Composting at the Ranch House
We are delighted to share that we are now composting at the Ranch House. RVR resident and owner of EverGreen ZeroWaste, Alyssa Reindel, has helped us to create a compostable friendly environment at the facility. We have made changes to paper goods available including silverware, cups and gym wipes. Look for signage near trash containers to help you sort your waste to the correct bin.
We would also like to extend a big thank you to Ali Royer, Director of Programming and Community Engagement, for researching and implementing these changes so we can to do our part to reduce landfill waste!
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Featured Photo
Pictured left is a friendly neighborhood deer playing peekaboo with Gary Lesser and Sarah Murr at their RVR home. According to Gary, there was a pretty lengthy starring contest had as well. Thank you for sharing this picture with us Gary and Sarah!
We'd like to feature your picture in an upcoming newsletter. If you're interested in having your photo highlighted in the weekly news, please submit images to: jessica.hennessy@rvrma.org.
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Holiday Décor Removal Dates
As a kind reminder, it is almost time to take down your festive holiday decorations! Per the RVR Holiday Lighting policy, "Lighting may be on until January 31. Holiday yard ornaments/décor, visible holiday lights and house icicle lights must be off and removed by January 31. Outdoor tree lights must be turned off after January 31, but homeowners have until March 1 to remove tree lights."
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February Closure
Mark your calendars! The Ranch House will be closed on Monday, Feb. 27 through Sunday, March 5. This will allow for necessary repairs, maintenance, and detailed deep cleaning.
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New Year's Green Tip
Please enjoy the following eco-friendly tidbit brought to you by Friends of the Environment:
Do your New Year's resolutions included living a more sustainable life? The most impactful actions you can take include:
- Reduce energy consumption
- Reduce water use
- Reduce plastic usage and replace with zero-waste alternatives
- Donate and recycle
- Use eco-friendly detergents and cleaning products
- Buy locally produced food and reduce food waste
- Integrate composting into your home
Let's make 2023 the year we really have a positive impact on the environment!
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Old Thompson Barn Winter Celebration
Saturday, Jan. 14 | 7 - 10 p.m.
Brian & Janis Leasure, Karen Peirson & Aimee Luther invite you to an evening of appreciation for River Valley Ranch homeowners and their guests.
Click here to learn more.
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Whiskey Tasting & Cocktail Making
Saturday, Jan. 21 | 5- 6:30 p.m. | $20/person
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This event is currently full.
Contact Front Desk to be added to the waitlist.
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Bingo Night
Friday, Jan. 27 | 5-8 p.m. | $15/person
Join us for Bingo Night at the Ranch House on Friday, Jan. 27.
5 - 6 p.m. Food & Socialize
6 - 8 p.m. BINGO
Each dish you bring for the potluck = 2 drink tickets. Prizes await our winners! Complimentary movie and crafts upstairs for kids ages 3+. Space is limited.
Click here to rsvp.
Click here for more information.
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Take a Walk on the Wild Side
“Who’s livin’ in the subnivean?” by Donna Chase, Master Naturalist for the Forest Conservancy
Our cold temperatures and abundance of snow makes us wonder…where did all the little critters go? All animals must find a way to survive winter. They must either migrate, hibernate or insulate. Many of our small mammals use deep snow for housing and protection.
After significant snowfall and series of freeze and thaw cycles, snow deeper than 6” is compacted enough for tunnels to be created in what is termed the “subnivean zone” (sub is Latin for under; nives is Latin for snow). Mice, voles, shrews and chipmunks excavate tunnels complete with air shafts, food cache rooms, latrines and sleeping areas. These tunnels usually begin near a tree trunk, bush or large rock. The temperature under the snow is higher (usually around 26-32 degrees Fahrenheit) than the air temperature above. Small mammals are able to remain active in this zone with food also available (grass, leaves, bark, seeds, insects)
However, dangers still exist! Owls can hear mice and voles scurry around in the tunnels and can crash thru, grabbing the prey. Foxes and coyotes detect the animal’s scent and dive through the snow. Weasels squeeze down air shafts, consume the occupants and then usurp the area as their own. Sudden warm temperatures can cause flooding, drowning the occupants. And, of course, human traffic can cause tunnel collapse.
Generally though, the subnivean zone is a safe haven for small mammals to survive the winter. (FYI, at higher elevations pika, snowshoe hare and ptarmigan also utilize the subnivean zone for their winter home.) This adaptation to winter allows small mammals that do not migrate to have a (mostly) safe area regardless of the temperatures above.
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RV Parking in RVR
Many of our community members own all sorts of recreation vehicles and other outdoor toys. We have noticed more of these types of vehicles parked in RVR neighborhoods in recent weeks.
The Second Amendment to the RVR Master Declaration, Section 3.16, Vehicle Parking, Storage, Operation, and Repair states: “No boats, trailers, buses, motor homes, campers (on or off supporting vehicles), motorcycles, snowmobiles, recreational vehicles, golf carts, trucks, industrial or commercial vehicles (both cabs or trailers), abandoned or inoperable vehicles, or any other similar vehicles shall be parked or stored in or upon the Master Common Areas or upon a Lot or Unit except for temporary loading and unloading during daylight hours…”
Click here to read the vehicle parking, storage, operation and repair policy adopted by the RVRMA on Jan. 27, 2021.
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Golf Course Winter Info.
The RVR golf course is currently open to responsible public traffic for hiking and cross country skiing during the winter months.
Please remember:
- Leashed dogs are allowed. Do not leave poop bags or other trash behind.
- Do not enter bunkers, roped off greens, ponds or cut across tee boxes.
- Bikes are not permitted on golf property at any time
Currently, golf course maintenance lacks a snowmobile to regularly groom tracks for Cross Country Skiing. According to the golf course, it is difficult to maintain tracks with unpredictable snow quantities. After the first pass with a snowmobile, they need another six inches before the track can be groomed and the equipment cannot effectively re-groom until more snow falls (making track life very brief). When available, golf crews will run a snowmobile track on course if snow quantities allow.
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Group Fitness Classes
As the budget was being written in 2022, the board and management felt that a nominal fee for fitness classes would help to offset instructor costs, which have been increasing. Beginning on Monday, Jan. 30 there will be a $2 per person charge for group fitness classes.
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Qigong Live
We are offering an in-person Qigong class in the yoga studio. This class is available for ALL LEVELS! No experience is required. We will have chairs available for those who feel more comfortable being seated.
Qigong - a moving meditation, involving slow movement and concentration for better balance, flexibility, energy flow, relaxation, and health. Qigong has been done in China for thousands of years and is based on the principles of Chinese medicine. The exercises improve energy flow to the lungs, heart, digestive system, and other organs. Qigong is used by hospitals, athletes, schools, and wellness centers everywhere for improved health and performance.
Click here to reserve your spot.
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Restorative Yoga | Ellen Kaplan
Ellen is a Level 2 Certified Iyengar Yoga Teacher (CIYT) and a Certified Yoga Therapist (C-IAYT). She came to yoga from a gymnastics background and found her truth in the teachings of B.K.S. Iyengar and the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali. The systematic journey of exploring one’s embodiment to understand the mind and reveal the soul continues to provide Ellen with a deep sense of purpose and appreciation of life. She began her journey in 1999 under the tutelage of Theresa Rowland of Madison, NJ and was first certified in 2015. Since Theresa’s passing in 2019, Ellen has been studying with Senior Iyengar Yoga Teacher Lois Steinberg of Urbana, IL. and attends her Annual Therapy Intensive regularly. Ellen has also traveled to Pune, India for the honor of studying directly with the Iyengar family. In 2022 Ellen relocated to Colorado and continues teaching in the Roaring Fork Valley. Ellen’s attention to detail, compassion, and therapeutic focus allows practitioners of all conditions to find space for growth and knowledge.
“Yoga does not just change the way we see things, it transforms the person who sees.” – B.K.S. Iyengar
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Click here for a printable version of the schedule
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Roaring Fork Outdoor Volunteers is hiring for three seasonal positions next year.
Click here to view open positions and job descriptions.
44th Annual Visual Art Show on Friday, Jan. 20 at 10:00 a.m. - Thursday, Feb. 23 5 p.m. at the R2 Gallery
Click here to learn more.
Best Plant Based Whole Foods potluck in the Valley at the Third Street Center on Monday, Jan. 23 from 6:30 - 8 p.m.
Click here to learn more.
The New York Philharmonic String Quartet at TACAW on Jan. 26 from 8 - 10 p.m.
Click here for more information.
The Salon: Optimism and Activism at The Launchpad on Saturday, Jan. 28 at 6 p.m.
Click here to learn more.
ACES Wild Perspectives Speaker Series- Corsets to Harnesses: A reflection of women’s climbing history from our adventures in Corsica and beyond!On Saturady, Feb 28 at 7 p.m.
Click here to learn more.
Green is the New Black Fashion Extravaganza on Thursday, March 9 through Saturday, March 11. at the Carbondale Rec. Center
Click here to learn more.
After-School Classes at Pam Porter’s Third Street Studio for grades K-6 resume after the holidays. *Newly added Tangled MLK Day class on Monday Jan. 16 9 a.m. -3 p.m.
Visit thecreativeflowstudio.com for more info.
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