Spring Brings Excitement and New Beginnings All Around Town
Since opening in early March, the Eureka! McConnell Science Museum has already hosted spring break camps, Friday Flick movie nights, Saturday Science Hour, and countless visits from fans eager to experience its new location. The museum features exhibits, displays, a gift shop, and classrooms — plus space for administration, meetings, and storage to support its popular programs. Occupying 13,000 square feet of the (also new) CMU engineering building, the museum is located at 1400 N. Seventh Street in Grand Junction. eurekasciencemuseum.org
CDA — a.k.a., Colorado Discover Ability — has new a headquarters (and logo! and website!) to facilitate its mission of providing adaptive recreation experience to those with disabilities. After years in rented and scattered structures, this amazing organization is now happily settled in a brand-new building that conveniently houses its offices, equipment and tools, a community room, and more. Located at 601 Struthers Avenue in Las Colonias Park, along Grand Junction’s riverfront. coloradodiscoverability.org
Great news for shoppers and mountain bikers! REI’s new Grand Junction location at 925 Independent Avenue has almost twice as much space for much more fun. The store now offers mountain bike rentals, bike shop services, and cycling-focused classes with an emphasis on new trail riders and hands-on maintenance. For upcoming classes, outings, and events, visit rei.com/stores/grand-junction
The Raw Canvas is celebrating its 10th anniversary in a huge way. The acclaimed tattoo studio and art gallery has moved just down from its longtime location to totally reimagined surroundings. Its new space has more than twice the square footage and adds room for a shop, lounge area, and office/professional quarters. The expansion will allow for increased offerings such as juried art shows and small events.
After eight years on Main Street, owner and artist Justin Nordine was eager to build (literally) on the increased youth and energy that he has observed there. “There’s a sense of growth that I haven’t felt since I’ve been here,” he says. Nordine envisioned a spot that would bring an urban vibe to his hometown. He tapped Mike Maves of Maves Construction for the project, telling him “I want to feel like I’m in New York City,” and giving him free rein from there.
The resulting space feels at once lofty and grounded, modern and historic, industrial and inviting. It is a comfortable workplace for the Raw Canvas team, a cooperative art gallery for up to 18 artists, a source for unique jewelry and apparel, and a venue for local food and music gatherings. It is Nordine’s anniversary gift to his community. 521 Main Street, Grand Junction. therawcanvas.net
D51 Foundation names Outstanding Educators for 2018
There were many reasons to revel at the annual White Iced Celebration hosted by the School District 51 Foundation, which raised funds for classroom technology and professional development. With a record-breaking turnout of 600 people and more than double the usual sponsorship, the event was just one more example of the rising enthusiasm around education in the valley. d51foundation.org