For months the Garfield County commissioners have been working on holding their regular meetings at remote sites around the county as a way of reaching out to voters.
Unfortunately for the board of county commissioners and the residents of certain towns, a lack of technical equipment for recording and broadcasting has limited the BOCC's options for such remote meetings.
Until now.
The county's Information Technology department has picked a Grand Junction company, AudioVideo Experts, as offering the most appropriate combination of equipment and price for the job, at a cost of $3,527.
There were two other bidders, said IT official Abe Dress, but their proposals were "more high-tech than we needed, basically." He said there were 10 other potential bidders contacted, but only three responded.
According to AVE's proposal, the equipment will include eight microphones, a 10-channel mixer and amplifier, two speakers, and other gear that includes cables, stand

SUMMIT COUNTY, Colorado - Local medical marijuana dispensary owners were scrambling this week to keep their doors open.
Sunday is the deadline for the centers - as defined by new state laws - to apply for a state license. The next opportunity will be summer 2011.
"I'm getting ready to deliver a bible of paperwork," said Cory McNeill, owner of the Breckenridge Loft. "The most highly scrutinized license ever given out in American history makes it very nerve wracking."
There's a business application and a personal one. The latter requires a 10-year employment and business association history, detailed personal financial information, fingerprinting, copies of all higher education degrees and more.
Meanwhile local governments are dealing with their own stacks of paperwork. Breckenridge Town Council recently passed an emergency ordinance to allow two of its roughly seven dispensaries to change hands before Aug. 1.
And with another st

LEADVILLE, Colorado - As Colorado's state fish, the greenback cutthroat trout is a symbol of the Rocky Mountains' natural splendor. The strikingly speckled, red-throated native fish calls to mind the sparkling high-alpine streams and lakes where the trout makes its home along the Continental Divide.
However, just a few decades ago, few would have guessed the greenback cutthroat (Oncorhynchus clarki somias) would come to represent Colorado's wild landscapes. As recently as 1970, the fish was considered to have been extinct for almost half a century.
The greenback - a relatively small member of the trout, salmon and whitefish family - is the only trout endemic to Colorado's South Platte and Arkansas River drainages. The fish favors the icy, clear waters and rocky bottoms of headwaters streams, where it finds its meals of crustaceans, insects and small fish. Greenback cutthroats once thrived in those waters, but by the late 1800s, white settlers had taken a serious tol

What could be viewed as "in-your-face" marketing by some in the medical marijuana business may not be very becoming of an industry trying to gain legitimacy and earn respect, according to some who are looking to regulate medical marijuana facilities locally.
Carbondale's specially appointed Medical Marijuana Facility Advisory Group addressed the issue in its report to the Town Council on July 27.
"The group expressed dismay at some recent examples of inappropriate advertising and cautions the industry to treat the business and patients with respect and professionalism," reads one of the group's recommendations.
Downtown store fronts with windows and signs displaying large marijuana leaves and sale specials, and newspaper advertisements listing exotic strains of cannabis and various edible products, or promoting "happy hour," are among the examples cited by officials wrestling with just how far they can go to regulate such businesses wi

The big, expensive vehicles are the worst speeders
Over the last few months, while driving and hitching up and down The Valley on 82, I have made a couple of observations: The most expensive and biggest cars and trucks are the ones going the fastest. We are not talking about 5-10 mph over the limit, but 75 to 80 mph. Plus, most of these vehicles have only one person in them and their talking on cell phones!
I'm glad these people don't pick me up hitching. I don't scare easily, however, a Chevy one ton two feet from your Civic's rear bumper is quite unnerving! Second, any vehicle with license plates from Florida needs to be given a wide berth.
I believe they are all looking for early-bird dinner specials at one o'clock in the afternoon!
Thank you.
Jack Land
Glenwood Springs

This is your brain on Obamacare
The latest news about Ford's fifth straight quarterly profit reminded me of the TV ads that showed eggs being fried and the voice

Thank you for taking care of our best friend
We would like to thank Dr. Ben Mackin of Carbondale Animal Hospital and Dr. Scott Dolginow of Valley Emergency Animal Hospital (& AAH), as well as their respected staff: Kristin, Tiffany, Mike, Angie and Jim, for their excellent medical care and love for our beloved PJ during the past 24 hours.
We lost our best friend today, but PJ would not have lived such a long and wonderful life without the amazing care of Dr. Scott, Dr. Ben, and their staff over these past, almost, 15 years. Our valley is fortunate to have such amazing vets and we are thankful to have their medical services and their friendship.
Thank you, Thank you, Thank you, Dr. Scott and Dr. Ben.
Chris, Nikki, Monkey, Spock, Peepers, Sammy, Marvin, Cheese, McNubbin, and Cleo Vogt
Glenwood Springs

You helped make 'Bowling for Boobies' a huge success!
Bowling for Boobies would like to thank all of the contributors that made our benefit a success. So thank yo

Old-fashioned pump attendant fundraiser
Does anyone remember when attendants cleaned your windows while topping off your gas tank? Pull into the Thunder River Market on from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, July 31, and members of the Glenwood Springs Percussion Ensemble will provide an old-fashion "service station" experience.
The ensemble will be pooling their tips and donations to buy a new marimba and set of "quad" marching drums. The ensemble has performed at GSHS football games, the Strawberry Days Parade, the July 4th Community Picnic and other local events.
Fill 'er up, and support this nationally competing ensemble of local high school and middle school students.
For more information about supporting the Glenwood Springs Percussion, contact Frank Martin at 970-928-9347.

Glenwood class reunion
The Glenwood Springs High School Class of 2000 is celebrating their 10-year reunion on Saturday, July 31, at the Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park.

Si

Youth football camp, league registration open
Registration for Three Rivers Youth Football (fifth- and sixth-graders) and for Aspen High head coach Mike Sirko's youth football camp is underway.
Sirko's camp runs from 9 a.m.-noon on Aug. 2-4 for all players entering the second through eighth grades in the fall. The three-day camp costs $75.
Registration forms for both the camp and for Three Rivers Youth Football are currently available at the new store "More for Less", next to Cafe Ink on Durant Avenue, and at Alpine Bank.
For more information, contact Ron Morehead by phone at 618-0354 or by e-mail at rmorehead@aspensnowmass.com.

Bears Football Camp is Aug. 9-12
Rifle High School is hosting Bears Football Camp on Aug. 9-12.
First- through sixth-graders go from 5-6:30 p.m. each day, while the seventh- through 12th-graders are slated for 6:30-8 p.m.
Registration, which costs $20, is Aug. 9 at 4:15 p.m.
Contact Damon Wells at 625-4577 for more information.

Bas

GOLF
RIFLE CREEK MEN'S
CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP
July 24-25 at Rifle Creek GC
Championship flight
Gross
1. Jeb Savage, 75-69-144
2. Jeffrey Sutton, 75-73-148
3. Cole Manuppella, 74-78-152
Net
1. Mark Sours, 71-67-138
2. Gary Williams, 69-75-144
3. Marc Caldwell, 71-78-149.

First flight
Gross
1. Steve Stanek, 81-78-159
2. Clint Hostettler, 77-90-167
3. Dylan Walters, 83-89-172
Net
1. Neil Leibowitz, 75-63-138
2t. Pat Hayes, 73-67-140
2t. Tim Roe, 69-71-140

Second flight
Gross
1. Rick Lefavor, 80-89-169 (won playoff with Donnie Archuleta)
2. Stanley Wailes, 88-89-177
3. Erik Vantassel, 91-91-182
Net
1. Donnie Archuleta, 69-68-137
2. Jim Suminski, 71-72-143
3. Steve Webb, 72-72-144

Third flight
Gross
1. David Suminski, 89-89-178
2. Stephen Jensen, 95-94-189
3. Adam Whitt, 98-93-191
Net
1. Justin McCormick, 70-64-134

Thelma King, long time Postmaster of Basalt is returning home.
Thelma King, 87, who passed away Jan. 10, 2009 in Grove, Oklahoma, will be finally laid to rest alongside her loving husband, Norval King, as interment of her remains will be Monday Aug. 2, 2010 at 10 a.m. at Rosebud Cemetery in Glenwood Springs. Thelma was especially proud of her 20-plus years of service working at the Basalt Post Office, retiring as Postmaster in 1986.

Eugene R. Scott, 85, long time resident of Parachute, (Rulison), passed away on July 21, 2010 at his residence.
Born in St. Louis, MO in 1924 to Guy A. Scott and Bessie M. Branson, Eugene served in World War II from 1943 to 1946 attached to Headquarters and Headquarters Company Engineers Aviation Battalion in Iceland. He was a lifetime member of the VFW and American Quarter Horse Assoc., a member of the National Cutting Horse Assoc. and CQHSA for many years, 55-year member of the International Union Operating Engineers Local #9. An I.O.O.F. Odd Fellows member of Bookcliff Lodge #45. He did construction work all over Colorado including work on the Rifle Reservoir Dam. He was baptized in 1946 at the Boone Creek Baptist Church in Licking, MO.
He married his beloved wife Evelyn Roberts in 1948 in Trenton, NJ. He loved his family and kept in contact with those that were far away. He loved to hunt, fish and travel to horse shows where his horses were shown in cutting, reining and working c

No foul play suspected in Rifle death
The Garfield County Sheriff's Office reported on Friday that, in responding to a disturbance call east of Rifle on July 28, at an undisclosed time, deputies discovered a deceased male.
According to a brief statement by the department, currently no foul play is suspected.
The case remains under investigation pending the coroner's report. No other information was released.

The dollar volume of real estate sales in Pitkin County soared by 81 percent in June compared to 2009, according to a report released Friday.
The total dollar volume for the month was $115.39 million, said the report by Land Title Guarantee Co. There were 50 transactions during the month, up nearly 6.5 percent from June 2009.
For the first half of the year, dollar volume was $573.8 million, which was an increase of 22 percent from the same period last year, the report said. Transactions in the county were up 4 percent to a total of 344.
Aspen real estate agents have said they are cautiously optimistic that the market is recovering because of the first-half activity. However, many acknowledged there is a long way to go.
Craig Morris, a partner in Morris and Fyrwald, said many of the trends that developed during the recession remain in play: "lots of inventory, nervous buyers" and lots of transactions albeit at 2003, 2004 and 2005 price levels, depending on the location.

Two area nonprofit organizations that work closely together to provide resources to the needy - LIFT-UP and Defiance Thrift Store - want to start a used clothing recycling program.
But in order to do that, Mike Powell of LIFT-UP said he is hoping that Garfield County will extend a special landfill rate to the Defiance organization, just as it has been doing for LIFT-UP.
In a letter to the Board of County Commissioners, dated July 27, Powell noted that LIFT-UP currently pays $1 for every truckload of unsellable items sent to the county landfill.
That compares to a typical fee of $5 per 140-pounds or so of stuff brought to the dump by county residents in general.
Powell asked that the special rate be granted to Defiance, which Powell's letter described as "a ... nonprofit organization whose sole mission is to provide financial support for Family Visitor [Programs] and LIFT-UP."
Powell explained to the Post Independent that the three organizations share board

CARBONDALE, Colorado - A new grow dome greenhouse that sprouted up behind Roaring Fork High School this spring - that will serve as a hands-on agricultural science classroom for students starting next month - is set to begin sprouting things of a leafy nature.
Last week, 18 students from the University of Colorado's Invest Program were on hand to help create "lasagna garden beds" inside the dome. A lasagna bed uses layers of green and carbon materials, in this case topsoil and fresh cut alfalfa, which gradually composts within the garden after it is planted.
The geodesic grow dome/greenhouse is a joint partnership between the school and Fat City Farmers, a sustainable agriculture education program started by Michael Thompson, along with Jerome Osentowski of the Central Rocky Mountain Permaculture Institute in Basalt.
The greenhouse will be used during the school year for Roaring Fork High's agricultural biology program, and in the summer to

ASPEN, Colorado - Pitkin County is having trouble getting its thoughts on the Sutey-Two Shoes Ranch land swap down on paper.
After about 60 proponents of the land exchange, including former elected officials, signed a letter of support that went to Colorado's congressional delegates, county commissioners decided a letter explaining their position on the matter should also go to the delegation.
The initial letter, written by former Commissioner Dorothea Farris and local rancher Connie Harvey, advocated letting the exchange proceed despite Pitkin County government's opposition.
Commissioners this week reviewed a draft of their letter, written by Open Space and Trails Director Dale Will at their direction, then sent him back to rework the four-page missive.
The draft letter delves into the various proposals put forward by landowners Leslie and Abigail Wexner, and the county's counter-proposals, and explains the county's concerns about the federal appraisa

"Would you ever do everything I said for 30 days?" I asked Husband-Head while he watched the news on TV.
There was no answer.
"I SAID ... would you ever do everything I asked you to do for 30 days?" I repeated.
"This is a trick question, isn't it?" Husband-Head finally responded. "I've ALREADY been doing everything you ask for the past 16 years!"
But it wasn't the same. I was referring to a guy named A.J. Jacobs, the author of "My Life as an Experiment," who agreed to do whatever his wife Julie asked of him for 30 days - no questions asked.
"No guy in his right mind would offer to do that," Husband-Head said in disbelief. "You're making that up. I know what you're trying to do."
"I saw it on TV!" I insisted. "He did whatever she wanted - no questions asked."
Husband-Head had a look on his face that said he would rather be nibbled t

GLENWOOD SPRINGS, Colorado - Two state track relay event titles aren't Allison Brown's only claim to fame this year. Add a recent fifth-place finish in the Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) national competition to her growing list of both academic and athletic accomplishments.
Brown, who will be a senior at Glenwood Springs High School when the new school year begins Aug. 23, was one of just two state finalists who advanced to the July 14-17 FBLA nationals in Nashville, Tenn. She competed in the Public Speaking II event.
Brown wrote and presented a speech to a panel of judges, placing fifth among 105 competitors in the event. It was the first time a GSHS student has placed at nationals.
Overall, Brown was one of about 13,000 competitors from all 50 states who were trying to make it to nationals, including some 270 from Colorado alone.
"I had to go through a couple of levels of competition to get there, so it was a big goal of mine to make it to final