If you've never experienced autumn in Grand Junction, well my friend, you're missing out.  Clear crisp mornings open the day for warm, sunny days filled with color.  As evenings saunter in, the air turns cool and the skies fill with stars.  This is heaven! (Can you tell this is my favorite time of the year?!)

As if autumn itself wasn't a reason to be here, there are a number of much-anticipated events coming up.

Friday, Sept. 4 - John-Alex Mason brings the rockin' blues to the Grande River Vineyards. The concerts,  held at the popular winery,  are a blast!  And this one has an added bonus:  It benefits KAFM Community Radio which is a favorite station in the valley.  Be sure to bring a comfy seat, but no alcohol.  Well, why would you need to bring alcohol when you're at a winery!?!  Tickets are only $20 and the party starts at 7:30 p.m.  For more info. go to www.kafmradio.org.

ROCK ON!  I mean it!  If you love good ol' rock n' roll, you better get your hiney on over to the Country Jam Ranch in Mack, CO (just a few miles west of GJ)  on September 11 & 12 as Rock Jam is coming to town! General admission tickets are just $60 for one day or better yet, $80 for both days. Here's a few of the bands you can revel in:  Huey Lewis & The News, Chickenfoot, Los Lonely Boy, Marshal Tucker Band and 38 Special to name a few.  This is like the pot of gold at the end of the rock n' roll rainbow!  For more info. go to www.rockjam.com.  As Huey says, "The heart of rock n' roll is still beatin'!"

There are a number of other fantastic fall events coming up like:

Winefest, Sept. 17, 18, 19 & 20

The Colorado Pork & Hops Challenge, Sept. 18 & 19

Fruita Fall Festival, Sept. 25, 26 & 27

Color Sundays at Powderhorn, Sept. 21 & 27

Artspace Open Studios Tour, Oct. 10 & 11

Mark your calendar now for these diverse and delightful events.  I'll talk more about them in upcoming blogs.

Until then, I'll be savoring the season. Hope you do too!