Aspen Public Radio News

Winter Pledge Drive Madness

2010-03-03T06:51:00.001-08:00

It's the fifth day of Aspen Public Radio's Winter Pledge Drive and the station is about halfway to its goal of raising $83,000. I'm using our News Blog today to ask you to pledge if you haven't already done so. From an insider's point of view, the station runs efficiently and the program line-up continues to evolve into an all-around solid product. By supporting Aspen Public Radio financially, that product will continue to improve. The Pledge Drive is hard work but it's also extremely rewarding to hear peoples' comments. This week an Aspen local said the local news has improved significantly over the past few years and to me, that means a great deal! He said he supports the station yearly and counts on it. If you count on Aspen Public Radio to keep you informed, entertained and inspired, please support us! You can call (970) 920-9000 or make a secure online pledge at www.aspenpublicradio.org. THANK YOU!

Hunger in the Valley

2010-02-25T13:46:00.000-08:00

This week I did a series on hunger issues in the Roaring Fork Valley and beyond, to the Western Slope. Social Service workers say people in our area have been living on the edge for awhile but the recession pushed some of them over. Numbers at food pantries have shot up to record numbers. Lift Up reports the New Castle food bank served 159 people last month. A total of 76 people were fed in January of 2009.

In Pitkin County, the number of people applying for the Federal Food Assistance Program is rising. The Program, which used to be called Food Stamps, issues a sort-of debit card to people living under the poverty line to use at grocery stores. From 2008 to 2009, Pitkin County saw the largest jump statewide in the amount it issued in Food Assistance. In 2008, the County administered about $8000 and in 2009, that number rose to $20,000.

On the Western Slope overall, more and more people are depending on the Food Bank of the Rockies for their meals. Before the recession about 40,000 people used the Food Bank's services. Now, more than 50,000 people are taking advantage of subsidized food at food banks across 13 counties.

The situation seems dire but Executive Director of Lift Up Mike Powell says residents of the Roaring Fork Valley have shown incredible generousity. Large numbers of people came forward last year to volunteer their time and resources. But, Powell and others believe the problem of people needing food will persist in 2010.

More from Mexico

2010-01-14T18:04:00.000-08:00

by Kristina

Last weekend I traveled to Uxmal, a Mayan ruin about a hour's drive south of Merida. One of the reasons I wanted to study Spanish in the Yucatan was the rich history here. I'm fascinated by the Mayans, and their ruins leave plenty more to pique my curiosity.

I think this cultural history is essential to learning a language; the Mayan and the Yucatan cultures still permeate life in Merida.

This weekend I'm headed to Chichén Itzá, another major ruin. More to come from that spot!

Reporter´s Mexico Diary

2010-01-09T16:06:00.000-08:00

by Kristina Tabor

I´m in Merida, Yucatan, Mexico, taking an intensive Spanish course. I´ll be here for four weeks, and during that time, I´m keeping a reporter´s diary on the Aspen Public Radio blog!

Merida is a lovely city about 200 miles west of Cancun. There are a few direct flights here from America. It´s at the heart of the Yucatan and the heart of Mayan culture.

This is the Monumento a la Patria. And it's just a taste of what the architecture is like here in Merida. There´s a mix of Mayan and Mayan-inspired buildings as well as colonial architecture.

The Spanish Institute of Merida's building falls in the latter category. It's on a busy corner of Merida, but within the walls, la escuela is a peaceful space.

About ten of us started school on the first Monday of January. Most are here for the full month, and everyone's taking classes all day, whether individualized or in groups.

Here's my class, where we are all beginners. Edith is our very patient teacher. This week - week one - we learned about sentence structure, how words are gendered, etc. Next week we take on verbs -- and I can't wait because all I can say is, it's very hard to speak in Spanish without verbs!

Afternoons at the school are spent one-on-one with a young Mexican guide. This is probably the most valuable time: practice through conversation. I have an amazingly patient and kind guide, Miguel, and I have learned a lot about Merida from him.

This is the Catedral de San Ildefonso, the oldest in Mexico. It anchors el Centro Historico in Merida.

As you may imagine, there is incredible food here, lovely culture and the people are so friendly. I'll write more about all that later!

A Look Back...

2009-12-31T07:37:00.000-08:00

Last New Year's Eve (2008), former Aspenite Jim Blanning planted four homemade bombs near banks in downtown Aspen. The incident closed down 16 blocks of downtown and several businesses suffered huge losses in revenue. The Aspen Police Department was also challenged to tackle an incident unlike anything they had dealt with before. They called in agencies from as far away as Grand Junction and Vail to help block off the area and dismantle the bombs. The evacuation order was lifted at 5 AM on New Year's Day, leaving businesses like restaurants empty-handed on one of their busiest nights.

Since the bomb scare, some restaurants have recovered, but just barely. Denise Walters with Social and Elevation restaurants says the evacuation kick-started a tough year, combined with the recession. The eateries lost 5% of their total revenue that night and the recession pushed revenues down 20 to 30% compared to the year before. Fortunately, the restaurants are nearly booked for this New Year's Eve and the staff is positive.

For the Aspen Police Department, the biggest success of their response to the incident was that no one was hurt and no major property damage was reported. But, the Department realized they needed more radios, as batteries died during the night. And, phone calls backed up so the Department expanded their phone and computer capacity. Officers also realized they needed to communicate with local media more during significant incidents.

Despite the lessons learned and hardships battled, the incident is now just a "foggy memory," according to Walters. Now, there's nothing more to look toward but the future.

Holiday Struggles

2009-12-16T10:44:00.000-08:00

It seems the Holiday season brings out the best and most difficult circumstances in a community. Today I did a story about how the Toys for Tots charity in Basalt is struggling to raise donations for needy people in the mid-Valley. Organizers believe people are so strapped for cash, they are waiting until they buy their own Christmas gifts before buying some for others. It's hard to hear about the impoverished side of our community--people having difficulty paying rent or putting food on the table. Maggie Cruz of the Roaring Fork Family Resource Center at the Basalt schools says basic needs assistance has gone up. More people are applying for programs like Medicaid and Child Health Plan Plus, which is a low-income insurance plan for children. More people are applying for Toys for Tots too--the number of families who asked for gifts this year was more than double what it was in 2007. Cruz says most of the poverty she sees is centralized to the trailer parks in El Jebel and Basalt, where large families often squeeze into small living spaces.

If you would like to donate to Toys for Tots, you can find donation boxes at Alpine Bank, Aspen Valley Hospital, Big "O" Tire, Basalt Community United Methodist Church, Novel-Tea Bookstore, Red Rock Diner, American Furniture Warehouse, Capo Tile, Christopher and Banks, Edward Jones and Moe's Southwest Grill. The boxes will be picked up on Friday.

First Turns

2009-11-30T07:53:00.000-08:00

I made my first turns of the season yesterday, on Aspen Mountain. My legs were reminded of the sport as I led them slowly (at first) down runs like Copper, North American and finally Spar Gulch. I heard the sounds of the World Cup as I finished the day at the bottom. It felt good to ski and there was a surprising amount of people on the mountain, which should make the Aspen Skiing Company feel good too.

The Ski-Co is gearing up for a season that it hopes will match last winter, when it comes to ticket sales and general business. The Company logged 1.36 million skier visits last season, which was down more than 7 % from the 2007/2008 season. The Ski-Co is using more marketing dollars this year and aggressively promoting deals. Ski-Co Senior Vice President David Perry told the Aspen Times recently "We're still battling economic headwinds."

Despite the challenges, everything seemed in its place yesterday with a packed Ajax Tavern and lift lines at the Silver Queen Gondola. Let's hope the early-season visual signs are representative of what's to come throughout the rest of this 2009/2010 ski season.

Veterans Day in Aspen

2009-11-12T07:32:00.000-08:00

U.S. Representative John Salazar spoke at a Veterans Day event in Aspen yesterday. He talked about legislation he's working on to help veterans get medical care when they return from serving overseas. He also mentioned how a new National cemetery in southern Colorado gained approval from the House last week. After discussing "business," Salazar told a story obviously close to his heart, about his father who was a veteran himself. Holding back tears, the congressman told how his father mentioned family and being buried in his uniform right before he died.

The most moving part of the ceremony though, was not Salazar's talk. Instead it was a short comment made by an unidentified soldier who had served in Vietnam. He said he had never felt welcome upon his return home until 37 years later when he came to Aspen. He said the Fourth of July parade where veterans walk through a cheering crowd, was the first time he had felt "welcomed home."

Another veteran I interviewed said nowadays, "greeters" are standing by and called to duty when a veteran returns to the United States. He said no longer do veterans need to feel "unwelcome" when they return home.

Mental Health Behind Bars

2009-11-03T07:16:00.001-08:00

Nationally 16% of inmates in jails suffer from mental illness. At the Pitkin County Jail, Administrator Don Bird estimates that number is even greater. He believes between 20 and 25% of inmates deal with issues such as psychotic episodes that are often the reasons inmates end up in jail.

In order to better protect the community and serve the Jail's population, a more aggressive approach is being taken at the Jail. Jail officials will work with health providers to identify, diagnose and treat mental illnesses among inmates. The inmates will also be referred to local health providers after they are released from jail.

Bird says the new approach sprung from a greater awareness of mental health issues in the Valley. He says organizations such as Colorado West are bringing mental illness to the spotlight and making it not such a taboo subject.

So far one inmate has successfully gone through Pitkin County's program, from identifying the illness to seeking treatment with a health provider after release. Bird estimates more inmates will go through the program as they fine-tune it. It's currently being funded with County dollars allocated to medical expenses in the Jail's budget.

A Booming Business

2009-10-27T08:25:00.000-07:00

Each day in Colorado, 400 applications from patients wanting to use marijuana as medicine, come to the State Department of Health and Environment. In 2006, just over 1000 people were on the State's patient registry. So far this year, more than 11,000 people are card-carrying medicinal marijuana users. Four dispensaries have opened in Aspen since late summer and several others are serving patients up and down the Roaring Fork Valley.

To treat a knee injury, one patient I talked to uses a concentrated form of the plant that is liquified and edible. Josh Griggs says it makes the constant pain he experiences go away. Griggs is also a dispensary owner and he has created several rules for his patients, or members. They are required to sign a 5-page agreement saying they will not re-sell the marijuana on the street and the patients are outlawed from using the drug in the dispensary.

Local town governments are also creating rules in an effort to regulate parts of the industry. In New Castle, the Town Board is preparing to adopt an ordinance that would require background checks for dispensary owners and the dispensaries themselves would be subject to Conditional Use requirements. So far, no dispensaries have opened in New Castle but in Glenwood Springs there are at least two downtown stores. City elected officials have not set up rules but the mayor believes the State needs to create more regulations.

This booming industry seems to be growing so fast, local governments and even dispensaries are trying to catch up and regulate it where they can. It will be interesting to see where this newly-sprouting industry goes and whether new regulations from the State are developed.

Cool State Website

2009-10-20T07:39:00.000-07:00

There's a new State website that "tracks the dollars" of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act and it's interesting to see where those stimulus dollars are going. I talked to the Executive Director of Mountain Family Health Centers, which is receiving about $554,000 in stimulus funds, and he told me he's never seen so much transparency from the government. And this website exemplifies that. The website at www.colorado.gov/recovery leads you to a map of the counties of Colorado. You can click on say, Garfield County and find a list of organizations that are receiving Federal funds. An interesting benefactor in Garfield County is Glenwood Beauty Academy Inc., which is getting a $45,000 chunk of change. I suppose the money will help train people to cut hair, paint nails or other beauty trades. Go ahead and log onto the site and check out where the money is going in your county, you might be surprised!

Mail Ballot Elections Gain Popularity

2009-10-14T07:47:00.001-07:00

Pitkin County's Clerk and Recorder says more than 90% of Colorado's 64 counties will use a mail ballot election this November. That means polling places and early voting will not be part of the election. Voters will get ballots in the mail and must drop them off or mail them to the County by 7PM on November 3rd.

The mail ballot election is becoming more popular because it's more convenient for voters and cheaper. Pitkin County Clerk Janice Vos Caudill says taxpayers will save up to $20,000 dollars by using this method of voting. It also allows busy individuals to find their own time to go over the issues, mark their choices and mail the ballot.

But, the mail ballot elections are causing some concern. Jenny Flanigan of Colorado Common Cause says the ballots may not reach people who move around a lot, like many residents do in Pitkin County. She also say people should have a choice of how they want to vote and narrowing that decision to one method may not suit all voters in Colorado.

Regardless of various feelings concerning the mail ballot election, it will be conducted this Fall in Pitkin, Garfield and Eagle Counties. Vos Caudill says she wants to hear from voters following the election about whether they liked the method and whether it should be used again.

Flu Shots Available Now

2009-10-07T07:47:00.000-07:00

Starting today Pitkin County will begin to administer seasonal flu shots to people willing to get them. On Friday H1N1 or Swine Flu shots will be offered to healthcare workers. Pitkin County has 1000 doses of seasonal flu vaccine and 100 doses of swine flu vaccine. Greater amounts of both vaccines are expected to come to the County later this Fall.

The two flu viruses are similar but there are some differences. Cases of the Swine Flu have developed outside of the traditional flu season and the virus is more often noticed in young people who have not built up strong immunities to illnesses. Liz Stark at Community Health Services says the number of deaths associated with the Swine Flu are similar to those connected to the seasonal flu. Despite similarities, some organizations are being extra vigilant about keeping germs away. The Aspen School District is focusing on cleaning hand railings and other items often touched by students. The Roaring Fork Transportation Authority has also stepped up cleaning efforts in its buses. Stark says absenteeism is up at Aspen schools and pediatricians are seeing more patients, due to the flu.

The same rules as always apply: If you're sick stay home and if your symptoms are severe, seek medical assistance. And, health officials are stressing getting a seasonal flu shot early because the shots may run out. The first clinic is today at the Health and Human Services building near Aspen Valley Hospital, from 1 to 6PM.

New Colorado Discoveries

2009-09-08T07:46:00.000-07:00

I recently returned from my first trip to the San Luis Valley in south-central Colorado and I am impressed. The natural beauty in this state, to which I am a newcomer, continually amazes me. I grew up in the West, in Montana, and appreciate the wonder there too but in Colorado it seems more accessable and the mountains are just a wee bit taller. We must have passed two or three "14er's" visible from the highway from Poncha Springs to Buena Vista. My friends and I climbed to a high alpine lake outside of Crestone on a well-developed and (unfortunately) well-used trail. Despite the sometimes crowded trails, I am happy someone took the time to build the trail and make these sometimes perspective-changing scenic views available.

Morning Surprise

2009-08-26T07:36:00.000-07:00

Recently I have hesitated to hop on my bicycle to ride to work in the mornings. Here's why: black bears. I ride to work when it's still dark outside, at 5AM. On two different occasions I nearly ran into a bear. One of those near run-in's happened this morning, when a small furry creature crossed Mill Street in front of my cycle, near the Aspen Brewing Company. I yelled, "Hip, hip, move outta the way!" The bear went jogging, afraid of what this human on two wheels might do. I was told recently by a Colorado Division of Wildlife official that we Aspen residents are right in the middle of some of the best berry territory in Colorado. But the bears have gone beyond the berries to forage for leftover dinners and wrappers in unsecured trash cans. Homes have been broken into, messes have been made and one person was injured. The bears are a nuisance but we are in their territory and witnessing a bear running across a two-lane street shouldn't be too big of a surprise.

No Small Feat for Small Businesses

2009-08-25T07:00:00.000-07:00

The local businesses that operate in the City of Aspen may have greater challenges than stores in other cities. According to officials at the Aspen Chamber Resort Association, rents can cost upwards of $30,000/month in the downtown core. High rents combined with worker shortages and high worker wages can make keeping the doors open, a difficult task. I've profiled two businesses that have been operating for more than 3 decades and the message remains the same: high rents equal tough times. Ute Mountaineer owner Bob Wade says "nationals" or commercial companies, tend to drive up the rent because they can afford the initial price landlords offer. Sandy's Office Supply owner Mike Husaluk says his store is on the brink of owning its building, which will take a heavy weight off Husaluk's shoulders. When asked about paying workers, he said he had never offered minimum wage because that's not enough. The high cost of living requires higher hourly wages. The challenges businesses in Aspen face did not start with this latest recession, they are everyday issues that keep business owners on their feet.

High Profile in the High Country

2009-08-12T07:01:00.000-07:00

One of the hottest athletes in the world right now, lives in the same neighborhood where I work. Cyclist and 7-time Tour De France winner Lance Armstrong moved to Aspen last year and since then, has created quite a stir locally. Mayor Mick Ireland suggested creating a "Lance Armstrong Livestrong Day," and Armstrong has participated in some local bike races including last weekend's Blast the Mass in Snowmass Village. I find myself looking for Armstrong on the streets of Aspen and reading articles about upcoming races he plans on participating in. I know I'm not alone. The extremely accomplished athlete has seemed to spark an energy in town, unlike most other celebrities who move here. It's likely due to the high concentration of local bicyclists and their love of the sport. I know when I hop on my mountain bike and speed down the single track, I'm practically mimicking Lance...okay, not even close but I will cheer him on at the Leadville 100 this weekend as a hometown guy.

Swine Flu Back on the Scene

2009-08-05T08:14:00.001-07:00

As if there isn't enough to worry about for folks living in the United States right now, another issue is re-emerging after what seems like, a multiple-month hiatus. The Swine Flu, or H1N1 flu virus, is back in the headlines as counties, like Pitkin, prepare to get and give vaccinations. Officials at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are concerned the new H1N1 flu virus could result in a particularly severe flu season this year. The CDC is working on and testing an H1N1 vaccine now, and the Center hopes to distribute doses of it nationwide later this Fall. In Pitkin County, health officials believe the vaccine will be available to citizens by mid-October but they don't know how much.

Generosity Abounds!

2009-07-28T06:57:00.000-07:00

"Thank you, thank you, thank you!" I'm paraphrasing for Aspen Public Radio's volunteers who are answering phones outside the newsroom, for the station's Summer Pledge Drive. I can hear progress as the station attempts to raise more than $60,000 in one week. The generosity abounds as people call in and match pledges, give compliments and just generally give! The volunteers showed up around 6AM and in two hours time, the giving has been better than good! Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Early Morning Company

2009-07-27T07:55:00.000-07:00

It's Pledge Week at Aspen Public Radio and that means I'm joined every morning for an entire week, by a gaggle of over-caffeinated coworkers. Please don't misunderstand, I enjoy the company and they usually bring a carafe of high-quality coffee, a great improvement over my weak blend. The company of coworkers take my place at the microphone and ask for donations on-air for a few hours in the morning. More suggestions to donate are given later in the day. This year is particularly important in gathering the donations, due to the economy. I'm impressed with the preparation and thought that has gone into this Summer Pledge Drive. It's as if everyone realizes the critical nature of it and it shows at six in the morning. My coworkers' faces are a little brighter, and perhaps a bit more anxious compared to past pledge drives. The goal is to raise $65,000 and with some on-air energy, consistent flow of caffeine and most of all, the generosity of listeners, I believe we can reach that. (970) 920-9000 is the number to donate...Thank you!

Palin Plans?

2009-07-10T07:17:00.000-07:00

Aspen Public Radio News has started its Summer in the Streets series where the news team asks people walking along the streets in cities and towns from Rifle to Aspen about different issues. This week I was tasked with questioning folks about Sarah Palin's latest move in Alaska. She resigned as Governor earlier this month. Two political editors from NPR discussed potential Palin plans at public events in Glenwood and Aspen--I took their comments to the streets. I asked people why they thought she resigned, if it helped or hurt the Republican party and what she might be planning to do next.

The answers were varied but one thing was certain, people remain impassioned about Palin. Some wanted her to run for president in 2012, some said she would go on to make millions in the private sector by writing books and making public appearances, one man even said she would ride off into the sunset...I believe he was speaking figuratively but who wouldn't like to see Palin riding some lone highway on a Harley? Despite her role as a political figure, people seem to be more willing to discuss her role as a private citizen, family drama and all. That is likely the media's fault and another reason, many people mentioned, as to why she resigned--too much limelight. We'll see what happens next and whether she chooses to milk that limelight because, from what I can tell, she's still got the public's attention.

Rockin' Rifle

2009-07-09T10:27:00.000-07:00

It's been a while since I've been down to Rifle - with the Ideas Festival, and the summer hustle and bustle, I've had too much to do UP valley. But this week, I got the chance to visit one of my very favorite towns.

I love visiting Rifle because I always try to do a series of interviews and stay all day. The people are friendly, the downtown is clean and inviting, and the views are breathtaking.

This week, I visited the city's Public Works director, Rod Hamilton, who talked to me about the city's new work crew. Rifle is a very organized place, and with mayor Keith Lambert at the helm, surrounded by tons of capable people, infrastructure projects and forward planning are humming along.

Rod and I visited for a while, talking about the work crew. Then we went out to the city's new wastewater treatment plant construction site to visit the workers themselves. What a bunch of hardworking guys! They barely wanted to stop their machines and take a break to chat.

The new wastewater treatment plant is just another example of how Rifle is working ahead. The city has been growing rapidly over the past decade, and they need to rebuild a lot of their current infrastructure to support the population. But the city is also thinking with the environment in mind: the wastewater plant, when it it complete, will become the first in the nation to be powered entirely from solar panels. That's right. The city of Rifle has a solar array that is even larger than the array in Carbondale at Colorado Rocky Mountain School. Surprised? Well, I told you Rifle is a pretty organized and thoughtful place.

Speaking of visiting, I also took a little walk around the downtown while I was in between interviews. They've got new businesses opening up and old standbys that are doing just fine despite the economic gloom we keep hearing about in the papers.

This trip, I discovered a month-old bakery that has the most delectable selection of pastries, cookies, and homemade artisan breads. It's called, aptly enough, "The Bakery." It's just off Railroad Avenue, and I recommend you stop in if you've got the time! Perfect for a snack after a hike in Rifle Gap State Park or a walk around town.

In other Rifle-related news, the RE-2 school district is already preparing for the school year to begin. They've hired 40 new teachers for schools from New Castle to Rifle. Stay tuned for a story about one school in particular, next week.

That's the news from Rifle, for now. Keep listening, and keep exploring our beautiful valley!

Some Stories Make Me Smile

2009-07-07T07:31:00.000-07:00

I was writing and editing a story about noise yesterday and I laughed out loud several times over in the newsroom. The story focused on the "Noiseguy" who visited the Pitkin County Library last week. He spoke to several children and parents about the power of sound and how it can help kids learn to read. The bit of comic relief was welcome following a mostly serious week at the Ideas Festival where topics such as global warming and healthcare were discussed. The Festival encouraged me to work to conquer the impossible and the Noiseguy reminded me lighten up along the way and not take life too seriously. Two valuable lessons!

The Aspen Institute: My New Home

2009-07-03T08:25:00.000-07:00

This week I've traded my bed for a bench in the "Scholar's Lounge" outside Paepcke Auditorium at the Aspen Institute. Despite the hard surface and constant murmurs from people nearby talking about Twitter, Iran and renewable energy, I must say the free food is hard to beat. The hotdogs aren't pathetic pink links wrapped in Wonder Bread, instead the sizeable bratwursts are delicately situated in what looks like foccacia bread. The brownies are rich, the POM drinks are plentiful and the discussion over coffee is almost as good as the fair-trade brew itself.

I've sat in on discussions covering topics such as, why people love music, why water is so scarce in the West, and what can be done about it, one presenter was even working to discover scientific reasons for love and what attracts one person to another. My mind is thoroughly invigorated but my body screams lay down for ONE more nap on the bench...that is, after you snatch one of those rice crispy delicacies.

Print Prevails despite Economic Woes

2009-06-17T06:54:00.000-07:00

This week I reported on a local newspaper trying to survive as impacts from the recession continue to kick it hard everywhere except its highly-visited website. The Snowmass Sun has fewer advertisements and classified ads mostly because of the slow-down of the local real estate market. The editorial staff has gone from three to one and the paper no longer has an office--the lone reporter works from her home, Snowmass Town Hall and the Sun's sister paper's office in Aspen. The reporter, who is also the editor, is quick to say the Sun will continue to be printed for years to come, but she expects web use to increase too.

A New York Times article posted to the web in April says newspaper print circulation dropped more than 7 percent compared with the previous year, while newspaper Web site audiences had increased 10.5 percent in the first quarter. These figures come from the top newspapers in the country, but local papers are not immune. As papers such as the Aspen Times, Glenwood Springs Post Independent, and Snowmass Sun cut costs this year, attention to the web must be paid because, just as Snowmass Village Mayor Bill Boineau recently pointed out, the news provides checks and balances on government. He said the Sun's role in the community is essential.