Frontier Museum closure
The Frontier Museum will be closed beginning 4 p.m. Saturday, May 18, for spring cleaning. The museum will reopen at 1 p.m. Saturday, June 1, with an open house. Summer hours of 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Saturday begin Monday, June 3.
Celebrate Colorado Public Lands Day with Roaring Fork Outdoor Volunteers
Saturday, May 18, is Colorado Public Lands Day, a day for volunteers across the state to give back to the 24 million acres of public lands. It’s an opportunity not only to lace up your boots and get outside but to take action and maintain the local trails. Roaring Fork Outdoor Volunteers begins its 24th project season this Saturday in Glenwood Springs at the Mitchell Creek Trail, which provides direct access to the Flat Tops Wilderness. On this family-friendly project volunteers will trim dense brush and stabilize stepping stones at creek crossings. RFOV provides the tools, resources and trained crew leaders to ensure that all volunteers have a rewarding experience, no matter how new to trail projects one may be. Volunteers can sign up at http://www.rfov.org.
Ruedi Reservoir Tour: Storing West Slope Water
Anyone curious to know more about Ruedi Reservoir and its significance in the Roaring Fork Watershed and beyond can visit the reservoir with Roaring Fork Conservancy staff and Mark Fuller and April Long from Ruedi Water and Power Authority from 5-7:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 21. Participants will learn about transbasin water diversions and specifically how Ruedi Reservoir operates. We’ll also gain a unique perspective of the dam and its construction from the Rocky Fork area. Meet at The River Center, 22800 Two Rivers Road in Basalt, and be prepared to carpool. Dress appropriately as the program will happen rain or shine. Registration is required at http://www.roaringfork.org/events/ruedi-reservoir-tour-storing-west-slope-water-may-21/. Cost is free for Roaring Fork Conservancy members and $10 for nonmembers. Call 970-927-1290 with questions.
Art journal workshop
Create a personalized work of art on a journal-notebook from 10-11 a.m. Friday, May 24, at the New Castle Community Center. Register online for $15 at newcastlerec.com.
Learn how to make buñuelos
Learn how to make and enjoy buñuelos with Deisi at 6 p.m. Friday, May 24, in the New Castle Community Center kitchen. Buñuelos are a fried dough dessert popular in Mexico. Cost is $15. Must register before May 22 at newcastlerec.com.
Memorial Day library closure
All six branches of the Garfield County Libraries will be closed Monday, May 27, in observance of Memorial Day. The libraries will resume normal hours on Tuesday, May 28. Patrons can still browse and request books, movies, and more at http://www.gcpld.org, during the closure.
Spring Lecture Series: Sacagawea’s Capture and the History of the Early West
CU Boulder distinguished professor Elizabeth Fenn will be at the Glenwood Springs Library on Wednesday, May 29, to discuss the circumstances of Sacagawea’s capture in order to illuminate a deep history of the northern plains and Rockies. Making the history of the West accessible to broad audiences, Fenn will discuss indigenous warfare, hunting techniques, environmental conditions, horse-borne interactions, and plains power dynamics as they pertain to a one-month period of Sacagawea’s life. The event begins at 6:30 p.m. and is free and open to all. For more information call the library at 970-945-5958.
Humpty Dumpty Celebration
Humpty Dumpty needs a spring cleaning, and the library needs help to get him back to his shining self at 4 p.m. Thursday, May 30, at the Carbondale Branch Library. Participants are also invited for cake and special music by the RFHS jazz band. For more information call the library at 970-963-2889.
Teen volunteer opportunities
The Glenwood Springs Library is looking for volunteers (ages 12 and up) to help with the Summer Reading Program. Volunteers can help plan and facilitate events for all ages, use computer skills to track reading goals throughout the summer, learn skills needed to become a librarian, and log volunteer hours in the community. Sign up by June 1 at the Glenwood Springs Library, 815 Cooper Ave. For more information call 970-945-5958.
Walk MS: Glenwood Springs & 5K Run committee members needed
Walk MS is looking for volunteers who would be interested in helping the National MS Society prepare for the 2019 Walk MS: Glenwood Springs & 5K Run which will take place Saturday, May 11. Duties of the planning committee are to ensure a successful event including: coordinating the pancake breakfast, managing the silent auction by helping with item donations and pre-event set-up (ie. bid sheets), promoting the event within Glenwood Springs and surrounding communities, and anything else that would make Walk MS: Glenwood Springs & 5K Run the favorite community event of the year. Contact Suzie Reel for more information at 970-263-4393 or suzie.reel@nmss.org.
Updated cash-back rebates for energy improvements from CORE
The Community Office for Resource Efficiency is offering new and updated cash-back rebates to incentivize energy efficiency improvements in 2019 to help the Roaring Fork Valley save energy and cut carbon. The annual program includes 19 rebates offering up to $500-2,500 each for energy projects in: electricity, renewables, hot water, heating and cooling, and home envelope. New this year, homeowners and renters can tap into $2,500 for fuel-switching, while businesses can increase their EV charging capacity. Residents from Aspen to Glenwood Springs can access CORE rebates all year long for their home or business. More information, a downloadable rebate brochure and free technical advising are available at http://www.aspencore.org and 970-925-9775.
Preschool ‘sewing’
Children ages 3-7 can make a needle-laced felt hand puppet from 9-9:30 a.m. Friday, May 17, at the New Castle Community Center on Main Street. Youngsters will use a plastic dull-pointed needle to “sew” a pre-cut, pre-punched puppet. Parents of children under 5 must stay on site. Register for $10 online at newcastlerec.com.
GarCo First Responders Day
GarCo First Responders Day takes place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, May 18, at Silt’s Stoney Ridge Pavilion. The event will recognize and celebrate first responders including law enforcement, fire protection and emergency services. The public is invited for a fun, entertaining and educational day that will honor the work of both local and Colorado heroes.
Highlights include community booths with giveaways, free hamburgers and hotdogs, a bounce house for kids, live entertainment from Nashville singer-songwriter Tyler Barham, and two benefit fundraisers for Special Olympics Colorado.
To learn more, see the full schedule and pre-register for the fundraising events, log on to garcofirstresponders.com.
Best Self Women’s Group
Chat with other local women about self-care, career, friendships, relationships, self-advocacy, mindset, goal-setting, money management, or other areas in which participants would like to receive support. The group will meet from 1:30-3:30 p.m. on the Saturdays of May 18 and June 22 at the New Castle Library. The group is open to all women and is free to attend.
Health Insurance 101
The libraries present three events where health coverage guides Silvia Santana and Jenni Rodriguez from Connect For Health Colorado explain open enrollment, tax credits, cost-sharing reductions and how to get health insurance. The events begin at 6 p.m.; the first will be held on Monday, May 20, at the Glenwood Springs Library, the second will be on Thursday, May 23, at the Parachute Library, and the final event will be on Wednesday, May 29, at the Rifle Library.
Early literacy make & take workshops
The Rifle Library invites family, friend and neighbor caregivers for fresh ideas to make early literacy and learning fun starting at 2 p.m. Monday, May 20. Gain connections with a support network, all while enjoying food, new ideas, and early literacy activities to make and take home. A storytime, snack and craft activity will be provided for the children in attendance. Free and open to all. For more information call the Rifle Library at 970-625-3471.
Early literacy storytimes
Family, friend and neighbor caregivers are invited to share fresh ideas in incorporating early literacy into child care. Gain connections with others who can provide support — all while enjoying food, new ideas and special storytimes. This is a four-part series; attend one or all of the events on the Mondays of May 20, June 17, July 22, and Aug. 19. These events all begin at 10:30 a.m. at the Carbondale Library. They are part of the Growing Readers Together initiative, and a storytime, snack and craft activity will be provided for the children in attendance. As the library will be closed when the events start, use the after-hours entrance to the Calaway Room, located by the parking lot. For more information call the library at 970-963-2889.
Ancient Chinese Philosophy & Medicine lecture
Dr. Cotter Kelsey, L.Ac, presents a free lecture, Ancient Chinese Philosophy & Medicine, at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 22, at the Glenwood Springs Library community room. For more information go to http://www.kelseyhealingarts.com.
Book Bingo
Kids and teens are invited for a fun-filled afternoon of Book Bingo starting at 2 p.m. Wednesday, May 22, at the Carbondale Library. Every bingo wins a book. Register for Summer Reading and get a sneak peek at some of the prizes. Snacks and refreshments will be provided. For more information about this free event call the library at 970-963-2889.
Valley locals booth applications [4/30]
Applications are now available and due May 24 for the 2019 Valley Artists’ Booth at the 48th annual Mountain Fair in Carbondale on July 26-28. The booth allows local artists to exhibit and sell their artwork in a cooperative, inexpensive way. Gallery space is limited, and artwork will be juried. Applicants must be current members of Carbondale Arts and reside in an “816” ZIP code area. Submissions must be the artist’s own handmade (not manufactured, not imported) work. Criteria for judging include quality and uniqueness of items. Artists are required to assist with set-up and breakdown, and to work shifts during the fair. Carbondale Arts will provide the tent, pro panels and pedestals. Artists are responsible for their own display. Carbondale Arts will handle the accounting and collect sales tax. Fees due upon acceptance. Questions? Email brian@carbondalearts.com. Applications are available online at http://www.carbondalearts.com.
Make a mixed-media keepsake-box
Adults and kids ages 9 and older can make a unique mixed-media keepsake-box at 6 p.m. Wednesday, May 29, at the New Castle Community Center. Mother’s Day is coming up, so this could make a good gift. Register online before May 28 for $20 at newcastlerec.com.
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UNDATED ANNOUNCEMENTS
Autism Support Group
This group is for all parents of children with autism or “on the spectrum” kids. Participants meet at the Silt Library and discuss issues that arise, share funny stories, and help with questions the doctors just can’t answer. Call or stop by the library to learn about upcoming dates or schedule a special session. For more information call the library at 970-876-5500.
High Country RSVP Seeks Volunteers for American Red Cross
In light of this summer’s increased wildfire activity, organizations like the American Red Cross of Colorado need additional volunteers in order to serve the community with disaster preparedness and response services. This will ensure that if ever there is an emergency, there will always be trained individuals nearby, ready to use their Red Cross skills to save lives.
High Country RSVP (Retired Senior Volunteer Program) is looking for volunteers age 55 and older to serve with the American Red Cross of Colorado in Garfield County. There are numerous ways to volunteer with the organization, and training will be provided. For more information, contact Mary Moon, RSVP volunteer manager, at 970-947-8462 or mpmoon@coloradomtn.edu.
LIFT-UP needs volunteers
Both English-speaking and bilingual volunteers are needed for a variety of LIFT-UP programs. Volunteer opportunities include:
Extended table: If you are part of a group interesting in serving and helping others or like to cook, this program is for you. LIFT-UP is looking for groups to pick a day to plan, prepare and serve the meal at Extended Table in Glenwood Springs.
Meal monkey: Be a part of the team that provides lunches to school kids on Fridays. Students, 18 and under, are served sack lunches on Fridays (since there is no school in the Re-2 school district on Fridays). Donations of snacks, funding and time are all needed.
Volunteer for veggies: Help UpRoot Colorado reduce food loss and food insecurity by helping harvest and redistribute fresh fruits and vegetables to our local pantries.
For more information, contact Renee Horton at (970) 625-4496 or email officemanager@liftup.org.
Parents of Addicted Loved Ones
Parents of Addicted Loved Ones (PAL) is a support group of parents helping parents that meets from 6-7:30 p.m. every Thursday at River Center, 126 N. Fourth St. in New Castle, to offer education and support, at no charge, for parents who are dealing with a son or daughter suffering from addiction. PAL can also help spouses who feel they have to parent their addicted partner. PAL is open to all sober family members and friends who are 18 years and older.
For more information visit http://www.palgroup.org or call Diane Pfaff at 970-379-5299.
Frontier Museum seeks volunteers
Volunteers make it possible to keep the doors of the Frontier Museum open. Anyone interested in volunteering and learning about Glenwood Spring’s history can pick up a free history book. Those who like to talk with people make wonderful volunteers. For information call 970-945-4448 or email history@rof.net.
High Country RSVP
Want to have more meaning in your life? Do you want to do something that is satisfying and of great service to your community? Would you like to meet new people? Are you 55 or older? High Country RSVP (Retired Senior Volunteer Program) needs you. RSVP’s mission is to enrich the lives of men and women, age 55 and older, through meaningful volunteer opportunities that use their skills, abilities, and life experiences in service to their communities. High Country RSVP is a national Senior Corps organization under the Corporation for National and Community Service and was started here in Glenwood Springs in 1973.
Our objectives are to meet the critical needs in our communities through volunteer recruitment and management and meet the needs of the growing base of seniors in our communities, enabling them to continue to live independently (age in place).
As our new year begins please consider contacting RSVP’s professional volunteer manager Elisabeth Worrell, 970-947-8460, who will help you determine where your skills, abilities, and interests are and make a connection with one of the 36 volunteer stations we partner with.
Symphony in the Valley
Symphony in the Valley, a volunteer organization comprising local musicians making music for the communities here in the valley, is looking for musicians of all ages who play an orchestra instrument. High school students are welcome with a teacher’s recommendation. Contact Symphony in the Valley via the Contact Us page at sitv.org.