Lots Going On

It's summer in the Gunnison High Country and there is a lot going on!


The Annual Trough Restaurant Balloon Ascension will take place Saturday, July 2nd through Monday, July 4th. Balloons will be ascending into the clear morning air from Jorgensen Park starting at 5:30am. It's a beautiful sight! Also this weekend long, local businesses will be holding holiday sales. Get out and find a bargain on some unique and useful items!
On Friday, July 1st, kick off the holiday weekend by starting at the Gunnison Arts Center patio for free live music. After a little music, start inside at the Arts Center for the First Friday Gallery Crawl. Beautiful and thought-provoking artwork is displayed in galleries around town with appetizers and libations available. Information on the participating galleries can be obtained at the Arts Center. After viewing art and having dinner at one of Gunnison's fine restaurants, bistros or cafes - head out to the Gunnison Valley Observatory south of town for some clear, night sky viewing. The facility gates open at 8pm with the lecture series starting at 8:30pm. The Observatory is open for public viewing Friday and Saturday evenings throughout the summer and fall. Go to http://www.gunnisonobservatory.org/ for more information.
Following the balloon ascension on Saturday morning, grab a hearty breakfast at one of Gunnison's friendly restaurants and a latte at one of the coffee shops then head over to the 100 block of East Virginia Ave. (by the downtown IOOF Park) and partake in the Gunnison Farmer's Market. There will be produce, organic meats, eggs, breads and pastries, arts and crafts and jewelry. If you're a local - say hello to your friends and neighbors and if you're a visitor - you'll feel like a friend by the time you leave! Remember - there is night sky viewing at the Gunnison Observatory on Saturday night.
Sunday morning is the balloon rally once again. There are a number of different church denominations in Gunnison for your Sunday morning services. During the weekend days - make the City of Gunnison your "Base Camp to the Rocky Mountains". Enjoy fishing, boating, hiking, rafting, kayaking, climbing, mountain and road biking in the great outdoors or head indoors at the Gunnison Community Center for swimming, splashing, games and climbing. The Community Center is located at 200 East Spencer Avenue behind the Wal-Mart in north Gunnison. Rounding out Sunday is the Gunnison Arts Center's "Sundays at 6" live music program at the Legion Park Pavilion. It's free but donations are encouraged and appreciated. Take a picnic dinner (no glass in the park please!) - relax on the grass and listen to the band "Tornado Rider".
Monday is Independence Day! Most of the holiday activities are taking place at Jorgensen Park, located at 500 East Tomichi Avenue (Highway 50). A beer garden and food vendors will be located in the covered outdoor ice rink. The band "Oakhurst" will provide bluegrass music starting at 5pm. WSC History Professor Duane Vandenbusche will detail local history from the Jorgensen Gazebo at 8:20pm. A patriotic ceremony will start at 8:50pm - with the singing of the Star Spangled Banner. And - as anticipation grows - blast off of this year's fireworks takes place at 9:20pm.
The City of Gunnison Council and employees wish everyone a safe and happy 4th of July holiday!

City Holiday Schedules

City of Gunnison Offices will be closed on Monday, July 4th, in observance of Independence Day. If your trash is usually picked up on Monday, your trash will be collected on Tuesday due to the holiday.

The Community Center/Aquatics Facility hours will be 12 Noon to 6:00pm on Monday, July 4th. The Climbing Wall will be open from Noon until 6pm and the Pools will be open for "Open Swim" from 12 Noon until 5:45pm. There will be NO recreation programs or swimming lessions on Monday, July 4th.
We wish everyone a safe and Happy 4th!

City Sidewalk Improvements

The City's Public Works Department has purchased a hand-propelled concrete grinding machine. It is being used to grind down and level some of the "high spots" in City sidewalks that could be a potential trip hazard to pedestrians. Grinding down and leveling of the high spots should elminiate the cost to completely tear out and replace the problem spots. The accompanying photo was taken in front of the Paper Clip at 107 N. Wisconsin Street.

Summer is Finally Here!

It was a glorious, busy summer weekend in Gunnison. Friday night kicked off with great live music on the Gunnison Arts Center patio. This was followed by many with a delicious dinner at one of Gunnison's fantastic restaurants, bistros, wine bars and brew pubs.

Friday and Saturday night had awesome clear-sky viewing at the Gunnison Valley Observatory, located south of Gunnison on Gold Basin Road. A tour of the solar system took place with a special visit to the planet Saturn. The Observatory is open every Friday and Saturday night for public night sky viewing.

Saturday morning dawned with clear, sunny skies. The Gunnison River Festival kicked off at the Gunnison Whitewater Park, just west of the City limits, with opening remarks from City Councilor Bill Nesbitt and other dignitaries. Food and product vendors were set up providing great food and information on watersports. Many wet and wild competitions were held during the day. One of the newest sports is Stand Up Paddling (SUP) where the rider stands up and "surfs" the river on a surf board with a paddle. The freestyle competition featured many local and out of town water athletes competing with awesome maneuvers on the river's waves. Downriver competitions and events filled out the weekend on Sunday morning on the upper and lower Taylor River. Closing ceremonies took place at the Almont Resort. A great time was had by participants and spectators alike! Many thanks to the sponsors and volunteers of this fun event.

Saturday morning saw opening day of the annual Gunnison Farmers' Market. The market, featuring local produce, crafts, music and baked goods, takes place every Saturday morning through mid-October. The Market is located on the 100 Block of East Virginia by the IOOF Park.

The weekend ended with some "locally-grown" music at the Arts Center's "Sundays at 6" event at Legion Park. A festive crowd enjoyed music ranging from Waylon Jennins to Jethro Tull to "Funkytown"! Many enjoyed a picnic supper or barbeque along with the music. Gunnison - it's a great place to be!

City Council Happenings

After a busy summer weekend in the City, the City Council will be addressing a number of issues on Tuesday night at 7pm in the Council Chambers of City Hall.

Council will be talking with the Gunnison Arts Center about the "Sundays at 6" event held Sunday evenings at Legion Park throughout the summer months. Council will take action on a sewer slipline contract, an easement agreement on Bidwell Avenue, and a letter of support for the Historic Designation of the American Legion Hut building in Legion Park. Council will also approve the contract with Great Outdoors Colorado for improvements at the South Teller Street Baseball field and approve the internal transfer of budgeted 2011 funds. The City Clerk will present the Clerk's Department semi-annual report.

As alsways - the public is welcome and encouraged to attend City Council meetings.

Colorado Rockies Baseball Skills Challenge

PLAY BALL! Young baseball players can exhibit their baseball skills when the City of Gunnison Parks and Recreation hosts a Colorado Rockies Baseball Skills Challenge! The competition begins at 5pm on Thursday, June 9th at the Softball Fields. Registration will start at the softball fields at 4:30pm. There are seperate divisions for boys and girls for ages 6 through 13. (age of as 12/31/2011)
There is no cost to register, however, a parent or guardian must sign a waiver form for each child. You may also register prior to the event at the Parks & Recreation office at 200 East Spencer in Gunnison.

SUMMER RECREATION!

Summer Recreation Programs are starting. Most are beginning this week. If you are interested in signing up - now is the time! You can dig in the dirt, fly through the air, get wet, hurtle down a hill, and just have FUN!
The following programs are being offered:
Gymnastics; Basketball; Youth and Adult Tennis; Sporties for Shorties; Water Fun Day at the Park; Baseball; Indoor and Outdoor Rock Climbing for Youth and Adults; Outdoor Pickleball; Youth and Adult Tae-Kwon-Do; Aerial Dance with Hoop and Fabric; Youth and Adult Hula Hooping; Fly Fishing Camp; Three Rivers Raft Trips; Youth Mountain Bike Classes; Get Fit-Stay Fit; Zumba; Mountain Roots Garden Summer Camp; WSC Track and Field Day Camp; BMX; Swimming Lessons; Private and Semi-Private Swim Lessons; Diving Lessons; Jr. Lifeguard Training; First Aid/CPR/AED Training; and Water Aerobics.
If you would like to register, please call 641-8060 or go online at http://www.gunnisonrec.com/

Your City Council

City Council will be meeting this evening, Tuesday, June 7th, at 7pm in the Council Chambers of City Hall, 201 W. Virginia Avenue. This will be a Council Work Session, no formal action will be taken.

Council will be discussing the following: City Investment Policy; an amendment to the Gunnison Rising Annexation Agreement regarding the proposed CDOW Discovery Center; update on the GunnisonValley Animal Welfare League's proposed animal shelter; a License Agreement for a projecting sign over the sidewalk at Gunnison Shipping, 125 W. Virginia Avenue; a Challenge Grant Application in the amount of $1,000 for the Straw Bale Conference to be held this fall; a letter of support requested by "Boomers and Beyond" group for their grant application to the El Pomar Foundation; and discussion on a letter to Judge Patrick regarding the UGRWCD representation. As always, the public is welcome and encouraged to attend this meeting.

Kids Fishing and Outdoor Sports Expo

The 2011 Kids Fishing Derby and Outdoor Sports Expo will take place this weekend - Saturday, June 4th starting at 10am at Jorgensen Park. This is a FREE event for all kids under 15 yrs. Lunch is provided as well as ready to use fishing poles.


In addition to fishing there is a laser shooting booth, archery, practice casting and educational booths by the US Forest Service, BLM, the Wild Turkey Federation, National Park Service, Division of Wildlife, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, Gunnison Kiwanis Club and MORE! This is a great opportunity to get out and fish and learn about outdoor sports.

Hope to See EVERYONE there!