Tree pruning
Colorado Edible Forest, UpRoot Colorado, CSU Extension and Pitkin County Open Space and Trails are once again offering free fruit tree pruning workshops from New Castle to Basalt, Feb. 24 to March 30. The first four workshops are designed around the basics, while the fifth workshop emphasizes hands-on practice in Emma. To sign up, visit www.coloradoedibleforest.com/workshops
Snowpack
Rivers across the Roaring Fork Watershed are flowing at 69-104% of normal for this time of year, according to a Feb. 15 report from Roaring Fork Conservancy (RFC). Ruedi Reservoir increased releases by 17 cubic feet per second (cfs) on Valentine’s Day to make room for anticipated snowmelt, increasing Fryingpan flows to 104 cfs. Snowpack in the Roaring Fork Watershed is 99% of normal for this time of year, the RFC update concluded.
ReEnergize 2024
Low- and moderate-income households in Garfield County can lower their utility bills and make their homes more comfortable by enrolling in Garfield Clean Energy’s ReEnergize program. Qualifying households can receive up to $4,000 in financial aid toward recommended upgrades. Families earning less than 80% of the average median income ($79,360 for a family of four) will automatically be enrolled in either the federal Weatherization Assistance Program or Colorado Affordable Residential Energy program. For more information, visit www.garfieldcleanenergy.org/reenergize
Ceasefire Now RFV
On Feb. 15, Glenwood Springs City Council became the first municipality in Colorado to pass a resolution calling for a ceasefire in the ongoing war in Gaza. “We’re just one small voice but I’d like to represent what I think a lot of our community is feeling,” Councilmember Shelley Kaup commented. Aspen City Council, conversely, declined to consider a similar resolution on Feb. 13 in keeping with their agreement to not take collective stances regarding foreign policy.
Local talent
Carbondale resident Judith Nordhagen’s painting, “The Explorer,” has been juried into the 34th Annual Rockies West National Watercolor Exhibition. The show and sale opens March 1 and runs through April 5 at The Art Center in Grand Junction. This year’s judge is Fealing Lin, an internationally-recognized artist. An opening reception and gallery talk will be held at The Art Center on Friday, March 1, at 6:30pm.
Plan ahead
With warmer days around the corner, the White River National Forest urges recreationalists to plan ahead and secure camping reservations online (www.recreation.gov). Overnight permits are required for visiting the most popular areas of the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness Area between April 1 and July 31. For more information, visit www.fs.usda.gov/whiteriver
Quantum computing
Colorado and Elevate Quantum Tech Hub are competing with other states for up to $70 million in federal funding to develop a quantum technology ecosystem. This could position Colorado as the global hub for quantum computing, creating more than $1 billion in economic impact statewide and over 10,000 high-paying jobs, according to a press release from the governor’s office. A bipartisan bill introduced in the state legislature would roll out $44 million in refundable state income tax credits toward the development of a shared quantum research facility and $30 million for a quantum industry loan loss reserve.
HCE rate increase
At its January 2024 meeting, Holy Cross Energy’s board of directors approved an increase in the monthly customer charge based on individual rate classes (small residential, large residential, small commercial, large commercial) starting April 1. This increase addresses rising costs due to inflation and better aligns HCE rates with how its actual costs are incurred, explained a press release. Details on the proposed rate changes are posted at www.holycross.com/rates and members are encouraged to send comments by March 16.
Kroger/Albertsons merger
On Feb. 14, Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser filed a lawsuit in Denver District Court in an attempt to block the $24.6 billion proposed merger between Kroger and Albertsons. Within Colorado, Kroger operates 148 King Soopers and City Market stores and Albertsons operates 105 Safeway and Albertsons stores. The lawsuit claims that the merger would eliminate competition between the two corporations and consolidate an already heavily concentrated market. Visit www.coag.gov to view the full announcement.
They say it’s your birthday!
Folks celebrating another trip around the sun this week include: Libertad Lee Rico Bustillos, Lucas Leone and Yesenia Silva-Estrada (Feb. 22); David Ackerman, Sophia Clark and Rachael Schultz (Feb. 23); Quentin Farris, Toni Gross, Nuria Moya, Steve Skinner and Kyle Watts (Feb. 24); Barb Bush, Dottie Daniels, Dorsey Moore and Marty Rynearson (Feb. 26); Jeremy Dwiggins, Gaby Mata Serafin and Sara Tymczyszyn (Feb. 27); Junior Ortega (Feb. 28).
~ C A L E N D A R ~
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 22
HOUSING SUMMIT
Garfield County Libraries hosts a housing summit at the Ute Theater in Rifle from 2 to 3:30pm featuring Laurie Best, housing and childcare programs manager for the Town of Breckenridge where nearly 1,200 deed-restricted units have been built or preserved since the year 2000.
CHOCOLATEY ESCAPE
The Basalt Library transforms into a whimsical escape room reminiscent of Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory. Teens work together in small groups to solve puzzles, unlock hidden clues and ultimately escape the library with the golden ticket! Sign up at the circulation desk for a 30-minute slot between 4 and 7pm.
WRITING WORKSHOP
Local writers are invited to a workshop, with designated writing time and a forum for discussion, every second and fourth Thursday at the Glenwood Springs Library from 5 to 7pm.
PLAYWRIGHTS
Theater Masters Aspiring Playwrights presents short plays written by local students and performed by Valley actors at TACAW at 5pm. To RSVP for free, visit www.tacaw.org
WATERSHED SPEAKER
The Middle Colorado Watershed Council kicks off a three-part speaker series with David Graf, the instream flow coordinator with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Endangered Fish Recovery Program, at 5:30pm at Drifters Coffee Shop in New Castle. More info at www.midcowatershed.org/events
350 FILM
Catch “American Outrage,” a documentary about the Shoshone tribe and a territorial dispute with the U.S. government, at the Carbondale Library at 6pm. Johnny Weiss with Solar Energy International will introduce the film, which won Best Environmental Film at the Boulder Film Festival in 2008.
BINGO
El Dorado hosts Bingo Night benefitting the Roaring Fork High School Athletic Department from 7 to 9pm.
‘ENDGAME’
Thunder River Theatre Company continues its run of Samuel Beckett’s “Endgame” tonight at 7:30pm. The show continues through March 3 with Thursday, Friday and Saturday night showings at 7:30pm and Sunday matinees at 2pm. Tickets at www.thunderrivertheatre.com Tonight is “pay what you can” night — call 970-963-8200 for more info on that.
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 23
ARTHRITIS MANAGEMENT
Orthopedic Surgeon Dr. Tomas Pevny leads an informative discussion about practical arthritis management strategies and intervention techniques at Sopris Lodge at 3pm. RSVP ast www.soprislodge.com
COMPUTER BASICS
Learn how to apply basic computer functions at the Basalt Library at 3pm.
COLLEGE BLUEGRASS
Steve’s Guitars hosts the Colorado College Bluegrass Showcase at 8pm. Tickets at www.stevesguitars.net
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 24
CERAMIC TECHNIQUES
Kris Cox teaches handbuilding and throwing techniques to intermediate and advanced ceramicists at the Carbondale Clay Center today and tomorrow from 9am to 6pm. More info at www.carbondaleclay.org
LOGO LIGI
Garfield County Libraries, Aspen Dance Connection and Colorado Mountain College present Logo Ligi, a West African dance and drum performance group, at the Parachute Library today at 10am, the Rifle Library at 1pm, Silt Library at 3pm and New Castle Library at 5pm. Then, the group performs tomorrow at the Carbondale Library at 1pm and the Glenwood Springs Library at 3pm. All sessions are free.
FILM SCREENING
Join 350 Roaring Fork for a screening of “Fracking the System: Colorado’s Oil and Gas Wars” at the Glenwood Springs Library at 6pm.
LIP SYNC BATTLE
KDNK hosts a lip sync battle fundraiser at El Dorado at 7pm, followed by a dance party with DJ Da Walrus. Costumes are encouraged. Details at www.kdnk.org
MOUNTAINFILM
Aspen Film hosts Mountainfilm on Tour with nine short films showing tonight at the Isis Theatre at 7pm and a family program tomorrow at 4pm. More info at www.aspenfilm.org
HONKY TONK
The Highway 82 Band performs honky tonk music at TACAW beginning at 8:30pm. Tickets at www.tacaw.org
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 25
SERENITY SNOWSHOE
A Way Out leads a “serenity snowshoe adventure” up Babbish Gulch at 10am. No experience is necessary. Call 803-331-7197 to sign up.
MEET & GREET
Steven Arauza, Democratic candidate for Garfield County commissioner, will meet with voters at Mountain Heart (1841 Dolores Way, Carbondale) from 3 to 5pm.
PUZZLE & PIE
Carbondale Rec’s beloved Puzzle & Pie Night returns for the third year in a row. Teams of up to four people have three hours to complete a 500-piece jigsaw puzzle. The fun starts at 4pm. To register, visit www.carbondalerec.com
CRYSTAL THEATRE
“The Zone of Interest” screens at the Crystal Theatre tonight at 6pm, and Feb. 26, 27, 28 and 29 at 7pm.
ECSTATIC DANCE
Alya Howe leads ecstatic dance at 13 Moons (south of Carbondale) from 6 to 8pm.
BIRDS OF PLAY
Steve’s Guitars presents Bird of Play performing at 8pm. Tickets at www.stevesguitars.net
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 27
GIRLS WHO CODE
Basalt Regional Library partners with Girls Who Code to empower students of all genders with the basics of coding from 3:45 to 4:45pm.
WHIRLING DISEASE
Learn all about Whirling Disease — caused by a parasite that can infect and kill brook, cutthroat and rainbow trout — at the Basalt Library at 5pm. Register at www.tinyurl.com/WhirlingDiseaseRFV
RFV DRAWING CLUB
The Roaring Fork Drawing Club meets up at the Botany Houseplant Shop in Carbondale at 6:30pm.
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 28
GREENHOUSE PREP
Help Seed Peace get its greenhouses ready at Sunfire Ranch (6333 Highway 133) from 1 to 4pm. Email heatherfroelicher@gmail.com with questions.
SPIRITUAL STUDY
Eaden Shantay of True Nature leads a weekly online discussion on selected spiritual books every Wednesday starting today at 1pm. For more info, visit www.truenaturehealingarts.com
WHATLOW?
Basalt Regional Library invites ages 7 and up to play video games at the Treehouse from 2:30 to 3:30pm.
BOOK TALK
In honor of Black History Month, Basalt Library hosts a book club to discuss “Between the World and Me” by Ta-Nehisi Coates at 5:30pm.
YOUTH ORCHESTRA
Roaring Fork Youth Orchestra performs orchestral, movie and rock favorites — from Bach to Led Zepplin to Pirates of the Caribbean — at TACAW at 6:30pm. Attendance is free with an RSVP.
ISRAELISM
Ceasefire Now RFV shows “Israelism,” a documentary about Jews speaking out against Israel’s treatment of Palestine, at the Basalt Library at 7pm. To RSVP, visit www.bit.ly/israelismrfv
‘LEGEND OF AAHHH’S’
“Legend of Aahhh’s,” a film by U.S. Ski Hall of Fame member Greg Stump, screens at the Isis Theatre at 7:30pm. A Q&A with the filmmaker will follow. Ticket at www.aspenfilm.com
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 29
SOUND IMMERSION
Ildi Ingraham leads a sound healing session with singing bowls, gongs, chimes and her voice at the Basalt Library at 5:30pm
‘JUST EAT IT’
Did you know that almost half of the food produced in North America goes to waste? UpRoot Colorado shows “Just Eat It,” a documentary film from Canada, at the Glenwood Springs Library at 6pm.
ASPEN WORDS
Award-winning poet Safiya Sinclair discusses her new book, “How to Say Babylon,” at TACAW at 6pm. For tickets, visit www.tacaw.org
CONNOR GARVEY
Connor Garvey performs at Steve’s Guitars at 8pm. Tickets at www.stevesguitars.net
FRIDAY, MARCH 1
NATURE JOURNALING
Every First Friday at 1pm, the Carbondale Library hosts a workshop for sketchbook artists from 1 to 2:30pm. BYO-supplies.
‘INTERDIMENSIONAL THREADS’
The Launchpad hosts a First-Friday opening for “Interdimensional Threads,” an exhibit featuring works from local artists Claire Wright and Chris Erickson, at 5pm. The exhibit closes on April 5.
MUSIC AT THE LIBRARY
A string quartet comprised of professional women musicians local to the Roaring Fork Valley will present a concert of classical music by female composers at the Basalt Library at 5:30pm.
SILVER PROM
The Glenwood Springs Rec Center hosts an elegant evening of dinner and dancing for older adults, 50+! Carbondale residents can catch a ride from the Carbondale Rec Center at 5:30pm. RSVP at www.carbondalerec.com
TOMMY THE ANIMAL
Mountain Heart (1841 Dolores Way) hosts live music with Tommy the Animal at 6pm. A food truck will serve local bites beginning at 5pm.
SATURDAY, MARCH 2
‘THE MUSIC LESSON’
Local guitarist Mateo Sandate leads a three-part exploration of the book “The Music Lesson: A Spiritual Search for Growth through Music” by Victor Wooten each Saturday through March 16 at 2pm at the Carbondale Library. For more info, call 970-963-2889.
ONE-ACTS
The Roaring Fork Repertory Theatre will be at the Carbondale Branch Library to present three one-act plays. The troupe will perform “The Bear” by Anton Chekhov, “Suppressed Desires” by Susan Glaspell and George Cram Cook and “Collect Call” by Kristin Hopkins starting at 7pm. For more info, call the library at 970-963-2889.
STEVE’S GUITARS
Hundred Pound Housecat performs at Steve’s Guitars at 8pm. Tickets at www.stevesguitars.net