Briefs by Marcia Darnell
San Luis Valley – July 2005 – Colorado Central Magazine
High-Tech IDs
Three Alamosa liquor stores are the first in the country to test a new identification machine. The device stores a customer’s ID data and forefinger print, making it quick and easy for a regular to touch a screen and be verified as being of age. The machine is expensive, but not as expensive as a liquor license suspension.
No Flood for Now
Flood worries eased in late May as a cooling trend slowed the runoff in the Rio Grande Basin. The Rio Grande rose throughout the Valley, as did the Conejos River and its tributaries. Some levees were reinforced and water was released from the Rio Grande Reservoir. No major damage was reported, but Pike’s Stockade is closed until further notice.
Museum @ Home
The Alamosa Museum finally has a home. After the proposed Gateway Center lost funding, the museum board scoured the Valley for housing and funding. Rescue came from Ralph Outcault, who donated a building to be used for the museum. The structure, at the corner of Fourth and Hunt, currently houses Valley Automotive. There’s room for expansion, but renovations will cost six figures, so the hunt for money continues.
Pelican Briefs
A group (flock? gaggle?) of white pelicans has taken up residence at Alamosa Ranch, near the golf course. The herd of birds are non-breeding adolescents, according to Mike Blenden of the Alamosa-Monte Vista Wildlife Refuges.
This happens almost every year,” he said. “They’re not old enough to breed yet, [and have] no real purpose in life except staying alive.”
Blenden said the closest breeding colony is at Antero Reservoir in South Park.
“In a year or two these birds may end up there,” he said.
Webbed Bliss
Everyone dreams of a wedding in June — the warm weather, the blue skies, the reptiles.
Reptiles? Absolutely. Because Ron McClure and Tyla Langdon dream of tying the knot at the Colorado Gator Farm on Colorado 17. Recently the couple discussed their upcoming nuptials (which, if all goes well, will have happened by the time you read this):
“Ron and I have interest in reptiles and exotic pets,” said the bride before the event. “Of course it’s different. It’ll be unique.”
She and her new husband own the Pet Stop in Pueblo.
The couple plan to marry knee deep in the gator pen. And after the vows, Colorado Gators owner Jay Young is supposed to bring one of the animals up to the newlyweds for the wedding portrait.
No one has been married there before.
“It should be fun,” said the bride.
Brief Briefs
The SLV chapter of the Red Cross faces difficulties. A federal grant of over $25,000 a year will expire in October.
Back in Thyme restaurant in Alamosa was granted a liquor license.
La Jara received a $9,000 grant from the USDA’s Rural Development program. The town will use the money for an environmental report concerning the upgrades to its sewer system.
The CSU Extension opened its new SLV facility and dedicated it to Eric Knapp, an active 4-Her who was killed in a car crash in 2004.
La Jara’s Lorenzo Romney, D.O., has published a book, “From Physician to Patient: A Discussion of Current Medical Office Wisdom.”
Alamosa bought five acres from Alamosa County for new city shops.
Voters in San Luis recalled Gary Vigil and Anthony Mondragon from the Centennial School Board. They are replaced by Alonzo Lobato and Charlie Jacquez, respectively.
A new potato research facility opened near Center.
Friends of the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad received a $22,843 grant from the Gates Family Foundation. The railroad also announced it has added a third locomotive.
The U.S. Senate is granting the city of Alamosa $650,000 to help clean up the arsenic in its drinking water.
