Drill, Baby, Drill

u know she reads A-Spin.

Maroon Bells

No wireless up here, but dig that view.

Give it Up.

It's true that AspenSpin.com is all about "livin' the dream" in Aspen and "going BIG".  There's more to it than that.  We want to GIVE BACK, do something for the GREATER GOOD.

The genesis of AspenSpin began way back in 2005 with the infamous, Tales from the Road.  One TALE went on and on about giving ski lessons to a kid from the Silver Lining Foundation.  The SLF kids are special, they're all fighting Cancer (only some were winning).  I shot the TALE out  via e-mail---and within two weeks, and with no direct solicitation ---$50,000 was contributed to Silver Lining.  You can read the original story by clicking Aspen Powder Hounds.

As many of you know giving back feels pretty good.                                    

Aspen is home to about 300 non-profit organizations.  Not bad for a town of only 5000 registered voters.  With that in mind, we are launching a partnership with CHARITY BUZZ, an on-line auction house that creates internet based charity auctions.  Charity Buzz opens the bidding up to 98 countries and thousands of potential buyers.   Any worthy charity can raise awareness and money by harnessing the power of the internet with Charity Buzz and A-Spin.

We attended two charity functions this week.  Both events were hosted at the best party space in all of Aspen, The Crystal Palace Grill.  The first VIP soirée took place in conjunction with John Denver week in Aspen.  There were so many John Denver fans in town to celebrate JD's life: think WWJDD.   CPG laid out "the goods": for the JD crowd, all to benefit Challenge Aspen.   There were plenty of kobe sliders and David's fries to go around.  If you haven't tried CPG yet---get over there---Brad Smith serves the  best steak in town, no question. 

Click 4 pix  GIVE it UP.

The second event was sponsored by Spring Board a  locally based,  "generation-gnar" entrant into the non-profit world.  Their 7th Annual GIVE SOME/ GET SOME party raised an estimated $15,000 that will be distributed to deserving organizations in the Roaring Fork Valley.  Again Crystal Palace provided the scene, with a full-on all -u-can-eat "kobe-buffet". Live tunes provided by Southern rockers--Jes' Grew and the "flowing bar" were key elements in attracting a humungo crowd to Spring Board's Give some/ Get Some bash.

  Click the pix @ GIVE it UP.Ridin' w/ High Society

Vince & Stowman from CPG @ the ready.

RFK Jr. stumps in Aspen.

RFK Jr. in Aspen

AspenSpin.com is not a political publication--- far from it.  However, our home State, Colorado is a crucial battle ground in the 2008 Presidential Election. 
We're not taking sides, but  we urge everyone to vote EARLY...... and OFTEN.

ROBERT F. KENNEDY Jr. landed in Aspen today to support Barack Obama's 2008 campaign for President of the United States.  The Kennedy mystique, wellArturo Rodriguez, UFW President known in A-Town, attracted a huge crowd to the Paepke Auditorium on the campus of the Aspen Institute.  "It's not just the granola eaters either" said one Obama fan.   RFK Jr., who was introduced as the "conscious of our environment"  addressed the audience in a short but poignant speech stumping for Obama /Biden 2008.  He was joined at the podium by United Farm Workers President, Arturo Rodriguez and Aspen Mayor Mick Ireland who both offered brief remarks.

Aspen Mayor Mick IrelandPitkin County is well known as the most liberal strong-hold in the traditionally conservative State of Colorado.  It was clear from the audience reaction to Kennedy's words, that CHANGE is NEEDED.  RFK Jr., who was accompanied by his 14 year old son Connor, shared a story about a childhood trip he took to Europe with his father in the early 60's.  He spoke about the "obvious love for America" displayed on the faces of the European people he and his dad encountered during their travels.  Not so anymore. Today, the respect for the U.S.A. has deteriorated to unprecedented lows. Our position as a world leader is in question, and our National security and economic future is at serious risk ---like no other time in history.  It's scary out there.  Please, whatever happens, no more C students in the White House.

KJUS SpeedFlying

Remember Lasse Kjus (left)? He's one of the best ski racers of all-time.  He's a business dude now. You've probably seen his super-technical line of fashion ski garb in Aspen, ripping down AJAX.  KJUS is so hot, they're even dressing  World Cup Champ BODE MILLER now. We have a bud @ KJUS who sent us this SPEEDFLYING video, just cause he knows we're jones-ing for the SCHUSS.