NEWS Briefs & NOTES from your editor, 11/18/21
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.
As promised, we were posting twice daily news on the Krueger Fire near Estes Park this week on our Facebook pages — not waiting for the “Thursday publishing date.”
Yes, it was a small fire, but with wind gusts estimated to be 70mph and higher, and aiming south toward Pinewood Springs and Lyons/Apple Valley Rd. many people were evacuated. This includes your editor, me! So the three weekly columns were delayed because I did not have access to my main files — these articles are written and edited on WEDNESDAY, the day before we publish, as we want to include the LATEST NEWS! Fortunately, today, November 19th, the command station at the Larimer County Sheriff’s department announced the fire was 60 percent contained, and they removed the voluntary and mandatory evacuation orders.
Having survived three forest fires near my home, and a “100 year flood,” …and taking into consideration the slow pace of global plans to address Global Warming… I’m considering whether I should join a Survivalism social movement, or maybe I should build a cement bunker.
OK, well, you know me by now. I do like to some times tease you with something outrageous.
I just heard about a book that teaches a lesson to those who are worried (too much?) about a possible upcoming disaster. It says that they should write down what is the worse case scenario of what could happen. Then step away from that for a while, and come back to it, and they will find that often it has been resolved, or it’s unlikely that will happen.
Harvard Business Review had an article that suggested people write down both the best and worse case scenario, and it would show that both are a childlike fantasy. They suggested that the world is not black and white, and instead, is somewhere in between. Clinical phycologists call it catastrophizing, or overestimating the likelihood or consequences of our worst fears. When we face uncertain futures, we often turn that into a danger, and “fill in” the scene. The key answer they say is confidence. Look at how you survived things like this in the past. Look at how life can go on in good ways, once this has passed. And, here’s a little ditty you can take with you — the doctor of one of these clients asked what he had learned in the end, and he said, “Fears aren’t facts.”
General News
ROCKEFELLER CHRISTMAS TREE this year is from Maryland! Rather than Colorado (The 79 foot tree arrived Saturday).
EQUITY in SCHOOLS MEETING: Equity in public schools took place last week. Chastidee, PTO Chair, said “Good connections tonight with our district leaders! Thankful for their partnership.”
BOULDER STAR – the annual lighting of the STAR above Boulder happened on Veterans Day, but also opens the Christmas season! The Boulder Star on Flagstaff Mountain was first lit in December 1947 and has made its holiday appearance every year since. They ask people to NOT hike up to the STAR, as it’s causing terrain and habitat damage.
CONFUSING BALLOT: Ballot Measure 301, The Humane Clothing Act, was the most closely contested of all the ballot measures, passing by less than one percentage point. There is concern that the confusing language in Ballot Measure 301 would unintentionally ensnare businesses that trade in certain animal products. == Also the Ballot about lowering the property tax rate was affected by a related item passed in the legislature after the ballots went out. Many people thought it was for individual home properties, while it was mainly for multi-family structures and businesses. This one did not pass. == It is good to do some online research with reputable organizations (like the League of Women Voters) before you vote.
Take RTD to Empower Field to watch BRONCO GAMES – Don’t forget for around $12 you can get a round trip ticket to the Bronco Games. Just catch the FLATIRON FLYER bus in Boulder (best at the Downtown Station or Table Mesa garages, where you will pay for parking during the week, but not on the weekends – or get someone to drop you off). It will take you to Denver Union Station with a simple transfer to light rail to reach Empower Field at Mile High (or just walk 5 minutes): == TIPS:
· Choose a Day Pass fare when purchasing tickets at the ticket vending machines to avoid long lines after the game
· Download the RTD Mobile Tickets app for easy, convenient fare purchase and storage; RTD fares can also be purchased on the Uber, Lyft and Transit apps
· Check the RTD website before you travel for schedules and to plan your trip
Fans must wear a mask while riding RTD services or on RTD property, including while outside, due to the federal mask mandate for public transportation.
TINY HOME – I see people asking for rental space, or about tiny homes, and I just saw on Facebook that someone in Lyons is selling one for only $17,000!! wow. — It sounds like it has great quality.– I dont know these people selling it — I’m just listing it here for those “in need” of housing. I know there’s some complicated issues about where to put one, but “you figure that out”… it’s a great option, anyway… The house will need some finishing touches, which a handyman/carpenter would have to do…. Such as finishing an inside wall, and finishing the outside siding. Go to Facebook Marketplace for more info and contact.
VETERANS: Community Foundation Boulder County announced on Veterans’ Day that $9,423 in grants from the Veterans Fund to three nonprofits serving local veterans, including Boulder County RSVP Board dba Cultivate, Qualified Listeners Corp and Homeless Outreach Providing Encouragemen (HOPE). The Foundation has funded projects that provide outreach to isolated veterans, create a space where veterans can gather, facilitate the connection between older and younger veterans, and identify best practices for services to veterans. There are nearly 14,000 Boulder County veterans. == Veterans – contact these three organizations to see what benefits you can obtain from them, or how you can volunteer for them.
DEBT COLLECTORS can now use emails. Sweeping new rules governing debt collection practices in the U.S. will go into effect on November 30.
Community Foundation Boulder County (CFBC) announced 110 Community Trust grants totaling over $370,000. This brings the foundation’s total giving in 2021 to over $8.5 million. “Nonprofit organizations have worked tirelessly over the last 18 months to support our community’s needs. It is our honor and privilege to work side by side with them to help build a more equitable Boulder County,” said Tatiana Hernandez, CEO of the Community Foundation. The Community Trust is the foundation’s primary discretionary grantmaking program. Established in 2001 (And, yes, Lyons has benefited from grants from CFBC)
NEW HOTEL on Main Street, Lyons: The owners and architect of the new hotel on Main Street had an Open House in the Library earlier this week. The people who attended were mostly shocked at the size of it. It has gone from 40 to 50 to 79 rooms in size, and is three-stories tall. We will be doing a full article about it next week, along with photos/graphics.
DROUGHT: All parts of our state are now, once again, in some stage of drought. We have not had “official” snowfall in 200 days. We may break an all-time record on Sunday.
The Seniors had a Thanksgiving Party at the Walt Self Senior Center this week. Activities coordinator had a game and desert for the folks. Boulder County Aging served a turkey lunch. It was a happy day.
GOVERNMENT/ ECONOMY:
===The INFRASTURE BILL has passed both the House and Senate, and signed by President Biden on Monday. It is very much needed in Colorado — who will get 3.7 billion for roads // 225 million to replace and repair bridges /// 1 billion to expand public transportation! — We will be reading about all these exciting improvements (and new jobs) for many months and years to come!
===INFLATION: there was a jump in consumer prices, rising 6.2%; the biggest in more than 30 years!
===4.4 million people have quit their jobs; that’s 3 percent (in September) of the workforce. It’s the 2nd straight month with a record. They say a large part of the problem is (1) labor shortage and (2) people resigning (or retiring… 5 million retired early). Top reason are odd, unsteady hours, depending on tips, working too close to people, better pay, better position. Colorado was #9 in people quitting.
==HEATING: winter heating bills are going up; propane 54% up; heating oil 43% up; electricity 6% up. Natural gas is used by 1/2 the US. The Midwest has the highest climb, 50%. There is a rising energy demand, supply chain problems, and slighter colder winter predicted.
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<repeat> See SCHOOL NEWS, with lots of special announcements and photos!!
See our cross-country winners, and the Homecoming King & Queen!
<repeat> CONSTRUCTION: Road Paving and Patching==Paving and Crack Sealing North side of Lyons== see last week’s issue for more details; or go to the TOWN’s eblast page. Residents north of Main St == Crack Sealing
<repeat> AFFORDABLE HEALTH INSURANCE — Open Enrollment– https://www.healthcare.gov/glossary/open-enrollment-period/ See last week’s issue for more information.
CALENDAR ITEMS:
CLOSED = most government offices, libraries and post offices will be closed:
Thursday, Nov. 25th Thanksgiving Day
Friday, Nov. 26th, Native American Heritage Day
***************end of general news***************
Businesses
OCTOBER WAS BUSINESS MONTH at the Lyons Recorder!
SEE OUR INDEX of ARTICLES ==
LYONS BANK of the WEST – temporarily closed, as a “precaution” == will reopen November 18th.
FRIDA – The Empanada place – posted on Facebook her frustration with the procedure needed to get permits and approvals to open a new business, and she suggested that she might just leave the place empty.
A-LODGE is planning a big expansion of its outdoor entertainment area, which would include three food trucks. They are asking for comments on the proposed layout. So far the top ones are (1) children’s play area (2) movie night (3) open mike/talent show. Here is a link to the insta post: https://www.instagram.com/p/CWHB0-CFNMt/ (any one can view it, without an Instagram account) They can email elysavp@gmail.com
10/28/21· New FOOD TRUCK called “STREET”: Hello Lyons my name is Sarah. I am a native Coloradoan and grew up in the Boulder/Lafayette/Longmont area. My Husband Eli, Myself and our business partner Justin have been running a food truck since late May and recently began a partnership with the new A Lodge on Main Street. If you have a chance please come by and check us out. I will be around to answer any questions. website at www.fancyafconcepts.com ==Our hours and location, and menu, can be found on our website which is updated every Sunday evening.
On Oct. 21, —CAN’D Aid, part of Oskar Blues, was personalizing and assembling nearly 100 art kits for children in foster care in the Denver area. Bravo!
—CAN’D AID = Can’d Aid is raising funds to build a fully accessible public playground in Berthoud.
APPLE: Looks like Apple will be moving to the new Flatiron business campus in Boulder. They will take 240,000 square feet of space of the proposed 1 million square feet. Sounds like more hi tech jobs coming to Colorado!
SMALL BUSINESS SATURDAY – November 27th – mark your calendar. If you are a local business, you can send us one simple sentence stating a SPECIAL that you are having for that Saturday. You can also contact us if you want to place an ad. Thank you. SBS encourages consumers to keep it close to home when buying gifts this holiday season. Spending money locally helps everyone in the community prosper.
———-end of biz———————
ACTIVITY====
(this paragraph is a repeat) ========click on each link to learn more=======
==see “THINGS TO DO” for lots of activities and events! and more details than you’ll find here in News BRIEFS.
==See also =NOVEMBER= SENIOR NEWS. As usual we have a TON of tips, links, and more in the MONTHLY article! — We are switching from doing this at the end of the month to the first of the month — this will make more sense when we list the birthdays!
==LYONS LIBRARY – see our ARTICLE November 11th
SEWING CLASSES (small groups; possibly might be all ages) = Local Jules Snarr is offering sewing classes for young kids. It includes basis sewing and fitting, and, including pattern usage, and more. She is proposing Saturdays from 10-2 p.m. The cost of class is $15/hour plus materials. If your child will be paying for the classes themselves, please let me know. I would love to offer them a work trade opportunity in our garden and greenhouse. She says “And after receiving so much interest and positive feedback, I’d like to offer a younger class roughly aged 7-11, older group roughly aged 12-16, and adult group.” You can email her for a list of what will be covered (it’s pretty extensive!) and the cost, days, times, etc. She lives a few miles outside of town–on the North end of Apple Valley Rd. She says, “Bring your own sewing machine if you have one. Otherwise, I have two to share and we can rotate.” The size limit for the younger group would be 4, and depending on how many machines we have, I’m open to a group of 6 for the teen and adult group.” julie.snarr@gmail.com and phone number is 804-305-6262.
SENIOR CHESS CLUB: Pinewood Spring seniors – meets in Estes Park Rec Center every Thursday 3:30-5:00 p.m. “This is an older, congenial group. We play at all levels, and learn from each other. If you aren’t a Rec Center member, it costs $3 each visit–about the cost of a cup of coffee. We welcome new members.”
WEED CONTROL: I heard on TV News that the STATE is giving GRANTS as of 12/17 to groups that will help get the state’s noxious weed under control! it’s open to neighborhoods, and nonprofits, and towns, and more. (you will have to look it up on their web page)
November 20 – 5 p.m. – UGLY Sweater & Wine Walk – yes, you read that right. It is all the way up in NW Colorado in Windsor, but I had to share this with you, to give you a good laugh for the day!
<repeat> Sign up now! SENIOR BUS TRIP December 15th – sign up now – limited seats! Dinner Theater “Song of Music;” in Johnstown. Contact Lisa at LRamsey@townoflyons.com for details, or see the SENIOR NEWS ARTICLE.
COVID-19 NEWS=====
Colorado:
2913 – 7 day moving average of cases
54% of critical ICU adult unit in use
18% hospital beds available
state positivity rate: 9.23% (7 day: 9.77%)
Boulder County, total number tested positive: 33,951
Boulder Co deaths due to COVID: 449
% of CO population fully vaccinated – 62.7% (USA 59%)
== Highest number since December
— Crisis Standard of Care has been re-activated in Colorado
— 3,100 a day in the past week
== 1 in 48 CO people are infected by the virus; wear your masks in public places!
==In the US, cases have gone up 35% since late OCTOBER! (11/18/21)
–22 states are seeing spikes
–16 states have open up Booster shots to all adults; the federal government expects to do that this coming week.
INDOOR EVENTS – requiring vaccines: As of November 19, and will be effective through December 31, six counties, including BOULDER, have mandated– all indoor UNSEATED events, with 500 or more people, and 12 years old or older, must be vaccinated. (eg, concerts, bars, dance halls); issued by Colorado Department of Public Health. (Or show a COVID test done within 72 hours, is allowed until December 1st). Children must wear a mask. Please go to the venue’s web pages to find out details, as some may not allow tests to substitute for vaccinations.
ELLUME COVID home tests are being recalled; too many positive / false test results.
Our COVID UPDATES article:
==General news / world news / WHO / CDC / Biden /
==Governor’s statement 11/2/21
==Vaccine for kids 5 to 11 yr
==Booster Shots, details
==Links to Test Sites
==Mandates in effect
==Boulder Co. Health Dept. news
==Larimer Co. Health mandates
==Steps to keep healthy
==NEW== COVID-19 Monoclonal Antibody=== 161 providers are available: If you don’t have the vaccine, and have any symptoms, get tested…You need to be tested early in the infection, mild/moderate symptoms, older or at risk. It’s not as effective as the vaccine; but helps if you get sick. See LINK.
We added a new Same Day Testing site to the page: (you should bookmark or print the above page!) =====Flatirons Family Pharmacy (they doing testing and vaccines) 603 Ken Pratt Blvd, Longmont. (303) 827-3480 —- Do not call the pharmacy; same day results; do not enter the store; fill out the form online.
Help Wanted, Lyons Recorder=====
TECH HELP — Can you spare a day each month to help with Tech work on our newspaper?
SALES HELP — are you an experienced ”ad sales person”?
FEATURE WRITERS: Join our crew of 31 local writers!
Write once a month, once a quarter, or once a year!
Send us your ideas for consideration.
We are currently running a series on new businesses; get to know your local shop owner first-hand!
And, LaVern would love to have someone take over her Board of Trustee meetings, as her hearing isn’t as good as it use to be, and it is very tiring to try and hear them speak. You only need to write up major discussions, not basic agenda items. You’ll be “in” on all the Town business news, who/what/where/when!! Call her at 303-823-5925.
For more information, write to: LyonsRecorder.Editor@gmail.com
This Week’s Articles:
==Honoring Daisy Baber, Lyons journalist 1920s-40s; CPW 80 years; opening of Media Center This is 3 articles in one. Learn about a talented Lyons reporter, …about the newspaper situation in Colorado; and the survival of small town newspapers …and, learn about the new Buell Media Center building that opened in Denver with dozens of small news organizations (newspapers, radio stations, public news, and more) renting space and networking.
==CUT Your Own Christmas Tree – yup, you KNOW prices are going to be high this year! So why not make a day of it, and go to one of our Colorado National Forests (get a permit!)
==PINEWOOD SPRINGS – this month we “take a stroll” through Pinewood. They’ve had some controversy over trying to get more cluster mail boxes, getting some paving repairs, and experiencing some fun socializing events.
==MEDICARE: for most people this is a once-in-a-year chance to either sign up for Medicare and insurance, or change it. These links give you a lot of information and links (as well as Social Security information). Boulder County Aging has some class opportunities.
==LYONS COMMUNITY FARM PROJECT: This group has been on full-speed ahead all year. Take a lot at their goals, and their accomplishments, and education and volunteer opportunities.
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Don’t forget to do the == SURVEYS == on Lyons, Boulder & Larimer County – give your opinion (most end November 30th)
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==NEWS BRIEFS & NOTES from your editor – “News Announcements” that are too short to have their own article.
Government, Covid, Activities, Town, Businesses, School, and Town ”gossip”.
==FLASH News/now called “Your To Do List” – find out details about upcoming activities, classes, deadlines, and more.
==ABOUT TOWN by LaVern Johnson, tid bits of news from around town. And Board Meeting notes.
**NEXT WEEK we’ll be posting “LIGHT SHOWS” and “CRAFT SHOWS” for December**
And, we will have some “warm and friendly articles” for the Holiday! — including our return of “Man on the Street” asking about favorite Thanksgiving dishes!
ENJOY!
MY WEEKLY MESSAGE OF CARE:
SAVE LIVES thru Organ Donations
IT’s the time of the year when you think about what you are thankful for… and it can also be the time when you consider donating to a “bank” when you die —-your heart, liver, kidneys, lungs, small intestine or pancreas– organs that can be donated. Transplantable tissue includes: bone to prevent amputation; heart valves to replace defective or diseased valves; skin to act as a temporary covering for burn victims or those with severe wounds; corneas to restore sight; and ligaments and tendons to repair injured joints.
Just one donor can save up to eight lives through organ donation
and save and heal more than 75 lives through eye and tissue donation!
It’s as easy as saying “yes” when you renew your driver’s license. (or you can sign up now – see the link) You can reverse it, if you wish, at a later date.
==your donation is a gift. There is no cost to the donor’s family or estate for organ and tissue donation. ==an open casket funeral is possible as donation does not limit funeral or burial arrangements. The body is treated with great respect and dignity throughout the donation process, and the donor’s appearance following donation still allows for an open-casket funeral.
==Here’s a link to many “frequently asked questions.”
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Thank you for being steady readers of the Lyons Recorder. We hope you benefit from our relevant articles each week, and have some fun, too! ………..Your Editor, Kathleen
**********Click Here For Previous NOTES FROM YOUR EDITOR************
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