NEWS Briefs & NOTES from your editor, 2/2/23
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.
Dear Readers,
We are in between two Holidays that symbolize the beginning of spring – or not!
The one you are probably the most familiar with is Groundhog Day. If we go back to the beginnings, the Pennsylvania Dutch immigrants to the US from Germany brought with them the tradition of marking “Candlemas” (February 2) as “Badger Day” (Dachstag), on which they watched if a badger emerged from its den and cast a shadow, thereby predicting four more weeks of winter. Today it is observed in the US and Canada.
Everyone probably knows the American version of the rodent – a groundhog — who appears in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania on February 2nd. It started back in 1887! You can look it up on Wikipedia to read the long story. Also Bill Murray’s nightmare movie about re-living the day over and over made the day even more famous. There is a live-stream of the Pennsylvania event, but you can probably look for a hearty Colorado prairie dog or marmot to judge the results.
The second Holiday is on February 1st. It was originally called Imbolc or Imbolg, a Gaelic traditional festival. And, later called St. Brigid Day. It use to mean the beginning of spring for Christians, but it’s hard for us to think about spring so early in the year — but then again, it is held HALFWAY between Winter Solstice and Spring Equinox!!! — it is the feast day of Saint Brigid, Ireland’s patroness saint. It’s so important that Irish banks are closed in honor of the Day on the first Monday in February! — the STRAW CROSS is part of her imagery. — Christians make one and display it in their home… asking her to bless it.
You may think twice about this, and make one of those crosses, as it is supposed to protect a house from fires! If you want to learn how to make one, (and hear her amazing life story), go to this page: ST BRIGID’s Day
It looks like it is going to be a sunny pleasant day, so it looks like we’re in for several more weeks of winter.
Have a great “almost spring” day, from your editor, Kathleen Spring 2/2/23
===NEWS YOU CAN USE===
WEATHER: We had an Artic Freeze hit Colorado, to the north. Lyons experienced day time temperatures on Sunday around 6 to 10 degrees, and some had below zero night temps going into Monday (around -7). Overnight and Monday, there was a light snow of one to four inches. == I-70 was closed for a whole day when a semi truck rolled over, hanging off the elevated westbound road, into the eastbound road. That was quite the sight to see on TV! == On Tuesday, there was only a small thin strip on the Colorado map of cities that did not go below zero, and Boulder and Lyons were among them! == Starting Thursday, the temperatures will go back up to the 40’s for the coming week!
ADDENDUM: I just saw this on Facebook (by James Louise) at 2PM on Thursday, and I thought it was worth sharing: To anyone who has never had the…. experience of attending Groundhog Day in Punxy, be advised there is a specific groundhog call people make for hours leading up to the “event” … and by event I mean 6 of the most boring hours of my entire life, standing in a cold field in the middle of nowhere with 0 amenities. No beverages, no bathrooms, 0. Then when it’s all over, you turn around and wait for an hour to get back on a school bus.=== PS: The average draw had been about 2,000 until the 1993 film Groundhog Day, which is set at the festivities in Punxsutawney, after which attendance rose to about 10,000.
DOG VALENTINES – I don’t promote most activities outside of Lyons, but I saw on tv an exclusive hotel in Old Ft. Collins promoting special Valentines events for “humans and their dogs” every Friday, Saturday and Sunday during February to “show their love.” It includes things like portraits, tricks, fitness, bonding, understanding, drinking with, etc. I think all events are free. And they also have special rates for you and your dog to say at the hotel, with special packages. I love their playful actions, like calling it “Yappy Hour” (Happy). Check out Elizabeth Hotel.
BRONCOS — 1/31/23 – Broncos to hire Sean Payton as next head coach. He was the top pick when the whole process started a month or two ago. We are lucky to get an experienced coach, who has won a Super Bowl, and many other accolades. The Broncos owners have agreed in principle on a deal to hire him. The compensation will involve multiple draft picks.
PINEWOOD SP – Hwy 36 – TRAFFIC STOP – On 2/6/2023, there will be traffic stops along Highway 36 while construction crews complete foundation work for a new transmission line near Estes Park. Traffic will be held in both directions on Highway 36 three times for about 10 minutes each during times of low commuter traffic. Once complete, traffic will resume normal flow.
JAYWALKING: Denver City Council passed a bill that would decriminalize Jaywalking! They say that most of the people who did it in the city were people of color who were disproportionately targeted when it came to issuing citations. Jaywalking is considered a Class B traffic citation, which can carry a fine of up to $95. With our small town, you see it daily on main street, and more. Let’s hope that the Town’s strict compliance officer who’s been lurking around town doesn’t try to change our way of life!
VOTE for 150th CO Anniversary license plate Feb 1-15
===BOULDER COUNTY & SENIOR INFO===
LINK to February SENIOR NEWS – senior news, activities, bus trips, wellness, meals, tax help, February birthdays.
REMINDER: The Boulder County Housing Choice Voucher lottery (for all ages) will be open from 8:30-4:30p.m. only on ONE DAY: Feb 8. Late applications will not be accepted. Some “financial assistance” is available. (This is not the form to get on a normal “waiting list”.) CLICK HERE for more info, and to apply on Feb. 8th. ======= Warning, if you click on the page today, it says there are “no openings”, but Boulder Co Housing tells me: It says on the page that “there are no open waiting lists at this time” because the waitlist does not open until February 8th at 8:30AM. If you read the first line of that message it gives the details of that there. On February 8th the page will update and it will prompt you to the application. It is a very easy process and it walks you through the application. ======== (Here is a LINK to their “general housing info” page — Housing – Boulder County. It updates as there are available rentals so be sure to check back often.)
BOULDER COUNTY AGING OFFICE is looking for a Senior Resource Specialist to work with Lyons (& Nederland) seniors — a benefited position; 30 hours a week (Tues-Fri, 8 a.m.-4 p.m.). This position will work in-office Tuesdays and Thursdays at the primary Lyons office location (the Senior Center). —-The Resource Specialist is responsible for meeting with clients, following an intake and assessment process, determine eligibility, develop an action plan, and provide information, referrals, and resource coordination. This position provides services to adults over 60, their caregivers, and adults with disabilities, who contact the Area Agency on Aging Virtual Call Center or Resource Specialists looking for resource information in Boulder County. Candidates should be committed to equity in service delivery. Learn more and apply here
SENIORS – We want to know what you want and need! == February 9, 12:15 p.m. Seniors – Community Conversation, presented by Lyndsay Neville, Bo Co Aging office. — Conversation to discuss what works well for older adults in Boulder County and what services and resources and needs should be addressed. — NOTE: weekly lunch is at 12:00 noon; *IF* you want one — you must call and order it by 1pm. on Wedn. 303-441-1415. (lunch is cod with tomato sauce and rice, cost $3 or sliding scale.)
===== END of Senior News =====
POST OFFICE short on staff – The “business part” of the Lyons post office closes from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. each day “for lunch.” They are short staffed and encourage you to apply for a job. They are currently hoping to interview locals, and then it goes ‘wide’ in about 10-20 days. See our ARTICLE for more details on this, =and= the INCREASE in POSTAGE for 2023. (part time janitor also needed 1.5 hr a day, 5 days)
CELL PHONE CONNECTIONS along hwy 36, betw Lyons and Estes Park – some residents have been saying that they are getting tweaks of connections along the road, and it is messing up their phone service. Others have suggested to them that they should put their phones on airplane mode ======= Oskar at XBar7 says that the service to Pinewood Springs will be affected: “as of January 2023, speeds are limited to either 100Mbps or 200Mbps. Later this year – after the fiber is connected at hwy36/Kiowa speeds will go up. Ultimately to Giagabit speed. Maps (on their web site) and coverage shown are approximate; coverage is not guaranteed. We need clear line of sight to the respective tower. — Starting likely in March we will hire. 2 fulltime positions. We certainly prefer to hire locals”
WEAR RED DAY is February 3 – meant to increase awareness of heart disease in women, and promote education and testing.
MEMBERSHIP DRIVE: The Lyons LION CLUB serves the public and its youth. (eg, distribute eye glasses to the needy; and scholarships to students). They meet 2nd and 4th Tuesday at 6 p.m. at LaMariposa — great long-time friendships are formed by like-minded good people. Contact Jerry Tabor or Larry Quinn for more information: 303-823-6710 gtabor6710@gmail.com PS Women are welcome to join!
MARKETPLACE “no’s” – did you know that Facebook Marketplace will NOT list anything medical – and I mean simple stuff like a thermometer or unused daily contact lenses (per comments on Lyons Happening). It would be great if the Town would put on a “town wide garage sale” this year in Sandstone Park again, now that COVID restrictions are over. Say something to your neighbor Board member, or recreation department staff, if you like the idea.
GIRLS SOCCER TEAM — It’s spring soccer season again! We have a girls soccer team in the U15 recreation league through Colorado Real, and we are looking for more girls. We play in Longmont on Saturdays; and practice in Lyons once or twice a week after 5 p.m. If you would like more information, please feel free to call me at 970-485-0447 and if you register fill in coach name as Connie Bell ===posted by Krissy Ellis
EXPRESS TOLLS – E-470-and-ExpressToll is starting 2023 off right with FROZEN toll rates on E-470. “E-470 wants to be the only thing in your budget that isn’t going up,” said E-470 Board Chair and Town of Parker Council Member John Diak. “The actions taken by the Board of Directors allow E-470 to have the financial stability to support current and future improvements to the roadway that will benefit customers without raising toll rates, so they can continue to choose E-470 for a quick, safe, and reliable commute.” www.ExpressToll.com
OLD MAN RALLY: Sunday, February 5, 2023 the Old Man Winter Rally will take place in Bohn Park. As part of their special event permit, 2nd Ave will be closed to vehicles on Sunday, February 5th, from 9:00 am – 5:00 pm from Park St to the Bohn Park and Recycling Center entrance. Residents will need to detour using McConnell and US-36 to bypass the temporary road closure. The closure will be signed and staffed by Boulder County Sherriff’s Department. All fees for the closure and staffing of it are paid for by the event organization. To learn more about it, go to our ARTICLE.
LCF is also planning a race – just before St. Patrick’s Day they will have a family-friendly LUCKY LYONS race. More details to come.
LYONS Community Blood Drive– FEB 24, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.—On Friday, February 24th, there will be a community blood drive, at the Lyons Regional Library.—There is a nationwide shortage of blood and your donation is very much needed. If you are able to donate, please visit the website vitalant.org and sign up today! The code for Lyons community blood drive is A069.
MEALS on WHEELS – container of prepared one-meal food delivered to your door, Mon to Fri. Greater Lyons area — for those who are unable to shop for or prepare a nutritious meal at least once per day. It is also a “well-being check” by the caring drivers. Sliding scale fee: $1.00 per meal for income under $800, then goes up $1100/1400/1700 income ($4 for over $1701). Contact LEAF for information. Meals are prepared in the Longmont Meals-on-wheels kitchen.
TEEN LASER TAG is back on Feb. 10th – see our things to do, or the Library web page for more information.
ENDING COVID COVERAGE: The government is ending on May 11 the Public Health Emergency, which means the end of free COVID tests and treatments, but vaccines and tests MAY still be free through insurance companies and Medicare, but medical providers may charge for things like “office visit fee”. Under the American Rescue Plan Act, people on Medicaid can get free at-home tests for about a year after the public health emergency ends. ======= 4 BILLS======= House Republicans had already planned votes this week on four bills aimed at moving the country past the pandemic. The president did not want an abrupt shut down of the benefits, and extended it to May. The House also wants to lift vaccine mandates for health workers (which had been upheld by the Supreme Court). And a Bill that would require federal agencies to reinstate their pre-pandemic telework policies. Some of these will affect the poorer population, such as Congress recently telling the states that they can begin to remove people from Medicaid coverage who were retained because of the PHE, starting April 1.
A NICE TID BIT: the Biden administration is working on reducing “JUNK FEES”, which include travel, entertainment and hospitality — including concert ticket sales tricks — and credit card late fees. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is proposing an $8 cap on credit card late fees.
National Wear Red Day, Friday, February 3, is an annual campaign to raise awareness about heart disease in women. Join NHLBI, The Heart Truth®, and organizations around the country
https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov › education-and-awareness
SCHOOL KIDS & PARENTS: announcement from elementary school PTO: BINGO NIGHT is coming up! We are excited to announce that we will have a Family Bingo Night this year – IN PERSON – for the first time since 2019 on Friday, March 3rd from 6 – 8 p.m. RAFFLE BASKETS are happening, too! We will have raffle baskets for kids AND for adults this year. We are beginning to gather items to build some awesome baskets to giveaway. Please check out our AMAZON WISH LIST for our 7 themed baskets. Put this on your calendar, and watch the PTO Facebook page for more information. We will not be repeating this.
KNITTING CLASS: don’t forget to sign up for the six-week knitting class; next week Feb. 8th LIBRARY REGISTER Page
In 19 days in 2023! there have been 44 mass shootings — 79 people killed.
(a mass shooting is when 4 or more people are injured in one incident). Write your congressman your thoughts on how to end this. (They really do read …and count… your letters).
………..you came here and read all these Goodies?! Pass on the Word… tell people what they are missing!
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Take Care of Yourself! See you next week!
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