Maribeth Clemente's reputation as a first-rate tour guide precedes her. (Just read her books, such as "The Riches of Paris" and you'll see why.) And Maribeth's blog, Bonjour Colorado is a great complement to Telluride Inside...
On December 7, Telluride's Wilkinson Public Library hosted a reading of local author Bob Rubadeau's latest mystery: Gatsby's Last Resort: A Telluride Murder Mystery, released on December 1. Over the past week, the book has captured headlines and attention, with our town's avid readers trying to guess who the local prototypes for the colorful characters really are.
Rubadeau’s award winning non-fiction book about his life as a world-class ocean racer and sailor was released on November 1 to raves. And in most places outside Telluride, Bound for Rocque Island: Sailing Maine and the World, is matching his novel's sales book for book.
Telluride's Dolce Jewels is riding the wave opening a trunk show featuring accessories by the uber hot designer, Chan Luu. The event begins December 17, exactly one week before Xmas Eve.
If you've been living in a cave, you may not know the name Chan Luu. But you know her signature bracelets. Women all over the globe are wearing the designer's gemstone and leather or metal on leather creations that wrap neatly around the wrist to form an edgy cuff.
[click "Play", Ashley Deppen talks about stocking stuffers] Google "gift giving advice" and over 7 million sites pop up. 'Tis the season in Telluride and everywhere else on the planet. And we are down to the, well, the 10th hour anyway, with Christmas...
kicker: Chubby Checker & The Wild Cats are featured guests
Telluride's historic Sheridan Opera House kills two birds with one big event, celebrating New Year Eve and the 50th anniversary of the Twist. The December 31st gala features the one and only Chubby Checker, in person with the Wild Cats. Doors open @ 9 p.m. Chubby Checker performs @ 10:30 p.m.
In July 1960, a 19-year-old Chubby Checker (born Ernest Evans in Spring Gulley, South Carolina) revolutionized pop dancing when he stepped on to the stage of New York's Rainbow Room and put his spin on '"The Twist," a song written and originally recorded by Hank Ballard just two years earlier that had never gotten traction.
There's gold in Telluride's Victorian past. And a very special group of prospectors returns this week with plans to dig deep for more, hoping to get lucky. One of the men is two-time Olympic gold medalist, 34-year-old Seth Wescott of Carrabassett Valley, Maine, arguably the most influential man in the sport of snowboardcross.
Watch for Wescott and his team, December 16 – December 18, when the Telluride region hosts the VISA US Snowboardcross Cup for the second year in a row. Teams from around the world were drawn back to the region by the world-class snowboardcross venue created by Olympic builder Jeff Ihaksi, the cold winter weather offset by warmth of the towns of Telluride and Mountain Village.
Last year, was up and down for Wescott. Part of the down was Telluride, where the snowboardcross superstar experienced multiple crashes. But Wescott came back in the X Games, winning second place. He topped that performance big time in Vancouver, successfully defending the gold he won in Torino, Italy, in 2006, when Wecott became the first Olympic champion ever in his event.
[click "Play", Josephine Fallenius talks with Susan about Ah Haa]
Ring out the old, support the new.
On Friday, December 31,Telluride's Ah Haa School for the Arts hosts its second annual New Year's Eve dinner, 6:30 – 10 p.m., an evening of fine food and wine, fine art, entertainment and friends. Proceeds from the event mean the nonprofit is one step closer towards covering operating expenses (which are not covered by tuition) and eliminating the remaining debt on the roof over its head, the historic train depot, and thereby deepening its undisputed position as the community's cultural center.
After 17 years in an old brothel in Popcorn Alley, Ah Haa took a bold step in 2007 when it acquired the century-old depot, which once housed Harmon's restaurant and the San Juan Brewing Company. The move allowed the school to expand its programming with stunning results.
Jeb & friend, KOTO LipSync
Even in a town as non-traditional as Telluride, there are still some sacred cows, rather hams. And turkeys. We are talking about Christmas dinner, with sides of cranberry sauce and mince meat pies. Except in Tuna, Texas, where tuna is "the feast of choice."
Sunday, December 19 – Wednesday, December 22, Jeb Berrier and his Second Stage Productions – Berrier, Buff Hooper, Bubba Lee Schill, Kelsey Patterson – host an evening of holiday fun at the Sheridan Opera House with their adaptation of "A Tuna Christmas."
"A Tuna Christmas" is the second in a series of satires on Southern life and attitudes set in the fictional town of Tuna, Texas, "the third smallest town" in the state.
Ann Mellick
Tuesday, December 14, 6:30 p.m., Sheridan Opera House, Colorado Avalanche Information hosts a fundraiser. The event features ski and snow films courtesy of Mountainfilm in Telluride, including the feature, "The Edge of Never," as well as some shorts by local filmmaker Mark Plantz. Beer (included in the ticket price of $15 to benefit CAIC's Northern San Juan field office) thanks to Stone Brewery. In addition there will be auction items, including a Telluride ski pass.
Since 1950, avalanches have killed more people in Colorado than any other natural hazard.The purpose of the Colorado Avalanche Information Center is to minimize the economic and human impact of snow avalanches on recreation, tourism, commerce, industry and the citizens of the state. With a staff of just 15 avalanche professionals, the Colorado Avalanche Information Center achieves its purpose two ways: forecasting and public education.
Dr. Susanna Hoffman wears many hats: anthropologist, chef and food writer. (In fact, she is a regular contributor to Telluride Inside... and Out.)
In October 2011, Hoffman is the featured chef (along with Jane Lee Winter, executive chef and president of the Gourmet Travel Club) on board the Seven Seas Voyager for a 10-night luxury cruise from Athens to Istambul.
Hoffman has lived and worked in Greece and other Mediterranean regions. She is the author of The Olive and The Caper: Adventures in Greek Cooking and a regular contributor to Saveur, Fine Cooking, Bon Appetit, Gastronomia and Greek Gourmet Traveler as well as numerous other food publications. Hoffman has appeared on cooking shows from coast to coast, including Good Morning America, The Food Network, Oprah, Discovery, CNN, and PBS.
