Spruce it up!
The Sopris Sun invites youngsters to submit illustrations for its annual Spruce Up The Sun contest. The winning image(s) will be featured on the cover of our Dec. 19 holiday issue. Contestants, or their parents, can submit scanned submissions to news@soprissun.com or place a hard copy in the submission box outside The Launchpad in Carbondale (76 4th Street). Preschoolers through high schoolers are welcome to participate. This year’s theme: Dreams. Entries are due by Dec. 15!
Carbondale Qdoba
Qdoba — a fast-casual Mexican-style restaurant with more than 750 locations, including Glenwood Springs — is coming to Carbondale. A hiring announcement was shared on the “Carbondale, Colorado” Facebook page on Nov. 20, prompting many comments. The Town of Carbondale confirmed a permit has been submitted to build out the vacant space next to Independence Run & Hike in the City Market plaza.
Home for the Holidays
Journey Home Animal Care Center (970-625-8808) will again host its Home for the Holidays foster program this year. Families can welcome a pet into their home between Christmas Eve and New Year’s Day, without committing to adopting the pet. “Foster events like Home for the Holidays allow families and pets who need companionship in this lonely season to have that experience, even if it isn’t forever,” a press release stated. Colorado Animal Rescue, meanwhile, will participate in BISSELL Pet Foundation’s Empty the Shelters reduced-fee adoption event, Dec. 1 to Dec. 17.
Art Around Town
Attention sculptors! Carbondale’s 2025 Art Around Town rotating sculpture show is now accepting entries through Feb. 11. Find the application and more info at www.bit.ly/2025AAT
Mental health in school
The Colorado Department of Education (CDE) will receive a $1.6 million grant for five consecutive years from the U.S. Department of Education to better provide mental health services to students across the state. The funds will be used to address the “critical shortage” of school-based counselors and mental health professionals. “It will provide funding to hire new workers, keep existing ones in their jobs and help some switch careers to work in schools,” a CDE press release continued.
Free Book Fair
Mark your calendars for the second annual Free Book Fair for All on Dec. 13 from 12 to 6pm at the Glenwood Springs Community Center! This fair features thousands of new and gently used books for all ages in both English and Spanish. Books of all kinds for babies, children, teens and adults are completely free for the community. The fair is organized by a local group of passionate book lovers who aim to promote literacy and a lifelong love of reading in our community. Come for your new books, stay for the hot chocolate, prizes and holiday cheer!
Emergency aid kits
Discovery Café is organizing the assembly of emergency aid kits to support community members in need. Donations will be accepted until Dec. 6. Items needed include: personal care (toothpaste, deodorant, etc.), cold weather essentials (blankets, socks, gloves), emergency supplies for power outages (batteries, flashlights, etc.). They are seeking 10 volunteers to help assemble 30 kits. Of these, 10 kits will be distributed immediately and 20 will be made available at the Rifle Branch Library for pickup by those in need. To volunteer, email gabe@discoverycafe.org or call 719-650-5978.
Cottonwood Pass closure
Cottonwood Pass in Eagle County, connecting Gypsum with the Roaring Fork Valley, has officially closed for the season. The road will reopen in April, or when conditions allow.
Holiday closures
Garfield County administrative departments are closed Thursday and Friday, Nov. 28-29, for Thanksgiving. This includes the county landfill near Rifle. The Town of Carbondale and Basalt administrative offices will be closed over the same period. The same goes for all Garfield County libraries. Have a wonderful holiday weekend!
They say it’s your birthday!
Folks celebrating another trip around the sun this week include: Richard Fuller and Paul Hassel (Nov. 28); Naomi Pulver and Kat Rich (Nov. 29); Chuck Dorn, Stephen Horn and Kat Lieblick (Nov. 30); Sadie Dickinson, Jim Harris and Marcel Kahhak (Dec. 1); Ted Brochet, Sierra Palmer, Deva Shantay and Paul Stover (Dec. 2); Skip Doty, Hannah Feder, Rebecca Murphy and Rochelle Norwood (Dec. 3); Edgar Garcia and Carol Klein (Dec. 4).
~ C A L E N D A R ~
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 28
HAPPY THANKSGIVING!
Have a pleasant holiday weekend, folks.
GRATITUDE YOGA
Cari Eisenson guides a “Thanksgiving Gratitude Flow” yoga session from 9 to 10am at Kula Yoga on Main in Carbondale. Register at www.kulayogaonmain.com
TURKEY TROT
Carbondale Parks and Rec’s annual all-ages Thanksgiving fun run (with 5k and one-mile distances) departs from the Rec Center at 9:30am. Sign up online in advance at www.bit.ly/cdalettrot for a discount. Main Street, Snowmass Drive, Colorado Avenue and 8th Street will be closed to traffic from 9 to 11am.
ARGENTINE THANKSGIVING
Want to avoid cooking? Bodegón hosts a Thanksgiving feast from 5 to 10pm.
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 29
NATIVE AMERICAN DAY
The day after Thanksgiving is recognized as Native American Heritage Day, when the country acknowledges its trespasses on the Indigenous peoples of this land and honors their heritage.
CHRIS & HAP
Chris Bank and Hap Harriman perform at Heather’s Savory Pies in Basalt at 6:30pm.
CRYSTAL THEATRE
The Crystal Theatre shows “Moana 2” at 7pm tonight, tomorrow, Dec. 4 and 5. Catch a 5pm showing on Friday, Dec. 1.
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 30
JOHN MICHEL
John Michel from the John Oates Band performs at Heather’s Savory Pies at 6pm.
THE OTHER BROTHERS
TACAW presents The Other Brothers, an Allman Brothers tribute band, at 8pm. Tickets at www.tacaw.org
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 1
SUNDAY MEDITATION
True Nature hosts a monthly meditation session every first Sunday from 9 to 10:30am.
WELCOMING THE STRANGER
Two Rivers Unitarian Universalist discusses immigration from 10am to noon.
THE BIG LET GO
A Spiritual Center welcomes Gwen Garcelon presenting on the power of surrender, non-attachment and resolve at the Third Street Center, Room 31, at 10am.
LABYRINTH WALK
The Center for Human Flourishing in collaboration with Laura Kirk and Pam Rosenthal invites you to a special labyrinth and crystal bowls experience, “Walking Each Other Home,” at the Third Street Center at 3:30pm. More info at www.tcfhf.org
COOKIES & CHEER
Cook Inclusive, Best Buddies, Challenge Aspen and Bluebird Café present Cookies & Cheer, an inclusive holiday event, at the Bluebird Café from 3:30 to 6pm. All are welcome.
RANDOM CONVERSATIONS
Have a random, yet meaningful, conversation with a stranger at the Carbondale Library every first Sunday from 6 to 7:30pm.
PAST CHAMPS
Carbondale Historical Society’s speaker series continues at 6:30pm at the Third Street Center with a panel of Roaring Fork Rams who took the state championships in football, basketball and soccer.
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 3
CANDLE DECORATING
The Basalt Library hosts a candle decorating workshop from 1 to 2:30pm. Registration is necessary at www.basaltlibrary.org/events-calendar
HOLIDAY MARKET
Stop by the Old Thompson Barn in RVR for a holiday market from 1 to 5pm.
PLANT-BASED COOKING
Lisa Moretti leads a plant-based cooking workshop at the Glenwood Springs Community Center from 5:30 to 6:30pm. For more info, visit www.glenwoodrec.com
DRAWING CLUB
Join the Roaring Fork Drawing Club at The Art Base in Basalt beginning at 6:30pm.
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 4
CERAMICS CLUB
The Colorado Mountain College Aspen campus presents a holiday sale of ceramics students’ pottery, jewelry and art (25 S Sage Way, Aspen) from 10am to 7pm today, tomorrow and Dec. 6. A reception will take place tomorrow, Dec. 5, from 4 to 7pm.
DEATH CAFÉ
Akaljeet Khalsa, death doula and end-of-life consultant, hosts Death Café, where participants engage in respectful conversations around death and dying, at Sopris Lodge from 3:30 to 5:30pm. Call 970-456-8764 to register.
BOOK TALK
Basalt Library hosts a discussion of “The Underground Railroad” by Colson Whitehead from 5:30 to 6:30pm. Free copies of the book are available at the circulation desk (while supplies last).
ASPEN FILM
Aspen Film presents “The Seed of the Sacred Fig” at the AF Isis Theatre at 7pm.
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 5
WATER CONSERVATION
Roaring Fork Conservancy presents hydrologist Seth Mason and “Grappling with Barriers to Agricultural Water Conservation on Colorado’s West Slope” at the Basalt Library from 5 to 6:30pm. Registration is required at www.roaringfork.org/events
WALDORF STORE
Waldorf School on the Roaring Fork opens its annual Winterfaire Store for adults only, featuring locally made bits and bobs from over a dozen vendors, from 5 to 8pm.
COMMON ROOTS
HeadQuarters provides a space for men to gather sincerely with other men from 6 to 7:30pm.
HEATHER’S MUSIC
Smokin’ Joe Kelly and Rockin’ Randall perform at Heather’s Savory Pies in Basalt from 6:30 to 9:30pm.
‘UN-SILENT NIGHT’
TACAW hosts “Un-Silent Night: An Epic Holiday Sing-along” at 8pm. Tickets at www.tacaw.org
FIRST FRIDAY, DECEMBER 6
CUP AUCTION
Carbondale Clay Center’s annual cup auction takes place at Marble Distilling with a member’s preview from 5 to 6:30pm followed by public bidding ‘til 9pm.
LABOR OF LOVE
KDNK’s Labor of Love auction will be at the Thunder River Theatre from 5 to 8pm, followed by dancing.
LIGHT UP CARBONDALE
Join Santa at Weant and Main to watch the Christmas tree lighting at the Forest Service building at 5:30pm. Festivities continue with hot cocoa and sugar cookies provided by Stepping Stones and Alpine Bank. Sleigh rides will be offered from 5:45 to 7:45pm from 4th and Main and The Launchpad will remain open for Deck the Walls Holiday Market shopping until 7pm with live performances by Roaring Fork Youth Orchestra.
URBANE COYOTE
Heather’s in Basalt presents live music with Urbane Coyote from 6:30 to 9:30pm.
RUCKUS ON THE RANCH
The Aspen Professional Ski Patrol Association hosts its first community event, Ruckus on the Ranch, at T-Lazy-7 Ranch at 8pm. Tickets and more info at www.apspa.us
JAZZMONAUTS
Steve’s Guitars presents “Date Night with The Jazzmonauts,” inviting concertgoers to enjoy a meal at Bodegón before crossing the street for some vibrant jazz music starting at 8pm. Find tickets to dinner and the show, or just the show, at www.stevesguitars.net
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 7
HOLIDAY BAZAAR
The Glenwood Springs Community Center hosts its fourth annual Holiday Bazaar from 9am to 5pm.
REDSTONE MARKET
Check out the Redstone Holiday Market up and down the boulevard from 10am to 3pm.
WINTERFAIRE
Waldorf School on the Roaring Fork hosts its 33rd annual Winterfaire family celebration fundraiser from 11am to 3pm. All are welcome to enjoy crafts, shopping, cozy treats, a puppet play, music and more.
ART ON TAP
Carbondale Beer Works hosts “Art on Tap,” an artisan market, from 11am to 4pm.
PAPERBOY AMBITIONS
The Glenwood Springs Arts Council presents Terry Glasenapp’s “Paperboy Ambitions,” a multimedia group exhibit at the Glenwood Springs Arts Council Gallery (216 6th Street) through Dec. 29. An artist reception will take place from 2 to 5pm today.
SUMMIT FOR LIFE
The Chris Klug Foundation’s Summit for Life race takes off up Aspen Mountain at 5:30pm. Find all details at www.summitforlife.org
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 8
MUSIC AT THE LIBRARY
Roaring Fork Youth Orchestra performs at the Basalt Library from 3 to 4pm.
FASHION SHOW AUDITIONS
Carbondale Arts hosts model auditions for the Green is the New Black Fashion Show at The Launchpad from 6 to 9pm tonight and from 6:30 to 9:30pm tomorrow. Find details at www.carbondalearts.com/fashion-show
MYOFASCIAL RELEASE
Britt Geis guides myofascial release exercises from 6:45 to 8:45pm at Kula Yoga on Main in Carbondale. Register at www.kulayogaonmain.com
MONDAY, DECEMBER 9
ORNAMENT MAKING
The Glenwood Springs Art Center offers a clay ornament-making workshop, along with hot cocoa, from 6:30 to 9pm. For more info, visit www.glenwoodrec.com
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 10
PAWS TO READ
First through third graders are welcome to practice reading with a service dog from 3:30 to 4pm at the Basalt Library. Register for a 15-minute session at www.bit.ly/BasaltLib
‘FIRST DRAFT’
Mitzi Rapkin, host of the podcast “First Draft: A Dialogue on Writing,” speaks with Rosemerry Wahtola Trommer, author of “The Unfolding,” at TACAW at 6:30pm. Register at www.tacaw.org
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 11
LOU DAWSON
The Carbondale Library presents local author Lou Dawson in conversation with Cindy Hirschfeld, editor of Cross Country Skier, at 6pm. Copies of Dawson’s new memoir will be sold at the event.
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 12
BANNED BOOK CLUB
Basalt Library’s Banned Book Club discusses “Pet” by Akwaeke Emezi at 4pm.
LAST EAGLE / LAST GUN
Anderson Ranch Arts Center hosts an opening for “Last Eagle / Last Gun: Modern Recordings of Ancient Blackfoot Symbolisms,” an exhibit by father and son, Terrance Guardipee and Terran Last Gun, from 4:30 to 6:30pm. The exhibit runs from Nov. 18 to Jan. 24.
CHAUTAUQUA
Aspen Journalism and Community Builders present “Chautauqua: In Search of Community,” a community-engagement opportunity stemming from a 10-part series turned book by journalist Paul Anderson intended to “broaden the notion of community” along the 80-mile corridor from Aspen to Parachute, at 6pm at Morgridge Commons in Glenwood Springs.
HOLIDAY GLOW FLOW
Cari Eisenson guides an all-levels flow session with beats by DJ Bhakti Styler at Kula Yoga on Main at 6pm. Plosky’s will provide the eats. Register at www.kulayogaonmain.com
RODRIGO ARREGUÍN
Rodrigo Arreguín performs at Heather’s in Basalt from 6:30 to 9:30pm.
‘ASPEN EXTREME’
Aspen Film shows “Aspen Extreme” for free at the AF Isis Theatre at 7:30pm — retro ski attire recommended.
TOMMY THE ANIMAL
Enjoy an acoustic rendition of Tommy The Animal’s repertoire, highlighting a new album, at Steve’s Guitars at 8pm. Tickets at www.stevesguitars.net
CONSENSUAL CHRISTMAS
Consensual Improv puts on a Christmas themed show tonight and tomorrow at TACAW at 8pm. Tickets at www.tacaw.org
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 13
‘MESSIAH’
Aspen Choral Society presents Handel’s “Messiah” for the 48th consecutive year, tonight at Harris Concert Hall in Aspen, Tomorrow at TACAW and Sunday at St. Stephen Catholic Church in Glenwood Springs. All performances begin at 7pm; find tickets at www.aspenchoralsociety.org
ONGOING
ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS
The Meeting Place in Carbondale (981 Cowen Drive) offers “Hole in the Donut AA,” Monday through Saturday at 6:45am, plus “Daily Reprieve” at noon on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Find a full schedule at www.meetingplacecarbondale.org
IN STITCHES
The In Stitches Knitting Club meets at the Carbondale Library every Monday at 1:30pm.
ENGLISH IN ACTION
Volunteer English tutors and developing learners meet for informal conversational practice at the Carbondale Library every Monday at 6:30pm. Interested in becoming a tutor? Email angela@englishinaction.orgn or call 970-963-9200.
MONDAY MEDITATION
Roaring Fork Insight guides a weekly meditation group meeting at the Third Street Center (Room 31) from 7 to 8:30pm.
BABY STORYTIME
The Carbondale Library hosts baby storytime at 9:30am on Tuesdays.
RAISING A READER
Basalt Library hosts an hour of storytime, activities and snacks Tuesdays at 10:30am.
YARN GROUP
Basalt Library hosts a weekly yarn group on Tuesdays at 5pm. All are welcome.
TAI CHI
Garfield County Human Services is offering Tai Chi for Arthritis at the Carbondale Library, Tuesdays from 1 to 2pm and Thursdays from noon to 1pm. For more info, call 970-963-2889.
BIKE PROJECT
The Carbondale Bike Project Shop helps people repair their bicycles on Tuesdays from 2 to 6pm and Thursdays and Sundays from noon to 6pm at the Third Street Center.
SENIOR LUNCH
Every Wednesday at noon, Garfield County Senior Programs provides a nutritious meal for seniors at The Orchard. To reserve a place at the table, call 970-665-0041.
COSECHA TEXTILES
Textile enthusiasts are invited to a monthly workshop at Cosecha Textiles (95 Red Dog Road) every first Wednesday from 4 to 9pm. Register at www.cosechatextiles.com
ASK A LAWYER
Alpine Legal Services offers a hotline clinic on Wednesdays from 5 to 7pm. Call 970-368-2246 and visit alpinelegalservices.org for the schedule of dates by legal topic.
‘SOURCE DIALOGUES’
Gary Springfield, author of “Source Dialogues: The Miracle Mechanism of Manifestation,” discusses the tenants of his book via a livestream at the Third Street Center every second and fourth Wednesday at 6:30pm.
AIKIDO
Crystal River Aikikai has expanded its schedule. Adults and teens are now welcome to train at 13 Moons Ranch on Wednesdays from 6:30 to 7:30pm in addition to Mondays from 5:30 to 6:30pm. Kids can train from 4 to 5pm on Wednesdays and Mondays and all dojo members ages 10 and up are invited to informal open mat time from 5 to 6:30pm on Wednesdays. Find more information at www.crystalriveraikikai.com
CANCER CARE
The Calaway-Young Cancer Center at Valley View Hospital offers yoga for cancer patients, survivors and caregivers at 9:15am on Thursdays. Then, the Walk and Talk cancer support group meets at 11am at the chapel in the cancer center.
WIGGLES OUT
Toddlers and preschoolers get their wiggles out at the Carbondale Library on Thursdays from 10:30 to 11:30am.
UNDER THE SUN
Join Sopris Sun correspondents and guests for “Everything Under The Sun,” airing every Thursday on KDNK at 4pm.
GROUP RUN
Independence Run & Hike leads a weekly group run on Thursdays departing from the store’s location, next to the Carbondale City Market, at 6:30pm.
COFFEE WITH THE MAYOR
Carbondale Mayor Ben Bohmfalk posts up at Bonfire every Friday from 8 to 9am, and everyone is welcome to stop by to chat.
STORYTIME
Carbondale Library hosts storytime for youngsters and their accompanied adults every Friday at 10:30am.
STORYTIME & PLAY
The Basalt Library hosts its storytime/play group every Friday from 10:30 to 11am.