the LOOK INSIDE: PAGE 2 Shopping local PAGE 3 RVRer announces PAGE 4 Oven work continues By Lynn Burton Sopris Sun Staff Writer fter more than two years of public review and 35 public meetings, the Village at Crystal River PUD turned a corner at Tuesday night’s board of trustees meeting. On a 5-0 vote, trustees instructed town staff to draft a document detailing all of the proposed agreements between the town and developer for a mixed-use development on the west side of Highway 133 north of Main Street. With docu- ment in hand, trustees will then be able to vote up or down on the proposal for a 24-acre piece of property whose history dates to 1999. “This is a monumental point for this project,” mayor Stacey Bernot said after the vote was taken. Trustee Frosty Merriott was absent and trustee John Foulkrod has recused himself due to a possible conflict of interest. The trustees will discuss the document Oct. 4 and could vote on the project that night, although town planner Janet Buck told them the related discussions might take “a meeting or two.” The Village at Crystal River planned unit de- velopment (PUD), proposed by Rich Schierburg and the Denver-based Peregrine Group, calls for approximately 125,000 square feet of commercial/ retail density, including a 58,000-square-foot gro- cery store according to the development applica- tion; approximately 15,000 square feet of office space; up to 164 residential units; and a parcel of approximately three acres for a school, day care center, hospital, hotel or combination of light manufacturing with a retail component. In a 2003 referendum, Carbondale residents overturned a trustees decision and voted down a proposal for a 230,000-square-foot commercial development on the parcel that included a 125,000-square-foot big-box retail store. The property’s development history dates to 1999 when its owner, Colorado Rocky Mountain School, sold the vacant land/pasture to California developer Brian Huster. Huster’s original plan called for what amounted to a new town center on the property — including a theatre for the Carbondale Council on Arts and Humanities that Huster offered to the non-profit group for free — but residents hammered the idea so badly he eventually pulled the project in favor of the one that voters turned down in 2003. A partial timeline for the project since 2003 is as follows: 2005 – Schierburg takes input from the Eco- Village at Crystal River advances A Bridget Strang’s border collie,Treat, showed the crowd how it’s done during a herding demonstration at the Carbondale Wild West West Rodeo on Aug. 11. Strang and other organizers are gearing up for the National Sheepdog Finals at her family’s ranch on Missouri Heights Sept. 13-18. Photo by Jane Bachrach Here come the dogs Carbondale’s weekly, non-profit newspaper Sopris Volume 3, Number 27 | August 18, 2011 Sun VCR page 4
Transcript
theLOOK INSIDE:
PAGE 2Shopping
local
PAGE 3RVRer
announces
PAGE 4Oven workcontinues
By Lynn BurtonSopris Sun Staff Writer
fter more than two years of publicreview and 35 public meetings, theVillage at Crystal River PUD turned
a corner at Tuesday night’s board of trusteesmeeting.
On a 5-0 vote, trustees instructed town staff todraft a document detailing all of the proposedagreements between the town and developer fora mixed-use development on the west side ofHighway 133 north of Main Street. With docu-ment in hand, trustees will then be able to vote upor down on the proposal for a 24-acre piece ofproperty whose history dates to 1999.
“This is a monumental point for this project,”mayor Stacey Bernot said after the vote was taken.
Trustee Frosty Merriott was absent andtrustee John Foulkrod has recused himself due toa possible conflict of interest.
The trustees will discuss the document Oct. 4and could vote on the project that night, althoughtown planner Janet Buck told them the relateddiscussions might take “a meeting or two.”
The Village at Crystal River planned unit de-velopment (PUD), proposed by Rich Schierburgand the Denver-based Peregrine Group, calls forapproximately 125,000 square feet of commercial/retail density, including a 58,000-square-foot gro-cery store according to the development applica-tion; approximately 15,000 square feet of officespace; up to 164 residential units; and a parcel ofapproximately three acres for a school, day carecenter, hospital, hotel or combination of lightmanufacturing with a retail component.
In a 2003 referendum, Carbondale residentsoverturned a trustees decision and voted down aproposal for a 230,000-square-foot commercialdevelopment on the parcel that included a125,000-square-foot big-box retail store.
The property’s development history dates to1999 when its owner, Colorado Rocky MountainSchool, sold the vacant land/pasture to Californiadeveloper Brian Huster. Huster’s original plancalled for what amounted to a new town centeron the property — including a theatre for theCarbondale Council on Arts and Humanities thatHuster offered to the non-profit group for free —but residents hammered the idea so badly heeventually pulled the project in favor of the onethat voters turned down in 2003.
A partial timeline for the project since 2003 isas follows:
2005 – Schierburg takes input from the Eco-
Village atCrystal Riveradvances
A
Bridget Strang’s border collie, Treat, showed the crowd how it’s done during a herding demonstration at the CarbondaleWild West West Rodeo on Aug. 11. Strang and other organizers are gearing up for the National Sheepdog Finals at herfamily’s ranch on Missouri Heights Sept. 13-18. Photo by Jane Bachrach
Here comethe dogs
Carbondale’s weekly, non-profit newspaper
SoprisVolume 3, Number 27 | August 18, 2011
Sun
VCR page 4
Holding with Denver PeakDear Editor:
My father grew up on the banks of theRoaring Fork River, as did I as a baby. Theview of the mountain is incredible, and myaunt and cousin still maintain a home justwest of the old homestead.
Mount Sopris holds a special place inmy heart, as does its name. If it maintainsits name with only the east peak beingchanged, I guess I could hold with that.Although being a fan of John Denver, andhaving lived and worked in Aspen in the1970s, and Starwood, the view of themountain is not what he would have ap-preciated the most. I propose the changeof name to a mountain he would havelooked on and loved more – Pyramid.This is just a suggestion, and asking thepeople who knew him best which moun-tain’s name should be changed makesmore sense.
Judy Kirkham-BevilleGrand Junction
Fabulous ideaDear Editor:
I think naming the eastern peak ofMount Sopris “John Denver Peak” is afabulous idea. There couldn’t be a more fit-ting honor to a man that promoted theColorado Rockies through his music andhis environmentalism and humanitarianefforts throughout the world. We’re 100percent in favor of the idea.
Harold and Cathy SimpsonHoopeston, Illinois
Moms rock the fairDear Editor:
Our mothering community neverceases to amaze me with their offering ofsupport and generosity. This past Moun-tain Fair weekend was more comfortableand manageable for families with infantsand toddlers thanks to the CarbondaleMoms for Moms Changing & NursingNook. It’s no fun to be at a festival with ahot, hungry, wet baby, and the booth spaceprovided a shady little nook offeringmoms, dads and caregivers a place tochange diapers and feed babies duringtheir time at the festival.
The booth was made possible with do-nations from local Carbondale Moms forMoms members Annie Thompson, AmiMaes, Daine Fehr, Laine Weinstein-Fabi-janic, Megan Hansen, Anne Nickamin andAlta Otto who brought in a glider, nursingpillows, wipes and diapers.
Alexa’s Closet and Julie Ivansco loaneda changing table and hand sanitizer, andSopris Liquor & Wine made a generousdonation to provide cold bottles of waterto family members taking advantage of thetent to stay hydrated.
Dawn Lamping and La Leche Leaguesupplied brochures and volunteers to sup-
The Sopris Sun welcomes your letters, limited to no more than 400 words. Letters ex-ceeding that length may be edited or returned for revisions. Include your name and res-idence (for publication) and a contact email and phone number. Submit letters via emailto [email protected] or via snail mail to P.O. Box 399, Carbondale, CO 81623.
Letters
During the weekend of Aug. 6-7, the Roaring Fork Women’s Triathlon Team participated in the Tri for the Cure at Cherry CreekReservoir in Denver. After the event, the team gathered around for a little hometown reading. Courtesy photo
2 • THE SOPRIS SUN • AUGUST 18, 2011
To inform, inspire and build community
Donations accepted online or bymail. For information call 510-3003
The Sopris Sun is an LLC organized under the501c3 non-profit structure of the Roaring Fork
Community Development Corporation.
Carbondale Commentary
LETTERS page 11
CorrectionThe photo on page 6 in the Aug. 11 Sopris Sun was not taken at Floyd’s of Mayberry.
It was taken at the Barber Shoppe. The Sopris Sun regrets the error.
Help libraries; shop locallyBy Kelsy Been
Living locally is in. That is, eating locally grown food and shopping at local busi-nesses is the latest trend. But, that doesn’t mean everyone is doing it. Many peopleare still driving to Grand Junction or Denver to save a few bucks on their purchases.
Most shoppers want to get the most bang for their buck and are willing to go thedistance to do so — especially in today’s economy. However, what most people don’trealize is that by shopping locally, you are supporting entities that provide servicesto your community through the sales tax generated in your community. The GarfieldCounty Public Library District recognizes that your tax dollars are precious and thatshopping locally supports your local libraries and more.
For instance, if you live in Glenwood Springs and buy $100 worth of food, treats,and toys for your beloved dog at the local food store, your grand total will be$108.60 with sales tax. Sales tax can be frustrating because when you dish out thatextra money, it may seem that you’re not getting anything tangible in return.
To some, it may seem like a mysterious wad of cash that disappears into a blackhole. In reality, that 8.6 percent sales tax is divided between the following entities: thestate of Colorado (2.9 percent), Garfield County (1 percent), city of GlenwoodSprings (3.7 percent), and the Rural Transit Authority (1 percent). These entities usesales tax income to support a number of public services, and Garfield County’s sharesupports a number of essential services including Garfield County Libraries, 911communications, the sheriff’s office, human services, road and bridge and more.
Garfield County Libraries’ general operating fund comes solely from sales taxes.The library district receives a quarter percent of sales tax from the county, or 22 centsof that $8.60 from your canine-friendly purchase. This 22 cents goes toward librarybooks, staff salaries, and public programming.
Sales tax collections in Garfield County are down almost 50 percent since 2008,whichmakes it even more important to shop locally to support Garfield County public services.
So even if you spend an extra dollar on a squirrel chew toy in Glenwood Springs,at least you know that that the sales tax you pay will be returned to you, your fam-ily, and your community in the form of other services.
Kelsy Been is an Administrative Assistant for the Garfield County Library District.
The Sopris Sun encourages commentaries on local issues from those who live and careabout them – that’s you, our readers. Please send us your 700 word article to [email protected] or P.O. Box 399, Carbondale, CO 81623 and inlcude your name,phone number, where you live and any other pertinent information about yourself.
By Lynn BurtonSopris Sun Staff Writer
River Valley Ranch resident Matt Hamil-ton has announced he’ll run for the RE-1school board,as incumbent Debbie Bruell hasdecided not to run.
“Matt will be an excellent board mem-ber,” Bruell said.“The board needs memberswho speak their mind, even if it (their opin-ion) is unpopular.”
Hamilton is the only Carbondale candi-date to take out a nomination petition,whichmust be returned by 1 p.m. on Aug. 26, ac-cording to a school district spokeswoman.
Hamilton, 38, is sustainability managerfor the Aspen Skiing Co. His wife, Jennifer,teaches second graders at Crystal River El-ementary School. They have two children,7 and 3.
“I have a long, deep interest in public ed-ucation … my mother was a teacher in Con-necticut and served on the school board,”Hamilton said in citing one reason for run-ning for the board.
Hamilton said he attended several boardmeetings earlier this year when it was dis-cussing budget cuts brought on by decreasedstate funding. He also talked to teachers,other parents and to Bruell.
“I know Debbie … I think we had a meet-ing of the minds,” he said.
There are several issues to address or ideasto pursue if elected,Hamilton said.First, he’dlike to look into instituting a 360 review to
help rate the performance of administratorsand school principals.
He’d also like for the district to pursueboard member Bill Lamont’s interest in in-creasing communication between the districtand community, and to work toward moreengagement between teachers, principalsand parents.
After attending school board meetings,Hamilton wants to look into how they arestructured to possibly allow for more publiccomment, and also try to streamline meet-ings so they are shorter. “There are ways torun meetings so they don’t go on for five toseven hours.”
Hamilton, who lives in District D, wantsto work with the Roaring Fork Public Edu-cation Foundation and take it to the “nextlevel” of support for the district.
Matt and Jennifer moved to Carbondalein 2005 when she accepted a teaching posi-tion at Crystal River Elementary School. Hesaid he “lucked out” in landing the sustain-ability manager job at the SkiCo, which in-cludes helping the company to conserveenergy in all its departments.He holds an un-dergraduate degree from Middlebury Collegein Vermont and a graduate degree in publicpolicy from Georgetown inWashington,D.C.
Incumbent Bill Lamont, from Carbon-dale, also announced this week he will notseek reelection. The only other candidate toannounce is Phil Weir (District C) of Glen-wood Springs.
RVR resident running for school board
By Allyn Harvey
U.S. Senator Michael Bennet told an au-dience of nearly 150 area residents that hewas ready to draft one piece of legislation toprotect the Thompson Divide area from en-ergy development, and another to designatenearly 100,000 acres of public lands inPitkin and Gunnison Counties as wilderness.
Bennet spent an hour and a half Mondayafternoon taking questions at the GatheringCenter at the Church of Carbondale (nowknown as the Orchard).
He asked people early on to speak theirminds and level any criticism, noting that hisfour years as superintendent of schools inDenver had given him a “thick skin.” Thefirst term senator is known for his willing-ness to engage local audiences, even in thetoughest political environments.
When the question of Thompson Dividecame up, the senator praised the work thathad been done by the community so far, andsaid he had met with Rep. Scott Tipton onthe issue. “My sense is we’re getting closerand closer to doing something about that,”he said.
Former Garfield County Commissioner
Tresi Houpt urged Bennet to consider thetimeline that the community is facing nowthat there is a pending application with theBLM to drill deep in the roadless area.
Bennet also praised locals for their workon the Hidden Gems Wilderness proposal,and said he is ready to begin work on a billthat would propose wilderness designationfor the Hidden Gems area in Pitkin, Gunni-son and a small part of Garfield counties.The Hidden Gems in those counties com-prise about 100,000 acres of public lands.
When he was asked what work is beingdone on climate change in the nation’s capi-tal, the senator turned glum.“The short an-swer is nothing is happening with the climatechange debate,” he said.
Bennet said he is a strong advocate forcreating incentives to drive investment innew technologies, including renewable ener-gies. He pointed out that China now exports$15 billion in solar panels and associatedtechnologies annually, while the U.S. govern-ment’s support for alternative energy devel-opment and exports is stagnant. Essentially,the U.S. is leaving money on the table, andthe Chinese are scooping it up.
In answer to a local Republican’s call forthe repeal of the health care reform passedlast year, Bennet said he wasn’t willing togo that far. But he did say Congress should
add accountability to the law, so measurescould be taken if it fails to realize the costsavings promised.
Bennet clearly was expecting questionsover the recent debate about raising the debtceiling, even though residents from Carbon-dale to Aspen who attended the eventseemed more interested in other matters. Inhis opening remarks, he described the poli-tics in Washington as “cartoonish.”
“I wish I could tell you that things thereare less dysfunctional than they appear — Ican’t,” Bennet said.“Things are worse thanthey appear, in fact.”
When the topic came up later in the ses-sion, he attributed part of that dysfunctionto the distance that exists between federallegislators and their constituents, noting thatthey are so far removed from one anotherthat extremists in Congress can act withoutfear of electoral consequences.
“I can tell you that there is not a singlemayor or schools superintendent whowould dare threaten the financial viability oftheir community or district — not one,” hesaid.“The voters wouldn’t let them get awaywith it.”
Bennet promises environmental protections at town hall meeting
ObituaryPhilip ArthurRosenberg
Philip Arthur Rosen-berg, 71, died peacefullyat home in Carbondaleon July 18, 2011.
Phil was a 26-year resident of the Roar-ing Fork Valley and a proud Air Force vet-
eran. He is survived by his five children,their spouses and many grandchildren.
Phil will be missed more than he couldever have imagined; he made a differencein so many lives.
There will be a celebration of Phil’s lifeon Aug. 20, at 4 p.m. at the River ValleyRanch clubhouse. All who knew Phil arewelcome. In lieu of flowers, please reachout to a family member or friend.
A film crew for the independent movie “Chapman” took over Main Street Spirits onAug. 12. The film stars Jesse Johnson, Chris Masterson and Christine Woods, and isbeing shot entirely in Colorado. Photo by Lynn Burton
Senator Michael Bennet (D-Colo.) spoketo a packed house at the Gathering Centerduring his Carbondale stop on Aug. 8.Photo by Lynn Burton
THE SOPRIS SUN • AUGUST 18, 2011 • 3
4 • THE SOPRIS SUN • AUGUST 18, 2011
Work continues on the community oven at the Third Street Center as volunteers Sean McWilliams (left), Linda Criswell (center) andTom Passavant (right) inspect bricks that will form the oven dome’s base. Criswell said this weekend the crew can use four pieces of2X6 lumber (at least six feet long) or 2X8, 2X10 or even 2X12, one sheet of half-inch plywood (in reasonably good condition) anda brick saw. For details, call 963-9371. When finished in September, the wood-fired oven will be available to the public for makingcrusty, hearth-baked bread and pizza. The project’s sponsors are the town of Carbondale, BKS Charitable Foundation, WhimsicalWomen of the West, Gallegos Corp, Valley Lumber, Slow Food, and the Garfield County commissioners. Photo by Lynn Burton
The Sheepdog Finals are comingFor six action-packed days, the top 250 qualifying border collies fromthe US and Canada and their handlers will square off with Colorado’scapricious range yearlings to determine the 2011 National Sheepdog
nomic Roadmap Group and down-sizes the project from its 2003 size;
2006 – An open house is held totake input and discuss concepts forthe property;
2007 – Trustees take straw polls ondesires for the property;
2008 – The developer withdrawsa possible big-box component forthe project and introduces a “flex-zone” for central seven acres;
2009 – The planning and zoningcommission recommends 5-2 fortrustees to approve the project, and itthen goes to the trustees.
•••
In other business from Tuesdaynight’s meeting, the trustees approveda policy regarding business sandwichboard signs pending a formal ordi-nance. Among the new rules:
• Only one sandwich board perbusiness;
• Sandwich boards must bebrought in at night;
• Signs can only be placed on thelot where the business is located; busi-nesses without street frontage must re-strict their sign to the nearest right-of-way.
The trustees also extended themedical marijuana facilities morato-rium to July 1, 2012, and approved aliquor license for Bonfire Coffee.
THE SOPRIS SUN • AUGUST 18, 2011 • 5
Salon
All Fruit Trees and Berry Bushes 25% OFF!!End of Summer SaleEnd of Summer Sale
Planted EarthGarden Center
Carbondale12744 Highway 82 • 963-1731
Monday - Saturday 9:00 AM - 5:30 PMSunday 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Check out our NEW Pansies and Mums for FABULOUS Fall Color!!
Great advice on Fall Perennial planting!Browse our
climate-friendly selectionsCARBONDALE
LOCATION ONLY Check out our Great Tools, Amendments,
Candles and Garden Decor
A Sopris view, captured at 6:32 a.m. on Aug. 14, just before the fog rolled in. Photo by Jane Bachrach
6 • THE SOPRIS SUN • AUGUST 18, 2011
Your financial support is a critical part of our community news effort
DONATIONS ARE TAX DEDUCTIBLE
Donate online at www.soprissun.com
Send a check made out to the Sopris Sun LLC, P.O. Box 399, Carbondale, 81623
Take out an ad for your business by contactingd @soprissun.com,
demos at the Carbondale rodeo and Cham-ber of Commerce mixer, Agnes and Baaflocked to the Pour House and got a bit toowild and wooly. The cops were called, andthe girls got penned.
Alpine Animal Hospital and CarbondaleAnimal Hospital performed sobriety tests.The ovines were released but were re-stricted from grazing on the open range.
“This is a huge setback in our quest tojoin the range ewes from the Raftopoulousflock for the National Sheepdog Finals atStrang Ranch,” Agnes said.
Looking for “free” range, the galschecked inventory at Mason and Morse,Amore, and Carol Dopkin’s, but because oflast week’s S&P report their stock tankedand they are broke.
At the perp stroll following their arrest,Sheep World Daily reporter Ewe B.Herded quoted the still–slightly bloatedewes. “Bonedale???? Really? How aboutsomething more agricultural . . . like Bale-dale? Have you seen the meadows in theRoaring Fork Valley this week? There ishay everywhere!”
When asked to comment on the pro-posal to name Mt. Sopris’s east peak “Den-ver Peak,” both ewes thought it was a“Baaaaaaaaaad” idea.
As for plans for the future, the ewes areexcited about the movie Sweetgrass comingto the Crystal Theater on Aug. 28 at 2 p.m.and Aug. 29 at 5 p.m.“The movie truly be-
longs to the sheep, which turn out to be fas-cinating, almost hypnotic subjects for thecamera, whether they’re comically bleatingat one another like rush-hour subway ridersor swarming across the range like a singleorganism,” wrote one film critic. This spe-cial event is a fundraiser for the NationalSheepdog Finals and tickets are $10.
“You can count us in!” Baa bleated.And you can count on another install-
ment of Flock Talk in next week’s SoprisSun, as Agnes and Baa (a couple of small-flock sheep from Hicksville) continue try-ing to crash the Raftopoulos flock for ashot at the National Sheepdog Finals onSept. 13-18.
Congrats to David ClarkLocal ironman/coach/triathlete David
Clark finished first in his division at theAug. 7 Boulder Ironman triathlon. Clarkcompleted his swim in 27:18, the bike legat 2:28:04 and run at 1:38:01 for a totaltime of four hours, thirty-seven minutes,seven seconds.
Congrats to AMEXAMEX won the Carbondale Recreation
Department men’s slow pitch champi-onship with a record of 8-0.
New at Transformation YogaThere are three new teachers at Trans-
formation Yoga & Fitness: Sharon Kaplan(certified through the White Lotus Founda-tion), Audrey Sherry Gunshor (practicedwith Shiva Rae, Max Strom and Saul DavidRaye) and Suzanne Luck (also practicesherbal medicine).
Climbing ropes foundA gentleman named Andy dropped in the
Sopris Sun office the other day and reportedhe found two climbing ropes on “SatankRoad” a while back. If you believe theseropes to be yours, call Andy at 987-3556.
They say it’s your birthdayBirthday greetings go out to Jonathan
Shamis and Rusty Burtard (Aug. 18), andDan Whitney, Katherine Whitney and SidSmock (Aug. 20).
Carbondale police officer Greg Knott apprehended Agnes and Baa on charges of “wildand wooly behavior” at the Pour House last week. Photo by Sheep World Daily
THE SOPRIS SUN • AUGUST 18, 2011 • 7
www.alpinebank.com Member FDIC
Bank anytime, anywherewith AlpineMobile.
*Alpine Bank does not charge you a fee for using AlpineMobile, however your wireless carrier’s standard web-access and text-message rates may still apply. AlpineMobile works with Smartphones, web-enabled, and most other regular cell phone models. Must have an Alpine Bank account to qualify for AlpineMobile.
Learn More Instantly!Scan this QR code withyour smartphone.
As these beautiful, warm summer daysroll on, many of us have dusted off our grillsand smokers and entered another gloriousseason of outdoor cooking. But how manyof us guys really know what we’re doing?
After sev-eral decades offrustrating tri-als and errors,I’m beginningto understand afew of the fun-damentals ofthis generallym a s c u l i n e ,some say Ne-anderthal, pur-suit. I’ve learnedthat chickenmust be grilledover fairly coolcoals or lowgas, and with
lots of repositioning, lest its abundant fatdrip down and ignite the entire patio. Athick, lean steak or salmon, on the otherhand, should be grilled over high heat, inorder to develop a nice charred surface with-out overcooking the interior.
Smoking, on the other hand, has little incommon with grilling, other than occurringoutdoors and involving wood or charcoal.Proper smoking is done with indirect, low-temperature heat, over an extended periodof time, in a closed unit.You can grill a ham-
burger, steak, or shrimp in minutes, while apork shoulder or beef brisket requires 18-24hours of smoking at around 225 degrees.
Pork ribs, for many the epitome of greatbarbeque, really used to confuse me.To grillor smoke? Wet or dry-rub? Should I buyspare, St. Louis-style, or baby-back ribs?And what does baby-back mean, anyway?Do these come from cute little piglets?
Over several years, I had sampled ribs atmyriad venues, including prizewinners at theMemphis-in-May (MIM) ChampionshipCookoff, numerous highly rated joints, andmy own fledgling efforts. Some were so per-fectly tender and tasty that they nearlycaused me to faint. Others were tough, dryand flavorless. Some held nothing but juicyand smoky lean meat, while others wereladen with annoying gristle and fat.
Scholarly study of the Official WholesaleMeat Buyers’ Guide and the MIM judge’smanual taught me that pork ribs come inmany forms. Ribs, of course, curve aroundfrom the back to the breastbone. To make14-inch-long ribs more manageable, proces-sors cut them in two. The shorter half to-ward the back is logically called a back (orloin) rib. The longer front half somehowcame to be called a spare rib.
Plain old spare ribs include some breast-bone and associated gristle that many con-sumers don’t want. When this portion istrimmed away, the ribs become St. Louis-style ribs and cost a little more per pound.
“Country-style ribs”come from the back
area. Usually, the meat overlying the ribs issold without the bones, making this cut ofmeat a rib oxymoron and disqualifying itfrom most barbeque competitions.
How back ribs from adult pigs came to becalled baby-back ribs is unclear. Someone toldme that a popular chain restaurant coined theterm. One Internet source said that some 20years ago, when Denmark produced morepork ribs than it was able to sell, a Danishmarketing genius came up with this catchyterm to increase interest in these smaller ribracks. It must have worked, as half the backribs eaten in the U.S. are Danish imports.
Generally, back ribs have more meat andcost a little more than regular spare ribs.Mostindependent barbecue joints seem to servespare ribs, while chain restaurants like Chili’sand Outback Steakhouse make a big point oftheir baby-back ribs. Most barbecue cookoffcontenders submit back ribs, suggesting that
this may be the judges’ preferred type.How to cook them? I’ve grown attached
to the melting tenderness of slowly smokedribs and the remarkably deep and complexflavors achieved by the combination ofhardwood smoke and just about anyone’s“secret” dry rub. In skilled hands, back ribsthat have been properly rubbed and smokedcan be so tender and tasty that a sauce isdistracting. Such ribs can move one to ahigher plane.
At one famous Alabama place I searchedout, we were served a rack of hot-grilled, un-seasoned, St. Louis-style spare ribs, swim-ming in sauce. The little meat they held wassomewhat dry and charred.Any notable fla-vor the meat may have had was overpow-ered by the sauce. Gleaning every availablebit from around the gristly knobs on one endwas a chore. Why does anyone love these?
So my mind is made up. Although I haveenjoyed some delicious smoked spare ribs,from hereon I’m buying only back ribs, ide-ally when they’re on sale for about $3 apound. I’ll rub them down with my ever-changing mixture of kosher salt, black pep-per, brown sugar, garlic and onion powders,a bit of cinnamon, and cumin. Then I’llsmoke them for about six hours at around225 degrees, using charcoal and any avail-able hardwood chunks.
When they’re ready, I’ll gather my familyand a few other folks I love, open somehome brews or inexpensive red wine, take adeep breath, and approach heaven.
The Forkthat RoaredBy Chef George Bohmfalk
Summertime bliss: Approaching heaven on back ribsIn skilled hands, backribs that have been
properly rubbed andsmoked can be so
tender and tasty thata sauce is distracting.
8 • THE SOPRIS SUN • AUGUST 18, 2011
Nelson Oldham and his colleagues at Dos Gringos Burritos & Cafe Oléare working hard to cut their energy bills. Dos Gringos Burritos & Cafe
Ole received rebates from Xcel Energy and Gar�eld Clean Energy.�ey are participating in the Gar�eld Clean Energy Challenge.
And Nelson is an Energy Hero!You can be an energy hero, too!
Call Rob or Erica at CLEER(970-704-9200) to get started.
Find out more atwww.gar�eldcleanenergy.org.
Be an Energy Hero.
FURTHER OUT page 9
THURSDAY Aug. 18BARSAMIAN SPEAKS • David Barsamianof the Boulder-based “Alternative Radio”speaks at the Blend Coffee Company aspart of KDNK’s Early Bird membershipdrive from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Barsamian willtalk about independent media in the con-text of national and international issues,the crisis in Washington and the paralysisof the political system, according to apress release. A question and answer ses-sion will follow. The Blend is located at1150 Highway 133, just south of Carbon-dale Car Care.
RODEO • The Carbondale Wild WestRodeo concludes its season at Gus Darienarena on County Road 100 east of town.Gates open at 5:30 p.m., with slack at 6:30p.m. and the Grand Entry at 7:30 p.m.Tickets are $10.
LIVE MUSIC • Eric Martinez performssolo at Carbondale Beer Works starting at8 p.m. Martinez has sat in with WideSpread Panic and is a touring member ofthe Athens, Georgia-based Bloodkin. Healso plays with Denver’s Dyrty Byrds. It’sfree. CBW is located at 647 Main St.
ROTARY • District governor RogerPtolemy speaks at the Mt. Sopris Rotaryluncheon at Mi Casita at noon.
AREDAY • American Energy Renewal En-ergy Day in Aspen takes place through Aug.21. Speakers include Ted Turner,Tim Wirthand Dr. Sylvia Earle. Discount locals passesare available at the Wheeler Box Office.Info: areday.net.
BIKE RIDE • The Roaring Fork Conser-vancy hosts a riparian bike ride on the Eastof Aspen Trail from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Info:927-1290.
PAONIA MUSIC • Paonia’s Pickin’ in thePark summer concert series features rootsrockers Old California at 6 p.m. on Aug.18 and Nashville’s the Black Lilies onAug. 25. It’s free. Info: Rob Miller at 970-260-6493.
FRIDAY Aug. 19MOVIES • The CrystalTheatre presents “Buck”(PG) at 8 p.m. Aug. 19-25 and “Midnight inParis” (PG-13) at 6p.m. Aug. 21-25.
LIVE MUSIC• Carnahan’sTavern inthe DinkelBuildingpresentsHood Ratz at10 p.m.
LIVE MUSIC • Steve’s Guitars in the oldpart of the Dinkel Building presents Hawai-ian slack-key guitarist Ben Kaili.
LIVE MUSIC • Rivers restaurant in Glen-wood Springs presents Bad Willie (rockingblues) from 9 p.m. to midnight. There’s nocover. Info: 928-8813.
FOSSILS • Colorado Mountain Collegepresents “So You Found 100,000-Year-Old
Mastodon DNA. What’s Next?” at the IceAge Discovery Center on the SnowmassVillage mall from 5:30 to 7 p.m. The talk isfree. Info: 947-8177.
SATURDAYAug. 20LIVE MUSIC • KDNK’s Blues
& Barbecue takes place indowntown Carbondale from 4-10 p.m. featuring Big Daddy Lee
and the King Bees, and Car-olyn Wonderland. For
more information,turn to page 11.
LIVE MUSIC • Car-nahan’s Tavern in theDinkel Building pres-ents The Moon Shines
at 10 p.m.
LIVE MUSIC •Peter Karp and
Sue Foley perform inthe Crystal Club
Café’s tent on the Crys-tal River in Redstone from 6:30 to 9 p.m.It’s free. Karp is a Blind Pig recording artistwhile Foley is a well-known singer/song-writer. Please: no food or alcohol in the tent.Info: www.karpfoley.com.
LIVE MUSIC • Matt Johnson plays theCardif schoolhouse in Glenwood Springs at7:30 p.m.Tickets are $8. He has opened forsuch acts as Vance Gilbert, Kelly Joe Phelpsand Tony Furtado.
YOGA • The Aspen Yoga Society, the Shakti
Foundation and Off the Mat into the World,in partnership with AREDAY, presents thefirst annual Yoga Day in Action at PaepckePark from 9 to 11 a.m. Organizers expectmore than 10 yoga teachers and 200 practi-tioners to take part in the free event, whichhonors yoga activist Scott Neeson. Info:[email protected].
SUNDAY Aug. 21HIDDEN GEMS HIKE • The WildernessWorkshop hosts a Hidden Gems Hike toRuedi Overlook up the Frying Pan at 8a.m. The hikes showcase the workshop’swilderness proposal. For details, go towww.whiteriverwild.org.
YOGA • The Aspen Yoga Society, theShakti Foundation and ACES presents“Connect to Cambodia” at Hallam Lakefrom 6 to 8:30 p.m. A $20 suggested dona-tion goes directly to help the CambodianRural Development Team, CCF and ACES.Info: [email protected].
TUESDAY Aug. 23LIVE MUSIC • Carnahan’s Tavern in theDinkel Building presents Greg Masse at10 p.m.
WEDNESDAY Aug. 24LIVE MUSIC • Carnahan’s Tavern in theDinkel Building presents Yvette Maceachenand Friends from 7:30 to 10:30 p.m.
LIVE MUSIC • White House pizza pres-ents Ed Barber (acoustic indie soul). Info:704-9400.
Community Calendar To list your event, email information to [email protected]. Deadline is 5 p.m. Saturday. Events takeplace in Carbondale unless noted. For up-to-the-minute valley-wide event listings, check out the CommunityCalendar online at soprissun.com.
THE SOPRIS SUN • AUGUST 18, 2011 • 9
When Basalt resident Hector Vazquezsuffered sudden cardiac arrest during a martial arts class at Basalt Middle School, bystanders sprang into action. A citizen began CPR while another retrieved the school’s Automated External Defibrillator (AED). The AED was used to shock his heart
into a normal rhythm. Hector is alive today because of the action bystanders took before the ambulance arrived.
There are over200 AED’s located throughout our valley.
“I’m alive today because the school had anAED and someone wasn’t afraid to use it!”
Take Action. Save a Life. Find out how at www.savealifepitkincounty.comSave a Life Pitkin County is a partnership between the Aspen Ambulance District, your Pitkin County government and Aspen Community Foundation
When Basalt resident Hector Vazquezsuffered sudden cardiac arrest during a martial arts class at Basalt Middle School, bystanders sprang into action. A citizen began CPR while another retrieved the school’s Automated External Defibrillator (AED). The AED was used to shock his heart
into a normal rhythm. Hector is alive today because of the action bystanders took before the ambulance arrived.
Further Out
Save the dateMONDAY Aug. 29SLOW FOOD DINNER • The “Summer Harvest Social,” a benefit for Slow Food RoaringFork, takes place at Six89 on Carbondale’s Main street. Featured chefs include Alex Seidel(Fruit in Denver), Frank Bonanno (Mizuna in Denver), Mark Buley and Mark Zitelli (BB’sKitchen in Aspen), Rob Zack (EightK at the Viceroy in Snowmass), Bryce Orblom (restaurantSix89 in Carbondale) and John Chad Little (the Pullman in Glenwood Springs). A cash bar(with silent auction) starts at 6 p.m., with dinner at 7 p.m. Tickets are $96.89 for Slow Foodmembers and $126.89 for non-members. Reservations: 963-6890.
SATURDAY Sept. 17STREET DANCE • Carbondale’s annual Community Appreciation Night street dance/bar-becue takes place downtown from 4 to 10 p.m. There’ll be free barbecue and music from theSirens. For info, go to carbondale.com.
Hold the pressesLAUGHS UP AT STEVE’S AUG. 20 • Local stand-up comedians are back at Steve’s Guitarson Aug. 20. “Clutching onto the waning days of summer, we’re offering up a night of thera-peutic laughter to locals in need,” said show producer Mark Thomas.“It’s for exhausted work-ers who want to vent pent-up summer stress, local parents who want to celebrate back toschool, and anyone worried about days getting shorter and trees threatening to change intotheir fall colors too damn soon.”The slate includes Glenn Smith, Todd Hartley, April Clark, Gail Mason, Jeremy Firth andThomas himself.Doors open at 7:30 p.m.; show time is 8:15 p.m. Tickets are $10.“Steve’s Guitars recently celebrated it’s 500th consecutive week of live music and entertain-ment, and is considered by performers and audiences as one of the “Top 5 Grooviest Places toPlay in Colorado ” according to people who still use the word ‘groovy,’”Thomas said. Steve’sis located at 19 N. 4th Street, half a block off Main in downtown Carbondale.The show is a Comedy Mercenary Production.
CVEPA RESERVATIONS DUE • Dinner reservations for the Crystal River Environmental Pro-tection Association’s annual meeting are due Aug. 21 by contacting John Stickney at 963-3584 [email protected] dinner is on Aug. 28 at 6 p.m. at the Redstone Inn (social hour at 5 p.m.)
OngoingMILL SITE TOURS • Tours of the historicMarble mill site are offered Fridays throughSundays at 1 p.m. Info: 704-9482.
STONECARVER’S EXHIBITION • The 15thannual Stone Carver’s Exhibition is held at theRedstone Art Center through Sept. 30. Col-orado sculptors include Madeline Wiener,Kathi Caricof and Steve Kentz. Info: 963-3790.
FARMER’S MARKET • The CarbondaleFarmer’s Market at Fourth and Main St. con-tinues Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.There’s music, new vendors and old favorites,plus fish, prepared food, flowers and more.Themarket is sponsored by American NationalBank and runs through Oct. 5.
CMC SHOWS GRANT • Native Coloradoartist Lanny Grant exhibits many of his studiopaintings of Colorado, Wyoming, Montanaand Canadian mountain scenes at the Col-
orado Mountain College Gallery in GlenwoodSprings through September.The gallery is openweekdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more in-formation, call the college’s ArtShare programat 947-8367.
MAYOR’S COFFEEHOUR • Chat with Car-bondale Mayor Stacey Bernot on Tuesdaysfrom 7 to 8 a.m. at the Village Smithy, locatedat 26 S. Third St.
YOGA INTHE PARK • True Nature HealingArts offers yoga in Sopris Park Sundays from 5to 6 p.m. through August. It’s free and all lev-els are accepted. Info: 963-9900.
LIVEMUSIC • Pianist/singer John Riger playsFin’s in downtown Glenwood Springs everySaturday night through the summer.
ZINGERS SING • The Zingers singing groupgets together at the Third Street Center everyThursday from 2 to 3 p.m. Info: 945-7094.
THURSDAY Aug. 25LIVE MUSIC • Mountain Music Move-ment presents Mystic Roots at the HunterBar in Aspen. The band’s current recording,“Cali-Hi” topped out on the iTunes reggaechart at No. 4 and Billboard reggae chart atNo. 13. The band serves up original musicin a reggae/hip-hop/dancehall style withrock/funk/ska overtones. On Aug. 27,Mountain Music Movement and the HunterBar present Java Starr, DJ Centerfold, theCoughee Brothaz and MC Devon.
FRIDAY Aug. 26THE ORCHARD • An art and music jamevent takes place at the Orchard (formerlythe Church at Carbondale) from 7 to 10 p.m.The event brings together visual artists andmusicians in a relaxed atmosphere. Info:970-366-6140.
SATURDAY Aug. 27COWBOY GOLF • A non-traditional golfcourse will be laid out at Dallenbach Ranch up
the Frying Pan for the “Cowboy and CowgirlGolf” benefit for HomeCare& Hospice of theValley from 2 to 8 p.m. Spectators are also in-vited to enjoy the barbecue and support thehospice. Tickets are $75 for golf and barbecueor $25 for spectator golf and barbecue. SmokeModern BBQ will cater the event. Please RSVPby Aug. 15. Golf starts at 2 p.m. and cocktailsbegin at 5 p.m. Info: 927-6650.
SHERIFF’S GOLF • The Garfield CountySheriff's Auxiliary hosts a foursome scramblegolf tournament fundraiser event at the Battle-ment Mesa golf course in Parachute on Aug.28. The cost is $90 per person. Proceeds bene-fit the Garfield County Sheriff's Auxiliary. Info:970-665-0214.
FRIDAY Sept. 2ART SHOW • The 16th annual RedstoneLabor Day Weekend Art Show opens with areception at the Redstone Inn from 6 to 8 p.m.The show continues Sept. 3-4 from 10 a.m. to5 p.m. and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. respectively. Info:704-9963.
10 • THE SOPRIS SUN • AUGUST 18, 2011
SEI celebratesSolar Energy International celebrated its 20th anniver-
sary on Aug. 13 and they did it in style. SEI alumni, boardmembers past and present, political figures and admirersattended the affair, which included solar cooking demon-strations, face painting, dancing to All the Pretty Horses,free tattoos for everyone (temporary), toasts, presentations,mojitos and more.
Photos and text by Jane Bachrach
Photos, clockwise from upper left: SEI co-founder/director Johnny Weiss received a Tanya Black-designed banner using vintage SEI T-shirts; board members TresiHoupt and Jeff Dickinson; April Clark, Jay Pozner and daughter Taz; Brook Le Van (hiding his face after pigging out at the buffet); a girl named Rosanna; formerSEI teacher Ed Eaton; Wick Moses and Michele Diamond; and solar cooking instructor Matthew Harris.
Sopris Sun Staff Report
Community access radio station KDNK kicks off its Fall Membership Drive with Bluesand BBQ featuring Big Daddy Lee & the King Bees and Austin’s Carolyn Wonderlandfrom 4 to 10 p.m. Aug. 20 at the Fourth Street plaza.
“Carolyn Wonderland is the real deal!,”wrote a music critic for the Los Angeles Times.“She’s an amazing guitar player. She whistled a solo. She even played the trumpet! Anddamn, can she sing.”
A music writer for the Boston Herald wrote, “A dollop of Janis Joplin, a slice of Ste-vie Ray Vaughan, and a big load of soulful individuality ... that’s Wonderland, a seething-hot Texas singer-guitarist. And she can write, too! No wonder Dylan is an avowed fan.”
Wonderland’s mother was a singer in a band and she began playing her vintage Mar-tin guitar when other girls were dressing dolls, according to press reports.
She went from being the teenage toast of her hometown Houston to sleeping in hervan in Austin amid heaps of critical acclaim for fine her recordings“Alcohol & Salvation,”“Bloodless Revolution” and most recently “Miss Understood.”
Along with the guitar and the multitude of other instruments she learned to play –trumpet, accordion, piano, mandolin, lap steel – Wonderland's ability to whistle remainsmost unusual.
“Whistling is a uniquely vocal art seldom invoked in modern music,” she said.“Yet it’samong the most spectacular talents the human voice possesses.”
As for Big Daddy Lee & the King Bees, this local band is a regular at Jimmy’s in Aspenand plans to release their second CD in the weeks to come.
Big Daddy Lee takes the stage at 5 p.m., followed by Carolyn Wonderland at 7 p.m.The barbecue will be provided by Smoke, while the beer will be served up by the Glen-
wood Canyon Brew Pub and New Belgium.KDNK-FM will broadcast the show from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. at 88.1, 88.3, 88.5 and
www.KDNK.org.
KDNK importsWonderlandfor membership drive
Austin-basedCarolynWonderlandheadlinesKDNK’sBlues andBBQ at theFourth Streetplaza onAug. 20.AmongWonderland’stalents – shewhistles. BigDaddy Lee& the KingBees roundout the bill.Courtesyphoto
OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK M-F 9AM-7PM; Sat. 11AM-6PM; Sun. 12-6PM
559 Main Street • 970-963-1375 • www.carbondalecommunityfoodcoop.org
See Thundercat atCARBONDALE ANIMAL HOSPITAL
234 Main Street(970) 963-2826
www.carbondaleanimalhospital.com
Dr. Benjamin MackinMon., Tues., Thurs. & Fri.
8 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.Wed. 10:30 a.m.-7 p.m.
Service Directory
port nursing mothers. All the moms actedas ambassadors throughout the three-dayfestival to make sure the tent was clean andwelcoming to families. A huge thanks toAmy Kimberly and CCAH for supportingus and allowing us to host the tent!
Moms for Moms Communities are hyper-local social networks for mothers to connect,share information,offer and find support andbe inspired to engage in their community.Allmothers from pregnancy to grand-mother-
hood are invited to join their local site in Rifle,Glenwood, Carbondale, Basalt or Aspen.Visit MomsforMomsCommunities.com tofind your community and join us.
We look forward to supporting all thenew mommies at next year’s 41st Carbon-dale Mountain Fair.
Man and woman of year nominations soughtThe town of Carbondale and Zeta Epsilon Sorority co-sponsor the man and woman of the
year honors to recognize those who have made outstanding contributions to the community.The awards will be presented at the Carbondale Board of Trustees on Sept. 13. The man
and woman of the Year recipients will serve as this year’s Grand Marshals for the 102nd Po-tato Day parade on Sept. 24.
The application deadline to nominate someone for man or woman of the year is Sept. 5.Applications are available at town hall. The award is meant to recognize outstanding contri-butions to the community through volunteerism.
Nominations can be faxed to 963-8084. For details, call 963-0161.
Buena Vista Social Club gives workshopOn Aug. 22, Jazz Aspen Snowmass, with the help of the Carbondale Council on Arts and
Humanities, brings members of the Buena Vista Social Club to the PAC3 at 1 p.m. for a freemaster class discussing the history and sounds of this historic Cuban group.
On the release of Buena Vista Social Club’s album in 1997, few outside the“world music”audience took much notice of the record’s elegantly sculpted tunes and warm, acousticrhythms. Then the album was spectacularly reviewed by a few discerning critics, creating anearly surge in sales that continued to rise week by week, building almost entirely by word-of-mouth until it achieved critical mass.
“All who heard the record not only fell in love with Buena Vista's irresistible magic, butwere then inspired to play or recommend the album to everyone they know,”said a JazzAspenSnowmass spokesman. Buena Vista went on to win a Grammy and its crossover success per-suaded the acclaimed director Wim Wenders to make an award-winning feature film aboutthe phenomenon.
For more information, call CCAH at 963-1680.
Classic car alertClassic car owners are invited to cruise Carbondale during First Friday on Sept. 2. Word
has it, the First Friday folks might even find some pin-up girls to ride as passengers. For de-tails, e-mail [email protected].
Church taking cherry ordersThe Basalt Community United Methodist Church is taking orders for fresh frozen or pit-
ted sour pie cherries from Western Slope orchards. Eight pounds sell for $26 and 28 poundsis $53. The cherries will be delivered on Aug. 20.
The deadline to order is Aug. 18. For details, call 309-4489 or e-mail [email protected].
