Around Telluride

IMG_5859 The Telluride Blues & Brews Festival, Friday, September 17 – Sunday, September 19, is synonymous with its founder, impresario Steve Gumble. His event is the first of its kind in the country, combining as it does micro-breweries with the best of blues music. Telluride Blues & Brews Festival was not always about music with a beer back. The event started out as the Telluride Brewers Festival.

The Telluride Brewers Festival opened for business 17 years ago in 1994 as the beer drinker's answer to the Telluride Wine Festival, which catered back then to the Prada (versus Chaco) brigade. Gumble had met many of the vendors who would return year after year back in the days he owned a liquor store. Year 1, the impresario expected 500 diehards and 1200 showed up. Profits were spread among several non-profits. A home run for sure. But not enough for Gumble.

IMG_7572 Two organizations founded and operated by fans of the rock band Phish, Phish Fans, charity announced today that they have raised and distributed a combined $1,000,000 for charity. The joint announcement was made by The Mimi Fishman Foundation, which raises funds through online auctions, and The Mockingbird Foundation, which publishes historical information about Phish in print and online. Both organizations are operated on an all-volunteer basis, with no salaries, paid staff, or offices.

The 2010 running of the Imogene Pass Run was today, Saturday, September 11. The annual footrace starts in Ouray, CO, at an elevation of 7810', continues over 13,114' Imogene Pass and down to Telluride at 8750'. The distance is 17.1 miles. I haven't done...

Telluride Adaptive Sports Program has two major fundraisers each year: "Going Country at the Opera" in the Winter, and "The Bob Miller Golf Classic" in the Summer. The Golf Classic, now in its twelfth year, is Thursday, September 16, 2010. You can participate...

 I ran across this copy of a painting by old-time local Birdi Boyd of the Sheridan Opera House - before it was "renovated" - and was stunned by the memories it invoked. How quaint and quiet Telluride was in "back in the...

[click "Play" to listen to Susan's conversation with Jeb Berrier]

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Suzan Beraza

Telluride triumphed in Monterey's BLUE Ocean Film Festival when the homegrown documentary "Bag It" by Reel Thing – director Suzan Beraza and her team – won in the category of Ocean Issues and Conservation. "Bag It" profiles a self-proclaimed “average guy” – Telluride local Jeb Berrier – who undertakes a global pilgrimage to explore our plastic world and understand our addiction to the supposedly disposable items. As we are learning everyday, plastic is amphibious, polluting our waters and lands with equal vigor and effectiveness.

"We were totally surprised. We were a bit like David, up against giants – National Geographic, BBC, Disney and Discovery. We did not enter BLUE Ocean with high expectations," said Beraza. "And we were totally surprised and delighted when we won."

IMGP1477 With the excitement over the 37th Annual Telluride Film Festival, and the work in covering the event on Telluride Inside... and Out, it's easy to overlook the "old Show" going on in the high country, as it has for millenia.

This morning I needed to get a little outdoors before burying my face in my computer. An easy ride down the bike path toward Telluride is Mill Creek Road, which works my legs and lungs whether I run it or ride my mountain bike. Today it was the bike. The reward for the effort is a series of vistas, including several angles on the Wilson Range, and a peaceful overlook across the San Miguel Valley and the town of Telluride, looking much quieter from my perch than within the town.

Turquoise In Telluride, real jewels before screen gems and images on canvas open for the ones on the silver screen. Thursday, September 1, is the Telluride Council for the Arts & Humanities' First Thursday Art Walk. First Thursdays are special: galleries and retail shops around town stay open late until eight.

Start with the bling at Lustre, an artisan's gallery, 171 South Pine Street, is hosting a trunk show featuring the classic 24K gold jewelry by the metal artist Gurhan Orhan, renowned for his pioneering work in the revival of pure 24 karat gold jewelry. His signature technique was inspired by the art of ancient goldsmiths.