Launchpad heats up
Carbondale Arts (CA) offices will be closed for the holidays from Dec. 24 to Jan. 6. The Launchpad is getting a new heating system, which means the entire building will be closed from Jan. 6 to 15 — CA staff will be available by email that week. You can count on them to be back well in time for the opening of the 46th Valley Visual Art Show on Jan. 17.
Logging
Skiers and snowmobilers in the Burnt Mountain area south of Lime Park and Crooked Creek Pass will need to be aware of logging operations this winter. Much of the road to the Harry Gates Hut will be plowed for logging and hauling from south of the hut during the week. The Eagle-Thomasville Road will be plowed from Sylvan Lake State Park to the intersection of Forest Road 506 for more logging in Coyote Park. Both projects could add 18 trucks per weekday along the Eagle-Thomasville Road. At least three inches of snow will be left on those roads for winter recreation. The White River National Forest and the Tenth Mountain Division Hut Association plan to work on an alternate route to the Harry Gates Hut that avoids logging operations and the plowed road. Contact Aspen-Sopris District Ranger Kevin Warner at kevin.warner@usda.gov for more info.
Wolves recommendation
In a Dec. 21 letter to the Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) Commission, CPW Director Jeff Davis recommended the denial of a Sept. 27 petition from livestock growers across the Western Slope requesting a pause in wolf reintroduction. The petition listed seven conditions necessary before more wolves are brought to Colorado. Davis stated that the seven conditions, including development of a state range rider program, non-lethal conflict management tools, a site assessment program, a definition of chronic depredation and more, have been met. It’s now up to the commission to make the final decision at its regular meeting, Jan. 8 to 9. View Davis’ official recommendation at www.tinyurl.com/DavisResponse
Housing survey
The Aspen Pitkin County Housing Authority (APCHA) invites community members to fill out a survey aimed at shaping its next five-year strategic plan. The survey is open through Friday, Jan. 3. For the survey in English, visit www.surveymonkey.com/r/APCHA2025StrategicPlan, in Spanish, visit www.surveymonkey.com/r/APCHA2025Spanish
Sol Theatre auditions
Sol Theatre Company’s first show of the season will be “Junie B. Jones The Musical JR,” directed by Karli Ulto, about a youngster’s first day of first grade. Auditions are next month, but sign-up times are closing fast for Thursday Jan. 9, Friday Jan. 10 and Saturday Jan. 11. Kids, ages 7 to 14, can register for auditions at www.soltheatrecompany.org Performances are scheduled for mid-March.
Buddy Program hiring
January is National Mentoring Month and the Buddy Program reminds everyone to help make a difference in a youngster’s life by becoming a Big Buddy. The Buddy Program is also hiring a development coordinator to support the development and marketing team and connect with donors. If that sounds like your dream job, you can find the application at
www.buddyprogram.org/careers Applications are due by Jan. 10.
Sponsor Basalt music
It may be cold and Christmasy but it’s time to think about being a sponsor for Basalt’s 2025 Summer Wednesday Night Concert Series. The free concerts run from June 18 to Aug. 13 at the Basalt River Park. Two categories of sponsorships are available, including Headliner Sponsor for $5,000 and Local Sponsor for $2,500. Nonprofits can apply individually or partner with a funding sponsor to benefit from concession sales. Applications for business sponsorships and nonprofit partnerships are at www.basalt.net/concerts.
They say it’s your birthday!
Folks celebrating another trip around the sun this week include: Daniel Giese, Hanah Jundt and Greg Mohl (Dec. 25); Caitlin Causey, Emma Danciger and Darryl Fuller (Dec. 26); Laura Hader and Eduardo Torres (Dec. 27); 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).
Community Calendar
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 25
EARLY PRESS DAY
Because of the holiday, The Sopris Sun will be available a day early. Merry Christmas and happy first evening of Chanukah!
CHRISTMAS CLOSURES
Garfield County and municipal offices will be closed Christmas day. All Garfield County Library branches will be closed as well.
CHRISTMAS MEETING
The Meeting Place in Carbondale hosts a day-long Christmas Party, with food, movies, games and more, for folks in recovery from 9am to 11pm. More info at www.meetingplacecarbondale.org
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 26
HOLIDAY SKATING
Colorado Extreme opens its rink on Catherine Store Road for holiday skating through New Year’s Day, from 2:30 to 4:30pm daily. More info at www.coloradoextreme.org
CODING CLUB
The Aspen Science Center hosts Coding Club for 7th to 10th graders at the Carbondale Library from 3:45 to 4:45pm.
MENORAH LIGHTING
Community members gather to light the Menorah and sing songs together at 5pm in Triangle Park at Willits Town Center.
CRYSTAL THEATRE
The Crystal Theatre shows “A Complete Unknown” through Tuesday, Dec. 31 with nightly showings at 7pm, with the exception of Sunday when the show starts at 5pm.
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 27
HOLIDAY HISTORY
Aspen Historical Society guides a special holiday history tour in downtown Aspen from 1:30 to 3pm today and at the same time on Jan. 3. Register at www.aspenhistory.org
DINKY AWARDS
Tune into KDNK for the Second Annual Dinky Awards from 4 to 7pm.
SOL FUNDRAISER
SoL Theatre shares songs from its upcoming summer season along with cocktails, mocktails, treats and a special surprise from 6 to 9pm at the Thunder River Theatre. Tickets at www.soltheatrecompany.org
SAX & GUITAR
Chris Bank and Hap Harriman take to the stage from 6:30 to 9:30pm at Heather’s in Basalt.
DUI ENFORCEMENT
Colorado’s New Year’s Eve Weekend enforcement period begins tonight. Stay sober or stay off the roads.
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 28
NOON YEAR’S EVE
Glenwood Community Center hosts Noon Year’s Eve, with live performances, ice sculpting, skating and more, from noon to 3pm. More info at www.glenwoodrec.com
‘FEAR AND LOATHING’
The Aspen Collective hosts an opening for its upcoming exhibit, “Fear and Loathing,” including works by Johnny Depp, Ralph Steadman and Hunter S. Thompson, at 6pm.
LATIN & INSTRUMENTAL
Heather’s in Basalt hosts Rodrigo Arreguín from 6:30 to 9:30pm.
80S DANCE PARTY
Moonwalk into 2025 with a live DJ, costume contest, photo opps and a champagne countdown from 7:30pm to midnight at Thunder River Theatre. Visit www.thunderrivertheatre.com for tickets and more info.
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 29
PICK A CARD
Golden Sha, using her divination cards, offers each attendee to pick a personal message that also supports the whole group in Room 31 of the Third Street Center from 10 to 11:30am.
Third Street Center, room 31.
MONDAY, DECEMBER 30
BOOK TALK
Eric Bland will be at Explorer Books in Aspen talking about his book, “Anything But Bland,” at 4pm.
SLOPESIDE SOIRÉE
The Aspen Art Museum hosts its Slopeside Soirée with music by Cedric Gergais from 5:30 to 8:30pm. Tickets at www.aspenartmuseum.org
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 31
SOAK IN THE NEW YEAR
Glenwood Hot Springs hosts a slew of fun activities to bring in the new year starting at 7pm, including a biggest-cannonball contest, Marco Polo and more, and will be open until 1am.
NY BASH AT TACAW
The Parrisian Live Band, along with aeralist Sammy Altenau, performs at TACAW for its New Year’s Eve Bash. Doors open at 8pm. Tickets at www.tacaw.org
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 1
EARLY PRESS DAY
Due to the New Year’s holiday, The Sopris Sun will be available a day early. Happy New Year!
NEW YEARS CLOSURES
Garfield County and municipal offices will be closed New Year’s Day. All Garfield County Library branches will be closed as well.
THURSDAY, JANUARY 2
ART IN PROCESS
Reina Katzenberger returns to The Art Base for the fourth iteration of “Art in Process.” She’ll be creating within the space through the end of the month, and invites the community to stop in and take part in the process.
COMMON ROOTS
HeadQuarters provides a space for men to gather sincerely with other men from 6 to 7:30pm. This month’s theme: Envisioning. More info at www.headq.org
JOHN MICHEL
John Michel performs at Heather’s in Basalt at 6:30pm.
FRIDAY, JANUARY 3
FIRST FRIDAY
Enjoy a community skate night at Chacos Park for the First Friday of the year. Skates are available to rent at the Rec Center until 7pm.
SUNDAY, JANUARY 5
SUNDAY MEDITATION
The Carbondale Meditation Circle of Self Realization Fellowship, based on the teachings of Paramahansa Yogananda, meets the first Sunday of every month from 9 to 10:30am in the meditation room at True Nature. For more info, email rachelfdayton@gmail.com
RANDOM CONVERSATIONS
The Carbondale Library hosts a community-building event each month filled with meaningful conversations among strangers. Check it out this evening from 6 to 7:30pm.
MONDAY, JANUARY 6
AYURVEDIC YOGA
Laura Post guides an Ayurvedic yoga series at the Basalt Library every Monday this month from 10:15 to 11:15am. More info at www.basaltlibrary.org
NEW YEAR, NEW HOBBY
The Basalt Library invites teens to discover a new potential hobby every Monday this month from 4 to 5pm. This week’s hobby workshop: candle painting. More info at www.basaltlibrary.org
MOVING & LEARNING
Cari Shurman, an educator who has transformed classrooms through movement-based learning, shares how early childhood educators can incorporate movement in their classrooms over Zoom from 4:30 to 5:30pm. Register at www.focusedkids.org
TUESDAY, JANUARY 7
READ THE RAINBOW
Read the Rainbow, student-led book club celebrating queer authors and stories, meets at the Basalt Library at 5:30pm. This month’s read is “Orlando” by Virginia Woolfe; copies are available on display or at the front desk. More info at www.basaltlibrary.org
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 8
NATURALIST NIGHT
The 2025 Naturalist Nights series kicks off with “Terrible Beauty: Reckoning with Climate Complicity and Rediscovering Our Soul” at 6pm at The Third Street Center. Register at www.wildernessworkshop.org/events
SURVIVORS WOMEN’S GROUP
HeadQuarters in Basalt offers its first Healing From Sexual Assault Women’s Group gathering, providing a safe and empowering space for survivors to heal, share and rebuild together, from 6 to 7:30pm. Email dillonja77@gmail.com to register.
MENDEZ & JOHNSON
Josefina Mendez, known for her unique jazz style vocals in English, Spanish and Portuguese, performs with saxophonist Mark Johnson at Heather’s Savory Pies in Basalt at 6:30pm.
THE WHIFFENPOOFS
The Whiffenpoofs, the world’s oldest and best-known collegiate a cappella group of Yale University, perform at TACAW at 8pm. Tickets at www.tacaw.org Head there early for Supper Club, hosted by Epicure Catering, at 6pm.
THURSDAY, JANUARY 9
GERI-FIT
The Carbondale Library hosts an older-adult fitness class every Thursday through Feb. 27 at 12:15pm. Call 970-625-5282 ext. 3084 to register.
PATIO NIGHT LIVE
Aspen Film partners with Patio Night Live Comedy for a night of stand-up at the AF Isis Theatre, featuring local comedians Louis Beck, Matt Cobos, Beth Brandon, Miller Ford, and Jordan Lowe, at 8pm. Tickets at www.aspenfilm.org
FRIDAY, JANUARY 10
BALANCING OLD AGE
Seniors are invited to learn strategies to maintain balance, improve coordination and navigate around obstacles at the Glenwood Springs Library every Friday through Feb. 28 at 1:30pm. Call 970-625-5282 ext. 3084 to register. THE MOTET
The Motet performs at TACAW at 8pm. Tickets at www.tacaw.org