City of Aspen considering poodle park

by Curtis Wackerle, Aspen Daily News Staff Writer

Small dogs could get their own playground in Aspen.

Aspen City Council asked for more information Tuesday on the possibility of establishing an area in a city park that would be given over exclusively to the run of small dogs.

Developer denied probation request

by Andrew Travers

Prominent mountain real estate developer Bob Bowden will serve the full term of probation handed to him for threatening to kill his ex-wife last year.

Bowden’s lawyer, Richard Cummins, entered a motion to change the terms of probation on June 12, asking it be terminated early. Judge Erin Fernandez-Ely denied the request in Pitkin County court yesterday, after Deputy District Attorney Richard Nedlin objected to curtailing it, and after an impassioned speech by the victim.

Mayor’s bike stolen from City Hall

by Curtis Wackerle, Aspen Daily News Staff Writer

One of Aspen Mayor Mick Ireland’s bikes was stolen from in front of City Hall while the council was meeting Tuesday evening.

A dejected-looking Ireland came in to the Aspen Daily News offices after he discovered his expensive road bike was missing, asking if the theft was a prank perpetrated by reporters. He had no such luck.

Main Street plaza developers served with lawsuit

by Andrew Travers, Aspen Daily News Staff Writer

The Millennium Plaza construction project on Main Street has long been the subject of heated debate among Aspen’s citizenry and City Council. Now it is headed for court, where the builders and owners of the four-story, mixed-use complex-to-be will attempt to settle a disputed multimillion-dollar contract.

The project’s general contractor, Silich Construction, filed a suit last week after the owners of the building fired them.

Aspen runway extension process gaining speed

by Brent Gardner-Smith, Aspen Daily News Staff Writer

The first phase of a planning effort to extend the Aspen/Pitkin County Airport runway is likely to be wrapped up in August, when the Pitkin County commissioners will be asked to choose between lengthening the runway anywhere from 500 to 1,000 feet.

The next phase will include a formal environmental assessment of the proposed expansion by the Federal Aviation Administration, which will, among other things, compare and contrast the length options.

Local TV now airing city work sessions

by Curtis Wackerle, Aspen Daily News Staff Writer

Aspen City Council signed off on a plan Monday to tape and rebroadcast all of its work sessions on GrassRoots TV sister station Community Government TV.

The official taping began with Tuesday’s work session, which was carried live.

THE SCORE — Music Festival performances available via webcasts

by By Cita Stelzer
Loyal readers of this space will know that over the years I have proudly tallied the number of countries from which our students have come. My point then was that the Aspen Music Festival and School is a magnet for the most talented music students from around the world.

This year, something new. Our international reach has taken on a new, exciting dimension: AMFS concerts will go out to the world via streaming, live over the Internet, free. Parents as far away as Seoul and Cape Town will be able to watch their sons and daughters playing in our orchestras and attending master classes. In real time.

OBITUARY — David W. Hoefer

Aspen Daily News Staff Report
Best known for his jovial personality, jolly chuckle, sense of humor, love of the history of baseball and the New York Yankees, Disney characters, passion for art, poetic writing and music, and profound genuineness to others, former Aspen Assistant City Attorney David W. Hoefer peacefully died on Friday, May 30, 2008, in Glenwood Springs. 

David was born on April 26, 1952, in Alexandria, Minn., the son of Wallace and Audrey Hoefer. He graduated from St. Olaf College in 1974 and received his law degree from Missoula Law School in Missoula, Mont., in 1977.

OBITUARY — Larry Tyk

Aspen Daily News Staff Report
Larry Tyk, born Sept. 26, 1956, died on Dec. 24, 2007, after a three-year battle with heart disease. He is survived by his loving wife of 25 years, Carolyn Newton, also known as “Sunshine.” Larry came to Aspen in 1982. He was known for his ability to fix almost anything: computers, cars, and plumbing; electrical and carpentry were just some of the skills he excelled at

BREAKING NEWS: Aspen heroin bust

Aspen Daily News Staff Report

An Aspen man is in custody on suspicion of possessing and dealing heroin, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, Two Rivers Drug Enforcement Agency, the Garfield County Sheriff's Office and the 9th Judicial District Attorney announced in a press release today.

Special agent Jeffrey Sweetin said the arrest is in connection to the heroin overdose death of Adam Peterson, which occurred March 23. This is the first time authorities have revealed that Peterson died of a drug overdose.

Intern inundation

by Christine Benedetti, Aspen Daily News Staff Writer
Before moving to Aspen two weeks ago, the only real job experience Samantha Smith had was as a waitress and house-painter.

But, on the path to graduate from Ohio’s Denison University in a year, Smith wanted to get some more applicable training on her resume, so the 21-year-old recently moved to the Roaring Fork Valley to intern with the Wheeler Opera House and Theatre Aspen.

Wild Fig, Lulu Wilson owners add to Aspen empire

by Damien Williamson, Aspen Daily News Staff Writer
In 1994 when Craig Cordts-Pearce arrived in Aspen from South Africa, he had just $40 in his pockets. Now, 14 years later, Craig and his wife, Samantha, have plans to open their fourth restaurant in one of America’s richest towns.

And, as if their story needed more fairytale quality, the latest restaurant is slated to open on the site of Craig’s first job, The Aspen Manor Lodge.

Face time: Our weekly profile of a local business community member

Aspen Daily News Staff Report, Aspen Daily News Staff Writer

Movers & Shakers

Aspen Daily News Staff Report, Aspen Daily News Staff Writer
DE L’ARBRE PROMOTED AT PROMO

Alexandra De L’Arbre has returned to Aspen-based public relations firm Promo Communications as an account manager. She formerly worked at Promo from 2005 to 2007 as a public relations coordinator. In between, she returned to her hometown of Santa Barbara, Calif., to work as a marketing associate for The Walking Company.

Resort report: What’s happening in other resort communities

Aspen Daily News Staff Report, Aspen Daily News Staff Writer
VAIL: SCHOOL CLOSURES THREATENED

Two schools with dwindling attendance rates may have to shut their doors, the Vail Daily reported. The schools, Meadow Mountain Elementary School and Minturn Middle School, both have less than 200 students as more families move downvalley to the Eagle and Gypsum areas. While fewer students means less cost upfront, programs such as physical education and band suffer, ultimately creating an inefficient and costly system.

All Business: Stagflation fears challenge Fed

by Rachel Beck, Mountain Business Journal Columnist
NEW YORK — Mark Twain once said that “history doesn’t repeat itself, but it does rhyme.” That’s worth thinking about when comparing the current economy to the woes of the 1970s.

As they did three decades ago, surging oil prices are exacerbating inflationary pressures, further damaging a weak economy. The question is whether the toxic combination that produced stagflation then, crippling growth for years, is beginning to play out again today.

Digital Slob: Will they take away our Internet buffet?

by Curt Brandao, Mountain Business Journal Columnist
As you cruise the Information Superhighway, what kind of vehicle do you see yourself using?

Are you riding the “dial-up bus” — by far the cheapest option, and the most prudent if you don’t go to too many places too often and don’t mind making frequent stops along the way.

Mayor Mick’s first-year report card

by Lynn Burton, Aspen Daily News Columnist
Mayor Mick Ireland has been in office for about a year now. You might remember he was voted into office by an overwhelming majority in a runoff election against Tim Semrau.

The election gave voters a clear choice between two candidates with upfront and divergent views. Basically, Ireland is liberal and Semrau is conservative and both are pretty smart. Aspen’s a liberal city that likes to think it’s smart, so Ireland won.

BLM puts public land on the leasing block

by GUEST COMMENTARY BY PETE KOLBENSCHLAG
There is a reason why many of the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) plans to lease Colorado for oil and gas development have been protested of late — the Bush administration is pushing to open places that are better managed for other uses, generally without adequate analysis.

On the leasing block in the last few years have been Colorado state parks and wildlife refuges, tens of thousands of acres of roadless national forest, municipal watersheds, critical habitats, and important recreation land.

Hot asphalt leads to barking dogs

Aspen Daily News Staff Report
Editor:

Hot paws in the summertime! Summer is here and, along with it, the Saturday market. It’s a wonderful time in Aspen, but also a very hot time. Please remember when walking your dogs that the roads are hot and can quickly burn their paws.

Regulating on Highway 82

Aspen Daily News Staff Report

Editor’s note: This letter was originally addressed to Pitkin County Sheriff Bob Braudis.

Editor:

On Friday morning, June 20, I had the great good fortune of following one of your deputies from El Jebel to Aspen on my daily commute to work. Needless to say, everyone behaved — no speeding, no single occupant vehicles in the HOV lane, not one diesel dually pickup truck tried to run over me and my small car. And I got from Carbondale to the ABC in 30 minutes!

It’s really quite a beautiful drive when you’re not having to constantly fend for your life.

Please, please, please patrol Highway 82 more during the rush hours.

Tony Humphry
Carbondale

Building bridges

Aspen Daily News Staff Report
Editor:

It was a pleasure to work with Tom Metheny, the project manager for the Maroon Creek bridge. He is retired from CDOT and is a consultant engineer for Carter & Burgess. Tom met with me many times over the last two years and was instrumental in making sure the bus stop across from the Country Inn will be accessible during winter months.

Jazz festival cheers and sneers

Aspen Daily News Staff Report
Editor:

I want to thank Jim Horowitz, Marc Breslin and the Jazz Aspen Snowmass team for bringing one of my favorites to town. It was a thrill to hear, and see, Anita Baker sing her heart out right here at the jazz festival.

Struggling Republicans

Aspen Daily News Staff Report
Editor:

Wow! McCain is very upset about Obama changing his mind about receiving public financing. Funny that a person can change their mind. I wonder if McBush never ever changed his mind? A crock of manure — bet he would change his mind and wonder why anyone would question him. Depends on which shoe fits the occasion. He has flip-flopped several times lately — guess he has forgotten about that.

Lift 1A meeting tomorrow

Aspen Daily News Staff Report
Editor:

Don’t forget: public invited, free admission, on Thursday afternoon from 4-6:30 p.m. at the Aspen Meadows in the Hines Room. Topic: It’s 99 percent certain! Aspen Mountain will soon have a new chairlift to bring people up the mountain. The question is: Are you happy hiking up steep Aspen Street to get on the lift or should the new lift or parts of a lift be brought down to Dean Street? Dean Street is the pedestrian walkway from the Silver Queen gondola along the Little Nell Residences, the Hyatt, Mountain Chalet, the St. Regis, Chart House, volleyball courts and a stone’s throw from the Limelight and Dancing Bear.

Children’s area at concerts doesn’t fly

Aspen Daily News Staff Report
Editor:

I attend the Glenwood Springs Summer of Jazz for the great music and a fun time for my whole family; my kids beg me to take them. I meet up with people that I have not seen all winter or see once or twice a year only at Jazz. Now that my children are not welcome to run about as freely as the adults who are talking and laughing up a storm in front, behind and to the side of me, I’ll be staying home. The very idea of sequestering the children into a pen off to the side raises my hackles so much that I’ll not be returning to this “family” event again. There are many other places in this great valley that welcome everybody, even my horrible children. If you’re going to quiet the crowd, make everybody be quiet.