News with altitude since 1977 The Mountain-EarNews with altitude since 1977 Vol. 38, Issue 05 24 Pages Thursday, december 4, 2014 NederlaNd, colorado $1.00 “In the end we shall have

News with altitude since 1977

Vol. 38, Issue 05 24 Pages Thursday, december 4, 2014 NederlaNd, colorado $1.00

“In the end we shall have had enough of cynicism, skepticism and hum-bug, and we shall want to live more musically.”

~Vincent van Gogh

mountain Politics P. 15, 16 school Zone P. 6, 7, 8, 9books & libraries P. 8, 21 4theluvofdogs: P. 11around Town P. 2, 3, 12

QUOTE OF THE WEEKINSIDE THE MOUNTAIN-EAR

The Mountain-Ear

dangerous mixtureA Gilpin County home was burned to the ground on Sunday morning when a tenant set off a butane/hash oil explosion. Leland Baker, 60, was rescued from the burning building by a neighbor. Ryan Erickson, who pulled him from a basement window. Above, Central City firefighters Gary and Susie Allen were among the first on the scene. By that time the house was fully engulfed in flames. Firefighters from Nederland, Timberline, Central City, and Black Hawk attacked the flames and knocked down the fire before it could spread to neighboring houses.

PhoTo by chrIs lussIer

Explosion, fire destroy Gilpin home

barbara lawlorGilpin County

Quick action by a neighbor saved a Gilpin County man when his home erupted in flames Sunday morning. Ryan Erickson was inside his Chalet Drive home when he heard a few loud pops. He went outside and saw black smoke spewing from the chimney of the Leland Baker’s house across the street.

“I ran down the driveway yelling to see if anyone was in the house. I saw a man draped over a broken out basement window and he called out, ‘I’m over here.’ I grabbed a dog bed and threw it over the window and then grabbed the guy under his arms and pulled him through the window.”

Another neighbor came to help carry Baker away from the house, over the dog fence and up to the road. Within seconds, flames exploded out of the front door and the roof collapsed, sending a huge black cloud of smoke

roiling over the neighborhood. Erickson said Baker’s hands were

badly burned and his hair was gone. “He said he couldn’t get out of the house by himself.”

Gilpin Ambulance and EMTs arrived and attended to the victim’s burns. One of Baker’s dogs, Niko, was found outside of the house, his fur and nose burned. Gilpin County deputy Lee Ramsey, who was off duty at the time, transported the dog to the Nederland Veterinary Hospital.

Dr. Joe Evans says that Nike will be okay but it would have been a different story had not the deputy rushed to the clinic when he did. “Niko’s lungs were already filling with fluid,” says Dr. Evans. Although Baker said there was a second dog, there is no knowledge as to what might have happened to it.

When the mutual aid call for help went out, engines and tenders from Central City, Black Hawk, Nederland, and Timberline responded. About 25 firefighters were on the scene. A

complex system of water delivery was set up on the narrow road with port-o-ponds and hoses bringing the water close to the house.

When firefighters arrived the building was fully engulfed in flames. A rapid attack knocked down the fire and kept it from spreading to the trees that surrounded the house. At least three motorcycles and a couple of vehicles were destroyed in the blaze.

According to the Gilpin County Sheriff’s Office, it was confirmed that Baker was doing a butane hash oil extraction when the explosion occurred

Since the legalization of marijuana there has been a rise in devastating explosions and deep burn injuries to pot users trying to produce hash oil in crude, unsafe laboratories. In 2014, in the first five months of legalization, 10 people were treated at the state’s certified adult burn center from injuries sustained while making hash oil. That is the same number of injuries that occurred in all of 2013.

The hash oil labs resemble the meth labs of the 90s, say law enforcement officers who have been dealing with the burgeoning problem. Officers and fire officials are looking into the dubious legality of the hash oil-producing process. While some of those who have caused fires resulting in damages to a rented home have been charged with a misdemeanor, other cases have resulted in hash oil production being protected under a new legal pot law.

In other words, it is probably legal to make hash oil in one’s own home as long as the process doesn’t result in damage to anyone else’s property or body. Last year a man who started a butane-caused fire in a Nederland home was charged with fourth-degree arson.

Hash oil is made by taking the leftover leaves and stems of a potent marijuana plant and packing them into a pipe. Butane oil is poured over the leaves and the mixture is heated

continued on page 13

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Page 2 The Mountain-Ear Thursday, december 4, 2014

Black Friday, downtown Ned style

barbara lawlorNederland

Except for the wind, Black Friday in Nederland was almost balmy; the icy temperatures of the preceding week just a rapidly-melting memory. Crowds did not clog the sidewalks, but there was a steady stream of visitors strolling in and out of First Street shops.

Last week, The Mountain-Ear explored the shops and restaurants of the shopping center. There were a couple that we missed.

The Greener Mountain Grow Shop shelves are stacked high with pots and trays and lights and all kinds of plant food and cloning helpers.

At the counter, several welded copper pieces are on display, an experimental project in which the plant crystals inside the pipe change the molecular structure of water to make it wetter. The owners are interested in finding out how it works.

A selection of biophotonic products is available as cloning packages that include heat mats, plugs and a thermostat for gardeners in general: a good way to replace the plants that you

like before they die. It is a shop filled with neat little

gadgets for anyone who loves plants, a garden store for everything.

The Backcountry Pizza shop has a habit of blowing pizza fumes across the parking lot, luring shoppers to the upper bay of the shopping center. On Sunday, Backcountry sells $1 beer with the lunch specials. They have a great Monday Night Football party package for those who would like company during the game.

First Street storefront windows glitter with snowflakes and ornaments, Santas and jewelry displays. The pedestrian bridge and the Visitor’s Center light up the highway as people drive into town. This Friday, during the First Friday celebration of small businesses, the small town of Nederland’s mayor Joe Gierlach will officially start the season with the lighting of the town’s Christmas tree.

On Wednesday, December 17, at 5 p.m., the Wild Mountain Smokehouse and Brewery is hosting an ugly sweater party—you know, the ones with reindeer and a blinking red nose or the silver sprayed wreath that has flaked

its shiny sequins off over the years. First and second place prize winners will receive surprises, but only if the sweater is worn for the duration of the party. The deal of the night will be $9 for a pint of beer and a dozen wings.

Ross Alper of the Deli says every other Monday from 7-9 p.m., soup, pasta, and sandwiches are available for anyone who wants a free hot meal. The Lovin’ Cup Community Kitchen accepts donations.

Walking into the Mountain People’s Co-op is like entering an old-timey general store: the bins and large jars of grains, spices, teas, and nuts in bulk. The blend of fragrant candles, oils, and soaps made by locals

A large, wise, round Buddha sits happily on the floor waiting for someone to give him a home. My First Buddha is sure to be a unique gift.

Shelves of Guatemalan accessories, beautiful hand-made African Market baskets. Soups simmer next to the homemade muffins and scones: Apple Beet Borscht, or Green Energy Soup. In the kitchen Andrea Frazer creates African peanut stew and on Wednesdays, the special is

Jambalaya. A great stocking stuffer would be a membership card, offering discounts on the already low prices.

The Rustic Moose has a diverse inventory of Nederland t-shirts, fleeces, hoodies, vests, all of them designed. Keith Kline of Tennessee and his parents and children and other family members filled the store, exclaiming over the treasures they found. “We come here when we visit Colorado and make a habit of shopping and having lunch at the Sundance Restaurant. This a wonderful store, with a great selection and wonderful people and music.”

Rustic Moose employee Lisa Wolford said “People came in in bunches of families. They often came in and then left, making the rounds of the shops to look around and then come back to buy something.”

On the corner of First Street and Highway 119 is Nature’s Own, a Nederland destination shop. This store is known for its high-quality gemstones, geodes, and natural gifts that are hard to find in other gift shops. One of the more popular items are the bags of Himalayan Bath Salts used for

PhoTo by barbara lawlorPhoTo by barbara lawlor

good gadgets for growing plantsThe Greener Mountain store in the upper bay of the shopping center has a large variety of equipment to make growing one’s own garden fun and easy, including many mixtures of soil, compost, and fertilizer to grow better plants.

a Friday specialDan Planck of the First Street Pub and Grill serves the special of the day, Walleye fish and chips, to an out-of-town couple who gave a thumbs up to the lunch. The downtown shops were busy with Black Friday shoppers visiting friends and family in Nederland.


Thursday, december 4, 2014 The Mountain-Ear Page 3

2425 Canyon Blvd. Ste. 110Boulder, CO 80302Cell: 303-898-2795

Office: 303-449-70001-800-825-7000

www.jimmykeith.homesandland.com

Jimmy KeithSpecializing in mountain area

real estate since 1984

FEaTurE oF ThE wEEk:252 Old Whiskey Rd MLS#750748 $479,000

4 acre property 10 minutes above Boulder! This well-built home has stunning interior and has been maintained with care. Brand new kitchen with granite counter top and high-end stove. New wood floors throughout. Refinished deck. This property features the best in foothills living, privacy, views, access to National Forest and wildlife. Directly across Boulder Canyon from Betasso Reservoir.

artist opens shop in ward

PhoTo by barbara lawlorNew kid on the blockThe Glass Tipi in Ward opened a month ago and is ready for business, featuring work of local artist and a friendly cup of coffee or tea.

continued on page 9

barbara lawlorWard

Ward boasts many artists and writers. In fact, most of the events that take place in town involve poetry readings and art sales.

Artists in residence invite locals into the humble cabins they call home while they practice and demonstrate their talents. Until the past month, there were no galleries or places for writers, painters, or musicians to hang out with a cup of coffee to discuss materials and technique.

Local painter Greta Balzer bought the old storefront building across from the Utica Street Market two years ago and has now launched the Glass Tipi, named for the unique glass structure connected to the back of the building. Although not tight enough for a working greenhouse, the space creates a lovely light that shines through the stained glass windows in the back of the shop.

Greta’s mother is Carol Jenkins, also a well-known artist in the neighborhood, and last Saturday, she was manning the shop for her daughter. It was a sunny, not-so-cold day, and bicyclists in shorts gathered at the market across the street for drinks.

The Glass Tipi has been around for awhile; originally a feed store, the old building survived the first Ward fire, which took out most of the downtown shops. Now it nestles in the heart of Ward flanked by junked but picturesque rusted out beaters and with the church and Columbine Hotel in the background.

Since purchasing the building Greta gutted the inside and remodeled it, creating an eye-pleasing atmosphere. The painted-over plywood floor is a work of itself in itself. The display furniture

was carved by woodworker R.C. Wittenbasch, both functional and artistically graceful.

Carol has lived in Ward since 1972 and Greta was born in the small historic mining town.

“This is a great space to show off our local talent,” she says. “It is also a place for locals to gather and have coffee or tea.”

The first show took place a month ago, when it displayed Ward’s children’s art. It was a great way to open the shop, says Carol.

Heidi Kummli’s masterpiece beadwork is also displayed in the shop.

Letters to the Editor are printed in the order they are received. Letters may be edited for length. Submit your letter to [email protected] for the next edition of The Mountain-Ear.


Community Worship Directory

alleNsParK:Allenspark Community Church16 Washington303-747-2821Worship 10 am

New Covenant Church1423 County Rd 84 W303-747-1114Worship 10 am

coal creeK caNyoN:Whispering Pines Church73 Gross Dam Road303-642-3201Worship 10:30 am

NederlaNd:Calvary Chapel275 Hwy 72303-258-3502Adult & Teen Bible Study, 10 amWorship and The Word, 11 am

Nederland CommunityPresbyterian Church210 W. Jefferson St.303-258-3579Worship 10 amSt. Rita’s Catholic Church24325 Hwy 119303-258-3060Mass 9:30 am

gIlPIN couNTy:Light On The Hill ChurchPastor Herb AycockGilpin County Justice Center303-783-4770Worship 10 amSt. Mary’s Catholic ChurchAbove City Hall/ Central CityMass 10:30 am

Rollinsville Community ChurchRollinsville Yacht Club303-258-3951Worship 11 am

Christ the King Community Church971 Hwy 46 across from fairgrounds303-582-3301Worship 10:30 am

Rocky Mountain Evangelical Free ChurchGregory Street, Black Hawk303-582-3325Worship 9:30 am : Sunday School 11 am

St. James Methodist ChurchEureka Street/ Central [email protected] School 10:15 am : Worship 10 am

St. Paul’s Episcopal Church226 E. High Street/ Central City303-582-0450Worship 10 am 2nd to 5th Sunday Worship 6 pm 1st Saturday

The Nederland Cub Scouts are having a Holiday Food Drive to collect non perishable food items for the Nederland Food Pantry. There are donation boxes at B&F, Community Center,Carousel of Happiness, and Nederland Elementary School for these items. The drive will continue until Thursday Dec.11th.

Dear editor,

We wish to thank the Boulder County community for all of the support in celebration of our 20th year! Our committee, Amber Erickson Gabbey, Nancy Stubbs, Kate Parker Crain and Reba Lemaster really pulled off an amazing event at eTown Hall on November 14. Despite the terrible road conditions, Wild Bear enjoyed a packed house and raised funds to launch us into the next 200 years!

We wish to thank local businesses: Mountain Man Outdoor Store, Kathmandu, Carousel of Happiness, Happy Trails, The Train Cars, New Moon Bakery, Rustic Moose, The Lodge, BackCountry Pizza, Candyman, Blue Owl Books, Tadasana Yoga, Awestruck Adventures, Red Sage Bookkeeping, Mountain Family Home Therapy, and artist donors Violet Aandres, Kathy Bremers, Kathy Cooper, Jennifer Johnson, Andrea Nobrega, Cathy and Rocky Stiers. There were many more contributors but I wanted to give a shout out to our local support!

Wild Bear has accomplished a tremendous amount over the last 20 years through the generous support of donors. We have preserved Mud Lake, removed 30 tons of trash, created an open and free Nature Center facility in our town (estimated 14,000 visitors last year), and connected tens of thousands of people of all ages to nature over the last 20 years.

This is a great milestone for this community. We invite you to join us: donate at any level on Colorado Gives Day, December 9 where your donation will be increased through the Community First Foundation and FirstBank’s Incentive Fund. Volunteer, join our board of directors, and visit us! We are open almost every day throughout the year.

Thank you, Nederland, for keeping Wild Bear Mountain Ecology Center in your community for 20 years. This is a great accomplishment and it is because of your support.

Sincerely,Jill Dreves, Executive Director Wild Bear Mountain Ecology Center

Gratitude from Wild Bear

Kris KittoDenver

Colorado’s Low-income Energy Assistance Program (LEAP) has begun accepting applications for its 2014/15 season.

LEAP is a federally funded program administered by the Colorado Department of Human Services (CDHS) that provides cash assistance to help Coloradans pay a portion of winter home heating costs. The program pays the highest benefits to those with the highest heating bills and lowest incomes by family size. Applicant income cannot exceed 150 percent of the federal poverty level, which equates to $2,982 per month for a family of four.

“We want to make sure that all LEAP-eligible Coloradans are aware of available assistance so they can receive help in paying their heating costs,” said Aggie Berens, LEAP Manager, CDHS. “Last year, nearly 107,000 Coloradans applied for LEAP, providing an average benefit of $439 for households that received assistance.”

To qualify for LEAP, applicants must

be responsible for paying heating costs directly to an energy provider, fuel dealer, or as part of their rent; and be permanent legal residents of the United States and Colorado, or have household members that are U.S. citizens.

LEAP-eligible households may also qualify for programs that inspect a home’s primary heating source, such as a furnace or wood-burning stove, and weatherization upgrades that improve a home’s energy efficiency.

The State of Colorado also offers a rebate of property tax, rent, and heat expenses to low-income seniors and disabled persons. Please visit the Colorado Department of Revenue’s website at https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/tax/property-tax-rent-heat-credit-ptc-rebate-file for more information and the rebate application booklet.

To find out if you qualify for LEAP, call toll-free at 1-866-HEAT-HELP (1-866-432-8435) or visit www.colorado.gov/cdhs/leap to view the most current program application requirements. Applications will be accepted until April 30, 2015.

LEaP now accepting applications

As I sit here writing this right after Black Friday and Cyber Monday, our days of purchasing frenzy…and after Small Business Saturday, when we focus our holiday shopping locally…I realize it is Giving Tuesday, when we need to be aware of our friends and neighbors who are not able to take advantage of our community’s riches.

You’ve probably already received dozens, if not hundreds, of pleas for contributions to local, regional, and even worldwide charities. And, though many of these are surely worthy of our help (I’m thinking right now of Hansen Wendlandt’s appeal last week for Stop Hunger Now), I just want to remind you all of the many organizations right here that are helping the people we see around us, as we pick them up hitchhiking, or see them at B&F, or riding the Carousel, or lunching with the seniors.

Elsewhere in this paper is the announcement of this year’s LEAP program – assistance in paying for heat during our cold and windy winter. Ned has the clothing closet and the food pantry; Gilpin also has a food bank and lots of services for seniors.

But folks need more than just their material needs met, especially during this joyful holiday season. I was nearly brought to tears last week when I saw a Facebook post from a local family saying they were opening their home to anyone who would be alone on Thanksgiving. Can we all be aware of those of our neighbors who don’t have family with whom to share their holiday?

Let’s not forget that, as we enjoy the seasonal lights of Ned and Black Hawk.

Season for thanks – and helping

marcia gilles Acting Public Affairs Specialist/Community LiaisonForest Service, Boulder and Clear Creek Ranger Districts

The U.S. Forest Service, Town of Nederland, and Boulder County staff welcome you to attend a presentation, tour, and open dialogue to discuss the concept of forest health and fire mitigation management surrounding Nederland, Colorado. Attend all day or even just a portion to engage in the conversation.

This field trip is intended for broad understanding and general discussion of fuels management.

Friday, December 12. The day is designed from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. with opportunities to engage in the entire day and carpool by van or drop in at the location as you can. However, with winter road conditions parking may be limited.

9:00-9:30 a.m. Meet at Wild Bear Mountain Ecology Center 20 Lakeview Drive Unit 107 Nederland, Colorado.

11:30-11:45 a.m. Travel to West Magnolia

11:45-12:45 p.m. Lunch Chat2:45-3 p.m. Closure and Wrap-up.Please visit the website for additional

information on fuels management projects on the Boulder Ranger District: www.fs.usda.gov/goto/arp/brdfuels.

why Fuels reduction?

Provided by Gail Eddy and Geek For Hire, Inc.

Fall hours:Monday noon to 5pmTuesday 9am to 3pm

Wednesday 9am to 3pmThursday 9am to noonFriday, Saturday and

Sunday by appointment

ad deadlINes: Classifieds, Display and Notices due by noon Monday before publication. Email all ad requests to bhz@themountainear.

com

subscrIPTIoNs:Email your contact information including;

email, billing and mailing address to [email protected] for a FREE

30 day trial.

$39/year senior/student$42/year regular

$25/6 months$35/year online edition

Staff:

Publisher:A Peak Prospective, [email protected]

Editor:Lynn [email protected]

Layout and Design:Kayleen [email protected]

Reporters:Barbara [email protected] [email protected]

Columnists:4TheLuvofDogs | Deb D’AndreaClimate Conversations | Clyde BurnettCounty Corner | Roger BakerGilpin Library Footnotes | Larry GriecoMayor’s Blog | Joe GierlachMountain Spirit Astrology | Karen AndersonRead in Ned | Geneva MixonSenior Scene | Serene KarplusSchool Zone | Mary MelanderThis Week’s Weather | John McGinley

Advertising:Barbara [email protected]

Circulation:John [email protected]

december 4 - ThursdayAll Day Peak to Peak Climb runs today - see website8 am - 9 am AA Meeting @ Ned Vet Hospital10 am - 12 pm Food Pantry & Clothing Closet @ NCC10 am - 12 pm Boulder County Benefits Eligibility @ NCC10:30 am - 11:30 am Preschool Story Time @ Nederland Library11:30 am - 1 pm Rotary Club @ Isle of Capri6 pm - 8 pm Miles Perry @ Very Nice Brewery8 pm - 10 pm Matt Flaherty Band @ Jamestown Mercantile

5 - Friday10 am - 11 am Coffee Cupping @ Salto4 pm - 7 pm Friday Tasting @ Peak Wine & Spirits5 pm - 11 pm White Friday Art Sale @ Stage Stop5 pm - 7 pm First Friday Art @ Wild Mountain5:15 pm - 7:15 pm Kid Pick @ Kathmandu6 pm - 8 pm First Friday Art Show @ Salto6 pm - 9 pm Britta & Brooke @ Jamestown Mercantile7 pm - 9:30 pm Interstellar (PG13) @ Backdoor Theater7 pm - 8 pm AA Meeting @ St. Rita’s9 pm - 11 pm Caribou Mountain Collective @ Gold Hill Inn10 pm - 12 am Electric Red @ Pioneer Inn

6 - saturday10 am - 5 pm Holiday Mountain Market @ Ned Community Center10 am - 12 pm Food Pantry & Community Clothing Closet @ NCC4 pm - 6 pm Play-Ground Theater @ Ned Library7 pm - 10 pm Funky Tonk Heroes @ Very Nice Brewery7 pm - 9:30 pm Interstellar (PG13) @ Backdoor Theater8 pm - 10 pm Gasoline Lollipops @ Jamestown Mercantile9 pm - 12 am Big Little Band @ Stage Stop10 pm - 12 am Angle @ Pioneer Inn

7 - sundayAll Day Service Industry Sunday @ Stage Stop10 am - 4 pm Holiday Mountain Market @ Ned Community Center3:30 pm - 5:30 pm Bottom Dollar String Band @ Salto4 pm - 6 pm Afternoon Pick @ Salto5 pm - 7 pm Billy Shaddox @ Gold Hill Inn7 pm - 10 pm Fred’s Got the Blues Band @ First Street Pub

8 - monday12 pm - 1 pm Nederland Area Seniors Lunch @ Community Center5 pm - 7 pm Lovin’ Cup Community Kitchen @ The Deli5:30 pm - 8:30 pm Open Jovan @ Jamestown Merc7 pm - 9 pm International Folk Dancing @ Community Center

9 - TuesdayAll Day Colorado Gives Day @ your computer11 am - 12 pm Eating As It Relates To A Fitness Lifestyle @ Ned Fitness Center2 pm - 3 pm Tech Tuesday @ Ned Library5:30 pm - 6:30 pm Open House/Tour @ NES6:30 pm - 8:30 pm Tuesday Evening Arts for Adults @ Wild Bear7 pm - 8 pm AA Meeting @ St. Rita’s10 pm - 12 am Open Mic @ Pioneer Inn

10 - wednesday10:30 am - 11:30 am Baby & Toddler Story Time @ Nederland Library12 pm - 1 pm Nederland Area Seniors Lunch @ Community Center12:30 pm - 1:30 pm Community Center Foundation Board meeting @ NCC4 pm - 6 pm Ugly Sweater Happy Hour @ Wild Mountain5 pm - 6 pm Chess Club @ Nederland Library5 pm - 7 pm Rotary Meeting @ Pioneer Inn6 pm - 8 pm Vinyl Night @ Very Nice7 pm - 9 pm Band & Orchestra Concert @ NMSHS10 pm - 12 am Blues Jam @ Pioneer Inn

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

“Interstellar” (matthew mcconaughy!!!)

Friday, december 5th 2014& saturday, december 6th 2014 @ 7 Pm

With our time on Earth coming to an end, a team of explorers undertakes the most important mission in human history; traveling beyond this galaxy to discover whether mankind has a future among the stars.

Actors: Matthew McConaughey, Anne Hathaway, Jessica Chastain, Bill Irwin, & John Lithgow.

Directed by: Christopher Nolan


243 w 4th st, Nederland inside the Nederland community center.

Running time 2 hr 49 min. Rated PG-13 for some intense perilous action and brief strong language.

sign up for your annual christmas boxFill out this form and return to:Food Pantry PO BOX 154 Nederland CO 80466by December 8, 2014 to be included

Name____________________________________________Mailing Address____________________________________City__________________________ Zip_________________Number of people in family_____________

Boxes will be distributed December 13,2014 at the Nederland Community Center.

“In the end we shall have had enough of cynicism, skepticism and hum-bug, and we shall want to live more musically.”

~Vincent van Gogh


Positive Energy sold: David ruskay retires


changing of the guardJenn Zynn and David Ruskay have become friends and business partners. Ruskay is retiring and sold his 33-year old business to Jenn Zynn who has worked her way up to the top position.

PhoTo by barbara lawlor

barbara lawlorNederland

In 2007, David Ruskay, owner of Positive Energy, a long-time Nederland business, stopped in Boulder Canyon to pick up a hitchhiker. It was a fortuitous meeting.

Jennifer Zynn was 28 years old at the time and struggling, working at “a crummy job” in Boulder and also working through her gender issues.

It was not too many rides later that Ruskay offered Zynn a job with his company and she happily accepted, beginning her education in the electrician business. She was an apprentice, the low girl on the totem pole, the one who got to deal with the spiders and mud and mouse poop while investigating crawl spaces. But she didn’t mind getting dirty.

“I knew it was worth it. I knew I wouldn’t always be doing this. Besides, I am the only one that would fit in many cases.”

Crawl spaces were the smallest of her challenges. Not only did she have to deal with being one of the few female electricians in a field dominated by men, she also had to address the fact that she was a female who used to be a male.

When Ruskay picked Zynn up hitchhiking, he soon became aware of her struggles. He didn’t just hire her, he became a mentor and a friend. “She seemed like a nice human being. I wanted to help her find a place to be and I wanted to support her whole gender issue.”

After seven years of teaching her everything he knew about the business, Ruskay felt comfortable in finally retiring and selling Zynn the business. At the age of 35, Zynn is now

a successful business owner, home owner, and boss. She’s happy the way things turned out and so is Ruskay. He is now free to pursue his humanitarian efforts as well as having some fun.

Ruskay grew up on Long Island, New York. He was an athlete, loved skiing and tennis, and got by in his studies. When it was time for college he attended CU in Boulder, drawn by the skiing. His parents had both been members of the National Ski Patrol and he hoped to become a member of the CU ski team. “I didn’t have the chance. These kids were the best in the country. I was just happy to be living in Boulder.”

In his senior year of college, 1971,

Ruskay moved to Nederland for the sex, drugs, and rock and roll. “I was one of the original hippies, at war with the old-time miners who didn’t want us around. But we all eventually became friends.”

Ruskay had a degree in psychology and he hung out at the ski area. When he married and had children, he knew it was time to get a job. So he became an electrician. It was easier then to proclaim oneself an expert at anything. He lived in a house on the highway that needed remodeling, so he got out his tools and went to work.

“The easiest part was the electrical,” says Ruskay. “After that I started going around town fixing people’s electrical

problems. Then I was busted by the state inspector for wiring buildings with no license.”

Ruskay followed the rules and by 1976 he was legal. In 1977, he ran City Electrical of Nederland and pursued the Master Electrician title, ultimately starting Positive Energy. He gathered a bunch of friends and told them he would buy dinner at Neo’s if they came up with a name. “Sparky” and “Dr. Electric” were thrown out and by the end of the dinner, they still had nothing.

As Andy Cookler, one of Ruskay’s friends, was walking out the door, he turned back and said “How about ‘Positive’?” Ruskay claims the name continued on page 7

PhoTo by barbara lawlorhot headIan Gillespie of the Crafted in Colorado shop on First Street models a fur hat from Derik Stevens of Ward. The shop features arts and crafts from local artists. Right, above, Lisa Woldrom says families came into the Rustic Moose in bunches as they shopped downtown on Friday.


“Where the food is as good as the view!”303-258-0804 hwy 119, 1 mile south of Nederland

Free WiFi • Outdoor Patio • Breakfast, Lunch & DinnerWed-Mon: 8am-9pm • Tues: 8am-2:30pm

Breakfast served until 2:30pmThis week’s special: homemade meatloaf

with gravy and mashed potatoes

Positive Energy sold: David ruskay retireshas led to his success.

Zynn says that one of the reasons she is buying the company is because of its name. “I believe in it.”

Ruskay also has a shop in Boulder with six electricians. Zynn will run the business out of her Gilpin County home.

Zynn has led an eclectic life before settling down in the mountains. She grew up in Imperial Valley, California.

At the of eight, she was tinkering with computers, taking them apart, seeing how they work. When she was 18, she moved to Hawaii, where she headed to move forward with a gender change. If her family wasn’t exactly supportive, they were at least accepting of her desire.

In Hawaii, she worked for two years for a company that put wire communication cables on ships. She then moved to San Diego, the center of

communications research, and worked with communication systems.

“But I didn’t like being in an office. It wasn’t me. I like working with my hands and mind.” When she was 22 she worked for the Institute for Defense Analyses, but once again, the idea of working inside led to her leaving.

She traveled around, living in a commune, exploring the South, but looking for somewhere to settle down. When she arrived in Nederland and hiked the Hessie Trail to the waterfalls, she decided this is where she wanted to be. After being given a ride by Ruskay she decided electricity is what she wanted to do.

“Nobody ever sees the beautiful work we do because it all gets sealed up,” she says. “I guess our job is to be invisible. I like the electrical theorem, which gets intense, but you have to understand the theory.”

Positive Energy has found a permanent clientele in helping people who live in old mountain cabins keep them up to code and safe. But the big surge in their business has come with the pot-growing industry.

Ruskay says, “People are doing their own wiring, and they are doing it dangerously. Please get your system set up safely.”

The switch is taking place this

month. Zynn will take over the business and Ruskay will take over his life. He says he knew right away that she would be the right one. “I saw someone with tremendous potential and now it is a classic American story: the person beginning in the lowest position ends up owning the business. But she has earned every bit of it.”

Although Zynn has struggled now and then with a feeling of oppression, she says she’s had to “man up” to make people take her seriously, to be more of a man than they are.

Ruskay says he will figure out where he is going when he stops working. “I have lots to do. Come what may I will not regret this final phase of my life. For about a year now, I have not been enjoying the work. I have six grandchildren…. I am not going anywhere; staying here in Ned and I am grateful to the mountain community that has supported me for 33 years.”

Zynn says her main goal is to take care of her employees, making sure they are happy and paid and that they have work. With the need for grow-house electricity, the economy has been booming. She says she loves working in the mountains.

“If there is a day I don’t have to go down the hill, it is a good day. The more work I have, the better.”

continued from page 6

louise FordyceNederland

December is celebrated in many cultures with “light,” especially in the northern hemisphere. I know many of us look forward to seeing the bridge in Nederland all lit up, and enjoy the ambiance at stores with fairy lights. During this month of short days, it is comforting to look for ways to make our homes cozy, such as using wood stoves or fireplaces to keep us snug, and using candles at the dinner table.

The tradition of bringing fir trees, and greenery inside goes back to pagan times. Druid, Celt, Norse, and Roman civilizations celebrated the winter solstice on December 21st. Green symbolized eternal life, so evergreen plants were used to decorate during this season, when not much was growing outside.

In the early 19th century, Prince Albert, Queen Victoria’s husband, brought the tradition of the Christmas tree from his native Germany to England. In Victorian times it became commonplace to decorate a tree with candles and ribbons. German immigrants to the US also shared this tradition from their homeland.

My family had the opportunity to spend a year living in Copenhagen during 2012-2013. In Denmark, Jul (Christmas) is celebrated for the whole month of December. We found the holiday focus in Denmark to be on family gatherings and traditions.

A new addition to the library collection is Scandinavian Christmas by Trine Hahnemann, a book that gives some insight into Danish holiday food. Hahnemann provides great recipes, as well as historical anecdotes about the dishes. These are presented alongside scenic photos of Scandinavia taken in winter. I met the author in Copenhagen at a book signing. She is a professional

caterer who takes the entire month of December off so she can focus on celebrating with her family and friends, and cook for them!

Copenhagen is on the same latitude as Edinburgh, Scotland, and Moscow, Russia. As a result, in December the sun rises around 9:00 a.m. and has set by 4:00 p.m. That is not much daylight so it makes sense that traditions focus on lighting and warming the home. My favorite Danish tradition is lighting many tea light candles in small holders to bring light into your living space during the winter. I discovered that many families light candles in the dark mornings to accompany their breakfast, as well as when they get home after school and work in the evenings.

Long evenings by the fire make the perfect time and place for knitting. For those who like to knit in our community we have a new title on order: 55 Christmas Balls to Knit: Colorful Festive Ornaments, by Arne & Carlos. If you have never tried two-color knitting, this book is a great place to start. The patterns for these ornaments range from simple rows of Vs to a complex horse.

For the intermediate to experienced knitter the library also carries two wonderful books full of patterns: Nordic Knitting – 31 Patterns in the Scandinavian Tradition, by Suzanne Pagoldh; and Warm Little Knits – Classic Norwegian Two-Color Pattern Knitwear, by Grete Letting.

The staff and volunteers at the Nederland Community Library wish you a happy December filled with light!

The Nederland Community Library welcome kids and families to join us on Saturday, December 6th, at 4:00 p.m. for Play-Ground Theater’s Wild West Show.


Read in Ned***

Scandinavian holiday Traditions

Brightwood MusicSaleS, SeRvice, leSSonS • Doug aRmitage -PRoPRietoR

CaLL or Stop by today! • rentaLS avaiLabLe

150 n Jefferson, nederland Co 80466303-258-tune (8863)

Hour of operation: Monday tHrougH friday 10aM to 6pM Saturday 10aM to 5pM Sunday cloSed

upcoming events at Nederland Elementary SchoolKristi Venditti Early Childhood Community Liaison Nederland

Caribou Mountain Preschool Tuition Lottery has started.

Caribou Mountain Preschool is a public preschool located at Nederland Elementary School. Our classes are led by licensed, experienced staff using the nationally recognized Creative Curriculum. We teach pre-math and pre-literacy in a play-based environment.

Caribou Mountain offers full and half day programs for three and four year olds. Sliding scale tuition is available to those who qualify. We also participate in the Colorado Preschool Program, which is free preschool for qualified families.

Enrollment at Caribou Mountain is determined by a tuition lottery. The lottery will be held from December 1st, 2014, through January 16th, 2015, for placement for the 2014/15 school year. Applications for the tuition lottery may be found at www.bvsd.org.

If you are considering sending your child to Caribou Mountain for the 2014/15 school year, we highly encourage families to enter the lottery. Entering the lottery does not mean you are committed to attending, but it does increase your child’s chance of securing a spot.

For more information, or if you think your child may qualify for free preschool, please contact Kristi Venditti at (720)561-4833 or at [email protected].

Kindergarten round up - January 13th

Nederland Elementary School’s Kindergarten Round-Up is scheduled for Tuesday, January 13th from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Meet and Greet Pizza Party at 5:15 p.m., followed by a Kindergarten Information Session at 6:15 p.m. Childcare provided. If your child will be five by September 30th, 201, they are ready for kindergarten.

Open house and tour for all interested families – preschool

through fifth gradeAll are invited to Nederland

Elementary’s Open House and School Tour, Tuesday, December 9th and Thursday, December 11th.

Join Principal Jeff Miller for our Open House and School Tour on Tuesday, December 9th from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. or Thursday, December

11th from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. Mr. Miller will be available to talk to parents and answer any questions.

For more information call Nederland Elementary at (720) 561-4800. Nederland Elementary School is located at 1 N. Sundown Trail in Nederland.


Dolan Medical & Sports Massage

Specializing in Medical/Post-Op Massage, Deep Tissue/Neuromuscular Therapy,

Sports Injury & Recovery

For rates and more info visitwww.annsleydolan.massagetherapy.comCall for an appointment 303-995-700834 E 1st St., Unit 3 Nederland, Co. 80466

303-258-9464

serene Karplus, Nederland Area Seniors

Discover the magic of the mountains in the creative works of over 50 artisans and dozens of musicians at the Holiday Mountain Market in Nederland, Colorado.

On the weekend of December 5 -7, Nederland beats the winter chill with the biggest holiday festival west of Boulder.

Kick off the weekend with the Town Tree Lighting at 5:30 p.m. on Friday, December 5, outside Town Hall, as the Girl Scouts sing carols. Warm up in shops and cafes where artists display their work and musicians perform on the First Fridays Art Tour. For details, visit NederlandFirstFriday.com.

Shop unique locally handcrafted gifts for yourself and everyone on your holiday lists at the Holiday Mountain Market at the Nederland Community Center on Saturday, December 6, from 10:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m.; and Sunday, December 7, from 10:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m.

Find fun wearable art from woolen knit hats to gossamer silk scarves. Sample salves and scrumptious foods, bedeck your neck in festive jewelry, or ask an author to personalize a gift book. Revel in fine art watercolor, photography, and intricate beadwork. Select ornaments, candles, ceramics, and hundreds of other items. A Silent Auction with over 130 gifts, artwork, certificates, and more will complete the shopping list.

Re-energize with the music of performers throughout both days. Saturday launches the lineup with the tiny tutu ballerinas and tapping toddlers of Mountain Movers at 10:30, followed by the popular Celtic music of The Gael at 11:30. At 1:00, the Peak to Peak Chorale fills the Market with joyous holiday sounds. The mellow, smooth voice of Roy Burkett soothes at 2:00, and the lively toe-tapping tunes of Cindy Haxel and Friends at 3:00 wraps up the day.

Sunday performances begin at Noon with caroling by members of the Nederland Community Presbyterian Church, followed by the keyboard and vocals of Burt Rashbaum at 1:00 p.m. At 2:00 p.m. the dynamic Revelation 19 and the Gideon Choir sings down the rafters. Doug Armitage of Brightwood Music begins at 3:00 and closes the festival with a variety of songs and picking styles.

Enjoy festive foods at the Holiday Mountain Market Café, priced affordably for families to stay all day. Santa visits from Noon to 3:00 each day to meet with eager children and pose for photos with them. Take a chance on winning hundreds of dollars of extra holiday cash in the 50-50 Cash Split Raffle that benefits the nonprofit Nederland Area Seniors hosting the event. Everyone is a winner for supporting local nonprofits and microbusinesses.

For additional information, contact 303-258-0799 or [email protected]

holiday Mountain Market this weekend

PhoTo by barbara lawlorrustic and realThe Glass Tipi in Ward opened for business last month. It is a fine arts and craft shop with local artwork on display and an invitation to enjoy coffee or tea while visiting during the holidays.

artist opens shop in wardcontinued from page 3

The women planned to be open for their Christmas Show, with many gift offerings. They anticipate many visitors when the Brainard cross-country trails receive enough snow to lure the flatlanders into town.

For those having visitors new to Colorado, a trip to Ward is a journey they won’t soon forget, with the spectacular views and ski trails. The Millsite Restaurant at the entrance to town and Morocco’s Restaurant on Main Street are available for lunch and dinner in a rustic Rocky Mountain setting.



PhoTo by chrIs lussIerbackcountry PizzaLucas Swafford of Backcountry Pizza says Monday Night Football offers great special deals along with their regular and special pizzas.

PhoTo by chrIs lussIergetting into the spirit of thingsAbove: Tanya Kayler packs up a present at Nature’s Own, the shop with natural gifts from all over the world. Left: a father and son decide that the Gravity Maze is the perfect gift for a friend of theirs


The Brick Dog houseA second home for your best friend!

Completely fenced in 3 acres offers safe, off leash adventures and exercise!Dogs sleep indoors with us.

We will love your dog as our own!

Dogs must be: spayed or neutered, non-aggressive, and current on shots.Pet first aid certified. Excellent references. Licensed.

call sharon Mossow 303-258-3696 for more info

deb d’andrea4TheLuvOfDogzNederland

Many of us hit the road during the holidays, visiting loved ones around the country and sharing time together, navigating ideal and no-so-ideal traveling conditions. Those of us with pets find it easier to travel these days with so many places accepting them for free or for a nominal fee; and many rest stops now provide dog areas for them to “do their business.”

The airlines offer various options to travel with your pet; but with that said I would only fly with my pet by my side. To me, putting them in cargo is not an option.

When heading out, it is a good idea to double check that your pet is up to date with required vaccines and to bring a copy of their paperwork with you. This is essential when crossing borders—say, to Canada—and for your return to the United States.

If traveling to Hawaii, check their current laws as they are very strict concerning animal quarantine; and if traveling to another country, verify their quarantine policies which sometimes can be for months.

If your pet isn’t used to traveling, before heading out take some trial runs and observe how they do in the car. See if they get stressed out, become anxious, or are completely at ease riding along. My girls love car rides, as in most cases we end up someplace cool for us all to play. It’s not always a trip to the Veterinary!

I always pack a gallon of my well water and have a partially filled water bowl available to them at all times throughout the ride. It has been shown that changing their drinking water can cause upset stomachs, something you’d

like to avoid while traveling. If I run out of water, I purchase spring water for them to drink.

I’ve found that placing a small bowl with water inside a larger empty bowl works very well to minimize water spillage while traveling. I’ve also found that placing several dog blankets in the back of my Subaru so they can make a nice bedding area helps tremendously in their comfort level. I do not put them in crates for the ride, as from my reading the verdict is still out as to the safest way for them to travel. I’ve read pros and cons for both.

When driving it is best not to let your pet sit in your lap—something I just saw yesterday while driving the highway. A woman had her small white pup standing on her lap between her and her steering wheel looking out the driver’s-side window. Several accidents are caused by dogs in the front seat, and if your airbag deploys, that won’t be good for you or your pet.

And while dogs love to stick their heads out the window, I keep my window cracked just enough for a snout to catch the scents but not for the whole head to be outside. Dogs can lose their eyesight due to various items kicked up from car tires ahead of you, or a random bug. If you’ve ridden a bicycle or motorcycle, you know that getting hit by a bug can hurt!

Safe travels and happy tails! Till next time. Deb D’Andrea, founder of 4TheLuvOfDogz, provides mobile Canine Massage, Canine Agility and Petz Nanny Services for dogs, cats, birds, fish, horses, and other critters. 4TheLuvOfDogz home-made dog treats are sold at local stores, and K9Birthday Cakes are available direct. Contact Deb at 720-675-7078 or [email protected] for more information.

Traveling with pets

NEDErLaND EQuESTrIaN SChooL• Day camps • Lessons • Handling

• Birthday Parties • Clinics • Shows

Sheila Ranegar1508 Lazy Z Rd

Nederland, CO 80466

[email protected]

nederlandequestrainschool.com

Nederland Veterinary HospitalJoe Evans, D.V.M., MRCVS

303-258-7355Full service Veterinary Clinic with a specialty in advanced surgical procedures. Also offering Class IV Therapeutic Laser Therapy.Visit the website for specials:www.nedvet.com


This weeks feature: 572 w. Pine MLS# 747290 $299,000

Live in the heart of Nederland in this remodeled 5 BRhome that sits on a FLAT double lot. Exposed wood beams, custom built-ins, tile and stained glass accents. New roof, some windows & a huge Trex deck, great for entertaining or soaking up the sun.

catherinecamp, abr

From the Mountains to

the Plains

direct line:

303-748-5023

Fax: 303-558-3853

Office: 303-449-1010

[email protected]

www.liveinthefrontrange.com

Pressure Free Real Estate Services

Local artist says painting is icebreakerbarbara lawlorNederland

It is often difficult for a somewhat shy person to break into the social network of a new community. With no knowledge of its people and no history to connect with, moving into the unknown can be daunting.

Elizabeth Azcarate moved here about a year ago, and with the help of her passion for art and her paintings is chipping away at a Nederland niche for herself.

With a month or so of moving in, she brought a few of her paintings to be shown at the 2013 Art at the Center gallery, where she won first place for her work. Since then she has shown her work at the Center this summer. More recently, she is the artist on display at the Nederland Community Library, where people walk in and constantly admire her paintings of succulents and flowers. They are large, clearly detailed, and flawlessly colored—each stem, leaf, or blossom true to its nature.

Nederland is fortunate to have such an accomplished artist and Elizabeth took a long time to get here, but as the pangs of homesickness for her orchard and garden begin to dull, her love for her new home emerges

Elizabeth was born in Connecticut, where she remembers playing with the New England leaves, trying to dry them and preserve their brilliance with varnish and wax. She loved colors and whenever she got her hands on a crayon she would fill a napkin where it was embossed.

“I was never really encouraged to be an artist, but I enjoyed it,” says Elizabeth.

When she was 13 her family moved to Long Beach, California. Her mother was a secretary and he father was a technical writer for the aviation industry. During middle and high school, she did what was required and opted for art classes whenever she could. “Art was easy and I received As to make my school record look better. I was good at art and soon it became a passion.”

While in high school, Elizabeth studied Spanish because she needed it for college requirements. She says she always been a practical person, planning her steps for a future. After

taking an aptitude test, she was told she was suited to become a landscape architect or a forest service employee. Her parents couldn’t afford to pay for her college and she went to work as a medical secretary.

When she got married, she moved to her husband’s country ranch. A WWII disabled veteran, her husband had a lapidary business and was a woodworker and saddle builder. Elizabeth found herself caring for 56 fruit trees, including avocados, lemons, oranges, peaches, and figs. There were also Arabian/Morgan horses, Australian Shepherds, chickens, and 30 cats (not all at the same time).

She ran the ranch and worked on her art. When her husband died, she decided to get serious about her art. While she maintained the ranch she also attended Ventura College, always part time, and then studied at California State University at Northridge, graduating at the age of 61 after taking classes for 21 years. She was the second oldest member of her graduating class.

During this time she painted. Eventually, her work became known and she was selling her paintings. Her first show was in the Ventura Artists Association gallery; she then moved on to the Santa Paula Society of the Arts. She joined an art class in Lancaster, and for 11 years she learned, by repetition and practice, how to achieve the desired effects.

Elizabeth pays attention to dominance and subordination in the composition. She learned how to mix color to get the vegetation tones that make up her landscapes. “All you have to have is the desire,” she says. “The rest is teachable.”

While taking art classes she learned to paint what she knew, so she turned the landscape plants on her three acres of land into spectacular paintings. She says she often hired help around the ranch, but it soon became too much.

“I had more land, more barns, more trees than I needed. That was someone else’s dream. I decided it was time to go after my dream, so I did.”

Elizabeth put the ranch on the market and prepared it for sale. It sold within 10 days and she was committed to make the move. She had waited 14 years for the economy to be conducive for selling. She had decided to move

to Colorado, where her niece lives in Lakewood; but she wanted to be in the mountains.

The other requirement is that she wanted to find a log house that was logs on the outside and inside. She didn’t want to look at sheetrock. Her first trip to Colorado was to Estes Park, but she couldn’t get there because of the 2013 September flood.

The next trip led her to Nederland Realtor Tom Kirkendall, who took her to Big Springs, where she found the log walls she wanted. She moved in on November 12, bringing 45 paintings with her.

Her work is now showing at the Community Center, the Presbyterian

Church, Very Nice Brewing Company, and the library.

Elizabeth says that she has moved into the area physically, but it isn’t quite home yet. “But I’m working on it and making friends.” She is building a studio, still unpacking boxes, and missing her gardens back in California. But she plans on staying and figuring out a way to grow her own food.

“I know what I like and what I want and I know how to go after it. I am more capable than independent and I am proud of it. I worked hard to get that way.”

Elizabeth’s work will be on display at the library through December.

PhoTo by barbara lawlorlight and colorElizabeth Azcarate moved from California a year ago and now lives in Nederland, where she shares her paintings of succulents and animals with other members of the art community and in local galleries.


The Mountain office303-258-7020

Feature of the week:3883 Ridge Rd., Nederland

$559,000 MLS731380

Congratulations on the sale of this elegant mountain home! Exquisitely built with a spacious gourmet kitchen, red oak floors, luxury master bed/bath and expansive balconies with views of snow-capped peaks.

470 W. 3rd St., Nederland$225,000 MLS 748784

27 Paradise Valley Pkwy, Black Hawk

$69,000 MLS 688137

2 County Rd 128, Nederland$124,800 MLS 738607

423 Morning Star Cir., Black Hawk$139,500 MLS 749464

151 E. 5th St., Nederland$515,000 MLS 745053

44 Pickle Pt., Black Hawk$112,500 MLS 749050

sold!

7.01 acres

under contra

ct

under contra

ct

sold!

3.22 acres

4.09 acres

The Kirkendall Team

303-543-3093

Jackie Jones303-952-3068

Heather Gray303-543-3095

Karen Isaac303-543-3089

Liz Ford303-543-3094


to extract the oil, the THC, from the leaves and stems. The resulting oil can be up to 80 percent THC and it is said that one or two drops produces as much of a high as large joint.

If the room in which the process takes place is not properly vented,

butane fumes can build up and ignite from any spark source, even static electricity. Statewide, firefighters had responded to at least 30 butane/hash oil explosions by May, and there were probably many others not reported.

The one common item in all the explosions was the number of butane

bottles left on the premises. When they are consumed by the fire they explode with loud pops that sound like gunfire.

Colorado marijuana laws allow businesses to make hash oil, but with strict rules. Adults over 21 can grow six plants at home and can brew their own

PhoTo by chrIs lussIera total lossTimberline Fire Protection District and Gilpin County Sheriff’s deputies arrived at a structure fire on Chalet Drive Sunday morning to find the building fully engulfed in flames. One dog escaped the blaze with burns to his back and head and other dog is still missing.



PhoTo by barbara lawlordousing the embersOnce the Gilpin County home fire was knocked down by firefighters, they went in closer to cover the burning debris.

december 2014 events

12/01 Tree Trimming Party Lunch @ 12:15 12/02 Grocery Shopping @ Bergen Park King Soopers 12/03 Free Exercise Class 11:00 Lunch @ 12:15 Social Time 12/04 IMAX D-Day Normandy, rescheduled due to snow 12/05 Free Exercise Class 11:00 Lunch @ 12:15 Free Bingo 12/08 Lunch @ 12:15 Public Health Program 12/09 Grocery Shopping @ Bergen Park Wal-Mart 12/10 Free Exercise Class @ 11:00 Lunch @ 12:15 Free Bingo 12/11 Field Trip to Colorado Mills Mall RSVP to reserve your spot

on the van 12/12 Free Exercise Class 11:00 Lunch @ 12:15 Social Time 12/15 Christmas Trivia with prizes, Lunch @ 12:15 12/16 Grocery Shopping @ Bergen Park King Soopers 12/17 Free Exercise Class 11:00 Lunch @ 12:15 Blood Pressure

Clinic @ 11:30 Birthday Party Come join the fun!

12/18 PAC Luncheon @ The Black Forest 11:30 AM $10.00 12/19 Free Exercise Class 11:00 Lunch @ 12:15 Staying Healthy at Holiday Time w/ Joelle 12/22 Free Bingo Lunch @ 12:15 12/23 Grocery Shopping @ Bergen Park Wal-Mart 12/24 Free Exercise Class @ 11:00 Social Time Lunch @ 12:15 12/25 Merry Christmas! Closed 12/26 Happy Holidays! Closed 12/29 Social Time Lunch @ 12:15 12/30 Grocery Shopping @ Bergen Park King Soopers 12/31 New Year’s Eve Party Lunch @ 12:15

For Seniors 60 years of age and older, there is a $2.50 donation asked for all Senior Luncheons.

For Free Transportation to any of these events or toRSVP please call Mary Ellen @ Direct # 303-515-4292.


Nederland seniors weekly calender:

Every Monday & Wednesday, Noon - Lunch at Community Center RSVP Every Monday & Wednesday, 10:30am- Exercise at St. Rita’s: free

Every Monday, Wednesday, Saturday, 10:00am - Pickleball at Nederland Community Center; free

Mondays When Available, 1:15pm - Movie Matinee Mondays; $5 Every 1st and 3rd Wednesday, 1:15pm - Writing Skills at NCC; free

Every 2nd and 4th Wednesday, 1:15pm - Writing Group at NCC; free Every 3rd Friday, 10:00am, Meet at NCC; free

BIGfoot Memorial Hike/Snowshoe Call NAS to Confirm

december events calender

Sat/Sun 12/6&7 - Holiday Mountain MarketTue, 12/9 - Colorado Gives Day—Credit Card Donors

Wed, 12/10 - Holiday Luncheon & Annual MeetingWed, 12/10 - Foot Care Nurse - call NAS ofc for apt

Sun, 12/14 - Memorial for Dave Felkley - Comm Ctr 12-3Wed, 12/17 - NAS Board Mtg 1:15pm

Thu, 12/18 - Christkindl MarketFri, 12/19 - BIGfoot Memorial Hike/Snowshoe

Wed, 12/24 - No Lunch - Cancelled for HolidayWed, 12/31 - No Lunch - Cancelled for HolidayWed, 1/7 - Deadline for Dinner Theater Tickets

additional Info re events: 303-258-0799

Gilpin County Seniors Program

Nederland Area Seniors Calender

Deals on two for one ads, all of December ads,

3 months deals and more.

Contact Barbara Hardt, Marketing and Sales at 303-810-5409 for details

or email [email protected]

Now is the time to place your holiday

advertising• Increase brand awareness among locals and visitors.

• Drive foot traffic through the holidays.• Provide unique incentives for readers.

• Reach thousands through print & digital advertising.

DEALS FOR PEAK TO PEAK ADVERTISERS

senior sceneSerene Karplus

o little Mountain Market(Sung to the tune of “O Little Town

of Bethlehem”)

Oh, little town of NederlandWhere dozens of crafters vieTo bring us wares that show we careEnticing us to buy.The silent auction’s famousFor services and wares,So keep in mind that hundreds findThe perfect gift that’s rare.

We trek into the mountain martFor friends we’ve not seen all yearWatch dancing troupes, then choirs,

groups -Their glorious sounds we hear.We’ll find handcrafted items, Knits, candles, foods, and art,With nearly 60 vendors here, We’ll find one close to heart.

And don’t forget the café foodThat’s priced for the family right,With cider, chili, brownies, too -No need to cook that night.As we walk the hallways,Nonprofit sales abound,So we can share the love we bearFor serving us year-round.

Our Santa Claus will grace the throneFor photos as in the past;He’s practiced “Ho” with those who

know

And even offers crafts.We all know shopping local At this great mountain fest,Will help the microbusiness andNonprofits reach their best.

**************

Holiday Mountain Market. Handmade Craft and Art – Nearly 60 Vendors. Live Music, Choral, Dance Performances all day, both days. Photos with Santa, Noon – 3 p.m. both days. Festive hot foods. Silent auction. 50/50 Cash Split Raffle. Nonprofit booths. Saturday, December 6, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. and Sunday, December 7, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Nederland Community Center, 750 Hwy 72 North, Nederland. Free admission. Info: [email protected], 303-258-0799.

***WIN hundreds of dollars for your

holiday shopping spree in the 50-50 Cash Split Holiday Raffle! Buy tickets at the Holiday Mountain Market or from a Nederland Area Senior before the drawing at 1:00 p.m. on December 10.

***“Give Where You Live.” Please

remember us on Colorado Gives Day! Set up credit card donations now to activate on Tuesday, December 9, so the organizations you care about can participate in the Million Dollar

incentive bonus being shared that day. Visit ColoradoGives.org and type in Nederland Area Seniors to learn more about how your dollars help bring important services to mountain seniors. We are the only nonprofit senior services organization in western Boulder County.

***Everyone is invited to the Nederland

Area Seniors luncheon at the Nederland Community Center at noon. A donation of $4 is requested from those over 60

years of age and $8.25 all others, but all seniors are welcome regardless of ability to pay. Please make reservations by 4 p.m. Friday for Monday lunch and 4 p.m. Monday for Wednesday lunch at 303-258-0799.

Monday, December 8: Ham and Cheese Omelet, Zucchini, Potatoes O’Brien/Cinnamon Roll, Fruit

Wednesday, December 11: Baked Salmon w Lemon, Peas, Rosemary Potatoes/WW Roll, Peach


Be in your pleasures like the flowers and the bees. ~ Kahlil Gibran

We are a congregation of open and welcome doors, open and growing minds and open faithful hearts.

Nederland community Presbyterian churchsunday worship 10 a.m.

303-258-3579www.nederlandcpc.org


PhoTo by barbara lawlorsomething for everyoneAbove, left: Shoppers at the Rustic Moose have their special gift wrapped for travel on Black Friday. Above, right: Samantha Donner greets shoppers who stop in for some of Wild Mountain Smokehouse and Brewery’s famous wings and a pitcher of beer. Below: Two local dogs get a treat from the Nederland Feed and Supply Store. Local dogs believe in Santa Claus.


suPPorT your local NaTure ceNTercolorado gives day, december 9every dollar raised is increased

by the incentive fund!

24 hours to give where you live.www.wildbear.org

a warm, Dry, windy weekBy John McGinley

With winds hitting 63mph on Thanksgiving I hope no one had their turkey blow away. Six out of the last seven days had gusts over 40mph, so wind was the story for the week. While a few flurries materialized we only had measurable snow on Wednesday Nov 24th with 0.2 inches. With all the downslope wind, temperatures soared into the 50s with even lows remaining above freezing. Friday had a high of 51F and a low of 42F…..felt more like early October. With arrival of a cold front on Sunday lows fell into the teens, reminding us that we are still in late fall . With November at an end we can look at the monthly stats: Average high 39F; average low 22F combined to be 2 degrees below normal. We went crazy with winds with 20 windy days (40mph +) four of which were over 60mph. Normal is 14 with three 60mph-days. We were right at normal precipitation with 18.9 inches of snow that melted out to 1.18 inches.

Day Date High Low Precip CommentsWed Nov 26 38 31 0.2S/ 0.02L Gusts to 57mphThu Nov 27 46 35 trace Gusts to 63mphFri Nov 28 51 42 Gusts to 59mphSat Nov 29 47 37 Gusts to 47mphSun Nov 30 45 13 Cold frontMon Dec 1 38 12 Gusts to 49mphTue Dec 2 4 31 Gusts to 44mphEnd-of-week snow on ground: 1 inchForecastWe are now fully in December, a month that brings average highs of 35F and

lows of 15. A typical December has 1.03 inches of precipitation that supports about 17 inches of snow. We have 14 windy days with 5 over 60 mph.

The coming week will continue the warm, dry conditions we have been experiencing. Highs will pretty much be in the 40s (10 degrees above normal) with lows in the 20s and 30s. Best we can do for precipitation is a couple of flurry days. Winds will be on tap Saturday though Wednesday.

Thursday–Dec 4: Partly cloudy with flurries. Highs in the mid 40s with lows in the low 30s.

Friday-Dec 5: A weak system will move through and bring more flurries. Highs a bit cooler falling to near 40 with lows in the mid 20s.

Saturday-Dec 6: Fair and warmer with winds. Highs will be in the mid 40s after lows in the upper 20s. Gusty winds.

Sunday-Dec 7: Partly cloudy and windy with highs in the low 40s and lows in the mid 20s.

Monday-Dec 8: Partly cloudy and windy with some flurries. Highs in the low 40s and lows near 20.

Tuesday-Dec 9: Partly cloudy and cooler with snow showers. Highs in the upper 30s with lows in the mid 20s. Windy.

Wednesday-Dec 10: Partly cloudy with highs in the upper 30s and lows in the mid 20s. Windy.

This week’s weather Black Friday, downtown Ned style

PhoTo by barbara lawlordeli manRoss Alper of the Deli is happy to make sandwiches for the hungry holiday shoppers.


Full Quiver

Sagittarius, the noble archer, reaches behind his shoulder into his full quiver of arrows—as signified by this week’s full moon—on Saturday, and chooses the perfect arrow for his pres-ent purpose. He places it in his bow, aims with metaphysical precision, and the arrow lands in the center of the tar-get.

The full moon features the Sun in Sagittarius and the Moon in Gemini, the opposite sign. Current trends cen-ter around the concept of deliberate cre-ation. Under the expert guidance of the archer, all signs can decide what they want, take aim and achieve success.

aries: Unusual methodology will succeed for you in reaching the ex-act center of the target of your choice. Drawing upon past experience, you know that if everyone turns right, turning left could allow you to reach your unique goal or to obtain the finances that you need in your life.

Taurus: Acquisitive Venus, also in the sign of the archer, is your ruling planet, and your guide to the archery contest. She will lead you to the material item that you desire, because, after all, we live here on earth and on a certain level, by definition, we are all material boys and girls.

gemini: The quicksilver man, Mer-cury, your ruler, is now in the sign of the archer, your opposite sign. Therefore other people and teamwork are the keys to reaching the goals that you want. Aim accurately; after all, this is Sagittarius, not your usual scatter-shot Gemini tac-tics.

cancer: Effortlessness versus ef-fortful is the discussion for the Moonies this week. You are in a working phase, so do you apply metaphysics, picturing the result that you want, the top-down method? Or do you exert meticulous at-tention to every detail, with bottom-up as your plan?

leo: With a little bit of luck a man can duck, sang Alfred Doolittle, the dus bin philosopher in the musical My Fair Lady. Perhaps you will hit dead center on your target during this week’s full moon in the sign of the archer, because Jupiter, the good luck planet is visiting you for a year.

Virgo: Precision, perspicacity, and

painstaking application are parts of the picture that Virgo plays to perfection. This pattern of behavior will bring your arrows to the center of all your targets during this very busy phase in your life, under the light of this week’s full moon.

libra: Destiny is with you, O Libra, as you take aim during this week’s full moon. The original ideas that you are coming up with at this time period are just what everyone else is looking for, so shoot your arrows into the other peo-ple’s targets and they will be grateful for your efforts.

scorpio: Saturn, the strict school-master of the stars, has been your in-structor for the past two years, teaching you how to aim perfectly in life. All of the school room drudgery and training could just pay off this week for you dur-ing the Sagittarius full moon at the ar-chery range.

sagittarius: Olympic-caliber ath-letes pause before aiming and visualize the entire archery match before shoot-ing one arrow, thus achieving success before even pulling the arrow from their quiver—metaphysically speaking. Dur-ing your full moon, you are sharing this tip with others.

capricorn: Waiting next to the line whereupon you are standing, as you ready yourself to begin the archery con-test in your life, you find the champion archer himself. Sagittarius, the centaur, is precisely directing you to fire upon the target of unfinished business prior to your birthday.

aquarius: You, the water-bearer, have the unique ability of rising above the time-line and looking from the past into the future. This skill set will allow you to aim with precision at the target presented to you by the archer during this week’s full moon in the sign of Sag-ittarius.

Pisces: Have you been precise enough in your directions to the uni-verse in regards to your career? This week, the archer, Sagittarius, has his full moon and will thus enable you to better understand the concept of exact precision in aiming at your targets in re-gards to work.

Karen Anderson is available for read-ings at 303-258-7258.

answers on page 22

across1. Founder of PLF6. Time out?10. Morrison and Cramer14. It was founded in 190915. Burgeon16. Berry touted as medicinal17. Home-builders association?20. Skeleton parts21. Laurels22. Asportation, e.g.25. Marshal26. Aggregation30. To boot32. Succulent plant35. Benign tumor41. Extortionist?43. Ranges44. 1992 Christopher Reid movie45. Bibliographic abbr.47. Kid48. Group of eight53. Rice56. Involuntary response58. Entry63. Grimm duo?66. Bladed weapon67. Descendant of Hezekiah68. Harden69. 1990 World Series champs

70. Mug variety71. In a pen

down1. Hill dwellers2. Thai currency3. Plain4. Maple genus5. Done for6. Special effects: Abbr.7. Food scrap8. Sacred songs9. Some punches10. Quipster11. Less cordial12. Fruit residue13. Cream puff18. ___-di-dah19. Pilot’s announce-ment, for short23. All ___24. Train part26. Normal prefix

27. Astringent28. ___ jellies29. Cap31. Guisado cooker33. Chow checker34. It may follow something36. “___ De-Lovely”37. Head-turner38. Thumbs-up39. Jagger40. Penny, perhaps42. In a bad way46. Plant native to South America48. Catchall category49. ___ myrtle50. Shaded51. Vaulted recesses52. Expire54. Make a sharp turn55. Large amounts57. Blind segment59. Copper60. Case61. Dehydrated62. Winter toy64. Kan. neighbor65. Like some humor

Holiday Hours: We will close at 6 p.m. on Christmas Eve and New Years Eve, and will be CLOSED Christmas Day and New Years Day. The pools will be open all day December 22nd - January 2nd for winter break.

We are pleased to announce a wonderful addition to our staff, Leslie Ann Chiucchi Dysart, our new Dance Instructor! Leslie Ann (L.A.) has trained in Acrobatics, Ballet, Contemporary, Funk, Hip Hop, Jazz, Lyrical, Modern, Musical Theater, Pointe, and Tap. We will be starting our dance program with the following classes:

Baby and Me (ages 2 months - 24 months)

Tuesdays beginning December 2nd from 10:15 a.m. – 11 a.m.

$10/class for members, $12/class for non-members*

$30/month for members, $36/month for non-members*

Preschool - Ballet, Acrobatics, and Tap (ages 2-4)

Tuesdays beginning December 2nd from 11a.m. – 12 p.m.



Combination - Ballet, Acrobatics, and Tap (ages 6-10)

Saturdays beginning December 6th from 10 a.m. – 11 a.m.



Preschool - Ballet, Acrobatics, and Tap (ages 3-5)

Saturdays beginning December 6th from 11 a.m. – 12 p.m.



*This is special introductory price for December only.

Check our website for more detailed descriptions of classes: http://www.gilpinrecreation.com/classes.htm

Also, don’t miss our 12th Annual Winter Arts Festival, Saturday, December 13th from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Santa Claus, Choirs & Live Music, Children’s crafts, Cookie Decorating, Face Painting, Shopping, Food Drive, Chili Cook-Off and entertainment throughout the day!

Get up-to-date information on our website: http://www.GilpinRecreation.com

See you at the Rec!

Gilpin County Community Center250 Norton Dr.Black Hawk, CO 80422303-582-1453

News from the Gilpin County Community Center

60 Main Street Rollinsville, CO 80474Mon, Tues & Thurs noon-close

Closed Wed for WinterFri-Sun 9am - close

Live Music:Dec. 5th White Friday Art Fair ~ Many Local Artists 5-11pm

Dec. 6th The Big Little Band (Members of Elephant Revival & TAARKA along with members of Gipsy Moon)

Upcoming Events:New Years Eve w/ Mountain Standard Time & NoGo Gillbillies

January 17th Burlesque/Variety Show!!!

Brunch & Dinner Specials

aLL wEEkEND!!!


To the rescue

PhoTo by barbara lawlor PhoTo by dale PorTerTo the rescueNederland Police Department sergeant Larry Johns assisted a driver in the shopping center parking lot last week, when heavy winds gusted through town and the temperature dropped. The absent minded shopper forgot to turn off the car lights and the battery gave up. Sgt. Johns gave it a jump and the driver was good to go.

Just a reminderThe Nederland Holiday Mountain Market banner, which was hung at the Nederland Community Center marquee, escaped from its lofty home last Friday. The wind shredded the anchor ropes, ripped out an eye screw and tore up the fabric. Resident Betty Porter almost got blown to Kansas rescuing the remains.

Direct: 303-886-2929E-Fax: 303-376-6182

Email: [email protected]


Eleanor YeagerBroker/owner

365 So. Beaver Creek rd. $369,000Southwestern style adobe 3000+ sq. ft.

home and 1600+ sq. ft. 4+ car garage/workshopwith office/bath. Beautifully remodeled. 200’

of CREEK frontage. I’m gorgeous!

Keep your kids moving this winter with Nederland Youth Hockey at our outdoor RINK! We are now registering kids ages 5 to 14 from Nederland and the surrounding areas for the upcoming December to February hockey season. Hockey is fun, affordable and we will even teach your child to skate!

To sign up, visit our site at www.nedhockey.com and register on-line by Sunday, Dec 14. If you have questions about the program or problems signing up, email [email protected] or call Tyson Nunemacher at 303-258-0852.

To volunteer at the rink please contact Marie Allen (720) 326-2227, [email protected]!

let’s Play hockey! register Now

Young Gilpin grapplers grab wins


Definite advantageGilpin County wrestler Bradley Robinson, 10, took third place in last week’s meet at Roosevelt High School in Johnstown

PhoTo by PeTe morgaN

barbara lawlorGilpin County

Each weekend, the young boys in the Gilpin Youth Wrestling League gain confidence and experience. They learn how to contain their opponents and how to break holds. Every time they reverse a position, their mind and their muscles remember how they did it and carry that knowledge into their next meet.

Coach Pete Morgan and his team have been meeting success after success and as they head towards the end of the season, their growth is evident in their pins and wins.

“We had another good day, this time at Roosevelt High School in Johnstown last weekend,” says Pete Morgan.” Both Mateo Maldenado, 13 years old and 126 pounds, and Cooley Murdoch, 5 years old and 32 pounds, won gold again. They are both 14-1 on the season, both winning gold twice and silver once. So our bookends, youngest and lightest, and oldest and heaviest are dominating the league.”

Zach Gebhart, 9 years old, 89 pounds, is going 4-0—all won by pin. He is wrestling better and with more confidence every week. Coach Morgan says he is very proud of what Zach has

been accomplishing Roland Keller, 8 years old and 47

pounds, took second place, going 4-1 with three pins. Roland was absolutely dominant on Saturday.

Bradley Robinson, 10 years old and 60 pounds, took 3rd place, going 3-2 with three pins. He wrestled strongly against a very high level of competition

in his bracket and his improvement has been incredible.

Brennin Oliver, 7 years old and 51 pounds, took third, going 3-2 with three pins. Brennin wrestled well against a high level of competition. For the year so far, Brennin is 12-3.

The team will have a break from the Metro League play for the next two

weeks, but many of the Gilpin kids will be wrestling in open tournaments in Broomfield the next two Sundays before they head to Bennett on December 13th.

Metro League info can be found at www.mjwlcolorado.com and all results can be found at www.trackwrestling.com

PhoTos by barbara lawloranything you wantIf you look long enough, you will find it. At the Mountain People’s Co-op, the Buddhas are flying off the shelf. The perfect gift for someone who has it all. Engraved rocks give a long-lasting sweet welcome to visitors. Below: Fat knobby mountain tire bikes are perfect for mountain riding and available at the Tin Shed next to Salto’s on Second Street.


Across from City Hall...Nevada and Main StreetsFollowed by Candle Walk and Carol Sing

Community Pot Luck, 6:45 p.m. in the Famous Teller House, 120 Eureka Street

Entertainment by the Peak to Peak Chorale, 7:30 p.m.

Saturday & Sunday, December 6th & 7th….Bazaar, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Famous Teller House, 120 Eureka Street, Central CityFather Christmas…..Colorado Vendors and Crafters

Children’s Coloring Contest…...EntertainmentDoor Prizes

Interstate 70 West to Exit 243, the Central City ParkwayCovered parking available….For information: 303-582-5919 or

303-582-5209

17th Tommyknocker Holiday Events

relaxing and healing the body. Children will find a large selection

of fun scientific and nature-related games that parents are sure to approve of, and cuddly stuffed animals, including an especially appealing snake. The employees are probably the friendliest in town, because they enjoy being around the vast selection of nature’s wonders.

The Pioneer Inn, the oldest restaurant in town, is planning a makeover this week, closing down as of Monday, December1 through Friday, December 5. They will refinish the hardwood floors and do a major cleanup; returning all bright and shiny for the rest of the holidays. They plan to have holiday happy hours, with discounted drinks and an extensive appetizer menu during the Christmas

season. The Crafted in Colorado shop is

small and elegantly decorated with fine gifts such as candles and soap from Sad Cat in Black Hawk or citrus cedar goat milk castile soap from Nederland Naturals. Another hard to find item is the Southfork Traders fur hats brought in by Derik Stevens of Ward. Cheryl Goodman, also of Ward, has on display her wire-wrapped jewelry that is the hot item right now.

The last shop on the First Street block is the First Street Pub and Grill, which proudly announced that they are featuring a walleye fish and chip special on Fridays. The walleye is from Canada and is a hefty portion of perfectly battered, light and crispy fillet, sure to please even the Midwest palate. Happy hour is from 4-6 p.m., Monday through Friday, with $1 off everything.

Second Street is becoming busier with Salto and Tin Shed holding down the corner of Second and Schneider Street. Known for its gourmet appetizers and home-baked muffins and scones, Salto serves chai and just about any kind of coffee drink you can imagine. They are preparing to roast their own coffee.

Their Kickstarter is looking to raise $10,000 by Friday, December 5, “so we can bring our own craft coffee to you.” Salto is also starting a Super Secret Supper Club, with the first event talking place on Friday, December 12: a family style/casual dinner at 6 p.m.

Heading west up Second Street, the Nederland Feed Store is well-known to the animal owners in the area.

This small shop has every kind of toy and treat for your dogs and cats, horse candy, large blocks of wild bird seed that won’t blow away and a crunchy bone for every dog that visits.

Black Friday came and went but the season is still upon us. There are many businesses that are housed on the outlying section of Nederland, and on the other side of the highway; we will visit them.

Remember, you can take your money down below and it will stay down there. You can purchase gifts in Nederland and Gilpin shops and it will come back to you in many ways.


PhoTo by barbara lawlorwarms the heart as well as the bellyA canned Thanksgiving day dinner is on sale at the Nederland Feed Store, an extra special snack for the dogs. Above right: Bailey Eddy hands out freshly baked muffins at Salto, the meeting place for bicyclists.


larry grieco, Librarian

Nearing the end of 2014, we thought it would be nice to look back at some of the

more popular books added during the past year.

Writer Judy Dailey began a new series of novels, called “Urban Farm Mysteries.” The first one to come out was Animal, Vegetable, Murder, which is the story of newly widowed Sunny Day Burnett, and her experience as an urban farmer in the beautiful city of Seattle.

When her husband dies in a car crash, Sunny copes pretty well, as life goes on. She has a garden overflowing with organic vegetables, and fruit trees “laden with apples and pears.” She also has chickens laying more eggs than she can eat.

But one day she finds the dead body of a neighbor, lying face down in her Swiss chard. That’s not all. The murdered man is “clutching a photograph of Sunny’s late husband wearing little more than a pink feather boa and red stilettos.” What’s a widow to do?

Despite the dead bodies here and there, this is book is an hilarious romp that will have you laughing out loud as you wend your way through it.

Kirkus Reviews: “A newly widowed urban farmer tries to reconcile her memories of her husband with the discovery she makes at the hands of a dead man…filled with interesting characters.”

Another mystery novel, more on the serious side, is Hilary Davidson’s Blood Always Tells. In this frequently checked out book, Dominique Monaghan finds herself over her head in crime when an “elaborate blackmail scheme” goes awry. All she wanted to do was get even with her “two-timing, married boyfriend, a washed-up boxer stuck in a toxic

marriage to a dangerously spoiled socialite.”

But suddenly she is in the middle of an unexpected kidnapping and attempted murder. As always, Dominique calls upon her big brother Desmond for help. An able-bodied and stoic ex-military man, Desmond rushes to her rescue, but finds “a tangled web of murder and deception, involving a family fortune, a couple of shifty lawyers, and a missing child.”

Los Angeles Review of Books: “[Davidson’s] voice is a fresh and welcome addition to the noir landscape.” Writer Hank Phillippi Ryan: “Intense and suspenseful—with a surprise around every corner. This tangled-web thriller of a family gone wrong, darkly noir and relentlessly sinister, is the definition of page-turner.”

And then there’s an Iraqi war novel, which seemingly breaks new ground, the debut book of Michael Pitre. In Fives and Twenty-fives, a most unusual tale unfolds, about a Marine’s life in the “Road Repair Platoon.” This platoon is dispatched on the highways of Anbar Province in Iraq, assigned to “fill potholes during the bloodiest stretch of the war.” The catch is every pothole contains an explosive.

In this type of mission, “fives and twenty-fives” is the rule: within a radius of five ground meters in every direction, an explosion will “cut through the armor and kill everyone in the truck.” Outside of that radius, a team dismounts and sweeps twenty-five meters in every direction—if an explosive were to detonate within this larger zone, it would kill anyone on foot.

The platoon is led by Lieutenant Donovan, who is “painfully aware of his shortcomings and feels the isolation of rank.” The marines in this platoon return home and “try to make sense of their experiences.”

Kirkus Reviews: “The corrosive psychological effects—and the dark humor—of modern conflict

are hauntingly captured in Iraq War veteran Pitre’s powerfully understated debut…a book in which everything rings so unshakably true.”

Thanks goes out to everyone who attended the recent Fall Film Series in the library. The movies were enjoyed by all, and we have the next

series, slated for the Spring of 2015, in the planning stages right now. This “never-ending film series,” that we began back in 2003, just keeps rolling along.


Gilpin Library Footnotes

Complete Residential Construction Services• Carpentry• Window & Door replacement• Remodeling

• Tile & Stone Work• Decks, Fences, Garages, room additions• No Job Too Small

CALL DUSTY AT 303-990-2848

Let me give you an estimate on window & door replacement!

Gilpin County Cornerroger baker,County Manager

The wind and snow have reminded everyone that winter is here ( a l t h o u g h

technically this is still autumn!), and the Gilpin County government is already wrapping up 2014 and preparing for 2015.

As is often the case, while the County Commissioners have broad discretion in what they decide to do with County finances, many of the procedures and most of the timelines for their end-of-year activities are determined by other entities, especially the State of Colorado.

The first three days of December the Commissioners were in Colorado Springs, attending the annual winter conference of Colorado Counties, Inc., the lobbying/information/services organization to which almost all Colorado counties belong.

The winter conference is a great time to get familiar with various state and national law changes that affect counties, but also for the Commissioners to weigh in on what the CCI priorities should be for the upcoming 2015 session of the state legislature.

While they are involved in those discussions, the Assessor’s and Treasurer’s offices, and our Finance Department, are engaged in a complicated process (the timing of which, again, is established in state statute) to figure out exactly what the assessed valuation of properties will be, and what mill levy will then be required to raise the legally allowed tax.

Complicating this procedure even more, since the Assessor’s Office values all the property in the County (including both of the cities), and other taxing entities (school, sanitation district, fire protection districts) also are going through a similar scenario, the Treasurer can’t know how much tax to collect for all those entities until they have set their budgets and determined what amount of property tax they are statutorily entitled to collect.

And those entities don’t have to report those decisions to the County until December 15; accordingly the Commissioners have set their final 2014 meeting for December 16 to complete this complex arrangement.

So at that meeting, the Commissioners will certify the mill levies for the County and all the other taxing entities; that tells the

Treasurer how much tax to collect, and she then starts on preparing the tax notices that will be mailed out to local property owners in January.

At the same meeting, the Commissioners also adopt the County budget for 2015; a lot of work has gone into preparing this document by a lot of people, and everyone will be glad to see it finally set.

And as the largest component of the County budget is personnel costs, the Commissioners give particular attention to the salaries and benefits paid to the County employees who provide the services—mandated and otherwise—to Gilpin County residents.

For the first time in several years, the Commissioners were feeling comfortable enough with County finances to grant a small pay raise to those employees; for almost everyone, that raise will be $0.48 an hour. That amount, given to current employees, is both a small demonstration of how much the Commissioners value the work of the County employees, and a means of (hopefully) keeping them.

But the Commissioners also have to recognize that there will always be employee turnover, and it’s becoming increasing difficult to attract employees of that same quality to come work for (and sometimes move to) Gilpin County.

So at the same time, the Commissioners will be adopting a new pay plan that raises all the salary ranges by 2%; that will make entry-level positions more attractive to prospective employees.

It’s all very complicated, and very inter-related; but it all has to be completed in a proper time frame and order so everyone knows what they have to work with in the year ahead. Once it’s all finished, the County and its employees can provide the best possible level of service (given the financial and legal constraints) to the citizens of Gilpin County.


D&D Logging anD ChippingDan’s hauLing

- Fire mitigation - Tree removal - Firewoodbuilding sites & road cleared

beetle Kill - removal3 chippers up to 200 horsepower 18” diameter capacity

snow Plowing - ward areahauling - construction debris, Junkrental/garbage/manure - clean-outbobcat skid-steer loader service

Since 1979 - Insured

CaLL: Dan @ 303-459-3277

answer to puzzle on page 17


PhoTo by barbara lawlorc’mon inAlthough the Pioneer Inn was closed this week, it will reopen this weekend with a shiny new sanded and polished floor as well as an extended menu.

FIrewood


hIgh TImber FIrewoodPine, Missouri Oak or Mix Immediate Delivery 303-258-7942________________________________

FULL CORDSDRY PINE Delivered $225 Splitor $200 block.D & D Logging Since 1979303-459-3277________________________________

lumberJacKsPine, Fir or mix.303-642-0953_______________________________

Firewood $165 delivered. Mid-Gilpin720-376-9282 Gil_______________________________

FIREWOOD 4 SALE: 8’ lengths, seasoned lodgepole, EZ loading, mid Gilpin, Bill @ 303-517-3449

rollinsville mini-storagerollinsvilleministorage.com

303-258-0648

General Commercial Shop space.Highway frontage. Approx. 425 sq. feet with 14’ bay door, separate entrance and bathroom. 220V Available now. $550/mo.+ Util. Lease. 303-258-8304_______________________________

The best of both worlds: just walking distance from Ned ... but far enough out of town for lots of peace and quiet. Perched high on the ridge overlooking Caribou Valley. Move-in January 1, 2015. $2297/month. References and background/credit check required ($50 non-refundable fee). 12-month lease preferred. Cats + dogs welcome. No smoking inside. We like growers, but no marijuana gardening/cultivation. Contact Kira at 303.601.4578

blacK hawK selF sTorage 26 Jankowski Dr. Approx. 6 miles N. of

Black Hawk on Hwy 119.303-516-1940

Ariens Compact Two-Stage gas snow thrower with powerful 208 cc engine and 24 in. clearing path. Great features like electric start, self propelled drive, in-dash headlight and remote chute control with up to 40 ft. throwing distance. Cast iron gear case with full 5 year warranty. 3 year warranty on entire machine. Powerful Ariens AX 208 cc snow engine24 in. clearing path with 20 in. intake height. Self propelled with 6 forward speeds and 2 reverse 120-Volt electric starting system 205 degree quick turn chute with remote deflector throws snow up to 40 ft. $400. Contact Jay Schaeffer at 720-515-4370_______________________________

Treadclimber 5000 , fast easy weight loss burns 2to3 times calories of reg treadmills, commercial motor, 12 intensity settings, monitor, time, distance, Cals/burned, Cal/min. & Total Steps... call 4 more details .Cost $2299 Ask $995 303-886-5233_______________________________

Vermont Castings Intrepid Wood Stove - good condition - quality design. $200.303-447-8091_______________________________

dowNsIZINg sale• Prof Freestanding Art/Trade Show Display Grids - blk enam metal: six - 5 ft x 5 ft; two - 6 ft x 2 ft; bases • Double Bed w/wooden frame and futon mattress • Large Desk Chair - wooden arms, red fabric • Large Mitsubishi TV • SHARP Carousel White Microwave

• DVD Player• Scanner • Small Food Processor • Braun Electric Coffee Maker • Leather Boots - size 7.5 • Misc. Kitchen Items: dishes, knife block, utensils • Large Multicat Tower Castle (free)Deni 303-582-3287________________________________

Beautiful children’s Trundle Bed. Twin sized mattress on the bed complimented by another pull out twin sized mattress underneath. Cherry Wood. Includes bedding. Can email pictures to you as the ad could not upload the pictures correctly Originally purchased in 2006, is in great condition. Also have full sized mattress and box spring for sale for those who are interested ($50) and also in very good condition. Contact Mark Patterson Phone: 303-408-0625

The Town of Nederland is looking for 2 Full-Time positions. Duties include streets/drainage/building maintenance & repair, machinery operation, general public works support. Also work in distribution, collections, system maintenance, and equipment type maintenance CDL a plus. Knowledge of erosion control methods and BMP’s, backhoe & loader a plus. Must pass background check & have clean MVR. CDL holders required to enter random UA consortium. email Resume to [email protected]________________________________

The Town of Nederland is seeking a part-time public works assistant. Duties include: Parks and building maintenance and cleaning. Water flowers, pickup and empty trash in the Town and parks. Snow plowing during season. Email resume to: [email protected] 5 p.m. on Dec 4. $12/hour________________________________

“Keep Serving” needs your support to help veterans find meaningful work in the commercial and non-profit sectors. The VTC will perform a variety of internet research functions and utilize Outlook, various applications, word processing, spreadsheet and presentation software; the mo’ skills the better! Success depends on the right stuff, to the right people, at the right time, so attention to detail is a must! 14-20 hours a week (met perf.standards, work from home) Resume and reference email to [email protected] - write “application for VTC” in the subject line - performance reviews also accepted as reference.________________________________

Part time kitchen and prep help needed at young men’s mentoring facility in Ward, CO. Must have experience in kitchen prep, be very detail oriented and be able to perform other functions of kitchen duties, including cleaning. Excellent pay for the right individual, with the potential to move into full time work. Please email resume & letter of introduction to [email protected]________________________________

SIGN-ON BONUS! Home Every Night, $500 @ 90 days. $500 @ 6 months. Transport/set up mobile offices. CDL req. 303-227-1300________________________________

Wanted: Nederland Community Presbyterian Church is seeking caring and enthusiastic individual to teach our K through 5th grade kids on Sunday mornings from 9am to 9:55am. We are looking for someone that has experience working with children and is excited about helping children learn about God. This person will need to lead a lesson each week, which will be provided to them by NCPC prior to Sunday. Qualified applicants should be open to an exploratory approach when teaching Bible stories and should be interested in incorporating arts, crafts and music. Applicants would need to have availability before and after the lesson from around 8:45am to 10:15am. The position is for 1.5 hours of work per week,

and the compensation for this position is $25/week. In addition, teachers are required to attend quarterly meetings with the NCPC Youth Education Team, usually held on Sunday after worship. The anticipated start date wwould be in September. Anyone interested in the position should send a statement of interest and resume. Please include a phone number and email in your application response to [email protected]. We will contact references, and a background check will be required. We strongly encourage applicants to visit our website for more information about our church community. No phone calls please.

Jon (Blackdog) Ridnell, Music Theory, Guitars, Bass, Ukulele, Performance. Local legend and experienced teacher for all levels. Jon’s success with local students is remarkable, at all ages. Available Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. Andrew Conley, our teacher for modern Cello and mandolin lessons! Andrew brings a unique and passionate style to the cello! He is available for beginner, intermediate and advanced students. Andrew teaches a variety of fluid and unique techniques.

Curly Collins, Upright Bass, Mandolin, Fiddle. Curly plays with the local band Caribou Mountain Collective. Available by apointment.

Miles Ridnell is available for upright and electric bass lessons, Miles is an especially fun teacher for the younger bassist. He is currently playing in the Nederland area in a variety of styles.

Kate Jaworski, Voice, Beginner Piano. Students of all ages welcome. Kate is committed to helping students develop skills and passion for their instrument. She is an amazing teacher for the younger vocalist! Available Mondays.

Lise Friisbaastad, Flute & Piccolo. Available by appointment.

Doug Armitage, Guitar, Mandolin, Ukulele, Music theory, Beginner to advanced. Available Tuesdays through Sundays. Lessons can be scheduled by calling 303-258-8863 or calling individual instructors. Brightwood Music, Music with Altitude!________________________________

Former Band Director, degree in Instrumental Music Education. Brass/woodwind instrument or music theory. Private or small group lessons. Downtown Nederland. Call for info at 303-545-2126.

HIGH TIMBER “MOUNTAIN TREE SERVICE” Fire Mitigation, Pine Beetle, Technical Trees, Storm Damage, Large & Small Scale Logging

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Professional antique restorationFree Estimates Jay Forrest 303-258-3245________________________________

D&D Logging and chipping all phases of tree removal and clearing. Free estimates303-459-3277________________________________

Lumberjacks Tree Service,All forestry services including fire mitigation, restroration & clean-up. Well equipped to perform large or small projects plus 25 years experience & caring w/ an i ndividualized approach. 303.642.0953________________________________

Dan’ Hauling Rental/ Garage cleanout, Autos, construction, Remodel debris 303-459-3277

Hard working family would like to find winter housing in exchange for maintenance, renovation, stone work,custom cabinetry. Excellent references. Building from the Spirit of the Land. Fechtler & Son ~ Thom Fechtler 303-547-5382

For reNT

For sale

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To place a classified listing go to

www.themtnear.comand click “classifieds”

PublIc NoTIceThe Boulder County Board of Commissioners will conduct a public hearing on Tuesday, December 9, 2014, at 11:00 a.m. in the Commissioners’ Hearing Room on the 3rd Floor of the Boulder County Courthouse, 1325 Pearl Street Mall, Boulder, Colorado, to solicit public input on a proposal to sale the Bouzarelos, Keller and Knopf properties. The Bouzarelos, Keller and Knopf properties were purchased with funds from open space sales and use tax revenue. Additional information about this public hearing may be obtained through Mel Stonebraker at the Boulder County Parks and Open Space Department at 303-678-6262. The public is invited to give input to the Board of Commissioners by attending the hearing, sending letters, or by phone to 303-441-3500.

musIc lessoNs

NEDERLAND • CENTRAL CITY • BLACK HAWK • GOLDEN GATE CANYON • ROLLINSVILLE • PINECLIFFE • COAL CREEK CANYON • WARD • GOLD HILL • JAMESTOWN • ALLENSPARK


5415 Sunshine Canyon DrMLS#: 732817 PrICE: $495,000

one of the most beautiful parcels of land in Sunshine Canyon, on approx. 40 acres of rolling hills & wildflower meadows. Fantastic panoramic views of the peaks, unspoiled by other homes, you won’t believe you are just 10 minutes to Boulder. Property has a well and Septic already installed. approximately 5 miles from Boulder.

UNDER CONTRACT


oil, as long as it does not explode and cause damage to property or person. The doctors who have treated patients who have been burned by a butane/hash oil fire, says the burns are usually deep and painful and require surgery.

It seems as though the $3,500

estimated profit from one pot plant is worth the risk to many growers who have a do-it-yourself setup in the house. Nederland Fire Protection District fire chief Rick Dirr says, “If you are going to try and make hash oil, do it outside.”


PhoTo by barbara lawlor

PhoTo by barbara lawlorheavy dutyNederland Fire Protection District firefighter Iain Irwin-Powell helps heft a heavy portable pond from a Timberline engine. The ponds made it easier to keep the hoses filled with water.

Full forceFive emergency agencies responded to the fire in Gilpin County on Sunday morning, putting the blaze out quickly and then spending hours mopping up.

Documents

News with altitude since 1977 The Mountain-EarNews with altitude since 1977 Vol. 38, Issue 05 24 Pages Thursday, december 4, 2014 NederlaNd, colorado $1.00 “In the end we shall have