With its recent and sweeping layoffs of 10 percent of its workforce — roughly 40 employees — Valley View Hospital (VVH) has impacted facilities up and down Highway 82. Roaring Fork Family Practice (RFFP), operated by VVH, is one. Valley View Chief Executive Officer Dr. Brian Murphy explained, “Our financial future has changed dramatically related […]
May 2020
Posted inNews, Uncategorized
The lifeboat of distance learning
With the Roaring Fork School District (RFSD) year drawing to a close — June 4 is the last official day — officials there are gearing up for what might be a mirror image situation in the fall while analyzing possible summer programs. No one knows what will happen, but Roaring Fork Schools Public Information Officer […]
Posted inNews, Uncategorized
Waldorf creatively adapts to the new world
Waldorf School on the Roaring Fork (WSRF) is known for its unconventional hands on teaching methods; but how does “hands on” happen when the teacher cannot share the same space as the student? Well, it takes not a small amount of ingenuity, a determined team of educators, and you guessed it: virtual reality — well, […]
Posted inLetters, Uncategorized
A letter from abroad
Dear Carbondale: I’m in Antwerp, Belgium. It’s been a helluva place: culture and arts, a sweet little river with a bike path, pubs loaded with blonds and tripels. If I shut my eyes while I sip that golden, liquid courage, I can almost imagine sitting beside you belly up at the bar. But with the […]
Posted inColumns, Uncategorized
Seeking Higher Ground: Castaway on a deserted island
Perhaps you’ve seen COVID-19 homeschooling memes. My favorite: Homeschooling going well. Two students suspended for fighting. One teacher fired for drinking on the job. My San Francisco friend Caroline Nassif, who teaches at the college level, says homeschooling is “ridiculously difficult.” One of her friends complained of “hitting the wall”, her patience exhausted. Another replied, […]
Posted inNews, Uncategorized
Carbondale adopts mask ordinance
Cloth face coverings are required in businesses and public buildings in Carbondale effectively immediately, following a 6-1 trustee vote on May 19. The ordinance is geared toward indoor establishments and specifically addresses common areas, lobbies and front desks as well as any portions of grocery stores or restaurants accessible by customers. It includes exceptions for […]
Posted inNews, Uncategorized
Planning for wildfire during COVID-19
As the heat of summer and fire season both barrel toward the arid West, COVID-19 adds complications to an already delicate situation. Fire restrictions were placed in 11 National Forests and on BLM-managed spaces in 11 counties across Colorado in early April that are not due to expire until the end of May. Still, Western […]
Posted inNews, Uncategorized
To not travel or not — there is no question
As we settle into this next phase people find themselves questioning what it is they can and can not do. After all, much of what we normally do is limited. The uncertainty is jumbled between different jurisdictions which have varying measures to counter the spread of COVID 19. For instance, masks are recommended statewide but […]
Posted inNews, Uncategorized
Basalt nixes $1.8 million land purchase
Citing budget woes, the Basalt Town Council voted unanimously to halt plans to purchase a proposed site for a Public Works Maintenance facility. The proposed purchase, although initially recommended for approval, was approved in early February, before the COVID19 pandemic took hold of the country, noted Mayor Bill Kane. The sales contract, which was signed […]