We're Wheelin'

The next few days in Gunnison should be a "wheelin' good time!
Starting today, ride your townie, 10-speed, or cruise your vintage coupe over to Legion Park and watch the talented artists "Carvin' Up Colorado".  A variety of chainsaw-carving, cottonwood-changing, artists are creating whimsical and magnificent wood carvings out of cottonwood and pine tree trunks.  They will work on their creations until 5pm on Saturday when the winning sculptures will be selected.
Classic "wheels" can be seen starting this evening, Friday, August 17th, starting at 5:00pm in downtown Gunnison.  The Gunnison Car Club's 25th Annual Car Show will start with their traditional Cruise-In.  Unique, classic and vintage cars, trucks, and motorcycles, will be on display for everyone to view and dream over.  Fun and lively Rockabilly music will be provided by the "Atomic Drifters" starting at 6pm on Main Street in front of GS&L.  The Car Show wheels over to Jorgensen Park on East Tomichi Avenue on Saturday morning.  You can spend an enjoyable morning strolling on the easy-on-your-feet grass while you view the cool wheels!  Car show participants will finish out their weekend event on Sunday morning with a breakfast cruise to Crested Butte.
Once you're done looking at the vehicle comets, novas, and galaxies at the car show, head south of Gunnison to the Gunnison Valley Observatory and see some real galaxies, novas and maybe a comet.  The facility gates open for public viewing on Friday and Saturday evenings at 7:30pm.  Admission is by $5 per person donation and no reservations are required.  Following a short astronomy lecture, viewing takes place (when the skies allow) through the observatory dome-house 30" telescope and other smaller scopes.   The observatory is located at 2804 County Road 38 across from the Hartman Rocks Recreation Area.  The facility is located on the left/east side of the road, 2.1 miles (no more!!!!) south of where you turn off Hwy 50.  
Saturday morning, starting at 9:30am, you can wheel back downtown for the weekly Gunnison Farmers' Market.  Western Slope produce is getting fine!  Pick up some juicy, sweet peaches or some salad-ready veggies.  There are also delectable bakery goods to choose from, locally produced fruit wines, and beautiful arts and crafts featured at the weekly market.
Back down at the Parks on East Tomichi, the Annual High Octane Arts and Crafts Festival will be taking place under the shady cottonwood trees of Legion Park.  Talented artists will be displaying and selling their wares.  It's not too early to start your holiday shopping!
Back on two wheels, the Annual 24 Hrs. in the Sage Race gets underway at noon south of Gunnison at the Hosting KOA Campground. Bikers hit the trails at Hartman Rocks Recreation Area and those bikers dedicated or crazy enough - end the race on Sunday at noon!  Riders can participate on their own, in coed- duo teams, or in other rider combinations.  Each lap consists of over 13 miles of terrain at Hartmans.  For more information go to www.24hoursinthesage.com  
And - the "Wheelin" isn't over yet!  Monday is the start of the 2nd Annual USA Pro Cycling Challenge Bike Race.  The riders start in Durango and race to Telluride.  Tuesday morning, they start Stage 2 in Montrose, climb up in elevation via US Hwy 50 and pass through Gunnison on Tuesday afternoon.  The riders climb the WSCU hill as they navigate the campus.  The beautiful campus will  be shown internationally as the racers climb the hill and race down Escalante Hill to make that sharp corner at Colorado Street.  Tuesday's Stage ends high up in Mt. Crested Butte.  The Queen Stage - starts in Gunnison on Wednesday morning!  The racers will head north up Main Street toward Cottonwood Pass at about 10am.  For more information go to www.usapccinfo,com
In between all of the "wheelin" fun - enjoy delectable meals in any of Gunnison's fine restaurants and cafes, sip a cool one in a Gunnison brew pub, tavern or wine bar, or visit one or many of Gunnison's eclectic retail stores.  You can find just about anything your heart desires! 

Get Ready to Ride

As the riders in the 16 professional cycling teams are gearing up to race in next week's USA Pro Cycling Challenge Race, you too can get ready for the race by participating in the Philadelphia Insurance Companies "Queen State Pre-Ride" on Sunday, August 19th.
The Pre-Ride will follow some of the same race route the professionals will ride.  Starting at 9am on Sunday at Gunnison's IOOF Park (at the corner of Virginia Avenue and Main Street in downtown Gunnison), riders will group ride up lower Taylor Canyon, then travel over the Jack's Cabin cut-off dirt road to Highway 135, then back to Gunnison.  All riders will share in a Post-Ride Party at Garlic Mike's Restaurant starting at 1pm.
To register for Sunday's rides, go to www.bikereg.com and click on Queen Stage.  The $45 registration fee covers the post-ride party and a "biker's goodie bag". 

Find Out More

If you want to find out more information on next week's USA Pro Challenge Race and how it is going to impact you and the community...there will be informational open houses this week.
Tuesday, August 14th from noon to 1pm in the Gunnison Community Center lobby, 200 East Spencer Avenue.  (Bring your own lunch);   or
Wednesday, August 15th from 5:30 to 6:30pm at the Gunnison Brewery, 138 N. Main Street in Gunnison;   or
Thursday, August 16th from 7 to 8am at The Bean, 120 N. Main Street in Gunnison.  There'll be $1 coffee if you bring your own cup. 
Come to one of these informational meetings and learn the details of this Internationally-broadcast event! 

8 Days and Counting

The 2nd Annual USA Pro Cycling Challenge Race is rapidly approaching and hundreds of volunteers are gearing up participate in the Tuesday, August 21st Pass-Through Gunnison Day and for the 10:10am Main Street start of the Queen Stage on Wednesday morning, August 22nd.  


2011 USA Pro Cycling Challenge - Downtown Gunnison

There are still opportunities to get involved!  As a course marshall you'll have a front row viewing spot as the bikers flash by.  Contact Dan Vollendorf at 641-8422 or email DVollendorf@cityofgunnison-co.gov  to get more information and sign up. 

YES, it's still summer

It's definitly cooler in the mornings but it is still summer!  On that note, registration for Fall Recreation Programs gets underway on Monday, August 13th.  It's not too early to be thinking about what you or the kids want to participate in this fall!

You can register for programs here!

Fall program brochures are available at the Community Center, 200 East Spencer Avenue or at City Hall, 201 West Virginia Avenue.  A virtual brochure is also available at http://tinyurl.com/2012fallprograms
You can register for any program through the virtual brochure, or by going to the recreation website at www.gunnisonrec.com, or by calling 641-8060 or by stopping by the Community Center front desk.  There are so many ways you can register!  Just don't wait until the last minute or you might find the program is filled.  Have a great summer while you're thinking about fall!

CityFest is here!

Join City Council and Staff on Wednesday, August 8th, from 11:30am to 1:30pm for the Annual CityFest Event.  City residents and business owners are invited to meet with Council and Staff and give them your opinions on City services and the proposed 2013 capital projects and budget.  Each City department will have displays and information. 

A free, barbeque sandwich lunch, prepared by F Bar Catering, and sponsored by Mountain West Insurance & Financial Services will be served.

The celebration of the City will be held at Jorgensen Covered Ice Rink, at 500 East Tomichi Avenue in Gunnison.  See you there!

FREE Swim Lessons

Thanks to a generous grant from Gunnison Energy Coroporation, the Gunnison Parks and Recreation Department is offering the final swim lessons of the season FREE! 


Swim Lessons

Lessons will be based on Red Cross instruction with an emphasis on local community water safety.  Swim instructors will focus on our local bodies of water:  ditches, rivers, lakes and our local pools; and teach swimming skills and safety. 
WHO:  swimmers of all levels - Ages 3+
WHEN:  Monday, August 13 thru Thursday, August 23rd;  Monday - Thursday classes with no class on August 22nd; from 9am to 11am at the Gunnison Community Center Aquatics Facility.
HOW:  Space is limited!  To register call 970-641-8060 or stop by the Community Center at 200 East Spencer Avenue in Gunnison.