Pueblo Star Journal - July 2023

Mission accomplished

Pueblo Chemical Depot, demilitarization plant look to the future after destroying mustard munitions

By Ben Cason

One morning in late June, hundreds of employees at the Pueblo Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant gathered to celebrate the destruction of the final munition in the obsolete stockpile at the U.S. Army Pueblo Chemical Depot.

Kim Jackson, PCAPP’s Amentum vice president, addressed the crowd in the final moments before completion: “Today we celebrate PCAPP finishing its mission. It’s all thanks to the courageous, extraordinary men and women of this project.”

Historic mission

Located on the eastern plains of Pueblo, the depot has been in use since 1942. From the end of World War II and into the 1950s, facilities were expanded and constructed to continue to support the Korean War. The depot was one of the largest employers in southern Colorado with 8,000 employees at one time.

In 1952, the first mustard-agent-filled munitions were shipped to the depot for storage. The Army stored approximately 8% of the nation’s original chemical stockpile. In total, the Pueblo Chemical Depot stored 780,078 munitions, containing 2,613 tons of mustard agent configured in projectiles and mortar rounds. By 1995, after supporting Operation Desert Storm with conventional ammunition and supplies, the depot was significantly downsized.

Mustard is a blistering agent designed to produce casualties, degrade fighting ef-

ficiency and restrict use of terrain and equipment. It affects the eyes, mucous membranes, lungs, skin and blood-forming organs. Mustard agent can be fatal, depending on the severity of exposure.

In Pueblo, the mustard agent was stored in three types of munitions. The first was the large 155mm projectile, which was 99 pounds and 26.8 inches long. Nearly 300,000 of these projectiles were stored at the Pueblo Chemical Depot. The second largest munition was the 105mm projectile, which was 32 pounds and 21 inches long. The smallest munitions stored in the depot were the 4.2-inch mortar rounds, steelforged, at 25 pounds and 21 inches long.

On April 29, 1997, the Chemical Weapons Convention went into force. At that time, the U.S. and 86 other nations were the first to ratify the CWC. Now, the treaty has been signed by 193 nations, and is enforced by the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons in The Hague, Netherlands.

“[The CWC] has been incredibly successful in its overriding mission and goal to destroy remaining stockpiles of chemical weapons,” said Kingston Reif, the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Threat Reduction and Arms Control, at a PCAPP media tour earlier in June. “There are only four states that are not party to the convention. At the moment 99% of the declared stockpiles under the convention have

DEPOT continued on page #

The last of the 780,000 munitions was processed by midmorning on June 22. Photo by Rory Harbert.

Photo by Rory Harbert

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Who’s

plundering print journalism?

GUEST COLUMN

When I was recruited to the Pueblo Chieftain by Jane Rawlings in 2011, I was allin on digital. I got the job because I had caught the attention of a headhunter with my website work at the East Valley Tribune in suburban Phoenix, where I was also teaching online media part time at my alma mater, Arizona State University’s Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication.

Websites were (and still are) my world -- I teach web design part time at Pueblo Community College and run the website for a government program, among several others. I even crafted the online home of this very Pueblo Star Journal as a volunteer passion project.

But in my heart, I was (and still think I am) an “ink-stained wretch,” as print journalists and newspaper people like to call themselves. I pasted together my own newsletters in elementary school, signed up as a “Cub Reporter” for the “Bear Essential News” program and toured the towering offices and printing presses of the Arizona Republic. In high school I worked on Yearbook, and, when I went to college at Cronkite, I focused on print journalism because the only alternative then was broadcasting, and that just wasn’t for me.

I ended up joining the Tribune’s copy editing team before graduation, learning an appreciation for accuracy and detail and staying up late to get my hands dirty on “press check” duty. I enjoyed the predictability of the production side, picking up skills like graphic and page design and headline writing that eventually translated to my digital destiny, as the industry changed rapidly.

But it was all seen as a valuable part of journalism -- fact-based storytelling. I am a journalist.

So I was shocked, but not surprised, on June 13 when the Pueblo newspaper’s current owner Gannett announced it was closing down its local printing operations. The Chieftain itself, the company said, would be printed in Denver starting this summer, while the dozens of other publications it has printed for years would be left to fend for themselves.

Newspapering in Pueblo when I got here 12 years ago was like a time warp. I was greeted warily by editors, writers and sales reps who said they appreciated or needed my help, but they really just wanted me to play with my computer and stay out of their

PSJ advisory board member weighs in

way. I nevertheless dug in -- and together, we hauled the Chieftain into the 21st century (with a few stops first in the 20th to catch things up): launching apps, winning awards and expanding an already enviable audience. As I was taught, I have the data to back this up.

Under generations of family leadership, the Chieftain was protected from, or simply ignored, many of the worst ravages of the wider industry’s woes -- but that was changing. The managers who brought me in were obviously, if slowly, getting the paper ready for its eventual sale. So my efforts to boost digital audience and engagement were inevitably viewed with suspicion, if not outright hostility.

The way I saw it, based on my experiences in newsrooms outside the Pueblo publishing bubble, was that any heads who didn’t roll when new owners finally came in would spin at how quickly things would change after that. That happened in 2018, when the remaining Rawlings clan sold the Chieftain to GateHouse Media, which would later yield to Gannett -- greedy, hedge fund-owned amalgamations of everything that is wrong with local journalism in the U.S.A. today.

Mine was one of the first heads to roll -- GateHouse and, later, Gannett “had their own digital

Board of Directors: Gregory Howell, Kennedy Pugh, Chantal Woodyard, Leslie Nazario

Advisory Board: Nicki Hart, Susan Wolf, Caroline Trani, Jayson Peters

News content, sports & podcast manager: Ben Cason Arts & News editor: Rory Harbert

Contributors: Beth Bricker Davis, Kristin Skye Hoffmann and performing arts review squad, Rachel Kutskill, Luke Lyons, Justin Morenz, Amy Gillentine Sweet.

Special thanks to: Beulah Valley Pottery, Blo Back Gallery, City of Pueblo, Pueblo Chieftain Printing, Pueblo Department of Health & Environment, Southern Colorado Small Business Development Center, Pueblo Community College, Creative Consortium of Pueblo, Karmic Konnection, Surelock Locksmith, Photography by Lyss, Pueblo Economic Development Corp, Senior Resource Development Agency, Pueblo Transit, Range Resources, Rhonda Garcia.

Rational Media Ltd. dba The Pueblo Star Journal is fiscally sponsored by Positive Content. As a fiscal sponsor, Positive Content acts as an umbrella organization for our missionfocused work, and accepts and administers funds on our behalf. Positive Content is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization which makes all donations to us tax deductible.

Send donation checks to:

Positive Content, c/o Pueblo Star Journal Fund

301 N. Main St, Suite 101, Pueblo, CO 81003

or donate online: PuebloStarJournal.org/Donate

Illustration by Justin Morenz, Special to The Pueblo Star Journal.

COLUMN continued on page #

Jayson Peters PSJ Advisory board member

PRINT JOURNALISM

continued from page 3

people” (not that they really did much for the Chieftain -- or had ever set foot in the community I still call home).

Many (not all) of the Chieftain veterans I had the privilege to work with for years couldn’t get past seeing digital media as a threat to the older print product, which is still -- despite all the cutbacks and compromises on quality -- sought after and sometimes preferred by readers of all ages. I get it -- as an Xennial, I’m on the cusp between my earliest memories of solid, authoritative newsprint, and all the tradition wrapped up in it, and the convenience and serotonin-fueled satisfaction of immediate news alerts that find me wherever I am, whatever I’m doing. I’m not a digital native, but more of a digital navigator.

After leaving the Chieftain, I even spent time at Colorado Springs’ Indy and Business Journal organization, doing some “online stuff” but mainly designing newspaper pages and graphics again and coordinating their print production … served by, you guessed it, the peerless press professionals of the Pueblo Chieftain. Those 51 workers are now facing the undeserved uncertainty of unemployment.

There’s no “killer app” here. Neither the internet nor social media, nor their avid users, are responsible for the depredations suffered by publications like the Chieftain and those it prints (at least until August, when much of that business will go to Denver, and some even further, at great cost). That blame belongs at the feet of out-of-state and out-of-touch executives making decisions for communities they’ve never visited or valued.

The Chieftain is more than a newspaper or a website or mobile application -- it’s home to a printing powerhouse that has allowed diverse publications throughout Colorado to flourish for decades. Now, because they don’t want to invest in Pueblo or its storied press, a faraway force that answers to no one is shutting down a busy commercial printing operation that allows hundreds of journalists to hold the powerful to account and employs dozens of Puebloans. That’s a threat to freedom if ever there was one. The research on this is resoundingly clear: In a “news desert,” as Pueblo and southern Colorado are in danger of becoming, civic engagement and community connections wither, and local leaders too often go unchecked.

A common dismissal of newspapers today is declaring “print is dead” -- but, news alert: That’s an opinion, not a fact. These days the distinction may get blurred, but it’s still there. I always told my colleagues that readers and advertisers decide what formats survive and thrive. That’s an opinion that is supported by facts and data, every time.

Opinion or fact -- which one should be the basis for a big business decision like killing off a thriving community printing hub? Even an ink-stained wretch like me can tell you the answer.

PSJ meets readers where they are

Shaken by the news of our local printing press shutting down, the PSJ has spent time to reflect on the importance of local news.

Inspired by advisory board member Jayson Peters, some of the PSJ staff felt that it was necessary to share their views on the value of news, the future of Pueblo media and the direction of journalism in the era of technology.

Above all, the PSJ aims to meet readers where they are, in any medium, in any way. We aren’t going anywhere.

“There’s no ‘killer app’ here... That blame belongs at the feet of out-of-state and out-of-touch executives making decisions for communities they’ve never visited or valued.”

– Jayson Peters

What makes news “newsworthy” is determined by a story’s timeliness, its impact, its relevance, its novelty and other factors that are evaluated by an individual reporter. While not every story can be told, every journalist knows which one needs to be told by them, as they are compelled to serve their own readers. But how does this compulsion manifest beyond the individual, as a team, a newspaper, a news channel, as an industry and a discipline?

There is a figure of speech called “metonymy” which means to represent a part of a whole; a common example is referring to the “White House” as representing the federal government, instead of a location. A similar situation occurs with “The Newspaper.” What propels news is not just one entity but a team of reporters, photographers and editors along with printers, the sales team and IT professionals. When we refer to The Newspaper, we mean these people—this team—and, sometimes, the actual fruit of their labor: a quick print on cheap, pulpy paper that has been the backbone of documenting ongoing history, spreading information and morning rituals for centuries. Much like with the invention of the television, bringing with it the “News Channel” and its own metonymy, we are once again challenged with conceptualizing “The Newspaper” in this new era. While technology erodes the need for the inclusion of “paper” in “Newspaper,” The Newspaper represents the Sisyphean task of bringing public awareness to history in the making. This task is The Newspaper’s own journalistic: serving its readers—through all of its hurdles, each day. And I mean all its readers. While the team determines newsworthiness of a story, I encourage you to think of what makes a “Newspaper” worthy.

Rory Harbert Arts & News Editor

For me: I believe there are two key factors of a newspaper’s worthiness. One: News should be local, with a local staff that has the same stake in the game as its local readers. Two: It should be accessible. Limiting an audience to those with money, with unlimited access to technology, with far-off concerns and whims that never touch the very town a paper is supposed to cater to, is not true newsworthiness. The value of that paper diminishes, with the good work by its team going unseen and undervalued.

Printing is not cheap, but it is an investment. It’s investing in our most vulnerable communities, keeping them in the know and involved. What does it say about businesses and people who encourage a world where news can only be accessed by the wealthy or privileged? Technology is the future, but it is not the present. Not until getting a computer is as easy and inexpensive as grabbing a paper from a news rack.

The news of the Pueblo Chieftain printing press shut-down hit me like a ton of bricks.

Gannett, the Pueblo Chieftain’s parent company, announced plans to cut 51 jobs and permanently close printing production and distribution from the Pueblo Chieftain building on June 13. The Chieftain will continue to print their paper in Denver and ship it down to their readership base.

When I was a kid, I remember opening the Pueblo Chieftain sports page on a daily basis to check box scores from local prep games and to see if my beloved Chicago Cubs somehow made their way into the paper.

Ben Cason News content, Sports & Podcast manager

I have watched as the Chieftain has diminished and struggled over the last six years since I shadowed an editor there in college. I have friends who work there and I’ve gotten a chance to get close with their printing team now that I work with the Pueblo Star Journal.

In April it came to our minds that the hard-working team who prints the paper should get some well-deserved attention. I got a chance to write a cover story diving deep into the team there and the staggering amount of work they do. Todd Albo and his team take such pride in their work supporting local news and the legacy of the Chieftain itself.

Todd had a quote he said before we knew anything about the shut down: “If this press wasn’t running, the smaller town papers would be out of business. These little towns wouldn’t have a newspaper.”

The Chieftain press has printed 61 different newspapers spanning all of southern Colorado. As we come to grips with the news and figure out what the future looks like, my thoughts turn to these publications. I hope this move by Gannett won’t cascade into southern Colorado becoming a news desert.

I’m so proud of my friends and colleagues who write, report and print locally for the Chieftain with seemingly no support. I’m thankful I got to take the time to write about the Chieftain press team and I hope this isn’t a sad end to an incredible story.

Luke Lyons Contributing reporter

It was my dream to work at the Chieftain, and that dream came true in August 2015. I began as a sports clerk and worked my way to become a reporter and eventually to serve as the paper’s editor from December 2020 to January 2022. There were nearly 50 people in the newsroom when I started working there. There were nine of us left when I quit, and there are fewer now.

Watching the dismantling of the once-great institution is heartbreaking. I’m heartbroken for the 50 men and women who will find themselves out of work when the Chieftain printing facility closes in August.

I’m heartbroken for the remaining staff, who every day battle the misconceptions about the paper while dealing with the obstacles of trying their damndest to produce the news.

Gannett, the Chieftain’s parent company, is destroying local news in Pueblo — and across the country. The decision to outsource printing to the Denver Post is just another nail in the coffin; another signal that local journalism is on its last leg.

I hope those who made the decision to sell the Chieftain to a greedy, heartless conglomerate are as heartbroken, as angry and as disappointed as I am. I hope they’re as upset as my former colleagues and readers are.

It’s another sad story when it comes to local news in Pueblo. And sadder days are likely still to come.

Munitions at the Pueblo Chemical Depot went through a number of steps to eliminate the mustard agent. Most of the steps are operated robotically, but the hard-working crew at PCAPP is always monitoring progress.

Photos by Rory Harbert.

Photo by Rory Harbert

Depot welcomes new commander FROM STAFF REPORTS

Col. Rodney McCutcheon on June 29 assumed command as the 40th commander of the U.S. Army Pueblo Chemical Depot.

McCutcheon, a former Blue Grass Chemical Activity commander, replaces outgoing Col. Jason Lacroix, who was removed from his post in May under suspension and investigation for unspecified reasons. After serving nearly two years as depot commander, Lacroix was due to step down in June, with McCutcheon already designated as his successor in the post.

The depot’s decades-long mission of guarding an aging chemical weapons stockpile has ended, with the full destruction of the mustard agent munitions there as of June 22, and it will now be closed and transferred to an economic reuse authority, PuebloPlex, for decontamination, demolition and redevelopment.

The new commander is a decorated veteran of the Army Chemical Corps and Operation Iraqi Freedom.

been destroyed.”

The U.S. declared a completion date of Sept. 30, 2023, for the destruction of all chemical weapons it owns or possesses domestically and abroad, along with destruction of the facilities that were involved in the production of chemical weapons.

In 2002, neutralization followed by biotreatment was the method selected to destroy the more than 780,000 mustard-filled munitions at the Pueblo Chemical Depot, which was one of only two destruction sites, of the nine total sites, not to use the incineration method to dispose of munitions.

Sheila Johnson, the Commander’s Representative at the depot, said that “Coloradans were concerned about the off-gas.”

“If you do incineration, the residue has to go somewhere up in the air,” she said. “Even though it was proven there was no danger in it, Colorado and Kentucky said no.”

In response to the community outcry against incineration, the Program Executive Office, Assembled Chemical Weapons Alternatives was assigned responsibility for destruction of remaining stockpiles in Kentucky and Colorado. PEO

CHEMICAL DEPOT

continued from page 1

ACWA had been working since 1999 to pilot new technologies and demonstrated two alternative methods to incineration.

ACWA worked with a community advisory board to select neutralization followed by biotreatment for the Pueblo Chemical Depot. The method required the creation of an entire facility onsite to dispose of the weapons safely. The key element of the method of biotreatment is the introduction of microbes that eat away the residue of mustard agent destruction.

The Blue Grass Army Depot in Kentucky chose to use neutralization followed by supercritical water oxidation. They are the last remaining destruction site with agent to be destroyed, and are nearing the end of operations.

ACWA contractors began construction of the PCAPP facility on the Pueblo Chemical Depot to begin destroying munitions from 2004-12, followed by extensive testing of systems. On Sept. 7, 2016, processing began at the PCAPP.

Johnson, when asked why they did not opt to move the gas to an existing site, said, “no governor or senator is going to allow this stuff to go through their state if they don’t have to. It’s here, it’s relatively stable, no one wants to move it long distances.”

The Department of Defense and its systems contractor, the Bechtel Pueblo Team, have had more than 1,500 skilled and trained employees working on the project. Most of these employees have known for a long time that their job would eventually end in Pueblo.

“I think most employees feel like this is how we’re serving our country,” Jackson said, “We’re cleaning up dangerous aging chemical weapons, and that’s pretty cool.”

The process

PCAPP is a highly automated facility that used robotic technology to disassemble munitions.

Munitions were stored in large bunkers spread across the site referred to as igloos. These igloos are 12.5 feet high, 26 feet wide and either 40, 60 or 80 feet long. They have walls 6 to 12 feet thick and maintain temperatures of 40-70 degrees. There are 991 igloos on the depot.

Munitions were taken from igloos by depot personnel, then a robotic driving transport carried them into the plant for processing. Before they were taken, they were evaluated to see if they were considered “problematic munitions.” Problematic munitions can include “leakers,” which are munitions emitting vapor in an igloo. These were sealed in a steel container to await destruction.

Once in the facility, the first step was to remove the weapon’s energetics, which are the fuze and burster. These are typically found in the head of the munition. They were robotically removed and shipped to a facility in Alabama to be destroyed.

The second step: removal of the mustard agent. The burster well, which contains the mustard agent, was removed from the munition. The Improved Cavity Access Machine moved the burster well to a punch site, where holes were punched to vent pressure. The mortar was then washed at a high temperature for 200 seconds.

This part of the process took place in an air-locked central chamber. Though, the robots operating in the room would occasionally need maintenance, so employees would be equipped with large suits to protect them from agent contamination. The suits are single-use, and are cut off and disposed of at the end of each trip inside. Todd Ailes, the project manager for the Bechtel Pueblo Team, emphasized that safety was key to this project.

“This project started in 2003, with 43 million hours worked on the project to date, in that time there have only been nine lost time worked cases.” Ailes said. “The last one was in October of 2019. Safety is a value for our team every day.”

The mustard agent was mixed with hot water to break down the chemical. Afterwards, the product of the mustard and water mix, known as hydrolysate, was sent to a large tank containing microbes that digest and break down the solution.

After the solution was mixed down, the water was pure enough to be reused.

“They didn’t drain the Colorado River, and we’re basically able to maintain this plant all on our own with our water recovery system,” Jackson said. “We used 200,000 gallons of water, you can imagine the impact that would have made on the state.”

The remainder of the metal parts were cleansed: heated to 1,000 degrees Fahrenheit for 15 minutes.

Problematic emissions including leakers were destroyed without disassembly in the Static Detonation Chambers. Off-gasses were treated by an off-gas treatment system.

The entire process, from start to finish, was monitored by a team who oversaw the robots via camera.

At 8 a.m. on June 22, after playing “The Final Countdown” over loudspeaker, a final pop was heard as the last munition was detonated in a Static Detonation Chamber at PCAPP. This marked the completion of an almost seven-year period of destroying munitions. The employees let out a cheer at the sound.

“It’s all thanks to the courageous, extraordinary men and women of this project who face the high hazard every day to achieve this accomplishment,” Jackson said. “We recovered from technical challenges and we never stopped during a worldwide pandemic.”

Walton Levi, PCAPP’s government field office site project manager, addressed the crowd: “I’m prone to spontaneous utterances of those four letter words. But today I get to use that special one: done.”

The future

Now that the munitions have been destroyed, the Pueblo Chemical Depot and PCAPP move to the next phase of the project. All facilities are to be closed in a safe, environmentally-protective manner.

The process of chemical destruction facility closure includes five overall steps.

• Decontamination: removal of residual contamination.

• Decommissioning: making sure equipment is safe for removal and demolition.

• Dispositioning: transfer of government personal property for sale, reuse, recycling and disposal.

• Demolition: removal of facilities not required for future Army use.

• Administrative closeout: closure of environmental permits, contracts and archiving.

Officials said the process of closure will continue until an estimated closure date in December 2025. The Colorado Chemical Demilitarization Citizens’ Advisory Commission will remain active until then.

PuebloPlex is designated as the local redevelopment authority for surplus property at the depot. They have already received land and igloos, and will be handed off more and more as the project comes to a close. Russell DeSalvo III, the president and CEO of the organization, oversees the nearly 16,000 acres it encompasses.

“We’re responsible for using the assets on the Pueblo Chemical Depot for economic development purposes, job creation, job retention and we intend to make sure property is safe for use for the citizens of the state of Colorado,” he said. “We look forward to the process being complete, but we have a lot of work ahead of us.”

As the plant moves towards the closure phase, certain workforce positions will become non-essential to the functioning of the depot and the plant on its grounds. These employees now face either moving to another opportunity or retirement. Others will be retained for the closure process.

“We’ve had a strategy for several years now of how we can take care of this incredible workforce,” Jackson said.

PCAPP has hosted two job fairs for their employees, one for national companies and another for local companies.

“This is a gold mine of talent,” she said.

Jackson said some of the workforce wants to stay local. According to Ailes, two-thirds of the workforce of Bechtel Pueblo is from Colorado.

“These are people who have done something so important for our country,” Jackson added, “and we need to do everything we can to help them as they leave this adventure and move on to their next.”

PCAPP’s Amentum vice president Kim Jackson celebrates as confetti signifies the completion of th project. Photo by Rory Harbert.

“These are people who have done something so important for our country.”

– Kim Jackson, PCAPP’s Amentum vice president

““I’m prone to spontaneous utterances of those four letter words. But today I get to use that special one: done.”

–Walton Levi, PCAPP’s government field office site project manager

Photo by Rory Harbert

Pics from the past

Pueblo Chemical Depot

The Pueblo Chemical Depot has been operational since 1942. Facilities supported troops in World War II, the Korean War and Operation Desert Storm. Aside from munitions, the depot also stored more than $75 million worth of propaganda war art liberated by Allied troops in World War 2, and over 160,000 paintings from the public of South Vietnam in the 1990s. Most of the items were repatriated to their home countries and others were placed in military museums.

Photos courtesy of the U.S. Army Pueblo Chemical Depot and The Chicano and Latino History Project.

THRIVE! with Rachel

By Rachel Kutskill

Water is and will always be on the go, speaking in a way that tells of where it’s been and where it is going. The deep bellows and creaks of glaciers are indicators that even when in block or frozen form, there is always movement, and it is always waiting for us to listen.

As water is constantly finding the path of least resistance, it demonstrates how to go with the flow of life. When obstacles emerge, water will go through, over, around and even physically move the obstacle from its current position. There is no force that water cannot reckon with. To think that we somehow have the power to contain it, enlightens us to the realization of how powerful Mother Nature is and will always be.

As a species, we acknowledge the importance of water and how it allows us and civilizations to thrive. Water is life. It can create life and also take it away. It is soft and smooth at times — still and peaceful — loud and powerful — raging and intense — water is all of these and while it can be briefly contained, that containment doesn’t last forever. Water will win every time. So it is up to us to pause long enough to hear the story, to learn the language, to understand

what flowing water has been telling us all along. In order to thrive, we must live among the meandering waterways, letting it teach us, rather than try to change it into what we think it should be.

We find water in our cities, our homes. But when we encounter it in the wild, there is something quite magical about it. There is a draw of the human spirit to the unknown, the sought after, the uncertainty of living day to day, in the moment, without technology to tell us what’s next. “Wilderness is not a luxury but a necessity of the human spirit, and as vital to our lives as water and good bread.” — Edward Abbey, Down the River

In the 1800s and 1900s, when modern man geared up for explorations and adventures into the belly of the earth, to ride down moving waterways that carved out paths throughout millions of years, it was for educational purposes, fame and notoriety, and the excitement to travel where few have been before. As we evolved our technology of river crafts, understanding of hydrology, and how to survive for extended periods of time in the wilderness, we were able to bring others to these magical places. These time capsules of civilizations and inhabitants before us. It has taken time and moving water has provided us with many

Utilizing Pueblo’s access to the great Colorado waterways, reach serenity

"KEEPING SOUTHERN COLORADO SECURE ONE DOOR AT A TIME"

Photo courtesy of Rachel Kutskill.

Photo courtesy of Rachel Kutskill

lessons throughout the years.

THRIVE TIP:

To truly navigate moving water, one must learn the language. It is one thing to memorize a specific section, to know how a stick floats through, to watch how someone else navigates the turbulence, but in order to truly understand how to get downriver, one must learn to listen to all that the water is telling us. It moves precisely, with a rhythm and smoothness that you can pick out in even the biggest whitewater. There is a smooth, green tongue pointing you to safe passages, bubble lines that show you fast and slow moving water interacting with each other, sounds that describe what is happening under the surface, where our eyes cannot see, how the water piles up on itself creating waves that may or may not be safe to run. It is there, always telling, if we are willing to listen.

water rapids and 1100 feet below the Royal Gorge Bridge. This section is for those looking to dive deeper into the belly of Mother Nature and try their hand at successfully navigating this higher level difficulty terrain. Experienced guides and outfitters line the river corridor ready and willing to take you through either of these sections of river, showcasing the beauty of granite walls, and the intricacies of navigating moving water by raft. It is truly an incredible experience, one that creates memories for a lifetime.

THRIVE Tip:

Experience a river trip in a way that you are comfortable with. Try a day trip with a local outfitter, seek out a multi-day excursion in a magical place like the Grand Canyon, watch a film or documentary about these exquisite waterways, contemplate setting the rivers free again.

PSJ Happiness Index:3.56/4

• Social Support -3.75/4 Some people have a fear of water, and therefore levels of anxiety or stress may actually heighten during this activity. Please be aware of how water affects you.

• Health - 4/4 Living in the moment during activities can produce higher levels of happiness and excitement of life.

• Freedom - 4/4 There are many outfitters who can take you down rivers that are in civilization as well as remote wilderness locations.

• Generosity -2.5/4 Hiring a river guide or outfitter for any river trip does cost money. If you have the skills to read water and guide a boat, the cost drastically reduces. While these options may not be for everyone, watching and experiencing river documentaries can elicit some of those same emotions, and can be free of charge.

The Pueblo Star Journal (PSJ) Happiness Index will rate our suggestions in terms of:

Social support- Does this help connect us as a community and is it inclusive?

Healthy life expectancy- Does this potentially prolong life to a high standard of living and without harm or risk?

Becoming a river guide is not something that you choose, it chooses you. The enticing draw of the water, the thrill of a successful run, the opportunities to withdraw from the modern world, if even for a few hours, it is all there. We now have the opportunity to navigate moving water, rivers and rapids, for a few hours, or multiple days. Martin Litton, a river guide in the Grand Canyon, company owner of Grand Canyon Dories, but by far a conservationist in the depths of his soul, knew that what river guides do down there changes people. What better way to help conserve our waterways than to show people first hand what is at stake, what would be destroyed.

Freedoms making life choices - Is this free from imposition on others or ourselves?

Generosity - How cost effective is this for others and ourselves?

At 87 years old, Marin Litton ran his dory boat through Lava Falls, one of Grand Canyon’s most notorious rapids, for the last time. “There’s a good dozen rapids down in the Grand Canyon that qualify as true humdingers, and Lava sort of distinguishes itself. This is the place where the Colorado River basically rolls over a set of enormous boulders and basically detonates. There is no guaranteed line through it…” Kevin Fedarko, Martin’s Boat As we say on the river, you either have a clean run, or a good story.

Just as the Grand Canyon offers this opportunity to truly experience what Mother Nature has provided, we have established river outfitters on many other rivers as well. Here in Pueblo, we have the Arkansas River flowing through our town, providing places to swim, boat, surf, and fish. It is a vibrant and ever changing centerpiece to our town and how fortunate that we have the opportunity to appreciate all it does for us. In terms of recreating, if we drive about 45 miles upstream to Cañon City, we find some of the most sought after whitewater rafting in the nation, and even the world.

Commercial guests, as well as private boaters, have two main sections they can run just outside Cañon City. The Parkdale, Bighorn Sheep Canyon is a class IIIII stretch that is suitable for beginners and families, or those who are looking for moderate excitement levels. The Royal Gorge section steps away from Highway 50 into the wilderness, taking river runners through 9 miles of class III-IV white-

Experience a river trip in a way that you are comfortable with. Try a day trip with a local outfitter, seek out a multi-day excursion in a magical place like the Grand Canyon, watch a film or a documentary about these exquisite waterways, contemplate setting the rivers free again.

First Friday Art Walk GUIDE

45 degrees Robert Hall, reggae & painting for fun

Rory Harbert: You mentioned there was a Bob Marley painting that you saw before the levee was destroyed, did that influence your decision?

Robert Hall: It absolutely did, that was one of my favorite ones and was probably my favorite one. It was super dope. It’s a lot different than the one I did. I considered maybe trying to do that same one, but for me I find that trying to recreate things that already exist make art like a chore. I really don’t like to do it. So I decided to do my own thing. I submitted the piece that I wanted to do. The piece that I did was actually a color or cartoon version of the album cover Legend. I wanted to do the other one, but I wanted to do something new so I don’t have to be like is it a perfect copy.

Rory: To be like a human printer?

Robert: Yeah! People would say it doesn’t look exactly like the old one, so I decided to do my own thing. I painted one at my house, I do paintings at my house on the walls, so I painted one in my bedroom. It was maybe three by five. I sent that in and they ok’d it and then I did it on the wall. It was nice to be able to do it small scale since it’s just a bunch of little different shapes and then a bunch of colors as well. It was tough, definitely a tough painting to do. I worked on it in the fall and then a few times during the winter and then I didn’t get back to it until March. It was still cold outside, but I went out there and got it done. One of my favorite paintings.

An excerpt from the 45 Degrees podcast episode with artist Robert Hall. You can listen to this podcast right now on your podcast platform, check out the Voices of Pueblo podcast to listen to other 45 Degrees episodes and more!

You can listen to the full episode right now by searching Voices of Pueblo on your podcast platform!

Photo courtesy of Pueblo Levee Mural Project

Photo courtesy of Colorado Sun

ARTS

INKWELL: Analogue’s Creative Writing

Open Mic

7-9 p.m., second Thursdays, Analogue Books & Records, 216 N. Main St.

Zombeo and Juliet musical

7:30 p.m. July 12-14, 15-18, 1:30 p.m. July 15, Steel City Theatre Company, 241 S. Santa Fe Ave.

Info: steelcitytheatre.org

JULY

July 7 - Friday

“Women” art show, Artistic Freedom opening reception

5-8 p.m., Steel City Art Works, 216 S. Union Ave.

2nd annual Truth show

5-8 p.m., Blo Back Gallery, 131 Spring St.

Info: blobackgallery.com

Punk show

8-10 p.m., Blo Back Gallery, 131 Spring St. Info: blobackgallery.comJuly 8 - Saturday

July 8 - Saturday

Strainer record release show: “Cold Front”

6-9:15 p.m., Blo Back Gallery, 131 Spring St. Info: blobackgallery.com

Mermaid Drag & Sunset Yoga

8-9:30 p.m. Duke House, 511 W. 13th St. Info: momence.com/s/86770256

July 15 - Saturday

Mineral Palace, SPELLS, and Audio Visceral

5:30-8:30 p.m., Blo Back Gallery, 131 Spring St. Info: blobackgallery.com

July 19 - Wednesday

Sareth-Fest Music and Comedy Festival Pueblo 10

4-10 p.m., CR23 Bombshelter, 2271 Daniel Road

Info: www.aqdpi.com/2023-pueblo-lineup

July 22 - Saturday

Hip Hop Festival

11 a.m.-8 p.m., Mineral Palace Park, 1600 N. Santa Fe Ave.

Hip Hop Fest After Party

8-11:30 p.m., Mineral Palace Park, 1600 N. Santa Fe Ave.

Info: blobackgallery.com

July 23 - Sunday

Melody, Movement, and Meditation: Live Music + Yoga Flow with Cello Sound Bath

9-10:30 a.m., The Abriendo Inn

300 W. Abriendo Ave. Info: momence.com/s/86545174

July 25 - Tuesday

Matinee Punk Show

5:30-8:30 p.m., Blo Back Gallery, 131 Spring St.

Info: Innocent Sinners: Chef Danny Boy and Boss’s Daughter, $10, all ages, blobackgallery. com

July 28 - Friday

Closing Event for 2nd Annual Truth Show

6-9 p.m., Blo Back Gallery, 131 Spring St.

Info: blobackgallery.com PUEBLOSTARJOURNAL.ORG/EVENTS/SUBMIT

Pueblo Star Sports

CSU Pueblo softball player joins Ben Cason on podcast episode, talks improving young team

An excerpt from the Pueblo Star Sports podcast episode with CSU Pueblo softball’s Ashley Tosh. Tosh played primarily in the outfield in her sophomore season. The team finished with a 21-30 record, but only had three seniors on the roster.

Ben Cason: It’s a very young team, you yourself were only a sophomore this season. As the season has been going on what did you all learn as a team:

Ashley Tosh: I think the biggest thing is growing our confidence. As a really young team we started this season honestly a bit scared of our opponents. We’d come up and say “We’ve heard all of this about Regis and CCU, we’re only freshmen and sophomores on the field right now. How are we going to hold up?” But then we’d go and play them and we started focusing on playing for each other and that made all the difference. Once we were doing that we were competing with all of these big teams. Did we win all the big games in the end? No, but we were only losing by like one run, and it would be one situation or one home run that would change the course of the game. So to just see how close we were to beating them was really cool to see.

Ben Cason: That’s super cool, you guys obviously got more wins down the stretch. You had that one rough stretch early in the season, and then from there you picked up momentum down to the end. What do you think is going to carry over from this year into next year for your team?

Ashley Tosh: Carrying over from this year to next year will be the confidence we built and that we gelled together. We have a big recruiting class coming in with good pitchers coming in, that will make all the difference. Our pitchers did great this year, but it’s really hard to last a full college season with only four. Having more depth next year will really help us in those four game series’ to keep it together a bit longer. Our offense came through so much in the last half of the season. We keep that side of the ball hot from the get-go next season and we’ll be unstoppable.

You can listen to this podcast right now on your podcast platform, check Pueblo Star Sports and keep an eye out for new content coming soon! CSU Pueblo softball opens up their season in the spring of 2024!

Photo courtesy of CSU Pueblo Athletics.

Ashley Tosh was only a sophomore during the 2023 season. Photo courtesy of CSU Pueblo Athletics.

Photo courtesy of CSU Pueblo Athletics

Photo courtesy of CSU Pueblo Athletics

Pueblo Veterans’ Voice

By Amy Gillentine Sweet

Mt. Carmel helps service members, veterans with variety of programs

Expanding mission: Mt. Carmel in

Pueblo

helps service members and veterans with a variety of programs

At Mt. Carmel Pueblo, the goal is to empower veterans and inspire hope for a bright future through a variety of programs and services geared toward veterans and their families.

Founded by Jay Cimino, president and CEO of Phil Long Dealerships, Mt. Carmel is headed up by COL (U.S. Army, Ret.) Bob McLaughlin. Mt. Carmel officially opened its doors in 2016 and recently expanded to Pueblo and Trinidad to offer services to more veterans in Southern Colorado. Today, the nonprofit has offices in Colorado Springs, Pueblo, Fountain, Trinidad, and Ft. Carson, with plans to expand to the Western Slope during the next few years.

“It’s not just patriotic speech at Mt. Carmel, it’s boots-on-the ground support for those who have sacrificed on behalf of our nation,” said Sal Katz, Director, Rural Colorado Services.

“Through the offices and partners, Mt. Carmel provides transition and employment assistance, behavioral health and wellness, supportive services, connection to other community resources and safe event space for veterans, military members and their families.”

Last year, the Pueblo veterans service center assisted 256 veterans and family members, who received support through core programs – 106 families received nonclinical case management, housing assistance and supportive services; 64 clients received transition and employment support; and 84 people connected to behavioral health services, benefits support and other comprehensive resources. Additionally, more than 930 families were supported through Mt. Carmel’s food distributions. This year, through the first week of July, the center has helped 689 veterans and family members through its service centers. Another 102 families received food assistance, and a total of 170 were connected to partner organizations.

The family support provided includes nonclinical case management support services, with case managers providing short-term assistance that include both financial and non-financial resources. The managers help families set goals and provide aid for food, rent, mortgages and utilities. The long-term goal: teaching veterans and their families how to manage finances and build money management skills, personal finance concepts, financial coaching, and credit counseling.

Navigating services provided by state, local and federal governments, and a host of nonprofit agencies, can be challenging. That’s where Mt. Carmel in Pueblo comes in. Its model allows veterans to meet with partners for a variety of needs in a single, easily accessible location with a dedicated team that ensures every veteran, military service member, family member, first responder, and Gold Star family receives the support they deserve.

An independent study conducted by the National Institute of Social Impact showed that for every dollar invested, Mt. Carmel doubles its value in services to veterans. The study found that Mt. Carmel helped people find jobs, behavioral health counseling, and wellness support. In addition, thanks to Mt. Carmel, there’s been a decline in homelessness, veteran arrests, and suicides.

“Our team makes a difference in the lives of veterans, active-duty service members, and their families,” Katz said. “Undoubtedly, veterans and their families need our help, and we are here to serve those who sacrificed on our behalf. Supporting military members and veterans is embedded in Pueblo culture and is part of our long-lasting legacy.”

In partnership with the state of Colorado and UCHealth, the Next Chapter program opened in Pueblo this month. At Next Chapter, veteran leaders, health care professionals, and community partners join in a collaborative team initiative to deliver the best support for the variety of challenges veterans and their families face as they write their next chapter.

As service members and veterans find a welcoming home in Pueblo, the transition and employment team at Mt. Carmel helps them create their new lives as civilians through one-on-one peer navigators and support of the entire Mt. Carmel team. The nonprofit also provides job fairs, networking events, employer days and job search research skills, along with resume prep, career goal development and interviewing skills.

To support Mt. Carmel or learn more about how they can help Pueblo veterans, go to veterans center.org or call 719-309-4719. Stop by in person at 1925 E. Orman Ave., Suite 156. The Pueblo Center is open from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Note: If you, or someone you know, are in crisis, Mt. Carmel’s partners can help with immediate support. The Veterans Crisis Line is 1-800-273-8255, press one. Or call 988, the suicide and crisis lifeline. Colorado Crisis Services are available at 844-493-TALK.

The Mt. Carmel Veterans Service Center empowers veterans through direct support. In June, the Pueblo office provided Quilts of Valor to local veterans -- ranging from service during WWII to the Global War on Terror. Photos courtesy of Mt. Carmel Veterans Service Center.

Sal Katz receives the Patriot Award for his support of deployed military members who were employees of Mt. Carmel Veterans Service Center. Photo courtesy of Mt. Carmel Veterans Service Center.

Photos courtesy of Mt. Carmel

Puzzled about puzzles

By Gregory Howell

Welcome, fellow puzzle

aficionados,

to a journey through the marvelous realm of jigsaw puzzles! Grab your magnifying glasses, dust off your detective hats, and prepare to piece together the intriguing tale of this captivating pastime. With a touch of whimsy and a sprinkle of curiosity, let’s embark on an adventure that will unravel the enigma behind those scattered fragments of joy.

Picture this: It’s the 18th century, and the air is tinged with a peculiar sense of puzzlement. Enter John Spilsbury, an English cartographer with a flair for mischief. In a stroke of sheer brilliance (or perhaps just a bout of boredom), he decides to cut up a map into tiny, jagged pieces, challenging his friends to put it back together. Little did he know that this impulsive act would launch a worldwide obsession, sparking a revolution of interlocking amusement.

As the craze spread like wildfire, jigsaw puzzles evolved faster than a chameleon on a kaleidoscope. They were no longer limited to maps, oh no! Puzzlers clamored for picturesque landscapes, whimsical animals, historic landmarks, and even fine art masterpieces. The jigsaw puzzle universe became a vibrant mosaic of possibilities, with each piece promising a puzzle-solver’s paradise.

Fast forward to the 19th century, where technological advancements and ingenious inventions propelled puzzles to new heights. Craftsmen, armed with saws and wood in hand, meticulously carved out pieces with intricate shapes and mesmerizing designs. These wooden wonders, adorned with whimsical patterns, transformed jigsaw puzzles into true works of art that demanded admiration and dedicated puzzlers.

But hold on, dear puzzlers! The 20th century arrived with a twist, as innova-

tion knocked on the puzzle’s door. Cardboard swooped in like a dashing hero, replacing the wooden wonders of yesteryear. Now, puzzles could be mass-produced, affording them newfound accessibility and affordability for puzzle enthusiasts around the world. The age of cardboard puzzles had begun, and it was time to embrace this lightweight revolution.

And so, the jigsaw puzzle’s allure transcended time, captivating the hearts and minds of generations. It became a beloved family pastime, bringing together grandparents, parents and children around the table; their collective focus directed towards those elusive connections. Laughter, frustration and triumph danced hand-in-hand as jigsaw puzzles weaved their magic into the fabric of our lives.

Today, as we revel in the wonders of the digital age, the jigsaw puzzle marches boldly into the future. It has ventured beyond cardboard and wood, leaping into the virtual realm. Digital puzzles have sprouted on screens, offering instant gratification and an infinite array of mesmerizing images to explore. We find ourselves caught in a delightful dance, where traditional meets modern, and pixels intertwine with tangible pieces.

So, my dear friends, let us celebrate this timeless enigma, this charming conundrum that has sparked joy and fascination for centuries. Whether you’re a seasoned puzzler or a curious novice, let the jigsaw puzzle be your guide through a realm of boundless creativity, captivating challenges and whimsical wonder. Together, we shall piece together the puzzle’s secrets, one delightful fragment at a time. Let the adventure begin!

From peculiar beginnings to a favorite family activities, this hobby evolved into timelessness

In the 18th century, John Spilsbury invented the first puzzle by cutting up a map. ‘Europe Divided Into Its Kingdoms’, jigsaw puzzle, 1766, The Strong Museum of Play, Rochester, New York.

Pama’s Pueblo montage

By Gregory Howell

Artist Al

Maisel

‘Pama’ is an innovative and talented artist, who has captivated the art scene with his unique interpretive creations, one of which is the remarkable Pueblo Montage.

Pama’s artistic vision combines elements of traditional Pueblo mapmaking with a modern and contemporary twist, resulting in breathtaking and whimsical artworks. With meticulous attention to detail and a deep appreciation for the cultural heritage of Pueblo, Pama seamlessly blends vibrant colors, intricate patterns, and striking imagery to bring his artistic vision to life.

Inspired by the rich history and cultural significance of the Pueblo people, Pama’s Pueblo Montage stands as a testament to his skill and creativity. The artwork showcases a mesmerizing collage of iconic Pueblo buildings, each one intricately designed and expertly placed to form a harmonious composition. Through this creation, Pama not only pays homage to the architectural beauty of Pueblo but also invites viewers to explore the stories and traditions embedded within these historic properties.

Pama has lived in Pueblo his entire life except for a short time when he was enlisted in the Air Force. After his discharge, he worked at the Pueblo Reservoir

conducting surveys and inspections. Then he attended USC (now CSU Pueblo) and received a degree in art as he thought it would help him secure a position on a union studio film crew. His skill enabled him to continued to work in surveying, drafting and mapping which included assignments with federal, state, city and county governments. He also landed an assignment with the USC Anthropology Department and worked with the legendary Dr. John Buckles.

Recognizing the universal appeal of his artwork, Pama decided to transform his Pueblo Montage into a 500 piece jigsaw puzzle. This decision allows art enthusiasts and puzzle lovers alike to engage with his creation in an interactive and hands-on manner. As the puzzle pieces come together, participants are able to appreciate the depth and complexity of Pama's art, while also enjoying the satisfying challenge of assembling the puzzle.

Pama’s Pueblo Montage puzzle serves as a testament to the artist’s ability to bridge the gap between artistic expression, recreational enjoyment and tourism. With his unique blend of tradition and innovation, Pama continues to inspire and delight audiences throughout the region, inviting them to explore the beauty and cultural significance of Pueblo through his art. Recently Pama has opened a new space in the Pueblo Arts Alliance Studios with the desire to attract other skilled and creative individuals to help him turn another piece of work called ‘Covenant’ into an animated series to establish an animation and film studio on Pueblo’s East Side.

Mapmaker, veteran, artist, Al Maisel Pama has many hats, adds puzzlemaker to the list

“Pama’s Pueblo Montage puzzle serves as a testament to the artist’s ability to bridge the gap between artistic expression, recreational enjoyment and tourism. ”

-Gregory Howell on Al Maisel Pama

Faith-based organizations Northside

FINDING COMMUNITY IN FAITH

Abundant Life Christian Church

1001 Constitution Rd, Pueblo, CO 81001

info : (719) 546-1522, abundantlifepueblo.com Service: 10 a.m. & 6 p.m. Sunday; 7 p.m. Wednesday.

Ascension Episcopal Church

420 W 18th St, Pueblo, CO, 81003

Info: (719) 543-4253, ascensionpueblo.org Service: 8 a.m. & 10 a.m Sundays.

Bethel Temple

1605 W 19th St, Pueblo, CO, 81003

Info: (719) 583-8593

Center for Inner Peace

740 W 15th St, Pueblo, CO, 81003

Info: (719) 543-2349, cippueblo.wordpress.com Services: 10 a.m. Sunday.

City Of The Lord Foursquare Church

2601 N Elizabeth St, Pueblo, CO 81003

Info: (719) 545-2657 embassyinternationalglobalministries.com/tribe-church Service: 10 a.m. Sunday; 7 p.m. Wednesday.

Christ Congregational Church

United Church of Christ: 420 W 18th St, Pueblo, CO, 81003

Info: (719) 601-7563, uccpueblo.org Service: 10 a.m. Sunday.

Faith Bible Church

719 W 24th St, Pueblo CO, 81003

Info: 719) 671-5588, faithbaptistpueblo.com Service: 10:30 a.m. Sunday.

First Free Methodist Church

717 W 26th St, Pueblo, CO 81003

Info: (719) 545-2488

Freedom Calvary Chapel

2602 2nd Ave, Pueblo, CO 81003

Info: (719) 299-6030, freedomcalvary.org Service: 11 a.m Sunday.

Iglesia Apostolica de la Fe en Cristo Jesus

427 W 26th St, Pueblo, CO, 81003

Info: (915) 407-0720

Highest Praise Fellowship

2710 N Elizabeth St, Pueblo, CO 81003

Info: (719) 240-7410, highestpraisefellowship.org Service: 10 a.m Sunday; 7 p.m. Wednesday.

Holy Rosary Catholic Church

2400 W 22nd St, Pueblo, CO 81003

Info: (719) 545-7219, olm-parish.com Service: 9:15 a.m. Sunday.

Liberty Baptist Church

2207 W 29th St, Pueblo, CO 81008

Info: (719) 545-2648, libertybaptistpueblo.com Service: 10:45 a.m. & 6 p.m. Sunday.

New Heights Baptist Church

3304 Baltimore Ave, Pueblo, CO 81008

Info: (719) 647-7273, newheightspueblo.org Service: 11 a.m. Sunday.

New Hope Baptist Church

1229 W 18th St, Pueblo, CO, 81003

Info: (719) 406-6521, sites.google.com/view/new-hope-baptist-church-pueblo/home Service: 11 a.m. Sunday.

Praise Assembly of God

2000 Troy Ave, Pueblo, CO 81001

Info: (719) 544-9486, www.pueblopraise.org Service: 9 a.m. & 10:30 a.m. Sunday.

St Pius X Catholic Church

3130 Morris Ave, Pueblo, CO 81008

Info: (719) 542-4264, sites.google.com/view/st-pius-x-pueblo/ Service: 4 p.m. Saturday; 9 a.m. Sunday; Weekday Mass noon Tuesday-Friday.

Steel City Fellowship

1401 Jerry Murphy Rd, Pueblo, CO 81001

Info: steelcityfellowship@gmail.com, steelcityfellowship.com Service: 10:30 a.m. Sunday.

The Pueblo Star Journal presents the first part of a four-part series focusing on faithbased organizations in each cardinal direction of Pueblo. This issue, we focus on the northside of Pueblo. Next month we will focus on the Eastside.

Photo courtesy of Pueblo Shares

ARTS

INKWELL: Analogue’s Creative Writing

Open Mic

7-9 p.m., second Thursdays, Analogue Books & Records, 216 N. Main St.

Zombeo and Juliet musical

7:30 p.m. July 12-14, 15-18, 1:30 p.m. July 15,

Steel City Theatre Company, 241 S. Santa Fe Ave.

Info: steelcitytheatre.org

HISTORY

“You Should Have Seen It: Pueblo’s Mineral Palace”

10 a.m.-4 p.m daily through April 1, 2024, El Pueblo History Museum, 301 N. Union Ave. Info: historycolorado.org

War Memorial Ghost Tours

7-9 p.m. first Saturday of each month, Pueblo Weisbrod Aircraft Museum, 31001 Magnuson Ave.

Info: pwam.org

Celebrating All Things Slovene

Through July 31, Pueblo Heritage Museum, 201 W. B St.

FAITH

Interfaith meditation and service

10-11:30 a.m. Sundays, Center for Inner Peace, 740 W. 15th St.

Info: 719-543-2274

FAMILY EVENTS

Pueblo Rocks in the Park

Noon-2 p.m. Fridays, Ray Aguilera Park, 840 W.

Northern Ave.

GAMES

Chaos Games & More

4065 Club Manor Drive

Info: chaosgamesandmore.com

Pokemon, Dungeons & Dragons, Magic: The Gathering, Warhammer 40K, board game nights and more.

Weekly game schedule available on website.

Game Knight Games

1839 S. Pueblo Blvd.

Info: gameknightgamesllc.com

Pokemon, Dungeons & Dragons, Magic: The Gathering, Keyforge, My Hero Academia, board game league and more. Weekly game schedule available on website.

MUSIC

Line Dancing

EZ 4 p.m., Country/Classic 6-7 p.m. Wednesdays, Eagleridge Event Center, 805 Eagleridge Blvd., Suite 170 Info: facebook.com/PuebloDanceCompany

Cocktail Hour with Live Music

7-9 p.m. Wednesdays, Analogue Bar, 222 N. Main St. Info: facebook.com/AnalogueSolar

Open Mic at Blue Cactus

6-9 p.m. Thursdays, El Nopal’s Blue Cactus Room, 1435 E. Evans Ave. Info: 719-564-9784

Live Music Fridays

7-9 p.m. Fridays, Analogue Bar, 222 N. Main St

Karaoke Night at The Fallout with KJ Mikey

D.

9-11:30 p.m. Fridays, 1227 S. Prairie Ave. Info: facebook.com/PuebloFallout

Alt Night at Analogue

7-9 p.m. last Saturdays at Analogue Books & Records, 216 N. Main St.

FOOD

Pueblo Mall Farmers Market

8 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturdays through September, Pueblo Mall, 3429 Dillon Drive

WELLNESS

Trauma Informed Yoga: 6-week series

6-7 p.m. Fridays July 14-Aug. 18, Ren Yoga Flow, 110 W. Fifth St. Info: renyogaflow.com

Seniors: Riverwalk Walking Group

Meets 10 a.m. Mondays in front of Senior Resource Development Agency (SRDA), 230 N. Union Ave. Info: 719-553-3446 or richmond@srda.org

Yoga and Cocktail Night

5:30 p.m. second Tuesdays

Ren Yoga Flow, 110 W. Fifth St.

Analogue Books & Records, 216 N. Main St. Info: renyogaflow.com

Wellbriety Support Meeting

Check out PSJ’s First Friday Art Walk Guide on page 15 for events specific to Pueblo’s art scene.

HIP HOP FESTIVAL

Photo courtesy of Mad Fresh Productions

9-10:30 a.m. Wednesdays, Center for Inner Peace, 740 W. 15th St.

Info: 719-543-2274

Prenatal Workshop and Support Group

6-7 p.m. last Wednesday of each month, Phoenix Massage, 105 W. Fifth St.

Info: socodoulaco@gmail.com

Yoga: Hun Yuan Qi Gong

10 a.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays at Anahata

Healing Yoga Studio, 3942 Ivywood Lane

$5/class; Wednesdays and Thursdays on Zoom

(no charge); Sundays at City Park Ballroom, George L. Williams Pavilion, 801 Goodnight Ave.

Ladies Night Out Self-Defense Training

6-8 p.m. first Friday of the month, Rocky Mountain Empowerment Center, 330 Lake Ave. Info: $39. 800-748-2074

JULY

July 7 - Friday

“Women” art show, Artistic Freedom opening reception

5-8 p.m., Steel City Art Works, 216 S. Union Ave.

2nd annual Truth show

5-8 p.m., Blo Back Gallery, 131 Spring St. Info: blobackgallery.com

Punk show

8-10 p.m., Blo Back Gallery, 131 Spring St. Info: blobackgallery.com

July 8 - Saturday

9th Annual Rumble at the Rosemount

9 a.m.-2 p.m., Rosemount Museum, 419 W. 14th St.

Info: Free admission to car show, half-price admission to museum

Strainer record release show: “Cold Front”

6-9:15 p.m., Blo Back Gallery, 131 Spring St. Info: blobackgallery.com

Mermaid Drag & Sunset Yoga

8-9:30 p.m. Duke House, 511 W. 13th St. Info: momence.com/s/86770256

July 13 - Thursday

Business During Lunch

10:30 a.m.-1 p.m., Pueblo Convention Center, 320 Central Main St. Info: puebochamber.org

July 14 - Friday

Future CEO Summer Program

10 a.m.-3 p.m., Southern Colorado SBDC Classroom, 121 W. City Center Drive, Suite 200 Info: www.coloradosbdc.org

Summer Fun Days

with Girl Scouts: Campfire Day

12:30-1:30 p.m., Rawlings Library, 100 E. Abriendo Ave. Info: pueblolibrary.org

July 15 - Saturday

Mineral Palace, SPELLS, and Audio Visceral

5:30-8:30 p.m., Blo Back Gallery, 131 Spring St. Info: blobackgallery.com

Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Festival

5:30-11 p.m., Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, 421 Clark St.

Info: ourladyofmtcarmelpueblo.org

July 16 - Sunday

Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Festival

Noon -10 p.m., Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, 421 Clark St.

Info: ourladyofmtcarmelpueblo.org

July 19 - Wednesday

Sareth-Fest Music and Comedy Festival Pueblo 10

4-10 p.m., CR23 Bombshelter, 2271 Daniel Road

Info: www.aqdpi.com/2023-pueblo-lineup

July 21 - Friday

Summer Fun Days with Girl Scouts: Princess Tea Party

12:30-1:30 p.m., Rawlings Library, 100 E. Abriendo Ave.

Info: pueblolibrary.org

July 22 - Saturday

Hip Hop Festival

11 a.m.-8 p.m., Mineral Palace Park, 1600 N. Santa Fe Ave.

Hip Hop Fest After Party

8-11:30 p.m., Mineral Palace Park, 1600 N. Santa Fe Ave.

Info: blobackgallery.com

July 23 - Sunday

Melody, Movement, and Meditation: Live Music + Yoga Flow with Cello Sound Bath

9-10:30 a.m., The Abriendo Inn

300 W. Abriendo Ave.

Info: momence.com/s/86545174

July 25 - Tuesday

Matinee Punk Show

5:30-8:30 p.m., Blo Back Gallery, 131 Spring St.

Info: Innocent Sinners: Chef Danny Boy and Boss’s Daughter, $10, all ages, blobackgallery.com

July 28 - Friday

Annual Chamber Golf Tournament

8 a.m.-3 p.m., Elmwood Golf Course, 3900 Thatcher Ave.

Info: terrik@pueblochamber.org or 719-542-1704

Closing Event for 2nd Annual Truth Show

6-9 p.m., Blo Back Gallery, 131 Spring St. Info: blobackgallery.com

July 29 - Saturday

Christmas in July Small Business Vendor Show

10 a.m.- 4 p.m., Pueblo Community College, 900 W Orman Ave.

Info: Southern Colorado SBDC, 719-549-3245, bit.ly/3oYCVn4

AUGUST

August 4-5 -Friday & Saturday

Wesley Rummage Sale

8-a.m.-2 p.m. Wesley United Methodist Church, 85 Stanford Ave.

August 4-6 - Friday - Sunday

Beulah Arts and Crafts Festival

10 a.m.-8 p.m. Beulah School of Natural Sciences, 8734 Schoolhouse Lane

August 11 - Friday

Summer Fun Days with Girl Scouts: Princess Tea Party

12:30-1:30 p.m. Rawlings Library, 100 E. Abriendo Ave.

August 10-12 - Thursday - Saturday

Books Again Half-Off Summer Sale

Friends of the Library Members only Aug. 10, general public Aug. 11-12, Books Again, 622 S. Union Ave.

Info: booksagain-pueblo.com

August 12 - Saturday

IDEA Con 2023

Rawlings Library, 100 E. Abriendo Ave. Info: pueblolibrary.org/ideacon

August 15 - Tuesday

New Moon Breathwork & Gong

7-9 p.m. Ren Yoga Flow, 110 W. Fifth St.

August 16 - Wednesday

Pueblo West Chamber luncheon

11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Pueblo Convention Center, 320 Central Main St.

Info: puebloconventioncenter.com

August 18 - Friday

Summer Fun Days with Girl Scouts: My Little Pony

12:30-1:30 p.m. Aug. 18, Rawlings Library, 100

E. Abriendo Ave.

August 20 -25 - Sunday - Friday

George Strickland Artist Workshop

Noon, Four-workshop at Yellow Pine Ranch, 15880 CO-12, La Veta

August 25 - Friday

Colorado State Fair - Opening

Aug. 25-Sept. 4, 1001 Beulah Ave.

Info: coloradostatefair.com

Jeffrey Dallet Live Music at Analogue Records

7-9 p.m. Aug. 25, Analogue Books & Records, 216 N. Main St.

Legislative BBQ

Aug. 25, Colorado State Fairgrounds, 1001 Beulah Ave.

August 30 - Wednesday

Honoring Our Commitment: U.S. Chemical Weapons Stockpile Destruction Complete in Colorado

2 p.m. Pueblo Convention Center, Fortino Ballroom, 320 Central Main St.

Info: www.peoacwa.army.mil

SEPTEMBER

September 4 - Monday

Colorado State Fair - Closing

Aug. 25-Sept. 4, 1001 Beulah Ave.

Info: coloradostatefair.com

Travis Tritt

7 p.m. Sept. 21, Memorial Hall, 1 City Hall Place

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