NEPSA VIDEO AWARDS 2011

Dav & Trav staying classy @ NEPSANEPSA is Aspen spelled backwards. The Nepsa Video Awards is a fierce competition among Aspen's local filmers hosted by Aspen / Snowmass.  NEPSA awards cash prizes and it's a chance for the homies to show their stuff and claim bragging rights for the upcoming ski season.  Last night was the 9th incarnation of NEPSA and per AspenSpin its the "unofficial kick off to ski season in Aspen".  All the usual suspects were there. This year a new fresh face took the top prize at the NEPSAs.  Not a new face to skiing, or to Aspen, or to stylie ripping on film, but a guy who's new to the new school....wait for it, The NEPSA goes to... 92 year old living legend Klaus Obermeyer. Klaus can add another trophy to his overflowing case... NEPSA WINNER.    Klaus starred in filmmake Geoff Stump's masterpiece  AN EXTREME NEPSA featuring RICK DIXON which took home the top prize.

Click 4 pix:   NEPSA VIDEO AWARDS     and     D & E on the CATWALK

Fit 4 Real. An Excellent FilmThe coveted runner-up vid. was awarded to the ladies. The docu-drama FIT for REAL from Jacqui Edgerly and her crew of Erin, Megan, Lula and Rachel was nasty (in a good way).  The new Secrets of Aspen were filmed getting fit all around Aspen in their leotards and neon ski outfits.  RIGHT ON!!

The third place NEPSA went to BIG Mountain Skier and B.A.S.E. Jumper Ted Davenport for his auto-biographical flick HEY LOOK at ME...and my MUPPETS.   Ted is on the mend from two broken legs...so he rolled to NEPSA in his chair. The good news is he'll be back on his sticks soon.

The NEPSA Audience Award.. always a highly contested category, and perhaps the most important NEPSA went to High Society's own Nate Berkel, D & E team rider Tae Westcott and the highly technical Matt Hobbs for THE TOP 5 SECRETS of ASPEN.

NEPSA always attracts an over-confident (skiers) and rowdy (snow boarders) element to the Historic Wheeler Opera House, but the super high-quality video entertainment kept the animals in their cages.   NEPSA hosts Chris Davenport and Travis McClain cleaned up their acts and rented tuxes in an attempt  to increase their KLOUT Scores (don't ask).  Dav & Trav scored BIG with their "staying classy" style.

The after-party included a sick D & E FASHION SHOW (tons of models) and entertainment from ROBOTIC PIRATE MONKEY out of Boulder.  Click the pix... you won't regret it.

NEPSA VIDEO AWARDS         &      D & E on the CATWALK                        

Geoff Stump and his Posse took home the top prize at NEPSA. Click 4 pix.Do u like Models?? Click for pix...u won't regret it.

The Wapiyapi Classic in Aspen.

There is no better feeling than seeing unrestrained joy on the face of a sick kid. 

WAPIYAPI is a Colorado organization that offers help and support to families facing childhood cancer.  Since 1998 Wapiyapi has provided no cost programs to kids with cancer and their families.  Wapiyapi is a Lakota Sioux word which means help and healing. Founded by University of Colorado Medical Students, Wapiyapi and more than 300 volunteers have provided year-round support to more than 1500 kids.

Click 4 pix:  Wapyapi Classic

The 2011 Wapiyapi Classic, a fundraiser and a bicycle ride recently took place in Aspen with a special guest leading the pack, 7-time Tour-de-France winner Lance Armstrong.  With 50 mile and 25 mile options and a picture perfect Fall day, the Wapiyapi Classic was a rousing success as more than 200 riders partook in the awesomeness.  The 20 top Wapiyapi fundraisers got to start their ride with Lance, although he eventually pulled away from the peloton to finish his 50 mile segment well ahead of anyone else.

Aspen Spin got to meet some of the Wapiyapi kids and their families.  It was obvious that a week at Wapiyapi Summer Camp was the highlight of the year for most of the kids.  We kept hearing how good it felt to be a "normal kid" and to participate in a wide variety of activities "just like the other kids".  If you've ever attended summer camp then you know about the camaraderie that develops between the campers.  Recurring themes kept popping up...color war, talent show, arts and crafts and clearly the most important memory for most of the kids...the zip line.  These kids spend a lot of time in hospital, so to get outside for a week of fun and activities with kids "just like me" is extrememly meaningful and a tremendous aid in healing.

Healing occurs in a variety of ways, not just with doctors and medicine.  At Wapiyapi, building friendships, gaining new experiences, bonding with others all contribute to the process.  Riding bikes with Lance Armstrong is part of the program too. 

Click WAPIYAPI to learn more and to support their programs. 

Click: Wapiyapi Classic for more photos.

Getting ready for the 2011 Wapiyapi Classic with Lance Armstrong. Click 4 more pix.The top fundraiser collected $17,000. She rode w/ Lance.The Wapiyapi Classic 2011 in Aspen, Colorado. Click for pix.

Aspen is HockeyTown

Well OK, Aspen may not be the original HockeyTown, that moniker has been claimed by Detroit (and others), but Aspen is a real hot bed for icers. 

The Aspen Leaf All-Stars topped the Detroit Red Wings Alumni (a.k.a. Oldtimers) 7-4 in fast paced and well played exhibition match at The Aspen Recreation Center (ARC).  The 11th Annual Stirling Cup All-Star Weekend benefits Aspen Junior Hockey and includes the hockey game, a golf tournament, parties, concerts, a silent auction and plenty of action on and off the ice with the RedWing Old Timers.  NHL Hall of Famer Dino Ciccarelli and noted tough guy Joey Kocur, a 4 time Stanley Cup Winner, joined in the mix this year.  NHL vets John Ogrodnick, Dennis Hextall, 4-Time Cup Winner Darren McCarty, Spartan Kevin Miller, Paul McKinnon, Wayne Presley and Craig Wolanin and more rounded out the Red Wings roster. 

CLICK 4 PIX    ASPEN IS HOCKEYTOWN

The Aspen Leafs took advantage of the friendly home ice at the ARC as age and the altitude (8,000 ft) as well as a short bench worked against the Red Wings squad.  The Wings jumped out to a quick 3-1 lead as Aspen's net minder Greg Baldrica shook off a few cob webs at the thought of facing the veteran NHL players.  Eventually, the Leafs turned up the speed and scored goals in quick succession.  Led by Detroit native Geoff Lubin who netted 2 goals and 1 assist.  Aspen Junior Hockey's new director Tanner Williams (he moved to town 2 weeks ago) showed he belonged by lighting the lamp for Aspen's first goal. Aspen High Coach  Al Butler also tallied once for the Leafs.  The strong Aspen D was anchored by Lindsey Holmbeck, Brett Norris and Peter Scott.

The Aspen Leafs got the go ahead goal.The competitive contest was closer than the final score indicated as Aspen exploded for two late goals to break open a 4 all tie.  Baldrica then stuffed 2 RedWing penalty shots from Darren McCarty (14 NHL Seasons, 4 Cups) and Kevin Miller (620 NHL games, 8 Teams).  A meaningless Aspen goal with 10 seconds left created the final 3 goal margin.  It required a strong team effort for Aspen to top the former NHL pros.  In the end the Aspen Leafs just had a little more gas in the tank. 

The comraderie between the two teams and between the fans and players was fantastic.  The RedWings were happy to meet and greet the fans, and The Stirling Cup game has gone a long way to ease the tension between local Wings supporters and the Colorado Avalanche fans who used to heckle them.  Always a highlight... in between periods, The CHUCK-A-PUCK.  For a $5 contribution fans get a numbered puck to toss on the ice...closest to the center ice face off dot wins a large pot of money.  This years winner Tim Cooney was extremely accurate...his puck landed directly on the dot---he donated the proceeds back to Aspen Junior Hockey.

The Stirling Cup All-Star Weekend is a celebration of the life of the late Stirling Cooper...a beloved local Husband and Father who passed away in 1999.  The beneficiary of the events, Aspen Junior Hockey, is known as one of the finest youth hockey programs in Colorado.  Aspen has built a reputation as a great Hockey Town.  There are plenty of opportunities in Aspen for adults and kids, males and females, youngsters and oldsters to get out there on the ice and play.  Aspen's Winter leagues are forming soon...so click  Aspen Parks and Rec (Ice Hockey) and join a team today.

Click 4 Pix  ASPEN IS HOCKEYTOWN

The Aspen Leafs defeated The Detroit RedWings Alumni in Aspen. Click 4 pix.Hall of Famer Dino Cicarelli wth Aspen Leafs stars Jason Flynn and Geoff Lubin
The puck drops in Aspen. Openning Face Off for the 11th Annual Stirling Cup All Star Weekend.

Maroon Bells is the Sh*T

A man and his dog. A beautiful dayIt was one of those special Colorado days. Crisp and cold in town, but you could see it was going to eventually be clear, sunny and beautiful.  As we pulled into the Maroon Bells parking lot at 8.15 a.m. the temp was reading 38'F.  It was early but I had already perused the tragic Aspen headline, Kenichi's Bil Rieger found dead. 

R.I.P. to Bad Billy.  (click for the story)

I had also digested 2 distasteful letters to the editor, one in each Aspen newspaper.  The writers Marilyn Marks and Elizabeth Milias. The topic?---who cares?  WTF Girlz??? If its so bad here in Aspen, why do you stick around? Why do you care so much?

The car ride to the Maroon Bells Wilderness is only about 15 minutes from Aspen, but it seemed like a world away from the small town blues.  The day had started off on a crummy note.  A good man lost to suicide and  two non-stop complainers, who seem to continuously write irritating, verbous, self-serving letters to the editor.  Add in all the other crappy world news of the day and another free-falling session in the stock market...yada yada yada.  Plus it was freezing out. Still,  I'M in FAVOR of a BEAUTIFUL DAY. (click 4 pix)

Carmelo and I passed the large throng of early morning photogs and hit the trail.   As our path wound through the trees towards Crater Lake I focused on the majestic beauty surrounding us. Amazing is not a strong enough word to describe the natural scene.  It was early enough to beat the  tourist crowds which allowed my dog and I to spend some quiet time in the woods (she was off-leash, shhhhh).  When we got to the lake...it was deserted. If you've made the short trek up there you know how beautiful it is, The Maroon Bells are the most photographed peaks in N. America.  Carmelo and I got some one-on-one play time as she unquestionably fetched her stick in the freezing cold mountain water of Crater Lake.  As the tourists began to reach the area around Crater Lake, and our solitary time had ended...it came to me...

I'M IN FAVOR of a BEAUTIFUL DAY  (click 4 pix)

The Maroon Bells, Aspen, Colorado. 9/22/11 The most photographed peaks in N.America Click 4 pix I'm in Favor of a Beautiful Day. Click 4 pix.

Aspen Ruggerfest since 1967

The 44th Annual Ruggerfest in Aspen hosted by The Gentlemen of Aspen Rugby Club.  Barbos Win. Nuff said.

Master's Division Champs from Australia. Aspen Ruggerfest 2011