NEWS Briefs & NOTES from your editor, 8/10/23
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,
So what did you do on our one day of cooool weather? Sunday. Unfortunately, it was a grey sky and threatened to rain most of the day, but it was still nice and cool. I baked lasagna in the oven! Yum. And did some yard work. The rain didn’t start “here” till about 5/6p.m.
There was a long discussion on Lyons Discussion page in Facebook about the future growth of Lyons. There were 70 comments, which shows that people are concerned. But, the comments that rose above the opinions came from the four top people in town who keep themselves informed about what is going on at town hall; they gave their informed opinion on what land is factually available to expand on, and said that the BOT’s discussions on annexing more land is wasted time. The bottom line seemed to be that Lyons has very limited growth potential, and that is a relatively small area referred to as the East Corridor. Other areas are too costly and developers are in it to make money. . . Areas like Stone Mtn., Steamboat Valley, and Apple Valley were discussed, but arguments ruled them out as possible areas of easy expansion. Many other important relevant topics were brought up like the 5-acre rule, implemented some 20 years ago, and the waste treatment capabilities in town. If you want to read the details, go to “Lyons, Colorado – Open Discussion.”
That means that we should support existing properties that bring in sales tax dollars, so that residents don’t get burdened with higher taxes.
…….. from your editor, Kathleen Spring
NEWS YOU CAN USE
WEATHER: Lyons experienced some great weather this past week. Saturday and Sunday were toward the cooler side, with Sunday barely getting to 70 degrees. We have been lucky. ===== Many other Colorado cities have been getting heavy hail storms. Ft. Collins got 1 to 1.5” of hail on August 5th (and has had 12 reports of hail this year! Limon had “tennis ball size” hail on Tuesday) Also, there have been multiple hurricanes reported over the past month, even at higher (unusual) elevations! (but no major damage). =====Larimer County issued a flood disaster declaration Wednesday 8/9/23 due to the monsoon’s destruction. =====We had our first dry weather in many weeks! Plus it has been in the low 80s all this week! The weekend will start up the hotter weather and afternoon thunder storms again. Folks Festival people be warned.
SCHOOL REMINDER — August 11 to 21 are dates Lyons kids return to school (depending on their “grade”) – PLEASE DRIVE SAFE – Slow down in town, and watch out for the kids, please!
HIP HOP LIBRARY – Lyons Library put on a party to end the Summer Reading Camp. They brought back popular Mr. Neal who does improv Hip Hop. The kids and adults were amazed at what sounds he can make with just his mouth and a microphone! It was such fun. The weather was perfect, and the library had top notch “Bubbles” and “Face Painting” – probably the Best I’ve seen! Plus staff gave out flavored ice cones. == Emails were sent to prize winners.
FUTURE HOUSING IN LYONS: Be aware of this opportunity, it’s worth a look=== Bohannan Huston is the company that is spearheading this opportunity to provide feedback regarding housing for the “missing middle.” lyonshousingfuture.com website ===== Share your thoughts on the map – choose a location, then click “Add Marker” and drop at your selected location. You’ll then be prompted to select a category for your comment and enter some details. MAPPING PAGE
NO TROLL for LYONS – Back in January/February, Byron Fears was working hard to get a troll installed in the Lyons area. First, there was some difficulty in arranging for the large down payment that the artist was requesting; and, secondly, finding a good place to place it. With the new troll art work opening this week in Victor, Colorado, it looks like our hopes of getting one here are dashed, as the sculptor did not seem to want to do more than two in any state. (Byron has asked us not to do a feature article in January until things were more solidified. He has not responded to our email earlier this week on updates.) ==== You may recall — Isak Heartstone the 40th recycle wood sculpture by Thomas Dambo. It was made for Breckenridge Creative Arts Festival Breck Create in 2018. Breckenridge’s troll was so popular that people were parking on streets and blocking traffic, so they had to move it. The new one is located in Victor, CO, which is south of Cripple Creek. It opened this week. It was placed near an old mine. ====
CLASS: “Mid-life Chrysalis, Movement in Menopause” offered by Tracey Holderman on Mondays 8:30-10a,m,…class begins 8/21 = 10 week series, drop-ins welcome =$15/class= Location: Alchemy Arts Farm, 1005 Apple Valley Rd. Contact her on Facebook. Or email with your questions to: traceyholderman@gmail.com A web site will be available soon.
St Vrain School District SVVSD superintendent Don Haddad has been appointed to state Business Experiential Learning Commission. LaVern Johnson and he developed a close relationship in their support of Lyons schools.
LOWLINE WILD FIRE, near Gunnison, is still burning. It is 55% contained.
Boulder County Fireshed, a coalition of experts, firefighters and community leaders, has been intensifying its efforts to reduce wildfire threats across these under-protected acres. And this week it released its long-awaited report — Grassland Management in Boulder County: Challenges and Opportunities Following the Marshall Fire — for public viewing. === The document provides useful background as well as steps residents can take to protect their properties from future fires. This includes using services like the Wildfire Partners Program and Boulder Fire-Rescue’s Home Assessment program, as well as common mitigation practices like clearing flammable brush and shrubbery from your property and removing wooden fencing, which played a major role in spreading the Marshall Fire. (thanks to Joycelyn Fankhouser for keeping us informed)
SEXUAL HARRASSMENT CASE: Craig Ferguson, Planet Bluegrass, is being sued by a former employee who alleges persistent sexual harassment, unwanted touching and wrongful termination. He was arrested in June for violating a permanent restraining order requested by her. (employee name withheld)
TRIATHLON = ALWAYS WANTED TO TRY ONE? Here’s Your “easy” Chance! ==August 19 – Longmont’s “Triathlon” / “TRY A TRI” = two triathlon races! Featuring scenic running and biking courses starting and finishing at the Longmont Recreation Center, 310 Quail Rd., these races are a perfect introduction to the sport for kids or adults looking to try something new! ====This year, they have two events:== 18th Annual Kids Only Triathlon== 11th Annual Try-A-Tri. (Only $10 early registration) August 18. REGISTER. Volunteers also needed.
DON’T FORGET about the FREE Lyons Flyer Bus service in town! If you don’t use it, you lose it! === see our past articles or the Town web site for details == early morn and late day rides, but in summer also a mid-day ride.
ACCIDENT Hwy 7 – Wedn 8/9/23 – Motorcycle accident — 2 tow trucks and Troopers on scene to clean up. Between mile marker 25 and MM 27.
PINEWOOD Springs – Help Choose the next “One Book One Valley” title at the Estes Park library. Cast your vote for the 2024 One Book One Valley community read. Voting open through August 18. LINK. It’s down to 3 books.
Lyons Fire Protection District will host three opportunities to attend a Community Meeting in August. All meetings will be held at Lyons Fire Station. See their Facebook page or web page for more details.
REMINDER: Planet Bluegrass has leased LaVern Johnson Park from August 10-14 for the Rocky Mountain Folks Festival. Per the lease agreement, residents may walk through the park with proof of local address.== Bohn Park is available for picnics and tubing access.
Power Outage 7/31/23, 8PM – power interruption in an area roughly between North 95th, McIntosh Lake, Lyons and Colo. 66, including our customers in the Apple Valley Road area. A map of the affected area has been posted in the comments below. Crews have been dispatched to restore power; we are typically able to restore power in one hour or less. (Kevin Mahoney reported on Facebook: Just watched lightening take out a transformer somewhere East on 66 in a spectacular glow of blue. Then, about 30 secs later, hit something very close to it that glowed bright red.)
DOWNTOWN COMMERCE – see below under Government and/or Construction.
POST OFFICE CLEANING Person Wanted: Schedule Days: Monday – Friday; Scheduled Time: 1.5 hours per day (daytime hours ONLY. No evenings/night shifts) Pay: Starting at $19.60/ per hour. Must past background/drug checks.
NEW COMMISSIONER: Rhonda Vandenbos was appointed Monday, August 8, to the Housing and Human Services Commission. That leaves one vacancy. Contact Town Hall to apply. Welcome Rhonda!
ESTES PARK Library == get an introduction to artificial intelligence on August 23 or August 28 – we’ll give you the facts about Chat GPT & other A.I. tools.
LAVERN JOHNSON PARKING – numerous people who live near the park are angry at the public parking in front of or near their homes, causing difficulties in getting in and out of their driveways safely. The “no parking” signs were removed this year. Greg Lowell plans to present the problem to the relatively new Board of Trustees, who may not be aware of the dangerous and messy problem.
COLLEGE APP INFO: at Lyons Library, August 24, Join Professor Emerita Manette Ansay for tips on creating original essays and building compelling applications. Manette has spent the last 30 years teaching and advising college students at Cornell, Vanderbilt, Marquette, and the University of Miami. Q&A to follow the presentation. 9th-12th graders and their families welcome.
====NATURE=====
WEEDS BE GONE == Cathy Rivers said: Shout out to the Lyons Parks and Rec crew who teamed up with the Weed Posse (Lyons Volunteers/LEAF) to Weed the berms on the south end of Bohn Park. Beautiful day and we got a lot done. Bumper weed crop this year, with all the rain. Thank you
COMMUNITY FARM PROJECT is taking on a separate APPLE ORCHARD project, a few blocks away. They are calling out for volunteers to help, so they can make a presentation to the Board of Trustees. ===Adrean Kirk said: It will be under the farm projects insurance so we will be a advocate for it moving forward. Our current food forest is on FEMA land. Its a lease that will need to be approved just like the properties on 5th ave. ===They are seeking donations to help pay for their insurance. This is a requirement for them to keep their lease from the Town. See their Facebook page for multiple ways you can donate, or email lyonscfp@gmail.com
WEEDS! Message from Cathy Rivers, Weed Posse ===== Timing is everything. Especially with our robust crop of weeds this year. Many are going to seed now, so the time is right to tackle them, most importantly the invasive ones. ==== WEED of the Week: Curly Dock:
Really noticeable this time of year as it goes rust/red brown, spikes full of seeds (hundreds to tens of thousands per plant). The seeds can remain viable for 80 years in the ‘soil bank’ ready to sprout and reproduce like crazy when conditions are right….like this wet season we’ve had. You see huge swaths of it in the fields and roadsides along Hwy 36.
If you see Curly Dock, on your property or where you walk, please take your clippers, snip off the seed stalks, bag and dispose. Snip the rest of the plant at the base, which knocks the stuffing out of it, at least for this year, and prevents spread. In wilder riparian areas, I just leave the non-seeding parts to compost on site.
If we all did just a little bit, we can make Lyons even more beautiful, leave more room for natives. Without herbicides we say we don’t want.
If you rack up some time weeding, and can’t make our Thursday morning Weed Posse sessions, DM me your name, time spent and location. We report our hours to LEAF/Lyons Volunteers.
HART FAMILY FARM (Sara Hart): We are creating another children’s program on our farm for the school year and are exploring interest for both an afterschool program and daytime preschool or homeschool kids. === see their Facebook page for lots of possible ideas; or contact Sara direct.
====SPORTS====
LYONS SOFTBALL LEAGUE was cancelled this week due to damage to the field grounds caused by recent heavy rains. The Town was not able to repair the field on time for the game.
The US Women’s Soccer team lost their match last weekend in the World Cup. They are now out of the race. But everyone has been praising the great abilities that the team displayed.
ROCKIES Baseball: After a 10 game losing strike, they finally won over the weekend. This week the games have been bouncing between winning and losing.
===WELLNESS & HEALTH===
The Boulder County Sheriff’s Office is seeking volunteers to serve as Victim Advocates for our on-scene victim assistance program. They provide assistance to victims of crime, accidents, trauma, and other critical events. Working as a Victim Advocate offers the volunteer the opportunity to touch the lives of others by providing a valuable source of support and information to those who have had their lives altered by traumatic events. Volunteers are needed for all shifts. No prior experience is necessary, training will be provided. The deadline to apply is at 5:00 p.m. on August 18, 2023. visit the Boulder County Sheriff’s Office website or contact Kris at 303-441-4737 or kroberts@bouldercounty.gov.
DIZZY? – someone in town is having a problem with vertigo, and Julie Adair offered this advice: Hi! I can not help with the cat, but I can help you with the vertigo. There is a product called the ‘dizzy hat” that guides you through the Epely Manuever. It saved me from being stuck in Houston unable to drive or fly. I got it at Walgreens. Also, North Boulder Physical Therapy (on Valmont) has a set of goggles with lights that they use with the same maneuver that helps tremendously! PM me if you need more info. I hope you are over it soon! (of course, the Lyons Recorder and its staff cannot give medical advice, and we advise you to check with your doctor)
===CONSTRUCTION===
We had an article about all the construction going on around Lyons LAST WEEK, and this week we got a bunch of UPDATED information that is too important to not tell you about. So, we have done another separate ARTICLE on the news.
UPDATED INFORMATION on
==400 Main St., fire damaged buildings
==hwy 36 from Lyons to Estes Park
==Hwy 36 from Boulder to Lyons
==Evans St apartments
==new Main St. hotel
==Broadway modal hours
===GOVERNMENT===
This section was so large that we have made it into its own ARTICLE this week.
===Town of Lyons decisions on
–Honeywell dispute
–Budget Process input
–Martin Property, open space
===Boulder County Commissioners
–two ballot measures for November
–Local minimum wage
–behavioral health plan
–renew Open Space tax
Various ways you can participate and share your comments
===State of Colorado
–new law on age to purchase guns
–new law protecting workers from harassment
==============
SEE THINGS TO DO for more on these and other activities in the Lyons Area.
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