'Moratorium' ... a four letter word?

By James Robinson
Staff Writer
Key county personnel, members of the county planning commission and the board of county commissioners met in a special work session Tuesday at the courthouse to explore the possibility of imposing a six-month moratorium on applications for new major subdivisions and planned unit developments (PUDs).
Archuleta County Commissioner Bob Moomaw facilitated the discussion.
Under the proposal, major subdivisions and PUDs already in the planning process would continue, while new applications for the same would be put on hold until the moratorium expires. During the moratorium, planning staff would continue to process minor subdivision applications.
Moomaw said since adoption and implementation of the code in May 2006, "obvious problems" had developed.
"There are holes in the regulations we need to deal with," Moomaw said.
Moomaw explained the document is difficult to read and understand, and in some cases lacks key definitions, or is vague.
The Archuleta Planning Commission has also been struggling with the regulations and has cited inconsistencies between the new land use code and the Archuleta County Community Plan, documents planners and planning commissioners use in conjunction to make land use decisions.
The frustration drove Planning Commission Chair Larry Garcia and fellow commissioners Lesli Allison and Cary Brown to the Feb. 20 board of county commissioners meeting where they requested that a concerted effort be made to update the community plan.
Since the code's adoption in May, the board of county commissioners has been addressing issues piecemeal as they arise. For example, during the Feb. 20 board of county commissioners meeting, the board adopted a newly-written section dealing with uses-by-right that Moomaw said had been left out of the code.
"We're doing small amendments as we go and it's hit and miss," County Attorney Teresa Williams said.
Moomaw said shortcomings in the new code, coupled with an outdated community plan - adopted in May 2001 - significant and key planning staff turnovers, a lack of a planning director and a number of issues such as oil and gas permitting, big box regulations, adoption of impact fees, and three large and arguably complex PUD proposals were putting tremendous pressures on planning staff and the planning commission.
"There are a number of things in planning that make it very difficult to handle issues that are coming down the pike," Moomaw said.
And planning commissioner Brown concurred.
"Part of the problem is this planning staff is up to their eyeballs right now," Brown said.
The county planning department is currently staffed by three associate planners and lacks a director. Archuleta County Administrator Bob Campbell is serving as the acting director while staff conduct a search to replace former Director of County Development Blair Leist, who resigned May 2006.
Campbell recently took the reins from Williams, who led the department following senior planner and interim planing director David Alvord's departure. Campbell said Alvord resigned in December 2006.
But planning department staffing woes go deeper than 2006. The months between May 2005 and August 2005 marked a period of staffing upheaval, and the embattled department suffered resignations of four key staffers. During that time, interim county administrator Kathy Holthus also resigned and later in the year, the county suffered the departure of their attorneys, Goldman, Robbins, Rogers P.C.
But with development proposals on the rise and a new land use code, it is more than just planning staff that has felt the heat.
On Feb. 14, planning commissioners faced TreeTops' request for preliminary plan approval of its planned unit development on Piedra Road - the first PUD under the new regulations - but the commissioners struggled with reconciling the developer's request against the conflicting guidelines of the land use code and the community plan.
"This (TreeTops) was the first major one we dealt with and we were grappling," Brown said.
For example, section one of the code states that the land use regulations should implement the policies of the 2001 community plan. Furthermore, it states that when a development proposal is in substantial conflict with the community plan, the plan must be amended prior to any zoning or subdivision approvals for the development proposal.
The community plan's future land use map indicates the proposed TreeTops parcel as a medium density residential area with two to five acre lots, and during the Feb. 14 hearing, Garcia struggled with the incongruities of the two documents.
"When I look at the community plan, does this really meet our requirements? Because when I look at our code, it doesn't," Garcia said during the preliminary plan hearing.
TreeTops architect and lead designer Dan Burkhardt countered Garcia and argued that the project is in close compatibility with the community plan.
As proposed, TreeTops is slated for 176 dwelling units and 140,000 square feet of commercial space in a 13-tract mixed use development on two parcels totaling 52.3 acres. The project incorporates a variety of housing types: single-family attached townhomes, single-family detached cottages, single family mixed use condominiums and multi-family apartments. Both parcels are zoned Agricultural Estate, and are bordered on the north and south by property zoned Agricultural Estate, on the east by Piedra Road and U.S. Forest Service land zoned Agriculture Forestry, and on the west by property zoned Agriculture Ranching.
Archuleta County Planner Jason Peasley administratively approved the TreeTops sketch plan July 26, 2006, which meant the sketch plan did not go before the county planning commission nor the duly-noticed public until the preliminary hearing Feb. 14.
Campbell and Peasley said an administrative approval at sketch plan is business as usual. And section two and four of the land use code allow administrative approvals at the sketch plan phase.
However, in retrospect, and after the Feb. 14 hearing, Peasley said he would have done things differently.
"In hindsight, it would have been appropriate to take it before the planning commission," Peasley said.
During the Feb. 14 preliminary plan hearing, commissioners Brown and Allison struggled with density issues and TreeTops omission of technical data that is required by the land use code in a PUD preliminary plan approval application.
On Wednesday, Allison reiterated her frustration and said the code needed density guidelines, and she bemoaned inaccuracies in land use maps found in the community plan.
"When you read that and this (Allison pointed to the land use code then the community plan) we almost can't approve anything. As a commissioner, I can't know how to make decisions. We're just winging it," she said, and she pointed to spot zoning as an example.
"The code says 'no spot zoning,' but approving a zoning change is essentially spot zoning," she said.
Planning commissioner Judith Reilly agreed.
"We're effectively creating this process of master planning on a case-by-case basis," Reilly said.
Rezoning is a mandatory part of the PUD approval process, and a PUD cannot be approved if the rezone request is denied.
Planning commission chair Larry Garcia said, "There's just too many holes in our decision making process." And he listed a number of concerns - no planning director, an outdated community plan, big box issues and three large PUDs already in the planning stages.
"We are reactionary right now. We need to be proactive, and we need to get our ducks in a row. We are a community and I don't want to have a developer dictating what they're going to do in my community without going through a public process," Garcia said.
In addition to TreeTops, planning staff, the planning commission and the board of county commissioners is facing two more large PUD applications - Blue Sky Village, a 187-unit project slated for a 96-acre parcel on south U.S. 84, and Square Top, a 1,700 acre, 300-unit development also in the south U.S. 84 area.
During the work session, planning staff, planning commissioners and the board generally agreed overhauling the community plan would be too much to tackle during a six month moratorium. However, completing a comprehensive revision to the land use code was something the group believed was feasible.
"I've been involved in this for a long time," Archuleta County Commissioner Ronnie Zaday said, "and six months will not give the county enough time to make the necessary changes."
And Williams agreed.
"I don't think it (the community plan) can be easily fixed in six months. We can fix the land use code with staff, and revise the code so it's readable. They (planning staff) are well versed in what the problems are, in what needs to be attacked," she said.
Archuleta County Planner Cindy Schultz supported Williams assertion.
"Time on a moratorium could be best used on finishing the land use code," Schultz said.
Generally speaking, community or comprehensive planning takes about a year, requires the recruitment of outside consultants and numerous duly-noticed public meetings.
Archuleta County Commissioner Robin Schiro suggested bringing in an outside consultant to do the necessary work rather than imposing a moratorium, but Campbell said the 2007 budget was tight, and that funds weren't available to hire temporary help.
And Williams and Schultz said using the county's current planning staff to revise the code would be far more efficient and effective.
Both Zaday and Schiro remained unenthusiastic and reluctant to impose a moratorium.
Campbell suggested that if the board decides to follow through on imposition of a moratorium, perhaps the best tack would involve shuffling staff to undertake the revision, while charging the remaining staffer with moving minor subdivision applications and the three PUDs through the planning process.
"Defining the scope of what you want to accomplish in the six months is critical," Campbell told the board.
Tim Horning and Steve Potter attended the meeting and expressed concern that a moratorium would adversely affect the building community.
"Don't penalize the market place because of staff turnover. I think it's an economic impact to shut down development. If it's a staffing issue, solve the staffing issue," Horning said.
But Moomaw countered that Archuleta County had plenty of unbuilt lots that could keep builders and other facets of the industry operational throughout the duration of the moratorium.
"In Archuleta County, there are literally thousands of lots that have been platted but haven't been built on," Moomaw said, and he estimated the number at 3,000 to 4,000.
In addition, TreeTops, Blue Sky Village and Square Top when finally approved could add another 700 units and about 300,000 square feet of commercial space to the mix, while town documents indicate another 900 units in the planning cue, with 231 already approved.
Questions remain.
Will a six month moratorium on large subdivisions and PUDs hamper the area's economy? Or, are there enough lots to keep the county's economic engine running until the moratorium expires? Is there a pressing need to bring more lots, subdivisions and PUDs to the fore.
That question was posed to the planning commission during the Feb. 14 TreeTops hearing, and planning commissioner Ron Chacey brushed it aside.
Enter the land use code, section one.
"It shall be the duty of the Planning Commission to discourage the subdividing of lands that are far in advance of the need of the county ..."
"Everyone acknowledges the problem is there, but how do we solve the problem," Moomaw said.
The board of county commissioners, planning commissioners and county staff will explore planning issues and the updating of the community plan at 5 p.m., March 14 in the board of county commissioners meeting room at the courthouse.
"Development is not a four letter word," Brown said. And Potter finished Brown's sentence, "But moratorium is."
james@pagosasun.com

Three teens arrested for burglaries

By Louis Sherman
Staff Writer
Three Pagosa youngsters, ranging in age from 13 to 17, have been arrested and charged in connection with four burglaries and one fire that occurred Jan. 7 on Rainbow Road, in the lower Blanco area.
Two of the suspects were charged with four counts of burglary and one count of arson; the third suspect was charged with one count of burglary.
The Pagosa Fire Protection District responded to a shed fire on Rainbow Road Jan. 7, which was later determined to be the result of arson. Responders noticed that an adjacent house had been broken into, said Detective Sgt. Carl Smith of the sheriff's department.
A week later, a witness connected the juvenile suspects to the incident, and interviews conducted by Detective Richard Valdez produced information that three other houses had been broken into in the same area, on the same day.
One of the break-ins was confirmed immediately, but confirmation of the other two burglaries was delayed because snow prevented entry, said Smith.
According to Smith, the houses sustained structural damage from the break-ins, and two of the houses were severely ransacked. The homes belonged to "snowbirds," who have provided lists of items in the homes to the sheriff's department, in order to aid the investigation.
The stolen items included stereo equipment, clothing and alcohol, and the fire destroyed a motorcycle, as well as the structure, said Smith.
The first two suspects were arrested Feb. 9, and the third was arrested last Friday, Feb. 23.
The juveniles were remanded to house arrest until their first appearances in 6th District Court in Durango.
louis@pagosasun.com

Hunters, cops consider shooting range

By Chuck McGuire
Staff Writer
As the human populations of Pagosa Springs and Archuleta County invariably swell, some are again asking a question often pondered before, "Do we need a sanctioned shooting range where hunters can safely sight in their weapons?"
Until recently the general consensus was, probably not. After all, many believe the community has managed just fine in the past, with gun owners simply wandering into the nearby forest, setting up targets to their liking and firing away.
But Tuesday night at the Extension Building, a group of approximately 30 involved citizens came together to consider the matter again. This time, representatives of the U.S. Forest Service, Colorado Wildlife Commission, Colorado Division of Wildlife (DOW), state patrol, county sheriff's office, town police department, and five outdoor environmental/hunting groups, unanimously agreed now is finally the time.
Several factors seem to support the assembly's concerted affirmation, all of which came to light in the first few minutes of discussion. Perhaps foremost among them, was the realization that more people living in the area has led to increased year-round recreational use within surrounding forests. This fundamental fact raises fear that dangerous conflicts might arise between casual low-impact users (such as hikers and birdwatchers) and those unwittingly discharging firearms outside specified hunting seasons.
"Dispersed shooting is a problem," said DOW officer Mike Reid, while describing a common scenario in which shooters without access to legitimate facilities will simply "sight in" high-powered rifles anywhere in the woods.
The practice is legal, but safety is a growing concern.
The dilemma appears most prevalent among hunters who wait until the final days before hunting season to determine the accuracy of their weapons. Though a vast majority of hunters are conscientious and well prepared, there are those who tend to shoot anything from road signs to tree limbs, without regard to backdrop or the proximity of others.
According to Reid and others at Tuesday's gathering, the reduced availability of suitable land and rising real estate prices also contribute to the feasibility of developing a range sooner, rather than later.
Talk revolved around recent developments, the many now before various planning commissions, and the concern with shrinking open space to act as a buffer between a developed range and residential subdivisions.
One participant commented, "Land will never get cheaper or more abundant."
At that point, the group switched its focus to finding an appropriate site. A handful of remote possibilities came up, though few solid leads actually materialized. A committee of six volunteers then agreed to contact various landowners, including governmental agencies, tribal leaders and a few ranchers, to see what alternatives might surface.
Meanwhile, various financing options were mentioned, but most attendees thought it premature to pursue grants or other funding opportunities until a site is secured.
Collectively, the crowd agreed that if the range becomes a reality, it should be available year-round, if possible, and always open to the general public. The DOW should assume responsibility for managing and insuring it, and it should be used as an educational tool for young shooters, law enforcement personnel and others needing certifications in the use of firearms.
With enthusiasm running high, another meeting was scheduled at the Extension Building for Tuesday, March 20 at 6:30 p.m. The Extension Building is located just south of Mill Creek Road, on the east side of U.S. 84. Anyone interested in the establishment of a public shooting range may attend.
chuck@pagosasun.com

Inside The Sun

Marketing Pagosa Country's major industry

By Chuck McGuire
Staff Writer
Tourism is a major industry in Pagosa Springs and its importance to the local economy is clear. The question is, how do we keep those tourist dollars rolling in?
The short answer? Marketing.
In April 2006, Pagosa Springs voters approved a ballot issue creating Ordinance 663, which added a 1.9-percent Lodgers' Tax to the existing 3-percent tax approved by voters the previous fall. As a result, visitors now pay a total lodging tax of 4.9 percent on top of the cost of an overnight stay within town limits.
According to the ordinance, short-term lodging facilities within the town, or those managed, contracted or leased by a person engaged in lodging within the town, are subject to the tax. Short-term stays are less than 30 days, and revenues derived shall be used for:
- Tourism and tourism-related marketing and capital improvements.
- Special events sponsored, funded or assisted by the town.
- Such other uses determined reasonable and necessary by the town council.
So, how much money are we talking, and where does it all go?
Based on town projections, its lodgers' tax should generate approximately $400,000 in annual revenue. Of course, actual amounts depend on several factors, including the overall economy and proper application of the tax by the various lodging facilities involved. Nevertheless, as the town collects the tax, the council must decide how best to apply it to marketing, and to accomplish that, it relies on the advice of the Town of Pagosa Springs Tourism Committee (TTC).
According to the town Web site, the TTC is a citizen's advisory committee, which makes specific recommendations to the council, relative to expenditures of the tax.
The TTC insures that all funding requests meet required criteria, and that they are appropriately marketed within the community theme. For TTC validation, they must also contain an inherent tourism element, with tourism defined as, "bringing visitors to our community for the purpose of increasing both lodging and sales tax revenues."
When asked what the 2007 TTC budget looked like, TTC chair Tony Gilbert provided a chart illustrating the "Tourism Tax Revenue/Expense Flow Stream."
In round numbers, the chart indicates how much money the town lodgers' tax will add to a reserve balance left over from 2006, how much the 1.9-percent county lodgers' tax will contribute to area marketing, and where all the money will go.
First, the $400,000 in anticipated 2007 tax revenues will be added to $150,000 in left over revenue from 2006. Another $20,000 in miscellaneous revenues will bring the total to $570,000. Of that amount, $115,000 will go directly to funding the Pagosa Springs Chamber of Commerce Visitor's Center. The remaining $455,000 will be divided as follows:
- $110,000 for reserves.
- $258,000 for direct marketing.
- $30,000 for capital improvements.
- $29,000 for special events.
- $25,000 for payroll.
- $3,000 for dues and seminars.
Gilbert's chart also reflects an estimated $50,000 in expected revenues from the county's lodgers' tax, all of which will go to the Visitor's Center. Add to that, the $115,000 from the TTC and another $20,000 in miscellaneous revenues, and the center will have approximately $185,000 in its 2007 budget.
The chart suggests $104,000 of the Visitor's Center's revenues will go toward payroll. Another $55,000 will cover building operations and expenses, and the remaining $26,000 will pay for center marketing materials. All told, after various costs, the TTC and Visitor's Center combined will spend in excess of $310,000 on direct tourism marketing this year.
Tourism is a broad term, but in all its implications, its importance to Pagosa Springs and the surrounding county is clear. In fact, the town of Pagosa Springs Web site says 30 percent of all jobs within town limits are tied to tourism. The Archuleta County Economic Development Association (ACEDA) suggests 63 percent of all direct-based jobs in the county are in tourism, and county statistics indicate that tourism is the area's number one industry.
As a tourist destination, the popularity of Pagosa Springs and its surroundings is not surprising. Of course, the community has established a multitude of events, activities and creature comforts over the years, but according to the ACEDA, "The natural environment, and the amenities it provides, are behind much of the growth and have become the larger region's chief economic asset."
But then, much the same can be said of many Colorado mountain communities. Therefore, the preservation of our natural environment is essential, but so is its use in the bona fide pitch to attract tourist dollars.
chuck@pagosasun.com

Nutrition night at the elementary school

By Louis Sherman
Staff Writer
Parents in Education (PIE) will sponsor a nutrition night at the elementary school tonight, which will include educational activities and games, and a healthy taco bar - all part of the school's week-long focus on nutrition.
While funded by PIE, the event has been facilitated by members of a group of parents concerned with nutrition in the schools, including Ronda Higby and Rita Harbur, who are co-chairs for the nutrition night. The nutrition group and PIE have cooperated with school and district staff to make the evening possible.
Higby said the goal of the evening "is to raise parents' awareness of easy and simple ways to boost their children's nutrition at home," while establishing a link between good nutrition and academic success.
Activities will include a storytelling corner, featuring a nutrition-focused book, and two active games. Servings at the taco bar will be staggered from 5:30 to 7 p.m.
Nutrition night coincides with a larger nutrition week at the school, in which students have been exposed to nutrition-oriented books and projects at the school library, as well as the new FDA food pyramid.
The event is free to students and their families, but the nutrition group will attempt to raise money for a new salad-bar cart at the elementary school with a donation jar.
Superintendent Mark DeVoti, along with district food manager Charlotte Lee, made the decision at the beginning of April to buy the cart and implement the salad bar for fourth-graders.
Though the district committed to paying for the cost of the cart, the nutrition group is attempting to raise funds to reduce the expense. Crista Munro, co-founder of the group, said they have received donations from Pagosa's Junior Rotarians and PIE. Any donations from the nutrition night will add to the sum.
Nutrition night will begin at 5:30 p.m. at the elementary school.
louis@pagosasun.com

Pradera Pointe gets commission nod

By James Robinson
Staff Writer
After three sketch plan hearings, town planning commissioners unanimously approved Pradera Pointe - a 119-lot proposed subdivision north of downtown Pagosa Springs.
Gazunga LLC, represented by developer Bill Herebic and Guiseppe Margiotta of Trinity Land Consultants, made their sketch plan case before the commission Jan. 9, and again Feb. 13, and both times came under fire from residents in adjacent subdivisions regarding the project's, density and potential road, wildlife, and view corridor impacts and compatibility with adjacent neighborhoods.
Tuesday's presentation showed another scaled back version - down to 119 lots from 122 - and slightly larger lot sizes. Plans also indicate the developer's removal of a series of lots in the southern section of the project area between Pagosa Hills Number Four and Crestview Estates that had previously drawn outcry from nearby residents.
Pradera Pointe is bordered by Crestview Estates, Pagosa Hills No. Three, Pagosa Hills No. Four, Pagosa Development and Pagosa Development No. Two. Cemetery Road marks a portion of the project's eastern boundary and a key access point for the subdivision.
When planning commissioners viewed the thrice-revised sketch plan, they offered little comment.
"I think they really worked hard to accommodate the neighbors as much as they can," planning commissioner Natalie Woodruff said.
And commissioner David Conrad added, "The open space is significantly improved, it's actually more than the adjacent neighborhoods."
Public comment was also markedly scant, aside from a potentially deal-breaking bomb dropped by Archuleta County Engineer Sue Walan.
Speaking for Archuleta County Director of Public Works Alan Zumwalt and County Administrator Bob Campbell, Walan said, "We are adamantly opposed to the access at Crestview and Rainbow Drive."
While Cemetery Road marks the first access point, Rainbow-Crestview marks the second, and town regulations require subdivisions to have two access points for approval.
Walan said, "The big issue is that the surrounding roads, Rainbow, Brookhill and Crestview are in truly deplorable condition at this point and more traffic would degrade them further. They really can't handle much more traffic."
Project Engineer Mike Davis and Margiotta said they were willing to work with the town and county on mitigating road concerns.
The commission unanimously approved the Pradera Pointe sketch plan with six conditions, including confirmation that the developer does, in fact, have access onto Rainbow Drive.
Pradera Pointe will go before the Pagosa Springs Town Council March 6 at 5 p.m. in town council chambers.
james@pagosasun.com

Police, sheriff departments cooperate on training

By Louis Sherman
Staff Writer
The Archuleta County Sheriff's Department and Pagosa Springs Police Department have entered into a memorandum of understanding to ensure effective training of new sheriff's deputies.
Under the agreement, certified training officers from the police department (officers Bill Rockensock and Gilbert Perales) will oversee and instruct new deputies. In addition, Deputy Tim Walter recently completed his own training to become a field training officer and will rotate with the police officers.
According to Undersheriff John Weiss, the training process requires three field training officers. A new deputy well spend a month with each of the three, then return for a fourth and final month with the first training officer.
The cooperation will also benefit the police department by giving its training officers additional experience, said Weiss. The training officers in the police department lack many opportunities to train new officers, since turnover is low at the police department.
"I want folks to know what a great relationship we have with the town police department," said Weiss. "We were in kind of a pinch and the town really came through for us."
Police Chief Don Volger said the agreement will benefit both agencies by building a stronger relationship between individual law enforcement agents and the departments in general.
Under the agreement, new officers and deputies from both departments will receive the same basic training.
louis@pagosasun.com

Discount prescription drug program for county residents

By James Robinson
Staff Writer
With the help of the National Association of Counties, Archuleta County residents now have access to a discount prescription drug buying program.
Called the Caremark Prescription Drug Card Program, the free plan allows all county residents, regardless of age, income, insurance or financial status, access to discount prescription drugs when they present their Caremark membership card at participating pharmacies. Residents do not have to be Medicare beneficiaries to take advantage of the program. There are no enrollment forms, no membership fees and no limits on frequency of use.
"Any resident of Archuleta County, part-time or full-time, is eligible," said County Administrator Bob Campbell. They simply need to pick up a free membership card.
Campbell said the cards are available at The Silver Foxes Den Senior Center located in the Town of Pagosa Springs Community Center, Archuleta County Social Services offices located in the Pagosa Springs Town Hall, the Archuleta County Clerk and Recorder's office in the courthouse, the Archuleta County Veteran's Affairs office and The Training Advantage at 46 Eaton Dr.
For other locations, call 264-8300.
According to a press release provided by Archuleta County, the cards will be accepted at all area pharmacies, including a network of 57,000 pharmacies across the nation.
The average savings with the card is 20 percent off the retail price of many commonly prescribed drugs.
Campbell explained that individuals can shop the card against their insurance in order to get the best deal on prescription medications. Campbell added that greatest savings may be had on non-generic drugs.
According to Campbell, La Plata and Hinsdale counties have both joined the program, and San Juan County in New Mexico has realized $18,000 in constituent savings in September 2006. Campbell said although Hinsdale and La Plata had not yet reported savings figures, both counties report positive experiences so far. Campbell said Caremark will provide a monthly savings report to participating counties.
Campbell said the program is made possible by virtue of the county's membership in the National Association of Counties (NACO), and although he was aware of the program, Archuleta County Commissioner Robin Schiro brought the information back from a conference and got the ball rolling.
Campbell said that beyond helping county residents, the program will also help trim operating costs at the jail.
Campbell said county staff members have been working for about three months on the project, and are excited to offer the program to residents.
"It's certainly a benefit to the citizens. I think it's going to be a great program for people of the county," Campbell said.
james@pagosasun.com

Regional housing authority subject of upcoming forum

By Bill Delany
Special to The SUN
Affordable housing groups, concerned citizens, business owners, developers, Realtors, elected officials and community leaders are urged to attend a timely forum designed to explain what a regional housing authority is and to explore if it would be beneficial for Archuleta County.
The event will be held at the community center 1-4 p.m. Monday, March 12.
Many community members are beginning to realize that quality of life issues, including affordable housing, are pressing and need to be addressed now. As Pagosa Springs moves towards becoming an economically exclusive town, housing costs already exceed the ability of many residents to achieve home ownership. These residents are an integral part of the community, and their numbers include teachers, law enforcement personnel, small business owners and those in service industry jobs critical to the tourism that we depend upon.
A regional housing authority is a multi-jurisdictional organization that can provide advocacy and tools to help governments, non-profit organizations and developers in the creation of affordable housing opportunities.
The panel will include Jenn Lopez, executive director of the La Plata County Regional Housing Authority, who will present the strategic goals of her organization. Attorney Sheryl Rogers will address the process she encountered in setting up the La Plata County Regional Housing Authority.
More panelists from the state may be added and a good turnout from the public is expected. Developers who are interested in being in the vanguard of this pressing issue are especially invited.
For more details, contact Bill Delany, ACHA board member, 731-2175 or 731-5452.

Forest Service seeks comment on proposed projects

By Chuck McGuire
Staff Writer
The Pagosa Ranger District/Field Office (The District) of the San Juan National Forest invites public comment on two pending projects, one a rangeland environmental analysis for the continuation of certain grazing allotments, the other a forest restoration and fuels reduction plan. If possible, comments should be submitted on either, or both, by March 16.
The rangeland environmental analysis will aid forest officials in determining if several existing grazing allotments on National Forest lands around Pagosa Springs have suffered significant ecological impacts. If impacts are apparent, changes in current management policies may result. If not, as The District now suspects, a continuation of current polices is likely.
Generally speaking, grazing allotments are long-term permits the federal government issues to private ranchers, allowing livestock grazing on designated public lands. Permits are typically renewed every 10 years, and monthly rates are based on a formula handed down from the U.S. Department of Agriculture in Washington.
To establish the formula, a variety of things are considered, including the quality and quantity of natural forage within the forest environment, contemporary beef prices and the cost of private-land forage. Based on the present formula, cattle ranchers in 16 western states are now paying $1.35 per head, per month to graze on National Forest lands.
Allotments targeted for the environmental analysis include Chris Mountain/Park Lake, Fourmile, West Fork (currently vacant), Porcupine, Blanco Basin, Blue Mountain, Blanco, Park/Valle Seco, Klutter and South. Most of these allotments were established in the late 1960s or early 1970s and collectively, embody thousands of acres of Forest lands west, north and southeast of Pagosa Springs. None fall within wilderness area boundaries.
Barring unforeseen circumstances, The District now plans on maintaining existing management procedures within the above allotments, including renewal of grazing permits. However, the public is invited to comment on this course of action over the next couple of weeks.
To view a map of these allotments, obtain further information regarding this matter, or to submit comments, contact rangeland management specialist Brian Bachtel at The District office, 180 Pagosa St., Pagosa Springs; or call him at 264-1526.
Public comments are also welcome on a proposed forest restoration and fuels reduction plan in the Chimney Rock Archeological Area, approximately 17 miles southwest of Pagosa Springs. Again, The District asks that remarks be submitted by March 16.
Entitled Stollsteimer Forest Health and Fuels Reduction, the project will modify and reduce the density, continuity and type of wildland fuels within the archeological area, and protect historic sites from the harmful effects of catastrophic wildfire. As a result, the process will also improve public safety, maintain the visual quality of the area and enhance critical wildlife habitat.
Specifically, the project area is located in sections 8U, 9U, 15U, 16U, 17U, 18U, 19U, 20U and 21U, Township 34 North (Ute), Range 4 West of the New Mexico Principal Meridian. This area is just south of U.S. 160 and west of Colo. 151.
A total of 1,763 acres are designated for treatment, including 599 acres of mechanical treatment and 1,164 acres of prescribed burning. All treatment areas contain ponderosa pine and Gambel oak vegetation, with some interspersed Douglas fir, pinon pine and Rocky Mountain juniper.
Mechanical mowing and shredding, or hand thinning and piling, will remove ladder fuels, reduce crown density, raise canopy base heights and enhance natural tree clumping. Larger and older trees will be retained whenever possible, and no equipment will be allowed near historic sites, or on slopes greater than 30 percent. All flammable vegetation will be removed from specific archeological sites, and each site will be treated under its own Preservation Plan.
Proposed treatments will enhance key winter range for elk, mule deer and Merriam's turkeys. Habitat for sensitive species like the peregrine falcon, flammulated owl, Lewis' woodpecker, northern goshawk and olive-sided flycatcher will also improve, as will that of Abert's squirrels, hairy woodpeckers and mountain bluebirds.
The Stollsteimer project will compliment other fuels reduction treatments on adjacent Southern Ute Tribal lands and allow for future prescribed burning across administrative boundaries. The only access to some treatment areas is across tribal lands, so The Forest Service will seek a tribal crossing permit for project implementation.
Meanwhile, if all goes well, hand-thinning and piling could begin as early as next autumn, with mowing and shredding taking place in 2008 and 2009. Prescribed burning will occur between 2008 and 2014.
For more information on, or to obtain a map of the proposed Stollsteimer Forest Health and Fuels Reduction project, contact fuels forester Scott Wagner at The District office, or call him at 264-1511. He will also accept comments through March 16.
chuck@pagosasun.com

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) recently announced the availability of up to $800,000 for proposed projects in Colorado through Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) in Fiscal Year 2007. Individual applications will be awarded up to $75,000 through a statewide competitive grants process for improving conservation practices in Colorado.
"These grants provide an excellent opportunity to demonstrate new conservation technologies or techniques that will address conservation and resource issues in Colorado," said Randy Randall, CIG program manager, NRCS.
The purpose of CIG, a component of the Environmental Quality Incentives Program, is to stimulate the development and adoption of innovative conservation approaches and technologies while leveraging Federal investment in environmental enhancement and protection, in conjunction with agricultural production.
Applications will be accepted from eligible entities, including Federally-recognized Indian tribes, state and local governments, non-governmental organizations, and individuals for competitive consideration of grant awards for single or multi-year projects, not to exceed three years.
Applications should demonstrate the uses of innovative technologies or innovative approaches to address a natural resource concern or concerns in one or more of the six priority natural resource concern areas in Colorado, which are: Water Resources, Soil Resources, Atmospheric Resources, Grazing Land and Forest Health, Energy Conservation and Renewable Energy Sources, and Wildlife Habitat.
Selected applicants may receive grants of up to 50 percent of the total project cost. Applicants must provide non-Federal matching funds for at least 50 percent of the project cost, of which up to 50 percent may be from in-kind contributions. An exception regarding matching funds is made for projects funded that benefit beginning and limited resource farmers and ranchers, and Indian Tribes. Seventy-five (75) percent of the required matching funds for such projects may be derived from in-kind contributions to help these entities meet the statutory requirements for receiving a CIG.
Applications must be received in the Colorado NRCS State Office, Room E200C by 4:30 p.m. Friday, March 30. Written applications should be sent to USDA NRCS c/o Tim Carney, Assistant State Conservationist for Programs, 655 Parfet St., Room E200C, Lakewood, CO 80215.
For additional information on CIG, contact Carney at (720) 544-2805 or via e-mail at tim.carney@co.usda.gov. You may also visit the Colorado NRCS Web site at www.co.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/cig/cig.htm.

Dates, locations for pesticide applicator testing

The Colorado Department of Agriculture is offering several locations in the region for those interested in testing toward their license as a commercial pesticide applicator.
Testing is one step in becoming a qualified supervisor or certified operator in areas such as agriculture, turf and ornamental, and structural pesticide application.
Regional locations and dates are:
- Montrose. Wednesday, March 14. Montrose-Ouray County CSU Cooperative Extension Office, 1001 North 2nd.
- Cortez. Monday, March 12. Cortez Courthouse, 210 E. Main St.
- San Luis Valley, location and date to be announced. Contact Leo Kazeck (719) 580-5507.
The testing fee is $100 and each site is limited to 10 applicants. Reservations will be taken on a first-come, first-served basis. Appointments must be made with the Department of Agriculture at least one week prior to the test date.
Dates will be cancelled if there are less than four registrants seven days prior to the testing day. All tests are scheduled to begin at 8 a.m. unless otherwise noted. Test administrators will wait for registrants and walk-ins at the site until 10 a.m.
Each exam may be taken twice; however, there is no grading available at the testing facilities. Tests will be graded in Lakewood.
For more information on pesticide applicator testing, log onto www.ag.state.co.us/DPI/home.html; to register for commercial testing, contact Mary Jo Dennis at (303) 239-4148 or maryjo.dennis@ag.state.co.us; to register for a private pesticide applicator license, contact Carol Barton at (303) 239-4186 or carol.barton@ag.state.co.us.

Cranes return to San Luis Valley

By Joe Lewandowski
Special to The SUN
Nature is once again putting on one of its greatest displays in the San Luis Valley - the annual migration of the greater Sandhill Cranes.
To honor this wildlife wonder, area organizations and wildlife agencies are holding the 24th Annual Monte Vista Crane Festival, March 9-11.
The cranes start arriving in the San Luis Valley in mid-February as they travel north from their winter homes in Mexico, New Mexico and Arizona to their summer nesting and breeding grounds in Idaho, Montana and Canada. The number of cranes in the valley peaks in mid-March and many linger through the month.
About 25,000 cranes land in the valley to eat and rest before continuing north. For the cranes, the San Luis Valley provides wetland areas and a ready source of food on huge grain fields.
The birds are abundant in areas near the town of Monte Vista and are easy to spot. Wildlife watchers can see the birds most readily at the Monte Vista National Wildlife Refuge, the Rio Grande State Wildlife Area, the Higel State Wildlife Area and the Russell Lakes State Wildlife Area. The big birds - 4 feet tall with wingspans of 6 feet - can also be seen from numerous rural roads.
Many other bird species - including eagles, turkeys and a variety of waterfowl - can also be seen in the area.
Birdwatchers are cautioned to be careful when parking and getting out of vehicles. People are also asked to view birds from a distance with binoculars and spotting scopes and to observe trail signs and closure notices.
Those entering state wildlife areas also are reminded that they need to possess a Colorado Habitat Stamp. The stamps are sold wherever hunting and fishing licenses are sold and on the DOW Web site.
The crane festival is organized by the Colorado Division of Wildlife, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Monte Vista Chamber of Commerce.
A variety of guided tours and programs are offered during the weekend's event. The headquarters meeting place is at the Ski Hi Park building located near U.S. 160 on County Road 4E on the east side of Monte Vista.
For more information, see www.cranefest.com.

By James Robinson

Staff Writer

No column this week.

By Chuck McGuire

SUN Columnist

No column this week.

Dangerous falsehoods
Dear Editor:
I was shocked and dismayed to read the Feb. 8 letter to the editor entitled "Reality Check," by Raymond P. Finney. Such misinformation only adds fuel to the Middle Eastern conflict.
Many of the statements in Mr. Finney's letter are simply untrue. First, Israel never occupied "Palestine." The UN partition plan of 1947, which was accepted by Israel, designed to create two-states, one Jewish and one Arab, was rejected by the Palestinians living in what was then called Trans-Jordan and by the neighboring Arab states who declared war on Israel.
Second, Israel does not occupy Gaza. Israel voluntarily withdrew from Gaza well over a year ago in an effort to advance the cause of peace. However, instead of reciprocating Israel's gesture and instead of working to govern themselves and build their own economy and society, the Palestinians elected the terrorist Muslim party Hamas to lead their government and continued to engage in terrorist attacks at Israeli civilians, including firing Qassam rockets at Israeli schools and towns. Various Palestinian groups are now stockpiling weapons while members of Hamas and the PLO engage in sectarian violence against each other. In addition, last summer Palestinian groups kidnapped an Israeli soldier from within Israeli sovereign territory and have yet to release him.
Third, and most disturbing, Mr. Finney blames 9/11 on the Israeli "occupation" of the Palestinians. Such statements are akin to blaming Israel for the genocide in Darfur or the conflict between the Sunnis and Shiites in Iraq - it is untrue and unfair.
Beliefs such as Mr. Finney's rest on dangerous falsehoods about the Middle East conflict that cloud the past and confuse the issues. Israel wants peace and has demonstrated its desire for peace by making painful concessions to her neighbors throughout the country's brief history. Unfortunately, Israel has been forced to defend its civilians from brutal attacks from suicide bombers and rockets launched on neighborhoods and schools.
I encourage Mr. Finney and others to learn the facts and not be led astray by the myths about the ongoing conflict and its history.
Shaul Amir
Israel Center Director
Allied Jewish Federation of Colorado

A moderate
Dear Editor:
I don't think of myself as belonging to any political party. Though registered Republican, I consider myself neither Republican, Democrat nor Independent, as I vote for the individual whom I consider to be the best to represent my concerns. If I must, I would classify myself as moderate and perhaps a little left of center. I see good in each of our political parties and also things that concern me in each.
Having spent two decades in the active Army of the United States, now retired, and having participated in two unpopular wars, Korea and Vietnam, I feel an obligation to my country to speak up about what I see and hear happening right now, every day in the Congress of this great nation. I can truthfully say that their actions do have immense effect on the morale of our service personnel all over the world and encourage our enemies.
Sure it's unfortunate that some see back-to-back tours in dangerous theaters or have their units extended. This is not the first time it has happened. In WW II, they never knew when they were coming home. The standing joke was you wanted to be wounded enough to be sent home, not bad enough to really be hurt. In Korea, the plan was for one year, but you went home based on a point system. The most dangerous areas received the most points. This did have a positive effect, as that meant you could go home sooner if you served in high point areas. But then points required to go home were raised. It happened to me twice. In my recollection, during Vietnam, going home was usually at the end of a year. We withdrew from those wars as a result of politics back here, not the failure of our services.
Everyone wants our men and women to come home as soon as possible. We always have, and our service personnel do, too. But it has fallen on them to stop terrorists and we must allow them to complete the job. They are the finest in the world, and are performing exceptionally well and can get the job done if we let them.
Do you think the terrorists aren't aware of what's going on here? It's part of their strategy. They have precedence on their side. It's happened more than once before. They know they can wait us out just as the North Koreans and Vietnamese did, and politically we will give up. They fear our strength but know our weakness. Our Congress is playing right into the hands of the enemy.
I'm not sure of the solution, but I know we must find one and not quit and come home again with our tails between our legs. There is a new strategy and new leaders in the field. I'm with President Bush, a Republican, and Senator Joe Liberman, an Independent. Let's give it a chance. If at first it doesn't work, the strategy will be adjusted. We should let our strategy work before giving up. But it is my great fear that our past weakness will prevail. We are letting the enemy strategy work and it's happening again. Only time will tell what will be the result.
Donald H. Bartlett

Looking forward
Dear Editor:
Change is happening in Pagosa Springs. More people want to experience our special place in the mountains. This is a beautiful place that I am happy to share with others, as long as diligent care is given to our expansion. I implore everyone who takes any step in the growth of this town to, please, let it be created with care and thought for the land, the animals, the trees, the river, the roadways and the synergy of a living community.
The design and intention of "TreeTops of Pagosa" to build a village community where people live with nature, not over it, and people share with each other their human expression, their artistic expression and their healing expression is a masterpiece in living. TreeTops has set an example of looking forward with a solid vision of togetherness, and the detailed, thoughtful planning this really requires. I hope every builder, every commissioner and planning committee will honor this vision and not only support it, but also utilize such a vision for the growth of all of Pagosa Springs, as well.
Change is happening in Pagosa Springs. The question put to Pagosa now is ... how will we choose to create its path?
Sincerely,
Oteka Bernard

Misquoted
Dear Editor:
I did not plan to write a follow up to my letter, but I hate to be misquoted, or have someone put words in my mouth. Collectively, Mr. Finney and Mr. Gorzycki did just that.
I didn't say Ahmadinejad was a Hitler, with the military and industrial capabilities of a pre-WW II Germany. My words were, "He's a Hitler wannabe"- big difference. Even the smallest fish in the ocean can aspire to be a shark. He's in a position to make even a bigger mark on history than Hitler did, if he develops nuclear weapons and uses them against Israel, or us. Doesn't seem to me that talking to him about the problem is doing much good, even though he may not have the support of the majority of the Iranians! Here's a side-bar that will make everyone sleep better tonight, if NBC's Nightly News is accurate. One of North Korean Kim Jong Il's passions in life, besides nuclear weapons, is Daffy Duck cartoons. He's purported by NBC to own one of the world's only complete collections of the cartoon series. Can you say, "Scary"?
I love it when someone pays a compliment, like Mr. Finney did, and follows it up in the same sentence with the word "but." Men, try this one on your wife. "Darling, you are the kindest, most loving, beautiful woman on the face of the earth, but ..." Finney says, "There are many good Texans, but" - followed up with the comment about the death penalty and the fact that Texas is the birthplace of both Bush and Johnson. Now that was a very logical, intelligent statement. Quickie about the death penalty, of which I am a big proponent: I don't believe a rapist, murderer, a cop killer, or whatever should be given free room, three "hot squares" a day, free medical and dental care for life, and exercise equipment to work out on so he can be the toughest thug on the cell block, all at the taxpayers' expense. Even our congressmen don't get all of those perks, much less our veterans, who really deserve them. Big argument against the death penalty: It doesn't deter crime, which may be valid, but not definitively provable. Bigger argument for the death penalty, which is 100-percent accurate, and absolutely provable: It eliminates repeat offenders!
And, Mr. Gorzycki, the Georgia Peanut Farmer does raise my blood pressure. Please don't say Carter was elected, "by the collective wisdom of us all," because I didn't vote for him. If you'll remember, Carter was elected as a knee-jerk reaction to the corruption of past political professionals. The voters wanted a fresh, uncorrupted, virgin voice in national politics, and they got exactly what they wanted. That's one of the things that scares me about Obama. We all did however, including me, remove him after four disastrous years through our "collective wisdom."
One of Lincoln's most famous, memorable statements and one of my favorites, which Mr. Gorzycki quoted is, paraphrased, "a house divided shall not stand." That statement is just as valid and poignant today as it was in the 1860s, and that's one of the things that scares me about present-day America. Here is another quote from Lincoln that you can verify in the history books that is also as applicable and poignant today as it was in the 1860s. "Congressmen who willfully take actions during wartime that damage morale and undermine the military are saboteurs, and should be arrested, exiled, or hanged."
Amen, Abe!
Roy Boutwell
Wichita Falls, Texas

Medical vacations
Dear Editor:
Millions of dollars of our health insurance premiums are going into the insurance industry's political campaign against a national health insurance program for all American citizens. A thought came to me that would eliminate the necessity for such a program and still keep the business sewed up right where it is. Those millions of dollars could then be turned into executive bonuses, stock dividends or, if nothing else, premium reductions.
It all began when a friend told me that he and his wife were flying to India for three weeks where she will have heart surgery. Their insurance carrier refused to cover her condition, calling it a pre-existing condition. (Attention: Pro-Life People; at this company, life is not a pre-existing condition!) If the surgery were to be performed in Denver, the cost would amount to about $250,000. The trip for two for three weeks in India, including hotel, air fare and surgery, he said, will be about $20,000.
Think of the impact an insurance company could have by combining a vacation to an exotic foreign country with treating a medical necessity, and all of it for one-twelfth the cost of the surgery alone! Think of the reduction in the insurance premiums that could result, allowing millions more working Americans to afford health insurance! Why not? We buy everything else overseas. Airline stocks would zoom!
Incidently, the cardiologist who would have performed the surgery in Denver came from India.
Henry Buslepp

Illumination
Dear Editor:
While I am not in a position to comment on the current school board's thoughts behind any of their decision-making chores, I can provide some illumination in regards to the board that hired the past superintendent. In service to the community through the school board for 24 years, I also participated in hiring not only Mr. Noggle, but Mr. DeVoti, Mr. Alley, and a majority of the current administration and teachers in the district as well.
In all those years of board service I had the pleasure of sharing the responsibility with a number of qualified board members, each of whom brought a unique and diverse perspective to the table. We didn't always agree on everything, which I thought was healthy; we did always reach a consensus with the ultimate benefit of the students uppermost in our minds. I disagree with your inflammatory opinion in last week's editorial that any of those board members were "arrogant and short-sighted." Perhaps the real source of arrogance could be found in other familiar places.
I share your frustration with the amount of time and energy our school district (and most others) spend towards addressing many federal and state-mandated testing and standards put in place by bureaucratic lawmakers seeking political gain without any real knowledge of how education works. Ironically, the "pop theorist" you criticize (I assume you are talking about Alfie Kohn) made a convincing, well-documented case in the several books and lectures I read and attended, that when we as students and educators start focusing on how we are doing, rather than what we are doing, love of learning goes "out the window."
The idea of developing and fostering for our students a lifetime love of learning rather than over-focusing on standardized test scores seemed like a good one to our board at the time. The administration felt bound by governmental dictates to give more attention to test scores than I personally would have liked, but unfortunately, state funding and accreditation are at stake if mandates are not followed. The politicians who are responsible for No Child Left Behind and similar unrealistic misdirectives should be the ones to bear the criticism of the system.
While there were a number of unsatisfactory applicants for Mr. Alley's position, we at the time felt Mr. Noggle had a philosophy that would blend with the district. During the remaining time I was on the board I thought Mr. Noggle made some important strides in progression of the district, while being limited by the aforementioned political parameters.
I commend the current board on their wise choice of Mr. DeVoti as the new superintendent - he is well-qualified in helping people get along, and has what it takes I think, to get the job done. I wish him luck dealing with the group of people in the district who have always needed (and thrived on) something to complain about.
Randall Davis
Editor's note: Illuminating, also, is the fact that an alarming number of district faculty, administration and staff were among those complaining the loudest.

Selfish
Dear Editor:
I am responding to Patricia Skroch's letter in the Feb. 22 issue of The SUN, "Selfish." My statements are based, in part, on the reporting of the event published by the Valley Courier and the Pueblo Chieftain, and reprinted in the Austin American Statesman.
In Honts' usual attempt to woo the citizens of Mineral and Rio Grande counties, he hired an accounting firm to project the tax revenue for Mineral County. Karla Willschau, CPA, said the project could be worth $237 million in revenue over 20 years.
Honts then stated that if every bed were filled, the Village could house up to 12,000 people. (That's up from the plan of 10,000 people.) Again, Honts is attempting to paint a rosy financial picture. However, in an open letter to Bob Honts, Mr. Sheldrake of Adams State College in Alamosa stated, "They design places where locals can't afford to live, where ski areas are used primarily to sell real estate, and where ski area owners and village developers don't get along. They leave projects half finished. Businesses in the villages compete with small towns nearby. Guest beds are empty 300 days of the year and there is no authentic community."
Environmentalist Rio de la Vista expressed concern for the wetlands and suggested third-party monitoring of the development and asked for a show of hands of those for and against the project. There seemed to be a slight edge of those for it; however, much of the audience did not move.
"Selfish" skiers raised concerns over water, wetlands, the burden of services to counties, the ability of the ski area to support a major increase in skiers on any given day, wastewater treatment and effluent, and altitude sickness. Honts stated that a study he had received showed altitude sickness abated after a few days. Sure, go to a lower altitude! What about the other effects of living at high altitude? Honts has no plan for a medical clinic at the Village. How long will it take an ambulance to reach the Village and transport a heart attack or stoke victim to the nearest hospital?
"Selfish" skiers refrain from going to Wolf Creek during the holidays. Parking below the snow shed, waiting for a shuttle, waiting in lift lines, dodging skiers and boarders on the slopes, and wall-to-wall people in the lodges is not a pleasant experience. I regret that so many visitors know only this as a skiing experience because they have to plan their trip around a school holiday.
Let me remind you, Ms. Skroch, that initially the Forest Service refused the land swap. It was political power and money that changed that decision. Not selfish skiers. The judge's ruling in a lawsuit against Mineral County proved the county commissioners weren't following the law. Did the present employees of the Forest Service require an EIS on the full build-out of (now) 12,000 people? No. Did the citizens of Mineral County jump on the band wagon when they had a chance for revenue from a scenic train? No. NIMBY syndrome.
So those opposed to the Village have trampled on the rights of McCombs and Honts. Huh! Go online to any newspaper in Texas and type in "Honts" and get an education. Again I quote Mr. Sheldrake, "... But the fact is, neither you nor Red McCombs has ever developed a successful ski resort of any size. In fact, together, you developed a very small resort that utterly failed ... The danger of the Village of Wolf Creek isn't that if you will build it, hordes of people will come. The danger of the Village of Wolf Creek is that when you build it, no one will come." Can 880 residents of Mineral County afford to clean up another one of Honts' failures?
Marilyn Hutchins

Work together
Dear Editor:
Well, the bashing, criticizing, and ridiculing of Commissioner Schiro continues. Sadly, to some in our community this has become a sport. I often wonder if the people writing these letters criticizing her have taken the time to give her a call and actually discuss the issues that are bothering them. I doubt they have. If they had, they would not be writing these letters. Unfortunately, this ridiculing, etc., does not stop in the newspaper. I have observed Commissioner Schiro being shamefully disrespected during public commissioner meetings by a fellow commissioner.
Just to set the record straight, I did not vote for Commissioner Schiro, nor am I in her district.
However, since she took office, I have contacted her on many, many occasions on a variety of issues. In each case, she has responded to my phone calls or e-mails quickly, and jumped in with both feet to respond to my need, and please keep in mind, she is NOT the commissioner of my district; she is simply responding to and helping a citizen of Archuleta County.
As an example of the petty bashing and criticisms she receives, some time back she was criticized for not doing all the research herself on subjects coming before the commissioners, and that some staff members were complaining that she was asking too many questions. Unless things have changed since I was a manager, the responsibility of the manager (commissioner) is to review the matter at hand, and to be conversant enough with the issue to ask intelligent questions of the staff.
In addition, she is often criticized for attending meetings outside of the county even though the expenses are paid out of her own pocket (expenses for a few meetings are paid for by the county). As a result of attending one of these meetings, she was able to bring back information and institute the new Caremark prescription drug cards for Archuleta County residents, a program which is now up and operating to the benefit of many of our citizens. In another case, Commissioner Schiro took it upon herself, and at her own expense, to travel to Denver to fight for federal highway funding for the Piedra Road project. Long story short, because of Commissioner Schiro's tenacity and lobbying efforts, she came away with a very real possibility of receiving $100,000 for required studies involved in the Piedra Road project for 2007, and an additional $800,000 for design work in 2008. Bear in mind, these are funds that will now likely be available to our county only because Commissioner Schiro went out to fight for them.
I think it is about time the rancor towards, and nitpicking of Commissioner Schiro stops, and also the bullying and teaming up against her stops on the board. This county is facing some serious problems, and needs a Board of Commissioners that works together in a civil manner, respects the thoughts and opinions of each other (hopefully our new commissioner will be able to influence/promote some civility in this board), and has the respect and support of the citizens of Archuleta County.
Gary Waples

Preview Calendar

Today
Outdoor club
The monthly meeting of the San Juan Outdoor Club will be held at 6 p.m. in the community center. A potluck dinner will be hosted by the club. The calendar of outdoor activities including cross-country skiing, snow shoe, four-wheel drive trips and many other outdoor activities will be reviewed and sign-up sheets will be available. For information, call Bob Harrington (president) at 264-4145. All visitors are welcome; everyone is asked to bring a dish that serves 8-10 people, main dishes are especially appreciated.
March 2
Soup for the Soul
Hospice of Mercy invites the public to join them for lunch at their second annual Soup for the Soul event. Tickets will be sold at the door, and are $20 per person. All proceeds go directly to helping hospice patients. Attendees will have the opportunity to enjoy soups from three of the area's finest caterers: Christine's Cuisine, Eddie B Cookin' and Wildflower Catering Company. There will be a small silent auction of artwork, as well as a short program presented by Hospice of Mercy. Soup for the Soul 2007 will be held at the Pagosa Springs Community Center in the gymnasium, and will begin at noon. Tickets can be purchased in advance at Moonlight Books and Gallery or Wolf Tracks Bookstore & Coffee, or by calling the Hospice of Mercy Office at 731-9190.
March 3
Lifelong Learning lecture
"Dirt, Water, Stone: A Century of Preserving Mesa Verde," will be presented by Kathleen Fiero, author of the book by the same name, one of the award winning Mesa Verde Centennial book series. Ms. Fiero will tell about her experiences as supervisor of the repair and preservation of the archeological sites of the National Park. This is the first of a series of eight free Lifelong Learning lectures on Saturdays at 3 p.m. at the Sisson Library.
March 4
Model railroaders
The Pagosa Springs Model Railroad and Railfan group will host a meeting at the United Methodist Church on Lewis Street at 2 p.m.
March 4
Pagosa singles
PALS will meet for dinner at Boss Hog's at 5 p.m. All singles 40-plus are invited. Please R.S.V.P. to Janice at 731-1803.
March 6
Childbirth ed class
The Family Birth Center at Mercy Regional Medical Center will host the six-week Childbirth Education class. The class will meet Tuesdays, March 6, March 13, March 20, March 27, April 3 and April 10, from 6-8: p.m. Attendees will meet at the Healing Garden entrance on the Garden Level at Mercy Regional Medical Center, 1010 Three Springs Blvd., Durango. Cost: $65. For more information, call 764-3100.
March 8
Arthritis group
The Southwest Arthritis Group will meet from noon to 1 in the Eolus Room at the Durango Recreation Center. Donna Renelli, a family counselor, will talk about communication between those with arthritis and their families.
The lecture is free and open to all. Bring a brown bag lunch.
Call 259-1240 for more information.
March 10
Lifelong Learning lecture
"Women To the Rescue: Creating Mesa Verde National Park," is the topic chosen by Durango historian Duane Smith for his forthcoming talk in the Lifelong Learning series. Smith's book by the same title is one of the award-winning Mesa Verde Centennial book series. Focus of the book and the talk is the dedicated women who did all in their power to arouse public awareness and Congressional action to establish a park. This is a free lecture, open to the public, hosted by the Sisson Library at 3 p.m.
March 10
Cantor's concert
A concert of inspirational and popular music will be held at 7 p.m., starring nationally-renowned Cantor Scott Buckner, at St. Patrick's Episcopal Church. Featured performers include John Graves, Larry Elginer, Sue Anderson and the Pagosa Jazz Choir. Tickets may be purchased at the door for $10. For reservations, call 731-9610. The concert is being presented by Congregation Kadima Yisrael.
March 14
Pagosa Springs Woman's Club
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 of lunch is $10, and reservations are a must. Guest speaker will be Robbie Schwartz who will provide an update on what's happening with the Humane Society. If you have any questions, call Cathy Rose at 731-0791.
March 17
Lifelong Learning lecture
"Impending Climate Catastrophe and the Quick Energy Fix" presented by physicist Roger W. Cohen will explore several controversial energy issues. Among the topics to be covered are climate change, energy in the 21st century, and prospects for continued energy supply. This is a free lecture, open to the public, sponsored by the Sisson Library on Saturday at 3 p.m.
March 24
Lifelong Learning lecture
"Volcanic Eruption in the San Juan Mountains and Elsewhere: The Shaping of Life and Human History" by Dr. Rob Blair is an examination of the role that volcanic activity has played on the evolution of the atmosphere and human history, with examples from around the world. This is a free lecture, open to the public, sponsored by the Sisson Library on Saturday at 3 p.m.
The Week of the Young Child is coming to Pagosa Springs beginning March 26. It will be filled with activities in honor and appreciation of the children in our community. It culminates with the Kids' Fair on Saturday, March 31 at the elementary school from 10:00-1:30. Come and enjoy the fun!
March 31
Lifelong Learning lecture
"The Power of Belief: Not to be Confused with the Facts" by Glenn E. Rodey, M.D. will explore the concept of belief in its broadest sense, including how humans develop worldviews, faith, political views and other uses of belief in every day life.
His presentation will also look at how the brain works during religious experience. This is a free lecture, open to the public, sponsored by the Sisson Library on Saturday at 3 p.m.
April 3
Ed Center luncheon
The theme of the Archuleta County Education Center's annual fund-raising luncheon this year is "Caring Makes a Difference." Jerry Traylor is this year's keynote speaker. The luncheon starts at 11:45 a.m. at Center Point Church on U.S. 160 and will be catered by Wildflower Catering. Funds raised will support the many programs at the Education Center. Tickets are available for a donation of $45 each at the Education Center, the Chamber of Commerce and at the community center. For more information, call 264-2835.
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.

Two free music programs in March

By Carla Roberts
Special to The PREVIEW
Elation Center for the Arts announces two new free programs for the month of March.
The programs are "The Joy of Music," a music lecture series each Wednesday evening through the month of March, and "Exploring Music for Toddlers," each Tuesday morning. Both are held at the Community United Methodist Church Fellowship Hall in Pagosa Springs.
"The Joy of Music" lecture series is one in which professionals in the music arena share their personal stories and musical talents in an intimate setting. The lectures cover jazz, classical, folk and world music.
These lectures help stimulate learning and appreciation of the musical world around us.
John Graves will present "The History of Jazz," the first of four Musical Adventures lecture demonstrations, at 7 p.m. March 7. Other programs in this series will continue on March 14, 21 and 28. These will include programs by Larry Elginer and Paul Roberts. There will also be a special program on wind instruments.
We know that music and movement are so important in the healthy development of young children. "Exploring Music for Toddlers" (and mom or dad) is an action-packed 40-minute session held at 10 a.m. March 6, 13, 20 and 27. This is a wonderful opportunity for your child to get tuned up with Carla and Paul Roberts, who have performed for over 1 million children through their school assembly and residency programs. The Roberts play a fascinating collection of instruments from around the world. Children will get a chance to play many instruments and experience a wide diversity of musical sound.
The Community United Methodist Church Fellowship Hall is located in downtown Pagosa Springs at 434 Lewis St.
For more information on Elation Center for the Arts, go to the Web site elationarts.org or call 731-3117.

Model railroad group to meet Sunday

The Pagosa Springs Model Railroad and Railfan group will host a meeting at 2 p.m. Sunday, March 4, at the Community United Methodist Church on Lewis Street.
Richard Wholf will present a history of the local railroads. The railroad reached Pagosa Springs in 1900 and was discontinued in 1935. Lumber, cattle and sheep played important roles in the history of Pagosa and the multiple local railroads played their part in our history. There are still quite a few remnants of the old railroad around, if you know where to look. Wholf knows where to look.
There will be a display table at the meeting; bring a work in progress, a model you have finished or a photo of a model or prototype scene. There will also be a swap table for anything railroad related that you want to sell, trade or even give away.
Anyone with an interest in model railroading of any scale or gauge or any interest in trains is welcome to attend.
For more information contact Joe Lemmo at 731-1590 or jlmailbox@skywerx.com.

Jerry Traylor to speak at Ed Center luncheon

By Janae Ash
Special to The PREVIEW
The theme of the Archuleta County Education Center's annual fund-raising luncheon this year is "Caring Makes a Difference."
Jerry Traylor is this year's keynote speaker at the April 3 event, and he is a man who has lived this theme everyday of his life. Traylor was born with Cerebral Palsy and had to overcome many difficult hardships throughout his life.
Even though Traylor has been faced with physical obstacles, he has persevered with flying colors. For example, he has competed in 35 full-length marathons on his crutches, climbed 14,110-foot Pikes Peak, and jogged 3,528 miles across America to just name a few of his feats. He is truly a miraculous human.
However, what makes Traylor a truly astonishing person is that he realizes what makes a real difference in his life is not his disability or his ability to overcome it, but to care for others. Traylor challenges people to look within themselves to discover the incredible abilities which everyone possesses, and how all people are capable of touching our world in a positive manner.
The luncheon, starting at 11:45 a.m. at Center Point Church on U.S. 160, will be catered by Wildflower Catering. Funds raised will support the many programs at the Education Center such as the successful Archuleta County High School, GED programs, first aid and CPR training, English and Spanish language programs, computer classes, creative activities for elementary students and several tutoring programs.
Tickets are available for a donation of $45 per ticket. For more information, call 264-2835.

Lifelong Learning series starts Saturday

By Biz Greene
Special to The PREVIEW
"Dirt, Water, Stone: A Century of Preserving Mesa Verde," is the topic of the season's first Lifelong Learning lecture at the Sisson Library, 3 p.m. Saturday.
It is also the title of the book authored by Kathleen Fiero, the presenter, who worked for over 30 years as a field archeologist in the southwest, and from 1986 to 2002 supervised the repair and preservation of the archeological sites of Mesa Verde National Park. Her book is one of the Mesa Verde Centennial Series awarded the 2006 Josephine H. Miles History Award by the Colorado Historical Society.
Fiero describes the simple dwellings, small villages, and large complexes in mesa and canyon country standing empty for centuries as the forces of weather and geology took their toll. Then in the late 19th century the remains were explored, excavated, and plundered for the pottery, baskets, tools - and even the human remains. Establishment of Mesa Verde National Park was the only hope for long-term preservation.
"Dirt, Water, Stone" is the story of that challenge, from the earliest preservation projects to the lessons still being revealed by the cliff dwellings of Mesa Verde today.
This lecture is sponsored by the Ballantine Family Fund, BYU Charles Redd Center, Colorado Humanities, LaPlata County Historical Society, and in Pagosa Springs it is hosted by the Sisson Library Saturday at 3 p.m. It is free and open to the public.

Quilt show exhibit on way to capitol

Normally, the rose onyx marble walls, brass staircases and stained glass windows are more than enough to keep visitors coming to Colorado's state capitol.
Come next week, however, there will be an extra incentive to visit as the capitol's beauty intensifies with the display of more than 200 quilts.
Of varying sizes, shapes and patterns, 210 quilts with a Colorado connection will hang from the Corinthian columns that populate the building.
This year's Capitol Quilt Show is the first one to take place since 2003, and marks the eighth time the exhibit has been held at the capitol during the past 16 years.
In addition, the 2007 Capitol Quilt Show is the only quilt show to take place in its history during a legislative session.
Like all prior Capitol Quilt Shows, the Colorado Quilting Council (CQC) - an organization of more than 1,200 members - is responsible for putting on this year's exhibit.
Also unique to this year's show is a weekend opening. In participation with the Mayor's Doors Open Denver event, the state capitol building will be open to visitors on Saturday, April 14, and Sunday, April 15, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
There will be several other opportunities to see the ornate quilts, however, as they will be on display from Monday, March 5, through Friday, April 27.
The 2007 Capitol Quilt Show can be viewed free of charge and is open to the public.
For more information, contact Karen Hadfield of the CQC at (719) 488-8275 or the Capitol Tour Desk at (303) 866-2604.

Nickel Creek returns for farewell at folk fest

By Crista Munro
Special to The PREVIEW
Sometimes, booking musicians for the Four Corners Folk Festival is, well, trying - to say the least.
Offers go out almost a year in advance to potential performers; counteroffers trickle back in while weeks and sometimes months roll by, often resulting in precious marketing time eaten away by ultimately fruitless negotiations.
This year, however, is not one of those years.
The 2007 Four Corners Folk Festival lineup is practically complete, and in record time. Plus, it's one of the strongest lineups from start to finish in the 12-year history of the show.
From upstart newcomers like Ollabelle, Millish, Bearfoot, Cadillac Sky and The Wilders, to favorites from festivals past including Sweet Sunny South, Casey Driessen, Darrell Scott, the Infamous Stringdusters and Anne and Pete Sibley.
And, of course, one cannot overlook the exciting headline bands: the subdudes, the Jerry Douglas Band and Nickel Creek.
There is no question that this year's show promises to deliver a slew of memorable musical moments; the big mystery is which band will achieve the highest "Wow!" factor.
Nickel Creek is definitely in the running for that honor; they'll be making one of their last appearances before calling it quits, temporarily. From the band's official Web site (www.nickelcreek.com): "Dearest Listener, After seven years of extensive touring in support of three records (seventeen years as a band), we've decided to take a break of indefinite length at the end of 2007 to preserve the environment we've sought so hard to create and to pursue other interests. It has been a pleasure to write, record, and perform for you through the years and we'd like to heartily thank you for your invaluable contribution to our musical lives."
Those who follow festival history will remember that Nickel Creek played every Four Corners Folk Festival from 1996-2002. The three talented, pubescent kids who won the hearts of the very first festival audience bear little resemblance to the polished performers of today who are signed with a major record label, a major talent agency and whose music videos are in frequent rotation on CMT. Nickel Creek has won Grammy Awards and Country Music Awards and has appeared on countless national television and radio shows. We are honored that they will make one last stop in Pagosa Springs to say goodbye to their fans here before moving on with other projects.
Nickel Creek will return after a five-year absence to close the festival on Sunday, Sept. 2, on Reservoir Hill.
Discounted Early Bird tickets are currently on sale locally at Moonlight Books, online at www.folkwest.com or by calling 731-5582 (toll-free at 877-472-4672).

Pagosa dancing duo fares well

By Belinda LaPierre
Special to The Preview
In Step Dance's Charles Jackson and Deb Aspen have returned from two recent competitions once again bearing awards galore. For those of you who are interested and like to follow the progress of Charles' and Deb's dance endeavors, here are the results of their latest dance galas.
Their chosen international competition for this year was in Miami, Fla., at the Flamingo-Rama Jan. 26-28. Entering Full Gold level freestyles as an amateur couple, Charles and Deb placed first in all 10 of their dances of choice. Deb then danced 20 more freestyles with Bob Long, their instructor from Albuquerque, in the Full Silver category in the Professional/Amateur division, placing second in two dances, and first in the remaining 18.
Pagosa's duo once again performed their infamous "death drop" in their Chili Cha Cha routine, then took home the best Full Gold Solo Award for their foxtrot number to "Orange Colored Sky." Deb also waltzed in a solo with Long, receiving some of the highest marks in the competition; then she was given the trophy for best Full Silver Solo performance for her and Long's Argentine Tango arrangement.
The real highlight came, however, when Deb and Bob won both the Latin and Smooth Scholarship Competitions on Saturday. Then, that evening during the formal dinner and awards ceremony, Charles was awarded the plaque for best Top Full Gold Student, and Deb walked away with the best Top Full Silver Student award. To top it all off, they were surprised with the top Full Gold Couple Award.
Some of you may be wondering, why does Deb dance in the gold and silver categories? According to the rules of the IDA (International Dance Association), an amateur couple must enter categories according to the youngest of the two dancers, and the highest of their respective levels. In other words, Charles and Deb have a double whammy in that they must compete in Charles' gold level, but in Deb's age group. Then, since Deb has technically only "checked out" and graduated into the silver levels, she is considered a full silver dancer when dancing with a professional. That is why she dances gold level with Charles and in the silver category with Bob Long, or any other professional.
The capering couple returned to Albuquerque a few days before Arthur Murray's Winter Showcase, in time for Deb and Bob to work up new routines in American Tango and bolero. She earned a trophy for dancing these two new solos with Mr. Long; while she and Charles were awarded a similar trophy for their Chili Cha Cha, and their new hat and cane Soft Shoe Foxtrot routine.
The Albuquerque studio showcase is conducted differently than other showcases and in the International Dance-o-Ramas, and is currently practicing a new scoring system on an experimental basis. The judge scores and critiques each dancer as an individual rather than a couple. So Charles' and Deb's results were different than their usual outcome: five first places, and three second-place ribbons were awarded to Charles for the closed freestyles he entered with Deb and instructors Cindy and Michiko. Deb received 13 first-place, and five second-place ribbons for her efforts dancing with Charles, and instructors Bob, Ben and Rudy.
Another major difference at the New Mexico studio, is that it only lists two "Open" Freestyle dances into the program instead of having the open category the same as the closed; and all couples of any level, any age, any division compete against each other. The two dances pulled out of the hat at this event, were waltz and East Coast Swing.  Charles and Deb entered the swing competition and were scored second; while Deb earned the coveted trophy waltzing with Bob.

Humane Society holds annual essay contest

The Humane Society of Pagosa Springs will hold its annual essay contest for all Archuleta County students in grades seven and eight, or between the ages of 12 and 14 for those who are homeschooled or attend a school that does not include grade levels.
A $100 cash prize will be awarded for the winning essay, with two $25 honorable mentions.
The contest will run through March. Deadline for submission of entries is March 31. Forms may be picked up at the Humane Society Shelter, the Thrift Store or the Sisson Library.
The winner will be notified on or before April 14.

Ribbon cutting ceremony launches health and wellness network

By Linda LoCastro
Special to The PREVIEW
In just six short months, the Pagosa Health and Wellness Network, Inc. has gone from an idea of socially bringing together the holistic and allopathic practitioners of Pagosa to formally organizing and becoming a Colorado nonprofit.
During that time, the group was also successful in bringing forth a first-ever directory that includes 48 local holistic and allopathic practitioners, plus 18 businesses. The directory is available at the Chamber of Commerce and various other locations in town.
On Saturday, Feb. 24, the Chamber of Commerce officially celebrated the network with a ribbon cutting ceremony at the County Extension Building.
From noon to 5 p.m., various practitioners were on hand to meet the public and share their modalities, services and products. At 5 p.m., Alex Tarbet and his band, together with John Graves as those present shared in a potluck dinner.
The network would like to thank all who participated to make Saturday a day of celebration.
We invite everyone in Pagosa to pick up a copy of our directory. We believe you will be pleasantly surprised to learn of all the various healing modalities and gifted practitioners, both holistic and allopathic, who are available to you. Our mission is to create and foster a cooperative network of wellness practitioners committed to health, healing, education, assistance, love, truth and honor.

Writing as healing and prayer at UU service

On Sunday, March 4, the service topic for the Pagosah Unitarian Universalist Fellowship will be Writing for Healing, Writing as Prayer, presented by Leanne Goebel. She points out that, since the mid-1980s, studies have found that people who write about their most upsetting experiences not only feel better, but also visit doctors less often and have stronger immune responses. She adds that, "Journal writing can provide clarity and guidance. In many ways it is a meditation and a form of prayer."
Goebel is founding editor of Arts Perspective magazine and her work has been widely featured in many Colorado publications. She will discuss current research and her own personal experience with the healing power of writing and how writing can be used for spiritual exploration.
The service begins at 10:30 a.m. in the Pagosah Unitarian Universalist Fellowship Hall, Unit 15, Greenbriar Plaza. Child care and/or the Religious Education program for those three years old and up is offered every Sunday, except the second Sunday of the month, which is devoted to a meditation service. 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. All are welcome.

World Day of Prayer service tomorrow

By Pamela Bomkamp
Special to The PREVIEW
Women and men in more than 170 countries and regions will celebrate World Day of Prayer, Friday, March 2.
"United under God's Tent" is the theme used by women of Paraguay for the prayer service. The theme is a way of imagining how God acts. For Abraham and Sarah, God was like a tent, protecting them in their call. "United under God's Tent" is also God's promise to us, and a call to work and to pray together for people in need all over the world.
The service will be held at 11 a.m. tomorrow at the Community United Methodist Church.
Three young females will open the service with the presentation of tent. There will also be a power point presentation on Paraguay for the pleasure of those attending.
Invite your friends, family and communities of faith to join the women of Paraguay in prayer and song to support women's ecumenical ministries toward justice, peace, healing and wholeness. The annual offering will support the work of World Day of Prayer and help meet the needs of families in regions of turmoil worldwide.
For material or more information, contact Robin Ball at 946-1581.

Ed Center offers Basic Life Support class

The Archuleta County Education Center, in partnership with the National Safety Council, is offering a Basic Life Support Class (BLS) for professional rescuers 5:30-9:30 p.m. March 8.
What is a professional rescuer? A professional rescuer is a trained person who, in either an employment or a volunteer situation, has the responsibility to provide emergency care when needed. Professional rescuers include physicians, nurses, firefighters, park rangers, ski patrollers, lifeguards and others who have a higher level of training than lay rescuers and perform more BLS skills.
This class will cover:
- The role of the professional rescuer in emergencies;
- How to prevent transmission of infectious diseases;
- Assessing the victim's condition;
- Basic life support, including rescue breathing and cardiac emergencies and CPR, airway obstruction and AED;
- Special resuscitation situations and advanced resuscitation.
For more information on this class or other first aid/CPR classes, please contact the Archuleta County Education Center at 264-2835.

AARP driver safety class March 13-14

By Don Hurt
Special to The PREVIEW
Would you like to sharpen your driving skills and reduce your auto insurance premium?
You can do this by taking the AARP Driver Safety Program, a motor vehicle accident prevention course for persons age 50 and older.
Students will learn defensive driving techniques, how to compensate for normal age-related changes in vision, hearing and reaction time, how to deal with aggressive drivers and much more.
The course consists of eight hours of classroom instruction conducted in two half-day sessions. There is a $10 fee.
The class will be taught at the Community United Methodist Church March 13 and 14. Class hours will be 1-5 p.m. both days.
Contact Don Hurt, AARP volunteer instructor, at 264-2337 for additional information and to make your reservations. Class size will be limited to 24 students.

By Charles Streetman

PREVIEW Columnist

No column this week.

No column this week.

Soup for the Soul at the center

By Kathy Zilhaver
PREVIEW Columnist
The Soup for Soul fund-raising luncheon for Hospice of Mercy is set for tomorrow at the community center. It will begin at noon. The Kiwanis Club cancelled their weekly meeting at Boss Hogs and the group will meet at this event instead. How's that for support!
Hospice of Mercy provides compassionate hospice care in the Four Corners area, so please come and support this event. You will enjoy samples of soups from these Pagosa caterers: Christine's Cuisine, Eddie B Cookin' and WildFlower Catering.
A $20 donation is requested and tickets are available at Moonlight Books and Gallery, at WolfTracks Bookstore and Coffee, and at the door.
We encourage attendees to carpool since parking will be limited due to seniors coming for lunch at the same time.
Movie night
On Monday, March 5, from 7-9 p.m. ww will hold our first movie night. You don't have to be a cowboy or dress like one to come to this free event. Just come if you enjoy cowboy movies and meet new friends. Dan Senjem, our new volunteer, is hosting this program at the center.
The title of the movies are "Come on Rangers," with Roy Rogers, and "Spring Time in the Rockies," with Gene Autry. Each movie runs for an hour.
Bring your favorite dessert to share and the center will provide hot and cold beverages. For more information, call 264-4152.
Masquerade Gala
The Pagosa Teen Center is holding this fund-raising event 6-11 p.m. Saturday March 17. Music will be provided by DJ Bobby Hart.
This is an adult, 21-and-over dance that promises an evening of elegance, intrigue, mystery and fun.
Have you purchased your tickets? How about your mask-do you have one? If you don't, you can order it though Rhonda LaQuey, Teen Center coordinator, or Michelle, our community center administrative assistant, at 264-4152, Ext. 31 and 21.
Tickets are $20 per person or $25 at the door and the admission price includes sumptuous, mouth-watering appetizers. A cash bar will be available. You can purchase tickets at WolfTracks, the Chamber of Commerce Visitor Center, the Teen Center office and community center.
Spring rummage sale
Have you reserved your space for the annual spring rummage sale? The Archuleta Seniors, Inc., Chimney Rock Interpretive Program and Mercedes Leist have theirs reserved, so call the center to reserve your spot. Do not wait too long before you make that decision.
Each space will be 10x10, for $20, and can be reserved on a first-come, first-served basis. The sale will be held 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, April 14, inside the multipurpose room. This is a one-day event and we invite those interested to call 264-4152, and make the reservation.
The community center is still looking for a non-profit organization to sell refreshment during the sale. Free coffee will be available to all, courtesy of the center. Tables and chairs will be provided to give the public an opportunity to visit with friends, hopefully after they're done shopping. Mercy is trying to make this event a special way to be a "community" while having fun buying other people's treasure.
Proceeds from the event will benefit the center's free programs.
Line dancing
The group had the pleasure of meeting Christa's husband, Eric, who is home on leave from the Middle East. Christa is one of our line dancers.
Gerry thanked everyone for their generous help with the party they had to welcome Eric home. "Our thoughts and prayers are with Eric for the rest of his deployment. Come back safely and soon," Gerry said.
The line dancers enjoyed the Mardi Gras party given by the Durango dance group last week. Groups from Farmington, Durango, Silver City and Pagosa Springs shared a variety of dance steps and lots of laughs. Gerry was pleased to say Pagosa held its own, very well!
Couples meet in the gym at 9 a.m. Mondays for two-step, waltz and night club two-step. Line dancing begins at 10 a.m. Newcomers are always welcome. Its fun and it's free!
Yoga session
Susan Winter Ward, an internationally recognized yoga instructor who lives in Pagosa writes this in her book, "Yoga for the Young at Heart."
"In caring for our bodies, it's important to be aware that they need nutritious and health-giving foods. Much of what is presented to us as food convenient, nicely packaged, and/or highly processed. It is filled with additives, preservatives, and mostly devoid of nutritional value. The cumulative effects of chemicals, toxins, stress, and environmental hazards in our bodies cannot be measured and exist in different combinations unique to each of us. Awareness of the importance of nutritious eating, relaxation, and bringing our bodies into balance can help to cleanse us of these toxins.
"Traditionally, yogis are vegetarians. Over the centuries they have found a vegetarian diet to be healthy, and many people practicing yoga find that eventually their taste for meat diminishes. Since there is now a body of evidence showing that many diseases commonly associated with aging can be prevented, alleviated, and possibly cured by eating a diet free of animal products and fats, this dietary alteration can have beneficial long-term effects. In the bibliography at the back of this book, you will find listed some of the many books on the subject. I encourage you to explore them. The consensus is that adding lots of fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains and seeds, along with plenty of water, could be extremely valuable alteration to your diet".
Our yoga group meets every Tuesday from 10-11:30 a.m. with Diana Baird and Addie Greer, who volunteer their time to run this free program. Just a reminder to all our readers - Diana and Addie are not yoga instructors; they just love to practice and encourage others to join them.
Toddler's play group
Every Thursday, 10 a.m. to noon, the pre-schoolers playgroup meets in the gym. This is a free program sponsored by the community center. A parent or guardian must stay with the child (no drop-offs). Bring toys, balls, clean bikes, snacks and a spare clean pair of shoes if street shoes are dirty. Come join the group; this is a great chance to run around without coats on a winter morning. For more information, call Gwen Taylor, 731-0305.
Jewelry making program
The orientation session last Thursday went well and classes will proceed as scheduled, March 1, 8 and 15, from 10 a.m. to noon, with each class different from the others. Rebekah Sabia will teach the first class.
Anyone interested must call first; pre-registration is a must, since classes are limited to six or eight students. Call Rebekah at 731-2270 or Treva Wheeless at 264-0644.
This is another free program offered by the community center. However, students must pay the cost of the materials and, in return, will take home the fruits of their labor - jewelry of their own making.
Pagosa Scrapbook Club
Learn new ideas and techniques with fellow scrapbook enthusiasts. The next meeting is 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, March 10, in the community center's North Conference Room. The cost is free. If interested, call the community center at 264-4152 or the volunteer in charge, Melissa Bailey at 731-1574.
Computer class
Classes are still on hold due to Becky's medical issues. Becky has decided to seek further medical checkups in Denver. Again, she assured me that she will keep us posted of any information about her medical conditions.
Please continue to pray for her and let us all hope that she will be back to her classes soon. We miss you, Becky.
AARP tax help
You can still get 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 Aide volunteers will be available to assist you during these hours. No phone reservation will be accepted.
The AARP Tax Aide program provides free tax preparation service for anyone age 60 and older, especially low- and middle-income individuals.
Basic digital photo class
This program has been cancelled because Bruce Andersen, who was set to teach this class, hurt his back. We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused you. Watch for the new schedule in this column.
Open gym
Sessions are available every Tuesday and Thursday from 8-9 a.m. with Larry Page as the contact person. Larry can be reached at 264-1024.
Another group meets every Friday from noon to 1:15 p.m. Call Dan Aupperle if you wish to join this group, 264-2235.
Center hours
The community center is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Saturday, 10 to 4.
A place to gather
The community center has several rooms for rent for all kinds of gatherings: meetings, seminars, parties and fund-raising events, at reasonable prices. We have space available 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.
Activities this week
Today - Hoopsters basketball, 8-9 a.m.; PSAAR class, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.; TOPS/Archuleta County CCOERA meeting, 8:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.; AARP tax help, 8:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m.; jewelry making class, 10 a.m.-noon; toddler's play group, 10 a.m.-noon; Teen Center open, 3:30-6:30 p.m.; Sky High volleyball practice, 3:30-5 p.m.; youth basketball, 5:30-8:30 p.m.; SJOC meeting, 6:30-8:30 p.m.; Trinity Anglican Church bible study, 6:30-8:30 p.m.
March 2 - Senior walk, 11:15-11:35 a.m.; Soup for the Soul fund-raising luncheon, 12 noon-2 p.m.; Bridge-4-Fun, 12:30-4 p.m.; Teen Center open, 3:30-6:30 p.m.; Miller birthday party, 4 p.m.-5:30 p.m.
March 3 - No meetings.
March 4 - Grace Evangelical Free Church and Church of Christ services, 10 a.m.-12 noon; High Roads Baptist Church service, 6-8 p.m.; Fairfield Activities meeting, 6 p.m.-8 p.m.
March 5 - Connections Academy testing, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.; line dancing, 9-11:30 a.m.; senior walk, 11:15-11:35 a.m.; youth basketball, 5:30-8:30 p.m.; movie night, 7-9 p.m.
March 6 - Hoopsters basketball, 8-9 a.m.; Connections Academy testing, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.; yoga session, 10-11:30 a.m.; senior walk, 11:15-11:35 a.m.; Teen Center open, 3:30-6:30 p.m.; youth basketball, 5:30-8:30 p.m.
March 7 - Connections Academy, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.; senior walk, 11:15-11:35 a.m.; senior's aikido class, 1-2 p.m.; Teen Center open, 3:30-6:30 p.m.; Weight Watchers, 5-6 p.m.; youth basketball, 5:30-8:30 p.m.
March 8 - PSAAR member training, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.; Colorado Dept. of Education meeting, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.; AARP Tax Help, 8:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m.; jewelry making class, 10 a.m.-noon; Teen Center open, 3:30-6:30 p.m.; Trinity Anglican Church bible study, 6:30-8:30 p.m.

All for a healthier you

By Jeni Middendorf
SUN Columnist
If you're an older adult, or perhaps playing a vital role in taking care of aging parents or grandparents, there are some nutrition and physical activity considerations to keep in mind.
Getting older doesn't mean that our quality of life or desire to be our best is any different. In fact, we usually become more aware of our health as we age. Healthful habits can help older adults enjoy daily activities, stay mobile, and be independent. Anytime is a good time to start healthy habits, no matter how old we are.
So, if you are a little older - you can still be healthier. Eating a balanced diet of nutrient-packed foods applies to all of us, but for older adults, a healthy eating plan may require a little more planning. If you have health problems or take medication regularly, it may be important to check with your health care provider for advice about changing your diet or physical activity level.
Getting older doesn't mean that our quality of life or desire to be our best is any different. In fact, we usually become more aware of our health as we age. Healthful habits can help older adults enjoy daily activities, stay mobile, and be independent. Anytime is a good time to start healthy habits, no matter how old we are!
Fiber is important
We've talked about how a healthy diet includes fiber-rich foods, such as fruits, vegetables and whole grains, that offer many health benefits including protection against heart disease. Another benefit is that fiber promotes regularity. Constipation may affect older adults for many reasons - from taking certain medications to drinking less fluid.
How much fiber do you need? The recommended dietary fiber intake is 14 grams per 1,000 calories consumed. So, the more calories you eat, the more fiber your body needs.
Good sources of dietary fiber include: cooked dry beans and ready-to-eat bran cereal or shredded wheat; pears and berries; dried prunes, figs, and dates; and cooked green peas, Brussels sprouts, sweet potatoes, and spinach. For a 2,000-calorie diet, you will need 2 1/2 cups of vegetables (a source of fiber and other nutrients) each day. Consuming at least 3 or more ounces of whole grains can reduce the risk of several chronic diseases and may help with weight maintenance.
Older adults should pay special attention to certain nutrient needs. For example:
- Many people over 50 years old have reduced absorption of vitamin B12. Therefore, they should consume vitamin B12 from fortified foods or a dietary supplement.
- Older adults tend to need more vitamin D to help maintain bone health. Drinking vitamin D-fortified fat-free or low-fat milk, or fortified orange juice, is a good way to get your vitamin D.
- Since constipation may affect up to 20 percent of people over age 65, older adults should consume foods rich in dietary fiber and drink plenty of water.
- Lifestyle changes can prevent or delay the onset of high blood pressure and can lower elevated blood pressure. These changes include increasing potassium intake, reducing salt intake, eating an overall healthful diet, engaging in regular physical activity, and achieving a healthy weight.
Fats and your heart
Many of us, especially if we are older, have been told to eat less fat. Fat can impact the health of our heart and arteries in positive and negative ways, depending on the type of fat. All the more reason to stay away from saturated fats, trans fats, and cholesterol. Eating too much saturated and trans fats, the type of fats that are solid at room temperature, may increase the risk of heart disease. Saturated fats can be found in animal-based products such as milk and milk products, butter, meat, and poultry. And eating too much cholesterol, a fatty substance found only in animal-based products, may also increase the risk of heart disease. It's important to eat less than 10 percent of your calories from saturated fats.
For example, if you aim to eat 2,000 calories per day, your daily allowance of saturated fat would be less than 200 calories or 20 grams - which equals 100% Daily Value (DV) for saturated fat. And, remember, this is a limit, not a goal, meaning you do not need to achieve your DV for saturated fat! Furthermore, you should keep trans fats (often found in cakes, cookies, crackers, pies, and breads) as low as possible, and eat less than 300 milligrams per day (mg/day) of cholesterol.
Maybe you are someone who has an elevated LDL (bad) cholesterol level. Definitely, you should follow your health care provider's advice. Those of us with elevated cholesterol may be advised to decrease our calories from saturated fat to less than 7 percent of total calories - which is about 16 grams or about 80 percent DV - and less than 200 mg/day of cholesterol. It's critical to find out what's right for a Healthier You.
Now, a few words about making wise fat choices: an immediate change you can make is to eat monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats found in fish, nuts, and vegetable oils to reduce saturated fat calories in your diet. In fact, to help reduce the risk of heart disease, some evidence suggests eating approximately two servings of fish per week (a total of about 8 ounces) for people who have already had a heart attack. It may reduce their risk of death from cardiovascular disease.
Botswana 4-H program
Archuleta County is hosting Lindsey Drennen, a 24-year-old member of 4-H who was privileged to visit Botswana. Lindsey lived in Botswana through the IFYE (International Four-H Youth Exchange program).
This is an educational program for developing peace and understanding throughout the word. It increases international awareness, assists in improving leadership and communication skills and helps young people to learn about youth programs abroad. In addition to her cultural experiences, Lindsey will also be sharing some of her the artifacts she found on location. Her presentation will take place in our lounge at 1 p.m. Friday, March 2. See you there.
Soup cooking classes
Bored with routine home menus? Looking for something new for that home cooked meal? Want to learn from the professional chefs? Sign up for a soup cooking class at The Den. You'll learn some great new soup recipes from some of the best chefs in town. Boss Hogs', Isabel's, Victoria's Parlor and Dionigi's restaurants are participating. These classes will be held Mondays in the community center kitchen during the month of March. Each class is limited to 10 participants. Cost for each class is $5, which must be paid at the time of sign up. Bring your appetite as you enjoy your new creation at the end of each class.
Walk and talk
Susan Stoffer is a wonderful woman who shares her knowledge and expertise with us Mondays, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Susan's background as a registered nurse, counselor and coach come wrapped in caring for you. Whether you have health-related questions, are having a hard day, or perhaps your loved one is having a difficult time, Susan is here to help you help yourself. You'll find Susan either in our dining room sharing her smile or walking in the gym; you could even get in some exercise while you walk and talk with Susan.
Aromatherapy
Candace Newman will give a presentation on aromatherapy and the importance of pure essential oils March 6 at 12:45 p.m. in the lounge. You will learn why they work and how to use them. The class will be very experiential, as you will smell the oils as you learn about them. Candace will give you some simple techniques for using the appropriate oils for better sleep, stress relief, aches and pains, bites and bruises, and colds and flu. Only therapeutic grade essential oils are used to avoid allergic responses from perfume-fragrance type products. With pure oils one receives their natural aromas and their natural properties of anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antiviral and more. Join us to learn about whiffing your way to better health, and how to feel better with essential oils.
Dance for health
Dance For Health classes are available at The Den Wednesdays at 10 a.m., 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.
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