THURSDAY 8
• 7 a.m. Core Class at The Gym. 349-2588.
• 8 a.m. Ecumenical Meditation at UCC.
• 8:30 a.m. Women’s book discussion group at UCC.
• 8:45-10 a.m. Vinyasa at Yoga For The Peaceful.
• 9 a.m.-noon Open Wheel Throwing at the Art Studio of the Center for the Arts. 349-7044.
• 10 a.m. Mothering Support Group at Oh Be Joyful Church. (last Thursday of every month)
• 10:30-11:45 a.m. Yoga Basics at Yoga For The Peaceful.
• 11:30 p.m. Duplicate Bridge at UCC. 349-1008.
• noon All Saints in the Mountain Episcopal Church Community Healing Service at Queen of All Saints Catholic Church. 349-9371.
• noon-1 p.m. BUTI Yoga / CB Co-op at Town Hall.
• 12:30-1:30 p.m. Intro to Prana Vinyasa Level 1 with Monica at Yoga For The
Peaceful.
• 4-5:30 p.m. St. Mary’s Garage, a free thrift store. 300 Belleview, Unit 2, on the south end of 3rd Street. 970-318-6826.
• 4:30-6 p.m. Crested Butte Community Food Bank open at Oh Be Joyful Church. (first and third Thursday of every month)
• 5:30 p.m. Communion Service at Queen of All Saints Catholic Church.
• 5:30-6:45 p.m. Lunar Prana Vinyasa Level Open with Jackie at Yoga For The Peaceful.
• 5:45 p.m. Zumba at The Gym. 349-2588.
• 5:45-7 p.m. Freestyle Flow / CB Co-op at Town Hall.
• 6:30 p.m. AA Open Meditation at UCC.
• 7 p.m. Women Supporting Women Group Discussion at the Nordic Inn.
• 7:30 p.m. Narcotics Anonymous meets at 114 N. Wisconsin St. in Gunnison.

FRIDAY 9
• 6:30 a.m. All Levels Iyengar Yoga Class at The Gym. 349-2588.
• 8 a.m. Alanon at UCC Parlour (in back). 349-6482.
• 8:45 a.m. Core Power Yoga Class at the Pump Room.
• 8:45-10 a.m. Yoga for the Flexibly Challenged / CB Co-op at Town Hall.
• 9-10:30 a.m. Solar Prana Vinyasa Level 2/3 with Stacey at Yoga For The Peaceful.
• noon Closed AA at UCC.
• noon-1:15 p.m. Restorative Yoga at Yoga For The Peaceful.
• 1 p.m. Art group meets at the Senior Center. 641-4529.
• 4:30-5:30 p.m. Aprés Ski Yoga Level Open at Yoga For The Peaceful.
• 5:30 p.m. Communion Service at Queen of All Saints Catholic Church.
• 6-7 p.m. Poi Playshop at the Pump Room.

SATURDAY 10
• 7-8:15 a.m. Ashtanga Level 2/3 with Joe at Yoga For The Peaceful.
• 7:30 a.m. Open AA at UCC.
• 7:45 a.m. Weights and Indoor Biking Class at The Gym. 349-2588.
• 8:45-10 a.m. Solar Prana Vinyasa Level 2 with Jackie at Yoga For The Peaceful.
• 9 a.m. Shofar Fellowship meets at 1825 N. Hwy. 135, Gunnison. 349-1899.
• 9-10:30 a.m. Community Yoga at the Sanctuary Yoga & Pilates Studio, Gunnison.
• 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Mountain Roots Food Project collecting household scraps at the Community Garden at Red Mountain Park. 970-964-8823.
• 10-11 a.m. Hip Hop Community Dance Class at the Pump Room (above Fire House on 3rd & Maroon). 415-225-5300.
• 10:30-11:45 a.m. Slow Flow at Yoga For The Peaceful.
• 10:30 a.m.-noon St. Mary’s Garage, a free thrift store. 300 Belleview, Unit 2, on the south end of 3rd Street. 970-318-6826.
• 11 a.m. Narcotics Anonymous meeting at 114 Wisconsin Street. 970-201-1133.
• 6:30-7:30 p.m. Guided Sound Meditiation at 405 4th Street.

SUNDAY 11
• 7-8 a.m. Meditation at Yoga For The Peaceful, by donation.
• 8:30 a.m. Mass at Queen of All Saints Catholic Church.
• 9 a.m. Worship Service at Oh-Be-Joyful Church.
• 9 a.m. Worship Service at Union Congretional Church. 349-6405.
• 9-10:15 a.m. Slow Flow at Yoga For The Peaceful.
• 9 a.m.-1 p.m. “Regenerations – Connecting in Nature” hiking, writing and art workshop with Molly Murfee, Ivy Walker and WSCU Extended Studies. 970-444-2218.
• 9:30-11 a.m. Free Community Class / CB Co-op at Town Hall.
• 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Crested Butte Farmer’s Market, first block of Elk Avenue.
• 4-5:15 p.m. CBCYC Community Book Club at 405 4th Street.
• 5-6 p.m. All Saints in the Mountain Episcopal Eucharist at Queen of All Saints Catholic Church. 349-9371.
• 5-7 p.m. Pick-up Adult Basketball. HS Gym, CBCS.
• 5:30-7 p.m. Restorative Yoga at Yoga For The Peaceful.
• 6 p.m. AA meets at UCC.
• 6 p.m. Evening Service at Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church, 711 N. Main St., Gunnison.
• 6:30 p.m. Duplicate Bridge at UCC. 349-1008.
• 7 p.m. Gamblers Anonymous meets at the Last Resort.

MONDAY 12
• 7 a.m. Barre Class at The Gym. 349-2588.
• 8:45 a.m. Pilates at The Gym. 349-2588.
• 9-10:30 a.m. Lunar Prana Vinyasa Level 2/3 with Jackie at Yoga For the Peaceful.
• 9:30 & 10:40 a.m., 12:15 & 3:30 p.m. Crested Butte School of Dance: Dance in the Mountains classes in the Pump Room Dance Studio, 3rd and Maroon. (runs through July 29)
• noon-1 p.m. Yoga Basics at Yoga For The Peaceful.
• noon-1 p.m. Lunch Break Power Yoga / CB Co-op at Town Hall.
• 12:45 p.m. Bridge at the Senior Center. 641-4529.
• 4-7:30 p.m. Tang Soo Do classes for children and adults with West Elk Martial Arts, Jerry’s Gym at Town Hall. 901-7417.
• 5:30 p.m. Communion Service at Queen of All Saints Catholic Church.
• 5:30-6:45 p.m. Yin Yoga Nidra at Yoga For The Peaceful.
• 5:30-7 p.m. Moms in Motion class at the GVH rehab gym.
• 6:30 p.m. WellBeing Connection Workshop at the CB/Mt. CB Chamber of Commerce.
• 6:30-8 p.m. Women’s Domestic Violence Support Group at Project Hope. Childcare available upon request. 641-2712.
• 6:30-8:30 p.m. Make A Splash Watercolor class, Int/Adv. in the Art Studio at the Gunnison Arts Center. (runs through June 12)
• 7:30 p.m. Open AA at UCC. 349-5711.
• 7:30 p.m. Narcotics Anonymous meets at 114 N. Wisconsin St. in Gunnison.

TUESDAY 13
• 6-7 a.m. Meditation at Yoga For The Peaceful, by donation.
• 7 a.m. Core Class at The Gym. 349-2588.
• 7:30 a.m. AA/Alanon Open at UCC. 349-5711.
• 8:45-10 a.m. Vinyasa at Yoga for the Peaceful.
• 8:45-10 a.m. Vinyasa Flow / CB Co-op at Town Hall.
• 9 a.m., 3:30, 4:30 & 6 p.m. Crested Butte School of Dance: Dance in the Mountains classes in the Pump Room Dance Studio, 3rd and Maroon. (runs through July 29, no classes July 4)
• 10:30-11:45 a.m. Yoga Basics at Yoga for the Peaceful.
• 11:30 a.m. League of Women Voters meeting at 210 W. Spencer in Gunnison.
• noon AA Closed at UCC.
• 12:30-1:30 p.m. Iyengar Yoga at Yoga For The Peaceful.
• 1:30-3:30 p.m. Tech Tuesdays at Old Rock Library. 349-6535.
• 4-5:30 p.m. St. Mary’s Garage, a free thrift store. 300 Belleview, Unit 2, on the south end of 3rd Street. 970-318-6826.
• 5:30 p.m. Communion Service at Queen of All Saints Church.
• 5:30-6:45 p.m. Slow Flow at Yoga For The Peaceful.
• 5:45 p.m. All Levels Iyengar Yoga Class at The Gym. 349-2588.
• 5:45-7 p.m. Gentle Restorative Yoga / CB Co-op at Town Hall.
• 6-8 p.m. Figure Drawing Sessions with a live model in Downtown Crested Butte. 349-7228.
• 7 p.m. Alanon meeting at the Last Resort.
• 7-8:30 p.m. Blessing Way Circle support group at Sopris Women’s Clinic.
720-217-3843.
• 7:45-9:45 p.m. Drop-in Adult Volleyball, CBCS MS Gym.

WEDNESDAY 14
• 6:30 a.m. All Levels Iyengar Yoga Class at The Gym. 349-2588.
• 7:30 a.m. The Crested Butte / Mt. Crested Butte Rotary Club breakfast meeting in the Shavano Conference Room at the Elevation Hotel.
• 8:45 a.m. Mat Mix at The Gym. 349-2588.
• 9 a.m., 3:30, 4:45 & 5:30 p.m. Crested Butte School of Dance: Dance in the Mountains classes in the Pump Room Dance Studio, 3rd and Maroon or the Center for the Arts. (runs through July 29)
• 9-10:30 a.m. Solar Prana Vinyasa Level Open with Monica at Yoga For The
Peaceful.
• 9 a.m.-1 p.m. “Creative Connections with Landscape” hiking, writing and art workshop with Molly Murfee, Ivy Walker and WSCU Extended Studies. 970-444-2218.
• 9:30 a.m. Mah Jong at the Senior Center. 641-4529.
• 9:30 a.m.-2 p.m. Two Buttes Senior Citizens van transportation. Roundtrip to Gunnison. Weather permitting. Call first for schedule and availability. 275-4768.
• 10:15-11:30 a.m. Forrest Yoga / CB Co-op at Town Hall.
• noon Closed AA at UCC.
• noon-1 p.m. Power Yoga / CB Co-op at Town Hall.
• noon-1 p.m. Prana Vinyasa Express Level 1/2 with Stacey at Yoga For The
Peaceful.
• 1-4 p.m. Functional Pottery Single Day Class: Light Switch Covers in the Gunnison Arts Center Clay Studio.
• 3-5 p.m. Sketch Journaling with Cheri Isgreen at the Gunnison Arts Center Art Studio.
• 3:30-5 p.m. ICELab tours at Western State College University with Patrick Rowley.
• 4-7:30 p.m. Tang Soo Do classes for children and adults with West Elk Martial Arts, Jerry’s Gym at Town Hall. 901-7417.
• 5 p.m. An hour of German conversation every Wednesday at Pitas in Paradise.
• 5 p.m. Mass at Queen of All Saints Catholic Church.
• 5:30 p.m. Prenatal Yoga class in Crested Butte South. 349-1209.
• 5:30-7:30 p.m. Adult Ultimate Frisbee pickup at Rainbow Park.
• 6-7:15 p.m. Slow Flow at Yoga For The Peaceful.
• 6:30 p.m. Alanon at UCC Parlour (in back). 4th and Maroon. 349-6482.
• 7-9 p.m. “GriefShare,” a grief recovery seminar and support group, meets at Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church, 711 N. Main St., Gunnison. 970-349-7769.

Events & Entertainment

THURSDAY 8
• 10 a.m. The Science of Positivity with Dr. Loretta Breuning at Townie Books. 349-6535.
• 5:30-8:30 p.m. One Valley Prosperity Project discussing Progress at the ICELab in Escalante Terrace at WSCU. 641-7929.
• 7 p.m. Wild & Scenic Film Festival, a benefit for 1% for Open Space, plays at the Center for the Arts. 349-1775.
• 7 p.m. Renee Wright and Nichole Reycraft play at the Princess Wine Bar.
• 8 p.m. Ladies Night at the Red Room.

FRIDAY 9
• 12:30-3 p.m. Town Picnic at Rainbow Park with community photo at 2 p.m.
• 3:30-8 p.m. Behavioral Health Integration Symposium at the University Center, South Ballroom at WSCU.
• 4 p.m. CBMBA’s annual Membership Meeting at Rainbow Park, Kickoff Party starts at 5:30 p.m.
• 7 p.m. Tyler Hansen plays at the Princess Wine Bar.
• 7-9:30 p.m. Line Dance & Colorado Beer in the Gunnison Arts Center Dance Studio.
• 10 p.m. Liver Down the River plays at the Eldo.

SATURDAY 10
• 9-11 a.m. Crested Butte Cemetary Noxious Weed Pulling Day. 349-5338.
• 10 a.m.-noon Mt. Crested Butte Community Clean Up Day, volunteers meet at the Mt. Crested Butte Pavilion, 911 Gothic Road. 349-6632.
• 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Writers Master Class: Write to Read at the Gunnison Arts Center Studios.
• 10 a.m. CBMBA’s ‘The Wall Workday,’ meet at West Brush TH or 9:15 at the 4-way to carpool. After Party and Raffle at 4 p.m. at Tent City (just beyond West Brush turn)
• 10 a.m. Schools Out for Summer! CB South’s Annual Ice Cream Breakfast Social at Red Mountain Park.
• 1-5 p.m. Father’s Day Paint Your Own Pottery at the Art Studio of the Center for the Arts. 349-7044.
• 7 p.m. Craig McLaughlin plays at the Princess Wine Bar.

SUNDAY 11
• 4:30-6:30 p.m. Gunnison County Democratic Party’s annual Roosevelt Dinner at Donita’s Cantina.
• 6-8 p.m. Sundays @ 6: Marc Berger and Band in Legion Park, Gunnison.
• 7 p.m. Dwayne Dodson plays at the Princess Wine Bar.
• 8 p.m. Magic Dick and Shun Ng play at the Center for the Arts.

MONDAY 12
• 7 p.m. Sohrob plays at the Princess Wine Bar.

TUESDAY 13
• 5:30 p.m. Books-N-Bars: The House of the Spirits by Isael Allende at Iron Horse Tap. 349-6535.
• 7 p.m. Bill Dowell plays at the Princess Wine Bar.

WEDNESDAY 14
• 7 p.m. Mind Your Mountain Manners with Mountain Manners at the Crested Butte Library. 349-6535.
• 7 p.m. The Edmond, OK., Performing Arts Center presents Reclaiming Artistry – dances celebrating life, hope and redemption at the Center for the Arts to benefit Lighthouse Pregnancy Center, Gunnison. 405-264-7061.
• 7 p.m. Evelyn Roper plays at the Princess Wine Bar.
• 10 p.m. Arkansauce plays at the Eldo.

Kid’s Calendar:

THURSDAY 8
• 9 a.m. Munchkin’s Music & Dance Class in the High Attitude Dance Academy in Gunnison.
• 10 a.m. Munchkin’s Music & Dance Class in the High Attitude Dance Academy in Gunnison.
• 4-5:30 p.m. After School at The Trailhead: Paint Like a Famous Artist. (runs through June 8)

FRIDAY 9
• 11 a.m. Big Kids Storytime (ages 3-7) at the Crested Butte Library.
• 4-5 p.m. Tang Soo Do Martial Arts classes for youth with West Elk Martial Arts, Town Hall Fitness Room. 901-7417.

SATURDAY 10
• 1:45-3:45 p.m. Crested Butte Book Binders at the Crested Butte Library, ages 9-13. (every 2nd and 4th Saturday)

MONDAY 12
• 3:45-5 p.m. Messy Mondays for school aged kids at the Crested Butte Library. (kids younger than 8 must be accompanied by an adult)
• 4-7:30 p.m. Tang Soo Do classes for children and adults with West Elk Martial Arts, Jerry’s Gym at Town Hall. 901-7417.
• 4:45 p.m. Tang Soo Do classes for juniors at Town Hall. 901-7417.

TUESDAY 13
• 9:30 a.m. Munchkin’s Music and Dance Class in the Fitness Room at Town Hall. 349-9639.
• 3:45-5 p.m. Tween Scene (ages 9-12) at the Crested Butte Library.
• 4-5:30 p.m. After School at The Trailhead: Advanced Art – Jewelry Making. (runs through June 6)

WEDNESDAY 14
• 9:30 a.m. Munchkin’s Music and Dance Class in the Fitness Room at Town Hall. 349-9639.
• 10-10:45 a.m. Art Babies at The Trailhead Children Musuem. 349-7160.
• 11 a.m. Baby & Toddler Literacy Time at the Crested Butte Library.
• 11:15-12:15 a.m. Toddler Art at The Trailhead Children Musuem. 349-7160.
• 4-5:30 p.m. After School at The Trailhead: Outdoor Art Exploration. (runs through June 7)
• 4-7:30 p.m. Tang Soo Do classes for children and adults with West Elk Martial Arts, Jerry’s Gym at Town Hall. 901-7417.
• 4:45 p.m. Tang Soo Do classes for juniors at Town Hall. 901-7417.

by Than Acuff

Here it was Tuesday morning and I was thinking what was on the agenda this week for sports and, lo’ and behold, one of my least favorite songs of all time, John Fogerty’s Centerfield, was on the radio.

One thought comes to mind when that song comes on: How could someone who was in the classic swamp-rock band Creedence Clearwater Revival (kick-ass name) and had a hand in such bad-ass songs as Run From the Jungle, Born on the Bayou, Proud Mary, Suzie Q, etc., etc. write such cheese as Centerfield?

It was 1985 and, thanks to my older brother’s music taste and his seemingly endless supply of the Devil’s herb, I was firmly entrenched in classic rock appreciation. Then Centerfield came out and I couldn’t wrap my head around how CCR front man John Fogerty could have fallen so far from grace. Not only that but it was less than a year after my beloved Colts left Baltimore, another life-shattering moment. How could Fogerty write Centerfield and how could a professional football team with a rabid fan base just leave town?

At any rate, when Centerfield came on the radio Tuesday morning, I vurped but was then reminded that softball season is upon us and, therefore, it was time to prime the pump of softball stoke.

This Crested Butte tradition has been going on for so long it even outdates the Town Council tenure of Jim “Deli” Schmidt by decades. To which Schmidt can attest because he’s been a part of the local softball scene since the 1970s, complete with separate men’s and women’s fast pitch leagues, short shorts, tube socks and, I can only assume, metal spikes.

Here we are in the summer of 2017 (40 years after Schmidt started playing) and while there are more rules, nicer fields and less leagues, it’s still going strong and still has its host of first-time players, powerful women, self-anointed power hitting men and a handful of former collegiate baseball and softball players who can still actually play the game the way it was meant to be played. Provided they don’t hit the latest nuclear strain of the Devil’s herb too hard before the game.

Note to local pot shops: Develop a series of softball-based strains with names such as the Long Ball (Dude, I was on a long haul with the Long Ball), Can of Corn, Triple Play, Double Play and the Inside the Park Home Run (ITPHR). The ITPHR is a Taurine/caffeine-spiked strain (think Red Bull/sativa) so strong you end up running in circles inside your house.

Where was I? Right—it’s softball season and that can mean only one thing: Open consumption in public places! Wait, no, that’s not it. It means a great way to spend three evenings a week, either watching or playing softball on any one of three of the most scenic fields in the world.

With the local free concert series putting the hurt on the softball season (what a decision, sip Chardonnay on the Center for the Arts field with families or chug Bud Light with your buddies while playing softball. Hmmmm, I’d pick the latter myself), the local league will continue with three nights of ball, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. New this year though is a return to a two-league format. It won’t be comp and rec but rather a Tuesday/Thursday league and a Wednesday league with two titles up for grabs.

“The softball advisory committee talked and we definitely wanted two different leagues,” says recreation supervisor Kyle Thomas. “We’ll have a champion crowned for each.”

Thomas hosted the captain’s meeting last week and there are 17 teams signed up this year, up from 14 last year. Twelve teams are signed up for Tuesdays and Thursdays and five teams are in for the Wednesday league.

Last year saw a historic run by the Avalanche, only to fall to Pita’s O.G. in the finals. Pita’s O.G. title was the culmination of perhaps the only perfect season by any team in the modern age of Crested Butte softball as they ran roughshod through the regular season and the playoffs to take the 2016 title.

While Pita’s is back looking to defend its title and several teams are returning from last year for another season of softball, there are a couple of new teams, including a town staff team as well as a new Crested Butte Mountain Resort team.

Opening night is Tuesday, June 6 with action all over town and will continue until the first week of August.

“All three fields will be rolling,” says Thomas. “Everything is pretty much the same.”

THURSDAY 25
• 7 a.m. Core Class at The Gym. 349-2588.
• 8 a.m. Ecumenical Meditation at UCC.
• 8:30 a.m. Women’s book discussion group at UCC.
• 8:45-10 a.m. Vinyasa at Yoga For The Peaceful.
• 10 a.m. Mothering Support Group at Oh Be Joyful Church. (last Thursday of every month)
• 10:30-11:45 a.m. Yoga Basics at Yoga For The Peaceful.
• 11:30 p.m. Duplicate Bridge at UCC. 349-1008.
• noon All Saints in the Mountain Episcopal Church Community Healing Service at Queen of All Saints Catholic Church. 349-9371.
• noon-1 p.m. BUTI Yoga / CB Co-op at Town Hall.
• 12:30-1:30 p.m. Intro to Prana Vinyasa Level 1 with Monica at Yoga For The
Peaceful.
• 4-5:30 p.m. St. Mary’s Garage, a free thrift store. 300 Belleview, Unit 2, on the south end of 3rd Street. 970-318-6826.
• 4:30-6 p.m. Crested Butte Community Food Bank open at Oh Be Joyful Church. (first and third Thursday of every month)
• 5:30 p.m. Communion Service at Queen of All Saints Catholic Church.
• 5:30-6:45 p.m. Lunar Prana Vinyasa Level Open with Jackie at Yoga For The
Peaceful.
• 5:45 p.m. Zumba at The Gym. 349-2588.
• 5:45-7 p.m. Freestyle Flow / CB Co-op at Town Hall.
• 6:30 p.m. AA Open Meditation at UCC.
• 7 p.m. Women Supporting Women Group Discussion at the Nordic Inn.
• 7:30 p.m. Narcotics Anonymous meets at 114 N. Wisconsin St. in Gunnison.

FRIDAY 26
• 6:30 a.m. All Levels Iyengar Yoga Class at The Gym. 349-2588.
• 7:30 a.m. Barre Class at The Gym. 349-2588.
• 8:30 a.m. Alanon at UCC Parlour (in back). 349-6482.
• 8:45 a.m. Core Power Yoga Class at the Pump Room.
• 8:45-10 a.m. Yoga for the Flexibly Challenged / CB Co-op at Town Hall.
• 9-10:30 a.m. Solar Prana Vinyasa Level 2/3 with Stacey at Yoga For The Peaceful.
• noon Closed AA at UCC.
• noon-1:15 p.m. Restorative Yoga at Yoga For The Peaceful.
• 1 p.m. Art group meets at the Senior Center. 641-4529.
• 4:30-5:30 p.m. Aprés Ski Yoga Level Open at Yoga For The Peaceful.

• 5:30 p.m. Communion Service at Queen of All Saints Catholic Church.
• 6-7 p.m. Poi Playshop at the Pump Room.

SATURDAY 27
• 7-8:15 a.m. Ashtanga Level 2/3 with Joe at Yoga For The Peaceful.
• 7:30 a.m. Open AA at UCC.
• 7:45 a.m. Weights and Indoor Biking Class at The Gym. 349-2588.
• 8:45-10 a.m. Solar Prana Vinyasa Level 2 with Jackie at Yoga For The Peaceful.
• 9 a.m. Shofar Fellowship meets at 1825 N. Hwy. 135, Gunnison. 349-1899.
• 9-10:30 a.m. Community Yoga at the Sanctuary Yoga & Pilates Studio, Gunnison.
• 10-11 a.m. Hip Hop Community Dance Class at the Pump Room (above Fire House on 3rd & Maroon). 415-225-5300.
• 10:30-11:45 a.m. Slow Flow at Yoga For The Peaceful.
• 10:30 a.m.-5 p.m. St. Mary’s Garage, a free thrift store. 300 Belleview, Unit 2, on the south end of 3rd Street. 970-318-6826.
• 11 a.m. Narcotics Anonymous meeting at 114 Wisconsin Street. 970-201-1133.
• 6:30-7:30 p.m. Guided Sound Meditiation at 405 4th Street.

SUNDAY 28
• 7-8 a.m. Meditation at Yoga For The Peaceful, by donation.
• 8:30 a.m. Mass at Queen of All Saints Catholic Church.
• 9 a.m. Worship Service at Oh-Be-Joyful Church.
• 9 a.m. Worship Service at Union Congretional Church. 349-6405.
• 9-10:15 a.m. Slow Flow at Yoga For The Peaceful.
• 9:30-11 a.m. Free Community Class / CB Co-op at Town Hall.
• 4-5:15 p.m. CBCYC Community Book Club at 405 4th Street.
• 5-6 p.m. All Saints in the Mountain Episcopal Eucharist at Queen of All Saints Catholic Church. 349-9371.
• 5-7 p.m. Pick-up Adult Basketball. HS Gym, CBCS.
• 5:30-7 p.m. Restorative Yoga at Yoga For The Peaceful.
• 6 p.m. AA meets at UCC.
• 6 p.m. Evening Service at Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church, 711 N. Main St., Gunnison.
• 6:30 p.m. Duplicate Bridge at UCC. 349-1008.
• 7 p.m. Gamblers Anonymous meets at the Last Resort.

MONDAY 29
• 8:45 a.m. Pilates at The Gym. 349-2588.
• 9-10:30 a.m. Lunar Prana Vinyasa Level 2/3 with Jackie at Yoga For the Peaceful.
• noon-1 p.m. Yoga Basics at Yoga For The Peaceful.
• noon-1 p.m. Lunch Break Power Yoga / CB Co-op at Town Hall.
• 12:45 p.m. Bridge at the Senior Center. 641-4529.
• 4-7:30 p.m. Tang Soo Do classes for children and adults with West Elk Martial Arts, Jerry’s Gym at Town Hall. 901-7417.
• 5 p.m. Mothering Support Group at the GVH Education House, 300 East Denver St. (first Monday of every month)
• 5:30 p.m. Communion Service at Queen of All Saints Catholic Church.
• 5:30-6:45 p.m. Yin Yoga Nidra at Yoga For The Peaceful.
• 5:30-7 p.m. Moms in Motion class at the GVH rehab gym.
• 6:30 p.m. WellBeing Connection Workshop at the CB/Mt. CB Chamber of Commerce.
• 6:30-8 p.m. Women’s Domestic Violence Support Group at Project Hope. Childcare available upon request. 641-2712.
• 6:30-8:30 p.m. Make A Splash Watercolor class, Int/Adv. in the Art Studio at the Gunnison Arts Center. (runs through June 12)
• 7:30 p.m. Open AA at UCC. 349-5711.
• 7:30 p.m. Narcotics Anonymous meets at 114 N. Wisconsin St. in Gunnison.

TUESDAY 30
• 6-7 a.m. Meditation at Yoga For The Peaceful, by donation.
• 7 a.m. Core Class at The Gym. 349-2588.
• 7:30 a.m. AA/Alanon Open at UCC. 349-5711.
• 8:45-10 a.m. Vinyasa at Yoga for the Peaceful.
• 8:45-10 a.m. Vinyasa Flow / CB Co-op at Town Hall.
• 10:30-11:45 a.m. Yoga Basics at Yoga for the Peaceful.
• 11:30 a.m. League of Women Voters meeting at 210 W. Spencer in Gunnison.
• noon AA Closed at UCC.
• 12:30-1:30 p.m. Iyengar Yoga at Yoga For The Peaceful.
• 1:30-3:30 p.m. Tech Tuesdays at Old Rock Library. 349-6535.
• 4-5:30 p.m. St. Mary’s Garage, a free thrift store. 300 Belleview, Unit 2, on the south end of 3rd Street. 970-318-6826.
• 5:30 p.m. Communion Service at Queen of All Saints Church.
• 5:30-6:45 p.m. Slow Flow at Yoga For The Peaceful.
• 5:45 p.m. All Levels Iyengar Yoga Class at The Gym. 349-2588.
• 5:45-7 p.m. Gentle Restorative Yoga / CB Co-op at Town Hall.
• 6-7:30 p.m. Charcoal Drawing with instructor Enid Holden at the Gunnison Arts Center. 641-4029. (runs through May 30, no class 5/16)
• 6-8 p.m. Figure Drawing Sessions with a live model in Downtown Crested Butte. 349-7228.
• 7 p.m. Alanon meeting at the Last Resort.
• 7-8:30 p.m. Blessing Way Circle support group at Sopris Women’s Clinic.
720-217-3843.
• 7:45-9:45 p.m. Drop-in Adult Volleyball, CBCS MS Gym.

WEDNESDAY 31
• 6:30 a.m. All Levels Iyengar Yoga Class at The Gym. 349-2588.
• 7:30 a.m. The Crested Butte / Mt. Crested Butte Rotary Club breakfast meeting in the Shavano Conference Room at the Elevation Hotel.
• 8:45 a.m. Mat Mix at The Gym. 349-2588.
• 9-10:30 a.m. Solar Prana Vinyasa Level Open with Monica at Yoga For The
Peaceful.
• 9:30 a.m. Mah Jong at the Senior Center. 641-4529.
• 9:30 a.m.-2 p.m. Two Buttes Senior Citizens van transportation. Roundtrip to Gunnison. Weather permitting. Call first for schedule and availability. 275-4768.
• 10:15-11:30 a.m. Forrest Yoga / CB Co-op at Town Hall.
• noon Closed AA at UCC.
• noon-1 p.m. Power Yoga / CB Co-op at Town Hall.
• noon-1 p.m. Prana Vinyasa Express Level 1/2 with Stacey at Yoga For The
Peaceful.
• 3:30-5 p.m. ICELab tours at Western State College University with Patrick Rowley.
• 4-7:30 p.m. Tang Soo Do classes for children and adults with West Elk Martial Arts, Jerry’s Gym at Town Hall. 901-7417.
• 5 p.m. An hour of German conversation every Wednesday at Pitas in Paradise.
• 5 p.m. Mass at Queen of All Saints Catholic Church.
• 5:30 p.m. Prenatal Yoga class in Crested Butte South. 349-1209.
• 6-7:15 p.m. Slow Flow at Yoga For The Peaceful.
• 7-9 p.m. “GriefShare,” a grief recovery seminar and support group, meets at Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church, 711 N. Main St., Gunnison. 970-349-7769.
• 7:30 p.m. Alanon at UCC Parlour (in back). 4th and Maroon. 349-6482.

Events & Entertainment

THURSDAY 25
• 10 a.m.- 8 p.m. Chasing the Light Photography Show and Sale at Heddles Recreation Center, Confluence Park in Delta. 970-856-7809.
• 8 p.m. Ramble: The Indians Who Rocked the World plays at the Center for the Arts.
• 8 p.m. Ladies Night at the Red Room.

FRIDAY 26
• 10 a.m.- 8 p.m. Chasing the Light Photography Show and Sale at Heddles Recreation Center, Confluence Park in Delta. 970-856-7809.
• 10:30 a.m.- 12:30 p.m. Book signing with local author Fae-th Davidson and her book, Life as a Mountain Man’s Wife, at Townie Books.
• 5:30-6:30 p.m. Summer Volunteer Info Session at the Adaptive Sports Center (325 Belleview Ave.)
• 7 p.m. Western Slope Chamber Music Series presents “Music for Mud Season” at the Center for the Arts.
• 7 p.m. Monthly Film: Ramble: The Indians Who Rocked the World plays in the Black Box Theatre of the Gunnison Arts Center.
• 10 p.m. Legato plays at the Eldo.

SATURDAY 27
• 8:30-10 a.m. Yoga at the Crested Butte Library with guest instructor Jen Laggis. 349-6535.
• 10 a.m.- 8 p.m. Chasing the Light Photography Show and Sale at Heddles Recreation Center, Confluence Park in Delta. 970-856-7809.
• 10 p.m. Augustus plays at the Eldo.

SUNDAY 28
• 3-6 p.m. Beckett plays Happy Hour on the Eldo deck.

MONDAY 29
• 9:30 a.m. Memorial Day March from Second and Elk to CB Cemetary.
• 1-5 p.m. Memorial Day with the Pete Dunda Band at the Eldo.

Kid’s Calendar:

THURSDAY 25
• 9 a.m. Munchkin’s Music & Dance Class in the High Attitude Dance Academy in Gunnison.
• 10 a.m. Munchkin’s Music & Dance Class in the High Attitude Dance Academy in Gunnison.
• 4-5:30 p.m. After School at The Trailhead: Paint Like a Famous Artist. (runs through June 8)

FRIDAY 26
• 11 a.m. Big Kids Storytime (ages 3-7) at the Crested Butte Library.
• 4-5 p.m. Tang Soo Do Martial Arts classes for youth with West Elk Martial Arts, Town Hall Fitness Room. 901-7417.

SATURDAY 27
• 1:45-3:45 p.m. Crested Butte Book Binders at the Crested Butte Library, ages 9-13. (every 2nd and 4th Saturday)

MONDAY 29
• 3:45-5 p.m. Messy Mondays for school aged kids at the Crested Butte Library. (kids younger than 8 must be accompanied by an adult)
• 4-7:30 p.m. Tang Soo Do classes for children and adults with West Elk Martial Arts, Jerry’s Gym at Town Hall. 901-7417.
• 4:45 p.m. Tang Soo Do classes for juniors at Town Hall. 901-7417.

TUESDAY 30
• 9:30 a.m. Munchkin’s Music and Dance Class in the Fitness Room at Town Hall. 349-9639.
• 4-5:30 p.m. After School at The Trailhead: Advanced Art – Jewelry Making. (runs through June 6)

WEDNESDAY 31
• 9:30 a.m. Munchkin’s Music and Dance Class in the Fitness Room at Town Hall. 349-9639.
• 10-10:45 a.m. Art Babies at The Trailhead Children Musuem. 349-7160.
• 11:15-12:15 a.m. Toddler Art at The Trailhead Children Musuem. 349-7160.
• 4-5:30 p.m. After School at The Trailhead: Outdoor Art Exploration. (runs through June 7)
• 4-7:30 p.m. Tang Soo Do classes for children and adults with West Elk Martial Arts, Jerry’s Gym at Town Hall. 901-7417.
• 4:45 p.m. Tang Soo Do classes for juniors at Town Hall. 901-7417.

There is magic in the orb.

Looking at a photo of Donald Trump and the king of Saudi Arabia stroking a lighted orb in a darkened room was like seeing a snapshot from a 1958 horror movie where the super-villains gather to see the future. If you don’t believe me, just Google it. If the orb can look into the future, let’s see what the orb can tell us about this place.

A local couple wants to open an equestrian facility on a 73-acre parcel near Crested Butte South. Several neighbors obviously hate the idea and have lawyered up to try to stop the Crested Butte Horse Park. It is a bit of a head-scratcher to oppose a horse-centered facility that is pretty much surrounded by ranches. I know it will be a commercial project but unless I am misreading the situation, the proponents have attempted to address the concerns of the neighbors but the neighbors aren’t buying it.

Horses in the American West are not unusual. Many voices have expressed a desire to have a horse facility in the valley. As I drove back up-valley from the meeting where the county staff informed the county Planning Commission that the public hearing on the project would be reopened, horses were grazing all around that piece of property.

There are certainly valid concerns with a commercial development in the location and the details should be thoroughly explored—and it seems they have been. But the overall big picture seems like a good fit there.

There is no doubt that the couple of neighbors living directly next to the proposed facility will be impacted with more activity and all that comes with it. Their concerns are real and should be respected. And it appears that the county and the proponents have respected their concerns and made legitimate moves to address mitigation of the impacts. The proponents have a solid vision for a horse development and continue to soften the impacts.

The orb predicts the neighbors will continue to fight the project but the county will ultimately approve it with conditions. A lawsuit is not out of the question but change happens even here in the upper valley.

Speaking of change: The orb predicts big changes as people enter into Crested Butte.

The Mary Yelenick Park hosted its last toddler this past weekend. What was built in a community barn-raising effort decades ago is being dismantled to make room for an expanded Center or the Arts. Construction of Big Blue will begin soon, with the ceremonial groundbreaking scheduled for June 5. A fresh “Pirate Park” will be constructed to replace the old playground.

The new 38,0000-square-foot Center will help facilitate more community art and that is a good thing for Crested Butte. It does come at a price, as “Big Blue” will swallow some of the green space that welcomes people driving into town. The orb predicts the Center will look larger than what people expect. But everyone will get used to it and it will ultimately be an amenity for those living in the valley. John O’Neal’s recent comment to the council that it will help provide “a richness of life” for people living here was a good one.

At the same time, councilwoman Laura Mitchell deserves a big shout-out for casting a gut-check vote against the Center starting construction immediately because of valid concerns about the financing. The money to build it really isn’t secured and there is no “surety” in case of unexpected circumstances, despite recent promises from the board that there would be. Now, I do have confidence the Center will raise the needed money to complete the project but it is not a 100 percent given. In that situation, with a room full of Center supporters asking the town government to “take a leap faith,” Laura had the biggest cojones on the council and voted her conscience. That’s not always easy to do.

The orb declares that when a government body takes months and months to try to impose some sort of zoning that offends no one, chances are you end up with a pretty flimsy piece of putty because of all the kneading it has gone through. That might be the case with the latest short-term rental (STR) ordinance making its way through the Crested Butte Town Council. The council has changed direction numerous times, pretty much depending on the last person to talk. The fact is, zoning is limiting to property owners and there will be people who do not like it. The council seems to be trying to limit something without hurting homeowners—at least the ones they know. If the council just stops and asks the staff to truly enforce what is on the books, the town will be light years ahead of other communities. With current regs, there are limits in town now and neighborhoods that will be STR-free. That’s huge in the long run. Consider implementing significant licensing fees, give a legit grace period to those with licenses in zones where STRs are not allowed, throw in a 30 percent STR cap in currently allowed zones where it’s at about 28 percent now if you feel the need, and move on. But the orb sees the danger of an eventual STR ordinance that has no immediate impact and feels like an overused piece of putty that puts STRs into every neighborhood in Crested Butte.

The orb sees people—lots of people. And they will be descending on the valley this summer. The U.S. Forest Service has made adjustments in its policies in an effort to help tamp down their impacts. Good on ‘em. The orb has no clear vision on where the county commissioners and the Crested Butte Town Council will fall on the effort to help backcountry management through the CBMBA Conservation Corps and the Peak Protector programs. Immediate efforts to deal with an immediate problem takes immediate money, and those elected officials should follow the lead of the Mt. Crested Butte Town Council and allocate real dollars to the effort this summer while a longer-term plan is prepared. We can’t just talk about addressing major changes—we have to productively deal with those changes.

You don’t need the orb to predict there could be some high water in June. Backcountry skiers report there is still plenty of white in the high mountains and it will melt at some point.

The orb sees a good life in the valley. According to a recent study from the University of Washington, if you live in a Colorado ski resort like, say, Crested Butte, you are probably going to live longer than most other people in the country. “Study after study has shown that where Americans live has a big effect on how long they live. A new study out Monday finds that difference works out to as much as 20 years,” reported NBC News. “The longest life expectancy—up to 87 years—was in central Colorado’s ski country. The lowest—66 years—was found in southwest South Dakota, with other parts of the Dakotas, Appalachia and the Mississippi river basin close behind.”

In case you forgot, Crested Butte is about as central in central Colorado’s ski country as one can get. And it is a pretty good place to spend time. So living longer here is not a chore. The orb predicts that those who choose to reside here will live long and prosper—even as it all continues to change.

—Mark Reaman

THURSDAY 18
• 7 a.m. Core Class at The Gym. 349-2588.
• 8 a.m. Ecumenical Meditation at UCC.
• 8:30 a.m. Women’s book discussion group at UCC.
• 8:45-10 a.m. Vinyasa at Yoga For The Peaceful.
• 10 a.m. Mothering Support Group at Oh Be Joyful Church. (last Thursday of every month)
• 10:30-11:45 a.m. Yoga Basics at Yoga For The Peaceful.
• 11:30 p.m. Duplicate Bridge at UCC. 349-1008.
• noon All Saints in the Mountain Episcopal Church Community Healing Service at Queen of All Saints Catholic Church. 349-9371.
• noon-1 p.m. BUTI Yoga / CB Co-op at Town Hall.
• 12:30-1:30 p.m. Intro to Prana Vinyasa Level 1 with Monica at Yoga For The Peaceful.
• 4-5:30 p.m. St. Mary’s Garage, a free thrift store. 300 Belleview, Unit 2, on the south end of 3rd Street. 970-318-6826.
• 4:30-6 p.m. Crested Butte Community Food Bank open at Oh Be Joyful Church. (first and third Thursday of every month)
• 5:30 p.m. Communion Service at Queen of All Saints Catholic Church.
• 5:30-6:45 p.m. Lunar Prana Vinyasa Level Open with Jackie at Yoga For The
Peaceful.
• 5:45 p.m. Zumba at The Gym. 349-2588.
• 5:45-7 p.m. Freestyle Flow / CB Co-op at Town Hall.
• 6-9 p.m. Adult Creative Clay with Karen Immerso in the Clay Studio at the Gunnison Arts Center. (runs through May 18)
• 6-9 p.m. Watercolor & Wine in the Gunnison Arts Center Main Gallery.
• 6:30 p.m. AA Open Meditation at UCC.
• 7 p.m. Women Supporting Women Group Discussion at the Nordic Inn.
• 7:30 p.m. Narcotics Anonymous meets at 114 N. Wisconsin St. in Gunnison.

FRIDAY 19
• 6:30 a.m. All Levels Iyengar Yoga Class at The Gym. 349-2588.
• 7:30 a.m. Barre Class at The Gym. 349-2588.
• 8:30 a.m. Alanon at UCC Parlour (in back). 349-6482.
• 8:45 a.m. Core Power Yoga Class at the Pump Room.
• 8:45-10 a.m. Yoga for the Flexibly Challenged / CB Co-op at Town Hall.
• 9-10:30 a.m. Solar Prana Vinyasa Level 2/3 with Stacey at Yoga For The Peaceful.
• noon Closed AA at UCC.
• noon-1:15 p.m. Restorative Yoga at Yoga For The Peaceful.
• 1 p.m. Art group meets at the Senior Center. 641-4529.
• 4:30-5:30 p.m. Aprés Ski Yoga Level Open at Yoga For The Peaceful.
• 5:30 p.m. Communion Service at Queen of All Saints Catholic Church.
• 6-7 p.m. Poi Playshop at the Pump Room.

SATURDAY 20
• 7-8:15 a.m. Ashtanga Level 2/3 with Joe at Yoga For The Peaceful.
• 7:30 a.m. Open AA at UCC.
• 7:45 a.m. Weights and Indoor Biking Class at The Gym. 349-2588.
• 8:45-10 a.m. Solar Prana Vinyasa Level 2 with Jackie at Yoga For The Peaceful.
• 9 a.m. Shofar Fellowship meets at 1825 N. Hwy. 135, Gunnison. 349-1899.
• 9-10:30 a.m. Community Yoga at the Sanctuary Yoga & Pilates Studio, Gunnison.
• 10-11 a.m. Hip Hop Community Dance Class at the Pump Room (above Fire House on 3rd & Maroon). 415-225-5300.
• 10:30-11:45 a.m. Slow Flow at Yoga For The Peaceful.
• 10:30 a.m.-5 p.m. St. Mary’s Garage, a free thrift store. 300 Belleview, Unit 2, on the south end of 3rd Street. 970-318-6826.
• 11 a.m. Narcotics Anonymous meeting at 114 Wisconsin Street. 970-201-1133.
• 6:30-7:30 p.m. Guided Sound Meditiation at 405 4th Street.

SUNDAY 21
• 7-8 a.m. Meditation at Yoga For The Peaceful, by donation.
• 8:30 a.m. Mass at Queen of All Saints Catholic Church.
• 9 a.m. Worship Service at Oh-Be-Joyful Church.
• 9 a.m. Worship Service at Union Congretional Church. 349-6405.
• 9-10:15 a.m. Slow Flow at Yoga For The Peaceful.
• 9:30-11 a.m. Free Community Class / CB Co-op at Town Hall.
• 4-5:15 p.m. CBCYC Community Book Club at 405 4th Street.
• 5-6 p.m. All Saints in the Mountain Episcopal Eucharist at Queen of All Saints Catholic Church. 349-9371.
• 5-7 p.m. Pick-up Adult Basketball. HS Gym, CBCS.
• 5:30-7 p.m. Restorative Yoga at Yoga For The Peaceful.
• 6 p.m. AA meets at UCC.
• 6 p.m. Evening Service at Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church, 711 N. Main St., Gunnison.
• 6:30 p.m. Duplicate Bridge at UCC. 349-1008.
• 7 p.m. Gamblers Anonymous meets at the Last Resort.

MONDAY 22
• 8:45 a.m. Pilates at The Gym. 349-2588.
• 9-10:30 a.m. Lunar Prana Vinyasa Level 2/3 with Jackie at Yoga For the Peaceful.
• noon-1 p.m. Yoga Basics at Yoga For The Peaceful.
• noon-1 p.m. Lunch Break Power Yoga / CB Co-op at Town Hall.
• 12:45 p.m. Bridge at the Senior Center. 641-4529.
• 4-7:30 p.m. Tang Soo Do classes for children and adults with West Elk Martial Arts, Jerry’s Gym at Town Hall. 901-7417.
• 5 p.m. Mothering Support Group at the GVH Education House, 300 East Denver St. (first Monday of every month)
• 5:30 p.m. Communion Service at Queen of All Saints Catholic Church.
• 5:30-6:45 p.m. Yin Yoga Nidra at Yoga For The Peaceful.
• 5:30-7 p.m. Moms in Motion class at the GVH rehab gym.
• 6:30 p.m. WellBeing Connection Workshop at the CB/Mt. CB Chamber of Commerce.
• 6:30-8 p.m. Women’s Domestic Violence Support Group at Project Hope. Childcare available upon request. 641-2712.
• 6:30-8:30 p.m. Make A Splash Watercolor class, Int/Adv. in the Art Studio at the Gunnison Arts Center. (runs through June 12)
• 7:30 p.m. Open AA at UCC. 349-5711.
• 7:30 p.m. Narcotics Anonymous meets at 114 N. Wisconsin St. in Gunnison.

TUESDAY 23
• 6-7 a.m. Meditation at Yoga For The Peaceful, by donation.
• 7 a.m. Core Class at The Gym. 349-2588.
• 7:30 a.m. AA/Alanon Open at UCC. 349-5711.
• 8:45-10 a.m. Vinyasa at Yoga for the Peaceful.
• 8:45-10 a.m. Vinyasa Flow / CB Co-op at Town Hall.
• 10:30-11:45 a.m. Yoga Basics at Yoga for the Peaceful.
• 11:30 a.m. League of Women Voters meeting at 210 W. Spencer in Gunnison.
• noon AA Closed at UCC.
• 12:30-1:30 p.m. Iyengar Yoga at Yoga For The Peaceful.
• 1:30-3:30 p.m. Tech Tuesdays at Old Rock Library. 349-6535.
• 4-5:30 p.m. St. Mary’s Garage, a free thrift store. 300 Belleview, Unit 2, on the south end of 3rd Street. 970-318-6826.
• 5:30 p.m. Communion Service at Queen of All Saints Church.
• 5:30-6:45 p.m. Slow Flow at Yoga For The Peaceful.
• 5:45 p.m. All Levels Iyengar Yoga Class at The Gym. 349-2588.
• 5:45-7 p.m. Gentle Restorative Yoga / CB Co-op at Town Hall.
• 6-7:30 p.m. Charcoal Drawing with instructor Enid Holden at the Gunnison Arts Center. 641-4029. (runs through May 30, no class 5/16)
• 6-8 p.m. Figure Drawing Sessions with a live model in Downtown Crested Butte. 349-7228.
• 7 p.m. Alanon meeting at the Last Resort.
• 7-8:30 p.m. Blessing Way Circle support group at Sopris Women’s Clinic.
720-217-3843.
• 7:45-9:45 p.m. Drop-in Adult Volleyball, CBCS MS Gym.

WEDNESDAY 24
• 6:30 a.m. All Levels Iyengar Yoga Class at The Gym. 349-2588.
• 7:30 a.m. The Crested Butte / Mt. Crested Butte Rotary Club breakfast meeting in the Shavano Conference Room at the Elevation Hotel.
• 8:45 a.m. Mat Mix at The Gym. 349-2588.
• 9-10:30 a.m. Solar Prana Vinyasa Level Open with Monica at Yoga For The
Peaceful.
• 9:30 a.m. Mah Jong at the Senior Center. 641-4529.
• 9:30 a.m.-2 p.m. Two Buttes Senior Citizens van transportation. Roundtrip to Gunnison. Weather permitting. Call first for schedule and availability. 275-4768.
• 10:15-11:30 a.m. Forrest Yoga / CB Co-op at Town Hall.
• noon Closed AA at UCC.
• noon-1 p.m. Power Yoga / CB Co-op at Town Hall.
• noon-1 p.m. Prana Vinyasa Express Level 1/2 with Stacey at Yoga For The
Peaceful.
• 3:30-5 p.m. ICELab tours at Western State College University with Patrick Rowley.
• 4-7:30 p.m. Tang Soo Do classes for children and adults with West Elk Martial Arts, Jerry’s Gym at Town Hall. 901-7417.
• 5 p.m. An hour of German conversation every Wednesday at Pitas in Paradise.
• 5 p.m. Mass at Queen of All Saints Catholic Church.
• 5:30 p.m. Prenatal Yoga class in Crested Butte South. 349-1209.
• 6-7:15 p.m. Slow Flow at Yoga For The Peaceful.
• 7-9 p.m. “GriefShare,” a grief recovery seminar and support group, meets at Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church, 711 N. Main St., Gunnison. 970-349-7769.
• 7:30 p.m. Alanon at UCC Parlour (in back). 4th and Maroon. 349-6482.

Events & Entertainment

THURSDAY 18
• 4:30-6:30 p.m. BikeLife: A community bike party at the north entrance of Gunnison Valley Health, 411 N. Taylor St.
• 5:30 p.m. Casual hour and cold beer for ICELab’s first round of Storytellers: Ian Glas & Andris Zobs at the ICECafé.
• 8 p.m. Ladies Night at the Red Room.

FRIDAY 19
• 6 p.m. Locals Appreciation Party at the Talk of the Town. 349-6809.

SATURDAY 20
• 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Mr. Jingles’ 12th Birthday Party Bash & fundraiser for Abe Fischer and his family at True Value.
• 2-5 p.m. Colorado Public Lands Day. Take an agricultural tour of public lands across the Gunnison Valley, meet at the Four-way stop at 1:45 p.m. for carpool or van transport.
• 6 p.m. Runway Fashion Show “Out of this World” in the Main Gallery at the Gunnison Arts Center.
• 10 p.m. Sweet Lillies play at the Eldo.

SUNDAY 21
• 10 a.m. De-poo the Butte.
• 9 p.m. Ruby Dee and the Snakehandlers play at the Eldo.

MONDAY 22
• 6-8:30 p.m. Choice Pass Dinner: “Talking to youth about adult/parent substance use” in the CBCS Multipurpose room.
• 6:30 p.m. WellBeing Connection Workshop and potluck to explore how to “use the force” to your benefit at the CB Chamber of Commerce. 596-5386.
• 8 p.m. Open Mic Night at the Eldo.

TUESDAY 23
• 6-8:30 p.m. Choice Pass Dinner: “Talking to youth about adult/parent substance use” at the Fred Field Center in Gunnison.

Kid’s Calendar:

THURSDAY 18
• 9 a.m. Munchkin’s Music & Dance Class in the High Attitude Dance Academy in Gunnison.
• 10 a.m. Munchkin’s Music & Dance Class in the High Attitude Dance Academy in Gunnison.
• 4-5:30 p.m. After School at The Trailhead: Paint Like a Famous Artist. (runs through June 8)

FRIDAY 19
• 11 a.m. Big Kids Storytime (ages 3-7) at the Crested Butte Library.
• 4-5 p.m. Tang Soo Do Martial Arts classes for youth with West Elk Martial Arts, Town Hall Fitness Room. 901-7417.

SATURDAY 20
• 1:45-3:45 p.m. Crested Butte Book Binders at the Crested Butte Library, ages 9-13. (every 2nd and 4th Saturday)

MONDAY 22
• 3:45-5 p.m. Messy Mondays for school aged kids at the Crested Butte Library. (kids younger than 8 must be accompanied by an adult)
• 4-7:30 p.m. Tang Soo Do classes for children and adults with West Elk Martial Arts, Jerry’s Gym at Town Hall. 901-7417.
• 4:45 p.m. Tang Soo Do classes for juniors at Town Hall. 901-7417.

TUESDAY 23
• 9:30 a.m. Munchkin’s Music and Dance Class in the Fitness Room at Town Hall. 349-9639.
• 3:45-5 p.m. Tween Scene (ages 9-12) at the Crested Butte Library.
• 4-5:30 p.m. After School at The Trailhead: Advanced Art – Jewelry Making. (runs through June 6)

WEDNESDAY 24
• 9:30 a.m. Munchkin’s Music and Dance Class in the Fitness Room at Town Hall. 349-9639.
• 10-10:45 a.m. Art Babies at The Trailhead Children Musuem. 349-7160.
• 11 a.m. Baby & Toddler Literacy Time at the Crested Butte Library.
• 11:15-12:15 a.m. Toddler Art at The Trailhead Children Musuem. 349-7160.
• 4-5:30 p.m. After School at The Trailhead: Outdoor Art Exploration. (runs through June 7)
• 4-7:30 p.m. Tang Soo Do classes for children and adults with West Elk Martial Arts, Jerry’s Gym at Town Hall. 901-7417.
• 4:45 p.m. Tang Soo Do classes for juniors at Town Hall. 901-7417.

A handful of trails ready to ride, but many more still need time

By Aimee Eaton

Despite a recent winter weather advisory, it is spring in the valley and many favorite trails are beginning to melt out with a few even supporting fully rideable conditions.

Many more, however, remain wet, muddy or partially covered in snow. These trails should be avoided until conditions allow.

“People should know that what they do now may impact a trail for the entire season, or beyond,” said Crested Butte Mountain Bike Association executive director Dave Ochs. “If you can see your tracks, your footprint, your impact—you probably shouldn’t be there. Even if the trail is 97 percent clear, walking around or riding around a big snow patch leaves a footprint—and a bad image for our sport and recreation in general.”

Human-caused erosion and trail degradation can be harmful to the surrounding environment, and when taken too far can be a source of tension between landowners and managers and the recreation community.

Several trails throughout the valley have experienced temporary closures due to trail braiding and excessive resource impacts. One of the easiest ways to avoid these situations is to stay off wet and muddy trails, said land managers from the Gunnison National Forest.

“If you have to ride wet and not yet thawed trails, please don’t go around—ride right in the middle—stay on the existing alignment,” added Ochs.

In an effort to keep riders and recreators off of trails that aren’t ready for use, CBMBA is regularly updating the trail conditions portion of its website.

As of midweek rideable trails close to town included Tony’s Trail, Upper Loop, Whetstone Vista and Bridges/Upper Decker. Around Crested Butte South, the Caves and Walrod Cutoff were riding, as well as the lower section of Lower Cement Creek Trail.

Up on the mountain, Crested Butte Mountain Resort Bike and Terrain Parks manager Alyosha Paden said riders still must wait for trails.

“The trails are melting but are at a critical transformation stage as they recover from the deep winter snow blanket,” said Paden. “Our trail crew will immediately begin maintenance on them to prep for opening, as the dirt begins to surface. We ask that you please respect the closures and stay off all trails at the resort until we officially open.”

The CBMR bike trails will open for the summer on June 10. At that time emergency services and bike patrol will also be in effect.

While riders are exploring open trails and waiting for the rest of the valley and high country to melt out, CBMBA is asking for anyone with on-the-ground observations of trail conditions, downed trees, wildlife and more to get in touch through the observation page of the CBMBA website.

“We’re on the lookout for everything!” said Ochs. “Our ‘observation’ page is easy to find on our website, along with trail reports and info, trail etiquette, and how to get more involved.”

One more note: Should the weather turn toward snow and rain, use common sense on trails that are now “open.” If tire tracks and footprints are showing up on the trails, it might mean waiting a few more days to ride, or shaving legs, donning the spandex and taking the skinny tires out for a spin.

You know that eating a big piece of chocolate cake—even “the most beautiful piece of chocolate cake that you’ve ever seen,” as described by our fearless leader in Mar-a-Lago as he sent missiles into a foreign country—can be too much of a good thing. That cake sure can taste really good at the time but if that’s all you had, you would soon regret the most beautiful piece of chocolate cake that you’ve ever seen.

So it is with this off-season. There is a legit reason those who stayed in town this month continuously extoll the wonders of the slowest Crested Butte weeks of the year. The weather has been great, the streets are empty and the vibe is light and mellow. Alissa Johnson wrote about it in last week’s News. Any mid-timer in town this week with a Facebook page is telling all their friends how this is the time of year they are taken back to the “old days,” where Crested Butte life was simpler, slower and sweeter. But if it was all we had, you might start not liking the most beautiful piece of chocolate cake that you’ve ever seen.

I experienced a slice of off-season nirvana this week as the school break sent families to the beach, desert or foreign cities making a quiet valley quieter.

As I left a very quiet office Monday afternoon, there were plenty of places to park on Elk Avenue. The patios and decks had activity but town was really quiet. There weren’t many vehicles on Highway 135 to Gunnison. Late afternoon riding at Hartman’s was pretty solitary except for a few like-minded riders heading to or from the parking lot. A mama bear and her growing cub standing alongside the road, a herd of bighorn sheep and some mule deer were pretty much the only mammals encountered on the way back to the Butte. I was loving it.

Off-season is pretty special in the north part of the valley. On good spring days—sunny and 60 and with the truly committed hanging around—there are few better places to be. Of course I was in Sedona the previous week so I understand there is something special about taking a transition break between winter and summer. There is little reason in my mind to, as many local politicos voice, “try to fill up all the shoulder seasons” in Crested Butte. Those shoulder seasons have already shrunk and while few (trust-funders excepted) could or would really want to survive 365 days of off-season, they help keep the place special—and sane.

Still, the contrast with the more, more, more clique is striking. More can be okay but not always better. More people in the Slate River Valley this July is not better. More traffic on 135 or 401 over the Fourth of July with the hope of possibly selling one more rubber tomahawk is not necessarily better. And my concern is not so much the change in amenities like the school or new trails but rather the change in attitude where more, more, more is the constant mantra. Someone sent me a quote this week from psychologist Erich Fromm: “Greed is a bottomless pit which exhausts the person in an endless effort to satisfy the need without ever reaching satisfaction.”

Lately, I’m afraid I smell more of a desire for the bottomless pit and more of an aggressive attitude to hire a lawyer to try to fill that pit if you can’t get what you want—now. It’s about “me” more than the “community.” It’s about money more than the time. It’s about more instead of the quality. It’s exhausting.

Change is unavoidable and while some of the change certainly hurts, other changes have brought good things. Without change, the children would be bused to Gunnison for school, there would be no radio station and the restaurant and coffee shop choices would be far fewer.

So while these next few weeks will be a time to catch up and breathe, understand that too much of a good thing—whether it is too much slow off-season or too much busyness in a resort town—is not really sustainable. It would be too much beautiful chocolate cake. And to try to fill a bottomless pit with too much chocolate cake would be a disaster on either end of the spectrum. Balance.

In the meantime, being able to make a U-turn on an empty highway to get a closer look at that mama and her cub was an off-season treat better than any piece of beautiful chocolate cake.

—Mark Reaman

THURSDAY 30
• 7 a.m. Core Class at The Gym. 349-2588.
• 8 a.m. Ecumenical Meditation at UCC.
• 8:30 a.m. Women’s book discussion group at UCC.
• 8:45 a.m. Indoor Biking at The Gym. 349-2588.
• 8:45-10 a.m. Vinyasa at Yoga For The Peaceful.
• 8:45-10 a.m. Vinyasa Flow / CB Co-op at Town Hall.
• 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Gunnison County Branch Office is open at the Crested Butte Town Offices.
• 10 a.m. Mothering Support Group at Oh Be Joyful Church. (last Thursday of every month)
• 10:30-11:45 a.m. Yoga Basics at Yoga For The Peaceful.
• 11:30 p.m. Duplicate Bridge at UCC. 349-1008.
• noon All Saints in the Mountain Episcopal Church Community Healing Service at Queen of All Saints Catholic Church. 349-9371.
• noon-1 p.m. BUTI Yoga / CB Co-op at Town Hall.
• 12:30-1:30 p.m. Intro to Prana Vinyasa Level 1 with Monica at Yoga For The Peaceful.
• 4-5:30 p.m. St. Mary’s Garage, a free thrift store. 300 Belleview, Unit 2, on the south end of 3rd Street. 970-318-6826.
• 4:30-6 p.m. Crested Butte Community Food Bank open at Oh Be Joyful Church. (first and third Thursday of every month)
• 5:30 p.m. Communion Service at Queen of All Saints Catholic Church.
• 5:30-6:45 p.m. Lunar Prana Vinyasa Level Open with Jackie at Yoga For The
Peaceful.
• 5:30-7:30 p.m. Exploring Collage at the Art Studio of the Center for the Arts 349-7044. (Thursdays through April 27)
• 5:45 p.m. Zumba at The Gym. 349-2588.
• 5:45-7 p.m. Evening Flow / CB Co-op at Town Hall.
• 6:30 p.m. AA Open Meditation at UCC.
• 6:30-8:30 p.m. ReCreations Painting Event: Van Gogh “Sunflowers” with Jennifer Vannatta in the Main Gallery at the Gunnison Arts Center.
• 7 p.m. Women Supporting Women Group Discussion at the Nordic Inn.
• 7:30 p.m. Narcotics Anonymous meets at 114 N. Wisconsin St. in Gunnison.
• 7:30-8:30 p.m. Merengue Dance in the Dance Studio at the Gunnison Arts Center. (runs through April 20)

FRIDAY 31
• 6:30 a.m. All Levels Iyengar Yoga Class at The Gym. 349-2588.
• 7:30 a.m. Barre Class at The Gym. 349-2588.
• 8:30 a.m. Alanon at UCC Parlour (in back). 349-6482.
• 8:45 a.m. Core Power Yoga Class at the Pump Room.
• 8:45-10 a.m. Yoga for the Flexibly Challenged / CB Co-op at Town Hall.
• 9-10:30 a.m. Solar Prana Vinyasa Level 2/3 with Stacey at Yoga For The
Peaceful.
• 9 a.m.-noon Open Clay Workshops at the Art Studio of the Center for the Arts. 349-7044. (runs through March 31)
• 10-10:45 a.m. First Steps Dance Class in the Dance Studio at the Gunnison Arts Center. (runs through May 5)
• noon Closed AA at UCC.
• noon-1 p.m. Vinyasa Flow / CB Co-op at Town Hall.
• noon-1:15 p.m. Restorative Yoga at Yoga For The Peaceful.
• 1 p.m. Art group meets at the Senior Center. 641-4529.
• 4:30-5:30 p.m. Aprés Ski Yoga Level Open at Yoga For The Peaceful.
• 5:15-6:15 p.m. Freestyle Flow / CB Co-op at Town Hall.
• 5:30 p.m. Communion Service at Queen of All Saints Catholic Church.
• 5:30-8:30 p.m. Splatter Paint & Soda: Teen AND Series Event in the Art Studio at the Gunnison Arts Center.
• 6-7 p.m. Poi Playshop at the Pump Room.

SATURDAY 1
• 7-8:15 a.m. Ashtanga Level 2/3 with Joe at Yoga For The Peaceful.
• 7:30 a.m. Open AA at UCC.
• 7:45 a.m. Weights and Indoor Biking Class at The Gym. 349-2588.
• 8:45-10 a.m. Solar Prana Vinyasa Level 2 with Jackie at Yoga For The Peaceful.
• 9 a.m. Shofar Fellowship meets at 1825 N. Hwy. 135, Gunnison. 349-1899.
• 9-10 a.m. Core Power / CB Co-op at Town Hall.
• 9-10:30 a.m. Community Yoga at the Sanctuary Yoga & Pilates Studio, Gunnison.
• 9 a.m.-noon Open Sewing Workshops at the Art Studio of the Center for the Arts. 349-7044. (runs through April 1)
• 10-11 a.m. Hip Hop Community Dance Class at the Pump Room (above Fire House on 3rd & Maroon). 415-225-5300.
• 10:30-11:45 a.m. Slow Flow at Yoga For The Peaceful.
• 10:30 a.m.-5 p.m. St. Mary’s Garage, a free thrift store. 300 Belleview, Unit 2, on the south end of 3rd Street. 970-318-6826.
• 11 a.m. Narcotics Anonymous meeting at 114 Wisconsin Street. 970-201-1133.
• 6:30-7:30 p.m. Guided Sound Meditiation at 405 4th Street.

SUNDAY 2
• 7-8 a.m. Meditation at Yoga For The Peaceful, by donation.
• 8:30 a.m. Mass at Queen of All Saints Catholic Church.
• 9 a.m. Worship Service at Oh-Be-Joyful Church.
• 9 a.m. Worship Service at Union Congretional Church. 349-6405.
• 9-10:15 a.m. Slow Flow at Yoga For The Peaceful.
• 9:30-11 a.m. Free Class / CB Co-op at Town Hall.
• 4-5:15 p.m. CBCYC Community Book Club at 405 4th Street.
• 5-6 p.m. All Saints in the Mountain Episcopal Eucharist at Queen of All Saints Catholic Church. 349-9371.
• 5-7 p.m. Pick-up Adult Basketball. HS Gym, CBCS.
• 5:30-7 p.m. Restorative Yoga at Yoga For The Peaceful.
• 6 p.m. AA meets at UCC.
• 6 p.m. Evening Service at Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church, 711 N. Main St., Gunnison.
• 6:30 p.m. Duplicate Bridge at UCC. 349-1008.
• 7 p.m. Gamblers Anonymous meets at the Last Resort.

MONDAY 3
• 7 a.m. Barre Class at The Gym. 349-2588.
• 8:45 a.m. Pilates at The Gym. 349-2588.
• 8:45-10 a.m. Vinyasa Flow / CB Co-op at Town Hall.
• 9-10:30 a.m. Lunar Prana Vinyasa Level 2/3 with Jackie at Yoga For the
Peaceful.
• 10:15-11:45 a.m. Hatha Yoga / CB Co-op at Town Hall.
• noon-1 p.m. Yoga Basics at Yoga For The Peaceful.
• noon-1 p.m. Lunch Break Therapeutic Yoga / CB Co-op at Town Hall.
• 12:45 p.m. Bridge at the Senior Center. 641-4529.
• 4-7:30 p.m. Tang Soo Do classes for children and adults with West Elk Martial Arts, Jerry’s Gym at Town Hall. 901-7417.
• 5 p.m. Mothering Support Group at the GVH Education House, 300 East Denver St. (first Monday of every month)
• 5:15-6:15 p.m. Hatha Yoga / CB Co-op at Town Hall.
• 5:30 p.m. Communion Service at Queen of All Saints Catholic Church.
• 5:30-6:45 p.m. Yin Yoga Nidra at Yoga For The Peaceful.
• 5:30-7 p.m. Moms in Motion class at the GVH rehab gym.
• 5:30-7:30 p.m. Portrait Painting at the Art Studio of the Center for the Arts. 349-7044. (runs through April 10)
• 5:45 p.m. Boot Camp at The Gym. 349-2588.
• 6:15-6:45 p.m. Free Sound Meditation / CB Co-op at Town Hall.
• 6:30-8 p.m. Women’s Domestic Violence Support Group at Project Hope. Childcare available upon request. 641-2712.
• 7:30 p.m. Open AA at UCC. 349-5711.
• 7:30 p.m. Narcotics Anonymous meets at 114 N. Wisconsin St. in Gunnison.

TUESDAY 4
• 6-7 a.m. Meditation at Yoga For The Peaceful, by donation.
• 7 a.m. Core Class at The Gym. 349-2588.
• 7:30 a.m. AA/Alanon Open at UCC. 349-5711.
• 8:45 a.m. Indoor Biking at The Gym. 349-5288.
• 8:45-10 a.m. Vinyasa at Yoga for the Peaceful.
• 8:45-10 a.m. Vinyasa Flow / CB Co-op at Town Hall.
• 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Gunnison County branch office is open at the Crested Butte Town Offices, 507 Maroon Ave.
• 10:15-11:45 a.m. Hatha Yoga / CB Co-op at Town Hall.
• 10:30-11:45 a.m. Yoga Basics at Yoga for the Peaceful.
• 11:30 a.m. League of Women Voters meeting at 210 W. Spencer in Gunnison.
• noon AA Closed at UCC.
• noon-1 p.m. Ashtanga Vinyasa / CB Co-op at Town Hall.
• 12:30-1:30 p.m. Iyengar Yoga at Yoga For The Peaceful.
• 1:30-3:30 p.m. Tech Tuesdays at Old Rock Library. 349-6535.
• 4-5:30 p.m. St. Mary’s Garage, a free thrift store. 300 Belleview, Unit 2, on the south end of 3rd Street. 970-318-6826.
• 5:30 p.m. Communion Service at Queen of All Saints Church.
• 5:30-6:45 p.m. Slow Flow at Yoga For The Peaceful.
• 5:45 p.m. All Levels Iyengar Yoga Class at The Gym. 349-2588.
• 5:45-7 p.m. Gentle Restorative Yoga / CB Co-op at Town Hall.
• 6-8 p.m. Figure Drawing Sessions with a live model in Downtown Crested Butte. 349-7228.
• 6:30-8:30 p.m. Painting with Bren Corn in the Art Studio at the Gunnison Arts Center. (runs through April 25)
• 7 p.m. Alanon meeting at the Last Resort.
• 7-8:30 p.m. Blessing Way Circle support group at Sopris Women’s Clinic.
720-217-3843.
• 7:15-8:15 p.m. Dharma Punx Meditation / CB Co-op at 405 6th Street.
• 7:45-9:45 p.m. Drop-in Adult Volleyball, CBCS MS Gym.

WEDNESDAY 5
• 6:30 a.m. All Levels Iyengar Yoga Class at The Gym. 349-2588.
• 7:30 a.m. The Crested Butte / Mt. Crested Butte Rotary Club breakfast meeting in the Shavano Conference Room at the Elevation Hotel.
• 8:45 a.m. Mat Mix at The Gym. 349-2588.
• 8:45-10 a.m. Kundalini Yoga / CB Co-op at Town Hall.
• 9-10:30 a.m. Solar Prana Vinyasa Level Open with Monica at Yoga For The
Peaceful.
• 9:30 a.m. Mah Jong at the Senior Center. 641-4529.
• 9:30 a.m.-2 p.m. Two Buttes Senior Citizens van transportation. Roundtrip to Gunnison. Weather permitting. Call first for schedule and availability. 275-4768.
• 10:15-11:30 a.m. Forrest Yoga / CB Co-op at Town Hall.
• noon Closed AA at UCC.
• noon-1 p.m. Power Yoga / CB Co-op at Town Hall.
• noon-1 p.m. Prana Vinyasa Express Level 1/2 with Stacey at Yoga For The
Peaceful.
• 1-2 p.m. Tai Chi at Town Hall. 349-7197.
• 4-7:30 p.m. Tang Soo Do classes for children and adults with West Elk Martial Arts, Jerry’s Gym at Town Hall. 901-7417.
• 5 p.m. Mass at Queen of All Saints Catholic Church.
• 5:15-6:15 p.m. Hatha Yoga / CB Co-op at Town Hall.
• 5:30 p.m. Prenatal Yoga class in Crested Butte South. 349-1209.
• 5:30-7:30 p.m. Metalworking at the Art Studio of the Center for the Arts. 349-7044. (runs through April 12)
• 5:45 p.m. Boot Camp at The Gym. 349-2588.
• 6-7:15 p.m. Slow Flow at Yoga For The Peaceful.
• 7-9 p.m. “GriefShare,” a grief recovery seminar and support group, meets at Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church, 711 N. Main St., Gunnison. 970-349-7769.
• 7:30 p.m. Alanon at UCC Parlour (in back). 4th and Maroon. 349-6482.

Kid’s Calendar

THURSDAY 30
• 9 a.m. Munchkin’s Music & Dance Class in the High Attitude Dance Academy in Gunnison.
• 10 a.m. Munchkin’s Music & Dance Class in the High Attitude Dance Academy in Gunnison.
• 10-11:30 a.m. Tumblebugs in Jerry’s Gym in Town Hall (ages 4 & under) 349-7197.

FRIDAY 31
• 11 a.m. Big Kids Storytime for ages 3 and up at the Crested Butte Library.
• 2:15-3:30 p.m. Art Start for Toddlers in the Art Studio at the Gunnison Arts Center.
• 4-5 p.m. Tang Soo Do Martial Arts classes for youth with West Elk Martial Arts, Town Hall Fitness Room. 901-7417.

SATURDAY 1
• 1:45-3:45 p.m. Crested Butte Book Binders at the Crested Butte Library, ages 9-13. (every 2nd and 4th Saturday)

MONDAY 3
• 3:45-5 p.m. Messy Mondays for school aged kids at the Crested Butte Library. (kids younger than 8 must be accompanied by an adult)
• 4-7:30 p.m. Tang Soo Do classes for children and adults with West Elk Martial Arts, Jerry’s Gym at Town Hall. 901-7417.
• 4:15-5:15 p.m. Arting Around Class for ages 6-12 in the Art Studio at the Gunnison Arts Center.
• 4:45 p.m. Tang Soo Do classes for juniors at Town Hall. 901-7417.

TUESDAY 4
• 9:30 a.m. Munchkin’s Music and Dance Class in the Fitness Room at Town Hall. 349-9639.
• 3:45-5 p.m. Tween Scene (ages 8-12) at the Crested Butte Library.
• 4-6 p.m. TADA! The Oz Monologues – A Children’s Theatre Camp for ages 8-16 in the Black Box Theatre at the Gunnison Arts Center. (runs through May 13)
• 4:15-5:15 p.m. Mud Puppies Clay Class for ages 5-7 in the Clay Studio at the Gunnison Arts Center. (runs through May 9)

WEDNESDAY 5
• 9:30 a.m. Munchkin’s Music and Dance Class in the Fitness Room at Town Hall. 349-9639.
• 10-10:45 a.m. Art Babies at The Trailhead Children Musuem. 349-7160.
• 11 a.m. Baby & Toddler Literacy Time at the Crested Butte Library.
• 11:15-12:15 a.m. Toddler Art at The Trailhead Children Musuem. 349-7160.
• 4-7:30 p.m. Tang Soo Do classes for children and adults with West Elk Martial Arts, Jerry’s Gym at Town Hall. 901-7417.
• 4:15-6 p.m. Mud Makers Clay Class for ages 8-15 in the Clay Studio at the Gunnison Arts Center. (runs through May 10)
• 4:45 p.m. Tang Soo Do classes for juniors at Town Hall. 901-7417.

Events & Entertainment

THURSDAY 30
• 2 p.m. Novel Tea discusses The Man Who Quit Money at the Crested Butte Library. 349-6535.
• 4:30-7 p.m. Colorado Parks and Wildlife to present the proposed 2017 big-game license allocations for the Gunnison Basin at the Fred Field Center.
• 5:30 p.m. Crested Butte/Mt. Crested Butte Chamber Business After Hours Mixer at the Crested Butte Library.  349-6438.
• 8 p.m. Ladies Night at the Red Room.

FRIDAY 31
• 8 p.m. KBUT Soul Train Night featuring DJ Triple L in the lower lobby of the Elevation Hotel.
• 10 p.m. AmoraAmora plays at the Eldo.

SATURDAY 1
• 4:30 p.m. Winter Chainless Downhill Race down Lower Keystone at CBMR.
• 5 p.m. CB Unplugged: Hayes Carll plays at the base area of CBMR.
• 8 p.m. Alan Ray & the Coconut Telegraph plays at the Center for the Arts.
• 10 p.m. Dead Head Ed’s End of the Season Bash with Shakedown Street at the Eldo.

SUNDAY 2
• 8 a.m.-noon Food Pantry Donation Day at CBMR. Donate three cans of non-perishable, non-expired foor or one pack of diapers for a $45 lift ticket.
• 2-3:30 p.m. Town Race Series: Giant Slalom Final Race on Buckley at CBMR to benefit the CB Snowsports Foundation. 349-2217.

MONDAY 3
• 5:30 p.m. Financial Literacy Series #3: Retirement Savings Vehicles at the Crested Butte Community School, Room D105. 349-6535.
• 7-9 p.m. Late Night Study Hours of PSAT/SAT at the Crested Butte Library. 349-6535.

TUESDAY 4
• 9 a.m. Socrates Cafe at the Crested Butte Library. 349-6535.
• 6:30-9:30 a.m. Gunnison Valley Health holds early blood testing at the Fred Field Building in Gunnison. 642-8418.
• 6-9 p.m. Easter Paint Your Own Pottery with the Art Studio at Montanya Distillers. 349-7044.
• 7 p.m. Sustainable CB and CBCS National Honor Sociey are co-sponsoring a showing of Tapped at the Center for the Arts.

WEDNESDAY 5
• 6:30-9:30 a.m. Gunnison Valley Heath holds early blood testing at the Fred Field Building in Gunnison. 642-8418.
• 12:30 p.m. ICELab Innovators presents speaker Jeremy Neuner on the Escalante Terrace at WSCU.
• 5:30 p.m. Philosophy on Tap at the Brick Oven. 349-6535.
• 7 p.m. Book reading with Mark Sundeen, author of The Man Who Quit Money and The Unsettlers at the Crested Butte Library. 349-6535.
• 7 p.m. Crested Butte Historic Slideshow featuring Dr. Duane Vandenbusche and George Sibley at the Talk of the Town.
• 7:30 p.m. Move the Butte Video Showing at the Majestic Theater.

“We patronize the animals for their incompleteness, for their tragic fate of having taken form so far below ourselves. And therein we err, and greatly err. For the animal shall not be measured by man. In a world older and more complete than ours, they move finished and complete, gifted with extensions of the senses that we have lost or never attained, listening to voices that we shall never hear. They are not brethren, they are not underlings; they are other nations, caught with ourselves in the net of life and time, fellow prisoners of the splendor and travail of the earth.”

—Henry Beston, The Outermost House

There’s a reason for the phrase “working like a dog.” There’s a type of dog that goes beyond the best friends, constant companions, and family members of house pets—they’re working dogs, entirely focused on their jobs. From assist dogs to avalanche dogs, ranch dogs to mushers, covering a diverse variety of breeds, all are highly trained.

First, What is a Service Dog?

There’s a distinction between the behavior of actual service dogs and what might be considered impostors. A true service dog is trained to become essentially invisible and their assistance to their owner is indispensable.

On the other hand, a pet whose owner merely ordered and paid for a service animal vest and the accompanying identification card online so their animal could pose as a service dog, might bark, urinate, disrupt, and even attack other pets and people in public.

Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), it’s a federal crime to represent a dog as a service animal if it is not.

The law says people entering businesses with animals can be asked just two questions: Is this a service dog? What is it trained to do for you?

Whether it’s someone who wants to skirt the law to take their dog everywhere or live in a place that doesn’t allow their pet, these fake vested animals cause damage to the real service dogs and disabled community. Colorado is definitely a dog-friendly state, but the Colorado House unanimously passed a bill that would make it a crime to misrepresent a pet as a service animal.

guide dog

A hearing assistance dog should be able to differentiate sounds like a baby crying, someone knocking at the door, or a phone ringing and lead their owner to the source of that sound. Guide dogs should be able to lead a blind person through traffic and crowds. Sarah Jones is helping make the latter a reality.

On ski patrol for 20 years, and having trained two avalanche dogs, Sarah decided to train a seeing-eye dog for Guide Dogs of America (GDA). She got Kip as an adorable eight-week-old puppy.

“The hardest thing was asking people not to pet the puppy. I signed a contract with GDA, who gave us the puppy to raise,” Sarah says of Kip, with his snuggly black lab face. “There were a lot of rules, leash and obedient rules, and when it was okay to say hello to a person.”

Every month Sarah drove to Cañon City to attend a puppy group for guide dogs. Before she even got Kip, she had to attend multiple pre-puppy meetings. She picked up Kip in December 2015, and raised him for 16 months. “My training with Kip was general. We rode the bus, and we practiced restaurant etiquette,” which meant, like all service dogs, Kip must learn to lie quietly under the table when his owner is eating.

“He does a pretty good job for being a rambunctious puppy. You teach him to sit right at your feet, because they have to do that with their owners.” When Kip wasn’t in his work uniform, his service dog vest, he was just a dog in the house. “When he was in his vest, which was ‘Puppy in Training,’ he behaved differently. He was slightly better in his vest,” because puppies still have puppy energy. She kept Kip in his vest as much as possible when he was in public.

Sarah dropped Kip off in Sylmar, Calif. at Guide Dogs of America when her part of his training was completed and the next intense phase of Kip’s training would begin. “They call it puppy college,” she says, and as hard as it must have been, she feels, “If he passes we’re really going to be excited because he’ll go on to someone who really needs him.”

Sarah doesn’t know how Kip is going to do now that his training is continuing in depth. She doesn’t know if he’ll succeed, and additionally, he has to pass a medical test for joints, disease and allergies. “We have to be prepared to take him back if he doesn’t pass. Ultimately, I want him to go on to be a seeing-eye dog. However, if he doesn’t make it, we’ll take him back and make him a Crested Butte dog. In this town, dogs go everywhere, but not everybody loves animals, so I found that part to be challenging with a rambunctious dog. It’s been a good experience. Raising dogs is good for the soul. You couldn’t ask for a better life for a dog.”

avalanche dog

Having trained her last dog, Thor, as an avalanche search dog, Sarah recalls the time she was an exchange patrol for a season in Courchevel, France, and Thor had a live find in an avalanche rescue.

“Thor was a joint effort between me and [fellow ski patroller] H-Bomb and the ski patrol.” Describing the rest of the local canine team, Sarah says, “Guinness is the rock star searcher and really good at his job. Moose is a special soul. He’s the dog everyone wants. They’re both hard workers, and both are handsome schmansome,” she laughs.

“The dogs are special at work and they have a special life. They’re the PR dogs, the working dogs, and the life of a patrol dog is great. The ski patrollers who take their dogs to work have a special and unique bond between their dog and themselves.”

There are currently four trained avalanche rescue dogs on ski patrol, Moose, Guinness, Penny, and Ziggy, and the new kid on the block, who’s just starting his training, is patroller Karl Plambeck’s puppy, Star.

Dustin Brown has been on CBMR’s ski patrol for 13 years. The avalanche rescue dogs are trained by the patrol team. His dog is Moose, but all the dogs and handlers work together.

Russ Reycraft is lead trainer and head of department who trained everyone else on patrol. Russ has had two or three dogs in the program, according to Dustin, and he’s trained all of them. Russ went to Canada to work with the Canadian Avalanche Rescue Dog Commission (CARDA), which is considered the best, so CBMR Ski Patrol adopts those standards.

Russ returns from all the programs and training to share the knowledge with the other patrol handlers and together they train the elite dog team. The Crested Butte Ski Patrol also hosts a dog school, a weeklong training session that invites other resort patrollers, although most attend from Colorado.

“We have the Canadian CARDA instructors validate our dogs,” and Dustin points out, “Handlers can pass, but a dog can fail, or vice versa.”

The patrol begins training the dogs as soon as they get them. Star was on the mountain at 10 weeks old and Moose was almost eight weeks. Dustin says, “It’s a year-round project. We work on searches and wilderness stuff with them. We can train for avalanche rescue in the summer, especially when they’re young. The dogs start with simple hide and seek games.” With avalanche victims, the dogs are searching for a scent that percolates up from the snow.

“So we work with live people because you want them to find a live burial. In the beginning, we start with people hiding and eventually, by the time the dogs are fully validated, they’re finding an article of clothing or equipment about three feet deep, representing a deep burial for an actual person. The dogs fire on the scent of a real person buried because there’s a large scent. We do bury people on occasion, especially early in the dogs’ training, otherwise a backpack or sweater.”

Dogs are trained to ride lifts, snowmobiles, and toboggans. Most days the dogs and their handlers ride the chair lift up. There’s also the dog box pulled behind a snowmobile for the ride down. “The safest place for the dog is in between our legs with our skis in a wedge.” The protocols are that the patroller has to be full-time for three years and work with an active participant for a season before bringing a dog on to train.

Join us next peek for Part II of Working Like a Dog for a closer look at the lives of cattle dogs and sled dogs. 

“Why not?”

by Than Acuff

Pat O’Neill has started all 19 Grand Traverse races, finished 18 of them (equipment malfunction knocked his team out of the 2006 race), won the overall title three times, the coed title once and finished on the podium 11 times. He first heard about the Grand Traverse idea while on a bike ride on trail 400 just below Star Pass the summer of 1997.

“Jan Runge was out hiking with Brian Dale and Jerry Deverell and saw me riding my bike and Jan grabbed my handlebars and asked me what I thought about a ski race where no one has raced before,” says O’Neill. “I said, ‘That would rock.’”

Runge, who was the original race director, asked O’Neill and his friend and traverse partner for several years, Jimmy Faust, to ski the course during the winter of 1997/1998 to give race organizers an idea of how long it would take and the inaugural Elk Mountains Grand Traverse race was held on April 3, 1998 and billed as an “extreme endurance backcountry skiing race.”

The race has come a long way since its inception in 1998. Fifty teams lined up at midnight on the town ranch for the inaugural Elk Mountains Grand Traverse, carrying huge packs and running everything from Kazama skis and Merrill Supercomps boots to a full Nordic set-up. This year close to 220 teams will be lining up at the base of Crested Butte Mountain Resort for the Gore Tex Grand Traverse presented by Dynafit and Outdoor Research, with a majority of them wearing the latest and greatest in lightweight alpine touring gear with packs barely bigger than a kid’s school backpack but still full of the mandatory gear.

“There were leather boots, telemark skis, scaled skis with edges and a lot of Nordic set-ups,” recalls O’Neill of the beginning years. “The hot ski was the Fischer Superlight and the boot was a Salomon Combi.”

Around the ninth or tenth year of the race, equipment really started to change to what is now the common gear of the Grand Traverse race.

“2007 is when we started to see skimo gear but there was still more Nordic then,” says O’Neill. “2007 to 2009 were the three transition years.”

Twenty years ago teams carried an assortment of food, mostly of the sandwich variety, looking for simple sustenance during the long race. That idea, at least for the perennial leaders, was abandoned during that first race.

“That first year we both had two meatloaf sandwiches but Pierre Wille and Travis Moore smoked the field so hard we didn’t get to eat anything,” says O’Neill. “We basically just carried the sandwiches to Aspen.”

Now, many teams run off of water or electrolyte-replenishing drinks and a variety of power foods such as gels, Gus and whatever happens to be the latest in endurance-athlete–specific foods.

As for conditions, O’Neill has seen it all and watched teams crumble under the stress of mountain weather and backcountry conditions.

“Over the first 19 years we’ve had so many different nights in terms of weather,” says O’Neill. “It’s been too warm, too cold, too snowy, no snow. In 2012 Marshall and I pretty much ran almost all the way to the Friends Hut. In 2009 we probably saw the most intense blizzard I’ve ever seen in my life. Teams folded. It was really intense.”

One of the most lucid of O’Neill’s memories of course conditions comes from the race in 2013, when teams were met with unseasonably warm temperatures.

“The snow hadn’t frozen on the hillside above Trampe’s, and skiers had taken their skis off and were climbing up out of this ravine post-holing to their waists,” describes O’Neill. “It was a full-on zombie apocalypse. It was the most disturbing thing I’ve ever seen, and I’ve seen that guy trying to eat the nachos at a Grateful Dead show.”

According to O’Neill, the difference between finishing and not finishing the race comes down to several factors.

“The course is a man-eater,” says O’Neill. “There’s a variety of factors—darkness, for one. A lot of things can go wrong and some people get too caught up in the race aspect and blow themselves up. It’s still a team race so it’s crucial that they work together as a team. Team members have blown each other up. I’ve been blown up by every person I’ve skied it with.”

As to whether or not the Grand Traverse is just another skimo race, O’Neill feels otherwise.

“I don’t see it as a skimo race,” says O’Neill. “The Koons brothers took third last year on Nordic gear. In 2008 or 2009 Mike Kloser and his partner rolled the dice and did it on Nordic gear and won. The race is never the same. People are changing strategies constantly so I wouldn’t call it a skimo race. I’m all about Nordic skis, splitboards, pogo sticks, whatever.”

After the three overall titles and 11 podiums over 19 years, O’Neill has a handful of reasons why he keeps doing it.

“Why not?” says O’Neill. “It’s the 20th year for Team Alpineer and that store has allowed me to do the race every year. I want to see Al Hadley finish 20—that’s my reason to do it this year. It’s still amazing to me that an event where people are skiing through the middle of the night still fills up in four to five hours. It has some mystique to it.”

You can hear more stories from O’Neill and other past racers and volunteers at the Grand Traverse Legends Night on Thursday, March 23 at the Mallardi Cabaret Theatre starting at 7 p.m.