Downvalley
There’s no news too small for the Downvalley column. Contact Pam Boyd via e-mail at pboyd@eaglevalleyenterprise.com; or call (970) 328-6656 x4.
Free Medicare 101 Session
There are lots of questions about Medicare — How do I enroll? When can I sign up? What if I am still working? What does Medicare cost? Do I need additional coverage? What is a Medicare Savings Program and do I qualify? When can I sign up for Medicare D (prescription drug coverage)? What is the 2013 Standard Drug Benefit? What is the 2013 Gap Benefit? How do I get Extra Help (LIS)?
For answers to these questions, a free Medicare group session is planned at the Gathering Center at the Orchard, 110 Snowmass Drive in Carbondale on Thursday, May 30, from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m.
Support Local Journalism
The information will be presented by High Country RSVP (Retired Senior Volunteer Program) Volunteer Medicare Counselors and will not be represented by any insurance brokers. No need to register but call 970-384-8744 with questions.
Screaming Eagle Golf Tournament
The Eagle Chamber of Commerce has filled most of the player slots, but is still on the hunt for hole sponsors and gift bag swag for the 2013 Screaming Eagle Golf Tournament.
The event is planned Friday, May 31, at the Eagle Ranch Golf Club. Play will begin with a shotgun start at 11 a.m. For those who want to support the event’s cause — the Eagle Chamber of Commerce scholarship program — but who don’t play golf, an apres-tournament party is planned.
For more information or to find out if you can slip in to play, contact Taylor Slaugh at 970-306-2262 or visit http://www.eaglechamber.co.
Dive into Summer
As local school kids and their teachers are well aware, the 2012-13 term is quickly drawing to a close.
For members of the Eagle Valley High School Class of 2013, classes ended last week and graduation ceremonies are planned Saturday, May 25, at 9 a.m. at Hot Stuff Stadium.
For all other students, Thursday, May 30, is the final day of school.
What better way to start off the summer than with a party at the pool? Western Eagle County Metropolitan Recreation District will host its Dive Into Summer pool party Friday, May 31. Admission to the Eagle Pool is free between 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Additionally WECMRD’s Rec Kids camp counselors will be on site and games, competitions and prizes are planned. For more info, visit wwwwecmrd.org or call 970-328-5277.
Play ball
Western Eagle County Metropolitan Recreation District will hosts its Baseball Opening Day celebration Saturday, June 1, at the Eagle County Fairgrounds complex.
The annual festival kicks off the local youth baseball program for the summer and will include a first-pitch ceremony at 9 a.m. followed by a full slate of games throughout the day. Concessions, booths and the Colorado Rockies Skills challenge is planned. For the challenge, boys ad girls between the ages of 6 and 13 compete in 10 fundamental skills of batting, base running and throwing. Winners from the local competition move on to a regional contest and qualifiers there compete at the state level. Participation in the Rockies Baseball Skills Challenge is free.
For information about youth baseball opening day, visit http://www.wecmrd.org.
Skeet and Eat
The Western Eagle County Rotary Club’s annual Skeet and Eat fund-raiser is planned Saturday, June 15, at the Gypsum Shooting Sports Park.
The event includes a trap-shooting competition followed by a cash bar and a barbecue dinner served by Moe’s Original Bar B Que in Eagle.
Tickets are $50 and include both the competition and the meal. Tickets for the dinner only are $15.
Sponsors for the event include Alpine Bank, FirstBank, American Gypsum and Servpro.
All proceeds from the silent auction go to the local Rotarian’s community service projects. For more information or to purchase tickets, contact Chuck Zaruba at 970-328-5052 or czaruba@hotmail.com. Tickets are also available at the door on the day of the event.
Changes under way at Hanging Lake
The Colorado Department of Transportation, Colorado State Patrol and U.S. Forest Service are working together to address parking challenges at the Hanging Lake Rest Area as the busy summer season approaches.
Located in Glenwood Canyon in the White River National Forest, the Hanging Lake Trail is one of the most popular recreation attractions along the I-70 corridor. Over 130,000 visitors hike the trail annually, mostly during the summer months between Memorial Day and Labor Day. The parking lot fills up on most summer days. Parking on the entrance or exit ramps of Interstate 70 is prohibited and illegally parked vehicles may be ticketed or towed. Visitors are asked to observe all posted signs and closures.
In recent years, the popularity of Hanging Lake (accessed via Hanging Lake Rest Area) has increased. When the rest area parking lot fills up, visitors have been parking illegally along I-70 ramps and unmarked areas, creating traffic safety hazards and access issues for emergency service vehicles. To help mitigate this safety problem, visitors will be asked to exit the rest area and return another time if the parking lot is full. Alternatively, visitors can also access Hanging Lake by parking elsewhere and using the Glenwood Canyon Recreation Path.
To avoid parking problems and crowding on the trail, visitors are asked to plan their trips to Hanging Lake during quieter times, such as weekdays before 10 a.m. or after 4 p.m., or during the spring or fall. Hiking the trail in winter is not recommended because of icy conditions. Hanging Lake can also be accessed by parking elsewhere and walking or riding a bike along the Glenwood Canyon Recreation Path. Recommended alternatives for parking include: Glenwood Springs, No Name Rest Area, Bair Ranch Rest Area and Siloam Springs Trailhead at the east end of the Canyon. Parking is not recommended at Grizzly Creek Rest Area or the Shoshone Power Plant exit due to crowding and limited parking at those locations during rafting season. More information is available at http://www.coloradodot.info/travel/state-highway-rest-areas.
Around Town
Graduation ceremonies for the Eagle Valley High School Class of 2013 are planned this Saturday, May 25, at 9 a.m. at Hot Stuff Stadium. Congratulations, graduating Devils!
Commencement ceremonies at the University of Northern Colorado were held May 13 and three locals were among the graduates: Ana Aparicio, Bachelor of Arts, Psychology; Marcelle Laidman, Specialist in Education/Educational Leadership and Heather Marner, Specialist in Education/Educational Leadership. Congratulations!