Spring Gulch vandalism
Spring Gulch is closed for the season following an unprecedented weekend of vandalism at the Marion Gulch parking lot. On Friday night, for the fourth time this season, some rowdy individuals drove their vehicles on the meticulously-maintained cross-country skiing trails. This time, the offenders slid off a trail and got stuck. Sheriff’s deputies from Garfield and Pitkin counties were called to the scene, intercepting two high school students attempting to flee. Bonfire parties were also thrown both Friday and Saturday night at the Marion Lot with a porta-potty incinerated on the second night. The Mt Sopris Nordic Council is looking for information on this incident, stating, “We are so disheartened and frustrated … It’s devastating to see a beloved community resource abused in this way, especially when so much time, money and resources are invested to maintain and protect it.”
Honey Butter closing shop
After nearly five years of dishing out fried chicken and tasty breakfasts and lunches, Honey Butter is closing its doors. This Carbondale venture by the owners of Slow Groovin BBQ and Propaganda Pie gave new life to the former Red Rock Diner. According to its owners, Honey Butter will be reimagined as a new mobile concept called “Morning Buzz.” This month will feature fun specials and events leading up to one final brunch on March 30. “The overwhelming support we’ve had from so many gracious and genial patrons over the years has filled our souls with more gratitude and accomplishment than words can express,” stated a press release.
Highway 82 study
The City of Aspen has initiated a comprehensive study of the Highway 82 corridor west of Aspen, focusing on the area near the Aspen-Pitkin County Airport and the Mountain Rescue campus to downtown Aspen. This project aims to assess transportation needs for commuters, visitors and residents, focusing on safety, traffic flow, multi-modal transportation and environmental considerations. Community members from Aspen to Parachute are encouraged to provide feedback via an online questionnaire at AspenCommunityVoice.com
Prescribed fires
Fire managers from the Upper Colorado River Interagency Fire Management Unit are planning several prescribed fires on federal lands in Eagle and Pitkin counties in the coming weeks, including Sunnyside (one mile north of Aspen), Braderich Creek (one mile west of Redstone), Battlements (12 miles south of Rifle) and Cottonwood Creek (four miles north of Eagle). Smoke will be visible in nearby communities. Prescribed fires lessen the intensity of wildfires and give firefighters a place to more effectively engage wildfires when necessary.
Brittany Rose
Sopris Elementary School educator Brittany Rose, selected to represent K-5 educators on a panel with the Dalai Lama in 2021, is now participating in the nationwide “America’s Favorite Teacher” competition. The winner will receive a $25,000 cash prize, a trip to Hawaii and an all-school assembly with Bill Nye (the Science Guy). Share your support by voting for Ms. Rose by 7pm, March 13, at www.americasfavteacher.org/2025/brittany-rose
SkiMo World Championship
Last week (March 3 to 8), local athletes competed in the Ski Mountaineering World Championships in Morgin, Switzerland. Aspen’s Jessie Young and teammate Cam Smith (Crested Butte) placed 12th in the Relay Mix race. Young led the women in the Individual race placing 16th, while Grace Staberg (Summit County) finished 11th in the U23 division. In the men’s Vertical, Smith placed 20th followed closely by John Gaston (Aspen) and Joseph DeMoor (Carbondale), finishing 21st and 23rd respectively. Aspen’s rising star George Beck finished 22nd in the U23 Vertical and 18th in the U23 Individual. Team USA continues their season abroad as they try to qualify for the 2026 Winter Olympics.
National drama
Governor Jared Polis applauded the U.S. District Court decision from Rhode Island to bar the Trump Administration from withholding federal funding to states, declaring: “The administration’s actions blocked investments critical to the U.S. economy and halted important funding and services necessary for our way of life. I am glad to see our justice system protecting the American people and our rule of law.” Colorado joined a 22-state lawsuit to block the Trump Administration’s actions, successfully obtaining a temporary restraining order on Jan. 31, barring the federal funding freeze while litigation ensues.
Lift-Up hiring
Lift-Up, a nonprofit providing hunger relief from Parachute to Aspen, is currently seeking a director of development familiar with fundraising in the Roaring Fork and Colorado River valleys. Applications will be accepted until March 20. Find more information at www.bit.ly/lift-up-job
They say it’s your birthday!
Folks celebrating another trip around the sun this week include: Alex Alvarado, Denise Barkhurst, Mike Cuseo, Jared Kennedy, Justin McBride, Mark Nieslanik, Grant Stevens, Nancy Thal and Caitlin Walker (March 13); Sonya Meyer and Athena Wright (March 14); Paula Stepp and Sierra Thompson (March 15); Dalene Barton, Hannah Burleigh, Jordan Clingan and Trae Moxley (March 16); Annie Tempest and John Foulkrod (March 17); Michelle McGrory and Dean Mercado (March 18); Matthew Eames, Sophia Higbie, Katie Hunter and Michael Schneiter (March 19).
~ C A L E N D A R ~
THURSDAY, MARCH 13
SENIOR ART CLASS
The Art Base offers “Young at heART,” a senior art class, at the Eagle County Community Center in El Jebel on Thursdays from 12:45 to 2:15pm. The class is free (with a suggested $10 supply donation) and open to all with no registration necessary.
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
PUBLIC LANDS PROTEST
Folks gather in support of public land managers, many being let go under the Trump administration, at the Forest Service office in Glenwood Springs (900 Grand Avenue) from 4 to 6pm. For more details, visit www. wildernessworkshop.org/conservation-watchdog
‘JUST OUR TYPE’
Join renowned curator, author and design expert Ellen Lupton for an exclusive exploration of Bauhaus’s enduring legacy in graphic design and typography at the Madeleine Albright Pavilion (845 Meadow Road, Aspen) from 5 to 6pm. Register at www.tinyurl.com/JustOurType
ASPEN LAUGH FESTIVAL
The 2025 Aspen Laugh Festival continues at the Wheeler Opera House with Michael Cruz Kayne and Sofia Niño de Rivera, at 5:30 and 8pm, respectively. Tickets at www.aspenshowtix.com
MENOPAUSE & SEX HEALTH
Dr. Rochelle Bernstein and Kim Riley offer solutions to address changes in libido, health and to increase feminine presence and enable more sexual joy and desire at True Nature from 5:30 to 8pm. Register at www.truenaturehealingarts.com
SOL THEATRE
Stage of Life Theatre Company presents “Junie B. Jones: The Musical Jr.” at Thunder River Theatre with shows at 6pm tonight, tomorrow and Saturday, and 2pm matinees on Saturday and Sunday. Find tickets at www.soltheatrecompany.org
REPOTTING 101
The Botany Houseplant Shop hosts a repotting workshop from 6 to 7:30pm. Register at www.botanyhouseplantshop.com
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.
CRYSTAL THEATRE
The Crystal Theatre screens “The Last Show Girl” tonight at 7pm. “Black Bag” screens tomorrow, Saturday and Thursday, March 20 at 7pm and Sunday at 5pm.
FRIDAY, MARCH 14
PRESCHOOL FUNDRAISER
The Children’s Mini College — located at Colorado Mountain College’s Glenwood Center — hosts its second annual Irish-themed “Gold & Green” fundraising happy hour, with Irish music, donated beer and wine and Irish appetizers (some baked by the Mini College’s students), from 5 to 7pm.
PERSPECTIVES
The Carbondale Clay Center displays works by high school students from Basalt and Carbondale with an opening reception from 6 to 8pm. Another reception will be held on April 4, also from 6 to 8pm.
MEN’S BREATHWORK
Davis Cowles guides a men’s ceremonial breathwork circle at True Nature from 6 to 8pm. Register at www.truenaturehealingarts.com
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
UPLIFT
HeadQuarters and Roaring Fork CrossFit team up to offer a free hour of physical training paired with mindfulness beginning at 9am at 35 Park Ave. Space A, Basalt. Register online at www.headq.org/support/events
TRANSPLANTING WORKSHOP
Growing Empowerment hosts a hands-on transplanting workshop, where participants learn how to successfully transplant seedlings for indoor growing at high altitude until they can be planted outdoors, from 10am to noon. Transplanted starters will be donated to Lift-Up. For more details, call 970-704-9535.
COUPLES WHO CLAY
Carbondale Clay Center invites couples to its St. Paddy’s Day Pottery Date Night, with pottery wheel throwing instruction provided by Molly Altman and Matthew Eames, from 4 to 6:30pm. Register at www.carbondaleclay.org/date-night
PEACE IN GRIEF
Local authors Jessica Lockwood and Gary Gleason join Pathfinders Grief Counselor Robyn Hubbard to share their personal journeys of navigating grief and widowhood with courage and care at True Nature from 4 to 6pm. Register at www.truenaturehealingarts.com
SPRING GULCH SEND-OFF
Mountain Heart Brewing hosts the Mt Sopris Nordic Council’s Spring Gulch season send-off party with music by Sweet Jessup and the Dirty Buckets from 5 to 7pm.
JERRY SEINFELD
As part of the 2025 Aspen Laugh Festival, Jerry Seinfeld performs at the Wheeler Opera House tonight at 6 and 9pm. Tickets at www.aspenshowtix.com
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
A SPIRITUAL CENTER
A Spiritual Center (room 31 of the Third Street Center) opens the room to stimulating topics of discussion and the collective wisdom of all present from 10 to 11:30am.
HEALTHY MAMAS
Kerrie Martin hosts an afternoon of ceremony, movement and education to support pregnant and postpartum mamas as well as those contemplating motherhood at True Nature from 10am to 4pm. Register at www.truenaturehealingarts.com
COMMUNITY GRIEF
Artist Rachel Becker, also a death doula, hosts 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.
STEVE’S GUITARS
Cosy Sheridan and Heidi Rovig perform at Steve’s Guitars at 6pm. Tickets at www.stevesguitars.net
MONDAY, MARCH 17
IN STITCHES
The In Stitches Knitting Club meets at the Carbondale Library every Monday at 1:30pm.
BOARD GAME BONANZA
Basalt Library welcomes school-aged children (5 and older) to enjoy board games, snacks and friends from 4 to 5pm.
LUCK OF THE LEGION
American Legion Post 100 in Carbondale hosts a St. Patrick’s Day Party, complete with corned beef and cabbage for $12, at 5pm.
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.
ASPEN FILM
Aspen Film continues its month-long “Focus on Lynch” series with a screening of the David Lynch film “Lost Highway” at its AF Isis Theatre at 7pm. Tickets at www.aspenfilm.org
ATLAN
Enjoy traditional Irish music with “An Evening with Atlan” at the Wheeler Opera House from 7 to 8:30pm. Tickets at www.aspenshowtix.com
TUESDAY, MARCH 18
PAWS TO READ
Heeling Partners of the Roaring Fork Valley brings a four-legged friend to read with children at the Carbondale Library every first and third Tuesday of the month at 3:30pm. To register, call 970-963-2889.
TEEN GAME NIGHT
Basalt Library hosts tabletop games for teens from 4 to 6pm.Registration is recommended, but not required.
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 19
SEED STARTER WORKSHOP
Vanessa Gilbert Meredith of Modern West Floral Company leads a seed starting workshop at the Botany Houseplant Shop from 5:30 to 7pm. Register at www.botanyhouseplantshop.com
‘LEGACY’ SCREENING
True Nature hosts a free screening of “Legacy,” a film offering intimate glimpses into agriculturalists lives, followed by a community discussion with agricultural and wellness professionals from 5:30 to 7:30pm. Register at www.truenaturehealingarts.com
MEET THE AUTHOR
The Carbondale Library presents Konrad Nau, author of “I Rode a Bike for 50 Years,” at 6pm. Books will be available to purchase after the talk.
SPRING VALLEY COALITION
The Spring Valley Coalition hosts a community meeting from 6 to 8pm to discuss the Spring Valley Ranch Substantial PUD Amendment and its opposition, ahead of an April 9 Garfield County Planning Commission meeting. Join at the Colorado Mountain College Spring Valley Campus in room 120 of the Ascent Center. More details at www.springvalleycoalition.com
THURSDAY, MARCH 20
BOOK CLUB
The Carbondale Library’s Third Thursday Book Club invites you to discuss “The Lost Girls of Willowbrook” by Ellen Marie Wiseman at 2pm. For more information, call 970-963-2889.
OPEN HEART SESSIONS
Laura Bartels with the Mindful Life Program offers “The Open Heart Sessions,” a strength-based course in living with resilience and wisdom, beginning today at 6pm and continuing on Thursdays through April 17 with in-person and online options. Find more details at www.mindfullifeprogram.org/upcoming-events
‘BANNED TOGETHER’
The Basalt Library presents a pre-release screening of “Banned Together,” a new documentary about book bans and curriculum censorship in schools, at 6pm. Following the screening, there will be a Q&A with the film directors. Popcorn will be provided and all are welcome.
‘THE GLEANERS AND I’
Join UpRoot Colorado for a community potluck and a free screening of “The Gleaners and I,” a documentary by French filmmaker Agnés Varda with English subtitles, at the Glenwood Springs Library at 6pm. Attendees are requested, though not required, to bring a dish to share and their own reusable cutlery and dishware. To RSVP, visit www.bit.ly/gleaners-rsvp
COMEDY NIGHT
Steve’s Guitars hosts Comedy Night featuring Beth Brandon, Ryan Honey, Don Chaney, Eric Gile and Miller Ford. The show starts at 8pm, find tickets at www.stevesguitars.net
FRIDAY, MARCH 21
BLOOD DRIVE
Sopris Lodge in Carbondale hosts the Vitalant Bloodmobile from 10:30 to 2pm. Sign up to donate blood at www.bit.ly/sopris-blood
PET ADOPTION
Journey Home, the animal shelter in Rifle, will have dogs and cats available for adoption at the Rifle Library from 11am to 1pm. For more details, call 970-625-3471.
ASPEN CHORAL SOCIETY
Catch the Aspen Choral Society’s spring show, “Children of Eden,” at Glenwood Springs High School tonight at 7pm, the Wheeler Opera House tomorrow at 7pm and/or at the Basalt Middle School on Sunday at 7pm. Find details at www.aspenchoralsociety.org
SATURDAY, MARCH 22
MIDLIFE & MENOPAUSE
True Nature hosts a retreat for women navigating midlife and menopause, where like-minded women engage in an interactive and educational approach to ease anxieties, restore balance and rejuvenate mind, body, and spirit, from 8:30am to 5pm. Register at www.truenaturehealingarts.com
KEVIN NEALON
Famous comedian Kevin Nealon performs at TACAW tonight at 6pm and 9pm. The 6pm showing is sold out. Tickets at www.tacaw.org
PINK TO BLACK
The El Dorado/Thunder River Theatre Company “Pink to Black” concert series returns with Tatanka at 9pm and local opener Beep Bop Boop at 8pm. Tickets at www.thunderrivertheatre.com
SUNDAY, MARCH 23
THIS IS THE WAY
A Spiritual Center hosts John and Kelly Field honoring the light and the darkness at A Spiritual Center (room 31 of the Third Street Center) from 10 to 11:30am.
WELCOME WRITERS
Jessica Amber Barnum leads a writing workshop for all ages at the Basalt Library from 3:30 to 5pm.
WOK THIS WAY
Sopris Lodge hosts an interactive cooking session with Emily Stanton, teaching how to prepare chicken and vegetable stir-fry with rice, from 3 to 4pm. This class is free and open to the public, but RSVPs are required by calling 970-456-8764.
ONGOING
SENIOR ART CLASS
The Art Base offers “Young at heART,” a senior art class, at the Eagle County Community Center in El Jebel on Thursdays from 12:45 to 2:15pm. The class is free (with a suggested $10 supply donation) and open to all with no registration necessary.
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
Heeling Partners of the Roaring Fork Valley brings a four-legged friend to read with children at the Carbondale Library every first and third Tuesday of the month at 3:30pm. To register, call 970-963-2889.
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.