Salida Chamber Calendar

On Earth Day, April 22, the Greater Arkansas River Nature Association (GARNA) presents The History of Public Lands with Walt Dabney at 6pm at A Church in Salida. Dabney is the former National Park Service Superintendent and Texas Parks and Wildlife Director. Many use public lands for recreation and business, but don’t know how those lands came to be in the public domain. Dabney will present the origin story of public lands, how they fit into federal and state governments, why most public lands are in the West, and the economic value. The event also serves as GARNA’s Annual Member Celebration and the evening will kick off with a short presentation of successes from the past year. Tickets are free and light refreshments will be served. Pre-registration is requested as space is limited. Visit GARNA.org or call 719-539-5106. About Walt Dabney: Walt Dabney graduated from Texas A&M (TAMU) in 1969 with a degree in Recreation and Park Management. He began his career with the National Park Service the summer of 1969 as a student trainee (ranger-Naturalist) at Old Faithful District of Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming.  He worked in numerous other National Parks, including time in Alaska and the Everglades and directly supervised the NPS Branch of Fire and Aviation Management at the National Fire Center in Boise, Idaho. He was selected to become the National Park Service Chief Ranger stationed in Washington D.C. and held that position for 5 1/2 years. Dabney began his permanent career with Texas Parks and Wildlife as the Director of State Parks in 1999 after having spent 30 years with the National Park Service. He helped bring significant organizational changes to the agency. After 43 years of park work, he retired in 2010. Dabney now lives in Buena Vista. Photo: Walt Dabney in Hovenweep National Monument, UT

This workshop aims to empower entrepreneurs with crucial knowledge needed for buying and selling a small business. Delve into the intricacies of the buyer and seller perspectives, gaining a comprehensive understanding of the dynamics at play. Explore the nuances between equity and asset purchases, unraveling the implications for your business strategy. The workshop will also shed light on common mistakes and best practices in the realm of mergers and acquisitions, providing invaluable insights to help navigate this complex terrain. Free! Register Here! Speaker(s): Nathan Lawrence is the founder of Principle Law, a boutique law firm providing modern and efficient legal support to startups, small businesses, and individuals. Attorney Nathan Lawrence formed the firm in January of 2020 on the idea that employing modern technologies and lean startup principles will allow the firm to service businesses more economically and efficiently than the traditional firms he practiced under for years. Nathan uses his years of experience as a business owner to help entrepreneurs use the law as a tool to realize their goals. His practice focuses on helping his clients to form and organize their businesses, protect their intellectual property, draft and implement business-to-business and consumer sales agreements, and litigate disputes.

Salida Council for the Arts co-hosts with Salida Arts & Culture another Creative Mixer on April 11th, from 5:00-6:30pm. Any artists or creatives working in all genres are encouraged to attend and meet like-minded people. This April exhibition features works by artist Melissa Getz, whose collection of sculptures and reliefs have a narrative feel that captures a sense of duality. Illustrative figures and creatures of loneliness and affliction live alongside of those charming and carefree. Bronzes, mixed media and found objects provide a light hearted and playful atmosphere for the viewer of all ages. Open to the public.

The Alliance's Chocolate Lover's Fantasy 2024 Benefit is finally here! This year's event will take place on Thursday, April 11th, from 5:30-8:00pm at Mount Princeton Hot Springs Resort Pavilion. There will be live music, appetizers, and LOTS of chocolate! For more information, please reach out to info@alliancechaffee.org. Purchase tickets for the event here! Join us for amazing chocolate creations by QT Cakes, Robin’s Salida, Rosy’s Donuts, Vino Salida, and Ark Valley High Rollers. Attendees will also enjoy savory appetizers and live music by the Sad Hands Trio. In addition to our awesome lineup of silent auction items, we will again be hosting a live auction and paddleraiser featuring Dan R. from Heart of the Rockies radio as our auctioneer! The Alliance works to empower survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault through direct service, education, and social change. All profits from the Chocolate Lover’s Fantasy event directly benefit The Alliance’s programs and will help the nonprofit to expand services in 2024 to include free, one-on-one counseling for survivors, expanded support group options, forensic nurse exams for victims of domestic violence and sexual assault, and restorative justice practices to enhance healing and justice options for clients. Tickets are $40 and can be purchased online by going to www.alliancechaffee.org and clicking on the Chocolate Lover’s registration button. Thank you to our generous sponsors including: Chaffee County Times and The Mountain Mail, Heart of the Rockies Radio, High Country Bank, Monarch Mountain Community Outreach, Altamont Landscaping, Pinon Real Estate, Sangre de Cristo Electric Association/Tri-State Generation, Scott Mountain Law, Su Casa! Furniture & Sleep Shop, Chipita Counseling Services, Collegiate Peaks Bank, Heart of the Rockies Regional Medical Center, High Side! Bar & Grill, and Ryan Cole. For more information, please reach out to info@alliancechaffee.org.