Editor’s note: Some quotes in this column are paraphrased. Those of us living in America’s moderate- and left-leaning political spaces expected a bad year, and 2025 didn’t disappoint. The Trump-Kennedy Center, Trump-class battleships, masked (secret?) police in unmarked cars abducting our neighbors, the military patrolling city streets, yo-yo tariffs, more mass shootings, the continued dismembering […]
Age-Friendly Carbondale
Posted inColumns
Mature Content: Joseph and Gerard
George Santayana was right when he wrote, “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.” In 1960, my friend John and I drove to Miami for spring break and came home with a tiny alligator we named Gerard Swope. We wanted to be cool. We thought having a pet alligator would make […]
Posted inColumns
Mature Content: Extractions of the heart
I awoke feeling sad about my appointment to explore having some teeth pulled. I love my teeth and don’t want to separate from them, but these thoughts were soon pushed aside by thoughts about another loss I’m even less ready for. My youngest granddaughter decided to complete her senior year of high school in Salt […]
Posted inLetters
Letters – July 24, 2025
Re: GarCo ReportIt is easy for folks to criticize elected officials as they conduct the business of local government, but it is uncommon that we recognize our local leaders for doing the right thing. Therefore, I am writing to thank the Garfield County Commissioners for working to protect the Shoshone water rights by urging the […]
Posted inLocal Government
Carbondale solicits input regarding temporary traffic features
It seemed like it was almost overnight that the streets of Carbondale were transformed with various temporary features installed throughout town. The designs align with Carbondale’s Mobility and Access Plan (MAP) and mimic some possible solutions to slow traffic and make Carbondale more friendly for all types of transportation — even if that’s your own […]
Posted inNews
Scuttlebutt & Calendar
Stage 2 Fire RestrictionsWith fires blazing near and far and hot-dry conditions persisting, Garfield County implemented Stage 2 Fire Restrictions on Thursday, July 17. The use of fireworks is prohibited. Burn permits will not be issued and previously-issued permits are cancelled. Recreational fires are not allowed. Cooking devices must be clean and in working order. Smoking […]
Posted inOpinion
Mature Content: My billionaire chatbot
Cynics say that Donald Trump gets financial support from billionaires because they think a Trump presidency will make them even richer. But I’m pretty sure that Republican billionaires, like most of us, believe their actions help society. I’d love to interview some of them but what are my chances? So, I had ChatGPT create John […]
Posted inOpinion
Mature Content: Motherhood
Mother’s Day just passed, and I’m thinking about the mothers I met during my 35 years of work on behalf of neglected and abused children. Patricia’s was the first case I assigned to myself after Humboldt County, California, hired me to develop its new Child Protective Services program. Her little girl was in foster care […]
Posted inNews
Carbondale Fire invites you to April 29 wildfire preparedness meeting
On Tuesday, April 29, the Carbondale & Rural Fire Protection District (Carbondale Fire) will host a wildfire preparedness meeting at the station, 301 Meadowood Drive. There will be real-time Spanish interpretation available during the meeting. Pablo Herr, the assistant fire chief at Carbondale Fire, has been with the agency for 15 years and volunteered with […]
Posted inOpinion
Mature Content: A loon in interesting times
One day, during the time of COVID, as my granddaughter and I walked she told me about her family’s spirit animals. And she, of course, asked me about mine. Until then, thinking about such things was of no interest to me. Jokingly, my immediate response was, “I am clearly a loon.” She didn’t yet have […]