Ear to the ground

“I wonder if Facebook has a Facebook page.”
– Local youngster ruminating on the wonders of the World Wide Web

Closing the barn door
The Sale Barn Canyon trailhead will be closed next Mon., Aug. 15, for a La Plata Electric Association electric line upgrade. For safety reasons, all trail users – hikers, mountain bikers and horseback riders – will be denied access during the construction and are asked to avoid the area on that day.
In early July, LPEA initiated this “reconductor” project, which essentially entails setting poles and stringing conductor wire.

The project will increase the electrical capacity in the vicinity, to businesses such as Tarpley’s RV, New Country Auto, Basin Coop and Dietz Market. “ We appreciate the cooperation of the community while we get this new conductor in place,” Randy Ferris, LPEA land rights administrator said.

There will be an additional Sale Barn closure sometime in late September/early October. LPEA will notify the public when that date is confirmed.

FLC makes grade
Fort Lewis College is among the “Best in the West,” the Princeton Review announced this week. This puts the Fort on an elite list of 121 schools across the West recognized as a cut “above-the-rest.”

One academic accolade for FLC is the number of “Colorado Professors of the Year” that have taught there. In all, five FLC professors have earned the coveted award, which ranks second only to the U.S. Air Force Academy (6).

“We winnowed our list based on institutional data collected directly from the schools, our visits to schools over the years, and the opinions of our staff, plus college counselors and advisors whose recommendations we invite,” Robert Franek, Princeton Review's senior VP/publisher stated. The ratings also took into account an 80-question student survey.

Really early birds
Last winter’s snow may still be lingering on some of the San Juans’ highest peaks, but Silverton Mountain is already talking next winter. Right now, snow junkies with a little extra cash can get a jump on next season’s turns with a $399 pass for the unguided season, which is being touted as “almost 20 percent longer” this year. But that’s not all. The pass also includes five free days at A-Basin, five days at Monarcg and five days at Loveland. Plus, it includes 1/2 price standby heli drops, discounted standby guided skiing ($79) and most importantly, $2 apres beers.

Projected unguided dates are weekends December - Jan. 15 and April 5 - 15. For more info, go to www.silvertonmountian.com