Mobile home parks
As reported by Aspen Daily News on March 25, two Valley mobile home parks are being sold for a combined $42 million — Mountain Valley Mobile Home Park, behind Garcia’s Market in Carbondale, and Aspen-Basalt Mobile Home Park, between Basalt and Willits. In accordance with Colorado law, residents were notified of the intent to sell and have 120 days to submit an offer to purchase their park as a resident-owned community. The listing prices are more than double the most recent valuations for the properties and the owner says they’ll only consider offers that include both parks.
Elections integrity
The City of Glenwood Springs notified the public of a glitch in their data resulting in 142 residents receiving the wrong ballot for the spring election. Voters have been contacted and arrangements have been made to rectify the situation. “This error will not impact the election timing or its outcome,” said City Clerk Ryan Muse. “This notification is to ensure full transparency with the public and to affirm the integrity of our elections.”
Carnegie hero
Alec Larson, a resident of Rifle, is among 17 individuals in Canada and the United Stated to receive a 2024 Carnegie Medal for Heroism and associated financial grant. The award recognizes “those who enter extreme danger while saving or attempting to save the lives of others.” On April 11, 2024, Larson pulled over while commuting to work when he saw the aftermath of a car accident on Highway 82. By acting quickly and selflessly, he rescued a mother and her infant from a burning vehicle.
Food assistance
U.S. Senator John Hickenlooper joined 31 Senate colleagues demanding the Trump administration reverse the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s cancellation of food purchase programs across the country amounting to some $1 billion in support for local farms and increasing food security for families in need. In Colorado, food banks used more than $14 million in funding from these programs over the last two years.
Community North Star
During its annual Emerald Elegance Gala and awards ceremony on March 15, the Glenwood Springs Chamber Resort Association awarded the Glenwood Springs Citizens’ Alliance the first-ever Community North Star Award. Mike Wilde, who won the Chamber’s 2022 Citizens of the Year award with his wife, Debbie, said the awards selection committee “felt compelled to recognize the extraordinary dedication and leadership” of the Citizens’ Alliance, which successfully fought the expansion of a limestone quarry. “Since no existing award fully captured their contributions, we are thrilled to introduce a brand-new special recognition, the Community North Star Award.”
Public media
Protect My Public Media, a watchdog and advocacy group, commended Congress’ passing of the Continuing Resolution for Fiscal Year 2025 which included funding for public media. This legislation extends most current federal funding levels through Sept. 30, the press release stated. The group added that its work is not done, with the 2026 funding process yet to begin, the administration and Congress still considering cuts and a pending Delivering on Government Efficiency subcommittee hearing where the value of public media may be challenged.
Ski recycling
The City of Aspen, in partnership with Colorado Ski Furniture, is collecting used skis and snowboards to be recycled through April 30 at the Rio Grande Recycle Center (618-598 Rio Grande Pl, Aspen). Old and broken skis, snowboards, bindings and poles will be repurposed into furniture. Last year, this program diverted over 3,000 pounds of ski gear from the landfill.
Bear grants
Colorado Parks and Wildlife is offering $1 million in grants toward community efforts to reduce human-bear conflict. There are between 17,000 and 20,000 bears in Colorado, and the number continues to grow. Besides the inconvenience of having to pick up after a bear makes a meal from your garbage bin, the negative effects are reciprocal with bears becoming dependent on garbage as a food source. Local governments, nonprofits, HOAs, community groups, businesses, tribes, universities and individuals are all eligible to receive funding and can apply for grants between $50,000 and $500,000. Proposed projects should aim to effectively reduce attractants and disincentivize bears from entering conflict-prone areas. Applications are due by May 30 at cpw.state.co.us/human-bear-conflict-reduction-grants
Sunshine Fund
In honor of Tish Filiss, a devoted mother, grandmother and community mentor, HeadQuarters is promoting the You Are My Sunshine Fund to help provide affordable access to mental health services, parent coaching and bonding-focused therapies for mothers of young children (0-3 years old). Donate at www.bit.ly/YAMSFund
They say it’s your birthday!
Folks celebrating another trip around the sun this week include: Shea Courtney and Drea Marsh (March 27); Hank van Berlo, Madilyn Ebel, John Field, Damon Scher and Pat Wanner (March 28); Stacey Bernot, Lyzzi Borkenhagen, David Hayes, Lucy Perutz, Bob Schultz and Jesse Terrell (March 29); Jorie DeVilbiss and Megan Wussow (March 30); Georgia Ackerman, Colleen Borkovec and Jane Hart (March 31); Walter Gallacher, Jake Hawkins, Dave Ritchie, Francis Stuckens and Ed Troy (April 2).
~ C A L E N D A R ~
THURSDAY, MARCH 27
POWER OF REFRAMING
A Spiritual Center (Room 31 of the Third Street Center) hosts Katia Fernandinho for a talk about releasing old wounds to create a new narrative aligned with truth, which will allow more freedom, from 10 to 11:30am.
SENIOR ART
The Art Base in Basalt invites senior artists to paint an acrylic trout at the Eagle County Community Center in El Jebel from 12:45 to 2:15pm.
ENERGY SAVINGS
Garfield Clean Energy sets up at the Silt and Glenwood Springs libraries to teach about financial aid programs to help residents save energy and money from 4 to 8pm. Tomorrow, the same will be offered at the Rifle Library and Grand Valley Rec Center from 4 to 7pm.
COZY HOUR
Teens and young adults are invited to “cozy up” at the Basalt Library from 5 to 6pm with board games, warm drinks, a sweet treat and a craft.
SPIRIT MESSAGES
Evidential medium Becky Hesseltine delivers messages from departed loved ones, “offering undeniable proof that their love endures beyond physical death,” at True Nature from 6 to 7:30pm. Tickets at www.truenaturehealingarts.com
RINCÓN LITERARIO
Basalt Library’s Spanish-language literature club discusses “Mujer de Luz” by Kali Fajardo-Anstine from 6 to 7pm. Free copies of the book are available at the circulation desk while supplies last.
THE ROCKETZ
All the way from L.A., The Rocketz perform rockabilly music at Steve’s Guitars at 8pm. Tickets at www.stevesguitars.net
FRIDAY, MARCH 28
CHANGEMAKER SERIES
The Wheeler Opera House Changemaker Speaker Series continues with adventure photographer Cory Richards and “The Color of Everything” at 7:30pm. Tickets at www.aspenshowtix.com
COMEDY FILM
TACAW screens “Thank You Very Much,” a film about comedian Andy Kaufman, at 8pm with an Epicure Catering Supper Club option at 6pm. Tickets at www.tacaw.org
SATURDAY, MARCH 29
WELLNESS RETREAT
Five heart-centered facilitators lead a wellness retreat at 13 Moons Ranch (6334 Highway 133) from 1 to 5pm with cacao, connection exercises, an ecstatic dance, sound bath and more. Find tickets at www.bit.ly/harmonizeretreat
SOBER QUEER CLUB
The Meeting Place hosts an LGBTQIA+ specific recovery meeting every first and third Saturday at 5:30pm. For more details, visit www.meetingplacecarbondale.org
CRYSTAL THEATRE
The Crystal Theatre screens “The Penguin Lessons” tonight, tomorrow, Wednesday and Thursday at 7pm and Sunday at 5pm.
THE WORKSHOP
Thunder River Theatre Company’s “The Workshop” series, bringing together playwrights and audiences to discuss new works, features a reading of “We Are Going Nowhere” by Matthew Schneck at 7:30pm. Tickets at www.thunderrivertheatre.com
ABBA TRIBUTE
The Wheeler Opera House presents “MANIA: The ABBA Tribute” at 7:30pm. Tickets at www.aspenshowtix.com
SUNDAY, MARCH 30
DEATH MEDITATION
Rachel Becker, author of the “Cosmic Compost” exhibit currently on display at The Launchpad, leads a guided practice for facing morality from 3 to 4:30pm at the gallery. Sign up at www.carbondalearts.com
MONDAY, MARCH 31
SHORTSFEST
Aspen Film’s 34th Shortsfest kicks off today and continues through April 5, with shorts, talks and socializing events throughout the week. Find tickets or festival passes at www.aspenfilm.org
TUESDAY, APRIL 1
BIRDING CLUB
The Basalt Library hosts a birding club for middle school students from 3:45 to 5pm. Registration is recommended at www.basaltlibrary.org/events-calendar
JARABE MEXICANO
It’s no joke! Jarabe Mexicano teaches a free workshop for local musicians, music students and music educators from 4 to 5pm at the Basalt Library. The “border-soul” band will then perform a concert at 5:30pm, after free tacos are handed out.
DRAWING CLUB
The Roaring Fork Drawing Club gathers at Steve’s Guitars at 6:30pm to enjoy some free jazz jammin’ while making art.
‘VOICES OF COURAGE’
Response brings survivors of abuse to the TACAW stage to share stories at 7:30pm. Tickets at www.tacaw.org
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 2
BASALT BOOK CLUB
On the first Wednesday of every month, Basalt Library hosts a book club looking at highlights from new releases and books in the news from noon to 2pm.
KIDS ZONE
The Basalt Library provides activities for kids ages 5 to 11 from 2:30 to 3:30pm. The Teen Café is also open for middle and high school students at this time.
‘SINFONIA OF ART’
“Sinfonia of Art,” a mixed-media show in partnership with High Country Sinfonia, opens at the Aspen Chapel Gallery with a celebration from 4 to 7pm.
PHOTOGRAPHY LECTURE
Visiting photographer Lisa Kereszi delivers a lecture at Anderson Ranch at 4:30pm.
SAT PREP
Basalt Library’s seven-part SAT prep series tailored for Spanish-speaking, first-generation and low-income students has its second to last session today from 4:30 to 6:30pm.
KDNK BINGO
KDNK Community Access Radio hosts Bingo Night at Carbondale Beer Works at 7pm.
AI AND CLIMATE
Holly and Will Alpine reveal what it takes to confront corporate hypocrisy, challenge the high-carbon status quo and align technology with climate science at TACAW at 7pm. Tickets at www.tacaw.org
THURSDAY, APRIL 3
ART IN THE STACKS
The Glenwood Springs Library hosts a reception for “An Artful Market Day,” an exhibit of 50 works made by members of the Glenwood Springs Art Guild, from 4 to 6pm. The exhibit will be on display through May 16, and visitors can vote on their favorite pieces.
CMC EN LA BIBLIOTECA
A Colorado Mountain College advisor teaches about ESL, GED and HSE resources at the Basalt Library from 4:30 to 5:30pm.
COMMON ROOTS
HeadQuarters’ monthly men’s group, Common Roots, gathers from 6 to 7:30pm. For details, visit www.headq.org/support/events
ANDY SYDOW
Steve’s Guitars presents songwriter Andy Sydow, “an accomplished multi-instrumentalist whose lyrics paint a picture of poetic realism,” at 8pm. Tickets at www.stevesguitars.net
COMEDY AT TACAW
Comedian Jamie Lissow makes a stop at TACAW during “The Divorced Dad Comedy Tour” tonight at 8pm. Tickets at www.tacaw.org
FRIDAY, APRIL 4
NATURE JOURNALING
Adults who wish to explore, observe and creatively document nature are invited to join a group of novice and experienced sketchbook writers and artists at the Carbondale Library from 1 to 2:30pm.
OPEN BOOK SOCIETY
The Basalt Library hosts a virtual teen book club with no assigned reading from 4 to 5pm. Registration is required at www.basaltlibrary.org/events-calendar
SPRING INTO WELLNESS
This First Friday, The Center for Human Flourishing and Carbondale Arts highlight wellness practitioners and businesses — from fitness to nutrition experts — at the Rec Center from 5 to 8pm. Attendees can complete a bingo card for the chance to win wellness-oriented prizes. Additional April First Friday pickings will be spread up and down Main Street, which will become a pedestrian corridor from Weant Boulevard to 3rd Street. First Friday-goers are encouraged to park at the Rec Center lot or on the other side of Colorado Avenue. For more details, visit www.tinyurl.com/AprilFirstFridayCdale Wellness practitioners or food growers who would like a table at the Rec Center, can email info@tcfhf.org
FINAL VIEWING
The Launchpad will be open from 5 to 7pm for the final viewing of “Where The Wild Things Live” by Kirstie Steiner and “Cosmic Compost” by Rachel Z. Becker, with a special community activation, “Trash Art & Compost Crafts,” facilitated by Rachel.
CLAY CENTER
The Carbondale Clay Center hosts a second reception for “Perspectives: 2025 High School Invitational,” featuring works by Basalt and Roaring Fork High School students, from 6 to 8pm.
SIP. SAVOR. SUPPORT.
Blue Lake Preschool hosts its fundraiser, “Sip. Savor. Support.,” to include music by The Confluents, bites from Epicure Catering, drinks, prizes and more at TACAW from 6 to 10pm. Tickets at www.bluelakepreschool.org
KDNK LIP SYNC BATTLE
The KDNK Local Legends Lip Sync Battle kicks off at Thunder River Theatre at 7pm. Put your skills to the test and register at www.tinyurl.com/KDNKLipSync
SWEET JESSUP
Celebrate First Friday with Sweet Jessup and the Dirty Buckets performing at Steve’s Guitars at 8pm. Tickets at www.stevesguitars.net
SATURDAY, APRIL 5
MEDITATION
The Carbondale Meditation Circle of Self Realization Fellowship meets in the meditation room at True Nature from 9 to 10:30am.
‘HANDS OFF!’
Mountain Action Indivisible and other regional advocacy groups gather to protest spending cuts, prompted by President Trump and Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency, at Sayre Park in Glenwood Springs from 3:30 to 5pm. The event is part of a national day of action dubbed “Hands Off!”
CONTRA DANCE
The Wooden Nickel String Band returns for the final contra dance of the season at the Carbondale Community School (1505 Satank Road). New dancers can learn the moves at 7:30pm before the main event from 8 to 10 pm.
PINK TO BLACK
Good For Now opens for Pink Fuzz at Thunder River Theatre at 8pm. Tickets at www.thunderrivertheatre.com This is a 21 and up event.
BILL FRISELL TRIO
Grammy-winning guitarist and composer Bill Frisell, along with Thomas Morgan and Rudy Royston, performs at TACAW at 8pm. Tickets at www.tacaw.org
SUNDAY, APRIL 6
RANDOM CONVERSATIONS
The Carbondale Library hosts its monthly Lost Art of Random Conversations series, where participants are encouraged to talk to strangers, from 6 to 7:30pm.
STURTZ
Steve’s Guitars presents Sturtz, a Boulder quartet, at 7pm. Tickets at www.stevesguitars.net
GANAVYA
On the heels of the release of her new album, “Daughter of Temple,” which brings the Hindu tradition of Harikatha into the 21st century, GANAVYA performs at TACAW at 8pm. Tickets at www.tacaw.org Come early for Supper Club at 6pm.