Cookie incident
The Carbondale Police Department reported that two middle schoolers felt sick and tested positive for THC after eating homemade cookies they found in the community pantry located outside of the Carbondale Library. The food pantry was established in October 2024 for community members in need and has seen almost daily use. All food is provided by community members, not the library. Police are now investigating and library staff will monitor the pantry for potentially unsafe products.
Three Meadows Ranch
Aspen Valley Land Trust (AVLT), Pitkin County Open Space and Eagle County Open Space are heading full-steam ahead to acquire and conserve the 4,251-acre Three Meadows Ranch off of Cottonwood Pass in Eagle County. AVLT submitted an offer for $27.7 million on Dec. 19, which the sellers accepted the following day. The project is contingent on both the Pitkin and Eagle County commissioners approving funding requests for $7.7 million and $12.5 million, respectively. The Wexner family has contributed $7.5 million toward the project.
Gas prices decrease
Black Hills Energy residential customers can anticipate a modest decrease in their bills beginning this month. The average monthly bill for customers in our region will drop by 3.26% or $3.54.
GrassRoots hiring
GrassRoots Community Network is hiring part-time directors for its community government programming starting immediately. Part-time positions are available Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday in Aspen, Snowmass Village and Basalt. Applicants must have an interest in their local communities and be reliable, tech-savvy and creative. For more information, contact Station Manager Amy Gab at amy@grassrootstv.org
Eagle County job
The Eagle County Board of Commissioners is accepting resumes and letters of interest for consideration to begin the process to appoint a county clerk and recorder until the next general election (November 2026) following Regina O’Brien’s resignation. Details are available on the county website (www.eaglecounty.us) and application materials are due by Jan. 20.
Mental Health Fund
This time of year can bring out the blues, but it might be hard to justify paying for mental health services while juggling other expenses. HeadQuarters’ Mental Health Fund offers subsidized therapy for community members from Aspen to Parachute. In 2024 The Mental Health Fund allotted $160,000 toward 2,000 therapy sessions for individuals, 4 to 78 years old. To find out more or to donate toward the Mental Health Fund, visit www.headq.org/mentalhealthfund
Aspen Choral Society
Singers of all backgrounds are invited to try out for Aspen Choral Society’s upcoming production of “Children of Eden” by Stephen Schwartz with performances March 21-23. Solo auditions will take place Jan. 25 and rehearsals will begin Jan. 26 then continue every Sunday with additional dress rehearsals March 11, 18 and 19. If you are interested in participating email emma@aspenchoralsociety.org by Jan. 19 with your voice part (soprano, alto, tenor, bass) and any foreseen absences.
Preventing poaching
A consortium of conservation groups led by the Rocky Mountain Wolf Project is offering up to $100,000 for information leading to formal charges and a conviction pertaining to a wolf killed by a gunshot wound in August 2024. This adult male wolf belonged to the Copper Creek pack which was rounded up by state wildlife officials following a series of attacks on livestock in Grand County. “Regardless of your sympathies, you know that poaching is unethical, immoral and illegal,” said Courtney Vail, Rocky Mountain Wolf Project board chair. The award works with an existing tip hotline established by Colorado Parks and Wildlife: 1-877-COLO-OGT.
5 Point dreams
5 Point’s Dream Project, a community outreach program that empowers high school students to make a difference in the lives of others, announced this year’s recipients, who will each receive $2,000 to help reach their goals. Karen Gonzalez-Machuca, a junior at Basalt High School, will use the Dream Project funding to better young women’s hygiene in her mother’s hometown in El Salvador. Nina Villafranco and Caitland Peterson, seniors at Colorado Rocky Mountain School (CRMS), plan to take a group of Roaring Fork Valley students to the State Capitol to lobby for environmental policy. Hazel Lazar, a junior at CRMS, will work with Roaring Fork Cycling to host girls-only mountain biking camps for local middle schoolers, turning the tables on the typically male-dominated sport.
They say it’s your birthday!
Folks celebrating another trip around the sun this week include: Anne Hillmuth, Rick Holt, Kay Jacobson and Jim Mitton (Jan. 9); Lorraine Escue, Mary Finley, Will Masters, Ron Razzore, Erica Sparhawk and Jake Strack-Loertscher (Jan. 10); Kim Anne, Emily Goldfield, Crystal Holley and Nick Penzel (Jan. 11); Betsy Bingam-Johns and Richard Vottero (Jan. 12); Marianne Ackerman, Chuck Bauer, Michael Hassig, Tracie Wright and Annemarie Zanca (Jan. 14); Crista Barlow and Frank Nadell (Jan. 15).
Courtesy photo
~ C A L E N D A R ~
THURSDAY, JANUARY 9
SOL AUDITIONS
Youth theater company SoL holds auditions for “Junie B. Jones The Musical JR” today through Saturday. Sign your child up at www.soltheatrecompany.org
GERI-FIT
The Carbondale Library hosts an older-adult fitness class every Thursday through Feb. 27 at 12:15pm. Call 970-625-5282 ext. 3084 to register.
TEEN LIBRARY COUNCIL
Students in grades six through 12 are invited to advise the Basalt Library on topics including books, moves and programming from 4 to 5pm.
NATURALIST NIGHT
If you missed Auden Schendler’s Naturalist Nights presentation at the Third Street Center on Jan. 8, you can catch a reprisal at the Pitkin County Library tonight at 6pm.
CRYSTAL THEATRE
“A Complete Unknown” continues at the Crystal Theatre tonight, tomorrow, Saturday, Wednesday and Thursday at 7pm. The Sunday show at 5pm is captioned.
PATIO NIGHT LIVE
Aspen Film partners with Patio Night Live Comedy for a night of stand-up at the AF Isis Theatre, featuring local comedians Louis Beck, Matt Cobos, Beth Brandon, Miller Ford, and Jordan Lowe, at 8pm. Tickets at www.aspenfilm.org
FRIDAY, JANUARY 10
NORTH STAR SKI
Megan Ballard guides a Nordic ski tour at the North Star Nature Preserve, covering the area’s history, wildlife and more, starting at 11am. Registration and more info at www.tinyurl.com/NorthStarSki
BALANCING OLD AGE
Seniors are invited to learn strategies to maintain balance, improve coordination and navigate around obstacles at the Glenwood Springs Library every Friday through Feb. 28 at 1:30pm. Call 970-625-5282 ext. 3084 to register.
TRUE NATURE RETREAT
True Nature hosts a winter retreat beginning with an “Attune to Winter” ceremony today at 1:30pm and wrapping up midday Sunday with a farewell circle. More info at www.truenaturehealingarts.com
AERIAL GALA
Sopris Soarers celebrates 10 years with an “Illusions Aerial Gala” at Thunder River Theatre from 6 to 8pm tonight and tomorrow. Tickets at www.soprissoarers.com
BANK & HARRIMAN
Chris Bank and Hap Harriman play at Heather’s in Basalt from 6:30 to 9:30pm.
STEVE’S GUITARS
Angel Corsi and Ingrid Avison perform at Steve’s Guitars at 8pm. Tickets at www.stevesguitars.net
THE MOTET
TACAW gets funky with The Motet at 8pm. Tickets at www.tacaw.org
SATURDAY, JANUARY 11
RAT RACE
The Mt Sopris Nordic Council hosts the Rat Race at Spring Gulch with 10K and 5K divisions for adults and 1K and 3K for youth. The first race starts at 10am. Find registration details at www.skireg.com/ratrace
ASPEN CHAPEL GALLERY
The Aspen Chapel Gallery shows art from five local high schools through Feb. 8 with an opening reception today from 2 to 4pm. Rather than purchase, patrons can “adopt” an art piece for $25 and 75% of the proceeds will benefit local high school art departments. You can also view the show at www.aspenchapelgallery.org
URBANE COYOTE
Urbane Coyote performs at Heather’s in Basalt from 6:30 to 9:30pm.
SUNDAY, JANUARY 12
GAY SKI WEEK
Aspen Gay Ski Week enters its 48th year today. Visit www.gayskiweek.org for a list of events through Jan. 19 and more info.
SOUND FREQUENCY
Katie Smith shares her ability to transmit high-frequency energy through codes, art, movement and sound in Room 31 of the Third Street Center at 10am.
MONDAY, JANUARY 13
AYURVEDIC YOGA
The Basalt Library continues its “Seasonal Ayurvedic Yoga Series: Yoga is Medicine” each Monday at 10:15am through the end of the month. More info at www.basaltlibrary.org
NEW YEAR, NEW HOBBY
The Basalt Library invites teens to discover a potential new hobby every Monday this month from 4 to 5pm. This week’s hobby workshop: crocheting. More info at www.basaltlibrary.org
HALLAM SOUND BATH
Megan DiSabatino guides a nature-based, restorative sound journey at Hallam Lake from 5:15 to 6:30pm. Register at www.aspennature.org
TUESDAY, JANUARY 14
OPEN STUDIO
Tish McFee hosts open studio hours for painters from 1 to 4pm every Tuesday through Feb. 11 at The Art Base. Register for one or all sessions at www.theartbase.org
INTERNET STORAGE 101
Learn the basics of storing and sharing files on the internet at the Basalt Library at 2:30pm. More info at www.basaltlibrary.org
PAWS TO READ
First to third graders are invited to read with a canine friend for 15 minute intervals at the Basalt Library between 3:45 and 4:45pm. Register your child at www.tinyurl.com/PawstoreadBasalt
LINCOLN CREEK
Roaring Fork Conservancy presents “What’s the Big Deal with Lincoln Creek?” delving into the reasons for monitoring the stream at 10,000 feet and recent concerns, at the Basalt Library at 5pm. Register at www.roaringfork.org
CLIMATE FILM
Join 350 Roaring Fork for a free viewing of “The White House Effect” at 6pm. This film documents efforts by the George H.W. Bush administration to remediate the greenhouse effect in the late ‘80s and early 90s.
‘FIRST DRAFT’
Mitzi Rapkin hosts her podcast, “First Draft: A Dialogue on Writing,” featuring author Sarah Gerard speaking about her new investigative book, “Carrie Carolyn Coco: My Friend, Her Murder, and an Obsession with the Unthinkable,” at TACAW at 6:30pm.
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 15
CHEYENNE JACKSON
Emmy and Grammy nominated actor Cheyenne Jackson performs in concert at the Hotel Jerome tonight and Friday at 8pm. Tickets at www.theatreaspen.org
SPECIAL EVENTS MEETING
The Town of Carbondale hosts a Special Events Task Force meeting covering proposed 2025 events at Town Hall from 5:30 to 7pm.
COMMUNITY GATHERING
Join community members concerned with fighting fascism at the Carbondale Library for a potluck at 6pm followed by a facilitated discussion at 7pm.
HEALTHY DIET
Dr. Greg Feinsinger, founder of the Center for Prevention and Treatment of Disease Through Nutrition nonprofit, offers a free presentation on the optimal diet for human health and health of the planet at the Third Street Center at 7pm.
THURSDAY, JANUARY 16
BANNED BOOKS CLUB
The Banned Books Club discusses “Maus: A Survivor’s Tale” by Art Spiegelman at the Basalt Library from 4 to 5pm.
WINTER FISHING
Swing by The Tipsy Trout for an informal gathering of anglers talking about winter fishing from 6 to 7:30pm.
COMEDY NIGHT
Steve’s Guitars presents “Comedy Night” with Beth Brandon, Miller Ford, Don Chaney and Landon Bates at 8pm. Tickets at www.stevesguitars.net
GREAT DECISIONS
The Aspen Institute kicks off an eight-week series inviting participants to engage in meaningful discussions regarding foreign policy every Thursday through March 6 from 6 to 8pm at the Aspen Institute. More info at www.aspeninstitute.org/series/great-decisions-series
SMOKIN’ & ROCKIN’
Smokin’ Joe Kelly and Rockin’ Randall perform at Heather’s in Basalt at 6:30pm.
FRIDAY, JANUARY 17
VALLEY VISUAL
Carbondale Arts hosts an opening reception for the 46th Annual Valley Visual Art Show, featuring dozens of works by local artists, at the Launchpad from 5 to 7pm. The exhibit will remain on display through Feb. 20.
‘RILEY’
Aspen Film partners with Aspen Gay Ski Week to present “Riley” at 6:30pm at the AF Isis Theatre.
LATE NIGHT RADIO
TACAW invites you to dance, dance, dance with Late Night Radio at 8pm. Dale Birch and pheel. will perform the warm-up acts.
SATURDAY, JANUARY 18
PEOPLE’S MARCH
The Pitkin County Democrats organizes a People’s March in Aspen with the slogan “we won’t go back.” Demonstrators will gather at Durant and Hunter at noon then march to Paepcke Park for a Women’s Speaker Event at 1pm. This local event is part of a national feminist-led action. For more information, visit www.peoplesmarch.com
ONGOING
ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS
The Meeting Place in Carbondale (981 Cowen Drive) offers “Hole in the Donut AA,” Monday through Saturday at 6:45am, plus “Daily Reprieve” at noon on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Find a full schedule at www.meetingplacecarbondale.org
IN STITCHES
The In Stitches Knitting Club meets at the Carbondale Library every Monday at 1:30pm.
AIKIDO
Crystal River Aikikai offers aikido training at 13 Moons Ranch for adults and teens on Mondays from 5:30 to 6:30pm and Wednesdays from 6:30 to 7:30pm. Kids classes are on Mondays from 4 to 5pm and Wednesdays from 4 to 5pm. Get your first class for free with an RSVP at www.crystalriveraikikai.com
ENGLISH IN ACTION
Volunteer English tutors and developing learners meet for informal conversational practice at the Carbondale Library every Monday at 6:30pm. Interested in becoming a tutor? Email angela@englishinaction.org or call 970-963-9200.
MONDAY MEDITATION
Roaring Fork Insight guides a weekly meditation group meeting at the Third Street Center (Room 31) from 7 to 8:30pm.
BABY STORYTIME
The Carbondale Library hosts baby storytime at 9:30am on Tuesdays.
RAISING A READER
Basalt Library hosts an hour of storytime, activities and snacks Tuesdays at 10:30am.
CRIBBAGE
Whether you’ve played for years or are looking to learn, stop by the Carbondale Rec Center from 4 to 5pm Tuesday nights. Bring snacks or non-alcoholic drinks to share! Visit www.carbondalerec.com for more info.
YARN GROUP
Basalt Library hosts a weekly yarn group on Tuesdays at 5pm. All are welcome.
TAI CHI
Garfield County Human Services is offering Tai Chi for Arthritis at the Carbondale Library, Tuesdays from 1 to 2pm and Thursdays from noon to 1pm. For more info, call 970-963-2889.
BIKE PROJECT
The Carbondale Bike Project Shop helps people repair their bicycles on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 2 to 6pm and Sundays from noon to 6pm on the east side of Third Street Center.
SENIOR LUNCH
Every Wednesday at noon, Garfield County Senior Programs provides a nutritious meal for seniors at The Orchard. To reserve a place at the table, call 970-665-0041.
COSECHA TEXTILES
Textile enthusiasts are invited to a monthly workshop at Cosecha Textiles (95 Red Dog Road) every first Wednesday from 4 to 9pm. Register at www.cosechatextiles.com
ASK A LAWYER
Alpine Legal Services offers a hotline clinic on Wednesdays from 5 to 7pm. Call 970-368-2246 and visit alpinelegalservices.org for the schedule of dates by legal topic.
‘SOURCE DIALOGUES’
Gary Springfield, author of “Source Dialogues: The Miracle Mechanism of Manifestation,” discusses the tenants of his book via a livestream at the Third Street Center every second and fourth Wednesday at 6:30pm.
CANCER CARE
The Calaway-Young Cancer Center at Valley View Hospital offers yoga for cancer patients, survivors and caregivers at 9:15am on Thursdays. Then, the Walk and Talk cancer support group meets at 11am at the chapel in the cancer center.
WIGGLES OUT
Toddlers and preschoolers get their wiggles out at the Carbondale Library on Thursdays from 10:30 to 11:30am.
GERI-FIT
The Carbondale Library hosts an older-adult fitness class every Thursday through Feb. 27 at 12:15pm. Call 970-625-5282 ext. 3084 to register.
UNDER THE SUN
Join Sopris Sun correspondents and guests for “Everything Under The Sun,” airing every Thursday on KDNK at 4pm.
GROUP RUN
Independence Run & Hike leads a weekly group run on Thursdays departing from the store’s location, next to the Carbondale City Market, at 6:30pm.
COFFEE WITH THE MAYOR
Carbondale Mayor Ben Bohmfalk posts up at Bonfire every Friday from 8 to 9am, and everyone is welcome to stop by to chat.
STORYTIME
Carbondale Library hosts storytime for youngsters and their accompanied adults every Friday at 10:30am.
STORYTIME & PLAY
The Basalt Library hosts its storytime/play group every Friday from 10:30 to 11am.