Day Without Immigrants
Many Latino-owned businesses in the area participated in a national “Day Without Immigrants” strike on Monday, Feb. 3. While most restaurants, bakeries and clothing stores participated, service work like construction appears to have been less disrupted. A flyer which circulated on social media declared, “We are essential, we are strong, we are community.” Latinos were also encouraged not to attend college or make purchases on that day.
RFSD supplemental budget
The Roaring Fork School District’s Board of Education approved a supplemental budget on Jan. 29 “that balances the District’s budget and addresses several concerns with the initial budget approved before the start of the academic year,” a press release explained. That initial budget missed key expenditures and overestimated student enrollment, leading to an approximately $7.78 million shortfall. The supplemental budget uses a portion of the District’s fund balance, savings from the Meadowood housing project and cost-cutting measures “minimizing impacts to students and staff.”
Student achievement
Hollis Serson, a Carbondale high school senior, was named a candidate for the U.S. Presidential Scholarship Program, established in 1964 to honor the nation’s most distinguished graduating high school seniors. Serson attended Ross Montessori and Carbondale Middle School, as well as Roaring Fork High School for a year. In order to pursue pre-professional ballet training, she has lived away for three years to first attend the Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet school for two years then the Pacific Northwest Ballet’s professional division in Seattle this year. She has been completing high school through Astravo Online Academy, a free online public school option in Colorado. Serson has studied ballet with Aspen Santa Fe Ballet, Pacific Northwest Ballet in Seattle and the School of American Ballet in New York City.
Youth in Nature
Roaring Fork Outdoor Volunteers is accepting applications for its Youth in Nature paid high school internship program until April 4. This year-long program pays $1,500 and supplies gear and transportation for 10 to 12 students from Parachute to Aspen to learn hands-on about trail restoration, avalanche safety, connecting with nature and more. The program begins with orientation in June followed by a four-day hut trip in July. Find more info at www.rfov.org/yin
‘Compost Outpost’
The Town of Basalt and Basalt’s Green Team announced a pilot composting program, “Basalt Compost Outpost,” where residents can drop off kitchen scraps. After some light reading and taking a short quiz, residents can receive a code for the Compost Outpost. The first 50 participants will receive a free one-gallon compost receptacle. The pilot program will continue through 2025, after which the Town will assess the impact. Visit www.basalt.net/compost for more information.
LA artists residency
Anderson Ranch Arts Center will host 15 artists impacted by the Los Angeles wildfires during a five-week residency program, from Oct. 15 to Nov. 19. Fees will be waived and residents will be provided housing, studio space and meals. Applicants are to include an impact statement detailing how they were affected by the fires. Applications will be accepted through Feb. 28. Visit www.andersonranch.org for more information.
GarCo domain change
Starting in March, Garfield County’s official website will change from garfield-county.com to garfieldcountyco.gov. According to a press release, the FBI and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency recommended that all government agencies switch to .gov for greater security. Staff email addresses will respectively change as well, but both the new and old emails will work for an extended period. New email addresses will be the same prefix as before, but with the new domain: garfieldcountyco.gov
Property taxes
Garfield County property tax notices were sent out on Jan. 29. Approximately 31,000 notices were mailed, with an expected collection of roughly $200.4 million, down from $232.8 million last year. Forty-two percent will go towards k-12 education, 4.5% to local college districts, 3.1% to municipalities, 30% to special districts and the remaining 20.4% will be retained by the county. Property owners can schedule half payments for Feb. 28 and June 15, otherwise, full payment is due April 30.
Universal preschool
The hard deadline to enroll in Colorado’s Universal Preschool program, which provides up to 15 hours of schooling for children in their pre-kindergarten year, is March 5. More than 19,000 applications have already been submitted for 2025-26 enrollment. Eligible families can choose from diverse settings — including home-based, school-based or community-based programs — with assistance from the state. Visit www.UPK.Colorado.gov for more information and to apply.
They say it’s your birthday!
Folks celebrating another trip around the sun this week include: Jim Coddington, Patrick Hunter, Sandra Lopez and Andrew Scott (Feb. 6); Kelly Rinick (Feb. 7); Michael Kinsley, Ashton Taufer and Amanda Villalobos (Feb. 8); Charley Hill, David Lubrant and Ellen O’Gorman (Feb. 9); Diego Gonzales, Sara McAllister and Pam Rosenthal (Feb. 10); Sara Berry, Georgia Chamberlain, Linda Criswell, Anne Goldberg, Thomas Mack, Sydney Courier McBrayer and Hamilton Pevec (Feb. 11); The Sopris Sun, Roger Berliner, Raleigh Burleigh, Sam Hayes, Anna Hutchinson, Ciara Low, Faith Magill, Sarah and Laura Nelson, Jamie Ramge and Gene Schilling (Feb. 12).
~ C A L E N D A R ~
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 6
ART OF HEALING
The Wheeler Opera House hosts a panel on wellness and alternative therapy medicine at 11am. RSVP at www.aspenshowtix.com
WOMEN’S HEART HEALTH
As part of its Valley View’s Women’s Health Series, nurse practitioner Katrina Metcalf presents “Heart Health for Women,” a webinar, at noon. Register at www.vvh.org/events-classes
CLIMATE FILM
350 Roaring Fork presents four short documentaries on divesting from fossil fuel companies at the Carbondale Library at 5:30pm.
NATURALIST NIGHTS
If you missed Carbondale’s Naturalist Nights presentation with Celene Hawkins, “Tribal Engagement in the Colorado River Basin,” catch tonight’s in Aspen at 6pm at the Pitkin County Library.
MOVIE NIGHT
The Basalt Library celebrates Black History Month with a screening of “Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse,” featuring Miles Morales, a young Afro-Latino superhero, from 4 to 6:30pm.
RAPID RESPONSE
The Colorado Immigrant Rights Coalition offers an online info session regarding the Colorado Rapid Response Network at 6pm. Join the webinar with this link: www.bit.ly/CIRC-training
COMMON ROOTS
HeadQuarters in Basalt hosts a men’s group for adults from 6 to 7:30pm.
BOOKS IN BARS
Join local librarians at El Dorado to discuss “Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow” by Gabrielle Zevin from 7 to 8pm.
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 7
NATURE JOURNALING
Every First Friday, the Carbondale Library hosts “Nature Journaling with Words and Drawings” from 1 to 2:30pm.
FIRST FRIDAY
February’s First Friday festivities are themed around “Spread the Love.” Beginning at 4pm, the Chacos Park ice skating rink will be open (weather permitting) with live DJs from KDNK, a bonfire, hot chocolate and more. Community members are invited to create community love notes at True Nature, The Launchpad and the Crow & Key. The notes will be displayed inside the bright red phone booth at 4th and Main, with a few read live on KDNK leading up to Valentine’s Day.
LOVE YOGA
Stop by True Nature for love-centered yoga with live music at 5pm.
‘WINTERY WONDERS’
Sopris Soarers performs “Wintery Wonders” at the Third Street Center at 5pm. Purchase tickets at www.soprissoarers.com
WE HEART ART
Stop by The Launchpad from 5 to 7pm to enjoy the 46th Annual Valley Visual Art Show, as well as a Valentine’s-themed pop-up with handmade items and live cello music performed by Lauturo Madewell.
SPELLING BEE
Literacy Outreach presents “Spellebration Bowl XXXI” at the Hotel Colorado at 5:30pm. Learn more (and register a team) at www.literacyoutreach.org/spellebration
BREATH OF LIFE
The Carbondale Clay Center hosts a First Friday reception for its current exhibit, “The Breath of Life,” consisting of photographs taken by Mexico City artist Álvaro Alejandro López of clay figures made in Mexico from the 19th to early 20th century, from 6 to 8pm. The exhibit is up through Feb. 21.
CRYSTAL THEATRE
The Crystal Theatre shows “Sing Sing” at 7pm tonight, tomorrow and Feb. 12-13.
CHANGEMAKER
The Wheeler Opera House’s Changemaker Speaker Series welcomes Peter Hillary, the son of Sir Edmund Hillary, speaking about summiting Mount Everest through the decades. The talk starts at 7:30pm. Tickets at www.aspenshowtix.com
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 8
TREE PRUNING
Roaring Fork Outdoor Volunteers and 350.org lead a fruit tree pruning workshop at Roaring Fork High School’s garden orchard from 10am to 3pm. Email achildsgardenofpeace@gmail.com for more info.
GARCO DEMS
Garfield County Democrats hosts its biannual reorganization meeting, where it will elect party officers and representatives, upstairs of the Glenwood Springs Library at 10am. Registered Democrats who are residents of Garfield County are eligible for vacant positions. More info at www.garcodems.org
‘DOG MAN’
The Wheeler Opera House welcomes TheaterWorksUSA for two performances of “Dog Man: The Musical,” at 4 and 6:30pm. Tickets at www.aspenshowtix.com
JAZZ IT UP
Eighty of the most talented young musicians from Jazz Aspen Snowmass District 8 Honor Jazz program perform at the Carbondale Middle School from 5 to 8pm. Tickets at www.jazzaspensnowmass.org
MUSIC AT THE LIBRARY
Quarteto Nuevo, an energetic musical ensemble intermixing Western classical, Eastern European folk, Latin and Jazz, performs at the Basalt Library at 5:30pm. More info at www.basaltlibrary.org
IRON FLY
Join the Roaring Fork Valley Fly Fishing Club and Roaring Fork Conservancy for a friendly fly-tying competition at The Tipsy Trout in Basalt from 5:30 to 10am. Details at www.roaringfork.org/events
SLED IN STYLE
The City of Aspen hosts the second annual Art Cart Alpine Rally, where participants (children and adults) create artsy sleds to take down the Whoa Nelly Sledding Hill at the Aspen Recreation Center (0861 Maroon Creek Road) from 6 to 8pm. Food trucks start serving at 5:30pm.
CONTRA DANCE
The Carbondale Community School hosts a contra dance from 8 to 10pm. The tutorial begins at 7:30pm.
THOMPSON SQUARE
Grammy-nominated country music duo Keifer and Shawna Thompson perform at TACAW at 8pm. Tickets at www.tacaw.org
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 9
SKI FOR SISU
The Mountain Sopris Nordic Council hosts its 33rd annual Ski for Sisu fundraiser at Spring Gulch. Details and sign up at www.springgulch.org/events-sg
BABYSITTER TRAINING
Basalt Library offers a babysitter training for ages 10 to 15 with Georgina Levey from the American Red Cross from 9am to 5pm. Registration is required at www.basaltlibrary.org/events-calendar
WILLOW WEAVING
Jeff Wagner teaches the basics of willow basket weaving at The Launchpad from 9am to 4pm. Registration and more info at www.layinggroundwork.org/basketry — He’ll be back on Feb. 16 for another session.
SPIRITUAL MUSIC
John Field presents “Spiritual Messages in Music” at A Spiritual Center (Room 31 at the Third Street Center) from 10 to 11:30am.
ECSTATIC DANCE
The monthly ecstatic dance at 13 Moons Ranch (south of Carbondale) features DJ Lydia Bain and her electric violin from 6 to 8pm.
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 10
MOVE WITH ME
Basalt Library offers a program designed to introduce “littles” (18 months to 3 years of age) to the joys of dance with their caretaker from 12:15 to 1pm.
BOARD GAME BONANZA
Basalt Library invites school-aged children to play board games from 4 to 5pm.
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 11
INTRO TO CANVA
Learn to use Canva, an online graphic design tool, at the Basalt Library from 2:30 to 3:30pm.
BEST BUDDIES
Best Buddies International hosts a board game night at the Basalt Library for community members wishing to engage with people with intellectual and physical disabilities in a fun, relaxed setting from 6 to 8pm.
SACRED BROTHERHOOD
True Nature hosts a men’s group led by Kyle Leitzke at 6pm. Tickets at www.truenaturehealingarts.com
DRAWING CLUB
Roaring Fork Drawing Club socializes and sketches at the Colorado Mountain College Spring Valley FAB Lab at 6:30pm. Next Tuesday, the creative crew meets at Alpenglow Books in Glenwood Springs.
APHRODISIACS
The Cocoa Club partners with Antoinette Yarrow for a Valentine’s Day chocolate-making date that will play with aphrodisiac herbs from 7 to 9pm. Tickets at www.pollinatorchocolate.com
AFRIQUE EN CIRQUE
The Wheeler Opera House hosts “Cirque Kalabanté,” a mesmerizing show by Yamoussa Bangoura that captures the essence of daily life in Guinea, at 7:30pm. Tickets at www.aspenshowtix.com
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 12
SPARK
The Carbondale Library invites kiddos to “build, create, explore, concoct and invent together” on the 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th Wednesday of each month at 2pm.
ART OPENING
The Aspen Chapel Gallery presents “Animal House,” an exhibition all about animals, in partnership with Friends of the Aspen Animal Shelter, with an opening reception from 4 to 7pm.
COMMUNITY CHESS CLUB
Basalt Library hosts monthly chess sessions for seasoned strategists and beginners alike from 5 to 6:30pm.
LAUREN GROFF
The Aspen Words Winter Speaker Series brings Lauren Groff to Paepcke Auditorium to discuss her latest book, “The Vaster Wilds,” at 6pm. Tickets at www.aspenwords.org
ASPEN FILM
Radical Wednesdays continue with a screening of the ski film “The Good, the Rad and The Gnarly” at the AF Isis Theatre in Aspen at 6:30pm. Tickets at www.aspenfilm.org
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 13
NONFICTION BOOK CLUB
The Carbondale Library hosts a monthly nonfiction book club based around a theme rather than a specific book. This month’s theme is “the arts” and the group meets from 2 to 3:30pm.
BANNED BOOK CLUB
Basalt Library’s Banned Book Club chats about “Looking for Alaska” by John Green from 4 to 5pm.
UNDERSTANDING LONELINESS
The Aspen Chapel Gallery presents J.W. Freiberg, author of “The Loneliness Trilogy,” on the impacts of loneliness in our valley at 5:30pm. Find tickets for the live stream or in-person talk at www.aspenchapel.org
BREATHWORK & BUBBLY
Kula Yoga on Main invites guests for some musically-accompanied breathwork, followed by champagne and bon-bons from 6 to 7:30pm. More info at www.kulayogaonmain.com
CRASH TEST DUMMIES
Canadian alternative rock band Crash Test Dummies perform at TACAW at 8pm. Come early for Supper Club, catered by Epicure Catering, at 6pm. Tickets at www.tacaw.org
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 14
VALENTINES
Basalt Library invites children to stop by and make some Valentines for friends and family from 4 to 5pm. This bilingual workshop will teach loving phrases in Spanish and English.
VALENTINE BREATHWORK
Davis Cowles leads a Valentines Day breathwork session, “Heart Spark,” from 5 to 7pm at True Nature. Register at www.truenaturehealingarts.com
VOICES RADIO HOUR
This month’s episode of VOICES Radio Hour, “Love Overcomes,” airs on KDNK Community Access Radio at 6pm.
‘TINY BEAUTIFUL THINGS’
Thunder River Theatre Company’s production of “Tiny Beautiful Things” opens tonight at 7:30pm. The show runs through March 2. Find tickets at www.thunderrivertheatre.com
SONGWRITERS AT TACAW
Singer-songwriters John Craigie and Glen Phillips perform at TACAW at 8pm. Tickets at www.tacaw.org
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 15
‘HEAVEN’
Aspen Art Museum and Aspen One present “Heaven,” a ski-in, ski-out exhibit by LA-based artist Alex Israel, hosted at Ruthie’s cabin on Aspen Mountain today through Feb. 23, and returning March 7 to 16. For more info, visit www.aspensnowmass.com/visit/events
UPLIFT
HeadQuarters partners with Roaring Fork CrossFit for a free monthly training that benefits the mind and body from 9 to 10:15am. Register online at www.headq.org/support/events
HEARTS & HANDS
Ture Nature offers a workshop teaching partner massage for health and connection from 4 to 6pm. Tickets at www.truenaturehealingarts.com
ASCENDIGO BLUE
Ascendigo Autism Services hosts its signature fundraising gala, Ascendigo Blue Aspen, featuring keynote speaker Temple Grandin, from 6 to 11pm. Tickets and more info at www.ascendigo.org/blue
EMBER GLOW
DanceAspen presents “Ember Glow,” an evening of transformative dance, at the Wheeler Opera House tonight and tomorrow at 7:30pm. Tickets at www.aspenshowtix.com
STARLIGHT AND PINE
Steve’s Guitars presents Starlight and Pine performing at 8pm. Tickets at www.stevesguitars.net
PARTYGRASS
Pixie and the Partygrass Boys perform at TACAW at 8pm. Tickets at www.tacaw.org
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 16
SENIOR SKI DAY
Aspen One and Pitkin County Senior Services invite seniors for a day on the slopes, including breakfast, scenic gondola rides, skiing and a raffle giveaway. Basecamp is the Sundeck on Aspen Mountain. For more info, ljohns@aspen.com
POETS & WRITERS
Do you love to write? Enjoy the company of other wordsmiths at the Carbondale Library from 3:30 to 5pm on the third Sunday of each month through May.
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 17
LIBRARIES CLOSURE
All six Garfield County Libraries will be closed today as staff “complete large tasks and training within the buildings.”
MOJOHAND AND FAY
Mugsy Fay performs with Mojohand at Steve’s Guitars at 8pm. Tickets at www.stevesguitars.net
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 18
TABLETOP GAMES
Basalt Library invites teens to play tabletop games from 4 to 6pm.
COUNTERPOINT
Pianist Conrad Tao and dancer Caleb Teicher perform at the Wheeler Opera House at 7pm. Tickets at www.aspenshowtix.com
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 19
NATURALIST NIGHT
The third Naturalist Night of the season explores “Wildland Recreation and Ecological Disturbance: Recreation and Public Land Management Implications for Western Colorado,” presented by Utah University professor Christopher Monz at the Third Street Center from 6 to 7pm. Register at www.wildernessworkshop.org
‘SHE SINGS’
The Wheeler Opera House presents “She Sings: A Soaring Musical” at 7:30pm. Tickets at www.aspenshowtix.com
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 20
BOOK CLUB
Carbondale Library’s Third Thursday Book Club discussed “The Lost Girls of Willowbrook” by Ellen Marie Wiseman from 2 to 3:30pm.
PAPER WEAVING
The Basalt Library offers a workshop for children ages 5 to 10 designing Kente cloth, inspired by the Ashanti people of Ghana, from 4 to 5pm.
PAUL REISER
Comedian, actor, writer, musician, Paul Reiser performs at the Wheeler Opera House at 7pm. Tickets at www.aspenshowtix.com
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 21
THE BARD
Olivia Pevec, “The Bard,” performs at Steve’s Guitars at 8pm. Tickets at www.stevesguitars.net
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.
AIKIDO
Crystal River Aikikai offers aikido training at 13 Moons Ranch for adults and teens on Mondays from 5:30 to 6:30pm and Wednesdays from 6:30 to 7:30pm. Kids classes are on Mondays from 4 to 5pm and Wednesdays from 4 to 5pm. Get your first class for free with an RSVP at www.crystalriveraikikai.com
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.org 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.
CRIBBAGE
Whether you’ve played for years or are looking to learn, stop by the Carbondale Rec Center from 4 to 5pm Tuesday nights. Bring snacks or non-alcoholic drinks to share! Visit www.carbondalerec.com for more info.
YARN GROUP
Basalt Library hosts a weekly yarn group on Tuesdays at 5pm. All are welcome.
BIKE PROJECT
The Carbondale Bike Project Shop helps people repair their bicycles on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 2 to 6pm and Sundays from noon to 6pm on the east side of 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.
SPARK
The Carbondale Library invites kids to “build, create, explore, concoct and invent together” on the 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th Wednesday of each month at 2pm.
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
SPANISH CLUB
Practice Spanish and enjoy specials at Bodegón in Carbondale every Wednesday from 5 to 7pm.
LINE DANCING
Learn to line dance at the Carbondale Community School from 5:30 to 6:30 every Wednesday.
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.
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.
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.
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.