Valley Blog - The weather, the deer you saw etc.

[Hotchkiss]

More rain, falling pretty much all night throughout the valley. I ate my first ripe strawberry out of my bookstore garden today. Smaller than the end of my pinkie, but a strawberry...

Construction on the new Delta Federal Credit Union building next to City Market in Hotchkiss has finally begun. Another Hotchkiss landmark, the notorious "drug house," next to the Hotchkiss K-8 tennis courts on Lorah Avenue has been torn down. The house gained notoriety recently when it was learned that the former residents of the rental property, owned by an estate in California, had been living there for quite a while despite most of the utilities, including water ans sewer, being disconnected for non payment.

[Hotchkiss]

A lovely summer day here in Hotchkiss. I celebrated by going down to Gambles and buying a market umbrella for my spool table in the garden. Shop locally. I have to admit that although I understand how local economies work and how the multiplier effect works, I buy a majority of things locally not because of logic or loyalty, but because I hate to travel.

I'm reading a great book today in-between writing an analysis of the Town of Paonia's 1996 Master Plan for the Herald. It is Jenifer Estess's - Tales From the Bed. The most upbeat and inspirational book by a person with a terminal illness (Lou Gehrig's Disease - ALS) that I have ever read. It is also a book about love and family. Highly recommended. I'm also hoping for a couple more ripe strawberries today. The first row of peas are nearly ready and I guess I need eat spinach faster before the bugs and heat get it all.

Don't forget - the Paonia Farmer's Market is tomorrow from 4-7 pm at 3rd and Grand.

[Hotchkiss]

I'm trying to get the final touches done the last painting I have entered in the Black Canyon Artist's Exhibit and get it in a frame. It was refreshing to get back into art if just for a couple weeks after being away from doing larger involved work for the past years. I have to turn out something a little more ambitious than illustrations and pen-and ink drawings from time to time just be able to refer to myself as an "artist," without feeling too phony.

Entry day for the Black Canyon show held by the Hotchkiss Fine Arts Association is tomorrow - June 7th at Memorial Hall. The opening is Wednesday evening during a reception from 6-8. The show is then open through Sunday at 4 pm. Friday the show is open until 8pm otherwise it is generally 10 am until 4 (Open at noon on Sunday.)

It is a busy week in Hotchkiss. Leroux Creek Area Planning Committee meets Tuesday night at 7 pm at the County annex in Hotchkiss. They will be reviewing a subdivision application for the North Fork Nursery property on Roger's Mesa. The results of the land use survey for Hanson Mesa area also in and the planned public meeting will be discussed.

Wednesday is the Paonia Mosquito Board meeting at Hotchkiss Town Hall at 7:00 p.m.

Thursday is Hotchkiss Municipal Court - 5:30 pm. and Hotchkiss Town Council at 6:30 pm.

Fri - The Bluegrass Festival gates open at noon for the campers to set up and the music starts at 5 pm. it then runs through 5 pm or so on Sunday. www.northforkbluegrass.com

Then there is Pioneer Days up in Crawford (especially on Saturday) Check www.crawfordcountry.org for details or pick up a copy of the special Herald Bluegrass weekend issue out now. And the art show ... whew!

[Hotchkiss]

The Hotchkiss Fine Arts Black Canyon Exhibit opens tonight during a reception from 6-8. The show is then open through Sunday at 4 pm. Friday the show is open until 8pm otherwise it is generally 10 am until 4 (Open at noon on Sunday.)

The Paonia Mosquito Board meets tonight at 7 pm at in the council chambers at Hotchkiss Town Hall. Included on the agenda is a discussion of community awareness of of eliminating mosquito breeding areas around private property. Removing old tires, weeds, anything that could collect water...

At the Thursday Hotchkiss Trustees meeting the agenda includes a new liquor license for Eleni's Downtown in the old Jay Creek building near the Fairgrounds entrance. An ordinance to place a moritorium on the sale of out-of-town water taps will be considered as well as an ordinance that requires that all occupied structures have working water and sewer service.

A change of use review for the proposed new medical clinic at 365 W. Bridge will also be considered.

[Hotchkiss]

The North Fork Bluegrass Festival starts this evening at the fairgrounds at 5 PM (gates open at noon or so). and it is currently (10:30 am) raining in Hotchkiss. If the rain continues it won't slow down the festival, just move it under the horse pavilion or into Heritage Hall. So, don't let it slow you down. Just dress in layers and bring an umbrella along with your lawn chair. It's all part of the festival experience.

The Hotchkiss Trustees Meeting last night was looong, running from 6:30 to 10:30 pm. A recent record. The out-of-town water tap moratorium passed unanimously with no comment.

An interesting observation on sales tax for the past three years the Town's sales tax revenues have declined with the largest hit coming in 2004 with a 10.4% reduction, or nearly $34,000. The only plus is that the Town share of the County Sales Tax - which rose by 5.86% last year went up by an additional $3,000 -- making the net loss only $31,000. County sales taxes have been steadily increasing by an average somewhere about 5% per year for the past decade apparently due to the economic growth in Delta, which has drawn away from the smaller towns.

This year so far, sales tax revenues for Hotchkiss are running slightly less than last year but the Family Dollar should add a boost in the coming months. The opening of Eleni's Downtown restaurant in the next few month will also help some. Otherwise, the ongoing development bubble in Hotchkiss is mostly residential and non-retail -- service -- commercial.

[Hotchkiss]

A beautiful day across the valley and for Pioneer Days in Crawford and the North Fork Bluegrass Festival in Hotchkiss.

The Town of Hotchkiss has just mailed out the official change of land use notice to the neighbors of the old North Fork Creamery Building across the street from Robert's Short stop on West Bridge St. Rowan Properties LLC of Bellingham, Washington proposes to add a second story to the building and renovate and redesign the structure into an arts center with classrooms, studios, including a full pottery studio with kilns, and retail gallery space and some offices upstairs to be used by Keenan Properties LLC and Keenan Builders Group Inc. John Paul Keenan of Hanson Mesa is the builder on the project. Some demolition work has already begun.

This is the second in a series of projects planned by Rowan's Joanne Tullis and her project manager/builder, John Keenan. The first was the already approved laundromat commercial building to be constructed just east of the Family Dollar. Other popssible projects being considered include a small senior housing complex, apartments or condominiums, and a possible residential subdivision.

[Hotchkiss]

A steady soaking rain is falling in Hotchkiss and that looks to the forecast for the rest of the day. Of course the sun was shining yesterday morning at this time and the day then turned rainy and overcast. It looks like the last day of the Blue Grass Festival will be an inside event at Heritage Hall. The music starts at 11:00 p.m. with gospel with Sons and Brothers.

I spent part of the afternoon yesterday at the festival and caught a short set by Sweet Sunny South (some irony there) the highlight of which was hearing Bill Power's great newer song -- "Burlington Northern" live. An instant classic. SSS are doing the finale today at about 4:00 p.m. The band's finale set with the Wilders was the highlight of the festival last year for me. SSS's brand new CD "Wild and Swingin'" is out.

Other than a short serious downpour about 2:30 in the afternoon that caused a rain delay of a few minutes, the rain stayed away from the festival Saturday until about dark when the deluge finally came, with the venue moved inside a cozy Heritage Hall.

The Black Canyon Art Show at Memorial Hall continues today from noon to 4pm. Stop by if you haven't had a chance so far.

[Hotchkiss]

Figures. The sun is shining today and there is nary a cloud in the north Fork sky.

Jane and I stayed to the end of the bluegrass festival at a little after 5:30 pm Sunday Night. It was worth it. The day cleared up a little and the music moved back outsideabout 1:30 pm for the remainder of the day.

Sweet Sunny South once again turned in the crowd pleasing performance of the festival in their finale after a disappointing shortened 35 minute set on Saturday. Make sure you pick up a copy of their new CD - "Wild and Swingin." I thought for a minute the crowd was going to revolt when organizer George Gertz wouldn't allow an encore because they had already run long (with dozens of dancers in the grass) and the sound company needed to make it to another gig that evening.

The three standout acts at the festival for me were SSS, The Biscuit Burners and Pete and Annie Sibley. The "bluegrass" bluegrass part was world class, but it was mostly well.... you know... bluegrass. A little hardcore goes a long way. .. for me anyway.

George, Jody and Dave (the organizers) all seemed pleased with the healthy turnout, admitting that the weather probably slowed down the locals coming down on a day-pass. The campground behind the rodeo arena was reportedly pretty waterlogged over Saturday night, but this just seemed to make it all the more memorable for the hardcore people back there. Bluegrass fans don't seem to whine about a little rain. See you there next year.

[Hotchkiss]

Another sunny day. Tonight is Paonia Town Council where the issue of the night will be water. There are multiple discussion on out-of-town water taps including those for Hawk's Haven and two developments on Lamborn Mesa. Hawk's Haven is in the Tier One area for water taps but on Lamborn Mesa and other areas outside of the designated growth areas there are only 3 taps per year available and they can only be purchased for service by existing water companies. Discussion will probably be lengthy...

Hawk's Haven will also be asking for final approval of a road variance for access through Creek Vista which is also owned by the same core developers; Allison Elliot and Hal Brill.

I guess the big news around the Herald office is that we have decided to put the North Fork Merchant Herald up for sale after ten years. We are really looking for an individual or couple who want to continue the deeply-local, laid back tradition we have established. Nathan and I both have full time jobs besides doing the Herald so someone who would devote full time to the paper would find plenty of room for expansion. Start with the monthly and gradually turn it into a valley weekly. If you are interested give me (Tom) a call at 872-2664. All serious offers considered.

[Hotchkiss]

I was at two meetings in a row in Hotchkiss last night. The first was with Robin Waters, and Neil Schweiterman (Paonia Trustee) concerning the idea of having a Mosquito Control Awareness Week in July. A representative from the Delta County Health Department (Larry Hudnall) was unable to attend. After some discussion the general idea of the two towns perhaps adopting a resolution or proclamation in support of the event, perhaps coordinating weed abatement with sending out info on mosquito control on private property. Also, perhaps looking at invoking the town nuisance ordinance to try and clean up old tires and junk which might possible create mosquito breeding areas. The idea is for the Towns and County to work together in a cooperative manner with the Paonia Mosquito Control District to increase public awareness of mosquito control issues and for the Towns to actively aid in working towards more effective mosquito control by more active enforcement of existing ordinances.

Hotchkiss will be doing a survey of the town looking for weeds which harbor mosquitoes during the heat of the day. Letters will be sent out to property owner requesting that they please cut their weeds. Failure to do so in a reasonable time may result in a summons issued.

Tonight at 7:00 p.m. at Memorial Hall the Leroux Creek Area Planning Committee will meet with Hanson and Powell Mesa residents to present the result of a community planning survey of the citizens of those areas. Hopefully, a sort of mini-addendum to the Delta County Master Plan for Hanson and Powell Mesas will be developed from the survey and citizens comments. The addendum would then be used by the LCAPC in formulating their recommendations after reviews on proposed land use changes and subdivisions in that area only.

[Hotchkiss]

Boy, it has it been HOT and humid over the past few days. Today it looks like some clouds and relief might be on the horizon. The July Herald is at the printers today and I have been totally immerse in it for the past few days. I finished up the proofs at 7:00 p.m. Sunday night. I am now working with Pat Gwinn and the folks putting on the 2005 Paonia Mountain Harvest Festival to do their official program as a Special Herald Issue coming out in mid August as well as distributed at the Festival.

Don't forget the Paonia Farmers Market this evening 4-6. Tommorrow night is a Paonia Trustees work session as well as a second P & Z meeting where the revision of the master plan might be a topic.

Oak Street in Hotchkiss from Bridge to Main is being rebuilt beginning this week.

[Hotchkiss]

The Paona Trustees and P& Z meeting for tonight (Tuesday) has been canceled with all of the items trasfered to July 5th according to Town Clerk Barb Peterson. This was due to the mayor and mayor -pro tem being out of town for a Colorado Municipal league meeting and P & Z member Ron Sims having other pressing duties as a board member of the Paonia Mosquito Control District.

Jane is enjoying the sunshine and delivering the Herald in Paonia today. This months focus is on land use planning, particularly the 1996 Paonia Master Plan and the current move towards revising it, Hotchkiss's Master Plan process and a planning survey that was done of one specific neighborhood - Hanson Mesa - just outside of Hotchkiss.

Remember, it's just a little over a week until Cherry Days in Paonia. Then, another week plus for the BMW - Top of the Rockies rally at Paonia Town Park. Then,on the same days, tthe dreamers among us to head on up to Stucker Mesa for the Dreamtime Festival July 14 -18. That one is probably the most interesting, a kind of small scale Burningman Festival with a wide range of world-type music and other creative activities. Be there if you're not square. Check out the details at: www.dreamthefuture.org

[Hotchkiss]

Hey, some rain fell yesterday evening. Not a lot, but enough to cool things down a little.

The chimney on the old North Fork Creamery, also known as the old Barsanna Foods - International Society for Krishna Consciousness - Bliss Bar - fruit candy factory, came down yesterday. A banner for the North Fork Artisans guild appeared in the front window. For info about the Guild you can cantact Bill and Kerry Folger at Hotchkiss.

Hotchkiss Marshall, Dan Miller, tells me that the new radar units have been installed in the cars and they can detect speeders at a much greater distance than the old ones. So, don't count on see a police car in Hotchkiss in time to slow down.

[Hotchkiss]

Overcast and pleasant today. I picked the last of my peas from my tiny garden last night and we shelled and sauteed them in butter for dinner. The heat has pretty much put an end to pea season. The spinach is bolting and going to seed as well.

I've been told that one of out-of-town parties involved in submitting a petition to the Town of Paonia seeking a special election to possibly reverse the annexation of the 34 acres on Highway 133 has/or is considering filing suit claiming that the petition was improperly rejected. According to Town Clerk Barb Peterson the petitions were rejected because they did not comply with wording required by state law.

Two separate (not counting a successful election to recall mayor James Gall) citizen initiated special elections have been held in Paonia over the past decade or so. One would have established a required vote on the town taking on a public debt over a certain amount and another was to reverse the "flagpole" annexation of a property on O-50 Drive about a quarter mile outside of the eastern town limits. The first was unsuccessful and the last was approved. This time it is apparently only the out-of-town neighbors of the proposed development that object.

[Hotchkiss]

Some good rain fell on Saturday, a little more on Sunday and the heat returned today. George Gertz says that the Metamucil Mountain Boys (we play sitting down) will be playing bluegrass/country at the North Fork Valley Restaurant on Thursday Night at 7 pm. That's almost as good a name as the Westward Ho's... almost.

Tomorrow night is the Paonia Town Council meeting with a worksession on maybe composting organics at 6 pm followed by the regular meeting at 7. See the Paonia Council topic for the agenda.

In Hotchkiss the work on Oak Street continues and a foundation trench for the planned ceramics studio at the planned Arts Center in the old Creamery is being dug. The Tour Colorado bicyclists arrive on Thursday evening. Stop by the music and beergarden at the Fairgrounds that evening. Lots of the riders are staying at private homes in the Hotchkiss area for the evening rather than camping out at the Middle School.

Paco at the Hotchkiss Hotel told me a few days ago that three of his new upstairs apartments are about done so if you know of anyone in the market for a new home right in the heart of Hotchkiss. Liz at the Ark II could probably put you in touch.