Around Telluride

[click "Play" to hear Kara Johnson's description of One-to-One mentoring]

Logo, 1-1The One to One program in the Telluride region can relate: Mountainfilm in Telluride recently announced its award-winners. The Director's Award was given to "Sons of Perdition," a film about teenage boys forced out of a polygamist fundamentalist Mormon community because they represented a threat to the older men's claims on the young woman of their tribe. Three of the boys were in town, basking in the love that came their way. Their indomitable spirits shown through the hurt and pain. But they will need mentors to guide their next critical moves.

Research has shown that the single most important factor in a child's success is his or her connection to a caring adult. One to One San Miguel Mentoring Program targets at risk youth in Telluride, Mountain Village, Norwood, Naturita, and Nucla, pairing them with mentors who help guide their social, emotional and academic development.

Telluride Bluegrass Festivarians should see some familiar faces in the grounds this year –  and not just on stage. Telluride-based The New Community Coalition once again has a booth in the "Green Zone," sharing space with the Drepung Monks. Visitors can...

[For Ben Sollee's conversation with Susan click "Play"]

Ben_main You have seen Ben Sollee with his cello on the Telluride Bluegrass Festival's Main Stage, performing with Abigail Washburn, and with Bela Fleck in the Sparrow Quartet. But this time when he steps onto the stage in Telluride's Town Park Friday morning, 10 a.m., Ben Sollee will be all alone in the morning sun. And he will shine.

Ben Sollee looks like central casting for the son in the father/son Patek Philippe watch ads that appear, well, like clockwork in The New York Times Sunday magazine: a handsome preppy with a geek bent. But looks, as we know, can be deceiving. Ben Sollee was not to the manor born. His roots are in the blue grass of Kentucky, where his grandfather owned a farm. Not to put too fine on point on it, the tag line for those watch ads, however, does ring true: "Begin your own tradition." That's just what Ben is doing – with great success.
World Premiere of Tom Shadyac’s "I Am", Record Attendance Highlight 32nd Annual Festival

Telluride, Colorado (June 8th, 2010)Mountainfilm in Telluride enjoyed record attendance this year with more than 15,000 seatings in theaters, up some 25% from 2009. Despite sunshine and warm temperatures, often deterrents to theater-goers, Mountainfilm venues operated at or near capacity throughout the Memorial Day weekend. “We benefited from several factors,” said Mountainfilm Executive Director Peter Kenworthy. “We received very favorable regional press leading up to the event. The weather lured a lot of people within driving range who might otherwise not have come. And, word-of-mouth momentum has been building steadily the past three years.”

HistoricalPoster_WESTFEST Telluride is crazy about Squids. And not just breaded and served with a side of marinara or aioli sauce. We like ours on stage.

Saturday, June 12, is the first day of the second annual Heritage Fest, which continues through Sunday, June 13.

Heritage Fest is a celebration of the history of the Telluride region. The family fun includes lots of activities especially for the young and young at heart: Galloping Goose Railcar Rides at the Ah Ha School, Stagecoach rides down Main Street, demonstrations of sheep sheering, blacksmithing, double and single jack drilling and gold panning, a Nickel Grab at the county courthouse, face painting at Ah Haa, more contests in Elks Park, and a reenactment of the Butch Cassidy bank robbery. The five-star Wilkinson Public Library is showing films in keeping with the historical theme: "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid" and "We Skied It."