RFSD elections
The Roaring Fork School District (RFSD) is seeking board members to fulfill four-year terms representing District A (east of Highway 133 and south of Highway 82) and District E (north of Highway 82 and east of Carbondale). Eligible candidates must file a petition signed by 50 eligible electors by Aug. 29. So far, the only declared candidate is Elizabeth Cockrill Taylor, linked to an account called “DOGEtheSchools” on X (formerly Twitter). Find details on applying to run at www.bit.ly/RFSD2025
Nettle Creek repaired
The Town of Carbondale successfully repaired a main line pressure reducing valve delivering water from Nettle Creek, averting a potential crisis. “Average daily consumption decreased approximately 7% to about 1.32 million gallons per day,” likely due to community conservation efforts, a report from Public Works Director Kevin Schorzman stated. “Thanks to all who helped conserve treated water!” Rivers are flowing below average, so residents are asked to continue conserving water. A Town-owned well on the Roaring Fork River is also being replaced.
Public Lands, Public Voices
Tune in and call in as KDNK hosts “Public Lands, Public Voices,” a regional, live call-in show from Rocky Mountain Community Radio bringing together listeners from across the Mountain West to talk about the future of our shared landscapes. Carlie Ideker of the Wyoming Outdoor Council and Steve Bloch, legal director for the Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance, will discuss the growing threats to public lands and how communities are responding. Listen at 88.1 FM or kdnk.org this Thursday, July 31 from 6 to 7pm. Join the conversation by calling 800-737-3030. You can also email questions to dj@kgnu.org
Pitkin County Vision 2050
Pitkin County has initiated community engagement for its Comprehensive Plan update to guide countywide policy direction. A draft of the plan is available online (www.bit.ly/PitCoVision). Anyone who lives, works and recreates in Pitkin County is encouraged to participate in outreach activities, including an online survey (www.bit.ly/PitCoSurvey). Stay informed at www.pitkincounty.com/1606/Pitkin-County-Vision-2050
Jerry D’s memorial
There will be a memorial gathering for longtime former Carbondale resident Jerry Duckowitz at the Mt. Sopris trailhead near Dinkle Lake at 1pm on Saturday, Aug. 9, followed by a celebration of life in Sopris Park. All who knew “Duck” are welcome to come share some stories.
Ascendigo After Hours
Ascendigo Autism Services is offering an after-hours program for adults with disabilities, “blending life skills, community connection and summer fun.” Enrollees can participate in a four-week “Cook & Connect” cooking course, hosted at Ascendigo’s new teaching kitchen everyTuesday evening in August from 5 to 8pm, as well as “Thursday Throwdown,” when participants attend a community event — such as the Carbondale Rodeo — together. For more information and to sign up for Ascendigo After Hours, visit www.ascendigo.org/after-hours
Education funding
On July 25, Colorado Governor Jared Polis announced that, after a push from Colorado and other state governments, the Trump Administration capitulated to unlocking the remaining $5 billion formerly withheld in education funding — $66 million in the case of Colorado schools. The week prior, $1.3 billion was returned for after-school programming nationally. Therefore, the entire $80 million in federal funding previously being withheld from Colorado schools has been reinstated.
Humanitarian crisis
Colorado U.S. Senators Michael Bennet and John Hickenlooper joined 37 Senate colleagues “to express unified alarm about the unacceptable humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip,” a July 29 press release stated. The letter urges Secretary of State Marco Rubio to push Israel to enable a large-scale expansion of humanitarian assistance and resume diplomatic efforts to secure a ceasefire agreement and end the war. The Senators affirmed they oppose Hamas rule in Gaza as well as the forced displacement of Palestinians.
Valley View tourney
Pickleball teams made up of medical doctors, physician assistants, athletic trainers and so forth from Valley View’s ValleyOrtho and Roaring Fork Family Practice clinics, hit the Carbondale courts on Wednesday, July 23 for a tournament benefitting Lift-Up, the local food-security nonprofit. Roaring Fork Family Practice doubles duo Susan Cheney and Daniel Rogers were tournament champions.
Journey Home grant
Journey Home Animal Shelter in West Garfield County is set to receive a $10,000 grant from Petco Love, a nonprofit founded in 1999 that has invested nearly $410 million since its inception for the care of lost pets. “Our investment in Journey Home Animal Care Center is part of more than $12M in investments recently announced by Petco Love to power local organizations across the country as part of our commitment to create a future in which no pet is unnecessarily euthanized,” said Susanne Kogut, president of Petco Love.
They say it’s your birthday!
Folks celebrating another trip around the sun this week include: Nancy Barnett, Debbie Bruell and Cheryl Loggins (July 31); Anibal Guevera and Sarah Uhl (Aug. 1); Jeff Dahl, Hattie Gianinetti, Catherine Masters, Maciej Mrotek and Justin Patrick (Aug. 2); Margarita Alvarez, Gavin Dahl and Sara Preston (Aug. 3); Megan Gianinetti, Kallie Hyer, Tony Madrigal and Andrew Roberts-Gray (Aug. 4); Cilla Dickinson, Rosie McSwain, Shiloh Merriott and Ixchel Muniz (Aug. 5); Steven Haines and Carly Merriott (Aug. 6).
~ C A L E N D A R ~
THURSDAY, JULY 31
MUSHROOM WORKSHOP
Mycologist Dr. Andrew Wilson guides a two-day exploration for elusive mountain mushrooms at Hallam Lake from 9am to 3pm today and tomorrow. Register at www.aspennature.org
TIE-DYE FOR TEENS
Teens and tweens are invited to a tie-dye party at 4:15pm at the Carbondale Library.
CHAMBER MUSIC
Aspen Music Festival and School students perform chamber music at the Basalt Library from 5:15 to 6:30pm.
CALL IN SHOW
KDNK hosts “Public Lands, Public Voices,” a regional, live call-in show from Rocky Mountain Community Radio bringing together listeners from across the Mountain West to talk about the future of our shared landscapes from 6 to 7pm. Listen in at 88.1 FM or kdnk.org and join the conversation by calling 800-737-3030. You can also email questions to dj@kgnu.org
SOL MUSICAL
SoL Theatre Company performs “The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical” at Roaring Fork High School tonight, tomorrow and Saturday at 6pm and Sunday at 2pm. Tickets at soltheatrecompany.simpletix.com
COMMON ROOTS
The Common Roots women’s group reflects on this month’s theme, “manifesting,” at Headquarters in Basalt from 6 to 7:30pm. Register at www.headq.org/event
FUTURE OF JOURNALISM
The Aspen Institute’s Hurst Lecture Series presents “The Future of Journalism: Trust, Truth, and Technology in a Changing Media Landscape,” featuring Meredith Kopit Levien of The New York Times Company in conversation with Vivian Schiller of Aspen Digital, at 6pm. Register for free at www.aspeninstitute.org/events
CRYSTAL THEATRE
The Crystal Theatre shows “The Life of Chuck” at 7pm. “The Naked Gun” opens tomorrow and continues Saturday, Wednesday and next Thursday at 7pm. Sunday’s show is at 5pm.
FRIDAY, AUGUST 1
RED EARTH
Thirteen Moons Ranch hosts the ninth annual “Red Earth: The Mountain West Women’s Herbal Gathering” today from 11:30am through Sunday. More details at www.tinyurl.com/RedEarthCarbondale
GENEALOGY
Join a welcoming group of people working together to solve family mysteries, share research tips and discover stories from the past on the first Friday of each month at the Glenwood Springs Library from noon to 1:30pm.
NATURE JOURNALING
Adults who love to write and draw in nature meet at the Carbondale Library from 1 to 2:30pm.
FIRST FRIDAY
Seeing as August’s First Friday is themed “recess,” pickleball, cornhole, four-square and other classic field games will fill Main Street from 5 to 8pm. The Valle Musico Quartet performs at Chacos Park from 5 to 9pm.
RIDES & REGGAE
New Castle Trails hosts its Rides & Reggae Festival, featuring live music and mountain biking and trail running races, kicking off at 5pm today in downtown New Castle and continuing through tomorrow evening. Visit www.tinyurl.com/RidesandRaggae for a schedule and event locations.
VOICES TINY STAGE
VOICES’ ARTery Tiny Stage travels to The Bookcliffs Arts Center in Rifle for music and storytelling from 5:30 to 6:45pm. This free event will feature Colorado River Valley women sharing their stories, including Sol del Valle’s Bianca Godina and Ingrid Zúniga.
EXIT EXHIBIT
The Carbondale Clay Center celebrates the work of its artist in residence, Molly Altman, with her exit exhibition of “(IN)FLUORESCENCE” at Main Street Gallery and Framer from 6 to 8pm.
SATURDAY, AUGUST 2
THE BIRDSONG PROJECT
The Aspen Center for Environmental Studies hosts a day to celebrate the birds — including a lecture by Daly Edmunds, director of policy and outreach for Audubon Rockies, and music performed by Aspen Music Festival and School — from 8:30am to 2:30pm at the Catto Center at Toklat. Register at www.aspennature.org
REDSTONE BOULDERS
Roaring Fork Outdoor Volunteers tackles a barbed wire fence removal day at the Redstone Boulder Open Space, from 9am to 3pm. Sign up at www.rfov.org/calendar
CAR SHOW
The Garfield County Fair Grounds in Rifle hosts the “Summer of Thunder Car Show” from noon to 4pm. More details at www.garfieldcountyfair.com
PIG ROAST
Youthentity hosts its annual pig roast, bringing “community together for an evening of great food, music, and connection — all in support of Youthentity’s mission to empower youth through career exploration and financial literacy education,” at the Aspen Glen Clubhouse from 5:30 to 8:30pm. Tickets and details at www.youthentity.org
REDSTONE CONCERT
The Blue Canyon Boys perform at Redstone Park at 6pm.
STAND UP
Comedian Chris Voth performs at TACAW at 8pm. Tickets at www.tacaw.org
SUNDAY, AUGUST 3
MAROON BELLS SERVICE
Roaring Fork Outdoor Volunteers commemorates 30 years of service with a project at Maroon Bells from 8am to 4pm. Sign up at www.rfov.org/calendar
MONTHLY MEDITATION
True Nature hosts a donation-based meditation session, based on the teachings of Paramahansa Yogananda, every first Sunday from 9am to 10:30am. For details, visit www.truenaturehealingarts.com
SPIRITUAL CENTER
A Spiritual Center (Room 31 of the Third Street Center) presents “Autists on Water and Astrology,” a video presentation compiled by Pam Gregory and Veda Austin, at 10am.
WILD IMAGINATION
Kairos Futura hosts a campfire talk imagining interdisciplinary solutions for an ecologically grounded future. RSVP to know the location by emailing director@thefutureisonearth.org
ART OF CONVERSATIONS
Sopris Sun Editor Raleigh Burleigh hosts the Art of Conversations, where strangers talk to strangers, at the Carbondale Library from 6 to 7pm.
HILLTOP CONCERT
Oran Mor performs traditional and contemporary Celtic music at The Bookcliffs Arts Center in Rifle from 6 to 8pm.
MONDAY, AUGUST 4
‘TUNE INTO BIRDS’
Inspired by birdsong, over three musical performances at Hallam Lake — 7:30am, 1pm and 7:30pm — Pierre Laurent-Aimard will play Messiaen’s Catalogue d’oiseaux in its entirety. Register at www.aspennature.org
‘EL PLACER DE LEER’
Delve into Spanish literature with Angélica Breña at the Basalt Library every Monday from 5 to 6:30pm. Spanish comprehension is necessary to participate. For more details, visit www.basaltlibrary.org
‘FIELD OF DREAMS’
Aspen Film partners with The Little Nell for Cinema Under the Stars at the base of Aspen Mountain. “Field of Dreams” will show around 8:45pm, after sunset.
TUESDAY, AUGUST 5
‘PRISM BREAK’
Rocky Mountain Puppets performs “Prism Break” at the Glenwood Springs Library at 1pm and Carbondale Library at 4pm.
COMPUTER TRANSFER
Learn how to transfer files and data from an old Mac or PC to a new computer at the Basalt Library from 2:30 to 3:30pm. More details at www.basaltlibrary.org
AUTHOR SIGNING
Participants in Basalt Library’s Creative Writing Summer Club share and sign their published works during a celebration at the library from 5 to 7pm.
FARM TALK
The Aspen Center for Environmental Studies Jessica Catto Dialogue Series presents “The Market Gardener” with Jean-Martin Fortier at TACAW at 6pm. Register for free at www.tacaw.org
DRAWING CLUB
The Roaring Fork Drawing Club visits the Farm Collaborative (220 Juniper Hill Road, Aspen) to get sketchy beginning at 6:30pm.
OLLELLA
Ollella returns to Steve’s Guitars with a performance at 8pm. Tickets at www.stevesguitars.net
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 6
BACK TO SCHOOL
Basalt Library hosts a back-to-school fair from 11am to 1pm. All students, from elementary school through college, can pick up and decorate free school supplies and discover afterschool programs and resources based in the Valley.
DOCUMENTARY
Join 350 Roaring Fork for a screening of “The Fight for America’s Public Lands” at the Carbondale Library at 5:30pm.
HOBBY DISCOVERY
Adults are invited to try out three potential new creative hobbies each Wednesday, today through Aug. 20, at the Basalt Library from 5:30 to 7pm. Register at www.basaltlibrary.org
BASALT MUSIC
May Be Fern opens for Rootbeer Richie & The Reveille at 5:30pm. The headliner starts at 7pm and KDNK will live broadcast the concert.
FAIR ELECTIONS
Indivisible Colorado hosts Secretary of State Jena Griswold on Zoom talking about her efforts to protect elections from 6 to 7pm. Register at www.bit.ly/GriswoldAug6
GLENWOOD MUSIC
The Colorado Currys opens for The Williams Brothers Band at Two Rivers Park in Glenwood Springs at 6:30pm.
MOVIE TRIVIA
Gather your friends and prove your cinema knowledge at a Crystal Theatre Alliance fundraiser at Carbondale Beer Works. Doors at 6:30; questions at 7pm. Email will@crystaltheatrecarbondale.com to reserve a table in advance for a discount!
INDIE SHOWCASE
Aspen Film’s Indie Showcase features “Charlotte” — a short film — followed by “It’s Never Over, Jeff Buckley” at the AF Isis Theatre beginning at 7pm. Tickets at www.aspenfilm.org
THURSDAY, AUGUST 7
FOUR PASS LOOP
Roaring Fork Outdoor Volunteers does maintenance along the Four Pass Loop today through Sunday. Volunteers will be served breakfasts and dinners. Learn more at www.rfov.org
GEM & MINERAL SHOW
The Buena Vista Gem, Mineral and Fossil Show takes place at the Buena Vista Rodeo Grounds today through Sunday. For details, visit www.BVRockShow.com
BANNED BOOK CLUB
The Banned Book Club discusses “Lawn Boy” by Jonathan Evison at the Basalt Library from 4 to 5pm.
FRIDAY, AUGUST 8
MUSHROOM FESTIVAL
The Eagle Mushroom & Wild Food Festival kicks off with an opening ceremony by Gabrielle Cerberville at 5pm followed by live music by Sweet Jessup and the Dirty Buckets. Find details at www.eaglemushroomfest.com
DANCE OF LOVE
Ann O’Brien guides a workshop applying the principles of Aikido to romantic relationships at True Nature from 6 to 8pm. Tickets at www.annobrienliving.com/services/events
MARBLEFEST
MarbleFest returns with a kick-off party at Slow Groovin tonight! David Walker Good opens at 5pm, followed by Josh & Wendy at 5:30pm and Tommy the Animal at 6:30pm. The music continues tomorrow and Sunday from noon onward. Find details on Facebook.
HOMELESS ASSISTANCE
Steve’s Guitars hosts a fundraiser for Carbondale Homeless Assistance beginning at 7pm. Performers will include Aggie Flores, Mugsy Fay and Olivia the Bard. Tickets at www.stevesguitars.net
SATURDAY, AUGUST 9
VOLLEYBALL TOURNAMENT
The Maroon Belles Volleyball Club and Town of Carbondale host a youth outdoor volleyball tournament at Miners Park. Format is doubles, with grass and sand courts. Age groups are 18U, 16U and 14U for both girls and boys. To register, visit www.bit.ly/cdalevball
TRUCK N’ ROLL
The Carbondale Library invites kids to check out some big trucks and working vehicles from 9 to 11am. The second hour will involve sirens and lights.
STEVE’S GUITARS
David Singley performs at Steve’s Guitars at 8pm. Tickets at www.stevesguitars.net
ANNA TIVEL
Portland-based songwriter Anna Tivel performs with Luke Henry at the Wheeler Opera House at 8pm. Tickets at www.wheeleroperahouse.com
SUNDAY, AUGUST 10
SOPRIS SUNDAY CONCERT
The Taylor Scott Band opens for Peach Street Revival in Carbondale’s Sopris Park at 4pm.
BOOKCLIFFS CONCERT
Tim and Melissa, a husband-wife songwriting duo, performs at The Bookcliffs Arts Center in Rifle at 6pm. This will be the final Hilltop Summer Concert Series event of the season.