Forest Service attrition
White River Forest Supervisor Scott Fitzwilliams is resigning from his position after 15 years. Fitzwilliams is among other federal employees, including Deputy Supervisor Heather Noel, to reportedly have opted into a deferred resignation early buyout program — retaining all pay and benefits until Sept. 30. According to Vail Daily, as many as 20 White River National Forest employees “are suspected to have taken the deal, although official numbers have not been announced.” The Trump administration is eliminating more than 3,400 jobs at the Forest Service, including 150 in Colorado.
5 Point pass
Early bird weekend passes for the 2025 Five Point Film Festival, April 24-27, are now available for purchase. Weekend pass purchases are discounted by 10% up to March 11, when single-day tickets will become available. “As we emerge from the short days of winter, this weekend is an invitation to reconnect with what it means to live our own best stories,” said Aisha Weinhold, 5 Point’s interim executive director. Find tickets and more information at www.5pointfilm.org
Tourism surveys
Carbondale Tourism is seeking feedback from residents (www.bit.ly/residentsurvey-tourism) and businesses (www.bit.ly/businesssurvey-tourism) about the impact of tourism on the community with two online surveys. Findings will help shape strategic plans and future work for this volunteer tourism council which leverages a Carbondale lodging tax to develop and manage tourism. Survey participants will be entered to win a $50 Carbondale Chamber Gift Certificate. The surveys remain open until March 21.
Carbondale Arts gallery
Now is the time to submit gallery proposals to Carbondale Arts for 2026. Proposals submitted before March 14 will have the application fee waived. Find more details at www.bit.ly/R22026
Structure fire
Carbondale & Rural Fire Protection District responded to a structure fire at 128 Redstone Boulevard on March 1 around 2pm. Upon arrival, firefighters observed smoke coming from the home, then entered and discovered the blaze was coming from inside the kitchen wall. Sections of the wall were removed to ensure the fire was completely extinguished. No injuries were reported but the estimated loss was between $40,000 and $50,000.
Wildfire grant
The Roaring Fork Valley Wildfire Collaborative (RFVWC) and Glenwood Springs Fire Department received a $1 million grant for wildfire mitigation around Glenwood Springs. The funding comes from the Colorado Strategic Wildfire Action Program and will be used for mitigation in two key areas up Three Mile and Four Mile, which were identified in the Garfield County and Glenwood Springs Fire District Community Wildfire Protection Plans. “The two areas face significant wildfire risk due to dense vegetation, high hazard ratings and vulnerable populations, including low-income families and senior citizens,” read a press release.
Summer jobs
Pitkin County Open Space & Trails is hiring for several summer positions, helping with ecological restoration, trail and open space maintenance, agricultural land improvements and more. Find the postings at: www.governmentjobs.com/careers/pitkin
They say it’s your birthday!
Folks celebrating another trip around the sun this week include: Gwen Garcelon and Sheila Liston (March 6); Carol Fabian and Diane Johnson (March 7); Greg Meredith, Gracie Oliphant, Sidney Thomas and Jordan Tribble (March 8); Laura Kuhl (March 9); Vicky Browne and Pat Curry (March 11); Laura Bartels, Dean Bowlby, Hilary Burgess, Rose Rossello, Laura Segura and Lee Swidler (March 12).
~ C A L E N D A R ~
THURSDAY, MARCH 6
WRITERS FESTIVAL
Ordinary Fellow Winery in Palisade (202 Peach Ave) hosts “Warblers, Howlers & Minstrels,” a four-day festival for writers with performances, workshops, discussions and more. Find the lineup and tickets at www.bit.ly/PalisadeWriters
GRAPHIC NOVEL CLUB
Carbondale Library hosts a graphic novel club for ages 9 to 12 discussing “The Great Chicago Fire: Rising from the Ashes” by Kate Hannigan at 3:30pm. Call 970-963-2889 to sign up and claim your copy of the book. Peppino’s pizza will be served.
MOUNTAIN FILMS
The Wheeler Opera House hosts the Banff Centre Mountain Film Festival at 7pm. Tickets at www.aspenshowtix.com
MEN’S GROUP
HeadQuarters hosts the Common Roots Men’s Group focusing on this month’s theme, “Inflammation,” from 6 to 7:30pm. Register at www.headq.org
CRYSTAL THEATRE
“Nickel Boys” concludes its run at the Crystal Theatre at 7pm. “The Last Showgirl” opens tomorrow and continues Saturday and next Thursday at 7pm. The Sunday show is at 5pm.
STEVE’S GUITARS
Dan Rodriguez performs at Steve’s Guitars at 8pm. Tickets at www.stevesguitars.net
FIRST FRIDAY, MARCH 7
‘HEAVEN’
Aspen Art Museum and Aspen One present “Heaven,” a ski-in, ski-out exhibit by LA-based artist Alex Israel hosted on Aspen Mountain, today through March 16. For more, visit www.aspenartmuseum.org
GUSS UP!
Whether you scored tickets to the Carbondale Arts Fashion Show or not, this month’s First Friday theme is “Get Gussied Up!” A Community Glam Cam will be stationed at Chacos Park (4th & Main) as well as several food trucks and KDNK Djs from 5 to 9pm. The Launchpad will host “Sewing the Seeds of Fashion Activism,” a community conversation, as well as two gallery exhibits from 5 to 8pm.
SILVER PROM
The Glenwood Springs Community Center hosts The Emerald City Silver Prom for older adults, complete with dinner, professional photos, sweet treats and a live DJ, from 6 to 8:30pm. Tomorrow night, the whole family is invited for more dinner and dancing from 5:30 to 8pm.
INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY
Deanna Jenné and Lisa Dancing-Light host a drum and song circle for all women and girls, calling for “action that can unlock equal rights, power and opportunities for all and a feminist future where no one is left behind,” at the Third Street Center from 6 to 8pm.
INTERNATIONAL GUITAR NIGHT
Don’t miss the 25th Anniversary North American Tour of International Guitar Night featuring Lulo Reinhardt, Alexandra Whittingham, Niwel Tsumbu and Sönke Meinen at the Wheeler Opera House at 7:30pm. Tickets at www.aspenshowtix.com
MICHAEL MARCAGI
TACAW presents Michael Marcagi with Ashley Kutcher opening at 8pm. Tickets at www.tacaw.org
SATURDAY, MARCH 8
FIRE MITIGATION TRAINING
Roaring Fork Outdoor Volunteers offers free fire mitigation training at the Third Street Center from 8am to 4pm. Sign up at www.rfov.org/calendar
CARE FOR CAREGIVERS
In honor of International Women’s Day, Care for Caregivers offers a daylong retreat at True Nature from 9:30am to 3:30pm designed to replenish those who care for others with a focus on professionals working with neglected and abused children. Learn more at www.truenaturehealingarts.com
PLANTING WORKSHOP
Growing Empowerment hosts a planting and seed repackaging workshop at the Carbondale Library from 10am to noon. Repackaged seeds will be donated to Lift-Up. A second workshop will take place at the Glenwood Springs Library from 2 to 4pm. Email Kim.Wille@gmail.com for more details.
MUSIC AT THE LIBRARY
Cellist and pianist duo Francisco Villa and Mandy Gessler, respectively, perform classical music at the Basalt Library from 5:30 to 6:45pm.
CHRISTOPHER JACKSON
Broadway actor and songwriter Christopher Jackson shares stories and songs at the Wheeler Opera House at 7:30pm. Tickets at www.theatreaspen.org
SUNDAY, MARCH 9
PHYSIO-EMOTIONAL RELEASE
A Spiritual Center presents Lynn Rodden speaking about and demonstrating her methodology for uncovering and eliminating trauma in the body to lose the “negative emotional charge.” The Third Street Center (Room 31) hosts from 10 to 11:30am.
QUILT GUILD
The Roaring Fork Quilt Guild invites everyone to see their work at the Basalt Library community room today from 1 to 3pm. The event will include the opportunity for hand-stitching, so it’s recommended to bring a project.
ECSTATIC DANCE
Alya Howe guides an ecstatic dance at 13 Moons (6334 Highway 133) with DJ Dustin Eli from 6 to 8pm.
TUESDAY, MARCH 11
BACK IT UP
Learn how to back up your digital data, including photos, documents and more, at the Basalt Library from 2:30 to 3:30pm.
VALLEY COMEDY SHOWCASE
Local comedians kick off Aspen Laugh Festival 2025 at the Wheeler Opera House at 5:30pm. For tickets to this and other events throughout the week, visit www.aspenshowtix.com
DEMYSTIFYING SHAKESPEARE
The Glenwood Springs Library hosts a reading of “The Winter’s Tale” (judiciously abridged) by William Shakespeare at 6pm.
DRAWING CLUB
The Roaring Fork Drawing Club travels up the Aspen Art Museum for a tour and drawing session beginning at 6:30pm.
FIRST DRAFT
Mitzi Rapkin records another episode of “First Draft,” her writing podcast, interviewing author Shelley Read at TACAW at 6:30pm. Tickets at www.tacaw.org
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 12
‘LIFE AS A MINER’
Amy Honey with the Aspen Historical Society leads an immersive lesson of what life was like as a miner in the 1880s, with a focus on the many immigrants who worked the mines, at the Basalt Library from 2:30 to 3:30pm. This program is meant for elementary and middle school students.
CHESS CLUB
The Basalt Library hosts a chess club for adults of all abilities from 5 to 6:30pm.
CHLOE TROAST
Aspen Laugh Festival welcomes Chloe Troast, a Saturday Night Live Season 49 cast member, to The Vault at the Wheeler from 5:30 to 7pm. Tickets at www.aspenshowtix.com
HEALING FROM ASSAULT
HeadQuarters in Basalt hosts a women’s group focused on healing from sexual assault trauma from 6 to 7:30pm. To register, email dillonja77@gmail.com
‘FLOW’
Local Jessi Rochel is competing in the 2025 Bank of America Chicago Marathon to benefit ALIVE Rescue, a no-kill animal rescue organization. As part of raising funds, the award-winning film “Flow” will be screened at the Crystal Theatre tonight at 6:45pm. There will be a prize giveaway before the show. Tickets are available at the door or for a discount at www.bit.ly/CrystalFlow
THE SKLAR BROTHERS
Comedian twin brothers Randy and Jason Sklar perform at the Wheeler Opera House at 8pm. Tickets at www.aspenshowtix.com
THURSDAY, MARCH 13
NONFICTION BOOK CLUB
The Nonfiction Book Club discusses this month’s theme, “Colorado,” at the Carbondale Library from 2 to 3:30pm.
ARTIST LECTURE
Multimedia artist and recipient of the 2024 Aspen Art Fair Anderson Ranch Visiting Artist Prize, Masako Miki, speaks at Anderson Ranch from 4:30 to 5:30pm. Register at www.andersonranch.org
SOL THEATRE
Stage of Life Theatre Company presents “Junie B. Jones: The Musical Jr.” at the Thunder River Theatre with shows at 6pm tonight, tomorrow and Saturday, and 2pm matinees on Saturday and Sunday. Find tickets at www.soltheatrecompany.org
UTE TRAIL TALK
Bill Kight, who spent over 20 years working with the three Ute tribes to identify the ancient Ute Trail across the Flat Tops north of Glenwood Springs, will present about his experience at the Glenwood Springs Library at 6:30pm.
FRIDAY, MARCH 14
PERSPECTIVES
The Carbondale Clay Center displays works by high school students from Basalt and Carbondale with an opening reception from 6 to 8pm.
MICKY & THE MOTORCARS
The Ute Theater in Rifle presents Micky & The Motorcars at 8pm. Tickets at www.utetheater.com
NURSE JOHN
Comedian John Dela Cruz (a.k.a Nurse John) performs at the Wheeler Opera House at 8pm. Tickets at www.aspenshowtix.com
SATURDAY, MARCH 15
CONTRA DANCE
The Carbondale Community School hosts a contra dance from 8 to 10pm. The tutorial begins at 7:30pm.
TOMMY CASTRO
Tommy Castro & The Painkillers brings blues guitar and rock and soul to TACAW with a show at 8pm. Tickets at www.tacaw.org
SUNDAY, MARCH 16
COMMUNITY GRIEF
Artist Rachel Becker, also a death doula, will host a community grief ritual at The Launchpad from 1 to 3pm. “Bring an item that represents your grief or something/someone you are mourning” for a collective altar.
POTTERY DATE NIGHT
The Carbondale Clay Center invites couples to throw clay in tandem from 5 to 6:30pm. Tickets at www.carbondaleclay.org/date-night
STEVE’S GUITARS
Cosy Sheridan and Heidi Rovig perform at Steve’s Guitars at 6pm. 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.
BOARD GAMES
Kids (5 and up) play board games in the Treehouse Room at the Basalt Library Mondays at 4pm. Snacks provided.
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.
PAWS TO READ
Kindergarten through fifth graders can sign up for 15 minutes of reading with a therapy dog starting at 3:30pm every first and third Tuesday. Call 970-963-2889 to register.
CRIBBAGE
Whether you’ve played for years or are looking to learn, stop by the Carbondale Rec Center from 4 to 5pm Tuesdays. 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.
BASALT BOOK CLUB
The Basalt Library hosts its Regional Book Club discussing favorite new releases and more every first Wednesday at noon.
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.
UNDER THE SUN
Join Sopris Sun correspondents and guests for “Everything Under The Sun,” airing every Thursday on KDNK at 4pm.
TEEN LIBRARY COUNCIL
The Teen Library Council convenes every first Thursday at the Basalt Library 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.
NATURE JOURNALING
Anyone interested in creatively documenting nature is invited to a Nature Journaling workshop at the Carbondale Library every first Friday from 1 to 2:30pm.
NONVIOLENT COMMUNICATION
Talia Starwood is offering Nonviolent Communication in Action on the last Wednesday of each month from 6:30 to 8pm. To RSVP, text 970-309-1120. Donations will be gratefully accepted.