Spruce it up!
The Sopris Sun invites youngsters to submit illustrations for its annual Spruce Up The Sun contest. The winning image(s) will be featured on the cover of our Dec. 21 holiday issue. Contestants, or their parents, can submit scanned submissions to news@soprissun.com or place a hard copy in the submission box outside The Launchpad in Carbondale (76 South Fourth Street). Preschoolers through high school seniors are welcome to participate. This year’s theme: World Peace. Entries are due by Dec. 17 at the latest!
Smile, you’re on camera
The Sopris Sun is researching a story regarding mail thefts in the Crystal Valley that will print next week. As it turns out, thefts are occurring along the I-70 corridor and likely by the same group of suspects, according to a spokesperson with the Pitkin County Sheriff’s Office. Pitkin County still has cameras available to install at HOAs along the Crystal River Road (Highway 133) in an attempt to help identify suspects. Email brad.gibson@pitkinsheriff.com for details about installing a camera.
Whooping cough
The Garfield County Public Health office asks the community to be on alert against pertussis, commonly known as whooping cough. There have already been multiple confirmed cases of the illness in the county. According to a press release, the disease can be severe and even fatal for infants under 1, people with higher risk factors, pregnant women or unvaccinated individuals. The most notable symptom is a cough that lasts two weeks or more. Other symptoms may include a fever, sore throat, runny nose or congestion. Nasal swab tests can determine an infection which then can be treated with antibiotics. For info, call GarCo Public Health at 970-625-5200, extension 8135.
Summit for Life
The Chris Klug Foundation’s 18th annual Summit for Life had 191 racers and 45 riders ascend Aspen Mountain this past weekend after weather conditions prompted an unprecedented reschedule. Congratulations to Josh Anderson of Basalt (top male) and Jessie Young of Aspen (top female). Despite the shake-up, $122,402 was raised during the event, with fundraising continuing through Dec. 18 at www.summitforlife.org
Holiday vandalism
Vandalism affected two different areas of holiday lighting in Carbondale late last week. The electric meter that controls the downtown tree lights (not the tree by the forest service) was ripped out of its cabinet, as was the photocell that controls the street lights and garland at the roundabout.
Business costs
A study by RestaurantFurniture.Net found that Colorado is the third most expensive state in which to open a new restaurant, behind California (first) and New York. This is based on a combination of factors, such as commercial space rental prices, license fees and taxes. Locals are encouraged to support their favorite establishments for taking on the risk.
Art Around Town
The Town of Carbondale Public Art Commission’s annual rotating sculpture show, Art Around Town, is receiving applications through Feb. 5 for 15 outdoor pieces that will be on display from June 6, 2024 through May 15, 2025. Artists can have up to four sculptures selected with a $1,000 honorarium per sculpture. A $250 travel allowance will also be paid for out-of-town artists for delivery costs. Apply online at www.bit.ly/CdaleArt2024
Boebert bill
Congresswoman Lauren Boebert introduced legislation that prohibits the Bureau of Land Management from “locking up” land in Colorado from oil and gas production, a press release informed. “Joe Biden and his agency minions are making a concerted effort to undermine our energy production,” she claimed, “particularly in Colorado.” On Aug. 4, the Bureau of Land Management published a draft resource management plan for the Colorado River Valley Field Office and Grand Junction Field Office which would remove over 1.6 million acres of public lands from future oil and gas leasing.
They say it’s your birthday!
Folks celebrating another trip around the sun this week include: Alex Curtis, Steve Keohane and Natalie Spears (Dec. 14); Ciarra Bristol, Lynn Burton, Rachel Filter, Alya Howe, Frank McGuirk, Arturo Ortiz and Anthony Ortiz (Dec. 15); Deborah Anderson and Tamarah Howard (Dec. 16); Aiden Knaus and Cooper Marshall (Dec. 17); Kathy Ezra, Daisy Tena and Ralph Wanner (Dec. 18); Shirley Bowen and Frances Lewis (Dec. 19); Linnea Fong, Terry Glasenapp, Kenzie Hill, Beatriz Soto, Tyler Thompson, Prema Trettin and Travis Wilson (Dec. 20).
~ C A L E N D A R ~
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 14
RING THE BELL
The Salvation Army is looking for volunteers to ring the donations bell outside of Carbondale City Market. Shifts start at 11am. Call 970) 948-5360 or email tim@whitsittlawoffice.com for more info.
EAGLE COMMISSIONERS
Have a question for Eagle County? Commissioners will hold office hours at Basalt Library from noon to 2pm.
LEGAL CLINIC
Volunteer attorneys are available to assist with legal matters on a one-on-one basis for 15 minute sessions from 2 to 5pm taking place via Zoom at the Basalt Library. Sign up in advance by calling 970-927-4311 or by emailing info@basaltlibrary.org
ASPEN ART MUSEUM
Tour the Aspen Art Museum’s winter exhibitions with an opening reception from 5 to 7pm.
NEW MOON CEREMONY
Sheridan Semple guides a ceremony incorporating aromatherapy at True Nature from 6 to 7:30pm. Tickets at www.truenaturehealingarts.com
CONSENSUAL CHRISTMAS
The Valley’s famous Consensual Improv troupe performs tonight and tomorrow night at TACAW at 8pm. Tickets at www.tacaw.org
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 15
BOOK FAIR
Free books for babies, kids, teens and adults will be given away at the New Castle Community Center (423 W Main Street) from noon to 5pm, along with school supplies, holiday cheer and hot cocoa.
PHOTOS WITH SANTA
The Carbondale Police Department hosts Santa at the Launchpad. Kids are invited to take a photo with Mr. Claus and enjoy cookies and hot chocolate. Proceeds will benefit the Shop with a Cop program. Call 970-963-2662 for more info.
KIDS HOLIDAY SALE
Kiddos on a piggy-bank budget are invited to shop for price-appropriate gifts at the Carbondale Clay Center from 3:30-5:30pm. The kids sale repeats on Dec. 20 at the same time and same place.
RECOVERY YOGA
The Meeting Place in Carbondale hosts a free yoga session for people in recovery Fridays at 6pm and Tuesdays at 8am. For a list of 24 unique weekly recovery meetings, visit www.meetingplacecarbondale.org
SOUND JOURNEY
Dr. Zachary and Krista Chasin lead a sound journey in True Nature’s kiva from 6:30 to 8pm. Tickets at www.truenaturehealingarts.com
CRYSTAL THEATRE
The Crystal Theatre shows “Maestro” at 7pm tonight, tomorrow and Dec. 21. The Sunday show, Dec. 17, is at 5pm.
DARK NIGHT
The 15th Annual Dark Night Solstice Show, a magical evening of storytelling, art, music and more, featuring author Craig Childs and guests Greg Istock (musician) and Uche Ogbuji (poet), takes place tonight and tomorrow night at the Paradise Theatre in Paonia at 7:30pm. Tickets at www.paradiseofpaonia.com
SONGWRITERS ROUND
Olivia Pevec, Mugsy Fay and Rai Omri perform music at Steve’s Guitars at 8pm. Tickets at www.stevesguitars.net
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 16
SNOWSHOE SHUFFLE
Sunlight Mountain Resort’s Snowshoe Shuffle is a 6-8k race through Babbish Gulch on snowshoes benefitting Colorado Animal Rescue. Registration begins at 9am and the race starts at 10am. For more info, visit www.bit.ly/snowshoes2023
FARMERS’ MARKET
The Launchpad hosts a pop-up holiday farmers’ market from 10am to 4pm today, and 11am to 3pm tomorrow.
SAWLIDAY
The Studio for Arts + Works (SAW) hosts its annual SAWliday Open House, when the community is invited to browse and purchase artwork from more than 25 different local artists, from 11am to 5pm.
COOKIE EXCHANGE
The Redstone General Store hosts its Third Annual Christmas Cookie Exchange today at noon. To participate, bring three dozen cookies divided into six containers.
MORE COOKIES
Decorate cookies at the Basalt Library from 1:30 to 3pm. All are welcome!
THE NUTCRACKER
Crystal River Youth Ballet Company and the Crystal River Ballet School present “The Nutcracker” at Basalt Middle School today at 2pm and 7pm and tomorrow at 2pm. Find tickets at www.crystalriverballet.com/performances
ARTIST TALK
Artist Cauleen Smith and geologist Ryan C. Clarke talk about a current exhibition, “Mines to Caves,” at the Aspen Art Museum at 3pm. RSVP at www.aspenartmuseum.org
HOLIDAY JAZZ
The Josefina Mendez Quintet presents whimsical and poignant takes on well-loved holiday classics at TACAW at 8pm. Tickets at www.tacaw.org
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 17
XMAS BIRD COUNT
ACES invites you to help count birds in the Aspen area for the 124th Audubon Christmas Bird Count, the longest-running citizen science survey in the world, from 7:30am to 3pm. Registration and more info at www.aspennature.org
JINGLE BELL 5K
Independence Run and Hike hosts its annual Jingle Bell 5K, starting and finishing at its shop in the City Market Plaza. The race starts at 11am. There will be an award for the ugliest sweater after the race. Register at www.bit.ly/IRHJingleBell5K
PEACE MARCH
A silent march calling for a ceasefire in Gaza departs from the Cowen Center (980 Cowen Drive) at noon. Drums are welcome. Find details at www.bit.ly/rfvpeacemarch
ORNAMENT MAKING
WindWalkers hosts an ornament making party from 1 to 3pm at 1030 County Road 102. Warm drinks and mini horses will be present.
‘ELF’
TACAW screens a holiday favorite, “Elf,” at 4pm. All ages are welcome to this free event, but space is limited. RSVP at www.tacaw.org
SENSORY-FRIENDLY SANTA
Santa, trained in sensory-friendly practices, will greet anyone and everyone from 4:30 to 6:30pm at the Bluebird Café in Glenwood. Sensory-friendly Santa will then be at The Collective in Snowmass Village on Dec. 21 and 22 from 5 to 6pm.
GITNB AUDITIONS
Model auditions for the annual Green is the New Black Fashion Extravaganza take place at the Launchpad from 6 to 8pm.
WHEELER OPERA HOUSE
Allan Harris sings “A Nat King Cole Christmas” at the Wheeler Opera House in Aspen at 7:30pm. Tickets at www.aspenshowtix.com
MONDAY, DECEMBER 18
QUEEN BEES
The Queen Bees perform at the Carbondale Library as part of its Holiday Concert Series at 6pm.
PLANT-BASED POTLUCK
The Center for Human Flourishing hosts a potluck for plant-based consumers from 6 to 8pm. There will also be a special film screening. Details at www.tcfhf.org
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 19
HOLIDAY OPEN HOUSE
Anderson Ranch hosts a holiday market-style open house from 4:30 to 6:30pm, followed by a fundraising dinner and live auction. Find details at www.andersonranch.org
ACADEMY SCREENINGS
Aspen Film’s 31st Academy Screenings kicks off with “The Color Purple” at the Isis Theatre at 7pm and continues through Dec. 23. Find the full program at www.aspenfilm.org
CHRISTMAS THEATRE
Theatre Aspen provides dinner and a holiday show nightly through Dec. 23 at 7pm at the Hotel Jerome. From Dec. 21 to 23, there will also be a Kids Apres Show at 4pm. Tickets and more info at www.theatreaspen.org
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 20
FUNGI FILM FEST
The Fungi Film Fest, featuring 20 films from nine different countries, including the premiere of Hamilton Pevec’s new film, “GONE GOOD,” starts at 6:30pm at Bow Tie Cinemas Movieland Seven in El Jebel. Tickets can be purchased at the door starting at 5:30pm. More info at www.wcmycoassociation.org/forays
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 21
BOOK CLUB
The Third Thursday Book Club discusses “Love and Ruin” by Paula McLain at the Carbondale Library at 2pm.
SOLSTICE OFFERING
True Nature hosts “We Walk but Towards the Stars: A Journey from Grief to Peace” from 6 to 7:30pm. This event is by donation. RSVP at www.truenaturehealingarts.com
SWEET ROOT
Redstone General Store celebrates the solstice with Sweet Root, performing from 6 to 9pm. There will be soup and cocoa. Donations are requested.
SOLSTICE CELEBRATION
The Center for Human Flourishing celebrates the solstice with cacao, breathwork, a guided meditation and sound journey at the Third Street Center at 6:30pm. Tickets at www.tcfhf.org
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 22
FAMILY SOLSTICE
True Nature hosts storytime, crafts and yoga for all ages from 4 to 6pm. Details at www.truenaturehealingarts.com
GARRETT YOUNG
Steve’s Guitars presents the Garrett Young Collective at 8pm. Tickets at www.stevesguitars.net
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 23
ECSTATIC DANCE
Alya Howe and DJ Dustin Eli host an ecstatic dance at 13 Moons Ranch, south of Carbondale, from 6 to 8pm. Questions? Contact alyahowe@me.com
RALPH STEADMAN
The Fat City Gallery in Aspen (415 East Hyman Avenue) hosts an opening reception for a Ralph Steadman exhibition from 6 to 10pm.