The POW, the PIX, the PEOPLE.
Go BIG, or Go Home.
December 21, 2011 AspenSpin brought the ruckus to the Ladies World Cup races in Aspen and the Men's races in Beaver Creek, Colorado. Many thanks to Geoff Stump of www.StumpFilms.com for the siiiiiiiiiiiiick edit.
December 21, 2011 
'Twas the Tuesday before X-mas and A-Town was poppin'
The Regal was set to re-open and the line it was hoppin'
Carly and Tim and Jeff Halferty too
were finishing the remodel with the help of their crew
Click 4 pix: Regal Busts Out.
Grimey Gatsby sent the word around Aspen...come out to play.
GG put out more facebook messages than John A. Fray.
Drew brought his sponsors and a posse of certified rippers
All that we needed was a hosted bar with Crystal and a bunch of strippers
It didn't take long to break in the "new" Regal.
The place looked mint and quickly filled up with people.
The new posh VIP banquettes shimmered in white.
The remodeled bar was stocked, "it's gonna b a BIG Night.
Berkel's Beats free flowed from the wheels of steel.
The Sound System was kickin', the sounds are unreal
ID's were checked and the hotties came through.
Good thing AspenSpin still made it out alive before his curfew.
Good luck to Carly, Tim, Scott and Halfverty on the new and improved REGAL.
Welcome back.
Click 4 Pix. THE REGAL BUSTS OUT.
Opening night at The Regal in Aspen. 12/20/11
Tim and The Crew at The re-opening of The Regal in Aspen. Click 4 pix.
It was good night at The Regal 12/20/11
The Regal Aspen, aspen, opening night December 18, 2011 
The World Snow Polo Championship was held in Aspen this past weekend. All the chuckers took place out at the Marolt Open Space near the roundabout. The Marolt Open space, about a mile and a half from the center of town is a perfect location for Snow Polo. Wide open spaces, scenic vistas and plenty of free parking. AspenSpin has attended several Snow Polo matches over the years in Wagner park and Rio Grande Park and the Marolt space is by far the best. In fact, the spectators came out to Marolt in what appeared to be record numbers.
The parties, the models, the snow polo...AspenSpin goes where the action is. The Sport of Kings attracted all the show ponies to Aspen including top rated polo stars Nic Roldan and Nacho Figueras (The Ralph Lauren Model). The audience enjoyed the VIP Tent with an open bar courtesy of Ciroc Vodka. The thundering sound of hoofbeats and a lineup of skilled athletes (both human and equine) plus clear, warm bluebird days in Aspen resulted in a very successful series of snow polo matches. Once again the team from Audi took home the title the World Championship.
Click 4 Pix. Snow Polo in Aspen.
Two of the best polo players in the World (and best looking). Nic Roldan and Nacho Figueras. click 4 pix.
Phillip Pitzer, Producer of Easy Rider (The Ride Back) with his ladies. Click 4 pix.
Partyin' for POLO in Aspen. Gianluca, Temple and Kim. Click 4 pix.
December 13, 2011 
Thomas W. Benton: Artist / Activist. click to buy.Since the 1960's Aspen has been a liberal stronghold in the State of Colorado. As the County Seat for rural Pitkin County, Aspen became a political hotbed. The traditional ranchers vs. the liberal newcomers. Aspen with its natural beauty, mountain lifestyle and open spaces became a place that attracted hippies and other free spirits who embodied a "live free" attitude in addition to the Aspen Idea...Body, Mind and Spirit.
Hunter S. Thompson came to Aspen in the late 60's allegedly to escape the wrath of the Hell's Angels who were not happy by his portrayal of them in his first book...Hell's Angels. Thompson became a controversial political figure in Aspen by supporting liberal candidates and eventually running for Sheriff himself on the "Freak Power" ticket in 1970. His famous and haunting campaign posters were created by Thomas Benton, a self trained silk screen artist and printmaker, who like Thompson came to Aspen to find and follow his own, less traditional path.
Thompson was generally credited with the creation of Gonzo Journalism...where the reporter is actually immersed in the story and it becomes a first-person narrative. Gonzo employs emotion, sarcasm, humor, exaggeration and profanity to weave its tales. The personality of the piece is central to it's story, and Gonzo is very different from the button down, polished style previously favored by most media. AspenSpin would be considered a deciple of Gonzo. Benton provided much of the imagery for Thompson's books articles and political posters.
D.J. Watkins in action on Ajax.When Thompson died in 2005 followed by Benton in 2007, the Gonzo attitude in Aspen began to waiver. One young man, originally from Kansas, Artist / Writer D.J. Watkins has helped keep Gonzo alive in Aspen. Watkins passion for the art,along with the help of The Peoples Press and several Aspen locals who knew both Thompson and Benton led him to write a beautiful book. Watkins has created a stunning coffee table book entitled;
Thomas W. Benton: Artist / Activist.
Watkins went into the" barns, basements and attics of old Aspen" to uncover the Art of Thomas Benton. He uncovered more than 500 works created by Benton, many of which were previously unknown. The book contains more than 150 of those images and explores the history, the political climate and the vivid symbolism behind Benton's work. It is the most comprehensive collection of Gonzo Art and Freak Power known to man. It explores a time in Aspen, than many old-time locals still yearn for today.
Thomas Benton: Artist/Activist is a tremendous work of art on it's own. It depicts an era in Aspen and the United States that is long gone. If you love Aspen and you're a fan of history, art and political commentary, The Benton Book is for you. The coffee table book is perfect for your huge 2nd or 3rd home, your tiny studio apartment, your trailer in smuggler or your truck...where ever you call home. The Benton Book also makes a fine gift for anyone who loves Aspen.
Thanks to D.J. Watkins for keeping Gonzo alive in Aspen.
Order your copy today, Click: THOMAS W. BENTON: Artist / Activist. 
Thompson for Sheriff, 1970.
Thomas W. Benton in his studio.
December 11, 2011 
The 6th Annual Chris Klug Foundation Summit for Life Race sponsored by Novartis set new records in many ways. A 3,267 vertical foot hike up Aspen Mountain over 2 1/2 miles at night in December...you know the drill. 500 racers in 2 divisions was the absolute maximum capacity. Two racers went to a photo finish in :47 minutes to decide the winner in what might be a new speed record.
Learn more, Click: CHRIS KLUG FOUNDATION.
Click 4 Pix: PARTY 4 LIFE and SUMMIT 4 LIFE
The Full Moon was like God's flashlight providing a brite path up Ajax. The crystal clear weather, cool tempratures and a hard-packed turf led many veterans to eclipse their personal best times. Fundraising numbers are still being tabulated but all signals point to a record take for The Chris Klug Foundation in their effort to raise money and awareness for organ and tissue donation.
Put yourself in the shoes of the 11 year old kid from Breckenridge who got a new liver 4 years ago and hiked Ajax last night. Put yourself in the shoes of his Mom who also did the hike, but got smoked by her energetic young son. Put yourself in the shoes of any transplant recipient who knows how great life can be.
"There's a lot of granola in this room" observed A. Party. The Sundeck fed the hungry hikers and their famlies and friends with pasta and salad. The soundtrack was provided by Cameron and Randolph from Jes Grew. The good-times were flowing like The Mighty Colorado.
This event is about education. That education about organ and tissue donation saves lives. When you renew your drivers license make sure to check the box.
Click Chris Klug Foundation to register as a donor.
