Levelers of privilege and avenues of reinvention

The United States is beginning an interesting experiment in democracy: We’re cutting public library funds, shrinking our public and school libraries, and in some places, shutting them altogether.

These actions have nothing to do with whether the libraries are any good or whether the staff provides useful service to the community. This country’s largest circulating library, in Queens, N.Y., was named the best system in the United States last year by Library Journal. Its budget is due to shrink by a third. Los Angeles libraries are being slashed, and beginning this week, the doors will be locked two days a week and at least 100 jobs cut.

Such cuts and close calls are happening across the country. We won’t miss a third of our librarians and branch libraries the way we’d miss a third of our firefighters and firehouses, the rationale goes…but I wonder.

I’ve spent four years following librarians as they deal with the tremendous increase in information and the many ways we receive it.

They’ve been adapting as capably as any profession, managing our public computers and serving growing numbers of patrons, but it seems that their work has been all but invisible to those in power.

But if you visit public libraries, you will see an essential service in action, as librarians help people who don’t have other ways to get online, can’t get the answers they urgently need, or simply need a safe place to bring their children. I’ve stood in the parking lot of the Topeka and Shawnee County Library in Kansas on a Sunday morning and watched families pour through doors and head in all directions to do homework or genealogical research, attend computer classes, read the newspapers. I’ve stood outside New York City libraries with other self-employed people, waiting for the doors to open and give us access to the computers and a warm and affordable place to work. I’ve met librarians who serve as interpreters and guides to communities of cancer survivors, Polish-speaking citizens, teenage filmmakers, veterans.

The people who welcome us to the library are idealists, who believe that accurate information leads to good decisions and that exposure to the intellectual riches of civilization leads to a better world. The next Abraham Lincoln could be sitting in their library, teaching himself all he needs to know to save the country. While they help us get online, employed and informed, librarians don’t try to sell us anything. Nor do they turn around and broadcast our problems, send us spam or keep a record of our interests and needs, because no matter how savvy this profession is at navigating the online world, it clings to that old-fashioned value, privacy.

A profession dedicated to privacy in charge of our public computers? That’s brilliant. They represent the best civic value out there – an army of resourceful workers that can help us compete in the world.

But instead of putting such conscientious, economical and service-oriented professionals to work helping us, we’re handing them pink slips. The school libraries and public libraries in which we’ve invested decades and even centuries of resources will disappear unless we fight for them. The communities that treasure and support their libraries will have an undeniable competitive advantage. Those that don’t will watch in envy as the Darien Library in Connecticut hosts networking breakfasts for its out-of-work patrons, and the tiny Gilpin County Public Library in Colorado beckons patrons with a sign that promises “Free coffee, Internet, notary, phone, smiles, restrooms and ideas.”

Those in cities that haven’t preserved their libraries, those less fortunate and baffled by technology, and our children will be the first to suffer. But sooner or later, we`ll all feel the loss as one of the most effective levelers of privilege and avenues of reinvention – one of the great engines of democracy – begins to disappear.

Marilyn Johnson is the author of, most recently, This Book Is Overdue! This article was written for and previously published in the Los Angeles Times.

Introducing our hottest citizens

The sound of a siren travels far in the thin air of our mountain communities. That’s usually what folks notice first. Those on the road might see the flashing lights next, followed by the big red or yellow fire trucks headed somewhere in a hurry. As a truck passes by, they might catch its “Colorado Sierra” or “High Country” logo. At the scene, they’ll see the word “Timberline” on these emergency responders’ coats. Ever wonder who’s behind the wheel? Who is that under that helmet and heavy bunker gear? Chances are it’s a friend or neighbor, someone you know but maybe didn’t know was working hard to protect your life and property as a volunteer firefighter. Over the next several months, the Weekly Register-Call will be introducing you to these amazing individuals. In the firefighting world, a “Hot Shot” is a firefighter who specializes in fighting wild land fires, however we’re coining that term for our local jacks (and jills)-of-all fires, firefighters (and considering our location, we’re not out of line). Below is our first-

Hot Shot of the Week

Christopher Patrick, known in the local firefighting world as “Chrispy,” became a volunteer firefighter three years ago. Single (“and available,” he says), Chrispy attended graduate school and now works full-time as a Regional Manager for the United States Government. When he’s not occupied with work or firefighting duties, he still finds time for his other interests – Jeeping, camping, recreational sports, and dogs.

Chrispy said he signed up as a volunteer firefighter because he wanted to be of service to his community (and to drive big red trucks). He describes himself as healthy, physically strong and capable – except “I’m probably a few pounds overweight.” He’s frequently spotted working out at the Community Center after work.

For Chrispy, everything about being a firefighter is work, but it’s fun work, like playing hockey or skiing, and that makes the work easier. Learning all of the technical and procedural knowledge, making the correct radio calls for example, and being able to think through the adrenaline rush that occurs on calls, is what he finds most challenging about the job. The personal satisfaction, “feeling like you’ve done your job,” is the best experience of firefighting, said Chrispy. A successful outcome – a “save” – always feels good. Water supply is challenging in our area and even the department’s largest engines carry roughly a minute to a minute and a half of water on board. That’s enough to “knock down” a fire from outside, Chrispy notes, but not enough for firefighters to safely enter a burning structure. Being part of the teamwork that keeps the water coming, keeps everyone safe and saves a life or property, well that feels pretty good to firefighters. Responding to a call when someone has passed away is Chrispy’s “worst case scenario.” A volunteer responding to that call must deal not only with the deceased, but sometimes with family members and close friends who are under a great amount of emotional stress.

Words of advice for prospective volunteers: Expect to make a commitment of time (in addition to responding to calls, there are trainings and operational activities) and expect to respond to all calls, “not just the “glory” calls like fires, but also the 2 a.m. stomachaches or smoke sightings that turn out to be just fog.”

Chrispy wants the community to know, “We’re here to serve.” He’s Lieutenant of Timberline Station 7, the station located mid-Gilpin County near Taggert’s convenience store/ gas station. “I will do my best to ensure that the folks responding to your emergency will have the proper training, attitude and equipment to deal with just about anything we get called for,” he assured. Asked to provide one word that best describes his experience as a firefighter in our mountain community, Chrispy responded: “Fulfilling.”

Timberline Fire is made up of volunteers from Colorado Sierra and High Country Fire Protection Districts who respond together. The two volunteer departments expect to complete a merger under the Timberline name sometime in 2011. The fire protection district, with seven stations, spans Gilpin County from south of Black Hawk, north into Boulder County (the Magnolia Road area). It borders Jefferson County in some areas to the east, and extends west to the Moffat Tunnel area.

Think you can do this job? Timberline (http://timberlinefire.org) is currently recruiting volunteers. Anyone interested should call 303-582-5786 or 303-582-5768.

A 26 year-old man from Yuma, Michael Himes, collapsed while working at the Belvidere, and died Monday night, despite the best efforts of Search and Rescue EMT’s, Fight for Life helicopter crew and St. Anthony’s emergency medical personnel. It was learned later that he had a heart condition and had not been taking his medications.

Verna Esau is the latest addition to the courthouse staff. She is the assistant to the administrative assistant for the county commissioners.

Andrew Goodman of Golden reported that trespassers on his property in Lake Gulch took a 2 ½ ton dump truck from his property this week. Value of the truck: $700.

An officer of the law was called to the Gold Dust this week, on a report of people with no clothes on at the west end of the motel. The officer reported they were very “involved” when he found them behind their car. He advised them of possible places to stay after they told him they couldn’t find a room for the night.

Search and Rescue transported five people to Denver area hospitals from July 10^th to July 14th.

Over 230 people enjoyed the crab leg dinner served at St. James Methodist Church last Saturday night.

Denverite Janice Hall stars in “Lucia Di Lammermoor” the opera that promises the most electrifying mad scene in all of opera, the most famous sextet ever written for the stage and some of the most familiar and best-loved music ever sung.

While many parts of the country suffered from a heat wave, local residents donned jackets and rain gear to weather frequent thunder showers and cool temperatures.

The latest entertainment being enjoyed in Central is the carousel playing the old familiar tunes in the window of the Intrigue Gift shop on Lawrence Street. You know it’s a carousel, and not a merry-go-round, because it runs counter clockwise. Store operator, Pennie Riess says it is one of fifty carousels built by her father Norb Bartlett of Estes Park.

William Dansby, who sings Raimondo in “Lucia Di Lammermoor” at the Opera House this summer, leads the singing every Sunday at St. Mary’s Catholic Church.

Norm Blake has officially retired after more than 25 years with the Colorado Division of Mines. His party at Bernard’s Restaurant in Arvada drew 96 of his colleagues and friends.

Two trade names have been registered at the county courthouse so far this month. To M.L. James Paglione, “Clear Creek Acres.” To Victor Braecher, “Chateau Realty.”

Central City is requesting $375,000 of Block Grant funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for water system revitalization including repair and replacement of the water system in the Spring/Roworth Street and the High Street neighborhoods.

Daily Specials at Crook’s Palace in Black Hawk, Oldest Bar in Colorado, now serving food from noon on.

The Central City Association Guild’s annual walking tour of historic homes and buildings will include the McFarlane House, Thomas Billings House, Johnson House, Center House, Benoit House, various rooms in the Chain O’Mines hotel, the Lillian Gish apartment in the Penrose Complex, Belvidere Theater, Methodist Church and Gilpin County Historical Museum.

60 Years Ago – July 14, 1950

Over fifty horsemen on beautiful horses caused quite a comment as they rode up Eureka Street, stopping at the Teller House for a buffet lunch on Tuesday. They were members of the Rodeo Riders of the Rockies and on their way to St. Mary’s glacier where they intended to spend the night. Then they are on to Tolland, via Mammoth gulch, and then to the Van Fleet ranch where they will end their ride. Our own Honorable Mayor, John C. Jenkins, Jr. was among the riders, astride that memorable horse owned by Martin Nelson, who had won the race from Idaho Springs last week.

At the eleventh hour, President Truman signed the mine assessment bill giving holders of mining locations an additional three months to complete this year’s work.

The improvements and remodeling of the building adjacent to the old First National Bank building, have been completed by the local Post of the American Legion.

Mr. and Mrs. Buck Gregory are the proud parents of a new baby girl, born Monday afternoon in Denver and named Judy Marie.

Fred M. Bowden, a former resident of Central City, died Sunday at his home in Denver after a long illness.

Miss Caroline Bancroft, writer of western historical non-fiction will conduct a special tour of Central City for persons attending the 10^th annual Western Folklore conference in Denver.

Joe McCarthy, 63, has resigned as manager of the Boston Red Sox and retired from baseball because of his health.

Past Repast: Mustard Pickles – 20 medium cucumbers sliced, 1 quart tiny onions, 2 small heads cauliflower cut in pieces, 2 quarts green tomatoes cut in pieces, 6 green peppers, diced, 1 cup salt, 8 cups sugar, ¼ pound (1 ¼ cups) dry mustard, 1 cup flour, ½ ounce turmeric, 1 quart vinegar, 1 quart water-Place vegetables in separate containers and sprinkle the salt over them. Let stand overnight. Mix sugar, mustard, flour and turmeric; add vinegar and water and heat to boiling. Add vegetables and cook until they are tender and sauce has thickened. Seal in clean hot jars.

Mrs. Frances Adkinson, recent winner in a $10,000 radio contest, was here visiting her mother, Mrs. Emma Wiggins. Good luck seems to run in the family as Mrs. Wiggins recently won an automobile at a Denver theater.

How to take a dollar for a long ride – drive the new Ford V-8!

The cold war, which has caused one crisis after another in recent months, has flamed into a hot war on one front. Soviet sponsored armies of North Korea invaded South Korea using ground forces totaling as many as 40,000 men plus 90 tanks. Americans are being evacuated from Seoul by sea with U.S. air protection.

Alden Megrew, Director of the Department of Art at the University of Colorado will give this week’s free program of the Gilpin County Arts Association. His topic is Contemporary Art.

Good citizenship, like charity, begins at home, with the children growing up in homes to which the Register-Call goes each week. Everyone who reads the “Good Citizen” series will come to an even deeper realization of the unutterable value of his citizenship.

When the lights of the Opera House are dim and the shadows come over the ceiling, you may see a patch there at the spot where “Peg” Flynn fell through. One year he and a pal had sneaked up to that vantage point in the attic to watch a show and ended up moving the climax of that play ahead by 2 acts!

High speed crack railroad connections to the Chicago gateway, air lines from eastern cities and great driving conditions have made Colorado a top competitor for tourists, stealing them away, even from Florida.

A two day search for the season’s first lost fisherman, a man from Edgewater, in the rough country northwest of Ward, ended Thursday when the man made his way safely to a group of persons searching for him. He had become separated from his companions while fishing along Coney creek.

90 Years Ago – July 16, 1920

Of the initiated measures to appear on the ballot, the most important is for a constitutional amendment providing for the construction of the three railroad tunnels by the state. These tunnels are to pierce the Continental divide under James peak, to connect Denver with Northwestern Colorado via the Moffat road, and under Monarch and Cumbres passes, for the benefit of the San Juan section, reached by the Denver and Rio Grande.

Central City’s new physician, Dr. Struple and wife, arrived from Denver Monday morning and have rented the Ashbaugh house, back of the Teller House, where he will reside and have his office.

The census of 1920 shows the population of Central City at 552; Nevadaville, 51; Russell Gulch, 153; Black Hawk, 374; Rollinsville, 102; Apex, 49; and Tolland, 83. In 1900 there were 3,114 residents in Central; 1,200 in Black Hawk; and 823 in Nevadaville.

Even the lowly but useful angleworm has not escaped the high cost craze. Twenty-five cents per dozen is a modest price at some fishing resorts.

Central City’s marshal has notified owners of manure heaps to remove same.

Dorothy Gish in “Peppy Poll,” and a Ford weekly will be the picture program at the opera house on Saturday.

Central City’s council agreed and decided that the City of Black Hawk should be supplied with water until further notice at a rate of one dollar per day.

On Sunday afternoon the firemen of this city, called to Third High street by neighbors, broke in the back door of Mrs. John Segna’s residence, and soon had the flames under control. The cause of the fire remains a mystery as the home has been unoccupied since last month, but it was found the fire started between the kitchen and the bed-room, and burned out a large section of the floor and part of the partition between these rooms.

“Harding, Harmony and Prosperity,” is the watchword of the Republicans in the coming national election.

In Apex, the Evergreen Mines Co. are rebuilding the Wenger cottage on the Avenue, and when completed will be occupied by the Riggs family.

Gold coinage, which was stopped during the war, has been resumed and in the year 1920, 787,250 double eagles and 126,500 eagles were coined. Their total value was $16,990,000.

Don’t worry over the troubles of your neighbor. The modern way is to let him worry over yours.

Henry Peeck has signed a contract for the erection of a shaft building over the Clara Marie shaft, one of the claims in the Daisy group of mines. A gallows frame, 24 feet high, and a plant of machinery will soon be completed and installed.

Died: In Central City, July 13, Robert Davey, aged 62 years.

Monday evening a couple of men at the Lakeside resort between Golden and Denver, secured a bottle of home brew which was rather heavily surcharged with wood alcohol, the effects of which were undoubtedly much beyond their fondest hopes. A crowd of several thousand people gathered around for a glimpse of the pair as they frothed at the mouth, stood on their heads and climbed trees backward before attendants at the resort carried the pair out feet first to a waiting ambulance.

Colorado voters must give permission on the ballot to create Limon county out of portions of Lincoln and Elbert counties; and to create Flagler county out of portions of Lincoln and Kit Carson counties.

Life holds a barrel of Joy for you if you want it. But it expects you to pull the plug out of the bunghole.

120 Years Ago – July 18, 1890

Thank God there are only five states in which a schoolmaster can now legally flog a pupil. One of these is Massachusetts where teachers flog an average of two boys per day per capita.

The president has approved the designs for the new treasury notes provided for by the new silver bill. These notes will be in the denominations of $1, $2, $5, $10, $20, $50, $100, and $1,000. They will be printed in black on the face and green on the back with a new feature, the printing of their value in big black letters across the back, to dissuade raising or alteration of the notes.

AD: Ship your Ores and Tailings through Kellerup’s ore agency. Black Hawk’s office in P.O. Building.

It is seldom that the Register-Call makes a kick, but when the mining reporter of the Denver Republican copies mining items from the Register-Call and credits them to the Gilpin County Observer, it is high time for the manager at the Republican to purchase a pair of spectacles for Shannon, its reporter.

Five miners have been put to work continuing development of the Gold Dirt Mine in Independent District.

The stench arising from some of the waste pipes emptying onto Lawrence street is worst against property-holders residing in Denver, who draw their regular monthly rental from parties residing here. Those landlords are fully able to bear their proportionate expense in establishing a proper system of sewerage down that street to the main flumes in Gregory and Eureka gulches.

One party of tributers reported returns this week of $125 per ton for smelting ore of the Bates-Hunter property. That mine is running ten stamps continually on its own product and from five to ten stamps on tribute output.

Mr. Pressler who lives on North Clear Creek, opposite Nagle Hill on the ranch formerly owned by Mr. Clapp, informs us that a movement is on foot whereby a term of public school will be held in that district. A building has been secured, ample enough in its dimensions for the thirty children of school age who reside there.

Col. J.Q.A. Rollins has had a force of men at work in reopening that portion of the Rollinsville wagon road into Middle Park leading down Ranch Creek. Many of the large boulders washed in by heavy rains have been removed, as also the fallen timber. The road is now in splendid condition for travel for conveyances.

An extra train will leave Central on Saturday, carrying the St. James M.E. Sunday School children and others to the delightful mountain resort at Graymont. Round trip tickets at $1.50 each.

Silver has advanced to $1.06 ½ per ounce. Lead still remains firm at $4.42 ½ per 100 pounds. Copper is quoted at $16.50.

Hundreds of people in Minnesota perished on July 15 as cyclones tore through that state. Seventy-one bodies have been recovered at Lake City. The entire village of Vadnais, six miles north of St. Paul, is wrecked, not a building left standing, and eleven residents dead.

A few days ago there arrived in this city a woman who registered at one of the hotels as a married woman and two daughters. A man, claiming to be her husband, had arrived several days before. Securing rooms in one of the temples of illicit love, he moved the woman and girls there. One of the little girls, who has not yet reached the age of puberty, last evening, through the “father,” was to have met a man at this temple although she was most strenuous in her objections. Hearing of the affair, City Marshal Teague found the woman and girls quarters more congenial to a life of virtue and likely saved the little girl from being forced into a life of shame. The presumed husband skipped out sometime before dawn this morning.

A reporter of the Register-Call was shown rich specimens of float quartz from the vicinity of Pine creek, yesterday, picked up by wood-choppers. A piece weighing five ounces was pulverized in a mortar and panned. Six grains of free gold were extracted. Parties are now looking for the source.

The mosquitoes on the Jersey coast this year are reported so big that they have to get down on their knees to drink out of a tin cup. On a great many accounts Gilpin county is one of the most desirable and attractive points in the United States in summer.

Mr. C.F. Barker will erect a line of telephone poles from his place of business on Main street to his residence on Nevada street, said poles to be placed on Pine street so as not to obstruct that street nor infringe on the rights of property-holders, if city leaders permit him.

This forenoon the Gilpin Tramway train made a complete round trip of all of the principal mines along the line, the first round trip for some length of time.

Born: In Denver, July 10, 1890, to the wife of B. W. Sweet, a son.

Died: In Denver, July 11, 1890, Major Samuel Y. Smith, aged 60 years, a former resident of Black Hawk, Central City and Gilpin County.

Sunday evening Deputy Sheriff W.W. Williams took charge of a miner who lives in Packard gulch and is insane. It appears that he has a hallucination that someone is trying to murder him. He was found undressing himself for the purpose of jumping down a shaft near by. He is now at the county jail for safe-keeping until Sheriff Hopper can take him to the asylum in Pueblo.

Last week a local favorite canine pet, “Jip,” followed Mr. B.J. Smith as he was going over to the Williams Mine in Lake District. Reaching the summit of Bobtail mountain, Jip spied a chipmunk, which he pursued, and came to grief by stepping into a prospect hole about 20 feet in depth. Several hours afterward, surveyor E.E. Chase happened along, heard Jip barking, secured a ladder and released him. Jip returned to Central wagging his tail at being found and raised to the surface.

Company D, Fourth Battalion, Colorado National Guards, recently organized, held their first drill last evening at their headquarters at Armory hall. This company will soon receive their uniforms and muskets.

A Jefferson county farmer had a gang of tramps in his yard a few days ago who refused his order to “move on.” He showed remarkable presence of mind when he overturned a hive of bees. The suffering tramps disappeared.

There must be plenty of people in the lunatic asylum who were driven there because they were neighbors of those learning to play the piano.

Golden Gate Canyon State Park

In late June Dan Weber, Park Manager of Golden Gate Canyon State Park, led a tour of a “spike camp” built for young adults working on sustainable trails projects in Golden Gate. The projects are viable through the combined partnerships of the Colorado State Parks, Mile High Youth Corps (MHYC), Colorado Youth Corps Association (CYCA), and Clinton Family Fund.

Bruce Clinton remarked that he and his wife, Martha, were proud to be part of this project partnership and would like to see this type of project replicated throughout Golden Gate. The Clintons reside primarily in Chicago, Illinois, and spend part of the year at their home in Gilpin County.

According to Kelly Causey, Executive Director of Mile High Youth Corps, the non-profit organization offers projects centered on energy, land, and water conservation for youth between the ages of 18-24 years old. Projects range in length from 11 weeks to 12 months and prospective employees follow a standard application and interviewing process for a project job. Recently MHYC’s popular projects received about nine applications for each open job slot.

Through their established land conservation program, MHYC built their first trail in Golden Gate in 1999. This year MHYC hired a youth crew of 12 Corpsmembers to live in the park’s first spike camp during the summer and work on building a new sustainable trail.

The term “spike camp” first came into use by the U.S. Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s. It describes small work groups who travel from a base camp to work on a distant project.

The crew is working on a 5.5 mile trail, part of the Mule Deer Trail, which will be multi-use for hiking, horseback riding and mountain biking. Its purpose is to link part of the north end of the park to the middle area, from Panorama Point to Fraser Meadow.

The spike camp is located off Gap Road on a service road between Panorama Point and Harmsen Ranch. The camp enclosure consists of four large tents—a mess tent, shower camp, sleeping tent for female crew members and sleeping tent for male crew members—construction gear and requisite port-a-potties. It is also equipped with a working electric fence to “keep the bears out.”

Crew members spend a total of ten weeks at the camp with rotating shifts of “ten day hitches,” or working at the camp for ten days and then having four days off. Park Manager Weber commented that having the crew members actually living on site, instead of being transported from town and back each day, and working eight hours every day really led to fast visible results.

The spike crew follows a well-established routine. They wake up at 6:30 in the morning; do some stretching to prepare for the day’s labor; ask each other random questions in reviewing safety procedures; pack their lunches and then head out to the trail for the day. After a half-hour lunch break, they continue trail building, eventually returning after an eight hour work shift to camp for dinner. A mini-generator provides power but it’s generally lights out early when darkness and the stars above settle in.

Building a trail requires a lot of hard work. Trail building means—among many things—constructing a three-foot wide clear area through the forest. It means winching big rocks, cutting down hazardous trees, hauling tree stumps out of the ground, building trenches, and creating in-slopes on switchbacks.

Golden Gate provides the crew with all necessary equipment, including all trail building tools such as axes, chainsaws, pneumatic pruning saws, shovels, and specialized fire-fighting tools like Pulaski axes and McCloud rakes.

Corpsmember Mike is the sawyer for the spike crew; he is certified on a 10 inch chainsaw and has an “A” license. Mike is originally from Portland, Oregon, pursued environmental studies and graduated from Oberlin College in Ohio. He heard about the spike camp and trail project by word-of-mouth and applied for a position. Mike “likes it a lot” and also appreciates the leadership-building qualities and scholarship awards offered by being part of MHYP’s AmeriCorps Leadership and Conservation Program.

Park Manager Weber anticipates future funding for more trail building and other projects in Golden Gate Canyon State Park. To be a part of these conservation projects and more, check out the Mile High Youth Corps website at www.milehighyouthcorps.org for more information.

In January of this year, Black Hawk’s City Council passed an ordinance banning bicycles from the three streets of its business district (neither children nor other cyclists are banned from residential areas) and posted signs with the familiar red circle and bar, in this case over a bicycle, announcing the prohibition on the affected streets. That includes about a quarter mile of Gregory Street, the cyclists favored route from the Central City Parkway to Highway 119. Cyclists can still use that route, but must dismount and walk their bicycles about four blocks through town due to a narrow stretch of road. For five months, most cyclists failed to do that, but were issued only warning citations from Black Hawk police. Beginning in June, however, police began ticketing those cyclists who ignored, or said they didn’t see, the signs. Black Hawk Police Chief Steve Cole said nine tickets had been issued to date. That means a minimum $68 ticket for the violator, plus an $18 surcharge. If the cyclist wants to appear in court, add $25 for court costs. Facing the fine, and denied the ability to ride that piece of road, cyclists notified Denver television stations and the Denver Post, putting Black Hawk’s ban in the public eye.

Dan Grunig of the cycling advocacy group, Bicycle Colorado, attended the June 9^th Black Hawk Council meeting and asked for a repeal of the ban. He has said that cyclists fear the precedent Black Hawk is setting, that other Colorado cities may follow suit. That’s a real concern. Black Hawk City Manager Mike Copp said he’d been contacted by four other Colorado municipalities who are interested in banning bicycles from some of their streets. Jefferson County has considered asking legislators to make “counties” the authorities to decide which roads in their jurisdictions will be available to cyclists. Online public comments, following the media stories, run heavily against cyclists, not just in Black Hawk, but on many metro-area streets and Colorado roads. In fact, there are many city streets and roads in Colorado that already ban bicyclists. Black Hawk is not alone, nor are they first to ban cyclists, even in Gilpin County.

It was back in 2005 when Central City aldermen banned bicyclists from the Central City Parkway. Grunig appeared at their meeting shortly after that, pressing for a repeal. Central’s council complied. Despite opposition from their own Business Improvement District (who paid for the Parkway) the council repealed the ban, allowing cyclists to ride the Parkway – except for the last mile which culminates in Nevada Street. That street’s too narrow, they said, and carries too much traffic for it to be safe for cyclists. They created a trailhead exit from the Parkway and a trail bringing the cyclists into Central via Lake Gulch and Virginia Canyon Roads to Spring Street. Grunig has pointed out there had been no accidents with cyclists on Black Hawk streets, however both cities saw risks they are unwilling to take. Black Hawk, responding to complaints from motorists and observations by their staff, ordered a traffic study for their streets. Completed by Stolfus & Associates last October, that study said Main and Gregory Streets were poorly equipped to accommodate cyclists. Further, the traffic on those streets, often large buses and delivery trucks, is “frequently adverse” to cyclists. There isn’t just the concern of a cyclist being struck, said Copp, but also of other motorists as vehicles swing out to get around a cyclist. What’s more, he added, now the city is aware of the safety issues and potential for injuries, they must address them or risk problems with the city’s liability insurance provider. “We’re doing what we believe is best for our residents, our businesses and our patrons,” said Copp.

In Black Hawk, that means doing what’s best for the casinos. The industry benefits not only the residents of Black Hawk, but Gilpin County relies heavily on Black Hawk’s gaming revenues – as does the state. Copp said Black Hawk drew around 50,000 visitors to the area last weekend. It isn’t uncommon to draw 30,000 on other weekends. They come to Black Hawk, mainly, to gamble. Black Hawk casinos have contributed over $1 billion to the state’s coffers, via gaming taxes, since the inception of gaming. They will add approximately $90 million for this fiscal year alone ($81,604,000 fiscal year-to-date). Black Hawk casinos generated more than 84% of all of the state’s gaming revenues for the 2009-2010 fiscal year. 22% of that revenue will be directed back and split by the two gaming counties and three gaming cities in Colorado. The bulk, 78%, goes to the state, much of it funding road improvements enjoyed by motorists and cyclists alike. However, cyclists do not contribute to highway funds as motor vehicle owners do through licensing and registration fees. Many motorists object to paying for cyclists’ recreation, which they point out, is what most cyclists are doing as they ride through Black Hawk. Few are commuting as cyclists do in Boulder, Denver or other cities worldwide. (Colorado cyclists have gone global with their complaint against Black Hawk, via the internet, and British media picked up the story. American motorists point out that a train system provides relief for European commuters.) Local motorists particularly object to safety issues caused by cyclists riding the narrow, curving, shoulder-less highways they drive out of necessity. Residents driving Coal Creek Canyon have met with Gilpin County Commissioners to register complaints of cyclist’s behavior and ask for help. Gilpinites driving Golden Gate Canyon have been vocal in their support of Black Hawk’s ban, said Copp. He has received no negative comments from Gilpinites and plenty of support from mountain residents who favor not only Black Hawk’s, but additional bicycling bans.

Grunig’s group is now working on a legal challenge to Black Hawk’s ban, but with other cities and also counties looking at ways to limit cycling within their jurisdictions, the issue is bigger than Black Hawk. “Perhaps the issue should be put to the state’s voters,” Copp suggested.

Central City, riding the tail of publicity Black Hawk’s bicycle ban has drawn to the area, hurriedly put together a bicycle rally for July 3^rd, inviting members of at least six Colorado bicycling groups to visit their city.  Officials for Central said they wanted to let cyclists know Black Hawk’s ban didn’t extend to the Central City Parkway or Main Street, and that Central is bike-friendly. Since the city currently has no place for cyclists to park their bikes, a temporary bike rack was brought in. Annie Oakley’s Emporium and Prospectors Run offered free food items and beverages to cyclists. Johnny Z’s and Fortune Valley casinos offered coupons and discounted meals. Central City Mayor Ron Slinger said the event was simply to encourage cyclists to visit their community. A promotional notice sent to cycling groups via email stated cycling was “legal” in Central (later changed to “fresh”). But that notice soon morphed into an online message for cyclists to come to Central to “protest” Black Hawk’s ban.

Black Hawk officials found out about the event indirectly, from a consultant who happens to be a cyclist. “My council is not happy,” said Black Hawk City Manager, Mike Copp. Black Hawk Mayor David Spellman questioned the timing of the unscheduled event, coming not only when Black Hawk is being publicly criticized by cycling enthusiasts, but also on the busiest day of the year for his city. He said it looked to him like Central was offering an incentive to boycott Black Hawk. “How does this improve the financial situation of the community?” he asked. Cyclists spend very few dollars in the gaming communities, generally just riding on through, but gaming revenues fund the majority of city and county services. The elected officials of Black Hawk, Central City and Gilpin County have tried to put historic rivalries behind them, collaborating to make the area a destination for visitors with various interests: gambling, history, opera, art, mining, numerous outdoor activities and more. Many organizations associated with the non-gambling interests depend on the casinos for funding. Anything that hurts that industry will hurt them all.

Central’s public relations consultant, Meghan Dougherty, said someone had added the “protest” angle to the bike rally announcement after her marketing coordinator sent it out.  Slinger also said the event was not meant to be offensive to Black Hawk. “I let Meghan (Dougherty) know flat out, it’s not supposed to be a protest,” he said, but also acknowledged the city couldn’t control the cycling community. Black Hawk officials remained unconvinced. They had found a promotion of the event on Central City’s Facebook site pointing out the Black Hawk ban and ticketing of violators, along with an invitation to cycle in Central instead. Their own (Black Hawk) city Facebook site was “pirated,” just two days before Central’s bike rally. Someone removed city information and replaced it with negative comments about the ban. The site has since been remedied and Black Hawk is now investigating the illegal takeover with the site administrator. They will pursue any legal action they can, Copp said.

There was no invasion of cyclists in either Central City or Black Hawk on Saturday. Although no one was keeping official count, Dougherty said that hot dog vendors brought in to serve the cyclists reported they had served “a few.” The cyclists were well received in Central and, one mile down the hill, Black Hawk streets and sidewalks were crowded with folks who had come to that city to have fun their way, in Black Hawk’s casinos. Police spotted seven cyclists walking their bikes past the gazebo as they passed through town- no more than usual. “Just a typical day in Black Hawk,” said Police Chief, Steve Cole.

Two Arvada men have been fined more than $35,000 after their conviction on multiple charges for the poaching of a trophy bighorn ram above Georgetown in 2008.Henry Butler, Jr., age 57, and his son, Brandon Butler, age 30, were sentenced two weeks ago in the 5th Judicial District Court in Georgetown for illegally killing the ram on September 28, 2008.  In addition to their sentences, they face a lengthy suspension of their right to hunt and fish in most of the United States.

The case resulted from a tip called in by a hunter who was scouting the area for a later hunt.

“Bighorn sheep are Colorado’s state animal and a cherished part of our wildlife heritage,” said Area Wildlife Manager Reid DeWalt, who supervised the case. “We rely on the public to stand up for Colorado’s wildlife when they see people abusing it.”  Bighorn sheep licenses are so highly prized that hunters can wait decades to successfully draw a tag. Ironically, Brandon Butler did have a valid sheep tag that would have allowed him to legally harvest the trophy ram.

After receiving the phone tip, DOW investigators responded quickly to an area north of Empire along the continental divide off Breckenridge Peak. There, they observed the Butlers walking away from the kill site above tree-line, one with a bighorn sheep head strapped to the top of a backpack, the other carrying a rifle.  Later that night, officers encountered the two men on an ATV, but without the rifle or the ram’s head in their possession.  Investigators subsequently discovered that both items had been placed in a truck parked near the Empire dump.

Under questioning, the men admitted that Henry Butler, 57, had illegally shot the ram just below Breckenridge Peak after Brandon, having tired of a difficult and challenging hunt used a cell phone to illegally guide his father to a position where he could see the band of sheep. The elder Butler did not care to see the tag “wasted” by remaining unfilled.

“Poachers are criminals,” said Steve Yamashita, DOW’s Northeast Regional Manager. “They give true sportsmen and women a bad name.”

Hunting licenses are not transferrable in Colorado; only the license holder may legally harvest an animal. In addition, meat from the animal must be cared for and brought out of the field for consumption.  It is a felony in Colorado to kill an animal and only take the trophy parts from the carcass.

Henry Butler fought the charges, but in April was convicted at trial on a felony charge of willful destruction of wildlife. He was also convicted on misdemeanor charges of hunting without a license, illegal possession of wildlife, transfer of a license, waste of wildlife and the use of electronic equipment in the commission of a wildlife crime.

Butler was sentenced to a 90 days suspended jail sentence, fined more than $8,500 and assessed a $25,000 “Samson surcharge” for killing a trophy-class big game animal.

Brandon Butler accepted a plea bargain resulting in his conviction on illegal transfer of a license, illegal possession of wildlife and waste of wildlife. In addition to the fines, he agreed to make a $2,000 charitable contribution and to the forfeiture of a rifle and ATV.

Later this year, DOW will recommend that the Colorado Wildlife Commission impose lengthy suspensions of the Butlers’ right to hunt and fish in Colorado and the 33 other states who participate in the Interstate Wildlife Violator Compact.

For more information about wildlife crimes, visit the Colorado Division of Wildlife website at: http://wildlife.state.co.us/RulesRegs/LawEnforcement/OperationGameThief/OperationGameThief2.htm and learn how to protect our most precious natural resource, our Colorado wildlife.

Spending a day on a famous “fourteener”

Originally called Mt. Rosa, Mt. Evans was renamed so in 1895 in honor of Colorado’s second Governor of Colorado Territory, John Evans. In 1917 Denver’s Mayor Robert Speer, with the Pike’s Peak road attracting tourists from his town, secured the funding for a new road to the summit of Mt. Evans. Only able to be worked during the summertime, it took ten years to complete and opened on October 4^th 1927. Paved three years later, it remains the highest paved road in the world.

Taking Colorado Scenic Byway Hwy.103 south out of Idaho Springs, one rises 7,000 ft. to the terminus of Hwy. 5 (Mount Evans Scenic Byway), just below the summit of Mt. Evans. Daytime highs at the top only reach sixty degrees – if you are lucky – so it is advisable to bring extra clothing. Snow is a possibility on any day of the year. Mt. Evans Research Station’s caretaker Ralph Reiner has recorded wind-chill temperatures at 198 degrees below zero and wind-speeds of 224 mph. Up to 500 inches of snow fall there every winter. Despite the harsh conditions, a few creatures find the alpine tundra environment to be an ideal habitat.

Mt. Evans has always been one of my favorite and most productive locations to view wildlife. I saw my first mountain goat at Mt. Evans. Introduced in 1947, they may be displacing native bighorn sheep who also reside in the area. As I wind up the road past the Nature Center, the ancient bristlecone pine trees start to thin. Some of them have been around for over 2,000 years! On my right is a hillside where I have fond memories of an hour I spent with two white-tailed ptarmigans several years ago. It is also where I observed a long-tailed weasel checking each rock crevice for a potential meal. Unfortunately, I don’t see any ptarmigan or weasels today and I keep motoring. Along the way daredevil yellow-bellied marmots sun themselves at the edge, and sometimes even in the road. Potholes are the entrances to their dens which can reach 23 ft. in depth. A marmot barks its shrill alarm call a few times and ducks into its hole. Loosely translated it means: “Car tire! Car tire!” At a bend with a breathtaking view of an emerald-colored lake, bighorn sheep approach visitors for handouts (which are strictly prohibited to protect the sheep). One year I informed a woman that she was not supposed to feed them, but when my head was turned she slipped the bighorn a couple of Cheetos and drove off. Even with their adorable big brown eyes, today the habituated sheep get only salt from the sweaty hands of enchanted tourists and the roadway.

Ten miles up the Mt. Evans road approaching Summit Lake, the permafrost has buckled the pavement. Beyond, I notice a small furry creature scurrying on a talus slope. Similar in size to a golden-mantled ground squirrel, it is a pika or “whistling hare.” Often seen before heard, this one is busily gathering plant matter and setting it out to dry in the sun. After it has cured, he will stash the bounty in his burrow. The summer season is short and only the most industrious will survive.

The endless vista of Denver and the Great Plains is fronted in shades of blue from nearby mountain ridges. It is said that you can see for 100 miles from the top. Working my way in that direction, the treeless terrain becomes otherworldly. Moonscape rocks jut toward the azure sky. Several of the stones resemble marmots as I do double-takes in search of photography subjects. I spot a herd of seven mountain goats in the distance. Making a slow serpentine approach, I sit down in fairly close proximity to them. Unperturbed by my presence they go about their business of grazing and tending their young. The nannies eat while two kids bound about in play. Two sub-adults and a billy, whose strands of wooly white fur gently drift in the breeze, round out the group. They slide closer as they feed, at one point coming within six feet of me!

At road’s end lie the stone ruins of the Crest House, which burned down because of a propane explosion in 1979. It used to house a gift shop/snack bar, but now is a rustic windbreak from which to view the surrounding peaks. For those wanting to bag a “fourteener” (one of Colorado’s 54 peaks over 14,000 ft.), the summit of 14,264 ft. Mount Evans is only a short trail and 116 ft. of elevation away. I elect to head down as I don’t want to climb another fifty three.

ATV and dirt bike access discouraged

Located front and center among the five cemeteries above Central City, the smallest plot of sacred ground, the Red Men Cemetery, was recently the scene of special preservation efforts by a group of local volunteers. Coordinated by Ray Rears of Gilpin County’s Historic Preservation Advisory Commission (HAC), about thirty people turned out Saturday morning for a day-long “Cemetery Clean-Up.” The group was divided into several teams, delegated to general clean-up or fencing duties. The Red Men Cemetery received both.

In past years, the cemeteries were peaceful, visited mainly by families of the deceased. Occasionally, tourists wandered the paths between grave markers, gleaning the human history of our area through epitaphs and longevity calculations. Today’s use of the cemetery area is a contradiction, sometimes a conflict. With access to national forest lands just up the adjacent Columbine Campground Road, the area around (and sometimes in) the cemeteries fills every weekend, outside of wintertime, with dirt-bike and ATV riders. Parked pick-up trucks and trailers occupy the open areas outside the cemetery fences. The off-road off-load disburses fifty or more motorized bikes and four-wheelers, whose riders have turned paths circumventing the cemeteries into rutted lane-wide trails. With a “road bisecting it and no fence to protect it, the Red Men was fair game.

On Saturday morning, the clean-up crews watched as truck after truck, bearing trailers loaded with multiple ATV’s (one with a half dozen dirt bikes) arrived every hour – 23 trucks in all. With locals parked in the space by the Red Men Cemetery, the off-roaders vied for the remaining parking spaces and soon lined the roadsides. Ramps were lowered from the tailgates, vehicles wheeled to the ground; engines sputtered to a start and the riders took off, generally headed up the road, though a few made their rounds of the cemeteries. If not seen, they were heard. Clearly visible, however, was the trash and debris that’s been left behind.

In fluorescent vests of orange and yellow, the cleanup crews were easy to spot between tombstones and trees as they plucked beer cans, bottles and food wrappers, all too numerous to count, from the grounds of the five cemeteries. Rusted metal pieces discovered dumped in one area, when assembled, were found to be the remains of a large propane barbecue grill. That, plus an old real estate sign, pieces of pipe and strips of aluminum siding, were the largest pieces of debris. These were piled into or onto the clean-up crew’s truck and trailer. Big black garbage bags accumulated as the crews exchange their full bags for empty ones. While they moved through the International Order of Odd Fellows, Catholic, City of Central, Forresters, and Knights of Pythias Cemeteries, others were cleaning up and fencing the Red Men Cemetery.

There are 17 different families represented by the 26 known graves in the Red Men. This burial ground served the patriotic fraternal organization descended from the Sons of Liberty, organized in 1765, that worked clandestinely for the Colonies’ independence. They modeled their structure on the democratic governing body of the Iroquois Confederacy. In 1812, they changed their name to the Society of Red Men, later amending that to the Improved Order of Red Men which has been the official name since 1834. The oldest grave in the Red Men Cemetery is that of Thomas Liddecoat who died in 1884; the last burial at the Red Men occurred in 1913. There are now only two members of the Red Men’s Colorado order living. Neither of the elderly men are local residents and both have communicated with Rears that they would be willing to let another entity take on the cemetery’s ownership. (County Commissioners are considering.) They had gladly granted permission for the work done Saturday. In addition to trash pick-up and fencing, crews trimmed the vegetation growing up around the gravesites, revealing the sometimes deteriorated condition of the tombstones. The 1891 marker for 19 year-old “Jennie, Wife of Peter Sonne,” was found toppled from its base. The marks of the chain someone had wrapped around it, probably connected to a vehicle to pull it down, were clearly visible. At that point, if the vandals had intended to steal the marker, they likely discovered it was too heavy to manage. It took the strength and guiding hands of six men to reposition Jennie’s headstone to its rightful place and only after they had raised and leveled the base and applied epoxy to secure the cement base and two-part granite marker. On a nearby grave, only the base remains. Volunteers hope the four-strand fence they erected will help preserve the remaining stones and prevent further damage to the cemetery.

Seventeen different groups and individuals contributed materials, equipment and manpower to the Red Men preservation effort. That included the County and the municipalities of Central City and Black Hawk. They contributed equipment and labor to set the corner posts, as well as some of the food for the volunteers. Other donations of materials, food and cash came in from Hutchison Western, Prospectors Run, Air O Pure Portables, Broken Handle Mining Company, St. James Methodist Church, Central City Elks, Gilpin Historical Society, Lady Luck Casino, B&F Market, Clear Creek/Gilpin Abstract & Title Company, Wyoming Chili Company, the Newman family, Connie McLain, and Zane Laubhan. The volunteers brought shovels, trimmers, wire stretchers and other tools. Most of the metal fence posts were pounded in by hand until Joe and Cynthia Phillips showed up with their tractor and mechanized driver. For the most part, gloves, sunscreen, plenty of water and old-fashioned muscle were the order of the day.

The invasion of off-roaders that turn the cemetery area into a weekend parking lot and tail-gating party has been a topic at Central City Council and County Commissioner meetings several times. Jurisdiction of the area is unclear. The boundaries of City, County and Forest Service lands aren’t clear and an expensive survey will be needed to determine them. If the expense can be shared, perhaps a survey will be ordered. If that happens and jurisdiction is clarified, the entities can govern their own areas, perhaps limiting or even prohibiting motorized use. Currently, there is no overnight camping allowed in the area. The Sheriff’s Office had provided a deputy on Saturday, in case of confrontation from the off-road users. He also warned several of the riders they couldn’t be on county roads unless their vehicles were licensed for that purpose. The off-road vehicles are allowed to ride the trails on forest land, but volunteers suggested a different location could be created for their staging area or access limited to fewer vehicles. The local governments and residents would all like to see less traffic, noise, trash and impact at the cemeteries. The new fencing should now discourage, if not prevent, riding through the Red Men.

Central City Opera Review

A very enthusiastic full house was most appreciative of Saturday’s Central City Opera opening night performance of an often performed opera, Giacomo Puccini’s Madama Butterfly. And well the audience should have been enthusiastic. It was a strong and triumphant performance. The most repeated remark as the audience filed out was “Wasn’t that great?”

The opera is a bittersweet tale of love and betrayal that reminds us of “the ugly Americans.” The American Naval Lt. B. F. Pinkerton arranges a marriage to a beautiful Japanese girl while he is stationed in Japan, although he has no intention of it being a permanent one. His plan is to have a “real” marriage with an American woman one day. Cio-Cio-San aka Butterfly, on the other hand, gives up family and religion to marry this man she truly loves. Pinkerton is warned by Sharpless, the American Consul, that this is a mistake but Pinkerton doesn’t listen.

Pinkerton, played by tenor Chad Shelton is elegant. He is a more than the usual bastard most tenors make him out as. You cannot like him from the start. He is arrogant and overbearing. This said, however, Shelton is a striking figure with a wonderful tenor voice that rings throughout the hall. His presence on stage is, if a little wooden, a compelling and demanding one. He expects to get his way and does. You almost believe his grief in the last scene where is tormented by what he has done, but not quite, because his grief focuses back on how hard this is on him, and not what he has done to others

Shelton has been highly acclaimed both nationally and internationally as a having a rich high tenor which he uses with confidence, and with excellent diction, and this was certainly the case on opening night.

Grant Youngblood, a CCO favorite appearing for a fourth straight year here was the Consul, Sharpless. His is a great baritone voice that gave body to his role and his acting was truly believable as he found himself caught up in this dilemma that he had tried to stop in the first place.

Kudos go also to mezzo-soprano Mika Shigematsu who returned as Suzuki after her performance in that role in the 2005 CCO presentation. Suzuki is Butterfly’s faithful maid, friend, and companion. She is very real in her emotions throughout the evening and although she has a limited amount of singing, her voice is rich, very pleasing, and blends well with Butterfly.

But the night belongs to Madama Butterfly portrayed by nationally and internationally acclaimed soprano, Yunah Lee. Hers is a magnificent performance in which she matures before our eyes from a love struck fifteen year old through the three years after she is abandoned by Pinkerton (who returns to the U.S. and marries) into a woman, destitute, having lost her honor, and reason for living. In the end, with her father’s sword, Butterfly commits hari-kari rather than live without the love of her life and in dishonor, begging on the streets to provide for the beautiful son she dearly loves, born a Pinkerton after he leaves.

Ms. Lee is a soprano of amazing talent that allows compelling quiet and beautiful moments to sooth the soul but also to bring out in the concert listener the feeling of rage and despair that comes to the fore when betrayed. She pays close attention to detail in making her character real.

The patience of Madison Ana Anderle as Dolore, Butterfly’s son, really has to be noted.  It was a non-singing, non-speaking part in which there seemed to be perfect calm no matter how much cuddling and loud singing into the face there was. This was much to ask of a small child.

There were other commendable supporting roles that went into making this a very emotional and satisfying performance. Among these were Joseph Gaines as the Marriage Broker, and Nicholas Nelson as The Bong.

Matthew Halls returned as Conductor leading an excellent orchestra which initially at times from where we sitting seemed a little loud. In the first act the orchestra played loudly, which made the singers to have to sing a little louder to be heard. Lee and Shelton were equal to the task, but it was somewhat overwhelming. The balance in the 2^nd half of the opera seemed to be better.

The chorus has little to do in this opera, but it did it well. The famous “humming chorus” performed off stage was really beautiful. The chorus master this year is Andrew Altenbach.

Director Catherine Malfitano put together a drama that made the most of the passion of this opera. The interaction of the lovers was beautifully staged. On the other hand much use was made of having characters creep onto the stage, which got a little old. Good use was made of parasols, and the lighting of the central characters with the rest of the stage muted was good. Dany Lyne was responsible for both costume and set design. The set was very well contained in one house that showed the shoji screens of a typical home in Japan at the beginning, but for some reason or another disappeared to leave an open stage as the interior of the home.

In other productions, we do not remember ever seeing much of the American flag, but in this one, it was a bit overdone, draped obviously here and there, held up by Butterfly and Suzuki at one point near the end as a backdrop for her son to stand in front of, worn by her on occasion, and even draped over her and her son as she committed hari-kari. Perhaps a bit overdone without adding that much to the opera.

Overall, Madama Butterfly is a very dramatic and emotional success. A must see event! Next on the list of openings is Orpheus in the Underworld by Jacques Offenbach.