November 1
Early Season Celebration
Arapahoe Basin ski area holds an Early Season Celebration in the Base Area Plaza, Nov. 1,  with live music from Robby Wicks Band, “legendary” food and drinks of all kinds.  Bavarian-style food will be served from noon-4 p.m. and music starts at 1 p.m. The event is free and family-friendly. Denver’s Robby Wicks Band is a three-piece ensemble with a folk, soul-rock sound created with intricate guitar work, melodic piano and soulful lyrics, harmonies and melody. Learn more at http://www.robbywicksband.com and arapahoebasin.com or call 888-ARAPAHOE.

November 3
Ladies Day
Visit Sasquatch Casino, 125 Gregory Street in Black Hawk, Nov. 3, for Ladies Day. Every lady who earns 5 players points on their card that day receives $20 free slot play, a free chicken salad on a croissant meal, a free drink, and free sunglasses. There will also be wine and cheese tastings. Must be 21 or older. There will be drawings from 3-10 p.m. for $200 cash. Visit http://www.sasquatchcasino.com or call  720-880-1616 for details.

November 6
2nd Annual Bold Voices: A Benefit for Women and Girls of Colorado
The 2nd Annual Bold Voices: A benefit for Women and Girls of Colorado benefiting The Women’s Foundation of Colorado, Nov. 6 at 7 p.m., at eTown, 1535 Spruce Street in Boulder, features “elegant and electrifying evening of superb music.” The night includes music by powerhouse vocalists Rebecca Folsom, Hazel Miller,  Liz Barnez, Lisa Bell and others. The “deeply moving musical experience” is dedicated to benefit women and girls of Colorado through the Women’s Foundation of Colorado. Tickets are $40 for general admission. VIP tickets for $150 give access to the Star Filled VIP Pre-party with complementary food and drink, an early pre-show in the café, rubbing shoulders and conversation with the artists and reserved seating for the concert. Visit http://www.wfco.org or http://www.etown.org to learn more.

November 7
Wildlife & Winter Hike    
Join Boulder County Open Space volunteer naturalists at Mud Lake Open Space, Nov. 7 from 10 a.m.-noon, for a free, easy mile hike to learn about the many ways that animals prepare for and survive winter in the high country. The group will talk about different wintering strategies including migration, hibernation, and other adaptations. Participants will also look for signs of wildlife activity, including tracks, scat, and browse marks on trees and shrubs. To learn more, contact Larry Colbenson at 303-678-6214 or lcolbenson@bouldercounty.org or visit http://www.bouldercounty.org.

November 8
Harvest Party with Live Wolves    
Christ the King Community Church, 971 Golden Gate Canyon Road, invites all area kids to come celebrate the fall season with a Harvest Party including lunch, games, candy and treat bag along with a special visit from Colorado Wolf Adventures. There will be a short presentation about the wolves followed by an opportunity to meet the animals and take photos. There will also be wolf-related souvenirs for sale to support the wolves. Visit http://www.ctkonline.com/blackhawk or coloradowolfadventures.com or call the church at 303-582-2095 to learn more.

November 8
Chili Cook-off
Very Nice Brewing, 20 Lakeview Dr., No. 112 in Nederland, is holding a Chili Cook-off, Nov. 8. Organizers are seeking participants to enter a crock pot of vegetarian, red, green or white chili. The is no entry fee and prizes will be awarded for the best in each category. Judging will be held at 4 p.m. and public tasting, which costs $5 to be donated to a local charity, is at 4:30 p.m. Stop in the brewery for a registration form. Visit http://www.verynice
brewing.com or call 303-258-3770 for more information.

November 12
Wine & Words: Open Poetry Night
Happy Trails Café, 98 Hwy. 119 in Nederland, welcomes everyone back to its monthly Wine & Words: Open Poetry Nights beginning Nov. 12 at 8 p.m. After a hiatus this summer, the café’s owners are extending an invitation to all mountain poets to bring original or borrowed poetry, prose or other spoken-word material to share or just stop in to enjoy the cozy coffee shop atmosphere. It is a safe space for all to share their words without judgment. Visit http://www.facebook.com/HappyTrailsNed or call 303-258-3435 for details.

November 12-15
Nourishing Life Wellness Retreat
Develop a personal road-map for your health, Nov. 12-15, at the Nourishing Life Wellness Retreat hosted by the Dao House, 6120 Hwy. 7 near Estes Park. Learn how to achieve and maintain a happy, healthy life through this longevity program. Participants will learn to prevent disease through a series of techniques and understand what foods are the best for your body while implementing an exercise routine to benefit overall health and longevity. The weekend includes morning and evening Dao Yin and Qi Gong instruction and practice, meditation theory and practice, dietary and nutritional instruction, longevity and theory lectures and more. For additional details or to register, visit daohouse.org or contact Kristina at 970-586-4094 or
wudang_lotus@yahoo.com.

November 14
Peak to Peak Chamber Music Concert
The next Peak to Peak Concert, Nov. 14 from 2-4 p.m., at Shepherd of Mountain Lutheran Church, 2000 Ptarmigan Trail in Estes Park, features the Pastiche Chamber Ensemble. Dave and Jan Scott bring their internationally famous quartet of virtuoso musicians from the McNeece University Music Department. This is a family concert with media and story-telling. There is a suggested donation of $10—net proceeds go to musicians—and a reception follows the concert. The monthly performances are jointly sponsored by The Old Gallery and the Oratorio Society of Estes Park. Visit http://www.pastichechamberensemble.org, theoldgallery.org or osep.info to learn more.
Benefit for Affordable Senior Housing
Gilpin County Senior Living hosts a fun-filled evening at Gilpin County School, Nov. 14, to benefit the building of affordable housing in Gilpin County for senior citizens. The evening begins with a lasagna dinner including salad, garlic bread, dessert and beverage at 6 p.m. A silent auction and talent show follows. To donate items to the auction, participate in the talent show or volunteer, contact Ardetta Robertson at 303 582-5206 or s_robertson@juno.com.

November 15
Nederland Herbal Oils Workshop
Create luxurious medicinal herbal oil blends for healing and nourishing skin, Nov. 15 from noon-4 p.m., at Wild Bear Mountain Ecology Center in Nederland. Learn how to incorporate medicinal mushrooms into herbal infusions while crafting your own remedies. Make facial, body and massage oils for holiday gift giving, learn proper storage techniques and how to adjust oils to salve and balm consistency. Take home your creations. Instructor Wendy Monroe, owner of Native Medicinals, has taught many workshops on mycology, myth and herbal medicine. The class is $70 and includes all materials. For information and registration payment details, visit wildbear.org or call 303-258-0495 or sign up at Wild Bear, 20 Lakeview Dr. in Nederland, any day between 11 a.m.-5 p.m.

November 26
8th Annual Turkey Trot 5k Fun Run/Walk
Join the YMCA of the Rockies, Nov. 26 at 8 a.m. for the annual Turkey Trot 5K Fun Run and Walk. Registration opens at 7 a.m. at the Hempel Program building, 2515 Tunnel Road in Estes Park. The race begins at 8 a.m. A free-will donation will be accepted to support the YMCA’s summer day-camp scholarship program. Dogs are welcome but must be on a leash at all times. Visit ymcarockies.org for more information.

YMCA Thanksgiving Buffet
After the Turkey Trot fun run, reserve a Thanksgiving meal spot in the Assembly Hall. There will be gourmet-style buffets with a variety of options, Nov. 26 from 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m. There will be a carving station, omelet and waffle station, seafood, specialty salads, various hot entrees and an entire dessert bar to pick and choose from your favorite Thanksgiving desserts. The event is $35 per adult, $15 per child and free for children under six. Reservations are required and must be made via Banquet & Special Event Office at EBanquets@ymcarockies.org or 970.586.3341 ext. 1378. Provide full name, contact number, e-mail address, preferred time slot and the number in the party. Reservation time slots are available every :15 minutes from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Visit http://www.ymcarockies.org to learn more.

December 4-5
Holiday Used Book Sale
The Estes Valley Library Friends & Foundation Holiday Used Book Sale, Dec. 4-5, takes place in the library’s Hondius Room from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days. Browse among the handpicked gently used books, videos, CDs, DVDs and audio books in excellent condition and suitable for gift giving and your own enjoyment. For additional information about the Friends of the Estes Valley Library book sales, contact President Ray Nieder at 970-577-0998 or rneider@
beyondbb.com. Visit estesvalleylibrary.org for more information.

Park superintendent retires after ‘impressive career’

ESTES PARK
After 42 years of public service, Rocky Mountain National Park Superintendent Vaughn Baker retired in October. He had been Rocky’s Superintendent for 13 years and plans to remain in Estes Park.

During Baker’s 13 years at Rocky Mountain National Park, he led park staff through numerous high profile fires, dealt with a massive beetle outbreak, trailhead parking areas and along roadways, and lead Rocky through the response and recovery of the devastating flood event in 2013. Following the tragic death of park ranger Jeff Christensen in 2005, he took a proactive role in revising backcountry travel protocols for the park, especially with regard to communications.

Baker was also involved in the completion of new facilities at Hidden Valley and construction of the Lumpy Ridge Trailhead. During his time, the park received over $60 million from the Federal Lands Highway Program for reconstruction on Bear Lake and Trail Ridge roads. Also under Baker’s watch, Rocky Mountain National Park became official designated wilderness in 2009.

He also developed a plan to protect air quality related values in the park and implemented the Elk and Vegetation Management Plan. He grew many partnerships and worked closely with Estes Park and Grand Lake, neighboring communities and officials in surrounding counties.

Baker’s icing on the cake was to develop a vision for celebrating Rocky Mountain National Park’s 100th Anniversary Centennial celebrations and re-dedication ceremony.