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Crystal dreamin’

Fresh nonprofit aims to save and sustain the Crystal Theatre

JAMES STEINDLER

Contributing Editor

Since they listed the Crystal Theatre for sale almost two years ago, owners Bob and Kathy Ezra have been intentional about any transition from the get-go. Having been the theater’s stewards for the past 40 years, they don’t want to see it fall into the wrong hands — and they aren’t alone in that. Back in September of last year, the Calaway Room at the Third Street Center hosted a few dozen folks, including the Ezras sitting quietly in the back,

who all showed up for the sake of preserving the Crystal.

It was fitting that one of their long-time employees, Will Grandbois, was at the front of the room introducing the Crystal Theatre Alliance (CTA), a nonprofit in formation meant to save and sustain the theater for years to come.

“I had several prominent moments of my life in the Crystal Theatre,” Grandbois later told The Sopris Sun — from asking his childhood neighbor to marry him at 4 years old to sharing the theater with his

family alone one Christmas Day for a screening of “The Muppet Christmas Carol.” Under CTA, Grandbois will step into the managing role at the theater.

At the September meeting, he was standing alongside Kate Schwerin, CTA’s executive director, who has an extensive background in producing and advertising. She has roots in Colorado, too, with her mother’s side of the family being from here. Her brother and father moved to the Valley back in the early 2000s, and, long story short, the last time she visited she decided to stick around.

The excitement in the room was prevalent. At one point a woman piped in, “I’ll work for

free if I can watch movies.” And from the sound of it, she won’t be disappointed.

“There will be many ways to participate and volunteer, and that’s really what’s going to keep the theater going,” Schwerin said during a recent interview. Whether that means popping popcorn, holding down the ticket booth, helping with special events or offering programming, the possibilities to get involved are seemingly endless.

CTA has been laying the groundwork since that September meeting, undergoing a quiet fundraising campaign. At the time of this article, CTA is going public and beginning its crowdfunding phase. The goal is to

raise $500,000, including what they’ve already netted, by this fall to purchase the business at $99,000, commit to a multiyear lease and “ensure it’s a sustainable, versatile community resource moving forward.” Schwerin filed for nonprofit status on Nov. 1, but in the meantime CTA is operating under the Third Street Center as a fiscal sponsor.

The backing of the Ezras means a great deal to the CTA partners.

“We didn’t set out thinking of a nonprofit, but it became apparent that that was the model that could have the greatest chance for success,” stated Kathy. “The CTA understands the history of

continued on page 7

Kate Schwerin and Will Grandbois have been floored by the community support.

Photo by Mark Burrows

Twenty years

Editor’s note (2005): The Valley Journal debuts a new columnist this week, adding to our slate of local voices and divergent viewpoints.

Roaring Fork Valley native Jeannie Perry’s “Ps & Qs” will appear monthly in the VJ.

Jeannie was born in Aspen and grew up in the Valley — part of the Perry ranching family — before moving to the Front Range … She returned after a spell a few years ago and now calls Carbondale home.

She brings a unique, slightly left-of-center perspective, coupled with an amusing sense of humor, not only on life in the Valley, but on life and politics outside the Valley as well.

We hope you enjoy Jeannie’s observations, and don’t forget to mind your “Ps & Qs.”

That was 20 years ago this month! My, how time flies when we’re having fun. And we are, right?! Still having fun, that is. I am so grateful for my community and all that it offers — to old locals and new Bonedalers alike. Carbondale is a great place to call home.

OPINION

Ps & Qs

By Jeannie Perry

I’m especially appreciative of all my editors over the past 20 years (and two newspapers): John Stroud, Trina Ortega, Terray Sylvester, Lynn Burton, Will Grandbois, Raleigh Burleigh, James Steindler. Sincerely, thank you all for proofing my myriad rants without stifling my voice. It must’ve felt a bit like being a bronc rider, just trying to stay on for eight seconds. My grandfather loved to rope and ride. Bob and Ditty lived just south of town on the Mt. Sopris Ranch and when I started writing “Ps & Qs” they would read it each month with anticipation (apprehension?). I’d go over to the ranch to hear what they both thought of my latest musings, and Ditty always had yellow highlights all over the page — several points she wanted to discuss. Once, I walked in and she had a black eye from a recent fall.

“Oh my gods! What happened?” I exclaimed.

Bob was quick to reply, “Same thing that’s gonna happen to you, you keep writing those articles.” He had a kidding sense of humor with a dry delivery.

Bob and Ditty lived and ranched here for over 60 years. Back in the good ol’ days you could stop your truck in the middle of Main Street to roll down the window and catch up … The Nugget was full of miners and RVR was empty land. A lot has changed in 20 years in Carbondale, but not the suicide lane on Highway 133.

Recently, my neighbor was pulled over by a Carbondale police officer for using the middle lane to make a left turn from Dolores Way. If they’re going to suddenly start enforcing the ordinance, then we’re going to need another entrance/exit to Satank. Here are a few viable options:

1) Install a roundabout at Highway 133/Dolores/Chester’s Chicken Shack (or whatever the nickname of that new restaurant ends up being).

2) Move a boulder at RFTA’s Park & Ride and let us use the Village Road light.

3) Install a gate at the pink bridge on Satank’s lower west side — although it could be even more dangerous trying to access Highway 82 from Satank Road than it is trying to turn left from Dolores Way.

Anyway, the powers that be (CDOT, Town of Carbondale, Garfield County, RFTA) should probably get up to some good bureaucratic trouble and reopen this Pandora’s box. Especially because the traffic and parking on Dolores is ridiculous. Back when P&Z decided this would be a good place for multiplex residential mixed with “light industrial” behind a RFTA Park & Ride, I wish they had considered the fact that everyone in Carbondale has a car, and with all the roadway parking there is not enough room for semi-trucks to unload or turn around. Traffic frequently backs up on our only access road: Dolores Way.

As I sit in my car waiting for the road to clear, I stare at Mt. Sopris and remember my grandparents sitting at their dining table reading the paper — Ditty’s yellow highlighter on the lazy Susan, all ready to go.

Thank you for reading! And don’t forget to mind your Ps & Qs.

LETTERS

Graffiti

Why would people graffiti our beautiful Rio Grande Trail? This was spotted north of the Carbondale bus stop — behind the restaurant and trailer park on Highway 133, toward the river and bridge. Hoping someone knows who did this and reports it to the police.

Jalene Bermudez Carbondale

Bike friendly

What a great time to ride your bike in Carbondale! Take advantage of our long days for a ramble on the Rio Grande and Crystal trails. And pedal around town to visit your favorite spots — whether the library, the Post Office or your favorite restaurant or store.

The Town recently adopted a new transportation plan, incorporating extensive community input. It prioritizes biking, walking and transit in Carbondale, while reducing private vehicle use.

In that spirit, try the new bike lanes on West Main Street and Hendrick Drive, which were just installed thanks to Town staff. Ride on!

Bill Anschuetz Carbondale

Mountain Gazette search

I am on something of a wild goose chase centered upon the Roaring Fork Valley.

As some of you may know, I used to co-own and operate a publication called the Mountain Gazette — along with Valley legend, the late-George Stranahan and Curtis Robinson who once edited the Aspen Daily News and Roaring Fork Sunday.

The new Mountain Gazette owner/editor, Mike Rogge, is in the process of putting together a greatest-hits-type book. I have been recruited to help him hunt down some of the past contributors whose work he would like to include.

Sadly, several of those have passed away and, therefore, we are trying to locate heirs and executors and such. I have exhausted all other research avenues and, therefore, have decided to appeal to the public at large for any information.

I am trying to get contact information for Jeremy Bernstein and Bob Chamberlain, both of whom I think still live and breathe. As well, information regarding heirs to the literary estates of Bruce Berger, Gaylord Guenin and Steve Wishart have been hard to come by.

Anyone out there have any leads I might be able to follow? If so, please send to mjfayhee@gmail.com

M. John Fayhee New Mexico

Strawberry Shortcut

Many thanks to the Special Olympics Western Region (SOWR) for supporting Mountain Valley Developmental Services (MVDS) at the Strawberry Shortcut races on June 22, and to Bank of Colorado for sponsoring this very fun community event. Also, many thanks to the Rotary Club of Glenwood Springs for hosting a delicious pancake, “carb load” breakfast before the races.

MVDS had over three-dozen participants in the Strawberry Shortcut this year — a record for us! Athletes and staff came from many of our group homes and also with their families.

Mike Kishimoto at the Bank of Colorado arranged our athletes’ t-shirts, so they felt like a real team. Rotarians Fran and Greg Orosz and Brad Plantz made sure our athletes were well fed before running and walking. As always, March

Editor Raleigh Burleigh 970-510-3003

news@soprissun.com

Contributing Editor

James Steindler

Sol del Valle Editora Bianca Godina bianca@soldelvalle.org

Advertising Rep Margarita Alvarez margarita@soldelvalle.org

Digital Editor

Ingrid Celeste Zúniga ingrid@soldelvalle.org

Lead Editorial Designer

Terri Ritchie

Partnerships & Engagement Manager

Luise Wollesen

Advertising Designer

Emily Blong

Delivery

Frederic Kischbaum

Gus Richardson

Proofreaders

Lee Beck

Tracy Kallassy

Ken Pletcher

Hank van Berlo

Executive Director

Todd Chamberlin

970-510-0246

adsales@soprissun.com

Board Members / Mesa Directiva board@soprissun.com

Klaus Kocher • Kay Clarke

Donna Dayton • Eric Smith

Roger Berliner • Elizabeth Phillips

Jessi Rochel • Andrew Travers

Anna Huntington • Loren Jenkins

Carlos Ramos

The Sopris Sun Board meets at 6pm on second Thursdays at the Third Street Center.

The Sopris Sun, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation with a mission to inform, inspire and build community by fostering diverse and independent journalism. Donations are fully tax deductible.

Sincerest thanks to our Honorary Publishers for their annual commitment of $1,000+

Lee Beck & John Stickney

Kay Brunnier

Frances Dudley

Michelle & Ed Buchman

Sue Edelstein & Bill Spence

Deborah & Shane Evans

Greg & Kathy Feinsinger

Gary & Jill Knaus

Eric Smith

Peter and Mike Gilbert

Patti & George Stranahan

Elizabeth Wysong

Alpine Bank

Emily & George Bohmfalk

Kathy & Carter Barger

Sandy & Paul Chamberlin

Karen & Roger Berliner

Donna & Ken Riley

Gayle & Dick Wells

Legacy Givers for including us in their final wishes. Mary Lilly

Donate by mail or online: P.O. Box 399

Carbondale, CO 81623

520 S. Third Street #26-B 970-510-3003 soprissun.com/Donate

The Sopris Sun, Inc.

is a proud member of the Carbondale Creative District

Bob Perry and his daughter, Nancy Shaffer. Courtesy photo

Carbondale graffiti, courtesy photo

OUR UNDERWRITERS AND

NONPROFIT PARTNERS!

SCUTTLEBUTT

Fire danger

A number of small fires have occurred in the Valley recently. A passenger van explosion up Snowmass Creek Road on June 30 spread flames to dry vegetation before 30 firefighters contained it. The day prior, a multi-agency effort responded to a structure fire in Glenwood Springs. Thursday, June 26, saw a human-caused fire in a ravine behind Wal-Mart, also in Glenwood Springs, causing evacuations. On Monday, June 23, a Glenwood Springs brush fire knocked out internet and cell phone communications for much of the Roaring Fork Valley. Especially on this July 4 weekend, readers are reminded that fire restrictions are in place as drought conditions persist.

C’dale Fourth of July

FirstBank Alpine Bank

Colorado Mountain College

Nordic Gardens

Hilary Porterfield

Basalt Library

NONPROFIT PARTNERS

Two Rivers Unitarian Universalist

Carbondale Arts

Carbondale Rotary Club

Colorado Animal Rescue

Interested in becoming an Underwriter or Nonprofit Partner? Email Todd@soprissun.com or call 970-987-9866

Youngsters are invited to participate in Carbondale’s Fourth of July parade. Staging will begin at 10am at 2nd and Main Street. Flag bearers and emergency vehicles will lead the march, followed by kids on motorized or electric-powered vehicles, then kids on non-motorized vehicles and, finally, kids walking, skipping or dancing with adults and animals (on leashes) bringing up the rear. Free popsicles will be supplied at Sopris Park following the parade. For more information, call 970-510-1290.

Educator assistance

Colorado’s Educator Recruitment and Retention financial assistance program is receiving applications to give aspiring teachers a $10,000 boost in exchange for committing to teaching in a shortage area in a public school for three years. This program supports traditional and alternative licensure pathways alike, giving career changers and paraprofessionals a shot at stepping into a teaching role. Find details (and apply by Sept. 30) at www.cde.state.co.us/educatortalent/errprogram

Streets survey

As noted in a letter to the editor last week, new roadway features have sprung up around Carbondale. Public engagement through the MAP Carbondale online platform prompted these temporary adjustments, according to a Town press release. “Residents asked for safer streets, slower traffic and more bike- and pedestrian-friendly design — and now we’re testing some of those ideas on the ground,” said Public Works Director Kevin Schorzman. The idea is to test out the temporarily placed features to see if permanent fixtures would be warranted. Carbondale residents are invited to complete a survey through Oct. 1 to share their thoughts. Find the survey at www.tinyurl.com/CarbondaleStreets

TRTC auditions

On July 19, from 10am to 4pm, Thunder River Theatre Company will host auditions for its upcoming regular season. The plays include: “True West” by Sam Shepard; “The Secretary” by Kyle John Schmidt; “Annie” by Thomas Meehan (a co-production with SoL Theatre Company); “K2” by Patick Meyer; and “For Peter Pan on her 70th Birthday” by Sarah Ruhl. To sign up, visit www.tinyurl.com/TRCTtryouts

Housing the homeless

The West Mountain Regional Housing Alliance (WMRHA) recently issued a request for proposals for supportive services for the region’s first scattered-site permanent supportive housing program, intended to house and provide resources to the chronically homeless. With $200,000 allocated toward support service delivery and $550,000 to support rental housing, WMRHA is seeking a service provider to deliver housing-focused case management by way of a housing first, harmreduction approach. Questions may be submitted until July 11 and responses to the request for proposals are due by July 23. To learn more, visit westmountainhealthalliance.org/psh_rfp/

Residents of Cavern Springs Mobile Home Park, located near Glenwood Springs, met at the Third Street Center on June 29 to organize around purchasing the land beneath their homes, which was put on the market in May for almost $26 million. The actual value, according to the Garfield County Assessor, is just under $10 million. Cavern Springs is home to 98 trailers and the residents attempted unsuccessfully to purchase their park in early 2021 with help from Thistle ROC, a national lending nonprofit. Thistle ROC will return in early July to consider options with Cavern Springs residents. Courtesy photo

Climate Desk

Aspen Public Radio (APR) announced on June 28 its newsroom is expanding with the addition of a Climate Desk. The new position, filled by Michael Fanelli, is dedicated to providing accurate, accessible and community-focused coverage of environmental and climate-related issues affecting our area. It’s the fourth dedicated Desk launched by APR in the past year.

Wildcat expansion

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) on June 10 began the approval process for a right-of-way expansion for the Wildcat Loadout facility near Price, Utah. The facility is a transfer point for Uinta Basin crude oil, which is trucked in from oil fields in eastern Utah. If the expansion is approved, an additional 70,000 barrels of crude could travel daily by train along the Colorado River, headed for Gulf Coast refineries. The BLM fast tracked the environmental review process in compliance with a Trump administration executive order declaring a national energy emergency. Notably, the BLM cancelled a similar environmental assessment in 2024, said Center for Biological Diversity (CBD) attorney Ted Zuckoski. June 17 started the clock ticking for the BLM to prepare an environmental assessment in 14 days. There will be no public involvement or the opportunity to file an administrative appeal. CBD has voiced concerns along with Eagle and Grand counties, members of Colorado’s General Assembly, U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet and Rep. Joe Neguse and others. The BLM’s decision could come as early as this week. It is unknown if this project would replace or add to the proposed Uinta Basin Railway.

They say it’s your birthday!

Folks celebrating another trip around the sun this week include: Ash Buckberg, Katie Jones, Maggie Jones, Tony Mendez, Dani Ott, Cindy Sadlowski, Sissy Sutro and Luke Turner (July 3); Trevor Allen, Rachel Cooper, Brad Geddes and Dominic Molinari (July 4); Herb Feinzig, H Mavis Fitzgerald, Adele Moss, Fiona Obuhanick, Conor Ward and Chris Wurtsmith (July 5); Teri Bruna, David Clark and Nannette Weinhold (July 6); Annie Rector (July 7) Jeremy Bennett, Sheija Binshaban and Melanie Finàn (July 8); Kristin Garwood, Will Grandbois, Barbara Jackson and Judith Ritschard (July 9).

‘A newer generation’ of Carbondale evident in commercial inventory

Since 2017, The Sopris Sun has compiled an annual roundup of commercial space available in Carbondale. Last year, Lynn Kirchner of Amoré Realty informed us of a more efficient way of gathering that data — using realtor software called Flexmls. Our archaic method involved scurrying around town with a clipboard, recording tally marks based on

all that could be gleaned from front lobbies and the sidewalk. For the sake of tradition, we did engage in some of that, too, which has its own advantages.

Often this report serves to highlight shifts in the business landscape, such as Mountain Tide Provision Co. replacing Strange Imports in the Dinkel Building. An assortment of upstairs offices were

RALEIGH BURLEIGH Sopris Sun Editor

consolidated with the remodel, and it is unclear if any of the four numbered units are available to lease. Most Dinkel businesses, from Steve’s Guitars and The Nugget to newer ones like The Crow and Key, continue thanks to rent negotiations with the new owner, Rick Holmstrom, the CEO of a California-based property investment company.

Among the greatest changes, an old strip mall across Highway 133 from Dolores Way was scraped, making way for a new restaurant, Main Line Social, owned by Justin “Chester” White. A Colorado Rocky Mountain School alumnus, Chester returned to Carbondale to raise a family and invest in the local economy. A legal notice for a liquor license application posted in the window of 689 Main Street ties Chester to the purchase of that historic building too, and reveals the name for a separate restaurant concept — Sprazzo. Details will emerge at the next Board of Trustees meeting on July 8 and in future editions of The Sopris Sun.

Back on Highway 133, the new ANB Bank building under

construction will include 14,000 square feet of commercial space near the new City Market. Across the highway at Hayden Place, nearly 10,000 square feet of commercial space has remained vacant since the building was completed at the site of the former Sopris Shopping Center.

The southernmost 2,425-squarefoot portion (or up to 6,755 square feet) has been reduced to $27 per square foot. Interested parties are directed to contact Gabe Molnar at 970-366-0379.

The old City Market remains empty. As reported by Sopris Sun Correspondent Ken Pletcher earlier this year, SRS Real Estate Partners, which owns and manages the entire shopping center, approached the new owners of Ace Hardware about moving in, but the Mortell family was unprepared to expand the store.

Nearby, Aspen Barbershop, previously located in the Sopris Liquor & Wine building, has a new home in the Carbondale Marketplace development. Further north, a new diner occupies the space left by Honey Butter’s departure. We’ll soon

follow up with an article about the 502 Diner, named for the Guatemala country code and featuring a Central American twist on classic diner cuisine. Rumor has it a new childcare/coffee club will soon open in the La Fontana Plaza.

Coventure has office space available to lease, while the Third Street Center is at capacity. Additional spaces available to lease include a 560-square-foot office at 319 Main Street, as well as a 310-square-foot basement office space at 995 Cowen Drive.

Properties actively for sale include a 20,000-square-foot condo in the La Fontana Plaza, a 9,278-square-foot building near Subway built in 1961, a two-bedroom condo with a residential unit in the 1101 Village Road office building across from Gianinetti Park, a cabin at 610 Colorado Avenue zoned Historic Commercial Core and the Allegria building, 335 Main Street.

The Allegria restaurant assets are also for sale. The assets of Silo, a former foodie favorite on Dolores Way, are similarly for sale and that space is available to rent. The assets of Bodegón, an

continued on page 9

Thrif� �nd Con�ignmen� ��ore� of �he V�lley

TH�IFT-HOP!

Upscale Thri Shop: Habitat RFV ReStore

Address: 53 Calaway Ct., Glenwood Springs

Open Hours: Monday-Saturday 9am-6pm

The Habitat RFV ReStore offers high-quality home goods, furniture, and building materials - every purchase helps build affordable homes in our local community.

Deluxe Consignment Shop: Village Vintage

Address: 1429 Grand Avenue, Glenwood Springs

Hours: Tuesday-Saturday 10am-5pm

Not all secondhand stores are the same. Thri shops thrive on donations and low prices, while consignment stores o er handpicked pieces with a bit more polish. The Valley has a rich mix of both, each with its own charm and plenty to discover. Vintage Ski Store: Vintage Ski World

Village Vintage offers a mix of consignment fashion, furniture, handmade pottery, local art, and unique gifts - where style meets creativity and sustainability.

Upscale Thri Boutique: Lulu’s Thri Shoppe

Boutique Consignment: Susies at Willits

Address: 0331 Robinson Street, Basalt (Reed & Robinson in Wilits Town Center) Hours: Monday- Sat 10:30-5:30pm and Sunday 12-5pm

Address: 1676 County Rd 100 Unit N-2 Carbondale Phone: 970-963-9025

Hours: Monday-Thursday 10 AM–6 PM, Friday 10 AM–5 PM, Saturday 10 AM–4 PM Sunday Closed

We preserve the history of skiing, by ﬁnding classic images & vintage ski equipment that brings skiing memories to life, promoting the joy & passion of skiing. Our 1-of-a-kind, vintage ski items enhance any decor, provide special gifts, and supply a treasure trove for collectors of vintage ski products. Address: 574 HWY 133, Carbondale Hours: Mon-Sat 10am - 6pm &

The building at 689 Main Street was purchased by Justin “Chester” White in March and will become a new restaurant called Sprazzo.

Photo by Raleigh Burleigh

English In Action opens new Center for Communication in El Jebel

SAM BRULE

Sopris Sun Correspondent

On Wednesday, June 25, English In Action held the opening ceremony for their new Center for Communication in El Jebel.

English In Action began in 1994 as a space for adults wanting to learn English. Now, the nonprofit serves around 400 adult learners annually with the help of roughly 300 volunteer tutors.

“Our programming had outgrown the space available in our old building,” said Executive Director Lara Beaulieu. “We had room for potentially two small group classes in the evening, but that limited our ability to also have training or individual tutoring pairs meet as our staff grew. We couldn’t all fit in the space.”

Beaulieu said the plan for the new space was established in 2018. However, the COVID-19 pandemic forced the English In Action team to put it on hold. After the pandemic eased in 2021, the team brought the plan back and began fundraising in 2022. In less than three years, English In Action successfully raised $5.5 million from 437 donors, many of whom are adult learners and volunteer tutors at the center.

In addition to monetary donations from the community, English

In Action also received many in-kind donations. These include all of the landscaping as a donation from Landscape Workshop and all of the plants needed for the exterior from Eagle Crest Nursery.

The result and impact of the fundraising became apparent as guests excitedly arrived in preparation for the ceremony. Members of the team at English In Action took turns sharing words and thanks before a longtime English learner cut the ribbon and attendees were welcomed in. Inside were new learning rooms, offices and even a kitchen.

Among the rooms in the new space was a child play area which will allow adult learners with kids to come to the center without having to worry about coordinating childcare.

“I think there’s so much potential in expanding all of our programs, building a stronger community and continuing to center the voices of our learners,” said Beatriz Ferrufino, English In Action’s student leadership manager. Ferrufino began with the program as a student and now works on staff while continuing her own education.

According to English In Action’s website, the need for

English In Action followed an increase of people from Central and South America immigrating to the Valley in the 1980s. Some of these knew limited English, and cultural divisions emerged in the community. To address this division, the Basalt Regional Library created its Adult Literacy Program in 1994 to help people learn English. By 2005 the program had grown and founder Julie Fox-Rubin turned it into English In Action.

One of the main aspects of English In Action’s model is one-on-one tutoring. Adult learners are matched with volunteer tutors who they meet with for about one hour per week. When the learners first start the program, they enter a six-month commitment. However, it’s not uncommon for these pairs to stay together for years.

Maya Decker, English In Action’s individual tutoring manager, said the new center will help expand their reach. “I envision making many more matches in the space and watching many more friendships develop,” she said. Decker sees the building as “a center for communication and for fostering community.”

Decker, who previously taught in Spain and Vietnam, said those

experiences inform her work at English In Action. “Having that experience has helped me approach my job with empathy toward our learners’ situations,” she said. “I know what it feels like to not understand everything that’s going on around you.”

Following the opening ceremony, English In Action looks forward to its summer benefit. The event will take place on July 13 at the Aspen Meadows Resort. The purpose of the benefit is to raise funds for the nonprofit’s annual programming. “All fundraisers are important, but this one is particularly important for us at this juncture in our organization,” Beaulieu emphasized.

A group of English in Action employees poses for a photo outside the nonprofit’s new building. Photo by Sam Brule

The lobby of the new English in Action building in El Jebel. Photo by Sam Brule

7:30 PM

AN EVENING WITH

Tessa Lark, Joshua Roman, and Edgar Meyer

JULY 7

HARRIS CONCERT HALL

Seven-time Grammy winner Edgar Meyer returns to Aspen with genre-defying violinist Tessa Lark and eclectic cellist (and AMFS alumnus) Joshua Roman for an evening spanning Bach to Meyer’s 1980s string trios and a newly commissioned work.

the theater and is committed to being good stewards. We’re very confident in the group involved and the hard work they’re putting in.”

“They’re really part of the team,” Grandbois said of their predecessors. “They’ve put a lot of sweat equity into making this happen in a way that keeps the spirit of the theater alive.”

Schwerin and Grandbois have done their homework, picking the brains of other nonprofit movie theater staff in the region and as far as the East Coast. “This is the direction that we’re seeing broadly,” continued Grandbois. “We get to follow in the footsteps of a bunch of other institutions that have made the mistakes, figured out how to do it [and] found the programming that works.” He added that Carbondale, of course, will be unique, but it’s good to know the model is “tried and true.”

One thing they’ve learned is that diversifying is important, but not at the expense of the reel.

“The Crystal Theatre will become more than a movie house. The Alliance is committed to continuing to play great films but that’s only so many hours of the evening,” stated Schwerin. “Upgrading the space to be a multi-use auditorium will enable the theater to increase its offerings to the community to create a sustainable, long-term model. It will still be the same great movie theater, it will just offer more.”

“We took time to really get to know our community, local nonprofits and businesses,” said Schwerin. “There’s palpable excitement for the many ways we can partner together and support each other. We have a great opportunity to become a community hub, open to all, investing in the heart of Carbondale.”

The theater has a life of its own, and, with continued audience support, I think it’s on track to have a long and happy one, -Kathy Ezra

To meet future programming needs, money will be put toward improvements such as lighting, acoustics and a new audiovisual system. Schwerin added that they will have the capability to stream in and out of the auditorium, enabling things like hybrid conferences. The theater will be a place for all ages and include age-appropriate movies and showtimes so kids can still get to bed on time. Young people, Schwerin pointed out, are, in a way, an underserved part of the community, so making the space for them is important. They also would like to show Spanish-language films and host bilingual programming in an effort to serve that large portion of the community. Grandbois stressed that having consistent times for captioned shows is important in terms of accessibility.

“We’re really excited to bring the freshness that [Bob and Kathy] brought in the ‘80s,” Grandbois stated, “plus with a format that comes with not just our energy but the whole community’s energy behind us.”

They certainly don’t plan to compete with live theater venues or host any punk rock shows, but things more along the lines of spelling bees, poetry slams, movie clubs, talk-backs and hosting senior Capstone presentations. The intention is to collaborate with other nonprofits and local businesses to grow along with the community, meeting programming needs and ideas sourced from patrons and partners.

“The theater has a life of its own, and, with continued audience support, I think it’s on track to have a long and happy one,” added Kathy.

CTA will host an informational session on Monday, July 14 at 6:30pm at the Third Street Center, and field questions in front of the theatre on upcoming First Fridays and maintain a presence at the Carbondale Farmers’ Market. Don’t miss a celebration commemorating the 40th anniversary of the Ezras’ first screening on July 19 at the theater — details to follow.

IN A NUTSHELL

General info: For more information and a link to CTA’s community survey, visit www.crystaltheatrecarbondale.com/nonprofit

To contribute: For crowdfunding campaign contributions, visit www.tinyurl.com/carbondalecinema or contact kate@crystaltheatrecarbondale.com to make a tax-deductible donation.

To get involved: For volunteer opportunities, email will@crystaltheatrecarbondale.com

Growing Stronger Together

At Aspen Valley Health, we understand that true wellness begins with a community that looks out for one another. That’s why we prioritize care that empowers individual and community vibrance by making it easy to access world-class services close to home. This commitment is a reflection of our vision to create one of the healthiest communities in the nation. Join us, and let’s thrive in this beautiful place we call home.

For you. For life.

aspenvalleyhealth.org

Scan the QR code to contribute to the Crystal Theatre Alliance’s crowdfunding campaign. Photo by Mark Burrows

Bill Morrow sculptures return to Carbondale

MYKI JONES Arts Correspondent

Several sculptures by the late William “Bill” Morrow — a man recognized for his artistic achievements in the greater Grand Valley, particularly in Carbondale and Grand Junction — are returning to Carbondale to settle into permanent homes. The InsaneA-Cycle, Molecular Inquisition, Flight and Butterfly & Lily were donated respectively to the Town of Carbondale, The Sopris Sun and KDNK. These metallic works of art were dedicated by Morrow months before his passing in June and will remain in Carbondale for the foreseeable future.

“We’ll be hearing more from the Carbondale Public Art Commission about the return of the Insane-A-Cycle, and that’s a biggie,” Kay Clarke, a friend of Morrow’s and proud owner of 11 of his works, told The Sopris Sun. “Like the Art Around Town Sculpture Walk, we hope there will be a Morrow

Art Walk so people can see his work sprinkled around town. As Bill embraced Carbondale, we can, in turn, embrace him by appreciating and celebrating his work.”

Morrow, a second-generation Coloradan, was born and raised in Rifle. In conversation with The Sopris Sun last year, while preparing for a final auction of his life’s work, he said he’d always been an artist. He described a happy childhood where he was essentially allowed to create art whenever he wanted, using various mediums. He went on to serve two tours with the U.S. Navy as a certified electrician. Upon returning to the Valley, he began creating art in more experimental ways.

Metal working came from Morrow’s unbridled curiosity and desire to create, coupled with a brother who would bring him scrap metal from the car dealership where he

worked. Morrow also repurposed broken metal tools and any discarded item he could find while working as a professional blacksmith. In an act of alchemy, he’d turn unwanted objects into artwork oozing with character, story and whimsy, no matter the size.

“I didn’t consider myself an artist at that time, I was just playing,” Morrow stated in a

September interview. “I played for a living.”

Morrow was a founding father of Grand Junction’s Art on the Corner program and participated in the 40th anniversary last year. His art lives on in many homes from Aspen and Carbondale to across the world.

In addition to his metal sculptures — A Split-Second of Free Air, Another Dead Soldier, The

Royal Ass and Windsong among them — Morrow wrote poetry, sometimes accompanying his pieces, building worlds and metaphors from the sculptures and carefully marrying words of fun with words of wisdom.

For example, the story of The Money Bug, one of Morrow’s first major projects. He developed it using raw materials

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July Session: Tuesdays – July 22, 29, August 5 August Session: Thursdays – August 7, 14, 21

Time: 1:30–3:30pm Fee: $125

Bill Morrow and “Girl Friday” Nancey Glass pose with A Split-Second of Free Air. Courtesy photo

provided by a friend who, unfortunately, had to shut down his business after discovering a new technique with wire-fed welding equipment.

“The Money Bug is a funny bug,” Morrow wrote. “It can get you just like any drug. The more you get, the more you need. It can fill your soul with fear and greed. The more you get, the more you need.”

What set Morrow apart as an artist? Clarke noted his wizardry in transforming materials into something delightful. “The top fins on Scraposaurs Junx are leftovers from frames Morrow made for Michael Ohnmacht’s stained glass art,” Clarke described. “Scrappy lives in our front yard, across from the Smithy, and he is wildly loved, especially by kids.”

Morrow was 79 years old when he passed and spent his last days in good company with smaller projects to keep busy and many home-cooked meals from his friend and collaborator, Nancey Glass.

Glass has a background in holistic health and nutrition, as well as website building. They became close after meeting at a party two years ago. Glass not only helped Morrow with a nutrition plan, errands and getting to and from appointments and events, she also built a webpage where a digital biography for Morrow was published in preparation for an auction held last year, wherein

the proceeds from his artwork were set aside for his grandchildren.

As Bill embraced Carbondale, we can, in turn, embrace him by appreciating and celebrating his work.

- Kay Clarke

“He called me his ‘Girl Friday’ because of the Cary Grant movie where Rosalind Russell did everything for him. I was that for him, as far as being there, getting his groceries and nutritional support and taking him shopping,” Glass shared, shortly after Morrow’s passing. “As it progressed and we were done with the website and the auction and everything, I became more of a call-me-wheneverhe-needed kind of person.”

The auction, according to Glass, went well, minus a hiccup. The top bidder for the Insane-A-Cycle backed out of the deal. As his health began to decline, Morrow decided to return the iconic piece back to the town it called home for nearly a decade, as an act of appreciation.

“It’s a genuine gift from his heart to Carbondale,” Glass expressed. “I know it will be beloved for many years to come.” She called Morrow a “one-of-a-kind gift to humanity.”

A remembrance of Morrow for friends and fans will be held at the Carbondale Library on July 12 at 2pm. Attendees are encouraged to wear overalls as a nod to the late and great man’s fashion sensibilities.

Argentine bistro by Domingo Sausage Co., are likewise on the market. Bodegón stated in a June 22 online post that the space will be used for private events and catering and “we will still be open for First Fridays and we will be doing two reservation-only dinners per month.” Reservations for July 4 and July 18 can be made by emailing info@domingosausageco.com

An application for a boutique hotel at 888 Main Street, formerly a residential property, went before the Planning and Zoning Commission on April 24. The concept includes 11 lodging rooms opening to a central courtyard. The applicant, Michael Arnold, also owns El Dorado and its neighboring property which houses the Brass Anvil restaurant.

“I think Carbondale is evolving, and we’re starting to see a newer generation,” Kirchner reflected. “When you take the young Chester family who is investing in Carbondale, and the people that bought the old log cabin [at 888 Main Street] — they’re a generation younger than what has been buying up Carbondale.” Kirchner believes these “new, innovative investors” are representative of the changes Carbondale is undergoing. She hopes to see more livework opportunities for locals, or at least shorter commutes for workers from downvalley no longer traveling all the way to Aspen for employment.

Overall, Carbondale appears to be a highly desirable place to do business, as well as live, with around 96% of the commercial inventory occupied.

Bill Morrow’s Molecular Inquisition now hangs in The Sopris Sun office, catching sunlight from the window. This sculpture was donated to our nonprofit newspaper by Morrow before his passing. Photo by Raleigh Burleigh

Carbondale Chamber Member Celebrations

a n u a r y - J u n e , 2 0 2 5

Congratulations to the Carbondale Chamber Members who marked milestone achievements with a Ribbon Cutting or celebration! We are proud to be your partner in making Carbondale a more vital and dynamic place to live, work, and visit.

Ascendigo Autism Services

New Location Ribbon Cutting, April 16

Mountain Tide Provision Co. Ribbon Cutting, June 19

The Village Smithy Restaurant

50 Year Anniversary, May 2025

Welcome, New Members!

31 Wind River

Awake Life

Colorado River Board of Cooperative

Educational Services (BOCES)

Flax Design Marketing

Havens

Jackie Daly Realty

Mountain Tide Provision Co.

Old Growth Tree Service

Qdoba

Sprazzo

The Aspen Barbershop, LLC

Watkins Property Management, Inc.

West Elks Wineries (AVA)

William P Edwards, PC

redefines mountain sport training

“We are data-oriented,” Blake said. “The learning environment is a testing ground for both interventions and philosophies, and where the individual can test themselves.”

As a result, APL sets itself apart by offering cutting-edge technology that evaluates metabolic, biomechanical and strength data. Diagnostic testing is completed as a standalone service or at an intake session to help coaches establish an athlete’s baseline, build training programs and track progress. The body composition measurement device quickly identifies hydration levels, muscle mass, body weight, fat mass and segmental body composition. Coaches also employ force plate testing that measures readiness, fatigue, rehabilitation and how athletes move

“A lot of this data is invisible to the naked eye,” Blake explained. “We know what a good jump versus bad jump is, but we don’t know how they’re organizing that jump. When they push into the plates, we are understanding how they are favoring a limb, or creating force

A significant piece of the lab’s build-out will also include VO2 max and threshold testing. Simply put, VO2 max measures the maximum amount of oxygen used

during exercise to determine cardiovascular health and aerobic fitness. As a facility specialized in working with endurance athletes at altitude, this measurement is critical for training purposes.

“There are so many submaximal tests and field tests to gauge fitness improvements,” said Blake. “But having this objectivity within the test itself we can redefine our work and [have] more specific insight on how we can organize training from an endurance perspective.” Blake elaborated that these services are beneficial for everyone, from podium toppers to athletes keeping up with their kids or grandkids on the trails. He said that VO2 max is a key predictor of longevity. Aerobic health declines with

age, and by tracking this data the coaches can help athletes maintain fitness and enjoy their later years.

“Ultimately,” Blake concluded, “we are excited to continue to develop APL into a larger space, help more people and give more to the community.”

On July 11, from 5:30pm to 8pm, Alpine Performance Labs invites the community to celebrate its grand opening. The event will feature free food, facility tours, program information and the opportunity to meet the coaches. To RSVP, visit www.bit.ly/APLopening or head over to www.apl.training to learn more about elevating your mountain sport goals.

Danny Blake, Alpine Performance Labs founder and director of performance.

Photo by Sam Brule

THURSDAY, JULY 3

VICTORIA PENNOCK

Victoria Pennock performs at the Hoffmann Hotel from 6 to 8pm.

CRYSTAL THEATRE

The Crystal Theatre shows “F1

The Movie” at 7pm today, Saturday, Wednesday and next Thursday. Sunday’s show is at 5pm. The theater is closed on July 4.

FRIDAY, JULY 4

INDEPENDENCE DAY

All libraries and most public offices are closed in observance of America’s Independence Day.

BUDDY RACE

The Buddy Program hosts its 39th Annual Buddy Race. The five-mile race starts at Rio Grande Park at 8am, 5k at 8:05am and the one-mile family and canine walk starts at 9am. Register before 7am on race day at www. buddyprogram.org — there will be no in-person registrations.

REDSTONE PARADE

Redstone hosts its annual Fourth of July celebration and parade on the Boulevard beginning at 9:30am. Details at www.redstonecolorado.com/events

CARBONDALE PARADE

Carbondale’s traditional Fourth of July kids’ parade will stage at 2nd and Main at 10am. All are welcome! See Scuttlebutt for details.

ASPEN PARADE

Aspen’s old-fashioned Fourth of July parade begins at 11am, following a route that includes Main Street, Hunter Street, Cooper Avenue, Galena Street, Hopkins Avenue, Mill Street and Hyman Avenue. Residents and visitors should anticipate traffic delays. Travel by RFTA is strongly recommended.

FOREST FOURTH

Kairos Futura invites people who prefer to celebrate the power of trees over patriotism to join a meditation followed by forest bathing and wild imagining from 11am to 4pm. For details, email director@thefutureisonearth.org

NATURE JOURNALING

Adults who wish to explore, observe and creatively document nature are invited to join like-minded folk at the Carbondale Library from 1 to 2:30pm.

FOURTH IN GLENWOOD

Glenwood Springs hosts its Fourth of July celebration at Two Rivers Park from 4:30 to 9:30pm, culminating with a laser show. Details at www.cogs.us

MT. SOPRIS MUSIC

Celebrate Carbondale’s 25th annual Mount Sopris Music Festival in Chacos Park with music by Aggie Flores, Mitt Spicy & The Blues Bandits, Dan Sheridan and The Hell Roaring String Trio, all beginning at 5pm.

BARD & POET

Olivia the Bard will be busking on the Promenade as part of First Friday from 5 to 8pm. Rachel Leigh Cohen will create “Typewriter Poetry” nearby.

STREET SKATE

KDNK Community Access Radio hosts a “Freedom Street Skate” party at Main and 2nd from 5 to 8pm. BYO-skates and wear your most patriotic ‘70s and ‘80s get-up.

VOICES

VOICES rolls out its ARTery Tiny Stage for a production of “The Way Here” at the corner of the Village Smithy from 5:15 to 6:15pm.

SATURDAY, JULY 5

BASALT RIVER JAMS

Basalt hosts its River Jams festival at Basalt River Park, featuring local bands and activities for the whole family, from noon to 9pm.

CLAY & MOONLIGHT

Carbondale Clay Center hosts its “Clay & Moonlight: Sparkle the Night” fundraiser, featuring keynote speaker Doug Casebeer, live entertainment, local cuisine, vendors, a silent auction and more, at Spring Creeks Ranch from 6 to 9:30pm. More info at www.carbondaleclay.org

MARCHFOURTH

Banshee Tree opens for MarchFourth Marching Band at TACAW at 8pm. Tickets at www.tacaw.org

SUNDAY, JULY 6

SELF-REALIZATION

The monthly Self-Realization Fellowship Meditation Circle, following the teachings of Paramahansa Yogananda, meets at True Nature at 9am.

FREEDOM

A Spiritual Center is taking the weekend off. “Enjoy your freedom!”

AUTHOR TALK

The Glenwood Springs Library presents local author Justin Hocking discussing “A Field Guide to the Subterranean” at 2pm. There will be copies of the book available for purchase.

ART OF CONVERSATIONS

Join Kyle Jason Leitzke for The Art of Conversations at the Carbondale Library from 6 to 7:30pm.

LVDY

Steve’s Guitars presents LVDY, a Colorado-based duo featuring Kathleen Hooper and Aubrey Mable, at 8pm.

MONDAY, JULY 7

MUSHROOM TALK

The Western Colorado Mycological Association hosts Shane Schoolman of MycoLove Farm for an intro to ethnomycology at the Carbondale Community School from 6 to 8pm. Find Zoom login details at www.mcmycoassociation.org (IN)FLOURESCENCE

Molly Altman, Carbondale Clay Center’s current artist in residence, displays “(in)flourescence” — the culmination of her two-year residency — with an opening reception from 6 to 8pm. The show will remain on display through Aug. 30.

TUESDAY, JULY 8

SUICIDE PREVENTION

SpeakUp ReachOut, a nonprofit working on suicide prevention, conducts a free clinical workshop regarding Counseling on Access to Lethal Means for Clinicians from 1 to 4:30pm at the Garfield County Public Health Building in Rifle. To register, visit www.bit.ly/July8SpeakUp

DEMENTIA SUPPORT

Sopris Lodge in Carbondale and the Alzheimer’s Association partner to offer an in-person support group for families, spouses and caregivers of those living with Alzheimer’s or related dementia. The group meets on the second Tuesday of each month from 3 to 4pm.

‘RANCH WEEK’

Anderson Ranch Arts Center hosts “Ranch Week,” featuring an artist talk and VIP luncheon with 2025 International Artist Honoree Titus Kaphar, galas, auctions, picnics and more, today through Saturday, July 12. Visit www.andersonranch.org for details.

‘EXHIBITING FORGIVENESS’

Aspen Film, in collaboration with Anderson Ranch, screens “Exhibiting Forgiveness,” directed by Titus Kaphar, at the AF Isis Theatre at 6pm. A Q&A with Kaphar will follow the film. Register at www.aspenfilm.org

FILOHA TOUR

Roaring Fork Conservancy guides a family tour of Filoha Meadows at 7:30pm. This event will repeat on July 17, with “adventure seeker” tours on July 10 and 24. To register, visit www.roaringfork.org/events

WEDNESDAY, JULY 9

BUTTERFLY ECOLOGY

Dr. Boyce Drummond teaches “Ecology on the Wing: Behaviors of Butterflies and Friends” at the Catto Center at Tolkat from 9am to 2pm. Register at www.aspennature.org

COMMUNITY LUNCH

Highwater Farm in Silt hosts a farmto-table community lunch with The Farmer & Chef at 11am. Find details at www.highwater.org

ASPEN CHAPEL GALLERY

Aspen Chapel Gallery presents a local printmakers showcase in partnership with Huts for Vets with an opening reception from 4 to 7pm. The show continues through Aug. 16 and the gallery is open daily from 10am to 5pm.

RIVER RENDEZVOUS

Roaring Fork Conservancy hosts a fundraiser, “A Night for the Rivers,” at Star River Ranch in Basalt beginning at 5pm. Tickets at www.roaringfork.org/events

HOMETOWN SCIENCE

Carbondale Fire Marshal Karl Oliver teaches about fire behavior at the Cocoa Club in partnership with the Aspen Science Center from 5:30 to 6:30pm.

BASALT MUSIC

Tommy the Animal opens for Marfa at the Basalt River Park at 5:30pm.

CLIMATE TALK

As part of Aspen Institute’s Hurst Lecture Series, climate journalist Porter Fox and environmental writer Jeff Goodell discuss the drastic effects of climate change with Carolyne Heldman at the Paepcke Auditorium from 6 to 7pm. Register at www.aspeninstitute.org

INDIE SHOWCASE

Aspen Film presents “Amplified,” an award-winning short film, followed by “Marlee Matlin: Not Alone Anymore,” a new documentary, at the AF Isis Theatre at 7pm.

THURSDAY, JULY 10

NONFICTION BOOK CLUB

The Carbondale Library invites you to read a nonfiction book by a foreign author to discuss with the library group from 2 to 3pm.

‘SAVE THE LAND’

Aspen Valley Land Trust hosts its “Save the Land” fundraiser at T-Lazy-7 Ranch Lodge from 5 to 9:30pm. Tickets are sold out. To join the waitlist, visit www.avlt.org

MOVIE UNDER THE BRIDGE

The City of Glenwood Springs screens “Kung Fu Panda 4” in Bethel Plaza, under the Grand Avenue Bridge, at 8pm.

FRIDAY, JULY 11

PARTY AT TOLKAT

The Aspen Center for Environmental Studies hosts a summer party at The Catto Center at Tolkat, which was restored and reopened last year, from 2 to 6pm. Register at www.aspennature.org

MUSIC UNDER THE BRIDGE

Mountain People performs at Bethel Plaza, under the Grand Avenue Bridge, from 4:40 to 7:30pm.

CARBONDALE ARTS

Catch the opening reception for “The Muses Don’t Tell Me Sh*t” by Vallee Noone and “Oddly Familiar” by Chad Knowles at the Carbondale Arts gallery from 5 to 7pm. Both exhibits will remain on display through Aug. 14, weekdays from 10am to 5pm.

ARTISTS RECEPTION

The Ann Korologos Gallery hosts an artists reception for its exhibit, “Landscapes, Legends and Light,” made up of 100 works by 44 different artists, from 5 to 7pm. The exhibit will be up through Aug. 2.

ART TURNS 100

The community is invited to celebrate KDNK DJ Art Ackerman’s 100th birthday at the Third Street Center from 5:30 to 7:30pm.

ALPINE PERFORMANCE LABS

Check out the grand opening of Alpine Performance Labs at 826 Highway 133 Unit A2 from 5:30 to 8pm. RSVP at www.bit.ly/APLopening

SATURDAY, JULY 12

LIFE AFTER 70

A group of elders meets on the second Saturday of each month at the Carbondale Library to discuss all aspects of aging from 10:30 to noon. To RSVP, call 970-963-2889.

ONGOING EVENTS

ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS

The Meeting Place in Carbondale (981 Cowen Drive) offers “Hole in the Donut AA,” Monday through Saturday at 6:45am, plus “Daily Reprieve” at noon on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Find a full schedule at www.meetingplacecarbondale.org

ROARING FORK ZEN

A new Zen meditation community based in Carbondale gathers at True Nature to sit from 8 to 9am on Mondays weekly.

MONDAY MEDITATION

Roaring Fork Insight guides a weekly meditation group meeting at the Third Street Center (Room 31) from 7 to 8:30pm. A Wednesday session takes place at St. Peters of the Valley in Basalt from 11:30 to 1pm with a Zoom option.

PILATES

Coredination offers weekly pilates mat classes for all levels at The Launchpad in Carbondale. Tuesdays from noon to 1pm intermediate/advanced students are welcome. Beginners are encouraged to attend on Thursdays from 8 to 9am. For more info, call 970-379-2187.

BIKE PROJECT

The Carbondale Bike Project Shop helps people repair their bicycles on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 2 to 6pm and Sundays from noon to 6pm on the east side of Third Street Center.

FARMERS’ MARKET

The Carbondale Farmers’ Market season is underway, every Wednesday from 10am to 3pm at 4th and Main.

SENIOR LUNCH

Every Wednesday at noon, Garfield

County Senior Programs provides a nutritious meal for seniors at The Orchard. To reserve a place at the table, call 970-665-0041.

SUSTAINABLE SETTINGS

Sustainable Settings welcomes volunteers every Wednesday from 2 to 4pm — just email rose@sustainablesettings.org to RSVP.

SPANISH CLUB

Practice Spanish and enjoy specials at La Raza in Carbondale every Wednesday from 5 to 7pm.

UNDER THE SUN

Join Sopris Sun correspondents and guests for “Everything Under The Sun,” airing every Thursday on KDNK at 4pm.

RODEO TIME

It’s Carbondale WIld West Rodeo season at the Gus Darien Riding Arena. Every Thursday, gates open at 5pm, slack starts at 5:45pm and grand entry is at 7:30pm. Free shuttles run from The Orchard and 4th and Colorado between 6 and 10pm. Find the list of special events at www.carbondalerodeo.com

GROUP RUN

Independence Run & Hike leads a weekly group run on Thursdays departing from the store’s location, next to the Carbondale City Market, at 6:30pm.

COFFEE WITH THE MAYOR

Carbondale Mayor Ben Bohmfalk posts up at Bonfire every Friday from 8 to 9am, and everyone is welcome to stop by to chat.

SUNDAY MARKET

Basalt’s Sunday continues every Sunday through Sept. 28 along the Midland Spur from 10am to 2pm.

your best life

Aspen Art Museum introduces a new kind of AIR this summer

ANNALISE GRUETER

Sopris Sun Correspondent

In February, the Aspen Art Museum (AAM) unveiled a new decade-long initiative. Titled “AIR,” the program aims to facilitate and amplify interdisciplinary conversations between visual art, music, science and philosophy. One of the first major events of the AIR initiative is just around the corner: a private artists’ retreat in late July, followed by a free public festival from July 29 to Aug. 1.

The theme of the 2025 inaugural AIR festival is “Life As No One Knows It.” The four-day event will feature side exhibitions in addition to those AAM is hosting by Sherrie Levine, Solange Pessoa and Carol Rama. A new sculpture by Anthea Hamilton is slated to be on display near the museum’s downtown entrance in the coming weeks.

While AIR will include rolling programs for commissioning creative output and research, the festival partners with local and national organizations to promote conversation, innovation and cultural evolution.

“Life As No One Knows It” asks the question: What does it mean to be human at a time when life itself must be redefined? Per AAM, “AIR 2025 creates the conditions for a different kind of attention — one that allows the subconscious to surface, and for meaning to be felt before it is named.”

The 2025 festival is inspired by artist Paul

Chan’s years-long journey in developing artificial intelligence to create a synthetic self-portrait, and by Sara Imari Walker’s book from which this year’s event took its name. The festival will also feature filmmakers and tie in the legacy of the Aspen International Design Conference that ran from 1949 to 2006.

The festival will showcase visual and audio art across Aspen, with different works presented each day. Exhibits include sculpture, performance and sound, in addition to visual works. Among the offerings: a largescale performance staged by Matthew Barney, a meditative set blending spiritual jazz with transcendental flute by recording artist André 3000, Cannupa Hanska Luger conjuring a chorus of whistles, an evolving sculptural ecosystem by Mimi Park, a three-act, Aspen-inspired opera by Jota Mombaça and an electro-acoustic film performance by Apichatpong Weerasethakul and Rafiq Bhatia. Another audio presentation will have Sophia AlMaria join forces with musician Davia Spain to summon an otherworldly transmission — “part séance, part song-cycle, part science-fictional lament.”

All of these projects deliberately evoke the poetics of human acts like singing, breathing, dreaming and communicating. Participating AIR artists have specifically shaped their work to integrate a creative conversation

with Aspen’s landscape, history and spirit. The exhibits invite new forms of communion, resistance and transformation.

AIR 2025 will also introduce keynote speeches on myriad forms of expression and philosophical interrogation. Inaugural Bluhm-Kaul Keynotes will feature renowned filmmaker and author Werner Herzog, artist and architect Maya Lin and architect Francis Kéré. The full speaking roster includes poet-economist Zoë Hitzig, novelist Álvaro Enrigue, psychoanalyst Jamieson Webster, artist Glenn Ligon, museum director Thelma Golden, architect Frida Escobedo and scientists Sara Imari Walker and Anil Seth, among many others.

The retreat ahead of this year’s festival aims to develop frameworks for artists as they continue to innovate with new technologies. Chan, Hitzig and writers Aria Dean and Evan Calder Williams are

working closely with the AAM AIR curatorial team to lead the retreat. Aspen Institute, the Doris Duke Foundation and several other organizations are supporting the private convening.

AIR 2025 is presented in partnership with the Aspen Institute, Serpentine, Robert Rauschenberg Foundation, Doris Duke Foundation, Aspen Music Festival & School, the City of Aspen’s Wheeler Opera House, Anderson Ranch Arts Center, Aspen Center for Environmental Studies, Aspen Center for Physics, Red Brick Center for the Arts, Jazz Aspen Snowmass, Aspen Words and Aspen Film.

To learn more about Aspen AIR 2025 and the many artists participating, as well as register for free events, you can visit www.airaspen.org or the downtown museum.

The inaugural AIR Festival, from July 29 to Aug. 1, is part of Aspen Art Museum’s new flagship initiative amplifying interdisciplinary conversations for advancing artwork, innovation and transformational thinking. Photo by Annalise Grueter

Ham Radio Field Day brings operators to Spring Valley

STORY AND

During the weekend of June 27-29, members of the Ski Country Amateur Radio Club (SCARC) built temporary radio stations, communicated with other similar stations all across the country and then took the stations down — all on Colorado Mountain College’s Spring Valley campus.

The weekend’s events were part of the American Radio Relay League’s annual ham Field Day. The purpose of the Field Day is for licensed amateur radio operators to practice emergency preparedness and radio communication skills. It is also a contest, where these stations attempt to contact as many other stations as possible within 24 hours.

On June 27, SCARC members

BY SAM BRULE

Sopris Sun Correspondent

arrived at the Spring Valley site and began constructing their stations. They set up a camper and two tents, each filled with radio equipment and supplies. The team also assembled several antennas on-site. Once everything was in place, members signed up for time slots to operate the stations. To ensure continuous communication during the 24-hour window, some volunteers even committed to overnight shifts.

The SCARC team built three stations this year: Single Sideband; Continuous Wave; and Franke Taylor 8 (FT8). These stations were responsible for sending and receiving voice, Morse code and text signals during the Field Day.

“I like the community, I like

conversing with people with similar interests,” said SCARC President Clark Heckert. “I’ve enjoyed working with these folks.” Heckert said he first got into ham radio in 1972 on a lunch break. He heard a Morse code class going on nearby and went to see what was going on. Within weeks he was licensed. Amateur radio has proven to be helpful many times in the past. In 2005, when Hurricane Katrina struck, a lot of communication technology in the area was wiped out. Ham radio operators were able to relay calls of help and facilitate communication with the Red Cross.

SCARC club member Michael Ferguson recalled a time in the early ‘70s when he helped a music festival deep in the mountains in

New England communicate with the Red Cross to provide aid to the festival goers.

“They had no way of communicating between the hospital, the Red Cross and the venue,” said Ferguson. “I spent a fair amount of time on site at a clinic at the venue and I provided communications back to the police department and the hospital when necessary for emergency services.”

Apart from practicing amateur radio communication, SCARC also focuses on community outreach. During the event, Tyler Fischer, a Colorado Mountain College student, stopped by after seeing the club set up. He stopped by the FT8 station to watch them contact other stations.

“It’s really cool. I like how [ham radio] can be used for a lot of different things,” Fischer said.

“I like how it can be used for a hobby but also in an emergency.”

Among the younger attendees of the event were 11-year-old Daniel Harwood and 9-year-old Caleb Jackson. The two were attending the event with their fathers. Both Harwood and Jackson now plan on getting their amateur radio licenses in the future.

While most of the event attendees were licensed, there were also newer members taking

their licensing exams. The exam is a multiple choice test given by a volunteer administrator. Test takers must score at least a 74% on the exam to pass, then they can receive a license and a call sign.

The call sign is a unique identifier given to someone once they become licensed for amateur radio. It’s common for members to wear badges with their call signs, and some even customize the license plates on their cars to feature their call sign.

After the Field Day excitement, the site was packed up and returned to normal. While Field Day happens only once a year, SCARC members regularly practice their radio skills. They check in over the airwaves every Sunday and host a weekly breakfast gathering on Tuesdays in Glenwood Springs.

To learn more, visit www.k0rv.org

PHOTOS

The Morse code booth.

Morse code operating setup at the AARL Ham Radio Field Day.

Gerry Hittinger operating the voice booth.

Members of the Ski Country Amateur Radio Club.

Gerry Hittinger showing his name tag with his ham radio call sign.

Glenwood Vaudeville Revue is in full swing

MYKI JONES

Arts Correspondent

The Glenwood Vaudeville Revue’s summer showcase is in full swing with a lively cast, new parodies covering everything from current events to the dangers of driving through Glenwood Canyon, throwbacks to fan-favorite sketches and musical theater numbers.

“The show is fantastic and I am really pleased with it,” stated owner and performer John Goss. “I’ve got a strong cast and some really great new stuff that we’ve added to the shows, and things that we brought back from the past — some of our favorites. We’re getting fantastic responses, and just hoping to make it better and better.”

The cast of this show includes the returning talents of Tom Erickson, Michael Scarpitti, Tim Veazey and Jet Quealy. Returning to the stage from the winter showcase are Bostyn Elswick and Claire Svedberg, both with notable stage success across multiple theater companies in the Roaring Fork Valley — Sopris Theatre Company and Thunder River Theatre Company — plus the Aspen Choral Society.

Discussing having Elswick and Svedberg back for the summer show, Goss said they

bring a “good youthful energy,” which expands the variety at The Vaudeville. He also shared his gratitude for Erickson, who has been with the Vaudeville for many years now.

“[Erickson] has got a couple of new zingers that he’ll be singing all summer, one of my favorites being a parody he does of Adele’s ‘Hello.’ I have spoofed that song so many times I don’t even remember how the original goes, but I decided it would be fun to have Darth Vader sing it and go, ‘Hello from the Dark Side.’” Goss continued, “He sings everything about Star Wars and the power of the Dark Side. People can’t get enough.”

Another fresh bit that has quickly become a favorite includes a number set to the Bee Gees’ hit — as well as the theme song to the 1977 film “Saturday Night Fever” starring John Travolta — “Stayin’ Alive” performed on treadmills.

Despite rave reviews for the Glenwood Vaudeville Revue, it is not lost on Goss that the arts in Colorado, and all over the country, are struggling right now.

“I’ve put 17 years of my life into [this business] and tried everything in the book to help it grow, succeed and do better,” he said. “We hear from 90% of

CARE currently has 8 dogs, 6 cats, 2 guinea pigs available for

the people that walk out how incredible and wonderful [the show was], and that they’ll be back. Yet, we still have lower numbers.” He added, “Unfortunately, every theater in the state of Colorado is hurting badly right now.”

Goss said that each show is full of surprises, which he has seen diverse audiences enjoy over the years. He encourages folks from all walks of life to take a chance and attend a production.

“All I can say is, for those who

don’t really know and maybe think it might be immature — or a bunch of high school kids or something mediocre — it’s much more than that. I’m very proud of it.” He said, “We entertain a lot of different people in a lot of different ways. From the cool tattooed and pierced folks to the businessmen, people come in and they just have a great time.”

Goss also encourages anyone with a passion for performing to audition. While he has a strong seasoned cast, anyone with a

background in musical theater, dance or other performative arts experience can try out. Behind the scenes is also a good place to get involved.

“I like to take advantage of people’s talents in areas we have available,” Goss stated. “I have people audition all the time and I’m always looking for new strengths and whatnot.”

The summer showcase will run through Oct. 12. To book your ticket, visit www.gvrshow.com

“Baking with Rio,” photo by Klaus Kocher

that I can still learn’

GUS RICHARDSON Sopris Sun Correspondent

“If this is too noisy, we can move.”

This is the first thing that Thomas Barlow, a local sculptor, said in his interview with The Sopris Sun. Cars whipped by on Grand Avenue in Glenwood Springs and an entire dance team sat and talked outside Jimmy John’s, where Barlow had just completed his most recent project.

The carving depicts a massive eagle, with its wings spread perpendicular from the ground. In its metal claws the eagle grasps a salmon with a bewildered and somewhat humorous expression.

Rewinding, Barlow explained how he came across this latest job opportunity after seeing a massive stump standing next to the restaurant.

“I was driving by and I saw this and was like, ‘Woah, woah, wait a second,’” Barlow recalled. “I called the owner up and said, ‘Who do I have to speak to to carve this tree?’” Fortunately, the owner relayed that “his whole intent was to have someone sculpt it.”

As he spoke, still in the wood chips, Barlow explained that while he loves being a sculptor, it wasn’t his first career. Although, happenstance through his initial profession did lead him there.

“I actually started out as a chef,” he revealed. “From the very first chef I apprenticed under, I did ice sculpting — so I picked up ice sculpting from him. I was competing at 18 already, and

even competed against him at one point.”

Barlow still cooks, and, of course, has continued his sculpting journey, dabbling in sourced materials other than ice. In fact, he is versed in seven different types of sculpting: ice, wood, snow, metal, glass, marble and even sugar. Barlow likes to work with these different materials for the sake of variety.

An important consideration when choosing a type of material to carve with is the intended longevity of a piece. “Maybe a tree sculpture isn’t permanent, but the metal you do for a railing in someone’s home, that could be there for generations,” he stated.

“I knew that if I ever got bored with food, it was my own fault. There’s so much you can do with food,” he stated, before drawing a pertinent comparison. “It’s the same with metal … There’s so much that I can still learn.”

Barlow has done many different sculptures around the Valley, including but certainly not limited to: a Wells Fargo wagon out of ice, the metal elk at the El Jebel roundabout, a skateboarding-themed totem pole in El Jebel, a fish carving and a grizzly totem pole at the Redstone Cliffs Lodge and more.

Barlow left The Sun interview with a pitch. “I need Carbondale to find a tree for me to carve,” he laughed. “Maybe in the park someplace, or maybe that rich person can donate some land on Main Street.”

Photos of Thomas Barlow’s sculptures can be found on his Instagram page: @thomasbarlowsculpture

Thomas Barlow stands beside a new sculpture in Glenwood Springs.

Photo by Gus Richardson

Board focuses on Maroon Bells service heading into summer

ANNALISE GRUETER

Sopris Sun Correspondent

The June 12 Roaring Fork Transportation Authority (RFTA) board meeting opened with public comments. Several community members proposed solutions for improving community services. Teresa Salvatore lives in Satank and asked RFTA to improve river access there. She said it is a public amenity that deserves more attention.

Next, Aspen High School Principal Sarah Strassburger joined online to propose a bus connecting school campuses with the Brush Creek intercept lot and Aspen Recreation Center. “I wondered if that could be considered as a way to have fewer cars on the road and make it easier for kids to get to campus,” she said. Greg Poschman asked if that’s a service school buses could provide. Strassburger clarified that her request was to incentivize high school students using public transit.

During board comments, Aspen Mayor Rachel Richards shared that the City of Aspen has confirmed funding for this autumn’s fare-free pilot. She thanked CEO Kurt Ravenschlag and other board members for participating in the Roaring Fork Transportation Coalition meetings, emphasizing the importance of RFTA’s perspective in those conversations.

The board then considered two resolutions for consent and authorization. Sustainability Director David Johnson shared Resolution 2025-22, authorization to request the Colorado Department of

Community Classes

EDIBLE LANDSCAPES

Wed, 6-8pm, 7/2, Basalt

CHOCOLATE

Thurs’s, 5-7pm, 7/10-7/17

EAT YOUR WEEDS - LEAVES, SHOOTS, FLOWERS & FRUITS

Saturday, 1-3pm, 7/12

RIPARIAN ECOSYSTEM WALK

Sunday, 9:30am-12pm, 7/13

SEWING-BASIC PATTERN MAKING Mondays, 6-8:30pm, 7/14-8/18

Transportation (CDOT) to fund up to $300,000 with a match program. These funds would improve roadway safety, repair bridges and expand transit offerings. Because the grant program requires matching, RFTA would be obligated to meet CDOT’s commitment, up to $300,000. Next, Johnson outlined Resolution 2025-23, another authorization to request CDOT grant funding for up to $1,800,000 in a matching grant program. Like the first request, if approved, the grant would require RFTA to match the funds granted. This grant is part of a Federal Transit Administration program for non-urbanized areas — providing capital, planning

SEWING-VISISBLE HAND MENDING Wed’s, 6-8:30pm, 7/16-8/20

BUILD SOIL WITH LIVESTOCK Wednesday, 6-8pm, 7/16

INTRO TO NATURAL MEDICINE MAKING

Monday, 6-9pm, 7/21

HOW TO LEAD A TRANSFORMATIVE LIFE Wednesday, 6-8:30pm, 7/23

INTRO TO SOUND HEALING Monday, 6-9pm, 7/28

and operations assistance to rural areas with populations of less than 50,000. CDOT allocates the federal funds apportioned to the state. Both resolutions were authorized without discussion.

In the first presentation, Chief Operating Officer David Pesnichak talked about the RFTA shuttle service between Aspen Highlands and Maroon Lake. Maroon Bells Shuttle revenue has begun to plateau and level with the operating cost over the past five years. Annual Maroon Bells Shuttle ridership from 2021 to 2024 has been almost double pre-2021.

Pesnichak introduced Jennifer Schuller, Aspen-Sopris Ranger District deputy

district ranger for the White River National Forest. Schuller shared Forest Service updates for the summer of 2025, and how the Forest Service uses RFTA shuttle revenue to cover the costs of interns from the Rocky Mountain Youth Corps serving at the Maroon Portal area. Despite partnerships with other local agencies to staff the area, Schuller said that service is down 50% based on federal budget cuts to the Forest Service.

She reiterated that recreation facilities near Maroon Lake will be limited this year, as Forest Service management will not be running hydroelectric services or water treatment. This greatly reduces the bathroom capacity. The large toilet bunker will be closed and the limited potable water fountains near the lake will not be functional. The Forest Service will encourage riders to fill up on water and use the bathrooms at Highlands before riding the shuttle.

The board brainstormed several potential solutions for mediating electricity and hydration issues at Maroon Lake. Detailed conversation around these limitations took up a significant portion of the meeting. Interested community members can view a video recording of the full meeting at www.rfta.com/board-meetings

The next board meeting will occur on July 10 at 8:30am in Carbondale. The public is also able to join via Webex. An agenda will be available at www.rfta. com a week ahead of the meeting.

Nieslanik Ave Pedestrian Crossing

ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS Nieslanik Ave Pedestrian Crossing

ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS

Nieslanik Ave Pedestrian Crossing

Public Works Department Town of Carbondale 511 Colorado Ave Carbondale, CO 81623

Issue Date: 6/27/2025 | Closing Date: 7/24/2025 Non-Mandatory Pre-Bid Conference: 7/15/2025 @ 2 PM at Town Hall

Issue Date: 6/27/2025 | Closing Date: 7/24/2025

Non-Mandatory Pre-Bid Conference: 7/15/2025 @ 2 PM at Town Hall

Sealed bids for the construction of the Nieslanik Ave Pedestrian Crossing will be received from invited Bidders by the Town of Carbondale (“OWNER”) at Town Hall, 511 Colorado Ave, Carbondale, CO 81623, until 2:00 PM on July 24, 2025, at which time the Bids received will be publicly opened and read. The project consists of the construction of a concrete median island and two curb bulb outs in Hwy 133. The installation of four pedestrian activated rectangular rapid flashing beacons (RRFB) will also be included in the project.

Bids will be received for a single prime Contract. Bids shall be on a unit price basis as indicated in the Bid Form. In the Certificate of Insurance, the Contractor shall list both the Town of Carbondale and the Colorado Department of Transportation as additional insured. Bidding Documents will be provided to prospective Bidders as electronic PDF files.

The Issuing Office for the Bidding Documents is Roaring Fork Engineering (RFE), 592 Hwy 133, Carbondale, CO, 81623 (Contact: Anthony Alfini | PE (970) 618-7073 | AnthonyA@rfeng.biz). Prospective Bidders may examine the Bidding Documents at the Issuing Office on Mondays through Fridays between the hours of 8 AM to 5 PM and may obtain copies of the Bidding Documents from the Issuing Office as described below.

Bidding Documents are available as electronic portable document format (PDF) files. Alternatively, printed Bidding Documents may be obtained from the Issuing Office via in-person pick-up, for a nonrefundable charge of $25 per set. Checks for Bidding Documents shall be payable to Roaring Fork Engineering. The date that the Bidding Documents are transmitted by the Issuing Office will be considered the date of receipt of the Bidding Documents. Partial sets of Bidding Documents will not be available from the Issuing Office. Neither Owner nor Engineer will be responsible for full or partial sets of Bidding Documents, including Addenda if any, obtained from sources other than the Issuing Office.

A pre-bid conference will be held at 2:00 PM on July 15, 2025 at Town Hall. Attendance at the pre-bid conference is highly encouraged but is not mandatory.

A 5% bid security shall be furnished in accordance with the Instructions to Bidders. Bidders shall submit proof of qualifications to perform the Work as described in the Instructions to Bidders.

Public Works Department Town of Carbondale : the and read. The The the Bid shall list both the Town of Carbondale and the Engineering the from may Documents shall be payable to Roaring Fork sets at with Bidders. in the Instructions to Bidders.

Town of Carbondale : CO and read. The curb outs in the Bid shall list both the Town of Carbondale and the 133, from be sets furnished with in the Instructions to Bidders.

A 5% bid security shall be furnished in accordance with the Instructions to Bidders. Bidders shall submit proof of qualifications to perform the Work as described in the Instructions to Bidders.

Public Works Department

RFTA services are busy during summer months in the Roaring Fork Valley. Courtesy photo

SEEKING HAYSTACKS

By A.O. Forbes

The town of Aspen is founded on a gentle pitch that leans ever so slightly from north to south, from Little Nell to the Music Tent. As the Earth moves toward the March Equinox, the melting snow moves northward from Aspen Mountain toward the Roaring Fork River. It is imperceptible to most unless you are curious and/or an avid 7-year-old “toothpick” racer. Every spring under a warming sun, Willard Clapper and I would build the perfect water craft, a concoction of toothpicks and styrofoam cups that were shallow enough to skate over the hazards of unpaved streets, avoid the occasional car, and take us on a journey to see our world in detail. The fastest currents ran down in front of Kalmes’ Clothing Store, past the Madalone gas station. Willard was a Madalone, so we always stopped to say hi, fix our boats, and then continue. To feel the sun climb north onto our perfect world, to follow the current of the winter’s snowfall through the streets in Aspen on its first leg of the journey to the sea, was magical.

I am a geography teacher, and the task of geography is to examine “landscapes” to see geography as a shaping force, to observe the character of our relationship to our “home,” the earth. Humans shape and are shaped by their landscapes. Landscapes tell the truth; our “splits” (multiple allegiances) and our moral frailties are made clear.

Communities from which nature has been abused or removed lose a most critical awareness: that the fate of humanity and nature are inseparable,

that the biological and spiritual fate of those communities is one and the same. At the root of our spiritual and ethical collapse in the West is our addiction to material wealth, which eclipses our devotion to each other, to the natural world, and to place. Ultimately, our homes, imbued with our spirit, reveal who we are and whether our lives are in a healthy relationship with all parts of the planet.

If we’re lucky, we meet friends early on who are accomplices in exploring our home. I was lucky and met Willard on my second day in Aspen, in Mrs. Willie’s second grade class. We were perhaps unlikely best friends: a molybdenum miner’s son born in Leadville, and a son of a B-24 pilot and author from Santa Barbara. But toothpick racing was followed by a car wash in sixth grade (not a banner enterprise, but two mothers had spotless cars), 40-plus years of teaching, taking students down rivers, up mountains, skiing to huts, trips to Selma, to Washington — all the while trying to honor what is inherently sacred in people, our world, our place, and to care for it, with an allegiance and intimacy that knowing one’s home engenders.

Willard was sharply aware of the disparity of opportunity and power in the Roaring Fork Valley. Having started Tomorrow’s Voices with me, he would be very proud of student Karen Machuca Garcia’s thoughts about her childhood home, El Jebel — geographically very close to our Aspen home, and worlds apart. Garcia speaks eloquently about how this landscape exposes both the resilience of the people and the politics and classism of the area.

“Wikipedia describes it as a small mountain town, or a ‘bedroom community,’ but to me, it was home. A home built not just from the trailers that lined my neighborhood of James Circle, but from the people who lived in them — the immigrants, the workers, and the families that made up the

core of our community. For me, El Jebel will always be more than just a small mountain town; it’s a testament to resilience. A place where Latin American immigrants have built a community, where they have raised children and have worked tirelessly to sustain the economy of Aspen. Every day, seven days a week, I see these workers make the commute to Aspen, a city that relies on their labor yet refuses to make space for them. It’s ironic that the same people who clean the hotels, construct the buildings, and maintain the luxury homes of Aspen cannot afford to live anywhere near it. I ask myself frequently, who gets to belong in these towns? Who has the right to call them home?”

“Who has the right to call them home?” is such a powerful sentiment, suggesting that “home” is a privilege. Yet, whether privilege or right, “home” is, as Barbara Kingsolver says, “place, geography, and psyche; it’s a matter of survival and safety, a condition of attachment and self-definition.”

Honoring our “home,” means we need to reflect on what we individually bring to the collective, and resist the temptation of excessive wealth to protect our relationships, as they are the reason we will bring our best. This will ask for more courage than we think we have, often more than we can generate alone. Luckily, we don’t need to. Some of the biggest ventures in my life, the things that shaped me and of which I am most proud, were taken with Willard. It was our collective courage that carried us aloft, gave us the joy of teaching, and gave our souls a sense of purpose and sustenance.

Desmond Tutu spoke to the power of collective courage, saying, “I am because you are. I am a person through other people.”

We rise for and with each other, which is the great genius and gift of community. My humanity is tied to yours, and we will rise together. So on this Fourth of July, let reverence for our shared humanity carry us aloft.

“Seeking Haystacks” is a year old. My original intention was to begin a conversation about our beautiful valley — who we collectively have been, are, and might become — and share my students’ perceptions about our home, character, ethics, justice, and what it takes to bring our best selves. Huge thanks to every student who gave us such profound offerings.

OBITUARY Lois Vagnuer

December 28, 1938 – May 11, 2025

On Mother’s Day, May 11, the world bid farewell to a beacon of kindness and grace. Lois Vagnuer, a devoted mother, grandmother, teacher and friend, passed away peacefully, leaving behind a legacy of love, faith, kindness and unwavering strength.

Lois grew up on a dairy farm in upstate New York with her six siblings. Here, her love for animals and the rhythms of a simple, grounded life began. Values of kindness, generosity, faithfulness and love were fortified through Lois’ upbringing. She carried these fundamental values into everything she did, including her life’s calling as an English teacher. Her lessons weren’t just found in lesson plans or textbooks; they were exemplified in the way she lived, in how she listened more than she spoke, and in how she treated every person that entered her life with generosity and understanding. Lois had a rare ability to seek out and focus on the positive in everyone — no matter how hard it was to find. Her life itself was a lesson to all: how to love, how to find the good in any situation, how to be selfless, how to radiate light. She enhanced the lives of all beings she encountered — two-legged and four-legged alike.

Lois was married twice, first to Bud Brownell and later to her cherished rodeo cowboy, Wayne Vagnuer. Lois volunteered faithfully at her church and served on the rodeo board for many years. Though she never competed in a rodeo event, she was a loyal spectator who meticulously recorded the time of every contestant (from slack until “Happy Trails”), and gleefully cheered on her family.

Lois was the heart of her family, a nurturing presence who brought everyone together with warmth and unwavering love. Family was Lois’s most important value and her actions reflected that. She is survived by her sister, Kay Thompson; daughter, Belinda Brownell; and grandchildren: Dani and Wylie Brownell and Jake and Tye Wedhorn. Her gentle spirit and unwavering love will continue to inspire all who knew her.

A celebration of life will be held in September. All who knew Lois are warmly invited to attend and honor her legacy. For more information, please email cnm.dani@gmail.com

A magical newspaper in a magical place

Sol del Valle turned 4 this week, and I’ll be damned if I don’t take a moment to reflect on what this paper and its people mean to me as a first-gen kid from the Roaring Fork Valley.

I started writing for El Sol in December 2023. Just before that, I spent 2020-22 at Colorado Mesa University working in housing. When the pandemic hit, what was supposed to be a role in student housing and leadership quickly became crisis response and public health. At its worst, it was a seven-day-a-week grind moving students in and out of quarantine, going through a few of my own, and trying to cover my original job duties at the same time. Everyone was stretched thin then but, long story short, that job burned me out in ways I’m still unpacking.

but I settled into topics that felt right for me — immigrant issues, growing up first-gen, state politics, social justice and adulthood. It felt like I was doing a lot of critiquing, so I named my column “Críticas,” inspired by one of my favorite writers, Jessica Hopper, and her book “The First Collection of Criticism by a Living Female Rock Critic.”

OPINION

I was desperate to get out and start what I imagined would be my career in writing. Every night, I’d hunt for jobs on LinkedIn and Indeed, searching for anything that even mentioned writing. To prepare for my daydreams, I wrote every day, trying to get better, hoping to get the attention of newsrooms and magazines. I sent those pieces everywhere that had an email to contact. Rejection emails piled up from those nice enough to respond. Nonetheless, it got to a point where my relationship with writing became toxic. To me, if no one was liking my stuff, it must mean I was bad at it, leaving me with little self-esteem and a whole ton of anxiety that questioned the point of being alive on its worst nights.

I didn’t tell my family I was writing for the paper until a few columns in. My mom, primarily a Spanish speaker and reader, had never read my work before. For the first time, I was able to share my craft in her native tongue. I’ve made her cry many times (this is a point of pride). She told me recently that when I left for college, she felt like she lost me, but through reading my writing, she said it’s like she’s meeting me for the first time. It’s through Sol del Valle’s editing, translation and trust that I’ve been able to close a gap between myself and culture, family, self-worth and confidence.

CRÍTICAS

I think of myself as a representative for Latino youth in the Valley. The only reason you’re reading my words is that I had opportunities. Sure, I work hard, but so do a lot of people in the Roaring Fork Valley. We all have dreams, but without the proper support, those dreams die. Especially in the Valley, it can feel like our dreams are too big for us and our place. Why would a Rifle boy’s words ever matter? They matter because they always have. No one had put resources toward letting those voices shine.

After a few months of that dark headspace, Christmas break came and campus emptied out. I indulged myself with a jumbo margarita from the local Mexican spot, carried it to an aluminum table outside the library, drank, and started to craft my writing manifesto — calling me to write because I love it, not who loved it; to remember that my words weren’t worthless just because I wasn’t getting paid for them. Not long after, I self-published an opinion piece about Lauren Boebert, then our congressional rep in Garfield County, and a few opportunities opened up.

One of those was Sol del Valle. They asked if I’d like to contribute, pitching the publication as a space for local Spanish writers to lend their perspectives and help build a network of storytellers capturing life in the Valley, all in Spanish. I was terrified.

At that point, my spoken and written Spanish was garbage. But my editor, the talented writer of the “Artista Existencial” column, Vanessa Porras, assured me I could write in English, and she’d help translate it. So I drafted my column in English and then worked with Vanessa to translate it. Fast-forward nearly two years, and I am so much more capable and confident in translating between English and Spanish.

The next challenge was figuring out what to write and for whom. Early on, I thought I was better suited for more artistic pieces, but it wasn’t until El Sol invited us to a call with Luz Romano, director of communications at Mexicanos Primero, that I learned what a column really is and how to write one. After that call, I felt more confident finding my voice and perspective.

I still don’t know exactly who reads my column every month,

I’m proud of El Sol because it’s an example of what happens when we put resources toward enabling the thoughts, perspectives and talents of people often overlooked by traditional media.

Spanish writing matters. We matter. We’re here. And in times when our safety, communication networks, jobs and freedoms are at risk, having an outlet like El Sol ensures our thoughts, culture and stories cannot be erased.

Someday, I won’t be writing for El Sol anymore, but I rest easy knowing that when that day comes, my spot won’t be taken by a careerist. It’ll be filled by someone in the community with something to say – in Spanish. Until then, I’m grateful to everyone who has ever picked up this paper, flipped through it, and read the words of any contributor. It’s a highlight every month to sit down and ask myself, “What do I want to put out next?”

Happy Birthday, Sol del Valle. You are a magical paper in a magical place, written for and by magical people.

Share your works in progress with readers by emailing illustrations, creative writings and poetry to fiction@soprissun.com

Carbondale Treasure Hunt

Inspired by Forest Fenn, we have a treasure hunt you can more easily win.

Look for a clue in the Sopris Sun to let you know when the hunt has begun.

The treasure vault awaits the clever mind, who reads the clues and seeks to find.

Before each First Friday’s celebration starts, this treasure will be hidden in Carbondale’s heart.

Through Main Street’s charm and gallery halls, past murals bright on building walls. The treasure waits where artists gather, where community bonds grow ever stronger.

So, gather friends and family near, let the hunt begin without a fear.

For somewhere in this valley blessed, adventure calls — begin your quest!

For First Friday, July 4

Comparte tus proyectos creativos aún en proceso con nuestros lectores. Puedes enviarnos un correo electrónico con tus ilustraciones, creaciones literarias y poesía a fiction@soprissun.com

In the shadow of Mount Sopris, where the crystal rivers flow, Two unlikely partners worked the mines of long ago. Black Diamond Bill, a coal-dust soul with hands as black as night, And Rowdy Pete, a cowboy bold who’d never start a fight.

The year was eighteen-ninety-three, the winter fierce and cold, When Bill discovered something strange within the mountain’s fold. Not coal or silver, gold or gems, but something far more rare— A friendship born of hardship in that thin mountain air.

Pete would bring his cattle down from summer’s grassy heights, While Bill would tunnel underground through endless winter nights. They’d meet each day when shifts would change, beside the old town square, To share their tales of triumph and their burdens hard to bear.

One autumn day, when aspen leaves turned golden in the sun, They made a pact together when their working days were done: “Let’s hide something precious where our friendship first took root, A treasure for the future—our legacy to boot.”

So seek the place where cowboys rest and miners pause to dream, Where children’s laughter echoes and the mountain waters gleam. Not grand or vast, but small and sweet, a pocket of delight, Where friendship blooms eternal in the fading evening light.

Petzinger at SOWR encouraged our athletes to participate at this event and several others

It was a wonderful day with more personal victories than we can share! Community support means everything to our programs, enriching the lives of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Glenwood Springs

With the House Repugnants so eager to sell off our national inheritance, I think it is time to clarify who actually owns public lands. The question eventually filters down to the ultimate funders and stakeholders of public lands: We the People — with federal, state and municipal entities acting as trustees and managers serving the interests of the people who fund those institutions through the taxes

The majority of public lands in the United States are held in trust for We the American People by the federal government and managed by the Bureau of Land Management, United States National Park Service, Bureau of Reclamation, Fish and Wildlife Service under the Department of the Interior, or by the United States Forest Service under the Department of Agriculture. Other federal agencies that manage public lands include the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the United States Department of Defense, which includes the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. It is incumbent then, that before the liquidation of common assets, that the prime stakeholders of those assets be engaged as to their opinion of that liquidation by holding an informed vote by We the People. The same thinking would hold with any downgrading of the status of land in monuments created under the terms of

John Hoffman Carbondale

Over the past several months, multiple members of our LGBTQ+ community have faced repeated harassment at the Carbondale Historic Food Forest near the

Thompson House. Pride flags have been stolen and destroyed. Graffiti has defaced community spaces. And most alarmingly, a queer community member was verbally assaulted and told that “people like her” don’t belong in Carbondale.

Let me be clear: that is not the Carbondale I know.

The Carbondale I know is a place rooted in love, inclusion and deep respect for one another. A place where people show up for each other. A place that has long taken pride in being welcoming to all, no matter who they are or who they love.

But when hateful acts go unanswered, they risk becoming normalized. And we refuse to let that happen.

As a leader in the LGBTQ+ community and a resident of the Roaring Fork Valley, I’m calling on all of us — neighbors, business owners, educators, civic leaders and allies — to speak up. Stand with us. Show everyone that LGBTQ+ people belong here, that Carbondale remains a safe and affirming place for all.

And here’s how we do it: we fill this town with rainbows. We respond to hate with love. Every time someone tears down a Pride flag, we put up two more. Let’s raise a Pride flag in every storefront, on every porch, at every school and in front of every government building. Let there be no question where this town stands.

Because Carbondale is not a place where hate wins. It’s a place where love shows up boldly, visibly and without apology. Ashley Stahl Cook Inclusive

Bill Moyers

Bill Moyers died in hospital on June 26. He was, truly, a great man. He was a giant in journalism, broadcasting and politics. One of his signature endeavors was to bring the great professor Joseph Cambell to the world through television programs. He enlightened more than one generation. Moyers was for decades the epitome of “public broadcasting,” which is now under attack by the current president. I found the work of Bill Moyers inspiring. I hope you might look him up online.

Patrick Hunter Carbondale

Political commentary by Andrew Soliday

PARTING SHOTS

Attorney General Phil Weiser stopped by Morgridge Commons in Glenwood Springs on June 26 for a presentation about his office’s response to federal actions. The presentation and Q&A session were both live interpreted for Spanish speakers as part of a CoWest Noticias Collaborative speaker series which will feature public officials from different levels of government on a range of topics.

CoWest Noticias Collaborative is a news equity initiative by Aspen Daily News, the Aspen Times, Glenwood Springs Post Independent, Aspen Journalism, KPVW La Tricolor, KDNK community radio, Aspen Public Radio and The Sopris Sun/ Sol del Valle.

Photo by Klaus Kocher

Sol del Valle celebrated its fourth anniversary on June 28 at the Glenwood Springs Library. Taquería El Yaqui and ProMex Bakery catered the event, with information booths from community partners, lotería games with prizes, a photo booth and dancing!

Ingrid Zúniga (left) and Margarita Alvarez (background) presented on behalf of Sol del Valle and the advisory board who helped organize the party.