Correction: An extra “e” snuck into Pam Zentmyer’s name in last week’s Carbondale Report. Also, in “Pollinator Conservancy abuzz with intention,” Carbondale’s Pollinator Protection Resolution was mistakenly referred to as a “plan.”
Re: Ps&Qs
Congratulations to Jeannie Perry on 20 years of reminding us to mind our Ps and Qs.
And thanks to the Sopris Sun for supporting her columns.
The editor’s note from 2005 still rings true today:
“She brings a unique, slightly left of center perspective, coupled with an amusing sense of humor, not only on life in the Valley, but on life and politics outside the Valley as well.”
I actually remember Jeannie quietly saying, 20 years ago, that she really wanted to be a writer, and, by golly, she IS a writer. Her idiosyncratic take on just about anything often makes us stretch our minds a bit and lighten our spirits.
So thank you to The Sopris Sun for giving Jeannie an outlet to rant, remember history and remind us that things are not always what they seem to be.
I have long dubbed Jeannie as the “Molly Ivins of Carbondale.”
And so she is. And aren’t we so lucky?
Diane Kenney
Carbondale
Heartfelt gratitude
To our valued patrons…
By now, hopefully, most of you know that the Crystal Theatre is under contract with a new local nonprofit, the Crystal Theatre Alliance (CTA). We want to update you with where things are as of now. We will continue to own and operate the Theatre until early September at which time the Alliance will assume ownership and operations. Their opening date in September is tbd. You may see new faces but be assured we are still committed to providing you with quality entertainment at affordable prices in a clean, fun and friendly atmosphere. That also means we will continue to sell Discount Passes and Gifts Tickets. The CTA has generously agreed to honor all Passes and Tickets with expiration dates until they expire. Passes without expiration dates will be honored for the first 90 days of their operation and they will continue to offer them.
As we approach our 40th anniversary we remain humbled by and grateful to you for the support and enthusiasm you’ve shown us and the Theatre for all these years. You’ve been with us for many changes and challenges — from the rise of videos in the 80’s to the emergence of a multiplex in 1991 to the mandated digital conversion in 2013 to COVID and streaming in the most recent years. You’ve always been there and had our backs!
“Parting is such sweet sorrow” and we will miss you. Just as the Theatre has been a part of your social life, you’ve been a part of ours and we will miss that the most. But it’s time for the movie house to have new stewards. We are confident that you will show them the support and enthusiasm that keeps this small town movie theater a living, breathing part of the community.
A heartfelt THANK YOU for sharing the magic of the movies with us for 40 years.
It’s cliché but true — it’s been an honor and a privilege.
Kathy and Bob Ezra
Crystal Theatre
Setting the record straight
I am writing to clarify what’s been reported by The Denver Post and other outlets, inaccurately including Grand River Health among hospitals at risk of closure due to proposed Medicaid cuts under the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” (H.R.1). This characterization is incorrect.
The analysis behind these reports was conducted by the Cecil G. Sheps Center for Health Services Research at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and was requested by Senate Democrats earlier last month.
The criteria used to identify at-risk hospitals included having negative operating margins for the past three years. Grand River Health does not meet this criterion — we have maintained positive operating margins during that period.
Additionally, the report considered the proportion of Medicaid patients served by hospitals. Nationally, hospitals on average serve 20% Medicaid patients, with Colorado slightly higher at 25%. Grand River Health’s Medicaid patient population is approximately 17% — well below both the state and national averages.
Like all rural hospitals, we are carefully monitoring policy developments now that the Big Beautiful Bill has passed and its potential impacts. However, I want to reassure our community that Grand River Health remains fully operational, financially strong and deeply committed to delivering exceptional local care. We have no plans to close or reduce any of our services.
We appreciate the concern expressed by our community, patients, staff and partners. For more than 63 years, Grand River Health has served western Garfield County, and we will continue to adapt, advocate and innovate to protect and expand access to rural healthcare.
That said, we urge lawmakers to thoughtfully consider the real consequences of funding reductions on rural communities and to work toward sustainable solutions that support hospitals like ours in fulfilling our mission.
Jim Coombs
Chief Executive Officer
Grand River Health
Restricted cards
I thank and commend the Garfield County Libraries trustees for their robust, thoughtful and calm review of the proposal to use age-restricted library cards in our library system. The result was an impressive discussion and review of a controversial proposal. I would like to add some thoughts to the conversation.
The proponents of age-restricted library cards argue that the card is to prevent children from bringing home books that a parent doesn’t want them to read. This card, however, only makes a difference when a parent chooses to allow their child to visit the library on their own. Parents know that their children can look at any book on the shelves that interests them without checking it out. If their child checks out a book, then parents can control access to the book by reviewing books that are checked out and taking away from the child books that they don’t approve of.
Parents can easily exercise their parental concerns without this card by discussing acceptable books with their children, not letting their child visit the library alone and reviewing the books they check out.
If parents don’t want their child to read or see certain books, then don’t allow them in the library alone. If parents allow their child to go alone to the library, then they must review the books that they check out and return those that don’t meet their standards.
The need for this card is a subterfuge, a manufactured problem and the tip of the spear of a campaign to classify and demonize books. If the proposal is accepted, it will eventually lead us to be willing to censor and restrict books in our library system.
Ellen Dole
Glenwood Springs
Emergency alerts
Please put the free ReachWell App on your phone and choose the Carbondale Fire Department and our Garfield, Pitkin and Eagle County warning systems so you will know if there is a fire, mudslide, avalanche or accident to avoid. We have seen the tragic results in Texas of a lack of emergency warning systems, with terrible life loss. We are so lucky that our fire department and our three counties in this Valley all have emergency warning systems in place.
We have high forest fire danger here. Los Angeles showed us how devastating that can be. Be wise and receive alerts for when to evacuate so we don’t lose precious lives if an emergency occurs.
Illène Pevec
Carbondale
MVDS gives thanks
Many thanks to the Rebekah’s Near New Store for the donation of glass vases to the Mountain Valley Greenhouse. Flower lovers at the weekly Glenwood Springs farmers’ market will use the vases to arrange our fresh-cut flowers into bouquets! The flowers and vegetables at the market stand are grown from seed by Greenhouse gardeners with individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The gardeners are employed through the supported employment program at Mountain Valley Developmental Services, which thrives on community partnerships. Thank you, Rebekahs!
Sara Sims
Glenwood Springs
Art Around Town
On behalf of the Carbondale Public Arts Commission (CPAC) we would like to thank Connie and Carey at Marble Distilling, Bridget Callais at the Rebekah’s Lodge and Margaret Mathers for their continued support of Carbondale’s Art Walk. This annual community event unveils the new rotating sculptures installed around Carbondale. The Art Walk was followed by a reception at Marble Distilling’s beautiful tasting room, where all were treated to an evening of great food and drinks, and the opportunity to engage with the artists. It was a wonderful celebration of art in Carbondale!
For the list of participating artists and their sculptures visit www.bit.ly/2025cdaleart or the CPAC page on the Town’s website.
Michelle Cook, CPAC Chair
Lesia Rehl, CPAC Vice Chair
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