Rachel Van Slyke and Jim Sargent shared what’s going on at the new nonprofit, Gunnison Valley Music Association, and a taste of the music they’re providing throughout the valley. GVMA’s mission is to establish Gunnison Valley as the singer/songwriter capital of the Rocky Mountains. Having formed in May of 2023, they’ve accomplished a lot! GVMA connects local musicians to performance venues around the valley; provides and sponsors songwriter programs and events; educates artists about local health services, discounts, business and financial support, and booking services; and partners with other organizations throughout the valley to bring more music to our community. This summer, GVMA was a CB Rotary grant recipient for their Pavillion Dance Series in Almont.

Erin Ganser, Housing Director for the Town of Crested Butte, joined us this morning to share housing projects the Town is working on as well as updates on the County’s Whetstone housing project. Erin explained that the Mineral Point development, currently under construction across from the Gas Cafe, will be rental units available low-income households. Low-income is defined as 60% or less of AMI (Area Median Income). The Town is also working on building 12-15 units in the form of duplexes and triplexes in the Paradise Park neighborhood which will be available to medium-income household (60%-120% of AMI).

Erin also shared the Gunnison Valley Regional Housing Authority’s (GVRHA) Housing Needs Assessment, which can be accessed at gvrha.org/housing-needs-assessment. GVRHA is working hard to get the word out on the household and employee survey that is the focus of the second phase of the Housing Needs Assessment. The point of the survey is to add color to the secondary data analysis that was conducted in the first phase of the report and included analysis of census and bureau of labor and statistics data as well as a survey of local employers.  They’re looking to learn more about individuals’ housing experiences, needs, and challenges to help better target solutions that work for the valley.

Please take the survey and share it with neighbors, employers, friends, and other community members you know.

Today we were joined by Alec Lindeman from the Crested Butte Mountain Theater, also known as The Mallardi. Alec is the executive director and leads a team of five year-round employees and many dedicated volunteers. He shared some history of our long standing community theater, their youth programming, and this season’s shows. His team provides after school and summer programs for kids ranging from 8 years old through high school. They also manage Subject to Change, Crested Butte’s improv troupe that brings year-round laughter and games. This season, the Mallardi has two shows on the docket. First up is The Odd Couple, starting on July 11 and running through the 21st. On August 22, the Theater will be performing Elvis Has Left the Building through September 1. But that’s not all! The community is invited to a party at the Theater on Friday, August 2 to celebrate and raise funds. It’ll be a fun and busy summer at the Mallardi! Learn more, get tickets, and contact Alec and his team at www.cbmountaintheater.org.