Fire budget
The Carbondale and Rural Fire Protection District (CRFPD) held its 2024 budget hearing on Dec. 13. Members of the public showed up to express their concern about the district collecting increased property taxes without adjusting its mill levy. Temporarily decreasing the mill levy would offset the property tax increase for residents in the district. The draft 2024 budget lists the district’s property tax revenue at $$6,727,929 compared to $4,586,885 in 2023. The draft budget currently accounts for a temporary tax credit of $344,923. However, the department is waiting on assessed valuations from the three counties (Garfield, Pitkin and Gunnison) to finalize a revenue number and a tax credit amount. CRFPD will vote on the proposed budget and a mill levy adjustment during its Jan. 10 regular meeting at the Carbondale Fire Headquarters, 301 Meadowood Drive, at 11am. Visit www.carbondalefire.org/about-us/board-of-directors for a copy of the proposed budget and Zoom coordinates to attend the meeting virtually.
Help wanted
The Town of Carbondale is seeking to hire a temporary shelter coordinator through March to help provide essential services and resources to the recently-arrived, unhoused refugee population. This position will oversee day-to-day operations at multiple shelters and requires fluency in English and Spanish. The pay is $50 to $75 per hour for 20 to 40 hours per week. If interested, send a cover letter and resume to colin@thirdstreetcenter.net
Water futures
On Dec. 19, Xcel Energy signed a transfer of ownership of the historic Shoshone water rights to the Colorado River District for $98.5 million. According to a press release, “the agreement marks a first step toward permanent protection of the most senior, non-consumptive water right on the Colorado River.” The Shoshone Water Right Preservation Coalition will now attempt to secure funding for the purchase and add an in-stream flow benefit. Learn more at www.keepshoshoneflowing.org
National treasure
U.S. Interior Secretary Deb Haaland designated the Glenwood Caverns and Iron Mountain Hot Springs a National Natural Landmark last week. As reported by the Post Independent, Steve and Jeanne Beckley, owners of these properties and the corresponding businesses, applied for the designation more than 10 years ago. The Glenwood Springs Citizens’ Alliance is hopeful that this action may help to prevent a proposed expansion of the neighboring limestone quarry, operated by a company currently under federal review due to permit noncompliance issues.
South Bridge funding
The City of Glenwood Springs announced last week that the South Bridge wildfire egress project will receive $49,682,927 from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Rural Surface Transportation Grant Program. The bridge will connect Highway 82 with neighborhoods on the south end of Midland Avenue, providing more than 4,000 residents with “critical egress and escape” in the event of a wildfire. This project has been a priority since the 2002 Coal Seam Fire and was earmarked for federal funding in 2005.
Evening hours
The Painted Pig (689 Main Street) is now open for dinner service, Thursday through Sunday. This new restaurant also serves coffee, breakfast and lunch from Tuesday to Sunday, as well as Aquila Cellars wine from the North Fork Valley.
Winter activities
The Glenwood Springs rec department is hosting a variety of bilingual, winter workshops for ages 5 to 14, with scholarships available, from Jan. 2 to Jan. 8. Topics include puzzles, puppets, animation and more. Details at www.bit.ly/glenwoodrec-arts
Lift-off
Senators Michael Bennet and John Hickenlooper mutually celebrated the news that U.S. Space Command, headquartered in Colorado Springs, has reached “full operational capability.” Bennet stated, “In the face of Putin’s invasion of Ukraine and China’s saber-rattling worldwide, U.S. leadership in space is more critical than ever.” The unified combatant command was originally created in 1985, disestablished in 2002 and reestablished in 2019 by the Trump administration.
They say it’s your birthday!
Folks celebrating another trip around the sun this week include: Paula Fothergill, Tommy Sweeney and Robin Waters (Dec. 21); Jessica Hardin, Carolyn Jackson and Jerry Pluger (Dec. 22); Hanah Jundt and Greg Mohl (Dec. 25); Caitlin Causey, Emma Danciger and Darryl Fuller (Dec. 26); Laura Hader and Eduardo Torres (Dec. 27)
~ C A L E N D A R ~
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 21
BOOK CLUB
The Third Thursday Book Club discusses “Love and Ruin” by Paula McLain at the Carbondale Library at 2pm.
CHRISTMAS THEATRE
Theatre Aspen presents “Once Upon a Time Whimsical Wintertime Tales,” best suited for kids 4-10 and their families, at the Hotel Jerome at 4pm. At 7pm, adults are invited for dinner and “A Christmas Carol Cabaret.” Both shows recur nightly through Dec. 23. Tickets and more info at www.theatreaspen.org
SENSORY-FRIENDLY SANTA
Santa Claus, trained in sensory-friendly practices, will greet anyone and everyone at The Collective in Snowmass Village tonight and tomorrow from 5 to 6pm.
SOLSTICE OFFERING
True Nature hosts “We Walk but Towards the Stars: A Journey from Grief to Peace” from 6 to 7:30pm. This event is by donation. RSVP at www.truenaturehealingarts.com
SWEET ROOT
Redstone General Store celebrates the solstice with Sweet Root, performing from 6 to 9pm. There will be soup and cocoa and funds raised will help the General Store transition into a nonprofit.
SOLSTICE CELEBRATION
The Center for Human Flourishing celebrates the solstice with cacao, breathwork, a guided meditation and sound journey at the Third Street Center at 6:30pm. Tickets at www.tcfhf.org
CHANGEMAKER SERIES
The Changemaker Speaker Series brings “The Helmsman: Songs and Stories from the Seven Seas,” a musical and educational presentation by Andy Mann, the founder of SeaLegacy, to the Wheeler Opera House at 7:30pm. Tickets and more info at www.wheeleroperahouse.com
CRYSTAL THEATRE
The Crystal Theatre shows “Maestro” tonight and tomorrow at 7pm and Saturday with subtitles at 5pm. Then, “The Boys in the Boat” screens Dec. 26-28 at 7pm.
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 22
SOLSTICE FLOW
Ally Morrison welcomes the return of light with a special yoga class at Kula (1201 Main Street) from 9 to 10:15am. Drop-ins are welcome.
FAMILY SOLSTICE
True Nature hosts storytime, crafts and yoga for all ages from 4 to 6pm. Details at www.truenaturehealingarts.com
ART OPENING
The Harvey Preston Gallery in Aspen hosts an opening reception for “SearchLight,” a collection of works by Robert Brinker, from 5 to 7pm with an artist talk at 6pm. The show will be on display through Jan. 12, 2024.
GARRETT YOUNG
Steve’s Guitars presents the Garrett Young Collective at 8pm. Tickets at www.stevesguitars.net
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 23
ECSTATIC DANCE
Alya Howe and DJ Dustin Eli host an ecstatic dance at 13 Moons Ranch, south of Carbondale, from 6 to 8pm. Questions? Contact alyahowe@me.com
RALPH STEADMAN
The Fat City Gallery in Aspen (415 East Hyman Avenue) hosts an opening reception for a Ralph Steadman exhibition from 6 to 10pm.
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 24
LIBRARY CLOSURES
All Garfield County libraries will be closed today, tomorrow and New Year’s Day.
MONDAY, DECEMBER 25
HOLIDAY MEETINGS
The Meeting Place in Carbondale (981 Cowen Plaza) hosts holiday meetings on Christmas and New Year’s Day at 10am for anyone in recovery. Find a list of daily meetings at www.meetingplacecarbondale.org
CHRISTMAS BUFFET
The Hotel Colorado’s culinary team offers a delectable Christmas menu. Reservations are required and can be made by calling 970-928-3785.
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 26
‘SHE GONE’
Comedian Becky Robinson makes a stop on her “She Gone” tour at the Wheeler Opera House with two back-to-back shows at 6:30 and 9:30pm. Tickets at www.wheeleroperahouse.com
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 27
HOLIDAY CHILDCARE
Rocky Mountain Kid CLUBS invites youngsters 4 and up to join in its Jingle Jam childcare offering Dec. 27-29 and Jan. 2-3 from 8:30am to 4pm. More info at www.rockymtnkidclubs.org
SOL FUNDRAISER
Stage of Life Theatre Company hosts a fundraiser cabaret at The Launchpad at 7pm. Doors open at 6pm. Find tickets at soltheatrecompany.org
YOGA TOAST
Cari Eisenson and Tyler Lambuth host a yoga event with live music and a champagne toast at Kula (1201 Main Street) from 6 to 8pm. Tickets at www.kulayogaonmain.com
BIG HEAD TODD
Big Head Todd and the Monsters perform at the Wheeler Opera House at 7:30pm. Tickets at www.wheeleroperahouse.com
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 28
COMMUNITY DINNER
The Redstone General Store serves up a community meal with live music from 4 to 8pm.
LEE ROCKER
Grammy-nominated Stray Cats founder and upright slap bassist Lee Rocker performs at the Wheeler Opera House at 7:30pm. Tickets at www.wheeleroperahouse.com
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 29
HOUSE OF VENUS
Thunder River Theatre Company presents “House of Venus,” a fundraiser gala, at 7:30pm tonight and tomorrow. Tickets at www.thunderrivertheatre.com
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 30
SLOPESIDE SOIRÉE
The Aspen Art Museum hosts a “Slopeside Soirée” benefit at 5:30pm. Tickets and more info at www.aspenartmuseum.org
OZOMATLI
A Valley favorite, Ozomatli, performs at the Wheeler Opera House at 7:30pm. Tickets at www.wheeleroperahouse.com
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 31
SPRING GULCH
The Mount Sopris Nordic Council celebrates the addition of the Marion Lot at Spring Gulch with coffee, cocoa and sweet treats from 11am to 1pm.
CARBONARO EFFECT
The star of a popular series, “The Carbonaro Effect,” Michael Carbonaro performs a New Year’s Eve show at the Wheeler Opera House at 6pm. Tickets at www.wheeleroperahouse.com
ALCOHOL-FREE NYE
The 13 Moons Ranch south of Carbondale hosts a New Year’s Eve extravaganza beginning at 6pm. There will be chocolate, empanadas, a shadow puppet show, vision boarding, music by Sweet Root, a dance party and a midnight sound bath. Proceeds benefit the Land of Peace Art Village in Ghana.
NOURISHMENT
The Redstone General Store serves up tea and non-alcoholic elixirs, appetizers and desserts from 7pm to 12:30am.
NY BASH
Rootbeer Richie & The Reveille perform a New Year’s Eve Bash at TACAW at 8pm. Tickets at www.tacaw.org
MONDAY, JANUARY 1
2024
Begin the new year with intention setting at Kula (1201 Main Street) from 10am to noon, including live music, meditation prompts, 108 sun salutations, mimosas and OJ. Tickets at www.kulayogaonmain.com