Mountain People's Coop

The Mountain People’s Coop is one of the most inviting places in Nederland, especially during warm weather, when the produce is displayed outside on the porch. The array of textures and colors are pleasing to the eye. There are smells of fresh fruits and vegetables, coffees, teas and other bulk herbs as you walk through.

The register workers are locals, volunteering a shift, and earning an extra discount when shopping. The kitchen in the back is full of activity in the mornings, with fresh entrees for lunch, like soups, quiche, and tamale pie being made by workers and volunteers. You can find conveniently packaged and freshly-made healthy snacks like chicken salad and hummus in their cooler. There’s always an array of freshly made muffins, scones, cookies and great homemade vegan desserts, like German Chocolate Cake!


In a town focusing on becoming as ‘green’ as possible, recycling containers and buying in bulk are a great way to go. At the coop, you can find herbs, teas, granolas, baking ingredients, nuts, dried fruits and other goodies in the bulk section. You can also buy your shampoo, bath, dish and laundry soaps in bulk as well.

Shaylee Sigg-Brown, volunteers at the coop by working the register, helping in the kitchen and stocking. “I love the ‘coop’ because it’s a community, I love it because I can basically just be myself, its fun, I love the music, and I love the people!”

Laura Vega has worked at the coop since 1982. She says, “Well, I love the people around here. They’ve grown to be my family. We try, ya know, and we have fun.”

Thomas Benson said he likes working at the ‘coop’, because of the opportunity to interact with the community and its also his way of ‘giving back’ to the community.

Jan Bishop, Mountain People's Coop Director said that business has steadily increased. Right now they are looking for a few more volunteers. They have around 45 volunteers working on various projects as well as stocking and working the register. Bishop put it best, “Volunteers are what makes it all work!”

Shining Star Café

Shannon McKay says she and her partner, Nathaniel Haas spent two summers looking up and down the East and West coasts, searching for that perfect spot to open up their new business. She said they worked at Gold Lake Resort for years and had absorbed as much as they could about every aspect of running a business. They knew they wanted to open their own business some day. Then one winter it dawned on them. They should open their business "right here", in Nederland. “It’s a great town, we like the people, and it’s a small community. It had everything we were looking for.”

Haas is a musician and a chef. Small acts are booked on their warm, inviting stage. “He gets to incorporate what he really likes, and I’ve got the bookkeeping side of it.” McKay said that people have been great. “As we were painting the fence outside and sprucing the place up, people were stopping by and giving their support. Its continued since we’ve opened our doors. We have a lot of regulars that keep coming in, you know, all locals. Its just been a really great place to have a business. You can feel the support in the community. People notice that you’re here and they care that you’re here…and that’s why we want to give back to the community, too.”

Hass is trained as a fine dining chef. He has decided to limit the menu to breakfast and lunch due to the 'historic' building’s small kitchen. He mainly focuses on taking normal fare, and adding flair to it. “All of these amazing sauces are home-made; honey-mayo, pesto sauce, his roasted red pepper sauce. McCay said sometimes she feels like people are ‘going out on a limb' trying Nathaniel’s normal dishes with the twist of one of his sauces. She said so far, they’ve had 100% satisfaction.” She says its 'food with a twist.' "Nathaniel cares very much about the presentation, and the consistency of the food." “They are striving to make a name for themselves among a lot of large businesses that have opened up. They are “the little guy here at the end of the street.”

McKay said their ‘business is growing,’ and they are finding their ‘tables full mid-week’ and they ‘know almost everyone’s names and they are starting to know what people want,’ etc. “It’s really starting to feel like a local breakfast spot.” McKay said they ‘wrote a business plan with the hopes that it would provide a community ‘meeting’ spot, “and its been really nice, seeing that coming to fruition.”

So, if you find yourself in Nederland, and want to enjoy a tasty meal in a comfortable setting, stop by the little cafe' at the end of First Street, The Shining Star Cafe'.

Keeping Teens Alive in the BackCountry

Eric Levy has brought the first Avalanche Safety Course for Teens to Colorado. He presented an introduction to the course at Nederland High School students Friday. A firefighter for the past 5 years with the Forest Service’s Roosevelt Hot Shots, Eric is also the Assistant Ski Patrol Director for Eldora Mountain Resort during the winter months. He has done ski patrol work for seven years, including back-country rescue, and teaches Avalanche courses at Eldora.

During the introduction, the students were shown a film, Warren Miller-style, and all chatter stopped. Most of these students identified themselves as skiers or snowboarders, all live near avalanche terrain. The film showed strong extreme-sport enthusiasts, snowboarders and skiers being swept away in a wall of snow that sets like cement when it stops. Beautiful, glowing athletes described the overwhelming power of an avalanche and the sadness of losing friends …

Most powerful was the news footage of seven snowboarders swept away in a Utah avalanche. The death of these lively teens disturbed Craig Gordon of Utah. Craig is an expert on avalanches and does avalanche forecasting. In response to the deaths he put together an Avalanche course specifically for teens. The course reached 50,000 teens in Utah. Eric Levy is excited about bringing this course to Colorado, and hopes that it can reach as many teens here.

One of the students present, Brittany, is taking the avalanche class and when asked what to do when considering going into the back-country, she said, “take the class and call the hot-line”. The Avalanche Hot-line gives the avalanche danger for the day.

Eric had the teens’ attention when he talked about “staying alive in avalanche terrain”. “You never want to be alone…you can’t dig yourself out”. He also illustrated the dangers of moving together across avalanche terrain . “If everyone gets swept away, no one is left to dig.”

He touched on keys to assessing that a terrain is dangerous, and reminded everyone that 90% of avalanches are created by people (90% of avalanche fatalities are triggered by the victim or a member of the victims party). When people are educated, back-country skiing can be safe.

The most important factor, once the search for avalanche survivors begins, is time. After fifteen minutes survival rates plummet. Eric explained that there were four main tools for avalanche rescue; beacons for gaining a general idea of the location of the survivor, probes for finding the person under the snow, a shovel for digging them out, and knowing how to use them as well as avoid having to use them. Eldora Mountain Resort plans to create a training area for practicing avalanche rescues.

After the film, Eric introduced Scott Chandler as the man Eldora sends into the back-country when someone is hurt. He has been with Eldora Ski Patrol for six years and a paramedic for seven. Scott participated in the recovery of a teenage snow boarder’s body in 1992 and strongly believes in the importance of avalanche safety. The husband and father of two small boys, three and seven months, has personally covered the costs of avalanche classes for young people. He now has started the non-profit Alpine Education Foundation. The foundation has been giving scholarships for teens to take avalanche classes. Their new website is in-progress…it contains contact information for those interested in applying for a scholarship, or to make a donation. Scott is excited about the recent filming of Eldora rescue dogs Tasha and Pancho during a training exercise. The trailer will be shown on the Alpine Education Foundation web site and was produced in conjunction with Warren Miller. He is an ‘avid supporter and friend of the back-country’, and likes the exposure the film will give to avalanche safety.

Scott also reiterated what Eric had told the students, which is that the new technology of snow mobiles has led to new dangers with snow-mobiles going higher than others traveling on snow shoes, skis, or snowboards, and setting off avalanches onto those traveling below them.

“Ignorance is Bliss, said Jennifer Morris, of Eldora's Ski Patrol. Morris moved to Colorado from Boston, Mass. When she was 21 she was dropping off the backside of A- Basin, and Loveland Pass without a beacon or any avalanche knowledge, like many do. However, after taking Avalanche classes, she realized she had been really lucky. She said, ”Take the class, I think its really important to know what you’re doing, otherwise, you're putting yourself and others in danger; your friends, other back-country skiers, and the rescuers as well."

Where is the Little Twirling Girl?

Six years ago, magic was captured on film when a little girl was caught in a delighted spin on the Pearl Street Mall by Daily Camera photographer Cliff Grasmick. It so enchanted Carousel of Happiness artist Scott Harrison, that he recreated the image in a carving.

Janette Taylor, Carousel of Happiness Board Member tells the story of the mysterious little girl. “So this is what happened. Six years ago, in the Boulder Daily Camera, Scott spotted a picture of a little girl named Eliana Dreyfus. She was about three years old in the picture. She was dancing on the Pearl Street Mall. Scott absolutely adored the picture. It just said ‘pure joy’ to him.” Taylor went on to explain, “The carving of the little girl is about three feet high. His intention is to put the statue on top of the carousel.”

Taylor said, “We thought it would be really neat if the real girl, who would be probably nine or ten by now, could meet her ‘doppelganger.' I have taken upon myself, this detective job. I have made some progress, but I have not found her yet. I have traced a woman whom I believe is her mother named Sharon Lawrence Dreyfus, to Europe, where she is an activist. She was in a newsletter in Germany, and was in Switzerland for a while. I have traced her, if it’s the same woman, but I lost her ‘trail’ around 2004. “

“They were at the Boulder Jewish festival when the picture was taken, so I am going to talk to the three Rabbis of Boulder, to see if they know them, or where they are. I really appreciate a chance to tell this little story. If anybody knows where Eliana Dreyfus is, we would love to find her.”

Taylor initially became involved with the Carousel when she put together a fund-raiser for them at the Mexican Grill. “We raised about $6,000, with an art auction and wine and cheese.”

“Scott and Eleanor (Harrison) are my friends and neighbors. We did a big fund-raiser in Boulder last weekend at the Dairy Center for the Arts. Many of the animals were adopted. That is our big push right now, is to get as many of the animals adopted as possible, at $1,000 a pop.”

“There are 34 animals, and 10 have been ‘adopted’ so far. Those who ‘adopt’ an animal get a plaque with their name printed on it placed on the carousel animal for a period of time, and then it will be moved to a different part of the carousel. “So if people have a special affinity for an animal, they should see if it’s still available.”

There is still a lot of money to be raised for the Carousel. There have been recent fund-raisers at Whole Foods and at High Peaks Art Fair. Fund-raisers are challenging, because it is difficult moving the animals.

Taylor is clever with her fund-raising ideas, “I have printed out 38 ‘golden tickets,’ for the 38 seats that will be on the Carousel. We raffle them off one at a time. We’re averaging about $50.00 a ticket. On the first day of the Carousel, these ‘golden tickets’ will be used for the first ride. We hope they’ll be filled with children!”

This is the first published article to appear about the little 'Twirling Girl'. The subsequent article, which appeared when Eliana and her mother were found in Switzerland, appears in this blog as well.

Chinook West's 2007 Graduates Shine

Chinook West celebrated its graduating seniors on Friday. Students glowed and
parents beamed as the graduates were honored one by one for the challenges they had
placed before themselves and the goals they had achieved.

Chinook is a small school, creative in its approach to education and groundbreaking in its achievements. It has offered a saving grace for some, who benefit from the wholistic approach to education and the teacher’s natural mentoring in such small classes. It has offered a creative intellectual outlet to others, who thrive on thinking ‘outside the box’.

Graduating seniors Colin Bosma and Silas Tittes have been honored with awards and scholarships. Both young men are admired for their community involvement as well as their personal achievements. Ed Porritt, Nederland MS High School Dean of Students said he admired both young men, “They stand up for their morals.” He then jokingly added that Silas “kicks butt with his pinky finger’’, referring to one of Silas’ achievements. (Silas recently earned his Shao-Lin Black Belt.)

Silas explained that he knew early on that he wanted to attend Chinook. “ I knew
there would be more freedom and opportunities for me at Chinook.” Silas said he knew that for some teens, that wouldn’t work, because they don’t know how to work independently, but Silas was home schooled until middle school and so this was already a developed skill. He says he enjoys real-life learning, and he thinks this aspect of Chinook gave him an opportunity to mature. He was able to get experience working on a psychological study, ‘running subjects’ and learning about different aspects of the study. This past year, this ‘real-life’ education enabled Silas, along with Colin Bosma, to work on 1190 Radio Station, doing promotion and CD reviewing as well as production of their own CD from their original music. Their name is “The Illusionists”and their CD is called, “More Bang For The Buck.”

Silas says that he thinks, “A huge part of why you can thrive here is because it is such a small school. That allows for more ’hands-on’ participation in your education”…but also its about learning how to ask the right questions, to thoroughly understand what you’re learning…and its easier to ask questions in a small classroom.

Silas’ mom says she was glad Chinook was there as an educational option because, “we wanted to keep that creative side of him.” She thinks the Peace Jam and Conference on World Affairs are special highlights of his time spent at Chinook. The students at Chinook are encouraged to be active on local as well as global levels. This allows for a greater understanding of their world, as well as being a great lesson in empowerment.

Silas was awarded the Edith Scates memorial scholarship for leadership, which is a $1,000.00 scholarship, and the Nederland Lions Club also awarded Silas a $1,000.00 scholarship. Silas has been accepted to CU Boulder and says he likes Life Sciences, but since he is graduating a year early, he will take the next year off to travel and work and then enter CU in the fall of 2008.

Colin Bosma is also graduating a year early. He has been honored with the Community Champion Award given by Peak-to-Peak Healthy Communities. Colin says that Chinook is a ‘High School of opportunity’, and that it takes oneself to harness and use it…. that made my High School years enjoyable.” Colin will also take a year off before starting college. He says he has an interest in psychology.

Stephen LeFaiver Executive Director of Teens, Inc., where Chinook is located, noted that “everyone learns different things at different speeds and at different times. We like to honor that. We have found that with a lot of encouragement from us, students get to where they want to take ownership of their education. Mike Wight, Academic Coordinator of Teens Inc., says, “The beauty of Chinook’s methods is in its wholistic approach to education…we are able to provide individualized education catered to student interests.”

Cameron Boswell, Graduation’s Master of Ceremonies, praised that Chinook students were “encouraged to express themselves and be heard, and given resources to fulfill their own needs.”

Bridget Chiarito was honored this year as Colorado’s Teacher of the Year. She
loves teaching at Chinook, and praises the way the students there consistently think
outside of the box…creatively and intellectually. She says she enjoys close relationships
with her students, as well as their parents, who she finds very involved in their teens
education. She praised the high level of communication, both between the other teachers and Teens Inc. administration, as well as the students and their parents. She appreciates the way ‘everyone has it together there…’

Another favorite teacher, Dan Vardamis says he believes students like having a say in what they’re learning. He feels students embrace what they’re passionate about. Dan says he appreciates that every student here is able to think critically… and to have unique opinions.

Julia Keast, Program Director at Teens Inc., grew up in a small, conservative town with little artistic opportunity and later went on to earn her degree in Fine Arts. She says “the freedom of self-expression & creativity that Chinook embraces is truly wonderful.”

Local ‘Blue Owl Books’ owner Kimba Stefane runs a program linking musical instruments and instructors with students through Teens Inc., where the school is located. She has this to say about Chinook, “In a society where many kids are taught what to think instead of how to think, it’s great to have an alternative like Chinook where kids are given greater freedom and control over their education. Her son Silas says he would like to attend Chinook once he reaches High School.

Graduate Jenny Ousley glowed with pride, as did her mother. She was honored with the Metropolitan Mayor’s Commission Youth Award. She also won Boulder Tech’s Outstanding Senior of the Year award. She was praised as having outstanding writing ability for a high school student. Jenny says Chinook “allowed me to be independent.” A lot of people gave me support and helped me make good decisions. Jenny will attend Red Rocks College in the fall where she plans to study Environmental Studies and work on her Liberal Arts degree. She says she is sad to leave, but says she feels like “everyone who comes here will excel.”

Luke Dobson, aka ‘Chuck’ was also honored with the Metropolitan Mayor’s Commission Youth Award. Chuck played football on Nederland’s High School Football Team this past year. He is described as a natural leader and a very compassionate person. He says Chinook gave him a chance to succeed. He needed to work with people who understood his learning style. He says the most valuable thing he learned was how to manage his time well. He was very happy at Chinook.

Philip Bosma, aka ‘Pip’, liked the diverse classes, like the Chess/Math class and the Neuro-Anatomy class. Graduate Megan McMillan was honored for her stubborn will which helped her to reach her goals this past year.

Former student Jordan Morrow, said Chinook “allowed me to find a path I enjoyed. I’ve learned things about myself and gotten the best sense of my body, mind and spirit. In a world that dampens what defines one’s self, nothing is as important.

It is a very gifted group of students who participate in these small classrooms. Subjects are often taken much deeper than in traditionally larger classrooms. This, and the wholistic approach to education have created a graduating class of productive, happy citizens who know how to make a difference in their lives and their world. And, as the Margaret Mead quote gracing the wall says, “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful citizens can change the world.”

Shooting Range Too Close for Comfort

There’s a heated controversy occurring around an informal 'shooting area' located near Nederland, Colorado. The shooting occurs at an old 'dump site' where locals have been going to shoot for years. In many areas, growing neighborhoods encroaching on open space, and increased foot traffic on trails have made shooting 'sites' around the country a hazardous clashing of old and new.

Nederland residents have been complaining about the noise from the 'informal' shooting site, which lies within earshot of their neighborhood. The area had been banned from shooting because it was within 150 yards of an occupied area. But then the U.S. Forest service has released a letter stating that “roads should not be considered inherently occupied areas.”
Some have interpreted this to mean that they can return to the site and shoot. There are still signs posted saying shooting is not allowed.

Neighbors are communicating, trying to decide the best way to deal with the problem. One anonymous neighbor, explained, “I have guns at home.” He understands being a gun enthusiast. He ‘just feels like this is an inappropriate place to have a shooting area.’ Many neighbors have a fear that ‘someone is going to get hurt or killed from a stray bullet.’ Many of these concerned residents have children.

Long time hunting and shooting proponents say they have been shooting in the area for years. “We don’t use high powered rifles, we’re shooting at clay pigeons.” announced an anonymous local hunter. The hunter stated that it was ‘idiots;’ untrained and thoughtless people who are reckless with guns, that ‘ruin it for everyone.’

I asked him to imagine if he lived within the proximity of the hunting range, and was having to deal with these problems, what would he say was a good solution? He pondered this for a moment, and slowly said he really didn’t know. I asked if he would be happy with an alternative sight for shooting, and he said he thought 'that made the most sense.'

Michael Bane, host of The Shooting Gallery on the Outdoor Channel, has been a prominent personality in the controversy over whether an ‘informal shooting’ area on Magnolia Road should exist. He lives in Big Springs as well, and reminds that shooting is allowed on National Forest lands, except within 150 yards of an occupied area. He seemed surprised that I wanted to talk to him about the subject. He said in all of the time that he had been dealing with the issue of the area on Magnolia, not one of his neighbors had bothered to talk to him

Michael Bane argues that the magnolia site has existed for many years, and that responsible people, like himself have been shooting there for years. We walked to the top of ‘hill’ behind the embankment that is used as a ‘backstop.’ It was steep and possibly 700 feet high. It seemed like an answer to the question of the Big Springs resident safety. Bane argues that responsible shooters shooting into the embankment with appropriate weapons, would never get a bullet up and over that hill.

Then, I accompanied Marshall Ken Robinson to the site. He understood that an expert marksman who is professional and responsible, probably could shoot there without harming anyone…probably. And that’s a certain type of responsible person. The anonymous hunter and I had agreed earlier, ‘sometimes ignorant people ruin it for everyone.’ On the ride to the site, Robinson asked me, “What if somebody is up here shooting and drinking?” I flashed back on the smashed beer can I had photographed at the site the day before.

When we got to the site, Robinson started pointing out problematic areas. He started rattling off different types of weapons and how far their bullet will travel. I got lost in the numbers…but I clearly heard the part about the town and the elementary school being within range of a ‘stray’ bullet. We walked to the far end of the site and he pointed over to Magnolia road and it was clearly visible through the trees.

Then, he showed me something that struck home, as we walked back away from the shooting area, he pointed out a path in the woods. I had seen the beginning of it before, but hadn’t realized that part of it ran adjacent to the firing area. Robinson pointed out that mountain bikers love these trails and that he knew a lot of people who run on those trails. He and his family have run on all of the trails in the area. He looked back towards the berm and the shooting spot and said, “Let’s count, let’s measure,” and he started taking long steps back towards the site. He stopped at the edge of the woods where a pile of shotgun shells lie. He had walked 40 paces.

Robinson had pointed out earlier that if someone were going to be shooting a rifle, they wouldn’t be shooting the ‘short distance’ of the area…they’d want a longer distance. He looked at the embankment and how it curved around and noted that they would probably stand on the near end of the ‘area’ and shoot at the far end where the embankment curves around. He suggested we go look and see if we found any rifle shells in the area he was pointing to. There were. I picked up a handful of rifle shells and saw many more. What that meant then, is that people are standing with rifles pointed towards the ‘far’ end of the area…alongside the road.

Robinson spoke again of trajectories and distances bullets could go, and pointed out that the various rifle shells were coming from weapons that could hit the town. His biggest concern, as Marshall of the town lying within range of a misfired bullet, was everyone’s safety. He too agreed that their really does need to be a safe area, 3 or 4 miles outside of town, for people to target practice.

Robinson has experience with firing range safety and he says that not only will he not condone the area as a safe shooting area, he also will not allow his officers to practice there.

Cat Luna, of the U.S. Forest Service’s Boulder office said the Forest Service is acknowledging that there is a problem. They are looking into interim management ideas and a longer-term study of the entire area and its gun use. She said she is open to hearing from those who have questions, concerns, or for information at HYPERLINK "mailto:cluna@fs.fed.us" cluna@fs.fed.us .

Ryan MacKinnon, 15-year-old visiting hunter from Spruce, Michigan, ‘bagged’ a 6 x 6 elk in Colorado, with a bow. This is an impressive feat for his age! He is on an archery league back home. He bought his license and did everything by the book, while hunting in Colorado. He also hunts with a gun and likes to target practice. I asked him and his friends what they thought of the local shooting area dilemma. They seemed genuinely perplexed that in an area with so much wilderness, we couldn’t find a mutually agreeable spot for target practice.

Soakin' Up the Solar in Nederland, Colorado

Nederland, Colorado's Community Center got a big boost Saturday when solar panels were installed. In Colorado's 'Front Range' the winter chill is offset by lots of sunshine. Solar panels are a perfect solution for this mountain region's energy needs.

The panels will ‘harness’ enough energy to have an ‘overflow’ in times, like summer, when less electricity is needed to run the building. During the winter, the ‘green’ building’s utility bill will be reduced considerably.

The panels were perched up high on the edge of the community center roof. There were a lot of people present, helping put the solar panels up. It was an impressive cooperative activity, like the Amish barn raising where all ‘hands’ come together in an effort. They were working together with a ‘spirit’ about them, doing something very positive in a really beautiful place, and this was echoed by all.

Ray Tuomey, of Namaste’, said, “We’re installing the system, a solar electric system, also known as a photo-voltaic system. We're joined by Solar Energy International, and Colorado Center for Resource Conservation. They're doing a class on Solar Installation, and that’s why you see so many students here today. They're learning how to install a solar system from our staff. We’ve taken safety precautions, to make sure everybody is safe up here. Nederland was kind enough to let us use this installation for educational purposes. This system will (continue to) be used for educational purposes. There will be a display in the lobby of the Community Center."

Ed Eaton, of Solar Energy International explained, “We're installing this solar system as part of a six day workshop, that we've been doing in the Boulder area for quite some time now. We work with the Center for Resource Conservation. The Center pretty much put the workshop together. We are the instructors, we facilitate the ‘hands on,’ along with Namaste’ the Solar Company right here in Boulder.” They are a non-profit organization.

“We do workshops in the whole realm of renewable energy; solar, wind, water, bio-diesel, passive solar design, straw bale construction,” said Eaton. He encouraged homeowners to also consider conservation, as that saves a lot of money. You can find out more at HYPERLINK "http://www.solarenergy.com" www.solarenergy.com

Ingrid Castrejon, from Mexico City, participated in the class. She said of the project, “I love it. Its very aesthetic, and seeing so many hands working together, having fun…and these are amazing instructors. The theory behind it, I find fascinating. I’m having a blast!”

Castrejon was getting a spectacular view of scenic Nederland, Colorado. She and her class mates from across the United States, were treated to a 'typical' beautiful sunny day in the Colorado mountains, and they were ‘just thrilled.’ The solar panels they installed will continue to soak up the sun and provide warmth for years to come.