The fairs will cover educational topics ranging from being physically active, to mental health, eating healthy, injury prevention, and more.

Teens will receive a “passport” to attend the fair. When they interact with a booth they will get a stamp on their passport. Once they receive 10 stamps they will be eligible to enter our fabulous drawing. (prizes include: a 1/2 day raft trip, a bike, longboard, ipod nano’s, and generous gift certificates donated by local business ranging from oil changes to food, clothing, first aid kits, outdoor gear and more!)  If a local business would like to donate please contact Ashley Ahlene @ 530-2567.

The fairs will also offer free sports physicals accepted by any Chaffee County Health Care provider and free immunizations given by Chaffee County Public Health.  Heart of the Rockies Regional Medical Center has donated funding for the event and will also have a few educational booths.  The Take Care Teen Health Fair is truly a community collaborative effort! Together we can make a difference.  If anyone in the community has question please give me a call:

Ashley Ahlene, Community Health Collaboration Coordinator - 530-2567

Through the outreach work with MKRC we found we were not reaching families with older children and teens as much as we would like, so we applied for a second grant to target teens.  We received a grant called the MORE grant (Maximizing Outreach Retention and Eligible but not Enrolled (EBNE) in August of 2010. With the MORE grant we formed a branch of the My Kids R covered Collaborative called Teens CARE, CARE for Teens.

The Teens CARE, CARE for Teens put on monthly Jam nights at both high schools Jan. – May.  At the Jam Nights we served a health snack, played music and talked to the teens about the importance of preventative health care and how they can be a leader in their own health and well being.  As the MORE  grant comes to an end we decided to hold a teen health fair.

The recovery last week of the Mount Princeton hiker’s body is yet another example of the great work our volunteers perform. That operation was highly technical, labor intensive, requiring fourteen hours of effort, and very dangerous. Yet our volunteers willingly, even eagerly, joined in the effort. We owe all of these folks, our neighbors, our gratitude and support.

John Spezze
Chaffee County Under Sheriff

Kathie Stucko

Chaffee County Undersheriff John Spezze announced today that the fire danger rating for all private lands in Chaffee County continues to be high. He further declared that effective Friday, June 10th, private land in Chaffee County will move to a Stage 1 Fire Restriction. This fire restriction will remain in place until further notice.

A Stage 1 Fire Restriction forbids building, maintaining or attending any Open Fire within Chaffee County. The following are exempt from Stage 1 Fire Restrictions and excluded from a Stage 1 ban:
* Campfires, warming fires and charcoal fires within a permanent constructed fire grate in a developed public campground or   picnic ground or permanent constructed fire grate or fire ring in a commercial campground or on private property.
* LP gas or liquid fueled stoves and appliances which allow the operator to turn the flame on or off.
* Fireplaces within enclosed buildings which are equipped with adequate spark arresting screens on the flue.
* Charcoal grill fires at private residences.

for more information:
Chaffee County Undersheriff John Spezze: 719-207-3199
James Wingert, Deputy Fire Warden and Chaffee County Fire Chief: 719-207-3279
Don Taylor, Chief, South Arkansas Fire Protection District: 719-539-8075

This rating change is due to existing wind speeds above 10 mph and predicted winds above 25 mph, gusting to 45mph.  Relative humidity is predicted to be at or below 13 percent.  Very dry conditions exist in the valley except in irrigated agricultural areas.

Please report all sightings of smoke to 911.

On the last Monday of May each year, we observe moments of silence and moments of tribute to acknowledge the sacrifices by these brave few for principles greater than self.  In answering their calls to duty—at Tarawa and Normandy, Seoul and Chosin, the Ia Drang and Khe Sanh, and at Baghdad and Mosul, the Shahe’ Kot, Korengal, and Marja, or any of a host of other crossroads of conflict—these American men and women stood their ground, held back the dark forces of oppression and destruction, and advanced our founding principles, ideals, beliefs, and values about the right of self-determination.  They cherished liberty and loved freedom enough to lay down their lives to preserve our way of life.

Many lie in final rest in our national cemeteries.  Whether at Gettysburg, one of our country’s first national cemeteries, or at Washington Crossing, our most recent dedication, each VA national cemetery is a sacred place of honor befitting the great deeds and sacrifices of the Fallen.

More than 3.7 million Americans—Veterans of every war and conflict, from our Revolution to the Global War on Terror—have been laid to rest in these hallowed shrines. The quiet serenity, pristine nature, and strict adherence to time-honored Service traditions make our cemeteries the healing places where families and friends can remember and honor those who gave, in President Lincoln’s words, “the last full measure of devotion.”

This Memorial Day, a Nation at war prays for peace and the safe return of our sons and daughters, even as it exacts justice from those who trampled our most cherished principles.  Now, as then, in addition to our prayers for peace, we pray for the families of the Fallen.  And we pray for the Almighty’s continued blessings on this great and wonderful country of ours.

Non Violent Communication (NVC), is a language and consciousness of compassion that can dramatically improve our relationships, both personal and professional. NVC focuses our attention on what is “alive” in this moment; what you are feeling and the needs behind it, and what the other person is feeling and his/her needs; rather than focusing on judgement; who is right and who is wrong.

NVC leads us to a deep connection between people that flows from honestly and vulnerably expressing our own feelings and needs, and empathically listening to the other person’s feelings and needs. Many people find it useful to learn NVC through a study group. Individuals who have taken a Level 1 or 2 course find it helpful to continue to practice and develop their NVC skills through ongoing practice groups.
Participants will enjoy learning and practicing Basic Non Violent Communication, including:

• Recognizing life-alienating language & thoughts
• Making observations without evaluations
• Identifying & expressing feelings
• Connecting feelings to our own needs
• Requesting what would meet our needs and enrich life
• Honestly expressing our own feelings & needs
• Empathically listening to others’ feelings & needs

NVC books are available at The Book Haven at a 10% discount. Buy Local, if possible!

Please read the Intro and Chapter 1 to page 14 and Chapter 2 (if possible) to be prepared for the second session.

Please contact Patty at 719 221-3069 or patty.nvc@gmail.com to sign up or for more info. Group size is 10 participants.

Fort Moultrie, a coastal fortification at the entrance to Charleston Harbor, South Carolina, is best known for its role in the bombardment of Fort Sumter, firing the first shots of the Civil War. However, it became “an almost sacred spot” for residents of the Palmetto state when its guns defeated a British fleet during the Revolutionary War. The fort is recognized nationally as the premier example of coastal fortifications through time.

This free presentation will chronicle the National Park Service restoration of the iconic fort by a collaborative team of historians, architects, archaeologists, interpreters, and others to show how America’s coastlines have been defended through our history as a nation. Gary Higgins, a restoration team member, will bring a set of excellent visuals and anecdotal information to share the restoration process with us.

Historic Salida, Inc., a non-profit, all-volunteer organization. Its mission is to make history interesting and enjoyable while encouraging protection of our historic buildings and properties.

On May 11, 2011 an arrest warrant was obtained by the Chaffee County Sheriff’s Office for the arrest of Daryl Rice, age 70, of Buena Vista. The warrant stemmed from a four month long investigation of a structure fire at Rice’s residence (28295 CR 361 in Buena Vista) that occurred on January 5, 2011. The blaze was extinguished by firefighters from the Chaffee County Fire Protection District along with neighboring fire departments that responded to assist; however the home was a total loss.

A fire cause and origin investigation led by Chaffee County Fire Protection District Chief Jim Wingert was immediately initiated. An arson investigator with the Colorado Bureau of Investigation and his K-9 partner were summoned to the scene along with the Chaffee County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Team to assist in the investigation. A search warrant was obtained by the Chaffee County Sheriff’s Office and a thorough crime scene investigation was completed leading to the collection of several pieces of evidence.

Rice has been arrested for First Degree Arson (a class three felony) and Third Degree Arson (a class four felony). Rice turned himself in to the Chaffee County Jail on May 11, 2011 and was held on $25,000.00 bond.

Agencies participating in the investigation are Chaffee County Fire Protection District, Chaffee County Sheriff’s Office, Colorado Bureau of Investigation, and Farm Bureau Insurance.

Lead investigator is Detective Andy Rohrich of the Chaffee County Sheriff’s Office.

For additional information, contact Detective Andy Rohrich at 719-530-5729 (office) or 719-207-0056 (mobile).

For more background information see the January 6 Mountain Mail Story -ss

Senate Bill 269, sponsored by Senator Gail Schwartz (D–Snowmass), ensures that processers and recyclers comply with environmental standards and provides the public with a list of certified electronic waste recyclers. The bill will crack down on disreputable entities that claim to collect e-waste for recycling, but instead, ship e-waste to other countries or dump e-waste in Colorado.

Senator Schwartz offered the following comment on the second reading passage of the Electronics Recycling Act:

“Encouraging proper e-waste recycling will create jobs here in Colorado. This bill will help Coloradans find reputable recycling companies and help keep these toxic materials out of our landfills. This bill takes significant steps to prevent contamination of our air, water and land and helps assure Colorado residents that their e-waste is recycled in a safe and responsible manner.”

Senate Bill 269 requires local processors and collectors of e-waste to be certified by the Colorado Department of Health and Environment. These collectors must comply with state processing standards.

The Electronics Recycling Act passed the Senate on second reading and now awaits final approval before it will head to the House.

Boulder Daily Camera: E-waste investigation, Part 1: Coloradans’ ‘recycled’ computers can end up in the third-world, local landfills

Boulder Daily Camera: E-waste investigation, Part 2: Colorado auctions launder government’s unwanted e-waste

CBS, 60 Minutes: Following The Trail Of Toxic E-Waste

NPR: After Dump, What Happens To Electronic Waste?

I find it hard to comprehend the outcry against the QUC. What’s wrong with a conservation-based organization which “supports preserving and promoting traditional use and enjoyment of quiet areas on our public lands and waters”, and is working to restore balance to our public lands and waters?  I applaud its effort to take on what may be a “quiet cause” – an “unpopular” one in the face of a highly-organized, well-funded and vocal opposition.

From the standpoint of noise intrusion, the multiple use – or shared use – concept of land use is a farce. Motorized noise intrudes on all other land users activities – it has long-ranging capabilities to nullify the natural sounds, and to negatively affect a “traditional’ (non-motorized) recreational user’s experience.

That being noted, I am well aware of the controversy that exists – to grant one interest group certain rights and access in specific areas appears to “take away from” or reduce another group’s overall access and equality on their terms. Public land is open to all, right?

Except in extreme cases of abuse, I’d agree. Case in point – I enjoy riding motorcycles and snowmobiles – adrenaline-inducing activities – but I wouldn’t feel right about having a good time at the expense of others who are in the same outdoor rec area. I’d like to consider myself sensitive to everyone’s needs, which is why I think the operative word here is “Compromise”.

This is where both sides weigh in; in my work with mediation, I facilitate mutually-agreeable solutions – (note: not all sides are “thrilled’ with the solution – but at least willing to see the other side and work towards an agreement they both can live with.)

In defining Compromise:
“- a settlement in which each side gives up some demands or makes concessions
- an adjustment of opposing principles, systems, etc. by modifying some aspects of each – the result of such an adjustment
- something midway between two other things in quality, effect, etc. “

So if there needs to be “Separate Use” areas – so be it. There’s a time and a place for everything. Not all things everywhere.

Quiet users and motorized recreationists have been compared to “smokers versus non-smokers.” Each is unable to co-exist peacefully with the other – separate areas and restrictions had to be constructed for a peaceable existence in the smoking situation – why not in the recreational arena?

Fortunately, there is a middle-ground that can be reached between motorized and non-motorized recreational users of public lands. Separate use areas are only one answer. Another way to mitigate potential user conflict is be involved in your local Travel Management Planning process with the BLM and Forest Service officials. Personal user input provides vital insight for the land use managers to consider in trail designation and whether a trail stays open or closed to motorized vehicles.

For years, conservationist groups, the BLM and National Forest Service (NFS) have identified the unmanaged recreation, particularly off-road vehicle use, as one of the major threats to our public lands. Former NFS Chief Mike Dombeck singled out ATVs as among the major threats to America’s forests and other public lands several years prior.

So conflict exists – it’s how we resolve it, keeping open-minds and integrity intact – that is the real issue. Resorting to underhanded measures such as vandalism and flagrant disregard of areas set aside for quiet use, (such as the mention of dirt bikers in Castle Garden which I read in Ed Quillen’s blog – I was actually hiking with my mentee and my dogs there at the time) is disturbing and leaves one wanting fairness and equality for all.

Patty LaTaille