Author: Susan Viebrock

[click "Play", Kristin speaks with Sususn about bkr water bottles]

 

Bottles
When the going gets tough, the smart consider all their options. They think out of the box. Or the water bottle.

Telluride's uber hip Two Skirts began as a little store on Oak Street carrying designer clothing. Period. Then the store moved to Main Street and began its slow but sure expansion. One day, there were accessories: bags, belts, scarves,   shawls. Next came shoes, jewelry, watches and undergarments, eventually makeup (Bobbi Brown). And now: The bkr bottle.

The bkr bottle, really a dressed up 500 ml glass water bottle, marries design, function and sustainability in one super stylish package. Who says "green" has to rhyme with "grunge"? 

[click "Play", Chef Erich Owen talks with Susan]

 

Erich-owen-pensive Since 2008, Erich Owen has worked as the Executive Chef of The Chop House at Telluride's historic New Sheridan Hotel. His New American cuisine emphasizes quality fresh ingredients impeccably prepared with a light, deft touch in the French tradition for a simple but always elegant presentation. If you are a patron of the 30th annual Telluride Wine Festival, the proof of Erich's skills will be in the pudding – or whatever it is he prepares for the kick-off luncheon. Chef Erich Owen co-hosts the Telluride Wine Festival opening feast, Thursday, June 23, 11:30 a.m – 1:30 p.m. And that's big news. Here's why.

In the art world, there is a reflex known as The Cultural Cringe, an assumption that whatever anyone does in the arts – and we include the food arts here – is not validated until judged by those in the know from outside your world. We cry "foul."

[click "Play" to hear Maria Bachmann speak with Susan about the Musicfest program]

 

Maria There's no judging this book by its cover. Although its cover is a thing of beauty. Tall and elegant, violinist Maria Bachmann has the look of cool patrician refinement but just beneath the surface, a red hot gypsy soul. In performance the combination intensifies the present moment. And those moments are upon us.

Maria Bachmann is the artistic director of Telluride Musicfest, an event that occurs annually in Telluride in June to celebrate chamber music in its intended form: first class musicians performing in an intimate home environment. (See related post for details.)

[click "Play" to  hear Steve Swenson's conversation with Susan]

 

Wine poster "I cook with wine. Sometimes I even add it to the food," W.C. Fields

One of the longest running wine festivals Colorado, the Telluride Wine Festival, celebrates its 30th anniversary over a long weekend, beginning Wednesday, June 22, 5 – 7 p.m. The event starts with an opening reception at La Piazza in Mountain Village, where patrons get to mingle with guest speakers, guest chefs, homeowners, and members of the Telluride Ski & Golf Club.

Mountainfilm in Telluride and Telluride Bluegrass are festivals for folks. Both have reputations for a welcome-to-the-neighborhood feel. But Wine Fest? Is it all about a sleek, well-heeled fraternity? Them, not us?

[click "Play" to listen to Susan's interview with Justin Bain]

 

PP2 Stool and Chest 4 Telluride's Ah Haa School for the Arts continues its weekend immersions with a round of "Wooden It Be Loverly," this rendition, not from "My Fair Lady."

We are talking about artist Justin Bain's two classes focusing on the art of working wood: "Hand-cut Dovetail Box," Friday – Saturday, July 15 – July 16, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.  and "Introduction to Wood Bending," Friday– Saturday, July 29 – July 30, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Both workshops take place at the artist's studio, Alacran Woodworks, in Rico, Colorado.

Maria, Jon, Josh Year after year, they hit it out of the ballpark. We are talking about key players of the Telluride Musicfest, now entering its 9th season, June 22 – July 3.

Musicfest's artistic director Maria Bachmann and her Trio Solisti colleague, Jon Klibonoff received raves from a Fanfare critic for their premiere performance of Philip Glass's "First Violin Sonata," on their latest CD, Glass Heart.

[click "Play" to  listen to Beryl's interview with Susan]

 

Beryl Beryl Bender Birch is among the presenters at Aubrey Hackman's 4th annual Telluride Yoga Festival, July 14 – July 17.

Beryl's history is the history of Yoga in America, a story of assimilation and diversification and recently, big business. This spiritual teacher, yoga therapist, and author ("Power Yoga,""Boomer Yoga,""Beyond Power Yoga") was an early adaptor and pioneer: in the early 70s, the tie-dyed days of drugs, sex and rock 'n roll, Beryl, a former student of philosophy and comparative religion, became an avid student of yoga and the study of consciousness.

[click "Play" to hear Susan's conversation with Sonchia and Amy]

 

Pinheadmay2011 The Science of Cocktails an elixir of science and fun

Wednesday, June 22, 7:30 (VIP), 8:30 – 11:30 p.m., the Pinhead Institute hosts is only major public fundraiser: "The Science of Cocktails." The event takes place in the Crystal Room (and Deck) at The Peaks Resort & Spa in Mountain Village. The evening includes drink, gourmet desserts, and dancing to DJ Will of SoulAtomic.

Think of "The Science of Cocktails" as a remix of the witches' scene in "MacBeth."

Pinhead's evening bills itself as "an in-depth look, interactive look at the physics, chemistry and biology of cocktails and spirits." Mixers include six restaurants and one Ridgway distillery – Cosmopolitan, Honga's, M's Restaurant at Hotel Madeline Telluride, La Marmotte, The Steaming Bean, Siam, and Trail Town Still – competing to concoct the  "Perfect Pinhead Potion."

[click "Play" to hear Susan's conversation with Gordon Reichard and Dr. Sharon Grundy]

 

Health news you can use every other Monday

Dr. Sharon Grundy
Dr. Sharon Grundy

For 33 years, the Telluride Medical Center has provided health care services to Telluride and the 7,500 residents scattered throughout the R 1 School District. The Med Center is also the only 24-hour emergency facility within 65 miles. As a mountain town in a challenging, remote environment, a thriving medical center is vital to our community’s health. A brand new series on Telluride Inside... and Out features news you can use from the doctors at the Telluride Medical Center. Every other Monday, the column, To Your Health, will focus on news you can use to live a healthier life.

Remember the apple? No, not the one from the Garden that got us all in trouble. The one you take daily to keep the doctor away? Preventative medicine has come a long way since the original prototype. Now the challenge is making sense of the proliferation of received wisdom to make the right choices even about something as basic as which tests are essential. What should be routine in a "routine" check-up?

[click "Play" to hear Darrell Scott's conversation with Susan]

 

Darrell Scott kicker: Performs all-star Sunday Gospel set and in weekend closer with Robert Plant

Telluride Bluegrass guest artist (James) Darrell Scott was born August 1959 in London, Kentucky, the son of the singer/songwriter Wayne Scott. When Scott was 16, his dad purchased a four-track, reel-to-reel recorder, which the teen virtually adopted, spending many long nights in a shed, laying down parts and harmonizing with himself on a variety of instruments.The experience was a vital part of Scott's musical schooling, as he figured out how instruments sound together and how to layer parts with grace and taste.