BIG Weekend Ahead

There's a lot to do in the Gunnison Valley this weekend!  Friday night, start off the Memorial Day Holiday weekend by visiting one of Gunnison's great restaurants, taverns, or brew pub. 

Catchin' a Fish at the Kids Derby

Saturday morning, start with coffee at one of the great locally-owned coffee houses.  then starting at 10am on Saturday morning, May 26th, take the kids over to Jorgensen Park for the Annual Kid's Fishing Derby and Outdoor Recreation Event.  It's free!  Representatives from the Forest Service, National Park Service, Elks Foundation, Gunnison Kiwanis, Bureau of Land Management, the Colorado Division of Parks & Wildlife, Wild Turkey Federation, Trout Unlimited and many, many more will be on hand to teach the kids about outdoor recreation.  Free fishing poles will be available for the kids to try out their luck in recently-stocked Pac-Man Pond.  A free lunch, grilled by Amerigas, will be available as well. 

Also in Jorgensen Park will be the Gunnison  Chamber-sponsored Outdoor Adventure Expo.  A variety of Recreation and Sports Vendors will have display booths and seminars on all sorts of outdoor recreation.  The Expo runs until 3pm. 
Saturday morning signals the start of the RAGE IN THE SAGE 2012 Events.  A shotgun start at 9am, will see 350 mountain bike riders race from Main and Virginia on their way west on Highway 50 to Hartman Rocks.  This race is the Half-Growler, a 32 mile, mountain bike race around the challenging trails of Hartman Rocks.  The awards ceremony for the Half-Growler Race will be at 3pm at the IOOF Park.  Even if you're not a mountain bike rider, head over to the IOOF Park from Noon to 5pm and visit the food vendors, beer garden (if you're 21 or over and can prove it) and listen to the music.  Also on Saturday, back out of Hartman Rocks starting at 1pm is the KEEN "Rippin Chix" Bike Camp.

Starting Line of the Gunnison Growler Race

Rage in the Sage continues on Sunday morning at 7am with the shotgun start of the Full Growler, 64-mile mountain bike race.  The riders will again start at Main St. and Virginia Aven. and once again head out to Hartman Rocks.  The Full Growler awards ceremony will start at 5:15pm at the IOOF Park in downtown Gunnison.  Food vendors, a beer garden and live music will also be available Sunday afternoon at  IOOF Park starting at Noon.
The Gran Fondo Bike Ride to Crested Butte starts at 7:30am on Sunday following the Full Growler start.  Riders will cycle north on Highway 135 to Crested Butte and back.  The Gran Fondo is a fundraiser for Gunnison Country Partners. 
Rounding out the Rage in the Sage Events is the WSC Cross-Country and Track and Field Teams- sponsored Sage Burner Running Race at Hartman Rocks.  Lace up your running shoes and tackle the 25k or 50k running race.  The races start at 7am at the Hartman Rocks base area.  For more information on any of the Rage in the Sage events go to http://www.gunnisontrails.com/ and click on "Races" then the  "The Original Growler" line. 
After all of the racing on Sunday - head over to the Gunnison Arts Center on the southeast corner of Main and Tomichi and listen to the live bluegrass-rock n roll music of "Effrum the Bear".  The music starts at 8pm.  Tickets are $10.00.  For more information go to http://www.gunnisonartscenter.org/ 
Also featured this weekend, many Gunnison businesses will be hosting their annual Memorial Day sidewalk sales.  Go shopping Saturday, Sunday AND Monday for great gifts, clothing and fun items.
And...you can always fish or boat at the lake or fly fish on the river, water ski, wake board or sail at Blue Mesa, kayak the Taylor or Gunnison to the Whitewater Park, raft, hike the in-town or backcountry trails, motorcycle, four-wheel, check out and photograph the wildlife, and just plain enjoy Gunnison - Base Camp to the Rocky Mountains!
Have a safe and fun Gunnison weekend!

STAGE 1 FIRE BAN In EFFECT

The Gunnison Board of County Commissioners has implemented a Stage 1 Fire Ban, effective Monday, May 21, 2012, for unincoportaed Gunnison County. Go to http://www.gunnisoncounty.org/ for  more information.

PROHIBITED ACTIVITES within the Gunnison City limits include:
the use of fireworks, and the burning of trash or debris. For more information about City regulations, call Fire Marshal Dennis Spritzer at 641-8153. 

Emergency Cell Phone Registration

During an emergency, the City utilizes a "reverse 9-1-1" system to contact citizens on their home phone landlines.  However, if you use a cell phone for your phone service, you may not be contacted regarding an emergency if your cell phone is not registered. 
To receive messages regarding an emergency on your cell phone, YOU MUST PRE-REGISTER YOUR CELL PHONE.
To register your cell phone to receive emerency notifications follow these steps:
1.   Go to http://www.gunnisoncounty.org/
2.   In the blue "Departments" column on the left side of the page, click on "Emergency Management"
3.   Then click on the "About Emergency Management" line
4.   Click on the yellow "Emergency Notification" box at the top of the page under Preparedness Tools.
Then follow the instructions about registering your cell phone. 
BE INFORMED - BE PREPARED! 

Summer Baseball Starts Tonight!

Summer Baseball for 6 to 8 year olds and 9 to 11 year olds starts TONIGHT, Monday, May 21st. 
Skills evaluations will take place at the softball fields at Jorgensen Park, Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday from 5pm to 6:30pm.  The fees for 6 to 8 year olds is $66 for members and $69 for non-members.  The cost for 9 to 10 year olds is $68 for members and $71 for non-members. 
The costs go UP an additional $5 starting on May 23rd. 
If your child wants to play baseball this summer, come in to the Community Center at 200 East Spencer Avenue in Gunnison and get them registered!  You can also call 641-8060 or go to http://www.gunnisonrec.com/ to register for baseball. 

11 and 12 year olds can play Cal Ripken Baseball.  Skills evaluation and Practice starts tonight at 5:30pm, Monday, May 21st at the South West Field at Jorgensen Park.  The cost for 11-12 year olds is $75 for members and $79 for non-members. 

Get Registered and PLAY BALL! 

Congratulations Grads

Gunnison High School graduation took place yesterday, Sunday, May 20th, on a beautiful spring Gunnison afternoon.  Congratulations to all of the graduates and their families!!  The City of Gunnison wishes each graduate a successful and enjoyable future!

Gunnison Named "Bicycle Friendly Community"

The League of American Bicyclists announced the latest round of Bicycle Friendly Communities and the City of Gunnison was named a SILVER LEVEL Bicycle Friendly Community!

League President Andy Clarke stated.."the City of Gunnison recognizes that simple steps to make bicycling safe and comfortable pay huge dividends in civic, community and economic development." There are now 214 Bicycle Friendly Communities (BFCs) in 47 states across America.  The Silver BFC Award recognizes Gunison's commitment to improving conditions for bicycling through investment in bicycling promotion, education programs, infrastructure and pro-bicycling policies.

City Manager Ken Coleman & Mayor Jonathan Houck Biking!

According to City Manager Ken Coleman, "The citizens of our community and City of Gunnison staff have worked relentlessly to create a safe environment for bicyclists and pedestrians.  Our Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee provides guidance in eduacation, enforcement, infrastructure, and events that promote this effort and are proud to have moved from Honorable Mention to Silver Level." 

Now - grab your bicycle and enjoy Gunnison - a nationally recognized Bicycle Friendly Community! 

It's Springtime in Gunnison

Spring in Gunnison

Yep, it is definitely spring in the Gunnison High Country.
Yesterday's welcome rain left the snowline just above the valley floor.  There is a beautiful dusting of snow on Sawtooth and Flattop this morning.  And in contrast, if you walk around town, the crabapple trees and shrubs are in full bloom.  It is supposed to warm up today, so get out and enjoy the sunshine and blossoms.

Summer is Coming!

Summer is coming and the 2012 Summer Recreation Program Offerings will be available on Friday, May 11th.  Summer program registration begins on Monday, May 14th.  Register early to ensure your spot in you favorite activity.  

Take a Swim Lesson this Summer!

Or try a new one!
Hard-copy printed brochures will be available starting Friday, May 11th at the Gunnison Community Center and at City Hall.  You can also view the on-line brochure by going to http://www.gunnisonrec.com/  or by going to www.tinyurl.com/2012summerprograms 
If you have questions, call the Gunnison Community Center at 641-8060 or stop by the Center at 200 E. Spencer Avenue in Gunnison.
Have a FUN and active Gunnison summer!

BUSY Weekend

Spring is here and there's a lot happening in Gunnison.  Tonight, Friday, May 4th, is the First Friday Art & Music Walk.  Starting at 5pm, stroll around starting downtown to the 7 participating venues and enjoy art and music.  The Gunnison Gallery, Castle Creek Guitars, Rocky Mountain Frames & Trophies, Beth Marcue's Studio, Mocha's Coffeehouse, The Blue Thunder Circle Art Lab and the Gunnison Arts Center will all be participating.  Locations of the participating sites can be found at the Gunnison Arts Center situated at the corner of South Tomichi and Main Street.  There's creative art, fun, music and food. 

EARLY Saturday and Sunday, fishermen from all over the state will be converging on Blue Mesa Reservoir for the Annual Kiwanis Blue Mesa Fishing Tournament.  Each team of 2 fishermen, will weigh in their biggest four fish each day.  After weigh-in on Sunday, the team with the heaviest combined fish weight (not the fishermen!) win $1,000 in prize money.  Generous local businesses and sponsors also donate great door prizes for the event.  Funds raised from the annual event go to support Gunnison youth activities throughout the year. 

10:00 AM, Saturday morning, May 5th, is Western State College Commencement!  Graduates will receive their hard-earned diplomas in WSC's Mountaineer Bowl.  Congratulations to all of the graduates and their very supportive families and friends!

Saturday, May 5th is also the appearance of the SUPERMOON!  The full moon will occur when the elliptical orbit of the moon is closest to the earth (just a mere 221,802 miles away or 15,300 miles closer than average).  The full moon will appear largest when it rises just above the horizon.  The moon actually remains the same size as it rises into the night sky, it just appears largest when it is closest to the horizon!  Go out an howl!

Sunday, Monday, & Tuesday, May 6th, 7th and 8th, Western State College will be hosting the 2012 RMAC Outdoor Track & Field Championships in Mountaineer Bowl.  Admission is free to watch 7 teams from the top 25 ranked teams in the U.S.  In addition to running, there's javelin, shotput, decathlon, heptathlon and more!  If you can't make it to the Bowl in person, listen to the action on local KEJJ 98.3 radio. 

Of course, there's always fishing, hiking, biking, running, or just relaxing in the glorious Gunnison Valley.  Enjoy the weekend! 

The Ditches are ON

The City in-town irrigation ditches are on.  Please be aware it takes between a week to two weeks to regulate the ditch flow and provide water to all of the ditch laterals in town.  Your patience is greatly appreciated.
Also be aware, with the low flow in the Gunnison River, the source of this valuable community resource, there may be periods of reduced ditch water flows.  Check your ditch levels periodically to prevent any damage to your ditch pump.
If you have questions regarding your irrigation ditch, contact the Public Works Department at 641-8020, Monday through Friday, 8am to noon and 1pm to 5pm.