Web Extras

As we head into what some people call the “shoulder season” but most people call the “off-season”, there is an expected decrease in the number of pages printed by the Crested Butte News. As a result, not everything can fit into the printed page. So…for more local color, letters, and notices, take a minute to check out our online web extras.
A sampling of this week’s offerings include a tale from Nordic Master skier of the year Dan McElroy on his adventure in the last Grand Traverse race. See who was elected to the board of the Gunnison-Crested Butte Tourism Association. The Kids Calendar this week can be found online along with the information of how much you’ll pay to ski Monarch this weekend if you have a CBMR gold pass. Thanks for understanding.

PS—for those looking for a story on the Crested Butte council debate over lights on Tommy V field…that will be in next week’s printed edition of the News.

 

 

Tourism Association board elects officers
The Gunnison-Crested Butte Tourism Association (TA) board of directors elected the following officers to serve the next 12 months at its monthly board meeting this week at the Almont Resort.
Co-presidents: Wanda Bearth, Crested Butte Lodging; and Stephen Pierotti, Gunnison Country Times
Vice president: Molly Eldridge, Red Lady Realty
Treasurer: Paul Edwards, Gunnison Arts Center
Secretary: Maggie Dethloff, Red Lady Realty
Other members of the board include Rachel Gardner, Crested Butte Events; Andrea Greene, The Ruby of Crested Butte; Sarah Sanders, Ol’ Miner Steakhouse; Marshall Taylor, Gene Taylor’s Sporting Goods; Jim Valenzuela, Water Wheel Inn; and Todd Walton, Crested Butte Mountain Resort.
The mission of the TA is to enhance economic vitality by marketing Gunnison County as a year-round destination and to foster relationships with community partners to ensure a quality guest experience. For more information about the organization, go to www.gcbta.com or call 641-7992.
The visitor information web site is www.GunnisonCrestedButte.com.

Sheriff's Stories
03/26/09, Officers issued a road kill permit after an elk collided with an automobile on Highway 133.
Officers received a report concerning a landlord/tenant dispute and possible stolen property. Case remains under investigation.
03/30/09, Officers received a report concerning damage to a vehicle that happened within the Gunnison County Landfill. The reporting party advised that on March 6, an unidentified employee attempted to assist in unloading a refrigerator when damage must have been sustained to the reporting party’s vehicle.
Officers arrested a 32-year-old Crested Butte male on a $750 Gunnison County failure to appear warrant. The arrest was made at an address near Hunter Hill Road within Mount Crested Butte.
Officers assisted the Mental Health Services with collecting and transporting a 20-year-old male who had reportedly attempted suicide. The man lives within Crested Butte South and was transported from Gunnison to a health provider within Grand Junction.
03/31/09, Officers received a report from a resident who lives near County Road 31 (Vulcan) that person(s) unknown had trespassed on the property and stole a bike.
Officers were dispatched to the Gunnison Valley Hospital regarding a mishap injury that transpired from a snowmobile-related accident within the Arrowhead Subdivision. A 12-year-old female was injured. The injuries were not serious.
Officers assisted the Gunnison Police Department with a warranted arrest on Gothic Avenue.
Officers received a report of a vehicle within a closure area near Signal Peak—they located the pickup but no one was around. Officers are working on the leads.
04/01/09, Officers arrested a 25-year-old Gunnison County male on a felony warrant out of the Gunnison Police Department. The arrest went without incident at a residence near County Road 50, KAO Campground Road. The warrant indicated no bond on domestic violence and stalking charges.
Officers assisted the Colorado State Patrol with a one-car rollover accident near mile marker 160, Highway 50.
04/02/09, Officers arrested a 22-year-old Gunnison male for disregarding a stop sign, DUI and bail bond violation. The officers were driving westbound on Highway 50 when the suspect’s vehicle approached the highway from 12th Street and almost collided with the patrol vehicle.
Officers responded to an address near Apache Road regarding a possible family dispute. Investigations revealed that a dispute had taken place but no criminal laws had been broken.
At approximately midnight, officers were called to an address near County Road 51 (Old City Dump Road) regarding a loud party complaint. The party was shut down and no charges were filed.
04/03/09, Officers arrested a 42-year-old Gunnison County male on a $500 warrant out of Gunnison County Court. The male was also charged with driving while license is under restraint, and driving a defective vehicle. The man was stopped on County Road 76 (Pitkin Road).
04/04/09, Officers received a report of telephone harassment from a resident who lives near County Road 18 (Gun Range Road). The victim does not want to pursue charges.
04/05/09, Officers were dispatched to a possible house fire near Neversink. Although officers found that there was no fire, they did observe a horse that was caught in a barbed wire fence. Responding firefighters released the horse.
Officers were dispatched to a business east of Gunnison regarding a possible restraining order violation. Investigations revealed that there was no violation.

School News
SPRING BREAK Spring break is April 13 through April 17. If you plan to take your child/children out of school earlier or plan to return later, please contact the office to let us know. This will avoid any additional phone calls to check on absences. Thanks for your help. THINK SPRING!
TITAN SPORTSWEAR SALE This is the time to buy that Titan Sweatshirt or t-shirt that you have always wanted. EVERYTHING, t-shirts, sweatshirts, visors, blankets, and hats are now 50% off!! Come by the school and select from our classy "spirit" gear while supplies last!
THINK GLOBALLY, ACT LOCALLY We have set aside the week of April 6-10 to focus awareness on helping our students become global citizens in addition to being citizens of CB, Colorado, and the US. The purpose of this week is to promote the understanding that our actions have an impact both positively and negatively across the planet and to recognize that we can think globally, act locally and have our actions ripple across the planet Earth. Some of the events include, Celebrate Diversity and Tolerance Day and Live as an Afghan Student Day. There are very specific guidelines for both boys and girls who choose to live as an Afghan student. Information will be distributed to classrooms and will be available in the office. Please feel free to join us in your home for the designated days. Cut down on energy use, walk more, practice kindness and tolerance, and perhaps, gain a new perspective before enjoying our spring break.
NEED A CLASS PICTURE? Class pictures are in and we have some extras if you did not order one on picture day. Please contact the office if you are interested. The cost for each is $6.50.
PROM IS COMING! This year's Jr/Sr. Prom will be held at the Mallardi Cabaret Theatre on Sat., Apr. 25, from 8:30 PM – 12:30 AM. This year's prom, The Secret Garden will provide an evening of dancing and fun entertainment for many of our high school students amidst a beautiful, romantic garden setting. You are welcome to stop by the Cabaret Theatre between 8:30-9:00 PM. to check out our garden extravaganza and see our beautiful attendees.
PROM AND TUXEDOS The Jr./Sr. Prom, "The Secret Garden", is just around the corner and will be held at the Mallardi Cabaret Theatre on Sat., April 25. This is a wonderful, fun, evening for our high school students and one they look forward to all year. Traditionally, some young men opt to rent tuxedos for the evening. For those who choose to do so, Janet from the Boomerang will bring her catalogues and samples to CBCS on Thurs., Apr. 9, to assist with taking measurements and orders (please plan to bring cash or check). For your convenience, Janet will also bring all the tuxes to the school before prom and pick them up at the school after prom. No need to go to Gunn.!! Any gentleman interested in renting a tuxedo should set aside a few minutes on Thurs., Apr. 9, to place your order.

Mountain Express to change to spring schedule
On Monday, April 6, the Mountain Express will change to the spring schedule. Buses will run every 40 minutes. The first bus leaves the Old Town Hall at 7:35 a.m. and the last bus leaves the Old Town Hall to go the mountain at 10:55 p.m. The first bus leaves Mountaineer Square in Mt. Crested Butte at 8:00 a.m. and the last bus leaves the Mountaineer Square for downtown at 11:20 p.m.
For more information go to townofcrestedbutte.com and click on the Mountain Express link or call the information line at 970-349-7318.

Use your gold pass at Monarch until April 12
Sunday, April 12, 2009 marks the end of Monarch Mountain’s 69th operating season and they are closing out the season. Monarch Mountain will honor all Crested Butte season passes for the remainder of the season, through April 12.
Crested Butte season pass holders will just need to show their pass at the Monarch ticket windows to receive a free lift ticket.
An Easter egg hunt and a chance to ski with the Easter Bunny for children eight and under will start the day on April 12.
An Expression Session is open for kids 12 and under that want to show off “what they’ve got” on the small rails, fun boxes and jumps in the Tilt Terrain Park. The day will peak with the annual Monarch Mountain Cook-off in the Lot.
All children eight and under are invited to bring their Easter Basket up to Monarch for an Easter egg hunt and to ski with the Easter Bunny. The Easter egg hunt will start at 11 a.m. at the Children’s Center; no lift ticket is required and please bring your camera to take a picture with the Easter Bunny.
 The Tilt Terrain Park has been very popular with young skiers and riders wanting to try smaller rails, fun boxes and jumps. Monarch is inviting everyone 12 and under up to the mountain to show what they have learned this season. Riders from the Option 23 Freeride Team will be on hand with tips and prizes for the young shredders.
The cook-off in the Lot celebrates Monarch’s closing day of the season with food and drink. People have been setting up grills and tailgating in the Monarch parking lot for years and several years back it turned into a full-fledged competition with prizes being awarded for best food and best décor. The only entry cost is having enough food and beverages for the judges.
Prizes include a 2009-10 Monarch Mountain Season Pass.
For more information on either event please go to www.skimonarch.com or call a friendly local at (719) 530-5040.

Prater Cup thank you
Dear Editor:
The day was as bluebird as they come in Colorado on Sunday February 22 as the 29th Annual Prater Cup came to a close. Years later The Prater Memorial is still the favorite race among competitors, parents and coaches from around Colorado and New Mexico. “It takes the entire community to put on a well run and organized event” said the oldest daughter of Dan, Stephanie Prater, and there are so many people, sponsors and businesses to thank for all of there efforts. The Team award prizes were donated by Salomon, Spyder, Oakley and Smith eyewear. The Goodie bags had Bula hats, Spyder ski straps, stickers and event t-shirts sponsored by Acme Liquor, Jamie Watt, John Carnahan, Ron Owston, O’Rourke Construction, Ron Prater, Gas Café, Cristiana Guesthaus, Bacchanale, Holbrook & Smith, Bob Huckins Construction, The Slope, Butte & Co, Spinnerhawk, Zaccahariah Zypp, Donitas, George Reinhardt, Wooden Nickel, Prater Oil & Gas, Garcia Construction, Red Lady Realty, Joe Garcia, Flatiron Sports, Menu Magazine, Princess Productions, B & B Printers and Criss ( Dan’s youngest daughter) for designing the shirts.
Special thanks to the crew at CBMR—the Muellers, Ski Patrol & Crested Butte Mt. Sports Team Director Drew Cesati. The Town hall—for use of the gym, parents of our Crested Butte Club racers, Chief of Race Steve Hamiliton, Team Awards—Tammy Hamilton, & Allison Yeary, Head Gate keeper-Judy Byron, Race Administrator-Karen Redden, Crested Butte Ski and Snowboard Club, coaches, Race officials—Reed Schaub & Chris Gibson, Timing official—Danny Byron, Western State Ski team, Finish Ref—Charlie Zeiter, and all of the volunteers.
Thanks to the amazing BBQ sponsors, Red Lady Realty, LoBar, Maxwells, McGills, and Artesanos. A huge thanks to all the BBQ chefs, Joe & Carol Garcia, Christy, Ali & Jake Sunter, Liz Brown, Bob Davis, Angela & Sloan Bryson and Dave Carbonetti. A big thanks to the West Wall Association for the use of their land for the BBQ and CBMR for the yummy cookies and milk at the cookie crack up. Thanks to everyone for there continued support of The Dan Prater Memorial Cup and congratulations to all the Crested Butte Racers for an outstanding weekend of ski racing. Good Luck to all of the Junior Olympic qualifiers. See you next year. . .
The Prater Family

Thank you Crested Butte Mountain Resort  
Dear Editor:
On Sunday, February 8, Partners/Gunnison-Hinsdale County Youth Services Junior and Senior members were once again the lucky recipients of the generous spirit of the Mueller Family and Crested Butte Mountain Resort! A full day of skiing, complete with rentals, lessons and lunch for all of our current and alumni Partnerships.
What a wonderful opportunity for our local kids—the rare occasion to experience a day of skiing or snowboarding, and the chance to bond with other kids, the ski school staff, and their own Senior Partners. We would like to publicly thank CBMR, its talented and tireless employees, and the Mueller family for their generosity.  
Partners Board of Directors and Staff

Grand Traverse: fast becoming a legend
To the Editor:
My sixth Elk Mountain Grand Traverse proved to be just as adventurous as the previous five. I think organizer Jan Runge has a pact with Mother Nature to insure that a nice, calm spring evening/day would give much too much of an advantage to the racers and has forever destined this great event to have some sort of major pitfalls. From a midnight start time temperature of -12 degrees to wading the East River to multiple ground blizzards to post holing in thigh deep snow to breakable crust and this year hazards of super slow wind blown snow, 20-inch wind slabs on Star Pass and 50 mph head winds it makes a person wonder….”Why the hell am I subjecting myself (and my partner) to this kind of misery.” I love it when people say in their pre-race happy face… ”Have fun out there…!” Well, it’s not exactly fun but—more like a sharp pain—it feels better when it stops hurting and in the case of the Traverse, that’s when you cross the finish line. Maybe more noteworthy than the people who attempt this classic expedition though is the support crew that Runge has put together. Lisa Crampton and so many spirited volunteers give an inordinate amount of time to pulling this thing off. Between the sign up, gear check, on course support groups, hucking gear to Aspen, a top notch pro patrol avalanche crew, the finish party, and the awards ceremony, the coordination effort is close to mind-boggling. When I passed through the Barnard Hut this year for the much needed 10 minute mandatory rest stop and a hot cup of top ramen, I spoke briefly with Bob Wojtalik who said he came about two skin hairs of calling off the race… that coming within just minutes before a record field size of 280 racers (140 teams) were preparing to hear the famous midnight send-off prayer by Pastor Tim. With 60 mph wind gusts on Taylor Pass and Gold Hill, to try and second guess how long and how bad the winds and weather might worsen, it was hard to visualize that kind of scenario taking place at 12,000 feet when things at the Crested Butte Community School in town at start time were a balmy 9 degrees and no wind. Of course, the weather could have been worse, but then the race would have been cancelled—absolutely. It’s sort of like a trap…. not bad enough to cancel but get all these crazies out on the course and then unleash a couple of sucker punches to keep everyone free from any sort of comfort zone. Only once in the 12 year history has the race been turned into the “Reverse-Traverse”—go to the Friends Hut and do an about face then return via a slightly different route. That year it was an avalanche issue that made it just simply too dangerous to negotiate the East side of Star Pass. Never cancelled, never postponed but many many times marginal—yes, that is what the Traverse is all about. I pity the newbees in this event. Sign up, look at the map, talk to a few locals and bang… you’re out on the course at midnight not knowing where you are exactly or where you are going except that you know if you finish… you will be in downtown Aspen, Colorado. At least myself and most if not all of the locals have either skied (in good weather), mountain biked, hiked, motorcycled or horse backed most if not all the course. I myself have probably been over this route a couple of dozen times on a motorcycle. But guess what… in the dark, in the night, in the cold and in a white out, all bets are off.
This year, I had the pleasure to complete the race with my number 5 offspring, Tisha and have only one other kid to go before I will have completed a clean sweep with all my kids. That may never come to fruition because I think I have one normal one who thinks that any Grand Traverse entrant is either brain dead or is a true masoquist. Unfortunately, the event is via pairs only and in some ways this makes for a much safer event because you have someone in case you have problems—physical, mechanical or mental. On the flip side, it is unfortunate because you are only as good as your partner—sort of like the weaker link syndrome. The age class is a bit of a misrepresentation as well because my daughter is 27 and I am 63 and the formula for the age division is to add the ages and divide by 2. That would put us in the 45 year old range but the reality is that my 63 year deteriorated body has a big tendency to keep her 27 year old hard body at bay and keep us towards the back of the pack. I found out a potential solution to this as I saw Nordic coach and top skier Jesse Crandall actually pulling his partner along with a cord. That will probably be my next solution to a faster finish time. The really great thing about this race is that it attracts all kinds of adventurers. The course is simple: Start at midnight at the Crested Butte School, climb up to the Crested Butte Ski Area, ski down the Crested Butte Ski area, across the Trampe Ranch to Brush Creek Road, negotiate Death Pass, continue to the Friends Hut, climb Star Pass, descend Star Pass, climb Taylor Pass, climb Gold Hill, climb Richmond Ridge, continue to the top of Ajax Mountain, and finally, if you have any pins left…. descend Ajax Mountain to the finish. The distance (45+ miles) scans the comments from…”Oh, I would never attempt that kind of event…!” to, in the words of Grand Traverse multi-podium racer Dave Penney… ”It’s a fun little race!” There are those top notch adventure racers who are definitely in contention for a win. This year, Mike Kloser, Jay Henry, Ethan Passant, Travis Scheefer, Pat O’Neil, Jake Jones, Brian Wickenhauser, Eric Sullivan, Jason Stubbe, Dave Weins, Alan Hadley, Todd Malzhan, Jon Brown and Brian Smith all had a chance to take home bragging rights. Then, there is the not to be discounted second wave of still very fast guys that include both some very seasoned veterans as well as a handful of newcomers. Long time competitor and nearing 60 Dave Scheefer can still hang with the best of them. To date, with few exceptions, the top awards have been controlled by the locals… we will see if they can keep that strangle hold into the future. At the other end of the finish spectrum are the… ”I just want to finish” group. Or, the group with lower expectations: ….” I just want to finish before the lights go on in Aspen… and yes, I know it’s daylight savings…!”
The originators of the Traverse have a little different take on how and whose actual brainchild this was. Some say it was by design. Long time locals and first years competitors Jerry Deverell and partner Brian Dale say it may have been the beer talking turning into a sort of…. ”Well, let’s try it… it could be fun! That is usually how these things go. I remember talking to original racers Rick Borkvevic and Craig Hall saying, “You guys are crazy…. that is a long way to Aspen…. how do you do it? Why would you do it? You are too old for that kind of nonsense!” Little did I know that within a couple of years I too would fall prey to the call for adventure. My second son, Matt, after hearing and talking to a few people about the Traverse approached me and said… ”Let’s give this a try… we can just take it slow (and using the Traverse mantra said)….. It will be fun! That was ‘03 and the rest is history. This year, I have to say was special. First, I was able to complete the race with my only daughter. (2nd try—two years ago, she upsided in West Brush Creek and we had to call it a night) But also, this year’s 12th Annual Traverse will be featured as a documentary film. I was approached last fall by long time local Bill Kastning who said his son, Andrew was attempting to put together a documentary film on the Traverse. I thought that was a great idea because it is such a great event, has become such a mainstay of CB and has never been filmed. Later Andrew talked to me and asked Tisha and me to be a part of the film. Coner Hagen, son of former long time Crested Butte residents Peter Hagen and Lynn Faulkner was going to be the director and they would commandeer a few other friends and locals to help in putting the film together. Unfortunately, these guys were under a financial crunch in bringing this to fruition and the filming (mainly due to mechanical issues) did not go as smoothly as anticipated. When all the smoke clears, however, I think they will come up with a great product. In addition to the actual filming of the event, the idea is to depict a cross section of teams, interview those teams and give a sense of why they compete, how they train and a snapshot into their daily lives. Jon Brown and Brian Smith will be featured as the medal guys (‘06 winners), Andrew Kastning and his Norwegian Montana State Nordic Team Coach partner are also contenders in class (1st this year co-ed) and Tisha and I will serve to represent the rank and file of the cast. The film will hopefully debut sometime this fall in Crested Butte. Kudos to Andrew, Coner, Phil Spinner, Drew Holbrook and Matt Steinwood and all the volunteers for taking time to put this film together. It was quite amazing, the night of the race; the film crew were strung out all over the course trying to get coverage. I invite anyone who wants to contribute to this great effort to email Coner Hagen at: grandtraversefilm@gmail.com I am sure they will willingly take any and all contributions.
What is the future of the Traverse? I am sure with the growing notoriety this event is getting nationwide and even globally, it will continue to grow in popularity. This year alone, the race was full within a record one day of the registration opening! For me, at the finish every year I make a resolution that it will be my last race…. and every year I have gone back on my resolution! Who knows, I will never catch the only “Twelvepeats” Alan Hadley and Ian Hatchett, but I may be back at the Crested Butte School next year listening again to someone say… ”Hey… have fun out there!
Dan McElroy

Health Fair saves, improves and changes lives
Dear Community:
Thanks to our outstanding community for your continued enthusiasm and support for the Crested Butte Community Health Fair. Each year we strive to bring our community a better health fair because early detection provides individuals many more options. “Take Charge of Your Health” is more than a slogan. Community members participating in the community health fairs is an excellent first step to actively taking charge of one’s overall health and well being. We want to take time to remind our volunteers, sponsors and participants these health fairs have helped save or greatly improve the lives of many community members. In prior years the results have notified your friends and neighbors of early prostate cancer, possible skin cancer, iron deficiencies, serious thyroid conditions, diabetes, high blood pressure, early signs of osteoporoses as well as other conditions. While our community is by and large a healthy, active community, participation in the local health fairs has saved lives.
This year we added two mornings of pre-draws designed for people that have a hard time attending the actual fair. Between the pre-draws and the health fair we served over 606 friends, family and neighbors. This major community event would not be possible without huge efforts from many individuals, organizations and our corporate sponsors.
For the pre-draws we have to thank the town of Crested Butte for the use of the Chamber meeting room. The facility worked well and the town staff was very supportive for our early morning invasion. Thanks again to the Crested Butte Community School administration and staff for the use of the facilities on Fair Day. Both facilities were convenient for participants and volunteers.
Thanks to Gunnison Valley Hospital, Community Banks of Colorado, Crested Butte Fire Protection District and Gunnison Emergency Medical Services as official corporate sponsors. In tough economic times, we appreciate the continued support of our corporate sponsors. Many individuals of the local medical community volunteer every year including nurses, EMT’s, doctors and P.A.’s. The entire staff of Community Banks of Colorado willingly volunteered at the fair again this year. Local clinics Elk Avenue Medical Center and Crested Butte Medical Center provide support with critical calls. The nurses and lab workers from the local clinics and the Hospital provide many of our core medical volunteers. Thanks to Dr. Joanne Huntington who also provided additional support at the fair.
The Community Fairs demonstrate the commitment of Gunnison Valley Hospital to the health of the residents from the north end of the valley down through the Lake City. From the hospital, Dan Marshall and Lauren Holbrook spend countless hours helping organize the fair and taking pre-draw appointments. The combination of GVH and Western Health Screenings have been crucial to helping to provide additional equipment for a more diverse fair and advanced technology to shorten the lines and enable participants to make their way through the fair more quickly.
The continued support and effort of Crested Butte Fire Protection District and Emergency Services make this entire event possible every year. Crested Butte Fire Protection Board and our local EMT’s and Firefighters help us in emergencies throughout the year and also provide substantial support with the Crested Butte Community Health Fair. We could never thank them enough for the work they do for our community. Ross Orton organized and completed much of the behind the scenes work prior to the fair. Once again, Peg Sharp was actively involved with lining up medical volunteers and helping all day and during pre-draws. Our community of EMT’s, nurses, doctors and P.A’s all volunteer their time and make the fair possible. Take time to thank an EMS volunteer, nurse or doctor today!
Special thanks to each of our non-medical volunteers. It is the forty plus volunteers who help with pre-draws, pre-fair organization, during the fair and post-fair that makes this event possible. We appreciate each and every one of you for your efforts and your great attitudes! Please know we appreciate your willingness to just step up and help. We understand that our volunteers sacrifice most of a Saturday and brave the dark snowy morning to help it all come together. A credit to our great community many of our volunteers have helped with every fair we have had in Crested Butte. There is no way words can express our sincere gratitude.
If you missed the Crested Butte Fair please plan to attend the Gunnison Community Health Fair on April 25 at the Fred Field Building–Rodeo Grounds or the Lake City Fair on May 2 at the Lake City Community School. See posters or ads in the local newspapers or call Dan Marshall or Lauren Holbrook at 641-0798 with questions.
Thanks again to Gunnison Valley Hospital, Community Banks of Colorado, Crested Butte Fire Protection District and Gunnison Emergency Medical Services and to all of our volunteers and participants. Remember to continue to take charge of your health!
Lucy Zavala and Marla Covey,
Health Fair Coordinators

Grand Traverse had grand amount if help
To the Editor:
The 12 Annual Elk Mountains Grand Traverse would like to thank this community for their continued support. This event has over 130 volunteers from the Crested Butte Search and Rescue, the Grey Hairs, Mt. Crested Butte Ski Patrol, and Cat Crew, the Crested Butte Nordic Center and many other individuals that just plain care enough to be out late at night keeping track of the racers.
We would particularly like to acknowledge the Trampe Ranches for their cooperation with the race route through the East River Valley. This EMGT would like to remind the community that the ranches are part of the natural beauty of the Gunnison Water Shed and to respect this private property.
We are looking forward to next year’s event…
Thank You, Thank You,
The EMGT Gang

Winter Carnival raises funds for high school’s recycling efforts
To the Editor:
The Crested Butte High School’s National Honor Society would like to thank everyone who came to our third Annual Winter Carnival. We would like to thank the students and parents for supporting our effort to raise money for the school’s recycling program. We would also like to thank Mikey’s Pizza who helped us feed the hardworking kids who were playing games. A big thank you also goes to Pooh’s Corner for donating a $25 gift certificate for our grand prize. Congratulations to Robbie Hildebrant for guessing that there were 114 Hershey’s Kisses in the jar (there were 113).
Thanks to everyone involved, we were able to raise $305 for our recycling program. This money will be used to purchase recycling bins for the hallways of our school. These bins will allow us to reduce the amount of waste our school sends to landfill and help us reduce our impact on the environment.
Thank you again to everyone who attended, we look forward to seeing you again next year!
Maggie Chlipala
NHS President

Kids Calendar
Pottery Time: Kids! Drop by The Pottery Place to Paint Your Own Easter Pottery and receive 15percent off all you can paint! Choose an Easter Basket, eggs, bunny treasure box, and more! Paint by Thursday, April to have your pottery ready by Saturday before Easter. Open Tuesday through Saturday 1 to 6 p.m. and Sunday, 11a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information call (970) 349-2799 or visit www.crestedbuttestudio.com
Art Classes and Camp: The Studio Art School is holding Spring Break Camp all next week from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Also, sign up for the last session of after school art lessons, running through May 22. Then, summer camp begins the first week of June. Visit www.crestedbuttestudio.com for more information or call Melissa at (970) 596-5497 to reserve a spot at camp or in class.
Storytime at The Old Rock Library: Babies and Toddler Storytime (ages birth to two and a half), Tuesdays, 10:30 a.m. New themes! Hands and fingers and Baby Animals. Preschool storytimes (ages three to six), Wednesdays and Fridays, 10:30 a.m. New themes: Spring! Mud! Birds! Mommies! Come listen, discuss, create and learn at your library. Call 349-6535 for more information. Please note there is no storytime April 13 to April 17 during break.
Kids Yoga Spring Session at Yoga for the Peaceful, teaching movement, meditation, and inner peace for kids, April 21 to May 21. Grades 4-6: Tuesdays 3:45 to 4:30 p.m. and Grades K-2: Thursdays 3:45 to 4:30 p.m. $45 for five sessions. 114 Elk Ave. www.yogaforthepeaceful.org; (970) 349.0302 studio; (970) 596-2716 cell.
Open Gym: For kids three to eight years. Open gym with supervision in Jerry’s Gym at Town Hall. Monday through Friday, 10 to 11 a.m. No registration required, just drop in and have fun! www.crestedbutterec.com or email recreation@crestedbutte-co.gov.
Tumblebugs: For kids birth the three years old in Jerry’s Gym in Town Hall. $5 per session, or get a punch card for a discount. Monday through Thursday, 9 to 10 a.m.; www.crestedbutterec.com or email recreation@crestedbutte-co.gov.
Kids’ Chorus Performs! Come hear the Gunnison Valley Children’s Chorus perform their winter/spring concert on Thursday, April 9, at 6:30 p.m. at the Mallardi Cabaret. The kids have been rehearsing a wide variety of music and will be singing, playing chimes and other instruments, and dancing for your listening and viewing pleasure! Please come and support this fabulous group of singers! Stay tuned for more information about the summer program.
Soo Bahk Do for Children: West Elk Soo Bahk Do, an educational non-profit organization, is beginning new sessions of martial arts classes on April 6-7, with classes for children grades K-1 and 2-5. Children learn self-discipline, self-defense, leadership, and tremendous athletic ability in a fun and safe environment. Danica Ayraud, a nationally certified Soo Bahk Do Instructor, teaches classes. The session ends the week of May 18. Classes are held in the Town Hall Gym. For more information call West Elk Soo Bahk Do at 349-7752 or go online to www.westelksoobahkdo.org.
If you would like to include your kids’ event or announcement in the calendar free of charge, please contact Melissa Neuner at (970) 596-5497 by Monday morning at 11 a.m. to be included in that Thursday’s edition of the paper.
Calendar compiled by The Studio Art School and The Pottery Place, offering art and writing classes and workshops for kids and adults. Located at 502 Belleview in Clark’s Market shopping center. www.crestedbuttestudio.com.

River Festival will feature new events
The Gunnison River Festival is set for the weekend of June 26-28, coinciding with peak flows for the freestyle wave and right after FIBARK (First in Boating on the Arkansas River) in Salida, which should bring a bigger crowd to Gunnison County than ever before.
The festival’s website was recently redesigned using Community Based Organization funds from Gunnison County. In addition to the fresh new online look, three new events are being added to this year’s festival.
Ben Johnson of Western State College is organizing the Gunnison Loco-Motive multi-sport race, featuring a paddle from the Gunnison Whitewater Park, a run and bike through the Hartman’s Rocks and finishing back at the Whitewater Park.
Alec Solimeo, coach of the Peaceful Warriors, Gunnison’s youth climbing team, is organizing 24 hours of Gunnison Glory, an endurance climbing-festival, to take place at Hartman Rocks, with options for teams of two, four, and six, climbing as much as they can, for either 12 or 24 hours.
Slalom racing is the final event being added to tons of live music, and a Sunday party at the Almont Resort after the second annual down-river race on the Upper Taylor will close out a fun weekend of “Celebrating Our Rivers.”
Crowd-pleasing favorites like the community raft race, freestyle, boatercross, and foam boat race all remain part of the core of events carried over from past years.
Angie Mauldin joins the community effort as coordinator for the 2009 festival and brings ton of boating and river experience back with her from her years of guiding on the Grand Canyon and floating rivers. Anthony Poponi, Amy Weinfurter, and Marlene Crosby join existing board members Frank Kugel, John Peterson, Greg Osgood, and Logan Reese.
Volunteers are always welcome and can contact Angie at gunnisonriverfestival@gmail.com.
It’s never too early to start thinking about the Gunnison River Festival so start by joining in on the fun this coming Saturday, April 11 for GRiFs (Gunnison River Festival) Pub Crawl to benefit the Festival. It’s a pub crawl, a fundraiser, a golf tournament. Visit the fine pubs and restaurants sponsoring these events, play a round of golf, eat, drink, be merry and help raise money for the river festival.
Visit www.GunnisonRiverFestival.com for more information or pick up your tickets at any of the bars and restaurants sponsoring the event or call Anthony Poponi at (970) 596-7496.

Clarification
The title of the March 27 story “Mt. Crested Butte annexation moves ahead despite stated public concerns” could be misconstrued.  Mayor William Buck points out that the council did include public concerns about density and amenities as conditions of their resolution approving the parcel’s eligibility for annexation.

Townie poster awaits design ideas
Submit your original artwork, photography, or design for the 2009 Bridges of the Butte 24-Hour Townie Tour poster.
Artwork submissions must be no larger than 11 by 17 inches and received by Thursday, April 30, 2009 at the Adaptive Sports Center.
In June, the Adaptive Sports Center will host this relaxed and funky 24-hour bike tour that loops around downtown Crested Butte, crossing a number of picturesque bridges along the way.
Teams of costumed riders tour the town in shifts as day turns to night, and some individuals brave the bike seat for all 24 hours.
Contact Heidi White at (970) 349-5075, ext. 104 for more information.