NEWS Briefs & NOTES from your editor, 1/13/22
If there ever is an emergency in town, or timely news
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There’s so much news about COVID-19 and Omicron variant these days, that it’s hard to keep up. I’ve published two articles this week with “big topics,” and yet I still have enough to do my normal “COVID section” in this “Editor’s Notes.” As we know, the key thing is that it is spreading more rapidly than any other version we’ve seen of it, and we need to upgrade to either a K-95 masks, or to “double-mask.” So, I’ll leave that subject, as you can read about it elsewhere.
Have you made your New Year’s Resolutions? This year, just 30% in the “hopeful’ category will make New Year’s resolutions — down from 46% twelve months ago (per a CBS poll). Ah, just another thing that has been affected by the pandemic’s worries.
But isn’t it, maybe, more important now than ever to make Resolutions? First, they are meant to be positive things that will make your life better. Second, it is a good distraction from day-to-day worries. Third, it gives us good reason to keep in touch with friends on a regular basis — for each of us to report to the other on the progress of our new goals, or to get encouragement to keep at it, or get compliments on the progress. I have an article in this week’s edition on ways you can improve your chances of accomplishing your goals. I also talked about it in last week’s SENIOR NEWS article. These are practical, proven techniques. Curious? Check it out.
As they say, it’s better to have tried it, and lost, than to not have tried it all!
………….Your Editor, Kathleen Spring
General News
The old Burlington Hotel on Main Street was demolished this past week. While working on it, workers ruptured the gas line, and the whole block (Main Street/Broadway and 3rd and 4th) was evacuated. The library and school were not.
About 20 in all, including a half-dozen or so kids, jumped into the freezing St. Vrain River at the Lyons Annual Polar Bear Plunge. We’ll have some photos in our monthly “Stroll Around Lyons” photo spread! brrrr 14 degrees, and snow on the ground!
HOT TOPICS this week on Facebook
==street snow plowing: a Discussion as to why the streets weren’t adequately plowed after the snow storm, and are our taxes too high, and why don’t they pay for more snow plowing.
==Bank of the West was closed again unexpectedly. Last time it was leaked that it was because of a covid outbreak, but why was this kept secret? This time, no reason given yet.== It was announced that the bank was bought in December by one of the largest banks in France (with branches in Canada and USA). It will take 9 to 12 months to see anything major happening at the bank regarding the new ownership. All accounts and funds and safety boxes will smoothly transfer over, with the customer not having to do anything.
WARMEST ON RECORD: The past seven years have been the warmest on record and 2021 was the fifth-hottest ever, according to new findings from the European Union’s Copernicus Climate Change Service. The report, released Monday, said 2014-2021 were the warmest years on record “by a clear margin.” === = Earth’s average temperature is around 1.1 degrees Celsius above average pre-industrial levels, Copernicus reports, 73% of the way to the 1.5-degree threshold scientists warn the planet must stay under to avoid the worst impacts. === what are you doing to help prevent this? …perhaps a New Year’s Resolution is needed?
Solar is a hot topic in Lyons — New solar shingle debuting at CES 2022 can be nailed directly to your roof. Timberline Solar Energy Shingles from GAF Energy go in place with just a nail gun. (HHS GAF Energy, a subsidiary of Standard Industries and sister company to roofing giant GAF.)
TINY HOMES: Another feather in the cap for them! The Larimer County Ranch’s County Fair, had a “Tiny House Event” which won FIRST Place! In the International Assn. of Fairs and Exhibitions (held in November), selected out of 1,000 entries. The event focused on housing issues in their community. Over 30,000 attended the event! Tiny homes offer alternatives to traditional housing with much smaller total square footage. I’m sure we’ll be hearing about them more and more. Some Colorado cities are installing them for their “service” workers. === Two of the other five awards were for “virtual events” that happened due to the Fair being closed because of COVID-19.
BUSINESSES: Prickly Pear is now open for lunch and dinner again on the 3-day weekends, and is starting a Sunday Brunch. Their info and menu will be online by the weekend. // Oskar Blues has four bands already lined up, beginning in February, to re-open their basement venue. We’ll print the list for March-Mardi-Gras month in the near future.
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. Plus deadlines.
==JANUARY SENIOR NEWS. As usual we have a TON of tips, links, and more in the MONTHLY article!
==LYONS LIBRARY
SNOW SHOEING at Rocky Mt Natl Park: Snowshoe walks are Tues/Thursday, 12:30, and limited in group size. Reservations can only be made one week in advance at 970-586-1223.
PIANO & KEYBOARD LESSONS: I have taught piano to students of all ages for over 30 years and am still loving it! Having recently moved to the Lyons from Niwot, I am excited to establish a teaching practice in my new home town. My home studio is in Spring Gulch, but have a wonderful place to teach as well in downtown Lyons or can potentially come to your home. Check out my website at: https://sheldonsands.com sheldonjsands@gmail.com and Phone is 303-807-8735.
Lyons SENIOR EXERCISE CLASS: UPDATE: Due to increasing Covid-19 cases this class will only take place outside for now and is completely weather dependent. We will meet if the temperature is above 45 degrees and sunny, not very windy, and minimal snow and ice on the ground. Please contact Lisa at the number below if you need to check on the weather decisions. LRamsey@townoflyons.com and 303-823-6622, ext. 30.
CAN’D AID is a charitable organization formed by Oskar Blues’ owners, but is a separate entity. They have done much good over the years, including giving checks to those effected in Lyons by the 2013 Flood. — they have some job openings. We would like to support their nationwide charitable work by posting them here:
· Part-time: Admininstrative/Coordinator – HYBRID (set your own schedule, one day in the Longmont, CO office per week)
· Full-time, entry level: Program Coordinator (Full-time) – REMOTE (anywhere in the US). Requires travel.
· Contract: Social Media Manager
· Gig Worker – Travel around the US and help implement our people powered programs (1-2 projects/month)
· Skateboarder | Treads + Trails Ambassador (email alyssa@candaid.org to learn more)
In Colorado SPORTS: much-loved and talented coach John Madden died. Broncos head coach Vic Fangio fired after another disappointing third season.
The Court has cleared the final legal hurdle to begin the process of selling the Broncos team.
COVID-19 NEWS=====
The total number of Covid-19 cases registered worldwide passed 300 million on Friday, with the Omicron variant’s rapid spread setting new infection records== It took more than a year to reach the first 100 million and just five months to add the third 100 million.
President Biden Ordered this week:
==20 million more anti-viral pills (doubled it)
==17 million KIDS now eligible for BOOSTER shots, ages 12 -15. // 9 million age 12-17 are UN-vaccinated. // kids 0 to 17 years of age who have COVID-19 have increased by 78% in one week.
==10 Million tests will be sent to schools EACH MONTH; the rapid or PCR tests. They advise students should be tested an average of once a week, according to the school’s covid statistics.
==500 million Free Home tests (see below)
In USA: COVID-19 cases as of today: 63.2 million — up 770,000 in one day. (129,515 hospitalized). A six-fold incrase in a month. 98% of the cases are Omicron variant. People are 17X more likely to be hospitalized; and 20 X more likely to die.
Boulder County, CO – 1/10/22 – Cases of COVID-19 have risen drastically over the past two weeks, growing to the highest rates since the beginning of the pandemic in 2020. Nearly 1 in 4 (24.5%) of the individuals tested in Boulder County have been confirmed positive with COVID-19 as of Jan. 10, and positive cases are climbing in nearly every age group, especially those ages 23-34—from Dec. 20 to Jan. 10, positive cases of COVID-19 increased by over 82% in people in that age group. CLICK HERE to see full article by Bo Co Health dept. == See our ARTICLE this week for the entire “news release” issued by Bo Co Health.
FREE HOME TESTS by mail: Starting Saturday, January 15th, private health insurers will be required to cover up to eight home COVID-19 tests per month for people on their plans. Under the new policy, Americans will be able to either purchase home testing kits for free under their insurance or submit receipts for the tests for reimbursement, up to the monthly per-person limit.(PCR tests and rapid tests ordered or administered by a health provider will continue to be fully covered by insurance with no limit.) Later this month, the federal government will launch a website to begin making 500 million at-home COVID-19 tests available via mail. The administration also is scaling up emergency rapid-testing sites in areas experiencing the greatest surges in cases. = We will publish full details at that time; you probably shouldn’t act on this until the details are worked out with the insurance companies.
1/6/22 – World Health Organization (WHO): announced two concerns:
Tedros repeated his call for greater equity globally in the distribution of and access to vaccines.–109 countries will miss the WHO’s target for 70% of the world’s population to be fully vaccinated by July, 36 nations had not even reached 10 percent vaccination cover. the WHO said cases increased by 71%, or 9.5 million, in the week to Jan. 2 from a week earlier, while deaths fell by 10%, or 41,000.
Second, we should not mistake those calling Omicron not as severe, as the same as being mild, and people taking risks. — The impact on the elderly is one of the big unanswered questions about the new variant as most of the cases studied so far have been in younger people. — “While Omicron does appear to be less severe compared to Delta, especially in those vaccinated, it does not mean it should be categorized as mild,” said WHO director general.
Larimer County (Loveland/Ft Collins) Each week, approximately 800 additional vaccine appointments will be available between two new vaccination clinics that LCDHE is hosting. www.larimer.org/covidvaccine sign up.
BOOSTER SHOTS at the Lyons Library were very popular – they gave out 68 doses, mainly to local kids, and some adults.
Government News
We reached the one year anniversary of the terrorist’s’ attack on the nation’s capital in an attempt to overthrow the November Election results, and jeopardize our Democracy. For the first time since taking office, President Joseph Biden gave a enthusiastic, almost fiery speech, about what happened that day. He said “the former president has created and spread a web of lies about the 2020 election. He does so because he values power over principle… ego vs. democracy.” He continued, that the defeated former president has spread the web over months, piece by piece. We must chose between democracy or authoritarianism. (definition: Authoritarianism is a form of government characterized by the rejection of political plurality, the use of a strong central power to preserve the political status quo, and reductions in the rule of law, separation of powers, and democratic voting.)
LYONS SURVEY RESULTS: As one of the first steps in the Town’s Comprehensive Plan update process, the Lyons community was surveyed throughout October and November. — The Community Survey asked respondents about their hopes and fears for the future, to identify issues and opportunities, and to assess how they felt Lyons was performing in key areas. —
A total of 376 individuals responded to the survey, thanks to all who participated!
A full summary of the Lyons Community Survey is available = go to the main page: https://lyonsthrive.com/project-documents and click on the survey. It is broken down into four groups, followed by a long section that states exactly what people wrote in the “comment section” of each group.
FIRE INSURANCE POLICY: Boulder Community Foundation news 1/11/22: After meeting with community leaders, the committee recommended, and our board approved, a $150,000 grant to United Policyholders to support anyone who needs help navigating their insurance policies. Representatives from United Policyholders are at the Disaster Assistance Center at 1755 South Public Road in Lafayette.
NO MORE SURPRISE MEDICAL BILLS:
· The federal government’s new law goes into effect 1/1/22. – If you receive a surprise medical bill after Jan. 1, 2022, contact both the provider and your insurer immediately. If they still insist on payment, you can file a complaint. The No Surprises Act bans most unexpected medical charges from out-of-network providers. (COLORADO ALREADY put their own law into effect January 2021).
· https://www.hhs.gov/about/news/2021/07/01/hhs-announces-rule-to-protect-consumers-from-surprise-medical-bills.html
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“Do Not Call” List violations: In the last fiscal year, nearly three million people signed up with the Do Not Call (DNC) Registry, bringing the total close to 245 million phone numbers. consumers can sign up for the DNC Registry for free. == Again this year, imposters were the ones that consumers reported the most, with more than 496,000 complaints received. Warranties and protection plans comprised the second-most commonly reported topic, with consumers filing more than 412,000 robocall complaints. Calls about supposed debt-reduction made up the third-most commonly reported topic, followed by complaints about medical and prescription issues, and computers and technical support.
President Biden visited the burnt out home sites in Louisville/Superior, Colorado this past week to inspect the site, and to emphasize that help is available. He said, “I intend to do whatever it takes, for as long as it takes, to support you, your state and local government, to help you recover from the fire and rebuild your community.” 1,300 have applied for help. The First Lady and all the top government officials from Colorado were also in attendance.
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”? Would you like to help a non-profit? or sell by commission?
FEATURE WRITERS: Join our crew of 33 local writers!
Write once a month, once a quarter, or once a year!
Send us your ideas for consideration.
Our next series will be on local artists.
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. Or write LyonsRecorder.Editor@gmail.com
For more information, write to: LyonsRecorder.Editor@gmail.com
This Week’s Articles:
==LACC/Arts announce a “call out” for outdoor sculptures (they pay a stipend)
==January is National SOUP Month – enjoy this Lentil soup recipe by a local
==BUS DRIVERS are Needed! Help your school & local bus routes
==Tips on how to accomplish our FITNESS New Year Resolutions
==COVID – info on how to Quarantine; and what are Symptoms
==COVID – Information on rapid increase in cases in BOULDER COUNTY
==WINTER DRIVING TIPS by CDOT, including weekly videos
==Obituary – Franziska Stein (Black Bear Inn)
==Obituary – “Stan” Stafford (local master stonemason)
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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”.
==”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:
Boulder County Wildfires – 1,000 homes destroyed
How you can help
DONATIONS: The Community Foundation of Boulder County has set up a fund to assist those impacted by the wildfires in Boulder County. Please visit their website to make a donation. (Please be patient, as their phone lines were overwhelmed.)
CLOTHING, FOOD & TOILITRIES ETC. — within three days, all of the major sites were overwhelmed with donations, and have closed their doors to further donations. They do not want to have to toss out goods that you could be donate to other causes.
VOLUNTEER at www.ColoradoResponds.org and www.RedCross.com
LODGING: If you are a private homeowner and want to help, you can sign up to be a vetted host through AirBNB. Anyone who signs up will be alerted through the AirBNB Open Homes Program, if needed. The Colorado Apartment Association has put up a Directory of apartments for those displaced by the fires, broken down by such things as “fees waived,” “lowered rent,” “speeded up processing time,” etc. Update your listing if you want to help.
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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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