Welcome to the area.
More conservative columnists. More liberal columnists.
Don’t be swayed by the “mossbacks.”
That is a snippet of the feedback I received after last week’s column. My response: Thank you. I appreciate the welcomes and insights.
As noted in last week’s piece, the last five months were focused on resolving internal issues but also on ways to move forward. Here are some projects in the works:
Get a taste of the Roaring Fork
Want a great way to get a taste of the best Glenwood Springs, Carbondale and Basalt/Willits have to offer?
The inaugural Roaring Fork Restaurant Week, presented by Glenwood Insurance Agency and Secura Insurance Companies, is Feb. 4-10.
Participating restaurants will offer a deal for either $20.19 or $40.38. It’s up to them what that deal is. There is no charge for restaurants to participate, and we’re reaching out to see if they want to take part.
Starting Jan. 28, look in the Post Independent or Aspen Times papers or on our websites to see which establishments are in and what deals are on menu.
The Post Independent and Aspen Times could not do this without the support from presenting sponsor Glenwood Insurance and Secura Insurance companies; as well as the community sponsors — Glenwood Springs Tourism (Visit Glenwood), Carbondale Chamber of Commerce, Basalt Chamber of Commerce, and Willits Town Center; and friends of restaurant sponsor the Roaring Fork Transportation Authority.
So in a couple of weeks, go out, dine, support local restaurants, and when you do, make sure to take some photos, post on social media and use the hashtag #putaforkinitRF to share your experiences.
Speaking of photos
We recently launched a user-submitted photo project dubbed #postsnaps. Select photos are slated to appear every Sunday.
In the first few weeks since starting, we have received more than 180 photo submissions through Instagram and email. We cannot print them all, but you can checkout most of them out on Instagram using #postsnaps in the search.
To submit photos, email them to postsnaps@postindependent.com or through Instagram by tagging the photo with #postsnaps in the description.
If the photo is of the Glenwood Springs area or the canyon, consider adding the hashtag #YesGlenwood. By doing so, your photo might be featured in Visit Glenwood’s tourism promotion efforts.
Coming changes
The #postsnaps is one launched initiative, and during the next five weeks we will be conducting soft launches on more.
It includes a set-up for a more reader-friendly experience in the paper, as well as some new content, including dedicated food and education pages as well as updates to our current “anchor” pages — business, health and entertainment.
The opinion section will be enlarged with a goal of having a right leaning and left leaning column each day with a blend of local and national writers.
A new mobile-first website is on the horizon. A confirmed timeline has not been set, but it’s coming.
Join our editorial board
We’re seeking two to four residents to be part of our community editorial board.
Board members are to meet with newspaper representatives and help the paper craft its editorial stances on issues. Board terms are a three-month commitment, with members meeting weekly or once every two weeks.
An editorial differs from a column; both appear in the opinion section, but an editorial is the stance of the paper on issues, while a column is view of the individual writer.
If interested in joining the board or learning more, contact editor John Stroud at jstroud@postindependent.com or at 970-384-9160.
What’s a community need?
Part of our 2019 plan is to conduct an in-depth series that will culminate in a summer-based event or forum focused on a singular community issue.
We want your help identifying the issue. If you have suggestions on what that coverage focus should be, contact Stroud at jstroud@postindependent.com or at (970) 384-9160.
Jerry Raehal is publisher for the Glenwood Springs Post Independent, the weekly Citizen Telegram in Rifle and postindependent.com.