Stuff by Tom Mercer

  • Locations: Columns, Opinion Published

    Local author quenches SciFi thirst with “THING: First Contact”

    Local author quenches SciFi thirst with “THING: First Contact” thumbnail

    This reviewer has been an avid reader of science fiction novels ever since discovering them in a small-town library in Illinois. Those books were “a ticket out of town” and transported the reader to different worlds, thereby broadening imagination and creating a literary thirst for more of the… read more →

  • Locations: Columns, Opinion Published

    A transplant’s tale from Florida-land

    A transplant’s tale from Florida-land thumbnail Tom in Key West.

    Last autumn, my partner and I said goodbye to Carbondale. We packed our belongings into a rental trailer and began the long drive to Florida. 

    We left Carbondale at 3 a.m. Glenwood Canyon had just been cleared of fallen rock and the pavement was still… read more →

  • Locations: News Published

    Tyler Stableford lends a helping hand

    Tyler Stableford lends a helping hand thumbnail Tyler Stableford gained international recognition for his sports writing and photography. Stableford is now applying his talents to offer life coaching and clinical mental health counseling. Courtesy photo.

    There is a small building near Sopris Park in Carbondale that is easily overlooked. It is unassuming, much like the award-winning photographer/director that conducts his successful business from that location. In fact, Tyler Stableford, the owner of Tyler Stableford Productions, is better known by his national clients (who… read more →

  • Locations: News Published

    Bear-roping and jewels at Four Mile B&B

    Bear-roping and jewels at Four Mile B&B thumbnail Sharill and Jim Hawkins, owners of Four Mile Creek Bed & Breakfast. Photo by Tom Mercer.

    I am certain that I have driven past Four Mile Creek Bed & Breakfast more than 100 times, often at the maximum allowable speed limit. However, that changed recently when I stopped in to visit with owners Jim and Sharill Hawkins. My visit resulted in much more than… read more →

  • Locations: News Published

    It all started with The Denver & Rio Grande Railroad

    Crystal River & San Juan's locomotive #1 departs from Carbondale Depot on Oct. 25, 1941. Photo courtesy of Morrison A. Smith, from the collection of John W. Maxwell. Crystal River & San Juan's locomotive #1 departs from Carbondale Depot on Oct. 25, 1941. Photo courtesy of Morrison A. Smith, from the collection of John W. Maxwell.

    When this reporter first arrived in Carbondale, the trains transporting Mid-Continent coal were still active, and automobile drivers would often have to sit in their idling cars for several minutes, waiting for a train to clear the crossing. But that minor inconvenience was destined to disappear.
    The “last hurrah”… read more →

  • Locations: Español Published

    Dólares, Presupuestos y Amigues de Cuatro Patas

    Recientemente una gran, colorida iguana llamada “Godzilla” se unió a la colección de animales en cuido de C.A.R.E. Recientemente una gran, colorida iguana llamada “Godzilla” se unió a la colección de animales en cuido de C.A.R.E.

    Publicado originalmente en inglés el 28 de enero, 2021  

    Traducción por Jacquelinne Castro

    De acuerdo con Wes Boyd, director ejecutivo de C.A.R.E. (Rescate de animales de Colorado), su albergue de animales está operando normal a pesar de la reciente eliminación… read more →

  • Locations: News Published

    Dollars, budgets and four-legged friends

    Peat was found on Four Mile Road, socialized by C.A.R.E. and adopted within 12 days. Courtesy image. Peat was found on Four Mile Road, socialized by C.A.R.E. and adopted within 12 days. Courtesy image.

    According to Wes Boyd, Executive Director of C.A.R.E. (Colorado Animal Rescue), their animal shelter is operating as normal despite the recent elimination of the Garfield County Sheriff’s animal control program. The loss of funding for animal control from the county sheriff means that there will no longer be… read more →

  • Locations: News Published

    A stroll in Sopris Park

    The gazebo is getting a bit of a makeover. Photo by Tom Mercer The gazebo is getting a bit of a makeover. Photo by Tom Mercer

    Eric Brendlinger, Carbondale’s Director of Parks and Recreation, reports that Carbondale now has a total of 26 parks. Some are large and some are small, but Carbondale’s 3.9-acre Sopris Park is generally regarded as the crown jewel by virtue of both its location and the numerous community events… read more →

  • Locations: News Published

    Our Town: Geekspeak co-host is here to help

    Our Town: Geekspeak co-host is here to help thumbnail

    Matt McBrayer is the owner, and the sole technician at Roaring Fork Help Desk, Inc., which he established on March 14th (a.k.a.“Pi Day”) , 2015. The business motto is “Your End-to-End Technology Experts,” and based on Matt’s description of his day-to-day work… read more →

  • Locations: Opinion Published

    New ways of doing things in the arts

    New ways of doing things in the arts thumbnail

    I have been fortunate enough to perform music in the Roaring Fork Valley for close to 30 years, and there have always been private parties, community celebrations, and nightclubs that have provided entertainment for their guests. However, things have changed. 

    The band I currently work with… read more →