Around Town

American Renewable Energy Day in Aspen

August 21-23, 2008

Environmental leader Ted Turner will be the keynote speakers for the fifth annual American Renewable Energy Day (AREDAY) in Aspen, Colorado.

AREDAY is a three-day event featuring keynote speakers, films, round-table discussions and music. Along with Ted Turner, other key speakers inclued Peter Buffet and Earth Policy Institute President Lester Brown are among the scheduled speakers.

August 21: The film “Burning the Future: Coal in America” will screen at Paepcke Auditorium in Aspen. The film focus the conflict between the coal industry and residents of a community surrounding the mining operation. “Fields of Fuel” screens at the Wheeler Opera House. This film focus on the development of sustainable biofuels.

August 22: The Wheeler Opera House events for this day includes the Earth Policy Institute’s president Lester Brown, author of “Plan B 3.0: Mobilizing to Save Civilization”; Jerome Ringo, president of the Apollo Alliance; Sally Ranney; representatives from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Harris Sherman, executive director of the Colorado Department of Natural Resources; the Presidential Climate Action Project, Native Wind and Rocky Mountain Institute; Chief Arvol Looking Horse of the Wolakota Foundation; and others.

August 23: Ted Turner will have an open discuission with Pat Mitchell, former president of PBS and current CEO of the Paley Media Center. Peter Buffet will join the two on stage at the Wheeler Opera House. Additional panel discussions throughout the day will deliver various expers in an interactive discussions will offer involve the audience.

“Turner and Buffet’s decision to align themselves with AREDAY demonstrates their desire to bring solutions for climate and energy challenges to the forefront of our national dialogue,” said AREDAY founder and executive director Chip Comins in a press release.

AREDAY is a nonprofit organization, created in 2004 with the mission of promoting education and awareness of renewable energy and energy efficient technologies as practical solutions to global warming.

For more on the August event and organization, go to www.areday.net.

Art Scene

Aspen Arts-Glass Art by Steffen Dam

PISMO Gallery at Aspen Presents Danish Glass Artist Steffen Dam “The Two Faces of Steffen Dam”

PISMO Gallery at Aspen, Aspen’s foremost gallery for glass art, will present a solo exhibition of new works by Steffen Dam, a significant figure in the Danish glass movement. The show opens with a public reception on July 3, 2008 from 6:00 to 9:00 pm and the exhibition will continue through July 31, 2008.

Steffen Dam creates two distinct bodies of work. The first is a series of bowls and plates which are blown and then drilled, forming holes in the surface. Through these pieces, Steffen explores the fundamental qualities of glass: transparency and the ability to collect and bend light. The pieces provide magnificent patterns as light penetrates through the precisely drilled surface of the vessel. According to Steffen, “As these have progressed, the objects have become more air than glass.”

In defining Steffen’s second body of work he says, “I set the established and traditional techniques aside and started making glass all “wrong” in an attempt to capture the good in the bad. Out of these experiments came the “Fossil”, “Plants”, and other objects - like frozen extracts of chaos to be watched undisturbed.” With his “Botanical Series” it is as if the plants or organisms are frozen in time.

Although the two bodies are distinctively different, Steffen says, “These two sides of my work, the accurate and the free expression, could be interpreted as a contradiction but they are not. Each side feeds off the other; the accurate work is the foundation for the free expression - and vice versa.”

About PISMO Fine Art Glass: PISMO Fine Art Glass opened its doors in Denver in 1990 as a mixed media gallery, and switched exclusively to glass in 1995. Owner Sandy Sardella also operates other PISMO galleries in Beaver Creek and Vail as well as Aspen. The PISMO galleries are recognized internationally for the breadth and depth of their collection, offering a variety of pieces in all price ranges to suit everyone from the casual admirer to the serious collector. Their web site can be found at http://www.pismoglass.com/.

Eating Out

Outdoor Dining in Aspen & Snowmass, Colorado

If you prefer to take your meals al fresco and enjoy the crisp mountain air, you’ll certainly have your choice of dining establishments to choose from. Here are a few of the best summer patio dining restaurants Aspen has to offer.

Dish Aspen is a modern restaurant that serves American food in an enjoyable and casual environment. Dish Aspen prepares all of their meals with only the freshest of ingredients and has a large wine menu with over 250 selections that any wine enthusiast is sure to enjoy. Great food and wonderful outdoor patio seating make this restaurant an exceptional dining experience. :: website & reservations

Elevation is a modern American bistro in Aspen that serves contemporary cuisine to diners. Elevation has patio dining available in the summer months for patrons to enjoy the outdoors while enjoying their meal. :: website & reservations

Ruth’s Chris Steak House is one of Aspen’s prime eating establishments. With a selection of some of the finest steaks you’ll ever find as well as a menu full of fresh seafood specials you can’t go wrong. And with their beautiful outdoor patio and balcony seating, you can enjoy the amazing view of Aspen Mountain while you eat. Ruth’s Chris Steak House is so popular, that it is highly recommended that you make a reservation to ensure space is available. :: website & reservations

Cuvee World Bistro in Basalt is another popular establishment that offers an diners an international treat for their taste buds. Cuvee eclectic menu consists of foods prepared with European and Asian influences that are sure to be a delight. Combined with the beautiful outdoor seating and full bar that is available, Cuvee is a restaurant that should not be missed. :: webiste & reservations

This is a sample of best of the dining facilities in the Roaring Fork Valley that offer al fresco dining. There are many other dining establishments in Aspen that also offer outdoor dining, particularly during the warmer summer months.

Shopping

John Denver Tribute Tickets on Sale

Tickets are now on sale for the 11th Annual Tribute to John Denver by Expect A Miracle… Now, Foundation, benefiting Challenge Aspen.

John Denver fans will make the annual pilgrimage to the Wheeler Opera House in Aspen, Colorado, on October 10 and 11, 2008, for the 11th Annual Musical Tribute to John Denver, produced by Karmen Dopslaff and Expect A Miracle…Now, Foundation and benefiting Challenge Aspen. Each evening is filled with John Denver music performed by former band members and colleagues in tribute to their friend.

Featuring: Bill Danoff, John Sommers, Gary Muledeer, Denny Brooks, Kenn Roberts, Mack Bailey, Jim Salestrom, Mollie Weaver, Richie Garcia, Alan Deremo, Chris Nole, Pete Huttlinger, & Jim Horn

Ticket prices range from $55 for general seating to $125 for VIP seating and are on sale from June 10 at The Wheeler Box Office in Aspen, online at www.aspenshowtickets.com, or by phone at (970) 920-5770 or (866) 449-0464 toll free. All seating is reserved.

Special sponsorship opportunities exist by contacting Geneva Templeton at 970-923-0578 ext 220 or geneva@challengeaspen.org.

For more information visit Challenge Aspen