Stuff by Tom Mercer

• Locations: News By Tom Mercer Published Dec. 10, 2020

  A stroll in Sopris Park

  The gazebo is getting a bit of a makeover. Photo by Tom Mercer

  Eric Brendlinger, Carbondale’s Director of Parks and Recreation, reports that Carbondale now has a total of 26 parks. Some are large and some are small, but Carbondale’s 3.9-acre Sopris Park is generally regarded as the crown jewel by virtue of both its location and the numerous community events… read more →

• Locations: News By Tom Mercer Published Nov. 18, 2020

  Our Town: Geekspeak co-host is here to help

  

  Matt McBrayer is the owner, and the sole technician at Roaring Fork Help Desk, Inc., which he established on March 14th (a.k.a.“Pi Day”) , 2015. The business motto is “Your End-to-End Technology Experts,” and based on Matt’s description of his day-to-day work… read more →

• Locations: Opinion By Tom Mercer Published Nov. 18, 2020

  New ways of doing things in the arts

  

  I have been fortunate enough to perform music in the Roaring Fork Valley for close to 30 years, and there have always been private parties, community celebrations, and nightclubs that have provided entertainment for their guests. However, things have changed. 

  The band I currently work with… read more →

• Locations: News By Tom Mercer Published Oct. 21, 2020

  Clay Center hosts limited-edition ‘Settings’

  

  You know you’re entering a creative zone the moment you enter the Carbondale Clay Center. There is an aura of creativity that emanates from the building. 

  This visitor eagerly approached, hoping to learn more about the organization’s upcoming fund-raising auction. In years past, the Clay Center’s… read more →

• Locations: News By Tom Mercer Published Oct. 7, 2020

  ArtWay plans progress

  

  The Youth Art Park is the final park in the master plan for the Rio Grande Trail ArtWay that runs through Carbondale, and Amy Kimberly, the Executive Director of Carbondale Arts, is driving the creation of the park. 

  Kimberly said, “We had committed to doing three… read more →

• Locations: News By Tom Mercer Published Oct. 7, 2020

  ‘We are local and so is your food’

  

  Eber Silva, Nicolas Rojas, and Eduardo Meraz have known each other since they were kids. Eber Silva remembers Rojas (“Nico”) and Meraz (“Eddy”) from when he was 10 years old. All three grew up and attended school together in Carbondale. 

  Now they have “teamed up” to… read more →

• Locations: News By Tom Mercer Published Sep. 30, 2020

  Comedy — a medicine for melancholy?

  

  Everyone has heard the phrase “Laughter is the best medicine,” but few realize that this simple observation dates back thousands of years, and during these seriously challenging times, we would do well to add an occasional dose of humor to our lives. 

  You may be surprised… read more →

• Locations: News By Tom Mercer Published Sep. 9, 2020

  Autumn travel may present challenges

  

  Traveling in the mountains has always presented challenges, and this autumn season will be no different on Colorado’s Western Slope. 

  The best a traveler can do is plan ahead in the hope of avoiding delays, closures, cancellations, and natural disasters. With that in mind, here’s a… read more →

• Locations: News By Tom Mercer Published Aug. 26, 2020

  A tale of COVID and clay

  

  According to Angela Bruno, Carbondale Clay Center’s Executive Director, “Things are going well,” and considering the impact that COVID-19 has had on businesses and educational entities in Carbondale, that’s remarkable.

  Carbondale Clay Center is in its 23rd year of existence, and Bruno… read more →

• Locations: News By Tom Mercer Published Aug. 26, 2020

  On the path to elevated senior living

  

  Anyone that has recently walked or ridden their bicycle on the Rio Grande Trail between Second and Fourth streets has seen it: A dusty lot on the North side of the trail is sprouting two large buildings that are scheduled to be completed prior to the end of… read more →