NEWS Briefs & NOTES from your editor, 8/3/23

If there ever is an emergency in town, or timely news needing to be distributed, you can trust the Lyons Recorder to put it online immediately.

Dear Readers,

We’re starting to see some events popping up that commemorate Lyons’ Great Flood of 2013 disaster and recovery. First, Pinewood Springs had a live music fundraiser for its church and fire department a couple of weeks ago. Next week, Can’d Aid will be having a 10-year anniversary event, honoring its many years of serving the community. There is a committee formed of about a dozen people to plan for the September 9, 10, and 11th activities, formal and communal, in Lyons. And, Pinewood Springs will have an event on September 16th.

We will keep you posted of everything we hear about. I’m sure our 2nd week of September issue will be full of photographs, testimonials, calendar items and more. Feel free to contact us or Tanya Daty at town hall if you have any important news or events to share.

This past week we had some heavy rainfalls, rolling thunder that lasted an hour, and some heavy hail and flooding outside of Lyons. Every time we get a Bad Weather Alert, we tense up. Let’s concentrate on THIS Year, and be thankful that the unusually heavy rainfall in spring has taken us out of being in a drought year.

…….. from your editor, Kathleen Spring

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WEATHER: Tuesday 8/1/23 Heavy rain and CONTINUOUS Rolling Thunder for about an hour at about 5/6 p.m.! ===Tuesday, residents near and McConnell and the high school had a lightning strike and a very big flash of light. No damage was reported, but people said they jumped! With shock. People all over town, including Welch, 2nd Ave., and more thought it was close to their home, it was so powerful. === A couple of people posting warnings of rock falls on Hwy 36 between Lyons and Estes Park. One person said that if you have a low clearance car, it could do some damage! ====Some people lost power, and some lost their internet (but all was returned within a few hours). === The weekend had Ozone Action Alerts, and you could see the haze at the RockyGrass festival!

==== As of July 31, we had 10 days in a row in the 90s. === We had record hail in Colorado in July, on record. ==== July 4, 5, and 6 were the three HOTTEST DAYS ON EARTH.

NATION / COLORADO WEATHER: I belong to CoCoRahs, which is a nationwide group that was started in Colorado that collects “weather” (water in a gauge). They sent us members a report that some of you may find very interesting (and PS you can join them and gather weather from your backyard) ===== On June 20 almost 11 inches (280 mm) of rain fell south of Mobile, AL — Compare that to the 17 inches that fell in our Lyons area in 2013 === Here at the end of July, drought was most prevalent across the nation’s heartland. The latest Drought Monitor map paints Extreme Drought in parts of Texas, Kansas. Oklahoma, Nebraska, Missouri, Iowa, Illinois, Wisconsin and Minnesota, and some Exceptional Drought, the highest (worst) category in Texas, Kansas, and Nebraska. In the southwest, extreme heat and a slow start to the summer monsoon is resulting in expansion of dry conditions there. On the positive side, about 50 percent of the country is affected by drought this year, compared to 70 percent last year at this time. National Night Out cancelled Tuesday due to heavy rain and flood warnings.

THURSDAY – TODAY 8/3/23 – Amanda at SpiritHound said to Lyons Residents: Hey Lyons! Spirit Hound has a shuttle going to Denver on Thursday for our new tasting room’s 2nd soft opening night; there are seats available! Rather than see them go to waste, we thought we would offer them up to our friends here in town. == The shuttle leaves the Lyons distillery at 4 pm sharp, arriving in Denver at 5 and staying until 7 (so 2 hours of enjoying cocktails). We’ll have you home by 8 or so ==Seats are limited (we have about 18) and are no cost to you. If you’re interested in joining, please DM me!

Reminder: PRESCRIBED BURNS at Hall Ranch in August and September – see ARTICLE for full details.

LIBRARY – SUMMER READING CLUB ends Friday, August 4th ! Hand in your BINGO card. You’ll be eligible for a free coffee coupon, with just one “X”, and for more, you will be entered in a big contest.

Can’d Aid is turning 10! They will be celebrating with bluegrass, brews, and giving back. Dale Katechis of Oskar Blues & Grill helped form the group to help the flood survivors of 2013. We will be giving the full history of the group in next week’s newspaper! The concert and party is August 10th in Denver. SEE our ARTICLE, which includes a HISTORY of Lyons’ nonprofit!

LETTER TO EDITOR:

Thanks so much, Kathleen. Really appreciate your hard work. Really thankful for the notice you put out about Boulder County Open Space hosting weed management tour this past week. I wouldn’t have known about it otherwise. I went Tuesday, learned so much as we visited two open space sites, and made many good connections there. // Cathy Rivers, Lyons Weed Posse

NOTE: there is one more tour this summer. See our Things to Do.

LYONS LCF GRANTS, now OPEN: The Lyons Community Foundation (LCF) is pleased to announce their 16th Annual Community Support granting season. Applications for Community Support Grants are available to all local non-profit organizations. Apply online starting August 1st. Submissions are due before September 9, 2023. Electronic submissions are required; granting information and applications are available at the LCF website, lyonscf.org. Over the lifetime of the Community Support Grants program, LCF has awarded more than half a million dollars in grant awards. This year, nearly $50,000 will be made available to deserving recipients.

8/2/23 the Lowland Fire is now at 1,600 acres.

LYONS COMMUNICATION: July 28th, 2023 @ 10:00 am – There is a reported power outage on Apple Valley Rd, affecting power to our equipment in that area. We have been in contact with Longmont Power, and they expect to have power restored in approximately 2 hrs. Once power is restored, so should our services.

On Saturday a caravan of motorcyclists drove down Highway 36 between Lyons and Estes Park (many stopping at the Cherry Company). Some one asked: Is the entire 2023 Sturgis Motorcycle Rally (August 4-23) passing through this morning en route to South Dakota?

PINEWOOD SPRINGS Flood of 2013 event – (1) SAVE THE DATE- Join us for the Pinewood Springs Flood Fest: A Community Celebration Commemorating the 2013 Flood. Saturday, September 16, 2023 from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Pinewood Springs Fire Station; Sponsored by the Pinewood Springs Fire Protection District and the Pinewood Springs Property Owners Association.—-Come and enjoy food, drink and games, and spend time with your friends and neighbors as we remember and recognize the profound impact of the 2013 Flood on the Pinewood Springs area and help celebrate our remarkable and resilient community. ==========(2) Want to help? We can use assistance with planning, set up and clean up. Email [email protected] or call or text 303-818-7323 if you would like to help! ….. posted by Ted Plank, fire chief.

U PUMP IT – new pumps went in over the weekend, as the next step in the new U Pump It franchise preparing to open. And some new cement on the parking lot.

LYONS CHAMBER NEWS: Good bye to Emily Crane, who was the lovely director of the Lyons Chamber of Commerce over the past year, and hello to Rhea Davenport as the new director. Rhea was working at the A-Lodge over the past year as their operating manager, so she is familiar with activities on Lyons Main Street. It sounds like Emily is leaving for the state of Washington. We wish them both good luck. Next step is assigning the new president position, now that Dan Siddall has stepped down after many years of devoted service. Contact Rhea at [email protected] for questions.) With the Chamber doing very little activity during the COVID pandemic, they lost a lot of members, also because “business was tough.” I’m sure you will be hearing from Rhea as the Chamber continues to build its membership back up. It takes a strong membership for it to have clout and be a moving and shaker in Lyons economy. Their new collaboration this summer is to work with businesses to prepare them for the September “fire inspection” by the Town. Go here for more information: https://www.lyonschamber.org/lyons-fire-safety-program

Pinewood Springs – don’t forget the special August 12th Recycle Day in Estes Park – special low fees or free collections. == for Estes Valley residents (not Lyons) == No “normal” collections will happen (eg, cardboard and bottles)

Power Outage 7/31/23, 8PM – power interruption in an area roughly between North 95th, McIntosh Lake, Lyons and Colo. 66, including our customers in the Apple Valley Road area. A map of the affected area has been posted in the comments below. Crews have been dispatched to restore power; we are typically able to restore power in one hour or less. (Kevin Mahoney reported on Facebook: Just watched lightening take out a transformer somewhere East on 66 in a spectacular glow of blue. Then, about 30 secs later, hit something very close to it that glowed bright red.)

RMNP *FREE* 2023 date August 4. Entrance fee is waived but some dates still request a timed entry reservation permit online beforehand, May to October. Each date listed in our “Things to DO’ is a public “holiday” related to the parks. — Colorado state parks and forests also occasionally offer “free days.” — This is Anniversary of the Great American Outdoors Act.. ====== Next week Monday, COLORADO State Parks will have a free day. ====== but be prepared for long lines!

THIS WEEK’s Household TIP: Someone on Lyons /Facebook said they had a bunch of sawdust shavings to give away. Warren Musselman, who “works with wood” said: As an avowed maker of sawdust and wood chips, I have tried repeatedly over the years to give the stuff away. As long as you keep the walnut and exotics segregated, the softwood stuff works well as a mulch or to mix in with compost. The walnut and exotics kill plants though.

Emergency #988 = it is the one year anniversary of the “988 Crisis” phone number. 57,000 people called (as of 6/22). This is used by people in a crisis, and they are routed to a professional person in their area who can help them. “It’s giving permission for folks to understand that your pain is valid, your struggle is real and there is someone here that is trained to be here to support you,” said Kelly Bowman, who manages the 988 program in Colorado. It is managed in Colorado by the Rocky Mountain Crisis Partners. They say they have gotten better at answering the calls, in part because they have received specific 988 funding.

“We went from 59% [answered locally] in June of 2022 and we were at 94% June of 2023,” Bowman said. If possible, try to call from a Denver “area code,” or you might be routed to someone in your “old area code.” Contact RMCP if you would like to learn more about becoming a staff person.

=== RSV – the FDA has approved a RSV antibody for infants. It is not a vaccine. === There are now OTC (over the counter) birth control pills available. === An early stage Alzheimer drug has been approved (last month) – see Senior Newsletter for more details or do a search. ===

OVERDOSING: A person dies every 45 minutes from overdosing on phytanoyl. — The first detox facility for YOUTH in Colorado will be opening up soon, with 21 beds. They hope to “Alter someone’s protectory.” Denver Health (hospital) says that their ER sees 900 teens each year. The FASTEST growing category is 14 to 23 year old.

LEAF – Shelves at Food Pantry getting bare! == The shelves are too bare! Donate between 9:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. Wednesday in the Lyons Community Church “lower level” on Main Street and 4th Avenue. (you can drop some off at the library, but it’s a small box). Please donated unexpired items: See the “wanted” list in last week’s Editors Notes.

SCHOOL – staff returns to Lyons schools Thursday, August 3. Students return August 16.

SCHOOL – Booster Club Kick Off Meeting, August 7. Join us in the school library for our first meeting do the new school year. Everyone is welcome whether you’re a new family to LMSH or a long-standing part of our Lions Pride! Bring a dish to share if you’d like but not required.

LYONS SOFTBALL LEAGUE: Yes, we have our own League. This is not a Front Range League. — reminder some of the groups are often missing a female player. See Chris Cope for more info; or their Facebook page; or show up at the game in Bohn Park.

Two huge announcements this week in Colorado sports:

REMINDER: YOUTH SPORTS: brand new middle school football program/club this fall for any kiddos in grades 6-8. == For more information and Registration go to: www.townoflyons.rec.desk.com

ROCKIES Baseball team had a brief winning streak after the All Star Games, 6 to 13. But they are now back to several losses.

WOMEN’S SOCCER CUP: Our Colorado gals are “representing” us with spectacular success. See Channel 7 sports for daily updates on their games against other WORLD Champion teams!

BRONCOS Training Camp started earlier this week. 3,000 people attended. Already one major injury. Tim Patrick will be out again for a year (happened last year too).

COLORADO’s championship swimmer KATIE LEDECKY passed Michael PHELPS! In MOST Individual WORLD Titles this week! — She is also the first to win any WORLD Event SIX times!

SKIER VISITS: The statistics are now it. The skiing industry brought 27.9 MILLION dollars into the Rocky Mt. Region’s economy!

Multiple media sources have been warning people that the hot weather is now bringing out more rattlesnakes. Watch your step!

Mosquitos – same here – multiple media are reporting on unusually high numbers because of the wet spring that we had. A couple of West Nile Virus cases have been reported, but it’s likely the number will grow. Consider using the DEET spray and long pants and sleeves when outside for long period, especially at dusk. == as of 8/2/23 Boulder County Public Health has confirmed that a Lafayette resident has contracted the first human case of West Nile virus (WNV) in Boulder County in 2023. The resident, in their 40s, was believed to be infected while in Lafayette and has not been hospitalized. This is the second human case of West Nile virus in the region this year, with a human case confirmed in Larimer County last week.

KIDS are going back to school – miss the companionship? – Colorado animal shelters have hundreds of dog and are at their maximum capacity. Call today. See their photos online.

***You can support Colorado’s Pet Pantry.*** They keep pets with families as the shelters are full. TEXT “thanks” or call 303-871-1491.

Smoky the (wild) cat from Coors Field is up for adoption.

We have so much big news that we have put this into a separate article — See our ARTICLE THIS WEEK:

EVANS STREET Affordable Housing

I-70 traffic stops of 20 minutes

Broadway Road Improvements ==Big Project! Work Begins in August

Poudre Valley Rural Electric Association ==Utility Work near Middle/Senior High School

UPDATE on HWY 36 road expansion: from Boulder to Lyons

HWY 36 from Lyons to Estes Park, “tower” work by Crown Castel construction

Lyons Crack and Chip Seal operations

The County Commissioner town hall meeting at East Boulder Community Center is on Thursday, August 10, 5:30 to 7p.m. – we often don’t get notice of this till a few days before, so I’m glad to be able to publish this! Plus, it is an easy, close location. The featured topic will be whether to extend a 0.05% sales tax for open space acquisition, improvement and maintenance. As usual, after a brief presentation on the featured topic, the commissioners will take questions and comments on any topic of interest.

Your Input for the Town 2024 Budget===As the town begins winding down its flood related recovery projects from the past 10 years, the Board of Trustees would like to gather input from residents regarding items for the 2024 budget process.—We have created a short form on the Town website, where you may add your suggestions as a resident for the 2024 budget. https://townoflyons.com/budgetinput

NEW “ROAD” LAW August 7th — Colorado joins nineteen other states that provide protections to all disabled vehicles. With this change, Colorado’s Move Over laws are now among the nation’s strongest. The new protections come as 2022 marked the deadliest year on Colorado roads on record. See our ARTICLE for full details, and what the penalty will be.

INFLATION is DOWN: CPI grew 3% — down from 9% last summer, June! (in May it was 4%) – Unemployment is at 3.6% a near 50 year low.

8/1/23 – Colorado GOP files lawsuit to close its primary elections and block unaffiliated voters from participating in Republican primary elections. Unaffiliated voters make up the state’s largest voting block.. See CPR for a full report.

7/31/23 – SPACE COMMAND STAYS IN COLORADO! Despite efforts of President Trump and Huntsville, Alabama to move it to their state, President Biden has officially said it will stay put. Colorado already has all the resources – aerospace companies and satellite technology – and will be ready to go by the end of this month… while Huntsville would take many years to be ready to offer the services. Thanks to Sen. Hickenlooper and his DELEGATION for advocating for it. It is centered in Colorado Springs, and 60% of the jobs are for civilians.

Tid Bit: Pinewood Springs was first called Little Elk Park, and then Granny Mae’s Ranch, according to Larry Webster whose parents were early residents.

DENIED WAGES? An executive order was signed for all states that you can now request an investigation by The Labor Standards Division for “denied wage” claims filed by workers who are owed $2000 or less. It does not matter if the worker was an employee or an independent contractor. Consult your attorney.

August 1, 2023, ex-President Trump was indicted by a grand jury for his efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election results. This is a federal criminal indictment.

The Federal Trade Commission is finalizing its long-awaited antitrust lawsuit that could force the breakup of Amazon.

==As of July 31, 2023, President Joe Biden (D) had signed 119 executive orders, 149 presidential memoranda, 463 proclamations, and 95 notices.==

August 5, Allenspark — Hilltop Guild’s annual bazaar this Saturday, – from 9am-2pm

August 5, 9a.m. – 3 p.m. Lyons (1) Local Art Fair (2) Crapfest. — 2136 Apple Valley Rd

August 6, 1-4p.m. Oskar Blues. celebrate Jerry Garcia’s birthday

SEE THINGS TO DO for more on these and other activities in the Lyons Area.

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