July 4, 2025

REMINDER: YOUR SUBMISSIONS ARE ENCOURAGED

Overview for this week.

1. Happy 249th birthday, America! This year, I'm presenting an article that highlights the celebration of freedom and unity on Independence Day.

2. I've been exploring the thrift shops dotting the countryside between Aspen and Glenwood Springs. You never know what you'll find and who you'll meet—bonus, no tariffs.

3. In The Next Gen, I have an update on a rising star in the Denver music scene, Billy Storm, a.k.a. Billy the VI, and his band, Dante Must Die.

4. In Reaching High this week, I'm coming down a little in elevation from my usual coverage of the Himalayas and their 8,000-meter peaks, and looking at some of the highest peaks in the continental US, Colorado's 14ers — peaks over 14,000 feet (~4,300 meters).

5. After twenty years of development and collaboration with the University of Arizona, the Vera C. Rubin Observatory in Chile has begun releasing its first massive scans of the night sky.

6. In Travel, I have what is possibly the most inviting vacation rental I have ever seen, in one of the most convenient and comfortable destinations, The Jewel of San Diego, La Jolla, CA.

7. I’m closing this Fourth of July issue of The Flock with the poem, Good Night by Carl Sandburg. I hope everyone got to enjoy the 4th of July’s fireworks and had a good night.

Now, to this week's Flock.

I hope everybody had a great 4th of July. Independence Day is a special holiday where all Americans, regardless of their religion, political affiliation, or ethnic heritage, unite to celebrate freedom and express patriotism. We are one nation of many peoples. Happy Birthday, America!

From: Red River Parish Journal, July 2, 2025

As fireworks light up the sky and families gather for barbecues and parades, it’s easy to associate July 4 with celebration. But beyond the festive atmosphere, Independence Day holds deep historical and cultural significance for the United States…

On July 4, 1776, the Continental Congress formally adopted the Declaration of Independence, marking the American colonies’ decision to break free from British rule…

“This day isn’t just about history—it’s about what unites us as Americans,” says Dr. Angela Morris, a historian at the National Museum of American History. “It reminds us that our country was founded on the belief that all people are created equal and have the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.”

Over the years, July 4 has grown to symbolize more than just political independence. It is a day to honor American ideals, reflect on progress, and acknowledge the ongoing work of building a more inclusive and just society.

Across the nation, communities mark the occasion with flag ceremonies, naturalization events, and public readings of the Declaration of Independence. For many new citizens, taking the oath on Independence Day is a powerful symbol of commitment to their new home.

I've been doing some thrift store shopping along the stretch between Aspen and Glenwood Springs, CO. Above is Eva from Susie's at Willits in Basalt, CO. She's all decked out and showing her patriotic spirit for the Fourth of July. Whether you're looking for a unique accent piece for your home or inspiration for an upcycling project, exploring the eclectic inventory of thrift shops is great fun and a socially responsible and sustainable way to shop.

From: The Aspen Times, By: Julie Bielberg, August 12, 2023

Searching through the racks of Aspen Thrift Shop or Susie’s Consignment is ritual for many in-the-know, brand-savvy shoppers while visiting Aspen. For locals, it’s an underrated community resource and economy-driver.

Stroll even further downvalley and the thrifting becomes more abundant — and expansive. 

The tradition, hobby, or need of thrifting started early in the 19th century when religious and charity groups would collect second-hand clothing to resell for money to give to those in need, their charity, or fund jobs… 

Today in the Roaring Fork Valley, there are more than 20 outlets in which to thrift, and it seems it’s ever expanding. A mix of for-profit, non-profit, and hybrid stores exist for nearly every ounce of merchandisable home good, clothing article, and sporting article. Some stores only take donations, some consign, and others procure their own resale items.

Thrift stores have charity at the root of the business, whether 100% of the proceeds are given to aid or a certain portion given to rotating charities, thrifting, and reselling is a beneficial community cycle.

With back-to-school around the corner and inflation remaining high, the Roaring Fork Valley is thriving with thrift, which also equates to sustainability.

Back in April, I featured a talented young creator and his band, Dante Must Die. Billy and his band have been making a name for themselves in the Denver music scene. He recently attracted the attention of the CanvasRebel website, which interviewed him to get his perspective on writing and performing music, as well as how he achieved his current status as a band leader and musician.

From: CanvasRebel, June 19, 2025

Alright, WILLIAM thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. What did your parents do right and how has that impacted you in your life and career?

I think my parents were very effective and making me feel that I could do anything I set my mind to, and that if I worked incredibly hard and just focused on my goals anything was possible. I think this is most evident in my mother who realized this in her 30s, after 3 kids, and decided to go back to school and become a greatly successful interior designer. I think watching her really make change in her life both financially and through her surroundings inspired me, and made me feel as though if I did the same I could reach those same heights

WILLIAM, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

My name is Billy, I’m a musician and interior designer here in Denver. I play guitar and sing in the band ‘Dante Must Die’ which was named after one of my favorite video games. I started in music the same way many kids do, by listening to records in my early teens and feeling inspired to pick up an instrument and write my own material. I’ve since joined bands and played many shows in the pursuit of making music more than just a hobby. With my current band, I’ve decided to record an entire LP with just my best friend on drums, where I handle all guitar, bass, and vocals. It’s been quite a ride, and I’ve learned a great deal about the process as I’ve gone through it with all my close friends. I think some of my biggest problems arise from being new to many of these processes. I was pretty inexperienced when it came to utilizing studio time to its best, and I had to take the time to learn how to be effective in that space. I have also had a significant learning curve when it comes to managing small teams. With my band, I took on a great deal of the responsibility and it’s been a journey to learn how to organize a team around small and large goals. I think what sets me apart from others is just remaining humble, and learning from those that have gone through trials in the past. There’s a lot of wisdom that comes from just chatting with people who have either been in bands or are in the music industry. I’m most proud of my band’s upcoming release, and I’m proud of my team’s cohesion. I really feel like the music we’re working on feels good to play, and I feel as though I’m very happy experiencing it with my band. I couldn’t have asked for a better team, and that in itself is a victory. I think ultimately I want people to know that our band is very much just trying to write great songs and have fun during the process. There isn’t much more to life than that.

Colorado has more 14ers than any other state, with a total of 58 peaks exceeding the 14,000-foot mark. Many of the 14ers are popular destinations for climbing and hiking enthusiasts, with some “peak baggers attempting to summit all of them. Some of the peaks are strenuous walk-ups, while others require advanced mountaineering skills and experience to summit. Treckers in the Rockies should not put too much emphasis on the altitude of a peak and become complacent when attempting a summit of a lower peak. There are many peaks below 14,000 feet in the Rockies that require advanced mountaineering skills and much planning to summit.

From: Colorado.com, June 13, 2025

Ambitious hikers from all over the world travel here to challenge themselves by summiting one of these staggering pinnacles, while taking in glorious views along the way. Whether you’re making your first attempt or are a seasoned professional, find out all you need to know about preparing for a Colorado 14er and get ready to experience the state’s rugged beauty like never before.

So, how many 14ers are in Colorado, really? The Colorado Geological Survey says there are 58 peaks that exceed 14,000 feet in elevation. Some of Colorado's best-known 14ers include the tallest: Mount Elbert, Pikes Peak (which inspired the poem “America the Beautiful”) and Longs Peak (which resides inside Rocky Mountain National Park).

The reward for reaching the summit of one of these beasts? Bragging rights, of course. Plus, you’ll find some of the most breathtaking views found anywhere on the planet. But it's important to know a few things before you head out to these massive Colorado mountains. See a full list of Colorado 14ers and their elevations.

The Vera C. Rubin Observatory in Chile, boasting the largest digital camera ever built and utilizing a 27-foot diameter mirror built by the University of Arizona's Richard F. Caris Mirror Lab, has begun releasing its first scans of the night sky. The observatory is expected to revolutionize our understanding of the universe through its wide-field surveys of the night sky.

From: The University of Arizona News, June 24, 2025

Billed as the greatest astronomical discovery machine ever built, the Vera C. Rubin Observatory has released its first imagery: glowing nebulas, pulsating stars, swarms of asteroids and millions of galaxies captured in just 10 hours of test observations. The images offer a striking preview of the observatory's upcoming 10-year Legacy Survey of Space and Time, or LSST. 

For the University of Arizona, this moment represents the culmination of decades of vision, collaboration and scientific ingenuity.

The finished mirror for the Vera C. Rubin Observatory's telescope after arriving on site in Chile. Fabricated by the University of Arizona Richard F. Caris Mirror Lab, the mirror spans 27 feet in diameter and acts both as the observatory's primary and tertiary light-collecting surface in one piece, a groundbreaking design approach.

Built with funding from the National Science Foundation and the U.S. Department of Energy atop Cerro Pachón in Chile – where dry air and dark skies offer unparalleled visibility – the Rubin Observatory features a digital camera as big as a car and a mirror spanning over 27 feet (8.4-meters) in diameter. Fabricated in the U of A's Richard F. Caris Mirror Lab, in the basement of Arizona Stadium, the mirror represents unprecedented engineering by combining both the telescope's primary and tertiary mirror in one piece of glass. An 11-foot (3.4-meter) secondary mirror completes the optical system.

This Giant Telescope Will Map the Universe in Unbelievable Detail | NOVA

From: Astronomy.com, By: Elizabeth Gamillo, December 26, 2023

A century ago galaxies in our universe perplexed astronomers. Just a decade after the realization of what galaxies are, astronomers first noticed that spiral galaxies were rotating strangely. Their outer areas were rotating around the galactic centers nearly as quickly as their inner “hubs.” Something must have been helping the rotation along. In 1933, astronomer Fritz Zwicky first suggested that an unseen component, which he called dark matter, must exist.

Three decades after dark matter was hypothesized, in a breakthrough moment, one astronomer collected the first direct evidence of dark matter’s existence. Her name was Vera Rubin, and her work helped to revolutionize astronomy in the middle part of the 20th Century…

From a young age, Rubin gazed outside her bedroom window in Washington D.C. and charted the paths of stars. With the support of her father, she even built a telescope out of cardboard and a small lens. Rubin’s father encouraged her curiosity and would take her to D.C. Amateur Astronomer Club Meetings, where she would hear about the latest ideas. “By about age 12, I would prefer to stay up and watch the stars than go to sleep. I started learning. I started going to the library and reading. But it was initially just watching the stars from my bedroom that I really did. There was just nothing as interesting in my life as watching the stars every night,” Rubin said in an interview with Alan Lightman for the American Institute of Physics in 1989.

“Science is competitive, aggressive, demanding. It is also imaginative, inspiring, uplifting. You can do it, too. … Each one of you can change the world, for you are made of star stuff, and you are connected to the universe,” 

–“Science is competitive, aggressive, demanding. It is also imaginative, inspiring, uplifting. You can do it, too. … Each one of you can change the world, for you are made of star stuff, and you are connected to the universe,” 

–Vera Rubiun, May 17, 1996 Berkeley commencement speech

This vacation home in La Jolla is spacious, spiritually inviting, and look at that view. If you're looking to gather with family and friends for business, relaxation, or a combination of both, there's room to entertain or to sequester yourself and work, so go for it. In my opinion, this is the best summer rental option for people of all ages in the San Diego/La Jolla area. If you're a surfer, you're close to seals, waves, pelicans, and seagulls. This home is filled with warmth and an air of casual kindness. San Diego boasts the best weather on the West Coast of the United States, and I couldn't suggest a finer spot for a family retreat.

From: LaJolla Vacation Rentals CA

Follow the link below for more photos and information.

The fireworks are over for another year. I wish you all a good night.

From: Academy of American Poets

Many ways to spell good night.

Fireworks at a pier on the Fourth of July

spell it with red wheels and yellow spokes.

They fizz in the air, touch the water and quit.

Rockets make a trajectory of gold-and-blue

and then go out.

Railroad trains at night spell with a smokestack

    mushrooming a white pillar.

Steamboats turn a curve in the Mississippi crying

    in a baritone that crosses lowland cottonfields

    to a razorback hill.

It is easy to spell good night.

Many ways to spell good night.

These Flock regulars are always here for you:

Cita Scott for paintings, photography, and culinary art. Cita will be in and out of town all summer. Don't hesitate to give her a jingle. (520) 404-1551

Kimberly Gomer, MS, RD/LDN

Registered and licensed Dietitian/Nutritionist. Find me on my website at KimberlyGomer.com for information about nutrition coaching.

Sarah Smallhouse & Make Elections Fair ArIzona

– Sign the petition here

Sensitive & Specific: The Testing Newsletter by Mara G. Aspinall and Liz Ruark. Mara is always here to help in understanding testing knowledge and how it's being applied.

Kyria Sabin of Fletcher Pilates,

(520) 323-7070

The Fabric Jeanie!

Tap to learn more. 

(520) 245-0589

Linda Collazo, mezzo-soprano

for piano and voice lessons

Andres Valbuena, drum selection, drum basics, and more.

Dr. Hayward M. Fox, Ph.D.

The institute of Personal andTranspersonal Knowledge

Tucson Village Farm:

Vegetaable growing in the summer heat.

The Physio Shop,

Elite physical therapy services and more.

Icebox Cryotherapy,

Icebox Tucson’s unique enhancers allow you to be your best version! 

Nathan Anderson of Catalina Acupuncture

(520) 999-0080

Don't Be Shy: Share Your Stories!

I'm looking forward to sharing more of your personal stories - oral, written, or otherwise, as we enter our third year. I'd so love to present them to The Flock, hit a mailbox below to share your story.

Holualoa Ed Fit Wellness & Culture 2

520-818-4433

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