Blackard to exhibit at Patti's

Local artist Betsy Blackard will display her artwork at Patti's Main Street Coffee House from Nov. 30 through Dec. 31. An artists' reception will be held from 6-8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 12.

Pastels are Betsy's medium of choice. Pastel is pure pigment, the most permanent of all media, and has no liquid binder that may cause media to darken, fade, yellow, crack or blister with time. Pastels can be traced back to the 16th century and are as fresh as the day they were painted.

Betsy was the art director of the Art and Reconciliation project several years ago, which consisted of painting a project in Serbia and painting the mural on the outside of the New Castle library. The team's goal was to use art as a form of reconciliation bringing people who have ethnic and religious barriers together.

“To know that our task in painting the mural would inspire a whole community was beyond us,” said Betsy. “We felt much more was accomplished than we expected or anticipated. We had hoped the Serbians would join us in painting the mural [we had gone to their high school as well to invite them].”

“But, having the 10 - 15 Albanian high school students and their art professor working on the mural was what reconciliation is. We all worked together on a project [none of the students could speak English] with the help of five wonderful students from the University to interpret art, paint, and colors.”

“My inspiration for painting comes from the beauty all around me,” said Betsy. “Whether it be a our mountains and sunsets or watching my grandson, Tucker, play with our lab, Bella — I see in art. I want to paint everything. It gives me relaxation and fulfillment, but what is most gratifying is to create a piece of art that pleases the viewer. What could be more fulfilling than to do what you love and make others happy as a result?”

Twelfth annual Christmas in New Castle

The twelfth annual Christmas in New Castle event will be held from 5-9 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 5, with chili cook-off and micro-brew contests. Bring your kids to visit Santa in the park, and check out the live music in Ritter Plaza.

Weather permitting, Christmas revelers can be picked up and dropped off for hay rides at the skate park and at Kathryn Senor Elementary the day of the event. They will be leaving downtown around 4:30 p.m., and making the loop approximately every 30 minutes.

The craft fair will be held from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 5. Local merchants will also be open and are sponsoring a hot chili - cold cash give away. This is a way to encourage those attending the event to stop and visit the local merchants. The New Castle Friends of the Library will be holding a silent auction, and the ladies of the Congregational Church of the Valley will sponsor their wonderful cookie sale. Coal Ridge High School cheerleaders will be serving lunch from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., and providing gift wrapping as well. Vendor booth proceeds will be donated to the New Castle Recreation Department's sport programs.

Organizers are still looking for contestants and volunteers to help with the event. Tickets purchased from the chamber prior to the event will be discounted by one dollar. Otherwise tickets will be $8 for adults and $5 (children 6-12), and seniors $7.

Red Brick BBQ is hoppin'

Red Brick BBQ owners Molly and David Friedrich, who were chefs in Aspen before remodeling and opening their popular restaurant in Silt only nine weeks ago, are hopping busy. With five tables and a bar area with a seating capacity of 31, Silt area residents-in-the-know are quickly becoming addicted to delicious smoked meats and mesquite-smoked ribs for lunch, and are taking home smoked meats by the pound for dinner.

Foodies have commented they would make the trip to the restaurant at 820 Main Street just for the delicious fiesta coleslaw and iced tea alone. But I would hesitate to leave the establishment without tasting the smoked meats.

The Red Brick offers a Friday Special of fried catfish, for those craving a tasty fish offering.

The restaurant will be closed for a few days for the Thanksgiving holiday. Molly and David will offer special holiday prime rib, turkey, ham, leg of lamb and brisket dinners if you get them an order by Dec.18 (ready to pick up by Dec. 23,) or arrange for a date for your special get-together.

The Red Brick BBQ is open from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., for lunch Monday through Saturday, and from 5-9 p.m., for dinner Monday through Saturday; they are closed Sundays. Give them a call at 876-1119. Yumm-o!

Don't forget the craft fair

Don't forget the craft fair from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 5, at the New Castle Senior Recreation Center, 201 Castle Valley Boulevard. Talented senior ladies from the New Castle Senior Housing “Pins and Needles” group will be selling handmade needlework at great prices.

For more information, please call 984-2088.

Pilon mural unveiling

An unveiling of Mary Pilon's mural on the New Castle Community Center will be held at 3 p.m. during the festivities. It was first unveiled as a work in progress during the Burning Mountain Festival, and was funded by the town under the Arts in Public Places program.

Colorful works from Lynne DeNio and Ellen Zagoras will be displayed during the day on Dec. 5, at OZ, the Artists' Workshop, in beautiful downtown New Castle. Lynne's artwork is a creative depiction of small natural items, enlarged to show intricate details. Ellen's work features organic large-scale abstracts in acrylics.

Kay Vasilakis' “New Castle News” column appears every other Thursday in the Glenwood Springs Post Independent. For possible mention of positive events or news items, please e-mail kayvasilakis@yahoo.com or call 618-6689.