NEWS Briefs & NOTES from your editor, 6/29/23
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,
Happy 4th of July – What will you be doing to celebrate our Freedom? Put out the old red-white-and-blue! Flags, tablecloths, t-shirts, sparklers, and more! I have put together a list of places you can go to see parades and FIREWORKS! in the Front Range, and of course the big downtown Denver one. – Remember all government offices will be closed. Some places will take a 4-day weekend off, so don’t assume that a place is open on Monday. Call ahead.
In this day and age, when we have Ukraine fighting for its freedom, this holiday becomes even more “alive” in our hearts and minds. We see the Ukraine citizens stand up so vividly and whole-heartedly against domination — something that most people have not seen in their lifetime. It is so invigorating …and touching.
We’ve seen many wars in the past few decades with countries fighting civil wars or being attacked by bigger, aggressive, oppressive forces, but we have not seen anything like the Ukraine people’s vigor and pride, …and survival in the face of cruel, senseless, destructive attacks. We all know that if they were conquered, that it would give Russia confidence to go after more Balkan countries. And that is why the majority of the countries in the world are sending military weapons aid to Ukraine, including the USA. Remember to give a toast to these brave citizens on our day of freedom, the 4th of July!
…….. from your editor, Kathleen Spring
PS Russia had a Russian independent army, run by a mercenary chief who had been working with Putin, almost rush its capital Saturday, which could have started a Civil War. It was settled quietly, but it showed “cracks” in Putin’s leadership.
NEWS YOU CAN USE
WEATHER: It was a crazy week in Colorado with some heavy rain (flooding) and hail and even a tornado. Lyons was not hit hard. Starting Monday, June 26, the 90 degree days have started. With the weather finally being dry, Everyone (including me) was out weed whacking the 1 to 2 feet tall grass! === There is a fire burning in Parachute, Colorado, 200 miles west of Denver; so you may see some “haze” from the smoke. So far no threats to buildings; or evacuation orders. 6/28/23
GOOD OLD DAYS went off without a hitch, with a sunny day on the lawn. Multiple town officials spoke about history preservation, and the upcoming 2013 Flood events; plus honors given out. See our ARTICLE for all the exciting details.
Seniors – Rockies BASEBALL game “bus trip” coming up in July 19, 9:30 – 5:30p.m.– see “Senior News” or our “Things to Do.” Or contact Lisa Ramsey.
Boulder County HOUSING AUTHORITY has three openings for apartments. See their ARTICLE this week for locations, and a link to the application.
HWY 36 CELL PHONE SERVICE FROM TOWERS: After a quiet couple of months, there was a fresh post on the Pinewood Spring Facebook asking about any new developments, as it seems like nothing has changed with “bars” sometimes happening and the sporadic service. — Cathy Larson responded: Bars only mean you see an RF signal, it doesn’t mean it is connected all the way through to a switch yet. They sometimes do that while they are tuning the RF system to make sure it works properly and while they get everything else ready to go, especially on a multi site system it can take a bit. Verizon is good about troubleshooting ahead of time. Some of the carriers just turn stuff on and let the customers call in trouble or use statistics to try and get the system optimized. —Probably not the case here but you can oftentimes see full bars but not have coverage in areas where the system is overloaded. RF availability doesn’t mean the rest of the system has available capacity.
SONNY SMITH has had ongoing problems with his legs for about 4 years, and this past week he announced: “I found out yesterday that I’m going to have an amputation on Monday of my left knee so please don’t feel sorry for me but please just send prayers and just stand there with your prayers beside me. I love all my peeps and Lyons and you know this, so I will be in touch with everybody and, you know I love everybody so I will be in touch and God bless the world” — Yes, we send him prayers!
Boulder County warning: Residents who are at an increased risk of exposure to mpox are urged to take precautions following a recent rise in Colorado cases. Mpox (formerly known as monkeypox) is a rare virus that does not easily spread between people with casual contact. Rather with infectious sores and body fluids, contaminated items (clothing or bedding), or through respiratory droplets associated with prolonged face-to-face contact. Anybody can get it.
FISHING RULES: Warn your visiting friends and relatives that there are strict rules on when/ where/ how you can fish in the St. Vrain River. There are big prominent signs.
ARTISTS: Reminder: 1 week left to get your “FUNKY WHIMSICAL TOWN” themed creative pieces ready to drop off on FRIDAY July 7, 5-7 p.m.
JOB: Lyons Middle/Senior High School: We are hiring for a few positions if you are looking to join a fantastic team with a great community of educators! If you know anyone interested, please have them reach out to Principal Frank at frank_christopher@svvsd.org or apply at AppliTrack.com ——High School Special Education Teacher —–High School Assistant Football Coach
BUS – ZERO FARE FOR CLEAR AIR is back – free bus fare in July and August. All agencies that participated last year during the pilot program in AUGUST saw increased ridership—ranging anywhere between 2% to 59%. This year they are expanding the program for the entire summer // and this year Boulder County is joining in with specials… incl. adding a mid-day bus ride on the LYONS FLYER from Lyons to Boulder! So people can take ½ day trips == be sure to support this so that they continue it YEAR ROUND! See our ARTICLE for more details.
CLARK’s HARDWARE SALE: The general consensus among residents about the sale to SpiritHound was (1) they are happy to see the Clarks retiring happily and (2) they are very upset that they will be losing a hardware store (SpiritHound is also sad about it). — If you missed it, take a look at the Index at the bottom of the web page under “Business” for the link to the article.
June 29, 10 a.m. – 2:15 p.m. – Lyons Blood Drive, register for a spot, (or show up and wait for an opening). Vitalant.org – at Lyons library.
STEVIE LaRUE (1) The Memorial will be July 23, 2 p.m., at River Bend. We will print the Obituary as soon as it is ready (2) Estate sale- everything free to a good home. Please pick up at Walter Self Senior Housing complex at 335 Railroad Ave in Lyons. Items need to be picked up ASAP, ideally by the end of this week. Message Pete LaRue on Facebook with any questions, thank you!
JULIE’S THAI — Julie is still healing from the band hand injury. She appreciates your prayers and good wishes. The store will be open limited days, and you can get carry out.
NO TUBING: This is a reminder that the St Vrain Creek through Lyons remains closed for tubing. The tubing ban/closure will remain in effect until rescinded by the Sheriff, when water levels are deemed safe enough for floating.
DOG PARK – blocked Access — — On Thursday, June 29, 2023 and Friday, June 30, 2023, from 8 am – 6 pm, Brannan Sand and Gravel will be milling Welch Dr, Welch Ct and McConnell (from Welch Dr to Bohn Ct – in front of the Middle/Senior High School) as the first phase of street improvements. —– During construction, parking on these streets will be prohibited. There will be NO PARKING allowed for the contractors to complete the work. Those who need to access the trail to the Dog Park, should park along 2nd Ave or utilize the trail from Bohn Park and walk. Please remember your leash. Thank you!… from Town of Lyons.
The Jacobson art show on Apple Valley has two openings left. Low prices for booths. See Becky! Date is August 5th.
===WILDLIFE== and goats
RATTLESNAKES: Donna Nespoli is no longer handling rattlesnake matters and relocations. Gil Sparks has stepped up to offer help. If you have questions write him at Gsparks@nwi.net. Mat Hughey, Lyons, does rattlesnake avoidance training for dogs, and you can find him online.
MOOSE spotted in Lyons last Friday… crossing Sandstone park! ==== And again along Old St. Vrain Road. See our Photo Spread.
MOUNTAIN LION sightings in downtown home area of Lyons last week.
SQUIRRELS: Pinewood Springs residents had several Facebook comments about squirrels, and most people said that there were fewer than usual. Some were wondering if the heavy rain had an effect on the things they needed for their normal diet.
BEARS – two Pinewood Spring residents have seen two good-size bears wandering around… one slightly larger… on the east side of town.
GOATS are back in Lyons this summer, eating the weeds on big Town of Lyons properties. Electric fences, and signage.
===CONSTRUCTION===
LYONS 6/21/23: north end of Ewald closed per town and Lyons Fire Dept to all traffic until they do a locate so they can dig to see if it is a leaking pipe or the beginnings of something worse. Thank you Lyons Fire for responding so quickl
Private AFFORDABLE HOUSING on Evans Street – they are in the process of removing the asbestos this past week. The demolition should be coming soon, maybe this coming week. We will have a full update soon. The modular builds are progressing ‘on time.’
TOWN OF LYONS STREET REPAIRS: Contractors for the Town will be mobilizing for 2023 street improvement projects on Town-managed streets for the next several weeks, weather permitting. There will be both chip seal work, as well as milling and overlay and patching work.=== The contractor has posted NO PARKING and put out notices out for those streets and areas impacted. Please note that due to the complexities of milling, paving and chip sealing, no vehicles may be parked on any of the affected roads. Each area has received notification. Please be aware that if a vehicle or trailer is parked in a NO PARKING area for the project, it will be towed at the owners expense.==== Streets that are impacted include: Steamboat Valley Rd, Vasquez Road, Vasquez Court, Eagle Valley Drive, Osprey Lane, Peregrine Lane, Falcon Lane, Welch Drive, Welch Court, McConnell Drive (in front of the High School from Bohn Ct to 2nd Ave), Eagle Canyon Circle, Eagle Canyon Drive, Eagle Nest Lane ==== Lyons — CRACK SEAL and CHIP SEAL OPERATIONS btw. 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM.
HWY 7 ROCK SLIDE — It took crews four days longer than expected (12 days total) to clear the rock slide of 2,000 tons of rock on Hwy 7 – resulting in 180 truck loads. But they still have to repair the road. On Friday, June 23, after clearing more than 90 percent of the rocks that slid onto CO 7 between Allenspark and Lyons; geo technical experts from the Colorado Department of Transportation discovered a deeper fracture area on the mountain that will force the extension of the closure through at least the middle of next week. CDOT’s approach to eliminate the risk and hazard to the traveling public is to remove these in a controlled environment to keep everyone safe. There will be no blasting above, but there may be some to break up very large boulders on the road.
Estes Park construction is continued with the “roundabout” at Hwy 36 and Community Road no longer down to one lane with the traffic light removed this past weekend for holiday and summer traffic. === The Loop will take two years, and they are trying to do work that won’t disrupt the traffic, such as curbs; and working at night.
===GOVERNMENT===
Mayor Rogin will be attending the Colorado Municipal League Annual Conference in June. The Town Administrator Simsonsen will also be attending.
President Joe Biden on Monday said that “high-speed internet is no longer a luxury but an “absolute necessity.” He said that more than $40 billion would be distributed across the country to deliver high-speed internet in places where there’s either no service, or service is too slow.. Colorado got millions — we will have a full article on Colorado’s share in July.
6/27/23: The Supreme Court has ruled that state courts can act as a check on their legislatures in redistricting — and other issues affecting federal elections. The court rejected arguments by North Carolina Republicans that could have transformed contests, particularly for a president or Congress.
===SUMMER TIME NEWS===
LYONS LIBRARY = Summer Reading Club for all ages. BINGO-style reading logs that have 25 suggested activities. See our ARTICLE for details.
SUMMER CONCERTS in the PARK every Wednesday at 6:30 p.m.==== See our ARTICLE for a description of the acts. You’ll want to save that link!
REMINDER: CLASS REUNION: Holly Haakenson–Class of 2003 —It’s been twenty years —DM me for more details and if your able to attend! July 14 and 15, 2023. Or 303.941.7974 Haakensonh@gmail.com.
July 12 – 4:30 p.m. – 2023’s 3rd quarter LAHC Tandem Art Shows’ Opening Reception with food and music. See ARTICLE in July.
Basketball Pick Up Game, every Tuesday and Thursday at 6p.m. in Bohn Park!
Boulder County OPEN SPACE TOURS / WALKS / PROGRAMS — we have a list of 20! going on in July. Most require you to register, but all are free.
See our THINGS TO DO for MORE DETAILS on these events, /plus/ a full calendar of more activities and events. See the Library calendar page for children’s events. See local bars Facebook pages for bands performing.
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