Silent night
An Xcel Energy power outage on Christmas Eve affected homes in neighborhoods surrounding Carbondale for several hours. Power blipped out downtown but returned in short order. Others were left up to their own creative devices.
CO v. Trump
Last week, the Colorado Supreme Court ruled that Donald Trump is ineligible to appear on Colorado’s 2024 presidential primary ballot. Colorado Secretary of State Jena Griswold was sued by six Republican and unaffiliated voters on Sept. 6 demanding that Colorado must disqualify Trump from the ballot based on language in Section 3 of the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. Next, the Supreme Court will decide whether to hear the former president’s appeal.
Sheltering newcomers
Carbondale’s Community United Methodist Church on 2nd Street announced on Christmas Eve that the building will serve as a temporary shelter during the evenings for some of the mostly Venezuelan refugees that have been staying at the Third Street Center since November. Town Hall will also receive around 20 people each night. The Third Street Center, meanwhile, plans to phase down its use as a shelter by Jan. 19. As reported by the Post Independent, a $223,880 emergency grant was approved from the Colorado Department of Local Affairs “to assist with housing services, transportation, local government staffing and more.”
Crystal Theatre update
The Ezras announced that in preparation for handing over their business to new owners, Discount Passes and Gift Tickets now sold will expire one year from the date-of-purchase. A clause in the listing states that Discount Passes and Gift Tickets dating back to 2018 must be honored.
Fourmile closures
The White River National Forest enacted several closures to snowmobiles and other vehicles in the Fourmile area for public safety due to logging and related hauling operations. Fourmile Road is closed to all vehicles, including snowmobiles, at the gate about ½-mile above the snowmobile parking area. In addition, the first two miles of the Sunlight to Powderhorn Trail are closed. Snowmobilers can use alternate routes such as the Fourmile Trail and the Pipeline Trail to travel around both closures and resume travel on the Fourmile Road/Sunlight-to-Powderhorn Trail.
Sweetwater sale
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is proposing to sell a 7.55-acre parcel in Eagle County to the operator of Anderson Summer Camp, resolving a more than 100-year-old inadvertent trespass. The land is being sold for the fair-market value and the purchasers will reimburse the BLM for its staff time processing the sale. Written comments may be emailed to blm_co_si_crvfo_webmail@blm.gov or sent to Larry W. Sandoval Jr., Field Manager, Colorado River Valley Field Office, 2300 River Frontage Road, Silt, CO 81652.
Art Around Town
The Town of Carbondale Public Art Commission’s annual rotating sculpture show, Art Around Town, is receiving applications through Feb. 5 for 15 outdoor pieces that will be on display from June 6, 2024 through May 15, 2025. Artists can have up to four sculptures selected with a $1,000 honorarium per sculpture. A $250 travel allowance will also be paid for out-of-town artists for delivery costs. Apply online at www.bit.ly/CdaleArt2024
They say it’s your birthday!
Folks celebrating another trip around the sun this week include: Chip Bishop (Dec. 28); Sue Edelstein, Mark Gray, Jordan Hirro, Randy Schutt, Will Tempest, Nick Walgren and Debbie Wilde (Dec. 29); Beymar Silva and Stephanie Syson (Dec. 30); Chris Barlow and Kris Cook (Dec. 31); Ryan Camp, Anne Grice, DJ Hill and Dan Sadowsky (Jan. 1); Dustin Eli and Eric Rudd (Jan. 2); Angela Bruno, Patrick Casse, Jay Engstrom, Mark Hamilton, Kerry Honan and Lucas Pulver (Jan. 3).
~ C A L E N D A R ~
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 28
COMMUNITY DINNER
The Redstone General Store serves up a community meal with live music from 4 to 8pm.
CRYSTAL THEATRE
The Crystal Theatre shows “The Boys in the Boat” tonight, Friday and Saturday at 7pm and Sunday at 5pm. “Maestro” returns on Saturday at 4pm.
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
DRAG BINGO
Marble Distilling hosts the Roaring Divas for a gold-themed bingo night at 7pm.
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.
NOON YEAR’S EVE
The Glenwood Springs Community Center celebrates “Noon Year’s Eve” with family-friendly fun from 12 to 2pm.
PRE-PARTY
Mountain Heart brewery (1841 Dolores Way) hosts a New Year’s Eve pre-party beginning at 3pm.
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.
NY BASH
Rootbeer Richie & The Reveille perform a New Year’s Eve Bash at TACAW at 8pm. Tickets at www.tacaw.org
DJ TACHÉ
El Dorado celebrates New Year’s Eve with DJ Taché spinning tunes from 9:30pm to 12:30am.
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
TUESDAY, JANUARY 2
YARN GROUP
Knitters, crocheters and other yarn workers gather at the Basalt Library from 5 to 7pm. All are welcome.
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 3
POTBELLY PERSPECTIVES
The Aspen Center for Environmental Studies presents “Stories from the Wild” with journalist Jeffrey Barbee at 6pm at Hallam Lake.
THURSDAY, JANUARY 4
TEEN LIBRARY COUNCIL
The Basalt Library Teen Library Council meets from 4 to 5pm. Students involved commit to one hour per month and can influence the games, books, movies and programs that the library makes available.
FRIDAY, JANUARY 5
NATURE JOURNALING
Adults wishing to explore, observe and creatively document nature are invited to join novice and experienced sketchbook artists at the Carbondale Library from 1 to 2:30pm.
FIRST FRIDAY
Carbondale hosts a family ice skating party at the Chacos Park Ice Rink from 5 to 8pm.
GLENWOOD CAVERNS
Pam and Dan perform at the Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park from 5 to 8pm.
WHIFFENPOOFS
Yale University’s famous a capella group, the Whiffenpoofs, performs at TACAW at 8pm. Epicure Catering’s Supper Club will serve a pre-show dinner for up to 60 patrons at 6pm. Find tickets at www.tacaw.org
SATURDAY, JANUARY 6
AI UNTETHERED
The Aspen Science Center is partnering with Aspen Film for three Science on Screen nights at the Isis Theatre, beginning with “AI: UNTETHERED” tonight at 6:30pm. The films “Her” and “The Sun Like a Big Dark Animal” will be presented along with special guests Cristina Nowak and Jessica Ann of aiEDU, an educational nonprofit.
SUNDAY, JANUARY 7
MINING HISTORY
The Carbondale Historical Society kicks off a speaker series with a panel of former Mid-Continent and Thompson Creek miners from 5 to 6pm at KDNK.RANDOM CONVERSATIONS
The Lost Art of Random Conversations kicks off the new year with a community-building event at the Carbondale Library from 6 to 7:30pm. No RSVP is necessary.