Grand Junction Visitor Guides

GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. - When Alvaro Diaz' construction job ended this year he took the first job he could find at a local car wash."I'm not making close to what I used to make," Diaz said. "I've been applying everywhere but there is nothing."A good week he brings home $250. Sometimes it's $100. Wednesday it looked like it might rain and so the car wash was closed.Diaz, 41, came by the Community Food Bank Wednesday to pick up a small box of canned foods, bread and a few peaches donated by a Palisade farmer.It's Diaz' second visit to the food bank."I had to leave my own apartment and move in...

GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. - One of the world's best known mountaineers, Sir Chris Bonington of Great Britain, travels yearly to Grand Junction to climb mountains and canyon walls with his friend Paul Ross of Palisade. "We always look for first ascents (being the first person to reach a summit)," Ross said. "Sometimes, we do known climbs."Bonington will be featured at Mesa State College's Outdoor Program Wednesday Night Wandering, Sept. 30 at 7:30 p.m.Bonington, 75, will talk about his discovery of rock climbing, various expeditions he's led, and first ascents worldwide."He is well-known in...

GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. - The Colorado Environmental Coalition is inviting the public to camp with them Friday near Gateway to celebrate the Northern Dolores River Basin. Star-gazing, historical interpretation of old ruins, and a guided hike are on the agenda.The "NoDo" (Northern Dolores) Night Out is to be the first of what the organization hopes to be an annual event. "Ultimately, we want to bring attention to a larger group of folks the beauty, and historic value of the area," said Kate Graham, Western Slope Public Lands Organizer.Western Colorado Astronomy Club member Ricky Smith will lead...

GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. - It's autumn, which means it's contra dance season.Dancers from around the Western Slope will congregate Saturday at the Palisade Community Center to dance to Celtic and old-time music performed by the local group Fifth Reel. Ron Young will "call" the dances, guiding people through the steps.The old-time country dancing was brought to America by English colonists 200 years ago. Scottish and Irish immigrants added their own twists to the dance. At a contra dance two parallel lines are formed with dancers facing each other. Each dance consists of a sequence of smooth...

MACK, Colo.- The annual party out in Mack is back for another installment.Rock Jam 2009 kicks off Friday, Sept. 11, with the No Fear Battle of the Bands winner Sole Aggression, followed by Saving Abel, Los Lonely Boys and headliner Huey Lewis & the News, a first timer to the two day fun fest. The '80s band is noted for several hits including "I Want A New Drug," "If This Is It," and "The Heart of Rock & Roll."On stage Saturday, Sept. 12, will be the Marshall Tucker Band, 38 Special, Puddle of Mudd and Chickenfoot, an all-star line-up featuring Sammy Hagar, Joe Satriani, Chad Smith and Michael...

Holiday weekend calendarSATURDAY8 a.m.-noon - Fruita Farmers Market, Fruita Civic Center Lawn, Aspen Ave. Fresh produce, local artisans, great entertainment. Info: 241-2089.9:30 a.m. Terry Grosz book signing, Vega State Park Visitors Center. Meet the author throughout the day and watch the Animal Planet movie, "Wildlife Wars" based on Grosz's life. 10 a.m. - City of Palisade Fourth of July celebration with an old-fashioned family parade that winds through downtown Palisade and finishes at Veterans Memorial Park, followed by games, ice cream and picnics in the park.10 & 11 a.m. - Join a Colo.

GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. - This year's downtown Farmers' Market kicks off Thursday with more farmers' produce in the first week than previous years.The American National Bank Farmers' Market will also boast an additional entertainment location - in the 600 block of Main Street near the Seventh Street round-a-about - as well as several new vendors.Each week the Farmers' Market (located on Main Street between Third and Seventh Streets) will host up to 15 farmers, and 70 vendor booths selling artwork and handcrafted specialty items. New this year will be grass-fed beef and lamb, as well as eggs...

Have you ever dreamed of lounging in the shade by a river and being surrounded by excellent music, fine wines, tasty micro-brews and great food? This dream will be a reality June 12-14 when the Palisade Bluegrass & Roots Music Festival kicks off in Palisade. Located in the beautiful 100-acre Riverbend Park, the festival features the best in acoustic music as well as workshops, jams, camping, a kid's area and vendors. Imagine a garden party with music - in fact, about 23 hours worth. Twelve bands will offer a variety of acoustic blues, swing, Celtic, old-time, folk and bluegrass to provide an...

GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. - It's time for a stroll downtown.Grand Junction's 25th annual Art on the Corner exhibit changes Saturday as artists install 33 new sculptures on Main Street.Some of last year's sculptures will stay.The Downtown Development Authority purchased six sculptures from the current Art on the Corner exhibit. The 2008 People's Choice award - the colorful "Flutterby" sculpture at Seventh and Main will find a new permanent home at the Western Colorado Botanical Gardens. Another piece will be installed in the new breezeway being constructed connecting Main Street to the parking...

GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. - Local award-winning filmmakers Stacy Schoolfield and Arn McConnell will introduce a younger generation to the craft during a film camp for kids Aug. 3-7."We'll go through the process of writing story boards; we'll work on cameras, learn how to deal with sound issues, production design, acting, costumes, lighting and locations. We'll go through the whole process of editing, adding in effects," Schoolfield said. "It's a lot of fun."Instruction and editing will take place in the Radio Room, 1310 Ute Ave., although shooting the camera may take place elsewhere depending on...

GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. - Summer Art Camp at The Art Center is in full swing, and there are still seven weeks left for children, ages five through twelve, to take part in an opportunity to explore many arts forms, learn new things, and have the opportunity to create their own art. Every summer for more than 30 years, The Art Center has offered young people of Western Colorado the exciting opportunity to spend their summer learning about and creating art in a safe, fun environment.Summer Art Camp consists of 10 individual one-week sessions, each one filled with art. Some of the subjects covered...

GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. - Xian Wei restaurant opened late for lunch Tuesday, but at least it's back open for business.Early last week, the Colorado Department of Revenue made an unwelcome visit, and it wasn't for the kung pao chicken."We did fall behind on our sales tax; we were seized," said Tom Quan, owner of the restaurant, located at 1530 North Ave.By Friday, Quan said, they paid off their delinquent sales tax bill, thanks to some new investors in the restaurant. (Quan wouldn't comment on the amount of sales tax owed.)A notice from the city of Grand Junction for an unpaid water bill was...

GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. - Everything's made from scratch at Evan's Downtown Deli, 560 Main St. And what owner Evan Williamson doesn't make himself, he tries to buy locally like bread from Homestyle Bakery and tortillas from La Milpa in Clifton."They're some of the best tortillas I've ever seen in my life," Williamson said.When the peaches ripen, expect to see Williamson's Palisade peach salad on the menu."Peaches may be one of the reasons I moved out here," said Williamson who moved to Colorado from Detroit in 1995. "I came two or three times a year (to visit his grandmother in Delta). Grandma...

GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. - When Alvaro Diaz' construction job ended this year he took the first job he could find at a local car wash."I'm not making close to what I used to make," Diaz said. "I've been applying everywhere but there is nothing."A good week he brings home $250. Sometimes it's $100. Wednesday it looked like it might rain and so the car wash was closed.Diaz, 41, came by the Community Food Bank Wednesday to pick up a small box of canned foods, bread and a few peaches donated by a Palisade farmer.It's Diaz' second visit to the food bank."I had to leave my own apartment and move in...

GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. - One of the world's best known mountaineers, Sir Chris Bonington of Great Britain, travels yearly to Grand Junction to climb mountains and canyon walls with his friend Paul Ross of Palisade. "We always look for first ascents (being the first person to reach a summit)," Ross said. "Sometimes, we do known climbs."Bonington will be featured at Mesa State College's Outdoor Program Wednesday Night Wandering, Sept. 30 at 7:30 p.m.Bonington, 75, will talk about his discovery of rock climbing, various expeditions he's led, and first ascents worldwide."He is well-known in...

GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. - The Colorado Environmental Coalition is inviting the public to camp with them Friday near Gateway to celebrate the Northern Dolores River Basin. Star-gazing, historical interpretation of old ruins, and a guided hike are on the agenda.The "NoDo" (Northern Dolores) Night Out is to be the first of what the organization hopes to be an annual event. "Ultimately, we want to bring attention to a larger group of folks the beauty, and historic value of the area," said Kate Graham, Western Slope Public Lands Organizer.Western Colorado Astronomy Club member Ricky Smith will lead...

GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. - It's autumn, which means it's contra dance season.Dancers from around the Western Slope will congregate Saturday at the Palisade Community Center to dance to Celtic and old-time music performed by the local group Fifth Reel. Ron Young will "call" the dances, guiding people through the steps.The old-time country dancing was brought to America by English colonists 200 years ago. Scottish and Irish immigrants added their own twists to the dance. At a contra dance two parallel lines are formed with dancers facing each other. Each dance consists of a sequence of smooth...

MACK, Colo.- The annual party out in Mack is back for another installment.Rock Jam 2009 kicks off Friday, Sept. 11, with the No Fear Battle of the Bands winner Sole Aggression, followed by Saving Abel, Los Lonely Boys and headliner Huey Lewis & the News, a first timer to the two day fun fest. The '80s band is noted for several hits including "I Want A New Drug," "If This Is It," and "The Heart of Rock & Roll."On stage Saturday, Sept. 12, will be the Marshall Tucker Band, 38 Special, Puddle of Mudd and Chickenfoot, an all-star line-up featuring Sammy Hagar, Joe Satriani, Chad Smith and Michael...