gve_2.11

Volume #3 Number 5 FREE Mid-February / Mid-March 2011

Providing a voice for community-based organizations and individuals that enrich the life of the Grand Valley

INSIDE

To your healthpage 10

Let’s go bowlingpage 11

Our Schoolspages 16-17

Grand ValleyEnergypage 9

BattlementMesa SeaTurtlespage 13

• Serving the Grand Valley since 2008 •

There wasn’t a TV, computer, cell phone,Xbox or Wii game in sight, and it didn’t mat-ter one bit. The kids could hardly containtheir excitement.

Each winter, fourth graders at St JohnElementary in Battlement Mesa leave theirschool building behind. They travel about 50miles away and 5,000 feet up to participatein a winter outdoor education trip with theKiwanis Club of Grand Valley/Parachute.

On Jan. 27, it was Sherri Nickelson’sfourth grade class’ turn. They were up onthe Grand Mesa – and they were quicklylearning how to snowshoe.

Kiwanians Dan Temple, Don Chance,Scott Saunders, Dave Devanney andGarland White helped the kids put on theirsnowshoes and get used to having the con-traptions on their feet.

“Awesome!” yelled a fourth grader as apile of kids clamored up a snow bank adja-cent to the Mesa Lakes Lodge’s snowy park-ing lot. “Yeah!” said another.

A series of yells and cheers followed asthe kids tested out their new shoes.

“Whoo-hoo!”“Whee!”“Oh my gosh!”“Hurry up!”“I gotta do that again!” The annual winter field trip started as a

collaboration between Garfield SchoolDistrict No. 16 and the Colorado Division ofWildlife (DOW). Through the years, theKiwanis Club of Grand Valley/Parachute hasbecome increasingly involved in the trip.Now, the DOW provides lesson plans forKiwanis volunteers to lead students throughwinter ecology lessons.

A few years ago, local Kiwaniansarranged a sponsorship between RedfeatherSnowshoes and the Rifle Walmart.Redfeather provided around 30 youth snow-shoes at cost, and Walmart provided thefunds to purchase the snowshoes, which

Kiwanis provides every year for a fresh classof fourth graders to use.

A popular tripFor St John’s fourth graders, getting out-

side and up on the Grand Mesa is a much-anticipated treat.

“I’ve known about this since secondgrade,” said fourth grader Lindsay. “Mybrother told me about it.”

“It’s so much better than being at school,”student Kameron said within earshot of histeacher, Sherri, who let out a laugh.

“They’re just so excited to be up here,”Sherri said later. “A lot of them have neverbeen up on the mesa, and they’ve never beensnowshoeing. So that’s exciting, plus they’restill learning. They’re here learning science.”

This year, the kids had two outdoor edu-cation classes: half the class learned aboutwinter survival in the morning, while theother half learned about beavers. Theyswitched lessons after lunch.

Survival studiesKiwanian Don Temple didn’t mince

words with the kids during his session aboutwinter survival.

“Which way is the lodge?” he asked themafter the group spent five minutes on a tree-lined trail trudging through snow. A dozenhands went up, with fingers pointing inevery possible direction.

“You have to get a feel for where you areleaving from, and where you are going,”Don said to the students. “You have to payattention.”

Once the group collectively figured outwhere they had, in fact, come from, Dontook off again, winding through the trees.But when he asked the kids where the lodgewas after another five minutes, it wasanonymous: they knew where they werethis time.

Don led the group through a series of les-sons on temperature. Although it was 23degrees in the shade, it was 34 degrees in thedirect sun.

“Stay in the sun to stay warm,” he said. The kids also learned about the impor-

tance of digging a hole in the snow if theygot caught outside. After taking turns dig-ging down four feet to the ground below, thestudents placed a thermometer at the bot-tom of the hole, which registered 29degrees.

“That’s six degrees warmer than up onthe snow,” Don told them. “If you get lostand it’s below zero at night, you dig a holeand crawl in there.”

Stay where you areDon ended his lesson with a somber

story as the kids gathered round him. Some years ago, Don told the kids, a man,

Outdoor EducationSt John Elementary’s fourth graders don snowshoes for the Kiwanis’ annual Grand Mesa field trip

By Carrie ClickEcho editor

Continued on page 9

Each winter the Kiwanis Club of Grand Valley/Parachute takes local fourth graders up on the Grand Mesafor an outdoor education field trip on snowshoes. Photo by Carrie Click

, GRAND VALLEY ECHO • Mid-February / Mid-March 2011

FROM THE ECHO

MISSION STATEMENTTo provide a voice for local

schools, nonprofit groups and civicorganizations; to bring attention tothe individuals and local businesses

that are the fabric of the Grand Valley region; to contribute to

the vitality of our small town life.

The Grand Valley Echois published monthly, and is distributed

throughout Battlement Mesa and Parachute.Subscriptions are available

for a $25 annual fee.

PUBLISHER/DESIGNERALYSSA OHNMACHT

EDITORCARRIE CLICK

ADVERTISING SALESBARBARA PAVLIN

285-7634

DISTRIBUTION/CIRCULATIONSTEVE PAVLIN

Dawn Distribution • 963-0874

274 REDSTONE BLVD., REDSTONE, COLORADO 81623970-963-2373 • [email protected]

All copy submitted to The Grand Valley Echo will be edited and reviewed by our staff for style, grammar and content. The Grand Valley Echo reserves the right to refuse publication

of any submitted material that does not meet the publisher’s standard for a positive, informative, educational community newspaper.

Thank you to this month’s contributors:

CMC, Betsy Leonard, Barbara Barker,

Brian Berg, Elaine Hanak-Hall,

Bubby Beecraft, Dylan Walters, Jordan Steinke,

Garfield County Sheriff’s Department,

Georgiann McDaniel, Kevin Kilstrom,

Robert Knight, Tom Hall, Joyce Landrum,

Rifle Funeral Home, Juanita Williams, TOPS,

Carrie Godes, Anne White, Anne Huber,

Susan Lang, Glenwood Springs Youth Hockey,

Taylor Conrad, Stephanie Horton, Michael Kellebrew,

Matt Donello, Karsyn Valencia, Jazmin McFarland,

Brooke Whiteman, Dick Ciprich, Sarah Tahvonen,

Mary Anderson, Rebecca Ruland, Emily Hisel,

Parachute Branch Library, Jeanne Miles,

Charlie Hornick, Rob Ferguson,

Steve Randol, M.E. Denomy, Veronica Duran,

Kathy Germano, Keith Lammey, Mitzi Burkhart,

Joline Gnatek, Town of Parachute

We’ve heard you loud and clear.

You’ve let us know you appreciate having your veryown community newspaper. And you’ve asked us howyou – individuals and community-based organizations –can help.

So, please look for information on page 15 about ournew “Ride the Rails” campaign to support The GrandValley Echo. We’ve developed a new concept to publishEchoes now and into the future – and it involves you.

As you can see, the time is now. At 20 pages, this is thesmallest Grand Valley Echo to date. It is small because wedon’t have enough display ads to cover the cost of pub-lishing a larger paper.

Because of space limitations, this month we had tohold numerous photographs due to lack of space. We alsohad to hold news stories and information.

We would like to thank the following contributors tothe Echo who graciously wrote great pieces this monththat we were unable to print:

• “Nature at Home and Afield” by Betsy Leonard• “Take a Hint” column by Barbara Barker • “From the Bea Underwood Elementary School

Principal” by Brian Berg• Costa Rica travel story by Elaine Hanak-Hall• Grace Bible Church of Collbran story by

Charlie Hornick• Grand Valley High School sports stories and photos by

Bubby Beecraft, Dylan Walters, Jazmin McFarland and Jordan Steinke

• Adopt a Shelter Pet license plate brief by the Garfield County Sheriff’s Department

• Avon brief by Georgiann McDaniel • Garfield County Library briefs• Colorado Mountain College briefs

Alyssa OhnmachtPublisher

Carrie Click Editor

Birth? Graduation? Engagement? Wedding? Anniversary?Obituary? All of life’s passages are free to publish in theEcho. Contact us at 963-2373, [email protected] or

The Grand Valley Echo, 274 Redstone Blvd., Redstone, CO 81623.

ARROWOOD PLUMBING

COME VISIT OUR NEW SHOWROOM FEATURING:Faucets, Fixtures, Cabinets, Countertops, Flooring, Tile, Plumbing Supplies, and More!

15% Off ANY plumbing trim supply instore! (Wax rings, faucet

supplies, p-traps, etc.)

Services Include:* New Construction/Remodels * Water Heaters/Boilers* Swamp Coolers/Sprinklers* Drain Cleaning * Service Work

243 E. 1st Street - Downtown Parachute -970-270-8869

Don’t miss our NEW

ConsignmentCorner!

Check out our extensive selection of push fittings. Everyone, plumberor not can use these to repair water

leaks. No soldering needed.

**Not valid on Valentine’s Day

**

GRAND VALLEY ECHO • Mid-February / Mid-March 2011,

G O V E R N M E N TOil & Gas UpdateAntero holds public meeting on Feb. 10

On Feb. 10, an estimated 75 to 80 people attended a public meeting at the BattlementMesa Activity Center coordinated by Antero Resources.

At the meeting, Antero representatives discussed the company’s drilling plans for thecoming year with Battlement Mesa and Parachute community members.

According to Keith Lammey of the Battlement Mesa Service Association (BMSA) whoattended the meeting, drilling will occur at the Watson Ranch pad, which is located on thesouth side of Battlement’s planned unit development (PUD). The Watson Ranch pad is southof the cemetery and straight east of Mesa Creek Village, and sits on the edge of the PUD.

Antero Vice President of Production Kevin Kilstrom informed meeting attendees that Anterois eliminating plans to build C Pad, a drilling area initially proposed near the Stone Ridge sub-division. The company is not going to build a gas pipeline along 308 Road near Mesa RidgeVillage, like they had initially planned. (See Antero brief below for more information.)

Other topics raised at the meeting included addressing odor concerns, a health impactassessment (HIA) study coordinated by Garfield County Public Health that is currently beingreviewed, a future community park proposed to be built near Grand Valley Middle Schoolas a result of a land trade, the length of time of the drilling process, the fracturing process,and the reclamation of drilled sites.

Keith said that the BMSA’s oil and gas committee has been meeting with Antero repre-sentatives to address these and other issues and concerns.

– Carrie Click

Antero Resources 2010 recap and 2011 plansEditor’s note: Antero Vice President of Production Ken Kilstrom provided this outline for those

community members who were unable to attend the Feb. 10 meeting or hear his interviewrecently on KSUN.

Construction activity – No pad or access road construction.We did “loop” or “twin” our 4” pipeline with a larger diameter pipeline, 12” line now

in service from Watson Ranch pad to our interconnect with the 24” energy transferpipeline.

Drilling activity – Drilled 10 wells from the Watson Ranch pad – all wells were WilliamsFork wells; 6,500-7,000 feet MD wells on average.

All wells have been drilled with greater than 2,000 feet of surface casing – protectingand isolating near surface aquifers/Wasatch gas sands.

Completed nine of 10 wells drilled including hydraulic fracture stimulations.Production status – We now have 11 wells that are selling natural gas.Surface use agreement (SUA) amendments and infrastructure through collaborative

efforts by the citizens, BMSA, the Battlement Mesa oil and gas committee and the local parkand recreation district; we have made positive changes to plan:

Eliminated the C pad and related pipeline route that ran underneath the power lines(quarter mile).

Moved the D pad to be equidistant from Stone Ridge Village and the Willow CreekApartments.

Added the park and rec pad (very small pad, 13 wells).Eliminated approximately half mile of pipeline that was planned to run past the Mesa

Ridge Townhomes.

2011 Plan/ActivitiesConstruction activity – No pad, access road or pipeline construction is planned.Well activity – Will drill and complete eight wells from the Watson Ranch pad.Drilling will most likely commence in late summer or early fall. Completion on the one

remaining well drilled in 2010 will likely be in the next month.A major land use impact review (MLUIR) submittal, and approval is necessary before any

construction and natural gas development can occur within the PUD. Final “water use andsupply” portion of our application is near completion and will allow us to submit MLUIRdocuments to the county during first half of the year.

A comprehensive drilling plan (CDP) will be worked after we get initial feedback fromthe county. This will be a mutual effort with the county, community, Antero and theColorado Oil & Gas Conservation Commission, Colorado Department of Health andEnvironment and Colorado Division of Wildlife.

We provided an update on health impact assessment (HIA) status as well, for which otherinformation is publicly available. Antero has provided information to the HIA study on waterdata, air monitoring data and best management practices to the study group at theColorado Department of Health. The second draft is to be available for public comment byMarch 1, and a final draft of the HIA planned for April 30.

If there are any changes to our 2011 plans, Antero will hold another public meeting toprovide updates.

– Kevin Kilstrom, vice president of production, Antero Resources

Town of Parachute NewsFrom Parachute Town Administrator Robert Knight

Town financesWe are closing out our 2010 books so I wanted to make a cou-

ple observations of what is happening in Parachute. Overall, oursales tax collections were down 5 percent from last year's totalbut we gained ground the last quarter of this year when we weredown 15 percent.

The largest contributors to our local sales tax base are energyrelated companies. Their resurgence is a good indicator that theindustry is returning at a steady pace. Our lodging tax revenueshave exceeded budgeted projects and our county tax collectionsare up as well.

Increases in lodging tax confirm our observation that energyis once again contributing positively to our local economy. Interchange

The process to construct the new interchange west of towncontinues under a full head of steam. Barring unexpected compli-cations, I believe the engineers hope to have the project out tobid late this year or early next year.

The bridge over Parachute Creek for the extension ofParachute Park Blvd is nearing the point where the decking willbe installed. This construction is proceeding on schedule with theassistance of a milder winter than what we experienced last year.Recycling

We have a company interested in providing recycling servicesin town but need to gain a sense of how many Parachute resi-dents would take advantage of this service. Without this knowl-edge, the company will have difficulty determining the costeffectiveness of such a program.

Flyers have been distributed in the town's utility billing andwe would appreciate you indicating your thoughts on the flyerand returning it to Parachute Town Hall. We have a drop box outfront of the building where you can deposit them if it is moreconvenient for you.

AUTOMATEDPROPRIETARY CHARGE

CARD SYSTEMAvailable 24 hours daily

Car Wash Fleet Card Program

FUEL Up Your FLEET!

PARACHUTE GRUB N SCRUB28 Cardinal Way • Parachute

Car Wash / Dominos / Shommy’s RestaurantShommy’s Restaurant Now Open – Asian/American Cuisine

RED RIVER QUICK MART1-70 at South Rifle • 702 Taghenbaugh Blvd.

Dominos Pizza - 625-0505

THE CORNER STORE & LASER CAR WASH9th & Railroad • Rifle

Touch Free Carwash / Convenience Store

BOOKCLIFF CAR WASH1st & West Ave • Rifle

Touch Free Carwash / Convenience Store

SWALLOW OIL COMPANY • 945-8823WHOLESALE GAS & OIL

Rifle - 970-625-1467 • Eagle - 970-328-7788

Available at the following Phillips 66 Stations


GO GRAND VALLEYYour calendar for goings on in and around Parachute and Battlement Mesa

Help our calendar grow; let us know. Send public event items to [email protected]. Be sure to include the five Ws (who, what, when, why and where), contact info, cost and anything else readers need to know.

• Feb. 15: 9-10 a.m. Breakfast with GarfieldCounty Commissioner Mike Samson at theParachute Branch Library. 285-9870.

• Feb. 15: The Battlement Mesa ServiceAssociation meets at 9 a.m. at the BattlementMesa Activity Center.

Feb. 15: 12 p.m. Ladies Who Do Lunch BookClub meet at the Parachute Branch Library.“Unbroken” by Laura Hillenbrand. 285-9870.

• Feb. 18: 6 p.m. Reel Readers book and moviediscussion group meets at the Parachute BranchLibrary. This month’s selection: “The Painted Veil” byW. Somerset Maugham. Call 285-9870.

• Feb. 17: 9 a.m. Battlement Mesa Company’sEric Schmela is holding a community meeting todiscuss issues and answer questions at the 35thAvenue Grill, in the Battlement Mesa shopping center.

• Feb. 18: 5-6:30 p.m. Beef Brisket Dinner served bythe United Methodist Women of the Grand ValleyUnited Methodist Church of Parachute. Full dinner,drinks, homemade pie and ice cream. $9/adult, $5/chil-dren; Eat at the church, corner of Parachute Avenue andSecond Street, or take-out. Joyce, 285-6667.

• Feb. 18: 6 p.m. Reel Readers screen “The PaintedVeil” at the Parachute Branch Library. Book by W.Somerset Maugham available at the library. Contactthe library at 285-9870 for more info.

• Feb. 22: 1 p.m. Village Artists meet at theParachute Branch Library, featuring Nancy Page ofMain Street Gallery demonstrating matting andframing. Joline, 285-7642.

• Feb. 23: 2-4 p.m. Anime Club meets at theParachute Branch Library. 285-9870.

• Feb: 25: 1-2:30 p.m. Learn to Knit Socks Part2 meets at the Parachute Branch Library. 285-9870.

• Feb. 26: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. "The Happy Scrappers"meet at the Parachute Branch Library CommunityRoom. Any adult who wants to work on their ownscrapbook is welcome. Call Pam at 285-9230 toreserve your place as space is limited.

• March 10: Parachute/Battlement Mesa Chamber ofCommerce Visitor Cabin volunteer breakfast isat the Battlement Mesa Schoolhouse. 285-0388.

• March 11: Nominations due for the GarfieldCounty Council on Aging’s awards program presentedto seniors, individuals, businesses, agencies and non-profits for their contributions to seniors. Contact JudyMartin at the Garfield County Department of HumanServices, Senior Programs at 945-9191 ext. 3061,[email protected] or fax 928-0465.

• March 17: 12 p.m. The Parachute/BattlementMesa Chamber of Commerce board meeting isat Alpine Bank. 285-0388.

ONGOING• During the month of February, participate in Foodfor Fines; bring in non-perishable food items. Foreach item, $1 is credited to your late library dues.Call the Parachute Branch Library at 285-9870.

• The Battlement Mesa Activity Center has lotsof classes and activities: swimming, dancing, person-al training, water aerobics, yoga, kung fu, basketball,and more. Call 285-9480.

• Every Monday from 12-1 p.m. the Grand ValleyUnited Methodist Church serves a free soup lunchat the church at 132 Parachute Ave.

• Every Monday from 12:45-4 p.m., Party Bridgeis held at the Battlement Mesa Activity Center. Alllevels welcome.

• The first Tuesday of every month, at 7 p.m. theWest Garfield Democrats meet at Mesa VistaAssisted Living, 285-7206.

• Every Tuesday at 7 a.m., the Kiwanis Club ofGrand Valley/Parachute meets at theCommunity Room of the Parachute Branch Library,244 Grand Valley Way, in Parachute. Coffee is at 7a.m., program begins at 7:30 a.m.

• The second Tuesday of every month at 6:30 p.m.,the Grand Valley Citizens Alliance meets at theMesa Vista Assisted Living Residence. Call Paul, 285-7791.

• Neighborhood Watch meets the secondTuesday of the month at 7 p.m. at Parachute TownHall, 222 Grand Valley Way, Parachute. 285-7630.

• Anyone who has suffered the loss of a friend orloved one through suicide is welcome at HEART-BEAT, a support group for survivors after sui-cide. that meets the second Tuesday of each monthat 6:30 pm at the First United Methodist Church inGlenwood Springs. The meetings are a safe place toshare this unique pain and provide and obtain mutu-al support. Use the Bethel Chapel entrance of thechurch located at 824 Cooper Street. Call PamSzedelyi, 945-1398, e-mail [email protected].

• The second Tuesday or Wednesday of every monthat 6:30 p.m., the Parachute/Battlement MesaPark and Recreation District Board ofDirectors meets at the recreation district office,259 Cardinal Way, Parachute, 285-0388, parachute-battlementparkandrecreation.org.

• The third Tuesday of every month at 9 a.m., theBattlement Mesa Service Association meets atthe Battlement Mesa Activity Center.

• Every Wednesday at 11 a.m. is Toddler Time, andevery Friday at 11 a.m. is Story Time at theParachute Library. Both open to young children.Call Michelle at 285-9870.

• Every Wednesday at 11:30 a.m., the ParachuteValley Senior Center hosts a luncheon preparedby the Rifle Senior Center. $2.50 for those over 60.Reservations taken Mondays from 9 a.m.-12 p.m.;call 285-7216.

• The first and third Wednesday of every month at 3p.m., the Battlement Mesa ArchitecturalCommittee meets at the Battlement Mesa ActivityCenter. Open to the public. 285-9432.

• Battlement Concerned Citizens meet the sec-ond and fourth Wednesdays of every month at 1:30p.m. at the Battlement Mesa Activity Center to dis-cuss issues of concern to the Battlement Mesa com-munity. Open to the public. Dave, 285-2263 or Ron,285-3085.

• Every Thursday at 10 a.m. (except the firstThursday of the month), the Prayer ShawlMinistry meets at the Grand Valley UnitedMethodist Church, 132 N. Parachute, Parachute.Call Sharon, 285-2318, or the church, 285-9892, tojoin in.

• Every Friday from 9-9:30 a.m. “CommunityConnections” hosts interviews with communitymembers on KSUN 103.9 FM.

• Every Saturday at 7 p.m., the Parachute ValleySenior Center hosts Bingo Night with cash prizes.Free hot dogs every third Saturday. 540 N.Parachute Ave., 285-1353.

UPCOMING• March 19: 9 a.m.-12 p.m. AVON ShoppingSpree at Daylight Donuts, 124 E. First St.,Parachute. Browse and shop discounted AVONproducts with your local AVON Independent SalesRepresentative Georgiann McDaniel. Don't have totime to shop? Order your coffee and breakfast to goand take an AVON brochure with you. You can callyour order in, e-mail it or visit myyouravon.com/georgiannmcdaniel to place yourorder. 285-7469

• March 19: 5-10 p.m. Parachute/BattlementMesa Chamber of Commerce Awards, Auctionand Banquet at the Battlement Mesa ActivityCenter. 285-0388.

• March 24-26: Book sale sponsored by Friends ofthe Parachute Library. 285-9870.

• April 1: Visitors Cabin opens at the Parachuterest area.


NEWS FROM COMMUNITY COUNTS INDUSTRY MEMBERS…

Check out our website! We’re continually making improvements and would like your input in 2011. One of thenew and improved functions is a map that allows you to enter your address and pull up many of the rig loca-tions in your area (please note rig locations are updated the first week of each month and can change onshort notice). You may also enter your email address and receive important updates. To contact us with feed-back and ideas for any aspect of Community Counts, please contact our coordinator, Judy Landrum,1.970.412.4525, [email protected].

Antero Resources will begin drilling operations in February. Antero will have 1 rig operating in 2011 and theiractivity will be focused in an area approximately 2 miles south of the town of Silt and south of the ColoradoRiver.

Bill Barrett Corporation BBC is operating 1 drilling rig and one completion crew south of Silt. Please see theCommunity Counts website for the current location of our rig.

Encana currently has 4 rigs located north of I70 supporting our North Piceance operations in our NorthParachute Ranch area. We have 5 rigs supporting our South Piceance operations south of I70 that operatein the Mamm Creek, Battlement/High Mesa, and Wallace Creek areas. Our pipeline extension in the DryHollow/Hunter Mesa area south of Silt is scheduled for completion mid-February. The most exciting event oflate was the presentation to the Town of Parachute of our check for $150,000 in matching funds for theParachute I70 Interchange project. This is the first of two installments, with another $150,000 check to be pre-sented in 2012. Our fellow Community Counts partner, Williams Production, has made the same commitmentfor this important project.

Williams would like to thank everyone who attended the open house for the pad location in the Parachutetown limits. People asked a lot of good questions. Pad construction is beginning soon. For more informationcall Susan Alvillar at 970.216.3878

Community Counts member meetings were held January 26 in Collbran at the Collbran Fire Station, andFebruary 9 at Parachute Town Hall. In-depth discussions included operator activity updates, traffic issues,questions about drilling near municipal water supplies, and ideas for communicating factual informationabout drilling impacts and benefits. For information on future meetings and membership opportunities, con-tact Judy Landrum (contact information above) or visit our website.

Our website is back online!

www.communitycountscolorado.comThe Community Counts Hotline

1.866.442.9034

The Battlement Mesa Service Association

The “City of Battlement Mesa!”By Keith Lammey, president, Battlement Mesa Service Association

Several of our residents have told me that the “City of Battlement Mesa” hasa nice ring to it. But could it really happen?

Garfield County recently hired BBC Research & Consulting to conduct aBattlement Mesa Incorporation Financial Feasibility Analysis. The final report wasreleased on Jan. 7.

First, the positive news: The 57-page report appears to be well-researched andwell-written. And, now, the not-so-positive news: It seems unlikely thatBattlement Mesa will be holding a mayor and city council election any time soon.

According to the report, operating our community as the City of BattlementMesa would be dramatically more expensive to our residents than operatingunder our current homeowners association (HOA) format.

What is meant by “dramatically more expensive”? Operating BattlementMesa as an incorporated city would be somewhat more expensive than operat-ing as an HOA, but the overall cost isn’t dramatically more. What makes it moreexpensive is the adjustment of the mix between what Battlement Mesa residentspay and what Garfield County pays.

The issue is complex. Battlement Mesa is a very large financial drain onGarfield County. We’re sort of like their 35-year-old son who is still living at homeand not contributing to the household expenses.

According to the BBC Research report, “after incorporation, Garfield Countywould continue to collect the same…taxes from Battlement Mesa residents. Thecounty would transfer to the new municipality vehicle use tax revenue fromautomobile sales, certain planning and building permit revenues and someshared state revenue.”

“Most importantly, the county would lose responsibility for providing streetmaintenance, snowplowing and police protection services, as well as the admin-istration of land use and building controls,” states the report. “The…analysisdemonstrates that the county currently spends roughly $1.2 million a year inBattlement Mesa for direct services of snowplowing, police services and roadmaintenance.”

Guess who has to make up the $1.2 million a year that Garfield County wouldsave if Battlement Mesa incorporated? That’s right, we would.

Some people believe that the revenues that we would receive, which now goto the county, could fund our increased portion of the overall operating cost.BBC Research & Consulting concluded otherwise.

“Contrary to common perception,” their report states, “incorporation doesnot divert substantial amounts of existing tax revenues to the new community.New cities and towns must raise new revenues by way of new fees, charges andtaxes.

“In this instance, a new municipality of Battlement Mesa would get a share ofcounty sales tax and road and bridge fund redistributions; some state highwayusers tax fund receipts; a share of state cigarette tax funds; and a share of stateconservation trust fund revenues. …and the new municipality would get a shareof severance tax receipts…roughly $275 per (energy worker} household, butthey are also uncertain and have varied widely in recent years.”

Further, the report explains that these funds have been and continue to bepursued as a means of funding gaps in the state’s budget.

BBC Research believes that, under incorporation, Battlement Mesa “wouldspend $2.0 million dollars a year in order to replicate current county sheriff pro-tection and road maintenance services, as well as develop required new munic-ipal services.” In order to provide the necessary funding, Battlement Mesa couldimplement “a new 3.0 percent sales tax and a new 8-mill property tax” butwould still “fall short…by about $300,000.”

So where does this leave us? We could put this study on a shelf and forgetabout incorporation or we could continue to explore other alternatives thatwould enable us to eventually incorporate. Meanwhile, we can take steps toimprove the functionality of our HOA style of government.

I am convinced that putting the study on a shelf and doing nothing isn’t agood option. Although Battlement Mesa’s future strategy is undecided, I am cer-tain that we can’t keep doing the same thing and expect to get a different result.I am also equally convinced that the fragmentation in our community combinedwith a “but we’ve always done it like that” attitude is not going to lead us to the“promised land.”

To read the entire report, go to battlementmesacolorado.com, and click on“Documents.”

G O V E R N M E N T


Send us a letter. Got something on your mind? We’ve expanded our word-count limit to 500 words or less for Letters to the Echo to give you plenty of space to express yourselves. The Echo wel-comes your input, opinions, thanks and whatever else you’d like to share with our readers, provided it’s written in a respectful, civil way. (Please, no unsubstantiated attacks, etc.) The Echo reservesthe right to edit and proofread letters. Send your words to The Grand Valley Echo, [email protected], or 274 Redstone Blvd., Redstone, CO 81623. Please be sure to include your name, titleif necessary, and where you live. Thanks.

L E T T E R T O T H E E C H O

Let’s support drilling

Dear Echo:The men and women who carry the lunch

buckets are the backbone of this country.Whether it’s the oil worker, or the person behindthe desk, they are the ones who support the peo-ple – the idle people.

The gas company generates money fromtaxes to support the towns, schools, road repairs,and other activities in the community and coun-ty. Drilling also played a big part in the buildingof the Grand River Hospital District.

As I read the newspapers, there are negativeremarks concerning gas drilling. I would like tostate that Parachute is not against drilling. We’refor it. I’ve lived in Parachute for 83 years and I’veseen a lot of booms and busts; without energycompanies here, this area will not survive. Weneed employment and the gas and oil companiesprovide this employment. Drilling will drive cus-tomers to do business in this town that generatesrevenue to support the tax base.

Some folks complain that drilling in the areawill lower their property values. Without drillingin the area, the housing market is flooded withvacant houses that lowers the value of homesmuch more than drilling ever will.

People complain about the fumes fromdrilling. Do they complain about the fumes fromtrucks and automobiles?

The Garfield County Commissioners and theState of Colorado have a lot to say about this –some voters don’t agree with Battlement Mesa. Ibelieve the majority of residents are all fordrilling. Let’s get together and support drilling inour town and surrounding area includingBattlement Mesa.

Don’t kill the goose that laid the golden egg.

Cecil Gardner Parachute

Thank you to the many who helpedthe GVMS Band

Dear Echo:Thank you for providing this excellent forum

for expressing thanks to our community for sup-porting our local activities and endeavors.

As director of the Grand Valley Middle SchoolBand, and on behalf of its student musicians, Iwould like to express our sincere gratitude andheartfelt thanks to the folks and local businessesthat helped us meet our expenses for last spring’sCoors Field Band Day. Several made significantand “beyond the call of duty” efforts to ensurethat our band could cover the cost of traveling toDenver to perform the “Star Spangled Banner” atthe pre-game ceremonies of what was to be theColorado Rockies vs. the Florida Marlins base-ball game.

As fate would have it, a massive snowstormhit Colorado the night before our departure. Itwas so severe that the Rockies game and ourband activities were cancelled. Our band stu-dents were greatly disappointed. The tremen-dous experience that few middle school studentsget to enjoy would not happen. As a result of the

cancellation, we began returning funds that hadbeen raised to meet our expenses.

Our expression of gratitude is to the severalpeople and businesses that told us to keep thedonations to apply them to our participation inthis year’s Coors Field Band Day event! Allowingus to keep their donations has made our antici-pated participation in this year’s event an easiertask. Many thanks to all those folks.

Of the several folks that did this, I would liketo especially express our gratitude to two busi-nesses and a parent organizer that made signifi-cant, major contributions to our cause: AlpineBank and Williams Production each donated$500 to us. Band parent Traci Andrews donatedmore than 100 hours of volunteer work to organ-ize and spearhead the fundraising effort. Ourparticipation simply would not have been possi-ble without the help of these kind folks.

The cancellation of this event created a greatmany loose ends and details to resolve. As aresult, everything was not finally, and officially,settled up and sorted out with the ColoradoRockies and our various donors until this pastNovember. We have finally closed the books onlast year’s event and are now settled in and readyto begin preparations for participation in thisyear’s Coors Field Band Day.

Fearing I may unknowingly omit someone’sname, I would also like to express our gratitudeto several folks who donated $50-$100 towardsour expenses for this event: Clark’s Market, Mrs.Manila Wise, Mr. Ryan Frink, NorthlandOperating LLC, Metcalf Excavation Inc., Toby’sVacuum Truck Service, and Wells Fargo Bank.We also say thanks to these wonderful folks!

Hopefully, this year’s “Star Spangled Banner”project will go as scheduled and the Grand ValleyMiddle School Band students will have the thrillof a lifetime: performing our national anthem incenter field of the Colorado Rockies’ Coors FieldStadium!

Yours truly, Van Merritt, Director

Grand Valley Middle School BandParachute

Thanks to Mt. Callahan and Williams

Dear Echo:The Parachute/Battlement Mesa Park and

Recreation District would like to thank the Mt.Callahan Fund for granting the district $500 to gotowards new playground equipment that will beerected in the spring at the Callahan Ball Fieldcomplex. This funding is very much appreciatedand many youngsters will use the equipment.

The district would also like to thank WilliamsProduction, RMT, which has contributed $2,500towards a baseball-pitching machine. This fund-ing secured through Bill Parkhurst, and the pitch-ing machine will be a big benefit to the youthbaseball and softball programs. Thank you,Williams Production and Bill Parkhurst for thisfunding.

Mary AndersonExecutive Director

Parachute/Battlement Mesa Park andRecreation District

Support community businesses and activities

Dear Echo:The economic downturn has impacted the entire country, not

just western Colorado. There are goods and services not available in this community

– just like in any other town of similar population base. For example, there is still grumbling for the loss of City

Market. But please consider the alternative, which would be nogrocery store at all.

The quality of a community store depends on the volume ofshoppers. Many who drive to Rifle are not taking into account gasmoney. Clark’s, as a small independent, cannot always competeprice-wise with larger chains. Items not found on the shelves can beordered upon request. Clark’s' management and staff are helpfuland sympathetic. They can order many items at your request.

Clark’s meat is excellent quality. Fresh seafood is not anoption because of lack of demand. DEMAND CREATES THESUPPLY. All local businesses are hurting: support them!

As for recreational deficits, local sporting events draw smallturn-outs. Grand Valley High School’s Christmas program had atiny handful of an audience in spite of a great effort. TheParachute Branch Library is first class for a community this size;and the Parachute Valley Senior Center could do more withhigher participation and contribution.

Stop expecting the other guy to provide you with your enter-tainment. Participate in what is here or start something of yourown.

It will take all of us pulling together to enrich this commu-nity.

Carol Abbott Parachute


G R A N D V A L L E Y N E W S

By Sarah TahvonenGrand River Hospital District CEO Martie Wisdom

plans to leave the Rifle-based health organization atthe end of June. Martie plans to remain in the area,where she looks forward to giving back to the commu-nity and spending more time focusing on family andfriends.

“My tenure at Grand River has been the mostrewarding time of my career,” said Martie. “I amproud to have been a part of such a forward-thinkinginstitution serving wonderful and supportive commu-nities.”

Martie has been a healthcare executive for morethann 15 years, the last five as CEO of Grand River.

“Ms. Wisdom will be missed by the district'semployees, board members, and volunteers for herleadership and activism in the district's managementand its community involvement,” said Sam Potter,president of Grand River Hospital District’s board ofdirectors.

During Martie’s time at Grand River, the districtsaw the addition of nuclear medicine, and Grand RiverHealth and Safety Center opened in Battlement Mesa.

“The Grand River Health and Safety Center givesour local employers the resources they need to offertheir staff quality health care and employment screen-ings,” said Martie.

Additionally, Grand River opened the expansion toGrand River Hospital and Medical Center in Rifle. Thisnew building houses an expanded clinic, conferencespace, and a new physical therapy center. Grand River

Physical Therapy was updated and revamped. Theprogram now offers an aquatic therapy pool and anActivities of Daily Living Unit, in addition to otherrehabilitative services.

Recently, Grand River opened the Grand RiverStudent Health Center in Parachute, which serves thestudents and staff of Garfield CountySchool DistrictNo. 16. This low-cost clinic offers children health carethat they may not otherwise be able to receive.

During Martie’s tenure at Grand River, the organi-zation added several primary care providers andexpanded service lines to include gynecology, neuro-surgery, digital mammography, a partnership withWomen’s Wellness Connection, laser skin services,minimally invasive surgeries such as BalloonKyphoplasty and EsophyX, diabetes management,Optifast weight loss program, and a number of otherspecialty services. In addition, Grand River’s E. DeneMoore Care Center has received recognition for theirtransition to “person-centered care,” an innovativeapproach to long-term care, which emphasizes per-sonalized care to meet the needs and preferences ofindividual residents.

"Grand River’s board of directors, together withMartie and the entire administrative staff, has prom-ised that the transition to a new CEO will be seam-less,” said Sam. “Our first priority is to ensure uninter-rupted excellence in the service we provide to ourcommunities and the people we serve. We would liketo say thank you to Martie for a job well done.”

Grand River Hospital DistrictCEO to depart in June 2011

Echo BriefsFree tax preparation available at Wells Fargo

For the sixth year, Wells Fargo Bank in Battlement Mesa is offer-ing free tax preparation for families and individuals with low tomoderate income through the Volunteer Income Tax AssistanceProgram (VITA).

Two Battlement Mesa residents are volunteering their time withVITA: Tom Hall, CPA, and Jean Proud. Both are experienced incometax preparers.

Tom and Jean will offer assistance with credits, such as earnedincome and child tax credits, pensions, and Social Security income.

Clients with complex business issues, rentals, and other subjectsoutside the scope of the VITA program will be referred to paid pre-parers.

Those using the free service must present a picture ID and SocialSecurity cards for spouses and dependents, as well as all relevant taxdocuments, including 2009 tax returns.

Call Wells Fargo at 285-7848 to make an appointment, andleave a message if necessary. Wells Fargo is located at 71 SipprelleDrive, Suite 2 in Battlement Mesa.

– Tom Hall

Annual Parachute Beef Brisket Dinner on Feb. 18The United Methodist Women of the Grand Valley United

Methodist Church of Parachute are serving our yearly Beef BrisketDinner on Feb.18 from 5-6:30 p.m. at the church at the southeastcorner of Parachute Avenue and Second Street.

The menu consists of beef brisket (baked for 12 hours at lowheat for superb tenderness), gravy, potatoes, vegetables, salad, anda variety of drinks. Dessert is your choice from a variety of home-made pies topped with ice cream if you wish. The price is $9 foradults and $5 for children.

Take-out dinners are also available. Please join us for a great dinner and fellowship. We hope to see

you there! – Joyce Landrum


O B I T U A R Y

Jan Menke SenacOct. 16, 1952 – Jan. 30, 2011

Donnie Jeanette (Menke) Senac, known to her family and friends as Jan, passed away on Jan. 30at E. Dene Moore Care Center in Rifle of complications from a long battle with multiple sclerosis.She was 58.

Jan was born on Oct. 16, 1952 to Louis and Joan (Carson) Menke in Wray, Colo. When Jan was2 years old, the family moved to Greeley. She graduated from Greeley West High School in 1970and later moved to Denver, where she worked as a legal secretary and paralegal.

While in Denver, she met her husband, Alain Senac. Jan and Alain moved to Vail in 1991 andwhile there she continued working in the legal field.

Alain and Jan moved to Battlement Mesa in December of 1998. They opened their business,Easy Cuisine, a successful take-out and catering business. Jan and Alain made many special friendswhile having their business. Jan had such a gift for greeting customers with a friendly hello andsmile. She enjoyed being able to get out into the community and meet with the public. Sheremained a part of the business until they closed at the end of 2009.

Jan was such a caring and compassionate person. She was an avid reader and much of the timeshe spent with a book in her hands. She liked cards and games growing up and spent a lot of timewith her family doing that. She enjoyed watching the Broncos and the Rockies on TV with Alain.

She loved animals. Early on in her childhood she had such a caring way with the family pets,and this nurturing way remained within her throughout her life. She and Alain had a Lhasa apso,Toby, whom they dearly loved. Having no children, Toby was like their child. Per her wishes,Toby's cremains will be buried with her.

Jan is survived by her husband, Alain; brothers, Mike, Pat and Bill (Debbie) Menke and sistersCarolyn Layne and Barbara (Bob) Vergara; nephews and nieces Mike and Lori (Movick) Vergara.Luke. Jake and Matt Menke. Rob and Kelly Layne; great nephews and nieces; Addison and AdalynVergara, Skyler and Murphy Menke, and Ella Movick. She is also survived by numerous uncles,aunts, cousins and friends.

Jan was preceded in death by her parents, grandparents, stepfather Bill Thum and nephew AndyVergara.

The family wishes to thank Jan's husband, Alain, for his loving dedication and care. Alain and thefamily wish to thank E. Dene Moore Care Center staff and Alpine Hospice staff and volunteers forthe care they gave Jan in her last days. Jan moved from home to the care center in September 2010.

Memorial service was on Feb. 12 at Grace Bible Church in Battlement Mesa.Burial of Jan's cremains will take place at a later date in Wray, where her parents and grandpar-

ents are buried.If anyone wishes, memorial contributions in memory of Jan may be made to Alpine Hospice,

1316 Grand Ave., Glenwood Springs, CO 81601 or E. Dene Moore Care Center. 701 East Fifth St.,Rifle, CO 81650.

NEW LISTINGONE OF A FEW

GOLF COURSE LOTSWise investment, fantastic views,walk-out basement building site,covenant protected community.

Battlement Mesa $89,900

THIS TOWNHOME HAS IT ALL

Townhome with quality throughout, cozy breakfast

nook and dining room, dream kitchen, granite & tile.Battlement Mesa $199,900

JUST BEAUTIFULLavish master bath, jetted

tub, tiled family room with fireplace and wet bar.

Breakfast nook and dining area.Battlement Mesa $255,000

SOCIALIZING or RELAXING!

Mature landscaping, sprinkler system, free standing gas

fireplace, large master suite with walk-in closet.


LIGHT BRIGHT and JUST RIGHT

Upgraded appliances,washer/dryer, maple cabinetry,

tiled entry area, stunning views and carefree living!


COMFORTABLE COZY RANCH

Cedar siding with rock accents,walk-in pantry, breakfast

bar, stone fireplace. Fabulous custom home.


EXPERIENCE FINE LIVINGLarge family room with fireplace and pool table,

three bedrooms, three baths,upgrades and quality.


EXPANDED DECK WITH AWNING

Garden area, dog run, storage bldg., loads of

cabinets/counters, pellet stove and great yard with

sprinkler system.Battlement Mesa $149,900

GUARANTEED TO WIN YOUR HEART

Full stucco, courtyard, exceptional master suite, chef ’s kitchen, granite.

Battlement Mesa 334,900

PERFECT PLACE TO START

Kitchen breakfast bar, MF home with updated interior,

master bath with garden tub and shower, fenced yard.


HIGH CEILINGS -GREAT VIEWS

Townhome-upper deck AND lower patio.

Updated carpet, flooring and Corian counters, 2 fireplaces – views.


A VARIETY OF LIFESTYLES

Oversized-insulated garage, loads of energy-saving features, custom tile

flooring, vinyl fencing. Battlement Mesa $329,900

NUMEROUS BUILDABLE LOTS

Now is the time to invest in raw land, prices are not going to be

this low again. Starting at $69,000.

Karen Jones, 970-379-1353Mary Lee Mohrlang, CRS, GRI 970-216-5058

73 Sipprelle Drive, Suite J-1, Batlement Mesa, CO 81635

Virtual Tours www.MohrlangJones.com

mohrlang • jonesThe NAMES that mean

EXCELLENCE in Real Estate…

The Colorado Heritage Group

This IS the Time to Buy!


G O V E R N M E N T

The formative years

Ever wonder how oil and gas was created? Oil and gas are organic compounds that were fos-silized in the rocks millions of years ago. Scientists believe that our gas deposits were created dur-ing the Cretaceous period, which was somewhere between 145 and 65 million years ago. And youthought that you felt old.

Plants and animals were fossilized in rock and kept from oxygen in order to create the mineralsthat we are now extracting for fuel and many other uses.

Just like us, nicknames have been given to formations that contain the oil and gas in our region.Some of these include Mesa Verde, Williams Fork, Cameo Coal, Wasatch, Ohio Creek, Cozzette,Iles, and Rollins. Mesa Verde is the overall name of the formations. Then each depth within theMesa Verde group of minerals gets a specific name.

For instance, the Wasatch formation is the shallowest, with the deeper formation being theRollins. The largest production of natural gas in this area is found in the Williams Fork. The depthof the Williams Fork can be from about 3,500 to 8,000 feet. Once the drilling has reached its totaldepth (nicknamed “TD”), a well can produce from many different depths from the surface downto the bottom of the well. This is called commingled gas, which means that the well is producingfrom different formations at the same time.

So, this spring, when you are tilling your soil with all of the plants that died last season, justthink: you may be helping produce oil and natural gas for generations millions of years into thefuture. Care to name your formation?

Mary Ellen Denomy, CPA, is a Battlement Mesa resident and an Accredited Petroleum AccountantShe has been nationally recognized as an expert in oil and gas issues. Mary Ellen is the immediate pastpresident of the Rocky Mountain Chapter of the National Association of Royalty Owners. If you havequestions, contact her at the naro-us.org website or through The Grand Valley Echo.

GRAND VALLEY ENERGYA monthly column by M.E. Denomy, CPA

Shommy’s Restaurant and Barv v v v v

BRING THIS COUPON IN FOR A

FREE DRINKv v v v v

TO GO ORDERS AND DRIVE THROUGH

285-9711GIRL SCOUT COOKIES AND SHAKES WHILE THEY LAST

v v v v v

v v v v v

103.9 FM

TUNE IN!BROADCASTING 24/7!

Syndicated Radio Programs • Local Programming

YOUR SOURCE FOR EMERGENCY WEATHER AND AMBER ALERTS

KSUN's Board of Directors extends an invitation to all of ouractive members to attend our 2011 Annual Meeting.Mark you calendar for 7 p.m. on April 12th in the CommunityRoom of the Activity Center. We will be recapping the accom-plishments of the past year, along with presenting an update onthis year's goals and challenges. In addition, our guest speakerwill be Gabe Chenoweth from KMTS, Glenwood Springs. Hiscountry station is the most listened to station from Rifle to Aspen.He will be helping us understand how to connect with our com-munity through our radio station. Hope to see you there!

If you are not a member and would like to attend this event,memberships ($25) are still available. Please call 285-2246.

We would love to have you support our station!

KSUN COMMUNITY RADIO398 Arroyo Drive, Battlement Mesa • 285-2246

www.ksunradio.org

Across from Family Dollaron Cardinal Way in Parachute.

Breakfast & Lunch

8 am-2 pm daily

Dinner5-10 pm daily

Bar Open Daily11 am

285-9616

Homemade daily specials & soupDelivering Food To Go - Fri. & Sat. 5-10 amBest Food in Town • FREE shuttle Fri. & Sat.

NOW OFFERING A 10% SENIOR DISCOUNT.

FAJITA NIGHT with Big John every 1st Thursday of the month.

PRIME RIB every 3rd FridayPrepared by Big John

LIVE BANDS ON WEEKENDS!

his wife, their daughter andtheir dog came up to the GrandMesa in the winter. They didn’tcheck the weather, but therewas a big storm coming in.They went out on a trail, but ablizzard came in and theycouldn’t see anything. Theydidn’t know where they were;they couldn’t find the lodge. Itstarted getting dark, and theman found a big log for his fam-

ily to huddle into. He told themhe was going to find help andleft them there. Rescuers foundthe wife, daughter and dog, butnot the man. They didn’t findthe man’s body until the spring.

“So what’s the first thingyou want to do if you’re lost?”Don asked the kids, who atthis point were so quiet youcould hear a pine needle drop.

“Stay where you are! Dig a

hole!” came the chorus. Back at the lodge, the other

half of the class was returningfrom their lesson aboutbeavers. As the two groupsconverged, it was clear the stu-dents were getting more coor-dinated at running with theirsnowshoes on, dodging eachother and goofing around. Bythe end of the day, the kidswere seasoned pros.

Are you smarter than a fourth grader?See how well you would do by taking part of St John Elementary’s fourth grade test

about winter survival. Answers are below (and in the accompanying story).

1) If you were a vole, where would you build your den? On the surface of the snow orat ground level under the snow?

2) If you are lost and forced to spend the night in the forest, should you lie or sit on topof the snow or dig a hole to sit or lie in?

3) If lost during the day, should you wander around or stay in one place?

4) If lost during the day, should you be in a sunny open area or a hidden shady area?

Snowshoeing from page 1

Answers to winter survival quiz

1) You’d want to build your den at ground level, since temperatures at ground level are warmer than tempera-

tures on top of the snow.

2) You should dig a hole, preferably to ground level, since temperatures are warmer there.

3) You should stay in one place so rescuers can find you.

4) You should be in a sunny open area.


S E N I O R S

Mesa Vista News

By Kathy Germano, Mesa Vista Assisted Living Residence activity director

January proved to be a rather quiet month after all the hustle and bustle ofthe holidays. We did have our first lunch outing and had a great time atWendy’s.

This month, we plan to join Shommy’s for lunch. The residents also enjoyeda new addition to our calendar, Happy Hour at 4 p.m. on Wednesdays. It’s a great social hourbringing everyone together.

We will be celebrating two resident birthdays this month: Opal Ellsbury on Feb. 22, and FernBrethower on Feb. 27.

In February we will be making Valentine decorations for our dining room tables. Opal Ellsbury’sdaughter Dianne Dayhoff and her friend is joining us to make love bugs for all!

Everyone is looking forward to spring so we honored Groundhog Day on Feb. 2 with a specialdrawing and prize at lunch. The 4-H Club provided an animal and science presentation for us onFeb. 11. The residents always enjoy our furry friends!

We are also touring our beautiful local firehouse on Feb. 17.The residents can’t wait to see the pole, and are hoping for a demonstration. We will also enjoy

a ukulele performance by Andy Russell on Feb. 25.March will have the residents thinking about spring, gardens and of course our Saint Patrick’s

Day Celebration. We will be joining another local restaurant for lunch and weather permitting planan outdoor activity. With spring just around the corner, the residents are looking forward to sunnydays and warmer weather ahead!

Mesa Vista Assisted Living Residence in Parachute/Battlement Mesa is part of the Senior Housing Optionsnetwork of residences and apartments providing housing for older adults in Colorado.

Senior BriefsGarfield County requests senior award nominations by March 11

Garfield County Council on Aging is seeking nominations for awards to be presented toseniors, individuals, business, agencies and/or organizations for their outstanding contribu-tions and positive impact on seniors in our community.

The nomination and award selection is a local process through the Garfield CountyCouncil on Aging. Nominations are submitted to the council and may be made for one ofthe two award categories: Senior Citizen of the Year or Friend of the Seniors.

We have an open process and all nominations are permitted and encouraged to be sub-mitted. The nominations deadline is March 11.

The chosen award recipients are invited to attend the Garfield County celebration at theSenior Programs and High County Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon on April 16, and theAlpine Area Agency on Aging celebration in May.

To make a nomination, contact Judy Martin at the Garfield County Department ofHuman Services, Senior Programs at 945-9191 ext. 3061, [email protected] orfax 928-0465.

Parachute Valley Senior Center: Local seniors encouraged to join It's no wonder that local residents have hazy ideas about the Parachute Valley Senior

Center. Since it's at the extreme north edge of town near County Road 215, no one pass-es it while driving around town.

Even so, 127 seniors are members, and they extend an invitation to area seniors to jointhem any Wednesday at 11:30 a.m. for a $2.50 lunch, and to become members. Lunchreservations must be made on Mondays from 9 a.m.-12 p.m. at 285-7216.

Membership fees provide the funds to pay expenses for operating the senior center Foranyone 80 or older, lifetime membership is free. Lifetime membership is $20 for age 75-79; $25 for age 70-74; $30 for age 65-69; $35 for age 60-64; and $40 for age 55-59. Foranyone younger than 55, there is an annual $5 fee.

Members have a ready-made group that joins together for lunch on Wednesdays, playsbingo on Saturday nights, pays half price for special events, and has access to outingsthroughout the valley.

Free pamphlets fill a table with information on subjects of interest to seniors, about safe-ty, nutrition, exercise, health, driving, puzzles and much more

Winter is a good time to check out the Parachute Valley Senior Center and join the group.Memberships help support a needed resource of sociability and support that does notreceive any tax support. Even more important, you'll find people who share your interests.

Be sure to call in lunch reservations Mondays from 9 a.m.-12 p.m. at 285-7216. Formore information, call Ralph Wilde at 285-9006.

Parachute Valley Senior Center is located at 540 N. Parachute Ave.– Mitzi Burkhart

Be safe while shoveling snow

Living in Colorado, you probably know how to shovel a sidewalk or drivewaybut you may not have ever put much thought into proper techniques and safety tips.Shoveling can be a great workout and a good way to get outdoors, but it can lead tosevere back pain and even long-term injuries.

Shoveling the wrong way can lead to strains in the neck and back, not to men-tion what could happen if you slip and fall.

First of all, this year could be the year to get a new shovel. If there are cracks anddents in your current one, or if the handle is worn, it may be time for a new purchase.Nowadays, you can buy ergonomic shovels, which help keep your back straighter.Choose a shovel with a curved handle or adjustable handle length. This will help min-imize bending.

Outside of the right equipment, there are simple, easy steps you can take to pro-tect yourself when shoveling snow.

• Dress appropriately. Dress in layers, with thick gloves and warm pants, a coat,and slip-proof shoes or boots.

• Push; don’t lift. Don’t take on more than you can handle. Shoveling smallamounts is better than trying to clear that sidewalk in one sweep.

• If lifting is absolutely necessary, lift smart. Always face towards what you arelifting and have your shoulders and hips both squarely facing it. Bend at your hips,not your low back. Then bend with your knees and lift with your leg muscles.

• Take breaks and stretch often. When you stop, stretch your back in the oppo-site direction you’ve been moving. Cold, tight muscles are more prone to injury thanwarmed-up muscles, so enlist a quick five-minute stretch before going outdoors.

• Don’t bend and twist your body. Being aware of your movements and avoidingthe naturally awkward can help eliminate pain and soreness afterwards.

• Don’t force anything that you are doing. If you can’t move the shovel, don’t hurtyourself trying to do it. For those of you who use snow blowers, this applies to youtoo.

• Take your time. I know it feels like in the morning you have to rush to get outof the driveway, but go slow when you can. If you are getting worn out, it’s ok topace yourself. If you get a large snowfall at your house, prioritizing what needs to beshoveled first can be helpful. Pacing the shoveling over a few days can aid with sore-ness.

• In addition to muscle and body movements, you should also mind your heartwhen shoveling. Researchers have reported an increase in the number of fatal heartattacks among snow shovelers after a heavy snowfall. This could be due to a suddendemand placed on the heart and the quick increase in heart rate and blood pressureshoveling causes. Cold air, which makes working and breathing difficult, can alsoplay a role in this.

• If you have had a heart attack, have a history of heart disease, have high bloodpressure or cholesterol, smoke, or lead a normally sedentary lifestyle, you shouldthink twice about shoveling snow. If you are at risk, buying a snow blower or hiringa snow removal service may be good options.

Winter is a beautiful time of year and with snowfall comes not only the task ofshoveling, but also many of things we enjoy in Colorado, including skiing, snowshoe-ing, and sledding. By taking a little bit of precaution and listening to your body if youstart to feel pain, you can keep enjoying our wonderful Colorado winters pain free.

Sarah Tahvonen writes about health issues for the Echo from Rifle. If you have anycomments or suggestions for a health-related topic you’d like to see covered, e-mail [email protected].

– Owners, Bonnie & Bobby Hancock“We will treat your vehicle like it’s our own –

with your safety in mind.”

970-285-2420

Full ThrottleTire & AutoWe do brakes,exhaust, struts,

shocks, front end & rear end work.

We offer fleetmanagement.

Hours: Mon. - Fri., 8 am to 6 pm

Sat. by appointment

250 West 1st St. • Parachute • 5 blocks down from Napa Auto Parts

Bring this coupon in and get

10% off a brake job!


Making spares is the most important part of the game

This month, we will get into the most important part of thegame – making spares, which for the uninitiated is knocking

down all the pins with two consecutive rolls of the ball. Many people say that determining how tomake spares is the most difficult part of bowling. For the most part, it is.

If you have been following my previous columns, you are getting tons of strikes. Has your aver-age improved? Getting more strikes is one way, but the surest way is to make more spares.

In earlier columns, I mentioned the KISS method (you know, Keep It Simple, Stupid). Thisallows you to stay cool and relaxed.

As the game has evolved, lane-dressing patterns have changed. The seven pin has replaced thedreaded 10 pin as the most difficult spare. Cluster spares such as the “dinner-bucket” (2-4-5-8 pins)seem almost impossible.

OK – enough negative thinking. Let's go to work. First of all, the following tips are basic andmay need minor adjustments with your feet, depending on the amount your ball curves. My X-FACTOR SPARE FORMULA will help all bowlers improve both their scores and average.

X-FACTOR SPARE FORMULA

CORNER PINS – RIGHT SIDE (10 pin,six pin, or both) Right-handers should placetheir left foot on the 35th board, which isthree dots left of the center dot on theapproach. Your target is an area in betweenthe fourth arrow and the third arrow fromthe right channel. Walk toward your targetand deliver a normal shot.

Left-handers should place their right foottwo dots left of the center dot and aim at the middle arrow. I would not recommend breaking thewrist or changing hand positions. The majority of the lane dressing is in the middle of the lane andwill assist in reducing the hook on the ball.

CORNER PINS – LEFT SIDE (seven pin, four pin, or both) Right-handers should place their leftfoot on the 15th board. That is one dot right of the center dot on the approach. Your target is thethird arrow from the right channel. You should walk toward your target and deliver a normal shot.Left-handers should place their right foot outside the fifth board. That is three dots right of the cen-ter dot on the approach. Your target is an area in between the fourth arrow and the third arrowfrom the left channel. You should walk toward your target and deliver a normal shot. Again, weare using the middle oil to our benefit.

MIDDLE PINS – Adjustments are needed here from your strike position. Usually these pins arein clusters, either to the right or left of the one pin or the five pin. If the pins are left of center, movefive boards right and use your strike target. If the pins are right of center, move five boards left, stillusing your strike target. Lefties, move five boards to the right.

Cluster spares are always difficult. There is nearly always an object pin to use as your target.This pin is sometimes hidden. An example is the “dinner bucket” or the 2-4-5-8 pins. Your objectpin is the eight pin.

Most pros use this system or a modification of it. If hook is still a problem, purchase a spare-only ball. Any of the pre-1980 balls hook a lot less. I’m using one from 1965 found at the SalvationArmy for a buck. I had it redrilled to fit. It’s straight and great!

TIP OF THE MONTH: Give the X-FACTOR SPARE FORMULA a good test. Be patient and prac-tice. If problems persist, go to a PBA pro and take a lesson. Most are between $30 to $50. Dropover to your bowling center and LETS GO BOWLING!

Battlement Mesa resident Dick Ciprich is a longtime professional bowler and has won numerous titles onlocal, state, national and international levels. He has 29 – 300 games and 12 – 800 series and is a memberof the Buffalo Bowling Association’s Hall of Fame, and The Greater Buffalo Sports Hall of Fame. He is a free-lance consultant to the bowling industry and a private instructor. He can be reached at [email protected].

A Great Place to Bowl!BURNING MOUNTAIN BOWL

880 Castle Valley Blvd. New Castle CO.970-984-2739

Let’s Go BowlingBy Dick Ciprich

S P O R T S A N D R E C R E A T I O N

If hook is still a problem, purchase a

spare-only ball.

Echo BriefsNeighborhood Watch Parachute summer barbecues help with community awareness

Neighborhood Watch Parachute held a series of barbe-cues last summer to help build awareness about the com-munity safety organization, and plans to hold similarevents this year.

Each section of the Town of Parachute had a barbecueof its own to introduce citizens to the organization. TheGrand Valley Fire Department brought their climbing wallto a couple of the barbecues, which was a huge hit.

In September, a donor appreciation barbecue wasgiven for the companies who contributed to the purchaseof a mobile barbecue. Supporting Neighborhood Watch’svision to unite the citizens of Parachute were Encana,Worldwide Consulting, Rocky Mountain Pumpers,Sterling Crane, and Vallad Consulting.

In addition, Clark’s Market made the summerNeighborhood Watch barbecues possible by supplyingmost of the food for these events.

The plan is to repeat these barbecues during the sum-mer of 2011 to continue to get the word out aboutNeighborhood Watch. We hope to increase our member-ship and participation.

Neighborhood Watch has meetings every month onthe second Tuesday at 7 p.m. at Parachute Town Hall, 222Grand Valley Way. The meetings have an educationalcomponent to teach folks to protect themselves and theirfamilies. Everyone is welcome.

– Juanita Williams

Take Pounds Off Sensibly (TOPS) now in Battlement

A local chapter of Take Pounds Off Sensibly (TOPS) hasbeen formed to promote successful, affordable weightmanagement.

Weekly meeting are being held at Wells Fargo Bank, 71Sipprelle Dr., Unit 2, in the Battlement Mesa shoppingcenter on Thursdays at 6:15 p.m. The cost to enroll is $26per year and $1 a week to attend the meetings.

TOPS is a nonprofit, weight-loss support and wellnesseducation organization that was established in 1948.Members receive a variety of useful tools, including TheChoice Is Mine, a healthy lifestyle guide, and TOPS News,a membership magazine.

TOPS’ philosophy combines healthy eating, regularexercise, wellness information, awards and recognition,and support from others at weekly chapter meetings.

Visitors are welcome to attend their first TOPS meetingfree of charge. For further information, contact Nancy Jayat [email protected], 285-5779.

– TOPS


Grand Valley FireProtection District

By Grand Valley Deputy Fire Chief Rob Ferguson

Grand Valley Fire Protection District covers a wide areaof residential, commercial and some very remote areaswith fire suppression, emergency medical services, fireprevention, public education and training in cardiac pul-monary resuscitation (CPR). The district covers roughly321 square miles. This is I-70 from mile marker 66.4 tomile marker 82.5, then all the way north to Rio BlancoCounty and south to Mesa County, including three-quar-ters of a square mile of Mesa County.

If you should have any questions, comments or con-cerns, please feel free to contact Deputy Fire Chief RobFerguson at 285-9119 or by e-mail at [email protected].

Year-end totals for 2010 at the fire district :696 total calls – 20102009 had 729 calls2008 had 890 calls2007 had 861 calls

Busiest day of the week for 2010114 calls on Wednesdays107 calls on Saturdays100 calls on Fridays

Busiest time of the day for 201054 calls between 0800 hrs and 0859 hrs45 calls between 1600 hrs and 1659 hrs43 calls between 1900 hrs and 1959 hrs

Most calls for service294 calls to one to two single family dwellings137 calls to highways, divided highways or streets23 calls to 24-hour nursing homes

Mutual aid from local agencies: 44 callsGiven: 10 callsReceived: 33 calls; 24 from law enforcement and nine

from fire agenciesParticipated in 48 public education events

If you should have an emergency, please call 911 as soon as possible.

Meetings now held at the Parachute Branch Library

By J. Steven Randol, Kiwanis Club of Grand Valley/Parachute

The Kiwanis Club of Grand Valley/Parachute is now well into the year 2011. We have heardfrom 11 scholarship winners asking to renew their scholarships. We have sent $500 to each ofthem. One other did not report because he was below grade level to qualify. Of those reporting,there were two past winners maintaining 4.0 grade point average. The total sent was $5,500.

The planning for our May fundraising golf tourney is well underway. This is our primaryfundraiser and allows us to meet the needs of the scholarships and other programs we support. Thestart is very encouraging, but we have a long way to go.

The Grand Valley Middle School Science Fair is coming and we will participate in judging it.Our February programs include speakers John Prater, Jim Yellico, the Garfield County assessor,

and Mindy Yost, on radon risk. On Feb. 8, we visited the new sheriff’s office in Rifle. In January,Pam Szedelyl from the Western Colorado Community Foundation spoke, as well as Donna Lagigliaon suicides, three employees from Grand River Hospital and Medical Center on the after-hoursclinic, and John Sheppard on 2010 tax preparation.

A team of Kiwanians started Jan. 25 to take fifth graders on our annual winter outing to GrandMesa for outdoor winter instruction. Dan Temple was the leader. Read all about it in this month’scover story.

BIG CHANGE! We are now meeting at the Parachute Branch Library, 244 Grand Valley Way,the building east of Parachute Town Hall. We meet at 7:30-8:30 a.m. every Tuesday. Coffee isserved at 7 a.m. for a time of fellowship. All men and women of good will are welcome to comeand join us in serving our children and community. Chuck Hall is our president.

KIWANIS KORNER

Echo BriefsFree radon test kits at Garfield County Public Health

Free radon test kits are available at Garfield County Public Health (while supplies last). Radon is a cancer-causing radioactive gas. You cannot see, smell or taste radon, but it

may be a problem in your home. Fifty percent of homes tested in Garfield County have ele-vated levels of radon.

Pick up your free coupon from Public Health or call 665-6383.– Carrie Godes

Interested in taking a photo class?

Would anyone like to take part in a photography class? Ram Photography with instruc-tor Rod Martinez has 40 years of experience and is interested in offering a photographyclass if there’s enough interest.

Fees run from $49-$99 depending on what class is given. Perhaps Digital Camera Basicswould be a good place to start. Please call 285-0388 if you are interested in participatingin a class and go to ramphotographs.com for more information.

– Mary Anderson

Grand Valley Educational Foundation Scholarships application date approaches

The following scholarships are available to Grand Valley High School seniors who will beattending college or vocational school in the fall:

• American Legion Ward Underwood Post #114 Academic Scholarship: $1,000• American Legion Ward Underwood Post #114 Vocational Scholarship: $1,000• Pam Brock Teacher Scholarship: $1,000 • Carl H. Bernklau Scholarship: $2,500 Contact the Grand Valley High School guidance counselor for applications.In addition, the Carl H. Bernklau Continuing Education Scholarship, in the amount of

$2,500, is available to graduates of Grand Valley High School who are currently attendingcollege in Colorado. Applications may be obtained via garcoschools.org. Go to the GrandValley Educational Foundation link and then to “Forms.” You may also request an applica-tion by contacting:

Grand Valley Educational FoundationP.O. Box 682Parachute, CO 81635All scholarship applications must be submitted by April 15.

– Anne White, Grand Valley Educational Foundation

Village Artists host workshopsAt the Village Artists’ January meeting, we were entranced as Lillian

Wyant painted an oil painting. Lil paints outside often (called plein air paint-ing, a French term for “out in the air”).

Village Artists are meeting at the Parachute library on Feb. 22, at 1 p.m.to watch a demonstration presented by Nancy Page of Main Street Galleryin Glenwood. Nancy will give us details on cutting, matting, color andframing our individual artwork.

Take a look on the wall at the Battlement Mesa Activity Center, as we’vehung a new display of artwork.

In March, Sue Ludtke is going to demonstrate stain glass painting.Artist Bob Harper will be back again in April to give three workshops at

the Parachute library. $120 for members $140, for non members. Oils andacrylics will be used. Dates are April 4, 11, and 18. Anyone interested inBob’s workshop, call Jean Buchan at 285-2234.

Call Joline at 285-7642 for more information about Village Artists.– Joline Gnatek


S P O R T SBattlement Mesa Sea Turtle News

The Sea Turtle swimmers would like to invite everyone to the Western Slope LeagueChampionships on Feb. 19-20 at Mesa State College’s new pool in Grand Junction.

This is the big end of the season meet and the last opportunity before state. All swimmers in theWestern Slope league will be competing. For more information on times, contact Coach SusanLang 285-9846.

Battlement’s three Silver State swimmers are Kyle Lang, Jenny Downing and Damon Downing.We also have four more swimmers who are very close to making the time cut too. They are ErinSchuckers, Litah Campbell, Johnny Downing and Katie Lang.

Silver State is a time standard achievement. The swimmers at Silver State represent the top 20percent of all Colorado swimmers. The Silver State meet is Feb. 25-27 in Denver. Wish all theseswimmers luck and speed.

For more information on upcoming meets, joining the team or sponsorships, contact CoachSusan Lang at 285-9846 or the Battlement Mesa Activity Center. We always welcome more swim-mers or help.

– Susan Lang

BMAC adds new classesThe Battlement Mesa Activity Center (BMAC) is adding

two new classes:

TOTAL BODY FITNESSInstructor: Dora KingThis class incorporates flexibility, toning and firming,

cardio, fitness ball work and core strength. Upbeat musichelps you get excited about your workout. You can joinanytime. The class will meet on Mondays and Thursdaysin Flex Room II from 7-8:30 p.m. Come join the first classon March 3, at 7 p.m. at no cost to see if this is the classfor you. If you plan to join the class on March 3, pleasebring a mat and a pair of dumbbells, if you have them.

Cost of the class will be $5. Bring water, a towel and afriend - hope to see you there!

BEGINNING BELLY DANCEInstructor: Molly KuhlLearn a beautiful dance form in a fun and supportive

environment.Participants will tone, increase body awareness, and

gain strength and flexibility. Belly dancing is a non-impact, gentle and fun way to get in shape. Molly hasbeen teaching since 2003. She founded and directed the

professional troupe Jasmir in Steamboat Springs. Forclass, wear comfortable clothes that do not restrict move-ment – all shapes, sizes and fitness levels are welcome.For more information and to pre-register, please callMolly at 970-846 -2735. Cost is $10 walk-in or $56/8week session.

For more information, call the BMAC at 285-9480.

– Anne Huber, BMAC

Front row, from left, KimberLang, Joey Downing, BrookeShope; middle row, KyleLang, Alia Poell, DamonDowning, Sissy Garcia, JennyDowning; top row, ErinSchuckers, Litah Campbell,Katie Lang, Johnny Downing.

Photo courtesy of Susan Lang


All Saints' Episcopal Church150 Sipprelle Dr.Battlement Mesa285-7908Pastor's mobile: 985-5797The Reverend Edmond-JosephRivet, Priest-in-chargeWebsite: allsaintsepiscopal.infoChurch e-mail:

[email protected] e-mail:

[email protected]

Sunday Eucharist: 10:30 a.m.Choir: 9:30 a.m.Children's Godly Play: 10 a.m.

WOW: Worship On WednesdayContemplative Eucharist: 6 p.m.Soup Social: 6:30 p.m.Episcopal Theology: 7 p.m.

• • •

Crown Peak BaptistChurch101 W. Battlement ParkwayParachute285-7946crownpeakbaptist.com

Rick Van Vleet, Senior PastorDan LaRue, Associate PastorMatt Loftin, Youth PastorBrian Jarrett, Minister of Music

Sunday Morning Worship – 8:30 a.m. & 11 a.m.

Sunday Morning Bible Study for all ages – 9:45 a.m.

(Children's Church offered during 11 a.m. service)

Wed. Night Dinner 5:30 p.m.Wed. Night Programs 6:30 p.m.(Adult, Children & YouthGroups)

Small groups meet throughout theweek ... Visit our website for moreinformation.

Come -- Experience God's Power for life & living

Know -- Christ through a loving family for fellowship

Grow -- In Christ through a foundation of discipleship

Go -- With Christ in a ministry of service with a focus for evangelism

• • •

Faith Baptist Church235 N. Railroad Ave.ParachuteJohn Yadloski, Pastor285-7424

SundaySunday School: 9:45 a.m.Morning Worship: 11 a.m.Children’s Church: 11:15 a.m.

WednesdayBible Study: 7 p.m.

• • •

Grace Bible Church755 Spencer Parkway P.O. Box 6248Battlement Mesa285-9862

Charlie Hornick, PastorLance Easterling, Youth PastorJosh Elliott, Pastoral InternPenni Nichols, GBC Child Care

Director

SUNDAYBlessing Up for Church Broadcast

103.9 FMSunday School: 9:30-10:15 a.m. Morning Worship: 10:30 a.m. Evening Service: 5:30 p.m.

Youth / Children’s ActivitiesGrace Bible Church Child Care:

Mon – Fri.Awana: Tuesdays 7:00pm

(Sept. – April)High School Youth: Sundays

5:00-7:00 p.m.Middle School Youth: Wed.

7:00-8:30 p.m.

*Bible Studies, Special Activities (Call for times and places)Website: grace-bible-church.com24-Hour Prayer Line: 256-4693

• • •

Grand Valley Christian ChurchSecond Street & Parachute AvenueParachute

Richard Counts, Pastor 285-7597, 260-1080

e-mail: [email protected] Church Office 285-7597

Sunday worship 10:00 a.m.

Daily Prayer Tuesday thru Friday9:30 a.m.

• • •

Grand Valley United Methodist Church

132 N. Parachute Ave.Parachute

Dr. Bob Toll, Pastor

Sunday Worship Service: 10 a.m.

Contact Us

P.O. Box 125, Parachute, CO 81635285-9892

[email protected]

• • •

The Lighthouse(Assembly of God)1833 S. Battlement ParkwayBattlement Mesa285-7236 or 379-5047

(Pastor's cell)Pastor: Dr. Robert C. McNew

SERVICESSunday school:

Sunday, 9:30 a.m.Worship service:

Sunday, 10:30 a.m.(Children's Church & Nursery)

Ladies’ Bible study and luncheon:

Tuesday, 12-2 p.m.

• • •

Shepherd of the Mesa(WELS)Website: shepherdofthemesa.orgBill Cornelius, Pastor 987-3093Youth Directors: Kristy and RoryRoder, Brandon Downing

WORSHIP:Sunday at 10 a.m.Bible Information Class:Monday at 7 p.m.Family Bible Study:Wednesday at 7 p.m.Location: Historic BattlementMesa Schoolhouse on CountyRoad 300

Lutheran Catechism:Wednesday at 3 p.m.

Women’s Bible Study Group:Monday at 9:30 a.m.

Location: 12 Rosewood Way

In Home Bible Study throughout the week.Call for times and locations in your area.

• • •

Wellspring of Life Churchat Grand Valley High SchoolCafeteria

800 Cardinal WayParachute

Pastor David Bartlett

Sunday Service Time: 10 a.m.Youth and Children’sSunday School

210-5795210-5849

• • •

• The Echo Worship Directory •To be listed in The Echo Worship Directory, please contact

[email protected] to set up an account, there is a small monthly fee of $10.

As I See ItDid Saint Valentine lose his head?By Pastor Charlie Hornick, Grace Bible Church

Trying to trace the observance of Valentine’s Day backto the original Valentine will make a lover’s head spin.Who was Saint Valentine and what did he do? How didValentine’s Day get started and why all the fuss anyway?

Valentine was a popular name in Italy and surroundingcountries, hence there were a multitude of “Valentines.”Which one was the one for which Valentine’s Day gets itsname? Researchers believe they can trace it back to threepossible legends. However, two of the three legends maybe referring to the same man.

OK, now what did he do? We are not sure. But theromantic folklore about Valentine is fascinating. He mayhave been a priest in Rome when the Emperor Claudius IImade an edict forbidding his soldiers to marry. Claudiusfelt that family ties were distracting his men.

Valentine is said to have ignored the order and secret-ly married couples in his underground church. It is report-ed that many soldiers started converting to Christianity.His ceremonies were finally uncovered, which led to hisarrest and imprisonment. He was said to have beenbeheaded on – you guessed it – Feb. 14, about 270 A.D.somewhere on the Flaminian Way, possibly at theFlaminian Gate itself.

Stories have circulated that our martyr for love, whilein prison, fell in love with, of all people, the jailer’s daugh-ter, whose name may have been Julia. One legend is thathe cut shapes in paper and sent notes to her from his cell.His last note was signed, “from your Valentine.”

Another story regarding the jailer’s daughter is that shewas blind. When she opened a paper with Valentine’s sig-nature, a miracle occurred, her blind eyes were healed. Ofcourse, we would have to ask with some skepticism, “Whywould a blind girl open a note to read it in the first place?”

However, the Saint of Love became popular despiteconflicting stories and in 496 A.D. Feb. 14 was named inhis honor.

Chaucer appears to have added greatly to the obser-vance of Valentine’s Day in England and France duringthe 14th century. Some even began to believe the talethat birds mated on Feb. 14.

However, as late as 1969, Valentine’s commemorationwas removed from the general calendar due to the scarcityof solid evidence to prove which Valentine and exactly whathe did do. However, he continues to remain a recognizedsaint, and the celebration of SaintValentine’s Day continueswith a passion. Many who have attempted to dismiss pay-ing homage on his special day and refused to send flowers,cards, and candy have been branded and forced to paychilling consequences by their significant other.

While we do not have concrete evidence forSaintValentine, we do believe that humans were createdwith a romantic inclination. God himself performed thefirst marriage in the Garden of Eden and established mar-riage. He stated clearly, “It is not good for man to bealone.” Books in the Bible such as Ruth, the Song ofSolomon, and Hosea demonstrate that the God of theBible is a God of romance. The relationship betweenChrist and His church is pictured as a bridegroom whowill someday come for his bride. To prove his love, hegave his life for her redemption.

So, did Saint Valentine really lose his head? Well, atleast one of the Valentines probably did, in one way oranother. He was not the first to do so, and I dare say, willnot be the last.

F A I T H


This space sponsored by your business or organization - $100/monthThere is room for a logo, name, phone number, etc.

This space sponsored by your business or organization - $50/month

There is room for a logo, name, phone number, etc.

This space sponsored by an individualor family - $25/month

Individualsponsorship$10/month



This space sponsored by your business or organization - $50/month

There is room for a logo, name, phone number, etc.

I read it in theECHO

The Grand Valley Echo is your community newspa-per, and we need your help to continue providing youwith a central, monthly source for local information.

As you know, the paper is distributed free through-out Parachute and Battlement Mesa – but it’s not freeto compose, edit, publish, print and distribute. In thepast, newspapers have made their money from displayad sales, but with the changes in the media industryand the economy, that paradigm has changed.

To address new financial challenges, we’re devel-oping our “Ride the Rails” campaign. A rail ad – that

is, a long, support ad that runs across the bottom of apage – gives readers a way to actively support thenewspaper in a new way, rather than through straightdisplay advertising. (See pages 16-17 for examples ofGarfield School District No. 16’s rail ads).

Ideally, rail ads run across the bottom of entirepage, though they can be sectioned into smallerblocks, too, and cost between $10 for a small, blockad to $100 for a full-length ad per issue.

Please consider riding the rails with us. Fun swag,including exclusive “I read it in the Echo” bumper stick-

ers go to all who help support your local newspaper. Join your friends and neighbors and help keep the

community news in The Grand Valley Echo flowingeach month. You can use your space to promote yourbusiness, honor a friend or family member, share yourfavorite quote, etc. We can bill your credit cardmonthly or you can prepay.

Call 963-2373, or [email protected] questions and more information. We look for-ward to your participation, and to bringing you manymore issues of The Grand Valley Echo.

Parachute/Battlement Mesa Park and Recreation District - “Where The Fun Begins”

Last adult coed volleyball gameson Feb. 22By Mary Anderson, Parachute/Battlement Mesa Park and Recreation District executive director

Adult Coed Volleyball: Six teams are hitting, setting, serving and spiking their way to theirlast games, which are on Feb. 22 at 6:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. at the Battlement Mesa Activity Center.Babysitting is provided for participants’ children.

Boys Basketball: Practices are held on Mondays and Wednesdays at St John ElementarySchool. Games began on Jan. 22, and will conclude on March 5. Doug Pfau and Dave Letson arecoaching one third and fourth grade team and Dale McGee and Bob Novess are coaching two fifthand sixth grade teams.

The fifth and sixth grade teams are playing in Parachute on Feb. 19. Other games are being heldout of town.

Spring Soccer: Soccer practices begin in late March or early April. Registration was due onFeb. 4 but please call for team availability.

Youth Wrestling: The program begins in late February so please have your youngsters (K-sixth grade) signed up by Feb. 28. Practices are held at Grand Valley High School’s auxiliary gymup to three times a week with tournaments held on Saturdays in different towns. The fee to par-ticipate is $100 with a $75 refundable uniform fee. The $100 includes all league tournament fees.The coach will again be Tony Serna with assistants.

Parachute/Battlement Mesa Parks and Recreation is at 259 Cardinal Way, Parachute, 285-0388, para-chutebattlementparkandrecreation.org. Check out the website; it’s updated frequently.

Sports BriefGrand Valley Middle School’s Jake Wedhorndefends Glenwood Grizzlies

Jake Wedhorn, a sixth–grader at Grand Valley MiddleSchool recently showed his perseverance and skill at sev-eral games he played as a member of the GlenwoodSprings Youth Hockey Association’s Pee Wee B team.

Jake, the Glenwood team’s goalie, turned away shotafter shot in games against Pueblo, and Vail/Eagle duringgames the weekend of Feb. 5-6.

Down but not out, the Grizzlies goalie only allowedone puck to shoot past him in the Pueblo game in the 1-0 loss on Feb. 5.

On Feb. 6, the Grizzlies played two games againstVail/Eagle, coming away with a 2-1 loss and a 3-all tie.Jake faced several shots, keeping the Grizzlies in the firstgame, and held tough to help the team to the tie game.

Although Jake lives in the Grand Valley area andattends school in Parachute/Battlement, he is a valuablepart of the Glenwood Grizzlies hockey team.

– Glenwood Springs Youth Hockey Association

S P O R T S & R E C R E A T I O N

Ride the Railswith the Echo


THIS PAGE SPONSORED BY:

GARFIELD COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 16www.garcoschools.org

O U R S C H O O L S

GVHS NewsStudent of the Month: David WittBy Taylor Conrad

Student of the Month David Witt poses jokingly for the cam-era. Photo courtesy of GVHS

Junior David Witt not only takes care of businesson the wrestling mat, but also in school. His dedica-tion has been apparent all throughout his high schoolcareer, from being an active member of Key Club, anavid wrestler, a key player on the football team, andnow he has been chosen to be Grand Valley HighSchool’s (GVHS) Student of the Month for January.

When asked how he felt about receiving thisaward David joked, “I am so excited to have a monthdedicated to me, where everyone has to bring me acheesecake every day. But in all seriousness, I wasn’texpecting to get this award. It’s an honor.”

Great job David, and continue to be a role modelfor other students at GVHS.

Dylan Diaz named Most Improved Student

By MichaelKellebrew

Most ImprovedStudent of theMonth Dylan

Diaz takes sometime to be rec-ognized for hishard work this

year. Photocourtesy of

GVHS

It is a greatgoal to be the Most Improved Student here at GrandValley High School. The staff here votes on the stu-dent who has worked the hardest to improve his orher grades ,and Dylan Diaz received this achievementfor the month of January.

Dylan is a great student, he is very nice to hispeers, and he is always willing to help out his class-mates.

When asked what pushed him to improve his suc-cess he stated, “Mrs. Jolly. She pushed me to be a bet-ter person and took the extra time to help out withmy grades.”

Dylan’s teachers and classmates have motivatedDylan. Let’s hope he keeps up the good work andearn the title of Striver of the Month at some point.

New face togreet GVHSstudents

By Matt Donello

Adriana Chavez showsus her most welcomingsmile. Photo courtesy ofGVHS

It may come as asurprise to many, butthere is a new atten-

dance secretary handing out those dreadful tardyslips. As Mrs. Hurt makes her way across the hall tothe library, Grand Valley High School welcomesAdrianna Chavez.

The lovely woman, Mrs. Chavez, is taking her newjob very seriously, but still letting her sense of humor getthe best of her. As students, coming in bright and earlyin the morning is hard, but having a secretary with asmile on her face makes everything a little easier.

When asked about starting her new job, Mrs.Chavez said, “I’m very excited. I love the kids and theatmosphere. I really enjoy coming to work in themorning.”

Just like Mrs. Chavez, the students of Grand Valleyare very excited to have a bright and shining face tosee in the morning.

A new librarian at GVHS

By Karsyn Valencia

April Hurt smiles happilywith the new title of

GVHS librarian. Photocourtesy of GVHS

There is a new facein the Grand ValleyHigh School library.Mrs. Hurt steppedacross the hall and isno longer the schoolattendance secre-tary/health clerk, but she is now the librarian.

Mrs. Hurt was the attendance secretary/healthclerk for seven years and is excited to have a changein her everyday life. Ms. Crook, the previous librari-an, has been training her for the past week and says,“Mrs. Hurt wants to make the library a friendly placefor students to enjoy! I would know. I have beentraining her for the past week.”

Mrs. Hurt has many new ideas – one of which isthe possibility of bringing in her kitty Bijou becauseshe believes every library needs a kitty.

Mrs. Hurt is happy to welcome any suggestions orideas and wants everyone to know the library is openbefore school from 7 a.m., during lunches and until3:30 p.m. after school. She says we have many newbooks, and we now receive the Grand Junction DailySentinel. Look for new magazines to come soon!

Searching for a starBy Stefanie Horton

There are only seven finalists and three winners. Do you have what it takes to be one of the three or evenone of the top seven? Well, students from Grand Valley High School (GVHS) were excited to give it a shotat the annual talent show put on by Key Club.

On Feb. 1, Key Club had another great talent show and an amazing turnout. There were 12 acts varyingfrom instrumental to acting.

Alden Rasic performed a guitar solo, Katilynn Keeling played the piano and sang, Ashley Williford playedthe guitar and sang, Kaylee Flores sang, Jake Smith did a solo with his guitar, Artemio Baltazar and KarlaCordova sang a duet, Corey Brooks rapped his own lyrics, Madisyn Stopani performed a monologue, IrvinMedina played guitar while Paul Gonzales sang, Kendall Witt performed a song while playing his guitar, CoraConell sang, and GVHS’s Drama Group performed a one act play. All of these people should be recognizedfor their amazing performances.

When the performances stopped, the judges, Mrs. Whelan, Mr. Callaghan, Mr. Gray, and Ms. Caroll, beganto deliberate. The performers’ excitement grew to nerves as they waited to hear their names being called. Thelights flickered and everyone in the audience scuffled back to their seats and got silent quickly.

The announcers were given the names of the finalist. They called over the speakers, “Please step forward:Jake Smith, Alden Rasic, Katilynn Keeling, Kaylee Flores, Madisyn Stopani, Kendall Witt, and Cora Conell.You are our final seven.”

After congratulating them, the announcers went on to say, “Third place: Madisyn Stopani, second place:Kendall Witt, and first place: Cora Conell.” Everyone began to cheer as the contestants went off the stage andreceived their congratulations from everyone.

After the talent show was over Ms. Caroll, one of the judges, said, “I really enjoyed it last night. I was sur-prised at who all came out but it was really good. There was not just the same performance over and overagain. There was variety.”

I asked her if she found it hard to pick the three winners. She told me, “Yes! It was definitely hard; therewere so many great performers, but no matter the difficulty I would love to be a judge again.”

There are many very talented people attending Grand Valley High School. Congratulations to everyonewho participated. You all did very well.


THIS PAGE SPONSORED BY:

GARFIELD COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 16www.garcoschools.org

O U R S C H O O L SInvolving Parents and ChildrenGrand Valley Center for Family Learning

Kindergarten focusBy Rebecca Ruland, principal,Grand Valley Center for Family Learning

The state’s kindergarten literacy curriculum is largely basedon the ability to identify letters, generate sounds for all letters,read sight words, and blend sounds into recognizable words.Most of these skills are measured through DIBELS and are indi-cators of later success in reading. Students are formallyassessed three times a year on their progress in these areas.

Writing is an application of your child’s kindergarten teach-ers dedicating an average of 90 minutes a day on these skills.These skills fall into the category of higher order thinking. Formost students, the acquisition of early literacy skills takes timesand daily practice. Those students who possess a large vocabu-lary in their daily lives and are familiar with and enjoy the con-tent of numerous stories both fiction and nonfiction, tend tofind the more abstract work of decoding words less challenging.

Tapping into your child’s knowledge that he/she brings toschool based on experience and innate curiosity, is somethingwe value highly at our school. Teachers work to bring studentinterest into the classroom.

Classes this year have studied the origin and content of foods,construction sites, transportation forms and other topics ofintrigue. We value our students’ ideas and ability to articulatetheir thoughts. Finding the time and balance in the classroomevery day to address skills as well as inquiry is something we reg-ularly work to achieve. As always, we welcome your participation.

Terrific Kids for January 2011

The Parachute/Battlement Mesa Kiwanis Club sponsors Bea Underwood and St John elemen-tary schools’ Terrific Kids. The program promotes character development and self-esteem. “TER-RIFIC” is an acronym meaning Thoughtful, Enthusiastic, Respectful, Inclusive, Friendly, Inquisitiveand Capable.

Bea Underwood Elementary SchoolJanuary’s Terrific Kids from Bea Underwood are, from left, first row, Peyton Nye, Jatziry Chairez, Jurelia Castaneda, Kiwanis representative Bill Coelho; second row, Aleah Dupras,Sierra Keif, Madison Godwin, Alfredo Borja, Jenna Wood, Kiwanis representative Opal Morganthaler; third row,Josue Cruz-Reyes, Leslie Monterosso, Darrion Morgan. Not pictured: Kya Hegwood. Row 3 – Josue Cruz-Reyes, Leslie Monterosso, Darrion Morgan Not pictured, Kya Hegwood

St John Elementary SchoolJanuary’s Terrific Kids from St John are, from left, first row, Kailey Davis, Jessica Cornejo, Kellen Jensen; secondrow, Kiwanis representatives Bill Coelho and Opal Morganthaler, David Pennington, Diana Arizaga, EfrainAlvarado, Principal Kathy Keeling.

Congratulations to all of January’s Terrific Kids!


The Redstone General StoreWE HAVE SOMETHING

FOR EVERYONE!

Open Daily

963-3126292 Redstone Blvd.

RedstoneAcross from the park

THE HEART OF REDSTONE

WITH A UNIQUE SELECTION OFCENTERPIECES FOR YOUR HOME!

REDSTONE CASTLE TOUR TICKETSAVAILABLE HERE!

OPEN YEAR ROUND • OPEN DAILY970-963-1769

225 Redstone Blvd. • Redstone

i|á|à exwáàÉÇxVtáàÄx‹

REDSTONE CASTLE TOURSSaturday & Sunday • 1:30 p.m.

Tickets: $15 adults, $10 seniors, children 5-18 Children under 5: FREE

(FOR GROUP TOURS CALL 970-963-9656)

Tickets savailable at Tiffany of Redstone, the Redstone General Store

and Crystal Club Cafe.

CASH OR CHECK ONLY

www.redstonecastle.us

redstonecolorado.com

Where’s Redstone?PUBLISHER’S NOTE: Where’s Redstone – and why should you care? The Grand Valley Echo’sseven-year old sister, The Crystal Valley Echo, is based in Redstone and is the monthly newspa-per for the Crystal Valley. Besides, Redstone is a perfect, quick getaway for Grand Valleyites.Get to know your sister: Come visit.

Avalanche Ranch Cabins & Antiques12863 Hwy 133 • Redstone, CO 81623

[email protected]

1-877-963-9339

By Carrie Click, Echo editor

It’s hard to believe that although the Grand Valley and the Crystal Valley are only 60 miles orso apart, they’re worlds away as far as wintertime landscapes go.

By the time things are beginning to warm up in Parachute and Battlement Mesa in lateFebruary and March, Redstone is still knee deep in snow.

The snow has piled high this winter in Redstone, though even in early March, the weather iswarming between bouts of spring snowstorms. It’s a perfect time to make a wonderful escapeso close to home.

Cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and sightseeing beckon day visitors to the area. And localrestaurants, galleries and shops offer weekenders warm escapes to get out of the cold.

And if it’s time to pamper yourself, Redstone is the place to come. Massages, facials and bodytreatments are offered at the historic Redstone Inn, and also at several spas, including CrystalDreams and InTouch Healing, right on the Boulevard, Redstone’s main street.

Right in the center of town, the Redstone General Store has the best selection of historicalaccounts of the area, including maps, books and DVDs. They rent snowshoes, and offer a widerange of Redstone-inspired clothing, and claim, “If we don’t have it, you don’t need it!”

Just getting to Redstone is a pleasant experience as you leave the busy highways and cruisealong the West Elk Scenic Byway starting in Carbondale. The two-lane road winds along theCrystal River and is soon surrounded by the towering cliffs of red sandstone that give the townits name.

Redstone is located on Highway 133, 18 miles south of Carbondale. Take I-70 to GlenwoodSprings and Highway 82 to the junction of Highway 133 at Carbondale. Hope to see you inRedstone!


Carrie ClickWriter + Proofer + Editor

Help for any writing project

[email protected]

TO RUN YOUR AD IN THE GRAND VALLEY ECHO SERVICE DIRECTORY CALL 963-2373 TODAY!

#1 IN A #2 BUSINESS24 HOUR EMERGENCY SERVICE!

DEBEQUE TO ASPEN

RESIDENTIAL • COMMERCIAL • MUNICIPAL

• Electronic locate • Rooter work• Unclog lines and drains • RootX Treatments• Hydro-jet of lines/grease traps • Septic tank inspections• Camera/Video inspection of lines 2” to 36”

CALL RICK or SCOTT

970-930-0124P.O. BOX 1349 • RIFLE, CO 81650

• Basic and Full Service Oil Changes• Automatic Transmission Flushes• Tire Sales• ASE Certified Mechanic on duty full-time

285-9217

120 S. Columbine Ct. • Parachute

OUTSIOUTSIDDEESTORSTORAAGEGE

NEW TO THE PARACHUTE / BATTLEMENT MESA AREA

LOCATED IN PARACHUTE

Travel Trailers, RV's, Boats, Trucks, etc.

CALL JOHN - 970-986-1820 OR SHERRY - 970-640-3115

THE GRAND VALLEY ECHOCLASSIFIED ADS

PHOTO CLASSIFIED AD–Run an photo and 25words for $15/month*

LISTING CLASSIFIED AD–Run up to 40 words for $10/month**25¢ per word extra. These ads must be prepaid.

Name:__ _______________ Phone Number:___________

Ad:

Submit this form and payment by the 1st of the month to: The Grand Valley Echo 274 Redstone Blvd., Redstone, CO 81623

IF YOU ARE RUNNING A PHOTO CLASSIFIED, SEND PHOTO TO [email protected]

THE ECHO CLASSIFIEDSSERVICES:KIM'S CUSTOM CLEANING – Professionalhousecleaning since 1978. All types of cleaningas well as light yard maintenane. One time orregularly scheduled cleaning. Excellent refer-ences. Local and insured. Call Kim at 285-9654.HELP WANTED:

Marketing rep wanted for fast growing health& wellness co. Commissions + bonuses + prof-it sharing. Full or part time. Contact Barbara309-1354 or 285-7634.ONLY $10:The Echo Classified Ads - an inexpensive way toadvertise... Do you have something for sale, ahome for rent or services you offer... let yourneighbors know with a classified ad in theEcho. Only $10 for up to 40 words - a bargainthat can’t be beat! [email protected]

• Septic Tank Pumping

• Experienced Operators

• Senior Discounts!

• Specials!• Best Prices!• Guaranteed!

Locally Owned & Operated.DeBeque to Aspen to Vail & Beyond

970-216-7576www.peakseptic.com

SERVICE DIRECTORYSERVICE DIRECTORY

GRAND VALLEY INSURANCE SERVICES

Home-Health-Auto-Life & Commercial Lines

Sherry Loschke

970-285-7343 • 970-640-3115

email: [email protected]

Logos • Brochures

Advertising

Book layout & design

Alyssa Ohnmacht • 963-2373

gve_2.11

Documents

onthe grand mesa

grand valleyinsideto

grand valleyenergypage

asthe kids

apile of kids

battlement mesa

winter outdoor education

don chance