Saturday, April 26, 2008

Aspen Highlands Reopens Again This Weekend; Lift tickets: $39! Any Resort Employee: $12!


Hiking Highland BowlAspen Highlands will REOPEN for the weekends of April 19-20 and April 26-27!
The Exhibition, Loge and Deep Temerity lifts will run daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. providing access to the entire mountain including Highland Bowl.

The Merry-Go-Round restaurant will have a beer garden and limited lunch menu with barbecue, chips and beverages. There will be live music at the Merry-Go-Round from noon to 3 p.m. each day: Smokin' Joe and the Gypsies will play on Saturday, April 26, and Paver will play on Sunday, April 27.

The second weekend coincides with Frontier Airlines inaugural flights into Aspen. Frontier will launch the new Denver to Aspen service with five flights daily, year round beginning April 26, 2008. Click here to check introductory fares to Aspen/Snowmass.

Four-Mountain Sports at Aspen Highlands is offering 50% off all winter products during these extended weekends.
This includes hard goods, soft goods, accessories, and rentals. The store will be open from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. April 19-20 & April 26-27.

All guests are encouraged to either take the Buttermilk shuttle, the RFTA bus or skier's shuttle from Aspen. The Buttermilk shuttle operates from 8:45 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. and runs every 15 minutes in the morning and afternoon and every 30 minutes mid-day. The Castle/Maroon Creek bus leaves Rubey Park for Highlands every 20 minutes starting at 7 a.m. The last Castle/Maroon Creek bus leaves Highlands at 11:40 p.m. on Saturday and 8:40 p.m. on Sunday. The skier's shuttle from Rubey Park to Highlands runs every 15 minutes starting at 10 a.m. the last ride back to Aspen from Highlands is at 5:15 p.m.

With more than 450 inches of snowfall this season, the conditions at Aspen/Snowmass are the best they have been in many years. In addition to great skiing and riding, there will be live music, events and special packages available. More details will be announced shortly.

Find rooms in Aspen and Snowmass starting as low as $30 per person per night!
Check here for great spring lodging specials available in April.

All Aspen/Snowmass season passes are valid as they are during the regular season. Adult lift tickets will be $39 per day, youth and seniors will pay $35 and children's tickets will be $25. As always children six and under ski for free.

As a show of support for resort employees across the country, employees from any other ski resort with a current season picture pass will pay just $12 for a lift ticket.

Check back for additional info about parties, live music and specials!

(Announcement and promotion courtesy AspenSnowmass.com)

Posted by R.D.

Wednesday, April 23, 2008

New "Sheer Bliss" Chairlift Coming To Snowmass

Aspen Skiing Co. will replace the old Sheer Bliss chairlift at Snowmass with a high-speed detachable quad, Aspen Times reported recently. This means a welcome speedy ride up the east side of Big Burn. And who would not want to get back up Big Burn as fast as possible?

Editor's commentary: What a sad sight it was in late March to see ol' S.B. shut down, and all that beautiful snowy terrain it takes you to going to waste. But that will all be changed next season.

Aspen Ski Co. did not plan on a new lift for Sheer Bliss this coming summer, but got a very good deal from chairlift manufacturing company Poma that was too good to not take.

ResortQuest Aspen Snowmass blogspot will update as new developments emerge on this.

Sound pretty blissful, indeed.

New Sam's Knob Restaurant Coming To Snowmass

Aspen Skiing Co. told the Aspen Times it will break ground for a new Sam's Know Restaurant on April 17. The new 7,800 square foot restaurant is slated to open December of this year, if all goes as planned.
The $9 million project was to be a 13,000 square foot facility.
Is a new one necessary? Do you like the old one? Was it your favorite at Snowmass? Is the Ski Co. spending this money wisely?
Let us know. Post a comment or two...

Meanwhile... June 2008 Cowboys & Indians Magazine Puts The Focus On Aspen Eateries


The latest Cowboys & Indians magazine, which covers western fashion, jewelry, art, western movies, John Wayne, Monument Valley, ranch life, horses, and Aspen's own Kevin Costner on occasion, and other celebs, with Harrison Ford on the cover, has inside its slick pages a lengthy feature article on a few of Aspen's critically acclaimed fine dining establishments, or restaurants, if you prefer.

The usual suspects, and each worth every carefully chosen adjective and superlative contained therein, are...

Montagne
Little Nell Hotel

D19 (Next to Ruth Chris, next to Wagner Park, SE corner)
305 S. Mill

Campo De Fiori
205 S. Mill

Cache Cache
205 S. Mill

Kenichi
533 E. Hopkins

Pinions
105 S. Mill

Paradise Bakery
320 S. Galena

Wheeler Opera House Announces New Comedy Fest

Don't laugh, this is no joke...

Wheeler Opera House and a internet publisher of comedy acts has penned a deal to bring comedy back to Aspen (HBO Comedy Fest called it quits, as did a local club in the last two weeks); it's called the RoofTop Comedy Festival and it starts May 30. A comedy competition is planned as part of the program.

(From a press statement issued by Wheeler this week)

A NEW ANNUAL EVENT COMES TO ASPEN WITH THE ROOFTOP COMEDY FESTIVAL

The Wheeler Opera House today announced that it has confirmed the creation of a new comedy festival for Aspen, in partnership with RooftopComedy, a web-based publisher of stand-up comedy performances and short-film comic content. The inaugural festival will take place over two days with six public events, on Friday and Saturday, May 30 and 31.

“The creation of this festival with Rooftop was a natural outgrowth of the Wheeler’s increasing profile as an incubator for new stand-up comedy,” said Wheeler Executive Director Gram Slaton. “Rooftop was very much a part of the four-part series the Wheeler produced with comic legend David Brenner this winter, and we actually started talking about creating our own comedy festival long before that – last summer in fact, when Aspen was still coming to terms with losing the HBO/U.S. Comedy Arts Festival. With both Rooftop and David, our direction has been not only to construct something that had a strong local appeal and presence, but also to advance the craft of stand-up comedy. The series with David was an excellent start and a brilliant model in its own right. The festival with Rooftop gives us a chance to really stretch ourselves and bring an entire developing comedy community – including a developing international community – to Aspen for a brief but very intensive (and intense!) experience.”

The festival was targeted for the end of May to coordinate with the opening of the summer tourist season. “We had hoped to lock this in with the openings of Independence Pass and Maroon Bells, two of our area’s most spectacular natural attractions, but with the record snowfall amounts this year, having the festival scheduled one week later – after Memorial Weekend – is probably a huge positive for 2008. We really want to attract lots of our friends from the Front Range who know how well Aspen does comedy and make sure they can get over the Pass.” The Rooftop Comedy Festival in effect may become the lead event in a series of pre-summer-season attractions, including Snowmass’ Chili & Brew Festival and Food & Wine Magazine’s Aspen Classic, which take place in the weekends leading up to the official start of summer signaled by the opening of the Aspen Music Festival, Theatre Aspen’s season, and the Aspen Writers’ Foundation’s “Summer Words” festival. “We really like the idea of kicking off the warm months with comedy,” said Slaton. “It’s the only component to a great summer season that we’ve been missing.”

The six live events for the Rooftop Comedy Festival will include the following:
· The festival kicks off Friday with ROOFTOP AT LARGE, featuring three nationally-recognized names in New Comedy today, who have been featured on Comedy Central, VH-1, MTV, and other significant broadcast comedy outlets as well as regular national tours.
· Also on Friday, six new, relatively unknowns who are taking comedy into brilliant new territory are featured in ROOFTOP’S BEST AND BRIGHTEST. These six new faces represent some of the finest comics from Rooftop’s base of over 2,500 comedians.
· Friday closes out with a late show called ROOFTOP AFTER DARK, where five more comics take the material into a more adults-only direction, with hysterical results.
· Saturday starts with THE ROOFTOP NATIONAL CAMPUS COMEDY COMPETITION FINALS (details on this below).
· Saturday also features the second round of ROOFTOP’S BEST AND BRIGHTEST, with six more new faces representing Rooftop’s cream of the crop.
· The festival concludes with a second helping of ROOFTOP AFTER DARK, this time debuting three nationally-known performers getting a little bit down and dirty and closing the festival on a high note.

The centerpiece of this year’s festival will be Saturday’s ROOFTOP NATIONAL CAMPUS COMEDY COMPETITION FINALS. The competition is a nationwide search for the country’s funniest college students who have entertained sold-out shows at 32 universities and 16 semi-final contests throughout the winter. The four stand-up comedy finalists will go head to head at the Wheeler to claim the crown of funniest campus comedian during a show that will be broadcast live to thousands of viewers worldwide through Rooftop’s website. The finals promise to provide additional publicity for the Aspen festival; to date, the college competition has been covered by nationwide news outlets, including a half-page story in USA TODAY in March.

As an added attraction, the live shows are expected to include a variety of short comedic films which are also quickly becoming a staple of Rooftop’s website offerings, featuring the best clips from not only the United States but also from the United Kingdom and Australia. Other events expected for the festival include The Rooftop Awards Show, and even possibly a Rooftop Poker Invitational.

Tickets for individual shows will be priced as low as $15.00. A limited number of “Independence Pass” lanyards, which will provide first-seating access to all six shows will be sold for $65.00 each, with a special discounted price of $55.00 each for inclusion in room packages and as stand-alone purchases for Roaring Fork Valley residents. The Wheeler has teamed up with Stay Aspen Snowmass and the Aspen Chamber Resort Association to promote special rooms-and-passes packages for out-of-town patrons that will be available directly from the Aspen Groups division of the Aspen Chamber Resort Association, at 800-673-5043, or via the web at rooftop.bookaspensnowmass.com.

Locals wishing to take advantage of the Independence Pass discount will need to purchase in person at the Wheeler’s Aspen Show Tickets box office, with proof of local residence. The local inventory of “Independence Pass” lanyards will go on sale at 10am on Monday, May 5th. Tickets for individual shows will be put on sale during the week of the festival, as available.

The Wheeler Opera House is Aspen’s oldest and best-loved year-round performance venue, and was the setting for many of the centerpiece events for the HBO/U.S. Comedy Arts Festival over its nearly two decades of existence, including shows by and tributes to such names as Monty Python, The Simpsons Live, Don Rickles, George Carlin, Goldie Hawn, Dave Chappelle, Lewis Black, Kathy Griffin, and literally hundreds more. Its 503-seat venue is considered one of the very best showcases for stand-up comedy in the nation.

RooftopComedy records, produces and distributes live comedy performances from over twenty of the best comedy venues throughout North America, Europe and Asia, bringing the freshest new comedic voices to comedy fans around the world. In addition to live, interactive viewing opportunities via RooftopComedy.com, comedy fans across the globe will be able to watch highlights of Aspen and the Aspen festival on their mobile phones, and online via such outlets as YouTube and Facebook. Rooftop’s rapidly growing online and broadcast audience currently reaches over two million comedy viewers per month.

For more information, please call Wheeler Opera House Executive Director, Gram Slaton, at 920-5790, or email at grams@ci.aspen.co.us.

Comments and questions about the festival can also be left here.

Are you someone who hopes the HBO U.S. Comedy Arts Festival returns to Aspen? Or wish it never left after last year? Post a comment!

Edited and posted by R.D.

Free Summer Concert Line Up at Snowmass

There's some terrific music acts taking the Fanny Hill stage this summer; here's the Snowmass Village free concert line up released by Snowmass Special Events this week

(From a press statement released by Snowmass)

Snowmass Village, CO ( April 23, 2008) – Snowmass Village is pleased to announce the 2008 Snowmass Summer of Free Music Series schedule which runs June 26 through August 21. Celebrating its 17th season, the series is organized by the town of Snowmass Village and produced by the esteemed Jazz Aspen Snowmass organization. The series brings distinguished musicians such as Robben Ford, The Freddy Jones Band, The Drew Emmitt Band, Dan Hicks, and Ruthie Foster to Fanny Hill each Thursday for free sunset concerts at 6 p.m.

“There’s a reason this series is one of the most popular activities in the valley. The Snowmass Summer of Free Music Series embodies everything people love about mountain life—great music, great views, and primarily a chance to relax and catch up with good friends and family. Each year we all look forward to getting back out on Fanny Hill as a community,” says Susan Hamley, marketing director for the town.

The program, lauded last year in the Los Angeles Times as one of the best free music series in North America, regularly draws crowds of about 3,000 to picnic and relax while listening to top-notch music.

“The Snowmass Summer of Free Music Series features a diverse and eclectic group of artists, all of whom are performing on the Fanny Hill stage for the first time. Ranging from bluegrass to soul, and blues to New Orleans, the series should be one of the best in recent years,“ says Jim Horowitz, Executive Producer of Jazz Aspen Snowmass.

Snowmass Village will provide alcohol ranging from inexpensive to import beers and glasses of wine to bottles of fine varietals for purchase on-site, while a children’s Family Fun Zone will include a house of bounce, face painting, clowns, juggling, and more. Last year, Snowmass Village spent nearly half a million dollars to bring in new sod seating and new staging that includes one of the most sophisticated outdoor sound systems in the mountains.

Additional major free summer concerts are scheduled throughout the summer including July 5, August 2, August 9, September 6 and September 13 with acts to be announced soon. The Snowmass music season kicks off June 6-8 with the 5th Annual Chili Pepper & Brew Fest featuring Stephen Marley, Dr. John, the Neville Brothers, and Lyrics Born among other acts. Tickets start at $15 and are on sale now at www.snowmasschiliandbrew.com.

Come for the concerts and stay for a long weekend. Snowmass Village offers something for everyone, with a different festival, athletic competition or special event nearly every weekend of the summer. Free activities, great lodging specials, convenient access, pleasant mountain temperatures and no crowds on Snowmass’ 40 miles of trails make Snowmass the ideal weekend getaway. For more information, visit the official Snowmass Village website at www.snowmassvillage.com or call 1-800-SNOWMASS.

Snowmass Summer of Free Music Series Schedule:

June 26: Drew Emmitt Band
Drew Emmitt, the dynamic lead singer and mandolin player with the popular jamband Leftover Salmon, delivers his signature bluegrass/rock/jamband style on an array of instruments. One of the nation’s top mandolin players, he excels in unique energy driven mandolin licks and his influences include a pantheon of musical heroes including Lowell George, Steve Morse, Duane Allman, John Cowan, Bill Monroe, Sam Bush, Hot Rize and New Grass Revival. (www.drewemmitt.com)

July 3: Freddy Jones Band
Roots-rock specialists in the tradition of groups like the Eagles, The Band and The Allman Brothers, the Freddy Jones Band blends influences from blues, rock and folk music. After five major label releases, sharing the stage with greats like Widespread Panic, Phish, Sheryl Crow, Dave Matthews Band, and Matchbox 20 and a five year hiatus, the band reunited in 2005 to continue to entertain crowds across the nation. (www.thefreddyjonesband.com)

July 10: Gaelic Storm
Since their inception nearly ten years ago, this five-piece Irish band creates compelling original music that combines fresh arrangements, traditional Irish melody, acoustic instrumentation and unique blends of world rhythms. Playing over 125 dates a year and topping the charts with all five of their albums, Gaelic Storm routinely breaks attendance records, pushing their popularity beyond the world music genre and into the mainstream music consciousness. (http://gaelicstorm.musiccitynetworks.com)

July 17: Dan Hicks & The Hot Licks
Singer-songwriter Dan Hicks is truly an American original. Since the early 1960s, Hicks has deftly blended elements of Swing, Jazz, Folk and Country music to create the appealing sound he sometimes calls “Folk Jazz.” With lyrics ranging from seriously sublime to the ridiculous, his music has earned Hicks the attention and affection of a new generation of music lovers.(www.danhicks.com)

July 24: Ruthie Foster
This prodigiously gifted singer and songwriter from Texas mixes contemporary folk with old-school gospel and blues, showcasing a powerhouse voice that’s drawn comparisons to Ella Fitzgerald and Aretha Franklin. Her latest album, The Phenomenal Ruthie Foster, reached number four on the Blues chart in Billboard magazine with music rich in honest spirituality and emotion. (www.ruthiefoster.com)

July 31: Bonerama
An untraditional brass band evoking funk, classic rock and free improvisation, this New Orleans original has been hailed by Rolling Stone magazine, acclaimed by Offbeat Magazine, recognized as the “Best Rock Band” by the Big Easy Awards 2007, and regularly sets the New Orleans club scene afire. (www.bonerama.net)

August 7: Great American Taxi
Great American Taxi is the brain child of Leftover Salmon’s Vince Herman, who brought together this prodigiously talented group of Boulder musicians in 2005. The band, which performs 21st century Americana and already has over 200 shows behind them, delivers a performance charged with rich vocal harmonies and textures, a unique rock-folk-reggae-funk-country sound and clever lyrics. (www.greatamericantaxi.net)

Aug 14: Robben Ford
Named one of the "100 Greatest Guitarists of the 20th Century" by Musician magazine, Robben Ford is particularly known for his blues playing as well as his ability to be comfortable in a variety of musical contexts. A four-time Grammy Award nominee, he has played with artists as diverse as Joni Mitchell, Jimmy Witherspoon, Miles Davis, George Harrison, Phil Lesh, Bonnie Raitt, Claus Ogerman, Michael McDonald, among others. (www.robbenford.com)

Aug 21: Act TBA

You can get more info by contacting Allison Johnson at
(970) 309-5485, or aj@snowmasspress.com

You can post a comment or question here, too.

R.D.

Tuesday, April 22, 2008

Aspen Ski Co. Picked As "Best Large Employer in U.S." by Outside Mag

Outside Magazine picked The Aspen Skiing Co. as one of the 10 best large employers in the U.S. The issue hit newsstands last week.

The popular outdoor activities mag sought out “the nation’s most well-balanced workplaces.” Qualifications were not too demanding: employees had to provide a workplace that had a balance of solid work time with a lifestyle that was ecologically in tune with the outdoors. That's Aspen!

The Skico was the only resort operator to make the cut. Skico was in good company in the contender line up: they included Google, outdoor sporting goods retailer REI and mountain and outdoor clothing maker, Patagonia.

Thursday, April 17, 2008

Aspen Historical Society Summer Tours

ASPEN HISTORICAL SOCIETY TOURS SUMMER 2008

In keeping with "Green" thinking, tour transportation will be by electric car, sponsored by ResortQuest and Coates Reid & Waldron Real Estate.

Guided/Walking Tour Information

The Wheeler/Stallard Museum Tours:
Take a trip back in time through the Wheeler/Stallard Museum’s Victorian Aspen exhibit.
New in the summer of 2007, this exhibit features period furniture and artifacts along with tales of the many storied characters that have owned or occupied this residence since 1889. Docents are available to take visitors through the house, answer questions or provide information of historical significance.

Time: Tuesday through Saturday from 1 – 5 p.m.

Location:
Wheeler/Stallard Museum Gardens
620 West Bleeker Street
Tel: 970.925.3721
info@aspenhistory.org
www.aspenhistory.org

The Wheeler / Stallard Museum Garden Tour
Explore the Wheeler/Stallard Gardens and Ruth Whyte Park throughout the summer and fall months. The gardens feature heirloom vegetation, native trees and unique plantings as well as quiet picnic spots and a variety of board and lawn games for public use.

Time: Tuesday through Saturday from 1 – 5pm.

Location:
Wheeler/Stallard Museum Gardens
620 West Bleeker Street
Tel: 970.925.3721
info@aspenhistory.org
www.aspenhistory.org


Aspen West End Walking Tours
Get the inside scoop on Aspen’s most notable Victorian architecture. Learn little-known facts about the homes themselves, who lived where and what may be buried inside or underneath! Homes include those of H.P. Cowenhoven, Eugene Wilder, John Crosby, Jerome Wheeler and L.A. Brown and others.

Time: To schedule a tour call 970.925.3721

Tickets:
$10/person
Private tours available $250

Location:
Tours start at the Wheeler/Stallard Museum
620 West Bleeker Street
Tel: 970.925.3721
info@aspenhistory.org


The Holden / Marolt Guided Tour
Aspen’s mining boom lasted less than two decades, yet the story of mining in the Roaring Fork Valley lives on at the Holden/Marolt Mining and Ranching Museum. The Museum offers more than 20 exhibits and displays providing a fascinating tale of silver’s boom and bust.

Time: Call ahead to schedule a tour. 925-3721

Tickets:
$6 Adults/$5 seniors (admission fee also includes the Wheeler/Stallard Museum) Children under 12 FREE.
Group and family rates available

Location:
Just over the pedestrian bridge off Music School Lane
Downtown Self-Guided Tours

Self Guided Downtown Walking Tour Maps:
Tour maps of Downtown Aspen are available at the Aspen Historical Society, 620 W. Bleeker St., Aspen and at the Wheeler Opera House Visitor's Center at 320 E. Hyman St., Aspen $2 per map.


This list was compiled by the Aspen Chamber Resort Association.
For more information, visit aspenchamber.org

Aspen Chamber Resort Association
425 Rio Grande Place
Aspen, CO 81611
(970) 925-1940 or toll free at (888) 290-1324

e-mail: info@aspenchamber.org

Posted and edited by R.D.

Tuesday, April 15, 2008

Food & Wine Magazine Classic June 13 - 15

Aspen Food & Wine Classic to be held June 13 - 15, 2008; featured guests to include nationally-recognized chefs Bobby Flay, Jacques Pepin, wine connoisseur, Joshua Wesson


One of the nations most prestigious epicurean events. Culinary stars show their passion for food, wine and entertaining. More than 300 Vintners pour premium wines complimented by specialty foods from around the world. Join leading chefs including Bobby Flay, Jacques Pépin, and noted wine authorities such as Joshua Wesson for three inspiring days of wine tastings, cooking demonstrations and special events.

Tickets are on sale NOW. Please note, tickets sell out EARLY!! Call STAY ASPEN SNOWMASS at 877-900-WINE for more information. For a complete schedule of events, please visit www.foodandwine.com/classic.

For exhibitor information, please visit http://www.foodandwine.com/promo/classic/exhibitor_application.html.

No one under the age of 21 permitted, including infants and small children in child carriers. This policy pertains to all events including seminars and Grand Tastings.

Volunteer registration for 2008 begins March 3rd, 2008, please click here to register.

Future Dates (Subject to change):
June 19-21, 2009 (NEW DATES!)

Contents: Aspen Chamber/Special Annual Event Schedule

Thursday, April 10, 2008

Russets: Down Valley Restaurant Says "Upscale Casual"

Russets Restaurant in Carbondale is no small potatoes when it comes to gastronomic productions. The stylish new eatery is a crown jewel on the Carbondale-Basalt-Aspen dining scene.
Chef-Owner, Claude Van Horton, a Chicago area transplant who has lived and worked in the Aspen-Basalt-Carbondale area for over 35 years, calls his new hotspot, "Upscale Casual." Many may know him from his other restaurant, Chefy's, then in Basalt.
Haute cuisine with home-style flair prevails. Casual? Let just say, servers are not in tuxedos and you don't have to be dressed to the nines to eat here. Dining is unhurried, casual and relaxing.
Look for the Master Chef in operation through the semi-open kitchen.
Reasonable prices, too.
A good reason to travel "down valley" during your visit to the Aspen-Snowmass area.

Here's the complete menu.

APPETIZERS
Pistachio Crusted Goat Cheese served warm with roasted garlic and French bread 8.95
Pan Seared Scallops served on ginger coconut cream 11.95
Artichoke Heart & Green Chili Dip with sharp cheddar and home-made corn chips 7.95
Sautéed Mexican White Shrimp in butter, garlic, herbs and wines 10.95
East Coast Oysters on the half shell with cocktail sauce and fresh horseradish 10.50
East Coast Oysters “Rockefeller” with fresh spinach and hollandaise glaze 11.95
Sesame Crusted Pan Seared Ahi Tuna with wasabi, ginger and tamari 13.95
Blue Back Fin Crab Cakes with roasted red pepper remoulade 10.95
Spicy Orange BBQ Baby Back Ribs served with cole slaw 10.50
Fried Calamari with a choice of cocktail sauce or chipotle mayo 9.95
Belgium Fries where they originated and homemade here 4.50

SOUPS & SALADS
Wild Mushroom Soup – famous 4.95 cup, 6.95 bowl
Lobster Bisque – always the best 5.50 cup, 7.95 bowl
Chicken Gumbo – rich and bold 5.95 cup, 8.50 bowl
Fresh Salad Greens 4.95 ~ Caesar Salad 5.95
Hearts of Romaine & Bleu Cheese 6.50

LARGE SALADS
Fresh Baby Spinach with caramelized walnuts, mandarin oranges, red bell peppers, crispy bacon,
mushrooms, parmesan cheese and warm balsamic-dijon dressing Entree 10.95 Half 8.50
Gourmet Salad fresh greens with feta cheese, kalamata olives, hearts of palm, marinated artichoke hearts,
tomatoes and tomato vinaigrette dressing Entree 10.95 Half 8.50
Russet's Chopped Salad fresh greens, tomatoes, cucumbers, red bell peppers, jicama, hard boiled egg, carrots, radishes and red onions Entree 10.95 Half 8.50
Add Chicken 5.95 Shrimp 7.50 Scallops 10.50 to your salad
Marinated Asian Tenderloin Steak Salad fresh baby greens and spinach, napa cabbage, pears, red bell peppers, carrots, jicama, wasabi peas and julienne won tons served with wasabi vinaigrette dressing 16.95

SIDES
Sautéed Fresh Spinach in olive oil and fresh garlic 5.95
Fresh Asparagus with hollandaise 5.95
Belgian Fries 4.50
House Made Macaroni and Cheese 5.95

SANDWICHES
Russets Burger 6oz hormone-free hamburger served with Belgian fries 9.95
Southwestern Chipotle Pulled Pork served with Belgian fries 9.95
Russets "Philly" Cheese Steak with grilled onions and white American cheese served with Belgian fries 10.95

With American or Cheddar add 1.25 ~ With Gorgonzola add 1.75

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

ENTREES
Pork Tenderloin natural, hormone and antibiotic free, marinated in honey, garlic and spices and char-broiled 17.95
Pan Seared Scallops served on ginger coconut cream 19.95
Sautéed Mexican White Shrimp in butter, garlic, herbs and wines 17.95
Seared Chicken Breast natural, hormone and antibiotic free, with apricot-pineapple glaze
and gorgonzola cream 15.95
Apple Cider Brined Pork Chop baked with an apple, calvados and whole grain mustard cream sauce 15.95
Sesame Crusted Pan Seared Ahi Tuna served rare with wasabi, ginger and tamari 23.95
New York Cut Sirloin char-broiled to taste 22.95
Blue Back Fin Crab Cakes with roasted red pepper remoulade 21.95
Almond Crusted Fresh Trout brushed with lemon butter 15.95
Roasted Colorado Boneless Lamb Loin mustard rubbed, served with fresh rosemary-garlic jus 23.95
Authentic Louisiana Style Chicken Gumbo served with saffron rice 15.95
Spicy Orange BBQ Baby Back Ribs served with cole slaw and Belgium fries 21.50
Filet Mignon char-broiled served with béarnaise, 6oz 22.95 ~ 10oz 33.95
Char-Broiled Tournedos of Elk hormone and antibiotic free
served with tart cherries and port wine 24.95
Braised Colorado Lamb Shanks with port wine, rich stock and new potatoes 16.95
Half Roasted Garlic Herbed Chicken all natural, hormone and antibiotic free 12.95
House Made Macaroni and Cheese 8.95
Northern Italian Homemade Cheese Lasagna with marinara sauce 11.95

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

DESSERTS
Chocolate Cake with chocolate sauce 6.50
Lefty Sundae with vanilla ice cream 6.50 ~ Pecan Mocha Torte with vanilla ice cream 6.50
Creme Brulée Cheesecake 6.50 ~ Chocolate Truffle Sampler 7.50
Key Lime Pie 6.50 ~ Root Beer Float 5.50
Hot Apple Pastry with vanilla ice cream 6.50

Russets proudly serves organic and hormone free products where available.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

DRINKS

Wines by the Glass and by the Bottle
Our extensive list of wines by the glass and bottle vary weekly


Russetinis
Potatotini Chopin Potato Vodka shaken
with a hint of Vermouth served up with an olive
Classic Martini Bombay Sapphire shaken
with a hint of Vermouth, served up with an olive
Cosmopolitan Chopin Vodka, Cointreau, splash
of cranberry, shaken, served up with a twist
Bikini Martini Chopin Vodka, Malibu Rum
and pineapple juice shaken, served up
Lemontini house-infused Chopin shaken with a fresh
squeeze of lemon, served up with a sugared rim and a twist
Chocolate Martini Chopin Vodka and Godiva Liqueur
shaken, served up with shaved chocolate

Bottled Beer
Domestic
Bud ~ Bud Light ~ Coors ~ Coors Light ~ Sam Adams ~ Miller Lite

Import/Micro
Amstel Light ~ Fat Tire Amber Ale ~ Sierra Nevada Pale Ale
Flying Dog Doggie Style ~ Flying Dog In Heat Wheat
Murphy’s Stout ~ Heineken ~ Sierra Nevada Porter
Tillburg Dutch Brown ~ RedTail Blue Heron ~ Pilsner Urquell

Non Alcoholic Beer
Odouls ~ Odouls Dark ~ Paulaner Thomasbrau

Non Alcoholic Bottled Drinks and Tea
IBC Root Beer ~ Orangina
Voss Sparkling or Still Water
Republic Tea Blackberry Sage
Republic Tea Ginger Peach Decaf


Russets proudly serves organic shade-grown faire trade coffee.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Dinner Everyday
Reservations Recommended

225 Main Street
Carbondale, CO 81623
970-963-3036
info@russets.net

Highlands Will Stay Open Two Extra Weekends Thru April 27


Ten Feet of Snow Still On Mid-Mountain, And More In The Bowl, Convinces Skico Officials That Keeping Highlands Open Is A Smart Move, And Gesture of Appreciation To Locals and Resort Employees Alike


Aspen Highlands, because there is still almost ten feet of snow at mid-mountain, will close as scheduled on April 6, then re-open for two weekends, April 19 & 20 and April 26 & 27, Aspen Times reported on March 21, 2008. This will include the Highland Bowl.

With even more snow falling down on the White River National Forest, AKA, Aspen Mountain, Highlands, Snowmass and Buttermilk Mountain, the area could, although highly unlikely, stay open through June.

“This is our way of saying thank you to the community for a great season,” Skico President & CEO, Mike Kaplan, told the local press.

Buttermilk will close on schedule Sunday, April 6. Aspen Mountain and Snowmass will close Sunday afternoon, April 13.

Spokespersons for Skico said critical electrical work on the Silver Queen Gondola will prohibit the extention to Aspen Mountain, or Ajax. Construction on a new restaurant at Sam's Knob has to begin right away, Skico said.

“It would be a shame to waste all this great snow,” Rich Burkley, vice president mountain operations, Aspen Ski Co., told local press.

Exhibition, Loge and Deep Temerity lifts will operate each day from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Merry-Go-Round restaurant will serve a scaled-down, but always tasty, lunch menu.

All season ski passes are valid. Adult tickets will be $39 per day, kids and seniors will pay $35 and children’s tickets will be $25. Children six and under ski for free.
Employees from any other ski resort with a current season picture pass pay $12 for a lift ticket.

If only that could be the regular season pass to a ALL! But then it would be 1972 and every one would be wearing those funny colors and hats skiers wore back then--and those oh-so-attractive purple bindings...

Thursday, April 3, 2008

Roaring Fork Watershed 2008 Event Line-up

Roaring For Conservancy
2008 Events

Below is a list of upcoming water-related events in the Roaring Fork Watershed. Please note that these listings are updated frequently, please check www.roaringfork.org/events often!

Fly Fishing Tune-Up at Old Pond Park
April 9, 2008 5:30 – 7:30 pm
Meet at: Old Pond Park, Basalt
Fly fishing for everyone! Bring your rod and come learn about the world-class fly fishing on the Roaring Fork River. Avid angler, Kirk Webb, of the Taylor Creek Fly Shop will lead this two-hour introduction to fly fishing at Old Pond Park. The program will include an overview of practical entomology, reading the water, and a casting tune-up. Taylor Creek Fly Shop will provide fly rods and reels for instruction. Please dress appropriately; the event will happen rain or shine. Sponsored by Taylor Creek Fly Shop and Roaring Fork Conservancy. This event is free and open to the public, however, space is limited, and reservations are required.

Riparian Birding at Jaffee Park
April 16, 2008, 7-8am
Wilton Jaffee Park, Woody Creek
Join local bird experts from the community and do some early morning birding at Wilton Jaffee Park in Woody Creek. This birding morning will introduce participants to local riparian birds and their habitats. Feel free to bring a pair of binoculars. Please dress appropriately for being outside the enitre time. This walk is free and open to the public, however, space is limited, and registration is required. Sponsored by Pitkin County Open Space & Trails and Roaring Fork Conservancy.

Fly Fishing Tune-Up Wagner Park
April 23, 2008, 5:30 – 7:30 pm
Meet at: Wagner Park, Aspen
Fly fishing for everyone! Bring your rod and come learn about the world-class fly-fishing on the Roaring Fork River. Avid angler, Tony Derosier of the Taylor Creek Fly Shop, will lead this two-hour introduction to fly fishing at Wagner Park in Aspen. The program will include an overview of practical entomology, reading the water, and a casting tune-up. Taylor Creek Fly Shop will provide rods and reels for instruction. Please dress appropriately; the event will happen rain or shine. This event is free and open to the public, however, space is limited, and reservations are required. Sponsored by Taylor Creek Fly Shop and Roaring Fork Conservancy.

10th Annual Fryingpan River Clean Up
April 26, 2008 8:30 am to 12 noon
Meet at Lions Park, Basalt, Colorado
Help clean up one of the most beautiful stretches of river in the country! Volunteers of all ages welcome! Join us for a free breakfast before cleaning up a mile section of the river. Please dress appropriately with gloves, long pants, a hat and sunscreen. Every participant receives a free Fryingpan River Cleanup logo item. Prizes for: Best of Trash, Most Toxic, Most Useful, Most Unusual Trash. Raindate is set for May 10th. More info: www.roaringfork.org/cleanup.

River Guide School
May/June 2008
Each spring Roaring Fork Conservancy offers sessions of its River Guide School. These on-water trainings in natural history allow commercial river guides to learn more about our watershed's natural and cultural history. During the three-hour trainings, naturalists from the Conservancy discuss local riparian birds and mammals, fish and insects, geology, cultural history and water issues. Guides receive packets with additional information at the end of the float. To have your angling or rafting guide company join us this year, call Tim O'Keefe at 927-1290. Sponsored by Pitkin County Open Space and Trails. More information: www.roaringfork.org/riverguide.

Heron, Eagle, and Osprey Watching near Cattle Creek
May 7, 2008 5:30 – 7:30 pm
Meeting Place: Aspen Glen, Glenwood Springs, Colorado
Join Jonathan Lowsky, wildlife biologist with Colorado Wildlife Science LLC, and staff from Roaring Fork Conservancy for this amazing look at great blue herons, bald eagles, and osprey near the confluence of Cattle Creek and the Roaring Fork River. This area is nest heaven for these birds: over 20 nesting pairs of herons, one pair of bald eagles, and in 2005, the first recorded pair of ospreys fledged an offspring near this site. We’ll tour several conservation easements in search of these large avian predators. Please dress appropriately; the viewing will happen regardless of weather. This event is free and open to the public, however, space is limited, and registration is required. Sponsored by Colorado Wildlife Science LLC, Aspen Glen Environmental Sanctuary, and Roaring Fork Conservancy.

Biking Emma Open Space
May 14, 2008 5:30 – 7:30 pm
Meet at: Basalt Post Office parking lot, Basalt, Colorado
Explore the fields, wetlands, and riverfront of Emma Open Space by bike! Bring your bike for this unique look at wildlife, scenic views, and engaging conversation about wildlife and water issues. Colorado Division of Wildlife and Roaring Fork Conservancy will lead this family-friend bike tour. Please dress appropriately; the event will happen rain or shine. Biking Emma Open Space is free and open to the public, however, space is limited, and registration is required. Sponsored by Roaring Fork Conservancy and Pitkin County Open Space & Trails.


River Float 2008
June 7, 2008 Start Time: 8:00 am
Veltus Park, Glenwood Springs, Colorado
Each Roaring Fork Conservancy offers an amazing opportunity for 150 members of the public to experience the Roaring Fork River first-hand for free! Join us for this amazing half-day float along the lower Roaring Fork River. Bring your own boat or jump on one provided by Blazing Adventures or Rock Gardens Rafting for this morning of sightseeing, exploration, and eating (at the BBQ at the end of the float). Naturalists from around the valley will be on boats to offer insights during the two-hour float. We will float rain or shine. This event is open to the public ages 8 and up, however, space is limited and registration is required. Registration for this event will open May 1, 2008. Donations welcome. www.roaringfork.org/riverfloat
SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

9th Annual River Rendezvous
July 16, 2008 5:30 - 10:00 pmAspen Chaparral, Woody Creek, Colorado (Tentative)The Rivers Council of Roaring Fork Conservancy cordially invites you to attend the 9th Annual River Rendezvous. Join us for a wonderful evening of celebrating our rivers! Dinner, live music and dancing, cocktails, and live and silent auctions all to benefit our local rivers. Don't miss this event! All proceeds benefit Roaring Fork Conservancy. Tickets may be purchased at Roaring Fork Conservancy, online, or over the phone. For more information contact: info@roaringfork.org call Roaring Fork Conservancy at (970) 927-1290, or visit www.roaringfork.org/rendezvous

11th Annual Basalt River Days
August 15-16, 2008 
Basalt, Colorado Join Roaring Fork Conservancy for this celebration of our rivers in the "Fishing Capital of the Western Slope," Basalt, Colorado. Put on by the Basalt Chamber of Commerce, this two day festival will offer great music, awesome food, and a chance to learn about our rivers with activities from Roaring Fork Conservancy. More information www.basaltriverdays.com

World Water Monitoring Day 2008
September 18, 2008
Roaring Fork Conservancy monitors the water quality at 24 sites throughout the Roaring Fork Watershed as part of the Colorado River Watch program. Our network of over 60 citizen volunteers and students take monthly samples for water quality analysis. To celebrate World Water Monitoring Day 2008, we encourage you to join our water monitoring network. For more information email: chad@roaringfork.org

Contact Information:
Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 3349
Basalt, Colorado 81621

Physical Address:
200 Basalt Center Circle
Basalt, Colorado 81621
T: (970) 927-1290
F: (970) 927-1264
E: HYPERLINK "mailto:info@roaringfork.org" info@roaringfork.org
Web: http://www.roaringfork.org

12 Hour Mountain Bike Race in Snowmass

www.12hoursofsnowmass.com
12 Hour Mountain Bike Race - September 14th 2008 Snowmass, CO
Race
An exciting twelve-hour mountain bike race on Snowmass Mountain. Choose to ride solo, teams of two, three, or open (up to 8 riders). The intermediate course (10-miles with over one thousand feet of climbing per lap) has great climbs, descents and plenty of single track to keep everybody smiling!

A Benefit
12 Hours of Snowmass is a benefit for two local non-profit youth organizations—Aspen Youth Center and Extreme Sports Camp.
www.aspenyouthcenter.org Aspen Youth Center is a drop-in youth center offering a variety of summer, after school and outreach programs for youth in grades 4-12. The center provides a safe and supportive environment for youth to connect, learn and grow.

 www.extremesportscamp.org Extreme Sports Camp provides summer camp experiences for youth with autism. For many teens and preteens, summer is a time to immerse themselves in rigorous sports activities which challenge the mind and body. Now, children and teens with autism can have the same opportunities.
An event brought to you by: www.aspenyouthcenter.org Aspen Youth Center, www.extremesportscamp.org Extreme Sports Camp &  www.probikecenter.com Pro Bike Center



FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: 
Nat Ross @ Pro Bike Center 
970.390.9730
 info@ProBikeCenter.com info@ProBikeCenter.com
16980 W. 11th Ave
Golden, CO  80401

Sarah Visnic @ Aspen Youth Center
970.544.4133
 sarah@aspenyouthcenter.org

Elizabeth Miller @ Extreme Sports Camp
970.379.7388
 elizabethmiller46@comcast.net

WEBSITE: www.12hoursofsnowmass.com

More Summer Events Announced by the Chamber

Summer 2008 Events: 
*Will update as events are announced

May
May 17 Ride for the Pass, Independence Pass Foundation, 970.963.4959
May 18 Cycling Criterium, Aspen Parks & Recreation, 970.429.2093
May 22-July 13 Friedrich Kunath, Aspen Art Museum, 970.925.8050
May 23-26 ASA Memorial Day Fastpitch Softball Tourney, Aspen Parks & Rec, 970.429.2093
May 29-Aug 10 Aida Ruilova, Aspen Art Museum, 970.925.8050

June
June 13-15 Food & Wine Magazine Classic in Aspen 877.900.WINE
June 14-Oct 18 Aspen Saturday Market
June 16-23 JAS Academy presented by Jazz Aspen Snowmass, 866.JAS.TIXX
June 19-August 17 Aspen Music Festival and School, 970.925.9042
June 19-22 Jazz Aspen Snowmass June Festival, 866.JAS.TIXX
June 20-21 Annual ACIH Summer Health Conference, 970.920.2957
June 22-26 Aspen Summer Words, Aspen Writers’ Foundation, 970.925.3122
June 27 Little Shop of Horrors,Opening and Gala, Theatre Aspen, 970.925.9313
June 30-July 6 Aspen Ideas Festival, Aspen Institute, 970.925.7010
June-Aug Saturday Classical Music, top of Aspen Mountain
June-Aug Bluegrass Sundays, top of Aspen Mountain

July
July 4 Aspen’s Old-Fashioned Fourth of July Celebration, 970.925.1940
July 4 Boogies’s Diner Buddy 5-Mile Race, 970.925.5717
July 9-14 Aspen Antiques and Fine Arts Fair
July 10 Rounding Third, Opening and Gala, Theatre Aspen, 970.925.9313
July 10 Annual Recognition Dinner, Anderson Ranch Arts Center, 970.923.3181
July 11 Seussical, Opening and Gala, Theatre Aspen, 970.925.9313
July 18–Aug 9 Aspen Santa Fe Ballet , Aspen District Theatre, 970.920.5770
July 19-20 Aspen Arts Festival, 970.925.1940
July 19 18th Annual Komen Aspen Race for the Cure® 970.920.0250
July 24 Crimes of the Heart, Opening and Gala, Theatre Aspen, 970.925.9313
July 24-26 A Celebration of Tibetan Art & Culture
July 26 High Country SK8 Challenge, Aspen Parks & Rec., 970.429.2093
July 26 JASummer Night Swing, 866.JAS.TIXX
July 27 Go Vertical Aspen 2008, Aspen Mountain

August
August 1 artCrush Aspen Art Museum’s Summer Benefit, 970.925.8050
August 7-8 The Healthy Gourmet Fest & Spa Soiree, ACIH, 970.920.2957
August 9 Ducky Derby, Aspen Rotary Club
August 9 Annual Art Auction, Anderson Ranch Arts Center, 970.923.3181
August 9-10 SpaFinder Aspen Spa Day '08
August 16 Aspen Triathlon and Duathlon, 970.544.4100
August 29–Sept 1 Jazz Aspen Snowmass Labor Day Festival, 866.JAS.TIXX
August 29–Sept 1 Motherlode Volleyball Tournament

September
September 6 Aspen/Snowmass Ride for the Cure®, 970.920.0250
September 18-21 Ruggerfest
September 24-28 Aspen FilmFest, Aspen Film, 970.925.6882
September 27 Golden Leaf Half Marathon, Aspen Parks & Rec., 970.429.2093

October
October 2-5 The Meeting, Aspen Skiing Company, 970.925.1220
October 3-5 Hockey Mountain High, Aspen Parks & Rec. 970.429.2093
October 8-13 John Denver Week

November
November 27 Opening Day, Aspen Mountain & Snowmass Mountain, 970.925.1220

December
December 13 Opening Day, Highlands & Buttermilk Mountains, 970.925.1220


This list was compiled by the Aspen Chamber Resort Association
visit our web site at HYPERLINK http://www.aspenchamber.org www.aspenchamber.org, call us directly at
(970) 925-1940 or toll free at (888) 290-1324, e-mail us at HYPERLINK "info@aspenchamber.org" info@aspenchamber.org
Aspen Chamber Resort Association
425 Rio Grande Place
Aspen, CO 81611.

Aspen Golf Course Tournaments, Summer '08

Here are upcoming golf events around town this summer. Four!

2008 Aspen Golf Course Tournament Schedule
Date Event Notes

The Aspen Golf and Tennis Club hosts several tournaments throughout the year. To register or find out more information, contact the Golf Shop at (970) 925-2145, or visit HYPERLINK "http://www.aspenrecreation.com" www.aspenrecreation.com

May
Saturday, May 03, 2008 Men's Association Kickoff 9 a.m. Shotgun
Thursday, May 08, 2008 Men's League Begins Regular play begins for the season
Wednesday, May 14, 2008 Ladies' League Starts Regular play begins for the season
Saturday, May 31, 2008 City Match Play Qualifier Tee times 8-11 a.m.

June
Week of June 1-5 American Junior Golf Association Course Closed until noon Mon-TH
Weeks of June 1-14 Match Play 1st Round
Wednesday, June 18, 2008 Tour of the Rockies Course Closed at 3:00 p.m.
Week of June 15-21 Match Play 2nd Round
Wednesday, June 25, 2008 Ladies' Club Kickoff 9 a.m. Shotgun with luncheon
Week of June 21-28 Match Play Semi-Finals
Sunday, June 29, 2008 Match Play Finals

July
Monday, July 07, 2008 PGA Ladies' Pro-Am 10 a.m. Shotgun
Wednesday, July 23, 2008 Ladies' Member-Guest 9 a.m. Shotgun with luncheon

August
Saturday, August 02, 2008 Men's Member-Guest Tee times 12p.m. - 2 p.m.
Sunday, August 03, 2008 Men's Member-Guest 8:30 a.m. Shotgun
Wednesday, August 06, 2008 Tour of the Rockies Course Closed at 3:00 p.m.
Monday, August 11, 2008 Ladies' Interclub Matches 9 a.m. Shotgun with luncheon
Saturday and Sunday, August 16-17, 2008 Conviser Cup Stroke Play Tee times 7a.m. - 9 a.m.
Wednesday, August 27, 2008 Ladies' League Closing Day 9 a.m. Shotgun with luncheon

September
Friday, September 05, 2008 PGA Men's Pro-Am 10:30 Shotgun
Saturday, September 20, 2008 Men's Member-Member Tee times 12p.m. - 2 p.m.
Sunday, September 21, 2008 Men's Member-Member 9 a.m. Shotgun
Saturday, September 27, 2008 Mayor's Cup 10 a.m. Shotgun
Sunday, September 28, 2008 AVSC Stirling Cup 10 a.m. Shotgun

October
Thursday, October 09, 2008 Men's League Closing Day
Saturday, October 11, 2008 Men's League Finale 10 a.m. Shotgun
Sunday, October 12, 2008 Elk's Club Benefit 10 a.m. Shotgun

** Course is closed to the public during these times reserved for local participants.