Precious Medals

USA, USA, USA. 

The best part about the entire AspenSpin phenomenon has been our access to elite athletes. 3 of the most successful athletes at the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver have graced A-Spin's pages--- a bunch of times.

The World's Fastest Women, the Olympic Downhill 1-2 punch, Lindsey Vonn & Julia Mancuso are talented, beautiful and super-nice.  Shaun White always makes time for AspenSpin. To see more photos of these 3 super-stars, as well as other Olympians in Aspen -- use our search function, (upper right corner)-- enter your favorite performer.

Lindsey Vonn fires the t-shirt cannon into the Aspen crowd. Photo: AspenSpin.com

Shaun White on the Red Carpet at X Games 3D the movie. Photo AspenSpin.com

Julia Mancuso as Art in Aspen. Photo: AspenSpin.com

Stammtisch

Harald Neuweg always brings it at Wienerstube in Aspen.How do you say it?  How do you spell it?  STAMMTISCH.  Its a German term.... loose translation--"regulars table". Its always a great time at Wienerstube in Aspen.  There are a lot of regulars at "the STUBE".  STAMMTISCH is the first Wednesday of the Month ---- which by our definition is a HUGE PARTY.

Harald Neuweg and his crew at Wienerstube throw it down in Aspen.  STAMMTISCH includes a  three course meal for $29, plenty of fresh beer and live music from T.A.G. --Those Austrian Guys. If you're up to it, try DAS BOOT  the 2 liter beer stein shaped like footwear.  AspenSpin joined a packed house at Wienerstube for Stammtisch last week.  Check the pix and make your reservation for the next STAMMTISCH, March 3, 2010.  

Click or Call  Wienerstube (970) 925-3357.  Also stop into the Wienerstube for the best traditional breakfast in Aspen.

Arthaus-Tache Racing team at the training table at WiernerstubeBeau, Marlene and Vali aim to please at Wienerstube in Aspen. We like the BEER!!!Klaus Obermeyer brings the "Over the Hill Gang" to Stammtisch. Music by T.A.G. Those Austrian Guys. Beers, Brats and good times.

The Culture of Aspen

It was just another Thursday in Aspen.  Ski all day, party all night.  Aspen has a plethora of cultural options.   Tonight we attended a Artist's Reception at the Aspen Art Museum (AAM).  AAM brings some of the top contemporary artists in the world to the Roaring Fork Valley.  Mark Bradford, an acclaimed artist from L.A. presented his collection of Merchant Posters.  Bradford's multi media collage pieces appealed to a huge audience at AAM.  Also opening upstairs at AAM, Disembodied.  This collection of "body part art" defies description here, but---its a must see....and its FREE, 100% of the time.

We then bounced over to the Wheeler Opera House where Woody Creeker John Oates headlined the Benefit for Haiti.  The Wheeler was filled to capacity as the money raised and the good vibes will be sent to down to Haiti.

Lets not forget that the 2010 Winter Olympics kick off in Vancouver on Friday. In honor of the Olympiad, Bo Bridges-- a friend of A-Spin, allowed us to post his sick pic of Shaun White in the half pipe.  A similar image graced the pages of Sports Illustrated last week. Thanks to Bo for sharing his work.

Heidi Zuckerman Jacobson greats Mark Bradford and his dealers Michael Jenkins and Brent Sikkema at the member walk -through.Artist Mark Bradford towers over AAM's J.P. Schaefer.

John Oates jamming for Haiti.

Secrets of Aspen (Cancelled?).

VH1 Secrets of Aspen; Take a hike...really.Word around Fat City is that Secrets of Aspen on VH1 won't be back for season two. Admittedly we've watched all 7 episodes. The climactic world grand finale is scheduled for Feb 21. To re-cap, we already won our bet-(the over/under on jacuzzi scenes). We got cyber-stalked by a 33 year old (check the validity) fake-mole wearing, she-devil "actress" who says she's local to Aspen--but isn't. Her claim to fame; guys pay her to leave. The time slot was pushed to 11 pm--not exactly prime-time, so the proverbial writing seems to be on the wall. 

Jacuzzi scenes in Aspen from VH1 pay off BIG for AspenSpinCovering all bases, AspenSpin wanted to get an external review of Secrets of Aspen from a female 's perspective.The following post is from the keyboard of talented author Christina Pryor. We present her work un-edited.  Thanks CAP.

Christina Pryor 

February 10, 2010 

“Secrets of Aspen”: Where are the Secrets? 

      “Secrets of Aspen” is three hours of my life I’ll never get back. I admit to being a serious reality show junkie – I’ll even watch “The Bachelor” or “Jersey Shore.” But these shows have one thing “Secrets of Aspen” is sorely lacking: a plot.

      I can’t pretend to be any kind of local (I’ve been here for four months), so I’m not offended by VH1’s depiction of our little mountain town. It’s impossible when the only reminder that this is Aspen is the beautiful outdoor footage and the scenes at local restaurants. This could be “The Real Housewives of Orange County” with mountains in place of the beach.

      But “Secrets of Aspen” has to be the worst show on TV. The majority of the past seven episodes have involved screaming matches between the overly botoxed cougars with no semblance of a storyline. Laura says something to Erin or Brooke and they fight with Ben who gets drunk and...that’s about it. There’s barely a local to be seen except at the parties or the poor guys that are these ladies’ targets.

      An acquaintance of mine went up to one of the “Secrets of Aspen” ladies one night over the holidays and said, “OMG! J-Woww! How are you?!” The girl of course did what she does best and stormed off in a huff. To that I say, you wish you were J-Woww, honey. At least “Jersey Shore” brings the drama – and its stars are raking in the cash to prove it. Let’s hope “Secrets of Aspen” doesn’t get picked up for a second season. I’d rather watch paint dry.

Aspen Olympic Team

Aspen, Colorado is a small village in the Rocky Mountains.  Aspen is sending 7 Olympians to the 2010 Winter Olympic Games in Vancouver.  Remarkable!!!. The 7 Olympians;  Jeremy Abbott, Figure Skating, Gretchen Bleiler, Snowboarding, Simi Hamilton, Cross Country Skiing, Chris Klug, Snowboarding, Alice McKennis, Alpine Skiing, Casey Puckett, Skicross and Jake Zamansky, Alpine Skiing.

The entire town turned out for the Olympic style send off in Gondola Plaza. 5-time Olympian Casey Puckett said it best "you have to be a pretty good athlete to make the Olympic team-- in Aspen, we're just average".   More pix on FaceBook.   http://bit.ly/FBspin

Gretchen Bleiler and her Golden Girlz pose for AspenSpin.

3-time Olympian Chris Klug and 5-time Olympian Casy Puckett revel in the praise from the huge crowd in Aspen.