Reaping Nature’s Rewards, Reflections of a Summer Naturalist
April 30, 2007
Crouching over a small plant, I encourage the family of five to rub the leaves of the black-tipped senecio. “How does it feel?” I ask. “Soft, leathery, a little hairy, maybe?” They agree.
Surviving at over 11,000 feet is no simple task. The short growing season and harsh conditions force plants and animals to adopt special characteristics to conserve energy. They deposit money into their piggy banks to ensure their futures in an environment where every penny counts. By growing “fur” plants create their own microclimates. The leathery exterior helps them retain moisture and stay warm —allowing them to combat Aspen Mountain’s drying winds and extreme weather patterns. They save energy by adapting to the unsympathetic, high altitude environment. With their ingenuity, plants and animals deposit money into nature’s piggy bank for both the present and the future.
Over the summer I have learned a great deal: how to identify the flowers and wildlife, how to simplify abstract ideas, how to read groups of people. Not only have I gained a wealth of life skills, but I have also grown as a person. Prior to the beginning of my summer as an ACES naturalist I was determined to zoom to my destination whether it be the top of Mount Elbert while hiking or City Market shopping for groceries. This summer, with the help of new friends, I have learned to slow down, pause, breathe in the natural world. Gradually I am learning that the experience of the journey can be just as important as the final destination. While I still revel in zipping up and down mountains, I am beginning to learn that a slower, more attentive approach reveals nature’s complexities—allowing me to reap even greater rewards.
ACES’ naturalist program begins July 16th offering free naturalist guided hikes at the Maroon Bells, on top of Aspen Mountain, at Snowmass, and up the Castle Creek Valley at the Ghost Town of Ashcroft.
Toklat Celebrates Anderson Ranch Arts Center
April 27, 2007
Toklat Gallery will be celbrating a summer-long presentation of artists, both established and emerging, from the furniture making ,woodworking and sculptures studios of Anderson Ranch Arts Center. The kick off reception will be June 22 from 5 to 8 at the Toklat Galllery in Basalt.
Zapotec Rug “Truck Show.” Join Toklat in welcoming Scott Roth, recently returned from Oaxaca, Mexico with a truck full of rugs. For over a quarter of a century, Toklat has represented this centuries’ old craft of the Zapotec Indians. Be the first to choose from an inspiring collection of new rugs. Four day extravaganza: July 13 through 16 from 10 to 8.
Eddie Running Wolf. Of Northern Cheyenne descent, Eddie has exhibited his intricately carved sculptures exclusively at Toklat since 1981. We are proud to present his first-ever collection of paintings depicting Plains Indians of the 1880’s. Artist reception Friday July 27 from 5 to 8.
PHOTO: “ Many Horns” by Eddie Running Wolf
Thomas Suby. “When is Thomas coming back?” is the most often asked question! Thomas returns to Toklat for a week of demonstrating his craft of creating animal sculptures of great beauty out of ironwood, a wood so dense that it sinks. Artist reception Friday August 10 from 5 to 8.
(970) 927-1437
231 Midland Avenue #201
Basalt CO 81621
J Bar Hits the News in USA Today ~ Aspen, Colorado
April 24, 2007
The J Bar at the Hotel Jerome made headlines in USA Today recently. The J Bar at the Hotel Jerome has been an Aspen Colorado tradition since the turn of the century.
For those seeking to mingle with the stars, Hotel Jerome’s J-Bar is the place to see and be seen. The USA Today named the legendary bar one of the “10 great places to see the stars come out.” Aspen’s visiting elite have been flocking to Hotel Jerome ever since it was built in 1889, when businessman Jerome B. Wheeler saw the need for a grand hotel in the prospering mini-metropolis.
Over the years, Hotel Jerome has played host to a slew of celebrities including John Wayne, Lana Turner, Bill Clinton, Oprah Winfrey, Johnny Depp and Cameron Diaz. Be it politicians, tycoons, singers or actors throughout history, they have always been a part of the crowd in J-Bar.
When Hotel Jerome was built, the J-Bar was traditionally a gathering place for silver mining tycoons to socialize and negotiate business. In the tradition of its foundations, J-Bar maintains the style of an Old West saloon while accommodating today’s modern and stylish guests. The great J-Bar itself is the original maple bar that has been part of the hotel for the last 118 years.
Like everything else at the Jerome, even the cocktails have historical influences. One of their signature cocktails is the Aspen Crud. Legend has it that during prohibition times “crud” was the code word patrons used to instruct the bartender to add several shots of bourbon to a rich milkshake at the J-Bar “fountain.” During World War II, the 10th Mountain Division boarded at the hotel and the famed drink became a staple. These days one of the most popular drinks with the stars is J-Bar’s Avalanche, a mixture of Kahlua, Baileys Irish Cream, Amaretto liquer and heavy cream. In addition to their favorite drinks, guests can enjoy selections from the J-Bar menu that include savory appetizers, sandwiches and lighter fare.
Renovation of Aspen Meadows Resort
April 24, 2007
Voted one of “Aspen’s Top 10 Luxury Hotels” by Luxury Travel Magazine, Aspen Meadows Resort is located on over 40 acres, minutes from downtown Aspen. Each of the 98 deluxe suites were renovated in 2006 with new tile, carpet, sleeper sofas, bedding – mattresses, linens, and duvets, as well as flat screen televisions. The health club and tennis center will complete renovations in May 2007 with new equipment, hot tub, lockers, tile, carpet, courts, and fresh paint. We offer a full-service conference center with 22,000 sq/ft of meeting space, including the new Doerr-Hosier Center opening in June 2007. We offer exceptional dining in our onsite restaurant, Plato’s.
Aspen Music Festival Begins June 21
April 18, 2007
For nine weeks every summer, conductors, composers, seasoned performers, artist-faculty, gifted students, and audience members from around the world come together in the staggering beauty of Aspen to share their love of music. Their mutual passion creates something rare and marvelous in music. This year’s theme, Blue Notes, explores the influence of jazz on classical music. From June 21 through August 19, AMFS offers more than 350 events, including symphonic and chamber music concerts, solo recitals, vocal programs, fully-staged operas, children’s programs, public master classes, lectures, and backstage tours. For concert and ticket information, (970) 925-9042 or www.aspenmusicfestival.com. PHOTO: Alex Irvin
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