Town avoids moratorium

By James Robinson
Staff Writer
With the state's approval of proposed modifications to the town's sewer treatment plant, it appears the town has avoided imposing a moratorium on building permits and can bring the plant into compliance with its state-issued operating permit.
"Essentially, this will get us out of the woods, including a building permit moratorium," Town Manager Mark Garcia said. "As long as we get the work done by April 15, we'll be fine."
In December, the town faced the possibility of fines or a moratorium on the issuance of building permits when state water quality engineers learned the Pagosa Springs treatment plant exceeded its daily organic loading capacity on a number of occasions during 2005 and 2006.
"Organic loading" is a term engineers and waste water treatment professionals use to describe sewage intake at a treatment plant during the course of the day. Organic loading is measured in BODs.
Since learning the town plant had broached its permitted capacity, Patrick O'Brien of Briliam Engineering, Garcia and state water quality officials began a dialogue to address the state's concerns - namely the schedule for construction of a new plant and remediation measures the town would take in the interim.
In the discussions, the town asked the state to approve increasing its permitted organic loading capacity from 624 pounds BOD-5 per day to 1,030 pounds BOD-5 per day. Coupled with the request was a plan for improvements that would enable the plant to handle the increased waste and a schedule for installation and start-up of the improvements.
According to O'Brien, in late January the state approved the proposed installation of mechanical surface aerators and fine bubble diffusers that should alleviate biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) overloading issues. In addition, O'Brien said, they approved scheduling for the new sewage treatment plant and he is submitting final plans this week.
Garcia said he doesn't foresee problems with meeting the April 15 deadline, and was optimistic the new equipment, weather permitting, could be installed according to schedule.
O'Brien estimated the cost of the surface aerators and bubble diffusers at roughly $20,000. O'Brien said original estimates of $10,000 were based on refurbishing equipment the town already owns, although new information indicates, refurbishing is not an option and the town will have to purchase some of the equipment.
Garcia said increased aeration should help not only with organic loading, but with ammonia issues as well.
"Hopefully, we can kill two birds with one stone with these modifications," Garcia said.
Garcia anticipates the new sewage treatment plant will come on line in May 2008 at a cost of about $4 million.
Preliminary plans called for construction of the new facility on the town's current sewage treatment site, however, Garcia said he is negotiating terms for acquisition of a more southerly site, which is the preferred location.
james@pagosasun.com

‘The sale is still pending'

By James Robinson
Staff Writer
Following Tuesday's executive session concerning the sale of the courthouse, the board of county commissioners and key county staffed reconvened in open session and punctuated the outcome of the closed door meeting with a cryptic message.
"No decision has been made," said County Administrator Bob Campbell.
When pressed to explain what decision the board was considering, County Attorney Teresa Williams reiterated Campbell's succinct statement and added, "The sale is still pending."
In October 2006, Archuleta County sent out a request for proposals (RFP) asking for bids from parties interested in purchasing the courthouse.
According to county documents, the October 2006 RFP request marked the third request for bids since 1999.
On Jan. 9, 2007, the county accepted a purchase offer from the sole bidder, Pagosa Holdings LLC, with a series of conditions.
In a discussion with Campbell Wednesday, the administrator said the county received a written purchase proposal Jan. 30, from Pagosa Holdings, based on the county's aforementioned conditions. In the same discussion, Campbell said the executive session topic was, in fact, Pagosa Holdings' Jan. 30 proposal.
Campbell declined to comment on the county's sale conditions and the details of Pagosa Holdings' purchase proposal.
Campbell did not give a timetable when a decision on the purchase proposal might be made.
Although staff and the commissioners gave little indication as to if or when the sale might be finalized, Campbell said, during Tuesday's meeting, elected officials and department heads need to address a fundamental question: "What is the best, long term use of space in this facility?"
james@pagosasun.com

District seeks EMS manager

By Chuck McGuire
Staff Writer
Once again, the Upper San Juan Health Service District is searching for an Emergency Medical Services operations manager.
Just six months ago, Clint Fraley arrived in Pagosa Springs and immediately assumed that position. And, as things were back then, he believed he'd serve in that capacity for some time.
But in August, when Fraley - with wife and child - came from the Front Range, he could not foretell the personal predicament that would ultimately force him to choose between family and profession.
In the end though, it was no contest. Effective Sunday, Fraley will officially resign his post, relocate to the Front Range, and begin private practice in financial planning.
No doubt, Fraley's decision is best for him and his family, but District Manager Pat Haney considers it a great loss for the health district.
"Personally, I'm sorry to have to accept his resignation," Haney said at Tuesday's monthly district board meeting. "We'll be lucky to find someone as good. I'm sorry to see him go."
As a certified paramedic with a bachelor's degree in health administration, Fraley has recently been working on his master's degree.
In the meantime, according to Haney, since his arrival here, Fraley has worked tirelessly to attract good qualified candidates to fill full-time positions with EMS - something the district has suffered a shortage in for years.
"He really did a lot to improve morale among the staff," said Haney. "While building and maintaining a friendly work environment, he created a new action plan for crews to follow. He also made a lot of physical improvements that further helped morale, like working with staff to paint the building and remodel the storage area."
Meanwhile, in Fraley's final weeks on the job, he worked to finalize a new set of protocols for the EMS office and each ambulance. Protocols are essential references emergency personnel will often consult when dealing with any number of crisis situations.
Apparently, the district's previous protocols were old and obsolete and badly needed updating. While the new ones are not quite complete, Fraley has brought them to a point where others can apply the finishing touches.
When asked where the district is in its search for Fraley's replacement, Haney said a qualified group of district staff and volunteers are reviewing a number of applications received via e-mail.
"We're going through resumes now and will narrow the field on paper first. If necessary, we'll do some phone interviews to narrow it further, before bringing three or four candidates in for formal interviews."
Haney said he has some good-looking candidates on paper, and hopes to announce a choice by the next regular board meeting in March.
"We hope to make an offer and have an acceptance by March 1," he said. "And we hope to have someone here and on board by April 1, but that may be a bit optimistic."
As the district's hunt for an EMS operations manager continues, so too does is its search for a hospital chief executive officer. At Tuesday's meeting, the district board agreed to advertise in a Colorado Hospital Association publication, and perhaps others, while accepting applications, resumes and references until March 1.
Once all applications are in - and the district has apparently already received several - candidates will be screened in a three-tier process. Board chair Neal Townsend suggested the entire process could take three months or more, provided the chosen candidate ultimately accepts an offer of employment. The search for a CEO was begun again after the district's previous selection accepted an opposing offer.
chuck@pagosasun.com

Work in river set for spring

By James Robinson
Staff Writer
Following Tuesday's town council authorization to sign and return the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers river work permit, kayakers, rafters and other white water enthusiasts may soon find two new drop structures in the San Juan River, and just in time for spring runoff.
According to Kara Hellige, chief of the Army Corps' Durango Regulatory Office, signing and returning the document is a critical first step toward activating the permit. And once the Corps receives the signed document, they will also sign and then return a copy of the permit to the town. From that point, Hellige said, the permit is valid and the town has five years to complete the project.
Phase two of the town's River Restoration Project includes installation of seven in-stream, U-shaped structures, bank stabilization, deflectors and boulder clusters between the Hot Springs Boulevard bridge and the Apache Street bridge. Town Manager Mark Garcia said the upstream portion of the project area, roughly between Hot Springs Boulevard bridge and the Sixth Street bend, is slated as a "high impact, high use area," with structures designed primarily for whitewater users. Garcia said the in-stream, U-drop structures will be designed to provide wave diversity and function at varying flow rates.
The lower portion of the project area, roughly between McCabe Creek and the Apache Street bridge, will be designed as a float-through stretch, with installation of fish habitat improvement structures such as random boulder clusters, deflectors, and riparian improvements. Bank stabilization will occur at key points throughout the project area.
Original plans for phase two involved undertaking all the necessary in-stream work in one season, however, with spring runoff fast approaching, Garcia said the town is likely to break the project down into phases.
With the phased approach, Garcia said, they would install two U-drop structures below the hot springs pedestrian bridge, an ungrouted control structure just upstream from the pedestrian bridge and complete bank stabilization work below the current drop structure and all before spring runoff.
Garcia said project engineer Gary Lacy has time in his schedule to install the two U-drop structures this spring before runoff begins, while bank work could also be done this season and even at higher flows if necessary. What is not completed this spring could be finished in November and December.
Garcia said he had not yet nailed down a tentative spring start date, and added that a mitigation and monitoring plan and construction drawings must be submitted to the Corps prior to work commencing.
According to the permit, the town must submit detailed construction plans to the Corps and the Colorado Division of Wildlife 45 days prior to commencing construction. In addition, the town must submit a U-structure monitoring plan 60 days before construction begins.
But, even with time in Lacy's schedule, the Corps' willingness to help the town get the project off the ground this spring, and Wolf Creek Ski Area still willing to lend men and machines, Mother Nature and the uncertainties of runoff may be the final arbiter in whether work on the project begins this spring.
james@pagosasun.com

Inside The Sun

Officials await word on airport grant funds

By Chuck McGuire
Staff Writer
Archuleta County officials and airport operators are keeping their fingers crossed, in hope that federal money will soon help fund the construction of a new parallel taxiway at Stevens Field. But apparently, there are no guarantees.
According to airport manager George Barter, "The federal government has yet to finish its 2007 budget, but right now there's nothing in the FAA portion for us."
However, as a result of Barter's recent communications with FAA representatives, he believes, once the budget is complete, sufficient capital will allow funding of a $4.7 million grant he and the county intend to apply for, later this spring.
"It's no sure thing," Barter explained in a recent phone conversation, "but the feds can't really see us not getting it."
Once the government hammers out its budget, and FAA funding indeed appears available, the county will apply for the grant, which, if approved, will cover 95 percent of the total cost of taxiway construction. The county and state of Colorado will split the remaining 5 percent.
Offhand, Barter couldn't recall the application deadline for the FAA grant, but said if all goes well, approval could come sometime this summer.
Meanwhile, the county has already received assurance of another grant from the Colorado Aeronautical Board in the amount of $192,719. The Archuleta County Board of County Commissioners (BoCC) must sign the formal agreement - probably at its next regular public meeting - and a substantial portion of the money (roughly $124,000) will constitute the state's share in funding taxiway construction. The balance will be applied to other Stevens Field projects.
With state funding secured, and in anticipation of FAA grant approval, Barter went before the BoCC earlier this week, asking approval of a work order with Reynolds, Smith and Hills, Inc. of Denver. RS&H is the engineering firm contracted by the county to design airport improvements over the next five years, including the taxiway.
RS&H completed a fee schedule for the entire taxiway project in December, which then went to the FAA for review and independent analysis. Such scrutiny is required before the FAA will approve any major capital improvement projects, but once it is satisfied that a given project is appropriate and anticipated costs are in line, approval is granted. The FAA approved the RS&H fee schedule in January.
Again, in anticipation of pending FAA grant approval, the BoCC authorized Barter's work order request with RS&H this week, which allows taxiway design and grant application work to proceed. Meanwhile, the county has set aside approximately $124,000 in its 2007 budget to cover its share of the project.
Actual taxiway construction should commence immediately upon FAA grant approval, again, sometime this summer. Completion is scheduled later next year.
Once completed, the taxiway will allow aircraft to move about the airport without having to utilize the newly expanded runway. Its construction is scheduled to begin later this year and upon completion, will greatly enhance airport safety.
chuck@pagosasun.com

Ohio man guilty of kidnapping, sexual assault

By Louis Sherman
Staff Writer
An Ohio man, Gary Jay Hauk, 45, was convicted Jan. 30 in Sixth district Court of second-degree kidnapping, a Class 2 felony; sexual assault (use of force), a Class 3 felony; and menacing with a deadly weapon, a Class 5 felony - crimes committed against a woman in Archuleta County more than a year ago.
Hauk will be sentenced in April.
The crimes occurred Jan. 9, 2006, in the San Juan River Village subdivision, east of town on U.S. 160.
Hauk was arrested after the victim reported the incident, prompting a brief manhunt, which involved the Archuleta County Sheriff's Department, Pagosa Springs Police Department and the Colorado Division of Wildlife.
As a Class 5 felony, the menacing with a deadly weapon conviction could carry a one- to three-year sentence and the Class 2 second-degree kidnapping conviction could carry an eight- to 20-year sentence. Generally, a sentence for a Class 3 felony can range from four to 16 years. However, sentences for forcible sexual assaults are determined by a different criteria, and could extend up to life in prison, said District Attorney Craig Westberg.
Westberg said the sentences could be served consecutively or concurrently, as determined by District Court Judge Gregory Lyman. But the district attorney's office will recommend the longest sentence possible, since Hauk is a risk to the community with a high likelihood of recidivism, said Westberg.
Following a request by the district attorney's office, Lyman ordered Hauk be held without bond until his sentencing.
According to Westberg, Hauk is suspected of similar crimes in Ohio and Missouri. If charges are brought in another jurisdiction, Hauk could face extradition. If convicted there, he would be turned over to the out-of-state authority after serving his sentence in Colorado, if it were less than life.
Westberg noted that the Hauk trial was lengthy by Pagosa standards, with seven jury days (including jury selection) and five days of testimony
After undergoing a considerable evaluation process, including psychological tests and a sex offense evaluation, Hauk is scheduled for sentencing April 3.
louis@pagosasun.com

Work session considers weed and pest control

By James Robinson
Staff Writer
The Archuleta County Board of County Commissioners is inviting all citizens interested in learning more about the county's weed and pest control program to attend a special work session.
Scheduled for 9 a.m. Feb. 20 in the board of county commissioners' meeting room, in the Archuleta County Courthouse, the meeting will provide an overview of the county's weed and pest control program, including chemicals and methods used (with discussion of the alternatives to conventional spraying).
Frank Ratliff, director of the county's weed and pest control program, will make the presentation, and public input will be welcomed.
james@pagosasun.com

Town raises building permit fees

By Louis Sherman
Staff Writer
The Pagosa Springs Town Council unanimously passed a resolution Tuesday to raise building fees, effective immediately, in order to make the town building department self-sustainable.
By passing Resolution 2007-04, the council adopted a plan review fee for commercial development, established at 50 percent of the cost of the building permit for the project in question. Commercial projects were made subject to the new fee, since they generally require more staff time to review and approve.
The resolution also removed a 30-percent discount applied to building permit fees, making the fee schedule of the town identical to those in Archuleta County, La Plata County and Durango. Residential and commercial developers will now be required to pay 100 percent of the building permit fee, rather than 70 percent.
The resolution instituted other fee changes, including a fee schedule for mechanical permit and inspections, an increase in the conditional use permit fee from $50 to $100, a revised design review fee that charges major alteration projects at a higher rate ($200 compared to $50 for minor alterations), a new $250 redevelopment permit application, and a $500 large retail permit application.
The resolution is expected to result in a 30-percent increase in revenue from residential building permit fees and a 95-percent increase in revenue from commercial building permit fees. In total, revenues from building permit fees will increase about 77 percent from last year.
The new and revised fees are expected to bring in $113,215 in 2007, which would fully fund the $107,000 department budget. In 2006, the building department collected $63,853 in fees, which was insufficient to cover $101,815 in operating costs, producing a $37,962 deficit.
The new building permit fee schedule is expected to produce a modest surplus, rather than a deficit.
louis@pagosasun.com

Student reading program aids families in other lands

By Cathne Holt
Special to The SUN
Students at Pagosa Springs Elementary School have been busy reading the past two months as part of a project to purchase livestock for families around the world who have inadequate diets and lack of education.
Through this project, the students have been challenged to read a minimum of 15 minutes each day. When a completed sheet recording 7 1/2 hours of supervised reading time was returned to school, each child was paid 25 cents - the money banked to buy flocks of chicks, ducks and geese that will produce life-sustaining eggs for the hungry.
Debbie Reynolds' and Irene Mueller's second grade class read prolifically for this project during January, and won the school's Star Reading Award traveling trophy.
During this schoolwide reading challenge, $318 was earned from the Partners in Education, the school's parents' group; $24.20 in children's donations was deposited, and the members of the Pagosa chapter of Rotary International supported the students' efforts by contributing $235 more.
The grand total of $577.20 will purchase nearly 29 flocks, gifts of food and income, as well as help provide training for families in need.

Junior high school honor roll

These eighth-grade students had a perfect 4.0 average for the second semester at Pagosa Springs Junior High School:
Mary Brinton, Briana Bryant, Andrea Fautheree, Kaitlyn Geroux, Mele LeLievre, Zachary Lucero, Tayler McKee, Danielle Pajakand Garrett Stoll.
Eighth-grade students who made the honor roll with a minimum GPA of 3.2850 were:
Rachel Shaw, Cy Parker, Shea Johnson, Magan Kraetsch, Joshua Long, Sienna Stretton, Tyler Vaivoda, Kelsea Anderson, Crystal Purcell, Kenneth Hogrefe, Brittnie Kraft, Dakota Miller, Kayla Catlin, Gabrielle Dill, Kelsi Lucero, Randell Rudock, Sarah Stuckwish, Cody Keane, Robert Koontz, Hope Krogh-Forman, Viridiana Marinelarena, Kaitlin Matsin, NaCole Martinez, Christopher Brown, Trace Gross, Chanlor Humphrey, Michael Sause and Brinda Wallis.
Seventh-grade
The following students had a perfect 4.0 average for the second semester:
Jesse Aragon, Karis Fritzsche, Mary Haynes, Sierra Hewett, Zachary Irons, Natasha Medici, Austin Miller, Desiree Pastin, Kristi Plum and Reahna Ray.
Seventh-grade students on the honor roll with a minimum GPA of 3.2850: were:
Saje Brinkmann, Zachary Brinkmann, Jerica Caler, Hannah Denton, Sissy Dodson, Brooklynn DuCharme, Seth Hansen, Samantha Hunts, Charisse Morris, Daniel Puskas, Silas Thompson, Eli Velasquez, Jennie White, Alexandra Fortney, Danny Shahan, Katya Armbrecht, Tiffany Bachtel, Kyle Danielson, Zoe Fulco, Ryley Gardner, Brooke Hampton, Abbigale Hicklin, Kalie Ray, Kelsy Sellers, Sierra Warner, Tiffany Watson, Moses Audetat-Mirabal, Nate Bard, Sydney Aragon, Sarah Bir, Caitlin Cameron, Zerek Jones, Katelyn McRee, Tori Strohecker, Kyle Anderson-Andresen, Leslie Baughman, Zachariah Graveson, Laura Bell, Cassie Calavan, Brilliht Catano, Courtney Spears, Rebecca Zeller, Evan Brookens, Eurisko PeBenito and Brooke Spears.

Local science fair winners announced

By Frances Wholf
Special to The SUN
The 2007 Science and Engineering Fair was held Jan. 31, at the Pagosa Springs Junior High School.
Students in grades six, seven and eight participated with their respective entries. The students conducted research and developed their projects following the scientific method.
The fair was coordinated by Bill Nobles and Kim Vernon from the Colorado State University Extension Office, in cooperation with the teachers J. D. Kurz, Justin Cowan and Tracy Schenk, the chairperson.
Judges for the fair were selected for their background and experience in science. The science fair participants greatly appreciated the judges volunteering their time and utilizing their expertise to make the fair possible.
Pagosa Masonic Lodge No. 114 provided the cash awards for this year's Science Fair. The awards were presented by Lodge members Bob Case and Richard Wholf.
Mary Brinton, an eighth-grader, won the grand prize award for the Pagosa Springs Junior High School division with her botany project, "Cigarette Smoke and Plants." Mary was presented a certificate by her science teacher, J.D. Kurz, along with a $25 case award from the Masons.
Sable Baxstrom, a sixth-grader, won the grand prize for the Pagosa Springs Intermediate School division with her physics project, "Laser Light." Sable was presented a certificate by her science teacher, Tracy Schenk, along with a $25 cash award from the Masons.
Eleven students won first-place awards at the fair.
The eighth-grade winners were: Mary Brinton, "Cigarette Smoke & Plants"; Danielle Pajak, "Flexibility in Gymnasts & non-Gymnasts."
Seventh-grade winners were: Evan Brookens, "Bacteria in Our School"; Hannah Denton, "What Makes the Grass Grow?"; Liam Frey, "How Long Does the Battery Last?"; Kalie Ray, "Does Color Affect Perception of Taste?"; Silas Thompson, "Shooting Efficiency"; Hunter Williams, "Different Temperatures Affect Wear Rate of Skateboard Wheels."
Sixth-grade winners were: Sable Baxstrom, "Laser Light"; Kendra Schlom, "Solar Power Water Purifier"; and a team - Kylie Johnson, Gabby Pajak and Toni Stoll - "Baked Lay's vs. Classic Lay's."
There was close competition at the sixth-grade level, with Angie Gallegos winning second place for "Rockets" and Keith Archuleta taking third with "Temperature Dependence on Electrical Conductivity." Satara Arthoud, Hannah Matzdorf and Katie Blue finished second in the team competition with "Snowboarding" and Ellie McGinn and Hayley Hudson finished third with "Decaying Teeth."
The categories covered by these projects were behavioral and social, biomedical (individual), biomedical (team), botany, chemistry, engineering, microbiology and physics. Each of these students received certificates of achievement from their respective science teacher.
The local science fair winners will go to Durango March 1 to compete in the regional science fair. Regional winners receive invitations to participate in the Colorado State Science Fair at Colorado University in Fort Collins.

Study at home for GED

By Renee Haywood
Special to The SUN
Archuleta County Education Center announces an innovative way to meet the needs of students who seek educational preparation to take the GED test.
The integrated Internet/CD program was developed by McGraw-Hill/Contemporary. This program combines the effectiveness of proven GED instructional content with the remote communication strength of the Internet.
A large number of students who take the GED test never seek the help of a professional GED educator, which significantly lowers the pass rate and scores of those students. Unfortunately, there are a number of reasons that prevent many adults from attending a traditional GED class.
Reasons for not enrolling in a GED preparation program often include:
- Working multiple jobs.
- Supporting a family.
- Childcare issues.
- Work schedule conflicts.
- Residence too far from a GED educational program or no transportation.
- Little time to spend in a classroom environment.
Through technology, Archuleta County Education Center can now serve these students, delivering the GED classroom where and when it best accommodates their schedules.
The program - GED Integrated Online Solution - offers the power of tested software that delivers GED educational content along with the power of the Internet that connects students directly to one of our professional GED instructors. Students can use the program at home or wherever there is an Internet connection, regardless of connection speed.
Here is what you need:
- Regular access to a computer with an Internet connection (preferably at home).
- Windows 98 or higher.
- A few hours a week to study.
- A strong desire to obtain your GED.
With this innovative program, students can study toward their GEDs during the day or at night, whenever it is convenient. GED lessons address all the skills necessary to pass the GED test and use high interest graphics, interactive activities, and powerful videos from sources such as CNN and the National Archives. Students can communicate with their GED instructors through the special GED Online system, which also tracks student progress, records all scores and reports GED readiness.
For information on the GED Integrated Online Solution, contact Kathy or Mark at 264-2835 Monday through Wednesday, 2-7 p.m.

Space heater starts Aspen Springs structure fire

By Louis Sherman
Staff Writer
A fire caused significant damage to a home in Aspen Springs after a portable space heater, intended to keep pipes from freezing, ignited the structure Monday night.
The fire began in the home's crawl space and moved up the wall into a bedroom, where the framing structure and ceiling caught fire.
The Pagosa Fire Protection District (PFPD) were paged at 9:43 p.m. and arrived at the scene, 200 River Run Road, at 9:46 p.m. The flames were controlled at 10:28 p.m. and the fire was out by 11:08 p.m.
Twenty-five fire-fighters responded to the scene, with one engine, five water tankers and an additional command vehicle.
Much of the damage was confined to the bedroom, where (in addition to the destruction caused by the fire) PFPD personnel had to tear portions of the wall and ceiling away to control the flames. A portion of a storage shed, adjacent to the house, also had to be knocked down, in order to access the fire.
According to PFPD Chief Warren Grams, there have been at least four fires caused by portable heaters this winter. Three of the four have resulted in considerable damage.
"People should not use portable heaters to keep pipes from freezing ... it's very dangerous," he said.
Portable heaters can heat combustible materials (including wood framing) to their ignition temperature, thus starting a fire without a spark or flame, especially when the heater is confined to small spaces.
According to Grams, consumers should also use heat tape with caution - tape that is wrapped around pipes and plugged into an outlet. The tape should not overlap when applied to the pipe, since it can ignite from its own heat.
To safely prevent pipes from freezing, if necessary, Grams said one should allow a trickle of water to run from the tap through the night.
If heat tape or a portable heater causes a fire in a crawl space, said Grams, the fire can easily move through the walls of the structure.
Grams warned that such a fire can destroy an entire home, with its contents.
louis@pagosasun.com

Outdoors

By James Robinson

Staff Writer

No column this week.

Scenes of a mid-winter day

By Chuck McGuire

SUN Columnist

The thermometer read six-below when I got up this morning.
In pre-dawn darkness, a pale sapphire sky seemed all but starless, as a dazzling full moon peered between the backlit branches and boughs of the ponderosas just west of our house. Recent snows, combined with swirling breezes, had gathered deep drifts over the surrounding countryside, and in full luster of the lunar glow, they appeared as pure-white sand dunes on a deserted desert isle. In sharp contrast, long lucid shadows stretched eastward from the base of every tree and shrub dotting the frozen landscape.
To the distant east, meanwhile, the slightest blush of a sun still well beyond the far corners of the earth set the horizon aglow with faint incandescence barely sufficient to distinguish land from sky. In the foreground, pines and junipers stood bold and bright, their evergreen foliage wholly encumbered by the subtle light of February's Snow Moon.
In the Rocky Mountain west, at least, the entire world appeared fast asleep, as another clear mid-winter day gradually advanced.
Though compelled to slip on snowshoes and step forth into the chill, I lit a fire instead, and read for a spell in the glimmering warmth of its flame. Unfinished work precluded the luxury of outdoor leisure this Saturday, but a brief session with Olson certainly seemed manageable. Besides, dawn had not yet arrived and the rest of the household was sleeping in.
Nevertheless, as I strained to bring the book to bear, my attention constantly wavered and I was soon gazing from the windows again.
It was that magical time of morning when the first hint of daylight gradually pervaded the forest and actually overpowered the soft luminescence of the moon. By then, those vivid shadows once cast by the lunar disk had dissipated into oblivion, and opaque winter colors within the landscape slowly materialized out of the gloom. The moon itself, had dipped further behind the trees and would soon sink below the western skyline, its long night's work finished until evening returned.
In the east, the entire horizon was aflame with a vibrant band of gold, topped by a broad layer of pastel blue. A thin veil of high cirrus momentarily took on a magnificent orange hue, as it drifted almost imperceptibly toward that edge of the earth. In the meantime, the mercury outside had surreptitiously crept above zero, while a small band of dark-eyed juncos flocked to the feeder outside our kitchen windows.
Another day dawned and by the look of things, it would be a bright and relatively balmy one.
I've always enjoyed mornings, although in my formative years, I was more a night owl than early riser, but even then, when camping, fishing, skiing, or pursuing countless other outdoor activities, I invariably cherished the coming of each new day. In fact, nowadays, I seldom sleep in a room with the shades fully drawn, for fear that such self-imposed obscurity might rob me of another remarkable sunrise ... and in my heart, they're all remarkable.
At once, as the morning grew ever brighter, the surrounding forest canopy suddenly sparkled in the first slanting rays of a new-day sun. Initially, pine and fir boughs atop the tallest of trees glittered gold in the enveloping aura. Soon thereafter, with the great orb further ascending the eastern sky, a few select trunks and a particular sandstone cliff reflected that tawny hue so typical of early and late-day beams. Eventually, thin shafts of yellow light managed to penetrate the trees enough to fall upon snowy drifts in the back yard and the forest to the north.
All the while, a gray, tassel-eared Abert's squirrel seemed oblivious to the lingering chill, as it darted from one ponderosa pine to the next, in search of a meal. As a tree dweller commonly averse to laying in a winter cache, it methodically moved between branches, feeding on the tender inner bark at the end of several boughs. I watched for many minutes, as the graceful little rodent easily negotiated dizzying heights, even to the point of leaping from a branch of one tree to that of another.
In good time, Jackie appeared - having emerged from her slumber - followed closely by a trio of hungry felines. Within minutes, breakfast was in the works, with the cats eating first, of course, as each requires a separate and specific diet. Jackie and I soon settled into bacon and eggs, English muffins and juice, even as the aroma of fresh-brewed coffee filled the nook.
Meanwhile in the juniper just outside, a pair of black-capped chickadees had joined the juncos at the feeder. Deeper in the woods across the way, a sizable troupe of wild turkeys were busy foraging on shallow sunny slopes, and in tree wells formed by the overblown drifts. Though the smaller birds commonly frequent the feeder in mid-winter, the gobblers, oddly enough, have lingered in the area now, for more than a month.
Following breakfast, coffee and leisurely conversation, Jackie and I each withdrew to our respective duties. She continued the gradual process of adding color to the walls of our home, and I retired to my office and an ongoing assignment.
At home, work is not all bad. In front of, and beside my desk, two large windows afford panoramic views – one of distant mesas to the south, the other of treed vacant lots to the west. A thick stand of Gambel oak shields the house from the road out front, and another fills the lot next door. Beyond the oaks on either side, tall ponderosas lend an air of life in the woods.
I worked through the day, taking short breaks when necessary, as Jackie finished painting the hallway and eventually switched to reading and other assorted small chores. Throughout, the sun steadily marched across the southern sky, and only the movements of various birds, including high-flying ravens and a lively bunch of Steller's jays, briefly drew my attention from the task at hand.
During the early-afternoon hours, the sun shone directly on the front eves of the house, triggering the persistent drip of a long row of crystalline icicles in the warmth of its rays. By then, the temperature had climbed to the mid-30s and for the moment, the melt was on. Water ran from the roof, across the sidewalk and down the driveway. Already-thin tree wells on the south-facing slopes were at once cleared of snow, as they slowly expanded in size. Even the deepest drifts settled perceptibly, with the thaw quickly transforming the snow from light and fluffy powder to wet heavy crystals.
Before long, though, the sun found its way below the treetops toward the west. The air cooled significantly and the mercury started to slide. In little more than an hour, as the sun teetered on the western horizon, the leading edge of a placid lunar disk suddenly appeared over the skyline to the east.
Soon, twilight had come and evening was upon us. As the earth slowly turned and daylight faded fast, the moon climbed higher, again casting vivid shadows, this time stretching west.
And so, another glorious February day ended much as it began. By the light of a nearly full moon, a mix of light and shadow set the western world aglow.
How fortunate we are, to witness these mid-winter scenes.

Wolf Creek benefit
Dear Editor:
I would like to say thanks to the Pagosa Springs community for making the Jan. 19 Friends of Wolf Creek Benefit Concert with the Pagosa Hot Strings a huge success. Thanks to the generosity and determination of Jeff Greer and staff, more than 200 people came out for a fantastic evening of music, food, giveaways and dancing. All told, more than $3,000 was raised to support the Friends of Wolf Creek, Colorado Wild's ongoing effort to fight the proposed "Village" at Wolf Creek. This event, and the entire Friends of Wolf Creek movement, would not be possible without the consistent support we have received from dedicated volunteers, local businesses, and the community at large. Thanks Pagosa!
Best Regards,
Ryan D. Bidwell

Ford or Surge?
Dear Editor:
The recent announcement by Ford Motor Company that it suffered its greatest loss in its long and colorful history, $12 billion last year, might be cause for great concern. First, on the negative side, one of our greatest corporations is not cutting the mustard in what the White House calls a robust, booming economy. After all, the stock market seems to advance a thousand points every year or so. That Ford is failing might look bad for thousands of workers at their plants, many of which are slated to close. On the other hand, the incompetent leadership that led this corporation into such a hole claims to have a plan that will lift them out of it in five years. Ford stock, probably at a very attractive low price on the market today, could be a good investment.
Now consider another failure: Iraq. This is America's military's third failure in my lifetime. We did not achieve a victory in Korea or Viet Nam, but since Congress never declared war in these operations, it can never be said America ever lost a war. And it is plainly evident that the mission in Iraq is not accomplished and that victory, if ever declared, will be only an illusion.
Now President Bush is asking us to invest in his Surge, a grand strategy to transform dismal failure into success. Under his incompetent leadership (Pat Buchanan's description) the United States has poured billions more than Ford down the hole, and now he asks us to invest more, something like a new stock offering, to back a harebrained scheme which promises nothing and has no end that anyone can predict.
Don't get me wrong. I am bullish on America. But judging all incompetent leadership equal, I would bet on Ford.
Henry Buslepp

Jaded
Dear Editor:
Commissioner Ronnie Zaday is offering to recuse herself from the entire issue of the TreeTops development, leaving the responsibility to the remaining two-thirds of the board of county commissioners, with the added potential for a split (50/50) vote.
How many phone calls, e-mails, meetings, reams of documents to review and so forth, will Bob Moomaw and Robin Schiro have to plow through on their way to deciding what is acceptable for our county with regard to this very significant development? This labor should have been shared equally by all three of the elected, paid county officials. I suggest Ms. Zaday forfeit the salary we are paying her to handle decisions just such as this one, and instead it be distributed to her coworkers and overburdened county planning staff. If I were a member of the volunteer board of planning commissioners, I'd be, well, pissed.
If Ms. Zaday has enough time on her hands to be wheeling and dealing to this degree during her tenure as county commissioner, then her commitment to her elected position is surely called into question. Perhaps she needs reminding that she has a "constituency" which, by the way, is greater than just the builders association with which she is very tight indeed.
Ms. Zaday need not recuse herself from this issue. Instead she should permanently recuse herself from playing at being a county commissioner. She, and by extension, her husband, have no business involving themselves in such a significant development project while she is a sitting county commissioner. Public officials have an obligation to err on the side of squeaky clean in reference to potential conflicts of interest. This, besides the fact that she is shirking her responsibility and unfairly burdening her peers while possibly putting them in an awkward position to boot. She might take note of the recent resignation of developer Darrell Crites from the volunteer Open Space Board in La Plata County, due to a perceived conflict of interest. Perceived or actual, the point is that she was elected to serve the citizens of the county, and should restrain her economic urges if they involve knowingly putting herself in a compromising position during her term.
I hope Ms. Zaday gets her comeuppance from the citizens of this county. I can't recall ever feeling as jaded, politically and governmentally speaking, as I have since observing the antics known as Archuleta County elected officialdom.
Sincerely,
Emily Deitz

Icon gone
Dear Editor:
Friday, my wife and I took a drive down to Pagosa Junction and I was saddened by the passing of an icon of the history of Pagosa Springs. The old railroad water tank has finally collapsed.
Last spring, I took a picture of the tank, one of a series that I have taken over the years as the condition of this structure deteriorated. At that time, the tank was leaning precariously and some of the staves had fallen in. Still, it was a shock to see the tank gone. The stout base is still standing, but the tank itself is an unidentifiable pile of rubble.
The coming of the railroad must have had as great an impact on Pagosa Springs as any other event in its history. The main line, constructed in 1881, had bypassed Pagosa but the lumber companies built a branch from Pagosa Junction to Pagosa Springs in 1899. This branch was eventually taken over by the D&RGW and operated until 1935. The railroad, in addition to contributing to the lumber and cattle economy of the area, was an important connection to the outside world for this somewhat isolated community.
After the branch line was shut down, the tracks were removed and properties owned in Pagosa Springs were sold to individuals or to Archuleta County. The only remaining parts of the railroad that I have found in Pagosa are the old depot, now a private residence, and a few locations where the old railroad grade may still exist. At Pagosa Junction the depot that was once there was either moved or torn down. After the main line ceased operation in the late '60s the railroad facilities were abandoned or sold. The remaining facilities at Pagosa Junction are some track, a bridge, the tank and a few buildings, probably a section headquarters, a pump house and storage buildings. These facilities are on the Ute reservation and are property of the Ute Tribe.
To suggest historic preservation of the remaining railroad facilities invites all sorts of arguments concerning private ownership rights and tribal interests. Nevertheless, these facilities and locations are of true historic significance not only to Pagosa Springs, but to the entire southwest Colorado-Four Corners region and are worthy of preservation.
Lal B. Echterhoff

Reality check
Dear Editor:
The election is over, the Democrats are in a majority, President Bush and VP Cheney are sending a surge of troops to Iraq to save their "legacy," and the recommendations of the Iraq study group are being ignored. The presidents of Iran, Venezuela, Nicaragua, Brazil, Bolivia and Chile have recently gone to Ecuador to hail the inauguration of a president who along with many others sees the United States as an economic, military and political bully.
What is wrong with this picture?
The American people and our elected national officials need a reality check to begin to untangle the mess that has undermined the philosophical, moral and political stature of the United States.
A start would be President Jimmy Carter's new book "Palestine, Peace or Apartheid." It is the story of the relationship between the Palestinians, Jordan, Syria, Lebanon and Egypt with the State of Israel.
Some people have criticized President Carter's book because it is critical of the Israeli occupation of Palestine (the West Bank and Gaza). If we feel obligated to send military and economic aid to Israel, to invade and occupy Iraq and Afghanistan, we better check our history. "Those who ignore history are doomed to repeat the mistakes of the past."
The 9/11 hijackers were not motivated by Iran or Sadam but by Al Qaeda, a repressive Saudi government, and the occupation of Palestine. The United States has a long history of interventions in foreign countries typically for the benefit of U.S. business interests. Are we fighting for Big Oil and Israel?
Diplomacy is the solution; internally in Iraq and externally through out the Middle East.
"When all you have is a hammer every problem looks like a nail." Let's put away our hammer and try dialogue and a pen.
Raymond P. Finney

No common sense
Dear Editor:
I see that the NCS-PLPOA board of directors has struck again with more rules and regulations to take away the people's rights and cause misery for the people who happen to own a pickup truck with a flatbed on it. They say that this kind of vehicle can no longer be parked overnight in Pagosa Lakes, even in one's own driveway.
They have in all their infinite wisdom deemed that even if these flatbeds aren't used for commercial hauling, bear no commercial signs and are used in no way, shape or form for commercial use that they are now classified as commercial. They have taken away more rights even if it means that the people they have singled out now have to get another kind of vehicle, walk to work or maybe just stay home and draw welfare.
Apparently, there is little or no common sense among the people who make these rules or maybe none of them ever had a real job that required a flatbed vehicle. More rules. More regulations. Think about it PLPOA.
Jim Kelley

Treason
Dear Editor:
Do the people rule, or are we in a dictatorship? Congress is not doing their job, period. Treason is rampant in government. This must stop, and We the People will stop it or our nation will perish because government does not have the will or courage to do so. After all, it is they who are mostly benefitting from lawbreaking. We are selling our freedoms and heritage down the river, along with our children's future. We deserve what we get if we continue to do nothing.
Jeff Maehr

Kids and food
Dear Editor:
I have been in the Pagosa schools a lot lately substituting on the playgrounds, in the cafeteria and the classroom. It has been an eye-opening experience. I have had the opportunity to interact with kids and observe them in their school environment.
First: I see what the kids eat and what they throw away both in class and at lunch - it is appalling! I have reached some conclusions. One is that the "hot" lunches served in school are nutritionally unsatisfactory. And two is that even kids who bring their lunch to school, bring prepackaged, processed, throw-in-the-microwave junk. Basically, parents don't seem to care what their kids eat no matter what type of lunch or snack their kids consume. Writing letters to administrators to improve the school menus doesn't change the fact that parents don't care what goes into their children's bodies. I have observed that what parents provide is fast and easy so they can get to work on time. That's convenient for the parent, but what are we feeding our kids?
We need to change the way we think about our children's nutritional needs. Food fairs and educational programs to get parents on the right track will certainly help. Why? Well, we don't really know much about nutrition ourselves. I never took nutrition in school. Did you? We are inundated by TV ads that promote prepackaged, quick and easy products for our families. This is a lovely, timesaving concept, but the fact is these products are high in sugar, sodium, preservatives, fat, have no nutritional quality, and have a shelf life of forever. Nutrition is not addressed, just simplicity. This exemplifies the need for adult education in this area.
The education center may be of some help. They constantly try to come up with classes to meet needs in our community. How about classes for parents on meeting the nutritional needs of our kids to optimize their learning potential, or to help parents understand how nutrition affects the behavior of children in school? There has recently emerged a group of concerned parents working toward solving some of the school nutrition dilemmas. There is even a certified nutritionist in the group. If she would be interested in teaching, maybe this might be a start.
I am not an expert in nutrition, but I see how eating junk food affects behavior in my family. The old computer philosophy holds true: garbage in, garbage out. One more thing: the food that children throw away every day at lunch costs parents a ton of money. Coming up with lunch money every day is a struggle for many parents. Perhaps if we realize we are paying for meals our kids don't eat anyway, we may be open for new, healthier alternatives. Kids even throw away unopened cartons of milk. The cafeteria staff doesn't care. They do nothing to help stop the needless waste.
This brings me to a last item. The new school lunch schedule, in my opinion, is unsatisfactory. We are herding children through lunch like cattle. They aren't allowed to sit and eat lunch at a reasonable pace. They have to shovel the food in as fast as possible before the bell rings. If they don't finish, too bad; it gets thrown away so they can go to class. I watch the kids. Yes, there is a lot of visiting going on; so what? This is the kids' social time. It is healthy for kids to take some time to eat, talk and digest. Any nutritional expert will tell you it is healthier to eat slower. You actually eat less and stay thinner. We are raising obese kids. This lunch program contributes to it. Too much snacking before lunch, not enough time to sit and eat a healthy lunch, and not near enough physical activity to burn off the junk they are eating. So what do you say? Let's get together, talk about food (my favorite subject), and raise healthy, happy, smart kids. Parents, it is all up to us.
Kristin McCoy

Preview Calendar

Today
Backcountry horsemen
The Four Corners Backcountry Horsemen meet at 7 p.m. at The Pine Valley Four Square Church in Bayfield, on County Road 501 north of town. The program will be on horse nutrition, with Dr. Julian Getty. The March 8 meeting will be held at the La Plata County Fairgrounds.

Feb. 10
Valentine's Dance
Tim Sullivan & Narrow Gauge will provide music at the community center, 7-11 p.m.
This is the center's first fund-raising event of the year. Sumptuous hors d'oeuvres, beverages, a dessert bar and a cash bar will be available.
Cost: $25 per person in advance and $30 at the door. Purchase your ticket, and reserve a table for 10 people. Tickets will be available at WolfTracks, the Chamber of Commerce and the center. Call the center at 264-4152, or Siri at 731-9670.

Feb. 10
Piecemakers
Pagosa Piecemakers general meeting, 10 a.m. at the Community United Methodist Church, located at 434 Lewis St. February's presentation is on "Value and Color for Quilters," by Ginnie Bartlett and Denny Rose. The workshop following the general meeting on value and color in quilts is $25 per person. Contact Margaret Darling, 731-4580, if you wish to participate in the workshop. This workshop was originally scheduled for the January meeting - a meeting postponed due to inclement weather.

Feb. 10
Free ECA workshop
Carla Roberts presents "The Irish Bodhran" a history and basic playing technique, at 10 a.m.
In Irish music the bodhran is the round frame drum played with a "beater or tipper" that gives the Irish dance tunes their rhythmic drive. There will be a selection of drums to play on.
Call 731-3117 to sign up and receive directions. This workshop is appropriate for ages 10 to adult.

Feb. 11
Pagosa Singles
Pagosa Singles rescheduled dinner meeting will be at 5 p.m. at the Dogwood Cafe. All singles 40-plus are invited. R.S.V.P. to Janice at 731-1803.

Feb. 13
Republican women
The Archuleta County Republican Women will hold their monthly luncheon meeting at noon at Boss Hogg's Restaurant. June Madrid, Archuleta County Clerk and Recorder, will be the speaker. She will comment on and answer questions regarding past and future election procedures. New members are always welcome; bring a friend and come get acquainted. For additional information, call Barbara at 731-9916.

Feb. 14
Woman's club
Pagosa Springs Woman's club meets the second Wednesday of each month. Dues for the year are $12. This month's meeting is at JJ's Restaurant at 11:30 a.m. Cost is $10 and reservations are a must. Guest speakers will be Susan Little, who will talk about The Eagles Nest Orphanage, and Luke Baxstrom, who is a Pagosa Springs People to People Student Ambassador. If you have any questions, call Cathy Rose at 731-0791.

Feb. 17
Free ECA workshop
An introduction to hand drumming and other percussion.
This percussion workshop, at 2 p.m., at the Pagosa Lakes Clubhouse, will give participants a chance to see and play a wide variety of percussion instruments. Besides many unusual drums such as the Indian tabla and African clay udu, facilitator Carla Roberts will have marimbas, hammered dulcimer, mbiras and more for everyone to play and experiment with. All ages are encouraged to attend this free workshop. Bring a drum if you have one. Call 731-3117 for more information.

Feb. 23
Lenten fish fry
The Pagosa Springs Knights of Columbus will hold their annual Lenten Fish Fry every Friday from Feb. 23 to March 30, 5-7 p.m. at the Parish Hall on Lewis Street. Menu will include fried catfish, coleslaw, hush puppies homemade French fries, dessert and a choice of drink. Cost is $9 for adults, $5 for children under 12. Net proceeds go to charitable projects.
Submit your calendar items to editor@pagosasun.com, mail them to The Pagosa Springs SUN, P.O. Box 9, Pagosa Springs CO 81147, or deliver them to The SUN office, by noon Monday.

Photo contest award winners

The following are the winners in this year's Pagosa Springs Arts Council/Moonlight Books Photography Contest.
An exhibition of the 212 entries in the 2007 contest is on display at Moonlight Books in downtown Pagosa springs
Best of Show: Barbara Rosner, "Caffeine Buzz," entry in the Special Techniques category.
Domestic Animals: First, Lili Pearson, "Comin' Down Hwy. 501"; second, Don Rosner, "The Laughing Felon"; third, Lal B. Echterhoff, "Lion in a Small Jungle"; honorable mention, Egan Deering, "Fly."
Architecture: First, Larry Walton, (detailed and ornate building); second, Margaret Olson, "City Reflections"; third, Bruce Andersen, "Dead Horse Mill."
Autumn Scenic: First, Don MacLeod, "Fall on four Mile Road"; second, Jerry Sadler, "Road To Ouray"; third, Glenn Commons, (autumn jeep trip).
General Landscape: First, Al Olson, "Wolf Creek Pass"; second, Jeff Laydon, "Treasure Falls"; third, Ken Brookshier, "Mesa Arch #1"; honorable mention, Christie Calderwood, (a high mountain lake).
Patterns & Textures: First, Mark D. Roper, "Illumination"; second, Jim Knoblauch, (frozen wheel); third, Bruce Andersen, "Cold Water."
Sports: First, H. Pat Artis, "Shoot the Sky"; second, Tad Beavers, (rock climber); third, Shirley Cope, "Teamwork."
Flora: First, Linda Pampinella, "Petals"; second, Maria Kolpin, "Sunrise Among the Ferns"; third, Bob Ratcliff, (lily blooms); honorable mention, Shari Pierce, (single blossom).
People: First, Stacey Barker, (boy in grass); second, Al Olson, "Framed"; third, Tad Beavers, (the jump).
Up Close: First, Joanne Irons, (elephant eye); second, Barbara Rosner, "Monochrome in Rust"; third, D'Ann Artis, "Tulip"; honorable mention, Zhena, "Contemplating Flying Away Home."
Winter Scenic: First, Linda Pampinella, "Kaysersberg Winery"; second, Don R. Long, "Road to Williams Reservoir"; third, Mark D. Roper, "Square Tower in Winter."
Black & White: First, Barbara Rosner, "The Good Boy"; second, Rebecca Van Blaricon, "Ice On a Wire"; third, Art Franz, "Father's Day"; honorable mention, Jan Brookshier, "Aspen Trilogy."
Open: First, Jan Brookshier, "Street Scene"; second, KD Bellar, (serene boat); third, Maria Kolpin, "A Toast to 2007"; honorable mention, Carol Sexton, (fishing reel).
Wild Fauna: First, Wayne Lindholm, (bighorn sheep); second, Suzi White, "Redtail Flight"; third, Joanne Irons, (deer in velvet); honorable mention, Deb Knoblauch, "Curious Coyote."
Sunrise / Sunset: First, Linda Pampinella, "Sunset Bosque Style"; second, Jerry Sadler, "Winter Solstice Sunrise - Pagosa Style"; third, Jeff W. Hester, "Square Top."
Special Techniques: First, Barbara Rosner, "Caffeine Buzz - Starbucks"; second, Ray Diffee, "Out-of-Box Technique"; third, Art Franz, "My Closest Friends."

ECA presents 'Winter Song'

By Paul Roberts
Special to The PREVIEW
Elation Center for the Arts presents "Winter Song," a community sing-along, potluck and social, 6 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 17, at the Pagosa Lakes Clubhouse.
Folk music and dance are a timeless river running through the heart of our country. At "Winter Song," we come together for a good old-fashioned gathering of community folk singing and a barn dance.
A new band of mountain musicians will play some of the frolicking tunes from the early frontier. Song sheets will be available for everyone to join in the sing-along.
John Graves will lend his ever-elegant piano ingenuity and sterling personality to the festivities.
The constantly creative Sally Yates will treat us to an old-time vignette.
Kate Kelly will play gorgeous sounds on her viola and violin.
Bill Hudson will hold down the fort on guitar and bass.
Paul and Carla Roberts will have plenty of banjos to bounce the chandeliers.
Expect lots of surprises and fun at the big "Winter Song" food fest, hop-along and sing-along, when we sample each other's cooking and swap howdy's Feb. 17.
We'll begin with the food part, so bring plenty of grub. A suggested donation of $5 for adults goes towards rental of the clubhouse. Children attend free.
Pagosa Lakes Clubhouse is located at 230 Port Ave. in the Vista subdivision of Pagosa Lakes. Take U.S. 160 to Vista Boulevard. Turn north on Vista and left on Port.
"Winter Song" is sponsored by Elation Center for the Arts, a local nonprofit dedicated to preserving our cultural heritage. For more information, log on to elationarts.org or call 731-3117.

Linda Echterhoff: A 'talented, progressing artist'

By Kathleen Steventon
Special to The PREVIEW
Pagosa Springs is full of talented, emerging artists. Linda Echterhoff is one of them, but she is best described as a "talented, progressing artist."
Her recent stone sculptures, the "Eve Series," are glowing with life. They are abstracted forms that make the viewer wonder about them. Smooth serene lines, softly-rounded voluptuous sides, discreet curvatures and surprise openings allude to the female form.
In fact, the sensual mystery, and the thought-provoking aspects of Echterhoff's sculptures are what the artist likes most about her work. "Viewers think, what is this?," Echterhoff commented when I recently sat down with her in her home/studio.
Over the last few years, Echterhoff has steadily and patiently worked on her sculptural art form, using stone, bronze, paper and other natural materials. As she has become more confident with her technique, her work has moved from representational forms of bears, birds and horses, into intriguing, intuitive, near ethereal abstracts of the female shape.
This progression of work in such a short period of time is what leads viewers to the word "progessing." Echterhoff commented on her own personal journey being expressed in her recent works. "My mother died of breast cancer when I was a junior in high school. Like her, I developed cancer, but I am a survivor of it. The cancer, did however, take away my ability to have children. My 'Eve' series is an expression alluding to both these events."
Indeed, Echterhoff's recent sculptures transform the artist's pain and loss into things of great beauty and mystery, as only good art can do. Each new piece reveals a joyous celebration of her exploration of the true essence of all women. The pieces are powerful and elegant. Viewers feel compelled to touch the smooth, cool surfaces of the sculptures, and wonder about the form.
Echterhoff grew up in Houston, Texas. At that time, art was still a strong part of the educational curriculum. Throughout grade school, Echterhoff and her fellow classmates periodically visited the Houston Museum of Fine Art. To this day, the artist vividly remembers falling in love with a Renoir painting, "Girl With a Watering Can." In her Houston high school, Echterhoff's Advanced Spanish teacher continued to expose her students to Spanish culture and art. Echterhoff loved Picasso's work, especially his ability to work in various mediums and his capacity to evolve, explore, and develop new styles throughout his lifetime. The art seed, the creative kernel was planted in Echterhoff's mind at a very young age.
Surprisingly, but not uncommonly, Echterhoff earned her advanced degree, not in fine art, but in chemical engineering. "My father was an amazing mechanical engineer. My mother encouraged me to study engineering as well. At that time, there were few females going into the field. Art was a strong interest and love, but when I was young I sought financial security." The early death of the artist's mother exposed Echterhoff to the fragility of life, something she was not prone to forget. The possibility that her father was also at risk for a sudden death left young Echterhoff with the resolve to become self-reliant, with a solid, predictable career.
For nearly 20 years Echterhoff carved out that security as a chemical engineer. Art was always there as an expressive outlet during her free time. Marrying later in life to a fellow engineer, Lal Echterhoff, the couple had a mutual simmering interest ... art. This slow simmer became a rolling boil and soon the Echterhoffs mutually enrolled in the Glasseol School of Art, Houston. This teaching art college, part of Houston's Museum of Fine art, had only three-dimensional art courses available to the Echterhoffs at the time. "I think in 3-D, so for me the fit was a good one," said Linda. The evening art courses allowed the artist to continue her engineering profession, but the creative tug became much stronger. "I would often take 'sick' days from my day job to stay home and work on sculptures."
Four years ago the Echterhoff's made the final break from their earlier careers and moved to Pagosa's inspiring rugged landscape. As Echterhoff's hands-on techniques evolved, her art pieces began to take on more and more beauty and sophistication. Her stone work is smooth and sensual. Her bronze work is irregular and jagged. Recently, the artist has begun to combine both materials into single pieces of art. The artist sees herself as "constantly changing and growing into new mediums."
Echterhoff shared the best words of advice she's heard so far about her new art career. Sitting in on an artist's discussion a few years ago at Shy Rabbit Studio, a fellow artist, Ron Fundingsland, said "rejection is a myth." He went on to explain that being able to take "no" as an answer is a very important lesson to learn in the art industry. "Fundingsland's comments hit home, and reinforced that rejection of my work is not personal. It's just one part of the business process." Echterhoff went on to give her own advice to new artists, those just getting started: "Believe in yourself, be persistent, and do the work that is in your heart."
Certainly Echterhoff's heart is in her work. She went on to sharing her long-term goal, to become a regionally recognized artist. From this viewer's standpoint, there seems little doubt that she will get there. Echterhoff's ability to express her personal story and spirit through the mediums of stone, bronze and other materials is a rare gift. Her personal work ethic carries this gift forward with each new sculpture she creates. Keeping her eye on the distant horizon, Linda Echterhoff's willingness to expose her vulnerabilities through her art form can only lead to great things.
Echterhoff can be contacted via e-mail, lindaechterhoff@centurytel.net, or phone, (970) 946-3693. The artist is currently working of the development of her business Web site.

Free ECA workshops in February

Elation Center for the Arts offers two free workshops, Feb. 10 and 17.
At 10 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 10, Carla Roberts presents "The Irish Bodhran." Participants will learn basic playing technique and history of this ancient drum which is still popular today.
In Irish music the bodhran is the round frame drum played with a "beater or tipper" that gives the dance tunes their rhythmic drive. There will be a selection of bodhran drums to play. Call 731-3117 to sign up and receive directions. This workshop is appropriate for ages 10 through adult.
On Saturday, Feb. 17, at 2 p.m. "An Introduction to Hand Drums and Other Percussion" will be held at the Pagosa Lakes Clubhouse. Participants will to learn about and play a wide variety of percussion instruments. Besides many unusual drums such as the Indian tabla and African clay udu, facilitator Carla Roberts will have marimbas, hammered dulcimer, mbiras and more for everyone and experiment with. All ages are encouraged to attend this free workshop.
New ECA class
A new class, entitled "Music for Strengthening Emotional Health," is being taught by Paul Roberts. Focusing on the benefits of music in the healing arts, and music as a positive support for education, this class approaches the subject from both experiential and intellectual perspectives.
For further information, call 731-3117.
These workshops and classes are brought to Pagosa Springs by Elation Center for the Arts, a local 501(c) 3 nonprofit arts organization whose mission is to preserve, teach and perform traditional music and dance from around the world. Through community concerts and educational programs, ECA strives to serve the people of Pagosa Springs through artistic excellence. For more information call 731-3117. See elationarts.org on the web. Volunteers are welcome.
Pagosa Lakes Clubhouse is located at 230 Port Ave. in the Vista subdivision of Pagosa Lakes. Take U.S. 160 to Vista Boulevard. Turn north on Vista and left on Port.
For more information, log on to elationarts.org or call 731-3117.

Tim Sullivan & Narrow Gauge - hottest ticket in town

By Siri Schuchardt
Special to The PREVIEW
Dress it up or dress it down, cowboy boots or a bright red gown, and head to the Pagosa Springs Community Center's Valentine's Dance Saturday, Feb. 10, with music by Tim Sullivan & Narrow Gauge, one of the area's premiere country western bands.
Oklahoma-born singer/songwriter, Tim Sullivan, began performing gospel concerts with his seven talented brothers and sisters at the age of 6. As a teenager, he formed his first country western band, which was named one of the 10 best bands in America in a national battle of the bands competition. A year later, he was runner-up to a hot new band, with a new male singer named Garth Brooks.
After graduating from Oklahoma University, where he attended on a baseball scholarship, Tim moved to Los Angeles where he pursued a singing and acting career. As an actor, he had a featured role in "Everybody's All-American," starring Dennis Quaid, Jessica Lange, Timothy Hutton and John Goodman. As a singer, he continued to appear on stage with such stars as Vince Gill, Alan Jackson, Willie Nelson, Glen Campbell and Tammy Wynette. The singing career ultimately became his sole focus, and he has been a featured performer at venues throughout the United States ever since.
Tim won the Songwriter of the Year award in Massachusetts for his song, "Dance in the Rain" and wrote the theme song for the 2003 Boston Red Sox, "Cowboy Up." Most recently, Tim has written a one man musical titled "Diary of a Songwriter" that he has performed across the country to and off Broadway to rave reviews
Tim lives in Durango with his wife, Karen, and their daughter, Heather Kathleen.
The evening will start at 7 p.m. and end at 11 and the cost is $25 per ticket in advance, $30 at the door. The ticket price will include a dessert bar, hot and cold hors d'oeuvres, and soft drinks. There will be a cash bar featuring assorted beer, light beer, and wines. Tickets are available at WolfTracks, the Chamber of Commerce Visitors Center, and at the community center until noon Saturday.
Last year, more than 300 people danced to Tim Sullivan & Narrow Gauge at the Valentine's Dance.
This year, the center has nearly 300 additional square feet of dance floor, which means fewer tables, so tickets sold will be limited to 250. If all 250 tickets have been pre-sold, there will be no tickets at the door. Buy your tickets early to ensure that you have a ticket to the dance, and so we can have an accurate head count for planning purposes.
We are always in need of volunteers to help with the community center dances. If you are interested in helping, call Mercy (community center facilities coordinator) at 264-4152, Siri (dance coordinator) at 731-9670, or Pam Stokes (decorations chairman) at 731-1284.
You can also come to the center at 10 a.m. Friday, Feb. 9, to help us decorate. It is a great way to volunteer your time, meet some wonderful people, and play a part in helping to keep the community center dance program a success.

Health and Wellness Network to hold open house

By Sonya Flores Lugo
Special to The PREVIEW
Pagosa Health and Wellness Network, Inc., a nonprofit corporation, will host an Open House Saturday, Feb. 24, at a place to be announced in the next PREVIEW.
The open house will bring the public together with holistic practitioners and conventional health care providers in an all-day event. Beginning at noon and continuing every half hour, presentations will take place explaining the different healing modalities and ensuring public recognition of Pagosa Springs as a healing oasis.
During the Open House, the public will pick up valuable information that supports complimentary medical health care with holistic practitioners covering a wide spectrum of healing methods. From ancient to modern-day methods, from services that range from body work and massage to the latest quantum and holographic healing methods, the community is able to pick and choose what healing methods and services become appropriate to them within mind, body, and soul healing. .
When individuals nurture themselves on a personal, physical, and spiritual level, then the fruits of a lifetime of labor can be realized in a long and healthy life. Too often people succumb to costly life-challenging situations that could have been avoided by enhancing one's health-the key to long life. 'Rather than responding when illness and disease have already had their way, it is wiser to reach optimum levels of higher functioning within the mind and body by following methods of prevention. The open house will provide an overview of all that has become available to Pagosans within a diversified and interesting population of health care providers.
Pagosa Springs is emerging into the new paradigm of holistic healing. This is a nationally recognized growing sector of health services. By encouraging and supporting holistic healing in our community, Pagosa Springs will remain at the cutting edge of change.
Following the open house, the party begins at 5 p.m. Everyone is invited. A potluck will assure a diversity of dishes, where everyone is encouraged to make this party an all-out "fun fest" with food. Mark your dishes with your names, so we can compliment your culinary artistry. Musicians and a chorus line of singers will entertain you. Everyone is encouraged to dress in unique garb and jewelry. This is where the individual and community meet to celebrate living in our own unique way.
Call Sophia at 903-2108 or Karen Kauffman at 731-0980 with any questions, or stop by the Chamber of Commerce Visitor Center to pick up a flyer with the full itinerary of the open house events.

Pagosa Health and Wellness Network publishes directory

By Sonya Flores Lugo
Special to The PREVIEW
Pagosa Health and Wellness Network, Inc., a nonprofit corporation, has set a new precedent for Pagosa Springs with the publication of its premier edition of the Pagosa Health and Wellness Directory.
This directory, available at the Chamber of Commerce Visitor Center as of next week, reveals the diversity of healing modalities existing in Pagosa Springs. The directory's completion reflects the fulfillment of a common vision: the recognition of Pagosa Springs as a healing destination because of its hot mineral springs, its spectacular setting within the Rocky Mountains, and the extraordinary talent and diversity available in the healing arts as well as conventional health care.
In the Pagosa Health and Wellness Directory, you will discover a wide range of topics, from conventional care to holistic; from counseling and coaching to bodywork and massage; from energy work to vibrational healing. Listings include acupuncture, chiropractic and oriental medicine; feng shui; holistic healing with a wide variety of ancient and modern-day techniques; healing services for equine and animals; therapies utilizing music, crystals, essential oils, homeopathy, aromatherapy, and tonal healing ; natural birthing, nutrition, colonics, quantum healing, and more.
You will also discover topics such as conventional health care for eye, ear and teeth; natural and organic food, herbs and health supplements; solar electricity, off-grid systems, growing domes, evolution products, magnetic technologies, and more. Also, several schools are listed offering classes, workshops and certification courses in a variety of holistic healing methods.
Directory distributions
The Pagosa Health and Wellness Directories can be picked up by members and individuals and businesses, who have listed in the directory, at the meeting of the Pagosa Health and Wellness Network taking place Friday, Feb. 16 Everyone is encouraged to attend.
If anyone is unable to make that meeting, individuals and businesses can pick up their copies by calling Sophia at 903-2108 and reserving their copies. Hours of pickup at Pathways to Soul Mastery, 468 Pagosa Street, Suite A, are noon to 5 p.m., every day starting Monday, Feb. 12.
Network meetings
Monthly meetings will take place the second Wednesday of each month. These meetings start with announcements, and include introductions of members, a potluck and networking. Since the second Wednesday of this month is Valentine's Day, an exception will be made, and the first meeting will be held at 6 p.m. Friday, Feb. 16, at the community center in the North Conference Room. Entrance is through the Senior Center and the room is the first door on the left.

Special meditation service

On Sunday, Feb. 11, April Merrilee will lead a special meditation service for the Pagosah Unitarian Universalist Fellowship which she is calling "Love is the Seed."
She points out that sometimes it is appropriate to state (or engage in) the obvious. April goes on to say, "Even though Valentine's Day can seem like a Hallmark Cards special event, the February meditation will honor the seed of love we all carry in our hearts. Join us for a group meditation which helps each individual contact that 'soft spot' inside, from within the caring and safety of our growing spiritual community."
The service will include chanting, readings, silent meditation, and reflection. It begins at 10:30 a.m. in the Pagosah Unitarian Universalist Fellowship Hall, Unit 15, Greenbriar Plaza. Turn east on Greenbrier Drive off of North Pagosa by the fire station, then left into the back parking lot and look for the big sign. Newcomers are always welcome.

Archuleta New Warriors welcomed home

By John Gwin
Special to The PREVIEW
Six New Warriors (members of ManKind Project, www.mkp.org) in southwest Colorado were recently welcomed home from their New Warrior Training Adventure conducted Jan, 26-28 at Kamp Kiwanis in New Mexico.
The graduation celebration was held at Heartwood's Common House where family, friends and New Warriors from southwest Colorado gathered to celebrate the men's "Heroes Journey." Four of the six men honored are from Pagosa Springs.
Archuleta County New Warriors meet weekly to stay connected to their own feelings, shadows (those things we hide, repress and deny) and to become more congruent in their thoughts and actions. New Warriors take responsibility for their choices, hold themselves and each other accountable and live a life of service to others.
An open Men's Circle meets each Tuesday evening in Pagosa Springs. Any man interested in taking a closer look at himself and improving his relationship with others is welcome.
ManKind Project is a secular, non-profit, international men's organization, 40,000 strong. For more information about New Warriors call Steve Sewell, 264-4816, or John Gwin, 731-9666.

Masquerade gala to benefit center

By Chuck McGuire
Staff Writer
This year, March 17 is more than a simple St. Patrick's Day celebration, it's also an evening of masquerade.
Pagosa Springs Teen Center Coordinator Rhonda LaQuey and Pagosa Springs Community Center Administrative Assistant Michelle Jamison are co-sponsoring an adult masquerade gala to benefit the teen center.
This special function will take place at the community center from 6-11 p.m., and Bobby Hart will provide musical entertainment. Admission is $20 per person in advance, or $25 at the door.
As sponsors are billing it, "An evening of masquerade awaits you. You only need a mask to attend this evening of elegance, intrigue, mystery and dance."
Attendees must be at least 21 years of age, Expect free and "exquisite" appetizers, with special wines and a cash bar available.
Dress is left up to guests, but should be consistent with what one might wear on a nice evening out, including formal attire. As mentioned, a mask is required, and for those without one, special orders are available at the community center Monday through Friday, between 9:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. All masks are individually crafted and vary between $10 and $40, depending on design preference. Orders must be placed no later than Friday, Feb. 23.
Aside from food, spirits and music, prizes will be awarded to individuals and couples with the "best" masks. A silent mask auction may be in the works and revelers will also be eligible for various door prizes.
Of course, excitement and intrigue are reasons enough for a masquerade gala, but the primary purpose is to raise money for the Teen Center located in the Pagosa Springs Community Center. As a non-profit organization, the Teen Center operates solely on outside contributions, which are tax-deductible.
For more information, contact Rhonda LaQuey at 264-4152 (Ext. 31) from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, or call Michelle Jamison at 264-4152 (Ext. 21) from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday. An evening of masquerade awaits you, and you can help support area teens.
Chuck@pagosasun.com

Put 9Health Fair on your calendar

By Pauline Benetti
Special to The PREVIEW
The 28th annual 9Health Fair will take place throughout the month of April at more than 175 sites around Colorado. Here in Pagosa, it will happen April 7, the first Saturday of April, at the Pagosa Springs High School.
9Health Fair delivers free and low-cost health awareness and educational screenings to individuals 18 years of age and over. Since 1980, 1.7 million people have taken advantage of 9Health Fair to protect their health as a result of early detection, prevention, and dynamic educational programming statewide.
Basic screenings at all fair locations include the 31-component blood chemistry analysis which screens cholesterol, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein (HDL), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), glucose, thyroid (TSH), kidney and liver function, and more. ($35). During the same blood analysis, men age 40 and older can receive a prostatic specific antigen (PSA) screening ($25).
New this year at our site is a blood count screening to determine the overall health of your blood ($15). Colon cancer screening take-home kits ($5), and free height, weight, body mass index, vision, and blood pressure screenings are also available. Other optional free screenings such as oral, hearing, body in balance, breast exam, bone density and more can be accessed as well.
As Colorado's largest community health fair program, and the largest community health, wellness and prevention effort in the nation, since 1980, 9Health Fair has helped save thousands of lives by providing free and low-cost health screenings and educational programs. Created by a National Institutes of Health physician, 9Health Fair is a non-profit, 501 (c) (3) organization and has earned unique endorsements from the Colorado Medical Society and the Colorado Nurses Association and is supported by the Colorado Health and Hospital Association.
Fair organizers in Pagosa have already begun to make phone calls to last year's volunteers. Over 200 individuals are needed to assist the more than 700 participants who are expected to make the 9Health Fair part of their health practice. If you would like to take part in this rewarding event, in either a medical or non-medical capacity, call Sharee Grazda, site coordinator, at 731-0666.

By Charles Streetman

PREVIEW Columnist

"No one would have believed in the early years of the 21st century, that our world was being watched by intelligences greater than our own, that as men busied themselves about with their various concerns, 'they' observed and studied."
Morgan Freeman provides this haunting opening narrative for Steven Spielberg's updated film adaptation of H.G. Wells's classic novel, "War of the Worlds." In the past, Spielberg's films, for example "Close Encounters of the Third Kind," made us imagine extra terrestrial lifeforms were of a peaceful and benevolent nature. Although such is not the case with his most recent effort. In "War of the Worlds," the invaders are menacing, bloodthirsty (literally) monsters, determined to exterminate us and take our planet for their own.
The film stars Tom Cruise ("Minority Report," "The Last Samurai") as Ray, a crane operator on the docks of New York, who is in charge of taking care of his two children for his ex-wife (Miranda Otto, "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy) for the weekend. The film depicts Ray as a bitter and self-centered man who shows no true concern for his teenaged son, Robbie (Justin Chatwin, "The Chumscrubber" and "Taking Lives"), or his younger daughter, Rachel (Dakota Fanning, "Man on Fire" and "Hide and Seek") when they arrive for their visit. Soon however, Ray's detached demeanor vaporizes under the first onslaught of invaders who arrive in colossal, mechanical tripods armed with deadly heat rays. As Ray witnesses the destruction and massacre perpetrated by the machines, his parental instincts kick into high gear as he attempts to take his children to safety, barely escaping death as more and more of the deadly tripods emerge and wreak havoc.
As the film progresses, it becomes apparent the invaders aren't the only threat to Ray and his kids. As they flee from the machines, they learn that, in times of crisis and panic, people become self-centered and will go to great lengths to ensure their own survival. Self preservation becomes paramount, even if it means turning on each other. In the end, this human versus human tension proves to be one of the film's strongest elements, and Spielberg captures the unbridled desperation of humanity in stunning, unabashed detail.
Unlike other alien invasion films, Spielberg casts aside multiple storylines and characters and instead stays dead-focused on Ray and his family as they embark on a desperate flight for survival. Because Spielberg focuses entirely on the point of view of Ray and a handful of other survivors he and his family meet along the way, little attention is given to the invaders, and this is where the movie takes a plunge. Because Spielberg focuses primarily on the earthling, the aliens remain underdeveloped and their intentions unexplained - especially when the tripods begin planting and spreading their "red weeds" all over the planet. When we finally see the invaders outside of their tripods, while somewhat frightening, they are no more impressive than other aliens in past sci-fi thrillers.
The reason for the details regarding the aliens and their intentions for us and our planet being so vague, is because the movie relates to an average person's point of view, unlike some sci-fi films, like "Independence Day," which focused mainly on the point of view of brilliant scientists and government officials, that with the use of impossible and unrealistic events, provide us full knowledge of the aliens and their motives for invading our planet. Spielberg probably chose his approach to provide a more realistic feel, because there's no way someone like Cruise's character would learn about the full intentions of the invaders; however, this method backfires.
And then, there's the ending. While loyal to Wells' novel, it is anti-climatic when measured against today's film standards.
"War of the Worlds" is somewhat of a disappointment, although the visual effects are realistic and outstanding. Watching the machines lay waste to planet Earth with deadly heat rays is a visual feast. And yes, it goes without saying that Spielberg does a great job blowing up the world in this movie. The film's strengths lie largely in the visual effects department, while Spielberg's overall adaptation of Wells' classic leaves something to be desired.
The amount of bonus features available depends on which edition you rent or purchase - the single disc edition or the two-disc, limited edition.
The single disc edition includes a featurette on the design of the aliens and the tripods. The two-disc edition sports a truckload of special features, including the single-disc featurette, as well as a mini documentary on the legacy of H.G. Wells and his novels. The documentary includes interviews with Wells' grandson and great grandson, as well as Spielberg. Other elements include a featurette on the music to "War of the Worlds," several production notes, behind-the-scenes galleries, production sketches and several more items for about $10 more than the single disc edition.

No column this week.

A sweet Valentine treat at the center

By Mercy Korsgren
PREVIEW Columnist
The big night for all those who loves country western music and dancing is Saturday from 7 to 11 p.m.
That night, the Pagosa Springs Community Center is hosting its first fund-raising event this year and, by popular demand, we are bringing back Tim Sullivan & Narrow Gauge to provide the music.
Siri Schuchardt, dance program coordinator, and Pam Stokes, decoration chairperson, are ready to transform the multipurpose room into a gorgeous and romantic dance hall. If you haven't been to any of the center's dances, you don't know what I am talking about, so you should come see for yourself - you won't regret it!
Treat your Valentine date to this fun, relaxing and special evening. Due to increased demand we have decided to sell 250 tickets instead of 200. Ticket price includes delicious hot and cold hors d'oeuvres (more than just snacks), coffee, pop and bottled water. A cash bar with several kinds of wine and beer will be available.
Tickets are available at WolfTracks, the Chamber of Commerce and the community center. After tickets are purchased you can reserve a table for 10 people by calling the center. Be prepared to give your ticket numbers. Cost is $25 per person in advance, until noon Saturday, and $30 at the door. Also, this is an adult, 21 years and older event.
Spring rummage sale
Saturday, April 14, is the date for the center's annual rummage sale.
The sale will run from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. and will be held inside the 7,000 square-foot multipurpose room. The center invites all those interested in making some money to join in this community sale. Non-profit organizations are welcome, too.
Snacks and beverages (hot and cold) will be available at reasonable prices.
Proceeds from this event will benefit the center's free programs. Space assignments will be made on a first-come, first-served basis. The cost of the 10x10 space is $20. We did not increase the price but we increased the space for the same amount of money. Reserve your spot now and start cleaning out your cupboards, cabinets and garages. Or check your attic for stuff you haven't use for some time - may be it is time to get rid of things someone else can use. Call 264-4152.
AARP tax help
The AARP Foundation is AARP's affiliated non-profit charity, helping communities all across America. The AARP Tax-Aide program provides free tax preparation service for anyone age 60 and older, especially flow and middle income individuals.
If you need help preparing your taxes, sign up at the desk located inside the senior dining room. Help is available every Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. AARP tax help volunteers will be available to assist you during these hours. No phone reservations will be accepted.
Movie Night
Dan Senjem, a new volunteer, will run the first movie night 7-9 p.m. March 5. Dan has chosen to show Cowboy movies from way back in the 1930s. The first two movies for said evening will be "Come On Rangers," with Roy Rogers, and "Spring Time in the Rockies," with Gene Autry. Each movie runs for an hour.
So, mark your calendar and be part of this awesome program. Bring a dessert to share and the community center will provide hot and cold beverages. At the first meeting, the group will decide what movies to show March 19. This program will continue every first and third Monday of each month.
The center will need a volunteer to be the chairperson for this free program each month. Anyone interested can choose any month except December during which to be in-charge. Responsibilities include the following: selection of the movie, pick up and return of tape or disc, set up of the room with a couple of tables and several chairs, and making sure attendees help take down afterwards. The volunteer may recruit a co-chair for assistance. Now is the time to join this winter indoor activity. Call 264-4152.
Beaded jewelry program
I had a meeting recently with Treva Wheeless and Rebekah Sabia, both local artisans who make beautiful jewelry. These talented women have been in this business for at least 20 years.
This week I will focus on Rebekah. She has taught classes for five years and she creates unique jewelry incorporating gemstones, pearls, precious metals, crystals and glass, utilizing a variety of different beading techniques. She has sold her jewelry at stores, boutiques and galleries throughout Colorado.
There will be a free orientation meeting 10 a.m.-noon Thursday, Feb. 22. At this meeting, Treva and Rebekah will talk about the details of the forthcoming classes, the group's interests, tools needed and what is involved in beading jewelry. They will also exhibit some of their creations. Those attending the orientation must be prepared to pay $20 per class of their choice, to cover the cost of supplies. Students get to take home what they make.
Classes will be held March 1, 8 and 15, with each class different from the others. Students will learn to create basic ear rings and necklaces, do basic pearl knotting and design with natural elements and cords. Call the center, 264-4152 to sign up for this program.
Line dancing
Couples are two-stepping at 9 a.m. with a little waltzing thrown in. Steps are basic and easy. Men who attend the class are always pampered by Gerry. No excuses, guys.
Line Dancing begins at 10 a.m. with Electric Slide, Cowboy Stomp, and New York, New York, then progresses to harder and much more intellectual efforts such as Trashy Woman and Tush Push. No partners are needed in this kind of dance. Everyone is welcome.
Yoga
The center has just started to subscribe to Yoga Journal Magazine for our yoga enthusiasts. It will be available to the public starting next week. I hope this magazine will be a helpful tool to our yogis.
Come join Diana Baird and Addie Greer every Tuesday from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Bring a towel or mat. It's free and everyone is welcome.
Computer class
Classes are still on hold due to Becky's medical issues. Becky underwent a muscle biopsy last week to help determine what is causing her loss of strength and hopefully we'll have an update from her next week. She asks we continue to pray for her health and she hopes she can come back to work soon. Get well, Becky!
Open gym
Do you want to exercise, have fun and make new friends?
Join Larry Page and the other guys every Tuesday and Thursday morning from 8 to 9 a.m. We call this group the "Hoopsters," and they meet for the hour of "exercise basketball" twice each week. It is actually a shoot-and-run-after-the ball game. This is another free program offered by the center and is open to all including those who go to work. Remember, the center has shower and locker facilities that anybody can use. Call Larry, 264-1096 or just show up for a session.
Every Friday at noon, except those dates when the gym is not available, another open gym program is available noon to 1:15 p.m. This is ideal for those who work and would like to wind up the week of work with fun and exercise. Call Dan Aupperle at Citizens Bank, 264-2235 if you're planning to join this group of fun guys.
Scrapbooking
The group will meet 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday.
Melissa is open to suggestions concerning what participants want to learn in this program. Call her and tell her your interests. Saturday, she will provide demonstrations of Pearl Ex powders and Staz On Ink Pads, and creation of a mini photo album using tags. Melissa also will have different Valentine's Day card samples, if someone wants to copy them.
If you need more information, you can reach Melissa at 731-1574. Scrapbooking class is another free program offered here at the center.
Center hours
The community center's winter hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday; and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. Call 264-4152.
Activities this week
Today - Hoopsters basketball, 8-9 a.m.; TOPS Tourism Board meeting., 8-11 a.m.; AARP Tax Help, 8:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m.; toddler's play group, 10 a.m.-noon; Teen Center open, 3:30-6:30 p.m.; Democratic Party meeting., 5:30-6:30 p.m.; youth basketball, 5:30-8:30 p.m.; Trinity Anglican Church Bible Study, 6:30-8:30 p.m.
Feb. 9 - PSHS Social Responsibility Training, 8 a.m.-4 p.m.; senior walk, 11:15-11:35 a.m.; Bridge-4-Fun, 12:30-4 p.m.; 4H Cloverbuds, 1:30-3:30 p.m.; Teen Center open, 3:30-6:30 p.m.; EcoQuest International Seminar, 4-6 p.m.
Feb. 10 - PSHS Social Responsibility Training, 8 a.m.-4 p.m.; drawing class with Randall Davis, 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m.; scrapbooking, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.; Valentine's Dance, 7-11 p.m.
Feb. 11 - Wolf Creek Backcountry Avalanche Training, 8-9 a.m.; Grace Evangelical Free Church and Church of Christ services, 10 a.m.-noon; High Roads Baptist Church service, 6-8 p.m.; Fairfield Activities meeting, 6 p.m.-8 p.m.
Feb. 12 - Line dancing, 9-11:30 a.m.; Connections Academy testing, 9 a.m.-noon; legal mediation, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; Big Angelos workshop with Soledad, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.; senior walk, 11:15-11:35 a.m.; Bridge-4-Fun, 12:30-4:30 p.m.; youth basketball, 5:30-8:30 p.m.; Archuleta County Archeological Society meeting, 6-8 p.m.
Feb. 13 - Hoopsters basketball, 8-9 a.m.; Big Angelos workshop with Soledad, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.; yoga , 10-11:30 a.m.; senior walk, 11:15-11:35 a.m.; Teen Center open, 3:30-6:30 p.m.; TOPS Tourism Board meeting, 4-6 p.m.; youth basketball, 5:30-8:30 p.m.; Creeper Jeepers meeting 7-8 p.m.
Feb. 14 - Big Angelos workshop with Soledad, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.; senior walk, 11:15-11:35 a.m.; PSAAR appreciation lunch, noon-1 p.m.; senior's Aikido class, 1-2 p.m.; Teen Center open, 3:30-6:30 p.m.; Weight Watchers, 5-6 p.m.; Photo Club meeting 5:30-7:30 p.m.; eBay class, 5:30-7:30 p.m.; youth basketball, 5:30-8:30 p.m.
Feb. 15 -Hoopsters basketball, 8-9 a.m.; AARP tax help, 8:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m.; Big Angelos Workshop with Soledad, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.; Toddler's Play Group, 10 a.m.- noon; watercolor club, 10 a.m.-3:30 p.m.; Teen Center open, 3:30-6:30 p.m.; TOPS Tourism Board meeting.; 4-6 p.m.; youth basketball, 5:30-8:30 p.m.; Chimney Rock meeting, 6-8 p.m.; Trinity Anglican Church bible study, 6:30-8:30 p.m.
Need a gathering place? The community center has several rooms for rent for all kinds of gatherings: meetings, seminars, parties, fund-raising events, etc., at reasonable prices. We have space for different size groups and we also offer most of the furniture and equipment you will need. Call 264-4152 to reserve a room for your next gathering. The community center is a non-profit organization and this is your center.

February is American Heart Month

By Jeni Middendorf
Sun Columnist
Heart Disease is the leading cause of death in Colorado. Heart disease and stroke - the principal components of cardiovascular disease - are the first and third leading causes of death in the United States, accounting for nearly 40 percent of all deaths. Nearly 930,000 Americans die of cardiovascular diseases each year, which amounts to one death every 33 seconds. About 70 million Americans (almost one-fourth of the population) have some form of cardiovascular disease, which is responsible for more than 6 million hospitalizations each year.
Much of the burden of heart disease and stroke could be eliminated by reducing their major risk factors: high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol, tobacco use, diabetes, physical inactivity, and poor nutrition.
- About 90 percent of middle-aged Americans will develop high blood pressure in their lifetime, and nearly 70 percent of those who have it now do not have it under control.
- In 2002, more than 106 million people were told that they had total blood cholesterol levels that were above normal or high (200 mg/dL or higher).
- In 2005, the cost of heart disease and stroke in the United States is projected to exceed $394 billion
- In 2001, the cost of hospitalization for cardiovascular problems among Medicare beneficiaries topped $29 billion.
- In 2005, $60 billion in health care spending was due to high blood pressure.
Reducing risk factors for heart disease saves lives and money. An average reduction of just 12-13 mm Hg in systolic blood pressure over four years of follow-up is associated with a 21 percent reduction in coronary heart disease, a 37 percent reduction in stroke, a 25 percent reduction in total cardiovascular disease deaths, and a 13 percent reduction in overall death rates. A 10 percent reduction in serum cholesterol levels can result in a 30 percent reduction in the incidence of heart attacks and strokes. U.S. adults substantially lowered their blood pressure, high cholesterol levels, and other heart disease risk factors during the 1980s. As a result, U.S. costs associated with coronary heart disease declined. To learn more on Heart Disease in Colorado, please call (800) 311-3435 or go to www.cdc.gov/dhsp/state.program/co.htm.
Red Shoe Duo
Treat yourself to a "red hot" night of music tonight at the Pagosa Springs High School auditorium with the "Red Shoe Duo." The performance begins at 7:30 p.m.
The Red Shoe Duo was formed in the fall of 2003 at Fort Lewis College in Durango and since then they have performed throughout the region to delighted audiences. They are dedicated to performing the great standards of the repertoire, while avidly championing contemporary compositions.
Katherine Jetter Tischhauser on cello and Lisa Campi on piano, are currently faculty members at Fort Lewis College where they maintain active teaching and performing careers. Proceeds from the concert will benefit The Den and the Fort Lewis Scholarship Fund. This is a fund-raising event to raise money for the construction of a new senior center in Pagosa. Ticket prices are $18 for adults, $15 for Seniors Inc. members, $10 for children ages 8 to 12, and children under 8 years of age are free. Tickets are available at the door. Join us for an evening of celebrated music and help support The Den's expansion to continue to provide activities and services to our growing community.
Viola and guitar
Kate Kelly, our very own Ginger Kelly's daughter-in-law, is a talented musician. She has been playing the viola for more than 20 years and is a music instructor here in Pagosa.
Kate, accompanied by Truett Forest on guitar, will join us at 12:45 p.m. at The Den tomorrow, to entertain us with music and share the lovely sound of stringed instruments.
Valentines' Day party
Celebrate the day of love and friendship Wednesday, Feb. 14. Come to The Den for a Valentine's Day party at lunch.
Wear your pink and red colors to win some great prizes for the most decorated Valentine costume. The more creative, the better!
Share your warm fuzzy feelings with your friends here at The Den by participating in a Valentine card exchange. Bring enough cards for about 55 of your valentines. Cupcakes and flowers will also be a part of our celebration, the camaraderie and the fun we have here. So don't miss out; enjoy the momentous day of love with your companions here at The Den. We will also have a Valentine's' Day Party in Arboles Thursday, Feb. 15.
Free movie
Join The Den at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 14, for Seniors Day at the Liberty Theatre.
The free flick of the month for folks 55 and older, and their families, will be "Sleepless in Seattle," rated PG. This Oscar-nominated romantic comedy stars Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan as soulmates who come perilously close to never meeting. Although separated by thousands of miles, rueful widower Sam Baldwin (Hanks) and soon-to-be married Annie Reed (Ryan) connect through a radio call-in show encounter engineered by Sam's son. Fans of "An Affair to Remember" will enjoy the many references to that classic romance.
Not only will the Liberty Theatre provide a free movie, but they also have a $2 snack deal which includes a small popcorn and small soda. Transportation provided by the senior bus is available, for a suggested donation of $2. Join The Den and Liberty Theatre for this Valentine's Day special.
Nails with Dru
Do you want to feel pampered? Or how about some fun conversation while doing something nice for yourself? Our volunteer, Dru Sewell, will do your nails at The Den 9:30-11 a.m. Wednesdays. You can make an appointment or drop in for your nail treatment. Dru will trim, file and paint your nails for free, while entertaining you with her bubbly personality!
Dance For Health
Dance For Health classes are available at The Den at 10 a.m. Wednesdays, free of charge.
Karma Raley, the dance instructor, enjoys sharing her love of dance and blends basic ballet, modern jazz, and jazz dance with yoga awareness to create a full body routine which makes it possible to work out to the degree you want and/or need to. Wear loose comfortable clothing and bring a mat or towel. Join us at The Den and learn great dance techniques while having a fun time exercising!
Aikido
The history of Aikido goes back nearly a thousand years to secret techniques of samurai warriors.
The Den offers Aikido classes at 1 p.m. Wednesday with instructors Bill Trimarco and Lisa Jensen. Aikido students will learn how to redirect an attacker's energy with hand techniques, and train with the wooden sword and short staff. Aikido is beneficial for health, coordination, stress relief and character with the goal of bettering oneself rather than trying to be better than an opponent.
Snowmobile tour
Snow Country Adventure Tours presents The Senior Center Adventure Tour - a one-hour snowmobile tour 2- 3 p.m. Friday, Feb. 16, for $50 per person. The tour begins at the Continental Divide on magnificent Wolf Creek Pass. The Den will meet at the top of Wolf Creek Pass at 1:50 p.m. with carpooling being our mode of transportation. Sign up at The Den office by Tuesday, Feb. 13, to participate in this outdoor adventure tour. Take the chance to ride through the snow covered summit, filled with parading white trees, while enjoying the stunning views of the mountains. Travel through carved tracks etched in the snow, as you safely bound up and down hills. Experience the snow spraying and sprinkling on your hat and goggles as you pause on a silent peak to capture an image of your adventure. Close your eyes and sigh deeply and think, "I am on top of the world!" The guides have nurtured safety, fun, and efficiency in tours for many years and they are highly experienced, extensively trained for the high country and CPR certified.
Join us to discover some of the most rewarding scenery and experience Colorado's unspoiled winter backcountry landscape.
Den luncheon
The Den is making a trip to Victoria's Parlor for lunch located in downtown Pagosa at 11:30 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 22. Join us for an outing close to home to enjoy the delicious food and delightful atmosphere of Victoria's. The cost is $11 per person. Sign up with The Den office by Friday, Feb. 16, to participate in this luncheon outing in our own hometown. Join your friends for good conversation, good food and lots of fun as we visit our local restaurant of the month.
Seniors Inc. memberships
Seniors Inc. annual memberships for folks 55 and older are sold for $5 at The Den 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday Memberships are not sold on Thursday.
Your Seniors Inc. membership entitles you to a variety of discounts from participating merchants. For qualifying members, it provides scholarships to assist with the costs for eyeglasses, hearing aids, dental expenses, and prescription and medical equipment. Your Seniors Inc. membership will also cover $20 of the $30 transportation fee for medical shuttles to Durango.
The Den's Monthly Mystery trips to fascinating destinations are sponsored by Seniors Inc. so these cool trips in the warmer months are open to all Seniors Inc. members. As you can see, the benefits of a Seniors Inc. membership are numerous, so stop at The Den during the scheduled hours to renew, or to purchase your first annual membership. Please remember you do not need to be a Seniors Inc. member to join us at The Den. Everyone is welcome to be a part of our extended family!
Tax-Aide program
The AARP sponsored Tax-Aide program is back.
This program provides free personal income tax assistance to low- and moderate-income taxpayers, with special attention to those age 60 and older.
The program maintains strict confidentiality and protects the security of all taxpayers' information and records at all times. Free electronic filing (e-filing) of tax returns prepared by Tax-Aide counselors is also available.
New this year: Taxpayers can claim a refund on their 2006 tax returns for excise tax they paid on long-distance telephone service. Individuals not required to file a federal income tax return can file a new form (form 1040EZ-T) to claim their refund. Preparation assistance for Colorado Property Tax/Heat/Rent Rebate Application (PTC) will be provided even if the individual is not required to file a federal tax return.
The tax counseling and preparation is done by IRS/AARP trained volunteers who reside in the Pagosa Springs area. This program is offered every Thursday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., through April 12, in the Art Council room of the community center. It is requested that you make an appointment for this help. There will be sign-up sheets for appointments on the bulletin board in the senior center dining room. Appointments will not be accepted by telephone. Walk-ins will be assisted on an as available basis. Individuals with appointments have preference.
Senior Day at the capitol
Meet your legislators and elected officials in Denver Wednesday, Feb. 21.
Senior Day is an opportunity for seniors to learn more about current legislation. We urge all participants to contact their legislators and invite them to participate in the program. Let your legislator know your concerns and that you are interested and you vote!. All state legislators and executive officers have been invited to attend this event and briefly discuss important issues.
A box lunch will be available for $8 at the Baptist Church across the street from the capitol at 14th Avenue and Grant Street. This gives you an opportunity to get to meet with seniors from around the state in a comfortable and informal setting. For more information, call (303) 832-4535.
A big thanks
Jake Billingsley, from the TV popular series "Thailand Survivor," made an appearance at The Den Jan. 30. Jake made a presentation focused on relationships and mutual respect to approximately 20 interested folks who gave him a standing ovation when his presentation was completed. Thank you Jake, for taking the time to share your experiences.
Activities at a glance
Thursday, Feb. 8 - Tax aid by appointment only; The Den is closed; the Red Shoe Duo musical performance at Pagosa Springs High School, 7:30 p.m.
Friday, Feb. 9 - The Geezers meeting, 9 a.m.; gym walk, 11:15 a.m.; Bridge-4-Fun, 12:30 p.m.; duplicate bridge, 12:30 p.m.; music with Kate Kelly on viola and Truett Forrest on guitar, 12:45 p.m.; Seniors Inc. board meeting, 1 p.m.
Monday, Feb. 12 - Susan Stoffer, nurse and counselor available, 11 a.m.-1 p.m.; gym walk, 11:15 a.m.; Bridge-4-Fun, 12:30 p.m.; canasta, 1 p.m.
Tuesday, Feb. 13 - Yoga, 10 a.m.; gym walk, 11:15 a.m.; blood pressure checks, 11:30 a.m.; final day to sign up at The Den for the snowmobile tour with Snowcountry Adventures.
Wednesday, Feb. 14 - Happy Valentines' Day. Red and Pink Day, Nails with Dru, 9:30-11 a.m.; Dance For Health class, 10: a.m.; basic computer class, 10 a.m.;