Notes from your editor, December 24, 2020
If there ever is an emergency in town, or timely news needing to be distributed, you can trust the Lyons Recorder to put it online immediately.
MY CHRISTMAS TREE: A couple weeks ago, I had a small tree ripped off its trunk. I brought it inside and put it in a bucket of water. And this week I decorated it with ornaments and a white garland. It’s about three feet wide and three feet tall! I’m just loving it!
BUSY DOWNTOWN LYONS: It was an enjoyable week in town, with multiple holiday events going on. The weather was mostly around 50 degrees, so people were out on the streets, taking a friendly walk, or stopping in and checking out new stores and searching for unique last-minute gift items. See our “Photo Spread” where we captured some of them for your enjoyment! The town streets and neighborhoods looked so festive! Some residents have asked the Town office if they could leave the holiday lights up for a few weeks into January, to keep up the positive Holiday Spirt for the residents.
HIGH WINDS/ MICRO BURSTS: On Tuesday afternoon and evening, the winds blew between 45 and 85mph in the residential areas of Greater Lyons– 76mph at X-Bar and 71 at Spring Gulch. People reported== the wind lifted up a heavy stone table that normally takes two to move, and smashed it on the ground; reported== Pinewood car owner Shane had to get the hinges on his car door replaced from getting it ripped out of his hand in Estes Park Sunday; Amy reported== Picked up our large grill and threw it face down on the deck. Tossed a ladder at the Subaru. Thought the house was going to blow away; ==Amy’s large deck chair was ripped apart; ==sturdy lawn furniture strewn round the yard; ==big tree branch ripped off.
So, let’s get started with the News…
TOWN NEWS
ICE SKATING: in Lyons LaVern M Johnson PARK.(L-Johnson) opened this past weekend. The staff in the kiosk is renting skates on the weekend, currently from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. There are safety protocols to follow; and reservations are needed.== Note, the rink may be closed without notice if the weather gets too warm. A few of us have asked the town to put a sign by the ENTRANCE GATE to let people know, so that they don’t pay for parking, gather up the family, food and gear, and walk the near-mile and then find out that its closed… Town Recreation Department person Lisa Ramsey is in charge and considering a sign. ==Parking is $5 for 4 hours, unless you have a Resident Parking Permit (see below for renewal facts) Click here to see rules, hours, and rental facts: https://www.townoflyons.com/591/Ice-Skating-at-LaVern-M-Johnson-Park
LYONS PARKS PARKING PASS: Remember to get your new 2021 free resident’s car parking permit for Lyons parks! They expire in January. Parking fees help to support the park amenities. Please ask parks staff if you have any questions. One complimentary resident parking pass will be issued to one vehicle per Lyons household (a car, truck, golf cart) that requests a parking pass. Residents may purchase a second pass for another vehicle for $35. Non-residents may purchase a season parking pass for a flat rate of $75 per vehicle at Town Hall. Vehicles must have the parking pass displayed at all times when parked in L-Johnson Park. Non-resident daily fee is 4 hours for $5. If you pay taxes and water bills in town, you will be on the list that qualifies for a free pass.
HIGH SCHOOL SENIOR “support page” Facebook “Adopt a Senior” == (see last week’s article for more details, or go to the Facebook page.) A chance to do a little something nice for a senior during the unusual graduation year with coronavirus.
*NEW* CARE PACKAGE: The Town had a Special Meeting Monday December 21 and divided up the $200,000 in CARE money to approximately 25 SMALL BUSINESSES in town! (even the museum got money to help pay their high winter heating bills!) A News Report is coming!
SECOND AVENUE BRIDGE CONSTRUCTION=Please No pedestrians — No golf carts– No bikes. It is an active construction site. The bridge is being demolished and removed this month. This will be a construction zone till May 2021.
LYONS DEN Restaurant & Taphouse: Both the regular Board of Trustee meeting, and the Executive Meeting did not result in a conclusion as to whether the Lyons Den will permanently lose its liquor or business license. The Board stated that it would await the results of the study being done by the Department of Revenue investigating on behalf of the State of Colorado.
The town council will hold another liquor license hearing on February 16 after Lyons Den owner Randall Yarbrough agreed to continue the license suspension until then.
Mayor Nick Angelo declined to make a statement about the executive session. However, he was able to offer this comment, “The one thing I can say is I was outvoted 1-6 on two issues. I don’t compromise on the public health and safety.”
The Lyons Den’s advertised weekend of “1,000 person rally” to support their freedom was a bust and only about 25 people came out. The adjacent store, Western Stars Gallery & Studio, had lots of people come to shop that weekend to support them.
Another Front Range news publication reported that town trustee Wendy Miller texted multiple expletive-laced complaints to the owner of the Lyons Den last week, stating her dislike and fear of the protest, since she lives across the street from the building. She stated that she would protect her property with a gun. She said clearly that she was texting as a resident and not as a public official. The matter was brought to the attention of the Town Administrator and Mayor, and they said it would be brought up with the Ethics Committee.
There will be a more detailed report in February, when we get statements from the Town Board of Trustees on their ruling.
(I will post this as a News Brief for those who do not read my column regularly, since nothing will happen till February).
CAR THEFT IN TOWN:
There have been reports on Facebook Lyons Happenings of seven car thefts in the Lyons area. Some have reported that the car doors were unlocked, and some had keys in a handy spot.== One person reported on Tuesday that a suspect was arrested, per the TV news, but Lyons was not mentioned in the segment. == A Facebook poster stated that he talked with the Deputy Clerk in Town, Delores Vasquez. She said that they had a meeting with the Sheriff’s department last week. They said they were going to put “more boots on the ground in Lyons.”== A few people reported seeing cars slowly driving down residential streets. One person took a photo of such a car, but it did not have a license plate.
Some of the streets listed in Facebook postings as having thefts are: Steamboat Valley, Lyons Valley Park, Seward Street, Ewald Avenue, Stone Canyon. These have not been verified. Please be sure to lock your doors during this difficult coronavirus and holiday season!
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POST OFFICE: The Lyons post office staff have been working very hard, with a smile, and deserve a thank-you from you, next time you are in.
Pinewood Springs, mail carrier, Shonda, is quitting as of December 26, and moving back to Texas with her family. Not a person in town could be found to have a complaint about her. She was not only efficient but friendly, with a welcome smile. She will be sorely missed!
Don’t forget to tip your mail carriers, especially if you have been getting lots of packages and/or have a difficult driveway to drive down. The US Postal Service does have rules. The USPS Ethics Council says, “Letter Carriers are prohibited from accepting cash or a cash equivalent such as a Visa or Master Card gift card from Postal Service customers.” You may give a gift to a Letter Carrier valued at $20 or less or a gift card to a specific retail venue valued at $20 or less, as long as the aggregate value of gifts that you gave to the Letter Carrier do not exceed $50 in a calendar year. (I have a feeling that some people “innocently” break the rules).
You can go to this Readers Digest link, or go to the USPS pages for more details. — People who live in the mountains also usually tip their garbage person — I’ve been known to run out with a mug of hot chocolate and cookies when it was bitter cold! — And their UPS/Fed-Ex person, if they have regular drivers, and lots of deliveries.
COVID-19 NEWS
Colorado – Good News and Bad News —
Good News: Same as last week (1) vaccines are being administered; this week #1 to 34,000 health care workers; CO is getting delivery of both the Pfiser and Moderna vaccines next week; and (2) number of hospitalized are going down. We are at an improved 7.76% positivity rate. This takes us back to the rate seen around Halloween. Thanks for your help folks in slowing this surge.
The Bad News is that the death rate is going up, with 65 average number of deaths per day (up from 54 last week) as of 12/20/20
Lyons – as of Dec. 21–57 cases // up from Dec. 14—53 cases.
Here’s a spot of “good news” == 12/22/20 Taiwan has recorded its first locally-transmitted case of coronavirus since April (an airline pilot). The island has had one of the most successful pandemic responses in the world compared to other industrialized countries, with a total of seven deaths as of 11 May 2020. The number of active cases peaked on April 6 at 307 cases, the overwhelming majority of which were imported.
RESTAURANTS: GOOD NEWS: Last week Larimer County submitted for the “5 Star” certified business variance program. (see COVID article for more details) A number of restaurants are posting today and yesterday on Estes Park Facebook pages that they are now open for 25 percent capacity indoor dining! — Boulder County is still considered “high risk,” and restaurants cannot apply for this variance yet.
CONGRESS PASSES STIMULUS RECOVERY BILL 12/21/20: I won’t get into great detail, as I’m sure you have heard/or can find this easily elsewhere. A quick summary: It extends unemployment benefits, adds $300. –It revives the Paycheck Protection Program, which kept many small businesses afloat last spring.—Rental (apartments and homes) assistance, and extends moratorium on evictions to January 31. –Aids in vaccine distribution. –Broadband stimulus. Assistance for schools. –Food assistance. –Individuals making $75,000 or less will get $600 stimulus, and $600 per child, per their 2019 Income Tax report.
UNEMPLOYMENT: 64,000 lost their jobs. 24 percent of restaurants are in danger of closing within one month (CO Restaurant Association report).
For more details and statistics and a list of who will get the vaccine in Stages 1, 2, and 3, go to our COVID article, this week.
THIS WEEK’S ARTICLES
==Solar heat in Lyons – some of you have asked if your electric and solar net metering rates will change in the near future. Here are notes from the Town of Lyons people who are discussing this matter.
==If you are Christian, you will be moved, inspired and reminded what the Christmas celebration is all about, courtesy of Pastor Mickey at The River Church.
==Christmas in Lyons PHOTO SPREAD, includes the live nativity scene, neighborhood lights, and more fun delights! It invites you to drive or stroll around town and quietly enjoy the free joyful moments of the season.
==Obituary for Bob Horst, who grew up in Lyons.
==Winter Prepared: Guidelines from our local Emergency Preparedness group. This coming week many people will be relaxing at home, and it might be a good time to take a look around and see if you are prepared for possible disasterous upcoming winter weather.
==COVID News, Colorado Statistics, and Phase 1, 2, 3 Distribution list, and more.
==LYONS DEN – News Brief on December happenings, regarding their liquor and business license suspensions due to violations.
==FLASH NEWS — general events and deadlines, listed by date – it’s pretty light this week, now that the Christmas events are over!
==About Town — weekly column by LaVern Johnson of snippets of Town news.
==NOTES from Your Editor — that’s me! You are reading it right now! thanks.
MY WEEKLY MESSAGE OF CARE:
It’s a week to be lazy. To enjoy family. To have some fun. So, let’s make this simple….
Take care of yourself over the Christmas weekend!
Celebrate with your immediate household,
to try and assure that all your Loved Ones will be around next Christmas.
Say a prayer for those who have suffered,
and those who have passed away during this COVID-year.
From the lips of those who have suffered:
Show your gratitude to God and the Universe…
and hug your Loved Ones…
and tell them YOU LOVE THEM….
Stay well, and stay informed! Keep reading the Lyons Recorder!
Sending you my sincere Christmas & Holiday good wishes!
See you next week! Kathleen Spring, Your Editor
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