Benchtalk: July 3, 2020

Happy Birthday America!

This is normally one of the busiest weekends of the year for Crested Butte and Gunnison as people flock to the valley to escape the heat of other places and celebrate an Independence Day holiday. All signs point a busy weekend coming up despite the coronavirus, and the heat factor is perfect with temps expected to hang in the 70s during the day and 40s at night. Doesn’t get much better. As for the Fourth there is no parade, no water fight and no live music but Gunnison is planning on a fireworks show. Pick up a Chamber Passport at the Crested Butte Visitor’s Center to keep busy in the towns or just get out and explore nature in a pretty beautiful place.

Stay Aware

And you are fortunate to be in a place that is relatively open compared to a lot of other resort communities in America. To stay that way everyone has to help. That means practicing social distancing and not crowding up. Stay six feet away from other people. Wear a mask when going inside a business or in a crowded outdoor area like Elk Avenue. Wash your hands a lot and don’t sneeze on anyone. We’re lucky to have outdoor seating for most of the restaurants and we want to keep this place open and operating but it takes everyone’s help whether you live here or are visiting. Thanks.

Alpenglow at Home this Monday

While the normal Monday evening Alpenglow concerts aren’t being held this year because of the coronavirus outbreak, the Crested Butte Center for the Arts and KBUT are collaborating for virtual event on Monday, July 6. KBUT will broadcast a special Alpenglow show featuring bands from Alpenglow’s 25-year history. Tune-in and turn-up the specially curated jams in your home, car, backyard, bathtub, or wherever. Host a socially distanced backyard picnic with Alpenglow-in-a-Box kits  if you want to capture the old feel. Participating businesses include Montanya Distillers, Thrive Yoga, Colorado Real Soap Co., Irwin Beer, and more. Alpenglow-in-a Box prices vary. Go to crestedbuttearts.org for details.

Mountain Express July 4 weekend schedule change

Please note the following change to the Mountain Express schedule from Friday, July 3 through Sunday, July 5: The Town Shuttle will run every 10 minutes from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. The Town Shuttle will run on regular 20-minute summer service before (7:35 a.m. to 10 a.m.) and after (8 p.m. to midnight). If you have any questions, visit the website at www.mtnexp.org, or contact Mountain Express at (970) 349-5616.

St. Mary’s Garage is open in Crested Butte

St. Mary’s Garage, Crested Butte’s free store whose motto is “Caring through Sharing,” is now open on Tuesdays and Thursdays, from 4 to 5:30 p.m. for shoppers and donations. Please wear your masks; space is limited to two shoppers at a time. St. Mary’s is well stocked so come by and see if they have anything you need.

Birthdays:

July 2- Jackie Ingham, Glo Cunningham, Anne Campbell, William Johnson, Monica Arias, Caitlin de Compiegne

July 3- Nathan Bilow, Sandy Shea

July 4- America, Molly Eldridge, Michelle Zanga, Jesse Gerber, Samantha Merck, Jeff Westling

July 5- Alissa Johnson, Chloe Eskew, Rachael Baskfield, Ali Sunter, Blair Hall, Kimo Donnell, Kyra Martin, Ava Oliver, Silas Burbank

July 6- Kristen Andersen, Oliver Houseman, Elise Jiganti, Chloe Crawford

July 7- Gordie Spencer, Justin Bigelow, Jeff Schneider, Cole Byron, Milana Milisaljevich, Kristina Johnson, Thomas Pruett

July 8- Roxie Lypps, Katey Helm, Cheryl Leonard, Gloria Wojitalik, MJ Vosburg, Dave Velardi, Wendy Fisher, Lisa Lenander, Michael Mobley

Cameos: What is your impression of the new one-way Elk Avenue?