United States
A Colorado born-and-raised observer of the mundane. Trier of new foods and lover of the environment. I define myself by what is left to experience.
Further works are available by request.
Environmental Pieces
As if we didn't have enough to worry about with the pandemic known as COVID-19 continuing its march, an economic recession and the 2020 election season, the weather is wild. California has already seen one million acres burned, Colorado has fires burning, and two hurricanes threaten the nation's coastlines at the same time, something that hasn't happened since 1959.
It doesn't take a scientist to notice the changes in our climate. In past years our state has seen some of its largest wildfires coupled with droughts and as a result of water needed further down the Colorado River Basin.
Ark Valley Voice created the Small Steps series to provide a simple framework for community members to become more sustainable and environmentally conscious. This week, AVV spoke with the Lead of Resource Management at GARNA, T.R. Price. Price is 26-year-old and was raised in Salida, Colorado but left when they were 16 to live in South America.
Social Issues
"The fact that they don't use teargas in war, the Geneva Convention doesn't allow it. That's a war crime but somehow you can use that against civilians. That doesn't make sense. They're pepper bulleting medical staff who are trying to help protestors. That's a war crime."
He is a 26-year-old white male who is living in Los Angeles as an independent freelance contractor working in film; specifically lighting design. Due to his civil disobedience, he has asked to remain anonymous. Contrary to impressions being advanced by some, he describes an overwhelmingly peaceful protest.
As peaceful protests throughout the nation continue to encounter violence from police, Millennials and Generation Z have become all too familiar with the intricacies of our government and the way it does -or does not - protect its people.
On Friday September 18, the news spread across the country: Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg had passed. Generation Z and Millennials flocked to social media with an outpouring of sadness for the loss. It was clear they understood and acknowledged all of the work this 87-year-old fighter for equality and equal opportunity had done for all of us.
"A peace which depends upon fear is nothing but suppressed war." Henry Van Dyke Millennials and Generation Z flocked to Instagram this week, highlighting the disparity between the treatment of protestors in this past year's Black Lives Matter protests and the mobs who broke into our country's Capitol building on January 6.
After filing a lawsuit on May 11, four women and their lawyers held a virtual press conference to discuss their case against Buffalo Exchange (a retailer popular with Millenials) and Todd Colletti, the former owner and co-founder of Buffalo Exchange Colorado.
Arts and Culture
The past week has been hot and dry; the kind of weather that wears on animals as well as people. During the week of June 14, Jefferson Farms Natural Fibers LLC began giving their herd of Paco-Vicuñas their summer haircuts. Paco-Vicuñas have a much thinner neck and thinner legs than alpacas.
Devon Kasper, star of the one-woman show, Bad Dates started coaching the drama team 10 years ago at Salida High School. During the winter of 2021, Kasper had the unique opportunity to have one of her first theater students, Michael Ricci, direct the show.
Alan Robinson, a Buena Vista local with 50 years of experience in developing visitor and tourism programs in and around national parks in the United States and a dozen countries, recently completed a virtual international development project between Buena Vista and Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan, both with economies in which tourism plays an important role.
As the snowy weather starts to fade away, it is once again time for the Touber Building to install their beloved "Boy with the Boot" statue. Building Supervisor, Bob Campbell, had the statue on display inside the Touber building. He compiled a list of facts and history on the "Boy".
Absolute Bikes has been the primary bike shop in downtown Salida for more than 20 years. Owner Shawn Gillis has seen a lot since then and took time to reflect on the changes brought on by the coronavirus pandemic and how the shop has adapted.
Jahil Bragassa opened King Kaeng's food cart in 2019, specializing in curries, after deciding to bring more food variety to Salida. Bragassa grew up in Crestone and experienced a variety of food through various restaurant jobs. Then Bragassa moved to Salida and worked at restaurants in town.
On June 5, Salida held its annual Pride celebration. The community came out to celebrate Pride after a year of isolation due to the COVID-19 pandemic when most festive events were canceled. Called "Start Where You Are", this year looked a little different as there was no parade; the festivities began from where people started out for Riverside Park and were soon in full swing.
On September 13, the Salida Public Art Commission hosted a public input meeting to collect ideas for the upcoming "Spirit of Salida" project. The project site is the old skatepark located at First and G Street. During the meeting, community members were asked to share their likes, dislikes, and conceptual ideas for the project.
This year the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted every person in the country, but in many different ways. One community that has always thrived on the exchanging of ideas and in-person interactions is the artist community. That conduit has been affected by the pandemic, but not in ways one might think.
On Friday June 26, the community gathered at the bottom of F Street to remember and celebrate William Anthony Chapman, a familiar and beloved Salida figure. Salida residents may have seen him sitting on the caboose at the end of F Street the past several years.
Valley to Valley Senior Care Center has recently redone their garden to allow seniors an opportunity to get their hands in the dirt. The center formed a landscaping committee and with the help of volunteers began chipping away at the project. They estimate that around 50 volunteer hours went into this project.
Salida's police department has a new member on their force is a two-year-old Dutch Shepherd K-9 officer named Sarge. The Salida Police Department has been actively planning and preparing for a K-9 addition for the last two years, and it's time for the public to meet him.
On June 2, Fun Street Arcade unveiled its new youth-driven mural. This project began in 2019 but due to COVID-19 was put on hold. The project was made possible by Mothers Against Drunk Driving Colorado (MADD), Rise Above Colorado (RAC), FYI, and Chaffee County Youth Alliance.
Second graders at Longfellow Elementary had a unique visitor come and read to them on Thursday, March 4, which happened to be the 100 th day of school. The District's Student Resource Officer, Harry Peele dawned a Cat in the Hat hat and read to the students. Peele read Up!
The FIBArk 2021 White Water Festival had a successful Saturday with large support from both the community and visitors. The festival was sponsored by Amicas Pizza, which hosted all of the regular events including the Hooligan Race.
Mental Health Pieces
COVID-19 has impacted our daily lives in more ways than one. For many college students, getting through classes and graduating on time is already an arduous enough task without adding a global pandemic to the mix. She is a 24-year-old white female from Tennessee who is in the process of finishing her senior year at Western Colorado University (Western).
Becky Gray is the Director of Housing in Chaffee County. Since the county has been in a housing crisis for some years now, her job is already filled with daily stressors. The COVID-19 pandemic only adds to that stress.
As COVID-19 continues to impact our lives, Ark Valley Voice, in conjunction with its fellow Colorado Media Collaborative partners, is sharing the stories of how our lives are being impacted by COVID-19. Casey Goehl grew up in Buena Vista and now lives in Salida with his wife and kids.
Editorial Examples
Creative Nonfiction
Poetry