Wrestling team kicks off season with ‘Veritas’
 
With Basalt High School restarting its wrestling program this year, the team is hosting fundraisers on Thursday and Friday to kick off the season.
 
The team will show the wrestling movie “Veritas” on Thursday at 7 p.m., with a $10 price of admission that includes food. On Friday, students in grades 5-12 can watch the movie for $5 at 3:45 p.m. Both showings will be at the Basalt Middle School auditorium.
 
The wrestling team is excited to compete this year, after funding was cut for middle school wrestling programs two years ago, and the high school hasn’t had a team since 2004. Practice starts on Monday.
 
For more information, visit basaltwrestling.org.

Wheeler hosts a fire sale a century in the making
 
A century ago, what was likely an arsonists’ fire nearly wiped the Wheeler Opera House off the map.
 
Today the Wheeler is a bustling venue owned by the city of Aspen and operated by an in-house staff, where stars such as Lewis Black, Lyle Lovett and Kate Hudson got an early start to their careers.
 
The fire that ushered in Aspen’s quiet years was actually two fires, with the first igniting on Nov. 12, 1912. The blaze failed to do much damage, so nine days later, on Nov. 21, 1912, a new fire was set that burned with such intensity that steel cables melted and the top two floors of the tallest and most beloved building in town were destroyed. It took decades for the Wheeler to reopen.
 
To commemorate the fire, the Wheeler is hosting a noontime party and “fire sale” where tickets to upcoming Wheeler events will be sold at a discount. Guests will also be treated to free food and drink in the second-floor lobby.
 
To take advantage, come to the Wheeler at no later than 12:19 p.m.on Nov. 21, and for 19 minutes and 12 seconds, doors will be locked and tickets will be $10 off for eight upcoming events including an Aspen Laff Festival event on Dec. 27, Shawn Colvin on Feb. 15 and The Temptations on March 3. 
 
For more information, please call Wheeler Opera House marketing coordinator Lauren Pierce at 920-5787, or email at Lauren.Pierce@cityofaspen.com.  

Limelight Lodge gears up for winter events
 
The Limelight is getting ready to welcome locals and guests alike for the winter season, gearing up for live music five nights a week, community beer dinners and new winter dishes in The Lounge.
 
Free live music returns to The Lounge at The Limelight on Dec. 8, running Thursdays through Mondays until March 31. A variety of local bands will perform from 4-7 p.m., with Defiance String Band, North Y Sur, the Derek Brown Band, Michael Jude and John Michel of the John Oates Band, and others gracing the stage. Visit www.limelighthotel.com [1] and click on “Be in the Know!” for a full schedule.  
 
The Limelight is also continuing to offer beer dinners this winter starting Dec. 11. Guests can partake in a three-course meal and specialty beer pairings for $40, including tax and gratuity. Beer dinners are done in partnership with the Aspen Brewing Co., New Belgium, Oskar Blues and Anheuser Busch. Dinners are Dec. 11; Jan. 8 and 22; Feb. 5 and 19; and March 5 and 19 beginning at 6:30 p.m. Reservations must be made in advance, as there are only 14 seats that fill up fast. Call 925-3025 to reserve a spot.
 
The Limelight also offers a happy hour everyday from 3-7 p.m. featuring $10 pizzas and drink specials.