Family Circle

by Dawne Belloise

Maggie Chlipala was the tiny red-headed miracle child born in a firestorm on a wintry day in 1991 to Crested Butte locals Ron Chlipala and Bonnie Petito. During the difficult and prolonged week-long labor that sent her parents to Denver, Maggie lost her paternal grandfather just before her birth and at only two days old while she was still in the hospital, she suffered a stroke.

She attributes her dazzling red hair to the cataclysmic events surrounding her birth. When the infant Maggie, who was also the in utero Harvest Baby celebrated during the fifth Vinotok festival, finally arrived in Crested Butte two weeks later, a large banner hung across Donita’s, proclaiming, “Welcome Home Miracle Maggie.”

Maggie came into the world with a ready-made clan of Italian mother-aunts, the legendary Flying Petito Sisters. Her first memories are of hanging out with the family—her mom Bonnie, aunt Lynda Jackson, Cindy Petito and cousins Hanna, Bailey and Jackson. Her father, Ron, was somewhat outnumbered but was the quiet, calm influence in her life.

“Living in an extended family was like having siblings. We called them cuz-brother and cuz-sister. There are so many photos of us all having matching pajamas. Even though I was an only child, between the town and my family I had, like, 20 siblings. So many people thought Mackenzie Mailly and I were sisters,” says Maggie.

Her close-knit family and community have shaped her life’s decisions along the way because, she feels, “Family is my everything.”

Because it was easy-going Crested Butte, there was a lot of dirt-loving freedom for local kids. Maggie recalls those childhood days and compares them to the different experiences Crested Butte kids have today, as she observes the newest generation of townie toddlers and preschoolers from her front-row seat as a teacher at Paradise Place preschool.

It’s a full circle coming around from where she started as a Crested Butte whippersnapper. She attests to the ongoing timeless joy of mountain kids being allowed to get messy—witness her four-year-old second cousin Luna (Jackson and Leah Petito’s daughter), who loves her pretty tutus but excels at getting dirty, the quintessential Crested Buttian kid.

One thing that hasn’t changed much in town is the instant messaging hotline to parents, except it’s even faster these days.

“When I was ten, my friends and I would walk around town doing silly things like picking and eating raspberries from all the bushes in people’s yards. While we were out picking those raspberries, my mom’s friend came up and said, ‘I heard you were picking all the raspberries.’ Growing up here, when you do something, not only your parents know, but the whole town knows in less than 20 minutes. I was riding my bike one day and didn’t stop at the stop sign and a local driver got all mad at me. My mom and dad knew about it before I got home,” she laughs.

Throughout school, Maggie had some learning disabilities because of her stroke as an infant, but she willfully overcame those. High school, she admits, was tricky for her because she wasn’t into partying but by her senior year, Maggie knew, “I wanted to teach because I just love kids.” She graduated from the Crested Butte Community School (CBCS) in 2009.

Maggie enrolled at the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley because it was closer to home than going out of state. “I knew I wanted to stay in Colorado because I wanted to be close to family and Greeley has one of the top teaching programs in the country,” she says, and though she grew up in a more liberal town than Greeley, she felt it was perfect.

During her last semester in college Maggie returned home to do her required student teaching at her alma mater, CBCS. “It was funny coming back as a teacher to the place I went to school. Shari Sullivan Marshall was my first-grade teacher and when I returned to student teach she was my advisor.”

Maggie graduated in 2013 with a bachelor of arts degree in elementary education and returned home to be a substitute teacher, “at the big school,” as she calls the older elementary grades of CBCS, “as opposed to preschool.”

Since the substitute teaching job was temporary, when school let out for summer, Maggie thought, “Oh, no—now I have to get a real job to pay down my student loans.”

Maggie’s “real job” was at Townie Books and helping out at the Flying Petito Sisters video store. When her cousin Jackson and his wife, Leah, moved back to town with baby Luna in tow, she helped out babysitting.

She wound up on the board at Paradise Place Preschool. As much as she loved her real jobs, she missed kids. As serendipitous timing would have it, an assistant teacher position opened up for the two-year-olds’ class at Paradise Place.

“And the rest is history,” Maggie says with a bubbly giggle. “I love it, it’s so great.” She’s been there two years now. When she was a kid attending Paradise Place, her mother was on the board, and Maggie notes that Jackson also attended as a kid and now his daughter is going there, too. “Yeah, we’re taking over the town,” she chuckles.

Like her mom and aunts, Maggie has always been into politics. “It’s through Petito women osmosis,” she smiles. “Growing up, the news was always on, as it still is now. My first real political memory was in 2000—my mom was a wreck after the election. I thought, what’s going on? I was only 10. Then in 2004, it was the same thing and mom threatened to move us to Canada!”

In 2008, Maggie worked on the Obama campaign, making phone calls, knocking on doors, and helping voters get registered. “It definitely opened my eyes. I wasn’t sheltered but not everyone was nice,” she says of the surprising negative reactions to her canvassing. “There were some snarky comments made,” but it wasn’t enough to deter her, and in fact, she says, “It pushed me even further.”

Realizing the Democratic primary for Senators Romanoff and Bennet needed younger blood than the long-time elders involved, in 2010 Maggie attended a caucus during her spring break where only 10 people showed up and she noted, “I was youngest one there by at least 20 years.” The party recruited her to be a delegate at the county convention and then she went to the state convention.

From that moment on, Maggie was a part of it all. She became precinct captain in 2015, attending central committee meetings, planning and organizing for the primaries, fundraising and being a voice for the Democratic Party of Gunnison County. She’s also secretary of the Gunnison County Democrats.

“I see a lot of work in front of me in these difficult times but I have hope. We have to get more people to be more accepting of everyone’s different beliefs. We have to be respectful of each other. Even though people are different, it doesn’t mean they aren’t good people. Part of the culture of Crested Butte is that we accept people for who they are, partly because it’s a small town, and that makes everyone more kind and understanding of each other. My motto in life is ‘Be kind.’”

Maggie feels that there are two different reasons people wind up in Crested Butte. “There’s the athletic people coming for some of the best skiing in the world, and then there are those who come for the small community and the family. When my parents came here they were able to take on the roles of things like starting the radio station, Mountain Theatre and other areas of the creative aspects in town. They’ve always been into movies and theatre, and that’s how our family’s been forever. Where some families might go on a bike ride together, we played a board game, or went to the movies or watched a movie. Yelling at the TV together is a family pastime,” she chuckles.

Maggie is excited to see what life brings around the next corner and has a zest for just being. “I go to work and look at the little kids and see the joy in their faces and they make me think that life just isn’t that bad. When you’re having a bad day, life’s getting to you, and then you go into work and see that the kids seem to have no cares in the world, it puts things into perspective, for sure. That’s the way it should be during childhood, and it should be that way for adults, too. Stuff happens but we still live in paradise.”

Maggie is a self-admitted homebody and says, “I sometimes get pressured to move so I can have different experiences, but any time I go out into the real world I last about a week and then I have to get back into the mountains. I’m just a mountain girl living one day at a time. I think about moving away but looking at the little kiddos’ faces, their zeal for life and learning, I realize, this is my home and I don’t see myself living anywhere else.”

A path of her own

by Dawne Belloise

Julia Brazell was only four years old when KBUT community radio got its call letters in 1986, riding on the heels of Earth Station, which was operating on the cable system from 1977 through 1982. Her father, Lonesome Bob, one of the original deejays at Earth Station, got his start as an FM radio deejay when KBUT was born and still spins the tunes on his long-running Friday afternoon show.

When Julia and her younger sister, Robin, were kids, they’d help their dad with his show, donning the headsets and making on-air announcements. “I have this vague memory of being a small child and being told by staff deejays that when I spoke into the mic, everyone could hear, including Santa. It was terrifying,” Julia laughs about her radio stage-fright. “I was a pretty shy child, anyway. Before that I would get on the mic and parrot my dad. It was all fun. I was fascinated with the equipment.”

Julia was born at the Gunnison hospital to parents Bob and Denise, who had moved to Crested Butte in 1972. Bob owned Crested Butte Auto with Donny Glover, and her mom worked at the Crested Butte Lodge.

Julia recalls how magical the town was back then, especially for a kid. “As soon as I was out of diapers, I learned to ski,” she says of the common practice for barely walking Crested Butte toddlers. “And I got to ski all the time. I learned to ski through the town recreation program with Sherry Vandervoort and Jerry Deverall, among others.”

Summer brought cruising around town with friends and family. “My mom’s brother was Brian Griffith, who married Liver, so my cousin was Mandy. When I was a child, they lived right next door so the three of us [Julia, Robin and Mandy] ran around the neighborhood. Our parents would send us on scavenger hunts that they’d call Peewee’s Big Adventure. They’d send us out to find random things,” Julia says.

She fondly remembers that it was a childhood spent in carefree Crested Butte, a kid’s world of dreams and youthful mischief. “We’d steal strawberries and rhubarb from Paul Redden’s yard and eat them,” Julia laughs. She grew up watching softball games, where the whole town was on a team, including the kids. “We played softball growing up through the town rec and we rode our bikes everywhere.”

In junior high school, Julia competed in Odyssey of the Mind, “It’s a geeky thing that kids do. I was on a team and went to the state championships. When I was in high school, I did a lot of Crested Butte Mountain Theatre acting and I would do their PSA recordings for their shows through the KBUT studio.”

Her freshman class was the first to not have to ride the bus to Gunnison for school because the new Crested Butte Community School had finally opened. She had previously attended the Crested Butte Academy.

“School was good and I was always a good student… until high school… then I rebelled. I rebelled against structure. I had been raised my whole life to question authority. We had this hippie leftist community mentality that inspired me to rebel.” Nevertheless, she graduated in 2001. “At the time I wanted to be a lawyer. I was really interested in politics and I was inspired to help people in some way. I didn’t just want to have a profession, I wanted to have a purpose.”

Julia went to the very alternative Evergreen State College in Olympia, Wash., where students aren’t required to declare a major and students received evaluations rather than grades. In her first year, she took an intensive study in prison systems. Throughout her tenure at Evergreen, she received an expansive, eclectic education, studying film, theatre and theoretical physics but Julia ultimately decided not to apply to law school because, “It’s a highly competitive industry and I’m not a competitive person.”

She did what many kids did post-college. “I moved back home because that’s what everybody did. I didn’t know what I wanted to do with my life.” Julia took a retail job managing Pooh’s Corner for a while, and also worked for Crested Butte Vacations at the resort, as well as the ever-present housekeeping jobs. “But I decided I wanted to do something more with my life regarding a career,” so she moved to the big city of Denver in 2007.

She focused on working in the not-for-profit sector, securing employment as an office manager for the Colorado Trial Lawyers Association, who advocate for lawyers who advocate for victims. Due to the financial crash of 2008, Julia was only there a year before the funds dried up for her position.

She and her then boyfriend started an HVAC (heating, ventilation, air condition) company, installing air conditioners and furnaces. She found that she really enjoyed the work and labor. “I fabricated duct work, hooked up gas lines and electrical wiring for about two years. It was good, but I wanted to get back into non profit work.”

She signed up at Big Brothers Big Sisters of Colorado as office manager. “When I was in college, I worked as a telephone solicitor, getting donations for the annual fund for scholarships for the school. I found that I was very good at asking strangers for money so I knew then that I could fundraise. I knew that I wanted to come back to Crested Butte and I thought the non-profit field would be a good way to return and have a meaningful career.”

It was time to move on from Big Brothers Big Sisters and her sister, Robin, had already moved back to Crested Butte. Julia found the online posting in the Crested Butte News employment classifieds for the position of KBUT membership director. “I felt it would be the perfect job for me because I like asking people for money and I love community radio. I’m passionate about music and independent media and it seemed like the right fit.” They gave her the job after her successful interview and the child of local community radio had come full circle.

When general manager Eileen Kennedy Hughes decided to retire, Julia applied for the position and was hired in June 2016. “I have the ability to help this organization that I care deeply about. It’s a good opportunity to work for a cause that I believe in and I feel fulfilled. I feel that my whole life was preparing me for this moment. I had the intention of building a career so I could move back to my home, knowing there was a need for non profits here.

“Our federal funding is being threatened again with the new administration. Four years ago, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, which doles out the funds for all public media, wanted to ensure that radio stations were sustainable themselves before they would give out any funds, so we had to grow our budget fairly significantly in order to retain the federal funding. My experience in the non profit world has shown me that funding is always uncertain—you can’t rely on federal funding to be there forever so you have to diversify your revenue streams.

“It’s my hope and intention, over the next couple of years, to wean our dependence on that federal funding. I want to get KBUT to a place where threats, such as the ones we’re currently facing, aren’t a make or break for us, that we don’t have to be constantly living in fear, by building a major donor program.”

Julia continues, “The community has really stepped up and they are why we didn’t lose our federal funding four years ago. We just celebrated our 30th birthday in December and had a fabulous party, the kind that only this community knows how to throw. It’s special to be part of this place and have such a vibrant community radio station that’s a cornerstone of the community and when I say community I mean the entire valley. I grew up skiing with girls from Gunnison and it’s really important to me that we maintain this valley-wide one community.”

Julia echoes the sentiment of many long-timers here. “Change is inevitable and this community has changed a lot but it still beats a lot of other places. For many years, we have prevented Vail and Aspen-type overdevelopment but now I feel that we’re in a totally different era. Whatever Crested Butte was, there’s now a new citizenry and they’re experiencing it in a different way than we did and with the same excitement that we had for it.

“I love Colorado. What keeps me here is mostly my job because I’m so super passionate about this station and its success. Living here, I both love and hate the tight-knit community,” she laughs and explains, “because it’s hard sometimes when there’s zero anonymity but at the same time, that’s one of the greatest things about this community, the pulling together. And I don’t have to call my friends to go to the bar—I just go to the bar and they’re all there.”

KBUT’s pledge drive started last Monday, February 13 and goes until they make their goal of $45,000 for operating expenses. Call the station at (970) 349-7444 to pledge.

Manhattan to Mountains

By Dawne Belloise

Sometimes it takes city street savvy and tenacity to endure the changes that living in an end-of-the-road mountain town brings, but that’s just what Cathy Steinberger brought from New York to Crested Butte back in 1977 when she found the dusty little defunct mining town and had to learn to chop wood, shovel snow and start a proper fire.

Cathy grew up in Forest Hills, Queens, which was then the home of the U.S. Open Tennis Tournament, where, as a kid, she’d sneak under the fence to watch the games. Her father was a CPA tax attorney and during tax season she’d get to tag along to his Manhattan office and play with the adding machines and the wet copier. High school offered typing class, which most girls signed up for in those days, and Cathy claims it actually came in handy in the computer age. “I’ve always been smart but I never liked high school,” she confesses, relaying that her school was so big they had to have three split sessions a day to accommodate all the students. Nevertheless, she graduated in 1965.

Other than living in the Big Apple, Cathy didn’t know in what direction she wanted to go, so her parents sent her to a school in Switzerland instead of college. She studied French and French history and learned to ski, although she admits that she never really embraced the sport after returning home to the States. “I traveled with school trips and I loved it because first of all, I was on my own. It was an all-girls school and I met a lot of wonderful women from all different countries,” she recalls fondly. But when all was said and done, Cathy was ready to come home and reflect on it as a great experience.

She moved into a tiny, walk-up apartment with bunk beds in midtown Manhattan and began the search for employment. “I had to get a job and the only skill I had was typing,” she smiles. She landed an administrative position. “It was my first lesson in business and inappropriate male behavior. The job didn’t last long because my boss put the moves on me, but afterwards I found a great opportunity and adventure through the Liberty Travel School,” where she became a travel agent. “They had a lot of company familiarization trips and discounts on travel, so I traveled from the Caribbean to Israel and everywhere in between. Beaches were my favorite, and still are,” she says.

But after several years, she grew weary of traveling. “What I longed for was to take some time doing road trips because I had no time to do that kind of thing. It got to be that I was working all my days off so I could take time off to travel. It was exhausting. You’re always unpacking and packing, heading to airports, taking tours, and staying at hotels.”

When an old family friend called to ask her to be his cashier in a new store he was opening in Queens, she accepted. “It led to a career in retail. I became his operations manager, scouting new locations and setting up five new stores in NYC.” She worked for him until 1977, when she moved to Crested Butte. Cathy discovered Crested Butte in 1971 when she and her former boyfriend visited a group of their NYC friends who had relocated to the then-comparatively unpopulated town.

“Honeydew Murray and Terry Stokes, Tommy Jacobs and Corinne Barr and John and Iris Levin—the three couples had bought the Grubstake and left NYC. The streets weren’t paved and there were only about 350 people living in town. I fell in love with Crested Butte but my boyfriend didn’t. We liked the mountains and the fishing but he didn’t like the hippie lifestyle. But I did,” Cathy says.

“A few years later our relationship ended and in the summer of ‘77, my sisters and I took a vacation to Colorado and we came to Crested Butte. There was no summer business back then so we stayed in our friends’ rental house. I was smitten and fell in love with Crested Butte all over again,” Cathy continues. “It was great to see my old friends and it was peaceful and beautiful and I just loved it.”

Early that autumn, the city girl decided to try mountain life in Crested Butte for a few months. “I was just ready for a change. I drove out with my ex-significant other, in my old Saab, promising my family I’d be home for Thanksgiving,” Cathy says, and she went so far as to sublet her Manhattan apartment and took a leave of absence from work, since she thought she’d be back there soon.

She quickly realized that should she return to NYC it would be the same old story. “I knew exactly what I was going back to,” she felt of the predictable grind. The few months of living in a small, close-knit community had changed her and she liked its potential. “So I kept delaying and delaying until I finally made the right decision to move here.” She notes that the job market wasn’t robust back in those days and most did whatever they could to eek out a living with several jobs, much as it is today.

“Lynda Jackson was one of my first friends and one of our first jobs was working together for Earth Station, where I sold ads. But I didn’t realize I had to write those ads as well! My good friend Pat Crow and I did anything and everything to earn a living before finding careers here. Pat was a great chef and at the end of the season we did catering for the restaurants for their employee parties.

“We also did the first marketing piece for the town of Mt. Crested Butte. We created a rack card with photos and info about the town,” Cathy says of their diverse entrepreneurial skills.

For a while, Cathy worked as ticket counter person for Colorado Airline, a small puddle jumper between here and Aspen. “We had to weigh people because the small planes had balance and weight restrictions.”

Perhaps one of her favorite memories was the tongue-in-cheek company attributed to her and Pat called “‘Let us tell you what we think, Inc.,’ because we always had an opinion. It was a different life, and there’s a lot more opportunity here now.”

Cathy says she feels like she grew with the town, as did Coldwell Banker Bighorn Realty, the company where she’s been a broker and operations manager for 30 years.

Cathy feels that her time in Crested Butte has been a mix of joy and sadness. “After the bank explosion in 1990, it was a very sad time and I didn’t like to be alone. I’d go have dinner at Kochevar’s and I’d sit at the bar with friends, and that’s where I met Eric Peterson. We had known each other slightly but that night we really connected. Ladonna, who was bartending at the time, knew Eric, too, and we asked him to go to dinner with us at the Powerhouse with four other girls. When he said sure, I knew he was the one, because any guy who could go out with five women,” she laughs and reiterates, “I just knew he was the one.” They’ve been together for 27 years and married in 2000 on their tenth anniversary because, “We figured it would be easy to remember.”

Cathy feels that volunteerism is important and a good way to connect in this valley. For nine years, she was on the board of the Crested Butte Society for the Arts, which is now the Crested Butte Festival of the Arts. “Our dual mission was the Depot building and the Crested Butte Arts Festival, but the Depot needed repairs that we couldn’t afford, so during my tenure we made arrangements to donate the building to the town. After that we had time and resources to develop and focus on the arts festival to make it a premier event.”

The past few years Cathy’s been on the board of the Gunnison Valley Health Foundation, which funds things like medical equipment, new ambulances, and the popular wellness fairs. “That’s what you have to do here to be part of the community—you have to be involved beyond your work life,” she says of being a volunteer.

What keeps the New York woman in the mountains, Cathy confirms, is the community. “It’s a rich lifestyle, rich in our surroundings, the mountains, and the accessibility—to be able to hike and bike right out our door. I’ve finally taken all those road trips and camping trips I wanted to take but couldn’t when I was a travel agent and I keep coming back to Crested Butte. I never would have discovered all the places I have been to if I had stayed in NYC. I love my life here because you’re an individual here, and people know you and they’re accepting.”

I tried to reach out this week to Mr. Kiltz and Mr. Mize, the owners of houses in Crested Butte with accessory dwelling units (ADUs) attached to the property that they do not want to rent long-term. That would be their prerogative, except that the property they bought came with a deed-restricted deal that included financial breaks and density bonuses in exchange for building the ADU to rent long-term. They do not want to rent so much that the threat of a lawsuit is now in play. I just wanted to hear their thoughts and reasoning—much of which I would probably understand. But I heard through their lawyer that they had no comment on the matter at this time.

So I’ll go to Assumption Junction—Renting out a property is sometimes difficult and if you don’t live here, it is even harder. Vetting renters isn’t easy even when you have a ton of local contacts. There is some legitimate worry of property being trashed. Places are nicer these days, so the days of leasing out the ski bum dump for some extra cash are pretty much over. Wealthy people don’t need the extra rental income so there is no motivation to rent. Having a place out back for the in-laws to stay is better than sharing the main house. Maybe you bristle at being told what to do by a little hippie town. I understand all these arguments.

I also get why the town councilmembers are upset these ADUs aren’t being rented. The town maintains strongly that these homes were built within the context of an obviously understood deal. At construction, certain breaks and bonuses were given and in return an ADU was approved to be rented to working locals. It was a quid pro quo where something was done in exchange for something else. That’s called a deal.

And back in the early 1990s it was a good deal. Getting a break on building costs so you could build an income-producing house that might bring in $300 a month from a buddy to help pay the mortgage? That was no-brainer! Today, there are about 84 such ADUs in Crested Butte. But two of the owners don’t want to do the quo from the quid anymore.

The whole affair is indicative of changes in Crested Butte. With shrinking inventory, the town is more desperate to do what it can to keep workforce housing inside town boundaries. At the direction of the Town Council, the staff has gotten more aggressive with deed-restriction enforcement. The laws regulating affordable housing have been changed and are a lot tighter today than they were in the 1990s. And that’s the rub.

The homeowners’ attorney, Marcus Lock, makes the argument that the town can’t make them adhere to the updated laws. Lock says the town shouldn’t be able to change the rules and make them stricter at the whim of every new council. Fair enough. That’s where the term “grandfathered in” comes into play. If you are grandfathered in, it basically means you can abide by the rules of the time before stricter regulations were passed. Anyone new coming into to the same situation has to go by the new rules. It happens a lot in a lot of different situations so it seems to me the homeowners can have a valid argument.

The spirit of the 1990s ordinance is obvious. But the law is tighter today than 25 years ago. If a lawsuit is filed, who really knows how a judge would rule? Would the black robe go with the obvious spirit and intent of the law or with a strict reading of the 1991 words, which seem today deficient despite a clear deal? No one knows for sure.

So I ask those considering legal action—think beyond the box of the big city places that are probably comfortable to you. Think Crested Butte real, whatever that might mean to you. Something obviously drew you here—so start there.

What the property owners might want to consider is why they like it in Crested Butte. If it’s because of the mountain views or easy access to skiing, there are plenty of similar places. Chances are you could have bought a house in another pretty ski town. If it’s because there are hiking and biking trails, art galleries, good restaurants and fun stores, there are plenty of similar places that provide those amenities and more.

If it’s because of the vibe, the soul, the feeling – then maybe there aren’t so many similar places and you, the homeowners, should think about what provides that vibe, soul and feeling. It is the people. The people who work in the restaurants and stores, who carve out the trails and make the art.

And if the people who create the vibe can’t live in this end of the valley –the soul and the feel becomes like too many other places. If the people go, the reason you bought here instead of somewhere else goes too. If workers can’t find places to live in or near town and new homeowners want to grab a bite to eat—but no one is there to take your order or cook your steak—why come here? If you can’t ride or ski a trail because no one has fixed the sidewalls, done avalanche control or it gets cut off because someone hired a lawyer to close the trail where it touches private property, what’s the point of coming here? What’s the point of owning a house here?

While the law and the interpretation might not be crystal clear, the homeowners pushing this confrontation might really want to take a breath and see, for their own sakes, if there is a way to comfortably rent the ADUs that come with their houses. Perhaps the town (because it’s putting the pressure on) or Regional Housing Authority and private enterprise can form an impartial vetting system to help such out-of-town homeowners. Interested renters could apply and allow credit checks and references before being given a rating of some sort. A vetted pool of potential renters could be developed that out-of-town property owners could tap into.

Renting your ADU might be a decision that helps you continue to enjoy this place. Heck, if you lose the people providing the very things that drew you here, you might lose the value of your house when no one wants to buy it.

So while I tire of people who think they have a natural entitlement to live in a sweet, cheap house in town and I roll my eyes at people who can only define “community” by those who reside in Crested Butte instead of including all the families and characters who live in the expanded Crested Butte neighborhood of the entire upper (and increasingly lower) valley—I appreciate the benefit to all of us if people are living near their jobs.

There is a benefit to people walking home from the bars instead of driving.

There is a benefit to see lights on at night in all the blocks in town.

There is a benefit to keeping the C.B. pedestrian-oriented and with the energy of vibrant neighborhoods.

There is a benefit to kids walking home from school.

There is a benefit to people hopping on their bikes and doing a townie takeover.

There is a benefit to having happy people working in the stores and restaurants and contributing to keeping the trails clean and the art interesting.

There is a benefit when a town has teachers, cops, artists, plow-drivers, business owners and EMTs living in or near town.

It keeps the 10 square blocks real. And Crested Butte real is still different from so many other resort towns. Those weird painted buses your kids love? That’s Crested Butte real and painted by locals living here. That’s perhaps why people buy here.

All of that is something for Misters Kiltz and Mize to consider before trying to legal their way out of an old deal that came with their property. Contributing in a very tangible way to keeping the place you were attracted to attractive will make a difference to them and to everyone.

—Mark Reaman

As is not unusual in our little small town political world, the public meeting Monday night over STRs (short-term rentals) was pretty good. People spoke eloquently and with passion on both sides of the issue. For the most part, there was general respect for each speaker. Mayor Michel ran another pretty good meeting. Citizen committee chairman Alex Fenlon used the word “unfettered.” Good stuff. I remain amazed at how this community deals with issues that aren’t always slam-dunks and have the potential to be contentious.

And Lord knows the STR issue is not a slam-dunk. They aren’t going away and even if they did, no one seems to believe they would open up affordable long-term rental opportunities. So the question and general direction expressed by the Town Council was how to do something, anything, that respects the town of Crested Butte and its values while preventing Crested Butte from morphing into a landscape of Motel 6 hotels. No easy answer has emerged after many months of debate. That is okay.

To me, Monday’s special Crested Butte council meeting had a primal scream element under the surface. With STRs being the touchstone, angst over a quickly changing community was the underlying issue.

Without it being said directly, I got the feeling there was a cry from most people who can’t put their finger on exactly why, but feel a community they love is slipping away. More STRs is one aspect of that fear but really a small one. Rising property values and prices that make it difficult for blue collar workers to afford a piece of dirt in town is bigger. Town building fees that significantly jack up the cost of construction in Crested Butte tend to push working families to Crested Butte South, so that’s a part of it.

The fact the Crested Butte proper is artsy and cool, has an honest small-town scale, is very limited in its boundaries and is still pedestrian-friendly makes property values rise. Add to that the physical and spirit amenities (ice rinks, arts centers, free music, easy access to beautiful places, great parks, quirky characters and lots of reasons to wear a costume) and you have a desirable place to own property and live. Locals like it here for a lot of reasons and so do a lot more people who are discovering the valley. And then the free market takes over and the dude washing dishes for $12 an hour cannot even fathom owning a place in town like dishwashers of 25 years ago did. There have always been dark second homes in town but there seem to be more of them. The fear is that restricting STRs will bring even more darkness. A hollow town is not a community. And perhaps that is where the scream is emanating from: The fear of a community lost.

We all want to live in a perfect small town with lots to do and friendly neighbors who watch our kids when we take a ski run or watch our dog when we slip out of town. We want a great school at no cost and a mortgage or rent payment that doesn’t eat away at the wallet. We want a cheap season ski pass, a sweet but affordable bike and a $15 ticket to catch Taj Mahal at the Center for the Arts. We want to walk into the bar where everyone knows our name and we have a tab. We want to live in a place where we can sit next to the ski area executive, the local teacher and the lift op on the colorful bus to the mountain. We want our skis tuned for a six-pack and the Subaru to never break down. We want our kids to grow up with the same supportive friends for 12 years in school and we want to kick Telluride’s butt in whatever sport we play. We don’t want to be forced to work so much to pay the bills that we have no time to enjoy the backcountry or a half hour on the bench to catch up with acquaintances. We want to be able to enjoy the place we live and escape somewhere warm and sandy (and affordable) after the season’s end.

Believe it or not, all of that was part of this place not so long ago. Much of it still exists but people can smell the change as those elements are harder to experience. That is what I was hearing under the surface Monday evening. It is certainly getting harder to live here and a lot of the easy living isn’t so easy without a real bank account. That is not the fault of STRs.

STRs seem one of many symptoms of the change causing angst. I appreciate the council slowing down on any huge decision to gather more hard data. Putting in common sense regulations and higher licensing fees makes sense to do soon. I too believe that once some hard regulations and more expensive licensing fees come into play, the number of STR licenses in town will decrease. The idea of limiting the number of nights a house can be rented seems worth considering. Gather the data numbers and determine a fair number based on today’s rentals—probably somewhere in the 75 to 90-night range—and put it in place. That seems like reasonable action and can help a neighborhood from being only a pocket of hotel rooms (except probably in July).

The council will also look at enforcing current zoning that does not allow STRs in some residential and business zones. They could allow those who were issued licenses by the town in those zones to keep their STRs and start enforcing zoning as it stands. There is your cap limit in Crested Butte. But the council will have to wrestle with the “fairness” question for other property owners living next door in the same zone who don’t have such licenses. That is a hard decision the council has to make. They’ll earn their money with that decision.

There was a lot of “feeling” and emotion spoken Monday night and it appeared at times the real question people were trying to answer was how to maintain the soul of a cool community and address coming changes. In that big picture, understand that everything happening here right now is connected. Expanding the Center for the Arts to 37,000 square feet, the potential annexation north of town, the mine resolution, the constant tourist promotion, the higher taxes for more parks, the future roundabout—all impact and change the place. The angst voiced Monday is understandable. But as long as the community can come together to discuss controversial issues in an aura of respect, I think we haven’t yet lost the unfettered spirit of Crested Butte.

—Mark Reaman

Mike Arbaney’s home’s architecture and decor is a ski-bum-guy-house, a throwback to the days of a more raw Crested Butte, reminiscent with posters of the resort’s ski runs and events, lighted beer signs, and the notorious leg lamp in the window. It is, in a breath, unpretentiously refreshing and nostalgic of a time when neighborhoods were intact with down home local friends making their way through the seasons and dirt streets.

The coffee table is covered with stacked issues of motorcycle and hotrod enthusiast magazines, fodder for any discerning motor-head with a penchant for fixing vintage gas-powered street machines, some of which sit magnificently out in Arbaney’s front yard.

As the fourth generation born in Aspen and raised in Basalt, Mike says he feels like he’s won the life lottery being able to live in Crested Butte. Besides his family working in the silver and ore mines, Mike’s history is steeped in Colorado pioneering mountain life, and he says, “One of my very distant relatives had hiked over from Leadville to Basalt to start a ranch. He had a bunch of daughters and he bought each one of them a ranch and then married them all off. Unrelated to working in the mines, they grew potatoes, hundreds of acres of potatoes. And potatoes are still my favorite food,” he laughs. “My parents still grow an acre of potatoes in Basalt.”

Basalt was a pretty small town back when he was growing up. Mike’s senior high school had only 32 graduates in his class of 1995. As a child, he and his buddies did anything and everything that had to do with being outside—building forts and being boys. His father and uncle worked as ski instructors at Snowmass the very first year the resort opened, and Arbaney did a lot of skiing from the time he was three years old. He also went hunting and fishing through his growing-up years in the Roaring Fork valley.

In school, Mike’s creativity was expressed through his artwork, mainly watercolors. But he was also working in construction at an early age, all through high school, building what he describes as “Big fancy houses up in Aspen. I loved working construction and I was making really good money for a high school kid. I didn’t have plans to go to college because I was pretty content, but I got a lot of pressure from teachers and peers to continue my education.” When he was awarded a large scholarship from the Colorado 500 Bike Ride, a charity dirt bike ride that funds mountain community organizations, he thought, “Oh man, now I have to figure out what I want to do.”

One day, while he was out on a construction job on an Aspen house, he had a revelation about his future. “I wanted to know why we had to do all the complicated things we do on the construction site, and that’s what triggered me to go into engineering, wanting to know how things work.”

Mike attended Colorado State University in Fort Collins, graduating in 1999 with a bachelor of science degree in engineering. He started his own company in Crested Butte, Structural Inc., in 2006. “Architects are my main clients. I do the structural parts of those plans because nobody wants their house to cave in.”

Before moving to Crested Butte, right out of college, Mike went to work as a structural engineer in Carbondale. Then 9/11 happened and Mike recalls, “Everything just stopped in construction, but I was on salary and I basically went out hiking, biking, or fishing every day since I didn’t have any work. It was awesome, but I realized it wasn’t going to last too long.”

Sure enough, Mike was laid off shortly after, but he decided to make the best of it. “I took off and did a three-week motorcycle trip, meeting my parents at Sturgis [the infamous meetup in North Dakota for bikers]. When I got back, I wasn’t sure what I was going to do. A friend told me there was an engineer in Crested Butte, David Houghton, looking to hire, so I called him. He said he wasn’t looking for anybody, but we talked for about half an hour and he decided he could use somebody with a structural engineering degree. I stopped by the next day and he gave me about ten hours of work a week.”

With a sparse work schedule, Mike found plenty of time for the slopes. “When you’re only working ten hours a week you can ski a lot,” he says with a big grin that you can imagine encrusted with ice from faceshots in powder.

A few years ago, Mike bought a parcel of land in Crested Butte South to fulfill his goal of building his dream house.

“ Small house, giant garage, big fancy kitchen,” he describes, his hands waving to express the size of a huge garage to shelter his vintage metal babies. He pulls out blueprints of a massive building he calls his Garage-Mahal that will hold four cars and a bunch of motorcycles. He’s already well on his way with a plentiful collection of antique cars and motorcycles.

“My dad has always been into motorcycles and hotrods, so I grew up with it. I remember sitting on the back step of my house when I was a kid, polishing aluminum parts for his 1951 Indian motorcycle. When I was 14, my dad found a 1942 Harley in Naturita and we bought it for $500,” he says of the screaming deal.

“He helped me restore the whole thing and I learned how to paint, do the pin-striping and the wiring, and we took it to Sturgis that year, in 1994. I won first place at the bike show and got a trophy as tall as I was. I’ve had this affinity for cars and bikes forever. I like to go to car shows and I single out the ones that have more recreational opportunities, like in Moab I can go mountain biking on Porcupine Rim and still go check out the cars. In Las Vegas, it’s all rockabilly music and costumes, and I like that show because the style of cars that are there are the style that I really love—traditional 1940s and ‘50s hotrods and customs.”

Arbaney’s wanderlust seems to go hand in hand with his affection for beautiful vehicles. It gives him a sense freedom and he aspires to travel a lot more in the near future. About five years ago, he headed off to India with Steve Belz, a former Crested Butte artist.

The duo flew into Delhi and bought two Royal Enfield motorcycles. “They’re a classic cycle,” Mike explains, “and we toured through the Himalayas on them. We went over a pass that was 18,000 feet and we got to see all the Buddhists temples on the way. Intense is a good way to describe India.” He uses his uncle’s imagery of his own experience.

“If you want to know what it’s like before you get there, just remember back when you were a kid and you kicked the biggest ant pile you could find and millions of ants came out going in all directions for no rhyme or reason. India is just like that only with people.” The bikers cruised through non-tourist areas where Arbaney felt the real freedom of a motorcycle.

“I liked riding because you’re really out in the elements and you feel more connected. You feel more freedom, you’re not connected to anybody’s schedule, you can start and stop anywhere you want,” as opposed to using public transportation, he clarifies. “If you’re traveling on a bus, you can’t stop and take a picture or stop at a restaurant you think looks good. On a motorcycle, you can do whatever you want, wherever and whenever you want. You can go get lost.”

Recently, he took a few weeks to motorcycle around Alaska after flying into Anchorage. “I’d never been to Alaska and it’s always been someplace that’s fascinated me. I rented a motorcycle and went wherever the weather was nice, all over the state. The second part of that trip was rafting down the Kisaralik River, near Bethel, in the western part of Alaska,” Mike says of the river run he did with close Buttian friends.

“There are ten different species of fish in that river and we caught all ten. It was cool to see those glaciers and big mountains and it’s cool to be in a place that hasn’t been screwed with.” Mike feels that Alaska has nature as it’s supposed to be.

Mike is also a prolific painter, and his favorite subject is, of course, creating canvases of cars and motorcycles. His illustration-quality watercolors of antique cars, resplendent with shine, combine his love of both painting and cars. He had attended the Canvases and Cocktails classes through the Crested Butte Center of the Arts (CBCA) and he laughs, “Actually what really happened is that I was out walking one night, admiring Crested Butte mountain and the stars above. It was dominating my senses and I thought that it looked just like Van Gogh’s Starry Night. The next day I got an email from the CBCA saying they were going to do a class recreating that very Van Gogh painting in Canvases and Cocktails.”

Mike attended that class, interpreting the famous painting in his own style—a panorama of town dropped into the forefront with swirling dark blue night skies dotted with stars. It got him switched from watercolors to acrylics.

“It’s a hobby. Having an engineering job, it’s nice to have something totally out of the scope of work, something so different and helps me to relax.” He sometimes has to force himself to take a break and make time to paint, “Even if it’s just a tiny painting because I feel like if you don’t do it because you don’t have time, the next thing you know a year goes by before you’ve painted again.”

Although traveling to foreign places is high on Mike’s list, he’s not leaving Crested Butte too long for unknown parts. In a perfect world, Mike plans on starting to build his Crested Butte South house this coming spring, with its enormous garage and big kitchen where he can bake his mouth-watering pies. “I want a big fancy kitchen because I like to cook and make fancy pies.” He pulls out his phone with photos so scrumptious you can almost catch the aroma, from his peach pies to Bronco-themed pies, replete with the Bronco logo.

“I make pheasant pot pies too and no, they don’t taste like chicken,” he laughs. “I love it here. It’s a great place to come home to. I don’t see myself ever moving but if skiing ever gets boring, I’m out of here,” he says. “But until then, this is home and I don’t know how it could get boring. I have a job that I really like, I have a good business. Plus, there are lots of great outdoor activities and the fact that you have all the biking trails right from town and backcountry skiing so close. The Al Johnson is my favorite Crested Butte holiday. I’ve only missed skiing it once in the 16 years I’ve been here. Another thing I really like about this place is that it’s still a tight-knit community and it’s cool to go to the post office and run into people you know.”

by Than Acuff

Summertime and the riding is… EPIC! I know that I, and many of you, have been having a great time on our local trails the last couple of weeks. Meanwhile, Gunnison Valley hammerheads and Griggs Orthopedics riders Jefe Branham and Neil Beltchenko were busy burying themselves covering insane amounts of miles with little sleep and dominating the competition. Branham won the Colorado Trail Race (CTR) and Beltchenko set a new CTR course record riding it as an individual time trial.

The CTR course follows the Colorado Trail between Denver and Durango and is 500 miles long, including more than 300 miles of singletrack, with 70,000 feet of elevation gain reaching its highest point at 13,200 feet. The direction switches each year with riders lining up in Denver on Sunday, July 24 bound for Durango this year.

Beltchenko has been on fire as of late, winning the Arizona Trail Race and setting a new course record in April and then doing the same in June at the Comstock Epic race across Nevada. As he prepped for the CTR, he had one major goal in mind but felt breaking the course record of three days, 20 hours and 20 minutes might be out of reach.

“The ultimate goal was to get under four days but I didn’t think I could touch the record,” says Beltchenko.

Branham’s approach was a bit different. Heading into the race, Branham had three CTR titles under his belt, his last win in 2013, but admits that preparations for the CTR this time around were less than typical.

“This was probably the least focused I’ve ever been,” says Branham. “I wasn’t really riding that much. I was basically working and drinking beer.”

Branham   wins   the   race

It wasn’t until two weeks before the race that Branham decided to jump in and planned on taking six to seven days to complete the course, where in the past, he’s done it in just over four days.

“My plan was to go out, have fun and just tour it,” says Branham.

But once the race started, Branham upped his expectations and decided he might as well go for the win. Unfortunately, his body was telling him otherwise for the first 36 hours.

“The first day and a half it was hot and my legs were cramping,” explains Branham. “My legs were so pissed off.”

But, perhaps taking a page from bike racer Jens Voigt’s philosophy, who famously said “shut up legs” during a race, Branham pressed on.

By the second day Branham was trading off in front with one other rider and had a total of four hours of sleep through the first two days of riding. Branham opted to sleep a little more days three and four but still remained in a battle for the lead.

“I think we were just passing each other at night,” says Branham.

Continuing on his loose but reliable nutrition plan of gummy worms, potato chips, salami and frozen burritos, among other things, Branham continued on.

“I basically eat anything I can get down, anything with fat. Frozen burritos are great because they stay good for eight hours and I eat them when they thaw out,” says Branham. “I don’t keep track of calories. I’ve gotten pretty good at just eyeballing it.”

The CTR has one notoriously physical and mentally tough section between Buena Vista and Silverton, but Branham managed to ease through better than most and better than in years past.

“A lot of people get their butts kicked in there. It’s a long stretch and people have had some creepy experiences there but it wasn’t that bad for me,” says Branham.

By the time he reached Silverton, Branham was still neck-and-neck with one other rider but made one final caffeine-fueled push to build a gap on the final 50-mile stretch.

“I kept forgetting caffeine until Silverton so because I hadn’t had much caffeine and dosed the crap out of myself, I was feeling it,” says Branham. “I felt great.”

In addition, Branham typically rides the section in the dark but his timing this year put him on the trail bound for the finish line as the sun was setting.

“It was a magic six or seven hours, I was loving where I was,” says Branham.

Branham crossed the finish line in Durango four days and 17 hours after starting in Denver, saddle-sore but otherwise in pretty good shape.

“There was a fair amount of suffering for how slow I felt I was going, but the weather was pretty darn good. I only got soaked twice,” says Branham. “The only thing really was my butt. My butt is pretty damn sore. I didn’t put in the miles I usually do before the race so I hadn’t built up the calluses.”

beltchenko   sets   the   record

Beltchenko lined up Sunday morning for the race ready to crush the course and looking to break the four-day mark and take the win, but he was derailed early on. While walking a section of hike-a-bike, he lost his balance and the bike dropped to the ground.

“In slow motion I watched my shifter break and a piece just fling off,” says Beltchenko. “That sucked big-time.”

Beltchenko continued on to the next highway on his modified singlespeed and was forced out after 23 miles. He headed back to Denver to get it repaired and while he was “officially” out of the race, he remained determined to hit his pre-race goal of finishing the course in less than four days. He lined up the next morning at the start at 6 a.m. with his sights set on his personal goal and riding the course as an individual time trial (ITT).

“The downside of the ITT is you’re racing against yourself,” explains Beltchenko. “The upside is I’m chasing carrots the whole time. My whole goal was still gunning for that time. I definitely wanted to accomplish a goal.”

Beltchenko’s plan was fairly simple: ride more, sleep less. He tried his plan out during the Comstock Epic, sleeping just one hour a night and felt it worked pretty well so he went into the CTR with the same plan.

“I was sacrificing sleep for forward motion,” says Beltchenko.

He proceeded to reel in the field, passing riders along the way, riding at a blistering pace and staying on pace and in and out of the saddle for 22 hours straight the first day. By the time he hit the Copper Mountain area, 120 miles into the race, he was well into the field of racers who started a full day ahead of him and rolled past 20 riders sleeping in their bivy sacks that night.

At 4:30 a.m. he lay down for a restless hour of quasi-sleep and then hopped back on his bike. By the end of day two, he had moved into the top 10 of the official race.

“The first day I felt sluggish but the second day I felt motivated,” says Beltchenko.

He admits that something on his body always flares up during these races and during day two he started experiencing knee pain, but experience was his guide, and the pain failed to slow him down and ultimately subsided.

“You learn that you just have to push through it mentally. More times than not it goes away,” says Beltchenko.

He rolled into the Shavano trailhead just after midnight and after a cold and sleepless hour of rest the day before, he opted to get in his hour of planned sleep a little earlier in the night. The upside was that he slept much better; the downside was that when he woke up, he was still hours from daybreak.

“That was as long night of riding after my sleep,” admits Beltchenko.

Beltchenko got his third and final hour of sleep for the entire race in a bathroom on Slumgullion Pass where he found it at least 20 degrees warmer than outside at 10:30 at night. He too headed into the dreaded section bound for Silverton and had pulled all the way into third place at this time but did not fare as well as Branham with the epic Sargents Mesa crossing.

“It’s the longest stretch by far,” says Beltchenko. “Big continuous baby head rocks and you can’t get any momentum with horrible descents where you’re just trying to stay on your bike. By the time I went through it, it was hot and there’s no water out there. It’s just brutal.”

Regardless, when Beltchenko reached Silverton, things were looking up. Race fans were out in force to give him an update of the two riders in front and he realized that his goal was still well within reach, with one caveat.

“I knew I was getting really close to beating that four-day mark,” says Beltchenko. “But two years ago I was in the same boat and tore something in my knee and the last section took me 20 hours so that was definitely on my mind.”

Beltchenko climbed up Molas Pass out of Silverton and turned off for the final 60-mile stretch complete with scorching downhills, some spirit-crushing sections and a stretch known as the Indian Trail Ridge ahead of him.

When he got to the start of the climb up to the Indian Trail Ridge, he passed the rider in second place and did some quick math to determine that, not only would he reach his goal, but the course record was within reach as well. The only problem now was the sun was setting and he had slept just three hours total.

“I decided I’m just going to give it my all,” says Beltchenko.

Dealing with frustration and sleep depravation, Beltchenko dodged demon-like hallucinations along the trail, riding harder than he had the entire course, and covered the final stretch faster than he ever had—to set a new course record of three days, 19 hours and 40 minutes.

“I put everything in my body and I got through that section way faster than I ever had,” says Beltchenko. “It was perfect. Jefe won and I set the record.”

While Branham feels he will continue to line up for the CTR, he’s pretty much done with the epic self-supported bike-racing scene.

“I’m kind of phasing out. I’ve gotten my fill,” says Branham. “I’ll mostly just ride normal stuff now.”

Meanwhile, Beltchenko continues to ramp up. With the Arizona Trail Race win and record, the Comstock Epic win and record and the record set for the CTR course, his short term plans include jumping into the Trans North California and Vapor Trail races this fall. Next year he may head overseas for a similar bike-packing race across Israel.

“That would be a really cool cultural experience,” says Beltchenko. “My plan is to keep doing it. I want to do a lot more of these races.”

We’re here, we’re small, get used to it

by Than Acuff

It’s getting harder and harder to be accepted in this extremely judgmental world of biking. With the advent of the 29-inch wheeled mountain bike (Wes Williams was the first to tout the benefits of the bigger wheel, by the way), and the subsequent 27.5-inch wheeled bikes, the 26-inch wheel is scoffed at and the 10-inch wheel? Well, there’s some downright hatred out there.

As a result, I took it upon myself to bring to light the issue of small wheel shaming at the 2016 Chainless World Championships; it’s high time people accept us for who we are.

We’re here, we’re small, get used to it!

And boy did it suck. I’m no Jordan Williford, a fellow small-wheeler. He takes it to a whole new level with his speed suit and aerodynamic hat.

I’m just a guy with small wheels, and you know what they say about a guy with small wheels—he makes up for it with his top tube.

Oh snap! That’s right, all you tourists reading this (if there are in fact tourists reading this) I just made a not so subtle reference to male junk.

Welcome to Crested Butte! Now give us your money! And when I am behind you in line at Camp 4, don’t you dare order anything soy, anything low fat, anything with the word macchiato or Frappuccino or cappuccino in it.

I’m kidding, I’m kidding. Get whatever you want. I’ll wait…

At any rate, two years ago I had a horrid experience on my modified Strider when the plumbing modification disintegrated. Though the athlete formerly known as Bruce Jenner had a plumbing modification, speaking of stopping shaming, small wheelers and transgenders unite!

To be honest, my aforementioned debacle with my modified Strider almost resulted in an impromptu transgender surgical procedure.

Last year was a successful descent, but this year? Not so much.

This year straight up sucked, and not in a good way. While the Harlem Globetrotters, the Elvises, the Beatles, Tucker Roberts and his megalithic mystery machine, the Rasta Hairnets and everyone else were having a wonderful time, my front tire slowly disintegrated in the first mile and was rendered useless a mile and a half into the descent and I was left alone with my small wheels.

I was rolling strong and then I was wobbling horribly.

And while it is a chainless race, I was forced to rely on my chain to get me down the hill. Tiny wheels, tiny crank arms but a big heart and an American flag on my handlebars to inspire me.

Did George Washington stop crossing the Delaware River because of a leaky boat?

Hells no.

Was I going to keep on pedaling to get to the finish line?

In the immortal words of Aine Falter, “Hells yeah.”

And boy did it suck, five and a half miles of suck.

I was going so slow that the flag on my handlebars was actually blowing downhill. I was going so slow that a tractor passed me. What a tractor was doing on Kebler Pass Road I have no idea but it passed me. Tourists heading into town drove by me, paused, took pictures and drove off laughing.

Can’t wait to Google image search it, just be careful what you type in because Google image searches can take you down a dark and disturbing rabbit hole.

The light at the end of the five and a half mile long sucky tunnel hit me when I could just barely hear the sweet sounds of Dave Ochs’ voice at the finish line.

I was going to make it and I did and was welcomed at the finish line by our esteemed Red Lady waving a tiny rainbow flag. And, I hit three of my four personal goals on the day.

1. Start the race.

2. Finish the race.

3. Don’t be last.

4. Put an end to small wheel shaming

I wasn’t a DNS, I wasn’t a DNF and I wasn’t DFL. Not only that but I hit the podium in the small-wheel class coming in third, though I don’t recall getting called up on the podium… HATERS!

As for number four, my effort may have backfired as plenty of people were laughing at me and not with me during the race.

Sure, it may have been foolish, actually it was. And I may be dumb, but at least I’m not voting for Donald Trump.

‘Merica!

THURSDAY 23
• 6:15-7:15 a.m. Prana Vinyasa at Yoga for the Peaceful.
• 7 a.m. Core Class at The Gym. 349-2588.
• 7:30-8:30 a.m. Foundations for Alignment / CB Co-op at Town Hall.
• 8 a.m. Ecumenical Meditation at UCC.
• 8:30 a.m. Women’s book discussion group at UCC.
• 8:45-10 a.m. Vinyasa Flow / CB Co-op at Town Hall.
• 8:45-10 a.m. Vinyasa at Yoga For The Peaceful.
• 9 a.m. Historic Walking Tour of Crested Butte. Leaves from the Crested Butte Heritage Museum. 349-1880.
• 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Gunnison County Branch Office is open at the Crested Butte Town Offices.
• 9 a.m. Nia Dance Workshop at Sunset Hall in CB South.
• 10:30-11:45 a.m. Yoga Basics at Yoga For The Peaceful.
• 11:30 p.m. Duplicate Bridge at UCC. 349-1008.
• noon All Saints in the Mountain Episcopal Church Community Healing Service at Queen of All Saints Catholic Church. 349-9371.
• noon-1 p.m. Shoulders, Knees and Feet Yoga / CB Co-op at Town Hall.
• 12:30-1:30 p.m. Prana Vinyasa at Yoga For The Peaceful.
• 2-5:30 p.m. Puff Pastry Dough Desserts with the Art Studio of the Center for the Arts..
• 4-5:30 p.m. St. Mary’s Garage. 300 Belleview, Unit 2. Free clothing and bedding. 970-318-6826.
• 5:30 p.m. Communion service at Queen of All Saints Catholic Church.
• 5:30-6:45 p.m. Vinyasa Flow / CB Co-op at Town Hall.
• 5:30-6:45 p.m. Slow Flow for Bikers at Yoga For The Peaceful.
• 5:45 p.m. World Dance Class at The Gym. 349-2588.
• 6-8 p.m. Pick-up Adult Soccer at Town Park.
• 6-8:30 p.m. Historic Plaster Art with artist Paul Brown at the Gunnison Arts Center.
• 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 24
• 6:30 a.m. All Levels Iyengar Yoga Class at The Gym. 349-2588.
• 7-8:30 a.m. Mysore Yoga / CB Co-op at Town Hall.
• 7:30 a.m. Barre Class at The Gym. 349-2588.
• 8-9 a.m. Aerial Conditioning with the Crested Butte Dance Collective at the Center for the Arts. 349-7487.
• 8:30 a.m. Alanon at UCC Parlour (in back). 349-6482.
• 8:45 a.m. Core Power Yoga Class at the Pump Room.
• 8:45-10 a.m. Yoga for the Flexibly Challenged / CB Co-op at Town Hall.
• 9-10:30 a.m. Prana Vinyasa for Bikers at Yoga For The Peaceful.
• 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Frank Francese Watercolor Workshop at the Art Studio of the Center for the Arts. 349-7487.
• noon Closed AA at UCC.
• noon-1 p.m. Lunch Break Yoga / CB Co-op at Town Hall.
• noon-1:15 p.m. Restorative Yoga for Bikers at Yoga For The Peaceful.
• 5-7 p.m. Crested Butte Tennis Club Social Mixer at the Town Tennis Courts. (weather permitting)
• 5:30 p.m. Communion service at Queen of All Saints Catholic Church.
• 6-7 p.m. Poi Playshop at the Pump Room.
• 7-9 p.m. Pick-up adult Karate, Fitness Room at Town Hall.

SATURDAY 25
• 7:30 a.m. Open AA at UCC.
• 8 a.m. 30/30 Indoor Cycling Weight Circuit Class at The Gym. 349-2588.
• 8:45-10 a.m. Prana Vinyasa for Bikers at Yoga For The Peaceful.
• 9-10:15 a.m. Vinyasa Flow with Inversions / CB Co-op at Town Hall.
• 9-10:30 a.m. Community Yoga at the Sanctuary Yoga & Pilates Studio, Gunnison.
• 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Frank Francese Watercolor Workshop at the Art Studio of the Center for the Arts. 349-7487.
• 10:30 a.m. Hip Hop Community Dance Class at the Pump Room (above Fire House on 3rd & Maroon). 415-225-5300.
• 10:30-11:45 a.m. Slow Flow for Bikers at Yoga For The Peaceful.
• 10:30 a.m.-noon St. Mary’s Garage. 300 Belleview, Unit 2. Free clothing and bedding. 970-318-6826.
• 1-3 p.m. Summer Knitting classes at Kasala Gallery. 970-251-5055.
• 5-7 p.m. Iyengar Yoga with Gary Reitze at Yoga For the Peaceful.
• 6:30-7:30 p.m. Guided Sound Meditiation at 405 4th Street.

SUNDAY 26
• 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 a.m. Worship Service at Oh-Be-Joyful Church.
• 9 a.m. Worship Service at Union Congretional Church. 349-6405.
• 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Frank Francese Watercolor Workshop at the Art Studio of the Center for the Arts. 349-7487.
• 9-10:15 a.m. Slow Flow at Yoga For The Peaceful.
• 9:30-11 a.m. Community Free Yoga / CB Co-op at Town Hall.
• 10 a.m. Worship Service at Oh-Be-Joyful Church.
• 3-5 p.m. Iyengar Yoga with Gary Reitze at Yoga For the Peaceful.
• 4-5:15 p.m. CBCYC Community Book Club at 405 4th Street.
• 5-6 p.m. All Saints in the Mountain Episcopal Eucharist at Queen of All Saints Catholic Church. 349-9371.
• 5-7 p.m. Pick-up Adult Basketball. HS Gym, CBCS.
• 5:30-6:45 p.m. Yoga Basics for Bikers at Yoga For The Peaceful.
• 6 p.m. AA meets at UCC.
• 6-8 p.m. Pick-up Adult Soccer at Town Park.
• 6:30 p.m. Duplicate Bridge at UCC. 349-1008.
• 7 p.m. Gamblers Anonymous meets at the Last Resort.

MONDAY 27
• 7 a.m. Cardio Core Class at The Gym. 349-2588.
• 7:30-8:30 a.m. Community Flow at Yoga For The Peaceful.
• 7:30-8:30 a.m. Pranayama & Namaskar / CB Co-op at Town Hall.
• 8-9 a.m. Open Aerial Dance with the Crested Butte Dance Collective at the Center for the Arts. 349-7487.
• 8:45 a.m. Mat Mix at The Gym. 349-2588.
• 8:45-10 a.m. Vinyasa Flow / CB Co-op at Town Hall.
• 9-10:30 a.m. Prana Vinyasa at Yoga For the Peaceful.
• 9-11 a.m. Summer Knitting classes at Kasala Gallery. 970-251-5055.
• 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Plein Air Watercolor Workshop Series with the Art Studio of the Center for the Arts. 349-7487.
• noon-1 p.m. Lunch Break Vinyasa Yoga / CB Co-op at Town Hall.
• noon-1 p.m. Slow Flow at Yoga For The Peaceful.
• 4-7:30 p.m. Tang Soo Do classes for children and adults with West Elk Martial Arts, Jerry’s Gym at Town Hall. 901-7417.
• 5:30 p.m. Communion service at Queen of All Saints Catholic Church.
• 5:30-6:45 p.m. Yin Yoga Nidra at Yoga For The Peaceful.
• 5:30-7 p.m. Moms in Motion class at the GVH rehab gym.
• 6:30-8 p.m. Women’s Domestic Violence Support Group at Project Hope. Childcare available upon request. 641-2712.
• 7:30 p.m. Open AA at UCC. 349-5711.
• 7:30 p.m. Narcotics Anonymous meets at 114 N. Wisconsin St. in Gunnison.

TUESDAY 28
• 6-7 a.m. Meditation at Yoga For The Peaceful, by donation.
• 7 a.m. Core Class at The Gym. 349-2588.
• 7-8 a.m. Prana Vinyasa at Yoga For The Peaceful.
• 7:30 a.m. AA/Alanon Open at UCC. 349-5711.
• 8:45-10 a.m. Vinyasa at Yoga for the Peaceful.
• 9 a.m. Historic Walking Tour of Crested Butte. Leaves from the Crested Butte Heritage Museum. 349-1880.
• 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Gunnison County branch office is open at the Crested Butte Town Offices, 507 Maroon Ave.
• 10-11 a.m. Power Yoga / CB Co-op at Town Hall.
• 10:30-11:45 a.m. Yoga Basics at Yoga for the Peaceful.
• 11:30 a.m. League of Women Voters meeting at 210 W. Spencer in Gunnison.
• noon AA Closed at UCC.
• noon-1 p.m. Lunch Break Athletic Yoga / CB Co-op at Town Hall.
• 12:30-1:30 p.m. Therapeutic Yoga at Yoga For The Peaceful.
• 1:30-3:30 p.m. Tech Tuesdays at Old Rock Library. 349-6535.
• 4-5:30 p.m. St. Mary’s Garage. 300 Belleview, Unit 2. Free clothing & bedding.
970-318-6826.
• 5:30 p.m. Communion Service at Queen of All Saints Church.
• 5:30-6:45 p.m. Slow Flow at Yoga For The Peaceful.
• 5:45 p.m. All Levels Iyengar Yoga Class at The Gym. 349-2588.
• 6-8 p.m. Figure Drawing Sessions with a live model in Downtown Crested Butte. 349-7228.
• 6-8 p.m. Pick-up Adult Soccer at Town Park.
• 6:30-7:45 p.m. Gentle Restorative Yoga / CB Co-op at Town Hall.
• 7 p.m. Alanon meeting at the Last Resort.
• 7-8 p.m. Movement & Meditation at Yoga For The Peaceful. $10 donation. 349-0302.
• 7-8 p.m. Aerial Conditioning with the Crested Butte Dance Collective at the Center for the Arts. 349-7487.
• 7-8:30 p.m. Blessing Way Circle support group at Sopris Women’s Clinic. 720-217-3843.
• 7:45-9:45 p.m. Drop-in Adult Volleyball, CBCS MS Gym.

WEDNESDAY 29
• 6:30 a.m. All Levels Iyengar Yoga Class at The Gym. 349-2588.
• 7:30 a.m. The Crested Butte / Mt. Crested Butte Rotary Club breakfast meeting in the Shavano Conference Room at the Elevation Hotel.
• 7:30-8:30 a.m. Prana Vinyasa at Yoga For The Peaceful.
• 8:30 a.m. Hike with HCCA: Old Kebler Wagon Road. Sign up at hccacb.org.
• 8:45 a.m. Pilates at The Gym. 349-2588.
• 8:45-10 a.m. Inversions and Backbends / CB Co-op at Town Hall.
• 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. Weather permitting. Call first for schedule and availability. 275-4768.
• 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Middle School Art Sessions: Fashion Design at the Art Studio of the Center for the Arts. 349-7487.
• noon Closed AA at UCC.
• noon-1 p.m. Lunch Break Blend Yoga / CB Co-op at Town Hall.
• noon-1 p.m. Yoga Basics at Yoga For The Peaceful.
• noon-5 p.m. Paint Your Own Pottery at the Art Studio of the Center for the Arts. 349-7044.
• 4-7:30 p.m. Tang Soo Do classes for children and adults with West Elk Martial Arts, Jerry’s Gym at Town Hall. 901-7417.
• 5 p.m. Mass at Queen of All Saints Catholic Church.
• 5:30 p.m. Prenatal Yoga class in Crested Butte South. 349-1209.
• 5:45 p.m. Boot Camp Class at The Gym. 349-2588.
• 6-7:15 p.m. Give Back Yoga at Yoga For The Peaceful, by donation.
• 6:30-8 p.m. Restorative Yin-Yoga-Nidra / CB Co-op at Town Hall.
• 7-9 p.m. “GriefShare,” a grief recovery seminar and support group, meets at Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church, 711 N. Main St., Gunnison. 970-349-7769.
• 7:30 p.m. Alanon at UCC Parlour (in back). 349-6482.

Events & Entertainment

thursDAY 23
Crested Butte Bike Week (CBBW) runs June 23-26.
• 10 a.m. CBBW gOgirl Clinic, meet at the 4-way stop, clinic goes til 4 p.m.
• 6 p.m. Encore Entrepreneurship with Deborah Tutnauer at the Old Rock Library.
• 7 p.m. Colorado Water Workshop presents “The Art of Getting Lost” in the WSCU Ballroom with author Craig Childs.
• 8 p.m. Ladies Night at the Red Room.
• 10 p.m. Karoke upstairs in the Sky Bar at the Talk of the Town.

FRIDAY 24
Gunnison River Festival at the Gunnison Whitewater Park runs June 24-26.
• 4:20 p.m. The Chainless Race starts at the top of Kebler Pass.
• 5-8 p.m. ArtWalk in the galleries of Crested Butte
• 5-8 p.m. Artists’ Reception with Meredith Nemirov, Peggy Morgan Stenmark and Leon Loughridge at the Oh Be Joyful Gallery. 349-5936.
• 5-8 p.m. Mary Tuck and Laura Elm Artist Reception – “The Rockin’ Foo Show” at the Art Studio of the Center for the Arts. (show runs through July 10)
• 5:30-8:30 p.m. Gunnison County Republicans hosts their annual Lincoln Day Dinner at the County Rodeo Grounds in the Multi-Purpose Building.
• 7-9:30 p.m. Blues and Brews at the Gunnison Arts Center.
• 7:30 p.m. The WSCU Brass Band performs in the Taylor Auditorium.
• 8 p.m. The David Grisman Bluegrass Experience at the Center for the Arts. 349-7487.
• 8 p.m. Karaoke with DJ Triple L at the Red Room.
• 10 p.m. MILLK plays at the Eldo.

SATURDAY 25
• 6 a.m.-noon 19th Annual Breeding Bird Survey at RMBL. 349-7420.
• 8 a.m. The 8th Annual Fat Tire 40 starts in town of Crested Butte.
• 9 a.m. Registration for the The Gunnison Arts Center and the Gunnison River Festival’s plein air painting event.
• 9-11 a.m. Cemetary Weed Maintenance Day at the Crested Butte Cemetery.
• 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Artists of Crested Butte Studio Tour at the Art Studio of the Center for the Arts. 349-7044.
• noon Bridges of the Butte 24 hour Townie Tour. 349-5075.
• 2-5 p.m. Artist Demonstration by Leon Loughridge at the Oh Be Joyful Gallery. 349-5936.
• 7:30 p.m. Trout Steak Revival plays at the Speigeltent in Mt. Crested Butte.

SUNDAY 26
• 11:15 p.m. Gravity Slave Downhill Bike Race at CBMR.
• 2-5 p.m. Artist Demonstration by Leon Loughridge at the Oh Be Joyful Gallery. 349-5936.
• 3-7 p.m. Happy Hour Sundays with Chuck Grossman at the Eldo.

MONDAY 27
• 8 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Hike “Wildflowers & Science Extravaganza: Snodgrass!” with 1% for Open Space and RMBL, register through the Crested Butte Wildflower Festival.
• 5:30 p.m. Something Like Seduction  plays Alpenglow at the Center for the Arts Outdoor Stage.
• 10 p.m. Open Mic night at the Eldo.

TUESDAY 28
• 9 a.m. Socrates Café discusses “Can we have happiness without sadness?” at the Old Rock Library.
• 3:30-6 p.m. RTA Community Open House at the Crested Butte Town Offices.
• 4-6 p.m. Canvases & Cocktails at Bonez with the Art Studio of the Center for the Arts. 349-7044.
• 5 p.m. Gunnison County Electric’s 77th annual meeting with guest speaker Scott Morrill. 641-3520.
• 5 p.m. Volunteer Open House at the Center for the Arts. 349-7487.
• 6:30 p.m. Alan Ray & the Coconut Telegraph plays at the I Bar Ranch.
• 7 p.m. Author Talk with Bob Puglisi at the Old Rock Library.

WEDNESDAY 29
• 6 p.m. Wine Tasting of South American Wines at the Old Rock Library.
• 5 p.m. gOgirl Pinnacle Series Race #1, CBMR.
• 5:30 p.m. Magic Giant plays Live! From Mt. Crested Butte at the Red Lady Stage at CBMR.
• 6 p.m. Friends of the Library “Wine Tasting Fundraiser” at the Old Rock Library.
• 7:30 p.m. Public Policy Forum: “Reducing Income Inequality Through Inclusive Growth” with Jared Bernstein at the Center for the Arts.
• 7:30 p.m. Pool tournament upstairs at the Talk of the Town.

KID’S CALENDAR

THURSDAY 23
• 9 a.m. Munchkin’s Music & Dance Class in the High Attitude Dance Academy in Gunnison. (runs through August 18)
• 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Little Innovators Camp for ages 3-5 at The Trailhead. 349-7160.
• 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Art and Science Camp for ages 5-8 at The Trailhead. 349-7160.
• 3-8 p.m. Youth Gymnastics, Jerry’s Gym at Town Hall 349-5338.

FRIDAY 24
• 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Little Innovators Camp for ages 3-5 at The Trailhead. 349-7160.
• 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Art and Science Camp for ages 5-8 at The Trailhead. 349-7160.
• 11 a.m. Big Kids Storytime for ages 3-7 at Old Rock Library.
• 4-5 p.m. Tang Soo Do Martial Arts classes for youth with West Elk Martial Arts, Town Hall Fitness Room. 901-7417.

MONDAY 27
• 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Little Innovators Camp for ages 3-5 at The Trailhead. 349-7160.
• 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Art and Science Camp for ages 5-8 at The Trailhead. 349-7160.
• 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Advanced Art for ages 9-11 at The Trailhead. 349-7160.
• 4-7:30 p.m. Tang Soo Do classes for children and adults with West Elk Martial Arts, Jerry’s Gym at Town Hall. 901-7417.
• 4:45 p.m. Tang Soo Do classes for juniors at Town Hall. 901-7417.

TUESDAY 28
• 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Little Innovators Camp for ages 3-5 at The Trailhead. 349-7160.
• 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Art and Science Camp for ages 5-8 at The Trailhead. 349-7160.
• 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Advanced art for ages 9-11 at The Trailhead. 349-7160.
• 9:30 a.m. Munchkin’s Music & Dance Class in the Fitness Room at Town Hall. (runs through August 16)
• 11 a.m. Romp & Rhyme Storytime for families and kids of all ages at Old Rock Library.
• 3-8 p.m. Youth Gymnastics, Jerry’s Gym at Town Hall 349-5338.

WEDNESDAY 29
• 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Advanced Science for ages 8-11 at The Trailhead. (runs through August 10)
• 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Little Innovators Camp for ages 3-5 at The Trailhead. 349-7160.
• 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Art and Science Camp for ages 5-8 at The Trailhead. 349-7160.
• 9:30 a.m. Munchkin’s Music & Dance Class in the Fitness Room at Town Hall. (runs through August 17)
• 11 a.m. Babies and Toddlers Storytime at Old Rock Library.
• 3:45-4:45 p.m. Tween Scene (ages 8-12) at the Old Rock Library.
• 4-7:30 p.m. Tang Soo Do classes for children and adults with West Elk Martial Arts, Jerry’s Gym at Town Hall. 901-7417.
• 4:45 p.m. Tang Soo Do classes for juniors at Town Hall. 901-7417.

THURSDAY 16
• 6:15-7:15 a.m. Prana Vinyasa at Yoga for the Peaceful.
• 7 a.m. Core Class at The Gym. 349-2588.
• 8 a.m. Ecumenical Meditation at UCC.
• 8:30 a.m. Women’s book discussion group at UCC.
• 8:45-10 a.m. Vinyasa Flow / CB Co-op at Town Hall.
• 8:45-10 a.m. Vinyasa at Yoga For The Peaceful.
• 9 a.m. Historic Walking Tour of Crested Butte. Leaves from the Crested Butte Heritage Museum. 349-1880.
• 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Gunnison County Branch Office is open at the Crested Butte Town Offices.
• 9 a.m. Nia Dance Workshop at Sunset Hall in CB South.
• 10 a.m. Mothering Support Group at Oh Be Joyful Church. (Last Thursday of every month)
• 10:30-11:45 a.m. Yoga Basics at Yoga For The Peaceful.
• 11:30 p.m. Duplicate Bridge at UCC. 349-1008.
• noon All Saints in the Mountain Episcopal Church Community Healing Service at Queen of All Saints Catholic Church. 349-9371.
• noon-1 p.m. Lunch Break Yoga / CB Co-op at Town Hall.
• 12:30-1:30 p.m. Prana Vinyasa at Yoga For The Peaceful.
• 4-5:30 p.m. St. Mary’s Garage. 300 Belleview, Unit 2. Free clothing and bedding. 970-318-6826.
• 4:30-6 p.m. Crested Butte Community Food Bank open at Oh Be Joyful Church (First Thursday of every month)
• 5:30 p.m. Communion service at Queen of All Saints Catholic Church.
• 5:30-6:45 p.m. Vinyasa Flow / CB Co-op at Town Hall.
• 5:30-6:45 p.m. Prana Vinyasa at Yoga For The Peaceful.
• 5:45 p.m. World Dance Class at The Gym. 349-2588.
• 6-8 p.m. Pick-up Adult Soccer at Town Park.
• 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 17
• 6:30 a.m. All Levels Iyengar Yoga Class at The Gym. 349-2588.
• 7-8:30 a.m. Mysore Yoga / CB Co-op at Town Hall.
• 7:30 a.m. Barre Class at The Gym. 349-2588.
• 8-9 a.m. Aerial Conditioning with the Crested Butte Dance Collective at the Center for the Arts. 349-7487.
• 8:30 a.m. Alanon at UCC Parlour (in back). 349-6482.
• 8:45 a.m. Core Power Yoga Class at the Pump Room.
• 8:45-10 a.m. Vinyasa Flow / CB Co-op at Town Hall.
• 8:45-10 a.m. Yoga for the Flexibly Challenged / CB Co-op at Town Hall.
• 9-10:30 a.m. Prana Vinyasa at Yoga For The Peaceful.
• 9:15-10 a.m. Open Aerial Dance with the Crested Butte Dance Collective at the Center for the Arts. 349-7487.
• noon Closed AA at UCC.
• noon-1 p.m. Lunch Break Yoga / CB Co-op at Town Hall.
• noon-1:15 p.m. Restorative Yoga at Yoga For The Peaceful.
• 5-7 p.m. Crested Butte Tennis Club Social Mixer at the Town Tennis Courts. (weather permitting)
• 5-8:30 p.m. Pastable! Cooking Class at Studio West with the Center for the Arts. 349-7487.
• 5:30 p.m. Communion service at Queen of All Saints Catholic Church.
• 6-7 p.m. Poi Playshop at the Pump Room.
• 6-8 p.m. Exploring Clay Printing at the Gunnison Arts Center.
• 7-9 p.m. Pick-up adult Karate, Fitness Room at Town Hall.

SATURDAY 18
• 7:30 a.m. Open AA at UCC.
• 8 a.m. 30/30 Indoor Cycling Weight Circuit Class at The Gym. 349-2588.
• 8:45-10 a.m. Prana Vinyasa at Yoga For The Peaceful.
• 9-10:15 a.m. Vinyasa Flow with Inversions / CB Co-op at Town Hall.
• 9-10:30 a.m. Community Yoga at the Sanctuary Yoga & Pilates Studio, Gunnison.
• 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Exploring Clay Printing at the Gunnison Arts Center.
• 10:30 a.m. Hip Hop Community Dance Class at the Pump Room (above Fire House on 3rd & Maroon). 415-225-5300.
• 10:30-11:45 a.m. Slow Flow at Yoga For The Peaceful.
• 10:30 a.m.-noon St. Mary’s Garage. 300 Belleview, Unit 2. Free clothing and bedding. 970-318-6826.
• 1-3 p.m. Summer Knitting classes at Kasala Gallery. 970-251-5055.
• 6:30-7:30 p.m. Guided Sound Meditiation at 405 4th Street.

SUNDAY 19
• 7-8 a.m. Meditation at Yoga For The Peaceful, by donation.
• 7:30-8:30 a.m. Morning Meditation / CB Co-op at 405 4th Street.
• 8:30 a.m. Mass at Queen of All Saints Catholic Church.
• 8:30 a.m. Worship Service at Oh-Be-Joyful Church.
• 9 a.m. Worship Service at Union Congretional Church. 349-6405.
• 9-10:15 a.m. Slow Flow at Yoga For The Peaceful.
• 9:30-11 a.m. Community Free Yoga / CB Co-op at Town Hall.
• 10 a.m. Worship Service at Oh-Be-Joyful Church.
• 4-5:15 p.m. CBCYC Community Book Club at 405 4th Street.
• 5:30-7 p.m. Restorative Yoga at Yoga For The Peaceful.
• 5-6 p.m. All Saints in the Mountain Episcopal Eucharist at Queen of All Saints Catholic Church. 349-9371.
• 5-7 p.m. Pick-up Adult Basketball. HS Gym, CBCS.
• 5:30-6:45 p.m. Hatha Yoga / CB Co-op at Town Hall.
• 6 p.m. AA meets at UCC.
• 6-8 p.m. Pick-up Adult Soccer at Town Park.
• 6-8 p.m. The Kcrem CB couples dance club in the Pump Room at Jerry’s Gym. 970-355-9686, call to sign up, space is limited. (6 week class until the end of June)
• 6:15-6:45 p.m. Free Breath Work and Meditation / CB Co-op at Town Hall.
• 6:30 p.m. Duplicate Bridge at UCC. 349-1008.
• 6:45-7:15 p.m. Free Sound Bowl Mediation / CB Co-op at Town Hall.
• 7 p.m. Gamblers Anonymous meets at the Last Resort.

MONDAY 20
• 7 a.m. Cardio Core Class at The Gym. 349-2588.
• 7:30-8:30 a.m. Community Flow at Yoga For The Peaceful.
• 7:30-8:30 a.m. Pranayama & Namaskar / CB Co-op at Town Hall.
• 8-9 a.m. Open Aerial Dance with the Crested Butte Dance Collective at the Center for the Arts. 349-7487.
• 8:45 a.m. Mat Mix at The Gym. 349-2588.
• 8:45-10 a.m. Vinyasa Flow / CB Co-op at Town Hall.
• 9-11 a.m. Yoga Mala at Yoga For The Peaceful.
• 9-11 a.m. Summer Knitting classes at Kasala Gallery. 970-251-5055.
• 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Plein Air Watercolor Workshop Series with the Art Studio of the Center for the Arts. 349-7487.
• noon-1 p.m. Lunch Break Yoga / CB Co-op at Town Hall.
• noon-1 p.m. Slow Flow at Yoga For The Peaceful.
• 4-7:30 p.m. Tang Soo Do classes for children and adults with West Elk Martial Arts, Jerry’s Gym at Town Hall. 901-7417.
• 5 p.m. Mothering Support Group at the GVH Education House, 300 East Denver St. (First Monday of every month)
• 5:30 p.m. Communion service at Queen of All Saints Catholic Church.
• 5:30-6:45 p.m. Yin Yoga Nidra at Yoga For The Peaceful.
• 5:30-7 p.m. Moms in Motion class at the GVH rehab gym.
• 6:30-8 p.m. Women’s Domestic Violence Support Group at Project Hope. Childcare available upon request. 641-2712.
• 7:30 p.m. Open AA at UCC. 349-5711.
• 7:30 p.m. Narcotics Anonymous meets at 114 N. Wisconsin St. in Gunnison.

TUESDAY 21
• 6-7 a.m. Meditation at Yoga For The Peaceful, by donation.
• 7 a.m. Core Class at The Gym. 349-2588.
• 7-8 a.m. Prana Vinyasa (open) at Yoga For The Peaceful.
• 7:30 a.m. AA/Alanon Open at UCC. 349-5711.
• 8:45-10 a.m. Vinyasa at Yoga for the Peaceful.
• 9 a.m. Historic Walking Tour of Crested Butte. Leaves from the Crested Butte Heritage Museum. 349-1880.
• 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Gunnison County branch office is open at the Crested Butte Town Offices, 507 Maroon Ave.
• 10-11 a.m. Power Yoga / CB Co-op at Town Hall.
• 10:30-11:45 a.m. Yoga Basics at Yoga for the Peaceful.
• 11:30 a.m. League of Women Voters meeting at 210 W. Spencer in Gunnison.
• noon AA Closed at UCC.
• noon-1 p.m. Lunch Break Athletic Yoga / CB Co-op at Town Hall.
• 12:30-1:30 p.m. Prana Vinyasa at Yoga For The Peaceful.
• 1:30-3:30 p.m. Tech Tuesdays at Old Rock Library. 349-6535.
• 4-5:15 p.m. Free Gratitude Flow Yoga at Yoga For The Peaceful.
• 4-5:30 p.m. St. Mary’s Garage. 300 Belleview, Unit 2. Free clothing & bedding.
970-318-6826.
• 5:30 p.m. Communion Service at Queen of All Saints Church.
• 5:30-6:45 p.m. Slow Flow at Yoga For The Peaceful.
• 5:45 p.m. All Levels Iyengar Yoga Class at The Gym. 349-2588.
• 6-8 p.m. Pick-up Adult Soccer at Town Park.
• 6:30 p.m. Crested Butte Library Poetry Collective meets at the Old Rock Library. (every 2nd Tuesday of the month)
• 6:30-7:45 p.m. Gentle Restorative Yoga / CB Co-op at Town Hall.
• 7 p.m. Alanon meeting at the Last Resort.
• 7-8:30 p.m. Blessing Way Circle support group at Sopris Women’s Clinic. 720-217-3843.
• 7-8 p.m. Movement & Meditation at Yoga For The Peaceful. $10 donation. 349-0302.
• 7:45-9:45 p.m. Drop-in Adult Volleyball, CBCS MS Gym.

WEDNESDAY 22
• 6:30 a.m. All Levels Iyengar Yoga Class at The Gym. 349-2588.
• 7:30 a.m. The Crested Butte / Mt. Crested Butte Rotary Club breakfast meeting in the Shavano Conference Room at the Elevation Hotel with speaker Mike Pelletier, Gunnison County Geographic Infomation Services Manager at 8 a.m.
• 7:30-8:30 a.m. Prana Vinyasa at Yoga For The Peaceful.
• 8:45 a.m. Pilates at The Gym. 349-2588.
• 8:45-10 a.m. Inversions and Backbends / CB Co-op at Town Hall.
• 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. Weather permitting. Call first for schedule and availability. 275-4768.
• 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Middle School Art Sessions: Batik & Fiber Arts at the Art Studio of the Center for the Arts. 349-7487.
• noon Closed AA at UCC.
• noon-1 p.m. Lunch Break Yoga / CB Co-op at Town Hall.
• noon-1 p.m. Yoga Therapeutics at Yoga For The Peaceful.
• 4-7:30 p.m. Tang Soo Do classes for children and adults with West Elk Martial Arts, Jerry’s Gym at Town Hall. 901-7417.
• 5 p.m. Mass at Queen of All Saints Catholic Church.
• 5:30 p.m. Prenatal Yoga class in Crested Butte South. 349-1209.
• 5:45 p.m. Boot Camp Class at The Gym. 349-2588.
• 6-7 p.m. Give Back Yoga (by donation) at Yoga For The Peaceful.
• 6:30-8 p.m. Restorative Yin-Yoga-Nidra / CB Co-op at Town Hall.
• 7-9 p.m. “GriefShare,” a grief recovery seminar and support group, meets at Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church, 711 N. Main St., Gunnison. 970-349-7769.
• 7:30 p.m. Alanon at UCC Parlour (in back). 349-6482.

Kid’s Calendar

THURSDAY 16
• 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Little Innovators Camp for ages 3-5 at The Trailhead. 349-7160.
• 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Art and Science Camp for ages 5-8 at The Trailhead. 349-7160.
• 3-8 p.m. Youth Gymnastics, Jerry’s Gym at Town Hall 349-5338.

FRIDAY 17
• 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Little Innovators Camp for ages 3-5 at The Trailhead. 349-7160.
• 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Art and Science Camp for ages 5-8 at The Trailhead. 349-7160.
• 11 a.m. Big Kids Storytime for ages 3-7 at Old Rock Library.
• 4-5 p.m. Tang Soo Do Martial Arts classes for youth with West Elk Martial Arts, Town Hall Fitness Room. 901-7417.

MONDAY 20
• 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Little Innovators Camp for ages 3-5 at The Trailhead. 349-7160.
• 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Art and Science Camp for ages 5-8 at The Trailhead. 349-7160.
• 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Advanced Art for ages 9-11 at The Trailhead. 349-7160.
• 4-7:30 p.m. Tang Soo Do classes for children and adults with West Elk Martial Arts, Jerry’s Gym at Town Hall. 901-7417.
• 4:45 p.m. Tang Soo Do classes for juniors at Town Hall. 901-7417.

TUESDAY 21
• 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Little Innovators Camp for ages 3-5 at The Trailhead. 349-7160.
• 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Art and Science Camp for ages 5-8 at The Trailhead. 349-7160.
• 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Advanced art for ages 9-11 at The Trailhead. 349-7160.
• 9:30 a.m. Munchkin’s Music & Dance Class in the Fitness Room at Town Hall. (runs through August 16)
• 11 a.m. Romp & Rhyme Storytime for families and kids of all ages at Old Rock Library.
• 3-8 p.m. Youth Gymnastics, Jerry’s Gym at Town Hall 349-5338.

WEDNESDAY 22
• 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Little Innovators Camp for ages 3-5 at The Trailhead. 349-7160.
• 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Art and Science Camp for ages 5-8 at The Trailhead. 349-7160.
• 9:30 a.m. Munchkin’s Music & Dance Class in the Fitness Room at Town Hall. (runs through August 17)
• 11 a.m. Babies and Toddlers Storytime at Old Rock Library.
• 3:45-4:45 p.m. Tween Scene (ages 8-12) at the Old Rock Library.
• 4-7:30 p.m. Tang Soo Do classes for children and adults with West Elk Martial Arts, Jerry’s Gym at Town Hall. 901-7417.
• 4:45 p.m. Tang Soo Do classes for juniors at Town Hall. 901-7417.

Events & Entertainment

THURSDAY 16
• 5 p.m. Book Signing with Duane Vandenbusche’s new book Around the Gunnison Country at the Crested Butte Heritage Museum.
• 5:30-7 p.m. African Drum class with Salim at the CB Pump Room.
• 5:30-7:30 p.m. Business After Hours Mixer with the CB/Mt. CB Chamber at CBMR’s Flying Gopher Mini Golf Course. 349-6438.
• 6 p.m. Xanadu Performing Arts Compnay presents The Mystery of the Missing Moonstone at the Center for the Arts.
• 7-8:30 p.m. African Dance class with Mecca at the CB Pump Room.
• 7 p.m. CB Film Fest: Warren Miller’s International Ocean Film Tour at the Center for the Arts.
• 7 p.m. Bill Dowell plays at the Princess Wine Bar.
• 7:30-8:30 p.m. Silent Community Prayer Vigil for Orlando Victims at UCC.
• 8 p.m. Ladies Night at the Red Room.
• 10 p.m. Karoke upstairs in the Sky Bar at the Talk of the Town.

FRIDAY 17
• 8:30-11:30 a.m. Keynote Speaker: Christian Moore at the GCSAPP & WSCU workshop at Western State College. 642-7393.
• 6 p.m. The Johnny Kongo All Stars play the Talk of the Town’s Local’s Appreciation Party.
• 8 p.m. Karaoke with DJ Triple L at the Red Room.
• 10 p.m. Ponder The Albatross plays at the Eldo.

SATURDAY 18
• 8 a.m. Hike the Caves/Walrod Gulch with Gunnison Public Lands Initiative and the Crested Butte Wildflower Festival. 970-390-6689.
• 8:30 a.m. The Crested Butte Kickers Soccer Tournament at Rainbow Park Field.
• 10 a.m. Trail Day with CBMBA to work on 401, meet at Rustler’s Gulch.
• 11:30 a.m. The Crested Butte Kickers Soccer Tournament at the school field.
• 2-5 p.m. Doctor Robert plays at the Elevation Hotel patio as part of the “Cruisin’ Crested Butte” car show.
• 5 p.m. Father’s Day Concert with Linda and Essie Horne at UCC.
• 5 p.m. Not2Bad bike movie premiere at Butte 66.
• 5-7 p.m. Happy Hour music with Jared Woodruff at the Eldo.
• 7 p.m. Craig McLaughlin plays at the Princess Wine Bar.
• 7 p.m. Monthly Film: Warren Miller’s International Ocean Film Tour in the Black Box Theatre at the Gunnison Arts Center.

SUNDAY 19
• 11 a.m. Father’s Day Concert with Linda and Essie Horne at UCC.
• 1:30 p.m. Crested Butte Kickers Championship Game at Rainbow Park Field.
• 3-7 p.m. Happy Hour Sundays with Chuck Grossman at the Eldo.
• 7 p.m. Casey Hess and Tyler Lucas play at the Princess Wine Bar.
• 10 p.m. Evergreen plays at the Eldo.

MONDAY 20
• 5:30 p.m. Alpenglow: Dirty Bourbon River Show at Red Mountain Park in CB South with the Center for the Arts.
• 7 p.m. The Icy Mitts plays at the Princess Wine Bar.

TUESDAY 21
• 6:30 p.m. Doctor Robert plays at the I Bar Ranch for the “Beatles, Burgers and Beer” concert. Gates open at 5:30 p.m.
• 7 p.m. Chuck Grossman plays at the Princess Wine Bar.

WEDNESDAY 22
• 4 p.m. Trail Day with CBMBA to work on the Green Lake Trail, meet at The Nordic Center or bike up to the trail.
• 4 p.m. gOgirl Ride, Griggs Ortho CB Clinic.
• 5:30 p.m. Books N Bars discussing The Sympathizer at Ryce. 349-6535.
• 7 p.m. Evelyn Roper plays at the Princess Wine Bar.
• 7:30 p.m. Public Policy Forum: “America: The Quest for Inclusive Politics” with Ken Salazar at the Center for the Arts.
• 7:30 p.m. Pool tournament upstairs at the Talk of the Town.