Matchmaking program recipients
The Buddy Program announced its annual winners last week. The Champion Award went to Conchita Ramirez, Family Liaison Officer at Basalt High School, for her dedication to the community! Roaring Fork Outdoor Volunteers received the Golden Carabiner Award and the Inspiration Award went to the Pitkin County Healthy Community Fund for their generous support of the Buddy program.
Troop Care Packages
The American Legion Post 100 in Carbondale is collecting donations to send care packages to active-duty troops for Christmas. Donations can be dropped off at the American Legion (97 N. Third Street) until December 1. For more information, call 970-963-2381.
Help Afghanistan
Anne Perry, originally from Roaring Fork Valley, is a lawyer in Seattle and works to help a specific Afghan family emigrate to the United States. A GoFundMe page collects donations to help pay the costs. Perry was recently interviewed on the subject by KDNK’s Amy Hadden Marsh. For more information visit: https://bit.ly/AnniePerry
Tree permits available
Christmas tree cutting permits are now available from the White River National Forest. Permits cost $ 10, with an additional fee of $ 2.50 if purchased online. This year, fourth graders are eligible for a free Christmas tree permit under the Every Kid Outdoors program (www.everykidoutdoors.gov/). For more details visit: www.fs.usda.gov/whiteriver
Update of the compensation plan
The full process of updating Carbondale’s plan continues. The City is now seeking comments on the draft recommendations through an online survey, open until November 28. Hard copies are also available at Town Hall. The last meeting between the team of consultants Cushing Terrell and the Town Planning and Zoning Commission is on November 18 at 7 p.m.
Paint recycling
The Paint Store (2401 Dolores Way, Carbondale) now accepts recycling of junk paint through PaintCare, a national non-profit organization that also works with Ace Hardware of Carbondale. Find a detailed list of products accepted for recycling at www.paintcare.org/products
Visual art exhibition of the valley
The 43rd Valley Visual Art Show, one of the valley’s largest and longest-running exhibitions of works by local artists, will open at Launchpad on January 21, 2022. Applications should be submitted by December 6 on www.carbondalearts.com
Laptops on loan
Garfield County Libraries offer laptops for adults who need a computer to take home for up to three weeks at a time. The machines run on Windows and come with the Microsoft Office suite and other software installed. This service can be combined with “Wifi to GO!” service offering mobile hotspots. Plus, you can get a free USB flash drive (while supplies last) when you buy a laptop! For more details, visit gcpld.org
Construction boom
The unincorporated Garfield County issued 242 residential building permits in 2021 (through October), the highest number since 2007. These permits include single-family dwellings, manufactured homes and other work. Yet the majority of construction has taken place in municipalities, where 791 units have been built so far this year, 102 of which are affordable housing. Meanwhile, home values ââare skyrocketing; the average selling price of single-family homes in Carbondale was $ 1,553,497 in September.
Community radio triumphs
The Rocky Mountain Community Radio (RMCR) coalition met last week in Crested Butte in the presence of KDNK and Aspen Public Radio. In 2021, RMCR won second place for Public Service (Small Newsroom category) from the Society of Professional Journalists for collaborative reporting on fossil fuels. RMCR is now working on collaborative reports on affordable housing.
They say it’s your birthday
People celebrating another trip around the sun this week include: Larry Smith (November 18); Kelsey Clapper and Heather Lafferty (November 19); Mike Metheny and Rosie Sweeney (November 20); Crystal Tapp (November 21); Karen Barbee, Lindsay Hentschel, Maria Mork and MinTze Wu (November 22); Michael Gorman (November 23); Crystal Mariscal, River Morgan, Matthew Thomas and Casey Weaver (November 24).
~ CALENDAR ~
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 18
UNDER THE SUN
Join Sopris Sun correspondents and guests for Everything Under The Sun, airs every Thursday on KDNK at 4 p.m.
LIVING BODY
Aspen Shakti offers a pop-up yoga class at Third Street Center at 5:30 p.m.
GROUP RACE
Independence Run and Hike hosts a weekly group run on Thursdays leaving the store at 6 p.m.
AUTUMN FESTIVAL
Roaring Fork High School is having a school fundraiser at 6 p.m. with fall-themed games and a haunted house. Tickets are available at the event.
BOOK LAUNCH
The Center for Human Flourishing presents “Shuring: One Soldier’s Path to Peace” at the Third Street Center at 6:30 pm.
SOCIAL MEZCLA
Dance salsa at Heads, Hearts and Souls (443 Main in Carbondale) Thursdays at 7 p.m. and Bachata at Launchpad at 8 p.m.
THURSDAY KARAOKE
The Black Nugget offers karaoke every Thursday at 7 p.m.
NORTH MIDNIGHT
Grateful Dead bassist Phil Lesh’s son Grahame Lesh performs with his band, Midnight North, at Contemporary in Willits at 8 p.m. ET. More info on www.tacaw.org
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 19
CUT THE WALLS
The Carbondale Arts Holiday Market is open for business! Support local artisans by shopping at Launchpad. (Carbondale Arts members will have exclusive access to the market on November 18.)
CELEBRATION OF LIFE
Family and friends celebrate the life of Tom Bleskan at “Hendrick Haven” (1054 County Road 106) in Satank at 4 pm. This is an outdoor event, please bring a dish and a story to share.
FULL MOON RESPIRATORY
Chelsea Bennett offers a ceremony to release “what no longer serves” at 6.30pm. Register at www.facebook.com/chelseabennetthealing/events
SOUND TRIP
Zachary Cashin leads a sound healing journey at Third Street Center at 7 p.m. Reserve a place on www.davinikent.com
SOPRIS THEATER COMPANY
The CMC Theater Program presents “The Thanksgiving Play” by Larissa FastHorse at the Spring Valley Campus at 7:00 pm today and tomorrow and Sunday at 2:00 pm. Tickets are available at www.our.show/stc/thethanksgivingplay
THUNDER RIVER THEATER
The Thunder River Theater Company‘s production of Cassidy Willey’s “As Close As I Can” continues at 7:30 pm today and tomorrow and Sunday at 6 pm. Tickets on www.thunderrivertheatre.com
CRYSTAL THEATER
“The French Dispatch” shows at the Crystal Theater at 7:30 p.m. until Monday, except at 5:00 p.m. on Sunday.
KILTRO
Chilean-American rock band Kiltro will perform at Contemporary in Willits at 8 p.m. Tickets and more information on www.tacaw.org
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 20
SHINING MOUNTAINS
The Aspen Indigenous Foundation’s Shining Mountains Film Festival takes place today and tomorrow at the Wheeler Opera House in Aspen, with programs at 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. Details on www.aspenaif.org
RELEASE OF TRAUMA
Jacy Sundlie facilitates a simple technique to release stress and tension at Third Street Center at 3 p.m. More information on www.davinikent.com
PLOTKIN AND LANCES
Local musicians Lizzie Plotkin and Natalie Spears perform at Contemporary in Willits from 8 p.m. Tickets are available at www.tacaw.org
THURSDAY 25 NOVEMBER
CLOSED LIBRARIES
All Garfield County Library branches will be closed November 25-26 for Thanksgiving.
FREE FLOWS
Aspen Shakti offers a Thanksgiving yoga class at her studio in Aspen (535 East Hyman Ave) at 9 a.m.
GOBBLE WOBBLE
Basalt Elementary School hosts their annual Turkey Trot, The Gobble Wobble, at 9:30 am Register at www.bit.ly/basaltgobble or on site on the morning of the event.
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 26
THANKSGIVING MEETING
The Meeting Place offers a 12-step Thanksgiving reunion starting at 10 a.m. More information on www.meetingplacecarbondale.org
TURKEY BURN
Aspen Shakti is leading a special yoga class at their studio in Aspen (535 East Hyman Ave) at 10:30 a.m.