Looking for something fun and romantic to do with that special someone in your life? Why not make a reservation for the Fine Arts Guild Dinner Theater, Feb 13, presenting Barefoot in the Park? A romantic evening with troubadours, and light hearted romantic comedy.

“Barefoot in the Park” is Neil Simon’s Broadway hit comedy about a young newlywed couple Paul and Corie Bratter.  Paul, an attorney by professions, is a tightly wound, button down collar kind of guy. His wife Corie is an effervescent free spirit who refuses to allow anything to stand in the way of her marital bliss.

The Bratters live in a miniscule fifth floor Greenwich Village apartment and if having to walk up five flights of stairs isn’t bad enough, Victor Velasco, their quirky upstairs neighbor sometimes goes through their apartment to get to his.  Corie decides to try to fix her mother up with Mr. Velasco, but the evening goes terribly awry and Paul ends up on the couch. Can Paul loosen up and go barefoot in the park?

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The Train Show “Rails in the Rockies XIII” will take place in Estes Park at the Holiday Inn Conference Center on February 13th-14th, 2010, Saturday show hours are 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. and Sunday, 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.

Come to the show and watch the model trains run, explore all of the finely detailed models, have your children participate in the children’s activities, shop for new and used railroad equipment, enter a drawing for Lionel Trail set (for those 12 and under), experience the magic of the Flying Scotsman layout, and enjoy over 16,000 square feet of model RR excitement!

Admission for adults is only $5, kids 12 & under are free w/ adult.

For more information contact: Laura Trump at (970)-577-0343 or email   coloradotrump@yahoo.com or www.estesvalleymodelrailroaders.org.

The sponsors of this fun event are Estes Valley Div., RMR, NMRA, Mizell Trains, Westminster, CO and Rocky Mountain Park Holiday Inn.

Courtesy Photo

The first full closure of US 34 just east of Estes Park will now take place Wednesday, February 3rd through Sunday, February 14th, weather permitting.  The closure is necessary to allow the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) to replace the first of two bridges on US 34 in the Big Thompson Canyon. Both structures are steel truss bridges that were constructed in 1937 and are in poor condition.

“Due to the snow we received last night, the contractor is unable to complete the preparatory work by Monday as it requires single-lane alternating traffic and the icy conditions create an unsafe situation for motorists and the flaggers,” said CDOT Resident Engineer Scott Ellis.  “As a result, the closure will be postponed two days so that the contractor can complete the preparatory work at the bridge under safe conditions.”

During the closure, US 34 will be completely closed at milepost 65.4 and motorists will be detoured through Lyons along US 287, State Highway 66 and US 36.  The closure will be in place 24 hours a day starting at 12:01 a.m. on February 3rd and continuing through February 14th while crews demolish the existing bridge and construct the new bridge.  The detour route will add approximately 15 miles (20 minutes) onto a trip from Estes Park to Loveland.

A second closure of US 34 at milepost 66.3 will be required in March to demolish and replace the second structure.  This closure is tentatively scheduled for March 1st through March 12th, but is subject to change due to weather or construction activities.  The same detour route will be utilized during the second closure of US 34.

“We understand that the full closures are a huge inconvenience, but the only way to replace these aging structures is to completely close the highway,” added Ellis.  “We have a fast track method of construction in place that will allow us to complete the majority of work in 12 days so we can reopen US 34 to traffic.”

Following both closures, crews will have some minor work to complete. Between the middle of March and the middle of May, crews will install the remaining drainage structures that are outside of the roadway and pave the roadway in asphalt.  The paving cannot take place until warmer temperatures return. Other minor work includes staining the concrete on the new bridges and installing the guardrail. During the last two months of construction, motorists can expect single-lane alternating traffic during daytime hours, Monday through Friday.

For more information about the project, visit http://www.coloradodot.info/projects/us-34-truss-bridges or call 970-685-0229. For frequently asked questions, visit the project Web site.

SEMA Construction, Inc. is the contractor for this $3.8 million project scheduled to be complete by Memorial Day 2010.

Dear Estes Park Friends,

It is with much regret that Maritza and I have decided to close the local Curves effective January 22nd.

As most of you know Maritza is going through some additional preventative chemotherapy for her lymphoma. This combined with the fact that we have never been in a totally solvent position with Curves finalized our decision.

Maritza has made many great friends through Curves and this has made the decision that much more difficult.

We had a very nice closing party for the club on Friday, January 22nd. Many friends and members were in attendance and it was a happy wake for all.

Maritza and I will still continue to have a presence in the community and are both planning in to work hard to make Relay for Life an even bigger success.

Thanks to all of you for your kindness and prayers for Maritza.

Respectfully,

Jon and Maritza Jaggers

To The Editor:

This letter is in reference of the Estes Park Community Thrift Shop complaint stated by one person which makes you wonder if he has ever volunteered for anything in his life. If he had, then he would not be stirring up a problem for the Thrift Shop that does so much for people and individual entities in our community.

The Estes Park Community Thrift Shop has donated to the Big Thompson Flood Memorial so generously which is greatly appreciated. The Big Thompson Flood of 1976 lost 144 lives how can one help to repay that loss. (NEVER) Trying to help in some way we have formed a scholarship fund for the victims grandchildren and great grandchildren with generous donations, book sales, and now donations from the Estes Park Community Thrift Shop, we are able to give more scholarships. This has been very rewarding giving to these students, who most of them did not have the privilege of knowing their grandparents. What could be more meaningful?

Before the parking spaces were taken away from the Thrift Shop, which was hurting no one, it was not a hazard to any one and on any given day you could drive in and park. Now, we have to circle and wait for someone to leave before being able to park. No one should be able to take away the parking from these caring volunteers and their customers. They are doing their best to make a big difference in our community, plus volunteering their time. We need them to continue on in our community. So why then would the city council even consider anything other than a variance and leave the Thrift Shop alone.

We live in a throw away world, the landfills are overflowing and still there is more than enough items for two or even three thrift shops in Estes Park. Have you ever thought about the massive pile there would be if it weren’t for these Thrift Shops making an outlet for people to bring their item and make available to those who don’t have as much as other’s.

Please take a good long look at what the underlying problem is which no one can see. Obviously this person has too much time on his hands, or a vendetta. To him I say, try volunteering, it makes you feel good.

If you support the Thrift Shop, come to the City Hall Friday the 29th at 10:00 a.m. Thank you

Sincerely,

Barb and Andy Anderson

Jerry Lynn Nelms, 79, of Estes Park, Colorado, died Thursday, January 21, 2010. Mr. Nelms was born in Oklahoma City, OK on August 28, 1930. He was a geologist for Mobil Oil Company for 10 years. Mr. Nelms retired as Senior Vice President of Bank of America (formerly Republic Bank) in Dallas, Texas, where his group managed all USA Oil and Gas Trust properties. Mr. Nelms was President of The Dallas Geological Society and member of the American Association of Petroleum Geologists. In Dallas, he was an elder of First Presbyterian Church of Richardson, Texas. After retiring to Destin, FL and Estes Park, CO, he was a member and former choir member of the Presbyterian Community Church of the Rockies in Estes Park. He was also a member of Knights of the Beltbuckle. He graduated from Tyler (Texas) H.S. in 1949. Mr. Nelms attended North Texas State University, Colorado University, The University of Texas and earned BS and MS degrees in Geology from The University of Oklahoma in 1957 and 1958, where he was a member of Beta Theta Pi fraternity. He sang in The University of Texas Men’s Glee Club. He served in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War. Mr. Nelms was the son of the late Ralph E. Nelms and the late Katherine (Kat) Weathers Nelms. He leaves behind his wife of almost 53 years, Grace Macleod Nelms.

Mr. Nelms is survived by his daughter, Lucinda Cox and husband Lano and their children Eloine and Devin Ashmore all of Austin, Texas and daughter Barbara Macleod of Dallas, Texas. Also surviving is his sister, Ann Whitman and husband Bill of Erie, Colorado.

No formal memorial service will be held, instead a family gathering will celebrate Jerry’s life. The family requests in lieu of flowers that memorials may be made to The Alzheimer’s Association or the Lula Dorsey Museum at the YMCA of the Rockies. For more information or to leave a message for Jerry’s family www.goesfuneralcare.com.

On Sunday, January 31, Village Pizza will host a fundraising event for the Estes Valley Workforce Downpayment Assistance Program. All you need to do to help is to enjoy lunch or dinner at Village Pizza…and Village Pizza proprietors John and Chris Cozad will donate a portion of their proceeds from Sunday, January 31, to the Downpayment Assistance Program. “This may be the easiest fundraiser ever,” comments Lisa VonBargen, President of the Estes Park Board of REALTORS, “all you have to do is come to Village Pizza for their fantastic pizza, salads or sandwiches, and the downpayment assistance program will reap the rewards!”

The Estes Valley Workforce Downpayment Assistance Program has been created by the Estes Park Board of REALTORS and the Estes Park Housing Authority with the goal of enabling those who work here in town to be able to attain home ownership, build equity and continue to contribute to the community. For information on application qualifications, contact Rita Kurelja at the Estes Park Housing Authority Office.

By: Vaughn Baker Rocky Mountain National Park  Superintendent

In 2010, Rocky Mountain National Park will celebrate its 95th birthday. On January 26, 1915, President Woodrow Wilson signed the act establishing Rocky Mountain National Park. This culminated an effort by many in Colorado and elsewhere to set aside a scenic portion of the southern Rockies for the enjoyment of present and future generations.

In establishing the park, Congress directed that the park be “dedicated and set apart as a public park for the benefit and enjoyment of the people of the United States.” Further, Congress directed that the park be managed for “the freest use….for recreation purposes by the public and for the preservation of the natural conditions and scenic beauties…”

A year later in 1916, Congress established the National Park System and the National Park Service to manage the new system.

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