What a night it was! Last Friday in Basalt. Not a single parking spot on Midland Avenue, as people walked up and down the street visiting the open galleries and shops offering special holiday sales. Willits Town Center was much the same. I ran over a little before 5pm to see such a lovely sight: trees wrapped in different color lights, a horse-drawn carriage turning a corner loaded with kids and families, a line half the park long with all ages of people waiting to sit with the finest-looking Santa and Mrs. Claus that ho-ho'ed this side of the North Pole.

Before I got out of my car, I heard the sounds of White Christmas coming from the speakers, a four-person carol group layered in warm holiday coats and set up in the middle of the park. The Lions Club gents were there again with their hot cider and cookies, laughing with pride as I taste-tested their two types of home-made chili. A special thank you to this hard-working, lion-hearted bunch, who do so much good in our community. Of course, they're one among a bevy of giving groups, and my heart is full of appreciation for all our non-profits and civic organizations, especially at this time of the year.

Back in historic downtown the mountain of a tree that was lit in formal ceremony last Friday still glows through the night and more and more lights come up on businesses and residences nearby. I started the December 12 ArtWalk at the Wyly Annex, with the Bayard Hollins solo exhibit of lovely expressionist paintings. Then I wandered up Midland Avenue to the still packed Ann Korologos Gallery to greet a smiling group of people, and enjoy the "Gift of Winter Holiday" Exhibition. Further up Midland were Creative Spaces I and II, with an eclectic and impressive mix of glass art, sculpture, marquetry furniture, paintings and Plains Indian reproduction pieces. The Basalt Chamber's Creative Spaces Project continues to decorate empty storefronts to liven up the town, and even a somewhat dark and dreary bus stop on Highway 81. I capped a delightful evening at Toklat Gallery on Two Rivers Road, for a lovely display of Swedish textile art, paintings, Colorado crystals, and hand-crafted three-dimensional art. I've updated information below on the lighting of the town and local art. Do wander around the galleries and see the exhibits before they change.


Tonight at sundown in downtown Basalt, a crowd of people and at least a half dozen well-behaved dogs shared a very special moment. The first candle of the first "public" menorah in Basalt was set aglow between the holiday tree and the peace pole in Lions Park. Nearly a hundred people attended the inter-faith ceremony. Town Councilman Rob Leavitt shared the story of Chunukah and Rabbi David Segal performed the Chanukah blessings. Both were clearly moved, describing their own stories of Chanukah and how meaningful it is that Basalt now has a menorah for all to see and share, the only one of its kind in the Valley. Father Will Fisher and his family were there, along with Mayor Jacque Whitsitt, Town Councilmen Bernie Grauer and Rick Stevens, Jon Fox Rubin of the Manaus Fund, friends from near and far, even a gentleman from Redstone who heard this morning's story on the radio and brought his wife and three beautiful young daughters for the celebration.  To read more about the event, see the event program or visit the Chamber's website event page.