriff’s Department press release. “They use auto dialers that sequentially go through a series of phone numbers with an area prefix. Even if you have an unlisted number or a private cell phone they will eventually hit your number. Once you answer the rouse begins. If they have your name via a caller ID or some other means they immediately begin to address you personally.” The press release continues to list several recent scams that have been reported in the area: • The caller poses as a deputy or another law enforcement officer and indicates that a warrant will be issued for your arrest for failure to appear for jury duty, or pay a traffic fine or parking ticket. The deputy then asks for immediate payment to avoid the arrest warrant being issued. • The caller indicates they are an IRS agent. They may even provide a name and badge number (most likely fictitious) as well as a phone number. If you call the phone number, you will be answered by someone claiming to be a part of IRS Criminal Investigations. This all seems plausible until they start asking you to make a payment over the phone or acquire a money card from any of several local venders, and then transferring funds to them via the card numbers. • The caller poses as a representative of your credit card company and tells you that a recent payment was missed. You may wonder, “How will he know which card I have?” You need to understand and consider how many millions of people have a credit card from Citibank, Chase or Wells Fargo — just to name a few. With a simple question or two he can quickly identify which card you might have and then the game is on. What can you do if you suspect a possible fraud or scam? If you receive a call from someone you don’t know claiming to be with the government, law enforcement, the courts, immigration, or your credit card company get a return number from them and a name if you can. Then, don’t call that number. Instead, go to the PHONE SCAMS page 15

THE SOPRIS SUN, Carbondale’s weekly community connector • FEbRUARy 11-17. 2016 • 3

Town Briefs

Cop Shop

Pothole season has started; call town hall

From Jan. 28 to Feb. 4, Carbondale officers handled 268 calls for service. During that period, officers investigated the following cases of note:

Sopris Sun Staff Report

SATURDAy, Jan. 30: At 3:37 a.m. while on patrol around town, officers saw a vehicle allegedly tailgating and speeding. After stopping said vehicle, the officers investigated and arrested the 24-year-old driver on charges of drunk driving. The driver was ticketed and released. SUNDAy, Jan. 31: At 1:33 a.m. police contacted a 23-year-old motorist for allegedly driving without switching on his headlights. After investigating they arrested the driver on a charge of driving under the influence of alcohol or marijuana. MONDAy, Feb. 1: Officers took a report of a dog biting a person on Village Road. WEDNESDAy, Feb. 3: Officers responded to a reported incident on Main Street, in which a man reported being bitten twice by a dog. Police subsequently issued a ticket to a Carbondale resident for keeping a vicious or dangerous dog. WEDNESDAy, Feb. 3: Police investigated a hit-and-run accident across from the Village Smithy restaurant on South 3rd Street. The victim’s vehicle was parked in a handicapped parking space on South 3rd Street. SATURDAy, Feb. 6: At 1:58 a.m. Garfield County deputies conducted a traffic stop on Highway 82 near Carbondale after observing the vehicle weaving from lane to lane. After investigating, they arrested the driver on charges of driving under the influence, criminal impersonation, failure to provide proof of insurance and other charges.

Town officials last week were anticipating the arrival of spring-like temperatures and both the benefits and the problems that will create. “With the temperatures warming next week we will be challenged with the melt-down and storm drain issues,” wrote town finance officer Renae Gustine, who on Feb. 5 took a turn writing the weekly town memo usually penned by Town Manager Jay Harrington. “Warmer daytime temperatures signal the start of the freeze/thaw cycle and pothole season,” Gustine wrote, urging town trustees and employees to “let public works know where your favorite pothole is so we can repair it.” For now, she reported, the utilities staff is working with the public works staff “as needed” on snow removal, hauling ice and other snow-related issues. Gustine also reported that the town’s water and wastewater plants are “fully operational” and that the town continues to work with its contract engineering firm, SGM of Glenwood Springs, on plans for various upgrades and improvements, including formulation of a Utilities Master Plan. Signs have arrived for the town’s “source-water protection plan,” Gustine wrote, and the signs “will be posted at strategic locations” to emphasize the town’s determination to protect area water drainages from pollution and to encourage citizens to help out in the effort. The planning and zoning commission (P&Z) will hold a public hearing at 7 p.m. on Feb. 18, to hear public comment on the proposed Unified Development Code. Representatives of Clarion Associates, the planning consultant that has been working on the UDC, will be on hand to answer questions, and town have been encouraged to attend as well. The draft UDC trustees

is available for public inspection on the town’s dedicated UDC website, www.carbondaleudc.com. Among the provisions that have recently been reviewed by town staff is a review by the Parks and Recreation Commission of a section dealing with the dedication of public open space in development projects, as well as the establishment of “private open space,” according to Gustine. In addition, Gustine wrote, the parks commission suggested that the town think about hiring a consulting firm to help in possible revisions to the “park development fees” presently charged to developers. The commission also reviewed a proposed sign for town parks listing regulations on what are prohibited activities in the town’s parks. Garfield County has received a grant for “public outreach and technical assistance to identify pedestrian and bicycle improvements in each of the county communities, including Carbondale,” Gustine wrote. As a consequence, town staff will work with the Parks & Recreation Commission and the Bike, Pedestrian & Trails Commission to write up a list of priorities regarding the top 10 needed trails projects here. And, Gustine continued, on March 16 there is to be a public “walking tour” from 2-4 p.m. of the projects that are “outlined as priorities,” followed by a pedestrian and bicycle economic development partnership meeting from 4 to 6 p.m. The Recreation Department also announced its “Be My Workout Buddy” program for the balance of February, under which participants take part in a series of fitness challenges with a chance to win three personal “buddy training sessions” and a $20 certificate to The Beat on Main Street. Those interested should go to the Recreation Center website, or call Margaret at 510-1280 for more information. Donnelly

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4 • THE SOPRIS SUN • www.SoprisSun.com • FEbRUARy 11-17. 2016

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Scuttlebutt

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Chamber honors Umbrella, TDC Carbondale Chamber of Commerce members recently named Umbrella Roofing as their For-Profit Business of the Year, and the Thompson Divide Coalition as its Non-Profit of the year. Now in its 10th year of serving the Roaring Fork and Vail valleys, five years ago, Umbrella Roofing started its 1% Close to Home program, in which the company donates 1 percent of its total revenues to local charities and others in need. To date the program has delivered more than $200,000. “If the building was burning down, the first thing I would grab would be the large board with all of the thank you notes attached to it,” said owner Trevor Cannon. “It has had a powerful effect on our company’s spirit and desire to work as a team for the greater good. We would like to thank the Carbondale Chamber of Commerce and all of its members for the honor of receiving the Business of the Year award. Umbrella Roofing would not be the same company without Carbondale as a part of our DNA.”

Closed for Presidents Day Carbondale Town Hall and other local, state and federal offices will be closed for President’s Day on Monday, Feb. 15.

tual drumming, crystal bowls, words of love and more. For more information, call Tammy Perry at 379-5124.

Colori’s grand opening Colori, an artists collective and studios, holds its grand opening from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Feb. 10-14. Colori is located at 132 Midland Ave., Basalt.

TAbOR comments due soon Amendment One (1992) to the Colorado Constitution requires a notice of the election to be mailed to all registered voters with certain information about the election and financial implications of the ballot questions (TABOR notice), according to a Town of Carbondale notice. Part of the TABOR notice to be sent to electors must include summaries of written comments, up to 500 words each, one for and one against proposals such as Carbondale’s Climate Action Excise Tax, filed with the election officer by 45 days before the election. Written comments can be sent to Carbondale Town Hall, 511 Colorado Ave., Carbondale, CO 81623. The deadline is Feb. 19 at 5 p.m. Comments must include a signature and address where the resident is registered to vote.

Climate change meeting

Here they come The Denver Post announced this week its 2016 Ride the Rockies tour will start in Carbondale on June 11 and conclude in Fort Collins on June 17. More than 2,000 cyclists are expected to take part.

Celebration of life

The Carbondale chapter of the Citizens Climate Lobby will meet at the Third Street Center at 6 p.m. on Feb. 16.

Habitat for Humanity deadline The deadline for families to apply for Habitat for Humanity housing in Carbondale and Silt is Feb. 15. For details, go to habitatroaringfork.org, e-mail habitat.amyf@gmail.com or call 948-7207.

There will be a celebration of Donna McGinnis’s life at the Third Street Center from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Feb. 13. The gathering begins at 11 a.m., followed by celebration at noon, Mountain Fair news The deadline to apply for a Carbondale Mountain Fair then lunch and connecting with others at from 1 to 3 p.m. Lunch will be provided (bring your own place settings); arts/crafts booth is Feb. 26, and the food booths April 1. For items are welcome. The celebration will include spiri details, go to carabondalearts.com. dessert

Even better than the first sighting of robins in spring, there have been at least two sightings of Girl Scout cookie sales. The first sighting was the First Fat Friday parade on Friday, followed by a bowl of tasty Thin Mints that someone set out in the Third Street Center break room on Monday morning. For more on where to snag your very own Girl Scout cookies, keep an eye on City Market in Carbondale and El Jebel, or go to girlscoutsofcolorado.org. Photo by Jane Bachrach

They say it’s your birthday

Folks celebrating their birthday this week include: Linda Criswell, Georgia Chamberlain, Anne Goldberg and The Sopris Sun (Feb. 11); Sam. Hayes (Feb. 12) and Wendy Moore (Feb. 18).

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6 • THE SOPRIS SUN • www.SoprisSun.com • FEbRUARy 11-17. 2016

P&Z recommends OK for City Market By John Colson Sopris Sun Staff Writer Carbondale’s Planning and Zoning Commission (P&Z) last week recommended that the Board of Trustees (BOT) approve a subdivision proposal to build a new City Market grocery store and other commercial spaces on a parcel of land at the western edge of town adjacent to the Colorado Rocky Mountain School (CRMS) property. The proposed stores would be built on land previously considered for two larger developments, known as the Crystal River Market Place and the Village at Crystal River, which as proposed would have involved construction of considerably more retail and some residential development. Both those previous plans were rejected by local voters in two separate elections, both of which followed periods of intense community controversy about the plans. The present recommendation for approval came after the second of two hearings on the proposal, on Feb. 4, at which members of the P&Z and representatives of the City Market chain (owned by the Kroger/King Soopers grocery conglomerate) agreed to a number of changes in the original proposal. The project, known as the Carbondale Marketplace, would result in construction of a 59,000 square-foot City Market store (to replace an older, smaller store located less than a mile away from the project site); 9,000 square feet of connected reroughly

tail spaces, and a separate facility housing a gas station kiosk and pumps, for a total of more than 68,000 square feet of buildings on slightly less than eight acres of ground located northwest of the intersection of Main Street and Highway 133. Left undeveloped would be two adjacent parcels, known as Lots 1 and 5, that also are part of the 23-acre development site originally proposed for the two larger projects. The current proposal involves a subdivision of the eight-acre parcel (lots 2, 3 and 4, which comprise the center of the 23-acre property) from the portion of the property that will not be developed now. Among the conditions recommended by the P&Z is a requirement that a rightof-way be established across lots 2, 3 and 4 so that, if lots 1 and 5 are developed as commercial establishments, shoppers are not forced to go out onto Highway 133 to get from one end of the retail complex to the other. The right-of-way conditions also are intended to make it possible for patrons at businesses in any ultimate development of Lot 1 (the portion of the overall property that is closest to Main Street) to get to a planned roundabout at Industry Way and Highway 133, adjacent to Lot 5. There are two access routes from Highway 133 into the proposed City Market project site, one at Nieslanik Avenue on the northern end of the site, the other at a new intersection adjacent to the gas station site. CITY MARKET page 15

Most football pundits didn’t give the Denver Broncos a prayer in last Sunday’s Super Bowl. Then again, they didn’t understand the “faith� of Denver Bronco fans, or the congregation of the Lutheran Church on Highway 133. Photo by Lynn Burton

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Chocolate and Cherries... So Decadent

THE SOPRIS SUN, Carbondale’s weekly community connector • FEbRUARy 11-17. 2016 • 7

Fat fun

Photos by Jane Bachrach and Lynn Burton

8 • THE SOPRIS SUN • www.SoprisSun.com • FEbRUARy 11-17. 2016

Rumor has it, a new tradition has entered into Mardi Gras parade protocol thanks to Carbondale. It’s called the “designated scowler,” (upper left) who makes fierce faces throughout the parade to scare off evil spirits and unwanted “jive-talkers.” The first such reported scowler was spotted at last week’s First Fat Friday parade in downtown Carbondale. Despite cold temperatures and a sun that went into hiding, revelers did their bit to ensure Carbondale can boast about being one of the country’s first Mardi Gras parades. The float lineup included: The Town of Carbondale Recreation Center/Aloha Mt. Cyclery, Rhumba Girl Liquors, Marble Distilling Co & The Distillery Inn, and Sopris Liquor & Wine.

Deer incident om page 1 Merriott, who approached the officer, wrote that Zimmerman apparently was preparing to put the animal out of its misery with his police fire-arm, a .40 cal., semi-automatic weapon. “I know John Groves (state wildlife officer for the Crystal River Valley) carries a small caliber for this reason, and I am wondering if at least a couple of our (police) vehicles should do the same,” Merriott wrote. “Less noisy, less messy, less traumatic to the animal, whose fresh meat can be used to feed the homeless.” Explaining that he felt not using the deer meat would be wasteful, Merriott remarked, “We’ve all heard that the meat can be claimed, and given to a shelter” or otherwise used. But Police Chief Gene Schilling, who confirmed that Zimmerman killed the deer and that the motorist who hit the animal called it in that night, said his understanding is that the use of a smaller-caliber pistol would not have necessarily meant the deer meat could be harvested and used as food. “If we had a .22, versus a .40, if they shoot ’em in the head, it would make no difference,” Schilling said — the meat would be unusable either way. Schilling said the department’s protocol for handling such situations is to call the public works department to pick up the carcass as soon as possible. “It was handled normally, the way we handle these things,” Schilling said. Public Works Director Larry Ballenger confirmed on Tuesday that a town employee picked up the carcass early on Feb. 5 and took it to a Dumpster. Merriott, however, was not happy with the outcome, particularly that the deer carcass had not been removed earlier, which definitely meant the meat could not be used. “So how do we make sure the meat can at least be used in the future?” Merriott asked in his e-mail. “Also, I wonder how the Montessori children walking to school felt seeing the blood and carnage. I wonder why the area is still posted 40 miles per hour in a school zone?”

He said he plans to raise the issue with the other trustees to see if there is any way the town can coordinate with Colorado Parks and Wildlife, perhaps by having a copy at the Carbondale Police Department listing the names of local hunters willing to collect elk and deer carcasses hit by vehicles. At Ross Montessori, Randall Lavelle, the school’s communications director, said she had not been aware of the “carnage” Merriott referred to, and that she believed none of the school children had seen the carcass, either. “And that’s something that would have traveled through the school quickly,” she said of a story concerning a dead deer nearby. Lavelle said the school has no particular concerns about being so close to the highway, other than wondering, as did Merriott, why the speed limit in front of the school has not been dropped from 40 m.p.h., to the more typical school-zone speed of 15-20 m.p.h. Another school employee, Lavelle said, has been monitoring state progress on the speed-limit issue, but that person was away from the school and could not be reached for comment on Tuesday. Merriott, in an e-mail exchange with Schilling that was sent to The Sun, suggested that the stretch of highway adjacent to Ross Montessori could be designated as a school zone between, say, 7 to 9 a.m. and 3 to 5 p.m. as a school safety measure, and be designated simply as a wildlife crossing zone “the rest of the time.” Colorado Department of Transportation spokeswoman Tracy Trulove said on Tuesday that the issue has been raised at CDOT, and is being studied. She said the agency is looking into different concepts, including making a school zone out of the entire stretch of highway from Hendrick Drive to the Roaring Fork High School road, with a speed limit of 20 m.p.h., or so. Merriott has written to State Rep. Bob Rankin, who represents this area in the Denver Statehouse, asking him to see what the delay is at CDOT regarding the school-zone question, which has been under consideration for a year or more.

Obituary Paul H. Vandre 1955-2016 Paul H. Vandre, 60, passed away on Feb. 1, 2016, in Grand Junction, Colorado. Paul was born in Rochelle, Illinois, on April 15, 1955, to Edna (McCaslin) Vandre and Herb Vandre. He graduated from Southern Illinois University in 1977 with a bachelor’s degree in history and political science. Following his graduation, he moved to Colorado. Paul was the familiar face behind the camera in the Glenwood Springs community for three decades. He operated the local public access cable TV station and broadcast many local government meetings as well as school and community events throughout the Roaring Fork Valley. Paul’s favorite things were watching his two favorite football teams, the Denver Broncos and the Chicago Bears, and walking his loyal dog Digger. Paul always had a big smile and kind words for all he met. Paul is survived by his longtime partner, Blair Lowery, Silt, Colorado; his siblings, Ruth Bunger, Rochelle, Illinois, Dean Vandre, Mendota, Illinois, Mark Vandre, Fort Worth, Texas, and Gary Vandre, Mahomet, Illinois; and numerous nieces and nephews. A memorial service will be held at St. Barnabas Episcopal Church in Glenwood Springs, Colorado, on Feb. 13, at 2 p.m. Memorial donations in Paul’s honor can be made to Colorado Animal Rescue, 2801 County Rd 114, Glenwood Springs, CO 81601.

Celebration of Donna McGinnis’s Life

DON’T MISS OUT!

February 12, 1954 – January 10, 2016

BOOK YOUR AD SPACE NOW

Date: Saturday, February 13 Time: 11:00am to 3:00pm Location: Calaway Room, Third Street Center Address: 520 S. Third Street, Carbondale, 81623 11am – Gathering Begins 12pm – Celebration 1–3pm – Lunch and Connecting with Others Celebration: Spiritual Drumming, Crystal Bowls, Words of Love by those attending, and more. Dessert: Dessert items are welcome. Lunch will be provided, bring your own place settings.

for the GREEN IS THE NEW BLACK Fashion Show Program The program will be inserted in the March 10 issue of The Sopris Sun, and will be given to all event attendees March 11-12. Ad sizes available include: 1/2 page, 1/4 page and 1/8 page.

DEADLINE IS NOON FEBRUARY 18.

Flowers: Can be sent to the Third Street Center the day of the Celebration. If you would like to help with the Celebration or have questions please contact Tammy Perry, 970-379-5124.

CONTACT: AdSales@soprissun.com or 970-379-0214

THE SOPRIS SUN, Carbondale’s weekly community connector • FEbRUARy 11-17. 2016 • 9

Community Calendar

To list your event, email information to news@soprissun.com. Deadline is noon on Monday. Events take place in Carbondale unless noted. For up-to-the-minute valley-wide event listings, check out the Community Calendar online at soprissun.com. View events online at soprissun.com/calendar.

THURSDAY Feb. 11

OPENINGS • The Art Base opens Ada Christensen’s show “Colorscapes” at its Charles J. Wyly Gallery at from 5 to 7 p.m., and “Out of Sight Insight” by photographers Judy Hill Lovins and Amory B. Lovins at the Art Base Annex at the same time. Info: theartbase.org.

LIVE MUSIC • The Ottawa Valley-based April Verch Trio plays the Glenwood Vaudeville Theatre in downtown Glenwood Springs at 7 p.m. Verch performs Ottawa Valley (Canada) roots music, with fiddling, singing and step dancing (sometimes all at once). The show is presented by Blue Heron Productions. Info: gvrshow.com and 945-9699. CLASSICAL MUSIC • Violinist Sarah Chang gives a recital at Harris Concert Hall at 6:30 p.m. in Aspen (960. N. Third St.). The program will focus on Romantic works that include Bartók, Brahms, Franck and Ravel. Ticket information: 925-9042 and aspenmusicfestival.com. ROTARy • The Mt. Sopris Rotary meets at Mi Casita at noon every Thursday.

FRIDAY Feb. 12 MOVIES • The Crystal Theatre presents “Carol” (R) at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 12-18; “Spotlight” (R) at 4:45 p.m. Feb. 12; “The Big Short” (R) at 4:45 p.m. Feb. 13 and “Room” (R) at 5 p.m. on Feb. 14. LIVE MUSIC • Steve’s Guitars in the old part of the Dinkel Building presents live music every Friday night. Info: 963-3304. POETRy SLAM • Aspen Words presents its third annual Youth Poetry Slam starting at 6:30 p.m. at the Third Street Center. It’s hosted by Myrlin “Myrlindo” Hepworth, Mercedez Holtry and Logan “Dirty Verbs” Phillips. Admission is free. Judges will be chosen from the audience. Info: 925-3122.

LIVE MUSIC • Rivers restaurant in Glenwood Springs presents the Steve Skinner Band at 9 p.m. (No cover). The rest of the month is Whiskey Stomp (Feb. 18) and Valle Musico (Feb. 25).

SATURDAY Feb. 13

RFHS HOOPS • The Roaring Fork High School basketballers travel to Olathe (5 p.m. girls, 6:30 p.m. boys). Remaining regular season games are: Moffat County at RFHS on Feb. 13 (2:30 p.m. girls, 4 p.m. boys); RFHS at Coal Ridge on Feb. 16 (5:30 p.m. girls, 7 p.m boys); RFHS at Gunnison on Feb. 19 (5:30 p.m. girls, 7 p.m. boys).

FAMILy HOEDOWN • The Aspen and Carbondale Community Schools present their third annual Family Hoedown in heated indoor arena at Cozy Point Ranch (near the Snowmass Village turnoff on Highway 82). There’ll be mechanical bull riding, music from the Hell Roaring String Band, pony rides, Tumble Bubbles (aka “Zorb balls”), dinner from Smoke Modern Barbeque, drinks and more. It goes from 3 to 7 p.m. Tickets are $25 for adults and $12 for kids 3 to 12. The price includes all activities except pony rides. Info: familyhoedown.org.

RECyCLED PERCUSSION • The Wheeler Opera House presents the high-energy “junk-rock” band Recycled Percusion at 6:30 p.m. This four-person band uses buckets, power tools and their own onstage environment to create a unique sound. Tickets are $55 for adults and $35 for children 12 and under, and are on saleat the Wheeler Box Office (920-5770) and aspenshowtix.com.

REDSTONE • Redstone’s WinterFest 2016 includes bike and snowshoe races, kids crafts and movies, the 10th annual dog parade and doggie games, beer tasting and music, a bonfire and more. WinterFest is is presented by: Aloha Mountain Cyclery, Bighorn Toyota, Alpine Bank, the Redstone Inn, the Redstone Castle and the Redstone Community Association. Info: redstonecolorado.com.

Faith Lutheran Church invites you to join us for… Worship Sunday, Feb. 14 at 9 a.m. – Traditional Wednesday, Feb. 17 at 7 p.m. – Contemporary Service Sunday, Feb. 21 at 9 a.m. – Traditional Wednesday, Feb. 24 at 7 p.m. – Contemporary Service Sunday, Feb. 28 at 9 a.m. – Traditional

Events Saturday, Feb. 20, 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. – Community Meal Saturday, Feb. 27, 6:30-7:30 p.m. – Family Movie Night: Inside Out

͞EŽǁ ĨĂŝƚŚ ŝƐ ƚŚĞ ĂƐƐƵƌĂŶĐĞ ƚŚŝŶŐƐ ŚŽƉĞĚ ĨŽƌ͕ ƚŚĞ ĐŽŶǀŝĐƟŽŶ ŽĨ things not seen.” – Hebrews 11:1

P: 970-510-5046

1340 Highway 133, Carbondale, CO 81623

10 • THE SOPRIS SUN • www.SoprisSun.com • FEbRUARy 11-17. 2016

LIbRARy • The Carbondale Branch Library hosts a “wine and junk food pairing and tasting” at 5 p.m. Rhumba Girl and Mary’s Main Street Spirits will be represesented. Admission is free but participants must be 21 or older. Info: 963-2889 or gcpld.org. bOOKS • Pulitzer Prize winning novelist Adam Johnson continues the Winter Words series at Paepcke Auditorium in Aspen, starting at 6 p.m. Johnson recently won the National Book Award for his story collection “Fortune Smiles.” The National Book Awards’ jury called him “one of the most talented writers of his generation” and praised “Fortune Smiles” for the “surprising, wondrous, comic and devastating” voices of the characters found in each of the six stories. Johnson’s Winter Words talk is the third event in a five-part series hosted by Aspen Words and the Aspen Institute. The final two events will feature Geraldine Brooks and Tony Horwitz on March 15, and Sandra Cisneros on April 5. Info: aspenwords.org. SATURDAy MARKET • Eagle Crest Nursery hosts an indoor Saturday farmer’s market from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. through March 13. Items include local produce, eggs, fish, meats, bread, pastries, spices, jewelry, arts, apparel and more. Info: 963-1173.

SUNDAY Feb. 14 MINGLING OPPORTUNITy • The Wheeler Opera House in Aspen invites all singles to a party starting at 5:30 p.m. There’ll be drinks, prizes and the film CALENDAR page 11

Community Calendar “Valentine’s Day.” Tickets are $10 in advance and $15 at the door, and include a complimentary well drink. Info: 920-5770 and aspenshowtix.com. VISION bOARDING • Kelly Grace Field presents “Valentine’s Day Vision Board with Collage” from 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. at the Third Street Center (room 31). “We’ll invoke the power of symbols, words and chakra energies,” Field said. “Everyone is an artist when we open to allowing creativity from the infinite realm.” The suggested love offering is $20 to $40. ASC • A Spiritual Center in the Third Street Center meets at 10 a.m. sharp (social time starts at 9:45 a.m.). Info: 963-5516. TRUU • Two Rivers Unitarian Universalist meets at the Third Street Center at 10 a.m. Info: tworiversuu.org.

MON.-FRI. Feb. 15-26 MEMbERSHIP DRIVE • KDNK holds its bi-annual membership drive through Feb. 26. Early bird prizes for folks who join or renew early include: dinner for two at Juicy Lucy’s along with passes to Iron Mountain Hot Springs. Sustainable members have a chance to win a $150 grill pack from Sus-

continued from page 10

Further Out

tainable Settings. Info: kdnk.org.

TUESDAY Feb. 16 FILM • The Aspen Historical Society continues its winter film series at the Isis Theatre with films from the 1960s: “Ski with Buick,” “Aspen Winter Mood” and “It Happens in Aspen.” Showtime is 5:30 p.m. and tickets are $10. The next Tuesday, same time and place, it’s movies from the 1970s: “Dogs of Aspen,” “Snowmass in 1967,” “Grand Opening of Snowmass” and “Highlands Fling.”

WEDNESDAY Feb. 17 NATURALIST NIGHTS • The Wilderness Workshop/ACES Naturalist Nights free speaker series continues at the Third Street Center with “Do Spruce Beetles Make Forest Fires More Severe? Field Evidence from the San Juan Mountains.” The speaker will be Robbie Andrus, from the biogeography lab at the University of Colorado-Boulder. The program will be repeated at ACES in Aspen at 7 p.m. on Feb. 18. ROTARy • The Rotary Club of Carbondale meets at the Carbondale fire station on Meadowood Drive Wednesday mornings at 6:45 a.m. Info: rccarlson@gmail.com.

THURSDAY Feb. 18

SNOW TOUR • Today is the deadline for the Roaring Fork Conservancy’s “Snow to Flow” snowpack tour on McClure Pass, which takes place from 9 a.m. to noon on Feb. 20. Stops include a SNOTEL monitoring site. The costs is $30 per person and $20 for RFC members. Info: roaringfork.org/events. UDC HEARING • The Town of Carbondale holds a public hearing for its draft UDC (unified development code) at town hall, starting at 7 p.m. Info: carbondaleudc.com.

FRI.-SAT. Feb. 19-20 THEATRE • The Sopris Theatre Company at the CMC Spring Valley campus presents “Anton in Show Business” at 7 p.m. on Friday and Saturday; 7 p.m. on Feb. 25-26; and 2 p.m. on Feb. 21 and 28. “Anton in Show Business” is a play-within-a-play, which pokes fun at theatrical life when a Texas drama com-

LIVE MUSIC • Lyn Byars hosts open mic nights at Carbondale Beer Works the first and third Monday of each month. Sign up begins at 7 p.m. Info: 948-8228. ART • The “Best of the West” group show at the Ann Korologos Gallery in downtown Basalt continues through Feb. 16. Info: 927-9668 and korologosgallery.com.

GITNb • The eighth annual Green is the New Black fashion extravaganza takes over the Carbodale Recreaction Center. Doors open at 7 p.m. and the show starts at 8 p.m. Tickets are $35 for CCAH members and $40 for non-members, but go up after Feb. 26. Info: carbondalearts.com.

VVAS • The 36th annual Valley Visual Art Show continues at the Launchpad and Bonfire Coffee through Feb. 20. The show features

Garfield County Humanitarian Service Awards

SATURDAY Feb. 20 COMMUNITy MEAL • Faith Lutheran Church (south of Main Street on Highway 133) hosts a free communiy meal from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. The meals are offered the third Saturday of the month. Info: 510-5046 or faithcarbondale.com. CARE bENEFIT • Doggone Clean in the Sopris Shopping Center on Highway 133 hosts a CARE benefit and adopt-a-thon. Bring in your pet for a self-serve bath from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., then check out CARE’s adoptable pets from noon to 2 p.m. Doggone Clean will donate half the day’s proceeds to CARE. There’ll also be door prizes. Info: doggonecleanllc.com and coloradoanimalrescue.org.

Ongoing

Save the Date

FRI.-SAT. March 11-12

pany attempts to produce Chekov’s “The Three Sisters.” Tickets are $18 for adults, $13 for seniors and students, and are available at svticketsales@coloradomtn.edu.

more than 70 local artists. Info: 963-1680 and carbaondalearts.com. CCC • The Carbondale Clay Center presents 19 years of work from the non-profit’s visiting artists, teachers and students in the show “Our Collection.” Info: 963-2529 and info@carbondaleclay.org. LIbRARy • The Carbondale Regional Library hosts the Harry Potter Fan Club (kids 7-11) on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4 to 5 p.m. Feel free to bring a snack.

CALL for NOMINATIONS Honoring those who give their time and efforts to residents of Garfield County

Nominations due Friday, March 4

Please submit a nomination form and 3-6 letters of support that convey your nominee’s dedication to humanitarian efforts.

Nomination form and rules available online:

www.garfield-county.com or call (970) 309-4658

Wine and Junk Food A FREE PAIRING & TASTING EVENT

Saturday, February 13 5 pm Carbondale Branch Library

for forms by mail and information. THIS COMMUNITY AD SPACE DONATED BY COOL BRICK STUDIOS.

THE SOPRIS SUN, Carbondale’s weekly community connector • FEbRUARy 11-17. 2016 • 11

Ascendigo putting Carbondale on the map Helping kids on autism spectrum By Nicolette Toussaint Sopris Sun Contributor Last fall, signs saying “Ascendigo” replaced those saying “Extreme Sports Camp” in Carbondale’s Third Street Center. The name change reflected the coming of age of a local non-profit. By serving dozens of clients from the Front Range and across the United States, Ascendigo has begun to put Carbondale on the map of places making a difference for individuals on the autism spectrum. Currently, Ascendigo occupies two Third Street suites, employs 20 people, engages a host of volunteers and has even pioneered a residential care facility here in Carbondale. For kids, Ascendigo provides summer outdoor experiences and partners with the Aspen Skiing Company to offer winter ski and snowboard lessons. It also offers vocational support and retreats for “high-functioning” autistic adults. “Ascendigo is a living lab for trying out all these things and then exporting them,” explains Hugh Zuker, who was hired as the non-profit’s executive director last fall. Zuker says that Ascendigo is “putting best practices online in collaboration with a national advisor, creating certifications for service providers,” training volunteers and

partnering with other local non-profits. With autism reportedly affecting one out every 68 American kids according to some statistics, it’s a needed resource, but perhaps not one you’d expect to find in a small mountain town. Why Carbondale? “What’s unusual is that we have such a supportive community,” says Zuker. The setting is beneficial both in outlook and “in terms of the people who are working with the agency. It takes quite a level of empathy and training to teach a person with autism challenges, because everyone is different.”

The Aspen idea Zuker traces the roots of Carbondale’s supportive spirit back to an “ethos growing out of the Aspen idea of nurturing mind, body and spirit” and notes that Ascendigo’s programs draw on the NDBI (Naturalistic Developmental Behavioral Intervention) theoretical framework of expeditionary and outdoor learning proven to help autistic children. In a town called “the base camp for adventure” by the Carbondale Chamber of Commerce, the NDBI approach fits right in. Ascendigo was founded in 2004 as Extreme Sports Camp by Tom and Sallie Bernard, an Aspen couple who had three sons, one of whom was autistic. The Bernards wanted all three sons to have the same recreational outlets, but for an autistic child, skiing and camping ranked as “extreme” sports. Opportunities were few.

Zuker says that until recently, “kids on the lower end of the autism spectrum were kept out of schools because of their disruptive behavior,” had little recreation and “wound up pretty much living in their own rooms in their parents’ houses.” Given the extreme demands on parents’ time, finances and energy, “every parent who is dealing with a child on the autism spectrum is a hero,” he says. “Not a hero as we usually think of them, but facing a 24/7 challenge to care for a person who needs support for years on end.” Thus, Ascendigo supports families as well as kids. “If a child attends camp for a week, that’s a respite for an overwhelmed and exhausted caregiver,” says Zuker.

Certification Having achieved Program Approved Service Agency (PASA) certification last year, Ascendigo can accept Medicaid payments. Medicaid does provide financial support for autistic children, but parents can’t qualify for aid until the child has been officially diagnosed — and in Colorado, there’s a ninemonth waiting list for diagnosis. What’s more, diagnoses are complex. In 2013, when the American Psychiatric Association published its official medical handbook, the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), it combined autism and Asberger’s Syndrome to create something called the “autism spectrum disorder.” The disorders within that spectrum

include communication problems, challenges with social relationships and repetitive behavior, which can range from rocking to things like the endless repetition of a phrase or gesture. But each patient is different. Zuker says that for an autistic child, summer camp can provide a remarkable learning opportunity. For example, last year, a kid who initially didn’t talk at all — who didn’t want to even get out of his bunk — wound up going on weekend hut trip. “At the end of the hike, he gave the instructor a kiss on the cheek and said ‘thank you.’” The price tag for a week of camp is $2,500, but Ascendigo’s cost is double that, reflecting the level of support needed to care for the highly individual campers. While 20 to 24 kids attend camp, it takes 50 staffers to run it, and thus, no child receives less than a 50 percent scholarship. Ascendigo’s major star-studded, fundraiser, “Light It Up Blue Aspen,” will be held on Feb. 13 at the Hotel Jerome. All proceeds will directly benefit Ascendigo’s programs. For details and tickets, see http://lightitupblueaspen.org or call 927-3143.

Next Steps

What: Light It Up Blue Aspen Where: Hotel Jerome in Aspen When: 6:30 p.m. cocktails, 7:30 p.m. dinner on Feb. 13 Why: Fund-raiser for Ascendigo How much: Ticket prices vary

Love in All Its Forms with Florence Caplow

Carbondale Police Department is now accepting applications for the position of Police Officer I and II. “Laterals welcome to apply”

We are looking for a highly motivated individual who will enjoy working in a TEAM / Community Policing environment. Starting salary is $48,822.00. Ability to work shift work, weekends and holidays a must. We offer an excellent benefit package. Spanish speaking is a bonus. Applicants must be at least 21 years old, have or ability to obtain a valid Colorado driver’s license and no felony convictions. Applicants must complete background checks, complete physical agility test, and participate in a ride-along program. Send application, resume and references to Carbondale Police Department, 511 Colorado Ave., #911, Carbondale, CO 81623 or to Lt. Chris Wurtsmith, cwurtsmith@carbondaleco.net.

Deadline is February 19, 2016 at 5:00 p.m.

12 • THE SOPRIS SUN • www.SoprisSun.com • FEbRUARy 11-17. 2016

Join us Sunday, Feb. 14, 2016 – 10 a.m.

Two Rivers Unitarian Universalist (TRUU) @ Third Street Center

www.tworiversuu.org Two Rivers Unitarian Universalist

Inspirational, Contemporary Music by Jimmy Byrne Heather Rydell, Youth Program Minister Childcare Provided

Membership Drive FeB 15-26 Join KDNK & Win Early Bird Prizes We have some great prizes for folks who join or renew before our drive begins including dinner for two at Juicy Lucy’s along with passes to Iron Mountain Hot Springs. Sustainable members have a chance to win $150 grill pack from Sustainable Settings. So renew early!

Join or Renew online at KDNK.org/Donate See us 76 S. 2nd Street, Carbondale Mail us PO Box 1388, Carbondale, CO 81623

More info at kdnk.org

RFHS hosts District 8 Honor Jazz Band In something that’s become a Carbondale tradition thanks to the JAS InSchools program, dozens of musicians and vocalists converged on Roaring Fork High School for workshops and rehearsals on Feb. 5, followed by the District 8 Honor Jazz Band concert on Feb. 6. Students from Aspen, Rifle, Glenwood Springs, Coal Ridge, Basalt, Moffat, Middle Park, Eagle Valley and Roaring Fork high schools took part, as well as middle school students from Carbondale, Basalt, Glenwood Springs and Craig, plus students from Caprock Academy and

the Waldorf School on the Roaring Fork. Saturday night’s concert was presented by four different bands, and the Jazz Choir. They played to a packed, and appreciative, house. Clockwise from upper left: instructor Sean Flanigan from Colorado Mesa University, Liam Laird, Lyle Luckett, Rocio Contreras, Kyle Baird, Ezra Brown and Jesse Campos. Photos by Sue Rollyson

THE SOPRIS SUN, Carbondale’s weekly community connector • FEbRUARy 11-17. 2016 • 13

Ski for Sisu: Super fun on Super Bowl Sunday

Near perfect weather helped to contribute to the 2016 Ski for Sisu fundraiser at Spring Gulch as 120 Nordic skiers turned out on Feb. 14 to raise close to $13,000 in pledges and silent auction sales. Matt Johnson, Alex Perkins and Rachel Bachman each skied a total of 53.5 kilometers before the 3 p.m. stopping time. Sawyer Shook collected the most pledges. Eric Small and Jan Stenstadvoid arrived with the most paid pledges. Bighorn Toyota started the day by donating $5,750. Other corporate sponsors were Alpine Bank, Cold Mountain Ranch and Berthod motors. The Mount Sopris Nordic Council will award a new pair of skis to the participant with the most pledges by Feb. 24. Clockwise from upper left: Elliot Norquist; unidentified stretchers; John Ackerman, Amy Kimberly and Noreen Steiner; Marty Schlein; Gella Sutro; and Sarah and Mike Shook. Photos by Greg Fitzpatrick

14 • THE SOPRIS SUN • www.SoprisSun.com • FEbRUARy 11-17. 2016

City Market om page 7

Phone scams om page 3

From the Main Street side of the property, there are to be two other access routes — an extension of Hendrick Drive, which currently dead-ends into Main Street from the south, the other a new roadway known as Pabst Way (named for a former owner of the land under the project site, rancher Harald “Shorty� Pabst). Pabst Way extends northward from Main Street around the back side of the development property, joining Nieslanik Way at the northern end of the site. Another change from the original proposal was a reduction in the number of automobile parking spaces for City Market shoppers, from 315 in the initial plan (which was 85 spaces more than required under town codes) to 257 for the grocery store. Another 47 parking spaces are to be built to serve customers at the other retail establishments in the complex. The project also calls for creation of 35 bicycle parking spaces, including six bicycle “lockers� for long-term use and 29 parking spots in “racks� for short-term use. There appears to be some uncertainty about how the Roaring Fork Transportation Authority (RFTA) plans to serve the new commercial complex, and one of the conditions imposed by the P&Z was that if RFTA and the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) cannot agree on a location for a bus stop on Highway 133, a spot for a bus stop will be provided by the developers within the development site. The development team, in response to input from the P&Z members, altered the buildings east-facing facades by “stepping back� the attached retail wing by eight feet, to give the facade a more “staggered� look, and moved the entire City Market store’s building footprint about 10 feet to the east to provide a greater width for the Pabst Way right of way. The development team also paid more attention to creating public gathering and seating areas adjacent to the buildings, and a pedestrian/bicycling connection has been added between Pabst Way and Hendrick Drive to make travel safer for those on two wheels and on their feet. And more windows have been added to some of the exterior walls of the project, along with added shrubbery in places, to break up what some thought was a monolithic appearance to the sides of the building. In general, the P&Z members praised the development team for its willingness to make changes as requested. “It looks like you guys have been really responsible,� said P&Z chairman Gavin Brooke to the developers’ representatives, “and that’s really appreciated.� According to town staff, the City Market application is expected to go before the BOT in late February or early March.

FBI website at www.IC3.gov to ďŹ le a complaint or call your local law enforcement agency to see what they recommend. Remember time is on your side. Don’t be pressured into making a quick decision. You also need to understand the following things: • The court systems are not set up to call everyone to tell them that they will be issuing an arrest warrant. If you have an obligation with the courts that could turn into an arrest warrant, you need to satisfy that obligation. • Law enforcement will not call you to tell you someone is coming to arrest you. They will simply show up at your location and make the arrest ‌ which kind of makes sense, doesn’t it? • Typically, when you call a government ofďŹ ce, especially the IRS, you will have between 15 minutes and an hour of wait time. You will probably ďŹ nd yourself listening to elevator music with intermittent apologies for the wait. Finally, you may actually be able to speak to a person. If you get through right away, beware! It is probably not a legitimate contact; don’t just think you were lucky. Better yet, don’t call that number! • Never use your credit card, bank account number or untraceable money cards to make a payment. Ask for a written statement to be sent to you so

that you can make arrangements to pay the bill. Time is on your side and most creditors, especially our government will work with you if you are sincere about settling your account. • Avoid anyone who is trying to get immediate payment. If it turns out you truly do owe the money, one or two days won’t matter and in the interim you can do some research. Go through your local law enforcement agencies or the FBI to determine if this was a legitimate request. • Remember, the con artist tries to develop a sense of urgency. It is to his advantage if he can make you pay immediately. He may even offer to take a discount if you can make a payment right now. This should be a red ag for you. Finally, know that these scams are most prevalent on the phone, but they can appear on email or social media. (How many places have you left your email address in the last year?) The approach can be direct, in person or at your home. The lists go on. The con artist or scammer has nothing better to do than to think up a new angle. He knows the success of that approach might be intermittent or short lived, but then again how many times does he need to succeed to walk away with your money or the money of your friends?

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THE SOPRIS SUN, Carbondale’s weekly community connector • FEbRUARy 11-17. 2016 • 15

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

Second City rolling into Roaring Fork Valley Sopris Sun Staff Report Big laughs are in store for comedy fans at the 2016 Aspen Laff Festival. On Feb. 18-20, the historic Wheeler Opera House will host some of America’s premiere comedy talent as part of the festival including Gilbert Gottfried, Heather McDonald, Steve Byrne, Pete Holmes and a festival opening show direct from Chicago by The Second City. Comedy fans can see all five shows for $125 with the 2016 Laff Pass. Single tickets and festival passes are on sale now at www.aspenshowtix.com, according to a press release. The Second City will host three free workshops for the community. On Feb. 17 at 3 p.m., a workshop will be held at the Aspen Youth Center. Adults have two workshop choices: Feb. 17 at 7:30 p.m. and Feb. 18 at 3 p.m. Both adult classes will take place in the Wheeler Opera House lobby. There are 15 slots available for each adult class. Interested patrons may sign up by sending an e-mail to maddy.overton@cityofaspen.com. The festival continues on Feb. 19 with stand-up shows by Heather McDonald (7 p.m.) and Gilbert Gottfried (9:30 p.m.). The fest will conclude on Feb. 20 with Steve Byrne (7 p.m.) and Pete Holmes (9:30 p.m.). Opening acts for the headliners include Los Angeles-based comedians

Will Weldon (opening for McDonald) and Jerry Rocha (opening for Gottfried) on Friday night, followed by Milwaukee native Gareth Reynolds (opening for Byrne) on Saturday night. The Wheeler will also host an open mic night at Justice Snow’s on Feb. 16. There are 12, 10-minute slots available on a first-come, first-served basis. The winner will receive two Laff Fest passes and a meet-and-greet with the Laff Fest comedian of their choice. To sign-up, email rochelle.obechina@cityofaspen.com by Feb. 11. The community is invited to attend this free event; seating is limited to 50 people on a first-come-first-served basis. Wheeler Opera House executive director Gena Buhler said, “Laff Fest can’t get here soon enough! We are so excited about the talent heading to the Roaring Fork Valley this month. More than that though, community outreach continues to play a big role at the Wheeler. The Second City workshops are sure to provide lasting memories to all participants!”

The performers “Hooking Up With The Second City” makes mirth out of missed connections, girls’ night out adventures and all the crazy things people do for love. This revue is a mod-

ern mix of romance, rancor and everything in between. • Heather McDonald is a former member of The Groundlings Theater. She is best known for being a staff writer and for her regular roundtable appearances on E!’s top rated show “Chelsea Lately,” hosted by Chelsea Handler. A television regular, McDonald most recently hosted the sex-themed round table talk-show “All About Sex” on TLC. Her first stand up special “I Don’t Mean To Brag” can currently be seen on Showtime. • Gilbert Gottfried is a stand-up comedian, actor, voiceover star and podcast host. At the young age of 15, he began doing stand-up at open mic nights in New York City. After spending several years mastering the art of stand-up comedy, producers of “Saturday Night Live” became aware of Gottfried and, in 1980, hired him as a cast member. • Steve Byrne has risen through the ranks of the comedy world to become one of the industry’s most soughtafter performers. The star and creator of the TBS hit show “Sullivan & Son,” Byrne’s acting resume includes feature films “The Dilemma,” “Couples Retreat,” “Four Christmases” and others. • Pete Holmes is well known for his podcast “You Made it Weird,” the “Pete Holmes Show” on TBS and “Nice Try, the Devil” on Comedy Central Presents.

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right here; and you help your neighbor because most of Carbondale’s store and businesses are locally owned.

16 • THE SOPRIS SUN • www.SoprisSun.com • FEbRUARy 11-17. 2016

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

Valley youth return to the poetry stage Sopris Sun Staff Report The third annual valley-wide Youth Poetry Slam returns to the Third Street Center in Carbondale Friday, Feb. 12 at 6:30 p.m. Poems in both English and Spanish will be welcome. (¡Poemas en español/inglés/spanglish son bienvenidos!) The event is free, and the public is invited. This slam is the culminating event in a two-week program sponsored by Aspen Words in partnership with the Roaring Fork and Aspen School Districts and area English teachers. The program started in 2013 with one visiting poet teaching in a few Carbondale schools and has continued to grow from there to serve the entire valley. For the second year in a row, three award-winning spoken word artists and teachers from the Southwest—Mercedez Holtry from Albuquerque, Logan Phillips from Tucson, and Myrlin Hepworth from Phoenix—have spent two weeks in local middle and high schools, opening the door of self-expression through poetry to over 3,000 students in workshops and assemblies. This year, the performers at the Youth Poetry Slam are being selected in advance by Holtry, Phillips, and Hepworth, four students from each of the six high schools they visited (Roaring Fork, Bridges, Glenwood Springs, Yampah Mountain, Basalt, and Aspen High Schools). Phillips says the continuity of this program in Carbondale over the past four years has had a huge impact. “We are working with juniors and seniors now who have been opening themselves to the power of poetry and honing their writing skills since they were in eighth or ninth grade. Many of them continue to write on their own year-round. That can be life-changing.”

Left to right: Pepe Gonzalez, Naomi Pulver and Moises Camargo after the school slam performance last week. Upper right: Logan Phillips works with Roaring Fork High School students as part of Aspen Words’ two-week program in RE-1 and Aspen schools. Photos by Sue Rollyson Hepworth, Phillips, and Holtry are all veterans of the slam poetry scene. Following last year’s residency, Holtry went on to place third at the Women of the World Poetry Slam. Hepworth, who doubles as an emcee and hip hop artist, has competed on three National Poetry Slam teams and co-founded and coached the Phoenix youth team to consecutive appearances in the Brave New Voices International Poetry Slam. Raised in the Sonora borderlands, Phillips lived in and around Mexico City for several years where he contributed to organizing and hosting the country’s first regular poetry slam series. He is the author of the poetry collection, Sono-

ran Strange, teaches regularly in Arizona schools and is also a popular Tucson-area dance party DJ. All three bilingual poets are skilled at building bridges in communities and empowering young people to express themselves. Their passion for writing comes from personal experience. In a video posted to the Aspen Words website, Hepworth says that when he was young, “Speaking to myself really directly, using pen and paper as a device

for reflection, made me understand myself in a way that made me able to understand other people and the world.” Says Phillips, “My job as a poet is not just to create verse but it’s also to create more room for verse in the world around us.” For Holtry, “The best thing you can give a young person, especially young women, is your will to listen, so that they feel completely heard, they feel acknowledged and they feel powerful after they are heard. That’s what poetry is and that’s the best part about giving this gift to the students.” The entire community is invited to attend this Friday’s event, which has filled the Third Street Center gym to capacity for the past two years.

Next Steps

What: Youth Poetry Slam When: 6:30 p.m. on Feb. 12 Where: Third Street Center Why: An Aspen Words program How much: Admission is free

New chiropractor practices A.R.T Staff Report

Dr. Roth has worked at numerous sportDr. Jefferson A. Roth, of Rocky Mountain ing events, including the Ironman triathlon Healing A.R.T., recently moved his chiro- championships, Pro Rodeo Tour, U.S. Figpractic practice to 20 N. 4th St. in Carbon- ure Skating Championships, U.S. Track and dale (in Dr. Hillary Back’s office), according to Field Championships, and several ena press release. Dr. Roth durance events. He was rehas lived in the mountains cently selected to teach an for 36 years, specializing in A.R.T. course on the shoulmountain sports medicine. der and arm to all the Dr. Roth practices and physicians, therapists, chihas been teaching Active ropractors and trainers Release Technique (A.R.T.) treating the U.S. swimming for the past 16 years. and diving team. “A.R.T. is an advanced Dr. Roth does spinal soft tissue injury system work, using most of the sesthat allows us to correct sion to release and stretch soft tissue injuries with uninjured tissues before skeleparalleled precision, outtal structures are considered. comes and recovery time,” He said that once he relieves Dr. Jefferson A. Roth. Dr. Roth said. the pressure around joints Photo by Jane Bachrach He said that one reason of the body, the corrections this work is different from are gentle, if needed, and other techniques is that while the patient there is no need for chronic pain managestretches a muscle actively, the doctor is ment. “Just as dynamic are great results being manually stretching the muscle simultane- created with chronic extremity issues, includously. By examining and then treating these ing knee meniscus injuries, plantar fasciitis, muscles with movement, it is uncovering re- tennis elbow and tendonitis.” lationships between muscles not fully unDr. Jeff Roth is available for care from derstood before. A.R.T. is now used for most 6:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Monday, Wednesathletes in the professional, Olympic and day and Friday, and Tuesday from 9 a.m. collegiate levels for injury prevention, and to to noon. He can be reached at 379-2093 improve injury outcomes. and rmhealingart.com.

Element by Westin in Willits recently held its grand opening. From left to right: Bob Albright (Carbondale Chamber Posse volunteer), Annie Glatz (Carbondale Chamber office manager), Jennifer Brown (Element director of sales and marketing), Andrea Stewart (Carbondale Chamber executive director) and Michael Welly (Element general manger). Courtesy photo

Elevate Dental Wellness (711 E. Valley Rd. in Willits) recently opened its doors. From left to right: Alison Ortmann (Elevate office manager), Dr. Schuyler Van Gorden DDS, Jessica Rinck (Elevate dental assistant), Dr. Becky Steinbach DDS, Cailen Hollenback (Carbondale Chamber office manager), Andrea Stewart (Carbondale Chamber executive director), Bob Albright (Carbondale Chamber Posse volunteer). Courtesy photo

THE SOPRIS SUN, Carbondale’s weekly community connector • FEbRUARy 11-17. 2016 • 17

Blues brothers and sisters invade Carbondale Moviegoers kept the Blues Brothers’ personas alive on Monday night as they flocked to the Crystal Theater for a screening of the film “The Blues Brothers,” which was first released in 1980. The event was a fundraiser (in this case a “funraiser”) for The Sopris Sun newspaper. Costumes were encouraged and we were happy to see that a number of “Jakes” and “Elwoods” were in attendance. Sister Mary (aka “The Penguin”), from the orphanage where Jake and Elwood were raised, also decided to show up. In addition to her traditional habit, it appeared as if she picked up a very nasty habit sometime after 1980. Sopris Sun board members reprimanded Sister Mary and told her she would have to put out her cigarette before entering the theater.

Photos and text by Jane Bachrach

18 • THE SOPRIS SUN • www.SoprisSun.com • FEbRUARy 11-17. 2016

Legal Notice

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.

Need shoveling help? Dear Editor: If you are (or know of) a frail senior or person with a disability and you are unable to shovel snow from your sidewalks and driveway, High Country RSVP may be able to help you. We have volunteers from Carbondale to Parachute that are able to shovel snow for those in need. Call RSVP’s Helping Hands for Seniors at 384-8746 for more information. Patty Daniells Program Director RSVP Glenwood Springs

Stop the tax nonsense Dear Editor: Like everyone else that owns property, I just received my statement for 2015 taxes, payable in 2016. The modest increases that the Fire District and School District touted have morphed from modest, if you call $122 million for RE-1 over 20 years, and $1.21 million over two years to the Fire District modest. In my case and others I’ve spoken with, a 33 percent increase in total property taxes is typical for 2015. The school district bond expenses jumped from 10.03 mills to 15.592, a “modest” 55 percent increase. The Fire Department mill levy went up 29 percent. At least the Fire Department increase is only for two years. The school district is for 20 years. To be fair, not all of the whopping increase is because of these two issues. The mill levy increased from 72.89 in 2014 to 78.344 in 2015, an increase of “only” 7.5 percent. But wait. In addition to the mill levy, the assessed valuation (AV) in-

creased, in my case, an additional 23.5 percent. My total tax bill increased 33 percent. Many of my neighbors report the same total increase. One newspaper reported 18 percent. So what happened to produce this kind of an increase when the blue voter books and the papers led you to expect relatively modest increases? It’s fairly simple. The county assessor works to compile all sales and comparable values for many months in advance. They and your Realtor know what property trends are. Remember from 2008 until recently, when the trend was down? They and all of the elected officials know too, and for the most recent period, 2015, they almost all decided to keep their mill levy the same, or increase it. Bingo. Jackpot, here come the windfall taxes from the AV increase. Carbondale now To add a few insults, plans to ask you for more to pay for capital improvements. Something in excess of $4.25 million over 10 years. This is the same council that decided sales tax gains from new development could go to Willits and elsewhere. That’s fine, but don’t break the back of the common homeowner to support a flawed view of sustainability. I was told by more than one council member that the town had plenty of reserves. What happened? Where did the surplus go? And, just to make everyone a little more miserable, the town council wants to tax your heat and electricity to fund tax-credit and grant supported non-profits that have been subsidized for years. They should be able to stand on their own based on the good they do. This is another m redistribution but totally regressive tax.

There is an election coming in April. Let’s stop tax nonsense. Bill Grant Carbondale

What a night Dear Editor: The Local Food Convergence was an incredible night for our local food system, and an important step forward in the local food movement. Looking around the room at the Palace in Aspen, everywhere I looked I saw someone whom I admire and honor for their contribution to making sure we have a local food supply that will sustain us in the times to come. The Roaring Fork Food Alliance would like to deeply thank the following sponsors of the Convergence: 2Forks Investment Club, Mountain Primal Meat Co., Eagle Springs Organic Farm, Justice Snow’s Restaurant and Bar, Aspen Brewing Company, Whole Foods, the Aspen Skiing Company, and Edible Aspen. Also, many thanks to Reuben Sadowsky and Joey Stokes, and the Gravity Productions crew, for hosting this special gathering at The Palace — a creative masterpiece hosting all kinds of inspiring events this month! For more info on the Roaring Fork Food Alliance, the coalition of all those participants, and supporters of our local food system, please visit www.roaringforkfood.org. We look forward to building many more allies in the effort to grow an ample and resilient supply of local healthy food for our communities. Gwen Garcelon Director, There will be a mandatory Pre-BidRFFA Carbondale

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The property owner and applicant is Crystal River Club LLC.

Said Public Hearing will be held at the Carbondale Town Hall, 511 Colorado Avenue, Carbondale, CO at 7:00 p.m. on March 3, 2016.

Copies of the proposed application are on file in the Planning Department office, Town Hall, 511 Colorado Avenue, Carbondale, CO and may be examined by interested persons during regular working hours, 8:00 a.m. through 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.

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Published in The Sopris Sun on February 11, 2016.

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