NEWS Briefs & NOTES from your editor, 4/21/22
If there is ever an emergency in town, or timely news needing to be distributed, you can trust the Lyons Recorder to put it online immediately. == For the Wildfire this past weekend, we posted multiple updates on our Facebook page “as announced” by the Sheriff’s Office! …and then did a summary article of evacuations, damage, maps, and photos!
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Did you get your taxes done? You may be thinking, it’s past April 15th, why is she still talking about it? Well, it’s because I had a great experience with the free software offered thru the IRS! And I wanted to share it with you… either for the “extension filers,” or for next year.
First, I will say that I have always done my own taxes. I used to be “in a past lifetime,” a legal secretary—office manager—and full-term bookkeeper! That prepared me for when I started my own businesses later in life. Second, the last few years I started buying the software offered by H&R Block, and Turbo Tax. It really made the process easier and faster.
Then I heard that the IRS was offering “free tax software online.” You just chose one of the companies that they had connected with, and approved. I gave it a try and it was a mess to just get started… and I gave up.
Then… back in 2020… the IRS took steps to stop the tax software companies from saying they were offering free tax forms, and then turning around and charging people. This may be partially due to the taxpayer being steered away from the government web pages through online searches, or because they would insert coding that took you to their web page. The software companies also had strong lobbyist in Washington to prevent the IRS from developing its own simple software, whereby, no one would buy the commercial ones any more.
So, this year I went back and gave it a second try. I liked the commercial versions asking me questions, and was afraid that these free ones would be so basic. But, wow! I was delightfully surprised that it had very clear questions and instructions. (My geek side was very impressed!) And, this is for free?!
You’ve heard the news that the IRS is behind in processing millions of returns this past year. Their budget was cut, and they were short staffed. This year, they are hiring 10,000 more people. But “people” are in demand all over now that COVID is more under control, and there’s strong competition for staff. Also, they say that they are “aging out…” most of their staff are older and are retiring. I know a couple of people who loved the job, and said they got long summer’s off when tax season was over. Want to give it a try?
Any way, I can see why it is an excellent idea for the IRS to offer such easy, free software, which will reduce their man-hours processing the 1040 forms! Great for all of us!
………….Your Editor, Kathleen Spring
General News
EARTH DAY EVENTS: You can see our Things To Do article for events – but we wanted to call to your attention: (1) on Friday, Lyons Gateway Realty is sponsoring a “town streets clean up” between 1- 3 p.m. on Saturday (meet in front of the realty office on Main St), and (2) Can’d Aid (Oskar Blues’ nonprofit wing) is sponsoring Left Hand Creek Clean Up in Longmont on Saturday, from 12-2 p.m. (meet at the Longmont Museum). All nearby Front Range cities have full day activities going on Saturday, April 23. See our “Things to Do” page for info/links.
Channel 7 News interviewed Sam Tallent, co-owner of Stone Cup, as he talked about this past year being the worse he can remember as far as number of fires.
NEWS ON LYONS “TOWN HALL” MURAL –the design will only be on the “new” part of the building… which means on the flat wall where town hall BOT meets, and where the offices – not on the sandstone textured wall. That is about 2/3 of the façade of the building. That’s one big mural! What do you think?
SHIPPING DELAYS: Last week we reported that China was on shutdown due to a new wave of COVID infections. But I wanted to add that this will mean a major “supply chain shortage.” As you can imagine, China produces and ships a huge percentage of our products, from finished mattresses, to parts for electronics. Remember – Blame it on COVID, not our government.
Did you travel for Easter? They are saying that air flights are close to back to normal – meaning before pandemic prices and capacities. Reports have airline ticket prices up 40%; so if you’re planning on a summer vacation out of state, be aware that it will cost you far more. ==== Also the “mask mandate” has been lifted for all transportation (airplane/buses) in Colorado; however, each city/state will have their own rules, so bring your mask along!
Denver home prices are #5 in the list of “most unaffordable places to live” according to a new survey. We have an article this week that goes into more detail. But the median price is over ½ a million dollars! SEE OUR ARTICLE in next week’s issue for more Fun(?) Facts!
ASTRONAUT: A Colorado State University alumnus is poised to make his second trip to the International Space Station on April 23, and this time he’s the mission commander. Dr. Kjell Lindgren, who earned a master’s degree in cardiovascular physiology from CSU in 1996 before going to medical school at the University of Colorado, spent six months on the space station in 2015 as a flight engineer. While aboard, he called one of his CSU mentors, biomedical sciences Professor Emeritus C.W. Miller. Lindgren then visited campus the following spring to give a presentation about the mission and what it was like to conduct research in the orbiting laboratory, eat the first lettuce grown in space and play bagpipes on the space station. Lindgren was a crewmate of astronaut Scott Kelly.
APRIL is POETRY MONTH – would you like to submit a poem you wrote for our annual month of poems by locals? Please write us today at LyonsRecorder.Editor@gmail.com One last chance to get published!
TOWN BOARD OF TRUSTEES – We’ve got our new board officially now, and they are back to being IN PERSON!! Everyone knows that people act and give off body language, and are more wiling to speak up and ask questions, if they are face-to-face, in person (and also show more respect).
WHAT THEY DID: See our ARTICLE this week for a WONDERFUL LIST!! Of all the things that the past (2 year) BOT board accomplished!
INTRO to NEW BOT — Since originally published, we have had Glen Delman and Paula Williams respond to our QUESTIONS. Check it out. (We are still waiting for Ted Elson to respond).
MCCAIN EXCAVATING: Also, some have asked about the request by McCain Construction to include an “entrance/exit” on to 4th Avenue. The Board was in agreement that he had to abide by the rezoning agreement and there would be NO access or gate on 4th Ave. They expressed concern that there would be heavy machinery crossing the new 4th street sidewalk where kids would be walking to and from school and other after-school activities. If he does not abide, then the new “industrial zoning” is null and void and the company would be back in violation. =NEXT step= They must finish the promised perimeter fence by Memorial Day – it was supposed to be done in March – as of 4/21/22 one-quarter of it is finished.
STOP IT! RIVER DAMS: — this was on Lyons Discussion /Facebook by Greg Lowell, this past week: In the post-flood years, the town spent millions in FEMA funds restoring the river down through town, making it flood-resilient and beneficial to river life. Firms like DHM Design and S2O used science and hydrology to construct the river you see today. Now it appears that somebody or some group has decided they know better. A number of 4 to 8-foot eddy walls have been constructed on both sides from the McConnell Bridge to the October Hole. These aren’t little kids playing in the river; these are obstructions created with big rocks taken from the banks. These structures channel the river, increase flow speed and erode the banks. All this in the area where tubers, rafters and end-to-end kayakers take out. Stop it! Better yet, deconstruct what you built and trust that the river designers knew what they were doing. I’ve alerted town Parks & Rec to the issue, and we’ll see what comes of it. — Lyons Municipal Code has strict standards regarding altering the river flow under Sec. 18-13-350. (NOTE: the conversation ended with letting the Town take care of the matter; and several people offering to help get in the water and fix it.)
Lyons Community FARM PROJECT: they are meeting bi-monthly on Wednesdays. You may want to join now! With all the spring happenings – here is what they did this week: we did a land acknowledgment to the property where we are able to plant this years seeds. And afterwards looked over and discussed our DESIGN (which is evolving) and determine which aspects we are ready to put in place this spring! We will also be scheduling community work days! Big love to our community and big mama, the earth that feeds us all! — Contact Saoirse Watters on Facebook, or lyonscommunityfarmproject@gmail.com, or just go to the meetings at 5:30p.m. Next one May 4th.
Warning, Young MTN LION prowling – Ethan Marlatt saw one on his porch Wednesday – he said: “Fyi my dog just chased a mountain lion off my front steps on 5th Ave down the alley between Reese & Seward…” Those homes have a deer trail behind them, so they are more likely to see this kind of action. He says he has often seen deer, fox and bears! – Other people soon posted that they too had seen the young cat along the homes on 5th Ave.
======SCHOOL NEWS=========
HIGH SCHOOL BAND: Congratulations to the Lyons High School Band, which performed today at the State Concert Band Festival. To get here, they had to place in the top 32 bands at regionals (out of 180) – Lyons is the only band in SVVSD that made it to State. They performed beautifully and earned high praise from the judges. If you know a band kid, give them a squeeze and a high-five. And if you want to hear them play, put May 4th on your concert for the return of the Lyons Fine Arts Festival.
SCHOOL BASEBALL: Info shared by Meg Waters: If you have an elementary-age baseball player, don’t miss “Youth Day” at the Lyons HS baseball game this Saturday… The high school team has a home game against Byers that starts at 10am (on 4/23) at the baseball field behind the high school. Coach O says: ==We’re calling it Youth Day at the Park. All elementary/middle school-aged kids will get in free to the game with their jersey or school shirt. If we have enough kiddos at the game in time for the national anthem, we’ll have 9 of them go out with the starters for it. Maybe even recruit 1-2 to be bat boys/girls. To participate, it would be great to arrive around 9:30am
PROM: This year the Prom was early – done in April instead of May. Both the Prom and After-Prom were done in public festive venues, with no “social distancing,” or masks required! Take a look at the exciting, beautiful photos that were taken.
FIRE News
HIGH WINDS and FIRES, and FIRE DEPARTMENTS NEWS. ===Lyons suffered a wildfire over the weekend that burned 113 acres, around many homes, and going up the mountainsides. The Lyons Recorder published on its Facebook page multiple UPDATES throughout the weekend. Some some structures, like sheds were lost. A friend of mine said she moved in with her daughter because her home had received SMOKE DAMAGE! ==== On Monday, when the fire was announced 100% contained, we published an ARTICLE, which gives all the details – what streets or highways were involved, the timeline, and more (and a map, and some photos). Plus, the thank you from the Lyons Fire Department to those (a list) who helped. — It became our #1 most read article the past month! We are so honored to be able to give you the info you need and want.
Larimer County Assessor to survey 37E fire properties======Properties in the recent 37E fire burn area will be surveyed by staff from the Larimer County Assessor’s==========Office this week. Assessor staff will be in the field during normal business hours from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in Larimer County vehicles and equipped with Larimer County ID cards for identification purposes. “The property survey will ensure property owners receive fair and equitable valuations from damage caused by the fire,” said Larimer County Assessor Bob Overbeck. “Our thanks go out to the hard work by the first responders, and thus far, no damages to buildings have been reported.
”Nearby” LARGE ONGOING FIRES:
==Las Vegas, New Mexico – northern part of state – had a fire 4/15/22 that burned down 200+ homes and killed two people. // Wednesday: The Simona Fire, located near Jarales, remains estimated at 165 acres and 0% containment. The fire continues to burn on both sides of the Rio Grande tonight. The Cooks Peak Fire, located on private land north of Ocate, is now estimated at 20,000 acres and 0% containment.
==Flagstaff, Arizona — northern part of state – Wednesday: The Tunnel wildfire doubled in size overnight into Wednesday, covering more than 19,000 acres, with zero containment.
The COLORADO WILDFIRES continued this week – here are the latest: Mills Ranch Fire, 7 acres – contained // Bent Fort near Fort Lyons Fires near Colorado Springs 2.5 sq. miles – contained // Ft. Lyons 4.5 sq. miles – contained // 4/16/22 – Grass fire // 4/16/22 – fire near Gypsum, I-70 closed. Re-opened at approximately 8 p.m. // 4/19 – Near Hygiene, a grass fire in the area of the 8000 blk. of N. 41st street, with the loss of a shed// Tues 4/20 grass fire near Tally Ho Trail, in Gun Barrell // Wedn 4/20 small fire near Flagstaff // Wed 4/20 Streets 51st to 75st, and Nelson to Neva Roads got “mandatory evacuation” notices; which were lifted an hour later.========This is getting ridiculous and nerve-wracking! I will probably not list these any more.========= The outlook for rain this weekend is good. But FRIDAY will be HIGH WINDS in the 60mph range!! Beware!
VOTE/FIRE DEPT==someone asked about a ballot they got in the mail for the two positions being voted on and an official responded: Heather Ella Koertgen – I am the Designated Election Official for the Election. There was a misprint on the ballot envelope and, per legal counsel, we are recommending people cross off number 1 prior to signing. The current Board Members are running unopposed, but their term is up this year and we are required to hold an election as a Special District. Both Chief Zick and I are happy to answer questions. Please email either of us: elections@lyonsfire.org and chief@lyonsfire.org. Ballots can be dropped off at Station 1 by appointment prior to May 3, or on May 3 from 7:00 am – 7:00 pm.
The new Lyons Fire Chief Zick has prepared some information about his goals, including fire mitigation, and we will publish that ARTICLE probably next week.
Business News
====JOBS ===Almost every restaurant and cafe in town is advertising for “help wanted.” Go inside and ask.
KINFOLK PIZZA + CHICKEN CLOSING: Message from owner: Howdy Kinfolk!!
We have some news= Our lease at Mainstage has come to an end and we have made the difficult decision to not sign for another year. We’re planning on opening another location in the near future, so keep a look out for our next adventure! Our last day will be May 1st here at Mainstage so make sure to come by and enjoy some mouth-watering pizza and chicken over the next couple of weeks. Mainstage is planning on still rocking beer and food.
Love the Myers and kinfolk family
MESSAGE FROM MAINSTAGE BREWING: Big news- You may have heard, but our good friends @kinfolkpizzachicken are moving on to set up their own spot! Since day 1 of this adventure we always knew and expected that Kinfolk would make a move to open their own full location and we look forward to stopping in for a slice in the near future. We couldn’t be more excited about this transition for Henry and wish him the best of luck on his next step! Kinfolk will be operating under normal hours through May 1st. —Here at MainStage we are planning on continuing to craft the highest quality food and also plan to expand our vegetarian and vegan options in the near future. The current Kinfolk staff have all been offered positions with MainStage so no one is out of a job
RABBIT BRUSH GALLERY – We mistakenly mistook the name of this store with a store that use to be in Lyons in the mid 2000’s by the name of Rabbit Mtn. Cottage Furnishings, which sold painted, hand-made furniture, carpets and more. This RB Gallery is strictly an art and gift gallery, and is partially moved into Lyons this past week, after being in Hygiene for 16 years. They hope to have a soft opening in about two weeks. We will do a notice in the newspaper when we hear more.
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.
==APRIL SENIOR NEWS. As usual we have a TON of tips, links, and more in the MONTHLY article!
==LYONS LIBRARY
TOWN SOFTBALL LEAGUES: still – only 3 teams have signed up as of 4/21/22. See Town Hall web pages to sign up; or the Facebook page for info. 11 week season with 10 weeks of regular games and the last week of playoff games. They need six teams!
April 23 – Saturday – while Friday is officially Earth Day most cities are celebrating it with activities on Saturday. === Rocky Mt Natl Park has info booths, Jr Ranger activity, and a trash clean up. == Click for more info on: BOULDER / LONGMONT === Lyons Gateway Realty is doing a “Town Clean UP Day” on Friday. See Things to do for more details.
===REPEATS===
APRIL IS LATIN AMERICAN MONTH AT THE LYONS LIBRARY – Numerous Programs, and lectures all month long, with the finale April 30 – 4-6 p.m. – Library. Article: Baile Latino- FIESTA!
LYONS FILM FESTIVAL – Showing films in Blocks; some speakers. April 29-30 at The Prickly Pear on Main St.. For details and tickets go HERE —- GO To ARTICLE for a detailed discussion on the festival, and some of the filmmakers who will be talking.
COVID-19 NEWS=====
MASKS on PLANES appears to be ended. This week, the CDC is disagreeing with a judge’s ruling on this. — NOTE, some cities and states still have mandates that you will need to abide by, so bring your mask along!
The FDA on Thursday 4/14/22 issued an emergency use authorization for what it said is the first Breathalyzer device that can detect Covid-19. It is the size of a piece of carry-on luggage and can be used in doctor’s office, clinics, hospitals and mobile testing vehicles.
South Korea is dropping most pandemic-related curbs, including a midnight curfew on eateries, this week except an obligation to wear masks outdoors. This is one of the most successful countries that was fast to stop the spread of the FIRST round of COVID-19. In December 2021 it had an average of 3,000 new cases a day (the whole country!) The number of coronavirus cases in the country appears to have passed its peak after hovering over 620,000 a day in mid-March, with the daily infections falling to below 130,000 on Friday. South Korea, who has largely managed to limit deaths and critical cases through widespread vaccinations, has scaled back its once-aggressive tracing and containment efforts. Nearly 87% of the country’s 52 million population are fully vaccinated
Help Wanted, Lyons Recorder=====
TECH HELP — Can you spare a day each month to help with Tech work on our newspaper? Do you know WordPress?
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 37 local writers!
Write once a month, once a quarter, or once a year!
Send us your ideas for consideration.
Our next series is on local artists.
For more information, write to: LyonsRecorder.Editor@gmail.com
This Week’s Articles:
==EARTH DAY April 22
………Read this fascinating article about POLLINATORS! Lyons is particularly a “nature and garden” loving town! Many people have talked on Facebook about planting more “pollinator friendly flowers and trees” and this article gives you many quality tips… including links to things like “native plant locator.” I personally loved the facts about why we should love larvae!
………Who doesn’t love BABY ANIMALS in SPRINGTIME! check out the photos, which include interesting information about the animal, and photographer.
==LYONS FILM FESTIVAL started the year after the Great Flood of 2013; read the story of how it grew into FIVE! Front Range festivals; as well as, examples of some of the great films and their filmmakers who will be there “in person.”
==PROM and AFTER PROM PARTY: enjoy these photos of some great teens having FUN!!
==Board of Trustee “final” and “first” meeting – review a list of the major accomplishments of our “exiting BOT;” and check out the new BOT.
==Continuing our NATIONAL POETRY MONTH, we have a poem by a Colorado (senior citizen) poet called “Winning in Love.” It is an inspiring and hopeful poem about living in the Time of COVID.
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==NEWS BRIEFS & NOTES from your editor – “News Announcements” that are too short to have their own article.
Covering Government, Covid, Activities, Town, Businesses, School, and Town ”gossip”.
==”Your To Do List” – APRIL – find out details about upcoming activities, classes, deadlines, and more.
==ABOUT TOWN by LaVern Johnson, tid bits of news from around town. — no column this week.
ENJOY!
MY WEEKLY MESSAGE OF CARE:
DONATE ORGANS & TISSUE: In 2021, 67% of Coloradans said yes to joining the Donate Life Colorado Organ and Tissue Donor Registry when getting their driver license or I.D. card. The national average is 58%. Colorado continues to be one of the most generous states in the U.S. when it comes to donation and Donor Alliance recorded another remarkable year for organ and tissue donation and transplantation. 226 organ donors from Colorado provided 614 life-saving transplants in 2021. The organization also worked with 1,923 tissue donors and their families to recover the lifesaving and healing tissue that will provide tissue such as bone and skin grafts to thousands of recipients in need. Despite the progress that has been made, there are still around 1,500 people in Colorado on the transplant waiting list. Saying Yes when obtaining or renewing a driver license or state ID supports the mission to save the lives of our neighbors through organ, eye and tissue donation. Learn more at DonateLifeColorado.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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