Local comedians return to Steve’s Guitars in Carbondale on Saturday to gather coats for the needy and dust off their funny bones for a night of stand-up comedy, Roaring Fork Valley style.

Over the past five years, hundreds of coats have been collected at Comedy for Coats to be distributed in the Roaring Fork Valley via Feed My Sheep and at the Southern Ute Indian Reservation. The goal this year is 100 coats. With a maximum seating capacity of 65-70, that means organizers are counting on people to bring multiple coats if they have them. Each donated coat earns the donor one raffle ticket. A prize drawing will be held at the end of the evening.

Event producer Mark Thomas put on his first show at Steve’s in December, 2007, with many of the same performers returning this year, including Don Chaney, Todd Hartley, Gail Mason, Beth Brandon, Glenn Smith, April Clark, Bob Richmond and Alexa Fitzpatrick.

The doors will open at 7:30 p.m. Showtime is 8:15 p.m. Tickets are $10 at the door. Steve’s is a BYOB venue, so come prepared to laugh and share. Expect the show to run around 90 minutes.

Annual winter closures to motorized vehicles will go into effect Saturday on certain lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management’s Colorado River Valley Field Office to protect critical big game winter range and prevent road damage.

These seasonal gate closures occur annually from Dec. 1 to April 30 at several points in the Castle Peak area in Eagle County, East Elk Creek in Garfield County, and on Light Hill and the Crown in Pitkin County. The lower gate at Transfer Trail above Glenwood Springs will also be closed to maintain snow conditions for snowmobiling.

All of the areas continue to be open to non-motorized recreation such as hiking, snowshoeing, horseback riding and skiing.

For additional information or to report violations in these areas call the BLM Colorado River Valley Field Office in Silt, 970 876-9000.

English In Action is looking for volunteers to work one-on-one with adult immigrants to help them learn English. The next training is Tuesday, Dec. 4, 5:30-8:30 p.m. at the office in El Jebel (33 Gillespie Drive). Volunteers need no teaching or foreign language experience, just the desire to make an important difference in someone else’s life. For more information about the upcoming training or to RSVP, please call 970 963-9200 or email liz@englishinaction.org [1].

Serving El Jebel to Aspen, English In Action provides English language tutoring to adults so they can participate more effectively as workers, as parents and as members of the community. Becoming a volunteer tutor is a great way to help bridge the communication gap, while making new friends and having fun.

The Little Nell is set to debut its new restaurant, Element 47, for dinner on Saturday, unveiling a completely redesigned space which formerly housed Montagna Restaurant. Element 47 references silver on the periodic table, a precious metal tied to Aspen’s silver-mining past.

New to Element 47 and a departure from the previous prix-fixe menu format, guests will choose dishes à la carte. Chef Robert McCormick’s menu will draw from local produce and livestock as well as sustainable seafood from both coasts. The bar will feature Colorado-made spirits and beers.

The Nell hired Bentel & Bentel to spearhead the renovation. Design elements include a connection between the bar and dining room, a focus on large-scale artwork and a glass wine wall incorporating the restaurant’s cellar.

While the space will open to limited guests on Dec. 1 for dinner, full breakfast, lunch and dinner service will not be available until Dec. 5. Please call 970 920-6330 for reservations.