Summit Daily News Headlines.

September 5, 2014: Newsworthy notes from Summit County.

Each morning Jack and I walk a couple of blocks to pick up the free local newspaper.  I’m always amazed that this little community can come up with enough newsworthy “stuff” to talk about each day, but low and behold they manage to write something – and it’s generally pretty interesting.  Today’s paper is a whopping 32 pages.  There’s more to talk about on Friday with all the “weekend happenings” about to be underway.

So here are some of the big headlines straight off the pages of the Summit Daily News for September 5, 2014.

Headline (Front Page!): Summer in Summit draws to a close

Bow hunting signals the beginning of fall across Colorado

By Alli Langley

Synopsis: The archery season for deer and elk runs through the end of September, with moose needing to be cautious starting September 6th.  Rifle hunting begins in October.  The hunters are mostly older dudes; many like to spend their money on guides so someone else can pack the animal out of the back country.  Readers are warned about hiking/biking without wearing a bright orange vest to alleviate being shot by a hunter that can’t tell the difference between an elk and a human.  Which would be worse – an arrow or rifle?  We’re staying on concrete until we leave this hunters paradise in a couple of weeks.

It’s inevitable that hunters always seem to feel like they have to justify their actions to all the non-hunters.  Me?  Not a hunter, but I understand it’s become the only way to manage wildlife with the depletion of the predator population. 

This beautiful bull elk was walking through the middle of town in Estes Park, CO - July 31, 2013.

This bull moose was munching on willows at Cameron Pass with four of his best buds.

– July 22, 2013

Headline (page A10): Hey, Spike! takes a shine to classic autos

By Miles F. Porter IV (Hey Spike!)  (Is that his nickname or handle?  Just a guess.)

Synopsis: The 26^th Annual Colorado Grand 1,000 mile touring parade will cruise down Frisco’s Main Street on Tuesday afternoon, September 9th.  The millions and millions of dollars worth of cars will include: 

“Allards, Porsches, Jaguars, Ferraris, Maseraties, Aston Martins, BMWs, MGs, Kurtis Krafts, Mercedes Benz gullwings and roadsters, Lancias, Cunninghams, Frazer, Bentley, Alfa Romeros, a Logonda, a Bocar, Austin Healeys, and a couple of Alvises.” – Hey Spike!

In order to educate the unknowing (like me), Mr. Porter IV gives an example of a previous  grand touring auto’s selling price: a 1967 Ferrari 275 GTB/4S N.A.R.T. Spider sold for $28 million.  Hmm.  I may have to be downtown on Tuesday and take a few pics.

 Our little red Jeep isn't a million dollar vehicle, but we still love it.  The insurance is cheaper too.

Headline (page A13): Carbon pawprint: should pets be banned?

By Danny Tyree (Tyrades!)

Synopsis: Mr. Tyree quotes an online magazine posing a question about pets not being good for the environment; therefore, can we justify keeping them?  What?  Some of these tree-hugging, environmentalist loonies have totally lost it.  Oh, by the way, the writer is also a multi-pet owner.  He’s on my side.  No one I know is giving up life with their canines, felines, or any other pets.  Mr. Tyree very cleverly connects our pets having no place in our lives to – (“Hm. This grandma – just how productive has she been lately?  And how much coal-powered electricity does she consume watching ‘Wheel of Fortune’?”)  All I’m saying – something to think about.

Miss Kitty catnapping on the dash of The Moose.

Headline (page A15): Frisco Fall Fest is celebration of local food, art

By Krista Driscoll

Synopsis: This weekend (Sept 6 & 7) the “Fest” starts off with the Mount Royal Hill Climb.  One big “tasting tent” will be set up at the Historic Park on Main Street offering small plates from 17 Frisco restaurants.  (We’re sorta big plate people ourselves!)  Local and regional artists will be on hand with their wares.  In the afternoon a concert is scheduled in the Historic Park Gazebo featuring Led Zeppelin.  Wait.  Didn’t those guys disband back in the ‘80s?  Upon further review I see that it's LEZ Zeppelin, not the LED Zeppelin guys.  Okay.  From the ‘Music Scene” section compiled by Krista Driscoll I discover this info about the band.

“Lez Zeppelin is a New York City-based, all-woman band that has gained worldwide critical acclaim for the musicianship, passion and gender-bending audacity they bring to the music of Led Zeppelin.”

Now that’s an interesting description. 

No Zeppelin photos to share, so here’s some colorful little houses in Como, CO.  I took these on a recent day trip through the mountains.

Headline (A16): A new twist on traditional chamber music.

Alpenglow Chamber Music Festival brings world-class musicians to Summit County.

By Staff Reporter

Synopsis: The “chamberfest” runs from September 14 – 20.  The new twist is that they will be “featuring selections for marimba and flute”.  Alright.  It looks like the standard chamber instruments in this case are viola, piano, violin, and cello.  I don’t know.  Maybe the marimba and flute are usually part of the group, but the “twist” is selections of just these two instruments?  Maybe it’s me.  Maybe it’s the writer.  I’m just not getting the “twist”.  I can be a little slow sometimes.  Or maybe it's evidence of my ignorance about chamber music.  I can live with that.   

Reading on.  In addition to two public concerts ($20 for adults, $10 for seniors – no Senior Park Pass required), there will be two soirees in private homes for those wishing to be welcomed with a champagne reception and light refreshments following the private performance ($75/person).  Note: Directions to the private homes hosting the soirees are provided AFTER tickets are purchased.  No crashin’ these parties!  

The writer must assume some local ski bums are reading this article because he/she feels the need to explain a soiree.

"A soiree is an evening gathering held in a private home to enjoy live performances of music in an intimate setting." 

High class stuff, folks.

That explains the $75 x 2 = $150.  One Hundred And Fifty Dollars.  All to get a headache from the champagne, fall asleep to chamber music, and eat some cheese and crackers after someone nudges you awake when the music ends.  Yup.  I think we’re going to pass on the chamberfest soiree.

When I first looked at the tablecloth I thought I saw a guitar.  You know.  Soiree: evening, music, private home (campsite).  Well, I was wrong.  It's a spatula!  Along with oven mitts.  Okay, it’s no “chamberfest” but a great way to celebrate Jack’s birthday with our friends at Dutch George Campground in Poudre Canyon in Colorado. – July 31, 2013

Soiree?  No way!  But great fun with our new-found French friends at Bluff, Utah. - October 11, 2013

Headline (page A28): Fast-food protesters cuffed at higher-pay rallies

By Joseph Pisani (Note: 3 pages of national news!)

Synopsis: Fast food workers campaign slogan – “Fight for $15”

Question: Is submersing French fries in fat and pulling them out when the machine beeps worth $15/hour?

Observation: If “French Fryers” and “Burger Flippers” make $15/hour, our Big Macs will cost $15/each.

Conclusion: No one will buy Big Macs.  You won’t have a job.  
Solution: Quit doing a job meant for teenagers with parents that support them.

Enough said.

And finally – the SUDOKU puzzle sponsored by Summit Smile Center.

The SUDOKU puzzle usually ends up on the last page of the paper.  My tendency is to complete the puzzle first, then flip through the paper.  Sometimes I can complete it in 5 or 10 minutes (Easy!).  Sometimes 20 minutes (Moderate).  If after 10 minutes I only have 3 or 4 numbers filled in, that day’s puzzle gets filed in the trash.  Life’s too short to get frustrated with a stupid puzzle.  BTW – they’re only stupid when I can’t figure them out.  Until next time – be safe.