Welcome to Thanksgiving Week and what looks like another sunny week ahead, with no moisture in the forecast. The Citizen staff was on assignment in San Luis last week and came away with some impressions on the town in light of the recent death of Jeremy Elliott. We also took in the Centauri High playoff football game on Saturday in La Jara, and we wish the Falcons the best as they now take on Limon High in the Class 1A State Championship Game at 1 p.m. Saturday at CSU-Pueblo Thunderbowl Stadium. Here’s our weekend sports recap.
Jeremy Elliott death has left holes
in San Luis economic development efforts
JEREMY Elliott was a self-taught photographer and champion of the town of San Luis, where he worked on the staff of the Costilla County Economic Development Council. In early October Elliott died from COVID-19, and his death left holes not only in the hearts of community members but in the town’s strategy to revitalize itself.
Elliott was helping shepherd a few projects for the community, including recent grants provided by the Colorado Department of Local Affairs to repair five buildings on San Luis’ main drag. Among the buildings that received funding is R&R Market, which bills itself as the oldest grocery established in 1857 and in 2019 was listed on Colorado Preservation, Inc.’s Most Endangered Places. The town is also working on opening a coffee shop at its visitor’s center.
Elliott was also deeply involved in working to open a San Luis Museum, but that project has stalled as a result of his death, according to townspeople.
An Alamosa project that excites everyone
ALAMOSA native Denise Vigil, who attended culinary arts school and worked with top chefs around the country, has come home to open her own restaurant and judging by the reaction, it’s going to be huge. Vigil purchased and is remodeling the former St.Thomas Episcopal Church on Fourth Street in Alamosa into an Italian and Mediterranean restaurant. She also plans a separate tavern in the old sanctuary of the property.
Last week Vigil went to the Alamosa City Council to request a liquor license for the project. Alamosa Citizen reported on it and added a post to its Facebook page. The response to the news was huge. “This will be awesome,” said Gaynell West, who left one of 35 comments on The Citizen’s Facebook page about the project. “What a neat thing to do instead of tearing down and turning it into some place only a few could enjoy.”
“Can’t wait to come and visit so we can eat there,” said Julie Polasek. And Mary Domito of Alamosa Home furniture store said, “Amazing news!”
Vigil herself came onto The Citizen’s Facebook page to address comments and give more information. “The restaurant will serve primarily Italian dishes but we’re still going to have other Mediterranean foods as well. For example, in the summer, we’ll make paella in the courtyard. The tavern/speakeasy is going to be more relaxed, low-key and classy place where you can enjoy a nice scotch, martini, craft cocktails or glass of wine while listening to early jazz like Billie Holiday. We plan on serving only local beer.”
She’s named the place The Friar’s Fork Restaurant and like we said, it’s going to be HUGE.
Alamosa’s Cranes in Flight sculpture
ICYMI, the Woman’s Citizenship Club of Alamosa is raising money for the Cranes in Flight sculpture by Alamosa native artist Jocelyn Russell. The Citizen wrote about this project, which is scheduled to be installed off Sixth Street at the Colorado Welcome Center area, and again the response by Alamosa Citizen readers has been off the charts. “Spectacular, absolutely love it,” said Linda Webster Andrews. “Now this, I can get behind,” said Angela Bergann.
One commenter wanted to know why Cranes in Flight is being installed in Alamosa and not Monte Vista, which hosts the annual San Luis Valley Crane Festival. The reason is simple. Jocelyn, who is donating her time to the project, is from Alamosa and wanted the sculpture in her hometown, where she grew up drawing all sorts of wildlife, including the sandhill cranes.
You can read about the project here, ICYMI. The hope is for Cranes in Flight to be installed sometime in 2022. In December the Alamosa County Marketing and Tourism board is set to tear down the old motorway building near the welcome center, and the Cranes in Flight sculpture will be a showcase piece for the neighborhood.
Alamosa Thanksgiving Day
trash pickup schedule
In observance of Thanksgiving, the Alamosa trash schedule will be as follows:
Yard Waste – Last day for collection will be Monday Nov. 29.
Residential Route – Thursday Nov. 25 will be collected Friday Nov. 26. Friday Nov. 26 will be collected Monday Nov. 29.
Commercial Route – Thursday Nov. 25 will be collected Wednesday Nov. 24.
Recycling Center will be closed Thursday November 25.
If you have questions, please contact the Public Works Department at 719-589-6631.
Creede Chocolate Festival
after Thanksgiving
HAD enough turkey, now it’s time for chocolate. The annual Creede Chocolate Festival is Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The chocolate festival showcases samples of chocolate specialities created by local business owners and individuals. Eating your way around Creede will be easy – but casting your vote for the People’s Choice Award can be challenging!
Have a great Thanksgiving.