Editor:

This valley rocks. For the fifth year running, an energetic, upbeat, generous gathering of locals helped make Comedy for Coats at Steve’s Guitars another solid success by every measure.

Size of audience in a very cozy room: 61

Maximum seating with zero leg room: 70

Number of comics performing: 8

Minutes of stand-up comedy (including raffles): 110

Average laughs-per-minute: 366

Prizes handed out: 9

Value of Willie Nelson elk horn candelabra prize: Immeasurable

Number of winter wear items collected (so far): 76

Additional coats expected by Wednesday: 25

Miles furthest donation shipped: 907

Pounds of empty glass bottles gathered afterwards: 53

Width (in miles) of smiles on everyone afterward: 2.5

Days until sixth annual Comedy For Coats: 363

Thanks again to the comics for their amazing talents: Beth Brandon, Gail Mason, April Clark, Alexa Fitzpatrick, Todd Hartley, Bob Richmond and Don Chaney. And to Steve and Mary Elizabeth at Steve’s Guitars for being the grooviest, most gracious hosts — as always. And finally, to all the people who chose comedy over TV and came to the show, donated coats, laughed out loud, and proved once again that this valley continues to be a special place to live and play. I’ll be dropping the coats off at Feed My Sheep in Glenwood Springs this week. Anyone with late donations is welcome to contact me via my Facebook page and we’ll work out the details.

You people are the best.