An Open Letter To Dave Danforth, Owner and “Publisher/Mascot,” Aspen Daily News
Dear Dave:
You and I have had our differences over the years—too many to count—in part because I have been sliced open with a dirty knife by the Aspen Daily News like so many others before me. But that does not mean I take any pleasure in the mess that your editor, Troy Hooper, finally finds himself in.
Continue Reading 3 comments March 12th, 2010
In my fit tip on sleep, I wrote about how people need to get more sleep. It has been programmed into our DNA for 35M.Y., yet many try to show they can live off the least amount of sleep possible. What for? Why not reduce the amount oxygen and test yourself. Although truly foolish, this isn't the only foolish thing we as humans come up with.
I once had some one tell me I could live off 700 calories per day and 50 grams of protein then cited some source that was probably correct. But what would my quality of life be like? Hmmm I thought; I suppose that number of calories would support enough respiration and a pulse to supply my brain with a little oxygen and sugar. I guess if I were hooked up to machines, I might be able to reduce the calories even further. Granted there would be cellular life competitive with a petri dish experiment, but would I have LIFE? The question is nearly rhetorical even silly, but we do have anorexia and various grades of excessive weakness/thiness. We also have the opposite, and this is even more common.
People gobbling in gluttony every form of garbage that has ever been called "food." We see those who have been engaging in 7000+ calories a day, where the chief burning of calories can be reduced to metabolic functions and feeding.
So we have many who indulge themselves in rapturous rationalized extremes, at the edges of theoretical survival. I have often asked; why not seek individual harmony, resonance and vital rhythm as optimums for life? Most of you watch plenty of television (maybe not for those of you reading this) and have more entertainment than Caesar, preoccupied with tabloid twittle, multi thousand calorie meals and wonder why you are not healthier. I wonder in amazement how your bodies keep you alive, despite these fitness horrors. I often wonder why people in the health professions from doctors on down including personal trainers won't say the reason you are unhealthy is you are too LAZY to do something about it, too undisciplined to modify eating in a healthy way and yes procrastinators. Well there I said it. I will be honest, and I have 2 reasons.
1) A friend who was exceptionally smart, knew who every person was in the House and Senate and most of those who held the seats before. He could track legislation like nobody's business and I miss him. He's dead. Died of a heart attack at age 37. For 7-8 years before dying, I gave him crap about his lunches; gargantuan affairs, usually oversize wider and bigger than your "footlong" subs, stuffed with an inch and a half of cold cuts, bolognas and salamis and the like. Day after day, I gave him a hard time about it because I cared, and he would remind me that he was OK, that one of these days he would get fitter and lose weight. After a couple of years of my daily questioning of his eating and lack of fitness habits, I stopped, deciding that just doing it seasonally would suffice. Whatever I did was not effective. He died. I learned I can't make someone understand when they are filled with rationalized delusions. If you are 150 lbs. overweight I don't need to tell you that you are OK; you're not. You might be ok for the next ten minutes, but what about 5-10 years from now. Other than the inheritance, how would your loved ones feel? (this is supposed to be humourous).
2) Another friend, gone. Age 39 heart attack; I hadn't seen him in ten years and when I did he had gained well over 100 pounds topping the 3 century mark, no small achievement. I did ask, "what are you doing with yourself?" Just living and working. Years of fast food crap and multi thousand calorie meals and no exercise led him to a very premature death -- just senseless.
These reasons rival drug O.Ds. in what I call stupidity. I want to smack both of these guys upside the head, New York style and wake them. It won't happen. If you are in a situation where you are not healthy, someone should tell you. While I won't smack you upside the head, I hope this serves as your wake up call.
Add comment March 9th, 2010
Aspen's ace snowboarder Chris Klug, an Olympic bronze medalist from the 2002 Salt Lake Games, still has a chance this weekend to restore Aspen's honor with an astonishing run in the giant slalom--but no one's expecting a 38-year-old Olympian to magically claim the gold.
Klug will no doubt acquit himself well, as he always does, but a trip to the podium is unlikely if not quite impossible. Should he exit Vancouver without a medal, we can begin to talk about The Aspen Curse at the 2010 Winter Olympic Games in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
Continue Reading 1 comment February 26th, 2010
The arrival of Grace Church at 1776 Emma Road in Basalt--1776 is not a misprint--roiled the community in Emma as they contemplate a megachurch, albeit a teensy one, in their midst. Dead center in the Roaring Fork Valley, the more liberal members of the town were universally concerned at the prospect of hundreds of Evangelicals worshipping in their midst.
The founders of Grace Church were nothing if not resilient, and managed to beat back all challenges. The church, now visible from Highway 82, has seemed on the verge of completion for months, even though building that has yet to sport the telltale sign of the Cross. Given the inevitability of yet another Christian Church in the valley, concerned locals simply ran out of protests. A church, after all, is far more benign than a McDonald's, or so the story goes.
And that was that, from my perspective, was that--until the wife espied the cheerful green banner in front of the Eagle County municipal building Sunday afternoon, with the words: "Grace Church Gathers Here," with the times for Sunday worship.
Continue Reading 6 comments February 21st, 2010
Aspen, CO — Grammy Award-winning pianist Yefim Bronfman is widely regarded as one of the most talented virtuosos performing today. His commanding technique and exceptional lyrical gifts have won him consistent critical acclaim and enthusiastic audiences worldwide, whether for his solo recitals, his prestigious orchestral engagements, or his rapidly growing catalogue of recordings. Bronfman returns to Harris Concert Hall for his only Aspen performance of 2010, Friday, February 19, as part of the Aspen Music Festival and School’s Winter Music Artist Recital Series.
Continue Reading Add comment February 9th, 2010
By January people where asking the obvious question, the question they've asked before under different circumstances: where in the world is Pitkin County Sheriff Bob Braudis?
One source in local law enforcement said he was in Europe. Another said he'd been gone since Thanksgiving. But as per usual in the Sheriff's tenure, no one seemed exactly sure, and no one in the press seemed willing to ask.
Now we know and the news is not good. The Sheriff was indeed in Europe with his girlfriend, but upon his return he was hospitalized, in serious-enough condition to be put in intensive care in a Denver hospital.
Continue Reading Add comment January 25th, 2010
KDNK Community Radio in Carbondale has hired multimedia journalist Mathew Katz. Katz is KDNK’s third full-time employee, joining Station Manager Steve Skinner and News and Public Affairs Director Conrad Wilson.
“We held some think tanks and did some pondering with community members. What emerged is that it is more important than ever for the community to have a voice and a source of in-depth local news on the radio,” said Skinner.
Continue Reading Add comment January 21st, 2010
ASPEN, Colo. — The Aspen Music Festival and School (AMFS) brings to Aspen the hugely successful The Met: Live in HD opera series, beginning with Richard Strauss’s masterpiece, Der Rosenkavalier at the Wheeler Opera House on Wednesday, January 27. The encore-broadcast features opera superstars Renée Fleming (an AMFS alumna) as the Marschallin and Susan Graham as Octavian. Edo De Waart conducts a cast that includes Christine Schäfer as Sophie, Eric Cutler as the Italian singer, Thomas Allen as Faninal, and Kristinn Sigmundsson as Baron Ochs. This performance is hosted by legendary tenor Plácido Domingo with intermission features including backstage interviews with the cast. There will be a free champagne reception at the first intermission for all attendees.
Continue Reading 2 comments January 20th, 2010
In the summer of 2007 I reported from the Aspen Institute upon the “Death Of Newspapers Greatly Exaggerated” as put forth by William Dean Singleton, the chief bottle-washer at MediaNews Group, owner of the Denver Post, the San Jose Mercury, and multiple other newspapers across the country.
Now comes the news of the bankruptcy filing of Affiliated Media Inc., the MediaNews holding company, in a Chapter 11 shuffle that means, according to Singleton’s official statement, that “current shareholders will be losing the value of their holdings.” That’s right: if you owned stock, you just got wiped out faster than you can say “ShamWow.”
Continue Reading Add comment January 18th, 2010
| Aspen, Colo. (January 7th, 2010) – Imagine a year of your life submerged in outdoor activities, culture and fine dining in a place high in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado. Qittle is now providing people the chance to make this dream a reality. On January 1, 2010, Qittle’s “Live the Dream – A Year in Aspen/Snowmass” contest went live, and those eligible can now go to the website http://livethedreamaspensnowmass.com and register for their chance to win. |
| Mobile marketing company Qittle has partnered with various local and national clients for “Live the Dream” contest. One lucky winner will receive accommodation, grocery allowance, lift pass, equipment for winter and summer activities and tickets to local events among other prizes. He or she will work for Qittle hosting a weekly radio/TV show that will air locally and will also be responsible for his or her own blog, where they will share their experience in Aspen/Snowmass with the world. |
| The second part of the contest will begin June 1st 2010 where 100 random names will be selected from the entries to compete in a personal viral marketing campaign called ACTION (Announce yourself, Create a new lifestyle, Take chances, Inspire, be Outgoing, Network with friends and family to support your dream). Participants will be judged on their own campaign, and five finalists will be selected to come to Aspen/Snowmass for an interview. The overall winner will be announced on July 4th 2010. |
| “This is the ultimate prize: a year in one of the best places in the world, living in the heart of the Rockies, going to some of the coolest social events and hitting the slopes of Aspen/Snowmass. We are excited to be working with some awesome brands to provide this. Good luck and I hope to meet you in the final round in June.” said Casey McConnell, CEO of Qittle. |
| During the contest, there are also weekly prize giveaways from various “Live the Dream” sponsors on each of the "Swag Fridays". This Friday, January 8, is the first Swag Friday giveaway and is provided by LoveSac, the alternative furniture company. LoveSac offered up a CitySac (http://www.lovesac.com/citysac.asp) to give away this Friday. |
About Aspen/Snowmass Colorado The small towns of Aspen and Snowmass boast an eclectic mix of people. The rich and famous often find themselves mingling with some of the most talented ski bums, living paycheck to paycheck in order to live the mountain lifestyle. When the days are snowy, you can step outside to ride powder runs on one of Aspen/Snowmass’ four majestic mountains. During the summer months, “lifestyle” doesn’t slow down and many who came for the winters stay for the summers when biking, hiking, concerts, fishing and festivals take over. Many only dream of the chance to live even one year of their life in Aspen/Snowmass, Colorado. This is the year that Qittle help one lucky person live that dream. |
NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Open to individuals 21 years of age or older as of January 1, 2010. Various residency and skill requirements apply. See Official Rules at http://livethedreamaspensnowmass.com/ for complete Promotion details. Void where prohibited or restricted by law. Sweepstakes Registration Period ends 5/31/10 and Contest Submission Period ends June 14, 2010. |
Add comment January 12th, 2010
