Dance Initiative is stepping up to preserve the pulse of Ballet Folklórico in Carbondale. Kids, ages 7-13, are in the midst of a class offered every Wednesday, 5-6:30pm, through May 20 at the Third Street Center, with guidance from Angel Peña and Juan Najera, “who bring years of experience and a deep personal connection to folklórico,” said Dance Initiative Executive Director Joan Dizon. “For them, this isn’t just teaching — it’s passing on something that was passed down to them.” Dizon added that she and the team honor the legacy of the previous Ballet Folklórico program, offered through Aspen Santa Fe Ballet and headed up by Francisco “Paco” Nevarez-Burgueño, for establishing and growing folklórico in the Valley. For details about Dance Initiative’s program, to sign up or offer support, visit danceinitiative.org Courtesy photo

Mother’s Day
Attention mothers and newborns of the Valley! There is still time to register to be featured in the annual Mother’s Day issue of The Sopris Sun, a longtime tradition carried over from the Valley Journal, the local publication that preceded The Sun. Every year, we hear a couple of mothers lamenting not having been included, so this is your reminder. Photo shoots will take place at the Third Street Center in Carbondale (Room 26) on Sunday, April 19 and Saturday, April 25, from 9am to 1pm, and at the Glenwood Springs Library on Sunday, April 26, from 10am to noon. Mothers can sign up for a 15-minute photo session by calling 970-510-3003 or emailing terrir@soprissun.com Spanish speakers can call 970-274-6513 or email klauskocherfotograf@gmail.com 

Thompson Creek Road
Garfield County announced it will be assessing “a large pothole and repairs” on the Thompson Creek Road bridge spanning the Crystal River near Colorado Rocky Mountain School. “A lane closure with stop lights on both sides of the bridge is in place to manage travel in a single direction each way,” a press release stated. One of the bridge’s lanes could be closed for an extended period. Engineers will determine infrastructure needs to ensure the bridge’s long-term viability.

Garden mentoring
Get garden guidance with one-on-one mentorship opportunities this summer through the Garden Mentoring project, an initiative organized by Roaring Fork Food Alliance, the Garfield Agricultural Extension Office and Garfield and Eagle Master Gardeners. The entities are leading the gardening mentorship program to help create long-term local food supply resilience. “We will provide installation support, supplies and one-on-one mentoring from a master gardener for you to create a successful and productive garden,” reads the sign-up form. For more information or to sign up, visit tinyurl.com/mr2ex38u

Middle school principal
Cora Carballeira will take the reins as the new principal of Carbondale Middle School (CMS), starting in the 2026–27 school year, Roaring Fork Schools announced on April 10. Carballeira served as a teacher leader at the middle school between 2002 and 2021, before joining the Roaring Fork High School leadership team as the dean of culture and assistant principal. “Middle school is such a pivotal time in a student’s educational journey,” Carballeira said in a press release. “I am committed to supporting CMS students as they build the skills, confidence and character that will prepare them for high school and beyond.” 

Crystal River agreement
The Pitkin County commissioners recently approved the first reading of an intergovernmental agreement to protect the Crystal River from on-channel dams and transmountain diversions, reported The Aspen Times. The article noted that there is some concern that it won’t be enforceable, as any of the signers have “the ability to leave at will.” The agreement is between Pitkin and Gunnison counties, the Town of Marble, the Colorado River Water Conservation District and the West Divide Water Conservancy District. The commissioners scheduled a second reading for April 22. 

Rotary scholarships
Carbondale, Glenwood Springs, Glenwood Springs Sunset, Rifle, Snowmass Village and Aspen Rotary clubs have awarded $191,000 in student scholarships. The scholarships support higher education, technical training and career pathways for more than 70 graduating seniors this year. The clubs began presenting the school scholarships on Wednesday, April 15. 

Phone scam
Garfield County advised the public last week to be aware of an increase in phone calls from individuals impersonating local law enforcement. “Multiple residents have reported receiving calls from individuals claiming to be a sergeant with the Garfield County Sheriff’s Office, or GarCo Sheriff, stating that the recipient must pay or ‘settle’ a civil debt on behalf of the federal government,” a press release stated. “These calls are fraudulent.” The county said deputies do not handle any types of debt, do not collect the public’s money and will never call individuals demanding payment. Residents receiving these calls should not provide any personal or financial information, hang up immediately and are asked to report the call to Garfield County Emergency Communications at 970-625-8095.

Safe Passages
Roaring Fork Safe Passages, a citizen-led coalition determined to reduce vehicle-wildlife collisions in the Valley, was awarded a $200,000 grant from Pitkin County, matching what the coalition has already raised. 

They say it’s your birthday!
Folks celebrating another trip around the sun this week include:Rachel Connor, Ylice Golden and Emma Rose (April 16); Monica Groom and Doug Stewart (April 17); HP Hansen, Hadley Hentschel, Stephanie Schilling, Chelsea Schneier and Irene Wittrock (April 18); Francisco Nevarez-Burgueno, Deborah Colley, Karen Dixon, Leslie Emerson, Jill and Alleghany Meadows, Louie Neil and James Surls (April 19); Julie Bomersback, Jack Bergstrom, Jared Carlson, April Clark and Molly Ogilby Jacober (April 20); Renae Gustine and Shannon Muse (April 21); Sage Dawson, Fred Malo, Kameron Miranda and Mendo Will (April 22); Rosemary Dewers, Lori Knotts, Nova Vhrin and Wendle Whiting (April 23).