Carbondale Chamber confluence
The Carbondale Chamber of Commerce held its annual Business Confluence event on Wednesday, Sept. 17. Among the highlights, Carolyn Tucker with the Colorado Rural Workforce Consortium announced unemployment in Garfield County is hovering below the national average of 4.3%. Increased retirements, decreased birth rates and a generally aging population, she suggested, should motivate employers to consider flexibly hiring older, part-time workers. Keynote speaker Dr. Matt Gianneschi, president of Colorado Mountain College (CMC), calculated that a single person living in Garfield County must make $51,926 annually to meet their basic needs, and that number jumps to $92,898 with a child in the picture. He emphasized that CMC aims to educate workers who will remain in the community.
MEM Scholars opportunity
The Michael E. McGoldrick (MEM) Scholars Foundation is awarding $100,000 to high school seniors in Colorado. The scholarship seeks students who are academically strong and reflect values McGoldrick held close: a love of discovery, a belief in human rights and justice, an appreciation for art and culture and respect for the natural world. Applications are open with the first round closing Oct. 15. Learn more at www.memscholars.org
Daniels Scholarship
From now through Oct. 17, graduating seniors in Colorado are encouraged to apply for the Daniels Scholarship which provides up to the full cost of attendance at partner colleges and universities across the country. Scholars who choose to attend a non-partner school are still eligible to receive up to $100,000 over four years. The scholarship awards strength of character, leadership potential, commitment to serving one’s community, academic performance or promise, a well-rounded personality and emotional maturity and stability. Find the application and more at www.danielsfund.org/scholarships
Derby closures lifting
The Bureau of Land Management has opened more public lands in Garfield and Eagle counties (north and west of Gypsum, north of Sweetwater Road, south of Derby Creek) that were previously closed due to the Derby Fire. Some areas inside the burned perimeter remain closed. Find the map at www.blm.gov/ucr-fire-restrictions
Ski sign auction
Aspen Snowmass is auctioning trail signs to help residents of two local mobile home parks purchase the land beneath their houses and become resident-owned communities, enabling over 500 locals, including 150 children, to remain in the area. Local governments and philanthropists contributed over $16 million to the cause and all additional funding will help keep rates affordable for residents. Check it out at www.bit.ly/aspensignauction
Library trustee appointments
The Garfield County Commissioners (BOCC) directed the county attorney, Heather Beattie, on Sept. 15 to move forward with two interview processes for three library board of trustee positions. Myrna Fletchall vacated the Rifle position in July. According to Beattie, the library board wants the Rifle position filled as soon as possible for budget discussions. The person who fills it this year will serve until the end of December, which is when that term ends. But that means the BOCC will hold another interview for the same position at the beginning of 2026. The other two positions will also be filled at the beginning of the year. No dates have been set for interviews.
Volunteer accolades
On Sept. 16, 28 Roaring Fork Valley residents were recognized for their “exceptional service, leadership and commitment to the community” as recipients of the various Pitkin County Cares Volunteer Service and Greg Mace Awards for their volunteerism within Pitkin County. The Greg Mace award was established in 1986 in memory of Mace, a Mountain Rescue Aspen volunteer who died in a climbing accident on North Maroon Peak. The Greg Mace award went to Becky Ward, and on this side of the county, Hank van Berlo and William Shank each received the Crystal Valley Heroes award. For a full list of award recipients, visit www.pitkincounty.com/pitkincountycares
Colorado housing
Governor Jared Polis and the State Demography Office released an analysis of housing availability in the state, using the latest data from 2023, which determined a 106,000 unit shortfall. Compared to a peak shortfall of 140,000 units in 2019, the gap has closed only somewhat and the report suggests that approximately 34,100 residential units would need to be built each year for a decade to meet the projected population increases. Forty-three-thousand units were built on average annually between 2020 and 2023, but construction has significantly slowed since due to rising building costs and elevated interest rates. For the full report, visit www.tinyurl.com/COHousingShortfall
Garfield County Outdoors
The Garfield County Outdoors coalition, an initiative of the Re-2 and Garfield 16 School Districts in partnership with Aspen Valley Land Trust, received a $1.3 million grant from Great Outdoors Colorado to expand access to outdoor recreation for children and families between New Castle and Parachute. “Garfield County Outdoors has made incredible progress over the past five years,” said Program Director Scott Partan. “This grant will help us continue to build on that momentum.”
They say it’s your birthday!
Folks celebrating another trip around the sun this week include: Taila Howe, Laura Stover and Geneviéve Villamizar (Sept. 25); Martin Calkins, Carolyn Cipperly, Teka Israel, Klaus Kocher, Kate Phillips, Kenya Pinela, Mateo Rader, Mimi Schlumberger and Leonard Zanni (Sept. 26); Susan Cheney, Kate Comer, Peggy DeVilbiss, Linda Fleming, Renee Ramge, and Jason White (Sept. 27); Madeleine Dameron Dahl, Andrew McMichael, Dave Reed, Kristin Stewart, Grace “Flash” Trevor Gallo and Pam Kaiser Williams (Sept. 28); Steve Jundt (Sept. 30); Wes Engstrom, Mark Grice, Heather Hicks, Blake Lockard, Daisy Salinas, and Mike Waski (Oct. 1).
~ C A L E N D A R ~
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 25
‘THRESHOLD’
True Nature hosts a three-day retreat for women guided by Kemi Nekvapil, Laura McKowen and Elena Brower beginning at 10am today. Register at www.truenaturehealingarts.com
RED HILL MAINTENANCE
Roaring Fork Outdoor Volunteers invites the community to help maintain trails and restore habitat on Red Hill from 2 to 6pm. Sign up at www.rfov.org
GRAPHIC NOVEL CLUB
The Carbondale Library hosts a graphic novel club, for ages 9-12, from 3:30 to 4:30pm with pizza! To sign up, call 970-963-2889.
LEGO CHALLENGE
The Basalt Library invites kids, 4 and up, to make LEGO creations for display from 4 to 5pm.
WRITING WORKSHOP
The Glenwood Springs library hosts a workshop for writing and discussion open to adults and teens from 5 to 7pm.
WOMEN’S GROUP
HeadQuarters hosts a women’s group exploring the theme of “emotional bank accounts” at 6pm. For details visit www.headq.org
LIVE MUSIC
Black Velvet performs at Heather’s in Basalt at 6:30pm.
ELDER WISDOM
Elder Shaman Woo Du-An shares his wisdom and “invites participants into a sanctuary of peace, self-acceptance and compassion” at the Third Street Center from 7 to 8:30pm. Register at www.tcfhf.org
CRYSTAL THEATRE
Tonight’s your last chance to catch Spike Lee’s “Highest 2 Lowest” at the Crystal Theatre, showing captioned at 7pm. “Downtown Abbey: The Grand Finale” opens tomorrow and continues Saturday at 7pm followed by a 5pm captioned showing on Sunday.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, TACAW!
Notorious jammer Melvin Seals, nicknamed “Master of the Universe” by Jerry Garcia, performs with JGB at TACAW at 8pm in celebration of the venue’s fourth birthday. Tickets at www.tacaw.org
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 26
ASPEN LITERARY FEST
Aspen Words presents the first-ever Aspen Literary Festival, three days to celebrate storytelling in downtown Aspen and featuring 40 authors. For a schedule of events and details, visit www.aspenliteraryfestival.org
FIRST BANK FIESTA
First Bank in Glenwood Springs (2014 Grand Avenue) hosts a cultural celebration in recognition of Hispanic Heritage Month from 3 to 5pm.
‘KREUTZER’ AT TRTC
BenFeng Music Productions presents “Kreutzer” — “a genre-blending production that fuses three masterworks” — at Thunder River Theatre tonight and tomorrow at 7:30pm, and tomorrow and Sunday at 2pm. Tickets at www.thunderrivertheatre.com
HEATHER’S
Chris Bank and Hap Harriman perform at Heather’s in Basalt at 7pm.
SALOME SONGBIRD
Steve’s Guitars presents Salome Songbird at 8pm. Tickets at www.stevesguitars.net
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 27
RFOV AT HANGING LAKE
Roaring Fork Outdoor Volunteers returns to Hanging Lake Trail for the first time since the Grizzly Creek Fire to conduct restoration work from 8am to 4pm. Register at www.rfov.org
SPRING GULCH
The Sopris Nordic Council needs help preparing the cross country trails at Spring Gulch from 9am to 1pm today and Sunday, Oct. 5. Sign up to volunteer at www.springgulch.org/events
‘OUT OF THE DARKNESS’
The Suicide Prevention Coalition of Garfield County hosts its sixth annual “Out of the Darkness Walk,” benefiting the Western Slope chapter of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, at Two Rivers Park. Sign ups start at 9:30 and the walk begins at 10:30am. Register in advance at www.afspwalks.donordrive.com/WesternSlope
TAKE A KID BIKING
The Roaring Fork Mountain Biking Association hosts “Take a Kid Mountain Biking Day” at Coal Basin Ranch from 10am to 1pm. Register at www.rfmba.org
CHICKEN HARVESTING 101
Learn how to harvest a chicken through a hands-on workshop at Rock Bottom Ranch from 9 to 11am. Register at www.aspennature.org
OKTOBERFEST
The Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park celebrates Oktoberfest each Saturday through Oct. 11, from 10am to 6pm, with German inspired food, seasonal craft beers, live music and plenty to keep the kids occupied. For details, visit www.glenwoodcaverns.com
‘GODDESS GATHERING’
A Way Out and Sober Girl Social Club host a “Goddess Gathering” to include smudge stick making, oracle card readings and more at the Yoga Collective in Glenwood from 6 to 8pm. Register at www.tinyurl.com/SoberGoddessGathering
‘LIVING WITH WOLVES’
Carter Niemeyer, author of “The Other Ten Wolves: A Yellowstone Backstory,” Suzanne Asha Stone, the founder of the International Wildlife Coexistence Network, and Idaho cattle rancher Glenn Elzinga, present “Living with Wolves: Preventing Conflict and Restoring Balance” at the Third Street Center from 6:30 to 7:30pm.
CINEMA DANCE PARTY
TACAW screens “The Rolling Stones: Havana Moon” with room to boogie at 8pm. Tickets at www.tacaw.org
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 28
A SPIRITUAL CENTER
Golden Sha and Jeanne Soulsby present “the story of the greatest leap, from the densest frequencies into the highest harmonic of peace and love” at the Third Street Center (Room #31) from 10 to 11:30am.
BASALT MARKET & MUSIC
Kitchen Stone performs during the final Basalt Sunday Market of the season from 10am to 2pm.
RFOV AT COFFMAN RANCH
Roaring Fork Outdoor Volunteers needs help spiffing up the Coffman Ranch today from 9am to 3pm. Structured youth activities for 4-8 year olds will be available from 9am to 12:30pm. Sign up at www.rfov.org
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 29
LAST MONDAY BOOK CLUB
The Last Monday Book Club discusses “The Shadow of the Wind” by Carlos Ruiz Zafón at the Glenwood Springs Library from 2 to 3pm.
MICHAEL BENNET HELP
Meet with U.S. Senator Michael Bennet’s staff in Glenwood Springs from 3 to 5pm. To register for a 15-minute appointment, visit www.bit.ly/GWSBennet
‘BIG WATER THEORY’
The Roaring Fork Kayaking Club presents “Big Water Theory,” an award-winning whitewater documentary at the Crystal Theatre at 6:30pm. Tickets at www.roaringforkkayakingclub.com
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 30
YOGA AT THE LIBRARY
Devika Gurung guides a yoga session at the Carbondale Library from 7:30 to 8:30am. Beginners welcome.
‘DISCOVER YOUR LIBRARY’
The Basalt Library provides insight about how to use its online catalogue to narrow searches for next reads, place holds and more from 2:30 to 3:30pm.
NIA MOVEMENT
Mona Payne guides a “one-of-a-kind, instructor-led movement experience that blends dance, martial arts and healing arts into one powerful barefoot journey” at the Basalt Library from 5:30 to 6:30pm. Details at www.basaltlibrary.org
DRAWING CLUB
The Roaring Fork Drawing Club meets at the Cocoa Club for a sketching session at 6:30pm.
MODEST MOUSE
Modest Mouse performs at the Belly Up in Aspen at 9pm. Tickets at www.bellyupaspen.com
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 1
ASPEN CHAPEL GALLERY
In partnership with Aspen Journalism, the Aspen Chapel Gallery presents “Tell It Like It Is,” a mixed-media show with an opening from 4 to 7pm.
STEWARD THE ARTWAY
Help Carbondale Arts and Colorado Edible Forest tidy up DeRail Park, under the ARTway arch on the Rio Grande Trail, from 5 to 6pm. Bring some gardening tools if you’ve got them.
5POINT FUNDRAISER
Spring Creeks Ranch hosts 5 Point’s “In the Field” fundraiser with local food, spirits and music from 5:30 to 9:30pm. Tickets at www.5PointFilm.org
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 2
LIBRARY BOARD MEETING
The Garfield County Public Library District Board of Trustees holds its regular monthly meeting at the Rifle Library from 2 to 4pm.
MEN’S GROUP
HeadQuarters offers a men’s group exploring “the inner knowing” at 6pm. For details visit www.headq.org
RFSD CANDIDATES
Roaring Fork Schools and the Roaring Fork Community Education Association host a forum with RFSD Board of Education candidates Jodi Barr, Tamara Nimmo, Elizabeth Taylor and Kathryn Kuhlenberg at the District Office in Carbondale at 6pm.
SPANISH CONVERSATION CLUB
The Carbondale Library hosts its monthly Spanish Conversation Club for beginner and intermediate Spanish learners from 6:30 to 8pm.
‘THE GREAT GATSBY’
In celebration of this year’s Potato Day theme, “The Grate Spudsby,” The Crystal Theatre screens the 2013 version of “The Great Gatsby” at 7pm.
WILD & SCENIC FILM FEST
The Middle Colorado Watershed Council presents the Wild & Scenic Film Festival at the Glenwood Vaudeville Revue at 7pm with a live auction and door prizes. Tomorrow, the film festival will travel to the Ute Theater in Rifle with complimentary admission for Re-2 and Re-16 students and teachers. Tickets at www.midcowatershed.org/filmfest
STATE OF REAL ESTATE
TACAW hosts a free panel on the demand for commercial real estate with Forum Investment Group, a Denver-based boutique investment management firm, at 7:30pm.
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 3
ADDICTION SYMPOSIUM
A Way Out hosts its annual addiction breakfast symposium at TACAW from 8am to 1pm. Tickets at www.tacaw.org
‘YOUR STORY, YOUR LIFE’
Hone your journaling and writing skills in a welcoming group setting at the Glenwood Springs Library from 10am to noon every first Friday.
‘LARRY DAY, HA HA HA’
The Art Base hosts an opening reception for “Larry Day, Ha Ha Ha” from 5 to 7pm.
FIRST FRIDAY
Carbondale Arts hosts October’s First Friday, 5 to 9pm, which includes three exhibition openings at The Carbondale Arts Gallery, from 5 to 7pm with artist talks at 5:30pm, and, of course, much more. Main Street between Weant Boulevard and Third Street will be closed to traffic. Carbondale wants to know what you love and might want to improve about First Friday celebrations; find a survey at www.tinyurl.com/CarbondaleFirstFriday
HARVEST CELEBRATION
In light of Potato Day, the Carbondale Historical Society hosts a harvest celebration at True Nature’s Peace Garden with music by Natalie Spears, local beverages and farm-fresh foods from 5 to 9pm. Tickets at www.bit.ly/CHSharvest
‘RALLY THE VALLEY’
The “Rally the Valley” fundraising event, supporting the Mountain Valley and Aspen-Basalt mobile home park communities in their bid for resident ownership, takes place at the Third Street Center at 6:30pm. RSVP at tinyurl.com/RFVRally
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 4
PRE-TATO PROMENADE
Ahead of the Potato Day festivities, Aspen Valley Land Trust welcomes all to take a stroll at Coffman Ranch and learn about the land’s history from 8 to 9:30am.
POTATO DAY
While Potato Days spans the weekend this year, the main event is always the first Saturday in October. At 8:30am, the Carbondale Rotary Club serves pancakes at Chacos Park, followed by Ross Montessori’s Fun Run there at 9am, the Potato Day parade on Main Street at 10:30am and the Community Harvest Lunch at 11:15am in Sopris Park. Vendors and the famous cowboy coffee will be open at the park starting at 9am, and music starts at 11am, culminating in a Community Contra Dance at 3pm in front of the Gazebo. For a detailed schedule, see the back page of this week’s paper. Happy Potato Day!
RFOV AT RIFLE FALLS
Roaring Fork Outdoor Volunteers conducts a 30th Anniversary Commemorative Project at Rifle Falls from 8:30am to 3:30pm. Sign up at www.rfov.org
MOSAICS WORKSHOP
Design and craft your own mosaic serving tray at The Art Base from 9am to 12:30pm. Register at www.theartbase.org
ALPENGLOW
Alpenglow, Glenwood Springs’ independent bookstore, celebrates one year in operation with giveaways, snacks and more. Stop by between 11am and 8pm.
HARVEST PARTY
The Aspen Center for Environmental Studies’ family-friendly fall fundraiser takes place at Rock Bottom Ranch from 11am to 5pm. Tickets at www.aspennature.org
‘CONNECT TO THIS MOMENT’
Elena Brower guides an Asana and Zen meditation session, “Connect to this Moment,” in the Kiva at True Nature from 1 to 3pm. Register at www.truenaturehealingarts.com
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 5
SELF REALIZATION FELLOWSHIP
The Self Realization Fellowship hosts its monthly Sunday meditation circle, based on the teachings of Paramahansa Yogananda, at True Nature from 9 to 10:30am. Details at www.truenaturehealingarts.com
PADDLE PALOOZA
HeadQuarters hosts a pickleball tournament also benefitting The Mental Health Fund at the courts in Carbondale beginning at 9am. Details at www.headq.org/event/paddle-palooza
CATRINA WORKSHOP
Livier Cruz Guerrero guides a free skeleton-puppet making workshop, from 10am to 3pm, ahead of the Día de los Muertos celebration in November. All are welcome.
‘CONNECT THROUGH YIN’
Deva Shantay guides a transformational Yin yoga experience at True Nature from 2 to 4pm. Register at www.truenaturehealingarts.com
ART OF CONVERSATION
Pick up a meaningful conversation with a stranger at the Carbondale Library from 6 to 7:30pm.