NEWS Briefs & NOTES from your editor, 11/25/21
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.
We have a special “Homey Thanksgiving” issue this week! All lovely stories to warm your day… and cute photographs. And tid bits to get you out enjoying the season.
They say the airports and highways will be packed (and expensive) this week due to burst of people finally being able to travel “Home.” (due to the vaccine) I’ve decided to stay home. And, I’ll be sharing some turkey with some friends who are also staying home… but aren’t able to make a turkey themselves. So, I have a “sort of” extended family to double my pleasure.
We have our “Man on the Street” article this month, asking people what their favorite Thanksgiving food is… and, gosh, it’s “just the basics”! No fancy steaks or lobster or exotic side dishes. Yummy turkey, sweet potatoes and stuffing!
I think we could instead call the holiday “Comfort-giving”! As that seems to be the key word. People are seeking the comfort of home… the familiarity of close relatives… the tastes of comfort food. Here’s wishing that you enjoy these comforts on Thanksgiving!
General News
Important Note: the LYONS FOOD pantry will be open December 1 and 8; and will be closed December 22 and 29. — Their Super Duper Gift and Food Day is December 15th. Contact LEAF for more information. We will have an article in next week’s newspaper, with info on the Giving Tree, and more.
FOREST FIRE/ Krueger Rock – began November 16, Tuesday, and 100% contained as of Saturday. An investigation into the cause of the fire has revealed high winds blew a tree onto a nearby powerline causing it to arc and start the fire. It reached 147 acres, and more than 124 firefighters came to fight the fire. No homes were damaged, but we’re sorry to say that one small fire-fighting plane crashed, and the pilot did not survive. Due to wind gusts as high as 70+mph, evacuation notices were given to homes and businesses in an area approximately 15 miles south of the fire, along Highway 36. === CAUSES: a resident gave some insightful information to a Facebook posting that was claiming that the fire was due to not enough logging: Sarah Lakeland: Please do not give misinformation. We live in Little Valley and saw the fire start. The high winds blew a tree into power line which then started in the DRY meadow which had no snow which is the new normal. We used to snowshoe by October and November. The meadow fire went into a thin stand of healthy trees Not dead trees and Not a thick forest. Inaccurate comments and misinformation do not serve our community. === Another person added some facts about the RMNP, (who was praised for its work which helped a little when the Troublesome Fire was burning last October 2021) — Lisa Payden: there has been quite a lot of fire mitigation focus in the park. Some funded, some volunteer work. They have been working Allenspark toward Estes Park, made over 5,000 “teepees” and have been doing the same in Bear Lake and Horseshoe Park area, as well as clearing out brush/trimming trees around National Park buildings. It takes time, money, to make these things happen. The teepees then are burned in the winter when there is heavy snow on the ground. There was new legislation introduced in March called the Disaster Safe Power Grid Act. I would encourage people to write their congressman. This bill provides grants to reduce the risk of wildfires.
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November 23, mountain lion seen on Vasquez Court. A neighbor says that he has heard some strange noises lately, and this may explain it.
Thank you to Lyons Farmette – this year they put on some farm-to-table dinners and other events and workshops, and they gave to 14 Boulder County community nonprofits (including three in Lyons) a total of $70,000. Be sure to say thanks when you see Betsy or Mike.
ABOUT “THE HEAT IS ON” — The CDOT Highway Safety Office provides funding to Colorado law enforcement for impaired driving enforcement, education and awareness campaigns. The Heat Is On campaign runs throughout the year, with 16 specific high-visibility impaired driving enforcement periods centered on national holidays and large public events. Enforcement periods can include sobriety checkpoints, saturation patrols and additional law enforcement on duty dedicated to impaired driving enforcement. There are more deaths due to auto accidents already this year, 540 people, than all of last year.
Pinewood Springs: Comments on Facebook about water pressure. — A resident asked his neighbors: When the water is turned off by the Town and then opened again, it may cause some air backups and water leaks. One resident came home to a flooded basement and an overflowing hot water heater. The best response seemed to be: from Doug Mann:
Yes – we had to put pressure relief valves on our lines coming into the house. Also, we try to turn our water totally off when we leave town. So sorry for your situation. The pressure here is very unpredictable. (a local handyman also said he has installed such valves in homes in Pinewood and Big Elk).
TRAVELLERS: gas prices are at $3.46 on average here (a little higher than nationwide); which was $2.15 last year at this time. The Biden Administration has released 50 million gallons of its “strategic oil reserves,” which will go into the system and improve prices soon.
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
SMALL BUSINESS SATURDAY – November 27th This is a nationwide effort to encourage consumers to keep it close to home when buying gifts this holiday season. Spending money locally helps everyone in the community prosper. Take a walk around town and discover some of the many new or expanded quality stores in town! They are well-stocked, and no need to worry about supply chain delays.
11/24/21 – JOBLESS CLAIMS -lowest in 52 years! == Initial jobless claims totaled 199,000 last week, the lowest total since November 1969. Second-quarter GDP growth was revised slightly higher to 2.1%, a bit below estimates.
LYONS TAX REVENUES / BUSINESS NEWS: According to Lyons Finance Director Casey Eyestone, figures ending September 2021, most of the funds showed revenues exceeding expenditures, with the exception of the water fund. Sales tax revenues continue to be very strong– they are 31 percent HIGHER than this SAME period in 2020, and up 32 percent over the projections for THIS Year. Thank you Lyons folks who have been supporting Lyons stores! When the pandemic struck, you rushed out and bought art by local artists at Western Stars, and kept them in the profit zone all 2020.
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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
SHOP LOCAL – SHOP SMALL BUSINESSES – a nationwide campaign – support your local stores in Lyons this Saturday, November 27! Many will have specials going on.
CHURCHES: We are gathering information from all the local churches about their Christmas Services, and will update the page the first week of December. We’ll let you know when it’s done! == We are also anticipating a Christmas-orientated article from our local pastor(s) to get you in the Christmas spirit!
RMNP – RESERVATION SYSTEM
11/23/21 – RMNP officials have decided that they will employ the reservation system again from May 27 to October 10, 2022. They will allow approximately 20,000 visitors a day, and 7,200 vehicles. With some spots reserved for last minute visitors. It helped cut down on traffic, pollution, and trash during 2021.
LYONS HOLIDAY ARTISAN MARKET – December 4 and 5, Saturday and Sunday, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Enjoy a chili lunch, and visit with Santa Claus. See our ARTICLE for full details. Dozens of stores have signed up; but, this year it is juried to assure quality. The vendor tables will be socially distanced. Wear a mask.
LYONS PARADE & FIREWORKS: The bright glow of the holidays is once again coming to the Town of Lyons on Saturday, December 4, at 6:30 p.m. The annual Holiday Parade of Lights is an exciting community tradition, which includes music, fireworks, and a stunning parade with floats travelling through town.==This year’s theme: Winter Around the World==
The parade kicks off at 6:30 p.m., routing down Main Street and back along HIGH ST (NOT Broadway, as traditionally). The Fireworks show will follow after the parade, weather dependent, and FIRE ALERT dependent.
==See our ARTICLE for many more details.
COVID-19 NEWS=====
11/24/21 – US BORDER CROSSING – US will require COVID-19 vaccines for all border crossers. President Joe Biden will require essential, nonresident travelers crossing U.S. land borders, such as truck drivers, government and emergency response officials, to be fully vaccinated beginning on Jan. 22, American citizens and permanent residents may still enter the US regardless of their vaccination status, but face additional testing hurdles.
WORLD: 11/24/21 – Austria entering another full lockdown and Germany considering following suit. == 11/18 South Korea broke records; it has reported a new daily record of 4,116 new coronavirus cases, mainly in Seoul (main city). The country has fully vaccinated 79.1% of its 52 million people, while just 4.1% have been given a booster dose. == 11/24 New Zealand will begin easing its border restrictions in January 2022 — two years after it was closed to keep Covid-19 out. ( Fully vaccinated New Zealanders in January, and other eligible travelers in April). == 11/25 Germany’s death toll has reached 100,000; they are the 5th European country to do so. The new incoming government is resisting her request to return to mask mandates.
INDOOR EVENTS – requiring vaccines: Seven counties now have this mandate (joining Boulder and Larimer) Some counties allow the business to accept vaccine cards instead. For larger events, please go to the venue’s web pages to find out details, as some may not allow tests to substitute for vaccinations.
COVID NEWS: 142,000 new cases of kids getting the virus, during last week. Cases are up 42% in the last four weeks. Colorado hospitals are reaching capacity; and at the same time, losing large numbers of their staff, largely due to fatigue. Fewer than 700 hospital beds are available in the state.
Be careful this Thanksgiving Weekend: Tips include staying home if displaying COVID symptoms or testing positive, considering gatherings that are shorter //outside //require vaccination. Save contact information incase there is a COVID exposure.
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 32 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:
==WILDLIFE in LYONS – deer, turkey and mountain lion enjoying our backyard (photo spread)
==Book Review “Tattered Cover Bookstore History” — Book Lovers’ favorite independent book store to hang out (the first of our Christmas Colorado-Book List)
==Person on the Street Q&A – What’s your favorite Thanksgiving food?
==LYONS Artisan Market / Christmas Bazaar
==LYONS Parade of Lights /Fireworks
==FRONT RANGE & DENVER – Special LIGHT SHOWS // and big CRAFT FAIRS
==Poem: “Old Man Winter” – waiting and watching for snow and finding the quiet warmth of ‘thanks giving’
==OBIT: Russel Perdue, read about a kind Christian man whose family built their home on Main Street, and he grew up going to Lyons schools, and working in the mining and lumber business (& selling Christmas trees)
==SHOP LOCAL DAY – join the nationwide effort to shop locally, and support your neighbor stores, and help your Town’s economy
==Feeding the Hungry—did you know about universities that are labeled “land grant”? It is timely to pass on this information during Thanksgiving. The focus is on hunger – and how land-grant universities are working to fight it. Colorado State University
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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.
ENJOY!
MY WEEKLY MESSAGE OF CARE:
Our closest FOOD BANKS:
Donate Today!
(Or, contact them if you need help)
Lyons Emergency & Assistance Fund LEAF – 720-864-4309 www.LEAFLyons.org
OUR Center (Outreach United Resource), Longmont 303-772-5529 www.ourcenter.org
Harvest of Hope Pantry, Boulder 720-382-1971 www.hopepantry.org
Crossroads Ministry, Estes Park 970-577-0610 www.crossroadsep.org
Food Bank of The Rockies, state of Colorado www.FoodBankRockies.org
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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
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