Index

INDEX

Our Mission…Everything AroundUS is dedicated to bringing communities together and building relationships with the businesses, organizations, government entities, educational institutions and residents. Our focus is to provide information so individuals can rediscover their hometowns and visitors can see them SHINE!

About US…Everything AroundUS and Merged Media, the parent companies of Around Trinidad and Around SoCO, can help with internet strategies such as customized website design, traffic, search engine optimization, articles, banners, links and website validation. We also offer traditional marketing services such as branding, product design, print media, audio and video. Our companies offer more opportunities for businesses by promoting events and social activities in communities.

We take the world around us and bring it to you! Everything AroundUS pushes social networking to the next level by using our platform to pro-mote businesses with giveaways, social activities and exciting events! Our team merges the virtual elements of social networking with traditional promotions to give businesses the ultimate market-ing experience. Everything AroundUS brings the community together and builds value for local businesses and services by helping people access everything a community has to offer. We use the power of one communication platform to highlight the fun and excitement around us.

With over 40 years of combined marketing experi-ence Everything AroundUS has developed an incomparable social networking solution. We make it easy for individuals and businesses to enjoy and connect with their communities. AROUND SoCO CREDITSEDITOR-IN-CHIEF/OWNERE.R.A. McCartheyART & DESIGN DIRECTOR/OWNERJay MartinezEXECUTIVE MANAGING EDITORMarty HackettFEATURES DIRECTORDavid J. Santistevan Jr.

Around SoCO has been funded by Merged Media and Everything AroundUS. It was built by Jay Martinez, E.R.A. McCarthey, David J. Santistevan Jr., Marty Hackett and many lovely people in the SoCO Area.

Pg.1 Around SoCO Apishapa Valley Historical Society

Pg.1 Backyard Vacation A Magical Mythical Backyard Vacation

Pg.4 Healthy Living Leading Full and Productive Lives SoCO Services

Pg.5 Business Spotlight Do Drop Inn for a Tasty Time

Pg.6 SoCO Education Congratulations to Our 2013 Graduates

Pg.7 O-Pinons SoCO Eat & Drink

Pg.9 SoCO Entertainment Leigh Cates: Feeling the Heat SoCO Entertainment Listing

Pg.10 “Laundry & Bourbon” and “Lonestar” SoCO Shopping

Pg.12 Family Time The Wild Wild West

Pg.13 SoCO Lodging

Pg.14 SoCO Fresh Air Run for the Wall XXV

Pg.15 Hall of Fame Our Salute to Mothers

Pg.16 Hall of Shame Dance of Ignorance

Pg.18 SoCO Government Year of the Ludlow Centennial

Pg.19 SoCO Sports Pitching High

Pg.21 SoCO Style and Beauty Fairytale Beauty

Pg.22 Mother’s Day Inspiration

Pg.24 Horoscopes

Pg.25 Around SoCO Map

Pg.27 Things to Do

Pg.30 Paw News The Cat’s Meow

Pg.31 Howdy Visitors Awesome Outdoor Adventure

Pg.33 Around Trinidad Feature S.W.A.T.

Pg.35 Around Trinidad First Annual Run for the Fallen Coal Miners 5k/10/k

Pg.35 Is Your Infant’s Development on Target

Pg.36 Trinidad Sports Chelsea Velasquez Moves to Otero J.C. Jacinta Hoffpauir Earns Scholarship to Southern Weslyan University

Pg.37 Fresh Air Let’s Go Dig in the Dirt

Pg.38 Hot Tips Natural Does Not Mean Neutral

Pg.39 Healthy Living Hot Yoga on Main SoCO Nightlife

Pg.41 Trinidad Hall of Fame Dreams Do Come True

Pg.42 Art and Music SCRT’s Professional Summer Season

Pg.43 Right Here in River City Pg.43 Don’t Get Hit with a HUGE Utility Bill Pg.44 Purgatoire Watershed Partnership

Pg.45 Business Spotlight Love What You Do

Pg.46 Paw News Bright Eyes and Wagging Tails Are Ambassadors of Cheer

Pg.47 Education Trinidad State Honors Top Grads

Pg.50 Government The Best Place to Live and Work

Pg.51 Trinidad Treasures Pillars of the Community

Pg.51 Believe In Memory of Lena (Maria) Valentine

Apishapa Valley Historical SocietyBy Pat Romero with contributions from Kathleen Donnelly

The Apishapa Valley Historical Society announces the Grand Opening of the 2013 summer season of the Apishapa Valley Heritage Center at 151 Main Street in Aguilar, Colorado on Saturday, June 1st from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. The highlight of the event will be the unveiling of a new diorama of Aguilar’s Main Street, featuring a representation of some of the significant historical buildings at different phases of the town’s development and history.

The Grand Opening will also feature a tour of the designated sites of the Town of Aguilar Register of Historic Properties, including the Aguilar Gym-nasium (a WPA project), the Antonio LoPresto Building (built as the Arcade Hotel & Saloon in 1909), the Aguilar Community Church (completed in 1906), and the A.I. Lindsey Building which

houses the Heritage Center.

Bake sale items and refreshments will be available.

The Apishapa Valley was first inhabited by the Ute Indians but most of the original homesteaders were farmers and sheepherders of Spanish descent who came from northern New Mexico.

Aguilar wasn’t always the quiet little town that it is today. The original settlement was called San An-tonio Plaza, and surrounded a trading post and a small adobe catholic church. The little community experienced a certain amount of “tourism” with the Foster Hotel & Stagecoach stop along the Apishapa River, which was operating as early as 1886.

Later, with the development of extensive coal mining in the area, Aguilar provided the miners with an alternative to living in the nearby company owned coal camps, reaching its peak growth of over 2,500 in the early 1920s. By choice, miners preferred to shop and spend time in Aguilar with its 14 saloons!

Aguilar was quite a booming town in its heyday, and was called “Little Chicago” because gangsters cooled off there and bootleggers were abundant. During Prohibition almost all families living there produced wine, whiskey, and moonshine for their own use and to sell on the side. Al Capone is said to have visited Aguilar in the early 1920s. The dance halls and card rooms, complete with call girls, did lively business with the rowdy miners. Tunnels under the streets were used for smuggling moonshine.

The Heritage Center contains a collection of photos, historic letters and documents, miners’

items, old newspapers, family stories, and other memorabilia from this historic area. It is a great place to learn about Aguilar’s “boom town days” when there were no vacant commercial buildings, everyone knew their neighbors, and on Saturday nights, Main Street was the place to be!

The Apishapa Valley Historical Society (AVHS), a nonprofit organization, was started in 2004 with a goal of recognizing and preserving the history of the Town of Aguilar and the Apishapa Valley area. We meet the second Thursday of the month at the Aguilar Community Center. In 2011 we started a Homestead Families Booklet project in recognition of these early families. It is our wish to preserve their stories for others to enjoy. So far we have recognized 12 local families and will add 6 more for our 2013 edition.

If you wish to submit your family’s story or order a copy of the booklet, send a contribution, or volun-teer at the Heritage Center please contact us at:

AVHS PO Box 459, Aguilar CO, 81020 E-Mail: avhs@aguilarhistory.com or call 719.941.4678 for more information.

Around SoCO

Homestead Families in the Apishapa Valley2012 - Second Edition

Homestead Families in the Apishapa Valley2012 - Second Edition

Backyard VacationA Magical Mythical Backyard vacationBy Kathleen Donnelly

Are you looking for a place your family can go on vacation to relax and unwind? Somewhere peaceful and tranquil for mom and dad that still offers fun activities for the kids? The perfect place is in your own backyard.

Along the Scenic Highway of Legends, State Hwy 12, between Trinidad and Walsenburg, there are two mountain passes, two State Parks, five State Wildlife Areas, four alpine lakes, three warm water

lakes, five public campgrounds, three golf courses, two water parks, a skate park, numerous private restaurants, stores, hotels, motels, lodges and campgrounds, eight museums and two National Historic Districts. Your family could easily take a two-week vacation in this mountain paradise or just enjoy a one-day getaway. A road trip along the Scenic Highway of Legends will be rewarding, the scenery spectacular, and you will be thrilled with new discoveries every time you travel this National Byway.

Starting in the Corazon de Trinidad National Historic District, you can visit the art galleries and museums before heading west towards the panoramic Sangre de Cristo Mountains. At day-break the sunrise reflected on these majestic peaks reminded early Spanish explorers of the blood of Christ (hence the name, Sangre de Cristo).

The economy of Las Animas County was strongly influenced by the vast deposits of coal mined in the early twentieth century. Consider a short trip through Cokedale, established in 1906 by the

American Smelting and Refining Company. Coke-dale reached its peak population of 1,500 in 1909. It produced 1,500 tons of coal per day and had 350 coke ovens. You can see these ruins to the south of the highway. The camp school and the miners’ bathhouse are both still standing, and the entire town is a National Historic Landmark District, considered the most significant example of a turn of the 20th century coal camp in Colorado.

Back to Highway 12, Trinidad Lake State Park is on the left. Located in the foothills of the Sangre De Cristo Range, at an elevation of 6,200 ft., lying on the Purgatoire River with an iconic view of Fisher’s Peak to the east, singularly beautiful Trinidad Lake was a multipurpose project for flood control, irrigation and recreation, authorized by the 1958 Flood Control Act and built by the Army Corps of Engineers in the early 1970s. The dam protects the city of Trinidad from floodwaters and sediment, while it holds irrigation water for the Purgatoire River Water Conservancy District. The former mining town of Sopris lies submerged under the lake. The park contains 2,500 acres and offers boat-

ing, fishing, great hiking trails, wildlife watching, camping and other activities. Continuing west along the highway, you will be driving through several small towns, Valdez, Prim-ero, and Segundo, all once thriving coal towns. In the early years of the twentieth century, this valley was teeming with people on foot, horseback and in wagons. There was even a trolley running between Sopris and Trinidad. Each small town had a company store that sold groceries, clothing, fuel oils, and other merchandise to the miners who paid with the company-issued money called scrip. The post office was also located in the store, where people met, exchanged news and gossip. Work was so backbreaking and dangerous that miners en-joyed life aboveground, often going straight from the mines to the saloons. Life in a coal camp was social, with entertainment found in pool halls, bars and taverns, fishing in the river, and competitive camp baseball teams.

If you use your imagination, you can picture these long-ago inhabitants going about their daily lives. Perhaps the spirits of the men lost in the mines so many years ago still linger in the labyrinth of empty coal tunnels underneath the fertile Purga-toire River valley.

Next, you will come to Weston. To the west of it is the ghost town of Vigil and the ruins of the 1870s San Isidro Church. Just before you reach Stonewall be on the lookout for the much photographed house on the bridge on the right side of the high-way where the North Fork of the Purgatoire River crosses Highway 12.

Follow the road behind the Picketwire Store on the left side of the highway to see the ruins of Tercio and Torres. You are entering El Valle de los Rancheros, settled by immigrants from Ranchos de Taos, New Mexico between 1860 and 1870. This was originally part of the historic Maxwell Land Grant.

Next is the resort community of Stonewall, named for the stone wall through which the highway passes. The wall is part of the formation of Dakota sandstone that stretches all along the front range of the Rocky Mountains from Canada to Mexico. This formation was pushed up to a vertical position by cataclysmic forces about 65 million years ago. In the mountains above Stonewall, legends say, is the lost Mexican mine. A rancher in the 1940s dis-covered Spanish relics around the mine’s entrance and into its tunnel. Alas, the mine could never be found again.

After Stonewall, you will come to Monument Lake Resort on the right side of the highway. Monument Lake Park was developed as a public employment project during the Great Depression. At Monu-ment Lake you will find a sublime mountain lake and park. Activities include fishing and boating. If you wish to stay the night you may choose various camping options, luxurious rooms in the lodge, or a rustic cabin. Reservations are required for all lodging except the primitive campgrounds, which are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Continuing along the Highway of Legends, the high alpine North Lake as well as Blue and Bear Lakes lie to the northwest. North Lake is the water supply for the City of Trinidad. No motorized boating allowed. The Bear Lake campground, Elev.10,500 ft., is open from May – October and fishing is allowed. Hiking and mountain biking are available on the Indian Creek Trail.

The resplendent and majestic scenery is a feast for your eyes as you approach the summit of Cuchara Pass, Elev. 9,941 ft. This is a great chance to get out of the car and breathe the mountain air while taking a short hike on the Farley Wildflower Trail, with a stunning view of the Cuchara Valley below. The Cuchara Valley is shaped like a spoon, “cucha-ra” in Spanish. The legend says it was formed when a giant laid down his spoon.

For the adventurous traveler, a departure from the paved route is the Cordova Pass Road, a some-what rough, dirt road leading northeast from the summit of Cuchara Pass over Cordova Pass, and winding down through magical forests to Aguilar. The road can be treacherous in wet weather and impassable in the winter. At the top of Cordova Pass is a trailhead leading to the top of the West Spanish Peak. The round trip on this trail will take a full day for experienced hikers.

If you are continuing along State Hwy 12, next you will come to the village of Cuchara. More geologic wonders await you north of Cuchara, including the 400 or more great dikes, called the Devil’s Stairst-eps, radiating from the Spanish Peaks formed twenty million years ago by volcanic activity.

Many myths and legends involving the gods and other supernatural beings, as well as tales of lost gold are associated with the Spanish Peaks. The mountains were called the Huajatolla (pronounced Wa-ha-toy-ah) by Native Americans, meaning ‘Breasts of the World’. They can be seen from over 100 miles away. Elevation of the west peak is 13,673 ft. and elevation of the east peak is 12,708 ft.

Originally part of the Vigil-St. Vrain Mexican Land Grant, the town of LaVeta was established in 1862. Attractions in LaVeta include The Gallery, located in the La Veta Town Park and the Francisco Fort Museum, housed in portions of the original Fran-cisco Plaza. Constructed in 1862 the fort was used to defend pioneer settlers from Indian raiders.

Heading east on US 160 is 1,594 acre Lathrop State Park, a pinon-juniper woodland with diverse wetland, riparian and aquatic plant communities, many migratory birds, and several species of rap-tor. Martin and Horseshoe Lakes are stocked with rainbow trout, channel catfish, bass, walleye, blue gill, crappie and wipers. Both lakes are open and fishing has been very good for trout and North-ern Pike. There is also a fishing pond for children under 16, located near the Martin Lake Dam. The swim and ski beach, Martin Lake Dam, boat docks, and boat ramps are closed to fishing. A handicap access fishing area is available at the west side of Martin Lake. Lathrop State Park is a great place to camp and also boasts the 9-hole Walsenburg Golf Course.

Two miles east is Walsenburg, the last city on your itinerary. Walsenburg, known as the “City built on coal” shows off its mining history and law enforcement displays in a museum housed in the old county jail. Depending on how long the kids have been sitting still in the car, it might be time, and a lot of fun, to stop at the Walsenburg Wild Waters park.

Though your journey along the Scenic Highway of Legends has ended, your family can still make many return trips to experience the numerous exciting things you found to do along the way.

For more information go to www.highwayofleg-ends.com; www.parks.state.co.us/Parks/Trinidad-Lake; www.parks.state.co.us/Parks/Lathrop; www.monumentlakeresort.com

2

Leading Full and Productive Lives May is Mental Health Awareness Month

By Kathleen Donnelly

Wellness is essential to living a full and productive life. We may have different ideas about what well-ness means, but it involves a set of skills and strate-gies that prevent the onset or shorten the duration of illness and promote recovery and well-being. It’s about keeping healthy as well as getting healthy.

Pathways to Wellness, this year’s theme of Mental Health Awareness Month, calls attention to strategies and approaches that help all Americans achieve wellness and good mental and over-all health. Wellness is more than an absence of disease. It involves complete general, mental and social wellbeing. And mental health is an essential component of overall health and wellbeing. The fact is our overall wellbeing is tied to the balance that exists between our emotional, physical, spiri-tual and mental health.

Whatever our situation, we are all at risk of stress given the demands of daily life and the challenges it brings—at home, at work and in life. Steps that build and maintain wellbeing and help us all achieve wellness involve a balanced diet, regular exercise, enough sleep, a sense of self-worth, de-velopment of coping skills that promote resiliency, emotional awareness, and connections to family, friends and the community. These steps should be complemented by taking stock of one’s wellbeing through regular mental

health checkups. Just as we check our blood pres-sure and get cancer screenings, it’s a good idea to take periodic readings of our emotional wellbeing. One recent study said everyone should get their mental health checked as often as they get a physi-cal, and many doctors routinely screen for mental health, which typically include a series of questions about lifestyle, eating and drinking habits and mental wellness. But a checkup doesn’t necessarily require a special trip to the doctor. There are also online screening tools you can use. While condi-tions like depression are common—roughly 1 in 5 Americans have a mental health condition—they are extremely treatable. Mental health conditions are real and prevalent in our nation, but with effective treatment, those individuals with mental health conditions can recover and lead full, produc¬tive lives. Each business, school, government agency, faith-based organization, health care provider, and citizen has a responsibility to promote mental wellness and support prevention efforts.

Fully embracing the concept of wellness not only improves health in the mind, body and spirit, but also maximizes one’s potential to lead a full and productive life. Using strategies that promote resiliency, prevent substance abuse and strengthen mental health lead to improved general health and a healthier society: greater academic achievement by our children, a more productive economy, and families that stay together.

For more information go to www.mentalhealthamerica.net

HEALTHY LIVING SoCO ServicesPueblo Sound and Cinema1237 W. Elegante Ct, Pueblo, CO 81007719-240-2606www.soundandcinemacorp.com

Mobile Record Shredders205 N. Elizabeth Suite 120, Pueblo, CO 81008719-544-5460www.mobilerecordshredders.com

Myxed Up Creations217 W. Northern Avenue, Pueblo, CO 81004719-404-3030www.myxedup.com

TrinidadPhil Long Toyota3019 Toupal Drive, Trinidad, CO 81082877-600-5942www.phillongtoyota.com

Commercial Street Salon & Day257 N Commercial St, Trinidad, CO719-846-6610www.commercialstreetsalon.com/

M & M Repair and Towing1901 N Linden Ave, Trinidad, CO719-846-8546www.mmrepairandtowing.com

Fernandez Plumbing & Heating414 E Goddard Ave, Trinidad, CO719-846-3814

Redwing Electric Inc225 E Goddard Ave, Trinidad, CO719-846-1716 www.redwingelectricinc.com

Leone Sand & Gravel Readi Mix2400 E Main St, Trinidad, CO719-846-4170www.leonesandgravel.com

New Image Advanced Dental417 Univerity St., Trinidad, CO 81082719-846-7387www.trinidadsmiles.com

Merged Media Marketing1513 Arizona Ave., Trinidad, CO 81082719-433-9361www.mergedmediamarketing.com

Griego Insurance Agency (GIA)300 N. Commercial st. Trinidad, CO 81082 719-846-9871www.griegoinsurance.com

TLAC Economic Development134 W. Main St, Trinidad, CO 81082 719-846-9412www.tlaceconomicdevelopment.com

RatonAdvanced Background Check1400 Arnold St., Raton, NM 87740505-510-22i5www.advancedbackgrounds.com

4

Do Drop Inn for a Tasty TimeBy E.R.A. McCarthey with contributions from Isabella Bandore

If you love pizza, want a unique flavor, and have thirty minutes to spare before you are totally famished, then drop in at the Do Drop Inn. The food is worth the wait and it’s also the perfect amount of time to relax and enjoy a cold beer. If you’re pressed for time, they also have a pizza buffet, or you can call ahead, place your order and tell them when you will arrive.

There are many types of cuisine on the menu if you’re not in the mood for pizza including a fried eggplant sandwich, gyro, quesadilla and other playful dishes. Do Drop Inn even offers a full catering service and can handle parties of 3000 or more. Though they are most famous for their pizza they can do prime rib, salmon, custom fruit trays and many other dishes for wedding, reunions, bridal showers or any other special occasion. Owner Donna MacFarlane-Franz talked about her partner Hoss Kashani, “My manager here is my busi-ness partner in Pueblo West and his presenta-tion on catering is amazing. I’ve been told it compares with the Broadmoor. He just does a great job. He made a baby out of fruit inside a watermelon for a baby shower. He is just wonderful.”

Do Drop Inn started in 1977 as a tiny little bar. They served homemade pizza using a crust recipe created by Donna MacFarlane-Franz. Customers fell in love with the pizza

and soon they had people standing outside the door waiting. They moved to a bigger location and became a restaurant with a full service bar. MacFarlane-Franz explains how the res-taurant got its name, “My brother said, before we ever started this place, that if he ever had a bar he’d call it the Do Drop Inn. There’s a lot of Do Drop Inns. Spelled differently. I know there’s one in Vegas, there’s one in Minnesota that people sent me pictures of and there was even one on the Waltons. I’m not sure where my brother got that from but that’s where I got it. I called him and said can I steal the name of your bar and he said sure.”

MacFarlane-Franz gives details about how she came up with her crust recipe, “My kids like me to share the story about the pizza, because it’s different, the crust is different than most crusts you eat. I went to Catholic School all my life. One day we were having mass and a girl brought the bread for communion, it was sweet, so I thought if I ever make bread I’m going to make it a little sweeter. When I had to come up with the recipe for the pizza crust I made it a little sweeter. Either people love it or they don’t like it. Luckily most people love it. We’re pretty well known in Pueblo. We’ve won best pizza contests year after year.”

The Do Drop Inn is a family business with two locations, one in Pueblo and one in Pueblo West. All four of MacFarlane-Franz’s children have worked at the restaurant. Two of her daughters currently work there and her son is a partner along with Hoss Kashani at the Pueblo West location. Her nieces, nephews and cousins have all worked there. She says that when any teenager in the family needs a job the parents call and ask her to hire them.

She enjoys giving the work to family and feels they are trustworthy.

MacFarlane-Franz talks about why the res-taurant is so popular, “We’re more expensive than most pizzas but with the cheaper pizzas you can eat quite a few slices. Most people can only eat one slice, two slices at the most of our pizza. It’s just very filling. Our ingredients are the best. We’ve tried to go a little cheaper but we just can’t. Our cheese, our peperoni, everything we buy is the best. People notice the difference.”

The Do Drop Inn is open 7 days a week but closed Christmas and Thanksgiving. They’re open from 7am until 9pm and on weekends sometimes stay open until 10pm. The buffet offers 3 different types of pasta with pizza and salad. In the winter they add soup and bread to the fare. A dinner buffet is offered every night from 5pm-8pm and a lunch buffet is served Mon-Fri from 11am-1:30pm. The Do Drop Inn locations are lovely and much nicer than most that provide buffets. MacFarlane-Franz explained the idea behind offering a buffet, “It’s good because our pizza takes 45 minutes to cook. We use the brick ovens, we can’t do the conveyor it just doesn’t work with our crust. The buffet works well, especially when people are in a hurry, they don’t have to wait.”

Everyone should take the time to dine at one of the Do Drop Inn locations and try a pizza unlike any other.

Do Drop Inn - 719.542.08181201 S. Santa Fe Ave Pueblo Co 81006Do Drop Inn West - 719.547.8440944 E. Kimble Dr. Pueblo, CO 81007

Business Spotlight

Holy Trinity Academy Graduating Class of 2013

Valedictorian - Joanna JimenezFuture Plans: To continue her education either at the Colorado School of Mines or Benedictine College.

Valedictorian - Brett GonzalesFuture Plans: To continue his education at Colo-rado State University in Ft. Collins and pursue a degree in Physical Engineering.

Salutatorian - Trey GagliardiFuture Planes: To attend Colorado State University in Ft. Collins and continue his education. These three students, which is also 75% of the class will also graduate with their AA or AS degrees from TSJC on May 10th.

Graduation will be at the Sebastani Gym, 206 Animas, Trinidad, CO 81082 on Sunday, May 12th, 2013 at 2pm.

Hoehne Graduating Class of 2013

Valedictorian - Emily Lynne PetersonFuture Plans: Attend Colorado State University in Fort Collins to study Health and Exercise Science with hopes of becoming a physical therapist.

Salutatorian - Alaina Gayle RolloFuture Plans: After graduation, I plan to attend UCCS where I will major in nursing. I plan to get my BSN and become a registered nurse. I plan to, later, further my education and become a nurse anesthetist. After I am done with school, I plan to give back to the communities that have helped me with achieving my goals.

34 seniors will be graduating from the class of 2013 at Hoehne High School.

Graduation is at the Hoehne High School Gym-nasium, 19851 County Road 75.1, Trinidad, CO 81082 on Sunday, May 19th, 2013 at 2pm.

Primero Graduating Class of 2013

Valedictorian - Kaitlyn Jane MantelliFuture Plans: To attend TSJC and major in radiol-ogy and then transfer to a university.

Salutatorian - Erin Shae DillerFuture Plans: To study art and math at Western State Colorado University and possibly pursue a career in Architectural Design. Erin has also been accepted into the Honors Program at Western State.

Graduation is in the Arguello Gymnasium, 20200 Weston, CO 81091 on Friday, May 24th, 2013 at 7pm.

SoCO Education

Congratulations to Our SoCO 2013 Graduates

We also want to congratulate all the students whose information was not submitted to the magazine. If you send us your information and a photo we will post you on

www.aroundsoco.com.

We wish you the best as you venture out into the adult world.

SoCO Eat & Drink

Colorado CityObie’s Fillin’ Station – Exit 74 off I-25Home cookin’; country store; saloon719-676-4227, info@obiesbbq.com

WalsenburgFireside Café 606 Main St., Walsenburg, CO 81089719-738-1109

PuebloMr. Tandoori Urban Bar & Grill310 S. Victoria Ave., Pueblo, CO 81003719-544-3000, mrtandooripueblo.com

El Nopal1435 E. Evans Ave., Pueblo, CO 81082719-423-8128

Do Drop Inn1201 S. Santa Fe Ave Pueblo Co 81006719-542-0818

Do Drop Inn West 944 E. Kimble Dr. Pueblo, CO 81007719-547-8440

TrinidadRino’s Italian Restaurant & Steakhouse400 E. Main St., Trinidad, CO 81082719-845-0949http://www.rinostrinidad.com

Bella Luna Pizzeria121 W. Main St., Trinidad, CO 81082719-846-2750

The Corner Shop Cafe107 E. Main St., Trinidad, CO 81082719-845-9999

Nana & Nano Monteleones Deli and Pasta House418 Main St., Trinidad, CO 81082719-846-2696

Tequila’s Family Mexican Restaurant9900 Santa Fe Trail Dr. I-25 Exit 11, Trinidad, CO 81082719-846-3514

Lee’s Bar-B-Q825 San Pedro St., Trinidad, CO 81082719-845-7621

Purgatoire on Elm516 E. Elm St., Trinidad, CO 81082719-846-3901www.purgatoireonelm.com

What A Grind341 N. Commercial, Trinidad, CO 81082719-846-0505

My Long WalkTwelve years ago I took a long walk, a pilgrimage really. I started at the confluence of the Purgatoire and the Arkansas Rivers near the town of Las Animas, where the plains level out at 4,000 feet elevation. A section at a time, I worked my way up along the two hundred mile course of “El Rio de las Animas Perdidas en Purgatorio,” The River of Lost Souls in Purgatory, all the way to its headwa-ters, high in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, some 13,000 feet above sea level.

The Purgatoire was no stranger to me. I’d become intimate with the river. I had lived along her banks for thirty some years, partaking every day of her. Hers were the waters that came out of the faucet when I made my morning coffee. When I took my showers, I bathed in her. The vegetables that I ate from my garden were plump with her life-giving essence. I took daily walks along her banks, stop-ping to listen for ancient voices. Once in a while I even waded out into her current and immersed myself in her flow.

During my pilgrimage the river became my teacher and guide. As I have walked beside her, I tried to be a good listener and learn a little of her wisdom.

As far as I know I am the only person who has walked the entire length of the river, at least in modern times. Maybe somebody did it a long time ago. Before the earliest settlers came along, the river’s canyon country served as a rugged buffer zone between the Cheyenne and Comanche Na-tions. Later, the river was a reference for Spanish explorations of the unmapped “tierra incognito.” Nineteenth Century trappers worked the river back when beaver hats were in fashion. After them came the Santa Fe Trail traders who used sections of her as a natural corridor linking the Western frontier of America with Spanish outposts of the Southwest. So maybe, somewhere back in history somebody walked from the Arkansas to the River’s source, but nowadays the beaver are mostly all gone, and there’s no practical reason to do so.

My own reasons were not practical ones; they were the reasons of inner necessity. This River of Lost Souls seemed to require it of me. I walked beside her as a soul in Purgatory, somewhere on a journey between hell and heaven.

As I was about to begin my pilgrimage, I bent down and picked up a stone. It was flat and smoothly rounded; one of those perfect skipping-stones. I imagined that it had rolled down the Purgatoire for a thousand years, down from the

headwaters in the Sangres. In my mind I saw it tumbling down past the coal mining camps, down through the cottonwood groves that would become Trinidad, down past the Drop City hippie com-mune. I thought of it rolling through the Pinon Canyon Maneuvers Site, past all of the ruins of failed 1930s homesteads and past the petroglyphs of Cheyenne Indian camps. I imagined it being gradually smoothed and rounded as the river pushed it along, across the dinosaur tracks at Picketwire Canyon, through Red Rocks Canyons and cattle ranches and Hispanic villages. I saw it tumbling down, through the centuries, all the way to that place, where the rivers merge. I resolved to carry it back up to the mountain peak of its origin.

As I followed the river upstream, tracing it back toward its source, I walked through the eons of its past. I wrote in my journal, I sketched, I took photographs. I walked back into the river’s past and deep into my own soul as well. I experienced that The River of Lost Souls in Purgatory; the river whose water comprises most of the mass of my physical body, could also contribute much to the substance of my soul.

I’ll be sharing some of the things that I learned along the way in future “O-Piñon” articles. You can read an extended version of this and other articles at PurgatoryPilgrim.blogspot.com.

“Spring at Vogel Canyon,” oil painting by Doug Holdread. Vogel Canyon is a wonderful National Forest Service area on the lower Purgatoire River where prehistoric rock art can be viewed. There’s a nice little picnic area and some easy, but rewarding hiking trails.

7

Leigh Cates: Feeling the HeatBy E.R.A. McCarthey

Leigh Cates will be coming to shake up Trini-dad May 18 with his show at Purgatoire on Elm. He calls his recent performances a “single again celebration” and says that many of his new songs stem from the separation. Cates has a sound unlike any other. He utilizes an interesting combination of country, blues and alternative rock. His songs leave fans singing them for days. Cates moves through the U.S. regularly because of a busy tour schedule and an underground following that is growing larger by the day. His live shows consist of a mix of heartfelt originals and cover songs that he performs with an energy and conviction that give them new life.

When asked about playing in Trinidad last year Leigh said, “We never know what to expect when our Management Company in LA books us in smaller towns throughout the US, sometimes we are not so well received with our unique alternative to “Country Music.” Trinidad however was a pleas-ant surprise, its scenery is as beautiful and warm as the people who reside there. The club owner at Purgatoire on Elm “Rick Colander“ treated us more like family than just some band blowing through town. We had invitations to join some fans for dinner at their homes and everyone went out of their way to make us feel welcome in this scenic little mountain town I had never heard of until we rolled up in my big black bus “Baby Huey.” I am starting to see the worth in performing in these smaller towns. The fans stick with you long after the shine wears off from the Big City Buzz. Big stages are cool but it is no secret that I prefer tight little intimate clubs that are packed; I can feel the heat from my audience and feel more connected with them. I don’t feel that vibe on the big stages. My audience is too far away from me.”

Rick Colander, owner of Purgatoire on Elm, talked about Leigh Cates, “He is a country alternative star. He actually is a star. He does it for a living, he’s very professional, he rides around town in his 40ft tour bus, and he is one heck of a performer. He was here last year. He doesn’t just stay on the stage, he gets off the stage and really interacts with the people. Anyone who comes for the show is going to have a great time. If you want to enjoy a profes-sional act, that’s really going to entertain you, and he’s eye candy for the ladies, you need to be here on May 18th.”

Expect to hear and see a lot about this band in the near future. Cates is backed by his foot stomp-ing band, John Wolfe on Bass, Rick Trucksess on Drums, and Calloway Ritch on 2nd Guitar. Their sound gets fans rocking to a “Juke Joint” rhythm and dancing the night away. Nashville News says Leigh Cates is one of the most original Alternative Country acts to hit the scene in decades. Leigh Cates will go on the road in March promoting his new singles and videos for 2013 and he still plans on including small venues in little towns.

Cates stated, “It’s not all about money for me, it’s about the experience. I know how difficult it is for small venues to afford us now that we have stepped up to a national level which is why I never forget those that were there for us on the way up. They will be there for us on the way down. We are looking forward to doing more performances in Southern Colorado and building more music family in the region and are discussing a possible 4th of July outdoor concert. I am about to start production on my next video release, “What if I write a Song.” This will be my most costly video to date but it is going to be a very powerful message about a very deep song. I feel blessed to be able to afford a production of this magnitude.”

Don’t miss Leigh Cates when he comes back to Southern Colorado and gets down with the crowd at Purgatoire on Elm.

Get your tickets before the show is sold out.May 18th – 8pm Purgatoire on Elm516 E. Elm Street, Trinidad, CO 81082719.845.7450www.purgatoireonelm.com

Other Shows will be:

• Sat May 11 Lee Harvey’s Dallas, TX - 8:00pm

• Fri May 17 Riley’s Bar & Grill Midland, TX - 10:00pm

• Sat May 25 Boomerz Bar Odessa, TX - 9:00pm

• Fri Jul 19 Railroad Blues Alpine, TX - 9:00pm

Watch Leigh’s videos on our website at www.aroundsoco.com

SoCO ENTERTAINMENT Pueblo

Pueblo SymphonyPerforms for the Riverwalk every year, provides concerts and promotes arts in education Concerts performed in Hoag Recital Hall at CSU-Pueblo2200 Bonforte Blvd., Pueblo, CO 81001719-545-7967

Sangre de Cristo Arts Ballet, Buell Children’s Museum, arts classes, fam-ily theatre and more210 N. Santa Fe Avenue, Pueblo, CO 81003719-295-7200

Trinidad

SCRT-Year-round theatre at The Famous Performing Arts CenterProfessional and Resident131 W. Main St., Trinidad, CO 81082 719-846-4765

Movie Picture Show House3600 E. Main St., Trinidad, CO 81082719-846-0552

Purgatoire on Elm516 E. Elm St., Trinidad, CO 81082719-846-3901www.purgatoireonelm.com

Gino’s Sports Bar991 E. Main St., Trinidad, CO 81082719-845-0388

Monte Cristo Bar124 Santa Fe Trail Dr., Trinidad, CO 81082719-846-6314

Raton

Shuler TheatreRestored opera house featuring world class per-forming arts131 N. 2nd St., Raton, NM 87740575-445-4746

El RatonMovie house featuring latest movies, simulcast operas and assorted entertainment115 N. 2nd St., Raton, NM 87740575-445-7008

9

SoCO ShoppingPueblo Springside Cheese Shop517 W. 5th St., Pueblo, CO 81003719-696-9120

Rebound Sports1214 S. Prairie Ave., Pueblo, CO 81005719-564-2002

Jack Armstrong Jewelers119 W. 4th St., Pueblo, CO 81002877-689-6972

Allen Heart Fabric1021 N. Market Plaza Ste. 107, Pueblo West, CO 810071-877-511-8864www.allenheartfabric.com

Aguilar Ringo’s Food Market213 E. Main St., Aguilar, CO 81020719-941-4450

TrinidadA.R. Mitchell Museum Gift Shop & Gallery150 E. Main, Trinidad, CO 81082719-846-4224www.armitchell.org

The Corner Shop101 E. Main St., Trinidad, CO 81082719-846-3301www.trinidadcornershop.com

Curly’s Bead Emporium301 W. Main St., Trinidad, CO 81082719-846-8647

Teri’s Hallmark & Floral155 E. Main St, Trinidad, CO 81082719-846-3544

Francesca’s Unique Gifts & Furniture212 N. Commercial St., Trinidad, CO 81082719-845-8508

C&S Outdoors238 N. Commercial, Trinidad, CO 81082719-845-0300

Wild Sense Aromatics115 N. Commercial St., Trinidad, CO 81082217-320-1446wildsensearomatics@gmail.com

i Love Sugar Shoppe259 Commercial Street, Trinidad, CO 81082719-846-2000www.iLoveSugarShoppe.com

RatonSports Arena116 N. 2nd St., Raton, NM 87740575-445-3108

Solano’s Boot and Western Wear101 S. 2nd St., Raton, NM 87740575-445-2632

10

“LAUNDRY & BOURBON” and “LONESTAR” Damon Runyon Theater Presents James Mclure’s Comedic One Acts:

The temperature is 100 plus. Elizabeth sits on her front porch folding her fresh laundry. Every few minutes she looks up to see if she can see her husband Roy’s pink Thunderbird. Every time she thinks she sees him, she’s won-dering if the heat is playing tricks on her. Her long time best friend Hattie stops by to escape her three children for a bit, yell at game show reruns and enjoy an occasional Bourbon and Coke. In the town of Maynard, Texas, gossip is a staple for survival. Hattie married the man who always liked her though she was always with someone else. After getting dumped at high school graduation, Vernon fixed her car, graduation gown and all, and the rest is his-tory. Their squeaky clean holier-than-thou-art classmate Amy Lee stops by occasionally to sell pancake breakfast tickets for her church and spill gossip about the town. All the dirt will be spilled in James McLure’s comedy one act “Laundry and Bourbon” at the Damon Runyon Theater May 10-12.

Directed by Judith Cook, the cast of three include: Corrine Berry as Elizabeth, Bryanna Dewar as Hattie and Belle Olguin as Amy Lee. Cook describes the production as “a funny and accurate snapshot of small town life, filled with gossip, bitter humor, tales of infidelity

and inner strength. These could be women you know.”

It’s 1am outside of a small Texas bar. Beer cans are lined up on the wall. Candy bar wrap-pers and popcorn kennels shatter the ground. Among the debris sits Roy and his brother Ray. In Maynard, everyone knows everyone’s business. Roy, the once high school football star, is back from Vietnam and trying to re-establish a role in the town that once adored him. He’s married to his 1959 pink Thunder-bird, or so his high school sweetheart wife Elizabeth seems to think so. His little brother Ray worships the ground he walks on. Though with Roy’s infidelity, he still loves his wife and would do anything to make her happy. His image of angelic wife is altered when he finds while he was away in the war, his little brother slept with her. Then his cherished Thunder-bird is destroyed by his high school classmate Cletis, after a few beers and to get back at Roy for always being mean. All this happens in the comedic one act, also by James McLure, “Lon-ester” performing immediately after “Laundry and Bourbon.”

Directed by Bill Setser, the cast of three include: Bryan Dewar as Roy, Chris Corey as Ray and Josh Ferguson as Cletis.

Tickets are $13. Performances on May 10 and 11 at 7:30pm and May 12 at 2pm. Dinner will be available to purchase for an extra $13 prior to Saturday’s performance. Seating is limited and reservations are required. Doors open one hour prior to performance. Call 719-564-0579 or visit www.runyontheater.org for reservations.

Family TimeThe Wild Wild WesTCourtesy of the Greater Pueblo Chamber of Commerce (PUEBLO, CO --- May 1, 2013) The Greater Pueb-lo Chamber of Commerce is proud to host the 5th Annual Wild Wild West Festival, May 17-19, 2013. The western themed festival will feature events for the whole family ranging from concerts to carnival rides. The festival will take place in downtown Pueblo, on Union Avenue between 1st and “B” Streets. Festival hours are Friday, 3pm-11pm; Saturday, 10am-11pm; Sunday, 10am-6pm. Festival admission is $2 per person, children under 12 are free. Wheel Chairs are available for rent at Gate 1, 1st Street & Union.

Wild WesT express shuTTle service

Beat the parking hassle with the Wild West Express FREE shuttle service! Park at the Midtown Shop-ping Center (1000 W. 6th Street) and catch the shuttle to the 5th Annual Wild Wild West Festival. The shuttle will drop off and pick up riders in the PBR (Professional Bull Riders) parking lot. The shuttle will run Friday the 17th from 5-11pm, Sat-urday the 18th from 11am-11pm and Sunday the 19th from 11am-6pm every 15 minutes.

paWs celebraTion of life fesTival

“The Celebration of Life” Festival, hosted by “PAWS for Life” a 501(c) 3, “Amber Alert for Pets” and the Greater Pueblo Chamber of Commerce is a new addition to the Wild Wild West Festival this year. “The Celebration of Life” is a festival / trade show within the Wild Wild West Festival located on the 300 block of Union Avenue. This will be the largest pet related festival and trade show in the state of Colorado. The Celebration of Life will include entertainment, pet contests, wellness checks, demonstrations, pet friendly vendors and much more. All funds raised, less expenses, will go to completing the feline side of the “PAWS for Life” no-kill shelter. “The Celebration of Life” Festival pays tribute, to everyone that has adopted a pet from a shelter, rescue group or foster program in the state of Colorado. For more information about “The Celebration of Life” please visit pawspueblo.org.

“celebraTion of life” peT parade

The parade will begin at 9:30am on Saturday, May 18th, across the Union Avenue Bridge. The Union Avenue Bridge has been designated the Bridge of Life by the City Council for the day of the event. The parade will be led by Colorado Motorcycles Poker run participants, followed by rescued ani-mals, their owners and rescue groups.

conTinuous live enTerTainmenT

The 5th Annual Wild Wild West Festival will fea-ture continuous live entertainment throughout the 3 day festival. Three entertainment stages will be

filled with local bands and entertainment. Music aficionados can expect to sample genres including rock, folk, country, country rock, blues, tejano, original, pop and more in the lineup that will feature more than 30 local bands.

inTernaTional chili socieTy chili cook-off; band Wild WesT fesT

The B.A.N.D. Wild West Fest Regional Cook-offs will be held May 18 & 19, 2013 at the Wild Wild West Festival. The Cook-offs will take place on Union Avenue, at “D” St. The proceeds from these two cook-offs will benefit B.A.N.D.; the Bessemer Association for Neighborhood Development, Inc. The three chili cook-off divisions are Traditional Red Chili, Chili Verde (Green chili), and Salsa each held both Saturday and Sunday. Results will be announced at 5:00pm each day. The winner of each category advances to compete in the World’s Championship in Palm Springs, California. For more information or to register visit www.chilicoo-koff.com

celebraTion of life 5k/10k/2 mile Walk & kiddie k

The Celebration of Life Race is held in conjunction with Pueblo’s Wild Wild West Festival and “The Celebration of Life” Festival; all proceeds from this race will be donated to Pueblo’s Animal Welfare & Protection Society or “PAWS”, Pueblo’s NO KILL shelter. The race is held on Sunday, May 19th at the Gold Dust Saloon, 217 S. Union. The Kiddie K begins at 8:30am, 2 Mile Walk begins at 8:45am and the 5K /10K Run begins at 9:00am. The course weaves through the Historic District, the River-walk and the Arkansas River trail. Entry fees are $25 until May 11th, $28 May 12–18, $30 Race Day, $20 Youth (<20) and Free Kiddie K (11 & under). 5K/10K Run and 2 Mile Walk entries will receive a t-shirt, lunch and a chance to win give-a-ways. For more information contact Race Director: Ruth McDonald, Gold Dust Saloon ruth@golddust2.com, 719.251.3189. Register at www.wildwildwest-festival.com or www.pawspueblo.org.

friday, may 17Th1st & Union4:30-7:30pm – Gypsy & the Beat8:00-11:00pm – Triple NickelD Street4:30-7:30pm – Live Entertainment8:00-11:00pm – Live EntertainmentC Street4:30-7:30pm – Tony Ortega presents Zapata8:00-11:00pm – Southern Impulse

saTurday, may 18Th1st & Union12:00-1:30pm – Mixed Emotions2:00-4:00pm – Mark’s Midnight Carnival4:30-7:30pm – Sierra Gold8:00-11:00pm – Bad HabitzD Street12:00-1:30pm – Dakota Stuart2:00-3:30pm – Patrick Kratzer4:00-5:00pm – Live Entertainment5:00-7:00pm – Fireweed

8:00-11:00pm – CoopersonicC Street12:00-1:30pm – Live Entertainment 2:00-4:00pm – Big Cat Band4:30-7:30pm – Silver Eagle Band8:00-11:00pm – Southern Belle

sunday, may 19Th1st & Union12:30-3:00pm – Dano Weston Band3:30-6:00pm – Atomic FireballsD Street 12:30-2:00pm – Live Entertainment2:30-4:00pm – Sunday Beulah Pickers4:30-6:00pm – Live EntertainmentC Street12:30-3:00pm – Frank’s Blues3:30-6:00pm – Dan Treanor & the Afrosippi Band Greater Pueblo Chamber of Commerce – Promot-ing Pueblo as an outstanding place to visit, live and conduct business!

302 N. Santa Fe Ave., Pueblo, CO 81003. 719.542.1704.

12

SoCO LODGING PuebloHoliday Inn Hotel & Suites Pueblo4530 Dillon Dr., Pueblo, CO 810081-877-508-1762www.holidayinn.com

Hampton Inn & Suites Southgate3315 Gateway Drive, Pueblo, CO 810041-719-566-1726

TrinidadHoliday Inn3130 Santa Fe Trail Dr., Trinidad, CO 81082719-845-8400www.holidayinn.com

La Quinta Inn & Suites2873 Toupal Dr., Trinidad, CO 81082719-845-0102www.lq.com

Royse Ranch Bed & Breakfast10000 C.R. 43.6, Trinidad, CO 81082719-845-0353info@royseranch.comwww.royseranch.com

Quality Inn Trinidad3125 Toupal Dr., Trinidad, CO 81082719-846-2529www.qualityinn.com

Best Western Trinidad900 W. Adams St. (Exit 13), Trinidad, CO 81082719-846-2215 www.bestwesterncolorado.com

Frontier Motel815 Goddard Avenue, Trinidad, CO 81082I-25 & Exit 15719-846-2261

Budget Host Inn & RV Park10301 Santa Fe Trail, Trinidad, CO 81082I-25 & Exit 11719-846-3307

Trail’s End Motel616 East Main, Trinidad, CO 81082719-846-4425

13

Run for the Wall XXVWhen Johnny Comes Marching Home Again Hurrah!By Kathleen Donnelly

Motorcyclists participating in the 25th annual Run for the Wall will pass through Trinidad May 18. The motorcyclists traveling through Trinidad and neighboring Raton, NM are following the central route which starts in Rancho Cucamonga, CA on May 15 and will arrive in Washington, DC on May 24, the Sunday evening before Memorial Day. On Memorial Day, four hundred bikes will be admit-ted to Arlington National Cemetery for Memorial Day observances.

The Run for the Wall was started in 1989 by Vietnam veterans James Gregory and Bill Evans, who had been traveling around the country talk-ing to local newspapers and radio stations about the fact that there were thousands of Missing in Action service men and women from Vietnam and other wars. The Run for the Wall was begun to

highlight this awareness and get the message out to the public by riding across the United States. The secondary purpose was to give Vietnam veterans and veterans of other wars the opportunity to be welcomed home which helps veterans find healing and closure to the experiences and losses they endured in the process of serving this country.

The motto of the Run for the Wall is “We ride for those who can’t. Missing in Action (MIA) and Prisoners of War (POW).”

Last year there were approximately 959 partici-pants in the Central Route run in addition to about 893 who followed the southern route.

Cities along the way turn out to welcome the vet-erans and veterans make stops at memorials, vet-erans hospitals and schools, and meet with Medal of Honor recipients, former POWs, and families of MIAs, all generating local press coverage and therefore raising awareness of those still Missing in Action and Prisoners of War.

In recent years, citizens in Raton and Trinidad have lined the sidewalks, and highway overpasses, waving flags and cheering for the procession of motorcycles. At press time, the Event Committee of the Trinidad and Las Animas County Chamber of Commerce is considering organizing a parade or escort through Trinidad.

This year, Medal of Honor Recipient John Baca, who says it is his greatest desire to accompany Run for the Wall to Washington, DC, will make the trip to the Capitol. Donations from private individuals and the use of a van provided by Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 785 of Orange County CA will provide Baca the means and medical assistance he needs. Baca is a US Army Vietnam veteran, who, on February 10, 1970, threw himself on top of a fragmentation grenade to save his fellow platoon members.

Run for the Wall is an American history lesson on wheels with a deafening roar. Don’t forget to bring the kids out to cheer as Run for the Wall XXV travels through Raton and Trinidad. Hurrah!

For more information about Run for the Wall XXV go to

www.rftw.org

SoCO FRESH AIR

Our Salute to MothersBy Kathleen Donnelly

Mothers, all mothers, are the natural choice for the Hall of Fame because, let’s face it, where would the world be without mothers?

There is no way to limit the candidates in this venerable class to one or two or even a thousand honorees. It can’t be limited to famous moms or even heroic moms, because every minute, every day, moms everywhere face incredible challenges and make heroic choices and sacrifices for their families.

What is a Mother? Mothers are not only female, they are not even limited to the human species. Being a mother is all about love above and beyond self.

You don’t have to give birth to be a mother, (al-though what larger sacrifice is there than to allow your body to be taken over, diverting your blood flow, stretching your skin, your bones, rearrang-ing your organs, resetting your hormone levels, setting off nausea siren alarms: Alert! Alert! Alien invasion!)?

Some species like North Pacific salmon sacrifice all for motherhood. These mothers swim thousands of miles through oceans and upstream to where they were hatched to lay their eggs and die.

Mothers who adopt their children deeply want a child and choose to be a parent. No surprises here! They adopt babies and children in dire straits, in foreign countries, with disabilities and illnesses.

Mothers also love and nurture other species. Pets in America include 78 million dogs and 90 million cats, not even counting fish, birds, small animals, and reptiles. The mothers of these adored pets hap-pily share their lives with these 4-legged, feathered, or scaly children spending billions on food, snacks, toys, clothing and veterinary care.

Humans aren’t the only species that adopt animals of other species. Dogs nurse kittens and cats adopt squirrels, tiger adopts piglets, and dog adopts white tiger cubs. The examples and cute pictures go on and on, sheep and elephant, lemur and parrot, giraffe and ostrich. And didn’t Baloo the bear raise Mowgli?

The art of being a mother transcends race, religion, and culture. Despite their saintly reputations, mothers can resort to devious behavior such as spying on, eavesdropping, reading diaries and email, and even the seemingly innocuous lure of mom’s home-cooking…all dished up with the good intention of helping their offspring have happier, more productive lives.

All moms belong in the Hall of Fame: Soccer moms who spend hours car-pooling, and dance moms, sewing strings of sequins. Moms who are jocks and those who are just fans of “son sports.” Moms of toddlers and teenagers and mothers of the brides. Once a mom, always a mom, even when your “baby” turns fifty!

Hear! Hear! For moms who stay at home with babies and Barney and no adult conversation and for moms who get everyone off with back-packs and lunch money, work all day and rush home to start supper.

Welcome to the Hall of Fame moms, fountains of milk, the bakers of thousands of cookies and cup-cakes and the annual birthday cakes. To moms, the chefs extraordinaire who clip Sunday’s coupons, prowl supermarket aisles and pour over cookbooks searching for 100 ways to hide vegetables in kid-approved meals. Moms who sometimes go hungry to make sure their child does not.

Here’s to the mom who comforts her sick child, and to sleepless mom, rocking and singing her newborn a lullaby or, sixteen years later, waiting for her to come home after prom. Here’s to moms for bubble baths and bedtime stories. Here’s to ‘magical mom’, aka ‘the Tooth Fairy’, ‘the Easter Bunny’, and ‘Santa Claus.’

To the Hall of Fame for worried moms and proud moms, for moms from the first day of school to junior high math, from driving lessons to college applications. To moms for teaching colors, num-bers nursery rhymes, ABCs, what is right and what is wrong, sharing, caring, and their family religion.Here’s our salute to mothers everywhere, who are harder working than Hercules, more suffering than Job, and wiser than Solomon, having found the answer to the universal plaint of angst and ennui, “I’m bored. What can I do?” with “Go clean your room!”

HALL OF FAME

Dance of IgnoranceBy Isabella Bandore

If I were asked, “What is one of your greatest PET PEEVES?” It would have to be Rude People, hands down. Have you ever been in a good mood going about your work day and WHAM, the ‘Wrath of Rudeness’ surrounds you like fumes from a day old diaper.

For example, you walk into a business establish-ment and the employee, we will call Rudey, puts on his suede shoes and does the Dance of Ignorance. He proudly wears the Badge of Discourtesy and gets an attitude with you; thinking he looks smart, tough, or cool.

“Hey Rudey! It does the exact opposite; you look like an idiot!”

POOR Rudey, he forgets he is in a business envi-ronment, not in his PJs at home in the kitchen.

My advice to Rudey: Be a Pal; save your embar-rassing tactics for the privacy of your own home; behind closed doors, where it will provide two benefits, 1. You won’t make a fool of yourself and 2. It will prevent you from ruining someone’s day.

Come on Rudey, get a clue! IT IS NOT APPEAL-ING IN ANY WAY, SHAPE, OR FORM to be RUDE to someone for ANY reason.

It is one thing to tolerate to a certain extent, your teenager’s bad attitude but what about ‘Grown Adults’ that still act like teenagers?

MESSAGE TO TEENS THAT ARE RUDE TO THEIR PARENTS:

As parents, many of us may tend to overlook your rudeness because we use the excuse that you are ‘teenagers who are growing up, with a lot to learn…’

But listen up! Being young is no excuse for being rude. Your parents are human beings with feelings, not doormats. Just because they have tolerated your rudeness, does not mean that it is ok. The say-ing, ‘Treat others the way you want to be treated’ also goes for your parents. BE NICE!

For the NON-PROFESSIONALS within our busi-ness community, and come on, let’s be honest with ourselves, you know who you are:

When approached with a business opportunity or transaction that you don’t agree with. Agree to disagree and SIMPLY say,

“No thank you. Our view points are different, therefore I am not interested.” PERIOD! There is no need for rudeness, is there???

Just because we live within a SMALL commu-nity DOES NOT mean we have to act SMALL MINDED, does it?

Be grateful that people come into your place of business; they could always go somewhere else. The least you can do is fake a smile and be polite, it does not cost anything and FORCING A SMILE AND POLITENESS may set the tone for the rest of YOUR day. After all, practice makes perfect.

Why do some people feel the need to pour their bitterness, like syrup on hotcakes, onto another person’s good day? Is it the wa-ter, pent-up anger, poor upbringing or lack of self-respect? A friend once said, “Don’t take it personal, Bella. God Bless Em; if a person is being that rude to you when you haven’t done them anything, just imag-ine how miserable their life must be.” Misery Loves Company comes to mind.

I usually will give a person the benefit of the doubt but my pa-tience had run out with a drive-thru cashier after being treated rudely for the third time. I said, “DO NOT take your bad day out on me! Try the next car HONEY, maybe they are more tolerant of rudeness, and YOU have A GOOD DAY!” She looked at me like a deer in the headlights.

My advice to rude people is this: “LEAVE YOUR PROBLEMS AT HOME, THEY WILL BE THERE WHEN YOU RETURN.”

Let’s face it, RUDE PEOPLE, you look and sound ridiculous when someone is trying to be kosher and civil and your only response is BEING RUDE!

Ask yourself; Are you guilty of such embarrass-ing and tactless behavior. Would you be the lucky recipient of such an award?

“Hey Rudey, SHAME ON YOU!”

“AND THE ACADEMY AWARD FOR RUDENSS GOES TO...”

My experience with RUDE people is that they are not going to change so we must change how we react to them.

Remember if someone insists on being rude, the problem lies within them, not you.

So the next time you encounter a Rudey, take their attitude with a grain of salt and let it roll of your

back like water off of a duck’s butt because life is too short to live the same day twice!

‘NO ONE CAN DO MORE TO US THAN WE ALLOW’

I wrote this article with the hope that maybe it would somehow influence people to be more positive and have common courtesy for others. It’s awful when someone is rude and ruins another person’s day…

HALL OF SHAME

16

Year of the Ludlow Centennial

Information courtesy of Tara Marshall with contri-butions by David J. Santistevan Jr.

Four Southern Colorado Government Agencies are collaborating to kickoff the Year of the Ludlow Centennial. The Ludlow Massacre occurred 99 years ago on April 20, 1914.

Friday April 19, 2013 the City of Walsenburg, City of Trinidad, Las Animas County and Huerfano County issued Proclamations designating it the Year of the Ludlow Centennial at the State Capitol. Bob Butero, of the United Mine Workers of Amer-ica introduced elected officials from Southern Colorado who presented the Governor with these Proclamations.

Attending the ceremony was Mayor of Walsenburg, Larry Patrick, Trinidad City Councilmember An-thony Mattie, Las Animas County Commissioner Anthony Abeyta and Huerfano County Commis-sioner Max Vezzani.

The gathering was held in the Governor’s Office at the Colorado State Capitol for the purpose of signing an Executive Order to create the Ludlow Commemorative Commission.

“The commission shall engage in efforts to raise awareness of the tragedy at Ludlow and the events surrounding it; to explore the themes that under-score the Ludlow Massacre and the Colorado Coal-field War, including: economy, immigration, labor, energy, culture, geography, geology, and violence. In addition, the commission shall examine how this localized history impacted national and in-ternational labor relations and energy production, and continues to have modern-day relevance; and to make available the historical and archaeological resources from the events of 1913-1914. Also, to expand community outreach so that the stories of the individuals involved in these incidents can be heard and finally to reconcile the past and reflect

on its relationship to the State of Colorado and the United States today,” the Executive Order states.

Las Animas County Commissioner Anthony Abeyta said, “This was tragic but significant event in our county that effected the entire nation, it changed working laws for the common person.”

Trinidad City Councilman Anthony Mattie added, “It was an honor to represent the City of Trinidad. I come from a coal mining family, Ludlow is close to everyone’s heart in our community.”

Mr. Bob Butero of Trinidad, Colorado was asked to serve on this Commission representing both the United Mine Workers of America and South-ern Colorado. The Commission is charged with organizing and planning events to commemorate the Ludlow Massacre and related events from 100 years ago.

“I want to thank Gov. Hickenlooper for recogniz-ing those who sacrificed for all of us at Ludlow.” Butero added. “I also want to thank the City of Trinidad, Walsenburg, and Las Animas and Huerfano Counties for their proclamations last week remembering this memorial which changed our workers’ rights, for the betterment for today’s workforce.” The commission members include:

• Thomas George Andrews of Denver, to serve as a representative of the University of Colorado.

• Robert D. Butero of Trinidad, to serve as a representative of the United Mine Work-ers of America.

• William J. Convery III of Englewood, to serve as a representative of History Colorado.

• Dawn Marie DiPrince of Pueblo, to serve as a representative of El Pueblo History Museum, History Colorado.

• Karin Tonya Larkin of Colorado Springs, to serve as a representative of the Univer-sity of Colorado, Colorado Springs.

• Victoria Ann Miller of Pueblo, to serve as a representative of the Bessemer Histori-cal Society.

• Fawn-Amber Montoya of Pueblo, to serve as a representative of Colorado State University-Pueblo.

• Adam Aaron Morgan of Colorado Springs, to serve as a representative of the Colorado National Guard.

• Jonathan Hugo Rees of Pueblo, to serve as a representative of Colorado State University-Pueblo.

• Dean J. Saitta of Denver, to serve as a rep-resentative of the University of Denver.

• Maria Sanchez-Tucker of Pueblo, to serve as a representative of the Pueblo City-County Library District.

• Josephine A. Jones of Centennial, to serve as a representative of Colorado Humanities.

In September of 1913, the Great Coalfield War began when striking miners were evicted by the Colorado Fuel & Iron Company (CF&I) from their company-owned homes and moved into tents along the Colorado plains.

At the height of this conflict, on the morning of April 20, 1914, a skirmish broke out between strik-ing miners and the Colorado National Guard. This event, labeled the Ludlow Massacre, ended with the death of more than 20 people, which included a National Guard soldier, miners and their wives and children.

The death of children at the Ludlow Tent Colony thrust the Coalfield War into the media spotlight, with national scrutiny focused on the Rockefellers, who were majority shareholders in CF&I. In the af-termath of this tragedy, the Rockefellers and CF&I developed an employee representation plan that transformed industrial worker-company relations.

Photo courtesy of Tara Marshall

___________________ GovernmentSoCO

18

Pitching HighBy Mike Garrett

The Colorado Rockies have one of the most prized and convenient minor league affiliations of any team in the Major Leagues with their Class AAA Colorado Springs Sky Sox being located only 75 miles away from Coors Field in Denver.

Whenever the Rockies need a player to fill a roster spot void due to injury or poor performance, he’s only an hour and a half ’s drive away. No other Major League team has the luxury of having its top minor league affiliate being located so close to home base.

The Rockies also have the advantage of having their top prospects playing at altitude getting used to the unique playing conditions and challenges that Coors Field presents, notably for pitchers.The Sky Sox franchise, which dates back to the 1940s, has produced hundreds of major league players over the years. The Rockies in particular, who seldom sign high-priced free agents, depend on the Sky Sox for their roster players when they feel they are ready for the majors.

Third baseman Nolan Arenado, the newest Rockies Colorado Springs call up, was summoned from Colorado Springs on Saturday, April 27 after he scorched the Pacific Coast League with a .364 bat-ting average and 14 extra base hits. Arenado had also smacked four home runs for the Rockies dur-ing the 2013 spring training season in Scottsdale, Arizona.

He made an immediate contribution by slamming his first major league home run and two other hits against the Dodgers Monday night in Dodger Stadium before a large contingent of his family and friends.

The Rockies brass had decided that Arenado was ready for the big show, especially after incumbent third sacker Chris Nelson got off to a slow start at the plate and was promptly traded to the New York Yankees after Arenado’s arrival in Los Angeles.The promotion conscious Sky Sox are a perfect fit for Colorado baseball fans who don’t want to drive all the way to Denver and pay major league ticket prices and accommodations. Almost every home game has some sort of promotion at Security Ser-vice Field located in the northeast part of Colorado Springs near Powers Boulevard.

Some of their May and June promotions include Math Day, $2 ticket Tuesdays, Air Force Apprecia-tion and Friday night fireworks day, Fort Carson Appreciation Day, Kids Eat free Mondays, $.50 cent hot dog day and Family Day, MicroBrew Thursdays, Military Appreciation Day and Satur-day game day and dinner for $14.

The Sky Sox’s biggest promotion of the season, the Waldo Canyon Classic celebrity softball game, is scheduled for 7:05 p.m., Saturday, June 22. The game, through the cooperation of the Major League Baseball Players Alumni Association, will showcase members of the Colorado Springs police and fire departments and former Major League players, including Hall of Famer and former Amer-ican League 1981 Cy Young and Most Valuable Player Award winner Rollie Fingers and former Boston Red Sox home run hitter Dave Henderson.The game, which commemorates the one-year an-niversary of the horrific Waldon Canyon fire in the Colorado Springs area, will benefit area police and fire department charities.

Managing the two teams will be Springs police chief Pete Carey and fire chief Rich Brown. Other former major league players on the team include Mike Tomlin, Bob Knepper, Mark Knudson, Mark Lee, Skip Jutze and Gary Krug. General admission tickets for the game are $10. For ticket informa-tion to any game, call the Sox box office at 719.591.SOXX.

The Sky Sox also encourage groups to attend their games by booking Centennial Banquet Hall, a multi-purpose facility overlooking the entire stadium at the executive suite level. The facility can serve up to 250 people for any occasion and can be booked by calling 719.597.1449 or by e-mail at group@skysox.com. Group tickets are $27 per person for a minimum group size of 100 people.Home promotions also benefit Springs area

charities through the Sky Sox partnership with Domino’s Pizza.

The Sky Sox are annually among the most competi-tive teams in the Pacific Coast League. So far in 2013 as of May 4, they are 15-11. Although they lost Arenado to the home club, the Sox feature top pitcher Drew Pomeranz with four wins the first month and Tyler Colvin with four homers. David LeMhieu was leading all Sky Sox hitters at .380. Colvin spent the entire 2012 season with the Rock-ies and was their third leading home run hitter with 18 while hitting .290. But the Rockies didn’t have a roster spot for him after he got off to a slow start in spring training.

All in all, the Sky Sox offer something for all regional baseball fans who want to see tomorrow’s major leaguers today at minor league prices.

SoCO Sports

SoCO Style and BeautyFairytale BeautyBy Ellie Nenova

Every girl dreams of being a princess, but when she grows up it becomes evident that reality is not always fabulous.

However, this does not prevent any woman from aspiring to be beautiful, gentle and loved as hero-ine in fairy tales. Since they are our first teachers of virtue, let us return to the foundations of their understanding.

The heroines every girl admires bear similarities - they are beautiful inside and out, feminine and bold. Princesses uphold their end of a battle in the name of fundamental human values.

“The Prince”?Each story has its own prince - the hero who rescues the beautiful princess. Each of us looking for him (some lucky ladies believe they have found him). Whether he exists in reality is debatable.The “Prince on a White Horse” cannot see our true nature at first glance, so we have to help him and express inner beauty on the outside.

Be Gentle and RomanticFemininity is characteristic of the heroines in classic tales. Even though today’s styles are very different from that of fairytale times, does not mean that there is nothing to learn from the style of princesses.

There is not a color more delicate and feminine than pink. In the past, pink clothes for women were very expensive and only princesses and aristocrats could afford them. The color is charged with archetypal meanings that make it most suit-able for expressing a ladylike character.

For the innocent fairy tradition the suitable color is white. It symbolizes purity of the soul and as a primary color it can be interpreted as a sign of strength and integrity.

Signs of romance are lace and veils - coincidentally used for wedding dresses, but when combined cor-rectly, they can be used in everyday life.

Be a DreamerEach princess at the end of the story has their dream come true then live a long and happy life. Demonstrate longings by using gentle floral ele-ments, patterns and bright colors - all of which add a special expressiveness.

Be BraveIndeed, in the classic tales the prince saves the princess, but that does not mean she is not brave - she has the courage not only to fight “evil” but to defend herself and to love despite adverse situ-

ations. Be brave by using bold combinations of colors and style. Courage can be highlighted with large jewelry, a bright red color in clothing and ac-cessories, or an expressive style that defies current trends.

Be LikedAll characters are liked - they combine reference attributes. Most loved fashion items become clas-sic and timeless (like fairytales). Gamble a little and try a classic chic look - little black dress, red lipstick, bun, stilettos, etc.

Though we do not live in a fairytale, allow yourself to rise above the daily grind and be a fairytale beauty.

22

A Piece of My Heart Dwells in HeavenBy Daniel Leonetti

It’s so true. A man never sees all that his Mother has been until it’s too late to tell her when you stand at her tombstone. Words are as mute as the solemn shadow on that cold rock. My Mother once said, gravely ill from a stroke that devastated all the light and energy that she once was: “don’t go to my grave. Only my body is there. My spirit is elsewhere.” The spirit of Mothers is everywhere. In our memo-ries. In our souls. And in our minds. Mothers are like the bees. Without them there would be no mankind. No great soul to pollinate all the dreams and concerns of children. Mothers are, in effect, one of God’s maids to tidy up a wounded world. They have been hit with more arrows than Saint Sebastien. I know my Mother was. She was born in the pov-erty of New Mexico and labored in the beet fields at a young age and became so proficient in her labor that her father bet his wages she could beat any man. And she did. Such was her strength and heart. She raised two girls and three boys on a coal miner’s wages. She baked the best bread and simmered the most suc-culent green chili in the world. She healed cuts and wounds as proficient as Jesus and she dispensed wisdom to her children like her home remedies, spoonfuls at a time. An ounce of Mother is worth more than all the lectures from the mouths of priests and pastors. She was wise from the hurts and failures of the past. And when she released her children, one by one, down the rocky road, she did so with a heavy heart because she had walked that road all her life. But her quiet strength became our strength. Her proudest accomplishment was that three of her children graduated from college. Well done lady. Well done Mothers of the world. Happy Mother’s Day, Lola Leonetti.

My MomBy Doc Leonetti

The first Mother’s Day was celebrated in 1908 when Anna Jarvis decided it was time to recognize mothers in America for all they do and all they mean. She ultimately decided it should be held on the second Sunday of each May. Initially it was to be a special celebration for just her mother, but wonderfully so, it spread across the country like wildfire and now is celebrated not only in America, but in most countries throughout the modern world.

Mother’s Day is the most special day of the year for me. Mom is gone now, but I’ll remember her always, especially on Mother’s Day. How could one forget such a wonderful person of warmth and so much integrity. Of course I’m biased, but my Mom had it all. She was genuine and openly affectionate. She was trustworthy and dependable. She had a great sense of humor and laughed often. She never pre-judged anybody and did all she could to assist anyone in need. She loved her children and she loved her husband. She loved us all to the very end.

There is nothing like a Mom. And, of course, my Mom was the best cook in the world. Her home cooked meals served as the catalyst that gathered her family, enticing us daily with delicious lunches and mouth watering dinners. And she would do anything for any of her children whose health and happiness was always of major concern to her. She spoiled us rotten. Shopping sprees often involved something for everybody. She bought me a brand new front room set. I was never wanting for Tide for my washing machine, or cleaning supplies, or food and countless other sundry items that she would bring to me from her myriad shopping trips.

Mother’s Day was special, but every day I was with her was special. She made me feel whole, and she taught me a whole lot about life. She taught me that everybody is important. She taught me to value my education. She taught me that the most important thing in life is to respect yourself, and you will always respect others. In so many ways, she made my life so much better.

So it is just not on Mother’s Day that I think about my Mom. I think about her everyday.

But most of all, I want to say to my Mom on this Mother’s Day, thank you for just being you. Thank you for always being there. Thank you for your eternal unbridled love. And thank you Mom, for giving me, me.

Another Type of MotherBy E.R.A. McCarthey

When many think of Mother’s Day they think directly of the person who gave birth to them but some are lucky enough to have another type of mother.

What is a mother? Traditionally the more nurtur-ing parent. Softer, kinder… but not always… I was lucky enough to have a few mothers in my life.

On Mother’s Day I am thankful to my birth mother for making me strong, giving me her talents and helping me be open minded. Though she was gone from my life for many years at a time just knowing about her inspired me.

I am thankful to my father’s new wife for accepting me and doing her best to handle a child already set in her ways.

I am thankful to my sisters, teachers, babysitters and lovely women friends who showed me how gentle nurturing strengthens the heart of a small child.

I am most thankful to my father, who always cared for me. From chasing my dirty diapers across the floor with a broom to driving me to college every day because driving made me nervous… he has al-ways been a wonderful mother/father. Most of our time together it was just the two of us but I think he did a great job…Of course I am a little biased.

Happy Mother’s Day!

HoroscopesGet Your Daily Horoscope at www.AroundSoCO.com

AriesYou will make diverse contacts this month. Your load of responsibilities will be slightly less than in previous months and will allow enough free time for fun. Your mood is romantic, but you must be careful - do not go beyond friendly relations, let them stay there. Part of your activities will be new and unfamiliar, in order to handle them you will need creativity. You will be able to make a few brief and very interesting trips that you will long remember.

TaurusMost important for you this month will be personal orga-nization. Again, you cannot allocate time you do not have in days, hours, minutes and seconds. People you do not communicate with may cause you problems. It will not be intentional and will affect you personally not profession-ally. Try not to be nervous. Be flexible and if possible do not even comment on what happens. The faster you finish your work the more time you will have to enjoy yourself.

GeminiControl your emotions and do not go to extremes. This month, you may feel very tense and react strongly to provocations that would otherwise pass unnoticed. Whatever you face, make sure to collect all the informa-tion you need and do not start if you do not have a clear strategy and an idea of the result. Be cautious of new acquaintances, especially if they work too hard to please. They are bound to be guided by selfish motives.

CancerAll your plans for this month will be met with challenges. Whatever you think can happen, will happen. Do not re-act too quickly and be flexible. Change is not always bad. If something cannot be done now, then now is not the time for it. Do what you can, when you can. At the end of the month, you will find that there is something to be proud of and that you have done more than you thought possible. Most importantly – you have broken through some of your illusions.

LeoYou will be able to realize your potential when you least expect it. Consider the circumstances and rely on your intuition. This month it is better not to make any hard or serious plans. You are unlikely to implement them due to reasons beyond your control. At the same time, it would be a crime not to take advantage of other opportunities that cross your path. You will find yourself missing criti-cal information, but you get the necessary help, on time as always, thanks to a loved one’s sympathy and tender feelings.

VirgoYou will have a successful month filled with new tasks. Almost daily, you will deal with something unknown to you and occasionally it will be difficult. It is most important not to be afraid or stressed by all the new

experiences. You are gaining quite a bit of knowledge. In difficult times, share concerns with friends or relatives that you trust. You cannot follow their advice, but at least you will hear a second opinion. Do not forget to take care of your appearance. Romantic emotions will be sporadic and some may be successful.

LibraYou have many original ideas. The only drawback is that they are largely unrealistic. This does not mean you will not enjoy progress this month. On the contrary, all the roads ahead are promising. As long as you realize that you are not alone in the world and that others also have opinions, which almost always turn out to be different than yours. In other words, do not rush. Watch and listen closely, adapt promptly to new circumstances. This will allow you to overcome all the problems you face this month.

ScorpioRemember, the smartest ideas come from both sides of a situation. You begin to overcome professional problems in one fell swoop this month but do not expect the same thing to happen with love. Stars warn that this month personal relationships are threatened. It may seem unfair, but the reason for this is within yourself. If you learn the difference between honesty and brutality, if you realize that the same thing can be said in two ways, one of which is more delicate, you will do much better in your relation-ships.

SagittariusEverything happening this month depends on your ability to concentrate, to organize, and quickly adapt to constantly changing circumstances. You will have a won-derful opportunity to realize your creative potential in several directions and get not only good but quick results. To solve complex problems rely on knowledge rather than new or unconfirmed information. Do not deprive relatives and family of your time and attention.

CapricornLuck is like a woman – if you take it for granted it will leave you! If you do not keep quiet, start ignoring nonsense and refuse to succumb to fleeting emotions, then this month you will find yourself without luck and possibly without love. You will be very busy and be prepared for loads of work. You will enjoy very little time for entertainment.

AquariusNew love and surprises are in store for you this month. However, be cautious. While surprises in business and the workplace can be pleasant, the unpredictable actions and reactions of loved ones can be fatal. No sense to hurry or rush events. So far nobody has jumped shadow. If projects are not progressing try getting those involved to enjoy a more relaxing situation and allow for creative informal dialogue. It would be very useful.

PiscesIt isn’t a secret who your real friends are and who is just in your life to cause trouble. You are aware of their per-sonal abilities and agendas. During this month, you will have a great opportunity to unleash your creativity and it will make the troublemakers even more envious. Your dreams of love, emotions and stable connections will be fulfilled. Positive results in the workplace will make you enthusiastic and enable you to do even more good work. Don’t let yourself get so involved in work that you neglect your family and loved ones. You have a terrible habit of neglecting love for work. If you continue doing this everyone, including you, will be unhappy.

24

Walsenburg

TrinidadCokedaleWeston

AguilarCuchara

La Veta

Gardner

Colorado City

PuebloPuebloWest

Penrose

Florence

CanonCity

Texas Creek

Wetmore

BeulahWestcliffe

SilverCliff

VisitorCenterTrinidad

LakeState Park

Ludlow MassacreNational

Historic Site

Fort Francisco

SpanishPeaks

WildernessArea

LathropState Park

SanIsabel

NationalForest

SanIsabel

NationalForest

LakePueblo

State Park

Royal Gorge

Sangrede Cristo

WildernessArea

Bent’s OldFort

La Junta

Picket WireCanyonlands

ComancheNational

Grasslands

John MartinReservoir

Arkansas River

Arkansas River

LakeSan

Isabel

St. Charles River

ColoradoSprings

Fountain Creek

Arkansas River

Huer

fano

Rive

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Cuc

hara

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Purgatoire River

BradfordReservoir

Cuchara Reservoir

Martin Lake

Cuchara

River

GreenhornMountain

ComancheNational

Grasslands

Purgatoire River

North LakeMonument

Lake

Bear Lake

Blue Lakes

EastSpanish

Peak

WestSpanish

Peak

SanIsabel

NationalForest

LakePueblo

Wet Mountain Range

Mt.Lindsey

LittleBearPeak

Great Sand DunesNational Parkand Preserve

HumboltPeak

Sand CreekLakes

SouthColony Lakes

HornLakes

ComancheLake

VenebleLakes

HermitLake

Lakes ofthe Clouds

RainbowLake

BalmanReservoir

Rain

bo

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De WeeseReservoir

RioGrandeNational

Forest

Sangre de Cristo Range

High Park

Road

Shel

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d

Phan

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Salida

Pikes Peak

Raton

Highway ofLegends

NEW MEXICO

Cotopaxi

Santa Fe Trail

TLAC Economic DevelopmentTLAC Chamber of Commerce

Sunset Inn 2808 Thatcher Ave, Pueblo, CO 81005(719) 564-9841

Big Daddy’s Sunset Bowl1227 S. Prairie Ave, Pueblo, CO 81005(719) 561-8570

Angelo's Pizza Parlor And-a-More'105 East Riverwalk, Pueblo, CO 81003(719) 845-9999 www.trinidadcornershop.com

Sisters' Courtyard517 W. 5th Street Ste. 101, Pueblo, CO 81003(719) 543-1947www.sisterscourtyard.com

Holiday Inn Express & Suites4530 Dillon Drive, Pueblo, CO 81008(719) 542-8888

Sound and Cinema1237 W. Elegante Ct, Pueblo, CO 81007(719) 240-2606www.soundandcinemacorp.com

Mobile Record Shredders205 N. Elizabeth Suite 120, Pueblo, CO 81008(719) 544-5460www.mobilerecordshredders.com

Myxed Up Creations217 W. Northern Avenue, Pueblo, CO 81004(719) 404-3030www.myxedup.com

Damon Runyon Theatre611 N. Main St, Pueblo, CO 81003(719) 564-0579www.runyontheater.org

PS I Love You Flowers & Gifts2918 N. Elizabeth St, Pueblo, CO 81008(719) 542-5408www.www.psiloveyouflowersgifts.com

Pueblo Featured Businesses

Commercial St. Salon & Day Spa257 N. Commercial Street, Trinidad, CO 81082(719) 846-6610www.commercialstreetsalon.com

Corner Shop & Cafe101 E Main St, Trinidad, CO 81082(719) 845-9999 www.trinidadcornershop.com

Griego Insurance Agency (GIA)300 N. Commercial st. Trinidad, CO 81082 (719) 846-9871www.griegoinsurance.com

Wendy’sI-25 Exit 11, Trinidad, CO 81081(719) 845-9143www.mergedmediamarketing.com

New Image Advanced Dental 417 University St. Suite 1, Trinidad, CO 81082(877) 721-2001www.trinidadsmiles.com

Phil Long Toyota3019 Toupal Drive, Trinidad, CO 81082(877) 600-5942www.phillongtoyota.com

Redwing Electric Inc.225 E. Goddard Avenue, Trinidad, CO 81082(719) 846-1716www.redwingelectricinc.com

Rino's Italian Restaurant400 E Main St, Trinidad, CO 81082 (719) 845-0949 www.rinostrinidad.com

Royse Ranch Bed & Breakfast10,000 County Road 43.6, Trinidad, CO 81082(719) 845-0353 , (806) 662-0113 www.royseranch.com

TLAC Economic Development134 W. Main St, Trinidad, CO 81082 (719) 846-9412www.tlaceconomicdevelopment.com

Trinidad Featured Businesses

Pack Rat Gifts134 S. 1st St, Raton, NM 87740(575) 445-3242www.commercialstreetsalon.com

Record’s Ace Hardware1124 S. 2nd St, Raton, NM 87740(575) 445-8211www.trinidadcornershop.com

Shuler Theater131 N. 2nd St, Raton, NM 87740 (575) 445-4746www.shulertheater.com

El Raton Productions, Co.115 N. 2nd St, Raton, NM 87740(575) 445-7008www.elratontheatre.com

Oasis Restaurant1445 S. 2nd St, Raton, NM 87740(505) 445-2221

Healing Hands211 Park Ave, Raton, NM 87740(505) 400-6200

Kiowa Land & Sales, LLC116 S. 2nd St, Raton, NM 8740(575) 447-7758www.kiowaland.com

Sweet Shop1201 S 2nd St, Raton, NM 87740(575) 445-9811

K-Bob's Steakhouse1228 S 2nd St, Raton, NM 87740 (575) 445-2548 www.kbobsusa.com

White House Bar133 Cook Ave, Raton, NM 87740(575) 445-9992

Raton,

NM Featured Businesses

www.AroundSoCO.com

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HISTORIC & SCENIC BYWAYSGold BeltFrontier PathwaysHighway of LegendsSanta Fe Trail

State LineCity or TownInterstate HighwayState/County RoadGravel/4WD RoadCampingLakes & RiversHospitalAirport/AirstripRestaurantsShoppingLodgingEntertainment

ServicesAttractionsOutdoorsNightLifeFuel

LEGEND

H

Gold Belt

Frontier Pathways

Phil Long Toyota

Eat & Drink pg 7

Shopping pg 10

Lodging pg 13

Entertainment pg 9

Services pg 4

Night Life pg 39

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Walsenburg

TrinidadCokedaleWeston

AguilarCuchara

La Veta

Gardner

Colorado City

PuebloPuebloWest

Penrose

Florence

CanonCity

Texas Creek

Wetmore

BeulahWestcliffe

SilverCliff

VisitorCenterTrinidad

LakeState Park

Ludlow MassacreNational

Historic Site

Fort Francisco

SpanishPeaks

WildernessArea

LathropState Park

SanIsabel

NationalForest

SanIsabel

NationalForest

LakePueblo

State Park

Royal Gorge

Sangrede Cristo

WildernessArea

Bent’s OldFort

La Junta

Picket WireCanyonlands

ComancheNational

Grasslands

John MartinReservoir

Arkansas River

Arkansas River

LakeSan

Isabel

St. Charles River

ColoradoSprings

Fountain Creek

Arkansas River

Huer

fano

Rive

r

Cuc

hara

Rive

r

Huerfano River

Purgatoire River

BradfordReservoir

Cuchara Reservoir

Martin Lake

Cuchara

River

GreenhornMountain

ComancheNational

Grasslands

Purgatoire River

North LakeMonument

Lake

Bear Lake

Blue Lakes

EastSpanish

Peak

WestSpanish

Peak

SanIsabel

NationalForest

LakePueblo

Wet Mountain Range

Mt.Lindsey

LittleBearPeak

Great Sand DunesNational Parkand Preserve

HumboltPeak

Sand CreekLakes

SouthColony Lakes

HornLakes

ComancheLake

VenebleLakes

HermitLake

Lakes ofthe Clouds

RainbowLake

BalmanReservoir

Rain

bo

w Trail

De WeeseReservoir

RioGrandeNational

Forest

Sangre de Cristo Range

High Park

Road

Shel

f Roa

d

Phan

tom

Can

on R

oad

Salida

Pikes Peak

Raton

Highway ofLegends

NEW MEXICO

Cotopaxi

Santa Fe Trail

TLAC Economic DevelopmentTLAC Chamber of Commerce

Sunset Inn 2808 Thatcher Ave, Pueblo, CO 81005(719) 564-9841

Big Daddy’s Sunset Bowl1227 S. Prairie Ave, Pueblo, CO 81005(719) 561-8570

Angelo's Pizza Parlor And-a-More'105 East Riverwalk, Pueblo, CO 81003(719) 845-9999 www.trinidadcornershop.com

Sisters' Courtyard517 W. 5th Street Ste. 101, Pueblo, CO 81003(719) 543-1947www.sisterscourtyard.com

Holiday Inn Express & Suites4530 Dillon Drive, Pueblo, CO 81008(719) 542-8888

Sound and Cinema1237 W. Elegante Ct, Pueblo, CO 81007(719) 240-2606www.soundandcinemacorp.com

Mobile Record Shredders205 N. Elizabeth Suite 120, Pueblo, CO 81008(719) 544-5460www.mobilerecordshredders.com

Myxed Up Creations217 W. Northern Avenue, Pueblo, CO 81004(719) 404-3030www.myxedup.com

Damon Runyon Theatre611 N. Main St, Pueblo, CO 81003(719) 564-0579www.runyontheater.org

PS I Love You Flowers & Gifts2918 N. Elizabeth St, Pueblo, CO 81008(719) 542-5408www.www.psiloveyouflowersgifts.com

Pueblo Featured Businesses

Commercial St. Salon & Day Spa257 N. Commercial Street, Trinidad, CO 81082(719) 846-6610www.commercialstreetsalon.com

Corner Shop & Cafe101 E Main St, Trinidad, CO 81082(719) 845-9999 www.trinidadcornershop.com

Griego Insurance Agency (GIA)300 N. Commercial st. Trinidad, CO 81082 (719) 846-9871www.griegoinsurance.com

Wendy’sI-25 Exit 11, Trinidad, CO 81081(719) 845-9143www.mergedmediamarketing.com

New Image Advanced Dental 417 University St. Suite 1, Trinidad, CO 81082(877) 721-2001www.trinidadsmiles.com

Phil Long Toyota3019 Toupal Drive, Trinidad, CO 81082(877) 600-5942www.phillongtoyota.com

Redwing Electric Inc.225 E. Goddard Avenue, Trinidad, CO 81082(719) 846-1716www.redwingelectricinc.com

Rino's Italian Restaurant400 E Main St, Trinidad, CO 81082 (719) 845-0949 www.rinostrinidad.com

Royse Ranch Bed & Breakfast10,000 County Road 43.6, Trinidad, CO 81082(719) 845-0353 , (806) 662-0113 www.royseranch.com

TLAC Economic Development134 W. Main St, Trinidad, CO 81082 (719) 846-9412www.tlaceconomicdevelopment.com

Trinidad Featured Businesses

Pack Rat Gifts134 S. 1st St, Raton, NM 87740(575) 445-3242www.commercialstreetsalon.com

Record’s Ace Hardware1124 S. 2nd St, Raton, NM 87740(575) 445-8211www.trinidadcornershop.com

Shuler Theater131 N. 2nd St, Raton, NM 87740 (575) 445-4746www.shulertheater.com

El Raton Productions, Co.115 N. 2nd St, Raton, NM 87740(575) 445-7008www.elratontheatre.com

Oasis Restaurant1445 S. 2nd St, Raton, NM 87740(505) 445-2221

Healing Hands211 Park Ave, Raton, NM 87740(505) 400-6200

Kiowa Land & Sales, LLC116 S. 2nd St, Raton, NM 8740(575) 447-7758www.kiowaland.com

Sweet Shop1201 S 2nd St, Raton, NM 87740(575) 445-9811

K-Bob's Steakhouse1228 S 2nd St, Raton, NM 87740 (575) 445-2548 www.kbobsusa.com

White House Bar133 Cook Ave, Raton, NM 87740(575) 445-9992

Raton,

NM Featured Businesseswww.AroundSoCO.com

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HISTORIC & SCENIC BYWAYSGold BeltFrontier PathwaysHighway of LegendsSanta Fe Trail

State LineCity or TownInterstate HighwayState/County RoadGravel/4WD RoadCampingLakes & RiversHospitalAirport/AirstripRestaurantsShoppingLodgingEntertainment

ServicesAttractionsOutdoorsNightLifeFuel

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Frontier Pathways

Phil Long Toyota

Eat & Drink pg 7

Shopping pg 10

Lodging pg 13

Entertainment pg 9

Services pg 4

Night Life pg 39

WHERE TO GO

Map Sponsored By:

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Did you hear about the NEW Around SoCO App! How can I get it?

I‛ll Scan It NOW Honey.

www.AroundSoCO.com/appGet Everything You Want Around Southern Colorado

THINGS TO DO Pueblo, COSaturday May 11th at 12pmMath Quilting with Cass Pearson & Judy ThomasTry your hand at quilting in lots of ways! Sangre de Cristo Arts Center-Buell Children’s Museum 210 N Santa Fe Ave., Pueblo, CO 81003 719.295.7200

Tuesday May 14th at 5:30pmYWCA Tribute to WomenKeynote speaker Joan RiversPueblo Convention Center320 Central Main St Pueblo, CO 81003719.542.6904

Thursday May 16th from 5:30pm-6:30pmFamily Math + Art Pizza Night with Maureen Braun! Join us for dinner and fun with math and art. Family Pizza for 4 includes 4 drinks, full size pizza and bread sticks for $16.85. Sangre de Cristo Arts Center- Franco’s Bistro in the Buell Children’s Museum 210 N Santa Fe Ave., Pueblo, CO 81003719.295.7200

Friday May 17th 3pm-11pm, Saturday May 18th 10am to 11pm, Sunday May 19th 10am to 6pm5th Annual Wild Wild West FestivalDowntown Pueblo, CO, Union Ave between 1st and B Streets - 719.542.1704

Saturday May 25th, May 31st & June 1st at 7:30pmSunday May 26th & June 2nd at 2pmMel Brooks’ The Producers Damon Runyon Repertory Theater611 North Main Street, Pueblo, CO 81003719.564.0579

June 13, 2013 - June 16Tony Andenucio Memorial Baseball TournamentCall for further details. 400 Stanton Ave., Pueblo, CO 81003 719.561.9928

Trinidad, COFriday May 10th at 7pmAmerican StoryFolk opera presented by graduate music students from Missouri Western State University.Famous Performing Arts Center131 W. Main, Trinidad, CO 81082 - 719.846.4765

Saturday May18th at 10amThird Annual Armed Forces Day ParadeDowntown Trinidad, Trinidad, COContact Trinidad-Las Animas County Chamber of Commerce - 719.846.9285; 1.866.480.4750

Saturday May 18th at 9pmLeigh Cates Live at Purgatoire on ElmCome feel the heat from this rockin alternative country singer featured on the SoCO cover.516 E. Elm Street, Trinidad, CO 81082719.845.7450

Tuesday May 21st & Wednesday May 22nd at 6:05pmTrinidad Triggers BaseballFirst home games of the season! Central Park, Trinidad, CO 81082www.trinidadtriggers.com

Friday May 24th at 8pm Ranger Campfire Talk Join park rangers every Friday through Labor Day weekend for a fun and educational experience around the fire ring at Trinidad Lake State Park’s new amphitheater.Trinidad Lake State Park32610 Highway 12, Trinidad, Co 81082719.846.6951

Saturday May 25th Free Kids Art Project For ages 7-13. No charge. Call for further informa-tion and reservations.A.R. Mitchell Museum Memorial Museum of Western Art 150 E. Main, Trinidad, CO 81082719.846.4224

Saturday May 25th-Monday May 27th at 8am & 1pm Memorial Day Golf TournamentAvid Golfer names Trinidad’s golf course “one of ten hidden gems in the country.”Trinidad Municipal Golf Course1417 Nolan Drive, Trinidad, CO 81082719.846.4015www.trinidadgolfcourse.com

Friday May 31st 5pm-8pmLast Fridays Art TrekCome to our lively downtown for an art evening. Downtown, Trinidad, CO 81082

June 1–Sept 30Louis Tikas ExhibitLouis Tikaswas an organizer of the UMWA and led a strike advocating better working conditions. He was killed by the state militia on April 20, 1914, during the Ludlow Massacre. His heroic death encouraged state and federal lawmakers to pass legislation protecting the rights and dignity of the working class. Call for details.Trinidad History Museum300 E. Main Street, Trinidad, CO 81082719.846.7217

Saturday June 1st & Sunday June 2ndEarth Mountain Education Farm Open House Weekend Enjoy a weekend of education, music, “grazing” in the gardens, and seeing what Earth Mountain Farm is about. Call or register by email.719-680-0215 earthmountainfarm@yahoo.com;

Friday June 7th 6pm-7pm Reception for Art Exhibit Featuring Shannon FoltzExhibit continues from June 7th–28th. Gallery hours: Tues–Fri, 10am–3pm and Sat, 10am–2pm.Gallery Main 130 E. Main, Trinidad, CO 81082719.846.1441

Saturday June 8th and Sunday June 9th Santa Fe Trail FestivalStreet dances, live entertainment, children’s games, food and craft vendors, Kiwanis Duck Race down the Purgatoire River, Coal Car Race, local artisans and dance groups, historical reenactments. Please call for further details. Downtown Trinidad, CO 81082Contact Trinidad-Las Animas County Chamber of Commerce - 719.846.9285; 1.866.480.4750

Creede, COSaturday May 25th starting at 10am and ending Sunday May 26th at 4pm25th Annual A Taste of Creede: A Festival of Fine Arts & Fine Dining Festival will be take place on Main Street in down-town Creede. Creede & Mineral County Chamber of Commerce904 S. Main St. Creede, CO 81130 - 1.800.327.2102

Mosca, COSaturday May 25th-Monday May 27th, 9am-7pmSummer Season Kickoff of Colorado Gators Rep-tile Park - The Colorado Gator’s would like you to help them celebrate the summer season! New summer hours from 9am-7pm 9162 CR 9 N, Mosca, CO 81146 - 719.378.2612

Alamosa, COWednesday May 29th at 8pm Jill Cohn at the San Luis Brewing Company in Alamosa, CO.

Raton, NMFriday May 10thPetting Zoo Longfellow Elementary School 8:30am-1pm 700 East 4th, Raton, NM 87740575.445.9261Kearny Elementary School 1pm-2:30pm800 South 3rd, Raton, NM 87740. - 575.445.3871

Monday May 13th at 7pmThe Willow Springs Singers, Raton Glee, and Kids Chorale perform their spring concert.131 N 2nd Street, Raton, NM 87740 - 575.445.4746

Saturday June 8th at 3pm and again at 6pmMissoula Children’s Theater presents “Jack & the Beanstalk.”Historic Shuler Theater131 N 2nd Street, Raton, NM 87740 - 575.445.4746

For more things to do go to

www.aroundsoco.com27

Paw NewsThe Cat ’s MeowRecycled Furniture for Pets

By E.R.A. McCarthey

Pets are part of the family, so they also need furni-ture that makes them feel at home. What is proper furnishing for pets?

Since the most common pets are cats and dogs, interior design draws special attention to them. Fill an old suitcase with pillows. Cover the fluffy pile with old blankets or soft clothing. As crazy as it sounds your pet will prefer dirty clothing so they can be near your smell when you’re away. For the sake of the humans you may want to make sure the clothing isn’t too dirty. Optionally, you can remove the lid of the trunk or leave it and take advantage of the divisions, you can even use one side to hold pet toys.

If you love vintage style, try recycling an old TV. Take out all the parts, remove the screen and keep only the facade and the buttons on the outside for more authenticity. Place a soft blanket or pillow inside to make it a more comfortable spot. Now you have created truly “Live TV” in your home.You can craft a suitable place for cats who like caches and tunnels using three cylindrical baskets (such as office waste bins or laundry hampers…

but of course clean). Paint them with a color that matches the interior of the room then attach them using silicone or instant adhesive so they form a triangle (two baskets at the bottom and top, anoth-er in the middle). You can make a similar structure out of cans for hamsters. Make sure you clean and paint the cans and they don’t have any sharp edges. You can attach them using amusingly printed duct tape (leopard, flames, monkeys…).

If you want to create a piece of cat furniture that will also serve as entertainment arrange multiple shelves in steps for books on one wall in the living room. Only fill the shelves partially with books so you leave room for the cat to move about. This way you get a home library and your cat gets a favorite ladder to walk and climb on.

30

Howdy VisitorsAwesome Outdoor AdventureBy Cathy Tamas

Are you ready for an awesome outdoor adventure? Do you crave an excursion into the mountains that includes fishing, camping, bird and wildlife watching? It all starts 37 miles west of Trinidad on Highway 12, the Scenic Highway of Legends. Destination: Monument Lake Resort.

Monument Lake Resort is a 350 acre paradise where fishing, camping, and great outdoor ad-ventures unfold. The 100 acre lake is stocked by the Colorado Division of Wildlife with rainbows, browns, cutthroats, and kokanee salmon. The lake got its name from the rock formation in the center of the lake. That formation came into existence before the lake existed and stood 15 feet above the surface after the lake was formed. Although the top of the monument has fallen off and is resting at the bottom of the lake, the legends of how the forma-tion was formed are still passed on.

One legend has it that during the time of extreme drought in the area, two chiefs from different Indian tribes went on a search for water. One chief headed south, the other north. When they met they embraced. Because neither one of the chiefs had found water, they cried as they embraced and their tears were the beginning of the lake as we know it. At the moment of their embrace, one of the volcanoes erupted and the lava came down and engulfed the two chiefs and petrified them in that position of hugging each other. The lake filled up with water around them.

The other legend that has been told tells of how be-fore the white man came, there were three natural basins of water in the area where the Comanches and Ute camped in unity on their shores. Great

Spirit spent much time here walking amongst the peaceful tribes mostly at sunset walking the water and blessing it and the whole Spanish Peaks area. When the tribes started warring, Great Spirit was angry. He punished the tribes by drying up the water, thus killing the fish and causing alkali to seep into the basin. Great Spirit then sank into the middle pool and the rock formation that formed was the Great Spirit rising.

What is interesting about this legend is that the lake was alkali tainted and swampy before being developed in 1925 by the Trinidad waterworks to cultivate the 10-15 acres into a spare reservoir for Trinidad. In the years following the Great Depres-sion, Franklin Roosevelt put men to work in the area by clearing park areas along the shore and raising the lake level. The Izaak Walton League, in 1937 through 1939, further developed the lake by building a stone fish hatchery and stocked the lake with trout. A lodge and cabins were also built at this time. The League eventually managed the operation putting the profits back into the lodge and cabins. In its heyday, Monument Lake attracted 100,000 visitors. People came to fish and camp out there. By mid-century, the lake had fallen into disrepair, the hatchery ceased to exist, and the buildings and grounds were neglected. That changed in 2006 when the City of Trinidad, who owns the property, entered into a lease agreement with Mike Robb of Westland Resources to manage the resort with the goal of bringing the resort back to its splendor by sprucing it up and adding more amenities.

This season will be Mr. Robb’s 6th year and he is working with the City of Trinidad to design a bath house and a waterless restroom on the North campground, with a target date before Memorial Day 2013. The City of Trinidad has also been suc-cessful obtaining grants for assessment as to the feasibility of renovating the fish hatchery. The goal is to revitalize the resort.

The season opens May 17, 2013. There are 13 cabins and 20 lodge rooms. The resort has 16 full

service RV sites with power and sewer. There are 25 partial service sites that have power and water and 45 spaces for tent camping and/or self-contained RVs. Each room in the Miramonte Lodge contains a fireplace along with one or two queen size beds. Many activities are planned during the season. On June 1, 2013 the 17th Annual Stonewall Fire Auxil-iary Fishing Tournament is expected to attract 300 excited fishermen. The thrilling thing about this tournament is that a fishing license is not required. What a deal!

From opening day until the close of the season, the lake holds a fishing contest. The winner of the larg-est fish caught during the 2013 season will receive a two-night stay for two in the lodge (holidays ex-cluded). To enter, bring your fish in a fresh-caught state the day of catch to the Store by Shore to be weighed, photographed and logged in.

While at the resort, be sure to have a meal at The Grubsteak Café. The Grubsteak Café is a full ser-vice restaurant which has catering on the premises for family reunions, business meetings, and wed-dings. The banquet facility holds 100 people and is located upstairs in the Miramonte Lodge. Check out the Grubsteak Café’s secret recipe items which are sold there. These include Spicy Pickles, Spirited cherry and peaches, jars of salsa, BBQ sauce and their famous Spicy Jalapeno Mustard which is served on their wild turkey sandwiches. A day pass is $7.00 per vehicle. The Store by the Shore has fishing tackle for sale. It also sells its own line of fishing lures, called High Country Lures. Check it out!

Visitors can participate in many activities besides fishing such as volleyball, badminton, softball, horseshoes and tournaments.

For more information and to make reservations, contact Mike Robb at 719.868.2226. They are now taking reservations for the season beginning May 17, 2013. Also, check out their website at www.monumentlakeresort.com.

32

S.W.A.T.By David J. Santistevan Jr.

When every hour, minute, and second counts in a crisis situation, having a local S.W.A.T team saves lives and makes Trinidad a safer place for every-one.

Since 2005, the Trinidad Police Department’s S.W.A.T. team has enriched the lives of all those in Trinidad with dedication, training, teamwork, and a great sense of pride. Ten members of S.W.A.T. train on a monthly basis, “S.W.A.T. teams started popping up across Colorado after the tragedy at Columbine in April of 1999.

“We were first funded with monies from Home-land Security after 9/11. We paid for guns, vests, helmets and other essential items to start off.” Trinidad Police Chief Charlie Glorioso told Around SoCO, “These officers on the S.W.A.T. team are held to a little bit higher of a standard with more intensified training. We now have a line

item in our annual budget that supports our local S.W.A.T. Team.”

With grants and budgeted money, the TPD buys equipment and essentials piece-by-piece, one need at a time. They purchase vehicles, bulletproof shields, gas masks, cases and all other equipment essential to their tasks over the last 8 years.

According to Chief Glorioso the S.W.A.T. team has been used on a number of occasions since 2005. “We have a certain protocol we use to bring in our S.W.A.T. Team. A call is graded, and if that call meets certain criteria then it will become a S.W.A.T. call.”

Glorioso says the TPD S.W.A.T. team has trained in all area schools, medical facilities and other key places to become familiar with surroundings throughout Trinidad, “We train and prepare for all situations, like drug busts, hostage situations, and crisis situations at a school, medical facility, downtown business or residential area. Becoming familiar with each situation and each location is a key component to how S.W.A.T. works.” the chief stated.

The TPD S.W.A.T team is properly trained and a benefit to every community.

“S.W.A.T. is the power team that comes later,” stated Trinidad Police SGT. Brandon Barry. He has been with the TPD for 11 years and with S.W.A.T since 2005. “I am a certified trainer in all aspects of our team. As our S.W.A.T. team leader, I organize our training though the National Tactical Officers Association. We need to train every month not to get rusty with our training. We need to be ready at any time.”

S.W.A.T. is also is trained in perishable skills, active shooting drills, hostage/rescue, all firearm drills,

gas training, vehicle assaults and explosive devices. According to Barry and S.W.A.T. sniper Sgt. Tony Haddow the team is a close-knit unit and trust is key.

Haddow, who has also been on the team since the beginning and with the TPD for 25 years added, “Sgt. Barry or myself make sure that we do not put our team in danger or a bad situation that could cost our team, we do not endanger lives, we want to save lives. It is an honor for my team to have me in this position, it is my job to be their eyes and let them know what’s going on.”

The Aurora S.W.A.T. team helped the TPD train in the beginning according to the team’s negotiator, Detective Sgt. Kurt Larsen who is a veteran of the TPD since 1993. Larsen added, “The general idea of S.W.A.T. is to handle the most serious situa-tions.”

Chief Glorioso ended by saying, “The S.W.A.T. team is trained to bring a peaceful solution to all serious crisis situations and this is the ultimate goal.”

The Mt. Carmel Health, Wellness & Community Center Board of Directors would like to take this opportunity to thank all that participated in our First Annual Run For the Fallen Coal Miners’ 5K/10K Half Marathon on April 20, 2013. We had participants from Denver to Raton, ranging in age from 76 to 8.

A huge Thank You goes out to Las Animas County Coroner-Dominic Verquer & Mr. Jason Stodghill for helping us organize the Run-We just could not have done it without their expertise.

Thanks also to the City of Trinidad City Manager’s Office, Las Animas County Manager and Attorney Office

Our Sponsors: Phil Long Toyota of Trinidad /Phil Long Ford of Raton/Pioneer Natural ResourcesLa Quinta Inn & Suites/Women’s Exchange/Little Stinker Septic

Goody Bag & Refreshment Sponsors: Laura DeBella-State Farm Insurance/Power Credit Union/Wendy’s Restaurant/DocuMart of Colorado Springs/Primero Bulldog Run & Walk/Safeway/Pro-Rehab Center/Norwest Applied Hydrology/ Schultz Consulting

Tumbleweed Saddle Company did a great job with our T-shirts

Thank you to all of the First Responders and Volunteers:• Colorado State Patrol-Captain Lyons• Trinidad Police Department-Chief Glo-

rioso/Sgt. Daniel DuRan/Officer Lay/Officer Martinez

• Las Animas County Sheriff ’s Depart-ment-Sheriff Casias and Deputies

• Hoehne Volunteer Fire Department-Matt Duran, Lyle Mrace, Dave Bacha-rach, Patrick “Gub” Duran

• Fisher’s Peak Volunteer Fire Depart-ment-Tim Gunthard

• Stonewall Fire Department – Mr. Gieske

• Sheriff Department Search & Rescue – Barbara Pereira /Ermma Horton /Sarah Zambonado

• Gage/Ben Cummings/Mike Timme• First Nazarene Church-Pastor Jack

Droste and Nancy Droste• Phil Long Toyota of Trinidad Staff and

Friends-Lisa Camarillo, Elizabeth llfeld, Kristal Dunn, Gina Ojeda

• Mt. Carmel Staff

The event was a success because it was truly a community effort. Looking forward to next year’s 2nd Annual Event on April 19, 2014. Hope to see you there.

Thank you to the Community for supporting Mt. Carmel Health, Wellness & Community Center.

-All of us here at Mt. Carmel

Mark Your Calendars!!!

*** Mt. Carmel Festival for the Fallen Coal Miners July 12-13 featuring US Army Band-TBA/KCRT’s Texaco Country Showdown/Whiskey Creek/food/vendors and family. Calling for vendors for this annual event!!!

***Ludlow 100 Century Ride for the Fallen Coal Miners September 20

Is Your lnfant’s Development On Target?By Katrina McLaughlin COTA/RMT Owner of Trinidad Pediatric and Adult Therapy Services

If your infant is unable to complete the activities listed below his or her age, ask your doctor if he or she would benefit from the services of a physi-cal therapist, occupational therapist or speech language pathologist.

3 Months• Lifts head 45 degrees off floor when

lying on stomach• Able to hold head in midline• Able to watch a toy moved from one

side of head to other• Grasps rattle or toy• Coos and gurgles• Turns eyes and/or head towards a voice

or noise• Nursing and/or taking a bottle without

struggling

6 Months• Brings feet to mouth while lying on

back

• Rolls from back to side• Maintains balance while sitting• Grasps a cube• Picks up a rattle• Coos, chuckles, gurgles, laughs• Anticipates feeding when sees a bottle• Responds to his/her name by looking

for the voice (4-8 months)• Plays at making sounds

9 Months• Rolls from back to stomach• Sits unsupported• Pulls up to sitting holding adults fin-

gers• Breaks fall by extending arm• Transfers a cube between hands• Bangs a cup on table• Secures a raisin using a raking motion• Comprehends no• Duplicative babbling (bababa) with a

wide variety of sounds• Imitates familiar sounds and actions• May drink from a cup

12 Months• Creeps forward on hands and knees• Pulls to stand at an object• Stands for 5 seconds• Removes socks• Picks up a raisin with thumb and

index finger• Drops a cube into an adult’s hand• Vocalizes to a mirror and during play• Participates in pat-a-cake, peek-a-boo,

so-big• First true word by 10-18 months• Uses understandable speech• Asks questions and retells stories

Around Trinidad

Chelsea Velasquez Moves to Otero J.C.By Doc Leonetti

National Letter of Intent Day was held on April 16. For Trinidad High School’s Chelsea Velasquez, it was a big one. Velasquez signed with the Rattlers who reside, mind you, high out on the plains of southeastern Colorado. The diminutive point guard, who toiled rigorously for Coach George Dasko for the past four years and more, was as speedy as a sniper’s bullet. Or just maybe, as quick as a stealthy rattlesnake. Chelsea Velasquez, and the Otero Rattlers. Yea, it should make for a good matchup.

“It was a good fit, more comfortable,” said Velas-quez of her decision to sign with Coach Kyle Spen-cer at Otero Jr. College in La Junta. “I liked their academics and their basketball program. They are well rounded and I clicked with coach Spencer and the other girls. It felt like a good environment and I was happy to be there. I’ll be away from home but mom and dad will still be with me.”

The green-eyed ‘Galloping Ghost,’ who loped the court from the point guard position, accounted for 14.8 points per game last season (384 total), canned 58 3’s, and hit 64 free throws for 66 per cent.

“I loved playing for Coach Dasko and Mike,” added Velasquez. “Coach helped me as a player and as a person. It was a lot of fun. I’ll miss him critiqu-ing me after games and I’ll miss the girls, but I’m looking forward to moving on and moving up. We made two runs at the state tournament and now I’m happy with my decision to go with Coach Spencer, but I’ll really miss the Daskos as coaches.”

The Miner ladies finished last season with a re-spectable 20-6 record, 11-3 in the Tri-Peaks League and a second consecutive trip to the state tourna-ment in Ft. Collins. The quick-as-a- rattlesnake guard led the team in several categories; 150 assists (5.8 per game), nine blocked shots, 111 rebounds, and 157 steals (6 per game).

“We got the whole package in Chelsea,” said an obviously pleased Kyle Spencer who sojourned 90 miles from La Junta for the signing. “We all know she is such a great athlete and a great student. She’s a great kid as well and she was so well coached. I couldn’t ask for anything more. She’ll help us right away.”

Velasquez will participate in the All-State game to be held on the Adams State University campus in Alamosa on June 7-8 this summer. The speedster, who played for Dasko in some capacity since she was in the fifth grade, was a four year starter for the venerable coach at Trinidad High. Under her leadership, and with the guidance of “the Coach,” the Miners tallied an astounding 83-17 record in those four seasons.

“It’s really been a great run with Chelsea,” said Dasko. “It’s more than that. She started for us all four years. We had a great player who loves bas-ketball. We didn’t have to discipline her and that’s really important. It would have taken some time to do that, but not with her. She was more of a fa-cilitator at all levels. At Otero she’ll run and pass to others who could score and that’s important. She’s accomplished a lot here. She made All-Conference in the Tri-Peaks League and made All-State, and she earned every bit of that. I’d like to take credit, but she did that herself. That’s good because she did all the work. If all the kids would have worked like her, we would have had two state champion-ships. We’ll miss her. We’ll miss all our seniors, but we’ll really miss her

Jacinta Hoffpauir Earns Scholarship to Southern Weslyan UniversityBy Doc Leonetti

Jacinta Hoffpauir is on a volleyball roll. From Trinidad High School under the watchful eye of Coach Geneva Villegas, to Trinidad State and head mentor Ellen McGill for two productive years, and on to Southern Weslyan University in Central South Carolina on yet another well-earned athletic scholarship, this pleasant young lady, it seems, has it all.

“Jacinta has definitely worked really hard the last two years to be the best she can be,” said the TSJC coach of her departing outside hitter who battled her way to All-Region for the past two seasons as well as earning Academic All-American honors. “She is certainly deserving of a scholarship. She is excited about her next two years of volleyball at Southern Weslyan. She was initially a walk-on, but it didn’t take long to offer her a scholarship. She was definitely our biggest impact player over the past two years.”

Rachael Hale, a stalwart athlete from Colorado Springs, was also impressed with the work ethic of her affable volleyball teammate.

“She is hard working and always had a good atti-tude on the court,” mirrored Hale who has teamed with Hoffpauir for the past two seasons. “She always gives it her best. I sure enjoyed being with her and getting to know her as a person. We’re best of friends.”

The Trinidad High volleyball standout now realizes that she made some constructive decisions about her future in a sport she is so partial to.

“I wasn’t planning on coming back this year, but I love volleyball and I really liked our team,” explained Hoffpauir who technically graduated from TSJC with an emphasis in Pre-Med last fall. “I’m happy I did, though. Coach McGill e-mailed all kinds of schools all over the country. I decided I wanted to play so I narrowed them down. I had a lot of interviews, about half that involved academ-ics. I finally decided to visit Southern Weslyan Uni-versity. I was so excited to meet a lot of new people in South Carolina who are totally different. And I liked the school a lot. It’s a small school. It feels a lot like Trinidad, and it’s so green down there.”

Hoffpauir recorded some standout statistics in the 2012 season: 318 kills, 2.28 kills per set, 41 block assists, 16 solo blocks, and 126 digs.

“Coach McGill sure helped me a lot,” added Hoff-spauer. “She helped me grow as a player and she gave me a big break, allowing me to play volleyball. I didn’t think I would play after I left Trinidad High School, but she let me walk on and helped me a lot. I’m very grateful to her.”

And McGill, too, will miss her hard working star from Trinidad High. “She’s really a smart kid and she worked hard in the classroom,” concluded McGill. “She’ll do well wherever she goes. It was re-ally nice to have her with us for the past two years. We’ll all miss her.”

Trinidad Sports

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BE HEARDAround Trinidad was created to feature the people, places, and events of Trinidad and the surround-ing areas. Be Heard is our section to feature stories and announcements sent to us. In this section you can announce births, engagements, marriages, loss of loved ones, family reunions, anything YOU feel is important. You can email your news to info@aroundtrinidad.com or mail it to 1513 Arizona Ave, Trinidad CO 81082. Include photos if you like. If you have ideas for our “Hall of Fame,” “Busi-ness Spotlight,” or any other section send those to us as well. Please login to our website and use the free platform; we created for you.

Thank you for making Around Trinidad a positive and exciting highlight of our community.

FRESH AIRLet’s Go Dig in the DirtBy Sophie Leone of SRG’s Landscaping Supply

First you should always read the labels on plants and fertilizers before you purchase and use them. This is important whether it be for your lawns, vegetable gardens or for your flower beds. Don’t forget to make sure your soil is in good health with soil conditioners that will help with the alkalinity of our soils, without good soil nothing will grow as it should!

Here are some things to consider as you play in the dirt this spring. Always select those annuals (yearly planting) of your liking and plant them according to the label directions, such as shade or full sun. Annuals are the bloomers and color of any flower bed. To get the best start for a garden, the ground temperature has to be at least 50 degrees, meaning, as a general rule of green thumbs, the air tempera-ture must be 50 degrees or more for three consecu-tive days and nights. Mulch is also a good option to help flowerbeds retain moisture and stay healthy. Stick to wood, rather than rubber or rock.

Perennials (they come back every year) are the backbone to any flower garden. Always think na-tive and sustainable plants in the landscape. Colo-rado has preferred CSU Plant Select plants that will grow in our dry climates and look beautiful

all summer. Ask your nursery if they carry Plant Select Plants for your garden. The Bloom House in Trinidad uses Plant Select selections in their gar-den if you would like to see them.

Now is a great time to plant any trees or bushes. It gives them a great chance to establish their roots well before fall. The first year is very important to trees & shrubs. They must be watered a little more to establish themselves, but even in a drought that can be accomplished easily. Use the water that you rinse dishes with or water well at least 3 times a week until your tree is established.

We endured a hard drought this year and if you didn’t water over the winter, any fledgling trees or shrubs you have around the yard might be in trouble or could have died. Because of the water is-sues and heat take extra care of your fruit trees this summer or you could lose them. Make sure you fertilize your grass, plants and trees soon to help them through the hot months.

Now go dig in the dirt and enjoy your time out-side!

www.srglandscapingsupply.com

Natural Does Not Mean Neutral

By E.R.A. McCarthey

Your face is the first thing that makes an impres-sion on others. As we know, most women are especially concerned about their appearance or why go to such efforts to look good. Every one of us is trying to maintain our image constantly and everything starts with our face. Depending on the social situation and the working atmosphere of the occasion, our mood and many other factors, our makeup should comply with the circumstances.Sometimes a simple change can transform your face! Your makeup should match your outfit. If your outfit is casual then your makeup should be light and simple. If your outfit is formal, makeup can be applied dramatic or smoky.

When you apply makeup, you need to know in what order to do it and what mistakes to avoid. The time spent in front of a mirror will vary depending on the features you want to emphasize most. Just enjoy every minute that you spend in the name of beauty. The most important thing is not to hurry, because if you overdo it with any detail the look will be unaesthetic.

The first and most important step is - a clean face! Never begin applying makeup unless you have perfectly cleaned skin. Determine your skin type (oily, dry, sensitive, combination) then hydrate and nourish your skin with the right products and face masks.

Makeup should look natural during daylight. Apply foundation gently all over your face, do not neglect the area under the cheekbones and jaw. BB Creams or moisturizing foundations work best for most skin types. If you have some imperfections, you can use concealer for more coverage. A color too light, dark or of the wrong tone can make im-perfections seem more noticeable. Those of mixed ethnicity can sometimes find blendable founda-tions or mix two shades to match skin tones. Don’t be afraid to mix foundations to achieve your skin color. Just make sure they are the same type and brand. For dark circles under your eyes, use a brightening concealer. Next, apply a thin layer of powder in an appropriate tone. A large soft brush works best.

When you have achieved flawless skin, begin ac-centuating your features using blush. Two colors of blush give a more dramatic effect. Use the darker color to define the contours of your cheekbones and if you have a fuller face, you can use the same color to define your jawline. If you want a fresh look, try using the light blush shade on your eyelid and the darker hue to accentuate the fold above the eyelid.

You can apply shadows next. Shadows must be in line with your outfit. For a more magnetic gaze apply three colors. Apply a light neutral color all over the eyelid and gently brush it up to your brow. Next, take a darker tone and slightly draw it over the eyelid crease. Leave the contrasted line for a dramatic look or blend the colors for a more natu-ral look. Apply a very light shade inside the middle of your eyelid and the inside corner of your eye. You can use the darker shadow as liner if you apply it right at the lash line using a small applicator.

You can emphasize the shape and size of your eyes with liner. If your eyes are smaller, thicken the liner in the middle of both top and bottom lash line. If you have tilted eyes, drag the line past your lashes and highlight the natural tilt. To look complete and stunning, curl your lashes and then apply mascara up and down for volume. For everyday makeup, eyes will look great with just mascara, eyeliner and blush. For more shine use a glittery shadow or powder and brush it lightly over your eyelid.

Lips are the most important part of the face and incidentally always left for last. For everyday make-up, you can use lipsticks in shades of pink, peach or tan but a simple lip balm or gloss will make your lips have more volume. For the evening or a more formal setting red lipstick will make you irresist-ible and bold. Choose a red color that flatters your skin tone. If you have a cooler complexion use dark wine or burgundy colors, warmer complexions look better with bright reds. You can use concealer under your favorite lipstick as a base to hold the color longer. Apply a little gloss to the center of your bottom lip to emphasize a pout or all over the top of your lipstick for a sultry wet look.

Everyone likes to be beautiful. Remember that natural does not mean neutral! No need to put on a lot of makeup to look amazing. Just highlight your best features, use colors that match your skin tone and most importantly…smile.

HOT TIPSStyle and Beauty

HEALTHY LIVING Hot Yoga on MainBy Gina Ojeda

Hot yoga is currently one of the fastest growing styles of yoga in the world. Yoga has been around for thousands of years and originates from India. The word yoga itself means “union”: of the body, mind and spirit. What is the difference between hot yoga and others styles of yoga? Really, there is not a significant difference, the obvious factor is the room will be heated. At Hot yoga on Main, we will be practicing the Sacred Hot Yoga Method. This method emphasizes on proper alignment and awareness of energy flow through in the body. We will focus of affirmations, breathing exercises and mediation techniques. The Sacred Hot Yoga Method is certified by the Yoga Alliance.

Now, what should I expect in my first Hot yoga class? First of all, you will be practicing in a heated environment. The temperature will be around 100-105 degrees Fahrenheit and 40-60 % humidity. Now, I know it sounds crazy, but there is a method to the madness. In India, they practice yoga outdoors and the normal temperature is 100-105 degrees Fahrenheit and 40-60 % humidity. So, our goal here in America is to mimic their environ-ment.

Be prepared to sweat a lot and burn an enormous amount of calories. Your body will experience a huge detoxification by releasing impurities and toxins thru perspiration. The benefits of hot yoga are remarkable. Yoga overall, increases ones flexibility, strength, stamina, balance and endur-ance. The increased temperature in the room will systemically stretch and strengthen the muscles in

your body, allowing you to move deeper into each posture. Hot yoga also helps to prevent injury by warming up the tissues in the body.

Practicing yoga in a heated room is similar to sitting in a sauna. Physiologically, it will help to reduce stress by stimulating your nervous system and bringing your body back into a relaxation state. By producing a meditative state or height-ened awareness of living in the present moment, yoga can provide emotional and spiritual balance, bringing with it true relaxation and peace of mind. In the age of the technical, yoga offers a drug-free, non-invasive and humanistic approach based on the body’s natural ability to heal itself.

At Hot yoga on Main, we will offer a fundamental hot yoga class, a warm and gentle class, and yoga for youth. The fundamental hot yoga class will provide students with a basic understanding of the postures (asanas) and deep emphasize on breath. The warm and gentle class offers a gentle, peace-ful, restorative approach to each posture. The room will be heated to 80-90 degrees Fahrenheit and will flow at a slower pace. This class is great for beginners and injury recovery. Yoga for youth is a program integrating art, music, stories, games and other sensory-integrated activities teaching children flexibility, balance, strength, mindfulness, nutrition and wellness on and off the yoga mat. Our mission is to spread to authentic teachings of yoga and meditation to our students. Our goal is to support the health and well-being of our local community with affordable classes taught by quali-fied instructors. We believe the most effective way in creating peace in our world, communities, and families is to first create peace within ourselves. We hope to facilitate a transformation in oneself by empowering our students and creating a safe place to reach a state of bliss, joy, and harmony. We will be opening up our location in June at 502 W. Main Street, Trinidad, CO 81082.

For more information call us at 719.422.3899.

SoCO Nightlife

PuebloMr. Tandoori Urban Bar & Grill310 S. Victoria Ave., Pueblo, CO 81003719-544-3000, mrtandooripueblo.com

El Nopal1435 E. Evans Ave., Pueblo, CO 81082719-423-8128

TrinidadRino’s Italian Restaurant & Steakhouse400 E. Main St., Trinidad, CO 81082719-845-0949http://www.rinostrinidad.com

Tequila’s Family Mexican Restaurant9900 Santa Fe Trail Dr. I-25 Exit 11, Trinidad, CO 81082719-846-3514

Purgatoire on Elm516 E. Elm St., Trinidad, CO 81082719-846-3901www.purgatoireonelm.com

Ginos Sports Bar991 E Main St., Trinidad, CO 81082719-845-0388

Mantelli’s Bar137 W Main St, Trinidad, CO719-846-9923

Main Stret Tap House308 W Main St, Trinidad, CO719-846-9164

Romero’s Liquors1804 N Linden Ave, Trinidad, CO719-846-8234

Main Street Liquors 803 E Main St, Trinidad, CO719-846-3525

Trinidad Peaks Lounge3130 Santa Fe Trail, Trinidad, CO719-845-8400

Raton, NMSands Restaurant350 Clayton Rd., Raton, NM 87740575-445-4024

K-Bobs Steakhouse1228 S. 2nd St., Raton, NM 87740575-445-2548

White House Bar133 Cook Ave, Raton, NM575-445-9992

Pioneer Bar129 Clayton Rd, Raton, NM575-445-3424

Trinidad State Junior College

Get paid to go to college!

High School GPA 4.0-3.8 3.799-3.5 3.0-3.499 2.0-2.999Automatic Merit $600 $480 $360 $0Spring Fest Scholarship $250 $250 $250 $250Full Pell* $2,823 $2,823 $2,823 $2,823Colorado Student Grant* $750 $750 $750 $750Total Benefit $4,423 $4,303 $4,183 $3,82315 Credit Hour with COF* $1,793 $1,793 $1,793 $1,793Fees - Trinidad Campus $303 $303 $303 $303Total Tuition and Fees $2,096 $2,096 $2,096 $2,096Refund to Student $2,327 $2,207 $2,087 $1,727

Cash Back!

Sample First Choice scenario for 1 semester (student living off-campus)

*Limitations apply, First Choice additional detailsCollege Opportunity Fund and FAFSA programs are state and federally funded assistance programs based on residency and income criteria. Award amounts for these programs are subject to change based on program requirements and federal and state regulations.

For more information about First Choice scholarships, contact Linda Perry at (719) 846-5649 or linda.perry@trinidadstate.edu

Trinidad State Junior College600 Prospect StreetTrinidad, CO 81082

1-800-621-TSJCwww.trinidadstate.edu

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Dreams Do Come TrueBy Marty Hackett

Dreaming big, starting small and working hard is all familiar to Nicolina Villani-Martinez. Her par-ents gave her the sense that achieving her dreams was possible, to go outside the box. Nothing magic was passed on to her, just the ideals that working hard, with your nose to the grindstone would be enough to achieve success.

While some young women set their goals low, Nicolina challenged herself to become the best she could be. Her most recent challenge was compet-ing in the 2013 Miss America Coed MAC Pageant and was crowned March 16 as Miss Centennial State 2013 in Denver.

“It was really fun,” she said with a smile, as she explained that she competed against five other competitors between the ages of 18 and 22. MAC contestants are selected on their GPA, community involvement, personality, and other qualities.

It may have been her community involvement that took her over the top as she has been a volunteer firefighter with the Fisher’s Peak Volunteer Fire Department, volunteer at Noah’s Ark which she said comes natural since it is her mother Franc-esca Villani’s passion, helping serve Thanksgiving meals, helping with Habitat for Humanity or one of the many volunteer services she provides in Colorado Springs.

“I just read the papers and find things to do in the community that interest me and where I feel I can help out,” she said of her volunteer work.

The 22-year old Hoehne High School graduate, currently stationed at Peterson Air Force Base, is an Enlisted Reservist who loves what she does and intends to make a career in the military. She provides security on base and at the gate, working one or two weeks per month.

“I’m not a traditional reservist,” she explained, say-ing she chooses to work week-long stretches rather than just on weekends. “I really like it. Military people are outstanding people!”

When in Trinidad, she works at Mt. San Rafael Hospital as a CNA, which she has done for the past 5 years. She is also the Patient Care Unit secretary on the Med/Surg floor. She received her CNA training at TSJC while still in high school and as soon as she graduated, she was hired.

“I will graduate in May with my Associates De-gree,” she said proudly.

In January of next year, she will leave for Ma-nas Air Force Base in Kazakhstan, just north of Afghanistan where she will provide security for six months as the base is shut down.

Although two seemingly unrelated career fields, Nicolina’s big dream is to work for either the CBI or FBI and she feels that the military and nursing will “help me get my foot in the door, maybe the nursing will lead into forensics. They are two of my really big interests so I decided to pursue them both!”

What does she do for fun when she is not volun-teering or working?

“I like dirt bikes, skateboarding, working on cars, all kinds of outdoor activities, all kinds of music, so

I like to go to concerts, but I really don’t have much time for any of that,” she said a little wistfully.

She will however be making time to attend to her duties as Miss Centennial Co-Ed as she partici-pates in parades and events all around the state, participates in AIDS walks, Relay for Life, meets with governmental leaders including Governor Hickenlooper, and getting involved in different communities, proudly displaying her crown and banner and planning for the upcoming competi-tion for MAC in November where she will compete for the national title in Orlando, Florida over the Thanksgiving weekend.

“I’m very excited,” she said, noting that she is also planning on competing for the Miss Colorado competition in 2014.

Calling her a “busy girl” is an understatement after listening to yet more plans to host an event in Trinidad where she has invited Ross Capicchioni to share his inspirational story with students. In 2007 at the age 17 Ross was shot three times point blank with a shotgun by a friend who was carrying out an initiation rite for the gang he was involved with.“It’s a real inspirational story,” explained Nicolina whose ultimate mission is to touch lives. “I want to meet people, inspire others, and be a role model to my peers. Show others that there is good inside of everybody. This might be a good way to start on that path,” she added, explaining her plans to contact the school board for permission.

“Everyone should be happy with themselves.” Her inspiration comes from both her mother Fran who has always helped her be all that she can be, and father, Jude Martinez, who taught her the drive to accomplish what she believes in. “I didn’t appreci-ate them when I was younger, but I do now.”

Her motto comes from words memorialized by Audrey Hepburn, “For beautiful eyes, look for the good in others; for beautiful lips, speak only words of kindness; and for poise, walk with the knowl-edge that you are never alone.”

Hall of FAMETrinidad

42Art and Music

Here is a quick peek at some of the actors that will be here this summer. Make sure you give them a great welcome when you see them. We’ll be send-ing out more information and other actor snap shots in the near future.

Get Excited… It’s Time for Our Professional Season in Trinidad!

Jeff JesmereTrinidad audiences will remember Jeff for his por-trayal last year as a golf club owner with the crazy sweaters in “Fox on The Fairway.” This season Jeff is our Technical Director and actor. He is appear-ing in “Tom Dick and Harry” as the third brother Harry. Harry has many plans but very few can be realized.

Lisa GaylordLisa is new to the company, but referred by Jake Williamson (a veteran of the SCRT for 4 years) who will be appearing in “Putnam County Spellig Bee.” Currently from New York, Lisa is a native of Denver.

Jeffery Schultz Jeffery is from San Luis Obispo, California. He has been doing a one-man show at the Hearst Castle for a number of years as William Randoph Hearst. He will be a part of the company in “Putnam County Spelling Bee. He owns property in the Trinidad area and plans to move here permanently after he retires from Cal Poly. A great addition to the SCRT.

Jean ShumanJean is from Denver and new to the company this season. People from Denver will recognize her as a comedian from the Denver Improv Festival. She will be appearing in “Tom, Dick and Harry” and “The Last Romance,” as well as be the understudy for all female roles in “Spelling Bee.”

Famous Performing Arts Center131 W. Main St., Trinidad, CO 81082

719-846-4765www.SCRTheatre.com

Adrienne BergeronAdrienne lives and works in New York City and surrounding areas. She first worked with SCRT as a college intern several years ago. She was a member of last year’s professional acting com-pany, performing in On Golden Pond, Fox on the Fairway, and They’re Playing our Song, for which she was also the choreographer. She is ecstatic to return to the SCRT stage. Adrienne has performed all over the United States but the past year was as a resident artist at the Palace Theatre in New Hampshire. While there, she performed in profes-sional productions such as Chicago (Go to Hell Kitty), Legally Blonde, A Christmas Carol, Guys and Dolls, and also co-directed and choreographed numerous children productions such as Honk Jr. and Dear Edwina Jr. This summer Adrienne will perform in Tom, Dick, and Harry and 24th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee for which she will also be the choreographer.

SCRT’s Professional Summer Season

Right Here In River CityWater Well Explosions/Water Wells Drying UpBy Jesse Manzanares

Methane gas is found in abundance in the Raton Basin, part of which is located in Las Animas County. I understand it is a product of the bacteria associated with the formation of coal beds. There are other sources of methane gas not involved in what is going on in Las Animas County. Methane gas has been around as long as the coal beds in the Raton Basin have existed.

The canary cage at the Coal Miners Memorial in downtown Trinidad is a tribute to and recogni-tion of an early method of detecting methane gas in the coal mines. However, methane gas has been seeping through the ground more and more since coal bed methane drilling and extraction has been going on in Las Animas County. Mine explosions in Las Animas County, resulting from the accumu-lation of methane gas, caused hundreds of deaths in the early days of coal mining.

I know of a water well that blew up in the North Fork area several years ago. A neighboring well was contaminated. Recently another water well exploded in the La Garita area. Prior to that, methane gas was seeping into a home and irrigated field in the Valdez area. Four years ago, numerous water wells in Huerfano County went dry and at least one exploded. In many cases these water wells vented methane gas through their piping systems. A house under construction blew up several years ago in the Valdez area when methane from a very old capped well seeped into the crawl space while the home was under construction. Events like this have become more frequent and seem to be reaching a critical stage. Our County Commis-sioners are powerless to stop the ongoing damage, or to provide compensation to anyone injured or damaged by these events. The Colorado Oil & Gas Conservation Commission, COGC, the only governmental agency with jurisdiction over the folks causing the damage, is impotent because of big money politics.

Have you noticed how many of the natural resource companies, natural gas, coal, oil, (the 1%’ers) have been spending millions of televi-sion advertising dollars trying to make the public believe that oil spills (think BP or Alaska) are ok because they can be cleaned up, and that “drill baby drill” is the only way to create a safe and se-cure society with lots of jobs, and that burning coal is clean. The Keystone Pipeline from Canada to the Gulf coast is currently a hot topic. Do the benefits of building outweigh the environmental and health costs? They certainly do not want our country to reduce its fossil fuel consumption. They love the dependency and profits they have created among 300 million consumers.

Well, today, we have trouble right here in River City. We have water wells exploding. We have fre-quent earthquakes. We have methane gas seeping into homes, and farm land fields.

I believe that water wells exploding and drying up are directly related to the activity of drilling for natural gas in the Raton Basin. I believe that the earthquakes in our area are caused by injecting waste water back into the ground. This conclusion is now supported by recent research and publica-tion of a scientific article. The very same thing hap-pened in Derby Colorado back in the 1970’s, and most recently in Oklahoma. All three locations, 50 years apart are associated with injection wells similar to what we have in Las Animas County. Earthquakes have been occurring in Las Animas County on a regular basis for the past 7-8 years.

What Now?More water wells will dry up and begin to vent gas (often times venting as loud as a jet engine). Methane gas will start spouting from spigots in certain locations west of Trinidad. Similar events have occurred in the natural gas fields in northern Colorado. More water wells will explode. We can expect more earthquakes.

Part of the natural gas drilling process requires the extraction of massive amounts of water (called waste water) to be pumped out of the ground and disposed of in one of several ways. One is to pump the waste water into injection wells. Another is to dump it into evaporation ponds, and another is simply to release the water to find its way into the water ways. Sometimes, the water is used to water down dusty roads. Methane gas seeping up in ir-rigated farm fields will also kill vegetation. I have seen such kills in the Valdez area, Gulnare area, and in Huerfano County. Why Did The Water Well Explode?Obviously, gas seeped into the casing and was ignited by a spark of some sort. Possible culprits are lightning, light switches, or direct spark or fire from workers in the area. What Is Happening? Because the methane extraction method removes millions of gallons of water from the ground, that naturally tends to lower our water table. A drought also causes our water table to drop. When the water table drops, the water that was holding the methane gas in place has dropped out of sight and methane gas is freed to flow wherever it can. Water well casings are natural conduits.

What Will Happen In The Future? As the water table falls, more water wells will stop producing water. And, more methane gas will seep into water well casings and find its way into home spigots. Some folks west of town can probably open their kitchen spigot, light a match to the methane gas flowing out. A scary thought. It could explode. A certain mixture of air and methane inside a home causes a great danger of an explo-sion. Homeowners may need to install methane detection devices in their homes.

Is it reasonable to expect the natural gas industry

to protect us from this calamity? Not a chance. They might deliver water to your home for a while. They may even pay a small sum to buy your si-lence. They might offer to buy your property. They will tell you they did not cause the problem. They will tell you that jobs are more important than the safety of an entire community.

The Solution?The drillers need to fess up and pay the landowners for the damage caused to their lands, their way of life, and in some cases, their livelihood rather than denying their involvement in causing the damage. While it can be done, it is very expensive to prove that particular drilling activity causes methane gas to flow freely, find a conduit, explode, and destroy a water well.

The natural gas companies almost always deny their fault. A lawsuit and the cost of experts to prove they are wrong is not within the means of most people. When they do settle a case and pay damages, they require strict confidentiality so that the problem neatly goes away without publicity.

Don’t Get Hit with a HUGE Utility BillHow to control the seasonal increases in your residential utility billsFor residential utility customers, the seasonal spikes in utility bills may cause strains on the household’s budget. In the winter, for example, utilities can be very high following an extended cold snap. In the summer, if the residence uses evaporative coolers or air conditioning, electric utility rates can go up significantly during a period of extended hot weather. What can a residential customer do to minimize the effects of the ups and downs in utility bills?

One possible solution is to enroll in the City of Trinidad’s Budget Billing program. Budget Billing is a program established for customers who want a fixed monthly payment for their utility bill. The Budget Billing program adds the most recent twelve utility bills at your home and divides that total by 11 so that you KNOW what will be your monthly utility bill.

Who is eligible for Budget Billing? You can apply for Budget Billing if you meet all of the following requirements:

1. You must be a residential customer receiv-ing utility service from the City of Trinidad

2. Your utility account must have a zero bal-ance

3. You have a 12-month history at the location

How do you start Budget Billing? If you are interested in the Budget Billing program and your residential account meets the three require-ments listed above, then you should call the Utility Billing office at 846-9843 extension 116, or you

44

may choose to return a completed Budget Billing Application form to the Utility Billing Office. The Budget Billing Application form is available at the Trinidad Utility Department.

What information does a residential customer need to provide? The Budget Billing Application form, available in the Trinidad Utility Department, will ask for the following information:

1. 1. Customer’s Name2. Date of the application3. Service Address (where utility service is

provided to the residence)4. Telephone number (daytime and home

numbers, if applicable)5. Utility Account Number (the residential ac-

count number applying for budget billing)6. Budget Billing amount (this is determined

by the Trinidad Utility Department7. Settlement Month (this determined by the

Trinidad Utility Department)8. Customer’s signature and date of signature

What Is Settle-Up? Settle-up occurs during the month of May (or a month determined by the Utility office to be most effective). During the year your Budget Billing account will carry a deferred balance. The deferred balance is the difference between your actual charges and your budget payment: it may be either a credit or debit balance. In the settle-up month, the deferred balance will be applied to your account. If you have a deferred credit balance, the amount due will be the settle up month charges less the amount of the deferred credit. Any remaining credit on the account after the settle-up month charges are paid will remain to offset future bills.

If you have a deferred debit balance, the amount

due will be the settle-up charges plus the amount of the deferred debit. To avoid a large deferred debit balance in settle-up, monitor your consump-tion. If you consistently use more that you are paying for, your account will develop a deferred debit balance.

With Budget Billing, payment extensions ARE NOT AVAILABLE. Accounts may be discontinued from Budge Billing at any time at the request of the customer, the City, or when a utility account is terminated. Settle-up occurs with the next billing.

Who do I contact if I have any questions about Budget Billing? You should call the Utility Billing office at 846-9843 extension 116, or you may visit the office in person.

This article was prepared by Mayor Bernadette Baca Gonzalez as a general information item only; all decisions regarding eligibility for Budget Billing are made by the Trinidad Utility Department. In the event there should be a conflict between the content of this article and the policies of the Trinidad Utility Department, the decision of the Trinidad Utility Department shall prevail. You are encouraged to ad-dress all questions about the Budget Billing program to the Trinidad Utility Department.

Purgatoire Watershed Partnership is heading into full

gear. In September 2012, the group received a highly competitive Cooperative Watershed Management Grant from the Bureau of Recla-mation. They are now equipped with a mission statement, a board of directors and an adopted set of bylaws. They have also hired a watershed

coordinator to ensure that the group’s mission of broadening stakeholder engagement with regards to the Purgatoire Watershed is fulfilled. “’The Purgatoire Watershed Partnership’s mission is to proactively acquire and maintain a watershed-wide stakeholder partnership aimed at the assessment, restoration, protection, and improvement of all aspects regarding the Purgatoire River watershed.’ We are working to do just that. However, we need input from local stakeholders in order to enhance our efforts. That is why we are encouraging any in-terested parties to come join the PWP.” said Rachel Theler, Watershed Coordinator for the PWP.

The PWP is now looking for further involvement from stakeholders in the area. Membership is open to anyone interested in protecting and enhancing the watershed. It costs $10 annually to become a voting member, and all meetings are open to the public. The next meeting is May 9 at 6:00 PM in the Leone Room at TSJC. Kevin Reidy, the State Water Conservation Specialist from the Colorado Water Conservation Board, will be giving a presen-tation on water conservation and what the state of Colorado is doing to promote water conservation initiatives. Kevin has an extensive background in water and resource management, including time working with the Honduran Forest Service and lo-cal rural communities to help manage Pico Bonito National Park and working as the Water Conserva-tion Supervisor for Aurora Water, during which he oversaw all aspects of the water conservation division. Kevin has been with the Colorado Water Conservation Board since 2009. This presenta-tion promises to be interesting and applicable to everyone residing in Southern Colorado.

www.purgatoirepartnership.org

BUSINESS SPOTLIGHTLOVE What You DoLisa Camarillo Joins the Phil Long Team and Our Community

By E.R.A. McCarthey

When Phil Long first pursued Lisa Camarillo, she was running a large dealership in Albu-querque, NM. She had been in the car business for 23 years and specialized in turning large dealerships into small town stores in the sense of promoting outreach, community service and building close customer relationships. She had never lived anywhere else and never thought that she would be happy outside the hustle and bustle of a fast paced city. She was open for a change though, since her children were grown and had families of their own. Jay Cimino impressed her when he was more interested in her as human being than as a salesperson.

Lisa discussed her interview for Phil Long, “He sold me on the idea of this town because he wasn’t just looking for someone to run this dealership, he (Jay Cimino) was looking for someone that could wrap their arms around a town and be part of a community. Put themselves out there, and serve the customers like he would if he was here full time. I always wanted to combine outreach with the car deal-ership. I could never get the right relationship with an owner that saw my vision. I’ve had owners that are very generous but never like this. When I went into my interview, I was telling them about all the car stuff, and it’s funny because Mike Cimino grabs my resume and pushes it to the side and says ‘Lisa, I

already know you know how to run a dealer-ship. I want to know about your heart.’ They were interviewing me as a person. They told me, ‘We want you to be involved in the town, we want you to do outreach, we want you to find the need and fill it, we want you to be a part of something bigger than you and by the way sell some cars.’ But it makes sense now that I’m here. It all goes together.”

Lisa has made herself at home in Trinidad. She has become involved in outreach, working closely with the foster care program and local nonprofits. Phil Long Toyota donates to many organizations, schools, churches, health care providers and local causes. Toyota, the manu-facturer, is the major sponsor for the Trinidad Triggers under the Grass Roots program. The Triggers now have a reality show and will use offices provided by Phil Long Toyota.

Lisa and her husband, Joe Camarillo, the new buyer for Phil Long Toyota, are happy with the move to Trinidad. Lisa joyously exclaimed, “Since we’ve been here we’ve fallen in love with the community. We love the people. We love the environment. We’re opening a Hot Yoga studio because we want to contribute to the health, care and wellness. We want to promote what Mt. Carmel is doing but this isn’t sponsored by Mt. Carmel or Toyota, it’s just something we want to do to be part of the community more. It was the right time for us, the right time in our life. I didn’t know I was looking for this until I got here. Then I was like ‘Oh My Gosh’ I love this!”

Under Lisa’s push for building client relation-ships Phil Long Toyota offers many services to car buyers. They have reignited the guaranteed approval program. They have a car buyer and can find the car you want even if they don’t

have it on site. They will bring a new car from any Phil Long Dealership and any make or model used car to the Toyota location free of charge. Lisa discussed Phil Long Toyota’s willingness to do this, “I may not get the credit as far as commissions go because if it’s a new car it will go to that store but I believe in customers for life so I get to be part of your buying experience. I can get any new Phil Long vehicle or any used vehicle including motorcycles. We are in a small town and we really need to be of service. What that means is I have people that go to Albuquerque all the time, I have people that go to Denver all the time, why should you have to? There is no extra fee for it. I have people that will bring stuff in, pick it up, whatever. It’s about serving the community.”

Phil Long Toyota can also service almost any new car under the manufacturer warranty. Lisa explained, “Let’s use Hyundai for exam-ple, if the closest Hyundai dealer is more than 73 miles away, we can get paid to service your vehicle here because we’re so far away from a Hyundai store. Now the distance varies among manufacturers but not by much and here in Trinidad we are so far away from everything we can service several new car models under the manufacturer warranty. People think they have to travel to Springs or Pueblo, which is 83 miles away, to have their vehicle serviced but we can do it here. Why drive that dis-tance? We can order the parts here, service the vehicle here, and provide rental cars.”

Lisa is excited about her and her husband’s future in Trinidad. She said, “If you do what you love and you love what you do the money comes. If you serve the people well, it serves you.”

Paw News Bright Eyes and Wagging Tails Are Ambassadors of Cheer Noah’s Ark Pet Visits to Nursing Home

Noah’s Ark Animal Welfare Association and the Trinidad Inn Nursing Home have joined forces. Every week, volunteers from the animal shelter will be bringing some of the adorable dogs and cats to the Trinidad Inn to visit with the residents of the nursing home.

“In addition to being able to hold and love on these animals, the residents of the nurs-ing home are able to share past experiences, pictures and stories of their own pets,” said Nancy Vigil, Trinidad Inn Activities Director.

“The first week, the residents met several kit-tens, two puppies and a dog named ‘Buttons,’ said Kim Riddle, Executive Director of Noah’s Ark. “Although this program is new, the future of it is bright and long-term. Our animals enjoy interacting with people and this benefits both pets and residents,” she said.

For more information about this program, along with others that the shelter has go to www.noahsarktrinidad.org or please contact Noah’s Ark at 680-2385 for more information or to volunteer to help.

Noah’s Ark Animal Welfare Association is a non-profit 501c3 organization with our mis-sion to enhance the care and living conditions of domestic animals within the City of Trini-dad and Las Animas County, with emphasis on population control, disease prevention, adoption programs, support of shelters, and the education of the community on animal care issues.

EDUCATIONTrinidad State Honors Top GradsOne plans to be an engineer, another wants to be an archaeologist, one a gunsmith, another a mechanic, but all have already proven them-selves to be high achievers with impressive skills. Trinidad State Junior College will honor Thomas Staver, Kaycee Prevedel, Cody Coles and Tyler Guyette at graduation ceremonies on May 10.

Staver has a perfect 4.0 grade point average in his first three semesters at TSJC. He’s an advi-sor in the residence halls and has been a tutor to his fellow students in calculus, statistics and chemistry. Staver was the team leader of the Trinidad State Junior College Robotics Team, which recently won first prize for its paper and presentation from the Colorado Space Grant Consortium. The team also won the People’s Choice Award for its demonstra-tion table. Staver says he didn’t apply himself until he got to Trinidad. He heard about Trinidad State through a couple of friends and loved it once he arrived. But he was far from a star student in high school. “I didn’t really do all I could in high school. It’s funny. I got voted Biggest Slacker in my senior year. I did virtually nothing at all in high school. Once I got to college, I changed my mindset and actually took it seriously,” said Staver. Staver said he decided he didn’t want to be a worry to his family and decided to make something of himself.

Staver has been accepted at Colorado School of Mines and expects to be accepted at the University of Colorado in Boulder as well. He wants to get a degree in either petroleum engineering or aerospace engineering.

Kaycee Prevedel has made a mark at Trinidad State that will probably remain for a long time. Prevedel also completed her first three semes-ters with a perfect 4.0 grade point average. She has excelled in biology, geology, astronomy and theater. She loves to hike and has been active in Christian Challenge.

But she will be remembered for her skill on the softball field. Recruited to Trinidad State by Coach Steve Swazo from the small town of Roosevelt, Utah, she is a pitching ace. She set the school strike-out record last year with 157 and then shattered her own record this year with 189, and as of this writing the season isn’t yet over. Prevedel also holds the overall win record for a softball pitcher at TSJC with 35.

Prevedel will head to Adams State University in the fall on a softball scholarship. She will major in either geology or anthropology. But eventually she wants to be an archaeologist.

The other two top grads at Trinidad State are Cody Coles in Auto Mechanics and Tyler Guy-ette in Gunsmithing.

Cody Coles grew up in Manitou Springs, Colorado and received his GED in Colorado Springs. He will graduate with an Associate of Applied Science in Automotive Technology with a 4.0 grade point average. He has also been employed in the auto mechanics program as a work-study student.

Coles came to Trinidad State with his girl-friend. They were looking for an affordable college in a small town setting.

He had previously graduated from Colorado Mountain College in Leadville, with an As-sociate of Arts. As a top student there, he was inducted into Phi Theta Kappa. He now hopes to get a job in Salida working in the automo-tive repair field. Tyler Guyett will graduate from TSJC with a degree in Manufacturing Technology and holds a 4.0 grade point average. From Ver-mont, Tyler is also currently enrolled as a gunsmithing student. While serving in the Army in Iraq, Tyler researched gunsmithing schools and decided to attend Trinidad State. At that time, there was a waiting period to enroll in gunsmithing, so Guyett went ahead and moved to Alamosa to start working on a degree in Manufacturing Technology.

Manufacturing Technology coursework in-cludes studies in CNC machining and welding. He completed the coursework for machining in Alamosa at the TSJC Valley Campus, and then came to the Trinidad Campus to com-plete the welding coursework and begin in the gunsmithing program. After completing the Gunsmithing coursework, Guyette plans to return to his hometown in Vermont and use both his degree in Manufacturing Technology and Gunsmithing to open a business.

47Cody Coles

Thomas Staver

Kaycee Prevede

Tyler Guyette

The Best Place to Live and WorkBy David J. Santistevan Jr.

Tom Acre started his interview with Around SoCO by saying, “Where there are challenges, there are opportunities, and at this stage in my career I wanted to come to a small community like Trini-dad. One of my strengths is taking challenges and making them into great opportunities. I will work to create great opportunities for the City of Trini-dad, our residents, our workers, staff and everyone trying to make Trinidad the best place in Colorado to live and work.”

Acre was born in Colorado and then raised as part of an Air Force family in Oklahoma, where his father was from originally. He came back to Colo-rado permanently in 1989. Acre graduated from C.E. Donart High School in Stillwater, OK, and then earned a bachelor’s degree in biology from Oklahoma State University in 1983. He earned a master’s degree in Environmental Science in 1989. Acre is currently in the process of completing a Certified Public Manager Certificate through the University of Colorado in Denver. The course is a combination of online and classroom instruction through the school of public affairs. Acre has also received training and education on city govern-ment, employee issues, various water issues and environmental law.

Acre has been married to his wife Pamela (Pam) for 26-years and they enjoy sharing two cats and a dog. They also have numerous nieces and nephews. He and his wife have fallen in love with the com-munity he serves.

Acre comes from Commerce City after 15-years of service there, four and a half years as the deputy city manager, and three as a regional project manager. Acre also has years of experience as a project director for a non-profit organization in Colorado. Previous to that he was an environmen-tal consultant.

Acre is currently focusing on several city issues. He stated, “There are a lot of things that need to be worked on. We’re close to getting a new finance director hired, the interviews are next week. I’m starting to get the staff back together. It took us a while to complete year end finances so I think getting that staff member hired is going to be beneficial to the community. I have had time to start looking at the budget and formulating ideas on ways to make our budget more efficient. That will be something I work on with the new finance director. I have started the process of getting a new public works director. Also trying to see if that person could have some utilities experience. That’s going to be my next hire. Then we’ll have a pretty full cabinet.”

He discussed the high utility bills Trinidad resi-dents face, “We’re working with ARPA. We’re in a long term contract with them. Council members Michelle Miles and Frank Shew have been meeting with the ARPA board and I have been working with the manager because of the need to lower electric rates and try to solve the bond indebted-ness issue. I think the start of that is we’ve got a long term contract on electric rates that should help us hold cost increases down to a level that’s bearable by everyone instead of having high fluc-tuations. I think that’s going to be a benefit.”

Acre talked about his goal to help local businesses, “Joining the Economic Development Board and repopulating that board with people who are excited and want to see something done with economic development is going to go a long ways towards helping see renewed efforts for prosperity in Trinidad.”

Another issue Trinidad faces are buildings being left in severe disrepair. Acre talked about this,

“We’re trying to increase the image of Trinidad by working on our building codes. At the same time we’re looking at how we can work with those codes to make them cost effective for building owners that need to renovate their buildings. We’ve been working with the folks from Triton Energy to try to provide information to businesses on how they can reduce their energy costs so they can be more profitable.”

Acre ended by saying, “I will continue to work with the county and get some projects off the ground that are joint between the county and city. I want to get out into the community more and talk with the businesses while we’re getting ready to go into bud-get so if there are some things that the city can pay attention to and incorporate into our discussions as we’re thinking about the budget long term it’s good to know that starting this year. I am honored and I plan to leave Trinidad in a better place than when I took the city manager position.”

Government___________________

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Believe...In Memor y of LENA (Maria) VALENTINE

By Bertha Sandoval

Lena Valentine, 89 - having overcome poverty and strife as a child possessed nobility, kindness and a charismatic personality. She was born June 10, 1923 in northern Italy and attended school in Tassullo until she was 14 years old. Being restricted from receiving further education, Lena left school, and went to Germany where she worked as a housekeeper for people of wealth, receiving a small pittance for her hard work.

Lena’s father, Tomasi Guido, worked farming an apple or-chard and her mother, Liduina Dallapiccola, cared for the home and Lena’s five siblings. Quite often, Lena and her siblings worked alongside their dad in the apple orchards.

While attending school in Tassullo, Lena met Leo Val-entine whom she married in 1947 in a castle owned by the German family who also owned the orchard groves where her father worked. Lena’s wedding vows were witnessed by her parents and the Priest who officiated the ceremony at five o’clock in the morning, that being the only hour that her parents could attend. Lena migrated to the United States in 1954, her husband having paved the way one year prior, and she became a naturalized citizen in 1959. She stated in a reverent tone, “I’m thankful to have come to America because it gave me a chance to live a better life than I had over there.”

Mr. Valentine worked in construction commuting throughout Colorado for ten years before tragedy struck and he lost his eyesight which made it necessary for him to retire. He passed away in 1999. Their first two years in America, Lena and Leo lived in Aguilar in a rental home owned by the school district. The family then moved to Trinidad where Lena became employed as a housekeeper for a private family, a position she held fourteen years. Many times Lena would be alone with her children for months at a time while her husband worked at his con-struction job out of the area.

Mr. & Mrs. Valentine were married over 51 years and to this union were born four children: Son, Johnny, district manager for the Colorado State Land Board residing in Colorado Springs. Daughter, Grace Valentine-Mincic of Hoehne, retired educator after thirty years. Daughter, Bruna VanCleave, physical therapist in Monument and son, Michael Valentine of Trinidad, surveyor for New Elk Coal Company. Thirteen grandchildren and five great-grandchildren filled Lena’s life with joy and happiness.

Lena was proud of her accomplishments, one of which was being an excellent seamstress having learned to sew by watching her mom. Lena displayed much of her handiwork and quilting at the Sayre Senior Center, having been a cherished member for sixteen years. Lena played cards with her circle of friends and truly reached the pinnacle of high respect and admiration by everyone who had the pleasure of her acquaintance.

Pillars of the CommunityBy Bertha Sandoval

Mary Ellen and David Hadad are pillars of the community, the epitome of stately, aristocratic and friendly business folks.

Mary Ellen was born in 1932 to the union of Lyle and Ellen Miller in Kilkenny, Minnesota. Her father farmed a small acreage while mom tended the family home. When Mary Ellen was 4-years old, her parents and brother, Charles, moved to her maternal grandfather’s farm where Mary Ellen attended a nearby country school. Following high school graduation in 1950, she enrolled in the Col-lege of St.Benedict in Minnesota, where she spent four great years and made lifetime friends.

Upon graduating from college with a major in his-tory and a minor in sociology, Mary Ellen decided to move to Colorado to pursue employment as a history teacher in order to fulfill a love of history and politics that had been instilled during her school years. During summers, she worked as a waitress and parking valet. In 1954, the Branson school board hired her as an educator and, as Mary Ellen states “she spent four enjoyable years with the people of that small ranching community who were so friendly she felt at home from day one.”

In 1958, Mary Ellen moved to Denver where she became a social worker at Denver Catholic Chari-ties for children in orphanages, foster homes and, later in adoption placement. In 1962 she received a Master’s Degree in Social Work from Catholic Uni-versity in Washington, D.C. where she was inspired by the 1960 election, visiting Congress, and all of the important sights.

Returning to Colorado, Mary Ellen moved to Trinidad to help set up a grant-funded special

education program for School District #1. Fully intending to return to Denver at the end of the 2-year project, her plans went awry when, on a shopping trip to Hadad’s Home Furnishings, she met her future husband, David Hadad. They were married one year later, in 1967, and needless to say, she did not return to Denver!

Mrs. Hadad is a strong supporter, member, and volunteer at the Sayre Senior Center. She volun-teers at the Trinidad History Museum and, having a background and in-depth knowledge of the area, helps visitors who are researching their roots. She is a 40-year member of the Trinidad Historical Society, serves on the Holy Trinity Parish Council, TCF, is a board member of Habitat for Human-ity, and longtime member of P.E.O Sisterhood. She maintains an avid interest in reading mostly biographies, having acquired an early interest in history, politics and biographies. She enjoys watch-ing sports, bowling, playing bridge, and is a highly respected, refined, fascinating lady!

David Michael Hadad was born in 1938 in Trinidad to the union of Mike and Sara Malouff-Hadad. For 54 years, his family operated a general store in Segundo where David and his five siblings were raised: Najib, Lucille, Leo, Dick and Victor. Following graduation from Primero High School and later from Trinidad State Junior College, Dave attended the University of Denver and obtained a Bachelor of Science Degree in business admin-istration-sales and marketing. He then served two-years in the U.S. Army and upon receiving an Honorable Discharge in 1963, he returned to Trinidad to work with his dad in Hadad’s Home Furnishings, which he continues to operate every day together with his sister, Lucille.

David and Mary Ellen are the proud parents of three children: David Jr., Sara and John. They enjoy spending time with their grandchildren Aengus, Zoe, Sophie and Michael.

Mr. Hadad has been involved in several projects to promote business in the area, spends spare time on the computer, and enjoys good music. He is a val-ued member of the Sayre Senior Center, Knights of Columbus, Community Chorale and serves as Eu-charistic Minister for Holy Trinity Parish. He has been a photographer since high school days and will often be seen with his favorite camera around his neck, ready to get a quick shot of a Colorado sunset, Fisher’s Peak, or one of the grandchildren. He is held in high admiration and utmost esteem by the community he serves.

TRINIDAD TREASURES

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Trinidad Treasures SponsorMangino AutomotiveServing Trinidad for over 68 years.1631 E. Main St.Trinidad, CO 81082719.846.3405