Municipal races
Six candidates have turned in petitions for three open seats on Basalt Town Council: Hannah Berman, Chris Mullen, Richard Stevens, Kaja Rumney, Angele Dupre-Butchart and Courtney Sheeley Wycoff. Meanwhile, only David Knight has put his hat in for mayor. In Carbondale, six candidates are vying for three seats: Jess Robison, April Spaulding, Katie Tabor, Susan Rhea, Christina Montemayor and Ross Kribbs. Nicholas DiFrank has formally withdrawn his name from the race.
Limestone quarry
The City of Glenwood Springs announced that the Bureau of Land Management’s Colorado River Valley Field Office manager, Larry Sandoval, informed the City that a Determination of Common Variety investigation found that the majority of the limestone deposit at the Mid-Continent quarry, operated by Rocky Mountain Industrials, is “not disposable under the Mining Law of 1872 because of being marketed for common purposes.” City officials are optimistic that this development will help prevent a proposed expansion of the quarry, from 15 to 447 acres.
Maroon Bells
A multi-agency partnership announced completion of a comprehensive management plan for the Maroon Bells Scenic Area. According to a press release, the vision of this plan “is to proactively and sustainably manage users, access and infrastructure to provide positive and equitable outdoor recreation experiences, while preserving natural resources of the Maroon Creek corridor.” Find the plan at www.bit.ly/MaroonBellsPlan
Traffic deaths
The Colorado Department of Transportation released preliminary data showing a 6% decrease in traffic fatalities on Colorado roadways in 2023, compared to 2022, marking the first decline since 2019. Still, “even one life lost is too many,” the press release stated. Overall, there were 716 deaths, including 408 passengers, 134 motorcyclists, 277 impaired drivers (a 21% decrease over 2022), 216 unbuckled seat belt deaths, 133 pedestrians, 20 bicyclists (a 33% increase) and 16 construction zone deaths (a 60% increase).
CMC tuition
The Colorado Mountain College Board of Trustees met on Jan. 23 to discuss the college’s tuition and fees for the 2024-45 academic year. Trustees approved an increase in tuition of 4%, which equates to an additional $4 per credit hour for in-district students, $8 for in-state students and $20 for non-resident students. The board also approved differential tuition for nursing and dental hygiene programs and eliminated differential tuition for teacher education, reducing tuition for teacher education students by $40 per credit hour. Residence hall fees are increasing by 2.3% and meal plans by 7.4%.
BLM public comment
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is seeking public comment on a proposed supplementary rule designed to protect natural resources and provide safe public recreation in several western Colorado areas. The proposed rule would cover a wide variety of site-specific issues including building fires, proper disposal of human waste and keeping dogs leashed in certain areas. The proposed rule is available for review at www.bit.ly/BLMrules where written comments may be submitted through March 25.
Theatrical excellence
OnStage Colorado has recognized Thunder River Theatre Company with four awards! “You Can’t Take It with You” earned first place for “ensemble,” Missy Moore first for “director in a comedy,” Bob Moore first for “actor in a comedy” and fourth best comedy overall.
“Dances with Donkeys’
Locally renowned columnist Jim Duke’s book, “Dances with Donkeys,” is currently listed as a Goodreads giveaway. Fans who wish to enter the giveaway for the chance to win a free ebook copy, can visit www.wbp.bz/DWDGRG Winners will automatically receive their ebook. Just twenty copies will be awarded, so don’t delay! The deadline to enter is Feb. 9.
They say it’s your birthday!
Folks celebrating another trip around the sun this week include: Joani Lubrant (Feb. 1); Candy Holgate, Mal Lent, Nikki Macleod, Mountain Maes, Rex van Minnen and Silvia Rodriguez Gutierrez (Feb. 2); Bob Moore, Stacey Novak and Sarah Strassburger (Feb. 3); Sandra Gaddis, Sue Gray and Aly Sanguily (Feb. 4); Jim Coddington, Patrick Hunter, Sandra Lopez and Andrew Scott (Feb. 6).
~ C A L E N D A R ~
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 1
STORYTIME
Both the Carbondale and Basalt libraries offer storytime for children 6 and under at 10:30am. Basalt’s storytime is conducted bilingually.
INTRO TO DRAWING
The Art Base offers an introduction to drawing course, for ages 9-13, taking place every Thursday in February from 4 to 6pm. More info at www.theartbase.org
TEEN COUNCIL
Basalt Library’s teen advisory council meets at 4pm. Students in grades 6-12 can influence the library’s offerings by committing one hour of time each month and assisting with teen programming.
APRENDO A
Learn to use Basalt Library resources accessible at home with a bilingual training at 5pm.
DOCUMENTARY FILM
Ceasefire Now RFV shows “Gaza Fights for Freedom” (a documentary filmed during the 2018-19 Great March of Return protests) at the Basalt Library at 6:30pm.
CRYSTAL THEATRE
The Crystal Theatre shows “Poor Things” at 7pm tonight, tomorrow and Saturday, Feb. 3. Catch a matinee of “The Boys in the Boat”on Feb. 3 at 4:30pm. “Ferrari” screens Sunday, Feb. 4 at 5pm and Feb. 7 and 8 at 7pm.
ASPEN FILM
Aspen Film presents “State and Main” at the Isis Theatre at 7pm, followed by a live interview with actor William H. Macy.
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 2
GROUNDHOG DAY
It’s said that if a groundhog emerges and sees its shadow, winter will persist for six more weeks. If it does not see its shadow, spring should be that much closer.
NATURE JOURNALING
The Carbondale Library hosts “Nature Journaling with Words and Drawings,” a free class for adults, from 1 to 2:30pm.
COMPUTER BASICS
The Basalt Library offers a bilingual adult computer course where participants learn the basics at 3pm. More info at www.basaltlibrary.org
MODEL AUDITIONS
Aspen Cares is seeking people from all walks of life, body types and talents to audition for the10th Annual Aspen Cares Fashion Show. Auditions take place tonight and tomorrow night at 6pm at 535 East Hyman Avenue in Aspen. Register at www.aspencares.org
ART RECEPTION
The Carbondale Clay Center hosts a reception for Joanne Seongweon Lee’s “Volume 1: Reshaping Roots” from 6 to 8pm.
SOPRIS SOARERS
The Launchpad presents “Wintery Wonders Showcase” by the Sopris Soarers at 6pm.
BLACK VIOLIN
The Wheeler Opera House presents the two-time Grammy nominated duo Black Violin at 7:30pm. Tickets at www.aspenshowtix.com
JAZZMONAUTS
Steve’s Guitars hosts The Jazzmonauts for a First Friday listening party at 8pm. Tickets at www.stevesguitars.net
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 3
SKI FOR SISU
Mount Sopris Nordic Council’s 32nd Annual Ski for Sisu fundraiser kicks off today and goes through Sunday, Feb. 11. The main in-person event takes place on Feb. 11. Registration and more info at www.springgulch.org
SPIRITUAL FOUNDATIONS
Create more ease and flow in your life with Meghan Gilroy at True Nature at 10am. More info at www.truenaturehealingarts.com
MIDDLE SCHOOL JAZZ
The Jazz Aspen Snowmass District 8 Honor Jazz program presents a concert, featuring 64 students from 15 different middle and high schools across the Western Slope, at the Carbondale Middle School at 5pm. More info at www.jazzaspensnowmass.org
TYPICAL GHOST
A new local band, Typical Ghost, performs at Steve’s Guitars at 8pm. Tickets at www.stevesguitars.net
LIP SYNC BATTLE
The Roaring Divas compete with drag queens from Grand Junction in a lip sync battle extravaganza at TACAW at 8pm. Tickets at www.tacaw.org
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 4
CACAO CEREMONY
Nicole Lindstrom leads a cacao ceremony at True Nature at 11am. More info at www.truenaturehealingarts.com
STAGE MANAGING 101
Dani Taylor of Thunder River Theatre Company guides a workshop that delves into the imperative role of a stage manager at TACAW at 1pm. Register at www.tacaw.org/calendar
WESTERN ALLIANCE
The Western Colorado Alliance of Garfield County hosts a kick-off meeting at the Rifle Library at 2pm, with childcare, Spanish-interpretation and food provided. To RSVP, visit www.bit.ly/Feb4GarCo
TRUE NATURE 101
Kyle Jason Leitzke leads a three-part series, “Optimize your True Nature,” today, Feb. 11 and 18 at 3pm at True Nature. More info at www.truenaturehealingarts.com
COWBOYS
The Carbondale Historical Society’s speaker series continues with “Cowboys” at KDNK (76 South 2nd Street) at 5pm. This event is live, in-person and free.
RANDOM CONVERSATIONS
Join in on the Lost Art of Random Conversations at the Carbondale Library at 6pm.
COMEDY NIGHT
Aspen Film teams up with Patio Night Live for its first-ever Comedy Night at the Isis Theatre at 7:30pm, featuring Beth Brandon, Miller Ford, Zoe Rom, Louis Beck and Ryan Honey. Tickets at www.aspenfilm.org
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 5
BOLSITAS ROJAS
Children under 5 and their guardians are invited to enjoy stories and activities in Spanish at the Carbondale Library at 10:30am.
MOVE FROM CENTER
Alexandra Jerkunica guides a four-week ballet barre and Pilates mat class. The class meets every Monday in February at 4pm at the Carbondale Library.
EIA OPEN HOURS
English in Action hosts open tutoring hours for English learners at the Basalt Library at 6pm.
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 6
HEART HEALTH
Valley View celebrates American Heart Month by inviting the community to meet Ethan Munzinger, its newest interventional cardiologist, for a free, virtual webinar at noon. Sign up at www.bit.ly/VVFeb6
GRIEF MEDITATION
Robyn Hubbard leads a “Community Grief and Wellness Movement Meditation” session at TACAW from 6 to 10pm. Register at www.tacaw.org
DRAWING CLUB
The Roaring Fork Drawing Club travels to Aspen’s Soldner Center for informal sketching and socializing at 6:30pm. RSVP by emailing rfdrawingclub@gmail.com
AVALANCHE FORECASTING
Dylan Craaybeek, a backcountry avalanche forecaster for the Colorado Avalanche Information Center, presents “Avalanche Forecasting: Stories from the Roaring Fork Valley to New Zealand” at The Collective in Snowmass at 7pm. Register at www.aspennature.org
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 7
STEPLESS STEP
Linda Loeschen teaches easy-to-follow dance routines at the Basalt Library at 11:30am.
LIBRARY BOOK CLUB
The Basalt Library hosts its monthly informal book club, where attendees can discuss any and all books, at noon every first Wednesday of the month.
WHATLOW
Children 7 and under are invited to build with Legos at the Basalt Library at 2:30pm.
FLY TYING
Basalt Library invites teens to learn to tie their own flies at 3:30pm in preparation for the Iron Fly Competition on Feb. 10.
BIENNIAL ART SHOW
The Aspen Chapel Gallery hosts an opening reception for its 2024 Four Rivers Biennial art show from 4 to 7pm. There are over 100 pieces from 45 local artists! The art will remain on display through March 2 and a portion of all sales will benefit The Sopris Sun.
NATURALIST NIGHT
The Naturalist Nights series continues with “The IdentiFlight Technology: Protecting Sensitive Bird Species from Wind Turbine Collisions” tonight at Roaring Fork High School at 6pm, and tomorrow night at Hallam Lake at 6pm. More info at www.aspennature.org
RADICAL WEDNESDAYS
In partnership with Aspen Film, U.S. Ski Hall of Fame member Greg Stump hosts four screenings of his vintage ski films at the Isis Theatre, every Wednesday in February at 7pm. Tonight’s film is “Maltese Flamingo.”
OLLELLA
Ellie Barber, aka Ollella, returns to the Roaring Fork Valley with a show at Steve’s Guitars at 8pm. Tickets at www.stevesguitars.net
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 8
BANNED BOOK
The Banned Book Club convenes to discuss “All Boys Aren’t Blue” by journalist George M. Johnson at 5pm at the Basalt Library. A limited number of free copies are at the circulation desk.
SOPRIS SUN PARTY
The Sopris Sun’s Cabin Fever Wine Tasting, 15th birthday celebration at the RVR Barn kicks off at 5pm with small bites from local restaurants, fine wines and a silent auction. Purchase tickets at www.soprissun.com
STEVE’S
May Erlewine performs at Steve’s Guitars at 8pm. Find tickets at www.stevesguitars.net