Aspen Eco Fest 2013

Aspen Eco Fest came back for it's fourth year.  Eco Fest is a family friendly street fair in the core of Aspen.  Aspen Eco Fest features Eco friendly vendors and booths with food, fashion, music and a parade. 

Everything was GREEN in Aspen for Aspen Eco Fest.

Click 4 Pix:   ASPEN ECO FEST

The "trashion" show. featuring eco friendly styles from local stores.

 In his last full day as Aspen's Mayor, Mick Ireland seemlessly transformed into a male model.

 The "trashion show" at Aspen Eco Fest 2013

All the Aspen Eco Models backstage at Aspen Eco Fest 2013

llamas and goats were out in Aspen.

Hyper-Local in Aspen

Aspen is a small mountain town at the end of the road, but it's unlike any ski town in America. In addtion to a semi-thriving tourism business  Aspen also has the 3 C's; Community, Camaraderie and Culture.  Aspen maintains a tightly knit, highly nuanced social fabric unlike most resort towns.  This allows the Locals and the Tourists to coexist in harmony (mostly).  Hollywood has it's TMZ (Thirty Mile Zone)...but Aspen has THE TBR...The Three Block Radius. 

Last night AspenSpin pulled a Quad in the TBR,  4 events all within the three block radius.  Niiiiice.

Get the Girls Out Day on Ajax for SheJumps.org.SHEJUMPS.org had their first ever "Get the Girls Out Day" on Aspen Mountain as well several other ski hills throughout the U.S.  SHEJUMPS.org  strives to increase female participation in out door activities by building a supportive community. 

ASPEN YOGA SOCIETY  hosted their first-ever Yoga Rave last night.  An awesome DJ, a big room and plenty of stretching and dancing.  ASPEN YOGA SOCIETY uses yoga as a tool to discover and maximize human potential.

HOCKEY 4 HOPE.  The Aspen Police vs. The Mother Puckers in an ice-hockey tilt to support THE ASPEN HOPE CENTER.  The 2nd annual grudge match raised money and awareness for The Aspen Hopeline (970-925-5858) a 24 hour mental support phone-line.  Click 4 pix: Hockey 4 Hope.

SPELL WHAT?   The first ever full contact spelling bee featuring Aspen Celebs in support of THE ASPEN YOUTH CENTER (AYC).  For 20 years AYC has provided a safe place for thousands of Roaring Fork Valley kids to be a kid.  It's place to connect, learn and grow.   Spell What? was a highly contested, highly public spell off and raised BIG bucks for AYC. Click 4 pix: Spell What?

Yoga Rave with the Aspen Yoga Society. click 4 pix.Inside the huddle with The Mother Puckers at Hockey 4 Hope. click 4 pix.Aspen Ski co. CEO Mike Kaplan and Aspen Mayor, Mick Ireland on the hot seat at Spell What? for the Aspen Youth Center. click for pix.

Squirm Night in Aspen...a non event.

Say what you want about Aspen politics, or we'll say it for you...its boring.   Squirm Night 2011 was basically a non-event.   6 candidates vying for 2 city council seats had their chance to perform in front of the media, the public and a live TV audience.  Run-on questions were followed by run-on answers with very few salient points made.  It always seems like the same faces on the dais and in the audience which leads to very few "new ideas" being discussed.  Board memberships, meetings, studies and hypothetical questions were debated for 2 minutes at a time.  It really doesn't matter who gets elected, its going to be same ol' same ol' in Aspen politics.  Lots of talk and lots of ill will.  We'll go on record to endorse Steve Skadron for re-election.  He works hard, he has the city's best interest at heart and he deserves to continue, although why he would want to is beyond comprehension.  As for the other seat on city council... pick 'em.  All 5 of the other candidates seem to have a real desire to get involved, they all love Aspen...but none of the others distinguished themselves so you pick'em.

As for the Mayorial candidates.  Andrew Kole...no comment, why bother.  Ruth Kruger...she seems a little loose on the details, not a good starting point.   Mick Ireland appears poised to retain his position of Mayor of Aspen.  Mick gets a bad rap---his impatience gets in his way---but he's doing the best he can.  The "pro business" crowd that wants bring him down has lost sight of what should be a primary goal of all Aspen residents---to enjoy a beautiful day.

We thought Squirm Night would result in a packed house.  On the contrary plenty of seats were available. Squirm Night appears to be a microcosm for Aspen politics.  All talk.

The 6 Candidates vying for 2 city council seats. You pick 'em.

Mayorial Candidates....are we having fun yet?