NEWS Briefs & NOTES from your editor, 5/27/21
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.
What are you doing for Memorial Day weekend? Does it seem the same exciting ”time off” to party as in past years, or has the excitement lessened after a year of COVID restrictions, and the day will be rolling into the week, just like any other day? COVID will be affecting us for a long time to come. I tried to find some typical Memorial Day events to list in a “To Do this Weekend” article, and I really had to hunt the internet to find anything. I did not find a parade. And, Denver Civic Center is quiet. Boulder has an online “Bolder Boulder Race.” The only festive thing is a two-day festival in Westminster. It looks like fun, with live bands every two hours, and lots of booths and exhibits. It’s called the Colorado Music and Arts Festival — no mention of it being Memorial Day. Saturday is your best bet with 20 percent chance of rain, and then Sunday and Monday are 60 percent chance. Plus, we’re in the beginning of tornado season. We had 16 last weekend! plus some hail. Be sure to fly your flag and do something to remember the heroes in your life who have sacrificed their lives for you.
Let’s get to the news…
GENERAL NEWS=====
CONSTRUCTION; Highway 36 construction near Lions Gulch (mile marker 8) had two partial days of traffic delays this week. They painted the lines on the road. They tell me that this is probably the final road block.=== Now people have to watch out for Highway 7 for the rest of the summer. It is open early morning and late evening, with emergencies allowed. Road repairs and stream restoration will be along a 14 -mile stretch of State Highway 7 between the Town of Lyons and State Highway 72/ Raymond.====The 2nd Avenue Bridge in Lyons, near the Recycle Center laid asphalt this past week, and white strips. They say it will be done by the end of June.
—Service Heroes—
MOTORCYLISTS RIDE honors vets – They started in Fountain and ended in El Paso County–the longest procession in the state. They raised money for the El Paso Co. Veterans Homeless Coalition. It is their 14th year. The fund benefits all branches of the military. Congrats!
VETERAN’S MEMORIAL WALL will be in Ft. Collins that weekend. A 360-foot traveling Vietnam War memorial wall arrived on Wednesday, and will be installed at Veterans Plaza on Thursday, and be up through Monday. === “If you are interested in volunteering to help with construction and deconstruction of the Wall, reading names, working the information booth, or another position,..” go to: http://www.veteransplazanoco.org/
FUNDRAISERS:
==The Rocky Mountain Botanic Gardens Plant Sale Fundraiser went well. Good weather and enthusiastic supporters. They sold all of their ”sale plants,” and a lot of their t-shirts!
==The Garden Club Tour ticket online sales continue to have glitches with the online ordering site. Keep at it! They are trying to fix it. They have posted some great photos of some of the gardens.
==Another fundraiser will be August is a Hootnanny…save the date.
LEAF and Lyons Community Foundation (LCF) will come together at River Bend on Sunday afternoon, August 29, 2020, to co-host a family-friendly Hootenanny. This joint FUNdraiser will feature all kinds of wonderfulness: live music and dance performances, food and drinks for purchase, a rubber ducky race, family fun zone, a corn hole tournament, a silent auction, and more! Won’t it be amazing to come together as a community? Mark your calendars now and be watching for updates as the Big Day comes near.
Rest in Peace:
I dont know if it’s the Blood Moon this month, or what, but I have six acquaintances who died this month (no one close to me). It seems like that’s more than I had all of last year. Have you noticed that?
==Ernie Simkins — I heard nothing but wonderful comments about this man who was a custodian in the Lyons Elementary School for 17 years in the 1970s. –quote– He was a very caring man and I think all the students that were there in school at the time loved him. He loved them. I really dont know anyone who didnt adore him.
==The funeral for Glenn Klepel went well, with beautiful sunny weather, followed by a reception in LaVern Johnson Park. A slide show offering the many sides of Glenn’s life. I plan to do a story about Lyons Antique Village in the near future. Glenn had a plating shop, and worked with another gentleman to sell old clocks — many years before he ended up devoting much of his life to Lyons political scene. I picked up a couple of photos off the slide show to include in the article.
LYONS FARM PROJECT — director Vasi Smith said: Field Trip! – if you want to join us, PM me on Facebook.
One of our team members (Tyler) introduced us to NedVictoryGardens, an awesome organization that’s doing similar projects to what we aspire to do here in Lyons. We have two field trips scheduled to visit them in Nederland, one on Wednesday, June 2nd at 2:30pm and one on Friday, June 4th at 2:30 pm. If you’d like to join us, PM me with the day that would work for you and I can give you more details
ROCKY MT BOTANICAL GARDENS: Message from director Garima Fairfax: Thanks to everyone who came out to buy plants and support the Rocky Mountain Botanic Gardens last Saturday. We sold all of our plants! And lots of RMBG tees, too. (Still available at Uniquely Lyons.) It was wonderful seeing all the visitors walking through the Gardens, which are OPEN TO THE PUBLIC now, we’re happy to say. Planting is continuing this season (volunteers are always welcome Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays, 9-11 am) but plenty of plantings from last year are in bloom (go see the lovely yellow Wallflowers).
Thanks for staying on the paths and hitching the bikes and doggies outside of the Gardens areas.
www.rmbg.org
ART by SALLY KING = re, tanker spill = sign on Apple Valley Rd for the dead fish: “I don’t want (the fish’s) sacrifice to be in vain,” she said. “I had so much accumulated energy that was really painful that I thought I need to make a sign so other people know. The news just covered the tanker and the bad curve. Nobody talked about the fish.” She created accompanying poems, too. In one called “Old Friends,” she talks about witnessing “the miracle” of seeing trout in the creek, before the spill.
See Times Call article for more details. == Sarah Wolfe Vasel remarked “Gratitude for the art that captures our towns feeling at Such an environmental tragedy” ==Ann M Hall said, ”Sally is an inspiration. Sally told me her story and what the All Fish Died art meant to her, what she wanted to convey. Sally was feisty and passionate and deeply troubled from the spill and the fish dying. The art serves as a memorial to the fish in honor of their memory.”
LYONS AREA GARDENS – on their Facebook page there have been a slew of helpful Q&A on weeds – people posting photos and saying, “What is this?”
PEACHES THREATENED – Right after I report last week that the Western Slope/Palisades peaches were not damaged by frost, another report comes out on damaging fungus ===the state’s $40 million peach industry is under increasing threat from an insidious pathogen that destroys peach and other fruit-bearing trees. Researchers in Colorado State University’s College of Agricultural Sciences aim to turn the tide against the tree-killing fungal pathogen Cytospora, which for decades has wreaked havoc among peach orchards across the Western Slope, cutting the lifespans of trees in half and costing farmers millions of dollars each year. It may also be effecting other fruit trees. Researchers are collaborating with researchers at the Western Colorado Research Center in Grand Junction who have a long history of fighting the Cytospora pathogen in Colorado, with the new funding.
WALKING YOUR DOG / RETRACTABLE LEASES – A BIG ‘NO’: on Facebook a discussion of the problem for both dogs and humans in using retractable leases in parks and on trails. First, it doesn’t contain the dog well, and second, it can get wrapped around the other person or dog and cause bodily injury===Judd Meyers started the conversation with a story about a scary encounter with a dog on a retractable lease that was not properly controlled, and almost did great harm to him and/or his dog. === One person said: I Put our dog in a training class and the instructor said NEVER use a retractable leash when walking a dog socially.=== Sarah says: Ewww retractable leashes are the worst. I thought everyone knew not to buy them anymore.===Jamie says: Too many times people let their dogs run up and get in my dogs space…drives me nuts ===Deb had a horror story of a pit bull tearing her dog’s throat open. === Suvi says: I have a great big lab and I do have a retractable leash but I shorten it up whenever I see any other dog and a lock it. –My problem is my dog is the one that would get attacked because he’s a baby and he’s been attacked by small dogs and almost lost his eye on a trail, so yeah, it’s an issue –what I really hate is when people have the dogs off leash and you have your dog on a leash and they’re approaching you … you know you’re kind of a sitting duck …I have a $6,000 vet bill to prove it.===Eric said, Preach it. I’ve had a couple of bad times with dogs on the trail, one a dog chased a moose that came really close to trampling 2 people. So leashes are definitely necessary.=== Renee says, A friend of mine in his 80’s was tripped up by two friendly dogs on long leashes a couple years ago. He went down hard and luckily didn’t break anything, but it did leave him bruised, scraped, and extremely sore.===Marissa said, Dogs are easy to train. People, on the other hand….
TUBER RESCUED: POLICE REPORT: On Wednesday, May 26, 2021 at approximately 17:35, Boulder County Communications was notified of a tuber who was stuck on the far shore of the South St. Vrain in Lavern Johnson Park. The 30-year-old female, who was stuck on the far shore of the creek, was unable to get back to park as she was cold and nervous to get back in the water. Swiftwater rescuers from Lyons Fire Protection District were able to get across the creek and access the stuck female. They evaluated her for injuries and were able to assist her walking upstream along the bank of the creek to an area of lower water flow. The stuck individual reported that she was uninjured and was released on her own recognizance.—Agencies assisting with this rescue effort included: Boulder County Sheriff’s Office, Lyons Fire Protection District, Hygiene Fire Protection District, Boulder Emergency Squad and American Medical Response. (Her two friends left on their own)
WARNING = The Sheriff’s Office can close down the river during this rainy weekend ahead!
BUSINESS====
MAIN STAGE BREWING COMPANY opened to a big crowd. People love the big outdoor seating area. Positive comments were made about the pizza crust and chicken tenders. – see the new restaurant/pub article.
Lyons Classic Pinball has reopened=and expanded into the adjacent building space =51 pinball machines==current hours are:
Friday: 3-10pm == Saturday: 12-10pm == Sunday: 12-9pm ==League starts this week May 27! 11 straight Thursday’s at 7:30pm. Send us a message if you’re interested. Details will be sent out via email!
Ray’s River Rentals – at town concession stand in LaVern Johnson Park – now open – see our “Town Hall Meetings” articles for more details. This has been a topic in both Town trustee//and Parks & Rec. meetings for a month or two == They have tube rentals $20 rentals for the day, and snacks and water, and paddle boards.
ACTIVITY====
LYONS PARKS – see this week’s article on all the amenities offered in our two major parks, along with new regulations and restrictions. (note, this is not a list of Recreation programs)
==We also have an article about the forming of Co-Ed Softball Leagues. This use to be very popular in Lyons before the flood, and the Town is struggling to restart it. See the article for details …plus several short stories about ball games in past decades.
==The Town sponsored events are listed in “To-Do / FLASH NEWS”
==See also May’s SENIOR NEWS. As usual we have a TON of tips, links, and more in the MONTHLY article!
THURSDAY CONCERTS in SANDSTONE PARK – This starts July 1st through August 17; free. Read the long-anticipated article this week!
MISS GOING TO SEE PLAYS? – Each Thurs. this spring HEAR a New PLAY READ OUT LOUD followed by discussion (free): The BETC Writers Group supports the work of Colorado playwrights and contributes to the national pipeline of new works in development. Writers Group members develop full-length new plays over the course of each year, meeting for monthly discussions and table readings. The playwrights then share their plays in progress with BETC audiences in an annual public reading series. ====Our Spring 2021 reading series features four knockout new plays from Writers’ Group members! It’s fun, it’s free, and it’s a great way to discover new plays in development.===A new play reading starts streaming every Thursday night!
HELP SORT/CLEAN “Table Mesa Mass Shooting” site for collection of memorabilia for exhibit – work with the Boulder Museum. the Museum is looking for volunteers to help next week with the clean up of the memorial at King Soopers before the fence is moved. Here is the sign up sheet–please feel free to share it with anyone you think might be interested, they’d especially love to have some “museum people” or ”history lovers” onsite too, to help. There are two days, with two time periods (morning and afternoon)—go down the page to see the second set of time periods. For questions, contact Chelsea Pennington Hahn <a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="http://<chelsea@museumofboulder.org>
The Town sponsored events are listed in BOTH “To-Do / FLASH NEWS” (briefly),
See this month’s SENIOR NEWS. As usual we have a TON of tips, links, and more in the MONTHLY article!
GOVERNMENT NEWS====
LYONS PARKS NEWS – the Town’s Parks Department is rolling out its new reservation system in a couple of phases. Signs are being placed around town this week to notify locals and visitors. See our article this week for details, and everything you need to know about the parks, in general.
RV PARKING TOWN: Mark Browning said on Facebook, “A new parking ordinance was passed several months ago. It allows RVs to park on streets (i) for up to 72 hours to load and unload, and (ii) for up to two 7-day visits per year, with a permit (no cost) from the Town. Parking in cul-de-sacs is prohibited (due to fire truck turning radius requirements) and living in RVs is prohibited. But that ordinance will not take effect for another 9 months or so. The ordinance was a compromise reflecting both differences of opinion on the BOT and differences of opinion from citizens, some of whom favored strict limits on RV/camper/trailer parking on streets and some of whom opposed those limits.”
—-Colorado—
ESTES PARK – now has PAID PARKING! May 28 – Oct 17
See our article for tips on the what/how/where of it all.
==Parking structure and visitor center will be free regardless of what happens with respect to paid parking. The free shuttle is running.
COVID-19 NEWS=====
*** SEE “MAY COVID NEWS” *** Includes “Clear” on Color Chart; No Mask announcements; and statistics from the US / Boulder/Larimer County / World (as of 5/26/21)
===================UNITED STATES
CDC notices 5/26/21 = COVID19 cases have declined to their lowest levels in nearly a year and are continuing to decrease in most of the country. The 7-day average of daily new cases is 22,139, a 23% decrease from the previous 7-day average of 28,751. The peak was in mid-April. More data: https://bit.ly/36EDJQI.
If you’re not fully vaccinated against COVID19, take actions to protect yourself like wearing a mask and staying 6 feet apart. If you’re fully vaccinated, you can resume some activities that you stopped doing because of the pandemic. See more: https://bit.ly/3btJaFU.
Parents: Although fewer children have gotten COVID19 compared to adults, they still can get infected and spread it to others even if they don’t have symptoms.
Reported US Cases (5/21/21):
The current 7-day moving average of daily new cases (27,789) decreased 19.5% compared with the previous 7-day moving average (34,502). Compared with the highest peak on January 8, 2021 (252,768), the current 7-day average decreased 89.0%. A total of 32,855,010 COVID-19 cases have been reported as of May 19.
5/26/21 – Colorado joins other 19 states that are offering either million dollar lottery winnings for those who are vaccinated; and will probably join others in offering scholarships to colleges. Ohio was the first to offer such premiums, and it’s vaccination rate had a double digit increase.
5/25/21 – Moderna announced its Covid-19 vaccine is safe and appears to be effective in adolescents at 100% and they will be asking for emergency approval in the next few weeks.
===================WORLD NEWS:
India’s cases have dropped in half, but it is still the #2 highest cases in the world. See our summary MAY COVID article for more details on this country, and ”the world.” (includes our neighbors Canada and Mexico)
======================COLORADO
================5/26/21
State of Colorado:
TOTAL 543,000 cases / 6,675 deaths
VACCINATIONS: 53.2% one dose / 44.2% two doses
2,969,454 people vaccinated with at least one dose of vaccine.
2,519,081 people are fully vaccinated.
TESTED: 3 million
There are currently 528 people hospitalized with COVID-19, and the state’s seven-day positivity rate decreased to 2.90%.
Boulder County
May 12-25 = 292 cases
23,702 total cases / 257 deaths
1.6% positivity rate 7 days
vaccinated – one dose 70.6% // 60.2% two doses
Larimer County
May 12-25 = 641 cases
26,768 total cases / 249 deaths
2.2% positivity rate 7 days
vaccinated – one dose 53.3% //47.2% two doses
SCHOOL NEWS=====
Lyons Middle Senior High School Band program. Dr. Gregg = gave a jazz concert for the end of the school year. Thanks to Laura Levy for providing cookies for the evening. It got windy at the end so they recruited people from the audience to hold down everyone’s music. Truly a community concert.
HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION this Saturday, with limited attendance, due to COVID-19.
LAST DAY OF SCHOOL: Thursday May 27. Staff last day May 28, due to the construction in the High School parking lot.
This Week’s 14 Articles:
LOTS OF ”TIMELY” PERTINENT ARTICLES FOR ”MEMORIAL DAY” OUTDOOR ADVENTURES
NEWS for things beginning Friday May 28
==LYONS PARKS – All the information you could want to know about our two largest, and most popular parks: LaVern M Johnson and Bohn Parks. This includes the new Reservation system, addressing overcrowding, particularly on the weekends.
==ESTES PARK – downtown parking will now be using meters as of Friday- learn some inside tips on who/what/where this will be happening, and how to get free 30 minute parking (eg, for the library and post office)
==MEMORIAL DAY ACTIVITIES/EVENTS around the Front Range – Fun things to do this weekend!
==GARDENING NEWS — where to get your free seeds / buy grass seed by the bulk / get garden fresh vegetable bargain bags / annual flowers and onion sets
UPDATES /or SUMMARIES
==new law for off road vehicles, and reminding people about the golf cart rules (which some have slacked off on)
==TOWN BOARD MEETINGS: summary of the two monthly MAY meetings; and the Parks & Rec Meeting
==COVID SUMMARY FOR MAY: summary of everything that happened in May concerning COVID, including statistics
==CO-ED SOFTBALL – read some memories from past decades, and think about joining a team. The Town is desperate for both players and umpires (which is a paid position)
==THURSDAY FREE CONCERTS IN THE PARK — Here’s the list of live-bands performing that you have long been waiting for!
FEATURE ARTICLES:
==Senior News: our monthly award-winning column on news/tips/activities and more for senior citizens
==Person on the Street – our monthly Q&A, stopping people on the street and asking them a question. THIS Month is honoring Asian Culture Month.
==NEWS BRIEFS & NOTES from your editor – which you are reading now
==FLASH News/now called “Your To Do List” – find out details about upcoming activities, classes, and more.
==ABOUT TOWN by LaVern Johnson, tid bits of news from around town.
ENJOY!
MY WEEKLY MESSAGE OF CARE:
Office of Small & Disadvantaged Business Utilization
Veterans Helping Veterans
Announcing a new initiative: “Veterans Helping Veterans,” saluting Veteran-Owned Small Businesses that give back to the Veteran community.
At VA OSDBU, we firmly believe that Veterans are the foundation of American communities. Regardless of years or branch served, Veterans join together to support one another through making connections, partnering with one another, and striving for excellence within their local community.
OSDBU is proud to announce our “Veterans Helping Veterans” initiative, saluting Veteran-Owned Small Businesses that are giving back to the Veteran community.
Spotlighted businesses will be featured in VA OSDBU social media, digital and print communications as well as possible inclusion in other Department of Veterans Affairs digital and print publications.
We want to hear about how you’re doing your part to help other Veterans. There are many ways that a business can do this, including hiring practices, partnering with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), other federal agencies or commercial industries or giving back to the community, such as proceeds benefiting a Veteran-focused non-profit organization.
If you know a business that encompasses the “Veterans Helping Veterans” initiative, we encourage you to nominate them for a spotlight.
This is a VA sponsored program. For more information, go to; https://www.va.gov/osdbu/vetshelpingvets.asp
Please take the time to pass this on to friends and associates who are/or know of a Veteran owned business.
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Thank you for being steady readers of the Lyons Recorder. We hope you benefit from our articles each week, and have some fun, too! ………..Your Editor, Kathleen
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