Help wanted
The Sopris Sun is seeking a volunteer proofreader to lend an extra pair of eyes to our written content before sending each week’s paper to the press. We are also hoping to expand deliveries by recruiting commuters in the Crystal Valley and beyond. For more information on either volunteer position, please contact news@soprissun.com
Municipal elections
Petitions to run for election to the Carbondale Board of Trustees are now available at Town Hall and can be retrieved from Town Clerk Jessica Markham. There will be three seats available. To qualify, petitions must be turned in by Jan. 22 with 25 signatures from Carbondale residents who are registered to vote. In Basalt, three council seats and the mayoral seat are up for grabs. Basalt also requires 25 signatures, and petitions are due by 5pm on Jan. 22.
Deceased person
El Jebel resident Henry David Twitchell was discovered deceased in Rio Blanco County on Friday, Jan. 12. Twitchell was last seen alive in Carbondale on Thursday, Jan. 4. Later that evening, his vehicle was reported in a slide-off accident around milepost 30 on Highway 13. There was a single set of footprints leading away from the vehicle to the highway, but he wasn’t located at the time and was subsequently entered into the National Crime Information Center as a missing person. The investigation into Twitchell’s death is ongoing.
Giving big
The Aspen Community Foundation provided $582,500 in grants to 15 local nonprofits that support youth social and emotional well-being in 2023. A circle of engaged philanthropists called the Giving Network has invested $2.5 million in our community since 2016. Applications for the 2024 grant cycle are open through Feb. 14. Learn more at www.giving-network.org
Photo contest
Carbondale Rec is seeking original photographs for this year’s Puzzle and Pie Night. Entries should be representative of Carbondale and can be vertical or horizontal. Submissions must be emailed to mdonnelly@carbondaleco.net by Jan. 31. The winning photo will be made into 16” by 20” puzzles and the winner will receive one team entry for Puzzle and Pie Night on Feb. 25.
Creek guardians
Following up on a “Rights of Nature” resolution passed by the Town of Nederland in 2021, two residents have been appointed “guardians” of Boulder Creek. They will give voice to the watershed when it comes to town policy. This is the first time in U.S. history that guardians have been appointed under a governmental Rights of Nature program.
Beacon training park
White River National Forest Service, in partnership with the Colorado Avalanche Information Center, announced the opening of an avalanche beacon training park outside of Minturn. Eight buried transmitters are situated a short climb up the slope at the Mountain Meadow Trailhead next to the Eagle-Holy Cross Ranger Station — about a quarter of a mile from the I-70 Minturn exit on U.S. 24. The beacon training park is self-operated and the transmitters can be turned on and off from a control panel. “While avalanche beacons are important if someone becomes buried in an avalanche, avoiding avalanches in the first place is the best strategy,” concludes a press release. “Before heading into the backcountry, check the avalanche forecast at www.avalanche.state.co.us.” For more information on the beacon training park, email leanne.veldhuis@usda.gov
Clear a path
The U.S. Postal Service is requesting that folks help keep mail carriers safe by clearing ice and snow from sidewalks, stairs and porches.
Wolves named
Colorado Wolf and Wildlife Center celebrated the release of five gray wolves into the wild with a naming contest open to all middle school students in the state. Thousands of students participated and the following names were chosen: River, Aspen, Maverick, Ghost and Shadow. Learn more at www.wolfeducation.org
They say it’s your birthday!
Folks celebrating another trip around the sun this week include: Joe Flores, Tarie Lahet, Katie Woltjer and Shannon Pelland (Jan. 19); Bryan Alvarez-Terrazas, Brooke Bockelman, Olivia Emery and Lewis Cooper (Jan. 20); Maisa Metcalf (Jan. 21); Joshua Adamson, Melissa Missy Elzey, Peter Green, Taylor Wagner and Abriah Wofford (Jan. 22); Josie Cruz, Jack Green, Bear Matthews, Becca Rogers, Christine Hill Smith and Hone Williams (Jan. 23); Linda Lafferty and Marty Silverstein (Jan. 24).
~ C A L E N D A R ~
THURSDAY, JANUARY 18
BOOK CLUB
The Third Thursday Book Club discusses “The Postmistress of Paris” at the Carbondale Library at 2pm.
INTERFAITH DIALOGUE
“In times of increasing polarization and conflict, it is even more important to come together for meaningful conversations with those who differ from us.” Join an hour-long community conversation at the Basalt Library at 5:30pm.
WALL-MOUNTED PLANTS
Botany Houseplant Shop hosts a workshop that includes happy hour beverages and a wall-mounted plant to take home, from 5:30 to 7pm. To register, visit www.botanyhouseplantshop.com
GREAT DECISIONS
The Aspen Institute invites the community to take part in its eight-week “Great Decisions” series which gives participants an opportunity to discuss key foreign policy issues facing the world today. The series will take place in-person at the institute’s Aspen Meadows campus from 6 to 8pm every Thursday through March 7. Visit www.aspeninstitute.org for more info.
WORDS MATTER
Julie Oldham teaches “You Are What You Think and Say” at True Nature at 6pm. Register at www.truenaturehealingarts.com
HONKY TONK
The Glenwood Vaudeville Revue presents “Honky Tonk Laundry” with Jennetta Howell and Alexis States, followed by A Band Called Alexis. The shows begin at 7:30pm tonight, tomorrow and Saturday. Sunday’s show starts at 6:30pm. Find tickets at www.gvrshow.com
FRIDAY, JANUARY 19
VALLEY VISUAL
The 45th Annual Valley Visual Art Show’s opening reception is tonight at 5pm at the Launchpad. The exhibit will be up through Feb. 22.
SOUND JOURNEY
Zachary and Krista Cashin lead a sound journey at True Nature from 6:30 to 8pm. Tickets at www.truenaturehealingarts.com
CRYSTAL THEATRE
The Crystal Theatre shows “The Boys in the Boat” at 7pm tonight, tomorrow and Thursday, Jan. 25. Sunday’s show is at 5pm.
TOWN MOUNTAIN
Country-bluegrass band Town Mountain performs at TACAW at 8pm. Tickets at www.tacaw.org
SATURDAY, JANUARY 20
QIGONG
Kearns Kelly teaches “Hua Shan Taoist Qigong” at True Nature at 10am. Register for this introductory class at www.truenaturehealingarts.com
‘OYATE’
The Lakota People’s Law Project (LPLP) co-hosts a world-wide watch party of “Oyate,” a documentary that contextualizes the resistance to the Dakota Access Pipeline and sheds light on issues facing Indigenous Americans today. A Q&A session with filmmaker Brandon Jackson and LPLP’s Chase and Tokata Iron Eyes will follow. The film starts at 1pm (MST). Get the link by registering at www.bit.ly/OyateWorldWide
‘GOODBOY’
Colorado Animal Rescue (CARE) presents “GOODBOY,” a movie by local filmmaker Ashley Mosher, at the Crystal Theatre at 4:30pm. Proceeds benefit CARE (register at www.coloradoanimalrescue.org). The film will screen again on Jan. 27 at the same time and place.
‘THE NATURAL LAW’
True Nature screens “The Natural Law: A Journey Back to Wellness of Body, Mind, & Soul” for free at 6pm. Following the film, Kyle Jason Leitzke, an Ayurvedic counselor, will take questions from the audience.
KNOW BODIES BAND
The Know Bodies Band performs at Steve’s Guitars at 8pm. Tickets at www.stevesguitars.net
SALSA NIGHT
Mezcla Socials presents Salsa Night with DJ Zafiro at TACAW at 8pm. Tickets at www.tacaw.org
SUNDAY, JANUARY 21
NORDIC DEMO DAY
Independence Run & Hike hosts a free nordic demo day with equipment from Fischer, Rossignol and Salomon at Spring Gulch from 8:30am to 1pm. Call the shop at 970-704-0909 or stop by to register.
TRUU
The Two Rivers Unitarian Universalist congregation presents “Walking in South Dakota: An Unexpected Lesson on Justice” by guest speaker Aaron Brown at the Third Street Center at 10am. Visit www.truu.org for more info, including a Zoom link.
WORLD CHANT
True Nature hosts the Bedside Voices of the Valley for a free afternoon of community singing for gratitude and peace, from 3 to 4pm. Register at www.truenaturehealingarts.com
ECSTATIC DANCE
Thirteen Moons Ranch, 6334 Highway 133, hosts its first Ecstatic Dance of the year at 6pm. Email alyahowe@me.com for more info.
MONDAY, JANUARY 22
SOPRIS LODGE TOUR
Learn all about the Sopris Lodge senior living facility, starting with coffee and donuts and followed by a guided community tour. To register, call Marie Herr at 970-456-6871.
IN STITCHES
The In Stitches Knitting Club gathers at the Carbondale Library at 1:30pm every Monday. All levels of knitters and crocheters are welcome.
JOURNAL TO BOOK
Author and journalist Edith Lynn Hornik-Beer offers a course, “From Journal Writing To Book Writing,” via Zoom through Colorado Mountain College on Mondays at 6pm. For more info and to register, visit www.community-education.coloradomtn.edu and search for “From Journal Writing To Book Writing.”
TUESDAY, JANUARY 23
RECOVERY YOGA
The Meeting Place in Carbondale hosts a free yoga session for people in recovery every Tuesday at 8am. For a list of regular recovery meetings, visit www.meetingplacecarbondale.org
COGNITIVE CAREGIVING
Lisa Paige, a volunteer community educator with the Alzheimer’s Association, presents “Caregiving Strategies for Middle-Stage Dementia” at Sopris Lodge at 3pm. To register, call Marie Herr at 970-456-6871
GIRLS WHO CODE
Basalt Library partners with Girls Who Code to empower students to join a sisterhood of supportive peers and learn the basics of coding with a session from 3:45 to 4:45pm.
WHAT THE TECH?
Mike Jones, an early pioneer in social media, teaches parents about “tech hygiene” for kids at the Waldorf School on the Roaring Fork from 6 to 7:30pm. For more info, visit www.waldorfschoolrf.com/calendar
DRAWING CLUB
The Roaring Fork Drawing Club convenes at The Art Base at 6:30pm.
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 24
SHAUN BOOTHE
The Wheeler Opera House presents Canadian recording artist Shaun Boothe and his “The Unauthorized Biography Series,” a musical project celebrating the world’s greatest cultural icons through hip-hop. Find tickets for the 6pm show at www.aspenshowtix.com
BOOK TALK
Book lovers discuss Russell Shorto’s “Revolution Song,” which draws on diaries, letters and autobiographies to shed new light on the founding of the U.S., at the Basalt Library at 5:30pm. Pick up a free copy in advance at the library (while supplies last).
PLANT HANGERS
Mercedes Brown teaches the knots and patterns necessary to create a macrame plant hanger at Botany Houseplant Shop. To register, visit www.botanyhouseplantshop.com
COMMUNITY NEEDS
Last fall, the Garfield County Libraries reached out to more than 80 community leaders in the Valley to inquire about the top needs. The Library District will report back what it learned at each branch, including the Carbondale Library tonight at 6pm. More info at www.gcpld.org
THURSDAY, JANUARY 25
MORTALITY
Akaljeet Khalsa hosts “Conversations on Mortality” at True Nature from 4:30 to 6pm. Register at www.truenaturehealingarts.com
KNIFE SHARPENING
Rolling Stone Knife Sharpening will offer their mobile knife sharpening services out of Botany Houseplant Shop tomorrow. Drop off a knife (or pruners or scissors) by 5pm today, wrapped in a towel or placed in a box, for pick-up on Saturday.
MUSHROOM CLUB
The Western Colorado Mycological Association meets at the Carbondale Library from 5:30 to 7pm. Dr. Amy Honan will present “A Fungal Odyssey: Unveiling the Mysteries of Mushroom Movement Through Space and Time.” The event is free and open to everyone.
FRIDAY, JANUARY 26
RON STEVEN HOUSTON
Ron Steven Houston performs at Steve’s Guitars at 8pm. Tickets at www.stevesguitars.net
SATURDAY, JANUARY 27
LIMITLESS LIVING
Joelene Ashker guides meditation and movement at True Nature from 10am to 1pm. Register at www.truenaturehealingarts.com
SKI MOVIES
The Glenwood Vaudeville Revue hosts a ski movie film fest benefiting the Sunlight Winter Sports Club. Doors open at 6:30pm and the show starts at 7:30pm. Find details at www.gvrshow.com
LEFTOVER SALMON
TACAW hosts Leftover Salmon for some live “jamgrass” at 8pm. Tickets are sold out.
SUNDAY, JANUARY 28
UNJUDGE SOMEONE
Age-Friendly Carbondale and Garfield County Libraries present The Human Library Project in partnership with The Aspen Institute, At Our Honest and Tom Karrel Coaching. The event goes from 10am to 1pm; sign up at www.bit.ly/human-library-carbondale
TUESDAY, JANUARY 30
FLAKES TO FLOW
Jeff Derry, executive director of the Center for Snow and Avalanche Studies, presents “From Flakes to Flow: Unveiling the Dynamics of Snow, Water and Climate in Colorado” at the Basalt Library at 5pm.
BASALT YARN GROUP
Yarn crafters convene at the Basalt Library at 5pm.
FRENCH Á LA CARTE
Brush up on your French in this interactive, playful and practical four-week class, hosted every Tuesday at 6:30pm, through Feb. 20, at the Third Street Center. To register, email lamb.ericd@gmail.com
DRAWING CLUB
The Roaring Fork Drawing Club meets at Taco Bell in Glenwood Springs at 6:30pm.