Thanks for the reminder about being more aware on our busy trails this summer. I've been seeing a lot more mtn. bikes with bells -- a great way to alert downhillers of your presence on single track. It may seem silly, but it couldn't hurt runners and hikers to have one as well to alert speeders coming around blind corners. Riding up single track on Emerald during busy evenings is often a series of near-misses. I don't know what to say about the dog thing except that for every group of responsible owners (there seem to more and more thankfully) there is always an irresponsible, oblivious owner who ruins it for everyone.
I called the Arts Council office last week and a gentleman there confirmed there would be a $1 admission fee. I let him know that they need to update their Website. As a local vendor, I've heard a lot of complaints about the fee. I'm disappointed vendors like myself were not informed of the changes during the application process. If the Arts Council is hard up for cash, a donation booth with information about their position might be more effective. Unfortunately, I think locals already annoyed with parking and crowds will forgo the event altogether -- who wants to wait in line to pay $1 so they can go look at art?
Ray Ring at the High Country News wrote a very personal and insightful view of the West's suicidal tendencies. Though more candid than most views, it provides an interesting look into why suicide rates in the Western U.S. are higher:
It's unfortunate that normally level-headed Monger and Stahoviak would make such a seemingly hasty decision. It's not surprising that they would think the issue has been "blown out of proportion" since they live in Hayden and S. Routt and probably rarely head out CR 36 or cycle. Yes, it is just paint, it won't make the road wider or really change anything. So why spend the money if it's just going to encourage cars to go faster, reinforce negative attitudes about cyclists and undermine a neighborhood group willing to work with the county to improve safety for all?
Emmitt was awesome in Telluride and the high point of Leftover Salmon which, overall, ended up being a bit anti-climactic as the Saturday night headliner (been there done that, I guess). It will be fun to see what Emmitt comes up with here in Steamboat tonight.
The road is obviously not wide enough to please everybody. Narrowing the shoulder is just going to push more cyclists (especially inexperienced riders) out into the road. Although I don't condone it, irreverent behavior by some bicyclists is a defense mechanism in a place where cars have been allowed to rule the road. Head to a different locale -- Telluride for example -- where the community has been forced to tightly control traffic, and the dynamics seem much different, at least from my perspective. Cyclists and pedestrians aren't fearful and drivers understand their place. In Routt County, where geography has afforded drivers much more power, perhaps a little patience and respect from all users would help. As far as RCR 36 goes -- I agree with others that the money should go toward improving other, much more dangerous roads, not just those where politicians' wives are inconvenienced. Also, if a county commissioner has so much experience with a road that she needs a refresher drive, maybe there should be more discussion before she and others make their decisions.
There's seems to be a pattern of Mike being overly-authoritarian and inflexible to the concerns and views of people who did not agree with him, his policies or his expectations of staff. While he was obviously a good listener to some students, staff and parents, he arguably was not to others. I agree with surfnturf that Mike appeared to waver in his support of some programs (ie tech ed) that help give both college-bound and non-college bound students inspiration and skills for the job market. Regardless of whether you like or dislike Mike, we have to ask ourselves if this kind of divisiveness is good for the learning and teaching atmosphere at the high school. I would say it is not. Perhaps this process will help Mike improve his leadership style for better success in future endeavors.
My parents always had a Rocky Mtn. News or Denver Post around when I was growing up. I was a junkie early. I think it helped propel my interest in reading, writing and seeking out other forms of information. This was especially important living in a tiny remote community in the mountains. Newspapers are vital to helping us stretch out of our inevitably boxed in view of the world and even our own community here in the Yampa Valley. Not all of us have had the luxury of world travel.
Maybe it wouldn't be so bad to be like Aspen or Telluride if it meant attracting summer tourists via more arts, film and cultural-type events. Folks on the Front Range are always looking for reasons to head to the mountains, which provide beautiful venues for cultural-related events. These people need lodging, food and tourist stuff too, and may even spend more dollars. Some locals may feel better about spending tax dollars on venues (or sharing venues) to support these types of events, which they may be more likely to attend, than Triple Crown infrastructure and events that some feel have been forced down our throats. I do sympathize with the business owners that benefit from Triple Crown tourism. It would obviously take a lot of organizing from various parts of the community to re-direct marketing efforts and plan events to attract different groups. Maybe this isn't the best time considering the state of the economy, but it's some food for thought for the future.
Any word on the girl who got bucked off her horse during one of the events? She landed on her back and was taken away by ambulance. Hopefully she O.K. and just had the wind knocked out of her.
Lori Biagi: A plea to trail users
Thanks for the reminder about being more aware on our busy trails this summer. I've been seeing a lot more mtn. bikes with bells -- a great way to alert downhillers of your presence on single track. It may seem silly, but it couldn't hurt runners and hikers to have one as well to alert speeders coming around blind corners. Riding up single track on Emerald during busy evenings is often a series of near-misses. I don't know what to say about the dog thing except that for every group of responsible owners (there seem to more and more thankfully) there is always an irresponsible, oblivious owner who ruins it for everyone.
July 9, 2008 at 9:57 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Betty Leipold: No to art fee
I called the Arts Council office last week and a gentleman there confirmed there would be a $1 admission fee. I let him know that they need to update their Website. As a local vendor, I've heard a lot of complaints about the fee. I'm disappointed vendors like myself were not informed of the changes during the application process. If the Arts Council is hard up for cash, a donation booth with information about their position might be more effective. Unfortunately, I think locals already annoyed with parking and crowds will forgo the event altogether -- who wants to wait in line to pay $1 so they can go look at art?
July 6, 2008 at 12:11 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Suicide attempts spike in May
Ray Ring at the High Country News wrote a very personal and insightful view of the West's suicidal tendencies. Though more candid than most views, it provides an interesting look into why suicide rates in the Western U.S. are higher:
http://www.hcn.org/servlets/hcn.Artic...
July 1, 2008 at 9:51 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Stripes cause strife
It's unfortunate that normally level-headed Monger and Stahoviak would make such a seemingly hasty decision. It's not surprising that they would think the issue has been "blown out of proportion" since they live in Hayden and S. Routt and probably rarely head out CR 36 or cycle. Yes, it is just paint, it won't make the road wider or really change anything. So why spend the money if it's just going to encourage cars to go faster, reinforce negative attitudes about cyclists and undermine a neighborhood group willing to work with the county to improve safety for all?
June 27, 2008 at 1:06 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Margaret Hair: Emmitt's got plenty of soul left
Emmitt was awesome in Telluride and the high point of Leftover Salmon which, overall, ended up being a bit anti-climactic as the Saturday night headliner (been there done that, I guess). It will be fun to see what Emmitt comes up with here in Steamboat tonight.
June 27, 2008 at 12:51 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Cyclists spurned
The road is obviously not wide enough to please everybody. Narrowing the shoulder is just going to push more cyclists (especially inexperienced riders) out into the road. Although I don't condone it, irreverent behavior by some bicyclists is a defense mechanism in a place where cars have been allowed to rule the road. Head to a different locale -- Telluride for example -- where the community has been forced to tightly control traffic, and the dynamics seem much different, at least from my perspective. Cyclists and pedestrians aren't fearful and drivers understand their place. In Routt County, where geography has afforded drivers much more power, perhaps a little patience and respect from all users would help. As far as RCR 36 goes -- I agree with others that the money should go toward improving other, much more dangerous roads, not just those where politicians' wives are inconvenienced. Also, if a county commissioner has so much experience with a road that she needs a refresher drive, maybe there should be more discussion before she and others make their decisions.
June 25, 2008 at 9:24 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Future uncertain
There's seems to be a pattern of Mike being overly-authoritarian and inflexible to the concerns and views of people who did not agree with him, his policies or his expectations of staff. While he was obviously a good listener to some students, staff and parents, he arguably was not to others. I agree with surfnturf that Mike appeared to waver in his support of some programs (ie tech ed) that help give both college-bound and non-college bound students inspiration and skills for the job market. Regardless of whether you like or dislike Mike, we have to ask ourselves if this kind of divisiveness is good for the learning and teaching atmosphere at the high school. I would say it is not. Perhaps this process will help Mike improve his leadership style for better success in future endeavors.
June 11, 2008 at 5:56 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Rob Douglas: A paper a day keeps ignorance away
My parents always had a Rocky Mtn. News or Denver Post around when I was growing up. I was a junkie early. I think it helped propel my interest in reading, writing and seeking out other forms of information. This was especially important living in a tiny remote community in the mountains. Newspapers are vital to helping us stretch out of our inevitably boxed in view of the world and even our own community here in the Yampa Valley. Not all of us have had the luxury of world travel.
June 6, 2008 at 9:25 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Triple Crown up to bat
Maybe it wouldn't be so bad to be like Aspen or Telluride if it meant attracting summer tourists via more arts, film and cultural-type events. Folks on the Front Range are always looking for reasons to head to the mountains, which provide beautiful venues for cultural-related events. These people need lodging, food and tourist stuff too, and may even spend more dollars. Some locals may feel better about spending tax dollars on venues (or sharing venues) to support these types of events, which they may be more likely to attend, than Triple Crown infrastructure and events that some feel have been forced down our throats. I do sympathize with the business owners that benefit from Triple Crown tourism. It would obviously take a lot of organizing from various parts of the community to re-direct marketing efforts and plan events to attract different groups. Maybe this isn't the best time considering the state of the economy, but it's some food for thought for the future.
April 1, 2008 at 9:10 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Carnival brings crowds
Any word on the girl who got bucked off her horse during one of the events? She landed on her back and was taken away by ambulance. Hopefully she O.K. and just had the wind knocked out of her.
February 11, 2008 at 1:10 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )