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  • Locations: News Published

    Users love library, want more

    Bonedalians love their library, but they would love it even more if it had a fireplace. Or a coffee bar. Or both! These were among the ideas tossed out last week at a planning meeting held for the Carbondale Branch Library. Among the 48 people who attended the library’s brainstorming session were Joanie Anderson, her husband, and two daughters. “We came because we’re big users of the library,” she told The Sopris Sun. “My girls come looking for books and I’m in a ukulele group, so I’m here every first and third Monday. They do so many great programs here.” After eight roundtable groups engaged in discussion and displayed their ideas on the wall, it turned out that many of the wished-for programs already existed. Library manager Mollie Honan noted that the library offers about 30 different programs for kids, along with adult programs that range from computer basics to research services. Apparently, many patrons don’t know about those programs. read more →
  • Locations: News Published

    Strang Ranch ready for National Sheepdog championships

    North America’s top handlers and their canny sheepdogs will square off against wily, wild Colorado range sheep on Sept. 9-14 at Strang Ranch on Missouri Heights for the 2014 National Sheepdog championship title. The national finals are a partnership between the U.S. Border Collie Handlers’ Association, Aspen Valley Land Trust and Strang Ranch, according to a press release. It showcases not only a premier herding competition, but the Strang family’s commitment to land conservation and support of the Aspen Valley Land Trust. “It’s about our western heritage. That’s what’s important to me,” said event organizer Bridget Strang. For Alasdair MacRae, the 2011 winner — the last year the finals were held at Strang Ranch — the finals are a challenging test of “the dogs’ patience, perseverance, stamina and skill. It’s a very exciting spectacle.” read more →
  • Locations: News Published

    Tour Divide rider reflects on 2,745-mile adventure

    Imagine riding a bike down the length of the entire United States through deep-forested woods and wide open-mountain valleys, to desert mesas and alpine meadows. Montana Miller did just that on a mountain bike. Miller recently raced in the Tour Divide, the ultimate endurance mountain bike race. Did I mention he completed the race on a single-speed bicycle? To give the non-bicycler some perspective, riding mountain passes on a single speed bicycle is comparable to well, nothing because it’s pretty difficult. Miller grew up in Greensburg, Pennsylvania. As a kid he spent his time playing in the woods, so when the opportunity to move to the mountains arose, the outdoor lifestyle of Colorado felt familiar to him. His fiancée, Colleen O’Neil, got an internship at Trail Runner magazine (based out of Carbondale) so the two made the move. read more →
  • Locations: News Published

    High school students step up at Carbondale pool

    Matthew Wampler and Cheyenne Beightel are both finishing their first summer as lifeguards at the John M. Fleet Swimming Pool in Carbondale. Matthew attends Roaring Fork High School and Cheyenne goes to Glenwood Springs High School. Both are looking forward to their junior year. Swimming is a core part of each of their lives. Matthew visited the swimming pool on a regular basis each summer as a child and Cheyenne had been on the Team Sopris swim team for six years. Due to this, they decided to become lifeguards and work at the Carbondale pool. read more →
  • Locations: News Published

    Carbondale Community Food Cooperative expands

    If you’ve wandered into the food co-op lately you may have noticed that it’s a lot more spacious. The store has expanded, and now has a table and chairs for people to hang out, socialize, and eat local organic food. The Carbondale Community Food Cooperative (CCFC) on Main Street is Carbondale’s only member-owned natural grocery store. There are currently 465 member-owners. A $75 lifetime membership fee means you own a share of the cooperative, have a voice in decision-making, receive weekend discounts and can order bulk items. Although the store wouldn’t be what it is today without its member-owners, anyone and everyone can shop there. read more →
  • Locations: News Published

    Change on the horizon at CRES

    The “back to school” buzz at Crystal River Elementary School this fall is not just about eager students with shiny new school supplies getting to know their new teachers. This year, the start of the school year is also about the start of a new chapter of CRES. Teachers, parents and community members are being invited to participate in a series of Vision to Action meetings this fall with the goal of selecting or developing a new model and a new identity for CRES by December 2014. Crystal River Elementary School staff participated in an all-day retreat last week facilitated by Colin Laird, who is also the Third Street Center director. Through a process of exploring their core educational beliefs and discussing the strengths and challenges of the school, the staff identified some possible models and strategies for the school to adopt. Laird will continue to work with the staff over the next couple of weeks to solidify the potential options. read more →
  • Locations: News Published

    RFHS plans solar array

    Acting on an idea from students, the RE-1 School District is poised to build a solar array at Roaring Fork High School that will save the district $400,000 in energy costs over the next 20 years, according to a press release. The school’s Energy Club proposed the array last school year, following the town’s installation of a similar array at the Carbondale Nature Park (aka Delaney dog park). “Roaring Fork High School is proud to have students with the grit, integrity and curiosity to accomplish such an amazing feat,” said Roaring Fork High School Principal Drew Adams. “Energy Club members and their sponsor, Wendy Boland, have been championing energy reduction methods for years.” The RE-1 School District, CLEER, Carbondale Clean Energy 2020 and Sunsense Solar are seeking community input on the school’s proposed solar array. read more →
  • Locations: News Published

    RE-1 Pre-Collegiate Program enters new phase

    The RE-1 school district is expanding its Pre-Collegiate Program, so The Sopris Sun asked three of those involved – an administrator, student and mentor – to talk about their views and involvement. The process of applying to and paying for college is daunting even for those with the best support systems. Navigating that gauntlet is usually more difficult for those students who are the first in their family trying to get a post-secondary education. Over 10 years ago, visionary leaders in the Roaring Fork School District recognized this dilemma and, with the help of community partners, formed the Roaring Fork Pre-Collegiate Program. The program is designed to provide additional support to those students in the Glenwood Springs, Carbondale and Basalt schools who would be the first in their family to go to college. read more →
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    Ex-Interior official: How clean should we go?

    When it comes to hydraulic fracturing, the web of federal and state environmental regulations have things pretty well covered. That was the message of Rebecca Watson, former Department of Interior official, told Garfield County Energy Advisory board earlier this month. Watson is the former assistant secretary of Lands and Minerals Management for the Department of Interior. She left Washington in 2005, and since then has practiced law in the west, representing renewable and conventional energy clients, logging companies, ranchers and others. Watson currently represents SG Interests, who holds natural gas leases in the Thompson Divide, west of Carbondale. read more →
  • Locations: News Published

    Bike race shuts streets, volunteers step u

    A big chunk of Carbondale turns into a “can’t get there from here” kind of place when the 550-mile USA Pro Challenge professional bicycle race blows through town on its way from Aspen to Crested Butte on Aug. 19. Due to the course layout and safety concerns, residents and others south of Main Street to Snowmass Drive/Highway 133, and between Sopris Park/Weant Boulevard and Snowmass Drive, will not be allowed to cross those streets while the race rolls through town, according to the Colorado State Patrol and town officials. Colorado State Patrol Cpt. Richard Duran said those streets will be on “lock down” for anywhere from five to 30 minutes during the race. “Nobody crosses the road,” he told a briefing of town staffers on Monday. read more →