Clint Cresawn of Colorado STRIDES, a part of the Colorado Rural Health Center, will be leading a group of community members, health care providers, educators and local elected officials in an assessment of Garfield County health care needs from 8:30-10 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 2, at The River Center in New Castle. There is no charge to participate in this event. The assessment will help the town form a strategic plan for its economic growth and be used in the county's future directions for health care.

Cresawn said his job is to “help health care fall in love with rural Colorado.” He does this by partnering rural towns with resources that are interested in providing services to towns with specific amenities, such as recreation, hunting and fishing, or small farms.

Cresawn does not want people to think someone from Denver has all the answers for what our area needs. He would like participants to express their needs and what they think the area's strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats are. He wants to know what New Castle citizens are proud of and what could be improved.

Cresawn will be coming back to the area in a couple months to help facilitate an action plan for the issues raised at the Sept. 2 assessment.

Currently, Cresawn is working to recruit a dental director for the Mountain Family Dental Clinic in Rifle, which is projected to be open next year.

Colorado STRIDES works with communities on issues associated with community development, economic development and local leadership development.

The Colorado Rural Health Center (CRHC) is an independent, nonprofit, membership-based organization that serves as the State Office of Rural Health for Colorado. CRHC offers programs and services to ensure rural communities have access to adequate health care. Colorado Rural Health Center programs provide recruitment, emergency preparedness and technical assistance.

The River Center is located at 126 N. Fourth Street in New Castle.

Grand River park grand opening

The second phase of the Grand River Park is complete, thanks in part to Great Outdoors Colorado funds. The park is located north of the Riverpark condos on the south side of the Colorado River.

The developer of the Riverpark Condominiums designated the land parcel and contributed funds to help the project get off its feet.

Get your free ice cream and celebrate the park's grand opening from 9-11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 11.

Phase II of the park includes shelter, dining and seating and recreation areas.

Johnson Construction of Rifle performed the work for the park.

Glenwood Canyon Shuffle Race needs volunteers

The Glenwood Canyon Shuffle Race for Literacy will be held Oct. 2. Volunteers are needed on race day, with most of the work being completed by noon. Help is also needed for preparation of the start and finish lines the last week of September.

Call Martha at 945-5282 if you can help.

Ricky Lively artist's reception

Ricky Lively's artist's reception will be held from 4-6 p.m. on Sept. 4 at Patti's Main Street Coffee House.

Devin Bautista, Mr. Lively's artistic agent, can be reached at 984-0585.



— Kay Vasilakis' “New Castle News” column appears every other Thursday in the Glenwood Springs Post Independent. For possible mention of a positive local event or news item, please e-mail kvasilakis2222@gmail.com or call 618-6689.