Opinion

Last week’s front-page news about David Perry signing off from Aspen Skiing Company after fifteen years got me thinking: Is the departure of Aspen Skiing Company’s number two a one-off, or is it the sign of more such relocations to come as the new “Better Together” Intrawest/Mammoth Resorts/Squaw Valley-Alpine Meadows conglomerate takes shape?

Despite what they may think, the Trumps are not American royalty (the only royal thing about that family is the pain in my arse.) If America has a royal family I think it should be Willie, Waylon & the boys. No one else even comes close to owning such a crazy, limitless brood. The rumors, the innuendos, hell — the facts are over the top; even compared with the British royal family.

The Garfield County Fair and Rodeo kicked off Monday and is already into full gear. The venerable event is now in its 79th year, and offers rich outdoor experiences for all corners of Garfield County.
There is a saying that a person passes nine planets while crossing through Garfield County, but we’re not really all that different in this 3,000 square mile county. Residents throughout have a deep-rooted love for the land, wildlife, things that grow, and natural beauty, as well as a keen eye for colorful and unique artwork.

What’s your best memory about pie? I bet you have one, maybe several. My grandfather has dozens, most of which come back to how everything tasted better when it was made by his mother during the hunger of the Depression. Indeed, childhood seems to be a common theme when I talk to folks about pie, which I probably do more than most people.

The human body emits, communicates with, and is made from light. Now that the Valley is in the full effect of summer’s sun, people aren’t thinking about light deficiency. Probably most of us were attracted to living here because of the quality of earth vibration, air, water, and atmosphere. We have more natural vitality, and feel more alive than most people who work in cubicles inside air-conditioned offices in an air polluted city.

One hundred years ago, my grandfather was leaving his wife, his four small children and his law firm to join the “war to end all wars”. The trenches where he would soon serve had been dug nearly two years earlier. On July 12 and 13, 1917, the Germans began bombarding allied troops there with mustard gas. Nearly one million French soldiers had already been killed. Conditions were so horrific that several French Army mutinies had already occurred.

English is the language in my dreams at night — the one that comes most naturally — but I’ve lived in this country for thirty-six years and I still manage to mess up the English language. Mostly I have it down pat — or is it down pack? Hang tight while I go ask Google. Oh, yes; down pat. You see, English is tough. Learning any language is a big challenge.

I’m not going to debate facts with you. Stuff like – this part of Colorado is Spanish-speaking because it was part of Mexico until 1845, or that immigrants commit crime at a much lower rates than than people born here, or that immigration has always been a race issue since Europeans landed and determined native peoples here were religiously not people, or that immigrants are not stealing our jobs – none of this is going to change your mind about ‘putting America first’.