Thursday, February 11

 

Speaker: Gena Buhler, Executive Director of the Wheeler Opera House. Gena has been in Aspen since May though it seems she has been here much longer based on all of the good things she is overseeing at the Wheeler. She gave the club an update on the ongoing $4 million dollar renovation that is nearly finished.The lobby, box office and stairway are more open and accessible and provide a more welcoming experience. The entire second floor has been redone, especially the bar. Much more room at the bar, all new lighting, better service, new AV system, new projector; a new small stage will be going in the lobby so smaller groups can "play the Wheeler". Also in the renovations are a new roof, exterior snowmelt system, and improved backstage facilities for the performers.

She then went over the Wheeler's funding , which is supported by the Real Estate Transfer Tax. They operate at a surplus which allows the Wheeler to support many local non-profits at up to an 85% subsidy. All the ticket prices at the Wheeler are discounted thanks to this subsidy. They also contribute up to $350,000 in grants to local arts groups. Among the arts groups that the Wheeler helps to support are Anderson Ranch, Aspen Art Museum, Community Theater, the Music Associates of Aspen, Theater Aspen. They also collaborate with Aspen Film, The Aspen Music Festival, The Belly Up, and Telluride Mountain Film.

Upcoming events at the Wheeler; Laff Festival, Jason Bishop, Edwin McCain, The Fab Four, Susan Egan, The Hunts, Slambovian Circus of Dreams, Sing Along with the Muppets Movie, Clint Black, One night of Queen, Los Lonley Boys, Under the Street Lamp.

 

Announcements:President John Ward announced that the next Board meeting will be this Friday, the 19th, at 7:30. And Kurt Bresnitz will have his 98th birthday on February 19. 

 

Guests: Megan Shean (Emily Burr), Jill Winkler (Dan Johns)

 

2/18  - Andrea Palm-Porter, Executive Director, Roaring Fork Center for Community Leadership
2/25 – Todd Shaver – Bull Market Report
3/3 – Deborah Breen – Hospital Update
3/10 - ???
3/17 – Alan Fletcher – AMFS Update

 

Breaking news from Lorraine Ohanesian: The weekly raffle pot is up to $292 and we have less than half the deck left, only 24 cards!

 

 

February 19, 7:30 AM, City Hall; Rotary Board Meeting. All Rotarians (especially new Rotarians) are encouraged to attend.

June 11, Aspen Camp Clean-Up Day

July 16, Aspen Camp Benefit and Concert

 

Our Happy Bucks cup runneth over: Roger Nicholson was happy for 2 Deaf Camp groups; a women's group and an X Games group, Ashton Hewitt was happy for the Broncos, though sad for the Panthers (should we Not muddy the Happy Bucks water with sadness?!!), Chris Bendon was happy to be a Bronco fan after 40 years (what has he been doing all this time?), John Engels was happy for Todd Shaver's presentation at the Snowmass Rotary meeting, Sam Johnston was happy to watch the Super Bowl in New Orleans, Deborah Breen was happy that the Hospital is 125 years old, Mike Hoffman was happy to remember a Broncos Super Bowl of yore when Walter Cronkite interviewed John Denver (and seemed to make fun of his name!!), Robin Smith was happy to be the Spell What?!! champion, Craig Melville was happy to also have been at the 2nd Super Bowl, he wore a horse head at the game!!. Steve Wickes was happy to see the newsletter being read by an astounding 66% of the club members, and Jon Kelly was happy to visit his mom on her 84th birthday, (and that it was 80+ degrees).

 

Heidi Hoffmann announced there will be a World Community Service meeting following the February 18 weekly meeting.

 

 

FAMILY
I was born and raised in California.  I live in Aspen with my lovely wife, two teenage step-daughters, and our two dogs.
 

BUSINESS
I was lured from Seattle, WA to the Roaring Fork Valley in 1999 by Amory Lovins to be Rocky Mountain Institute's in-house Webmaster.  In 2007 I left RMI and started my own business providing graphic design and website design services to Colorado non-profits and businesses. In the 16 years that I have lived in the Valley...I have been involved in a variety of local community activities and organizations, including:

• Food & Wine Classic Aspen : 
  -- Grand Tasting Master Scheduler (2012–present)
  -- Ten Best Chefs (2007–2011) 
• Basalt Chamber of Commerce : Board Member (2011–2015);
• Roaring Fork Leadership : Board Member and Communications Committee (2008–2011);
• Aspen Young Professionals Association : 
  -- President (2008–2011)
  -- Vice President (2007–2008)
  -- Website and Marketing Chair (2005–2007)

Although I am a new club member, I have been involved with Rotary for several years. In 2009 I worked with Peter Waanders and built a website for Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA5470), and in 2011 I worked with Chris Berry and created the first Ducky Derby e-commerce website so that Rotary Aspen ducks could be sold online.