SneakPEAK Thursday, April 19 2012 by Sneak Peak Vail Newspaper

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Thursday, April 19 - April 25, 2012

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minds

Great laugh

alike

Steve Martin comedy about a chance meeting between Picasso and Einstein debuts this weekend.

Off-season specials

Local love

Ride and train right

Businesses go green

Race the town series Beyond Earth Day Thursday, April 19-Wednesday, April 25, 2012

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Thursday, April 19-Wednesday, April 25, 2012

A Comedy of Genius

Proportions Vail Valley Theatre Company performs Steve Martin’s “Picasso at the Lapin Agile.” By Melanie Wong

o Pablo Picasso and Albert Einstein walk into a bar… says. That’s the premise of the Vail Valley Theatre ComThe performance is truly an example of community thepany’s latest production, “Picasso at the Lapin Agile,” ater in action, featuring a cast of local residents. With the a comedy written by Steve Martin that opens this weekend exception of Schoeber, none of the actors have worked in in Avon. professional theater, and the audience has the opportunity to The play revolves around a hypothetical meeting between watch their local government officials, realtors and neightwo geniuses – namely, Picasso the artist and Einstein the bors on stage. But what the play has in grassroots ambience, scientist –in a Parisian bar, and the exchange of ideas (as it doesn’t lack in professional quality. Most of the cast and well as insults and underhanded jabs) that would ensue. The crew have extensive experience in theater. For example, diplay, directed by VVTC board president Kaylee Brennard, rector Brennand has worked in both theater and production is set in 1904, shortly before both young men made major for years, and stage manager Dean Davis does the same as breakthroughs in their respechis “day job” at the Vilar Pertive fields. forming Arts Center. “They question each other’s Garton, whom some might scientific and artistic values, remember as Rocky from and what the meaning of ge“Rocky Horror,” has been nius is,” says actor and VVTC involved in theater since What: A comedy by Steve Martin, performed board member Bart Garton, high school, when he starred by the Vail Valley Theatre Company who plays a surprise character in “Li’l Abner” and even When: April 20, 21, 27 and 28 at 7:30 p.m. in the show. “There’s a lot of wrote and performed his own Where: Montaña’s After Dark in Avon verbal banter – it’s intellectongue-in-cheek comedy. He Cost: $20 at www.vvtc.org or by calling tual, but funny.” says he’s been incredibly im1-800-838-3006 In real life, no one is sure pressed by the quality of the the two men ever really met, “Picasso” cast and pace of but they could have – the Lapin Agile is a real bar that Picas- production – from casting to opening day, the crew prepares so frequented and painted, according to actor Lance Schoe- the performance in about a month. ber, who plays the artist. “It’s kind of the ‘A-list’ of the theater community in the The two geniuses are also accompanied by the bar regu- valley,” Garton says. “There’s a lot of talent in this valley.” lars, including the barmaid and her barkeeper boyfriend, the ladies’ man and the bar crazy, all of whom aren’t afraid to Playing a genius pipe in with their two cents. VVTC newcomer JD Lemon plays Einstein. Like many company actors, he had also been involved in high school Community theater at its best and college theater, and his interest was sparked when he While other VVTC shows like “The Rocky Horror Picture saw casting calls for the play. Show” and “The Great American Trailer Park Musical” were “I showed up, we read from the script. I told them I was accompanied by lights and music, “Picasso at the Lapin Ag- open to whatever part,” Lemon says. “It happened to be Einile” will be performed on an entirely different, minimalist stein – I was actually surprised and real excited. I was honset. The “stage” is at Montaña’s After Dark, the Avon res- ored to work alongside guys like Lance and Bart, who have taurant’s upstairs bar and nightclub, and won’t be performed been on stage for awhile.” with microphones or special lighting and sound. He started preparing for his role by researching Einstein, It’s a setting that departs from VVTC’s usual comfort and one cast member even gave him a physics book, which zone, and allows the audience to feel like they’re right there he admits has been a tough read. The character is “incredin the bar with the characters. ibly nerdy” and opinionated, especially in the presence of “I love those intimate personal venues where the audience another genius, he says. is right there, and its almost interactive – both for them and “At this point, Einstein is 25 years old, just on the cusp of for the performers who feed off the audience,” Schoeber [See PICASSO, page 13]

“Picasso at the Lapin Agile”

Thursday, April 19-Wednesday, April 25, 2012

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Mountain bike town series Have your best season ever by adding these rides to your arsenal. By Jake Wells Editor’s note: SneakPEAK columnist Jake Wells is a certi- short, punchy climbs with quick descents, to long, sustained April 25 at the Eagle County Fair Grounds. fied personal trainer at Dogma Athletica and a professional efforts with longer more technical downhills. Then you can cyclist. He writes about health and fitness. begin to do specific rides to mimic those efforts. The long ride Due to the fact that most of the race efforts range from 30 he Vail Recreation District will be celebrating its Consistency is the key minutes to 1 hour, your long rides should consist of 1 1/2 29th season of mountain bike racing this year. This As you get into the season, remaining consistent is one hours to 3 hours. These rides are not necessarily slow, but series, which goes through the summer on Wednes- of the most important aspects to being successful. Figure should be done at an intensity that is considered comfortday nights, provides enjoyable and challenging courses that out what works for you, and try to get into a routine with able. Definitely ease into these longer efforts. You want to take place throughout the Vail Valley. Whether you are in the your ride schedule. Your training week is subject to your give your body time to adapt and adjust to the time on the “Legends” category or a “Never Ever,” these courses will availability, but should consist of at least one long ride, one bike. Bump up your time by 20 or 30 minutes every two or challenge your fitness and technical skills. For those who higher-intensity tempo ride, one intensity/interval day and three weeks until the 2 1/2 to 3 hour rides feel comfortable. consider themselves more soul riders than racers, consider an easy spin. You want to make sure that you can do this effort and not be the fact that these races provide an opportunity to bring our Think of “tempo” as a more difficult effort than a long, too tired and sore the next day. otherwise spread-out cycling community together once ev- leisurely ride, but not quite as hard as race pace. It should be ery couple of weeks -- not to mention that the after-race par- an intensity you can maintain for quite a while. Read on for The high-intensity tempo ride ties and free beer are always good times. more details on interval workouts. These rides are designed to be slightly below a race pace The race series kicks off on May 23, which leaves about The races for the series all take place on Wednesday eve- and are great to do with a group or a training partner. This four weeks to get prepared. Here are a couple of tips to en- ning, so just plan on that being a day for harder rides, fol- is a good opportunity to get in with a group and build some sure that you are rolling full-speed when the end of May lowed by an easy spin for recovery on Thursdays. Try to comraderie while pushing yourself a little harder than you comes around. fit in the rest of the rides where you can, but plan it out in would on your own. There are some good, consistent group advance and try to stay on a schedule. rides here in the valley. One group road ride meets in front Build a foundation of Dogma Athletica on Mondays at 5:15 p.m. and a group With the unseasonably warm and dry spring we have been Intensity/Intervals mountain bike ride meets at The Mountain Pedaler on having, hopefully you have taken the opportunity to get in These should be limited to once or twice per week. You Wednesdays at 6 p.m. some base miles and been keeping your fitness up through- can use the Wednesday evening races as the intensity once out the winter. In order to create a sustainable season, you the race series begins. A high intensity/interval workout conThe easy spin first need to build a strong foundation of steady, longer aero- sists of shorter efforts at or above race pace. These are typiDuring most of your rides, your pedaling cadence probbic intensity before you add high intensity rides. However, cally done as repeat intervals with a few minutes of recovery ably averages between 80 to 90 rpms. These easy spin rides if you have been milking the ski season for all it’s worth time in between. can range from 40 to 90 min and should average above 100 and are yet to pump up the tires for the first time, don’t call The intervals should mimic what you are going to see on rpms in cadence. These should be done with in an easy gear the summer a waste just yet. The VRD races strategically race day. For example, if you are going to be doing three laps with very little tension on the chain as you pedal. Not only start off with the flatter, shorter courses first and progress on a course with a steep climb that takes about 5 minutes at do your legs get the benefit of a recovery ride, but you are throughout the summer with the longer and more difficult race pace, then you want to work up to a point where you training your muscles to be more efficient. Definitely don’t races in August. This gives you some time to build your fit- can repeat a 5 minute climb, at a very high intensity, four overlook the rest factor, and throw in a “recovery ride” anyness throughout the season. or five times. These higher intensity workouts require more time you feel like you need a little break. recovery between intervals and a good warm up and cool If you can consistently follow these guidelines, you are Training for the terrain down. You want to ease into these efforts. Start with 2-min- likely to have a very successful and enjoyable race season. Look over the race schedule. Find a race that resonates ute intervals and move up. But, more importantly, you will help to grow our amazing with you. This may be based on race venue location, or a Another good way to get the cobwebs out and get in an cycling community, and have a lot of fun racing on some race that suits your strengths on the bike. Once you set your intensity workout is to do the VRD Short Track races. These great trails. See you on the singletrack! goal, break down the profile and begin to prepare your body are mountain bike races that take place on a short course, SneakPEAK columnist Jake Wells can be reached at for what it’s going to see on race day. This can range from with races lasting about 20 minutes. These races kick off on jake@dogmaathletica.com.

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Thursday, April 19-Wednesday, April 25, 2012

$ 49 6/pk

Legal in

Eagle

Down-valley mountain bike trails open; time to roll in the dirt! By Larry Grossman

t was 12:01 a.m. on April 15 last spring in Eagle, Colo.

A group of about a dozen mountain bike addicts gathered at the Mayer Gulch trailhead at East Haystacker Road with their headlights beaming, ready to charge into the official opening of mountain bike season like a group of 5-year-old kids charging the front door of Toys R Us on Black Friday. The four-month closure of the town of Eagle’s open space to all Bureau of Land Management (BLM) access through Eagle Ranch property always official ends at midnight on April 15. It was a chilly, but clear eve and it was quiet while the rest of the world slept. The only sounds were some light chit chat among the mountain biking enthusiasts, rubber tires rolling across dirt, with the occasional sound of gears shifting effortlessly. The riders had gathered from Eagle, Gypsum and Edwards to participate in what has become an annual celebration of the change of season in Eagle, the “Legal in Eagle” midnight mountain bike ride, kicking off the official trail openings for the season in Eagle. It was a short ride, no more than an hour, and we celebrated with a post-ride beverage at a local bike shop, the Mountain Pedaler. The 2012 edition of this ride was put on hold due to very wet weather the night of April 14, but you can bet we’ll be back next year. Riding on wet or damp trails can damage the tracks, and even running on muddy trails can leave permanent scars on otherwise perfectly smooth single track. It’s already been a tough year on local trail conditions with the prolonged dry weather. Ask anyone who has been riding on the Boneyard single track, a perennially open trail in Eagle, and they will tell you that the bottom of the descent is incredibly dry and characterized by some very deep and long “moondust” ruts, which can be difficult to negotiate on a mountain bike. Many of the trails in the Eagle area have been constructed in areas consisting predominantly of Gypsum dirt, which when subject to prolonged dry spells can turn into extremely fine dust that the locals refer to as “moon dust.” Mike Pastore, who rides countless miles on the surrounding Eagle mountain bike trails, was in the Mountain Pedaler in Eagle last week. When asked what he was most looking forward to this

Top: Charlie Brown, owner of the Mountain Pedaler bike shop, tunes bike in preparation for spring riding. Left: Brown competes in the local race series. Avery Cunliffe photos.

mountain bike season, he answered with one word: “Moisture.” Pastore, a nationally ranked Super Downhill mountain bike champion in his age classification, understands the important role moisture plays in keeping the dirt trails in the valley in solid shape for riding, and can’t wait to get out on the great trails the Eagle area has to offer.

What and when can I ride? Here’s a look at the Town of Eagle’s seasonal restrictions on local trails. - Open space lands along the southern and western portions of Eagle Ranch are closed from Dec. 15 to April 15 in order to protect wintering wildlife and to avoid damage to roads or trails in wet conditions. - Government agencies conducting bonafide duties are allowed access during this period with the approval from the town. - Town officials, with the permission of the Colorado Department of Wildlife, can open these areas earlier if it is dry enough and the majority of the deer and elk move up in elevation. Physical damage to roads or trails caused by use in wet conditions will also be given consideration when contemplating an early opening.

Local bike shops ready to keep momentum Charlie Brown, owner of Eagle’s Mountain Pedaler, explained that the warm, dry spring weather has been great for business, and that the shop is staying busier than average with tune-ups and repairs, as cycling enthusiasts get their gear ready for the road and the dirt. “We have already had great riding on the dirt with access to the mountain bike trails which sit on BLM land just west of Eagle,” he says. This trail system is closed seasonally through the Town of Eagle open-space seasonal closures, but can be legally accessed via Spring Creek or Hardscrabble roads between Dec. 15 and April 15. The town’s open-space closures are in place to protect deer and elk habitats at a time when they might be adversely affected by too much activity on the land, according to the Town of Eagle website. “I’ve got a brand new mountain bike ordered and can’t wait to get out and ride,” says Bud McAninch, a mechanic at the Mountain Pedaler. He agreed that the trails were especially dry and says that snow and rain will be crucial for getting the trails in tip-top shape. With significant moisture over the last weekend, things should get back to near-perfect condition on the trails in Eagle as soon as they dry back up. So be patient if trails are still wet after the rain or snow, and look forward to some mountain biking that is considered one of the best-kept secrets in Colorado. Remember that with more and more national exposure, such as a story on Eagle mountain biking that ran in the past issue of Dirt Rag magazine, it won’t be a secret for long. SneakPEAK writer Larry Grossman can be reached at info@sneakpeakvail.com

Thursday, April 19-Wednesday, April 25, 2012

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one last

hurrah

Top: Boarders at Vail Mountain’s closing day on April 15 come ready to bobble. Bottom: Local Chris Anthony takes the first run at the World Pond Skimming Championships. Billy Doran photos.

Upbeat reflections on the season that never-quite-was. By Phil Lindeman

aster Sunday at Vail this year looked very different than last. Although the holiday came two weeks earlier, the state of the mountain was dire – the mid-mountain base

was at 21 inches, the lowest for any of the Vail-owned resorts – and still had to support a week of skiing yet to come. The back bowls had closed a week prior due to lack of snow, compared to last year’s record of 524 inches for the whole season. Simba on the far west face of the frontside and Blue Ox on the far east side were roped off, with large patches of visible dirt pockmarked across both runs. In the entire month of March, historically the wettest time in the Colorado Rockies, it only snowed a handful of times and temperatures rarely dipped below the low high thirties. In 2011, Easter brought six inches of snow and a freak thunderstorm on closing day, but in 2012, it brought little more than resigned sighs. It’s the sort of year to keep things on an even keel. “Everyone’s glad for last year and sees this year as just part of the average,” says John Edwards, an Eagle County resident of 18 years and Beaver Creek bus driver. “We can chalk this up to knowing every winter can’t be epic, and I think people understand that.” As Vail and Beaver Creek close to skiers for the season, it’s difficult not to make comparisons to last year, despite several inches of fresh snow during a closing-day storm last weekend. But those comparisons are relatively moot for locals like Edwards, who took the season in stride. As he says, it means he’ll have to just wait another year before trying out a new pair of powder skis. Despite having a base that was 20 inches deeper than Vail, Beaver Creek on Easter didn’t look much better. The temperature was teetering around 60 degrees and hadn’t snowed

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Thursday, April 19-Wednesday, April 25, 2012

in nearly two weeks. Yet the mood was remarkably upbeat, as Edwards bussed people from the bottom parking lots to Beaver Creek Village. “I think we had a great season considering how dry the winter was,” says Edwards, who has held just about every job at the resort and is a self-proclaimed optimist. “We have incredible grooming here, and our guys were able to do the most with what they had. Everyone working here maintained a good attitude, and I think guests saw that.”

Looking to summer Even at 3 p.m., Edwards’ bus was noticeably empty, although he claims Christmas and even the Easter holiday attracted a noticeably large crowd of visitors. He can’t argue that the season was slighter than the last – Vail Resorts hasn’t released ticket sales statistics for the whole of the season, but as of January, skier visits had decreased almost 15 percent from last year. This decline was almost entirely offset by a nearly 14 percent increase in season pass revenue, a holdover from the unbeatable promotion of a record-breaking season. With the humor typical of a bus driver, Edwards mixes anecdotes about the supposed end of the world this December with his upbeat take on the season. His good mood was similar to that of Travis Siemer, who was eating cookies with his son, Graham, at the bottom of Beaver Creek’s Centennial Lift after a full day of skiing. “When we were up there today, we couldn’t like to ourselves – there’s some seriously restricted terrain and we’d rather call it good without skid marks or broken bones,” says Siemer, a 12-year resident of Edwards originally from Buffalo, N.Y. “But the season wasn’t bad. I grew up living on the East Coast, so anything we get is beautiful. A day riding beats a day of work, right?” Edwards shares Siemer’s tendency to look past winter to summer. Edwards is a big-time golfer, and driving past the rapidly drying fairways of the Beaver Creek Golf Club every day is enticing. It won’t open for another few weeks, but down the interstate at Vail Golf Club, the driving range is in full swing and Gypsum Creek Golf Course has been taking tee times since March 12. “I’m looking forward to a wet spring and a wet summer

[See SPRING BACK, page 11]

A little green goes a long way Local businesses tap into energy-saving sustainability By Phil Lindeman Crazy Mountain Brewing Company is one of the fastestgrowing small businesses in Eagle County. Just three short years after opening, they’ve added a massive canning operation at their Edwards brewery, and will launch in Florida and California this summer. Their beers are carried in beer-snob havens like the Falling Rock Taphouse in Denver, and their recognizable cans are a fixture in local liquor stores. But as Crazy Mountain grew, founders Kevin Selvy and his wife, Marisa, realized the brewery was slowly seeping money. The cans require giant refrigeration units for storage, and the walk-in appliances they had installed were woefully inefficient. Despite the brewery’s burgeoning success, the Selvy’s couldn’t afford to waste energy. Late last year, the Eagle Valley Alliance for Sustainability approached the owners with a proposition: save some green while going green. The Alliance (as it’s commonly known) had recently received a grant through the state, dubbed “Main Street Energy Efficiency,” to offer energy audits to local businesses. In return for taking steps to reduce waste and energy use, the organization would help businesses promote their earth-conscious ways in local media, giving them a noticeable economic boost for very little upfront cost. “It’s something we always strove for from the beginning, but the Alliance pretty much approached us,” says Kevin Selvy, who worked with the Alliance to replace all the refrigerator fans with a more efficient system. “Not only do they now run better, but it saves us a ton of money and it was basically for free. Working with the alliance was a huge opportunity for us. It was a relatively painless, easy process.” A community Alliance Not every small business in Eagle County has been as fortunate as Crazy Mountain, particularly in recent years, as the local and national housing markets have nosedived. Yet something about living in the mountains pushes many to adopt green practices more readily than city-bound peers, from replacing outdated equipment to using waste-free

Crazy Mountain Brewing Company co-founder Kevin Selvy (l) poses with John-Ryan Lockman (r) of the Eagle Valley Alliance for Sustainability in the Edwards-based brewery. The two worked together to make the brewery more energy efficient with a new refrigeration system. Photo special to SneakPEAK. chemicals, as with local dry cleaners National Velvet. As the brewery discovered, these changes affect not only public perception, but also a business’ bottom line. Selvy says it’s difficult to estimate how much the changes have saved the brewery so far – the installation was only completed in late January – but the community boost has been substantial. “The way we look at it, by running a sustainable, responsible business, support from the community follows in turn,” Kevin Selvy says. “It really is a viable model for any local business.” Alliance Executive Director Tracy Andersen agrees with Selvy, and believes changes need to start on the most basic level. The Alliance has been a presence in Eagle County since 1995, and before last year’s small-business grant, the organization focused largely on community activities: visiting schools, recycling and re-evaluating landfill use. Ac-

[See GREEN BUSINESSES, page 9]

Thursday, April 19-Wednesday, April 25, 2012

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The business of locals’ specials

Hotels and restaurants keep busy with promos By Melanie Wong It’s official – off-season is here. But while the mountains are officially closed, many local businesses keep their doors open for the next week by offering off-season specials. The promotions, often geared toward locals, lingering tourists or Front Range residents, help create what many businesses call the “shoulder season,” that time between the busier summer and winter months. The specials, which range from lodging deals at local hotels to fixed-price, multi-course meals at restaurants, serve the dual purpose of thanking the community and keeping the businesses busy in what would otherwise be a slower time. Juniper restaurant in Edwards runs a special for 50-percent off all entrees each spring and fall. The spring special, which goes through April 21, has drawn a good crowd and kept the restaurant bustling at night. After that, the restaurant closes until Memorial Day weekend in late May. “We do it every off season. It keeps us busy,” Juniper owner Doug Abel says. “It’s been very successful. Our no. 1 reason is that we do it for the locals to thank them for a great

A massage therapist at Spa Anjali at the Westin Riverfront resort in Avon works on a client earlier this week. The Westin is running a series of promotions for the slower season, including two-for-one massages. Billy Doran photo.

Entrees arrive at the table at Juniper Restaurant in Edwards. The restaurant is offering 50-percent off all entrees through April 21 as an end-of-season special. Many local restaurants are doing similar deals as a “thank you” to locals and to keep business going. Billy Doran photo. The Westin Riverfront Resort in Avon is offering promotions at the hotel, spa and restaurant, which have drawn not only locals, but also a good amount of Front Range business. The two-for-one lodging deal has made the hotel a popular place for events and parties, as well as a hot spot for locals who have family and friends in town visiting. Specials also include two-for-one massages at the hotel’s Spa Anjali and a three-course, $38 meal at Cima restaurant. “The lodging deal is especially really popular,” says Kristen Pryor, the Westin’s director of sales and marketing. “There’s a great perceived value, and you can have multiple family and friends to stay. People make a weekend of it. I’ve even heard of a couple locals interested in doing a ‘staycation’ and enjoying the pool. I think its fun to play tourist in your own valley.” Aside from a way to thank the community and spread the love to local residents, there’s a definite business to off-season specials. It helps restaurants and hotels keep their doors open and keep their staff for longer, and the word-of-mouth advertising from local customers is invaluable. “If you price the deals to where you’re at least breaking even, it helps us with retention of staff,” says Pryor of the Westin. “Part of the goal is also getting locals talking about us. That’s so important.” Another Edwards business, Palic + Miller Chiropractic, offers a $35, one-hour massage through the end of May – nearly half off its usual rate of $65 per hour. The special, which the clinic runs during most off seasons, has been very popular, and sessions have been filling up quickly, says chiropractor Tom Palic. He says he’s seen some regular clients book multi-hour appointments, as well as “new clients who come to take advantage of the deal.” “It creates a little buzz around our business,” Palic says. “Also, a lot of people are loyal to other places, and this is our chance to get them to try us out.” Whatever the reason, it’s a good excuse for local residents to get out and enjoy their own town. “In the valley, when the tourists tend to leave and locals are still here and working hard, we like to give them an opportunity to enjoy the resort and remember why we live here in the first place,” Pryor says. “We’re locals as well and know how it is to live here.”

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season. When they come in, they’ll bring friends in and talk about us during the season as well.” Another restaurant, the Mirabelle at the base of Beaver Creek, also offered 50-percent off entrees last week. When the restaurant reopens for the summer, it will feature different specials as well, says Cindy Taillard, the owner’s assistant. “(The special) includes all the entrees on the menu,” she says. “Once the season is almost over, we want to thank evSneakPEAK editor Melanie Wong can be reached at Melerybody for supporting us throughout the season. It’s a little anie@sneakpeakvail.com gesture before we close.”

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Thursday, April 19-Wednesday, April 25, 2012

GREEN BUSINESSES ––––––––––––––––– cording to Andersen, the grant helped the Alliance connect with businesses in a way it never had before. The organization reached out to 25 local companies, and roughly 12 decided to follow through on recommendations made during the energy audits. “These businesses were all very different – we tailored programs directly to them, and the benefits they saw were incredible,” Andersen says, noting auditors created “menus” of energy advice that ranged from basic to a complete overhaul, all with final cost in mind. “The ultimate goal was to be more sustainable, but there are a lot of facets to green businesses. It’s not just their energy use – they can do it with different products or go paperless. It’s very much a nebulous term.” John-Ryan Lockman, the waste and energy programs manager for the Alliance, worked closely with many of the business, including Crazy Mountain. He says the grant could give up to $3,000 per business for renovations on top of the marketing boost. Lockman often works with homeowners and contractors to make residential renovations more sustainable, but he enjoyed the chance to work with businesses. “For me, it’s a way to coach these guys through the process,” says Lockman, who notes the grant was for one year only and is no longer available as of February. “Businesses don’t always want to spend money, but some of these changes are very low-hanging fruit, like lighting. It can be simple in some cases.”

Finding their own green path Simplicity is at the core of many local sustainable businesses, and in most cases, it doesn’t include infrastructure overhauls as with Crazy Mountain. Ric Fields, a landscape architect with 20 years of experience designing for valley homeowners, champions a “low-impact” approach to designing outside areas. He works closely with owners to create the vibe they want without destroying the natural beauty of the land. “You want to listen to the site and pick up clues from what’s going on in the landscape,” says Fields, who now operates the business, Fieldscape, out of an Avon office. “You have to think about what’s actually happening, what it looks like. You can’t just bulldoze. It takes some steering to get

[From page 7]

people to think sustainably, but it ultimately leads to a better space.” Fields has designed for homes in just about every major community, from Strawberry Park to Cordillera, and admits the valley has quickly run out of flat land. This forces him to get creative with terraces and natural stone, all in an effort to minimize his impact. “Those hill properties have always been there, but nowadays, you have to work harder to make the space work,” Fields says. “Because there are so many examples of ‘OK’ out there, getting it right can be difficult. That’s the challenge.” Similar to Fields, sustainability is built directly into Sol Hovey’s business plan. Partly in response to her growing child, Hovey opened the kids-only consignment shop, Global Child, in a small Eagle storefront in 2009. The consignment model is nothing new – she claims it’s one of the fastest-growing small businesses in the country – but her angle is unique. Along with buying and selling used toys, clothing, cribs and strollers, she targets tourists who visit for a week or two and want to save money. The visitors purchase ski clothing for their kids, put it to good use at Vail, and then sell the goods back when they leave. “I wanted to do something that was at first economically friendly,” Hovey says. “This was the perfect way to introduce a green concept and save money on top of it. Hovey’s model is unusually generous – the shop keeps 60 percent of most purchases, and splits evenly if sellers decide to use store credit – and has built a dedicated following from Vail to Gypsum. With 8,000 items, Hovey has been able to expand to an Edwards storefront while completing renovations in Eagle. The final twist in her model: a percentage of all sales go to the Amani Community, an orphanage in Nairobi, Kenya, through an organization co-founded by her mother in law, called the International Peace Initiative. “I had a passion for children, thanks to my own child, and these ideas all grew from that,” Hovey says. “There are people out there addicted to consignment shops – finding these little treasures or discovering something unexpected. It’s very sustainable.” SneakPEAK writer Phil Lindeman can be reached at philip@sneakpeakvail.com

Thursday, April 19-Wednesday, April 25, 2012

sneakpeak

Calendar of Events

businesses and other groups are invited to build a life-sized boat. The rec center will provide materials, and teams should bring a roll of duct tape, a pair of scissors and a box cutter. The goal is to make your boat float and there are $300 in cash prizes with categories for best group costume, best use of recycled materials and the three fastest boats that float. Register at 970-777-8888 – first 12 entries accepted.

Thursday, April 19 Pete Stein at Main St. Grill

Friday, April 20 Laughing Bones at Main St. Grill

Thursday, April 19 Mary Doria Russell at CMC Edwards

Sunday, April 22 Karaoke night at Manto’s Pizza

Live music starts at the Main St. Grill at the Riverwalk in Live music starts at the Main St. Grill at the Riverwalk in Edwards at 10 p.m. Edwards at 10 p.m.

Meet Mary Doria Russell, author of the fictional account Manto’s in Gypsum hosts karaoke night with DJ Shy Guy of Doc Holliday, “Doc,” part of the One Book, One Valley starting at 8 p.m. Come for drink and food specials as well. community reading program. The author speaks at Colorado Mountain College in Edwards at 6 p.m. A $5 donation goes Monday, April 23 to the Doc Holliday Smile Train Fund. Acoustic bluegrass at Main St. Grill Live music starts at the Main St. Grill at the Riverwalk in Edwards at 10 p.m. Thursday, April 19

Spring break camps at Alpine Arts Center Camps run through April 20 for kids of all ages at the Alpine Arts Center in Edwards. Morning camps are offered for ages 3 to 6 and afternoon camps for ages 7 to 12. New for spring break, the center is buddying up with the Homestead Court Club to offer full day camps for kids ages 5 to 11 on Thursday, April 19. Register at www.alpineartscenter.org.

Monday, April 23 Open Mic Night at Sandbar

Friday, April 20 and Saturday, April 21 Picasso at the Lapin Agile

Tuesday, April 24 Guided nature hikes in Avon

Vail Valley Theatre Company presents a play by Steve Martin. The comedy is built upon the premise of what would happen if artist Pablo Picasso met scientist Albert Einstein in a bar. The show starts at 7:30 p.m. both nights at Montañas After Dark in Avon. Tickets are $20 and can be purchased at www.vvtc.org

Friday, April 20 Karaoke and trivia at Back Bowl

Open Mic Night presented by Oskar Blues at the Sandbar is hosted by Steve Corr. Just bring your instrument. Drink specials include $3 Oskar Blues Cans, Momma’s Little Yella Pilsner Dales Pale Ale and Old Chub Scotch Ale.

Join a naturalist for an educational hike around the Walking Mountains science-center property in Avon from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. Learn about the ecology and animal adaptations of this mountain community. All ages. Free.

Tuesday, April 24 Indoor soccer at Red Sandstone

Vail Rec District organizes drop-in indoor soccer games. Cost is $3 and those 18 or younger must have a legal guardEagle’s Back Bowl hosts a night of karaoke, trivia and prizes ian sign a waiver prior to participation. Games are at Red with DJ Shy Guy beginning at 8:30 p.m. Sandstone Elementary in Vail.

Friday, April 20 Art Night Out in Edwards

Have a different kind of night out with this adult’s art class. Alpine Arts Center instructors will show you step-by-step how to create an acrylic painting on canvas. At the end of the evening, every participant will leave with their own unique painting. Class starts at 6 p.m. and cost is $25

Wednesday, April 25 VRD Short Track MTB race

Back for a second year, the Vail Rec District’s Spring Short Track Bike Series gets riders ready for the upcoming bike series. Races will take place on a short, dirt loop and are 20 minutes long. Kids races will be 5 and 10 minutes in length. There will be parties after each race with a raffle, and adult participants will get free beer. Races go from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Kids 6-9 years go at 5:30 p.m., kids 10-14 go at 5:45 Friday, April 20 pm, beginners go at 6 p.m., sport goes at 6:25 p.m., and Trash ‘n Splash in Gypsum Gypsum’s first annual Earth Day Celebration goes from expert goes at 6:50 p.m. Cost is $5/race and $15/series for 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Gypsum Rec Center. Families, kids, and $12/race and $40/series for adults. Races are at the Eagle County Fair Grounds in Eagle.

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Thursday, April 19-Wednesday, April 25, 2012

Wednesday, April 25 Funktion at Castle Peak Grille

Looking for something to do now that the mountain is closed? Castle Peak Grille in Avon’s Traer Creek Plaza hosts Michigan-based funk and soul band Funktion. Live music from this seven-member band goes from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Happy hour goes all night long. The band can do it all, will be playing for the second time in the Vail Valley. Admission is free. For more info on the band, see www.iheartfunk.com.

SPRING BACK –––––––––––––––––––––

[From page 6]

because we’ll be in for nasty fires if it doesn’t do something,” me.” Along with terrain parks, Epic Mix was a major draw Edwards said. “But I’m excited the golf course is drying out. for people who simply wanted to have fun despite the conIt’s time for golf.” ditions. In the platform’s first full season last year, nearly 100,000 riders activated Epic Mix accounts, and went on to Why Vail survived With the exception of some resorts in British Columbia, track 55 billion vertical feet and share their info 35 million the ski season was lackluster across the world. Resorts in times. Numbers for this season show double digit increases France faired even worse than American counterparts – the in every area, and the addition of free professional photos – women’s World Cup alpine races in early December were the employees dressed in lime green near the top of major moved to Beaver Creek from Val d’Isere at the last minute – lifts – was a notable success. Even outside of cyberspace, it and California’s Mammoth Mountain had to let go nearly 75 created season-long jobs at all six Vail-owned resorts and as employees. Thanks to Vail’s infrastructure, including one- the season went on, photographers at Keystone and Breckof-a-kind programs like the Epic Mix on-mountain social enridge even moved into terrain parks, posting on the side of media and tracking system, the company as a whole was kickers to snap shots as riders did tricks. Even newcomers to the valley weren’t overly disappointable to avoid cutting employees. For some, it meant fewer hours, but it allowed for more time to ski what little snow ed with the season. Shawna Wood, a Chicago native who attended Colorado State University before moving permathere was. “I had a good season. Not a normal season at all – the least nently to Eagle-Vail, spent her first winter in the area and amount of snow I’ve seen since living here – but I did the was glad to be close to the mountains. She was able to catch most riding I’ve done in a few years,” says Matt Wixson, a one or two of the best powder days and hit her first rail on a parking attendant at Beaver Creek who grew up in Lake- snowboard. “I loved my first season,” she says. “The snow wasn’t wood, Colo., and moved to the mountain seven seasons ago. “I can’t say I wasn’t disappointed by the snow, but I love great, but you make the best out of everything. It could’ve riding the terrain park and didn’t get as bummed as some been better, but I can’t complain. I live the dream.” people. Right now, it’s sad to see all the dirt patches, but for SneakPEAK writer Phil Lindeman can be reached at the whole of the season it didn’t make much difference to philip@sneakpeakvail.com

Thursday, April 19-Wednesday, April 25, 2012

sneakpeak

Growing with altitude

McCoy Tree Farm carves niche as largest farm of its kind By Phil Lindeman

For advertising info, suggestions or just to say “hi”, call us at 446.7912 or email us at sneakpeakvail.com

To the casual visitor, things at the McCoy Tree Farm look a bit awry. Located on 40 acres of land 15 minutes north of Bond, the farm’s collection of spruce and aspen trees are in various stages of being unearthed. The trees leave massive potholes in the soil – the largest spruces weigh some 300 pounds – and the combination of haphazard roots below and barren branches above are like something from a botanist’s graveyard. Yet Laurence Guilmineau, who operates the farm with her husband, Jean, isn’t worried about the appearance. She claims the window between late March and early May is one of the few times spruces and aspens can be harvested in an alpine environment, while they’re still dormant and haven’t began to bud. It’s a tree farm, after all, and Laurence does what’s best for plants that she has put years of effort into growing. “There are so many questions -- are you going to space them properly, will you let them get large, what fertilizer are you going to use?” she says. “It is more complicated that just throwing a seed in the ground. We learned these things as we went along.” In the 10 years since the Guilmineaus opened McCoy Tree Farm, that dedication to careful, conscientious growing has shone through. They now have close to 100 clients through their landscaping business, Green Valley Landscaping, which gave birth to the tree farm. It was natural for them to begin growing their own trees, and McCoy is now the only such farm in the Central Rocky Mountains. “Over the years, we’ve extended the farm, and I think we’re the largest and only tree farm in the area,” says Laurence, who claims up to 90 percent of the landscaping work Green Valley Landscaping does comes with a request for spruce or aspen trees. “There are other farms – wildflower farms and some like that – but most everyone else like us is on the Front Range.” A blossoming business

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Thursday, April 19-Wednesday, April 25, 2012

Jean Guilmineau, co-owner of McCoy Tree Farm, stands among the spruce and aspen trees he grows with his wife, Laurence. Photo special to SneakPEAK. For such a small patch of land, the farm’s inventory is massive: nearly 10,000 trees at any given time, all of them the same spruce and aspens the Guilmineaus began with in the early 2000s. The farm has grown incrementally over the years to support their landscaping business, and is now a major boon to their original business. Trees of varying sizes are available to homeowners and contractors, ranging from $60 for a 10-foot aspen to $80 for a 4-foot spruce. Larger, heartier spruces can get up to $500, and the farm delivers to just about any location in the state. Laurence claims the prices and sizes are very competitive, particularly given the challenges of finding trees that do well in Eagle County. In the past, the Guilmineaus and other contractors had to go as far as Idaho for trees their clients wanted. “We tried to stay in state, but it wasn’t always possible,”

Laurence says. “It got to be expensive – it was hard to find the right type of trees. You couldn’t find what people wanted and have them be healthy. That was the beginning of the farm.” When the couple came to Colorado more than 20 years ago from France, Laurence says, they were slightly out of their element. Like many, they visited Eagle County several times before deciding alpine living was too exciting to pass up. Jean was trained as a cook, but instead of pursuing a culinary career, he and his wife decided to start Green Valley Landscaping to build off his background living on farms in rural France. “We came here and decided to stay after going back and forth a few times,” Laurence says, her voice still thick with a French accent. “My husband, despite being a cook, had a big family history coming from a family of farmers. It was natural.”

“If you grow a tree in lower altitude and bring them up here, the tree is out of its elements,” Laurence says. “It takes time for the tree to re-acclimate and get used to the area.” Thanks to the difficulties of growing in Eagle County – a combination of arid climate, high altitude and varying soil can destroy all but the healthiest trees – Laurence claims many homeowners will be disappointed if they landscape with trees grown outside of the mountains. It can be a catch-22, however, because low-altitude trees are often fuller – what people want from a decorative plant. Laurence laughs when she talks about experimenting with spruces to get the “Christmas-tree look.” She wanted thick, lush trees, but failed miserably after several tries. Not only is the soil to dry to support bushy spruces – the air is equally unfit. Such trees pull as much from the surrounding air as the soil, Laurence claims, and there’s no remedy for thin atmosphere. These moments of learning keep the Guilmineau’s excited to harvest every spring and fall. The farm has treated them well, and despite near constant attention – almost the sort required by her three teenaged children – Laurence enjoys perfecting her skills as a tree farmer. “I love it. You get to spend time in the field, taking care of your trees,” Laurence says. “It can be intense with the constant care and maintenance, but I have enjoyed it.”

High altitude challenges Nurturing healthy, strong trees in the rough alpines of the Rockies is much different than growing in the lush fields of Europe, or even the arid lowlands of the Colorado plains region. The farm is slightly terraced, a green field of uniform trees interspersed with grass and irrigation systems. It’s a strange site surrounded by the dense shrub and dusty roads of nearby hills. Laurence says growing trees at 7,200 feet is a SneakPEAK writer Phil Lindeman can be reached at constant challenge, but when used in local landscaping jobs, philip@sneakpeakvail.com the plants stand a better chance of flourishing.

PICASSO ––––––––––––––––––––––––

realizing he’s a genius,” Lemon says. “He’s very earnest and not cynical at all, but he takes the world as it is. He’s very passionate about what he does. However, he can be misread – he can be very excited when he thinks something has to do with physics or science, but then is let down when he realizes that they aren’t talking about that at all.” Lemon has enjoyed the experience and the challenges of the part so far, and adds that the verbal sparring between his character and Picasso is hysterical. “It’s renewed that spark for me in theater. I might try my hand at a musical or another play down the road,” he says. Schoeber, on the other hand, has been preparing for the role of the egotistical, confident and passionate artist. Picasso’s life and art centered on his passions, which Schoeber sums up as “his pets, women and art.” As a sculptor and jeweler, Schoeber says he can relate to

[From page 3]

Picasso’s love for art, and jokes that both he and Picasso own dachshunds. (Picasso’s dachshund, Lump, made an appearance in his painting “Las Meninas.”) “Playing someone like that is a lot of fun,” Schoeber says. “His life was all about him, and usually people don’t get to live like that. Most people live their life for someone else, but Picasso lived for his passions.” The presence of newer actors to the company has brought a breath of fresh air, he adds. “The chemistry between me and JD is amazing,” Schoeber says. “He’s got this new energy, and he’s a younger actor. We’re playing really well off of each other. It’s great to get new blood, and as an actor you always want to work with new people.” SneakPEAK editor Melanie Wong can be reached at Melanie@sneakpeakvail.com

Thursday, April 19-Wednesday, April 25, 2012

sneakpeak

sneakSHOTS Who’s Up To What

Shop with Gracie and Jack at the Eagle Liquor Mart across from the City Market in Eagle. They have a great selection of beer, wine and spirits.

r of Cameron Lowe, owne ext to The Perfect Season (n stop Costco), invites you to w ne r in and check out he ing spring inventory (arriv n and daily)! Boutique, salo in all photography studio ! one! Call 970-524-1600

If you have a photo you would like to have in sneakSHOTS, just send us an email with the picture and a brief description, kudos or shout-out to info@sneakpeakvail.com. Please include “sneakSHOTS” in the subject line.

Get bikini ready by working your core at Synergy in Avon. Synergy offers a wide variety of classes including Pilates, TRX, Mommy and Me Yoga and more. Call Sandra at 970-748-1911 or go to www.synergyvail.com for a class schedule.

sneakpeak

Thursday, April 19-Wednesday, April 25, 2012

Pope at Mountain Pedaler is tuning up bikes and has new and excit ing gear! Swing into th e Minturn or Eagle store ! Call 970-827-5522 or 97 0328-3478!

Organic Deli

BLD

West Coast Inspired American

BLD

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Contemporary American

BLD

Casual American

BLD

Mexican

BLD

Chinese Cuisine

European Cafe & Bakery

BLD

Pizza

Mexican

BLD

Italian Sandwiches

Pizza

Coffee House

Southwest Grill

Coffee House

Sushi & Asian, Thai

Italian/Pizza/Grinders

Sandwiches

BLD

Hot Dogs & Soup

Mexican

Italian Food & Pizza

Rustic American

Organic/Local American Cuisine

BLD

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Contemporary American

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Steakhouse

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American Comfort

Pizza & Sandwiches

Tex-Mex

BLD

Steakhouse & Saloon

BBQ & Deli Sandwiches

Asian Fusion & Sushi

Contemporary American

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Seasonaly Focused Fine Dining

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French Cuisine

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Tapas Bar and Lounge

Gelato, Chocolate & Wine

Classic American Grill

Contemporary Colorado Cuisine

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Seasonal American

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Rustic American & Seafood

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Italian Pasta Grill

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Mexican & Tex/Mex

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AVON

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Ranch Western Atmosphere

Omelets, burritos and more

American Cuisine/ Bowling

Coffee, Sandwiches, Soups, Ice Cream

Steakhouse/American Cuisine

Traditional American Diner

BLD

Hawaiian Style Food

American

BLD

Casual American

Steakhouse

BLD

Soups & Sandwiches

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Pasta & Pizza

Pizza

Barbecue

BLD

Creative American

Classic Italian

Italian/Pizza/Grinders

Breakfast & Lunch Sandwiches

BLD

Coffee & Sandwiches

Italian, Pasta

Eclectic American

EAGLE-VAIL Ristorante Ti Amo | 40982 US Highway #6 | 970.845.8153 Route 6 Cafe | 41290 US Highway #6 | 970.949.6393

Kid’s menu Reservations Outdoor seating Catering Take-out Live music/Ent.

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EAGLE/GYPSUM

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Thursday, April 19-Wednesday, April 25, 2012

Chinese, Asian

American Cuisine

Homemade Bakery & Soup

Coffee & Crepes Sandwiches

BL LD

American

B L

Contemporary Italian

BLD

High End Tapas

Contemporary American

Tasting/Wine Bar, Paninis

Mexican

BLD

French Bistro

BLD

Colorado Wild Game Grill

Rustic Pub

Pub/American

Chinese, Asian

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Organic Gourmet Fast Food/Burgers

Tapas/Wine Bar/Desserts

BLD

Pizza

American/Mexican

BLD

American Grill

Pizza & Pasta

Regional/Seasonal Fare

BLD

Pizza, Paninis & Salads

$ $$ $ $$

Sushi & Japanese Cuisine

Deli

BLD

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BLD

Contemporary American

Bar & Grill

Contemporary Italian

Southern BBQ

Traditional American

Steakhouse

Coffee and Sandwiches

Mexican/American/Western

American

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Continental

European American Bistro

Regional American

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Casual American

American

Steaks/Seafood

American

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New American

Contemporary American

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Casual American

American/Western

Authentic Italian

Traditional French Brasserie

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Pizza and Italian

American Bistro

Steakhouse, Aprés and Dinner

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Mountain Fare/Steakhouse, Aprés,

BLD

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Contemporary American

New American

American Pub

Asian Cuisine

Sandwiches

BLD

Seasonal American

Northern Italian

Prime Rib/Steaks/Seafood

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Classic Diner, Traditional Favorites

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International Café

BLD

Chinese

Japanese/Peruvian

Modern Italian

Barbecue

Creative Seafood/Meat

Sushi/Asian

Southwestern Steak House

BLD

Pizza, Paninis & Salads

Steaks/Seafood

Sushi/Japanese

Italian/Pizza/Grinders

BLD

Continental/Wild Game

Mexican

American

Steaks/Seafood

Americana

BLD

Sandwiches

BLD

Sushi, Asian

Creative American

$$$

Contemporary American

Eclectic Pub

American Cuisine

Italian & Pizza

Steakhouse

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Casual American

BLD

Sushi and Pacific Spices

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Thursday, April 19-Wednesday, April 25, 2012

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Thursday, April 19-Wednesday, April 25, 2012