Rami El Gharib
Lebanon, with its history of war and armed conflict, is the same country that I call home. Several Lebanese communities were left fractured in the brutal civil war from 1975 to 1990. If you look at these places now though, it is as if a war had never happened. These communities found a way to repair harm and find a common ground, but how could that be?
I later discovered that a Restorative Justice project brought these conflicting neighborhoods together. In 1999, these two divided parties put aside their differences and used facilitated dialogues for healing. Eventually neighbors that were once in arms and fighting each other started inviting each other to holiday dinners and gatherings.
Travis Elliott, Town of Snowmass Village/Courtesy Photo
When it comes to sustainability, the town of Snowmass Village is (mostly) on track to meet the goals it set in 2009, according to a Sustainability and Resiliency Plan Update presented by the Environmental Advisory Board at a Dec. 14 Town Council meeting.
Across 10 sectors of town life and environmental conservation covering everything from affordable housing to wildlife habitat 57 individual goals are on track, 29 need some attention, and six are currently unaddressed or missed, the report indicates. An update in early 2021 will evaluate whether the town has officially reached its “20 by 20” goal to reduce carbon emissions by 20% from a 2009 baseline by the end of 2020.
Ava Cherry, Aspen High School junior and Skier Scribbler writer
Ava Cherry/Courtesy Image
There’s no question that the COVID-19 pandemic has caused a decline in mental health and well-being. Although the crisis has impacted mental health for all ages, it hit especially hard for my Generation Z peers.
According to a Harris Poll done on teen mental health in May, seven out of 10 teenagers said they have struggled with mental health amid the stressful pandemic climate. Additionally, the poll reported that “82% of teens (are) calling on America to talk more openly and honestly about mental health issues in this country,” and “79% of teens surveyed wish there was an inclusive environment or safe space for people in school to talk about mental health.”
Unhappy with their treatment through the COVID-19 pandemic, Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1776 members voted no confidence Sunday in Grand Valley Transit General Manager Valdo Lewis.
Local 1776 President Judi DeRusha reports that 94% of local chapter members voted no confidence in Lewis to perform his duties. This comes after a comment he made as the union negotiates for higher pay and safer working conditions for its drivers.
Negotiations will continue this week with TrasnDev, GVTâs contractor.
âOur members have been heroes on the frontlines, providing essential transportation to keep our community moving,â DeRusha said in a press release.
She represents the GVT drivers employed by TransDev.
COVID-19 tester Sawyer Shook, 19, assists people with their tests Monday at the cell phone lot at the Aspen/Pitkin County Airport. There were 130 appointments scheduled before the testing site closed at 2 p.m. Starting Monday, all visitors coming into the county had to complete an online affidavit saying they have been symptom free for 10 days and have received a negative COVID-19 test within 72 hours of arrival. (Kelsey Brunner/The Aspen Times)
Aspen Valley Hospital is expecting to receive the upper Roaring Fork Valley’s first 100 doses of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for its staff Wednesday afternoon, hospital officials said Monday.