Ed Grueff saw the article that recently ran in the Estes Park News of the seniors enjoying playing the Nintendo Wii game at Good Samaritan Society of Estes Park.

After reading the article and seeing the photos of Ross Moor enjoying playing the new interactive game, Ed thought that the Wii game system would have been something his own father, George, who passed away three years ago, would have loved to play.

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Estes Valley Networks Provides Advertiser Supported Free Wireless Internet to Downtown Businesses, Residents and Over Four Million Visitors.

Estes Valley Networks, a local Internet service provider, has successfully deployed a free wireless mesh network in downtown Estes Park, Colorado. The Internet service, provided free of charge, is available to anyone within the downtown coverage area, which includes the Elkhorn Avenue business district, public parks and parking lots.

Estes Park, Colorado (PRWEB) March 31, 2008 – Estes Valley Networks today announced that it’s free high-speed wireless Internet access for downtown Estes Park has been completed. Continue Reading

The theme this year is Estes Park Sings Around the World. There were 35 songs from 17 countries tied together with the travels of the semi-disfunctional Flugge Family as they wander from country to country encountering music, dancing, and lots of laughter.

Something new this year is a brand new, hot off the press CD filled with songs from Estes Park Sings. Cost for the CD is $10 and they are available at Linden Bartels & Noe Insurance Co. and the Estes Park News office, 166 S. St. Vrain, across from the Holiday Inn. Cost for a CD is $10.

All of the money from CD sales also goes right to our future, the youth of our community in the form of scholarships. Thanks to community support last year, The Rotary Club of Estes Park had the privilege of presenting $33,000 to our graduating seniors of 2007.

Watch as Jordan Hazelton sings “King Tut” -- more videos after the page jump.

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Mountain pine beetles, managing the trees on your property, and fire mitigation will be featured programs at the second annual Tree Symposium to be held Wednesday morning, May 7 in the Town Hall Board Room. Doors open at 8:15 a.m.

Keynote speaker Dave Leatherman will present a program on “Mountain Pine Beetles and the Estes Valley” beginning at 8:30. He will discuss beetle biology, prevention, and treatment options for beetle-killed trees, all in the context of forest management.

Leatherman was the Forest Entomologist for the Colorado State Forest Service from 1974 to 2005. He is widely recognized as a leading authority on pine beetles. He traveled over 1,000,000 miles in Colorado in his 31 years of service, studying and tracking pine beetles, western spruce budworms, and other forest pests.

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To qualify, residents must have lived within the boundaries of the Estes Valley Recreation and Park District during the entire 12-month period of 2007, have an income within the low-income guidelines released in April, and be in one of the following categories:

Resident families with dependent children under the age of 18 in 2007

Residents who are disabled and received disability income in 2007

Residents who are at least 65 years of age in 2007

Applications will be available beginning May 1, 2008, at the Finance Department at Town Hall, 170 MacGregor Ave., from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.  The application filing period is from May 1st through May 31st.

Dear Editor:

There is a flyer circulating in Estes Park containing a number of inaccuracies about the Upper Thompson Sanitation District and the May 6th Board of Directors election. Here is the truth compared to the scare tactics in the flyer:

1. UTSD is listed on the Larimer County property tax rolls, but both the mill levy and the amount of tax are ZERO. The current board works to keep it that way.

2. Merging UTSD and the Estes Park Sanitation District needs to be financially feasible, environmentally prudent, voted on by the users of both districts, and approved by State and other governing jurisdictions. At today’s technology and using today’s dollars, such a merger would cost $10-to-$12-million. If the State or federal government requires installation of a membrane filtration system, the merger cost would rise to $20-million. Is that a wise expenditure?

3. UTSD does NOT impose a property tax, so you can’t raise what you don’t collect.

4. UTSD is one of the most financially sound Special Districts in Colorado and one of the few that doesn’t have a tax. The current Board intends to keep it that way.

Voters for the Board of Directors of the Upper Thompson Sanitation District need to have the facts, not empty promises, when they vote. Doug Fox, Jack Reed, and Bob Ryan now serve on the board and would appreciate your vote in the May 6th election. They know the facts and they know when the voters are being deceived.

Sincerely,
Ron Kuhns, member
Board of Directors
Upper Thompson Sanitation District

This year’s annual Tree Symposium to be held on May 7 coincides with the time landowners must identify and remove beetle-killed trees before adult beetles fly from them to attack other trees.

July 1 has long been considered the start of the beetle flight, but recent studies show that it is occurring earlier. Global climate change and localized weather patterns may be factors that affect flight times. The Town of Estes Park Tree Board recommends that landowners identify, cut down, and remove infected trees before June 15.

It’s in your self-interest to cut and remove beetle-killed trees to prevent the spread of beetles. Beetles fly to the nearest susceptible trees, often ones weakened by drought, poor soil conditions, mistletoe, or disease. Your trees and those of your neighbors are the most likely targets, although beetles have been known to fly as far as five miles. State and county laws require beetle-killed trees to be cut and removed or treated. A similar municipal law is under consideration.

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Estes Park resident Paul Jokinen died at his home on Friday, April 18, 2008. He was born on December 16, 1966 in Denver CO. He was 41 years old. His parents are David and Sandra (Rawnsley) Jokinen.

Paul lived in Longmont attending Loma Linda, Northeast and graduated from Skyline High School in 1985.

Paul received a degree in graphic arts and chose to work in the printing business. However, a love for big trucks led to a career change to truck driving school followed by the use of his God given talent for manhandling 18-wheelers on adventures across the USA/Canada.

Eight and one half years ago, Paul began a new journey with his diagnosis of Leukemia. Throughout Paul’s miraculous remission, bone marrow transplant and later diagnosis of pancreatic cancer and passing he remained a positive witness of God’s love. Paul will be remembered for his great sense of humor, love of Jesus, life and people.

Paul will be sadly missed by his parents Sandra and David of Estes Park. He is survived by his Aunt Sheila Sellers and husband Tom of Glen Haven, CO, Uncles Tony Rawnsley of England, Thomas Jokinen and wife Edna of Minnesota, Cousins Kurt Wahl and family of California, Caroline ODonnell and family of Loveland, CO, Kimberly Wesa and family of Michigan, Matthew, Megan and Jaclyn Jokinen of Minnesota.

A funeral service was held at Rocky Mountain Church, 451 Promentory Drive,  adjacent to Mary’s Lake Lodge, Estes Park, CO, on Thursday, April 24. Burial will take place at Estes Valley Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Paul Jokinen Memorial Fund or the charity of donor’s choice. In care of Allnutt Funeral Service, 1302 Graves Avenue, Estes Park, CO. See www.allnutt.com to see Paul’s on-line obituary and send a message to the family.