Events & Entertainment 

THURSDAY 6
• noon-3 p.m. Amy Speace Songwriting Class at the Center for the Arts. 349-7044.
• 4-7 p.m. CB Chambers Business After Hours Mixer at Alpengardener in CB South. 349-6438.
• 5-7 p.m. Tierney Miller Artist Reception at the Piper Gallery of the Center for the Arts. 349-7044.
• 6 p.m. Colorado author Shannon Galpin will read from her memoir, Mountain to Mountain at Townie Books.
• 7 p.m. Jim Sargent plays at the Princess Wine Bar.
• 7:30 p.m. The CB Heritage Museum’s Summer Speaker Series hosts Dr. Carol Patterson to speak about Clifford Duncan, the Ute Elder.
• 8 p.m. Amy Speace plays at the Center for the Arts. 349-7044.
• 10 p.m. Karaoke upstairs in the Sky Bar at the Talk of the Town.

FRIDAY 7
• 4-7 p.m. Lizzy Plotkin and Craig McLaughlin plays on the Butte 66 deck.
• 5-6 p.m. Book signing for Everybody is Happy at the CB Heritage Museum with author Shirley Skufca Hickman.
• 5-8 p.m. Tiny Treasures art opening event at the Gunnison Art Center during the First Fridays Art Walk.
• 5-9 p.m. Artists’ Reception for Crested Butte Plein Air Open at Oh Be Joyful Gallery, 3rd & Elk.
• 6-10 p.m. Bow Hunter Education Course offered by Colorado Parks and Wildlife. 641-7060.
• 7 p.m. Tyler Lucas plays at the Princess Wine Bar.
• 7:30 or 8 p.m. (dusk) Old Rock Library’s Outdoor Movie Series showing Superman.
• 9 p.m. Gypsy Jazz in Paradise Late Night Jam at Elevation Hotel & Spa.
• 10 p.m. Josh Roberts & The Hinges play at the Eldo.

SATURDAY 8
• 8 a.m. 14th annual Ball Bash.
• 8 a.m. Gunnison Public Lands Initiatve Hike on Matchless Mountain with Sue Navy, High Country Conservation Advocates Board Member. Meet at the 4-way stop in CB or the Walmart parking lot in Gunnison. 970-390-6689.
• 9 a.m. Gypsy Jazz Workshop & Interactive Talk with Frank Vignola & Vinny Raniolo at Elevation Hotel & Spa.
• 9-11 a.m. Cemetary Noxious Weed Pulling Day at the Crested Butte Cemetary. 349-5338.
• 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Field Day for the Bow Hunter Education Course offered by Colorado Parks and Wildlife, Gunnison State Wildlife Archery Range. 641-7060.
• 5 p.m. Super Art Walk Scavenger Hunt, drop off completed entry by Sunday at 5 p.m. at Oh Be Joyful Gallery. Drawing at 7 p.m.
• 5 p.m. Home Run Derby at Tommy V Field.
• 5-8 p.m. Rachel VanSlyke plays at Pappy’s Restaurant in Gunnison.
• 5-8 p.m. Visit with David Fischer, “Naturescapes on Wood” at River Light Gallery, 318 Elk Ave.
• 5-8 p.m. Judith Cassel-Mamet & Laura Elm Artist Reception at the Art Studio of the Center for the Arts. 349-7044.
• 7 p.m. Craig McLaughling plays at the Princess Wine Bar.
• 8 p.m. Gypsy Jazz in Paradise: Cyrille Aimée Band at Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory in Gothic.
• 9 p.m. Comedy Night featuring Troy Baxley at the Center for the Arts. 349-7487.
• 10 p.m. Gypsy Jazz in Paradise Late Night Jam at the Elevation Hotel & Spa.
• 10 p.m. Shakedown Street plays at the Eldo.

SUNDAY 9
• 8 a.m. 14th annual Ball Bash.
• 9 a.m. Crested Butte Triple Crown XC Bike Race at Evolution Bike Park, Mt. Crested Butte.
• 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Crested Butte Farmers Market on Elk Avenue.
• 10:30 a.m. Gypsy Jazz in Paradise Brunch – A Tribute to Stéphanie Grappelli at Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory in Gothic.
• 11:30 a.m. Rachel VanSlyke plays at the Coal Creek Grill.
• 1 p.m. Crested Butte Triple Crown Downhill Bike Race at Evolution Bike Park, Mt. Crested Butte.
• 3 p.m. 14th annual Ball Bash Championship Game at Tommy V Field.
• 3-7 p.m. Happy Hour Sundays with Chuck Grossman at the Eldo.
• 3:30-5 p.m. Community Pedal Posse hosted by the Adaptive Sports Center. Start/Finish at the Adaptive Building, 325 Belleview Ave.
• 6-8 p.m. Sundays @ 6 featuring M.I.L.L.K. at Legion Park in Gunnison.
• 7 p.m. Reed Whitmont plays at the Princess Wine Bar.

MONDAY 10
• 9 a.m. Gunnison Public Lands Initiatve Carbon Trail Bike Ride with Dave Weins, Executive Director for Gunnison Trails, meet at the 4-way stop. 970-390-6689.
• 5:30 p.m. Alpenglow: Sister Sparrow & the Dirty Birds on the Center for the Arts Outdoor Stage.
• 6-8 p.m. GCSAPP hosts their Parent & Youth Education Dinner at GES Middle School. (Every 2nd Monday).
• 7 p.m. Jason Melnick plays at the Princess Wine Bar.
• 8 p.m. Shannon Stichter hosts Open Mic Night at Pitas in Paradise.

TUESDAY 11
• 8-8:45 a.m. ELDOA – postures that target specific joints to provide lasting relief from pain and restore balance at the gym. 214-707-0703.
• 4 & 6:30 p.m. “An English Summer Soirée” at the Union Congretional Church.
• 6 p.m. Chuck Grossman & Dawne Belloise play at the Princess Wine Bar.
• 8 p.m. Tinariwen at the Center for the Arts. 349-7487.

WEDNESDAY 12
• 5-7 p.m. CB Fire Protection District’s 2nd Annual Open House and Recruitement Fair at Station 1, 306 Maroon Ave.
• 5:30-7:30 p.m. Live! from Mt. Crested Butte on the Red Lady Stage featuring Zongo Junction.
• 6-8 p.m. GCSAPP hosts their Parent & Youth Education Dinner at CBCS. (Every 2nd Wednesday).
• 7 p.m. Kevin Marquis plays at the Princess Wine Bar.
• 7:30 p.m. Pool Tournament upstairs at the Talk of the Town.
• 7:30 p.m. Summer Speaker Series hosts  Joel Gallant, MD, M.P.H. on “Epidemics and Infectious Diseases” at the Center for the Arts.

KIDS Calendar

THURSDAY 6
• 3-8 p.m. Youth Gymnastics, Jerry’s Gym at Town Hall 349-5338.

FRIDAY 7
• 11 a.m. Big Kids Storytime for ages 3 and up and Old Rock Library.

MONDAY 10
• 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 11
• 11 a.m. Romp and 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 12
• 11 a.m. Babies and Toddlers Storytime at Old Rock Library.
• 4-8 p.m. Soo Bahk Do classes for kids at Town Hall. 349-7752.

THURSDAY 6
• 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.
• 8:45-10 a.m. Vinyasa at Yoga for the Peaceful.
• 9 a.m. Yoga for Everyone with Yoga for the Peaceful on the Center for the Arts Outdoor Stage. 349-7487.
• 9 a.m. Guided Walking Tour of Crested Butte with the Crested Butte Mountain Heritage Museum. Meet at museum. 349-1880.
• 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Gunnison County Branch Office is open at the Crested Butte Town Offices.
• 10 a.m. Mothering Support Group at Oh Be Joyful Church. (Last Thursday of every month.)
• 10:30-11:45 a.m. Yoga Basics at Yoga for the Peaceful.
• 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Lunch Time Yoga – All levels. Town Hall Fitness Room.
303-483-5935.
• 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 open, free clothing and bedding. 310 Belleview.
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. Sunset Hall, CB South. 970-596-9826.
• 5:45 p.m. Werk It Class at The Gym. 349-2588.
• 6-8 p.m. Adult outdoor pick-up soccer in Town Park. 349-5338.
• 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 7
• 6:30 a.m. All Levels 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. 303-483-5935.
• 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 a.m.-noon Open Wheel Throwing at the Art Studio of the Center for the Arts.
349-7044.
• 10-11:15 a.m. Kundalini Yoga – All levels. Town Hall Fitness Room. 970-275-2767.
• 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.
• 4-6:30 p.m. Iyengar Workshop with Gary Reitze at Yoga For The Peaceful.
• 5:30 p.m. Communion service at Queen of All Saints Catholic Church.
• 5:30-6:15 p.m. Aerial Conditioning with the Dance Collective at the Center for the Arts. 349-7487.
• 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.
• 6:15-7 p.m. Open Aerial Dance with the Dance Collective at the Center for the Arts.
349-7487.

SATURDAY 8
• 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.
• 9-10:30 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 a.m.-3 p.m. A Crash Course in Portrait Painting at the Art Studio of the Center for the Arts (through Sunday, August 9). 349-7044.
• 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. Yoga Basics at Yoga for the Peaceful.
• 4-6:30 p.m. Iyengar Workshop with Gary Reitze at Yoga For The Peaceful.

SUNDAY 9
• 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. 303-483-5935.
• 4-6:30 p.m. Iyengar Workshop with Gary Reitze 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.
• 6 p.m. AA meets at UCC.
• 6:30 p.m. Duplicate Bridge at UCC. Call 349-9296.
• 6:30-7:30 p.m. Guided Meditation – All levels. By donation. 308 3rd St., CB.
518-423-1414.
• 7 p.m. Gamblers Anonymous meets at the Last Resort.

MONDAY 10
• 6:30 a.m. Strength and Conditioning with Janae or Pip at CORE. 901-4413.
• 7 a.m. Boot Camp Class at The Gym. 349-2588.
• 8:30-9:30 a.m. Worship Service at Oh-Be-Joyful Church.
• 8:45 a.m. Core Power Yoga Class at the Pump Room.
• 8:45 a.m. Pilates at The Gym. 349-2588.
• 9-10:15 a.m. Ashtanga Yoga – All levels. Town Hall Fitness Room. 970-275-2767.
• 9-10:30 a.m. Prana Vinyasa at Yoga for the Peaceful.
• 9 a.m.-noon Volunteer at RMBL for Revegetation and Weeding. 349-1288.
• 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.
• 5:30-7 p.m. Moms in Motion class at the GVH rehab gym.
• 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 11
• 7 a.m. The Whatever Class at The Gym. 349-2588.
• 7:30 a.m. AA/Alanon Open at UCC. 349-5711.
• 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. Guided Walking Tour of Crested Butte with the Crested Butte Mountain Heritage Museum. Meet at museum. 349-1880.
• 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Metalworking – Create a Sterling Silver Necklace from Sheet Metal at the Art Studio of the Center for the Arts. 349-7044.
• 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 a.m. Art Heroes – National Park Service at the Old Rock Library
• 11:30 a.m. League of Women Voters meeting at 210 W. Spencer in Gunnison.
• 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Lunch Time Yoga – All levels. Town Hall Fitness Room.
303-483-5935.
• 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 open, free clothing and bedding. 310 Belleview.
970-275-5285.
• 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 p.m. Beading Class at Pema Dawa: Stone & Chain Bracelet into Ring. 349-7563.
• 5:30-6:45 p.m. Easy Flow at Yoga for the Peaceful.
• 5:30-6:45 p.m. Vinyasa Flow Yoga – All levels. CORE Fitness Studio above A Daily Dose. 303-483-5935.
• 5:45 p.m. All Levels Yoga Class at The Gym. 349-2588.
• 6-7 p.m. Community Connection Night at UCC Parlour.
• 6-7:15 p.m. Celebrate Recovery upstairs at Oh Be Joyful Church. 970-596-3846.
• 6-8 p.m. Adult outdoor pick-up soccer in Town Park. 349-5338.
• 7-8 p.m. Meditation at Yoga for the Peaceful, by donation.
• 7-8:30 p.m. Blessing Way Circle support group at Sopris Women’s Clinic. 720-217-3843.
• 7:30 p.m. RMBL’s Tuesday Talk Series at the RMBL Community Center in Gothic. 349-7231.
• 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 12
• 6:30 a.m. All Levels Yoga Class at The Gym. 349-2588.
• 7:30 a.m. Rotary meeting at the Grand Lodge.
• 8 a.m. Circuit Cycling at the Gym. 349-2588.
• 8:30 a.m. High Country Conservation Advocates day hikes. Sign up at www.hccacb.org.
• 8:30-9:15 a.m. Aerial Conditioning with the Dance Collective at the Center for the Arts. 349-7487.
• 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.
• 9:15-10 a.m. Open Aerial Dance with the Dance Collective at the Center for the Arts. 349-7487.
• 9:30 a.m.-2 p.m. Two Buttes Senior Citizens van transportation. Roundtrip to Gunnison. 275-4768.
• 10 a.m.-1 p.m. The Art of Scrimshaw for Middle School at the Art Studio of the Center for the Arts. 349-7044.
• noon Closed AA at UCC.
• noon-1 p.m. Easy Flow at Yoga for the Peaceful.
• 2-5 p.m. Amy Speace Songwriting Class at the Center for the Arts. 349-7487.
• 4-8 p.m. Soo Bahk Do classes for kids and adults. 349-7752.
• 4 p.m. Water Warriors – Coal Creek Watershed Coalition at the Old Rock Library.
• 5 p.m. Mass at Queen of All Saints Catholic Church.
• 5:30 p.m. Prenatal Yoga class in Crested Butte South. 349-1209.
• 5:30-7 p.m. Restorative Yin Yoga Nidra – All levels. Town Hall Fitness Room.
303-483-5935.
• 5:45 p.m. Boot Camp Class at The Gym. 349-2588.
• 6:30-7:45 p.m. Prana Vinyasa Yoga at Yoga for the Peaceful.
• 7-9 p.m. “GriefShare,” a grief recovery seminar and support group, meets at Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church, 711 N. Main St., Gunnison. 970-349-7769.

by Dawne Belloise

Brandon Clifford has spent his entire life in and around oceans, so it may seem a bit odd that he’s chosen landlocked Crested Butte as his home away from water.

Brandon grew up on Martha’s Vineyard in the small town of West Tisbury, which was somewhat isolating for a kid but luckily, he developed a love of surfing from a very young age. “I had a lot of good friends, it was a small, tight community, and a really nice place to grow up,” Brandon says, and notes that like any small place, it had its drawbacks. But, he recalls, “Surfing really saved us as kids. We’d get hurricane swells and you could surf through the winter but you had to be pretty dedicated. There weren’t that many people out there surfing but the waves were really good when we got them,” from up-island swells and the notoriously brutal Nor’easters.

“I started surfing at the age of 11 and before that we were boogie boarding,” Brandon says. His childhood revolved around the sport and as kids he and his friends were always doing one of two things, “We surfed and we waited for surf, that was my life, and it’s what drove our lives.”

But he was also into art, turning ceramic pots on a wheel, and played soccer and hockey in school, anything that would allow him to experience the outdoors as much as possible. “In the Vineyard, you take what you can get!” he says of the limited opportunities.

Brandon’s father, the renowned underwater shipwreck explorer Barry Clifford, introduced him to the ocean early on, taking young Brandon on dives with him. He was an early teen for his first dive off the Elizabeth Islands off the coast of Cape Cod. Along with his older sister, Jenny Clifford (another Crested Butte local), the family spent a lot of time playing on lakes, canoeing, camping, and hiking.

When Clifford was a freshman in high school, he went off to Tabor Academy, a boarding school in Marion, Mass. “I liked it,” he admits of expanding his world. “It was a good experience for me. I met people from all over the country and the world. I played a lot of soccer and I was on the sailing team.” He graduated in 1997.

Out of high school he went west to the University of Oregon, because, he smiles, “The West Coast had good surf.” He began studying ceramics and journalism. When he left college, he drove straight to Crested Butte. “I left pretty quickly,” he beamed. “I had lived at school already for four years and boarding school was like going to college in itself.”

Clifford knew about Crested Butte, having visited as a child; his father went to Western State College and his sister Jenny, who was born here, lived here. He came in the winter, when the town was buried in snow, and deemed that it looked like a lot of fun because, he says, “I was also into the mountains, skiing, and outdoor sort of things and Colorado had a lot of appeal. So I drove here in 1998 to move here.”

Brandon didn’t need any other reasoning. “I just went for it.” He moved into the Claim Jumper, and like most his age, worked in restaurants, shoveled snow, and used his diving skills washing dishes at the Irwin Lodge—any and all of the typical Crested Butte resort lifestyle-sustaining employment opportunities.

He spent his winters in Crested Butte and his summers surfing and working on Martha’s Vineyard and he started working for his dad more consistently. “When I was young, I spent a lot of time on the boat when dad was exploring the Whyddah site,” he says of his father’s notable discovery of the pirate shipwreck off the coast of Cape Cod. “I have photos of duct tape holding up my shorts because I was so little.” When he was eight or nine, Brandon was stranded alone with the salty crew on the boat for four days because of fog. His parents couldn’t retrieve him because they couldn’t get through the fog. “I don’t think I realized how much I was learning and how much appreciation I was developing for the ocean at the time. But I was learning a lot about boats, tying knots and the ocean.”

And indeed, the extensive amount of historical knowledge Brandon has acquired about the seas and pirates from the 15th century forward, through his research, experience and working with his father’s archeologists, is fascinating and incredible—from boat building and sailing, shipwrecks and routes, trading companies and cargo, to kingdoms, customs and politics and corruption.

“It all stems from working with my father,” Brandon says, and because it’s his passion, he will readily talk about the colorfully dangerous, often romanticized, history and sea lore instead of talking about himself. The history is as mesmerizing as the sea itself.

Through all the publicity, dives and discoveries, Brandon’s a very humble explorer. “I was lucky to have worked around archeologists and conservators, like Ken Kincor, who knows more about pirate history than anybody and you can’t help absorbing that information,” he tells of the magnitude of being anchored on top of a pirate shipwreck where more than 100 men died in a terrible Nor’easter storm. “The history of piracy was part of my childhood.”

The work he does with his father is very seasonal because the northeast Atlantic is a tough commander, “I go when the wind is okay to be diving on the Whyddah site. Late spring to early fall, you get southwest winds, so the wind’s offshore and the water is smooth but in the fall you get easterly winds and it’s rough and we can’t work. The bottom is pitch black.”

In 1999, Brandon took his first trip to explore the many shipwrecks off the coast of Nosy Boraha island, a tiny exclamation point of land off the northeast coast of Madagascar. Over the next couple of years, he returned four times with his father’s exploratory company. “I was working as a diver, doing survey photography and remote sensing work, the preliminary work that can tell you what’s lying below on the bottom in the sand. There’s a lot of handling boats, handling dive equipment, logistical operations, and a lot of diving.”

The company is currently working on several sites of major historical interest, one of which is the unverified wreck of Captain Kidd.

Brandon conducts full-time logistical work for the shipwreck research from Crested Butte when he’s here. He also tests outerwear and wetsuits for Patagonia, the outdoor gear company. “I work testing products for them, wearing the wetsuits and gear when I’m kite boarding, snow kiting and surfing,” he casually says of his other sport passion—cruising on a board on water or snow powered by a kite, the wind and gravity.

“Because I grew up surfing and skiing, between Crested Butte and the Vineyard, I got into kite surfing. I snow kite all over Crested Butte and into the San Juans. I’m on the Ozone Kite Surfing Team,” Brandon says. (The Ozone company makes kites.)

He’s also sponsored by Technica-Blizzard and he uses their equipment for the many different things he does in the water, both in liquid and in frozen form. “These different sports merged together and I got into snow kiting in the mountains and kite surfing on the ocean. It’s all about getting outside and having a lot of fun.”

Locally, Brandon also does graphic design and website design, which he considers his side job. As part of his ongoing love of all things nautical, Brandon manages a non-profit organization called the Center for Historical Shipwreck Preservation, based in Provincetown, Mass. “It’s part of our conservation of the shipwrecks we explore,” and whose mission is to research, study, discover, explore, survey, recover and preserve historical artifacts with information and results of research, basically. They preserve the history for everyone and for generations to come.

“I’ve always been split in half, one eye for the ocean and one eye for the mountains,” he says with equal affection for both. “With the kiting, you’re able to sail in the mountains. Diving, kiting, historical conservation and exploration of shipwrecks, those are his passions. “I’m landlocked, but I’ve overcome that,” he laughs, because he does have the best of both worlds and Crested Butte is where he wants to raise his family. Brandon met his wife, Oriana Reed, nine years ago on Martha’s Vineyard, and now the couple has a six-year-old daughter, Tallulah, and a four-month-old son.

These are the reasons a surfer boy willing becomes landlocked. “I’ve always had a lot of flexibility, being able to come here for six months and go back to the East Coast for six months to dive and work. It’s really about my family, my children, and Crested Butte is a nice community to bring your kids up in and that’s important.”

Spending 17 hours in a tree has to be no fun

by Mark Reaman

A large 450-pound bear was the main attraction in Crested Butte last Thursday, July 23, as he spent 17 hours in a tree, drawing constant crowds at the corner of Second and Elk. The bear went up the tree about five in the morning and didn’t come down until about 9:45 p.m. after the sun and the crowds had disappeared.

“We used that incident as an educational opportunity for people and a learning experience for the bear,” explained Chris Parmeter, district wildlife manager for Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) in the Gunnison Basin. “It probably worked for everyone.”

Parmeter said the CPW had interaction with nearly 1,000 people and passed out hundreds of “bear brochures” throughout the day.

As for the bear, “The fact that a bear that big was spooked and stayed up there that long tells me he was a wild bear and not one used to the town. That is very unusual,” Parmeter explained. “He was definitely thirsty and hungry that day and we hope he was uncomfortable enough to learn not to come into town and do that again. Having a miserable experience could be a good learning lesson for the bear.”

Crested Butte chief marshal Tom Martin said that particular bear might actually be a somewhat regular visitor to town but overall, this has been a relatively quiet bear season.

“A bear that big probably dominates other bears so they tend to stay away,” Martin said. “That bear might be the only guy coming into town. We think he got into a garage at First and Maroon Sunday night by breaking a few windows. The garage door was open when he left so it looks like he maybe hit the button to open the door. But for the most part, we haven’t had many problems compared to, say, four or five years ago when bears were a regular nuisance.”

Martin said that when the town passed an ordinance requiring “bear-resistant” garbage cans, the bear problem dissipated. The easy food supply dried up and the bruins went back into the wild. Martin thinks some of those trash cans are getting older and might be “compromised.”

“He’s found a few food sources in town,” said Martin. “Some of the garbage cans are easier to get into now. Some of the dumpsters are being left open. We have written some tickets for unsecured trash and dumpsters. The ordinance is clear that a property owner is responsible to make sure garbage is not accessible to bears.”

Parmeter said CPW research shows bears prefer to stay in the wild and find food in the backcountry, but every once in a while an individual bear will feel it is easier to get food in a town. “The food in the backcountry this year is pretty plentiful, given the rain and conditions this summer,” he said. “It is excellent.”

Parmeter and Martin said the goal is to do everything possible to avoid having to trap and put down a bear. “We live in bear country and having a bear in a tree in Crested Butte is not that unusual,” said Parmeter. “Last year we only trapped one bear and we haven’t brought the trap out this summer at all. That guy in the tree wasn’t a problem bear or a nuisance bear. He was just a plain ‘ol bear.”

Parmeter said there have been a few reports of bears up Taylor Canyon getting into bird feeders and trash. The restaurant in Crested Butte South has also apparently attracted a few bruins. “It hasn’t been a bad summer at all,” said Parmeter.

That’s the feeling up in Mt. Crested Butte as well. Marjorie Trautman of the Mt. Crested Butte police department said there have been no major or consistent bear issues in the town this summer. “Officers contacted one bear earlier this season that was scared off from his picnic,” she said. “And a homeowner was ticketed a few weeks ago for putting out trash too early for pick-up.”

“Basically if a bear gets trapped it is a death sentence,” added Martin. “We don’t want to do that except as a last resort. That’s why we want to remind everyone to keep their garbage locked up and in the garage. Don’t give bears any opportunity. Bears are smart. Four or five years ago we had some that figured out that food was in cars and they figured out how to open the car doors. We feel that the incident last week was a good reminder for everyone, a good educational opportunity for a lot of people and a lesson for the bear.”

Trautman concurred. “The message is especially important as we head into the fall season when bears become far more opportunistic in order to pack on the necessary calories for their long winter’s nap,” she said. “Local residents and visitors alike need to understand how to keep our wildlife dependent on the wild and not on easy handouts from trashcans and bird feeders.”

The big bear finally climbed down from the tree before 10 o’clock at night after spending an entire day on the tree branch, being photographed by hundreds of people. “He hit the ground and bolted up the alley behind the Forest Queen,” said Parmeter. “He headed west out of town pretty fast. Hopefully he learned to not do that again, hopefully people learned about living and visiting bear country and the need to not make food available to bears in town.”

THURSDAY 9
• 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.
• 8:45-10 a.m. Vinyasa at Yoga for the Peaceful.
• 9-10 a.m. Yoga Outside at Center For The Arts Outdoor Stage
• 9 a.m. Guided Walking Tour of Crested Butte with the Crested Butte Mountain Heritage Museum. Meet at museum. 349-1880.
• 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 a.m. Yoga for Everyone with Yoga for the Peaceful on the Center for the Arts Outdoor Stage. 349-7487.
• 10:15-11:15 a.m. Yoga Basics at Yoga for the Peaceful.
• 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Lunch Time Yoga – All levels. Town Hall Fitness Room.
303-483-5935.
• 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 open, free clothing and bedding. 310 Belleview.
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. Sunset Hall, CB South. 970-596-9826.
• 5:45 p.m. Werk It Class at The Gym. 349-2588.
• 6-8 p.m. Adult outdoor pick-up soccer in Town Park. 349-5338.
• 6:30 p.m. AA Open Meditation at UCC.
• 7 p.m. Women Supporting Women Group Discussion at the Nordic Inn.
• 7-9 p.m. Sunset Contemplative Photography in CB’s Back Alleyways with the Art Studio of the Center for the Arts. 349-7044.
• 7:30 p.m. Narcotics Anonymous meets at 114 N. Wisconsin St. in Gunnison.

FRIDAY 10
• 6:30 a.m. All Levels Yoga Class at The Gym. 349-2588.
• 7:30-8:30 a.m. Prana Vinyasa at Yoga For The Peaceful.
• 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. 303-483-5935.
• 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 a.m.-noon Open Wheel Throwing at the Art Studio of the Center for the Arts. 349-7044.
• 10-11:15 a.m. Kundalini Yoga – All levels. Town Hall Fitness Room. 970-275-2767.
• 10:15-11:15 a.m. Yoga Basics at Yoga for the Peaceful.
• 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. Prana Vinyasa 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.
• 7:30-9 p.m. Flamenco Dance with the Dance Collective at the Pump Room. 349-7487.

SATURDAY 11
• 5:30-7:30 a.m. Sunrise Photography on the Boardwalk with the Art Studio of the
Center for the Arts. 349-7044.
• 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.
• 9-10:30 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 a.m.-2 p.m. Make Your Own Batik Prayer Flags (through Sunday, July 12) at the Art Studio of the Center for the Arts. 349-7044.
• 10:15-11:15 a.m. Yoga Basics at Yoga for the Peaceful.
• 10:30 a.m. Hip Hop dance cardio class at the Pump Room. 415-225-5300.
• 10:30-11:45 a.m. Yoga Basics at Yoga for the Peaceful.

SUNDAY 12
• 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. 303-483-5935.
• 10:15-11:15 a.m. Yoga Basics 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.
• 5:30-6:45 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. Guided Meditation – All levels. By donation. 308 3rd St., CB.
518-423-1414.
• 7 p.m. Gamblers Anonymous meets at the Last Resort.

MONDAY 13
• 6:30 a.m. Strength and Conditioning with Janae or Pip at CORE. 901-4413.
• 7 a.m. Boot Camp Class at The Gym. 349-2588.
• 7:30-8:30 a.m. Vinyasa at Yoga for the Peaceful.
• 8:30-9:30 a.m. Worship Service at Oh-Be-Joyful Church.
• 8:45 a.m. Core Power Yoga Class at the Pump Room.
• 8:45 a.m. Pilates at The Gym. 349-2588.
• 9 a.m.-noon Playful Garden Drawings with the Art Studio of the Center for the Arts with the Wildflower Festival. 349-2571.
• 9-10:15 a.m. Ashtanga Yoga – All levels. Town Hall Fitness Room. 970-275-2767.
• 9-10:30 a.m. Prana Vinyasa at Yoga for the Peaceful.
• 10:15-11:15 a.m. Yoga Basics at Yoga for the Peaceful.
• 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Animation, Film & Motion Design for Middle School at the Art Studio of the Center for the Arts (through Thursday, July 16). 349-7044.
• 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.)
• 5-8:30 p.m. Hike, Sketch, Haiku! with the 1% for Open Space and the Art Studio of the Center for the Arts with the Wildflower Festival. 349-2571.
• 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.
• 5:30-7 p.m. Moms in Motion class at the GVH rehab gym.
• 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 14
• 7 a.m. The Whatever Class at The Gym. 349-2588.
• 7:30 a.m. AA/Alanon Open at UCC. 349-5711.
• 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. Guided Walking Tour of Crested Butte with the Crested Butte Mountain Heritage Museum. Meet at museum. 349-1880.
• 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Gunnison County branch office is open at the Crested Butte Town Offices, 507 Maroon Ave.
• 9:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Painting Petals in Paradise with the Art Studio of the Center for the Arts with the Wildflower Festival. 349-2571.
• 10:30-11:45 a.m. Yoga Basics at Yoga for the Peaceful.
• 11 a.m. Art Heroes – National Park Service at the Old Rock Library
• 11:30 a.m. League of Women Voters meeting at 210 W. Spencer in Gunnison.
• 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Lunch Time Yoga – All levels. Town Hall Fitness Room.
303-483-5935.
• 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 open, free clothing and bedding. 310 Belleview.
970-275-5285.
• 4-6 p.m. Canvases & Cocktails at with the Art Studio at Bonez. 349-7044.
• 5-8 p.m. Wildflower Cocktails and Clay with the Art Studio of the Center for the Arts with the Wildflower Festival. 49-2571.
• 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 p.m. Beading Class at Pema Dawa: Wire Wrapped Tree of Life Pendant. 349-7563.
• 5:30-6:45 p.m. Easy Flow at Yoga for the Peaceful.
• 5:30-6:45 p.m. Vinyasa Flow Yoga – All levels. CORE Fitness Studio above A Daily Dose. 303-483-5935.
• 5:45 p.m. All Levels Yoga Class at The Gym. 349-2588.
• 6-7 p.m. Community Connection Night at UCC Parlour.
• 6-7:15 p.m. Celebrate Recovery upstairs at Oh Be Joyful Church. 970-596-3846.
• 6-8 p.m. Adult outdoor pick-up soccer in Town Park. 349-5338.
• 7-8 p.m. Meditation at Yoga for the Peaceful, by donation.
• 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 15
• 6:30 a.m. All Levels 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 a.m. Circuit Cycling at the Gym. 349-2588.
• 8:30 a.m. High Country Conservation Advocates day hikes. Sign up at www.hccacb.org.
• 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.
• 10:15-11:15 a.m. Yoga Basics at Yoga for the Peaceful.
• noon Closed AA at UCC.
• noon-1:15 p.m. Easy Flow at Yoga for the Peaceful.
• 1-3 p.m. Clay Seed Pods with the Art Studio of the Center for the Arts with the
Wildflower Festival. 349-2571.
• 4-8 p.m. Soo Bahk Do classes for kids and adults. 349-7752.
• 4 p.m. Water Warriors – Coal Creek Watershed Coalition at the Old Rock Library.
• 5 p.m. Mass at Queen of All Saints Catholic Church.
• 5-8 p.m. Wildflower Cocktails and Clay with the Art Studio of the Center for the Arts with the Wildflower Festival. 349-2571.
• 5:30 p.m. Prenatal Yoga class in Crested Butte South. 349-1209.
• 5:30-7 p.m. Restorative Yin Yoga Nidra – All levels. Town Hall Fitness Room.
303-483-5935.
• 5:45 p.m. Boot Camp Class at The Gym. 349-2588.
• 6-7:45 p.m. Prana Vinyasa Yoga at Yoga for the Peaceful.
• 7-9 p.m. “GriefShare,” a grief recovery seminar and support group meets at Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church, 711 N. Main St., Gunnison. 970-349-7769.

Events & Entertainment 

THURSDAY 9
• 6 p.m. CB Mountain Runners host a trail run on the Meander trails on Crested Butte Mountain. Meet at the Snodgrass trailhead on Gothic Rd. 349-5326.
• 7 p.m. TETWP PRCA Rodeo at the Gunnison Rodeo Grounds.
• 7 p.m. Jim Sargent plays at the Princess Wine Bar.
• 7:30 p.m. CBMF’s Festival Symphony Orchestra presents Off the Record at the Center for the Arts.
• 10 p.m. Karaoke upstairs in the Sky Bar at the Talk of the Town.

FRIDAY 10
• 5:30-9 p.m. Kick-off Dinner for the 14th Annual Caddis Cup Fly Fishing Tournament at Cement Creek Ranch. 349-1206.
• 4 p.m. CBMF’s Casual Classics at UCC.
• 4-7 p.m. Ryan Herr & Molly Hull plays on the patio of Butte 66.
• 7 p.m. Cattlemans’ Days Rodeo at the Gunnison Rodeo Grounds.
• 8 p.m. Ryan Herr and Mollie Hull play at the Princess Wine Bar.
• 10 p.m. Jerusafunk & MIILK play at the Eldo.

SATURDAY 11
• 7 a.m. 14th Annual Caddis Cup Fly Fishing Tournament. 349-1206.
• 10 a.m. CBMF’s Divine Family Young People’s Concert “Trout Fishing in America” at the Big Mine Ice Arena. Music at 11 a.m.
• 6 p.m. Poets Ernest Hilbert & John Nelson will read at Rumors Coffee and Tea House.
• 6-9 p.m. Gypsy Jazz Social Club plays at Montanya Distillers.
• 7 p.m. Cattlemans’ Days Rodeo at the Gunnison Rodeo Grounds.
• 7 p.m. Craig McLaughlin plays at the Princess Wine Bar.
• 9:15 p.m. Cameran Nelson and Cory Morrow play at the I Bar Ranch.
• 10 p.m. DANK plays at the Eldo.

SUNDAY 12
• 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Crested Butte Farmers Market on Elk Avenue.
• 11 a.m. CBMF’s Festival Symphony Orchestra Dress Rehearsal at the Big Mine Ice Arena.
• 2 p.m. Beekeeping 101 Workshop in the Chipeta Garden at WSCU.
• 3-7 p.m. Happy Hour Sundays with Chuck Grossman at the Eldo.
• 3:30-5 p.m. Community Pedal Posse hosted by the Adaptive Sports Center. Start/Finish at the Adaptive Building, 325 Belleview Ave.
• 6 p.m. CBMF’s Festival Symphony Orchestra From Russia With Love at the Big Mine Ice Arena.
• 6-8 p.m. Sundays @ 6 featuring Bruce Hayes at Legion Park in Gunnison.
• 7 p.m. Bill Dowell plays at the Princess Wine Bar.

MONDAY 13
• 3 p.m. CB Wine & Food Festival California Cult Wines: California White. 349-7487.
• 5:30 p.m. Alpenglow: Seryn on the Center for the Arts Outdoor Stage.
• 6-8 p.m. GCSAPP hosts it’s Parent & Youth Education Dinner at GES Middle School. (Every 2nd Monday).
• 7 p.m. Jackson Melnick plays at the Princess Wine Bar.

TUESDAY 14
• 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Wildflowers & Science Extravaganza! Wildflower Festival Hike with 1% for Open Space and Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory. 349-2571.
• 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Book signing by Jennifer Ackerfield at Townie Books.
• 3 p.m. CB Wine & Food Festival California Cult Wines: Awesome Cabernets. 349-7487.
• 6 p.m. Wine Tasting Fundraiser at the Old Rock Library.
• 6 p.m. Tour de Forks: Ski History Haus at the home of Kathy & Paul Hooge in Mt. CB with cuisine by David Wooding of Bonez & Meg Antonczyk of the Dogwood Cocktail Cabin. 349-7487.
• 7 p.m. Kevin Marquis plays at the Princess Wine Bar.

WEDNESDAY 15
• 9 a.m.-noon RMBL’s Summer Science Tour “A Walk on the Wildflower Side” with Dr. John Harte.
• 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Book signing by Todd Caudle at Townie Books.
• 4 p.m. CBMF – The Opera Children’s Chorus Showcase at UCC.
• 4-7:30 p.m. Open House Day at Cochetopa Therapeutic horsemanship. 8610 Hwy 114.
• 5:30 p.m. Everything You Wanted about Donizetti, But Were Afraid To Ask with Maestro David Stern at the Mallardi Theatre.
• 5:30-7:30 p.m. Live! from Mt. Crested Butte on the Red Lady Stage featuring Humming House.
• 5:45 p.m. Pinnacle Race at Evolution Bike Park. Register by 5:15 p.m.
• 6 p.m. Books-N-Bars at the Old Rock Library.
• 6 p.m. Dawne Belloise and Chuck Grossman play at the Princess Wine Bar.
• 6-8 p.m. GCSAPP hosts their Parent & Youth Education Dinner at CBCS.
• 7 p.m. Photographer John Fielder presents photographs of his trip down the Yampa River at the Old Rock Library.
• 7:30 p.m. Pool Tournament upstairs at the Talk of the Town.
• 7:30 p.m. Public Policy Forum Summer Speaker Series with Richard Allen, JD “The Supreme Court: The Most Dangerous Branch?”

Kids Calendar

THURSDAY 9
• 3-8 p.m. Youth Gymnastics, Jerry’s Gym at Town Hall 349-5338.

FRIDAY 10
• 11 a.m. Storytime for ages 3 and up at the Old Rock Library.

SATURDAY 11
• 3 p.m. Storytime for preschoolers at Townie Books.
• 4 p.m. Storytime for kindergarten-third graders at Townie Books.

MONDAY 13
• 4 p.m. Kids Program at the Old Rock Library.
• 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 14
• 11 a.m. Kid’s Beatbox Show at the Old Rock Library featuring Neil McIntyre.
• 11 a.m. Summer reading program for ages 3-7 at the Old Rock Library.
• 3-8 p.m. Youth Gymnastics, Jerry’s Gym at Town Hall 349-5338.

WEDNESDAY 15
• 11 a.m. Baby/Toddler Storytime at the Old Rock Library.
• 3:30 p.m. Trailhead after school club at CBCS. Ages 5-11.
• 4 p.m. Summer reading program for ages 8-12 at the Old Rock Library.
• 4-8 p.m. Soo Bahk Do classes for kids at Town Hall. 349-7752.

Helping people, a passion

story by Dawne Belloise

A stream of people flows in and out of Mike Scott’s office tucked away at the top of the stairs in the Crested Butte firehouse. They come to report, to ask questions, or just say hello and exchange stories and jokes.
Scott smiles that he’s “All about Crested Butte,” and moved his wife and three kids up here three years ago in 2012 when he got the job as EMS coordinator for the Crested Butte Fire Protection District.
“It means I’m in charge of all emergency medical services, overseeing 30 to 35 people in the division,” Scott explains. There are two divisions within the district. To locals, he’ll sometimes jokingly introduce himself by launching into, “Hi, I’m Mike Scott—no, I’m not Tuck,” he laughs and adds that he’s “One of three men in town who can dance on beat,” and he feels unique but very much accepted in his chosen community.
Born and raised in Oklahoma, he always knew he was cut out to be involved with rescue services. “I’ve always dabbled in rescue as part of the Boy Scouts Explorer’s program,” he says of his youth involvement. “My uncle was a firefighter and paramedic for 36 years and as a kid I always went to the station and looked up to him. I knew what I wanted to do at a young age.”

He attended Northeastern A & M, and even then, “I already had my EMT before college and I was working on an ambulance.” He impressively earned his First Responder certification at the age of 15, and his first job in the field at 17, also working on an ambulance.
“I was actually going to school to be an agricultural teacher but I met a guy from Utah in college who convinced me to move to Utah for school,” he says. However, once in Park City he discovered skiing and the luxury of resort towns, and school was put on hold while he worked ambulance calls and schussed the various slopes of Utah.
Soon after, yet another friend talked him into going to school for video production, since filming tourists on the slopes had become lucrative. Scott moved to Denver and enrolled in classes at the Art Institute of Colorado, graduating in 2002 with a degree in video production.
Just before graduation, he met Mandy, who became his wife. The two managed to start an instant family with the birth of their first daughter, Nevaeh (now 13 years old). He put his video career aside and headed back into full-time ambulance work at the Denver American Medical Response for the Golden Fire Department, at which point he also realized, “EMS and helping people is my passion. It’s what makes me happy.”
In 2003, Scott decided to move his family back to Inola, Okla., just east of Tulsa, returning to his original job for Creek County Ambulance as a paramedic supervisor. But when a job in the paramedic division for the city and county of Denver became available in 2008, he applied and was employed.
“Denver is a really hard place to get hired, but I was a field training officer and worked in the education department. I used to come up to Crested Butte to teach Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) when Dave Krow was the EMS coordinator for the fire department and I fell in love with the place,” Scott says of his introduction to life at the end of the road.
“My wife, Mandy, loved it even more. When Krow was offered a position with the UN and moved to Holland, there were several applicants who wanted this job,” Scott says, recalling the competition for the coveted position.
He was chosen for the job and started in September 2012, moving his family once again. But he claims this time, “I’m not going anywhere! I’ll retire here. I feel lucky to be part of this community. What Crested Butte has done for me is given me passion. Throughout the country in emergency services, people lose their passion because we meet people at their worst times. If I’m knocking on somebody’s door in the middle of the night, it’s not because they’ve invited me over for coffee. They call me because they need help. The people in this community truly have passion for helping people. We have a lot of visitors but oftentimes you’re working on locals, and that’s hard but they’re truly appreciative. As an educator, I can’t teach passion… either you have it or you don’t.”
He pulls out a thick file of letters of appreciation from survivors and families of victims. He and his crew have had to deal with horrific circumstances, locals with serious injuries or worse, and in a small community, it seems almost impossible to come away emotionally intact.

“It was a job to me before, but it’s not a job anymore,” Scott says. “I never really got emotionally attached before I came to Crested Butte. This community brought passion back to my craft. I feel like I used to be able to shake off some stuff in difficult situations that I can’t shake off easily anymore. I never went to funerals but I’ve gone to two already this year. We deal with things the average person doesn’t have to deal with on a daily basis, and you have to find a way to release that. I’m on the big kick of cry-hug-cry… and eat candy and fried foods.”
There is traditionally an open house at the fire station on the Fourth of July and, as imagined, it’s also the busiest time of the year. Scott points out, “Our town area grows from 2,500 to 15,000 people that week. We cover 220 square miles, from the top of Kebler Pass to the town site of Gothic and Washington Gulch to the Oh-Be-Joyful campground and East River bridge.”
Will he be eating the Crested Butte EMS pancakes during the annual town favorite Fourth of July breakfast kick off? Probably, but he won’t be serving them up with the volunteers. He’ll be giving tours of the equipment and facilities, and he’s also on EMS call.
The crew is sporting a brand new ambulance this year that Scott secured a grant from the state of Colorado to purchase, he notes proudly. The vehicle’s base cost was $200,000 but another $100,000 went into the necessary equipment inside. And they recently hired the very first full-time non-administrative paramedic firefighter in our district.
The department did such an exemplary job when Crested Butte turned blue with Whatever USA that the State of Colorado EMS Advisory Council has asked the Crested Butte EMS to speak at the 2015 state conference in November about special events.
In between Scott’s high priority work, the family enjoys all the outdoor life together that Crested Butte has to offer. “We ski, we hike a lot, we camp, we raft. I like to hunt, fish, and ride motor and dirt bikes. We’ve always been outdoors oriented so we totally embrace the Crested Butte lifestyle. I love it here,” he confesses.
Scott remains very serious about his work, and there’s a playful side he sometimes has to put aside so he can fully focus on the difficult tasks that may lie ahead at any given moment in a split second. “Given the opportunity to work around such great people within EMS, it fulfills the passion and desire that is needed to help people. I worked in a big city and it was fun but became more of a job. Here in Crested Butte, I truly found the enjoyment and excitement of running calls. It’s horrible when something happens, and I always hope nothing happens, but if it does I want to be there. I love seeing the people I work with. When I get to teach, I love that, I’m excited to be in front of my people. It’s not a job, it’s family.”

THURSDAY 2
• 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.
• 8:45-10 a.m. Vinyasa at Yoga for the Peaceful.
• 9-10 a.m. Yoga Outside at Center For The Arts Outdoor Stage
• 9 a.m. Guided Walking Tour of Crested Butte with the Crested Butte Mountain Heritage Museum. Meet at museum. 349-1880.
• 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 a.m. Yoga for Everyone with Yoga for the Peaceful on the Center for the Arts Outdoor Stage. 349-7487.
• 10:30-11:45 a.m. Yoga Basics at Yoga for the Peaceful.
• 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Lunch Time Yoga – All levels. Town Hall Fitness Room. 303-483-5935.
• 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 open, free clothing and bedding. 310 Belleview. 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.
• 5:30-6:15 p.m. Aerial Conditioning with the Dance Collective at the Center for the Arts.
• 5:30-6:45 p.m. Slow Flow for Bikers at Yoga for the Peaceful.
• 5:30-6:45 p.m. Vinyasa Flow Yoga – All levels. Sunset Hall, CB South. 970-596-9826.
• 5:45 p.m. Werk It Class at The Gym. 349-2588.
• 6-8 p.m. Adult outdoor pick-up soccer in Town Park. 349-5338.
• 6:15-7 p.m. Open Aerial Dance with the Dance Collective at the Center for the Arts.
• 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 3
• 6:30 a.m. All Levels Yoga Class at The Gym. 349-2588.
• 7:30-8:30 a.m. Prana Vinyasa at Yoga For The Peaceful.
• 8:30 a.m. Alanon at UCC Parlour (in back). 349-6482.
• 8:30-9:45 a.m. Vinyasa Flow Yoga – All levels. Town Hall Fitness Room. 303-483-5935.
• 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 a.m.-noon Open Wheel Throwing at the Art Studio of the Center for the Arts. 349-7044.
• 10-11:15 a.m. Kundalini Yoga – All levels. Town Hall Fitness Room. 970-275-2767.
• 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. Prana Vinyasa 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.
• 5:30-6:15 p.m. Aerial Conditioning with the Dance Collective at the Center for the Arts. 349-7487.
• 6-7 p.m. Poi Playshop at the Pump Room.
• 6:15-7 p.m. Open Aerial Dance with the Dance Collective at the Center for the Arts. 349-7487.

SATURDAY 4
• 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.
• 9-10:30 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 dance cardio class at the Pump Room. 415-225-5300.
• 10:30-11:45 a.m. Yoga Basics at Yoga for the Peaceful.

SUNDAY 5
• 5:30-7:30 a.m. Sunrise Photography on the Boardwalk with the Art Studio of the Center for the Arts.
• 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 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. 303-483-5935.
• 9:30 a.m. Church in the park with Oh-Be-Joyful Church, Town Park Alpenglow area.
• 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.
• 5:30-6:45 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. Guided Meditation – All levels. By donation. 308 3rd St., CB.
518-423-1414.
• 7 p.m. Gamblers Anonymous meets at the Last Resort.

MONDAY 6
• 6:30 a.m. Strength and Conditioning with Janae or Pip at CORE. 901-4413.
• 7 a.m. Boot Camp Class at The Gym. 349-2588.
• 7:30-8:30 a.m. Vinyasa at Yoga for the Peaceful.
• 8:45 a.m. Core Power Yoga Class at the Pump Room.
• 8:45 a.m. Pilates at The Gym. 349-2588.
• 9-10:15 a.m. Ashtanga Yoga – All levels. Town Hall Fitness Room. 970-275-2767.
• 9-10:30 a.m. Prana Vinyasa at Yoga for the Peaceful.
• 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.
• 5:30-7 p.m. Moms in Motion class at the GVH rehab gym.
• 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 7
• 7 a.m. The Whatever Class at The Gym. 349-2588.
• 7:30 a.m. AA/Alanon Open at UCC. 349-5711.
• 8:30-9:15 a.m. Aerial Conditioning with the Dance Collective at the Center for the Arts. 349-7487.
• 8:45-10 a.m. Vinyasa at Yoga for the Peaceful. 349-2588.
• 9 a.m. Guided Walking Tour of Crested Butte with the Crested Butte Mountain Heritage Museum. Meet at museum. 349-1880.
• 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Gunnison County branch office is open at the Crested Butte Town Offices, 507 Maroon Ave.
• 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Metalworking at the Art Studio of the Center for the Arts.
• 10:30-11:45 a.m. Yoga Basics at Yoga for the Peaceful.
• 11 a.m. Art Heroes – National Park Service at the Old Rock Library
• 11:30 a.m. League of Women Voters meeting at 210 W. Spencer in Gunnison.
• 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Lunch Time Yoga – All levels. Town Hall Fitness Room.
303-483-5935.
• 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 open, free clothing and bedding. 310 Belleview. 970-275-5285.
• 4-6 p.m. Canvases & Cocktails at with the Art Studio at Bonez.
• 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 p.m. Beading Class at Pema Dawa: Wire, Chain & Stone Teardrop Earrings.
• 5:30-6:45 p.m. Easy Flow at Yoga for the Peaceful.
• 5:30-6:45 p.m. Vinyasa Flow Yoga – All levels. CORE Fitness Studio above A Daily Dose. 303-483-5935.
• 5:45 p.m. All Levels Yoga Class at The Gym. 349-2588.
• 6-7 p.m. Community Connection Night at UCC Parlour.
• 6-7:15 p.m. Celebrate Recovery upstairs at Oh Be Joyful Church. 970-596-3846.
• 6-8 p.m. Adult outdoor pick-up soccer in Town Park. 349-5338.
• 7-8 p.m. Meditation at Yoga for the Peaceful, by donation.
• 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 8
• 6:30 a.m. All Levels Yoga Class at The Gym. 349-2588.
• 7:30 a.m. Rotary meeting at the Grand Lodge.
• 8 a.m. Circuit Cycling at the Gym.
• 7:30-8:30 a.m. Prana Vinyasa at Yoga For The Peaceful.
• 8:30 a.m. High Country Conservation Advocates day hikes. Sign up at www.hccacb.org.
• 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-1:15 p.m. Easy Flow at Yoga for the Peaceful.
• 4-8 p.m. Soo Bahk Do classes for kids and adults. 349-7752.
• 4 p.m. Water Warriors – Coal Creek Watershed Coalition at the Old Rock Library.
• 5 p.m. Mass at Queen of All Saints Catholic Church.
• 5:30 p.m. Prenatal Yoga class in Crested Butte South. 349-1209.
• 5:30-7 p.m. Restorative Yin Yoga Nidra – All levels. Town Hall Fitness Room. 303-483-5935.
• 5:45 p.m. Boot Camp Class at The Gym. 349-2588.
• 6-7:45 p.m. Prana Vinyasa Yoga at Yoga for the Peaceful.
• 7-9 p.m. “GriefShare,” a grief recovery seminar and support group meets at Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church, 711 N. Main St., Gunnison. 970-349-7769.

EVENTS & ENTERTAINMENT 

THURSDAY 2
• 5-8 p.m. ArtWalk: Art & refreshments with the artists throughout the galleries of downtown Crested Butte.
• 5-8 p.m. Art opening for local artist Carol Connor at the Moon Ridge Gallery.
• 5-8 p.m. Bailey Hosier & Laura Elm Artist Reception at the Art Studio of the Center for the Arts.
• 5:30-7:30 p.m. Sean Crossen Artist Reception at the Piper Gallery of the Center for the Arts.
• 6-8 p.m. Gunnison Arts Center Invitational for the First Friday Art Walk.
• 6-8 p.m. Art invitational at the Gunnison Arts Center for local artists Joe Bob Merritt and Natasha Ivy.
• 6-10 p.m. The Crested Butte Mountain Heritage Museum’s 13th Annual Black & White Ball next to the Museum on 4th Street.
• 7 p.m. Bonnie and the Clydes play at the Princess Wine Bar.
• 10 p.m. Karaoke upstairs in the Sky Bar at the Talk of the Town.
• 10 p.m. Banditos play at the Eldo.

FRIDAY 3
• 9:30 a.m. 2015 Gunnison Valley Health Foundation Celebrity
• 5-8 p.m. First Friday ArtWalk and Music in Gunnison.
• 5:30 p.m. Steve Snyder plays at the Talk of the Town.
• 6 p.m. Author Luke Mehall to discuss his book “The Great American Dirtbags” at Townie Books.
• 6-9:30 p.m. CB Music Festival “One World” – Day One at CBMR Base Area.
• 8 p.m. Pat Green at the Center for the Arts. Sold out.
• 8 p.m. Ryan Herr and Mollie Hull play at the Princess Wine Bar.
• 9 p.m. Gun Rack plays at Kochevar’s.
• 10 p.m. Bill Smith plays at the Eldo.

SATURDAY 4
• 7-10:30 a.m. Crested Butte Fire & EMS Annual Pancake Breakfast at Crested Butte Fire House.
• 8 a.m. 47th Annual Gothic to Crested Butte Run, Walk or Crawl 1/3 Marathon, sponsored by RMBL.
• 11 a.m. 4th of July Parade, Elk Ave.
• 1-4 p.m. CB Music Festival, “One World” – Day Two on Elk Ave.
• 3 p.m. Craig McLaughlin plays at the Princess Wine Bar.
• 3-6 p.m. Happy Hour with DJ Utah at the Eldo.
• 6-8 p.m. Chicken BBQ Dinner at the CBMR base area.
• 7-9:30 p.m. Free music with Sol Driven Train at the CBMR base area.
• 9 p.m. Fourth of July fireworks at the CBMR base area.

SUNDAY 5
• 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Crested Butte Farmers Market on Elk Avenue.
• 3-7 p.m. Happy Hour Sundays with Chuck Grossman at the Eldo.
• 6-8 p.m. Sundays @ 6 featuring Free the Honey! At Legion Park in Gunnison.
• 7 p.m. Bill Dowell plays at the Princess Wine Bar.
• 8 p.m. Richie Furay Band at the Center for the Arts.
• 10 p.m. Sol Driven Train at the Eldo.

MONDAY 6
• 5:30 p.m. Alpenglow: The Delta Saints on the Center for the Arts Outdoor Stage.
• 7 p.m. Jackson Melnick plays at the Princess Wine Bar.
• 7 p.m. Authors Mark & Kym O’Connell-Todd present a slide show about their new book Wild West Ghosts at Townie Books.
• 7:30-9 p.m. RMBL’s Douglass Distinguished Lecture ‘How Nature Paints Flowers’ by Dr. Mark Rausher of Duke University’s Biology Department at the CB Mtn Heritage Museum.

TUESDAY 7
• 5-6 p.m. Book signing Life As A Mountain Man’s Wife, by Fae-th Davidson at the CB Mtn Heritage Museum.
• 5:30 p.m. Meeting for any CBCS students interested in traveling to Cambodia for a service trip with Dr. Michael Faktor at Rumors.
• 5:30 p.m. Cattleman’s Days Tough Enough To Wear Pink Singer/Songwriter Concert & Auction at Mountaineer Square Conference Center.
• 6 p.m. Chuck Grossman and Dawne Belloise play at the Princess Wine Bar.

WEDNESDAY 8
• 10 a.m.- 1 p.m. Plein Air Watercolor Workshop Series at the Art Studio of the Center for the Arts. 349-7044.
• 10 a.m.- 1 p.m. Jewelry Making for Middle School at the Art Studio (through July 9).
• 4:30 p.m. Touch An Instrument and Interactive Talk with Charles Yang at the Center for the Arts.
• 5:30-7:30 p.m. Live! from Mt. Crested Butte on the Red Lady Stage featuring Jason Eady.
• 5:45 p.m. Pinnacle Race presented by Griggs Orthopedics at Evolution Bike Park.
• 6 p.m. The Bellamy Brothers play at the IBar Ranch
• 7 p.m. Rachel VanSlyke plays at the Princess Wine Bar.
• 7:30 p.m. Pool Tournament upstairs at the Talk of the Town.
• 7:30 p.m. Potter Public Policy Forum: Speaker Trevor Potter “The Money-in-Politics Disaster: Where Do We Go From Here?” at the Center for the Arts.
• 10 p.m. Arias at the Bar at Kochevar’s Saloon.

KIDS CALENDAR

THURSDAY 2
• 3-8 p.m. Youth Gymnastics, Jerry’s Gym at Town Hall 349-5338.
• 3 p.m. Swallow Hill Music Kids Camp Concert at the CB Community School.

FRIDAY 3
• 11 a.m. Storytime for ages 3 and up at the Old Rock Library.

SATURDAY 4
• 3 p.m. Storytime for preschoolers at Townie Books.
• 4 p.m. Storytime for kindergarten-third graders at Townie Books.

MONDAY 5
• 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 6
• 11 a.m. Kid’s Beatbox Show at the Old Rock Library featuring Neil McIntyre.
• 11 a.m. Summer reading program for ages 3-7 at the Old Rock Library.
• 3-8 p.m. Youth Gymnastics, Jerry’s Gym at Town Hall 349-5338.

WEDNESDAY 7
• 11 a.m. Baby/Toddler Storytime at the Old Rock Library.
• 3:30 p.m. Trailhead after school club at CBCS. Ages 5-11.
• 4 p.m. Summer reading program for ages 8-12 at the Old Rock Library.
• 4-8 p.m. Soo Bahk Do classes for kids at Town Hall. 349-7752.

“Keep moving.”

That was the sage advice from former Chronicle and Pilot editor Lee H. Ervin during the wedding reception of former Crested Butte News editor Eddie Stern last weekend in Denver. Lee lives in New Mexico now and as part of his job he interviews older people.

He said women tend to be healthier than men as they age but the key to healthy aging for both genders is to “keep moving.” That sounds like pretty good advice and all you have to do is look around at the people aging here and those growing older in say, Ohio. There is a difference between the 82-year-old who walks, bikes or skis in Crested Butte and the 72-year-old who waddles into the Columbus Golden Corral for the early bird buffet.

Lee was talking about individuals but since it is Tuesday and I can’t write about the Elk Avenue slurry seal debacle without continually shaking my head, laughing or crying, I’ll make the cheap and easy editorial move and build on Lee’s advice for Crested Butte.

“Keep moving.” There is really no such thing as a healthy community that never changes. Being stagnant leads to being boring and sluggish. It is good to move.

Our tourism-based economy is about to go off for about two months. No one will describe the coming summer as stagnant in the short term. But that is part of our problem. Crested Butte depends on giant economic peaks that strain our infrastructure and are then followed by giant dips that make it precarious for local businesses to make it. In the long-term, that template can be stressful.

So in an effort to “keep moving,” Crested Butte is adding to its traditional outdoorsy image and attractions. A new organic focus on arts and education is helping to keep us moving beyond the Old Faithfuls of mountain biking and skiing. That is healthy.

Right now there is an effort to look at the big picture here through the One Valley Prosperity Project (OVPP). That effort is gathering information and is actively promoting a community dialogue to perhaps help this community to keep moving.

Unlike some, I don’t anticipate a panacea to come out of the OVPP. So far the OVPP indicates that those living here like it here. We all wish we made more money here. We all don’t want to become just another stereotypical tourist town in the mountains.

Of course, the details of any final plan are where there might be real tension. Some will lobby for more, more, more, while others will argue for a return to the slower paced “good old days.” I have always said the OVPP could save a lot of time and money by having someone from each side of the divide, say an Eric Roemer and a Sue Navy, sit down and come up with a plan. If they can agree on a direction, then odds are pretty good that everyone could.

Some organizers in the OVPP claim that the final plan will result in a common core baseline upon which every decision in the valley between now and infinity can be based. That won’t happen. Healthy communities need good representatives and leaders for the times to step up and set a direction. That usually happens in elections when the people decide who gets to sit down and map out the next leg of the road trip. Chances are if someone goes too far afield, they won’t get put back into local office. That usually keeps everything moving in manageable doses.

Crested Butte is constantly changing and that is part of the dynamic of a healthy community. It “keeps moving.” People come and go. Those relocating here now are doing so for reasons different from those who came here 20 years ago. I’ll go out on a limb and say the biggest game changer has been the Crested Butte Community School. Having a quality K-12 school in a wonderful place with a ski resort is a major draw to those who can afford it. And more and more people are figuring that out.

I do think the OVPP can end up being a valuable tool. While healthy communities need to “keep moving,” they also need solid foundations and the OVPP might be able to provide some of that foundational focus. A continued good community needs both young and old people living in it. Rich and poor should be able to rub shoulders. It needs workers either living near or having easy access to their jobs. They need good schools, good opportunities for community dialogue and good opportunities for local businesses to succeed. It needs to actively protect its special attributes. The OVPP might help reinforce those community elements.

Decisions in the future won’t be based entirely on an OVPP study from 2015. They will be based on those who step up to help keep a community moving in a direction that is healthy at the time. That requires thoughtfulness and an ability to stay nimble. The OVPP can provide a snapshot of needs and wants at this particular time and that is useful, but not a miracle cure for the few things that ail us.

“Keep moving.” Good advice. How we move is up to those living here at any given time and have the most influence on where we end up.

Lee must be moving a lot. He still looks good in his grandfather years. And a quick shout out to Eddie Stern and his new wife, Ellen. They chose last Friday to “keep moving” and take a major life step. It seems a good, healthy choice. That is all any individual, couple or community can really ask for—healthy choices based on the decision to keep moving.

—Mark Reaman

by Dawne Belloise

As Robert Burns wrote, “The best laid plans of mice and men often go awry,” but for former local and town planner Myles Rademan, and the eventual population of Crested Butte, the scheme seems to have worked out well in the long-run since its inception in 1973.

Sure there are those who would argue that the directionless post-mining Crested Butte with its dirt streets, dilapidated housing and pothole celebrations was far more desirable than the rising glitz and lack of local housing that the town seems to be moving toward these days.

In fact, Rademan will be talking about this expanded topic, “Crested Butte vs. the Real World: Resort Towns’ Challenging Future,” as the keynote speaker for Crested Butte Public Policy Forum on Wednesday, July 1, at the Crested Butte Center for the Arts at 7:30 p.m., and it’s a free event.

Rademan feels returning to Crested Butte yearly is like coming home for him, although he laughs, “I didn’t exactly grow up here because I’m not sure I’ve grown up.” The septuagenarian reiterates the mantra of most who at one time or another lived or remain here. Like John Denver, Rademan says he was born in the summer of his twenty-seventh year, when he came home to a place he’d never been before. He made Crested Butte his home for 15 years from 1972.

Born and raised in Philadelphia, Rademan attended Temple University, earning a degree in history and political science. He moved to New York City to study law and urban planning at NYU, getting his dual degrees in 1969 and moving to Colorado right after that, because, he says, of a certain “pied piper” named Skip Chase, a professor of law at CU Boulder who was traveling the country in 1969 to recruit young, idealistic lawyers.

Chase “showed up in a plaid shirt with a slide show of the Rockies and really good grass. He recruited a whole bunch of us to work for Colorado Legal Services but I was finishing up my last year for a masters in urban planning,” he says of his credentials.

Then as Rademan was preparing for his move west Chase told him about a job opportunity as a community planner with the city of Denver. “I was hired on the spot and worked there from 1970 to 1972,” but Rademan grins and adds proudly, “I created so much havoc. I sued the city, which they thought was like biting the hand that feeds you, but I was suing on behalf of Denver’s west-side neighborhood, for Chicanos, because we didn’t think they were getting their fair share of the municipal services. It woke them [the city of Denver] up, and they didn’t reapply for the program that was funding me. They were very happy to see me go.”

“Most of the people I associated with were part of this group of Colorado Legal Services,” Rademan says, explaining that those lawyers worked mostly in rural areas, in little communities around the state. “Once a month we’d have a meeting and get crazy at my house in Denver. Some of them knew how to ski, which I didn’t know how to do, and a few of them had purchased a house in Crested Butte. Gerry Reese, who later became the Gunnison county judge, had purchased Cement Creek Ranch. This was happening in the early ‘70s and what happened was, my wife, who was tired of me and Denver, moved up to Crested Butte in the summer of 1972. I was still finishing up my job in Denver.”

A hippie heads to the butte

So with Rademan’s wife bolting and his Denver job ended, Reese convinced Rademan to consider Crested Butte and told him, “You should come up because there’s been this election and the hippies took over from the old timers.”

Rademan explained this was back when David Leinsdorf and Bill Crank organized a voter registration and got themselves voted in to a council newly rife with the town’s newcomers. “Gerry [Reese] said they may be able to use my help. I arrived July 4, 1972 and went to meet Mayor Bill Crank. I knocked on the door and this guy with long hair and long beard answered and said, ‘Who are you?’ I also had long hair and a long beard and I presented myself to Crank.”

Shortly thereafter, Rademan met Steve Glazer, who was writing a federal grant to get planning for the town. “Jim Kuziak, an architect who was partners with Eric Roemer, was building Penelope’s [a long-gone favorite Crested Butte restaurant] greenhouse. “I saw these two hippies up on the greenhouse roof and yelled up. I told them I was a planner. Kuziak said, ‘That’s great, I don’t know sh*t about planning.’ He had a friend engineer coming, Bruce Bumgartener.”

As Rademan was tying up loose ends in Denver, Crank called to say the town had been awarded the planning grant of $6,000 and Rademan packed up and headed back to the Butte in December 1972 to start a planning firm, named BKR (Bumgartener, Kuziak and Rademan), and to reunite with his wife.

“I was in charge of words, Kuziak was in charge of pictures, and Bumgartener was in charge of numbers,” Rademan smiles.

They laid down the foundation of what was to become the present-day town concept in Crested Butte’s first master plan.

The original plan, Rademan relates, called for basic amenities. “We have to start a fire district—it had been a volunteer fire department with a hose on wheels that they pulled by hand, and whose motto was, ‘We never lost a lot.’ We have to preserve the history and the environment. Bruce and I wrote the first grant for the historic district, which we formed.”

High on the list was upgrading the physical facilities—water, sewer, streets, and gutters, Rademan says. “We started to fix things up. We talked about diversifying the economy, working on developing festivals, providing diverse housing opportunities with alley housing, auxiliary buildings, reorganizing the government, and we wrote a municipal charter for the town, becoming a Home Rule municipality. We also recommended encouragement of citizen participation. And we actually started doing all that.”

What they recommended back in 1973 was based on the fact that the economy had failed for mining.

“A lot of people hung on but the middle-aged population of 30 and 40-year-olds had left. Ranching families stayed, some of the miners with pensions stayed, but it was a ghost town from the old photos—but there was a bunch of young hippies. We were able to revitalize the town.”

Wild and wooly

Rademan tells of a riff his neighbor had with him. “My next door neighbor was Tony Verzuh, who hated me and threatened to kill me all the time because I was a ‘socialist hippie planner.’ I had to sleep with a gun for seven years!” he laughs. “The marshal gave me that gun because Verzuh threatened me at every meeting,” Rademan smiles, shaking his head, but it was serious enough that he went target practicing a lot. “Those were the wild wooly days here.”

After they wrote the master plan, which included Cement Creek because they realized the importance of open space and that Crested Butte’s future also depended on its valley and sustainability, Crank and Rademan, with their beards and long hair, presented the plan to the Gunnison County commissioners.

“I did a slide show for it and after we did the show, Rocky Warren [one of the commissioners] looked at us and said, ‘Boys, come up here…’ so we walked up to the front dais and he’s looking down at us and says, “You know what happens when you cross a hippie planner and a hippie mayor—you f*ck things up ten years in advance.” Rademan still laughs heartily recalling that.

As with any change in town, there’s bound to be dissent and opposition. “The first thing that hit home with people was when we decided to pave Elk Avenue,” Rademan tells. “Elk Ave was a dirt street. That was the reason we all had klunkers, because there were no paved streets. We didn’t do much plowing back then, we did a minimal amount of stuff,” he says of the town’s thin coffers.

“Part of the plan was to upgrade physical facilities and we said early on that we have to get in bed with the ski area because that’s our economic engine. Our future was in tourism. There was a big cultural divide between the ski area and town—the ski area was pro-growth and town was more sustainable thinking, more environmental and not as pro-growth. We felt we should do something with Elk because it was a mess and how were we going to attract anyone to come here?”

Rademan applied for a grant to the Economic Development Administration of the federal government. He explains, “We convinced them that Elk Avenue was, in essence, our factory and we wanted to fix up Elk for the bicentennial, as a national historic district. Our economic development was our street. They bought it, and approved a $280,000 grant… that’s when the fun started… because then we included sidewalks and a green strip between the sidewalk and the street.

“The whole project turned into a battle cry that we were trying to Aspenize Crested Butte. People were opposed to change and they said it was going to ruin our town, and for them, it did. They left. A ‘Save the Baby Potholes’ group formed… they’d hold signs up at meetings,” he chuckles, but adds in seriousness, “People were angry about change. It was very controversial. In that Fourth of July parade Crank and I dressed up as the green strip, we wrapped ourselves in green toilet paper. I liked the town the way it was, but would anyone still be living here if we hadn’t fixed it up? I spent seven years fighting Amax. Some of these things don’t go away, but these are the last great places. We create magical places that are oases, bubbles, unique but they also function in an international and national economy and our country was founded on individual rights to change. Nobody has figured out how to suspend the law of economics—if something is scarce it’s valuable, if something is valuable it’s expensive and if it’s expensive only rich people can afford to buy it.”

The importance of community

In the hippie era of the beginnings of the modern town, CB was affectionately known as The People’s Republic of Crested Butte, tongue-in-cheek, but Rademan emphasizes, “Community is very important. Affordable housing is very socialistic and as Nietzsche once said, ‘Courage in the face of reality’—sometimes you have to stare reality in the face and then you act. In order to keep that idyllic setting you have to take out your checkbook—if you want certain things, you pay for it. You subsidize the things you want to keep.”

Rademan moved to Park City in 1986, citing asthma and better schooling for his son, in addition to the fact that he was not making enough to support his family as a town planner, so he took a job as a planner in another resort town.

Now, he’s a keynote speaker about resort town planning and growth, traveling nationally and internationally. He’s also served as the director of information for the 2002 Salt Lake City Olympics, and is on the board of the Park City Community Foundation. He currently serves on the Park City chamber board and the Utah Ski and Snowboard Association. Rademan still runs his own consulting company.

“I don’t look back with any regrets,” he says of his tenure in Crested Butte. “We lost a lot of battles but still, when I come back here, I don’t know a lot of resort towns that look like Crested Butte.

“It’s the community, it’s the people attracted to here. Obviously, it’s changed and will continue to change. It’s hard to stop growth. Most of our towns suffer from a cognitive dissonance disorder, when you hold mutual exclusive values and ideas simultaneously and then try to get your brain to come to grips with them. Yeah, we all love it the way it is but like the King of Hearts [a classic early 1970s movie that reflected a perceived Buttian way of life, and shown at the Princess Theatre at least twice yearly], the real world is swirling around us and intruding on our bubble—and guess what—there’s no cure. Crested Butte has done a wonderful job of taking the foundation we laid and going way beyond anything I could have imagined. Every time I come back I am thoroughly amazed and delighted.”

“We believe in what each other is doing”

by Alissa Johnson

With a new Center for the Arts planned in Crested Butte and the Biery-Witt Center planned as a performing arts and event center in Mt. Crested Butte, it doesn’t take long to uncover questions in the community.

Does the upper end of the valley need two facilities? Are the two organizations duplicating services? And how will they raise enough funds to build both?

A 13-member task force—including staff and board members from both organizations, representatives from the towns of Crested Butte and Mt. Crested Butte as well as members from the community at large—has been meeting since January to answer those questions. Some of them have been meeting weekly.

It has been a long and involved process, and much remains to be examined. But task force members agree there is a demonstrated need for both facilities, each organization will continue its fundraising efforts, and there are opportunities to work together when it comes to operations, marketing and serving their respective audiences.

Opening the books

With the help of Grand Junction–based facilitator Illene Roggensack of Third Sector Innovations, the task force combed through each organization’s business documents. They looked at facility designs, business and operating plans, and fundraising campaigns—a move that isn’t common in the world of business, nonprofit or otherwise. But according to Bill Ronai, co-president for the Mt. Crested Butte Performing Arts Center (the legal entity raising funds for the Biery-Witt Center), it was necessary.

“We looked at the respective business plans and went through them line by line, including their assumptions, to satisfy to ourselves that the assumptions were not unreasonable,” Ronai said.

“That was a big transition,” Center for the Arts executive director Jenny Birnie agreed. “I was impressed we did that. We learned over time that we definitely need two facilities.”

In addition, the task force examined planned programming for each facility in order to understand where they might be duplicating services. What they found was very little overlap, due in large part to filling different needs for different audiences.

Birnie and Ronai pointed out that a significant portion of the Center for the Arts programming focuses on community-based programs such as art classes, music lessons, and K-12 school programs.

In contrast, the Biery-Witt Center will focus on conferences, weddings, and events.

Woody Sherwood, executive director for the MCBPAC, explained, “The Center for the Arts is really a community based organization,” meaning that it primarily serves full- and part-time residents of the community. “At the Biery-Witt Center, over half of the planned programming is events and conferences, so it’s really an externally driven program.”

It makes sense, therefore, that the Center for the Arts will stay in Crested Butte and the Biery-Witt Center will be in Mt. Crested Butte, where it will be adjacent to the valley’s larger hotels and accommodations.

Both facilities are expected to be around 30,000 square feet, depending on final design and fundraising. The Center for the Arts will have a performance venue that seats 260 compared to its current capacity of 210, but will also include classroom and rehearsal space—Birnie says it will meet the needs of not only the Center for the Arts but also local nonprofits that turn to the organization for meeting and performance space.

The Biery-Witt Center will be designed to accommodate groups of up to 500 for conferences and conventions as well as the Crested Butte Music Festival.

Growing, year-round demand

When it comes to sustaining two facilities year-round, members of the task force agree the need is already here. Not only have several studies confirmed the viability of having two facilities in the community, but demand for arts and events programming is on the rise.

According to Birnie, the Center for the Arts saw a 26 percent increase in attendance between 2013 and 2014. Off-season programming is also growing. The Crested Butte Film Festival, which takes place at the end of September, tripled its attendance in three years. Dance has more than doubled enrollment in recent years, and a film shown during this year’s spring break saw incredible attendance as well.

“I sometimes think there is a misconception that locals aren’t an economic driver,” Birnie said. Arts programming is in demand year-round, not only during tourist seasons or when second homeowners are in town.

According to David Clayton, mayor of Mt. Crested Butte, the Biery-Witt Center will fill existing conference and events needs as well. When the Gothic Building was demolished and when the Club Med theater and performance space (now the Elevation Hotel and Spa) was reconfigured, the valley lost venues that could seat 300 to 325 people.

And yet the need for a large meeting space hasn’t gone away. Crested Butte Mountain Resort has just booked a 500-person group for next fall, Clayton said, and weddings and groups are a growing market in the valley.

“The demand is there now, so we really need to be able to deal with it,” Clayton said. Add population growth to the mix—Colorado is projected to double its population in the next 30 years—and Clayton says building both facilities will meet current needs and help Crested Butte stay ahead of the curve.

Looking for efficiencies 

Next up for the task force and the boards of directors for each organization is to look for ways to work together. Center for the Arts board member Don Haver explained that a task force subcommittee is looking at whether pooling resources and staffing will provide opportunities that may not exist separately. In other words, would sharing aspects of leadership positions, staffing, marketing and program support help provide better programming for the community?

“And if someone calls the Center for the Arts for a rental facility that would be better met by a space at the Biery-Witt Center, can we be set up for that?” Haver explained.

How that collaboration will come to life is a long way from final. A strategic plan outlining the options will go to the boards of directors for both organizations early this summer, including the steps to make them happen.

“We are in the talking phase and bringing options to the boards,” MCBPAC’s Sherwood said. “We’re looking for the best ways to optimize the existence and use of the two facilities.”

In the meantime, both organizations will continue to fundraise, adhering to a set of best practices in order to respect each other’s efforts. According to Birnie, after one year of fundraising the Center for the Arts has raised more than $3 million and hopes to double that by this fall in order to break ground next spring. The total fundraising goal is $15 million.

Sherwood said that the current commitments total $18.4 million with about $8 million to be raised in order to hit the funding goal, based on current construction estimates.

A lot of work lies ahead for both organizations, but the members of the task force say the added work of collaborating and involving the community has been critical. They’ve done more than confirm the need for two facilities.

As Clayton said, “We can now say, ‘Yes, we believe in what each other is doing and what they are doing is correct and right.’”

“It’s not clear what the requirements are”

by Alissa Johnson

The old Marcellina Apartments, condemned due to water damage in 2014, are getting a facelift. Denver-based development company GO CB LLC is bringing the building back to life as a condo development, with the help of local building company Coburn Development and local design company KPD Studios.

Called the Timbers, the project is currently in demolition phase, but Mt. Crested Butte town staff are making sure employee housing expectations are clear. The Marcellina Apartments had seven units designated as employee housing, and the new building will have the same—but what that can look like isn’t well defined in the current covenant.

At an April 7 Town Council meeting, town manager Joe Fitzpatrick and town attorney Kathy Fogo informed the council that the restrictive covenant in place, which outlines employee housing requirements, leaves a bit to be desired.

The covenant was written prior to the adoption of current housing guidelines, and Fitzpatrick explained, “It was written rather loosely, and it’s not clear what the requirements are to qualify for employee housing and what happens if the units are sold.”

According to Fogo, the developer is committed to meeting employee housing requirements but would like the flexibility to sell all the units in the building. “They’re trying to come up with a way to meet the intent of the document but make the project viable,” Fogo said.

Fogo and Fitzpatrick asked the council for input into the covenant itself based on some ideas from the developer. Would the council consider alternative arrangements, such as selling the units to a corporation like Crested Butte Mountain Resort (CBMR), which could in turn rent to employees?

“What we’re looking at is trying to clean up and finish filling in the blanks of how to enforce the covenant and what the requirements are to qualify for those seven units,” Fitzpatrick said.

“I can see the benefit of going to someone like CBMR and having them manage a unit as a rental, but I don’t know how you end up doing that in the document without a major rewrite,” said mayor David Clayton.

Fogo agreed there were a lot of details to figure out, even if the units were sold to qualified individuals. “There are so many holes. If someone is an employee in Gunnison County and purchases because they qualify, and then ceases to be an employee in Gunnison County, then technically they have to sell the unit… And someone has to be able to manage and enforce the requirements.”

“I would think the developer would seek a local management company to manage [the units] as rentals,” said Councilmember Danny D’Aquila, who felt the developer would have known what it was getting into.

“And we could hold them to that, but we might not want to,” responded Clayton.

“There are examples within town from historic employee housing where an HOA owns and controls the unit in their project,” said Fitzpatrick, noting that could be one way for the developer to let go of the management of the units.

“But they wouldn’t be able to sell the units, which is the goal,” said Fogo, noting that the developer has been cooperative throughout discussions. She also pointed out that the council didn’t need to change the covenant. “But that leaves a lot of room for interpretation as to what’s supposed to happen,” Fogo said.

“I don’t think that would be a benefit to anyone,” Clayton responded.

Councilmember Todd Barnes said that depending on price, he could see local companies purchasing the units for their employees to rent. Councilmember Danny D’Aquila said he was in favor of having an HOA manage the units, but felt that above all it was important to preserve employee housing.

In the end, the council directed staff to update language in the document, allowing corporations to own the units and putting requirements in place for renters and/or individual owners to ensure they met salary requirements and earned the majority of their income in Gunnison County.

“I want to see something in there that ties it down. What is in there is not acceptable, it’s too loose,” Clayton said. “I agree with Danny that we want to make sure we preserve as best we can employee housing and rental housing. That’s a big need.”

Corey Dawn, real estate agent for the Timbers project, confirmed to the Crested Butte News, “We have asked the town to allow us to move five of the deed-restricted units from basement mountain-facing location to the first floor west-facing locations. Two deed-restricted units on each end of the basement will remain in their current locations.”

Calls to the develper were not returned but the developer has also asked for the town to allow the units to be purchased by investors who can then rent to employees or sell to qualified locals as primary residences. According to Fitzpatrick, town staff aim to bring a revised covenant to the council for review in May.