Events & Entertainment 

THURSDAY 7
• 4:30 p.m. Renee Wright and Nichole Reycraft play at the Princess Wine Bar.
• 6-9 p.m. Gypsy Jazz Social Club plays at Montanya Distillers.
• 7 p.m. Bill Dowell plays at the Princess Wine Bar.
• 10 p.m. Karaoke upstairs in the Sky Bar at the Talk of the Town.

FRIDAY 8
• 5:30 p.m. First Friday Art Walk in Gunnison.
• 7 p.m. Dawne Belloise and Chuck Grossman play at the Princess Wine Bar.
• 10 p.m. JJ Evanoff plays at the Eldo.

SATURDAY 9
• 7 p.m. Craig McLaughlin plays at the Princess Wine Bar.
• 7 p.m. CABARET: “Deep, Dark, Delightful, & Dirty” at the GAC.
• 10 p.m. Tnertle plays at the Eldo.

SUNDAY 10
• 3-7 p.m. Happy Hour Sundays with Chuck Grossman at the Eldo.
• 6-9 p.m. Wylie “Crazy Horse” Jones plays at Montanya Distillers.
• 7 p.m. Tyler Lucas and Katherine Taylor play at the Princess Wine Bar.

MONDAY 11
• 7 p.m. Sam DeRaimo plays at the Princess Wine Bar.
• 10 p.m. Open Mic Night at the Eldo.

TUESDAY 12
• 7 p.m. Chuck Grossman plays at the Princess Wine Bar.

WEDNESDAY 13
• 6:30 p.m. Coloring & Conversation at the Old Rock Library.
• 7 p.m. Evelyn Roper plays at the Princess Wine Bar.
• 7:30 p.m. Pool Tournament upstairs at the Talk of the Town.

KIDS Calendar

THURSDAY 7
• 9 a.m. Munchkin’s Music & Dance Class in the High Attitude Dance Academy in Gunnison.
• 9:30 a.m. Tumblebugs in Jerry’s Gym.
• 3-8 p.m. Youth Gymnastics, Jerry’s Gym at Town Hall 349-5338.

FRIDAY 8
• 11 a.m. Big Kids Storytime for ages 3 and up and Old Rock Library.
• 6:30 p.m. Old Rock Library First Friday Film Series shows Minions.

MONDAY 11
• 4 p.m. Tang Soo Do classes for kids at Town Hall. 349-7752.
• 4:45 p.m. Tang Soo Do classes for juniors at Town Hall. 349-7752.

TUESDAY 12
• 11 a.m. Romp & Rhyme Storytime for families and kids of all ages at Old Rock Library.
• 3-8 p.m. Youth Gymnastics, Jerry’s Gym at Town Hall 349-5338.

WEDNESDAY 13
• 9 a.m. Munchkin’s Music & Dance Class in the Fitness Room at Old Town Hall.
• 10 a.m. Munchkin’s Music & Dance Class in the Fitness Room at Old Town Hall.
• 11 a.m. Babies and Toddlers Storytime at Old Rock Library.
• 3:45-4:45 p.m. Tween Scene (ages 8-12) at the Old Rock Library.
• 4-8 p.m. Tang Soo Do classes for kids at Town Hall. 349-7752.

THURSDAY 7
• 6-6:45 a.m. Meditation at Yoga for the Peaceful, by donation.
• 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. All levels Yoga Class at The Gym. 349-2588.
• 8:45 a.m. Indoor Biking Class at The Gym. 349-2588.
• 8:45-10 a.m. Vinyasa Flow Yoga in the Fitness Room at Town Hall.
• 8:45-10 a.m. Vinyasa at Yoga For The Peaceful.
• 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Gunnison County Branch Office is open at the Crested Butte Town Offices.
• 9 a.m. Nia Dance Workshop at Sunset Hall in CB South.
• 10:30-11:45 a.m. Yoga Basics at Yoga For The Peaceful.
• noon All Saints in the Mountain Episcopal Church Community Healing Service at Queen of All Saints Catholic Church. 349-9371.
• noon CORE Stability. 970-901-4413.
• noon-1 p.m. Lunch Break Yoga in the Fitness Room at Town Hall.
• noon-1:15 p.m. Prana Vinyasa at Yoga For The Peaceful.
• 12:30 p.m. ACBL Sanctioned Open Bridge Game. 349-5535.
• 4-5:30 p.m. St. Mary’s Garage. 300 Belleview, Unit 2. Free clothing and bedding. 970-318-6826.
• 4:30-6 p.m. Crested Butte Community Food Bank open at Oh Be
Joyful Church (First Thursday of every month.)
• 5:30 p.m. Bikram Yoga at CORE.
• 5:30 p.m. Communion Services at Queen of All Saints Catholic Church.
• 5:30-6:45 p.m. Vinyasa Flow at Town Hall
• 5:30-6:45 p.m. Prana Vinyasa at Yoga For The Peaceful
• 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. Silversmithing at the Art Studio of the Center for the Arts (Thursdays through February 11). 349-7044.
• 5:45 p.m. World Dance Class at The Gym. 349-2588.
• 6:30 p.m. AA Open Meditation at UCC.
• 7 p.m. Women Supporting Women Group Discussion at the Nordic Inn.
• 7-8:30 p.m. Kirtan at Yoga for the Peaceful.
• 7:30 p.m. Narcotics Anonymous meets at 114 N. Wisconsin St. in Gunnison.

FRIDAY 8
• 6:30 a.m. All Levels Iyengar Yoga Class at The Gym. 349-2588.
• 7:30 a.m. Barre Workout at The Gym. 349-2588.
• 8:30 a.m. Alanon at UCC Parlour (in back). 349-6482.
• 8:30 – 9:15 a.m. Aerial Conditioning with the Crested Butte Dance Collective at the Center for the Arts. 349-7487.
• 8:45 a.m. Core Power Yoga Class at the Pump Room.
• 8:45-10 a.m. Warm Power Vinyasa Fusion at Town Hall
• 9 a.m. Juliette’s Balance Barre at Western Pilates Studio in Crested Butte. 596-1714.
• 9-10:30 a.m. Prana Vinyasa at Yoga For The Peaceful.
• noon Closed AA at UCC.
• noon Metabolic Blast at CORE. 970-901-4413.
• noon-1 p.m. Lunch Break Yoga in the Fitness Room at Town Hall.
• noon-1:15 p.m. Restorative Yoga at Yoga For The Peaceful.
• 1:30-3 p.m. Hot Power Yoga at Town Hall
• 4:30-5:45 p.m. Aprés Ski Yoga at Yoga For The Peaceful.
• 5:30 p.m. Bikram Yoga at CORE.
• 5:30 p.m. Communion service at Queen of All Saints Catholic Church.
• 5:30-6:45 p.m. Happy Hour Flow at Town Hall
• 6-7 p.m. Poi Playshop at the Pump Room.
• 7-9 p.m. Pick-Up adult Karate, Fitness Room at Town Hall.

SATURDAY 9
• 7:30 a.m. Open AA at UCC.
• 8 a.m. Indoor Biking Class at The Gym. 349-2588.
• 8:45-10 a.m. Prana Vinyasa at Yoga For The Peaceful.
• 9-10:15 a.m. Stretch and Shred in the Fitness Room at Town Hall.
• 9-10:30 a.m. Community Yoga at the Sanctuary Yoga & Pilates Studio, Gunnison.
• 9:15 a.m. All Levels Yoga Class at The Gym. 349-2588.
• 10:30 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.
• 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Introduction to Tapestry Weaving with Megan Craver at Kasala Gallery. 111 Elk Avenue.
• 12:15-1 p.m. Kid’s Aerial Dance: Kindergarten with the Dance Collective at the Center for the Arts. 349-7487.
• 1-3 p.m. Adventures in Knitting with Laura Elm at Kasala Gallery. 111 Elk Avenue.
• 1:10-2 p.m. Kid’s Aerial Dance: Grades 1- 3 with the Dance Collective at the Center for the Arts. 349-7487.
• 2:15 – 3:15 p.m. Kid’s Aerial Dance: Grades 4 – 6 with the Dance Collective at the Center for the Arts. 349-7487.
• 4:30-5:45 p.m. Aprés Ski Yoga at Yoga For The Peaceful.
• 5 p.m. Teen Movie Night at the Old Rock Library. Jupiter Ascending and Super 8.
• 5:30 p.m. Bikram Yoga at CORE.
• 6:30-7:30 p.m. Guided Sound Meditiation at 405 4th Street.

SUNDAY 10
• 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 UCC Church.
• 9-10:15 a.m. Slow Flow at Yoga For The Peaceful.
• 9:30-11 a.m. Community Free Yoga Class in the Fitness Room at Town Hall.
• 10:30 a.m. Cameron Corn Memorial and Celebration of Life potluck at the Eldo.
• 1 p.m. Winter Beading Class: Wire Swirl Pendant at Pema Dewa. 349-7563.
• 4:30-6 p.m. Restorative Yoga at Yoga For The Peaceful.
• 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 p.m. Bikram Yoga at CORE.
• 6 p.m. AA meets at UCC.
• 6:30 p.m. Duplicate Bridge at UCC. Call 349-9296.
• 7 p.m. Gamblers Anonymous meets at the Last Resort.

MONDAY 11
• 6:30 a.m. Strength and Conditioning with Janae or Pip at CORE. 901-4413.
• 7:30-8:30 a.m. Community Flow at Yoga For The Peaceful.
• 8:45-10 a.m. Vinyasa Flow Yoga in the Fitness Room at Town Hall.
• 8:45 a.m. Core Power Yoga Class at the Pump Room.
• 8:45 a.m. Pilates at The Gym. 349-2588.
• 9-10:30 a.m. Prana Vinyasa at Yoga For The Peaceful.
• noon-1 p.m. Lunch Break Yoga in the Fitness Room at Town Hall.
• noon-1 p.m. Slow Flow at Yoga For The Peaceful.
• 12:30 p.m. ACBL Sanctioned Open Bridge Game. 349-5535.
• 1:30-3 p.m. Hot Yoga in the Fitness Room at Town Hall.
• 4-8 p.m. Tang Soo classes for kids and adults. 349-7752.
• 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 p.m. Yin/Yang Circuit with Ginny and Jess at CORE. 901-4413.
• 5:30-6:45 p.m. Yin Yoga Nidra at Yoga For The Peaceful.
• 5:30-6:45 p.m. Gentle Restorative Yoga in the Fitness Room at Town Hall.
• 5:30-7 p.m.  Level 2 Aerial Lyra with the Dance Collective at the Center for the Arts (Mondays through January 25). 349-7487.
• 5:30-7 p.m. Moms in Motion class at the GVH rehab gym.
• 5:45 p.m. Boot Camp Class at The Gym. 349-2588.
• 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 12
• 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. 349-2588.
• 8:45-10 a.m. Warm Power Vinyasa Fusion at Town Hall.
• 8:45-10 a.m. Vinyasa at Yoga for the Peaceful.
• 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Gunnison County branch office is open at the Crested Butte Town Offices, 507 Maroon Ave.
• 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. Lunch Break Yoga at Town Hall.
• noon-1:15 p.m. Prana Vinyasa at Yoga For The Peaceful.
• 2-4 p.m. Tech Tuesdays at Old Rock Library. 349-6535.
• 4-5:30 p.m. St. Mary’s Garage. 300 Belleview, Unit 2. Free clothing & bedding. 970-318-6826.
• 5:15 p.m. RedCord suspension class at Western Pilates Studio in Crested Butte. 596-1714.
• 5:30 p.m. Communion Service at Queen of All Saints Church.
• 5:30-6:15 p.m. Beginning and Intermediate Pastel at the Art Studio of the Center for the Arts. 349-7044.
• 5:30 – 6:15 p.m. Aerial Conditioning with the Crested Butte Dance Collective at the Center for the Arts. 349-7487.
• 5:30-6:45 p.m. Slow Flow at Yoga For The Peaceful.
• 5:30-6:45 p.m. Vinyasa Flow at Town Hall.
• 5:45 p.m. All Levels Iyengar Yoga Class at The Gym. 349-2588.
• 6-7 p.m. Community Connection Night at UCC Parlour.
• 6:15-7 p.m. Open Aerial Dance with the Crested Butte Dance Collective at the Center for the Arts. 349-7487.
• 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.
• 7-9 p.m. Pick-up adult Karate, Fitness Room at Town Hall.
• 7:45-9:45 p.m. Drop-In Adult Volleyball, CBCS MS Gym.

WEDNESDAY 13
• 6:30 a.m. All Levels Iyengar Yoga Class at The Gym. 349-2588.
• 7:30 a.m. Rotary meeting at the Grand Lodge.
• 7:30-8:30 a.m. Prana Vinyasa at Yoga For The Peaceful.
• 7:30-8:30 a.m. Vinyasa Flow Yoga in the Fitness Room at Town Hall.
• 8:45 a.m. Mat Mix at The Gym. 349-2588.
• 8:45-10 a.m. Ashtanga-Vinyasa Yoga in the Fitness Room at Town Hall.
• 9-10:30 a.m. Prana Vinyasa at Yoga For The Peaceful.
• 9:30-11:30 a.m. Gray Hares meet at the CB Nordic Center for nordic skiing.
• 9:30 a.m.-2 p.m. Two Buttes Senior Citizens van transportation. Roundtrip to Gunnison. 275-4768.
• noon Closed AA at UCC.
• noon-1 p.m. Lunch Break Yoga in the Fitness Room at Town Hall.
• noon-1 p.m. Yoga Therapeutics at Yoga For The Peaceful.
• 1:30-3 p.m. Hot Yoga at Town Hall.
• 4-8 p.m. Tang Soo Do classes for kids and adults. 349-7752.
• 5 p.m. Mass at Queen of All Saints Catholic Church.
• 5 p.m. Pairs Skimo Race at CBMR. skicb.com/skimo.
• 5:30 p.m. Prenatal Yoga class in Crested Butte South. 349-1209.
• 5:30 p.m. Bikram Yoga at CORE.
• 5:30 p.m. Free Health Insurance Presentation and Q & A at Sopris Women’s Clinic.
• 5:45 p.m. Boot Camp Class at The Gym. 349-2588.
• 5:45 p.m. Indoor Cycling at the Gym. 349-2588.
• 6 p.m. Celebrate Recovery Meetings: 2nd and 4th Wednesdays of each month, Oh Be Joyful Church, Crested Butte. 970-596-3846.
• 6-7:15 p.m. Kaiut Yoga at Yoga For The Peaceful.
• 6:30 p.m. Alanon at UCC Parlour (in back). 349-6482.
• 6:30-8 p.m. Restorative Yin Yoga Nidra at Town Hall.
• 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.
• 7:45-9:45 p.m. Pick-Up Adult Indoor Soccer, CBCS HS Gym (through March).

A Peace of Crested Butte

by Dawne Belloise

When I was born, my parents stopped going to church and stopped eating meat,” Peace Wheeler says, smiling with a glint in her eyes. Her father, Bill, was born and raised in Gunnison. Her mother, Joey, was a Boulderite, and they lived in Crested Butte from the late 1970s through the early ‘80s before moving to Paonia.

“I’m the youngest of five kids. They couldn’t afford Crested Butte back then so they moved to Paonia,” says Peace, but Paonia was a pretty rough place to grow up. “It’s always been conservative and my parents and our family weren‘t. All my brothers had long hair. The kids weren’t very friendly.”

In fact, Peace had such a bad experience in first grade that her mother bused her to the Hotchkiss schools where, Peace says, the kids were far nicer. Even though school was socially easier for her in Hotchkiss, the family missed Crested Butte and finally returned in 1996 when Peace was eight. “They loved [Crested Butte] and wanted to raise their kids here. I’m forever grateful they made that choice,” Peace says. Her fourth-grade class was the last to be taught in the old school (where the town offices are now) and the following year the kids moved into the brand new Crested Butte Community School. Peace graduated in 2005.

Peace enrolled at Western State College but left after a year, unsure of her direction. “I didn’t want to go back simply because it’s the socially expected thing to do, and,” she determined, “it’s not required to make you fulfilled in life.”

Following in her older brother Justin’s footsteps, she volunteered with the Crested Butte Fire Department, having already earned her Firefighter 1 certification at the age of 18, and then getting certification as a S-130/S-190 Wildland Firefighter via a nationally standardized test that allows her to fight forest fires both here and out of state. She went on for even more extensive training as an EMT-B with an IV certification.

“It wasn’t until both Justin and I joined the fire department that we learned our parents actually started the fire department in Marble. Dad was the fire chief and mom was the assistant fire chief when they lived there for a stint before we were born.”

After 12 years, Peace is taking a break from her firefighting work with the local department to enable her to pursue other things.

During her fire department years, Peace was also working for Crested Butte Mountain Resort as a lift op and ticket checker initially, and also as a ski instructor for a couple of seasons. But when a spot on the snowcat grooming team opened up in 2010, Peace went for it.

“I had bugged Mark Voegeli about it for years and he knew I had experience with hydraulics and heavy equipment operation through our family business of the rental center. I started as a Uley’s sleigh ride dinner driver, hauling the diners up with the sled. It was good to get a full season of experience just learning about the snowcat before learning to do the grooming.”

The next season, Peace graduated to grooming, but her very first night up was challenging.

“There’s a specific tree up there now named Peace Tree,” she cringes with a giggle. “There’s a big chunk out of it. It was my first shift, and on the graveyard shift, and it was a crazy white-out storm where we got 12 inches that night. I couldn’t see. I was following the shift supervisor, Chad Kaiser, who was showing me the route, turnaround spots and better ways to efficiently groom the slopes,” Peace says with a big sigh. “We were going down one of the cat tracks through the trees. He was in one of the smaller cats and I was in one of the bigger cats and he didn’t realize that the bigger cat wasn’t gonna fit…” Peace trails off, leaving the visuals and the grinding, scraping bang of a cat slamming into a tree to your imagination.

But there’s so much more to operating a cat than merely navigating through blizzards on scary vertical slopes and laying down the corduroy. Cat drivers also have to be knowledgeable in maintenance and basic repairs and in extreme conditions. “We end up doing a lot of maintenance on the cats on the slopes. In a blizzard, it’s not fun at all. If a hydraulic hose line breaks, you have to know how to swap it out. You have to know how to diagnose what’s going on with the cat. It can be tricky because there are a lot of hoses, electronics and mechanicals, nuts and bolts—there are so many things that can be wrong with a cat. We have to at least have an idea of how to solve the problem. It can be nerve-wracking when anything goes wrong and you hope you can get it up and running so you’re not scrambling to finish your work.”

Currently Peace is a fill-in groomer with CBMR because she also works at Irwin Guides for the Eleven company. It’s her second season with the latter, driving the Tucker, the big white beast, from Irwin’s office on Belleview up to the Irwin slopes on Scarp Ridge. “I drive to the movie cabin, drop everyone off and hop into the alpine cats to take them up to various locations on Scarp Ridge,” says Peace. Unknowing tourists and visitors don’t understand the training and expertise it takes to be one of the elite fleet who can qualify as a cat operator.

“My friend overheard a tourist on the chairlift say that all the girl cat drivers for Irwin were hired strictly because they were pretty,” Peace smirks—despite the fact that she just happens to be gorgeous, she also has more training and experience in not only snowcats, heavy machinery and maintenance but in firefighting, emergency service and safety than most. “So there’s a big misconception that we don’t have heavy equipment experience—and that made my blood boil, for obvious reasons.”

Not only does Peace groom the snow, she makes it. “I’ve been a snow maker for CBMR for three seasons now,” claims the Snow Queen proudly. “It’s the most dangerous and rewarding job. You’re working around hazardous conditions with a highly pressurized system with air and water. Then we’re creating giant mounds of snow with snow guns that we have to snowmobile to multiple times in a shift and even though we have chain brakes, it’s still scary slick, so you slide. It can be really terrifying.”

In 2007, back when she was a youngster of 19, Peace and her brothers Justin and John bought the Forest Queen bar and restaurant business. “Dunno why,” she says. “We kind of wanted to secure something as a family business.” Shortly after, her parents bought the building to secure the business location for them. As even loving siblings do, Peace admits, “We fought a lot because of the business and here I was only 19 and not sure what I was doing as a bar and restaurant owner. We ran it for a year, but it came to a screeching halt with my brother John’s sudden death,” she tells of the heartbreaking loss of her big bro on January 7, 2008.

“He was my roommate at the time. I was out shoveling the snow in our walkway. It was that epic year where it never stopped snowing, it was the year we had to tunnel to our houses.

“John was getting ready to go to the Queen for his bartending shift. He was the best bartender, he was such a social guy, and it was the highlight of his day to get to talk to people,” Peace describes.

“My brother Justin went into the house to pick him up for work and found him unresponsive. We called 911. Because we’re all really close in the fire department they knew it was my house. My friend Cory Tibljas who was on the department but wasn’t even on duty was the first one to arrive. He knew it had to be John. They tried, and almost revived him, but they couldn’t maintain it. Officially he had a heart attack. My life changed a lot. It made me realize that you can’t take things for granted, especially relationships and friendships. We, as a family, have struggled a lot with it but it’s made us stronger, and weaker, at times, but we’re constantly reminded that we have to stick together. It’s made my bond with Justin stronger. It was hard being back in that building. It’s still hard.” They closed the Forest Queen business following the loss of their brother.

Peace is still involved as a co-owner of her family’s business, Crested Butte Rental Center in Riverland. “We all do everything. It’s kind of a nutty operation. We have construction equipment, everything from small hand tools to big boom lifts and bobcats and the other side of the business is weddings and special occasions, renting everything from tables and tents to PA systems and lights—everything except the wedding dress,” she laughs.

High on her list of life adventures is to be a world traveler and Peace is finally getting around to doing that. “I made the decision to go to New Zealand because I needed a break,” she says, explaining her love for summer here but choosing to follow winter for a change. “I was at Mount Hutt ski field. It’s just what they call them,” she says referring to calling the slopes a field. “I was living in the town of Methven, an hour west of Christchurch, an interesting little town. Size-wise, it’s a lot like here without the character. It’s barely above sea level, but the peak was about 6,000 feet.”

Peace spent five months there during the New Zealand ski season, running their grooming cats. “I’m going back again this year but I’ll leave it open-ended as to whether I go back after this because it’ll be five consecutive winters with no summer.” Peace explains that all of South Island of New Zealand is exactly like Colorado but more drastic with its sea level to soaring heights mountains. “It made me really homesick when I got out to travel there. I made a lot of friends but it was hard not being around my family and close friends here. Although in general it was positive for me, once I bought the plane ticket it challenged me personally to get out of my comfort zone,” and as a bonus, there are no trees to run into with her snowcat down there.

Peace enthusiastically professes her love for her home, which will always be Crested Butte. “Sometimes I forget to remember that we’ve got it so good here. Getting out and traveling makes me realize that this is absolutely where I want to live but I know that I still want to travel a lot. I’m going to Japan in March to go skiing, because I’ve always wanted to ski there. I want to go back to Cambodia,” where she went just before leaving for New Zealand.

Peace feels that Crested Butte calls to a specific type. “It gets its hooks in the right people because it weeds people out. You either fit the character of this town perfectly, and that’s why we’re all here, or it pushes you out. We don’t chose Crested Butte, Crested Butte chooses us. But the biggest reason why Crested Butte will always be my home is because of the community. They rallied when my brother died, and they’re still so supportive. People remind me of John all the time and it means the world to me to be reminded that it’s not just us who miss him. Crested Butte and the people who make it what it is have my heart for life.”

By Adam Broderick

Editor’s Note: It’s not easy making ends meet in mountain communities that rely heavily on cooperative weather and seasonal tourism. In this winter series, reporter Adam Broderick explores experiences of business owners who live and work in the Gunnison Valley, yet whose work is mostly seen and sold elsewhere.

Some people just can’t shake off Crested Butte no matter how long they stay away. This place affects the soul in ways most elsewhere couldn’t imagine—the jaw-dropping landscape, the caring community, even the fact that we have to work a little harder to stay warm, visit loved ones, and make ends meet. It may not be apparent at first, but once it sets in it becomes a part of life. And it’s a life worth living. A life worth taking pride in.

This week we speak with two professionals who found creative ways to return to the place they’re most passionate about and make a living of it. As with anyone featured in this series, they live here because this is where their hearts are and they’ve chosen to deal with any issues that come as part of that package deal.

Jeff Scott, Re-Think and The Idea Launch Lab

“You’d be surprised that the guy who tunes your skis has a Ph.D. or your server at The Last Steep has a master’s degree,” says inventor-designer-tech guru and all-around fun guy Jeff Scott. And right he is. Interviewing him at his Fourth and Belleview shop in Crested Butte was like teleporting to a mini-Silicone Valley, an unusual feeling in a remote mountain town full of overeducated ski bums. I was impressed with his knowledge of ecommerce sales and search engine optimization (SEO), but his resourceful, inventive side is what really caught my attention.

Scott is the board president of the local KBUT radio station, but those airwaves don’t get as much play outside the valley as the products he’s developed. At some point you’ve probably seen dog collars, townie bikes, or flying discs glowing in vibrant colors against a night sky. Those are Scott’s doing, and they’ve become the foundation of his new creative space, The Idea Launch Lab.

It all started with some friendly competition in the dark. Scott and friends enjoyed playing Ultimate Frisbee after work, so he designed a light-up disc for their night games.

When friends suggested he bring the disc to market, he opposed the idea; it was made strictly for their night game amusement.

A few years later Scott was fired from his job in software development and was curious what to do next. He reached out to a friend in Boulder and the two joined forces to produce more light-up discs. The prototype was improved and an e-commerce website built, and soon afterwards they both refinanced their houses and started making the improved products out of Boulder. One day the owner of NiteIze (innovative LED tools, toys and accessories) walked in with a business proposal. The FlashFlight light-up disc has now been on the market for 14 years. It is made in Denver because that’s where injection-molding needs are met, but Scott lives in Crested Butte.

Scott hails from Dallas, Texas. His brother came to Crested Butte for a college ski trip decades ago and returned to tell his dad how awesome skiing was, and that skis were much more fun than motorcycles. Then in 1974, Scott learned to ski here. The next year, his dad moved the family to Aspen and that’s where he graduated from high school in 1983. “Aspen became the place where the rich went to watch the rich,” he told me from across a table piled with product plans and prototypes. “But dad raised us outside and the wilderness became our church, and I knew I wanted to provide the same for my own kids. My brother and family friends are still on the Aspen side, but the glam factor is too much for me.”

Twelve years ago, he, his wife and two children, now 19 and 21, evaluated their passions and began shopping ski towns. Everywhere they looked they compared to Crested Butte. After building a business and securing royalties from FlashFlight products, they were able to move here. They love skiing and being involved in the wide range of unique, small-town events, and the tight-knit community provides great value for his family.

Scott recently moved the Boulder warehouse to Fourth and Belleview, where 3D printers, laser engravers and other high-tech machines are going in to improve and expedite more local design and development. He built the 3D printer, and even uses it to print additional parts for the same printer. He also handles the e-commerce side of things for NiteIze, and is constantly rethinking ways to add more benefit to the community and the environment.

Scott has a lot going on, so read this next paragraph carefully. The Idea Launch Lab is a part of his company called Re-Think, which he uses to throttle up ideas he’s been sitting on. His original business partner is in the process of retiring, so now Re-Think is picking up where PlayHard, the partnership’s company that developed the FlashFlight disc, is leaving off. Now, Re-Think is essentially the design and development business that builds and pushes products. The Idea Launch Lab formed after the number of NiteIze products, combined with Scott’s other endeavors, began enticing more people to learn how he develops products and brings them to market. Scott has been consulting others for a long time, and The Idea Launch Lab is working on a process to streamline peoples’ ideas and determine if they’re short-term or have real long-term potential.

The SpokeLit, an LED bike-spoke light, was developed on Elk Avenue when Scott wanted better lights on his kids’ bikes. It, as well as the SpotLit, a light-up dog collar accessory, both saw 40 percent growth in the past five years.

He now manufactures LEDs himself, and recently put a parabolic curve in a disc called the Hole-In-One, so the removable LED at the center of the plastic disc sends light out to the edges for greater illumination.

His light-up dog ball was getting better feedback as a light-up lacrosse ball, so he remarketed it for lacrosse and saw 4,000 percent growth the last two months.

He’s currently developing a line of LED camping products for another Colorado-based outdoor products company that incorporate better function, atmosphere, and mood using Bluetooth technology that can be controlled by a smartphone.

His Fat Tire Cruiser Bike is in the works, and will soon allow riders to travel both on and off snow-covered roads.

Outdoor sports and family time take priority over work, but recreation can be considered work for Scott since so many ideas come from playing outside. He just released a new product called the GripLit, which goes on bike handlebars to create a better depth perception for oncoming cars. “I like being able to make an item that provides a safety mechanism and if it’s groovy, all the better,” he says.

Scott is a big proponent of repurposing and recycling materials. Re-Think is a B-Corp company, meaning it’s a for-profit corporation that strives to positively impact the local community and the environment. He also wants to help employ people here, and sees having The Idea Launch Lab incubator space in Crested Butte as a great way to bring new business and create jobs. The main goal is to eventually make everything in the United States, using 90 percent to 95 percent recycled materials, and to retain inventory here in the Gunnison Valley so all order fulfillment and shipping can be done from Crested Butte.

A firm believer in helping other local businesses as well as his own, Scott pushed hard to get the broadband initiative on last November’s ballot. Internet speed at this end of the valley isn’t always reliable and having more options for broadband service is seen as a necessary to many professionals who live and work here. Scott sees Internet speeds as one of, if not the largest obstacle to running a smooth business predominantly online.

“Solving product problems and pains, that’s what we’re doing. We have so much going on right now. I’m spending a lot of time raising money, and I want to improve the manufacturing business so we’re producing in a more conscious way,” Scott says. “How can I offset my carbon footprint? Can we improve by 50 percent post-consumer materials on a product? We’re trying to do everything in Crested Butte the best we can.”

Kris Murray, Child Care Marketing Solutions

Kris Murray never owned a day care or a preschool, so it’s a little unusual for her to have created a business out of something she’s never actually done. “At the end of the day it’s about adding value to the customer experience, no matter what kind of business you’re in,” she says. She saw a niche and she filled it, and doing so allowed her to move back to Crested Butte, the place she prefers to call home.

Her office at the Four-way Stop is undergoing somewhat of a makeover to clear space for a growing business, which in six years has been built into a seven-figure company. Child Care Marketing Solutions is the largest provider of coaching and business improvement services for child care centers and preschools across the world. There are only a couple of other companies or consultants that do what her company does.

Murray has five employees total, with three in Crested Butte, one in Iowa, and one in Denver. Clients are mostly in North America, with a few in Australia and the United Kingdom. Only one current client is local, and that’s Paradise Place Preschool.

Murray says the biggest benefit to basing business in Crested Butte and working remotely is the lifestyle it offers. By her working remotely, the company is not limited. “Truly any of us could live anywhere and still be a cohesive team,” she says. “For me, lifestyle-wise, I’m living my dream by being here in Crested Butte. If I wanted to move to Park City, I could. But I don’t.”

Murray spent her whole life in marketing and advertising. Prior to starting Child Care Marketing Solutions in 2009 she was working with her brother’s manufacturing business in Cleveland, Ohio, where she grew up. She ran the marketing side of his company but wanted a way to do her own thing. In 2008 she noticed that none of the child care services she was considering for her own children, ages three and five at the time, marketed themselves well. During the recession the owner of one place she was considering lost a bunch of clients, so she made a deal to help get enrollment back up in exchange for free tuition. She about doubled the business in 11 months.

Since nobody else was helping the business side of child care services, Murray thought a new service was desperately needed. She spent a lot of time in day cares and preschools, watching from both a mom’s and a businesswoman’s perspective, and understood the customer experience.

It didn’t take long for her to realize how to add more value to that experience. “I found what worked for others and basically modeled that,” she explained. “There are other people who do these types of things for other businesses; real estate, dentistry, trainers in various niches. I determined the key drivers that would help child care services versus a dentist or chiropractor. I started out with webinars and books, and the coaching came later.”

Murray’s first book, The Ultimate Child Care Marketing Guide, has sold more than 2,000 copies in the four years it’s been on shelves. The 77 Best Strategies for Growing Your Child Care Business recently joined her first book for sale on Amazon. Her company now runs what’s called the Child Care Success Academy, with a curriculum and events where people get together and share business insights. She acts as the facilitator at those meetings, offering child care providers proven methods for growing business, attracting clients, increasing profits, expanding to more locations, and improving practices with staff and leadership.

She explains that what her company teaches could apply to any small business. “Really, you could take my Ultimate Child Care Marketing Guide and cross out the words child care and put any other business in and the principles would still apply. I’ve used those same principles to grow this business.”

Murray recently expanded into the non-child care area, adding one client who runs a yoga business. She says it’s fun and fresh to start looking at other niches and also to help other businesswomen. She’s acted as a coach for a handful of local entrepreneurs here in Crested Butte. “I’m proud to add jobs to the valley,” she says. “In 2014 we had two employees and now I’m employing five, and I’m seeking to add another one or two positions in 2016. It means a lot to me to be able to add jobs to the valley.”

Murray has been a fill-in DJ at KBUT radio the past several months. She was a full-time DJ between 1992 and 1997 while also marketing for Crested Butte Mountain Resort, and one of her dreams was to come back and DJ again. Of course, she also missed the skiing, biking, and proximity to nature Crested Butte provides.

“Having lived here in the 90s I was always thinking of how to return some day. In 2008 I visited and started thinking harder about how to move back. In 2012 I made it a reality. I feel blessed to be probably one of the few who is able to live their dream lifestyle.”

Child Care Marketing Solutions is growing about 35 percent to 40 percent annually, but the company still struggles in certain ways, as any company does. Murray says Internet speed isn’t quite the issue it used to be because more options have come into the valley, but air travel in and out of Gunnison can be quite the hurdle. She is gone about one week per month on average, and when visiting important clients she needs travel to be reliable.

“Every time I fly I have to look at Gunnison, Montrose, Grand Junction, and Denver, and I drive to Denver often to catch flights. I’m happy about the Alaska Air thing because I fly to LA quarterly [Alaskan Airlines now flies direct from Gunnison to Los Angeles], but not having anything coming here from April to June [the Gunnison airport will be flightless this spring]…that’s not ideal,” she says. “I wanted to do some client visits here and bring more conferences to the valley, but because air service from Hartford, Connecticut, for example, is not reliable…I could be bringing thousands of dollars to the valley if air service were more reliable.”

Despite questionable flight service, business should continue improving. Murray has made a commitment to dedicate the rest of her professional life to helping as many child care business owners, directors, and managers as possible with enrollment, revenue, staff issues, time management, goal-setting, mindset, and more. She’s proud that her two books have helped thousands of owners and leaders become more effective. She’s also proud to live in Crested Butte, and wouldn’t let that go for…well, just about anything.

Check back next week for the final installment of Locals Making Waves in an Entrepreneurial Age. We’ll speak with more businesses in the Gunnison Valley, specifically manufacturers, about the ups and downs of exporting their expertise outside of the community they call home.

By Adam Broderick

Editor’s Note: It’s not easy making ends meet in mountain communities that rely heavily on cooperative weather and seasonal tourism. In this winter series, reporter Adam Broderick will explore different experiences of business owners who live and work in the Gunnison Valley, yet whose work is mostly seen and sold elsewhere.

Some obstacles seem consistent for business professionals who choose to live in such a remote location, like inconvenient transportation options in and out of the area or unreliable Internet speeds. But the benefits tend to far outweigh the compromises and make it worth the extra effort in the long run. Say, when a midweek powder day hits unexpectedly or when quality time with loved ones takes priority over work.

In discussing outbound business with local professionals, some ups and downs of operating a company locally have been revealed. This week we speak with two professionals who market web content and consult others in promoting business, especially online. As with anyone featured in this series, they live here because this is where their hearts are and they’ve chosen to deal with any issues that come as part of that package deal.

Buttery Agency

“We just call it Buttery,” says Mike Horn, editorial director at Buttery Agency, a multimedia agency that specializes in content development and experiential marketing.

Buttery, Horn says, is in a constant state of evolution. One second they’re working on print ads and custom publications, and the next they’re developing social media campaigns and producing video documentaries. Connecting all the projects is a common thread.

Horn knows it sounds like a cliché but explains that the company’s approach to marketing is all about living the client’s story. “Buttery’s style of advertising is unobtrusive; we do our best to tell a story, not just sling advertising in your face. We explore people’s stories and places’ stories and bring those experiences to others. Things are always changing but we’re always thinking ahead, asking ourselves and each other what we’re going to do next, which new perspectives we can explore, and how to keep things fresh.”

Horn lives in Crested Butte and he and his (equal) business partners—two in Vermont and one north of Boston—depend heavily on the Internet for communications.

All partners bring a different skillset to the table. Galin Foley is director of videography. Justin Cash is director of photography. Joe Polevy is art director and does all the design work, and Horn works more on the writing and editorial/communications side. Before Buttery, Horn worked in publishing for nearly a decade, primarily in outdoor and action sports. He says it has been interesting working on both sides of publications, from the editorial side and publishing to working with the companies that typically place ads in those publications.

In the past, he worked as managing editor at Backcountry Magazine and did a lot of freelance writing, and says that part of his transition into Buttery was aimed at making the virtual work existence work for himself. He didn’t want to go to Denver or Southern California or New York City to work as an editor for a magazine, or as a freelance writer chasing stories for Men’s Journal or other large market publications. He wanted to live in Crested Butte.

Although Crested Butte is where he wants to be, transportation can be a big hurdle for Horn and Buttery. He is the farthest of all his business partners from a major airport but says that’s part of what makes the Butte what it is. “You’re willing to work a little harder and travel further to be able to live here.”

Horn’s cell phone interrupts our conversation in his office, just two doors down from his home downtown. His wife called to ask when he would be back to give their 10-month-old daughter a bath.

“I’m a dad, too,” he says, laughing, as he ends the call. “The virtual agency allows me to be around my family a lot. My work is my time and I can be super-efficient, but I can also be home for lunch in zero time and chase the kid around, or whatever. I’m not commuting to work and adding time to my workday. I feel like I gain some time there and there’s a lot of value in that.”

Horn says Internet and frequency of flights in and out of Gunnison are the biggest challenges from an infrastructure standpoint. Although he thinks Internet speeds in Crested Butte are pretty good for such a remote location, the other Buttery teammates like to tease him about the hamster-wheel that’s powering the connection. “We use programs like Google+ to communicate and do a lot of video conferencing. We also transfer large files over the interwebs and mail hard drives back and forth. It works pretty well most of the time.”

Buttery travels often to meet with clients across the country, including Killington/Pico Ski Resort in Vermont, a.k.a. The Beast of the East, and also Stevens Pass Resort in Washington. The crew first came together while working on Killington’s print magazine but eventually took over its entire marketing program.

For Stevens Pass, Buttery does everything from print and banner ads to bus wraps, billboards and TV commercials.

Horn loves working with clients in different geographic areas but also takes pride in Buttery’s local projects. You may have seen one of the Never-Never Land videos the agency recently produced for the Gunnison-Crested Butte Tourism Association, one featuring snowboarder Mary Boddington and another with freeskier Tom Runcie. “We get to tell cool stories about people who live here in the valley and that’s really gratifying,” he says.

Regardless where work might take the Buttery guys, what they like doing the most is coming together in person to collaborate. That’s when Horn feels they really shine, and have the most fun.

“It’s all about perpetual motion. Being virtual works really well for us. It keeps us nimble, and we have contacts and collaborators around the country. The plan is to continually improve and evolve as a company, and to continue working with good people.”

Deborah Tutnauer, LLC

Deborah Tutnauer has been a self-employed coach and consultant for over 25 years. She began as a clinical social worker and psychotherapist but has spent the past seven years as a business coach. You may recognize her from the Social Media for Business events at Old Rock Library, but social media and online promotions only scrape the surface of Tutnauer’s work. She helps businesses in and out of the Gunnison Valley transform from the ground up, from determining core values to aligning business goals and strategies with those values and eventually creating (or recreating) products and promoting them to best represent the businesses’ overarching objectives.

Tutnauer transitioned from the mental health field to the business field after a stint of Internet marketing and online sales.

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She learned to be an Internet marketer and a direct response marketer (generating immediate responses from consumers) in addition to teaching herself how to build businesses.

“The learning curve was so steep, way harder than my two master’s degrees,” Tutnauer says. “After my daughter was born, I just couldn’t be a good mom and a good therapist, so the computer screen became super appealing. That was the forefront of Twitter days. I learned to write some html code, got involved with network marketing, made and lost a bunch of money, then made a lot—and I did it all through the Internet.”

Although she did well in that field, she wanted to get back into coaching people to be their best selves, as she did as a therapist. For 20 years she helped people and found that was what she liked best. She reflects on her career transition: “I made the decision to ramp back up into this helping profession, as I call it. I created a coaching business, and now here we are. I still collect income from the network marketing, just because the funnels are set up, but I don’t deal with it anymore.”

She lives in Crested Butte South when she’s not traveling for her consulting business or commercial events, as her career choice does not tie her down to a location or a time schedule. Before moving here in 1995 from Maine, every winter weekend she drove four hours each direction to ski at Sugarloaf Mountain. So she made a list of 10 things she wanted to find in a town and hit the road to explore ski towns across the West. Three requirements from her list included not having to drive to ski, a small town with a great sense of community, and a highly educated liberal population.

“Crested Butte was the first place I went and I knew I was coming back but I continued on my trip because I felt like I needed to finish what I had started. I’ve literally lived all over the world and since I got here it’s never crossed my mind to live anywhere else,” she said with a smile.

In addition to coaching people to think bigger and step outside their boxes, in 2014 Tutnauer began expanding into more public speaking roles where she trains and motivates large groups of people. One example: last spring she was the keynote speaker for a semester course called Lectures in Entrepreneurship at Westminster College in Salt Lake City. In her words, she helps frustrated entrepreneurs get real about money, marketing, and meaning. She’s also been consulting with corporations and larger businesses, helping them improve company performance and boost employee motivation and morale by bringing new ideas and even games into the workplace.

“Many who benefit from my services feel as if they are bumping up against an invisible bubble. They know that something is in their way but they are challenged to discern what it is or how to shift,” Tutnauer says. “Together we create their business foundation and framework with clarity and authenticity. Until you are clear about who you are, you will continue to operate a business that is financially unsustainable.”

Tutnauer says her diverse methods are based on a vast cornucopia of knowledge, both empirical and spiritual. She’s been called an “Architect of Magical Structure,” she says, “for indeed what I show you how to do is to take the essence of your deepest truth and align it with an organized structure for your business success.”

Her 12-session Foundation and Framework Intensive program helps determine clients’ passions, values, and areas of expertise in order to help reassess why they’re in the business and what their business does for the end user. Then she helps them determine how to better attract customers by improving marketing techniques and web presence. She also offers a three-session Micro-Coaching program in which she provides the same directional recommendations she would for the 12-session program, but instead she and the client focus on one goal from beginning to end over the course of three sessions.

In direct correlation with running a business that aligns with what one believes in, Tutnauer emphasizes that people should live a life that’s in alignment with who they are. She says a lot of people don’t do that because they’ve never really taken the time to say, “Who am I really?”

“If you take the time to do the work to understand yourself and what gifts you really bring to the world, there could be a lot of options. A lot of people won’t even step to the edge of the cliff and look down. It’s not a judgment, I just hear so many people complaining. One of my core values is freedom and independence. I worked a job for one year in 1982 that I didn’t like after the first nine months, and I quit. When I coach people, I coach them to live a life and develop a business based on their interests, values and expertise.”

Check back next week for the second installment of Locals Making Waves in an Entrepreneurial Age. We’ll speak with more businesses in the Gunnison Valley, specifically designers and engineers, about the ups and downs of exporting their expertise outside of the community they call home.

By the Book

by Dawne Belloise

It’s good to have a mayor with a sense of humor, but more important, it’s essential to have a sense of humor if you’re the mayor. Glenn Michel seems to have that significant qualifier.

Over the course of time, Glenn’s life has gone in several very different directions, but when he talks about his experiences, it makes sense that all those adventures would culminate in sitting in the mayor’s chair of Crested Butte’s Town Council.

Growing up in eastern Iowa as the youngest of four siblings, Glenn wasn’t into organized high school sports, yet from ninth grade he was traveling most weekends with a club from the University of Iowa, the Iowa Mountaineers, which he points out is quite the oxymoron. The club took trips throughout the western U.S., Canada and even Europe.

“We did things like rock climbing, hikes, and skiing. By the time I was in the eleventh grade, I was teaching rock climbing to university students and taught cross-country skiing at Devil’s Lake, Wisconsin, three hours away. During summers we went to places like the Grand Canyon and in the winters we went to other areas like Leadville, Colorado, for backcountry ski trips. The local ski shop sponsored our ski team…

“I sucked at skiing,” Glenn laughs. “I was never any good but it was always fun to hang out with the guys and ski. I was never around my high school much because I was having all these great adventures. No one in my school even knew what I was doing.” Glenn graduated in 1986 and enrolled at the University of Iowa.

“I started as an engineering major but I graduated in 1992 with two degrees, a BA in history and one in economics. By that time our outdoor recreation program had grown to be the largest program in the nation. Through the Iowa Mountaineers club we taught classes, like gym, and we’d take like 70 kids rock climbing. We did trips every weekend, still going to Devil’s Lake and the Canadian Rockies, Sawtooth in Idaho, and Devils Tower.”

After graduation, Glenn became the full-time trip and guide leader for the Iowa Mountaineers. “My title was just ‘Glenn, who was gonna run the trip,’” he grins. From month-long mountaineering trips, guiding climbers to the summits of Peru’s 17k peaks and to Kauai, where, Glenn recalls, “They shipped me over and told me to find the best beaches and bars to take clients to. People from Iowa wanted to go with a group. We’d arrange for them to do hikes on the Nepali coast and catamaran, boogie board and snorkel. I was the facilitator.”

Glenn also guided eight one-week trips into the Havasupai reservation, during the fall and spring.

In 1993, Crested Butte’s Dave Penny was contracted to be a guide with Glenn’s group. “He was a phenomenal climber and could get the rope up anywhere and Dave asked if I had ever been to Crested Butte, which I hadn’t, so he invited me,” Glenn remembers.

“I was on the road 200 days a year, in my tent, either guiding or climbing alone. If I had a break I’d have a friend come and we’d climb together.” That year he was heading to California to climb and decided to stop into Crested Butte to see Dave.

“I was going everywhere back then so I didn’t catch the Crested Butte bug at that time. I kept moving around. Whenever I needed a home I could always blast back to the Midwest and find a job doing temporary construction, painting or something. I was the classic dude. I had my little red Chevy pickup with a topper and everything I owned in the world in it—which wasn’t much.”

Back in 1987, when Glenn was a freshmen, during a spring break while guiding in the Grand Canyon he met this German girl named Gesa. “We dated for years on and off, even though she was in Germany. I’d fly over during breaks.” He was guiding for Cascade Alpine Guides when the industry changed so much that you needed insurance and permits. After guiding for multiple companies Glenn started his own, called Midwest Mountain Connection, in 1996.

“I was subcontracting, taking groups to Mt. Rainier, the Canadian Rockies, the Grand Canyon and private individual guiding since my client list had grown.” He and Gesa were traveling together in Seattle. “In the classic sense, we shared a tent, but she always had her own thing going on. We were best friends. We climbed northern Italy, southern Germany, where you’d climb hard and then have a hefenweizen [a Bavarian wheat beer]. We wanted to find a place to settle down and just ‘be,’ so we drove 39 hours to Crested Butte, mostly because they had a women’s ice hockey team and Gesa wanted to play hockey.

“She didn’t know how to skate,” he smiles, “but she was an NCAA field hockey national champ at the University of Iowa. I could be anywhere because I was guiding, and she got a job working at Crested Butte Mountain Resort,” in 1998.

“When you guide it becomes tremendously lonely,” Glenn confesses. “Every week there are new clients, new people, and then they just go away. You’re giving your heart and soul and risking your life for these people. You end up being their psychiatrist (which helps me in politics), just dealing with people’s emotions and issues. So many people who want to climb difficult routes are running from something or looking for something else. You’re taking something you love and selling it and it really dilutes the personal enjoyment of it. I was getting older and considering the costs of insurance and permits and that it’s tremendously risky and pay was really low and Gesa got pregnant—so I became a carpenter. It’s a Crested Butte story,” he laughs, recounting the chronology of logic that led him into banging a hammer. “We were just naïve enough to think we could buy a piece of land in town and build a house. And I did. I designed it myself, built it with the help of friends sporadically helping out. We were one of the first to break ground in the Verzuh annexation.

“So, the reason I inadvertently got into politics is because I had to go before BOZAR to get my solar panels approved, and they were reluctant to approve them. We saw there was going to be a battle… we asked the town to give it the thumbs up, which they did, but after all this grief with Town Council and BOZAR, when it was all said and done, we won Project of the Year.

“At that time, our design had the most environmental points. It’s a tremendously green house,” he says proudly, and it was the impetus that pushed him into local politics.

In addition, Molly Minneman asked him to join the BOZAR crew, because, he grins, “She was desperate for someone. It’s hard to find folks to do it. But I knew the guidelines real well by then and also the zoning codes.” He stayed on with BOZAR for five years, two of them as chairperson.

“You make a lot of individuals mad,” he notes, “when you uphold the guidelines. The thing is, the town looks good, we have a great built environment and we have the world’s greatest dumbed-down western Victorian architecture. This town tells one of the greatest American stories architecturally, so in the week-in/week-out daily battles, you just look toward the future of what the town’s going to be.

“Frankly, the town is now at a turning point.” Glenn reflects on the many changes and phases Crested Butte has endured. “People really value what the town is. Just look at Elk Avenue—it’s tremendous. In American society, free market capitalism won’t give us Elk Ave. It took 40 years of effort, of BOZAR being consistent and having these hard conversations to create the great sense of place we have today. I think because we’ve done such a great job of preserving our sense of place, people are buying these historic mining cabins and wanting to restore them historically. They’re now willing to put big money into these historical structures. The simple truth is that they can’t tear them down anyway—they’re protected.”

Glenn admits that he’s very much a “rules” person, and with his training in economics and politics, he’s pretty strict on following those rules.

Twenty years after his initial college degrees, in 2009 he went back to Western State College to get his third BA, this time in politics and government, graduating in 2013.

“It was during the recession here when I didn’t have enough work as a carpenter. It was pretty grim. I don’t think people realized how challenging it was for local carpenters, how desperate it was. So that’s why I went back to school, to up my education base. The world changes a lot when you have a mortgage, a wife and two kids,” Glenn says. Their boys are Vincent, now 15 and Yvon, 12. “The world itself changed—computers, phones, 9/11,” adds Glenn.

In 2011, Glenn was elected to the Town Council, on which he served until this November when he was elected town mayor.

“There’s no office of the mayor at the Town Hall. When I first moved to town and went in to talk to the town manager, I remember thinking, wow, if this is the town manager’s office I bet the mayor’s office must be amazing.

“As mayor, I now know that my office is my cell phone and kitchen table. People don’t recognize that the mayoral position is a part-time gig.”

Glenn says there’s a lot more responsibility to being mayor than people realize, with the various boards and committees he’s on, all the special events to be handled, and individual citizens’ needs. “You’re always talking to people, always communicating, always listening to people. To govern effectively you have to have good listening skills and the ability to collaboratively work with people. It’s the idea that you go from the ‘I’ to the ‘we,’” he says but also admits, “Life’s cruel, capitalism stinks and I can’t change that. I can’t make life perfect for everyone.”

Glenn has a joie de vivre, a deep respect and admiration for the community. “It’s the lifestyle, the people—I can be myself and I’m accepted. I have a great life, I can come and go when I want, I’m self-employed, I work in my shop [he also makes furniture], I can ski when I want. It’s pretty choice.”

Let the holidays begin!

Hanukah in Crested Butte starts this weekend. B’nai Butte would like to invite the community to join us as we light the Hanukiah (Menora) nightly at 5:45 p.m. at the Brick Oven starting Sunday, December 6 and continuing for the Eight days of Hanukah till December 13. Sunday, December 13 we will have our nightly lighting at 5:45 followed by a pizza party to celebrate the last day of Hanukah. All are invited!

Coloring and Conversations at the Old Rock

Have the holidays got you hustling around like a wild person? Stressed out at work? Come to the Old Rock Library on Wednesday, December 9 at 6:30 p.m. for a free evening of Coloring and Conversation. Snacks and soft music will be available for this event, sponsored by the Crested Butte Friends of the Library. Come to relax, perhaps meet new people or have a chat with old friends while you do some coloring on beautiful adult coloring pages. Coloring and Conversation will give you some “Zen” time to color and relax. We will have a variety of adult coloring pages and pencils for you to use, or bring your own.

Seats opening on Mountain Roots board of directors

Mountain Roots has three seats opening on the board of directors, one for a Gunnison resident and two for a Crested Butte or Almont resident. Appointments begin January 1. The organization runs the Farm to School program for the school district, models and teaches sustainable agriculture through a network of urban, youth, and community gardens and a new community farm, and builds food security and economic development through access strategies, education, and outreach targeted to meet the needs of low-income, Latino, and senior residents. For more details please contact director Holly Conn, (970) 417-7848 or go to director@mountainrootsfoodproject.org.

Awareness Night/Beacon Brush Up 2.0

The Crested Butte Avalanche Center (CBAC) is hosting its’ annual Avalanche Awareness Night on Friday, December 4 at Mountaineer Square. Doors open at 5, show starts at 6. There will be presentations, a video and even a game show in addition to the Haffle and Faffle, slices of Brick Oven pizza, Avery beer and plenty of schwag for sale. $5 gets you in the door. On Saturday, December 5 Irwin Guides, the CBAC and the Alpineer team up to host the new and improved Beacon Brush Up 2.0 at the Crested Butte Community School from 9 a.m.- 3 p.m. There will be clinics for all levels from beginners to experienced backcountry users and a gathering afterwards at the Alpineer. Best of all, it’s free!

Honor a loved one at the Tree of Life Celebration Saturday

Gunnison Valley Health Hospice & Palliative Care invites you to honor a loved one this holiday season at the annual Tree of Life Celebration on Saturday, December 5, at 10 a.m. at the Almont Resort. Each year, the Tree of Life is dedicated to loved ones and adorned with dove ornaments created especially for hospice. This year’s dove ornaments were designed by local artist Elise Meier and lovingly assembled by GVH Hospice & Palliative Care volunteers. Each ornament is uniquely designed and no two are alike. Call (970) 641-4254 to order your dove ornament by phone. A bell will be tolled as each loved one’s name is read out loud. Light refreshments will be served.

Birthdays

December 3- Kristen Van Hoesen, Emerson Wohlers, Ben Debnam, Bryan Wickenhauser

December 4- John Cowell, Hallie Weischsel

December 5- Murphy Sloan, Heejohng Chae, Ezra Paden

December 6- Laci Wright, Linda Crouse, Jack Crumpton, Stacee Schultz, Reilly & Logan Walter, Jenny Birnie

December 7- Sydney Loyed, Tony Campana, Ray DelTufo, Matt Kuehlhorn, Hanna Weichsel, Jeff Deutsch

December 8- Amanda Knoll

December 9- Fred Garing, Beth  Carter, Lucille Lucas, Colton Schnailter, Dan Jones

Cameos: what is your favorite run on the mountain?

The Edge

Otto Billingsley

Twister

Grace Haverkampf

Big Chute

Jacob Bernholtz

Headwall

Finn Veit

International

Anika Jobson

FOOD FOR FINES:  Baby Ruby and Sierra Fairfield-Smith paid off fines at the Old Rock Library by donating food to librarian Debra Reich for the food bank.  photo by Lydia Stern

NEW LOCATION:  Watchdog Property Management & Real Estate has a new permanent home! The team is proud to announce the new location at the “Pink Building” at the 4-way stop. 309 6th Street, Unit A. Watchdog offers full real estate services, vacation rentals, care taking, and HOA management.  photo by Lydia Stern

LOCAL AUTHOR:  David Rothman read from his book Living the Life: Tales from America’s Mountains and Ski Towns at the Alpineer on Saturday, November 28.  photo by Lydia Stern

THURSDAY 3
• 6-6:45 a.m. Meditation at Yoga for the Peaceful, by donation.
• 7 a.m. The Whatever Class at The Gym. 349-2588.
• 8 a.m. Ecumenical Meditation at UCC.
• 8:30 a.m. Women’s book discussion group at UCC.
• 8:30-9:30 a.m. Worship Service at Oh-Be-Joyful Church.
• 8:30-9:45 a.m. Vinyasa Flow Yoga – All Levels. Town Hall Fitness Room.
• 8:45 a.m. All levels yoga class at The Gym. 349-2588.
• 8:45-10 a.m. Vinyasa at Yoga For The Peaceful.
• 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.)
• 10-11:15 a.m. Ayuryoga – Yoga Rejuvination. Town Hall Fitness Room.
• 10:30-11:45 a.m. Yoga Basics at Yoga For The Peaceful.
• 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Lunch Break Yoga. All levels. Town Hall Fitness Room.
• noon All Saints in the Mountain Episcopal Church Community Healing Service at Queen of All Saints Catholic Church. 349-9371.
• noon CORE Stability. 970-901-4413.
• noon-1:15 p.m. Prana Vinyasa at Yoga For The Peaceful.
• 12:30 p.m. ACBL Sanctioned Open Bridge Game. 349-5535.
• 4-5:30 p.m. St. Mary’s Garage. 300 Belleview, Unit 2. Free clothing and bedding. 970-275-5285.
• 4:30-6 p.m. Crested Butte Community Food Bank open at Oh Be Joyful Church (First Thursday of every month.)
• 5:30 p.m. Communion Services at Queen of All Saints Catholic Church.
• 5:30-6:45 p.m. Slow Flow at Yoga For The Peaceful.
• 5:30-6:45 p.m. Vinyasa Flow Yoga. All levels. Town Hall Fitness Room.
• 5:45 p.m. World Dance Class at The Gym. 349-2588.
• 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 4
• 6:30 a.m. All Levels Iyengar Yoga Class at The Gym. 349-2588.
• 8:30 a.m. Alanon at UCC Parlour (in back). 349-6482.
• 8:30-9:15 a.m. Aerial Conditioning with the Crested Butte Dance Collective at the Center for the Arts. 349-7487.
• 8:30-9:30 a.m. Worship Service at Oh-Be-Joyful Church.
• 8:30-9:45 a.m. Vinyasa Flow Yoga. All levels. Town Hall Fitness Room.
• 8:45 a.m. Core Power Yoga Class at the Pump Room.
• 9 a.m. Juliette’s Balance Barre at Western Pilates Studio in Crested Butte. 596-1714.
• 9-10:30 a.m. Prana Vinyasa at Yoga For The Peaceful.
• 9:15-10 a.m. Open Aerial Dance with the Crested Butte Dance Collective at the Center for the Arts. 349-7487.
• 10-11 a.m. Kundalini Yoga. All levels. Town Hall Fitness Room.
• noon-1:15 p.m. Restorative Yoga at Yoga For The Peaceful.
• noon Closed AA at UCC.
• noon Metabolic Blast at CORE. 970-901-4413.
• 4:30-5:45 p.m. Community Flow Yoga at Yoga For The Peaceful.
• 5:30 p.m. Communion service at Queen of All Saints Catholic Church.
• 5:30-7:30 p.m. Pick-Up adult Karate, Fitness Room at Town Hall.
• 6-7 p.m. Poi Playshop at the Pump Room.

SATURDAY 5
• 7:30 a.m. Open AA at UCC.
• 8 a.m. Indoor Biking Class at The Gym. 349-2588.
• 8:30-9:30 a.m. Worship Service at Oh-Be-Joyful Church.
• 8:45-10 a.m. Prana Vinyasa at Yoga For The Peaceful.
• 9-10:15 a.m. Vinyasa Flow Yoga. All levels. Town Hall Fitness Room.
• 9-10:30 a.m. Community Yoga at the Sanctuary Yoga & Pilates Studio, Gunnison.
• 9:15 a.m. All Levels Yoga Class at The Gym. 349-2588.
• 10:30 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.
• 5 p.m. Winter Beading Class: Silk Knotting (Pearl Knotting, Mala or Rosary) at Pema Dewa. 349-7563.

SUNDAY 6
• 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 UCC Church.
• 9-10:15 a.m. Easy flow at Yoga For The Peaceful.
• 9:30-11 a.m. Community Yoga. All levels. Town Hall Fitness Room.
• 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.
• 6:30 p.m. Duplicate Bridge at UCC. Call 349-9296.
• 6:30-7:30 p.m. Hatha Yoga. All levels. Town Hall Fitness Room.
• 7 p.m. Gamblers Anonymous meets at the Last Resort.
• 7:30-8:15 p.m. Pranayama & Meditation. Town Hall Fitness Room.

MONDAY 7
• 6:30 a.m. Strength and Conditioning with Janae or Pip at CORE. 901-4413.
• 8:30-9:30 a.m. Worship Service at Oh-Be-Joyful Church.
• 8:30-9:45 a.m. Vinyasa Flow Yoga – All levels. Town Hall Fitness Room.
• 8:45 a.m. Core Power Yoga Class at the Pump Room.
• 8:45 a.m. Pilates at The Gym. 349-2588.
• 9-10:30 a.m. Prana Vinyasa at Yoga For The Peaceful.
• 10-11:15 a.m. Ayuryoga – Yoga Rejuvination. Town Hall Fitness Room.
• 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Lunch Break Yoga. All levels. Town Hall Fitness Room.
• noon-1 p.m. Yoga Therapeutics at Yoga For The Peaceful.
• 12:30 p.m. ACBL Sanctioned Open Bridge Game. 349-5535.
• 4-8 p.m. Soo Bahk Do classes for kids and adults. 349-7752.
• 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 p.m. Yin/Yang Circuit with Ginny and Jess at CORE. 901-4413.
• 5:30-6:45 p.m. Gentle Restorative. All levels. Town Hall Fitness Room.
• 5:30-7 p.m. Moms in Motion class at the GVH rehab gym.
• 5:45 p.m. Boot Camp Class at The Gym. 349-2588.
• 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 8
• 7 a.m. The Whatever Class at The Gym. 349-2588.
• 7-8 a.m. Hatha Yoga. All Levels. Town Hall Fitness Room.
• 7:30 a.m. AA/Alanon Open at UCC. 349-5711.
• 8-8:45 a.m. Pranayama & Meditation. Town Hall Fitness Room.
• 8:30-9:30 a.m. Worship Service at Oh-Be-Joyful Church.
• 8:45-10 a.m. Vinyasa at Yoga for the Peaceful.
• 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Gunnison County branch office is open at the Crested Butte Town Offices, 507 Maroon Ave.
• 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.
• 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Lunch Break Yoga – All levels. Town Hall Fitness Room.
• noon AA Closed at UCC.
• 2-4 p.m. Tech Tuesdays at Old Rock Library. 349-6535.
• 4-5:30 p.m. St. Mary’s Garage. 300 Belleview, Unit 2. Free clothing & bedding. 275-5285.
• 5:15 p.m. RedCord suspension class at Western Pilates Studio in Crested Butte. 596-1714.
• 5:30 p.m. Communion Service at Queen of All Saints Church.
• 5:30-6:15 p.m. Aerial Conditioning with the Crested Butte Dance Collective at the Center for the Arts. 349-7487.
• 5:30-6:45 p.m. Slow Flow at Yoga For The Peaceful.
• 5:30-6:45 p.m. Vinyasa Flow. All levels. Town Hall Fitness Room.
• 5:45 p.m. All Levels Iyengar Yoga Class at The Gym. 349-2588.
• 6-7 p.m. Community Connection Night at UCC Parlour.
• 6:15-7 p.m. Open Aerial Dance with the Crested Butte Dance Collective at the Center for the Arts. 349-7487.
• 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.
• 7-9 p.m. Pick-up adult Karate, Fitness Room at Town Hall.
• 7:45-9:45 p.m. Drop-In Adult Volleyball, CBCS MS Gym.

WEDNESDAY 9
• 6:30 a.m. All Levels Iyengar Yoga Class at The Gym. 349-2588.
• 7:30 a.m. Rotary meeting at the Grand Lodge.
• 7:30-8:30 a.m. Prana Vinyasa at Yoga For The Peaceful.
• 8:30-9:30 a.m. Worship Service at Oh-Be-Joyful Church.
• 8:45 a.m. Mat Mix at The Gym. 349-2588.
• 9-10:30 a.m. Prana Vinyasa at Yoga For The Peaceful.
• 9:30 a.m.-2 p.m. Two Buttes Senior Citizens van transportation. Roundtrip to Gunnison. 275-4768.
• noon Closed AA at UCC.
• noon-1 p.m. Slow Flow at Yoga For The Peaceful.
• 4 p.m. Water Warriors – Coal Creek Watershed Coalition at the Old Rock Library.
• 4-8 p.m. Soo Bahk Do classes for kids and adults. 349-7752.
• 5 p.m. Mass at Queen of All Saints Catholic Church.
• 5:30 p.m. Prenatal Yoga class in Crested Butte South. 349-1209.
• 5:30-6:30 p.m. Ayurvedic Lecture series. Town Hall Fitness Room.
• 5:45 p.m. Boot Camp Class at The Gym. 349-2588.
• 6 p.m. Celebrate Recovery Meetings: 2nd and 4th Wednesdays of each month, Oh Be Joyful Church, Crested Butte. 970-596-3846.
• 6-7:15 p.m. Kaiut Yoga at Yoga For The Peaceful.
• 6:30 p.m. Alanon at UCC Parlour (in back). 349-6482.
• 6:30-7:45 p.m. Restorative Yin Yoga Nidra. All levels. Town Hall Fitness Room.
• 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.
• 7:45-9:45 p.m. Pick-Up Adult Indoor Soccer, CBCS HS Gym (through March).

Events & Entertainment 

thursday 3
• 5-7:30 p.m. New Winter Exhibit Open House at the Crested Butte Heritage Museum. 349-1880.
• 5:30 p.m. Crested Butte/Mt. Crested Butte Chamber’s After Hours Mixer at Alpine Orthopaedics on Elk Ave. 349-6438.
• 6-8 p.m. Canvases and Cocktails with painting topic: Vin de la France at the Red Room. 349-7044.
• 6-8 p.m. GCSAPP presents Parent-Community Education Event: Technology, social media and youth at the Crested Butte Community School. 642-7393.
• 7 p.m. Bill Dowell plays at the Princess Wine Bar.
• 10 p.m. Karoke upstairs in the Sky Bar at the Talk of the Town.

friday 4
• 4:30-6 p.m. Book Signing with Sandra Cortner’s Crested Butte…Love at First Sight at the Bookworm in Gunnison. 641-1654.
• 5:30-7:30 p.m. Night of Lights in downtown Gunnison.
• 6 p.m. Avalanche Awareness Night at the Mountaineer Square Ballroom. Doors open at 5 p.m.
• 6:30 p.m. First Friday Family Films showing Elf at the Old Rock Library. 349-6535.
• 7 p.m. Dawne Belloise and Chuck Grossman play at the Princess Wine Bar.
• 10 p.m. Red Room presents a Black & White Party featuring M.I.I.L.K.
• 10 p.m. Pine Traveler plays at the Eldo.

saturday 5
• 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Beacon Brush Up brought to you by the CB Avalanche Center at the CB Community School.
• 10 a.m. Greenback Exchange at the Bank of the West in Gunnison.
• 10 a.m. Tree of Life Ceremony at the Almont Resort. 641-4254.
• 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Crested Butte Holiday Bazaar at the Queen of All Saints Parish Hall, 401 Sopris Ave. Come see Santa from noon-3 p.m. 209-6732.
• 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Book Signing with Sandra Cortner’s Crested Butte…Love at First Sight at the Crested Butte Holiday Bazaar. 641-1654.
• 3-6 p.m. Beacon Brush Up brought to you by the CB Avalanche Center at The Alpineer with a raffle at 4 p.m.
• 5 p.m. Community Christmas Celebration at The Club at Crested Butte. 349-8611.
• 7 p.m. Craig McLaughlin plays at the Princess Wine Bar.
• 10 p.m. Jesse RS plays at the Eldo.

sunday 6
• 3-6 p.m. Christmas & Holiday Paint Your Own Pottery at the Art Studio of the Center for the Arts. 349-7044.
• 3-7 p.m. Happy Hour Sundays with Chuck Grossman at the Eldo.
• 7 p.m. Tyler Lucas and Katherine Taylor play at the Princess Wine Bar.

monday 7
• 3:30-5:45 p.m. Christmas & Holiday Paint Your Own Pottery at the Art Studio of the Center for the Arts. 349-7044.
• 6-8 p.m. GCSAPP hosts their Parent & Youth Education Dinner at GES Middle School. (Every 2nd Monday).
• 6:30 p.m. Monday Night Football: Cowboys vs Redskins at the Majestic Theatre. Free.
• 8 p.m. Shannon Stichter hosts Open Mic Night at Pitas in Paradise.

tuesday 8
• 3-6 p.m. Christmas & Holiday Paint Your Own Pottery at the Art Studio of the Center for the Arts. 349-7044.
• 6-9 p.m. Spirits & Ceramics with The Arts Studio of Center for the Arts at Montanya Distillers. 349-7044.
• 7 p.m. Chuck Grossman plays at the Princess Wine Bar.

wednesday 9
• 3:45 p.m. Annual Hour of Code for Tweens at the Old Rock Library. 349-6535.
• 6-8 p.m. GCSAPP hosts their Parent & Youth Education Dinner at CBCS. (Every 2nd Wednesday).
• 6:30 p.m. ‘Coloring and Conversation’ for adults at the Old Rock Library. 349-6535.
• 7 p.m. Evelyn Roper plays at the Princess Wine Bar.
• 7:30 p.m. Fall 2015 edition of Student Film Night at the University Theatre, WSCU.
• 7:30 p.m. Pool Tournament upstairs at the Talk of the Town.

KIDS calendar

THURSDAY 3
• 9 a.m. Munchkin’s Music & Dance Class in the High Attitude Dance Academy in Gunnison.
• 9:30 a.m. Tumblebugs in Jerry’s Gym.
• 3-8 p.m. Youth Gymnastics, Jerry’s Gym at Town Hall 349-5338.

FRIDAY 4
• 11 a.m. Big Kids Storytime for ages 3 and up and Old Rock Library.

MONDAY 7
• 4 p.m. Soo Bahk Do classes for kids at Town Hall. 349-7752.
• 4:45 p.m. Soo Bahk Do classes for juniors at Town Hall. 349-7752.

TUESDAY 8
• 11 a.m. Romp & Rhyme Storytime for families and kids of all ages at Old Rock Library.
• 3-8 p.m. Youth Gymnastics, Jerry’s Gym at Town Hall 349-5338.

WEDNESDAY 9
• 9 a.m. Munchkin’s Music & Dance Class in the Fitness Room at Old Town Hall.
• 10 a.m. Munchkin’s Music & Dance Class in the Fitness Room at Old Town Hall.
• 11 a.m. Babies and Toddlers Storytime at Old Rock Library.
• 3:45 p.m. Tween Scene at the Old Rock Library.
• 4-8 p.m. Soo Bahk Do classes for kids at Town Hall. 349-7752.

Events & Entertainment 

thursday 26
Old Rock Library is closed.
• 9-11:30 a.m. Crested Butte Nordic holds The Round Robin Refresher Clinic.
• 10 a.m.-noon Bliss Chiropractic open as a donation event for Oh Be Dogful Pet Rescue. 349-7474.
• 10 p.m. Karoke upstairs in the Sky Bar at the Talk of the Town.

friday 27
Old Rock Library is closed.
• 9-11:30 a.m. Crested Butte Nordic  holds 1/2 day Introductory Lessons for Skate and Classic skiing.
• 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Crested Butte Nordic  holds Full Day Skate and Classic Ski Clinics.
• noon Crested Butte Nordic offers Performance Nutrition presented by Kristen Osborn at the CB Nordic Center.
• 6 p.m. Justin Howard plays at Kochevar’s.

saturday 28
• 9-11:30 a.m. Crested Butte Nordic  holds 1/2 day Introductory Lessons for Skate and Classic skiing.
• 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Crested Butte Nordic  holds Full Day Skate and Classic Ski Clinics.
• noon Crested Butte Nordic offers Fast Wax Clinic with rep Brian Smith at the CB Nordic Center.
• 4 p.m. Allen Smith’s “Story Time” at Rumors Coffee Shop with original songs, photos and stories.
• 6:30 p.m. David J. Rothman will give a reading from his book Living the Life: Tales from America’s Mountains & Ski Towns at the Alpineer.
• 6 p.m. CB Nordic hosts a Winter Kickoff Celebration with the Gypsy Jazz Social Club at the Mallardi Cabaret Theatre.
• 10 p.m. Medic plays at the Eldo.

sunday 29
• 10 a.m. The Alley Loop Points Series (Race #1) – 5k Skate at the CB Nordic Center.
• 3-7 p.m. Happy Hour Sundays with Chuck Grossman at the Eldo.
• 4-5:30 p.m. Santa Night at Crested Butte Heritage Museum.

monday 30
• 8 p.m. Shannon Stichter hosts Open Mic Night at Pitas in Paradise.

tuesday 1
• 6-9 p.m. Spirits & Ceramics with The Art Studio at the Center for the Arts at Montanya Distillers. 349-7044.
• 6-9 p.m. Butte Bucks on sale at the 4-way Visitor Center to locals who work in the Gunnison Valley.

wednesday 2
• 5-8 p.m. PAWS will host their annual Sips, Dips and Microchips with Santa available for pet photos at the PAWS facility, 26651 Hwy 135. 209-3656.
• 6-9 p.m. Butte Bucks on sale at the 4-way Visitor Center to locals who work in the Gunnison Valley.
• 7:30 p.m. Pool Tournament upstairs at the Talk of the Town.

KIDS calendar

THURSDAY 26
• 9 a.m. Munchkin’s Music & Dance Class in the High Attitude Dance Academy in Gunnison.
• 9:30 a.m. Tumblebugs in Jerry’s Gym.
• 3-8 p.m. Youth Gymnastics, Jerry’s Gym at Town Hall 349-5338.

FRIDAY 27
• 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Crested Butte Nordic  offers a Free Thanksgiving Kids Camp.
• 11 a.m. Big Kids Storytime for ages 3 and up and Old Rock Library.

SATURDAY 28
• 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Crested Butte Nordic  offers a Free Thanksgiving Kids Camp.

MONDAY 30
• 4 p.m. Soo Bahk Do classes for kids at Town Hall. 349-7752.
• 4:45 p.m. Soo Bahk Do classes for juniors at Town Hall. 349-7752.

TUESDAY 1
• 11 a.m. Romp & Rhyme Storytime for families and kids of all ages at Old Rock Library.
• 3-8 p.m. Youth Gymnastics, Jerry’s Gym at Town Hall 349-5338.

WEDNESDAY 2
• 9 a.m. Munchkin’s Music & Dance Class in the Fitness Room at Old Town Hall.
• 10 a.m. Munchkin’s Music & Dance Class in the Fitness Room at Old Town Hall.
• 11 a.m. Babies and Toddlers Storytime at Old Rock Library.
• 3:45 p.m. Tween Scene at the Old Rock Library.
• 4-8 p.m. Soo Bahk Do classes for kids at Town Hall. 349-7752.

THURSDAY 26
• 6-6:45 a.m. Meditation at Yoga for the Peaceful, by donation.
• 7 a.m. The Whatever Class at The Gym. 349-2588.
• 8-8:45 a.m. Aerial Conditioning with the Crested Butte Dance Collective at the Center for the Arts. 349-7487.
• 8 a.m. Ecumenical Meditation at UCC.
• 8:30 a.m. Women’s book discussion group at UCC.
• 8:30-9:30 a.m. Worship Service at Oh-Be-Joyful Church.
• 8:30-9:45 a.m. Vinyasa Flow Yoga – All Levels. Town Hall Fitness Room.
• 8:45 a.m. All levels yoga class at The Gym (no class on 11/26). 349-2588.
• 8:45-9:30 a.m. Open Aerial Dance with the Crested Butte Dance Collective at the Center for the Arts. 349-7487.
• 8:45-10 a.m. Vinyasa at Yoga For The Peaceful.
• 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.)
• 10-11:15 a.m. Ayuryoga – Yoga Rejuvination. Town Hall Fitness Room.
• 10:30-11:45 a.m. Yoga Basics at Yoga For The Peaceful.
• 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Lunch Break Yoga. All levels. Town Hall Fitness Room.
• noon All Saints in the Mountain Episcopal Church Community Healing Service at Queen of All Saints Catholic Church. 349-9371.
• noon CORE Stability. 970-901-4413.
• noon-1:15 p.m. Prana Vinyasa at Yoga For The Peaceful.
• 12:30 p.m. ACBL Sanctioned Open Bridge Game. 349-5535.
• 4-5:30 p.m. St. Mary’s Garage. Closed for Thanksgiving. 300 Belleview, Unit 2. Free clothing and bedding. 970-275-5285.
• 4:30-6 p.m. Crested Butte Community Food Bank open at Oh Be Joyful Church (First Thursday of every month.)
• 5:30 p.m. Communion Services at Queen of All Saints Catholic Church.
• 5:30-6:45 p.m. Slow Flow at Yoga For The Peaceful.
• 5:30-6:45 p.m. Vinyasa Flow Yoga. All levels. Town Hall Fitness Room.
• 5:45 p.m. World Dance Class at The Gym (no class on 11/26). 349-2588.
• 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 27
• 6:30 a.m. All Levels Iyengar Yoga Class at The Gym. 349-2588.
• 8:30 a.m. Alanon at UCC Parlour (in back). 349-6482.
• 8:30-9:30 a.m. Worship Service at Oh-Be-Joyful Church.
• 8:30-9:45 a.m. Vinyasa Flow Yoga. All levels. Town Hall Fitness Room.
• 8:45 a.m. Core Power Yoga Class at the Pump Room.
• 9 a.m. Juliette’s Balance Barre at Western Pilates Studio in Crested Butte. 596-1714.
• 9-10:30 a.m. Prana Vinyasa at Yoga For The Peaceful.
• 10-11 a.m. Kundalini Yoga. All levels. Town Hall Fitness Room.
• noon-1:15 p.m. Restorative Yoga at Yoga For The Peaceful.
• noon Closed AA at UCC.
• noon Metabolic Blast at CORE. 970-901-4413.
• 4:30-5:45 p.m. Community Flow Yoga at Yoga For The Peaceful.
• 5:30 p.m. Communion service at Queen of All Saints Catholic Church.
• 5:30-7:30 p.m. Pick-Up adult Karate, Fitness Room at Town Hall.
• 6-7 p.m. Poi Playshop at the Pump Room.

SATURDAY 28
• 7:30 a.m. Open AA at UCC.
• 8 a.m. Indoor Biking Class at The Gym. 349-2588.
• 8:30-9:30 a.m. Worship Service at Oh-Be-Joyful Church.
• 8:45-10 a.m. Prana Vinyasa at Yoga For The Peaceful.
• 9-10:15 a.m. Vinyasa Flow Yoga. All levels. Town Hall Fitness Room.
• 9-10:30 a.m. Community Yoga at the Sanctuary Yoga & Pilates Studio, Gunnison.
• 9:15 a.m. All Levels Yoga Class at The Gym. 349-2588.
• 10:30 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.

SUNDAY 29
• 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 UCC Church.
• 9-10:15 a.m. Easy flow at Yoga For The Peaceful.
• 9:30-11 a.m. Community Yoga. All levels. Town Hall Fitness Room.
• 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.
• 6:30 p.m. Duplicate Bridge at UCC. Call 349-9296.
• 6:30-7:30 p.m. Hatha Yoga. All levels. Town Hall Fitness Room.
• 7 p.m. Gamblers Anonymous meets at the Last Resort.
• 7:30-8:15 p.m. Pranayama & Meditation. Town Hall Fitness Room.

MONDAY 30
• 6:30 a.m. Strength and Conditioning with Janae or Pip at CORE. 901-4413.
• 8:30-9:30 a.m. Worship Service at Oh-Be-Joyful Church.
• 8:30-9:45 a.m. Vinyasa Flow Yoga – All levels. Town Hall Fitness Room.
• 8:45 a.m. Core Power Yoga Class at the Pump Room.
• 8:45 a.m. Pilates at The Gym. 349-2588.
• 9-10:30 a.m. Prana Vinyasa at Yoga For The Peaceful.
• 10-11:15 a.m. Ayuryoga – Yoga Rejuvination. Town Hall Fitness Room.
• 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Lunch Break Yoga. All levels. Town Hall Fitness Room.
• noon-1 p.m. Yoga Therapeutics at Yoga For The Peaceful.
• 12:30 p.m. ACBL Sanctioned Open Bridge Game. 349-5535.
• 4-8 p.m. Soo Bahk Do classes for kids and adults. 349-7752.
• 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 p.m. Yin/Yang Circuit with Ginny and Jess at CORE. 901-4413.
• 5:30-6:45 p.m. Gentle Restorative. All levels. Town Hall Fitness Room.
• 5:30-7 p.m. Moms in Motion class at the GVH rehab gym.
• 5:45 p.m. Boot Camp Class at The Gym. 349-2588.
• 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 1
• 7 a.m. The Whatever Class at The Gym. 349-2588.
• 7-8 a.m. Hatha Yoga. All Levels. Town Hall Fitness Room.
• 7:30 a.m. AA/Alanon Open at UCC. 349-5711.
• 8-8:45 a.m. Pranayama & Meditation. Town Hall Fitness Room.
• 8:30-9:30 a.m. Worship Service at Oh-Be-Joyful Church.
• 8:45-10 a.m. Vinyasa at Yoga for the Peaceful.
• 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Gunnison County branch office is open at the Crested Butte Town Offices, 507 Maroon Ave.
• 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.
• 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Lunch Break Yoga – All levels. Town Hall Fitness Room.
• noon AA Closed at UCC.
• 2-4 p.m. Tech Tuesdays at Old Rock Library. 349-6535.
• 4-5:30 p.m. St. Mary’s Garage. 300 Belleview, Unit 2. Free clothing & bedding. 275-5285.
• 5:15 p.m. RedCord suspension class at Western Pilates Studio in Crested Butte. 596-1714.
• 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.
• 5:30-6:45 p.m. Vinyasa Flow. All levels. Town Hall Fitness Room.
• 5:45 p.m. All Levels Iyengar Yoga Class at The Gym. 349-2588.
• 6-7 p.m. Community Connection Night at UCC Parlour.
• 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.
• 7-9 p.m. Pick-up adult Karate, Fitness Room at Town Hall.
• 7:45-9:45 p.m. Drop-In Adult Volleyball, CBCS MS Gym.

WEDNESDAY 2
• 6:30 a.m. All Levels Iyengar Yoga Class at The Gym. 349-2588.
• 7:30 a.m. Rotary meeting at the Grand Lodge.
• 7:30-8:30 a.m. Prana Vinyasa at Yoga For The Peaceful.
• 8:30-9:30 a.m. Worship Service at Oh-Be-Joyful Church.
• 8:45 a.m. Mat Mix at The Gym. 349-2588.
• 9-10:30 a.m. Prana Vinyasa at Yoga For The Peaceful.
• 9:30 a.m.-2 p.m. Two Buttes Senior Citizens van transportation. Roundtrip to Gunnison. 275-4768.
• noon Closed AA at UCC.
• noon-1 p.m. Slow Flow at Yoga For The Peaceful.
• 4 p.m. Water Warriors – Coal Creek Watershed Coalition at the Old Rock Library.
• 4-8 p.m. Soo Bahk Do classes for kids and adults. 349-7752.
• 5 p.m. Mass at Queen of All Saints Catholic Church.
• 5:30 p.m. Prenatal Yoga class in Crested Butte South. 349-1209.
• 5:30-6:30 p.m. Ayurvedic Lecture series. Town Hall Fitness Room.
• 5:45 p.m. Boot Camp Class at The Gym. 349-2588.
• 6 p.m. Celebrate Recovery Meetings: 2nd and 4th Wednesdays of each month, Oh Be Joyful Church, Crested Butte. 970-596-3846.
• 6-7:15 p.m. Kaiut Yoga at Yoga For The Peaceful.
• 6:30 p.m. Alanon at UCC Parlour (in back). 349-6482.
• 6:30-7:45 p.m. Restorative Yin Yoga Nidra. All levels. Town Hall Fitness Room.
• 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 19
• 2 p.m. Novel-Tea discusses These Are My Words at the Old Rock Library. 349-6535.
• 5-7 p.m. Chamber’s Business After Hours Mixer at Coal Creek Grill. 349-6438.
• 6-8 p.m. The Gunnison/Crested Butte SnoTrackers Snowmobile Club’s annual Membership Drive at the Powerstop in Gunnison, will be showing Slednecks 18.
• 7 p.m. Monthly Film Series: Warren Miller’s Chasing Shadows at the Center for the Arts. 349-7487.
• 7:30 p.m. Western State Colorado University Chamber String Orchestra with director Kenneth W. Todd presents their initial Fall Concert at the Taylor Auditorium at WSCU.
• 10 p.m. Karoke upstairs in the Sky Bar at the Talk of the Town.

Friday 20
• 9 a.m.- 5 p.m. The Gunnison Ranger District, Colorado Snowmobile Association, Colorado Parks & Wildlife and Sno-Trackers will host a snowmobile registration and Christmas tree tag sale at the Crested Butte Chamber of Commerce.
• 6 p.m. Powder Tools Board Shop presents Movie Night, showing Origins and Eversince at the Brown Labrador Pub. Doors open at 5 p.m.
• 6:30 p.m. The Gunnison Arts Center and Headwaters Poetry Festival Reading Series presents Shelley Read, Toni Todd and special guest Danny Rosen.
• 10 p.m. Branded Bandits play at the Eldo.

Saturday 21
• 9 a.m.-4 p.m. 41st annual Sugarplum Festival at the Fred Field Building in Gunnison with Santa from 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
• 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Book signing with Sandra Cortner’s Crested Butte…Love at First Sight at the Sugarplum Festival at the Fred Field Building in Gunnison. 641-1654.
• 6-9 p.m. 8th Anniversary party at Montanya Distillers with live music from Free the Honey.
• 10 p.m. Selasee plays at the Eldo.

Sunday 22
• 2-5 p.m. A “Frozen” Winter White Ball for kids at The Red Room to benefit The Trailhead Children’s Musuem.
• 3-7 p.m. Happy Hour Sundays with Chuck Grossman at the Eldo.

Monday 23
• 6:30 p.m. Monday Night Football: Bills vs. Patriots at the Majestic Theatre. Free.
• 8 p.m. Shannon Stichter hosts Open Mic Night at Pitas in Paradise.

Tuesday 24
• 9 a.m.- 10:30 a.m. State Senator Kerry Donovan hosts a Town Hall meeting at Rumors Coffeehouse.

Wednesday 25
• 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Ski FREE Opening Day at CBMR and Pirate Party with Treasure Hunt.
• 11 a.m.-5 p.m. daily CB Heritage Museum opens for the winter season.
• 3:30 p.m. Rapidgrass plays at Butte 66 with Pirate Costume Contest.
• 7:30 p.m. Pool Tournament upstairs at the Talk of the Town.

KIDS calendar

THURSDAY 19
• 9 a.m. Munchkin’s Music & Dance Class in the High Attitude Dance Academy in Gunnison.
• 9:30 a.m. Tumblebugs in Jerry’s Gym.
• 3-8 p.m. Youth Gymnastics, Jerry’s Gym at Town Hall 349-5338.

FRIDAY 20
• 11 a.m. Big Kids Storytime for ages 3 and up and Old Rock Library.

MONDAY 23
• 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Thanksgiving Break Camp: Mythical Masks at the Trailhead Children’s Museum. 349-7160.
• 4 p.m. Soo Bahk Do classes for kids at Town Hall. 349-7752.
• 4:45 p.m. Soo Bahk Do classes for juniors at Town Hall. 349-7752.

Tuesday 24
• 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Thanksgiving Break Camp: Abstract Figure Drawing at the Trailhead Children’s Museum. 349-7160.
• 11 a.m. Romp & Rhyme Storytime for families and kids of all ages at Old Rock Library.
• 3-8 p.m. Youth Gymnastics, Jerry’s Gym at Town Hall 349-5338.

WEDNESDAY 25
• 9 a.m. Munchkin’s Music & Dance Class in the Fitness Room at Old Town Hall.
• 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Thanksgiving Break Camp: Mixed Media Banyan Trees at the Trailhead Children’s Museum. 349-7160.
• 10 a.m. Munchkin’s Music & Dance Class in the Fitness Room at Old Town Hall.
• 11 a.m. Babies and Toddlers Storytime at Old Rock Library.
• 3:45 p.m. Tween Scene at the Old Rock Library.
• 4-8 p.m. Soo Bahk Do classes for kids at Town Hall. 349-7752.

THURSDAY 19
• 6-6:45 a.m. Meditation at Yoga for the Peaceful, by donation.
• 7 a.m. The Whatever Class at The Gym. 349-2588.
• 8 a.m. Ecumenical Meditation at UCC.
• 8:30 a.m. Women’s book discussion group at UCC.
• 8:30-9:30 a.m. Worship Service at Oh-Be-Joyful Church.
• 8:30-9:45 a.m. Vinyasa Flow Yoga – All Levels. Town Hall Fitness Room.
• 8:45 a.m. All levels yoga class at The Gym (no class on 11/26). 349-2588.
• 8:45-10 a.m. Vinyasa at Yoga For The Peaceful.
• 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.)
• 10-11:15 a.m. Ayuryoga – Yoga Rejuvination. Town Hall Fitness Room.
• 10:30-11:45 a.m. Yoga Basics at Yoga For The Peaceful.
• 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Lunch Break Yoga. All levels. Town Hall Fitness Room.
• noon All Saints in the Mountain Episcopal Church Community Healing Service at Queen of All Saints Catholic Church. 349-9371.
• noon CORE Stability. 970-901-4413.
• noon-1:15 p.m. Prana Vinyasa at Yoga For The Peaceful.
• 12:30 p.m. ACBL Sanctioned Open Bridge Game. 349-5535.
• 4-5:30 p.m. St. Mary’s Garage. 300 Belleview, Unit 2. Free clothing and bedding. 970-275-5285.
• 4:30-6 p.m. Crested Butte Community Food Bank open at Oh Be Joyful Church (First Thursday of every month.)
• 5:30 p.m. Communion Services at Queen of All Saints Catholic Church.
• 5:30-6:45 p.m. Slow Flow at Yoga For The Peaceful.
• 5:30-6:45 p.m. Vinyasa Flow Yoga. All levels. Town Hall Fitness Room.
• 5:45 p.m. World Dance Class at The Gym (no class on 11/26). 349-2588.
• 6-7:15 p.m. Winter Conditioning class at the Middle School Gym. (runs through
Nov. 19)
• 6-8 p.m. Canvases and Cocktails with painting topic: The Rooster at the Red Room. 349-7044.
• 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 20
• 6:30 a.m. All Levels Iyengar Yoga Class at The Gym. 349-2588.
• 8-8:45 a.m. Aerial Conditioning with the Crested Butte Dance Collective at the Center for the Arts. 349-7487.
• 8:30 a.m. Alanon at UCC Parlour (in back). 349-6482.
• 8:30-9:30 a.m. Worship Service at Oh-Be-Joyful Church.
• 8:30-9:45 a.m. Vinyasa Flow Yoga. All levels. Town Hall Fitness Room.
• 8:45 a.m. Core Power Yoga Class at the Pump Room.
• 8:45-9:30 a.m. Open Aerial Dance with the Crested Butte Dance Collective at the Center for the Arts. 349-7487.
• 9 a.m. Juliette’s Balance Barre at Western Pilates Studio in Crested Butte. 596-1714.
• 9-10:30 a.m. Prana Vinyasa at Yoga For The Peaceful.
• 10-11 a.m. Kundalini Yoga. All levels. Town Hall Fitness Room.
• noon-1:15 p.m. Restorative Yoga at Yoga For The Peaceful.
• noon Closed AA at UCC.
• noon Metabolic Blast at CORE. 970-901-4413.
• 4:30-5:45 p.m. Community Flow Yoga at Yoga For The Peaceful.
• 5:30 p.m. Communion service at Queen of All Saints Catholic Church.
• 5:30-7:30 p.m. Pick-Up adult Karate, Fitness Room at Town Hall.
• 6-7 p.m. Poi Playshop at the Pump Room.

SATURDAY 21
• 7:30 a.m. Open AA at UCC.
• 8 a.m. Indoor Biking Class at The Gym. 349-2588.
• 8:30-9:30 a.m. Worship Service at Oh-Be-Joyful Church.
• 8:45-10 a.m. Prana Vinyasa at Yoga For The Peaceful.
• 9-10:15 a.m. Vinyasa Flow Yoga. All levels. Town Hall Fitness Room.
• 9-10:30 a.m. Community Yoga at the Sanctuary Yoga & Pilates Studio, Gunnison.
• 9:15 a.m. All Levels Yoga Class at The Gym. 349-2588.
• 10:30 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.

SUNDAY 22
• 7-8 a.m. Meditation at Yoga For The Peaceful, by donation.
• 8:30 a.m. Mass at Queen of All Saints Catholic Church.
• 8:30-9:30 a.m. Worship Service at Oh-Be-Joyful Church.
• 9 a.m. Worship Service at UCC Church.
• 9-10:15 a.m. Easy flow at Yoga For The Peaceful.
• 9:30-11 a.m. Community Yoga. All levels. Town Hall Fitness Room.
• 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.
• 6:30 p.m. Duplicate Bridge at UCC. Call 349-9296.
• 6:30-7:30 p.m. Hatha Yoga. All levels. Town Hall Fitness Room.
• 7 p.m. Gamblers Anonymous meets at the Last Resort.
• 7:30-8:15 p.m. Pranayama & Mediation. Town Hall Fitness Room.

MONDAY 23
• 6:30 a.m. Strength and Conditioning with Janae or Pip at CORE. 901-4413.
• 8:30-9:30 a.m. Worship Service at Oh-Be-Joyful Church.
• 8:30-9:45 a.m. Vinyasa Flow Yoga – All levels. Town Hall Fitness Room.
• 8:45 a.m. Core Power Yoga Class at the Pump Room.
• 8:45 a.m. Pilates at The Gym. 349-2588.
• 9-10:30 a.m. Prana Vinyasa at Yoga For The Peaceful.
• 10-11:15 a.m. Ayuryoga – Yoga Rejuvination. Town Hall Fitness Room.
• 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Lunch Break Yoga. All levels. Town Hall Fitness Room.
• noon-1 p.m. Yoga Therapeutics at Yoga For The Peaceful.
• 12:30 p.m. ACBL Sanctioned Open Bridge Game. 349-5535.
• 4-8 p.m. Soo Bahk Do classes for kids and adults. 349-7752.
• 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 p.m. Yin/Yang Circuit with Ginny and Jess at CORE. 901-4413.
• 5:30-6:45 p.m. Gentle Restorative. All levels. Town Hall Fitness Room.
• 5:30-7 p.m. Moms in Motion class at the GVH rehab gym.
• 5:45 p.m. Boot Camp Class at The Gym. 349-2588.
• 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 24
• 7 a.m. The Whatever Class at The Gym. 349-2588.
• 7-8 a.m. Hatha Yoga. All Levels. Town Hall Fitness Room.
• 7:30 a.m. AA/Alanon Open at UCC. 349-5711.
• 8-8:45 a.m. Pranayama & Meditation. Town Hall Fitness Room.
• 8:30-9:30 a.m. Worship Service at Oh-Be-Joyful Church.
• 8:45-10 a.m. Vinyasa at Yoga for the Peaceful.
• 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Gunnison County branch office is open at the Crested Butte Town Offices, 507 Maroon Ave.
• 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.
• 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Lunch Break Yoga – All levels. Town Hall Fitness Room.
• noon AA Closed at UCC.
• 2-4 p.m. Tech Tuesdays at Old Rock Library. 349-6535.
• 4-5:30 p.m. St. Mary’s Garage. 300 Belleview, Unit 2. Free clothing & bedding. 275-5285.
• 5:15 p.m. RedCord suspension class at Western Pilates Studio in Crested Butte. 596-1714.
• 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.
• 5:30-6:45 p.m. Vinyasa Flow. All levels. Town Hall Fitness Room.
• 5:45 p.m. All Levels Iyengar Yoga Class at The Gym. 349-2588.
• 6-7 p.m. Community Connection Night at UCC Parlour.
• 7 p.m. Alanon meeting at the Last Resort.
• 7-7:45 p.m. Aerial Conditioning with the Crested Butte Dance Collective at the Center for the Arts. 349-7487.
• 7-8:30 p.m. Blessing Way Circle support group at Sopris Women’s Clinic. 720-217-3843.
• 7-9 p.m. Pick-up adult Karate, Fitness Room at Town Hall.
• 7:45-8:30 p.m. Open Aerial with the Crested Butte Dance Collective at the Center for the Arts. 349-7487.
• 7:45-9:45 p.m. Drop-In Adult Volleyball, CBCS MS Gym.

WEDNESDAY 25
• 6:30 a.m. All Levels Iyengar Yoga Class at The Gym. 349-2588.
• 7:30 a.m. Rotary meeting at the Grand Lodge.
• 7:30-8:30 a.m. Prana Vinyasa at Yoga For The Peaceful.
• 8:30-9:30 a.m. Worship Service at Oh-Be-Joyful Church.
• 8:45 a.m. Mat Mix at The Gym. 349-2588.
• 9-10:30 a.m. Prana Vinyasa at Yoga For The Peaceful.
• 9:30 a.m.-2 p.m. Two Buttes Senior Citizens van transportation. Roundtrip to Gunnison. 275-4768.
• noon Closed AA at UCC.
• noon-1 p.m. Slow Flow at Yoga For The Peaceful.
• 4 p.m. Water Warriors – Coal Creek Watershed Coalition at the Old Rock Library.
• 4-8 p.m. Soo Bahk Do classes for kids and adults. 349-7752.
• 5 p.m. Mass at Queen of All Saints Catholic Church.
• 5:30 p.m. Prenatal Yoga class in Crested Butte South. 349-1209.
• 5:30-6:30 p.m. Ayurvedic Lecture series. Town Hall Fitness Room.
• 5:45 p.m. Boot Camp Class at The Gym. 349-2588.
• 6 p.m. Celebrate Recovery Meetings: 2nd and 4th Wednesdays of each month, Oh Be Joyful Church, Crested Butte. 970-596-3846.
• 6-7:15 p.m. Kaiut Yoga at Yoga For The Peaceful.
• 6:30 p.m. Alanon at UCC Parlour (in back). 349-6482.
• 6:30-7:45 p.m. Restorative Yin Yoga Nidra. All levels. Town Hall Fitness Room.
• 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.

Visitors, thieves, speeders and bears 

By Mark Reaman

It was not the busiest day of the year in Crested Butte (that goes to July 4), but it was perhaps the busiest weekend of the year in Crested Butte.

Thousands of visitors and second homeowners, along with hundreds of artists at the Crested Butte Arts Festival and bikers and support crews at the Big Mountain Enduro World Series event, made for some big crowds.

With crowds come ramifications. Crested Butte/Mt. Crested Butte Chamber of Commerce director Dave Ochs said overall, things came off pretty well, given that two major events were sharing the town.

“The feedback I’m getting for the Arts Festival is that it was a mixed bag,” he said. “Saturday took a hit after the tents closed up and people seemed to stay away from downtown. Once the tents close up, things can quiet down a bit on Elk Avenue. That didn’t help the restaurants or businesses. However, the Friday night opening brought people to Elk.

“The new signage among the art tents directing people to the brick-and-mortar businesses helped a lot and was appreciated, as was the longer layout that spread out the festival,” Ochs continued. “Certain retail shops said they killed it and others said it was miserable and the street closures shouldn’t happen. Despite the usual rain and weather, the event seemed to be a great success and further bolstered a large community, second homeowner, and returning visitor appreciation.”

In general, Ochs said a weekend like the last one is good to have for the valley. “Whether sales or business are up or down, events like the Arts Fest and BME/EWS are iconic and very in line with the culture and pulse of who we are and what we have to offer,” Ochs said. “The guests and visitors here for both events were those who favorably embrace what Crested Butte is all about. They are very welcome guests, and are indeed ‘return visitors’—this time of year, and in our other seasons.”

On the darker side, local law enforcement and safety crews were busy. Aside from dealing with the tragic death of a competitor on stage three of the Big Mountain Enduro (BME) event on Saturday (see story page 12), there were missing bikers, the return of the bears to town and lots of things being stolen.

“We had a lot going on this past weekend. There were lots of moving parts,” summarized Crested Butte assistant chief marshal Mike Reily.

“There were lots of people out and about and [that] usually means lots of activity for our officers,” concurred Mt. Crested Butte police department spokesperson Marjorie Trautman.

Crested Butte Fire Protection District EMS coordinator Mike Scott said given the numbers, the department was as busy as expected. “We are and were very busy this weekend with standard stuff but for a volunteer organization, it is very trying to the system,” he said.

Stealing is bad

Two expensive tents were stolen from the BME base camp in the field by the Center for the Arts. One was a huge 40-foot by 20-foot Oscar Blues tent worth between $8,000 and $10,000. The Crested Butte Mountain Resort tent worth about $5,000 was also taken. Both went missing in the wee hours of Saturday morning.

“Those were pretty complicated to take down. They were huge,” said Reily. “Somebody was pretty bold stealing them. I would guess they drove into the field and it wasn’t quiet. Those tents were big, heavy and ungainly. And they’re unique. We’ve been looking but no one has put them up nearby to stay dry.”

A vehicle was stolen from the north side of town early Monday morning as well. That incident was apparently instigated by the need for someone to get back home after 2 a.m. when public transportation was long finished. The car was found Monday morning in Mt. Crested Butte on Hunter Hill Road near a condo complex.

Up in Mt. Crested Butte, there was a burglary this weekend. Someone broke into a house on Gothic Road that was being renovated. Tools and other items were taken from the residence. “That sort of thing is very disappointing,” said Trautman.

Trautman said officers also responded to the report of a missing biker in the Horse Ranch Park area on Saturday night. That was after they had spent most of the day dealing with the race fatality. When officers got to the Horse Ranch Park scene, the biker emerged so the entire Search-and-Rescue team was not called out to action.

Bears finding food

The bears seem to be returning with a purpose. The big bear that was treed in Crested Butte two weeks ago for about 17 hours by Second and Elk returned to the same tree on the Saturday of Arts Festival weekend.

Given the numbers of people and the congestion in the center of town, officials decided to try to get the big fellah out of the tree. The Crested Butte Fire Protection District sent over a ladder truck. An official from Colorado Parks and Wildlife sprayed the bear with some pepper spray, which agitated the bruin. They then sprayed him with water, which pushed him out of the tree. He scrambled up the alley and went into another tree on Maroon Avenue.

“That is what we hoped for and expected,” said Reily. “That’s the natural instinct and their normal go-to reaction. They want to go up a tree. The tree on Maroon was off the beaten path and no one could really see him. He stayed put a while and then came down and we assume got out of town.”

Reily said the big bear has come into town frequently and there is a little bear that seems to be doing the same thing. “Both these guys are not being shy,” Reily explained. “They have broken into cars and buildings around town. The little one punched out the glass panels in a garage door this weekend and inadvertently hit the door opener. He went in and dragged out the garbage can to the lawn.”

Trautman dealt with a different type of bear encounter. Apparently a visitor who was camping in the Schofield Park area knew she had spilled some sort of mint liquid on her backpack so she placed the pack in a tree away from the camp while she slept. As expected, a bear was drawn to the pack but was more persistent than expected. It managed to break the tree branch and absconded with the pack. It has not been seen since. Inside the pack was the woman’s identification, so Trautman helped her with a replacement I.D. so she could fly back home.

Lots of traffic issues, but overall—not too bad

While Crested Butte officers were dealing with a disorderly bar patron at about 2 a.m. Sunday, someone saw the unattended marshal’s car in the post office parking lot. When the officers returned to the vehicle, they found that two of their tires had been slashed.

All of the cases are still under investigation.

Both Reily and Trautman said the bigger numbers resulted in more traffic issues. Mt. Crested Butte officers dealt with “a myriad of speeders on the highway and in town,” said Trautman.

“We had tons of parking complaints in town,” added Reily. “People were parking everywhere, including in front of driveways. They were also driving fast so we had a lot of people calling us about speeding and driving complaints.

“But really, overall, with all those people in town, it went pretty well,” Reily concluded. “There were times I looked down Elk and it was a wall of people between the tents. As for the race, having some tents by the Rainbow soccer field and some at the [Center for the Arts] seemed to spread out the impact. The weekend went pretty well. We were just very busy.”

“We are hearing it will all slow down in a few weeks when kids head back to school,” said Trautman. “Reduced numbers usually translates to reduced incidents. I think we’ll see that by mid-August.”