Newcomers update
According to a recent press release, the Town of Carbondale will gradually begin reducing the services being provided to migrant newcomers over the next two months. Beginning March 8, the Town will no longer fill vacancies in shelters and will officially close both shelters on April 1. Dinner service will end on March 22 followed by breakfast service on March 29. Newcomers are able to utilize showers at the Rec Center and the overnight parking/camping in a designated area through April 19. The Town’s objective was to provide temporary food and shelter through the winter, foreseeing a regional approach being essential for potential long-term solutions. “With the expectation of a future increase in unhoused immigrants seeking work, housing and other services in our region, we hope to work regionally to create the infrastructure needed to serve the unhoused population in the Roaring Fork and Colorado River Valleys,” said Town Manager Lauren Gister. To learn more about Carbondale’s response, visit tinyurl.com/NewcomerResponse
Vote with your feet
It is too late to send your presidential primary ballot by mail, but there’s still plenty of time to vote. The state offers 153 voting centers and 418 drop boxes; visit GoVoteColorado.gov to find the closest one. There’s even still time to register and vote in person on Election Day, March 5.
Bear down
Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) received 3,526 reports of sightings and conflicts with bears in 2023, a 21% decrease from the five-year average. Trash continues to be the number one source of conflicts between humans and bears. The vast majority of property damage reported involved an attractant of some kind, with over 51% linked to trash; 20% to livestock, chickens and beehives; and 19% to bird seed, pet food, barbeque grills, coolers and refrigerators. Incidentally, CPW is in the midst of modifying its Big Game Season structure — visit tinyurl.com/biggameSS for more information or to weigh in. Finally, Pitkin County has set a March 10 deadline for a limit draw at Sky Mountain Park; visit bit.ly/42SNF5C to enter.
In principal
Jamie Hozack has been announced as the next principal of Basalt Middle School. The former assistant principal at Basalt High School returns to the district after serving in a variety of other leadership roles, most recently Head of Middle School at Aspen Country Day School. Hozack was selected using the district’s established hiring process for school leaders, with interview committee participants noting his motivation to learn, listen and take time with teams to understand the strengths and opportunities of the school. Current BMS Principal Jennifer Ellsperman will retire in June after 31 years in education, 21 of them in Basalt.
Keeping you posted
Claudia Perez Rivas has been selected as the next editor of the Glenwood Springs Post Independent and Rifle Citizen Telegram. She brings extensive experience from news organizations around Texas. Visit tinyurl.com/gspiCPR to read her introductory interview.
The results are in!
This year’s Ski for Sisu drew over 100 participants and raised more than $20,000 in fundraising for Spring Gulch. Overall, it amounted to over 3,000 kilometers of skiing over the course of the week. Just one day after racing Crested Butte’s Alley Loop, Liz Axberg skied over 80 km to set a new single-day women’s record at Ski for Sisu, with 160 km over the course of the week. On the men’s side, Matt Johnson clocked 155 km to take the crown for top distance skier.
Write a river
The Colorado Water Trust is putting together its first-ever writing contest! You’re invited to submit 300 words or fewer about a river (or rivers) in the state. It can be poetry or prose; silly, serious or sweet; but should inspire your fellow Coloradans to love and care about our rivers. Illustrations and/or photos are welcome but not required. You may submit more than one entry and all ages of writers are encouraged to participate. To enter, email bdonovan@coloradowatertrust.org before midnight on April 19.
Wellness, whimsy, watercolor
Local artist Sarah Uhl is offering a spring workshop series in the Carbondale Jailhouse. Topics include intention setting with watercolors and mixed media (March 3), whole being wellness compass (March 17), sacred geometry and watercolor (April 7 and 21) and whimsical landscape painting (May 5). Visit sarahuhl.com/workshops for registration or more information.
They say it’s your birthday!
Folks celebrating another trip around the sun this week include: Cole Buerger, Emma Duke and Robert Weinhold (March 1); Sean Jeffries (March 2); Barbe Chambliss and Bella Frisbie (March 3); Kurt Trede, Jr. (March 4); Kelly Field, Amy Hadden Marsh and Meg Plumb (March 5); Gwen Garcelon, Sheila Liston and Bobby Mason (March 6). Where are all our leap babies? Email news@soprissun.com to be included in 2028!
Community Calendar
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 29
SOUND IMMERSION
Ildi Ingraham leads a sound healing session with singing bowls, gongs, chimes and her voice at the Basalt Library at 5:30pm
‘JUST EAT IT’
Did you know that almost half of the food produced in North America goes to waste? UpRoot Colorado shows “Just Eat It,” a documentary film from Canada, at the Glenwood Springs Library at 6pm.
ASPEN WORDS
Award-winning poet Safiya Sinclair discusses her new book, “How to Say Babylon,” at TACAW at 6pm. For tickets, visit tacaw.org
CRYSTAL THEATRE
“The Zone of Interest” screens at 7pm at the Crystal Theatre. “Dune: Part Two” screens at 7pm on March 1, 2, 3 and 7, and at 5pm on Sunday, March 3.
‘ENDGAME’
Thunder River Theatre Company presents the final weekend of Samuel Beckett’s “Endgame” at 7:30pm tonight, tomorrow and Saturday, March 2. Catch the final show at 2pm on Sunday, March 3. Tickets at www.thunderrivertheatre.com
CONNOR GARVEY
Connor Garvey performs at Steve’s Guitars at 8pm. Tickets at stevesguitars.net
FRIDAY, MARCH 1
NATURE JOURNALING
Every First Friday at 1pm, the Carbondale Library hosts a workshop for sketchbook artists from 1 to 2:30pm. BYO-supplies.
‘INTERDIMENSIONAL THREADS’
The Launchpad hosts a First-Friday opening for “Interdimensional Threads,” an exhibit featuring works from local artists Claire Wright and Chris Erickson, at 5pm. The exhibit closes on April 5.
MUSIC AT THE LIBRARY
A string quartet comprised of professional women musicians local to the Roaring Fork Valley will present a concert of classical music by female composers at the Basalt Library at 5:30pm.
SILVER PROM
The Glenwood Springs Rec Center hosts an elegant evening of dinner and dancing for older adults, 50+. Carbondale residents can catch a ride from the Carbondale Rec Center at 5:30pm. RSVP at www.carbondalerec.com
TOMMY THE ANIMAL
Mountain Heart (1841 Dolores Way) hosts live music with Tommy the Animal at 6pm. A food truck will serve local bites beginning at 5pm.
SOUND HEALING
Zachary and Krista Cashin offer a mid-winter tune-up with multiple instruments, tuning forks, healing touch, Reiki and essential oils. Relax, breathe deeply, allow the vibrations and sounds to wash through your body/being and listen deeply to your heart. The event runs from 7 to 8:45pm at the Third Street Center. Visit thecenterforhumanflourishing.org for more info.
COMEDIAN
TACAW hosts Liz Miele, a NYC comedian that has appeared on Comedy Central, FOX, AXS TV, Hulu and NPR’s “Wait Wait Don’t Tell Me.” The show starts at 7pm; visit tacaw.org for tickets.
SATURDAY, MARCH 2
MOVIE AT THE LIBRARY
“A Million Miles Away,” a movie about unknown heroes, screens at 11am at the Basalt Library in English with Spanish subtitles.
‘THE MUSIC LESSON’
Local guitarist Mateo Sandate leads a three-part exploration of the book “The Music Lesson: A Spiritual Search for Growth through Music” by Victor Wooten each Saturday through March 16 at 2pm at the Carbondale Library. For more info, call 970-963-2889.
ONE-ACTS
The Roaring Fork Repertory Theatre will be at the Carbondale Branch Library to present three one-act plays. The troupe will perform “The Bear” by Anton Chekhov, “Suppressed Desires” by Susan Glaspell and George Cram Cook and “Collect Call” by Kristin Hopkins starting at 7pm. For more info, call the library at 970-963-2889.
STOP MAKING SENSE
A new Cinema Dance Party series kicks off at TACAW with a 7pm showing of the 1984 Talking Heads concert film “Stop Making Sense.” This is a casual film exhibition for the movers and groovers who want to party. DJ Honey will provide the soundtrack pre and post film. Visit tacaw.org for tickets and more info.
STEVE’S GUITARS
Hundred Pound Housecat performs at Steve’s Guitars at 8pm. Tickets at stevesguitars.net
SUNDAY, MARCH 3
PROTEST
MainStreet Alliance hosts a gathering at 4th and Main in Carbondale from 11:30am to 1pm demanding the U.S. Forest Service halt its Aspen-Sopris Ranger District redevelopment project.
TALES OF THE UTE
The Carbondale Historical Society, Nina Gabianelli and Skyler Lomahaftewa share stories of the Ute Indians in the Roaring Fork and Crystal River Valleys beginning at 5pm at KDNK.
RANDOM CONVERSATIONS
Join in on the Lost Art of Random Conversations at the Carbondale Library at 6pm.
MONDAY, MARCH 4
SAFE SPACE
YouthZone hosts a LGBTQ+ youth peer support group at 4:15pm every Monday in Rifle, 4pm every Tuesday in Glenwood Springs and 3:30pm every Wednesday in Basalt. Visit youthzone.com/peersupport for more info.
BASALT CANDIDATE FORUM
The Basalt Chamber of Commerce hosts a forum for Town Council candidates at the Basalt Library from 5 to 8pm. The first hour will serve as a meet-and-greet, followed by the actual forum beginning at 6pm.
CAMILLE & STUIE
The Glenwood Springs Community Concert Association (GSCCA) presents Camille & Stuie of The French Family Band at 7pm at the Mountain View Church. For ticket info, please contact Nancy at 303-517-9800 or Sue at 970-379-3488. Visit www.gsconcertassn.org for more info about GSCCA and how to become a member.
TUESDAY, MARCH 5
CHAMBER ON THE CHAIR
Sunlight Mountain Resort offers $35 lift tickets for chamber members from the Glenwood Springs Chamber, the Basalt Chamber, the Carbondale Chamber, the Aspen Chamber, the New Castle Chamber, the Colorado River Valley Chamber, the Eagle Chamber and the Gypsum Chamber. More info at sunlightmtn.com
PAWS to Read
Therapy dogs from Heeling Partners of the Roaring Fork Valley will be at the Carbondale Library from 3:30 to 4:30pm on the first and third Tuesdays of the month to listen, encourage and enhance young readers’ experience. Call 970-963-2889 for more info and to register for a 15-minute time slot. This is intended for first through fifth grade students.
RFV DRAWING CLUB
The Roaring Fork Drawing Club meets at the Carbondale Rec Center at 6:30pm.
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 6
LIBRARY BOOK CLUB
Join Basalt Library from noon to 2pm on the first Wednesday of every month for highlights of new releases and books in the news, and to have an informal roundtable discussion of books you’ve been reading which you’d like to share.
‘PAST, PRESENT & FUTURE’
The opening reception for “Past, Present & Future,” a mixed media art exhibition, begins at 4pm at the Aspen Chapel Gallery. The exhibit will be up through April 13, and is a partnership with the Aspen Historical Society.
KNIT A HAT
Jennifer Swanson teaches the art of knitting “chunky” hats at 6pm at The Art Base in Basalt. Visit theartbase.org to register.
WRITE THAT BOOK
Author Edith Lynn Hornik-Beer presents a 10-part class, “Strategies Behind Writing and Finishing a Book,” via Zoom from 6 to 7:30pm daily, with the exception of weekends, through March 19. Visit community-education.coloradomtn.edu or call 970-870-4444 for more info and to register.
‘SHOULDER DISLOCATIONS’
Orthopedic surgeon and sports medicine specialist Tito Liotta, MD presents a virtual discussion at 6pm via Zoom. The presentation is part of Valley View University (VVU), a series of free educational webinars hosted by Valley View Hospital.
THURSDAY, MARCH 7
GOP CAUCUS
Republican caucuses take place in Garfield County at assigned precinct locations at 7pm. Pre-register at caucus.cologop.org.
FRIDAY, MARCH 8
POLLINATE YOUR PALATE
Basalt Library hosts Pollinator Chocolate at 4pm for an educational and culinary event to tickle your tastebuds. This free chocolate tasting will satisfy stomachs of all ages; visit basaltlibrary.org to register.
IMPROV JAM
The notorious Consensual Improv troupe invites you to practice your improvisational chops at 6:30pm at TACAW. Previous improv experience is encouraged. To register, email info@theconsensualimprov.com.
SATURDAY, MARCH 9
DEMS CAUCUS
Garfield County Democrats host a precinct caucus and county assembly at 1pm via Zoom. Visit www.garcodems.org for more info and to register.
YONDER MOUNTAIN
Yonder Mountain String Band performs a 7pm show at TACAW. Visit www.tacaw.org for tickets.
SUNDAY, MARCH 10
QUILT GUILD
The Roaring Fork Valley Quilt Guild invites you to their annual “Show and Tell” viewing of Quilts and Stitching Projects created by valley residents from from 2 to 4pm at the Basalt Library. Bring your projects and share your stories with friends; stay and stitch or just come by to enjoy the beautiful quilts!
MINDFUL LIFE
The Mindful Life Program begins a 28-day Daily Practice Circle this evening at 5pm. Visit www.mindfullifeprogram.org for more info.
MONDAY, MARCH 11
CARBONDALE HISTORY
Sue Gray of the Carbondale Historical Society tells the story of the town’s early pioneers through the lens of entrepreneur William M. Dinkel at 6pm at the Carbondale Library.
TUESDAY, MARCH 12
COGNITIVE CARE CIRCLE
The Alzheimer’s Association facilitates a monthly support group for families, partners and caregivers of individuals living with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia every second Tuesday at 3pm at Sopris Lodge. Register at soprislodge.com/events
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 13
LESSONS FROM SHAKESPEARE
The Colorado Shakespeare Festival’s touring program uses a 45-minute abridged “Romeo and Juliet” coupled with the latest school violence research to teach safe and effective intervention strategies people can use when they see mistreatment happening around them. Free, but visit www.tacaw.org to RSVP.
HEART ATTACK PREVENTION
Greg Feinsinger, MD discusses heart attack prevention measures at 7pm in the Calaway Room at the Third Street Center.
THURSDAY, MARCH 14
INTRO TO PASTELS
Amanda Selsky teaches the basics of drawing with pastels from 9am to noon today, March 21, April 4 and 11. Register at theartbase.org
‘BRIDGE TO TERABITHIA’
SoL Theatre Company opens “Bridge to Terabithia” tonight at 6pm at Thunder River Theatre. The run continues tomorrow and Saturday, March 16 with showings at 6pm and a matinee on Sunday, March 17 at 2pm. Tickets at tinyurl.com/BridgetoTerabithiaSoL
BANNED BOOK CLUB
The Basalt Library invites adults and high schoolers to a safe and inclusive space for readers to explore literature that has challenged norms, defied censorship and sparked important conversations throughout history. This month features Lois Lowry’s “The Giver,” with discussion starting at 4pm.
MUSIC AT THE LIBRARY
Salomé Songbird is, at a glance, a string-band but the acoustic trio boasts a background spanning fiddle tunes to free jazz; and baroque to bebop to bluegrass. They’ll show off these influences from 5:30 to 6:30pm at the Basalt Library. ‘GLEN CANYON RISES’
The Colorado Watershed Council presents the “Glen Canyon Rises Tour” featuring author Zak Podmore and musician Jackson Emmer at 6pm at the Glenwood Vaudeville Revue. Tickets at tinyurl.com/GlenCanyonRises. This event is sold out.